Chapter 26: Preparation (1)

My eyes opened automatically as the damp, medicinal smell stung my nostrils.

When I looked around, the first thing I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. I glanced down and saw an IV needle deeply inserted into my right forearm, with outdated cotton curtains swaying from the breeze blowing through the open window.

‘Am I in a hospital?’

I rubbed my sore chest and barely managed to lift my upper body. Slowly, I turned my head and took in the room.

Unlike the hospital room I first entered after enrolling in the academy, this one was luxurious and sophisticated. It resembled the hospital room I’d seen in Nox’s care center.

‘The Joaquin Academy’s VIP Hospital Suite.’

The glossy, marble-like furniture filled the space with a palpable air of opulence. As I recalled, the VIP room was reserved for nobility. Scratching my chin, I leaned back against the pillow, covering my eyes with my hands.

I didn’t want to get bogged down with mundane details.

Whatever circumstances had brought me to this VIP hospital room, I decided to focus on the simple fact that I was alive.

‘Will they bill me for this later?’

I shook my head, dismissing that concern. As mercenary as the academy was, I doubted they’d reach that level of inhumanity.

…Although, if they did charge me, I might have to make a nighttime escape.

I looked blankly at the ceiling, then reached up, stretching out my arm and opening my hand. The hospital room’s light shone between my fingers.

I opened and closed my fist, reassuring myself that I could move. Clenching it tightly, I felt my nails dig into my palm.

‘I’m alive.’

Never did I think that being alive could fill me with such relief. Since I joined the academy, I’d come close to death on more than one occasion.

But this time felt different, as if those previous incidents were nothing more than a game in comparison. Even Nox’s attacks, from the genius of Auditore, felt like mere child’s play next to the deadly magic of the demon siren.

‘A demon…’

That tough, hard-to-pierce skin, the strange resistance in its flesh. The way its bones broke didn’t feel at all like a human’s.

And, most of all, that magic sphere the siren had cast just before its death. A dark energy orb that had flown straight toward me.

Dodging that attack was impossible. Yet, for some reason, instead of shrinking back, I had charged straight at it.

I remember seeing a red line etched through the center of the blue sphere. My blood boiled, and my muscles tensed.

Was that what people called instinct? I extended my blades and thrust them into the line. The round sphere split in two like a water balloon, and the magic dispersed in a torrential rain.

It was just water. But I could still feel the sensation of cutting through it in my hand.

What was that? It felt like breaking a calm surface, a stillness shattered.

Beyond that, I didn’t know how else to explain it. Ever since I activated the Blessing of the Sword God, I’d been experiencing a series of sensations I couldn’t put into words.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to clear my mind. I lay back down and opened my status window.

Fwaaash—

== ==

[Blessing of the Sword God]

If you cut it, it will cut you.

◎ Body Level: 7 ▷ Permission to use larger swords granted.

◎ Spirit Level: (3▶4) ▷ Imposes intimidation in speech and actions.

◎ Weapon Level: 1 ▷ Unlock conditions not met.

☆ Synchronization Rate: 6.8▶7.2% ▷ 【NEW! Unlock conditions met.】

★【？？？】

[※ The blessing activates only for swords less than 36 cm long and 9 cm wide.]

== ==

The Spirit Level had increased by one. I recalled the mechanical voice I’d heard when I activated the blessing: “Your spirit rises as you show your resolve.”

I guess my ability to confront the demon without hesitation had been due to that Spirit Level. Thanks to it, I hadn’t frozen up and was able to move freely.

I had thought that statistic was useless, but it seemed incredibly useful in life-or-death situations.

They say courage and recklessness are separated by a thin line. If I’d backed down like the others, we’d all be in the next world by now.

Life is strange sometimes. I scratched my cheek, looking down.

‘Finally.’

I saw the message glowing before my eyes. The Synchronization Rate had surpassed 7%, meeting the unlock conditions.

It was the number I was most curious about in the Blessing of the Sword God, aside from those question marks at the end. Excited, I extended my index finger and tapped the message.

Fwaaash—

==

☆ Synchronization Rate: 7.2% ▷ One line of 【???】 is now visible.

[At 15% synchronization, further details will unlock.]

==

‘I can see a line.’

The meaning of the message was clear. That red line on the siren’s magic—it could be nothing else.

…But the real question is.

‘What in the world is 【？？？】?’

I had hoped for some clue about the mystery that had been hovering over me, but now I had even more questions. It felt like someone was deliberately withholding information from me.

It was like trying to grasp a slippery fish that kept slipping through my fingers, leaving me with only a hint to keep going.

It was probably related to the question marks that appeared in the Blessing, but with just those three symbols, I didn’t have any leads.

“Haah…”

I sighed, taking a moment to calm myself—I’d just woken up, after all. There was no point in getting worked up so soon.

Still, I’d gained at least one clue. The “1” in parentheses. As the Synchronization Rate increased, this number should increase as well.

The world of “Miracle Blessing M” was, at its core, a game, so this made sense.

If they would only define clearly what that “line” meant, I’d feel much more at ease. But it was as though someone had thrown me a half-solved puzzle, leaving me to piece it together.

Whoever threw me into this world is probably laughing.

I chuckled dryly and closed the status window. I stretched, feeling my joints ease.

Knock, knock

Someone knocked on the door, then entered.

“Kang Geom-Ma! You’re awake!”

“…!”

“I was so worried… If something had happened to you, I would have fired every supervisor who claimed they’d inspected the island. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“Gah, Director… y-you’re… choking me…”

“Oh, sorry, I got a little too excited.”

Media wiped her tears with the back of her hand. I cleared my throat, feeling a bit awkward, and glanced toward the door.

I sensed another presence on the other side.

Even from behind the door, the force radiating from it was unmistakable.

When I looked at the door, Media shrugged and raised her voice.

“Come on, Grandpa! Are you embarrassed? Just come in already!”

“Media, I’ve told you not to call me that,” came a reply accompanied by a frown as Siegfried, the Sword Master, stepped inside.

Siegfried stood beside Media, arms crossed, silently looking at me.

It felt like déjà vu. The first visitors I had when I was hospitalized after the entrance ceremony had also been the director and the Sword Master.

For someone like me, having two legendary heroes come to see me every time I ended up in the hospital was overwhelming.

“Director, Master Siegfried, to what do I owe the honor?”

I spoke cautiously, and Media smiled as she brushed a hand over my hair.

“Your teammates told us everything. You’re amazing, Kang Geom-Ma.”

Media stepped back and, after taking a few steps away, bowed deeply. At this, Siegfried also unfolded his arms and saluted me. My eyes widened in surprise.

“On behalf of Joaquin Academy, I apologize. Everything that happened during the intermediate exam was our fault. Because of this, Kang Geom-Ma, your life, your team’s lives, and even the lives of all the first-year students were at risk. I swear, in the name of Joaquin Academy, that I’ll uncover the truth behind the appearance of that demon.”

Seeing Media bow in such a way toward someone like me made me realize how noble she truly was. Siegfried added with a determined expression:

“You saved the students.”

They were known as the Seven-Star Heroes, humanity’s hope.

As I looked at Media and Siegfried, I understood why they were called humanity’s hope. Every word and gesture radiated dignity.

“I just did what I had to.”

I replied modestly, scratching under my nose. Media lifted her head, and her eyes seemed warmer than before.

Then her expression darkened slightly. She sat beside me and, after a moment’s hesitation, said:

“Kang Geom-Ma, although what you achieved was incredible… until we investigate fully, we must keep this incident a secret. It appears the problem may originate within the Academy. I’m so sorry, Kang Geom-Ma.”

Indeed, a sudden appearance of a demon on an island that had already been inspected was undoubtedly unusual. Her analysis made sense.

Besides, I didn’t care for fame or recognition, and honestly, if I could keep a low profile, that was fine by me.

“I understand.”

“Oh, come on, Kang Geom-Ma, you could at least complain a little!”

Media laughed softly, looking at me affectionately.

“Oh, that’s right!”

Then, as if remembering something, she clapped loudly and pulled an old-fashioned purse from her robe, the kind grandmothers usually carry.

‘Is that an antique coin purse?’

Seeing my expression, Media frowned, looking almost hysterical.

“Kang Geom-Ma, I know what you’re thinking! I’m not that old!”

…How does she know? I’d suspected for some time that Media could read minds.

She once told me it was “female intuition,” but maybe I needed to watch not just my words but my thoughts around her.

When I waved my hand dismissively, Media pouted and huffed.

“Kang Geom-Ma, I don’t know what you were imagining, but this is a spatial pocket.”

“What?”

“What, you don’t know what a spatial pocket is?”

“Yes, whatever.”

A spatial pocket.

An item that could hold anything regardless of volume or mass. It was a multipurpose item that went for the highest bids in the auction house when I played the game.

…But, impressive functionality aside, it really looked nothing like a high-end item.

Media pulled something long from the purse, which turned out to be a straight-edged sword with a handle wrapped in simple cord.

The blade, marked and worn, glistened as if wet under the light.

A B-rank weapon: Muramasa, the Rain Sword.

“Normally, I’d give this to you in an official ceremony, but given the circumstances, I’m presenting it to you personally. I hope you like it, Kang Geom-Ma.”

I accepted the sword with trembling hands, feeling the roughness of the handle. I ran my fingers over the blade.

Cling-

A metallic sound vibrated in my ears.

‘Although…’

Even though I was excited to have a new weapon, I felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction, as if something was missing.

Media smiled proudly and asked:

“Do you like it?”

A radiant smile lit Media’s face.

Scratching my cheek, I replied, “Could I take it to the blacksmith?”

“Huh… why?”

Media looked at me, puzzled. I responded with a smile and murmured:

“To get it upgraded.”