《There Is No World For ■■》
Chapter 1: A Shitty Day
A moment was all it took to cross the line; a day was more than enough to turn someone into a viin.
An old proverb from the Deep Tower
* * *
"This world is not real."
Said the customer, who hade to the cleaning site, out of the blue.
"It looks like the inside of a game I used to y, but that might not be it either. This ce looks pretty simr to theics, movies, novels, games from the franchise universe that dabbled in all forms of media, like an octopus."
No matter how much he babbled, the janitors didn''t stop working as they had an unusuallyrge amount to clean that day.
Twomie elves, four smugglers, and even some back alley thugs who were the smugglers'' escorts.
The janitors bagged their bodies in stic bags before they became maggot food and sprayed chemicals all over the blood-stained floor.Perhaps he didnt even expect an answer, as the customer kept chattering while sitting in front of the janitor''s truck.
"Actually, I didn''t think much about it, but I suddenly had this thoughtPerhaps besides me, there are more people who have fallen into this world."
"You know, like the author who writes side story novels based on the fictional universe or even themercial director."
"People like that wouldn''t have be a game character like me... So, how did they get here? Transmigration? Reincarnation?"
His half-joking babblingcked coherence and logic.
His voice, heard amidst theughter, sounded like the ramblings of a madman one might hear in the corridor of a mental hospital.
A voice that was somehow ominous and unsettling.
By then, a few janitors started observing that customer rather noticeably and warily.
Of course, none of the janitors took any action.
After all, no one wanted to fight a crazed murderer who had single handedly ughtered over forty people, including elves.
Instead, they simply moved their hands and feet busily, hoping to finish the cleaning a bit faster.
"It looks like I''m the only one doing the talking here."
Did he pick up on the atmosphere? Because that babbling customer suddenly shut his mouth.
However, the silence didn''tst for long.
Just as the janitors were about to toss thest stic bag into the truck, the customer suddenly raised his hand and pointed at one of them.
"Hey, you there."
The one that the customer was pointing at was the janitor who was mopping the floor with a filthy mop.
Just like the other janitors, this one was also wearing thick work clothes and a gas mask over his face. He turned to look at the customer.
"Yeah, you. Let me ask you a question."
"...A question?"
The voice of a young man emerged from the gas mask worn by the janitor holding a filthy mop.
"Well, it''s not a difficult question. If someonees into this world through reincarnation, they''re called a reincarnator, and if through transmigration, they''re called a transmigrator, right? Then what should I be called since I became a game character?"
The janitor nced at the other janitors before answering the customer.
"Maybe a protagonist?"
"A protagonist? Why do you think so?"
"Uh, you said you entered the world of a game. Dont you think that someone who experiences something extraordinary like that deserves to be called a protagonist?"
The customer smirked on hearing the janitor''s answer. However, it was more of a sneer than a satisfied smile.
"You might think so, but you''re wrong. This universe has another protagonist, you know."
"...Is that so?"
"I already told you, this is a franchise universe. How can some random game character be the protagonist? Think of another term. Whates to mind when you think of games?"
Even though the series of questions were unrted to cleaning, the janitor holding the filthy mop pondered over it quite seriously.
Or at least he pretended to.
He kept doing so until his quick-witted colleagues snatched the filthy mop from him and cleaned up the remaining traces.
As soon as one of the janitors nced at him to signal that the cleaning was done, he spoke up.
"...yer. How about that?"
"yer? Oh, I like that! yer, yer..."
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, the customer rolled the word yer around on his tongue several times and eventually smiled.
Then, he stood up after a moment and spoke.
"Since you''vee up with a pretty good moniker, youll be thest one."
"...Thest one? What do you mean by that?"
Instead of answering him, the customer ''grabbed'' something out of thin air.
Then, as if it had always been there, a long steel sword appeared in the customer''s hand.
"W-wait a moment...!"
Seeing the sword, one of the quick-witted janitors tried to pull out a gun. However, the customer was faster.
"Damn it! Run!"
"rm! Hit the rm!"
"Arrrgh!"
A series of screams erupted, followed by the sttering of blood.
James, who was the first to draw his gun, fell without even letting out a scream.
Deokbae, who tried to press the emergency rm, was sliced across his chest, and Chunsik, who was beside him, copsed with nothing but a scream that wasn''t even a dying wish.
With the deaths of those three as the start, the rest of the janitors were ruthlessly ughtered. It was swift and brutal, like taking out the trash.
"Why... isn''t the rm..."
The foreman was thest to fall. He kept pressing the unresponsive rm desperately until hisst breath.
It was clear that the signal had been sent, but no sound came from the rm.
"Of course, it won''t ring. Ive already settled the payments for your lives a long time ago."
Seemingly amused by something, the customer smirked and stomped on the foreman''s corpse until the freshly cleaned floor was stained with blood once more.
Only after the foreman''s upper body was mangled beyond recognition did he stop and turn his head. The janitor, who had given him the moniker, was trembling as he stared at him.
"Wh-why did you...?"
Oh, don''t misunderstand. It''s not like I have a grudge against you guys or anything.
"..."
"I was slightly short of the XP I needed to level up."
The yerughed as he wiped the blood sttered on his cheek.
"...XP."
"And since I have just started with the prologue, it''s better to be a level 10 than a level 9. That will allow me to unlock attributes and learn new skills After all, progressing through the academy route bes easier if I start strong."
The customer shook his sword clean while nonchntly rambling like a madman. Drops of blood spattered on the floor.
"As promised, you''re thest one. And it looks like the XP will be just about right."
The yer approached him, but the remaining janitor didn''t even attempt to flee. He simply stood there, ring at the customerno, the yer silently.
Was it because of courage or was it because he had given up, knowing he couldn''t escape? Well, it didn''t matter to the yer.
"Hey, what''s your name?"
The yer asked as he pressed the sword against the janitor''s neck.
"...Dung Beetle."
"Ha! Are you called a dung beetle because you handle crap? You have a terrific naming sense!"
The yer applied a bit of pressure to the sword. The de dug into Dung Beetle''s neck, and blood trickled down.
"So Dung Beetle, anyst words? I''ll listen to them, in honor of reaching level 10."
"...How much was it?"
"What?"
"The price for our lives."
"The payment? It was cheaper than I thought. 250,000 won1 for each of you. Perhaps he would receive the rest from your wages."
Dung Beetle clenched his fists tight, his body trembling. He bit his lip and held his breath to stifle a scream.
"...Shit."
He tried his best toe to terms with reality. Their boss himself had sold them out. Just to save onbor costs.
Was this truly reality?
No matter how much he questioned it, reality remained harsh. His fellow janitors, with whom he had been through thick and thin, nowy as nothing but blood and filth on the floor. And soon, he, too, would meet the same fate.
"Don''t think too badly of it. Isn''t that what mobs are?"
"Mobs? Youre calling us mobs? You! The ones you have killed... Did those people look like mobs to you?"
As Dung Beetle spat out those words, the yer snickered and responded.
"Mobs are something that drop XP and items when you kill them. Can you even consider them to be people?"
"You insane, psychopathic son of a... keugh!"
The sword passed through his neck, Dung Beetlesst words were cut off; and instead of his final words, blood gushed out.
Then, the headless body and the head wearing a gas mask fell to the ground.
"Level up."
The yer didn''t even nce at the pile of corpses he had just created.
He fiddled with the empty air as if something was there, mumbling about strength and agility, and then left the scene.
Thus ended the act of ughter in the dead of night. No witnesses, no survivors; it was a quiet ending.
...However, the story didn''t end there.
From the spot where the yer had left, the headless corpse rose.
Unable to find direction, the corpse wandered aimlessly for a while, circling the same spot. Groping around the floor with its cold, dead hands, desperately searching for something.
St.
After wandering around for some time, the corpse found what it was looking for in a pool of blood; its cleanly severed head.
The corpse lifted the head carefully and ced it where it belonged.
Hisss
As the head settled back onto the neck, ck smoke rose from the wound caused by the de. Then, the flesh and blood began to reattach.
While it seemed to be miraculous, the corpse remained just thata corpse. The lifeless body, with its stopped heart, remained cold and did not breathe.
However, it wouldn''t take long.
The dead janitor would soone back to life. He would be stronger than before and more... lively.
Oh, my Chosen One.
At the ce where the yer had scattered death, ''it''ughed /genesisforsaken
Chapter 2: A Shitty Day (2)
* * *
- O Child, forgive me for forcing such a heavy burden on you.
Saying so, the radiant angel ced her hand on my shoulder. Her touch felt warm and gentle.
- However, please understand that this is a necessary sacrifice. That thing must remain sealed.
The angel''s voice was as quiet as a whisper, and her body appeared so faint as if she would disappear at any moment.
I didn''t realize it back then, but I understood now. The angel was dying. She had used up all her strength, even the power meant for herself, to create the seal.
- If it is released, it will lead to a catastrophe far greater than the tragedy that urred in this city today
- O Child.
- Please, protect the seal. The path will be one of suffering, where the seal will press upon your flesh and torment your mind... But you should understand; this is the right path for the sake of the world.With those words, the angel pushed me deep into the ground. She buried me deep underground, beneath the ruins of the city, to hide the existence of the seal inside me from the rest of the world.
Perhaps that was the angel''s final arrangement. Because when sealing something, the best way was to ensure that no one knew where it had been sealed.
Angel...
Naturally, it was obvious, but the seal wasnt something I, who was just a boy, could endure.
I couldn''t even see what was right in front of my nose in the cramped darkness nor was I able to move a finger in that dreadful prison.
No means to findfort from the intense fear and loneliness inside. And whenever I felt unbearably agonized, I remembered the angel''s final plea.
- Please, protect the seal for the sake of the world.
It was the beacon in my heart, my only sce. And when it seemed impossible to bear even with that, I simply stopped thinking.
Because by emptying my mind and bing like a tree or a stone, time passed by smoothly.
However, no matter how long I endured... it did not disappear.
On the contrary, the underground seal was the first to disappear.
I couldn''t me the angel because she herself would have never expected the seal would be broken in this manner.
Arge excavator digging through the subway tore the seal apart.
- Hyung1-nim! Over here! Pleasee here!
- Holy shit... it''s a kid''s body.
- It seems like someone left a body at a construction site. We should report this to the police first.
- Man, we have to deal with a dead body as soon as we finish lunch... Huh? Hyung-nim, this kid is breathing!
The janitors clearing the construction site were the first to discover me after I was freed from the seal.
The dwellers on the bottom-rung, who would clean anything, from household trash to corpses for money.
- He has no ID, can''t speak, nor does he even know his name. Was this kid a victim of human trafficking?
- Ah! Can''t you tell by the color of his eyes? They are as yellow as gold; this child was obviously abducted from beyond the dimensional portal!
- Hyung-nim, what should we do about him? Should we hand him over to the police or an orphanage?
- No, we''ll take care of him ourselves.
- But Hyung-nim, we are already struggling to feed nine mouths as it is...
- If we send him to an orphanage, he''ll definitely be sold off to warm some rich old man''s bed. Since we are the ones who rescued him and if no one cared from the start we should take responsibility.
The janitors could have simply left me in the garbage pile or sent me to an orphanage.
If they were greedy, they could have sold me to human traffickers and taken a cut for themselves.
However, they didn''t. And even though I had nothing, they epted me as their brother. That was how they became my family.
There was James-hyung, who was always kind to me; old man Deokbae, who would take me to various inte cafes and billiard halls; Chunsik-hyung, who shared hisic books with me; and even the foreman, who taught me so much about life...
They weren''t my blood rtives, but the kindness they showed me was thicker than blood. Looking back, the time I spent with them was perhaps the happiest moment of my life.
Yet, I couldn''t even repay a tenth of the happiness they had given me.
It was because of what the angel had sealed inside me...
That is some effing long shback.
After the underground seal broke, it began to target me vigntly. It tried to break from its seal and seize my body.
When will this end?
Nevertheless, the seal left by the angel who sacrificed herself to prepare remained strong. And no matter how much it wrenched my body and the seal, it never fell apart.
Yet it didn''t cease. Instead it persisted with its tedious and agonizing struggle, as if determined to seize my body. It stole my senses, deprived me of sleep, and inflicted agony...
Years went by, the boy had now be a young man. And as I grew ustomed to its torture, we both arrived at the same conclusion.
As long as I remained alive, the seal would never break.
For someone with such a strong attachment to life, why do you insist on living such a boring life?
Upon realizing that fact, it began changing its approach. It no longer attacked the seal, instead, it tried to influence me.
Just like the snake that tempted Adam and Eve, it dug into the gaps within my heart and poured out vulgar temptations.
Money, fame, power...
I struggled to resist its temptations. Yet each time, its temptations became more specific.
- Do you wish for gold? Serve me. I shall build you a gold mine.
- Do you wish to kill that rude one? Kneel before me. I''ll give you unmatched strength.
- Do you desire those women on TV? Offer more sacrifices. Then all women will be beneath you.
At times, when life felt too harsh, there were moments when I was almost tempted to give in. However, I resisted until the very end.
In order to live up to the courage of the angel who sacrificed herself and the goodwill of my colleagues who took me in, for the sake of the wor
Enough.
It''s time to open your eyes
My Chosen One.
***
The cool night air brushed against his face.
His neck felt stiff, as if he had just awoken from a long nap. And then...
...A rotten smell?
Dung Beetle raised his heavy eyelids. It was still dark, as if morning had not yete.
"Where is this... Chief? James-hyung? Where is everyone?"
He tried to get up by pushing his hand against the ground, but he froze in ce.
The sensation under his fingertips was all too familiar, and he instinctively looked down.
Damn it.
Only then did Dung Beetle realize he was lying on a pile of corpses.
Swallowing back his fright, he got to his feet.
As his eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, he began to inspect his surroundings.
The ce looked like arge warehouse with an enormous number of corpses cramped inside. It looked like there were at least hundreds or possibly over a thousand.
...Why am I here?
Dung Beetle continued to rack his brain, trying to get a grasp of the situation. Where was this ce, why was he here, and where were his colleagues?
I can''t remember anything. What was I doing before I lost consciousness?
His memories were hazy, like the broken film reel. Yet, it didnt seem like thinking any further would yield any answers.
So, he decided to first get off the pile of corpses and escape this ce. Or at least, he tried to.
As he grabbed onto the corpse''s hand to climb down, something caught his eye. Dung Beetle gazed at it intently.
There was a gold ring on the corpse''s finger.
"This..."
It looked just like the ring Uncle2 Deokbae wore, the one he cherished as his mothers keepsake.
"...It probably just looks simr."
The familiar uniform and the gas mask that was identical to his own
"No way."
Muttering that he couldnt believe his eyes, Dung Beetle lifted the corpse.
The corpse was light. Judging by its weight, it couldn''t have been Uncle Deokbae, who could easily devour five servings of meat in a single sitting.
However, only after lifting the entire body, did Dung Beetle realize that the corpse had been cut in half.
No.
Denying all the evidence before his eyes, Dung Beetle carefully removed the corpse''s gas mask. And as soon as he did that, a horrifying truth stared right back at him.
"Uncle Deokbae...?"
It was the face of the perpetually smiling Uncle Deokbae. However, his face was currently frozen in rigor mortis, devoid of its usual smile.
Fear and painThe emotions he must have felt just before dying, were preserved on his face.
"..."
And before he realized it, Dung Beetle began checking the surrounding corpses as well. Strewn around the ce he had awoken, were the bodies of janitors d in gas masks and work uniforms.
"James-hyung? Chunsik-hyung...?"
As he approached the corpses and removed their gas masks, familiar faces appeared.
James''s corpse with a hole in the neck.
Chunsik-hyung, with his chest shed, and the foreman''s body was... too horrific to describe.
"I-is this a dream? T-this is a dream, right?"
For some reason, he suddenly felt cold. Dung Beetle hugged himself tightly, desperately wishing for the dream to end.
"Tomorrow is payday. I need to wake up soon..."
However, no matter how long he waited, the dream didn''t end.
"...Ah."
Only after some time did the deeply buried memories resurface.
The director, who was especially irritable today, the tragic scene at the site, the bodies of themie elves and the thugs, and then
The face that sneered at him, without bothering to wipe the blood sttered across his cheek.
"...yer."
The shock hit him as if someone had just whacked the back of his head with a hammer.
The superhuman movements he had only seen on TV, the screams of his colleagues, the rm that didnt ring, and the de that shed his neck.
Thest memory before death pierced Dung Beetle''s brain like shards of broken pottery.
"B-but didnt I die as well...?"
Recalling the final moment, Dung Beetle fumbled around his neck.
But all he found were dried blood scabs. He couldn''t feel any wound from being sliced by the de.
It was as if his neck had never been cut in the first ce.
"What is... going on...?"
Here?
He couldn''t finish his sentence because he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, along with an unfamiliar presence.
Feeling a bad premonition run down his spine, Dung Beetle shut his mouth and carefully hid his body among the pile of /genesisforsaken
Chapter 3: A Shitty Day (3)
* * *
As he paid attention, the sound of footsteps got even clearer. From the sound of their heavy footsteps, it seemed like they were wearing thick shoes.
As the footsteps got closer, Dung Beetle realized it wasn''t just one set of footsteps but two.
"Ah, were finally done."
As expected, two men emerged from the darkness.
Familiar gas masks, familiar uniforms... they were undoubtedly janitors who belonged to the same Janitor Guild as him.
"Damn, I never thought that thered be a day when janitors have to clean up other janitors."
The two men were dragging a corpse wearing the same uniform as theirs. Each held one leg, and because of that, they left a long trail of blood behind them.
...Could it be that those bastards were the ones who dragged the corpses here? Dung Beetle held his breath and moved away from their line of sight.Just as he barely managed to move out of the janitors'' line of sight, the two janitors threw the corpse they were dragging into the pile of bodies.
St! Blood and filth sttered from the stacked bodies. Their actions showed no respect for the dead.
Dung Beetle frowned and fled from their sight. He hadn''t forgotten what the yer said before killing him that their boss was the one who sold them out.
If that was true, then those janitors were potentially enemies.
I''ll hide for now and secretly follow them when they leave.
While Dung Beetle was busily devising his escape n, the two janitors turned on their shlights and approached the pile of bodies. They began inspecting the corpses, moving their lights back and forth.
Of all things, they were moving towards Dung Beetle''s hiding ce.
Could it be... did they catch sight of me?
Fortunately, his worry was unfounded. The two janitors stopped just short of Dung Beetles hiding ce and started talking to each other.
Hey, dont we have some time to spare? How about a quick snatch?
Snatch? Well... we do have about 40 minutes left.
Man, were already working overtime here; dont you think that we should at least take something?
Dung Beetle felt nauseous as soon as he heard them say Snatch.
Snatch. It was the secret code that janitors used when they wanted to steal anything of some value from the corpses.
Snatch, my ass. Disgusting bastards.
A filthy act; legally and morally unforgivable.
He really hated the term. Snatching, you said? It was such a hypocritical term that was made to sound trivial and harmless.
As evident by the term, people other than janitors referred to ''snatch'' by.
Maggot work.
Because of some indecent janitors who did that, the image of janitors as a whole was worsening day by day. His foreman and colleagues never engaged in snatching during their lifetimes because they were janitors, not maggots.
In that sense, those two were maggots.
Maggots who had no respect for the dead; having forsaken theirst shred of humanity, blinded by money.
How are those shameless bastards still alive while we
Dung Beetle chewed on his lower lip as he watched the janitors rummage through the corpses. When he thought of his dead colleagues, he felt as if something was churning within his chest.
However, he had to hold himself back for now. Lets endure and think about everything else after getting out of here. Escape, revengeall that could be der. For now, he had to stay hidden.
As Dung Beetle reminded himself to stay hidden in the darkness, those bastards began sifting through the corpses, looking for anything valuable.
Damn, these scumbags. Howe we cant even find a single gold tooth?
Do you think that anyone with money would be acting like a thug in Incheon? Theyd be in Kaesong1 or Busan if they had any skills. The only things in this damned city are outcasts and corpses.
Yeah, youre right. I know that.
And seeing how they skillfully stole from selected corpses, it was definitely not their first time doing this. They pried open mouths to extract gold teeth, stripped off clothes, and emptied pockets
Soon, they reached where Dung Beetle''s colleagues bodiesy.
Please, just pass by.
Dung Beetle pleaded silently, but the bastards didnt walk past his colleagues'' bodies.
Those disgusting bastards were maggots wearing the uniform of a janitor.
Oh my, this old man even when he died, he did it cleanly.
They stood in front of the foreman''s body, pointing their shlights at it. The brutally trampled corpse was exposed, but there was no sign of respect or courtesy on their faces. They prodded the body with their feet, spouting mocking remarks.
Tsk, tsk, he made such a fuss about not snatching. Look at him now. Hepletely turned into ground meat.
It was because he kept making a fuss that he ended up like this. Dont you know his whole team was marked by the higher-ups?
By the higher-ups? How did that happen? This old man was really good at his job.
The Director asked him to secretly hoard a few bodies, and he refused and confronted him. Well, he said something about not dishonoring the dead.
Wow, what a great guy. Did he think he was some sort of priest? Dishonor my ass, a corpse is just a corpse.
Watching this, Dung Beetle gritted his teeth hard. His blood ran cold, and it felt like his head was about to explode.
Now that I think about it, didnt this old man save up some money? And he had no family, right?
That moneys going straight into the Director''s pocket, so dont even think about it. Do you want to end up as a corpse as well?
Hmmm, what about the others then? There was that guy on his team, what was his name, uh Deokbae? Didnt that bastard always wear a rather big gold ring?
A gold ring?
As soon as Uncle Deokbae''s name was brought up, Dung Beetle shut his eyes.
If he saw them desecrate the bodies of his colleagues if he saw them desecrate Uncle Deokbae, he felt like he wouldnt be able to tolerate it any longer.
Dont look. Dont look and endure I must endure.
Dung Beetle curled up even more and searched for the angel within his heart.
Angel, oh, Angel. Why is this happening?
Why can that madman who merely saw people as XP prance around so confidently?
Why did my colleagues have to die instead of that damn Director, who sold his subordinates for only 250,000 won?
Why do my colleagues have to be humiliated and disgraced even after death?
O Angel, O God beyond the dimensional portal, please, answer me.
If goodness truly exists, then why is this world so unfair and cruel?
However, there was no answer. Just like usual, it never came.
"Oh, I found it! The gold ring!"
"Finally, something valuable!"
As Dung Beetle desperately averted his gaze, the excited voices of those bastards reached his ears.
Unable to hold back, Dung Beetle raised his head.
...Ah.
He saw them twist Uncle Deokbae''s finger, remove the gold ring, and then toss the body aside.
Thud! Uncle Deokbae''s upper body rolled on the floor. For a very brief moment, Dung Beetle met his eyes as the corpse rolled.
There were tears of blood flowing from Uncle Deokbae''s eyes.
At that moment, something inside Dung Beetle snapped.
"This bastard wasnt even married; why the hell did he go around wearing a gold ring?"
"For us to snatch it?"
"Ehehehe, right. He wore it to fill our pockets."
Unaware of what was happening in the darkness, the bastards continued rejoicing as they rummaged through the other corpses.
"Hey, we don''t have much time left. Let''s finish up and get out of here."
"Didn''t they say there was an elf as well? You should go check the elf, and I''ll check the janitors a bit more."
The one who took Uncle Deokbae''s gold ring moved towards Dung Beetle, while the other moved away towards the elf''s body.
Instinctively realized this was his chance, Dung Beetle quietly took off his blood-soaked work uniform.
This uniform was cheap and other than being tough and durable, it was nothing special.
However, at that moment, that was more than enough for Dung Beetle. He rolled the uniform into a long, rope-like strip.
Clutching the rolled-up uniform in both hands, he silently approached the bastard, who had taken the gold ring, from behind.
And then...
Just one more thing to gra... kgh!
He wrapped the rolled-up uniform around the bastards neck and tightened it. Squeezing with all his might, he used his legs to cling to that persons body, to ensure he couldnt escape.
Ghk, kh, khk.
The ambushed bastard grasped at his neck as he struggled. He twisted his body, kicked his legs, and iled his arms.
However, it was all in vain.
The despicable maggot, who did nothing but desecrate the dead, was unable to escape the noose.
It didn''t take much time for the bastards body to go limp. Dung Beetle swallowed hard as he stared at the maggot fallen at his feet.
Ah.
His strength deserted him, and his mind cooled down. Murder... yes, this was murder.
I killed someone.
Yet... something didnt feel right. For some reason, he felt nothing.
No sense of achievement or guilt. It simply felt like he was doing something obvious like drinking water when thirsty or stepping on a maggot when he saw one.
However, murder was still murder. Dung Beetle was shocked by how he felt nothing even after killing the bastard.
Why do I feel nothing?
Suddenly, the voice of the bastard stripping the elf''s corpse reached his ears.
Hey! Weve hit a jackpot! Theres a ne on this elfs body!
As the bastard called out to his coworker, he naturally shone his shlight in this direction...
Huh What the hell...?
However, what he saw was Dung Beetle strangling the maggot.
Dung Beetle turned towards the light, and their eyes met. They say eyes are the windows of the soul. Even though they were both wearing gas masks, they could instantly understand each others thoughts.
Kill!
This crazy bastard.
A very brief silence filled the space and then, it vanished.
The maggot bastard was the first to make his move. He turned and ran without hesitation. Dung Beetle pushed the dead maggot aside and chased after him.
The chase didntst long.
"Aagh, damn it!"
Crash! Ironically, the bastard tripped over the very corpse he had tossed earlier. The dead body had no sense of injustice, and the heavens remained silent, but he was now paying the price for his desecration.
Damn it! Stay back! Donte any closer!
As the bastard iled over the filth oozing from the corpse, Dung Beetle pounced on him.
The maggot bastard struggled to avoid being pinned down, but he couldnt hold out for long against the higher ground. Dung Beetle mounted him and used his knees to pin his shoulders and sr plexus.
Wa kgh, wait, argh!
The moment he gained the upper hand, Dung Beetle immediately thrust his fist down. He showed no hesitation while delivering the blows. After all, this was the man who had mocked the foreman and desecrated Uncle Deokbaes corpse.
P-please, spare me! Please, st- kh! Stop!
The bastard iled his arms, screaming desperately, but the punches didnt stop.
Whack! Whack! Whack! The gas mask tore off, blood sttered, and eventually, the sound of something breaking rang. Dung Beetle abandoned himself to the raw violence and instinct.
He could no longer tell if he was hitting someone''s head or if this was something he had been suppressing all this time. However, he didnt even want to know.
Dung Beetle kept punching until he could punch no more.
And when he finally stopped
Finally.
''It'' spoke to him.
Youve crossed the /genesisforsaken
Chapter 4: A Shitty Day (4)
* * *
The Korean Environmental Beautification Union, no one really used its original name; they simply called it the Janitor Guild. And after all the staff had left for the day, a small party was taking ce in the quiet office.
However, the party had only one participant. Just like how the union was never addressed by its original name, he was usually referred to as the operations director rather than his name. The middle-aged man poured himself some whiskey he had prepared for special asions.
Clunk!
The Director, who had only drunk soju all his life, savored the aroma of whiskey before gulping it straight from the bottle. The sensation of alcohol over 30 degrees Celsius flowing down his throat was fantastic.
Could he call this the taste of satisfaction, from having taken care of it so meticulously?
Anyway, after cleansing his insides with whiskey, the Director sank into his chair.
It was a perfect night.
The towering stack of money sitting on his desk was his reward for resolving a long-standing issue. Moreover, it wasn''t Korean won with the face of President Lee Seungbaek1, but a bundle of U.S. $100 bills featuring Benjamin Franklin instead.The Director picked up a bundle and sniffed it. The musty scent of cash was much sweeter drinking apaniment than any side dish in the world.
"How nice, very nice."
All this was thanks to the crazed killer who was recently making a bigmotion everywhere.
Three days ago, without providing any context, that killer demanded for exactly ten people to kill.
It was a demand typical of a deranged killer. The issue was, the Director was unable to identify ten people to be killed. For heavens sake, he was the Director of the Janitor Guild, not a human trafficker!
However, he couldnt simply deny his request as that lunatic had already turned too many people into corpses.
In the end, he sent a request for help to the higher-ups. The request was made to stop that mad killer, but the higher-ups resolved the problem in apletely unexpected manner.
- Ten employees? Just send them to him, problem solved. After all, dont we happen to have some guys that need to be killed?
The Director realized who the some guys that need to be killed were.
The impudent foreman who had the audacity to talk back to the higher-ups, and the foolish janitors who blindly sided with their foreman. Hence, the higher-ups suggested to use this opportunity to get rid of that foreman this time. Coincidentally, there were exactly ten of them.
The Director didn''t shrink in fear or feel guilty; instead, he faithfully followed the orders from above. Thankfully, his higher-ups didnt say anything about the bribe he received while handling the job.
After all, wasn''t there a saying: silence is golden? Hence, he interpreted his higher-ups'' silence in this manner:
Just handle it and keep it all for yourself.
And the Director dlyplied.
From the janitors monthly wages, to the paltry sum the crazed killer paid for their lives... and even the assets the foreman owned. In just one night, an enormous amount of money had fallen into the Directors hands.
Among them, the foreman''s assets made up a major chunk of the amount he gained. Rumors about him being very well-off were widespread, but the Director never imagined that it would be this much.
Well, seeing that he had that much money, it makes sense that he had the courage to challenge the higher-ups.
However...
He should have known his ce. Not only did he not understand his position, but he also acted as he pleased and only wanted to be good towards others. But, isn''t he also dead now?
The Director raised the whisky again, filled with condolence and gratitude. The strong buzz enveloping him provided a pleasant sensation.
Without resisting the intoxication, he savored the moment.
After about ten minutes, he rose from his seat and pulled out arge bag and a bunch of smaller bags from under his desk. They were cheap market bags without any adornments orbels.
However, the value of the bags could be judged from their content.
He then began stuffing bundles of bills into the bags. His reason for using those bags instead of a sturdy safe was simple.
Having too much money like this will cause problems if I keep it all to myself.
This money was like lifeblood, but it could never be more important than the blood flowing through his veins. The rule of thumb was simple: when you obtain dirty money like that, you should spread it around in advance to avoid any problems that might make you spill blood.
After a short while, money for the higher-ups, the public officials backing him, and the police were neatly packed into the bag. And even though he had only moved some bundles of cash, sweat was already trickling down his forehead, probably due to the alcohol.
After transferring around half the bundles of money, the Director straightened his back and wiped his sweat with a look of satisfaction on his face. Like a farmer who had just reaped the fruits of honestbor, he looked at the bags of money with a proud expression. The thought that they were all his lifelines brought a smile to his face.
The moment he reached out to put his share in thergest bag
Clink a sudden noise, as if something was broken, came from behind.
The Director turned around in surprise and saw somethinging through the window.
What madness is this? This is the fourth floor.
Was that crazed killering for him as well?
The Director hurriedly took out a pistol from the desk drawer. Standing unsteadily, he pointed at the figure climbing through the window.
However the figure''s appearance was way too familiar. Even though he was covered in blood and filth, he was wearing the janitor guild''s uniform and a gas mask.
"Director."
"W-what the hell are you doing?"
"Why did you do that?"
The janitor who broke through the window suddenly began spouting iprehensible words. The Director wondered if he should run away, but his eyes caught sight of the bags of money piled on the desk.
That money gave him the courage he didn''t have before. Grabbing the gun with both hands, he shouted at the janitor approaching him.
"You bastard! Who the hell are you!"
"Why did you sell us to that crazy bastard?"
Sell us? Realizing the meaning hidden in those words, the Director scrunched his eyebrows.
"...Foreman?"
There was no reply. The Director continued to ponder over it.
Could it be? Did one of the janitors he handed over to the crazed killer manage to survive?
No, someone undoubtedly survived; that was why this man was causing such amotion.
That moronic killer. All this trouble because he couldnt even kill one janitor properly?
He tried to guess which of the janitors he sold would be bold enough to act like this.
The foreman was too old, and the ones around Deokbae''s age didn''t have the guts to do something like this.
So that narrowed it down to the young ones... being a foreigner, James had a unique ent, and the youngest, Dung Beetle, was too quiet to cause trouble like this.
Naturally, the only one who remained, in his opinion, was Chunsik.
Arriving at that conclusion, the Director licked his parched lips before opening his mouth again.
"Chunsik, a man who''s alive should think about staying alive. Hah, where do you think we are now? How dare youe in here."
Sweat gathered in his palm holding the gun. Unsure when that man would rush at him, the Director tensed up. However, that man didn''t charge at him immediately. In a choked up voice, he continued to speak.
"Answer the question! Why the hell did you sell us?"
"Why did I sell you, you ask? This motherfucker! Don''t you remember the orders your foreman received from the higher-ups? If you''re maggots cleaning up corpses, you should behave like maggots. Did you really believe that something like this would never happen?"
"Just because of that...?"
"Just because of that? Do you know how much weve lost simply because you refused to strip the corpses bare before handing them over?
Bang! The Director fired the pistol. The janitor was hit in the thigh and copsed to the ground.
"I-I! I was a top marksman in the army. You know that, you motherfucker?"
He didn''t mention that the bullet hit his thigh even though he was aiming for the janitors head.
Sigh, Damn it! Regaining hisposure, the Director reached for the bottle of whisky as he tried to steady his breath.
"You stupid bastard, is money a joke to you? At this very moment, numerous people in Africa and beyond the dimensional portal are dying because of money, you know!"
Right from the start, the Director''s words were nothing but sophistry. If the Director himself didnt believe his own words, what more could be said?
However, what did that have to do with anything?
The important thing was that the Director stood unharmed, while that guy was on the ground after being hit by a bullet.
"...At least, there''s one thing we can agree on."
The janitor lying on the floor didn''t bother to counter his sophistry nor did show any signs of anger.
He only sighed deeply before giving him a ferocious re that could pierce through the gas mask.
"Well, do you mean that you are now dead?
The gun and the whiskey boosted the Directors courage. Taking a sip of whiskey, he approached the guy confidently.
"That some people die because of money."
"This motherfucker... Ha, it looks like you still dont understand the situation. You came back from the brink of death, and you still see nothing?"
The Director approached the man with absolute confidence that he would never miss and aimed at his head. Thoughts about how to dispose of the body and how much he would need to pay off the police who would respond to the gunshot crossed his mind, but such trivial matters were of no concern.
"Go die now."
Just as the Director pulled the trigger, the man suddenly sprang to his feet.
"Ugh...?!"
The Director was unable to react to the unexpected ambush.
Bang! The bullet the Director fired with all his might whizzed through the air, while the janitor mmed his head into his chin.
Crack! Apanied by the sound of a broken jaw and teeth, the Director''s head spun.
N-no. If I lose consciousness like this...
The Director''s thoughts didn''t continue beyond that.
Smack!
Excruciating pain engulfed him as something struck his head again.
Then, his consciousness plummeted into deep darkness.
***
"Keugh, ugh..."
The Director awakened, whining like a puppy soaked in rain. The ce where he was hit still hurt, and he tossed and turned for a while without opening his eyes.
"Please help... help me."
No one responded to his pitiful cry. The Director tried to raise his hand to rub his eyes, but it was difficult to even move his head as all his limbs were tied up.
Eventually, the Director opened his eyes and it took him several more minutes to regain his senses.
"Are you awake?"
The first thing he saw through his blurry vision was a ck gas maskmonly worn by janitors.
"W-who... who are you?"
"Why? Are you so surprised that Im not Chunsik?
"A-are you... Deokbae? Deokbae, this is all a misunderstanding. I can exin everything."
"Uncle Deokbae... How dare you mention that name."
He slowly took off the gas mask as he said that.
What first emerged was the jawline of a young man who wasnt fully matured. ck hair soaked in blood and sweat flowed down, and finally, the eyes hidden behind the strands of hair came into sight.
"Golden eyes...?"
Eyes glistening with a gruesome golden hue akin to melted gold. And as far as he knew, only one janitor had eyes like that.
"Dung Beetle, how did you...?"
"Why? Am I someone who is not supposed to be alive?"
"..."
The Director shook his head desperately. What could he do to survive? Should he appeal to his emotions or resort to threats?
"Y-you crazy bastard!"
He chose thetter.
"Do you know what you''ve done? Do you know who you''re messing with right now?"
From what the Director recalled, Dung Beetle was someone with a dutiful temperament, always willing to do dirty work as long as he was ordered to do so. Perhaps this young man was perhaps out of his mind temporarily, but if he shouted a few times...
"W-Wait a minute. This motherfucker, what the hell are you doing?"
Contrary to the Director''s expectations, Dung Beetle didn''t shrink back.
Instead, he did something more terrifying. He pulled out arge canister of gasoline from behind his back and approached the Director with big strides.
"Wait! Just wait!"
Dung Beetle opened the lid and poured the gasoline directly over the Director''s head. The horrid smell of gasoline, causing a chill to run down his spine, enveloped him.
"..."
It was only then that the Director took in his surroundings. Through the dim darkness, he could see a ce with corpses piled up like mountains.
It was the massive warehouse where the janitors secretly stored the corpses they had cleaned.
The Director realized something was profoundly wrong. Was it really possible for someone who was just shot in the thigh to drag an unconscious adult male from his office all the way here? Did that make any sense?
As he struggled to grasp reality, Dung Beetle spoke.
"Director, I''m going to give you an opportunity."
"Opportunity? What opportunity?"
"An opportunity not to get burnt and die here."
Dung Beetle took out a lighter from his pocket.
"It''s not something difficult. I''ll ask the questions, and you just need to give me an answer."
"..."
Click, click. Dung Beetle silently flicked the lighter on and off.
Gripped with fear, the director agreed to it without saying a word. Seeing that, Dung Beetle spoke first.
"Your first question. Was this job ordered by the higher-ups?"
"T-that... thats right. When that deranged killer made the demand to hand over someone for him to kill, they thought that was a good opportunity, so they ordered me... to send your team to that killer. Believe me! I-I just did as I was told."
The Director swallowed hard. The golden eyes of Dung Beetle staring at him looked too menacing.
...Then, the second question. What is this corpse warehouse?
The Director shut his eyes tight. This wasn''t a question he could answer. Even if answering him could save his life for now, he would certainly pay the priceter, as the higher-ups would never spare him for revealing the truth.
However, if he didn''t give him an answer, he would die.
A liquid trickled between the wrinkles around the Director''s eyes; no one could tell if it was tears or gasoline.
This warehouse... is the raison d''tre for the Janitor Guilds existence.
The raison d''tre?
''You must have heard the urban legends about the Janitor Guild.
That nonsense that the guild is operating a human flesh factory and supplying corpses to Necromancers?
Yes, those false rumors. Half of them are true.
Half were true? Dung Beetle furrowed his brows.
Needless to say, a human flesh factory was undoubtedly nonsense. Butchery was surprisingly delicate work, requiringrge-scale ughterhouses and refrigeration facilities.
It made no sense to talk about supplying human flesh when these people were just stacking corpses in a warehouse. They were lucky that the guild didnt supply rotten meat.
Then, there was only one answer: they supplied corpses to Necromancers. But... that was just as nonsensical.
Are you really asking me to believe that?
When Dung Beetle voiced his opinion, the Director looked at him warily as he opened his mouth.
I know that it''s hard to believe. But thats the truth without a single falsehood. I can swear to it.
Isn''t the Janitor Guild under the government? Are you saying that they''ve teamed up with people whove been designated as terrorists by the United States?
The Director pulled his neck and body backwards as Dung Beetle stepped forward with the lighter.
We''re living in an era where big-earedmies brazenly meet with the U.S. president. Is it really strange for the Korean government to team up with a terrorist organization?
He kept talking as he cautiously moved his body as far as he could, just in case the lighter''s me reached him.
I cant really tell you about how far the government''s influence extends to. I''m just someone at the bottom of the hierarchy, responsible for delivering the goods. But one thing I can say for sure is that the Janitor Guild has been doing this for at least 20 years.
Lies. What does the government have to gain from people like Necromancers?
With a click, he moved the lighter closer. The Director screamed as if he were shrieking.
The Awakening Potion! They receive the Awakening Potion!
The Awakening Potion?
Hell yes, damn it! Its an elixir that has a 20% chance of turning an Earthian into a mana user when you drink it! The Necromancers supply it to the government.
...
"He.. hehe... If not, how does this tiny country have more mages than all of South America? Did they build Hogwarts or something?
It was a usible story. It was true that South Korea produced more mages than any other country.
The government said it was due to a dimensional portal that opened in the Kaesong area, but... well, a contract with Necromancers made more sense.
...Evidence? Do you have any evidence?
Damn it! This warehouse is the evidence! Does this look like a normal warehouse to you? What Im saying is that this ce has preservation spells to keep corpses from decaying easily and seals to prevent the smell from escaping!
As the Director shouted, Dung Beetle looked around the warehouse with a new perspective.
Indeed, if so many corpses were decaying in here, the stench should have permeated the entire area. A single gas mask would be unable to withstand the overwhelming stench. The situation was beyond exnationunless magic was involved.
If they weren''t Necromancers, why would they build a facility like this? Please, please believe me. I-I mean, is there any reason for me to lie aftering all the way here?
The Director pleaded in a desperate voice. He wanted to stay alivethere were too many assets he hadnt used and things he hadnt enjoyed. He couldnt just die like this.
However, looking at Dung Beetles gaze, he realized that the young man didn''t fully believe him. Those narrowed eyes were staring at the Director, calcting whether his words were true or false.
If what you say is true, when will the Necromancer arrive? There must be a schedule for collecting corpses.
In three days. Theylle to collect the corpses in three days, as they do regrly. T-The secret meeting ce is the closed Incheon Port Pier 13!
The Director divulged confidential information without hesitation. It might have gone unnoticed if he hadnt said anything, but he had already disclosed way too much to remain silent now.
Three days
Dung Beetle shut his mouth and remained silent. The lingering silence made the Director even more afraid.
D-do you have any more questions? I will tell you everything I know; just spare my life.
I have no more questions. I don''t think you really know everything.
Then... you will spare me, right?
Dung Beetle stared down without responding. Tangled with disgust and hatred, the gold eyes met the Director''s gaze head-on.
In the brief moment of silence, the gasoline on the Directors cheek mingled with the cold sweat trickling down. As if resolving himself, Dung Beetle clenched his fist tightly before putting the lighter back into his pocket.
"As promised. I will spare you."
The Director sighed with relief. Simultaneously, he mocked Dung Beetle in his mind. Stupid bastard, you are calling this sparing me?
"Thank you. Thank you very much..."
Yet he feigned weakness and misery outwardly. There was no need to cause unnecessary trouble.
As long as he survived now, there would be plenty of opportunities for revenge. Although he would likely lose his position as a Director and have to flee from the South Korean government.
Regardless, Dung Beetle abandoned the Director, walked toward the warehouse entrance, and disappeared from his sight.
Only once the sound of Dung Beetles footsteps disappeared did the Director finally rx. He sighed, clutching his pounding chest.
"Damn it, he could have released my arms and legs before he left."
He tried to untie his bound limbs while groaning. As he freed one arm, a strange smell tickled his nose.
It smelt... like burning meat...
"Oh my damn it"
The smell wafted from the direction Dung Beetle had left. As the Director turned his head, ck smoke and rising mes met his eyes.
"This... this..."
There was no space in the warehouse to avoid the fire, and there was no escape route. For the sake of wless magic, there were no windows, let alone venttion holes.
Maybe he could break through the entrance and escape before the mes grewrger.
However, it was a death sentence for the Director, who was drenched in gasoline from head to toe.
"You damn bastard!!!"
The Director sat quietly, realizing that all he could do was wait to be burnt to death in /genesisforsaken
Chapter 5: A Coincidence For The Protagonist
* * *
Step, step...
The sound of someone climbing stairs echoed.
Step, step...
Was this what the footsteps of hell would sound like? With each step, the strong scent of blood and burning flesh filled the air.
Ah...
The moment its footsteps ceased, Dung Beetle instinctively realized that it had reached the peak.
Awaken.
A sweet yet familiar voice rang out.Dung Beetle opened his eyes slowly.
The first thing that came into view was a pyramid with a massive step-like structure.
Built by stacking rectangles upon rectangles, it was a primitive and simple pyramid.
However, as Dung Beetle looked up, the word that came to mind was not ''pyramid.''
...Prison?
Dark iron bars were fixed all over the surface of the pyramid.
Dung Beetle.
While he was still in a daze, a voice called out to him from the top of the pyramid.
Atst, we finally meet face to face.
Dung Beetle raised his head to look at the top. At the summit, covered in iron bars, darkness in the form of a human was looking down at him.
It looked like a silhouette of ady, wearing a dress that revealed its feminine figure, standing at the peak of the pyramid in an alluring pose.
Dung Beetle wanted to know what in the world was happening. However, he couldnt open his mouth.
He had no mouth.
Other than his eyes, nose, and ears, everything else was covered by shadows, as if only they were permitted in this world.
Is this... still a dream?
The pyramid was covered in iron bars, and the seductively dressed figure
Everything was an imaginary shadow; something shouldn''t exist in reality, a metaphor of memory.
However, even after realizing it was a dream, Dung Beetle was still unable to wake up.
Because this was not his dream.
It is likely that you have many things you wish to say. Yet, I shall not permit it.
The figureughed silently as it looked down at Dung Beetle.
The pyramid trembled violently as if trying to silence itsughter, but the figure didn''t even flinch.
For now, simply observe and listen. That is your duty for today.
The pyramid''s vibration intensified. It was so intense that even Dung Beetle beneath the pyramid felt the tremors.
However, the next moment, as the figure pulled something from under its foot, the pyramid fell silent, as if it were dead.
Are you aware of how long I have awaited this day? I have been patiently anticipating the moment when you would offer me a sacrifice.
What the figure pulled out were two bodies: one with a long, protruding tongue and the other with a shattered head.
Dung Beetle swallowed hard as he stared at the bodies. They were all too familiar to him.
How could he forget? After all, they were the first people he had ever killed.
The first is always of exceptional significance, for it is one of a kind. Thus, I shall celebrate with great jubtion today.
With joyous shouts, the figure tossed the bodies in its hands under the pyramid.
The bodies rolled between the iron bars. Thump, thump. The sound of metal colliding with flesh echoed, and a long trail of blood formed on the pyramid.
The moment the bodies fell to the ground, they vanished beneath the pyramid, just like a shadow.
It was an iprehensible sight. Dung Beetle racked his brain intensely, trying toprehend the situation.
How did a being that had been sealed away, summon him into a dream, and why did it call the janitors he killed an offering?
Why did this happen?
Pray, do not feign ignorance. Have not you discerned it already?
It then whispered as if reading Dung Beetle''s mind.
How can a decapitated body be raised from the dead?
How can an ordinary human, no superhuman, remain unharmed even after being shot? Furthermore, how did you manage to walk for kilometers in such a condition, dragging an unconscious person to the warehouse?
There is only one answer, Dung Beetle.
As if the height difference between the bottom and top of the pyramid didn''t matter, the beings voice resonated in Dung Beetle''s ears as if it were right beside him.
I am the one responsible. I reached beyond the seal to revive you. I bestowed you with a body that remains unaffected by bullets and endowed you with endless stamina.
The dream world,posed of a pyramid and darkness, trembled.
If the voice he had been listening to all this time had been like the whispering wind, the voice he now heard was as loud as a typhoon.
Dung Beetle struggled with the urge to block his ears.
...Why? Werent you nning on killing me to be released from this seal?
That was what he was about to say, but the words wouldnte out. He was unable to say anything here.
However, even if his mouth was blocked, he still could move his eyes. Dung Beetle looked at the figure with a gaze that couldn''t be words.
Why-in-the-world-did-you-do-this-me?
However, the figure didn''t reply. Also, it was now the time for it to speak, not Dung Beetle.
Did you not find it delightful?
When you eliminated the janitors who disgraced your colleagues.
When you let the Director, who betrayed you, be consumed by mes.
Dung Beetle thought about the revenge he had exacted just yesterday. He did not find it enjoyable in the slightest.
Revenge was a series of pains: the pain of losing his colleagues and the pain inflicted upon his enemies.
No, I didn''t seek revenge for such lowly emotions. I
It was indeed enjoyable, was it not?
As it said this, it swung its arms proudly.
Darkness surged apanying the movement of its arms, revealing what was hidden beneath the pyramid.
Whoosh!
They were piles of burning corpses.
Under the pyramid stairs, a tremendous quantity of burning corpses suddenly sprang forth. The bodies burned with a disgusting odor, emitting smoke.
Dung Beetle unintentionally inspected the corpses and on seeing a familiar face, he widened his eyes.
The Director... that disgusting excuse of a human, who had sold him and his colleagues, was burning amidst the mes.
Could it be? That all the bodies from the warehouse he had burnedst night were now in this dream?
Dung Beetle felt an uncanny premonition and turned his gaze back to the top of the pyramid. Standing in its ce, it spread its arms wide and dered.
Joythat is the sole thing I seek and the reason I chose you. Through you, I shall attain the joy I desire.
I shall partake in the enjoyment of all that you eat, drink, obtain, and feel.
And everything you kill and destroy... I shall receive it as an offering.
With a voice full of joy, it reached below the pyramid. As it did so, the ground trembled, and shadows burst forth from beneath the piles of burning corpses.
Like mud in a nightmare, the shadows began to engulf everything in their surroundings.
There were no exceptions. The bodies, the mes, and even the iron bars on the pyramid.
The shadows grew in size as they engulfed everything within their reach.
Rumble!
And in no time at all, the shadows had swelled to the point of engulfing the entire pyramid.
Two janitors, 987 bodies, and one soul burnt to death while cursing you...
As it swung its arm once more, the shadows, which were swelling without any order, moved ording to its gesture.
It was an overwhelming and bizarre sight.
Just like a snake, the gigantic shadows stretched its maws to envelop the pyramid. And what followed was the unreal sight of the shadows flowing back towards the top of the pyramid.
Zing! Zing!
As if trying to resist the shadows, the pyramid shook violently. However, like prey entrapped by a snake, it was unable to stop it.
I shall ept the first offering you have prepared with joy.
Following that deration, the shadows were instantly sucked into its hand.
Kwaaa!
It was like a tsunami crashing into a dam. The iron bars holding steady at the top of the pyramid did notst for long.
ng! ng! Starting with the sound of steel breaking, the iron bars were swept away, crushed, and swept away by the shadows.
Eventually, as it absorbed all the shadows, the top of the pyramid was dented, as if it had been struck by artillery fire.
Ah, what sweet deaths these are.
Now, at the top of the pyramid, where only traces remained, it opened its mouth and spoke with a satisfied tone.
You can look forward to it, my Chosen One. For I am a being unlike the rotten gods of this world, who only hope. I shall bestow a corresponding boon for all offerings.
Click. ck.
Just like when it climbed the pyramid, it began to descend the steps leisurely.
One step, another step... With each step, an unprecedented force pressed down on Dung Beetle''s body.
And thus, when it stood right before him, Dung Beetle could not even raise his head as he knelt on the ground.
He desperately tried to lift his head, but all he could see was the hem of a dress made entirely of darkness.
Dung Beetle, my Chosen One.
It reached out and ced its hand over Dung beetle''s head. A gentle touch, but the difference in the existence it conveyed was immense.
Dung Beetle gritted his teeth as he struggled to withstand the pressure on his head.
As a reward for your offering, I shall bestow upon you that which you most require.
Immediately, something poured onto Dung Beetle''s head.
Shoosh
Following the strange sound, as if it was suddenly raining, shadows cascaded like a waterfall.
Talent. I shall bestow upon you a gift so formidable that no human can rival ita talent to exact revenge and im more lives.
I dont need such talents!
You shall wield the body and talents I have bestowed as a weapon to exact revenge ording to your will. The Janitor Guild, the Necromancers, and the life of the yer you shall offer all of them to me.
Itsst words were faint, as if the voice was whispering to him. Was it whispering? No, it wasn''t.
It seemed like Dung Bettles senses were awakening from the dream, unable to withstand the pressure.
s, I can no longer take up any more of your time. It seems that I have stirred you too much.
It brushed Dung Beetles cheek as it lowered its hand from his head.
My Chosen One, for the final part, I shall reveal my name. From now on, call me not ''it'', but by my name.
Its touch dissolved into sticky darkness, like melted sugar flowing down Dung Beetle''s cheek.
Mignium. That is the name you must worship.
And with those words, Dung Beetle felt as if he had fainted, only to suddenly awaken from the dream.
***
On the mountainside where MacArthur1 overlooked downtown Incheon.
Gag.
Dung Beetle woke up feeling nauseated. His stomach was empty from not eating for a whole day, thus only air and gastric juice gushed out.
"Gasp... gasp..."
After retching for a while, Dung Beetle was finally able to catch his breath with much difficulty.
However, his mind was still in a haze.
He could barely feel his surroundings as he tried to regain his senses, which were lost amidst a sensation of floating somewhere between reality and dreams.
After staggering around for a while, he found a water bottle lying in the distance.
With trembling hands, he opened the lid and gulped down the water. His sore throat felt as if it were on fire.
"...Sssp."
He emptied the bottle in an instant, but it hardly soothed his insides.
Because his issue was more of a mental one than a physical one.
That was how shocking the truth revealed in his dream was. Offering, the Chosen One, and...
Mignium.
Recollecting what he had seen and heard in his dream, Dung Beetle crushed the water bottle.
There wasn''t much he could understand.
The fact that Mignium, who had tried to kill him, had revived him instead, was something far beyond hisprehension.
Why on earth?
Why would the cmity warned by the Angel revive and choose him?
Was it out of sympathy or innate goodness? Absolutely not.
He couldn''t feel an ounce of kindness from Mignium, who simply sucked bodies and souls in the dream.
Mignium was undoubtedly pure evil. If she was not evil, what was evil?
However... was there a reason for him to refuse the power bestowed by Mignium?
Wasn''t Earth already overflowing with evil beings?
For instance, one such being was the yer who killed him, as were the corporations on Earth exploiting Asha beyond the dimensional portal and the corrupt politicians.
Could Mignium, the being sealed within him, be more evil than them?
Perhaps the Angel had tricked him...
...Enough.
Feeling that he might have crossed a line there, Dung Beetle stopped thinking. Such rumination was meaningless.
Even if I ponder alone... it''s a problem without a solution.
Before talking about faith, this was a problem rted to skill.
No matter how much he doubted it, he couldn''t understand the sincerity of the Angel or why Mignium had chosen him.
Therefore, Dung Beetle pushed all the confusion to the back of his mind and focused only on one solid truth.
Revenge.
He wanted to take revenge on everyone and everything that had caused the death of colleagues who were like family to him.
Be it Mignium or the Angel, it didn''t matter. The burning desire for revenge was solely his.
The Janitor Guild, which betrayed his colleagues, the yer who wielded his sword merely to level up, and the Necromancers and South Korean government the Director had revealed before his death.
Until he had avenged them, the Angel''s plea and Mignium''s temptation all were secondary to him.
This is just the beginning.
With that in mind, Dung Beetle touched his cheek and turned to look to his side.
"Isn''t that right, Hyung-nims?"
There were nine graves lined up in a row beside the spot where hey.
These were the graves he had created the day before by moving each of his colleagues'' bodies into the mountains.
It would have been difficult for an ordinary person to carry one body, but he managed to transport nine bodies up the mountainside, dig the ground, and build the grave mounds.
There were no funeral rites for these hastily made graves, no gravestones or memorial tablets.
They were graves known only to Dung Beetle and would only be remembered by him in this world.
Fortunately, it was also a great spot with a view overlooking the downtown below.
Dung Beetle nced at the graves for a moment before getting back on his feet. He felt that if he didn''t leave now, he might never be able to.
He suppressed something welling up inside and bit his lower lip.
"I will definitely... return after I have taken my revenge."
The sorrow was prolonged, but the time spenting up with the resolution was brief.
Dung Beetle bowed deeply towards the graves and turned his back as he began to descend the mountain.
He looked back several times as he descended, but there was nothing to hold him back.
Amidst the cold, shimmering moonlight, the shadow of nine graves cast a long night shadow on Dung Beetles /genesisforsaken
Chapter 6: A Coincidence For The Protagonist (2)
* * *
Incheon at dawn was no different from any other city in South Korea.
As the entertainment districts and gambling dens began to close, people worn out by life and alcohol spilled into the streets. All the trash that had umted overnight was being kicked around, apanying them on their way back home.
The only ones moving busily were the market merchants, street vendors, and janitors.
Avoiding their gazes, Dung Beetle blended into the crowded streets of dawn.
The first ce he headed to was an alley no one passed by. He then stopped in front of a dirty trash can and a clothing collection box.
He removed his work uniform, stained with blood and dirt, and threw it into the trash can. He then grabbed whatever clothes he could from the clothing collection box and put them on.
What he took was a saggy turtleneck shirt and short-length jeans.
It wasnt suitable attire for the season that was gradually growing hotter, but as long as it didn''t attract attention, it didnt really matter.After changing his clothes, Dung Beetle returned to the street, heading towards his next destination.
Worried that someone might recognize him, he kept his head down and lowered his gaze the entire time.
Even without that concern, his golden eyes would inevitably stand out.
Fortunately, the indifference of the people of Incheon exceeded his expectations.
Everyone who passed by didnt even nce at him, let alone make eye contact.
...I arrived sooner than expected.
Dung Beetle raised his head slightly to look at his destination.
Incheon Market, also known as MacArthur Market due to the huge MacArthur statue standing at the entrance.
Matching his pace with the other merchants entering the market, Dung Beetle blended in naturally.
The smell of fish and food hit him as soon as he entered the market, but his destinationy in the opposite direction.
Deep within the market, in a small alley that even the merchants didnt visit, was a tiny bar.
Making his way through the winding market alleys, Dung Beetle entered the bar. However, the owner, who was cleaning tables, didnt even spare him a nce as he spoke.
"Were closed for the day."
"Mr. Jang Man"
Only after Dung Beetle called his name did the owner finally turn his head.
"...Dung Beetle? What are you doing here at this hour?"
The bar owner, Jang Man, was an impressive old man who had the characteristic tanned skin of a sailor.
It was said that he used to be a dominant figure among the sailors when the Incheon Port was still around, and anyone would nod in agreement on seeing his robust build.
"Did that old Foreman of yours send you on an errand for liquor or something?"
"...The Foreman has passed away."
"What?"
As soon as he heard Dung Beetle''s answer, Jang Man stopped wiping the table and furrowed his brow.
"What are you talking about? The old man who just bought liquor a few days ago, died?"
"...Have you heard about the incident where all the smugglers and elves were killed at their secret meeting ce?"
"Well, sort of. It happened just two days ago, didnt it? That news is still going around."
Two days. Did it take him a day to resurrect after bing a corpse? Dung Beetle thought about the time he had been dead before continuing.
"...The perpetrator of that incident requested a cleanup, and our team was assigned the job."
"Could it be? Was the perpetrator the crazed killer himself?"
"Yes, as soon as we were done with the cleanup, that man turned his sword on our team."
"...The Janitor Guild is not a fool. Are you saying that they have sent you without taking any precautions?"
"The Janitor Guild were the ones who sold us to that crazed killer."
"Huh."
Jang Man touched his forehead as if he couldn''t believe it.
"The Foreman worked for the Janitor Guild for over twenty years. I can''t believe this they treated someone like him as if they were disposable.
He pondered for a moment before staring at Dung Beetle.
"Did anyone else from the team survive?"
"No, I am the sole survivor."
Feeling sorry, Jang Man shook his head in regret. He then stood up and retrieved a bottle of liquor from the disy cab behind the table.
"I''m d that you survived. At least there''s still someone left to take care of their funerals."
"...Sir."
"I''ll look into a ce for you to live abroad. How about starting fresh in Australia or Thand"
"...Sir."
Dung Beetle looked back and forth between Jang Man and the bottle of liquor. Seeing the resolve in the young mans golden eyes, Jang Man sighed and opened the bottle.
"Give up on revenge. Catching crazed killers is the job of the police, not yours."
"That bastard he''s a Superhuman who wields mana. The police wont be able to catch him."
"And you think you can? Its the same with the Janitor Guild. How do you n to take revenge on a government organization? Do you n on bing a terrorist?"
Jang Man took a rough swig of liquor and stared at Dung Beetle with a sullen expression.
"I can''t help you. How can I push you to a ce where you''re certain to die in vain? How am I supposed to face my friend, the Foreman, in the afterlife?"
He took another swig. Or at least he tried to.
As Jang Man raised the bottle, Dung Beetle strode over and grabbed it from his hand.
Jang Man looked at Dung Beetle with a bewildered look, as if to question what he was doing. Dung Beetle didnt respond, instead he wrapped his hand around the bottle
Crack.
The bottle shattered, spilling its contents. Jang Man furrowed his brow at the sight of the spilled liquor, broken ss, and blood.
Tch, being young is really...
However
When Dung Beetle unclenched his hand, Jang Man furrowed his brows for a different reason.
"I don''t intend to die in vain."
Dung Beetle''s hand was healing in real-time. A few seconds was all it took for the bleeding to stop, and for new flesh grew over the wound.
"Regenerate? You Could it be mana?"
Mana.
It was the power that humanity on Earth had dreamed of the moment the Nazis opened a dimensional portal and crossed over.
It took two brief wars and a long period of plunder for humanity on Earth to finally manage to wield that power in modern times.
Mages, superhumans, heroes, hunters, blessed onesThe terms varied depending on the publics jealousy and expectations, but in the end, they all referred to the same thing.
They were the ones who could wield mana purely through their body and mind, without the aid of machines or tools.
Realizing that the janitor before him had be such a being, Jang Man couldnt help but be speechless.
"How on earth No, you probably have no idea either."
As of now, there were only four ''official'' methods to utilize mana: innate talent, special bloodlines, divine blessings, and consuming certain drugs.
Of course, there were unofficial methods, but none of them were feasible for an ordinary cleaner.
Is it a miracle? If its not
With that thought, Jang Man kicked the broken bottle on the floor aside and pulled out a new one.
"Alright, I see that you''re not going to die in vain. But how can I help you?"
"Sir, Im not asking for direct help. Its just could you introduce me to someone, for old times sake?"
"Someone? It''s true that I have a widework, but how would the connections of a bar owner help?"
Jang Man shook his head.
He opened the new bottle, took a ss from under the table, and poured the liquor. The scent of cheap rum filled the space between them.
"A smuggler. I heard you were the best in that field."
Jang Man flinched, his hand stopping mid-air as he poured the drink. He looked at Dung Beetle with a hardened expression.
"Hah, that Foreman... That old man sure told you a lot. He wasn''t really a talkative man."
He did not deny being a smuggler in the past.
"So, what do you want to buy from a smuggler?"
"...Weapons."
"Dung beetle, I don''t know how much you value this old man''s advice, but I need to make this clear."
Jang Man continued with an even more serious expression.
"Real weapons are not like the toys you see in action movies. The same goes for mana. Why do you think those powerful countries have established academies to train Superhumans?"
The issue was too serious to be dismissed as mere youthful bravado. Determined to persuade him, Jang Man took out another ss and ced it on the table.
"Right now, you''re nothing. Once people discover that youre a Superhuman, forget about getting revenge; the underworld will be desperate to capture you."
"..."
"And once they catch you? Theyll obviously chop your body into pieces, sell you to variousbs, and your liver will end up on the dining table of some rich person."
Jang Man recounted one of the numerous urban legendsmonly heard.
- Eating the liver of a mana user allows one to use mana.
The United States had officially debunked the rumor, but from another perspective, it also implied that some did indeed try it.
Despite the grim warning, Dung Beetle''s gaze didn''t waver.
"I''ve been prepared for that from the start."
"Prepared? Prepared, you say... You speak too lightly about matters of life and death."
"Im speaking like this because this is a matter of life and death. Its the only choice I have left."
"...Hah."
Jang Man sighed, but it was unclear whether it was out of admiration ormentation. The resolve of youth might be seen as mere bravado, but determination was different.
For both the old and the young, resolve remained just thatresolve. Life was equal for everyone; each person had only one.
"To live or to die. 1It was no different from Hamlet."
He stared at his ss, lost in thought.
As dawn broke and the sun began to rise, gentle ripples formed in the rum inside the ss. At that moment, Jang Man looked up at Dung Beetle''s resolute face and nodded.
"If a young man is determined, the old man can''t help but follow along."
Jang Man filled the ss he had prepared to persuade the young man and handed it to Dung Beetle.
The light brown hue of the cheap military rum reflected Dung Beetle''s impassive face.
"Fine, I''ll personally introduce you to someone /genesisforsaken
Chapter 7: A Coincidence For The Protagonist (3)
* * *
After China became an inessible zone, Incheon began to decline rapidly.
Companies that were hit by the wave of economic slump1 either went under or escaped to other cities.
Half of the port was shut down and vacant houses and slums kept increasing by the year as numerous people migrated to big cities like Kaesong or Busan.
The city with the title of the third most dazzling city in Korea, following Busan and Kaesong, had long be a crude joke mocking the old days.
Well, that was how it looked, at least on the surface.
From the perspective of an insider, Incheon was thriving even more than before.
"Military supplies siphoned from the Manchurian Rift, monster remains, goods smuggled through the Kaesong dimensional portal, and drugs and weapons pouring in from Southeast Asia and Australia... There''s nothing you can''t find in Incheon''s ck market."
As Jang Man said this, he added one more thing."You can''t really say that its thriving, though."
He exined that the current situation of Incheon was simr to the bloated belly of a dead animal.
It only looked big because of the filth, maggots, and gas filling it instead of the blood and flesh t.
Eventually, the rotten belly would burst open, and all sorts of disgusting things would spill out.
And undoubtedly, the citizens of Incheon would be the first victims.
"...That sounds terrible."
"Yes, it is terrible."
Jang Man and Dung Beetle had this conversation while walking through the distribution center of the closed port.
Dung Beetle followed Jang Man as he led the way, but Jang Man kept ncing back whenever he got the chance.
There wasn''t any significant reason, but therge sports bag Dung Beetle was carrying had somehow caught his eye.
The bag was filled with rectangr shaped objects sticking out here and there, which anyone with a keen eye would recognize as bundles of cash.
As they neared their destination, Jang Man was unable to hold back his curiosity any longer and asked.
"Where did you get that bag of money from?"
"It is the Director''s money."
"...Director? The Janitor Guild''s operations director?"
"Yes."
Understanding the implication, Jang Man simply shook his head.
His revenge must have started long ago.
With thatst thought, they had arrived at their destination.
It was a deserted warehouse at the outermost of the distribution center, with its roof torn off.
"This is...?"
"This is a secret entrance to a secret market. Let me warn you, just in case, do not ever think ofing here alone. You could lose your head."
Jang Man entered the warehouse without hesitation.
Just like the outside, the inside was also overgrown with weeds. Jang Man strode over the weeds and crossed the warehouse.
He walked towards the wall opposite the entrance and began to grope around it.
"It should be somewhere around here... Ah, found it."
When he pressed a spot in the middle of the wall, the wall next to the button opened along with a creaking sound.
Beyond the opened wall was a feeble staircase that led underground.
"Its rustier thanst time. It might copse, so be careful as you descend."
Saying this, Jang Man went down the stairs first. Readjusting the bag he carried over his shoulder, Dung Beetle followed him down the stairs.
Creak, creak.
With each step they took, the old iron stairs creaked, shedding rust.
Uncertain if the creaky, old stairs would remain intact, Dung Beetle continued for about a hundred more steps.
Only after descending to a depth equivalent of about three stories, did the ground finally reveal itself.
...A warehouse?
Contrary to the nervous Dung Beetle''s expectations, the area below the stairs was just like a warehouse cluttered with various boxes.
From snack boxes of famous brands to gun boxes stamped with the U.S. military mark.
Although it was impossible to tell what kind of warehouse this space was, and without offering any further exnation, Jang Man began rummaging through various boxes.
After about a minute, Jang Man approached Dung Beetle with a box full of masks.
"Choose a mask from here and wear it."
With that, Jang Man chose a snake mask and put it on his face.
"A mask? Is this some kind of ck market rule?"
"Its more of an unspoken rule rather than an official one. After all, this isnt something you do with your face openly showing."
Thinking that it made sense, Dung Beetle pulled out a dusty sun-shaped mask from the top of the box.
"Are there other unspoken rules by any chance?"
Dung Beetle asked as he brushed off the dust from the mask and Jang Man shrugged in response.
"Do not kill, do not steal However, given the nature of this ce, not many people follow the other rules."
"...It sounds like a mess."
"Yes, it''s a mess."
On confirming that Dung Beetle had put on the mask, Jang Man promptly opened the gate to the warehouse.
Creak.
The worn-out iron gate spat out rust as it was pushed open. Beyond the gate, a bright light and the smell of the sea weed them. `
And what greeted them next ...
ng.
"Who are you? Who gave you permission toe in through the back door?"
Were three gun barrels pointing at them.
***
The moment they came face-to-face with the three men in ck suits pointing their guns at them, Dung Beetle reflexively threw the money bag.
"Dung Beetle! WaitC!"
However, before Jang Man could finish his sentence, Dung Beetle was already running towards the men.
Whack! The guy in front fell as he was hit by the bag. And without wasting a moment, Dung Beetle was already rushing towards the guy behind him.
His speed was beyond that of an ordinary person, but even so, it wasnt possible to outrun a gun.
However, the brief distraction caused by throwing the bag,bined with the gatekeepers'' bewilderment at the unexpected attack, provided just enough respite.
In that short span of time, Smack! Dung Beetle struck the second man in the jaw as his eyes rolled back and his legs went limp.
Grabbing the back of the falling man''s head, Dung Beetle used him as a shield to charge at thest man. His movements flowed naturally, just like water.
"Stop! Dung Beetle! Stop it!"
Just as Dung Beetle was about to rush at thest guy with a human shield, Jang Man stopped him.
After ncing back and forth between the unconscious gatekeepers and the gatekeeper aiming the gun with surprise, he sighed.
"Huff, let''s start with a conversation first..."
"W-who are you guys?! How dare you attack us and think you can get away with it!?"
The gatekeeper, who had seemingly regained hisposure for a moment, raised his gun and yelled. Jang Man, who had just managed to stop the fight, furrowed again.
"Shut up, you moron! How dare you point a gun at a customer?! Did Joseph teach you that?"
Joseph.
As soon as that name was brought up, the gatekeeper''s expression changed noticeably. The guy holding the gun nced at Dung Beetle from the corner of his eye and hesitantly asked.
"I-is he a customer of Joseph-nim2?"
"If not, do you think he''s a thief? Call Joseph here."
"But you can''t just meet Joseph-nim without an appointment..."
Smack!
Jang Man stepped forward and smacked the guys cheek with a p filled with emotion.
With his cheek now red and swollen, the gatekeeper still was still unable to grasp the situation, but he instinctively ced his hand over his stinging cheek.
"Consider your rudeness forgiven with this. But there won''t be a second time."
"..."
"Go now and tell Joseph that ''a customer has arrived at the back door.'' The judgment isn''t yours to make; it''s Joseph''s. Got it?"
Nodding with a puzzled expression, the gatekeeper quickly took out his phone and made a call, and what followed were a string of terrible curses that could be heard faintly from the other end.
Hearing those curses, the gatekeeper''s expression turned pale. And fortunately for him or perhaps unfortunately, the call didn''tst long.
As soon as the call ended, he hurried back to Jang Man and bowed slightly.
"Joseph-nim said that he wille to meet you personally."
"Where?"
"At the weapon market. I-I will personally guide you there."
Despite the gatekeeper speaking with an earnest expression, Jang Man''s response remained cold.
"There''s no need for a guide. I know the market well enough. Just take care of those morons."
Jang Man turned away from the bowing gatekeeper and looked at Dung Beetle.
Picking up the money bag beside the unconscious gatekeeper, Dung Beetle slung it over his shoulder before following the old man heading towards the ck market.
***
As they passed the alley in front of the warehouse and turned into a narrow path, the ck market unfolded before their eyes.
True to its name, the scene here was unlike any ordinary market.
Rather than food, the stalls here were selling the remains of unidentifiable monsters and weapons.
And instead of merchants, armed individuals with submachine guns were standing guard, scanning the surroundings vigntly.
And the most striking sight were the foreign races.
Foreign races, such as dwarves and orcs, which he had only seen on TV, caught Dung Beetle''s eye.
Is this really the Incheon I know?
It was true that he indeed had seen elves a few days ago, but they were all dead.
So, this was his first time seeing living Foreign Races, shouting and bargaining like humans. A sight that wasnt reallymon in Korea or the United States.
Seeing Dung Beetle watching his surroundings keenly, Jang Man, who was walking by his side, opened his mouth.
"It turns out that you can fight pretty well. Have you learned martial arts before?"
It was a question with a lot of hidden implications. However, Dung Beetle simply shook his head.
"I haven''t learned any martial arts before."
"So, are you saying that all those movements came to you instinctively? Hoho, a Superhuman is indeed a Superhuman."
A Superhumanif only it were that simple.
The moment the gatekeeper pointed the gun at him, his body reacted instinctively.
From his hair to his toes, every cell in his body moved at a speed that outpaced his thoughts.
Was that something any Superhuman could do?
As he was lost in his thoughts. Migniums voice rang in his head.
- Talent. I shall bestow upon you a gift so formidable that no human can rival ita talent to exact revenge and im more lives.
That was the talent that Mignium had bestowed upon Dung Beetle.
Was this what she meant by talent?
However, that meant she had the authority to bestow a talent like that upon someone. Something even the gods beyond the dimensional portal could not do.
If this talent truly stemmed from Migniums power, then who exactly was Mignium?
As Dung Beetle was deep in thought, Jang Man stopped.
Dung Beetle turned his head and followed Jang Man''s gaze. At the entrance of arge shopping building in the distance, someone was looking directly at Jang Man.
And even without anyone telling him, Dung Beetle could tell he was the ''Joseph'' Jang Man had spoken about.
It was because he had a distinctive feature that was different from everyone else around him.
He wasn''t wearing a mask and was boldly revealing his face, while leading over ten burly men armed with submachine guns.
"Old man! Its been a long time since youst came through the back door!"
Joseph, who took no time to reach them, spread his arms wide and shared a reunion hug with Jang Man.
"Joseph, you''ve be even more handsome since west met. Have you been well?"
"Dont even talk about it. Following the terrorist incident at the Lord Howe Academy in Australiast month, weapons can no longer be smuggled to the country. At this rate, I wont even be able to feed my men. So, whats going on?"
While exchanging words with Jang Man, Joseph nced at Dung Beetle.
"Is he your new luggage porter, Old Man? He looks very weak."
At Joseph''s tant remark, Jang Man cleared his throat briefly.
"Hmm, hes not my porter; hes a customer."
"Customer? A customer brought by the Old Man himself..."
Josephs expression immediately changed. Although he appeared to be a mere town thug just moments ago, he now resembled a seasoned merchant with decades of experience.
"What is he here to buy?"
"...Weapons."
The answer didn''te from Jang Man, but from Dung Beetle. Joseph smiled broadly, even showing his gums.
"Weapons? You''vee to the right ce. I''m Joseph, the best arms dealer in Incheon! Guns, bombs, mana weapons from beyond the dimensional portal! Just tell me what you need."
Joseph spoke confidently. Even though he was someone who sold items meant to kill people, he had an overly cheerful demeanor, but Dung Beetle didn''t mind.
After all, this wasn''t the first time he''d seen a guy with a loose screw.
After a brief pause, Dung Beetle stated the item he wanted.
"Necromancer..."
No, he tried to say it.
"Do you have anything to deal with a Necromancer?"
A clear, elegant voice cut him off before he couldplete his sentence.
Dung Beetle frowned at the abrupt interruption, and everyone in the group turned their heads simultaneously.
"You''re Joseph, right? The best arms dealer in this market."
Right behind the burly guys, was a woman in a ck dog mask with her arms crossed .
Ive been waiting for two days after requesting an appointment, but it''s ridiculously difficult to see you.
While everyone remained silent at the sudden intrusion, Joseph responded with a friendly smile.
"Ma''am, there are many excellent arms dealers in this market besides me."
"I''m not interested in regr military supplies. And you''re the only one who sells weapons smuggled from beyond the dimensional portal. "
From her casual manner of speaking and actions, to the strange sense of immaturityDung Beetle guessed the woman in the ck dog mask was young. At best, she might be twenty or even younger.
"I''m sorry, but we only sell mana weapons to verified individuals."
"Then, are these guys who cut in line must be your so-called verified customers? The old man and that Stupid Ondal3 with the money bag?"
It was a cheap provocation. And no one here would fall for a taunt like that. However, her provocation actually gave them a reason.
"Ma''am, causing a dispute in the ck market could be used as grounds for expulsion."
With a snap of Josephs fingers, the burly men around them raised their submachine guns simultaneously. It was a clear sign that he wanted her to leave.
The woman in the dog mask did not panic nor did she try to run away. She nced between Joseph and the submachine guns, then asked in a low voice.
"Is this how the ck market treats their customers?"
"It''s the unwritten rule of how to deal with rude customers in the ck market."
"Rude customer? Then what do you call an arms dealer who attends to other customers when someone has been waiting for two days? A son of a bitch?"
Son of a bitch, Dung Beetle let out a hollowugh at that blunt remark. Joseph simply rubbed his forehead as if he found this ridiculous.
"Sigh, guys! It looks like this customer had a bit too much to drink during the day. You should escort her to the entrance."
As soon as Joseph finished speaking, three burly men pointed their guns to the back of her head.
They looked ready to shoot if she made a wrong move. She raised her arms calmly.
"I don''t need an escort. I''ll leave on my own."
With those parting words, the woman in the dog mask disappeared into the crowd without looking back.
...What was that?
Watching the woman disappear from his sight, Dung Beetle had a strange feeling.
Something tickled inside his chest, and his mind felt tangled. It was something... like a strange premonition.
An odd premonition that he would soon see that woman again.
"Now, let''s put that unpleasant incident behind us and return to our business. So, what kind of weapon are you looking for, Sir?"
Regardless of Dung Beetle''s premonition, Joseph picked up from where they left as he returned to his merchant persona.
Dung Beetle was silent for a moment to quell the rising premonition before answering Joseph.
"The same thing the woman who just got kicked out was looking for."
"Oh?"
"Do you have a weapon to go against the Great Necromancer?"
Joseph raised his eyebrow. Two customers looking for a weapon to go against the Great Necromancer?
His mercantile instincts were piqued, but he suppressed his curiosity because the deal at hand was a merchant''s priority.
"Hmm, Sir. That kind of weapon is quite expensive, you know..."
As soon as Joseph trailed off, Dung Beetle ced the bag he was carrying on the ground and unzipped it.
Ziiiip.
Bundles of $100 banknotes were revealed as soon as the bag was opened, each adorned with Benjamin Franklin''s face.
"I have another bag like this. Is it enough?"
Watching Dung Beetle zip the bag back up, Joseph grinned and replied.
"A bag full of cash, it seems like you are someone who really knows how to do business, don''t /genesisforsaken
Chapter 8: A Coincidence For The Protagonist (4)
* * *
"Can you wait a moment? It takes us a while to retrieve the high-quality items from the vault."
Joseph said this as he led Jang Man and Dung Beetle to a luxurious room.
The faint perfume smell emanated from the entrance, and the floor was covered with a carpet made from the hide of a monster Dung Beetle had never seen before.
It was reminiscent of the luxurious homes of the conglomerates one could asionally see on TV. However, Dung Beetle frowned as soon as they entered the room.
Amid the scent of perfume... was the smell of blood and oil that hadn''t been maskedpletely.
The pungent odor had a different type of intensity from the chilling smell Dung Beetle had encountered in the dream with Mignium.
Dung Beetle nced at Joseph and Jang Man, but it seemed that neither of them had noticed the smell.
This meant that only he could smell itIs it because I have the ability to wield mana?
- We can see things that ordinary people cannot see, hear sounds they cannot hear, and smell things they cannot smell.
The exnation from a Superhuman documentary he had watched with his colleagues a while back came to mind.
Feeling curious, Dung Beetle focused on his ears instead of his nose.
- Move quickly! Get them out from the underground vault!
- Bring the silver bullets! If we miss the opportunity to sell them now...
- GP... the tracker! We cant lose
The faint footsteps and shouts of the staff outside the room were clearly audible.
Even though he could hear the sounds with his own ears, Dung Beetle still couldn''t believe it as he tilted his head in confusion.
Is it really this easy?
Using mana to enhance your senses was much trickier than simply increasing muscle strength.
He remembered that the Superhuman in the documentary said it took years of training to enhance senses.
Then, what was this supposed to mean?
All Dung Beetle had to do was just focus on his senses, and he could hear soundsing from a distance without much effort.
Was the documentary lying? If not, then was it because of Mignium''s...
"Old Man, you still don''t drink tea, do you?"
Joseph''s remark interrupted Dung Beetle''s train of thought. Perhaps feeling awkward while they were waiting, Joseph took out the kettle and began brewing some tea.
"Haa How can a sailor drink tea... Water and booze are more than enough."
"Haha, I thought so. What about this customer of mine?"
"I''m fine too."
"Well, that''s a pity. These are quite good tea leaves."
Joseph poured water into the teapot. The scent of ck tea wafted with the steam from the kettle.
The strong aroma of the ck tea was enough to mask the smell of blood and oil.
Briefly relieved from the pungent smell, Dung Beetle examined each of his senses.
Eyes, nose, ears...
And just like that, once he finished experimenting with his newfound sensing ability and as Joseph finished his cup of tea
Clunk!
The door opened, and ten subordinates carrying various bags entered the room.
"Haha, we''ve kept our customers waiting for too long. I assure you, the wait will be worth it."
Joseph''s subordinates quickly set up a makeshift stage as they installed tforms and lighting fixtures while lining up the ten boxes.
Joseph stood up from his seat and turned his back to the boxes. He bowed exaggeratedly, like a home shopping host, and greeted Jang Man and Dung Beetle.
"Shall we start with the guns first?"
He began his exnation as he opened the bag on the far left.
"Isn''t it better to start with something light? The M2311! An improved version of the M162 Koreans are more familiar with."
Inside the bag was a gun that looked like a shortened version of the M16 assault rifle, slightly longer than a forearm.
"It may look small and light, but it''s deadly enough. Why do you think more than a hundred mages have fallen victim to this guy throughout history? Koreans all know about its high reliability and familiar grip! There''s nothing better than this for sneaking a bullet in the back of the head of a mage."
Joseph continued with his lively exnation, like a real show host. He even held the gun in a shooting stance and quickly disassembled it to show the inside.
Jang Man, who had been watching the excited Joseph, sighed and interrupted him.
"Joseph."
"Yes, what is it, Old Man?"
"This guy hasn''t served in the military."
Joseph''s face twisted for a moment, but as if it had been a lie, it quickly returned to normal and he spoke with a smile on his face.
"So, you haven''t received any shooting training...?"
"...Never."
"Aha, then there''s no need to use Korean military equipment."
As soon as he heard Dung Beetle''s answer, Joseph turned around and gestured to his subordinates who had been waiting.
His subordinates moved without a singleint and quickly took away the first to the sixth bags from the room.
Six of the bags were just military equipment?
Seeing only four bags left, for the first time, Dung Beetle felt regretful that he hadn''t served in the military.
"Don''t feel too disappointed. The real deal alwaysesst, doesn''t it? All the remaining weapons are far superior to the military supplies that came out earlier."
Joseph, seemingly trying to change the somber mood, immediately opened the seventh bag.
This time, a gun that was slightly bigger than an adult''s forearm appeared.
In other words, it was too big to be a pistol and too small to be a rifle.
"Remington MH7503. An upgraded version of the pump-action shotgun, loved all over the world, modified for use against magic users.
A shotgun? Seeing Dung Beetle''s interest was piqued, Joseph continued with his exnation.
"Although the cost of specially treated silver bullets is high, no other weapon is more effective against Necromancers who can reanimate corpses. It''s so easy to use and reload, that even a child can handle it.
ck, Joseph kindly demonstrated how to load the bullets. Even though the magazine could only hold three rounds, each shell contained a massive amount of buckshot pellets.
Seeing Dung Beetle engrossed, Joseph grinned and opened the next bag.
"Next is the EK-33 grenade. One of the finest masterpieces made by the U.S. military. The best avable grenade for non-professionals."
Inside this bag were grenades the size of fists lined up in a row.
"If you throw this at the Necromancer beyond the zombie wall, youll literally see the Necromancer die merrily."
A modified shotgun and grenadesJoseph, who had introduced two weapons fitting for an illegal smuggler, stood in front of the ninth bag. He paused for a moment before speaking up.
"From here on, I''ll be showing you some special weapons."
Clunk! Unlike the previous bags, the means of securing this one were stricter.
And the item inside this box waspletely different from the previous weapons.
A sword.
Inside the boxy a long steel sword.
"This sword was supplied to the knights of the empire during thest war. It is made from a special ore that cannot be found on Earth."
"...
"It may seem like a sturdy steel sword to ordinary people, but when it cuts through the shields of mages, its power isparable to that of a bazooka."
Joseph continued with his exnation, but Dung Beetle was unable to take his eyes off the sword.
Was it because it was beautiful? Or was it because he wanted it? No, it was neither.
That sword... was the same one the yer had.
It wasn''t just a simr sword.
The image of the yer wielding the identical sword was imprinted on his retina like a brand.
It was once a supply used by the knights of the empire.?
He had stumbled upon a clue to track down that damn yer.
Faced with this unexpected fortune, Dung Beetle resolved to obtain that sword no matter what.
"It seems you really like this sword. Well, unlike those on Earth, weapons thate from beyond the dimensional portal are special."
Seemingly misinterpreting Dung Beetle''s gaze, Joseph grinned as if he was certain that the deal was as good as closed and added.
"If you like this item, you will certainly like the final item."
Joseph then approached thest bag.
Unlike the previous ones, this one was long and horizontal, somewhat resembling a scabbard.
But for some reason, Joseph, who was standing right in front of the bag, didn''t open the bag right away. Instead, he briefly made eye contact with Jang Man.
Jang Man gave him a small nod, and taking that as a cue, Joseph opened the final bag.
Whoosh
As the bag opened with a puff of smoke, what appeared inside was...
A rod...?
The glowing ivory-colored rod with carvings of horse-like figures at both ends and wave patterns etched into the body in a consistent design.
It looked more like an exquisite piece of art instead of a weapon.
"Don''t let its appearance fool you. The true value of this item lies elsewhere."
Joseph didn''t touch the item. When he raised his hand, a subordinate approached him and handed him a pair of white gloves.
It didn''t seem like it was just for show because Joseph''s face was serious as he lifted the rod cautiously.
"This item was crafted by a dwarf. And not just any dwarf, but a master craftsman. It seems that they intended to use it as a handle for an axe or a hammer, but unfortunately, Stalin released poison gas at Gubongsan, so only the handle could bepleted."
A handle? Dung Beetle now understood why the rod looked like that. And at the same time, a question popped into his mind.
How could a handle be considered to be a weapon?
As if answering Dung Beetle''s question, Joseph continued.
"However, since it was made during the days of Gubongsan4, it holds immense value on its own. Would you like to try holding it?"
Joseph handed the rod to Dung Beetle carefully.
Dung Beetle hesitated, wondering if it was okay to hold such a precious item without gloves, but since it would be strange to refuse, he grabbed the rod.
And at that moment, something spoke to Dung Beetle in his mind.
[Oh, a perfect virgin who''s never even held a woman''s hand. But your soul reeks of corpses and fire. Are you cursed?]
Dung Beetle was startled and looked at Joseph, who was smiling broadly.
"Did you hear the voice? As expected, you''re Superhuman. I guessed as much since the Old Man brought you here personally."
He assumed that I was indeed a Superhuman? Though the remark was puzzling, Dung Beetle asked him about the rod first.
"...What exactly is this?"
"That item is made from the horn of a unicorn."
"..."
"I don''t know about the technique used, but it''s a unicorn horn imbued with the unicorn''s thoughts. Because of that, it speaks to those who possess mana at times."
"...So, you are saying it''s a possessed item?"
"At the same time, it grants resistance to all sorts of contamination and poisons."
Joseph continued his exnation proudly.
"It might not block radioactivity or hydrochloric acid, but it''s highly effective against mana-based poisonous gases and curses. I can guarantee that against a Necromancer, this is more effective than ten priests."
Perhaps feeling displeased with Joseph''s exnation, the rod added more details in Dung Beetle''s mind.
[O Virgin who is holding me, do not be mistaken. There is no contamination that the Holiness of this Horn cannot block! I may not know what radioactivity is, but I assure you that it can block that as well.]
Dung Beetle nced back and forth between the rod and Joseph, and as the rod seemed to be on the verge of uttering another "O Virgin...", he quickly handed it back to Joseph.
"So, what do you think? With the items I just showed you, you should have no trouble dealing with any Necromancer."
A modified shotgun, grenades, an anti-magic sword, and a unicorn''s horn Even with his limited knowledge about Necromancers, Dung Beetle could tell that each of these weapons would be highly effective against them.
The problem was...
"I''m not sure if I can afford all four items."
"Haha, don''t worry about the price. I wouldn''t dream of ripping off the Old Man''s customer."
It sounded like he was fine with ripping off other customers, but Dung Beetle didn''t bother to point that out.
"I''ll give you all four weapons for both of the money bags you offered initially. How about it?
A wide smile spread across Joseph''s face.
"I''ll also ensure that you have plenty of grenades and ammunition."
Joseph demanded his entire fortune without even blinking.
Dung Beetle considered negotiating, but looking at Jang Man sitting next to him, he abandoned the thought.
Without Jang Man, he wouldn''t have even known about this ce.
Jang Man, who had introduced him to this person, had not even made anyment about this so negotiating now could be considered as an insult to his honor.
"Both money bags, deal."
"Haha, as expected. You truly act like how the Old Man''s customer should!"
Dung Beetle put down the bag he was carrying and promised to send the other bag, which wasn''t with him, through a messenger.
Although it was enough money to live off for several years, he didn''t regret his decision.
Because it wasnt the money that mattered to /genesisforsaken
Chapter 9: A Coincidence For The Protagonist (5)
* * *
On the path leading to the ck markets exit.
Instead of a bag of money, Dung Beetle was now pulling a carrier filled with weapons. As they were walking, Jang Man spoke to him.
"If you''re thinking of using those weapons in the city, you should first think about your escape route. It will be a hassle if the police start trailing you after a fight."
He didnt pry for more details. He didnt ask about the necromancers or about his revenge.
"All the weapons you bought have short ranges. If possible, it would be better to finish the fight in closebat, as quickly as possible."
The old man offered him advice, talking about it casually, as if carried by the flowing wind.
It wasnt detailed, but it was filled with concerns and wisdom of his own.
Perhaps this was Jang Mans way of showing consideration.Thinking so, Dung Beetle followed Jang Man quietly.
And so,Jang Man spoke and Dung Beetle listened while they retraced their steps.
When they finally arrived at the warehouse entrance, which they had descended via the rusty stairs, someone with a familiar mask greeted them.
"Hello? We meet again."
It was the woman wearing a ck dog mask.
Having crushed the three gatekeepers guarding the warehouse entrance, she was sitting over them in a rxed manner.
"Tsk, what a persistent youngdy."
Jang Man clicked his tongue, and Dung Beetle set the carrier down quietly.
"Excuse me. Sir, I dont have any intention of starting a fight. These people ended up like this due to a small misunderstanding."
"Is that so? Then, since theres nothing to misunderstand, can we leave now?"
"Ei, dont be like that. The reason Ive been waiting here was because of you, Sir."
The woman wearing a dog mask hopped down from atop the gatekeeper''s body.
"Shall we make a deal?"
"And if I refuse?"
"I do understand that you might misunderstand me because of the situation, but really, its not a bad deal. In fact, its a great deal where you can fill your pockets nicely aspared to your current work."
Even though she said that, Dung Beetle could sense something flowing through the body of the woman with the dog mask.
It was strange to feel something flowing through someone elses body.
However, regardless of Dung Beetles new sensation, Jang Man and the masked woman continued with their conversation.
"Would you like to hear it?"
"I have no intention of talking to a mad person."
"Hmm Thats a reasonable response, but it cant be helped. Im also in a hurry."
Without any warning, the woman stomped her foot.
With a short jump, she charged towards Jang Man at a dizzying speed.
In an instant, Dung Beetle reflexively threw himself in front of Jang Man to block her attack.
Whack!
The initial attack was a kick. Dung Beetle raised his right arm to block it, but he was unable to withstand the force. In the next moment, his body was lifted off the ground and flung sideways.
What a lunatic.
The thrown Dung Beetle bounced twice and was able tond back on the ground only after hitting the alley wall.
Zzzzzziiiing
The kick was so powerful that his right ear, which was hit, rang with tinnitus.
"Encountering two superhumans in a day I dont know if Im lucky or unlucky."
The moment Jang Mans voice reached her ear, the woman with the dog mask charged towards Dung Beetle again.
Thud!
Before Dung Beetle could even react, a kick hit his side. However, unlike the first hit, this one didnt end after a single strike.
Abdomen, thigh, then the side again, shoulder, and chin.
WHAM!
The sound of heavy impact resounded following those precise, continuous attacks. She thennded the perfect finishing kick on Dung Beetle.
"Huff."
After Dung Beetle fell to the ground, the woman with the ck dog mask turned around leisurely and looked at Jang Man.
"Have you changed your mind about making a deal with me now?"
"No, not yet."
"Not yet?"
Suddenly, her senses reacted to something.
As she jumped back immediately, creating some distance, Dung Beetles hand, which was trying to grab her ankle, sliced through the air.
"...How could?"
Seeing Dung Beetle get up, the woman with the dog mask tilted her head.
Even a superhuman would usually faint after receiving such attacks.
"Huh? Your endurance is unbelievably good. Did you eat something special?"
Spit, Dung Beetle spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. Though his head was still throbbing from the attacks, he raised his hands and took a fighting stance.
"Enough talk,e at me."
"If you insist."
The woman with the mask kicked the ground again. And this time, she moved at a speed that couldnt be followed. However, something had changed.
And they were Dung Beetles eyes.
Focusing only on his sight, the trajectory of the iing kick appeared as a long line in Dung Beetles vision.
I can see it.
Dung Beetle twisted his waist to avoid the trajectory. Although his speed was undoubtedly slower than hers, it was enough to create a small opening.
Swish! The kick aimed at his chin barely brushed past his hair.
He immediately followed up with an attack of his own.
Dung Beetle twisted his waist in the opposite direction and swung a punch towards her face.
However, just as his punch was about to connect, she narrowly avoided his attack with an unusual foot movement.
"...Youre quite something."
This time, Dung Beetle took the initiative. Unlike her, his attack was just him swinging his fists crudely, but he was a superhuman.
Of course, the opponent was also a superhuman.
Dung Beetles fists cut through the air with a fierce sound, but none of them hit the woman with the mask.
All because of the strange footwork she used.
No matter how Dung Beetle attacked, she managed to escape his attack range with just a single movement of her foot.
Instead, she took advantage of the openings to deliver short kicks and piled damage on Dung Beetle.
That was the difference between a person flying across the ground and a person trudging along.
Whats this?
However, at some point, the woman with the dog mask began to furrow her brows. The level of the opponent she was facing was changing too rapidly.
When shended the first attack, the opponent was just a novice. Every movement felt awkward. He was unable to even execute a propernding technique.
Yet, right after he fell, something changed.
His reaction to her kicks became faster and faster, and his method of swinging fists and foot movements became more refined.
As she extended her foot, his hand was already flying towards the spot, and when she kicked the ground, he started running towards her supposed destination.
It was like he knew exactly how she would move.
Is he countering me in real time?
She felt both interest and irritation.
Interest in an opponent who could counter the techniques she had struggled to learn in real-time, and irritation at the opponents endurance, who could persist even after taking repeated kicks.
It would be possible for her to gain the upper hand if she used a different technique, but
This is a matter of pride.
The ensuing exchange of attacks continued along simr lines.
Dung Beetle kept charging forward relentlessly, despite taking a barrage of kicks, and the woman with the dog mask continued to kick while keeping her distance.
However, the bnce was broken once Dung Beetle started mimicking her footwork.
!
Though it was closer to a push-off footwork rather than a bounce, it was enough to narrow the difference in speed.
The woman with the mask gritted her teeth and moved her feet even faster.
Until then, she was confident of her victory. She hadnded dozens of kicks and blows on Dung Beetle, and she still had plenty of stamina left.
In this situation, she was confident she wouldn''t lose to someone who was not even a hero candidate but just a novice superhuman.
And she was proven wrong.
Amidst their monotonous exchange, Dung Beetle suddenly dove between her steps.
Huh?
The timing was perfect, making it impossible for her to avoid it.
Damn it!
By the time she realized it, it was already toote. Dung Beetle caught her kick and tossed her.
Thud! The woman with the mask crashed into the alley wall Dung Beetle had been thrown against earlier.
Dust flew up. The mask she was wearing was knocked off, and flew far away.
Ugh
After rolling on the ground a couple of times, she briefly groaned as she got up.
That fucking hurts
As she struggled to raise her head, her face hidden beneath the mask was revealed.
A beauty.
At the very least, she was the most beautiful woman Dung Beetle had ever seen.
With facial features as if crafted by the gods, her long ebony hair flowed down her forehead. Through the silky, cascading hair, her cold blue eyes met Dung Beetles gaze.
Youre quite something, huh?
After two breaths and pushing off the ground, she charged at Dung Beetle again.
This time, her kicks mixed with that strange footwork were aimed at Dung Beetles head, but his eyes had already be ustomed to her attacks.
Dung Beetle nimbly moved out of the trajectory of the long kick.
And in that short interval, he mimicked the kick she had just shown.
His whip kick was aimed at her torso.
With a loud thud, her body was hit by the kick. Just like when Dung Beetle was first kicked by her, she lost her bnce and flew through the air.
However, unlike Dung Beetle, who didn''t even know how tond properly, she quickly regained her posture and stared at him with a look of disbelief.
My Flying Kick1 technique! How did you manage to replicate it in such a short time?
Flying Kick technique?
...The names pretty corny, isnt it? I think so too.
She sighed deeply and swept her hair back. She then noticed blood trickling from her nose, perhaps due to a burst microvessel.
Ah, its been a while since Ive had a nosebleed.
She wiped her nose with the back of her hand with a baffled expression. It seemed like the sight of blood had really irritated her as she furrowed her pretty forehead.
Anyway, the name might be corny, but the Flying Kick technique isnt some low-difficulty technique. I can''t believe this; you were able to steal such a technique in real-time Sheesh, I can''t even
She muttered something, starting with "sh" while looking down at the ground, then raised her head again.
Alright, Imgging behind in a hand-to-hand fight. I admit it! But if I pull out a weapon one of us would have to die. How about we settle this with a conversation?
Her question was directed at Dung Beetle. He frowned and clenched his fists. Since they had already started, they should see it through to the end, right?
However, before he could answer her, an unexpected response came from elsewhere.
Conversation, huh? Not a bad idea. But, just make sure you dont move anything other than your mouth.
Click.
Holding the submachine gun that the fallen guards had missed, Jang Man was now pointing the gun at her.
She only gave the gun a slight nce before responding confidently.
Well, thats fine. My request wont be a loss for you.
Go ahead.
I want to buy a certain item from Joseph, but it seems like hes not willing to deal with me.
Its only natural that someone like him will not ept a greenhorn.
Yes, well, its a bit unfair for a novice whos listening.
She sighed exaggeratedly and continued.
From the looks of it, I guess that youre close with Joseph, Sir. If you could get the item on my behalf, Ill make sure to not only give you the items price but a heftymission as well.
Commission?
Aside from the items price, amission of 500 million won. And I can give you even more if the item is cheaper than I expected. How does that sound?
500 million?
Dung Beetle, who still had the janitors sense of money, raised an eyebrow at her offer of such argemission.
The better the offer, the greater the risk. What item are we talking about?
Its an item that doesnt look like a weapon. Hmm, how should I describe it
She paused for a moment as if trying to recall something, then spoke again.
A rod made from a unicorns horn? Thats the best description I can give you. It doesnt really match its original name.
As soon as she finished speaking, Jang Man and Dung Beetle looked at each other simultaneously.
Through the snake and sun masks, strange looks were exchanged. The girl who had been excluded from their conversation tilted her head in confusion.
...Whats with this atmosphere? Perhaps, youre not thinking of something strange, are you?
Although her guess was slightly off, that perhaps was indeed /genesisforsaken
Chapter 10: A Suitable Destiny For The Prologue Boss
My apprentice, after observing countless destinies over the years, I''vee to one ultimate realization.
What is it, Master?
In this world, there is no such thing as events flowing ording to n.
Excerpt from the British Museum Collection - Stele for a Young Dragon
* * *
"First, lets go outside and talk."
As Jang Man pulled back his gun and spoke, the woman wearing the ck dog mask or rather, the girl epted his suggestion.
From that point on, a silent journey, with no conversation, began. The group did not exchange a single word as they left the ck market, passed through the abandoned distribution center, and returned to Incheon Market.
To begin with, Jang Man was not a talkative person, and Dung Beetle believed that talking now might only lead to more fighting. So, he decided to focus on organizing his thoughts from the earlier fight.Naturally, the girl also kept her words to a minimum.
After following the two men in silence, she broke the silence when they arrived at Jang Mans bar.
So, when can I get the item? I can pay at any time.
Although the girl spoke to Jang Man, the old man pretended not to hear her and simply took out some alcohol from the disy cab.
I dont have a problem paying the full amount in cash either. But it would take about a week.
Again, there was no reply.
Jang Man sipped on his drink while Dung Beetle began checking the weapons inside the carrier.
It was only then that the girl realized that something was off.
Excuse me? Sir? Are we not going to make a deal?
The deal should be made with him, not me.
As Jang Man gestured with his chin, the girls gaze shifted to Dung Beetle.
...With him? Why?
Because it would be faster to get the item youre looking for if you speak with him.
What did he mean by that? One of the girl''s eyebrows arched gracefully, but Dung Beetle remained silent as he focused on his own business.
Um, excuse me?
Eventually, the girl was the one who started the conversation first. When it seemed like Dung Beetle didnt hear her, she leaned closer to the carrier.
Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me? Excuse me?
Dung Beetle, who was taking out a shotgun, sighed briefly and responded.
Why do you want a weapon to deal with Necromancers?
Pardon?
Did you not tell Joseph that you are looking for a weapon to deal with Necromancers? Was that just an excuse to find the rod, or are Necromancers your real target?
...It seems like my answer might determine whether the deal goes through or falls apart. Am I right?
Probably.
The girl squinted slightly at Dung Beetle. Other than his golden eyes, his face was nothing special. Neither his expression nor his appearance stood out.
She shifted her gaze to nce at Dung Beetles carrier, then sat beside him as if she had just realized something.
Grenades and a shotgun Youre nning to fight a Necromancer, right? Am I correct?
Dung Beetle did not answer her and continued reading the shotguns manual.
Hmm, a big shot old man from the ck market and a noob Superhuman chasing a Necromancer. This would get criticized as a clich if it were made into a movie, wouldnt it?
...Stop with the nonsense and answer the question.
Should we introduce ourselves?
Still searching for the answer, the girl made a desperate attempt to change the topic of the conversation.
No.
Dung Beetle responded rather bluntly, nheless, the girl started introducing herself.
My name is... Ho, I mean its Park Seti. Im Korean, but if you were to ask me why my eyes are blue and why am I named Seti? You should ask my dad instead because I also get the urge to ask him that at times.
...
Since Ive revealed my name, shouldnt you reveal yours as well to be fair?
Park Seti stared at Dung Beetle intensely. After a moment of silence, Dung Beetle raised the white g.
...Im Dung Beetle.
Park Setis delicate eyebrow twitched a little.
...Since Ive revealed my real name, isnt it only fair for you to reveal yours?
That is my real name.
...?
Wondering if she shouldugh, she examined Dung Beetles expression once more. However, not a trace of humor was found on his face.
Wow... I didnt expect toe across someone even more serious than my dad. Are your parents named Mr. and Mrs. Dung1?
No, Im an orphan.
Oh... um...
Theres no need to apologize. I dont even know what my parents look like.
Well, knowing that made her feel even more sorry. However, she swallowed back the words that had already risen to her throat.
After fidgeting with her fingers for a while in the brief silence, she sighed and decided toe clean with her story.
The Handle of the Uragan... I mean, the reason I need that rod isn''t to fight any Necromancer. It''s for my younger sister. There was an ident a month ago.
She also added an unasked detail that her sister was cursed in ce of her.
At the mention of a month ago, Jang Man briefly nced over but did not intrude into their conversation.
500 million won is more than enough to admit her to a top hospital or even summon a high-ranking priest.
Said Dung Beetle.
They didnt work. Even renowned doctors and high-ranking priests of the Ulthvati Church were unable to cure her.
"I don''t think that that rod can heal something even a high-ranking priest was unable to."
...Yes, there is no guarantee that it will work. However, you know, unicorns'' souls and horns have been known to ovee all curses since ancient times, right? Thats why I want to give it a try.
As soon as she finished speaking, Dung Beetle simply took a long box from the carrier and ced it on the table without saying a word.
The girl in front of him might not have imagined it, but inside that box was the very rod made from the horn of a unicorn that she had been desperately searching for.
What should I do?
Dung Beetle pondered over it.
The girls sincere desire to save her family was certainly touching, but that was all.
He was not the same Dung Beetle from before his death, nor was he a janitor moved by small acts of kindness.
He had no intention of giving up the weapon to fight the Necromancer just because of a touching backstory. There was neither a need nor a reason to do so.
What he was contemting about were the benefits further down the line, after defeating the Necromancer.
Would it be more advantageous for him to help her and build a small connection, or ignore her?
Park Seti.
She was a Superhuman he had never heard of before. And as a result, the questions in his mind multiplied endlessly.
In a modern society obsessed with appearances, was it even possible for a female Superhuman with such looks to remain unknown?
As long as the paparazzi and social media existed, it was an impossible scenario.
Thus, only two possibilities remained.
She was either a Superhuman who was hiding her abilities thoroughly or a student at an academy for people with such abilities.
Given her youthful appearance and immature behavior, thetter seemed more likely.
Naturally, she should have been a student at the academy...
However, if he were to assume that she was an academy student, then every action she had taken so far meant a great deal.
The financial capability to generously offer 500 million won, the skill to expertly use the mysterious Flying Kick technique, and the informationwork to find the location of the ck market.
These simple facts were more than enough to make it clear that she had a background that surpassed ordinary people or even Superhumans.
She must belong to some high-ranking family or an apprentice of someone so prominent that ordinary people rarely even get to see them.
Weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Dung Beetle reached a conclusion.
Would it be beneficial to befriend her or not?
The scale tipped towards yes.
Having made his decision, Dung Beetle pushed the bag with the rod slightly and spoke.
...Three days.
Pardon?
Bring the money in three days. I will hand over the rod then.
Really?
Unaware of Dung Beetles true intentions, Seti smiled brightly.
Thank you! Dung Beetle-ssi2.
* * *
Is it okay?
Jang Man asked while sipping on his drink after Park Seti had left the bar.
What do you mean?
Im asking if youre okay with letting her go that easily. She seemed pretty suspicious to me.
Thats true.
But why? Theres a possibility that she might be connected to your enemies, and theres also the risk of her leaking what the two of you discussed here.
It was an undeniable argument. However, Dung Beetle simply shook his head.
...It doesnt matter.
Have you fallen for her or something? Well, its true that a pretty girl like her isntmon.
It is not like that.
Then?
Since I received something that belongs to hers without her consent, I thought it was worth the risk.
Received something?
Flying Kick TechniqueThe mysterious footwork used by Park Seti.
Dung Beetle didnt exin how he received it because he didnt even know how to exin it himself.
And since Jang Man wasnt particrly interested in an exnation, their conversation ended there.
* * *
The following day.
Dung Beetle had departed from Jang Mans bar and was headed towards the closed Pier 13.
ording to the dead operations director, this was the ce where the janitors handed over the corpses they had collected to the Necromancer.
In the most secluded part of the closed ports, which represented the decline of Incheon.
Dragging his weapon carrier,Dung Beetle had arrived at a scene that reeked of abandonednd.
Thickyers of dust piled up, with garbage and containers scattered in disorder
Thendscape was neither worth admiring nor did it possess any aesthetic value. And the first thing Dung Beetle did was climb on top of a container to check the pier''s terrain.
Only one entrance, but it looks like there are multiple hiding spots, thanks to the containers
Closebat would be unavoidable on such a terrain and for him, who was armed only with a shotgun and grenades, it wasnt a bad setup.
After surveying the area, Dung Beetle settled on top of the container and sat down.
As he looked at the sea from a high vantage point, the sea breeze, mixed with the smell of iron, tickled his nose.
He savored the sea breeze for a moment before recalling Park Seti.
To be precise, he recalled the Flying Kick technique she used.
The true Superhuman martial art.
Although the exchange between her and Dung Beetle was brief, what she had shown him was more than words could express.
How far could one extend their movements and control of their body using mana?
For Dung Beetle, who experienced a new world just by enhancing his senses before his trade with Joseph, seeing her was a shock in itself.
If he used mana to enhance his lower body muscles for increased durability and power, could his kick be as strong as a sledgehammer?
And if mana were infused into the joggers heel of his soles to maximize sticity, could he bounce around like a spring?
Every kick and foot movement she demonstrated was a revolutionary revtion for Dung Beetle, akin to the Copernican Revolution3 in his thinking.
Of course, the most surprising part was that he had understood it all just by observing her.
Is this because of the talent bestowed by Mignium?
There was no other way to exin the situation. Or, could it be that his inherent talent was finally blooming?
No, that seemed impossible.
Not once in his life did he think of himself as talented.
After all, it had taken him over three years just to learn the janitor''s job, so he was actually quitecking in talent.
Talent, talent...
The talent bestowed by Mignium was too broad to be ssified by a single word. He was yet to begin to grasp the essence of the talent he had received.
Was it simply the talent to handle mana well? Or perhaps talent in Superhuman martial arts? Maybe it was both.
Having thought that far, Dung Beetle stood up and focused on each muscle of his lower body.
A kind of power from within his body surely mana, followed ording to his thoughts, wrapping around his thigh muscles and moving down to his lower body.
From the thighs to the back of his knees, through his calves, past the soleus muscle, and down to the soles of the feet.
When the mana reached the joggers heel, responsible for the sticity, at the bottom of his feet, every muscle felt as if it were in his hand.
Seeing that Park Seti had maintained this state while performing the Flying Kick technique, this was probably the basis of the technique.
Dung Beetle recalled the trajectory of each of the kicks she had shown.
A powerful spinning kick executed by bending low to the waist, a flying kick cutting through the air, a short side kick, and a front kick
And the strange footwork that supported all of these.
Dung Beetle tried to mimic the same postures awkwardly.
The first attempt was awkward.
On the second attempt, he realized that the awkwardness in the first attempt was due to the difference in physique between him and Seti.
By the third attempt, it had be somewhat simr.
By the fourth attempt, he was able to bounce off the ground at the same level as Seti.
Yet, the fifth attempt yielded no results.
He suddenly realized that to achieve anything beyond this, it wasnt enough to solely rely on the parts of the Flying Kick technique he had seen yesterday.
Perhaps it might have been different if he had seen the training process of the Flying Kick technique or a martial arts manual
Is this the limit for now?
The key point or core of martial arts.
It seemed like he was on the verge of grasping something in his mind, but he still couldnt understand what it was.
However, he was able to realize something else.
His talent... no, the talent bestowed to him by Mignium was real.
A talent that allowed him to master the control of his senses, which others needed years to acquire, in an instant and to steal techniques after a single skirmish.
Ha...
The feeling he had right after the realization was neither difort nor joy.
It was a sense of chill.
The same chilling sensation he felt when holding a sharp knife or a loaded gun, was coursing through his body.
There was no way he could not use this talent. Revenge had to be achieved, even if it cost him everything he had.
...
Looking up at the sky, he saw that the sunset had already stretched long across the sea.
Using the same footwork as Seti, Dung Beetle jumped down from the container lightly.
Though it was almost a height of 6 meters4, the sound when hended was no different from a feather falling to the ground.
I need to prepare to meet the guests.
The time for learning the technique he had secretly stolen was over. It was now time to prepare for /genesisforsaken
Chapter 11: A Suitable Destiny For The Prologue Boss (2)
* * *
Early dawn, three days after Dung Beetle had burned down the corpse warehouse, and two days after he had purchased the weapons.
Hidden beneath the veil of the darkness of the night, a ck sedan approached Pier 13.
The sedan, which was clearly expensive by anyones standards, made its way deep into the pier beforeing to a stop.
In the darkness of the pier, where even the moonlight avoided casting its light, the sedan''s headlights shone bleakly.
It was almost 30 minutes before anyone got out of the sedan, which had been parked for quite some time.
Two armed men and a man in a suit.
The man in the suit, looking extremely uneasy, was sweating profusely with a scowl on his face.
Is he from the government, or?Still unsure, Dung Beetle watched them from a distance. Werethey really the people the operations director had mentioned?
Was the government really running the Janitor Guild to sell corpses to Necromancers?
Using the same method as Park Seti, Dung Beetle began using the Flying Kick technique. Mana gathered under his feet, and then, he leaped from one container to another container.
- Damn those fucking janitors the warehouse couldnt even job properly
As he reached the container directly behind the sedan, he could hear the voices that werent audible from a distance.
Sir the potions received public official hero
Pouring mana into his ears and focusing on his hearing, Dung Beetle couldnt help but scoff in disbelief.
Janitor, warehouse, public official, potions.
Yes, they were indeed government officials.
Dung Beetle fidgeted with his shotgun at his waist as the cold touch of the gun cooled his head.
Now, the Necromancer will also arrive.
Dung Beetle didnt even have to wait for long. As soon as he took his position, the loud noise of an exhaust could be heard from the only entryway to the pier.
The first thing that caught his eye were the headlights, which were higher than most carsand it was not just one pair, but five of them.
Trailers?
Five enormous trucks, each hauling containers simr in size to those at the pier, entered.
Although thebination seemed too conspicuous for a Necromancer, seeing the suited man look almost tearful and restless, confirmed that the vehicles did indeed belong to the Necromancer.
And on top of that, the smell
As the trucks drew closer, the stench he had often encountered during his janitor days grew stronger.
It smells like rotting corpses
Creak!
At some point, the trucks had reached deep inside the pier and lined up in front of the sedan. Then, the door of the middle truck opened.
Its been a while, Secretary.
The person who stepped out of the truck was a man dressed in a neat formal suit.
His skin so white that it was practically pale, and the truck headlights shining behind him, he almost looked like a corpse.
Y-yes, i-i-its been a while, Master Buzum. Youve really, um, grown quite distinguished since west met.
The man in the suit bowed so deeply that it almost seemed obsequious.
The armed guards behind him also looked somewhat subdued, as if it were a meeting between a debtor and a creditor rather than a transaction scene.
And it seemed that even the Necromancer found this attitude strange as he narrowed his eyes and asked.
Secretary, where are the goods? Have they not arrived yet?
Well, the thing is
The thing is?
Theres been a bit of a problem So, the delivery will be slightly dyed this time.
As soon as the suited secretary finished speaking, the air around them turned frigid.
Even Dung Beetle, watching from atop a container, felt the chill.
Is there some sort of problem?
Well, due to an unforeseen ident the corpse warehouse w-waspletely burnt down.
Burnt down? Are you saying everything caught fire?
Yes, thats what happened.
Sigh, I cant believe this
Annoyance shed across the Necromancer Buzums pale face for a brief moment.
You must have a reason foring here even though you dont have the goods, right? You must have one!
Y-yes! Of course! The higher-ups are very apologetic about this situation.
And?
F-For the next transaction, we promise to deliver an additional 700 corpses along with the ones we werent able to deliver this time.
Next time. Next time, you say, huh?
The Necromancer scanned the secretary from top to bottom with a cold expression.
"Did youe here hoping that you could take the goods first this time?"
M-Master Buzum, you can understand our situation, right? Just one more mage during this enrollment season
Just as the secretary was about to bash his forehead against the ground, Buzum waved his hand to cut him off.
You can stop right there, Secretary. If we were to quibble over it, this situation isn''t entirely your fault now, is it?
And it isnt like weve been trading with each other for just a year or two; it''s been more than a few years already. So, we should at least be able to understand the difficulties you''re facing.
As Buzum snapped his fingers, something walked out from the container at the back of the truck.
Rooooaaar..
Was once human and still resembled humans, but was no longer human.
Zombies.
As if escorting it, they brought a carefully packaged box to the Necromancer.
Despite the disgusting sight of the zombies, which clearly were Korean corpses, there was no sign of revulsion or fear on the secretarys face.
Oh
It was because his eyes were fixed on the box the zombies were carrying.
Please check.
The zombies carefully opened the box they were holding. And inside it were three vials of potion, each emitting a brilliant glow.
Awakening Potions They are truly beautiful, no matter how many times you see them.
The secretary inspected the vials, which were slightly smaller than a soju bottle, with the same care one would use while handling jewels.
At that moment, Dung Beetle, positioned above them, had thest of his doubts dispelled.
No, he was finally certain.
Although it was the Janitor Guild that had been gathering corpses for Necromancers, the Korean government was the one giving the orders.
All because of that damn potion
His colleagues were killed. Although it was the yer who wielded the sword, in the end, it was the government that had pushed them to their death.
As his suspicion turned into certainty, Dung Beetle pulled a grenade from his waist.
A brief moment was all it took for his anger to turn to rage, but his actions were swift.
He pulled the pin and tossed the grenade down.
By the time the Necromancer and the government officials looked up on hearing something fall, the grenades fuse had already detonated.
BOOM!!
It exploded just above their heads. The two armed men were swept away by the explosion before they could even let out a scream.
However, the Necromancer and the suited man managed to narrowly escape the st thanks to the small secretary badge, which emitted a protective shield that barely shielded them, on the suited mans clothes.
It looks like we have an uninvited guest.
The Necromancer turned to the secretary.
I hope this isnt a trap set up by the Korean government.
No way, Sir! Why would the government do something like this O-over there!
However, they were unable to finish their conversation as two grenades were falling towards them this time.
Undead, block them!
Following Buzums order, the surrounding zombies immediately threw themselves at the grenades.
BOOM! BOOOM!!!
When the two grenades exploded, the zombies swept away by the st were sent flying. The firepower was simply excessive for just two grenades.
...This isnt an ordinary bomb.
Buzum frowned as he stared at the spot where the grenades had exploded. The zombies that had thrown themselves at the grenades had died with only their limbs blown off.
Since it couldnt be a grenade blessed by the gods, it had to be an anti-magic grenade that was hard toe by.
Does the Korean government have its tail followed?
No, the important thing wasnt about who was being tailed; the real issue was that there was a lunatic throwing grenades from right above them.
Buzum shook his head and began chanting a spell.
Arise, Undead!
Clunk, following his call, the sound of something happening beyond the container door at the back of the truck could be heard, and then the door creaked open with a screeching sound.
Rooooaaar
Kkkeeuuu
And beyond the door were newly awakened corpses, or rather, zombies.
Protect your master.
The zombies, packed tightly inside the container, crawled out one by one. And in no time, a barricade of zombies had formed around the Necromancer.
I dont know who you are, but youve picked the wrong opponent to mess with. Do you know who the hell I am?
A maggot feeding on corpses.
Dung Beetle replied as he jumped down from the container. Hended as softly as a feather, and the Necromancers pale face contorted.
A Superhuman?
An anti-magic grenade and an unidentified SuperhumanThe Necromancer quickly arrived at a conclusion.
...It seems like information regarding the potion has been leaked.
Dung Beetle didnt respond and simply rushed towards him. The Necromancer immediately pulled out a wand from his robe.
The bizarre wand with a raven skull emitted a green light as he pointed at Dung Beetle.
Are you an amateur? Your method is too crude. What can a single Superhuman even do?
Buzum channeled his mana into the wand and swung it. sh! The magic contained within the wand reacted, causing a green liquid to spew out.
Dung Beetle instinctively avoided the liquid and changed directions.
Sssss! As the liquid passed by Dung Beetle and hit the ground, the concrete floor of the pier melted like butter.
Those destined to die, bring death!
Seemingly anticipating that the acidic magic would miss, Buzum immediately gave orders to the zombies.
The first to respond to hismand were the zombies whose legs hadnt decayed yet.
Kieeeek!
They charged at Dung Beetle fiercely, like beasts that had lost all reason.
And without any hesitation, Dung Beetle swung his foot toward them.
He executed the clean spinning kick demonstrated by Park Seti, causing the zombies rushing from the front to fall one after another.
However, taking out a few of them with a kick was just a minor setback. More and more zombies surged forward, trampling over the fallen ones.
Kyaaaak!
Dung Beetle distanced himself to avoid the flood of zombies. The zombies werent even able to graze his clothes as he moved using the Flying Kick Technique. However, the real problem was the Necromancer.
Dung Beetle frowned as he gauged the distance between them. Like a driven hunt, the zombies seemed to keep him away from the Necromancer.
Is this a dy tactic?
Zombies could never defeat a Superhuman.
No matter how much they bit at them or wed with their decayed bodies, it was impossible to inflict any fatal damage on a Superhuman.
This wasmon knowledge, proven in the Miami terror attack that took ce over thirty years ago, where hundreds of Necromancers were ughtered.
And it was impossible that the Necromancer would be unaware of something that even Dung Beetle, who had be a Superhuman just three days ago, knew.
Dung Beetle used the Flying Kick technique to leap up and once he rose to about twice his height, he spotted the Necromancer hiding behind the zombies.
As expected, he was holding a wand with his eyes closed, muttering something.
So, hes buying time toplete the spell.
Having confirmed what the Necromancer was doing, there was only one thing left for him to do.
Dung Beetle took a grenade from his belt, pulled the pin and threw it.
Seeing the grenade arc through the sky, the zombies hastily hurled themselves at the Necromancer.
BOOOOMM!
With a deafening explosion, a massive number of zombies were swept away.
Although the Necromancer wasnt hit by the explosion, the hurried movement of the zombies interrupted his spell.
He red at Dung Beetle with a fierce look in his eyes and said.
Those bombs wontst forever. Let me see for how long you can keep struggling.
Its me who wants to see how long you can keep struggling with your precious zombies.
Dung Beetle sprang towards the zombies as soon as hended on the ground.
Kyaaaak!
Rooooaaar
Dung Beetle let himself crash into the zombies charging at him.
As the zombie at the front opened its mouth to bite, he smashed its head.
Another zombie flew through the air, reaching out to grab Dung Beetle. Dung Beetle caught the arm of the zombie swinging its ws and tore it off.
Scratch, bite, hug The zombies attacks were simple.
However, there were too many of them and they continued to surge towards Dung Beetle, like a swamp he couldnt escape from.
What a fool. Has he lost his mind?
As Buzum prepared another spell, heughed at Dung Beetles actions.
He was worried that the man might escape because of the slow zombies, but he was now charging at them.
The Necromancer felt like a fool for having been concerned about the number of grenades that remained.
You filthy maggot. If you want to die so badly, fine. I''ll grant you that wish...
Just as Buzum was about to say that, a loud gunshot interrupted him.
BANG!
One by one, the zombies copsed in the wake of the gunshot.
A shotgun?
Seeing that the zombies he had carefully prepared were being swept away, it was clear that this shotgun, like the grenades, was no ordinary weapon.
Crazy bastard, you really came prepared.
Buzums voice grew grave as he prepared his spell, and the moment the zombies rushed in to fill the gaps, the Remington MH750 in Dung Beetles hand fired once /genesisforsaken
Chapter 12: A Suitable Destiny For The Prologue Boss (3)
* * *
"Oh."
The ''Author'' marveled as he observed the auditorium where the entrance ceremony would take ce.
The facility, with its vast space capable of seating tens of thousands, was built using thetest construction methods and was liberal with the high-quality materials used, including the seating on both sides.
It was so impressive that it would have been believable if he called it a World Cup stadium instead of an auditorium.
After all, there was even a setting where it would actually be used as a stadium during sporting events.
However, that was the end of his admiration. It was an interesting experience to see the space he had only described in writing in person, but it was also a ce he had seen countless times before.
Lost in thought, the Author wandered around the auditorium aimlessly.
Prologue.Although it was referred to as such outside the work, within the context of the universe, it woulde to be known as the ''Bloody Entrance Ceremony.''
It was a tragedy where depending on the work, hundreds or maybe even thousands of people would die.
Hundreds or thousands, huh
Although it was an enormous number, it didnt really affect him becausehow minor characters with no lines died meant nothing to him.
The Author paused for a moment and sat in one of the audience seats, looking back at the setting.
All these problems began with a prophecy given to a Necromancer by a prophet.
- You will die at the hands of a person several hundred years younger than you, and that person will enter the Lord Howe Academy in five years.
After receiving the prophecy, rather than fleeing in fear, the Necromancer came up with a rather Necromancer-like solution.
- Why not kill the enemy of the prophecy before he kills me?
It was a rtively simple solution, but then, he encountered another problem.
Would it even be possible for him to find and kill his destined enemy from among the new students of Lord Howe Academy, where all types of support, from various countries on this savage and powerful Earth, would converge?
The Necromancer pondered over it for a long time while he continued to build up his strength and grow his hatred.
And the conclusion he arrived at was as simple as it was horrifying.
- I should just kill everyone.
Wouldnt the problem be resolved if he killed all the new students attending the entrance ceremony?
Unfortunately, the Necromancer had both the will and the ability to carry out such an insane n.
Well, it would ultimately be a self-fulfilling prophecy
As a result of his actions, he would die at the hands of the protagonist after attacking the entrance ceremony of Lord Howe Academy.
Thanks to that, the protagonist would be famous worldwide, and it became the starting point where he was swept up in various incidents.
The problem was
Who exactly is the protagonist?
The Author bit on his thumbnail as he nced down at the auditorium.
Even though this world resembled the one he had written about in his novel, it was not exactly the same.
While the general aspects were simr, some parts werepletely different, non-existent, or even beyond his understanding.
It is clear that it was a fusion of various works
In fact, he was not the sole Author who created this world.
This was a franchise universe so what it meant was that the person who created this world was someone else entirely, and he was a writer who had been hired to write a novel that was set in that world.
Of course, being a creator himself, he didnt just write using what he was given. He created an original protagonist and came up with a setting that the fans loved.
However, that was also the case with the director of the movie adaptations, theic artist, and the game producer.
Lets make the protagonists a bit more consistent with each other.
The Author thought about the head of the world-buildingmittee he had seen beforeA nouveau riche bastard who allowed creators as much freedom as possible as long as they preserved the original world.
Thanks to that bastard, the protagonists in each version were of different genders and even races.
It was a handsome male actor in the movie version; while in theic, it was a beautiful girl drawn with the artists wholehearted effort; and in the game version
Whats the use of knowing all that? After all, none of them are in this world.
The Author cut off the useless thoughts. Aftering into this world and tracking down all sorts of protagonists, he was unable to find any of the ones he knew of.
He even entertained the hope that he might be the protagonist himself, but seeing that he had transmigrated into a body that was only good for being from a wealthy family with otherwise pathetic skills, that didnt seem to be the case.
What if the protagonist doesnt show up by then?
At that point, another worry arose. What if there was still no protagonist even after the prologue started?
Dont tell me that the prologue will end with the Necromancer killing everyone. The end of the story!
It sounded ridiculous, but in the first ce, wasnt the fact that he had been transmigrated into the world of the novel even more ridiculous?
Should I just not participate in the entrance ceremony?
Because once he participated, there would be no escaping. The prologue boss, the Necromancer, would use the undead he had amassed over the five years to surround the auditorium, and the horde of undead would use their bodies to block all the exits.
With so many civilians in attendance, it would be impossible to expect high-level magic orrge-scale support fire.
Only the students and a few skilled individuals participating in the entrance ceremony would be able to provide support.
Of course, if that were the case, he might manage to somehow protect himself.
But the real problem here is the second phase
The Necromancer. Although the Necromancer was weak in the novel, as a prologue boss should be... just thinking about the game or movie version made him break into a cold sweat.
A nauseating and terrifying feast of flesh.
Maybe I should just skip the entrance ceremony altogether.
He looked around the auditorium where the new students would gather and shook his head.
No, that wont do. If I run away right at the start, I wont have any chance to get involved in the story.
For the sake of the future, it was only right to get involved in the story. And it would be even better if he could help the protagonist and build connections in the process.
By following the story and taking advantage of hidden elements or the strange fateful encounters that the protagonist would usuallye across he could live a life that waspletely different from his life in reality, a morous and wealthy life.
Since I n on participating, should I make an impression on the heroines and deal with the supporting characters I dont like?
With that grim and brutal fantasy as thest thought, the Author turned around and walked towards the exit of the auditorium.
The darkness of the silent auditorium extended long behind him.
* * *
Dung Beetle took several breaths.
With the first breath, he fired the shotgun and swept away the zombies blocking the path ahead.
With the second breath, he gathered mana in his feet.
With the third breath, he kicked off the ground and leaped over the heads of the zombies.
And by the fourth breath, he was already flying over the heads of the zombies.
However, the wall of zombies was too wide for him to leap over in one go.
Even after jumping over dozens of zombies, he once again fell back into the crowd of zombies.
Or rather, he almost fell.
Thud! Stepping on a zombies head instead of the ground, Dung Beetle jumped again. The zombies tried to grab him with their rotten hands, but they failed.
The zombies at the rear began to pile up their bodies btedly, creating a repulsive barrier with rotting flesh ovepping.
At that moment, light burst from the shotgun in Dung Beetles hand.
Bang!
A lead bullet, coated with silver through magic, struck the wall of flesh.
Covered in bits of flesh and rotten blood, the nauseating stench stung Dung Beetles nose, and his clothes were stained.
However, that did not stop him. Once he confirmed that he was indeed getting closer to the Necromancer, he saw that the Necromancer, with a desperate look on his face, was channeling mana into his wand.
O King of the Undead! The one who even kills death!
The moment Dung Beetle stepped on the head of thest zombie and leaped, the Necromancer managed toplete his spell.
Zaaaaaaap!
The wand emitted light. A revolting green light that defied natural order flew toward Dung Beetle.
A precise strike that aimed for the moment he was defenseless in midair. Seeing that, a content smile spread across the Necromancers pale face.
However, that same smile disappeared in less than a second.
The moment the spell collided with Dung Beetle, a radiant multicolored light burst from his waist.
[The Curse of Decay! I cant believe that this repulsive curse still exists in this world!]
At that moment, a noble voice... echoed in Dung Beetles mind.
[O Virgin! I shall protect you!]
As soon as he heard the word virgin, Dung Beetle barely managed to resist the urge to let go of the unicorn horn he was holding.
Still mid-air, he twisted his waist and stretched his leg toward the Necromancer. It was a heavy flying kick,pletely different from what Park Seti had shown him.
A unicorns horn?! What kind of grudge do youugh!
Dung Beetle struck the Necromancer squarely in the back as he turned to flee.
It was a superhuman kick driven by a surge of intense feelings. The Necromancer flew a short distance like a person hit by a car, before crashing to the ground.
As soon as Dung Beetlended, he kicked off toward the Necromancer again. He didnt give him any time to get back up.
Keugh, wai cough!
Grabbing the Necromancer crawling on the ground by his neck, Dung Beetle lifted him up. His golden eyes pierced through the Necromancers pale face.
Without offering him any proposal, he tightened his grip on the Necromancers neck. The sound of cracking bones echoed, and the Necromancers body went limp.
Dung Beetle tossed the Necromancer he was holding. The body of the one who mocked the dead fell to the ground lifelessly.
[O Virgin! We have won]
Dung Beetle let go of the rod he was holding in his left hand and turned his gaze toward the path leading outside the pier.
Beyond the truck holding the Necromancers corpse, there was something crawling on the ground.
Hey.
Dung Beetle approached it while swinging his arms. As the footsteps drew closer, the thing crawling on the ground suddenly stood up and bolted.
Unfortunately, he wasn''t fast enough. After taking a single step, Dung Beetle reached out and grabbed him by the back of the neck.
He iled with all his might, desperately trying to escape. Realizing it was futile, he began to plead with Dung Beetle.
"P-Please spare me! I-I don''t know anything!"
Meeting Dung Beetles gaze, the middle-aged Secretary, clutching a bag of awakening potions, began to tremble.
"I haven''t even asked you anything."
"T-Then ask me anything! If it''s something I know, I-I''ll tell you everything! E-everything"
Even though his words were contradictory, Dung Beetle didnt mind and asked.
"Who gave the order for this transaction?"
"..."
"Yeouido1? Gyeongmudae2? How deep does the connection with the Necromancer go?"
The Secretary''s face contorted. He shut his eyes tight and replied in a trembling voice.
"I-If I tell you, w-will you... spare me?"
"No."
Dung Beetle''s reply was immediate. He tightened his grip around the Secretary''s neck and added.
"But your family will live."
The Secretary''s face turned deathly pale. His gaze wandered aimlessly before settling on the Necromancer''s corpse.
Seeing the corpse with a broken neck, he sighed deeply, as if he had made a resolution.
"The, the ones who championed this deal... are the Patriots."
"The Patriots?"
"The people who sacrificed everything for our country and nation."
Country and nation? Dung Beetle frowned at the unexpected words that came out in session.
"Exin clearly. Who are the Patriots? Are they a group, an organization? Or..."
"I-I don''t know why you killed the Necromancer, but you''re Korean, right?"
The Secretary interrupted Dung Beetle''s question with another question.
"...So what?"
"Then, c-could you just back off? Not for my sake, but... f-for the sake of our country and nation."
The Secretary looked down at the bag he was clutching with unfocused eyes. Dung Beetle instinctively followed his gaze.
Dung Beetle knew well what was inside that bag.
Awakening PotionA dream-like potion, which was said to have a small chance of awakening the user who took it as a mage.
Because of that damn potion, the Janitor Guild siphoned corpses and sold them to the Necromancer.
Because of that damn potion, the government killed and dishonored his colleagues.
And he was saying that the people whomitted such acts called themselves... the Patriots, and they did this for the sake of the nation and country?
It was ridiculous.
It was so ridiculous that he had to ask again.
Is the trashy act of selling the corpses of your own people for the sake of the nation and the country?
H-How did you know Ugh!
The hand around the Secretarys neck tightened. Dung Bettle felt an overwhelming urge to snap the mans neck right then and there.
Enough with your nonsense. If you want a peaceful death, just tell me who the hell these Patriots really are.
Struggling against the pain crushing his neck, the Secretary barely managed to answer him.
T-the Patriots are the, the temporary governmbeyond the dimensional por
[You wretch!]
Something interrupted the Secretarys words. Recognizing the voice as the Necromancers, Dung Beetle turned his head.
He could still see the Necromancer''s corpse. Instead, something was defying gravity as it rose into the sky above the truck he had brought.
It was a dark red rectangr box.
It was a coffin with such an intuitive appearance that one could immediately tell that it was a coffin, and it was currently floating mid-air.
[How dare you! My neck! You filthy maggot!!]
Creak! The coffin opened, revealing something inside.
A skeleton with no lower body, with only the upper torso remaining.
And from the skeleton''s eyes, the same repulsive green light as the wand the Necromancer had been holding was glowing.
So, the main body is somewhere else huh.
No wonder it felt like things went too smoothly.
Dung Beetle tossed the Secretary aside and loaded shells into the /genesisforsaken
Chapter 13: A Suitable Destiny For The Prologue Boss (4)
* * *
[You maggot! I swear by this body! I won''t even allow you to die!]
Right after the Necromancer roared, a massive wave of mana spread out.
The zombies that Dung Beetle had destroyed, the corpses of the Secretarys bodyguards, and the still-standing zombies were all drawn towards the Necromancer.
Just like a ma attracting iron; bones, flesh, and blood began to swirl and coalesce around the Necromancer.
By the time Dung Beetle managed to reload his shotgun, the mass had already berger than a truck.
[O Death, defy your course! O Death, amass!]
The writhing mass soon began to transform into the shape of a massive giant.
The flesh and bones of the zombies formed arms as massive as containers, and its face made from the tangled corpses was hideous, like something out of a nightmare.Dung Beetle pulled the pin and threw a grenade at the monster''s yet-to-bepleted lower body.
The monster, which was just starting to form its legs, toppled pathetically, but that was it.
Other corpses rushed towards the gaping hole in the lower body, quickly mending the wound.
[Do you think that a mere grenade can bring down my Titan? Bestowed by the King of the Undead, this is the greatDamn it! Block it!]
Switching his target, Dung Beetle threw a grenade towards the coffin that contained Necromancer''s main body. The iplete giant hastily reached out and grabbed the grenade, which then exploded within its fist.
The only visible damage caused by the grenade was the rotten blood seeping through the monster''s fingers.
[Kill him! Kill that wretch!]
Roaaar!
Following themand, the corpse giants fist rushed towards Dung Beetle.
The massive fist, descending at an incredible speed unbefitting its size, struck both Dung Beetle and the container behind him, with a force matching its enormous size.
KABOOM!!
The falling container towers produced a noise far louder than the grenade explosion.
It''s so fast.
Caught off guard by the unexpected blow, Dung Beetle gasped for breath amidst the fallen containers.
The arm that he had used to block the Titan''s fist felt numb, and judging by the blood pooling in his throat, it seemed that he had broken a few ribs as well.
Spitting out the blood pooling in his mouth, he got back on his feet. The nowplete massive Titan and the floating coffin were looking down at him.
[Maggot, you''re much tougher than I thought.]
Not bothering to reply, Dung Beetle deftly sprang from his spot just before the Titan''s fist came crashing down.
Thump, thump, thump!
As Dung Beetle ran, the Titan''s fists chased after him.
[Huahaha! Are you trying to y tag like a real maggot?]
ncing behind, Dung Beetle gauged the distance to the Necromancer.
It''s impossible to bring down the Titan with grenades and a shotgun. I have to target the main body.
He stopped running and gathered mana in his thighs. Taking advantage of the moment, the Titan swung its fist at him. Or rather, it almost did.
Dung Beetle jumped, narrowly dodging the fist, and ran up the Titan''s arm towards its shoulder.
He reached the Titan''s shoulder in an instant and aimed his shotgun at the Necromancer''s main body when
sh!
An eerie green light burst out from between the Titan''s flesh as the curse struck Dung Beetle''s body.
[Be careful, O Virgin! While I can block the curse, I am unable to absorb the impact on your behalf!]
Having grabbed the unicorns horn at the veryst minute, Dung Beetle thankfully avoided getting cursed. However, he was unable to stop himself from rolling off the Titan''s shoulder.
Perhaps the Necromancer had also heard the unicorn''s telepathic warning, because as soon as Dung Beetle hit the ground, the Titan swung its fist at him.
Whack! Hit squarely by the fist, Dung Beetle lost his bnce and was sent flying as he rolled across the concrete floor of the pier.
[Oh my! O Virgin, are you alright?]
Gritting his teeth, Dung Beetle steadied himself. Even though he had only taken two hits, his bones and organs were screaming in agony.
[Your endurance is truly remarkable. Hehehe, thanks to you, I can have a good practice session before the main event!]
The Necromancer''s taunts echoed loudly, but Dung Beetle focused all his attention on dodging the Titan''s attacks.
...There is no chance of winning.
Neither the shotgun nor the grenades couldnt reach it. The unicorn''s horn could only serve as an amulet, and even his superhuman body was reaching its limits.
I was toocent.
His original n was simple: a surprise attack using grenades.
He thought it was a simple but effective n. No matter how great the Necromancer was, he wouldnt be able to block a grenade flying in the dark.
It was arrogance.
He should have nned this more meticulously. He should have prepared more than he did.
If only he had prepared anti-tank missiles orndmines... then he might have stood a chance against the Titan.
Should I retreat?
BANG!
Firing his shotgun at the iing fist, Dung Beetle ruminated over it. The Titan was forced to halt briefly but it quickly recovered and continued its charge.
Two shells in the shotgun, five grenades, and twenty bullets.
It seems hard to win.
Even if he were to use all his remaining ammunition, it would be nearly impossible to bring down the Necromancer.
Retreat.
Dung Beetle thought of that word once again.
If one was unable to see the path to victory, retreating was a viable option.
One step back, two steps forward a perfectly rational and sensible decision.
However...
No, I cant.
Dung Beetle gritted his teeth.
Beyond the thought of retreat, were the faces of his fallen colleagues.
His colleagues had died unjustly, and it had only been three days since he dug their graves.
Having buried their bodies in the ground and sworn not to return until he had exacted revenge, the blood he shed at that time had not even dried.
Retreat is definitely not an option.
He knew it was an irrational decision.
But just as there was nomon sense in a raging fire, there was nomon sense in revenge.
Once he chose revenge, he was left with only two options.
"To die, or to kill."
Dung Beetle began retracing his steps, heading back up the path he had fled. The Titan, which had been chasing him like a cat chasing a mouse, stopped, and the Necromancer mocked him.
[Maggot, have you given up on ying tag?]
Dung Beetle did not reply. Instead, he recalled Park Seti''s Flying Kick technique, her movements, the muscles she used, and the mana flowing along those muscles.
Following the memory of Park Seti were the movements the Titan had shown so far. The strength and speed stemming from its overwhelming size... resulted in simple movements.
As the two memories mixed, they led to one question.
If it were Park Seti... how would she have fought against that monster?
But before he could find the answer to that question, the Titan resumed its attacks.
[That''s enough amusement. Now, face eternal pain!]
The Titan''s fist cut through the air and thrust toward the ground with full force. It was a simple yet powerful downward strike.
!!!!!!
The impact struck the ground before the sound. Clouds of dust erupted from the pier as the ground was hollowed out.
However, Dung Beetle remained standing.
One Step. He was just a step away from the fist, gazing up at the Necromancer.
[What the hell are you doing? Kill him!]
The Necromancer moved the Titan''s fists again. The enormous hands made of corpses struck down over Dung Beetle''s head, pounding the ground again and again, creating hollows all over the pier.
However, Dung Beetle still remained standing.
The Necromancer''s skull rattled in shock. His senses, which felt mana instead of flesh and nerves, could perceive that Dung Beetle had done something.
He had evaded all the attacks like a feather swept by the wind.
Dung Beetle had managed to weave through the physical fists, finding the gaps between consecutive strikes and the flow of shockwaves, avoiding all attacks.
However, a human was not a feather. No, even a real feather would not be able to escape that unscathed.
[...What have you done?]
While the Necromancer was still baffled by the iprehensible reality unfolding before his eyes, Dung Beetle leaped into the air.
* * *
"Wow, what''s that?"
Seti, who was watching the fight through a telescope, muttered without realizing it.
Beyond her telescope, at Pier 13, the battle between David and Goliath1 was being reenacted.
Although the Goliath here was a massive giant made of hundreds of corpses.
What was it called again? Undead Titan? It was a monster created by a rare magic that could only be seen in history books.
Originally, it was a spell that required thousands, even tens of thousands, of corpses to create a giantrger than a rampart, and there was even a record of the famous B-29 bomber taking down such a monster.
Although the one rampaging at the pier now didn''t feel as overwhelming, perhaps due to a rtively insufficient number of the corpses it devoured
It still didn''t seem like something a superhuman could handle all by themselves.
Seti smacked her lips and turned her gaze from Goliath to its opponent, David, who was dodging its attacks.
It was a level of movement that was hard to believe that the superhuman was a novice she had seen just a few days ago.
No, could she even call him a novice?
Simply considering his Feather Step from the Flying Kick Technique, he was probably more superior than the instructor who taught her, wasnt he?
To think he only had to observe it once to reach that level of mastery...
Watching Dung Beetle dodge the Titan''s fist by a hairs breadth, Seti let out a bitterugh.
Of course, it wasnt like the Feather Step was a particrly difficult technique to learn. Strictly speaking, it wasnt impossible to learn simply by watching.
However, learning something and mastering it werepletely different things. After all, it would not be called a secret art if it were a technique that could be mastered in just two days.
"The world is vast, and there are many gifted people."
Even though she had seen it with her own eyes, it was still hard to believe. However, if all that was truly the result of his talent... she could confidently say that his talent was overwhelming even among the top five people she had evere across.
And in some ways, even more than those so-called hero candidates
sh!
While Seti was distracted momentarily, a green light shed above the Titan''s head.
A curse, released by the Titan and the Necromancer simultaneously, enveloped the superhuman.
However, the curse did not affect him. An ivory barrier enveloping his body deflected the green curse, and the Necromancer swore upon seeing that.
The Handle of Uragan. So, he does have it.
Seti recalled what he had said before they parted ways.
He said that he would ''hand over'' the Handle of Uragan to her, not ''retrieve'' it.
She had some suspicions, and indeed it was as she thought.
She felt a twinge for being deceived, but it didn''tst for long.
Well, he was going to sell it to me anyway.
Seeing the handle of Uragan block all kinds of curses from the Necromancer, she was secretly looking forward to getting her hands on it.
"Oh, is he finally switching to the offensive?"
The battle between David and Goliath was reaching its climax. Dung Beetle, who had been focused on evading, started attacking the Titan and Necromancer.
"But that still won''t be enough."
She thought as she fiddled with the weapon next to her.
A shotgun, grenades, and kicks.
Although they were all decent modes of attack, theycked the decisive factor that David''s slingshot had against Goliath.
Without a definitive strike, Dung Beetle would be the first to tire out.
Should I help?
She put down the telescope and picked up her weapon. The weapon she truly disliked wasmonly called a War Hammer; a hammer used for battle. The heavy feeling of the metal lump traveled up her hand.
She didnt know how much longer the fight wouldst, but what she did know was that if she didnt intervene, Dung Beetle would die.
Park Seti arrived at that conclusion through logical and rational judgment.
However, then
KABOOM!
A heavy sound that originated at Pier 13 reached her, blowing past and brushing her hair.
"Huh?"
The Titan was falling. The gigantic body tried to grab a container tower to keep itself from losing bnce, but both came crashing down together.
How?
Seti picked up the telescope again and scanned Pier 13.
She could see Dung Beetle standing atop the fallen Titan''s head.
His appearance was far from normal. His mouth was blood-red as if he had coughed up blood, his entire body was trembling faintly, and it looked as if his muscles had reached their limits.
However, despite all that, he stood there.
What on earth did he do?
It was neither a grenade nor was it a shotgun. So, was it the Flying Kick technique? But the Flying Kick technique didnt have a technique that was powerful enough to bring down a monster like that.
As if to answer her curiosity, Dung Beetle moved. He lifted his trembling foot.
With his foot raised above his knee, he took several short breaths, his eyes filled with determination.
Then, his foot came down on the Titan''s head.
Thwack!
A short impact, a long scream from the Titan, and rotting flesh and filth flying up as if it had burst.
Seeing that, Seti stood up without realizing it.
"...Quake Stomp?"
By focusing the mana in the soles of his feet to amplify the Reflective Force2, he reinforced his body and executed a simple yet powerful downward kick.
How much training and insight did it require to imbue such simplicity with meaning and power? How many candidates must have despaired, unable to ovee the high wall of the Quake Stomp?
And from what she could remember, her father and countless others who had failed were the same. Even she herself found the technique difficult to master.
Yet, Dung Beetle managed to execute Quake Stomp effortlessly, without anyone''s guidance or help.
"Ah..."
Once the aftermath of Foot Stomp passed, the Titans head, hollowed out as if hit by a cannonball, was revealed.
Unlike with the grenades and shotgun, that wound did not regenerate.
The impact had surpassed its Regeneration ability and had broken the spell itself.
Seti stared at the scene nkly and then closed her mouth as she looked at Dung Beetle standing atop the Titans head.
He looked like a half-dead man. No, as if he was barely alive.
The recoil was too great.
His body and mana were unable to keep up with the technique''s recoil. And at this moment, it was likely that he was unable to move a finger.
And Seti was not the only one who had noticed Dung Beetle''s state.
The Necromancer hidden within the dark red coffin floating in the sky began to wave his hands, casting a spell.
I can''t let him die like this.
After checking Dung Beetle and the Necromancer, Seti kicked off the ground and raised the War Hammer.
The War Hammer in her hands gleamed with a silvery white sheen as she soared through the darkness by the /genesisforsaken
Chapter 14: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs
It doesnt matter how much you hammer iron, you cannot turn it into gold.
Ma Uragan
* * *
[Im surprised. This is truly surprising]
The Necromancer, Buzum, eximed in astonishment from atop the Titan''s head.
Beneath his coffin, over the Titan''s hollowed head, he could see Dung Beetle, dripping with blood and filth, ring at him with a murderous gaze.
Buzum, who had walked the path of mana for a long time, could tell instinctively. The human before him had performed a miracleA miracle born from immense willpower and talent.
[I apologize for treating you as a mere maggot. You have fought magnificently and were defeated remarkably.]
He reached out to the Titan and began casting a spell. The spells inside the Titan were already destroyed, but the Necromancer was a master of recycling.As the remnants of mana still moved ording to his will, lumps of flesh squirmed and clumped together over the Titans remains.
Soon, something like pus burst forth from the mass of flesh.
It was a corpse slime, loosely stitched together from the flesh and bile.
Though it was a lowly creature, barely in the form of a human, even that would be a tough opponent for the severely wounded Dung Beetle.
[Do not be ashamed of your defeat. It is just that the fate destined for me did not allow me to be defeated by you.]
"Bullshit."
After struggling to say those words, Dung Beetle vomited blood. It had be a harbinger of his death.
[I cant believe this; to obtain a raw gem like you right before the important event. This, too, is a sign that fate is on my side.]
The corpse slimes controlled by Buzum slowly surrounded and closed in on Dung Beetle.
The foremost slime touched Dung Beetle''s foot. Unable to resist it, Dung Beetle surrendered one of his feet to the slime.
With that as the starting signal, the slimes began to engulf his body.
[Death will never be the end. I will personally sculpt your corpse and turn you into a Death Knight.]
Watching the slime bury Dung Beetle, Buzum descended slowly. He wanted to hear Dung Beetle''s final breath himself.
[The newly reborn you will apany me to drench the academy in blood ?!]
As Buzum got closer, Dung Beetle pushed away the slimes and reached out. In his hand was a shotgun slightly longer than his forearm.
BANG!!
He pulled the trigger. Buzum hastily closed his coffin lid, but the silver bullets pierced the impure magic protecting the wooden coffin and struck his body.
[Gahhh!]
Pain he hadn''t felt in a long time enveloped him, and his bones touched by the silver bullets began to crumble.
However it wasn''t fatal.
None of the shotgun pellets managed to prate Buzum''s skull.
It was not something that could be described by the word luck alone, but could only be deemed a miracle.
[Heuhahaha! Too bad, O Raw Gem! My destined enemy is someone else, so you cannot kill me!]
Dung Beetle did not dispute his words. He had mustered thest of his strength, searching for an opportunity to kill the Necromancer.
However, the Necromancer simply scoffed at him, his coffin floating high in the sky.
Buzum rose to a height where neither shotgun nor grenade could reach and coldly dered.
[Now, face your death!]
The slimes began to strangle Dung Beetle delicately, like a hunter''s noose around a tiger''s neck to obtain a clean hide.
Dung Beetle''s breath grew faint, and the murderous gleam in his eyes began to fade and blur.
Then, all of a sudden, his retinas reflected light from afar.
Something was flying through the sky a lightning bolt?
[What?]
When Buzum sensed the fluctuating mana and turned his head, he saw that arge, glowing object was already descendingno, plummeting towards him.
"GO DIEEEEEEEEE!"
It was the War Hammer, emitting a blinding light, crashing down from the sky like a lightning bolt, and the girl wielding it.
As Buzum instinctively moved his coffin to the optimal route to avoid the War Hammer that was flying towards him, Dung Beetle mustered hisst bit of strength.
He shook off the slime and leaped off the ground.
Even though his broken leg was screaming in pain and it felt like his heart would burst, he still jumped.
Feather step. With the same footwork he used to dodge the Titan''s fist, he leaped up and kicked the coffin.
Thud
Although his kick didn''t have enough power to break the coffin, it was more than enough to push the fleeing coffin back to its original position.
[This is my fate...!]
Without even allowing Buzum to leave anyst words, the War Hammer pierced the coffin and shattered his skull.
However, the War Hammer didn''t stop even after it crushed Buzum. The lightning continued to strike the concrete floor of the pier.
KABOOOMMMMM!
A deafening roar, like a hundred grenades exploding simultaneously, shook the surroundings.
* * *
Swept away by the shockwave, Dung Beetle rolled on the ground ceaselessly before finallying to a stop after hitting a copsed container.
"...Ssssshhhh."
The back of his head throbbed after crashing into the container as it seemed like a mild concussion had set in, but since neither his body nor his limbs were left unscathed, this pain was not worse than the others.
Shaking his head to clear the concussion, Dung Beetle turned his gaze towards the source of the loud noise.
There, he saw a girl in jeans and a coat, holding a long hammer.
Her ck, straight hair swayed lightly, as if the God-level power she had just demonstrated was all a lie.
The girl who had been standing silently with her hammer suddenly shifted her gaze. Her blue eyes locked with the golden eyes of Dung Beetle, who had been observing her quietly.
"Dung beetle-ssi, we meet again!"
Tucking her hair behind her ear, Park Seti broke the silence and asked Dung Beetle.
"How''s your body? Are you okay?"
"...As you can see, I''m fine."
His broken ribs jabbed at his chest, and blood surged and gushed from deep within his stomach, but for some reason, he didnt feel like he had any fatal wounds.
After all, this was the same body that had been resurrected after being decapitated. And he could already feel the misaligned bones returning to their ces.
"Judging by that expression of yours, it seems that you have many questions. So, how about we y a game of questions? Its simple: we take turns asking and answering. What do you think?"
"Do I have the option to refuse?"
"Well, of course, you do. But I''m not sure if the police will give you the same option."
Hearing the tant threat, Dung Beetle hesitated for a moment before nodding his head.
"...Fine, but I''ll go first."
"Go ahead. After all, it''s not like the order really matters in this game."
Dung Beetle looked directly into Seti''s smiling eyes and asked his first question.
"...Who are you?"
"Huh, a philosophical question right from the start? Hmm... Should I answer in a Hegelian way or a Nietzschean way1?
"..."
"Just kidding. You don''t need to make such a face."
Using the War Hammer''s handle, which reached up to her waist, as support, Park Seti leaned sideways.
"My name is Seti. I was born on October 31st in Research Complex No. 2 at Kaesong, and my family name is Hong from Hamhung2."
"...Hamhung Hong?"
"Oh, right. Park isnt my real surname; it''s Hong. But my first name really is Seti. Hong Seti. Ugh, it sounds like the name of a drug or something weird, right?"
She shrugged her shoulders and continued.
"Ahem, upation hmm, I''m scheduled to enter Lord Howe Academy through a special admission quota, and I hate silver and beans. That''s all I can think of for now."
"...Did it look like I was expecting that kind of answer when I asked the question?"
"Then you should be more specific next time. Now, it''s my turn to ask, right?"
Dung Beetle moved his right hand, which was gradually regaining its sensation, to his waist.
Seeing that he had two grenades left, he tried to calcte to see if it would be possible to escape from Park Seti... no, Hong Seti, using those two grenades.
Impossible.
Perhaps it may have been possible if his body were in better condition. But with a broken leg, it was impossible, especially after he had seen her flying and swinging that gleaming War Hammer.
After contemting briefly, Dung Beetle decided to continue with this strange conversation, at least until his broken leg healed.
"...Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Do you remember either your mother or father''s faces? Was either of them non-human?"
...What? The unexpected, rude question made Dung Beetle frown slightly.
"Oh, uh I phrased that rather poorly. I mean, do you have any special lineage?"
"Special lineage? What are you talking about?"
"Celestials, monsters, beastfolk, elves, and so on... foreign races from beyond the dimensional portal. Well, it certainly doesn''t look like you have any dwarven blood..."
Dung Beetle couldn''t think of a response on being asked whether his parents were non-human or if they had conceived him with a non-human.
After a brief silence, he sighed and answered.
"I don''t know. As I said at the bar, I''ve never met my parents."
"Jeez, so I wasted my question."
Hong Seti spoke insincerely. The frivolous smile on her face was bone-chilling.
"...Now it''s my turn."
Dung Beetle thought of a question to buy time. After a moment, he asked a rather provocative one.
"What kind of people are your parents?"
"My parents?"
Yes, they cant be ordinary parents seeing that they named their daughter Seti.
Upon hearing that question, Seti smiled widely. It was a sly smile, simr to that of a girlfriend who discovered a dirty magazine in her boyfriend''s drawer.
"My parents are... well, simply put, they''re pathetic."
"What?"
First, a rude question, now self-deprecating humor? Dung Beetle blinked in disbelief.
"I won''t tell you to love your family, but you shouldnt speak that badly about them. Insulting your own family oftenes back to bite you."
Although it wasnt his original intention, Dung Beetle gave her sincere advice, but Hong Seti just shrugged.
"My parents are a drug addict and a prostitute. Dont you think that calling them pathetic is putting it mildly?"
"..."
Dung Beetle''s expression twisted at once. He wasn''t used to having vulgar conversations like this with a woman.
"Now it''s my turn, right?"
While Dung Beetle was still reeling from her self-deprecation, Seti continued with a straight look on his face.
"Why did you kill the government agents?"
"..."
"If you were only after the Necromancer, there was no need to throw a grenade at the government agents as well, right?"
Realizing the implication of her question, Dung Beetle snapped back to his senses.
"So, it looks like you were watching me from the very start."
"Of course, anyone can do it if they have a telescope and enough patience."
Seeing Seti boldly admit to stalking, Dung Beetle swallowed his sigh.
And the fact that he hadn''t noticed her following him was more shocking than the stalking itself.
I acted too hastily.
However, the regret didntst for long. He could take his time learning lessons from his mistakester. For now, it was more important to figure out her true intentions.
"Why are you curious about me killing the government agents? Regardless, murder is just murder."
"Answering a question with a question is against the game rules."
"Its better than telling a lie."
"Dung Beetle-ssi, you''re ruining the point of this question game."
Hong Seti raised the corner of her lips, as if she found the situation amusing.
"Im telling you this just in case you misunderstand me. I''m not asking this to take the government''s side. I don''t get along with them either."
"Everyone who pays taxes says that."
"I''m a student, so I don''t pay taxes."
She said this and then turned to look in the opposite direction of Dung Beetle.
"Hmm how about this? I''ll show you why I dislike the government. And if you find me trustworthy, you should answer my question properly."
At the only entrance to Pier 13; the only ce untouched by the Titan''s destruction.
Following her gaze, Dung Beetle also looked in that direction and unconsciously squinted his eyes.
From beyond the darkness of the night, he could see car headlights approaching the /genesisforsaken
Chapter 15: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs (2)
* * *
Screech
A heavy van came to a stop at the entrance of the pier.
"You arrived sooner than I expected."
As soon as Seti finished speaking, the van''s door opened. And contrary to its size, only one person stepped out of the van.
Dung Beetle gathered his mana to his eyes to observe the person who had gotten out, and he frowned immediately.
...What is this?
The person who got out of the van was a man in a neat suit. The problem was that his head was a bit... bizarre.
Pig''s head?Instead of an ordinary human face, there was a pig''s head that one might usually see on a ritual table1 on his shoulders.
And seeing that there was no gap between his head and neck, it wasnt a pig mask or some type of disguise.
He had either hollowed out a real pig''s head and was wearing it... or that was his real head.
Either way, it was equally grotesque.
The pig-headed figure sniffed the air for a moment before walking towards Seti and Dung Beetle.
Seeing that, Dung Beetle gestured with his chin and shot Seti a questioning look as if to ask, What the hell is that?
Seti simply shrugged and answered.
"He''s a shepherd as well as a shepherd dog sent by the government to chase after me. He looks a bit strange, doesnt he?"
"Is he a Beastfolk?"
"Would there be a Beastfolk outside Africa or the conservation zones? He''s just a... modified human."
"Human?"
Judging by his appearance, it would have been more believable if she told him that the man was a monster from beyond the dimensional portal.
However, Dung Beetle swallowed his words. On second thought, it wasn''t particrly strange.
After all, wasn''t the government being discussed here also the one that built a corpse storage facility to trade with necromancers? Adding one more monster didn''t make much difference.
"So, is that pig-headed figure the one you wanted to show me? Is he the reason you hate the government?"
"Hes one of the many reasons. Ill show you the real reason soon. Hmm But before that, you should hide for a bit"
"Now? Where can I hide here"
Before Dung Beetle could finish speaking, Seti dragged a bent iron te from the ground and approached him.
Dung Beetle said nothing until she covered him with the iron te.
"Hmm, this should be sufficient."
"Is this what you call hiding?"
"Yes, you look exactly like a corpse crushed under an iron te."
""
"Stay here and rest for a while."
Dung Beetle didn''t refuse Setis suggestion. After all, the reason he had started this pointless question game was to buy time to recover.
With their conversation brought to a pause, Dung Beetle focused on the sensation in his legs.
Pain slowly rose from his toes and knees, signaling that his broken bones and nerves were starting to find their ce.
By the time his body had somewhat recovered, the pig-headed figure''s footsteps had reached right in front of him.
Stopping one step away from him, the pig-headed began scanning the surroundings quietly.
The filthy ground, the remnants of an explosion, the corpse of the Titan... and finally, Hong Seti leaning against a War Hammer.
After a brief silence, the pig-headed figure finally spoke to Seti.
"Cadet, you have engaged inbat without permission. This is against regtions."
The pig-headed figure looked more ordinary than expected. However, Dung Beetle frowned the moment he heard the mans voice. It was because he sensed mana in the voice.
Although he was not well-versed in magic to exin it precisely... the mana mingling with the mans voice felt simr to a Necromancer''s curse.
In other words, it felt repulsive.
You also used the Thunder Hammer without authorization. Cadet, you have broken two rules. Are these rules a joke to you?
...
Exin what exactly happened here.
I refuse.
...What did you say?
I said I refuse.
Regtion 15. A cadet cannot refuse a shepherd''s request. Regtions exist to be followed, Cadet.
Listening to their strange exchange, Dung Beetle pondered over what kind of conversation was taking ce.
Shepherd, regtions, cadet.
It was a string of words that made no sense to him, but he was sure of one thing.
For some reason Seti had resolved to show him this scene.
And if that wasn''t the case, there was no other exnation for the deep emotion zing in her blue eyes.
Answer me, Cadet.
I dont want to.
Regtion 29 states that disobedience of orders is considered as a deviation. Regtion 3 states that a cadet''s deviation is subject to disciplinary action.
I dont care. Go ahead and try.
You got some nerve, Cadet. Are you not afraid of the ban?
As soon as the word ban was mentioned, the mana in the man''s voice began to move.
This is your final warning. Exin the situation.
Mana began to align as a spell was woven.
There was neither any sign nor sound, but Dung Beetle instinctively realized that the pig-headed figure was now ''loading'' with some sort of magic.
He tensed up, ready to throw a grenade if necessary.
But before he could take action, Seti reacted faster, gesturing behind her back.
- Watch me.
What am I supposed to watch?
Thought Dung Beetle as he rxed his grip on the grenade.
Cadet, what is your answer?
I have nothing to say to you.
I will not tolerate any further deviation. One more refusal and you will be punished ording to the regtions.
I refuse, so go ahead, punish me.
As if he had been waiting for it, the moment Seti uttered her brief reply, the pig-headed figure raised his hand.
Cadet''s deviation has been confirmed. I will proceed with disciplinary action.
Snap.
As the pig-headed figure snapped his fingers lightly, the spell that had been loaded activated.
Contrary to Dung Beetle''s fears, it wasn''t an impressive spell. It was just a spell to press a switch for something.
However, Seti''s reaction to whatever that something being pressed was not simple.
...!
She immediately fell to her knees and began to tremble. Soon, tears streamed from her tightly shut eyes.
It may have looked like she was simply enduring something, but Dung Beetle, who could sense the mana of others, realized what was happening inside her body.
...It''s wrenching her body.
Her mana was flowing backwards through her blood vessels. And the mana surrounding her muscles was stabbing into them instead, pressing against her vocal cords and lungs, even stifling her screams.
Each movement of mana carried finely tuned malice.
It was a technique designed solely to inflict pain allowing neither death nor unconsciousness.
And it wasnt possible to defend against it or resist it because the mana attacking her body was her own.
Dung Beetle silently watched her writhing in pain.
A part of him suggested fleeing immediately, but curiosity held him back.
Why was this girl showing him this?
Why did she ask about his lineage and whether he hated the government?
And most importantly... why did she help him kill the Necromancer?
There was no connection between them.
They just had a brief fight during which he had one-sidedly stolen some of her martial arts techniques a few days ago and then agreed to trade a unicorn horn for mutual benefit. That was all.
To be blunt, their rtionship was only slightly better than that of a street vendor and a customer.
While such questions spiraled endlessly in his mind, Setis voice interrupted his thoughts.
This should make it clear that Im not on good terms with the government, right?!!!
Upon hearing that, the pig-headed figure tilted his head, as if confused by her words, beforeunching another spell.
Watching her scream silently, Dung Beetle sighed softly.
To unravel his questions, he had no choice but to continue this game of questions.
He quickly made his decision, but his actions were even quicker. He pushed the metal te Seti used to cover him aside and stood up.
He could feel his broken bones realigning and torn muscles healing. His condition wasnt optimal, but he was far from the worst.
A zombie?
Seeing Dung Beetle stand up all of a sudden, the pig-headed figure tilted his head. Well, given his torn clothes and bloodied appearance, that was an understandable assumption.
But no zombie would throw a grenade randomly.
You crazy
The moment the pig-headed figure swore upon seeing the iing grenade, it exploded.
BOOM!!
Following the explosion, Dung Beetle sprang off the ground.
He closed the distance instantly, using the momentum to kick the pig-headed figure''s neck.
Although it was a near-perfect surprise attack, Dung Beetle briefly clicked his tongue when he felt no impact from his toes.
As he distanced himself to gauge the situation, he saw a blue shield around the pig-headed figure''s neck.
Flying Kick technique? Is that the Flying Kick technique?!
The pig-headed figure trembled as if he were mistaken by his footwork.
How dare a cadet attacks a shepherd!!
The figure red at Dung Beetle with furious eyes as he began to prepare the same spell he had used on Seti.
Not bothering to correct the pig-headed figures misunderstanding, Dung Beetle instead deepened the mans misunderstanding by moving as if he were trying to dodge his magic.
Y-You... filthy traitor! Do you know how much blood and sweat of our people is tied to that Flying Kick Technique?! Do you have even a shred of PATRIOTISM?!!!
A Pig Head talking about patriotism? Huh! George Orwell2 would definitely be shocked.
SHUT UP!!
Filled with rage and the certainty of victory, the pig-headed figure charged at Dung Beetle.
And as soon as the repulsive manapleted the spell, the pig-headed figure immediately snapped its fingers without hesitation.
Snap.
The spell, fired at an unavoidable speed, hit Dung Beetle.
However, the spell had no effect on him.
Let alone being a cadet; he was just a civilian who didnt even know what that was supposed to be.
What? How Keh!
As the pig-headed figure watched in bewilderment, Dung Beetles foot struck down him.
Although a shield activated btedly, the force of the downward strike had long exceeded the shield''s limit.
Crack Crack!
The shield shattered, and the gathered mana dispersed. Unable to withstand the impact of the direct hit, the pig-headed figure was torn apart.
As the pig''s flesh and cartge bone split, it revealed a face hidden inside.
Kuhh, uahh.
Dried skin like a mummy and talismans instead of eyeballs in the eye sockets.
The man''s face revealed amidst the pig''s blood and flesh was just as grotesque as the pig''s head itself.
Ugh my head, my head
Dung Beetle squinted as he examined the mans mana.
Is he an undead?
Although he wasn''t as powerful as the Titan created by the Necromancer, Dung Beetle could feel the twisted mana from him, which felt distinctly different from that of an ordinary zombie.
He may look like that, but hes still a living person. Its a modified human created by pouring Necromancers curses into them. Theyre quite valuable to the government.
Once she could no longer feel the pain, Seti finally spoke up. Turning around, Dung Beetle could see her using the War Hammer for support to help her stand.
This guy?
Even if he doesnt know how to use mana, he can still cast magic using a medium. Though, it only works for basic magic and a few curses.
Dung Beetle briefly nced at the modified human, then reached out and grabbed the man by his neck.
Although the man showed signs of struggle, once Dung Beetle exerted a bit more force, his breath was cut off with a snap.
Ah
Seti looked at the corpse and Dung Beetle alternately with a slightly surprised expression.
Did you think that I wouldnt kill him?
No, its not that I just thought that youd ask a few more questions before killing him.
Following that conversation, an awkward silence filled the space. Seti took a moment to catch her breath, while Dung Beetle organized the questions swirling in his mind.
After a while, Seti spoke first.
Shall we continue the question game? Its your turn to answer, Dung Beetle-ssi.
Why did you kill the government agents?
Dung Beetle recalled thest question she had asked and replied calmly.
The government killed my colleagues.
They sold the lives of my colleagues for petty cash and intended to sell their corpses to the Necromancer.
Dung Beetle paused briefly before adding.
I n to kill all those responsible. Thats why I threw grenades at the government agents and broke the modified humans neck just now. Does that answer your question?
Yes, honestly, thats more than I expected.
Then its my turn.
Dung Beetle pondered while fiddling with hisst grenade.
What should he ask? Numerous questions came to mind.
What is that Flying Kick technique about? Why are you stalking me, and what is your rtionship with the government?
What was your motive for showing me that scene, and why did you help me kill the Necromancer?
Why, why, why?
Countless questions vanished beneath the surface of thought, unable to be put into words.
However, one question that stood out among them escaped his lips.
Seti.
Dung Beetle asked calmly.
What do you want from /genesisforsaken
Chapter 16: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs (3)
* * *
As the cold sea breeze paused momentarily and dawn slowly raised its head over the horizon, a small smuggling boat was heading toward Incheon Port.
Aboard the small boat, smaller than a cheap fishing vessel, were two people wearing ponchos and a smuggler.
Although long ears peeked out from under the two peoples ponchos, the smuggler didn''t even sneak a nce at their ears.
And as long as he received plenty of money for the fare, the smuggler didn''t care who the passengers on his boat were or what race they belonged to..
In that sense, today''s clients were good ones. One gold bar per person, two gold bars in totalIt was a huge amount of money for smuggling just two people.
Thinking that today was his lucky day, the smuggler steered the boat vigorously. His small boat circled the port and headed for the closed pier.
And among all the smugglers, he was the only one who knew of this route. It was a dangerous path where even boats that were slightlyrger were likely to get caught by the coast guards and they would be turned into Swiss cheese.
But the greater the risk, the greater the reward once you made it through.And if he followed this route to the closed Pier 13, security was loose enough for one could walk to downtown Incheon.
The small boat sliced through the water smoothly. After steering for about 30 minutes along the extended dawn, the destination appeared on the horizon.
"Esteemed Clients, we''re almost there."
Upon seeing their destination Pier 13, the smuggler smiled no, he was about to smile when
...Light?
The smuggler couldnt help but tilt his head in confusion as he surveyed Pier 13 in the distance.
The once deserted Pier 13, where not even an ant would roam, was now brightly illuminated.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at Pier 13 to see what was happening.
Amidst the lights, he could see copsed containers, somethingrge, and people in suits moving around.
...What are those?
Just as the smuggler began to feel a sense of foreboding, his clients spoke up.
I thought that this was a fairly decent country, but it seems there are all sorts of unsavory things wandering around right at the entrance.
It was such a beautiful voice that anyone who heard it would get goosebumps. Startled, the smuggler stopped the small boat.
...It was an oversight on my part, Comrade1 Miridith.
No need to apologize, Comrade2 Rime. It is not your fault that we lost contact with the advance party.
But I was the one who put forth the suggestion toe to this country.
I already said that it is fine. If anyone must be held ountable, it is my own fault foring to Earth.
Hearing them call each other rade, the smuggler immediately raised his head.
He felt suspicious on seeing their long ears, but it was indeed true.
Commie Pointy Ears...
Lowering his head to avoid making eye contact with them, the smuggler spoke cautiously.
Um, Esteemed Clients, theres been a problem with the original destination, so well need to go somewhere else. Uh, its just a short detour, so please wait a little longer.
He did his best to prevent his voice from trembling, but the response he received made his body tremble more.
No need for that. That pier is our original destination, isnt it? We are going straight to that pier.
But its best to not attract attention when entering a country illegally.
If you''re worried about drawing attention, then there''s even less of a reason to be concerned.
...Pardon?
Theyve already seen us.
What?! Feeling surprised, the smuggler looked up and saw something standing at the end of the pier.
A suited man with the head of a cow.
It was not clear whether it was a mask or a disguise, but the cow-headed figure was staring directly at his small boat.
Holy shit, I knew that me having such good luck today was too good to be true ..
The smuggler wanted to flee immediately but he had no choice. He steered the boat towards the pier, hoping thesemies were as strong as the rumors suggested.
* * *
Swish
When Dung Beetle turned on the shower, water poured over his head, washing away the blood and filth that had umted over the past few days.
As he watched the reddened water swirl down the drain, memories of those he had killed or had once been people resurfaced in his mind.
Fortunately, he felt neither guilt nor regret.
Feeling a faint sense of relief, Dung Beetle continued to wash his body silently.
He continued until there was no blood flowing down his body.
After using an entire bar of soap to ensure that no blood and filth remained, he stepped out of the shower.
But as soon as he opened the door, he was taken aback.
Oh I didnt notice this before you showered, but youre quite handsome.
What greeted him was Seti, eating cup noodles.
Dung Beetle raised an eyebrow slightly and checked out the shabby motel bed she was sitting on.
There was a pile of various convenience store food items on the bed: cup noodles, triangle kimbap, hamburgers, bread, cake, and so on.
About half the pile had already disappeared into her stomach, leaving only the wrappers behind. While the rest were half-opened, waiting to be eaten.
...When did you buy all this food?
I obviously bought it while you were holed up in the bathroom and taking a shower for 30 minutes.
...
I need to replenish the energy I used. I dont eat this kind of instant food in normal circumstances, but
ncing between Dung Beetle and the motel room, she cleared her throat, and added.
Ahem, in a situation where I''ve secretlye to a motel with a man, can I really be picky about food?
She quickly slurped up the noodle soup and picked up a triangle kimbap.
Dung Beetle shook his head as he sat on a chair next to the bed. Although he intended to start a conversation right away, he figured it would be best to wait until she finished eating. After all, you shouldnt even disturb dogs while they are eating.
He nced at Seti for a moment, recalling theirst conversation at Pier 13.
- Would you like to work together with me? You help me with my revenge, and Ill help you with your revenge on the government. Both of us risk our lives for each other.
It was a rather long-winded answer to the question, What do you want from me?
At first, he frowned, thinking it was nonsense, but Seti was serious.
- I know that you still cant trust me, but my proposal is sincere.
When Dung Beetle asked who she wanted revenge on, her answer was short and to the point.
- Do you think that you are the only one holding a grudge against the government of this country?
Dung Beetle didnt respond. He had experienced too many shocking events recently to be easily swayed by a sudden proposal for an alliance.
Seti then began to show her sincerity by going around the pier.
She first smashed the pig-headed figures corpse, searched for the secretary''s body and made it look as if it was crushed under the Titan.
Next, she removed all traces of Dung Beetle left around the pier.
From grenade and shotgun marks on the Titan''s body, to empty shells, and grenade fragmentsShe pushed them aside, shattered them, and erased them one by one.
Only after witnessing this entire process did Dung Beetle btedlye to a realization.
That there was a possibility that the government would be able to analyze the traces and track him.
Seti was worried about a possibility he had not even realized yet, manipting the scene to prevent the government from detecting or tracking him.
If someone were to examine the scer, it would look as though she was the one who had fought the Necromancer.
- I think Ive said this before, but theres absolutely no downside if you team up with me, you know?
She said once she finished manipting the scene and handed him the bag that the Secretary had.
It was none other than a bag containing Awakening Potions. Unfortunately, only one vial managed to fully retain its contents.
However, that was enough. It was a potion that made the government go to great lengths to obtain, even going as far as making a deal with a Necromancer. Hence, even a single vial would be worth an enormous sum.
- Why are you showing me so much favor?
- Kindness and favor are the basics of a deal, arent they?
On hearing that, Dung Beetles heart was swayed a little.
So, he decided to listen to her offer. Or rather, he pretended to be interested to gauge her sincerity.
- Then, shall we move to another location first?
To avoid any potential tracking, they circled around the outskirts of the city before arriving at a secluded motel.
And now
Dung Beetle asked Seti as she was finishing herst triangle kimbap.
Before we get into the details, I''d like to know what made you trust me enough to put forward this offer.
While chewing her food like a hamster, Seti took her time to swallow and after she finally cleared her mouth, she replied.
Hmm, there are two reasons.
...Two reasons?
First, your talent.
Talent, huh?
Dung Beetle trailed off, and Seti smiled slightly.
The manner in which you stole the Flying Kick technique by just observing it. You use it quite perfectly, you know?
...
Do you know what? The footwork you learned by stealing is called the Feather Step. I started learning it from a very young age, and every time I twisted my ankle, my instructors would whip my calves with a stick.
As she recalled the past, Setis smile turned slightly sardonic.
I practiced so hard for months, getting whipped until my calves were bruised. Only then I was able to use the Feather Step perfectly. And once I finally mastered it, do you know what I was told?
...I dont know.
A genius! My instructor said I was a genius who only appeared once in a hundred years. Ha, do you get it now? The Feather Step is a technique that makes you a genius if you can master it in just a few months. But you? Ta-da, you perfected it in just three days!
The term perfected was a bit of an exaggeration. The Feather Step executed by Dung Beetle was far from perfection.
He twisted his ankles several times and stretched his ligaments to the limit while evading Titans attacks using the Feather Step.
Hisck of insight and knowledge to use the technique properly was evident. And the only reason he could use the Feather Step was because of his absurd physical endurance and regenerative power.
However, Dung Beetle didnt voice this fact out. Instead, he simply rephrased his thoughts a bit, expressing them in a roundabout way.
Isnt it hasty to judge my talent just by using that technique as the basis? It might just be that Im particrlypatible with the Feather Step technique.
As soon as he finished speaking, Seti arched her eyebrows.
The fact that you can even say something like that is proof of your talent. Youre talking nonsense about martial arts while your body is performing the techniques adeptly. What else can it be called if this isn''t a talent?
...
Real martial arts, like the Flying Kick technique, are different from sports. Its not just about fitting or not fitting when ites to controlling mana.
Seti grumbled for a moment, then sighed and continued.
And more importantly you used the Quake Stomp, didn''t you?
Quake Stomp?
I mean, the technique you used to smash the Titans head. Hmm how should I put it, its like an ultimate move in the Flying Kick technique.
An ultimate move?
Dung Beetle thought back to the moment he burst the Titans head. The power was tremendous, but the technique used wasn''t anything extraordinary.
Whether his body shattered or not, it was about putting everything into a single strike.
That was all there was to it. It was just a matter of exceeding the limits that the human body instinctively imposed on itself to suppress reaction and exert force.
For Dung Beetle, it was more of a gamble while relying on his bodys Regeneration ability.
An ultimate move? Without the Regeneration ability, it would be nothing more than a self-destructive weapon.
Seeing him look puzzled, Seti continued.
Although the Flying Kick Technique itself is already quite advanced, the Quake Stomp is a stepping stone for even more sophisticated skills. And it''s impossible to master if one does not possess the talent.
Didnt you feel it when you used the Quake Stomp? The Quake Stomp can only be executed when you have full control over your entire body.
Ah. Dung Beetle finally understood the true meaning of the Quake Stomp.
It was about surpassing the limits set by the body.
And having seeded so effortlessly, he wasn''t even aware of it; it was like unlocking a lock by instinct.
Enhancing one''s senses with mana was already a difficult feat, let alone oveing instinct. So if this wasnt talent, then what was?
...So, do you now understand why I believe your talent is real, Dung Beetle-ssi?
Dung Beetle nodded quietly.
He left the tiny realization he had forter and continued with his questions.
So, whats the second reason?
Your desire for revenge.
Hearing the straightforward yet unexpected answer, Dung Beetle frowned slightly.
My desire for revenge? What does that have to do with anything?
You didnt run away, didnt you?
...
Seti looked him straight in the eyes and continued.
When you fought the Necromancer. You could have run away, but you didnt.
...
No matter how fast Titan and the Necromancer were, they wouldnt have been able to catch up if you had fled using the Feather Step. Your momentary speed was far superior, and it wasnt like the Necromancer could get in a car.
Thats
And if it werent for me, you would have died there. You knew that well yourself, right?
Dung Beetle was unable toe up with a rebuttal because everything she said was true.
But still, you didnt run away. Why? Because death was better than fleeing.
As Seti''s blue eyes gazed at him, emotions he couldn''t understand were swirling deep within them.
Am I right?
Seti''s voice, tinged with a hint of regret, dug deep into Dung Beetles heart.
Heh, its written all over your face, Dung Beetle-ssi. Youre thinking, How does she know so much?
And the moment he heard her next words, a gentle ripple spread across Dung Beetles heart.
Its because I was in the same situation before.
Seti slowly raised her head. Her eyes were looking not at the old motel ceiling but at a distant past.
But I ran away.
Dung Beetle couldnt discern what she was recalling, but he was certain of one thingShe regretted it.
While fleeing, I thought to myself. Its better to stay alive and seek revengeter
Her voice trembled as she clenched her fists.
But after surviving, I was unable to muster the courage to seek revenge again because the opponent was much stronger than me, and the living must continue living
She slowly lowered her head. As Setis blue eyes, having escaped from the past, met Dung Beetles gaze.
...Its a pathetic story, isnt it?
Yeah, its pathetic.
Hehe, Setiughed while covering her mouth.
Thank goodness, if you said no, even as an empty constion, I would have be angry.
With those words, the two fell silent for a moment.
After a brief moment of exchanging thoughts between them, Seti extended her hand to him and spoke.
So, Dung Beetle-ssi, would you like to join hands with me? Well risk our lives for each other; you help me, and I help you.
Dung Beetle didnt reply. He rested his chin on his hand as he silently looked at her outstretched hand. Despite the calluses, it was a delicate and beautiful hand.
It was a hand that belonged to someone who had lived in a world entirely different from his.
Um if you dont do anything in this situation, Ill feel a bit awkward
Seti.
Yes?
Lets team up. You help me, and Ill help you. But, we wont risk our lives for each other.
Thats my condition.
Dung Beetle said as he extended his hand in return.
A hand, full of calluses that no amount of soap could hidea janitors hand no, a murderers hand.
Seti, with a nk stare, alternated her gaze between his face and his hand before gletting out a smallugh.
Alright. Deal.
She extended her hand. As their hands ovepped, Dung Beetle realized that this was the first time he had ever shook hands with a /genesisforsaken
Chapter 17: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs (4)
* * *
From a historical perspective, it was almost inevitable for the Korean government to stake everything in cultivating Superhumans.
After the Korean War1, there were no resources left in the devastatednd, even the infrastructure was not worth mentioning.
And their only lifeline, the Kaesong Dimensional Portal, was not even owned by South Korea. With the entrance managed by the Soviet Union and the exit by the Americans, South Korea was left with no authority whatsoever.
Despite witnessing the immense wealth generated by the Dimensional Portal, South Korea had no choice but to bow their heads and be grateful for the leftovers left behind by the two superpowers.
And in the face of this unjust reality, some people arrived at one conclusion: All that remained in this country were people.
This thought did not change even as the Cold War2 intensified and South Korea achieved economic development with massive aid from the United States.
In fact, it became even more solidified.
- Just the people. People are the only ''resource'' left in this country.3Human resources.
Koreans developed the country by literally turning humans into resourcesWith murderous working hours and industrial environments that ignored worker safety
There were often those who cried out for humanity in the name of human rights, but in the era of military dictatorship, they were either silenced or killed.
Amidst the tendency to view people as resources, the military took a step further. They decided to turn humans into weapons.
SuperhumansAn asymmetrical power4posed of flesh, blood, and mana.
So, the government and military devoted themselves to developing Superhumans while avoiding the eyes of the superpowers.
Perhaps it was fortunate that the government''s Superhuman development project did not yield any results for a long time.
The repeated failures infuriated the military, making them suspect that the scientists in charge of the project were failing deliberately.
The scientists who were crushed under military boots tearfully responded in this manner: It was an unavoidable situation.
Mana metal, a key material used to cultivate Superhumans, was monopolized by the Soviets, who used mustard gas5 on the dwarves. Meanwhile, elixirs were monopolized by the Americans, who dropped hydrogen bombs6 on the World Tree.
Refusing to acknowledge this reality, the military punished the scientists and turned to other methods.
If a direct approach didnt work, why not try to take a detour? Just as the United States. and the Soviet Union did, lets find a way. After all, thisnd had plenty of ''resources'' avable.
The scientists who were not punished followed the military''s orders faithfully, just like the scientists under the Nazis had done.
Human sacrifices, human experimentation, hybridizationCountless resources were exhausted in the name of patriotism.
Fascinated by the experiments, the spectating Necromancers and Dark Mages proposed a deal to the government. This led South Korea to the point of no return.
However, the results were undeniable.
Starting with the first Korean mage, Jeon Yongseop, other native Superhumans were born one after another.
However, even with that many Superhumans under theirmand, the government was still not satisfied.
Even after being recognized as a Superhuman nation at the international stage and reiming the Kaesong Dimensional Portal following the copse of the Soviet Union, they remained unsatisfied. They could not be satisfied.
For what reason Joseon was annexed by Japan? And why was the Kaesong Dimensional Portal taken by the Soviet Union and the United States even after independence?
Power! It was all due to the
No matter how many Superhumans they cultivated, the desire for power never faded.
They had to create even stronger Superhumans to defend the nation against the Soviet Union''s grand offensive and withstand nuclear weaponspowerful Superhumans, like the ''Margrave'' beyond the other dimension, so that no one would dare to challenge Korea!
Thus, the government crossed the line once again.
How and what line they crossed was unknown. However, it was clear that a line had been crossed.
The Dark Mages who had been working with the Korean government fled in terror, and even Jeon Yongseop sought asylum in the United States, indicating the dreadful nature of the line that was crossed.
And as a result, five girls were born.
Children of dreams, proof of miracles, masterpieces of the Korean people that would make Korea the best in the world
Each child was born from different mothers, but they all inherited the same special traits.
It was almost natural for them to sense and use mana from the moment they were born. Their uniqueness was on a level no, several levels abovemon sense.
They were Superhumans who could enhance their bodies, Mages who could manipte mana, and Mages who could possess divinity.
To express it in thenguage from beyond the Dimensional Portal, they were All-Masters.
They were beings who could walk all the paths of mana permitted by the world simultaneously.
The Korean government, which had managed to create five such beings that came once in a millennium, were intoxicated with sess.
With this, they would be able to boast loudly to the United States and Australia on the international stage, so what more could be said?
However, the joy was short-lived as the government soon remembered Jeon Yongseops case.
Even after bing Koreas first Mage with national support, he shamelessly defected to the United States, bing the first national traitor.
There was no guarantee that these five girls would not follow in his footsteps. And realistically, the United States could offer more than Korea.
To prevent that tragedy from repeating, the government engraved a ban in the girls brains, confident in their rational decision.
Naturally, no one opposed it. In Korea, every human was a resource, and the five sisters were resources for the nation.
Resources yes, the girls were just resources. Resources that would prove that Koreans were not just the best on Earth, but in all dimensions.
However, it wasnt long before the governments expectations were shattered.
The girls, the five All-Masters created through the governments immense resource investment, were not as outstanding as they hoped.
Their innate potential was brilliant. They moved like Superhumans while using magic and were able tomunicate with gods to perform magic.
However, what about their talent?
Their talent was only slightly exceptional.
They were unable to reach the level of the Magic Tower''s Vessel in magic or the level of Saintess in terms of Holy Power.
Although they showed some prominence in the martial arts researched independently by Korea, they werecking whenpared to the son of Jeon Yongseop, who had defected to the United States.
The Korean government could not ept this reality. On top of that, the fact that the traitors son was talented enough to draw the worlds attention drove them mad.
Yes, they went mad. In the hell that had created the terrible cognitive dissonance7 and the term human resources, they went further down the rabbit hole.
The insane government abandoned the method they were using to educate the girls and devised a new training method.
A training method that only Korea could employ to make up for the girls insufficient talent.
Why? Didnt resources called humans sometimes disy unknown strengths when pushed to the extreme?
Just like a cksmith hammered iron to make steel, the government forced the girls into extreme situations, employing their siblings, friends, and parents.
For example, aftermanding the girls to learn a certain type of magic, they would impose a time limit.
If they failed to learn it within the stipted time, their siblings would be tortured. If they still failed the next time, then friends, and the next
Thats enough.
Dung Beetle abruptly interjected without realizing it. Seti, who had been narrating the story until a moment ago, smiled awkwardly.
Oh, Im sorry. That was an inappropriate story to listen to while eating, wasnt it?
She alternated her gaze between Dung Beetle and the cup noodles in front of him. The reflection of Dung Beetles frowning face was visible on the surface of the cup noodles, which had gone soggy a while back.
Dung Beetle briefly fiddled with the chopsticks, then sighed and looked directly at Seti.
Why are you telling me all this?
Well? There wasnt much to talk about while watching you eat, so I thought it wouldnt be a bad idea to share some stories of the past with a partner?
Actually, its the first time Im sharing such stories with someone else. But Im feeling much better than I expected. Is this why therapists ask about the past?
Having said that, Seti covered her mouth andughed silently. The corners of her mouth, visible between her fingers, curved attractively.
Dung Beetle shook his head.
Its good that you found somefort in talking about the past, but dont expect to hear about my past.
I havent even said anything about that. Well, but I will listen if you ever decide to talk about it.
I have no intention of doing so.
Dung Beetle picked up his noodles and stood up, cleaning the eating area and tidying up the surroundings.
Having retained habits from his time as a janitor, he began gathering all the convenience store trash that Seti had piled up and put it in the trash bin as well.
While Dung Beetle was cleaning the room, Setiy sprawled on the bed and simply observed him.
She looked so carefree, that it was hard to believe she was the one who had just revealed a huge secret the government had been hiding.
However, Dung Beetle didnt think that her carefree attitude was pitiful nor did he ignore it.
People broke more easily than one might think; it was just the manner in which they broke that was different for everyone.
Dusting his hands once he was done with the cleaning, Dung Beetle sat back down. Seti then spoke up.
Since youve finished eating, shall we get back to the topic we were discussing earlier?
What topic?
Your original revenge n, Dung Beetle-ssi. Knowing about it will help when nning for the future.
His original revenge n. Dung Beetle drummed his fingers on the chair as he thought of his n.
Could it even be called a n? What he originally devised was more of a short-term operation than a n.
After arranging for a stable weapon supply route in the ck market through Jang Man, he killed the Necromancer and the government officials to steal the Awakening Potions. And after that
I was thinking of using the stolen potions as bait to draw the attention of government officials, then assassinate key figures from the Janitor Guild and high-ranking government officials.
Uh Hmm That was a surprisingly sloppy n.
As Seti pointed out, it was indeed a sloppy n. And it was evident if he considered his near-death experience when he went up against the Necromancer.
Oh, but considering your talent, it might have worked out somehow.
Having said that, Seti propped her chin and narrowed her eyes as if assessing something.
Hmm, Dung Beetle-ssi. We first need to rify some things. The targets of your revenge are everyone associated with the Janitor Guild and the Necromancers, right?
Dung Beetle nodded instead of answering. Seti tapped her lips with her fingers as if she had expected that.
To the best of my knowledge, at least hundreds of people, starting with the Minister of Superhuman Affairs, are involved in this matter.
Her voice trembled slightly. At least several hundred people but what if they were talking about the maximum number?
At the very least, it will involve several hundred people. At the most, the scale could grow to the point where you might even need to take down the President.
The President.
He had already anticipated it to some extent. However, there was a stark difference between expectations and facing reality. Something deep inside Dung Beetle''s heart sank heavily.
And when ites to that, Dung Beetle-ssi, youll be Koreas biggest political terrorist and murderer Will you be okay with that?
Yeah. It''s something I''ve already resolved to do.
Dung Beetle replied without a trace of hesitation. Thepassion and pity he once had were long buried along with his colleagues.
Resolution, resolution, you say Then do you admit that we need toe up with a new n?
...Will you be making that n?
No, we will make it ourselves.
Seti continued as she leaned her face closer towards Dung Beetle.
Ille up with the basics, but the rest will depend on Dung Beetle-ssis improvisation and talent.
It sounds like you already have some ideas.
Im still not done with the specifics yet, but I had the framework in mind from the moment I saw your talent.
Seti, now on her knees on the bed, crawled closer to Dung Beetle.
If you intend to assassinate the President and Ministers, you''ll have to take a long detour. Those old men know how to protect their own lives, so it will be a chore to find them. But if we get the opportunity to wipe them out in one fell swoop?
Wipe them out in one fell swoop?
What that idiom meant was to catch all the fish with one sweep of the. Could it be that she had a n to gather all the government officials in one ce and kill them?
Its actually a simple method. When government officials gather in one ce, BANG! What do you think?
Are you suggesting that we attack the Cab meeting hall or something?
Dung Beetle sighed softly and added.
It will be quicker for us to assassinate the Ministers one by one than to break through the Mages protecting the Cab meeting.
What if its not the Cab meeting?
The answer is the same. It is not easy to break through the security at any gathering of important government figures.
Then, what if I say it will be a meeting to see you?
What?
Dung Beetle raised his eyebrows in surprise at the unexpected answer.
A meeting where the government officials gather to see me? Isnt that almost impossible?
No, its possible.
Seti, who had somehow reached right in front of him, raised her hand and brushed his hair up. With a sulky expression, Dung Beetle looked directly into Setis blue eyes.
You have a pretty good appearance, brilliant talent. And fame. With that much bait, the government officials wont be able to refuse the invitation, right?
I dont understand what youre saying. Please borate clearly.
First, create a fake identity, then be famous. You can be a patriot or a traitor. It doesn''t matter, as long as we can use it as bait.
And after bing famous you should achieve something remarkable. The bigger the achievement, the better. Or even just a patriotic aplishment will do. Politicians will flock to you just for that.
Only then did Dung Beetle realize what she was talking about. At the same time, he also realized the problem with the n.
Im sorry to burst your bubble, but its nearly impossible for me to be famous enough for the President or the Ministers toe see me.
Seti snorted upon hearing Dung Beetles words.
I don''t think so. I''m confident it wont even take you a year after you create a fake identity and present yourself to the world. That''s how talented you are.
If all else fails, just beat up that traitors, Jeon Yongseop''s, son and you''ll be a national hero.
...Jeon Yongseops son?
Jeon Yongseop, the first Korean mage, and the traitor who betrayed Korea and defected to the United States.
ording to the secret history about the government he heard from Seti, there seemed to be more to the story, but it was none of Dung Beetles concern.
However, his son every citizen in this country knew about him.
Jeon Yunseong was the genius boy who won the Superhuman Olympia by eliminating all Korean representatives.
The next-generation Superhuman that the United States boasted about and the person all Koreans around the world hated unanimously.
Even the good-natured Uncle Deokbae disliked him, so the average public sentiment was close to hatred. If someone with Korean nationality defeated him publicly it would easily dominate the news and portal sites for at least a week.
Heh, indeed, after thinking about it, it does sound quite usible, doesnt it?
We might still need to refine the details like identity fabrication or how to be famous but its a pretty good n, dont you think so?
Having exined up to that point, Seti lightly brushed Dung Beetles earlobe.
So, what will you do?
Facing the girls smiling face, as if she had already decided on the answer, Dung Beetle responded.
Lets give it a /genesisforsaken
Chapter 18: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs (5)
* * *
What exactly was talent?
When she was younger, Seti often pondered about the nature of talent. What was this so-called talent that caused her and her sisters to suffer and be tormented so much?
Even when she was whipped hundreds of times while trying to master the Flying Kick technique and when her hands were torn apart while learning the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, she still couldn''t understand.
What was so special about this damn talent that made her peers to be considered defective just because they couldnt learn a simple kick?
What the hell was this talent that made her sisters get whipped daily?
But it wasnt the so-called esteemed government or cruel shepherds who gave her the answer.
Instead, it came from three people with shining talents, the true geniuses that the governmentpared her sisters to.
The Vessel, the Saintess, Jeon YunseongOnly after she was thoroughly defeated by them did shee to realize what talent truly was.
Talent it was the light that drew the soul of a person.
It was the firewood of jealousy that burnt the heart, the moonlight that couldnt be reached, and the constetion that led to the future.
On the day she realized this she cried all night.
She cried because she hated the government forparing her to those people. She cried while rueing for her sisters, who had also failed, and she cried while pitying herself for being born without talent.
And now, as time passed.
She felt like crying for a different reason.
* * *
When Seti asked him to confirm his talent, Dung Beetle agreed without much thought as he also wanted to confirm his own talent.
Shall we start with the Flying Kick technique? Lets see how well you''ve mastered it.
As soon as they arrived at a suitable open space below the mountain behind the motel, which people rarely visited, Seti spoke first.
And seeing how she began by exining the basics of the Flying Kick technique, it didnt seem like she just nned on giving a simple demonstration.
How to channel mana through the muscles, how to move the muscles to obtain the correct posture, and where to focus the mana
What she taught him was not that different from what Dung Beetle had discovered while experimenting on his own.
If there was a difference, it was that the mana needed to be circted systematically not just in the lower body, but in the upper body as well.
The teaching was negligible, but it was of great help for Dung Beetle.
The more he understood how mana flowed through his body, the more ways he could apply it.
First, show me the basic techniques.
Basic techniques?
The techniques. The techniques! Please demonstrate the moves of the Flying Kick technique that you already know.
As soon as she said those words, Dung Beetle began to move his feet.
Starting with the most basic kick to the Feather Step, the Flying Kick, and finally, the downward strike called the Quake Stomp.
A series of Flying Kick techniques unfolded from his toes. He executed it smoothly, as if everything was one coherent technique.
Uh.
Once his demonstration of the Flying Kick technique ended, Seti looked at Dung Beetle as if she had just witnessed something incredulous.
After staring at him in silence, she suddenly asked him a random question.
...Dung Beetle-ssi, have you ever thought about the true intention behind the Flying Kick technique?
True intention?
The essence, the meaning to put it simply, what do you think was considered when creating the martial art? Well, something like that.
Why is she asking me that? Dung Beetle frowned slightly, but Seti wouldnt have asked that question without a reason.
After thinking about it seriously, he came up with an answer in his own way.
I think its... connection.
...Connection?
Connecting the ground to the feet, then jumping to connect the sky to myself. Once the sky, the ground and I are connected simultaneously, the mana starting from the toes is connected to the top of the head in the same principle.
...
This is all I cane up with for the true intention behind the Flying Kick technique. I cant think of a better way to express it.
Dung Beetle, having given his answer, suddenly realized that Setis expression was one of shock.
Curious about why she was reacting like that, Dung Beetle asked.
Is my interpretation really that bad?
...
I know my expression wascking, so please speak frankly.
Still speechless, Seti simply stared at Dung Beetle. She chewed her lower lip for a moment and then abruptly asked another question.
Just be honest with me, you have trained in some other martial arts before, right?
No. The closest Ive done is watching documentaries about Superhumans or something like that.
This is cheating.
She muttered something about a damn talented-prodigy for a moment before speaking again.
Dung Beetle-ssi, your interpretation of the true intention behind the Flying Kick technique as connection is actually quite urate. Your technique was also precise; it was as if you were reading directly from the secret manual.
Really?
Really? Is that all you can say? Seeing you treat it like its nothing special makes my circumstance sound a bit miserable.
Seti uttered words she didn''t mean and then walked toward the center of the open space where Dung Beetle had performed the Flying Kick Technique.
I originally nned on helping you perfect the Flying Kick technique but it seems like we can move on to the next step.
Next?
Ill be teaching you a new martial art. Its different from the Flying Kick technique and the Korean government is in the dark about this as well.
Seti spoke as she assumed her stance: widening her stride with her right hand positioned ahead of her left.
It looked more like she was preparing to dance than abat stance.
This martial art is called Surging Wave Technique. Its a martial art discovered during Chinas dimension exploration.
Surging Wave Technique. For some reason, it vaguely felt like the unfamiliar name carried a hint of blood.
Since the movement is a simpler martial art whenpared to the technique, Ill show you both simultaneously.
The moment Seti began to move, Dung Beetle focused intently. Since this was his first-ever experience learning real martial arts, he was determined to not miss a single movement.
The martial art began with simple gestures. As she straightened her fingers, the edge of her hands sliced through the air. She moved as smoothly as if she were scooping water.
The essence of Surging Wave Technique is to treat the mana within your body like water. The mana in your body should flow in the same manner water flows along a river.
After saying this, Seti clenched her hand into a fist.
After you create the river, you have the flood.
Her muscles contracted, and the mana within her body began to move fiercely. The change was dramatic and intense, as if it would overflow at any moment.
After the flood, you have the waves.
WHOOSH! As Seti swung her fist, all the overflowing mana immediately gathered into her fist. The force was so tremendous that Dung Beetle, who was watching her, frowned.
Just as the height of the waves increases with the depth of the water, the limit of Surging Wave Technique solely depends on the users mana and skill. Like this!
When she swung her fist down, the mana condensed in her fist struck the air.
!!!!!!
A silent shockwave spread out with Seti''s fist as the epicenter. The grass in the surroundings was ttened all at once, and the leaves fell in droves.
It was a punch that had the same level of power as the Quake Stomp of the Flying Kick technique no, even greater.
This is a real martial art.
Covered in dust from the aftermath of the shockwave, Dung Beetle squinted and looked at Setis fist.
How is it? Although it may seem a bit difficult since it revolves around mana maniption, its a martial art with endless possibilities.
Dung Beetle didnt respond. To be precise, he couldnt respond.
His mind was filled with thoughts of the mana applications he had just seen. He couldnt think of anything else as intense thoughts ceaselessly flooded his mind, one after another.
He was in a trance.
It was a state that Superhumansmonly called enlightenment and awakening by Mages.
Unfortunately, Seti, who didnt realize that, continued with her exnation.
If you apply the Surging Wave Technique to the Flying Kick technique, even government officials wont be able to recognize it easily.
Once you practice infusing mana into your weapon, you will be able to apply it to your weapon as well. And when you can release it externally, you will be able to imbue each strike with a wave.
Since Im not particrly talented with mana, Ive been putting it off but youre different from me, Dung Beetle-ssi huh?
Only after she reached that point did Seti realize that Dung Beetle was unusually unresponsive.
Hello?
Taking a closer look at Dung Beetles face, Seti saw that he was breathing calmly, his eyes unfocused, and his mana frozen as if he were dead.
Did he fall into a state of trance just after one demonstration?
She immediately realized the state Dung Beetle was in. Soon after, admiration, jealousy, and astonishment passed through her mind in turn
This is cheating.
* * *
For the past few days, the Janitor Guild had been in a state of chaos.
The entire team of the top-performing foreman was murdered, and the operations director went missing the next day.
To make matters worse, even that warehouse everyone knew about was burned down in a fire due to an unknown cause. Even the rarely seen branch manager appeared on-site, shuttling between the fire station and the police station.
While the lower ranks simply focused on their work without worrying, the more experienced janitors felt a vague sense of foreboding.
And that sense of foreboding peaked while cleaning the closed Pier 13.
The pier was covered in mmy filth, and there were piles of meat chunks and bodies that clearly belonged to government-affiliated suit-wearers
It was evident that something unusual had urred at the scene.
Moreover, the fact that no articles appeared on TV or the inte indicated that the higher-ups were directly suppressing the rumors.
- Pretend that you didnt see or hear anything.
Sharing the same mindset, the janitors decided to turn a blind eye.
And once an oblivious rookie vanished without a trace after asking about the disgusting stuff, they stopped speaking altogether.
Of course, not all janitors remained silent. There were always those who didnt value their lives.
And a prime example of one such person was Janitor Park Gusik.
Just like a drunkard who revealed everything on their mind while intoxicated, he too spilled out things he shouldnt have after getting drunk.
- This city is insane, insane, I tell you! Theres a crazed killer on the loose, and the police havent even started investigating!
- Do you know how many people have been killed by this crazy killer? The ones that I could confirm are already dozens! Not just people, but even two elves!
- Damn it, the culprit who killed the Foreman must be the same one who turned Pier 13 into that. Im sure of it!
The bar owner, who was already ustomed to the ramblings of drunkards, started by saying, Oh my, this person is very drunk, and then naturally kicked him out of the bar.
- Arrghhh, filthy city. MacArthur here, MacArthur there. Damn it, is this a U.S. colony or South Korea?
In a state of stupor, Park Gusik staggered through Incheons night streets on his way back homeThe old, musty semi-basement, his only refuge.
Creak.
The moment he opened the old, rusty door, he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder from behind.
What the he Ah!
Irritated, he turned his head, only for his cheek to be pricked by something cold.
A sword. What tapped him on his shoulder wasnt a hand but a straightened sword.
Seeing the sword, Park Gusik instantly sobered up, raised his hands above his shoulders, and spoke submissively.
I-I can give you as much money as you want. The wallets in my right pocket, so please spare my life
Were not robbers.
The person pointing the sword at him was a woman. A woman with a spine-chillingly beautiful voice on top of that.
T-then, what is it that you want?
Do you remember what you said at the bar earlier?
A-at the bar?
Park Gusik racked his brain desperately. The moment he recalled what he had said, he felt terrified, as if the sky was copsing.
The higher-ups? Are the higher-ups watching me?
He trembled and tried to beg for his life, saying that he had no intention of defying the government, that he had just been babbling nonsense in his drunken state.
However, before he could open his mouth, the beautiful voice shut him up.
The elves who were killed.
Elves? Hearing the unexpected word, Park Gusik turned around cautiously. Behind him, the shadows of two women stretched long.
The two figures were so slender that they could be mistaken for models. Park Gusik raised his head, ready to confront them if necessary.
However, the next moment, he immediately lowered his head since both of them had long ears that could not be seen on Earth.
Tell me everything you know about those /genesisforsaken
Chapter 19: The Inevitable Fate of Trash Mobs (6)
* * *
Dung Beetle watched the iing waves amidst the currents of unconsciousness.
The waves, carrying a mix of emotions, hit his body with a ssh and then receded.
Soaked thoroughly by the heavy, sad, and bitter waves, a single phrase emerged in his mind.
Cultivating the mind and sitting and forgetting.1
To distance oneself from what was heard through the ears, to forget what was heard with the heart, and to feel the world with an empty mindThis was the meaning of cultivating the mind.
To sit silently and abandon idle thoughts, to forget reality and oneselfThis was the meaning of Sitting and Forgetting.
The wave surged once again, and this time, it struck Dung Beetles body before receding.Dung Beetles name was also being washed away as the wave receded.
The name given by the Janitor Guild, meaning ''even if you''re just cleaning up waste, do it well''... Dung Beetle had forgotten that name.
The following wave washed away his memories. Angels, Mignium, his colleagues, and revenge all disappeared beyond the wave.
As his memories were washed away, his emotions also began to disappear.
Sadness, anger, joy, regret only after all those things vanished did his mind be empty.
Ssh!
The now-emptied mind was filled only with waves.
Once, twice, thrice
Countless waves crashed and piled up in his mind. And this continued until all the surrounding currents disappeared.
At some point, he was no longer able to distinguish between the waves and himself. The waves were him, and he was the waves.
!
Yes, this was the true intention of the Surging Wave Technique.
To realize cultivating the mind and sitting and forgetting and absorb the waves in his mind to be the wave itself.
No additional exnation was needed. The movement and the techniques were all mere appearances.
Having be the wave itself, his fist became the Surging Wave Fist imbued with the strength of the whale-like waves when he put his mind into it. And when he moved his legs, it became the Surging Wave Step.
Shuddering at the depth of the Surging Wave Technique, Dung Beetle could now understand why Seti had seen him as a moron. If he had known this martial art, he would have thought the same.
He concluded his realization. Faced with joy and delight, he tried to open his eyes to reality.
However, at that moment, a familiar voice echoed from the depths of his mind.
It seems like you have learned something interesting.
It was the voice of the unwee guest who was sealed within him.
The benefactor who had resurrected him and bestowed talents upon him The great evil.
...Mignium.
Amidst the space where the waves of the mind were surging, a shadow with a fluttering ck dress appeared.
My Chosen One, even with your considerable talent, it didn''t even take you that long to reach this level. It also appears that you have obtained a genuine Kung Fu2, one meticulously crafted with great effort by a grandmaster.
...Kung Fu?
Ah, perhaps it is called something else in your world.
Migniumughed while muttering something iprehensible. A wide crack appeared over the shadowy face of Mignium. It was her own version of augh.
Anyway, Chosen One. I did not expect to see your face this soon. I did not anticipate that you would enter a state of perfect selflessness so swiftly... Is this why those insignificant gods do not bestow talents upon humans?
Im going to leave if you intend to keep spouting nonsense.
Dung Beetle stood up, brushing himself off. Mignium tilted her head to the side.
Already? I presume that you have many questions for me, do you not?
Will you answer them?
No, the pleasure of asking me questions must be postponed until next time, for this is not my dream but your mind.
I knew it.
If she intended to give him any information, she wouldn''t have silenced him when theyst met.
Let us meet again in my dream, my Chosen One.
After Mignium bid farewell, Dung Beetle closed his eyes.
His heart trembled, and his heavy, sunken mind returned to reality once again.
* * *
Opening his eyes to reality, he was greeted by an unfamiliar scene.
The open space where Seti had demonstrated her martial arts was nowhere to be seen; instead, a straw mat was blocking his view.
After ncing up slightly, he realized it wasnt just a straw mat, but a tent.
What is this?
Dung Beetle brushed himself off and stepped outside the tent. On stepping outside, he could see the very open space where Seti had performed her martial arts.
Was this tent set up because I entered a state of perfect selflessness?
The answer to his contemtion was found rather easily as there were three delicately handwritten notes at the tent''s entrance.
Dung Beetle began to read through the notes slowly. As expected, they were all written by Seti.
The first note, written with pressing strokes, began with an exnation that the tent had been set up because he hadnt woken up even after an entire day had passed.
The next page was written in the same way. It said that, although she wanted to wait longer, her younger sister was in an urgent situation, so she would deliver the unicorns horn first and then return.
Thest page stated that, no matter howte, she would return within a week with a new identity, and it also included a note informing him to meet again at Mr. Jang Mans bar along with a phone number.
After reading all the notes, Dung Beetle stuffed them into his pocket and sank down onto the tent floor.
Its already been a day?
No, that was not right. Considering the time it would have taken her to write the notes and leave, at least two days must have passed.
Did I really spend that much time in my mind?
Dung Beetle shook his head after trying to gauge the time.
It was pointless to dwell on how long the waves in his mind had built up in his body. It was natural for joyful times to feel fleeting and painful times to drag on.
What he needed to consider instead... was how proficient he had be in the Surging Wave Technique while in the state of perfect selflessness.
With that thought in mind, Dung Beetle stood up. He stood in the open space in front of the tent while recalling the fist pose that Seti had shown him, and assumed the stance.
The fist, which he had subconsciously named the Surging Wave Fist while in his unconscious state.
Seti had to make the mana flow like water and create waves with her fist. However, Dung Beetle didnt need to do that.
The moment he clenched his fist, the mana flowing through it surged like waves. That was the difference between those who had realized the true intention and those who had not.
However
Have I not managed to fully absorb what Ive realized into my body?
Dung Beetle frowned as he looked at his own fist. The difference between the waves he felt in his fist and those he felt in his mind was clear to him.
To be precise, all he had achieved was about 30%... or even less.
As if trying to confirm something, he threw a punch, striking the air with force.
!!!!!!
As soon as the mana struck the air, waves of mana burst out, causing the tent to copse and the leaves to fall in a flurry.
Although the result was astonishing, Dung Beetle sighed as he clenched and unclenched his fist.
Indeed, it was still insufficient.
To be able to replicate the same waves he had seen in his mind in reality; he would need quite a bit more training and practical experience.
And if there was any good news, it was that he still had plenty of opportunities to wield his fists, especially in Incheon.
Before Seti returns let''s cut all the ties I need to in Incheon.
His cold, sinking gaze turned toward the city of Incheon beyond the mountain slopes.
* * *
Inside a heavy van parked on the outskirts of Incheon, a man pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
Click, click.
Perhaps due to anxiety or the dwindling gas, the man''s lighter wouldn''t ignite.
After failing to light the cigarette multiple times , he finally gave up and threw the cigarette and lighter onto the floor.
Damn it, how did I
He sighed as he opened the vans door. A pig-headed man in a suit waiting outside approached him and bowed his head.
Branch Manager, whats the matter?
Damn it, dont call me Branch Manager. Just call me Agent. Agent!
Even though he held the title Branch Manager of the Incheon Janitors'' Guild officially, he never really epted it personally.
Even though it was merely a title he had been forced to assume to conceal his true identity as a secret government agent, even a figurehead had their standards. On top of that, it wasn''t just any ce but the Janitors'' Guild.
Hey, Shepherd.
Yes, Agent.
Do you know what? I really hate this fucking city.
Is that so?
The pig-headed Shepherd calmly put up with the Branch Manager''s irritation soullessly. The Branch Manager had not always been such an insufferable superior, it was just that recent events had been enough to make anyone a terrible superior.
The street name is MacArthur, the mountain name MacArthur, even the mayors name is MacArthur Even the street fortune-tellers revere MacArthur as a deity. Is this America or South Korea?
Even our national hero Ahn Junggeun3 doesnt have a statue here, but we have a MacArthur Hillock? Is MacArthurs trusteeship4 over this country really something to be proud of?
...Im not sure about that either.
Of course, you dont know. Damn it. If you knew, would you even be a Shepherd, huh? You probably would be a sociologist, wouldnt you?
He spat on the ground, trying to recall where things had gone so wrong.
It all started with the disappearance of that Operations Director. In fact, he was actually a pretty good subordinate.
Engaging in just enough underhanded tactics to keep the annoying noises from reaching him, the fake branch manager, the Operations Director, handled the tasks he was assigned efficiently.
However, after he suddenly disappeared and the governments corpse storage he managed burned down, everything began to go downhill from that point.
First and foremost, the deal with the Necromancer had fallen through.
The details of the incident remained unclear, but the oue was disastrous. A 4th-grade official5 who had gone to negotiate with the Necromancer was killed, and they were unable to recover the awakening potions.
And when the Superhuman Affairs Department, which was eagerly awaiting the potions, dispatched someone else to the scene, everything was already over.
All that remained at the scene were broken potion bottles and traces of an unknown Korean agent fighting the Necromancer.
As if that wasnt enough of a headache, another problem arose.
The agents investigating the scene were all wiped out as well, not leaving a single one behind.
This was definitely not a matter that could be overlooked. Three Shepherds were ughtered. Moreover, even a cow-headed-level official was killed brutally.
Although they might not have the power to match a true Superhuman or Mage, the force, consisting of two pig-headed officials and one cow-headed official, could ensure that at least one person would be able to escape safely, even when facing a true Superhuman.
But all three were killed? The answer was simple: the opponent was a Superhuman of such a high level that theywhoever the hell that was didnt even give them a chance to escape.
At that point, the government decided to take a cautious approach. They began to suspect that other powerful nations or some unidentified Superhuman organizations might be involved in the incident.
However, they couldnt just pull out from the scene. There were issues of honor and morale among the on-site personnel.
In the end, the government pulled out of the incident, leaving behind a suitable reliever or a mere figurehead.
And the figurehead chosen was none other than the Branch Manager himself.
And they didnt have any grand reason for doing so. It was simply because he was the highest-ranking agent sent to the scene.
However, even if he was aware of all the circumstances, no one would be happy to be picked as a mere figurehead.
His sudden fall from grace felt even more miserable, especially for him, who had been managing the enrollment of young Superhumans just a week earlier.
Damn it, why are the other bastards taking so long to arrive?
As the agent continued venting his frustration, the pig-headed man standing next to the van subtly took out his phone.
We still have 15 minutes left until the appointed time. They should be arriving soon.
Damn it, all the motherfucking field agents these days are getting worse. How the hell can anyone arrive at the appointed time when their superior is already waiting?
Back in my day, we would have to arrive at least 10 minutes early and wait Huff! Hey, you! Make a call.
But due to security reasons, calls are
Goddamn it! Just make the call when I tell you!!
...Yes, understood.
The pig-headed man, looking resigned, picked up his phone and dialed a numberbeep, beep, beep. The basic dialing tone rang, and the other party soon answered.
[Who is this?]
The voice on the other end was filled with static, perhaps due to poor reception.
[This is Cuckoo 11. I am just calling to check on your whereabouts.]
[It is hard to hear. Cuckoo 11 is it?]
[This is Cuckoo 11. I am asking again. How much longer until you get here? We are waiting at the rendezvous point.]
[Location sorry were lost now]
As soon as the voice on the phone said something about being lost, the Branch Manager snatched the phone from the pig-headed man.
You crazy bastard, the bridge connecting MacArthur Road 3 and Route 6! How the hell do you even get lost in this area?!
[...]
Stop speaking bullshit and get your ass here within 15 minutes. Got it?
[MacArthur3Route 6bridge. Well head there right away]
As soon as the Branch Manager heard the response, he felt a strange sense of unease.
Why was that? Was it because he couldnt smoke?
He shook off the feeling of unease and began calling the other subordinates, scolding them to hurry up.
After spending roughly five minutes scolding his subordinates, a car could be seen approaching the van from a distance.
Finally, one motherfucker arrived.
It was a familiar carone of the rental vehicles used for the mission.
However, as the car got closer, the Branch Managers frown deepened.
The approaching car looked strange. There was blood smeared on the front windshield, and the car was dented and had parts dangling. And most importantly
The car wasnt slowing down at all.
Damn it! Get out of the way!
The Branch Manager was the first to jump out of the van. The pig-headed man, who had been taking the brunt of his irritation, failed to escape and was crushed between the car and the van.
CRASSH! Both the car and van flew up and fell off the bridge below.
Barely managing to survive, the Branch Manager stood up unsteadily, drawing A pistol from his waist.
What the fuck is going on
The Branch Manager cautiously peered at the area below the highway. The van that had fallen was crushed like a stepped-on egg.
Fortunately, not everyone in the van was dead. Some of the Shepherds were poking their heads out from the wreckage.
But in the car right in front of the van let alone a sign of any bodies, there was not even a shadow.
He was definitely sure that someone was in the car just before the collision.
As the Branch Manager was reeling in confusion, he sensed a chilling gazend on the back of his neck. He tightened his grip on the pistol and turned his head slowly.
A young man, wearing a worn coat and a hat pulled down low, was staring at him.
Who are you?!
The young man raised his hat a bit to look at the Branch Managers face and then spoke in a casual tone.
Long time no see, Branch Manager.
Damn it that frigging Branch Manager title.
Without wasting a moment, the Branch Manager fired his pistol.
Bang! Bang! The gunshots rang out, but the young man simply moved his upper body a little to dodge the bullets.
Superhuman-like reflexes and movementsHe was definitely a Superhuman.
Fuck.
The Branch Manager nced at the approaching young man and the area below the highway alternately.
Seeing that the height was about 5 meters, he immediately made up his mind. It would be better to break a leg than to be caught by a Superhuman.
He swallowed hard and shouted at the area below.
Im jumping down! Catch me!
One of the Shepherds looked up, and the Branch Manager jumped from the bridge.
Bounce!
Fortunately, one of the pig-headed men managed to catch him. But there was no time to rx. That damn Superhuman had also jumped down after him.
Kill him! That bastard is the culprit responsible for this incident!
The Branch Manager shouted desperately. Although there was no evidence, the pig-headed men who had just emerged from the van rushed at the Superhuman immediately.
Swish!
Three of the men, rtively unscathed, charged simultaneously. The leading pig-headed man leaped forward, while the other two opened their mouths wide.
Kyaaaak! A voice filled with cursed mana erupted from the pig-headed men.
Meanwhile, following the cursed outburst, the leaping pig-headed mans fist came crashing down. It was a perfectly coordinated attack.
Tch.
The unidentified Superhuman did not avoid the attack. Instead, he simply clicked his tongue and threw a punch.
Since he couldnt avoid it, he would face it head-on? But it was clear which had more power: the punch delivered while leaping or the one just thrown.
However
As the Superhuman extended his fist, something changed.
The Branch Manager, who couldnt sense mana, did not realize it, but the Shepherds who were able to sense even a faint amount of mana reacted differently.
They were horrified by the mana swirling around the punch. However, it was toote to pull back the punch.
The fists collided. Crack! One of the fists waspletely broken.
Kyaaaak!
It was the pig-headed Shepherd who had his hand shattered. He struggled to get away from the Superhuman, but the Superhuman didnt give him a chance.
He immediately raised his left hand and smashed the Shepherds head. Apanied by the sound of something breaking, blood poured out from the pig-headed mans eyes, nose, and mouth.
It was an instant /genesisforsaken
Chapter 20: A Coincidence For The Heroine
the World Tree is just a big tree.
Excerpt from the American-Elf War Document of Surrender
* * *
Dung Beetle stared at the remaining officials with a nk look on his face.
The pig-headed men who had just spat curses were closing their mouths, as if trying to grasp the situation, and the Branch Manager turned pale, his eyes darting around.
Damn, with just two gestures of his hand the Shepherd
With the Branch Managers words as a signal, Dung Beetle stomped the ground. Seeing that, one of the pig-headed men stepped forward and shouted.
Escort the Agent and escape!
The pig-headed mans eyes glowed red, and the mana in his voice began to fluctuate.Soon, a voice filled with curses was spewed at Dung Beetle.
Kyaaakkk!
The invisible, formless curse struck his body, but Dung Beetle didnt budge. The ground beneath him caved in, kicking up dust, but that was all.
...Did you just withstand it using your bare body?
Those were the pig-headed mans final words. Charging at him instantly, Dung Beetle grabbed his neck, and twisted it.
A chilling cracking sound echoed, and with his neck twisted, Shepherds body slumped over.
As Dung Beetle turned around, the Branch Manager, who had just been carried by a Shepherd, stared at him with a stunned expression.
He tried to say something, but there was no need for words.
Step Dung Beetle stomped the ground again. He executed the flying kick from the Flying Kick technique, which he was now well-versed in,bined with the Surging Wave technique.
It was a kick akin to that in a performance test. Without considering the opponents level, his mana surged to its limit, rippling from his thighs to his toes.
EVADE!!!
The Branch Manager yelled, but the pig-headed Shepherd had already assessed its power. The attack was impossible to evade.
Without hesitation, he tossed the Branch Manager aside and threw his own body to block the kick.
Kugh!
Hit directly by the kick, the pig-headed man floated into the air. A momentter, the shockwave of mana hit him btedly, sending him soaring.
Thud!
He flew for quite the distance before he crashed into the van that fell off the bridge earlier. Even after crashing, he still had some strength left. However, the van tilted while spewing oil.
Seeing that, the Branch Manager groaned.
This is insane
As he muttered in astonishment, the Shepherds behind him, who had just regained their senses, finally began to understand the situation. They turned around immediately and began to flee.
Seeing them fleeing in two different directions, it didnt seem like they were fleeing blindly out of fear.
Are they trying to ensure that at least one of them manages to survive for long enough to call for help rather than being annihtedpletely?
Watching their fleeing figures, Dung Beetle nced at the Branch Manager before chasing after them.
Whoosh! As he extended his stride, the distance between him and the Shepherds diminished in an instant.
The first to be caught was the one fleeing to the right. He could not even resist before his head crushed.
The second one had his neck broken while drawing his gun, and the third was killed just before he could unleash his curse.
Convinced of his slim chances of escaping, thest one attempted to contact someone with his phone.
However, before the call could even connect, Dung Beetles kick smashed his phone and his head simultaneously.
It was an utterly futile end for the governments carefully nurtured Shepherds.
However, their deaths did not stir any emotion in Dung Beetle. He simply shook off the flesh and blood stters from his clothes before turning back to the Branch Manager.
W-Who the hell send you here? Australia? Japan? If not them, then perhaps the Magic Tower?
The Branch Manager, who was making an awkward attempt to escape, asked. With trembling hands, he aimed his gun at Dung Beetle.
Huh? Youre Korean, arent you? Tell me, you fucking traitor. Why are you targeting the government? Money? Is it because of money?
Dung Beetle continued walking in silence until he reached right in front of the Branch Manager.
Only when they were close enough for their reflections to be seen in each others eyes did Dung Beetle remove his hat.
Branch Manager.
Damn, you look familiar Cough!
Dung Beetle grabbed the Branch Manager by his neck. The poor man tried to pull the trigger of his pistol, but the weapon was wrenched from his hand, leaving him powerless.
Branch Manager, it seems like you dont remember who I am. Thats alright. But do you remember the Foreman?
The moment Foreman was mentioned, the Branch Managers face twisted noticeably, but his voice was unable to find its way out properly.
You, ugh, dont tell me, cough
Thats fortunate. At least youll die knowing why.
Dung Beetle tightened his grip. Or rather, he tried to.
Just as he was about to clench his hand, something flew from behind and struck his wrist.
A rock?
Dung Beetle let go of the Branch Manager and turned his gaze in the direction the rock came from.
It looks like there were other guests before me.
From afar, he saw two figures in ponchos on the bridge.
The two figures didnt hesitate as they jumped down from the bridge. And surprisingly, they made no sound when theynded.
Scrutinizing the intruders with narrowed eyes, Dung Beetle frowned immediately.
Hidden under the ponchos, the faces visible through the slightly raised hoods definitely did not belong to humans.
Elves?
With glistening lips,rge eyes, sharply arched eyebrows, a sculpture-like nose, long, pointed ears and an extraordinarily beautiful appearance, it was the face of an elf he had often seen in the news.
The two elves whonded on the ground looked at him with emotionless expressions.
...Who are you? Are the elves undertaking mercenary work in Korea?
Dung Beetle looked down at the ponchos the elves were wearing.
There was a symbol of arge tree with a red star on top of the ponchos.
World Tree Revolutionaries.
They weremunist guerri elves from beyond the dimensional portal who served as the leader, Demerond Ipp Marx, themie elf who had even impressed Stalin.
Superhuman, this has nothing to do with you. The one we have business with is that man.
The faint silver-haired elf gestured at the Branch Manager. The Branch Manager, still choking in Dung Beetles grip, looked confused.
Business? What business?
Its an elvish matter. Outsiders need not concern themselves with it.
Ah, I see.
Dung Beetle grabbed the Branch Managers neck again. The silver-haired elf raised an eyebrow in response.
Superhuman, it would be best if you let him go and leave while we are still speaking.
And if I refuse?
If you insist on getting punished, I will not stop you.
The elf drew a sword from within the poncho. The sword emitted a chilling glow under the dim light of the streemp.
Facing the tant threat, Dung Beetle hesitated for a moment.
Would it be better to just hand over the Branch Manager to those elves?
It was clear that themie elves werent on good terms with the Branch Manager either. However, handing over a target of his revenge was apletely different matter.
Do you intend to kill this person?
Dung Beetle asked, just in case. As expected, the elf shook her head.
As I said, it is none of your business.
Hearing their reply, Dung Beetle looked back and forth between the Branch Manager, who was struggling for his life, and the silver-haired elf holding a sword.
He then assessed the blonde elf with green streaks behind the silver-haired elf, who was looking at him with an iprehensible expression.
He could sense mana from both elves. He didnt need any further exnation to guess that they were both High Elves.
Well, that was probably the reason these elves could roam freely in human cities.
If I dont hand over the Branch Manager, Ill have to fight against two high elves.
It was absurd, but was there anything in this world that ever went ording to n? Dung Beetle sighed and tightened his grip.
No!
Following a crunching sound, the Branch Managers body slumped, and the silver-haired elfs eyes widened with a sharp look before she yelled.
HOW DARE YOU!
Dung Beetle flung the Branch Managers body at the silver-haired elf before stomping on the ground.
Just as they said, he didnt need to know why the elves were chasing the Branch Manager or why they were here.
His only concern was to do what he had to do and then escape.
Whoosh!
As the fusion of the Flying Kick Technique and the true intention of the Surging Wave Technique unfolded, Dung Beetles body elerated rapidly.
You bastard!!
The elf also chased after him at superhuman speeds, but Dung Beetles speed was superior.
As soon as the distance between the two increased by more than a dozen steps, the blonde elf at the back opened her mouth.
Leon! Catch him!
Catch? What? The moment Dung Beetle had that thought, something invisible grabbed his body mid-air.
Whats this?
The thing that grabbed him was a massive mass of energy shaped like a hand. It was invisible to the eyes but clearly felt through mana.
Press the invisible hand tightened its grip around his body.
Dung Beetle didnt wait to start channeling the mana within his body. Following the true intention of the Surging Wave Technique, the surging mana flowed through his muscles, pushing the invisible hand away.
And just as he managed to create enough room to move his hand, he punched at the invisible hand.
Boom!
The sound of a heavy impact resounded, and the force pressing on him diminished. Dung Beetle slipped through the gaps between the fingers and escaped the pressure.
By the time hended on the ground, the silver-haired elf had already closed in. For a brief moment, silence hung between them.
And it was Dung Beetle who initiated the attack this time.
Thud!
Heunched a kick at tremendous speeds, aiming for the silver-haired elfs head. The elf leaned back lightly and swung her sword.
Whoosh!
Following a sh through the air, their bodies became entangled.
Whenever Dung Beetles kick aimed at her legs, her sword aimed at his waist. When he thrust out a punch, the returning sword targeted his shoulder, and when he tried to create some distance, the elf relentlessly exploited every opening.
The elfs sword had neither a beginning nor an end. Sometimes it traced a straight line, sometimes a curve, but the attacks never ceased.
Just as she seemed to withdraw her sword and take a stance, she suddenly moved, aiming for an opening.
This is the swordsmanship of a High Elf.
Be it human or elf, they were all creatures with limbs, but her muscles imbued with mana moved as if such limits did not exist.
The moment he let his guard down, the sword would strike a vital spot.
Admiring the sword''s movements, Dung Beetle unconsciously took it in. At first, he simply observed the sword''s path, and then he sensed the movement of the mana.
Flexible yet firm, it is like the roots of a tree.
Following the true intention of the Surging Wave technique, his surging mana began to mimic the flow of the elfs swordsmanship.
Whether it was inspiration or enlightenmentAn indescribable sensation filled his body. From the flow of the sword path, to the movements of the muscles wielding it and the mana supporting it, everything was extremely unfamiliar yet beautiful.
Taking the inspiration he had felt briefly, Dung Beetle applied it to his hand. Without a sword, he extended his fist to form a hand de.
Swish!
The first attempt was awkward enough to allow the sword to slice through his left forearm. But Dung Beetle trusted his regeneration ability.
Ignoring the wound, he extended his other hand.
Unlike the first, the second attempt cut through the air sharply.
The third was enough to make the elf dodge, and the fourth allowed him to block the sword with his bare hand.
By his fifth try, his hand de broke past a very narrow gap in the elfs swordsmanship.
Although it only grazed the edge of the poncho, it was more than enough because the wave from the Surging Wave technique shredded the poncho.
Rrrrip!
Huh?!
The relentless wind of the sword stopped as the silver-haired elf halted her assault and stepped back.
Her expression twisted as she looked down at the torn poncho.
Taking a moment, Dung Beetle created some distance and spoke.
Whats the name of your swordsmanship?
No name? To think that an unnamed swordsmanship could be this effective, what an impressive technique.
Perhaps it sounded like provocation, but the silver-haired elf red at him sharply before readying her sword.
An initial stance, with the hilt raised to the height of her ear it was a different sword technique. The swirling mana felt unusual; this swordsmanship surely contained her true intention.
Just as Dung Beetle was unconsciously anticipating the moment, a voice came from behind.
Perhaps too engrossed in the swordsmanship, he had forgotten that the silver-haired elf wasnt his only enemy.
Lelrin! Suppress him with light!
As soon as she confirmed that the silver-haired elf and Dung Beetle had distanced themselves, the blonde elf behind her began reciting another spell.
Unlike before, the magic was visible this time.
sh!
A tremendous burst of light erupted right in front of Dung Beetle. His optic nerves were overwhelmed, and his vision went dark.
And that brief moment created arge opening.
Step!
Not wanting to let the opportunity slip by, the silver-haired elf charged at Dung Beetle.
And that was what became her downfall.
She was unable to see either, but unlike her, Dung Beetle could sense her movements even without sight.
This was only made possible by his abnormally refined mana perception.
Through the darkness created by the burst of light, Dung Beetle extended both hands.
Slice, the elfs sword, pierced his left hand. The mana within the sword shed with the mana in his hand, causing his blood to stter.
However, that was enough to restrict her movements.
Dung Beetle extended his right hand. The wave of mana flowed over his shoulder and gathered in his fist.
The Surging Wave techniqueThe wave contained in his hand became the Surging Wave Fist.
WHOOOSH!
The atmosphere fluctuated, and the winds roared.
The silver-haired elf btedly tried to imbue more strength into her sword, but Dung Beetles Surging Wave Fist had already arrived right in front of her sr plexus.
!
However, even before the fist made contact, the mana had already struck her body, lifting the elfs body into the air.
Thud!
As their vision cleared, the soaring elf crashed back to the ground.
Cough!
The dyed impact shook her body, and gastric juice mixed with saliva spilled from her mouth.
Bleh Ugh Bleh
Pulling the sword embedded in his left hand and Dung Beetle gripped it with his right before approaching her.
Comrade Rime! No! Leon! Lelrin! Protect Rime
Realizing what was happening a bit toote, the blonde elf tried to recite another spell, but Dung Beetle was quicker to point the sword at the silver-haired elfs neck.
Stop. If you finish reciting that, she /genesisforsaken
Chapter 21: A Coincidence For The Heroine (2)
* * *
"You craven bastard...!"
The blond elf bit her lower lip.
It would have been hard for an ordinary person to see from that distance, but with her ability to wield mana, she could clearly see the sword aimed at Rimes neck.
"Are you finally ready to have a rational conversation?"
"Shut up! If you hadn''t killed the Branch Manager...!"
As she shouted, the human stomped on Rime''s back. Rime gasped and copsed like a corpse.
"Stop, please stop!"
The elf covered her mouth in shock. Only after the surroundings grew silent did the human nod in satisfaction."I will be the one asking the questions, and you only need to give me an answer."
"..."
"Answer."
"...Alright."
The human''s golden eyes swept over her body coldly.
"Name."
"Miridith... Miridith Ipp Marx."
As soon as he heard that, the human frowned.
"Marx?"
Having the family name Marx only meant one thing: it signified kinship with Demerond Ipp Marx, leader of the World Tree Revolutionaries.
"...So, you are a princess?"
The human spoke while stroking his chin; whether it was mockery or admiration, his tone did not make it clear. And although his hand had been pierced by a sword, not a drop of blood flowed from the back of his hand.
"Miridith, why were you pursuing the Branch Manager?"
"...I had something I needed to ask him."
"Ask? About what?"
"That is..."
Miridith paused as she looked past the human. Behind him, she saw two glimmers of light that were only visible to her.
Leon, Lelrin. Not yet. Just wait a little longer.
After whispering to the glimmers in her mind, Miridith continued.
"...I wanted to ask him about the elves who had recently died in Incheon and what happened to their bodies."
"Oh, that incident... So you were chasing after the Janitor Guild? And it has nothing to do with the Branch Manager being a government official?"
"Government? He was a government official?"
Miridith asked back, but the human continued speaking without pause.
"So, why are you looking for the bodies of the elves?"
Miridith took in the cold night air. For a brief moment, she thought of the two elves who were no more.
Rhe and Rhegon her very reliable older brothers.
They had willingly left the forest and followed her to Earth; they were her family.
"...Do I need a reason to retrieve the bodies of my family?"
"..."
"That was the only reason we were chasing that Branch Manager. So... please step back. I swear we will not pursue you. I do not want to lose another family member."
Even though she said this, she gathered her mana and sent it to the two glimmers of light.
Leon, Lelrin.
Using all her mana, she began preparing her magic with all her heart. It was a once-in-a-lifetime spell where even the smallest mistake would not be tolerated.
One strike, just one attack to take down that cowardly human and save Rime... That was the only thought that filled her mind.
However, the next moment, the human suddenly raised the sword in his hand.
No way, did he perceive?
But before the startled Miridith could even say a word, the man thrust the sword.
"No!"
Thunk.
Not having the courage to face the end of her family, she squeezed her eyes shut at the sound of the sword sinking in.
After a moment, the trembling Miridith opened her eyes. And
"Huh...?"
She let out a dazed exmation.
Contrary to her fears, Rime was not dead. The human had simply plunged the sword into the ground right next to Rime.
He dusted off his now free hands and looked at the bewildered Miridith.
"Miridith, first, let me extend my condolences. Secondly, although it is unfortunate, your family''s bodies are no longer in this world."
"What do you mean...?"
Seeing her confused face, the human paused briefly before continuing.
"The Korean government has been collecting corpses from thisnd and selling them to a Necromancer. That was the case for your family''s bodies. They were also stored in the government''s corpse warehouse."
"Necromancer...? Could it be?"
Miridith bit her lip as she thought of the worst possibility. Not only was it not possible for her family''s bodies to return to their homnd, but they might have been used by Necromancers.
However, the humans following words exceeded even her worst fears.
"I burned down that corpse warehouse."
"...What?"
"The bodies of the two dead elves must have burned and vanished along with the warehouse. Although it wasn''t my intention, I must apologize to you."
Looking genuinely regretful, the human ced his hat over his chest and bowed his head. Miridith was stunned as she took in the sight.
Could this be true? Or was it just a lie to get out of this situation?
And before her doubts could even be resolved, the human approached her at an incredible speed, so fast that she could feel the mana fluctuating.
Standing in front of Miridith, he silently took out a note and a pen from his pocket, jotted something down, and handed it to her.
"This is the location of the ruined warehouse. If you n to see it yourself, head to the address written on the note."
The note had a rough map and an address scribbled on it. Miridith, blinking at his sudden change in attitude, epted the note without protest.
"I hope that you can at least find your family''s keepsake."
With those words, the human turned to leave. Or at least, he tried to.
"Wa-wait a moment!"
Miridith instinctively grabbed the hem of his clothes. Why? What was she thinking? She didn''t even understand that herself, so she remained silent for a moment.
What should she say... Ah, yes.
"Y-your name! What is your name?"
The man replied with a reluctant expression.
"Dung Beetle."
"...Dung Beetle?"
Was that an alias? Miridith unconsciously inspected her trantion magic with her mana, but it was working perfectly.
"Thats... quite a unique name."
"I get that a lot. So, do you have any more questions?"
"N-no. I dont have any more questions, but... thats..."
And that was the end of their conversation. When Miridith let go of his clothes, he gave her a slight nod. It was a brief farewell.
Dung Beetle walked past her and disappeared toward the bridge as Miridith stared nkly at his retreating figure. A few momentster, thinking of Rime, she summoned the two glimmers of light.
"Lelrin, Leon. Carry Rime. First... let''s head to the warehouse drawn on this note."
* * *
The ''Author'' frowned as he came across a headline while browsing through online news.
Shocking News!! Extremist Elf Announces Enrollment at Lord Howe! Controversy Ignites: ''What Is An Elf Doing In The Academy?
When he clicked on a sensational news headline, an article from a rather reputable news outletrather than a third-rate tabloidappeared on his smartphone screen.
Numerous testimonies secured from the Kaesong Dimensional Portal.
Dead Spirits of the Fallen World Tree Cross the Dimensional Portal.
U.S. Department of State ''Neither Confirms Nor Denies,'' Sparking Controversy!
Is This The Signal of Peace Treaty? Elixir Prices Are Changing Rapidly.
Some Worry About the Safety of Academy Students.
At a quick nce, he saw that the article had already amassed tens of thousands of views, quickly approaching a million.
At this rate, it would be international news in just a few days.
What? This shouldn''t be known yet.
The Author rubbed his forehead as he thought of the subject of the article.
Miridith Ipp Marx, an elven princess... or the Commie Canf1.
As with any heroine in this universe, she was a character you either loved or hated considerably. Her true identity was supposed to be revealed at the end of the first chapter at the earliest, after the entrance ceremony.
The fact that amie elf one of princess-level rank particrlyhostile to Earth, had enrolled in the academy was a major plot point leading into Chapter 3...
But now, her enrollment was already public knowledge, even before the entrance ceremony.
What changed?
He scoured news from months ago, trying to find any clues, but found nothing significant that could be considered as a turning point.
He couldn''t even take a guess as to where things went wrong.
Should I consider it fortunate that only her enrollment has been revealed, and not her identity?
Tsk. He clicked his tongue briefly.
Being stuck here meant that the speed and quality of information he could get were both terrible. Regardless, the story needed to progress beyond the entrance ceremony quickly for anything to move forward
If only I could establish connections with the Blue Rat or the Secret Society, I wouldnt have to worry about this.
He licked his lips, thinking about the various information guilds that existed in the universe. But knowing their identities was of no use when they were out of his league.
As the Author sighed, lost in these thoughts, someone knocked on his door.
Knock, knock.
Who the hell is that, showing up at this hour?
The Author quickly hid his smartphone under the nket before getting up to open the door.
"Huh? Jeon Yunseong? What brings you here?"
Standing on the other side of the door was a handsomean incredibly handsome boy, the protagonist from the novel the Author had written.
"Just because. I happen to have some free time."
"At this hour?"
The Author gestured towards the clock on his wall with his eyes. 5:30 AMIt was still a long time before the 7 AM dormitory wake-up call.
"I simply figured that you wouldn''t be sleeping anyway."
The boy said this with a bright smile. His looks alone were enough to make any girl fall for him, but the Author was not a woman, nor was he homosexual.
In fact, the Author was one of the few who really disliked Yunseong''s appearance. Having him around made it nearly impossible to date any of the female supporting characters.
But he hid his true feelings with much difficulty and acted like that boys ssmate.
"Really? Well, I''m bored too, so your timing is good. What do you want to do? y a game?"
"Let''s spar."
"...Spar?"
"You did ask me to teach you martial arts before, didnt you? It''s difficult to do so during the day, but I can help you for at least an hour early in the morning."
The Author barely managed to prevent his expression from contorting.
He had indeed asked Yunseong to teach him martial arts, but it wasn''t a sincere request. It was merely a means to keep the conversation going.
However, this boy, who had spent his entire life bearing the brunt of the hatred of Koreans, seemed so awkward in social interactions that he didnt understand the concept of speaking out of courtesy.
...I''m screwed.
At this point, he couldn''t just say it was something he said on a whim. He couldn''t afford to lose his connection with Yunseong. After all, he was one of the protagonist candidates he could think of.
The Author swallowed a sigh and forced a smile.
"Ah, right. I did say that. I forgot about it as I didn''t expect you to actually take me up on it."
"That''s what friends are for, right? Of course, I can do it for you if its only this much."
The Author screamed with frustration internally. However, outwardly, he said something entirely different.
"Thanks for thinking of me, /genesisforsaken
Chapter 22: A Coincidence For The Heroine (3)
* * *
Like any smuggler, Jang Man was far from sociable. And given the nature of his job, it was inevitable.
Since he sold things that shouldnt be sold and put a price on things that shouldnt be priced, he was unable to see people as people.
He lived a life where he would look at customersing to the bar while calcting how much their lives were worth, and think of price tags when he saw children passing by.
As he grew older, drawing closer to the end of life than the beginning, only two types of people remained around him.
Those who were profitable, or those who were personally appealing.
And the one who knocked on his bar door early in the morning was the former.
"It''s been a while, Sir."
A man wearing a dark blue coat stepped inside. He had a distinct M-shaped receding hairline and a nose ridge as sharp as a de.Jang Man, who was wiping a cup, frowned as soon as he saw the man''s face.
"Word? Are you here to beg again? I''m not interested."
"Beg, you say? Sir, have you ever seen mee to you empty-handed?"
The man called Word smiled cheekily and sat at a table.
"Get lost. I am not interested in whatever you''ve brought."
"Ugh, Sir. It hurts my feelings to see you behaving like that before you see what I''ve brought."
Word pulled something out from his coat and ced it on the table.
It was a bird skull, slightlyrger than a palm.
To those unaware or inexpert, it wouldn''t seem like anything special, but Jang Man recognized it at a nce.
"A magic item... although it does not seem to be aplete one, more like a fragment from somewhere."
"As expected, Sir! You could tell from a single nce. This skull was attached to a Mage''s wand."
"...So what?"
"Where do you think I found this?"
Word rolled the skull across the table. The eerie skull stopped right in front of Jang Man.
"I don''t know. And I don''t care enough to find out either."
"Off the coast of Incheon, an unlucky fisherman was the one who caught it."
"..."
"Sir, I''m not a fool. I have some intuition, which is why I came to you. You know that, right?"
Thud! Jang Man mmed the cup he was wiping with a loud noise and red at Word.
"So, what are you actually trying to say? What''s the point of all this roundabout talk? Do you even think like a rat after hiding in a rat hole all this time?"
"A rat hole, you say? Sir, at least call it by the proper name. Blue Rat! The name is quite famous outside of Korea."
"Be it the Rat Gang or the Cat Gang, I don''t care. Just get to the point."
Despite Jang Man''s sharp words, Word''s expression remained unchanged.
"Sir, I''m not asking for anything big. Just tell me one thing."
"What?"
"You are involved in the strange happenings in Incheon these past few days, arent you?
Jang Man frowned. Had he already been found out?
"Strange happenings? Have you forgotten after enjoying the outside air for a while? This city is always strange."
"You know that''s not what I mean."
"I don''t know what the hell you''re talking about. If you''re here to y detective, just go back home."
Jang Man flung the rag onto the table and headed towards the kitchen. As he walked away, Word gave a meaningful smile.
"There was an explosion and loud noise at the closed pier a few days ago."
Jang Man stopped in his tracks. He turned with an incredulous look on his face.
"So?"
"And just a day after the explosion, the government dispatched agents to Incheon and pulled them out in just a couple of days."
"..."
"Then, as if waiting for it, the media released articles about themie elf who came to Earth. Anyone can see that these articles were nted by the government. What are they trying to hide by ying this card?"
Word observed Jang Man''s expression. There was no sign of visible agitation. Instead, Jang Man sighed as if he found this entire situation ridiculous.
"Is that why you came to me? I have only one answer for you. I don''t know anything."
"..."
"It''s closing time. So, get out."
It seemed like Word wanted to say something as he opened his mouth slightly but only licked his lips and closed it again.
After a brief silence, he opened his mouth again.
"Sir, why are you getting so worked up over this? You''re almost acting as if..."
Word''s slit-like eyes swept over Jang Man''s face menacingly.
"...You feel guilty about something."
And before Jang Man could respond in anger, p! Word pped his hands.
The next moment, the bar door burst open, and five men entered the bar.
All of them were wearing the same dark blue coat as Word, but one of them stood out due to his massive size.
The giant was tall enough to touch the ceiling, and his long coat made him look like he had a curtain wrapped around him.
However, it wasn''t just his size that drew attention.
His eyes... the pitch-ck eyes that showed no whites, gleaming like those of a beast, caught Jang Man''s attention.
"Sir, you don''t need to be afraid. These are all my friends. This big guy here is Mortimer, and he acts as a facilitator for sound conversations in our organization."
"...Sound conversations?"
Jang Man let out a bitterugh. Sure, with a monster like that, the conversations would indeed be verysound.
"Sir, let''s make this easy. Just tell us everything you know. We''ll even pay you well for the information."
"I really don''t know anything."
"Well, if you insist on making this difficult... Mortimer! Help this old man speak more easily!"
The giant called Mortimer strode towards Jang Man. A long shadow loomed over Jang Man when the giant stood in front of the table.
"This is yourst chance, Sir."
Word kept provoking him. Jang Man looked alternately between Mortimer and Word before sighing and answering.
"Screw you, punk."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mortimer reached out and grabbed Jang Man by the cor.
Jang Man tried to resist him with his aged body, but the giant managed to lift him pretty easily. Mortimer then opened his other hand wide, positioned to p Jang Man''s cheek. Or at least he tried to.
Creak.
Just before Mortimer''s p couldnd on Jang Mans cheek, the bar door opened, and someone wearing a hat stepped inside.
Word, his men, and Mortimer all turned their gazes towards the intruder simultaneously.
"...Sir?"
Murderous rage was immediately reflected in the intruder''s golden eyes.
* * *
Dung Beetle couldn''t understand the scene unfolding before him as he entered the bar.
Men in blue coats were crowding the bar, and a giant wearing the same coat was threatening Jang Man.
Even though he couldn''t understand it, his emotions were clear, and his task was obvious.
Without a moments hesitation, Dung Beetle swung his foot at the man closest to him.
"Keugh!"
The man who was kicked in the stomach was lifted off the ground. The men in blue coats reacted a bitter, raising their fists. At that moment, Word shouted urgently from behind.
"You morons! Draw your guns! He''s a Superhuman!"
SuperhumanThe men paused on hearing that word and Dung Beetle didn''t miss the opportunity created by their hesitation.
Thud! He leaped and kicked the back of the giant''s knee, who was holding Jang Man.
"Ugh, keug!"
Attacked at a vulnerable spot, the giant instantly released his grip on Jang Man and clutched his knee in pain.
Dung Beetle managed to catch the falling Jang Man just in time and dove behind the counter.
"Mr. Jang Man! A Superhuman? Can you still say that you know nothing after this?"
Except for the one man who was hit in the stomach, the others drew their pistols. While Mortimer, who was hit in the back of his knee, quickly got back on his feet while snorting.
Regardless of what they did, Dung Beetle, hiding behind the counter, decided to check on Jang Man''s condition first.
"Sir, what is all this about?"
"The Blue Rat. Those bastards have managed to track your trail."
"...The Blue Rat?"
"They''re more like multinational thugs who call themselves informants. They originally had no ties to Korea, so I dont know why they decided to intrude now."
Hearing Jang Man''s exnation, Dung Beetle immediately managed to grasp the situation, but he wasn''t flustered.
After Seti had shown him the importance of covering one''s tracks, he had expected something like this to happen sooner orter.
"Sir, please escape through the back door."
"What? Alone? What about you?"
Instead of replying, Dung Beetle pulled a grenade from his waist. It was thest one remaining from the fight against the Necromancer.
As soon as Jang Man saw Dung Beetle pull the pin, he panicked and started crawling towards the kitchen.
"Mr. Jang Man! Just surrender peacefully! Our Mortimer is also a Superhuman! Do you have any idea how strong... Oh, shi"
Dung Beetle tossed the grenade over the counter and gathered mana in his legs. The muscles in his thighs and calves tightened.
BOOM!!!
He leaped just as the grenade exploded. Vaulting over the counter, he saw the bar, half-wrecked by the st.
The tables, caught in the explosion, were all shattered, and broken liquor bottles were scattered everywhere.
However, unlike the state of the bar, the enemies were unscathed. Not a single one had died in the explosion.
They had barely survived by hiding behind the giant.
He withstood a grenade with just his bare body? Hes truly a Superhuman.
A fight between Superhumans. And not just that, he also had to face the enemy with reinforcements twice in a row.
Feeling a bit unlucky, Dung Beetle kicked the ground. The Blue Rats didn''t remain idle either.
Shoot! Shoot him, you morons!
Bullets rained down in the narrow bar.
Swish!
Raising his hand to protect his head, Dung Beetle charged at them in a zigzag pattern.
Although he couldn''t dodge all the bullets, he trusted his Regeneration ability. As long as he managed to avoid any fatal injuries, he was confident that he wouldnt die from mere handgun bullets.
Hesing! Mortimer, stop him!
Urrraaah!
The only problem was the giant superhuman. Fortunately, there was no hint of any martial arts principles in him.
Thump!
The moment his kick and the giant''s punch collided, Dung Beetle immediately frowned. The Surging Wave Techniques mana caused an unexpected recoil.
Is it because of the difference in size? Or the amount of mana?
It felt as though he had kicked some steel. Retracting his foot, Dung Beetle swung a punch infused with the principles of the Surging Wave technique.
Thud!
Again, the impact traveled up his hand. However, Mortimer didnt fall; instead, he reached out and grabbed Dung Beetle''s left hand.
Crack, Dung Beetles left arm made a cruel sound as it broke. It was a truly overwhelming disy of grip no, strength.
Swallowing a scream, Dung Beetle used the Flying Kick technique to distance himself from the giant.
He doesnt seem to be using martial arts. So, how is he enduring the impact?
He examined his broken left hand and red at Mortimer. Through the torn coat, ripped by the grenade explosion, his bulging muscles twitched menacingly.
If striking him doesnt work
The wave of the Surging Wave Technique surged along Dung Beetle''s right shoulder. Amidst the swirling mana, he extended his hand de.
Ill slice him /genesisforsaken
Chapter 23: A Coincidence For The Heroine (4)
* * *
Dung Beetle didn''t have any knowledge when it came to swordsmanship.
The only de he''d ever swung was a kitchen knife, and he''d never managed to injure anyone by swinging something.
The only knowledge he had regarding swordsmanship was limited to the fake techniques of celebrities he saw on TV and the elven swordsmanship he had witnessed once.
Even then, all he did was simply imitate the form without understanding how to move mana or the true intention embedded in the swordsmanship.
Nheless, Dung Beetle prepared his swordsmanship.
His heart urged him to do so. It whispered to him to cut the giants neck in a single strike instead of kicking and punching.
After all, these were the same men who threatened Jang Man and pointed their guns at him. There was no reason to spare them.
Dung Beetle propped his hand de like the elf in his memory.He wouldpensate for his inadequate mana control with the Surging Wave Technique and fill thecking true intention with his talent.
"Raaaah!"
Even before Dung Beetle was ready, the giant rushed at him. His name was Mortimer, wasn''t it? And from his appearance, he seemed to have the nature of a brawler.
We both are aiming for... the neck.
Without a word, Dung Beetle swung his hand.
Mana sliced through the air. Their hands crossed, and the bodies of both Superhumans shed.
Thud!
The first sh was a draw.
Dung Beetle''s hand de had managed to cut Mortimer''s chest instead of his neck. Mortimer''s grasp also managed to just grab the edge of Dung Beetle''s coat, missing his neck.
Too short.
Perhaps because he used a hand de instead of a sword while applying the swordsmanship, the reach fell short, resulting in the opponents chest getting cut instead of the neck.
But the attack worked.
Blood gushed from the chest that was shed horizontally. Mortimer alternated between his wound and Dung Beetle with a puzzled expression.
Dung Beetle distanced himself and raised his hand de again.
Thinking this was an opportunity, the other members of the organization drew their pistols, but Mortimer raised his hand to stop them.
"Mortimer?"
"That guy, strong. Escape. Call, help."
As soon as he heard Mortimer''s words, the man with the receding hairline frowned.
"What the hell are you talking about? You can''t even beat a young guy like..."
But before he could express his doubts, Dung Beetle rushed again. Mortimer also lunged at him.
Swish!
Showing his determination to buy time rather than end the fight with one strike, Mortimer aimed for Dung Beetle''s right hand instead of his neck.
However, Dung Beetle was already familiar with his movements.
In his golden pupils, every trajectory of Mortimer was drawn like lines.
His attacks were simple, relying on hisrge build and strength. Compared to Seti''s Flying Kick techniques or the elven swordsmanship he had experienced over the past days, it was like a child iling their arms.
The only issue was Mortimer''s toughness.
And now that he could cut through that toughness, Mortimer was no different from a fish flopping on a cutting board.
As Mortimer''s hand came crashing down, Dung Beetle swung his hand de through the gap.
sh!
The rising hand de reached Mortimer''s right arm. Dung Beetles mana surged sharply, cutting straight through his thick arm''s skin, muscle, and bone.
Thud.
The severed arm fell to the ground apanied by a stream of red blood.
"What...?!"
Only the other members of the Blue Rat were surprised. Dung Beetle, who had severed the arm, and Mortimer, who lost his arm, simply stared at each other, preparing for the next sh.
This time, the neck.
Determined to kill the giant, Dung Beetle prepared his Surging Wave technique.
Swish!
The swordsmanship, whose name he didn''t even know, unfolded through his hand de. The surging mana once again pushed the air aside.
And in the next moment
"Aight, that''s enough."
Dung Beetle''s hand stopped abruptly.
* * *
A single word that seemed toe from an unknown ce, turned the atmosphere in the entire bar icy cold.
The Blue Rats, who were trying to escape, and even Mortimer, who was prepared to die, all froze as if in a still frame.
Like a rat frozen before a snake... they rolled their eyes nervously but were unable to move or even utter a word.
And in that deadly silence, Dung Beetle was the only one who could turn his head.
What... is this?
He instinctively gathered all the mana in his body. In turn, the immense mana pushed back, pressing down on him once again.
"Crikey, this wan can still move eh?"1
From beyond the shattered bar door, a rxed, sweet voice echoed through the market''s back alley.
And without needing anyone to tell him, Dung Beetle already knew that the owner of that voice was the reason for this sudden stillness.
Gritting his teeth, Dung Beetle turned to look at the source of the voice.
And the moment he saw who it was, he couldn''t help but gasp.
...!?
The person walking towards the bar was incredibly familiar.
A neatly tied fawn-colored ponytail and an ageless, beautiful face.
And above all, she had an eyepatch over her left eye, which was practically her trademark.
Everything about her was exactly as he had seen on the TV documentary.
Freya Cahn...?
The Holy Sword, the Savior of Melbourne, the Guardian of White Fire, the Pride of Australia... and one of the ten strongest people on Earth.
Why was a person like that here, in a ce like this?
While Dung Beetle was bewildered by the situation, Freya Cahn entered the bar leisurely.
She surveyed the now chaotic interior before casually perching herself on the counter, which was still somewhat intact.
"Well, well, well. Superhumans these days ar full of beans, brawlin'' in duh middle of duh city en broad daylight."
Her light brown eye, uncovered by the eyepatch, nced at Dung Beetle and the Blue Rats.
Her gaze lingered on Dung Beetle for a moment before turning to the Blue Rats.
"Oi, ya ratbags."
As soon as she spoke, the oppressive pressure crushing the Blue Rats disappeared.
The ones who had regained control of their bodies were either falling back in fright or rolling their eyes as they looked at Freya Cahn.
Ignoring them, Freya pointed at the man with the receding hairline among the Blue Rats.
"You! Whats ya name, mate?"
"I-its W-Word!"
"Aight, Word. Lemme ask ya one thing, mate."
"Y-Yes! Please, ask me anything you want!"
Although Word was trembling all over, he kept bowing repeatedly. However, the moment he heard the next question, his back stiffened.
"Whats ya boss thinkin these days, eh?"
"Excuse me?"
"Ya know. Ben, ya ratbag boss. What duh ells he thinkin sendin people to a ce like this?"
"Uh, well, I... I''m not in a position to see him often, so..."
"Ya don''t know?"
Perhaps she found Words answer unsatisfying; the moment Freya Cahn furrowed her brows, Word''s right arm fell with a sharp thud.
It was an invisible sword strike.
It was a terrifying swordsmanship, one that only Dung Beetle, with his ability to sense mana, could faintly perceive.
"Eek!"
Blood gushed from the severed arm btedly. Word clutched his shoulder in terror.
"Word, go tell ya boss this, mate. During the admission season, justy low like a dead rat."
It was a one-sided threat, buting from someone like Freya Cahn, Word didnt dare question it and could only nod frantically.
"If ya dont wanna end up with a mass funeral, make sure to get duh message right. Got it? Now... rack off."
As soon as she finished speaking, Word and the entire Blue Rat gang, including Mortimer, fled from the bar.
Just as thest of them was about to leave, Freya Cahn suddenly called out to them.
"Oi! Ya better take ya arm with ya. If ya ask a Priest, it wont be too hard for em to reattach this."
With a flick of her gaze, Word''s arm and Mortimer''s arm, which Dung Beetle had cut off, floated up and flew towards the thugs.
They were seeing the almost miraculous use of mana, but they quickly grabbed the two arms and fled from the market street.
After enough time had passed for their footsteps to fade away, Freya Cahn looked down at the still-frozen Dung Beetle and spoke.
"Oi, which school sect ar ya an apprentice of, mate?"
As soon as she said that, the mana pressing down on Dung Beetle disappeared. With the external mana gone, his own suppressed mana returned to normal.
"...What do you mean?"
Without even realizing it, Dung Beetle answered politely. He had no choice. Not only was the opponent superior in skill but also far above him in terms of nature.
"Im talkin about school sect. School sect! Which school sect did ya learn martial arts from?"
"..."
"Ya killin'' aura is rather extraordinary, eh? Judgin'' by ya age, you dont look like youre from duh Dzhugashvili School Sect. Did ya learn from a school beyond the dimensional portal, mate?"
Killing aura? School sect? Dzhugashvili? Dung Beetle furrowed his brows slightly. They were a bunch of words he couldn''t understand at all.
"I dont know what you''re talking about..."
"Oi, ya little bugger. Whatcha hidin? Dya think Id bother ya over somethin like this with my reputation? Im just curious."
"..."
"...?"
A brief silence lingered as they exchanged nces.
Freya Cahn''s eyebrows arched long, and then she suddenly raised her hand. She clenched her fist and extended her index and middle fingers.
A Sword FingerUnlike the hand de Dung Beetle used, this was the true form for implementing bare-handed swordsmanship.
Seeing that Dung Beetle didn''t recognize the Sword Finger, she raised her eyebrows again.
Hmph, whats with this bugger?
And then, she swung the Sword Finger.
The Sword Aura that rose between her two fingers shed through the air.
"?!
Dung Beetle instinctively raised his hand de to block her strike.
Bang!
When he struck the side of the iing mana, an impact that felt like it would tear his arm surged from his hand to the tips of his toes.
Losing bnce, Dung Beetle nearly fell but managed to maintain his stance precariously.
He red at Freya Cahn with a mixture of surprise and confusion.
"What are you doing all of a sudden?"
Freya Cahn didn''t respond.
She looked him up and down with a confused expression, and as if to confirm something, she swung the Sword Finger again.
Bang!
Dung Beetle blocked her attack again. But unlike the first time, he managed to deflect the impact perfectly, without his knees shaking.
"...?"
Seeing this, Freya Cahn''s single eye turned cold.
Her initial intention was simply to discipline a younger Superhuman, as she didnt like seeing someone emitting killing aura and fighting like that in the middle of the city.
However, upon confronting him, she realized that the talent he possessed was extraordinary.
So, it wasnt just a coincidence that he managed to ovee her pressure and move his body earlier. Not only was the mana she sensed from him very pure but also transparent.
Was it a mere coincidence that she encountered a person like him in a ce like this at this time? Freya Cahn didn''t think so.
So she spoke to him as she swung the Sword Finger.
She intended to ascertain his identity by observing the martial arts he disyed. After all, martial arts, in its form alone, often contained a wealth of information.
However, the moment she confirmed his martial arts instead of clearing her suspicions, arge question mark appeared in her mind.
"Oi, you what duh heck ar ya?"
"..."
"How can a human use elven /genesisforsaken
Chapter 24: A Coincidence For The Heroine (5)
* * *
Shocking News!! Extremist Elf Announces Enrollment at Lord Howe!
When Freya Cahn first heard the news about an elf who hade to Earth to enroll in an academy, she was initially dumbfounded.
What kinda rubbish is this?
An elf enrolling in an academy on Earth? Let alone receiving an education, it would be a miracle if they didnt get kidnapped.
Although official disputes between Earth and beyond the dimensional portal had ceased after the Malta announcement Earth was still Earth, and elves were still elves.
Earthians had not forgotten about the terror caused by the elves, driven by a desire for revenge.
And Elves still remembered the defoliants1 that had covered their forests and the hydrogen bombs that had fallen on the World Tree.
Do they wanna be sum sorta peace symbol or somethin?That was a usible reason.
Or why else would elves, who had an abundance of High Elves to teach them,e all the way to Earth and enroll in an academy?
They had either gone mad, or they were dreaming of something ridiculous like peace... or maybe it was both.
Well, theyre free to be delusional.
That was as far as her thoughts went. Whether the foolish elf became a symbol of peace or simply wished to die at a ce away from home was none of her concern.
However, half a dayter
When she received an order disguised as a request from the Australian government, she couldnt help but be astonished.
- You must ensure the elf princess'' protection.
The identity of the foolish elf making the news was none other than Demerond Ipp Marxs lineal blood rtive. In fact, she was his biological daughter.
- Shes duh daughter of dat nuttymie elf leader? Wut duh heck was the Korean government thinkin'' when they put this in the news?
- Would the Korean government do something like this if they knew about it? They wouldn''t be foolish enough to do something like this knowingly... or at least, I hope not.
- They dunno? They still dunno? We aint tellin'' ''em. Ha, ya want me to track down this pointy-eared chick from scratch an y bodyguard?
Freya Cahn protested in disbelief. What a stroke of bad luck during her vacation.
- It has only been a day since the news broke. If we locate her before the others do, we can handle this without any issues.
- Fuckin'' ''ell
- Weve at least managed to pinpoint her location roughly. The issue is having enough personnel to escort the princess with minimal force. If we send our agents, it will be a diplomatic issue.
- So, youre sayin Im the wan ya called?
- At the moment, youre the only one we can deploy straightaway from Australia.
- Bloodie bullshit.
- I know its shameless to ask this of you, but we must prevent even the remote possibility of a second Sarajevo incident, shouldnt we?
- Sarajevo?
- Thats just a worst-case scenario were considering.
The Sarajevo Incident.
It referred to the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria2 in Sarajevo more than a century ago.
And to modern people, it was more famously known as the trigger for World War I.
The reason the Australian government brought up Sarajevo was obvious. If the pointy ears princess was hurt or killed, those pointy ears might end up starting another war.
- What a nasty threat. Fuckin'' ''ell, fine. It''s my loss. Ill do it. Guess Ill go then.
As soon as Freya Cahn agreed, the Australian government promptly handed over all the information they had.
Details about the elf princess and her entourage, photos, and thest confirmed location.
After absorbing the scant information into her mind, Freya Cahn left for Korea without a moments dy.
8,500 km3; the distance from Melbourne to Incheon.
Using every type of magic item she normally wouldnt, she rushed through the sky. She made haste after hearing about Sarajevo.
She left Melbourne at sunset and arrived in Incheon just before sunrise.
They want me to track two elves in this massive city?
Although the government spoke as if it was nothing big, Incheon was farrger than she imagined.
Do I really have to use such a brute-force approach?
There was a means of tracking mana with items, but time was of the essence. Hence, she had no choice but to spread her mana as extensively as possible, blocking all other senses except the one used for detecting mana.
ording to the information provided by the Australian government, both the princess and her entourage were High Elves. And if they were High Elves, they would surely use mana at some point. Thus, she nned on tracking them by detecting the mana they emitted.
It was an unsophisticated but reliable method.
Fortunately, shortly after spreading her mana, she detected two strong mana sources moving vigorously.
Got em.
In a shabby building in the back alley of MacArthur Market, she found a space ill-suited for elves but still a convincing hiding spot.
She thought she had managed to locate the two High Elves rather quickly.
However, instead of finding elves, she encountered someone strange who used elf swordsmanship.
* * *
Ar ya sum sorta spy nted by the elves on Earth, mate?
Freya Cahn tilted her head in confusion.
...I really dont know what youre talking about.
Dung Beetle answered with an expression so aggrieved, that even Freya Cahn, who had just seen his swordsmanship, wondered if that was a performance of a lifetime or if it was true.
Ha, this bloke really does look like a spy But theres no way elves would use human spies.
After thinking for a moment, she reached behind her back. Suddenly, mana shimmered from where nothing had been visible previously.
Two sword scabbards revealed themselves as the magic called invisibility or perception interference was dispelled.
One was an borately adorned white scabbard that looked like a piece of art, while the other was a in ck scabbard.
They were the sister swords that symbolized the era when Freya Cahn earned the title of Holy Sword and became the Pride of Australia.
Seeing the swords he had only seen in the media personally, Dung Beetle narrowed his eyes to conceal his emotions.
Why is the Holy Sword threatening me?
Instead of replying, Freya Cahn drew the sword from the white scabbard.
Srrrrggg, a longsword about the thickness of two fingers was revealed.
The de, adorned with a swan motif as magnificent as the scabbard, radiated a sharp killing aura that contrasted with its beauty.
Oi, ya littl bugger. For someone at my level, what Im doin isnt a threatinits just teachin.
She smiled and threw the sword.
Whooshthud. Tracing a long parab in the air, the white sword embedded itself right before Dung Beetles feet.
Draw it.
Bewildered, Dung Beetle looked back and forth between Freya Cahn and the white sword.
...You want me to draw it?
I clearly told ya to draw it.
And with those words, Freya Cahns mana surged immediately.
ng!
As soon as Dung Beetle drew the sword reflexively, sparks flew in front of his eyes.
It was at a level where her hands were quicker than his eyes. And even though he used his sword to block hers, his hands trembled and felt as if they might be torn apart.
And the next instant, their swords shed again. The high-pitched nging of metal against metal erupted, followed by a barrage of lightning-fast attacks.
Her sword struck everywhere relentlessly head, ankles, chest, knees, wrists, shoulders
The assault was so quick that Dung Beetle could hardly breathe. He drew on all of the mana in his body and heightened his senses to deflect the blows.
After facing ya, its clear now. Youre self-taught, aint ya? The way youve raised ya Killing Aura seems rather mindless.
Even while attacking him relentlessly, Freya Cahn was able to speak withposure.
It was only natural. After all, the years she spent cultivating her mana and the level of her martial arts were on a different scale.
However
Whats this?
Gradually, Dung Beetles sword started keeping up with hers. His defensive movements became more refined, and his breathing more rxed.
Was he getting used to her swordsmanship? No, it was more than just getting used to it.
Like fire consuming wood or a hawk diving from the sky, he was instinctively absorbing the swordsmanship himself.
Blimey, this bloke is somethin else.
The instinct of the martial artist within Freya Cahn was stirred upon seeing this. Alright, lets see how far ya can go.
Her sword increased its speed.
The mana carried by their swords collided with each other, creating a tremendous sound and pushing against the air.
Yet Dung Beetle still managed to keep up with even that speed.
Blood flowed from the hand gripping the sword, and his entire body trembled due to insufficient mana, but he did not lose focus.
And at some point, after blocking more than a hundred sword strikes, Dung Beetles sword surpassed Freya Cahns.
Swoosh
The white de pierced the air, splitting the atmosphere.
The sword technique was remarkably simr to the one Freya Cahn had first shown.
And following that sword strike, both of them took a step back.
In the case of Freya Cahn, it was because she was surprised, while for Dung Beetle, he was exhausted.
Ah, so thats what it was.
Looking at Dung Beetle, who had nearly keeled over, Freya Cahn let her lips curl into a wide smile.
To be able to learn the form of a martial art instantly after seeing it once Is it a blessin? Or perhaps a talent?
She raised her hand, holding the sword. Her sleeve was split open from wrist to forearm.
It was a trace of a fierce strike. If it had been any deeper, it would have sliced through her arm.
Youve managed tond a good hit, mate.
Her admiration was really genuine, to the point that she almost forgot the reason she hade to Incheon.
However, her admiration didnt end there. Even though he was gasping for breath, Dung Beetle pointed at her eye patch.
Eye patch? Freya Cahn instinctively ced her hand on the eye patch, and something fell off.
Swish.
A few strands of her fawn-colored hair fell down her wrist. Dung Beetles sword had reached past her sleeve and touched her hair.
Pfft-Hahaha!
Seeing her falling hair, a burst ofughter erupted from her mouth.
Looking somewhat pleased, she walked up to Dung Beetle with big strides and patted him on the shoulder.
This bastard, I really like ya.
...
Dung Beetle was unable to hide his astonishment and stared at her face.
Just moments ago, she was wielding her sword with the intent to kill, and now she had changed her attitude as easily as flipping a hand, as if it was nothing.
As expected, you could not trust everything shown in documentaries. How could they package such a crazy person as a saint?
...So, why are you doing this?
Only when Dung Beetle sighed and asked his question did Freya Cahn finally remember her mission.
Oh, right. The mission.
This was not the time to be doing this; she had enjoyed herself a bit too much. Her single eye turned towards Dung Beetle.
Youve seen elves in duh city, havencha mate?
...Elves?
Dung Beetle frowned. Was this about his involvement with the elves?
Dont try to deceive me. That elven swordsmanship you usedyou stole it while fighting elves, didncha? Its obvious at a nce.
Dung Beetle kept his mouth shut.
He couldnt predict what this insane experts true intentions were in pursuing the elves.
Considering that she immediately swung her sword upon seeing elven swordsmanship, it didnt seem to be anything good.
After a brief period of contemtion, he spoke up cautiously.
...May I ask what are your intentions in finding them?
To protect em.
The answer was direct. Seeing her reply without the slightest dy, it didnt seem like she was lying.
Ya reckon Im out to cause trouble just ''cause I went straight in with the de, huh? Look mate, Im the Holy Sword. Do ya really think that I''de all the way to this country just to slice up an elf?
...
The words Yes, it seems that way after meeting you in person were on the tip of his tongue, but Dung Beetle held himself back.
Seeing the doubtful look on Dung Beetles face, Freya Cahn waved her hand and said,
If thatmie elf princess carks it on Earth, it might spark a war. So, Im here to keep her alive. Thats all. Now we good?
So, she even knew that one of the elves was a princess? Only then did Dung Beetle understand the situation.
Sorry ''bout attacking ya first. Just think of it as this old gal being a bit unreasonable and give us a hand, would ya? Even if it''s nothin'' else, weve gotta stop a war, right?
She might have looked easy going and simple, but she had the mindset to act for the sake of others. It seemed that the way she was portrayed in the documentary wasn''t entirely false.
Feeling both relieved and bewildered, Dung Beetle began to speak.
I met the elves not too long ago
He started recounting his encounter with the elves, adjusting the details to fit the situation.
Hepletely omitted the part about the Branch Manager. The intermediate process wasnt important. He only needed to inform her that the elves were headed towards the burnt warehouse.
...So, duh elf princess went to duh burnt warehouse, and ya dunno know anything beyond that?
After the exnation, Freya Cahn confirmed the details once more. Dung Beetle summarized it briefly and gave her general directions to the warehouse.
However...
Even with ya exnation, its not very clear. Theres no map either.
...
Cant ya personally guide me to that warehouse, mate?
She was even more shameless than he had imagined.
It''s not much of a reward, but Ill make ya my apprentice.
No, she was even more insane than he had /genesisforsaken
Chapter 25: A Coincidence For The Heroine (6)
* * *
In a warehouse that had beenpletely burned ck.
Beyond the half-copsed wall, two elves were searching for something amidst the melted rebar and charred debris.
They were sifting through the burnt bone fragments and were digging under the copsed rubble. Each gesture was followed by a pungent odor, and with every step, the charcoal spewed ash.
And despite the tedious search thatsted a long time, they were unable to find what they were looking for.
Only after their bodies werepletely covered in soot did the two elves stop their search and copse to the ground.
A short silence ensued. And as the floating soot particles began to settle, the silver-haired elf broke the silence.
Comrade Miridith, we should stop here.
Comrade Rime.If we cannot find it even after such a thorough search, perhaps the humans must have taken it already.
The silver-haired elf, Rime, spoke calmly. Her tone was indifferent, as if what they lost was merely a trivial item.
Upon hearing that, Miridith hung her head. Her hands trembled slightly.
My brothers... they will me me, won''t they?
Comrade Miridith, there is no need to say such things. It was because they believed in your ideals that Rhe and Rhegon were willing to risk their lives and follow you to Earth.
But
There is no fault in desiring peace.
Rime continued while dusting off Miridith''s shoulder.
If you give up here, you will only let their deaths be in vain.
I know. Thank you, Rime.
Rime didnt respond. Instead, without saying another word, she simply pulled Miridith into a hug, patting her back until the trembling subsided.
And as time passed, a breeze began to blow from somewhere. It was a warm breeze as if it were carrying the morning sunlight.
Had that much time passed already? The two elves dusted themselves off in silence as they stood up.
Lets just search for onest time.
If that is what you wish, Comrade.
The two nned to search the burned warehouse again. Or rather, they were about to.
Just as they returned to the warehouse, someone appeared from beyond the copsed wall.
Sensing the presence, the two elves drew their weapons and turned around.
Who is it?
As soon as they saw the faces of the intruders, the elves wore nk expressions.
The ones who emerged from behind the wall were a woman with an eyepatch and a man being dragged by her.
The elves were familiar with both faces. The man was the very human they had fought recently, and the woman with the eyepatch was
Holy Sword, Freya Cahn?
Oh, ya recognize meh?
There was no way they wouldnt know her. After all, she was the Earthian chosen by the Holy Sword who brought disgrace to the Holy Nation beyond the dimensional portal. How could they not recognize such a famous person?
Why are you here?
Without even realizing it, Miridith nced at the human man beside Freya Cahn, who was sighing heavily.
Was this a trap? Was everything about her brothers bodies being in this warehouse a lie?
However, contrary to her expectations, she felt no hostility from the two.
In fact, she felt a hint of kindness from Freya Cahn.
Well Elf Princess, shall we start with greetins?
Princess? All elves are equal. Just because my father is the general secretary doesnt mean that I am a princess.
"Oh, really? Sorry ''bout that. I''m good with deez sorta things. So, what shoulda call ya then?"
"Miridith. Thats enough."
Freya Cahn nced at Rime, who had her sword drawn with wary eyes. It was a look asking for her name, but Rime didnt respond.
Feeling awkward, Freya Cahn shrugged her shoulders.
"Aight then, Miss Miridith? Ya nning to head to Lord Howe Ind, to duh academy, right?"
"...How do you know that?"
"It''s all over the news, ya know. Although it hasn''t been announced that PrincMiss Miridith is duh wan enrolling, the ole world knows an elf is, mate."
"..."
"So, just to be safe, I n to escort Miss Miridith to duh academy. Hows that sound, mate?"
Miridith narrowed her eyes as if she was struggling to grasp the situation.
"Why are you extending such kindness to me?"
"I wanna stop Demerond from crossing the dimensional portal in case Miss Miridith gets urt. Ya old man is, well... ya get what I mean, right?"
Freya Cahn couldnt bring herself to say, ''because ya old man is a nutter who''d terrorize Earth duh first chance he gets.''
Fortunately, Miridith seemed to understand her thoughts and nodded awkwardly.
She pondered for a moment, then looked at the man standing beside Freya Cahn.
"Did you alsoe after me with such intentions?"
The human man, Dung Beetle, sighed softly as he met her gaze.
"No. I was dragged here against my will."
"...Dragged?"
Freya Cahn, who was listening to their conversation, chimed in.
"It''s nothin special. I kinda picked him up to track ya."
She picked him up? Miridith looked at him, slightly taken aback. Dung Beetle shrugged nonchntly and asked her.
"Anyway, did you find any keepsakes?"
Keepsakes. As soon as she heard that word, Miridith''s expression darkened.
"...No. We haven''t found them yet."
"You cannot find them even with two High Elves here? They must be pretty small."
"Yes, two small nes."
Dung Beetle covered his mouth and tried to recall something. He remembered that on the day he resurrected in the warehouse, those maggots were shouting about finding nes on the elves'' bodies.
- Hey! Weve hit a jackpot! Theres a ne on this elfs body!
It was definitely somewhere deep inside the warehouse... And after pondering for a moment, Dung Beetle spoke to Freya Cahn.
"Senior."
"Senior, ya say? I told ya to call me Master, mate."
Ignoring Freya Cahn''s nonsense, he continued.
"...Can you wait for 30 minutes?"
"To fin those keepsakes or whateva? Will 30 minutes be enough for ya?"
"Yes, it should be sufficient."
With that, Dung Beetle entered the ruins. He passed by Miridith, who was looking at him expectantly, and Rime, who was ring at him with sharp eyes, before standing at what used to be the center of the warehouse.
He tried to recollect where the elves'' bodies had been. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the spot where they had been was now buried under debris of the copsed ceiling.
Dung Beetle turned his head and extended his hand toward the onlookers.
"Can someone lend me a sword?"
Surprisingly, it was Rime who handed him a sword. She immediately threw the sword she was holding to Dung Beetle.
Catching the flying sword, Dung Beetle swung it towards the copsed wall.
BANG!
The sword, imbued with his Surging Wave mana, destroyed the half-burnt concrete pile, as ashes poured out from the broken concrete.
He could hear the sound of coughing behind him, but Dung Beetle ignored it and continued with his task.
Using the sword and mana as a broom to sweep away the ashes, he searched through the ruins, as if sifting through them.
His cleaning skills, honed from his janitor days, hadn''t gone anywhere. And within three minutes, he found all sorts of remnants hidden beneath the ashes.
Its not here.
He moved to the next spot, and the next.
And by the time he broke the fourth copsed wall and cleared the ashes and debris, something shiny caught his eye.
"Found it."
Among the ashes, Dung Beetle found two pieces of gold shaped like seeds. The chains had melted away, leaving only traces around the gold.
"Ah!"
The two elves expressions brightened noticeably when they saw the pendants. Dung Beetle handed the sword and two keepsakes to the two elves, who came to him with glowing expressions.
"Thank you. One day I will repay this favor."
Tears welled up in Miridith''s eyes as she received the keepsakes. The clear tears washed away the ashes on her face as they flowed down.
And it seemed that Rime, who was standing behind her, was no longer able to suppress her emotions either and already started to tear up.
Dung Beetle, who had suddenly made the two women cry, couldn''t handle the atmosphere, so he took a step back and waited for the elves to calm down.
"Helpin em to fin duh keepsakes huh... Youre not so bad eh, mate."
Freya Cahn, who had approached him before he even realized, spoke up.
Not bad? If she wasn''t the elf princess, I would have killed her thest time.
Dung Beetle suppressed a wry smile. Though his actions had their advantages and disadvantages, he hadnt done it out of kindness.
He was simply thinking about the person who killed the owners of the keepsakesthe elves Miridith called her brothers.
The yer.
Yes, these two elves were potential allies who shared the same enemy as him.
Someday, when he managed to exact revenge on the yer, the goodwill he had shown the elves would surely prove to be greatly beneficial.
While Dung Beetle was lost in his thoughts, Freya Cahn looked at him with a peculiar expression.
She smacked her lips and said.
"Oi, do ya really not wanna be my apprentice?"
"...I''m sorry."
"Sigh, why dincha like duh idea? Is it cause I suddenly drew my sword?"
"Its not because of that. I actually learned from that. It''s just that I have some personal reasons."
Dung Beetle expressed his refusal indirectly.
This was already the third time once when they were still at the bar, once while she was dragging him to the warehouse, and now.
By now, Freya Cahn also seemed a bit disappointed as she licked her lips.
"No matter how talented ya ar, ya will eventually hit a wall if ya jus self-study... It''s a shame."
"I apologize."
"Whatcha apologizing for... Oi, then how about ya enter duh academy?"
The academy? Dung Beetle frowned without realizing it.
"If ya want, I can at least write ya a leder of rmendation."
"..."
"Even if ya dun wanna be my direct apprentice, goin to duh academy will make sure ya talent doesnt go to waste. Plus, it wouldn urt to ave a familiar face when that Elf PriMiss Miridith enrolls."
Dung Beetle smiled awkwardly. He was contemting how to refuse this offer. Freya Cahn sighed upon seeing his expression.
"Didn fall for the elf, huh? Crikey, I musta really lost my touch."
Fortunately, Freya Cahn didn''t push him any further. Instead, she pulled something out of her coat and handed it to Dung Beetle.
"At least take this."
What she handed him was a small dagger about the size of a palm. The de shone with a blue light and was covered with intricate engravings.
It didnt look like something from Earth; the lettering seemed toe from beyond the dimensional portal.
"What''s this?"
"Its duh weapon imbued with duh true intention of duh swordsmanship I used in the bar earlier."
A weapon imbued with the true intention of martial arts? Dung Beetle''s eyes widened as he looked at the dagger and Freya Cahn alternately.
"Why are you giving this to me?"
"Jus cause."
""
"Jus kiddin, its ''cause ya seem to need it."
She ced the dagger in Dung Beetle''s palm and continued speaking.
"Its an amazin talent to be able ta copy martial arts just by lookin, but itll be a poison someday cause ya talent, body, n mana will all be outta sync."
It was sincere advice from someone who had reached an iprehensible level. Dung Beetle etched her words deep into his heart.
"Duh swordsmanship in this dagger emphasizes bnce. Itll prevent extreme discrepancies to some extent."
"May I ask the name of this swordsmanship?"
"Do ya know what I was called before they called me duh Holy Sword?"
Hearing her question, Dung Beetle tried to recall the name of the swordsmanship he had seen in a documentary.
"Comet Sword?"
"Ya know well. That''s duh name."
Dung Beetle looked anew at the blue daggera dagger containing the true intention of the Comet Sword. It was a treasure beyond words and a stroke of luck.
He carefully tucked the dagger into his coat.
Meanwhile, having somewhatposed themselves, the elves wiped their tears and approached Freya Cahn.
Freya Cahn crossed her arms as she stared at the two elves.
"So, what will ya do, Miss Miridith?"
"I will ept your kindness, Holy Sword."
"Good on ya, wise choice."
As soon as the two elves agreed, Freya Cahn snapped her fingers.
Suddenly, three brightly glowing feathers appeared in the air and descended onto Freya Cahns and the two elves'' shoulders.
Confirming that the feathers were securely in ce, Freya Cahn grinned at Dung Beetle.
"See ya next time, young bloke."
"Yes, see you next time."
Dung Beetle bowed his head. The elves blinked, unable to understand what the two were talking about.
"Um, what exactly are these feathers"
Just as Miridith was about to ask, Freya Cahn snapped her fingers again.
Snap.
With that sound, the three of them vanished from Dung Beetle''s sight.
It was a casual farewell, just like their /genesisforsaken
Chapter 26: Another Choice, Another Path, and Another Name
A world without gods or mana. How have you lived in such an ursed world?
Excerpt from the UN Memorial Museum Collection C Records of the First Contact with Beings Beyond the Dimensional Portal
* * *
Jang Man, the elderly man well-known among smugglers in Incheon, entered his bar with a sullen look on his face.
He didnt expect much when he saw the broken window, but the bar''s condition turned out to be worse than he had anticipated.
The floor was pitted in ces, and all the tables and chairs were smashed. Shards of ss from broken bulbs, windows, and bottles littered the floor.
At least the counter is still standing; that''s a relief.
Grabbing some cleaning tools and a bup sack, Jang Man entered the bar with a sigh.
The cleaning process dragged on slowly, taking quite some time.With the stubbornness of an old man, Jang Man worked with his hands busily, but he was unable to see an end in sight. Way too many things were broken.
The old man struggled with the cleaning for quite a while before Dung Beetle finally returned to the bar.
His soot-covered clothes made it look like he hade from a mine.
"Ah, youre safe, Sir. I was worried that they might have followed you."
"Whats there to worry about? It''s not like its difficult to escape."
Jang Man waved his hand dismissively. Well, he wasn''t wrong since every smuggler had at least one escape route prepared.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, but I did have a rather strange experience"
"Really? You can tell me about itter. Now, let''s clean this ce first."
Jang Man handed the cleaning tools to Dung Beetle, who epted them without aint and started cleaning.
As the former janitor and now Superhuman, took over the cleaning, the amount of trash began to decrease noticeably.
And it didnt take long for the bar to start regaining its shape.
Luckily, Jang Man managed to find an unbroken liquor bottle, which he picked up, as he sat on a bup sack full of trash.
"So, what happened?"
Dung Beetle gave Jang Man a brief exnation about what happened after he fled.
He spoke about Freya Cahn joining the fight, releasing the Blue Rats, hitting him with her swordsmanship in the name of teaching, and giving him a dagger.
Jang Man, who had been sipping his drink, perked up at the mention of the dagger.
"Freya Cahn gave you a dagger imbued with martial arts? Are you serious?"
"Should I show you?"
Dung Beetle nonchntly took the dagger from his pocket. A beautiful, shining blue de, with glittering letters engraved on it, was revealed.
"Oh."
Jang Man immediately stood up and began to inspect the dagger. His eyes gleamed like those of a child looking at a toy.
"I can tell just by looking at it. This is genuinean authentic Arcane Relic from beyond the dimensional portal, not some crude counterfeit made on Earth."
"Arcane Relic?"
"Why? Have you never heard of it?"
Dung Beetle nodded. Arcane Relic? He had never heard of such a term, neither in the textbooks for his GED1 nor on TV.
"Well, that''s possible. It''s not a term you''d encounter in your regr education."
Jang Man took another sip of his drink before continuing.
"Arcane Relic... its a popr term that refers to items created by Superhumans or Mages beyond the dimensional portal to pass down skills and teachings to future generations."
"Skills?"
"Imbuing mana in the relic activates the magic recorded in it, allowing you to see the creator''s memories. Sometimes it ys like a video, other times it feels like you''re dreaming... that''s what they say."
"...It''s more impressive than I thought."
"Yes, it''s an extraordinary and very precious item."
"Is it precious even by your standards, Sir?"
Of course its precious. Its not something an ordinary person like me can even use, right? And because of that, its only traded among Superhumans, so even the most seasoned smugglers might only see a couple in their lifetime.
Dung Beetle took another look at the strange letters engraved on the de.
If it could be used just by infusing mana, then was it really necessary to find a trantor to decipher the letters?
As he was thinking about this and gradually began to summon his mana, Jang Man looked at him and said.
"Im saying this, just in caseBut don''t even think about infusing mana here."
"..."
"...You were about to, weren''t you?"
Dung Beetle responded with an awkward smile. Jang Man massaged his forehead and shook his head.
"Follow me. I have a suitable ce."
Holding the dagger, Dung Beetle followed Jang Man, who led the way. Jang Man left through the back door of the bar and headed deep into the back alley.
Passing through an alley filled with the smell of the sea, they arrived at a dead end that had more trash than people. Jang Man then stopped, looked at the ground for a moment before bending down and lifting a manhole cover.
Squeak.
The cover, which was lifted rather easily for a manhole, was actually an iron door in disguise.
Instead of asking why something like that was in the alley, Dung Beetle simply followed Jang Man down through the iron door.
Beneath the iron door was a long concrete corridor. Seeing only a minimal amount of dust, it seemed like it wasn''t an ordinary sewer.
"What is this ce...?"
"A path leading to an underground bunker."
"A bunker? Did you build it, Sir?"
"Even if I have that much money to burn, do you really think that I''d build something like this? This was built by the U.S. military during their trusteeship period. It''s a ce that even the Korean government doesn''t know about."
As Jang Man and Dung Beetle walked down the corridor using a phone light as torches, they passed through the narrow corridor until an iron door appeared.
It was as thick as a bank vault door, and Jang Man, looking familiar with the ce, opened it with ease.
Creaaak.
And beyond the door was something akin to a treasure trove.
There were enormous safes, stacks of cash, and gold bars piled in disarray inside therge bunker.
"...You were wealthier than I imagined, Sir."
When Dung Beetlemented briefly, Jang Man snorted.
"Even if youbined everything in this vault, it wouldn''t match the value of the dagger in your hands."
"..."
As Dung Beetle was left speechless, Jang Man handed him a phone.
"You can use the Arcane Relic here without worries. No one will chase after you if something goes wrong. I''ll leave the phone, so contact me if you need anything."
Jang Man patted Dung Beetle''s shoulder. It was the rough kindness of a smuggler who had never shown anyone his affection.
Faced with this unfamiliar kindness, Dung Beetle bowed his head low.
"Thank you, Sir."
* * *
Left alone, Dung Beetle positioned himself at the center of the bunker and pulled out the blue dagger.
An Arcane Relic
A dagger that was more valuable than all the gold in this safe.
He didnt believe that Freya Cahn had given it to him out of pure goodwill. No matter how great of a Superhuman she was, at the end of the day, she was still affiliated with the Australian government.
She must have clearly given him the dagger with some sort of understanding of mutual benefit.
However, no matter what her intentions were, it was still a favor.
Ill have to repay this someday.
Dung Beetle thought about the various favors he had received: Mr. Jang Man, Freya Cahn, and Seti.
If he survived after his revenge wasplete he would return the favor.
With that resolve, Dung Beetle infused mana into the dagger.
And the next moment the bunker vanished from sight.
When he blinked and looked around, he found himself standing in a vast prairie.
There was a night sky he had never seen before in ce of the bunker ceiling, and the ground with the safe and cash was now covered in unknown grass.
An illusion?
Dung Beetle narrowed his eyes and drew up more mana.
All his senses felt normal, but the prairie seemed both unfamiliar and oddly familiar at the same time.
It felt like... when he was in Migniums dream.
A dream.
...A dream of another being, not mine.
The moment he realized that a light, yet sweet voice spoke from above.
- Youve already gained self-consciousness? Thats quick. Almost too quick.
Dung Beetle looked up to locate the source of the voice.
The voice literally belonged to aetAet streaking across the night sky with its white and blue tails.
Dung Beetle wasnt sure if this was the right way to put it, but he locked eyes with the Comet.
- I was expecting a sessor toe, but instead, a monster has arrived.
The Comet grumbled as if dissatisfied.
After a moments hesitation, Dung Beetle asked in his usual calm voice.
What is a sessor?
- A sessor is someone who will inherit my freedom. It means someone who will wield the Stars Sword to break free from all constraints. It seems like that child did not tell you anything.
Freya Cahn only told me to learn swordsmanship.
- Yes, that child was never good with words. Or perhaps she thought there was no need for an exnation.
The Comet sighed and spun across the night sky. The star''s tail traced a winding line, as if expressing its annoyance.
- Tch, it seems like that child wanted to make a connection with you, but youve already made a pact with something else. Unfortunately, I cannot give the Stars Sword to one who is not a ses
The Comet, who was speaking in an irritated tone, suddenly stopped. It felt as if its mouth had been stuffed in the middle of the night sky.
- What... what is this...?
It seemed like the Comet was trying to say something, but then mped its mouth shut as if it was being choked.
After a brief silence that felt oddly unsettling, the Comet finally spoke up again.
- What... what the hell are you?
Sir Comet?
- How... this, contract, ack, ack!
The shadows in the night sky stirred, and the Comets body shook up and down.
The night sky, full of starlight, was filled with bewilderment, confusion, and fear.
It was a beautiful yet absurd scene, but fortunately, it didntst for long.
As the night sky seemed to swallow the Comets light, the Comet finally yielded.
- Stop, stop! I-Ill do as you say!
Hearing the Comet sound frightful, Dung Beetle turned away from the Comet.
The shadow tormenting the Comet at the moment was probably a being he knew well.
- Ugh, ugh... Ill give it directly, stop... please just stop.
And with those words, the Comet emitted a blinding, intense light, unlike anything he had seen before.
sh!
Dung Beetle closed his eyes instinctively. And when he opened them again, the Comet was no longer in sight.
Instead, a child made of lighty copsed next to him.
As Dung Beetle squinted, the child staggered and got up.
This child is
The moment he saw the face made of light, he knew it right away. This child was the sameet he had just spoken with.
- You, you... you wanted swordsmanship, right? Ill give it to you. Ill give you as much as you want. So... heub!
The Comet couldnt continue speaking. The next moment, the Comet began to vomit something.
- Blehh!
Starlight poured from the Comets mouth. It was a sight that made one frown instinctively, but Dung Beetle approached it without showing any reaction and began patting its back.
It was a habit from his days as a janitor; after all, if a drunk customer was left to vomit all by themselves, who knew when it would end.
After he patted its back for a while, the Comet finally stopped vomiting.
- Sigh... th-thank you.
The Comet took a deep breath and looked at Dung Beetle, who was patting its back.
Although it was difficult to read the expression made of light, it seemed to be trembling with emotion.
- I-Ill give you my sword... the Comet Sword.
...Didnt you just say that only a sessor could receive it?
- I... I cant give you the power of the stars. But giving you the true intention of swordsmanship is not that difficult. Do you understand?
Regardless of whether he understood or not, Dung Beetle simply nodded.
He could have asked for more details, but seeing the Comets tearful face, he couldnt bring himself to ask further.
- As the light overflows, it does not discriminate between left and right.
The Comet said this and tightly clenched its fist. After a while, when the Comet opened its palm again, a small orb was revealed.
- This orb is the true intention of the Comet Sword. I dont know how long it will take you toprehend it all... but with your talent, it shouldnt take a year.
Dung Beetle carefully reached out to receive the orb. Or rather, he tried to.
The Comet stopped just before it could hand over the orb. When Dung Beetle stared at its face in curiosity, the Comets hand trembled as it spoke.
- Uh, well Kid, please promise me one thing.
A promise? What kind of promise?
- When you meet Freya Cahn, be sure to return the dagger. I-Im begging you.
Hearing the desperation in the Comets voice, Dung Beetle couldnt bring himself to refuse it.
...Yes, I promise.
- Th-Thank you. Uh Please keep the promise...
Only then did the Comet transfer the light to him. The moment Dung Beetle grasped the light orb, the dream surrounding him vanished.
Syaaaaahhh
Returning to reality felt more disorienting whenpared to entering the dream.
His skin tingled as his sense of touch returned, and a faint ringing signaled the return of his hearing.
The next sense to awaken was his sense of smell. And amidst the dusty scent of the bunker, he detected the sharp scent of red pepper and the rich aroma of MSG...?
...Is that the smell of noodles?
Dung Beetle frowned unconsciously. And the next moment, his vision returned.
After blinking a few times to clear his blurry sight, he saw a familiar face.
A strikingly beautiful face with distinct facial features, ck hair tied up loosely, and sparkling blue eyes.
Hong SetiThe familiar figure was sitting on a mat on the bunker floor, cooking noodles over a portable gas stove.
...Am I still dreaming?
Their eyes met the moment Dung Beetle spoke.
Just as she was about to take a bite, Seti froze, holding the lid of the pot filled with noodles.
In the brief silence which stretched into awkwardness.
Um...
As one of Dung Beetles eyebrows arched, Seti spoke.
...Would you like to join me in eating /genesisforsaken
Chapter 27: Another Choice, Another Path, and Another Name (2)
* * *
Seti didnt take much time to eat. It only took her three minutes to mix instant rice into the ramen broth and empty the pot.
It felt more like she was eating efficiently, not ravenously. If there had been a bottle of soju next to her, she could have easily passed off as a ten-year veteran janitor.
Anyway, after finishing her meal, Seti cleared her throat before speaking.
Ahem, Im sure both of us have plenty of questions for each other. So, where should we start?
How many days have I been like this?
Five days. And Ive been waiting since the day before yesterday.
Five days?
Dung Beetle furrowed his brows without realizing it. Five days? It didnt feel like he had spent more than 5 minutes in the Comet''s dream.There are often such items among Arcane Relics. They test the user''s mind and body or force them into a trance-like state... Those items shouldnt be used carelessly.
More importantly, how did you manage to get that Arcane Relic? Its an extremely precious item.
Precious item.
Dung Beetle tried to recall Freya Cahns face when she gave him the dagger. Did she hand it over knowing that this would happen?
She doesnt seem like the type to think that far.
Moreover, the advice she gave him while handing over the dagger wasnt a lie either.
Wasnt her goal for him to form a bond through the Comet Sword, as the Comet in the dream had said?
Well, everything became futile because of Mignium.
After settling his thoughts, Dung Beetle answered Setis question.
I happened toe into contact with Freya Cahn.
...Freya Cahn? Are you talking about... the Holy Sword?
Yes, that Holy Sword.
Seti''s delicate eyebrows arched as she contemted something. She tapped her lips while staring at the dagger before nodding.
...Well, someone of her caliber wouldnt simply hand over an Arcane Relic to anyone now, would they?
She didnt ask him about the circumstances that led to the meeting with the Holy Sword or why such a person had given him an Arcane Relic.
She simply dusted herself off, stood up, and examined Dung Beetles body.
It doesnt look like you have any visible problems. How is your physical condition?
Not bad.
Dung Beetle clenched and unclenched his hands, checking the inside of his body. Everything, from his muscles to his mana, felt the same as before he entered the Comet''s dream.
Honestly, it feels almost like a lie to say that five days have passed.
Is that to that point? What kind of powerful magic was in that relic
Seti narrowed her eyes.
What did you gain from the Arcane Relic? Enlightenment? Martial arts?
Swordsmanship.
...Swordsmanship? What about the Surging Wave technique? If you spread yourself too thin while learning martial arts, it could be difficultter.
Instead of replying, Dung Beetle picked up the chopstick Seti had left on the floor.
His breath softened, and mana settled quietly.
With a mind free of ripples and a calm heart, Dung Beetle first recalled the Surging Wave technique.
The waves of the mind, the waves of mana, and himself.
Starting from his shoulders, mana surged forth and flowed through the hands.
The next thing he recalled was the swordsmanship shown by Freya Cahn.
The Comet Sword. Borrowing its form, he tightened his grip on the chopstick.
- As the light overflows, it does not discriminate between left and right.
The true intention of the sword, as revealed by the Comet, was still beyond his understanding, as it was too abstract to be considered enlightenment in swordsmanship.
However, even without understanding its true intention, it was possible to push the waves through the empty space.
If I focus my mind on my fist, it bes the Surging Wave Fist. Then, what will happen if I focus my mind on a sword?
The wave struck. He raised his right hand, and mana flowed into the chopstick.
The hand he was raising gradually felt heavy as the mana surrounding the chopstick began emitting a powerful force.
The moment his shoulder and the chopstick aligned, he swung it. Waves followed, and mana sliced through the air.
Just once.
The chopstick drew a trajectory in ce of the sword.
Whooo
A strange resonance echoed in the ce where the chopstick had just passed. Dust in the bunker retreated in rm, and the air was sliced through.
Crack! Crack!
And the next moment, the concrete wall of the bunker, over ten steps away, cracked.
Huh?
Seti stared nkly, her mouth agape as she alternated her gaze between the cracked concrete wall and Dung Beetle.
What is this
It seems like realizing the true intention isnt the end. It even shows these limits when applying it to swordsmanship.
...You applied it to swordsmanship, not the sword itself?
It will be difficult to use this more than once in an actual fight. It looks like I need to practice diligently.
As Dung Beetle muttered to himself, Seti covered her face with her palmbefore taking a deep breath and sighing twice.
...Do you know that I really feel like hitting you every time something like this happens, right?
Dung Beetle shrugged instead of replying.
Seti red at Dung Beetle sharply, then pouted before speaking again.
Alright. There''s no point in acting like this. It will only make me feel even more frustrated.
She collected the trash and dishes, turned around with a swift motion, and opened the bunker door.
Lets get out of here for now. Ill exin the n when we see Mr. Jang Man.
Dung Beetle watched Setis back as she left the bunker without hesitation and then chuckled softly.
What are you doing? Hurry up!
He tucked the chopstick and the dagger into his pocket and followed Seti, who was ahead of him.
* * *
Around the time when the goddess of dawn had just begun raising her head
Seti, who was leading the way as they left the back alley, spoke.
You remember the main points of the n, right?
Dung Beetle recalled the conversation they had a few days agoCreate a false identity, be famous, then gather the government officials and deal with them all at once
Although it seemedplex, it was actually the simplest n in practical terms.
After leaving Incheon, the first thing I did was start preparing your false identity. At first, I attempted to manipte your resident registration to make it look like you were apletely different person. However Dung Beetle-ssi, it turns out that you are already listed as deceased?
Seti gazed at Dung Beetle with a did you know that? look. He nodded.
So I decided to create an entirely new identity for you.
A new identity?
We will create everything from scratch, from your family background to your level of education. And because of that, I have hired one of the most renowned experts in this field to handle it. They will ensure that it''s done thoroughly, so that even the government wont suspect anything. But
Seti let her words trail off for a moment as she stopped walking. She turned her head and gazed at the horizon, where clouds filled the sky beyond the market alley.
That person said that they need to see Dung Beetle-ssi in person.
Theyreing to see me in person?
Theyve already arrived. Theyre currently waiting at Mr. Jang Mans bar.
Since she had been waiting for him at the bunker for two days, it meant that the Identity Fabrication specialist had also been waiting for him for two days.
...They are definitely not an ordinary person.
Indeed, they are far from ordinary.
Seti hesitated for a moment before continuing.
Do you have a pseudonym in mind?
Pseudonym?
You cant use the name Dung Beetle for your new identity, you know?
Whats wrong with my name?
Seti looked at him with an incredulous expression.
Youre not asking because you dont know, right?
...Im just kidding.
Please, dont make jokes with that expression. I cant tell if youre being serious or not.
She sighed deeply before she began walking again.
And although she was walking in a different direction from Jang Mans bar, Dung Beetle didnt bother pointing it out.
Anyway, Ive thought of a few pseudonyms. John, Bruce, Khepri names like those.
Khepri?
Its the name of an Egyptian god with a beetle head.
...Huh?
But its better to use a Korean-style name if you want to be famous in Korea, right? So Khepri is out. Names like Kang Rang and Toe Hwan are too Chinese-like, so theyre out as well.
Kang Rang and Toe Hwan.
Both were Chinese characters for Dung Beetle. Dung Beetle scratched his cheek, unable to exin the awkwardness he was feeling.
Names like Minsoo, Cheolsoo, and Junsik, which sound like names of politicians, are out.
...
Names that sound like celebrities, such as Siwoo, Yoojin, and Jinyoon, are out as well. And names that might belong to conglomerate families, like Dongpung, Dongkyung, and Songkyung, are...
While Seti kept rambling on by herself for a while, the two of them had already left the alley and had arrived at the outskirts of the market, where the beach was now visible.
It was located in the opposite direction of the back alley where the bar was.
...It seems like were on the wrong path.
Only then did she realize she had taken the wrong path and blinked in surprise. The sea breeze brushed against her ck hair.
An awkward silence fell between them.
The wind ceased only after Seti started speaking again.
...Why didnt you tell me that we were going the wrong way?
I thought you brought me here because you had something in mind.
Seti shut her mouth and turned her gaze toward the sea.
The cloudy sky was slowly turning red, but the sun was still not visible.
Um... Dung Beetle-ssi.
Yes?
Do you believe in my n?
Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?
As Dung Beetle frowned, Seti added hesitantly.
Since were on the verge of executing the n, I cant help but start having such doubts. What if the n fails? What if I lead you to the wrong ce?
Just like now?
...Yes, just like now.
Seti nodded. The dawn sky reflecting in her blue eyes sparkled.
What does that have to do with anything?
...Pardon?
Theres no perfect n. Not everything will seed either.
Dung Beetle turned his head to look in the same direction as Seti. A warm breeze blew from beyond the clouds that had invaded the horizon.
And above all, I am the one who made the choice. Im the one who agreed to team up with you and approved the n. If anything goes wrong, the responsibility lies entirely with me.
Although his serious voice and genuine words were intended to encourage her, Seti wore a subtle expression.
Um... but legally, thats not exactly true
...
Eachw has different standards for responsibility, but since Dung Beetle-ssi and I didn''t actually sign a contract, the legal responsibility falls on... Argh!
Smack, Dung Beetle unknowingly flicked Setis forehead. Seti rubbed her reddened forehead and pouted.
...Was it really necessary to use mana to hit me?
Yup.
Dung Beetle answered decisively. Seti couldnt help but smile upon hearing that. She felt her restlessness gradually fade away.
Shall we head back now?
Seti turned to walk away, or rather, she tried to.
At that moment, Dung Beetles remark stopped her.
Morning hase.
When she turned around, she saw that the sun had indeed revealed itself from behind the clouds, just like he said.
Though the drifting clouds asionally obscured the sunlight, they were unable to prevent the advent of morning.
The sunlight painted the sky, and the sea reflected its light. Even the slightly cool breeze felt warm against their cheeks.
It doesnt feel bad to wee the morning while gazing at the sea.
Seti was unable to take her eyes off the view of the night fading beyond the horizon, and Dung Beetle felt the same.
A warm silence stretched between them. After a while, Dung Beetle broke the silence.
Seti.
Yes?
Do you also have a reason to reject the name Yeomyeong?
Yeomyeong?
Yes, Yeomyeong.
Seti was about to say that there was already a famous person with the name Yeomyeong. And on top of that, he was quite a well-known Superhuman.
However, at that moment, one of the clouds blocking the sunlight moved aside and illuminated Dung Beetle.
From Setis vantage point, a little behind Dung Beetle, it looked as if radiant light was pouring from behind him.
Though it seemed absurd to Seti herself at that moment, Dung Beetle appeared almost divine, like a painting in a church.
Momentarily captivated by the scene, Seti replied without realizing it.
It suits you well. Yeo/genesisforsaken
Chapter 28: Another Choice, Another Path, and Another Name (3)
* * *
The early morning market was bustling with plenty of eyewitnessesMerchants were moving busily, restaurants prepared for the days business, and traders transported their goods...
Seti and Dung Beetle took a roundabout trip through the market, avoiding eye contact with those people before heading to Jang Mans bar.
Thanks to that, it was closer to morning than dawn by the time the two arrived at the bar.
Yourete.
A stranger was standing at the entrance of the bar.
The man had short hair and was wearing a neatly fitted, old-fashioned military uniform, with a pistol strapped to his waist. He looked unmistakably like a soldier.
Do you even know howte you are? Its not just an hour; an entire dayone whole day! Do you have no concept of time in your head?
As if already familiar with Seti, he directed his gaze at her.Feeling the tant threat, Dung Beetle grasped the dagger hidden in his pocket, but Seti stopped him. She didnt even flinch as she replied in a deep voice.
So what?
...What?
Did I ask you to wait? Youre the one who said that youd be waiting, remember?
Unlike when talking to Dung Beetle, Setis voice was fierce.
If youre unhappy, then draw your gun.
...
You got nothing more to say, right? Then stop blocking the door and move aside.
The man red alternately at Seti and Dung Beetle. After a moment of silence, he clicked his tongue before stepping aside from the door.
...It better be worth the time you wasted.
Thats for Grandmother to decide.
Leaving behind the man in the military uniform who keptining until the end, the two of them entered the bar.
ncing around, Dung Beetle could see that the interior of the bar hadnt changed much since he left. The sunken floor and the broken ceiling were still there. But, fortunately, there were a few chairs and a table this time round.
Youvee?
At the table were Jang Man and a thin, elderly whitedy, both with their drinks. However, upon closer inspection, the olddy wasnt sitting on a chair
A wheelchair?
Dung Beetle frowned slightly. It was a wheelchair without a speck of dust on its wheels.
As he rxed his expression and looked up, he made eye contact with the olddy in the wheelchair.
With a face covered in age spots, protruding cheekbones, and a long, hooked nose, the olddy looked more like a witch from a fairy tale.
Seti, is this the person you were talking about?
Yes, this is him. What do you think, Grandmother?
...Interesting. His mana is as pure as an elfs.
The olddys snake-like, cold gaze scanned Dung Beetles body.
How can a human body be like this? Its extraordinary. I would have regretted not seeing him in person.
After saying that, the olddy pulled out some papers and a case of sses from beside the wheelchair.
Dont just stand there,e and sit.
Without waiting for another word, Dung Beetle pulled up a chair and sat at the table. Seti also stood behind him quickly.
So then, shall we start with the business discussion?
Yes, lets do that.
Alright, then first...
The olddy with the hooked nose, now wearing sses, unfolded some documents and spoke up.
Lets start with the name. Do you have a pseudonym in mind?
Dung Beetle nced at Setis expression before turning back to the olddy and responding.
Yeomyeong. I n on using the pseudonym Yeomyeong if we were to change my identity.
...Yeomyeong? Not a bad name. Then what about the surname?
This time, the answer to this question came from beside Dung Beetle.
Cheon. If were giving this brat a surname, Cheon would be the best choice. Cheon Yeomyeong. It has a nice ring to it as well.
They all turned towards Jang Man, who was sipping on his drink.
After a moment of silence, the olddy with the hooked nose nced at Dung Beetle, as if asking, Do you agree with this?
Dung Beetle nodded instead of saying anything. There was no way he would disagree with that suggestion because Cheon was none other than... the Foremans surname.
Cheon Yeomyeong, not bad. I dont know much about fortune-telling1, but I can tell its a much better name than what Dung Beetle currently has.
...
Is it really that bad?
Dung Beetle tried to think of a counter argument but remained silent when he remembered that everyone who had heard his name recently had a simr reaction.
Shall we get on to the next point then? Yeomyeong, what do you n to do with this fake identity?
Do I have to tell you that too?
Of course. Because I will be your guarantor.
Guarantor? Hearing this newly brought topic, Dung Beetle stared at Seti with a puzzled look on his face.
However, Setis expression was no different.
...Grandmother? What are you talking about?
What am I talking about? Just as I said, I will be the guarantor for this child. The government wont dare to investigate him if that happens.
Wait a minute. Thats...!
Seti.
The air between the two grew cold. The olddy with the hooked nose raised her eyes and looked at Seti.
Where do you n on sending this boy? The Academy? The Special Management Bureau? Neither, right?
...
At most, youre thinking of making him a mercenary or a hunter, arent you? Am I wrong?
Her words seemed to hit a nerve, as Setis expression twisted visibly.
...So what if it is?
Because thats pathetic. Pathetic!
Do you even know what my n is?
Theres no need to even hear it. Knowing you, its bound to be crude and dangerous.
With that statement, a grim silence filled the space.
Unable to endure the atmosphere, Jang Man quickly grabbed his drink and left the table.
Left alone with the two women, Dung Beetleor rather, Yeomyeongfound himself suddenly caught in the middle. He subtly pulled his chair back to create some distance and then nced at both of them simultaneously.
May I ask a question?
As Yeomyeong spoke, both pairs of eyes turned towards him.
What exactly are the two of you discussing?
Its nothing importantGrandmother is just being meddlesome.
Meddlesome?
Grandmother is quite impressive. Shes so influential that if she makes you a guarantee, that some governments might show interest and try to recruit you.
So that means...
You want to take Dung... I mean, Yeomyeong-ssi, under yourmand, right? What else could it be?
The olddy with the hooked nose remained silent and just listened to Seti.
Only after Seti finished speaking did she slowly open her mouth.
Yeomyeong, I dont know what promises that silly girl has made, but it would be better if you did not follow her.
...
This is my sincere advice. You should walk on a brighter path. You will only waste your talents if you follow that child.
It was a deration filled with conviction. Seti red at the olddy with an expression of disbelief. As Yeomyeong watched everything unfold, he thought of Setis past and asked.
...Are you two really blood-rted grandmother2 and granddaughter?
We are connected by blood. That''s why I dont stop her from calling me grandmother."
The old woman''s voice wasced with a deep contempt that made it hard to believe that she was speaking to a blood rtive.
...Connected by blood.
My dad was a drug addict, and my mom was a prostitute.
Yeomyeong recalled Setis evaluation of her parents. The phrase connected by blood felt like it had an entirely different meaning.
Seeing him remain silent, the olddy spoke again.
Yeomyeong. Do you know that this child is a meat puppet created by the Korean government?
...Meat puppet?
Grandmother!!
Seti shouted, but the olddy paid no heed and maintained her somewhat fishy smile.
She is not a product of love, but was born in aboratory, so shes nothing more than a chunk of meat. And with the ban ced on her, she is no different from a mere puppet who cant even rebel against the government.
...
So, is there any reason for you to entrust your future to a girl like her? Your youth and talent will be wasted.
The olddy stretched her hand towards Yeomyeong. As if feeling a sense of kinship, mana simr to the Surging Wave technique rippled from her hand.
Take my hand. I will guide you down a brighter path.
Yeomyeong stared at the olddys hand nkly. After ncing at Setis trembling face, he looked back at the olddys hand.
How should I address you, Maam?
People call me Siri.
...Siri.
Yeomyeong hesitated for a moment before taking Siris hand.
As expected, you know how to make the right choi
And the next moment, he pulled out the dagger from his pocket and swung it.
He intended to slit the olddys throat with the attack, but he only managed to graze her neck. It was because he was unfamiliar with wielding the dagger with his left hand.
As expected, its a fake.
Blue powder instead of blood flowed from her neck. It was a powder made of mana.
...Didnt you say that you knew nothing about magic?
Pssss Seti blinked as she watched Siri''s physical form dissipate into nothingness.
It''s true that I do not.
Then how did you notice that was illusion magic?
Yeomyeong pondered how to answer as he looked at her face.
Something felt off the moment Seti started talking with the soldier at the entrance.
And the wheels of the olddys wheelchair were also as clean as new.
Above all, the mana he could feel from the olddys body was strange But, instead of exining it all in detail, he simply summarized it in one word.
Intuition.
The next moment, the bar door burst open, and the soldier walked in.
Intuition? INTUITION? You sensed my magic through intuition?!
The soldier stared at Yeomyeong with an expression not that different from Setis.
He strode over to Yeomyeong and grabbed his wrist.
The soldier tried channeling his mana into Yeomyeongs wrist, but Yeomyeongs superhuman body rejected the external mana, pushing it away.
It was something only the body of a Superhuman could do. The soldiers expression twisted.
...So, youre really not a Mage!
...
Unnie3, what the hell is with this person? Is his case simr to ours?
...Unnie?
As soon as Yeomyeong asked that, the soldiers body began to /genesisforsaken
Chapter 29: Another Choice, Another Path, and Another Name (4)
* * *
Amidst the dizzying burst of blue mana powder, a red-haired girl revealed herself.
She was a handspan shorter than Seti and had yellow eyes that sparkled like amber.
Although she was also a captivating beauty like Seti, they werent really that simr. The aura she radiated was different.
It started with her outfit. She was wearing a red dress that reached down to her knees, a red leather jacket, and finished off with red enamel shoes.
Is this also an illusion magic?
Faced with such a bold and avant-garde fashion sense, Yeomyeong was left speechless.
To confirm his doubts, he enhanced his senses to inspect her. However, he didnt sense any particr mana from her. In other words, the girl in front of him was definitely real.
Why are you staring at me so intently? Is this your first time seeing a Mage?...
Yeomyeong frowned and turned his head. Seti avoided his gaze as she spoke.
Uh, I told you about herst time, right? My younger sister who was cursed in ce of me? This is her.
Hearing that, Yeomyeong suddenly remembered the reason she hade to the Incheon ck market in the first ce.
Seti was looking for the unicorn''s horn the Handle of Uragan, to dispel the curse over her younger sister.
In the process, she met Yeomyeong, and the connection they forged had continued to this pointall a result of pure coincidence.
...Im d that things were resolved smoothly. So, why is your sister here?
The answer came from the red-haired girl.
I wanted to test you personally, have a conversation, and, if possible, check if that so-called talent of yours is real.
What gives you the right to test me?
Seeing that Im betting my life on you, I should be able to confirm that much, shouldnt I?
Betting her life? Yeomyeong looked at Seti in confusion. Seti also looked surprised.
Siri? What are you talking about?
What else would it be? It means that I came here after knowing all of your ns, Unnie. Did you still not realize that even after I asked you such dirty questions?
The red-haired girl, Siri, smirked and bobbed her head.
I also want to take revenge on this country. I want to burn all those fucking crazy bastards and live freely with my grandmother.
How could you
Before Seti could say anything, Siri drew something from her waist and threw it to Yeomyeong.
Unnie, let me give you a piece of advice. You should never disclose secret information in a ce where unicorns can hear. These horned horses will spill anything and everything if a maiden questions them.
What Siri threw was the Handle of Uragan. As soon as Yeomyeong caught it, the unicorn poured out in his mind.
[O Virgin, please do not misunderstand! I only revealed that because the beautiful maiden swore not to harm you!]
...
[Also, considering the cause, isnt it all Maiden Setis and your fault?! Do you even know how anxious I was? An innocent maiden and a virgin boy, not even married, alone in a motel room...!]
Yeomyeong shoved the stick into his back pocket before sighing.
Seti, your sister is right. The unicorn spilled everything.
...Ah.
Seti covered her face and bowed her head deeply. Regardless of her older sisters reaction, Siri kept chatting away.
Unicorns are like that by nature. Wasnt that why President Clinton1 ssified them as harmful demonic monsters? Let a single maiden reporter get their hands on it, and theyll spill everything, be it a celebrity or a politician, it will spill all the details about their private affairs
Stop.
Interrupting Siri, Yeonmyeong got up from his seat. He then addressed Jang Man, who was sipping a drink at the back.
Sir, well be stepping out for a moment.
No, theres no need for that. Why should three people leave instead of one? Ill be out in front, so call me when its over.
Jang Man waved it off and left through the back door without waiting for an answer. It was a typical survival skill of an elder. He quickly distanced himself before he could be considered an aplice of the Seti and her sister.
Seti was the first to speak after the back door closed.
Siri!
Her face flushed red, as if it were about to burst.
Why are you so angry?
Would you not be angry if you were in my position? You deceived both me and Yeomyeong-ssi!
Unnie, to be precise, youre an aplice as well. When I said that I wanted to test MistI mean Yeomyeong-oppa2, you agreed, didnt you?
...I didnt expect you to go this far!
Well, regardless, you cooperated quite well though.
Thats
Seti looked at Yeomyeong with anxious eyes, like a puppy observing its owners reaction.
Yeomyeong-ssi, I really didnt know that Siri would do it this way
But before she could make any more excuses, Yeomyeong raised his hand to stop her.
Theres no need for an exnation. I dont care about such things.
Regardless of Setis thoughts, those were Yeomyeongs honest feelings. Something that trivial didnt warrant apologizing or forgiveness.
After all, trust worked like that, didnt it? Just like a flower that would wilt if not watered, it must be constantly nurtured with certainty.
So the reason they tested him wasnt what mattered, but
So, how did I do in your test? Did I pass?
It was Siri who gave him the answer.
You passedon top of that, your results exceeded my expectations.
...What was the criteria for grading?
Trust.
It was a surprisingly straightforward criterion, but Yeomyeong could only tilt his head in confusion.
...It didnt really feel like I was being tested on trust?
Siri pointed at Yeomyeongs face.
What are you talking about? I tempted you with the idea of attending the Academy or joining the Special Administration, but you didnt even flinch, did you?
...
Was that even tempting? Well, after a moments contemtion, it might have been. After all, who wouldnt want wealth and honor?
But Cheon Yeomyeong was not one of those people. What really mattered to him was revenge. Avenging his wrongfully killed colleagues was a hundred times more important than all those things.
That was why he was able to casually refuse the bright path Siri brought up earlier or the rmendation letter offered by Freya Cahn
Yeomyeong chose not to voice that fact, and Siri continued exining.
But the fact that you didnt say anything when I spoke about Unnies body was another plus point. If you had done so, I would have either been angry or disappointed, especially when someone called us ''meat puppets.
Siri!
Seti yelled in a high tone again, but Siri paid no attention to her.
Lastly, my trust in your talent. I wondered how a Superhuman was able to see through magic, but once I grabbed your wrist, it all made sense.
What did you understand?
Your mana sensitivity, Oppa. It is not normal.
...
When you focus on your senses, you are able to perceive the mana inside our bodies, just like when Im holding your hand, right? Since Unnie doesnt delve into magic, she might not realize how extraordinary this is, but any Mage would be shocked.
Was the ability to sense mana really that impressive? It seemed like Seti and Freya Cahn had disyed something simr.
...Or are the both of them not ordinary Superhumans?
Yeomyeongcked the knowledge to make a simple judgment. It was inevitable. However, how much would a mere janitor know about Superhumans? At best, it would be limited to snippets from documentaries or the inte.
Yeomyeong acutely felt hisck of information. And that was why he needed Setis help even more.
Seti.
...Yes.
I passed the test your sister gave. So, what about your test?
My test youve already passed it. From the moment we shook hands that night, I never doubted you.
Seti said this and bowed her head deeply. The promise they made while holding hands Yeomyeong also recalled that moment and remained silent.
A brief silence filled the bar. After a moment, Siri spoke with a slightly bewildered expression.
...Unnie, did you lose your virginity?
...
...
What, why? Do you feel guilty or something? Hey, Oppa. Give my sister the Handle of Uragan. Lets confirm it
Smack!
Unable to hold back any longer, Seti smacked Siri on the head. It was a stinging p filled with emotion.
* * *
- Hey! Come out! There''s some chaos right now!
- Whats going on?
- The sky! Look at the sky!
As the students'' voices echoed in the training hall, the students who had been training diligently just moments ago stopped their training.
Whether they were practicing their punches or their sword skills, everyone perked their ears and looked outside the training hall to see what was happening.
Whats going on?
And among the students were the half-dead Author and Jeon Yunseong.
- Its a terror attack! Its another terror attack!
- Hey! Stop that bullshit!
- Juste out and see for yourself!
Regardless of what was being said outside, the Author, drenched in sweat, was gasping for breath. After training with Jeon Yunseong for about an hour, he had no stamina left.
Only when he managed to catch his breath did he finally hear the voices of the studentsing out of the training hall.
Should we head out too?
Without waiting for another word, the Author nodded. Anything would be better than training with Jeon Yunseong.
As soon as they stepped outside the training hall, the Author couldnt believe his eyes.
Sparkling feathers were fluttering in the sky above the academy dormitory.
Wow Whats that? Feathers? Is that Magic?
While Jeon Yunseong and the other students simply admired the sight without realizing the identity of the unknown flying objects, the Author was different.
The Holy Sword''s Divine Sky Steps?
The Holy Sword?
Jeon Yunseong tilted his head upon hearing the Authors murmur.
Are you talking about Lady Freya Cahn?
However, the Author couldnt answer Jeon Yunseongs question. His mind was racing as if it would explode at any moment.
I cant believe this the Holy Sword? Why is she here? The prologue hasnt even started yet.
The Holy Sword was not supposed to appear at this moment. At least the event that brought the Holy Sword to the academy was something that was supposed to happen only after the third year
- Hey! Look! Someonesing down!
While he was deep in thought, three figures appeared amidst the fluttering feathers in the sky.
Soon after, they began to descend from the sky, as if an invisible staircase was beneath their feet.
The person leading the descent was a woman with an eyepatch covering one of her eyes and her hair tied up.
- That eyepatch Could it be?
- Freya Cahn! Its the Holy Sword!
While everyones attention was fixed on the figure in the lead, the Author focused on the two individuals descending behind her.
Both were captivating beauties, but the Author first observed their ears rather than their appearance.
Theyre hiding their ears with magic.
Although their ears were not in the typical long shape of elves'' ears, the Author was certain. Those two were elves.
Two contrasting beauties, a golden-haired and silver-haired, suddenly appearing at this moment?
As far as the Author knew, there was only one such pair =in this universe.
Elf Princess, Miridith, and her escort Rime.
The Author started biting his thumbnail out of habit.
How the hell did things go so awry that this happened? He had nned toy low until the prologue event, worried that he would cause a butterfly effect!
Can there be another transmigrator besides me?
As he pondered over this worst-case scenario, a brief exmation escaped Jeon Yunseongs lips.
Wow, shes incredible a beauty."
Is she a new applicant to our academy? No, she must be an applicant, right?
Jeon Yunseongs gaze was fixed on the blonde beauty who had just touched the ground.
The Authors eyes grew colder as he saw /genesisforsaken
Chapter 30: A Coincidence for the NPC
Is there any reason to turn iron into gold? Isn''t iron better for killing pests than gold?
Excerpt from a letter Stalin sent to the Nine Peaks 11 days before the start of the Soviet-Dwarf War
* * *
Although Siri had intervened out of the blue, she neither opposed nor modified the n set by Seti.
Everything she said during Yeomyeongs test was a lie; actually, she had been actively supportive of Setis n.
"So, to put it bluntly, the core of Unnies n hinges on how much fame Oppa can attain."
Fame.
To gain such a significant amount of fame that important figures of the Korean government woulde to meet him personally.
The problem was the means to achieve it.What kind of method should they use for someone who lived at rock bottom and had no proper background to gain such fame?
The answer Seti provided the puzzled Yeomyeong was simple.
If you gradually reveal your talents in ces where peoples attention is focused, fame will naturally follow, Yeomyeong-ssi.
ces where attention is focused?
Academies, dimensional portals, conflict zones... wherever Superhumans gather is where the attention is focused.
Ever since Dimensional Portals had opened, Earthians had been unable to take their eyes off Superhumans.
It was unavoidable because, from the very start, Earths superhumans were tools of regime propaganda.
Heroes of the people, proof that America was loved by the gods, real-life Superman, symbols of progress
Even after the Soviet Union had copsed and the Cold War ended, Superhumans were still loved and treated in the same manner as before.
You dont need to think too hard about it. You can say that the publics interest in Superhumans is no different from their interest in celebrities.
Upon listening to Setis exnation, Yeomyeong immediately understood what she meant by that.
Publishing, media, broadcasting...
The so-called mass media continuously aired every move of Superhumans without fail.
Bookstores were filled with various novels andics about Superhumans, and TV dramas set in Superhuman academies constantly broke viewership records.
Economic newspapers criticized the frequent regrouping of Superhuman mercenaries, which disrupts international oil prices, while the academia discussed the influence of ssical philosophy on Superhuman martial arts.
Of course, all this was merely a cultural phenomenon.
Real important information, such as the true intention of martial arts or magic spells, was not disclosed to the general public.
Even Yeomyeong, who had watched numerous Superhuman documentaries and read tons ofics, did notpletely understand what proper martial arts were.
I understand the context. So, what should I do now?
As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, Seti handed over five documents.
One admission application, one eptance letter, and three wanted posters.
Please make a choice, Yeomyeong-ssi.
Upon checking each document, he saw that the names and dates written on each of them were all different.
Did she start preparing this from the very day she left Incheon?
After marveling at Setis ability to put the n into action immediately, Yeomyeong first checked the eptance letter.
The eptance letter was from a PMCA private militarypanymonly known as a mercenary groupThe Sonjuk Mercenary Group operating between the Manchuria and Kaesong Dimensional Portal, which primarily dealt with monster extermination and security details.
It was a veteran mercenary group Yeomyeong had heard about even during his janitor days.
I always assumed that it wouldnt be easy to receive an eptance letter from a ce like that in just a few days...
While examining the eptance letter, Yeomyeong asked her frankly.
How did you manage to get this?
Pardon? What do you mean?
The mercenary groups eptance letter. I believe that it shouldnt have been so easy to obtain this.
Just as Seti was about to reply, Siri, who was standing beside her, interjected.
Unnie spent quite some money.
Siri.
Honestly speaking, I don''t think she had to spend much on the mercenary group. After all, how much would it cost to admit one new recruit into a mercenary group where people die regrly anyway?
But the academy admission application is a different story. It probably cost more than a hundred million.
Siri pointed to the admission application with a smile. Yeomyeong examined the contents of the application cautiously.
And the next moment, he immediately frowned.
At the very bottom of the document, the part that said Transfer in the second semester of first year caught his eye.
The second semester So, in six months.
I''m sorry. No matter what I tried, it wasn''t possible to get an earlier admission than that...
Seti bowed her head sullenly, and Siri added from the side.
With the entrance ceremony just around the corner, how can they ept first-semester applicants now? And its not like its an ordinary high school. Security has also been tightened drastically afterst month''s terror attack.
Yeomyeong nodded. It was not something he couldnt understand.
Unlike the academy depicted in dramas, the real Superhuman academy was treated like a quasi-military base.
Rather, Setis ability to even get an admission application was impressive.
Maybe I should have epted the rmendation letter from the Holy Sword back then.
That thought crossed his mind, but he immediately shook his head.
He was not entering the academy for the sake of training, but to kill people.
If hemitted murder after being admitted through a rmendation letter, how would the Holy Sword and the Australian government respond?
Would they understand his desire for revenge? Probably not. In fact, it would be a relief if they didnte after him with swords in hand to reim their honor.
He already had too many people he needed to kill without needing to increase his enemies
Yeomyeong considered all this while tapping his finger on the table repeatedly, then picked up the three remaining wanted posters.
The wanted posters had photos of criminals who were either Superhumans or were partially skilled in mana.
A crazed murderer who used magic to kill, a madman who fed people to monsters, and an escaped Necromancer.
Below the wanted posters were details such as thest seen locations andmonly used magic, written in tiny, meticulous notes. Judging by the handwriting, it seemed likely that Seti had written them herself.
A short whileter, as Yeomyeong ced the wanted posters back on the table, Seti, who had been observing him, spoke up.
So, which one will you choose?
With that prompt, she began exining the advantages and ns for each option in detail.
If he joined the mercenary group, he would gain practical experience, and when going after wanted criminals, he would always need to bring along an inte broadcaster
After Setis lengthy exnation came to an end, Yeomyeong turned to Siri and asked.
Siri, when exactly is the academys entrance ceremony?
Didnt Unnie tell you earlier? Its in three days. Although it should have been held two weeks ago, it was postponed due tost months terror attack.
In three days.
Not every student can even attend the entrance ceremony and most of them are waiting in the dorms. Thanks to that, both Unnie and I are able to roam around without being monitored by the Korean government.
In that case
Yeomyeong recalled the conversation he had with Seti at Pier 13, where she had introduced herself as a special admission candidate for Lord Howe Academy.
I should leave either today or tomorrow.
Seti did not deny it.
Yes, thats right. My sister and I will have to return to the academy soon. But, its not aplete farewell, right?
You have my contact information, dont you? We can keep in touch even when Im at the academy, and I can go out on weekends
Yeomyeong and Siri squinted while looking at Seti, who was mumbling.
Unable to bear the twos gaze, Seti fumbled before mming up.
Unnie, Lord Howe Academy is in Australia. What do you n to do by going out every weekend? Fly in on Saturdays, stay overnight, and fly back on Sundays? Even weekend couples cant manage that.
Lets be honest. Were not in a position where we can apany or fight alongside you because were under government surveince. We can only offer indirect help like connections or money.
Siri, shut up.
Only then did Seti narrow her eyes and re at Siri. Instead of being frightened, Siri got up from the table in an exaggerated manner and quickly hid behind Yeomyeong.
Am I wrong? And its also something Oppa is already aware of, right?
It is just I didnt expect to part so quickly.
Oh, really? Its Unnies fault for not bringing it up earlier then.
Eventually, unable to hold back, Seti jumped up from her seat and began chasing Siri.
Yeomyeong watched the two chase each other for a moment before turning to speak to Seti.
Seti, you said that I could choose these documents as I wish, right?
Huh? Yes, of course. You can choose whatever you like.
As soon as she finished saying that while grabbing Siri by the cor, Yeomyeong boldly picked up all five documents.
Seeing this, Siri tilted her head, and Setis eyes widened.
Dont tell meyoure not going to choose all of them, are you?
Is there even a need to choose just one of them? Six months is a long time. I can gain practical experience in the mercenary group, capture all the wanted criminals... and then enter the academy.
Only then did Siri realize Yeomyeongs intention and burst intoughter.
Haha, youre right. Thats right. Why choose just one? If you can do them all, then just do them all.
Seti nced at Siri and Yeomyeong for a moment, then nodded as if she had arrived at a decision.
If thats what Yeomyeong-ssi wants, then then Ill assist you.
* * *
Sir.
Jang Man, who was looking at the sea, turned his head towards the voice calling him.
The boy, who was once known as Dung Beetle and was now called Cheon Yeomyeong, was approaching him.
So, how did the discussion go? Did it end well?
Yes, I n to proceed as nned originally.
...Then youll be leaving this city. When do you intend to leave?
Ive decided to leave immediately. So, Ivee to say goodbye to you, Sir.
I see. Well, indeed, theres no need to dy it any longer.
Jang Man did not ask where Yeomyeong was going. Where this boy would fight or with whom was none of his concern.
However, like all old people, he felt that he should at least offer a small amount of help for the young ones future path.
He pulled out a suitcase he had prepared earlier and leaned it against the back alley wall. The suitcase wasrger than Jang Mans torso.
Sir, what is this...?
Open it.
Without hesitation, Yeomyeong opened the suitcase.
ck. After unlocking thetch and examining the contents, Yeomyeong looked at Jang Man with astonishment.
While you were in the bunker, I asked the youngdy named Seti. She said that you used up all the weapons you boughtst time.
The suitcase contained weapons identical to those Dung Beetle had bought at the ck market.
Remington MH750, ammunition, and a dense collection of grenades.
A man shouldn''t set off on a journey empty-handed.
Thank you Sir.
No need to thank me. Since I gave it to you on my own ord, how you use it is up to you. One more thing...
Jang Man waved his hand before taking out another item from the back of the suitcase.
A long object wrapped in cloth.
It was the sword used by the imperial knights in the past and the one Yeomyeong left under the bar counter after purchasing it.
You didnt take this sword with youst time. I was nning to discard it but brought it here just in case.
...
I wont ask why you bought a sword you didnt even n on using.
Yeomyeong carefully epted the sword.
The sword, identical to the one used by the yer who had killed his colleagues and foreman, made Yeomyeongs heart sink as he quietly gazed at it.
Looking at Yeomyeongs demeanor, Jang Man hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Yeomyeong.
Yes, Sir.
May I give you a few pieces of advice?
...I will listen.
Jang Man looked up at the gloomy sky filled with clouds.
Once you leave this city, never trust anyone. No matter who the other person is, always suspect that they are lying. You wont gain anything in terms of rtionships, but you wont lose anything either.
...
Also... if you decide to kill someone, be sure to kill them. The sooner you kill the enemy, the better, and its faster to resolve misunderstandings afterpleting the deed.
Having said that, Jang Man sighed.
The advice he had just given were not the words of a respectable or wise old man. They were filthy and sordid, more like the words of a ck-market smuggler.
This was advice he would never have given if their rtionship had been slightly more normal.
The Foreman probably never gave you such advice, right? He was a gentleman, far from trash even when dealing with it.
Jang Man brushed his hair back before looking down at Yeomyeong again.
After everything is over, lets go visit his grave together.
...Yes. We should definitely do that.
Their conversation didnt continue any further. Both knew that it was best to keep farewells brief.
Yeomyeong picked up the suitcase and the sword, bowed to Jang Man, and then turned to leave the alley.
Just as the clouds drifted across the sky, the smuggler and the janitor parted /genesisforsaken
Chapter 31: A Coincidence for the NPC (2)
* * *
Kim Mansoo was the instructor in-charge of training new recruits for the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.
However, neither Kim Mansoo himself nor did any of the other instructors think of him as an actual instructor.
It was understandable. After all, who would even believe that a man who was the Vice Captain of the mercenary group just a week ago was now acting as an instructor?
And he didnt be an instructor because he was eager to train new recruits or wanted to teach someone.
He was demoted to this position because he beat up a city council members son who was behaving rudely and even knocked out a reporter filming the incident in the process.
In short, he had be an instructor due to the disciplinary action taken against him.
To appease the council member who came to the mercenary group to file theint, the Captain personally demoted him from Vice Captain to instructor.
However, everyone in the mercenary group knew that this disciplinary action was merely a formality.After all, would any sane mercenary group anywhere in the world use someone as talented as him solely as an instructor?
Knowing this, Kim Mansoo endured the dull days without muchint.
Yes, dull days. Today, yesterday, and probably tomorrow, as well.
Avoiding the eyes of the staff who were behaving cautiously around him, Kim Mansoo left his office and lit a cigarette by a window.
The weather in Kaesong, seen through the window, was the same as always. It was neither particrly good nor bad.
The Dimensional Portal, visible in the distance, was, as usual, bustling with people and containers moving in and out without a break.
He did see the asional fools trying to take the entrance test for the mercenary group, but most werent able to endure the test and ran away with their tails between their legs.
However, at least a few capable ones had managed to pass the test, and they were already following the instructor down the building''s hallway.
Of course, none of them piqued Kim Mansoos interest.
I know that the mercenary field iscking manpower these days, but the new recruits are just.
As he was killing time with such thoughts, someone caught his eye.
A guy in a neat casual suit, probably chosen by his girlfriend, dragging arge suitcase.
Was he a lost journalist or a new public official? Deciding there was nothing worth seeing anymore, Kim Mansoo turned his gaze away. Or rather, he was about to.
However, just as he was about to look away, that young guy started walking towards the Sonjuk Mercenary Group building.
Is he here to take the test?
Only then did he squint and observe the guy attentively. After enhancing his vision with mana, the guy''s appearance became clear.
He looks like a dandy boy.
The guy dragging the suitcase had quite a handsome face.
His eyes shone golden, probably due to colored lenses, and his appearance seemed more suited for an idol than a mercenary.
And while he appeared to be somewhere between a boy and a young man, it was hard to determine his exact age.
Unexpectedly he seems pretty decent.
Upon closer inspection, the guys aura was quite impressive.
His walk reminded Kim Mansoo of a finely honed de, and the tension visible in his movements was so intense that he seemed ready to throw a punch at any moment.
He wasnt just some ordinary pretty face; he was definitely someone who had undergone rigorous training.
An aspiring Superhuman... Given the timing, he must be a failed academy applicant.
An aspiring Superhuman.
It was a termmonly used for those who consumed elixirs and began training from a young age to be Superhumans.
Although most were children from wealthy families who could afford the elixirs, sometimes poor families would also gamble on raising their children in this manner.
Of course, if simply consuming elixirs could make one a Superhuman, nurturing Superhumans would have be a national project.
And among the aspiring Superhumans, only a select few could sense mana, and even fewer could actually control it to truly be Superhumans.
Although some would apply to the Superhuman Academy to increase their chances of bing a Superhuman even by a little the Superhuman Academy, as the name suggested, literally existed solely for Superhumans.
Only those who were already Superhumans or on the verge of bing one could enter.
Therefore, every year during the academy entrance season, many young people would be disheartened by reality and theirck of talent.
Wealthy kids might just think of it as maintaining their health with elixirs, but children from poor families would often drop out of school to join the mercenary group to repay the elixir debts.
Judging by his gait and aura, it seemed like that guy was one of those cases.
I guess I''ll have to oversee his entrance test personally.
Kim Mansoo smoked hisst cigarette down to the butt before descending the building''s stairs.
As expected, the guy he saw from the window was talking with the lobby staff.
"Hey, Park Youngsoo."
"Yes, Vice Captain. May I help you?"
"You punk, how many times do I have to tell you that I''m no longer the Vice Captain? Anyway, you see that guy over there?"
Kim Mansoo grabbed another instructor passing through the lobby and pointed to the guy dragging the suitcase.
"I''ll oversee his entrance test personally."
"You, Vice... I mean, Mansoo hyung-nim will handle it personally?"
"Yeah, that kid''s got a promising vibe; I can feel it."
"...I don''t feel anything, though."
"Hey, do you really think we''re the same?"
As he red, the instructor grumbled as he walked over to the lobby counter.
The instructor approached the lobby staff and started talking. A momentter, the guy with the suitcase pulled out a piece of paper.
What was that? As Kim Mansoo squinted to check it out, the instructor returned empty-handed.
"What''s going on? Why did you return empty-handed?"
"He said hes not here to take the entrance test."
"What? Why? Do we also recruit office workers?"
"No, he said that he''s already been epted. He brought an eptance letter."
Kim Mansoos brow furrowed. An eptance letter?
"Since when did our mercenary group start issuing those?"
"It''s been about 10 years, Vice Captain."
"..."
The instructor shook his head, sighed, pulled out a pen and paper, wrote something down, and then handed it to Kim Mansoo.
"That guy is to be specifically assigned to Team 3ter and then deployed immediately."
"Team 3? That new recruit is heading to Manchuria?"
He seems like a pretty impressive person from his employment application. If you think he''s a good fit, why dont you go down and check him out yourself?
With those words, Instructor Park Youngsoo left. Kim Mansoo squinted at the note he was given.
"Name: Cheon Yeomyeong. Specialty Good at everything?"
It seemed like this one was a crazy bastard. Kim Mansoo sneered as he crumpled the note.
* * *
After verifying the eptance letter, the lobby staff guided him to the basement.
It wasn''t some simple basement essible by an elevator.
They had to pass through a thick iron door and descend to a deep underground bunker-like ce.
After walking for a while, Yeomyeong detected a faint smell of blood.
Though the smell was slightly different from human blood.
Yeomyeong frowned and focused his mana on his sense of smell. Although he still couldnt identify the exact nature of the blood from its scent, he could now smell oil and gunpowder mingled with it.
...It''s not just some simple blood scent.
The deeper he went as he followed the staff, the stronger the smell became.
When they finally arrived at their destination, Yeomyeong discovered the source of the blood scent.
...A monster?
What greeted him was a huge concrete space resembling an underground parking lot, with a massive, monstrous creature tied up in the middle.
The monster vaguely resembled a wolfA two-headed, six-legged wolf.
"Who... Oh, damn. You are not the new recruit, right?"
The man sharpening arge knife in front of the wolf monster turned his head to look at Yeomyeong and the staff.
The man, with a long scar running across his face, had an intimidating aura.
The staff who had brought Yeomyeong seemed ustomed to this atmosphere. Without giving any exnation, he simply took out some papers from his hand and handed them to the man.
The scarred man nced at the papers briefly, raising an eyebrow.
"Speak of the devil, turns out hes really a new recruit. And theres only a day left until deployment... Tsk, alright I''ve checked it.
As soon as the man said that, the staff bowed and left the bunker, clearly uninterested in staying back any longer.
In that short span of silence, only the sound of the staffs footsteps and the monster''s panting could be heard.
Once the footsteps could no longer be heard, the scarred man, still holding the knife, approached Yeomyeong.
"The name is Man Seokcheol. No need to remember it as we won''t meet again after today."
"I''m Cheon Yeomyeong."
"Cheon Yeomyeong, you listed a very impressive specialty. Is that a bluff or are you that confident?"
Yeomyeong thought about the specialty Seti had written in his resume and smiled wryly.
- Good at everything
It could easily be seen as arrogance to anyone else. Did Seti write that to mess with him? Probably not.
Given her nature, it was likely that she genuinely viewed him in that manner.
After considering how to respond for a moment, Yeomyeong decided to trust Setis judgment.
Pushing his humility aside, he replied to Man Seokcheol confidently.
"I wrote it because I am confident."
"Oh, the spirit of youth. Not bad."
It was unclear if his tone was of mockery or admiration, but he handed the knife he was holding to Yeomyeong.
It was arge, sharp knife, the kind used for cutting tuna.
As soon as Yeomyeong took the knife, Man Seokcheol turned and pointed at the monster tied up in the open space.
"Cheon Yeomyeong, do you see that monster?"
"Yes, I see it clearly."
"We managed to capture that bastard from the Manchurian Rift. We had to go to great lengths to capture it alive. So, why do you think we brought it all the way here?"
"...For experiments?"
"Close, but no cigar. We didnt bring it for an experiment but for a test1."
"...A test?"
What test could they possibly use a dying, tied-up monster for? As Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion, Man Seokcheolughed ominously.
"Cheon Yeomyeong, what do you think is the most important factor when capturing a monster?"
"Isn''t it a weapon?"
"Yes, weapons are important. Even a monster like that can be turned into a rag using a single magazine from an automatic rifle... but, that''s the wrong answer."
He paused for a moment and then continued while looking at Yeomyeong''s hand.
"To catch a monster, humans are more important than weapons. No matter how good the weapon you possess is, if you get scared in front of a monster, it''s all for nothing."
Is that so? Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion.
"It doesnt look like you agree. Anyway, youll pass without a doubt."
"What kind of test is this, exactly?"
"It''s a test to weed out the cowards."
After saying that, Man Seokcheol took a step back from Yeomyeong.
"Don''t move from that spot."
He took a small button that gave an ominous feeling from his pocket.
Click. As soon as Man Seokcheol pressed the button, the chains binding the monster lost their tension and went ck.
- Grrr...!
Almost immediately, the six eyes of the wolf monster glowed as they focused on Yeomyeong.
As the now freed monster lowered its hind legs, preparing to pounce, Man Seokcheol''s gaze on Yeomyeong turned cold.
"The monster still has chains around its neck, so don''t be too scared. As long as you don''t move a single step from that sp"
Before he could finish his exnation, Yeomyeong moved first, ahead of the /genesisforsaken
Chapter 32: A Coincidence for the NPC (3)
***
Yeomyeong took a deep breath as he stepped forward.
Tightening his grip on the knife, he held his breath, and diffused his mana through the spaces between his blood and muscles.
Step! Step!
Only after confirming Yeomyeongs action did the monster make its move. It crouched like a savage beast, then with a powerful push from its hind legs, it leaped into the air.
Yeomyeongs knife drew a line toward the monster, and the monsters four front legs and sixteen ws targeted Yeomyeongs head simultaneously.
The next moment, the wolf monsters forelegs and Yeomyeongs sword brushed past each other.
"Kyaaaak!"
However, only the wolf monster saw blood. One of its right forelegs was cleanly severed, sttering blood.The severed leg iled on the ground, apanied by the monsters ragged breathing.
As the monsters eyes turned red with rage, it bared its teeth and charged at Yeomyeong once more, seemingly relying solely on instinct.
The chain around its neck nged as it was dragged along, and blood spattered in the air.
At that moment, Yeomyeong exhaled.
Hoo
He didnt need to use the Surging Wave technique because his opponent wasnt worth that level of effort.
Instead, he focused all his remaining mana on trying to sense the monsters form and stored it in his mind.
Muscle movements that werepletely different from those of humans, with an unsettling eeriness and the nauseating presence of twisted mana.
There were many things for him to learn from the monsters movements as insights that couldnt be gained from ordinary humans permeated his mind.
It relies on its Regeneration ability and forces mana into the heart and blood vessels not bad.
The moment the thought came to an end, Yeomyeong swung the knife. The monsters foreleg, which had alreadye close, collided with the knife.
Chwaak!
This time, he severed its left legs, and they flew into the air. The monster couldnt even scream as it iled its remaining limbs sporadically.
Nothing more to learn from it.
Yeomyeong then shifted to the offensive. He gripped the knife with both hands and dove at the wolf monster.
First, he cut off its remaining legs. Next, he made a deep, long sh across its chest before he severed its throat on his third strike.
Kyaoo!
However, it still didnt die. Ignoring its fading life, it made one final lunge at Yeomyeong with its jaws wide open.
Its gaping mouth and grotesque teeth were aimed at Yeomyeong. However, Yeomyeongs de was a bit quicker.
Pook!
The long knife pierced through the roof of the monsters mouth.
Yeomyeong didnt even need to exert any additional force. Thew of inertia pushed the des tip straight to the monsters brain.
Kya, kyak, kek
With its brain pierced, the monster spasmed for a few seconds before immediately slumping to the ground as Yeomyeong withdrew his knife.
Yeomyeong, who had retrieved the knife, turned to look at Man Seokcheol, whose scarred face was filled with bewilderment.
Looks like you have a reason for your confidence... Impressive.
Did I pass the test?
Seeing Yeomyeong ask him so nonchntly, Man Seokcheols lips curled up. He looked at Yeomyeong with a gaze that seemed to say, What kind of guy is this bastard?
You didn''t just pass, you aced it. Theres no need for any other tests.
The shock of seeing the monster used for testing applicants being killed had already faded. Either way, it didnt really matter; they could just capture another one.
On the contrary, they managed to recruit a useful talent that was not found unless heaven bestowed it.
Congrats, new member Cheon Yeomyeong. Youre a part of Team 3 of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group from now on.
Man Seokcheol approached Yeomyeong and patted him on the shoulder. Moments like these were what made supervising tests worthwhile.
However, the next moment, an easygoing voice from the entrance soured his mood.
Seokcheol, it seems like your ability to evaluate people has really deteriorated, huh?
Hearing the voice, Man Seokcheol''s eyebrows furrowed deeply. He replied without even turning around.
What brings you here, Vice Captain Kim Mansoo?
Vice Captain? Surprised by the unexpected title, Yeomyeong turned around, and at the entrance was a burly, muscr middle-aged man with his arms crossed.
Oh, thats because Im no longer a Vice Captain right now but an instructor.
If you''re just here to talk nonsense, then please leave.
No, its not that. Seokcheol, lets talk about that new recruit.
Only then did Man Seokcheol turn his head. On his contorted face, the long scar curved horizontally.
What about him?
Lets send that guy to Team 2 instead of Team 3.
...Member Cheon Yeomyeong has already been assigned to Team 3.
No, I mean You punk! Team 3 means immediate deployment to Manchuria. Do you really want to send such a talented guy to a ce swarming with monsters and refugees?
Our mercenary group needs to send as many members as possible to Manchuria to meet the government quota. You understand that, right?
Upon hearing how firm Man Seokcheol was with his stance, Kim Mansoo narrowed his eyes. He nced back and forth between Yeomyeong and the monsters corpse, then sighed deeply.
Then we can just send someone else. You saw it, too, right? That new recruits potential. Itll just take him a few years in Team 2 to be a Superhuman.
...
Right now, counting the Captain and me, our mercenary group only has nine Superhumans. If we add one more, well reach double digits. Then, well be able to cross the dimensional portal ourselves.
Man Seokcheol remained silent because he couldnt think of a rebuttal.
Considering the potential Yeomyeong had just disyed and the rarity of Superhumans as a whole, the Vice Captains words were absolutely correct.
However, as his concerns deepened, Yeomyeong raised his hand.
Um does my opinion not matter?
Both mens gazes turned to Yeomyeong simultaneously. It was a bold question, but Kim Mansoo chuckled and addressed Yeomyeongs inquiry.
Of course, our new recruits opinion is also important. But, whats there to think about?
He strode over to the two men and soon ced his hand on Yeomyeongs shoulder.
I promise, on my authority as the Vice Captain, if you join Team 2, Ill support you with martial arts training and elixirs. I guarantee that youll be a Superhuman within the next three years.
Seeing Kim Mansoos confident face, Yeomyeong smiled wryly.
He hasnt even realized that Im already a Superhuman.
It was understandable that Man Seokcheol hadnt noticed it because he didnt reveal his mana during the fight with the monster.
But this man who was called Vice Captain... was disappointing.
Unlike Man Seokcheol, this man was supposed to be a Superhuman. Yet, being a Superhuman himself, he still couldnt tell if someone was a Superhuman or not after making direct contact with them.
Even someone who has be a Vice Captain of a veteran mercenary group is just at this level...
Yeomyeong subtly stepped back, freeing himself from Kim Mansoos grip.
Um Vice Captain?
No need to call me Vice Captain so formally. Just call me Kim Mansoo or Mansoo-hyung.
He was someone who had no boundaries. However, since you couldnt spit on a smiling face, Yeomyeong tried to maintain a look of regret.
Vice Captain, I appreciate the offer, but... Im sorry.
... What? Sorry?
Kim Mansoos eyebrows furrowed slightly. He even tilted his head, as if he heard something wrong.
Are you refusing my offer?
Yes, I want to go to Manchuria.
Yeomyeong bowed his head and made his refusal clear.
It was inevitable. His n was to gain practical experience while in the mercenary group, not to receive training from some Superhuman.
You punk! Do you even know what kind of ce Manchuria is
Vice Captain, it seems like the new recruit has already made up his mind.
But before Kim Mansoo could say anything more, Man Seokcheol intervened.
Vice Captain, dont forget that youre currently a mere instructor under disciplinary action. Continuing this further will be considered as overstepping your authority.
Huh? Seokcheol, you little
If I report todays events to the Captain, the next disciplinary action might have you cleaning the restrooms instead of being an instructor. Is that what you really want?
...
New member Cheon Yeomyeong, you will be assigned to Team 3 as per your wishes and deployed to Manchuria. I will personally assist you with the registration. Now, lets go.
Man Seokcheol quickly wrapped up the situation and led Yeomyeong out of the basement.
Watching the two people leave with a bewildered look on his face, Kim Mansoo only came to his senses after they had disappeared from his sight.
Wow, holy sh that neer is really one crazy bastard.
And seeing how the new recruit didnt even turn back once as he left, he probably had no regrets.
Kim Mansoo let out a wryugh in disbelief.
If someone had offered him martial arts training and elixirs at that age, he would have even been willing to kiss their ass. Were talented individuals different?
He pondered whether he should give up or not, before shifting his gaze to the wolf monster Yeomyeong had defeated.
Severed front legs and a clean strike that pierced through the brain.
The corpse was dealt with so cleanly, that it would have been possible that a 10-year veteran mercenary had handled it.
Sssp, its really a pity... Should I just follow him to Manchuria?
Muttering something that would surely anger the Captain and make his blood pressure shoot through the roof, Kim Mansoo left the basement to chase after the two.
***
Seti slowly raised herself as she woke up and sat on the edge of the bed. Through her drowsy mind, she could feel the warm sunlight brushed against her cheek.
It felt like it was just yesterday that she had been hopping from one cheap motel to another to avoid the Korean government''s scrutiny, so the dormitory bed now felt as fluffy as cotton candy.
Did I wake up too early
After stretching a bit, she checked the time. 7:30 AM. There was still over an hour until the entrance ceremony.
She considered sleeping in a bit more but shook her head.
Beyond that sea, in Korea, Dung Beetno, Yeomyeong-ssi must still be struggling. So how could she dare to indulge in sleep here?
She got out of bed and prepared her breakfast. After a quick wash and preparing her school uniform for the entrance ceremony, she finally checked the luggage she hadn''t unpacked.
The luggage was very light and minimal Three packets of instant noodles, a burner phone to contact Yeomyeong-ssi personally, and...
A single sword wrapped in a pure white cloth.
She lifted the sword carefully. It was the sword that Yeomyeong himself had handed to her.
As she unwrapped the cloth, the sun insignia engraved on the hilt was revealed.
The insignia belonged to a now-extinct empire beyond the dimensional portal, proof that it was not an object from Earth.
Seti traced the insignia with her fingers, recalling the moment Yeomyeong had given her the sword.
- Isnt this a sword from beyond the dimensional gate? Why are you giving it to me?
- Seti, when you get to the academy, please find out if there is someone there with a sword exactly like this.
- May I know why?
- The enemy of my family might be at the academy. The only clue I have is that he wields a sword exactly like this.
As he said that and handed over the sword, Yeomyeong''s eyes were cold and calm.
For Seti, that gaze alone was enough. She willingly epted the sword and promised to look for his enemy at the academy.
The only problem was that finding a student with the exact same sword at the academy would be no easy task.
There were too many people using swords, and above all, it would be rare for someone to openly disy their signature weapon rather than a standard student-issued one.
First, Ill have to get through the entrance ceremony, then slowly search through the gra
Just as she was making her n, the door to her dormitory opened, and a guest stepped in.
It was a girl with shimmering blonde hair, as if gold had been melted and used to dye it.
Seti recognized her as well. No, everyone at the academy would know her face.
Because she was none other than the student who the Holy Sword had personally brought to the academy.
She was struggling to carry arge suitcase into the room, making it clear that she had been assigned to this dorm room.
Of all people, she is my roommate
Seti, who had been nning to lead a discreet school life, sighed inwardly.
Now that she would be sharing a room with a famous person Her initial ns were already falling apart.
However, the next moment, she put on a business-like smile.
After all, shed be living with this roommate for a year or perhaps three. There was no need to spoil their first impression.
She put the sword back into her suitcase and walked towards the blonde girl.
Hello! Im Hong Seti, your new roommate.
Hek, heh, uh H-hello.
There was a flush on the blonde girls pale face, likely because she was struggling with the heavy suitcase.
You seem to be struggling. May I help you?
Oh, w-would you? That would be great.
As soon as the girl agreed, Seti lifted her suitcase. Though it was quite heavy, it was no problem for a Superhuman like her.
Seti easily moved the suitcase to the side of the bed and smiled at the girl.
Is there anything else you need to move? I can help.
No, no. Its just this one. Thank you for your help.
That concluded their introduction. Seeing the girl begin to organize her things awkwardly, Seti saw no need to extend the conversation further.
About ten minutester, the blonde girl, who had finished unpacking, spoke to Seti.
Um, if your surname is Hong... are you Korean?
Yes, Im from Korea.
Ah, indeed, as I thought. The girl muttered to herself for a moment, then continued with an awkward smile.
T-then were from the same ce. Im Korean, too.
...Youre Korean?
Well, I was born in Korea, but I moved to Australia when I was a baby, so Im practically Australian now.
That was a lie. Seti immediately saw through the girls lie. It wasnt due to her keen observation but rather because of the girls poor lying skillsThe awkwardly shifting eyes and the trembling voice.
...Has she never told a lie in her life?
But Seti chose not to point that out.
It didnt matter much why the girl was pretending to be Korean, as long as it didnt cause any harm to her.
However, when the girl introduced her name, Seti narrowed her eyes involuntarily.
Oh, Seti-ssi. I didnt introduce myself. My name is... Miri. Soe1 Miri.
...Could it be that your surname is Soe?
Yes, um, is that... strange?
Of course, it was strange. Wouldn''t anyone find it odd to meet two people with the surname Soenot Kim2in less than a week?
Seti barely managed to suppress the words rising in her throat, and shook her head.
No, its just a unique surname, so I was curious.
R-right? Its a unique surname, isnt it? My father is somewhat famous for having a unique surname. Haha, ha...
Amidst the awkwardughter, Soe Miri broke out in a cold /genesisforsaken
Chapter 33: A Coincidence for the NPC (4)
***
There was a time in the past when radical nationalists in Korea were fervently advocating the so-called Narration of the Northern Expedition.1
ording to them, Manchuria originally belonged to the Korean people2, and they needed to sweep away the wickedmies to reim the nations homnd.
Of course, no one paid attention to their ims.
That was because sensible citizens, as well as right-wing politicians, knew that the Narration of the Northern Expedition was just some impractical nonsense.
Korea owned Manchuria they said? How could that even be possible?
After all, with thend divided between themunist superpowers of the Soviet Union and China, what could be done?
Without even taking nuclear weapons into consideration, weren''t they already in a situation where the difference in nationally authorized Superhumans was nearly fivefold?
Instead of being bothered with upying Manchuria, Korea at that time was more anxious about the possibility of having Kaesong invaded and the Dimensional Portal taken away.In conclusion, all Koreans who prided themselves on being wise mocked those nationalists.
- What kind of nationalism can we have in the 20th century?
- These delusional patients know nothing about reality.
- How can Korea upy Manchuria when those two superpowers will not copse overnight?
It might have been an irony of history or a case of words bing reality.
The Koreans back then could never have imagined it, but their mockery turned into reality.
The Soviet Union was swept away by disaster, and China became and no one could approach.
And Manchuria, which both countries treated as a frontier, barely managed to survive.
The precariousness here was referring to the millions of refugees who lost their country overnight and thend that was half in ruins.
Chaos was inevitable.
The economic crisis caused by the disappearance of the two superpowers, the soldiers who became warlords, and the endless rush of refugees
Developed countries that should have helped remained silent because they were busy trying to find their own way out of the economic crisis.
Before long, the UN and the United States asked Korea to take responsibility for the troubled Manchuria.
For Korea, which was on the brink of copse just from managing the chaos, it was like a bolt from the blue.
However, the government could not refuse the request.
Not only did theyck the courage to refuse the request of the U.S., but the offer of being handed over the rights to Kaesong and the Dimensional Portal was too tempting.
And just like that, the Narration of the Northern Expedition, which the nationalists had been moring for, became a reality.
However, the nationalists did not cheer in celebration.
Instead of rejoicing over having upied Manchuria without a single shot fired, they rejected it more vehemently than anyone else.
- How can Korea take on Manchuria? How can our country be expected to handle the responsibility for so many refugees?
- Is it our fault that those two countries ended up like this? Its the fault of Stalin, who was addicted to elixirs, and the Commies themselves!
- We must blockade the Amnok River3 and Tumen River4! Even if it means withdrawing from the UN!
- Let''s wipe them all out before those bastards from the great nation5 set the monsters loose here!
However, once again, no one paid attention to their demands.
The Korean government had silenced them directly.
***
"Vice Captain, its time to wake up."
A familiar voice roused Kim Mansoo from his sleep.
"Cmon, how long are you going to sleep?"
Having tossed and turned in the car''s back seat, he finally opened his eyes with a scowl.
As he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked out the window, he was greeted by an unbearably familiar sight.
Tall concrete walls, a guard post, armed soldiers, and injured people being carried on stretchers.
"Ah, Manchuria, my damned hometown..."
Kim Mansoo rolled down the car window and took a deep breath. The stale and cold Manchurian air filled his nostrils.
Only then did Kim Mansoo shake off his drowsiness and turn to check the passenger seat but it was was empty.
"...Where did that kid go?!"
Kim Mansoo turned to the driver''s seat with a look of surprise. The mercenary squad member, a subordinate of his who had been driving all night, responded with a sullen face.
"If youre talking about that new recruit, he left for the mercenary base camp a while ago."
"He went alone, without his guide instructor?"
"Well, that certain instructor was snoring away. He waited for about 3 minutes before taking off with his phone."
"WHAT?! How could you let him go alone?!"
"I tried my best to wake you up, Vice Captain."
"..."
"And its not like hes some three-year-old. Why cant he go alone? Its not a dangerous area, and what could possibly happen at the Manchurian base?"
Instead of responding, Kim Mansoo smacked the subordinate on the back of his head.
Thud!
The subordinate, who had been struck by the emotionally charged Superhuman, slumped forward, his head hitting the steering wheel.
"You bastard, dont you know the saying ''if you speak about it, you''ll jinx it? Don''t you know that if you say something won''t happen, it definitely will?"
"I mean, Vice Captain. Youre kinda overreacting..."
Regardless of what nonsense his subordinate spouted, Kim Mansoo massaged his forehead.
What if something were to happen to the new recruit? And what if that guys talents were somehow revealed?
The consequences were easy to predict.
Some aggressive individuals would send an assassin to try to take his head, while those with money would attempt to steal the so-called new recruit by bribing him.
This is exactly why I came all the way here, to prevent something like that from happening.
Kim Mansoo sighed deeply as if he had just been dumped by a girlfriend of three years.
"Vice Captain, why are you so restless? Wait dont tell me is that kid the Captains hidden son or something?"
"...It would have been better if that were the case."
"Well, judging by his looks, youre definitely not his father..."
"Knock it off already! Enough with your nonsense. You should head back to headquarters first and let Seokcheol know that you made it safely."
Then Kim Mansoo stormed out of the car before his subordinate could even respond.
A few soldiers and mercenaries who recognized him changed their expressions, but he paid them no heed and simply kept walking.
Please let him arrive at the base camp without any problems.
***
Since calling it the ''National Army for Manchurian Support Headquarters'' every time was a mouthful, everyone usually just called it ''Manchurian Base'' for short.
At noon, with the sun shining brightly, Cheon Yeomyeong entered an areamonly referred to as the Mercenary Zone among the various sections of the Manchurian base.
Cheon Yeomyeong was strolling leisurely, ncing at the residential areas and shops prepared for the mercenaries.
Although there was no one to talk to or apany him, his steps were light and carefree.
Another factor was the absence of the grumbling instructor from the driver''s seat and the snoring Vice Captain from the back seat.
So, this is the ce Ill be staying in for the next 6 months.
With each step, he took in the scenery of the Mercenary Zone.
And even if he tried to put it nicely, it wasnt really a pleasant ce.
The ce was filled with exhausted soldiers, fierce looking mercenaries, and merchants raising their voices to earn more money.
However, Yeomyeong didnt really care either. Didnt people fight monsters and die every day at the Manchurian base?
From the very beginning, it was inherently far from a peaceful ce.
As Yeomyeong was walking and thinking this, a familiar face came into view.
An M-shaped receding hairline, a nose ridge as sharp as a de, and eyes that were sharply slit
Isnt he the rat bastard who ambushed Mr. Jang Man...?
Although he wasnt wearing the blue coat he wore back then, it was definitely him.
Perhaps sensing Yeomyeongs gaze, the man stopped and turned his head toward him.
His eyes widened in surprise, and his jaw dropped as a brief silence ensued.
The nce they exchanged held more meaning than a hundred words. And even without any signal, they both moved almost simultaneously.
Step! Step!
Yeomyeong kicked the ground as the man started sprinting in the opposite direction.
He didnt just run a straight line. Staying true to the name of the Blue Rat organization, he used every method possible to create some distance.
He turned corners at every alley, jumped over passing vehicles, used the outdoor units of air conditioners to leap through windows, and jumped from rooftop to rooftop
However, every time he nced behind, the distance between him and Yeomyeong kept getting shorter.
Was it simply because of the difference between a Superhuman and an ordinary person? No, it wasnt.
Instead, it was because Yeomyeong absorbed the methods the man was using and countered them with more efficient and Superhuman techniques.
How could there be such a crazy bastard?
The moment he saw Yeomyeong leaping across the rooftops using the same method he was , the man let out a string of curses.
He looked around, hoping someone mighte to his aid, but the passing mercenaries and soldiers merely watched them with interest.
Even the military police, who were supposed to be maintaining public order, were whistling and doing nothing. There was no one to help him.
The man clenched his eyes shut and drew his pistol from his belt.
It was a serious crime to use a gun without permission at the Manchurian Base, but standing before a Superhuman holding a grudge was worse than facing a military court.
At least he wouldn''t die while being tried in a military court.
Having made up his mind, the man turned around, aiming his gun. However, the next moment, a foot that was moving too fast to be seen struck his wrist.
Argh!
The gun flew into the air without even being fired. The man rolled on the ground while clutching his broken wrist.
Wait! Wait! I surrender! Ill surrender!
He raised his still intact hand as a sign of surrender.
It seems theres some, some m-misunderstanding between us.
What misunderstanding?
This is because of the fight back in Incheon, right? It was all a misunderstanding. I-I had no intention of harming Mr. Jang Man. Honestly. I once worked under him, so why would I want to hurt him?
Oh, is that so?
Yeomyeong reached out and grabbed the mans neck. His Superhuman grip tightened around the mans throat.
Theres something Mr. Jang Man told me, but I dont know if youre aware.
Cough, cough, wh-what did he say
Misunderstandings are easier to resolve after killing.
Yeomyeong tightened his grip. Or, rather, he was about to.
Just as Yeomyeong was about to snap the man''s neck, something softly pressed down against the back of his head.
Click.
That is enough.
Turning his head around, Yeomyeong saw arge revolver, one used for hunting bears, aimed at him.
Unless you want a hole in your /genesisforsaken
Chapter 34: A Coincidence for the NPC (5)
***
The entrance ceremony of the Lord Howe Academy was grand.
Even though the schedule was dyed due to a recent terror attack, and many visitors were turned away for security reasons, the ceremony still drew an enormous crowd.
Although the academy''s pride, the auditorium, wasnt filled to its capacity, the people in attendance were enough to fill a ser field and more.
And perhaps because there were no mere spectators, the average quality of the people attending the ceremony was much higher than the previous years.
Influential politicians and diplomats, active Superhumans and Mages, major yers in the education sector, and self-proimed celebrities with a penchant for attracting attention were all in attendance.
The sight of so many famous personalities gathered together in one ce, something no one would ever expect to see, was truly a spectacle.
Even though the event hadnt started yet, reporters constantly shed their cameras.
Of course, the event wasnt perfect. Due to the overly heated atmosphere, most of the students, who were supposed to be the stars of the ceremony, were left feeling unusually intimidated.But it was somewhat expected. Even if they were Superhumans, most of them were still children who hadnt even reached adulthood. The blinding shes of cameras and the deafening noise of the event was all very unfamiliar to them.
And among them, a few new students in particr, who despite being Superhumans, hung their heads low or broke into a cold sweat under the overwhelming attention.
For instance, Miridith sitting beside Seti or rather, Soe Miri was one of those new students.
She had her head lowered with a near-tearful expression.
Although part of it was due to her introverted personality, mostly because of the overwhelming attention directed at her.
Not only was she brought to the academy by the renowned Holy Sword herself, but she was also a stunning beauty.
Where else would the reporterse across such prey?
As a consequence, she had to endure a barrage of shes the moment she took her seat. Despite lowering her head due to the difort caused by all the lights, her sharp elven senses were able to detect all the gazes scrutinizing her body.
Eventually, with only a short time left for the entrance ceremony to start, Soe Miri couldnt hold it in any longer and ended up retching.
Are you okay?
What prevented her from vomiting was Seti, who was sitting next to her. Seti gently patted Soe Miris back and handed her a handkerchief and a bottle of water.
Due to the kindness amidst her anxiety, tears welled up in Soe Miris eyes, and a sip of water helped her regainposure.
After dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief, Soe Miri bowed her head slightly to her kind human roommate.
Thank you, Miss Seti.
Its no big deal.
Seti shrugged as if it really wasnt a big deal to her. And even though she, too, was bathed in the constant shes alongside Soe Miri, she didnt utter aint.
Instead, she cheekily stretched and looked around as if searching for something.
Seti was a remarkably bold roommate. While enduring the flood of attention, Soe Miri nced at Seti.
After a while, a bright smile appeared on Setis face. She straightened herself and waved toward the other side of the auditorium.
Following her gaze, Soe Miri saw three students waving back at Seti.
Friends? No, they didnt seem to be her friends. They all shared a subtle, simr aura with Seti, suggesting they were either family or rtives.
Who are they?
As soon as Seti finished greeting her acquaintances, Soe Miri quietly asked her a question, and Seti responded casually.
Theyre my sisters.
All three of them?
Yes, all four sisters somehow ended up starting at the academy on the same day, same time.
A wistful smile appeared at the corners of Setis mouth. Soe Miri, who had recently lost her family members, could sense the nostalgia in that smileThe longing for family she could no longer meet.
She kept her mouth shut and gave Seti the space to collect her emotions.
A short whileter, the auditorium lights dimmed, and finally, the entrance ceremony began.
Figures who had finished their preparations started appearing on the stage which had been empty just moments before.
Most of them were people Soe Miri didnt know, but among them, there were a few well-known figures even she could recognize.
Jose Aginaldo...
The most prominent figure was a well-dressed middle-aged man.
Apart from his smooth mustache and bronzed skin, he was otherwise unremarkable, but at the end of the day, Superhumans were judged by their aplishments, not their appearance.
In that sense, Jose Aginaldo was the most outstanding figure here.
After all, he was the Earthian who had managed to survive after facing her fathers sword personally.
Why is such a big shot attending the entrance ceremony?
Soe Miri squinted and observed the others as well. A man in military uniform, which seemed rather out of ce, and a familiar woman wearing an eyepatch.
Lieutenant General McFane and Freya Cahn Isnt it a bit too much for such prominent people to gather here?
Even though she wasnt an Earthian, she could tell that having three out of the ten strongest Earthians gathered in one ce was definitely not normal.
Of course, she couldnt understand more than that. Being an outsider from beyond the Dimensional Portal, she had no way of knowing why Earthians had gathered such a formidable force just for the entrance ceremony.
Is this just for some counter-terrorism purpose? Or are they preparing something major?
While Soe Miri observed and spected about the people gathered onstage, her eyes met those of a stern-looking elderly man of East Asian descent on the stage.
It wasnt a coincidence. The old man, indeed, had fixed an intense gaze on her, as if trying to pierce through her.
Who is he?
Just as Soe Miri tilted her head in confusion, Seti spoke up.
Dont make eye contact with that lowlife. Youll only be dirtying your eyes for no reason.
Setis tone was sharper than usual.
That lowlife? Didnt Koreans value respect for the elderly? Soe Miri unconsciously asked.
Is he a bad person?
It would be nice if he were just bad. That old man is an absolute piece of trash. As soon as he heard the rumors about your Korean origins, he has been looking for a way to try to exploit you.
Heres my advice, if anyone from the Korean government approaches you, do not acknowledge them. It wont be of any help to you.
Setis face was expressionless as she made this assertion, but the hatred in her eyes was unmistakable.
Seeing that, Soe Miri chose not to ask further and silently nodded.
She was also someone who had personally witnessed the monstrous pig-headed figures that the Korean government controlled.
While the two stopped talking, the various government officials and Superhumans came forward to start their speeches.
The speeches were dull. They were all the same clich about bing future heroes, using Superhuman powers for the good of society, and so on.
Nevertheless, the most impressive speech came from Freya Cahn.
She came up to the podium, nced at the new students, and then said just one thing before stepping down.
- Nunya stand out this year. Step up ya game, mates!
Known for her entricity, the Holy Swords remarks didnt spark any adverse reactions.
Soe Miri gave a wry smile while Seti also nodded with a peculiar expression for some reason.
In any case, once they were freed from the boring speeches, it was time for the new students oath.
When the time for the new students oath arrived, the reporters, who had been lethargic, and all the Superhumans and Mages, except for Freya Cahn, were now paying attention.
- New student representatives, pleasee up to the podium when your names are called.
As the host said those words, the atmosphere immediately changed.
Not understanding the situation, Soe Miri cautiously looked at Seti. Seeing her expression, Seti began to exin.
At Lord Howe Academy, the new student oath can only be taken by students who are recognized by the faculty from each field.
Is that really a big deal?
Of course, it is. It means youve been recognized by active Superhumans even as a new student. And in years when no one meets the criteria, the new student oath isnt held at all.
Ah
But this year, representatives were chosen from every fieldmartial arts, magic, and religion. Its the first time this has happened since the academys founding, so the expectations are high.
Did she also want to stand up there? Seti looked at the stage with a somewhat wistful gaze.
Then, the host on stage called out loudly.
- New student martial arts representative. Jeon Yunseong!
Jeon Yunseong. Soe Miri watched the young man with an unfamiliar name go up on stage.
The martial arts representative was a handsome boy, but that was all.
Having grown up watching elf martial artists who were thousands of years old, the boys presence did not impress Soe Miri at all.
Instead, Setis expression as she observed Jeon Yunseong caught her attention more.
Anger, jealousy, and a somewhat ambiguous smile.
What kind of rtionship did the two of them have to warrant such a reaction?
Curious, Soe Miri was about to say something when the host called the next representative.
- New student magic representative, Salome!
This time, it was a name Soe Miri also knew of. In the past, the Magic Tower''s rising star was prophesied to be the Vessel capable of holding anything, ording to thest archmage.
Although she was often simply called a Vessel rather than by her name, she had another famous title.
The hope of Asha.
The rising star destined to restore the Magic Tower to its former glory and put the arrogant Earthians in their ce.
Of course, the elves did not believe something like that was possible, as the Magic Tower had long declined.
Salome-ssi?
Anyway, after the host called her name one more time, a ck figure rose from among the new students.
The figure was a woman with a ck veil that covered her face, a ck robe that enveloped her entire body, and gloves on her hands.
Wrappedpletely from head to toe, it was difficult to tell if she could even see what was in front of her, but it was Salome.
It turns out she still goes around looking like that
Soe Miri watched her with a sense of pity. Fortunately, it appeared that she could see well enough, as she managed to climb the stage without any trouble.
Some reporters grumbled about how thoroughly she was wrapped up, but that was it. After all, mages were often difficult to understand.
And finally it was time for thest representative to arrive.
The representative from the religious sector was someone who needed no additional introductiona person of mixed bloodline who had be the symbol of peace connecting Earth and the realms Beyond the Dimensional Portal.
The Saintess.
- The new student religious representative is none other than the Saintess herself. Saintess, pleasee up to the podium.
Soe Miri slightly turned to the side and asked Seti.
What kind of person is the Saintess of this generation?
It was a light question to start a conversation, but the response was anything but that.
A nutcase.
Pardon?
Shes like an incarnation of appearance-focused elitism. That bitchs mentality is inversely proportional to her looks. I can''t tell you how disgusted I feel whenever she puts on a fake persona every time she''s on TV.
Ah um, are you personally acquainted with the Saintess?
Was it a joke between friends? Soe Miri tilted her head at Setis extreme evaluation.
Acquaintance, feh?! Actually, I really dislike her. Shes the reason I avoid visiting the temple.
As Soe Miri was at a loss for words as her mouth went shut, murmurs could be heard from the stage.
Shortly after, the host picked up the microphone and spoke in a flustered voice.
- The Saintess is unable to participate in todays entrance ceremony due to health issues. Unfortunately, Mr. Jeon Yunseong and Miss Salome will be the only ones to conduct the new student oath.
As soon as the announcement ended, the corners of Setis mouth twisted.
Health issues, my foot She probably ran away again. That bitch.
Miss Seti? What did you just say?
Dont mind me. Im just talking to myself.
Soe Miri struggled to keep her head facing forward as she was about to turn it to the side again. For some reason, she felt that she shouldnt make eye contact with Seti at that moment.
We, the students, pledge
With Jeon Yunseong''s booming voice, the official new student oath ceremony began.
As everyone was focused on the stage, Soe Miri pondered if she should revise her evaluation of her /genesisforsaken
Chapter 35: A Coincidence for the NPC (6)
***
Whats this?
Yeomyeong furrowed his brow. He was caught off guard from behind without even feeling any mana or presence.
Only when he btedly focused his senses, did he feel a very faint presence.
However, just as he was about to turn his head a little more to size up his opponent, a cold gun muzzle pressed against his cheek.
Uh-huh, dont even think about turning your head any further. You should raise your hands up above your head obediently.
The threatening tone was quite domineering, but the frivolous voice made it sound less like a threat.
And take the strength out of your grip and put your hands up while Im still being nice.
Yeomyeong frowned as he continued pressing the neck of the rat-like bastard. Should he just let this bastard go?The contemtion didntst long. He decided to first assess the opponent.
This is a personal matter. It would be better if you didnt interfere.
Its a personal matter for me too. Its my hobby to save people, you know?
The gunslinger spoke as if she were a hero of justice, but the words she uttered were clearly a lie.
Because a faint glimmer of joy crept up on the face of the rat-like bastard being choked to death.
Yeomyeong squinted and continued speaking.
Whats your rtionship with this bastard?
No rtionship at all.
A brief silence fell. After a moment, a long sigh pushed away the heavy silence that had settled like a fog.
Sigh, I really cant lie. Well, all I can say is that I at least recognize Words face, so is that enough?
Yeomyeong pondered over it with Words neck still in his grasp. It wouldnt be bad to just snap his neck right now, but the gun pressed against his head was the problem.
He sighed and flung Word to the floor.
Gack, kuh, kkh, kuhluck, kuhluck!
Word, who was rolling on the floor,y there gasping for breath while frothing from his mouth.
After watching this for a moment, the gunslinger opened her mouth.
You said it was a personal matter? What exactly did that person do for you to try to kill him by snapping his neck like a chickens?
That bastard tried to kill my benefactor.
Aha! Justifiable revenge?
Word, who had been listening to their conversation, was shocked and attempted to interject with drool still dripping from his gasping mouth.
No, cough! Thats not it at all!
Whats not it?
Everything! Its all a misunderstanding. Huh, that persons benefactor is also my benefactor. I just had a slight misunderstanding with that person
Hey.
The moment he said the word misunderstanding, Yeomyeong cut him off and began gathering his mana.
His golden eyes shed with anger.
Is it a slight misunderstanding when five people, including a Superhuman and armed men,e to grab someone by the cor?
No, that was not intended I didnt do it on
Shut your trap.
Not only did Word, who couldnt sense the mana, fall silent, but even the gunslinger shut her mouth. Yeomyeong red at him, ready to pounce on him at any second.
The situation grew tense. After a brief silence, the gunslinger sighed.
Hah, this guy really is a bastard.
Unable to respond, the rat-like bastard lowered his head. Yeomyeong gathered his mana and initiated the Surging Wave technique.
Enough with the games.
The moment he extended his hand de to prepare his next strike, the gun muzzle that had been pressed against his cheek moved.
Bang!
The gunslinger fired a bullet at Words calf. It was an attack without any warning or premonition.
Both Word, who had been shot, and Yeomyeong, who was watching, blinked in shock.
K-karrrgh! Shit! My leg! My leg!
Word, who felt the pain btedly, screamed as he clutched his leg.
Perhaps due to some special treatment, the bullet had managed to pierced his calf bone and flesh cleanly, and blood flowing from the hole in his calf soaked the floor.
What the hell are you doing?
Yeomyeong asked her in a subdued voice. The sudden interruption caused the mana he had gathered to scatter.
I have a condition where I just feel like shooting whenever I see a bastard Well, its not murder, though.
Hell probably die from blood loss with a wound like that.
His life wont be in danger if he gets treated within 3 minutes.
From her confident manner of speaking, it seemed like she had done something like this before. Only then did Yeomyeong turn his head to check the opponents appearance.
The spot where the gunslinger should have been was empty.
What Yeomyeong did see was a slender hand holding a revolver floating mid-air.
Invisibility Magic?
Yeomyeong recognized the type of magic used instantly and raised an eyebrow. It was the same magic Freya Cahn used to hide her Sister Swords.
Although he couldnt tell how difficult it was to use Invisibility Magic, he was sure that casting magic on the entire body was no small feat.
The gunslinger was either a great Mage or possessed an even greater magic item. Either way, she wasnt someone to be underestimated.
Should I fight her? Or
While Yeomyeongs mana was trying to find its ce, sounds of boots hurrying and shouts could be heard from the end of the alley.
- Who the hell is shooting during mealtime?
- Military police should be allowed to eat their lunch, too!
It was the voices of the military police responsible for maintaining public order in the Mercenary Zone. The fact that they sounded closer than expected meant it was only a matter of time before they reached the alley.
Did she shoot the gun with this intention in mind?
Yeomyeong red at the invisible gunslinger. The per no she, undoubtedly, spun the revolver in a showy manner.
Oh my, the military police will be here soon. Shall we go our separate ways? That guy might actually die if left like this.
What if I refuse?
Why? Do you want to leave him to die? But you know, theres no need to kill him.
With a hole in his calf bone, hell have a lifelong ache even if its treated. Doesnt that seem like hes paid his dues?
Every time he feels that pain, he might be reminded to seek revenge instead.
Uh you could say that as well but I will make sure that it never happens. I swear. The Blue Rat will never, evere near you or your benefactor again.
Her manner of speaking was as if she would wink at him if her face were visible. Instead of responding, Yeomyeong continued to stare at the spot where the gunslinger supposedly was.
After a moment, she added somewhat sheepishly.
Oh, really. Isnt this enough to make you believe me?
...Do I look like a fool who would believe the words of someone who wont even show their face?
Come on, seriously? You can only trust what you see? Even religious people believe in gods without even seeing their faces, you know?
I dont go to temples.
Oh, really? Must be nice being a non-believer huh?
While the two bickered back and forth, the forgotten Word was gasping for breath with half-closed eyes. It was a typical symptom of imminent death from blood loss.
Damn, hes really going to die at this rate.
Seeing that, the gunslinger sighed and shifted her gun slightly. Was she going to shoot? Yeomyeong tensed his muscles.
Tap.
Contrary to his expectations, she threw the gun to the ground.
Then she raised her now-free hands, grabbed something in the air, and ''spread'' it.
A transparent curtain created by magic parted, revealing what was concealed behind itBetween someones chin and sr plexus a smooth jawline, a slender neck, and something huge.
Yeomyeong, who was ready for a fight, frowned, wondering what was happening.
Regardless, the opponent immediately reached into her chest and pulled something.
It was a pendant with crossed swords, an axe, and a bleeding heart symbol. Though it wasnt from Earth, it was a symbol familiar to EarthiansThe symbol of Redox, the red god of war and struggle worshipped by warriors beyond the Dimensional Portal.
Why was she bringing out a symbol of God at a time like this? Yeomyeongs eyebrow arched as mana swirled around the pendant.
The mana wasnt something the gunslinger had infused; it was emanating from the pendant itself.
A Holy Relic?
Unlike ordinary magic tools that couldnt be activated without infusing mana using an external source, this object was able to emit mana all by itself due to the Holy Blessing.
It was a proof of faith and a reward for belief.
Fortunately, you recognized it right away. Yes, its a Holy Relic.
The mana emanating from the Holy Relic was dense enough to make his skin tingle.
It was a Holy Relic not given to just any priest, but a high-ranking one that would typically only be seen on TV. This naturally implied that the opponent was also a high-ranking priest
So youre not a gunslinger but a priest.
Well, Id rather be a gunslinger.
She grasped the pendant and pulled it away from her chest. Then she extended her hand and handed the relic to Yeomyeong.
Here, take it.
What?
Its a guarantee for my vow. If the Blue Rat harms your benefactor by any chance, take this and go to the Redox Temple and ask for revenge. I assure you, the Church will give appropriate retribution to those who break their vow.
Isnt this enough?
Yeomyeong briefly nced at the hand holding the pendant and the empty space before epting the pendant.
He did so not because he trusted her but because he trusted the Holy Relic and the Redox ChurchThe only Church of gods whomunicated with their followers directly.
They would raise their swords against any cultist who sold their names.
Perhaps this Holy Relic was the most trustworthy guarantee in the world.
However, there was nothing more certain than death. Yeomyeong swallowed his thoughts and subtly made way.
Seemingly waiting for this moment, the gunslinger concealed her upper body with Invisibility Magic once again and rushed to the rat-like bastard.
Word, you idiot. You cant even endure one bullet?
And just as Yeomyeong subtly ced his hand on his weapon
The hand floating in the air shimmered with white light. It wasnt the fake light shown by cultists but genuine Holy light that performed miracles. Even the Incheon parish priests he remembered couldnt emit such light
Why is such a high-ranking priest working with the Blue Rat?
Doubts spiraled endlessly in his mind, but they didnt turn into queries. Seeing the light, Yeomyeong pondered briefly. That light represented the will of the gods. Would the gods abandon him if he killed the person responsible? Or wouldnt it be better to trust the guarantee and retreat?
As Yeomyeong was torn betweenmitting murder and belief
- Check Alley 3 and 11! Those are the only ones remaining!
The shouts of the military police could be heard from a distance. Would he be able to kill both of them before the military police arrived? The answer was no.
Yeomyeong moved his hand from his weapon and touched the Holy Relic in his pocket, feeling its warmth. Was this the will of the gods, or just a coincidence? He didnt know. Nor did he want to know.
He turned and walked towards the opposite side of the alley. He didnt know how this connection would develop, but it was time to leave.
As he left, the frivolous voice called out from behind him.
Hey! It sucked to meet you, so let''s never cross paths again!
Whenever someone said that, they always ended up meeting again. Yeomyeong didnt respond and simply left the alley.
* * *
Kim Mansoo and Cheon Yeomyeong met at the road right in front of the mercenary groups base camp.
Why did the guy who left first arrive at the same time as me?
Seeing Yeomyeongs clothes covered in dust, Kim Mansoo instinctively suspected something had happened, but Yeomyeongs expression was way too calm.
I got lost, Sir.
Got lost? What happened to the map?
I lost it.
Hearing Yeomyeongs calm answer, Mansoos eyebrows furrowed deeply.
He wanted to retort sharply, but given his own guilt for falling asleep in the car, he had nothing more to say.
Sigh, fine. At least you made it to the base.
In the end, Kim Mansoo said nothing else and just entered the base camp.
Creak.
The old hinges creaked as soon as the door opened.
Whether it served as a doorbell or not, the dozen or so mercenaries inside the camp turned to stare at the two.
Oh? Vice Captain? Arent you supposed to be facing disciplinary action?
The first to speak was a burly man with a thick beard. Judging by the neatly disassembled automatic rifleid out in front of him, it seemed like he was maintaining his firearm.
Yes, Im being disciplined. So, I came to Manchuria as an instructor.
Instructor?
The middle-aged man then nced at Yeomyeong, who was standing behind Kim Mansoo.
Perhaps because Yeomyeong appeared younger than expected, the man forced augh and said
"I keep telling you to control that temper of yours. And now, someone at your level has to babysit? Really?
Stop babbling, you punk! Whens the next deployment?
The deployment? Well youve arrived just in time.
Just in time?
The middle-aged man chuckled while skillfully assembling his rifle.
Its today, in exactly three hours. Were heading out to support the team that went to North Manchuria.
It had to be today of all days Kim Mansoo sighed.
Starting with an actual battle on the first day, it seems like the new guys really lucky.
Is supporting an expedition a joke? Hows a neer supposed to keep up?
Its not a joke, Vice Captain. I also joined after two days.
Thats because youve served on active duty before. This kids a rookie who hasnt even started military service, so today will just be about getting assigned...
Just as Kim Mansoo was about to refuse, Yeomyeong, standing behind him, interjected.
I will go.
Kim Mansoos expression immediately twisted in surprise. Seeing this, the middle-aged man burst into heartyughter.
Pfftttt hahaha! Finally, a decent one has arrived! Yes, thats the spirit! Youve got to be proactive if youre in the mercenary business!
ck, the middle-aged man, who had finished assembling his firearm, stood up. He slung the automatic rifle over his shoulder and stood before Yeomyeong.
Neer, whats your name?
Cheon Yeomyeong.
Yeomyeong, wee to the 3rd team of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. Im Tian Lin, the team leader. As for the rest of their names
Tian Lin surveyed the base camp briefly and shrugged.
Ill let you know only if you dont fall behind on your first deployment.
Amidst the snickering of the mercenaries, Kim Mansoo massaged his throbbing /genesisforsaken
Chapter 36: The World After the Prologue
***Following the copse of the Soviet Union, Siberia became and gued by all kinds of monsters.Surrounded by a massive mana barrier, the region was no longer essible to ordinary people.Even the dwarves who survived the Gg1 called it the Land of Sorrow.On the other side of the globe, the Americans who won the Cold War referred to it as Stalins Arrogance, while Moscow and the Europeans preferred the term The Great Mistake.Each name was either literary or educationalNames that could be used to describe something one could observe from a safe distance without personally experiencing the suffering caused by the monsters beyond the barrier.However, the Manchurians despised such names.Because for them, Siberia and the monsters contained within were a grim reality they had to face daily....Although the reason has not been revealed, the mana barrier surrounding Siberia happens to be particrly thin near the region where it borders Manchuria.And that wasmonly called the Manchurian Rift.Because of that, for Manchurians, Siberia signifies hella hell thatys waste their homes and spawns demons that reap their lives.Tian Lin, who had been giving an exnation up to that point, nced at Cheon Yeomyeong.Sitting in a military transport truck, Yeomyeong was listening to him without any particrints.Although it would be normal for a neer to feel motion sickness from a terrible ride in a military truck, Yeomyeong had a calm expression, as if he was sitting on a normal chair.Im worried that I might have rambled on needlessly. It must have been a bit dull for a young person like you.When Tian Lin said that, Yeomyeong shook his head.No, Sir. I didnt even notice the time passing by.Heh, this neer really knows how to butter up someone.Just as Tian Lin was about to continue speaking with a smile, the military truck jolted up and down as it ran over some rocks on the Manchurian in.For Yeomyeong and Tian Lin, it was just a slight pain in their butts, but for Kim Mansoo, lying next to them, it felt like he was hit by a hammer from hell.And as soon as the trucks shaking subsided, he immediately gagged and retched. Yet, since he had already thrown up once, nothing came out.Jeez, Vice Captain, why on earth is someone who suffers from motion sickness tagging along?Ugh, ugh, isnt it natural for the instructor to apany the new recruitThen you should have taken some motion sickness pills and gone to sleep like usual. Its harder for us to watch, you know?If I f-fall asleep, who will look after the new recruit Blehh!Ah, right. This neer must be someone really important.Turning his attention away from Kim Mansoo, who had his head out the truck window, Tian Lin looked at Yeomyeong with renewed interest.His body had a considerable amount of muscle, a neat posture, and a sharp demeanor.To put it grandly, he looked like a well-polished sword.Without having known that he was a neer, one would easily mistake him for a Superhuman, which made it understandable to see the Vice Captain so invested.Hey, Neer, arent you nervous?...Should I be?Well, people usually feel nervous. You dont seem to be ordinary, though.Tian Lin took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. It was a habit he formed on feeling a sense of despair after realizing he couldnt be a Superhuman.By any chance, were you an aspiring Superhuman?Yeomyeong didnt reply and just gave him a vague smile. Tian Lin interpreted that smile in his own way.It seems he failed the academy entrance exam, just like me.Feeling like he had needlessly reopened someones old wounds, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly and changed the subject.So, do you know exactly what this mission is?From what I understand, it''s to support the expedition thats in North Manchuria.Seeing that the young guy remembered the name of the mission quite urately, Tian Lin nodded while taking a deep drag from his cigarette.But you dont know the exact details of the mission, right?Yes, other than the fact that North Manchuria is located right in front of the Rift, I dont know much.I see, it seems like Ive been talking aimlessly instead of sharing important information.The cigarette smoke flowing from Tian Lins mouth was carried away by the chilly wind.As you said, North Manchuria is right at the doorstep of the Rift. Its pretty much a front-line position.The problem is that there are so many monsters that theyve created their own ecosystem. If not for periodic cleaning, they will multiply and move south.The monsters moving south would always flock towards civilian residential areas, as if they had made an agreement. The victims of these monsters were always the weak.The expedition team probably refers to the mercenaries who go there to clean up monsters.Tian Lin nodded in agreement.Well, you dont need to stress about it. Its an annual event, nothing special. Once we start firing bullets and shells, we can consider the taskpleted.Is there anything we should keep in mind?Well, monsters that dont fit the usual standards do show up asionally, but there are Superhumans stationed in North Manchuria to deal with them. But if youre really worriedTian Lin trailed off and turned to Kim Mansoo, who was still struggling to return to his senses.Just stick close to the Vice Captain. At least that way, you wont die.It was ridiculous to see a Superhuman unable to endure motion sickness, but he was still someone who had risen to the position of Vice Captain of the mercenary group. Hence, his skills were reliable.Yeomyeong looked between Kim Mansoo and Tian Lin, then smiled awkwardly.Ill keep that in mind.
* * *Back at the Mercenary Zone of the Manchurian base, between a narrow alleyway.Mydy, did you really have to shoot my calf?A man with a distinct M-shaped receding hairline, Word, asked as he rubbed his calf. Although he looked fine on the outside, his bones still felt cold.Why? Should I have shot you in the chest instead?The response came from the empty air right next to him.Its not that Imining, but what I meant was there really no better alternative?You would have definitely been a goner if I hadnt shot you. I could have escaped using my Invisibility Cloak, but you cant, can you?Although the response was full of conviction, Words expression did not ease. He frowned, his sharp nose wrinkling.Wouldnt it have been simpler if you shot him in the back of the head?Ah, so I should have killed him?That would have been cheaper than giving away such a precious Holy Relic, wouldnt it?A mockingugh came from within the invisibility cloak.Word, its because you act like this that Mother didnt promote you to an executive position.Lets say I shot him in the back of the head, and he didnt die. What then?Word turned his gaze toward the empty air from where the voice wasing.Mydy, even if someone is a Superhuman, they will still die if a .44 caliber magic bullet is put through their head.Ha! Dont you know how many Superhumans have survived gunshots? Should I list them out?Well, alright, there are indeed such Superhumans. But he wasnt one of them. When we met in Incheon, he was only on par with Mortimer.On par? Youre joking. Uncle Mortimer is still in the hospital, remember? Do you know how much it cost to reattach his severed arm?As the frivolous voice jabbed at a painful spot, Word recalled the recent events that took ce in Incheon.The image of Yeomyeong shing through Mortimers chest with his hand de and then cutting off his arm.So wouldnt it have been better to just kill him there?Ah, for real. You yap too much.If the other members of the organization would have said the same thing had been in the same situationAs Word tried to protest, the air parted, revealing a revolver.Hey, Word.She brandished the revolver in front of him, the flickering muzzle making Words eyes dizzy.You.cant.kill.him. You absolutely cannot kill him.Whether you shoot him in the back of the head or snipe him from a distance, it wont work. Do you still not understand what Im saying?On realizing the true meaning of her words, Words eyes widened in shock.Could it be you used Foresight?Yeah.Why on earth would you use Foresight in a ce like this?Why does it matter to you if I want to use my abilities?Word was left speechless. He frowned and sighed.So, what exactly did you see?I saw you dying with your neck broken and me fleeing with my arm severed.It doesnt matter if I shoot him in the back of the head or from a distance, the result is the same. It will just be a waste of my mana.The youngdy hidden under the Invisibility Cloakined, then spun the revolver once more. It was a stunt worthy of a Western film.Hmm, I think I should give it another try. Should I use Foresight on that guy again?As she spoke yfully, Word was startled and waved his hands.Mydy, please! If the Boss finds out about this, shell kill me!My mother doesnt even know that Im here, so how would she know that I used Foresight? As long as you keep your mouth shut, everything will be fine.From Words experience, nothing could stop his stubborn youngdy. And at times like this, all they could do was wait for the result.However, for some reason the result of the Foresight did note.The frivolous voice was gone, and the revolver that had been spinning wildly was now floating motionless in the air.Was her Foresight being blocked?After waiting for about ten minutes, Word cautiously reached out to the spot where the Invisibility Cloak had been. Just as his fingers were about to graze the soft texture of silkA short scream of Kyaaak! came from the Invisibility Cloak.Mydy?! Whats happening?Ah it seems like were fucking screwed.What do you mean by f-fucking screwed?Words jaw dropped at the foulnguage, but the youngdy continued as if it didnt matter.North Manchuria has copsed.North Manchuria copsed? Realizing the meaning behind those words, Words expression hardened.That cant be. You had a Foresight rted to him, didnt you?Hes heading towards North Manchuria now. Hes probably a mercenary. Wait, why didnt I think of him as a mercenary until now?Mydy, is there any chance the Foresight might be wrongWord asked, trying to deny reality, but the youngdy under the Invisibility Cloak cut off any hope with a curt reply.No chance. North Manchuria is either copsing or has already copsed. Go to the headquarters and report it immediately.Yes, understood. But before that, you need to evacuate first, Mydy.I cant do that.You cant do that?IAhhhh, forget about exnations. I have to go to North Manchuria.What on earth does that mean W-wait! Mydy!Before he could even finish his question, he heard her footsteps fading away. Word hurriedly reached out, but all he grasped was the sound of her running further away.1. The word Gg originally referred only to the division of the Soviet secret police that was in charge of running the forcedbor camps from the 1930s to the early 1950s during Joseph Stalin''s rule, but in English literature the term is poprly used for the system of forcedbor throughout the Soviet era. The Gg is recognized as a major instrument of political repression in the Soviet Union. The camps housed both ordinary criminals and political prisoners, arge number of whom were convicted by simplified procedures, such as NKVD troikas or other instruments of extrajudicial punishment.
Chapter 37: The World After the Prologue (2)
***As they drew closer to North Manchuria, the scenery outside the truck began to change.The seemingly endless ins came to an end, giving way to mountains and rivers.On the mountain range, which was just a bit bigger than the hills, coniferous trees formed sparse forests. Thin ice floated on the meandering river that flowed along the mountains, and the cold air stung the nose.Only then did it feel that they were truly getting close to Siberia."Were almost there. Come on, everyone, wake up! Final weapon check before the mission!"Tian Lin''s voice reached Yeomyeongs ears as he was taking in the scenery. When he turned his head, he saw that Tian Lin was already fully armed.Like the other mercenaries who were just waking up, Yeomyeong also took out his weapon bag withoutint.The Remington MH750 and grenades provided by Jang Man, and the three steel swords supplied by the mercenary group.Although they were all closebat weapons, none of the other mercenaries bothered to point that out.After all, the neer wouldnt have any opportunity to fire a gun during a support mission for the expedition. It was enough that the experienced mercenaries carried guns.Just as all the mercenaries had finished arming themselves and the military truck began to decelerate...?Yeomyeong felt his senses plummeting. No, his reality stretched long.The sound of the military trucks engine and Vice Captain Kim Mansoos retching grew faint, as ifing from a distant ce.Whats this...He tried to draw his mana, but his mind had long since detached from his body.ShaaaAmidst the expanded reality, a shadow surged forth.It was a primordial shadow that swallowed even starlight in the night sky, and at the same time it was a familiar shadow....Mignium?Yeomyeong called out her name before he realized it. However, there was no response.The shadow silently enveloped his spirit and lifted him.He soared high above the expanded world, with his spirit separated from his body. Everything below started to be distant.The military truck was the first to be distant. Followed by the mountain range of Manchuria, and finally, the Korean Penins became distant.Eventually, once he soared high enough to reach the stars, a voice flowed from within the shadows.
My Chosen One.
It was a desirous voice, detached from reality. Only then did Yeomyeong realize this was all a dream.And not just any dream, but Migniums dream.
Look over there.
Heeding the shadow, Yeomyeong looked west. The first thing that caught his eye was the United States.Thend of supermen, the victor of the Cold War, the strongest human nation.However, the ce was shrouded in darkness. Only one source of light could be seena small, glimmering orb deep within Washington.
Can you feel it?
Yeomyeong couldnt tell what that light orb was, but he nodded.Even in the expanded world, he could vividly feel the light orb from that distantnd, as if it were within reach.
Now, find the next orb.
His gaze then shifted to AustraliaSpecifically, the western side of the Australian continent, to a ce called Lord Howe Ind.Yeomyeong knew that ce well, because the building on that beautiful ind was none other than the famous Lord Howe Academy.However, the moment he focused on the academy, he narrowed his eyes.Unlike the United States, there were six orbs glittering at the academy.Some orbs were more brilliant than others, some were broken, and some were hidden...However, thebined light emitted by the six orbs couldnt be concealed. The array of the different lights intertwining was almost blinding....What in the world were those orbs?Questions flooded his mind, but no answers came. Migniums shadow then directed his gaze to the next ce.
Look below once more.Directly below him, between the Korean Penins dyed in a somber red and Siberia bathed in darkness Manchuria.There were two sparkling orbs. One was hastily heading north from the Manchurian base, while the other was right in front of the Manchurian rift.The moment he realized this, Yeomyeong''s mind plummeted downwards.Not towards the military truck he was riding in but to the top of the hill overlooking the Rift.It was the location of the North Manchurian base Tian Lin mentioned. The base should have been filled with armed mercenaries and superhumans, but now, nothing but burning ruins remained.Monsters swarmed around the nearby hills and forests, and the gunfire from the desperate mercenaries echoed.Was this an illusion within a dream? Or a prophetic dream?It was neither. The scene unfolding before his eyes was the reality taking ce in real time.Yeomyeong turned his gaze towards himself in reality.Not too far from the burning base, he saw the military truck of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. Unaware of what was happening, the mercenaries were approaching the base unguardedThe Korean governments Shepherds?Strange figures wearing pig and cow heads were charging at them.Could it be was the Korean government responsible for the destruction of the North Manchurian base? But why?Amidst the growing questions, Mignium spoke.
Fate has awakened.All the masters of fate have risen as well.You must rightfully seize their fates.
Iprehensible words within an iprehensible dream.Yeomyeong red at Mignium, demanding an exnation.But the dream''s owner, Mignium, did not resolve his doubts. Instead, she silently smiled and dismissed him.
Do strive harder, my Chosen One.
Wait...!The dream turned upside down. The expanded world contracted, and his mind flew back to his body.As Mignium''s shadow receded and the smell of death and blood stung his nose, Yeomyeong woke up from the dream.
***...What is this?Having smelt something burning, Tian Lin stuck his head out of the military truck.The smell was wafting from beyond the coniferous forests of North Manchuria. Was it just the smell of gunpowder? No. Along with the gunpowder, there was also the scent of burning wood and flesh.Tian Lin frowned and saw ck smoke rising into the sky as he looked up.That was undoubtedly an ominous sign.He picked up the radio and tried to make contact with the North Manchurian base. However, there was no response, even the signal tone was absent.Being a seasoned mercenary, Tian Lin did not disregard his instincts. Something had gone wrong, and things had taken a turn for the worst."Halt! Everyone stop!"He hit the driver''s seat to stop the truck and gathered the attention of the other mercenaries.The mercenaries, who were gearing up, looked at him in confusion and then frowned as they too noticed the smoke filling the sky."That cant be...""Leader, whats happening in North Manchuria?""I can''t tell becausemunication is down. For now... our mercenary group will disembark here. Wake those who are still sleeping! Secure the perimeter!"As soon as Tian Lin gave the order, Yeomyeong, who had his eyes shut, opened them slowly."...Neer?"As the Neer opened his eyes, the air around him grew heavy. Was he finally feeling tense in the face of danger?No, that didnt seem to be the case.With a rigid expression, Yeomyeong drew his sword and shotgun and approached Tian Lin."Senior Tian Lin. We need to retreat immediately.""Retreat? Are you scared or something?"Theres no time. A part of the unit needs to retreat and alert the rear. North Manchuria has already fallen.""Fallen? What are you talking about?"Tian Lin was unable to continue his question.The next moment, something flew towards the military truck carrying the other mercenaries....An anti-tank rocket?By the time Tian Lin figured out what it was, the rocket had already struck the truck.KABOOM!!It was a powerful explosion. Unable to withstand the impact, the thick military truck was lifted off the ground.mes, screams, perplexity, and fear mingled with the shockwaves that struck the mercenary group.Tian Lin, who was in the truck right beside it, was also thrown into the air and fell to the ground."Ugh, goddamn it."Fortunately, hended on soft dirt. Although his head was ringing, he wasnt seriously injured."Arrrrghhhh!""My arm! My arm!"However, unlike Tian Lin, who was somewhat lucky, those who hadnt died instantly were screaming, having lost their limbs or been hit by shrapnel in vital spots. Most of their injuries couldnt be treated with the on-site first aid kits they had."200 meters ahead! In the western woods! More than 10 enemies!""Damn it, RETURN FIRE!"Those who were still conscious began returning fire in the direction the rocket hade from.Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!The loud sound of gunfire filled the air.However, it was nothing more than suppressive fire. The firepower they could project with their rifles was limited against enemies hiding among the coniferous trees.It might have been different if they had brought grenades or mortars, but the weapons issued to the mercenaries were just automatic rifles and shotguns.It was inevitable. They were here to hunt monsters, not wage war against armed humans.We are at a disadvantage in terms of both terrain and firepower. We have no way of turning the situation around.The mercenary group was now facing a hopeless situation. It was only a matter of time before they were all wiped out.Damn it, everyone, retreat! Disperse into the forest!!Having assessed the situation, Tian Lin called for a retreat. Following his orders, some mercenaries started to run behind the cover.However, as soon as they turned their backs, the enemies fired rockets again.Were they using magic? Because the enemy''s rocketsnded precisely above the mercenaries heads.KABOOM!!Amidst the exploding sts, blood and flesh scattered. Many mercenaries were swept away without even having the chance to scream.Retreat! Retreat!The odds were already stacked against them. Though it was unclear how the Neer knew that, there were high chances that North Manchuria was in shambles as well.Dont let yourself die in vain! I said, RETREAT!Contrary to his words, Tian Lin moved forward and fired his gun. He intended to buy time for his subordinates to escape....Where are the Neer and the Vice Captain?Rat-a-tat-tat!Tian Lin scanned his surroundings even as the sound of gunfire rang in his ears.No matter what, those two had to escape alive.Damn it, the only ones who can alert the Manchurian base before the monsters start moving south are the Superhumans...!Tian Lin pulled a grenade from his belt, tossed it, and took cover behind the foremost truck.By divine providence, the two he was looking for were also taking cover not too far from him.The two were conversing with their weapons drawn. They didn''t seem to be in bad shape.Unlike the Neer, who only had slightly damaged clothes, Kim Mansoo was scorched in several ces... but such wounds were superficial to a Superhuman.Breathing a sigh of relief, Tian Lin shouted at them."Neer! Vice Captain! At this rate, the monsters will start moving south! Both of you should retreat and alert the Manchurian base!Even at the expense of the rest of the mercenaries, they had to stop the monsters from moving south. With a ruthless heart, Tian Lin gave orders to the other mercenaries.Everyone whos still alive, provide support! Cover those two! Buy them time!As soon as Tian Lin gave themand, the two began to move.However, not towards a path of retreat, but towards the enemy.
Chapter 38: The World After the Prologue (3)
***The moment he saw the iing rocket, Kim Mansoo realized that defeat was imminent.KAAABOOOOM!!Swept away by the explosion, the thought of his impending death crossed his mind.Being a Superhuman did not mean that one waspletely invincible. Getting shot was painful, excessive bleeding could lead to death, and a direct hit from a rocket was a guaranteed death.But, of course, there were exceptions.Superhumans who had reached a certain levelfor example, powerhouses like the Margrave or the Holy Swordcould even withstand tank turrets by using their highly reinforced mana.However, Kim Mansoo had not reached that level. Nor did he even dare to wish to reach such a state.Because he was a typical person who only looked at the immediate reality in front of him instead of dreaming an unattainable dream.So, at this moment, he could only grit his teeth while thinking of retreating.Was it simply because he valued his life? No, it wasn''t. In the first ce, he wouldn''t have be a mercenary if he truly valued his life.The problem wasNorth Manchuria has fallen.The first line of defense, which was supposed to prevent the monsters from advancing south, had gone silent.To prevent civilian casualties, they needed to deliver this news to the Manchurian base as quickly as possible.And someone could turn the truck around and escape, he would have dly sacrificed himself. However, it was clear that a rocket woulde flying the moment someone moved the truck.In the end, a slightly fleet-footed Superhuman would have to go personally. And he was the only Superhuman present....Damn it.Having made up his mind, Kim Mansoo turned towards the Manchurian base. And while doing so, he immediately met Yeomyeongs eyes from the opposite direction.Golden eyes nced at him briefly, but that was all. Yeomyeong ignored him without even saying a word.Even though it wasn''t a situation to be ashamed of, Kim Mansoo was unable to raise his head.Yeomyeong brushed past his shoulder. And the next moment, Kim Mansoo''s eyes widened as he looked at the Neer."Wait, Neer, how... How are you wielding mana?"Mana.It was so intense, that even someone as insensitive as him could feel it emanating from the Neer''s body.Had he just awakened as a Superhuman? Or had he been hiding his Superhuman status all this time?...Either way, it didn''t matter.What mattered was that now, there were two Superhumans here. It would have been impossible if it were just him, but with two Superhumans, they somewhat stood a chance.Even if it''s just one shot, we need to get the truck out of here.With the truck''s speed, they could reach a ce where they would be able tomunicate with the Manchurian base within an hour. That was much fasterpared to him running."Neer! Do you n on fighting?"Kim Mansoo asked as he caught up with the Neer. Instead of replying, the Neer revealed his sword and shotgun.Seeing that gesture, Kim Mansoo let out a hollowugh."If you''re thinking of fighting, fine. I have a n, but I need your help.""...Does having a n even mean anything in this situation?"As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, another anti-tank rocket hit the mercenaries.KABOOOOOOM!!! Amidst the prolonged explosion, screams echoed.Seeing that, Kim Mansoo''s expression hardened. They didnt have much time. Hence, he spoke quickly."The n is simple. We distract them so the truck can escape.""...Is that all?""If possible... youll have to distract them by yourself for a while. I''ll take care of the ones with rockets in the meantime.""...""If even one truck manages to get away, we can prevent tens of thousands of deaths. So please, just hold out until then."It was a straightforward request to act as a meat shield, but Yeomyeong nodded without aint.After all, he had already decided to fight at the forefront. He had no reason to refuse someone who had nned to escape but turned back to help.Of course, the words that came out of his mouth weren''t exactly kind."It really is a simple n.""...I''m sorry."Kim Mansoo could only bow his head since he was practically asking the young man to die with him.And the next moment, they heard Tian Lin''s voice echoing in their ears.- Neer! Vice Captain!Tian Lin was urging both of them to retreat to the Manchurian base. It was simr to the decision Kim Mansoo had made, as he had still not realized that Yeomyeong was a Superhuman."...What will you do?"As soon as Tian Lin finished speaking, Yeomyeong asked."We stick to the n. No need to exin. Tian Lin will make a move even if we don''t say anything."His answer was firm. Yeomyeong nodded and gathered mana in his feet. Kim Mansoo grabbed his rifle and unsheathed his trusty hatchet.That was all the preparation they needed; no further discussion was necessary.- Everyone whos still alive, provide support! Cover those two!Using Tian Lin''s voice as a signal, the two of them pushed off the ground simultaneously.
***It almost looked as if Yeomyeong was flying.Havingbined the Feather Step from the Flying Kick technique with the mana of the Surging Wave technique, the burst of mana propelled him off the ground, and his body cut through the air.His destination was the coniferous forest where they were hiding. He closed the distance in an instant.Rat-a-tat-tat!!!Bullets rained down on him btedly. Most of the bullets didn''t even graze his clothes, but one lucky shot managed to pierce his left shoulder.Blood sttered. Though the recoil made him stagger for a moment, Yeomyeong had already made his way to the coniferous forest.Standing among the towering trees, Yeomyeong intentionally released an overwhelming amount of mana.It was a tant provocation. The glowing red eyes of the figures with pig and cow heads turned toward him.And as if on cue, they all raised their weapons.Bang-bang-bang!!!!Gunfire erupted. Yeomyeong darted between the trees, leaving the unmoving conifers riddled with holes, spewing wood chips and sap....The pig-heads first.Tightening his grip on his sword, Yeomyeong dashed through the forest.Unlike the Shepherds, who could only follow him with their eyes, he was able to sense the presence of those men as if they were within his grasp.The first bastard.Yeomyeong swung the supplied iron sword horizontally. A silver streak shed briefly.shWherever the sword passed, the pig-headed men''s heads separated from their bodies, spilling blood.And before the sticky blood even hit the ground, Yeomyeong was already charging towards his next target.Two, three, four...Like a butcher in a ughterhouse, his de continued to cleave through the pig-headed men."It-is-a-Su-per-hu-man! Permitting-to-use-the-curse!"After more than half of the pig-heads fell victim to his de, a cow-headed man bellowed. Immediately, the disgusting mana contained within their bodies began to seep out....Are the cow-heads ranked higher than the pig-heads?Then, would the chicken-headed onee next? After steadying his now-cold breath, Yeomyeong shook the blood off his sword.Dozens of curses surged towards him simultaneously. However, he felt no fear.Yeomyeong moved his already regenerated left hand and drew the Handle of Uragan from his waistband.[...Dont you think that you encounter these wicked creatures a bit too frequently?]Using the unicorn''s voice resonating in his mind as a signal, Yeomyeong raised his sword to shoulder height.It was a preparation stance for sweeping them all in one strike because the number of enemies was too much to kill them individually."Kill him!"The cow-headed man, most likely the bravest among them, lunged forward with his mouth wide open.GYAAAAAAAH!!!His mana twisted, and a red beam shot out of his gaping mouth.Yeomyeong didn''t attempt to dodge it. He simply raised his left hand and nted his feet on the ground.[O Virgin! I shall protect you!]Just as the beam was about to engulf him, a multicolored light burst forth from the Handle of Uragan, repelling the curse."Kill him! Kill him!"However, it didn''t end there. All sorts of curses prepared by the rest were unleashed upon Yeomyeong.Green and red beams, yellow acidic fluids, and foul-smelling transparent curses...Facing all of these, Yeomyeong simply infused mana into his iron sword.It was the same technique he had disyed before Seti using chopsticks.He borrowed the form of the Comet Swords shell and filled it with the waves rippling through his body.It rippled. His mana, his heart, his rage.Yeomyeong swung the sword he was yet to name. He shed horizontally, cutting through everything in sight.WhooossshThe mana from the sword swept through the air lightly. The split air fell silent, and the blowing wind held its breath.For a very brief moment, there was absolute silence.Then, the cow-headed man closest to him opened his mouth."You! It turns out you know us too well. How can that be? It was as if you''re our natural adversary...""...""Ah, I see. So, it was you the bastard who went on a rampage in Incheon"And with those words, a long, thin line appeared across the cow-headed man''s chest.The same happened to the other pig-headed men, cow-headed men, and the conifers beside them.My control is stillcking.As he concluded his brief reflection, the upper bodies separated from their lower bodies and the internal organs that lost their owners spilled onto the ground.Soon after, the conifers began falling, one after another. The dead trees formed graves over the cursed bodies.Observing this scene for a moment, Yeomyeong let out a deep sigh before turning around.It was because Kim Mansoo and the mercenary group came to mind.Whether it was fortunate or not, no more gunfire could be heard from the mercenary group''s direction.As for Kim Mansoo...He was standing right over there, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly."...Did you handle those bastards with rockets well?"Cold sweat ran down his rugged face as Yeomyeong met his gaze.If it had been the usual Kim Mansoo, he would haveughed heartily or made a crude joke to lighten the mood.However, after witnessing Yeomyeong''s swordsmanship, he couldn''t bring himself to do so.He had struggled to handle just three of them, yet this guy killed not only the pig-headed ones but also the stronger-looking cow-headed ones in a single strike by slicing through the air.He was at a loss for words, so he nodded with much difficulty."Do you think the other mercenaries managed to retreat safely?"When Yeomyeong asked again, a brief silence lingered.Only after seeing Yeomyeong frown slightly did Kim Mansoo speak up."...If it is Tian Lin, I am sure they have managed to retreat, Sir. Also I have not heard any gunshots since a while ago."Why did this man suddenly start speaking in a formal tone? Yeomyeong tilted his head but didn''t dwell on it for long. After all, his manner of speaking didn''t really matter."So, should we also retreat?""Well, uh first, we should confirm the status of the North Manchurian base and search for survivors.""I see. Then we should head north as nned."Yeomyeong sheathed his sword and started walking north.He already knew that the North Manchurian base had fallen, but he intended to look into something else....The light orb in front of the Manchurian Rift.What exactly was that light orb?Given the term master of fate and the fact that there were six light orbs at the academy, there was a high probability that it referred to a personThe fact that there''s a light orb in front of the Manchurian Rift means that either a Korean government official or a mercenary is still there.Of course, nothing was certain. After all, the idea that the light orb was a person was just a hypothesis.It could simply be a strange fateful encounter or an objectAs he pondered over this and moved northward, something caught Yeomyeong''s senses."Evade!"By the time Yeomyeong yelled, that something was already right in front of him.As Kim Mansoo looked up in confusion, Yeomyeong drew his sword and shed at the air.ng!Metal shed with metal, and small sparks flew. Yeomyeong''s iron sword vibrated with a ringing sound as it deflected something.Wondering what had flown at him, Yeomyeong checked the object he had just deflected. Soon after, he furrowed his brows....A bullet?It was definitely not a bullet fired from a gun because no bullet in this world would have its casing still attached after being fired.p, p, p!The sound of pping could be heard from the direction the bullet hade from. When Yeomyeong turned his head, he saw a group of zombies pping. What the heck was happening?And before his question could linger for long, a high-pitched voice resounded through the night.- Excellent! To be able to react in such a short span of time. You truly have good instincts.It was a chilling, scratchy voice, like metal being scraped, that belonged to an old man."This voice, could it be..."Kim Mansoo''s body stiffened at the sound of the voice. When Yeomyeong turned his head towards the voice, he immediately understood why.- But that''s why it''s even more unfortunate. It would have been better if you hadnte here.There stood a gigantic skeleton that even the conifer trees couldn''t conceal.However, it wasn''t a skeleton made of human bones.Horns grew from the back of its skull like a crown, and it had a long snout filled with sharp teeth.Its reptilian body extended seamlessly into a tail, with bony wings spread wide from its shoulders.The sight was unmistakablyA dragon?Blue mes flickered from the empty eye sockets that once held the visage of a living dragon.- Im sorry that things havee to this.
Chapter 39: The World After the Prologue (4)
***Due to the intense mana emanating from the Dragons chest, Yeomyeong squinted as soon as he locked eyes with the Skeletal Dragon.His eyes burned as if he were standing next to a st furnace.Without taking his eyes off the Skeletal Dragon, he asked Kim Mansoo."...Vice Captain, what is that thing?"Kim Mansoo, who had been trembling as he stared at the Dragon, finally returned to his senses.Without even attempting to wipe off the cold sweat dripping from his face, he replied in a cautious tone."Kahal Magdu... The Undead Dragon that teamed up with terrorists. Why is a monster that should be in South America here in Manchuria...?"As soon as Kim Mansoo finished his exnation, the Dragon spoke.- Oh, so you know my name? Seeing that no one in thisnd knew of me, you''re not an ordinary mercenary.Was it really so impressive for someone to know his name? The mes in the Dragon''s eye sockets softened and curved into the shape of a crescent moon.- I''d love to stay and chat for a bit... but I try to avoid small talk during working hours....- And unfortunately, a mission is still a mission. So, the two of you must die here.The Skeletal Dragon spoke as if trying to console them, wagging its finger, which was now nothing but bone.Then, countless footsteps began to echo from beyond the coniferous forest. Hearing the irregr and unnatural footsteps, Yeomyeong frowned.Uooooooohhhh...Soon, an overwhelming number of zombies emerged from within the darkness of the forest."Goddamn it..."As soon as he recognized the zombies, a curse immediately slipped out Kim Mansoos lips.It was because their attire was all too familiar Military uniforms,bat suits, even uniforms of the other mercenary groups..."North Manchuria is already... done for."Back when he faced the monstrous human with rocketunchers, he still held on to a glimmer of hope, believing that North Manchuria wouldnt fall to mere terrorists.But now, confronted with undeniable proof, Kim Mansoo could only shut his eyes tightly, and his expression turned grim."Vice Captain."Yeomyeong, who had been observing the situation, interrupted his thoughts and spoke as he watched the approaching zombies."What are you going to do?"Reading the intent behind the question, Kim Mansoo bit his lip.To fight or flee.Neither choice was easy. Because when going against that massive Skeletal Dragon, neither victory nor escape was guaranteed."First... we should flee."The decision was quick, and their feet were even quicker.The two of them kicked off the ground almost simultaneously and ran in the opposite direction of the Dragon. The zombies, dragging their broken bodies, chased after them, but they were unable to keep up with the strides of the Superhumans.- Fleeing in the middle of a missionhow fittingly mercenary-like of you both.The Dragon moved its bony legs to chase after the two. Its steps were leisurely, as if it were a nobleman on a stroll.Thump, thump, thump!The sound of the giant footsteps behind them gradually grew distant, but Yeomyeong couldn''t rx.A growing sense of foreboding was creeping up on him, as if something was wrong....What was it?As he frowned, he could sense something moving in front of him.The slow footsteps suggested that they were undoubtedly zombies. Were they already surrounded? Yeomyeong instinctively changed directions. No, rather, he tried to.Kim Mansoo was the first to stop, before Yeomyeong. The two of them looked grimly at the zombies surrounding them."...Damn it."They were all members of Team 3 from the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, who had died in the previous battle."That fucking bastard...!"Seeing hisrades turned into zombies, Kim Mansoo clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.At that moment, they heard the voice of the Dragon approaching them leisurely.- As mercenaries, you must understand, right? The only thing that matters in a mission is sess. Hence, no one will be leaving North Manchuria alive today.When Yeomyeong turned around, the Dragon had its fingers curled, aimed at the two of them.The pose was simr to when a human was about to flick something with their thumb and index finger.Flick, the Dragon flicked its fingers and something wasunched toward the two at an incredible speed.ng!Once again, Yeomyeong swung his sword to deflect the attack. However, this time, it wasnt a bullet that flew toward them.The object that fell to the ground was a dog tag.A blood-stained dog tag that probably belonged to a soldier or mercenary from North Manchuria.What a menace.The fact that this gigantic creature was carrying something like that clearly showed that it was not as a treasure but purely for provocation.Seeing the expressions on their faces harden, the Dragon burst intoughter. Kim Mansoo gritted his teeth and red at it."Neer, you should run.""...What about you, Vice Captain?""I''ll buy some time. Since you''re faster than me, use any means necessary to get this news to the Manchurian base."Manchurian base? Yeomyeong pondered as he looked at Kim Mansoo, who decided to sacrifice himself. Could it be did he not realize?Yeomyeong whispered in Kim Mansoo''s ear."Senior Tian Lin is not among the zombies. It seems like he managed to escape.""What?""If the Dragon learns of it, he might pursue them, so let''s end this conversation here. And..."Yeomyeong stood beside Kim Mansoo, holding his sword. The sound of the zombies was getting closer."I will fight alongside you.""...It would be better for you to flee.""If we divide our forces even after being surrounded like this, we''ll just be defeated individually.""Or we might both die at the same time."Despite saying that, Kim Mansoo loaded his rifle. It didn''t seem like he was inclined to dissuade Yeomyeong any further.Yeomyeong nced between the Skeletal Dragon and the zombies before speaking."Vice Captain, I have a n.""...A n? In this situation?"The conversation strangely evoked a sense of dj vu. Kim Mansoo turned his head slightly to look at Yeomyeongs face."It''s a simple n. While Im dealing with the Dragon, you take care of the zombies.""...Thats it?""Yes, and if possible... please don''t die."A wry smile appeared on Kim Mansoo''s previously rigid face. He tightened his grip on his rifle and nodded."Alright, let''s give it a shot... No, let''s make it happen."The moment he resolved himself, Yeomyeong kicked off the ground.The zombies rushed at him, but with the mana powering his calves, Yeomyeong had already leaped.He stepped into the airor rather, kicked off the trunk of a coniferous tree to climb higher.And on reaching the top of the tree, he was finally at eye level with the Dragon. The eerie blue mes in the Dragon''s eye sockets met Yeomyeong''s golden gaze.
***- Oh? So, you intend to fight back?The Undead Dragon, Kahal Magdu, spoke in a voice tinged equally with surprise and amusement, expressing admiration.- Amazing! The courage of the weak truly deserves praise.No further conversation was needed.As Yeomyeong leaped towards the Dragon, the Dragon stirred up its mana with a wave of its hand almost simultaneously.The Dragon''s overwhelming mana was arrayed, and the surrounding mana yielded to it, forming sharp ice.It was a simple attack spell that human Mages called Ice Spikes.However, the Ice Spikes conjured by the Dragon were fundamentally different in size, strength, and number whenpared to those of humans.Crackle!The air froze, and dozens of ice spikes filled the space. The ice, glistening under the night sky, looked menacing.The next moment, with a flick of the Dragon''s finger, all the Ice Spikes moved simultaneously, flying towards Yeomyeong.It was a perfect encirclement, covering not just top and bottom, but all the other directions.Facing an unavoidable attack, Yeomyeong thought back to the wolf monster he had seen during his entrance test.More precisely, he recalled the manner in which it moved its body.The monster infused mana into its heart, squeezing its blood vessels to enhance its body.For humans, merely attempting to imitate that would result in vomiting blood and dying, but Yeomyeong was willing to take the risk.He trusted his Regeneration ability. With a Regeneration ability surpassing that of even Superhumans, he believed he could endure the monster''s technique.His thought process was brief, and there was no hesitation....elerate blood flow.Yeomyeong poured mana into his heart to make it pump faster.His heart, surpassing its limits, pumped blood and mana, making his blood vessels throb to the verge of bursting.From his head to his toes, from his aorta to his microvascture.More mana and more oxygen were supplied everywhere. The reaction was explosive.His vision cleared, and his body outpaced his senses. As his mana surged, everything around him seemed to slow down.In that split second, he could clearly see all the trajectories of the Dragon''s Ice Spikes. As the spikes moved along their paths, Yeomyeong swung his sword towards their weakest point. A sh of white light erupted from his de.ng!The encirclement of the Ice Spikes shattered on making contact with his sword.Cold shards of ice sshed against Yeomyeong''s cheek.And before they could even melt, he managed to pierce through the encircling Ice Spikes and reached directly above the Dragons head at a breakneck speed.- How, no way?Without even giving the Dragon a chance to react, Yeomyeong plunged his sword towards its chest.As he descended, he unleashed the Surging Wave technique.The mana in his heart flowed through his waist, shoulder, elbow, and hand. His sword became a wave, surging towards the Dragon.His target: the Dragon''s heart he sensed between its ribs.However, the Dragon twisted its body at thest moment, extending its front leg towards the sword. This move was to protect its chest by sacrificing its bones.The next moment, Yeomyeong''s sword collided with the Dragon.Crack!He did not feel the sensation of cutting through anything. The feeling that came up through his grip was heavy and Yeomyeong was flung away along with his sword."Keugh!"Yeomyeong tumbled across the ground after falling, but he quickly regained his stance. As expected, his sword had failed to reach the Dragon''s heart.All he had managed to do was knock off a few fragments of bone from its front paw.Cutting through the bone... is impossible.The hardness was beyond imagination. If there had been flesh, he could have tried to cause a massive bleeding, but the opponent was an undead with only its bones remaining. And his sole target was its heart.Yeomyeong took a deep breath, then tightened his grip on his sword.- Hahaha! You thought you could damage my bones! This hasn''t happened since those damned Yankee1 bastards hunted me!The Dragon, seemingly amused by something, stood on its hind legs and swung its hand. Its massive ws left a long gash in the ce Yeomyeong had been.The coniferous trees shattered, and dirt flew in the air. Having managed to narrowly escape the Dragon''s attack range, Yeomyeong drew on his mana once more.He immediately propelled himself and reached directly under the Dragon.Since he couldnt attack from above, he nned to thrust his sword from below. He stretched his body as he used his Feather Step.Thump! Thump!The Dragon struck the ground Yeomyeong was treading. The impact was strong enough to make the ground tremble, but Yeomyeong had already elerated and reached right under the Dragon''s nose.Yet, he was unable to raise his sword because the next moment, an unexpected attack struck his body.Thwack!It was the Dragon''s tail that hit him. He barely managed to block it with his sword, but the heavy impact sent him flying.Yeomyeong soared through the sky in a parabolic arc, like a tennis ball."Keugh!The shock that he was unable to deflect coursed through his muscles, causing his microvessels to burst all at once from the immense pressure.Blood spewed out from his mouth and nose. However, the biggest problem was the microvessels in his eyes. His vision turned red.- That''s the problem with Earthians... They think other species also fight with just two arms, just like they do.The Dragon''s mocking voice reached him as Yeomyeong plummeted to the ground.Damn it.His whole body throbbed, but he had no time to rest. The Dragon was already preparing its next spell.He immediately pushed off the ground, using the recoil to stand up.Even though his vision hadn''t returned yet, he could clearly sense the mana swirling around him.Crkleeeee!!This time, it was lightning. The sound of electric currents tearing through the air deafened him. Unlike the Ice Spikes, it was an attack he would be unable to deflect with his sword.- You''re impressive but still inexperienced. You would have be a good body for me if you were allowed to mature for a few more years. Such a pity.Yeomyeong wiped the blood from his eyes and looked at the lightning filling his field of vision.Would he be able to dodge all that lightning? He wasn''t sure.However, if he didn''t, he would surely die. He spat out the blood in his mouth and raised his sword.- I like your bravery, fighting until the end. Now then, let''s finish this....Just as the lightning and sword were about to sh, both the Dragon and the human turned their gaze towards the other side of the coniferous forest.- What''s this?Something was approaching them.There was no mana, no sign of any presence... yet the sound, resembling that of a vehicle exhaust, grew louder and louder....!By the time Yeomyeong realized it was indeed the sound of a motorcycle''s exhaust, the source of the noise was already in front of him.VRRRROOOOM!!Just above Yeomyeong, the air split open as a motorcycle appeared.It was a top-tier sports motorcycle adorned with all sorts of grenades and homemade bombs hanging off its body.Radiating a holy light, as if it were a Holy Relic, the motorcycle flew straight towards the Dragon.It was an utterly surreal sight. The Dragon stared nkly with its mouth agape as the motorcycle traced an arc through the air.Only when the motorcycle almost reached its chest did it snap out of its daze.- You crazy...!KAAAABOOOMMM!!The moment the Dragon tried to grab the motorcycle, it exploded.First, an intense bright light engulfed the area. Then, a tremendous shockwave swept through the surroundings, and finally, the Dragon''s scream echoed through the forest.- KROAAAARRRR!!!Yeomyeong instinctively raised his hands to shield himself from the iing debris. As the shock subsided, he turned his head toward the direction the motorcycle hade.Two floating automatic rifles, held by slender hands, hovered in midair.It was the gunslinger he had hoped never to see again.1. The termYankeeand its contracted formYankhave several interrted meanings, all referring to people from the United States.
Chapter 40: The World After the Prologue (5)
***"How did you end up?"Just as Yeomyeong was about to voice out a question, a frivolous voice cut him off."You worthless pile of bones that can''t even produce broth! Just drop dead!!"Following the slew of crude curses, she began firing two automatic rifles simultaneously.Rat-a-tat-tat!!!Bullets, imbued with a brilliant white light, pierced the darkness and rained down on the Dragon. Though it was more of a wild barrage than a precise attack.However, the opponent was a dragon as massive as several trucks stacked together, so the bullets pummeled its entire body relentlessly.- KROAAAARRRR!!!They said that holy mana was the ultimate weakness of the undead. And indeed, it was as they said.Each time the shining bullets struck the Dragon, the mana it was emanating visibly weakened.- Block it! Stop that disgusting thing!As the Dragon, tormented by the bullets, roared in agony, the zombies fighting Kim Mansoo rushed towards the gunslinger.The zombies stumbled and trampled over each other as they died. However, even as their numbers continued to dwindle, more of them kept hurling themselves at the bullets."Damn, I wouldve carried a wand if I had known that this would happen."Seeing the swarm of zombies, the gunslinger tossed the empty magazine to the ground and hid within something invisible.Having lost their target all of a sudden, the zombies wandered around in confusion, spinning in ce or just stopping altogether.A brief lull followed. And that was exactly what the Dragon had been waiting for.Gathering its dispersed mana with some difficulty, the Dragon rose to its feet, shaking its wings and tail.- Someone able to handle this level of Holiness is hiding behind the Invisibility Cloak? Really? How vulgar.Anger boiled deep within Kahal Magdu''s chest. His previously calm tone vanished and was reced by a sinister me flickering from his mouth.- Let''s see how long you can remain hidden from me!Soon after, an enormous amount of mana began gathering in his mouth, making the magic he had disyed until now seem like a mere joke inparison.- GoooooThe Dragon''s signature techniqueThe Dragons Breath.Sensing its immense power, Yeomyeong tried to make a break for it as quickly as possible. Or, rather, he was about to.As he was about to make a break for it, the sound of hurried footsteps entered his ear.The footsteps were trying to avoid the zombies by taking a long detour.And the next moment, Yeomyeong gritted his teeth and turned towards the direction of the sound.Although he couldn''t see it, as soon as he reached out to the empty space where the footsteps wereing from, he managed to grab something soft."Kyaaaakkk!?"The invisible body he touched suddenly went rigid. But Yeomyeong grabbed her, tucked her under his arm, gathered all his mana, and leaped off the ground.KWAAAAAAH!!!Soon, blue mes poured down on the spot he had been standing.He managed to escape by a hair''s breadth. The heat singed his back, and the smell of burnt hair stung his nose.The gunslinger under his arm shouted something, but the roar of the mes drowned it out.After running for a while, he finally managed to get out of the Dragon''s sight."Hey, you...! You crazy bastard! What do you think youre grabbing!"The gunslinger squirmed and yelled at it, although it seemed to be more from embarrassment than anger.Yeomyeong obediently let her go. And just like when he grabbed her, he released his grip lightly.Not expecting to be let go of so suddenly, she plopped onto the ground,nding on her butt. The transparent cloth covering her slid down slightly.Peeking out from under the invisible screen was a girl around the same age as Seti.Her skin was white and her long, straight hair even whiter. She had a straight nose, an oval chin, and thick blindfolds covering her eyes.She had a noble and mysterious air, like a statue disyed in a temple. However, it was difficult to appreciate her beauty when it was just her head floating in mid-air.Yeomyeong gave her a wry smile."You, you...!""...Thank you for saving me? Youre wee.""No, that''s not it...!"Although it was unclear how she was still able to see even with the blindfold on, she nced at the burnt forest and Yeomyeong alternately, her lips trembling."...Sssp, you''re right.""...""Thank, thank wait, what the hell are you talking about? I saved you first! We''re even now!"Yeomyeong raised his eyebrow, and a short silence ensued. Just as the silence was about to extend longer, Kim Mansoo, who had arrived while following the zombies, gaped."Saintess?"The Saintess? This girl?The unexpected title made Yeomyeong frown. The Saintess he was familiar with was the former Saintess... a grandmother with a warm and kind impression.Seeing Yeomyeong''s expression, the Saintess tried to raise her voice, but the sound of trees falling in the distance interrupted her.It was the sound of the Dragon recovering its mana after spewing mes."Oh cmon! Seriously? Not even a minute of rest?"The Saintess jumped to her feet and extended a hand from within the Invisibility Cloak.Kim Mansoo was startled at the sight of the floating head and hand, but the Saintess ignored him and spoke to Yeomyeong."Your sword and hand. Give me.""What?""Theres no time. Hurry up."As soon as Yeomyeong cautiously extended both his hands, a light emanated from her handwarm and gentle mana.The Saintess grasped Yeomyeong''s hands and infused her mana into him. The mana gradually climbed up his hands, gently filling his body.As the light passed through, the first thing it healed were the torn blood vessels from the aftereffects.Next, his overworked heart and muscles regained their strength, and finally, his depleted mana was restored.It was the first time he had ever received Healing Magic.As Yeomyeong blinked in astonishment, the Saintess sighed deeply."What the hell did you do to push your body to this state?""...""Seriously! Even if I bless you, it''ll onlyst for three minutes at best."She red at Yeomyeong through her blindfold and then pointed at the Dragon that was looking around for them."From now on, I''m going to cast God Redox''s blessing on you. The blessing willst three minutes at most. I''ll cover you, so in those three minutes, pierce that thing''s heart. If you fail, both of us..."She nced at Kim Mansoo and added."...no, all three of us will die. Got it?"Seeing Yeomyeong nod, the Saintess''s mana turned red.Unlike the twisted dark red mana belonging to the Shepherds, this mana was pure red.While Yeomyeong was admiring its color, the Saintess began her prayer."O Red God who presides over battles and wars, your fighter calls upon you. Here and now, a warrior in need of your power stands before you..."As she continued praying, the gently glowing mana began to swell, bingrger andrger.The light, which was smaller than that of a shlight, covered the back of his hand and soon grewrge enough to envelop his entire body.And the next momentsh!Seeing the sudden beam of red light shooting up into the sky, the Dragon turned its gaze.The blue mes in its eye sockets contorted as it confirmed the presence of three humans outside the range of the forest burned by its Dragons Breath.- A Saintess? This wasn''t in the contract.It spat out in an annoyed voice and snapped its fingers.That became the signal for the zombies that managed to survive its Dragons Breath to start charging toward the three of them simultaneously.- I don''t like doing more than I''m paid for, but... work is work.As the Dragon growled, Yeomyeong started running while holding the now red-tinged sword.
***"I''ll cover you, so dont worry about the zombies. Just run!"As Yeomyeong kicked off the ground, the Saintess once again pulled out the automatic rifle from within her Invisibility Cloak.The sound of gunfire, followed by the cries of the falling zombies, filled the space between the coniferous trees.Yeomyeong did as she said. Without even ncing at the approaching zombies, he focused solely on the Dragon as he sprinted towards it.He unleashed the Feather Step from the Flying Kick technique. Building on it, he elerated using the Surging Wave technique, his heart pumping furiously. Finally, he oveid his body with the foreign mana flowing within him.The mana of the gods or the power known as Holy PowerThe blessing bestowed by the Saintess pushed Yeomyeong''s body beyond its limits.His entire circtory system and heart, which had been teetering on the edge, broke free of their limits and pulsed as if they were on the verge of bursting. A burning desire for battle settled in the ce where fear had once resided.To prevent the Dragon from gaining any time, Yeomyeong elerated even more. The red mana trailed behind him like a tail as hepounded eleration upon eleration.Swoosh!He closed in an instant. Swift and decisivethat was all Yeomyeong could think about.- It''s been a while since I''ve seen a full-body blessing.And when he reached right in front of the Dragon, he transferred the eleration to his shoulder and swung his sword at the Dragon.The Dragon''s mana, prepared for the collision, quickly aligned to form a translucent shield, blocking the space between Yeomyeong and the Dragon.ng!However, the shield prepared by the Dragon could not withstand the impact with the momentum. Hanging in the air, it cracked and spat out mana fragments.In a split second, ice spikes fell from the top of the shield. Using the shield as a foothold, Yeomyeong elerated again.- But Earthian, how long will that blessingst? One minute? Three minutes? Even if she''s a Saintess, she can''t sustain a blessing of that level for long.The Dragon continued to cast magic as lightning and ice spikes continuously obstructed Yeomyeong''s path.Although the magic was unable to touch Yeomyeong, it was still able to slow his approach momentarily. And that was what the Dragon was aiming for.While Yeomyeong hesitated for a moment, the Dragon spread its wings and flew into the sky.With only bones left of its wings, it seemed like there was some magic cast on them. And with just a few ps, the Dragon reached a height above the coniferous trees.- If you want to fight a dragon, you should have brought a helicopter. Do these wings look like decorations?Kahal Magdu sneered at Yeomyeong and opened his mouth. The Dragons Breath, far weaker than the one before, spread widely over the ground.Whats this? Yeomyeong frowned as he dodged the blue mes.And only after he looked at the burning coniferous forest did Yeomyeong realize the Dragon''s intention in scattering its Breath.The ces the Breath touched were the coniferous forests surrounding the Dragon''s feet in a circle.Yes, its aim was to burn all the trees that Yeomyeong could use as footholds.- Once again, it shows how inexperienced you are.The Dragonughed heartily from above the burning trees and smoke, as if it were a demon from hell.It was theughter of someone confident of their victory. The certainty that a sword would not be able to harm itself.The Dragon looked down at Yeomyeong with leisure and gathered its mana. A giant magic circle appeared above the Dragon''s head, and the wind swirled so fiercely that the coniferous trees began to tremble.- Shall we put an end to this game now?However, the next moment, Kim Mansoo yelled at Yeomyeong."Neer!!"He was running towards Yeomyeong and the Dragon, carrying arge conifer tree the Dragon had knocked down.No further exnation was needed. Yeomyeong immediately understood his intention and turned towards Kim Mansoo."Step on it and jump!"With his face flushed red, Kim Mansoo threw the conifer tree into the air. It was a throw that contained all the strength of a Superhuman.Not missing a beat, Yeonyeong leaped.Mana surged through his legs like a tsunami, and using the trees floating mid-air as footholds, he leaped to a higher point.But the next moment.- The idea is good. But.Kahal Magdu raised his hand as he watched Yeomyeong flying towards him. His fingers curled into a circle.- Its meaningless if you can''t change your posture in the air.Flick! The Dragon flicked its fingers towards Yeomyeong. Yeomyeong instinctively swung his sword, but this time, it wasn''t just one projectile.The fragments of the motorcycle the Saintess had blown up earlierCountless pieces of metal rained down on Yeomyeong like a shrapnel grenade.It was simple but effective, as deflecting all the tiny fragments while in the air was impossible.ShlurkEventually, one of the metal pieces pierced Yeomyeong''s right shoulder. Unfortunately, it managed to sever a nerve, and caused his grip to loosen.Yeomyeong dropped his sword.- Youre lucky.The Dragon flicked its fingers once again. Thest piece of metal pierced Yeomyeong''s body, and he started to fall in the direction he had been flying.Yeomyeong gritted his teeth. The blessing would onlyst for another 50 seconds, not enough to leap again.Was this the end?Was his life really going to end like thiswithout achieving his revenge, even after battling unexpected misfortune and a ridiculous enemy?He couldn''t ept it. He didn''t want to ept it.Even as he was falling, Yeomyeong poured all his mana into his heart, increasing the blood and mana flow to his brain.His ability to think elerated, and reality slowed down.And in that brief moment, Yeomyeong recalled the strongest human he had ever seen personally.Freya Cahn.Would it have been possible for the Holy Sword to ovee this moment? In this situation, falling without a sword and possessing no wings would she?She would have flown with the holy sword and cut off the Dragon''s neck.It was a meaningless thought. The holy sword didnt choose Yeomyeong, nor did he possess the ability to fly.All he possessed were the Surging Wave technique, Flying Kick technique, and the Comet Sword whose true intention he was yet toprehendpletely.At that moment, a line of text shed through his mind.
- As the light overflows, it does not discriminate between left and right.
Without realizing it, Yeomyeong moved his left hand. He grasped the blue dagger stored carefully in his pocket, the Arcane Relic handed down by Freya Cahn."As the light overflows."Although there was no starlight, the Holy Power bestowed by the Saintess was overflowing within him. The red blessing gathered within the Arcane Relic."It does not discriminate between left and right."Although he couldnt move his right hand, his left hand remained intact. With his left hand, he assumed the initial stance of the Comet Sword.Was this the true intention of the Comet Sword? Did he manage to arrive at the correct interpretation? He didnt know.However, he was certain of one thingthis was the only way out.Yeomyeong swung his sword.The swordsmanship he performed with hisplete focus cut through the air, and in ce of starlight, the blessing bestowed by the Saintess burned brightly.The light that began at the dagger in his left hand- This swordsmanship could it be?...became a long-tailedet. Upon seeing the red starlight, the Dragon reflexively re-arranged his mana, but Yeomyeongs Sword Aura was slightly faster.sh!The iplete barrier shattered. The intense starlight shot straight through the sky and pierced the Dragons chest.- KRRRRROOOOAAAARRGHH!The red light continued long and passed through the Dragons ribcage. Kahal Magdu clutched his chest as he fell to the ground.BOOM! The ground, which absorbed the impact of its massive body, quaked violently, and the scorched trees and stones quivered.
* * *Neer! Well done!!Kim Mansoo, who caught the falling Yeomyeong, cheered as he watched the Dragon fall.However, that joy was short-lived, as Yeomyeong spoke, gasping for breath.Its not over yet.What?It missed.And just as he said that, the Dragon that had fallen to the ground rose again. Amidst the dust, a rib fell from his chest.Yeomyeongs sword had only managed to cut off one of his ribs, not his heart.- The Comet Sword, huh?Despite losing a rib, the mes in the Dragons eye sockets burned several times brighter than before.- Earthian who is guided by the stars. You have earned my respect. I promise not to resurrect your corpse as an undead.Kahal Magdu said as he opened his mouth wide.The surrounding mana began to gather, and once again, a terrifying breath surged from the Dragons mouth.It was a me that neither Yeomyeong, who lost his blessing, nor Kim Mansoo could escape from.- Now, die!Sensing his imminent death, Kim Mansoo shut his eyes tightly. However, no matter how long he waited, he did not feel the scorching mes....What was happening?As he opened his eyes to sneak a peek, he saw that the Dragon had shut its mouth and was looking beyond the conifer forest. Yeomyeongs tired gaze was also fixed in the same direction.Soon, a familiar sound reached Kim Mansoos ears.Thwop-thwop-thwop-thwop!!It was the sound of helicopter propellers The sound of reinforcements arriving from Manchuria.- How were the reinforcements from the Manchurian base able to arrive already? Those pathetic fools couldnt even stop that?The Dragon snorted and looked at Kim Mansoo and Yeomyeong, saying- Youre lucky, Earthian. I hope we can meet in a more appropriate location next time.With those words, Kahal Magdu flew off with all his strength, seemingly beating his wings hurriedly.Although it was hard to understand how such a massive body was able to move so swiftly, the Dragon disappeared into the sky in an instant.And just as it appeared, its disappearance was also swift and elusive....Why is it fleeing?Kim Mansoo muttered nkly as he watched the Dragon disappear into the darkness of the night.The one who answered his question was the Saintess, who had been swept away by the zombies but had somehow managed to approach them.Because at the end of the day, that skeleton bastard is just a mercenary. He doesnt have enough loyalty to start a full-scale war with the nation."As soon as he heard those words, Kim Mansoos legs gave out, and he copsed to the ground.Yeomyeong, who was caught in Kim Mansoos arms, also fell to the ground.The aftereffects of straining his heart and the umted fatigue began to overwhelm him, draining all his strength.It wasnt a problem that could be solved with his Regeneration ability. He would probably be in excruciating pain tonight....It doesnt matter, seeing that we survived.Yeomyeong shut his eyes. However, just as he was about to pass out, the Saintess suddenly imbued healing light into his head.You don''t need to heal me.Even though Yeomyeong said that, the Saintess didnt stop healing him.Eventually, after feeling somewhat rejuvenated, Yeomyeong forced his eyes open. In his vision, he saw the floating head of the Saintess, and she was frowning.Get up.....The reporters will be here soon....Reporters? So what?Do you expect me to face them all by myself? At least, you have to be in the photos too.She forcibly helped Yeomyeong stand up. Thanks to the healing light, he managed to stand, albeit shakily.They must have rushed over as soon as they heard that I, the Saintess, was here. I bet one of those helicopters is full of reporters....Yeomyeong didnt hide his expression, '' So what do you want me to do about it? Seeing this, the Saintess pouted.Argh, seriously?! Theyll fucking chase me relentlessly if its just me, calling me Saintess over and over... Ugh, since you fought as well, do the interview with me. Then Ill forgive you for touching me earlier....I don''t think there''s anything to forgive.Despite saying that, Yeomyeong grudgingly moved because he remembered that he hade to Manchuria to gain fame.He had no reason to refuse such an opportunity.Well... fine, alright. I''ll deal with the reporters with you.For real? No backing out?Yeomyeong nodded with difficulty and turned his gaze beyond the conifer forest.Beyond the dark horizon, numerous helicopters and military trucks were drawing closer.:"
Chapter 41: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb?
...Of course, we live in a society where freedom of religion is still guaranteed.If you are an American, you can confidently call them ''full-time unpaid all-rounder servants.''But it''s also fine to call them ''high-level energy beings'' to sound like an intellectual.However, if you let me give you one piece of advice: do not be an atheist.They are not even worth joking about anymore.An excerpt from God Is Not Great
***In the training room that the Lord Howe Academy prided itself on.In the middle of that pure white room, with mana metal coating the walls and the floor, stood Seti with her eyes closed.Since it was still dawn, the training room was quiet, with no oneing in and no one else to disturb her.Seti liked this tranquility. She savored this long-awaited silence, then at some point, she opened her eyes and slowly raised her War Hammer.The War Hammer supplied by the academy was just a crude lump of metal, but Seti didn''t mind.Unless it was made by a dwarf, all War Hammers were more or less the same to her, and if she had no expectations, there would be no disappointments. As long as it didn''t break mid-swing, it was enough.In that sense, the equipment supplied by the academy was neither bad nor good... With such thoughts, she started swinging the War Hammer.She swung the hammer with proper form, using all the muscles in her body without exerting her mana.From her heels to her trapezius muscles, all her muscles endured the weight and recoil simultaneously.After just a few swings, beads of sweat started to form on her forehead, but Seti increased her speed Faster, heavier, stronger.Finally, only once her muscles screamed that they could move no more did she unleash her mana.Whoosh!The War Hammer, which had been moving sluggishly, elerated instantly. And wherever the hammerhead passed, the air split, creating a gust.Once, twice, thrice... The hammer elerated with each swing. Starting at Seti''s fingertips, it moved violently like a storm and unpredictably like lightning.While the storm raged on for some time, the training room door suddenly burst open."Unnie?"A red-haired girl peeked in through the open door. The moment Seti saw her amber-like sparkling yellow eyes, she stopped swinging the hammer.Whoosh The wind that filled the training room vanished in an instant. Pushing back her sweat-soaked hair, Seti looked at her young sister."Hey, Siri! What''s going on?"Although she might have gotten annoyed at the sudden interruption, Seti greeted her younger sister as if it were nothing.Siri stared at her with a strange expression before taking out her smartphone and quickly approaching Seti."Unnie, look at this news!""Why? What is it?""Cheon Yeomyeong, that Oppa is on the news!""What? Really?"Seti tossed the War Hammer to the side and snatched the smartphone from Siri. A list of articles from well-known media outlets was disyed on the screen.
North Manchuria Today - Three Figures among Casualties.
North Manchurian Base Falls. An Unidentified Terrorist Organization to me?
Another Incident in Manchuria? The National Assembly Calls for ''Additional Budget,'' Ministry of Economy and Finance Disapproved.
Massive Amount of Monsters Heading South... Manchurians in Fear.
Among the numerous articles, Seti saw a photo of Cheon Yeomyeong. And the headline was...
Young Mercenary and The Saintess, A Miraculous Battle.
Huh? The Saintess? Why was that bitch in Manchuria?Seti clicked on the article almost reflexively.And after reading a few lines, her face twisted into a terrifying expression."Uh, Unnie?"Seti quickly looked up another article. With each article she read, her grip on the smartphone tightened."Unnie, that''s my phone..."Siri nced at the smartphone and Seti''s face alternately, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.However, her voice no longer reached Seti.Staring at the smartphone withser-like intensity, Seti kept reading the news articles about Cheon Yeomyeong and the Saintess.The contents of all those articles were simr.For some reason, the Saintess personally headed to save North Manchuria, and two mercenaries helped her fight against the Dragon(?).While the details were censored for military reasons, the problem was the tabloid articles.The manner in which they wrote it made it look like the Saintess and the young mercenary had met for some ''fateful'' reason.Among them was a sensational article featuring on the main portal that was so delusional, that it would leave the religiousmunity pale with astonishment.The Saintess face flushed red as she stood next to the young mercenary...As soon as she read the article, Seti knew it was false.The Saintess was a fucking voyeur, parading around in an Invisibility Cloak and would never expose her face to reporters.However, knowing and tolerating were twopletely different matters.The moment Seti read something along the lines of holding hands secretly, she could no longer hold back.Crack.The smartphone she was holding was crushed like an aluminum can. Seeing her fears be a reality, Siri screamed."Unnie!""Oh, thats..."Returning to her senses btedly, Seti tried to make an excuse.However, as a good sister, Siri simply patted Seti''s shoulder and grinned.It''s okay, it''s okay. Youre just worried that the Saintess might steal something of yours again, right?"...Siri, what do you mean by ''steal''?"Hearing Seti''s question, Siri continued with a smirk."What else? Of course I mean, that guy. You''re worried that the Saintess might snatch him away, right? Aw, are you really that afraid?""...Hey.""Even if you try to pretend that youre serious, your expression gives it away, you know? And Unnie, please think logically. Do you really think that person would mooch off the Saintess?"Mooch off? What are you even talking about!"Siri''s words hit the bullseye, causing Seti''s eyes to ze with anger. But instead of getting scared, Siri simply waved her hand dismissively."Stop it, stop it. You see, thats your problem, Unnie. You lose your cool whenever the Saintess is mentioned.""...Not really?""Oh, really?"Siri raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, a mischievous light glinting from her yellow eyes."How about we make a bet? Let''s see if you manage to get through the entire day without contacting him.""...""If you are able to hold out for just one day, I''ll admit that you were right and forgive you for breaking my smartphone. Deal?"As she said this, Siri slyly pulled out another phone. It was the burner phone Seti had particrly prepared to contact Yeomyeong."Hey! That...!"Seti reached out instinctively, but Siri, with a cunning smile, moved out of her reach, waving the phone around."So, whats your decision?"Judging by Siri''s sly expression, she had clearly anticipated this before she even came to the training room.Seti red at her younger sister, feeling like she''d been outmaneuvered."So, are you going to ept the bet or not?"Siri asked, but instead of replying, Seti snatched the phone."What bet!"Leaving her giggling sister behind, Seti began typing furiously.[Hello, Yeomyeong-ssi? It''s Seti. The reason I''m texting you is...]
* * *When he opened his eyes, Yeomyeong realized that he was in a recovery room, surrounded by white walls.His body felt stiff. As he tried to raise himself from the hard sickbed, the IV drip attached to his arm ttered.Yo! Youre up.On hearing the flippant voice, he turned his head and saw two familiar hands floating beside him.It was the Saintess hiding behind her Invisibility Cloak.She was peeling an apple with a fruit knife, although mutting it would have been a more apt description.Averting his eyes away from the poor apple, Yeomyeong asked.Where are we?The National Military Hospital at the Manchurian base.You copsed in the middle of the interview, so they brought you here immediately.As soon as he heard her exnation, the memories of the previous night came flooding back.Shortly after Kahal Maghdu fled, they were confronted by a massive support unit.However, the support unit didnt treat the Saintess and Yeomyeong as survivors. Instead, they questioned them persistently, asking what exactly had happened in North Manchuria, almost as if interrogating them.They even threatened them, saying that if it turned out to be a fool''s errand, not even the Saintess would be spared.However, the fall of North Manchuria was an undeniable reality. And after confirming the corpses of the pig-headed monstrous men and the soldiers, themander released the Saintess and Yeomyeong.That should have been the end of it, but what happened next was the problem.The journalists, whom the Saintess had warned about, swarmed in, and thats when the real interrogation began.They were nothing like the respectable war correspondents Yeomyeong knew about. It seemed like the real war correspondents had moved north with the support unit.Regardless, the journalists surrounding Yeomyeong and the Saintess kept shoving microphones and cameras in their faces under the guise of the general public''s right to know.- Why did youe to North Manchuria instead of attending the entrance ceremony? Did you receive some sort of prophecy?- Whats your rtionship with the young mercenary?- What do the gods think about this incident?- Is it true that the opponent you both fought against was Kahal Maghdu?The questions ranged from inappropriate ones to somewhat reasonable.And the so-called interview, which felt more like an interrogation, continued until sunrise.It was so excruciating that Yeomyeong, considering that even a bad reputation was a type of fame, contemted punching one of the journalists.However, he didn''t actually hit any of them because before he could act on his impulses, he sumbed to exhaustion and passed out.Now, Yeomyeong looked at the apple mutted by the Saintess, left with just its core, and opened his mouth.So, what brings the Saintess here?Im worried about my battle buddy?Stop spouting nonsense.Im serious.The Saintess chuckled as she set the apple down. After a brief pause, she picked up her next victim from the fruit basket. This time, it was a rather expensive-looking pear.Crunch, crunch.After hacking at the pear for a bit, the Saintess suddenly spoke up.Whats your rtionship with the Holy Sword?The Holy Sword?Freya Cahn. The Great Usurper. The one who brought humiliation to the Holy Knights.Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes without replying.Did she recognize the Comet Sword? No, for her to ask such a question, she must have definitely recognized it.He pondered over what he knew about the rtionship between the Holy Sword and the Saintess. Though both of them were supposedly servants of the holy gods, in reality, they were practically enemies.The Holy Nation beyond the Dimensional Portal was unable to ept the fact that an unbeliever, especially an Earthian, was chosen by the Holy Sword.Since it was pointless for them to state that they doubted God''s choice, they insisted that it wasn''t God but the Holy Sword that chose Freya Cahn.Freya Cahn, if you''re that confident,e to the Church of the Five Gods in the Holy Nation and face the trials!That was what the Holy Nation demanded. Of course, the Australian government and Freya Cahn pretended not to hear them.The Holy Sword itself was a weapon equivalent to a nuclear bomb.So, to sum it up briefly, the Saintess recognized by the Holy Nation and the Holy Sword Freya Cahn were political enemies.So... her bringing up Freya Cahn couldn''t be for a good reason.Having organized his thoughts, Yeomyeong spoke again.Why do you want to know about my rtionship with Freya Cahn?Judging by how you''re dodging the question, it really seems like there is something between you two.The Saintess sighed deeply as the fruit knife slipped, slicing off arge chunk of the pear. What a waste of perfectly good fruit.Regardless of the poor pears fate, the Saintess continued speaking.Are you perhaps her apprentice?No.Then a lover?...By the look on your face, it looks like its neither... Could it be are you her son??Yeomyeong furrowed his brows and nced at the Saintess. Seemingly embarrassed by her own question, she cleared her throat awkwardly.Oh,e on, look at your face. You cant even handle a joke?If you make a joke like that one more time, Ill kick you out of this room.Oh, youre quite fierce. So, what is your actual rtionship with Freya Cahn?The Saintesss hand moved closer. Although it wasnt visible because of the Invisibility Cloak, she was likely leaning in to see his reaction.Yeomyeong sighed and answered.Its just a fleeting connection.Upon hearing his blunt response, the Saintess spun the fruit knife around, which was quite an impressive trick considering her poor knife skills.A fleeting connection... Well, then it wont be a big deal.Whirl. Thud. After concluding her trick, the Saintess set down the fruit knife and added.Im sorry for the unpleasant question. Its just that if you''re close to Freya Cahn, those old folks might raise hell about it if we work together....Work? Raise hell?Yes, work. We need to deal with the monsters heading south for humanitarian reasons. Also, there''s something I need to find in Manchuria without the old folks knowing....As Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion, the Saintess continued in a flippant tone.It might be rather sudden, but after fighting Kahal Maghdu, a thought urred to me, being the Saintess, shouldnt I have at least one bodyguard? Well, its just a thought.As soon as the Saintess finished speaking, Yeomyeong clicked his tongue in his mind. What was she talking about...If you need a bodyguard, hire some other mercenaries. You can easily find someone more skilled than me in any mercenary group in Manchuria.How could you refuse me without even listening to the conditions?Of course, I will refuse. We didn''t exactly meet under good circumstances. Hence, your sudden interest in making me your bodyguard seems suspicious....Hey, dont you think thats a bit harsh?If you dont like those mercenaries, then hire a holy knight. People will definitely be lining up to be your bodyguard. Anyway, I refuse.Perhaps surprised by Yeomyeongs blunt refusal, the Saintess''s hands trembled, and she pressed her lips together tightly.After a moment, she pulled out a smartphone from beneath her Invisibility Cloak.Hey, which mercenary group are you affiliated with again?...What?Ah, found it. The Sonjuk Mercenary Group, Team 3, Cheon Yeomyeong.And before Yeomyeong could even respond, she suddenly stood up. The bowl of chopped apples and pears fell and ttered on the ground.Well then, Ill just buy the mercenary with money.Yeomyeong felt as if he could see her grinning beneath the Invisibility Cloak.:"
Chapter 42: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (2)
***Half a day after the Saintess left his recovery room, Yeomyeong received a summons from the mercenary group. Reflecting on thest battle while lying in bed, he saw a message on his phone, which made him frown immediately.Could it be that the Saintess really? With a mix of worry and doubt, he got up from bed, changed into regr clothes from the hospital gown, and left the recovery room.Oh, Neer. You look better than I expected.A familiar face was waiting for him in the hospital corridor, just outside the recovery room.Tian Lin, the team leader of Team 3. The thick bandages wrapped around his face and arms, proved that he had somehow managed to survive thest battle.Anyone would think that I was the one who was hospitalized.Tian Lin guffawed. Just as he said, at first nce, he looked more like a patient than Yeomyeong. Hearing that, Yeomyeong forced a smile.Senior, what brings you here?Im here to pick you up obviously. The rest of the team members are waiting downstairs.You came to pick me up? Is something wrong?When Yeomyeong asked him that, Tian Lin subtly gestured behind him with his chin.Beyond the bustling corridor of nurses, mercenaries could be seen ring at him and Tian Lin.Lets go down for now. And just in case, dont make eye contact with those guys.In spite of his words, Tian Linughed exaggeratedly and ced a hand on Yeomyeong''s shoulder.Yeomyeong yed along with his act, walking lightly as if they were having a pleasant conversation.Why are they watching me all of a sudden?As he heightened his senses on his way out of the hospital, he realized that more than a few people were keeping an eye on him ten of them at the very least.Even after they left the hospital, the surveince didnt lessen. In fact, reporters and merchants were openly staring at Yeomyeong.What on earth is going on?Should I call it the tragedy of a famous person or the inevitable fate of someone who stumbled upon a treasure?As Tian Lin tried to inform him subtly, mercenaries surrounded Yeomyeong and Tian Lin at the hospital entrance.Fortunately, they were all familiar facesthe mercenaries from Team 3 of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.On realizing that, Tian Lin wiped his forehead in relief.The problem is the dragon you foughtst time. To be precise, Im talking about the rib bone it left behind.On their way back to the base camp with the rest of the mercenary team, Tian Lin gave him a brief exnation about the situation.It all started with the dragon rib that Yeomyeong had managed to cut off.When the military first discovered the rib bone on the battlefield, they immediately imed ownership, seeing it as an unexpected stroke of luck.The reporters had the Saintess upied, and Yeomyeong was unconscious at the time. Fortunately, upon seeing them move the rib bones, Kim Mansoo, who had followed the military, protested immediately.He said, the ones who fought the dragon were Yeomyeong and the Saintess; what qualifications does the military have?which was a reasonable and valid im.ording to the standard practices of the mercenary industry, the remains of monsters and hunted prey solely belonged to the mercenaries.Normally, the military would have backed down, but the problem was that dragon bones were exceedingly valuable items.Hence, the military audaciously demanded half of the rib bones. They made excuses, bbering about urgent requisitions, but their true intentions were obvious.
Money.After dragons were designated as an endangered species, parts of their bodies would always fetch astronomical prices.It was said that one w was enough to buy a house in New York, and ten scales could change ones ce of residence, so what more was there to say?Furthermore, the rib bones obtained this time were even more special. Unlike items acquired through illegal poaching, this was obtained legally.Dragon''s bones that could be traded legally, and not through illegal ck market dealings. It was an item anyone would covet.Of course, the military''s insistence didn''tst long because the Saintess intervened as soon as she was freed from the reporters.And she even actively used her political position to pressure the military.Yelling that the ones who fought the dragon were herself and Yeomyeong, she then threatened that anyone else iming rights to the bones would incur the wrath of billions of believers from Earth and beyond the Dimensional Portals.Once the discussion reached that point, the military had no choice but to back down. And although they followed up with some dirty retaliation, the rib bones were securedWait, what do you mean by dirty retaliation?As Yeomyeong interrupted while listening to the exnation, Tian Lin shrugged.The military informed the entire Manchuria base that half of the dragon''s rib bones belongs to you. Those scoundrels with zero business ethicsif they cant have it, theyll speak ill of it.So, all those hanging around are us Those bastards are just trying to probe how to deal with you and the rib. Some might be looking to scout you, while others might try to threaten you. Well, judging by the situation, it seems like thetter is the majority.Hehe, can you believe all this happened while you were in the recovery room? Even I, who witnessed it with my own eyes, still find it hard to believe.As Tian Linughed hollowly, they arrived in front of the base camp.Once they reached there, the number of gazes he felt on his back had significantly decreased.Although a few stares were still directed at him, no one dared to approach him.And all he had to do was open the door and enter but Tian Lin didnt grab the doorknob. Instead, he spoke with a serious expression.Neer, the camp is currently hosting the Captain and some investors.The Captain?Kwon Mongjoo, the leader of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. Yeomyeong had heard the name before, if only in passing.Hes quite a significant figure in the mercenary industry. He started from the bottom and worked his way to the top... in short, he is a tenacious person.Is that so?Why was he suddenly briefing him about the Captain? Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion.Tian Lin seemed to be pondering over something. He fell silent for a moment, making the atmosphere tense.A short silencested for longer than expected, and just as Yeomyeongs eyebrows were about to twitch from the difort, Tian Lin quietly whispered in Yeomyeong''s ear.Be it the Captain or the investors, you should refuse any demand for a share of the rib bones right away.Senior?If they push you to hand it over, just say that youll withdraw from the group.Dont get me wrong, Neer. Youve risked your life for me and the team, so Im just giving you appropriate advice. You dont need to associate with idiots who prioritize money over loyalty. Thats all there is to it.Only then did Yeomyeong understand why Tian Lin said something like that.The Captain and the investors waiting inside the base camp were probably eyeing the dragon rib as well.This is really bing a hassle.The Saintess'' request, the dragon''s rib, and the original goal of needing to increase his fame.As Yeomyeong''s worries deepened, Tian Lin opened the door to the base camp with a firm expression.
***CLANG!The Saintess kicked a stray can on the street.With a kick filled with annoyance, the can flew through the air and hit the head of a mercenary who was smoking a cigarette.What the fuck! Who the hell did that!Struck on the back of the head unexpectedly, the mercenary red angrily and cursed.Oops, the Saintess quickly hid behind a corner.Only after reaching the narrow space between the hard concrete walls did she remember that she was still wearing the Invisibility Cloak.Looks like I got scared for no reason.It was understandable because this was the first time she had worn the Invisibility Cloak for this long.Having worn something, which was usually only used for discreet outings, for an entire weekWhat a mess. Seriously.The Saintess sighed and plopped down onto the alley floor.Perhaps because her tension had finally eased, the fatigue she had been holding back came crashing in all at once and weighed down her neck.She buried her head between her knees and cast a healing spell on herself.The physical exhaustion disappeared quickly. However, the emotional burden still weighed heavily on her chest.If only I hadnt seen that prophecy a week agoAmidst her gloomy fatigue, the Saintess thought about the what ifs.If only she hadnt seen the prophecy, she might have participated in the long-awaited entrance ceremony and recited the pledge as a representative of the new students.She could have met up with her ''only friend'' after a long time, vented her feelings, and enjoyed the simple conversations girls her age typically had, savoring her youth.She could have joined a shooting club and showed off the shooting skills she had been secretly honing.And maybe, just maybe, she could have also had the opportunity to experience romance, like in TV shows or novelsThe Saintess let out a bitterugh at the thought.Like hell, that would happen.She pped her cheeks with both hands.Everything was of her own volitionWhether not going to the entrance ceremony or rolling around in Manchuria to the point of nearly dying.She had already sacrificed a page of her youth toe to Manchuria.And that choice was the right one. Regardless of how nice enjoying her youth might feel, could it be more valuable than the lives she saved in Manchuria?Thanks to her choice to head to Manchuria, Word survived, many Manchuria inhabitants managed to escape disaster, and they were able to stop the dragons rampage As she was thinking about this, a particr face naturally popped in her mind.The guy with a personality disorder who only has a pretty face.Cheon Yeomyeong, that madman who tried to snap Words neck all of a sudden.Just thinking about that person made her frown automatically. It was all because the face she had seen earlier at the hospital came to mind.The guy immediately refused her offer to hire him as her bodyguard, and his expression turned serious the moment she threatened to use money to persuade him.At the time, she had dismissed it as a joke, but now, it felt somewhat unjust.How dare a mere mercenary refuse my offer.From the moment they fought against the dragon to matter regarding the rib, did that guy not realize how much she had helped him?Of course, he had helped her as well, but what mattered was that he had refused her.Just you wait. Ill make you an offer you cannot refuse.She pulled out her smartphone and opened the list of mercenary requests she had checked in the recovery room.Lets see, what will you do if I really hire you?In the end, mercenaries were people who lived and died by money.Regardless of how great a mercenary he was, she had enough money to crush his so-called pride in an instant.But buying someone I dislike with money and doing whatever I want with them...If she did something like that, wouldnt her reputation as a Saintess plummet?Just as she was feeling an inexplicable sense of moral corruption, she heard a familiar voice call out to her from the other end of the alley.Saintess.The voice was so smooth, that it seemed devoid of any inflection. The Saintess turned her head to look at its owner.Stepping into the alley was a middle-aged woman wearing a blue rat mask that covered half her face.She was dressed in a blue coat that concealed her curvaceous figure and her high heels made no sound as she walked on the concrete....Mother.I told you not to call me Mother when were outside. Please refer to me as the president of Blue Rat Company.The woman, whom the Saintess mother ''Mother,'' looked directly at the Saintess location as if she could see her through the Invisibility Cloak.It feels so cringe to call you that Anyway, how did you find me? Did Uncle Word snitch?Word just did his job.What a snitch; I shouldnt have saved his life. The Saintess sighed deeply and looked up at the mask.Youre here to catch me, right? Im sorry, but I cant go back yet....If you came to stop the disaster in Manchuria, then that job is already done. Youre not needed for the cleanup. You should go to the academy, Saintess.That was just a side issue. The real goal is you know, right? I cant tell you; its a prophecy.The Saintess dusted off her bottom as she stood up. As she nced down at her smartphone, she suddenly realized something.If he dislikes me, I can just use someone elses name to pretend to be the client, cant I?It took only a moment for her to arrive at this conclusion, and she swiftly took action. The Saintess looked directly at the blue rat mask and said:Mom, can you help me?...Help? Did you just ask for help, Saintess?Was it really that surprising for her to suddenly ask for help? Her mother responded urgently.Of course. Saintess, I can help with whatever you need.Her tone was filled with anticipation. However, the next words from the Saintess shattered that anticipation.I want to buy a man with money... Could you buy him for me instead, Mom?
Chapter 43: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (3)
***The smoky haze of cigarettes greeted Yeomyeong as he entered the base camp.Beyond the thick smoke that made him frown involuntarily, there were about six to seven mercenaries seated at a long table made after arranging the several small tables avable at the base camp.Each one was on a level far above ordinary mercenaries.Most possessed mana, and even those who didnt emit any mana had unusually sharp eyes.And among them were some familiar faces. Vice Captain Kim Mansoo and the scarred man who had overseen his test, Man Seokcheol.Ah, our amazing Neer has finally arrived.However, only one person among those gathered was allowed to speak.That was the man sitting at the far end of the table, in the seat of honor.As expected, he had the typical appearance of a mercenary. Rough and wild.With his rugged body, wild, unkempt beard, and dark fur coat, even if Yeomyeong had met him back in his janitor days, he would have still recognized him as a mercenary.However, Yeomyeong was no longer a janitor, and he was more sensitive to mana than anyone else gathered here.He could sense the cold mana emanating from the opponents body. His mana was as cold and sharp as that of a surgeon preparing to perform an operation.Someone whose outer and inner appearances arepletely differentIt was the first impression that made Yeomyeong understand why Tian Lin had called him tenacious.Oh, look at me getting carried awayI havent even introduced myself. You must be seeing me for the first time, right, Neer?He spoke with a fake heartyughter. The other mercenaries chuckled along, but no one else spoke.I am Kwon Mongjoo, Captain of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. You can just call me Captain Kwon.You dont need to be too nervous. Please sitfortably.The Captain pointed at a seat that was directly opposite him. The seat was the closest to the entrance and would be the center of attention.Yeomyeong took his seat quietly. Tian Lin, who had been watching from behind, also upied an empty chair at the table.Now that the person in question has arrived, lets continue with the discussion we were having.As the Captain cleared his throat, the mercenaries who had been smoking all extinguished their cigarettes and paid attention.The first agenda is about distributing the dragons rib we obtained inst nights battle.Distribution? They began with this topic right away? Yeomyeong swallowed a wryugh and watched the Captain.The Saintess hasid im to half of them, so what our mercenary group has received is the other half.''Our mercenary group''the Captain made his intentions clear.These guys are all the sameAs the saying went, Opportunity makes the thief.Yeomyeong shook his head as the Captain continued speaking.But no need to be disappointed. Even that amount is enormous. It can be used to make at least three swords and two sets of armor.As soon as weapons and armor were brought up as aparison, some mercenaries eyes lit up. Looking at them, the Captain chortled wildly.But, we wont be making weapons. After all, were not dwarves Strengthening the mercenary group on the whole is our top priority. Got it?And since elixir prices have dropped internationally, lets recruit a few more Superhumans while were at it.With those words, silence descended upon the table. However, the Captain didnt continue speaking immediately but simply stared at Yeomyeong.Following the Captain, everyone turned their gazes to Yeomyeong, who had raised his hand indifferently from the corner seat.Neer, do you have anything to add?What about my share of the ribs?As if he had heard an absurd question, the Captain waved his finger with a smiling face.Share, you say? You seem to be misunderstanding something. During the probation period, all acquisitions made by a mercenary belong to the mercenary group.I know it seems disappointing, but thats just how the mercenary industry works. However, you dont need to worry too much. Do you really think we would shortchange the exceptional Neer of our mercenary group? The best elixir will be yours. I promise that with my name on the line.With a confident smile and subtly raised eyebrows, he looked as if he was doing him a favor.Yeomyeong ignored him and turned his gaze to the other mercenaries.Most seemed indifferent, while Kim Mansoo and Tian Lin were unable to meet his eyes.The bitterness was palpable. Yeomyeong remained silent, contemting what to do.The first thought that came to mind was kill.If he could kill all the mercenaries here, then sweep through Team 3 waiting outside, and then clean up afterwardsWhat am I even thinking?Yeomyeong chuckled at the absurdity of his own thoughts.Killing them was perhaps the worst option he had.After all, he hade to Manchuria to gain fame, not gain notoriety as a mass murderer.More importantly, if a mass murder were to ur in a military base, there was no way the military would remain idle.Putting aside their greed for the rib bones, it was a matter of honor. Naturally, an investigation would follow, and Yeomyeong would be at the top of the list.Murder is out of the question. So, the other option isThe next option that came to mind was negotiation.However, this time, the Captains words were the stumbling block. Hadnt he boldly dered that all acquisitions during the probation period belonged to the mercenary group?It didnt matter if his words were true or false Ultimately, it would lead to a sh with the Captain, under the guise of a negotiation. It couldst for a few days or even several months.It would be a massive waste of time.It would have been different if he had more time, but he only had about six months before he could enter the academy. And that amount of time was barely sufficient for him to focus solely on gaining fame.He didnt want to waste his valuable time wrestling with the mercenary group over the rib bones.Having taken all this into consideration, only one choice remained.To surrender the rib bones.That way, he wouldnt waste time with the Sonjuk Mercenary Group and could also eliminate the other fools aiming for the rib bones.Although it was a shame to give up on the rib bones, it was a minor issue. Letting go of them was a reasonable option if it interfered with his goal.Having made up his mind, Yeomyeong looked at the Captain and said,Captain Kwon, I will be leaving the group.The indifferent deration caused the mercenaries at the table to change their expressions.Some looked at Yeomyeong with interest, while others frowned.Neer, it seems you might have misunderstood something. Even if you leave the group, the ownership of the rib bones will remain with our mercenary groupNo, thats fine. The Sonjuk Mercenary Group can do whatever they want with the rib bones.All I ask is for the Manchurian base to make it known that I no longer have a im to the rib bones. Thats all.The Captains eyebrows twitched as Yeomyeong answered him calmly.Kim Mansoo looked dismayed, while Tian Lin turned away. After saying that, Yeomyeong stood up.I will submit the resignation letter at ater time.Yeomyeong turned around; he had already erased all thoughts rted to the rib bones from his mind.And just as he was preparing a mental list of other mercenary groups and wanted postersWait a moment.The Captain stopped him and scanned the base camp.Everyone, get out.Captain?You too, Vice Captain. Leave.Kim Mansoo frowned and was about to say something, but the Captain raised his hand and pointed to the door with a resolute look.The mercenaries, including Kim Mansoo and Tian Lin, did not refuse the Captains order. They all wore varying expressions and left the base camp in a group.Ironically, Yeomyeong, who was about to leave the camp first, was left alone with the Captain in the camp.
***What is it?When Yeomyeong spoke, the aura around the Captain changed.He threw off the mask of the boisterous mercenary he had been wearing just moments ago and scanned Yeomyeong with a cold expression.And the next moment, the Captain suddenly bowed his head.I apologize. I apologize for my earlier rudeness.When youre a mercenary, its not easy to refuse the orders of the one paying you. I still have to go along with these petty tests even when I don''t want to.What was he trying to say? Yeomyeong furrowed his brow as he sensed someone approaching them.Step.Someone entered through the back door between the base camp and the lodging. Their footsteps were heavier than those of an ordinary person. However, that was only natural because the unexpected guest was not human.Petty tests, you say? Thats quite a harsh statement, Captain Kwon Mongjoo.Short and stout, bulging eyes, a bulbous nose, and a bushy beard that reached down to his bellyThe one who had stepped in was a dwarf dressed in an elegant suit.Who are you?Huh? What? You dont know me?When Yeomyeong asked for his identity, the dwarf looked at him with a look of utter shock, as if to say, how could he not know him?Oh, you really dont know. Well then, do you know of Dungan Heavy Industries?Dungan Heavy Industries was a multinational conglomerate located next to the Chicago Dimensional Portal. Because it was one of Koreas directpetitors in the steel and shipbuilding industry, Yeomyeong had asionally heard of thepany in the news.Ah, fortunately, you know about Dungan Heavy Industries. I am Darulma Dune, someone who holds quite a high position there.Dune family? A chaebol1?This time, it was Yeomyeong''s turn to be surprised.We usually call ourselves a n but Koreans seem to like that particr term. Well, call it whatever you want.The dwarf shrugged as if it was nothing, then walked towards the table and sat in the seat of honor where Captain Kwon had just been.Well skip the rest of the self-introduction for now; lets get to business.He ced a stack of documents on the table.Captain Kwon Mongjoo, may I do the honors?The Captain stepped back without a word, adopting a demeanor like that of a subordinate. Seeing that, Yeomyeong suddenly recalled what Tian Lin had said.They did say that some investors were here.Was this dwarf chaebol one of the investors of the mercenary group? While Yeomyeong more or less arrived at a conclusion, the dwarf pulled out a document from the top of the stack.Cheon Yeomyeong. Once again, I apologize for the petty test you just underwent. However, we needed to assess you.As soon as he saw the document the dwarf held up, Yeomyeong realized what it was.It was the job application Seti had manipted.Its hard to easily trust someone who has hidden their abilities and entered the mercenary group with a fabricated application.Seeing the dwarf speak while waving the document back and forth, Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow.What exactly is your intention? I said I would leave the group.If you wish to leave, feel free to do so. What I want isnt for you to stay in this mercenary group.Then?In short, I want to assign you amission.Amission? What did he mean by that? Yeomyeong nced alternated between the dwarf and the Captain.I understand that it might feel out of the blue.Said the dwarf as he stroked his beard.Where should I start Ah, I should start from there. The thing is, the Dungan Group and the Sonjuk Mercenary Group have been searching for a certain treasure hidden in Manchuria for a very long time.After quite an extensive search, we have managed to roughly locate the treasure but there was one problem. That location is guarded by a dragon.Was there such a ce in Manchuria? It sounded pretty absurd. Yeomyeong frowned and asked.If thats the case, wouldnt it be enough to use a helicopter to take down the dragon?A helicopter? Do you really think wed want rumors about hunting a dragon to spread? Youve experienced it yourself; youve seen how greedy the soldiers in Manchuria can be.Yeomyeong unconsciously recalled the military''s im to the dragons rib bones. Indeed, they were pretty greedy.We need a superhuman capable of taking down a dragon with the assistance of a small team. It would be even better if that someone could also cut through the dragons bones.The dwarf scanned Yeomyeongs face with eyes filled with greed and anticipation.To be honest, I find it hard to believe that someone like you appeared before us at this moment.Is that so?In such cases, there are two possibilities: either its the blessing of fate, or youre a very formidable fraud.But seeing you casually speak about quitting earlier, Im convinced. Youre not a fraud targeting me. A fraud wouldnt give up the dragons rib bones obediently.Well, it wasnt exactly obediently However, Yeomyeong chose not to reveal that.So, our meeting must be the blessing of fate.Hearing his confident tone, Yeomyeong inwardly let out a wry smile. Nevertheless, the dwarf looked at him with fiery eyes.So, Cheon Yeomyeong-gun2. My offer is simple. Will you join us in hunting the dragon? Or will you miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and regret it down the line?The dwarf extended his hand towards him. It was a chaebols hand adorned with sparkling rings on each finger.1. Chaebol ??, in literal trantion, means "money faction" or "wealth n." In South Korean culture, chaebols are dynasties responsible for an extreme portion of the South Korean economy. They also have yed a significant role in South Korean politics.
A chaebol often consists of multiple diversified affiliates controlled by a person or group. Only several dozenrge South Korean family-controlled corporate groups fall under this definition. For example: Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Hanjin, etc2. Gun is a formal way of addressing younger male by an older speaker.
Chapter 44: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (4)
***After staring at the dwarfs hand for a brief moment, Yeomyeong replied curtly....I refuse.Perhaps not expecting the blunt refusal, the dwarfs face cycled through various emotions with his hand still outstretched.Anger, bewilderment, indignation, suspicion, and then finally, realization.In order to avoid feeling embarrassed, the dwarf clenched his fist embarrassed and tapped his forehead.Oh my, oh my. I got so worked up that I forgot to give you the most important details. I should have informed you of the reward before proposing the deal.He continued with a smiling face.If you seed, I can give you anything you desire. Money, stocks, elixirs, magic items, and if you wish even those kinds of things.What did he mean by those kinds of things? Yeomyeong took a step back while looking at the dwarfs suggestive smile.Whatever you can think of, I promise I can offer even more. After all, arent you someone with such great generosity that you were even willing to part with a dragon''s rib bones? I''m not nning on paying you some paltry reward.So, how about it? Are you starting to consider epting my offer?The dwarf smiled with a confident expression that seemed to say, Who would refuse such an offer?However, immediately after hearing Yeomyeongs response, his expression contorted miserably.I still refuse.If youre trying to drive up your value by rejecting it I would advise you against it. We dwarves dont like to haggle.Im sorry, but I genuinely refuse your offer.As Yeomyeong turned around, the dwarf spoke with urgency.Ah, is it because of the rib bones? Theres no need to be upset about that. Captain Kwon just imed a share to test you. The rib bones are all yours.Thinking that wasnt enough, he added in a nervous voice.And if you wish for it, ourpanys craftsmen can make weaponry from those rib bones for you. Free of charge!Yeomyeong paused for a moment, pretending to think as he tapped his lips.Was he tempted by the dwarfs offer? No, that wasnt it. It was just an act to buy some time to think.Why was this dwarf clinging to him so persistently?ording to the dwarf, it was because he was someone who was able to cut the dragons rib bonesThat was no way it could be like that.While it might have been hard to find someone at that level at the Manchurian base, the world was vast.And if a chaebol decided to spend money, they could easily find a Superhuman capable of killing a dragon.In that case, there must be some hidden agenda behind this offerDo I have anything that the dwarf chaebol would covet?Talent? Unless the mercenary group had been looking into him for a long time, that didnt make any sense. After all, didnt Kim Mansoo and the mercenary group only learn about him being a Superhuman just yesterday?If that was the case, then something he showed during the battle with the Dragonst night must have been the dwarfs real objective.The first thing that came to mind was the Arcane Relic. The Comet Sword and the Dagger imbued with the Will of the Stars were treasures whose true worth couldnt be measured with money alone.However, if he was after the dagger, there was no need for such convoluted approaches. It would have been better to seize it by force or offer money directly.Therefore, only one possibility remained.The Saintess.Of course, there wasnt any significant connection between Yeomyeong and the Saintess.However, anyone who didnt know better could have mistakenly believed that the Saintess and Yeomyeong had a close rtionship.They fought the Dragon and even gave an interview together. Moreover, didnt the Saintess herself step up and protect his right to the dragons rib bones?It was a usible hypothesis. If the dwarfs real goal was indeed the SaintessHaving organized his thoughts, Yeomyeong removed his hand from his lips and gave the dwarf a slight nod.Its a very generous offer, but still, I cannot ept it.So, you refuse? Is that what you mean?Yes.Why? If you were displeased with the test, I would apologize again.No need to apologize. Its just that I dont want to fight a dragon again.Ha, are you scared?Yes, having fought a dragon once, I cant bring myself to fight another.Yeomyeong was putting on a pretense. He then slightly shifted his eyes to observe the dwarfs face.If his conjecture was wrong, the dwarf would give up hereIf that is the case, you dont have to worry about that! Monsters like Kahal Magdu are rare. ording to our investigation, the treasure is guarded by a young dragon.However, he didnt give up. Instead, he became even more enthusiastic while attempting to persuade Yeomyeong.So, indeed, there is a hidden motive.Yeomyeong sighed inwardly. Unaware of the younger guy''s internal thoughts, the dwarf kept speaking.Moreover, we wont be sending you alone. Captain Kwon here and the mercenaries from the Sonjuk Mercenary Group will alsoDarulma, thats enough.It was Captain Kwon Mongjoo who cut off the dwarfs rambling. His cold gaze swept over Yeomyeong as he took a step back.Didnt I say it was a petty test? And on top of it, the new recruit is a Superhuman. You should have figured it out by now.Captain Kwon made an eye gesture to confirm that what he said was correct. Yeomyeong simply shrugged his shoulders instead of replying.The dwarf clicked his tongue after ncing at Captain Kwon and Yeomyeong.Then the options are violence or sincerity. This is really an uncharacteristic situation for dwarves.As the dwarf clenched his hand, which was full of rings, into a fist, Yeomyeong ced his hand on the hilt of his sword.I would rmend sincerity over violence.Though Yeomyeong had yet to gauge Captain Kwons skill, he didnt think it would be difficult for him to escape safely.As the tension between the two Superhumans continued to build up, the dwarf sighed and nodded.Hufft, sincerity Alright, Cheon Yeomyeong, let me speak honestly.Could you help establish a bridge between the Saintess and our mercenary group?So their target was indeed the Saintess. Unfortunately, the dwarfs assumption itself was incorrect.I dont know what kind of misunderstanding you t have, but I have no connection with the Saintess.Come on, when someone has already shown you sincerity, you should also respond with sincerity. Are you honestly telling me to believe that the Saintess pressured the military to restore the rights of someone she has no connection with?How can I understand the Saintesss intentions? Perhaps she simply felt a sense of camaraderie after we fought the Dragon alongside each other. That might be the reason she granted me some consideration.Then what about the Saintess traveling from the Manchurian base just to find you? What do you have to say about that?What was he talking about? Yeomyeongs eyebrows furrowed slightly. However, he responded honestly.Thats news to me.All the soldiers and mercenaries at the Manchurian base already know about it. The GPS on the stolen motorcycle led directly to you. And yet, what did you say? You''re not close to her?Ha, the dwarfughed in disbelief, but Yeomyeong felt wronged because he truly knew nothing about it.Having seemingly misunderstood Yeomyeongs stern expression; the dwarf, looking anxious, kept talking while tapping the table.To avoid any further misunderstanding, let me add that I have no ill intentions. The offers I made earlier are all genuine. Also, the part about finding the treasure, which is guarded by a dragonBefore the dwarf could speak any further, the Captains phone rang. The dwarf who was interrupted cast a quick nce at the Captain before continuing to speak.Furthermore, all the rewards I promised are also genuine. If there was any falsehood, it would be my attempt to use you to make contact with the Saintess. As you know, the Saintess.At that moment, the Captain, looking somewhat flustered, interrupted the dwarf again.Im sorry to interrupt you, but you should really take this call.Cant you see Im in the middle of something important?This call is more important. The CEO of Blue Rat herselfThe Captain handed the phone, still connected to the call, to the dwarf and whispered something.How dare that cursed ghost of KGB1.After confirming the callers number, the dwarf muttered something unintelligible before answering the call.Was the call that displeasing? Because the dwarf scowled and simply listened to the other party.At some point, the dwarfs expression suddenly changed. He looked at Yeomyeong with a look of shock and fear.Whats going on?What was the speaker saying to provoke such a reaction? While Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion, the call came to an end.Click.Immediately after, an ufortable silence filled the base camp.The dwarf tried to open his mouth to say something but couldn''t bring himself to speak, merely making a silent, hesitant gesture.Finally, it was Yeomyeong who broke the silence.Why are you looking at me like that?Instead of giving him an answer, the dwarf turned the question around.Do you really have no connection with the Saintess?Havent I already told you several times? I have no connection with her.I heard that the Saintess spentst night in the recovery room with you. Is that also a lie?What are you talking about?What kind of bizarre nonsense was this? Yeomyeong furrowed his brow unconsciously.Though the first person he saw upon waking in the recovery room was the Saintess, that didnt mean they spent the entire night in the same room.Right?While Yeomyeong was pondering over this, the dwarf asked him another question in a desperate voice.Please be honest with me. You didnt do something inappropriate to the Saintess, right?Yeomyeong was stunned by the unexpected question. He felt dizzy, as if he was just hit on the back of the head with a hammer.Sigh, I suppose that isnt the case. There''s no way someone would do something that foolish when there''s an obvious threat of being killed by any of the millions of believers.Not just anyone, but me and the Saintess? After regaining hisposure, Yeomyeong felt not just astonishment but also anger.Not even two days had gone by since he met the Saintess and he hardly had the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with her, let alone foster affection. It was not like he was a street hooker back in Incheon.At this point, Yeomyeong couldnt help but ask.Who did you just speak to for such a question toe up?That is.The answer to his question came not from the dwarf but from someone behind him.Creak.The closed base camp door opened, and an unexpected figure stepped in.
***In the depths of Siberia, the region Manchurians called hell, a dragonits bones the only remnantspped its wings over the destend where twisted mana and blizzards mingled.Kahal MagduA cmity born from the reckless desires of Earthians.He flew through the Siberian sky for quite some time before arriving at a city once called Verkhoyansk.Once inhabited by thousands of people, only frozen buildings, cars, and a dreary silence remained in the once lively city.After briefly surveying the city, the Dragon folded its wings and began its descent.Boom!As the massive body passed through the blizzard, icicles fell, and the snow scattered.Amidst the biting cold, the Dragon gathered up its mana in search of its target. It wasnt long before he managed to locate the familiar mana at a frozen school.Yourete, Kahal.Some figures had already gathered on the schools rooftop. Four humans, each wearing a thick winter coat.Howe the winged bastard was thest?Except for one, all of them were emitting a twisted mana. The Dragon lowered its head to match their eye level.- Are you proud of being the fastest to flee, Ekatherina2?At the Dragons jibe, the woman in the white winter coat fumed, picked up therge spear beside her and growled.Shut up! If you guys werent such idiots, there wouldnt have even been a need to flee!- Hmph, your attempt to make excuses isughable. Given the speed at which you arrived here, werent you the first to be breached?Regardless of what she said, the Dragon snorted. There were no ifs in history; the fact remained that they had failed toplete the mission.Wasnt that also the very reason they were gathered here while looking so pathetic?Stop Both of youAmidst the tense atmosphere, a man in a red winter coat intervened in the fight between the Dragon and the woman. He spoke in a low, corpse-like voice.Theres no need for us to fight among ourselves. None of us were breached.Bullshit, then how did reinforcements arrive? Did the Korean government stab us in the back?No It is just that this time, even the Korean government didnt anticipate this The Saintess The Saintess intervened.The Saintess? Why is that bitch in Manchuria? Isnt she supposed to be at the Academy?I dont know the reason But its certain that the Saintess is here. Isnt that right, Kahal?When the man in the red winter coat looked at the Dragon, the Dragon exhaled a steam of breath in agreement.- Yes, the Saintess is here. Unlike previous Saintesses, she seems to have a few loose screws Anyway, what does the Saintess have to do with the failure of the n?Foresight The real Saintess has the ability to use Foresight She must have mobilized the military before we could even intervene That would exin everything.As soon as the man finished speaking, a heavy silence settled over the rooftop. It was because everyone had the same thought.- Foresight it seems like her ability will continue to harass us in the future.Should we kill her? Its not like shes in the Holy Nation or in Australia; as long as shes in North Manchuria, it should be easy to take her out.Ekatherina bared her teeth as she said this. The man in the red winter coat shook his head.If the Saintess dies there will be a war. Its not the right time yet.- So youre suggesting that we just back off and do nothing?No Our goal remains the same only the n has changedThe man in the red winter coat turned to look at the Dragon and the others. Everyone was looking at him, waiting for his next words.For the Khingan Range3 in Manchuria one person is enough to find the treasure The rest will head to the conflict areaThen, me! Me! Ill stay!Ekatherina you cant youre too aggressive.With her proposal rejected immediately, Ekatherina mmed the spear she was holding onto the rooftop. Boom! The frozen concrete cracked, raising a cloud of snow and dust.Hmph, she crossed her arms and turned her back, but that was it. There was no further resistance.Only then did the man in the red winter coat nce at the remaining members. Upon meeting his gaze, the Dragon pulled back its head slightly and said.- Ill sit this one out. Having met a good connection, I n to wait for him to mature a bit.If Kahal wont be participating who among the remaining two will go?Among thest two, one was wearing a yellow winter coat and the other a ck winter coat; it was the one in the ck coat who raised their4 hand.Ill go.It was a pure voice like that of a boy who has yet to go through puberty. The man in the red winter coat tilted his head.Mara5 will you be alright? Stealing treasure doesnt seem to suit your nature.Well, thats not all I n to do. There are other things I need to check as well.Check?When we set North Manchuria aze, I felt a gaze from beyond the stars.Beyond the stars? I didnt feel anything.It might just be my unfounded worry, or perhaps your eyes are finally failing you.The one in the ck winter coat grinned slightly and looked up. Beyond the blizzard, the darkness with twinkling stars faced them.Sigh then go ahead Ill leave the treasure to you.1. The KGB was the foreign intelligence and domestic security agency of the Soviet Union. It was responsible for foreign intelligence, domestic counterintelligence, technical intelligence, protection of the political leadership, and the security of the Soviet Union''s frontiers.2. She shares the same name as the Russian Empress ܧѧ֧ڧߧ, whose western counterpart is Catherine(Katherine).3. Khingan is the Mongolian name for the mountains divided into the:
Greater Khingan, volcanic mountain range in Inner Mongolia, China.
Lesser Khingan, mountain range in the northeastern section of Heilongjiang, China.
Outer Khingan, also known as the Stanovoy Range; mountain range located in southeastern parts of the Russian Far East4. Mara will be considered to be gender neutral until it is specifically mentioned otherwise.5. The Korean raws use the word Pasun, but we chose to go with the more well-known version. Pasun is one of the names for a demon from the Buddhist scriptures who tried to stop Prince Siddhartha from achieving Enlightenment by trying to seduce him with his celestial Army and the vision of beautiful women who, in various legends, are often said to be his daughters.
In Korean, he is known by several different names: Mra-ppyas, Mara, Heavenly Demon, Demon King, Pasun, the Sixth Heaven Demon King, the King of the Tushita Heaven, and so on. Japan called him Hajun.
In Buddhist cosmology, Mara is associated with death, rebirth, and desire. Nyanaponika Thera has described Mara as "the personification of the forces antagonistic to enlightenment."
Chapter 45: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (5)
***GulpAs soon as he saw the person who stepped in through the door, Darulma Dune gulped audibly.Following his gaze, Yeomyeong also had to swallow a wry smile.Uh Were you in the middle of a serious discussion?It was the Saintess.Unlike before, she was not wearing her Invisibility Cloak. She now looked just like a true Saintess.Not only did the thick blindfold fail to hide her noble appearance, but her entire body was also meticulously covered in a pure white priestly robe,plete with a white shoulder cape embroidered with golden thread draped over her shoulders.If it werent for the revolver at her waist or the automatic rifle peeking out from behind her back she would have naturally evoked a sense of piety.Of course, this was only from an Earthian perspective.Unlike the mercenaries outside the base camp, who were simply admiring her, the dwarf paid no heed to the automatic rifle.Oh, SaintessDarulma Dune stood up, got on one knee, and bowed toward the Saintess. Then, he sped his hands together reverently and covered his mouth.The etiquette of worshiping the five gods beyond the Dimensional Portal.His posture was so perfect that it could be included in a textbook, but the Saintess didnt even spare the dwarf a nce.She strode into the base camp, grabbed Yeomyeongs hand and then spoke to Captain Kwon.Are you the Captain of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group?Yes, Saintess. I am the Captain, Kwon Mongjoo.I wish to hire this person. Regardless of the cost.A brief silence ensued following that abrupt announcement.While Captain Kwon and Darulma Dune were struck speechless, Yeomyeong shook her off and asked.What are you talking about all of a sudden?Ill give you an exnationter; for now, lets just go. We dont have the time.Seriously, if you stay here, you might get your head blown off!The Saintess tried pulling on Yeomyeongs hand several times, but Yeomyeong wouldnt budge.After a brief and meaningless struggle, the Saintess was the first to give up.She sighed deeply before speaking....My mother will being to kill you soon.What?What kind of nonsense was she spouting all of a sudden? Mother? Coming to kill him?...Is this some sort of code or analogy?No, what Im trying to say is my mother literally is targeting you.What kind of person was her mother? Was the Saintess mother the leader of the Holy Knights or something?Yeomyeong suppressed his rising incredulity and questions forming in his mind,pressing them into a single word....Why?The Saintess was unable to give him an immediate answer.She hesitated for a moment, then stood on her toes to whisper in Yeomyeongs ear.I, uh might have made a slight slip of the tongue. So my mother has some, uh, misunderstandings about us.A slip of the tongue.Upon hearing that, Yeomyeong immediately inferred that the person the dwarf had been talking to was the Saintess mother.If that were the case, could it be that the misunderstanding the dwarf spoke aboutsomething inappropriatebe referring toOh my god.Previously thinking the misunderstanding was nothing more than a crash of lips, Yeomyeong shut his eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and asked the Saintess.What sort of slip of the tongue did you have that led to such a misunderstanding?Well, um it sort of just happened? I didnt expect her to be that angry just because I said I wanted to hire you with money.Although I did tell her about giving you a relic and that we slept in the same recovery roomYou were in the same recovery room as me? Is that even something you should be saying?I mean, is it really that big a deal? Its not like I could get a hotel room while using my Invisibility Cloak, right? Besides, I was worried about youSeeing the Saintess avoid his gaze, Yeomyeong felt more bewildered than angry.Regardless of Yeomyeong''s bewilderment, the mercenaries outside the base camp were observing the two with keen interest.- What are they talking about? The Neers expression seems really serious.- Is it whats it called is it, like, eloping for love?- Is our mercenary group going to be on the 9 oclock news1 tomorrow?- Damn it, I cant hear them clearly. Everyone shut up!Unable to bear the intense attention focused on him, Yeomyeong massaged his forehead.He would have normally gotten angry about something like this, but his mind was unable to keep up when confronted with something far beyond his expectations.He had been single for far too long to be able to handle a situation like this calmly.
***While Yeomyeong was momentarily tongue-tied, the dwarf standing behind him approached the Saintess cautiously.Um, Saintess?Yes?"I am Darulma Dune, the one overseeing the traditional restoration projects at Dungan Heavy Industries. If you could spare me some time, can we discuss some business matters for a while...?He pulled out a business card made of antique paper and presented it to the Saintess.Im sorry, but I really dont have the time right now. We can talk about that after we manage to escapeThe Saintess tried to refuse the card politely, as she was ustomed to doing. Or rather, she tried to.Bang!The next moment, a bullet lodged itself into the business card Darulma was holding. The perforated card fell to the ground as the dwarfs eyes opened wide in shock.Mother!With the Saintess scream as a signal, Yeomyeong and Captain Kwon jumped into action.Captain Kwon grabbed the dwarf, and Yeomyeong embraced the Saintess, knocking over a table and using it as cover.Kyaaak!A bullet lodged itself in the spot Yeomyeong had taken cover. It was a silent bullet with no forewarning or sense of presence.Yeomyeong instinctively drew on his mana but was unable to locate the opponent.On realizing that it was a sensation he had experienced several times before, Yeomyeong asked the Saintess while drawing his sword.Did your mother take your Invisibility Cloak?...The Invisibility Cloak originally belonged to my mother.St! As soon as the Saintess replied, sawdust spewed from the table. The dwarf was horrified as the bullet passed right before his eyes.Oh, my god. O Mordak!And before his shock could disappear, Captain Kwon picked up the dwarf.C-Captain Kwon! What are you doing!Without a word of exnation, Captain Kwon tossed the dwarf out the back door.Aaah! After confirming that the dwarf had disappeared beyond the door with that scream, Captain Kwon drew his pistol.Saintess, youll have topensate us properly for this incident.Even though he said that, Captain Kwon had no idea how to subdue the opponent.An invisible sniper with their mana and presence concealedhow on earth was one supposed to deal with that?Even if they called in the mercenaries stationed outside the base camp, in a situation like this, everyone would be nothing more than a human target...As the Captain was thinking this, Yeomyeong suddenly stood up from behind the table.However, no bullets came flying. The reason was because Yeomyeong was holding the sword against the Saintess throat.Oh Taking hostages, huh? Thats a good idea.With those words from the Saintess, a heavy silence descended upon the base camp.Captain Kwon looked at Yeomyeong with an expression that seemed to say, What kind of crazy bastard is this? and even the opponent seemed to be at a loss for words.After a brief pause, a voice without any inflection came from the empty air in the base camp.Youre an even bigger scumbag than I imagined.Even worse than the person who fires a gun without saying a word?Yeomyeong pressed the sword against the Saintess neck to make a point. The Saintess flinched and shivered.Well, it would be better to die from a single bullet than to be drawn and quartered by the devotees....What grave sin did Imit to deserve death?Your sin was to leave footprints on a pristine white snowfield.A pristine white snowfield, she said. Yeomyeong suppressed the throbbing pain at the back of his head.I swear Im not involved with the Saintess in that manner....And now you''re lying on top of that? If you don''t want to go to hell, don''t add to your sins.Yeomyeong squeezed his mana to the extreme, but he still felt nothing around him. Not yet.He needed to buy some more time and force a mistake from his opponent. Yeomyeong slowly backed away and spoke again....Youre sure Im lying. What makes you think like that?...There was no answer. Yeomyeong raised his free hand and grabbed the Saintess by the neck.Hey, wait a minute...!As the Saintess held her breath, Yeomyeong adjusted his grip and spoke to the air.Ill ask you onest time. What makes you so sure that Im lying?...Answer me.Only after the Saintess pretended to struggle for breath with some over-the-top acting did the opponent finally speak....Because you changed the fate of that child.Fate?Was this another analogy? Perhaps due to their religious background, both the Saintess and her mother had a knack for using cryptic terms.I can''t exin any further Now, you must pay the price for manipting my daughter.At that moment, the opening he had been waiting for appeared. Yeomyeongs senses managed to locate the hidden muzzle.A small muzzle appeared mid-air. Although it was only a tiny opening, it was enough for Yeomyeong.Hey! What are you touching again now...!Without any hesitation, he threw the Saintess toward the muzzle. It was something he could do only because the opponent was the Saintess mother.Having not expected him to throw the Saintess, the opponent could neither fire the gun nor ignore her falling daughter.Her reaction was the same as any mothers: she dropped the gun and caught her daughter.The next moment, Yeomyeongs sword stopped right in front of her.As the opponent was wearing the Invisibility Cloak, it was unclear whether his sword was aimed at her head or neck. However, it was in a position where even the slightest force could lead to a fatal injury.The opponent silently admitted defeat....You are truly a ruthless person.With the Saintess briefmentary, Yeomyeong was finally able to exhale in relief.First, let me clear up the misunderstanding.He spun his hand to retract his sword, then drew a rod from his left hip and handed it to the Saintess.Hold this....What is this?The answer to the question came from beyond the Invisibility Cloak.The Handle of Uragan? How did you...?For the first time, her voice showed a hint of inflection. And judging by the slight rise in pitch, she seemed to be pretty surprised.Whats going on? What is this thing?Regardless of the Saintess confusion, Yeomyeong quickly handed the rod to her.It definitely wasnt because he heard the voice in his head saying, O Virgin!Well, maybe....Anyway, the Handle of Uragan did not reject the Saintess. Instead, it emitted a subtle light and blessed her.Hey, wait a minute... What? Is that what you meant by snowfield...?The Saintess mouth twisted into an odd shape as she held the rod, seemingly trying to understand what the unicorn was saying. However, Yeomyeong paid it no mind.He turned his head so that someone beyond the Invisibility Cloak could witness it for herself.Did you see?...I have never intruded your daughters snowfield. And I have no intention of doing so, now or ever.The opponent beyond the Invisibility Cloak was unable to muster a reply. Instead, upon realizing what they meant by snowfield, the Saintess shrieked loudly.Arghh, seriously! Stop with the damned snowfield talk already!1. The "9 o''clock news" often refers to prime time for news broadcasting in many countries. It is when a major news bulletin is broadcast, typically because thergest number of viewers are avable to watch it.
Chapter 46: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (6)
***Bullet holes adorned the base camp, with broken tables and chairs scattered around.A suffocating silence pervaded the inside of the camp because none of the five people sitting inside dared to open their mouths.First, Captain Kwon.After confirming that all the mercenaries guarding the entrance were unconscious, he decided to keep his mouth shut.After all, it was a matter of pride. It was fortunate that the opponent had shown some mercy. Else, it would have been aplete annihtion if she had intended to kill them.The dwarf sitting besides him was no less ufortable.The dwarf, who had been tossed outside, returned to the base camp with a ratherrge bump on his forehead. He looked pitiful, rubbing the bump with his ring-filled hand.Fortunately, the Saintess kept her mouth shut, although she asionally muttered something about the damn snowfield... but that didntst long.Lastly, the Saintess'' motherthe main cause of all this silence, still wearing the Invisibility Cloak.Her hands, sticking out from the cloak, trembled slightly, indicating that she was too ashamed to raise her face.Well, it wasn''t an iprehensible reaction.After all, she had shot at him while speaking about her daughter''s snowfield(?)... only to find out it wasn''t true. Anyone in her shoes would be ashamed.However, understanding and forgiving were entirely different matters. And Yeomyeong had no intention of forgiving her.Since he couldn''t just cut her head off and be done with it, he eventually sighed and spoke up."So, how do we go about this?"Yeomyeong''s golden eyes scanned the other four people.The dwarf and the Sonjuk Mercenary Group Captain, the Saintess and her mother, and Yeomyeong himself. It was time to sort out their intertwined thoughts and goals."If no one else has anything to say, I would like to make a suggestion. First, let''s each take turns and express what we want. Right now it seems like we have some misunderstandings."The first to respond to Yeomyeong''s suggestion was the dwarf. He raised the hand that wasn''t rubbing the bump and nodded in agreement."Not a bad idea. I agree."It was a businesslike attitude. Seeing that no one else objected, Yeomyeong gestured to the dwarf."Then, would you like to start?""If it''s alright with you, of course."The dwarf cleared his throat and dusted his body. Though he couldn''t do much about the bump on his forehead, he still tried to maintain a respectful bearing.Then, he spoke to the Saintess."Well... Saintess?""Huh?""On behalf of the Dungan Heavy Industries and the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, I would like to make a proposal, Saintess."The dwarf then repeated the exnation he had given Yeomyeong earlier.About a treasure hidden in Manchuria and the dragon guarding it.He also added that mercenaries and a few Superhumans would be mobilized in order to obtain the treasure and that the Saintess just needed to join them.As soon as the dwarf finished with his exnation, the Saintess spoke up.Is that treasure... perhaps located near the northern region of the Khingan Range?"O Oh?"Great surprise, followed by a brief silencethe dwarf''s mouth dropped open."How did you know?""Its becausencing back and forth between Yeomyeong and the dwarf, the Saintess trailed off.Although her thick blindfold made it hard to tell, her red lips curled into a smile, indicating that she was probably up to no good.It just so happens that I need to go there as well.Trying to avoid her gaze, Yeomyeong turned his head slightly. However, the next moment, the Saintess raised her hand.Then it''s my turn to speak, right?Uh, Saintess, about my proposalIll give you an answer in a little while.She put her finger on her lips to silence the dwarf, then fixed her gaze on Yeomyeong.Hm, Cheon Yeomyeong What should I call you? Yeomyeong-ssi? Yeomyeong-gun? Yeomyeong-oppa1?Oppa? Thats ridiculous. Yeomyeong frowned as he gave her a reply.Just call me Yeomyeong.Anyway, Yeomyeong, do you remember my proposal from this morning?Yeomyeong nodded instead of speaking.She had asked him to be her bodyguard while she secretly searched for something in Manchuria, without alerting the old folks. Of course, he refused immediately.My request remains the same. So, how about it?My answer also remains the same. No.The conversation they had in the recovery room was being repeated here. However, the Saintess'' reaction was a bit different this time.She turned towards the dwarf with a meaningful smile on her face.Darulma-ssi? Ill join the treasure hunt on the condition that you include him in our group.A mercenary should obey the orders of the mercenary group, right?The dwarf was unable to respond. He nced back and forth between Yeomyeong and the Saintess, bewildered.Why is he behaving like that? As the Saintess tilted her head in confusion, Yeomyeong spoke up.I have resigned from the mercenary group.What? So suddenly?!If you want to know the reason, ask the dwarf.It doesnt even matter how much you dislike me, quitting the mercenary group over something like this is justYeomyeong raised his hand to interrupt her.Its my turn to speak now.In the end, the Saintess, who was about to say something, sighed in resignation and folded her arms.Yeomyeong unbuckled the sword sheath from his waist and ced it on his knee, then turned to address the figure hiding beneath the Invisibility Cloak.You are the mother of the Saintess, correct? May I ask you a question?...Yes.Someone tried to shoot me in the head due to a misunderstanding, and someone else tried to use me to further their own schemes.Yeomyeong nced at the dwarf and Captain Kwon.Upon meeting his eyes, the dwarf coughed and looked away while Captain Kwon quietly touched his lips.Fortunately, it seemed like both of them felt some shame. Or at least, they were pretending to.Either way, the fact that they werent being shameless was good enough for him. It meant that it would be easier for him to get through them by using words instead of swords.Yeomyeong licked his lips and continued speaking.Honestly, this is the first time I''ve had to deal with a situation like this, and I really don''t know what to do. So, since you are older and more experienced than I am, I would like to ask for your advice.His manner of speaking was slow but respectful. Yeomyeong blinked his eyes.What do you think will be the appropriatepensation for the hardships I have faced?As soon as he heard the word pensation, the dwarfsplexion changed. He quickly whispered something into Captain Kwons ear with a serious look on his face.Shortly after, Captain Kwon stood up without making a sound and walked out of the base camp.However, the woman beneath the Invisibility Cloak remained silent as she sped her hands tightly, seemingly deep in thought.Yeomyeong waited patiently, and finally, a dull voice emerged from the Invisibility Cloak."It seems like this will take a while. Could you wait for a moment?"A voice tinged with faint mana. It was as if it cast a spell, connecting Yeomyeong and her using some type of magic.Yeomyeong pondered whether to draw his sword but he allowed the magic connection to form.Partly because he didn''t sense any hostility and partly because he was curious to see what she was up to.Then, when the magic connected the two, her voice echoed in his mind.- You don''t need to be so cautious. It''s just simple telepathy. There are too many ears, so I have to speak this way.Telepathy? As she said, it seemed like the dwarf and the Saintess were unable to hear her voice."First of all... as the guardian of the Saintess, I will not apologize for this incident."While saying that out loud, what she conveyed via telepathy waspletely different.- Cheon Yeomyeong... no, Dung Beetle. My name is Moryne. I am the president of the Blue Rat and the mother of the Saintess."As the parent of a daughter, I only did what I was supposed to do. There were no personal feelings involved."- First of all, I would like to apologize as the representative of the Blue Rat. This is not only due to the current incident but also to the disy of rudeness in the past and the mistakes our employees made towards you.A person who knew him as Dung Beetle and the president of the Blue Rat at that.They said bad connections were like a web, entangling you before you realized it. And this situation was exactly that.Hiding his distorted expression, Yeomyeong clenched the hilt of his sword tightly."And to be honest, wasn''t it your fault for acting in a way that caused further misunderstandings? You should know that the value of the life of the Saintess and that of an ordinary mercenary are not the same."
* * *Value of a life. He knew she didn''t mean it sincerely, but it still felt unpleasant to hear.Yeomyeong kept his mouth shut and replied to her in his mind.- Why are you behaving like this?- Because I''m about to say something my daughter should not hear.- .- Do you know why the Saintess is a Saintess?- ...I''m not particrly interested.- She is a person blessed with the Foresight of the Five Gods. If it''s a man, he is called a Saint; if it''s a woman, she is called a Saintess.- ...Foresight?Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes without realizing it.Foresight? He thought it was a lie, but the actions shown by the Saintess so far had some meaning behind them.She was able to locate the site where he was fighting the dragon rather quickly and was the first to know about the tragedy in North Manchuria.The timely support from the Manchurian base was also thanks to the Saintess, wasn''t it?If all of that was the result of her Foresight ability... all her iprehensible actions so far made sense.- Foresight is a powerful ability. Depending on the conditions, it can even be used several times to glimpse into the future.Yeomyeong blinked calmly. His golden eyes were directed at the Saintess'' face beyond the Invisibility Cloak.- But it''s not an ability that can control all futures. Once she sees a certain future, she can''t see it again, and the gods don''t teach her the correct method to change the future.- .- Like all free wills, if misused, it can turn good intentions into an even greater disaster... that''s the kind of ability it is.- So, what''s your reason for telling me about the Saintess'' ability in such detail?When Yeomyeong replied mockingly, the Invisibility Cloak on the other side swayed, and a deep sigh followed.- Actually, the moment my daughter became a Saintess, I too saw a future.- .- The future I saw for my daughter... wasn''t exactly rosy.Her deep sadness was conveyed to him through their telepathic connection. It was a mother''s sorrow, something Yeomyeong had never experienced before.- She became apanion to the hero and helped save the world, but she was unable to save her own happiness. She wasn''t chosen by the one she loved, grew old all alone in the sanctuary, and... died lonely.Yeomyeong stared at the Invisibility Cloak with a sense of disbelief. But that disbelief turned to be true.- The moment I heard about you from my daughter, I had a thought. Could it be that because shes ying this dangerous game with you my daughter hasnt been able to find love?Yeomyeong took a deep breath, holding himself back from drawing his sword. So, all that talk about fate and snowfields was rted to this.- Did you really try to kill me for such a trivial reason? Just to change your daughter''s fate? Without any evidence to back it up?- ...Yes.It was a selfish and cruel thought. Indeed, this was not something that could be said in front of the Saintess.And another thought crossed Yeomyeongs mindC perhaps the reason the Saintess seemed slightly insane was not because of her Foresight but because of her family.However, regardless of his thoughts, Moryne continued their telepathic conversation.- But just now, when I saw the expression of my daughter who was taken hostage... I suddenly had a different thought.- ...You changed your mind after seeing me hold a sword to your daughter''s neck.She let out a smallugh and a sigh.- I know that it sounds strange. But what can I do? My daughter was so happy.Happy? Yeomyeong was at a loss for words.Should he say like mother, like daughter?The daughter was unhinged because she could see the future, and the mother was the same because she glimpsed into her daughter''s future.But the craziest of all was probably Yeomyeong, because he could sympathize with the Saintess'' mother, even if it was just a little.Yes, Yeomyeong, who never had real parents, knew these types of parents all too wellthe madness called maternal love.The unprincipled action of pulling the trigger on someone, even if it meant changing her daughter''s future.Perhaps that was why Yeomyeong felt disgust towards her. It was a disgust towards a feeling he knew all too well.And thanks to that... Yeomyeong was sure of one thing.Moryne knew he was Dung Beetle but didn''t know the reason he became Yeomyeong.Because if Moryne knew that, she would have opted for a life-and-death struggle instead of this petty telepathic conversation.- Yeomyeong, may I offer a proposal?- ...After rambling on as you pleased, you now have a proposal for me?- Please, give your youth to my daughter.- - In return, I''ll give you all the information and wealth I possess.It was a truly insulting proposal to both Yeomyeong and the Saintess.In the end, he was unable to hold back any longer and unleashed his mana. As he activated the Surging Mana technique, the air around him began to churn.- Find someone else for that damned youth nonsense.- My daughter is not good at making friends. She only has one peer friend, and they haven''t even met for almost three years.- Get lost.- What should I do? Should I get on my knees and beg?The chair hidden by the Invisibility Cloak rattled. Moryne stood up.She seemed prepared to kneel at any moment, but fortunately, it didn''t happen.Because, before she could, the Saintess suddenly shot up and blocked the space between Yeomyeong and Moryne."Oh,e on, knock it off already!"1. Here, Saintess is trying to figure out whether Yeomyeong is older or younger than her or whether he prefers a formal way of addressing him.
Some of these have been exined before, but I''ll exin it again.
-ssi is used as a neutral formal way to address someone.
-gun is used by an older person to call a younger guy but in a formal way.
-oppa is used by younger females to address an older male; it can be a sibling or just an acquaintance. But for acquaintance, it is usually used for someone you are close to. If not, it would be considered overly friendly or flirting, which exins Yeomyeong''s reaction.
Chapter 47: Does The Saintess Dream Of A Sacrificial Lamb? (7)
***The moment the president of the Blue Rat said something about the value of ones life, the first thought that came to Darulma Dune was that he shouldn''t have sent Captain Kwon on an errand.That damn KGB bitch. She has neither tact nor conscience, just like her country.The atmosphere at the base camp turned menacingly tense. Even though neither Yeomyeong nor the rat bastard boss uttered a word, even a blind person would be able to sense the situation was on the verge of exploding.Yeomyeong had already drawn his sword, and it wouldnt be surprising if the rat bastard boss, hiding beneath the Invisibility Cloak, pulled out her gun at any moment.If this keeps up, I''ll get caught in the crossfire and die.Gauging the situation, Darulma began to gradually make his way towards the back door of the base camp. However, before he could reach it, mana began emanating from Yeomyeong''s body.Amidst the swirling mana, Yeomyeong red at the Invisibility Cloak as if he were looking at something disgusting.Refusing to be outdone, that rat boss also sprang up from her seat.Sensing the growing tension between the two Superhumans, Darulma threw himself towards the back door. Or rather, he tried to.However, the next moment, the Saintess came between the two of them."Oh,e on, knock it off!"As soon as the Saintess intervened, the tension melted away like snow.Yeomyeong sheathed his sword and withdrew his mana, and the rat boss also sat back down.Another brief silence ensued.The Saintess sighed deeply, then dragged a chair between the two and sat down."Mom, you need to apologize.""...""This time, it was your fault. And it was my fault as well."Both of them still remained silent. The Saintess shrugged her shoulders and then looked at the dwarf."Darulma-ssi? What did you do to make Yeomyeong want to leave the mercenary group?"The dwarf realized that this was a typical attempt at changing the subject, but he had no choice.It would be better to endure the ufortable atmosphere than being caught in a fight between Superhumans. Forcing a smile, Darulma replied to the Saintess."...Well, I, um, sort of tested him a bit.""Test? What kind of test?""Well, his resume was fake, so... I used his share of the dragon''s rib bones as bait. It was just a small test."Darulma spoke as truthfully as possible. Given that the person in question was holding a sword right before, there was no room for corporate embellishments or exaggerations.As expected, the Saintess reaction was not good."His share of the rib bones? I vouched for that! And you used it as bait?"The Saintess deliberately raised her voice dramatically. If there was a problem, it was with the mana mixed in her voice.Listening to her voice resonating in his ears, Darulma was once again reminded that the Saintess was also a Superhuman. And that he was the only one who needed to behave cautiously here."S-so, as an apology, I have prepared a gift. I have sent Captain Kwon to fetch it.""...A gift."Seeing the Saintess'' lukewarm reaction, Darulma hastily added more words."An elixir, and a very rare one at that! Uh, Yeomyeong-gun? Youll definitely be satisfied. It is a special elixir procured directly from an elf!"Darulma kept the fact that the elixir was originally meant for the Saintess to himself.Well, what could he do? As long as he reached his destination, the method he used to get there didnt matter.In spite of Darulma''s enthusiastic exnation, Yeomyeong''s expression didn''t change.Laden with suspicion, his golden eyes nced at Darulma briefly, but that was all."...Mom, do you not have anything?"Eventually, the Saintess turned her attention to her next target, her mother, who would at least listen to her.With an expectant look, she nced at the Invisibility Cloak."Hm? Mom?"She was hoping that her mother, the president of a promising information guild, would be able to cate Yeomyeong with an expensive gift.A blindfold and an Invisibility CloakA tedious staring contest ensued between mother and daughter, with Moryne finally conceding.She let out a long sigh, like someone relieved of a burden, and spoke."Im not going to apologize."The Saintess tried to say something to her still-cold mother, but Moryne was faster."But I willpensate you."Her hand disappeared into the Invisibility Cloak before reemerging with something.A single red keyy on her palm."Mom? Is that...?""This much should suffice for a mercenarys life."Moryne tossed the key. Whirl, tap. Yeomyeong caught it without saying a word, and then she left immediately.There was no time to say anything. The clicking of her heels echoed towards the back door of the base camp before disappearingpletely.Realizing that her mother had left, the Saintess turned towards Yeomyeong. She bit her lip, before forcing a smile and spoke."...Im sorry.""...""But that key is really valuable. You do know what an Arcane Relic is, right?"The Saintess was not ustomed to situations like this.In fact, she wasn''t even used to speaking to people who were of a simr age."That key is actually one of the items discovered during an expedition in the Chicago Dimensional Portal..."She fidgeted with her fingers, trying her best to exin the significance of the key.She hoped that his anger might be eased a bit with the knowledge that it was an expensive item.However, before she could finish with her exnation, Yeomyeong spoke up."Khingan Range. Ill apany you.""Huh? Really?""But this will be the only time.""Come on, we havent even left, and youre already thinking about parting ways?"Did he like the Arcane Relic that much? The Saintess didnt know what caused him to change his mind so suddenly, but the result worked in her favor.Smiling as she watched the dwarf sighed in relief and Yeomyeong stare at the key stoically, sheforted herself thating to Manchuria was the right decision.Suddenly, the thought of her only friend crossed her mind. Her friend, who would be attending the academy at the momentDid she know there was another person whose future she couldnt foresee clearly with her Foresight?For some reason, she had a feeling that her friend would know.
***The value of dragon bones was truly immeasurable.Those ignorant mercenaries, who were unaware of their ce, simply saw the dragon bones as nothing more than a quick path to riches, but the military thought differently.Just like mana metal, dragon bones were also treated as strategic resources.In the battles between Superhumans, living incarnations of asymmetric power, equipment was as crucial as martial arts and magic.Unfortunately, Korea did not possess any equipment made from dragon bones or scales.By the time Korea began nurturing Superhumans in earnest, the UN had already designated dragons as an endangered species for quite some time.There was nothing more frustrating for ater like Korea.Protecting those talking lizard bastards... The developed countries could speak about that because they already had more than enough equipment made from dragon bones.But what about Korea? Even if they trained Mages and Superhumans to the point of death, what good would it do? Korean Superhumans couldnt even properly equip themselves with breasttes made from mana metal alloys.Meanwhile, those American bastards treated full-body armor and swords made from dragon bones like standard supplies.In that sense, discovering a dragon''s rib bones right in the heart of the North Manchuria base could be considered a significant event that would impact the nation.Even though North Manchuria was burned down, the military could hardly contain its joy at the prospect of Korea finally acquiring dragon bone equipment through legal means.However, that joy did notst long.Some mid-level mercenary group imed that the dragon''s bones were their spoils.Naturally, the military did not believe this im. To be honest, they didnt even care about the mercenary group''s im.After all, wasn''t the item retrieved directly by the military after the copse of North Manchuria? What could a mere mercenary group even do?They began to shamelessly spew nonsense, iming that since the mercenary group had abandoned the spoils and retreated, they had no rights to them, and even brazenly dered that they would only return a small portion, as the item now belonged to the military.However, before dawn, the Saintess came to the military.The Saintess, who had warned them about North Manchuria''s copse before anyone else and managed to prevent a greater tragedy, took the dragon''s rib bones from the military.Though it would be correct to say it was returned to its rightful owner, the military felt it was nothing short of a robbery.Neither Major Kim, who imed to be the first discoverer in front of the reporters, nor Director Park, who reported directly to the president at the Gyeongmudae, were able to hide their dismay.They wanted to take back the bones forcibly, but the opponent was the Saintess.The living idol of a huge religion with countless followers, both beyond the Dimensional Portal and on Earth.The military swallowed their tears and gave up the rib bones. Of course, they didn''t do it quietly; in the process of handing it over, they made a big fuss.They transported the dragon''s bones openly enough for all the reporters, military contractors, and other mercenary groups to see.They even stated that the outstanding rookie mercenary Cheon Yeomyeong and the Saintess were the ones who obtained the spoils of war.It was a dirty act of revenge, but it was certainly effective.Because, on the very first day itself, rumors that an unidentified Superhuman had attacked the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, knocked out the mercenaries, and trashed the base camp spread like wildfire.There were also rumors that the Saintess had taken off her Invisibility Cloak and was now hiding within the mercenary group, but not many people believed such nonsense.Anyway, the attack on the first day became a catalyst that led to the numerous people aiming for the dragon''s rib bones to flock to the Sonjuk Mercenary Group every day.The Sonjuk Mercenary Group had locked their entrance firmly, refusing toe out, and rejected all threats and negotiations.They held out in that manner for three days.Apanied by the news of North Manchuria''s worsening condition were rumors that the Sonjuk Mercenary Group had finally decided to head to North Manchuria.Everyone who heard this news was puzzled. Why head to North Manchuria instead of returning to Gyeongseong with the rib bones?Half from curiosity, half from ridicule, almost everyone at the Manchuria base gathered in front of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.This included those aiming for the dragon''s rib bones, journalists looking for a story, and soldiers hoping to see the mercenary group fall to ruins.- They should just focus on keeping the rib bones safe. Why even head out to fight?- I dont understand what the hell Captain Kwon Mongjoo was thinking.- Maybe they want to do something instead of just rotting away at the Manchuria base.Amidst the overflowing curiosity, the gates to the mercenary group''s base opened.Only around fifteen mercenaries, including Captain Kwon, emerged from the base campbarely enough to fill one military truck.However, keen observers noticed that nearly ten of the fifteen mercenaries were Superhumans.- Theyre finally nning to take action.- The Captain is personally leading this?- Wheres that guy named Cheon Yeomyeong?Ignoring all the noise in front of the base camp, the Sonjuk Mercenary Group silently loaded supplies onto the military truck.And just as the mercenary group was about to departBang!A man inbat gear jumped from the building next to the road, blocking the military truck and yelled.Where the hell is Cheon Yeomyeong?!With his military-style haircut and a military greatsword, few onlookers who recognized him started whispering among themselves.- Isnt that that bastard Jung Mapil from the Patriotic Organization?- Yeah, its Jung Mapil. The bastard who was dishonorably discharged.- Patriotic Organization is practically a mercenary group subcontracted by the military How aggressive.While some frowned, most of the onlookers were now watching the situation with renewed interest.Seemingly encouraged by their attention, Jung Mapil swung his greatsword and shouted again.Cheon Yeomyeong! Come out! The whole of Manchuria knows that you deceived the Saintess and stole the dragon bones the military found!His awkward, yet theatrical manner of speaking made some onlookers snicker as they realized what was happening. It was obvious that the military intended to harass the Sonjuk Mercenary Group until the very end.As everyone awaited the mercenary group''s next move, an unexpected person jumped off the truck.Are you looking for me?He was a young man with striking golden eyes and a fairly outstanding face. He could even be mistaken as a boy at a nce.However, aside from his appearance, there was nothing remarkable about him. He was wearing standard-issuebat gear, and his only weapon was a standard-issue iron sword.His aura well, if anything, it was ordinary. He certainly didnt look like someone who could cut dragon bones.Are you Cheon Yeomyeong?Yes, I am Cheon Yeomyeong.You heard what I just said, right?Instead of replying, Yeomyeong drew his sword. Seeing his calm demeanor, Jung Mapil sneered.He had felt uneasy when he was ordered by someone as high-ranking as a colonel to go beat up some kid, but it turned out that the kid had some guts.No need for lengthy exnations. Lets fight.Are you sure?Thats what I should be asking you. Can you handle it?His attitude exuded confidence. Yeomyeong nced at the reporters who had gathered.It seemed like a perfect spot for a scene. He lowered his sword and assumed a stance.How much injury is eptable?As long as no one dies.As if a signal to start the duel wasn''t necessary, Jung Mapil raised his greatsword.Following his lead, the reporters raised their cameras, and the onlookers paid close attention.At that moment, waves surged forth from Yeomyeongs sword.:"
Chapter 48: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf
Since dwarves are not human beings, they cannot be protected under the Universal Deration of Human Rights.The only internationalw that applies to you is the ''Wildlife Protection And Management Act.''Stalin''s response to dwarf diplomats protesting against the Soviet invasion.
***Thinking about his mission, Jung Mapil raised his greatsword.Filled with ambition to be a general, Colonel Jung1 assigned the task to Jung Mapil using a mix of threats and persuasion.The best possible oue here would be for him to provoke the opponent before returning because they did not show up.Even that would cause reporters to write articles about the mercenary group being humiliated, and the inte would be flooded withments mocking the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.It was a petty but the most satisfying oue for both the military and Jung Mapil.The next best oue would be for Jung Mapil to beat up his opponent thoroughly.Even in that case, the oue wouldn''t change, but the problem was that it was possible for a wave of sympathy for the kid named Cheon Yeomyeong to arise.And the worst oue would be if the opponent was really skilled enough to cut through a dragon''s rib bones.Im screwed.WhooshSeeing the mana gathered around the opponent''s sword, Jung Mapil smiled bitterly.The mana he felt on his skin was unusual. It meant that he had either mastered a special martial art or there was a significant difference in their levels.- Let''s begin!- Jung Mapil, this bastard, really No matter what, how can you challenge someone young enough to be your son?- Neer! Cut that bastard''s arm off!Although Jung Mapil could hear the mockery and criticism of the onlookers, he didn''t care.Indeed, it was because of situations like these that he was the one who was sent instead of a superhuman who was actually affiliated with the millitary.And now that he was here, there was only one thing he could do.Alright, let''s see how this goes.Pushing aside the distracting thoughts, he gathered his mana and struck down with his greatsword.ng!The sword of a soldier who had rolled in the fields of Manchuria for over ten years shed with Yeomyeong''s standard-issue iron sword.It was a sword strike delivered while bearing the dishonor of being the first one to make a move. Fortunately, it proved to be effective.Seeing how easily his opponents stance was shaken, it seemed like his opponent wascking in swordsmanship whenpared to his ability to handle mana.Swish!Not missing the opportunity, Jung Mapil followed up with another series of strikes.Swinging his greatsword horizontally, he aimed for the boys head, but the boy managed to block the attack by a hairs breadth.Trembling hands, resisting mana.ording to the original n, he should have taunted the boy at this moment, but he gritted his teeth and infused mana into his sword.His battle-honed instincts warned him this was not an opponent to take lightly.And his instincts were right.After ten exchanges, the opponent''s sword movement changed suddenly.The standard-issue iron sword elerated in an instant, shing through the air like a beam of light.ng!His military greatsword was barely able to withstand the force of the iron sword. Mana surged as the des shed.The strike revealed the difference in their skill levels. Jung Mapil''s hand trembled so intensely that it felt like it might tear apart.In order to block the next series of attacks, Jung Mapil held his breath and tensed his muscles. He was prepared to lose an arm if it meant that he could protect his neck.However, contrary to his expectations, the follow-up attack never arrived.As if the previous strike had been a lie, the opponent swung his sword with unnecessarilyrge motions, almost as if he was telling him to see and try to block it.He''s not going to end it with this? No way, this bastard...Intentional power control, ncing at the reporters asionally.Even though he was in directbat, Jung Mapil could tell. The opponent nned to use this as his debut stage.He intended to turn the crowd reporters and onlookers, who were here to humiliate the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, into his own publicity helpers.This crazy bastard.Jung Mapil was honestly impressed. And at the same time, he realized that losing an arm might not be the problem here.Not only would the petty n to humiliate him backfire, but it would instead be an opportunity to make the name Cheon Yeomyeong known.Those boomers are going to go ballistic.He had to do his best to prevent that oue. Or at least he had to show that he tried his best so that he could avoid the wrath of those boomers.Resolving himself, Jung Mapil swung his sword again.Each step was filled with murderous intent, enough to make the onlookers frown.- What the hell is he nning to do in a duel?- Did he really lose it after taking that hit?- The Neers going to die! You crazy bastard!In the end, I will be the one who dies. Jung Mapil left behind a bitter smile as the swords of the two men began to speed up.Mana-infused des sliced through the air, sending dust and strands of hair flying.Reporters shed their cameras in amazement, but Jung Mapil was in agony.He really has this level of skill at that age?With every exchange, the gap in their abilities became even more evident. Hisbored breaths and the sweat running down his back were proof of that.Is he even human?A small disturbance managed to create a brief opening. And almost immediately, Cheon Yeomyeong''s golden eyes glinted.The standard-issue iron sword pierced through the gap in Jung Mapil''s downward strike.The tip of Cheon Yeomyeong''s sword went straight for Jung Mapil''s arm.Slice!Cheon Yeomyeong''s sword shed as it grazed his forearm. The mana-infused de sliced through bone and flesh with the precision of a surgical scalpel.Thud, Jung Mapil lost his bnce and fell on his butt. And btedly, both of Jung Mapil''s hands, still holding his sword, hit the ground.Defeat. A crushing defeat at that."That swordsmanship just now... what was it?"Jung Mapil nced alternately at Cheon Yeomyeong and his severed arm with an expression of utter shock. He was unable to bring himself to ask if that was an application of his own swordsmanship.The contraction of mana, the movement of the wrist, the way he went for the opening at the end.Everything resembled his own swordsmanship... but he still couldn''t believe it.Did this boy really manage to steal his unique swordsmanship, which he had developed over the years based on military swordsmanship, various martial arts, and practical experience, in just a few minutes?"No way, is that what I''m thinking?""Yes."It was an unbelievably calm reply.Watching Cheon Yeomyeong shake the blood off his sword, Jung Mapilughed without realizing it. It was augh filled with astonishment rather than dejection.Even as the pain from his severed arm surged up btedly, the corners of his mouth didn''t drop.Old men, it looks like you''ve messed with the wrong guy.
***"Wow, look at how clean that cut is. Would a healing priest be able to reattach it immediately even if they hurried to the scene?"On the rooftop of a military building overlooking the Mercenary Zone.Word, who was observing the fight between Cheon Yeomyeong and Jung Mapil, eximed in admiration. He would have been even more thrilled if he could have seen it up close like the other onlookers.He barely managed to swallow the words wriggling in his mind. After all, he was in the presence of his respected older sister."Word.""Yes, Noonim2.""What do you think of that kid?"Moryne, the woman wearing a blue coat with a rat mask covering half of her face, asked.Though the question wascking in details, Word understood what she was trying to say and answered immediately."Hes a talent who will be able to be a VIP of ourpany within ten years.""That''s a generous assessment.""When ites to growth speed, he has no equal. And I haven''t seen anyone like him since Jeon Yunseong."At the mention of Jeon Yunseong, Moryne licked her lips. The young man wasparable to the pride of the United States.She remained silent for a moment, looking down at the Mercenary Zone.Among the members of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, who were now getting ready to board the truck, a mercenary wearing a poncho caught her attention.It was a female mercenary carrying two automatic rifles, three revolvers, and hugging an anti-tank rocket.She didn''t need anyone to tell her who it was. After all, it was her beloved daughter, the Saintess.Fortunately, none of the onlookers realized that she was the Saintess.After all, who would ever think of her as the Saintess?With a faint smile, Moryne spoke again."What about the task I assigned you?""...Everything has been scrubbed clean.""There won''t be any loose ends, right?""You should know our skills the best. Even if someone from our industry digs into it, they won''t be able to find out that guy was once Dung Beetle."Word didn''t hide his exhaustion. After all, it wasn''t easy topletely erase someone''s past in just two days.The paperwork wasnt particrly difficult since there was already a death report..."How many people did you have to take care of for that?""Just one janitor named Park Gusik.""...Just one?"Word shrugged and pulled a small piece of paper from his pocketa sheet containing the memory transfer spell, something the Blue Rat were particrly proud of."It''s better if you check for yourself."Moryne epted the sheet and immediately infused it with mana. The next moment, various memories and information flooded her mind.It was information about the janitor previously known as Dung Beetle. She slowly organized the information in her mind.A back alley janitor with no family, an ordinary third-rate life in the slums.There was hardly any information avable.She couldnt even fathom how he had lived his life up to this point, only passing the GED and not even registering for a mobile phone, which was an everyday necessity for most others.The only point of note was the history of the Foreman who raised him.Other than that, it was nothing different from what she already knew.He was reportedly killed by the Incheon murderer but was actually alive and active.How did he manage toe back to life when there were even photos of his corpse? Unknown.How did he be a Superhuman? Unknown.What were the martial arts he practiced? Unknown.It also looked like he was rted to a series of incidents that happened in Incheon recently, but the details remained unknown.This was unknown, that was unknown.If only they could dig into the old man named Jang Man, they might have found something... but he was someone whose safety her daughter had guaranteed by staking her Holy Relic.It wasn''t just that they had to protect him; digging into his past waspletely out of the question as well.After reaching that point, Moryne spoke again.It was the moment Cheon Yeomyeong climbed onto the truck amidst the cheers of the onlookers."You should manage Cheon Yeomyeong''s identity consistently from now on. Fix any deficiencies, and if anyone tries to track him, find them and... you know what to do, right?"Word nodded."Understood. But, Noonim...""But?""Is that kid really worth all this investment? Youre erasing his past, protecting his information, and you even gave him the Blood Tear Key, didn''t you?""Are you dissatisfied in any way?""I did say that he could be a VIP within ten years, but... youve only met him once. The Saintess, too... Honestly, I dont understand why youre investing so many resources in him."Moryne looked down at the truck that was just about to depart before answering him."...Word, are you doubting me? Its unlike you to talk so much.""I''m always on your side, Noonim. Its just that the board of directors are acting rather strangely. Some of them might even use this as an excuse to create trouble.""Let them try. It doesnt matter what those remnants of the fallen country try to do."Morynes voice grew cold. She was about to say more but then shut her mouth.An abrupt silence descended.Word nced over, wondering what was happening, then stayed quiet once he realized the reason.The mercenary truck was now leaving the Manchurian base.Being a moment of a mother seeing her daughter off, and Word had enough sense to understand that, and hence, he decided not to break the silence.After a while, once the mercenary truck disappeared beyond the horizon, he spoke again."...Noonim, did you make a deal with him?"It was an unusually sharp question. Moryne looked at Word and replied."Does it look that way?""You used a telepathic sheet. I was able to at least notice that much."Was able to notice? Moryne chuckled."A deal... If you could call it that, then yes.""Does the Saintess know... Ah, she probably doesn''t, does she?""Of course, she doesnt. Why? Are you going to tattle?"Word knew this was a good time tough and lighten the mood.However, seeing Moryne''s chilly smile, he was unable to muster augh."Will it be really okay? The hero candidates we managed to identify...""This bastard, that bastard. None of them are rted to my daughter.""...That''s sphemous. Noonim, what if the gods get angry?""Well, if they were going to get angry over something like this, they would have punished us back when a Soviet-bornmie gave birth to the Saintess.Only then was Word able tough. Talking about their fallen homnd always made himugh bitterly."...Huff, this is really Is that something you should say, considering that you married a Holy Knight?""Family and faith are separate matters. Think of Stalin''s mother.3"They exchanged a brief joke, lightening the atmosphere a bit.Moryne turned her gaze towards the dispersing reporters and onlookers."Word, can I ask you to do onest thing?""...Noonim, if you give me any more work, Ill die."Word pleaded earnestly, but Moryne paid no heed."Contact all the major media reporters who had just gathered in front of the mercenary group.""...""It would be nice if they wrote positive articles about Cheon Yeomyeong. Its not difficult, right?""It seems difficult, but..."Word trailed off, but that was it. He didnt dare to refuse the order and simply sighed deeply.
Do as you''re told.
That had always been the rats'' long-standing tradition, since the time they were still living in Siberia.1. Colonel Jung is a separateindividual from Jung Mapil.Although Koreans may share the same surname, it does not always imply that they are blood rtives.2. Noonim is the respectful form of Noona. Younger males use this to address their older sisters, older female friends or even females who may not be blood rted but are respected as an older sister like in this case.3. Ekaterine "Keke" Giorgis asuli Gdze was a deeply religious woman who wanted Stalin to be a priest, even going as far as to work as a seamstress in Gori to pay for his education
Chapter 49: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (2)
***Three days before the mercenary group were to set off for the Khingan Range.Shortly after parting ways with Moryne, Yeomyeong left the Saintess and the dwarf behind and returned to his room at the base.Since he had to depart for North Manchuria as soon as he arrived, he didnt even have the time to unpack in that unfamiliar room.Taking out his phone from the bag ced in one corner of the room, he intended to update Seti about his current situation.What is this?However, when he pulled out his phone, he saw that his inbox was cluttered with dozens of messages from her.Yeomyeong looked at the text messages, each packed tightly with content andcking emoticons, and recalled the thought he had thest time....Am I really that untrustworthy?A shortugh, followed by bted regret.He felt guilty for not having checked his burner phone until now because he left his bag back at the base camp.He tried to push down the rising emotions and began reading the messages one by one.Thanks to Seti''s decent writing skills, the messages were easy to read.From light inquiries about his well-being to serious discussions about searching for the owner of the Imperial Knights sword at the academy.The various messages continued until they all began to convey the same content at some point.
Be wary of the Saintess.
Even if he happened to get entangled with the Saintess by some unfortunate circumstances, he should never build an intimate rtionship with her.The warning came with the note that if he failed to keep his distance, the mentally unstable people around her would not leave Yeomyeong alone. And she also especially cautioned him to beware of the Saintess mother.Yeomyeong swallowed a bitter smile.Its already toote.He was already involved with the Saintess and had made a deal with her deranged mother.While the Saintess and the dwarf were talking, the two of them made a secret deal.She is a typical mother who cherishes her daughter so much that she would even terrorize othersYeomyeong pushed his thoughts about Moryne to the back of his mind. There was no need to try to understand her madness any further.Madness was like ck ink; the closer you get to it, the more stained you be.Anyway, he pulled out the fabricated resume from his pocket to divert his thoughts.It was an item that symbolized a past he could no longer change. As he nced at it, Yeomyeong''s gaze grew colder.He was contemting on whether he should inform Seti that this resume had been discovered, indicating that her behind-the-scenes work had failed.However, considering Seti''s personality, she would surely me herself.A short period of contemtion followed, but there was only one conclusion. Yeomyeong decided to tell Seti the truth because, for some reason, he didn''t want to hide anything from her.He ripped the resume to shreds, tossing aside his worries, and then picked up his phone.The phone only had one saved number on it. Should he give her a call? However, she was probably in ss right now.Eventually, Yeomyeong began to slowly type out a message, feeling unfamiliar with the typing process. Even though it felt like they had just parted ways, he still had so much to write.The mercenary group that tried to use the discovery regarding his resume as leverage, his encounter with the Saintess, and the deal he made with her mother...
[To Seti, this is Cheon Yeomyeong. I have received your messages. Sorry for thete reply...]
It took him quite some time to write apose message that started with a stiff preface.And just as he was about toplete the message, which exceeded 5,700 characters1, someone opened the door and walked in.
***Neer... I mean, Cheon Yeomyeong-gun.The dwarf chaebol from Dungan Heavy Industries, Darulma Dune, made eye contact with Yeomyeong while holding an antique wooden box.This is a token of apology to show our sincerity.As Darulma entered the room, a pure fragrance filled the air. It was so strong that the surrounding mana seemed to change as well.And as soon as he smelled it, even Yeomyeong, who knew nothing about elixirs, could tellthis elixir was something precious enough for Captain Kwon to deliver personally.We managed to procure this elixir specially from beyond the Dimensional Portal. Im sure youll find it to your liking.I will ept it gratefully.Despite receiving the precious item, Yeomyeong didnt sound ttered because he realized that this elixir was a gift prepared for the Saintess, not for him.This item is too valuable to have been prepared for a mere mercenary who fabricated his resume.Unless they had given the Saintess something more valuable, this was nothing more than a bribe given to him because she wanted Yeomyeong to apany them.From the very beginning, the mercenary groups goal had been the Saintess, and Yeomyeong probably wasnt even in the picture.So, should I be grateful to the Saintess instead?Yeomyeong stared at the wooden box and the dwarf for a brief moment before shifting his gaze back to his phone to finish his text. He added a period and pressed send.Seemingly misunderstanding his actions, Darulma spoke in a hurry.M-May I give you a brief exnation about this elixir?No, theres no needElixirs are always like this; if you take them incorrectly, they can prove to be dangerous.He approached Yeomyeong with his stubby legs and opened the wooden box.Click.The moment the wooden box was opened, the fragrance that had been lingering in the room vanished, almost as if the elixir had absorbed all the air in its surrounding, sealing away its scent.Was this a means of protecting its own potency? From within the vacuum-like wooden box, a translucent green gem emerged.Yeomyeong raised his eyebrows at the sight.The elixir inside the box waspletely different from the ones he knew of. It was a rough, uncut gem-like elixir that sparkled like ss.Werent elixirs usually in the form of a pill or in its raw like wild ginseng?Before Yeomyeongs doubts were resolved, the dwarf began his exnation.Beautiful, isnt it? This is an elixir from the famous World Tree....World Tree?The worldsrgest tree, which the Americans set aze to crush the elves'' will to resistwhy was that tree mentioned here?This is a hardened crystal formed from the sap of the World Tree. Now that the World Tree has been burned down, it''s not something you can obtain with money....How about it? To obtain such an item, Dungan Heavy IndustriesAt that moment, Yeomyeong felt Darulmas voice was drowning out.To be precise, a single voice overwhelmed all his senses. His vision blurred, and all the hair on his body stood on their ends.- I can sense a connection to that child.A strange voice that definitely didn''t belong to a human.On realizing that the voice wasing from the World Trees crystal, Yeomyeong frowned.What was happening all of a sudden- What are you? How is it that someone like you, with no predetermined destiny, was able to meet that child?What nonsense? Yeomyeong tried to respond, but his mouth wouldnt open.However, just like with Morynes telepathy, the World Trees crystal could naturally read Yeomyeongs thoughts and replied.- It seems like you truly know nothing. Havent you met any elves recently?Elves? I have met them.- How was the situation when you met them? Was it a good connection or a bad one?There was no such connection. It was just a fleeting encounter.- You lie.......- But since you... sincerely believe it, it is the truth then.What on earth are you talking about? I cant understand a word.As Yeomyeong tried to focus his mana to regain his senses, the World Trees crystal glinted.- There is no destiny, but a connection has been made, and although there is no qualification, sincerity is felt. It may be unfortunate for the demonic human who was supposed to obtain me... but I will dly ept this....- Rather than being consumed by a demonic human, I will dly choose you. Now, human whose fate is connected to my child, consume me with joy.With that grand deration, the voice disappeared.As all his senses returned to reality, the mana Yeomyeong had gathered dissipated into the air.Yeomyeong blinked in a daze....Cheon Yeomyeong-gun? Are you alright?Seeing his expression, the dwarf who had been exining the effects of the crystal frowned.The expression was full of the sentiment, Why did he suddenly change?Its just a momentary dizziness... Its nothing to worry about, so please dont concern yourself.It was only a brief headache, nothing more. Yeomyeong massaged his forehead as he looked at the crystal inside the wooden box.What was that just now...The World Trees crystal offered no response. It was almost as if the previous conversation never took ce....Whether it was a dream or reality, Ill find out more once I consume it.Yeomyeong reached for the crystal, but the dwarf, startled, stepped back and pulled the box away with him.Didnt you even listen to what Ive been saying all this time?Since he couldnt say that he hadnt heard any of the exnations while conversing with the crystal, Yeomyeong kept silent.The dwarf frowned deeply and said.I told you not to eat it now. The crystal still contains the will of the World Tree. Even Superhuman like you would take a month to digest it....The will of the World Tree?Yes, the will. Although its a faint thought, but the World Tree is no ordinary being. This elixir is something that needs to be digested slowly, over a long period of time.Could it be.. was the voice that spoke to him earlier the will of the World Tree? Yeomyeong was convinced of it. There was no evidence to back it up, but his instincts and mana whispered that it was true....I understand your desire for the elixir, but were leaving in three days at thetest. You can consume the World Trees crystal after the mission.The dwarf said as he tried to put the wooden box away. Though he was trying hard to hide his emotions, it was obvious he didn''t want to give it up.However, just before he could close the box, Yeomyeong snatched the crystal. His superhuman movement was faster than the dwarfs eyes.H-huh!? W-Wait!By the time the dwarf could react, the World Trees crystal was already in Yeomyeongs mouth.Gulp. To his surprise, the World Trees crystal tasted like toothpaste.Didnt I just tell you not to eat it now?! What on earth are you thinking...!The dwarf stared in dismay as the crystal traveled down his throat. Regardless, Yeomyeong calmly summoned his mana.Three days, right? I will digest it before then, so I would appreciate it if no one tries to enter my room in the meantime....I promise.Before Darulma Dune could even reply, Is that even possible? mana surged violently from Yeomyeongs body.The intense mana was palpable even to those who werent Superhuman.Damn it.Not wanting to create another problem, the dwarf gritted his teeth and escaped from the room.1. 5,700 characters in Korean could be considered a very long message. It''s likely equivalent to about 2,000 words if tranted into English, which is roughly twice the length of 5,700 characters in the English alphabet.
Chapter 50: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (3)
***Back to the present, inside the rattling military truck.Darulma felt a mix of admiration and astonishment once he realized that Yeomyeong had actually managed to digest the crystal in just three days.It wasnt just that the elixir was inside his bodyCheon Yeomyeong, that young mercenary, had absorbed it in the truest sense.After all, wasnt the duel that took ce just before their departure was proof of that?How could that novice mercenary who fabricated his resume cut off the arms of a veteran mercenary with over ten years of experience that neatly? It was something that was difficult to believe even when seen with ones own eyes.Well, at the very least, it takes someone of that caliber to grab the attention of the Saintess.Darulma nced at the Saintess, who was chattering beside Yeomyeong, and licked his lips.ording to their original n, the World Tree''s crystal was meant to be used as a bribe that would help them form a connection with the high-ranking officials of the Holy Nation through the Saintess.That was the original intention of the elders of the Dune n. However, it was only due to Darulmas unteral decision that things had turned out this way.But...Watching the Saintess and Yeomyeong, who were chattering affectionately, it didnt seem to be a bad choice.At the very least, he was certain that it was better to give it to someone more deserving than those stubborn old folks of the Holy Nation.The elders of the family would certainly throw him into a pepper gas chamber, saying something about Yellow Winter if they found out about this, but that didnt matter much.Above all, there was something he could trust.By some chance, even the smallest possibility, if that guy manages to be the Saintess lover...?Then it would really be a huge win.It wasnt something that waspletely impossible.Just like her father did, the Saintess might also end up choosing love over duty.Moreover, unlike the holy sword, blessings bestowed by the gods could not be taken away by the priests of the Holy Nation.Perhaps giving the World Tree''s crystal to that boy might turn out to be the best investment of his life...?But thats something to think about after this expedition seeds.Darulma, who was busy delving into his happy thoughts, sighed and turned back to reality.The expedition had just begun, and there was still a long way to go before they could seed.He stood up and looked out the back of the truck. Although they could still see the scavengers coveting the dragon''s rib bones beyond the horizon, the Manchurian base was no longer in sight.That should be good enough. Now then, should he get started?Alright, everyone, your attention please!Darulma gathered everyones attention with his characteristic deep voice. The mercenaries led by Captain Kwon and Kim Mansoo, along with the Saintess and Yeomyeong, all looked at him.Firstly, I must apologize. As originally stated, this mission is not simply about finding treasure.Darulma took a short breath and spoke with a meaningful tone.We are going to prevent the downfall of Manchuria.Some mercenaries chuckled, thinking he was joking, but upon seeing Captain Kwons serious expression, they all shut their mouths.Once he confirmed that all eyes were on him, Darulma cleared his throat and continued.You might remember the time when Stalin invaded the dwarven territory. He spread poison gas, massacred those who did not surrender, and dragged the survivors to the ggs... That inhumane war.Some were puzzled by the sudden history lesson, but Yeomyeong was different. He listened to Darulmas words attentively.A certain dwarf who witnessed that war sought revenge against Stalin and the Soviet Union. Blood for blood. Hatred for hatred. It was a foolish thought, but he carried it out.Once Darulma reached this point in the story, Tian Lin raised his hand.As the only Manchurian among the mercenaries, he asked with a confused look on his face.If he was trying to take revenge on Stalin, why was he targeting Manchuria?Back then, dwarves assumed that all Earthians were the same. Since the UN ignored them, while somemunist countries allied themselves with the Soviets to plunder ournd, it was a somewhat reasonable perspective.Huh!Reasonable, huh? As Tian Lin let out a snort of disbelief, Darulma added.In any case, his revenge ultimately failed because before he could take action, the Soviet Union copsed and Stalin had disappeared.Darulma thought back to the time when the Soviet Union copsed as countless dwarves gaped at the news in shock.What was the reason the dwarves built theirpanies on Earth despite all the disdain they faced? *Revenge*it was the dwarves one and only long-cherished desire.However, the Soviet Union had fallen by itself, and Stalin was nowhere to be found.Countless dwarves, who had lost their purpose, despaired in their hollow victory. Darulmas father was one of those dwarves, so there was no need to borate furtherSo, how exactly did he n to destroy Manchuria?It was Yeomyeong who interrupted Darulmas thoughts.Dwarves were not in possession of nuclear weapons, were they?We didnt have nuclear weapons nor napalm1. Instead, we had something simr in nature to nuclear weapons.Something simr to nuclear weapons?The Golden Seal.Seeing Yeomyeong fold his arms as if demanding an exnation, Darulma spoke in a serious tone.It is a symbol of the ancient dwarven royal family. Its a token of leadership among dwarves and one of the powerful magic items in the possession of the dwarves.The moment they heard the term ''magic item,'' the mercenaries all frowned in unison as one of the three major taboos in the mercenary industry came to mind.
Do not touch sealed magic items.However, regardless of the mercenaries thoughts, Darulma continued with his exnation.The Golden Seal is a magic item that contains the legend of the first dwarven king, who dug out a mountain to create an underground tunnel. When infused with magic, it casts a spell that automatically digs through the earth.Digging the earth? How was that going to be used to destroy Manchuria?The mercenaries tilted their heads, but they frowned on hearing the next words.What do you think would happen if you dig an underground tunnel through a volcano? And what would happen if you were to connect one volcano to another?The vengeful dwarf nned to create a massive corridor by connecting all the volcanoes in Manchuria. From the Greater Khingan2 to Baekdu Mountain3. He was preparing for a massive chain explosion.Only then did the mercenaries expressions harden once the seriousness of the situation dawned upon them.Is that even feasible?It could be possible or it could not. Even though the Golden Seal is a great magic item, no one has ever attempted something like that before.ThenWouldnt it be better to just leave it alone? But before the mercenaries could finish their thoughts, Darulma interrupted them.What if its possible? After all, that dwarf brought the Golden Seal to thisnd decades ago. So, it wouldnt even be surprising if Baekdu Mountain and the Khingan Mountain Range erupted simultaneously tomorrow.The story may have sounded unrealistic, but that made it even easier to imagine.What if all the dormant volcanoes in Manchuria and the surrounding regions erupted simultaneously?As if in agreement, everyone in the truck fell silent at once.
* * *It wont erupt tomorrow.Whispered the Saintess, breaking the silence that had settled in the truck. It was an assured statement from the girl with the blessing of Foresight.Yeomyeong frowned involuntarily and responded.It sounds like youre saying it will erupt eventually.Of course it will. But it wont lead to an apocalypse. Just a few million people in Manchuria will die, and perhaps the volcanic ash will cause astronomical damage to the economies of Korea and Japan?After that, Korea will lose control over Manchuria and be forced to block the Amnok River. Manchuria will then be a hunting ground for Superhumans.Her words were a tant disy of her Foresight abilities. Yeomyeong squinted and nced at the other mercenaries.Fortunately, it seemed like no one else had heard the Saintess whisper.It sounds usible. Did the gods tell you this?Pretending not to know about the Saintess Foresight, Yeomyeong responded rather indifferently.Was it a mistake? He didnt know what she was thinking by revealing her Foresight to him, but he judged that it would be more courteous to pretend not to know in this situation.ButIts simr; you know, I can see the future. Although only in fragments.Was this person for real?You dont seem to be very surprised. Did you perhaps notice it already?Yeomyeong barely managed to restrain himself from giving the Saintess a flick on her bare forehead. Why did she live so carelessly?No, Im just too shocked to even react.Really? It doesnt look like that.As their pointless discussion continued, Darulma Dune and Captain Kwon spread out a map and gathered the mercenaries.Yeomyeong was about to follow the rest of the mercenaries but he sat back down on realizing that he didnt know how to read a map.Seeing that, the Saintess tilted her head.Why use a map when you have smartphones?Embarrassed, Yeomyeong fumbled through his bag and replied.GPS doesnt work in the area around our destination in North Manchuria, so we need to familiarize ourselves with the map.Oh, thats true. But Yeomyeong, why arent you looking at the map then?Of course, it was because he didnt know how to read the map, but Yeomyeong chose to remain silent.Perhaps feeling disappointed by the sudden silence, the Saintess turned her head and nced at Yeomyeong. She once again whispered in a voice that was too soft for the mercenaries to hear.Are you, by any chance, illiterate?Its just that I cant read maps.Oh, thats worse than being illiterate. A mercenary doesnt know that?Yeomyeong unconsciously made a circle with his fingers, mimicking the flicking gesture shown by Kahal Magdu.Perhaps she might quiet down a bit if he flicked her on the forehead with that.Just as he was about to raise his hand with that thought in mind, the Saintess giggled.Dont worry about it. If we do end up getting lost, I can just use my Foresight to guide us.Youre going to use Foresight instead of the map? How many times can you use it in a day?Usually twice? Five times if I squeeze all my mana.So it was not an ability that could be used very frequently. Then again, it was not surprising because powerful abilities always came with a massive mana cost.While Yeomyeong was lost in thought, the Saintess stared at him intently.Even though her eyes were covered by a blindfold, it felt as if there was an intense gaze boring into him, as if she were staring directly at him.Was she...?Did you just use Foresight?UmWhy waste an ability that can only be used a few times a day at a time like thisJust as he was about to scold her, the Saintess interrupted him.Yeomyeong, grab your weapon.The Saintess quietly took out her automatic rifle and loaded it.Bewildered by the situation, Yeomyeong pulled out a Remington MH750 and an iron sword from his bag.What did you foresee?An ambush. Some strange bastards with pig headsPig heads? No further exnation was necessary. Yeomyeong asked as he collected his grenades.How much time do we have?5This is insane.4Yeomyeong stood up and yelled at the mercenaries.Ambush! Its an ambush! Everyone, grab your weapons!1. It''s an incendiary device to be used in fire bombing campaigns during World War II; its potential to be coherently projected into a solid stream that would carry for distance (instead of the bloomy fireball of pure gasoline) resulted in widespread adoption in infantry and tank/boat mounted methrowers as well.2. The Greater Khingan Range or Da Hinggan Range, is a 1,200-kilometer-long volcanic mountain range in the Inner Mongolia region of Northeast China. It was originally called the Xianbei Mountains, whichter became the name of the northern branch of the Donghu, the Xianbei.3. Paektu Mountain or Baekdu Mountain is an active stratovolcano on the ChineseCNorth Korean border. In China, it is known as Changbai Mountain. At 2,744 m, it is the tallest mountain in North Korea and Northeast China and the tallest mountain of the Baekdu-daegan and Changbai mountain ranges.
Chapter 51: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (4)
***Immediately after Yeomyeong yelled, the Saintess stood up.With 3 seconds remaining, she opened the back door of the truck.T-minus 2 seconds, she raised her rifle and aimed.T-minus 1 second, she pulled the trigger.Bang!A bullet casing was ejected as the bullet left the muzzle. Cutting through the air, defying fate, the bullet hit its target.An anti-tank rocket.As per the original future, the rocket would have hit the truck and blown it away with a single shot, but just one bullet made it explode.KABOOM!!!Thud! As the aftermath of the explosion swept past the back of the truck, the rear wheels wobbled, but that was all.At the back of the still-running truck, the Saintess turned towards the dumbfounded mercenaries and made a ''V'' sign with her fingers.A brief silence ensued.Amidst the exchange of bewilderment and tension, the first to take action was Yeomyeong. After taking a quick look outside, he jumped out of the truck''s back door without hesitation.Hey! Where are you going?It was only after the Saintess shouted that the mercenaries returned to their senses and reviewed the situation outside.Holy shit! What the hell is all that?Weve got a tail.Five trucks and dozens of motorcycles.They were expecting some sort of attack, but these numbers, surpassing that of an average mercenary group, were beyond their predictions.Hey, driver! How the hell did you not notice this until now?As one of the mercenaries shouted in panic, Captain Kwon, who had been observing them, spoke up.Its magic. Seeing that we didnt even hear the sound of a single engine, it seems that theyve really made up their minds.Just as Captain Kwon pointed out, no sound could be heard from the ones tailing them.There was no doubt about it. That magic was surely the work of a highly skilled Mage.This situation feels somewhat familiar.Recalling the incident just a few days ago in North Manchuria, Kim Mansoo furrowed his brows and checked the Captains face. The Captain had a simr expression.There are way too many of them to be targeting our rib bones. As they say, Those who are good do note, and those whoe are not good.1 They definitely have some other objective in mind.After quickly assessing the situation, the Captain grabbed his weapon. A giant machine gun and a greatsword befitting his massive frame.Anyone who isnt Superhuman, stay behind and guard Darulma and the truck. The rest of you, follow me. And as for the SaintessBefore he could finish rying his orders, the Saintess jumped out, hugging a bunch of weapons.A scream, followed by the sound of someone rolling on the ground, was heard btedly.It seems like she intends to join us.After finishing his words, Kwon Mongjoo jumped out of the truck. Kim Mansoo and the Superhuman mercenaries followed behind like seasoned soldiers.Step, step!As soon as theynded, the chilly air of Manchuria swept over themthe damned air of the battlefield.VROOOOM!Did they just dispel the magic? The sound of the motorcycle engines pierced the mercenaries'' ears.The mercenaries immediately took a defensive stance, monitoring the motorcycles closely. However, instead of charging at them, the bikers took a wide turn.Were they trying to avoid engaging in battle? No, it looked like they were clearly aiming for the truck.Tie up their feet first? They definitely have amander giving them orders.And from what they''d observed so far, they were definitely mercenaries or those withparable military training.Captain Kwon raised his machine gun and shouted."The main priority is the motorcycles! Stop them from approaching the truck!"No further orders were needed. The seasoned mercenaries responded immediately.The mercenaries armed with rifles opened fire while those with close-range weapons leaped forward and charged.Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!!!And the ones on the motorcycles didn''t just sit back and take it. They drew their guns and returned fire or pulled out grenades to threaten the mercenaries.However, all the mercenaries gathered here were Superhumans. In terms of mobility and reflexes, they were a step above those bikers.While the bikers fell one after another, the mercenaries took control of the skirmish without suffering much damage.Eventually, after umting a certain amount of damage, the bikers gave up on engaging and turned back towards their original targetthe truck."Right side! Block the bypass!"Call it the trick of fate, the mercenary who was supposed to block the right side was reloading at that exact moment.Digging into the blind spot, all the bikers took a sharp turn.A gap created by a moment''s carelessness. Captain Kwon could picture the half-destroyed truck in his mind.If we lose the truck, we will bepletely exposed. That situation must be prevented at all costsJust as he was trying toe up with some sort of n.Something flew from a distance and exploded in the middle of the bikers trying to bypass them.BOOM!!!It was a familiar explosion. How could he not recognize the rocket that had almost hit the back of the truck?Captain Kwon instinctively looked toward the direction the rocket hade from. And the next moment, he locked eyes with the blindfolded Saintess, who was tossing aside an empty rocketuncher.Not bothered if the mercenaries had their mouths agape or not, the Saintess lifted a rifle in each hand and gestured at the mercenaries with her chin.The meaning was clear: Hurry up. Deal with the remaining bikers and follow me."...Does the Holy Nation also provide military training these days?"Unable to process what he had just seen, one of the mercenaries made a half-hearted joke, but Captain Kwon frowned and shouted."If you have time to spout nonsense, you''d better fight! Are you going to let the Neer take the vanguard all by himself?"Captain Kwon''s roar had an immediate effect. On the vast ins of Manchuria, the battle resumed once more.
***Ignoring the gunfire from behind, Yeomyeong focused on the front.There were five trucks surrounding him, as if trying to encircle him.As he spread his mana, he sensed a familiar mana emanating from each truck. The twisted mana that was unique to the Shepherds.Just like back at the North Manchurian base, he couldnt understand the intentions of the Korean government for doing such things in Manchuria.Aplex political issue? If it was not that, was it perhaps an extension of what Seti had referred to as a deranged act?He couldnt be sure of anything, but he was certain of one thing.If he was able to thwart their ns here, the government would surely take notice of him.And it was different from the days when he had to remain hidden and secretly kill the Shepherds as Dung Beetle because now, Cheon Yeomyeong was someone who had proudly made himself known to the world.As his brief thoughts continued, Yeomyeong drew his sword and swung it through the air.Ting!The bullet aimed at him bounced off and fell to the ground. And judging from the vibration lingering on his sword, it didnt seem like it was an ordinary bullet....Special ammunition?Since they dared to attack a mercenary group with Superhumans in the double-digits, they had definitely prepared some contingencies.Finding nothing more of interest, Yeomyeong infused mana into his feet. The mana from the Surging Wave technique surged, and his body elerated like a sh of light.Go-die!At that moment, a voice filled with twisted mana rang out.As if on cue, the truck doors swung open on both sides, and people poured out.They were mercenaries with bloodshot eyes, drooling uncontrobly.Zombies? No, they must have injected twisted mana into living people.Although he could sense twisted mana in their bodies, the location of the mana was the problem.The brain. Without exception, the twisted mana was concentrated in their brains.Yeomyeong frowned as he tightened his grip on his sword.Despite their horrifying appearance, they werent ordinary zombies. The fact that they were armed with firearms and seeing how quickly they assumed shooting stances was proof of that.Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!!!!!As expected, precise gunfire rained down on him. Yeomyeong zigzagged to avoid the bullets.However, it was nigh impossible to avoid all the bullets in the open ins of Manchuria.One bullet grazed his cheek, another hit his side, two hit his chest, and four struck his left hand, which he had raised like a shield.No fatal injuries.Enduring the barrage with his Regeneration ability, Yeomyeong pulled a grenade from his waist as he closed the distance.Empowered by his superhuman strength, the grenade didnt fly in an arc. Instead, it flew straight like a baseball.BOOM!!The grenade exploded, and the unlucky ones had their limbs blown off.Although the gunfire continued, a gap was created in the previously impervious.Not missing that gap, Yeomyeong dashed through the opening, arriving right in front of them in an instant.BANG!He started off with the Remington MH750. Followed by the standard-issued iron sword, and finally, the Surging Wave technique.Yeomyeong utilized every method he knew of to grant the mercenaries their final rest. Like a farmer harvesting rice, he cut down the infected mercenaries relentlessly.As the number of mercenaries began to visibly dwindle, the twisted voice rang again.Shoothim! Kill him!As soon as themand was given, the mercenaries started firing without regard for their allies.Tat-tat-tat!!Regardless of whether they hit theirrades or not, they pulled on the trigger without pausing, desperately trying tond a bullet on Yeomyeongs body.However, it had very little effect. Using the truck as cover to dodge and shielding himself with the corpses of the dead mercenaries, Yeomyeong managed to escape the gunfire.Though some bullets did manage to hit him asionally, his Regeneration ability was far superior to those of other Superhumans. As long as his brain wasnt hit directly, even the special bullets were bearable.Eventually, the battle between Yeomyeong and the mercenaries devolved into a tedious war of attritiona fight between countless meat shields and one endlessly regenerating Superhuman.And the victor of this fight was... Yeomyeong. Before long, the number of mercenaries had dwindled to a point where they could no longer stop him.As Yeomyeong delivered the final blow to thest remaining mercenaries, he scanned his surroundings.The smell of gunpowder, blood, and foul waste filled the air.Amidst this suffocating atmosphere, he searched for the source of the problem.The Shepherd with a pig or cow headonly by dealing with them could he truly put an end to this tiresome battle....Where are you hiding?However, it was not easy to find the Shepherd. Was it because the twisted mana spilled by the dying mercenaries had dulled his senses? An ominous feeling, as if something just within his reach was slipping away, brushed across his neck.It was like..."O King of the Undead!"At that moment, a twisted voice echoed in his ears. Yeomyeong quickly fired his shotgun in the direction of the voice.BANG!The specially treated bullet hit its target. However, instead of shattering the enemys body, the bullet struck a mana-formed shield.Crack! The shield cracked, scattering mana dust.A shield? Actual magic? How is this possible?As soon as Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes to confirm his opponent''s face, his doubts were resolved. It wasnt a pig or cow-headed figure who used something simr to magic.It was a grotesquely distorted horse head.The bloodshot eyes of the beast met Yeomyeong''s. And just as he was about to swing his sword, the horse headpleted his incantation first.
Corpse Explosion.1. It is often said to be a phrase passed down in Buddhism, but in literature, it originates from the Qing Dynasty schr Zhao Yi (1727-1814) in his work Gai yu cong kao (N), where he wrote, ''Those whoe are not good, and those who are good do note'' (߲, ߲).
Chapter 52: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (5)
***The spell reced the fuse, and the twisted mana took the ce of gunpowder.As Yeomyeong aimed his sword at the horse-headed man and the corpses littering the ground began to swell simultaneously, a flower bloomed.Petals made of blood unfurled, and pollen made of flesh and bones scattered.Its over.Watching the world dyed in red, the horse-headed shepherd was convinced of his victory. He quickly chanted a new spell as a new protective wrapped around him.Immediately after, the translucent shield turned red.Feeling fragments of bone ttering against the blood-soaked shield, the horse-headed man gathered more mana to reinforce the shield.And due to the sheer number of corpses, the explosion continued for quite some time.Only after the shield had be dangerously thin did the explosion finally cease.The final act of the explosion was the sound of trucks being overturned and crashing.BOOM!Feeling the ground tremble, the horse-headed man deactivated the shield. However, the very next moment, his face twisted in disbelief."...How are you?"Yeomyeong did not die.Even though hisbat gear was in tatters and his body covered in wounds visible through the torn fabric, he was still alive, holding his sword, and walking toward the horse-headed man.Step.Thick blood trailed from his toes, and with each step, his wounds healed at a visible pace.Blood stopped flowing down his forehead. The hole in his thigh closed up, and his hollowed shoulder was restored.His vitality was beyond belief.Wasnt that the very power every shepherd had longed to obtain, even at the cost of forsaking their humanity?What the hell was this guy... No, that didnt matter. Whatever he was, he must be killed here and now.Tinged with a hint of jealousy and respect, the horse-headed shepherd raised his hand.A red light flickered as twisted mana condensed at his fingertips.O King of the Undead! Please, lend me a hand!A burst of red beams erupted from his hand as the spell waspleted.Having finished regenerating his leg, Yeonmyeong leaped as the sky turned red.The amount of mana infused in that short leap was immense. Starting from his toes to the tip of his sword, the mana stretched long, undting like a wave.Crackle!The sword sliced through the beam as it descendeda sh of opposing forces.Seeing that, the horse-headed man gathered even more mana at his fingertips and poured it all into the beam."Hnggggg!"The moment the thick beam seeded in pushing the sword back, Yeomyeong let go of his sword. The weakened beam shot high into the sky, and Yeomyeong threw something from his waist.A grenade?Seeing the grenade falling toward him, the horse-headed man was at a loss for words. Since he was not a Superhuman, it was impossible for him to avoid it.KABOOM!And before he had the chance to deploy his shield, the explosion pushed both him and Yeomyeong away. The horse-headed man was flung into the air and thrown backwards."Gah, cough, cough!"Rolling on the ground, the horse-headed man began chanting his next spell.Although the pain from the grenade fragments lodged in his chest and thigh made it hard for him to focus, he managed to deploy the protective shield spell just in time.Crackle!Yeomyeongs sword struck down on the protective shield. Even though they were both hit by the same grenade, Yeomyeong managed to retrieve his sword and run to where the horse-headed man was while he was still in the middle of casting his spell."What the hell are you?"The horse-headed man asked while looking at Yeomyeong through the shield. Despite the intense battle, there wasnt even a hint of fatigue on the young boys face.On the contrary, Yeomyeongs eyes grew fiercer as he pressed down with his sword. The de and the spell shed, scattering mana in all directions.Only then did the horse-headed man realize the source of Yeomyeongs limitless vitality.The depth of his mana was shockingly high.The mana radiating from beyond the shield far exceeded that of the horse-headed man, who had already forsaken his humanity, by an even greater margin.How was that even possible?Although he knew that Yeomyeong was the one who had cut the rib of the dragon, he never imagined that he was hiding such an ability.And the judgment of the higher-ups was no different. They believed that the only reason Yeomyeong had managed to survive the battle against the dragon was due to the Saintess'' and the blessing of god, as well as the Dragon''s capriciousness.It was a reasonable assumption. Who would even imagine a rookie mercenary possessed such power?A rookie mercenary... the Saintess... what if they were in cahoots right from the start?Just as something clicked within the horse-headed mans mind, the shield shattered. Crackle! And the blood-stained sword came down on his shoulder.St!Blood sttered as his right arm was severed. The horse-headed man screamed as he staggered back, but Yeomyeong didnt let up his assault.He raised his sword high, ready to end the horse-headed man in one blow. The shadow of death loomed over the horse-headed mans nape.However, the next moment, his sword failed to strike the horse-headed mans neck.
* * *Somethings not right.The Saintess, who had been persistently firing bullets at the bizarre figures on motorcycles, turned her gaze to the other side of the field.An inexplicable sense of unease washed over her.Should I use my Foresight? No, if I use it twice in a row, my mana...Just as she unconsciously bit her lip, a strong wind blew from the other side of the field, strong enough to make the Saintess'' white hair flutter and cause her expression to harden immediately.The reason was the sickening smell of blood lingering in its wake."...No way.The Saintess gulped as she turned to the direction the wind hade from. Amidst the scent of blood, she could sense an unfamiliar mana.A twisted, contaminated mana, unlike anything she had ever felt before.She couldnt fathom what the person had done to generate such mana. Could it be that the mana belonged to a Necromancer she had only heard about in stories?Whatever it was, it definitely wasnt good news for Yeomyeong, who had ventured ahead all by himself."Captain! Im going ahead!"The Saintess shouted towards Captain Kwon, who was dealing with the bikers.One of the bikers aimed his pistol at her, but Captain Kwons machine gun instantly turned him into a Swiss cheese."Go ahead! Kim Mansoo! Gather those without rifles and follow the Saintess!"The Saintess nodded at Captain Kwon and then picked up one of the motorcycles lying on the ground.She started the blood-stained motorcycle. And as soon as the engine roared, she set off in Yeomyeongs direction where.VROOOM!While the other mercenaries were looking for intact motorcycles to apany her, she sped across the field, showing off the biking skills she had honed over the years.Fortunately, the distance to Yeomyeong wasnt that far.And it didnt take long before she saw an overturned truck and blood-soaked ground beyond the horizon.For some reason there were only two figures standing on that ground.Yeomyeong, drenched in blood, and a strange Mage wearing a horse-head mask.Fortunately, it seemed that the battle was in Yeomyeongs favor. The Saintess'' sharp eyes, hidden beneath her blindfold, could see Yeomyeong pressing down on the shield.Yet, for some reason, the sense of unease didnt go away. Instead, it only grew stronger.Why?The answer to her question came from above her.An inexplicable fluctuation of mana.The moment the Saintess looked up with her blindfolded eyes, an iprehensible sight entered her view."...What the hell is that?"Dressed in a ck winter coat, a person with short golden hair fluttering was walking through the sky... Were they a girl? Or A boy? Their androgynous appearance made it hard to determine their gender.The Saintess squinted, trying to figure out how they were walking across the sky.It was certainly possible to fly in the sky with magic, but... the issue was their speed.With each leisurely step they took, as if they were taking a stroll, their body surged through the air at an incredible speed.Although not quite at the level of the Divine Sky Steps that the Holy Sword was proud of, but fast enough for a motorcycle to struggle to keep up.Only after being overtaken did the Saintess realize the source of her unease.The familiar dwarf they were carrying, the iprehensible wave of mana, and... the direction they were heading towards.Yeomyeong, no.Leaning forward to reduce air resistance, the Saintess pulled the throttle to its limits.VRRRRROOOOMMM!! The engine screamed, and the elerating wheels kicked up a cloud of dust.
* * *Just as Yeomyeong was about to strike the neck of the horse-headed man, something flew toward the back of his head.An attack with neither forewarning nor sign.The moment he sensed the intense killing intent, Yeomyeong immediately twisted his sword to deflect it.ng!Was it magic? Or martial arts? As soon as he blocked whatever was made of mana, his sword vibrated.Yeomyeong quickly turned his head to identify the attacker.High above him in the sky, so high that he had to lift his head, someone dressed in a ck winter coat aimed a palm at him."Oh, you managed to block it? Your Qi Detection is pretty."The clear voice was gender-neutral, but it made Yeomyeong frown nheless.The reason was the familiar dwarf hanging limply on the persons left shoulder.Darulma Dune, the dwarf who should have been back in the mercenary truckwhy was he here?Only two possibilities came to mind. Either the mercenary group had lost, or only Darulma was kidnapped... Neither situation was good.Yeomyeong took a deep breath and assessed his body condition.I still can fight.Although his body was fatigued from the consecutive battles, the increase in mana from absorbing the World Trees crystal sustained him.While Yeomyeong prepared to fight, the person descended to the ground gracefully, stepping lightly through the air."For someone from this world, you seem to have mastered some decent Kungfu..."A dissatisfied expression appeared on the face, and it was really hard to tell if it belonged to a male or a female."What a shame. I honestly dont have much time right now.As soon as they said those words, they moved their right hand. It was the same attack that had aimed for the back of Yeomyeongs head earlier.When the mana-infused palm struck the air, a fierce wave of mana split the atmosphere as it flew towards him....Palm st?It was a technique Yeomyeong was familiar with. For some reason, its structure was identical to the swordsmanship he had realized in the bunker.ng!This time, instead of blocking it with his sword, he released mana from the de. When the two forces collided mid-air, they neutralized each other and dispersed.Yeomyeong did not miss this opportunitya new martial art, something that could stimte his talent.Anticipating his opponents next attack from his opponents, he infused his sword with mana again.However, the battle he was hoping for didnt continue. Instead, a baffled voice pierced his ears."The Surging Wave technique?""...""Someone from this world can use the Surging Wave technique??"The one who had seen through the martial art and the one exposed to it. The gazes of the two, hardened with tension, met in the air.
Chapter 53: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (6)
***Lunch break at Lord Howe Academy.The ''Author'' opened his notebook as he sat in the deserted thicket between the garbage dump and the sports field.The notebook contained all the content of the original story of this world that he could remember.It was practically his secret weapon, but there was a big X drawn on the very first page of the notebook.What the hell am I supposed to do when things go wrong right from the prologue?The prologue of this worldThe attack by the crazy Necromancer and his countless zombie army didnt take ce.Let alone the Necromancer, there wasnt even a trace of zombies.Damn it.The tragedy that should have imed countless lives in its wake, passed without an incident. Although it was something he should have been happy about, the ''Author'' felt anger, not joy.The prologue was his chancehis one chance to get rid of the supporting characters he didnt like and identify who the ''protagonist'' was.The carefully prepared dagger for assassination and poison needles were now useless. The ''protagonist,'' who was supposed to draw the worlds attention after dealing with Buzum, didnt show up.Since it got messed up from the first button, there was no way the rest of the story would progress smoothly.The key figure of Chapter 1 of the story was the Saintess.But not only did she skip the entrance ceremony, she also disappeared from the academy itself.What was even more iprehensible was her actions afterwards.The ce the Saintess made her appearance wasnt the Holy Nation, her hometown, nor the tourist spots she usually dreamed of, but in Manchuria. Why on earth?Seeing the two hands and the Invisibility Cloak featured prominently in the newspaper, the Author was left dumbfounded and threw his phone away as soon as he read the article.Damn it, how much has the future changed?The Author flipped through the pages of his notebook as he fell deep in thought.Manchuria, known as the ''Power Leveling Hunting Ground'' in the game, was not only far from being a hunting ground but was also effectively holding off the monsters from Siberia.And his problems didnt end there. The dragon, which was only supposed to appear in Chapter 5, made the news, and they even mentioned that it had left behind a rib after a fierce battle.Manchuria and dragon ribs. How many events would keep snowballing due to this? He couldnt even make a guess to begin with.The Author closed his notebook and massaged his temples. Even if he wanted toe up with a new n, he didnt have enough information.He needed to find out what was happening in this world and what those damn supporting characters were up to in order to formte a proper n.Damn it, I really need to get in touch with the information guild as soon as possible.The Author got up and thought of the two major information guilds he had in mind.Blue Rat and Secret Society.As per what he had written in the notebook, his original n was to contact Blue Rat.Not only would he be able to reach them through the Saintess, but there were many items he could obtain as well.However, since the Saintess didnte to the academy, the Blue Rat guild member monitoring her also didnt show up either.So, in the end, he was only left with one choice.To think that I have to get involved with criminals from the very start... damn it.The Author stomped his feet as he left the thicket.He understood that he had no choice, but it was hard to keep the curses from spilling out.Damn it, damn it.Grumbling as he walked to his destination, the Author emerged from the thicket and arrived at the garbage dump.Just like the other facilities at the academy, the garbage dump was abination of old facilities filled with history and tradition and thetest modern facilities.The garbage dump,pletely deste without even a single fly around, was quiet. Well, it was not like any normal students woulde to the garbage dump during lunchtime.Of course, students would hardly visit this ce under normal circumstances... but for the Author, this was a good thing. After all, the person he was looking for wasnt a student.He sat in a corner of the garbage dump, trying to figure out how to start the conversation.I want to buy some information? Too obvious.I want to share some secrets with you? Too old-fashioned.I know what you didst summer1? That was just giarism.So the safest bet would be...
I hate this Earth too.
Yeah, nothing like amon enemy to bring people together Just as the Author arrived at a conclusion(?), he heard footsteps from a distance.Step, step.However, it wasnt just one set of footsteps.The Author quickly stood up, dusted his seat, and hid behind a pile of trash.Peeking out from behind a garbage bag, just as he expected, he saw two people enter the garbage dump.The person leading the way was the spy from the Secret Society, the person he had been waiting for.A janitor wearing a white janitor''s uniform, with a neat triangr head scarf and pale pink rubber gloves.As per her lore, she was supposedly a tough cookie who had been undercover as an academy janitor for ten years. Her codename was Auntie Ava.The person trailing behind her was a girl who was both unfamiliar and familiar at the same time....Hong Seti? Why is she here?The roommate of the pointy-eared princess, who had risen to fame even before the entrance ceremony, and someone even Jeon Yunseong, a protagonist candidate, found ufortable around.She was one of the characters the Author had recently started closely monitoring.It was only natural.Despite being involved with some key characters, she was an unknown figure who didnt make an appearance either in the novel or the game.And above all... that appearance of hers.It was hard to dismiss her as just some random extra with those extraordinary looks of hers.A beautiful face unmarred even by a cold expression, a well-trained figure, long ck hair cascading down, and deep blue eyes likepiszuliHer appearance was on par with that of the pointy-eared Princess, who was a heroine.Some male students had already started referring to the pair who were always together as the ''ck and Gold Sisters'', praising them as the academy''s top beauties, so there was nothing more to be added....She definitely isnt just an ordinary extra.While the Author became convinced of this, the two women began to converse in a corner of the garbage dump, outside the reach of the CCTV.- Seti, you broke your promise. You acted on your own without consulting us.Avas voice was as gentle as ever, but her expression and tone were sharp.- We trusted your sincerity and taught you that martial art. And this is how you repay us?A promise? Did Seti also belong to the Secret Society? The Author focused the little mana he possessed on his ears.And the moment he heard Seti''s voice, he involuntarily shuddered.- Dont talk like you gave it to me for free. Its disgusting.- What did you say?- It was a fair trade, wasnt it? I gave you what you wanted, and you simplypensated me. Nothing more, nothing less. Isnt that right?Setis voice was colder than he imagined. It waspletely different from the quiet, reserved pretty girl image she usually exuded.- The Surging Wave technique is a martial art far more valuable than the information you gave us! How dare you...Just as Avas voice was about to rise, a chilling mana pressed down over the garbage dump.- Lets cut the crap, shall we?Unlike Ava, who was only sweating a bit, the Author, who had barely managed to touch the threshold of a Superhuman, could tell.That Killing Aura, that mana.Seti was serious. She had gathered all her mana with the genuine intent to kill Ava if the janitor went any further.- You gave it to me knowing well that I wouldnt be able to master it, didnt you? Isnt that right?Ava tried to refute, but Seti spoke faster.- Just as you said, its certainly exceptional. Its so unique that anyone would notice it if they reach a certain level in its mastery.- No, thats not- Just like a hunting dog after a hunt,you tried to set me up and use the government to dispose of me, didnt you? I know, and I understand. It does make sense. After all, right from the start, we were never really anything to each other, were we?She gently ced her hand on Avas shoulder a terrifying hand imbued with mana.Only then did Avas body start trembling like a leaf.- K-killing me wont change anything. Our r-resolution is firm.- What resolution? Is it strong enough to throw away a spy they managed to nt at the academy with much difficulty?- W-we... we just... want to prevent the S-Surging Wave technique from... being spread. We c-cant... cough tolerate an-other dimensions... martial arts... being spread on Earth... cough!Ava, who was struggling to speak, couldnt bear it any longer and copsed to her knees. She trembled as if she had been struck by lightning.Gazing down at Avas figure for a moment, Seti replied in a cold voice.- If thats all, theres no need to worry abou it. I have no intention of sharing the Surging Wave technique with anyone other than that person.- Gasp, gasp...- Of course, you know what will happen if you guys keep bothering me right?With that threat hanging, Seti left the garbage dump.Until her footsteps disappearedpletely, neither the Author nor the spy dared to utter a word.* * *In the vast ins of Manchuria, with the Khingan Range in view.An unconscious dwarf, a horse-headed man on the verge of death, and two people red at each other as a cold wind blew between them.After a moment of silence, the one in the ck winter coat spoke up."Dont tell me... are you from the World of Meru2?"World of Meru? Hearing that unfamiliar name, Yeomyeong shook his head."No. Ive never even heard of it.""...Really?"Mana gathered in the eyes of the one staring at Yeomyeong.It was a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through everything, from facial expressions to the slightest movements, and even the flow of mana."Where did you learn the Surging Wave technique from, and how? Do you have a master, or did you personally discover the secret manual... no, the Arcane Relic?""You sure have a lot of questions for someone who tried to stab me in the back.""...""What, are you afraid?"That taunt was as low as they got. The other person stifled a dryugh as if in disbelief."You bastard, I was preparing to go easy on you, thinking you might be a fellow countryman...""Go easy on me? At least hide your killing intent before you start bullshitting.""...Ha."The person tossed Darulma, whom he was carrying, to the ground and red at Yeomyeong with a fierce expression."Whether you''re from this world or another, there are always idiots who need a good beating to know their ce.""I agree."Without giving the person an opportunity to respond, Yeomyeong lunged at him. In the next instant, Yeomyeong was right in front of his face.Yeomyeong invoked the Surging Wave technique and swung his sword, while the opponent thrust forth a mana-infused fist.!!!!!!The sh, not just between sword and fist, but between mana and mana, resonated with a powerful sound.Mana charged with the waves of the Surging Wave technique collided with the mana generated by another martial art of equal magnitude.What followed immediately was a shockwave that erupted like an explosion, sending the dwarf beside the person flying helplessly.As the sword and fist pushed against each other, the person spoke."Although you have plenty of mana, youck finesse. It almost seems like you never had a proper master."It wasnt just some mere taunt. And as if to prove his point, the person began to gather all their mana.Zzzeong!And the mana that erupted from their entire body pushed back the sword. No, to be precise, it sent Yeomyeong''s entire body flying.When Yeomyeong managed to steady himself, he saw a translucent, dark red mana, shimmering like a heat haze, overflowing from his opponent''s body."So then, shall we see if you can die now?"This time, the opponent charged first. Their movements were on a different level from any of the adversaries Yeomyeong had fought so far. The punch they thrust forward as they leaped was so fast, it was almost invisible.The mana elerated. The surrounding air heated up in an instant, and the dyed sound of the impact tore through the atmosphere.Zzzeong!They thrust, rebounded, swung, and struck down. Yeomyeongs sword that blocked each punch of his opponent rang with each impact.As the opponent''s fist began to outpace Yeomyeong''s sword, a grenade suddenly dropped at Yeomyeong''s feet."Such cheap tricks...!"BOOM!!The empty explosion separated the two. Both moved out of the grenades range and quickly readjusted their stances."Carrying grenades around like that, aren''t you ashamed as a martial artist?""...Not really."Yeomyeong answered while counting the remaining grenades. He had lost most of them due to the corpse explosion, so there were just two grenades hanging from his waist.What a shame. I couldve stalled for more time if I had a few more.He felt a deep sense of regret as he observed his opponent shrouded in mana like a heat haze.His current opponent was someone from whom he had a lot to learn from. Their method of emitting mana from the entire body, the precise control of manaevery move was textbook perfect.If they could just fight for an additional hour or two, Yeomyeong was sure that this opponent had the skill to further his own abilities.However, despite their martial prowess... Yeomyeong did not find their attacks threatening in the slightest.On assessing the situation calmly, it could be seen that their skills were nearly equal.Why is that?Yeomyeong pondered this as he swung his sword at the opponent again.Even when the opponents mana-infused fist struck his body, when he narrowly deflected a palm st, and when he detonated a grenade, he kept pondering over this.Then, at a certain moment, he noticed that the opponent was deliberately reducing their movements and realized something.The difference in physical strength.For some reason, the opponents body was no different from that of a child who had just entered puberty.From the fine muscles to their cartge, everything fell short from that of a Superhuman''s.After all, martial arts were an extension of the method of strengthening the body with mana.Even with great martial prowess, there were limits due to acking physical body.Though the opponent was somewhat closing the gap with overwhelming martial prowess the difference was clear whenpared to Yeomyeong''s body, which had already surpassed that of an ordinary superhuman....Who exactly is this person?As Yeomyeong''s thoughts intensified, the opponent, unable to contain their frustration, shouted."Damn it, what the hell is your body?!"The opponent stepped back, aghast, creating some distance between them and Yeomyeong.You keep regenerating even after taking a hit. Are you really human?Is your mother a monster and your father human, or something like that?If that was supposed to be a taunt, it was absurd; if it was genuine, it was ridiculous. Yeomyeong shook his head, shaking off his sword....And what about you? Whats your true identity?Dont answer a question with a question! Did they teach you to answer questions with questions at schoolJust as the absurd conversation was about to continue, something shot from afar pierced the opponents shoulder.Bang!A bullet wrapped in white mana. Both Yeomyeong and the opponent turned in the direction the bullet hade from.There, they saw the Saintess riding a motorcycle as she held the handlebars with one hand and aimed a rifle with the other.A blessed bullet. Is that the Saintess?The opponent nced at their bleeding right shoulder and swiftly kicked off the ground.Instead of chasing after the opponent, Yeomyeong leaped towards Darulma Dune, the unconscious dwarf in the distance.Once he ensured the dwarfs safety, he realized the opponents destination was in the opposite direction.If the dwarf wasnt the target, then perhapsHis suspicion turned out to be true. They embraced the horse-headed man who had lost his right arm and began to walk in the air.Bang! Bang! Bang!The Saintess fired sessive shots at them from a distance, but this time, they didnt just take it like before.Instead, the person used the horse-headed man as a meat shield to block the bullets.Kyaa-ack!!!The horse-headed man screamed as the bullets pierced him, but the person paid him no heed, indifferent to whether he lived or died.After ascending into the sky, the opponent yelled at Yeomyeong.Hey you, fucking monster! Whats your name?...Why dont you introduce yourself first?Hearing Yeomyeongs provoking reply, the opponents face contorted as they responded.My name is Mara. I am Mara of the Six Heaven3. Now, reveal your name.Yeomyeong hesitated briefly, considering whether or not to hold him back for a bit longer, but seeing the opponents burning gaze, he changed his mind.For some reason, he had a feeling that he would encounter this opponent again....Cheon Yeomyeong.Cheon Yeomyeong, Ill remember that.With that predictable exchange now concluded, the opponent stepped into the air and fled.Yeomyeong watched the persons retreating figure for a moment before tending to the unconscious dwarf and the sound of the engine of the motorcycle the Saintess was riding grew closer.1. I Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1997 American sher film directed by Jim Gillespie and written by Kevin Williamson.It is loosely based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Lois Duncan.2. ???? (Sumi SegyeLiteral trantion World of Meru) refers to the range of worlds overseen by a single Buddha.
Mount Meru was originally derived from Indian mythology, first mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.
In Theravada Buddhist texts like the Abhidhamma, Mount Meru is described as floating in space with ovepping circr wind wheels, water wheels, and gold wheels.
The area around Mount Meru is referred to as the World of Meru, whichprises the previously mentioned wind, water, and gold wheels, the Four Great Continents, the sun and moon, as well as the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm) and the Six Paths.3. The Sixth Heaven of the World of Desire, also known as the Heaven of Freely Enjoying Things Conjured by Others, is the highest of the heavens located in the World of Desire in the Buddhist cosmology. It is here that paranirmitavasavarti-deva, the devil king of the sixth heaven, resides, sapping the life force of others and taking advantage of their efforts. He is said to harass practitioners of Buddhism to dissuade them from their practice and prevent them from attaining enlightenment.
Chapter 54: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (7)
Chapter 54: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (7)***Once the battle ended, the mercenary group regrouped at once.Fortunately, no one died. In particr, the Superhumans who had jumped out of the truck at the beginning were almost unharmed.Five mercenaries were injured by stray bullets, but the Saintess who could use healing blessings was apanying them.And although it was a near perfect victory for them, the mercenary group couldnt bring themselves to speak of it....So it was all just a ploy.Captain Kwon Mongjoo gnashed his teeth as he looked at the remains of the truck.He med himself for the orders he had given, but the mercenaries thought differently. The enemy had done something that was far outside the norm.Not only did they use arge force to cover the rear, but they also had a Superhuman attack the truck from the sky.Amidst the gloomy feelings, Tian Lin, who had stayed behind in the truck, spoke up.All those who stayed back at the truck are severely injured. However, there are no fatalities.He was sitting with his broken legs propped up against a supply box, and most of the mercenaries who had been guarding the truck were in simr conditions.The driver had his arms broken, and the other mercenaries were unable to move properly after being hit by mana-infused fists....They were meticulous. They didnt kill anyone but they broke everyones limbs one by one and then left.As soon as Tian Lin finished his exnation, Captain Kwon Mongjoo clenched his fists.It was obvious why the enemy, who had the strength to smash the truck with their bare hands, had not killed the mercenaries.They were led to waste time and energy treating the wounded.And the likely reason for buying time in a situation like this was......They are also after the Royal Seal.Yes. Logically speaking, if that wasnt the case, they wouldnt have carried out such an attack.There must have been a leak somewhere. Considering how well-nned the assault was, they must have been preparing for quite some timeJust as Captain Kwon trailed off, the dwarf suddenly opened his eyes and coughed violently.He kept vomiting while struggling to collect his senses. After a long struggle, the dwarf finally spoke.We need to stop them.Everyones eyes were focused intently on the dwarf. Their gazes were serious.Darulma, its likely that the enemy is after the Royal Seal. What exactlyWeve been betrayed. Weve been betrayed! I was their target right from the start!The dwarf struck the ground with a tearful expression....What are you talking about? Darulma, please give us a clear exnation.The location of the Royal Seal in my head, that was the main goal of this attack from the start!Captain Kwon frowned as he listened to the dwarfs outburst.The violet liquid infused with manathe name of a potion came to mind....Truth Potion?A magic potion that forced the drinker to only speak the truth. The problem was the ingredients of the potion.Eyeballs and organs of a living human.There was no need for any further exnation. Brewed by a wicked Necromancer, the concoction was strictly banned under internationalw.Yeomyeong, did you encounter any Necromancers among the enemies you fought?Captain Kwon asked Yeomyeong, who was sitting at the back. It wasnt to satisfy his curiosity, but to confirm his spection.Yeomyeong nodded.Yes, there were zombie-like creatures in the enemies truck....I see.Captain Kwon pondered for a moment before speaking to Darulma.Darulma, we need to ask the government and military for assistance....What? How can you say that? Do you even know how much money I have invested in you!The dwarf shouted in disbelief.If the military and government get involved, do you think they will simply return the Royal Seal to the dwarves? No! Theyll demand a stake and make us pay them off!...The Royal Seal is ours, the dwarves''! OUR BLOOD! OUR LIFELONG DREAM! As long as I live, I absolutely cannot allow even a fraction of the Royal Seal to be handed over to Earthians!He screamed desperately, almost as if he would vomit blood if he continued. However, Captain Kwon did not even bat an eyelid when he responded.If thats the case, then isnt it even more important to prevent it from falling into the hands of these unidentified Necromancers?ThatsThink rationally. The mission is already a failure. And now that we no longer have the truck, it''s impossible for us to reach Manchuria and retrieve the treasure before the enemy.His words were an irrefutable truth. The truth pierced the dwarf like a sharp arrow, and he shed tears instead of blood.No, there must be a way... There must be a way.Its not possible.As Captain Kwon concluded the conversation coldly, the dwarf nced around with a rather pitiful expression.S-Saintess.The trembling dwarf fixed his gaze on the Saintess.It might be possible with your help. Didnt you defeat the Skeletal Dragon with Yeomyeong?Seeming embarrassed by the attention, the Saintess, who was treating the injured, hunched her shoulders.IWe still have some of the motorcycles we seized. If the Saintess and a few Superhumans ride them, we can surely recover the treasure!At the dwarf''s outcry, Captain Kwon intervened again....There are only three motorcycles, Darulma. And the fuel is insufficient.Only three? If we split up into pairs, six people can go! Captain Kwon, I beg you. I-If you agree, I will increase the investment by fivefold, no, twentyfold!...Darulma.Please, no matter what, the government and military must never get involved. Id rather see Manchuria burn to the ground than allow that!Hearing the dwarf speak about destruction, Tian Lin muttered a curse, but most of the mercenaries remained silent.As the silence prolonged for a while, the Saintess cautiously raised her hand.Um... Darulma-ssi? I can help.O Five Gods! I believeJust as Darulma was about to kneel and offer his praise, the Saintess thrust her hand forward, interrupting him.But I cant risk my life....If I judge that the situation is beyond help, I will escape. Is that okay?Thatst statement was not directed at Darulma but rather a means to persuade the mercenaries. The Saintess looked at them, as if asking if this condition was eptable.Fortunately, a few of the mercenaries nodded.As if resigned to the situation, Captain Kwon also nodded on seeing that.If thats the case, Ill do my best.Only then did Darulma let out a sigh of relief. He wiped his nose and spoke to the mercenaries.Mercenaries who are willing to follow me, raise your hands. Even if we fail, I willpensate you out of my own pocket.The first to raise his hand was Kim Mansoo. He burned with determination as he looked at hispanions with broken limbs.With both the Captain and the Vice Captain volunteering, the other mercenaries began raising their hands.Soon after, all the mercenaries, except for one person, raised their hands....Cheon Yeomyeong-gun?Yes.You, are you...I wont go.Darulmas expression twisted. He spoke with a trembling voice, as if in disbelief.How can you say that? Do you even know how valuable the elixir you consumed is?!Yeomyeong tilted his head and replied.Was that elixir the payment for themission though? I received it as a token of apology. Right?I mean, thatsAnd I already fought against unidentified enemies not mentioned in the contract and saved you from the hostile Superhuman. Isnt that beyond what the original contract stipted?Hearing Yeomyeong respond coldly, the Saintess, unable to stand it any longer, tried to intervene.Hey, even so, you shouldHowever, Yeomyeong raised his finger to silence her and gave a subtle wink that no one else could see.It was a signal to inform her that this was all an act, and she should pretend not to notice it.However, seemingly misunderstanding his wink, the Saintess looked away, as if she had seen something she wasnt supposed to.Anyway, once Yeomyeong confirmed that the Saintess had shut her mouth, he turned back to Darulma.So, I will not set new terms for the extension of the contract....TermsDarulma looked at Captain Kwon with a pleading expression, but he simply shrugged his shoulders with his arms crossed.This meant that he considered Yeomyeongs demands to be reasonable. Darulma, having no other no choice, nodded.Alright. Lets hear the conditions.First, you must immediately request help from the military.What? Havent you heard when I said that the military...You dont have to mention the Royal Seal....If we fail, the military will block them. If we seed? It will just end as a minor incident....A minor incident? Does the militarys involvement seem like a joke? The military will never just let it go.So what if they dont let it go? Theyll probably demand that wepensate them with the bones. And with all the resources Dungan Heavy Industries has ess to, that shouldnt be a problem, right?Hearing Yeomyeongs response, Darulma paused to think for a moment.Leaving aside the fact that they needed the help of Earths military, Yeomyeongs argument was pretty reasonable.In their current situation, the worst-case scenario was losing the Royal Seal to the unidentified assants, which included Necromancers.If they could mobilize the military, it would reduce the chances of the worst-case scenario urring.And even if the military somehow managed to recover the Royal Seal, if they didnt recognize its value...?Realizing that it was something he hadnt taken into consideration due to his natural disgust for Earths military, Darulma readily admitted his mistake....Alright. If those are the conditions, I will dlyply. So, whats your next condition?My second condition is the right to use the Dwarven workshop.This request was unexpected. Hadnt they already agreed to forge the dragon bones?The demand for workshop use implied he wanted something more than just that...If we can recover the Royal Seal, I will give you whatever you desire. In fact, I will personally persuade the craftsmen.Darulma decided not to ponder over it for long. It was clear who had the upper hand in their current situation.Are these all the conditions?No, theres onest one.As soon as they heard the word st, the mercenaries watching the scene began drawing lots.There were just three motorcycles. Even if they were divided into pairs, only two spots would remain after countingthe Saintess, Yeomyeong, the Captain, and the Vice Captain.Regardless of themotion, Darulma focused on what Yeomyeong was about to say.Myst condition isThe moment Yeomyeong told him hisst condition, the dwarfs brows furrowed deeply.
* * *As the eastern sky over Manchuria darkened and the western sky turned red, the sun formed a yin-yang pattern in the sky. High above, Mara observed the two mountain ranges that stretched across Manchuria.They were unable toprehend why Earthians called the two distant mountain ranges by the same name.The Khingan Range.The rtivelyrger western mountain range is called the Greater Khingan, while the northeastern one is the Lesser Khingan, right? Both are pretty decent mountains.Although they fell short whenpared to the mountains of their hometown, both mountain ranges were passable by Earths standards.Thats right; strange fated1 treasures should be found in mountains such as these.With that brief thought, Mara began to descend.With each step they took, the sky split open, and the cold winds of Manchuria swirled around them.WhooshAfter descending for quite some time, almost at the speed of a free fall, they stopped just above the deep valley of the Lesser Khingan.Now that they had arrived at their destination, it was time to awaken the meat shield. They shook the creature they were carrying on their shoulder awake.Cough, cough.The horse-headed Mage woke up, spewing forth a disgusting mix of mana and blood.Are you awake?The man nced around with half-dead eyes, and on seeing the mountain beneath his feet, he trembled in fright.Have you found the location?This is the location mentioned by the dwarf who took the Truth Potion. Ive confirmed the coordinates as well.Then finally!The horse-headed man trembled as Maranded on the ground. The ground that had been denied human footsteps for so long expelled clouds of dust.Standing on a sharp cliff with barely any room to spare, Mara and the horse-headed man simultaneously gazed down into the deep valley below.Ah, I can truly feel it. The scent of ancient mana mixed with that of the earthJust as the horse-headed man said, Mara also sensed the mana.Deep within the valley below, the writhing mana and the mana of a massive spiritual being.A dragonthis will truly be a satisfying hunt.As Mara licked their lips, the horse-headed man pulled out a magic item from his pocketa sinister magic item made from the skull of a dead bird.First I will call for reinforcements.Reinforcements? You still have forces left even after losing that many?Although Mara made a rather scathing remark, the horse-headed man simply shook his head.Those expendables arent worth being called a force....Ah, so only monsters like you are counted as part of the force? What a remarkable nation youe from.The horse-headed man ignored Mara''s mocking remarks. He didnt need to exin the meaning of patriotism and love for ones country to a damn criminal bastard who could be bought with money.The next moment, he gathered mana in his hand and activated the magic item.Crackle! The birds skull shattered, sending the coordinates of his location to the support troops waiting in North Manchuria.Soon, South Korea would acquire the treasure and the corpse of a dragon they had dreamed of for so long.Just as the horse-headed man was growing more and more certain of this, Mara spoke up again.Hey, that guy who managed to wipe out your troops earlier. I think his name was Cheon Yeomyeong or something.Whats that guys true identity?The horse-headed recalled the sight of Yeomyeong charging at him while covered in blood.The mysterious regenerative ability that surpassed even that of ordinary Superhumans and those golden eyes filled with killing intent.An unexpected formidable foe. A Superhuman who somehow withstood thebined forces of five trucks and Corpse Explosion.His exact identity is unknown.Exact identity? So, you have some rough information about him?The horse-headed man clutched the empty space where his right arm had been as he responded. The spot where it was severed throbbed with pain.All we know is that he''s a new mercenary who has just be active. We never expected him to be this strong We had no idea.Havent you heard the saying good wine needs no bush? Theres no way someone like him wouldnt be known.There are rumors that he was the one who managed to cut the rib bones of Kahal Magdu.Rib bones?But it wasnt a solo act. Its said that the Saintess, the Vice Captain of the mercenary group, and that person achieved it together, as a collective effortAs the horse-headed man trailed off, Mara recalled the Skeletal Dragon that had returned to Siberia with its ribs missing.He said he hade across a good connection.Is this what you call a good connection? Damn, you pain in the ass Skeleton bastard.Struggling to suppress a smile and Mara continued probing the horse-headed man.So, its certain that hes no ordinary person? What do you guys or rather, what do you think?I cant be sure, but I have a hunch about his true identity.Oh?Maras eyebrows twitched."If you trace his past actions, hes always been involved with the Saintess.The Saintess?Its simple. He coincidentally arrived in Manchuria at the same time as the Saintess, and hes always present wherever the Saintess fights. Its obvious who he isHey, hey. Just get to the point. Quickly.A secret guard of the Saintess or a future Holy Sword trained secretly by the Holy Knight.Was it a usible story? Mara, who knew nothing about the Saintess, stroked their chin and asked.So, can I kill him? Isnt it said that the Saintess must never be killed?Unlike the Saintess, no one will care if a sword that has never been revealed to the world is broken.The horse-headed man answered with a voice full of conviction. The fact that he was this certain meant there was a high probability that his conjecture was true.Mara nodded and stood behind the man.Thanks for the information. Thanks to you, Im now certain of what to do.Its just a guess, soThe next moment, thud Maras foot struck the horse-headed mans back.The sudden betrayal came without any forewarning or signal.The horse-headed man couldnt even utter a scream as he iled his remaining left arm and plunged into the valley below.Shortly afterward, the sound of something exploding echoed throughout the valley.Calmly looking down at the ground, Mara left a brief remark.As expected, Ill have to take these strange fated treasures for myself.1. The raw uses?? (Giyeon) whose literal trantion is strange fate. It refers to the concept of a strange fate, which is amon trope found mainly in martial arts novels. It usually signifies a turning point which helps the protagonist''s martial arts skills improve dramatically. It could refer to a person or object, like a master who will teach the protagonist or elixirs or secret manuals, etc. In this part, it refers to the "treasures" the group keeps talking about.
Chapter 55: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (8)
* * *The red dragon, Orsay Taboul, awoke from its long slumber.Its keen dragon senses informed it that a guest had arrived at its cave.It spread its wings and stretched as it pondered.Had the end finally arrived after decades of waiting? Or would it turn out to be yet another futile expectation?Just then, a rumble echoed as stctites and dust fell from the ceiling.Someone was forcing the door open. Indeed, it seemed that a real guest had arrived.Only then did Orsay Taboul raise its heavy body and begin making preparations to wee its visitor.The preparations were nothing grand.First, he awakened the magic circle and guardians set up throughout the cave. A blue glow of mana illuminated the darkness.Once visibility was secured, the Dragon carefully cleaned the tomb at its feet, brushing away the dust and meticulously inspecting the treasures beside it.The preparations werepleted quickly; it was something it had done hundreds, if not thousands, of times before.Thud! Thud!However, seeing that it would take the guest a bit more time to open the door, the Dragon was granted a brief moment of leisure.With the extra time that old beings often came across, it closed its eyes and reminisced about the past.The first thing that came to mind was its nest.Though it had guarded this ce for decades, not once did it think of this ce as its nest because its true nesty beyond the Dimensional Portal, in the dwarven kingdom filled with gold and mana metal.A ce brimming with gold and jewels, adorned with exquisite decorations and treasures crafted by dwarves.Among them, the most beautiful treasure it possessed was a life-sized statue made in its image.A statue that captured the moment of its younger self carrying the dwarven king on its back while battling monsters.That statue was once the Dragon''s pride and joy. And for the dwarves, it was a testament to history and myth, a symbol that promised a great future.At least, it had been that way until Stalin invaded the dwarven kingdoms.The Dragon turned the page to the next chapter of its memories.Buried in its distant memories, it recalled the war that had destroyed the statue and its nest.The cursed invader, Stalin, and themunists pelted down mustard gas and shells like rain.Before the might of Earth''s deadly weapons, the dwarves'' massive fortresses and underground passages were unable to serve their purpose.Theter generations of dwarves came to refer to that time as the Yellow Winter.The onught of bombardment thatsted through the changing seasons, with no signs of negotiations or appeasements.After an attack so relentless that made even the most stubborn dwarf have no choice but to surrenderor perhaps wiped out all such dwarvesthe dwarves finally gave in, holding up a white g stained yellow by mustard gas.However, Stalin, the victor of the war, showed them no mercy. Dering that dwarves were not human and that animals had no right to be proletarians, countless dwarves were shipped to the ggs.Entire ns were exterminated. And the Dwarfs Mountain Range was renamed the Lenin1 Mountain Range.The fate of its nest was no different.The nest, which contained a history as long as the Dragon''s life, crumbled under bombardment, leaving no trace behind.The fate of its statue was even more horrifying. Themunists melted down the reactionary statue in a st furnace.After that, the Dragon had no way of knowing what happened to the statue. It could only vaguely specte that it had either be material for the Soviet pces or turned into a Lenin statue...As it reminisced about all this, the Dragon''s right wing twitched.Argh its happening again.The Dragon gently caressed the massive scar that ran across its right wing.The scar on its right wing was from the time it had flown through Russia''s air defenses with the dwarven king on its back.Like how hero defeated the demon king to restore peace, it was the consequence of its own foolishness and ignorance to try and defeat the Demon King StalinSensing that the seal protecting the cave was broken, and the magic circle prepared at the entrance exploded, its thoughts didnt continue any further.!!!!!!A short quake followed. Unable to withstand the tremors, the ceiling of the cave showered down dust.Once again, dust settled in the tomb it had painstakingly cleaned up. The Dragon frowned and looked towards the entrance.And as if to further prove that the entrance had been breached, a unisex voice boomed through the cave.Come in!It was the voice of a human, not a dwarf. Orsay Taboul was unable to hide its disappointment.It looks like its not a guest but a thief.Without hesitation, the Dragon moved the guardians into action.
* * *As dusk loomed over Manchuria.Three motorcycles sped across the ins of Manchurian in under the setting sun, casting long shadows.Traveling at incredible speeds, the motorcycles quickly sped through the rough terrain of stones, sand, and dirt.Considering that each motorcycle carried two people, it was almost like a deadly riding stunt.Despite everything, the group managed to cross the ins without any issues. This was only possible because all the riders were Superhumans.After traveling across the ins for a whileAs the sun set and dusk turned into darkness, arge mountain range could be seen on the horizon.Soon after, they went off the ins and rode through snow-covered forests and winding mountain roads instead.Perhaps because the area hadn''t been touched by humans since the fall of the Soviet Union, the mountain roads were extremely rough, to the point that even their Superhuman senses were of little to no help at all.Eventually, after Kim Mansoo almost lost his bnce and nearly fell down the mountain, the group slowed down.With the pace eased, the Saintess spoke up.So, hows my riding skills? Is it bearable?Hearing her obvious teasing tone, the eyebrows of Yeomyeong, who was sitting behind her, twitched.Its the worst ride ever.Oh really, thats probably because youre holding onto weird ces. You can hold onto my waist if you like, you know?The Saintess chuckled. It was likely a joke meant to lighten the mood, but Yeomyeong, who was precariously holding onto the seat while struggling to find a handhold, couldntugh.After all, didnt he get into a fight with her crazy mother over some ridiculous misunderstanding about the snowfield or whatever just a few days ago?Yeomyeong briefly considered giving the Saintess a smack on the back of the head, but he then shook his head, deciding against it.Enough with the pointless jokes. How much longer till we reach our destination?Pointless, you say? I was being serious.Answer me.Oh, now youre lowering your voice again. Cant you even take a joke?Argh, seriously. Were almost there. ording to Darulma-ssi, it should be arge valley visible from afar we should arrive there after we cross this mountain.True to the Saintess words, arge valley appeared once they crossed the rough mountain with no path.Unlike the gentle scenery in the surroundings, the valley had sheer cliffs that were almost perpendicr.If seen without context, it would have been a breathtaking view, but the knowledge that a magic item capable of destroying Manchuria was down there gave it quite a menacing feel.We''ll have to continue on foot from here on.Seeing that the motorcycle''s fuel was running low, Captain Kwon ordered the group to disembark.The group carefullyid their motorcycles down and approached the valley quietly.Fortunately, there were no enemies in sight. However, as they got closer to the valley, Captain Kwon frowned.Well be helplessly trapped and killed if there are any enemies lying in ambush.Captain Kwon pointed to the cliffs above. The walls of the valley were almost perpendicr, with no visible ce to hide.Even Yeomyeong, who was inexperienced, could see that if bullets were poured down from above, they would be helpless.Should I go up and check?When Yeomyeong asked, Captain Kwon shook his head.No, its no use checking from here, we would need to go around the mountain And we dont have the time for that.But still, putting up with an ambush is out of the question.Kim Mansoo, who was feeling nauseous due to motion sickness, interjected. He looked up at the valley with a worried look on his face.Something feels off. How about we split up the team? Some of us will go up with me and scout ahead.Split up into an advanced team and a rear team?Yes, Captain. You, the Saintess, and Yeomyeong will stay below and wait until we finish scouting before proceeding. What do you think?Thats not a bad idea. But lets adjust theposition of the advanced team a bit. Taking into ount the strength well need after entering the treasures locationAs Captain Kwon and Deputy Kim Mansoo continued their conversation, Yeomyeong quietly drew his sword.Srrrrgggg.Everyone shifted their gaze to Yeomyeong, who was looking towards the left cliff.On the cliff, they could see someone looking down with his back to the moonlight.Kim Mansoo initially assumed it to be a person in a suit, but as the moonlight illuminated the figures face, he gasped.Pigs head? Are they the same people who attacked us back in North ManchuriaIndeed, it was the very same grotesque beings they encountered during the North Manchuria incident. Yeomyeong confirmed Kim Mansoos suspicion.Its definitely them. I told you I encountered a simr creature in the previous attack. Although it had a horses head rather than a pigs head.Yeomyeong decided to keep the fact that these beast-headed monsters were actually modified humans created by the government to himself, as it wasnt information that would prove to be useful anyway....So its not a coincidence that they targeted us back in North Manchuria.Although Captain Kwon seemed to have some strange misunderstanding, Yeomyeong remained silent.While Captain Kwon was deep in thought, the number of pig-headed creatures on the cliff continued to increase.With at least thirty in sight, it was quite the number, even for Yeomyeong, and it seemed like they would have to prepare for a tough battle.After some thought, Captain Kwon seemed toe up with an idea and looked at the group.The enemies outnumber us by several times and are better equipped. We would face certain defeat if we fought head-on, and even if we waited for an opportunity, its only be a matter of time before we lose the Royal Seal.Is there no other way? Should we retreat?In response to Kim Mansoos question, Captain Kwon looked at the Saintess.Saintess, you said you wouldnt risk your life. What will you do? Will you retreat?What if I say I want to stay and fight?Then we will set up an ambush. We will climb the right cliff and wait for the enemies to enter the cave with the treasure.Although Captain Kwons n seemed usible, it didnt guarantee victory because even if they dealt with the pig-headed creatures, there was no guarantee that they would find the Royal Seal.Understanding this, the Saintess closed her mouth before turning to Yeomyeong.What will you do?What choice do we even have?All of them must be killed. Yeomyeong swallowed the rest of his words and put on a nonchnt expression.Even if the group decided to retreat, he would still stay behind and fight those creatures by any means necessary.Was it because he coveted the Royal Seal? No, it wasnt that.It wouldnt be bad to obtain the Royal Seal and get a reward from the dwarf, but he had no intention of risking his life to fight a dragon just for that.However, since the government was putting in so much effort he was determined to interfere by any means necessary.Seemingly misunderstanding Yeomyeongs thoughts, the Saintess nodded with a resolute expression.Alright. Then we will fight.Saintess.Weve alreadye this far, so we cant just retreat, can we? Captain Kwon, lets go ahead with your n. Well climb the right cliff,unch a surprise attack, and thenThe Saintess determined words were cut off.Because the moment she raised her rifle, a massive wave of mana surged from the depths of the valley.The trees around them shook simultaneously, and the grass bowed down. The mana was so overwhelming that even the mercenaries swallowed nervously.The pig-headed monsters on the cliff hurriedly leaped down into the valley on sensing the mana wave.In other words, they started to climb down the steep cliff cautiously.Were lucky.Said Captain Kwon upon seeing this. Whether it was the right expression or not, everyone in the group agreed.Those pig-headed monsters, clinging to the cliff, where a single slip would lead them to fall below helplessly.There was no need for further words or ns.Click.The group reloaded their guns and charged toward the cliff where the pig-headed monsters were pouring down.1. dimir Ilyich Ulyanov, better known as dimir Lenin, was a Russian revolutionary, politician and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 until his death in 1924, and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924.
Chapter 56: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf (9)
***Bang!The Saintess was the first to pull the trigger. The brightly shining bullet pierced through the back of an unlucky pig-headed figure, climbing down the cliff beyond the veil of the night.The pig-headed figure, who was descending the cliff precariously, spasmed and then fell.His final scream lingered for a moment before a barrage of gunfire drowned it out.Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat!!!!Without giving the pig-headed figures hanging on the cliff a chance to react, the mercenaries ruthlessly rained bullets down on them.The enemy was taken by surprise, and the terrain was thoroughly in their favor. It was the perfect ambush."Ambush! It''s an ambush!"The pig-headed figures who noticed the group''s presence btedly reacted in two different ways.Either they squirmed, trying to climb back up, or let go and jumped down.The seasoned mercenaries, led by Captain Kwon, didnt spare those climbing back up.They steadily reduced the number of pig-headed figures, starting with those in the top row.And there was no need to worry about the ones that jumped. All they did was add more bloodstains to the valley floor.The one-sided massacre continued for quite a while.And by the time the group had emptied their magazines, nearly 30% of the pig-headed figures had fallen."Damn, I guess I won''t be eating pyeonyuk1 for a while."Vice Captain Kim Mansoo mumbled as he reloaded his magazine, cracking a joke to ease the tense atmosphere.The Saintess, who didnt know what pyeonyuk was, looked sideways at the chuckling mercenaries and then tilted her head on noticing that Yeomyeong was still standing expressionless. Was the joke not that funny?Or perhaps... he does not get what humor is?Given that he always turned serious whenever someone tried to crack a joke, it did seem like a possibility.Yeomyeong''sck of humor strangely reminded the Saintess of her friend back at the Academy...As the Saintess was thinking about this and reloading her rifle, the pig-headed figures suddenly started screaming.Kyaa- aa- ack!As if they had received some signal, the pig-headed figures began to spasm simultaneously and then dug their fingers deeper into the cliff."...Why are they doing that all of a sudden?"Fixing themselves to the cliff in this situation? Did theye to a conclusion that dying by bullets was better than falling to their deaths?While the group was puzzled by their dubious action, Yeomyeong spread his mana surveyed the cliff above with a hardened expression.As expected, he sensed some distorted mana with his sharp senses. There was definitely someone who hadnt descended yet.And it wasnt a pig-headed figure, but someone on the level of a cow-headed or horse-headed figure.Why hasn''t ite down yet? Could it be...As if to confirm Yeomyeongs suspicion, a chilling sensation crawled up his skin as the creature suddenly released the distorted mana.It was a sign of a spell, and a ratherrge-scale one at that, being prepared.Have they been preparing that spell all this while?Yeomyeong turned to warn the group. Or rather, he tried to."Captain! They''re about to cast a spell"However, before he could finish his warning, a twisted voice echoed from the top of the cliff."Jump! Jump down!"As the voice intertwined with manapleted the spell, all the pig-headed figures turned to look down at the group.As countless red eyes gleamed eerily, the pig-headed figures let go and leaped off the cliff without a moment''s hesitation."Holy shit... What the hell is happening...?"However, contrary to the group''s tense expectation that the pig-headed figures weremitting some kind of mass suicide, they defied gravity and slowly descended into the valley.Of course,pared to a moment ago, they were descending several times faster. And it would only take them a few seconds to reach the ground.ring up at the cliff, Yeomyeong drew his sword."Yeomyeong? Wait...!"Noticing his expression, the Saintess reached out, but Yeomyeong had already leaped forward."It''s dangerous,e... back...?"The Saintess who was yelling at Yeomyeong fell silent. Contrary to her worries, Yeomyeong wasn''t fighting the pig-headed figures.Instead, he was using the pig-headed figures as footholds, leaping from one to another, all the way up the cliff.He jumped on their shoulders and heads as they descended, and when one resisted, he simply kicked them hard in the stomach, sending it flying into the cliff before propelling himself off it towards another pig-headed figure.After repeating this four or five times, Yeomyeong had already reached the top of the cliff. It was a stuntno, a divine skillthat was hard to believe even though they had witnessed it with their own eyes.The Saintess stared nkly at Yeomyeongs back as he disappeared over the cliff, only snapping back to reality once the pig-headed figuresnded on the ground."Ugh, seriously. If I had known this would have happened, I would''ve done some physical training like Dad said."
* * *When the mercenaries began fighting the pig-headed figures in the valley, Yeomyeong, who hadnded on top of the cliff, came face to face with four cow-headed figures who were chanting spells.All the cow-headed figures had only one reaction on seeing Yeomyeong rise from the depths of the valley.They were struck silent.And before the silence could stretch for long, one of the cow-headed figures, who still had someposure left, reflexively raised a pistol."You... How did you...?"He never got the chance to finish his question. It was thest question he would ever ask.The next moment, Yeomyeong pulled the trigger of his Remington MH750 without a word.Bang!Following a sh of light created by the bullet, the cow-headed figure was pitifully blown away as the bullet struck him. Only then did the remaining three cow-headed figures wake up from their stupor and begin to summon their mana."Kill him!""Gyaaackkk!"Yeomyeong didn''t give them an opportunity to cast their spells. He infused his sword with mana as soon as he retrieved his shotgun.Blue mana shimmered along the surface of the standard-issue iron sword.The mana was simr to Maras palm st he had encountered in the ins.Unlike the pig-headed figures, who were barely Superhumans, the cow-headed figures immediately recognized the nature of the mana."Sword Aura...! Dodge!"Two of the cow-headed figures leaped in opposite directions as the Sword Aura came crashing down in the ce they had been standing.The Sword Aura sliced through the air, making a long, sharp winding sound.SwooshAnd a momentter, the severed winds reconnected, now mixed with the scent of blood.Yeomyeong lowered the arm that was holding the sword and withdrew his mana. And the next instantThud.The cow-headed figure who was unable to avoid the Sword Aura had his head fall off from his shoulders."You crazy!"The cow-headed figure who managed to dodge the Sword Aura by a hairs breadth groaned.In a short span of time, two cow-headed figures had been ughtered. The bloodshot eyes of the remaining two trembled with fear."You, you! I know who you are. Cheon Yeomyeong! How can a mere rookie mercenary possess such skills...!"The cow-headed figures muttered something as they tried to summon more mana, but once again, Yeomyeong lunged at them without a word.He had no time for conversation, and above all, Yeomyeong needed to deal with them as quickly as possible and go after the Royal Seal.The horse-headed man and Mara, who were not here, were surely searching for the Royal Seal at this very moment. Time was running out.Just as Yeomyeong raised his sword with these thoughts in mind, the cow-headed figures instinctively unleashed their mana."Gyaaackkk!"He had seen the same red beam in North Manchurias coniferous forest.It seemed to be some sort of ultimate move, but it was no problem for Yeomyeong. He reached for the Handle of Uragan at his waist to counter the spell.Or rather, that was what he intended to do.Rumble...!!However, the moment he pulled out the Handle of Uragan, the entire valley began to tremble....What is this?The cow-headed figure, who had been preparing the beam, and Yeomyeong, who was about to strike back, both halted mid-attack and turned their attention towards the source of the tremor.Deep within the valley, inside the cave where the Royal Seal was said to be resting.An intense vibration and a massive amount of invisible mana began to emanate from there.Could it be that theyve already found the Royal Seal...?Was it already toote? Had the horse-headed man and Mara already dealt with the young dragon guarding the treasure?Reigning in his sense of urgency, Yeomyeong charged at the cow-headed figure.As much as he wanted to rush off immediately, he first had to deal with the enemy in front of him.Having no intention of going down easily, the cow-headed figure unleashed the mana he had gathered.Quaaacckkk!Seeing a twisted beam of mana shoot out, Yeomyeong calmly raised the handle of the Uragan.For some reason, the unicorn''s voice addressing him O Virgin didn''t resound. But at the same time, it didnt seem like its effectiveness had diminished, as a radiant shield protected Yeomyeong.The red beam shattered before it could reach Yeomyeongs body."What?! How"A sh of light tracing the sword''s path emerged from behind the barrier. A thin line of blood appeared on the cow-headed figures neck as he let out a cry of agony.Without even checking to see if the cow-headed figure had fallen, Yeomyeong immediately turned his attention to thest remaining cow-headed figure.Hes running away? Is he actually running away?Thest cow-headed figure could be seen fleeing in the opposite direction from Yeomyeong. Perhaps he had begun his escape even before the earthquake, because he was now so far away, that he looked like a small dot.Yeomyeong frowned, ncing between the retreating cow-headed figure and the bottom of the cliff.His decision was quick, and his choice was made without hesitation. He abandoned the cow-headed figure and turned his attention to the valley below.The mercenaries were waging a bloody battle against the pig-headed figures in the valley.Captain Kwon Mongjoo had dealt with more than seven pig-headed figures, mes spewing from his hands, but the other mercenaries were in a rather precarious situation.Yeomyeong didnt hesitate. He leaped straight off the cliff.*Whoosh*the wind roared in his ears as he channeled mana into his legs.The next moment, he kicked off the cliffs midsection and executed the Feather Step from the Flying Kick technique.Yeomyeong fell in a long arc toward the bottom of the cliff. And his silhouette against the moonlight was enough to draw everyone''s attention.Kim Mansoo, swinging a hatchet, the pig-headed figure preparing curses, and even Captain Kwon Mongjoo, who was calmly facing his enemies, furrowed their brows as they looked at him.And then... Thud!As soon as hended, Yeomyeong clenched his teeth to endure the pain.Despite channeling mana and reducing the height once by kicking off the cliff, he could feel his ankles and calf bones shatter.It''ll take about a minute for my legs to regenerate...Despite the intense pain in his legs, Yeomyeong appeared unscathed on the outside, which was enough to inspire courage in his allies and instill caution in his enemies.The Saintess, in particr, gaped at him, almost as if she would burst into apuse at any moment.You bastard! If you''re this good, what does that make your seniors?Fortunately for Yeomyeong, he didnt have to stand still for a minute because one of the ring pig-headed figures charged right at him.As the pig-headed figure charged at him with mad, bloodshot eyes, Yeomyeong felt a sense of relief as he swung his mana-infused iron sword horizontally.Slicethe pig-headed figure was cleaved in half by the de with Sword Aura, spilling out blood and entrails.Arent you going to keep attacking me, Shepherds?The moment they heard the word shepherd, the pig-headed figures eyes changed.The short tauntced with a small truth.The pig-headed figures didnt hold back their fury nor did they try to hide their killing aura. In fact, some of the ones surrounding the other mercenaries immediately turned and charged at Yeomyeong.Kill him!That guy knows about us!Gyaaacckkk!The taunt had worked pretty well. Yeomyeong gathered his mana once again.And just as he was about to unleash another Sword AuraRumble!!!A familiar earthquake shook the ground once more. But this time, it didnt stop at just there.Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!Starting from the other side of the valley, the ground split open and a massive fissure formed throughout the valley. It was a sign that the ground was about to copse.Amid the ensuing chaos, Captain Kwon Mongjoo was the quickest to assess the situation.Damn it, everyone retreat! Retreat! Saintess, please evacuHowever, the omen became a reality before he could finish his warning.KABOOOM!!!The other side of the valley, where the cave was located, exploded. Rocks and dust shot up into the sky apanied by a tremendous quake, as if a volcano had erupted.It was a terrifying sight that demanded immediate evacuation, but everyone in the valley remained frozen, unable to look away.Because amidst the flying rocks and rising dust, a colossal red dragon spread its wings across the sky.The dragon guarding the Royal Seal!As Captain Kwon shouted while shuddering, Yeomyeong frowned.That grifting dwarf bastard. He called that a young dragon?Yeomyeong recalled Darulma Dune at the base camp, who had mentioned a young dragon, and suppressed a bitterugh.He was d that they had renegotiated the terms of the contract beforeing here. Otherwise, he might have had the urge to cut off that damned dwarfs head to feel satisfied.As Yeomyeong entertained these thoughts, the dragon that had emerged from the ground came to a halt in the sky, bathed in moonlight.It beat its massive wings, stirring the air, and its yellow reptilian eyes scanned the people gathered in the valley with a menacing re.Was it about to unleash its Dragons Breath on the invaders? Or perhaps a spell? As everyone in the valley held their breath in tense anticipationThe dragon spoke, uttering words no one could have predicted.[Finally!][The one bearing the token of the bloodline has arrived!]1. Pyeonyuk is a traditional Korean dish, which consists of thinly sliced meat that has been boiled and pressed. Either beef or pork may be used to make the dish.
Chapter 57: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It...
It''s not like Ive only read the Communist Manifesto. I also read the Bible from Earth whenever I can. You can learn a lot more from that book than you might think....My favorite Bible verse, huh?I like Leviticus 24:201 the most. I have that verse written deep within my heart.An excerpt from an interview with war correspondent Levin2 and Demerond Ipp Marx
***The emotion in the voice of the Dragon that had suddenly appeared was neither anger nor hostility.It was pure, unadulterated joy.It was an emotion that neither Yeomyeong nor anyone else present in the valley were able to understand.After all, wasnt everyone gathered herebe it the pig-headed creatures filled with killing intent or the mercenaries intent on killing the Dragon to acquire the Royal Seal?And not only had the Dragon revealed itself to the invaders who hade to kill it, but also felt joy?The lie about the young dragon and the token of the bloodline... And it seems like theres more that the dwarf didnt tell us.Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes and turned to Captain Kwon Mongjoo.After all, the most suspicious person among those gathered here was none other than the Captain, who had personally nned this entire operation with the dwarf.And as if to prove Yeomyeong''s suspicion correct, Captain Kwon Mongjoo began to prepare something discreetly.It was fortunate that the pig-headed creatures were focused on the Dragon, or else the Saintess next to him could have been in danger during the fight.I have yet to fully recover...Enduring the throbbing in his ankles, Yeonmyeong began walking towards the group.And just as he took a step forward, the Dragon opened its mouth once again.[O Bearer of the will of the mountain range! Step forward and present the token!]A voice echoed throughout the valley.Unable to withstand the mana-infused voice, the pig-headed creatures and mercenaries covered their ears.Even Yeomyeong covered his ears and frowned, but Captain Kwon Mongjoo stepped forward calmly.Orsay Tabul! O Guardian of the mountain range, O Dragon of Kings!He shouted with a voice loud enough to reach the Dragon high in the sky.[You are... not a dwarf.]Disappointment briefly shed in the yellow eyes of the Dragon as it looked down at Captain Kwon Mongjoo, but the Captain knelt before the Dragon without hesitation.O Great Dragon, I am Kwon Mongjoo. I havee here as the representative of Darulma Dune.He extended his right hand towards the Dragon with a look of seriousness he had never shown before.In his palm rested a thick ring that Darulma Dune had worn, and even from afar, they could sense the extraordinary aura exuded by the ring.The Dragon''s eyes twitched as it observed the ring.[The Dune n?]Its a coteral line of the Sculptors Mountain n.[Dune, Dune... Ah, I remember. Those cowards who were the first to flee beyond the Dimensional Portal.]O Great Dragon, thats all a misunderstanding! The Dune n retreated to prepare for a greater revenge...[Spare me your pathetic excuses.]The Dragons voice cut him off coldly, bringing about an uneasy feeling.[What I want to hear from you is not an excuse but an exnation. And why in the world did Darulma Dune send an Earthian like you instead ofing here himself?]Darulma-nim intended toe in person. But...[But?]But those those unidentified enemies over there, who also seek the Royal Seal, ambushed him, so he had no other choice but to send me on his behalf.The Captain pointed towards the pig-headed creatures who flinched simultaneously under the Dragons gaze.[Indeed, they are revolting abominations that can only be created by Earthians.]The Dragon''s assessment was brief, and its actions were swift. It calmly raised its left hand and pointed a finger at the pig-headed creatures.[Begone.]Fwoosh!Crimson mes burst forth from the tip of the long w.The mes poured down from the sky like a lightning strike,pletely avoiding the mercenaries and the Saintess, only striking the pig-headed creatures.Some of them tried chanting a spell or turned to flee, but not a single one could escape the fiery downpour."Karrrghhh!!"The mes engulfed the pig-headed creatures, the terrifying heat burning them crisp.In the time it would take one to blink a few times, only ashes and the smell of burning flesh remained where they once stood.As Kim Mansoo and the rest of the mercenaries were scared stiff on facing the heat they had barely managed to escape, Yeomyeong clicked his tongue.If the magic it can use without any incantations is this powerful... it should be at least on par with Kahal Magdu.The skeletal dragon, Kahal Magdu, whom they had encountered in North Manchuria.As soon as the red dragon in the sky unleashed its magic, Yeomyeong felt a mana force that was as strong as that of the skeletal dragon.Of course, he hadnt gauged its strength urately. After all, this was his first time seeing a living dragon(?).However, just from the disy of magic it had shown a moment ago, one thing was certain.If they fought that dragon, they would have to put their lives on the line.Fortunately, it seemed that both the Dragon and Captain Kwon were more inclined to talk than to fight.At least for now.[Earthian Kwon Mongjoo, representative of the Dune n. I will ept your exnation. Now, tell me the reason you havee here.]"Darulma-nim and the Dune n seek the Golden Seal."The mana within the Dragon quivered at the mention of the Golden Seal. It looked as though it was barely managing to restrain itself from expressing joy.[Finally, the time for revenge has dawned upon us.]Revenge? Yeomyeong tilted his head slightly as Captain Kwon responded in a calm voice."Great Dragon, Darulma-nim is not seeking the Royal Seal for the sake of revenge."[What? Are you saying that he dares to abandon revenge?]"No. The revenge has already beenpleted. The Soviet Union lost Siberia and has broken into many small states, and Stalin is no longer in this world."[...What?]"The fallen Soviet Union has paid war reparations, and the dwarves have regained their homnd. The war has ended."[Stalin... is dead? The Soviet Union has fallen?]The Dragon stared at Captain Kwon before turning towards the northwestern sky in shock, as if it could see Moscow from there."Yes, Great Dragon, this is a fact all Earthians know of."[...]"So now, the Dune n and the dwarves seek to prevent the Royal Seal from bing a trigger for a disaster that will harm the innocent."After hearing Captain Kwon''s words, the Dragon fell silent for a while, then gently extended its hand.[I will verify the token.]Captain Kwon lowered his head and raised his hand, holding the ring aloft.Soon, an invisible force enveloped the ring as it floated from the Captains hand.The gleaming golden ring flew towards the Dragon under the moonlight that illuminated the valley.[Atst....]Although the dwarven ring was much thicker andrgerpared to a human one, it looked smaller than a button in the Dragon''s hand.Intense emotions swirled in the Dragons eyes as it inspected the ring, but no words of sentiment escaped its mouth.What exactly was it trying to verify?The Dragon, who had remained silent, finally spoke again after Yeomyeong''s broken leg hadpletely healed.[Earthian, do you know about the king who buried the Royal Seal here?]"That is...."The sudden question left Captain Kwon unable to respond immediately, and his words trailed off.Not particrly expecting an answer, the Dragon continued speaking while looking down at the ring.[Daval Hilin. The rightful king of the Dragon Scale Mountain Range and the greatest warrior.]Nostalgia filled the Dragon''s eyes. They were not focused on the present but on the distant past.[He was one of the few great kings of history and the most... noble king ever. He possessed a sublime nobility that even a dragon would have difficulty emting.]The Dragons voice was calm, but Yeomyeong felt a strange sense of foreboding.[Do you know? The Royal Seal has already finished carving tunnels beneath all the volcanoes in thisnd ten years ago.]"..."[So why haven''t they erupted yet? It''s simple. King Hilin didn''t want them to. He manipted the Royal Seal to prevent it from triggering the eruptions.]Upon hearing this exnation, Captain Kwon sighed in relief, but the Dragon was not done speaking.[But don''t be mistaken. He did not abandon his pursuit for revenge. He merely decided to leave the choice to his descendants.]"Leave the choice... to his descendants?"[By manipting the Royal Seal along with the token of his bloodline, they can either fill up all the tunnels or trigger the volcanic eruptions.]"...Then as his representative, I will convey his will: as his descendants, the Dune n and all the dwarves under them do not desire revenge.And with Captain Kwons deration, Darulmas request should have beenpleted.Or, rather, it should have ended.However, the Dragon did not respond to Captain Kwon. Nor did he return the token or hand over the Royal Seal.Instead, he bared his teeth with a menacing grin. It was the chilling smile of a madman.[However, this is where my thoughts differ.]The Dragon pulled something from between the scales on his neck. It was a rectangr chunk of gold, slightlyrger than its w.The Golden Seal.So it wasnt sealed away beneath the cave? Captain Kwon''s expression stiffened.[The dwarves who had been tainted by Earth are no longer worthy. They are not worthy of possessing Hilin''s Seal nor do they have the right to make the choice. The only one in this world who is worthy... is ME.]The Dragon brought the ring in its left hand, the seal of the Dune n, to the Royal Seal.[The choice is now mine, Earthians suffer as you deserve!]sh!Emitting powerful golden mana, the Royal Seal trembled violently.And the next moment, a massive golden magic circle appeared above the cliffs of the valley.There was no need to exin what kind of magic circle it was.The sky above the valley was dyed in gold, the ground beneath their feet resonated with the magic.Rumble, rumble, rumble!!!An earthquake with its epicenter in the valley struck the entire Manchuria.
***The Earth screamed.Deep-rooted trees quivered in fear, and stones and grass shook violently up and down.An overwhelming earthquake so powerful that even Superhumans barely managed to remain standing.Barely maintaining his bnce on the trembling ground, which felt like a prelude to destruction, Captain Kwon shouted."O Great Dragon! Stalin is dead, and the Soviet Union no longer exists! There is no one left for you to exact revenge upon!!"[Huh! And what about themunists who sided with the Soviet Union? And what about themies who dwelled in this Manchuriannd? They are still alive!]The Dragon shouted, clutching the Royal Seal tightly. A long shadow fell across its face, illuminated by the golden magic circle behind it."...The war did not take by their will! How many among the tens of millions in Manchuria even remember that war?!"[They may have forgotten. For Earthians, even a few decades are more than enough to turn their crimes into history! But I have not forgotten! I still remember the greed of the Earthians and the cruelty of themunists as if it were just yesterday!]Spreading its red wings wide, the Dragon shouted in anguish.The immense mana radiating from its body surged forth, permeating the magic circle and dyeing the sky over the valley in a golden hue."Then what about the dwarves? If Manchuria copses, what will happen to all the dwarves who have settled on Earth?"Captain Kwon shouted with such urgency that his voice broke.Unable to keep watching their exchange, the mercenaries rushed to grab him, desperately trying to pull him away.They intended to flee with their captain, but Captain Kwon stubbornly resisted, shouting even louder."Earth will not forgive the dwarves! The hard-earned peace will be shattered!"[Peace? You call this PEACE? That is not peace, Dune ns representative.]The Dragon and Captain Kwon locked eyes beneath the golden sky.[True peace cannot be achieved by forgetting old grudges. Only after avenging the wrongful deaths of the innocent! Only then can it be called peace!]"Then you should only punish the guilty! The innocent people of thisnd"[The dwarves who died due to the gas attack were also innocent! Was it their fault that Stalin coveted mana metal? Was the Cold War their fault?!]The Dragon raised its hand. Having finished absorbing the ring, the Royal Seal shone brilliantly.Waves of golden mana surged forth and poured down upon the earth like a waterfall.[How can innocent grudges be soothed with the blood of the guilty few?! The lives of the sinners cannot be equalled to those of the innocent!]A long golden line appeared beneath the feet of Captain Kwon and Yeomyeong, stretching across the valley and connecting the Khingan Range.One, two, three, five, ten and dozens more.Not a single line among the dozens of lines that began in the valley ovepped.Some headed towards North Manchuria, while others towards Mount Baekdu.Even without anyone exining, everyone present figured out the identity of those lines Tunnels that connected to all the volcanoes in Manchuria and the surrounding regions.Captain Kwon and the mercenaries could easily envision Manchuria''s destruction.Lost in his own thoughts, the Dragon ignored them, shouting again and again at the Manchurian sky.[A FAIR DEATH! Only innocent blood of equal value can appease the grudges of the innocent!]Just as the Dragons cry reached its peak[Earthians! BURN AND BE PURGED]Bang!A shining white bullet pierced the Dragon''s eye.1. Leviticus 24:20 "Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury."2. This may refer to Meyer Levin. Levin was a war correspondent in Europe during World War II, representing the Overseas News Agency and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Chapter 58: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (2)
* * *58 seconds ago.As Captain Kwon was shouting and the Dragon raised the Royal Seal, the Saintess didnt need to use her Foresight to realize that things had taken a turn for the worse.It was now obvious that talking wouldnt resolve anything.She reloaded her gun. Now, she had only one magazine left.The thought of having to fight a dragon with just 60 bullets made her head hurt.But I still have to do it.As she ced her hand on the trigger with that thought in mind, Yeomyeong came into view.He was the man who, just like her only friend, obscured her Foresight.He was currently staring at the Dragon with his lips sealed tight.Was he scared? No, that wasnt it. After all, hadnt he been the first to jump out of the truck and climb the cliff when they were ambushed?If he were someone who would be frightened by something like this, he wouldnt have evene here in the first ce.So that expression on his face wasnt that of fear, but ratherHes contemting.Whether to risk his life and fight, or to turn around and escape.The Saintess bit her lip. The urge to ask him to fight together was stuck in her throat, but she couldnt bring herself to utter them.Asking him to fight in this situation was no different from asking him to die with her.Yeomyeong, are you not going to fight?In the end, what came out of her mouth was a question that cleverly hid her true intentions.Lacking the courage to voice out her thoughts honestly, she uttered a pathetic and childish question, hoping he would give her the answer she wanted to hear.Whether he understood what she was trying to imply or not, Yeomyeong responded with a short sigh.The weapons you have on your person Is that all?Hearing his question, the Saintess flinched and inspected her weapon.One rifle with 60 bullets.Because they had to ride a motorcycle, she tried to travel as light as possible, but after the unexpected fight against the pig-headed figures, these were the only weapons she had left.The situation on Yeomyeong''s end wasn''t much better. He had a shotgun, a worn-out sword, and only a few grenades and bullets left.Im not sure if Darulma deceived us or if he genuinely didnt know, but With the weapons we carried on the assumption that wed face a young dragon, we dont stand a chance.Even soThe Saintess tried to say something but Yeomyeong interrupted her.Realistically speaking, theres only one way we can stop the Dragon. The Manchurian military Darulma called in needs to arrive before we die....But considering the distance from the Manchurian base to this ce Even if the military makes haste and hurries, itll take them at least two hours to arrive. In the meantime, wed have to fight the Dragon. Do you think we can manage that?There was no need to ponder. It was impossible.So, are you suggesting that we run away?Unable toe up with a counterargument, the Saintess asked defiantly. Yeomyeongs calm eyes met the Saintesss blindfold.You were the one who said that you wouldnt risk your life.He reminded her of the words she said before they set out.
- If I judge that the situation is beyond help, I will escape.
The Saintess clenched her fist tightly. If only she could say she wasnt being serious back then, if only she could take back what she said. But she couldnt.And purely from a political standpoint, she was someone who couldnt die here under any circumstance.Yes, in her mind, she knew they had to run away from here.However, her heart was not willing to ept it. She didnt want to flee.If we leave things as they are, countless people will die.Thats probably true.Innocents will die unjustly. Can you just stand by and watch that happen?Why do we realize something would lead to regret down the line only after we have already said it?As soon as she spat out those emotionally charged words, countless rebuttals to her logic flooded her mind.So, youre asking me to fight a mad dragon for the sake of people whose faces Ive never even seen?What about your mother shooting at me? What crime did Imit to deserve that?No matter how she looked at it, logic was on Yeomyeong''s sideAll she had was stubbornness and emotions, asking him to risk his life recklessly.Expecting a sharp response, the Saintess braced herself and closed her eyes tightly.It was a small relief that the blindfold hid her eyes because if she heard his harsh rebukes, she might involuntarily shed tears.However, contrary to her expectations, there was no rebuttal or sharp criticism from Yeomyeong.Im sorry.His voice was calm.I have something I must aplish. Its more important than anything else, something I cannot give up on, no matter what....So, I cannot risk my life here.It was a straightforward answer without a hint of deception.The Saintess, who had been expecting an emotional argument, was unable toe up with a rebuttal.Conviction and reality shed within her empty heart, causing sparks to fly. Her chest stung, and her body trembled.Unable to hold back, she blurted out whatever came to mind."But if we give up now""""What about the people of Manchuria, how What about all the efforts we''ve made so far? Huh? Those innocent people will die, I"She simply spilled her heart out, unable to even form coherent sentences. Yeomyeong gently ced his hand on her shoulder.I wont stop you if you intend to die here. ButBut?However, if you want to live, take my hand. If its just one person I can somehow carry you and escape.Yeomyeong extended his hand. The Saintess stared at it for a moment, realizing that this was his final act of kindness.If she rejected this, there would be no turning back. The motorcycle they had ridden had run dry a while back, and there was no way the mad dragon would let them go.She was at a crossroads.Would she risk her life and die fighting the Dragon regardless of how slim the odds were, or would she survive and n for the future?The answer was almost set in stone. If she died here, more blood would be spilled.I guess I have no choice.The Saintess loosened her grip on the gun to take hold of Yeomyeongs hand. Or rather, she tried to.Almost immediately, something ticklish trickled down the crown of her head.Even if others didnt know, this was a familiar sensation for her. It was something only a Saintess could experience.Foresight?However, it wasnt a Foresight she had initiated on her own.It was a Foresight forcefully revealed to her by the gods high above, or perhaps by someone ofparable power.The Saintess epted it without any resistance. Right away, her eyes hidden behind the blindfold shone as they captured the future.sh!The Dragons magic circle activated, dyeing the sky gold.With the sky at her back, the light of the magic circle looked like a halo above her head.As she slowly raised her head to look at Yeomyeong, her white hair, illuminated by the halo, fluttered gently.20 seconds.The light from the magic circle didn''t linger for long. And after the halo disappeared, the Saintess smiled softly."Hey, dont say that you mean to"Sensing that something was wrong, Yeomyeong tried to say something, but she brushed off his hand before he could."You really are a good person.""What?""But you''re not great at ying hard to get, you know."It was an out-of-the-blue yet confident remark. Yeomyeong furrowed his brows without realizing it as he stared at the Saintess."Did you just use Foresight?""Who knows?"11 seconds."Hey!"Ignoring Yeomyeongs shout, the Saintess dashed toward the Dragon.With each step she took, she gathered her mana and cast blessings on her magazine.Power boost, eleration, uracy, and mana pration.Rumble!! Rumble!! Rumble!!The ground began to quake violently, making it nearly impossible to aim properly, but that didnt matter to her.O the Blue Venule, please grant me ascent.She prayed to the god of wisdom and ascension, and the god answered her plea.Zing.Her running body slightly levitated off the ground.Not high enough to be called flying, but just high enough to avoid the tremors of the earth. Then, the Saintess calmly readied her gun.2 seconds.Now, aim.1 second.And without any hesitation, the Saintess pulled the trigger.
* * *K-kaaa-aaaargggh!!The sudden ambush took the dragon by surprise as it let out a horrific scream as the bullet pierced its eye.Not only had she managed to target the eyeball precisely, but she also managed to pierce through the mana that wrapped around the Dragon''s body,The Dagon urgently gathered its mana while covering its eye in a panic.It deployed a shield around its neck and face in preparation for the next attack, then unleashed a barrage of fire in the direction the bullet hade from.Whooosh!!It was an excessive reaction for just a single bullet, but the pain in its eye was enough to remind the Dragon of the terror of anti-aircraft guns.[Who was that? Who the hell dares to interfere with this Dragons vengeance?!]The Dragon spewed mes as if it intended to burn the entire valley to the ground.However, as the ground smoldered, the magic circle in the sky began to dim, and the tremors in the earth subsided.It was a sign that the Dragons concentration was faltering.Everyone in the valley seized the opportunity.The Saintess moved out of the valley to find a new location to shoot from while the mercenaries and Captain Kwon dashed up the cliff, avoiding the Dragons sight.Meanwhile, deep within the valley, the Demonic Human trapped in the Dragon''s cave also began to move."Ah, that damned lizard bastard."And from the very same hole the Dragon emerged from, Mara burst out, covered in dust.Their winter coat was torn in multiple ces, proof of the difficult battle they had fought in the depths of the cave.Spitting on the ground, Mara brushed off the dirt from their body."Who would''ve imagined that it would run away without even putting up a fight."Despite their grumbling tone, Mara wasn''t all that displeased.While they were trapped in the cave, they had managed to loot all the treasures the Dragon had hoarded.Dwarven magic items, jewels, and even potions the Dragon had treasured."Hey! You stupid lizard! Take a look at this!"Mara triumphantly waved arge bag at the Dragon, whose eyes were bleeding.*Jingle*The treasures inside the bag clinked together, drawing the Dragon''s attention.[So you''ve managed to break the seal already. How lucky you are, you disgusting thief.]The Dragon, who had just regained itsposure above the burning valley, growled as it red at Mara."Hah, a thief? Then what do you call a homeowner who locks the door and flees when a thief breaks in? A fool? A moron?"Mara smirked as they walked through the air.With each step they took, it was as if they were climbing an invisible staircase, their body rose high into the sky.A peculiar martial art that allowed one to fly in the sky. Soaring through the air with a technique even the Dragon was unable to identify, Mara was soon on par with the creatures eyes.[Stalin and themunists were just as disgusting and shameless as you, desiring what belongs to others without an ounce of shame.]"Why me others for your own stupidity? If you can''t even protect your treasures, you shouldn''t have had them in the first ce."[You! Youre worse than an animal! Just because you have a mouth doesnt mean you can spout nonsense.]The Dragon lowered its hand from its eye. Blood still oozed from its eyeball, but it was far from a fatal wound.It had only temporarily lostposure due to its past trauma. The situation was still overwhelmingly in the Dragons favor.Orsay Taboul raised the Royal Seal and began gathering mana.[You dare speak of power in my presence? Fine. I will personally show you what true power looks like!]"Go ahead."As it raised its fist, Mara nced down.The seal surrounding the cave had been broken thanks to the person who had shot the Dragon in the eye.A bullet that managed to pierce the Dragon''s eye? There was no need to guess who fired it. It was obvious.The Saintessshe''s probably hiding somewhere in this valley, right?Mara licked their lips, thinking of the woman who had shot them in the shoulder.If the Saintess is here, then that means that Cheon Yeomyeong is also hereLucky me. Maraughed with glee. After they managed to secure all the strange fated treasures, theyd take care of the two of them as well."Lastly, it seems like all I''ll need is your heart and a few of your scales toplete my collection of strange fated treasures. What do you say, feeling generous?It was a crass taunt. The Dragon was about to respond, but Mara didn''t wait for it.The moment the Dragon began to manipte its mana, Mara was already charging towards it, stepping through the sky."If you''re a dragon, you should just spit out your neidan1 and die like one!"Just as Mara''s fist closed in, Orsay Taboul pped its wings btedly, unleashing its fury.[ShutUp!!]A golden light tinged the sky once more as the Demonic Human and the Dragon shed.
* * *Standing beside the motorcycles that the group had left behind, Yeonmyeong gazed at the valley bathed in golden light.Even though he knew that retreating would be the right choice, his feet wouldnt move.There wasnt any particr reason for this.The death of innocents.The moment those words came out of the Saintess mouth, he couldnt stop thinking about the dead janitors.The Foreman, Uncle Deokbae, Chunsik-hyung, and James His family members who were killed without any fault or reason of their own.Was he perhaps influenced by the Saintess? The memory of their unjust deaths seemed to ovep with the deaths that would befall the people of Manchuria.What if the Dragon activated the seal and made the volcanoes erupt as they were? The people of Manchuria would be covered in volcanic ash and killed by monsters taking advantage of the chaos.Without any fault of their own, and without knowing the reason... That was how they would perish.Just like the janitors.But thats not a reason for me to risk my life, especially when I think about the Foreman and all hyung-nims.Yeomyeong pushed down his inner thoughts and tried to turn away.However, while he was hesitating and unable to turn his back, the light sound of something being hit echoed from beyond the valley.Thud!!Was this the sound it would make if someone were struck by a giant flyswatter?Squinting to get a better look of what whizzed through the air from the direction of the valley, he saw it was a persona person who looked quite familiar at that.Mara, the very one who had taken the horse-headed man and fled, was now falling towards Yeomyeong.Crash, bang, thump!The person crashed into a tree, breaking a few branches, rolling over the rocky ground, before finallynding on the floor.Coincidentally, theynded right in front of Yeomyeong, so close that he could almost reach out and touch them with his sword.Ah, damn it.Thanks to the armor-like mana they had enveloped around them, the person didnt seem to have any visible injuries. However, they had an ugly scowl on their face, as if their pride was hurt.Indeed, because of a body like this Ive been made to roll on the ground against a lizard.Seeing Mara getting up while scratching their head, Yeomyeong felt a bit awkward. Should he just swing his sword now?While Yeomyeong was contemting, Mara sensed a presence and turned their head.The moment their eyes met, Yeomyeong instinctively swung his sword.!!Mara barely managed to roll away and avoid the sword.However, they werent able to escape from the Sword Aura unscathed. There was a faint trickle of blood from Maras neck.Damn it! Rolling on the ground twice in a day.Mara red at Yeomyeong while clutching their neck wound.Yeomyeong, how could you ambush me like that? And using that skill on top of it? You should be ashamed of yourself.Be ashamed? Yeomyeong was so dumbfounded that he scoffed.Well, someone who tried to hit me on the back of my head earlier didnt seem too ashamed.Ah, well thats true.Mara also smirked and clenched his fist. Both of them summoned their mana almost simultaneously.It seemed like they would rush at each other at any moment. However, Mara suddenly asked Yeomyeong.By the way, why are you all the way on the other side of the valley from the Dragon? Were you not nning on fighting the Dragon?By any chance you werent on your way to request for military support, were you?Although their guess was slightly off the mark, Yeomyeong chose to remain silent.As a result, a brief silence filled the space between them, and Mara interpreted this silence as agreement.[You fools, do you think you can escape from me!!]The Dragons roar broke the prolonged silence as it activated the magic circle.Once again, the ground trembled, and the valley was bathed in golden light.Mara alternated their gaze between the valley and Yeomyeong, then shrugged.If reinforcements arrive in this situation Sssppp, theres no way around it.They said this, then raised both hands above their shoulders, erasing not only the killing intent that had been boiling but even their mana.What are they doing? Are they nning to surrender? Yeomyeong frowned.And as soon as he heard Maras next words, he almost dropped his sword in disbelief.Hey, instead of calling for reinforcements, how about the three of us you, me, and the Saintesscapture that lizard together?What?In exchange, Ill only take the Dragons neidan. As for the bones and scales, you can split them among yourselves. How about it?A sudden and iprehensible proposal. Yeomyeong tightened his grip on his sword to keep him from dropping it.What nonsense are you spouting? How can I trust you?Whos asking you to trust me? Im just suggesting that we team up.Its simple, right? For the personal gains on the line, lets set aside our fight for the time being.Yeomyeong intended to reject their proposal with a literal strike.In other words, he was about to swing his sword at Maras neck.However, just as he infused mana into his sword, a familiar voice in his head stopped him.[O Virgin, ept his offer.]1. Neidan, or internal alchemy, is an array of esoteric doctrines and physical, mental, and spiritual practices that Taoist initiates use to prolong life and create an immortal spiritual body that would survive after death.
Chapter 59: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (3)
* * *The voice of the unicorn residing within the Handle of Uragan.Unlike its usual frivolous (?) tone, the voice resonating in Yeomyeong''s mind at this moment sounded gravely serious.[That person''s mind is filled with various schemes to try and manipte you, but blinded by greed, they dont realize they are the very person being exploited.][O Virgin! I shall be your strength. No evil can escape from my sight, so turn the tables and use that person to safeguard thisnd!]As soon as the unicorns words ended, Yeomyeong sighed.What is this?Why could he hear the unicorns voice even though he wasnt holding onto the handle?Yeomyeong, with his sword still pointed at Mara, pulled out the handle from his waist.However, the handle was in an unusual state.The handle, engraved with the unicorn, was emitting its own light, as if it were a heated piece of metal.It was not the usual color of the shield but a brilliant golden lightthe same hue as the golden seal covering the valley sky.Yeomyeong gripped the Handle of Uragan tightly and asked the unicorns spirit within.Exin. Tell me whats going on.[O Virgin, there isnt much time. I will give you an exnation after its all over, but for now, you must stop Orsay Taboul.]Exnation.Only after he gripped the handle as if trying to break it did the unicorns attitude change.[Are you sure? Its a long story, full of friendship and tears between a unicorn and the dwarf bloodline]Briefly, just the important points.[I am also a token of the dwarven bloodline. Thats the reason I have been empowered by the light of the Royal Seal.]A token? Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes, thinking about the ring of the Dune n that Captain Kwon brought.However, he still found it difficult to understand what the connection between the handle and the token was.[The final token left behind by the true rulers of the Craftsmen Mountain Range, the Uragan n. That is who I am.]Yeomyeong then remembered the exnation given by the weapon dealer, Joseph, when he sold the handle.The handle of an unfinished weapon made by a master craftsman during the war with Stalin.Since it was originally a dwarven item, it wasnt particrly strange that it turned out to be a token of a n.HoweverThen, why did you stay silent all this while and suddenly ask me to join forces with that lunatic to stop the dragon?Yeomyeong positioned himself and the handle so that he could break it at a moment''s notice, and asked.Just moments ago, he had seen the dragon that associated with the dwarves go insane; he had no reason to not suspect the unicorn inside the rod.However, the unicorns answer was far from Yeomyeongs suspicions.[O Virgin, it is because you want it.]What?Because of me?[The grudges of the dwarves and the revenge of the dragon are all remnants of the past. They have nothing to do with me now. That is why I have kept my silence all this time.]The unicorn continued eloquently.[But Virgin! The anguish you were struggling with just now moved me.][Be it in life or death, a unicorn will always strive to protect purity and justice, so how could this one ignore the struggles of a noble Virgin torn between ideals and reality!]Noble what?Upon hearing the unicorns loud voice resonating in his mind, Yeomyeong wondered if he should just break the handle and be done with it.Regardless of his contemtion, the unicorn dered boldly.[Take this handle to the Royal Seal! For I, too, am a token of bloodline with authority, I can take control of the Royal Seal and assist you!]As soon as the unicorn finished speaking, the first thought that came to Yeomyeongs mind was, Is it really possible?To take control of the Royal Seal[Indeed! I am the token left by the Uragan n, one of the nine golden bloodlines that produced kings. I can easily seize any authority, especially from a coteral n without a name, like the Dune n!]Yeomyeongs doubts deepened. If what the unicorn said was true, and if he and Mara, who had the ability to fly, joined forcesIt might be possible to stop the dragon and save Manchuria.At the very least, the probability of seeding was much greater whenpared to the dire situation moments before.The Saintess''s foresight, the unicorns words, Maras offer for a temporary alliance, and even the dragon''s wing, bearing arge scar.Pieces of a puzzle that had been scattered all over his thoughts began to connect.Perhaps.Yeomyeong gripped the Handle of Uragan tightly and looked at Mara, who was waiting for his response.Are you going to do it or not?Facing the golden eyes, Mara asked him. Yeomyeong lowered the sword he was holding against the person and answered calmly.Alright, I will take up your offer to join forces. But I have some conditions.Conditions?No independent actions; you will go along with my n.Your n? Well, as long as the n is nothing too crazyMaras eyes shed as they nced at the Handle of Uragan. Despite their attempt to conceal it, their gaze filled with intense greed didnt go unnoticed.Did they realize that the handle was the key to the n? Yeomyeong paid it no heed and stated the next condition.One more thing. Dont hold back; give it your all right from the start.What? Of course, Ill give it my all in a fight. What do you take me forRight now.As Yeomyeong cut him off, Mara burst intoughter. It was augh that clearly showed their disdain for Yeomyeong.Alright. Ill show you my full strength right now. But first, show me what youve been hiding. Do you have an ultimate move?An ultimate move. Instead of responding to Maras provocation, Yeomyeong forced his mana into his heart.Mimicking the monsters blood flow eleration.His blood vessels expanded, and the blood and mana in his body surged at an abnormal speed.The microvessels that were unable to handle the pressure burst, and his heart screamed, but his regeneration was more than keeping up in real-time.Although it seemed nothing had changed externally Mara was quick to notice Yeomyeongs transformation and opened their eyes wide.This bastard, you are really a monster?Enough with your nonsense. Its your turn now. Wait, dont tell me that you dont have onean ultimate move.Mara snickered in response to the light provocation.Hey, Bastard, dont be surprised when you see it.Saying that, they began to gather mana in their fingers and press down on their body.First, between their eyebrows, a ce called the Yin Tang Acupoint.1Second, the center of their chest, the Yutang Acupoint.Finally, below their navel, the Qihai Acupoint.After sequentially pressing on the three vital points known to martial artists as the upper, middle, and lower dantian2, the mana flowing from Mara''s body underwent a sudden change.Fwoosh!The mana that had been swirling around their body precariously surged into the sky, zing.It was truly an overwhelming amount of mana,parable to that of the Dragon.A powerful wave of mana swirled around them, overflowing as if their body could no longer contain it.The grass, trees, and Maras golden short hair were swept around while Mara raised a corner of their mouth.Is this enough?It was enough. Yeomyeong carefully observed the mana of the person in front of him and then extended his hand.Soon, the two figures soared into the sky.* * *[Dont hide! Come out, you vermins! Come and witness the justice that will be brought upon thisnd!!]The Saintess held her breath under the golden sky as the mad dragon roared.After the first shot, the following shots she fired were unable to achieve the same effect as before.It didnt matter how much she blessed the bullets, prating the dragons scales with a 5.56mm NATO3 was impossible.This meant that she had to aim for ces devoid of any scalessuch as the mouth, eyes, or the wing membranes However, even that was no easy task. It seemed that the dragon was ustomed to bullets as it skillfully deployed shields to protect its weak points.27 bullets left.The Saintess took a deep breath while taking count of herst magazine. She could do this. No, she had to.As she braced herself and was about to peek from the tree she had hidden behind, someone grabbed her shoulder.!!The Saintess was startled.She barely managed to stifle her scream before turning around to see four familiar men standing there.Captain Kwon?It was Captain Kwon and the mercenaries from the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. They were injured, with burns all over their bodies, probably because they were unable to escape the dragons fiery attacks unscathed.Saintess, could you please heal us?Yes? Yes! Of course.The mercenaries were in poor condition. Vice Captain Kim Mansoos back was nearly burnt off, and the rest of the mercenaries werent in a better condition either.Anyone who wasnt a Superhuman would sumb to such wounds. The Saintess poured out healing light over the mercenaries.And as she was healing them, Captain Kwon looked around before asking.Where is the New Recruit? Wasnt he with you, Saintess?ThatsThe Saintess trailed off. She didnt know where Yeomyeong was or what he was doing.All she knew was the oue of the future. However, she couldnt reveal it as the future could still change.Could it be that hes made a break for it?Captain Kwon narrowed his eyes and asked. While the Saintess hesitated over how to respond, Vice Captain Kim Mansoo intervened.Captain, dont make baseless usations in a situation like this.Kim Mansoo, this is a conversation between the Saintess and me. You have no right to interfere.Captain.Kim Mansoos eyes grew cold. He fiddled with his hatchet before sighing.I can understand the strange test you gave the new recruit and your decision to keep the true intention of this mission hidden from us. That''s within your authority. But suspecting a team member? That''s unlike you."What sort of conspiracy is hidden under the guise of this mission? What are you fleeing from that has driven the Captain I know into such a corner?"All I can tell you is that it involves the government.The government? The South Korean government?You dont need to know more. This burden is mine aloneAs their conversation continued, the Dragons roar echoed throughout the valley.[You insignificant thief, was rolling on the ground once not enough? Fine! This time, I will tear apart your limbs, one by one!]The Saintess and the mercenaries looked up at the sky over the valley simultaneously.In that ce stood Mara, who had just engaged in an aerial battle with the Dragon before being flung far away, andYeomyeong?Through the blindfold that obscured the Saintesss vision, she saw Yeomyeong holding Maras hand and flying through the sky.A staff emitting a golden light identical to that of the Royal Seal was at his waist, and the light grew in intensity as he drew closer to it.The very light she had seen in her Foresight.The Saintess stopped healing the mercenaries and stood up without realizing it. She picked up the rifle she had set aside and spoke to the mercenaries.Captain Kwon, you want to prevent the catastrophe, dont you?Saintess?Then start running, now.No further exnation was given. The Saintess began running towards the valley, and the mercenaries, who had been staring nkly, soon came to a realization and looked towards Yeomyeong.Captain, well discuss the rest of the details after we save Manchuria.The first to follow the Saintess was Kim Mansoo. He sheathed his hatchet and ran in the same direction as the Saintess.Initially bewildered, Captain Kwon and the mercenaries soon realized the sounds of footsteps were growing distant.I guess we have no choice but to leave it to the gods.With a sigh, Captain Kwon started running, and the rest of the mercenaries followed suit.
***Up in the sky, where the dragon was spewing fiery sts sporadically.Hey, is this n really okay?Mara shouted while dodging the iing fire. Yeomyeong, who was flying in the sky while holding Maras hand, responded calmly.If you dont like it, you can just give up immediately.Damn it, cant you say something a bit more reassuring?Still in the air, Mara adjusted their position with a strange maneuver whileining.Using the recoil, Yeomyeong swung his sword, and making the fire st that was falling from above exploded just in time.KABOOM!!Seeing that the decisive strike had missed, the Dragon unleashed even more magic.[Begone, you pathetic little fly!]Whoosh!Ranging from fireballs, spears of me, fire butterflies, to massive walls of fireAll sorts of magic poured down, enveloping Mara and Yeomyeong.That lizard bastardMara muttered as they stood in the air. The mana, amplified by their dantian, surged and left a long trail behind them.The crimson line raced across the sky. Although the Dragons mes were blocking their path, Yeomyeong, still holding on to Mara, swung his sword to cut through the mes.[Fools. Do you really think Ill just let you close the distance?]As they kept closing in rapidly, the Dragon pped its wings to fly backward.Even when facing a Superhuman who could fly with the assistance of some strange martial arts, dragons were a species born with wings. They were never at a disadvantage when it came to aerialbat.It should have been that way.Maras trajectory changed without warning. Instead of flying straight at the dragon, they began to trace a long parab, as if trying to throw something using the centrifugal force.If Mara had a gun in their hand, the Dragon would have deployed a shield. If they had a bomb? The Dragon would have increased the distance.However, all that Mara held was an unfamiliar human and so, the Dragons reaction was dyed.I dont care if you dieeeee!And without giving the Dragon a chance to react, Mara twisted their whole body and threw Yeomyeong.It was an unexpected attack. Was he nning to self-destruct? The Dragon tried to increase the distance, but it was toote. Yeomyeong was right in front of it.In Yeomyeongs hand was an object emitting the same light as the Royal Seal.Though it was an unfamiliar object, the Dragon immediately recognized what it was because the mana it contained was unforgettable.[Uragan? Why are you here?]As the astonished Dragon tried to retrieve the Royal Seal, the Royal Seal and the Handle of Uragan met.Sparkle!And above the shining Royal Seal, the form of a golden unicorn appeared.1. Yin Tang Acupuncture Point.
Yin Tangs location is at the midpoint of the be, directly between the inner edges of the eyebrows, an area sometimes called the "third eye" in various spiritual traditions. It is a ce that has been associated with insight and inner vision, both in Eastern and Western cultures.2. Dantian is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine loosely tranted as "elixir field", "sea of qi", or simply "energy center". Dantian are the "qi focus flow centers", important focal points for meditative and exercise techniques such as qigong, martial arts such as tai chi, and in traditional Chinese medicine.3. The 5.5645mm NATO (official NATO nomenture 5.56 NATO) is a rimless bottlenecked centerfire intermediate cartridge family developed in thete 1970s in Belgium by FN Herstal. It consists of the SS109, L110, and SS111 cartridges. On 28 October 1980, under STANAG 4172, it was standardized as the second standard service rifle cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries.
Chapter 60: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (4)
* * *[O Virgin! I have seized control of the Royal Seal!]The unicorn eximed, and simultaneously, all the magic circles constructed by the Royal Seal spread across the sky came to a stop immediately.However, that was not the end. They had only managed to stop the magic meant to make the volcanoes erupt; the Dragon was very much alive and breathing.At least Ive managed toplete the first stage. Now, onto the next.Yeomyeong ced the rod on the Royal Seal and dove towards the Dragon.Although he couldn''t fly around like Mara, he could ride the massive flow of mana emanating from the Royal Seal.[Go, Virgin! You are the only one who can put a stop to that Dragons madness!]Mana burst forth from the Royal Seal, propelling him forward.As a sh of light blinded his eyes, a multitude of varying sensations pierced through Yeomyeong''s body simultaneously.Mana from the Royal Seal, light from the handle, the unicorns will, and the Dragons rage.[How dare an Earthian defile the token of dwarves!!]The Dragon swung its foreleg at Yeomyeong as he dove towards it.Just as the massive, scaled arm was about to strike him, mana surged from Yeomyeongs sword.[Graaah!!]The scales on the Dragon''s right foreleg split open, and blood sttered. This miracle was a result of his mana enhanced by the World Trees crystal and the eleration of his blood flow.However, the price of striking the Dragons hand in midair was not light.The enormous mass that his sword was unable to block hit Yeomyeongs body, and he plummeted towards the ground.BOOM!!A cloud of dust flew up from the valley floor beneath the Dragons feet.Yeomyeong, who had crashed into the ground, immediately inspected his body.Three ribs and the entire left arm. I took more damage than I expected.Fortunately, thanks to him intentionally concentrating mana in his lower body, his leg bones were intact.He gritted his teeth and got up. When he looked up, the giant dragons eyes were ring down at him.Its reptilian eyes burned with a desire for revenge. Yeomyeong met the Dragons gaze with calm eyes.A misced desire for revenge and a sense of kinship.The two pairs of eyes briefly exchanged emotions. And soon after, the Dragon began to cast a spell.[Companion of the thief.]Fwoosh!!A giant fireball began to descend from above Yeomyeongs head. The zing mes erupted, causing the valley to scream, and dust to kick up.Yeomyeong leaped out through the cloud of dust.Clutching his broken arm, he dashed through the valley.[Repulsive thief, how the hell did you manage to obtain that token?]Apanied by the Dragons words, various spells pursued him. Deadly magic that would guarantee death if even one hit him.[Was it by thievery? Or Are you perhaps a grave robber? Did avarice make you desecrate the dead and steal theirst treasure?]Yet, none of the spells managed to hit Yeomyeong, who evaded them by using the Feather Step. The Dragon bared its teeth and drew more mana.[Answer me, you fly! By what filthy, despicable means were you able to defile the legacy of the Golden Bloodline?]The entire valley trembled under the pressure of the Dragons mana, and an enormous amount of mes covered the valley.Hey! Lizard! Can you not see me?Zzzzzzzonk!!Maras fist struck the Dragon''s face. The punch filled with crimson mana made the Dragons head turn, and the spells it was preparing scattered all at once.[How dare you, a pest!]The Dragons teeth rattled, and its red scales pped, but it quickly regained its stance in the air.Spit out your neidan and just go to hell!Mara thrust their fist forward once more, and this time, the Dragon prepared for hand-to-handbat instead of magic. Not only did it ready its hands and feet, but its massive tail as well.Whoosh!!As the Dragon,parable in size to a high-rise building, began to move in earnest, an intense wind swept through the valley.The wind strengthened the mes the Dragon had spewed earlier, making them evenrger. Some mes even spread beyond the valley and spilled into the mountains.Zzzzzzzonk!!As the Dragon and Mara shed in the sky and a forest fire began spreading about the valley, Yeomyeong finally met the Saintess who was rushing towards him.Yeomyeong!The Saintess didnt say something clichd like she knew hede back or that she believed in him.Instead, she threw away her rifle and began pouring healing light from both hands.Arrghh, seriously! How the hell do you keep getting yourself this messed up every time you fight!Despite her harsh tone, she had a look of worry as she gave Yeomyeong once over.His skin was red and burned, and his left arm was hanging limp.And despite the severe pain, Yeomyeong replied with his usual calm expression.The Royal Seal has been neutralized. So theres no need to worry about the volcanoes destroying Manchuria now....What? Really?Would I even lie about something like that? But even without the Royal Seal... a dragon is still a dragon.Yeomyeong looked up and observed the fight between the Dragon and Mara. Due to the difference in size, Mara was barely managing to keep up.Unless we manage to take down that creature, the oue wont change by that much. Whether it goes around to make the volcanoes erupt or spreads fire... To prevent any possible trouble from cropping up down the line, we need to fight the Dragon....What should I do?The Saintess asked while gazing in the same direction.The blessing you gave me back when we were fighting Kahal Magdu. Will it be possible to do the same now?Yes. With my remaining mana... I can do it up to three times if I push myself.What about blessings on weapons?I can bestow that one three times more than God Redox''s red blessing. So, about nine times in total?That would be enough. Yeomyeong checked the gradually recovering sensation in his left arm and said,Six on our weapons and one on my body. That should be enough to ughter the Dragon.ughter the Dragon? The Saintess, who only expected them to buy time until the military arrived, swallowed hard.Is that even possible?If it were impossible, I wouldnt even try.His words, full of conviction, seemed somewhat more reliable than any prophecy.
* * *Fighting the dragon was pure agony for Mara.Despite using the Demonic Blood Reversal Technique to squeeze every ounce of their Qi and Blood, the physical limits were proving to be a hindrance.Originally, just a few gestures would be enough for them to have killed the lizard, but instead of counterattacking, they were struggling to avoid its attacks and were now trying to buy time instead.What proved to be the problem was not the Dragons hands and tail, covering the sky, but the sporadic spells it cast.When is that bastarding?Mara gritted their teeth as they narrowly dodged another fiery st that passed by overhead.The irritation surged as they remembered Yeomyeongs face, who had said an opportunity would arrive if they just held on for a few minutes.Could he have fled? No, that cant be true.There was no reason for him to flee aftering this far. It might be different if it was after they defeated the dragon, but right now, the two of them needed to work together.Just as their thoughts began to wander, the Dragon began to gather mana in its mouth.The Dragons BreathThe secret technique of a dragon that was stronger than any magic.Kwaaa!mes spewed out from the Dragons mouth. The zing fire spread in a fan shape, on the verge of engulfing Mara.This crazy bastard.If that hit, they would surely die. Following the warning their instincts were yelling at them, Mara dashed through the air.Behind the one moving at their fastest possible speed, crimson mana extended like aet.Was it because they had squeezed out all their Qi and Blood? Mara barely managed to go beyond the range of the Dragons breath. However, they had no chance to catch their breath.The Dragon pped its wings and chased after Mara. And as it closed the distance, it cast a spell without warning.A ring of mes and chains of fire covered the sky, all aimed towards Mara. Though not as powerful, their purpose was clear.To bind their legs so they could no longer escape.[Now die, you wretched fly!]While Maras feet were bound by the spell, the Dragon opened its mouth at a range that Mara could not escape from.Gooooohhh The mes of its breath surged up its neck.Damn, using the Divine Art here is a bit too muchJust as Mara began to prepare hisst move, and the very moment the Dragon was sure of his victory, a red light surged from the opposite cliff.Distracted by the light, the Dragon forgot to unleash its Dragons breath. No, it had no choice but to be.Pure red mana. Mana symbolizing a being from beyond the Dimensional Portal, not from Earth.[O God Redox?]As it gazed at the cliff in disbelief, a familiar human appeared in the Dragons line of sightthe Earthian who had seized control of the Royal Seal using the token of the Uragan bloodline.Crimson light was shimmering from his body.It was an unbelievable sight. An invader from Earth possessed the blessing of a god.[How dare, how dare, how dare! An Earthian imitate the divine light!!]The Dragon denied the reality taking ce before its eyes. An Earthian receiving a divine blessing? Could there be a more horrifying joke?Yes, it must be an illusion spella disgusting trick to obscure its eyes.Theres no way God would bestow its blessings upon Earth, the birthce ofmunism, let alone on an Earthian.All Earthians were unbelievers. They scorned religion as the opium of people and openly disregarded the gods.After all, how many temples did Stalin burn to the ground, and how many holy relics didmunists taint? How dare they! How dare![This is sphemy!]The Dragon frantically began gathering its mana, preparing its Dragon''s Breath to erase the sphemous being from this world.However, that Earthian was not afraid. He did not flee.Instead, he drew a blue dagger from his pocket and, with his hands hanging by his sides, prepared to confront him.Was he nning on facing the Dragons mes head on? Orsay Taboul scoffed at his arrogance and prepared to breathe fire. Or rather, it intended to.Bang!Just as the Dragon was about to take its final breath, someone fired a bullet from behind.It was A white bullet simr to the one that had managed to pierce its eye.The Dragon closed its mouth reflexively and raised its hand to block the bullet. The bullet bounced off its scales, leaving only a small scratch behind.However, that caused it to miss the timing for its pre-emptive attack.The Earthian, who had mimicked the divine blessing, twisted his waist and swung his sword.The iron sword in his right hand and the dagger in his left shed through the air simultaneously.Swaaak!Along the de path of red blessing, starlight erupted.Comet Sword. The brilliant Sword Aura flew towards the Dragons wings like beams of light.
Chapter 61: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (5)
Chapter 61: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (5)* * *As the starlight brushed past its wings, the Dragon shut its eyes tight.Was it due to the fear of crashing to the ground? No, that wasn''t it. Then, was it due to the pain from the wounds? That wasn''t it either.It was because of the shame. Yes, the sensation of plummeting to the ground brought back memories that Orsay Taboul never wanted to recollect.Decades ago, it had dauntlessly charged into the Soviet air defense system, carrying a noble king on its back.All because of its childish desire to recreate the ancient legend of a hero defeating the Demon King to restore peace.It was a childish thought, but the noble king apanied the dragon as it crossed the Kaesong Dimensional Portal.As they flew across the skies of underdeveloped Korea, the Dragon was assured of their victory as they headed towards Moscow.The anti-aircraft guns were unable to pierce its scales, and the fighter jets called MIG1 were mere scraps of metal in the face of its breath.Just as the ancient hero had done, it was confident that it could burn down the Demon King''s castle, the Earthians called the Kremlin2, and defeat the Demon King named Stalin.However, it didn''t take long for it to realize that those thoughts were nothing but arrogant.The air defense system of the Soviets was qualitatively different from those of China and Korea.For one of the superpowers dividing the Earth, a single dragon was nothing more than a moving target to test theirtest weapons and new air defense systems. Nothing more, nothing less.Fighter jets flying at supersonic speeds and anti-aircraft missiles filled the sky.The Dragon tried its best to resist, but that was all it could do.Even the mighty dragon''s magic and the king''s magic tool were unable to block the relentless barrage.And even before they could see the skies of Moscow, Orsay Taboul and the king were struck by a missile.The horrifying shrapnel warhead shattered the protective shield, and the explosive mes ripped its right wing apart.And just like that, the Dragon, who had lost a wing, and the noble king...Fell.BOOM!!As its massive body crashed, the entire valley trembled.Pain shot up the Dragon''s spine as it collided with the ash-covered ground, but it ignored the pain and protected its nape.[No! I can''t let that happen again!!]The ce where the king would have been seated.The king it was supposed to protect had long been buried in the grave, yet its mind was still trapped in the distant past.The Dragon unleashed its magic in a fit of rage.It erected a wall of fire, reinforced with a protective shield at its foot, to keep the fighter jets and missiles at bay. This was a countermeasure it had rehearsed hundreds of times in its mind.It was the best means for blocking missiles, but the enemy wasn''t neither the Soviet military nor the fighter jets. It was a Superhuman who could pass through the wall of fire with just his bare body.Tap.The one who had severed the Dragon''s wing leaped off the cliff andnded on the protective shield.The Dragon sensed the footsteps, filled with mana and blessings, dashing across the shield. He was targeting its head and neck.Thinking of the Sword Aura that had severed his wing, the Dragon immediately dispelled the shield and rose. As soon as its massive body moved, the entire valley trembled.Yeomyeongs figure was reflected in the Dragon''s vertically slit pupils as hended on the ground. Immediately after, heat began to gather in the corners of the Dragon''s mouth.KW AAAAHHHH!!The Dragons Breath it shot out was weaker than before, but much faster. The red mes surged like waves, engulfing the valley.And the next moment, Yeomyeong swung his arms simultaneously.Two des shed simultaneously, and blue swordlight shot straight at the breath, colliding with it.Boom!An intense shockwave erupted, causing the air to scream. The Dragon''s narrowed eyes red at Yeomyeong, who was bracing himself against the shockwave.Both the divine blessing enveloping him, and the Sword Aura, felt otherworldly, as if it did not belong to this Earth.Although it was hard to believe, all the evidence before it pointed to one thing.[The gods... have rejected my desire for vengeance. And at the hands of an Earthian, no less.]Yeomyeong neither confirmed nor denied its assumption. He simply stood still, watching the Dragon as it steadied its posture.[You insignificant pest, thief, and Earthian blessed by the gods.]Mana began to swirl in front of the Dragon. Dozens of spells wove together filled the burning valley.[Do you also deny my desire for vengeance?]It wasnt seeking an answer. It obviously was one of those questions asked for the purpose of self-justification.However, Yeomyeong''s response was enough to startle the Dragon."No, in my opinion... your revenge is justified."[...What?]Yeomyeong raised his sword. Unlike the Comet Sword, which was an Arcane Relic, the mercenary groups standard-issue iron sword was so worn that it wouldnt be surprising if it broke at any moment.Being able to use the Comet Sword with both hands meant that he probably had just two more chances.As Yeomyeong made a rough estimate of his remaining chances, the Dragon asked.[Then why are you stopping me?]"Because the target of your revenge is wrong."[...]"If you had flown to Moscow instead, I would''ve just just sat back and watched. If you had gone on a rampage, trying to kill the surviving Soviets, I might''ve even cheered you on."Behind the Dragon''s head, Yeomyeong saw Mara flying in with a strange expression on their face. The n was still on track. So far, at least.Yeomyeong gathered his mana and made onest attempt to draw the Dragon''s attention."But venting out on innocent people... that is something I can''t agree with. That''s all there is to it.[...Is that so, that''s all?]The conversation didn''t continue beyond that. The Dragon swung its hand, unleashing the magic it prepared.Just as all kinds of mes were about to engulf Yeomyung.Mara, the Saintess, and the mercenaries all targeted the Dragon''s back simultaneously.
* * *Whoosh!!mes brushed past his back. Although he narrowly dodged them, he couldn''t escape the searing pain of burning flesh.Swallowing the scream that was rising up his throat, Yeomyeong kept running.He was the only one present who could pierce the Dragon''s scales and bring it down.He swallowed the pain as he inhaled and unleashed his mana as he exhaled. He closed the distance between him and the Dragon, across the burning valley, in an instant.OooooohhhhAs if it were waiting, the Dragon opened its mouth wide, preparing to unleash the Dragons Breath on Yeomyung. Or rather, it tried to.At that very moment, Mara descended from the sky and struck the Dragon''s snout."Just die already!"The momentum behind their punch forced the Dragons mouth shut and iplete breath leaked from between the Dragon''s teeth.However, it didnt stop there. Mara continued to pummel the Dragon''s head relentlessly. Even in Yeomyeong''s eyes, the series of martial arts moves they disyed were extraordinary, overwhelming the Dragons senses.But the Dragon wasn''t just taking the hits. As it staggered, it unleashed a weakened Dragons Breath, just like before.KWAAAAAAHHH!Mara unfortunately lost their bnce due to the sudden burst of mes just as they were striking the Dragon''s snout.Without missing a beat, the Dragon''s thick tail swatted Mara away like a fly."Kugh!"They were sent flying across the valley. And judging by the mana, they probably werent dead, but it didnt seem like they would be returning to the fight anytime.Seemingly aware of this, the Dragon didnt even bother to check on Mara, instead turning its attention back to Yeomyung.Filled with the determination not to let Yeomyung get close enough to strike with his Sword Aura, the Dragon once again began to gather its breath.The Dragons gaping jaw came into view, but Yeomyeong didnt stop his advance.After all, there were others ready to help this time as well.Bang!A blessed, glowing bullet struck the Dragon''s open mouth. Ignoring it, the Dragon continued to gather its breath, but it was unable to ignore what came next.Rat-ta-tat-a-tat!Though not as powerful as the Saintess'', blessed, glowing bullets rained down on the Dragons head.As the bullets aimed for its eyes, the Dragon had no choice but to react. It turned to the direction the bullets wereing from.Captain Kwon and the Sonjuk Mercenary Group were unleashing their blessed rifles from the opposite cliff."Shoot! Aim for the eyes! Stop that breath attack!"Vice Captain Kim Mansoo shouted as he hurled his hatchet. The blessed, shimmering hatchet flew straight in a straight line, piercing the Dragons scales before lodging itself into its snout.KWA ARRRGHHH!Unable to endure it any longer, the Dragon withdrew its breath.The mes meant for Yeomyeong were now aimed at the mercenaries instead, but Captain Kwon emitted mes from his hands and blocked the magic.In the meantime, Yeomyeong managed to get close enough to the Dragon to use the Sword Aura. Taking note of this, the Dragon took a deep breath, preparing to exhale.The moment their eyes met, a burst of light erupted from Yeomyeongs sword.The Dragon''s right leg split open, spraying blood everywhere. Then, its scales that glittered like red rubies began to fall to the ground with a rustling sound.Although the wound he inflicted was enough to even make a massive dragon feel pain, it wasn''t fatal. It only brought the Dragon down to one knee.[If you wish to kill a dragon with a sword, you should have brought the holy sword instead!!]Converting its pain into fury, the Dragon swiped its foreleg at Yeomyung. Using the Feather Step, Yeomyeong dodged the dragon''s attack nimbly while preparing for his next Comet Sword strike.Perhaps this would be hisst.Thud, thud, thud!Not content with just using its foreleg, the Dragon also swung its tail and pped its still-functional left wing.Unlike Kahal Magdu, which was only left with its skeletal remains, this attack relied on the dragons sheer mass as a weapon.The ground trembled. And with every move of the Dragon''s massive body, gusts of wind whipped around, and the air, heated by the forest fire, scorched Yeomyeong''s lungs relentlessly.Not yet, it''s not time yet.Yeomyeong continued dodging the Dragon''s attacks, desperately waiting for the perfect moment.His blood, amplified by the Blood Flow eleration, surged with mana, stimting his brain, and the overflowing adrenaline kept his mind sharp.Soon, the elerated thoughts and cold logic converged into a single sword path....Huff.Yeomyeong took a short breath. And the next moment, he poured all the mana he had been saving into his sword without reservation.sh!Starlight burst forth from the sword. It was the very same Comet Sword that had made Freya Cahn a hero in Australia.It was a strike with his whole heart and soul in it, but even in the face of the Sword Aura, the Dragon remained confident of its victory.The reason was simple. That Sword Aura wouldnt be able to kill it.The Comet Sword''s Sword Aura shed through the Dragon''s left leg instead of its chest or neck.The massive body lost its bnce and toppled, but even this was not a fatal blow.If Yeomyung could manage one more sword strike, perhaps the oue would be different, but...[How unfortunate! You wasted yourst opportunity in this manner!]Unable to withstand the Sword Aura it had unleashed, Yeomyeongs iron sword shattered.He still had the blue dagger left, but would a single dagger be able to replicate the power of the Sword Aura from before?[Victory is mine, human.]Pressing its massive body against the ground, the red dragon, Orsay Taboul, dered its victory. Though its wings were severed, and it could no longer walk on two legs, its opponent had exhausted all options and still failed to bring it down.Unless someone brought in a missile, it was impossible to prate the Dragons scales[You dont know how to give up, I see.]Discarding the broken sword, Yeomyeong started running towards Orsay Taboul. The Dragon paid its respects to his unyielding determination to the very end.Which meant that it unleashed all its magic on Yeomyung.Whoosh!!mes engulfed his body. A fireball tore off his arm, and a spear of mes pierced his side.Yet, Yeomyeong did not stop. He unceasingly regenerated his wounds as he drew closer to the Dragon.Could it be that he was nning to unleash a half-powered Sword Aura at close range? It was a desperate, almost pitiable struggle.[What a meaningless effort.]A massive amount of heat gathered at the Dragons moutha Dragons Breath attack, befitting its final tribute to itsst opponent.Just as the Dragons jaws began to open.Something bright shot towards Yeomyung from the cliff above."Yeomyung! Catch!"The Remington MH750 a rifle Jang Man had prepared for Yeomyeong, glowing as if blessed by God."Finish it!"The Saintess'' shout echoed throughout the valley as Yeomyeong grabbed hold of the rifle.Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.m!Just before the Dragon could unleash its breath attack, the shotgun st struck the inside of its mouth.It wasnt just some ordinary iron buckshot. The bullets were specially treated with magic and imbued with various blessings, making them custom-made ammunition.[Graaaah!!]The Dragon''s inner mouth tore apart, and unable to endure the pain, it turned its head away. The breath attack dispersed into the air in vain.Yeomyeong leaped onto the Dragon''s snout as it faltered.The Dragon desperately tried to shake Yeomyung off, shaking its head and iling about.However, Yeomyeong was a little quicker. His shotgun roared once more.m! m!With the final ze of the buckshot, the Dragons vision faded to ck.The valley echoed with the screams of the Dragon, having lost its wings, legs, and now its sight.1. Soviet Union fighter jet manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich.2. The Moscow Kremlin, or simply the Kremlin, is a fortifiedplex in Moscow, Russia. Located in the centre of the country''s capital city, it is the best known of the kremlins and includes five pces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall along with the Kremlin towers.
Chapter 62: Revenge Is Reserved For The Ones Who Seek It... (6)
* * *"So, how have you been doingtely?"The Foreman asked me as he poured a drink. An old brand of soju that was hard to find filled the ss."It feels like I''m going to die from exhaustion."I answered, half sighing and halfining.Ever since Mignium had resurrected me, I hadn''t had a single day of peace. Fighting, killing... and I even fought a dragon recently."Just like when you first started learning the ropes of the janitor''s job huh?"...Eyyyy, it''s not as bad as it was back then."I scratched the back of my head as I thought of the time when I was still a naive child, and everything was unfamiliar.Did they say that the cost of the equipment I broke back then exceeded the amount of sry James would earn over three months?Everyone in the Janitor Guild called me a walking disaster.Perhaps the Foreman was also reminiscing about those days, as he chuckled and took a sip of his drink. The pungent scent of diluted soju filled the air."Dung Beetle."The Foreman, who had emptied his ss, called out to me. His voice, always pleasant to hear, was like that of a pine tree."Yes, Chief.""If it''s too difficult, you can just quit."Quit? With so many people left to kill, how can I just quit like that?I blinked as I responded."...I haven''t even started yet.""That''s why it''s the perfect time to quit. You haven''t killed anyone famous yet, so you could stop here and start a new life with a new identity.""...""And suppose you kill someone, even if it''s not the president but a minister, what do you think the world will see you as?""...Ill be seen as a terrorist who killed a minister, I suppose.""And will you be okay with that?"Would I be okay with that? For the first time, I raised my head and looked the Foreman straight in the eye.His eyes, wrinkled at the corners, were filled with concern as they met mine."If you fail, you''ll lose your life, and if you seed, you won''t have a future. You''ll live the rest of your life being chased. Is that really the kind of life you want to live?"Instead of replying, I picked up the bottle and walked towards the Foreman.As I quietly refilled his ss, words I hadn''t intended to say slipped out."...Then what should I do? Should I forgive them?"Though I hadn''t poured that much, the ss overflowed all of a sudden.Having nowhere else to go, the spilled liquor dripped down like tears."Should I justify it by saying the dead are already dead, and then cast aside all the remaining pain and resentment... And then what?""You should live the life we couldn''t.""...""Why not buy the supercar Chunsik always wished to drive? Opening the fried chicken store that James dreamed of wouldn''t be a bad idea either.""Chief.""Oh, and dont be like Deokbae. You should date, get married... Wake up to see your wife''s face every morning, fall asleep looking at your children, live a peaceful life... Even experience the heartache of dealing with rebellious teenage kids."The life that the janitors dreamed of. I looked at the now full ss and replied."If you were the one who lived and I died... could you have lived that kind of life, Chief?"It was a brash question to ask.Did he not expect me to ask such a question? The Foreman fell silent for a moment, before smiling broadly as he answered."No, I wouldn''t be able to live like that. I would have probably tried to nt bombs in the National Assembly and Gyeongmudae.""Hey, hey. Is that how one looks at their elders?"The Foreman clicked his tongue and I let out a long sigh."Even though its been a while since I''ve seen you, you keep saying strange things instead of encouraging me.""Strange things, you say? You little rascal, every word I just said came straight from my heart.""...""But since thats the type of person I am, I can''t just bring myself to tell you to give up on revenge now, can I?"The Foreman reached out and ced his hand on my shoulder. Amidst the familiar smell of alcohol, I could feel his rough palm."Dung Beetle... no, Yeomyeong.""Yes.""I will understand whatever choice you make. But"As his palm brushed my face, my vision blurred, and the smell of alcohol faded away."We just want you to be happy."And before I could reply, the Foreman downed hisst drink.He had already emptied a whole bottle. I nced around, searching for another bottle, but I saw nothing.There was nothing but suffocating darkness enveloping us."Chief...?"I turned back to look at him, but only an empty ss remained where he had been sitting.It was only then that I realizedThat I, Yeomyeong, the Dung Beetle of the Janitor Guild who had inherited the Foreman''s surnameWas waking up from a dream.
* * *As soon as he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kim Mansoo''s face, full of dirt and sweat. The moment he saw Yeomyeongs eyes open, he shouted in surprise."Yeomyeong! Are you awake?"Ah, Yeomyeong finally came to his senses and took a deep breath. His stalled mind started working again as his parched lungs sucked in oxygen."...The Dragon? What happened to the Dragon?""Its not dead yet. Its still knocked out, though."As Kim Mansoo said this, he gently raised Yeomyeongs upper body, Allowing him to see the Dragon lying across the valley.Despite having lost its wings, legs, and even its eyes, the Dragon was still breathing. Its life force was incredibly tenacious."Dont worry about it. The military will be able to deal with it once they arrive."While Kim Mansoo tried to reassure Yeomyeong, the other mercenaries gathered around them.None of them looked in good shape, especially Captain Kwon, who had severe burns and blisters all over his body, likely from facing the Dragon''s breath directly."Hows Yeomyeongs condition? Does he need to be evacuated immediately?"Of course, it was nothingpared to Yeomyeong, who had taken the brunt of the breath head-on."...I guess Im somewhat okay.""Somewhat?"Captain Kwon looked incredulous upon hearing his response. Yeomyeong''s condition was serious enough to leave any doctor shocked."Itll take me about 10 minutes(?) to recover."He could recover from severe injuries like this in just 10 minutes?All the mercenaries looked at Yeomyeong in disbelief. But Yeomyeong began to heal rapidly, as if backing his words.The burns, which were difficult to cure, started healing in real-time, and new skin grew. Seeing this, Captain Kwon sighed in relief."Well, thats a relief. At least we wont be losing the hero who saved Manchuria in this ce."The hero who saved ManchuriaIt was a somewhat cringeworthy expression, but none of those gathered here seemed to think it was inurate.Without Yeomyeong... Manchuria would have undoubtedly been destroyed.Yet, despite achieving such a feat, Yeomyeongs expression wasnt bright."Its not over yet. Theres still..."Just as he was about to give them an exnation, someone fell from the sky.Thump!Cloaked in dark red mana like a mantle over their tattered winter coat, Maranded amidst Yeomyeong and the mercenaries."Hello?"A smile spread across their androgynous face. The mercenaries tensed up, but they didnt disy their hostility immediately.Partly because they had just teamed-up to fight against the dragon, but mainly because of the vast difference in strength.Things might have been different if they were all in perfect condition, but right now, there was no guarantee that they would emerge victorious in a fight against him.Of course, the mercenaries thoughts didnt matter to Mara. They only looked at Yeomyeong and spoke."Cheon Yeomyeong, you remember our agreement, right?""...Yes, I remember.""As promised, Ill be taking the dragons neidan no, its heart."The dragons heart? Captain Kwon subtly raised his eyebrows but didnt take any further action.Because Yeomyeong nodded as if it was only natural."Fine, the heart is yours. Take it."But Mara didnt fly to the dragon immediately. Instead, they alternated their nces between the dragon and Yeomyeong before letting out a smallugh."Im surprised that youre giving it up so easily. Was the fight with the dragon more difficult than you expected?""...Im just keeping my promise.""A promise, huh..."Mara trailed off as they began to gather their mana, causing all the mercenaries to stand up abruptly."But as I recall, we also agreed to postpone our fight. Remember?"Immediately, something shed in Mara''s hand. In sync with the sh of light, mes erupted from Captain Kwon''s hand, who was standing at the front.Boom!!A shockwave,parable to that of a bomb sting, erupted as the mes and palm st collided."Block them!"The mercenary closest to Mara threw a dagger at them as the shockwave hit him. And the next instant, Mara used their index and middle fingers to catch the dagger with ease.With a slight flick of their wrist, they sent the dagger flying back to its owner. The dagger, that shot forward like a bolt of lightning, sliced through the mercenarys shoulder.One down.Mara didnt stop there. They shot palm st at another mercenary who was raising his rifle.Both the rifle and the mercenarys shoulder were destroyed simultaneously, and the mercenary was sent flying.Now, only two remained.As they prepared their next attack, Kwon Mongjoo charged in. The Captains fiery attack, with mes bursting from his entire body, was impressive, but that was all.Mara swiftly twisted their body to avoid the attack. Then, they immediately threw a punch at Captain Kwon''s face as he lost his bnce.Teeth broke, and blood sttered, but Captain Kwon did not retreat. Instead, as if intending to incinerate himself, he intensified the mes enveloping him and clung to Mara."Are you trying to self-destruct?"Mara sneered at his desperate attempt and took a step back. Then, they spread their palm and unleashed a palm st from a distance beyond the mes reach.First, they shattered both of Captain Kwons knees, then broke his shoulders, and finally crushed his ribs.And just like that, Captain Kwon Mongjoo copsed to the ground in less than ten seconds.To be precise, it took them less than a minute to defeat all four elite members of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.Mara bobbed his head towards Kim Mansoo, who stood between him and Yeomyeong."How should I kill you?"Kim Mansoo did not reply. He simply gripped hisst remaining hatchet tightly and red at Mara."I like that look in your eyes, you bastard. Alright, Ill gouge your eyes."Mara spread their fingers and prepared tounch another palm st. As they gathered mana and were about tounch their attack...!!Something pierced their chest. Blood spurted from the gaping wound in their chest btedly.Mara finally turned around. A white hand holding a revolver appeared in space that was empty just moments ago."Saintess... you fucking bitch...""Sorry, I have this condition where I just shoot any fucking bastard Ie across."A provocation so crude that it was hard to believe that it came from the mouth of a Saintess.Mara fired off a palm st sporadically, but the Saintess disappeared behind her Invisibility Cloak again."Saintess! Do you think I can''t kill you just because you''re hiding behind that damn cloak?"Mara clutched their bleeding chest and shouted. Although the bullet missed their heart by a fine margin, even this level of injury was too much for their frail body to withstand.It was a crisis as dire as facing the dragon. The sense of ease that had filled their mind was reced by cold, clear thoughts.Its impossible to find the Saintess right away. I need to kill Yeomyeong first. If he manages to recover, my chances will be...Just as they turned their head while thinking of Yeomyeong, Yeomyeong suddenly stood up.The sight of him being unable to move a single finger disappeared like a mirage; and now, in his hand was the blue dagger that unleashed the Comet Sword."What?"He said it would take him ten minutes to recover...As the thought crossed Mara''s mind, a blue light shed from Yeomyeong''s hand.A cold blue dagger pierced through their throat.And that was thest sensation Mara ever felt.
Chapter 63: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination
Do you know the wisest way to deal with individuals society cannot handle?It is to create even more individuals that society cannot handle.Queenie Cowan''s answer to the question: Why build an academy?
* * *
Captain Kwon Mongjoo awakened in pain.He tried to get up instinctively, but his body wouldn''t budge. Slowly, he channeled his mana and began to assess his physical condition.All the bones in my limbs are shattered, and not a single organ has remained unharmed. Its a miracle that Im still alive.It wasnt until he saw the catheters and IVs connected all over his body that he realized he was still alive.If he were an ordinary person, he would have been crippled for life, but even a Superhuman would need at least six months to recover from such injuries.He calmly epted the state his body was in.He had been a mercenary for way too long to be swayed by such injuries.In this line of work, it was not umon for a colleague you shared breakfast with to end up in a coffin by dinner.Rather than being frustrated by injuries of this degree, it was better to be grateful for surviving.Especially when he thought about the enemies he had just foughtAh.Only after thinking that far did Kwon Mongjoo realize what kind of battle he had fought.He had fought against bizarre beings wearing beast heads, a flying Superhuman, a revenge-crazed dragon and saved Manchuria.He was momentarily dumbstruck. Words were not enough to describe the battle he had just fought.Even a mercenary captain with 20 years of experience under his belt was left speechless.None of it felt real. It was like something straight out of a novel, a drama, or some absurd legend from beyond the Dimensional Portal.Cheon Yeomyeong. What happened to that Neer?Kwon Mongjoo thought of the key figure in that battle.The rookie mercenary who had joined them using a fabricated resume, and the hero who had fired a shotgun into the dragon''s eye.And seeing that he was still alive, it was certain that they had somehow managed to defeat the flying SuperhumanRegardless of whether they survived, he first had to resolve his worries.And just before he copsed, Yeomyeong looked even more battered than him.Luckily, he didnt have to look too far to resolve it."Captain? You''re awake."A familiar voice came from the bed beside the one Kwon Mongjoo was lying on.Enduring the sharp pain, he turned his head and saw a young man sitting on an identical sickbed."How are you feeling?"Golden eyes gleamed from his unscathed face.Even though his injuries were clearly more severe when hest saw him, Yeomyeongs bed didnt even have an IV drip.It meant he was alreadypletely healed. Captain Kwon asked in disbelief."How many days has it been since the battle?"Four days.Four days?Those wounds healed in four days? No, judging by his rxed demeanor, he must have healed a while back.And whenpared to the neer... he himself had only just regained his senses?Kwon Mongjoo sighed in resignation as he realized the difference in their physical capabilities. However, he felt neither inferiority nor jealousy.He wasnt foolish enough to feel such emotions towards apanion with whom he shared a near death experience.Instead, what he felt was akin to awe.Yeomyeong.Kwon Mongjoo asked Yeomyeong, who seemed deep in thought.Would it be rude if I were to ask about your true identity?At first, he thought Yeomyeong was just a random drifter who simply joined the mercenary group with a fake resume.However, not only had he fought alongside the Saintess against Kahal Magdu on his very first mission, but he also managed to cut the dragon''s ribs.While the Manchurian military and the dwarf were focused on his rtionship with the Saintess, Kwon Mongjoo saw it differently. In his eyes, Yeomyeong held more significance than the Saintess.He couldn''t exin why... It was just a gut feeling the same feeling that had saved him multiple times in war.In conclusion, his feeling wasnt wrong. Along with the mercenary group, Yeomyeong found the Golden Seal, fought a crazed dragon, and saved the whole of Manchuria.They were achievements that were hard to believe even after witnessing it firsthand. No, it was even harder to believe because he had witnessed the battle with his own eyes.However, Yeomyeong seemed to feel no particr emotion about his achievementsor perhaps, he pretended not to.Yeomyeong simply shrugged his shoulders."I''m Cheon Yeomyeong. You know that, right?""You know thats not what I meant by that. In my 20 years as a mercenary Ive only ever met one person like you."This was a memory from over a decade ago, back when Kwon Mongjoo was still a novice.In those chaotic days, one Superhuman around Yeomyeong''s age from South America had aplished simr feats.Could he be that persons child? Probably not. Although theyd be around Yeomyeongs age if that person had a child, there was no resemnce in their appearance.However, what about his background? There werent many ces that could produce a Superhuman with such talent at this age.Thinking along those lines, his connection with the Saintess seemed the most noteworthy.The Superhuman in Kwon Mongjoos memory was a holy knight secretly sent to Earth by the Holy Nation."Please, tell me because this might affect the future of our mercenary group.""Is my identity really that important?""As you know, the Korean government is not fond of mercenary groups from foreign countries or beyond the Dimensional Portal. If your identity is what I think it is, you might have to leave Korea.""And who do you think I am?""Are you a holy knight sent by the Holy Nation?"Kwon Mongjoo had a serious look as he waited for Yeomyeongs response.But contrary to his expectations, Yeomyeong looked genuinely confused, as if he had no idea what Captain Kwon was talking about."A holy knight? Me? I cant even use Holy Power.""But arent you the only one among us who was able to receive the Saintess'' blessing?""Everyone received the healing blessing.""Im talking about the blessing of the Red God. A blessing like that cant be epted by just anyone unless they possess a Holy Relic or something simrOn reaching that point, Kwon Mongjoo suddenly fell silent. He let out a long sigh before speaking again.Huff I see. You probably arent allowed to reveal your true identity. My greed has made me behave rudely. Forget what I just asked you."Yeomyeong blinked as he watched Kwon Mongjoo ask a question and then arrive at a conclusion all by himself.No, I really have nothing to do with the SaintessI finally understand why the Saintess'' mother stopped when she was trying to kill you."Uh thats."Yeomyeong tried to find the right words, but he realized there was no way to clear up the misunderstanding without revealing an even bigger truth.So, he kept his mouth shut, which Kwon Mongjoo interpreted as a silent confirmation.As I thought.A small misunderstanding hung between them, filling the room with a heavy silenceuntil the Saintess and Darulma entered the room.
* * *"Hey! Greet your visitor!"A loud, frivolous voice greeted them as the door to the recovery room was flung open.It was the unmistakable sound of someone kicking the door.Captain Kwon stared at the door in shock as the Saintess entered the room, her long, straight white hair cascading down to her waist.She was now dressed in a dazzling priestess robe that was nothing like the in, loose-fitting attire she usually woretruly befitting the title of Saintess."Saintess?"However, the first to greet her, as she posed like a model with her chin raised, wasn''t Yeomyeong but Captain Kwon, who was hooked up to all sorts of IVs."Oh This isn''t a private room?"Her frivolous atmosphere vanished in an instant. And as if nothing happened, the Saintess cleared her throat and turned her head to adjust her clothing.While Captain Kwon struggled to hide his bewilderment, a dwarf followed her into the room.It was Darulma Dune, the investor of the mercenary group and the chaebol from Dungan Heavy Industries.With an expression that made it hard to tell whether he had grown used to the Saintess antics or had simply resigned himself, he entered the room and asked Yeomyeong and Captain Kwon a question."How are the two of you feeling?"It was just a perfunctory question as he could obviously tell by just looking at them."Not bad.""So-so."They both gave perfunctory responses as well. Darulma plopped down in a chair in the recovery room and continued the conversation."What would you like to hear about first? Business or the situation with the mercenary group?""Let''s start with the mercenary group."It was Captain Kwon who answered the dwarf as Yeomyeong was too busy raising a pillow to fend off the Saintess, who was trying to sit on his bed.Watching them bicker for a moment, Darulma massaged his temples and spoke."The situation with the mercenary group is neither bad nor good. Most of our elite are admitted in the hospital after this mission, but the military is blocking the other mercenary groups, so thats something.""The military?""It''s an overt show of goodwill as we have something they desire.""The dragon."Captain Kwon sighed. First, they tried to take it by force, and now they were trying to y nice."Well, you wont have to worry about the military or other mercenaries for a while. Theyre too busy rebuilding North Manchuria. And most importantly"Darulma turned his gaze towards Yeomyeong."Instead of us, theyll have to negotiate with someone else regarding the dragon. Isnt that right?"Captain Kwon understood Darulmas ultimate motive. It was Yeomyeong who had defeated the dragon, and thus, the rights also belonged to him.Of course, the mercenary group and the Saintess had indeed aided, but no one could deny that Yeomyeong had yed the most important role."The only other problem is the reporters.""Reporters?"Those damned war correspondents. Kwon Mongjoo sighed. It was obvious what they were up to."Everyone in the mercenary group is busy avoiding the reporters, all because of their so-called right to know, or whatever they im it to be.""What about the Vice Captain?"Asked Captain Kwon, thinking of Kim Mansoo, who had faredparatively better. Darulma shrugged."Vice Captain Kim Mansoo was the first to nearly lose his mind. He looked like he was on the verge of chopping off a limb to hide in the recovery room.""""But I dont believe hes that foolish. Thats why hes the Vice Captain, isnt he?"Darulma turned to Yeomyeong, who had finally managed to push the Saintess off his bed."Anyway Cheon Yeomyeong-gun?"Despite the Saintess scowling and pointing fingers at him, Yeomyeong, who had managed to protect his bed, turned to Darulma."Yes, Darulma.""It would be good if we could talk privately, just the two of us. The more secretive a business discussion, the better. When can we arrange a meeting?""Lets do it right now. Where should we go?"As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, the Saintess interrupted."Wait, wait! What about the discussion with me?""...Huh? What discussion?"That was definitely not the way one looked at a Saintess Darulma thought to himself as he observed Yeomyeong''s expression.Regardless, the Saintess pulled out a small envelope from within her priestess robe."Yeomyeong, do you n to continue with the mercenary work? Or do you want to y in a bigger pond?""A bigger pond?"Seeing that she had piqued his interest, the Saintess grinned as she opened the envelope.Inside, it was something Yeomyeong had seen once before.An ornate paper decorated with a luxurious design, filled with spaces for personal informationan application form.To be precise, it was the Lord Howe Academy Application Form."Why dont you apany me to the academy?"
Chapter 64: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (2)
* * *Morning was the same as usual for Margan, the only dwarf teacher at Lord Howe Academy.As always, he woke up at 6 a.m. And after tidying up his bedding a bit, he started the day with a cup of strong barley tea while ncing through some news online.He didnt have any specific news portal he frequented.On some days, he read The Wall Street Journal; other days, News Corp Oceania.Depending on his mood, he would simply browse through different news portals to pass his time.However, it was almost like it was fated for him to read the Goryeo1 Times today.A provocative headline in the Superhumans section of the Goryeo Times happened to catch his attention.
Korea Made Proud Defeating the Dragon of Manchuria.
An exaggerated, grandiose title.His curiosity getting the better of him, Margan clicked on the article.He leisurely sipped his barley tea as he read the news but the result was as expected.A typical article filled overwhelmingly with patriotism, exaggerated nonsense and self-praise.Margan chuckled in disbelief after he finished the article.The article imed that a medium-sized mercenary group called the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, along with the Korean military, had defeated a dragon hiding in Manchuria?It was unbelievable enough to even make a passing dog snicker.It was already hard to believe that a dragon had been hiding in Manchuria for decades, let alone defeating it without any casualties.Utter nonsense.Of course, it was surely embarrassing to have their base in North Manchuria raided by terrorists recently, but did they really need to publish a fake article like this just to save face?Tsk, tsk. Margan clicked his tongue and skimmed through the rted articles.However, the rest of the articles were no different. No, in fact, some were even worse.From the ridiculous im that the Saintess participated in the conquest to the absurd story that it was a rookie mercenary who personally defeated the dragon.It was nothing new to see the South Korean government self-praising themselves, but this this was a bit over the top, wasnt it?Even jokes should have their limits.As Margan chuckled to himself for a while, a sudden thought popped into his head.A joke.If a dwarf like him found it funny, how would the Earthian teachers react?Margan didnt ponder for long.With the decisiveness characteristic of dwarves, he printed the article and headed to the faculty office to share it with the other teachers.His prediction was spot on. As soon as they saw the article, the entire office burst into lightughter.- Ha, they should be restoring North Manchuria, but what''s this now- Is Korea going through tough times these days?- If this story about the rookie mercenary is true, why isn''t he at our academy but in Manchuria?- Shouldnt the admissions director go and personally bring him in?Half sneer, half incredulous. Seeing his colleagues''ughter, Margan felt satisfied.Who knew that a few ridiculous articles could lighten up the stiff atmosphere of the faculty office? It seemed like today would be a good day.HoweverUnfortunately, the mood didnt linger for long. Not long after, an uninvited guest arrived at the faculty office.The Holy Sword, Freya Cahn.With her hair tied up roughly and not even having washed her face, she staggered into the office and slouched onto the sofa, saying that she would wait for the principal.Used to the Holy Sword''s unconstrained behavior, most teachers paid her no mind, but not everyone was unaffected.O Mordak Is the Holy Sword really in front of me?Margan was one of those teachers. He fidgeted nervously as he stared at Freya Cahn.The Holy Sword. The Superhuman he respected the mostsomeone who had raised her voice for the sake of the dwarves in Australia.S-should I ask for an autograph? Or perhaps a photo?Having forgotten about preparing for his ss and, after some contemtion, Margan stood up with a determined look.L-lets at least try to start with a conversation. Humor is always a good icebreaker, right?He approached Freya Cahn with the printed article in hand."Excuse me, Freya Cahn?""Hmm? Whats it?""You seem bored. So, would you like to read this article? You might find it interesting."What the hell was that? Would you like to read this article? Are you a newspaper vendor? Margan sighed inwardly.It was not like he was some middle schooler handing over a love letter to a crushwhat kind of disgrace was this?However, contrary to his worries, Freya Cahns reaction was not negative."N interestin'' article? Whats it bout, mate?""Uh, its about a dragon being defeated in Manchuria."As soon as he said the word Manchuria, she swiftly grabbed the article. Her uncovered eye sparkling with interest.He felt relieved on seeing that her interest was piqued. Margan took a deep breath and began preparing for the next part of the conversation.If the Holy Sword guffaws, Ill join in; if she only chuckles, Ill follow up with another joke.Unfortunately, the Holy Swords reaction was the exact opposite of what he had anticipated.Her lips did curve upward but it wasnt a sneer.Rather, it was pure joy and surprise."Crikey, this lil bugger really killed a dragon?""Pardon?"Did she really believe that absurd article?While Margan was bewildered, the Holy Sword squinted her eye and stared intently at the photo in the article."Ah, I shoulda seized him back den an made him mai apprentice."What? An apprentice?Digging into his ears and ncing around, Margan wondered if he had misheard. However, the other teachers had simr reactions.In particr, the admissions directors gaze was serious; he looked at Freya Cahn with an expression akin to Caesar as he was betrayed by Brutus2.If things go wrong, Ill be the one taking the me.Alternating his gaze between the Holy Sword and the admissions director, Margan spoke up cautiously."Um Holy Sword? What do you mean by apprentice?""Hmm? Nothin'' special, really. You see duh bloke in this photo, yeah?"The Holy Sword pointed to the picture of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. To be precise, she was pointing at the mercenary with golden eyes standing among the mercenaries.Margan recognized the face. It was the rookie mercenary who was said to have yed a crucial role in killing the dragon."I tried recruiting im as mai apprentice not too long ago, but he rejected me outright.""""Cheeky bugger. I was wonderin'' what duh hell he was up tah. So thats what hes been atyin'' mercenary, eh?"Looking somewhat amused, Freya Cahn turned her attention to another article with a subtle smile.Regardless of her reaction, the atmosphere in the faculty office grew heavy.The word apprentice was too big of a shock for them.Freya Cahns apprentice. As long as one wasnt a fool, they could easily grasp the meaning behind it.And seeing that there were no fools among those gathered in this office, everyone thought of the same term.The Holy Sword of the next generation.It was a term not to be taken lightly either in Australia or the academy.Oh my God.Feeling the intense stares directed at him, Margan broke out in a cold sweat.ncing sideways, he saw that all the professors in the office were looking at him with an expression that seemed to say, Hurry up and ask.Damn it, I cant even run away now.He swallowed hard and asked Freya Cahn."Um, Miss Freya Cahn. Uh Where did you happen to meet the mercenary you wanted to recruit as an apprentice?""Hmm? Thats confidential."Confidential. It meant it was something rted to government operations. Another mountain to climb.It didnt seem like Freya Cahn was interested in continuing the conversation, but the admissions directors gaze was too intimidating for him to end the questioning there.Margan desperately wracked his mind, trying to think of another question."Then, could you at least tell me his name? Maybe we could make some arrangements on our end. What do you think?""Name? I dont know, eh?""Y-you dont know?""I didn ask for his name. Reckond its enough that he knows mine, eh?"What kind of nonsense was that? Margan almost asked her if it made sense, but then remembered the word confidential.Could it be that even his name is something she cant mention freely?It was a possibility. And it did make more sense than the great Holy Sword not knowing the name of someone she wanted to recruit as an apprentice.As Margan tried to rationalize this, the admissions director interrupted the conversation."The mercenarys name is Cheon Yeomyeong."Everyones eyes turned to him. Not only was Margan sweating, but even Freya Cahn, who had been idly flipping through the articles, was now paying attention."Medga, how do you know that?"Medga, the man who had held the position of admissions director at Lord Howe Academy for 12 years, turned his monitor towards Freya Cahn.On his monitor was an application form."That mercenary. Hes an academy applicant. He only happened to submit his application recently. And he would have started in the second semester at the earliest due to the identity verification process.""Oh? Really?""...Do you think Id lie about something like this?""No, its just that it seems a bit strange""Strange? Whats strange about it?""He even knocked back my offer to wrait im a rmendation letter back den, can ya believe it?"You even offered to write him a rmendation letter? Regardless of the admissions directors grimace, Freya Cahn, fiddling with her eye patch, fell deep into deep contemtion.After a moment, she smacked her forehead as if realizing something."So, he wanted to grow on his own, no handouts, eh?""""You said duh earliest he could start was duh secon semester? So, he mustve buggered off to Manchuria to get some hands-on experience for six months. No, I reckon thats it since he even killed a dragon, thats gotta be it.""""Fair dinkum, kids these days are built different. Back in ma day, all duh Superhumans also grew up like dis. But now theyre off to academies and stuff"Seeing the Holy Sword jumping to her own conclusions, Margan couldnt bring himself to ask her if that was mere spection. But it did seem pretty usible this time.In fact, it didnt even matter if it was just a spection. What was important was that the Holy Sword was clearly interested in the person.As everyone in the office were lost in their thoughts, an announcement that would save them echoed through the school.
- A very good morning to the students and teaching staff of Lord Howe Academy.
The resounding broadcast announced the principals arrival. Only then did the Holy Sword get up from the sofa and quietly leave the faculty office."Well, Im off."Her departure was just as abrupt as her arrival, but no one in the faculty office dared to speak up.Amidst the bewildered atmosphere, the first to regain theirposure was the admissions director."See, see that crazy bitch, huh."He muttered a heartfelt curse, scribbled something onto a piece of paper, and then approached Margan."Margan.""Y-yes?""Youre the Transfer Admission Examiner from now on. Cancel all your sses today."Not understanding what was happening, Margan blinked in confusion."Transfer Admission Examiner? Did we have such a position at our academy""I just created it. Do you have any problem with that?""Then, what about my sses""Gemini will take over for the time being."The admissions director thrust a piece of paperbeled Transfer Admission Examiner Document into Margans hand and continued."Head to Manchuria right now ande back with that crazy bloke, Cheon Yeomyeong or whatever his name is, back to the academy before word gets out about his connection with Freya Cahn. Got it?"His expression was fierce as if to say no objections would be tolerated.Though Margan wanted to ask why him, he dared not open his mouth.Two hourster, he boarded a flight to Kaesong.1. Goryeo was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Penins until the establishment of Joseon in 1392.2. Julius Caesars assassins had been meticulously orchestrated by two men he considered to be friends: Brutus and Cassius.
The death of Caesar sparked a civil war. Shakespeare''s y The Tragedy of Julius Caesar depicts Caesar''sst words as "Et tu, Brute?," which trantes to "You too, Brutus?" Shakespeare used this line based on the book Twelve Caesars written by Suetonius over 150 years after Caesar has been assassinated.
Chapter 65: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (3)
* * *In the outskirts of the Manchurian base.A luxurious car was speeding along the road leading to the military warehouse.Inside the smoothly moving vehicle, it was Darulma Dune behind the steering wheel. His skills were uncharacteristic of a dwarf, heading swiftly towards the warehouse.Of course, he couldnt try to push the speed to the limit since this was a military-managed road, with a checkpoint almost every three minutes.Is this already the fourth checkpoint?Darulma sighed as he approached the checkpoint, and a barricade came out with the stop signal.These Korean soldier bastards really dont know the meaning of moderation.Well, it was understandable for them to be greedy given how extraordinary the item in the warehouse was but this was just too tant.He waved at the approaching sentry and nced at the rearview mirror.- Ah, seriously. Theres all sorts of things in Lord Howe, you know?- Is that so?- Theres an airfield connected to the sea train that goes to Sydney, and in the senior dormitories, they have a temporary Dimensional Portal as wellThey were the Saintess, who was enthusiastically talking about the academy, and Yeomyeong, who was fiddling with his phone without even giving her a nce.Looking at the two of them, Darulma thought about the events that had taken ce just a few minutes ago.The Saintess offered him an admission application to attend the academy together, and Yeomyeong rejected the proposal.He didnt give any detailed reason for his refusal. It was just a simple Theres no need.Having been rejected, the Saintess showed neither surprise nor disappointment. Instead, she chuckled as if she had expected this to happen...However, Darulma, who had been observing them, was different. His mind was filled with question marks.Why? No matter how much he thought about it, Yeomyeong didnt seem to have any reason to refuse.He wasntcking in terms of skills to attend the academy, nor was he too old, and he wasnt short of money either.And attending the academy with the Saintess was an opportunity anybody would jump at. It was a chance to guarantee both his current fame and future glory!Countlesspanies and governments would be showering him with offers... so why give up on all that?Darulma subtly adjusted the rearview mirror and snuck a nce at Yeomyeong.And it doesnt seem like he has let go of his desires.He had swallowed the World Trees crystal in one gulp and imed ownership of the items from this expeditionLooking at the actions Yeomyeong had taken so far, he seemed far from a hero who had let go of all his desires.If anything, he at least seemed to be less greedy than ordinary Superhumans or mercenaries.Of course, even that was impressive by itself, but it was far from the hero promised by destiny.A promised hero should be free from all desires...Hero?Why am I thinking about this? Darulma unconsciously shook his head.Is it because Im tired? Hero? What does that evenAt that moment, he made eye contact with Yeomyeong through the rearview mirror. From his narrowly opened eyes, Yeomyeongs subdued golden gaze swept over him.Darulma flinched in surprise and quickly looked away. Had he just been caught peeking? He awkwardly cleared his throat.- The inspection isplete. You may pass now.Fortunately for him, the inspection ended just in time.The sentry waved his hand, and as soon as the barricade that had been blocking the road was opened, Darulma hit the gasFor some reason, the look Yeomyeong had just given him was stuck in his mind.Why did he do that?Trying to shake off his stray thoughts, Darulma focused more intently on driving."Darulma."After increasing the speed for a while, Yeomyeong suddenly spoke up."Uh, hm? Whats bothering you?""Are you okay?""What do you mean by ''okay''... Ah, are you talking about the inspection? If thats what youre worried about, dont be. Ive known what those Korean soldier bastards are like for a long time.""Not that. Im asking if theres something wrong with your health...""Is it really obvious? Its just that I havent been getting much sleep these past few days due to work."Darulma replied while deliberately avoiding Yeomyeongs gaze. Yeomyeong looked puzzled but he didnt press further."...If you notice anything wrong, please let me know immediately."With that final remark, the group arrived at the warehouse.
* * *The perimeter around the warehouse was heavily guarded. Thick iron doors, high outer walls, and heavily armed soldiers greeted the group.As soon as they stepped out of the vehicle, a military officer who seemed to be an officer approached them."Wee to Warehouse No. 4 of the Manchurian base.""Long time no see, Colonel Jung.""It''s been a while, Darulma-nim. And it''s a pleasure to meet you as well, Saintess. I am Colonel Jung Mincheol, overseer of this warehouse."The officer, who introduced himself as Jung Mincheol, saluted the Saintess with a serious demeanor, and the Saintess returned the greeting with a slight nod.However, hepletely ignored Yeomyeong, who had just gotten out of the car. It was a deliberate disregard."Darulma-nim, if you had let us know in advance, the Commander would have personallye to greet you. With all due respect, Im the only one here to wee you at the moment.""Why should the owner need to notify anyone when they are justing to check the item?""Owner... Yes, the owner of the item is you, Darulma.""Show us around. We want to take a look at the items first."Unlike when he had been avoiding Yeomyeongs gaze earlier, Darulma was now exuding the dignity of a chaebol as he ordered Colonel Jung.With a somewhat reluctant expression, Colonel Jung led the group.Creak.As they entered the warehouse under the protection of armed soldiers, the item Darulma had mentioned greeted them.Red scales and wings, and a massive body that upied the entirety of the warehouse with its tail coiled.The dragon, restrained by enormous metal shackles, was also being administered a staggering amount of anesthetics and sleeping pills, and it was a creature both Yeomyeong and the Saintess were familiar with.It was the red dragon that had once threatened to burn Manchuria to the ground, Orsay Taboul.The dragon was still alive. It was just asleep as if unconscious, but thanks to its fierce life force, even the wounds on its wings and legs had almost healed....Isnt this dangerous?Yeomyeong had a slight frown as he carefully observed the dragons condition.He was informed that the government was keeping the dragon alive, but he hadnt taken into ount its regeneration speed.However, Colonel Jung led the group to a surveince tower above the dragon''s head without any concern.From this position, they could easily see the entire dragon. Colonel Jung proudly pointed to the office window."What do you think? This equipment for capturing dragons is the Korean militarys pride.""Equipment to capture a dragon?"How long had it been since dragon hunting was banned, and they still had such equipment?It was as if they were screaming, We are this serious about dragons! Darulma simply shook his head."Well... it is impressive.""Im d that you find it impressive."After exchanging customary pleasantries, Colonel Jung spoke in a subtle voice."Darulma-nim, if its not too much trouble, Id like to get straight to the discussion regarding the shares of the dragon. The Saintess is here as well, isnt she?""Shares? What are you talking about?""Im speaking of the byproducts after we ughter the dragon. The military doesnt want much. Just the whole tail... that would be sufficient."It was a rather tant request. Darulma raised his eyebrows in disbelief and looked at Yeomyeong. His expression was no different."Darulma-nim, I hope you understand that this is the tiniest request.""...Tiniest? That makes it sound like there''s something even more absurd than this.""Do you remember the treasures around the dragon?"As soon as Colonel Jung said that, a soldier from the surveince tower quickly went out and brought in something from the outside.A boxbeled [Strictly Controlled].Inside it was the treasure bag that had belonged to Mara, the Royal Seal, and the Handle of Uragan.Darulmas expression twisted with displeasure as he examined the contents of the box."Why are these things here? Im sure we requested for them to be returned.""Darulma-nim, all these treasures were secured by the military. And unlike the case with the dragon, the military has a share in these treasures.""The military has a share in these? These are treasures that my mercenary group fought for, and some originally belonged to the mercenaries. Now recognizes shares in such cases!"Darulma protested vigorously, but Colonel Jung simply smiled."If you wish, you can take this matter to court."Court? Darulma snorted."Youre nning on dragging this to Korean courts rather than the International Court of Justice, arent you? Ha, so you n to dy things and torment us all until we reach the Supreme Court? Is that what you''re saying?""As I said, thats only if you choose to go down that path. If you just hand over the tail, the military will immediately give up all ims to these treasures and return them to the mercenary group.""Do you think Dungan Heavy Industries will tolerate this outrage? Weve even paid all the costs for deploying the military!""Darulma-nim, please understand that this is the biggest concession the military can make."Saying this, Colonel Jung then turned his gaze to the Saintess."Saintess, I should let you know in advance that pressuring us likest time wont work."Was Colonel Jung still bitter about having had Kahal Magdus rib bones taken from right under his nose? There was even a hint of subtle hostility in his gaze.Regardless, it didnt look like the Saintess cared."Anyway, Darulma-nim, I hope you think about this carefully. The Korean military wants to maintain a good rtionship with not only Dungan Heavy Industries but also with the mercenary group that defeated the dragon"As Colonel Jung droned on his exnation, he noticed something strange and fell silent.Both Darulma and the Saintess were focused on some mercenary instead, not paying attention to him in the slightest.While Colonel Jung took a moment to try and get a read of the situation, Darulma spoke."Yeomyeong, what will you do?""...Didnt you bring me here knowing well that this would happen? Im disappointed, Darulma.""No, thats a misunderstanding. I thought they would only ask for a w or two or maybe a tooth."ying with his long beard, Darulma added."But to think theyd ask for the whole tail just for handling the transportation. Pretty audacious of them. Do you think I would have expected this?"Only then did Colonel Jung realize that the conversation had gone awry. Why was Darulma being so deferential to that mercenary?And who was this mercenary bastard, anyway?On closer inspection, he did look oddly familiar. A young mercenary with golden eyes... Could it be?"Um... Darulma-nim, who is that mercenary?""Tsk, you should already know. This is Cheon Yeomyeong, the mercenary who yed the most vital role in defeating the dragon."Hearing the name Cheon Yeomyeong, Colonel Jung unconsciously clenched his fist.The same bastard who had seized the dragons rib bones the military had painstakingly obtained and had cut off Jung Mapils arms as well.Did he realize how much money he had to spend just to re-attach Jung Mapils arms? The thought of the slush funds he had to squander naturally stirred up the deep-rooted resentment in his heart.Colonel Jung spoke as he tried to suppress his anger."Ah, so youre the one whos been making waves recently. I have failed to recognize him. But... to say that he yed the most vital role in defeating the dragon?""ording to Captain Kwon Mongjoo, the injuries to the dragons wings, legs, and eyes were all his handiwork.""...""To put it inly, Colonel Jung, thergest share of the dragon belongs to this person."He had thergest share? Colonel Jung blinked in disbelief.He dide across articles written by some unreliable reporters about a rookie mercenary defeating the dragon but was that really the truth?What nonsense... This joke has gone too far. This damn halfing bastard.Swallowing his racial slurs, he decided to y along with the dwarf.Having reached this far, he didnt care what kind of antics they tried to pull because the military was determined to get the tail."Ahem, it looks like well need to negotiate with this person then."Colonel Jung cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner before speaking to Yeomyeong in a tone that was much more domineering than when he was addressing Darulma."Yeomyeong, as stated earlier, the militarys position remains firm. Hand over the dragons tail, and we can part ways amicably."Yeomyeong did not respond. He simply tilted his head slightly as he looked at Colonel Jung and then shifted his gaze to the dragon outside the surveince tower."Again, this is the biggest concession the military can make. Even if we prolong this discussion, the militarys stance will not...""Just release it."What?The dragon is a species protected under internationalw. Wont it be fine to just let it go?What the hell was this crazy bastard saying?Bewildered, Colonel Jung looked at Darulma, but Darulma was stroking his beard with a look of admiration.The Saintess was no different. As if she found it amusing, sheughed as she alternated her gaze between Yeomyeong and Colonel Jung.I agree. Ill relinquish all my shares to Yeomyeong.As soon as the Saintess gave her approval, everyones attention was now on Darulma. He stared at Colonel Jung with narrowed eyes.Well, if the Saintess has decided to show mercy, the mercenary group has no choice but to agree as well.Then it seems the matter regarding the dragon is settled. Now, lets go and prepare for court.Was that an empty threat? Or was he being serious? While Colonel Jung was pondering, Yeomyeong turned around.W-wait a minute!Just before the party could exit the surveince tower, Colonel Jung stopped them.Darulma! This ispletely uneptable! This is awfully subdued dragon! And you want to let it go?...To be precise, the one who said to let it go was this person here.Is that what you call talking? A brat like him managed to defeat the dragon? Theres a limit to how much you can look down on the military!As Colonel Jung shouted, the gaze of the soldiers in the vicinity turned towards the group.Despite the stares from the heavily armed soldiers, Darulma just shrugged his shoulders.Well, what can we do if thats the truth? And if you dont believe me, you can just ask the dragon yourself. Ah, youll need to wake it up before releasing it, right? You can do that then. Isnt that right?Only then did Colonel Jung realize Darulmas audacity wasnt just an act. So, did it mean that it was true?Colonel Jung gulped down hard unconsciously.If what Darulma said was true, and they had to release the dragonThe military would look for a scapegoat to hold ountable.And that scapegoat would be none other than Colonel Jung himself, the one who provoked Darulma.The military would never forgive him. Best case scenario, he would face a dishonorable discharge; worst case scenario, he could be sent to the frontlines of North Manchuria on an eradication mission.That must never happen.Colonel Jungs eyes darted around anxiously. Then, he noticed the soldiers behind Yeomyeong and his group, watching him.These were the troops the higher-ups had mobilized to guard the dragon, to be precise, the warehouse where the dragon was sleeping.And the soldiers in sight were just the beginning. Including those outside the warehouse, there must be close to a hundred.A hundred soldiers. An epiphany crossed Colonel Jungs mind.With this force isnt it worth a try?All thoughts about the consequences of killing the Saintess and the dwarf chaebol had already vanished from his mind.What''s the big deal? It will be fine as long as they dont get killed.After all, I will either die this way or that way. And its better to die trying to do something than to do nothing.Take care of Yeomyeong and restrain the Saintess and Darulma.As people often did when cornered, Colonel Jung took action immediately.He pulled out the remote for the emergency rm and his pistol, pointing it at the back of Yeomyeongs head.Sensing something odd, Yeomyeong turned his head.Bang!The Colonel pulled the trigger.
Chapter 66: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (4)
* * *The moment Yeomyeong saw the barrel of the gun aimed at him, he let out a hollowugh; augh born out of utter disbelief.Youre trying to shoot me from behind just because a deal went south?Considering that this deal was almost like a one-sided robbery, there was no greater disy of audacity than this.This bastard, that bastard, all of them are the sameWith a sigh, Yeomyeong raised his hand. If it was just a simple bullet, he could use his arm to block it and then let it regenerate, so it wasnt that big of a deal.However, regardless of how long he waited, the bullet didnt hit his arm.No, in fact, he didnt even hear the gunshot.Feeling something was off, Yeomyeong lowered his arm and what he saw was a bizarre scene unfolding before his eyes.Everything around him had frozen still.Darulma was carefully descending the stairs, the Saintess was just starting to turn her head, and even the soldiers who had been watching this ce.The face of the enraged Colonel Jung, as well as the zing gun muzzle, were all frozen in ce.Whats it this time?Perhaps because he had experienced so many absurd things recently, Yeomyeong felt a strange sense of dj vu instead of surprise.After massaging his temples for a moment, he tried to gather his mana to enhance his senses. Or rather, he attempted to.However, as soon as he began to gather his mana, Darulma, who was frozen, suddenly opened his mouth.[You dont seem to be surprised at all. Yourck of reaction is really making me question the effort I put into acting.]A soft dwarf voice, onepletely different from Darulmas.Darulma?When Yeomyeong turned his head, Darulma... no, the being that had possessed Darulma shrugged his shoulders.[Do I look like the eldest son of the Dune n?]Ovepping with Darulmas body, was a translucent image of a dwarf dressed in luxurious formal attire and wearing arge crown.Are you the Dwarf King?[That moniker is too short. The real moniker is something like this.]Before he couldplete his sentence, the ghost of the Dwarf Kingor rather, something simr to a ghostbegan a grandiose self-introduction.[The rightful king of the Dragon Scale Mountain Range, descendant of the Hero, the rightful master of Gal-Uragan, a friend of dragons, ruler of unicorns and the great moles, master of the Great Mountain Range, overseer of the Grand Road, father of all dwarves, blessed by the five gods, lord of the stone, Redox''s Hammer, friend of the Emperor, mediator of the five councils, the orcs terror, supreme maker of gold, keeper of the gold coin, and bearer of countless other monikers]What is this crazy guy bbering about? As Yeomyeong raised his eyebrows in confusion, the dwarf concluded.[I go by the name of Daval Hilin. I allow you the special privilege of calling me Daval.]Cheon Yeomyeong. Im just a human.Yeomyeong responded with his arms crossed, and the Dwarf King moved a finger.[Where did you put the moniker of Dragonyer?]Dragonyer? I have never killed a dragon.Yeomyeong looked at the red dragon lying behind him. Though its legs and wings were scarred, it was still alive.[Then lets call you a Dragon Conqueror. The more monikers you have, the better.]Whats wrong with this guy? Yeomyeong wondered if he should kill this Dwarf ghost and be done with it.However, he hesitated, worried that the innocent Darulma might die if he made a mistake[Now that were done with the self-introductions, Dragon Conqueror Cheon Yeomyeong. Shall we have a chat?]Feeling like refusal wasnt an option, Yeomyeong sat down on the surveince tower stairs with a thud.Make it as brief as possible.[That would be difficult.][Try putting yourself in my shoes. How can I end this quickly after having opened my mouth for the first time in decades?]Yeomyeong subtly executed his Surging Mana technique in his fist. Seeing the swirling mana, Daval Hilin spoke with a grin.[How much do you know about me?]I only know what everyone else knows. Thest Dwarf King.[The foolish king who was shot down while making a reckless flight to Moscow?]Yeomyeong did not respond. It was a silent acknowledgement.[To give you some details, youve probably learned that my recklessness had political and practical reasons, havent you? To draw the attention of the internationalmunity and bring the Soviets to the negotiating table, that was the best course]Having said that, the Dwarf King sighed.[which is an excuse historians came up with. History is always like that, while the truth is a bit more cruel and sad.]The truth hidden behind the veil of history might interest the documentary-loving janitor, butRight now, its not a good time for it. Yeomyeong shook his head.Id rather not know.[Is that so? Then what if its rted to fate rather than history?]"Youre probably going to say something like being destroyed by the Soviets was your fate..."[No, no. Thats not what Im referring to. The fate Im talking about is the same fate the World Trees crystal spoke about.]What?The World Trees crystal? Seeing Yeomyeongs interest piqued, Daval added.[How much do you know about fate?][You look like youll hit me if I delve too deeply into it. Fine. Ill keep my exnation as brief as possible.]Clearing his throat, the dwarf started his exnation.[In this world there are unchanging currents. For example, the World Trees crystal you consumed was originally meant to end up in the hands of the Demonic Human.]Demonic Human?[Havent you met them already? The one you cant tell if they are male or female, and flies around the sky]And even before the exnation wasplete, a person came to mind.Mara.The one who used a bizarre martial art and flew in the sky.Though all Yeomyeong knew was that they were employed by the government, the moniker of Demonic Human fit them perfectly.Because of their personality and greed they were definitely more closer to a demon than a human.[Mara, that name is a bit different from what I know but anyway, you changed his fate.]Was consuming the World Trees crystal such a significant event rted to fate?[If it were just that, I wouldnt have even bothered telling you all this. If things had gone ording to fate Mara should have consumed the heart of Orsay Taboul and obtained the Golden Seal.]The dragons heart and the Golden Seal. As Yeomyeong recalled what Mara had been after, he frowned.[But where are those things now? Oh, look. The dragon is still alive, and the seal is kept there.]Yeomyeong paused, contemting over the Dwarf Kings words. What if he hadnt gone to Manchuria?Mara would have attacked the mercenary group, stolen the World Trees crystal from Darulma, and fought the dragon to obtain the heart and the Royal Seal.Of course, this was merely a hypothetical scenario. As for whether the grand word fate spoken by the Dwarf King really suited the situation... well, it didn''t.[You seem skeptical. But I can assure you, you have definitely changed the flow of fate. Not just one, but three things. Dont ask me how it happened. I dont know that either.]The Dwarf Kingughed. It was augh that seemed both hollow and empty.[For a long time I believed that fate was immutable. So, I willingly sacrificed myself. And yet I never expected that I would meet someone who could change fate after I died.]So what? If you have something to say, just get to the point.[You''re waiting for my request, aren''t you? You''re probably used to being asked for favors or being tested. It seems those around you havent left you alone either.]Yeomyeongs lips twitched.[I understand that feeling well. The world doesnt like to leave outstanding people alone.]Please, just get to the point.[If thats what you wish its not a big request. I just hope that youll save my best friend.]Best friend? Yeomyeong turned his head to follow the Dwarf Kings gaze. Over there, was the red dragon bound in restraints.[Orsay Taboul, my best friend. I didnt tell it the truth. I simply used it for my fate.][That friend having not known that, felt guilty. It went mad while ming itself for my death.]Yeomyeong involuntarily recalled the dragons cries. A misced desire for vengeance againstmunists.While the Saintess and the mercenaries felt fear in its presence, Yeomyeong felt differently. HeFelt a sense of kinship.Tell me, why should I save that dragon?However, that couldnt be a rational or logical reason to free the dragon.Empathizing with the dragons desire for revenge and sacrificing resources that would aid him in his revenge were two entirely different matters.[Didnt you just say that youd release my friend?][Ah, I see. It was a joke. I already knew from your actions that you were obviously bluffing. Though I didnt expect the opponent to suddenly shoot at you.]The Dwarf King nced at the frozen Colonel Jung and then brushed his translucent beard as he spoke.[Justice or interest. Which one would you prefer?]Interest.Yeomyeong replied without hesitation. He had no connection with the word Justice.However, the Dwarf King seemed to have a different opinion.[Thats rather surprising, someone who devoted himself to saving Manchuria would prefer interest over justice?]Yeomyeong wanted to say that he wasnt fighting for justice but rather because of the Saintess'' foresight, thepensation promised by Darulma, and the dragons corpse.However, seeing the Dwarf Kings subtle smile, he was sure that anything he said would go in one ear and out the other.Because it was true that he had helped the Saintess save Manchuria and was yet to receive properpensation.Think whatever you want to.Seeing Yeomyeong respond sullenly, the Dwarf Kingughed heartily and patted his beard.[Regardless of your true feelings, since you chose interest instead of justice, Ill adapt ordingly.]Saying this, he extended his hand towards the surveince tower. What was he trying to do?As Yeomyeong turned his head, he saw something flying from the other side.Thud. Just like a ma attracting iron, what was drawn to the kings hand was a massive seal emitting a golden magic power.The Golden Seal.The magic item that had nearly brought destruction upon Manchuria and a Dwarf relic that Darulma desperately sought.[Would something more valuable than the dragons corpse pique your interest?]The king extended the Royal Seal to Yeomyeong. Yeomyeong looked at the seal for a moment, then turned to look at the Dwarf Kings face ovepping with Darulmas.This is not enough.Of course, it was likely that the Royal Seal held more value than the dragons corpse. After all, it was a relic filled with historical and cultural value of an entire race.However, what Yeomyeong wanted was not something abstract but practical and immediate power.Compared to what he could gain from the dragon; starting with the bones, scales, and heart, the power of the Royal Seal at best, was just magic for digging tunnels.And if he could wait for decades like the dragon, just to trigger a volcanic eruption, there would be no greater weapon. However, Yeomyeong had neither the time nor any reason to wait that long.[Is it insufficient? Are you saying that even after knowing what the seals power is?]Magic for digging tunnels?[You only know about the most basic ability. Its a token of royalty; theres no way thats all it can do, right?]On Earth, a token of royalty didnt seem particrly impressive.While Yeomyeong was thinking about that, the king threw the Royal Seal towards the dragon.To be precise, he threw it towards the restraints binding the dragon.ck!As soon as the Royal Seal made contact with the restraints, all the locking mechanisms of the restraints were released.Since the world was still frozen, there was no immediate change visible, but once time resumed, all the restraints would fall off the dragons body simultaneously.[Did you see that? Thats one of the abilities granted to the seals owner. It can unlock any lock in this world.]As the king raised his hand, the Royal Seal returned to him.I understand that its a good ability, but[But?]It doesnt seem that useful to me.[]Is there anything else?[If theres enough mana avable, it can also remove any bans and seals. Unfortunately, I cant show an example because there are no such seals nearby.]The ability to remove bans and seals. It was a rather modest ability for something symbolizing royalty, butYeomyeong could not help but ept the Royal Seal.The moment he heard that it could remove bans, he thought of a certain girl who was living with such restrictions.
Chapter 67: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (5)
* * *I will ept the Royal Seal.[...All of a sudden?]The Dwarf King, who had been preparing other items to convince him, paused midway. After gazing at Yeomyeong, he raised his thick eyebrows as a realization dawned upon him.As soon as he heard that the Royal Seal could lift any restrictions, his gestures and gaze underwent subtle changes.The young man tried to hide it, but... it was impossible to avoid the keen observation of the king, who once ruled over the masses.[Ah, so that''s it.]Daval smiled as he fidgeted with the Royal Seal. Did he now have the upper hand in the transaction? No, that wasnt it.It was a smile of relief.He was relieved that, even with such treasures before him, Yeomyeong could still think of others rather than only focusing on his own gains.Hes not a hero who will save the world... but at the same time, hes not a selfish bastard either.Daval paused for a moment before extending the Royal Seal towards Yeomyeong, who was staring at him.[Do you know that magic items made by dwarf craftsmen have secrets?]Yeomyeong, who had been reaching out, tilted his head slightly. His expression seemed to ask, What nonsense are you on about this time?[One cannot harness theplete power of magic items made by craftsmen from the bloodline unless passed on in the proper manner.]...Thats the first Im hearing of it.[Well, it''s understandable that you wouldn''t know. After all, they only produce mass-produced items nowadays, so how would you know about the history and tradition behind it.]He said this while raising his other arm. Again, a familiar item flew from the direction of the surveince tower.[For example, the Handle of Uragan that you used to take control of the Royal Seal... Originally, this handle was a tool that could purify all sorts of curses and malicious magic. But you probably just used it as a rod with flowing magic, didnt you?]What kind of nonsense is this? Yeomyeong nced back and forth between the Handle of Uragan and the Dwarf King speaking....I am using the Handle of Uragan correctly, though?[What? That cant be true?]The Dwarf King furrowed his eyebrows.He looked up and down at Yeomyeong, who was sitting on the stairs, then seemed to realize something as his jaw dropped in surprise.[Ah, no way you are...]Though he trailed off, it was easy to guess what he would say nexta virgin.[...Well, matters rted to romance are a personal choice. I understand. I, too, died without seeing my descendants.]With a humorous tone, Daval offered him a constion that wasnt quite a constion and shrugged his shoulders before adding.[Of course, I didnt die unmarried.]I see. I suppose so.Seeing Yeomyeong respond with a nonchnt expression, the dwarfughed heartily.[Anyway. Unless you n on living your whole life as a virgin, you will need to receive this handle in the proper manner. The Royal Seal as well.]...Proper manner?[Receive the recognition of the maker or have it certified by the previous user. Or... receive acknowledgement from the rightful king of the mountain range.]As his exnation came to an end, golden mana burst forth from the Royal Seal.Although it couldn''t bepared to the light of the magic circle drawn by the dragon, the light that filled and overflowed from the frozen warehouse.However, as the Royal Seal''s light grew brighter, the Dwarf Kings figure became increasingly faint.Yeomyeong observed the scene in silence.It was a mystery how the dead spirit was able to distort his senses, but... everything made sense once he saw the light of the Royal Seal.Like the unicorns soul housed within the Handle of Uragan, the Dwarf King had infused his soul and mana into the Royal Seal in a simr manner.However, unlike the unicorn, which had infused its soul into its horna part of its own bodythe king''s thought form was bound to the Royal Seal by only the tiny amount of leftover mana.Once this magic came to an end and the mana within the Royal Seal was depleted, the kings soul... would disappear.Realizing this, Yeomyeong felt a pang of sympathy for the Dwarf King.To be trapped within the Royal Seal for decades just because of his damned fate, only to watch his friend deteriorate mentallyWhat was the fate he had witnessed that made him take such measures?While Yeomyeong pondered over these thoughts, the Dwarf King, havingpleted his preparations, extended the Royal Seal.[Yeomyeong, kneel... Hmm, it might be a bit difficult to kneel on the stairs. Just ept it while standing.]Facing the Royal Seal emitting a brilliant, golden light, Yeomyeong rose from his seat and received it with great care.The cold touch of the metal and the warm mana flowed through his hand. Yeomyeong quietly inspected the mana of the Royal Seal.After a moment, the king spoke again.[I, Daval Daval Hilin, in the name of the rightful king of the Dragon Scale Mountain Range, transfer the ownership of the Golden Seal to Cheon Yeomyong.]Immediately, something within the Royal Seal formed a connection with Yeomyeongs mana. It was an indescribable, unfamiliar sensation.[Furthermore, in ce of the deceased Ma Uragan, I also transfer the ownership of thest weapon left by the Uragan bloodline.]Thest weapon? When Yeomyeong nced up a little, Daval smiled and ced the Handle over the Royal Seal.[You will need to find the rest of the parts: the body, the head, and the pommel by yourself.]The other parts? But this weapon...[Its iplete. The workshop was bombed just a day before it was to be assembled. Truly a tragic event.]Although Daval spoke of it lightly, Yeomyeong, who knew the history behind it, remained silent.[Since the handle has fallen into your hands by fate... I trust that you will take care of the rest well.]After saying this, the Dwarf King extended A finger and began to draw something in the air.What is he trying to do now? Grasping the Royal Seal and the handle, Yeomyeong silently observed the drawing.What the Dwarf King had drawn using his mana as paint was... a map.A map as detailed as a military map.The map, shimmering with the blue light of mana, pointed to some unknown mountain range and a location deep within it....What is this?[Its a map that shows the location of the royal family''s treasure vault. Its only essible if you have the Royal Seal.]A treasure map? Yeomyeong looked at the dwarf with probing eyes.Whats your reason for showing this to me?[Since youre already defying fate, its better to defy it thoroughly.]And before Yeomyeong could respond, the Dwarf King pushed the map towards him.HooookAs the map made of mana collided with Yeomyeong''s body, it vanished like mist.To be precise, the mana in the form of the map flowed into Yeomyeongs mind.[Ah, its been a while since Ist used memory transfer, so Ive forgotten that it consumes quite a bit of mana.]Daval spoke to Yeomyeong, who was busily sorting through the memories that had flooded his mind without warning. Though he spoke as if it was nothing, his form had be even dimmer than before.It was evidence that he didnt have much time left. The Dwarf King looked at his fading hand and spoke.[Well, I have done my part. Now its your turn. Please... save my poor friend.]Holding the Royal Seal, Yeomyeong turned his head and looked at the fallen dragon.Orsay Taboul. The very dragon whose wings he had cut, legs he had severed, and eyes he had burst.Yeomyeong hesitated for a moment before turning back to the Dwarf King and spoke.It was a question that Daval hadnt anticipated....Do you have any final words for your best friend?So he was more cultured than I thought, huh? The Dwarf King smiled brightly as he conveyed his final words.
* * *The world, which had been frozen, began to move again.To be precise, Yeomyeongs senses, which were confined within the magic of the Royal Seal, returned to normal.Bang!As soon as he regained his senses, the bullet fired by Colonel Jung sliced through the air.However, Yeomyeong merely moved his head slightly and dodged the bullet.Both the shooter and Darulma standing beside him were shocked.T-This crazy bastard! What if you hit the Saintess...!Just as Darulma, who just realized what was happening, yelled, Yeomyeong turned around and ran towards the surveince tower.His foot movements were imbued with the mana from the Surging Wave technique.And before the astonished Colonel Jung could raise his gun again, Yeomyeong had already arrived in front of him.Wham!Moving like lightning, Yeomyeong struck Colonel Jungs left arm, which held the emergency rm remote, and grabbed his right wrist, holding the pistol, twisting it around.Lacking both the strength and the skill to withstand the pressure on his joints, Colonel Jung let out a scream of pain as soon as his arm was twisted behind his back with a crunching sound.Argh!All this unfolded in the blink of an eye. The soldiers who turned their heads on hearing the gunshot, as well as Darulma down below, were unable to properly follow Yeomyeongs movements.L-let go! You bastard! Do you think can you get away with this... cough!As Colonel Jung began to rant, Yeomyeong grabbed the Colonels neck with his unupied hand.Only then did the soldier in the surveince tower draw his pistol and shout.W-What are you doing!It was the soldier who had brought the [Strictly Controlled] box earlier. ring at him with subdued eyes, Yeomyeong replied.Cant you see? Im subduing the crazy bastard who tried to assassinate the Saintess.An assassination attempt on the Saintess? Colonel Jung struggled, feeling unfairly used, but Yeomyeong tightened his grip on his neck even more.The expression of the soldier watching the scene contorted.An assassination attempt on the Saintess? Why would Colonel Jung do something like that?Various thoughts raced through his mind, but he was unable toe up with a rebuttal.He had only seen Colonel Jung shoot at someone below the surveince tower but hadnt seen who the target was.If youre just going to stand there, bring the box over.As Colonel Jungs struggling body grew limp, Yeomyeong pointed toward a corner of the surveince tower.He was pointing at the [Strictly Controlled] box the soldier had brought earlier.The soldier nced back and forth between the box and Yeomyeong, his eyes shifting nervously.Should I fight orply?His hesitation didntst long. After all, he didnt want to die while entangled in such a foolish situation.The soldier set down his pistol and picked up the box.I-I hope you understand that neither I nor the military is involved in this matter.As he lowered the box, his arm trembled violently. Yeomyeong could almost hear the frantic gears turning in the soldiers mind, as if he were trying to think of a way to escape from this situation.All excuses should be made to the Saintess, not to me.Although, the Saintess probably wouldnt care.Yeomyeong bit his tongue as he pulled the Golden Seal from the box.What on earth... Yeomyeong? Why are you holding the Royal Seal?Darulma, who had finally ascended to the surveince tower, spoke up. At that moment, Yeomyeong was staring at the dragon while holding the Royal Seal.Its best to deal with this while the iron is hot.
Chapter 68: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (6)
* * *Unlike Darulma, who was blinking repeatedly while looking flustered, the Saintess remainedposed.Calmly climbing back up the surveince tower, she scanned the surroundings and spoke."Yeomyeong, are you nning to release it immediately? Are you sure itll be alright? The Korean military wont just stand by idly..."Although her tone was as frivolous as usual, it was also filled with concern. Yeomyeong responded while tucking the Golden Seal into his waist."Do you think that theyve been just standing by without doing anything until now? As long as we have a dragon here, the military will continue to behave like this.""...Thats true."From the moment they managed to obtain Kahal Magdu''s rib bones, the Korean military had done nothing to hide their greed.Their tant disy of power trips, engaging in insidious backdoor schemes, and just a moment ago, a bullet had flown towards their heads.Though that was likely an unrted action taken by Colonel Jung...But judging by how they were using the spoils as leverage to demand the Dragon''s tail in its entirety, it seemed that the intentions of the higher-ups in the military werent that different from Colonel Jung''s.Having sorted her thoughts, the Saintess poked the unconscious Colonel Jung with her foot and said."Still, I didnt expect him to pull the trigger that quickly. And if we release the Dragon now, wont they attempt to assassinate uster?""As for the assassination attempt, theyve already made one, havent they?""...Huh?"Already made one? The Saintess tilted her head in confusion.Yeomyeong pointed at Colonel Jung and then at her. The Saintess then understood what he was implying and gasped.Even if they desire the Dragon, how dare he try to assassinate a SaintessThe Saintess snuck a nce at the soldier standing behind Yeomyeong. His head was bowed low, and his arms trembling."...Hmm."Was Yeomyeong nning to frame the narrative in this manner? The Saintess chuckled and approached Yeomyeong."So, what next? Do you have a n?"She spoke in a hushed voice, too soft for the soldier or Darulma to hear. Yeomyeong answered in the same low tone."Ill propose that we overlook the assassination attempt on the Saintess in exchange for the Dragons release.""Oh... that''s quite a dilemma, isnt it? Should they be known as the military that attempted to assassinate a Saintess, or the military that released a dragon?"The Saintess was somewhat impressed. Considering it was a hastily made n, it didnt seem too bad.It had barely been a few minutes since he dodged the bullet, yet he managed toe up with something like that in that short time despite seeming tock any political sense or understanding of international rtions.Could it be that is he the type of person whose mind works better when ites to outwitting others?She stared at Yeomyeong with a new perspective. Although it wasnt right to judge people by their appearance, if he were an actor, his looks would suit the role of a viin better than a hero."...Come to think of it, he wanted to kill Word when we first met, right?""What are you suddenly mumbling about?""Oh? No, its just. I-I also agree with that n."Seeing the Saintess hastily change the topic. Yeomyeong stared at her with narrowed eyes at her, before raising the Royal Seal.Just as he was about to infuse mana into the seal, Darulma intervened."Hey, Yeomyeong. Are you really going to release the Dragon?"Darulma didnt hide his surprise. He thought that it was just a bluff to string the military along, but he never imagined that the young man would actually release the Dragon."Yes, I do intend to release it."His voice was firm. Realizing that Yeomyeong was serious, Darulma was about to say something but then shut his mouth.If the owner intended to release it, there was no real reason to try and stop him.Of course, it would be regrettable for them to lose the Dragons heart and bones but looking at the facts, that dragon wasnt even property of Dungan Heavy Industries.Honestly, he just saw it as an opportunity to deliver a blow to the rude Korean military. However, Yeomyeongs n didnt seem that bad either."...Is there anything I can do to help?"Darulma, who managed to quickly organize his thoughts, spoke. Yeomyeong pondered for a moment before turning his head towards the Dragon and responding."Could you possibly gather the reporters right away?""Reporters? This is a military-managed area, so the reporters wont be able to make their way in.""Not here, but at the Manchurian base. It doesnt matter where, as long as all the reporters gather in one ce.""Well, thats possible."Instead of asking why he needed reporters, Darulma immediately pulled out his phone and ordered his employees to gather the reporters.Seeing the soldiers expressions turn grim at the mention of reporters, Yeomyeong added btedly."Oh, and could you ask them to bring good cameras as well?""...Good cameras?""Preferably ones good enough to capture a flying dragon."
* * *Orsay Taboul was immersed in a deep sleep beyond the realm of dreamsA death-like slumber induced by a massive amount of anesthetics and sleeping pills.And while the Dragon''s consciousness was still wandering within, it suddenly felt a warm mana flow into its body.This mysterious mana began to expel the drugs from its veins and breathe life into its stiffened heart.The Dragon realized that it was holy mana blessed by the gods.It was almost identical to the mana bestowed upon it when the priests of the five gods blessed it a long time ago.Was God trying to save it?The Dragon''s consciousness followed the mana, breaking free from the effects of the drugs. Its limp muscles began to twitch, and its stagnant mana pulsed through its veins.Blood and mana flowed into his brain, bringing its consciousness back to the surface. In an instant, the Dragonpletely shook off its sleep and the effects of the drugs... and awakened from its long slumber."Youre finally awake."The Dragon''srge eyelids slid open.Looking to see who had woken him up, he saw a female human with a white light radiating from her hands.[...Saintess.]Orsay Taboul stared nkly at her white priestess robe and a blindfold covering her eyes.[Why am I still alive?]The Saintess, focused on healing, did not answer him but instead gestured to the side.The Dragon tried to raise its neck to check, but something was binding its neck and body securely.The Dragon instinctively tensed its body on realizing that it was a device meant to restrain domestic animals.Kugugung...The restraints screamed as it shook, but that was all. The thick restraints still remained secure against the Dragons body.The Dragon instinctively understood that this restraining device was specifically constructed to hold dragons and would not be broken even if it used all its strength.Though it wanted to unleash its Dragons Breath while in this state, the Saintess was in the way. It had no choice but to just shift its gaze and look to the side of the Saintess.What entered his sight was a familiar human male.[You are....]How could he forget the male human who had cut off its wings and legs and shot it in the eyes?"Orsay Taboul. I know you must be confused seeing that you just woke up, but first, let me..."And before the human male could even finish his sentence, the Dragon began to gather its mana in its mouth.GooooEven though its entire body was restrained, at the end of the day, it was still a dragon.It prepared to unleash its breath and sweep away both the restraints and the human male in front of it.However, in the next moment, the Dragon had no choice but to shut its mouth upon seeing the object the human held up.The Golden Seal. Thest legacy left by its dear friend.[Cursed Earthian! How dare you!!]The Dragons roar echoed throughout the warehouse. The startled Saint covered her ears, and the human holding the Royal Seal frowned slightly."Oh,e on... lets just talk."[Talk? Are you trying to taunt me right before you ughter me?]"..."[O Saintess! How could you do this?! How could you align yourself with an Earthian! Do you not see the resentment of the millions of believers who were persecuted bymunists!]As the Dragon was about to expound its long-held fury, the human male flung the Royal Seal in the air. The Dragon was horrified by the sight.[Wh-what is this madness!!]The Dragon trembled with fury. If it werent for these damned restraints, it would have immediately raised its arms and crushed that Earthian!Just as it was about to scream in frustration, the pressure on its body vanished along with a clinking sound.All the restraints hade undone at the same time.No longer bound, the Dragon forgot its anger and stared at the human male with a bewildered expression.[The restraints are gone? What is this...]Instead of replying, the human simply raised his hand. After a moment, the Royal Seal returned to him.Not only was he able to release the restraints, but he could also retrieve the Royal Seal? The Dragons eyes trembled with disbelief as it stared at the human male.[How? Even I wasnt able to use all its powers. Who handed it over to you?]"Someone you also know well."[...How dare you! Are you mocking me?]As the Dragon bared its teeth and growled, its mana erupted, causing the entire warehouse to shake.The soldiers watching the Dragon reacted immediately, drawing their guns.Numerous gun barrels and tense gazes were focused on the Dragon.However, neither the human male nor the Dragon paid any attention to the soldiers.After a brief silence, the human male raised the Royal Seal and spoke.Bloodlines may dilute.[...]Statues may rust, and oaths may be forgotten.As his words came to an end, the Dragon spread its wings wide, and its eyes bulged.The wounds on its eyes, still not healed, began to tear apart, and blood started flowing from its eyes like tears.Nothing in the world is eternal, yet we[...wish for eternal friendship.]The Dragon lowered its body to meet the humans gaze. The human males figure was reflected in the Dragons vertically slit reptilian eyes.Do you now believe that I met someone you know well?[...I believe.]As Orsay Taboul replied calmly, everyone in the warehouse, including the Saintess, had a look of shock on their face. Especially Darulma, who trembled as if struck by lightning.[Please reveal your name.]My name is Cheon Yeomyeong. And I am the human who defeated you.[Orsay Taboul, the Dragon.]Fortunately or perhaps not, unlike the Dwarf King, the Dragon had no desire for monikers.
Chapter 69: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (7)
* * *
Once they were done with the mutual introductions, Yeomyeong turned his head to survey his surroundings.Numerous weapons were aimed at them, tense-faced soldiers, and officers were hastily entering the warehouse.The most noticeable among them was a copper-skinned officer with stars on his shoulders.Even from a distance, the fierce look on his face and mana were unmistakable.Behind him stood a group of Superhumans, including Jung Mapil, whose arms Yeomyeong had severed, almost as if they had gathered all the Superhumans from the Manchurian base.Is he nning to fight if things go south?However, that wouldnt happen. Yeomyeong gave the officer a light smile before turning around again.The Dragon wiped the blood from its eyes and spoke.[Earthian Cheon Yeomyeong, what do you want from me?]Nothing.[?]Regarding thepensation, your best friend has already given me more than enough.Yeomyeong proudly lifted the Royal Seal as he said that. The Dragon looked at the Royal Seal for a moment, before tilting its head in confusion.[So, youre saying youll let me go just like this?]Yep.Yeomyeong simply shrugged his shoulders in affirmation.The Dragon narrowed its eyes and brought its face closer to Yeomyeong. It was so close that he could feel its breath.[I cannot understand. I intended to bring disaster upon yournd.]But you were defeated before you were able to do that.[That is why I am all the more puzzled. I am a defeated avenger. Are you truly willing to give up on the rights of the victor and the rights for revenge?]It was a voice filled with suppressed emotions, having troubleing to terms with the current situation. Yeomyeong nodded without a trace of hesitation.Thats the deal I made with your best friend. Since I have already received thepensation, I have to let you live. That''s all."The Dragon did not even point out that the only proof of their transaction was the Golden Seal and thus, Yeomyeong could still manipte the terms of the deal if he wished to.No, it could not bring up that point as Yeomyeong had not asked it for anything.Why? Even if Yeomyeong had manipted its friends words and demanded its service, the Dragon would haveplied.And it was not something difficult to do either. The moment it heard its friends vow, it would not have doubted anything Yeomyeong said.However, this human did not do that. Did he say it was because he had already receivedpensation? While the Golden Seal was indeed a great treasure as far as the Dragon was concerned, human greed was endless.The Dragon, half hopeful and half suspicious, focused all its senses on Yeomyeong, but it could sense neither malice nor a scheme.Rather, as if mocking its suspicions, Yeomyeong pushed its face away and said.That should have exined everything. Now go wherever you desire before the soldiers behind me start having second thoughts.Since he hadnt spoken loudly, only the Saintess was startled by Yeomyeongs words.Hey! If youre going to let it go, you should at least tell it to not seek revenge!Contrary to the Saintess bewilderment, Yeomyeong remained calm.Why should I?Why, you say? If the Dragon goes on a rampage while seeking revenge.Without the Royal Seal, its impossible to burn down Manchuria, and Stalin has been missing for quite a long time.Yeomyeong interrupted the Saintess, as if questioning what the problem was. And before she could say anything more, he continued.And if it dies while attacking the Moscow air defensework the Russian government will probably be very pleased.Whether she couldn''t think of a retort or was simply dumbfounded, the Saintess nced back and forth at Yeomyeong and the dragon with her mouth slightly agape.A brief silence ensued. After a moment, the Dragon let out a sharp snort.[Are you, an Earthian, trying to gauge my desire for revenge?]The Dragon gave a short, incredulousugh. At the same time, it recalled what Yeomyeong had said to it during their battle.- Your revenge is justified.Why did the Earthian say something like that Orsay Taboul then realized the meaning hidden within those words.[Is that so? Are you also]a seeker of revenge?The Dragon swallowed the rest of its words because it seemed like the Saintess had no knowledge about Yeomyeong''s desire for revenge.Perhaps it was only natural. The Saintess was a being chosen directly by the five gods. It was close to impossible for her to endorse revenge.Revenge did not seek for understanding, and thus, it was a lonely path.Swallowing a strange sense of kinship, the Dragon rose from its seat.As it moved its enormous body, the warehouse shook, the floor trembled, and the walls swayed.The tense soldiers aimed their weapons at the Dragon, ready to fire at any moment, but it paid them no mind.Since Yeomyeong and the Saintess had decided to free him, none of the other Earthians present here were its opponents.[Saintess, and Earthian Cheon Yeomyeong.]nting its four legs on the ground as it spread its wings, the Dragon gazed at the two people below and said.[I give you my sincere gratitude for your goodwill and mercy. I wish to offer more than mere words of thanks, but at the moment, I do not have much I can offer.]Its fine, lets just say goodbyeAs Yeomyeong was about to reply casually, the Saintess next to him silenced him immediately. Then, she turned to the Dragon and said.Will you continue seeking revenge?[Even the gods cannot stop justified revenge, O Saintess.]The Saintess bit her lips as if pondering over something before raising her head again and speaking.Then please At least think about it.[Think?]Think if it is the right target and if your revenge is justified. Also think about the impact your revenge might have on Earth and beyond the Dimensional Portal.Was it something a Saintess should say, or was it something a girl who did not understand revenge would say?Either way, the Dragon was unable to refuse her earnest request.[I understand, O Saintess. I will heed your words. And Yeomyeong, do you truly not wish for anything?]Yeomyeong made a troubled expression. Since the Dragon was being so insistent, it seemed impolite to refuse it again.He nced around the warehouse onest time and then replied after seeing a pale-looking Darulma watching them.Well, um could you give us a lift?[Of course. Where would you like to go?]Not too far from here. You just need to give us a ride to the Manchurian base next door.[I''d be happy to oblige.]With that, the Dragon leaned forward and extended its long neck toward the Saintess and Yeomyeong.The Saintess mounted the dragon''s neck with an expression that suggested she had juste across an unexpected stroke of luck.Yeomyeong then asked the Dragon to wait for a moment and headed to the surveince tower to fetch the treasure box.The soldiers disyed their hostility and killing aura toward him rather openly, but no one dared to attack.Ignoring them, Yeomyeong gathered the treasure and walked towards Darulma, who was looking perplexed. No, to be precise, he grabbed Darulmas hand.H-hold on! Yeomyeong, Im fine. While its an honor to ride on a dragons neck, I cant just leave my car behind!Just get the military to return it to you.Oh, please! Yeomyeong! I have acrophobia!Acrophobia, he said? Yeomyeong gave a wry smile as he recalled how Darulma had returned to the Manchurian base by helicopter.Dont worry too much. Its not like youll die.As it turned out, Darulma did not die.Well, he did scream for his life until theynded inside the Manchurian base crowded with reporters.
* * *The only dwarven teacher at Lord Howe Academy, Margan, sighed as he gazed out of the transport nes window.He began to wonder where things started to go wrong.Even after being chased out by the admissions director, he still held on to a fine shred of hope as he boarded the ne in Sydney.Although the talks of the young mercenary being a potential apprentice of the Holy Sword and him being in charge of transfer admissions was burdensome, ultimately, it was all about bringing in outstanding students.As an educator, it seemed like the natural thing to do.He arrived in Kaesong, anticipating what expression the student who received the transfer permit would make... but his ns began to go awry right from the start.- Manchurian base? You cant go there right now.Due to the incident in North Manchuria, allnd routes to Manchuria werepletely blocked.Even though he tried leveraging his status as an academy teacher, all he received was a notice telling him to wait.Margan had no choice but to ask the academy for help.After wasting three days in Kaesong, the academy finally managed to secure a spot on a military transport ne.The issue was that the transport ne was for cargo. There wasnt even a proper seat on this ne, let alone a seat for a dwarf.Crouched among the cargo, Magan sighed again.The cloud-filled sky outside the window remained bright and clear, indifferent to his feelingsWhats that?The instant he saw something emerging from between the clouds, Margan pressed his face against the window.Its red scales glinted, reflecting the sunlight, its wingsrger than the clouds, and its tail curved beautifully.Its a dragon.Didnt they just defeat a dragon in Manchuria? How could there be another dragon flying now? Was Manchuria actually a dragon habitat?Even while such thoughts passed his mind, his eyes sparkled like a childs.The legend his grandfather used to tell him when he was young, the one about the guardian dragon and the hero from the Dwarf Mountain Range, came to mind.With glimmering red scales, it flew while carrying a king on its neck??What was that? Did he see that correctly? It looked like there were three people seated on the Dragons neck just now.While he rubbed his eyes, the Dragon had already disappeared below the clouds.AhJust as Margan sighed in regret, an announcement came over the loudspeaker above him.- We will soon arrive at the Manchurian base. Please be careful not to collide with the cargo.
* * *As Margan got off the transport ne, he was met by a crowd filling the airfield.What is this?He stared wide-eyed at the noisy crowd. It was nothingpared to the academys entrance ceremony, but everyone gathered was holding a camera.Were all these people reporters? Did they gather all the reporters from the Manchurian base or something?Suppressing his rising curiosity, Margan headed outside the airfield.Because the reason he hade here was not for the news, but to find the transfer student.Just as he was about to walk past the reporters a familiar dwarf caught his eye.Darulma? The troublemaker of the Dune n?UghDarulma looked like he had been through a storm. His luxurious suit and his cherished beard were all ragged.And judging by his half-dazed and vacant expression, it was clear that something serious had just happened to him.Hey, Darulma! Do you recognize me? Its me, Margan. Mal Uragan!Margan?Darulma stared at him nkly before slowly opening his mouth.Didnt you go to the academy? Why are you here?I came for academy business. What on earth happened to you?D-dragon.Dragon?I rode a dragon.What kind of nonsense was he spouting? What on earth happened for him to lose his mind like this?Despite his confusion, Margan shivered at the harshness of the Manchurian base.With so many people at the airfield, howe no one was helping a dwarf on the verge of death?!Darulma, wait here a moment. Ill call someone who can help!Just as Margan was about to put down his luggage and turn around, a girls voice resounded from the empty air.Theres no need for that.What now? Margan instinctively took a defensive stance and began gathering his mana.Hes just a bit scared. Hell be fine after he rests for a while.A somewhat familiar, frivolous voice. Margan squinted and red at the air where the voice wasing from.Who are you? Reveal yourself.Me? Im the Saintess.What?The next moment, the air parted slightly, revealing the face of a girl wearing a blindfold.The face of the Saintess, which Margan had seen several times on TV.She quickly vanished into thin air again. Only then did Margan remember that the Saintess usually went around while wearing an Invisibility Cloak, and he gasped, swallowing hard.W-why is the Saintess here?This isnt the time to talk about me. You came to the Manchurian base for a specific reason, didnt you?That person.Suddenly, a hand emerged from the air, pointing behind Margan. He unconsciously turned his head to follow the direction of the finger.A little distance away, the reporters were crowding around someone, conducting an interview.The person facing the barrage of cameras was none other than the golden-eyed young man he had been looking for.What are you doing? You need to take him to the academy as quickly as possible.The Saintess urged Margan, who had been staring at the young man in surprise.Margan took a brief nce at the reporters, before taking out a piece of paper from his pocket and walking towards them.The Saintess silently watched the dwarfs back grow further, then realized btedly.Ah, I see. He said he didnt need the application form, but he didnt say he wasnt going to the academy.Once again, her foresight was wrong. Watching the moment Margan and the young man met, the Saintess chuckled softly.
Chapter 70: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (8)
Chapter 70: An Unprecedented Transfer Examination (8)* * *Even though the path to Manchuria was still blocked due to the North Manchurian Incident, it didnt stop people from heading therePeople who sought to turn the crisis into an opportunity.The first to make a move were the mercenaries seeking riches and fameForeign mercenary groups who were nning to use Manchuria as a stepping stone to reach the Kaesong Dimensional Portal, and all sorts of people hoping toe across a windfall like a dragons rib bones.With the mercenaries increase in activities, the Korean army also began to advance northward in earnest. Hence, the North Manchuria Incident was resolved more swiftly than expected.Normally, it would take at least a year for the state of affairs to return to how it was before the incidentHowever, this was an undeniably positive developmentpared to the initial predictions that Manchuria would be awlessnd for the next decade or so.And behind the blood and sweat of mercenaries and soldiers, there was another group that was secretly thriving in this situation.It was reporters.Whether they were genuine war correspondents with strong professional ethics or unscrupulous reporters simply chasing clicks, every day was a day to rejoice for the reporters who came up to Manchuria.Not only were incidents and idents urring almost on a daily basis, but there were also newsworthy stories involving famous figures like Tanahashi, a prominent figure in the mercenary world, and the Saintess, as well as stories that were directly released by the military and the government.For reporters, Manchuria was like a goldmine with new stories pouring in every day.And then, there was an incident that was the pinnacle of such newsA dragon.The giant shadow appeared above the heads of the reporters who had gathered at the base airfield after receiving a message from the Sonjuk Mercenary Group saying that they had something amazing to show them.- Its a dragon! Its really a dragon!- Oh my God.- I-is that for real?The dragon, with its wings spread wide and shimmering red scales,nded in the airfield and lowered its head to let someone descend to the ground.Some reporters recognized the person dismounting from the dragon.The man who had teamed up with the Saintess to fight against Kahal Magdu, cut off Jung Mapils arm, and even participated in a dragon-conquering mission while partnering with the military the new recruit of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.The subject of absurd rumors that would make even the most unscrupulous reporters, who wrote both fiction and news, scratch their heads in confusion.It reached a point where some of the reporters gathered here began to specte that he might not even be a real person, or that he was a fictional hero created by the South Korean military for the purpose of propaganda.However, as soon as he arrived at the airfield, riding a dragon no less, the reporters were convinced that even the most exaggerated rumors about him were true.An Earthian riding a dragon? If he was capable of a feat like that, none of the things he was supposed to have done to date would be surprising.Anyway, as if they all had the same thought, the reporters began to bombard the dragon and the new recruit with camera shes.Some reporters urgently called for filming teams or tried to gather any avable information about the new recruit, but they were in the minority.Most reporters were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to draw his attention, trying toe up with ways to snag even a single line for an interview.And the dragon hadnt been present, they would have used their numbers to push their way in and shoved a microphone in his face.However, none of the reporters present were bold enough to provoke the dragon. Hence, the dragon and the new recruit were able to exchange farewells amidst the camera shes.Due to the considerable distance from the reporters, no one could hear what the new recruit said. But the voice that came out from the dragons mouth was clearly heard by everyone at the airfield.[Earthian, I hope we meet again someday.]With a farewell that carried a hint of goodwill, the dragon flew into the sky.Only three people didnt watch the dragon leave the airfield: the Saintess under her Invisibility Cloak, the dwarf, and the new recruit.As for the rest, every reporter had their eyes glued to the sky until the dragon disappeared beyond the clouds.Only after the dragons long tail had disappeared beyond the horizon did the new recruit finally speak to the reporters.- Any questions?It goes without saying that all the reporters rushed at the young mercenary.- What is your rtionship with that red dragon? How did you meet it?- Was that the same dragon that the military was said to have subdued? What is the military thinking?- Is the Saintess involved in this matter as well?Like a school of hungry fish, the reporters bombarded the mercenary with questions. The shouting was mildpared to those who kept shoving microphones into his face.Although it was extremely rude, the new recruit responded while maintaining his expression.In other words, instead of providing the information or clear answers the reporters desired, he stirred up their imaginations with ambiguous statements.Anyway, the interview went on until a dwarf, who introduced himself as a teacher from the academy, intervened.- Prospective student Cheon Yeomyeong, I am Margan, a teacher at Lord Howe Academy.With the reporters attention focused on him, the dwarf handed over a crumpled piece of paper while mentioning an unprecedented position.- As a Transfer Admission Examiner, I hereby authorize your transfer to Lord Howe Academy. Do you agree?As soon as he finished speaking, all the reporters present had the same thought.They would have no shortage of news for the next week.
* * *
The Manchurian Dragon Really Existed The Appearance Of The Dragon Cutting Through The Clouds.
A Dragon Carrying A Human? Does Earth Finally Have A Dragon Rider?
I Hope We Meet Again SomedayA Recording Of the Dragons Real Voice.
The blue-eyed girl, Hong Seti, chewed on her thumbnail as she sifted through the numerous articles on herptop because she was unable to calm her restless heart.
Was it because of the news about the dragon that flooded the media, including social and Superhuman-rted news? No, that wasnt it.
New Recruit Of The Sonjuk Mercenary GroupHis True Identity Is A Special Admission Transfer Student From The Academy?
Unprecedented Transfer Examination! Protests From Netizens And Parents, Why Is Lord Howe Still Silent?
Then, was it because of the spotlight on Cheon Yeomyeong, who had surpassed her expectations? Of course, it was surprising, but that wasnt the reason for her unease.What troubled her wasShocking Interview With The Current Mercenary. Cheon Yeomyeong, Is He The Secret Escort From the Holy Knights? In-Depth Analysis Of His Rtionship With The Saintess.
It was a tabloid with a picture of the Saintess and Cheon Yeomyeong side by side.Fortunately for her, the article didnt have that many views. It was filled with nonsense about him being the Saintess secret escort from the Holy Knights and supposed romantic escapades with her.It barely had the same number of views as a propaganda piece titled South Korea Respects International Protection Laws And Grants Freedom To DragonHowever, seeing the Saintess photo was enough to make her blood boil.Seti knew it was foolish thinking.Yet the trauma and her feelings of inferiority were not something that could be erased by understanding alone.Only after she had gnawed her thumbnail into a ragged state did Seti manage to calm her mind a little.What a mess first thing in the morning.She took a deep breath and covered her face with her hands.Feeling this unsettled just by seeing a photo the other girl was inthat was ridiculous even for her.Huft! What? Am I some kind of girlfriend waiting for her conscripted boyfriend or something?1In a situation where she should have been making careful preparations for her revenge, this was an utter waste of emotions.Was she supposed to feel troubled that Yeomyeong managed to gain fame thanks to the Saintess? She should have been pleased about getting one step closer to their goal, shouldnt she? There was no reason to feel upset.He was different from the gods beyond the Dimensional Portal. Yeomyeong wouldnt have any reason or intention to abandon herAs Seti continued her train of thought, she pped her cheeks and raised her hand to close theptop. Or rather, she was about it.But the moment she heard the soft voice of her roommate waking up, she froze.Huh? Dung Beetle?Did she hear that wrong? Seti turned her head to see her blonde roommate, who had just woken up, staring wide-eyed at the photo of Yeomyeong on theptop.Wow, its really Dung Beetle-ssi.Seeing her blonde roommate marveling as if she knew him well, Seti swallowed the curse that was about toe out.What now?
* * *At the Manchuria base airfield, inside the VIP waiting room.As the zing noon sun heated the waiting room, Margan sighed as he gazed outside.Relentless. They are absolutely relentless.A massive crowd had gathered outside the waiting room.Not only were there reporters trying to push their cameras through the waiting room windows but also soldiers with menacing looks as they peered into the waiting room.I dont understand why theyre creating such a fuss over a mere article.Margan sighed deeply, unable to endure the gaze that felt like sitting on a bed of nails, while Darulma teased him from beside.Well, even so, theyre actually being pretty restrained. Normally, theyd barge in and shove their cameras in your face.Are you telling me that now?Why raise your voice? You were the one who proudly announced yourself as the Transfer Admission Examiner in front of everyone.And youre not having it as bad as those two. Isnt that right, Yeomyeong?Darulma naturally addressed Yeomyeong. However, it was not Yeomyeong who answered him but the Saintess seated beside him and flipping through an academy pamphlet.Even so, I must say, it was pretty impressive. I hereby authorize your transfer to Lord Howe Academy! An academy teacher is definitely something else.As the Saintess spoke with a smile, Margan turned away, trying to hide his mixed expression of embarrassment and shyness.Seeing Margans reaction, Darulma shook his head. Meanwhile, Yeomyeong slowly opened his eyes.Darulma.What is it, Yeomyeong?Do you remember the conditions I spoke of back when we were in Manchuria?Upon hearing that, Darulma immediately recalled the conditions that Yeomyeong had set before going to fight the dragon.Of course, I remember them. The right to use the dwarfs workshop and the connection to the elixir vendor who sold the World Trees crystal.Although he did find them a bit unfair when he first heard the requests back then, things were different now because the investment value on Yeomyeong had greatly changed.From a business perspective, some connections were valuable just by the virtue of having them. Connections like Yeomyeong and the Saintess were the type that fell under that category.If it was possible to maintain those connections through this deal, there was no reason to refuse.Feel free to contact me anytime you wish to use the workshop. Ill craft whatever you need from the dragons rib bones. As for the elixir vendor I will need some time. Is that okay?Yes, waiting a bit is no problem.Darulma stroked his thick, full beard and added.Also feel free to contact me if you need anything else. Dungan Heavy Industries does not forget a favor.While the two were exchanging pleasantries, a ne arrived at the airfield.The ne was adorned with a symbol of books, swords, and a staff standing beside it against the morning glow.It was one of the three nes of Lord Howe Academy that existed on Earth.Its finally here!The Saintess smiled widely at the sight of the ne, but Margan could not bring himself to smile. Just the thought of having to push through those damned reporters to get to the ne was already giving him a headache.Since he couldnt avoid boarding the ne, he got up and began to gather his belongings.It didnt take him long to get ready. To begin with, the Saintess didnt have much luggage, and both Margan and Yeomyeong only had one travel bag each.Just as the three were done with their preparations and were about to leave the waiting room, Darulma spoke in a wistful voice.Yeomyeong and Saintess I hope we can meet once again in good health next time.The Saintess replied with a blessing from the gods and was the first to leave the waiting room. Ignoring themotion caused by the reporters, she rushed towards the ne, going as far as to use her mana.Watching her back for a moment, Yeomyeong turned to Darulma and spoke.Please give my regards to everyone in the mercenary group.Perhaps surprised by the unexpected request, Darulma raised his eyebrows for a moment before responding with a grin.If you want to send your regards, you can do it yourself. You know our mercenary groups number, dont you?Well, if youre too shy to do it, I could do it for you but I dont think thats necessary.It was a surprisingly yful response from the chaebol. Yeomyeong unconsciously grinned along with him. And with that, their farewell was over.Yeomyeong bowed his head to Darulma and left the waiting room.However, after passing through the corridor filled with reporters, the smile on his lips had long gone as he headed towards the ne.Lord Howe Academy.Finally, he was heading to the ce where the yer would be.1. What she actually says here is "Am I the girl who wears gomusin/rubber shoes?" This is a South Korean term for a young Korean woman who is waiting for her boyfriend to return from her two-yearpulsory military service.
Chapter 71: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student
Do I look like Stalin or Pol Pot1 to you?What we are trying to establish is a school, not a munitions factory.While we can teach children how to be either soldiers or schrs, we cannot teach them how tomit murder.Queenie Cowan, at an unofficial meeting at the White House
* **If you traveled east from Sydney, Australia, you woulde across a massive ind after an hour or so.Centered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lord Howe Ind, this ce was connected to three other artificial inds.This was the pride of Australia and the only academy in the world dedicated to Superhumans.Lord Howe Academy.The four inds that made up the academy each boasted different characteristics and atmospheres, as each artificial ind had 15-year intervals between theirpletion.Perhaps this also served as a testament to the advancement of modern architectural technology.On the oldest southern ind, you could see antique buildings with decades of tradition.While on the newest northern ind, you could find cutting-edge buildings and facilities.And that beauty was merely on the surface level. The true beauty of Lord Howe Academy was something only the students could experience.The curriculum, befitting the name academy, was the true beauty and pride of Lord Howe.For Superhumans, they had physical enhancement methods and martial arts.For Mages, it was Thaumaturgyparable to the Magic Tower or Grande cole2.For Persons of Religion, teachings on spiritual descent and blessings were provided by priests dispatched directly from the Holy Nation.Following the wishes of founder Quinny Cowan, the academy provided all the techniques for handling mana ording to the aptitude and talent of each student.And it didnt stop there; it also included sses on general knowledge and etiquette necessary for modern society, andAre there no shooting sses?What brought Margans endless praises about the academy to a stop was the voice of the Saintess.Shooting? Are you speaking about military training?I dont know the exact name. Are there any sses rted to modern weaponry like pistols, rifles, grenades?Modern weaponry? Hearing that unexpected question, Margan tilted his head before responding.Yes, we do have such sses, but they are to prepare students aiming to enter military academies in the United States.He subtly turned his gaze towards Yeomyeong, who was listening to his exnation with one ear and letting it go out the other, only staring out the window.If this question is rted to Mr. Yeomyeong, I dont think its necessary for him to receive military training at the academy.What?From what I know, all Superhumans in Korea are required to join the military. And as per my knowledge, Korean students immediately after graduation. Mr. Yeomyeong would probablySeeing that Margan had misunderstood her query, the Saintess once again interrupted with a smile.No, no. Im the one whos interested in learning it.Also, Yeomyeong probably doesnt need to learn how to shoot, you know? He seems pretty adept at handling firearms and carrying grenadesThe Saintess, who had been trailing off, had a sudden realization dawn upon her.Wait have you perhaps alreadypleted your military service?Only then did Yeomyeong turn his head to look at Margan and the Saintess.How old do you think I am?Well, now that I think about it, arent you much older than me?Yeomyeong narrowed his eyes and stared at the Saintess blindfold, as if asking her if she had just realized this.Then since were on the topic of age, should I call you oppa?For the first time since they got on the ne, Yeomyeong showed a look of disdain.It was a look that hadnt appeared on his face even when countless reporters were crowding around him.Seeing that expression, Margan understood that the rtionship the Saintess and Yeomyeong had wasnt the the kind of rtionship the reporters had been talking about.Anyway, faced with an unexpected reaction, the Saintess scratched her nose and said,Thats strange. I heard that Korean men like being called oppa.Who told you that nonsense?My friend?You have a friend whos of your age?Yeomyeong barely suppressed the retort rising to his throat.He wanted to say, Even your deranged mother let you make friends, huh? but he held that back as well.Only after literally exercising his Superhuman patience did Yeomyeong manage to give her a suitable response.Regardless, dont call me oppa. It feels ufortable seeing that well be in the same grade.Your reaction makes me want to call you oppa even more.Its pretty hrious to see you make that face every time I joke around.As the Saintess chuckled, Yeomyeong shook his head before turning his gaze back out the window.Um, Saintess. If you really want to learn how to shoot, how about joining a shooting club instead of military training?A shooting club?Upholding the founders legacy, our academy conducts various activities for the students. Among themMargan subtly began his long-winded exnation about the academy again, and the Saintess listened attentively.Clubs and societies, Olympic gold medalists as personal instructors, and so onAs Margans gentle voice droned on, regaining his solitude, Yeomyeong fell back into his thoughts.The Sword of the Imperial Knight, the Academy Route, the yerUnder the coldly sinking golden eyes reflected in the airne window, the janitor dove even deeper into his thoughts.
* * *- Hey, those guys will be arriving soon, right?- Really? Today? How are they going to being? The Dimensional Portal? The airport?- It must be the airport. There was an article about them taking a ne from Manchuria.The Author gritted his teeth as he watched his ssmates whispering among themselves as they shared news articles on their phones.Was it because they were chattering among themselves during such an important lesson? No, that was not it.The thing that was troubling him was the term those guys his ssmates were speaking about.The Saintess who changed the future of Manchuria and the unknown transfer student.I can somewhat understand the Saintess.Although he didnt know the reason she had suddenly departed for Manchuria, details revealed in news interviews and articles werent much different from the Saintess he was familiar with from the novel.She was depicted as a righteous figure willing to roll up her sleeves to prevent the deaths of innocents.Even though the reason she headed to North Manchuria remained unknown, it was within his realm of understanding since she had returned to the academy just before Chapter 1 began.However, the variable here was the rumored transfer student. He was a being outside the Authors knowledge.Cheon Yeomyeong. Ive never used that name in the novel nor have I heard of it. At least, I know that there are no main characters with that name.The Author chewed on his lips while thinking about the transfer student.It was hard to tell how many of the articles released by the war correspondents from Manchuria were actually true, but even if only half of them were factual, it was still unbelievable.Not only did he supposedly fight Kahal Magdu and obtain the dragons bones, but he also defeated a living dragon and on top of that, he even rode it?And the most unbelievable piece of information was his upation.A rookie mercenary, they said? In the game, werent they NPCs that struggled against level 6 trash mobs?But what? He fought dragons?Maybe the dragon was weaker than expected, or perhaps it probably went easy on them after seeing the Saintess face.The dragon Orsay Taboul was a character only mentioned in the passing, so the Author had no way of knowing its skills and tendencies in detail.However, no matter how one looked at it, a dragon was still a dragon.Even with the help of the Saintess, the fact that a rookie mercenary survived an encounter with a dragon was not normal.It was something that did not make sense, no matter how much he thought about it.Still, if he tried to think of a possibilityIs he like me? Someone who came from outside the work?It was the most usible hypothesis and also the worst-case scenario.If this hypothesis were true? This person had already turned the entire story upside down while he was twiddling his thumbs, waiting for the prologue to start.Once he reached that far, doubts began to spiral into more doubts.What if he monopolized the strange-fated events? And what if he brought the Saintess in to capture the dragon?Of course, it was all just a hypothesis. Without meeting him directly and digging into the mans background, there was no way for him to confirm his doubts.His worry was deepened. It was a worry without any answer.He habitually chewed his lip, only snapping out of it when his lower lip split and the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.And soon, the chime announcing dinner time rang.As soon as the familiar melody of Fr Elise ended, the students began to rise from their seats.However, unlike usual, no one was rushing to the dining hall.- Who wants toe with me to the airport?- But the seniors said that the airport is off-limits today.- Even so, wont it be fine for the first-year students?- I dont care. Im going anyway!- Hey! Wait for me!The Author licked his torn lips as he watched the crowd of students rush out of the ssroom.Should I go and check it out as well? Or should I escape from the academy while I still can?While he was pondering over this, someone ced a hand on his shoulder.Do you not n on going?The owner of the hand was Jeon Yunseong. From the Authors perspective, this boy came the closest character to being the protagonist.The Author trailed off, addressing the boy who believed the fake friendship he offered was real.Uh I am not sure. Will it be okay to go and see? I think the teachers might not like it.Oh, dont worry about that. Were not the only ones going.What if we all get demerits? There will definitely be people who wont go.The Author said this while ncing at the other people still remaining in the ssroom.Apart from Jeon Yunseong and him, only two others were in the ss.The elf princess who was hiding her identity and an unknown crazy bitch.If there are people who havent gone yet AhFollowing the Authors gaze, Jeon Yunseong turned his head and blushed slightly.In contrast to the innocent, youthful affection of the boy, the author swallowed blood-tinged saliva.It was because he remembered the crazy bitch he had encountered back at the garbage dump.The terrifying killing aura and mana that made his knees buckle just by thinking of it.Come to think of it The transfer student isnt the only variable problem; that bitch was one too.What on earth was wrong with this world that such people were attending the academy?Yunseong, why dont we justJust as the Author was about to suggest that the two of them should go alone, the other boy happened to muster his courage.Uh, um! Miss Soe Miri?Yes?Jeon Yunseong called out to Soe Miri, who was organizing textbooks, and asked hesitantly.Uh, well would you like to apany us?Apany you? Where to?Realizing that he had omitted the context, Jeon Yunseong hastily added.To the a-airport! Were thinking of going to see the Saintess and the transfer student!Jeon Yunseong said while pulling the Author up.Taking some time to process the sudden proposal, Soe Miri blinked at the two of them and then smiled faintly.Yes, lets go together.Oh? Really?We are nning to go see them as well.We? The Author swallowed his curse as he looked at Seti, who was apanying Soe Miri as if it were natural. Damn it.He wanted to leave the group immediately, but facing those cold blue eyes, he felt like a rat facing a tiger, unable to open his mouth.Shall we go?Following Soe Miris excited words, the Author and the group left the ssroom and started walking towards the airport.1. Pol Pot was a Cambodianmunist revolutionary, politician and a dictator who ruled Cambodia as Prime Minister of Democratic Kampuchea between 1976 and 1979.2. A grande cole is a specialized top-level educational institution in France and some other previous French colonies such as Moro and Tunisia.
Chapter 72: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (2)
* * *The ne carrying Yeomyeong and the Saintessnded gently on the runway.It was such a smooth touch-down that if they hadnt been looking out the window, they wouldnt have noticed that the ne hadnded.Thats a good start.Marganmented briefly before turning his gaze in the same direction as the Saintess and Yeomyeong.Beyond the small airne window was the view of the entire airport.Though the airport at Lord Howe Academy was smaller than most international airports, it was no less beautiful.ording to the famous architect who designed it, he wanted it to be a ce that radiated the vitality of youthJust as he said, the view outside the window was brimming with youthful energy.It was not in a metaphorical sense but in the literal sense.Uh is it always this crowded?The Saintess, who was looking out the window, asked in a startled voice.Hundreds, possibly over a thousand people, were swarming around the airport and the runway.Its not what I think it is, right?Unable to hide his flustered expression, Margan didnt respond.You told me that there wouldnt be a weing ceremony!Unable to hold back any longer, the Saintess screamed, and a drop of cold sweat ran down Margans forehead.Well the school didnt specifically make an announcement about your arrival today, SaintessThen who are all those people? Theyre all staring at our ne!Well, to be honest I myself am not sure as to how the students and staff found out about it and gathered here like thisSeeing Margan hesitate, Yeomyeong intervened.Its probably because of the reporters back in Manchuria.The reporters?Why else would they have been swarming around the Manchurian airport? They were probably nning to write an article or inform their fellow reporters about our departure.There was no need to guess what happened next.Given the nature of flights, once the destination and time of departure were known, it was not hard to predict the time of arrival.Of course, understanding the situation and epting it were twopletely different things.Ugh! I would have just attended the entrance ceremony if I had known that this would happen!As if embarrassed by something, the Saintess covered her face and stomped her feet.She continued behaving like that until the ne finishednding and was being towed to the airport.And just as the oblivious captain announced, The airstair will be ready shortly over the inteThe Saintess spoke in a feeble voice.Yeomyeong, what are you thinking right now?Why do you want to know about my thoughts?Because you dont look scared or nervous in the slightest Im just curious about whats going on in your mind.Hmm actually, Im thinking about how Im lucky to have you with me.What?! Wha-what the hell are you saying all of a sudden?Startled, the Saintess raised her head. Yeomyeong shrugged and added.Well, with the Saintess here to draw everyones attention, I should be fine. Isnt that something to be grateful for?Perhaps the joke meant to ease the tension worked, as the Saintess let out a wryugh.However, immediately after that, she threw a punch at Yeomyeong with an expression mixed withughter and anger.* * *Anyway, while the two of them continued bickering, the ne came to aplete stop.And only after the nes exit door was opened did the Saintess stop punching Yeomyeong.It was because the once-absent sounds filling the airport became clearly audiblethe noise of people rushing, shouting, and camera shutters clicking. All these sounds, filled with anticipation and chatter, mingled together.Arghhh, seriously.The Saintess nced at her suitcase. More precisely, at the Invisibility Cloak inside it.Until the time she headed to Manchuria she always wore an Invisibility Cloak at all times out of fear of the prejudice for being a half-Earthian and the pressure from the expectations ced on her as the Saintess.However, after going through various experiences in Manchuria, she decided to make a change. No, she had already changed.Just as she hadnt fled from the war correspondents, she would be able to handle the attention from the academy calmly.Although she still sighed heavily, the Saintess steeled herself. Also, Yeomyeongs indifferent expression was making her annoyedShall we go now?As soon as she stood up, Yeomyeong also got up and grabbed his bag.Margan, who had been watching the two of them, took the lead, with the Saintess and Yeomyeong following behind. And just as they were about to disembark from the neSomeone stepped in through the nes doorway.A middle-aged man with a face full of wrinkles, dressed in a neatly arranged suit.Seeing the angry look on his face, Margan shouted.Admissions Director Medga?And before he couldplete his sentence, Yeomyeong quickly nced over at the middle-aged man.The Admissions Director? Why was someone this important, the person who oversaw all admissions at the academy here?Admissions Director, what brings you here.Before Margan could even finish his question, the Admissions Director strode straight into the ne and bowed his head to Yeomyeong and the Saintess.I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to the Saintess and the transfer student. This matter is entirely our fault.Pardon? No, no. Its fine. Theres no need to apologize.The Saintess looked at Yeomyeong with an expression that seemed to say, You agree, right? and Yeomyeong nodded in response.However, the mistake the Admissions Director was talking about was more than that.- We oppose the transfer!- Get out, you fraudster!- Cancel the unfair admission!A sudden outburst of protests. The hostility it contained was not directed at the Saintess but at Yeomyeong.From cries about the unfairness of the transfer examination to jeers about why a Dragon Rider bastard was using a ne.What the hell are they talking about!Having finally understood the meaning of the protests, the Saintess tried to step outside the ne, but the Admissions Director reached out to stop her.Saintess, before you get angry, could you please hear me out?Hear you out? What more do you have to say? Yeomyeong is being insulted publicly at this very moment!And before the Saintess could say more, Yeomyeong gently held her by the shoulder.Lets listen to what the Admissions Director has to say.Since the person who should have been worked up was saying so, the Saintess had no choice but to swallow her anger.As she quickly turned her away, Yeomyeong calmly asked for an exnation.So Director, what on earth is going on down there? Why am I being insulted?Well its because of the transfer examination.Transfer examination? What did that have to do with anything?As Yeomyeong furrowed his brows, the Admissions Director began his exnation.
* * *Thepetition for a seat at Lord Howe Academy was so intense, that the term murderous didnt even do it justice.Even though one of the requirements was that applicants had to either be Superhuman or, at the very least, able to sense mana, the interest in Superhumans among the general public meant that the number of people applying to the academy never decreasedif anything, it kept increasing exponentially every year.Because of that, all sorts of temptations lurked around the Admissions Office, which handled the Academys admissions.Famous celebrities, politicians, and even nobles from beyond the Dimensional Portal openly solicited backdoor admissions.Bribes of stocks or cash were just the start; there were also those who promised elixirs or power.Of course, none of those illicit requests were approved over the past 12 years.This was partly due to the founders resolution for the academys admission process to be fair and also thanks to the stubbornness of Medga Dubois, who had held the position of admissions director for 12 years.However, had those 12 years been too long? Or was the lure of bribes and illicit requests simply too strong?Over the years, those eyeing Medgas position began to appear within the academy.Niky Tcherny, an Academy board member, was a prime example.For thest few years, he made brazen attempts to ce his own person in the position of Admissions Director.And the only reason he failed was because Medga, the current Director, never showed any ws, but it was widely believed among the teachers that he could take over the Admissions Office at any timeUm, Director?What is it, Mr. Cheon Yeomyeong? Is there something you havent understood?No, not that, but its a bit long. Could you just get to the point?As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, the Saintess let out a soft chuckle.Momentarily at a loss for words, Megda then nodded upon hearing the insultsing from outside.It seems that Ive beencking in consideration. Youre the one being insulted. My apologies.He cleared his throat before continuing.To put it briefly, this whole situation is a scheme to use your transfer as a pretext to humiliate you and oust me from the position of admissions director.Is my transfer really that big of an issue?Originally, our Academy never had a transfer system. Youre the first and likely thest.Yeomyeong was already aware that his transfer was unprecedented.After all, even Margan, who hade to authorize his transfer, only had a single piece of paper with the words Transfer Admission Examiner written on it.However, he never imagined it would lead to such a big issue.Considering all his achievements and the skills he had demonstrated.I never thought Id end up getting entangled in the Academys internal politics. This is truly beyond my expectations.Yeomyeong massaged his temples for a moment. The voices outside the ne continued to criticize him.Mr. Cheon Yeomyeong. Im sorry that you have to go through this ordeal because of my selfish desire to have you transferred here as soon as possible. I hope you dont get hurt by the foolishness of the adults.No, wellAnd just in case youre worried, I can assure you theres no chance youll be expelled. Your entire transfer process was conducted under the legitimate authority of the Admissions Director and approved by the Principal.Medga offered both an apology and reassurance in a polite tone. Hearing this, the Saintess raised her head.Then wouldnt it be enough to just exin the reason behind Yeomyeongs transfer? People arent fools; he defeated a dragonBefore she could finish speaking, Medga sighed.Saintess, when faced with something they find hard to believe some people will simply assume it to be false.And there are also those who turn away from the truth due to jealousy.The people cursing Yeomyeong from outside were surely such people.Having understood this, the Saintess simply pursed her lips without saying anything.As everyone on the ne fell silent for a moment, Yeomyeong suddenly began rummaging through his bag.Yeomyeong?What?What are you doing?I cant just sit around and do nothing, right?Saying this, Yeomyeong pulled out a standard-issued iron sword from his bag.Since the Academy prohibited sharp des, this sword had been dulled on purpose.While Medga and Margan stared at the sword with puzzled looks on their faces, only the Saintess realized his intention and opened her mouth in shock.Hey! What are you nning to do now? Youre at the Academy!The simplest solution?Simple solution, he said? Only then did Medga guess why Yeomyeong had drawn his sword, and joined the conversation.What do you n to do, Mr. Cheon Yeomyeong?If theyre making all this fuss just because of my transfer, shouldnt I just prove my abilities?Youre right. Thats why were also nning to arrange an opportunity for you to do so. Well be gathering the staff and the press in a few daysBut arent they already gathered outside?And before Medga could do anything to stop him, Yeomyeong quickly turned around and walked toward the back door of the ne.W-wait! Yeomyeong! Just hold on for a moment!Margan, who had been watching them until now, tried to stop Yeomyeong, but this time, the Saintess raised her hand to block him.Leave him be.B-but, Saintess! If Yeomyeong loses like this!He might injure his opponent, but Yeomyeong wont lose.Oh, and even if he does injure his opponent, I can heal them right up. So, it doesnt matter if he cuts off a limb or two!After the Saintess said so, practically shouting loud enough for everyone to hear, Yeomyeong exited the ne through the rear door.Since there was no stair truck at the back door, he had to jump down from a considerable height,nding on the ground with a thud.- Stop the illegal transfer!- Admissions Director, you should resign!- Come out, you fraudster! Come out and huh?The moment hended, everyones eyes were immediately drawn to him.Not only the reporters and external figures stationed at the Academy, but also the various staff members and students gathered there.Before the eyes of a crowd with more than a hundred people, Yeomyeong calmly raised his sword.Hello, everyone. Im Cheon Yeomyeong, the newest transfer to the Academy.Compared to the murmurs of the crowd, his voice was soft, but the Superhumans gathered at the airport gathered their mana to listen to Yeomyeongs voice.To all those who have been doubting my abilities, those who have called me a fraudster whoever you are, I will give you the opportunity to back your im.As he spoke softly, mana began to gather around his sword. It was a gesture more convincing than a thousand words.If anyone wants to fight me.As silence filled the space between the crowd at the airport, Yeomyeongs deration resonated in their ears.Step forward.
Chapter 73: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (3)
* * *A brazen, yet bold deration.All those who heard it had reactions that varied greatly.Some burst out inughter, some took a step back in fright, while others raised their cameras in admiration.And the mostmon reaction was anticipation.Not only among the first-year students, who boasted thergest number of attendees, but also among the staff and external lecturers who hade to watch.As if they had nned it in advance, everyone turned their gaze to the transfer student with his sword drawn out and the people who were insulting him at the same time.- Wow, are they really going to fight?- No way, really?- The one who loses is going to bepletely humiliated.Those who knew of the political conflict between Director Niky and the Admissions Director looked all serious, but the students were simply bubbling with excitement as they looked forward to the fight.Superhuman versus Superhuman. And on top of that, one of them was the protagonist of those ridiculous rumors, wasnt he?- Hey! Hurry and find a spot.- Tall guys, stand in the back! I cant see!- Damn it, I left my phone behind.The students began to move, each trying to find the perfect spot to watch the fight.As they pushed each other and climbed over railings, the crowd reached all the way to the airport runway.Even the airport security staff, who should have stepped in, were too distracted by the fight, allowing a natural barrier to form around the transfer student and those who had insulted him.A wall of students.Trapped within the human barrier without warning, the expressions of the instigators hardened.What are you waiting for? Is there no one willing to step forward and prove themselves?Riding on that momentum, the transfer student began to taunt the instigators.However, there was no response. The dozens of instigators who had just been hurling insults moments ago fell silent at once.They were either hesitating, looking for a chance to escape, or simply keeping their mouths shut as they red at the transfer student.- This is weird.- What the hell. Are they not going to fight?- More importantly, does anyone know who those people are?Just as the students were starting to feel disappointed upon seeing the instigators retreatStep.The transfer student made his move.The more perceptive students narrowed their eyes as they watched his steps withplete attention.The way the mana rippled with each step he took suggested that he had undoubtedly mastered a unique martial art.One step, two steps.As the transfer student drew closer, the instigators gradually retreated. And were even some who appeared to be Superhumans among them.And just when the distance between the instigators and the transfer student had narrowed down to approximately ten pacesStop! We were merely raising a legitimate concern!One of the instigators suddenly yelled.A few spectators recognized him as an employee associated with the board of directors. Additionally, they also knew that he was a part of Tchernys faction.I cant believe my eyes! Not only has he drawn his sword against a crowd of unarmed people, but he also dares to threaten us so openly! How can someone like him be admitted to Lord Howe?He shouted, conscious of the attention focused on him.Everyone! Do you see this? This is why the founder never established a transfer system! Its to prevent unvetted individuals like him from tarnishing the reputation of the Academy!Instead of replying, the transfer student stopped and tilted his head, as if daring them to continue.The instigator who met his calm, golden eyes swallowed hard before yelling with even more passion.Everyone! Take a good look at the person the Admissions Director has brought in after ignoring tradition, using some ridiculous transfer examination bullshit!Hmm.A lowly mercenary who draws their sword without hesitation! Is it even eptable for a person like this to be an academy student?As soon as his passionate speech came to an end, the students shifted their gazes to the transfer student.Regardless of his achievements in Manchuria or the rumors surrounding him it was true that he was admitted without going through the proper procedures.Of course, the students werent thinking that far when they looked at the transfer student. A political matter like this was best left for the staff to bicker over.The students were simply curious to see how the transfer student would respond.And in the next moment, the transfer students response exceeded their expectations.Do you know? The Saintess can even heal injuries such as severed limbs without much trouble.What did he just say? The employee who had been yelling just a moment ago tilted his head and on realizing the meaning behind the words, he swallowed audibly.
Ill cut off your limbs.
Seeing him fall silent, the transfer student pointed his sword at each of the instigators.A finger from those who oppose the transfer, an arm from those who insulted me, and a limb each from those bastards who tantly incited others.His tone was calm, yet menacing.The instigators, as well as everyone around them, were left speechless.In the eerie silence, the transfer student slowly began to walk towards the instigators.- Wow, damn crazy- Shouldnt someone stop him? If he cuts off their arms, they might probably die from shock itself.- Why us?The students whispered among themselves, and security guards rolled their eyes.Some staff members started making urgent calls for help, and the instigators tried their best to push past the students and escape.At that moment, someone leaped out from the crowd of students and blocked the path of the transfer student.Beneath her neatlybed ck straight hair, the girl had eyes as deep blue aspiszuli.Her cold expression and perfectly maintained school uniform gave off a dignified air.If not for the heavy hammer she was holding, she could have been mistaken for a model student.Anyway, the girl who blocked the transfer student let the hammer hang and said.Lets end it here, shall we? Mr. Transfer Student?Why should I?If its a matter of proving your skills, you can do it without these fools, right?And with those words, the two of them red at each other in silence, neither saying who should go first.To others, it looked like a tense moment of mutual assessmentIn reality, both of them were trying their best to suppress theirughter.With twitching lips, Yeomyeong finally broke the silence after barely managing to reign in hisughter.Whats your name?Hong Seti. I was epted as the third highest-ranked student among the first years. Will I be a good enough opponent to prove your skills?Well well see.With that, both of them swung their weapons simultaneously.
* * *Boom!As the sword and hammer shed, mana erupted. The disced air instantly surged forth, creating a gust of wind.And it was Seti who was pushed back in the sh of strength.Though she was using a smaller War Hammer than usual, Yeomyeongs mana was above expectations.Even the spectating staff were wide-eyed on seeing the density of the mana.His mana was far beyond what it had been during their previous encounter.Had he consumed some sort of elixir? What kind of elixir made him this strong? Did he eat a dragons heart?Thinking that it would be nice if that were the case, Seti stepped forward.The Flying Kick. The same technique she used to strike his head during their first encounter, with the exact position and angle.Whoosh!Yeomyeong avoided the foot by a hairs breadth and swung his sword at the empty space. It was clear he was holding himself from using the Flying Kick technique against Seti.With a smirk on her face, Seti swung her hammer using centrifugal force.Once again, the sword and hammer shed.ng!Mana surged again and a shockwave more powerful than the previous one swept through the area.As Seti was pushed back, she could see her spectating ssmates and faculty members gaping in astonishment.That was the exact reaction she was going for. Yes, this was how his academy debut should be.Seti gathered even more mana and locked eyes with Yeomyeong. The emotion in his golden eyes was in: faster and stronger.If that was what he wanted, then so be it.She immediately unleashed her martial arts technique. Mana surged violently like a storm, enhancing every part of her body.Her arm and shoulder wielding the hammer, as well as her trapezius muscle,tissimus dorsi muscle, and erector spinae.The foundation of martial arts was to squeeze every muscle in ones body.Following that simple principle, Seti swung the hammer down at Yeomyeong.KABOOOM!!!The next moment, the runway roared. A tremendous wave shook the surroundings, and the students within reach tumbled over.Even Yeomyeong, who barely avoided the attack, could only focus on regaining his bnce on the trembling ground.Seizing the opportunity, Seti suppressed the recoil of her hammer and used the Flying Kick technique.Overwhelming power made up for theck of precision.And the next moment, she once again brought the hammer down on Yeomyeongs head.Quickly adjusting his stance, Yeomyeong swung his sword. With that swift decision he made in a split second, his de sliced through.The mana imbued in the sword rippledMana from the Surging Wave technique, which she was also familiar with.However, there wasnt enough time for him to fully unleash his mana.Contemting on whether to reduce the power, Seti widened her eyes at the light bursting from his sword.!!!!!!The deafening noise was not just from the sh of weapons.It was the sound of refined mana and mana nullifying each other.- T-thats! A Sword Aura! Its a Sword Aura!!Despite the shock, a student who had been watching the two intently shouted as Setis body was suddenly lifted into the air.Thud.Maintaining her stance, shended on the ground with much difficulty.Although she avoided the disgrace of rolling on the ground in her school uniform, her hair was disheveled, and the hand holding the War Hammer trembled.It was clear that she had been pushed back overwhelmingly.How strong.As she swept her hair back, Seti figured it would be a close fight even if she took it seriously from now on.Should I go all out?Although all of this was merely a performance, she was still a Superhuman. It was unavoidable that she felt a sense of pride creep up in her chest.Of course, unlike her, Yeomyeong didnt seem to feel any such pride.The fact that he kept ncing at her with a subtle look of worry was enough proof.It seems going any further will be too much.Setis original n was to keep fighting until someone intervened, but it was clear that Yeomyeong would be the first to ask to conclude it.Are you going to continue?As expected, Yeomyeong asked while loosening his grip on his sword.He was such an easy person to get a read on. Seti suppressed a smile and raised her hammer again.I still have an ultimate move left.Just onest big move.Yeomyeong sighed instead of replying and began channeling the mana from the Surging Wave technique into his sword.It was as if he was determined to demonstrate his actual Sword Aura this time, relentlessly infusing his de with mana.Seti, too, drew mana and infused it into her war hammer.The next strike would decide the winner.The two of them looked at each other with such tant intensity that even the most oblivious person present could see it clearly.Of course, it was also evident that Seti was at a disadvantage but fights were rarely that simple.As the surrounding students held their breath and even the staff who nned to intervene momentarily paused, the two prepared to swing their weapons. Or rather, they intended to.Seti?! Yeomyeong?! No!Just before the Sword Aura could burst forth, a frivolous scream from the direction of the airne interrupted them.The sudden noise caused everyones attention to shift toward the airne door.There, a girl in a pure white priestess robe was climbing down the airstairs.Yeomyeong, you fool! If you hurt Seti, I wont justack!To be precise, she tumbled down the stairs.
Chapter 74: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (4)
* * *Lord Howe Academy, Conference Room 1.People of different colors and ethnicities were seated at a massive round table made of luxurious hardwood, unfolding documents.Teaching representatives from major departments, as well as directors from key offices such as administration, admissions, and public rtions.With everyone, who could rightly be called the real power of the academy, gathered, only the hushed sound of pages being turned could be heard.And just before the silence could be ufortable, the door to the conference room opened, and a middle-aged woman with her hair tied up stepped in.Himena Libero.Or as she preferred to be called Principal instead of her official title President of Lord Howe Academy.Youve arrived. Ms. Preno, Ms. Principal.The staff stood up in unison and bowed their heads.In response to their greeting, the Principal smiled gently and casually made her way to the seat at the head of the table.Following her lead, the staff also sat back down and turned toward her.Ladies and gentlemen of the staff, I apologize for summoning you at thiste hour. As those of you who have seen the documents on the table already know, this emergency meeting was convened at the behest of Director Niky.The Principal looked at Director Niky Tcherny, who was sitting to her left.The agenda for this meeting is for us to vote on the disciplinary action regarding both the transfer student and the Admissions Director.The staff, who were quick to pick up on thetest rumors, showed no reaction as if they had expected this.However, professors, like Professor Kadan from the Magic Department, turned to the Admissions Director with a look of surprise.How did that strict person end up in this situation?As everyone pondered this, Niky raised his hand. The Principal gave him permission to speak with a slight gesture.Ahem, ahem. As some of you may already know, a tragic event urred at our academy today.Director Niky stood up and scanned the staff around the table before continuing.Due to one persons choice and one persons misconduct, the academy has suffered enormous mental and material damage.With a triumphant voice, he turned towards Medga, the Admissions Director.First, Runway 2 at the airport has been damaged. ording to the Facilities Management Department, it will take three days to restore it to normal.The runway was damaged? Some teachers turned to the head of Facilities Managemen,t as if asking if that was true.He simply shrugged his shoulders in response. On receiving his unspoken affirmation, Niky continued.But thats not all. ording to the numerous testimonies we have received, the transfer student overtly threatened the staff who were present on-site. Not just with words, but using weapons and mana as well. Huh.Upon hearing a sigh from an unknown staff member, Niky spoke with greater emotion.Additionally, 27 staff members, including Pedro, an employee of the board, areining of mental distress. Some have even requested leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder.A total of 19 people, including the students who had gathered on the runway, have suffered injuries of varying degrees. Fortunately, none of them were severe, but the medical team has officially requested restraint.He spoke with an agitated expression and gestures. Seeing everyones attention fixed on him, Niky mmed his hand on the table.And among the injured is the Saintess herself! Its fortunate she was able to heal herself, but she still suffered a broken arm! Were not just talking about some ordinary person herethis is the Saintess! And this happened on her very first day at the academy!Medga remained silent, ring at Niky, who had just finished speaking while trying to hide a sneer.Everyone! I hereby call for immediate disciplinary action to be taken against the transfer student and for the removal of Medga from the position of Admissions Director.Teachers with even little to no interest in the internal politics of the academy recognized Nikys ploy and frowned, but that was all.Assuming that all of Nikys ims were true, then disciplinary action against the Admissions Director was warranted.After all, this transfer was solely the Admissions Directors unteral decision.Do you have any rebuttals, Admissions Director Medga?The Principal, who had been resting her chin on her hand, asked. Medga sighed and replied.Its hard to say that the transfer student is the only one at fault. There were people who were deliberately condemning the transfer. And especiallyBut before he could continue with his exnation, Director Niky interrupted.Condemn, you say?! What they were doing was expressing their opinion in a legitimate manner! How could you describe people who were protesting against your overreach of authority like that, Admissions Director! Arent you ashamed? Hah.Faced with such a shallow ploy, Medga swallowed his sigh.Even though that man had relied on his connections outside the academy to gain his current position, how could he stoop to such a low level?Although it was a situation that would make one sigh involuntarily, the other staff members had grim expressions.Even if they put aside the damage caused to the runway, the fact that a Superhuman student threatened ordinary staff and caused the injury to the Saintess was no trivial matter.If there are no objections, we will immediately proceed with the vote.As Niky said this, the back door of the conference room opened, and secretaries carrying the voting boxes and ballots rushed in.It was as if they were advertising that they had prepared everything in advance. From the emergency meeting to the voting, it was all just so tantly obvious.Ignoring the staffs ufortable expressions, Niky continued to address the table.Lastly, I will ask. Does anyone oppose the voting?It was clear that no one would oppose taking a vote, though there might be those who cast an opposing vote.Then, we will start the votingJust as Niky was about to dere it triumphantly, the Principal raised her hand.Ms. President?Principal.Yes, Ms. Principal. Uh, may I ask why you raised your hand?You asked if there were any objections, didnt you?The Principals stern gaze caused Nikys expression to harden.Objections? You have heard my entire exnation, right? The transfer was an overreach of authority by the Admissions DirectorNot by the Admissions Director. It was mymand. What?Niky was struck speechless. Tapping the table, the Principal continued.I was the one who approved the transfer of the mercenary called Cheon Yeomyeong.Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of the Principals fingers tapping the table echoed through the conference room.So, if anyone should be taking responsibility for this incident, it should be me. Dont you agree, Director Niky?The Principal enunciated each word with great care.You also brought up dismissal, right? I think its too extreme of a measure for an ident caused by a single student.M-Ms. Principal, I.I know, I know. I understand that you have put in some effort for all this.But boundaries must be maintained. The students gathered at the airport are no fools, and if the staff are fooled by such tant schemes, what will the students think?The atmosphere had be peculiar. Director Niky, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his forehead, answered in a flustered manner.I thought this was a matter of the academys prestige. And if you take any matter involving the Saintess lightlybecause of the Saintess.The Principal narrowed her eyes and turned her head.However, her gaze was not directed at Director Niky but rather to the back of the table.Does that woman think so as well?Only then did the teachers gazes turn to the back.At the end of the conference room, where the secretaries and personal assistants were sitting in a rowSat a woman in a blue coat, with a in blue mask on her face while crossing her legs and looking at the table.Only a few recognized her identity.At most, a few keen-eyed individuals realized that the coat she was wearing was the representative attire of the Blue Rat.But Niky was different. As soon as he saw the blue mask, he swallowed nervously.It was an appearance anyone from Moscow would recognize.Wh-why is that woman at the academyNiky stammered as he took a step back.While the staff, unable to guess her identity, were unable to hide their confusion, the Principal simply tilted her head.Is it that strange for a parent toe to see their daughters admission?
* * *The male dormitory for first-year students at Lord Howe Academy was chaotic as ever. While it was always lively, it was even more so.Because today was the day the rumored transfer student was moving in.The dormitory staff gritted their teeth while sneaking asional nces at the clock, while the students gathered in groups at the windows, keeping an eye on the path leading to the dormitory.- Is today really the day of his admission?- I heard he was released from the Disciplinary Office earlier.- Which room do you think hell get?After a long wait, two people could be seen walking down the brightly lit hallway.Leading the way and giving directions was the familiar dormitory supervisor. And following him was- They say hes an ex-mercenary, but he doesnt look that different in the school uniform.Students, who were seeing the transfer student for the first time, did not hide their disappointment. The neatly dressed transfer student did not seem special in any manner.- Thats because you havent seen him fight.Of course, the students who had seen him back at the airport thought differently.They had seen the transfer student threatening to sever the limbs of the instigators and the battle in which he brought forth his Sword Aura.Jealousy, admiration, pure curiosity.Amidst countless gazes of the male students, the transfer student had already arrived right in front of the dormitory.- Which room will he be assigned to? An avable one or ording to tradition?- It should obviously be done ording to tradition.- He didnt even take the entrance exam. How can they ce him ording to tradition? Theyll probably assign him to any avable room.The Tradition of the DormitoryIt referred to the long-standing practice of assigning rooms based on admission rankings, the higher the ranking, the better the room.Although it was only a matter of assigning rooms with better sunlight or ones closer to the stairsBoys of this age often stoked theirpetitive spirit over such minor trivialities.- But if they stick to the tradition, does that mean Jeon Yunseong will have to vacate his room?Asked one of the students rushing down the central staircase.It was a simple question, but it was enough to ignite a me in the boys hearts.Who was stronger? Jeon Yunseong, the strongest first year and the pride of America? Or the transfer student who had supposedly defeated a dragon?- Nah, Jeon Yunseong is probably stronger. Even third-year seniors dont dare to challenge him- Hey! The transfer student supposedly defeated a dragon in actualbat. How can Yunseongpete with that?- They say it was thanks to the Saintess blessing. It might be different if he fought barehanded.By the time the transfer student entered the first-floor lobby, that was the discussion that had everyones attention.Thud.However, as if on cue, the moment the transfer student stepped into the dormitory, the students fell silent at the same time.HmmHis cold, golden eyes scanned the students gathered in the lobby and the central staircase.After observing the students for a moment, the transfer student turned to the dormitory head and asked.Mr. Dormitory Head. Is there a weing ceremony or something?Uh wellLooking flustered, the dormitory head trailed off.He didnt know why so many students had gathered in the lobby.Fortunately, his bewilderment did notst long. Unable to tolerate the silence, someone revealed the truth.This isnt a weing ceremony; everyones gathered to see you.See?A burly boy stepped forward from among the students. He added in a gruff voice, as if he had just past puberty.Cheon Yeomyeong, you are a famous person whos been all over the news as ofte. So, you know, its like theyve gathered to see a celebrity.And also maybe you might be assigned to the best room in our dorm.Assigned to the best room what? What kind of nonsense was this? Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow.Oh, I see. It looks like you dont know about this yet. Its a tradition in the first-year male dormitory.Seeing Yeomyeongs indifferent reaction, the boy hastily exined the dormitorys tradition.Though his exnation was a bit muddled, it wasnt difficult to understand.The tradition where male students were assigned to better rooms based on their admission ranking.As soon as his exnation ended, Yeomyeongmented curtly.What a foolish tradition.Reactions were mixed. Some snickered in agreement, while others frowned in displeasureRegardless of the students reactions, Yeomyeong paid them no heed and addressed the dormitory head.Mr. Dormitory Head, where is my room?Uh Room 314. Ill show you the way.Relieved that no dispute regarding the room seemed imminent, the dormitory head sighed and prepared to guide him.However, the next moment, the boy who had given him the exnation of the tradition earlier jumped up.Thud!Landing in the center of the lobby, right in front of the dormitory head and Yeomyeong, the boy did not hide his burning gaze.Cheon Yeomyeong. Im Wesley, ranked 4th in the admission rankings. Im currently using the second-best room in this dorm.It was clear what he would say next, even if left unsaid.
Lets have a fight over my room.
Cheon Yeomyeong could have refused, but there was no reason for him to do so.He wouldnt have acted so boldly back at the airport if he didnt want to be noticed.It seems Ill be fighting more often than I did as a mercenary.Yeomyeong was about to open his bag and take out his sword. However, he just set the bag down and clenched his fists.Why should I use a sword against kids?Seeing this, Wesley also raised his fists. Far from being displeased, he actually had a smile on his face.Are we going to do this barehanded?Yes, barehanded. Are there any rules?Until one side surrenders.The dormitory staff tried to intervene, but the dormitory head waved them off. It was a gesture to let them be.This marked the moment when Yeomyeong and Wesleys fight officially became a dispute over a room.- Hey! Everyone up there, hurry down! Wesley and the transfer student are going to fight!As the staff sighed and the male students cheeredHere Ie.Wesley kicked the ground.
Chapter 75: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (5)
* * *Contrary to mostmon misconceptions, Superhuman martial arts were not just techniques meant to enhance the body.The Superhuman strength and speed were merely the external manifestation.The true foundation of martial artsy in the philosophy and ideology of handling mana.It was what Superhumans often called the True IntentionA single line from a book, a realization buried in a persons heart, or someones earnest dreamThat was what they called the true martial art. Thus, martial arts had be a teaching for cultivating the mind and training to test the limits of the body.Of course, there were exceptions.In such cases, the very purpose of martial arts was to seek greater strength and faster speed.For example, many military Superhuman martial arts developed during the Cold War disyed such tendencies.Although those martial arts had naturally been phased out in modern times, some were still being passed down.And the martial art Wesley practiced was precisely one such martial art.Its official name was ssified by the military, but the media called it Air Dominance, a super-speed martial art.As soon as Wesley said, Here Ie, he immediately reached right under Yeomyeongs nose.Wham!His fist traced a bold arc, and the wind struck Yeomyeongs cheek first.Yeomyeong neither blocked nor tried to dodge the punch. Instead, he used his right fist to counter.A tant cross-counter. Wesley withdrew his punch and blocked Yeomyeongs fist using his elbow.He nned to deflect the fist and then deliver a follow-up blow.Crack!However, contrary to Wesleys expectations, a chilling sound echoed from his elbow that met Yeomyeongs fist.Horrific pain surged up Wesleys arm, but he did not relent.Instead, he raised his knee, aiming for the lower body. It was blocked.Left punch, blocked. Shoulder strike while trying to close in, deflected. Headbutt, dodged.In the rapid exchange of blows, Wesleys attacks kept failing repeatedly.Was the gap this big? Just as Wesley gritted his teeth and tried to continue attackingThud!Yeomyeongs foot struck his abdomen without warning and Wesley flew before crashing to the ground.The force behind the kick was so strong that the flooring broke with a cracking sound.Reactions to that scene wereplete opposites. The students were in awe while the dormitory staff massaged their foreheads.Regardless of their reactions, Wesley rose from the ground with a look of grimace.Motherfu were you holding back?Seeing Wesley spit blood, Yeomyeong shook his head.No, I thought this much strength would have been sufficient. Youre sturdier than I expected.Ha!Wesley bared his teeth andughed. Even though his legs were trembling from the shock and blood flowed down his forehead, his eyes were full of determination.It seems like you prefer using your legs instead of your fists. Dont hold back; use your full strength.Hmm.If I go all out, youll die. Yeomyeong struggled to keep himself from retorting sharply.Although he was worried about the possibility of his statement being perceived as a taunt, he was more concerned about killing Wesley by ident.Controlling his strength was harder than expected. After all, did the need to control his strength ever arise?From the Necromancer to dragons and Mara. All the opponents Yeomyeong had faced so far were formidable in their own right, that if he didnt exert every ounce of his strength, he would be putting his life on the lineAre you thinking of something else during the fight!?Seeing Yeomyeong remain silent, Wesley shouted angrily before charging again.It was a lightning-fast but straightforward attack. The martial art pursuing pure strength aimed for Yeomyeongs vital points.Starting with a punch aimed at his neck, the exchange this time was one-sided this time as well. Rapid strikes and powerful blows, counters and evasions.But the exchange didntst long.At the moment Wesleys mana showed signs of depleting, Yeomyeong suddenly reached out for Wesleys neck.Gack!With his neck grabbed all of a sudden, a scream barely escaped Wesleys mouth.If controlling his strength was proving to be difficult, Yeomyeong decided to just knock him out with a normal attack and grabbed his neck.Keuh, l-let go!Recognizing Yeomyeongs intention, Wesley swung his fists frantically, but Yeomyeongs grip around his neck tightened even more.As Wesleys strength began to drain from his limbs and as the dormitory staff were rushing in to stop the fightSomeones foot came flying from the central staircase railing.Thud!The dropped attack was aimed precisely at Yeomyeongs arm holding Wesleys neck.Fortunately, Yeomyeong instinctively flung Wesley to the side; the force behind the kick would have probably broken his arm if he had epted the blow directly.As if proving his judgment right, the lobby floor cracked, and a cloud of dust was kicked up.Yeomyeong frowned while looking at the dust. Was he surprised by the surprise attack? No, that was not it. It was because he recognized the technique used against him.Quake Stomp.From what Seti told him, that technique could be considered the strongest attack of the Flying Kick technique.And as the dust settled, a familiar handsome boy appeared.Jeon Yunseong?The public enemy number one in Korea and, at the same time, he was considered as the most handsome Korean by blood.Although Yeomyeong had never met him face-to-face, he red at the other boy with a fierce expression.That Flying Kick technique! Dont say that the one sent from Korea.Just as Jeon Yunseong was about to say something, Wesley, who regained his senses, yelled at him.Hey, Jeon Yunseong! Why did you interfere!No, I was trying to save you.Save me? Why? Did you think that a fight over a room was going to end in murder?Wesleys words made the other students attention shift to Jeon Yunseong simultaneously.And for some reason, there was not a trace of goodwill in their gazes.It doesnt seem like its just because he interfered in the fight. Is he being ostracized or something?Even Yeomyeong, who wasnt very perceptive, noticed that the students gazes towards Jeon Yunseong were rather strange. It was almost like they were looking at someone who insulted their parents.And it wasn;t just Yeomyeong who felt this way. After mumbling to himself, Jeon Yunseong lowered his head deeply.Sorry, I misunderstood.Hey! You call that an apology?Im really sorry. I didnt mean to ruin the fight.Jeon Yunseong bowed his head to Wesley, while the students red at him coldly while the dormitory staff looked bewildered.After observing the scene for a moment, Yeomyeong dusted his clothes.Regardless of Jeon Yunseongs circumstances, he had yed around enough for the time being.Mr. Dormitory Head, what happens to the fight over a room if it ends like this?Usually, it is considered to be a draw.Is that so? Then shall we go to the originally assigned room. Was it Room 314?Wesley, who had been listening to their conversation, was startled and tried to intervene.A draw? Its not over yet!Thats what you think.No! I can still fight.Yeomyeong gazed at Wesley without saying a word. Wesleys lips twitched, before quickly turning away, his fists trembling.What a brat.There was a limit to being honest with ones emotions. Seeing someone who looked like they were not far off in age behaving like this really hit home that he was actually at school.But to have his first day at the first school he ever attended turned out like thisYeomyeong stifled a sigh before gathered his belongings. He then addressed Wesley, whose fists were still trembling.Be it a fight over a room or a duel, we can do it as many times as you like.What? You want to go another round?Yes, but not tomorrow I have a prior appointment. Maybe sometimeter this week.Next time, please fight in the dueling arena. As the dormitory head added silently, Wesley jumped up and burst intoughter.Huh, I was defeated in skill and in character.I heard you were a mercenary, but it turns out that youre quite the something after all, huh?As Wesley strode over and extended his hand, Yeomyeong struggled to keep the muscles in his face from twisting into grimace.Is he as crazy as the Saintess?He sincerely hoped that such people werentmon in the academy. Pushing away the ominous feeling, Yeomyeong shook Wesleys hand.Reactions to their handshake were neither particrly good nor bad.Most students were satisfied with the entertaining spectacle, while the dormitory staff frowned at the damaged floor.Some students, who were unable to read the mood, had question marks floating above their heads, but the majority began to disperse with the attitude that it was better to just let it go.As themotion on his first day as a transfer student came to an end, Yeomyeong followed the dormitory head, briefly locking eyes with Jeon Yunseong, who stood nkly in the lobby.Envy, disappointment, and intense suspicion.Sensing those emotions of his, Jeon Yunseong averted his gaze btedly, but Yeomyeong decided to remember that look, recalling Setis words about using him for revenge.
* * *The Author held his breath, listening intently to the soundsing from outside the door.The chatter about Jeon Yunseong and the confrontation between the transfer student and Wesley continued until it suddenly fell silent.Were Wesley and the transfer student fighting? In the ensuing silence, the Author recalled the scene they had seen at the airport earlier.The fight between the transfer student and Hong Seti, that crazy bitch.While Jeon Yunseong and Soe Miri, who were watching the duel alongside him, expressed their admiration the Author felt differently.To be honest, it was terrifying.Was it because it was his first time witnessing a fight with Killing Aura and mana erupting?While that was partly the reason, what truly frightened the Author was the transfer students skills.Not only was he able to coat his sword with mana, but he could also execute Sword Aura.Being able to execute Sword Aura means that he has reached at least the level of releasing mana Damn, are these people already messing around from the start of Chapter 1?Compared to him, who was still on the verge of bing a Superhuman, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth.And if the transfer student was truly from reality the gap was one that he would never be able to bridge, no matter what he did.The Author buried his head between his knees and trembled.What if he discovers my identity?Should he propose an alliance or request his cooperation? Perhaps he could even use the strange fated events he knew about as bait to recruit him as a subordinateDamn, if its you, would you agree to that?It was a matter of perspective. After all, didnt he himself think that this world belonged to him?What if that guy was another person from reality? He would have gotten the Author immediately, without a second thought.Indeed, staying at the academy no longer seemed like a good idea; perhaps escaping and finding another way would be better- Knock knockWhile the Author was contemting his next move, someone knocked on the door. Startled, he looked toward it.Wh-who is it?- Its the dormitory head. May Ie in?Why was the dormitory head here at this hour? Feeling a sense of foreboding, the Author answered.Ah, yes, Mr. Dormitory Head. Pleasee in.The door opened immediately after he gave his permission.And the next moment, the Author bit his lip to suppress a scream.Behind the dormitory head who opened the door, was the transfer student Yeomyeong.No way, no, it cant be.Mr. Cheon Yeomyeong, this is the room you will stay in from now on. The dormitory rules are on that desk, and for the nkets and pillows.His worst-case scenario hade true. The Author thought of the assassins dagger and poison needles he had hidden under his pillow but soon shook his head.They might have worked against those novice freshmen, but it wouldnt be effective against a Superhuman of this guys caliber.Thus, he had only one remaining optionI have to ensure that my identity stays hidden by any means necessary.He swallowed his saliva and forced himself to appear calm.As the Author desperately suppressed his trembling lips, the dormitory head finished his exnation and left the room.Left alone with the transfer student, the Author covered his trembling legs with a nket.Meanwhile, the golden-eyed student scanned the room with a calm expression before frowning.Did something upset him?Damn it.After taking a deep breath, the Author opened his mouth to speak to Yeomyeong, who was putting down his bag.Um Um hi? Shall we introduce ourselves first?Cheon Yeomyeong.I-Im Baonic L-Lerac. Nice n-nice to meet you.Damn, my tongue wont move properly. As the Author muttered curses inwardly, Yeomyeong stared at him with a strange expression.Lerac? Are you a part of the Lerac Household?Uh Y-yes. Do you know my family?Of course, he did. The Lerac Household was more famous than most royalty beyond the Dimensional Portal.Although not for good reasons.Of course, I know your family. Ive seen your family mentioned in documentaries a few times.D-documentaries?The series about families beyond the Dimensional Portal. Your family was the second one featured though you might not know that.The transfer student replied while taking something out of his bag.Startled.Baonic trembled upon seeing the hilt of a sword sticking out of the bag, but what Yeomyeong took out was something else.A portable broom and dustpan. Items Baonic would have never been able to predict.While he was momentarily speechless, Yeomyeong asked.The room is a bit dirty. May I clean it up?While the Author was surprised that Cheon Yeomyeong was much friendlier than expected, he was even more taken aback by how well he cleaned.
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Chapter 76: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (6)
* * *It was a tranquil night at the academy.The footsteps of the night patrol guards were quiet enough to maintain the calm, and the sound of the night breeze rustling through the bushes was not long enough to awaken the night.An ordinary night, just like any other, as if themotion caused by the transfer student had never happened.However, an eerie voice suddenly broke the silence that seemed tost for eternity.The Saintess has finally arrived at the academy today.The voice sounded as if dozens of people were speaking simultaneously.Everything is just as the prophet foretold.Each time the voice resonated, the nearby street lights flickered, and winged insects fell dead.Witnessing the surrealist scene, the moonlight briefly illuminated the owner of the voice, but all that emerged from the darkness was a thick robe that revealed nothing underneath.Now, I will resume the n that was dyed. Does anyone oppose it?Amidst the darkness of the night, several figures were standing beside the owner of the eerie voice.I disagree.A middle-aged woman with a husky voice spoke up.Why?Have you already forgotten about the Manchurian affair? The prophecy has already gone awry.The owner of the eerie voice shook his head.The Manchurian affair is unrted to the prophets prophecy.How can it be unrted? ording to the original prophecy, the Saintess was supposed to head to Manchuria during summer vacation, not to a perfectly intact Manchuria, but to one that was already burned to the ground!The middle-aged woman raised her voice in frustration.And is that all? What about the transfer student who arrived at the academy along with her? Was there any mention of him in that so-called great prophecy?As soon as the transfer student was mentioned, everyone gathered in the darkness fell silent.After a moment, the eerie voice spoke again.The of the prophecy may be full of holes, but nothing can escape it. That student must be hiding his true identity, but he is undoubtedly part of the prophecy.Thats nonsense.Oh Ava, how could you lose your faith?The middle-aged woman, whose name had been revealed, flinched but that did not stop her from speaking.We are not the Church. We must ept the reality unfolding before our eyes, not just faith. If the transfer student is hiding his identity, what on earth is his purpose in doing so?Its such a pity but Ava, it seems like youve been associating with the Earths evil spirits for a bit too long.As the eerie voice finished speaking, the darkness in the surroundings began to ripple.Crash! Unable to t withstand the unseen pressure, a street light burst, and the surrounding darkness grew even thicker.Wait, wait. Priest, just a moment. Avas words do hold some weight, dont they?A light voice interjected between the two.It seems that you already have an idea about the transfer students true identity, Priest. So please enlighten us.Only the devout, like the Priest, can maintain unwavering faith, even in the face of doubt. You know that as well, dont you?As soon as the gloomy voice finished speaking, the pressure exerted by the so-called priest vanished like the melting snow.Tch, faithless onesThe priest clicked his tongue softly and exined.Try to recall where and how the transfer student made his appearance, and what he has been doing so far.Without needing to be told, everyone present knew exactly what the transfer student had been up to.From the moment the Saintess failed to make her appearance at the entrance ceremony, all their attention had been focused on North Manchuria.Did no one really notice? He is a secret escort dispatched by the Holy Knights to protect the Saintess.A secret escort? What makes you think that?The prophecy says that the fallen shield of the Holy Knights lies hidden within the academy, protecting the Saintess. And the transfer student has been protecting the Saintess since Manchuria. Could these two connections be mere coincidence?Though his logic had many ws, no one present pointed them out.Was it because People of Religion were always like that? No, it was because the hypothesis sounded usible. It also fitted well with how unreal the transfer students achievements seemed.A mercenary suddenly appearing out of nowhere and defeating a dragon alongside the Saintess and then earning the dragons recognition? It wasnt like he was a hero from the legend or something.But what if the mercenarys true identity was the Saintess secret escort? If all this were part of the apostates conspiracy It was quite a usible story.They would need to activate their informationwork for a more detailed investigation, but everyone present had a simr thought.Is there anyone who still opposes the n?There was no answer. In a situation like this, silence was equivalent to agreement, and the priest nodded.Then, as the prophecy foretold, the academy will burn to the ground.When will it start?Today, the moment the day breaks.No further exnation was necessary. The figures in the darkness turned away without saying a word.As everyone disappeared without a sound, only the middle-aged woman called Ava remained behind, staring nkly at the priest.Why did you stay?Priest, about the transfer student. As you said, there is a possibility that he is the Saintess secret escort, butIs it entirely impossible that hes just an earth-born mercenary? And what if he is the master of fate in the prophecy?The term master of fate made the priest turn his head sharply. His eyes, darker than the darkness itself, fixed on Ava. Under no circumstances can an Earthian ever be the master of fatejust like the Saintess, who has been tainted withmie blood.It was the most confident he sounded among everything he had said so far.Ava did not say anything in response and simply turned away.As she walked away, the priest slowly turned his head to look up at the broken streetlight.The shattered bulb spewed sparks intermittently, as if a dying person were spitting out blood.After watching it for a moment, the priest raised his hand. Then, the next moment, he clenched his fist.Crack.With that, tranquility returned to the night .
* * *The Saintess looked at the school uniforms on the bed while tapping her lips.Two types of winter uniforms, two types of summer uniforms, gym clothes, and even religious garments like a veil and a shoulder cape were all ced beside each other.She contemted over each piece of the academy-provided uniforms, picking them up and putting them down one by one.Hmmm How should I wear thisShould she go with the top of the winter uniform and the bottom of the summer one, like the trends she saw on social media?Or should she wear a winter skirt and summer blouse like the celebrities did in dramas?There were even some cheeky examples like using the academy pajamas and swimwear, but she couldnt wear those to school, so she dismissed those thoughts.Anyway, after contemting over uniformbinations for over two hours, she finally decided on her outfit with just 10 minutes left before school started.A navy-colored coat with silver ents and a neat pleated skirt.It was the standard winter uniformbination of Lord Howe Academy, and it was the exact outfit that Seti had worn yesterday.After giving her outfit a once over, the Saintess hesitated about whether to wear the pure white shoulder cape that symbolized the five gods priests. And only after hearing the dormitory heads call to hurry to school did she leave the room.Fortunately, since there were many other students besides her who were also rushing to school at thest minute, it did not look odd.Of course, she did attract the attention of students who recognized her with a blindfold and shoulder cape.Normally, she would have probably felt a bit intimidated by all the attention but the Saintess was quite pleased with it at the moment.She walked confidently. As she neared the main building for the first-years, her heart pounded with the realization that she had finally arrived at the academy she had dreamed of.I wonder if Seti and Yeomyeong have already arrived?She thought of her sole no, her two treasured friends as she passed through the main entrance of the building.Even if she wasnt sure about Yeomyeong, the diligent Seti must have arrived early.Although she didnt get the chance to greet Seti yesterday because the girl was dragged away by the disciplinarymittee as soon as the fight came to an end, she was determined to catch up with her todayHuh?The moment she entered the hallway, she saw two female students walking side by side.A blonde girl chattering away in a friendly manner and a ck-haired girl listening to her in silence.SetiAs she watched the two, the Saintess felt an unexpected surge of emotion.The sight of them walking shoulder to shoulder was exactly like the academy life she had always dreamed of.Of course, it wasnt strange for Seti to make friends besides her, but still still, she feltAs she struggled to contain the unfamiliar emotions rising within her and her hands trembled, Seti made eye contact with her.The Saintess, who felt a pang of sadness, smiled brightly and waved, and SetiOnly gave a slight bow in her direction; a formal greeting with no sense of familiarity.?And that was the end of her reunion with Seti. There was no heartfelt conversation or hug. Seti simply entered the ssroom with her friend.Left alone in the hallway, the Saintess stood there nkly, gazing alternately at her hands and the ssroom Seti had disappeared into.What was this? What was happening?Her mind was in turmoil, unable to ept the reality. Was she having a nightmare?What are you doing standing in a daze?As she stood there frozen, a familiar voice pulled the Saintess back to reality.Yeomyeong.She turned towards Yeomyeong, who looked unusually neat in his school uniform, but she was unable to offer anypliments or greetings. Her mouth just wouldnt open.Uh well uhDid I just get dumped? was the first thought that came to mind. Following that were all sorts of harsh words, but she couldnt bring herself to say any of them out loud.So she just kept her mouth shut and was about to enter the ssroom.Or rather, she tried to.However, the moment she opened the back door of the ssroom, she was greeted by the sight of Seti standing there with her arms crossed.A corner of her mouth was slightly raised, and her blue eyes had a yful look in them.Yo!Long time no see.As soon as Seti uncrossed her arms and stretched out her arms, something burst inside the Saintess heart.You, you cant be serious were you trying to mess with me?Did it work?Y-You! You bad bitch!The Saintess jumped into Setis arms. Ignoring the curious gazes of the other students in the ssroom, she hugged her long-lost friend tightly.I really, really missed youBut I didnt really miss you though?Hmph! Youre saying that again!Unfortunately for the Saintess, their emotional reunion didntst long.Just as she started to rub her face against Setis uniform, Yeomyeong cleared his throat and said.Do you really have to do that right at the door?
* * *Instead of its formal name, the Academy Security Management Department, most people simply referred to it as the Watchtower.At the top of the towering building was a room known as the Central Security Room.This ce managed not only the surveince cameras installed throughout the academy but also the detection magic that covered all four inds.Though it was considered to be an impregnable fortress, it was not without its weaknesses.For instance what if an explosion urred in themoner guards night duty room, located just four floors below the Central Security Room?The mana source leading to the Central Security Room would be cut off, and the inds detection magic would be instantly neutralized.Of course, the neutralization wouldntst long. The mage residing in the security room would quickly restore the magic.However, even the shortest recovery time needed would take over 5 minutes.And five minutes was more than enough time to turn the whole world upside down.John didnt particrly agree with this assessment but at least, that was how the organization he worked for saw it.John? Why do you look like that? Is something wrong?Seeing John fiddling with his bulky bag, a fellow guard asked.John was about to say that everything was fine.After all, it would be foolish to tell him that this bag contained a massive bomb that would not only shake the night duty room but even the security room above.However, what came out of his mouth was something entirely different.Chief Kim, you said something about seeing your grandson recently, didnt you?My grandson? Hes so adorable, just like his mother. But, forget about that, and we need to talk about your condition firstYou should get out of the management department immediately.What? John, why are you saying this?John squeezed his eyes shut.As the priest said, it seemed that he had spent too much time mingling with the Earths evil spirits.Damn it, cant you hear me? Get out immediately!Drawing his pistol from his waistband, he aimed it at the other guards in the night duty room.Though they were taken aback, Chief Kim and the other guards did not attempt to subdue him.Fortunately for John, they seemed to catch on to the situation and slipped out of the night duty room furtively, likely intending to call for a superhuman from another department.Well, even John would have done the same. That was the only way to ensure that no one got hurt.Bang!Once he confirmed that all the guards had left, John locked the door to the night duty room.Although he wasnt sure if this would allow the other guards to escape the explosion safely, he was at least grateful that he wouldnt have to witness their deaths with his own eyes as he opened the bag.Hail to the Empire''s independence!With thosest words that no one would hear, the night duty room exploded.
Chapter 77: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (7)
* * *The first ss on Friday at Lord Howes always took ce at the same locationA massive circr ssroom resembling an ancient Greek theater.It was a ce imbued with the founders desire for all students, be it Mages or Superhumans, to gather in one ce at least once a week.The sight of students filling the room to the brim was one of Lord Howes distinctive traditions. However, beyond this unique appearance, the ss itself was nothing out of the ordinary.The subject taught was amon one, such as Life and Ethics, Superhumans and Society.Although some students and staff proposed that it would be better to get rid of such an inefficient tradition, Yeomyeongs impression was different.Its not as bad as I thought.Let alone attending a normal school; he had rarely been in the same ce with peers of his age.Sitting among the students, looking down at the podium, he feltSomething strange.It was a different feeling from when he was under the spotlight back at the airport or dormitory.Was this the reason the Foreman kept nagging him to attend a proper school instead of simply answering the GED?Although it was impossible for him to find the real answer now, somehow, it seemed that was what the Foreman meant.As Yeomyeong was lost in his thoughts, the front door of the ssroom opened, and a woman wearing a neat suit walked in.With each click of her heels echoing throughout the room, the students chatter gradually died.Like the rest of the students, Yeomyeongs attention was focused on the teacher at that moment.Shes Miss Gemini, the Ethics teacher.A sudden exnation about her came from beside him.Turning to his side, he saw a gloomy-looking boy with his chin resting on the desk.Baonic Lerac.Yeomyeongs dorm roommate. And despite his prestigious family background, he was living in a room that looked like a pigsty.She graduated from MITs Department of Magic. While she is strict, she is also a good person. And as you can see, shes also a well-known beauty in the academy.Heres something funny. Her fiancs name is Hoochie1He kept spewing out information without being asked, asionally ncing at Yeomyeong to see his expression.It was as if trying to gauge whether Yeomyeong was already aware of this.Why was he behaving like this? When Yeomyeong tilted his head and met his gaze, the boy smiled awkwardly.I just thought that you might be curious Did I make you ufortable?No. Thanks for telling me.An awkward silence ensued. While Baonic seemed to be mulling something over, Yeomyeong turned his head to the other side.There, he saw Seti pushing the Saintess forehead away with her finger while the Saintess kept trying to snuggle up to her, and an elf hiding her ears with magic.He knew she hade to the academy while apanied by the Holy Sword, but who would have imagined that shed end up as Setis roommate?He didnt know the reason she enrolled at Lord Howes, but hopefully, she wouldnt get tangled up in his ns.As Yeomyeongs brief thoughts passed, Seti nced his way.Her blue eyes were beautiful as always.Still pushing the Saintess away, she quietly mouthed something.- Lunch, main building, at the back.Yeomyeong gave her a slight nod as a subtle exchange of nces passed between them.He then turned the other way, as if pretending not to know her, but there were many things he wanted to say.Although they had asionally exchanged messages while he was in Manchuria, because of Yeomyeongs poor texting skills, they hardly had a proper conversation beyond any important matters.I should tell her about the Golden Seal as well.Anticipating her reaction when she heard that he would be able to lift her ban, Yeomyeong turned his gaze toward the podium.- Well, good morning, Freshmen.Miss Gemini had already opened her textbook and started with the lecture.
* * *Modern Superhumans and Social Ethics.Miss Geminis ss was interesting in its own way.From the content to the teaching style, nothing felt familiar, but that made it all the more evident that he was learning something new.- Most modern countries that have joined the UN have stricter standards for Superhumans when ites to injuries and assault- As per the international agreement established after the Miami terror incident, the use of martial arts in exceptional circumstances isThis was real academy education, far beyond what he had seen in the documentaries.At some point, without realizing it, Yeomyeong found himselfpletely engrossed in the lesson. Then, as Miss Gemini turned her head, she met his gaze.Recognizing his face, she raised her eyebrows and, upon noticing his empty desk, spoke up.- Everyone, if theres a student besides you without a textbook, please share yours.Among all the students present in thisrge ssroom, the only students without textbooks were the Saintess and Yeomyeong, who had just arrived yesterday. Not calling them out explicitly was likely her way of showing consideration.Just as Baonic said, she seemed like a good person.Anyway, Yeomyeong nned to share a textbook with Seti, who was sitting next to him.However, Seti was already sharing her textbook with the Saintess. Though it was more like she didnt have a choice as the Saintess was clinging to Seti unterally.And seeing that she wasnt in a state to share her textbook with him, Yeomyeong was about to ask Baonic.However, just as he was about to turn the other way, the girl sitting besides the Saintess stood up without making a sound and approached him.Shall we share?It was Miridith. The elven princess he met back in Incheon.Before Yeomyeong could respond, she had already walked past the Saintess and Seti and taken a seat beside him.It felt awkward to refuse her kindness, and more importantly, it seemed like she had something to say to him, so Yeomyeong nodded.Id appreciate that.Its just a textbook, no big deal.The princess tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear and ced her textbook between the two of them.As Yeomyeong scanned the textbook, the elf princess picked up a pen and wrote something on the corner of the page.
[Its been a while. How have you been?]
A short greeting written in cute handwriting. She handed the pen to him with a small smile.
[Ive been well. How about you?]
Yeomyeong took the pen, wrote his response, and handed it back.
[So-so? By the way, do you know? Rime got a job as a staff member. She works as a gardener on the central ind.]
Rime? Oh, she must be talking about that silver-haired elf who was her escort.Since he wasnt particrly interested, Yeomyeong just nodded indifferently.
[Im d to hear that the both of you are adapting well to life on Earth.]
[Are we really adapting well? Im not sure. The only person I can call a friend is Seti]Tapping the pen on the page for a moment, the princess quickly jotted down her next question after ncing at Yeomyeongs face.
[Your name, Dung Beetle. Fake? Real?]
[Real.]
[Then your current name. Is it a fake?]
Without a moments hesitation, Yeomyeong wrote his reply.
[Cheon Yeomyeong, Dung Beetle. Both are my real names.]
[Thats strange.]
[By my standards, Miridith is pretty strange as well.]
[Im not Miridith right now, Im Soe Miri.]
What? Yeomyeongs hand froze as he was about to take the pen from her.Could it be did she think that Soe was his family name and made up that nickname? Ignoring the ominous feeling, he replied.
[What kind of name is that?]
[Is it a strange name?]
[By Earths standards? Of course, its strange.]
[Stranger than Dung Beetle?]
Yeomyeong didnt reply and instead twirled the pen around his fingers, unable to think of an appropriate response.Of course, in his opinion, Dung Beetle was a better name than Soe Miri but anyway, that wasnt the issue.Yeomyeong picked the pen again.
[I doubt you came here just to ask me how Im doing. Do you need something from me?]
Reading his reply, Miridith no, Soe Miri, nodded slightly.
[I know that youre no longer a mercenary, but Id like to make a request.]
[And if I refuse?]
[The reward is something you cant refuse.]
A reward? Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow, and just as Soe Miri confidently reached into her pocket.The atmosphere in the ssroom shifted.A menacing change that anyone sensitive to mana could feel.Everyone in the ssroom sensed it and turned their heads to look out the window at the same time.WHEEEEEENGGGGG!!A siren red across the entire ind.
* * *The Author, Baonic Lerac, bit his lip as soon as he heard the emergency siren re.While the other students tilted their heads in confusion, unsure of what was happening, he knew exactly what was happening outside.Why is the story progressing all of a sudden?The prologue hadnt even taken ce, and the issue in Manchuria was already resolved.But why is Chapter 1 still moving ahead as nned?He frantically racked his brain.ording to the original story, the siren currently ring marked the beginning of a terrorist attack orchestrated by spies from the Secret Society and the priest from the Church who had managed to infiltrate the academy.The academy, still reeling from the tragedy described in the prologue, would be caught off guard by the sudden attack.And amidst the chaos, the Saintess, who foresaw the massacre, would team up with the protagonist to thwart the attack in the grand finale of Chapter 1.Could it be because the Saintess is at the academy?Baonic turned to look at the Saintess.Unlike everyone else who was staring out the window with serious expressions, she was nestled in Hong Setis arms, giggling foolishly.She looked nothing like the Saintess he knew, but regardless, she was still the Saintess.Now that Chapter 1 had begun she would surely move as per the storys course.ording to the story the first person the Saintess seeks out after her Foresight is the protagonist.Baonic swallowed nervously, waiting for the Saintess to action.- Everyone! This is not a drill! Please remain calm and proceed to the shelter in an orderly manner!As Miss Gemini guided the students to safety, and everyone in the ssroom moved towards the emergency shelters, he continued waiting.However, let alone having a prophecy, the Saintess was simply held onto Setis hand and kept chattering about trivial matters.She spoke about whichbinations of school uniforms looked the cutest, some cosmetics she had seen on social media, and popr restaurants on the north indTime passed as she wasted it on such nonsense.Only after the shelter doors were shut with the students inside did Baonic realize that something was terribly wrong.Could it be that the protagonist isnt here?1. This is probably inspired by the protagonist of a Korean web novel, Dragon Raja, written by Lee Yeongdo, one of the most famous fantasy novelists in South Korea. It was first published online on 3 October 1997 on a serial forum of an online service provider, Hitel.
The protagonist''s name in that series is Hutch Nedval (also spelled as Hoochie Nedval) and he has a fiance named Gemini Smeintharg.
Lee is quoted to have said that Hutch''s name came from the first andst sybles of Huanmu-chi (Korean: ????, Hanja: ou) which literally means "thick-skinned face no shame," or "acts brazen and feels no shame." ?
Chapter 78: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (8)
* * *- Everyone! This is not a drill! Please remain calm and proceed to the shelter in an orderly manner!As soon as the emergency siren red, Miss Gemini began guiding everyone to the shelter.- Please do not panic and follow the evacuation procedures! Starting from the front row, please get up slowly and proceed to the emergency shelter!- Everyone, please maintain order and do not panic! If anyone around you has gone to the bathroom, please let me know!Following the lead of the teacher, the students left the ssroom and descended to the basement via the central staircase.Should we say, as expected of Lord Howe?No students seemed to be scared or screamed. There was no sign of anyone attempting to cut in line, as youd usually expect during arge-scale evacuation. What more could be said?Some were even chatting casually, as if nothing was wrong.- Were getting some good exercise this morning, arent we?- Did the Department of Magic mess up again?- Does anyone know whats for lunch today?Theirposure seemed beyond calmit was familiarity.The odd atmosphere of the ring rm mixed with the students chatter continued until they reached the shelter.Once inside the shelter, which resembled a massive air-raid shelter, the students seemed to finally rx, either gathering with friends or plopping into a seat.Observing the scene for a moment, Yeomyeong turned to Soe Miri, who was standing next to him, and asked.Why is everyone so calm?Soe Miri blinked at the unexpected question, before giving him a faint smile as if realizing something.Oh, thats right. DuI mean, Yeomyeong, you just arrived yesterday, right?She then added briefly.Actually, this is the third evacuation already. So, everyones pretty much gotten used to it.The third one?Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow, baffled. Didnt the semester just start?Soe Miri exined as if it was nothing.The first rm was the day after the entrance ceremony. The Magic Department identally set off some fireworks leftover from the ceremony, causing the rm to go off.The second time wasst weekend They said that the staff had identally triggered the rm or something? Anyway, it was nothing serious, so we dispersed around five minutes after we had gathered in the shelter.Yeomyeong nced around the shelter with a new perspective.After all, humans were beings who would learn to adapt by nature. If they had already experienced this twice, it made sense why there was no tension.However, this was precisely the reason Yeomyeong was unable to rx.Just because the previous rms were nothing serious, didnt mean this one would be, too.Comcency always leads to a major ident.Yeomyeong remarked briefly as he gazed at the students in the shelter.I have a bad feeling about this.Hmm Arent you worrying for no reason? With the number of Superhumans and Mages stationed at the academy, itll be resolved in no time.Well I dont think so. Look over there.Yeomyeong pointed at Miss Gemini.She was tapping on a phone prepared in the shelter and her own cell phone simultaneously, trying to send messages somewhere.Was there no service? Her expression while holding the phone wasnt good.She was trying her best to conceal her expression, to prevent the students from bing afraid but that wasnt enough to fool the Superhuman eyes of someone like Yeomyeong or Soe Miri.It was only then that Soe Miri realized something was amiss and began to quietly gather her mana.Im suddenly getting a bad feeling, too. What should we do?What do you mean, what should we do? We dont even know what triggered the rm, so its not like we can make any ns.Thats true.Soe Miri paused for a moment before turning her head towards Seti.More precisely, she was looking at the Saintess who was clinging to her.Should we ask the Saintess?Ask her what?Standing on her tiptoes, Soe Miri brought her lips close to Yeomyeongs ear. And as if that wasnt enough, she whispered in a very low voice.This is a secret but the Saintess has the ability to see the future.She spoke with utmost caution, as if she were revealing a tremendous secret.Yeomyeong didnt ask how she knew that. After all, she was the elven princess.And considering the legendary exploits of elven spies during the Cold War, it wasnt all that surprising for her to know such a secret.Anyway, after ncing around to ensure no one was listening, Soe Miri continued.If the Saintess can look into the future and let us know whats going on maybe we can prepare for it.It wasnt a bad n. And even though Yeomyeong wasnt keen on getting further involved with the Saintess he was unable to think of a better n at the moment.Having made up his mind, Yeomyeong immediately walked towards the Saintess without any hesitation. Not expecting him to act so quickly, Soe Miri was startled and hurried after him.Y-Yeomyeong! Wait, hold on. You cant just ask her about her Foresight directly. You have to go about it subtly.No need for that. I already know.Huh?I said I already know.Before Soe Miri could ask him what he knew, Yeomyeong strode over and stood right in front of Seti and the Saintess.So, as I was saying? My mom huh? Yeomyeong? Whats going on?Having noticed Yeomyeong approaching them earlier, Seti didnt make a big deal out of it. As a result, the Saintess was the one who spoke up first.Could you spare me a moment? I need to speak to you in private.Just you and me? Whats this about all of a sudden?Its urgent. It wont take long.The Saintess hesitated, not wanting to part from Seti.Then she stood up reluctantly when Seti gave her a firm push.Follow me.As Seti finally let out a sigh of relief, the Saintess and Yeomyeong headed to a corner of the shelter with no other students around.Although this ce wasntpletely secluded, it was enough for a private conversation.Whats going on? Dont tell me.The Saintess looked Yeomyeong up and down with a sly nce before he could say anything.Youre not jealous of me and Seti, are you?What the hell was she talking about now?Forget about ForesightYeomyeong flicked his finger against the Saintess forehead in exasperation.Thwack!Caught off guard by the sudden flick, the Saintess let out a sharp yelp and threw her head back.Hey! That hurt!Just as she was about to protest further while holding her forehead, Yeomyeong cut her off in a serious tone.I need your Foresight.Why all of a sudden?The timing of this rm is giving me a bad feeling. I dont think its something we can just brush off.Perhaps realizing that he wasnt joking around, the Saintess rubbed her forehead but now had a serious expression.Looking into the future isnt something that can be taken lightly.Please. Ill return the favorter.Huh? Really? Youll grant me a favor? You promise?As long as its not something weird.As soon as Yeomyeong said that, the Saintess smirked and crossed her arms.She looked confident, but the red swelling on her forehead made her seem far less imposing.Alright, just wait a moment.And the next moment, the Saintess gaze shifted to a distant ce.
* * *Who wouldve expected her to use her Foresight immediately?Shuffling about to hide the dazed Saintess behind him, Yeomyeong used his body to shield her from others view.He was a bit worried that her Foresight might fail due to all the people watching them.And just as Yeomyeong feared, numerous eyes were drawn towards the Saintess and him.For unknown reasons, most of the people staring at them were male students.Among the curious watchers were Wesley, who had fought Yeomyeong back at the dorm, and Jeon Yunseong, squinting his eyes.Ignoring the spectators, Yeomyeong remained calm and continued to block everyones view of the Saintess.In the meantime, he also observed the people in the shelter one by one.The students who still seemed rxed, Miss Gemini turning her back as if making an attempt to hide her worry, Jeon Yunseong staring at Soe Miri with aplex look, andBaonic Lerac biting his lip as if he was terrified, ncing back and forth between the shelter wall and the Saintess.Whats wrong with him?It wasnt just some typical fear; his hands and feet were all restless, as if there was a bomb right in front of him.Just as Yeomyeong squinted his eyes to take a closer look Gag!The Saintess, who had just finished using her Foresight, bent over and began to dry heave all of a sudden.Whats wrong? What did you see?N-no cant die cant let them dieDie? Whos going to die?Se-Seti, my SetiAs Yeomyeong patted her back, she clung to his sleeve, mumbling like she was in a daze.W-we need to get out of here right now If we stay like thisLooking at the Saintess, who was trembling and trying to reach Seti, Yeomyeong sighed and grabbed her shoulder with his left hand, pulling her up.And with his right handp!He pped the Saintess across the cheek.The p, loud enough to ring in everyones ears, echoed throughout the shelter. The Saintesss head snapped to the side.The students who had been watching them opened their wide in shock.Ah.Only then did the Saintess regain her senses and finally look straight at Yeomyeong.Tell me clearly. What did you see?Startled, Miss Gemini rushed over to them as the Saintess spoke.Soon, people of unknown identity will break through the wall and enter the shelter.Are they terrorists? Or Necromancers?I dont know The prophecy was too blurry to see anything clearly but a lot of students will dieHow much time do we have left?Ten minutes no, less than that. AndThe Saintess shifted her gaze to the wide wall of the shelter. No, she was looking beyond it.Its not safe outside the shelter either. Under the sea around the school there are countless corpses, and theyre all swarming towards this ce after turning into undead.Corpses around the school? Why?I-I dont know, its beyond the range of my ForesightReleasing his grip on the Saintess shoulder, Yeomyeong turned toward Miss Gemini, who had arrived right next to him.Hey, transfer student! How could you p the Saintess like that?! Violence between students isMiss Gemini raised her voice as she began to scold him, but Yeomyeong cut her off immediately.Miss, are there any weapons or firearms in the shelter that can be used immediately?His question seemed out of ce, but his tone was dead serious.ncing back and forth between Yeomyeong and the anxious Saintess, Miss Gemini sensed that this was not just some simple student quarrel.Why are you looking for weapons?Enemies areing. If we dont take immediate action, the students will die.Full of conviction, his manner of speaking left no room for doubt, with a faint trace of mana emanating from him.Miss Gemini didnt ask him how he knew enemies wereing. No, she couldnt.She was overwhelmed by the aura flowing from Yeomyeongs golden eyes. She averted her gaze before answering him.This is a shelter. Theres no way there would be weapons here.Then we need to get out of the shelter immediately. Be it the dormitory or anywhere else, it needs to be a better ce than this.As Yeomyeong said this, Miss Geminis expression clearly grew darker.Leave the shelter can you tell me the reason?ThatsYeomyeong couldnt simply talk about the Saintess Foresight. He hesitated, touching his lips for a moment, beforeing up with another solution.I cant exin it. But is there any way we can at least let those who want to leave go?This is an emergency. Youre aware that your decision could put everyone at risk, right?Yes.On hearing his firm response, Miss Gemini massaged her forehead. She nced back and forth between Yeomyeong and the Saintess before suddenly realized that the Saintess, who had been pped, was not making any attempts to stop Yeomyeong; instead, she kept ncing around, as if worried about something.Her deliberation didntst long. She still didnt know the reason, but she decided to put her trust in the Saintess. Miss Gemini carefully jotted down something on a small piece of paper and handed it to Yeomyeong.Enter 19740809 into the lock mechanism on the lower left side of the shelter door.Thank you.Yeomyeong bowed his head to the teacher, who had just made a tough decision, and immediately headed towards the shelter door. Just as Miss Gemini said, there was a small dial on the lower left side of the door, and without hesitation, he entered the code.However
#$^&&%*@
The dials reaction was strange. The door didnt open; No, it didnt budge in the slightest. What was happening? The exterior looked fine, so it wasnt due to old age. Thinking the code might have been wrong, he asked Miss Gemini again, but she looked even more bewildered. RThe shelter code didnt work? That cant be.Only after she entered the code herself did she realize that something was wrong. As she murmured an insider under her breath, Yeomyeong quickly made up his mind.They were trapped.As Yeomyeong furrowed his brows, the Saintess ran towards Seti, who was approaching them.Seti, looking surprised, hugged the Saintess. She gently patted the Saintess back and shot Yeomyeong a questioning look.Whats going on here?The expressions of the other students werent much different from Setis. Why had Yeomyeong suddenly pped the Saintess and then started fiddling with the shelter door?Only Soe Miri, who was already aware of the Saintess Foresight, and Baonic, whose eyes shone strangely, remained calm.Just as Yeomyeong struggled toe up with a usible exnation and kept his mouth shut as if expecting the worst-case scenario, Miss Gemini spoke up.Its not a proper weapon, but there are some practice weapons that the club members have left behindAlthough the teacher trailed off, Yeomyeong nodded. If they didnt have teeth, they had to use their gums.And even if they were practice weapons, they were meant for Superhuman students, so they wouldnt be mere toys.Please bring them out. AndThen, Yeomyeong turned toward the students in the shelter.Bewilderment, suspicion, expectation, fear a range of emotions filled the gazes directed at him. Yeomyeong spoke, infusing his voice with mana.I will pick those who will join the fight.
Chapter 79: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (9)
* * *The first thought every student had on hearing Yeomyeongs words could be summed up in a single line.What nonsense is he talking about all of a sudden?It was already baffling enough that he had pped the Saintess cheek out of nowhere, and now he would be picking people to join the fight?Some tilted their heads in confusion, some frowned, and a few, though rare, began to gather mana.Regardless of their reactions, Yeomyeong paid them no heed and continued speaking.Enemies will soon make their way to the shelter. We dont know the level of the enemy, but sure enough, they arent something the average student can handle.Enemies wereing? Most students snorted in disbelief.However, a few observant individuals swallowed nervously as they watched their teacher, Miss Gemini, head towards the shelters storage to retrieve weapons.The situation is not good. We have limited weapons, and we dont have time to coordinate. SoYeomyeongs golden eyes scanned the students.Anyone whocks the skill or isnt ready to put their life at risk need not step forward. Only those with enough skill and resolve to fight alongside me, pleasee forward.The abrupt deration left the students speechless, but no further exnation was given.Yeomyeong crossed his arms and shut his mouth as if to say, Its up to you to decide.- Why is he acting like this all of a sudden?- Is this a hidden camera prank?- What enemies? Does he think that the academys security is a joke?From soft murmurs to tant hostility, the once rxed atmosphere became quite serious.- Hey, but just in case?- Just in case of what? How does he even know that enemies areing?Time went by, but no one stepping forward.- Hey, wait, that thing Miss Gemini is bringing over arent those the weapons used for club activities?Miss Gemini, who had gone into the shelters storage, came out dragging a sack full of practice weapons.The students frowned as they watched her walk towards Yeomyeong.If the teacher was acting like that, too, it must mean that his words did carry some weightJust as the tension began to gradually fill the space between the students.Step.Seti stepped forward.She didnt approach directly Yeomyeong, but went to help Miss Gemini with the sack of weapons.Unlike the teacher, who was struggling to drag the sack, Seti lifted it effortlessly, all while carrying the Saintess on her back.And as soon as she arrived in front of Yeomyeong, Seti dumped the sack of weapons onto the ground.With a rustling sound, the weapons spilled out their condition was clearly not that good.Swords, sabers, spears, shields after sorting through the ones that were somewhat intact, only about ten weapons remained.As expected, theres no war hammer. The sad fate of unpopr weapons, huft.Seti grumbled as she chose two swords from the sack. She didnt intend to dual wield; handing one directly to Yeomyeong.As he epted the sword, Seti gave him a wink that no one else noticed.Yeomyeong swallowed a bitter chuckle as he examined the condition of the sword. Although it wasnt sharp, its durability was no worse than the iron swords used by the Manchurian mercenaries.After giving the sword a few light swings, he spoke to the students.No one else?This time, Soe Miri quickly walked up to his side. Although she looked tense, she didnt pick any weapon in particr.And knowing that Soe Miri used a peculiar, invisible type of magic, Yeomyeong didnt insist either.Instead, it was Miss Gemini who picked up a weapon.Grabbing a slender spear, she took off her sses and shoes, and ripped the side of her skirt.Anyone could tell that she was getting ready for battle.By now, even the most oblivious student should have realized this wasnt a joke.Is there anyone else willing to fight alongside us?Yeomyeong asked the students once again, but still, no one stepped forward.Seeing this, Soe Miri subtly furrowed her brows. She hadnt expected that there was still no one to step up even after all this.However, Yeomyeong wasnt particrly disappointed. Honestly speaking, he wasnt expecting the students help from the start.If you have no expectations, there will be no disappointment.After giving the students a brief nce, he checked the auxiliary bag hidden inside his school uniform zer.The Handle of Uragan and the Golden Seal were inside the bag, which was justrge enough to hold a few grenades.If worsees to worst, Ill open the shelter door and escape.He didnt need to reveal the Golden Seal since he didnt intend to use it right away.Just as he had informed Miss Gemini earlier, it was enough as long as he could protect himself. He had no intention of putting his life on the line for the other students.Of course, it would be ideal to hold off the enemies hereAlright. Those who wont be participating in the fight, please move away from the walls and head to the far corners of the shelter.Although Yeomyeong had spoken politely, not one person budged. However, instead of taking a step back, the students began bombarding him with questions.Is this for real? Not some hidden camera prank?How do you know enemies areing!?Why do we have to fight? What are the academy staff doing?T-theyll protect us, right?Miss! Please say something!Their shouts, infused with mana, echoed throughout the shelter, but Yeomyeong still maintained a calm expression as he faced them.And just as the chaos seemed to be escting, he infused his foot with mana and used Quake Stomp to stomp the floor hard.Boom!Dust rained down from the shelters ceiling, and all the questions stopped abruptly. Yeomyeong tilted his head slightly and spoke.If you dont want to believe it, dont. If you want to live, figure it out yourself. Well handle things our way.His manner of speaking was devoid of any sympathy. Some students turned red with anger, but others showedpletely different reactions.For example, people like Wesley.Haha! Yeah, thats right! If youre not going to fight, then shut up! I dont know what this is all about, but Im in!Wesley, with his buzz-cut head gleaming, stepped forward, apanied by a few more students.Superhumans, Mages, priests-in-trainingThere were about twenty of them. They were valiant for students, but Seti intervened and sent most of them back.Those who can use healing magic are better off supporting from the rear rather than being on the front lines. Mages Do any of you have reagents or a staff? No, right? Then youll be able to use only a few support spells at best, so its better to provide cover fire from the rear rather than being in the front.Her strict criteria were even applied to the Superhumans.Some didnt have the right weapons, and somecked the skillAlthough some students protested, Yeomyeong sent them back personally since being on the front lines meant death if they werent skilled enough.After filtering them out, one by one aside from Wesley, only one other person remained.Jeon Yunseong. The top-ranked student in both the Superhuman martial arts department and admission rankings.He kept ncing at Soe Miri as he chose a shield and a sword from the sack of weapons.It was in to see for everyone that Jeon Yunseong was interested in Soe Miri.Will he be able to fight properly?Considering his reputation, he could be somewhat assured about his skills but Yeomyeong clicked his tongue internally as he gave the rest of the party a once over.Fortunately, Soe Miri, who was busy with her own preparations, seemed unaware of Jeon Yunseongs gaze. On the other hand, Seti made a face as if she was looking at something disgusting before turning away from Jeon Yunseong.On the contrary, Wesley didnt seem to be bothered, as if the rest of the male students were already aware of Jeon Yunseongs feelings for Soe Miri.I shouldnt expect too much from him.In any case, Yeomyeong and the party took their battle stances as they formed a circle around the shelters walls.And just as their hands gripping the weapons started to sweatRumble, rumble, rumble!The sound of something massive approaching them could be heard from beyond the shelters walls.
* * *Ugh.Margan stretched his back. Perhaps it was because he had been up all night, writing reports, even his thick, dwarven bones were creaking in protest.Its been ages since Ive pulled an all-nighter.His usual wake-up and tea time had long passed.All because he had to pull an all-nighter to write a report right after a business trip. He shook his head as he got out of his seat.He quickly washed his face at the sink and took a shot of coffee, which he couldnt even remember when it had been brewed.After doing his best to rid himself of sleepiness, he sat back down to continue with the report.
It has been confirmed that Cheon Yeomyeong possesses the Arcane Relic rted to the Comet Sword.
The rtionship between the Holy Sword and Cheon Yeomyeong surpasses the Australian governments expectations
The report wasnt reallying together. Perhaps due to umted fatigue, his eyes were feeling heavy.Margan massaged his temples, searching for the best remedy for his fatigue: thinking of someone who had it worse than he did.The first person who came to mind was Admissions Director Medga, who had forced him to fly to Manchuria.All Margan had to do was finish and submit his report. However, the Admissions Director would have to deal with the media and even the Prime Ministers Office in Sydney to handle the fallout due to the transfer.He had even been called to an emergency meeting just yesterday.Those goddamn political professors.Although he couldnt attend it due to the report, the purpose of this emergency meeting was obvious to anyone. It was Director Nikys plot to target the Admissions DirectorWHEEEEEENGGGGG!Just then, an rm red throughout the ind.It was a Level 3 warning, alerting all faculty and staff on the ind, but Margan rose from his seat without any trace of worry.Again?There had been more than a few false rms this year alone.There were no such problems in the previous years but this year seems particrly problematic.Wondering if he should file aint with the Watchtower, Margan opened the window.And then, the next momentHe furrowed his brows as he felt the mana blowing in from outside the window.The detection magic has been dispelled?In the same manner how Superhumans used their senses, the detection magic spread mana across the ind was used to monitor enemies.The mana carried by the wind was definitely the residue of that spell.Only then did Margan realize that something had seriously gone wrong and took out his phone.Beep- Beep- BeepHowever, there was no service. With no Wi-Fi or satellite connection, it was clear someone had intentionally destroyed themunicationwork.Damn itThis wasnt just a simple mishap; it was an actual crisis. And wasnt today the day all the students gathered in one ssroom?Was it just a coincidence that they targeted this day?His judgment was quick, and his actions were even quicker. Margan immediately stepped outside the faculty dormitory.He first headed toward the main academic building. Or rather, he tried to head there.However, the moment he saw an enormous number of somethings writhing along the inds coastline beyond the faculty dormitory, he stopped in his tracks and squinted.Holy shit.Seeing the writhing figures, Margan cursed. The things filling the coastline were zombies.And they were not just any zombies, but special ones coated in mana, resistant to decay caused by seawater.Margan found himself staring dumbfoundedly in the direction the zombies were heading. However, when he saw the building at the end of the long line of zombies, he gritted his teeth.It was the building where all the first-year students had gathered.That ce was already surrounded by zombies on all sides.
Chapter 80: A Coincidence For The Transfer Student (10)
* * *Thud!A sound echoed from beyond the wall, as if something had collided against it. How it managed to approach the underground shelter was unknown, but one thing was certain.The shelter walls wouldnt be able to hold out much longer.Drum, drum, drum!The sound of something digging through the wall reverberated throughout the shelter. And soon enough, cracks began to appear on the wall.Gulp.Someone gulped audibly as they saw the wall cracking. Only then did all their doubts turn into certainty. Yes, the enemy had arrived.As soon as reality struck them, there were short screams and the sound of footsteps retreating in panic.The noise of frightened students and the cracking wall.Crack. Crack. Crack!!As screams erupted throughout shelter erupted and the wall began spewing out chunks of concrete and dust, Yeomyeong tightened his grip on his weapon and said,Everyone, get ready.The giant wall shattered with a loud crash, as if hit by artillery.Immediately, everyone quickly took defensive positions, either raising their weapons or crouching down reflexivelyExcept for Yeomyeong.Whoosh!As soon as the wall came crashing down, heunched himself off the ground. Ignoring the flying debris, he unleashed his Sword Aura through the copsing wall.Attack over defense; a lesson he had painstakingly learned in North Manchuria.Argh! My arm!!An arm hit by his Sword Aura was flung into the air. And before the blood from the severed shoulder could hit the ground, Yeomyeong alreadynded beyond the wall.Thud.There was a massive caverge enough to fit six adult men standing side by side beyond the wall.Yeomyeong wasnt that knowledgeable when it came to construction, but even he could tell that it wasnt possible to make a cave like this overnight.This alone proved that this attack had been nned over several months or even years.T-that guy! Its the transfer student!The cave was swarming with unidentified armed individuals carrying firearms. Not only were there rifles, but someone was also aiming a rocketuncher from beyond the wall.The firepower, surpassing that of a typical mercenary group, was all directed at Yeomyeong.Kill him!As the unidentified individuals pulled their triggers, Yeomyeong sprang into action.Rat-tat-tat-tat!Since it was impossible to dodge the bullets in the narrow cave, Yeomyeong simply bore the bullets with his body as he charged towards the closest enemy.The main culprit behind the walls breach was undoubtedly a staff-wielding Mage.H-Hrias! Respond to mecough!The Mage began casting a spell reflexively, but Yeomyeongs sword was a bit faster. The mana-infused sword sliced through the Mages neck.C-CoughYeomyeong then grabbed the bleeding Mages body and raised it in the direction of the cave.It was clear that he was nning to use the Mage as a meat shield.Seeing this, the attackers stopped shooting instinctively, but the bullets that had already left the barrels hit the Mages body.Deral! No!Shocked by the attack, the assants showed a brief opening and Yeomyeong did not miss the opportunity.Holding the Mages corpse like a shield, he charged towards the enemies.Stop him! Hes the one who captured the dragon! Dont let him through!First step. Bullets rained down. Yeomyeong used the Mages corpse to cover his face and upper body.Second step. His heart pumped harder. Blood flowed freely from the wounds he had received before he killed the Mage, but at the same time, his mind was elerating rapidly.On his third step, bullets struck his calves. Gritting his teeth, he infused mana into his sword.Four, five and seven.And as soon as he reached close enough to see the enemies pupils, Yeomyeong threw the corpse and swung his sword.sh!The suppressed Sword Aura exploded, its light permeating the cave.The sword aura imbued with mana from the Surging Wave technique cut through the iing bullets and the air.Dodge!Someone yelled, but was there even room to escape in the narrow cave? The attackers could only fire their guns frantically or shut their eyes tightly.Just before dozens of bodies were split in halfLight of Hria!A beam of light burst forth from the attackers rear.ng!The beam of light collided with the Sword Aura at a speed invisible to the eye. And with a sh, the mana dispersed chaotically before exploding, causing the entire cave to echo with screams.Rumble. Rumble. Rumble!Debris and dust billowed. Swept up by the shock, Yeomyeong quickly regained his stance and red at the enemies.Seeing that there werent many casualties, it seemed like the magic had reduced the power of the Sword Aura.Despite the massive amount of mana infused in the strike, only a few were flung against the cave wall by the explosion.However, even that was more than enough to shock the attackers beyond belief.After all, they had never expected to be hit back like this. Their initial n was to simply fire their guns from beyond the cave.Using the Flying Kick technique, Yeomyeong leaped and charged at the enemies, not giving them any time to recover.Move to n B! All Superhumans, advance! Dont hold back! Hes on par with the Saintess and the Vessel!The enemies didnt just sit back, either. Instead of wasting bullets, Superhumans among the attackers began to step forward.They immediately swung their swords at Yeomyeongs face. Their swordsmanship was different from the crude styles shown by Manchurian mercenaries.This was genuine martial arts, which Yeomyeong had only seen a few times since bing a Superhuman.Are they skilled enough to raid the academy?Yeomyeong was curious about their identities, but the attack of more than three swords interrupted his thoughts.ng, ng!Sparks flew as swords shed. The mana-infused sword expelled the shock, and Yeomyeongs arms tingled.That was a close call.It wasnt just about skill; the weapon was an issue.The practice swords were unable to withstand his mana. He could already feel cracks forming along the de.Yeomyeong continued to parry their swords while contemting whether to retreat orKill them with one strike and seize the weapon.It didnt take him long to arrive at a decision. Gathering his mana, Yeomyeong prepared his Sword Aura again.That Sword Aura again! Everyone, fall backAnd at that very moment, someone with flowing ck hair and blue eyes suddenly appeared from behind Yeomyeong.Swoosh!The practice sword swept past the neck of the Superhuman who had been focusing on Yeomyeong.How could you charge at the enemies alone?Setis voice rang out btedly.And before the Superhuman with his neck sliced could fall, Yeomyeong and Seti exchanged nces.No further exnation was needed. Both of them extended their swords toward the Superhumans simultaneously.And with that, the rest of theirpanions charged in.
* * *Jeon Yunseong and Wesley, Soe Miri and Miss Gemini and at the rear, the Saintess. shouting,Seti! Dont get hurt!As Seti and the rest of theirpanions jumped into the chaos created by Yeomyeong, the enemys formation began to copse.Damn it! Theyre all Superhumans! Everyone, forget about hitting the allies and just shoot!Even though they were just students, as Superhumans, they would at least be able to dodge bullets on seeing the gun barrels.The attackers kept firing their guns frantically, but the battle had already turned in their favor.However, for some reason the battle was not as one-sided as expected.The sound of gunfire was relentless, and asionally, a Superhumans sword flew towards Yeomyeong.Having driven a sword into a Superhumans neck and seized his weapon, Yeomyeong turned his head to investigate.After watching hispanions fight for a brief moment, Yeomyeong realized why the battle had stagnated.Now that I think about it, they probably dont have much experience.Only Yeomyeong and Seti were killing their enemies without mercy.The other four were wasting their strength by either taking down or incapacitating the attackers.However, he had no reason or desire to chastise them. After all, they were students showing courage. It would be too hard on them if he forced them to kill.Instead, Yeomyeong fought even more fiercely to make up for it.His sword was soon stained red, and blood flowed with every step he took.Thanks to that, the attackers became more aggressive in their attacks focused toward Yeomyeong than anyone else.Die!Some attempted tomit suicide with grenades, while others fired rockets without considering their alliesBang!And that was when the Saintess, who had somehow picked up a gun, pulled through and helped Yeomyeong by sniping the enemies.He did not know how she was able to take such urate shots in the dark cave, but well, didnt the Saintess always wear a blindfold?Yeomyeong paid her no mind and continued to reduce the number of enemies.And finally, he came face to face with the Mage hiding at the very back.Th-this cant be.The Mage had a look of pure shock on his face, and his eyes, especially when he looked at Yeomyeong, was even a hint of despair.The Priests prediction was wrong. Youre no Holy Knight. No Holy Knight could be as ruthless as you.The Priest? Is some religious organization behind this attack?Yeomyeong asked while still keeping his guard up. The opponent was a Mage, one who was able to cast a spell to nullify his Sword Aura in no time.He could fire a surprise spell at any momentMr. Joseph?Miss Gemini, who had somehow reached Yeomyeongs side, spoke to the Mage.Miss Gemini.H-how could you?Im sorry that we have to meet in a ce like this.That Mage was an Academy teacher? Yeomyeong nced back and forth between the two.Miss Geminis face was full of shock. However, the Mage, named Joseph, showed no change in expression.M-Mr Joseph, why why are you doing this? It was for a greater cause.As soon as Joseph replied, Yeomyeong interjected.A greater cause that became your reason to rain bullets into students. What a grand cause indeed.Feel free to speak as you please. Someone like you will never be able to never understand our grievances and cause.Why dont you say that to the police instead of me?With that provoking remark, he drew his sword.No matter how skilled a Mage was, take away their staff and cut off their limbs, and they were just slightly healthier than an average person.Seeing Yeomyeong draw closer with big strides, Joseph sighed and spoke to the still-dazed Miss Gemini.Miss Gemini, Ill give you onest piece of advice.If by some chance, you manage to survive here dont ever look back, just return to your hometown.W-What do you mean.This isnt our first time attacking the academy, nor will it be thest. There are countless people who want to shatter the false symbol of peace established by the Earth.As Joseph spoke, he suddenly began gathering his mana and just as Yeomyeong was about to reflexively release his Sword Aura.Even at this very moment, the fact that others besides us are targeting the academy is proof of that, isnt itThe mana that erupted from Josephs body was too crude to bebeled a spell but too sophisticated to be a mere rampage.Self-destruction?No, it wasnt just a simple self-destruction. The mana that exploded, tearing Josephs body apart, surged upward and struck the ceiling.KAAAABOOOOM!!Was he trying to make the cavern copse? Yeomyeong quickly tried to create some distance, but Josephs intentions were beyond that.The ceiling had arge hole where his corpse had collided. It wasnt an attack aiming for the entire cavern, but a precise self-destruction aimed at a specific spot.What the hellYeomyeong cautiously examined the hole in the ceiling. As he looked up, he met eyes with something peering down from the hole.Rotting, soulless eyes dripping with pus.The problem was that it was not just one or two of them.Even just the ones visible to his naked eye numbered in the hundreds, and the sensation he feltSeti!Yeomyeong shouted at his team, who were organizing the cavern.Huh? Yeomyeong?Retreat to the shelter immediately! Right now!As he grabbed the dazed Miss Gemini and began running back to the shelter, an enormous number of zombies began pouring in from the hole in the ceiling.
Chapter 81: The Butterfly Effect For The Author
21. Which of the following is NOT a correct statement regarding the global situation after the Berlin Dimensional Portal opened?(1) The Allied forces stationed troops in Asia under the pretext of tracking down the remnants of the Nazis.(2) The Kingdom of Gelcha, which persecuted merchants from Earth, was destroyed.(3) The Emperor gifted Stalin an elixir.(4) Atomic bombs were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.(5) The Deep Tower copsed due to the Air-conditioner revolution.
Lord Howe Academy Entrance Exam - Social Studies Section (Modern and Contemporary History)
* * *There were always minute, unpredictable errors in everything that took ce in this world.Errors so minuscule, that no one really paid them any attention.And most of those errors vanished without having any effect whatsoever.However, some of those errors asionally led to significant changes that no one could have anticipated.Some people called such changes the butterfly effect, while others used the term chaos theory.However, at this very moment, the Author who had transmigrated into the novel was unable to think of either term.Facing the enormous change brought about by an unpredictable error, he could only say one thing.Damn it.Beyond his enhanced vision, after scraping up every bit of his almost nonexistent mana, he saw something pouring down from the ceiling of the dark cave.And unlike the other students, who were only focused on the transfer students party, he instantly recognized what was pouring in.Zombies.And they werent some shabby zombies that were unable to even scratch the skin of a Superhuman. Each one was a special creation, crafted by a deranged Necromancer with pure hatred and madness.But why?Why were these zombies, which were supposed to appear during the prologue at the Bloody Entrance Ceremony, to be preciseshowing up now?He had no way of knowing. And even if he did, it wouldnt change anything.I need to run.That was the first thought that surfaced instinctively. However, right after, a counter-argument followed: where to?The shelters doors were firmly shut, and zombies were pouring into the cave. There was nowhere to run, nor were there any weapons to fight with.It was a truly hopeless situation, but only the Author felt that despair.The rest of the students in the shelter chattered away, each sharing their thoughts about the victory the transfer students had achieved.- We survivedWhile there were some who were relieved by the victory.- He was acting all serious, but it wasnt that big of a deal now, was it?Others were spouting nonsense bravado.- How could they killAnd there were even those who were frightened by Cheon Yeomyeongs ruthlessness.What a bunch of idiotsThe Author ground his teeth while ncing at the students.Although some of them had btedly noticed something wriggling behind Cheon Yeomyeong and his party, most had already rxed their enhanced vision and now had expressions of relief.Even though they should all be fighting for their lives, they had already started to let their guard down. And he didnt even need to see what would happen next.Most of the students in this shelter would end up bing zombie food.You guys can die all by yourselves for all I care.The Author bowed his head low and retreated far behind the students.And to buy enough time to retreat, he intentionally remained mum about the approaching zombies.Fortunately, he managed to reach the opposite wall easily, thanks to the students stepping forward to meet the transfer students party.Did he feel any guilt for withholding information and using his peers as a meat shield? He felt none.After all, werent they supposed to have been ughtered during the entrance ceremony as per the original story?Lets just hold out until the academys rescue team arrives. Then, Ill survive.Originally, he would have simply clung to the strong ones to stay alive but all present strong ones from the first-year, except for one, had followed Cheon Yeomyeong to the front line.And even that one person wouldnt be of much help in this situation, so using his peers as a meat shield seemed like the best optionAs the Author continued this line of thoughtCheon Yeomyeongs voice echoed through the cave.Grab any weapons you can while retreating!His voice contained a sense of urgency, enough to make even the most clueless students realize that things werent over yet. Only then didmotion break out among the students.- What? Theres more?- Behind, look behind!- Zombies?Surprisingly, the students murmuring wasnt that loud.Because it wasmon knowledge that ordinary zombies didnt pose much of a threat to Superhumans.However, after Cheon Yeomyeong and his party, carrying all sorts of weapons, reached the copsed wall, everyone fell silent.Damn it, I almost died while picking up weapons!Wesley, who ranked fourth in the entrance exam, had zombie bites and scratch marks all over his so-called Superhuman bodya sight that defied everything they thought they knew.And that was followed by the sight of zombies flooding into the cave.Kyaaaaacckk!With the scream of an unknown student as the signal, chaos descended upon the shelter once again.
* * *Right in front of the copsed wall of the shelter.- UoooooooohhhWatching the zombies slowly gather beyond the cave, Yeomyeongs expression gradually became grimmer.It was because he had discovered an unexpected w in his repertoire of martial arts.None of them are useful for a prolonged battle.All the martial arts he knew were specialized for short-termbat on a fundamental level.Ignoring aftereffects, he could push his body to its limits with techniques like the Flying Kick technique and Blood Flow eleration.There were also moves like the Surging Wave technique and Comet Sword, which consumed a tremendous amount of mana proportional to their power output.His martial arts were extremely unbnced, he hadnt noticed any particr problem but up until now because all the opponents he hade across were always either simr in strength or stronger than him.However, now that he had to face countless zombies, he realized that all these unbnced martial arts had a fatal weakness.What if the enemy used sheer numbers to tire him out and force him into a battle of attrition? He would suffer from an unquestionable one-sided disadvantage.After all, wasnt that exactly what happened during the fight against the horse-headed man in Manchuria?He had wasted his strength on taking down contaminated mercenaries, which held him from confronting the horse-headed man.Yeomyeong pondered over it quietly. After identifying the problem, a solution came to mind easily.A martial art specialized for prolonged battles One that could use mana efficiently.The first thing that came to his mind was Mara, the demonic human who used the most varied martial arts Yeomyeong had ever seen.They were an enemy he had much to learn from.From the Palm st to flying techniques, Yeomyeong, who had just started learning martial arts, could broaden his perspective just by watching them.If they had still been alive, Yeomyeong would have loved to receive another lesson in the guise of a fight. However, that demonic human was already confined to the mortuary at the Manchuria base.No regrets; after all, it was Yeomyeong himself who had turned them into a corpse.Anyway, Yeomyeong slowly reviewed Maras martial arts in his mind.He especially paid attention to the technique that made them exude mana from their body like a heated haze.He couldnt steal the martial art itself because he was unable to grasp its true intention. HoweverIf I imitate it, even crudely, it seems that I can achieve quite satisfactory results.Just as he was thinking about something that would have shocked Mara or other Superhumans if they had heard itYeomyeong, dont worry too much.Soe Miri ced her hand on Yeomyeongs shoulder. And despite her words of reassurance, her hand was slightly trembling.The rescue team from the academy will be arriving soon. We just need to hold out until then.She had a serious look on her face as she spoke with a determined voice. It seemed that she had misunderstood the situation and thought Yeomyeong was tense.Didnt you fight well just a moment ago?Yeomyeong didnt know how it looked to the others, but he could tell. She was trying best to muster her courage to help him rx.Perhaps that was the reason Yeomyeong couldnt bring himself to say that it wouldnt be a problem for him, no matter how many zombies came and that he was actually thinking about martial arts rather than feeling tense.Seeing him remain silent Soe Miri grew more courageous.Today no one in this shelter will die. Because were going to make sure of it.Yeomyeong didnt reply this time as well. Regardless of the elf princess determination, he wasnt particrly interested in the lives of the others.As long as he could save Seti, the Saintess, and Soe Miri beside him, that was enough.Why should he care if people he didnt know diedAt that moment, Wesley stepped in between the two.Thats impressive.A Superhuman should have at least that level of determination.Wesley said this as he nced at the party. Jeon Yunseong, the Saintess, Seti, and Miss Gemini all wore serious expressions as if they agreed with Soe Miris words.Even Seti?As Yeomyeong looked at her in disbelief, Seti gestured towards the shelter.Following her gaze, he saw a red-haired girl give him an awkward smile.Siri? Ah, thats right.Setis sisters were also enrolled in the academy.Yeomyeong immediately erased the n to use the Golden Seal to open the shelter door and escape.I should test out the martial arts as wellAs he quickly made his decision, his actions were even faster. Yeomyeong raised his sword and pointed at the zombies that were closing in on them.And just as he was about to charge forward, Soe Miri called him again.Yeomyeong.What?At least say a few words of determination for thest time.No, that was a bit As Yeomyeong suppressed the words rising to his throat, Soe Miri added more.It would be nice if you did. After all, youre the one who gathered us.The moment was too perfect to be a coincidence.The zombies were right at the shelters doorstep, and the partys attention turned to YeomyeongDont die. I dont want my first meal at the academy to be at a funeral.Even Yeomyeong felt embarrassed by the words he uttered.He dared not turn his head, fearing his awkward act might be discovered, and charged straight towards the zombies.Of course, the others didnt see it as such.
* * *In the face of the unprecedented situation where the academy was attacked, the staff only had one reaction.Anger.Not only the Superhuman security guards, but the Mages who otherwise locked themselves in the magic department rushed out to chase the attackers as well.The attackers were unknown terrorists armed with firearms.And their target was the northern ind, with hardly any students present.And just as they thought it to be a stroke of luck that all the students had gathered in another ce for the joint ss that turned out to be the enemys trap all along.Taking advantage of the academys defense forces gathering on the northern ind, they targeted the students in an unimaginable way.Zombies.A vast horde of zombies, enough to cover the coastline, swarmed onto the ind.By the timemunication was restored and the staff were able to grasp the situation, the zombies had already surrounded the students.The Australian army and the U.S. Navy were deployed to protect the academy, but it would take them at least two hours to arrive.In the end, the academy had to make a difficult decision:Which grade should be saved first?The first-year students, which included the Saintess and the Vessel?The second-year students, which included a member of the royal family beyond the Dimensional Portal?The third-year students, which included the grandson of the President of the United States?All the teachers argued that every grade should be saved simultaneously, but the reality was cold. They were short on manpower and time to do so.It was a crisis where they could lose everyone across all grades if they werent careful.There wasnt much time to deliberate, and the choice was brutal.Given the importance of the Saintess and the Vessel, the academy staff decided to prioritize rescuing the first-years.However, the Principal thought differently. She decided to split the forces between the second and third years, rather than the first.- Are you suggesting that we abandon all the first-year students?!The staffs fierce protests continued, but the Principals decision was firm.No one could change her mind. Or rather, to be precise, there wasnt enough time to try to change her mind.Half with no choice, half with faith in the principal, the staff began their battle against the zombies.And so, after fighting off the zombie horde for several minutes, a hero descended upon the academy to save them from the unending, despairing situation.Holy Sword, Freya Cahn.Watching her sweep away thousands of zombies with a single blow as she descended, the staff shouted desperately.- Holy Sword! Please save the first-years first!But for some reason, Freya Cahns response was not that different from the Principals.- First-years? The Saintess and that cheeky bugger are there, so why?The Holy Sword, having cleared the third-year shelter in the blink of an eye, headed toward the second-year shelter, leaving behind just one line. Little did she know the impact those words would have.- If he is goin to be taken down by mere zombies, I wouldnt have given him the Comet Sword.:"
Chapter 82: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (2)
* * *Although it was called an academy for Superhumans, not all of its staff were Superhuman.Contrary to the image portrayed by the media, most of the staff at Lord Howe Academy were regr civilians.Unless they were staff who dealt with Superhumans personally, it wasnt a requirement for the facilities management staff or outside researchers to be Superhuman.So, when the rm red throughout the academy, most of the staff headed to the shelters instead of the frontlines.Of course, there were brave staff members who stepped forward and volunteered to save the students, but the Principal shot them down immediately.After all, there was a difference between courage and recklessness.And among the non-Superhuman staff, only medical workers, priests, ex-soldiers, and mercenaries were permitted to fight the terrorists.At least, that was the academys stance.However, keeping a check on all the staff while dealing with an emergency was no easy task. There were quite a few who defied the Principals orders and joined the fray.Energetic staff like Gulzar, the first-year cafeteria chef, and Ava, the janitor, even opened the shelter doors to join the fight outside.It was an act that could potentially endanger the staff shelter if something went wrong, but no one med them.This was an academy and everyone cared about the students.But of course there were always people with other motives.And Reporter Park Sungyeok was one of those people.Although he wasnt a Superhuman, he argued that all Korean men served in the military, then slipped out among the staff and headed to save the students.Was it because he genuinely wanted to save the students? No, in the first ce, he was not an academy staff member but a special correspondent for the Goryeo Times assigned to the academy. Hence, his motives were more aligned with those of a reporter.A scoop. One so sensational that it would attract the attention of the entire world.Although the attack on the academy itself could be considered as the scoop of all scoops wasnt it something that reporters from various media outlets present at the academy could write about as well?Park Sungyeok wanted more than that.He was seeking hidden secrets of the attack that the academy had failed to censor or sensational truths.If he could find a story like thatBing the head of the news department back at the head office wouldnt be just a dream.Anyway, he headed to the battlefield with a rather resolute determination while hiding a camera in his sleeve.However, perhaps because he had joined the battlete, he didnt even get to witness the fierce fights against the terrorists.All that he captured in the northern ind city were gunpowder stains, bullet holes, and ice shards left behind by Mages.Although this was not the sight he was expecting to see, Park Sungyeok was not disappointed. The battle was yet to conclude.He moved along with the staff, following themunications about zombies and rescuing students.Ugh, damn it. What the hell is this?The path leading to the main academy building was horrific.The luxurious walkway, originally prepared for the students, was now filled with the decaying, bloated flesh of dead zombies.- Uoooohhhh- Priest! Is there a priest here?Zombie limbs were piled up carelessly, and staff members with injuries were being carried to the rear.The once beautiful learning hall was now a shell of its former self, but it was still in better shape whenpared to the area right in front of the first-year main building.- The area outside the main building is clear! We need support to clear the path leading to the shelter!- The third-years have been rescued! We just need to hold on until all the staff from theree over!- Damn it, does it matter if we hold on? It is the shelter that has to hold on!The scene unfolding before his eyes could literally be mistaken for a battlefield.To stop the zombies from swarming towards the main building, the few Superhumans and armed staff members fought desperately, while frantic calls for support continued in the background.- Damn it, if only we had a Mage or some proper firearms.- Abandone the first years? The Principal must be out of her mindPark Sungyeok filmed the scene inplete silence.Not missing the opportunity, he carefully recorded the conversation about the academys decision to abandon the first-year students and rescue the second and third years first.This is a huge scoop.The academy was selectively rescuing students?This wasnt something even the renowned principal of the academy could simply overlook. Given the value of the current batch of freshmen ensuring their survival would be the best oue.Indeed, sneaking in was the right choice.Park Sungyeok continued filming for a while, suppressing the smile that was trying to creep onto his lips. Suddenly, he heard a voice over someones radio.- Emergency! There is an emergency!- Whats happening?- A-arge hole has opened in the main buildings courtyard! Seeing the zombies keep jumping into the hole, it seems like it leads to the shelter!As soon as the transmission ended, everyones expressions hardened. They had thought they had some time, thanks to the shelter but was it already breached?The students desperation must have hit the ceiling, right? No, would there even be any survivors left?There were two distinct reactions on hearing the despairing news.- Damn it, when is the support going to arrive!There were those who were angry. One staff member even threw their radio in frustration and shouted.And there were those who were praying for a miracle. Especially the priests who had rushed over to save the Saintess, were desperately seeking divine intervention.- O Five Gods please protect her.Park Sungyeoks hidden camera captured this entire scene as well.Thoughts like What if the Saintess and the students die? no longer crossed his mind. Instead, as soon as the thought What if the Saintess dies? appeared, he began to wonder if he could take a photo of her dead bodyEven a Pulitzer Prize wouldnt be a faraway dream.If things turned out that way, forget about the future head of the news department but an executive position at Goryeo Times would be guaranteedAnd then something happened.A womans voice came through the radio.- Oi, listen up everyone in the first-year main buildin! Get to the entrance in 10 seconds. I repeat, get to the entrance in 10 seconds!The voice was far too lighthearted for the current situation.Most people here frowned at the sudden orders, but a few staff members reacted differently. Especially the administrative office staff, who had been bothered by the owner of that voice as ofte, cheered with joy.- The Holy Sword! The Holy Sword has arrived!The Holy Sword? Could it be Freya Cahn? Dreaming of another scoop, Park Sungyeok aimed his hidden wrist camera to the sky.And the next moment, a giant light descended to the ground from above, a bit quicker than the promised 10 seconds.sh!A white light, made tangible by holy mana, illuminated the entire main building.The light, as warm as sunlight, engulfed the zombies. The zombies turned into sparkling dust and scattered one making contact with the light.It was such a surreal and divine sight, revealing the reason why faith from beyond the Dimensional Portal had reced the faith of Earth.- Holy Sword!Everyone who witnessed the appearance of the sudden hero into their radios.However, this time, they were not shouts of joy.- The underground shelter has been breached! We need to rescue the students as quickly as possible!Did she perhaps not hear the desperate pleas of the staff begging her to save the children as quickly as possible?The Holy Sword in hand, Freya Cahn was walking down from the sky. Her pace as slow as a feather falling.- Holy Sword, please!- Could it be is she perhaps already out of power?- Y-you, you Holy Sword-thieving bitch! Youre letting the Saintess die!Pleas, suspicion, anger. The staff could only watch her, shifting their feet anxiously. When she finally set foot on the ground, her first words were:Oi, is there a journo here, eh?Everyone looked baffled, even dumbfounded, but she ignored them and scanned the staff gathered around the main building.There should be at least one here .Saying that, Freya Cahn snapped her fingers. The staff members who knew how to handle mana realized that she had spread her mana to scan the bodies of the people around her.Ah, found him. There were four or five of them at the third-year main buildinno way theres not at least one here.However, as he was not a Superhuman, Park Sungyeok felt nothing and continued pointing his camera at Freya Cahn obliviously.Oi, ya over there,e on up, mate!Huh? M-me?Freya Cahn pointed her finger at Park Sungyeok, who was unable to hide his surprise.Get ya camera and recorder out, mate.W-wait! Holy Sword, Im a reporterPark Sungyeok tried to protest, but he was unable to avoid the Holy Swords hand. In an instant, she pulled out the hidden camera and recorder from his clothes.So what if youre a journo, aye?The surrounding gazes turned toward Park Sungyeok. Not only had he hidden his identity and snuck into a battlefield, but hed also been filming them freely.The face of the staff member who had given him a gun in particr twisted into a vicious scowl. If it werent for the presence of the Holy Sword, he might have shot him on the spot.Im gonna delete all the recordings and photos Any objections, eh?H-Holy Sword, but the right of the public to knowAre ya serious? Ya wanna talk about the right to know here, mate?Freya Cahns single eye curved into a half-moon. It was only then that Park Sungyeok became aware of the intense stares directed at him and shut his mouth.He suddenly recalled a well-known saying among war correspondents.Rights are far, but fists are close.DamnAs soon as Park Sungyeok shut his mouth, the staff resumed pleading with Freya Cahn for help. Some priests even got on their knees.- We need to get to the underground shelter quickly! The students may not be able to hold on for much longer!- Some students might even be dying at this moment!However, the Holy Sword still did not respond to their pleas. She slung an arm around Park Sungyeoks shoulders and handed him the camera after formatting the data.Oi, ya want help gettin a scoop?Ya got no say in this, so zip it and follow me.Her high-handed attitude didnt give Park Sungyeok room to refuse. The other staff members sighed in relief when they saw her heading towards the shelter.However, Freya Cahn was heading towards the shelters main entrance instead of the underground hole.Zombies that had managed to avoid the Holy Swords light were swarming inside the main building.When she took the lead, the zombies posed no threat. The same zombies the staff fought with their lives on the line turned to dust with just a few swings of the Holy Sword.After quickly heading toward the main buildings underground, the staff finally reached the shelters entrance. However, upon discovering a problem with the lock, they began attempting to forcefully unlock the door together.- Just wait a little longer! Well rescue you right away!Amidst the staffs shouts and the nking of metal, Freya Cahn turned to Park Sungyeok and said:Oi, get a good pic, will ya?W-what picture are you talking about?Could it be that all the students inside were already dead due to the dy? Or was she telling him to take a picture of the dead Saintess?As Park Sungyeok rolled his eyes, pondering, Freya Cahn wore a grin.Youll suss it out when ya see it.
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Chapter 83: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (3)
* * *Yeomyeongs manner of fighting was far from morous.It wasnt like the desperate struggle typically seen in zombie stories, nor did it have the grandeur of overpowering force.His fight was more akin tobor.A fight like how back-alley janitors silently moved their hands as they cleared all the filth for a moment of cleanliness.It started off with swordsmanship. Yeomyeong raised his sword and struck the head of the first zombie rushing at him.- Kyaaaackk!The voice spilling from its rotten vocal cords was cut off, and rotten bodily fluids and flesh sttered everywhere.Meanwhile, another zombie opened its mouth and went for his arm, but Yeomyeong didnt dodge. Instead, he threw a punch and crushed the zombies head.More bodily fluids, flesh, and bone fragments soaked the floor of the cave. The first school uniform he had ever worn in his life became mottled, like a butchers apron.It was a brutal sight, but the zombies,cking the intelligence toprehend it, continued swarming in, and Yeomyeongs sword didnt stop either.Then, after cutting down over a hundred zombies, his sword broke pitifully.One of his quick-wittedpanionsprobably Setitossed him another, and he continued fighting.He had to switch his swords like this three or four times before the weakest member of the party, Soe Miri, was unable to endure it any longer and was forced to retreat.With the rear mage gone, the weapons they had seized from the attackers dwindled down quickly, and the partys stamina began to wear thin.The Saintess, who had run out of bullets, squeezed her mana to the limit until she copsed from exhaustion. Meanwhile, Miss Gemini lost consciousness after being bitten by a zombie.Wesley was the next to fall. He tripped over a zombie with only its upper body remaining and it only took a few seconds for the zombies to pin him under.And by the time Yeomyeong pulled him out of the hoard of zombies, he was already in a dire state.The priests-in-training at the shelter poured mana into him, barely keeping him alive, but his injury was too severe to rejoin the fight.In the end, only three remained before the hole in the shelter: Jeon Yunseong, Seti, and Yeomyeong.All three were skilled and fit enough to fend off the zombies. However, none of them could fend off ten with just one hand.- Kyaack!- Damn it, mages fall back!Some of the zombies managed to bypass the three and enter the shelter.Although the students could handle one or two zombies by themselves, the number of zombies entering the shelter after getting past the three kept increasing with each passing moment.At this rate, even the exhausted Saintess and Soe Miri would be in danger.Yeomyeong stopped grappling with the zombies and leaped into the cave.Yeomyeong?! Where are you going all by yourself!Soe Miris startled voice came from behind, and almost immediately, dozens of zombies turned their gaze toward him.Yeomyeong pulled the Handle of Uragan from his pocket.[O Virno, O Inheritor! You have finallye looking for me! Oh, zombies! You sure get entangled with the undead often! Where are the curses and magic that I need to block?]So it no longer called him Virgin? Yeomyeong felt a strange emotion as he replied in his mind.Forget the protective shield. Just shine some light right now.[ Light?]A light bright enough to draw the attention of the zombies will suffice. You can do that, right?[My first task after being inherited is to be a shlight Im sothrilled,I could cry!]Despite its grumbling, the unicorn immediately emitted light. All the zombies crowding the cave turned towards the light and looked at Yeomyeong.Then, the next moment, Yeomyeongnded right in the middle of the cave, surrounded on all sides.Bang!His unleashed mana caused the cave floor to hollow out. And soon, the zombies in the vicinity copsed, creating a space around him.Yeomyeong pressed down harder against the ground and clenched his fist.Alright lets do this.A blue haze shimmered around his body.
* * *A literal mountain of corpses was piled high in front of the shelter wall.Seti caught her breath and spoke.Whew Uh, Cheon Yeomyeong-ssi?Yeomyeong opened just one of his closed eyes to nce at her.Are you okay?Despite her light tone, her face was filled with concern.And judging by her expression, she wasnt worried about anyone else because she was facing Yeomyeong with her back to everyone else in the shelter.On the contrary, Yeomyeong, facing the entire shelter, naturally responded with a cold expression and tone.Why? Does it look like something is wrong?It was all an act to hide the fact that they knew each other.While Yeomyeong felt awkward enough to make him cringe, no one suspected his behavior.Even the Saintess, whoy t on the ground, mumbled something like, See, see that rude jerk while pointing at Yeomyeong, so there was no need to say more.Anyway, Yeomyeong and Seti exchanged a few words to check on each others condition.They spoke about things like the name of the martial art that emitted a haze earlier, about his life as a mercenary, and who among them had been the most helpful a conversation important for the two of them but of little value to anyone else, went on for quite a while before the shelter door began to rattle as the lock was being released.- Just wait a little longer! Well rescue you right away!The moment the voices of adults could be heard beyond the door, the disheartened students finally let out sighs of relief.However, there was no noticeable cheering or joy because Yeomyeong and his party had already dealt with the terrorists and zombies threatening their lives.Perhaps because of their lukewarm reaction, the voices of the adults on the other side of the door grew more urgent.- Please wait! Were almost there!Just as it seemed that the lock on the shelter door would break due to the force being used on it, Yeomyeong slowly rose from his spot.Its finally over.He sighed as he brushed off the filth on his uniform.To end up looking like this on the very first day of wearing a uniform I guess uniforms and I arent meant to be.And with that useless thought in mind, Yeomyeong nced around, only to be surprised on seeing that he was the only one standing on two legs.Seti and the others who had fought alongside him were all too exhausted to pick themselves up from the floor, and the other students were all gathered at a distance near the shelter wall.Just as the strange stares were bing unbearable to him and was about to reach out to another party memberClick.Therge door swung open, and the adults entered the shelter. Most of the armed adults appeared to be academy staff.Except for one person.Click.A man holding a small camera. Having encountered plenty of reporters back in Manchuria, Yeomyeong was able to guess his identity pretty easily.How did a reporter get in here?As if he was possessed by something, the reporter continued to photograph Yeomyeong.Being quite familiar with cameras, the Saintess reflexively flung a gun at the reporter, but thest person to enter the shelter caught it mid-air.Ah.Even the students who were rushing towards the staff stopped in their tracks and simply stood there with their mouths gaping due to the womans overwhelming presence.She nced at the hole in the shelter, now blocked with zombie corpses, then grinned and strode towards Yeomyeong.Yeomyeong began to adjust his clothes unconsciously. As soon as she stood at eye level with him, she poked his forehead with her finger, snickering.Long time no see, mate.Yes, its been a while Holy Sword.Holy Sword.The students, who were still uncertain upon seeing her, widened their eyes in surprise. Especially Baonic, who had been hiding behind the other students, looked as if his eyes would pop out at any moment.And, as always, Holy Sword ignored the stares of the spectators and spoke her mind.Didya use the thing I gave ya well? Judging by what happened in Manchuria, it looks like ya already mastered it.Yes, it was very helpful.Reaaaally?Her lone uncovered eye subtly scanned Yeomyeong up and down.Whatd he say, eh? Bet hes stoked to have finally found a proper sessor, yeah?UhYeomyeong held back his words, recollecting the final request of the Comet within the Comet Sword.- When you meet Freya Cahn, be sure to return the dagger. I-Im begging you.Recalling the desperation in the Comets voice, Yeomyeong carefully hid his expression.Although he felt sorry for the Comet Sword he had left back at the dormitory, but it seemed nigh impossible to return it now.Can we talk about himter, just the two of us?Heh, course. Its a tough ask, eh? Were both sessors of the Comet, after all.Holy Swordughed lightly as she patted Yeomyeong on the shoulder.And that sight was pretty shocking to those who knew her well. And what she did next was enough to even shock those who didnt know her on a personal level.Oi, and yougetta pic with me.A picture? Isnt that man already taking pictures?Yeomyeong said, ncing at the reporter who was still frantically clicking the camera shutter.Not those sorta pics. Lets set up somethin really intense.What the hell was she talking about? While Yeomyeong was still bewildered, the Holy Sword began lifting his exhausted party members.Lets grab a solo pic of ya What? Its already done? Alright, then lets snap one with your mates sprawled around here.Looking somewhat honored, the party members took her hand and got to their feet.Only the Saintess coldly rejected Holy Swords hand and grabbed the hem of Setis skirt instead. Sighing, Seti helped the Saintess up.In any case, even the Saintess didnt refuse to take a picture.The Holy Sword called the reporter over and began taking pictures of the party with the zombies in the background.From artificially staged battle-concept photos to natural poses of resting.While everyone was bewildered by the sudden photoshoot, Yeomyeong asked her cautiously.Whats the point of all this?Just adding a bit of ir beforehand Nah, its just some political thing, ya dont need to stress too much.Youll prolly thank me in a few days.Hearing her voice filled with confidence, Yeomyeong didnt bother asking what exactly hed be grateful for.In fact, he couldnt even begin to imagine what kind of aftermath the academy attack incident would bring about
* * *Beyond the Dimensional Portal, was a country known as the Empire.Once upon a time, it was the mightiest and greatest nation in the world.Now, it was merely a shell of its former self.Those who called themselves wise consoled themselves, saying that at least the shell remained, untouched by the capital, technology, and ideologies spread by EarthlingsHowever, the third prince had a different opinion.As the old Earth saying went, even when a rich man falls, his wealthsts three generations.Even though it was just a shell of its former self due to the mistakes of his father and grandfather, the Empire was still the Empire.As long as the great bloodline and will remained, the Empire would one day reim what it had lost to Earth and restore the glory of its pastThe third prince often voiced such thoughts.Upon hearing it, his wet nurse would fret that saying such things would end up causing great trouble, but the third prince thought differently.Wasnt it natural for someone born of imperial blood to harbor such ambitions, unlike those of lowly birth?Even his older brother, the crown prince, would simply shake his head at the third princes ambition, but the third prince didnt stop at mere words.I will prove that our bloodline is superior to Earths.Defying all opposition, the third prince crossed over to Earth and enrolled at Lord Howe Academy.On the day he left the imperial pce, he held his wet nurses hand tightly and swore to prove the superiority of the imperial bloodline.And since that day, the third prince had not forgotten that pledge he had made a year ago.He kept pushing himself relentlessly, working hard and striving even harder. And as a result of that, he retained the top rank in his ss throughout his first year.There were students who could match him in various fields, but in the overall rankings, no one could surpass him.Perhaps because of that, the prince fell into the trap of arrogance during his second year.He began to take the praise he received for granted, and advice to remain humble seemed like envy from those who were less skilled.And because of that, the prince frequently skipped sses, without permission.Especially those damned joint ssesHe didnt even bother attending them.Why should someone as noble as himself have to sit in a ssroom with the lowly?It was a pointless and futile exerciseat least, that was what he thought.And so, the prince confidently skipped the joint ss today as well.But he shouldnt have done that. At least not today.- Kyaaakk!!The third prince fled from the zombies, regret gnawing on his mind.If only he hadnt skipped the joint ss.If only he hadnt ignored the warnings.If only he had listened to the broadcast instructing them to head to the shelter.They were all useless thoughts, yet he couldnt help but feel regret.It was hard to believe that he was on the verge of death just because he had skipped a few sses.He panted, gasping for breath, as tears streamed down his face.Gasp Gasp Someone please, s-save meHe wanted to live.At first, he thought the zombies were nothing to worry about, but it didnt take long for him to realize that it was just foolish bravado.It was impossible to face hundreds, thousands of zombies all by himself. It was already a miracle that he somehow managed to escape before he was surrounded.Sa-save me someone, please!Those damn zombies didnt tire and kept chasing him relentlessly.And perhaps because he had run around the school to avoid being surrounded, his stamina and mana had depleted a while back.Is anyone there?! Save me! Please!He eventually reached the faculty office in the main building.He hoped there might be a teacher inside who could save him, but all that greeted him in the office was gloomy silence.AhIs this how I, a prince of the Empire, will meet my death?He let out a hollowugh as he heard the footsteps of the approaching zombies echoing through the hallway.Please, someone, anyone; just save me Imperial Father NannyJust as he was sinking down to the floor of the faculty office, on the verge of giving up on life, someone opened the office door and stepped inside.Oh, someone here already.Fortunately, it wasnt a zombie but the persons appearance was hardly better than one.His entire body was drenched in blood, and it dripped with every step he took.If it werent for the familiar second-year uniform, one might have easily mistaken him for a crazed murderer.However, the third prince was in no position to be picky. Even this gruesome figure now looked like a lifeline bestowed upon him.H-Hey! Save me!The third prince spoke with urgency as he heard the footsteps of the zombies drawing closer to the office.I am the third prince of the Empire! I can grant you anything you desire!The blood-soaked student stared at the prince with a look of contemtion, before slowly getting down on one knee.In his hand was a sword, though the prince didnt know when he had drawn it. The posture he assumed, with the sword held forward and one knee on the ground, was one the prince was very familiar with.A-a knight of the Empire?The guardians of the Empire, which had been disbanded by force by the Americans.The very stance was how a member from this long-forgotten organization would take when swearing loyalty to the Emperor.I greet Your Highness, the Prince.A-are you perhapsThe prince stared at him with disbelief.Upon closer inspection, even the sword in his hand was a genuine artifact of the Empires Knightsnot some crude imitation made by Earthian, but one that flowed with mana.Is this a dr-dream? Is this one dreaming?Tears welled up in the princes eyes. He had never thought that he would encounter the glory of the Empire in a moment like this, in a ce like this.This is no dream, Your Highness.Said the blood-soaked student as he slowly rose from his kneeling position. He used his blood-stained hands to help the prince stand up.Your Highness, could you remain hiding inside the faculty office for now?Y-Youre going to fend off all those zombies all by yourself? No, perhaps you should carry me, and we can escape togetherThe prince expressed his opinion cautiously, but he eventually fell silent. The knights eyes, looking down at him, gleamed like snakes.You need not worry, your Highness. These zombies are no match for me.I-If you say so, then I shall trust you.The prince swallowed hard as he thought to himself.Was there a student like him in the second year? And why is he in the faculty office at this moment?However, those thoughts did notst long. The zombies had already swarmed into the faculty office and began banging against the door.Terrified, the prince clung to the knight. Raising his sword, the knight pushed the prince away, and headed toward the faculty office entrance.And just before he opened the office door, the knight seemed to remember something and turned to the prince.Your Highness, could you retrieve a wooden box from Mr. Morrisons desk drawer while Im fighting? Its a finely wrapped red wooden box.Are you asking me to steal a teachers belongings?Steal? It was mine to begin with.The prince nodded quietly. It didnt seem like the knight was lying. And even if he was, the prince had no choice but to believe him.And just in case, it would be best if you remain in the office.With those parting words that sounded unclear whether they were a threat or a request, the knight stepped outside the office.Amidst the sounds of zombies and something being smashed, the prince, now alone, crawled toward Mr. Morrisons desk.
Chapter 84: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (4)
* * *The dawn held its breath as the sky began to grow brighter.Yeomyeong got out of bed calmly and without even stretching, he scanned the room with indifferent eyes.It was a luxurious room. From therge window overlooking the academy grounds and the marble-finished floor to the antique furniture, it was nothing short of opulent.ording to the staff who had escorted him to the room, this was a special room reserved for external VIPsAnd from that exnation, one could easily tell that it was an excessively grand room for an ordinary student.If he were to put it in simpler terms, it seemed that the academy was treating him more importantly than just an ordinary student, perhaps even as a VIP.After all, this was the least he deserved for saving the entire batch of first-years from unknown assants and a horde of zombies, didnt he?But nothing in this world was ever that simple.Yeomyeong didnt believe that the academy had provided him with this room purely out of goodwill.The world he knew wasnt so sweet.Even a mere Janitor Guild was rife with political maneuvering and dirty dealings; how much moreplicated would the academy be, with its hundreds ofyers of intertwined interests?However, the reason the academy was treating him this waywasnt hard to guess.Did they misunderstand my rtionship with the Holy Sword?None of the staff had asked him about his connection to the Holy Sword, but he could tell from the way they looked at him.The academyat least the staff familiar with the Holy Swordwere treating him as if he were practically the Holy Swords apprentice.He didnt know if this was something that happened by chance or if it was something the Holy Sword was aiming forThis is getting troublesome.Yeomyeong massaged his throbbing forehead. Being the Holy Swords apprentice was of no use to him, no matter how great a future it guaranteed.In fact, it was nothing but a disadvantage when taking his ns for revenge into consideration.And wasnt the Holy Sword an artifact fiercely protected by the Australian government, despite strong opposition from religious circles?If it were to be known that Yeomyeong was the Holy Swords apperentice, or something akin to that Australia would do everything in its power to prevent him from making contact with Korea.After all, even a small country like Korea employed monstrous figures like Shepperd to work behind the scenes, so what might a powerful nation like Australia do?However, that wasnt the only problem. Even if he were to exact his revenge while under the protection of the Holy Sword and Australias goodwillHow will people take the news if they learn that an apprentice of the Holy Sword assassinated the President of Korea and other key politicians?It would create chaos beyond imagination. Yeomyeong shook his head.Indeed, he should stop before he became too close with the Holy Sword. Dealing with the airhead Saintess, who cluelessly tried to get closer to him, was already more than enough.I should return the Comet Sword Arcane Relic the next time I see her and firmly refuse the offer to be her apprentice.After spending some time with his thoughts, Yeomyeong got dressed and left his room. He didnt have a particr destination in mind; he just wanted to get some fresh air.Yet, unless he had alcohol, he would not be able to ease the tightness in his chest.Yeomyeong walked through the empty corridor and up the stairs to the rooftop.Was it called the rooftop garden? The rooftop, which overlooked the entire academy, was furnished with flower beds and rest areas.Given the time, it was not surprising that the rooftop was empty. Basking in the familiar solitude, Yeomyeong sat on the closest bench.Sitting alone on the rooftop while gazing at the gloomy sky, he felt the sea breeze blowing in from beyond the horizoncold, just like the one he remembered from Incheon.Yeomyeong shut his eyes and let time slip away with the passing wind.Feeling somewhat better after a while, he was about to stand up whenAh.Sensing someones presence, Yeomyeong turned his head.He made eye contact with a blue-eyed girl who had just stepped onto the rooftop garden. The girl, with several convenience store bags in her hands, blinked upon noticing Yeomyeong.A brief silence ensued.As the sea breeze btedly swept between them, Yeomyeong chuckled softly.Isnt it a bit early to be having breakfast?When he gestured toward the convenience store bags with his chin, the girl averted her eyes, her face turning red.I need to replenish my energy since I used it all.And you dont usually eat instant food, right?As soon as that oddly familiar conversation ended, the girl scooted over and sat right next to Yeomyeong.Why are you sitting here acting all miserable by yourself?I just couldnt fall asleep. But why did youe all the way up here instead of eating in your room?Unlike you, the girls only got one room.She grumbled as she set the bags down at her feet.The bags, numbering more than five, were so heavy that it seemed like they contained everything from the convenience stores food section.I was thinking about waking you up to eat together, but as you said, its too early But eating alone would be scary if I got caught.Does it even matter if you get caught? You can just eat with them.After being caught with a mountain of food?She muttered something about how it must be nice to be so insensitive, before pulling out a cream-filled bun.Given itsrge size for the price, it was a snack janitors often enjoyed.And it took her less than ten seconds to devour a bun of that size.How could she eat that quickly with such a small mouth?Yeomyeong watched her silently, and when she pulled out her third bread, he finally broke the silence.Its been a while, Seti.His sudden greeting made Seti freeze in the middle of tearing open the wrapper, but then she grinned and replied.Its been a while, Yeomyeong.We finally get some time to ourselves.Well We havent really had the opportunity to do so, have we?From the moment hended at the academy airport to the attack yesterday.It was true that they had been involved in various incidents nonstop, making it difficult for them to meet in secret.HoweverIf you had just used the burner phone I gave you to contact me, there wouldnt have been a need for us to meet alone, right?Yeomyeong smiled awkwardly and looked away while Seti gazed at him sullenly.Well, she wasnt actually ming him. After all, hadnt he been in the middle of the chaotic events taking ce in Manchuria? It wouldnt have been easy for him to give her a call.Still he could have at least sent her a text, right?How many texts had she sent since he and the Saintess made the headlines? If he had at least replied to one in every ten or so of the dozens of texts shed sent, it wouldnt have been so frustrating!Though she almost blurted that out, the bread in her mouth kept them inside.Seti swallowed the bread and finished off a can of c before finally speaking.I can somewhat understand the reason you were unable to send a message After all, not everything can go as per n, even if its you, Yeomyeong.So right now, just tell me everything you havent told me what actually happened in Manchuria? Is everything the articles said the truth?I dont know which article you saw, but most of them are probably true.So, did you really kiss the Saintess?Yeomyeong smiled, thinking it was a joke, but seeing the look on Setis face, he quickly wiped the smile off his face.No. Thats just tabloid gossip.Hmm its really not true, right?There was no reason for me to do that.Thats fine then.Fine? What was fine? Yeomyeong was about to ask, but Seti immediately started gobbling another piece of bread.She chewed the bread as if she had no intention of speaking for a while.Given the amount of things he needed to share with her, Yeomyeong decided to use that time to gather his thoughts.Starting with the mercenary recruitment test.Chasing after a member of Blue Rat and meeting the Saintess by chance.The Korean governments involvement in Manchuria and the situation in North Manchuria.The Saintess and Kahal Magdu.The fact that his fake resume had already been exposed and that the Saintess mother was the president of the Blue Rat.And the story about the dragon sleeping in Manchuria.It was going to be a long story, but fortunately, Seti had brought a substantial amount of food with her.Taking a can of coffee from the bag, Yeomyeong leaned back against the bench.As the sun loomed over the horizon, he began speaking calmly.
* * *The story went on for quite some time.It would have been a rather boring story, but thanks to Setis amusing reactions, the atmosphere was maintained until the end.She would flinch every time the Saintess was brought up, and when it was revealed that his fabricated resume had been exposed, she choked on her bread, causing Yeomyeong to pat her back.In any case, Yeomyeong told her almost everything honestly , without any embellishment.Except the part where he met the ghost of the Dwarf King.Because he was certain that the so-called fate the king spoke about was ominously rted to Mignium.Seti seemed to have felt some awkwardness, but she didnt press the matter.By the time the long story came to an end, the food Seti had brought over was finished as well, as if perfectly timed.After sharing thest tuna sandwich with Yeomyeong, she shared her thoughts on the recollection of his recent experiences.Youve been through a lot.Yeomyeong was about to say that it was nothing, but before he could, Seti ced her hand over his.And thank you.Seti then raised her other hand to gently touch Yeomyeongs cheek, her blue eyes locked with his.Foring back in one piece.Im not joking. With the situation in Manchuria and the resume It all seems like all that happened because I wasnt able to assist you properly If something had happened to you, IJust as she was about to make a confession, Yeomyeong, unable to handle the awkwardness, averted his eyes.Only then did she realize what she was saying.Red-faced and in awkward silence, they both turned their gaze to the sea almost simultaneously. Fortunately, dawn was breaking and the sun was rising, making their flushed faces less noticeable.Yeomyeong continued to watch the sunrise in silence, ncing at Seti asionally.Her lips reflected the faint sunlight, and her blue eyes sparkled like jewels.As Yeomyeong gazed at her, a multitude of emotions surfaced in his mind, only to disappear beneath the surface of his thoughts, leaving only ripples behind.Although this was his first time experiencing such emotions, he was certain of one thing.For now, lets not say anything.After a time that could be considered either long or short, depending on ones perspective, Yeomyeong was able to bring up the other topic he had prepared.Seti.Yes?I have something else thatll make you thank meter. Want to hear it?Surprised by the sudden shift, Seti blinked while Yeomyeong continued, suppressing a smile that threatened to form on his lips.The ban in the minds of you and your sisters.Why are you bringing that up out of nowhere?What would you do if I told you that I found a way to get rid of it?Before she could say anything, Yeomyeong began to exin about the Golden SealA magic item that could unlock every lock and bypass any restriction in the world.Setis eyes opened wide as she stared at Yeomyeong. She found it hard to believe him, even suspecting that he was joking, to which Yeomyeong simply responded with a faint smile.Ah.It was unclear whether it was due to joy or some other emotions bubbling up, but Seti lowered her head.After taking some time to suppress her emotions, she looked up as if she had just remembered something.Yeomyeong, did you receive the Golden Seal from the dragon?Yes. How do you know that?Setis expression hardened. She tightened her grip on Yeomyeongs hand and asked.Did you, by any chance, receive it in exchange for saving the dragon?Yeomyeong was impressed by Setis deductive skills, having figured it out without hearing the story about the Dwarf King.Of course, regardless of that, Setis expression grew even more rigid.Did you give up on the dragon because of me?No, thats not it. There were other reasons. I also built rapport with the dragon while dealing a blow to the Manchurian military, andAlthough there were a multitude ofplex reasons that made him save the dragon, Seti seemed more shocked by the simple fact that he had given up on it.She spoke with a subdued voice.Im sorry. I didnt mean to cause you troubleIts not like that, really.Another bout of silence fell between them.Both of them fell silent for different reasons: Yeomyeong couldnt find the right words, and Seti didnt know how to repay this favor.After a moment, once the sun had risen above the horizon, Seti broke the silence with a long breath.Thank you, Yeomyeong.Ill ept your thanks after we manage to lift the ban. As for that lets wait until all your sisters have gathered.Yeomyeong brushed the bench and stood up. It was time to part ways as the staff would soon being to their rooms to find them.However, Yeomyeong was unable to leave because Seti hadnt let go of his hand.Yeomyeong.Yes?Lets cancel the n to pretend that we dont know each other at the academy.Why the sudden change?Just because.Hmm, but if we be close all of a sudden, wont the other students think its strange? We fought at the airport, remember?When Yeomyeong said this yfully, Seti somehow got angry for some reason.Lets just tell them that we grew close after fighting. We did fight those zombies together; who would think its strange? And if they do, so what?Hearing Setis response, Yeomyeong unconsciously raised his other hand to pat her head.Suddenly feeling the pat on top of her head, Seti tried to protest, but Yeomyeong was a bit faster.Then lets start by speaking more casually.Uh well, that isWhy? You cant do that?I under no, alright.Oh, but dont call me oppa.Huh?Seemingly dumbfounded, Seti loosened her grip. Yeomyeong naturally withdrew his hand and walked away from the bench.See youter, Seti.Yeah, see youter.Following that brief farewell, Yeomyeong left the rooftop, his steps lighter than when he had arrived.Left alone, Seti gazed at the morning scene at the academy for a moment, then covered her face with both hands and stamped her feet.As regret set in and the bench rattled with her silent screams, Seti came to her senses when she heard someone approaching.She hurriedly gathered her things, got up from the bench, and left the rooftop.Then, silence descended upon the rooftop garden again.Or rather, it should have.The next moment, a frivolous voice rang out from the empty rooftop the two had left.Oh my God. Oh. My. God.The voice of someone obscured by something transparent was neither words nor screams. For a while, she was just mumbling to herself before finally forming a coherent sentence.O Five Gods, what have I just witnessed?
Chapter 85: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (5)
Chapter 85: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (5)* * *Two days after the academy raid incident, early in the morning.Principal Himena was sitting in her office, battling a thick pile of documents titled Damage Report.Medical expenses andpensation for almost hundreds of casualties along with the enormous damage costs and restoration fees left in the aftermath of the battle.Comints and appeasements kept pouring in from all directions.And no matter how much they were processed, theplex material and political issues seemed never-ending.Setting the documents aside for a moment, the principal massaged her temples.She hadnt slept for the past two days, her head was throbbing, and the umted fatigue was making her eyes dry But the thought of rest did not pass her mind.The real problems hadnt even started yet.Those damned unscrupulous reporters.Even at this very moment, reporters from all over the world were flocking to the scene.The Australian and U.S. Navy forces stationed on the ind were doing their best to control ess and prevent information from leaking.However, as the Academy was not a military facility, it was impossible to censor every singlemunication.Stalling by telling parents and faculty members families, Were still assessing the situation had reached its limit long ago.And by the time the sun rose, the media would have roughly grasped the situation and started publishing articles.I expected this, but its still exhausting.The principal massaged her temples, thinking about the criticism that would be directed at the Academy.The fact that the attack coincidentally took ce during a season with no major news didnt help either.Although Manchuria was still drawing some attention, even that seemed like it would be wrapping up soon.For the hyena-like mediapanies, the tragedy at the Academy was an opportunity they couldnt pass up.And once public opinion got worse those who have been eyeing the Academy would tear it apart.And France in particr, as they had been desperately trying for over 10 years to make the Superhuman Department in Grandes coles surpass Lord Howes Superhuman School. They would undoubtedly keep bringing up this incident over and over again to undermine Lord Howe.Three months until the Superhuman Olympia its going to be a nightmare.The principal sighed as she picked up another report.This report was titled Analysis of the Rtionship Between the Transfer Student and the Holy Sword and Countermeasures.She began reading the report slowly, meticulously, without missing a single word.The report written by the dwarf teacher who had gone all the way to Manchuria wasnt long. However, it wasnt substantial either.How did the Holy Sword and the transfer student meet, what led to their connection, and what was the exact nature of their current rtionshipNot a single thing was identified properly. They were all conjectures followed by more conjectures.To be honest, the report fell short of the standard.However, the principal didnt throw or tear it up.Even though it didnt meet the standards, it provided the information she had hoped for.
[Confirmed that Cheon Yeomyeong possesses Arcane Relic rted to the Comet Sword.]
After confirming that phrase multiple times, the principal reached for the phone on her desk. Or rather, she tried to.Just as she grabbed the receiverAhem.A soft cough came from behind.The principal gathered her mana as she checked the mirror on the desk. And as soon as she confirmed the identity of the person reflected in the mirror, she sighed.What are you doing here at this hour?Your request has beenpleted.It was a woman with a blue mask covering the upper half of her face and a long blue coat reaching down to her calves.I didnt expect President Moryne to deliver the report personally.You are an important client. I couldnt just send an ordinary employee.As they continued their brief conversation, the principal tried hard to not be conscious of the report in her hand.She slowly set the report down as naturally as possible. Then, she deliberately shifted her body topletely hide the report from the others view.It might have seemed like an exaggerated measure, but the principal still felt it was insufficient.After all, the report was rted to the Holy Sword and it was a document that should never be shown to outsiders, not even its title.Especially since the person in front of her was the head of aprehensive information managementpany or simply called the Information Guild.Had the principals act worked? Fortunately, it didnt seem like the other person had noticed the report.Without even ncing at the report on the desk, the woman extended her hand toward the principal.First, please verify the information.In the hand of the Blue Rat President were two sheets of paper, each slightly smaller than the size of a palm.Although there was no exnation, the principal understood that these were spell sheets containing a memory transfer spell, something the Blue Rat Company prided themselves on.You could have just given me a report.Its safer this way.The principal didnt bother arguing and just epted the spell sheets.The two spell sheets had the titles Status of Academy Internal Spies and List of Potential External Teachers and Conciliatory Measures for Special Training respectively.The principal stared at the titles of the spell sheets for a moment before waving her hand dismissively.The payment will be deposited into the usual ount. Thank you for your hard work.Though it was a clear dismissal, the Blue Rat President did not leave the room and kept staring at her in silence.Anything else?Theres one thing I need your permission.Permission what kind of permission?The word permission made the principal feel an inexplicable sense of unease. What was she nning to do that would require permission?I wish to converse with a certain student. Unofficially, of course.Unofficially? That was a rather elegant way of saying that she wanted to sneak into the Academy.Anyway, it wasnt as big of a request as she expected. The principal nodded with a sigh.Do as you please. If a parent wishes to meet their child, who am I to stop them?Now, go ahead. Have a good time with your daughter.Yet again, the Blue Rat President didnt leave.Instead, she even smiled awkwardly under her mask and looked at the principals back.Its not your daughter you wish to meet, right?The Blue Rat President nodded silently. It was an unspoken confirmation.Sigh.The principal didnt ask who the Blue Rat President was going to meet. There was no way she would give her a straight answer either.Alright, Ill allow it as long as you dont harm the student in any way. And though it wont happen, try not to get caught by the military.As soon as she obtained permission, the Blue Rat President disappeared from the room in the same manner she entered it.The principal stared at the spot where the Blue Rat President had been just a moment ago before turning back and sitting down at her desk again, only after confirming that there was no other presence in the room.The problems keep creeping up, it feels like climbing mountain after mountainThe principal gazed at the spell paper titled Status of Academy Internal Spies with a bitter expression.However, she didnt use the spell sheets right away. There was something more important to handle at the moment.
List of Potential External Teachers and Conciliatory Measures for Special Training
The principal held the spell sheets that contained information that could potentially change the fate of the academy and every student attending before falling into deep thought for a moment.Her deliberation didntst long.If theres no path, you have to cross the mountain.And the next moment, she infused the spell sheets with mana.
* * *Five days after therge-scale terrorist attack.The academy was struggling to return to everyday life.The principal had prioritized the repair of the students dormitories and the main building above all else.Fortunately, the construction didnt take long.Because unlike the other ces, where they were having a hard time clearing away thousands of zombie corpses, the area around the dormitory and main building waspletely cleared up by the Holy Sword, who turned all the zombies to dust.Anyway, they managed to repair the main building in just three days.Although they could have resumed sses immediately, the principal did not force them to do so.Instead, she categorized all sses as temporary sses and allowed students to attend as they wished.Some students were puzzled by this decision.However, the staff, especially those with military backgrounds, agreed with it wholeheartedly.They felt it was too soon to resume sses right away, given the significant events the students had just experienced.The sudden terrorist attack, the hordes of zombies swarming all aroundJust one of these events could result in lifelong trauma, but they faced both in quick session.Even the second-year students, who were safely hidden in the shelters, reported mild stress, while among the third-year students, who had suffered direct casualties, there was a surge of students looking into withdrawing from the academy.Of course, not all students were traumatized. After all, the students of Lord Howe were different from the average student.They were Superhumans who could wield mana, and each one striving to ovee the trauma in their own way.A priest-in-training created a memorial for the deceased staff and held prayer meetings to console their sorrow.While some students locked themselves in the training room, focusing on intense training.The first-year students, who had witnessed the battle firsthand in particr, were determined to improve their skills.Some of them even skipped sses to seek guidance from upper-gradebat instructors, causing trouble for the teachers.As a result the academy was yet to return to normal.In particr, the temporary sses also had an atmosphere that was very different from usual.Attendance in subjects like Ethics and World History was low, and most students struggled to focus even in subjects like Magic and Faith Education.The only exception was thebat ss.
* * *First-year Academy Main Building, Outdoor Training Ground.Its been a while, students.In the vast space, where nearly a hundred students could move simultaneously, the dwarf instructor addressed the students.I am Margan, the instructor will be taking the hand-to-handbat ss today. Since your regr instructor, Mr. Antoine, is currently hospitalized, I will be covering this ss temporarily.While it might have seemed strange for Margan, who usually taught Ethics, to teach hand-to-handbat, none of the studentsined.That was because they remembered seeing him drenched in the blood and flesh of countless zombies outside the shelter on the day of the terror attack.Unaware of this, Margan sighed in relief on seeing the students reactions.Since this is a temporary ss, we will be paying more attention to the basics rather than following the usual curriculum. I hope you understand.As an experienced teacher, he proceeded with the ss smoothly.As you all know, hand-to-handbat includes battles between Superhumans, as well as Superhumans and civilians. So you first need to learn how to control your strength properly to be functional members of society.It was a typical lesson, starting with an exnation about the theory behind using mana and martial arts as Superhumans, followed by a brief demonstration to teach the students how to utilize thebat techniques.As the lesson progressed for a while, one of the students interrupted.- Instead of the basics, is there anything useful for actualbat?It wasnt clear whether the lesson seemed too simple to the students specializing in martial arts or if it was because they had just gone through a terror incident, but every student present in the training ground shared simr thoughts.- Is there a way to counter guns?- What about strategies for fighting zombies?- This so-called hand-to-handbat is really just about controlling our strength to avoid killing civilians, isnt it?Margan didnt ignore the gazes and questions directed at him. After listening to the students for a moment, he responded in a serious tone.I understand that, given the recent series of events, you all wish to learn practicalbat techniques.The dwarf instructor made eye contact with each student as he continued speaking.But at times like this, the basics are even more important. Teaching a child who has just learned to walk how to run is no different from making them trip deliberately.His words were logical. While not everyone agreed, they couldnt refute him easily.The students fell silent, and a brief moment of stillness filled the training ground before disappearing.Ahem. Now, lets get back to the lesson.Just as Margan cleared his throat and was about to continue with the ss- How about a sparring match, then?This time, a voice that was different from the student who had spoken earlier interrupted Margan.It was a gentle voice from a boy.A voice that Margan no, everyone else gathered here knew very well.Jeon Yunseong, what do you mean by a sparring match?Margan and the students turned their gazes towards Jeon Yunseong, who was standing at the edge of the training ground.Though he flinched slightly, possibly ufortable due to the sudden attention, he soon spoke with determination.Isnt sparring between students and observing those matches also part of hand-to-handbat? Especially in a temporary ss like this.Student Jeon Yunseong.And, we happen to have a student who can share actualbat experience with us.With those words, Jeon Yunseong turned towards the other side.At the end of his gaze, standing at the back of the student group, was a student with golden eyes.Cheon Yeomyeong, the transfer student who had saved all the first-year students.With a determined voice, Jeon Yunseong addressed the student who had been quietly listening to the ss.Cheon Yeomyeong.?Lets spar.As Margan sighed and massaged his forehead, murmurs of anticipation spread among the students.
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Chapter 87: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (7)
Chapter 87: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (7)* * *The back of his head felt prickly.Yeomyeong had felt a constant gaze following him since the start of the temporary ss.This was different from the gazes filled with jealousy or anticipation he received from the students. It felt more discreet and dreary a watchful gaze.I never thought Id receive the type of stares the reporters in Manchuria gave me at the academy.Of course, Yeomyeong didnt pay it any special attention or feel tense.He continued to focus in ss just like always as if he didnt notice any stares.After all, he couldnt just kill whoever it was outright. Besides, the gaze following him didnt seem to be hostile.However, when the ss came to an end and he stepped outside the main building, Yeomyeong couldnt help but furrow his brows.The singr gaze that had been constantly observing him during ss had suddenly multiplied.Two? No, at least three. Maybe more.Who on earth was watching him, and why?While Yeomyeong was contemting about it, Seti, who was walking with him behind the main building, spoke up.Weve got a tail.She furrowed her brow as if the back of her head was itching.And not just one, but two tails? Even if theyre trying to solve the case, is something like this really allowed at the academy?Not two, but four.When Yeomyeong corrected hers, Seti tilted her head.Huh? Four?Two people following us from behind, and two watching us from a distance.I can only sense two.Thats because the other two arent directed at you. Though youd notice it immediately if you were in my ce. Its impossible not to notice, given how obvious theyre being.Really?While Seti blinked in surprise, Yeomyeong stopped walking and sat on the nearest bench.Then, the gazes that were fixed on Yeomyeong shifted to Seti for a brief moment, allowing her to experience the chilling stares.I was going to make some ns regarding my sisters, but I dont think I can even say a word in our current situation.Seti sighed and sat down next to Yeomyeong.She was nning to ask Yeomyeong to use the Golden Seal to lift the ban today but with so many watchful eyes glued on them, it seemed impossible.You dont have to worry much about the ban. Worstes to worst, I can just sneak into the girls dormitory at night.Yeomyeong tried to reassure her, but Seti red at him instead.Dont even think about sneaking into the girls dormitory, not even in your dreams. If you get caught, it wont just end with a simple expulsion.Is it that serious to the point of getting expelled? No, more importantly, has someone actually attempted it before?Of course not! Are there any students who are skilled enough to sneak past the dormitory head and climb over the walls?There was one, and the person was right in front of her.Seti narrowed her eyes and warned him once more.Anyway, no matter what, you should nevere to the girls dormitory.Okay, okay.Only after Yeomyeong chuckled and nodded did Seti drop the subject.Lets discuss the banter For now, we need to decide how to deal with our tails.As soon as she finished speaking, Yeomyeong turned his head.The first thing he noticed was the janitordy picking up trash from a distance.The woman in a crisp white janitors outfit and a triangr headscarf was emptying garbage bins without even sneaking a nce at Yeomyeong or Seti.She might have looked like an ordinary janitor on the outside, but she was unable to fool Yeomyeongs eyes, who used to be a janitor himself.Look, that janitor over there.Auntie Ava?Seti also furrowed her brow on noticing her btedly.Shes been dragging her feet and following us for a while now. Is she an observer assigned by the academy?Probably not.Seti seemed to know something. She paused for a moment, before averting her gaze from Ava and spoke.Yeomyeong, have you heard of the Secret Society?Secret Society? Its my first time hearing about it.Its an information guild established primarily by humans beyond the Dimensional Portal. That person is affiliated to that organization.That was all she told him. Yeomyeong felt like she was deliberately avoiding further exnation, but he didnt press her for more details.He shifted his gaze to check on another spy.A ssmate pretending to be going through his phone while taking pictures from between the trees.Turning her head to follow Yeomyeongs gaze, Seti noticed the person, and raised her eyebrows slightly.What is he doing? Yeomyeong, do you know him?My roommate.Your roommate? Why is your roommate spying on you?Seti turned to him, expecting an exnation, but Yeomyeong didnt really have an answer either.Im not too sure myself.Even though they were roommates, they had only exchanged a few words.And wasnt Yeomyeong staying in a VIP room rather than the dormitory after the terror incident? They werent close enough to have any personal interactionat best, they were just close enough to recognize each others faces.Whats his name?Seti asked after turning away from him.Baonic, Baonic Lerac.Lerac? Oh, from that traitorous household?A traitorous household, she said? That seemed like a rather harsh analogy, but Yeomyeong didnt bother to argue.Yeah, he told me that himself.Well, that exins it.Seti continued while tapping her lips.Hes Jeon Yunseongs only friend. Ive never seen his face before, but Ive heard rumors.Only friend?Yeomyeong furrowed his brows.He did notice that Jeon Yunseong was somewhat left out back at the dormitory and in ss But he was actually being ostracized? Things like that even happened in a prestigious academy like this?Seeing Yeomyeongs puzzled expression, Seti added briefly.Exceptional people tend to be disliked anywhere.Isnt a swan among ducks usually admired rather than disliked?When Yeomyeong responded as if he found it difficult toprehend, Seti simply shrugged.If the said swan is under the protection of the U.S. military and has zero social skills, its certainly possible.And he also has a traitors blood.Her tone may have seemed somewhat light outwardly, but the hostility in her voice was undeniable.This hostility was something Yeomyeong was familiar with because every Korean hated the traitor, Jeon Yongseop, and his son, Jeon Yunseong, to their very core.However wasnt Seti who also resented the Korean government? She must have had a different reason for hating Jeon Yunseongpared to ordinary Koreans.Perhaps the reason might have been rted to her origins.Since it wasnt a topic worth bringing up here, Yeomyeong changed the subject again.I dont quite get it Is being friends with Jeon Yunseong enough of a reason to spy on me?Didnt you almost get into a fight with Jeon Yunseong in ss today?Jeon Yunseong must have had some motive when he made the proposal, but it fizzled out pretty quickly, leaving the boy walking on eggshells for no reason Maybe hes holding a grudge because of that.It was an unusual thing for Seti to say. There was neither logic nor a hint of thoughtful consideration in her response.Thats quite a leap of logic.Why? Dont traitorous bloodlines usually have each others backs?Yeomyeong stared at Setis face for a moment, then raised his hand and pressed his palm against her forehead.Shes surprisingly emotional about this.Seti blinked, her blue eyes full of confusion, not understanding why he had suddenly ced his palm against her forehead.A brief silence descended upon them. And before the silence could drag on, Yeomyeong got up and spoke.In that case, lets just ask directly.Huh? Ask what??Lets ask him directly. The reason hes spying on us.Before Seti could say anything, Yeomyeong headed towards Baonic Lerac.Only then did Seti realize that she had reacted too emotionally.This is bad. I cant keep acting like this.She let out a small sigh and quickly followed Yeomyeong with hurried steps.
* * *Baonic was startled to see Yeomyeong suddenlying towards him.N?v(el)B\\jnnWhat the How?Did they catch him spying on them? No, they definitely did.After all, once a Superhuman reached a certain level, even the lightest gaze wouldnt escape their senses, let alone a presence.Realizing his mistake btedly, Baonic quickly put away his phone and straightened his clothes.Since it was already toote to run, it was better to act boldly at times like theseHi, Baonic.And before Baonic could finish his thoughts, Yeomyeong was already standing in front of him.Uh um H-Hi.Contrary to his earlier resolve, he was unable to speak properly.For some reason, facing Yeomyeong made his tongue go stiff, as if he were standing before a torturer.UmLets not beat around the bush. Why were you taking pictures of me?I uhWords failed him. And on noticing Seti approaching from behind as well, his jaw seemed to be locked in ce.WellBaonic desperately tried toe up with an excuse, his lips twitching. Yeomyeong waited for a moment before pressing him.Just tell me the truth. If its nothing strange, Ill let you goYeomyeongs words were gentle, but what they implied wasnt. He was clearly warning Baonic that he wouldnt let it slide if he lied.I-Im sorry I was actually taking your photos to sell themSell my photos?You know, youre, well famous, arent you? The reporters said theyd pay me well if I brought them pictures of youHmm.S-Sorry, its just that Im really really desperate for moneyIt was a pretty convincing excuse, considering that he came up with it on the spot.Seeing Yeomyeong squint as he tried to discern whether he was telling the truth or lying, Baonic gulped nervously.To be honest, the real reason he was tailing Yeomyeong wasnt for some trivial reason like selling his photos.Hidden PieceThe collective term used for hidden strange-fated treasures scattered throughout the academy, such as the demonic sword sleeping deep within the second-year main buildings storage or the Elfs Tear buried underground in the third-year shelter.He was nning to catch Yeomyeong in the act of obtaining a Hidden Piece.No, he didnt intend to confront Yeomyeong directly or steal the Hidden Piece for himself; he just wanted to take pictures of him doing so and expose him.Because unlike in the novel or the game, Hidden Pieces in this world were officially considered school property.If he could manage to secretly photograph Yeomyeong acquiring one and expose it, wouldnt that be enough to get him expelled from the academy? That was what Baonic was aiming for when he started following YeomyeongBut, as you can see, things turned out like this. Baonic shut his eyes tightly and was regretting his actions.Damn itAfter confirming that some of the second-year Hidden Pieces had been stolen during the recent terror incident, he impulsively decided to track Yeomyeong, which ended up being a mistake.What if he realizes I lied?Baonic trembled unconsciously, and as Yeomyeong quietly observed his trembling figure- Oh my!Auntie Ava, who had been cleaning up trash in the distance, suddenly rose into the air.It was as if an invisible force had lifted her, yet there was no trace of mana.It wasnt magic or martial artsjust a bizarre phenomenon.- W-what!?The next moment, as Ava iled her arms and legs in panic, her body flew straight into a garbage bin.Crash!The students passing by looked at Ava and the garbage bin with shock.However, Yeomyeong, familiar with that invisible force, realized who was behind it and sighed.W-What was that?Baonic, who had no idea as to what was going on, opened his eyes wide and asked. Yeomyeong was about to exin the reason behind it but then heard approaching footsteps and turned to Baonic.Baonic.Y-yeah?Youd better grit your teeth.Just as Baonic was about to ask, Why?Whack!Something invisible struck Baonic squarely in the face.
Chapter 88: The Butterfly Effect For The Author (8)
* * *An invisible force lifted Baonics body and sent him flying through the air as he crashed into a tree before plummeting to the ground.And judging by how his body was twitching, it was fortunate that he wasnt dead, though it would be a while before he regained consciousness.Faced with the sudden, unexpected situation, Seti and Yeomyeong had different reactions.Yeomyeong, who had a good guess as to who the invisible attacker was, sighed and stretched his hand towards them.Meanwhile, Seti, who hadnt thought of the possibility that someone might be wearing an Invisibility Cloak, immediately dashed next to Yeomyeong and swung her leg.Whoosh! She extended her leg straight and infused it with mana, slicing through the air.If Yeomyeong hadnt used his hand, which was about to grab at the empty air, to block her kick, it would have been powerful enough to slice through the trees in the surroundings.It was a perfect execution of the Flying Kick technique, one she hadnt performed in a long time.Yeomyeong, why did you stop me?Seti, who had her leg grabbed unexpectedly, looked at Yeomyeong with a look of surprise.In a dangerous situation where, if not handled correctly, he could have taken the full brunt of the kickSeti, just hold on for a moment.Yeomyeong, seemingly unconcerned, simply let go of her leg and turned his gaze back to where Baonic had been.Hey, what the hell are you doing? Why did you attack an innocent person all of a sudden?First, take off the cloak, and lets talk face-to-faceJust as Yeomyeong reached out to pull off the Invisibility Cloak, a loud, frivolous voice yelled from the invisible space.The two of them were following you!Yeah, he had a feeling that the reason was something like that. Yeomyeong let out a bitterugh.I know.You knew?Yeah, I was just about to ask them why they were following us.There was no reply. Puzzled, Yeomyeong reached out towards the voice, but the figure had already moved elsewhere.Yeomyeong, grasping at empty air, btedly gathered mana to enhance his senses.However, all he could hear was incoherent mumbling.Ah, really, I, this, there, thinking, that, um, you, and Seti, that, no, rtionship, trulyA brief silence ensued. A leaf fell to the ground, blown by the wind, as Seti tilted her head in confusion.Tap, tap, tap!Then, the sound of footsteps echoed. The person was running away, unable to hide their panic.Wait Hey! Where are you going?Yeomyeong shouted in the direction of the retreating footsteps. But the footsteps didnt stop. Instead, they quickly grew even more distant.Yeomyeong, is that?Only then did Seti work out the identity of the invisible attacker, and she looked astonished.The Saintess and her Invisibility Cloak.Yeomyeong saw Setis expression and gave her a bitter smile, then nudged her shoulder and made a request.Go after her and help her calm down. She seemed pretty shaken up.Only me? What about you?I have to take this bastard to the infirmary.Yeomyeong pointed at Baonic, whoy twitching on the ground. He probably wouldnt have died from those injuries, but leaving him there was apletely different issue.Can I tag along as well? Its not like I need to chase after herSeti.Yeomyeong ced a hand on Setis shoulder.I dont know what happened between the two of you or why things are like this, nor do I n on asking until youre ready to tell me. But the Saintess considers you a friend. In situations like this, shouldnt you go after her and help her calm down?Seti chewed on her lip for a moment, then sighed upon seeing Yeomyeongs expression.Alright. Ill go find out why shes behaving like this.If possible, try to calm her down as well. Please.Why would I even need to be asked to do that?Seti gathered mana into her feet as she spoke. And just as she was about to use her Flying Kick technique to chase after the Saintess, she turned around and added.Oh, by the way, clear your schedule for this evening. Well be meeting my younger siblings, so be prepared.Do I really need to prepare for something like that?Dont say I didnt warn you.Before Yeomyeong could respond, Seti had already kicked the ground.As Yeomyeong watched her rapidly receding figure for a while, he thought about the only younger sibling of hers he had met.Siri, the red-haired girl he met back in Incheon.The bold girl who had tested him on the very day they met.Could it be that the other sisters were all like Siri? If so, mere preparation might not be sufficientWith such useless thoughts, Yeomyeong walked towards Baonic.Upon a closer inspection, Baonics condition wasnt as bad as he expected. Still, being a Superhuman, at least there wasnt any broken bone.The lump on the back of his head was rather sizable, but an injury like that could be quickly healed with the help of a priest-in-training.However, in order to avoid anyplications, Yeomyeong carefully lifted Baonic by his shoulders and waist, avoiding the lump on his head.The moment he managed to prop up Baonic by letting him rest his arm on his shoulder for supportRustle.A notebook fell from Baonics waistband.Whether by coincidence or inevitable fate, its lock came off as the notebook fell to the ground, revealing its contents.It seemed like the lock had broken when the Saintess threw him.This isThe book must have been pretty important for him to carry it around with a lock on it.Yeomyeong bent down to pick up the notebook. And though it wasnt intentional, he naturally perused through the content of the opened notebook.The very first page of the notebook was marked with arge X After reading what was written on that page, Yeomyeongs golden eyes grew cold.
* * *The northern edge of the Academy.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//omThe Bob Hawke Port1 after the Australian Prime Minister at the time of the academys establishment ormonly referred to as the Port by its workforce and academy students, was currently experiencing an unexpectedmotionShips, ships, and even more ships.From cargo ships carrying materials to repair the damage caused by terror attack to naval warships with the US g and various fishing boats, were all docking and setting sail from the port.It looked more like an international trade port than an academy port, and the interior of the port was no different.Stevedores working diligently in the sea breeze, busy faculty members, and soldiers.Can you not feel the Academys determination to ovee the crisis?Sitting in a caf overlooking the port and admiring the scene, Medgamented briefly.It was a statement filled with the pride of someone who held the position of Admissions Director.However, the response from the man sitting across him, sipping on fresh fruit juice, was less enthusiastic.Well, to me, it just seemed like they were ridiculously busy.Medga raised an eyebrow and looked at the man.The man had an M-shape receding hairline, and a nose as sharp as a de, leaving a strong impression.Word, you need to develop some sense of aesthetics.Word, the man in question, smiled boldly.Haha! Director Medga, why would someone like me need a sense of aesthetics? Its not like Im bing a critic. Developing something like that would only interfere with my line of work.He said this as he gulped down his drink. After mming the empty ss against the table, he added.Besides, youre still on the clock right now, arent you? You should focus on your task instead of admiring the scenery.He was talking about work after downing five sses of juice?Medga nced at the empty ss and Words face, ready to make a retort, but he stopped himself.It would be ridiculous to argue with a mere informant, especially since his words werent entirely wrong.Otherwise, why else would the Admissions Director be leisurely sitting in a caf at the port during such a hectic time?As Word said, it was indeed because of work. The problem was the nature of that work- A very important guest will be visiting the Academy, so Director Medga, please wee them personally before any reporters or others catch wind of it.He remembered the principals orders and shook his head.He couldnt understand why such a significant person required the personal attention of the Admissions Director.The principal had not even given him even the name of the guest, let alone their face.Instead, an informant from the Blue Rat who could recognize the guest was sent to apany him.What on earth is the Principal thinking?If not for the fact that the esteemed principal herself had personally made the request, he wouldnt have even spared a snort if someone else had asked him to do the same.Anyway, setting that asideSo, when is this guest supposed to arrive?At the sudden question, Words eyebrows furrowed. He checked his watch and answered with a sigh.She should be arriving within an hour, I supposeI suppose?Well, ships are quite unpredictable with their speeds depending on the currents.But dont worry about it too much. Well be able to identify her the moment she arrives at the port.Medga clenched his fists and then turned his gaze back to the port.He kept watching the scene at the port for a long time.And during that time, Word ordered several more drinks, and the caf owner, recognizing him as someone important from the Academy, continued refilling his coffee. And so, the slow and uneventful wait dragged on.Then, at some point, a small boat appeared over the horizon.It was a small boat, often called a motorboat, with just enough space for one person to sit in the small cockpit.Oh? That boat.Words eyes widened on seeing the boat.Have they finally arrived? Medga stood up from his seat, looking at the motorboat.Is that the boat with the guest?Ah, yes. The fishing boat with the crow emblem Thats definitely the one.Alright, then, lets head there immediately.Medga said this and strode out of the caf. Word, who had been waiting for his next juice, followed him with a long face.The two walked straight across the bustling port and headed to the dock.Medga walked almost at a running pace, and Word had to actually run to keep up with him.Because of that, Word was nearly out of breath by the time they arrived at their destination ahead of the motorboat.A dock for small boats at the very end of the Academys port.So, what do I need to do now?Medga, who was watching the motorboat approach the dock, asked.At those words, Word, who had been gasping for breath, raised his head and looked at the motorboat.Huff Nothing much really. We should just take a quick look at the guest as she disembarks and then escort her directly to the VIP room.It seems more simple than I thought.Well, you might change your mind once you see the guest.Upon hearing Words warning, the Admissions Director straightened his clothes nervously.Given that they arrived here by such a small boat, it was clear that the guest was no ordinary person.After all, werent they a guest the principal had personally taken care of? If it was the principals guest, it was usually eitherA VIP, or an entric. Or maybe both.As he sorted out his thoughts, the boat finally reached the dock.Wee to Lord Howe.Medga stepped forward and spoke. He straightened his back and tensed his neck to greet the guests disembarking from the ship.Lets see how impressive this person is.However, for some reason, no one disembarked from the motorboat.An awkward silence thatsted for several seconds. Even Word, who had been panting, found it to be strange.Could it be?Word suddenly realized something and jumped onto the motorboat.Word, what are you doing.When Medga tried to stop him, Word had already jumped onto the motorboat and flung open the door to the cockpit.Oh, damn it.An exasperated mutter. Medga followed Word onto the motorboat and looked at the same spot.The cramped cockpit of the motorboat was filled with leftover fish scraps and ck feathers. He could understand the fish, but feathers?What on earth is this?As Medga, unable to make sense of the situation, asked, Word scratched his nose awkwardly.Well It seems the guest has already headed to the Academy.You should go after her now If she meets the students on her own, it can be a big problem Ugh!Medga finally gave Word a sharp smack on the head.1. Robert James Lee Hawke AC GCL was an Australian politician and trade unionist who served as the 23rd prime minister of Australia from 1983 to 1991.
Chapter 89: There Is No Teacher For Fate
My apprentice, I am afraid.What is it that frightens you, Master? That person has saved us.Think about it. If someone could save the world due to love, wouldnt there also be someone who would burn the world due to hatred?An excerpt from the British Museum Collection - Stele for a Young Dragon
* * *Baonic jolted awake.The first thing that greeted him was darkness and a repugnant smell.Where am I? Why am I in a ce like this?He clutched his throbbing head as he tried to recall the chain of events that led to this.Just before he lost consciousness, he had been tailing Cheon Yeomyeong and Seti, trying to capture the moment they acquired a Hidden Piece.And then, they caught him and he tried making up some excuses.Youre finally awake.The sudden voice made Baonic jump right off the floor.C-Cheon Yeomyeong?Cheon Yeomyeong was right beside him, holding a small shlight.His appearance was just as Baonic had seen before fainting: dressed neatly in his uniform, well-groomed hair, and an inscrutable expression.He looked like the protagonist of a youth drama. However, the problem was the air he was exuding.With his golden eyes half-open and lips shut, Yeomyeong looked indescribably ominous.Baonic swallowed hard and asked.Um, Yeomyeong? Where exactly is this ce?Think carefully. Youve seen this ce before.You dont remember? Its the cave next to the shelter, the one that was dug up.The very cave the terrorists had used to make their way to the shelter and where zombies had poured in.Only then did Baonic realize why the surroundings seemed so familiar.W-Why did you bring me to a ce like this? I mean, is this some sort of p-prank?Yeomyeong didnt respond. He remained silent and stared at Baonics face for a moment before tilting his head and speaking.Baonic, Ive been ruminating about the excuse you gave.Excuse?Ah, that.Before he lost consciousness, Baonic imed that he was taking photos for money when Cheon Yeomyeong asked why he was tailing them.Upon pondering over it, I noticed something strange.The Lerac Household I saw in the documentary was quite wealthy. Their farm alone is probablyrger than the Korean Penins So it seemed odd that someone from that household would be short on money.Baonic lowered his head, trying to hide his perplexed expression.I doubt it has anything to do with your tuition, and there shouldnt be additional expenses at the academy either. So, why are youcking money?ThatsDuring the brief pause, Baonic thought of numerous lies and excuses, but he was unable to utter any of them.To cover up a lie that was unraveled, a bigger lie was needed.Since he didnt know how much the other party had figured out, any more lies would be like walking into a bigger trap.In the end, Baonic was unable to open his mouth.As he racked his brain in silence, Cheon Yeomyeongs eyes grew even colder.You remember what I told you thest time, right? Ill forgive you if you tell me the truth.Yeomyeong slowly ced his hand on Baonics shoulder, applying a pressure that was neither light nor heavy.However, being Superhuman, Baonic could sense the subtle mana and the intent mixed within it.As Baonics mouth went dry, Yeomyeong warned him.This is yourst chance.Baonic, who had been staring at Yeomyeong in confusion, swallowed hard and said,I-Its against the r-rules to harm another studentI know.Yeomyeong smiled faintly. No, it wasnt quite a smileit was more of a forced expression with the corners of his mouth raised.W-why are you doing this to me? I really just wanted to take some photosBaonic repeated his words in an attempt to buy time. However, the smile from Yeomyeongs face vanished almost immediately.Thats not an answer to the question.Damn it. Baonic couldnt help but avert his gaze.In that brief moment, he was able to get a read of the emotion rising from Yeomyeongs golden eyes.It was the same intense Killing Aura Hong Seti had disyed when he spied on her at the garbage dump.Damn it, how much does he know? Everything? Or is it just a suspicion?Baonic chose his next words carefully. Carefully, and very carefully.Even if you were bitten by a tiger, as long as you managed to stay conscious, you could somehow surviveHowever, Yeomyeong didnt give him more time to think.Wait Gag!Yeomyeongs cold hand wrapped around his throat.G-GahThe immense force,parable to a hydraulic press, tightened around his neck. Slowly and surely.Pain surged through his cervical spine, and his lungs screamed for oxygen.No, Im going to die. Damn it, spare me.As the oxygen flowing to his brain was cut off, his head became fuzzy. Only one thing remained: the instinct to survive.! ! !!Twisting his body, Baonic iled his arms in desperation, trying to hit Yeomyeongs face.However, instead of easing, the pressure around his neck only intensified, causing his consciousness to fade even faster.As he neared the boundary between life and death, a sudden thought came to Baonic.What happens if I die here? Will I return to reality? Or will I just go straightWas this really the end?Only then did the fear of death be real. Terror and pain marked Baonics face once more.He didnt want to die. Regardless if this world was a novel or reality, he just wanted to live.He still had food he hadnt tasted, pleasures he hadnt enjoyed, and power he hadnt experienced.Baonic fought desperately and literally gathered all his remaining strength in his arms. He looked at Cheon Yeomyeong with pleading eyes andRaised his arms above his head.It was a clear sign of surrender. And the next moment, the pressure from his neck disappeared almost instantly.Cough!Air mixed with the repugnant stench filled his lungs as his throat opened up once more. Gasping for air, Baonic fell backward.Gack, gack SshitAfter barely managing to catch his breath, he looked up.The only thing visible to him were Yeomyeongs eerily glowing eyes illuminated by the shlight.Yeomyeong remained mum and took no action until Baonic managed to catch his breath.And just as Baonics breathing began to stabilizeThud.Yeomyeong tossed something towards Baonic, then shone a shlight on it and spoke.It was a tattered notebook.Now then, shall we have an honest conversation?Baonic was very familiar with the notebook. There was no way he wouldnt recognize it. After all, it wasnt just any item; it was the same notebook he used to organize the original story about this world.HahSo, he knew everything. It was ridiculous to think that he was trying so hard toe up with excuses just moments ago.What do you want to know?With a hollow smile, he asked Yeomyeong. His voice, though resigned, carried a faint glimmer of hope.The fact that Yeomyeong hadnt killed him even after seeing that notebook meant there was something he was curious about.Ill tell you everything I know.So please just spare my life. Please, Im begging youBaonic awaited the question with the resolve to divulge everything he knew. He had neither the strength nor the will left for any further negotiating.And the moment he heard Yeomyeongs question, he realized the inevitable had arrived.Are you a reincarnator or a transmigrator?
* * *[This world is not real.]The dead Dung Beetle remembered those words.[It looks like the inside of a game I used to y, but that might not be it either. This ce looks pretty simr to theics, movies, novels, gamesC A franchise universe that dabbles in all forms of media, like an octopus.]The yer who had killed his precious family whileughing maliciously had left those parting words, as if they were some sort of joke.[Actually, I didnt think much about it, but I suddenly had this thoughtPerhaps besides me, there are more people who have fallen into this world.]It didnt matter if his words were true or false.The fact that the yer had said that was enough of a reason for him.Because each small memory might be a clue to track down the yer.However, hearing both Mignium and the Dwarf King speak about fate a slightly different thought urred to him.What if some of the things he said proved to be true?[You know, like the author who writes side story novels based on the fictional universe or even themercial director.]What if that man really came from another world, and there were beings who also came from another world, just like the yer?At first, or rather, until just a moment ago, all this had been nothing more than a vague suspiciona suspicion born out of the frustration of not being able to find the yer.However, the moment he read Baonic Leracs notebook, everything changed.The notebook contained stories about the past and the future.Stories of a mad necromancer and zombies attacking the entrance ceremony, and the protagonist who managed to stop them.Stories of an academy caught in a terror attack and the protagonist who worked with the Saintess to stop it.There were also stories about the future, stories rted to Manchuria and the elven princessAnyone else might have simply passed it off as Baonics delusions, but to Cheon Yeomyeong, it was different.He instinctively felt that the stories in this notebook were a sort of prophecy, or the fate the Dwarf King had spoken of.At first, he couldnt exin why he felt that way, but the more he read, the more he understood.I am the one who changed the story in the notebook.Starting from the necromancer to the recent terror attack.He was the sole cause of the disparities between the story in the notebook and reality.Dung Beetle, or Cheon Yeomyeong.He had killed the necromancer who was supposed to attack the Academy during the entrance ceremony.He had shown kindness to the elven princess who was disappointed with Earthians.He had saved Manchuria from its foretold downfall.He had stopped the terror attack that should have killed countless first-year students.And he didnt have to look far for the answer to the question How?.- The one who can change fate.The Dwarf Kings words when he handed over the Royal Seal.Reminded of those words, Yeomyeong felt a shiver.In this world, certain fates exist, and beings from another world, like the yer, already know about those fatesThe prologue, the academy route The mad ramblings of the yer lingering in his memory and the notebook before his eyes all came together.Doubts turned into certainty, and shivers turned into realization.Though he found it hard to believe, Yeomyeong could no longer deny the evidenceid out before him, and for a while, he was at a loss for words.However, the shock didntst long. He had encountered too many things as oftely to be overly disturbed by something like this.After quickly organizing his thoughts, he returned to his usual self.Then the next question isHow to make use of this fact.Yeomyeong pondered about this while staring at the unconscious Baonic Lerac.Beings from another world like the yerFrom the future ns written in the notebook, he realized that this guy was not someone who would benefit the world.Though he was not as strong as the yer, his fundamental mindset was no different from that of the yer.This guy, too, was a greedy and selfish person with no shred of guilt about using others.Should I just kill him?The first thought that came to mind was murder.Committing murder within the academy involved considerable risk, but that didnt mean it was impossible.To kill him or to spare him.The dilemma continued for a while. And since this was something he couldnt even discuss with Seti, he contemted deeply.On going through the notebook again, he discovered an unexpected note.
Cheon Yeomyeong Key figure! Must find out what he was working on in reality!
Evidence that Baonic had mistaken Yeomyeong to be someone from another world, like the yer.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omYeomyeong rubbed his chin as he looked at the note.If only he could use this misunderstanding.Remembering the words left by the yer, his eyes sparkled.[People like that wouldnt have be a game character like me So, how did they get here? Transmigration? Reincarnation?]
* * *Are you reincarnated or transmigrated?The moment he heard the question, Baonics gaze wavered slightly.Shock, certainty, and a glimmer of hope.Theplex emotions vanished in an instant beneath his eyes, but Yeomyeong didnt miss them.I-I am that uh transmigratedIt was a somewhat ridiculous confession. Such words would be dismissed as the ramblings of a madman if heard by anyone else.However, Yeomyeong simply nodded calmly, as if he had expected it.And naturally, he followed up with a lie.I am a reincarnator.
Chapter 90: Interlude - Seti And The Saintess
* * *Seti thought about the Saintess as she chased after her.She did not possess the dignity one would expect from someone in her position. She wouldugh foolishly at the term friend and even wore a blindfold that didnt suit her Yet, she was a girl who received the love of the gods all to herself.Seti found it difficult to like her.It wasnt aplex emotion like anger or hatred. All of Setis hatred was solely directed at the Korean government.Then, was it perhaps jealousy? No, she was far from such an emotion as well.If she truly envied the Saintess, she would have taken advantage of the favor the Saintess showed her without hesitation.It was just that she couldnt bring herself to like her. Yes, that was the most urate exnation she coulde up with.If the Saintess, who had infinite favor towards her, learned of this, she would be shocked, but what could she do?That was just how human emotions worked.She ran about recklessly, without a single care, setting innocent hearts aze.Pathetic.As she made her way across the academy, following in the footsteps of the girl wearing the Invisibility Cloak, Seti tried to rationalize her feelings in that manner.After all, Seti knew herself better than anyone else.Ultimately, her feelings towards the Saintess were nothing more than a form of childish sulking.Setis misfortune was not the Saintess fault.Although the Saintess might have been the trigger, she merely elerated something that was bound to happen eventually.The Saintess had fought fair and square to prove her friendship. She was strong, and Seti lost. That was all.There was neither malice nor hostility involved.It was just that Setis situation was not normal.The Korean government then forced Seti and her sisters tomit certain acts after they failed to meet their expectations in the Superhuman Olympia.Unable to tolerate her tainted origins, the gods withdrew all their blessings from her.None of it was the Saintess fault.She knew that. Only in her head, though.As Seti was sorting out her thoughts, the footsteps she had been following came to a stop.Unable to find the Saintess hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, Seti also stopped right next to where the footsteps had ceased.The back door of the first-year girls dormitory.sses have not ended for the day.Seti crossed her arms, staring at the firmly locked dormitory door.If it were anywhere else, she might have simply assumed that the girl had concealed her footsteps and slipped away unnoticed, but it was unlikely that the Saintess would do that aftering this far.Hey.There was no answer, but Seti was sure the Saintess was watching her from somewhere close and continued speaking.Im heading to my room. If you have something to say you can follow me.With those words, Seti entered the dormitory.Although sses were still ongoing, there were quite a few people in the dormitory due to the free attendance for the temporary sses.Seti passed through the first-floor lobby where students were chatting quietly and headed straight to her room.Unlike in the boys dormitory, there was no barbaric tradition of room disputes in the girls dormitory, so Setis room was nothing special.Her room was located on the fifth floor, neither high nor low, on the right at the very end of the hallway.Creak.After she entered her room, Seti left the door open and waited for a while.Once the same amount of time it would have taken to drink a cup of tea had passed, she finally shut the door and reached out into the empty air.Her fingertips grasped on a thin piece of fabric. With a soft rustle, the Invisibility Cloak slipped off, revealing the girl who had been hiding beneath it.Her disheveled white hair, the slightly damp blindfold, and her hands sped together tightly as if in prayer.Seti quietly observed the girl for a moment before speaking to her softly.Are you okay?I am not okay.Why did you do this?You did this. The both of you.You deceived me.Huh?I-I trusted you. I thought of you both as friendsWhat are you even talking about?I saw everything! That day on the rooftop! The two of you were together!Rooftop? Seti flinched when she realized what the Saintess was talking about.Y-you two looked so close, you know? And you want me to believe that you only met at the academy?Why why didnt you tell me? Were you afraid that Ide between the two of you? Is that why you pretended not to know each other? To deceive me?As the Saintess pitch grew higher, Setis heart grew colder.How much did she hear? Did she hear them talking about revenge? No, they hadnt spoken openly about important thingsJust as Setis mind was getting muddled, the Saintess blurted out something outside Setis expectations.How long have you and Yeomyeong been dating no, how far have the two of you gone?What?N-no way Have the two of you gone all the way?All the way? Does that mean what I think it does?No, there was no way that the Saintess would say something like thatAs Seti stared in shock, the Saintess turned bright red, and blurted out,Has Yeomyeong left his footprints on Setis pristine white snowfield?Ah, so she was referring to that. Seti was left speechless and shut her mouth.Interpreting Setis silence as a tacit confirmation, the Saintess could no longer contain her emotions and began to cry.Her hands trembled, her blindfold grew damp, her cheeks became as red as an apple, and snot dripped from her once-pretty lips.It didnt take long for her huping sobs to turn into wails.Waaaaah! Seti!
* * *After crying for a long time, the Saintess copsed towards Seti, exhausted.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//omSeti didnt push the Saintess away but embraced her instead. And without saying a word, she patted the Saintess back.It was a habit that had naturally developed from dealing with tearful sisters.Yet her mind still found it difficult to keep up with the reality of the situation.Whats wrong with her?As Seti desperately tried to figure out the reason she was behaving like this, the Saintess continued sobbing in her chest, snot dripping from her nose.Only after the Saintess managed to stop crying did she cautiously raise her head and ask Seti.Seti sniffle, did you forget our promise?Promise? What promise?Didnt you promise that sniffle, after you officially be a priestess, we would live together in the Holy Nation?Only then did Seti finally remember the promise they made during their time at the middle school division of the Superhuman Olympia.- When I officially be a priestess, lets live together in the Holy Nation.It was a reckless promise made by a young girl who still dreamed of endless possibilities, wanting to escape the hellish reality of Korea.The very person who made the promise hadpletely forgotten about it, but the Saintess held it dear.Was that the reason she cried so sorrowfully because she could no longer be a priestess if she lost her virginity?Seti found the misunderstanding was somewhat pitiable, and she smiled faintly without realizing it.She gently stroked the Saintess back and said.Im sorry. I cant be a priestess anymore.A truth mixed with lies. She really couldnt be a priestess anymore, though the reason wasnt because shed lost her virginity.S-SetiBut its not like I broke our promise. We can still live in the Holy Nation even if Im not a priestess.As soon as Seti finished speaking, the Saintess lowered her head once more. It seemed she might start crying again.You cant enter the Five Great Temples if youre not a priestess.She swallowed the words that almost escaped her throat.Should I be the only one trapped in there, waiting for you toe visit me? Not once a week, but perhaps once a month?This wasnt the future the Saintess had dreamed of.What she longed for was every day with Seti.One where they could talk together, pray together, and even share the same bed at times a life like that.She didnt want to spend her life waiting for a friend who would visit her asionally, like the previous Saintess, while guarding the temple alone.As the Saintess was lost in her thoughts, the face of a man popped into her mind.Yeomyeong.Her second friend and the intruder who left his footprints on Setis snowfield (?).For some reasons she couldnt exin, just the thought of him somehow sparked a small me deep in her chest.This unfamiliar feeling that no one had ever told her about.The more she thought about Yeomyeong, the stronger this feeling grew, refusing to be extinguished.From their terrible first meeting, to fighting dragons together to save Manchuria, arriving at the academy together, him pping her in the shelter, andEven the memory of him and Seti spending the morning together, just the two of them.And when her thoughts reached that point, the emotions in her heart grew too overwhelming for her to handle.Was this the anger she had only heard about? Or jealousy? Or something elseSeti, what should I do?Eventually, unable to control her emotions any longer, the Saintess spoke up.Hmm? Why? If its because of the promiseNo, its not that, um its I-I towards YeomyeongTowards Yeomyeong?I-It seems like I think of him in a special way.Upon hearing her abrupt confession, Setis face became stiff, it was an expression the Saintess had never seen beforecold and unyielding.Only after seeing her expression did the Saintess realize what she had just said.Um Seti? Th-that thing I just saidBefore the Saintess could further borate, Seti pushed her away.Saintess, do you know?Setis voice was cold and devoid of inflection, causing the Saintesss face to crumple with tears.S-Seti, why are you speaking so formally to me all of a sudden? DontActually, I have no rtionship with Yeomyeong.What?Not yet.The Saintesss mouth hung open in shock.H-Huh? Wait a minute! T-then, what about the snowfield?Im not sure what to say about that. Feel free to think what you want, Saintess.The Saintess tried to ask more, but Seti simply picked her up.W-wait! Seti!As the Saintess, thrown out of the room, yelled, Seti had already flung the Invisibility Cloak out the door as well.Bang!Staring nkly at the closed door, the Saintess finally understood what she had just done.W-what did I just do?Behind the Saintess, who had lowered her head with a face as red as a tomato, the elven girl standing in the hallway, waiting for the door to open, retreated cautiously.
Chapter 91: There Is No Teacher For Fate (2)
***When the unthinkable became reality, most peoples reactions could usually be categorized in two different ways.Shock or denial.And in the case of Baonic Lerac, it was the former.The moment he heard the word reincarnator, his jaw dropped down in shock.He remained in that state until Cheon Yeomyeongs voice snapped him out of his stupor.Baonic Lerac.Only after his monotonous voice, devoid of any emotion, reach his ears did Baonic flinch and finally regain his senses.You have two choices.It was a one-sided deration, one that allowed neither rebuttal nor refusal.The moment he heard those words, Baonic was certain.It didnt matter what choices Yeomyeong would put forth; there was no way for him to escape.W-what choices?If he couldnt avoid it, he had to face it. Mustering all the courage he could, he asked.Instead of answering him, Yeomyeong simply extended both hands forward.Two tightly clenched fists.I have no intention of sharing this world with anyone else.Hearing the exact same words he had written in his notebook, Baonic pressed his lips together.But Im not some crazy bastard who will kill a useful dog.There was no need to ask who the useful dog was in this scenario.Was it insulting? No, only equals, or at least those on simr levels, could exchange insults.Just like a tiger had no reason to insult a rabbit, the strong didnt insult the weak.Because words held no weight in the face of overwhelming violence.Baonic decided to think positively. If this allowed him to survive, being a useful dog wasnt the worst thing.He looked up at Yeomyeong, ready to bark like a dog or even lick his boots if necessary.Now, choose.Choose what?Life or death.Yeomyeong unclenched the two fists he had extended.His left palm was empty, but his right held a single red pill.This is?Yourst chance.As he extended his empty left hand, he added.If you choose the empty hand, Ill grant you the death youve dyed; it will be quick and painless.His cold, golden eyes swept over Baonics neck. Baonic instinctively lowered his chin to protect his throat.The bright red handprint on his neck was still throbbing.W-what about the right hand?A dog needs a leash, right?Yeomyeong didnt exin any further, as if leaving it to his imagination.As he stared at the pill, countless possibilities ran through Baonics mind.What on earth was that pill? An elixir? A drug? Poison?The most likely answer was poison. And it was probably a dormant one.A vile drug that would turn the person who consumed it into a lifelong ve because unless more of the poison was ingested at regr intervals, the dormant poison within would activate.Damn it. A dormant poison? And we havent even made it past Chapter 2 yet.Whether his assumption was correct or not, it was a pill he would never take willingly.However, Baonic had no other choice at the moment.With trembling hands, he picked the red pill and put it in his mouth in front of Yeomyeong.And just as he was about to swallow it, Yeomyeong spoke up.Dont swallow it, chew on it.Was he worried that Baonic may try to hide the pill under his tongue or in his cheek? Or was it just some perverse hobby of his? Baonic didnt dare ask why.He just did as Yeomyeong ordered and chewed the pill thoroughly.The damn pill tasted somewhat familiar, like the strawberry-vored cold medicine for kids.This motherfuckerAlthough he couldnt be sure what the pill was, it wasnt hard to guess who made it.The Princess of Maggots, who would only appear after Chapter 7.After all, there was no one else but her, the alchemist with the twisted hobby of adding a strawberry scent to poison.Anyway, after chewing and swallowing the entire pill, Baonic looked up at Yeomyeong.There was no trace of emotion in the golden eyes looking down at him.No sense of aplishment from putting a leash on him, not even the slightest hint of perverse pleasure.So you knew that it woulde to this from the start? Damn it.Baonic averted his gaze, swallowing both his fear and curses rising in his throat, while Yeomyeong remained silent as if he were waiting for the poison to spread throughout Baonics body.A brief silence ensued.Unable to endure the heavy silence, Baonic was the first to speak.Is it over?He stammered, the taste of the pill lingering on his tongue.C-can I live now?Baonic.Y-yesYoull get the next dose in two months.Damn it, it was a dormant poison, after all. Baonic squeezed his eyes shut.Yeomyeong took a quick nce at Baonics expression, then picked up the notebook that had fallen on the ground and said,Now, for your firstmand.You have two days to write down everything you know about the Academy.W-what do you mean by everything?Just what I said. Hidden pieces, key figures, uing events, the political scenario within the school anything you think might be useful.B-but all that is already written in the note urk!As Baonic tried to make an excuse, Yeomyeong pressed his foot against his chest.Did I say you could disagree?Cough I understand urk, so please just, p-please move your footAnd dont even think about trying to deceive me. If I find any discrepancies between what you give me and whats in the notebook youll regret not dying today.Yeomyeong did not lift his foot from Baonics chest immediately. Instead, he waited for some time before taking his time to lift it after Baonic surrendered.Saliva dribbled from his lips as he coughed and gasped for breath.Though his entire body was trembling, Baonic didnt dare raise his head. He looked exactly like a frightened rabbit.Yeomyeong simply watched him in silence before putting the notebook in his coat and turning away.Step.Only on hearing those footsteps fade away did Baonic finally start to calm down.I survived. Its finally over.Unfortunately, his relief didntst long.Just before he stepped out of the shelter, Yeomyeong turned back and uttered onest thing that dragged Baonic back to a harsh reality.See you in the room, roommate.* * *The setting sun cast long shadows over the academys dimly lit path.Yeomyeong took a deep breath as he recalled the chain of events that had just taken ce at the shelter earlier.Did it work?On the surface, it seemed like a perfect sess.Baonic, who had taken the drug, was so terrified that he couldnt even look at him.He didnt know how long that fear wouldst, but at least for the time being, the thought of defying him wouldnt even cross Baonics mind.I even had to resort to pulling off such a scam nowYeomyeong ran his hand over his face as he thought about the scam he had just pulled off.Kidnapping, threatening, deceiving Baonic and then making him his dog.Seti would have scolded him foring up with another clumsy n if she learned of this, but he couldnt think of any other way.At least this was the only way to keep Baonic alive while also making good use of him.The option of bing friends orpanions was out of the question right from the start.How could he possibly stand on equal footing with a madman who believed that he was one of the creators of this world?Even if they somehow managed to form such a rtionship, would he be able to trust him?After all, this was the same person who had nned to use the attack during the entrance ceremony to kill the students who would get in his way.And Baonics notes hadpletely matched reality Yeomyeong would have killed him without hesitation.You couldnt trust the living, but you could trust the dead.However, paradoxically, it was the imperfections in the notes that made Yeomyeong hesitatethe doubt whether the notes contained theplete truth and the reason why those not recorded in them, those unrted to fate, caught his attention.Seti.It wasnt just her. Her sisters, Wesley, and even Jeon Yunseong.All of them were outstanding students, enough to be involved in fate, yet none of them appeared in the notes.What was the reason? Yeomyeong flipped through the notes several times, but even Baonic didnt seem to know the reason himself.Only a note at the end of the notebook spected that they might be protagonists, but even that was mere spection.Protagonists.Yeomyeong felt a strange sense of dj vu on seeing that word. The yer had also said something simr back then.[This universe has another protagonist, you know]In any case, Yeomyeong decided that it was more beneficial to keep Baonic alive and make use of him.The problem was how.Should he pretend that he was from another world and try to befriend him? However, Baonic had no intention of sharing this world.Simple threats? It would be easier to just kill him.Magic to enve someone? He had never learned it.He reviewed countless other ns, but he was unable toe up with a viable method.He even considered cutting off his limbs and leaving him with just his head and torso to stay alive.However, Yeomyeong finally stumbled upon the solution in the corner of Baonics notebook.A dormant poison.A bizarre poison he had never heard of before.This unique poison didnt kill its victim immediately; instead, ity dormant in their body.However, its true valuey in that dormancy. If the person didnt take the poison again within a certain period, the poison would eventually spread throughout their body, making them a ve to the one who administered it.Ironically, Baonic had nned to use this poison to enve the Vessel.This is it.The moment Yeomyeong saw that note, a rough n on how to use the dormant poison shed in his mind.Of course, it was impossible to obtain the real drug. How could he possibly get his hands on such a rare poison in the middle of the academy?However, what if he used the fact that Baonic knew about this poison, while also exploiting the misunderstanding that Yeomyeong was also someone from another world?It was a n worth trying. If it failed, he could always resort to cutting off his limbs.After ironing out the kinks, Yeomyeong took Baonic to the underground shelter and then hurried to the infirmary, where he found a fake drug that matched the description mentioned in the notebook.Strawberry-vored cold medicine.It was a crude prop that matched the sloppy nHowever, in the end, the n worked without a hitch.Complemented by the atmosphere Yeomyeong had managed to create and Baonics own imagination.The moment Yeomyeong presented the drug without any exnation, Baonic was terrified, and after taking it, not a hint of defiance could be found in him, as if he had resigned himself.And yet, Yeomyeong felt no guilt.He had killed far too many people, and would kill many more, for his heart to be shaken by something like this.Of course, it wasntpletely without feeling.After all, any con artist would feel a sense of exhration on seeing their scam seed.However, that feeling didntst long.Just as Yeomyeong was thinking that he might have discovered a hidden talent for acting, he stopped in his tracks.A familiar yet unpleasant voice called out to him.Hello, Dung Beetle.Its been a while.At the end of the path, a face emerged from what had seemed like empty air, half hidden behind a mask.Next, a blue coat concealing a curvaceous figure became visible, followed by blue high heels stepping onto the ground.Even after removing the Invisibility Cloak, not a single sound could be heard as the strange woman moved.Blue Rat.It was then that the third set of eyes, which was trailing him persistently followed him, was finally revealed.
Chapter 92: There Is No Teacher For Fate (3)
* * *After heading west for about three minutes, away from the path where the first-year main building could be seen, Yeomyeong turned around upon arriving at a forest with no CCTV or streetlights.So, why did youe to the academy?There was no trace of friendliness in his voice. To be more precise, he was doing his best to suppress his hostility.The woman in the blue mask, who had followed him without making a sound, sighed and answered.Youre speaking as if Im somewhere Im not supposed to be.Ms. Moryne, I have no intention of engaging in wordy with you. Did youe to visit your daughter? If so, youve taken the wrong path. The girls dormitory is on the other side.Perhaps because of his unexpectedly sharp attitude, Moryne looked somewhat flustered as she gazed at Yeomyeong.After a brief silence, she tapped her lips as if realizing something.Ah, I see You are yet to use the key I gave you. Why is that? There shouldnt be a reason to refuse such a precious Arcane Relic.The Blood Tear Key.The Arcane Relic Moryne had given him as a token of apology and reconciliation after ranting about the Saintess snowfield while firing a gun at him.Yeomyeong was yet to use the key. To be precise, he hadnt had the chance to use it.Back in Manchuria, just mastering the Comet Sword was already overwhelming, and he had no time after he arrived at the academy.Starting with the entrance ceremony to the terror attack, he kept getting caught up in various incidents.Even in the VIP room, where he briefly had some leisure time, he was partially confined. Hence, he hadnt been able to use the Blood Tear Key in his dorm room.Anyway, Yeomyeong had no intention of giving an exnation about these trivial matters.He simply gave the masked figure facing him a cold response.How I use my belongings is none of your concern.The corners of Morynes mouth stiffened a bit.Thats true, but I cant help feeling that its somewhat of a shame. You wouldnt be treating me with such hostility if you had gained the power of the key.But at least understand this. I also paid a rather steep price to give you that key.Then, the conversation about the key did not continue any further because Yeomyeong, weary of this pointless conversation, turned around.And just as he was about to leave the forest, Morynes voice made him stop in his tracks.Dung Beetle I mean, Cheon Yeomyeong. Do you know that more and more flies will gather around you as your fame keeps increasing?Ourpany alone has received hundreds of requests to trace your past. If we count the other ces perhaps thousands or tens of thousands are curious about your past?Only then did Yeomyeong stop and turn around once more.Of course, you dont need to worry about it. We have already made sure that everything from your past is wiped clean.That wasnt part of our deal.An awkward smile appeared on Morynes lips.It is unrted to our deal, so could you please just consider it to be a small apology for my mistake, if you will?Although he was unable to see the exact expression she was making because of the mask, it wasnt difficult to understand her intention.Her cautious tone and anxious gestures.She was feeling remorse or something simr towards Yeomyeong.If it was sincere, it was chilling; if it was an act, it would be very repulsive. Yeomyeong furrowed his brows and spoke.Lets stop with this pointless chatter.The hostility he had been suppressing had somewhat faded.While Moryne sighed in relief, Yeomyeong continued.Lets go back to the first questionfor what reason did youe to the academy? I came as the president of Blue Rat Company. The academy principal personally made a request to mypany.She certainly stayed longer than she should have for someone who hade here for the sake of work.Yeomyeong nced at the sky, watching the sun as it sank beyond the horizon, and asked.So, why did youe to find me? Was it to kill two birds with one stone; meet me while taking care of work?As soon as his question ended, Moryne answered.Its not about my daughter or the other students I had something I needed to tell you and Miss Hong Seti.How do you know about Seti? Yeomyeong swallowed the question that was on the tip of his tongue.It was a pointless question, anyway. Wasnt the person in front of him a crazy woman who would start shooting at others without any exnation for the sake of her daughter?It would have been stranger if she didnt know who her daughters only friend was.Where should I start from First of all, are you up to date with thetest happenings at the academy?She gradually got closer to Yeomyeong and started her exnation.The academy is currently under unprecedented pressure due to the recent terror attack.It started with the typical political talk.Countries in desperate need of Superhumans, regardless if they are powerful or developing countries, are eager to exert influence over the academy. Meanwhile, instead of mourning the deceased staff, numerous organizations are aiming for the academys storageJust when it felt like the exnation was about to go on for a while, Yeomyeong interrupted Moryne.How much longer is this conversation going to continue?Weve just started Why? Do you have something urgent you need to attend to?Yeomyeong nodded.I have an appointment, and its about time.Is it with my daughter?Her tone was hopeful, but Yeomyeong firmly shook his head, shattering her expectations.As Moryne clicked her tongue, Yeomyeong took out his phone and gave it a quick nce.Is Seti still not there?Had things not gone well with the Saintess? Or was she yet to gather her sisters?She had only sent a single text saying, [Im now at the dorm] and nothing else after that.If so, it meant there was still some time until she met her sistersYeomyeong turned his attention back to Moryne and said.Just get to the point quickly.This is already the abridged version But it cant be helped if you dont have time.Even though she said that, Morynes exnation was not as short as expected.It was because the political situation in the academy was thatplicated.The conflict between the board members and staff backed by external forces.The tant pressure from authorities aiming for the academys martial arts and magic.And Principal Himenas struggle to restore normalcy amid all this chaos.Only after giving him a background exnation that was neither too long nor too short did Moryne get to the main point.The Principal ns to introduce a new educational program to address the external pressure and justification.Do you think that will be enough to stabilize the situation?It was a valid concern.Regardless of the damage to the students, the terror attack had already left a deep scar on the academys reputation.Implementing anti-terrorism education or other measures at a time like this would be like shutting the barn door after the horse was gone.However, Moryne shook her head.If this was an ordinary school, that criticism might have still been valid. But this is Lord Howethe most prestigious of the prestigious. Not once in its entire history has it epted teachers from outside.And that ce is now breaking its tradition by dering that it will ept teachers from outside. Half of them will be selected by the school, but the other half will be individuals picked by other countries.That basically meant they were giving external forces a chance to intervene, didnt it?Isnt that a poor decision? If theyre not careful, not only the academys traditions but also its autonomy could be lost.That might have been a possibility if it was simply about recruiting teachers.Hearing that, Yeomyeong crossed his arms and looked at Moryne as if to say, Exin further.She continued.In reality, this entire recruitment is just a facade. You could call it a two-faced strategyessentially a deception by the principal.Deception?Yeomyeong raised an eyebrow at the unexpected remark.What she is actually doing is secretly gathering powerful individuals, who can easily quell public opinion, at the academy. Famous personalities whose names are widely recognized, reclusive Superhumans, active mercenariesSecretly gathering powerful individuals? Yeomyeong finally understood why the principal had summoned the Blue Rat and stifled a bitter smile.The Blue Rat was tasked to gather information on those powerful individuals. Including ways to attract them.Moryne nodded silently in agreement.Although he expected the story to beplex due to the issues of justification and public opinion, the end result was no different from usual.If you were weak, they would take advantage of you; if you wished to protect yourself, you needed powereven if that power was something others avoided and considered dirty.After acknowledging the bitter truths of the world once more, Yeomyeong asked Moryne.So, is there someone who might pose a problem for Seti and me among those teachers?Youre quite perceptive. Thats right. And to further borate There is someone among the teachers rmended by one of the other countries who is targeting you and Seti.Other countries?South Korea.The moment the name of his homnd was brought up, Yeomyeong clenched his fist tightly to hide his restlessness.Its also the country that took the lead in piling the pressure on the academy this time.Moryne kindly added an exnation. Yeomyeong took a moment to collect himself before speaking.How much do you know about Setis rtionship with South Korea?Only that the South Korean government did something terrible to her. We were unable to dig any further beyond that.Was it a lie, or was it the truth?He scrutinized Morynes face, but the mask concealed all hints.Should he extract more information from her by force? It wouldnt be a bad approach, but Yeomyeong decided to be satisfied with this for now.The information she had provided was sufficiently useful.If a teacher with connections to the South Korean government wasing, Seti and he could have been in serious trouble if Moryne hadnt warned him in advance.I need to lift the ban tonight.After settling his thoughts, Yeomyeong carefully responded to Moryne.Thank you for the valuable information.Save your thanks forter. Im not done talking yet.Saying this, Moryne extended her hand. In it was a single ck feather.Among the teachers recruited by the principal theres someone who can solve the problems concerning Seti and you.It was simr to the crow feathers Yeomyeong hade across frequently during his time as a janitor, but it was a muchrger ck feather than an ordinary crows feather.Corvus. The Master of Crows, the Seeker of Crossroads.It seemed that she wasnt as famous as the Holy Sword or Jose. Even Yeomyeong, who had watched many Superhuman documentaries, had never heard of her before.Be her apprentice. If you seed, neither you nor Seti will have to fear the teachers sent by the South Korean government.However, the President of a major information guild and the mother of the Saintess had personally vouched for her abilities.She definitely was no ordinary Superhuman.What kind of person is she?She may not be as renowned as the Holy Sword who has tried to form a connection with you, but she is quite powerful.Moryne stated this confidently as she extended the feather.She will dly ept you as her apprentice if you show her this feather. Oh, and you can express your thanks now.Yeomyeong epted the feather carefully. It was a feather imbued with a strange mana.After ncing at the feather for a moment, Yeomyeong sighed inwardly before bowing to Moryne.Thank you.With the awkward thanks, the conversation with Moryne came to an end. Or rather, it should have.However, the question Yeomyeong asked unintentionally extended the conversation.When will the external teachers start arriving at the academy?Moryne, lifting her transparent cloak, answered lightly.An announcement regarding the principals ns should be made tomorrow, so they might arrive the day after tomorrow at the earliest.So theres still some time. As Yeomyeong was about to sigh in relief, Moryne added.But if someone has somehow managed to catch wind of the principals ns there might be people arriving at the academy even today.Today? Yeomyeong frowned.Is it possible that the South Korean government has caught onto those ns?The chances are fifty-fifty. Its unlikely that anyone has figured it out because of the secrecy surrounding the ce However, it wouldnt be surprising if South Korea knows about the n, considering the amount they spent to pressure the academy.Then, Moryne added as if to reassure him.Theres no need to worry. Even if the South Korean government knows about it, they cant cause any trouble at the school. Miss Hong Seti will be fine.The moment she said that, Yeomyeong was certain of one thing.Moryne didnt know about the ban on Seti.What if an external teacher arrived today and activated Setis ban?The academy would not be able to protect her.Yeomyeong frowned while thinking of the worst-case scenario. Then, without dy, he pulled out his phone and tried to call Seti.The call rang for a while, but it didnt connect.[The customer is currently unavable]Yeomyeong folded his phone and bit his lip. Half of him was filled with a sense of foreboding, while the other half believed that nothing would happen.What should he do?His deliberation was brief, and his action was swift.He turned to Moryne, who was about to leave.Moryne, may I ask you a favor? Its important.A favor? All of a sudden?Moryne tilted her head at the unexpected request.And on hearing the request that followed, a look of astonishment appeared on her face.Please lend me your Invisibility Cloak.
* * *The northern ind of the Academy, on the stairs leading to the rooftop of Queenie Tower, the tallest tower in the Academy.Gasp gasp Director p-please slow down just a bitWord, gasping for breath, clutched the railing of the stairs. How long had he been climbing ? His breathing was utterly ragged.However, Admissions Director Medga, who had been climbing the stairs ahead of him, didnt even nce back.You dont have to force yourself to keep up with me. Take a break and follow me at a reasonable pace.Word stared at Medgas back as he kept walking with a hollow constion, before forcing himself to move his legs.Thest thing he wanted to happen was being left alone inside the academy.What if I run into Cheon Yeomyeong when Im all by myself?He remembered the warning the Saintess had left him with back in Manchuria. More precisely, thest warning she conveyed on Yeomyeongs behalf.
- You should never cross paths with Yeomyeong again, because he said he will kill you no matter what if he ever sees you.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om
And by no means did Word take that warning lightly.From what he had observed so far, if Yeomyeong decided to kill someone, he would definitely follow through.Moreover, he hadmitted the sin of disturbing Jang Man. If Yeomyeong managed to catch him again, he certainly wouldnt die peacefully.Therefore, he was doing his very best to stay out of Yeomyeongs way.Even when he carried out the Presidents orders to clean up Yeomyeongs past and when he bribed the reporters in Manchuria, he was cautiousextremely cautiousHowever, he was now tangled up at the academy.I only came because I was only supposed to go to the port for this mission Damn.Of course, it was not like any student woulde to the northern ind while it was being restored, but there was always a possibility.And Word had no intention of gambling with his life. Hence, he didnt want to be separated from Medga, his lifeline.In any case, he finally managed to drag his creaking body to the rooftop with much difficulty.Only after reaching the vast rooftop was he finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.On the rooftop was the very person (?) he and Admission Director Megdna had been searching for.Under the dark sky was a massive crow with glimmering ck feathers.CorvusWord sighed in relief and walked towards her.Meanwhile, Medga, who had already arrived next to Corvus, spoke up.Esteemed Guest, what are you doing up here?Medgas voice did not sound pleasant in the slightest. He had wasted the entire day chasing after this crow, from the port to the northern ind.The crow, however, showed no sign of paying attention to his words.She nced over the academysndscape below before answering.Im choosing an apprentice.Choosing an apprentice? What are you talking about?Please ask Principal Himena for details.The next moment, the crow, who had been ncing around in various directions, seemed to havee across something interesting and stopped.Oh.A short exmation left her lips.Medga reflexively looked in the same direction, but he was unable to see anything remarkable.The crow was looking towards the ind across the sea, where the first-year students were.Was she able to see the students from this distance?Just as Medgas eyebrows began to furrow, the crow pecked her beak and spoke.It seems that the academy has be quite open-minded these days.O-open-minded? What do you mean?A male student is heading towards the girls dormitory at this hour. Has the academy rule changed?A male student heading towards the girls dormitory? Medgas expression hardened.Who exactly are you looking at?How am I supposed to know their name? Its a fairly handsome male student. Hmm, it feels like Ive seen him somewhere before.Was this a joke? Or was she serious? As Medga felt confused, the crow stretched her head forward and said.Oh, he just climbed over the dormitory wall!Medga furrowed his brow even more and pulled out his phone.Even if this was a joke, he had no choice but to respond.Amidst the chaos caused by the terrorism, a male student was sneaking into the girls dormitory?It was obvious how the media would react. Medga quickly dialed the phone of the dormitory head of the girls dormitory.Esteemed Guest, could you describe the male student you are currently observing?Of course. Lets see; he has a neat haircut and is only wearing the school uniform andAnd?Oh, he just disappeared.?Medga, who was focused on her words, waspletely dumbfounded, and his hand holding the phone began to tremble.The crow, of course, still kept jabbering about her own thoughts.Could it be, invisibility magic?Medga was now sure that this crow was mocking him.Invisibility, she said? That was not a spell someone at a student level could use.Gasp Gasp Lady Corvus please, wait a moment, lets talk.In the meantime, Word, who had arrived, spoke up.T-The Blue Rats message.Paying no attention to what he was mumbling while on the brink of exhaustion, the crow spread her wings without looking back.That fellow seems to be good.W-wait a moment!Realizing what she was about to do, Medga reached out, but the crow was quicker and leaped over the railing.pping her giant wings, the crows massive body soared across the night sky, scattering ck feathers as she headed straight towards the first-year girls dormitory, which she had been observing.On the rooftop the crow had just left, only the flustered Medga and the pitifully gasping Word remained.Looking up at the night sky where Corvus had departed, Word muttered onest bleak remark.What the hell.
Chapter 93: There Is No Teacher For Fate (4)
Chapter 93: There Is No Teacher For Fate (4)* * *The Invisibility Cloak wasnt just some piece of fabric enchanted with an invisibility spell.It was a top-tier magic item that, when worn, concealed not only the wearers body but also their scent, presence, and even their mana.And Moryne had generously lent that item to Yeomyeong.No strings attached, just a simple request to return it together with her daughter.It was an awkward demand for Yeomyeong to fulfill, but he didnt have the luxury of negotiating with Moryne.- I will definitely return it.With that brief assurance, Yeomyeong epted the cloak and immediately headed for the girls dormitory.Avoiding the main path, he ran through the bushes, in case someone recognized his face.It took him almost no time to reach the girls dormitory, not at the main entrance but before the backyard wall.Without any hesitation, he channeled his strength into his legs, took a deep breath and easily vaulted over the wall.Thud.With anding so silent that even the wind couldnt detect it, Yeomyeong set foot in the backyard of the dormitory.Thanks to the cover of night, he remained hidden.He quickly scanned his surroundings just in case, before taking out the Invisibility Cloak and took another deep breath.Speak of the devilIt had only been half a day since Seti had clearly warned him to nevere to the girls dormitory, and here he was, about to break in.That was as far as his thoughts went. Yeomyeong immediately put on the Invisibility Cloak.Contrary to his expectations, his vision wasnt overly obstructed. It felt like he was looking through a semi-transparent veil.The cloak clung tightly to his body with the help of mana, so he didnt have to worry about it slipping off.After all, hadnt the Saintess ridden a motorcycle while wearing the cloak?Getting used to the Invisibility Cloak quickly, Yeomyeong climbed into the dormitory through an open window.The interior of the first-year girls dormitory wasnt that different from the boys dormitory.A spacious lobby on the first floor, a central staircase, the positioning of the lights and hallways, even the lingering scent was simrA sweet and greasy smell, like snacks.It was nothing like the elegant and strict girls dormitory he had seen in the youth dramas, but Yeomyeong wasnt disappointed.To be precise, he didnt have time to be disappointed.As he climbed the stairs while avoiding the female students passing through the first-floor lobby, he suddenly realized something he hadnt considered in his haste to get here....Where is Setis room?He reflexively attempted to spread his mana to locate Seti, but quickly restrained himself.No matter how great the Invisibility Cloak was, it wouldnt be able to hide the mana he emitted directly.Faced with this unexpected problem, Yeomyeong furrowed his brow. What should he do? Wait in the lobby? OrHis deliberation was brief, but his sigh was long.He decided to walk deeper into the dormitory with no particr n in mind.He figured that if he wandered around for long enough, he might stumble upon a hint or clue.And just as he thought, as soon as he climbed the central staircase, he found a clue that would lead him to Setis room.A blonde girl sitting in a chair in the hallway, reading a book titled What Is To Be Done?1Miridith, the elven princess who was attending the academy while hiding her identity and Setis roommate.Yeomyeong approached her discreetly.Then he tapped the chair she was sitting on.Knock, knock.As Miridith lifted her head a bit, Yeomyeong called her name in a voice soft enough to not startle her.Soe Miri.Uh Is that voice Yeomyeong?Soe Miri reached out in the direction of the voice.Grabbing Yeomyeongs solid arm under the Invisibility Cloak, Soe Miri murmured in surprise.You also know how to use invisibility magic?This isnt magic, its a magic item anyway, thats not important right now. Can you do me a quick favor?A favor? Only then did she check her surroundings to see if anyone else was around before answering Yeomyeong in a quiet voice.What sort of favor?Can you take me to your dorm room?As soon as Yeomyeong made his request, Soe Miri jerked her head back.Not sure what misunderstanding she had, her face turned reddish.W-What are you saying?! D-Did you perhapse to the girls dormitory for !Just when it seemed like her misunderstanding would get worse, Yeomyeong grabbed her shoulder and cut her off.I came to see Seti.What?I mean, the reason Im in this dormitory is to meet your roommate, Hong Seti.Theres some urgent information I need to convey to her. So could you guide me to her room? Please.Realizing her misunderstanding, Soe Miri finally shut her mouth.Ahem Y-You should have just said that from the start!After a brief silence, she cleared her throat and stood up.Please follow me.She quickly turned around and began walking.Her face had gotten even redder than before as she led the way to the room.
* * *Whenever Seti felt distressed, she would often practice martial arts to distract herself. Swinging the heavy War Hammer and sweating out her frustrations always helped clear the emotions weighing on her heart.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omUnfortunately for her, there were no unupied spots in the training room today.Without a ce to clear her mind, Seti decided to use a different method to calm herself.She first decided to give meditation a try.Sitting quietly on her bed with her eyes shut tight and breathing deeply, but it had no effect.The more she tried to clear her thoughts while meditating, the more the appearance of the Saintess she had seen earlier came to mind.- No, its not that, um its I-I towards YeomyeongHer trembling voice, long streaks of tears, flushed cheeks, and the overwhelming emotion flowing over all of it.- I-It seems like I think of him in a special way.It seemed that the Saintess herself was still unsure about the emotions she was experiencing.After all, the Saintess had spent most of her life confined in a sterile temple. It was only natural that she would have some difficulty understanding her own emotions.If only she had read a romance novel, she might have realized what she was experiencingtsk.Realizing where her thoughts were about to lead her, Seti stopped meditating.She was already aware that Yeomyeong and the Saintess had grown close during their time in Manchuria.Given that these two, a handsome young man and a beautiful woman of simr age, had endured all those hardships together, it was no surprise that something like this would happenYet, knowing something and epting it werepletely different matters.Seti, you fool. Get a grip. Are you going to keep behaving like this?In any case, Seti kept trying different methods like reading and stretching to calm herself.She was doing her best to calm herself, but, like meditation, none of it helped.She was unable to retain anything from the book, and stretching only increased her frustration.It wasnt until the sky outside grew dark that she realized she had wasted an entire day.Ha! Seriously.Letting out a sigh of resignation, Seti suddenly remembered the promise she had made to Yeomyeong.Introducing her sisters and lifting the ban on everyone.I must have lost my mind.How could she have forgotten such an important appointment? So what about the Saintess?She fumbled while trying to take her phone out of her pocket.Who should I contact first? Siri? Yeomyeong?Unfortunately, her dilemma was meaningless.Her phone was in a terrible state.The screen waspletely smashed, probably due to the recoil when Yeomyeong blocked her Flying Kick technique earlier.Sigh. Nothing seems to be going my way today.With a sigh, Seti got up from her seat.At this point, she was thinking about borrowing a phone from one of her sisters to call Yeomyeong.And just as she was about to open the door with that thought in mindCreak.The door opened, and a blonde girl entered the room.Setis roommate, Soe Miri, stepped inside the room. Rejoicing internally, Seti immediately spoke up.Hey, Soe Miri, may I borrow your phone?Soe Miri, who had been waiting with the door ajar, replied awkwardly.Ah Im sorry, I dont use a phone.Although it might have seemed unusual for a modern person to not use one, it wasnt surprising in the case of Soe Miri, who was always a bit odd.Seti told her that it was no problem and decided to go find her sisters as originally nned.As she tried to leave through the door, something invisible blocked her way.?Seti frowned and took a step back.While Soe Miri had a strange expression as she looked at her, Seti began gathering her mana to restrain the opponent.She intended to throw the person out of the room, like she did earlier, but the sensation she felt was unfamiliar.Instead of the soft, smooth skin of the Saintess, she felt something solid.Could it be?Seti let go of her grip and slowly removed the Invisibility Cloak.The moment she saw the golden eyes looking at her, she shut her eyes tightly and smacked her palm against her forehead.Where the hell did you get this cloak from No, wait. Didnt I clearly warn you earlier? If you get caught here, it wont end with just an expulsion!Something urgent came up.How urgent could it be?! What if he gets expelled? Then our n willSeti stifled the words rising up her throat.Because the Yeomyeong she knew would never do something like this for trivial reasons.Whats the matter?Korea.A single word.However, that one word carried a weight that even a thousand exnations would be unable to convey.What? When?It could be tomorrow or today. I dont know the exact time.Then.The ban must be lifted. Today, immediatelyAh, Seti was sure that she now had a simr expression to the one the Saintess made earlier.However, unlike the Saintess, she was aware of how embarrassing that expression was, so she lowered her head and replied.Thank you.You can thank meter. We need to find your sisters first.Okay.Everyone in the room began to move as soon as their conversation came to an end.Yeomyeong put the cloak back on, Seti grabbed a small War Hammer, and they opened the door.AndLets go!Soe Miri followed them with arge wand embedded with a green gemstone.Uh Miri?Yes?Why are you?Seeing Setis bewildered expression, Soe Miri tilted her head.Isnt Dung Beetle-ssi going to fight the South Korean government? Its a given that I should help as well.Did she overhear their conversation? But they spoke so softly. Was she an elf or something No, more importantlyYeomyeong, care to give me an exnation?1. What Is to Be Done? is an 1863 novel written by the Russian philosopher, journalist, and literary critic Niky Chernyshevsky, written in response to Fathers and Sons (1862) by Ivan Turgenev. The chief character is Vera Pavlovna, a woman who escapes the control of her family and an arranged marriage to seek economic independence.
Chapter 94: There Is No Teacher For Fate (5)
* * *In the newest building at the heart of the northern ind of the academy, in the VIP room on the top floor, a middle-aged man, Director Niky, was staring out the window.The nighttime view of the academy, reflected in his drunken eyes, was different from usual.Gone was the beautiful scenery; heavy machinery and workers tirelessly engaged in repair work had taken its ce.It was an unseemly sight for the academy.At least, that was how Niky saw it.Damn it.His scowl grew deeper as he thought about this.All of this was caused by the traditionalists led by the Principal.Fools who were unable to realize that the times were changing, clinging to the founders will and traditions while keeping the academys doors locked.What worth did mere traditions possess in an era that transcended the global age and even spanned dimensions?Was it that hard to share their technology with the powerful nations and admit a few high-ranking families through the back door?Were they even aware how immense the benefits and influence that came with it were?!Other prestigious schools were already doing itCDing dong.The doorbell interrupted Nikys train of thought. He turned away from the view and checked the inte.What is it? Whats going on?On the inte was the building manager, looking flustered.- Director, um you have a guest.A guest? Didnt I tell you that I wont be epting any visitors!?Niky hit the inte as he responded angrily.- No, um, well, the thing isThe terrified manager would have hung up immediately any other day, but this time, his lips were sealed tight, ncing around nervously.He wasnt concerned about the Director on the other side of the inte but for the person standing beside him.This bastard.Even a lowly bastard like you dares to ignore me now? Just as Niky was about to explode with rage.The unexpected visitor peeked through the inte.- Its me, Niky.An elderly Asian man with intense eyes appeared on the screen. Seeing his face, Nikys jaw dropped.Minister Kim Kwanhyung?- Can you spare me a moment?Niky didnt dare to refuse him.He hurriedly began making preparations to greet the guest, adjusting his clothes as he opened the door using the inte button.By the time he finished tossing the scattered liquor bottles and trash into the trash canCreak.The door to the VIP room opened, and two Asians stepped inside.An elderly man in an elegant suit and a man with a buzz-cut head, who obviously looked like a bodyguard.Minister Kim, what brings you to this humble ce I would have hosted you in a better ce if you had contacted me in advance.Niky bowed and weed the elderly man. The minister returned the greeting with a friendly smile and patted his shoulder.No need to bother with such formalities for an old man like me. The truly valuable ones are people like you, who are contributing to humanitys future.After the ceremonial greetings, the two sat at an elegant table, facing each other.Um Minister, what brings you?Before Niky could evenplete his sentence, the elderly man known as Minister Kim Kwanhyung interrupted.Director Niky, Ill get straight to the point. What do you think about partnering up with us for some work?Us?Niky immediately realized that the us the elderly man in front of him was speaking about was no minor force.He was a minister from South Korea, one of the leading external forces pressuring the academy to make its technology essible.What do you want from me?Its not something difficult. I find the Principals n quite troublesome. It would be really helpful if you could assist us with some matters.The Principals n? Niky wanted to ask to borate but swallowed his question.Pretending to know what he actually didntThat was the politician way he was familiar with.May I ask what exactly do you need me to do?It would be great if you could grant permission for our people to visit the academy.Is that all?Director Niky blinked in surprise. Permission to visit the academy?Why would they approach him for such a simple request?Even though the standards for issuing permits had be stricter due to terrorist attacks, there wouldnt be any problems with a visit as long as the identity was clearIs the person who needs the permit a dangerous individual?Hearing Nikys hesitant question, the elderly man smiled and replied.A dangerous individual, you say? Its nothing like that. This person is a highly skilled teacher recognized by Korea.Then, what do you mean by that?The minister did not give him an answer immediately, instead, he licked his dry lips while building the suspense.As Niky exhaled cautiously and the bodyguards cold eyes swept over the two, the minister spoke again.Shes already at the academy.What?Those damn frozen rats. It took us longer to figure out the Principals n because of them. The Principals n was unexpected, and we were in a hurry as well.In a hurry? Could it be?Are you asking me to make it look like I was the one who invited the unauthorized intruder to the academy?Oh, unauthorized intruder, you say? If you put it that way, it makes things more difficult for me.Being a former soldier, you should understand, right? We often act before making a report in times of crisis. Can you see it from that perspective?Niky could not hide his shock.Regardless of his reaction, the minister took a small vial from his pocket and handed it to him.The vial was filled with a shimmering liquid, unmistakably a potion.And there was only one potion with such a glowAwakening Potion?A potion that has a 20% chance of turning people, even someone with no talent at all, into a mana userspecifically, a Mage.Nikys eyes gleamed with greed as he gazed at the potion.We also have something important at stake. You know about those sisters, rightNiky immediately understood who the minister was referring to.Outstanding talents who failed to be the top representative, but were in the top three in martial arts, magic, and divinity, respectively.And Oh Siri especially, who held the second rank in magic, was an exceptional talent that even Professor Kadan, the Head of the Magic Department, had his eyes on.Was the Principals n somehow rted to these girls?While Nikys mind was racing, the minister continued in a subtle voice.I also heard that your son recently failed at the Moscow Superhuman Training Institute?That isMoscow is really harsh, right? Just because your sons mana response was a little dyed, they disqualified a talented individual like him.The ministers voice slipped into Nikys ears like the whispers of a devil.If this matter is resolved well, this item will be yours.Niky could no longer refuse the offer.
* * *The 6th floor of the first-year girls dormitory at Lord Howe Academy.As expected of the floor where researchbs for Mage Apprentices were located, the 6th floor was inplete chaos.- If I add the Toulen form here Damn it why?! Why isnt it working?!- With positive and negative charges! Respond to my callkyack!Students who had gone mad while struggling with magic forms, and idiots who identally struck themselves with lightning while practicing offensive magic.- Hey, you crazy bitches! Cut it out!- Do you think youre the only ones in the dorm?- For crying out loud, just go to the training room like those martial arts department kids!Even when the priests-in-training from the 5th-floor temple screamed in frustration, it only quieted down briefly.It didnt take long for the Magic Department students to go back to their chaotic antics.And as always, it was the priests-in-training who waved the white g first.These past few days had already taught them; these crazy mages would stop until it was time for bedThus, the priests-in-training either fled to the third floor below, where the noise was less, or, thinking of it as a trial, covered their ears and focused on their prayers.To an outsider, this might have looked like a typical scene from a Superhuman academy dormitoryBut Siri, sitting in the central lobby of the 6th floor, thought otherwise.Theyre acting like morons.From her perspective, the recent terror attack on the academy was the reason for all this chaos.To be more precise, it was because of the first-year students who helped thwart the attack.Among the students who fought on the front lines, only one of them was a Mage.This seemed rather pathetic whenpared to the four martial arts Superhumans.From the priests-in-training, only the Saintess stepped forward, but she was far from an ordinary priest-in-training.And even if they didnt participate inbat, the priests-in-training did their part by assisting with healing.So, what about the Magic Department? Aside from Soe Miri, who fought on the front lines, the others were nothing more than dead weight.They had plenty of excusesno staff, no wand, no memorized spellsHowever, no matter what excuse they made, it didnt change the fact that they had remained as mere bystanders, watching their peers from the rear.Hence, the Magic Department students were now behaving like fools to shake off the sense of powerlessness they had felt then.Even the Magic Departments freshman representative, The Vessel, was so engrossed in her research that she hadnt even left her roomHuh?As Siri was lost in her thoughts, she noticed someoneing up the central staircase.A student with ck hair and a small War Hammer, someone Siri was very familiar with.Seti-unnie?Why was she on the 6th floor, instead of the 5th-floor temple?Siri immediately got up from her seat and ran over to her sister. Seti let out something like a sigh of relief on seeing her.Siri.However, for some reason, her sisters expression seemed unusual.Whats wrong, Unnie?Do you have your phone with you right now?Huh? My phone? Of course, I do.Why did she look so serious? Wasnt it just about borrowing her phone? Did she happen to break hers again?Just as Siri pulled her phone out of her school uniform pocket with a smile, her older sister spoke.Contact our third and youngest sisters, and tell them toe to the rooftop as soon as possible.Her voice sounded urgent and was filled with concern.Siri finally realized that her sister wasnt joking.To the rooftop? Whats going on?Ill exin everything once we get there. Contact them first.Although Siri looked puzzled, she followed her sisters instructions and contacted their siblings.[A million flowers, millions of flowers, millions of flowers]1The unsophisticated caller tune2 yed, and soon, a familiar voice could be heard over the phone.- Hey, you gal, whats up, calling me at this hour?I have a message from our second sister. She asked us toe to the rooftop as fast as you can.- Unnie said that? Ugh, Im literally naked right now.Hesitating on whether to respond to the joke, Siri snuck a quick nce at her older sister.Seti still looked serious.Stop joking around and get up there fast! Oh, and is the youngest with you?- Yeah, but does the youngest need toe too?Yes, bring her too! ASAP, got it?- Tsk, youre going to blow my eardrums. If this is some sort of prank, youre dead meatSiri quickly hung up the phone and turned to her older sister, Seti, for an exnation.But instead of exining, Seti gestured for her to follow as she began climbing the stairs.It was Siri who broke the silence first.Unnie, why are you acting like this?Were going to break the ban tonight.Siri stared at her sister, thinking she must have misheard.She waspletely serious, not even the hint of a smile on her face. It was something she hadnt seen since Superhuman Olympia.How? And more importantly, why now?Ill exin everything once everyone has gathered.Siri wanted to press on but decided to remain silent and follow Seti to the rooftop.With only two floors left to climb, they reached the rooftop in almost no time.Strangely enough, the rooftop door, which should have been locked, was wide open as if some unlocking spell had been used.Anyway, the first thing Siri saw when she opened the door wasUnnie, why is that person here?The one who answered was not Seti but someone else.Its been a while, Siri.A man with shining golden eyes stood under the dim rooftop light.I-Is this illusion magic? Why is Yeomyeong-oppa in the girls dormitory?Siri blinked and rubbed her eyes.However, no matter how many times she rubbed them, Yeomyeong was still there, standing in the middle of the rooftop, gazing at her and Seti.He wasnt a fake?Siri immediately turned towards her sister.Unnie, are you out of your mind?How could you bring a guy into the dorm? Are you trying to get us both expelled!Just as her voice was about to rise further, someone covered her mouth from behind.Who dared? Turning her head, Siri saw yet another familiar face.Unnies roommate with the unusual name.Soe Miri, the beautiful blonde girl with her hair tied to the side, the only one from the Magic Department who stepped up during the terror attack.What was she doing here?Isnt it a bit ironic for you sisters to say things like that?Yeomyeong tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but Siri wasnt in the mood for jokes.She pushed away Soe Miris hand covering her mouth, and asked.It doesnt matter whojust tell me whats going on already.However, the answer was the same as before.Ill exin when all the sisters have gathered. Just wait a little longer.Hearing her sisters cold response, Siri let out a hollowugh but said nothing more.In spite of everything, she trusted her sistertrusted that she wouldnt do anything to harm them.In the end, Siri stood by the rooftop entrance, silently watching Soe Miri, her older sister, and Yeomyeong prepare something.Soe Miri drew a magic circlelikely to block out sound and lightwith her wand, which was embedded with a green gemstone.Her sister followed Soe Miri, pouring mana into the magic circle.However, the one who stood out the most was Yeomyeong.He pulled out something golden from his pocket and stood in the center of the magic circle, gathering mana.She didnt know what was happening, but she could tell that something serious was about to go down.Siri waited in silence for the ritual or preparation toe to an end.Just as two distinct footsteps, undoubtedly her sisters, echoed from the stairway belowRingSiris phone buzzed.Everyone on the rooftop turned their gaze toward her, but Siri casually checked the caller ID.And the next moment, her face turned pale.Uh Unnie.Whats wrong all of a sudden, Siri?I-its that bitch i-its that bitchs number.What?That bitch. Her sister immediately rushed over and snatched the phone from her hand upon hearing those two words.And when she saw the name disyed on the phone, Setis expression turnedpletely serious.
[Shepperd 10-11-16]N?v(el)B\\jnn1. Lyrics from Million Roses, a 1997 song by Shim Soobong.2. A sound or music that is yed when you make a phone call to someone. It''s a kind of service provided by a carrier.
Chapter 95: There Is No Teacher For Fate (6)
* * *A long time ago, though it felt like it was just yesterday, the sheep had to obey the shepherds and ranch owners.Trapped in the ranch, they tried their best to grow the desired wool.If they were told to fight other livestock, they fought. If they were told to endure pain, they endured. And if they were told to swallow their screams, they swallowed them.- Why! Why cant you do it?!- Do you know how much flesh and blood was consumed to create you all?!Was it because of that so-called patriotism?- This is yourst chance. Ill give you three seconds.- Complete the blessing. The Saintess managed to do it in just one second!- If you fail againWas it because they were afraid of those whips?- Specimen 112 has been disposed of. Its your fault.- Specimen 31 has been disposed of. Its your fault.- It is all your fault.Or did they sumb to torture?No, it was nothing like that. The reason the sheep obeyed the shepherds wasnt something grand.It was just because the sheep didnt know what freedom was.They didnt know about the leash around their necks, nor the things the shepherds could do with itHence, they obeyed.And so, they lost.- There are five of them. Losing one wouldnt beOne day, when the ranch owner was disappointed in the sheepThe shepherds dragged a white sheep away, and it never returned.Only after they lost a precious member of their family did the sheep grow angry.For the first time in their lives, they rebelled against the shepherds. Then they raged, before finally falling into despair.The leash around their necks granted them no freedom.- Foolish things, did you really think we wouldnt have any safety measures in ce?Only after experiencing the excruciating pain from the leash did the sheep start to smell the stench rising from it.Blood, tears, and rotten flesh.The ck Sheep, who was the most fierce when ramming into the shepherds, couldnt bear the stench.Hiding in a corner of the ranch, out of the shepherds sight, she hung herself with the leash.Self-abandonment, suicide, freedom.Death came for the ck Sheep, but in the end, she was unable to die.It was because she realized the leash wasnt just hers alone.The sheeps leashes were all connected to each other. Tightly and cleverly.The moment one sheep hung itself, the others would also suffer along with it.The ck Sheep realized that this was the final safety measure hidden by the ranch owner, and she understood that she would never be able to break it.- You must never forget; the reason why you were born.- For the country, for the nation.- Obey.The sheep became obedient once again. No, she submitted.In a ranch where even death would not bring liberation, they could only bow their heads, holding each others lives as hostages.But not everything returned to how it was before.The sheep did not forget what the shepherds had done to them, the cruelty of the ranch owner, the stench of the leash, and
10-11-16
The number of the shepherd who took away the White Sheep.
* * *Just as Seti was about to press the answer button with trembling hands, Yeomyeong approached her silently and snatched the phone from her hand.W-wait.By the time a startled Seti looked up at him, Yeomyeongs grip around the phone had already tightened.Crunch.The phone shattered, with pieces of stic and fragments of the screen spilling from between his fingers.You can deal with that after we finish this.Yeomyeong said this while locking eyes with Seti. His golden eyes glinted with firm resolve.Dont forget the reason I came all the way here It doesnt matter whates after you here, its not toote.Setis eyes trembled.It was because the memory of her scolding him for sneaking into the girls dormitory resurfaced in her mind.But the one who needed reprimanding was herself.She hadnt been thorough enough. She had been careless and ended up wasting too much time.If Yeomyeong snuck into the girls dormitory, she and her sistersShe pushed the gloomy thoughts to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to dwell over what ifs.Yeomyeong was here for her and her sisters sake.Realizing the immense risk he had taken, Seti bit her lip and lowered her head.Yeomyeong patted her on the shoulder and said,Its alright. Everything is going to be fine. So, raise your head.Okay.Just as the tense atmosphere began to rx, Siri, who had been watching the whole scene unfold, sighed sullenly.That was my phoneOops. Yeomyeong gave her an apologetic look.Seeing that face, which seemed to feignposure, even Siri felt her tension dissipate.Of course, it was just a feeling.Though her expression had softened, her hands were still trembling.Unnie, I think youll have a lot of trouble in the future.What?That oppa, I bet hes going to turn into a total womanizer.While Siri kept making lighthearted remarks to mask her anxiety, the sound of footsteps from beyond the rooftop door kept getting closer.It had to be the two remaining sisters theyd been waiting for.Just as Seti sighed in relief, the footsteps stopped right outside the door.Seti Unnie? Siri?A husky voice reminiscent of a rock singer was heard from the other side.A voice so familiar that Seti opened the rooftop door immediately.
* * *Unnie, whats going on at this hour?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//omThe first to step onto the rooftop was a girl as tall as Yeomyeong, with an impressive unkempt blue short haircut.A guy? What the fu!Just as the soft blue of her eyes, contrasting with Setis, caught the sight of Yeomyeong, a voice filled with bewilderment intervened.Seti spoke up.Neti, you already know him, right? Hes the transfer student who fought alongside me at the shelter, Cheon Yeomyeong.Uh huh?Yeomyeong, this is Neti. Park Neti. Our third sister.Park Neti?It was a name that surpassed Yeomyeongs expectations, but he was already seasoned (?) to various strange names. Therefore, he just extended a hand to her as casually as possible.Nice to meet you, Neti. Im your sisters friend, Cheon Yeomyeong. You can call me Yeomyeong.Somewhat startled, Neti took his hand and shook it. Her hand was as calloused as Setis.Oh, youre my sisters friend. Um its nice to meet you. Y-you can call me Neti as well.Just as the brief introduction came to an end and Neti was about to ask more, another girl peeked from behind her.Just a friend? Or is it this?The girl wiggled her pinky finger. Her atmosphere waspletely differentpared to the other sisters.Could he say that she was like a sculpture carved from melted jade?Not only did her slightly droopy eyes have a hint of green in them, but even her hair, tied to the side, disyed a soft shade of green.While this was amon trait among all the sisters, her eye and hair colors were something no ordinary Earthian could have.Knowing the secret behind their birth, Yeomyeong forced a wry smile as he replied to her.Just a friend.The green-haired girls eyebrows shot up, perhaps displeased with his answer.Just a friend? And yet you came all the way to the girls dormitory? Oh, is this perhaps the start of something more?Before she couldplete her sentence, Seti intervened again.Yeomyeong, this is Sis. Lee Sis1. Our youngest sister.Rx your face. Its obvious that youre thinking about their names.Yeomyeong averted his gaze without a word.While the green-haired girl called Sis was staring at them with interest, Siri spoke up.Unnie, I think were done with introductions, right? Now that were all here, exin.The sisters gazes turned to Siri.Why did you gather us at this hour? Its not just to introduce this oppa?This time, everyones eyes shifted to Seti. After clearing her throat, Seti finally spoke.Today, we will break the ban ced on our minds.The reaction that followed wasnt what Yeomyeong had expected.Instead of joy or surprise, dryughter followed.Only Siri, who more or less knew about the rtionship between Seti and Yeomyeong, narrowed her eyes and observed the situation in silence.Geez, I was wondering what you were talking about Have you been drinking, Unnie?You should know that its impossible to break the ban. Weve already made several attempts.Neti and Sis, the two sisters, spoke to Seti in sharp voices.Girls, wait a minute.Seti tried to give them an exnation, but the sisters didnt give her a chance.And we almost diedst time, didnt we?! The experts who were helping us break the ban were killed by the government!Unnie, even if you try to break the leash, the shepherds will notice it immediately.Unnie! I know its frustrating, but we just need to hold on a little longer. It hasnt even been six months since we entered the academy. We just need to find the Staff of Purification before we graduate.Weve already decided whose leash to break with the Staff of Purification. Unnie, as long as we can be free, its okay even if the rest of us die.The voices of the two sisters kept getting more intense, and just when Yeomyeong was wondering if he should step in, Seti raised her hand and gave the two, no, all three of her younger siblings a light smack on the forehead, one after the other.Why me? I didnt even say anything!Siri, who had kept her mouth shut all this time, protested as she held her forehead, but Seti, with a serious expression, met each of her sisters gazes.Neti, we dont have time until graduation. That bitch is already at the academy.Sis, stop with the negativity. Do you really think I wouldnt have thought of that? And Siri, youMe?Seti looked at Siri for a moment, biting her lips, before quickly turning her head towards Yeomyeong.Yeomyeong, when can we start?We can start right away. The magic circle Miri drew has been ready for a while.Yeomyeong gave her a soft smile as he pulled out the Golden Seal.The moment the sisters saw the golden, rectangr magic item glinting, question marks appeared above their heads.They realized that the mana contained within the seal was unusual.Unnie, that?Ill exin the rest of the details as we proceed. Take your positions inside the magic circle for now.Saying that, Seti began guiding the sisters towards their spots inside the magic circle Soe Miri had drawn.Its a magic circle that prevents mana from flowing outside. Its not the Earthian method, butTheres also a spell to block out light added here.Whats the use of this? None of these spells have anything to do with breaking the ban.Since all three sisters had some knowledge of magic, they voiced their individual opinions as soon as they saw the magic circle.Since their words might have sounded rude at first, Seti quickly nced at Soe Miri to gauge her reaction.However, contrary to her expectations, there was no sign of displeasure on Soe Miris face.To be precise, she wasnt even paying attention to the sisters.She was simply staring at Yeomyeong and the Golden Seal with a meaningful expression.Whats going on?While Seti tilted her head in confusion, the sisters took their positions inside the magic circle, sitting in a circle.As soon as they did so, Yeomyeong walked past the sisters and stood in the center of the magic circle and raised the Golden Seal slowly.A brief moment of resolve followed by a deep breath.And just before he activated the seal, Yeomyeong nced at Seti.The sight of her exining the situation to her sisters looked much more serious than the person he was familiar with.If my colleagues had somehow survived would I have also behaved like her?He would never know. Unlike Seti, he had no family left.I hope Seti can protect the family she has left.With that fleeting thought, Yeomyeong infused mana into the seal.sh!And the next moment, golden mana filled the magic circle.
* * *Soe Miri, who was standing outside the magic circle, opened her eyes wide as she watched it.Oh no.The magic circle she had painstakingly prepared to hide the mana and light began to shake.It wasnt hard to guess the reason.It was probably because the mana pouring out of Yeomyeong and the golden magic item was much greater than she expected.The problem was trying to figure out what required that much mana.Arent they just trying to break a ban? What kind of ban requires this much mana to break?Of course, Yeomyeong did inform her that it was a veryplex and powerful ban.But, in the end, a ban was still just a ban, wasnt it?It was not like they were trying to unseal a dragon or anything. So, what kind of ban needed this much mana to break?Crack!Soe Miri snapped out of her thoughts as the magic circle began to crack under the pressure of the mana.She quickly raised her wand and summoned the elemental spirits in her heart.Lelrin, Leon! Hold the magic circle together!Comprehending hermand, the elemental spirits immediately clung to the magic circle.She also cast a spell, pouring mana into the cracking magic circle, trying to suppress the light and mana leaking from it.However, she was unable to stop a beam of light from shooting into the sky.1. Korean names usually consist of 2-3 characters, with the first character being the family name. Lee Sis''s name is actually spelled like Isis, while Oh Siri''s name is spelled as Osiri.
Chapter 96: There Is No Teacher For Fate (7)
* * *The coast of the academy ind, atop a breakwater out of the reach of surveince cameras.Three figures, a man and two women, were engaged in serious conversation, their faces hidden behind the masks as dark as the shadow of the night.Is it not here yet?The first to speak was the tallest woman among them.She kept fiddling with the whip hanging at her waist, as if something was getting on her nerves. And her asional outbursts of mana were frightening.I ASKED IF WE HAVE RECEIVED PERMISSION YET!No, not yet.The masked man with arge build responded, causing the womans eyes to narrow.THAT DAMN OLD MAN! This is why politicians are so useless. They dont know how to get things done swiftly.She bit down on her mask, as if trying to suppress her anger.As the moonlight from above hid behind the clouds, seemingly due to fear of her rage, the military-grade phone held by therge man flickered.Theres a message from above. The operation was a sess. The minister himself managed to convince that big nose Director to cooperateIt obviously had to be a sess! Dont you know the value of the potion that old man took?Therge man flinched and instinctively lowered his head.These lowlifes Time is of the essence in an infiltration.The woman with the whip spat her words again and turned her head.What about the contact?This time, the question was directed at the smallest woman among the three.Like therge man, she was also holding a military-grade phone, and her expression visible through the mask was far from pleased.N-none of them are answering.No one? Even the ck Sheep?Yes, the ck Sheep is not answering as well.The woman who had been fiddling with her whip cracked her neck as she tilted her head.Sigh Theyve only left the barn for a few months, and theyre already starting to rebel.P-perhaps, some unforeseen circumstances might havee up?Circumstances? What circumstances? Do you think theres anything more important than patriotism?Hearing the woman retort sharply, the smaller woman holding the phone lowered her head deeply.Im sorry. Its my fault for saying that.Watch your words. Weve note here to y.Yes.With that, silence fell.The woman with the whip was deep in contemtion while the other two watched her nervously.After a moment that seemed to go on forever, the woman with the whip spoke again.It seems like we have no other choice. We should move first.But what if we get caught ?Then just dont get caught.What about the sheep?If the sheep have growncent, it is the shepherds duty to wield the rod. I will activate the ban in the vicinity of the dormitory.She dered in a firm voice. The other two bowed their heads in silence and followed her.Orders meant everything to them.Just like the patriotism they had for their homnd, not a shred of doubt or rebellion was allowed.Lets move as quickly as possible.The moment the woman with the whip stepped off the breakwater, all three of them dashed towards the interior of the academy ind almost simultaneously.If someone familiar with the technique had seen them, they would have immediately recognized the mastery of their Flying Kick technique.The three of them ran for quite some time, leaving no trace of their footsteps while evading surveince cameras and detection spells.Eventually, the academys first-year girls dormitory came into view.Since the building was identical to the one they had seen in photos, they quickly identified the rooms the sheep lived in.Prepare the ban.What about the target? The Red sheep?Focus on the ck Sheep. Seeing their eldest sister spill blood from her seven orifices will make the rest crawl out on their own.Understood.As the three of them took their positions around the dormitory, preparing to activate the ban beneath the veil of darknesssh!A beam of light shot to the sky from the dormitory roof.
* * *That isThe priest using the skin of a construction worker turned his head towards the direction of the academy.A single beam of golden mana shot into the dark night sky.- Oh, are those fireworks? Who could it be at this hour?- It looks like itsing from the direction of the ind where the students are residing. Maybe theyre conducting a magic experiment or something.The workers who followed his gaze marveled at the beam of light, but the priest had apletely unrted thought on seeing that.O God, has the prophecy truly changed?And as always, God responded with silence.
* * *The moment an immense amount of mana was absorbed by the seal, Yeomyeong recalled the parting words the Dwarf King left him with.[If theres enough mana avable, it can also remove any bans and seals. ]He regretted not asking for a more precise definition of enough back then.Yeomyeong clenched his teeth as he felt his mana being drained.The situation was dire.If the mana the Surging Wave technique required could bepared to scooping water with a scoop, the mana being drained now was no different from water gushing out a leaky jar.Though it was somewhat fortunate that having consumed the World Trees crystal, his body was like a fairlyrge jar.Hence, he could endure this level of mana consumption for at least a few minutes.On the other hand, this also meant that he would only be able to endure this for a few more minutes at most.Why?Yeomyeong wasnt that knowledgeable when it came to magic, but he knew that breaking a mere restriction shouldnt require this much mana.Then, was there a problem with the magic item? No, the Golden Seal was a treasure of the Dwarf royal family.If anything, it was more likely that the seal was allowing him to endure this efficiently.The only possible exnation was that the restriction ced on the sisters minds wasnt actually a ban.Seti.Yeomyeong turned his gaze towards Seti and her sisters caught up in the seals magic, through the golden mana.All four sisters were staring into the distance with unfocused eyes.It didnt feel like the restriction was being lifted instead, they appeared to be under some sort of an illusion spell.Should I stop here?Yeomyeongs rational mind was telling him to let go of the seal and stop the ritual.Yes, breaking the ban was important, but what would be the point if Yeomyeong himself copsed from exhaustion?Was it because they were worried about the shepherds who hade to the academy?Seti and her sisters would suffer, but would they really go so far as to kill them?Rationally speaking, it would be the right decision to stop the magic immediately.Rationally, that is.However, Yeomyeong ignored his rationality.Just like when he swore vengeance at the graves of the janitors.Just like when Mr. Jang Man urged him to give up on revenge.Just like when he charged at dozens of shepherds in Manchuria.He pushed reason aside and surrendered to his fury.He hade way too far to follow his reasoning when the opportunity to screw over the damned Korean government was right in front of him.Lets see this through to the end.And so, he poured even more mana into the seal.He continued until the water spilling from the cracks in the jar became a flood.
* * *The ck Sheep blinked.She had some difficulty processing the scene unfolding before her eyes.She was definitely on the dormitory rooftop with Yeomyeong just moments agoHowever, she was now inside a log cabin, unsure if it was a farm or a vi.[It seems that you are mistaken about something.]Unlike the cold, chilly wind outside, the inside of the log cabin was warm thanks to the burning firece.[Releasing the sheep is not freedom. Its abuse.]And in front of the firece, the old man no, the being in the form of an old man, kept talking to her as it added dry firewood inside.[Sheep are happiest when theyre on the ranch. They provide their owner with wool, bear more sheep, and ultimately offer their blood and flesh. Thats how they find meaning in their otherwise worthless lives.]Unable to understand those words, the ck Sheep tilted her head in confusion.[You dont understand? Well, its not like youre a regressor or a transmigrator, after all.]The old mans words were filled with sarcasm and mockery.The ck Sheep was on the verge of losing her temper but then remembered that a sheep could not speak, so she just stood up.She turned around and headed for the exit of the log cabin.**[**Tsk, tsk,you cant go outside.]What he said was true. The sheep couldnt open the door.She tried to grab the handle with her mouth, but it was much higher than expected.She jumped with all her might, trying to reach the handle, but tumbled awkwardly to the floor after failing to do so.[Its meaningless. Youre a sheep. You are meant to live inside the ranch. And who knows? If you behave, perhaps the shepherd might find a good ram for you?]A good ram? For the first time, the ck Sheep felt her anger rising and red at the old man.[The shepherds and the ranch owner focus on the big picture. If they cant aplish their goals in your generation, theyll find a good seed and make the next generation.]Bullshit.[Do you think you have a choice? Youre a sheep. You will live as a sheep and die as a sheep.]Get lost.[Come here. Dont go into the cold outside. Stay by the warm firece]You, the shepherds, the ranch owner, all of you, get lost.**[**TskI tried reasoning with you. Do you need to be punished toe to your senses?]The old man stood up from the ce in front of the firece. The aura emanating from him waspletely different from before.Ah.His aura was beyond imagination, indescribable, and because it was indescribable, it was impossible to resist.Bearing the brunt of it, her legs lost strength, her ring eyes closed shut, and her tongue, which had been spitting out curses, became stiff.[Will you die like this? Or will you live as a sheep?]The old man, who had somehow arrived right in front of the ck Sheep, asked. The sheep trembled as she tried to think of a response.She wanted to say she would be a good sheep and live on the ranch forever.However, she was unable to do so.The moment she tried to move her tongue, the face of a certain boy appeared in her mind.If it were Dung Beetle, my Yeomyeong he would have surely saidFuck off.It was a futile resistance. Her sheeps tongue wouldnt be able to harm the old man in the slightest.But resistance with death in mind was meaningful in itself. It was an expression out of her own will not to follow his words, no matter what.[Foolish thing.]The old man stretched his hand towards her with a murderous expression.[There are many fates prepared for you.]The hand, now filled with rage, reached for the ck Sheeps throat. However, at that momentThud!The log cabin shook.[What is this?]The old man stared outside with a startled expression. Before he could utter a word, the log cabin door suddenly burst open.[No how]As she listened to the old mans flustered voice, the ck Sheep raised her head and looked outside.The outside, which had been a cold, windy ce just moments ago, was now a deste in without even a gust of wind.Nothing on this in smelled of ash except for a small spot.Squinting, she realized it wasnt a dot but a human-shaped darkness.A darkness wearing a dress like that of a noblewoman, revealing a feminine figure, walked towards them leisurely, as if on a stroll.[Who are you? Answer me!]The old man clung to the door and shouted at the darkness. His voice was mixed with fear.[How is this possible? This is my mindscape! My dream!]The old mans voice grew louder as the darkness drew closer.[Get out! Get out of here!]However, the moment the darkness arrived in front of him, the old man was unable to utter one more word. He fled deep inside the cabin, as if something was pressing down on him.The darkness didnt chase after him. Instead, she stopped in front of the ck Sheep.
Hong Seti.
The ck Sheep, Hong Seti, raised her head towards the darkness.This darkness was on apletely different level from the old man.Just gazing at the wavering shadows making up the darkness made her feel like she would blind her.
I havee to give you an opportunity.Will you be the first? Or will you keep living here as a sheep?
Unable to look directly at the darkness, Seti stared at the ground and asked.The first the first of what?
The first to dedicate your fate to my Chosen One.
She didnt understand what the darkness was trying to say. So, she dared to ask again.Chosen one?Someone you know well.
Someone I know well? Could it be?The darknessughed silently.
Thats right. Its exactly who are you thinking of.N?v(el)B\\jnn
Ah. Seti shuddered, not out of fear, but because of another emotion.I, ISeti turned around to look inside the log cabin. The space where she was forced to live as a sheep and where she continued living as one.She no longer wanted to live as a sheep.I will be the first.It was a deration filled with resolve. The darkness smiled and ced a hand on her head.The hand, warmer than the firece yet more chilling than death, slowly brushed over her head.
Being the first is something unique. You shall dly offer your fate.
As soon as the darkness finished speaking, a small orb appeared above Setis hand.A brilliant, shining orb of light.Without even realizing it, Seti extended the orb toward the darkness, but it did not ept it.Instead, the darkness slowly leaned towards her and whispered in her ear.
You must give it directly to my Chosen One, not to me.
How do IHer question was left unfinished.The moment Seti raised her head to face the darkness directly, her mind, unable to withstand the pressure, began to wake from the dream.
When the timees, call my name, not that of the false god.
All her senses began to grow distant. As her mind surfaced back into reality, the darkness voice echoed distinctly in her ear.
Mignium. That is the only name you shall ever worship.
Chapter 97: There Is No Teacher For Fate (8)
* * *They were almost at the finish line.Enveloped in golden mana, Yeomyeong suddenly felt certain of this.Even though mana was still being drained from his body and his blood vessels were screaming from the relentless abuse, he knew.The reason was simple, he could feel some unusual movements in the minds of Seti and her sisters.It was struggling, trying its best to resist the magic of the seal.Come out.Yeomyeong manipted the magic of the seal even more assertively, as if smashing a door with a hammer.It wasnt a delicate method, but the result was clear to see.He could almost feel that somethingthe ban, or something bound by the ban thrashing about desperately.Just a little more just a bit more.Yeomyeong skillfully steered his mana to break into the minds of the sisters.The next moment, thuda microvascture of his burst, and blood trickled from his nose.Soon, blood trickled down from the noses of Seti and her sisters as well.It was like their bodies were screaming from the overwhelming mana.However, unlike the sisters who only had to endure the mana, Yeomyeongs condition was far more severe, as he was the one channeling it.His hands trembled, the blood vessels in his eyes burst, and tears of blood flowed down his face.And as a drop of blood trickled down from his chin, Yeomyeong finally grabbed hold of the thing lodged in the minds of the sisters.Got it.Without any hesitation, he yanked it out not metaphorically but literally.The seal shone as if it were on the verge of bursting, and ck smoke rose from the sisters heads.The writhing ck mana gathered together, as if it were alive.It was different from the twisted mana he hade across during his numerous entanglements with the Korean government.The mass of mana before him felt several times more disgusting and dozens of times more ominous.An ordinary person, or even a weak superhuman, would have vomited just from looking at it but Yeomyeong stared at it without batting an eyelid.No matter how ominous something in this world might be, it was nothing whenpared to the immense evil he sealed in his heart; like a candle before the sun.Lets put an end to this now.He unclenched his right palm, formed a hand de, and activated the Surging Wave Technique.As the sword aura enveloped his hand, Yeomyeong prepared to strike the mass.! ! !!!It began to scream. Without a mouth, it screamed with its mind.Anger, confusion, and fear?Did it fear death? For a brief moment, Yeomyeong felt a twinge of confusion as he sensed its emotions.But, of course, he didnt stop.!!A burst of light exploded from Yeomyeongs descending hand.Sharp silence followed the light that passed by, and the severed leash fell to the ground.
* * *Who was the one who said it?Good dreams were like cloudsthey left nothing once they passed, but nightmares were like typhoonsthey left longsting scars.Was it Unnie who said it? Or was it Dung Beetle?Someone definitely said it, but she couldnt remember who.Either way it didnt matter who said it.Because they were wrong.Not all nightmares would be remembered and not all good dreams were forgotten.And the dream she just had was proof of that.The dream where she, a sheep, turned into a person, bing Yeomyeongs first.A dream that vivid, like a brand seared onto her soul, couldnt possibly be a nightmare.And if it was a nightmareIf she was still a sheep in reality and not Yeomyeongs first then shed rather not wake up.But simply remain in this nightmare forever.- Hey,e on! Unnie! Wake up already!Forever- She probably wont wake up unless a prince does it.- Sis, how can you joke at a time like this?!- Wanna bet?- Bet on what? Yeomyeong-oppa! Pleasee over!Fore- See? Its not working, right?-Thats strange This shouldnt be happening Oh, I get it. Its because there was no kiss.- You crazy bitch! How can you even say something like that?!- Oppa, how about just kiss for Unnie onceWait a minute.
* * *Ah.Seti opened her eyes.The cold night air brushed against her face as she raised her heavy eyelids with difficulty.Two deep breaths, five consecutive blinks, and three seconds to rub her eyes.As her vision cleared, she saw a pair of eyes looking down at her.Unlike usual, those golden eyes were filled with concern.Are you awake?Yeomyeong.He brushed Setis hair, as she blinked, and asked.How are you feeling?Well I think Im okay. But what about the ban? What happened?I obviously removed it.Yeomyeong said it as if it was no big deal, but Seti was sure that it hadnt been that simple.His mana had reduced significantlypared to before and the traces of tears of blood still visible around his eyes were proof of that.Well umAs a flood of thoughts and emotions surged through Setis mind, only one thing escaped her mouth.Thank you.Dont mention it.Yeomyeong gave her a faint smile.But Seti was unable to bring herself to smile with him. She had to press her lips together to swallow the emotions welling up her throat.However, at times like this, silence conveyed those emotions better than words could.Her blue eyes ovepped his golden eyes.The two colors moved closer to each other without blending, and finallyFinallyWait, where are the others?Startled, Seti finally snapped her daze and looked to the side.At the corner of the rooftop, where only the traces of the magic circle remained, four familiar pairs of eyes were staring at her and Yeomyeong intently.Neti was silently fidgeting with her fingers, the youngest and Soe Miri were watching them with sparkling eyes, and Why did you stop? Things were just getting good. Keep going.Even Siri, who was wiping a nosebleed with a sour look on her face.!Seti turned stiff as she struggled to grasp the current situation, then btedly returned to normal.She shot up from her spot, her face as red as a beet.She almost screamed upon realizing that she had been lying on Yeomyeongsp just moments ago, but keeping her dignity as an older sister in mind, she barely managed to keep her mouth shut.A brief silence ensued.Seti finally found her voice after Yeomyeong got up.Is everyone really okay?It was Siri who answered her question.Wow, you enquired about us pretty quickly. This is what happens when a guy shows up, the sisters get left behindSiri, cut it out, okay?As soon as Seti interrupted her, Siri cleared her throat with a cough.Everyones fine. The ban had been lifted. I checked on Soe Miri-ssi and the sisters as well.Theres no noticeable aftereffects, and everyones mana is intact. If theres anything, its just a little nosebleed.Siri looked at her other sisters, and they all nodded in agreement.Only then was Seti able to let out a sigh of genuine relief.Thank goodness.She wasnt toote. She and her sisters were finally free from their leash and could finally live as humans.There was no need to say who they owed it all toCheon Yeomyeong, the Chosen One of my God, my destinysMy destinysFeeling embarrassed, Seti couldntplete the sentence in her thoughts, Much less bring herself to say it out loud.As she lowered her head to hide her reddened cheeks, Yeomyeong approached and extended his hand.Seti, could you take a look at this for a moment?In his palm was a ck crystal, about the size of a thumbnail.Seti alternated her gaze between the crystal and Yeomyeongs face and asked.What is this?Its a remnant of the bans mana. I thought I should keep it just in case.Something left behind by the ban? Seti picked the crystal from Yeomyeongs hand and examined it closely.There was nothing special about the pitch-ck crystal that absorbed all light in particr.Although it did feel somewhat unsettling and familiar that was all.So, do you feel anything from it?No, nothing.Hmm, then I guess its just a regr crystal.As the two were examining the crystal closely, suddenlyCrackle! A red spark shot out from the crystal.Seti instinctively tried to gather her mana, but Yeomyeong was quicker.He snatched the crystal from her and pushed her away protectively.Whats happening, Unnie? Are you okay?As her sisters rushed over with worried looks, the crystal continued emitting red sparks.Are you alright?Seti asked anxiously, her gaze fixed on the glowing crystal in his hand.Im fine. It just stings a bit.Do you sense anything from it?Nothing unusual Hmm, wait a second.Yeomyeong squinted and examined the crystal again. He even clenched his fist and infused it with mana.After fiddling with the crystal for a while, he finally understood the nature of the sparks, causing him to furrow his brows.This crystal is receiving mana from an external source.From the outside?Yeah, itsing from somewhere pretty close. Is it magic? I feel like Ive sensed this mana before but I cant remember when exactly.Can I take a look again?Instead of replying, Yeomyeong handed the crystal to her.Looking serious, Seti epted the crystal and began inspecting its mana.Just as he had said, the source of the prickly sparks was manaing from outside the dormitory.If there was anything peculiar, it was that the mana felt incredibly familiar to Seti.How could she ever forget it? It was the mana that belonged to the shepherds who had her and her sisters tied on a leash.This really is a remnant of the ban.On hearing Seti muttered this while fiddling with the crystal, Yeomyeong looked at her, asking for an exnation.The mana this crystal just received was the same spell the shepherds use when they invoke the ban.What? ThenSo, it means that theyre close enough to trigger the ban. I guess theyre pretty mad because I didnt answer their call.She snickered as she fiddled with the crystal.Even her sisters, who had reached close enough by now, were giving her puzzled looks, but Setis mind was already filled with ns on how to use the crystal.A crystal that lets me know when and where they pull the leash.And if she used it well, she could give that bitch who came to the academy an unforgettable night.With a sly grin, Seti asked Yeomyeong.Yeomyeong, the Korean teacher candidates who arrived at the academy today do you think they got their permits? Or did they sneak in illegally?Hmm, probably thetter?Then they cantin if theyre mistaken for terrorists, right?Realizing what she was implying, Yeomyeong shook his head.Its going to be quite the night.
* * *Within the darkness surrounding the first-year girls dormitory, where even the sound of wind was absent, a masked man and two masked women were chanting a spell in silence.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omA horrid spell that provoked a ban, breaking the targets will and inflicting unbearable pain.Just the knowledge about this spell alone was enough to drag anyone before the International Court for Magical Affairs, yet neither the man nor the women who were using the spell showed a hint of guilt or hesitation.If anything, they were feeling a certain unease at this very moment, even if it were not exactly the same.Why were they still holding on? They would probably be killed at this rate.Shouldnt this be enough?Eventually, the masked woman stopped chanting and spoke up.Her superior, who had been ring at the dormitory, turned to her.Not yet. Keep going until they contact us.But it could cause permanent damage if we go any further. It doesnt matter how strong the ck Sheep is, its impossible to endure the ban for this long.It was a perfectly reasonable point, but the superior paid no heed.The Green Sheep can heal her.The Green Sheep isnt the Saintess. And if it leads to a brain hemorrhage, even the ck SheepHer words were cut off.She could see the madness glistening in her superiors eyes.It doesnt matter.If we need to break one half-wit sheep who has lost her sanctity to rekindle the embers of patriotism in the other three, then thats how we shall proceed.The superiors words were firm.Keep going.Without any further objections, the woman resumed chanting. After all, she wasnt the one in charge of this operation.All she could do was offer a brief condolence for the ck Sheep, who was throwing her life away in a futile act of rebellion.May you be born a patriot in your next life.As the spell continued, suddenlyZzzzzziiiing!Her military-grade phone began to ring.It was an unfamiliar number, but it wasnt hard to guess who the caller was.Only the livestock from the ranch knew this number.The masked woman picked up the phone and answered the call. Immediately, a familiar voice spoke from the other end.- This is the Red Sheep. I repeat! This is the Red Sheep!It was the fourth of the sheep sisters, Oh Siri. When her voice came through, the superiors gaze shifted to the phone.Im listening. You better have a good reason for contacting us thite.- W-Well we have a problem.A problem?- Our Unnie our Unnie has been kidnapped.What are you talking about?Kidnapped? Even therge-build man chanting beside her furrowed his brows and listened closely to the phone.- W-We couldnt do anything. That lunatic attacked Unnie all of a sudden andWait. Exin clearly. Who is this lunatic?- T-That bastard! The one who just transferred to the academy with the SaintessCheon Yeomyeong.The superiorpleted the sentence, narrowing her eyes behind the mask.Tell us in detail. Why did he kidnap the ck Sheep?- W-We dont know the exact reason. All we know is that hes been following Unnie around recentlyEveryone fell silent as they tried to process the unexpected situation. So, theck of response to the ban was because of this?- P-Please, save Unnie. We dont know what hes doing to her right nowThe sound of sobbing could be heard from the other end of the phone. Siris voice was filled with desperation that could easily stir sympathy, but the superior only frowned and curtly spoke about her own concerns.Do you know his location?- All we know is that Blue Sheep managed to follow him to the park in the northern area of the dormitory. We couldnt go any further than thatUnderstood. Where are all of you now?- W-Were all in the dormitory. The Blue Sheep is injured, and the Green Sheep is healing herUnable to continue speaking, the Red Sheep broke into sobs once more.The superior thought for a moment before rying orders to Siri on the other end of the phone.Leave the dormitory immediately ande to the chestnut tree on the west side. Ill be waiting.- W-What about Unnie? What are you going to do about her?Well deal with it. Ending the call.- W-Wait!Ignoring Siris protests, the masked woman cut the call.Ignoring the repeated callsing from the same number, she turned to her superior.What will you do, Maam? If the ck Sheeps virginity isThe superior pulled a whip from her waist and responded.Dont worry about that. This is actually a great opportunity.A great opportunity?Yes. Well use the ck Sheep as bait to lure Cheon Yeomyeong to our country.The masked man and woman were speechless. Did she really juste up with that n in such a short span of time?Upon further deliberation, it was a rather clever strategy. Using a sheep who had lost her wool to gain a future national asset?They could get the seed and rid themselves of a nuisance at the same time. From a national standpoint, it was an ideal trade.Ill head to the scene first. The two of you can follow me after you join up with the sheep.The superior immediately turned away from the dormitory and sprinted north.The two watched her figure recede, before moving to the ce where they were supposed to meet the sheep.It wasnt far from their hiding spot near the dormitory.However, an unexpected guest greeted the masked man and woman at the ce where arge chestnut tree stood.Just the two of you, huh?It was the golden-eyed transfer student their superior was supposedly chasing after.The one who was supposed to have kidnapped the ck Sheep looked at the two with a cold smile.This is perfect.
Chapter 98: There Is No Teacher For Fate (9)
Chapter 98: There Is No Teacher For Fate (9)* * *Middle of the night at the Academy, where moonlight scattered as it mingled with the streetlights.As the woman known as the third shepherd, identified by the numbers 10-11-16, sprinted through the darkness, only one young man upied her mind.Cheon Yeomyeong.The savior of Manchuria, the Dragon Rider, the first andst transfer student of Lord HoweTo the South Korean government, he was truly an enigma.A genius who appeared out of nowhere, seemingly having fallen from the heavens.He did note from any notable family nor did he have a prestigious background nor was he part of the governments Superhuman project.Born into the lowest of circumstances, just like so many others, he was just someone who barely managed to graduate high school through a GED after bouncing from one orphanage to another.Even the government agents charged with tracking him down couldnt believe how ordinary his past was.And no matter how many times they looked into him, there was nothing special about Cheon Yeomyeongs life.They even traced his lineage due to his unusual eye color only to discover that he was a descendant of a farmer who had illegally crossed the Dimensional Portal several decades ago.In the end, the government could only reach one conclusion about Cheon Yeomyeong.A monster who just happened to be born with talentIt was an unbelievable reality, but the reality nheless.While the powers outside the academy still had their doubts, the South Korean government did not.It would have been even more unbelievable if they did. After all, they knew exactly how many pig-heads and cow-heads he had killed in Manchuria.It was a tragedy among fellow KoreansThe third shepherdmented as she recalled her fallen colleagues.Did Cheon Yeomyeong even know?Did he know that the pig-headed men he killed werent monsters, but patriots whoid down their lives for the country?He probably didnt, just as he didnt know what the Korean public was calling him.Tsk.The third shepherd clicked her tongue as she thought about the current happenings in South Korea.As she darted through the academy, searching for the ck Sheeps trail, recent events from just a few days ago shed through her mind.
* * *Back in Korea, Cheon Yeomyeong had be so famous that there was no one who didnt know his name.Of course, it was only natural. He was the Superhuman who saved Manchuria with the help of the Saintess, and he was Korean.Not only did the so-called tabloids peddle the news with an excessive patriotic ir, but even major media outlets iming to be the true voice of the nation profited from articles about him.And the public hungrilypped up those articles.After all, the tant story of a hero was far more appealing to them than the grim tales from Manchuria.However, news about Cheon Yeomyeong didntst more than a few days.To begin with, there wasnt much to report about, and with him already at the academy, they had no way to extract fresh news either.However everything changed the moment the military got involved.Angered over losing the dragons bones, the military went out of their way to downy Cheon Yeomyeongs achievements.They imed that it was the Sonjuk Mercenary Group and the Saintess who defeated the dragon, and that Cheon Yeomyeong was merely a figurehead.Even though Cheon Yeomyeongs transfer to the academy made their ims irrelevant, the military refused to back down.At some point, some even went as far as to assert that Cheon Yeomyeong should enlist.It was likely an attempt to save face and sway public opinion, but instead, the public directed their fury on the military.- Is the military trying to create another Jeon Yongseop?- Why force a student whos going to study at the academy to enlist?- What if he defects to the U.S. or France like the other superhumans?Pleased with this shift in public sentiment, politicians and Koreas Superhumanmunity stepped forwards.It was a perfect opportunity to criticize the military, which was stubbornly clinging to its power even after the dictatorship ended.They didnt didnt let this opportunity slip by and spoke fervently.They argued that South Korea must do its best to keep Cheon Yeomyeong and even used the military of suppressing a future Superhuman due to budgetary concerns.Though these were the usual empty political instigations, due to the trauma caused by Jeon Yongseop and his son, Jeon Yunseong, the public and media fervently agreed with them.After all, it had only been a little over a decade since Jeon Yongseop, along with the statement that Korea was a wretched country, became a naturalized citizen of the United States.And just a few yearster, his son, Jeon Yunseong got the better of Koreas next generation of Superhuman rising stars.To the public, Cheon Yeomyeong was nothing less than a hero sent by the heavens to revive Koreas Superhumanmunity.A hero who would retaliate against those despicable Americans and traitors and restore Koreas dignity on the global stage.Not ones to miss the chance to cash in on this public sentiment either, the politicians made grand, empty promises.Their eloquent words made it seem like Cheon Yeomyeong was already Koreas representative Superhuman, a patriot who had gone to the academy to find a means to defeat Jeon Yunseong.Of course, as usual, the expectations of the public and the promises made by politicians never turned into reality.While the official excuse was that Cheon Yeomyeong is at the academy, the real reason was something else entirely.The reality was that Korea had neither the resources nor the means to entice Cheon Yeomyeong.Offering martial arts training or elixirs, as was done with other Superhumans, was out of the question from the start.Rumor had it that the dwarf chaebols from Chicago across the ocean were supplying him with dragon bones, treasures, and all sorts of elixirs.No one knew why the dwarves were going that far, but the South Korean government couldnt match them, if only for the sake of fairness.If material wealth was out of reach, they could have at least tried to offer power and honor, but even that paled inparison to what foreign countries could provide.Especially countries like France or the U.S., which were particrly obsessed with Superhumans, could offer exemptions and honors beyond what South Korea could provide.In the end, all Korea could do was rely on Cheon Yeomyeongs patriotism.But neither the government nor the politicians dared to speak of such a thing.What if Cheon Yeomyeong, who had no family in Korea, publicly rejected them at the mere mention of patriotism?After all, politicians were practical people above all else.Instead of chasing the impossible, they devised a more realistic n.- Before he graduates from the academy, well use him to stir public opinion, then after graduation, have him naturalized in France instead of the United States.In order to preserve the equillibrium, they nned to split the two Korean-born geniuses between France and the United States, rather than letting the detestable United States have them both.It wasnt the best solution, but it was free from risks.Even the patriots under the governments wing did not object to this n.After all, they, too, were unable toe up with a better idea.However now that they were at the academy, wasnt there a more enticing bait to keep Cheon Yeomyeong around?Honey trap.It was a really simple idea that no one had thought of.Well, it was mostly because they had assumed that it wouldnt work on Cheon Yeomyeong, especially since he was constantly apanied by the beautiful SaintessIn the end, it doesnt matter how much of a genius he is, hes still a man.For the first time in a while, the third shepherd smiled.She finally spotted the traces she had been desperately searching for at the end of her gaze as she brought her Flying Kick technique to a halt.Signs of a fierce struggle and a torn piece of cloth.Upon closer inspection, it seemed that the cloth was part of a school uniform skirt. This was undoubtedly the ck Sheeps clothing she had been looking for.Thats good, the Red Sheeps report was true.The shepherd felt a sense of satisfaction as she realized the n was unfolding ording to her expectations and moved on towards the next trace.The first was the hardest to find, but the rest followed easily.Beyond the unlit path, more torn clothing was scattered along the way.A discarded sock, a single shoe, a skirt ripped in half, a broken bra, and thenA piece of paper?The third shepherd furrowed her brow as she picked the paper. Tiny letters, visible only on using mana, were scrawled across it.
Idiot
The moment she squinted and read the content of the noteN?v(el)B\\jnnWhoosh!A giant hammer cut through the air, aimed directly at her head.
* * *Cheon Yeomyeong.As Yeomyeong brushed the dust and got to his feet, the masked man with arge build spoke up.Did you set this trap knowing well who we are?The sound of teeth grinding reached Yeomyeongs ears.Yeomyeong nced at the man briefly, then drew a dulled, student-training sword as he responded.A shepherd, right?I was wondering what came after the horse-head but it turns out that youre just a human?The information he was spouting wasnt merely at the level of a tip-off from the sheep.This meant that he hadnt just killed the shepherds in Manchuria out of ignorance.Number 9, stall for time. Ill try toe up with a strategy.The bulky man murmured to his masked colleague.Whats about the n?Its a failure. Eliminate the opponent and escape as quickly as possible.As soon as he finished speaking, the masked woman drew a pistol from her waist and shot at Yeomyeong.Bang!The sound of the gunshot, sharp and without hesitation, pierced the dark of night as Yeomyeong sprang into action at the same time.The Flying Kick technique?!Though she was startled, the woman didnt stop shooting. Consecutive gunshots echoed, and one bullet miraculously managed to graze Yeomyeongs cheek.A burst of light erupted from Yeomyeongs hand as a long wound appeared on his cheek.sh!Thanks to her heightened superhuman senses and a rough understanding about the technique Yeomyeong was using, the woman barely managed to survive.As soon as she saw the light, she discarded her gun and leaped to the side, escaping at the cost of her left arm instead of her neck.Keuaaaack!ck blood, different from that of a human, gushed from the severed arm.Yeomyeong didnt allow his enemy to catch their breath. Gripping his sword, he charged at the masked man who was preparing something at the back.Stop, you traitor!The masked woman blocked his path.Move aside.His indifferent voice wasced with killing intent. He extended his left hand, which wasnt holding the sword, created a hand de and swung it.The swing was closer to a punch than a sword technique, and the result was simr. The Sword Aura emitted by his hand passed through the womans body.Whoosh!Blood sttered as her body was flung through the air. Paying her no heed, Yeomyeong brought down the sword he held in his right hand at the man.Aiming for the head, he swung the sword with the intention of ending it in one strike.But just before the sword could split the mans head in two, something covered his head and shed with the sword.!It wasnt the sound of a sword meeting flesh. Rather, it was a deafening sh of mana against mana.As the thunderous noise echoed, Yeomyeong stepped back. He squinted and said.So, that thing is detachable?Kre-ah-ack!Instead of answering, the mans head, now transformed into a horses head, unleashed a deafening cry.The transformation didnt end there. Red light poured out from his eyes, drool dripped from his mouth, and his lower body began to swell grotesquely.Soon, his shoulder bones began to tremble violently as two hands emerged after tearing through his shoulder joints.Hands covered in hideous toenails, not at all fitting with the horses head.Cheon Yeomyeong! You are a treacherous traitor to your country!The transformed figure spoke in a chilling voice that sounded like it came from hell.Today! You shall pay for THE BLOOD OF THE PATRIOTS youve And before the horse-headed man could finish, Yeomyeong thrust his sword at his neck.Taken aback, the man swung his hands to block the sword and yelled.You you bastard!Yeomyeong had been patient enough to wait until his transformation wasplete. Why should he wait for that guy to be done with his speech as well?He swung his mana-enchanted sword and hand de simultaneously, driving them into the horse-headed man.It was a cautious approach, in case he could unleash magic like the horse-headed man in Manchuria, but that man didnt use any magic at all.Instead, he swung the two arms protruding from his shoulders, aiming for Cheon Yeomyeongs head, andshed out with his grotesquely erged lower body.So this guy is the type to use physical power.Yeomyeong deflected the arms with his sword and struck the knee with the edge of his hand de.The de of mana carved deep wounds into his flesh, but the man ignored the pain and continued to attack.A reckless assault relying on his Regeneration ability. Positioning his sword in line with the swinging arms, Yeomyeong turned that reckless attack against him.sh!As the horse heads arm was severed, ck blood poured over Yeomyeongs head. There were no screams, no gasps of awe. The two men struck each others bodies, conserving even their breath.Three of the mans hands met the sword swung horizontally in immediate counterattacks.Yeomyeong countered with his hand de, severing another arm.The man raised his knee, and Yeomyeong immediately mmed it with the pommel of his sword, shattering the kneecap and bending the swords pommel.And the next moment, the sword wobbled.Having lost two arms and one leg, the horse-headed mans gaze grew even more intense.Die!He extended his neck, letting out onestst breath. The grotesquely protruding teeth lunged at Yeomyeongs throat.Instead of retreating, Yeomyeong advanced a step further.Tossing the damaged sword aside, he gathered mana in both hands and stabbed at the mans neck.Just as his hand des embedded themselves in the mans neck, the horse-headed mans teeth sank into Yeomyeongs neck.Keugh, blood poured from both of them simultaneously. However, only ck blood flowed.H-howThe horse-headed man choked, spitting out blood, and then his teeth btedly fell as they failed to prate Cheon Yeomyeongs flesh.Demonic Art?Before he could utter hisst words, Yeomyeongs hand pierced the horse-headed mans lower jaw.And what reflected in his eyes as his life slowly drained away, was a heat haze shimmering around Yeomyeongs body.
Chapter 99: There Is No Teacher For Fate (10)
* * *You know, whenever I kill you guys, a certain phrasees to mind asionally.Yeomyeong muttered as he pushed aside the lifeless body of the horse-headed man.Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.Drenched in ck blood with a blue haze surrounding him, he looked like a monster straight out of a nightmare.Who said that again? I think it was a certain writer, but I cant quite remember who.His gleaming eyes beneath his tangled hair turned toward a certain spot beneath the chestnut tree.Hmm do you happen to know who said that?The masked woman, Number 9, whoy bleeding on the ground, gasped for breath as she responded.You crazy bastardThats not an answer to my question.Yeomyeong extended his hand de as he slowly walked towards her.With every step, ck blood dripped down, leaving a trail behind.The squelching sound of footsteps echoed throughout the ground, and fear filled Number 9s eyes as she watched him draw closer.As Yeomyeong came to a halt, she raised her head.His golden eyes, filled with an emotionless killing aura, resembled those of a butcher ughtering livestock.Number 9 suppressed her trembling body and spoke.T-the government they will never forgive youOf course, they shouldnt. I have no intention of forgiving them either.Yeomyeong raised his hand. And just as he was about to strike Number 9s head ?He felt a foreign gazeing from above his head and swung his arm upward, scattering Sword Aura.sh!A crude Sword Auraunched his hand de sliced through the air, cutting the chestnut tree branch overhead.Leaves fluttered, and the branch fell to the ground.Amidst the light green leaves, something ck was pping its wings.A crow?The thing flying above the chestnut tree was not the crows Yeomyeong was used to.A crow, almost as big as an eagle, emitting mana?After pigs, cows, and horses, its a crow?Yeomyeong immediately inspected his remaining mana and distanced himself from the tree.This wont be easy.He might have had a chance if he had been in peak condition, but he had used the Golden Seal and fought back-to-back battles, and no longer possessed a weapon.On the other hand, the opponent was skilled enough to conceal their presence from Yeomyeongs senses.Of course, Yeomyeong didnt think about defeat. He still had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, including the Handle of Uragan and the Invisibility Cloak.If things got too difficult for him, he even had the option of fleeing to the girls dormitory.The only hup was that he had promised Seti to meet outside the academy againIll fight with the intent to kill, and if that doesnt work, Ill escape.Having made up his mind, Yeomyeong wiped the blood off his face and calmed his ragged breathing.As the mana of the Surging Wave technique coursed through his muscles and veins, Yeomyeong began making his final preparations whenThud!The crownded on the ground with enough force to hollow out the ground, scattering grass and dirt around.Yeomyeong took a stance, preparing to counter the attack. However, what the crow did next was a little different from what he was expecting.The bird neither charged at him nor cast any magic. It simply began trembling all over.After enough time to blink a few times, Yeomyeong finally realized what was happening.Is this bastard transforming as well?Unlike with the horse-headed man earlier, he had no time to wait this time. Yeomyeong immediately swung his hand de to release a Sword Aura.Or rather, he was about to.However, the moment he sensed the mana flowing out from the transforming crows body, he had no choice but to stop.The mana emanating from it was pure and clear,pletely different from the distorted mana typical of the Shepherd.The only other time he ever felt mana this pure was from Miridith and the World Tree crystal he consumed in Manchuria.Who is this?As Yeomyeong furrowed his brows in confusion, the crows transformation neared its end.Its waist and hips elongated and straightened, resembling a humans, while its wings grew long and sprouted human-like fingers.During this process, its alreadyrge frame grew even bigger, almost reaching eye level with Yeomyeong.And thenThat was it?Yeomyeong tilted his head in confusion, but the transformation didnt proceed any further.He had expected tentacles to sprout out or perhaps a couple more wings to appear, so he was slightly taken aback.The creature stood on two legs and had fingers like a humanhalf-human, half-beast.As far as he was aware, there was only one kind of being like that on Earth.A Beastfolk?
* * *Why was a Beastfolk at the Academy instead of Africa?More importantly, were they a shepherd sent by the Korean government? If notJust as Yeomyeong was about to get lost in his thoughts, the crow suddenly opened their beak.Oscar Wilde.The voiceing from the crows throat was so clear and melodious, it was hard to believe that it wasing from a bird.Since there was no hint of hostility in that voice, Yeomyeong squinted and asked.Oscar Wilde?That is the answer to the question you asked earlier. Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious Oscar Wilde was the person who said that.Oh, do you perhaps not know who Oscar Wilde is? You know, he wrote The Picture of Dorian GrayJust as it seemed that the crows exnation was about to go on for some time, Yeomyeong raised a hand to stop her.He then turned around to check the reaction of Number 9, who was gasping for breath.Number 9s face had a simr look of bewilderment through the mask.This was conclusive evidence that the crow Beastfolk was not a shepherd.However, Yeomyeong still didnt let his guard down as he asked.Why were you watching me?How could I pass by a fight under the moonlight?So you were just watching the fight? Yeomyeong bit his lip to keep himself from grimacing.And as if not noticing Yeomyeongs expression, the crow began a tactless review of the fight.In my opinion, it was a splendid fight! The techniques used were a bit too brutal, but thats just youthful spirit, isnt it? You can refine it over time.Completely unbothered by the blood and corpses on the ground, the crow disying a light and rxed demeanor.This act had helped ease the tension in Yeomyeong that any furtherments seemed unnecessary.Thats enough of the exnationJust as Yeomyeong was about to ask another question to avoid getting involved, the crow beat him to it.By the way, could you tell me the name of your master before you entered the Academy? From your Killing Aura alone, it seems like youve inherited the style of the Dzhugashvili School Sect.Aura? School Sect? Dzhugashvili? Yeomyeong felt a strange sense of dj vu and asked the question he had been holding back.Forget that, first tell me who you are.Ah! My apologies. I was so excited to find a capable person after so long that I got carried away.The crow then made a sharp noise with her beak, simr to someone clearing their throat.My name is Corvus! The Master of Crows, the friend of all who walk the crossroads. Have you heard of me?Oh, you havent. Thats fine. Its not like I lived chasing fame anyway.Corvus? Upon hearing that name, Yeomyeong suddenly remembered the conversation he had with Moryne before rushing to the dormitory and the ck feather she had given him.I know this is sudden, but may I make a suggestion? Actually, I came to the Academy after being invited by Principal Himena Hmm?When Yeomyeong pulled out a ck feather from his pocket, Corvus, who had been chatting excitedly, immediately shut her beak.A brief silence ensued.Nearing her end, Number 9s breathing grew ragged as Corvus spoke up.Where did you get that?I received it from the Blue Rat.As soon as Yeomyeong said that, the crows eyes narrowed.Moryne?The Mother of the Saintess and the President of the Blue Rat information guild. Instead of answering, Yeomyeong nodded.Corvus didnt say anything and raised a hand to scratch her beak. After a moment, she asked in a voice that was softer than before.What did Moryne tell you when she gave you that feather?She seemed to be probing for something from her manner of speaking.There seemed to be a hidden story behind the feather, but that didnt matter to Yeomyeong.Recalling that the time he had promised to meet Seti was getting closer, he shook his head.She told me to be your apprentice. Thats all.Ah So, it is really youWhat about me? Yeomyeong frowned as Corvus began to examine his body rather tantly, but Corvus turned away without saying anything.She was staring at the area around the chestnut tree where Yeomyeong had fought.The horse-headed mans corpse, the ck blood soaking the ground, and the dying Number 9.Corvus seemed to be deliberating over something as she inspected the scene, before suddenly asking Yeomyeong.What excuse do you n on giving the Academy to exin these corpses?Yeomyeong was about to ask her about the intent behind the question but then decided to answer honestly.I was going to say that I engaged inbat with terrorists.Not a bad idea, seeing as they clearly arent authorized to be here, so the Academy wont have a means to refute it HmmCorvus began to deliberate again.Just as Yeomyeong was considering whether to head to Seti, Corvus strode up to Number 9 and suddenly grabbed her by the neck.Thud!Number 9 died instantly without even a scream.As Yeomyeong looked at Corvus, puzzled by the action, Corvus tossed Number 9s corpse next to the horse-headed mans corpse and spoke again.Just tell them that I did this.All of a sudden? Why?It seems like these bastards werent targeting you in particr, so is there any need to reveal your identity?It was an unexpected offer. Yeomyeong thought over it for a moment.What would happen if he imed to have defeated these guys?First, he would need toe up with an excuse for lingering around the girls dormitory at this hour. Following that, hed likely have to move things around the Academy.On top of that, the hostility from the Korean government would be an added burden.He would gain the reputation of having defeated some terrorists, but he already had more than enough reputation in such matters.Because he had already thwarted terrorists more dangerous than these shepherds.Thinking along those lines, it seemed that having Corvus take the me for killing the shepherds would be a wiser choice.If there were any issuesWhy are you doing me this favor? Its not something youd do for a mere apprentice.At Yeomyeongs question, Corvus pointed to the feather in Yeomyeongs hand and said.That feather. Its the feather I plucked after the Saintess saved my life 8 years ago. I swore that if it was a request made with that feather as a token, I would grant anything.Was she reminiscing about the past here? Disregarding Yeomyeongs sudden frown, Corvus continued her exnation.The Saintess did not seek reimbursement, but Moryne received the feather on behalf of the Saintess and told me.She said that if the Saintess finds someone she loves at ater time she will give the feather to that person. And if I wish to repay the favor, I should repay it to him.?What was this about? The Saintess love?As Yeomyeong struggled to grasp reality with his mouth open, Corvus dered with an open beak.
From this moment on, until the love between the two of youes true, I will dedicate everything I have to protect you.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
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Chapter 100: Special Training
The one rolling in the mud will reach the great mountain sooner than the one lying on silk.An old proverb descending from the Deep Tower.
* * *Y-you livestock how dare you!It was a ridiculous statement.How was she still able to say such things when they were at the academy, not a ranch, even after getting the back of her head smashed?It made Seti realize how little the shepherds thought of the sheep all this time.Seti smiled in response.Livestock? Ms. Shepherd, you should be addressing me as cadet or ck Sheep instead.Shut up! I said shut up!The shepherd cursed as she fled.Blood oozed out the back of her head, and having lost her sense of direction, she staggered, but she moved by any means possible to distance herself from Seti.It wasnt a rational decision.If the back of her head hadnt been smashed she would have immediately invoked the ban or fought with her head held high.However, after being ambushed, she was unable to even think clearly, let alone take proper steps.Thud! Her feet tangled after taking a few steps, and she mmed her face into the ground.Keugh!The shepherd struggled to get back up, turning her head toward the sound of footsteps getting closer.Beneath the long shadows of the night, a girl with a hammer drenched in blood approached her leisurely.Seti you filthy wenchThe shepherds hands began to tremble involuntarily.It was inevitable; after all, the blood on that hammer was hers.If youre livestock, then behave like livestock!Remembering the ban btedly, she began to gather mana. And just as Seti reached right in front of herSnap! She snapped her fingers.Kneel!The spell, made from twisted mana, flew towards Setis head, and SetiSimply smirked as she looked down at the shepherd.H-how the ban?In the first ce, would I have even ambushed you if I were afraid of that? Oh, perhaps you didnt think that far because your head is cracked?As the shepherds face turned grim, Seti pulled something from her coat.A ck crystal slightlyrger than a thumbnail.Was it a magic tool that absorbed the spell making up the ban? Or was it something else? She had no way of knowing, but one thing was certain.The sheep had broken free from her leash.Seti, you treacherous w-!Before she couldplete her sentence, the hammer came flying.Crack! Along with a disturbing sound, the shepherd lost sensation in her leg.Instead of screaming, the shepherd began gathering mana with urgency.Think I need to use my head even at times like theseHowever, it was all in vain.Seti knew the shepherd better than the shepherd knew about herself, and she had no intention of giving that woman a chance to counterattack.Thud!She swung the hammer. Tainted ck blood sttered under the moonlight.Seti swung the hammer with precision. Her goal was to inflict as much pain as possible, while making sure that the woman remained alive.Thud!The hammer came down once more. Sweat,den with all sorts of emotions, rolled down her cheeks like tears.Drip, drip.And by the time the dripping sweat reached the pool of blood and created ripplesSeti stopped swinging her hammer. Her blue eyes turned to the shepherd, whoy t on the ground.Was it because she controlled her force? The shepherd could still move her lips.Cough, y-you wench d-do you think youll get away cough, after doing something like this?The shepherd spoke as blood-soaked gasps escaped her lips. Whether due to the pain or her fading consciousness, her words were nearly incoherent.Garbage! Even with three possibilities you were unable to even handle two defective! Thats what you and your sisters are!Martial arts, magic, divinity. The three methods of manipting mana.Seti and her sisters were born with the potential to wield all three, yet they struggled to even use two.Unable toe to terms with reality, the South Korean government pushed the sisters relentlessly, forcing them to master all three methods.Torture, threats, and every repulsive method imaginable.Especially you Seti, youre the worst cough you lost your divinity and all you have left now is martial artsResting her hammer, Seti bent down, and met the shepherds gaze. Her eyes, filled with hatred and disgust, locked with the shepherds.A failure a livestock wench like you your only worth was to be bred, coughTo be bred?Seti suddenly recalled the words from her dreamthe disgustingment about the ranch owner finding her a good ram.She found it absurd back then, but now she realized it wasnt just some nonsensical talk inside a dream.Cough, why do you think we left you and your sisters virginity untouched?Even though the words were meant to insult her and her sisters womanhood, Seti smiled sweetly.Because she realized that this wasnt just the shepherds belief, but the entire South Korean governments as a whole.Ah, so thats the reason you came running here all by yourself! Because the bred animal you never expected to seed brought back a good ram?The shepherd didnt reply.But from her eyes, filled with hatred, Seti knew that she had guessed correctly.Thanks for telling me.Cough w-what?I was wondering how to connect Yeomyeong and the government now Im sure.Yeomyeong? Was Cheon Yeomyeong not just bait to lure her out?W-what does that cough!Just as the shepherd tried to continue speakingThunkSeti stuck her finger into the shepherds temple.Also, youre mistaken about one thing. I never lost my divinity.Even though her head was pierced, the shepherd didnt die instantly. And that fact made her feel an unspeakable terror.The gods abandoned me because I carried out your order to kill the Saintess during the match.A-a uhThe shepherds mouth gaped open, her cry unable to be a scream.Seti looked down at the shepherd as she gathered her mana.But a new god has reached out to me.The shepherd trembled.She realized that Seti was speaking the truth, and the mana flowing through her hands was the evidence.A mana, different from martial arts or magic what People of Religion called a blessing.Far better than the Five Gods. And this One does not discriminate against offerings.N-no, d-dont!Shh.Seti raised her other hand and covered the shepherds mouth.Had the moon turned its gaze as well? At that moment, the light shifted, leaving Setis head in shadow.As the shadows of the night grew longer and enveloped the two of them and Setipleted her blessing, something squirmed in the darkness wormed and made its way into the shepherds mind.Here I offer my first sacrificeThe shepherd who took my sister.With the strange sensation filling her mind, the shepherd screamed.It was a dyed scream.
* * *After leaving the cleanup to Corvus, the crow Beastfolk, Yeomyeong sprinted through the academy for a while.Having arrived ratherte at the meeting spot, he only stopped upon seeing Seti.Seti?She was sitting in the bushes, staring at the moon. Her expression seemed to be one of relief.Oh, youre here? Youre a bitte. I guess the shepherds were pretty strong?No, its not that. Something unexpected came up.Yeomyeong, who had been walking towards Seti, flinched and stopped in his tracks.Was it because of the ck blood pooling around the ce she was sitting? No, that wasnt it.What made him stop was the chair she was seated on.To be exact, it was a masked woman on all fours.Judging by her trembling limbs, it didnt seem like she was dead, but Yeomyeong still couldnt understand why Seti was using her as a chair.Yeomyeong frowned slightly and asked.Whats that?Hmm? What are you talking about?Instead of answering, Yeomyeong gestured to her seat. Seti hesitated for a moment before responding lightly.Oh, this? Its nothing important. Just the shepherd who was chasing me.And thats nothing important?Shes our shepherd from now on, you know.Seti stood up after making a U.S. president-like statement.*Rustle*A faint sound of rustling grass followed.Worried that the shepherd might attack unannounced, Yeomyeong remained alert, but the shepherd didnt move at all.She was like a well-behaved puppet.What did you do to make that shepherd like that?Nothing much I just tampered a bit with the dark magic in her head.Seti answered as if it were nothing.However, using magic to turn a nearly monstrous shepherd into a ve? What kind of spell did she employ?Sensing that Seti was hiding something, Yeomyeong tried to ask her cautiously. Or rather, he was about to ask.However, before his lips could part, Seti had already pulled him into an embrace.Huh?It was an unexpected hug. Unable to push her away or reciprocate the embrace, so he just asked.Seti? Whats going on?Instead of answering, Seti added more strength to the hug and buried her face in Yeomyeongs chest.Yeomyeong could feel Setis breath on his chest. Her breath felt as hot as a dragons to him.Just, for a moment, just a momentCan you stay like this for a while?Her voice was sorrowful, as if she was forcefully suppressing something. Finally, Yeomyeong gave in and embraced Seti, gently stroking her back.However, he still didnt hold her tightly.After all, he was a young man in the prime of his youth, and his body reacted before his mind could.Looking up at the oblivious moon, Yeomyeong silently recited a Buddhist scripture he didnt even know.He kept doing that until Setis mood improved.
* * *The hug didntst long.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omOnly after Yeomyeong had recited the same scripture for about five times did Seti finally speak with a long sigh.Yeomyeong, do you remember our n?Of course, I do.The n was for Yeomyeong to gather government officials in one ce after garnering enough fame, and then take them all down in one sweep.Do you think we can still go through with it?Setis question wasced with deep fearthe fear that he might have changed his mind.Yeomyeong understood her fear.When they first made the n, he was nothing more than Dung beetle, dreaming only of revenge. He had neither the time nor the heart to consider any other future.But what about now? He had be Cheon Yeomyeong. There was a news article about him every other day, and everyones eyes were on him.And if he wanted to, he could simply abandon Dung Beetles revenge and choose a future as Yeomyeong.That was Setis biggest fear.What if he no longer desired revenge? Would he abandon it in favor of a brilliant future?It was a natural, valid concern.However, Yeomyeong dispelled all of her fears with a single answer.I never nned on stopping until Ive killed every single one of the bastards I need to kill.On the contrary, youre the one Im worried about.Me? Why?Youre now freed from the ban. You and your sisters can just run away to another country instead of pursuing revenge.As soon as he finished speaking, Seti pursued her lips without saying a word, as if asking how he could say such a thing.Her expression was enough for him.Yeomyeong smiled softly and took Setis hand, which had been resting on his waist.Though it had a few callouses, her hands were soft and beautiful as always.You havent forgotten our deal, right?Deal?You help me, and Ill help you. But we dont risk our lives for each other.The words from the moment they first joined hands.The original promise; buried deep within their memories.Like a m caught with a pearl, Seti fluttered her lips before clenching them shut.A brief silence ensued. And before that silence got too long, Seti cautiously opened her mouth.Yeomyeong, um, about the nHm?I found a way to use the government. Thats why I kept that shepherd aliveto use her for that n.She hesitated for a moment before continuing, stumbling over her words.That shepherd ordered me to seduce you.A sigh.Yeomyeong, the n is to uh, make it seem like youve fallen for me.A deep breath.So that South Korea believes they have control over you its that kind of n.Seti couldnt go on beyond that. Her words trailed off, and her gaze turned awkward.Yeomyeong watched her silently, before responding with a small smile.So, were going to pretend like Ive fallen for a honey trap?Hearing the words she uttered with embarrassment reduced to a single sentence, Seti could no longer hide her expression.It was a strange look, neither a smile nor a frown.Resisting the urge to touch her trembling lips, Yeomyeong released the hand he was holding.Hmm lets just stop here.Huh? Stop what?Any more, and we wont just be breaking curfew; well be staying out all night.Even if he had the Invisibility Cloak, thered be no excuse for that.After Yeomyeong added this, Setis face turned bright red as she btedly understood what he meant.It was an expression even her sisters had never seen before.
* * *Fortunately, the two didnt stay out all night, though they did break curfew by about three hours.
Chapter 101: Special Training (2)
* * *The man woke up within a dream.What greeted him was a cityscape filled with towering buildings and people.Well-maintained roads and numerous cars, coffee houses beneath skyscrapers, men heading to work, elderly with thetest smartphones and canes, tired working mothers, and the rosy cheeks of children holding their mothers hands.It felt as if this scene woulde alive at any moment, but this was not realityit was a dream.Everything within the mans line-of-sight remained still.Everything in this world was frozen, like a still frame from a movie.This is not a high-level dream. Is it that urgent?After observing the scene for a moment, the man rose from his spot.There was neither surprise nor fear. After all, this wasnt the first time he encountered such a dream.The one who summoned me must be in the east.He walked past the frozen people and headed toward the eastern part of the city.After crossing a frozen crosswalk and traversing various roads while disregarding the traffic.He soon arrived at his destination; a beach that didnt seem to fit in with the cityscape.The first thing that caught his eye was the vast horizon, as wide as the sea, but this was not the sea.It was Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes in America, the heart of Chicago, and the location of the massive Dimensional Portal known as the Chicago Dimensional Portal.The man stood on the beach, taking in the view of theke.To be precise, he was looking at the shimmering Dimensional Portal hovering over a massive artificial ind created by dwarves.In a dream where everything was frozen, only the Dimensional Portal was alive and moving.[What took you so long?]And as soon as he gazed at the Dimensional Portal, he heard a voice from beyond. It was a remarkably loud voice, as if thunder itself were speaking.You summon me without warning in a dream, and thats the first thing you say?Seeing the man speak while frowning, the Dimensional Portal emitted light, as if to justify itself.[It was urgent. There wasnt any time to exin.]Urgent, huh? Well then, exin just how urgent it was.Hearing the man speak as if he wanted to see for himself, the voice from beyond the Dimensional Portal responded weakly.[Its useless.]Useless?[Its already toote.]Realizing that the situation was more serious than expected, The man frowned deeply as he repeated his question.As your contractor, Imand you to exin what iste and how. At this very moment.The voice beyond the Dimensional Portal did not respond. Instead, an invisible force grabbed hold of the man.What is this about?[Ick the skill to exin in your humannguage. So, its better if you see for yourself.]What did he have to see for himself??As soon as the man began to ponder over the question, his body was lifted into the sky at such speed that when he looked below, both Chicago and Lake Michigan had be as tiny as a fingernail.At least tell me the destination before dragging me as you wish.Although something like this would usually cause panic, the man inquired calmly. Leaving the American continent behind, he was now crossing the Pacific Ocean.Only after the Australian continent began to appear in the distance did the voice finally answer.[We are heading to a ce the Earthians call Lord Howe Ind.]Lord Howe? The man rubbed his chin as he thought of the academy.What sort of trouble could have urred in a ce that was perfectly fine until this morning?Before he could contemte any further, the invisible force set him down on the ground.Once his feet touched the ground, the man instinctively understood that he was on Lord Howe Ind.After all, not many ces in this world had potential so immense that it could distort the dream world.[Can you see it?]The voice inquired. The man shook his head.No, the potential makes it nearly impossible to see anything.The man narrowed his eyes and scanned his surroundings.It didnt matter how hard he concentrated, all he could see were the blurred outlines and a blend of colors that looked like a childs doodling.This was expected. Just like gravity, the stronger the potential, the more it absorbs and distorts the surrounding dream.[Sheesh, humans.]The voice watching him suddenly infused an unseen force into the man.Its purpose was simple: to offset the surrounding potential and illuminate the mans vision.Enduring the sudden surge of power, the man peered ahead.[Can you see it now?]Yes, its a bit clearer now.The first thing that came into view was a grassy area that was probably on the outskirts of the academy, with a man and woman sitting side by side.He couldnt see them clearly due to the distorted outlines, butA dark night, a man and a woman sitting close together and their face touching what they were doing was obvious.[What do you think? Even now, you still need toe up with a n.]Unlike the man, whose tension had eased upon seeing that, the voice remained extremely serious.The man sighed and responded.All I see is some promiscuous brats locking lips in the middle of the night.[]What sort of a n should Ie up with for a pair of kids making out? Should I supply breath fresheners to the academy? Or condoms?As soon as he replied sarcastically, the voice infused even more power into the mans body.[Look closer.]Whoosh!This time, with enough power to shake the dream, the man was able to see what was invisible before.A small bead of light sparkling above the heads of the man and woman.Potential? To be visible to the eye, that.[With that level of potential, calling it fate would not be an exaggeration.]As the voice stated, if the inherent potential was visualized in the dream, it would not be surprising to call it fate.Just as heavy gravity would create a ck hole that absorbed everything, such potential would also absorb everything around it.Is it Yunseong? No, it doesnt look like YunseongThe man stared at the two carefully, trying to identify them.However, even with how strong the light of fate was, the faces of the two people, turned away from the orb, were still shrouded in darkness.[The identity of those two is not important. What matters is the orb. Take a closer look at it.]Following the voicesmand, the man squinted and stared directly at the glowing orb. After a moment, he noticed something unusual.[Can you see it?]Yes, I can see it.The orb was not a single entity. It was more like two orbs, with one protruding side, had fused into one.There are only a handful people with such a fate and now one of them has fused into the other? This is the first time I have evere across something like this. Have you checked who absorbed whom?[No. By the time I noticed the anomaly, one side had already absorbed the other.]The man furrowed his brows. Just as the trials were about to begin, an event like this had already urred.We might need to start over.The man uttered words ofment or perhaps a sigh. He then turned his head to look in the direction of the voice.I think we cane up with a n only after we figure out the identities of the two. Theres still time, so first, lets get a good look at their facesThe sentence hung in the air. His sensesmore precisely, the power imbued by the voice reacted to something.Silence descended upon the frozen dream world. It was asting silence.Who are you?Unable to endure it, the man spoke. Vast information,parable to that of a library, swirled in his mind.At this time, in this ce, the only beings capable of causing something like this were at mostMara? Or Maoran Lerac?There was no response. Was the entity contemting after being exposed, or was it merely a bluff?As the man pondered and took a step back.Thud.He bumped into something.A chilling sensation he had rarelye across.The man looked up cautiously and saw a colossal shadow looming over him.A-ack!Just as the man was about to scream on recognizing the entity.
Shh.N?v(el)B\\jnn
The entity mimed cing a finger over their lips. One simple gesture was enough to make the dream waver and seal the mans mouth.
This is the moment my Chosen One first ims their fate.This isnt a moment trivial enough for something like a Repeat Sign to sneak a peek.So, forget everything youve seen here.
Unable to respond, the man had already awakened from the dream.And, like with most dreams, he could not remember what the dream was about.
* * *The morning in the first-year dormitory was surprisingly quiet. With none of the loud reveille calls or usual bustle of students.The ones with good stamina or the light sleepers had already left for the training rooms, and Mage Apprentices began their morning meditation even before the dormitory head made their rounds.To an outsider, it would have looked like the epitome of a top-tier academy. However, the reality was somewhat different.Special training.All this diligence was because of the new curriculum announced by the principal just a few days ago.To be honest, the students were rather indifferent when the announcement was first made.Well, unless there was a problem with its regr curriculum, why would they make this sudden change? After all, the academy had been renowned for decades.Hence, bringing in external teachers now seemed like just a way to make a show of it.At least that was what they thought until they saw the list of invited teachers.The moment the list of external guest teachers was revealed, the students attitudes took a 180-degree turn.- Seva Lermontov? The Infinite Flow teacher ising here?- Joanna Thule?! Didnt this person retire from the Holy Knight a while back?- Its Michele! Its Michele from the Michele Calctions!Not only graduates who made a name for themselves, but even retired, former well-known figures, and even renowned schrs were drawn by the academys reputation.Upon seeing the list of invited teachers, the students began to eagerly anticipate the start of the special sses, as if it had always been the case.And seeing how they tantly passed the time during the temporary ss, openly discussing whose ss they would attend, there was nothing more to say.However, such expectations did notst long.The day the special ss application forms were distributed, the students were made aware of a shocking fact.It would not be the students choosing teachers but rather, the teachers choosing students for the special sses.Only a few students, who had some idea about the political situation surrounding the academy, realized what was happening.The principal was rallying her force, and the special sses were merely a pretext.However, most students, unaware of the political context, interpreted the situation differently.This was now an never-endingpetition, where only the most outstanding students would be chosen by the best teachers.- Does this mean that only students who are worth being picked will be selected?- The Principal is sharpening her sword!- Damn, wasnt the entrance exam already over?It was perhaps an inevitable reaction. Except for a lucky few, most of the students had been struggling all their lives to be top-tier individuals.And naturally, a fierce training and studyingpetition began.- Hey! Dont cut in line at the training room, you idiots!- Anyone interested in joining a group purchase of elixirs?- The Vessel is personally recruiting for magic study groups! Please join us!Of course, there were students who took a step back from suchpetition.The Saintess, who needed no further teaching, Jeon Yunseong, who had teachers dispatched directly from the United States, andCheon Yeomyeong.He did not actively participate in the special trainingpetition.He willingly yielded his turn to use the training room and tly rejected study group invitations.Nor did he search for the list of invited teachers.He simply maintained a low profile, making asional appearances at the temporary sses.Most students interpreted his aloof attitude as confidence that he would be chosen by any teacher he desired.And it did make sense, considering he was the one who had yed a major role in the terror incident. His proven skills meant that special teachers were of little concern.And with rumors that some among the invited teachers were openlying to see Yeomyeong, there was no need to say more.However, a very small number of students, those who still looked at the world through rose-tinted sses, had a different opinion.- Isnt he nning to apply to the same teacher as Seti?- Hong Seti? Whats their rtionship?- Cant you tell? Theyve been pretty much inseparabletely.As always, such trivial rumors about romance could not make a significant impact.Whether the two were publicly dating or not, almost everyone was too busy managing their own affairs to pay much attention.However, there was one person who reacted differently. The Saintess who had been praying in the girls dormitorys internal shrine for several days.- I heard that Seti broke curfew a few days ago.- The northern ind is under reconstruction, so it isnt a ce you can visit for fun Or could it be?The moment she overheard the rumors surrounding Seti and Yeomyeong from the female students gathered in the shrine, she stopped praying, packed the Invisibility Cloak, and took her revolver from her room.
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Chapter 102: Special Training (3)
* * *As the sun reached its zenith and students clutched their empty stomachs, the sound of students rushing to the cafeteria made the windows rattle while Yeomyeong sat alone in his room, engrossed in reading.To be precise, he was reading not one, but two notebooks. They were of simr size and their content was identical.Yeomyeongs demeanor as he alternated between the two notebooks, scrutinizing its content, was very serious. Because what they contained was not something to scoff at.Chapter 1: The boss, the Skinwalker Priest, is still alive. Chapter 2 is about to start, and the boss is the elf hunter JuanThe so-called Author, Baonic Lerac, who believed himself to be the creator of this world, had jotted down the information in these notebooks.They contained all sorts of information about the academy and a future that would have be a reality, though it differed slightly from the present reality, if not for Yeomyeong.The future events and the perpetrators behind them, personal histories of certain individuals, and strange fated objects hidden throughout the academy.Among them were pieces of information that seemed almost unbelievable.For example, a dragon hiding in the academys sewers or an elf who would attack the academy during the first-year winter vacation.However, Yeomyeong memorized everything, especially the details about the strange fated objects, which he read and reread to the point of being able to recall it perfectly.Was it to monopolize these strange fated objects? No, it wasnt. To him, these items served as both bait and clues.Clues to find the yer.The yer who was hiding somewhere in Lord Howe Academy.Like Baonic, it was likely that this yer also knew about the numerous strange fated objects hidden in the academy.Given the yers nature, who went as far as to kill people for XP, he would be constantly looking for an opportunity to seize these items.Its also possible that he may have already obtained some of these items.Yeomyeong genuinely hoped so.He hoped that the yer had managed to obtain some of the strange fated objects so he could use the clues of the missing strange fated objects and find him earlier.Just as Yeomyeong flipped through the notebooks with such thoughts in mindCreak.The door, which had been closed shut, creaked open with a small noise.It didnt look like anyone wasing in as there was no one visible beyond the door.However, Yeomyeongs sharp instinctshoned by someone who wore the Invisibility Cloak frequentlypicked up on something crossing the doorway.Was that you passing by, Dormitory Head?Yeomyeong asked, even though he didnt mean it and closed the notebooks with natural movements.He then got up from his seat, pulled out the Invisibility Cloak from his pocket, and tucked it between his side and arm, ready to wear it at any time.Once he was done with his brief preparations and headed toward the door, the invisible visitor did not take any action.And as soon as Yeomyeong shut the door, something cold pressed firmly against the back of his head.Click.The familiar sound of a gun being cocked, the familiar sensationYeomyeong sighed without realizing it and asked.Just to make sure Im not mistaken, you are someone I know, right?
* * *The Saintess nibbled on her lip.N?v(el)B\\jnnHer attempt to ambush him and gain the upper hand had been thwarted way too easily.Had he grown ustomed to these kinds of situations?Even though an invisible gun was pointed at the back of his head, Yeomyeong remained calm.No, he was more than just calm; he seemed to be annoyed.nning to threaten him again, she tightened her grip on the revolver.Of course, it was still useless. Yeomyeong didnt even care as he simply turned his head.Were you even thinking when you snuck into the boys dormitory?Only then did the Saintess realize that she hade to confront Yeomyeong without thinking things through. No, she did have a few thoughts.What did he do with Seti, what exactly was their rtionship, whether the rumors she heard back in the shrine were true, andWhat did he think of her?But she was unable to articte any of those thoughts, only Yeomyeongs voice echoed in the room.If you were caught by the staff, it wont just end with demerits or expulsion. It could even lead to a scandal.A scandal? What kind of scandal?The Saintess asked back, but Yeomyeong didnt answer and simply tilted his head.Facing his sour-faced expression, the Saintess realized that she had asked a foolish question.Hiding in the boys dormitoryif that wasnt scandalous enough, then what was?On top of that, tabloids from all over the world would pounce on a scandal like this.I wont say anything more, so just return the same way you came here.Saying that, Yeomyeong walked past the Saintess.The Saintess briefly stared at Yeomyeongs back as he returned to his desk, before clenching her fists.If it had been any other day, she would have heeded Yeomyeongs advice.However, after being ignored by Seti for the past few days and still in a daze from all-night prayers, the Saintess made a different choice.Stop. Im not done talking.Im really going to shoot. Get back here immediately if you dont want to get shot.With that out-of-ce threat, the Saintesss white hand emerged from the Invisibility Cloak.The revolver in her hand was aimed precisely at Yeomyeongs head, but Yeomyeong could only sigh deeply upon seeing it.Because the revolvers magazine was empty.No, it was actually expected.ording to academy rules, students werent allowed to carry real swords with sharpened des. So how could the Saintess be carrying a revolver loaded with live bullets?And yet, there she was, aiming it at him without even realizingSigh.She must have really lost her mind.Yeomyeong shook his head and spread open the Invisibility Cloak in his hand. It was the very cloak lent to him by the Saintess mother.As he raised his hand, the Saintess thrust the gun forward once again and said.D-does it look like Im joking? Huh? Do you think I wont shoot?Come here! Now! Tell me honestly Huh?And the next moment, Yeomyeong vanished from the Saintess sight.Unable to process what was happening, the Saintess stammered as she looked around.And by the time she btedly remembered the Invisibility Cloak, Yeomyeong had already grabbed her waist from behind and tucked her under his arm.W-Wait!Without giving the stunned Saintess a chance to protest, Yeomyeong lifted her up.L-Let me go! Let me go!The Saintess, floating horizontally mid-air with her waist held, iled and hit Yeomyeongs body.Even in the midst of all this chaos, the fact that she hadnt pulled the trigger suggested she had no intention of shooting him, even though she was not in her right mind.Well, not that it mattered now.With the Saintess still under his arm, Yeomyeong raised his other hand.AndSmack!He smacked her bottom with his palm.The peach hidden beneath the Invisibility Cloak and uniform turned red, and a short scream escaped from the Saintess mouth.Y-You! Whats the meaning of this Kyaaackk!Ignoring what the Saintess yelled, Yeomyeong pped her again.The Foreman used to punish Dung Beetle in the same way back when he was young.Smack!T-This is sacrilege! I said its sacrilege!Smack!W-Wait, wait! Im sorry Aah!Smack!S-Stop heut!Yeomyeong spanked the Saintess buttocks for a while, only stopping when she began sniffling silently.He contemted throwing her out the window in her current state but decided to set her down on the bed instead.After all, he wanted to know the reason behind her bizarre behavior before sending her away.Yeomyeong took off his Invisibility Cloak and spoke to the still-sniffling Saintess.If youve returned to your senses, exin properly now. Why did youe looking for me all of a sudden?You havent attended ss for the past few days either. Have you been drinking or something?Instead of replying, the Saintess took a deep breath as if pondering something before cautiously removing her Invisibility Cloak.Her face beneath the cloak was marked with tear stains and freshly formed snot streaks.Did he hit her too hard? While Yeomyeong turned his head awkwardly, unable to find where to look, the Saintess spoke.Yeomyeong.Yes?Have you broken curfew recently?The moment Yeomyeong heard the word curfew, he understood that the Saintess question was rted to Seti.At the same time, he was puzzled.What kind of rtionship did Seti and the Saintess have that she came straight at him with a gun?Come to think of it, his first meeting with the Saintess mother, Moryne, had been somewhat simr. Was this what they meant by like mother, like daughter?While Yeomyeong was lost in these thoughts, the Saintess reached out and grabbed his hand tightly.Y-You havent broken curfew, right? Have you?Yeomyeong debated whether to lie but decided to tell her the truth.After all, the Saintess had an Invisibility Cloak. She was someone who would scour for the truth even if she had to dig through the dorm attendance records, any half-baked lie would be counterproductive.I have.Yeomyeongs confession shook the Saintess, it looked as if she had been hit on the head with a hammer.After staring nkly with her mouth agape for about 30 seconds, the Saintess finally stammered.Y-Yeomyeong Do you and Seti have that sort of rtionship?That sort of rtionship?A rtionship that leaves footprints in the snow you two dont, right?The direct and blunt question made Yeomyeong suppress a bitter smile.How much embarrassment did she endure to ask that question, which was uncharacteristic of a Saintess?Yeomyeong stifled his sympathy and pulled out the Handle of the Uragan from his pocket.The rod made from a unicorns horn began to emit a brilliant light as soon as it was in Yeomyeongs hand.It didnt utter the usual O Virgin, but that was enough for the Saintess, who couldnt hear the unicorns voice.AhIs this enough?The Saintess nodded. Yeomyeong felt guilty on seeing her flushed cheeks, but he justified it to himself as necessary.Rather than letting the Saintess get caught up in revenge, this was a hundred times better at least, that was what Yeomyeong felt.Are you done with the interrogation? Now, return before lunch ends.However, the Saintess seemed to have other thoughts.Yeomyeong.What now?About the spanking if I behave like a fool again will you spank me again?The sudden confession made Yeomyeongs body stiffen in surprise.Seeing Yeomyeongs reaction, the Saintess gave a timid smile. It was the smile of a winner.Just kidding, youre so sneaky.She covered herself with her Invisibility Cloak and got up from the bed.Yeomyeong was left speechless even after she opened the door and left.He only regained his bearings after hearing the sound of a crow tapping against the window.Tap! Tap! Tap!A huge crow that blocked the entire window.Yeomyeong sighed as he looked at the crows angry expression.
Chapter 103: Special Training (4)
* * *I do not mean to reproach you, but true love must be mindful of the time and ce.That was the first thing Corvus said after she called Yeomyeong outside the dormitory.It is improper for a young man, let alone share a bed, to be in the same room with a woman past marriageable age. Do you understand?Her tone was like that of an adult admonishing a teen.Although every word she uttered was based on a misunderstanding, Yeomyeong listened quietly without refuting her.Anyone would have easily misunderstood the situation from a moment ago: alone with a snot-covered saintess, on the same bed, no less.At least it was a relief that he hadnt been caught spanking the Saintess buttocks. If Corvus had seen that, it wouldnt have ended with just a scolding; he wouldve probably been pecked on the head.Anyway, Yeomyeong waited in silence for Corvus admonishment toe to an end.He intended to clear up the misunderstanding after she had calmed down but contrary to his expectations, Corvus showed no sign of stopping.The Saintess is a great person. To be acknowledged as worthy of her love, you must be a person so great that all her devotees nod in approvalThey often say that love is about oveing challenges together. Considering the hardships and trials the two of you will face in the future, you cannot let yourselves be overwhelmed by mere physical desires.Dry firewoodsts longer than raw wood, and charcoalsts longer than dry firewood. True rtionships are like this; one must endure the fleeting pleasuresCorvus, hold on, just a moment.Unable to bear it any longer, Yeomyeong interrupted Corvus speech and continued before Corvus could say anything.There seems to be a misunderstanding. The Saintess and I are not in that sort of a rtionship.What?The crows eyes widened in surprise, asking him what on earth he was talking about.I think you may have misunderstood because of the feather Moryne, or rather, the Blue Rat, gave me. The Saintess and I are just um, ordinary friends.I should have probably informed youst night, but I was in no condition to do so. I apologize.Was Yeomyeongs exnation that shocking?Corvus remained speechless for a while, her beak opening and closing.It wasnt until the students who had finished their meals began returning to the dormitory did she finally speak again.Then, are you telling me that the Saintess came to see you in the boys dormitory of her own ord?Im not crazy enough to invite the Saintess to the boys dormitory.His answer was straightforward. Corvus then seemed to realize something and snapped her beak shut.So, the Saintess came to meet you in the boys dormitory of her own will. Is that what youre saying?That was another way to interpret it. Yeomyeong brushed his face with his hand and answered.There were circumstances.And those circumstances are most likely rted to you, arent they?WellSeeing Yeomyeong frown a little, Corvus pressed on.Moryne said that she would give the feathers to the one whom the Saintess loves, not to the one who loves the Saintess.And from my perspective this seems to be the exact reason she gave it to you. Though I never expected it to be unrequited love from the Saintess end.Was this how this conversation was going to advance? Yeomyeong shook his head.The Saintess love, my foot.Minor misunderstandings kept piling up into a big one.If he were to exin everything about Seti, the Saintess, and himself, he could clear up Corvus misunderstandingBut then, Corvus would go after Seti, not me.He alone was enough to handle Morynes prank.Yeomyeong sighed and changed the topic.Um, I think we should stop talking about the SaintessTsk, its never unweed to talk about the teachings of loveJust as Corvus was about to reply, Yeomyeong raised his hand to interrupt her.Please check our surroundings. Do you really need to talk about the Saintess here?The surroundings? Corvus tilted her head and nced around, realizing that the area was now filled with first-year students.Some were sneaking nces, others were peering from the dormitory windows, and some were openly staring with curious eyes.And the answer to the question of why was easy toe by.A well-known student from the academy and a giant crow were sitting and chatting in front of the dormitorycould there be a more captivating spectacle after a meal?I see. I must have gotten too absorbed in the topic of love.Im d you realized that now.Yeomyeong responded with a sullen look. It was a face he made because he couldnt bring himself to provoke her.Corvus cleared her throat and took off.For now, follow me.Corvus said while pping her wings. Yeomyeong followed her out of the dormitory in silence.Although the students had their eyes fixed on them, none of them were bold enough to shadow them.In any case, Corvus and Yeomyeong quickly headed to the southernmost tip of the ind.Where are we headed?Theres someone who wants to see you regarding the issues about the ones we dealt withst time. So, were heading to the meeting ce first.So you wasted time talking about the Saintess while someone was waiting for us?Ahem. Once the topic of love advicees up, it needs to be finished properlyLets leave it at that. If you start again, Ill just return to my dorm.After a short exchange of banter, they arrived at a small rest area on the edge of the outskirts.It was a ce for the night patrol guards andndscapers who managed the forest to take a short break.Yeomyeong brushed off the leaves and grass that stuck to him while running and grabbed the doorknob of the rest area.However, just as he was about to open the door, familiar voices could be heard from inside the rest area.- Whats taking them so long? I hope nothing serious happened.A somewhat cold, feminine voice. It was the voice of the silver-haired elf he had met in Incheon.- Well, who on earth is supposed to arrive seeing that theyre sote? Ive never seen a master like this before.The voice of the rat bastard who had attacked Mr. Jang Man, a voice he had heard in Incheon and Manchuria.And as soon as Yeomyeong recognized it, blood rushed to the back of his head.While he took deep breaths to suppress his Killing Aura, thest voice he heard was- Ah, youve finally arrived.It was the very same voice he heard every day over the schools broadcast.
* * *Creak.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//omAs he opened the door and stepped inside, all four pairs of eyes in the rest area turned towards Yeomyeong simultaneously.However, Yeomyeongs golden eyes only fell upon one person.A man with an M-shaped receding hairline and a sharply defined nose, a distinctive figure.The member of Blue Rat who had attacked Mr. Jang Man, Word.As soon as Word saw Yeomyeong enter, his jaw dropped in shock.C-Cheon Yeomyeong? W-What are you doing here?Word. So you remember me. Then you must probably remember the warning I gave you as well.W-Wait a minute! T-Theres a reason for this! Damn it, I didnt evene to the academy on purpose either!Seeing Word desperatelye up with excuses, Yeomyeong was about to channel his mana but clenched his fists instead.Lets stay calm, stay calm.He took a deep breath. Word was indeed someone who deserved to die, but he wasnt significant enough to be killed here and now.The truly important issue at hand wasNice to meet you, Student Cheon Yeomyeong.The voice of a middle-aged woman, sweet and a little bitter like coffee with a generous amount of sugar.Yeomyeong slowly turned his head towards the owner of the voice seated at the head of the table in the rest area.She was a beautiful middle-aged woman with long brown wavy hair and subtle wrinkles that entuated her graceful smile.Although she held various titles and positions, she preferred to be addressed as principalPrincipal Himena.Why was the woman who was supposed to be in the principals office here? As Yeomyeong pondered over this question, she propped her chin on the table and spoke.This is the first time weve met in person..The first andst transfer student. The hero of the first years. How would you like to be addressed?Just Cheon Yeomyeong is fine.Yeomyeong subtly snuck a nce at the male and female escorts standing beside the principal.The silver-haired woman on the left was a familiar face. She was the escort of the elf princess Miridith, whom he had met in Incheon.She was called Rime, if he remembered correctly. With her elven ears hidden, she looked more like a mystical beauty than an elf.And on the right stood someone he waspletely unfamiliar with.A handsome man with short blonde hair, his eyes shut tight as if he were blind.It wasnt clear if he was a staff member or an academy senior, but the air he carried was not to be taken lightly. He reminded Yeomyeong of the Superhuman mercenaries he hade across in Manchuria.As Yeomyeong finished assessing the people in the rest area, the principal smiled and spoke.Alright. Student Cheon Yeomyeong, do you have any idea as to why I summoned you through Corvus?No, I dont.Then do you know about Ms. Rime here?At that moment, the silver-haired elf subtly raised her head and shook it while staring at Yeomyeong. The gesture clearly conveyed her implication.Pretend that you dont know me.Yeomyeongplied.I do not.What about this side, Student Ado?The handsome man with his eyes shut said nothing. He merely nced at Yeomyeong briefly with his eyes still closed.Likewise, I dont know him.This person is the representative ofst years freshmen. He is now in his second year, so he is your senior, Cheon Yeomyeong.A freshman representative?? If someone had the capability to be a representative in a particr department, then they must be quite skilled.But whether he was suited to be an escort for the academys principal was uncertain.Do you know what these two have inmon?Another question followed. Yeomyeong tilted his head and responded.Are you ying 20 Questions with me?Was that bold question unexpected? The principal let out a small chuckle.Ah, I apologize. I didnt realize I sounded like I was back in ss with the students.To get straight to the point, these two are people who came to the academy to escort a specific individual.Escorting a specific individual. Just as Rime was Miridiths escort, was Ado also escorting someone?After quickly processing the information, Yeomyeong asked.I still dont understand. What does this have to do with me?Thanks to Student Cheon Yeomyeong, their charges were able to escape this terror incident unharmed.From the perspective of the academy, we cant thank you enough and these two are also grateful.The principals words wereden with political rhetoric, avoiding the core of the matter. Yeomyeong tried his best to hide his annoyance as he replied.I didnt do what I did to receive your gratitude. So, theres no need to worry about that.Youre also modest on top of that. Youre a far better student than I expected.Saying this, the principal paused for a moment, tapping her fingers against the table.She then slowly opened her mouth.Student Cheon Yeomyeong, our academy has many such important individuals. The Saintess, Promising Talents from various countries, offspring of famous political figuresEven with strict security measures, special teachers, and secret escorts, its not enough to protect everyone. The recent terror incident is a prime example.Yeomyeong recalled the Authors notes Baonic had used. Had there been a simr incident?There hadnt been.While quantity is important when ites to escorts, quality is crucial as well. And its all the better if they are skilled, belong in the same year, and are specially invited teachers. Theres no better escort arrangement than this.What kind of nonsense was this? Yeomyeong could no longer hide his grimace.What do you say? Cheon Yeomyeong, a secret escort for an important figure. Are you willing to take it on?Of course, you will bepensated. Money, elixirs and everything the academy can offer.Only then was Yeomyeong finally able to look the principal in the eye.Though she was trying to appear confident on the outside, her shoulders were slumped, and her tired eyes, visible despite her makeup, spoke of exhaustion.It was as if her appearance mirrored the academys current situation, desperate enough to ask a first-year student to be a secret escort.Despite feeling sympathy, Yeomyeong had no choice but to answer her honestly.Im sorry.Perhaps not expecting such a direct refusal, the principals expression showed signs of cracking. She brushed her hair behind her ear and responded.Student Cheon Yeomyeong, may I ask you the reason for your refusal?With barely enough time for revenge, how would he make the time to protect someone?Unable to state this fact outright, Yeomyeong gave a usible excuse.I dont believe that I have the skill or the capacity to escort anyone at this point in time.Hmm.Though the principals face wasnt one of understanding, she nodded slightly. Yeomyeong took a step back and asked.If thats all for now, may I take my leave?Yes. Please do. If you change your mind, let me know through Corvus. Youre always wee.Yeomyeong didnt respond. He simply nodded and left the rest area.Seeing Word in front of him made him long for Mr. Jang Man in Incheon.Although he couldnt go to Incheon directly due to his new identity, at least he could contact himAs he exited the rest area with such thoughts, someone followed him out of the rest area and grabbed his shoulder.Cheon Yeomyeong, wait a moment.It was Ado, his senior and the representative of the second-year students.Ivee across rumors stating that you are a Holy Knight. Is it true?The seriousness in Ados expression as he questioned him if he was a Holy Knight made Yeomyeong sigh involuntarily.It seemed to be about the rumors that had been spreading due to his frequent association with the Saintess, about him being a secret weapon of the Holy Knight Order.No, its not true. Ick the faith required to be a Holy Knight.While it was meant to be a humble response, Ados eyebrows furrowed deeply upon hearing it.And the next moment, Ados voice turned unusually aggressive.Then why do you keep hovering around the Saintess if you have so little faith?You have the guts to refuse to be an escort, but youck the intelligence to know your ce?Moryne, Corvus, and now a strange senior?Saintess, you reallyAt that moment, just as Yeomyeong was shaking his head internally, Ado crossed the line.And if youre thinking of leeching off the Saintess like that Seti woman, let me give you a piece of advice. The pine caterpir lives by eating pine needles.1 Got it?This bastard? Yeomyeong forced himself to swallow the anger rising up his throat and turned his back on him.Lets stay calm for now.He could deal with this matterter. For now, it was best to endure and make preparations for the future.However, that resolve didntst long. It was because Ado said one more thing after he had taken just a few steps.Tsk, if it werent for the escorting job, I would have personally dealt with the parasiteYeomyeong immediately raised his hand to cut off Ados words and alternated his gaze between the still-open rest area door and Ado.Senior.What?The Saintess can heal if an arm is cut off, can you do the same?What?I pray you are able to.The moment he finished the words, Yeomyeong closed the distance instantly and drew the sword strapped to Ados waist.1. An old Korean saying. This roughly means, "Don''t bite off more than you can chew."
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