Chapter 205 – Footprints (1)

The succession ceremony had concluded.

After that came the press conference, interviews, and the reception—a series of tedious and boring events that, one way or another, I managed to get through. Of course, the support of Media and the Sword Master was a great help.

‘If it weren’t for them, I would have messed up several times today.’

Despite being as exhausted as I was, both of them looked out for me at all times.

While silently thanking them, I continued walking without pause. The destination on this dark night was the dormitory building where I lived.

In fact, there was a celebration banquet scheduled afterward, but I rejected it without hesitation.

‘Celebration’ was just a pretext. In reality, it was going to be another gathering surrounded by nobles to receive hypocritical greetings.

My refusal was enough to cancel the evening event immediately.

With a single phrase, the most important aristocrats in the country were left wanting and left.

That was the power of prestige.

If one is exposed to that for too long, their brain starts to change.

It’s no coincidence that so many honorable people lose their way after rising too high.

“I’ll have to be very careful not to end up the same…”

Upon returning to my room, I took off my clothes and collapsed onto the bed.

Fatigue, like sticky grime under the eyes, sank in deeply.

‘…Definitely, this place is the most comfortable.’

The president of Korea had offered me a suite in a 7-star hotel near the academy as temporary housing.

He also said they would immediately start building my official residence.

I rejected it without thinking. And I went straight back to my modest and cozy refuge.

A life of luxury in a hotel or mansion would only serve to corrupt me quickly.

After all, this small room of just three pyeong was very comfortable for me.

Although the heating system was deficient and the facilities were old…

At least now that a Seven Star Hero resides here, they should make some improvements.

I’m going to insist on that. I’m not asking just for myself.

All the students in this building will benefit.

With that thought, I rubbed my face against the pillow.

The rough and cheap fabric helped clear my mind a bit.

Without moving from that position, I turned my head halfway.

My left eye was still buried in the pillow, and with the right, I stared into space.

I was tired, very tired. I’ve defeated all kinds of monsters, but I think nothing is as strong as sleep.

I hadn’t slept well for several days. Was this the third already?

“Even so, I can’t fall asleep yet…”

There were still things to do.

First, organize a general plan for the future. Not a detailed strategy, just a general guide.

First of all, I already publicly announced that I would continue attending Joaquin Academy.

Everyone was left speechless upon hearing it.

And it was no wonder.

A Seven Star Hero, with a name as grandiose as “Heavenly Sword,” living the student life?

It was natural for them to look so shocked. If I were in their place, I would have reacted the same.

But even so, I decided to stay at Joaquin Academy. The reason was a simple hunch.

Even for me, that sounds ridiculous.
Making such an important decision based on a hunch? If I told someone, I’d get nothing but incredulous laughs.

But thanks to that hunch, I got this far.

Moreover, mine has a peculiarity—it’s deeply linked to my “status window.”

‘And right now, that hunch strongly tells me I must stay.’

It may not be a very solid foundation, but I’m determined to follow my own instinct.

Also, if I left the academy, I would undoubtedly be dragged into all kinds of events.

And honestly, I want to avoid those annoying ceremonies and celebrations at all costs.

Today I experienced it firsthand and understood it well—I’m not the kind of person who fits into those things.

That said, there are certain events I must attend obligatorily.

In a month, there will be the World Summit, and the following month, a tour of various countries, including the headquarters of the Hero Association.

“The headquarters… does that mean I’ll see the president of the Association?”

If you asked me who the most mysterious figure in this world is, I’d say it’s the president of the Hero Association.

Even in the game, not a single direct mention. Apart from being a man, nothing was known—not his name, age, abilities, or place of residence. Nothing.

Rumors said he was a monster of another level…

But so far, I haven’t met many normal people.

Of all those I’ve met, the only one who behaves with a minimum of common sense is the Sword Master.

Media, Changseong, Kojima, Altair… Well, Kojima is an exception.

They all have something loose in their heads, even if they’re good people.

But if that president is even stranger than them…

‘…How am I supposed to deal with someone like that?’

Anxiety began to rise. I only know one way to deal with crazies—with my sashimi.

Beyond that, I have no idea.

I shook my head slightly.

Surely it was the fatigue filling me with useless thoughts.

I’ll think about it when the time comes.

My head already hurt enough from exhaustion.

I decided to leave that topic on pause for now.

I reached for the cell phone next to the bed to check the news as a final ritual before sleeping.

After all, being the day it was, surely hundreds of articles about me had come out.

A while ago, I saw how the journalists’ eyes shone like hungry beasts.

And the one who had to endure all that was me, Kang Geom-Ma.

Sleeping is fine, but checking what’s published is mandatory.

Now I can do something on my own if they cross the line.

Tap tap.

I touched the screen.

A dim light illuminated the dark room.

With half-closed eyes, I began to read the headlines.

[EXCLUSIVE] The new title of the Sashimi Saint is ‘Heavenly Sword’.

[PHOTOS] Heavenly Sword Kang Geom-Ma… The moment that will mark history.

[EDITORIAL] A new Seven Star too young. It’s time to prove his worth.

[INTERVIEW] After arriving in Korea, the U.S. president declares, “Is this the country of the Heavenly Sword? I really wanted to come. He is humanity’s hope.”

“……”

I turned off the cell phone and closed my eyes.

Everything went completely dark.

Then, the sleep I had been holding back finally flooded me.

And it was a sweet dream.

***

[NEW! Sudden mission activated.]

[Proceeding with causality adjustment due to previous use of the ‘Demonic Eye Ring’ (1 time).]

[…]

[…]

[Tip: In this sudden mission, you can deduce a clue about one of the three remaining fragments.]

***

I slowly opened my eyes. My vision was blurry, as if a membrane were covering them.

I blinked sluggishly. Several times. At the same time, I began to awaken my numb senses.

Gradually, my five senses started to take in the surroundings.

A chilling breeze brushed my cheek. The air smelled strange—spicy and humid.

A scent completely different from the one my body associated with my bedroom.

I didn’t need to regain full sight to know I wasn’t in my room.

The landscape unfolding before me was unfamiliar.

“……!?”

The first thing I saw was the horizon.

I strained my eyes and suddenly opened them wide.

In front of me stretched a barren wasteland, as if heaven and earth had been completely severed.

A field of colorless, marble-like grass swayed softly.

Upon it, heaps of reddish remains—flesh and bone—were scattered across the surface.

I shifted my gaze and looked around more.

A greenish dusk stretched like crimson silk across the devastation.

That scene filled me with awe and revulsion.

‘What is this place?’

Another wave of confusion surged through me.

My voice only manifested as thought. I couldn’t vocalize anything.

No matter how hard I tried to move, my body wouldn’t respond at all. It wasn’t weakness—it was a total, enveloping void.

‘Damn it… what kind of situation is this?’

Devoid of will, I was alone in a desolate wasteland.

Colorless remains rose around me like hills. No matter how I tried to make sense of what I was seeing, everything was incoherent.

The pale landscape continued to disturb my clouded mind. And yet, one thing was certain… My heart was excited.

Even in the midst of this massacre, I felt a strange sense of idyllic calm.

And then—

Rustle.

A faint, nearly imperceptible sound of footsteps.

My nerves, honed to an edge, picked up the vibration instantly.

My body moved on its own again—still without my will. But I had regained enough composure to go with the scene.

My eyes turned toward the source of the sound.

Step.

The figure appeared. A man. He wore radiant silver armor and a golden cape that fit him perfectly.

In his right hand, he held a sword that shone with a blinding white light.

‘……!’

I let out a silent cry of astonishment.

Never before—or ever again—would I be so shocked. Because…

Black hair. Black eyes.

…Even those features alone would’ve taken my breath away.

But that didn’t matter anymore once I saw his face clearly.

Step.

The man walked forward, gaze cold as steel.

The light surrounding him poured over that hellish scene like heavenly rain.

He stopped just in front of me and spoke in a low voice.

“In the end, no matter how it begins… it always ends like this.”

The man scanned the area as if offering a moment of silence.

Chunks of bloody, discolored flesh were strewn everywhere.

The stench of blood and viscera filled my nostrils.

His eyes, fixed on the inferno, grew dark and heavy.

For a moment, he seemed to let out a faint moan of pain.

A brief silence settled.

Then the man broke it and spoke my name.

“…Lycan. What a tragic and twisted bond we share.”

His expression contorted in agony. Yes, that face… it was him.

He looked younger now, but his eyes couldn’t hide his identity.

Eyes I knew all too well.

My chest tightened. A piercing sense of longing stirred my soul.

And yet, the voice that emerged from my mouth was rough and devoid of feeling.

“I’ve waited a long time for you, mortal. It’s time to end this senseless, endless war.”

I spoke to him, though with a bitter smile I hadn’t wanted to show.

“It’s a shame. I’ve crossed swords with you countless times. And perhaps because of that… I’ve come to feel closer to you than a brother. Don’t you feel the same?”

The man gripped his sword tightly.

The blade radiated a dazzling light that spread around him.

Then he answered me, with the same deep voice that once scolded me.

“A sword reflects both its wielder and its enemy. That’s why I know, Lycan. Your goal isn’t to annihilate humanity. What you want to destroy are those beyond—the ‘celestial beings’ who grant blessings to mankind.”

I offered a faint smile. I opened my hand fully… and then clenched it tightly.

Crackle…!

From the compressed space, a bolt of lightning erupted and took the shape of a sword.

Slash—

I swung the electrified blade with indifference.

The mountain range to the west vanished. Literally—in the blink of an eye.

Beyond the devastated land, the sunset began to fade.

I spoke with complete composure.

“To have deduced so much… What a waste that you remain merely a mortal. And yet, how beautiful. That gives me certainty that we can wipe out those arrogant beings who treat this war between demons and humans as a mere game.”

“…….”

“So kill me, and take the first step. Bet on tomorrow. For the one who will judge the heavens shall come.”

“Is there really no other way?”

“Don’t focus on the present. Bet on the future. For the one who will judge the heavens will arrive… from a distant past.”

“Then… Lycan, I will end you here and now.”

At his declaration, I smiled.

“As a demon, I shall eradicate the mortal. And yet, I recognize the mere human you are now as my only equal. My only friend.”

And for the last time, I spoke the name of that man.

“Come, Balor Joaquin. You, the greatest of all.”

The man’s black eyes began to shine.

The twilight of Gehenna broke over the horizon.

The dusk of the demon realm bathed the world in deep blue.

The man took a step forward.

He came to destroy the great evil that had once been his disciple.

He came.

My master.

The founding hero.