Chapter 121 – The Calm Before the Storm

We arrived quickly at Geneva Station.

“Wow…”

The exterior, with statues and a clock in the style of modern Europe, blended harmoniously. Even the fountain in front of the entrance was extraordinary.

Upon entering, my eyes widened once again.

Despite being in the 21st century, the antique interior made it feel like something from another era.

“Hurry up!”

Abel motioned to me as I looked around.

Today, Abel was completely covered with various adornments on her face. She tapped her wristwatch and said,

“I’d love to let you keep looking, but we don’t have much time before the train leaves. Let’s go.”

I nodded and followed Abel.

Shail, walking ahead, skillfully read the signs and found the platform. The experience of a Senior was truly useful.

Thanks to Shail’s guidance, our group boarded the train without any delays.

As soon as I got on, my gaze instinctively lifted.

【VVIP Suite】

The level of the cabin was completely different from before when I traveled with a budget airline.

A snack bar, a drink corner, and guaranteed privacy in each compartment. Sofas, beds, and high-end televisions were available.

The rear carriage was reserved exclusively for nobility. Although I expected a certain level of luxury, the opulence still left me speechless.

On the other hand, I also felt a growing skepticism toward this unequal society.

Status and class, which were barely noticeable in the game, felt far more unpleasant when faced directly. Rather, I felt an increasing sense of resentment.

‘…Well, even though I’m benefiting from it now, I guess I shouldn’t complain.’

【Cabin 3】

The interior was decorated in crimson and gold tones.

I looked toward the conductor. The aligned rails over the ballast and the open view were clearly visible.

I took a seat near the window.

Abel and Shail sat together on the sofa across from me.

“It’ll take about six hours to get there, so you can sleep, and I’ll wake you up,” said Shail. Abel lightly touched her lips in response.

Her eyelashes were already covering half of her pupils.

“Then I appreciate it, Shail. I’m really sleepy since I haven’t slept much.”

Soon, while blinking, Abel gently leaned against Shail.

Shail, without saying a word, smiled and offered her shoulder to Abel.

…A while later, Abel’s eyes slowly closed.

She fell asleep in the same position, arms crossed.

Of course, she had been practicing with her sword all night—it would be odd if she weren’t exhausted. Abel’s late-night training session had only ended at dawn. The occasional jerks in her movements told me she had barely been awake.

“…”

I silently watched Abel, leaning against the window frame. She breathed softly, like a small chick.

When I slightly shifted my gaze, my eyes met Shail’s. A faint smile curved her lips.

“Do you want to switch seats?”

“…”

Without saying anything, I turned my head toward the window. Shail let out a small laugh.

Shail placed her hands on her knees. She, too, admired the borrowed scenery in a somewhat reserved manner.

—Creak.

Suddenly, the sound of the train’s engine rumbled.

—Clank, the sound of the wheels and rails slowly locking into place.

Smoke billowed from the train’s chimney, signaling our departure.

***

After about four hours on the train, I stood up, feeling hungry since dawn.

I thought about going to the snack bar to buy something since all expenses were covered by Nibelung, so there was no financial concern.

I told Shail,

“I’m going to grab something from the snack bar.”

She was quietly gazing out the window. Her expression momentarily darkened before she spoke in a low voice,

“Hmm, I don’t want to stop you, but… I can’t recommend it.”

“…?”

I tilted my head at Shail’s words.

She let out a deep sigh and explained.

“Well, since this is the VIP carriage, all the passengers are nobles. And, as you well know, their character is quite…”

“Trash.”

I finished for her, and Shail’s eyes flickered. She quickly glanced at Abel—fortunately, she was still sound asleep.

“Ahem.”

Shail cleared her throat, covering her mouth with her fist. She composed herself and continued,

“In any case, I personally can’t recommend it. How about waking up Lady Abel and going with her?”

“It’s fine.”

I shook my head. Being the only one who knew how little Abel had slept, I didn’t want to disturb her well-earned rest.

If you wake a sleeping dog, it bites. If you wake Abel, who’s always ready for battle… who knows what might happen?

“And now going to beg from nobles is ridiculous,” I thought.

Nobles who boast endlessly about status are idiots. If there’s filth in the way, I don’t have to step aside for it.
Either it moves out of my way, or I clean it up and move forward.

Given my nature of not tolerating dirt since my kitchen days, I have little patience for filth. However, being too direct in correcting things could be problematic.

People aren’t fish you can just clean up with a knife.

“Although… I’ve already cut too much.”

I scratched my neck and grabbed the door handle.

—Creeeak.

As I opened the door, I asked Shail,

“Should I bring something to drink?”

***

“…Sigh.”

As she stared blankly out the window, Shail rubbed her temples.

Despite her warnings, Kang Geom-Ma had headed to the snack bar.

Shail was worried about him.
Not for his physical safety—rather, she seemed more concerned about everyone else.

‘No one should provoke Kang Geom-Ma…’

He was like a small tiger.
Normally calm, but if provoked, he would bare the fierce fangs of a beast.

The fate of those who had angered him was well known to everyone.

‘The Evil Twins, the Genius of Auditore, Relentless Iron…’

All formidable names.
Each of them was considered a genius in their time.

But in the end, all were cut to pieces by Kang Geom-Ma’s scythe.

‘A genius in a league of his own…’

But aside from that, how could he be so bold with nobility?

It was an outrageous move, completely beyond Shail’s common sense.

Of course, she found it somewhat refreshing, but the gap between understanding it and seeing it firsthand was too vast.

Kang Geom-Ma was a young man with little regard for class distinctions, as if he had suddenly fallen into this world.

A student who shared drinks with the commoners and the poor.

Before anyone realized it, Kang Geom-Ma had become a star.

His reputation was rising rapidly. His uniquely jet-black hair made him stand out even more.

On news portals, he had been given nicknames like “Genius Killer,” “Beyond the Heavens,” and “Faster than Sashimi.”

In certain circles, some even self-identified as “The Sashimi Squad.”

Journalists were closely monitoring his every move for a reason.

There were even persistent rumors that U.S. intelligence agencies were watching him closely.

‘A rational person wouldn’t provoke someone like that…’

Most nobles were corrupt.
As an outstanding student, Shail had experienced this firsthand.

Their sense of supremacy often transcended common sense.
For instance, they would display disgraceful contempt just to assert their status.

These nobles were like fools who willingly put their hands into a tiger’s mouth.

That was what nobility was.
And Kang Geom-Ma had walked straight into that regressive cage of monkeys.

A violent incident could easily break out…

Shail was lost in thought.
All she could do was hope nothing happened here—or follow Kang Geom-Ma.

If she chose the latter, the lady she was guarding would inevitably wake up.
Kang Geom-Ma had gone alone, keeping that in mind.

The scales wavered in her mind.
After a brief moment of reflection, Shail lifted her head, her eyes hardening with resolve.

‘It’s late, but I have to go.’

Shail’s role in this party was to be the guide.

Her objective was to clear the dungeon safely and return. That was her responsibility.

Hoping that her concerns were unfounded, Shail gently touched Abel’s shoulder.

She felt a tinge of guilt, but the urgency overpowered it.She was just about to wake the lady when—

Bang!

The door to Cabin No. 3 swung open. At that moment, Shail’s vision blurred.

“…?”

Kang Geom-Ma walked in, chewing on dried meat.

He carried several snacks and gum on his side.
His expression was infinitely calm.

Rumble, rumble!

Kang Geom-Ma dropped his bag onto the sofa.

All of Shail’s previous concerns popped like bubbles.
She felt both relief and surprise as she asked,

“There was no trouble?”

Kang Geom-Ma scratched his eyebrow with his thumb.

“It was less troublesome than I expected.”

“…”

Seeing Shail’s puzzled expression, Kang Geom-Ma explained.

“There were some guys with threatening looks, but after I glared at them, they looked away.”

He said this while handing her some snacks.

“They gave me this for free at the store. They said it’s the most expensive one, so enjoy it, Shail.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Shail automatically accepted it.
At that moment, a cold glint reflected in her eyes.

In the inner pocket of Kang Geom-Ma’s coat, a sashimi knife gleamed, razor-sharp.

“…Ah.”

Shail murmured softly.
Now she understood why the nobles had backed down so quickly.

Shail adjusted her perception of Kang Geom-Ma.

A beast’s heart?
No, he was—

‘A madman.’

—A refined lunatic.

And truly a madman, without even realizing it himself.

***

The train traveled for six hours until it reached its destination.

“Haaaam—”

It seemed Abel had also slept well, stretching comfortably.

Lyon, the second-largest city in France.

The atmosphere was noticeably different from Geneva, with each street carrying its own distinct air.

We boarded a limousine taxi that was waiting for us.

‘Shail arranged this entire itinerary… Definitely smells like money.’

A servant with habits opposite to those of a frugal employer.
I was lucky in that regard.

The driver smoothly navigated the road. The driving was safe and followed regulations, but Shail, seated in the front passenger seat, tapped her fingers impatiently.

This speed surely wasn’t enough for her.

Used to driving at 200 km/h, I guess.

…But honestly, even I was starting to feel like it was slow.

‘Looks like I’m getting used to the speed, too.’

Finally, the limousine stopped in front of our accommodations.

The chauffeur kindly opened the car door for us.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you for your service.”

I nodded, feeling somewhat awkward.

As I stepped out of the car, a building that epitomized luxury stood right before us.

Our group dragged their luggage over a bright red carpet.

‘This is money.’

…After finishing the minor check-in procedures, I found myself standing in front of my assigned room.

【502】

Creeeeak—

“…This is insane.”

My voice echoed through the hotel room.

It was a massive space.
My dorm room at the academy felt like a cage in comparison.

I swallowed hard.

Spending a night alone in this room was thrilling.

I buried my face into the couch pillow. I wanted to ask what fabric softener they used because of the pleasant scent lingering in the air.

I turned over to look at the ceiling.

“…”

The stench of money had been strong all day.

Perhaps this kind of monetary power simply came with reaching a stellar position.

—However.

Thinking about it made me a bit annoyed.

This, too, was a byproduct of the class system.
If I got too used to it, would I end up like those nobles?

I lay awake for a while, lost in thought.

Then, suddenly, I sat up in bed.

“…That will never happen.”

What I seek is not a comfortable life.

Surviving the war that will break out in three years—that hell.

Would luxurious jewels prove their worth in the face of war?
They would be nothing but rolling stones. A well-sharpened piece of iron holds far more value.

I have a vague idea of the grim future ahead. All this superficial gold is useless to me—now and always. And I’m sick of how the nobles rule.

Whether it’s a king or a noble, if you enjoy privileges, you must fulfill the corresponding duties.

The thought that these leaders were simply privileged by birth made me sick.

‘In that sense, the coming war might actually be an opportunity for cleansing.’

I remember that the Second Intermagi War is inevitable.

The protagonist, Leon, meticulously prepares for it—it’s the core of Miracle Blessing M.
But in the end, I must prepare as well.

Moreover, the Blessing of the Sword God gives me glimpses of information.

There is definitely something at the end of this path, or a reason why I am here.

I carved that thought into my heart as I gazed out the window.

The sky was painted yellow by the setting sun.

Pink clouds floated lazily—like the calm before the storm.

I stared in silence and muttered to myself.

“Literally, the calm before the storm.”

Tomorrow, I would stand before a monster considered a natural disaster.