Chapter 301: Nice to Meet You, Dear Readers
RO5QIt’s been ten years since I started a new life.tqW
3XzWnLooking back, I lived so intensely that even I feel proud of myself.YOl
2RhThey say time flows like water, but this life wasn’t a gentle stream—it was an unstoppable torrent.HcTnFjm
RtA4x7iI’m now in my late twenties, approaching thirty, and yet I’ve lived such a tumultuous life that it can’t even compare to my past existence.BoxUw
kBLIf I wrote the story of my life, it would be a novel long enough to use as a pillow.KduE
WEaHmm.HxJ
NTpyUGIn fact, my autobiography is selling remarkably well. Although I tried desperately to refuse, I had no choice.9oaX5
JYiZsMy two wives pressured me without end. And I bet everything.9xoM4
lIQFcEoAt this point, you must be wondering—what did I do to brag about such a busy life and even publish an autobiography?uq4
sCqLEJWell.YN0t
hnGnveIt’s a little embarrassing to say it myself, but.Wlc
0TLdHI saved the world.mRD
UyjI was seventeen.e6yoEp
rejI had enrolled in the academy hoping to enjoy the youth I missed in my previous life, but life had other plans.JIHG
HUSomCaThey say the harder your youth, the easier the rest becomes.XYsW04U
juQSfWell, my youth was far too hard.vN6
5p0viEven so, it’s thanks to that hardship that I am who I am today. And because it was so bitter, I now enjoy certain adult privileges.by9XYm
F92mGjFor example.12EuRes
tt8nufoI’m loved in every corner of the world.JOOxw
OaL6Even in both the human world and the Demon Realm.H6s
QW1uYDI received an offer to become the Demon King from Gehenna, but of course, I refused.vuGZy
Twa5I was the one who halved the power of their faction. I’m not crazy enough to become their leader.0E3u
HE5j7VyEven if they offered me all the lands of Gehenna, I wouldn’t take them.LjDuIi8
MIplzRdThey might have the custom of submitting to the strong, but I don’t intend to live among people with horns on their foreheads.Hh8u
zgtqeAnyway, I’ve gone on for too long.1y5P
zyASIn short, I’m living like a character in a game.8o08
jXApv01Under the same roof with several high-caliber women.UpQoji
NxZ1pAh, right.I0qD
O3h[The Blessing of the Sword God (%) Appears]wJmc
itY39I still retain the blessing of the Sword God.Uv21Vn
gAoiGSBefore the equipment evaluation table.ac3JMEQ
Z5Tg9D“…Cadet, is this really your weapon?”fha2
0Ip0G“Yes, Instructor Lee Won-Bin.” The young cadet lifted his chin firmly.Hm2
Cg9RSiHe stood in full military posture, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Lee Won-Bin.O0FRJQj
HLb2FThey say bald men are strong, and this instructor was the one reviewing the cadets’ gear.9k4
iL25xdGLee Won-Bin was a true hero, selected five years in a row among the ‘Top 100 Heroes of the Year’ by the Hero Association.D43Xmc0
tH0But…m5qv7E
korp‘I’m standing before the instructor! Damn, his head shines even more in person! No wonder they call him Radiant Lee Won-Bin!’P1Ke
yIYSsbYLee Won-Bin had rejected all the offers from competing hero agencies and chose to remain as an instructor at Joaquin Academy.f0pGQI
ZoE5kDZA distinguished man who preferred to contribute to the future of humanity over enjoying wealth and fame.CeR
Io3A model instructor. But the cadet’s sparkling eyes weren’t only out of respect…zAWb3
8zr“I’ll ask again.”yV2Q6G
eSW“You can ask as many times as you like, my answer won’t change.”8lmyDT
nt79zThe cadet responded firmly and raised a sashimi knife bought from Daiso.BI9
LA5w“Only mediocrities blame their equipment. I am a hero candidate inheriting the will of ‘that man.’ I will not take a step back.”VmmrY
s0IdLrLee Won-Bin stared silently. The cadet was tense, but inside, thrilled.HbdNIQ8
TzIPj5‘Did he see the image of that man in me?’fgfe
gi6All cadets in that line—no, all heroes in the world—admire that man.3L8
dD8GTF1Nowadays, in this peaceful era, the competition to enter Joaquin Academy is fiercer than when corps commanders were active.M19un
Kd6zkrKThe status of heroes remains solid. And all of it is thanks to the dedication of that man.ZUZV
sezqEuQLee Won-Bin was one of the first to recognize his potential.OuPZ
n0wThat’s why, even though there were many gear evaluation tables, only Lee Won-Bin’s line was absurdly long.79ZQFO
ealNnRtHe smiled faintly.1gcJT
4SwZAHe resisted the urge to cheer. That smile no doubt acknowledged his potential.OEqJi
408zUVEAh, he heard it—the murmurs of the cadets behind him.e7ksmMk
2UqG4OHowever.s6s6s0
bMmPd“Cadet.”I9ay
OY9wN4uLee Won-Bin instantly erased the smile from his face, as if it had never been there. Then he sighed, as if too disappointed to be angry. And he spoke loudly for all to hear.ZFkOCa
9Wyc“Do you know how many cadets have brought Daiso sashimi knives over the past ten years?”kqjBx
X1EjL4“Uh… no, sir.”Z1Ya
Dj1nE“A total of 9,432. Including you today, that makes 9,433.”Pmn8ry
e4rGeiR“S-So many…?”Wct9QE
cBoMioLee Won-Bin nodded solemnly.sMBdu
DTX“Do you know what the class assignment exam entails?”qIdC8p
kpWs69“From what I understand, it’s a battle royale in a subspace, just like ten years ago…”Te4Vl
sSVr1MThis year’s entrance ceremony was special.OPdG
Fk6zmlIt marked the tenth anniversary of humanity’s victory.77dMz
dy45Hence, the subspace battle royale was a personally arranged event by the current academy director, Sung (13).19T8
mFf“If you manage to survive with a sashimi knife, I’ll accept it as your weapon. As you know, the grade limit for equipment is class D.”lXg7Z
W1Pdt“Ah…”nTAdOvq
PWVO“Even if you end up in the lowest class, I won’t take any responsibility.”f9E6
40DWH“I-I’m sorry!”kCAJnR
PE7zCThe cadet, finally realizing his mistake, quickly withdrew the sashimi knife and placed a proper weapon on the evaluation table.7tFJ2
S2r2rhpLee Won-Bin motioned with his chin for him to pass.fiX9
0jFnQC“W-Was an honor to meet you!”oHkIi
7EC4“May the blessing be with you, cadet.”7LsLxy
CNXAHe watched intently as the cadet hurried away.
And let out a slight laugh.Yo5jEbE
xHD9GThough many cadets had brought sashimi knives, today felt different.CMpnnu9
smx“Are you finally showing yourself today?”oye
CWmKHis disciple, literally the most pride-worthy in the world.Q5QTre
j7NHyWCurrently, he moved between the human world and the Demon Realm, fulfilling the role of a universal regulator.YXfkPJt
6QNIn almost three years, the times he had shown his face could be counted on one hand.ik0lY
7uPnUEven when he came to the academy, he only dropped by to see his two wives and left immediately.gYM
QbVRBecause of that, he hadn’t attended entrance ceremonies either.
But today—YM9ze
ICo5TFs‘Today is the tenth anniversary.’LFmHJj
zIxIMAjJust like the current academy director—also one of Lee Won-Bin’s disciples—Saki Ryozo had mentioned that there was a high chance he would attend today.hRp
YnglyyPerhaps because of that, the guest lineup at today’s entrance ceremony was spectacular. Not to mention the former heroes of the Seven Stars.pwV0jB
GpjToThe entire golden generation from ten years ago was present.WTF9G
3atKJ1Now, each one is a prominent figure in their field; disciples so precious that even glancing at them feels like a crime.9sw4A
TPQ3Ky‘You’re the only one missing.’Ned
BNjWhile stretching his cheek with a silly smile, his gaze settled on the cadets lined up before him.z9i
6IIfOGHmm. Looks like I won’t be leaving early this year either.lTd
46c***UzQEbH
RgdfsfgThe Academy had been left half-destroyed after the Second Great Human-Demon War.Fpu
vMl3Except for a few key facilities, most of the buildings were reduced to bare steel frameworks.yJJSqss
PDyuXgpPeople said.K4CH7x
dBODmFrom that day on, even though humanity had won, Joaquin Academy would vanish into the shadows of history. That its 700-year tradition would end here.nX0FmA
01x“Hey, did he come today?”xLhH7V0
qZDc“Who, idiot?”owL
JxQc“Ah, you dumbass…”YTx
WrjufteAs universal law dictates, pessimistic predictions never come true.wC575
JHD0XcUThe training grounds were boiling with people.pxw
CFlIt had been expanded so many times that it was now twice its original size.uKC
jpdBefore, it was already as big as three football stadiums combined, but now it looked like it could hold an entire village.8MTK7j
NmwHc“Wow…”CI2M
4iL5W0IA boy with dyed hair and the energy of a delinquent let out a breath in awe.
His name was Speedweapon. This is being narrated.73mHuh
jLwQ2Yu“Saki… I don’t know about her personality, but her skills are scary good.”ce8vbw9
kkM6pIndeed.Pxbepb
yRY6Despite all the worries, Joaquin Academy had risen from the ashes. Perhaps it had even surpassed its former glory.4luAh
Mgf“Saki became a person thanks to marrying him. Don’t you remember how she was at the Academy, Speedweapon? She was totally insane back then.”Foxok
7kGg0LrA voice chimed in.
Speedweapon looked away with an indifferent expression.As6
5fQ84A blonde woman, clad in tight clothes that revealed her voluptuous figure.
She was Rachel of Mura, a distant relative of Speedweapon and currently one of the most famous heroines alongside All Mute.Dz2lY6d
jUqvqx“Rachel, do you really have to dress like that with so many people watching? Why do I always get second-hand embarrassment?”gtm
oBDUX“And you, why are you dressed so stiffly? Anyone would think you came from a funeral.”lvwrElu
e1RMThe two bickered as usual.wWSVyR
wOLnoSince arriving in Korea yesterday, they hadn’t stopped fighting.BGExf
U92Speedweapon came representing the Hero Association, and Rachel as part of Lancelot Company.uuY0I
V9jOh2hAttendance at the entrance ceremony had become a tradition for both organizations, but this year, they had insisted on coming personally.CU6
EyWf“P-please don’t fight…!”4OI7
Z76j1hsA red-haired woman tried to step in between them.qRN
kuYLZN“Chloe, are you taking her side?!”9TYM
xLHY2rboth shouted in unison.LWNadL
J3VI“N-no, that’s not it…”Vqe3VHJ
nVLvCVChloe Auditore da Sicilia.oGlsn1e
FgdWEUGShe came from a noble assassin family, but rose to success as a food industry magnate.4cOZm3
3ij0Wv9The Auditore clan, already wealthy, had amassed enough fortune to leave assassination behind.hXS
4rOPWith a troubled expression, Chloe pointed behind them.
Speedweapon and Rachel turned slowly like broken toys.c5I
BLV8And the air grew heavy.x1Hc
qP3uGqu“……”sgLa
RSBkW“Haha……”MzM8ec
DtxfBTwo women stood there. Both so beautiful they stole your breath away.x0B
Zd2v8fSpeedweapon had known them since his student days, so he wasn’t too fazed—but anyone else would be stunned.Uqq4s
YpSyMoreover, both were at the height of their beauty.a859
904Men who looked at them had expressions as if they’d lost their souls.ud25IW5
a9Dt3lHTo Speedweapon, however, those two were like goddesses of death.J9Tk2
GDDlwgoEven Rachel gulped nervously.M350ok
zqEg“What are you doing?”e6JzfD
Sh0opThe tall woman’s voice shattered the silence. Rachel, still holding Speedweapon by the collar, let out an awkward laugh and let go.wCCh7
HOonqSo“L-Long time, Abel.”akuvxO
MrWgA sword genius who rose on her own merits despite being the “granddaughter of the Sword Master.” The Swordfighter, Abel von Nibelung.x5T
C5ZShe brought a hand to her forehead and shook her head.MzKzF2
VpLFW“We met last week in the U.S. What do you mean ‘long time’? And how old are you two? Still bickering like this? Everyone knows you’re his friends. If you act undignified, what do you think it looks like to him?”Rnv
vKcfGA“Haha. Abel, you’re getting more like the Sword Master every day.”GNMjBr
XPVtSpeedweapon glanced toward the VIP section’s highest seats.JKgczb
nX7Where legends of a past era were reuniting.PHq
8EHJ“What do you mean by that, Speedweapon?”BQYfHm
qYDAbel’s eyes sharpened.IlUKZve
Ao4N“Hey, hey, why are you reaching for your sword hilt? Aren’t we classmates?”VDXiN
lYyZD7G“Enough. Sit down.”rqjH9pP
gPIwNYoThe voice came from a woman with sky-blue hair, her arms tightly crossed.wCaAZR
DnKQStep.EEjz
VG1uAShe walked between her old classmates and sat in the seat one to the left of center, sipping her coffee.I1ALr3
v1YjBL“Saki? She couldn’t even handle bitterness as a kid, and now she’s addicted to caffeine.”aYypm
JRZF“Life’s more bitter, so coffee tastes sweet.”J0vAFEf
GBwWwL2Speedweapon nodded at Abel’s remark.TIX9x
2RlA while later, Speedweapon sat shyly in his designated seat.o9egox
c8ltCdLFrom there, the entire training ground was in view.vkBda5H
aWDpeAThe center seat was empty.
That place was reserved for Saki Ryozo, the Director.Wlmk9
81QxBut she had deliberately avoided sitting there.xXY81j
pT4To her right sat Abel, and between the two of them, it seemed they were guarding the seat of honor.SYmbMK
FzL3All eyes in the venue were fixed on that spot.4ca4FF
L9nWhether cadets or nobles, everyone seemed eagerly awaiting someone.NWWmj
I9sdfNot even idol fans gaze with such anticipation.dh7kJSl
kt8U“Sa… Saki.”4CliF
gchGSpeedweapon whispered.GqJQk0
lpDRyozo gave him a cold look.HSxL
tWop9EIt was uncomfortable sitting right next to her, but curiosity got the better of him.nQwNd6h
Vi7WvyShe replied disdainfully.ZHGYEsA
8p2vuJ“What?”AXTo
We7Gna“No, just… is he coming today?”zMPw
51i4IE“I don’t know.”dZm
XGZnYrw“What! If you don’t know, who does?! Everyone here came just for him!”DVZNnjX
qzIGnXtYes, the entrance ceremony is a global event, but it happens every year.QOm5P
OAVahHe, however, doesn’t attend every year.K1aax
EjT6tFIt’s not because he thinks he’s a star, but because his world is elsewhere—the problem solver for both the human world and the Demon Realm.Aj3YH
lDFs“He said he would come.”Z4vb
KUH3gRyozo murmured, almost to herself.CYBML
YdzYgU“…He said he would come…”3RA
XKySxfCHer tone was indifferent, but her sky-blue eyes betrayed her anxiety.rDm
eDtFWQUSpeedweapon opened his mouth but said nothing and simply looked forward.1c87hRC
h3bGNExpectation and tension. The training ground was a cauldron of emotions.nskYNu
d5GGdfCadets whispered among themselves.WuMhd
JOR7zP— Is he really coming today?jVlYk4W
HOkuEtq— It’s the 10th anniversary, after all.zwi
NLUIO4— I’ve been waiting for this day for ten years.jbPpOFs
NWp— But you were seven back then.mvKqcz
smp3A bit later.ZEGXd
OHqjZVRyozo, who had been staring at her watch, stood up with a resigned air.oehrcl
ynoThe cadets wore bittersweet expressions.xxrjLG
djUYHappy to have entered their dream academy, but disappointed not to see him.nzB
P5rTCRyozo felt it too.Ixk
PkzQE‘Still… as Director, I must do my duty. But boys… I want to see him the most.’XI2Pa9C
DpD2V9aMurmuring that inwardly, she stepped up to the mic.pfuzEPV
L1lgUFo“Welcome—”xgbbyQ
2oFS9QbIt was at that moment.x2Z7qQ
fP0A shadow loomed over the training ground.8TkDQ
RISbOne by one, everyone looked up at the sky.dxwM
UIiQwIt had been a clear spring day, not a cloud in sight. And suddenly, black clouds began to gather.MjIglV
LfQranuWind blew, and thunder echoed as the clouds clashed.x9sZ
eZMiMxuBOOOM! BANG! BZZZT!!QcFcG
Keu8The sky roared, the air vibrated.
Lightning tore through the dark clouds.pgppv07
qeJ4XWith every flash, a human figure seemed to flicker into view.IOnCIoC
onKMzA sudden storm, without any warning.Ixb
V1RVKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!ELGjzYU
Ly6Unease rose across the field like breath.updGW
SWw8i0“……”oYsPU
JWFdop4But on the faces of the golden generation, only excitement was visible.nqvb
HJaAfter all, they knew who arrives with thunder.xBJuq
5AWd2Kyaaaaaaa…!!8SG
oH6K9AThe storm reached its climax.YXIaTBf
HVLeyz0Some cadets covered their ears, others swallowed nervously.7I70STc
mVwPAnd then—hs4J
1msmkSlash—B7ZsAdM
ndfOtlWith that sound, the thunder ceased.2h7LOq
DJoSrmSlash—YxX
VbtgThe sky split in two, and sunlight poured like a blessing onto the cadets.v8aa
6zrYaLightning. A sky divided.xSSReac
2Ux4UHA chain of sudden calamities.FCr
6k8lgFFLASH!919n
XMnpThrough the parted clouds, a spark flashed.ZrERGwd
EwJpA halo of light spread along the cloud’s edge.cWb9
v19dAnd then—kE8yw
bVqBz8YBOOOM!!!ufx3kEJ
9SJdmA pillar of light thundered down, shaking the entire venue.lTJva3C
hw8cElEveryone shut their eyes against the blinding flash.nVXn3g
hiiRyozo was no exception.V35
kcpksWhen she opened them, her vision was still blurry.UP7la
FeENzhTBut…iMf
aaumg“Sorry I’m late.”tLV9S
n7hzThat smile of his, at least, was crystal clear.KVVAEF
6IsIg“Why are you so late?”EA1gI5
xBKYJ4It had only been two weeks.rMXlF
ssmnRyozo bit her lower lip to hold back her emotions, then smiled softly.8kQUeyq
K0MNJ“Idiot.”bJhEl1k
jTSja0Sparks like threads danced off his black coat and equally dark hair.9mpeSa
MGBTXi“I had business in the Demon Realm.”k1hUonW
3fWfKSaying that, he turned, dragging electricity with him.f80TX
J32UH4Two radiant characters appeared in their retinas.LxdPT
oYkA천 검 (Heavenly Sword).tEplY
uT2o205He brought his lips to the microphone.qVWLvs
p6d0“Nice to meet you, dear readers.”3UR2E
jNeUpDWWith one hand, he wrapped his arm around Ryozo’s shoulders.Dpak3M
vP5dCSm“First of all, congratulations on your enrollment.”CIC
HCj7LwAnd in the other, he held a sashimi knife.Y6zpEn
dkrj“I’m Kang Geom-Ma.”7rNhn
ONvSA heavy silence fell over the training field.9urtKg
3Od“H-Heavenly Sword!”uOpY
ofU8aThat single cry was the signal.MtVD3K
tc6The world shook. The cheers that erupted were louder than the thunder that had terrified the cadets before.yNkKx
028cB9+++++++++++++++++++++++is8L
iVxV《May the blessing of the gods be with you.》CbG35AP
vMY+++++++++++++++++++++++ReZ
6SkYIt was such a clear day it hurt to look at.ablzqdF
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