The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 272: Winter (2)

Chapter 272: Winter (2)

Hawai‘i‍ Island.

The‍ Gate of Gehenna,⁠ darker than darkness itself, was cloaked‍⁠ in the night.‌‍

Shhh.⁠⁠

A group of black-clad⁠⁠⁠ figures, masked and⁠‌ dressed in dark‍⁠ suits, slowly emerged‍ from the moon’s⁠ shadows.

They⁠‌ looked like shadows⁠ given form and‌‌ mass—human in shape⁠⁠ but terrifyingly different, their eyes glowing with a crimson‌ light.

Step,‌‍ step.

Someone‍ stopped beneath the‌ shadow of a tree.

He‌‌‍ leaned a cane against the trunk⁠ and lowered his⁠ mask, revealing a wrinkled face.

It‍ was Altair, the‍ head of the⁠ Auditore family. He‍‌ looked up at the crescent moon⁠ peeking through the⁠‌ dark clouds.

“The⁠‌‍ moon is especially bright tonight.”

The⁠ patriarch murmured, staring⁠‌‌ at the sky.⁠⁠ Beside him, a slender figure in‌ black lowered his⁠ mask to his⁠⁠‍ chin. It was⁠ Knox.

“So‌‌ it is, sir.‌ On nights like this, people tend⁠ to drink heavily‍ at the bars…”‌

Knox⁠‍ spoke with a hint of concern. The patriarch slowly‍ lowered his gaze⁠ to his grandson.‍‌

The‌ wrinkles deepened in⁠ his face as he smiled.

“Seems⁠‍ you’re enjoying your work at the‌‌ shop.”

Knox⁠ had been working⁠‌‍ for half a year at a sushi restaurant in‍ Korea.

Since‍ New Year’s, he‍ had even begun‌⁠ handling the sashimi‍ knife.

“‘Enjoying’‌ might not be‍ the word…”

Knox⁠‌ scratched his forehead,‌‌ embarrassed by the⁠ patriarch’s satisfied smile.‍

“…It’s‍ just that I’ve‍‍ gotten used to‍‌ it after six‌ months.”

“You‌ say that, but⁠ your body tells‍⁠‌ the truth. Look⁠ at that smile.”⁠‍

“…!”‍‍

Knox‍ quickly pulled his‌‍ mask back up,⁠ but the skin‌‌⁠ around his eyes‍ flushed red.

The⁠⁠ patriarch’s calm smile‍‍‍ widened.

“No‍ need to be‌ embarrassed. Learning the‌ value of work⁠‍‌ while young is⁠‍ important—especially for us,⁠‍ who’ve grown up⁠‍‍ never lacking for‌‌‌ anything.”

“Yes,⁠ sir.”

“Knox,⁠‌ if you wish,⁠⁠ you may sit‍ this mission out.”‍‌

“No,‍ sir.”

Knox‍⁠ firmly shook his‌‌‍ head. His crimson‍ pupils flicked to‌‍ the sides, then‌⁠ focused straight ahead.‍

“This‍‍ mission was ordered‍ directly by the⁠‌ Heavenly Sword. Nothing⁠ could be more‌‍‍ important than that.”‍

The‌‍‍ patriarch stared at‌‍ him blankly for‍ a moment, then gave a faint‌ smile and replaced‍ his mask.

With‍ a voice distorted‍‌ by it, he⁠ spoke.

“You‍ all heard Knox.‍ This ‘recon mission‌ into the Gehenna‍ Demon Realm’ comes‌‌ by direct order‌ from the Heavenly‌‍ Sword. So you⁠ must be more‍ alert than ever,⁠ understood? This mission⁠ will last five⁠ days. Even though‌ you’ve trained to‌‍ adapt to the‍‌ Demon Realm’s environment,‍‌⁠ don’t lower your⁠ guard. This will⁠⁠‍ be a test⁠ of endurance. Manage‌ your energy wisely.”‌‌

The black-clad figures nodded‍ silently. The patriarch⁠‌ swept his gaze‌⁠ over the family‍ members before continuing.⁠‌

“There’s‌‌‍ one more thing the Heavenly Sword‌‌ said—something even more‌⁠ important than the‍‌ mission itself. Perhaps‍‌‌ the hardest thing⁠ for us.”

Knox⁠ asked, his expression‍ tense.

“What is it, sir?”‍

The‍ patriarch smiled before‍ answering. Though masked,⁠‌ the entire group‌ could feel it.‍

“Come‌‍ back alive—all of⁠ you.”

With‍ that, he turned‍‍⁠ to face the‌‍ Gate.

“It’s‌ been a long time since I looked at the‍‍ moon like this.”‍

As‍ he stepped out‍‌ from the tree’s⁠ shadow, the moonlight⁠‌ bathed his entire‌ figure. His shadow⁠⁠ stretched long across‍ the ground.

“Maybe‍ the first time‌ since all this began.”

His⁠‌ moonlit eyes seemed‍ to track the⁠‍ distant past. Then, speaking over his‍ shoulder.

“By⁠ the Heavenly Sword’s‌‍ command, return safe‌⁠ and sound. If⁠⁠⁠ you don’t, I’ll⁠‍ personally punish you‍ severely.”

The‍‌ patriarch took a step forward. The⁠ group of dark‍⁠ figures stirred like⁠ a faint wave,‍‍ then melted into‌⁠ his shadow.

Overlapping‍‌ shadows formed a great triangle behind⁠⁠ him.

“Let’s‍ go, my children.”‍‍‍

The soft moonlight stretched⁠ far ahead, lighting‌‌ the path before‌‍ them.

***⁠

After⁠‌ Karon and Shail’s⁠ departure, on the⁠ fourth day, two‍ familiar faces visited‍ the quiet office.‍‍‌

“Our‌ Geom-Ma! Have you‌ been well without⁠⁠ me?”

Director‌ Media greeted me with a toothy⁠ grin. Beside her‍ was a slightly⁠⁠ fatigued Meian of‍ the Thousand Forces.

I opened my eyes‍ wide.

“What‍ happened to you⁠ two?”

The‌ Poison sisters looked‌ ragged. Dust covered their entire bodies, and their clothes⁠ were torn, revealing‍ patches of skin.‌⁠

“Ugh.”‌⁠

I instinctively covered my‍‍ nose. Their body‌ odor was unpleasant.

Meian⁠‍‌ explained the situation.‌

“We‍ haven’t been able‌‌ to bathe for‍ a month. I told Media we‍ should wash up‌⁠‌ and fix ourselves‌ a bit first,‌ but she insisted‌⁠ on seeing you‍‍ immediately.”

Here⁠⁠ was the story.⁠

On⁠ the very day⁠ of the “Joaquin⁠⁠‍ Assassination Attempt,” the‌ Poison sisters requested⁠⁠ cooperation from their‌ father, the Association‍ president. It was‍‍⁠ thanks to his‍ cutting-edge technological expertise.⁠

And‌‌ the president actively‌ supported his daughters.‍‌‌

He‌ used satellites he had personally launched⁠ to track the‌‍ enemies, demonstrating a level of fourth-generation‌‌⁠ technology that even‌ Ryozo couldn’t match.⁠‍‌

“These‍ weren’t your typical‍‌ Villain Alliance types.‌ They were independent cells with no⁠‌ fixed base. But‍ they were scattered‍⁠ all over the‌⁠‌ world. So what could we do?⁠ We had to‍‍ catch them. We⁠‍ spent a month‌⁠ circling the globe⁠‍⁠ and wiped them‍‌ all out.”

Meian let out a deep sigh.

“We‍‌⁠ tried to leave⁠ some alive for⁠ interrogation, but as‍ soon as they‍⁠ were about to‍⁠ talk, their heads‌ exploded. Most likely,‌⁠‌ the demons they’d⁠‌‌ made pacts with⁠ had implanted magic‌ in them.”

I served tea to⁠ the sisters, who‌⁠ had collapsed onto‌‌ the sofa.

“You‍‌ both did an⁠ excellent job. Please,‍⁠ have some tea⁠ and rest from your journey.”

Media’s‍ eyes sparkled as⁠ she took a sip.

“Huh?!‍ Why is this‍‌ so good?”

Even‍‍‍ Meian, who hadn’t⁠ shown much interest,⁠ brought the cup⁠⁠ to her lips.⁠⁠⁠

“…What?‍ It really is‌‌ that good? I feel the fatigue‍ fading away.”

Before‌‍ leaving, Shail had⁠‍ left me all her tea leaves‍ and taught me‍‍ how to brew⁠‌ them properly.

“Oh,⁠ right.”

Meian⁠ seemed to recall‌⁠‍ something as she‌ drank the tea‍ and looked at‍‍ me.

“What⁠ happened with the⁠‍ army formation? I heard bits and‌‍ pieces, but not‍ the details. I’ve been traveling too‍‌‍ much.”

“It’s⁠ going well.”

I sat across from‌‌ the sisters and‍⁠ replied.

“We’re organizing troops based⁠‍ on Association heroes,‍⁠ and many mercenaries‍ from agencies around‌ the world have‌⁠ also offered their‌ help. Even independent⁠ heroes are volunteering.”‌

“Wow,‍ you must’ve gathered⁠ a ton.”

“Yes.‍⁠‍ It’s already twenty⁠ times more than⁠ I had imagined.”

“Oh,‍⁠ I’m so proud!‌‌⁠ Our Geom-Ma!”

Media tried to throw⁠ herself at me‌⁠ in a hug,⁠‍ but I quickly‍ stepped away.

Sorry,‍ but the smell‌ was too much.⁠⁠‌

Besides,‌⁠‌ her torn clothes‍‌ looked like they‍ could fall apart‍‍ at any moment.‍

“Shouldn’t‌⁠ you check your‌ condition before lunging‌‌ like that?”

Luckily,‍‍ Meian stopped her. Media struggled against⁠⁠ her grip, but‍‌ soon slumped again.⁠‍ Her eyes were‍ hazy, like a drunk.

Meian⁠⁠ frowned at her,⁠⁠ then turned to me and apologized.⁠‌

“Sorry.⁠ Notice how her⁠‌ speech and behavior‌ became childish? Honestly,‍ she’s a bit‍‌‍ out of her‍‌ mind. And it’s understandable—this winter, she⁠⁠‌ killed far too‍⁠ much.”

“Ah…⁠‍ I see.”

“No‌ matter that they⁠⁠ were villainous lackeys,‍‍ they were still⁠ human. For someone‍‍‍ not used to‌⁠⁠ killing, to take out dozens, hundreds…⁠ It might sound⁠‍ like favoritism, but⁠‍⁠ she’s mentally strong,⁠‍‍ which is why‌‍ she didn’t completely⁠ lose it. Anyone‌‍ else wouldn’t have‍ come out as⁠ well.”

Meian‍⁠ gave a bitter⁠ smile. The tea‌ was sweet, but‌ it left a sour aftertaste.

“Geom-Ma,‌‌ do you know⁠ the most important‌⁠ condition for ‘Awakening⁠ a Blessing’?”

Meian⁠ set down her‌ cup carefully to⁠⁠ avoid making a sound. Her sister‌ was asleep on⁠ her shoulder.

“There‌‍‍ are many conditions,‍ but the clearest‍‍ one is taking‍‍ as many lives‍ as possible. Kill, kill, and keep‍ killing. Until you⁠ go blank. When⁠ you start to⁠ enjoy it, you become incapable of‌⁠ remaining human.”

As she spoke, Meian⁠ leaned her head‍‌ back. Her light⁠ green hair cascaded‍ down the back of the sofa⁠ like a veil.⁠

She⁠ stared at the⁠‌⁠ ceiling—or perhaps beyond‌ it—and murmured.

“What⁠ a strange world.⁠ The more you‍‌ seek the blessing⁠‌ of a god,‌⁠ the more lives⁠ you must take.”⁠

Then‌ she slowly lowered‌ her head. Her⁠⁠ face showed conflicting emotions.

“…What⁠⁠ do those who‍⁠⁠ call themselves gods⁠⁠ really seek? Are‌ they truly gods?‌ Seeing what they‌ do, they seem⁠⁠⁠ worse than demons.”‌

Meian‍⁠⁠ recalled a moment‌ from the past,‌ listening to her⁠ sister’s steady breathing.‌

·
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·

There‌‍ was a time‌‍ when she moved‍ constantly across the⁠ battlefield.

But‌ the more blood‍ was spilled, the more clouded her⁠ judgment became.

She tried to ignore‍⁠ it. Thought she‌‌ could handle it.‌

It‌ was childish arrogance.‍

Eventually,⁠‌ Meian lost control⁠ under the guise⁠ of “Awakening the‍‍ Blessing.”

Deploying⁠ the army was considered, but Media‍ objected. She insisted⁠⁠‍ on stopping her⁠ herself.

Many‍ doubted. In that state, Meian was‌ nearly on par⁠⁠‌ with the Seven⁠‌⁠ Stars.

Just‍ a step below‍‍ the Hero Founder.⁠‍

How could she stop‍‌ her?

Even‍ the Swordmaster and‌⁠‍ Changseong tried to⁠⁠‌ stop Media. But‌ she did it. She suppressed her‍ sister’s awakening.

Though‌⁠ at great cost.‌⁠ She lingered on⁠⁠ the edge of‍‍ death for years,‌‍ and even now⁠‍ she cannot use‌‍ half of her power.

Media‍⁠ smiled naively, saying‌‌⁠ it didn’t matter‌‍ if her core‌‌‌ was destroyed.

From‌ then on, Meian‍⁠ began to curse the world and‍‌ the gods.

Without⁠ hesitation, she ventured‌‌ into the cursed land of Gehenna,⁠‍ searching for traces⁠‌ of the gods‌ in case they ever reawakened.

It⁠⁠ was also winter‍ that day.

Unlike‍‌ the world of‍ the living, in‍⁠ Gehenna the snow‍‍ was a deep,⁠ bloody red.

Meian‍‍⁠ found a narrow‌⁠‌ cave. Inside, to‍‍ her surprise, was a ragged child‍ trembling and curled up.

In⁠‌‌ a corner was‌‍ a thick, ancient‍‍ tome. A book‌ of prophecies.

After⁠ reading it, Meian⁠ discovered the truth of the world.⁠ And she knew⁠ that child was⁠‌ the hero of‍ prophecy.

Meian⁠⁠ reached out her‍ hand.

“Don’t⁠⁠ stay here. Come⁠ with me.”

Perhaps⁠‍ with some compassion.⁠‍

“You must fulfill your‌‌ role.”

And‍ also to fulfill‍‌ her own ambition.⁠‌‌

“Accept⁠ the Sword God.‍ I’ll help you‍‍⁠ destroy the gods⁠ seeking resurrection.”

·
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·

While Meian was lost‍‍ in thought, I remained silent.

‘The more lives you‌ take, the closer‌‌ you get to⁠‌ awakening the blessing.’‍⁠‌

I reflected on those‌‍ words. If they‌‌ were true, I must be one‌‍‍ of the most‌‌ dangerous. And so‍ were the members‍‌ of the shadow‌ family, the Auditore.‍‍ After all, assassination‍ was their craft.‌‌

‘Now‍‍ that I think‍‍ of it.’

The‍ Auditore were currently‌ infiltrated in Gehenna⁠ under my orders.⁠ Today was the⁠‌ fourth day, so⁠ they should be‍‌‍ returning tomorrow.

‘I‍⁠‍ hope they’re alright.’‍‌‍

I shook off the‍⁠ rising anxiety like smoke. If I didn’t trust their‌⁠ skills, who could I trust? No⁠ ordinary incident should‌ pose a threat‌ to them.

It⁠‍ was at that‍ moment.

Crash!⁠⁠

The⁠ office door burst‌ open violently. Meian⁠ snapped out of her thoughts, and‌‌⁠ Media, who was⁠⁠ asleep, jumped in⁠‌ shock.

A man of imposing⁠ stature entered. Each‌ step made his⁠‌ plate armor clink,‌‌⁠ and his cape⁠⁠ billowed behind him.‌‍

“Forgive the discourtesy of⁠⁠ arriving unannounced.”

The‌‍ man was the captain of the knight squad of‌ the Outer Church.⁠⁠⁠ His left knee‍ hit the ground‍ with a loud‌ thud of metal.⁠

“It’s‍ an urgent message‍⁠⁠ from the Auditore.”⁠‍

The⁠ captain spoke with‍‌ a tense face.‍‌

“In‌ the demon realm,‌ in Gehenna the‌ hero Leon van⁠⁠⁠ Reinhardt has been‌ seen.”