Chapter 37: Sub-moderator (4)

Currently, Swordmaster, Ash, is what is commonly called an unemployed person who gets hit on the back by her mother every day.

An unemployed person who spends her time in the gallery and laughs to herself when something interesting happens.

But she has had a social life.

And not just any, but one in the political world, where conspiracies and maneuvering are daily bread.

Since always, politics has evolved to control power.

Especially Ash, who before receiving her title from the emperor, was nothing more than a commoner.

Until then, she lived keeping up appearances in front of nobles, flattering and going along with them.

She tried to avoid getting involved in political trouble.

Getting married would have been the easiest, but since Ash was too strong, it always failed.

Afterward, upon becoming commander of the imperial guard, there were no more political problems.

In any case, Ash had lived in that dark world.

That is why HeavenlyDemon’s rise as sub-moderator caused her some alarm.

‘There must have been a deal. Otherwise, that old woman would not have gotten the position. And the moderator is not like that either.’

As soon as she heard the news, she started thinking.

Unlike others, she had experience.

She understood the situation faster than anyone.

‘What kind of deal did she make?’

Ash has been in the gallery for a long time.

Almost ten years.

Unlike the previous one, the current moderator values rules.

And he is also someone who does not easily delegate power.

For someone like that to appoint a known user as sub-moderator means something.

‘Surely HeavenlyDemon proposed the deal first…’

In reality, it was not a big problem for Ash.

If HeavenlyDemon abused her power, she would lose the position and be banned.

And HeavenlyDemon knew it.

That is why she acted as if she worked properly.

But Ash tried to read her true intentions.

Why now?

‘It is too much of a coincidence.’

Lately she had clashed with her.

Arguing about whether mana or internal energy was better.

But it had been a one-sided provocation from Ash, and WildGrills had supported HeavenlyDemon.

Ash knew it, so she limited herself to giving advice.

‘Even so, it is a waste to leave it.’

She had no intention of giving up.

WildGrills was a promising talent.

Ash had trained many disciples before.

Although her motive was to find a partner.

But she had a good eye.

And WildGrills was different.

He would not get distracted by other people.

‘Not even my disciples were like this I have to teach him.’

He reminded her of her past.

Someone who accumulates mana even while breathing.

Because of his environment, WildGrills was constantly accumulating mana.

And circulating mana throughout the body normally requires mid-level Sword Expert.

‘But I do not want to be a sub-moderator.’

That, she would never accept.

The gallery also has politics.

Even worse, petty politics.

Manipulation, chaos, internal conflicts.

And sub-moderators are easy targets.

Look at HeavenlyDemon.

She was attacked as soon as she got the position.

She only survived because of her character.

But Ash simply did not want that role.

‘In any case, she made the first move.’

Ash smiled slightly.

HeavenlyDemon outplayed her.

But she could not remain with doubt.

‘I will find out.’

Contacting the moderator was easy.

You just had to initiate a trade.

[HeroDontThrowAway: Hello! What is going on?]

He responded immediately.

[Swordmaster: Moderator, did you make a deal with HeavenlyDemon?]

[HeroDontThrowAway: Huh?!]

Ash was direct.

The moderator, unable to lie, responded.

[HeroDontThrowAway: How did you know? Did the sub-moderator tell you?]

[Swordmaster: No. I just guessed it. What deal did you make?]

[HeroDontThrowAway: She asked me to enable private chat.]

[Swordmaster: I see]

So that was it.

Ash understood everything.

HeavenlyDemon became a sub-moderator for WildGrills.

‘But she could not use private messages?’

There were still doubts.

[Swordmaster: Is the private chat also visible to you?]

[HeroDontThrowAway: Yes! I can even see it now!]

[Swordmaster: Are you talking about the internal energy method?]

[HeroDontThrowAway: I cannot say details, but yes!]

Up to that point everything fit.

But something did not add up.

The benefit was very low for what being a sub-moderator implies.

And HeavenlyDemon is not someone who abuses power.

Rather, she is firm in her ideas.

She would not do something reckless.

And besides, the moderator is above her.

It did not make sense.

‘Suspicious very suspicious.’

Ash thought for a long time.

Even so, she obtained something.

[Swordmaster: Thank you. Do you need anything?]

[HeroDontThrowAway: I do not need bribes! If you want to be a sub-moderator, just say it!]

[Swordmaster: No, thank you. I was just curious.]

[HeroDontThrowAway: I understand!]

The conversation ended.

Ash organized her thoughts.

‘There does not seem to be political intent.’

Most likely HeavenlyDemon only wanted to help WildGrills.

‘Did I worry too much?’

This was a big matter.

And even more for Ash.

‘It is complicated too complicated.’

She had not abandoned the decision to help Grills.

Whenever he was in trouble, it would be enough to help him silently.

‘The internal energy method has many difficult terms if you are not from the central continent. Surely he will make a post saying it is complicated.’

And that is where she would step in, giving him advice on the mana training method.

That method, being focused on growth, has many useful tricks.

That was the moment Ash was waiting for.

She focused on the gallery.

She refreshed every 10 seconds, waiting for Grills’ post.

[The internal energy method is too difficult.]

‘There it is!’

It didn’t take long for Grills to make a post.

And with the perfect title.

Title: The internal energy method is too difficult

WildGrills

I’m learning the method with HeavenlyDemon, but there are too many words I don’t understand.

If this is the basics, I’m scared of the advanced stuff;;

ㄴHeavenlyDemon taught you? How?

ㄴWildGrills) She sent me a 1-to-1 chat request

ㄴCan sub-moderators do that?

ㄴWildGrills) Yes, the moderator allowed it

ㄴWow… what a privilege

ㄴNow I’m getting jealous

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway) If you want, I’ll make you a sub-moderator!

ㄴThat threat doesn’t work anymore haha

ㄴAnonymous users can’t be moderators

ㄴHeroDontThrowAway) Then I’ll come find you personally!

ㄴSorrysorrysorry

“……”

Ash couldn’t hide her frustration.

She had investigated everything, and the person involved just said it outright.

It felt like a wasted effort.

‘…Well, at least I’ll give him advice.’

She composed herself and commented.

ㄴSwordmaster) Which part is difficult for you?

ㄴWildGrills) I don’t really understand the routes. Even with drawings, it’s hard

ㄴSwordmaster) I see. I can help you

ㄴWildGrills) Thanks

Ash smiled.

The mana method, unlike the internal energy method, is perfect for learning from zero.

‘But why isn’t HeavenlyDemon interfering?’

It was strange.

Even so, she kept writing.

ㄴSwordmaster) Both methods share the same base. Start with breathing

ㄴWildGrills) I already do that

ㄴSwordmaster) Send the energy to the perineum

ㄴWildGrills) I kind of know where that is

ㄴSwordmaster) Not kind of. Between the testicles and the anus

ㄴWildGrills) Hmm yes, sorry

“……”

Ash frowned.

Not because of Grills.

But because of this—

ㄴTeach us too~

ㄴDon’t be selfish

ㄴHelp me too

ㄴUnlock the post

Like hyenas drawn by the smell.

They interrupted everything.

‘Did HeavenlyDemon avoid this with private chat?’

Her suspicion grew.

***

Meanwhile—

Yoo Sowol smiled as she looked at Swordmaster’s private comments.

As a sub-moderator, she could see them.

‘More than advice, they’re too superficial.’

They were no different from what she had already taught.

That was because Ash was too talented.

Someone who accumulates mana just by breathing.

That is why she was not good at teaching from zero.

‘Even so, it works.’

Grills was absorbing those tips little by little.

‘Swordmaster is not someone ordinary either.’

But it didn’t matter.

She looked at the chat window.

‘For the fruit to grow, the root must be strong.’

Her goal was clear—for Grills to master HeavenlyDemon’s art.

Ash would reinforce the foundation.

‘In the end, everyone desires the sweet fruit.’

Grills would eventually understand the greatness of her art.

Ash was only an assistant.

‘It’s what I should do for someone I owe.’

It was time to fulfill her role as sub-moderator.

But she didn’t know.

ㄴWildGrills) Huh? Is this working? My sword is glowing!

ㄴSwordmaster) What?! How did you do that?

ㄴWildGrills) Why are you asking me?;;

ㄴSwordmaster) You’re the strange one here!;;

When the root changes, the result also changes.

Especially because Swordmaster excelled more in swordsmanship than in breathing.

ㄴSwordmaster) With practice, you won’t need a shield anymore

ㄴWildGrills) I have no idea how I did it;;

And little by little, everything began to change.