HIFH | Chapter 57

Episode 57

“I don’t know the details either, but it seems like they’re planning to make a full-scale move in Catacle.”

I wandered along the aisle of the seating area.

“There are many high-ranking nobles at this racetrack, so it looks like they’re trying to set an example.”

I constantly scanned my surroundings, trying to spot anyone suspicious.

“I heard it’s a bomb. Be careful.”

What would happen if a bomb exploded here?

I looked at the hundreds of people gathered inside the stadium.

Even if it was a small bomb, people would get hurt. No, worse—they would die.

For a moment, my vision flashed.

The sight of people dying and getting injured played out in my mind as if it were real.

No.

‘I have to find the terrorist.’

But there were easily more than 200 people inside the racetrack. Finding the terrorist here would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

This is crazy!

‘Should I ask Lu for support?’

The thought made me jump.

‘That would be no different from revealing my identity outright!’

This is insane!

But…

No solution came to mind. There was no way to distinguish the terrorist among this many people.

‘No, no.’

Get a grip, Charles.

I slapped my cheeks a couple of times.

I must be really out of shape lately. Losing my composure and panicking in a situation like this?

‘If I can’t find the person, then I just need to find the object.’

I lifted my head.

‘Let’s look for a place where the bomb is likely to be planted.’

That place would be…

— If I had known Miss Charles would be coming with me, I would have reserved seats in the VIP section.

Everlyn’s words.

That meant there was a VIP section here.

Normally, VIP seats were reserved for high-ranking nobles or wealthy individuals.

Blowing up the entire racetrack at once would require a large quantity of explosives.

But according to Pinkie, the decision to carry out the attack was made relatively recently.

Logically, acquiring enough explosives to destroy the entire racetrack in such a short time would be impossible.

Which means—

— There are many high-ranking nobles at this racetrack, so it looks like they’re trying to set an example.

They could be targeting only the nobles in the VIP section.

I grabbed a passerby without hesitation.

“Where is the VIP section?”

“Huh? W-What?”

“I asked you, where is the VIP section?!”

“O-Over there! Take the right-side stairs up to the second floor.”

“Thank you!”

Leaving the bewildered passerby behind, I dashed up the stairs two at a time.

And then—I felt something was off.

Rattle—

A tray was rolling down the hall.

But there was no server pushing it.

Yet, as if the floor was slanted, the tray slowly rolled in a particular direction.

Sniff.

I took a deep breath.

The scent was faint, barely noticeable, but it was sweet. And it wasn’t the smell of food. It was definitely…

‘Nitroglycerin.’

The explosive must have been processed, releasing this scent.

I lunged forward and grabbed the tray.

But my hands moved cautiously. It could be a pressure-sensitive bomb.

‘Where is it? Where is it?’

I checked under the plates, examined the glasses, and even inspected the tray’s bottom.

But there was no bomb.

Had I been mistaken?

No.

The bomb was definitely hidden in this tray. It was the instinct of someone who had worked as an agent for years.

My gaze naturally landed on the champagne bucket. At the same time, I plunged my hand into the ice.

Beyond the cold touch of the ice, I felt something hard. Carefully, I pulled it out.

Eureka!

What emerged was a black, worn-out leather case.

Though the leather was high-quality, the corners were frayed, and one of the leather straps was slightly torn.

From inside, the sound of a small, precise ticking could be heard.

Tick—tock—

The second hand was moving.

‘It’s a time bomb.’

I hurriedly opened the case.

As expected, an analog clock was inside. But instead of showing the current time, its hands were counting down to an explosion.

Beneath the clock, a metal box was securely fastened, packed with high-powered explosives.

On the side, three long, cylindrical dynamite sticks were bundled together, their thick fuses connected.

Tick—tock—

The second hand kept moving.

Steadily, it approached the designated time.

‘Two minutes.’

Could I disarm this bomb within two minutes?

There was no time to waste debating that question.

Clutching the bomb to my side, I started running down to the first floor. Since it was a time bomb, a little shaking wouldn’t make much of a difference.

“Move! Get out of the way!”

Upon reaching the first floor, I sprinted toward the railing. Then, using it as leverage, I leaped high into the air.

Swish—!

Rolling as I landed, I quickly scanned my surroundings.

“You there! Who are you? Get out of here!”

The security guard’s shout drew people’s attention to me. But I had no time to worry about that.

Thankfully, the race hadn’t started yet.

Which meant—the horses were still at the starting line.

— Alex looks to be in good condition today.

Recalling Everlyn’s words, I turned toward the horses. I spotted a white horse with a saddle tag that read “Alex” and ran toward it.

“W-What the—?!”

“Move!”

I kicked the jockey off the saddle and climbed onto the horse. Then, I yanked the reins hard.

Neigh!

The horse, startled by the unfamiliar presence, reared up. But I didn’t care. I dug in my heels.

Where to?

‘The lake.’

Without a second thought, I galloped at full speed.

“This way!”

As expected of a good horse, it charged forward fearlessly.

Hooves pounded against the dirt track, kicking up dust. The ground trembled beneath us.

The lake shimmered peacefully under the sunlight.

00:00:38

The time was dropping fast.

I gritted my teeth and tightened my hold on the bomb.

Just a little more.

Just a little further.

A confused uproar rose behind me.

Someone shouted for me to stop.

No.

Stopping now would mean the end of everything.

I clenched my jaw, lowered my body, and became one with the horse.

“Faster, go faster!”

I gripped the reins tighter.

The horse snorted, breathing heavily, and surged forward with even more force.

00:00:26

26 seconds remaining.

The lake drew closer.

Waves danced wildly before my eyes.

00:00:15

15 seconds left.

It was time to decide.

I let go of the reins.

At that moment—

Neigh!

The horse took its final stride.

And simultaneously, I launched myself into the air.

With the bomb still in my grasp, my body soared through the air—before plunging into the lake.

00:00:04

Splash!

The water shattered around me.

00:00:02

00:00:01

And then—

Boom!