Chapter 197 – Conflict (3)

In all my lives, past and present, there was only one person I could truly call family.

My first master.

Although saying “first” master was somewhat redundant—he was the only one who ever truly taught me anything. Still, he insisted on emphasizing “first.” I never knew why. And honestly, I never bothered to ask.

What’s indisputable is that this person fulfilled the role of family for me. He took me in when I ran away from home at seventeen, gave me shelter, food, and even taught me a trade.

Maybe that’s why my mindset and values are so deeply influenced by him. It wasn’t like I had much of a choice, considering how insufferably persistent he was. Just stopping for a moment would make him frown.

Still, many of his words stayed etched into my mind. And right now, one of those phrases came back to me.

—Be careful with women who approach you for no reason.

Said like that, it sounds obvious. But he didn’t say it as an obvious warning—he said it with a strange conviction that gave it weight.

A woman who approaches you without reason, offering unearned kindness, is surely hiding something. Maybe if I were handsome it’d make more sense—but that wasn’t the case. In neither this life nor the previous could I be called attractive.

“Seeing you up close is even more fascinating. It’s like looking at a celebrity right in front of me. Like I said, I’m a big fan of yours.”

That’s why the blatant flirtation from the woman in front of me was deeply annoying. Her revealing outfit, her gestures, her words—none of it felt sincere.

Even if I assumed it was just her style, the system wasn’t having any of it either.

[Unauthorized external intrusion into your mind detected.]

[Toxic blessing with seductive intent identified.]

[However, due to high ‘spirit level,’ no effect has occurred.]

Outwardly, I stayed calm, but inside, I was stunned.

First, because a blessing like that even existed. And second, because my ‘spirit level’ automatically rejected it. The exact opposite of what had happened with Agor back then. It seemed my mental resistance had improved a lot since then.

That had its advantages—I didn’t have to worry about useless environmental stimuli anymore. But at the same time, I felt a hollow emptiness. Because it also meant my body barely reacted to anything now.

‘Haa.’

I sighed in resignation. The woman, still smiling seductively, continued her act. And with every word, the system issued a new alert. It was exhausting.

I silently observed her. Then she closed her fan and revealed her face completely.

No doubt—she was beautiful.

But that was it. After spending time around girls like Abel, Saki, and Rachel, my standards were sky-high. No matter how pretty she was, I felt nothing special.

The woman smiled smugly, convinced she had me. She raised a hand gracefully. Palm down—it clearly wasn’t a wave.

Was she expecting a kiss on the hand?

She’d appeared out of nowhere, thrown a few flirty lines, and now she was acting all aristocratic.

I let out a dry laugh, shoved my hands into my pockets, and walked right past her like nothing happened. She flinched.

“W-why?”

Apparently, she realized her plan was falling apart. Her expression turned confused.

“Wait a minute! Don’t you want to know who I am? I told you I could become part of your family!”

I turned just enough to glance at her. Meeting my cold gaze, the woman took two steps back. I spat out my words like venom.

“I’ll let it go once. But not twice.”

“……!”

Her face went pale. She clenched her lips and let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Ha… That Ryozo girl really knows how to pick them. If not even a blessing can affect you, then—ugh!”

Before she could finish her sentence, her fan dropped to the floor. She grabbed her throat, choking with a sharp squeal.

‘T-this…’

It felt like something was squeezing her heart with claws. She lost her balance and collapsed, crawling along the hallway floor. Slobbering, she barely lifted her gaze.

And there they were. Black eyes glaring down at her.

Ssshhh.

A dark crimson energy enveloped her, pressing down like an invisible prison. It was pure killing intent—so dense, it had taken form.

Saki Hina understood immediately. The figure in front of her was no longer human.

A monster capable of subduing a seasoned heroine from a noble family without lifting a finger. Just with his killing intent, he could take a life.

Kang Geom-Ma spoke.

“Once might be a mistake.”

“Ghhhk…”

“But twice? It’s not. And you dared speak that way about someone dear to me…”

Saki Hina’s pupils began to lose focus. If this continued, her breathing would stop.

‘No… no… I can’t… breathe…’

She had to escape that deadly pressure immediately. Just as she shakily reached her hand forward—

“Hina.”

A voice echoed from the end of the hallway. Both Kang Geom-Ma and Saki Hina instinctively turned toward it.

A man in a pristine uniform walked toward them with firm steps. Despite the overwhelming murderous aura in the air, his expression remained calm.

Kang Geom-Ma observed him closely. The middle-aged man, with a neat appearance, exuded a peculiar aura. His gaze was gentle yet chilling—like a shadow naturally clinging to him. He walked effortlessly through the undulating killing intent.

‘Definitely not an ordinary guy.’

Kang Geom-Ma narrowed his eyes, analyzing. He didn’t sense hostility. And being in the academy’s main building, it was unlikely this was an enemy.

With that conclusion, he withdrew his killing intent. The dark energy filling the hall dissipated instantly.

“Haah… Haah…”

Saki Hina gasped for air. Her uneven breaths refused to settle. Still, she struggled to her feet. More than relief at surviving, her priority was maintaining composure.

“…Sir… Prime Minister.”

She quickly straightened her clothes and bowed respectfully. Kojima, now only a few steps away, narrowed his eyes.

After quickly assessing the situation, he stepped up in front of Kang Geom-Ma. And without hesitation, bowed deeply.

“It seems someone from our side has caused you trouble. On behalf of the Saki family, I sincerely apologize. If you require compensation, please let my secretary know.”

I stared at him, puzzled.

I expected him to get angry or try to assert authority as her accomplice. But instead, he was polite and deferential. I didn’t know how to react.

Maybe sensing my confusion, the man introduced himself.

“I’m Saki Kojima, Prime Minister of Japan. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah… yes. I’m Kang Geom-Ma.”

Saki Kojima—also known as the Patriarch—smiled politely. He spoke casually but never without respect.

“Who in this world doesn’t know your name, Mr. Kang Geom-Ma? Introductions are for people like me—not for someone already at the top.”

Media had described this man as public enemy number one. Yet among all the adults I’d met, he showed me the most respect. He spoke formally to me, even though I could be his son.

‘But.’

The woman who had flirted shamelessly moments ago now trembled faintly in the distance.

Even under my killing intent, she hadn’t looked this scared.

That could only mean one thing—she feared this man more than death itself.

And now that I thought about it—not once had he asked about her condition. Normally, you’d at least say something like, “wasn’t that a bit much?”

Of course, even if he had, I wouldn’t have apologized. If he’d tried, I would’ve drawn my sashimi blade without hesitation.

‘Still, the relationship between the two of them… it’s just too strange.’

While that uneasy feeling lingered, the patriarch spoke again.

“Please, go ahead to the guest reception room first. I’ll be along shortly after dealing with my daughter through my secretary. I’m concerned about her condition. And I must scold her for her rudeness to you, ha ha.”

I glanced at the woman he called “Hina.” If she was his daughter and looked to be in her twenties, then she had to be Ryozo’s older sister…

How hadn’t I realized sooner? Well, looking at her again… maybe they did resemble each other a little.

‘But I remember Ryozo being listed as an only child of the Kojima clan.’

Then again, background info on gacha game characters was often inconsistent. The Kojima family had always been an enigma, so it wasn’t wise to trust the fine details.

“The Sword Master and the Director are waiting inside. If you take too long, they’ll come looking—and that’ll just make things messier. Please, go ahead.”

After thinking a moment, I nodded.

“Understood.”

Even though the unease hadn’t left, it wasn’t something I could show openly. All I could do now was watch carefully.

I let go of the sashimi blade handle hidden in my pocket.

***

The patriarch stood silently, staring at the spot where Kang Geom-Ma had just been moments ago.

“Hina.”

He spoke the name without moving. Hina closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again, feigning indifference.

“I acted on my own. I’ll accept whatever punishment you see fit.”

The patriarch slowly turned. He looked at her with an empty expression, then lightly patted her shoulder.

“You did well, Hina.”

“…Excuse me?”

“It’s just a shame. It would’ve been better if you had fully captured him. But I won’t forget your effort.”

“I’ll… try even harder.”

“I hope so. I have high expectations for you. So get results—no matter the means.”

Having said what he needed to, the patriarch turned away and gestured for her to leave. Hina accepted the silent dismissal without protest and walked off.

…Saki Kojima, now alone in the hallway, took a few more steps. He stopped in front of a portrait and stared at it.

『Former Hero of the Seven Stars, Alice Louise』

He slowly brought his hand to the frame and wiped away the dust gathered on it with his fingers.

“My dear, it’s been forty years since you died. You know, fewer and fewer people even remember your name. Even though the seven of us saved the world together, the only one people still talk about is the Sword Master. I suppose I, Kojima, and the Sage will fade away with time as well. Because…”

Saki Kojima murmured as if speaking to the woman depicted in the painting.

“This world only remembers the one who stands at the top. The one who rises to the summit is the only one etched into everyone’s memory. But… if someone manages to seize that summit, then they can also grasp eternity.”

A cold smile, like ice, curled across his lips.

“And that day is very near.”