Chapter 324: One of the Two Will Die (5)
v4VWvzDLeon received an emergency call from Choi Seol-Ah.sVk9Czw
vgBHe was in the middle of selecting the first-year representative but was struggling to find a cadet who stood out, so he was already quite stressed.QRd9vpV
D9EHNfHowever, on the other end of the smartphone, Choi Seol-Ah’s voice sounded choppy and frantic.gagpP
44pDN6F— There’s no time to explain, just hurry…vfzxQY
GNS4LE4Choi Seol-Ah didn’t even finish her sentence before hanging up. Her relationship of devotion to Kang Geom-Ma was still very much alive.cM4
EG00Moreover, after ten years, her gaslighting had been perfected.7NFu
KIIl1fuOnly the two involved knew the full details, and it was a secret they intended to take to the grave.4yp
jQ53BThat’s why Choi Seol-Ah warned the strongest hero she knew that her “lord’s” life was in danger.DmGE0ME
39LVQlZIf things went wrong, her lord might become another star in the sky tonight.UZTZbDg
THT2‘At the hands of his two wives, Ryozo and Abel…’8qVYxoX
RmB2hHBOf course, Speedweapon might die in the process too, but she didn’t care.aJL
tlyAfter all, if anyone was to blame for endangering her lord, it was Speedweapon. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he ended up a wandering spirit.dg4I
UiLCSWith that twisted villain mindset, Choi Seol-Ah conveyed the urgency of the situation to Leon.l0n
zlqQDh— You have to get here as soon as possible.Q97Tpib
3pW6hSensing something was terribly wrong, Leon dropped everything he was doing and headed straight for the director’s office.qSz1b39
YzzusfT‘My whole body is trembling.’ZfAsL7w
BgwThat was Leon’s first thought as he grabbed the doorknob. Even from the outside, the atmosphere in the director’s office was unnerving.34r
JYCPdHPThat needle-sharp aura was unmistakably killing intent.1WwoJN
EWZAnd who could exude such intense murderous intent that even a hero-in-training would feel nervous?EZG
gMgxg‘Abel and Ryozo.’3vz2
WiIVWhat the hell was going on in there? Leon hardened his expression and opened the door.kytQqC
qX9kv“Kh…!”g2A47Qt
TZCV7bkInvoluntarily, he raised a hand to shield his eyes. The concentrated killing intent hit him like a wave.bl38u8L
JC1gEeuSquinting, he scanned the room. Four people were seated on the sofas.rmHqzp
OtARJ9XThe first person he saw was Ryozo in the main seat.COlQUP
8pHEam5She had dark circles under her eyes, and her gaze burned like ghostly flames.QtVFff
o8A09AAbel’s face was no better.T5Tgxx
1zxoHer eyes were filled with hostility as she stared ahead.dmQcq
KS3wsGoooooo…UD8Ep
Ig6ztkApparently, Leon’s entrance didn’t matter to them in the slightest.lTNBo
jUObmRIAll their attention was fixed on the sofa across from them.JKr
anKRILeon turned his head as well.GV9TLay
IhFSpeedweapon’s face was completely pale, as if he were about to die.ukuv
VfTEcSfHis fists, resting on his thighs, trembled so violently that it was pitiful to watch.ZUkn
1kl‘What the hell did you do, Speedweapon…? Uh, huh?’8CM
SdRLeon blinked, then his eyes widened.AlD
H7PIt was because of a girl.YefQq1
4wMtPOYA face he was seeing for the first time—but at the same time, it felt oddly familiar, as if he’d seen her that very morning.9Wiux
fer6MCBIsn’t she identical to Kang Geom-Ma?XPOq
wc0dqThe girl gave off a sharp, metallic scent. It was the distinctive smell of Gehenna.eTHAJe
mW83Leon, who had been born and raised in the demon realm and had only recently returned from there, recognized it immediately. And then all the pieces of the situation started to fall into place.idu
fUOEaLjA girl who looked like Kang Geom-Ma. That thick scent of Gehenna. And his two wives, unable to hide their fury.GiSOP3
wO8VJtJudging by all of that…gITjhjd
KCCPH‘You brought this on yourself, Kang Geom-Ma.’uzB
gyZ***7dOy
Qg3lRun. Not just to Gehenna.EHO3
fk0Flee far, to the moon where we fought a bloody war ten years ago.ZzqzRx
0mc8‘Otherwise, Speedweapon will die.’b3b5Zb
O5ConB3At least one must survive. For the sake of humanity, Leon considered it reasonable for Speedweapon to be the one to make the sacrifice.W9MTw
hjDb4AwSlide.35vt
oTWBrHis eyes met those of the black-haired girl who was nibbling on a red bean paste snack atop the stone table.Prw
UnRLeon was overcome with a strange sensation.tuQX
QmzilAIt was because when he looked into those unrealistically beautiful eyes, it felt like his soul was being dragged into an unfathomable abyss.bGOdT
gj5gyDeep, serene black eyes. As if hell itself had been condensed into two orbs—it was impossible to gauge their depth.aA2
imdhAHe had seen countless outstanding students that day.LShS
WKtYfaJYet he was certain—none had eyes as profound as hers. There was an extraordinary potential radiating from her.Scg
0sejqRyozo and Abel also turned their gazes toward Leon.IZc
T2H7FgsEven Speedweapon, who until then had kept his head down like a condemned man, lifted it slightly.4qP0IG
CJtVA moment of silence.FUP3MhE
ptY“Bal… du… re?”zekC
ssyGUeFinally, the girl spoke.dHbV
wNKjPt***v56Aw9i
wm8iEven though I hadn’t heard all the details from Speedweapon, I could sense the gravity of the situation.aJR
aNrKIt was that kind of sixth sense only married men have, coupled with the blaring alarms of my inner divinity.4BJ
mBOIAs a first hideout, I chose Volundr’s smithy.Rmez
EOUhI know it sounds crazy, but I wanted to see with my own eyes the item Speedweapon had brought from the Demon Realm.8PIWg2
y3q8jIt was the material I had waited for so long. I couldn’t miss the birth of my new gear. I’d regret it forever.poexf
8lQKWhat could I do? I’m Korean. Even if I wear rags, my in-game weapon can’t look shabby.SErH
yhpFWWith that warrior DNA etched into my brain, even I couldn’t resist.zk9rGpr
4Zo‘The most obvious spot is the one most overlooked. Even if Ryozo releases the instructors, they’ll probably ignore Volundr’s workshop.’axK
mPfGI walked toward the workshop with a mix of tension and excitement. Were my feelings being returned?IcOJH35
ZHaJwVolundr opened the door only partially. But he didn’t let me in.PCW5
qDk“Sorry, but I can’t take you in today.”3JGrW
uYA3R3“…Huh? Is something wrong with your body?”073jh6
JTg“…The director gave me an order. If you came, I was to inform her immediately.”M7d8Q72
KKKq“Wow…”D2cnpXI
ixDVBoI thought I’d taken her by surprise, but it seemed her claws had already reached this place. What the hell had happened for Ryozo to act so quickly?u8L3BC
3isQ8yMAt the very least, I decided I wouldn’t return home today.4GIty
7BY“Thanks, ahjussi.”lPLuk
iZRZYTI thanked Volundr. Even though he rejected me, he did it for my sake.W9Jox
Lichim“Sorry, Heavenly Sword.”tKzQ
wSN“…Huh?”sGAO
pirNbFrom behind came footsteps that shook the ground.GLlzD2
cDutiThud, thud, thud, thud.oQZAs
koiJWhen I turned, I saw a group of instructors running toward me through a cloud of dust. They shouted desperately.yN8uYJJ
rmu“Heavenly Sword! The director requests your presence!”B7OswVF
OD6baMp“Please, we beg you to come with us!”9zkxI
iASsTheir faces were filled with discomfort and fear. And of course, they knew, just like I did, that even as a group, they couldn’t catch me.JeaF
7nnThey were just following the director’s orders. They had no choice.DeIL3C
8SK‘She sent instructors because she knew I wouldn’t hurt them.’y6D
94ELyfzShe was counting on my nature not to harm innocents. That was Ryozo. She knew her husband’s psychology perfectly. The number of pursuers would gradually increase, and the net would tighten. “Surrounded on all sides” was a perfect fit.RJhox0I
JNZcOn top of that, the shouting and stomping in the air made everything feel even more real.iPPv
3ARsNGIn this situation, the only person I could trust was—PaBT0lF
6e6E“Eh?”fM0EoR
GzmiJcWhen I looked forward again, the “CLOSE” sign was swinging like a broken pendulum on the workshop door.3hF
qNI“Ahjussi?”q0C8NL
PTD1HUV“Sorry.”zC5oqld
JTcLIVolundr apologized through the door. His voice was as dry as rusted metal.OcB8jA
07qvb“I’m just a small-time merchant. I have no choice but to follow the director’s orders. It’s unfortunate, but if you made a mistake, you must fix it yourself.”uRFBowA
3hRBNot only did he not help hide me—he betrayed me! I didn’t know this old man was so selfish.srmwnaq
jTjx‘You’re not Volundr…’Hd6rvt
IddWelcome back, Burundr.iwU
nwmsNiBurundr tried to soothe my anger. He was probably sweating more now than when forging weapons.e8l
fjV“I promise I’ll craft your weapon with everything I’ve got. So survive!”4ABQR5
gIz0Uf“Damn it! If you wreck it like you did Murasame, I’ll never forgive you!”3B6apR
4tK5O“…You’re still hung up on that…?”M19fuP
ZzXG5oI didn’t respond. That was my way of leaving a thorn in Volundr’s heart, so he’d pour his soul into crafting the gear. Not like either of us could keep secrets from the other anyway.nus
srwaClack.zMG
yW0I snapped my fingers and summoned lightning magic, then leapt lightly. In an instant, I was high above the ground.aAXGUt
Cd46ZLYFrom a height brushing the clouds, I watched the instructors look up with their necks bent at impossible angles. But me? Worry about someone?XWl
mzqI murmured bitterly and snapped my fingers again.9i1C
unk4Bzzzzzz!Z9CGB3
WxqI turned into a streak of lightning that pierced the endless sky. My movement triggered a shockwave that split the clouds and tore through the air like thunder.YbzD
aldHThe scenery beneath my feet changed so fast it felt unreal. Cadets who saw me passing could only mumble.CRAukV
wYXl5y“Isn’t that Heavenly Sword?!”Axxmyr
JQ4V1O“Waaah! Heavenly Sword, we love you!”8aN
mGTaWI didn’t have time for affectionate greetings. I sped up even more. Though I’d already broken the sound barrier, my brain was working even faster.0HgEgib
wRDx‘I have to survive.’KL3R7pv
ccrYNot even Gehenna was enough to escape the perfect net woven by Ryozo and Abel.bK5BjdP
9si1X“I guess only by leaving the atmosphere will I be safe.”JuwZXS
fE4But that would be going too far.Ae6zR
FG9Q‘That might raise unnecessary suspicions.’xoYBsV
qM41IFI didn’t even know why Ryozo and Abel wanted to see me. Earlier, I ran away like a thief purely by instinct, but I planned to explain everything tomorrow. Running too far would be the worst choice.nSKXA
mIB‘In that case…’yVsE
MXEThere was only one possible second hideout.qd2tO
MUYq9GIRuuuuum.pD2TAYB
D2y99xhI raised my internal pressure.yKrfK8
8AN7sChanging direction mid-flight at near-light speed tore my muscles. But that was more bearable than being scolded by my wives.KxonTi
vimtRemember, this is the reality of a married man.JOuB7
JdGVSo I split the clouds in two and made a U-turn toward the destination that popped into my mind.sXO2Ln
yhw6They say when a woman holds a grudge, it can snow even in midsummer.9nJjrj6
1ZsrZvjAnd sure enough, snowfall covered my face.l7XtnL
VlygSOf course, that was just a metaphor. The destination I had in mind was a place where it was winter all year round.Ai2bj
G1F9I***Zy1taF
527wAt the Antarctic research base, studies were in full swing.K7Etx1
Zo5TwLVictor Poison and Media Poison, for once, had joined forces to discuss. If one had to name the three brightest minds of humanity, it would be Victor, Media, and Ryozo. Of them, two had been immersed for days analyzing the cause of a certain phenomenon. The research topic was an enigma beyond the grasp of ordinary minds.eW5z
VGMThe Antarctic was so remote they didn’t even know about the exchange program between Joaquin and Parsy. In fact, that was the least of their concerns. The Poisons, father and daughter, hadn’t eaten for a week.g2bAJ
Wc1And so, after dedicating themselves completely without concern for food or drink—aMH
4tTsW“At last.”9DK
SQJjb4“At last, yes.”72Mjk
CR9CyThe two former sages had reached a conclusion. But it didn’t sound hopeful.y3w3cn
8Sgc“This…”B42U
G4GFzVictor Poison murmured darkly as he looked at the monitors lining the walls. His daughter, beside him, also wore a grim expression.4IJjUv
a4NXG“The reason for the increase in human longevity.”fV2
RJNMedia violently ruffled her topknot.dvZHG
cGvcIt had all started with the youthful appearance of Sword Master and Changseong.jXxTlt
lzoEven considering that heroes lived longer, their friends were becoming visibly younger. Sensing something was wrong, Media had come to the Antarctic base to borrow Victor’s intellect and experience, and they’d researched intensely for a week.Sq5
Uk8AvAnd the result?SuTOVcc
tozfMCK“The reason aged heroes are growing younger… is because they’re stealing the world’s life force for themselves?”m5Z4Fm
hO54d81“…”xXcq
kHr— Yes.QC6WA
wCxSIaThe margin of error was thinner than a hair. It was Vixbig, the AI created by Ryozo, that had reached this conclusion.JT5JLc
wjVVmH“The world is deteriorating…”u2Vnqn
tUCDzn— It may not be my place to say this, but…iiIaaLc
rMb1Vixbig interjected.8IuD6s
C78ox— This world, due to humans—or more precisely, heroes—is heading toward its most certain demise.2FMs
i3Uc“Then this really is an unavoidable fate?”qqtTg2C
RoB02T— Based on current calculations, yes. But if you wish, I can keep calculating until I find another outcome.Ej8r3A
P3t5Q“We’ve already exceeded the number of scenarios measurable with numbers. Vixbig, you’ve done your best.” Victor shook his head.VFvP0i
3NG“This… in other words, is an inevitable ending.”EFc
MZ8vH7…4nJS6
8WcV9N— But what if ‘He’ were involved? Couldn’t He change things?y822M1A
hgn“If it were him… if it were that hero of the past…”NuYT
2iVBhAt those words, Media reacted. For a moment, light returned to her dull eyes.UZqK9qe
lpAC“No matter how amazing he is, that must be impossible.”HF7f1l
m78CYA foolish father rushed to extinguish all hope. Media, irritable from sleep deprivation, shouted.kEyf
okgg“Why are you always so pessimistic?! Just like in the past! Is it because you’ve lived enough already?! Even if it’s me, Sieg, or Richard—do the cadets of the academy also have to perish with this world?!”vE67B2
8HdEf“…Media.”8iHihB8
4cY“We have to try everything we can! Beg anyone who might help! If there’s someone who even remotely seems capable, we must cling to him, even if only by his coat!”47ye
RXJLMedia’s eyes began to fill with tears. Ever since her lackluster role in the Second Human-Demon War, she had carried that weight in her heart.GeDRxv
zuJffkrShe’d spent nearly ten years convincing herself it was fine because the world was at peace. She’d occasionally visited the Joaquin Academy and found joy in the laughter of its students.u4p5
uZl7o0But even that would soon come to an end.e2343i
UUrlThis damned world, this rotten world, wouldn’t give humanity a break. Even in peace, it forced crises upon them, pushing them to the brink.maOo2
Mx7X“At least we could fight demons! But this apocalypse—this is something humans can’t stop! Then we must turn to someone beyond human! We must ask a god of this era for help…!”MRel2
eOLi— Apologies for interrupting…SPYTUxU
4Vu“If you’re going to apologize, then wait a bit!”wuBR
lVBOauM— There’s been an external breach.YphU9o
ReVW“What…?”lHWc
UB6Tjvg— An unregistered biological entity has been detected.HU9
d6UAnd at that exact moment…LvxBPdw
QiVLJWBoom!E63C1y
KwqQ2iyWith a thunderous crash, a blast of snow burst into the Antarctic base.IQRcxce
JxbYMedia’s overheated brain froze instantly.btmRkOU
9tE1Step, step.zjrr
g4goXTXThrough the white haze, footsteps echoed, carrying a frigid air.M139
jA9JBZ“Sorry for the sudden visit.”4N4
nmazdaThe figure that stepped through the blizzard was the very name Media had been calling out so desperately.FeQ1uWp
QMT0hA man who was essentially no different from a god in this era.PW0no
8GEM“I’ll only be staying here one day.”XEJQt
iiC4CHeavenly Sword.NNb
ybdTKn“I can’t go home today.”szD
l7Ud8jaThe current identity of Kang Geom-Ma was that of a fugitive.bLmFm
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