Chapter 37: THE OPERATION BEGINS
Miss Violet stepped forward, her boots clicking against the stone as silence fell over the courtyard.
"I've already finalized the groups," she began, voice calm but firm. "But before we move out, I want to make one thing clear."
Her gaze swept across the recruits—sharp, calculating.
"This isn't a trial. There are no marks. No medals. Just lives—yours and theirs."
A quiet tension rippled through the air.
No one moved. Gravel crunched under nervous boots. Breath held like frost in winter air.
"So if you can kill…" she said, pausing for just a second, "step forward."
The silence deepened.
"And if you can't—if you're not ready to take a life—
that's okay. No shame. No punishment."
She looked each recruit in the eye.
"I just want to divide the groups properly. Nothing more."
Vairan stepped forward without waiting, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"I'm itching to kill," he said, his voice low and excited. There was something scary in his smile—like he couldn't wait.
Regan's eyes widened. A cold chill ran through him.
He hadn't even moved, and already, Vairan looked ready to go to war.
Then—he noticed someone else.
Touka Hawards.
She stepped forward quietly. Her violet eyes were calm, serious.
Not a trace of fear. Not even a pause.
Even she was ready to kill someone?
Regan felt sick.
What kind of person is she?
He frowned, unsure what to do. His hands curled into fists.
Then suddenly—
"I-I want to be in her squad!" he said, stepping forward in a rush.
His voice shook a little, but he forced himself to move.
Not because he was brave.
But because something about Touka pulled him in.
Because deep down… he didn't want to be the kind of person she looked down on and left behind.
Samaira looked at Touka, shocked.
"You… you can really kill someone?" she asked softly as Touka walked past.
Touka didn't stop. Her voice was calm and steady.
"If someone attacks me, I can definitely kill. That's what protection means."
Samaira's face fell, her eyes filled with worry.
"But it's going to be dangerous…"
Touka paused. She turned slightly, her violet eyes unreadable.
"I have no one, Samaira. Even if I die out there… it doesn't matter."
She turned away and kept walking.
But in her mind, thoughts stirred.
It's better to join the killer squad.
Their missions will be quiet… isolated…
Less attention on me.
That's exactly what I need.
"I didn't know that…" Samaira said quietly, her voice trembling.
"But… you still have me."
Touka's eye twitched.
Tch. Now she's getting annoying… she thought.
But she forced a smirk.
"Then why don't you join me, Samaira?" Touka said with fake cheer.
"Come on, bitch—this might just be your first and last mission."
The thought slithered through her mind like a venomous whisper.
Samaira hesitated. Her heart raced. Her mind spun.
Touka said she had no one.
That line echoed louder than everything else.
Samara didn't know why it hurt to hear it—only that it did.
If she walks into danger alone… I'll regret it forever…
She lifted one foot forward—but just then, Duke stepped in front of her.
"Samaira," he said gently, "you don't have to go… not if you don't want to."
Samaira looked at him. His steady eyes held no fear, only concern.
Then Lysa appeared beside her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"He's right," she said softly. "You don't need to prove anything."
Touka raised an eyebrow and let out a short laugh.
"Ah, that's what I was saying too," she said sarcastically, waving it off.
"Don't worry… I'll come back just fine."
Her words were light, but her gaze sharpened with quiet resolve.
Kairoz walked forward calmly, hands in his pockets, joining the killer squad without hesitation.
"Man… I'm not ready to kill yet," Derius muttered behind him, scratching his head.
"We had to get our hands red one day anyway," Kairoz said over his shoulder.
"I know, I know," Derius sighed. "Just… ugh, still sucks."
He paused, then glanced toward the courtyard where Touka stood in silence, the wind playing with her black hair.
"The only thing I regret…" Derius said with a smirk, "is that I won't get to stay close to my lady."
He gave a dramatic bow toward Touka's direction.
"Please take care of her on my behalf," he added, flashing Kairoz a playful wink.
Kairoz chuckled. "Sure. I'll do my best."
But as he turned to face the direction Touka had gone, his smile faded slightly.
"I do wonder though," Derius murmured. "What's going on in her mind right now…?"
Touka's eyes flicked toward the courtyard—
Kairoz.
He had joined the killer squad too.
Her gaze narrowed slightly.
He's the only problem to me now, she thought coldly.
If anyone's going to ruin this… it'll be him.
She glanced around at the rest of the recruits forming into squads.
Squads will probably be divided again…
Both nobles joining the killer group? That'll throw off the balance. No way they'll let us stay clustered.
She exhaled quietly, folding her arms.
Let's hope I'm not in his squad…
From the edge of the courtyard, Vairan cracked his neck and grinned wide.
"Heyy, Kairoz," he called out, voice sharp and playful.
"Let's hope we're in the same squad."
His grin widened, teeth bared like a predator.
"We can finally… settle our business."
Kairoz didn't look at him at first.
He walked past in silence, the wind catching the hem of his coat.
Then—calmly, quietly—he replied:
"…Let's hope."
Vairan's eyes gleamed. His grin twisted.
"Heheheh… it can't get better."
This is just perfect.
Happy times are ahead.
Miss Violet stepped forward once more, her boots clicking sharply against the courtyard stone.
"Alright then," she said, unrolling a scroll and lifting her voice. "Here are the final squad assignments for the Hollowveil operation."
Murmurs rose across the recruits. Some craned their necks. Others clenched fists, waiting to hear where they'd land.
One by one, she began.
"Squad One – Storm Division"
"The main squad. You'll be under my direct command," Miss Violet announced.
A few heads turned sharply at that.
"Squad Leader: Captain Violet Smith. Student Captain: Samaira."
"Huh? Me?" Samaira blinked, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Your team includes—Duke, Drex, Aren, Yue, and Jack."
Us… the main squad? Duke thought, stunned.
We weren't even in the group that stepped forward to kill…
"Squad two – Glassfangs"
"Squad Leader: Captain Elric. Student Captain: Derius Velan."
Derius blinked. "WTF is that name? Glassfangs?"
"You'll lead Lysa and four others from another class," Miss Violet continued.
Lysa blinked. "I'm with that guy?" she said.
"I hate that guy," Samaira muttered .
"I don't hate him. I just wanted to be with the guys," said Lysa.
"Aww, don't make that face," said Jack.
Duke smiled. "We'll be in touch with you."
"Squad Three – Iron fang"
Her tone shifted just a little.
"Squad Leader: Captain Roka. Student Captain: Penta Kai."
A younger recruit with short black hair stepped forward hesitantly, fists trembling.
"You'll assist on outer patrol. Support and fallback. Keep alert."
"Killer Squad One – Bloodhawks"
Squad Leader: Captain Darnell. Student Captain: Regan.
Members: Touka Hawards. Vairan Vynn. Plus three others.
Touka didn't flinch. Her expression remained unreadable, calm as ever.
Regan, on the other hand, looked like his soul had just left his body.
His throat went dry. Touka's here… That's good. That's really good.
Then he saw the other name.
Vairan Vynn.
His heart sank.
Why… why him?
From the side, Vairan clapped his hands together and grinned like a wolf.
"Yo, Captain," he said, sauntering up. "Looking forward to some fun out there."
Regan nodded stiffly, trying not to sweat through his shirt.
This is going to be a nightmare.
"Killer Squad 2 – Ravenshadow"
"Squad Leader: Captain Halder. Student Captain: Kairoz Nox."
Kairoz took one silent step forward, his expression unreadable. The wind shifted with him.
"You'll be joined by five other recruits. Your mission is deep reconnaissance and tactical observation. Move quietly. Strike when needed."
Miss Violet stepped forward again, a leather scroll in hand. She unrolled it, revealing a rough, hand-drawn map of Hollowveil Village—a broken settlement swallowed by fog and flanked on both sides by jagged mountain ranges.
She pointed to the center.
"Hollowveil is nestled between two mountain ridges. Each side acts like a natural barrier, and the village itself lies in the valley basin."
Her finger traced both ridgelines.
"Three of the squads—Storm Division, Glassfangs, and Ironfang—will enter the village through the eastern pass. Your objective is to investigate the village grounds, track any Kendra disturbances, and search for signs of the missing soldiers."
A murmur passed through the recruits.
"You will check movements, gather evidence, interview villagers if possible, and report anything suspicious."
She paused. "But do not engage unless ordered."
Then her finger moved to the northern ridge.
"As for killer Squad One—Bloodhawks—and killer Squad 2—Ravenfang…"
The map's edge darkened toward steep, icy cliffs.
"You'll be taking opposite mountains. Your mission is far more dangerous. The terrain is harsh, the air thin, and you'll be isolated. You're to scout possible cave systems, old mines, or hidden routes being used by unknown forces."
She looked up, eyes cold.
"You may encounter resistance."
A stillness spread over the courtyard.
"The squads assigned to the mountains are our strike units. Your job is to find what the others can't. And if necessary—act."
Vairan grinned.
Touka remained still.
Kairoz's expression didn't change.
Regan tried not to faint.
From the side, Derius whispered to Duke, "Why do I get the feeling the killer squad just got handed the suicide route?
Duke didn't answer.
He was staring at the map… and the mountain labeled:
"North Ridge — Unknown Cavern Depths."