Chapter 282: All Humans Make Mistakes
qeAF0B2Famous heroes from around the world began to gather.mlK
pTWk8UyThe meeting point was Joaquin Academy, considered undoubtedly the ultimate target of the Demon King’s army.yaqCLCa
CfAsly5Only a week had passed since the emergency summit. However, most heroes gladly accepted the call to arms.M61
Qf4kDirector Sung, who had feared difficulties in recruitment, wore a relieved expression. Even though this was a war for humanity’s survival, he assumed noble-born heroes would only seek to save themselves. That’s how they had always been.ZDnoc
4qZxnBut unexpectedly, they came voluntarily to Joaquin Academy. And one after another, they said something to Director Sung. In essence, they all said the same thing.yTkA
5wpTap“Wasn’t it Heavenly Sword who summoned us? Of course, we had to come.”bPwL3d
iEDrw“If it had been the association or the state who organized this, I wouldn’t have come. But if Heavenly Sword asks, that’s a different story.”t0Xvi
BdtF“My brother was one of the survivors of Fermush’s invasion—the fourth Corps Commander. He said that if it hadn’t been for Heavenly Sword, not just him, but everyone there at the time would’ve been wiped out. Though he can’t join this war, I’ll fight in his place. To repay the debt we owe.”FVdvu
JL2EQjZThey didn’t come because the state called. A noble doesn’t move for emotional appeals. If they did, they’d have accepted their extinction with indifference.2TXOn3
maoAINobles value personal gain, but even more so, they treasure honor, pride, and dignity as nobles.7ldhl
cJuqThis war fulfilled all three principles. Alongside Heavenly Sword. For him, even the most arrogant rallied under one banner.bXX
C31DfbFurthermore, the fact that the battlefield was Joaquin Academy also influenced their decision to gather. It was the place where many of them spent their youth, now on the brink of becoming ashes.aEsr5W
G44Heroes who didn’t think highly of Kang Geom-Ma also joined under the cause of “protecting Joaquin Academy.” Regardless of the pretext, Director Sung was grateful that they had all gathered.6nT
fbnjaThus, the expansive Joaquin Academy was unusually crowded. The crowd was composed exclusively of veterans—no students among them. Their faces bore the marks of many years of experience.OG1LiB
r4y5aUAnd thanks to them, the academy, usually empty during winter break, brimmed with life. Some among them knew Kang Geom-Ma personally.6RrR
VI5HYAll Mute, Khan Elizabeth, and the Relentless Iron Mao Lang were among them.DixreU
nJ5“Oh, the Iron Family has come! And Lancelot Company as well! I truly appreciate both groups for accepting the call.”zl8mqE
BySADirector Sung, panting as he ran up to them, greeted them. All Mute gave a polite bow, Mao Lang a traditional martial salute—each in their own way.OFMx
3KAp3“It’s good to see you, Chief Sung. Or should I say, Director now. Congratulations on your promotion.”r3fBC
EAcK“Wow, I thought you were just a section chief, and now you’re a director. A meteoric rise in under a year. The Iron Family should show you some respect.”BVupF
kzAHgBF“Oh, please, don’t say that.”3jG7
YExxpMDirector Sung responded bashfully.RV2
dRGZC0“To be honest, this position is too much for me. When I first heard I was being appointed as director, I tried to turn it down. But it was the president of the association himself who chose me, so I couldn’t refuse. If it were just the title, I could handle it, but…”kQ2
cqb0Director Sung was in charge of this entire mobilization. He wasn’t a combatant, but perhaps that’s exactly why he was right for the role.rK8d6yk
8CKi3qSince there was a clear distinction between operators and fighters, no one protested. Anyone who did would be seen as petty. Thanks to that, he was able to proceed with preparations smoothly, which was a relief for him.L1oFJM
obt2Tt“Forgive me for rambling in front of such distinguished guests. This way, please. A separate meeting has been prepared for those who will be fighting on the front lines.”bHOv
TwPDirector Sung led them to a private room. Several were already seated, all imposing figures.yLlL4w2
RPukx‘The Sword Master, Changseong, the Tyrant Media, Kojima, Meian…’q5A
OPHlAll Mute licked her lips, scanning the room carefully. Meanwhile, Director Sung quietly excused himself, having completed his role.Dzh
yNEOxm‘Should I really be here?’by9hb
WH4bThe legends of the old generation were gathered. All Mute felt she didn’t measure up. Mao Lang, seeing her hesitation, gave a slight smile and whispered in her ear.nRKFK4c
KW6M“If you’re already shaking, what will you do when you face the Demon King’s army? Besides, the main star hasn’t even arrived yet.”SDEsl
QW5d2True. One seat was still empty—clearly his.Hm6SzM
qRqR7‘He’s not here yet?’ilFcNmT
OTR9jYAs All Mute tilted her head, Media gestured for them to come sit.w5CVP
eyo“Geom-Ma is busy with something personal, so he’ll be a bit late. You two, come have a seat.”aOxd
4oU3The two nodded and sat in non-primary seats. A momentary silence fell. The air was thick and heavy—understandable, given both the gravity of the moment and the caliber of those present.sESk8z
ZfmWithin a week, at least half of those here would no longer be standing. No one knew who. That’s war.pIfTw
sQVTo break the tension a little, Media clapped her hands loudly.q1YB2
ghQGZ“Anyway, who would’ve thought? Fighting a war alongside my own students. Living to see this day.”Pg8Fk
9Rju“It’s an honor for us as well.”h5m5igc
7nzwqSgMao Lang replied.cn1k
102JGti“To think we’ll be fighting alongside the director and the Seven Star heroes—this will be remembered for generations in the Iron Family.”ARC
acs5Ox“Only if we win this war, of course.”5ca0uqG
SQtA woman with a tired expression, Meain, interrupted. Media flared up instantly.8B6
gA8hR“Sis!”x8ECRS
jd3m“Did I say anything untrue?”ZM74l
OmKOM“Whether you’re right or not, I told you a thousand times to read the room! Do you talk like this to the Celestial Class too? No use. When this is over, I’ll seriously consider firing you.”NsPKm
8a7ZSha“Tch, how petty.”vUk
vFm21j“……”sIjd
eY8At the absurd bickering of the Poison sisters, Mao Lang and All Mute stayed silent. It seemed they were already tired before anything had started. Not just them; the other Seven Stars avoided eye contact as if embarrassed.PwsCBLC
6uZuCDScreech.bQ5p0t9
ibfifWhile the Poison sisters bickered, the face everyone had been waiting for entered the room. It was none other than Kang Geom-Ma.l2E
ehclSIP“I see everyone’s already here.”vgzgv
wTCAs soon as he entered, the sisters fell silent and gathered their words with serious expressions.I4CX
Kw5n1G9All Mute and Mao Lang also held back their greetings.FIZG4N
5TeThe reason was clear—Kang Geom-Ma’s presence was abnormal.3bIsyMh
WU1GThough he had always radiated a dark energy, now he also emanated a kind of magical force that was hard to describe.zj1q
esiIf not for his familiar face, anyone would’ve mistaken him for a demon. His aura was chilling.sDSzCm
agSThump.jaOZj
OaHwFeeling all eyes on him, Kang Geom-Ma sat casually in the head seat.2btZSZ
7oJOGHe knew well what everyone wanted to ask.NccAxqO
m0gamY‘I understand they want to know why magic is flowing from my body.’zOJbRU
BRm3mBut it wasn’t the time to explain. The situation was urgent, and they couldn’t waste time on details.jw2dB4
uUbRj‘They’ll find out during the war anyway. No need to say it now.’oa0X
gN60o0yMen with secrets always carry a mysterious air.667k
btr0“Sorry for the delay. I had to stop by somewhere before coming.”m9yk
aMdx86“Don’t worry. You bear the greatest burden. If you needed more rest, we would understand. Sorry for wasting your time with us old folks.”u14
NpVm5f3Changseong smiled kindly. As soon as he saw Geom-Ma arrive, his face lit up with a big grin.lr6W1zh
NNk“The protagonist always enters last. You arrived right on time.”kEuY93N
RWFmThe Sword Master chimed in. The Poison sisters tried to start another fuss, but the Sword Master, seated next to them, restrained them. They obeyed and forced stiff smiles.TuHQA
a39YO30Kojima cast a glance at Kang Geom-Ma, then looked away.yIE
a8EZThough he said nothing, he didn’t seem intent on criticizing either.UwTo
7vBN2sThat scene stunned All Mute and Mao Lang.HTrd6
r2yTHlPThe legends of the previous generation didn’t just respect Kang Geom-Ma—they practically revered him. It wasn’t out of convenience, but genuine reverence. And it made sense, considering all he had accomplished.VBqF2R3
S8tFFor those familiar only with the solemn demeanor of the Seven Stars, it was naturally shocking. That moment made the hierarchy clear.4X3
z8lIWh5Heavenly Sword stood above. The others, below.SDUQ1KS
wUNFinally, Kang Geom-Ma noticed All Mute and Mao Lang. He offered them a slight greeting with his eyes, and both instinctively bowed their heads without standing.jDeA0F
Z1RD‘…He wasn’t this overwhelming when I saw him before.’Cb8hG
UCqLifting their heads was difficult. A sticky pressure clung to the back of their necks. Even though Kang Geom-Ma wasn’t doing it intentionally, his mere presence was overwhelming.xjb
7hrCold sweat dripped from Mao Lang. Her assumption was confirmed—Kang Geom-Ma would soon become someone beyond even being looked at.wRMj7u
4VEhuPt‘I didn’t think it would be to this extent…’yA6t
D0BYRQ2This was an unexpected factor. It far exceeded imagination. It wasn’t just growth.hH9Xc
BkWdOEzIt was evolution.TsXCD5
vKyjbOFThat’s right. Kang Geom-Ma had shed his human form and evolved into something beyond. A new type of human being.fBZkVGv
5FvE9“New humanity” seemed the most fitting term for this non-human existence.ZjhXTfh
WDXAs Mao Lang, trembling, slowly lifted her gaze, she noticed the hairs on her arms standing on end. Her entire body was covered in goosebumps.EuGguNh
ST6yvWas it because of Kang Geom-Ma’s presence? Not entirely. That unease wasn’t coming from in front of her—it was behind her.Swpbs
47EkShe could clearly sense a presence at her back that hadn’t been there a moment ago.m3h
j6KbARpThe sweat that had previously beaded on her temple now trickled down her face.D56qD
Wts3mb4The coldness of her skin made that sweat feel strangely warm.fPaOW97
ApM1tsMao Lang only moved her eyes. Everyone present was staring at her in astonishment—or more precisely, staring behind her. Only Kang Geom-Ma frowned, visibly annoyed.NDEKK
RWp1z03What was happening? What had occurred in that brief instant when she had tried to greet him? Mao Lang glanced over her shoulder.VVYyP8
A1jlJvAnd as expected, the cause of the icy silence was right behind her.NBx
vZFA beauty with skin as pale as cooked rice. But her beauty, artificial like that of a porcelain doll, was unsettling.rzT
AQxrLzvNo one had seen her before, which explained their confusion. Everyone except Kang Geom-Ma.SKIeV
Obb8vcIt was Herya, Kuarne’s loyal subordinate. She had appeared just like she had during the Joaquin incident—through a projection of her double body.oluA
t9xJYgs‘Does that bastard think the academy is his private bathroom or what?’6WE
irxNznWhatever the reason, this was clearly one of that pale being’s signature abilities.Ewj
PghoIn any case, the fact remained: this was the second time that thing had shown itself to him.f20g
ADaBUEven if it was just a duplicate body, it took tremendous nerve to appear twice before Kang Geom-Ma.o1wMrP
hl6She must have nerves of steel.ZTc
9LhAt this point, even Kang Geom-Ma was starting to get curious. What was this ghost trying to pull now?KUAAu
BIM“If you have something to say, say it.”4s2Y86i
icEhzlHe cut straight to the point. Those who were about to draw their weapons stopped. Instead, they simply rested their hands on their hilts and watched Herya intently.WljN3
lylhK9CWith an emotionless expression, she delicately held her skirt and gave a curtsey. She barely managed to mimic the gesture. But that was all. Even if she pretended to be human, she couldn’t fake having a will of her own.ErvTd
JcjbU5V“I bring a message from Kuarne.”xPz
IZppSgKang Geom-Ma rested his chin in his hand with an indifferent air and gave a vague nod. Since ancient times, even emissaries from mortal enemies were at least heard out. So he would listen.0nTx
H5rwS“In this war, we shall exterminate humanity completely, so—”3xxS9
QFoPSsThe moment she opened her mouth, a sword flash sparked. The sashimi blade traced a white arc. The cut sliced through the air with a sharp hiss, releasing a bitter scent of scorched air.tGxGo
JVvHSlash.qZfAc
YQNW2UA head as pale as paper rolled down Mao Lang’s back and struck the floor, shattering into a thousand pieces on impact.Mx0O
7ZzcThe body, now headless, disintegrated into dust a moment later.2D1X
Tu6Zs“Well.”TOQkA
JuSxAs everyone’s pupils dilated, Kang Geom-Ma let out a brief sigh and lazily shook off his sashimi blade.w2fTP
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