I’m Here to End This Fight

Chapter 133. Betrayal (4)

“Uwaaah!”

Clang—!

Gunther lifted his head at the noise that shattered the quiet night.

‘They’re here.’

The direction he was looking towards.

Nellie, Ivan, and Pana were running towards them from where the noise had come, their expressions urgent. Yet, despite the urgency, their faces were bright.

“They’re here! Just like Clarice said!”

“They really appeared where she told us they would!”

Gunther’s group, who had gathered around him, mirrored the excitement in their voices, their faces lighting up.

Among them, Schleiman murmured in disbelief.

“It was real?”

Schleiman’s lips parted in astonishment. He let out a light sigh, then looked at Gunther with an expression that said he had lost.

“…You were right, Gunther. Clarice was a person who understood honor.”

“Of course. She’s a descendant of the Van family.”

Gunther nodded slightly, a pleased look on his face, while Schleiman wore a somewhat bitter expression.

‘To think Clarice would really act as a spy.’

Honestly, when Gunther had first mentioned sending Clarice as a mole, Schleiman had been skeptical.

It was uncertain whether Yuri Holland would gather the defectors into a force as Gunther had predicted.

And even if he did, there was still doubt whether Clarice would fulfill her role as a spy.

‘I thought we’d be lucky if she didn’t betray us…’

But then, the situation Gunther had feared had come to pass, and Clarice, who had truly become a spy as Gunther had requested, was now feeding them valuable information.

Even so, Schleiman’s suspicions hadn’t fully dissipated at that time.

And then, just a few hours ago.

Clarice had warned them that the enemy would launch a surprise attack and even disclosed the route they would use to infiltrate.

In response, Schleiman had suggested that this could be false information planted by Yuri Holland to deceive them.

But Gunther disagreed.

Gunther argued that Clarice was someone who understood honor and urged them not to belittle the sacrifices she was making for their sake.

The debate between Gunther and Schleiman was sharp and tense.

It was Schleiman who had taken a step back first.

After all, if there was even the slightest chance that Clarice’s information was true, they needed to be prepared.

There wasn’t much time left until the enemy’s night raid that Clarice had warned them about.

Thus, they moved swiftly.

First, to prevent the possibility of an internal spy feeding information back to the enemy, they set up a system where everyone watched each other.

Even basic activities like using the restroom were done in groups, no one going anywhere alone for even a few hours.

They also crafted decoys using bushes and branches—things that could be mistaken for people if seen in the dark.

Additionally, they scouted inconspicuous locations along the infiltration route where they could hide.

Then came the most crucial aspect of Gunther and Schleiman’s preparations: the people around them.

Gunther observed those around him.

Nellie, Ivan, and Pana had been part of his squad from the start, but other squad members had changed.

Some of these new members were faces that Schleiman had seen in squad leader meetings.

But that wasn’t all.

Most of the others were individuals who had achieved top scores in the monthly evaluations or had earned Silver Dragon Plaques or even Golden Dragon Plaques.

Gunther’s 7th Squad and 9th Squad.

The entire composition of both squads had been replaced with the best of the best.

This plan was inspired by the squad swapping that Clarice had spoken of.

It was dubbed the Elite Squad of Twenty.

And the creation of this special squad was, of course, for the purpose of confronting Yuri Holland’s 1st Squad.

Initially, there had been opposition to the formation of the Elite Squad.

Many argued that if this squad, formed to counter the 1st Squad, did not disband after achieving its goal, it would put other squads at a disadvantage.

In response, Gunther and Schleiman had pledged on their family names that the squad would be reverted to its original form once the mission was completed, allowing the plan to proceed.

Having been formed, the Elite Squad observed the situation from a position removed from their base.

They were there to see if Clarice’s information about the enemy’s surprise attack would prove true.

And now that Clarice’s information had been confirmed, it was time for the Elite Squad of Twenty to act on their objective.

“Prepare yourselves. If they’ve started on that side, then the 1st Squad will arrive here soon.”

Gunther’s words set the group abuzz.

But for some reason, their number totaled only 19.

Particularly conspicuous was the absence of the squad leader position for Squad 9-1.

This, too, was due to Gunther’s insistence.

[The position of Squad 9’s leader was originally Clarice’s. If everything unfolds as per Clarice’s information, it’s only right that we return her to her rightful place in recognition of her dedication to our cause.]

Many agreed with Gunther’s sentiment, so Schleiman was temporarily overseeing the 9th Squad.

“I’ll give the signal for the ambush. Stay on standby until then.”

“If the ambush fails, just follow the response measures that were provided.”

Under the direction of Gunther and Schleiman, they quickly took their positions and concealed themselves.

Gunther crouched low in the bushes, his eyes sharp.

‘The 1st Squad will appear at the 9 o’clock direction from the base.’

According to Clarice, five squads would strike simultaneously from the 11 o’clock, 1 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 5 o’clock, and 7 o’clock positions.

As a result, people trying to escape would crowd towards the open route at 9 o’clock.

Then, the 1st Squad would enter slightly later to launch a secondary ambush—this was Yuri Holland’s plan.

So far, everything had gone according to Clarice’s information, so the 1st Squad would soon emerge from the 9 o’clock direction.

Gunther and Schleiman’s plan was to counter-ambush the 1st Squad at that precise moment.

With this in mind, the Elite Squad of Nineteen held their breath and fixed their gaze forward.

Time passed in silence.

Gulp.

The silence was so profound that even the sound of their own swallowing was audible.

Rustle.

Far ahead, the bushes rustled, and three figures emerged.

‘They’re here.’

‘To think even this was true!’

The three were members of the 1st Squad, whom Gunther and Schleiman had been eagerly waiting for.

Yuri and his team were gradually approaching the ambush point.

And the closer they got, the more audible their conversation became.

“Ah, seriously! This isn’t it! You saw it earlier, didn’t you? As soon as our guys moved in, they were ambushed immediately, like the enemy was just waiting. This has to mean our side’s information got leaked!”

“I’m hungry.”

…It wasn’t much of a conversation, actually. More like Arin’s constant chatter.

She stuck close to Yuri, passionately arguing that the operation was doomed.

Poppy also nodded in agreement, but Yuri merely picked at his ears.

“We should retreat while we still can!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Yuri’s indifferent response as he walked on made Arin’s lips pout.

Meanwhile, Gunther was carefully measuring the distance.

‘Ten more steps. Just a bit more… Come further in.’

They needed to reach the perfect spot for a flawless ambush.

Gunther hoped they would make it there.

‘Two more steps!’

Holding his breath, he watched and waited.

At the exact moment when there was just one step left, Yuri suddenly stopped moving.

Arin’s face brightened as she asked eagerly.

“Are we finally leaving? Good call. I told you this was definitely a trap!”

“Stop whining and just shoot an arrow.”

“Suddenly? An arrow? Where?”

Though she questioned the sudden command, Arin already had an arrow nocked.

And then—

“Over there.”

As soon as Yuri pointed with his finger, she released the bowstring.

Swish—!

The arrow flew sharply into the bushes ahead.

Clang.

With a bright metallic sound, the arrow bounced up from the bushes.

Seeing this, Arin’s face tensed, and Poppy swiftly pulled out his shield to block the front. It was a remarkably quick reaction.

Yuri’s casual voice followed.

“What’s the point of an ambush if we’ve already been discovered? Got a plan for after a failed ambush?”

In response to Yuri’s taunt, eighteen people jumped out from various directions. Each armed, they quickly took their positions.

Finally, from the bushes where Arin’s arrow had flown, Gunther emerged.

According to their contingency plan for a failed ambush, the eighteen people formed a perimeter around Yuri’s group, maintaining a steady distance.

Arin screamed in frustration at the sudden encirclement.

“See? I told you! I knew this was a trap! You never listen to me!”

“I’m hungry!”

Arin fumed, and Poppy panted alongside her.

Yet Yuri nonchalantly scratched his ear, unfazed.

“Relax, would you?”

He tapped his chest confidently.

“Hey, don’t you trust me?”

“Nope.”

“I’m hungry.”

Yuri ignored their quick nods just as quickly.

“Come on, who am I? I’m Yuri, the guy who once fought a tiger! Don’t worry, we’ve got this.”

“Really?”

“Probably?”

“…Ugh.”

“…I’m hungry.”

Arin and Poppy pouted as they continued their bickering, while the encircling forces gradually tightened their formation.

Seeing this, Arin and Poppy quickly shed their playfulness and readied themselves with serious expressions.

Amid the rising tension—

Rustle—

To Gunther’s side, the bushes rustled as another person appeared.

Everyone but Yuri tensed up in alarm.

But soon, both sides showed signs of relief.

Arin and Poppy were the first to wave at the newcomer.

“Oh? That’s one of ours! What’s their name again? Uh… Anyway, hey, over here, over here!”

“I’m hungry!”

Their joy was understandable, given that it was an ally appearing in a dire situation.

However, their expressions soon changed.

“Well done, Clarice Van.”

Gunther greeted the newcomer, Clarice, with a welcoming face.

“Thanks to the information you provided, things went smoothly.”

At his words, Arin and Poppy’s eyes widened in shock.

It wasn’t long before Arin’s voice erupted.

“No way… That bastard was the traitor?! Yuri, I told you! There was definitely someone leaking information!”

Arin, who had been certain there was a traitor leaking information, finally came face to face with the betrayer, and she couldn’t contain her outrage.

Meanwhile, as soon as Clarice joined Gunther’s side, Gunther signaled to Schleiman.

Catching on, Schleiman removed one of the two armbands on his arm and tossed it.

Gunther caught it deftly and handed it to Clarice.

“Take it. It’s yours.”

Clarice silently took the 9-1 armband that Gunther offered and stared at it for a moment.

“Welcome back.”

With a brief greeting, Gunther gave a slight smile and refocused on Yuri’s group.

And then it happened.

“Gunther Irons.”

Gunther turned his gaze at the quiet voice calling his name.

What he saw was Clarice, holding the 9-1 armband in both hands, smiling at him.

‘Ah…’

From Clarice’s smile, Gunther sensed a foreboding.

And that premonition quickly became reality.

“I told you, you’re too trusting of people.”

With those words, Clarice tore the armband forcefully.

Rip—

Clarice’s sheer strength tore through the leather armband as if it were nothing.

“…?!”

“What?!”

“What are you doing?!”

Cries of shock erupted from all around at the sudden act.

But the 9-1 armband was already destroyed.

This symbolized the complete collapse of the 9th Squad.

Moreover, it meant that half of the elite force that Gunther and Schleiman had meticulously prepared had been nullified in an instant.

“…Why?”

Gunther, bewildered and dazed, watched as Clarice approached him.

Clarice answered his question with a calm voice.

“Empty honor won’t fill a hungry stomach… That’s what our family teaches. Honor? Pfft.”

Clarice snorted softly and walked past the stunned Gunther.

Everyone watched Clarice stride away, too stunned by the sudden turn of events—even Arin and Poppy.

Thump, thump—

Clarice’s slow steps led him directly to Yuri.

Yuri greeted him with a sly smile.

“Wow, I really do have an eye for people. You could go pro as an actor!”

Yuri grinned, giving a double thumbs-up.

Watching Yuri, Clarice recalled the moment a few days ago when he decided to side with him.