Chapter 346: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (4)
DPVThe “shareholders’” party at Parsy Academy continued even after the second test concluded.f7HG9DH
WrqJIn other words, they spent an entire week eating, drinking, and celebrating nonstop.teEM
zebIt was the classic case of the bear does the work, but someone else gets the money.zeQibjB
QeUqL“Drink! Drink! To us, to Parsy, may glory be with us!”QDz5yKk
scXPXa“May the blessing of the founding hero be upon us!”tCA
IdOny“Hahaha! The founder was the one who founded Joaquin—what are you invoking him for here, buddy?!”ccSxv
SSxN“If he had been born in this era, he’d definitely be here celebrating with us! Who knows! Maybe in his time he had nothing fun to do, so he lived ‘inevitably’ in virtue.”KSPH
TceOmitted the rest…YrlJFEW
dYSTo some, all this commotion might have been bewildering, not understanding why they were getting so excited.LWY
8TCBut it was well known that nobles were a breed that went wild for parties.5hP1lE
rjSIf demons lived on mana, nobles lived on champagne and perfume.IvNe
HHjC“…Still, there should be a limit…”Fbnt3
aXnGFrom a corner, Parsy Academy’s director grit his teeth in frustration. Of course, he was also a noble.lIdVIL
Ki9FJgHAs the academy’s head, it was clear he belonged to an elevated class.iWLdfG0
TzzAMiHe too was corrupt—though moderately.p96FSH
67U62RVHe liked money, and his vanity was such that he’d even erected a statue of himself on campus.Z3DSsdc
PFD5But that didn’t mean his conscience as an educator had completely died.YuF4o
OKBUHe couldn’t allow his own students—namely, the children of those families—to be used as tools to fill their bellies, turning this academic exchange into a mere campaign to inflate Parsy’s value.oaVqtH
ULY“This isn’t right.”rDgm
l1YH1SIf he didn’t act now, this pus would turn into cancer. And soon.Vov
TcngjbWBefore the critical moment passed, he had to intervene personally as the director.08NZ
zECyHe had already tolerated the shareholders enough.1f6h5QT
Q91klIf any took offense at a few harsh words, it’d be better to stop it at the root now.97C0
SuU4He made the decision, nodding to himself firmly. And right then, the determined director of Parsy took a step out of the corner.nx9m
4jJLBang!9WKJKCf
zhEA tower of champagne glasses shook.YME
Nai“Hic—What was that?”HpHsMc
DnVThe atmosphere chilled.Qdd3Yi6
qUxrb6wEveryone in the hall looked toward the door.upYnl3O
fwZuDAn unexpected guest had slipped in unnoticed.M8eU1
sBkz4StThe nobles clearly looked uncomfortable.acXzvv
ysjd“…Hey, you, what—”uejQytV
pndM6g“…”jKfN3
lf2VT1N“…”CUyboTb
aLlThrough the open door, the silhouette of a man could be seen—difficult to identify.W30oq
h9pNzHHis outline was darkened by the backlight, as if a black halo surrounded him.S7tAvp
l7m7K“T-that hair…!”czGMp
P9DWqRA darkness deeper than the shadows covering his body. Among his disheveled hair, a single obsidian lock cascaded down.TN9
e518ykHStep.6HK
idlZfMHe entered the hall.riWO
JhBa“Don’t move.”ftIZx
frDiPdeHe took another step.cYUX
19e“From now on, if anyone moves, I don’t know what might happen.”SBJ
9DF“Hic!”xbQ
gjnLAt that hiccup, a champagne glass dropped onto the marble floor and shattered. At the same time, the intruder drew something from his waist.yf07vIn
SBoKKFlash!GWenY
jg8zThe light of his sword gleamed for an instant. A second later, the man who dropped the glass collapsed, eyes rolling back.bTql
YPvJ“I always mean what I say.”I1u1WuV
PpRvHHeavenly Sword declared in the center of the hall.JO0DA
ug9mf5“Hands behind your head and stay seated.”cRZU
In2dIt was a threat worthy of a terrorist. But no one dared defy him.784c8
zKhUJIt was Kang Geom‑Ma, the Heavenly Sword.Way0aS
uBmAK“If you move, you’ll end up like him.”5YwiVeu
Wm9v7pTThis guy was a lunatic.wEGMUr
4bpP***EJWEMa
Dx6Additional Episode, Death SashimiccrH
RXQJFDespite my sudden appearance, the attendees in the hall regained their composure rather quickly.xXRS0L
bfsFIt wasn’t a surprise, so they didn’t take it as a tragedy. Rather, their expressions said, “We knew this would happen.”gQUWAlN
XapRThat made me realize my arrival was already within expectations. But as always, there are exceptions.aG0F
8DiiOnly one person reacted with real panic. The director of Parsy Academy flinched and ran toward me.PAVmn3
aFrhm“L-Lord Heavenly Sword! What is happening here?”I7Jm
AKX“What else? I just came to take a look.”RHzz6
mCUFDY“…Take a look?”0SWXrvJ
ts6M3TuThe director abruptly turned his head as he spoke.RBx
aMRsnAnd then, like a child caught with a forbidden red book, his face flushed with embarrassment.Z2mUv7
BTbvShaking with anger, he clenched his fists but ultimately stepped back.wdKhBO
rbWcyThe director yielded the floor to me without resistance.xcc6k6
jWDbmX2That’s when the tension began to show in the nobles’ eyes.S6hK2d
qgiOL7It seemed they expected the director to openly oppose me.s3zCk
vkrNBut his response and demeanor confirmed something for me—Parsy Academy’s director wasn’t involved in this “shareholders’ assembly.”SVAK2MS
joZqdHThat didn’t mean he had no connection. Just that he didn’t seem tangled in the shady business.8We
mQ1a3‘Wow, the guy who looked the greediest turned out to have more integrity than I thought.’niS
a8PgCYI cast a brief glance at the director, whose face was full of concern. The words I exchanged with Knox on the way here echoed in my mind.vE5d
xTNc‘…Seems like there’s something off with this list, huh?’P5hW
aKJ9— You mean the director’s name not being on it? I also had doubts at first, but it’s accurate. It was verified multiple times.Xb1La
oybY‘Fine, maybe he’s not involved… but according to this, the guy kept detailed records in the books.’XxivHi
A9b7W5— Are you implying he’s an internal whistleblower?j3v
0Wybok‘That’s a big leap. Would a guy like this really have the guts?’3R25ygS
EhNukEt— If we’re going by appearances, you too… never mind. We don’t yet know Director Dante’s true intent, but it’s clear there’s friction between him and the nobles.nQ1
t0DIf this were a fish market, Director Dante had carefully lined up a list of rotten fish.TKB7
tyZzJXClearly, he planned to get rid of them at some point, but lacked the guts to pull it off.tx6pjW
kUSbIt was a surprising and refreshing truth. After spending my life getting trampled by nobles, Dante had all the hallmarks of a hopeless corrupt type to me.wCVgz
T1EcTime to reassess my prejudices.yWorZD
Azf“Heavenly Sword.”OpSd
2DxAs expected, someone interrupted my thoughts. When I looked over, a middle-aged woman flinched.njvL
LhNdThe fur coat draped over her shoulders bristled.0cOBts
E2dfdr“Even for you, this is too much! Do you even know who that man you just killed was?!”eft
Dcs“You lot are the ones who crossed the line first.”WgvCRo
wZbwUSCEven so, she managed to continue arguing. In a place where even noblemen stayed silent in fear, she showed a rare bit of boldness.Qyj93V
8vb1wOf course, it was a miniature kind of courage.qAwy1hT
Exn“We’ve received reports that you’ve been feasting and drinking non-stop for a whole week with embezzled funds from this exchange.”uYQxZ9O
03G“……!”s2bDw
Ct7u“If you doubt it, speak up.”Q6kQu
sQRjY4I threw the bundle of documents I’d brought onto the floor.BshpRo
0qtyCa“If necessary, I can write down the names too.”S4pENLg
ynFTt“S-still, no matter the reason, you can’t escape the responsibility of killing a noble, Lord Heavenly Sword…!”Hx824Ym
ucnZ“You’re the ringleader, aren’t you?”yshrO
pbysPBAt my words, the color drained from the woman’s face. She began shaking her head silently.l2e
HBahGN“…N-not me…”XdfqC
NUO“Dodging accountability is a bad look.”wRg
DqLiZ“You’re the one avoiding the issue! You must answer for killing a nob—!”gObX7
Ne5dSu“No.”r6mRG
msP3MI clicked my tongue in disdain.g6f2M
B6d“Who said he was dead?”Gvc
vAK“He has no vital signs, clearly he’s—!”5G1qE1h
AHKq8T“Look again.”9wzj
nFR“……?”1jhN
SisezhEveryone turned their heads at the same time as the woman. In that instant, their mouths opened and closed like fish.fen
OhNtThe man who had collapsed earlier was now clutching his chest.CCZXTM
376MHe was gasping as if confused between dream and reality, even scratching at his cheeks to make sure he was awake.kKzjZm
JWHP‘Authority of “Core Strike.”’8fQi
HrxA unique ability of Murasame, gained by using a manticore magic stone as reinforcement material.T0U2
UTRTjIt causes the target to faint or panic, rendering them unable to fight.O9r
sia3NDOriginally, this effect only applied to “mana-bearing enemies.”nJCJob
vJdR‘Or so it used to.’Jfweqg
347Nowadays, the air in the human world is filled with mana particles like fine dust. That means humans carry traces of mana too.j8TV8
7iiSince this authority comes from one of the strongest magical beasts, there used to be a sharp difference between the demon realm and the human realm.1Po4Un
CROLBut that’s all in the past now.6rOe6m
qv2Even in this world where incomprehensible phenomena occur, it now wields power rivaling that of the demon realm. I’m growing stronger by the day.eq8H
4Hfs3JIt’s a constant process. I thought I’d hit my limit after awakening the Sword God’s power, but I was wrong.Jn4ALdz
5YbI must keep demonstrating physical strength beyond the horizon. That’s the only way I’ll be able to face the end of the world.QHrx
LDgcN8I“Haah.”HNRYYK
lepjSA sigh, or perhaps a statement. After that, everyone stared at me as if it was protocol.4KKBvfL
LejlRT“I-I saw it! I definitely saw him stop breathing!”SYuj
3La“Don’t speak unless you’re sure. Didn’t anyone ever teach you that?”VD46RM
MJW7Finally, I got to say that line.wyTFjY
vVXIHow satisfying.pDOT
c7u“H-Heavenly Sword…”L1mXc
4TuU2As the dark atmosphere began to spread, Director Dante had no choice but to intervene.vot07F
09W“I’ll explain everything. For now, why don’t you sheathe your sword and leave this for another time?”BZS
did83R3“What’s ever changed from doing that?”R9ill
1IsDJ8“What are you talking about…?”sfuYb5
SMZbaDZI let out a sigh.baBbB0
lYATn“Isn’t it by putting it off, day after day, that you all became puppets to these scam artists posing as shareholders?”YnE2Tqi
qYpuT“Who are you calling a scammer?!”OsQQCr
wnpEQh7“Shut up.”9IL3gba
he58cr“Ack!”jcywFx
PQAlM7Another one collapsed under the authority of Core Strike. The collateral noise disappeared instantly. Ignoring the woman, I continued speaking with Dante.HB8
jkB8“Complicity is a crime too.”MRTwOAw
oFjXy“……”2Hb
ROU0z“You know it. You know that if you don’t fix this now, there won’t be another chance. If we let this exchange end quietly, even if future ones are held, Parsy’s students will gain absolutely nothing.”8xPYil
ZCHg“………”pdXUAMm
v1QyRwo“And why should the kids pay for the adults’ mistakes? No matter how hard they try, if they get nothing in return, they’ll just become more like their parents… like these nobles here.”ZNTiXi
jlpQBYA human’s first social environment is the home. Then school.VMsHGC
3tknLFinally, the workplace.CaHeCh
oSHAmong those, the one you can intervene in earliest is the home. Growing up in a twisted family sends your life off course.f3SJ0r
OLmFixing it requires bloody effort—and a tutor willing to spill more blood than the person being saved.ZNK0N5
drlTH4UThat’s right. I’m talking about me.9K3kmyN
UfcJvG“Showing students the real face of the world—that’s what a true educator does. Dante, that’s your role.”bN8
GW4TKkl“……”yDaTY1g
mc7k“If you want to leave, go. But I’ll do what I have to. I’ll educate this corrupt mob right here.”4ZjPPke
qBX09SI had said all I needed to.3UCUBOa
W9ahQOThe decision was his.JlGe
NfsPFor a man used to riding the tide, making a personal choice must’ve been hard and painful.cK0Dp
yDAz3Dante stood at the center of everyone’s gaze.DuOxpyb
xQWThe shareholders’ eyes pressed on his shoulders like mountains.xwN
rNotPathetic cowards. I decided to ease his burden a little.yZRd0n
wDnBEw“This is an ‘exchange’ period, right?”8TZI
a38ETzH“This was organized so people could mingle freely. Yes, there were some ‘minor’ disturbances, but…”vwqB
9E8wn“Ha, ha… Heavenly Sword, you’re more eloquent than I expected. I thought you were more the swing-now-talk-later type, but it turns out you’re pretty persuasive.”CzgQWA7
2BIujCVHis hollow laughter was followed by sudden silence. Then Dante took a deep breath.GKQcT
FnTdI“Lend me your sword. I’ll return all the money these people embezzled.”6ypK
MYr0N1F“Director!”42Cvdg
bWgA woman’s voice pierced like a spear.ClKUoB
qsZlBut neither of us paid it any mind.UsY
ur85j“Where do you plan to return it?”dfxW8
hOSI0g“Recently, a real sponsor appeared for our Parsy Academy. He goes by the pseudonym ‘Kitty.’ I’ve heard his foundation, called ‘GM Foundation,’ is the most transparent in the world. I’ll donate over 90% there. Then I’ll declare a new beginning for Parsy.”7il
kavC“Hmm…”DpSb9B
99eBBzEThe official name is GM Foundation. Among my family and old companions, we informally call it Kang Geom-Ma Foundation.90iL7x
n1ee1FThe money recovered from Parsy Academy’s shareholders would end up in my hands—or if you zoom out, in Joaquin Academy’s pocket.GQVHUO0
X5YyWNow that was a fitting example of “exchange.” So I nodded without protest.te9YzGT
gRPtQwf“Good choice.”PlNdk
7R2o75“If this resolves without any deaths, I’ll give the remaining 10% to you as financial compensation, Heavenly Sword.”ozPsk
xAkIn short, the guy wanted to donate everything. Too generous, my friend.Ij2MP
wkzrI ignored my conscience, which was already starting to burn. And I moved forward.MDB
D3xniGPI began slowly unsheathing the two sashimi blades.sKG
KECDw7[The Blessing of the Sword God manifests – Heart (L).]iGEu
B2qOO7The light of the sword spread out.2x4rL
ox9The nobles tightly shut their eyes and then opened them wide.H3G
oLBboJu“W-what is this…?”yit
VQTfThe ballroom setting suddenly changed. Now it was a lake.fTA
0EyXljI, the party crasher, had kindly invited them into my spiritual world—the World of the Sword Lake.LL6
5QPSpOf course, they were all tied with thick ropes to enormous stakes.JGsQ
a98FGIt was one of the abilities I mastered after awakening the Blessing of the Sword God.HHStrBI
H9NLIt allowed me to give them a lesson without bearing the weight of murder.S5OnMx
rJJ4“Looks like everyone’s too hot-headed. So cool off a bit under the rain and think about whom and how much you’ve deceived.”FO1D
V6EtA“Hey! Let us out of this right now!”QSzUJ
VEe4h3I ignored them and raised my head until my neck ached. Everyone followed my lead.Rv7C
wQU6r4“Endure it.”7fUU
H0fRRK8“…..!”UpDqGs
7uG27“This is what it feels like to be under the judgment of the world.”gCY
K6XVxIt was instant.84o
5LZLPiHWhoooooshhhhhhh!S8xDF9p
jo1Thousands of sashimi knives rained down like an icy downpour. The blasts drowned out the screams.OZQSNd
e5yUdAnd the blood running down the stakes dyed the blue of the lake red.HecN
Krjvp+++++++++++++++++++puL
J7NDqG5《May the blessing of the gods be with you.》a2fK2Al
vbbxsn+++++++++++++++++++JLMADd
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!