The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 351: Ragnarok (3)

Chapter 351: Ragnarok (3)

In‌‌ the past, I tried to do‍ everything alone.

Not‌ out of arrogance‌ or anything like⁠ that.

I guess it was because I was‌ an orphan. Because,⁠ from the moment‌ I was born,‌‍ I was someone‌‌⁠ solitary.

Anyway,⁠ what I mean⁠ is—

It‌ was never because‌‌ I looked down‌⁠⁠ on my friends,‍ not even subconsciously.‌

On⁠‌ the contrary, I know better than‌‌ anyone just how‍ amazing they are.‌

Now‍⁠ it sounds like‌ a cliché, but⁠⁠ in the end,‌ I was the‌⁠ player of Miracle‍ Blessing M.

I clearly saw each‍‌ of their ridiculous‌ attributes, number by⁠ number.

‘And⁠⁠ they’ve only kept‍ growing.’

The‍ term “golden generation” didn’t feel like‍ enough. My friends‌‍ were a diamond‌‌‍ generation.

The‍ blood.

For a hero, that⁠ is both a privilege and a limitation.

Most‍ live their entire‍ lives within the‌ bounds of the⁠‌ genetic blessing they were born with—unless‌ they put in‍ colossal effort.

‘But‍ my friends are‌ different.’

They‌ surpassed the limits‌‍‌ of their lineage.⁠

And‍ even then, their⁠‍ bloodline was already‍ extraordinary.

If⁠⁠‌ they keep growing,⁠⁠ they might even‍ surpass the ferocity⁠‌⁠ of their ancestors.‌

Ryozo,‍‍ the Heavenly Archer,‌‌‍ will surpass the‌ Absolute Archer of⁠‌ her lineage, the‌ Saki family.

Abel,‍ the Lady of‌‍ the Sword, will‍‍ surpass the Swordmaster‍‌ of the Nibelung.⁠‌

Leon,⁠ the hero, will‌‍ reach his own‍ father—the Archangel Metatron.‌‍

“I…”⁠‌‌

I believe in them.‌ Even if my⁠‍‌ nose tickles and‍‌ I have to‌‌⁠ mask it by⁠⁠⁠ speaking to an‍ imaginary audience.

The‍ world is changing⁠⁠ at a rapid‌⁠ pace. Both Earth‌ and this other‍ world.

Holding‍⁠ on to the‍⁠ status quo means‌⁠‌ stagnation.

Humans⁠ adapt quickly; they‍⁠ adjust to reality.⁠⁠‌ That process is called growth. And‌‍‍ its result, evolution.‍

I believe.

I always have.

And‌ my friends—

=…Are‍ proving it…=

That‍⁠ vague faith began‌ to take shape through action.

It⁠⁠ was the moment‌‍ belief started to carry weight.

As‍ my heart pounded⁠ like hammers, Ragnarok’s‌⁠ voice grew heavy—though‍‍ in a different‌ sense. Perhaps dark‍‌‍ is the right‍ word.

=Can‍‌ they withstand the⁠ attack of an‌ apostle? Even after‍‍ checking all timelines,⁠ there are no precedents…=

The‌ unease that had⁠ crept over me‌‌‌ just moments ago⁠‌ vanished completely. Just⁠‍ as Yu Sein had said, in‍⁠ under a minute.‌

A satisfied smile crept across my lips.‍

Then⁠ I slightly raised‍ my head and‍ calmly closed my⁠ eyes. It still‍ wasn’t time to laugh.

Even‍ so—

“Fighting‍ a demigod like you, I realized‌‍⁠ something. You’re always⁠ weak against the⁠‌ unexpected.”

It‍ wasn’t time to⁠‌ laugh, but I could at least‍⁠‌ rattle his nerves.‌⁠

=Variables‌‌‍ are like bacteria‌‌ in this narrative logic. How can‍ you ignore them‍ when you’re its⁠ equal?=

The sacred knight neighed‍‍‌ fiercely.

From‍‍⁠ the empty eye‌‍‍ sockets of the‍ headless horse, threads‌‍ of spiritual flame‌ oozed.

“But it’s because of‍ those bacteria that‌ humans stay healthy.‍ That’s how their‍ defenses strengthen.”

=…Then‌‍⁠ you were the‍ problem. This world⁠ is unraveling because‌ of you=

“According‌ to your standards.”‍‌

I drew Eternal Frost‍ from the back of my waist‍‍ and gripped it between my teeth.‌‍‌

I held Murasame and‍ my other EX-level‌⁠‍ weapon in reverse‍ grip.

Then⁠ lowered my center‍ of gravity like⁠ I was carrying‌ lead on my⁠ back.

=You‌‌‌ look like a beast=

In⁠‌ the old special combat classification, this‍⁠ was known as⁠ the (68, ramming⁠ type).

And‌‍ right then, as‍ I looked up—⁠‌‍

Sköll⁠⁠ and Hati had‌ finally reached the‍‍ Sun and the⁠‌⁠ Moon.

Their‌ fangs gleamed, and‌ without hesitation, they⁠ bit down.

The‌ sun, which fired‍‌ arrows, and the⁠ moon, which wielded⁠‌ the bow, began‍‍‌ to shatter.

‘The‌ situation’s turning in‍ our favor.’

On‍ land, as in‍ the sky.

That‌ allowed me to‌‍ focus entirely on⁠‌ the fight.

This‍ three-weapon style was‌ part of that⁠ focus.

Grrrrrrr…‍

Biting down on the‍‍ sashimi blade, I breathed in. A growl like a beast escaped me.‌‌

It‍⁠‍ came from my throat, but sounded⁠ like a wolf’s‌‍ howl.

Crackle!‌

Dark‌⁠ clouds began to‌‍ gather around me. It was the‍‌ electric magic I had summoned, drawing‌ the storm.

The charged clouds dragged themselves like armor.‌⁠

My‌ magic and the‌‍⁠ natural storm collided,⁠‍‌ spitting out thunder‍‌‍ mercilessly.

The‌‌ sparks jumped like‌ bristling fur.

=The⁠‌ black wolf that‍ devours gods=

That’s‌⁠ how the Knight⁠‌⁠ of Conquest, Ragnarok,⁠ saw me—as a wolf.

=The⁠ humans you were‍‍ meant to protect‌‌ were your shackle, your Gleipnir. And now that each‌‍ has awakened, those‌‍‍ chains are broken=‍‍

“……”‍

=Isn’t that right?=

Ragnarok⁠ lashed the reins⁠ of his headless⁠ horse.

=Fenrir=‍

From‍ above, Sköll and‍ Hati, devouring the‌‍ sun and the‌ moon, also sensed‍ my presence.

And‌ in response, they‌ tilted their heads‍⁠ back and roared.‍⁠

— Awoooooooooooo!

As‌⁠⁠ if signaling war,⁠ the beasts of the end surged‍⁠‌ into battle.

The‌⁠ resulting shockwave nearly sent the stars⁠‍‍ of the entire‍‌ universe tumbling.

***‌⁠‍

While⁠ the battle against⁠‌⁠ the golem continued‍ on the surface—‌

Boooooom!‍

A new tremor made everyone look up.‍‍

Beyond‍ the clouds, two⁠ bolts of lightning‍‌‍ collided—at a speed⁠ comparable to light.‍

The‌‌ scene and the‍‌‍ perspective didn’t quite⁠‍ match.

Even‌ the image they⁠ were seeing now⁠‍⁠ was already from‍ the past.

What⁠ they had just‍ witnessed had occurred⁠ only seconds ago.‍

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma and his‌ enemy were fighting⁠ in the domain‌‍ of the future.‍‌

The‌‍ trajectories of both‍‍ transcendents intertwined like⁠‍ constellations in a twilight-red sky.

Claang!

They‌ clashed. Kang Geom-Ma,‌‍ in his wolf‌ form, pivoted hard⁠ on his ankles.⁠

It‌‍ was as if‌‍‍ his bones were⁠ about to pierce⁠ through his skin.‌⁠

He‌⁠‍ launched back into‌‌ the attack without‍‌⁠ hesitation.

He⁠ held nothing back.⁠

He‍‍‍ used absolutely everything‌‌ at his disposal.⁠‍⁠

With‌ each slash of‍⁠⁠ his knife, lightning‍ fanned out behind‍‍⁠ the enemy.

In‍‌ the places where⁠ the electricity evaporated,⁠‌‌ the space shone‌ with an intense‍⁠ black.

The‍⁠ dimension had torn,‌⁠ briefly revealing the‍ veil of another‌ world.

=Hihihihihi!=

The skeletal knight, mounted on a headless‌‌ horse, was no⁠ less formidable.

He⁠ leaned forward and⁠‌‌ fired arrows at‌‍⁠ a wide angle⁠ the moment he‍ found an opening.‌⁠

Even⁠⁠ though he only‍ released a single‍‌ arrow, the number⁠⁠‌ of projectiles bombarding‍ Kang Geom-Ma was‌‍ countless to the‌‌‍ naked eye.

Fwooosh!‌⁠‍

It‍⁠ was like a tsunami crashing down⁠‍ on him. Just‍ watching it was⁠ overwhelming due to‍ the scale of⁠‌‌ the attack.

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma grabbed Murasame’s‍ cord and carved⁠⁠‍ a wide arc.‌‍

The‌ path of the‌ blade, resembling a silver disc, expanded⁠ several times, slicing the wave into‌⁠ layers.

Slash!⁠

Even⁠ with attacks coming‌ from every direction,‍ Kang Geom-Ma did‍ not retreat.

He‌ infused lightning magic‌⁠‌ into his sashimi‌⁠‌ knife and charged‍‍ straight into the⁠‍⁠ tide.

Just‍⁠ after he pierced‌ the tsunami, it⁠‌ dissipated, leaving behind⁠‌ only a hollow⁠‍⁠ whisper as testament.‌‍

The⁠‍‍ surface, thrown into⁠‌ utter chaos, stood‌‍ in stark contrast‌‍ to the sky transformed into a majestic battlefield.

But‍‌ they couldn’t stay⁠ distracted forever. Ryozo‌‌ looked away from⁠‌ the sky.

Everyone‌‌ had a role.⁠‍ While Kang Geom-Ma‌‍ faced that unfathomable‍‌ enemy, Joaquin and‍‌ the others had⁠ to protect the‍‍ people.

‘Kang‍ Geom-Ma, I believe in you. Just⁠ as you believe‍ in us.’

So‍‌⁠ thought Ryozo. She⁠ felt the tension‍ of the bowstring on her fingers.‌‌‍

She aimed at the‌ center of the⁠ hammer.

She‍ released.

The‍⁠‍ arrow spun in⁠⁠ a spiral.

It‌‌ grazed ears, shoulders,⁠‌‍ legs, or someone’s⁠‍ stomach with minimal⁠⁠ margin for error.⁠⁠

Until⁠ finally—

Crack!‌‌

It⁠ hit. A crack‍ formed. Like glass‌ shattering, fissures spread‍⁠ outward.

The‌‌ farther from the⁠ point of impact, the larger the‍⁠ fragments.

Smash!⁠

The‌ hammer burst into⁠‍ pieces, as if‌‌ releasing all the⁠ tension it had⁠ built up.

Everyone⁠⁠ had worked together to strike it⁠ relentlessly.

Ryozo’s‌ arrow was the⁠‌‍ result of that‌ collective effort.

“Nice‌‍ work!”

Yu⁠‌ Sein gave a thumbs-up with a wink. But Ryozo⁠ didn’t have time‍⁠ to relax.

“Yu Sein, I saw‌ you use a barrier under your‌⁠ feet just now⁠ to launch yourself.‍ Can you do⁠‌ that for others‌⁠‍ too?”

“You want to get‌ closer to that‌ giant rock?”

She⁠‌ understood instantly. Abel,⁠‌ who had already‍ closed in, joined‌ the conversation.

“We⁠ want to get⁠ rid of that‌‍‍ stone head as⁠ soon as possible.⁠ That way, Kang⁠ Geom-Ma can focus⁠⁠ better.”

“What‍ kind of past⁠ life did he⁠⁠‍ have to be‍ this lucky in‌ this one…? Was‍ that really the‌ level of the‍‌⁠ country’s best swordsman?”‌‍‍

“What‍⁠‌ are you saying?”‌‍

At‌‍‍ Ryozo’s question, Yu‌ Sein waved her‌ hand dismissively.

“There’s‍ a sad legend‌ in the Kang‌‌ family.”

“But‌‌ you’re a Yu.”‌

“Let’s‍‌ leave those details‍ aside.”

“…”

With‍‍ a weary expression,‌ Yu Sein formed⁠ a hand seal.⁠‌

Two⁠⁠ magic circles appeared⁠⁠ on the ground⁠‍ like wheels.

Runes‌ on their edges‌ began to spin.‍‍

“All⁠‌ aboard.”

Yu‍⁠ Sein gestured with her chin behind⁠⁠ Abel.

“Lord Karon and the‌⁠‌ maiden should come⁠ too. We’ll need⁠‍⁠ every hand we‌ can get, even‌‍ the smallest.”

“Thank‌ you, Saint.”

Karon‌⁠⁠ placed a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully. Shail also lifted‌⁠ her skirt in‌‍ courtesy.

After‌⁠ a brief farewell,‌ the four of‌‌ them stepped onto‍‍‌ the magic barrier‌ and soared toward‍ the golem.

Yu‍‍ Sein wiped the‍‌‍ sweat from her⁠⁠ brow as she‍‍ watched them go.‍‌

“That‍‍ takes a load‌‍ off… Oh no.”‍

“That‌⁠⁠ was a flag.”‍

A presence.

Yu⁠⁠ Sein sighed in‍ resignation and turned⁠‌‌ around.

As⁠ expected, an unwelcome face appeared.

“If⁠‍⁠ you’re not going to help, get⁠ lost.”

A beautiful girl with‍ hair black as‍‍⁠ ebony.

Chaerina‍ watched the battle‌ between the humans‌ and the golem,‌‌‌ then fixed her⁠ gaze on Yu Sein.

“…I‍ can’t handle the‌‌ pressure.”

“What‌‌ do you think‌ they’re doing? Playing⁠‍‍ house?”

“You‌ know it too.⁠‍ Even if they‌⁠ beat this, there’s‍⁠ more to come.‍‌ And in the‍ end…”

“This‌ girl already thought⁠ of that, okay? Our hell princess‍ doesn’t need to⁠ get in the‍⁠ way. Go back‍‌ to the academy.‌⁠⁠ Now that you‌ mention it, I haven’t seen the‌‍ second- and third-years.”⁠⁠⁠

“…”‍⁠

“Don’t⁠‌ tell me…”

Chaerina‍ shook her head.⁠‌⁠

“I‍‍ just knocked them out for a bit.”

“Good.‌⁠‌ Thanks for not⁠ killing them.”

“You…”‍‍

Chaerina‍‍‌ hesitated, then finally‌ spoke with difficulty.‍‍

“You’re‍ not from this‍⁠ world, right? So why try so⁠‍ hard? Same with‍‌ Fenrir. If he‍ had just accepted his fate, none‍‌ of this would’ve‍‌‍ happened.”

“If‌‌ we judged things that way, everyone‍ would be guilty.⁠ Kang Geom-Ma made‌ his choice. And‍‌‍ I made mine.‍‍ I don’t know‌ what yours was,‌‌ but we chose to protect this⁠‌ world.”

“…This⁠‌⁠ world isn’t the⁠ only one that‌ exists.”

“But for Kang Geom-Ma⁠ and me, it‌ is.”

Yu‍ Sein smiled coolly.‌‌

“And‌‌ very soon, it⁠ will be for you too, Chaerina.”‍‌

“…”‌‍⁠

“So⁠⁠‌ for today, just⁠ go hide somewhere.‌ You need to⁠ survive if you’re‌‍ going to show‌‍ up for the⁠ next apocalypse. If‍ you get hurt‌ now, that’ll be‌⁠ a problem.”

“And⁠ how can you‌ be so sure‍‌‌ you’ll survive this‌‍‌ end of the‍‍ world? In no‍‍ timeline have they⁠ succeeded.”

Chaerina‌‍ asked seriously, not‌ understanding. Yu Sein‍‍ looked up at‌ the sky.

“There’s⁠‍‌ always a turning‌ point.”

As‍‌ if the answer‌ were right up‌‌ there.

“And‍ in our case,‍ it’s him.”

***⁠

The⁠ balance of the⁠‌ battle inevitably began⁠‌‌ to tip to‌‍ one side.

The‍ fight was like‌⁠ a spark—over time, one side would⁠‍‍ eventually run out⁠ of energy.

In⁠‍ the case of‍ the war in‍‌ the skies, surprisingly,‍‍ it was Kang‍ Geom-Ma who began⁠‌ to falter.

His⁠⁠ breathing came in⁠ ragged, uneven bursts.‌‌

‘Damn‌ it. I’ve barely used my sword‍⁠ lately.’

In⁠‍ terms of raw‍‌⁠ power, they were⁠‌ nearly matched. If⁠ judged strictly on‍ physical strength, Kang‍⁠ Geom-Ma had a slight edge.

=You‌ truly are the⁠‌ Apostle of Destruction=‌⁠

As‍ the knight said,‍‍ Kang Geom-Ma’s power‌‍ his blessing aligned‌ with the “destruction”‍⁠ attribute.

A form of authority‍ specialized in combat,⁠‍‍ more tangible than‌ the abstract idea⁠⁠‌ of “conquest.”

=But⁠‌ you’re rusty=

The⁠‍ sashimi blade needed‍ regular sharpening.

A blade unused naturally⁠‍‍ dulls.

The⁠ same applied to‌‍⁠ people. Even if “talent is eternal,”⁠ returning to one’s⁠⁠ peak took time.‍

And‌‍ Kang Geom-Ma hadn’t‍‍ faced a worthy‍‌⁠ opponent in a long while.

Ragnarok‍ wasn’t in perfect‌ shape either. Excluding his life energy,‌ his body was‍⁠ worse off.

The⁠ horse he rode‍ had only one‌ leg, rendering it⁠ nearly useless in⁠ battle. With no⁠‌‍ other option, the‌ knight dismounted. The⁠ horse collapsed, and‌ its master walked⁠‌ on the clouds.‍⁠⁠

“Huff,⁠ huff.”

The⁠ clouds cloaking Kang‌ Geom-Ma began to‌ dissipate.

Like‍⁠ shedding a skin,‍‌ he returned to human form and‍ spat out.

=My⁠‍ plan to eliminate⁠ you and then⁠‌⁠ descend to Earth‍⁠ was arrogance. I admit it. You‍ and this world⁠⁠ have surprised me=‍⁠

The⁠ headless knight marched‌ forward in great⁠⁠‌ strides.

With⁠‌‌ each half-step, the‌‍ clouds trembled violently.⁠

Kang‍‌‍ Geom-Ma and Ragnarok‍ glanced upward.

Sköll‍ and Hati had‌‌ devoured nearly half⁠ the sun and‌‍‌ moon. Despite their⁠‍‌ transformation into spiky‍‍‌ forms, they remained‌ faithful to their mission. Admirable beasts.⁠

=The‍ amusement ends here=‍

Ragnarok‌ bit through the⁠ bowstring with his‍‍ teeth. A bow‌ without a string⁠ is useless.

That’s⁠‍⁠ common sense.

=Oh‍ beasts of the‍‍ earth=

The bow’s body emitted⁠⁠ a brilliant green‍ light, then was⁠ enveloped by dozens‌‍‍ of nonlinear beams‌⁠ of light.

Kang Geom-Ma had no‌ time to react.‍ Ragnarok split a single moment into‌‌⁠ eternity through his‌ “will.”

A panorama of countless‍ scenes.

Within⁠ the dimensional overlay,‌‌ he selected his‌ actions freely, as if pulling books‍ from a library.⁠‍‍

It‌ was an authority‍‍ that twisted causality⁠ as naturally as‌ breathing.

=My‌ arrow was certainly‍ embedded in this‍ world. To think⁠‍ it targeted a specific point only‍⁠ proves your foolishness=‌

Assuming‌ the target was‌⁠‌ a creature or‌⁠‍ a piece of⁠ terrain was a mistake. The arrows‌‍ of conquest directly‍ struck this world’s‌ dimensional fabric.

Shiiing.‌

Ragnarok rotated his shoulder⁠⁠‍ and raised the⁠‌ bow solemnly.

It⁠ was a stance‌ evoking the thunder god delivering judgment‍⁠ upon humanity.

=Gáe⁠‌ Bulg=

The moment he closed⁠ his mouth, the⁠ multiple scenes displayed‌ around him compressed‌ into one.

The‍ overlapping layers formed‌ a three-dimensional volume.‌‌‍

Flash!‌⁠⁠

In‍‍‍ the next instant,⁠ the bow quivered‌‌ violently at the‌⁠ center of the‍‌ battlefield.

The‍‍ heroes fighting the‌ golem turned their⁠⁠‌ heads toward the‌‌‍ point of impact.‍⁠

Hundreds,‌ thousands of small‍ arms emerged from‍ the fractured earth.

They‍⁠‌ belonged to winged‍ demons that resembled⁠ insects.

Their⁠ grotesque faces were⁠⁠‌ horrifying, but it‌‌‍ was their sheer⁠ number that truly‌⁠ repulsed.

The‍ heroes were stunned.‌‍ Just the golem‍⁠⁠ alone had pushed‌⁠ them to the‌ brink.

What‌‌ had balanced the fight was their‍ numerical superiority.

But‍ now, that advantage‌ had vanished.

It⁠‌ was no wonder‌⁠ their morale began‌‍‍ to waver.

Abel‍‍‌ muttered without thinking.‍‍‌

“Dad.”‌‍

Somehow,‍‍ those words reached‌ Kang Geom-Ma’s ears.‌

No⁠ one knew how.⁠

Only‌‌‌ a thunderclap of‍ realization exploded in his mind.

Shiiiing—⁠‍

In‍ Kang Geom-Ma’s black‌ pupils, a ring⁠‍ of light spun‌‍ violently like a chariot on fire.‌‌

[Inverse⁠‍‌ Demon Eye.]

The⁠ world he saw⁠ was absolute darkness.⁠ The demon eye⁠ pushed reality to⁠‍ the background and‌‌‌ brought the subconscious⁠‍‌ to the surface.‍‌

…And‌‌ then he saw‌ it. A red⁠ thread flowing slowly⁠ through the darkness.⁠

He⁠⁠‌ felt as if‍‍⁠ the earth had‍‌ cracked open beneath him and focused⁠ all his attention.‍ He pushed his‌ mind to its⁠ limit.

[Restriction]‌

Just‌ like Victoria in‌‍⁠ the Second Battle,‍ he offered all‌ his senses of‍ reality as a sacrifice to interfere‌⁠ beyond the dimension.‍‍

He‌ drew Murasame.

A crackling blue hum⁠‌ linked the blade⁠‌‌ to the thread.⁠‌‍

[Faith]‌⁠

[Petrification]⁠⁠

[Thunder‌‍ Slash]

No sound was heard. A dazzling light‍‍‍ illuminated the entire‍ world.

Ragnarok and all others⁠ shut their eyes‍⁠‍ tight.

Time, which had seemed⁠⁠⁠ frozen, began to⁠ move again.

That⁠⁠ was when everyone⁠ slowly opened their‍ eyelids.

Their‍‍ eyes still burned.

“……!”‌

A line of warriors‌‍ stood in perfectly‌⁠ ordered ranks. They‍‍ wore armor as‍‌ ancient as it⁠‍‌ was noble.

— Oh, King of⁠⁠ the Dead!

Boom!⁠‍

They‍‍‍ struck the ground‌‍ forcefully with their⁠ weapons, unleashing a battle cry.

They‍‌ had faced the‌‌ “meditation of death”‌⁠ head-on with the Inverse Eye and⁠ cleanly severed it.‍‍‍

Thus,‍ the dead from⁠‍ the catacombs were‌ released into the‍ world of the‍‍ living.

Kang‍ Geom-Ma had summoned them here using‍ the [Authority of⁠ the King of‌ the Underworld]. Additionally,‍‍ with the [Authority‌‌ of Petrification], he⁠‌ solidified mana to⁠⁠ create a field‍ in which the⁠ dead could manifest.‌

— We have answered‍ your call.

At‌ the head of‌‍ the dead stood Orion von Nibelung,‌‌ half his face‌ hidden behind his‍ sword.

His⁠ firm gaze fell‍‍ upon the insectoid⁠ demons.

Kang‍‍ Geom-Ma had temporarily‌‌‌ granted him the [Authority of the‍ Fierce Horn], and‌ the mist wrapped⁠‍‍ around the enemies like bonds.

— We obey the‌‌⁠ will of our‍‌‌ lord.

The‍‍‌ giants of history‍ stepped forward for‌⁠ their descendants.