The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 305: Why is everything so suddenly silent?

Chapter 305: Why is everything so suddenly silent?

[Progress‌ toward world perfection:‍ 98.99%.]

[Please‌⁠‍ repair the deficit⁠ as soon as⁠‌ possible.]

[Complete‌‌⁠ the perfection of‌⁠ the world.]

[You‌‍ must renounce ‘humanity.’]‍

[It⁠ is an unnecessary‌ impurity to perfection.]‍‌

…Chzz,‍ chzzzt.

[If‍‍ not fulfilled, the‌ repressive force will‌ intervene directly.]

[This‍ is an inevitable‍‍‌ causality, already predetermined.]‍⁠

++++++++‌⁠

《Watch‍ over them》

++++++++‌‍

Slash—‍‍

The‍ fuse blew. My⁠ mental universe shattered⁠‍ just like yesterday.‍

The‍⁠⁠ floating fragments quickly‌ dissipated, and I returned to reality.⁠

I woke from the‍⁠⁠ dream.

Sharp‌‍ pain. Damn it, the same dream again.

‘What‍⁠ is this supposed to mean?’

I’m‌⁠ not a teenager to be having⁠‍‌ wet dreams or⁠⁠ anything like that.‍

I’d‍ gone ten years‍ without strange dreams.⁠‍⁠ Why now, all‍ of a sudden?

I felt awful. I must have sweated⁠‍ liters in my‌ sleep; my back⁠ was soaked. The‍ mattress must be‌ drenched too. And‌⁠ right in March,‍ when the cold⁠ seeps into your‌ bones?

‘World⁠ perfection?’ What does⁠ that even mean?⁠‍ To me, the world is already perfect as it⁠⁠‌ is. And not‍ just for me.‍

The‌‌ false gods were‍ annihilated. The Corps‍⁠ Commanders, who were the greatest threat‍ to humanity, I personally eliminated.

Though‍ the world still⁠ bore scars from‍‌‌ the war, it‌‌ was slowly recovering.⁠ Healing always comes‌ with pain.

Joaquin‌ Academy still stood,‍‌ and our relations‍‌‌ with the demons‌⁠ had stabilized.

Whenever‌‌ minor conflicts arose,‌ Leon, Horn, or‍ I took turns‍ resolving them.

There were no visible‍⁠ problems.

Yet‍‍‌ that mysterious voice kept warning me‌ in dreams.

And‌ that final phrase‌ wouldn’t leave my⁠‌‌ mind.

‘Watch‍‍‍ over them.’

I remember seeing that‍ phrase when I first manifested the‌‌ Blessing of the⁠ Sword God using the World Tree,‍‍⁠ Yggdrasil, as a catalyst.

“…Haah.”

I covered my eyes with the back‍‌ of my hand.‌ Thinking about this‌ alone led nowhere.‍

But‌ it was okay.‍‍ I wasn’t a clueless teenager anymore.‍‍

I am the Heavenly Sword now and‌ surrounded by capable‍‌ people. In terms‌‍‌ of connections, I’m‌‌ the most well-connected‌⁠‍ person in the‌⁠⁠ world.

Besides…⁠⁠‍

‘I‌ know someone who’s‍ an expert in⁠ these things.’

The⁠ saint, Yu Sein.⁠‌

As⁠ a reincarnated soul,⁠‌⁠ Yu Sein knows‌‍ more about the‌‍‍ universe’s secrets than‍ anyone. Even more‍ than me, a possessed.

She‍ never told me‌‍ everything, but she‍⁠⁠ would answer faithfully⁠ when asked.

It⁠ wasn’t that she⁠⁠ hid things on‌‍‍ purpose—she just didn’t⁠‌‌ volunteer information.

After⁠⁠ so many reincarnations,‌ she’d grown bored with life. Even‍ so, she always did her duty.

Now that I think‌⁠ about it…

‘It’s‍ been a while since I saw her.’ What is‍ she up to?‍

Probably…⁠ gaming all night.‌⁠

Yu Sein is a video game addict.‌ Lately, she’s been⁠ obsessed with a virtual reality game.⁠

I heard she lives‌ holed up in‌⁠ an apartment in‍ Wonju, Gangwon-do.

That’s‌ relatively close to‍‌‌ the academy, so⁠ I should visit‍⁠ her soon.

“Nnngh…”⁠‌

I groaned as I got up. My⁠ hand reached out⁠‍‍ of bed and⁠‍ grabbed a water‍‍ bottle.

Gulp,‌‍ gulp.

My‌⁠ throat moved, the‍‍‌ water trickling down⁠ my abs like⁠ little streams.

“Hmm…”⁠

Just‍‌ then, Abel, who‍ had been sleeping‍‌ next to me,‌ rubbed her eyes‍ and sat up.‍‌‌

Looks‌ like I woke her. As you⁠‌‍ can guess, today⁠⁠ was an even‍‌⁠ day. In other‌ words, Abel’s day.⁠

Well,‍ it was already‌ past midnight, so⁠⁠ technically it was⁠⁠ Ryozo’s turn. Crap.‍‌

Even‍⁠ I’m not sure‌‍⁠ anymore.

‘Better‍ not think about‌ it.’

At‌ home, I was‌ like a drifting‍ plant.

I tried to respect‌ Abel and Ryozo’s‌‍ opinions as much‌‌ as possible. Please‍ don’t judge me⁠ for lacking a strong personality.

They’re both eloquent. I’m‍ not.

But‍ I’m not so‌⁠ messed up as‍ to draw my⁠‍⁠ Sashimi sword during‌ a family conversation.‌⁠‍

“…Did‍ you have a nightmare?”

Abel⁠⁠⁠ asked, concerned, as‌ she pulled the‍‍ sheet up to her chest. Dangerous‍‍ in many ways.⁠‍‍

“Sorry for waking you.”⁠

“It’s fine.”

Abel⁠‌ covered her mouth‍‍⁠ as she spoke,⁠ then looked out‍‍ the large window⁠ next to the bed. I turned to look too.

“……”⁠

“……”‍

A clichéd phrase, but‍ the night sky‍‍ looked like it‍‍ was spilling stars.‍‍

There‍ was no star⁠‍ brighter than her⁠‌ eyes.

Her⁠ symbol was a pair of shooting‍ stars.

“It‍⁠ reminds me of⁠ that day,” Abel‌⁠ said.

“The‌⁠ day we met?”‍

“Yes.⁠⁠ Wow… We were⁠ teenagers.”

She⁠‌ chuckled.

“We‌ still are. We’re‍ in our twenties.”‍

“And⁠‌‍ you say that‍⁠ like you’re old.‌ You’re in your⁠ twenties too.”

“Oh,‌⁠ right…”

Even saying it felt‌ slightly embarrassing.

“Geom-Ma, you’re the same‍⁠⁠ as always. You‌‌ haven’t changed.”

Abel‌ smiled even more.⁠‌

“In⁠ what way?”

“That⁠‍ mix of adult and child. You‌‍ say we’re still⁠⁠⁠ teens, right? So,‍‍‍ you’re still a kid-adult.”

“I’ve‌‍‍ been told I looked old in⁠ my twenties, but‌‌ I haven’t heard‍⁠ ‘old on the⁠ inside’ in a while.”

“That’s‍⁠ why I like‍‌‌ you.”

Just‍ like that.

“My⁠⁠ parents died when‍ I was young.”‌‍

I knew that. Of‌‌ course I knew.‍ I’m the one‌ who killed her‍‍ father, the Lich‌‌⁠ King. I stabbed‍⁠ my future father-in-law.⁠‍

“Maybe that’s why… I’m drawn to men⁠⁠‍ I can trust.”‍

“That‌‍ sounds like a daddy complex.”

“All‍ emotions come from‍‌ some internal lack.⁠ I guess so.‌ At first, I was attracted to‌‌ you because you⁠ reminded me of⁠ my father… but now…”

Abel‍‍ folded her legs‍‌⁠ and rested her‍⁠ cheek on her‍⁠ knees.

“…Now,‍⁠ I just like⁠‌ you.”

“You’re⁠‍ doing this on⁠ purpose. You know‍ I’m not good‍‍ with these kinds of things.”

“Caught‍ you.”

Abel‍‌‌ stuck out her‌⁠⁠ tongue slightly and‍ tapped her forehead.⁠

Seeing‍ that made me‌ chuckle.

At‍ that moment, I suddenly noticed the coat rack. Hanging‍⁠ on it was⁠‌ the black coat⁠ Abel gave me‌⁠ just before class.‍‌

I pointed to it⁠ with my chin⁠‍‌ and said.

“That⁠⁠‍ coat’s nice.”

“Right?⁠ It cost quite a bit.”

I didn’t ask how much. If Abel⁠‌‌ says it was⁠ expensive, then it‌ must be.

I always try not‍⁠ to lose my⁠‌⁠ sense of value⁠⁠ around her and‍‍⁠ Ryozo.

Maybe⁠⁠ remembering the clothes⁠⁠ prompted Abel to‍ change the subject.‍

With eyes shining like⁠⁠ stars, she asked.

“So,‍‍ how was the⁠ class today?”

“…”⁠‍

Where was I even supposed to begin?

I scratched my cheek,‌⁠ trying to figure‍ out what to‍ say.

***

A few hours earlier.‍

“The⁠‍ content of the⁠ class won’t be⁠‍⁠ complicated. Practical experience‍‍ is the most⁠ important. That’s my philosophy.”

Watching‍⁠ the cadets nodding⁠ in unison was⁠‍⁠ quite a spectacle.‌‌‍ It almost looked‍ like a religious‍ ceremony.

In⁠‌⁠ fact, nine out‌ of ten students‌⁠ in that room⁠‍‍ were members of‌ the Demon’s Celestial‍⁠ Church fan club.‍ It was practically‌‍ a fan meeting.⁠

The‍ students were deeply‍‍‌ moved to see‍ their idol in⁠ person.

And⁠ not only that—but‍ he was teaching‌⁠‌ them!

Everyone‌ felt their hard‌⁠ work to get‍‌ into Joaquin Academy‍ had paid off.⁠

“Knowledge⁠‍ is important too.‌ But this is‌‌ just my opinion, based on personal‌ experience.”

The⁠ Heavenly Sword drew‍‌ his Sashimi. He‌‍⁠ spun it in⁠ his palm like‌ a pinwheel. Even⁠ that looked cool.⁠

“Basic‍ physical training will‍⁠ be taught by‌‍ the instructors.
I’ll focus the‍‍ classes in a different direction.”

“In⁠‌ what direction?”

One⁠‍‍ student bravely raised‌ their hand. Despite‍⁠ the jealous glares,‍ he remained unfazed.⁠

“Good⁠ question.”

Kang Geom-Ma praised him.‌‌ The student nearly‍ leaped with joy.‍‍

He⁠ felt as if he’d grown wings.‍

However…‌‌‍

“The group placement exam⁠ was a battle⁠⁠ royale in a dimensional space. Except‍ for those from‍ the Heavenly Class,‌⁠ the rest of‍⁠ you probably died at least once,‍‍ right?”

“…….?”‌

Clap.‌ Kang Geom-Ma clapped.‍‍

Instantly,‌⁠ a purple shroud‌ covered the classroom.‍⁠

And‌‍ before they had⁠ time to react, he followed up.‍

“First,⁠‍ we’ll get used‌ to dying.”

…Huh?‌‌

“The first week, you’ll‍⁠ die once a day. The second,⁠‌ twice. We’ll ramp‍‍ up from there. Ten years ago, the Heavenly Class was dying up⁠ to twenty times⁠⁠ a day, but‌‍⁠ that felt a bit excessive.”

He‍⁠‌ said it as⁠‍‌ if showing mercy.‍⁠

Soon,⁠ the classroom was‍ completely absorbed into⁠ the dimensional space.‍

From⁠‌⁠ that moment on,⁠ even if their⁠ throats were slashed,‌ they wouldn’t die‌‌‍ in real life.‍‍

“You’ll‍‌ feel a slight prick.”

Kang‍ Geom-Ma rotated his wrist.
The sheath of‌ Murasame slid open,⁠‌ revealing its silvery⁠ edge.

[Activating‍‌⁠ the Blessing of‌⁠⁠ the God of‌⁠ Insensitivity to Pain.]‌⁠‌

[Activating‍‌ the Blessing of‍‍ the God of‍ Transfer.]

[Activating‌ the Blessing of‍‌‌ the God of Regeneration.]

Flash—⁠

[The‍⁠ three blessings will‌‍ protect the world‌ from the slash.]

[Given‌ the world’s burden,⁠ duration is limited‌ to 60 seconds.]‌

+++++++++++++++‌⁠‌

《May‍‍ the blessing of‍ the gods be⁠⁠ with you.》

+++++++++++++++‌

Wings‍⁠ were torn.

***⁠

“So⁠ you killed them⁠ all in one⁠ strike?”

“I‍‍ didn’t kill them—it‍ was in a sub-dimensional space.”

Abel⁠‍ looked incredulous. Then,⁠‌ as if giving‌⁠ up, she slowly‌⁠ shook her head.

“No,‌⁠ forget it…”

Expecting⁠ common sense from‌⁠ her husband was‌⁠‍ asking too much.⁠⁠‌

She‌‍ loved Kang Geom-Ma.‍

But‍⁠ that didn’t change‍‌ the fact that⁠⁠ several screws were‌‌‍ loose in his‌ head.

He‍ was a nearly⁠‌ divine being in⁠⁠ his detachment, completely‌ lacking empathy. He couldn’t be compared⁠ to a normal person like her.‍

“Young⁠⁠ people these days‌⁠⁠ are really weak-willed.⁠ Just get poked‌ with a sword‍⁠‍ and they’re already‍ screaming, spitting blood.‌ Back in our day, you’d get⁠‍ stabbed in a sub-dimensional space and laugh it off.”

Kang‌‌ Geom-Ma, the school‌ days you and‌ I remember are⁠ very, no—very different.‍ But it’s okay. I love you‍ just the way‌ you are.

“Young people today can’t⁠ compare to us.”‌

“Right.⁠ There are no‌ more Corps Commanders. Demons still cause some problems, but⁠‍‍ with the elder‍ dragons holding strong,⁠‍‌ they can’t stir‌⁠ up much trouble.”

“And‍‍ that was thanks‍⁠‍ to you.”

Abel wrapped her arms‌‍‌ around his neck‌‍‍ as she spoke.‍⁠ The warm touch⁠ on his back‍ sent a chill‍ down Kang Geom-Ma’s‌ spine.

At‌ that moment—

Buzz—⁠

The⁠‌ smartphone screen lit‌‌ up.

He⁠‌ asked for permission⁠‍⁠ with a glance.‍⁠‍ Abel mumbled something‍ as he checked‍ the message.

It‌ was from Speedweapon.‍‌⁠ Abel also read‍‌‌ over his shoulder.‍‌‌ Both of them tensed.

“……”⁠

“……”⁠‌⁠

The⁠ mood turned heavy instantly.

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma silently swung‌⁠⁠ his legs off‍‌ the bed. Abel‍‍‍ let go of⁠ him without resistance.‍‍

“I’ll‍‍‍ be back soon.”

He‍⁠‌ said as he‌‌ put on the‌ black coat Abel‍ had gifted him.‍‍ His hands emerged‌‌ through the sleeves.‍

“Yes.‌‍ Teach them well.”⁠⁠

She‍ replied with a deep look in‌‍‍ her eyes.

“Show⁠ them what happens‌ when they mess‍‌ with our family.”⁠

Kang‍‍‍ Geom-Ma took up⁠ his sashimi and⁠⁠ walked out of⁠‍ the room.

***‍

The⁠‌ entrance ceremony gathered‍‌ nobles from around‍ the world.

They‌ used the opportunity‍⁠ to accompany their⁠ children and visit Korea.

As‌‌ usual, they stayed‌‍‍ for several days‌ in hotels in‌‌‌ Gangwon-do after the⁠‌ ceremony, rather than‍⁠ returning to their⁠ countries immediately.

But⁠ this year, their⁠ stay was longer‌ than usual.

They‍⁠ had already made‌ up their minds.⁠‌

They‌ would use this ceremony to directly‌⁠ express their demands‌ to the current director.

And‌ so, that night,‌ they cornered Ryozo to present their‌‌ demands. From her‌‍ perspective, it was like stepping on‌ a landmine.

An‍‌ oval roundtable, reserved‌‌ exclusively for distinguished‍ guests.

“Director.”⁠

A middle-aged man with⁠ a kaiser-style mustache⁠ broke the silence.‌ He was a marquis of the‍ British Empire and‍⁠‌ a key figure‍ in the Bannibelung‍ group.

“I‌ believe it’s time to restore the‌‌ Elder Council system‌‍‍ at the Academy.‍⁠ Thanks to your‌ leadership, Joaquin Academy has flourished. However…”‌⁠‌

Politeness⁠‍ meant little when⁠ his words dripped‍‍ with sarcasm. Furthermore,⁠‍ this marquis had‍ once confessed to‌⁠⁠ her and been⁠⁠ rejected. He held‌ a grudge ever‍ since.

‘That‌ was when I had just started‍‍ dating the Heavenly‍⁠ Sword.’

Ryozo‍ silently clicked her⁠⁠‌ tongue and lifted⁠ her chin.

“Go⁠‍ on, Marquis Sard.”‍‌⁠

“As I was saying,‍‍ it worked because⁠⁠ you’re exceptional. A genius that perhaps‌ appears once in‍‍ a hundred years.‌⁠ But future directors⁠‍ won’t be at‌‌ your level. That’s‍⁠‌ why we need‍⁠ foresight.”

The‌ marquis swept his‌ gaze over the‍ table with suggestive‌‍‌ emphasis.

The‍ other nobles began to echo his‍‌ words.

“That’s‍‍ true. It’s only‍ worked under your⁠‌ leadership.”

“Future⁠‍ directors may not⁠ be as capable‍⁠‌ as you.”

“We‍⁠ ask that you⁠ consider this.”

The‍ marquis smiled smugly‍‍ and pressed further.‍‍

“We’re not proposing a return to the‍⁠ corrupt system of⁠‍⁠ the past. On‍‌ the contrary, we⁠‍ have a modern⁠‌ alternative solution we’d‌‌ like to present…”⁠

Ryozo‍ leaned back in‌ her chair. The‍‍ ceiling looked like⁠‍‍ a blank canvas.‍

And⁠ on that canvas,‌ the face she longed to see‌ appeared.

‘Kang⁠ Geom-Ma… this is‍⁠ exhausting.’

As director, she couldn’t⁠⁠ simply ignore the⁠ nobles’ complaints. Dealing‍‌‌ with them was‍ part of the⁠ job.

She⁠‌ suddenly felt a renewed respect for⁠ the former director,⁠ Media Poison. That‌⁠ woman had endured twenty years surrounded‍‍ by nobles likely‌ ten times more arrogant than today’s.‌

A headache loomed.

She shut her eyes‍ tightly as her‌‌ nape throbbed. The⁠ marquis kept speaking,‌ his tone growing⁠‌ more animated.

“And⁠ therefore—”

Just⁠ as his speech⁠ reached its climax—‍

BAM!‍

The⁠⁠‌ door swung open‌‍‍ with force.

“Who‍‍ dares—!?”

The‌ marquis turned around,⁠‍ visibly annoyed. Ryozo‌ opened her eyes‌‍ and looked away⁠⁠ from the ceiling.‍‌‍

“Y-You!”‌‌

The marquis went pale—so pale he looked‌⁠‍ like a corpse.‌

“Exactly.”‌‌⁠

A black-clad figure leaned‌ against the doorframe. A dangerous spark‍ gleamed through his⁠‌‍ bangs.

“Who‍ do you think‍⁠‌ you are, raising your voice at‌⁠ the director?”

His footsteps echoed softly.

A crimson energy enveloped‌‌ him. The marquis’s‍‌ heart was crushed‍‍ by the sheer‌‌ pressure. Eyes wide‌‍⁠ with fear, he‍ collapsed face-first onto⁠ the table, foaming at the mouth.

Thud!‌‌

”…..!”⁠⁠

Everyone⁠ froze in shock.‍

“This⁠ is an academy,‍‍‍ so I’ll respect‌ freedom of speech.”‍‌

Kang‌ Geom-Ma took the vacant seat beside‌ the director.

Ryozo stared at him.‌‌

“Why‌ the sudden silence?”‍

“Go‍‍ on—keep talking like‍⁠ you were.”

Because⁠ she had never‌ felt so protected‍⁠ in her life.‍