Chapter 33: This time, too, it’s nothing unusual (1)

Lunchtime after the morning classes.

Chloe and I sat on a bench along the tree-lined avenue on campus, in a quiet area with hardly anyone around.

Today’s menu consisted of fried rice mixed with anchovies and green vegetables, reputedly good for strengthening bones.

Salmon and other types of oily fish are also great for healing wounds, but every time I saw them, I couldn’t help but think of the siren’s clouded, gray eye from our encounter. So, I preferred to avoid them.

Besides, they were pretty expensive.

No matter how much money you have, if you spend without thinking, it quickly runs out. With my merchant’s experience, I’ve never been one for unnecessary expenses.

I’d decided to think of that ten million won as future savings.

“Geom-Ma! This fried rice is so, so delicious! The grains are so fluffy!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Chloe exclaimed, “So delicious!” after each bite, savoring every grain of rice. With her cheeks puffed out, she looked like a hamster hoarding food.

I watched her for a moment. Thanks to SpeedWeapon’s swift treatment, Chloe had healed well from her injury and had stopped using crutches since yesterday.

According to her, bones grow stronger when they’re broken and heal repeatedly. I wondered what kind of mindset could see a fracture as muscle-strengthening…

Even so, I thought that taking care of one’s body when young was crucial to avoiding problems in old age. Chloe scraped the last grain from her iron lunchbox and gave her stomach a satisfied pat.

A few grains of rice clung to the corners of her mouth; she blushed when she noticed and wiped them away.

Then, her gaze shifted to Murasame, which lay in the corner of the bench.

“Wow, Geom-Ma, is this your first real weapon? It’s incredibly cool!”

Chloe looked at Murasame with shining eyes, seemingly more excited about it than I was, its actual owner. Since I’d given her permission, she touched the paulownia handle, untied the cord, and examined the blade.

Seeing her delighted expression, like a child unwrapping a new toy, sent a slight chill down my spine; it was an image that perfectly fit Chloe’s yandere side.

Turning Murasame in her hands thoughtfully, Chloe murmured,

“It’s so good, it doesn’t seem like a Grade E.”

With an innocent look, Chloe praised Murasame.

‘…Grade E.’

Sometimes, words said without malice can sting more. I felt my cheek twitch slightly, and Chloe noticed my discomfort.

“Oh, that’s not what I meant. I mean, it’s excellent for being the lowest class… No, that’s not quite it either…”

She lightly knocked her head with her fist, laughing nervously. I forced a smile and replied,

“It’s alright. Besides, the smith gave me back part of the money. And he said he’d reinforce it for free if I bring the materials. I guess if I upgrade it, it’ll be pretty useful down the road.”

“Of course! Geom-Ma, you were already strong with a Daiso knife! With a good weapon, you’ll definitely get even stronger!”

“Well, it’s not like I’m upgrading it to get stronger…”

If I think about it, I don’t really have a reason to become stronger. Since defeating the siren, I could handle most mid-rank demonic beasts without much trouble.

Of course, monsters at Rank A or S were incredibly strong, but they were more comparable to demons. Honestly, encountering the demonic siren during the midterm exam was a stroke of awful luck.

Then again, maybe I just have abysmal luck… or there’s a reason behind it all.

I shook my head to clear away those depressing thoughts. The main reason for upgrading my weapon was, actually—

Whoosh—

== ==

[Sword God’s Blessing]

If you cut it, it will cut you.

◎ Body Level: (7▶8) ▷ Allows the use of larger swords.

◎ Spirit Level: 4 ▷ Imposes intimidation in speech and actions.

◎ Weapon Level: (1▶3) ▷ When the blessing manifests, pain is reduced by (1) level.

☆ Synchronization Rate: 7.2% ▶ 9.3% ▷ A line of 【???】

→[Upon reaching a 15% sync rate, the next condition is unlocked.]

★【???】

※ The blessing is only activated if the sword length is less than (36+2) cm and width is less than (9+0) cm.

== ==

‘Pain is reduced by one level when the blessing is activated.’

After reading that, I decided to focus on reinforcing the weapon.

So far, I’d avoided using the Sword Spirit’s Blessing because of the overwhelming pain it brings.

If it really can lessen it, that’s reason enough to invest in improving the weapon.

Yesterday, after reading the description, I tried activating the Sword Spirit’s Blessing without the blessing of pain tolerance…

But the pain was so intense it clenched my optic nerves, so I immediately dropped the knife.

It seems that at Level 1, the pain reduction isn’t very effective. Still, it was a bit less intense than the first time during the entrance ceremony.

That first day, the pain was so excruciating I screamed until I collapsed, coughing up blood.

‘It’s still at a barely tolerable level.’

So far, my aimless thoughts had begun to come together with a clear purpose.

I think that as I improve one aspect at a time like this, I might uncover a clue about what this power really is.

As I progressed in this step-by-step growth, I started to think I might eventually find out more about who threw me into this world in the first place.

I stared at the status window silently, lost in thought. Chloe watched me, tilting her head curiously; to her, it must have looked strange to see me staring into the distance with such a serious expression.

“Kang Geom-Ma, the state of your weapon must be weighing on you…”

Her eyes slowly began to darken.

“The blacksmith who left your weapon in this state…”

“…?”

The red in her pupils began to deepen, shifting toward a bloodier shade.

“Everyone who makes Geom-Ma suffer…”

In her murmurs, delivered word by word, there was an unmistakable murderous intent. Chloe had entered what could only be described as her “yandere mode.”

“I’m going to kill…”

“Chloe.”

I gently shook her small shoulders, and only then did she shake her head back and forth, coming to her senses. At that moment, the coldness in her eyes began to fade.

“Ah, sorry.”

Chloe scratched her nose awkwardly and stuck her tongue out a little.

“But if you think about it, even though it’s Grade E now, it has a high growth potential, right? If you reinforce it, it could reach Grade A, or, if you’re lucky, even S. Everything is more fun with a bit of a challenge, don’t you think? Plus, the smith did at least have the decency to give me back ten million won.”

“…Wow, you’re amazing.”

Chloe’s cheeks turned a deep red. Not knowing how to respond, I tried to stay neutral, unsure of what she found so “amazing” about this.

As Chloe and I continued talking on the bench, I felt a presence behind us, hidden but noticeable.

It was so well-concealed that even Chloe didn’t detect it. However, my increasingly sharp senses picked up on the faint sensation.

At this rate, it seemed like soon I’d be able to hear even the sound of an ant crawling on the ground.

I turned my head and surveyed the surroundings. My gaze settled on the direction of a tree whose movements seemed unnatural.

‘Who’s that guy?’

I clicked my tongue and asked Chloe to wait while I handed her Murasame. I approached the trembling tree.

The closer I got, the more it shook, and the number of falling leaves increased significantly.

With one hand, I tapped the trunk as if knocking on a door, holding Murasame with the other. It might have seemed like a heavy-handed move, but if my intuition was right, this person needed this level of warning.

“What are you doing?”

“…”

I sighed, and while slowly untying Murasame’s cord, I added,

“If you don’t want to die, come down now.”

“!”

Thud!

At that moment, a boy hiding among the leaves fell to the ground. His red hair was tangled with twigs and leaves. Frowning, he averted his gaze.

“…”

An awkward silence followed. I was the first to break it.

“Do you have some business with me?”

Before I knew it, my voice had taken on a cold edge. His face showed a mix of astonishment and fear.
Knox [1] Auditore was there, hunched over, not daring to meet my gaze.

***

I sat on the bench, resting my chin on the arm of the seat, with Murasame partially wrapped in my other hand.

As the rope covering the blade moved in the breeze, Knox shivered along with it.

Chloe, like a distrustful stray cat, hid behind me, her eyes peeking over my shoulder with a mixture of discomfort and hostility.

She, like me, seemed perplexed about Knox’s unexpected visit.

His attitude was a complete reversal from the arrogant boy we were used to; now he seemed smaller, almost afraid.

I observed him in silence, hands behind my back, half-wondering if he had a hidden weapon. But not detecting any hint of metal, I figured he came unarmed. Not that it would matter much; if he showed any sign of hostility, I was prepared to neutralize the threat on the spot.

“Do you have some business with me?”

“…”

Knox only moved his lips, unable to produce a sound. I sighed and repeated,

“I thought I made everything clear the last time.”

“No, that’s not why I came!”

With a nervous, wavering tone, Knox waved his hand, as if to dispel any misunderstandings. His mannerisms and voice reminded me of Chloe on our first day.

‘Seems like blood doesn’t lie.’

I hadn’t expected him to crumble so easily. Apparently, my words from when I visited him during his illness had made an impact. As they say, “bitter medicine works best,” and those old sayings usually hold some truth.

“Then why did you come?”

“I came because I have something to say to Chloe…”

Knox lowered his gaze, hesitating as though intimidated. His body trembled slightly, as if overwhelmed by fear.

But what could he possibly want to say to me, too? Suspicion crept across my face as Knox sighed heavily and shook his head.

“Anyway, if I tell Chloe, obviously you’d find out, too… so it’s best that you both hear it.”

His resigned tone made Chloe shudder behind me. It was clear that Knox knew his sister well.

“And this also concerns you, Kang Geom-Ma.”

“…?”

“It’s about the Academy’s Council of Elders.”

Knox hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and finally began to speak.

T/N:

1: Nox’s name will be ▶ Knox from now on.