Chapter 230 – Subject (3)
Eb1An elegant interior, a room that looked like a hotel. And yet, the atmosphere was quiet, as suited a hospital room.0uA
qdvGAGNSaki Kojima was lying in bed, the backrest slightly tilted. At his side, his daughter Saki Hina was tending to him. Since her father had been hospitalized, she hadn’t left his side for even a moment. No, rather than a daughter tending to her father, it was more like a subordinate attending to her master.OKR0ZJK
nNAmSlice, slice.a63kh
1LPKmXwSaki Hina was peeling an apple. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.ALgGQfP
lrauHer father was reading a book. Judging by the cover, it seemed to be a historical work about the ancient Seven Stars.oWL
rpM“Do you have something to say, Hina?”W91AU
qekMKojima’s sudden question made her shoulders jolt. She nicked her thumb with the knife and started to bleed. She quickly grabbed a tissue and wrapped it like a bandage.jsN
W0Y“No, I just came to check on your condition, Prime Minister.”r1jt
PZn8“I’m fine.”MwEGtx
xBwG78“Yes…”4vWQlk
g42qmHina finished cutting the apple into bite-sized pieces.og0Zs
MVp1K‘As if he’s really fine.’c5fnTn
POma2PLast night, her father Kojima had been admitted with both ankles shattered. As soon as she found out, she flew in immediately from Japan.mxi
J5ExKojima seriously injured? A Hero of the Seven Stars? Until she arrived, Hina had thought maybe he had just fallen down the stairs. Even heroes could make mistakes and bang up their knees.dJE4x
Bnng3FHIt wasn’t the most convincing explanation, but it was the most acceptable. But seeing him in person made it obvious. Her father, Kojima, had taken a real beating.EeR0
b2q1At that moment, her eyes widened in disbelief.quD2vR
Uy7‘My father was beaten?’54IEcR
iBcHe might not be at the very top, but Kojima was one of the strongest humans alive. Why is he the most powerful man in Japan? Not because he’s Prime Minister or the head of the Kojima Clan, but because of his strength.5ucV4n
kih6Kojima is considered the ideal of archers. In this modern era dominated by firearms, he had rendered projectiles obsolete.Tk7FYV
8cNO1His arrows traveled at subsonic speeds, and their destructive power rivaled ballistic missiles. He had reduced guns to mere toys.J1W3z
PCnRxAnd that Kojima was defeated by someone? Was that even possible? Only two people came to mind.UCj5
qYT7ALe‘The Swordmaster or Changseong.’PxA
f7ekBut there were no slashing wounds, so the Swordmaster was out. And from what she knew, he was near the Gehenna Portal. As for Changseong, he was also busy with official duties in Europe.phN
wG9‘Both are off the list for now.’XLlVzA
Qz3ANThen, by process of elimination, only two candidates remained.kMmhsg
6sDCw‘Media Poison… or…’zIsFm
LCY9G…The Heavenly Sword, Kang Geom-Ma.hzoY
fLICeMHina’s fingers trembled slightly. The tissue wrapped around her thumb was already soaked. She shut her eyes tightly and shook her head.iEdHl99
td7Ns‘No, impossible.’iNSvRJ1
X6Ya6Just fractured ankles? If it had been Geom-Ma, he would’ve severed the Achilles tendons outright. He’s not someone who holds back like that. In her mind, a film noir scene played out.ouD
rV8oI‘Black. Sashimi. Barrels.’14rOn
ZkSfA shiver ran down her spine like an electric shock. Her back bristled, and her face went pale.J57
pRTLately, even the color black made her nervous. She slept with all the lights on out of fear of the dark.IHL3Mn
pRcw8TK‘And those dreams where he shows up they’re giving me insomnia…’v2zRtJ
iKQkZpsHina took a breath. Calm, calm. Like a mantra, she repeated it several times. She tried to reassess the situation calmly.gsGh4d
yb2O‘If it wasn’t Geom-Ma, then the only possible one is Director Media.’FSA
8EPyzComparing the shattered ankles with their relationship, it was the most likely option. But it still felt strange.k9jz
nkf‘Madam Media is powerful, sure, but…’HRWG
ZWZThe other three—The Heavenly Sword, the Swordmaster, and Changseong—were clearly stronger than Kojima. But Media was known more for her intelligence. She didn’t seem like someone capable of beating him so brutally.Su06r
DwvlHina glanced to the side.tdn9
IW2InFUFor someone who had sustained serious injuries, Kojima was far too composed.esM
VxaAThe only instruction he’d given was to keep the hospitalization secret. Other than that, he just read in silence.bOPgUR
43sZnrj‘If I ask who it was, he definitely won’t say.’HkK
dbwIt would be humiliating. And if she dared to ask, she might even be expelled from the house.KvQL
J7SThen, perhaps feeling her gaze, Kojima looked up. His eyes narrowed slightly with unease.TTcjFw
xSFU“Do you have something to say?”OeQ
PDiNHina flinched.JKT2Gu
TF5ncwi“Ah… just…”iKC
re7LBTaIf she hesitated, he’d be suspicious. Her father’s eyes, like a predator’s, could detect lies instantly. She had to say something—anything.0SpC
USyS“I was wondering… about Ryozo’s mother. My stepmother. Where is she?”S3tI
6xORqIt was the only thing she could come up with. Either way, it was a question she had always meant to ask.XpMiU
0rl‘I made a promise to Ryozo.’A7wT
o53u0UShe didn’t have to keep it, but her conscience wasn’t completely dormant.QbWWls
KNtvtU“……”hUeIq
UTIBut it seemed like a bad choice. Her father furrowed his brow. Hina lowered her head in silence. Her bangs fell like a curtain.HVvtTJ5
7O2“I’m sorry, sir. I shouldn’t have asked while you’re in a hospital bed…”Y1fGMo
ccQS“It’s fine.”mCUD9Y
MwlgTap.t2Kg
3W0wAEKojima closed the book. Hina adjusted her hair and clothes. After a few seconds of silence, Kojima spoke.okEsH
SijY“I don’t know why you care, but Ryozo’s mother is in Korea.”8bOuhH
BZItLqa“Huh? In Korea? Why…?”fbymDyR
ekCwmmgBefore she could ask more, Hina held her breath. Her skin crawled. The air grew heavy. Her gaze turned on its own toward the door. A sound was heard.wAO7T
NEZeP8Thud. Thud.cfrm
9VEThe sounds of bodies collapsing and knees shattering.YMwe
OKXNo, wait… this is…dTVg
ly4H‘That black aura… it’s…!’oukN
sefukGThe memories from the day before came rushing back.FrNqW0
xilpdVCreak.lmQ2
1kviGxThe door opened and shoes crossed the threshold. A dark tide swept into the room.3FooSr
7fQzdF“Y-you…!”xJYRNv
zFnS6Hina’s pupils dilated and constricted. Black eyes. Her mouth opened on its own.njbmEj
Tt17CY“Heavenly Sword…”hp0Jzri
tzUKang Geom-Ma spoke.P0dL02
o9zu50B“I didn’t knock because the matter was urgent. Oh, right. Also—GFI
ggfTiHe leaned against the wall and pointed outside with his chin.GMsFl
9GIfJ“I think you should re-educate your men.”FyeQB
txYtHina foamed at the mouth and collapsed backward. It was a hospital, but in that instant, her insomnia was cured.LBbI3k
la18Before losing consciousness, she thought as her eyes closed. Nightmares always come without warning.uvO0
560s***jdUwT
npO“…Your entrance was quite a spectacle, Heavenly Sword.”jhKTMce
p6OgKojima frowned. I pulled my finger out of my ear and replied.UtB
EaDfiko“The Joaquin Academy Hospital is a public facility. And yet they let the hallway get blocked up like a clogged sewer?”Y7WkOH
Ic0RPix“Ha… Fine. Since there’s space now, have a seat and let’s talk.”Klywh
15CmgPAHe looked toward the chair where Hina had been sitting. She had fainted the moment I entered.tm6
NoywHiI lowered my gaze a little. Her navy blue hair was spread across the floor. I looked at her briefly, then turned back to Kojima.GR5WQj
SrdQ68‘He doesn’t even flinch with his daughter passed out on the ground.’yxj30vK
E2CBMUNow I was sure. Just more proof of his character. Just as Media had said, he was the one who provoked Senior Ha-na. With that confirmed, it was time to change my tone. I shoved my hands in my pockets.bzoK
iIY4b“I’d rather stand. I don’t think this will take long. And I didn’t come to debate. I came to inform you.”C4lbHZ
CHBtieJKojima’s gaze turned cold.n90
Q73“Allow me to warn you. If you’re acting this arrogant just because you’re one of the Seven Stars, you may come to regret it.”CrhP
cN4DFZ“This is how I act.”JDe
xfPm5I placed my foot on a chair and leaned toward him, looking down at him.KfQnjTR
DUWBojc“…Because only with you, Kojima, do I allow myself to be this disrespectful. I’m not a particularly tolerant person.”ko2
8J6FszP“……”IIm0
iQ69Kojima’s dark circles twitched. His eyes burned with rage.GXg
rSgDNr“You’ve got guts. Fine then, tell me. What’s the reason you barged into my hospital and plowed through my guards? I hope you have a legal justification…”Dr8b
Yhy1“I said I came to inform you, not answer questions. I’m the one asking questions.”LnV9Tc
vQYF“What the hell—”U490
VUlH0BaHe finally cracked. The veins in his hand popped. But just as he was about to erupt, I interrupted, whispering into his ear.qf1YCk
llF“What the hell did you say to Meain?”Uvtxb
xHflK“……”CGzahH
FVVHe went silent. Just shot me a murderous glare. I returned it with a cold stare.CtGz6Kv
zengHThe air froze. Then, Kojima let out a bitter laugh. A crooked smile formed on his face.zLr
Yddyb“I asked her to awaken my daughter, Saki Ryozo.”Wr8jxFS
7FdzPPw“…What?”nzUXbvN
3a6Ly“At first, I asked her to awaken me, but she said I was too old. So there was no other choice. The Kojima clan must produce an Awakened, and Ryozo is the only one with potential.”I8sOc1s
YkQ“……”wyN5
fvD“Do you really think I didn’t know? Meain Poison, that hypocrite, playing student in your club. I noticed from the succession ceremony. Come on! She’s my master. You think I wouldn’t recognize her presence? I’m an archer! Maybe others wouldn’t, but nobody fools me.”LHGfvVD
FG2WxYA murky laugh echoed in the room.SHJ
CKMf1SP“Even so, I smiled. I thought it was an opportunity. If there was a bond between them, Ryozo would accept any request from Meain without hesitation.”HqwROSu
vvSKojima continued rambling.aGM
ZY8E“If you’ve already heard from Media how I ended up like this, then I’m sure you also know about Awakening. Yes. I plan to make my daughter Awakened, even if it costs her humanity and life.”hByML0z
m0fU6“Crazy bastard.”uvLee
78cIBU“No. I’m completely rational. One day, my daughter will understand. She’ll thank me for having my ankles broken to turn her into an Awakened.”hK1Ml
4e2nAfter saying all that, Kojima looked exhausted. I replied with all the patience I could muster.DDoWss
PKIqwQf“Without her consent? Why do something so vile?”91isH
mZMgK“Geom-Ma, you know better than anyone.”KCjpQqS
8qqavIjKojima curved his lips. Cold sweat slid down his cheek.osfg2g
u0L“No matter how hard you try. In the end, the world only watches the Hero. Even if you’re the youngest of the Seven Stars, you’ll never surpass him. The world will forget you and worship him. I won’t let my daughter suffer that same humiliation. What happened with my wife was enough.”tbYGsQ0
tz5lw9lHis eyes gleamed with madness. Cold as ice.qu5
VbI“At the very least, let her become an Awakened and leave something behind for humanity. That’s the minimum.”oHM
TU62fe8He placed his hands on my shoulders. My expression turned to stone.Pz5JNI1
zsXH7c“Geom-Ma, you’re Ryozo’s friend. Please, if you can convince her, I’ll cancel the warrant against Meain. And as Prime Minister of Japan, I promise full support for the Heavenly Class.”IbP
EXG2aY“……”iRYk
9M9rJI stared at him in silence, then brushed his hands off. I shook off my shoulders like he had tainted me.0VafH
zDZI looked back. Hina, lying on the floor, was breathing faintly. She was pretending to be unconscious, but she was awake. Her uneven breathing gave her away. I thought about nudging her with my foot but let it go. What was about to happen wasn’t something she’d want to see.tTye
HFguKStep.SxGt
sSjVAI walked over to the window and closed the curtains. The room went completely dark. Kojima shouted.1AlZ1X2
HncIvRt“What do you think you’re doing?”VjC9
LbII didn’t respond. Instead, I pulled a sashimi knife from Daiso out of my coat. I wasn’t going to waste a Murasame or Eternal Frost on this guy.V32P
N6AvOuzShiiing.9iw5ik
n6MLKojima’s eyes opened wide. He shouted like he was having a seizure.HD8acOL
Q35“This is a hospital! I won’t tolerate this kind of threat, Geom-Ma!”kDPjX
wrtai1“As you said, this is a hospital.”MC1
zUSI placed the tip of the knife in front of his nose.sMcXEJ
pPgG6Vf“And this isn’t a knife. It’s a scalpel.”zJTs8F
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaThat’s what I’m taking about hell yeahh
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaAURA.
BlackLotus
Qi RefinementClassic KGM at the end