Chapter 383: Destiny (2)

While I was talking with All Mute, my eyes kept drifting toward the corner of my field of vision. It took a lot of effort to hide it.

ニニニニ

Reinforced Enchantment of ■■■

Rank: EX

Description: -Not unlocked-

Reinforcement Level: +2

The reinforcement level increases according to the degree of progress.

ニニニニ

The silhouette, so familiar yet alien due to the time that had passed, flickered before my eyes.

The general structure was the same as before. But it didn’t feel the same as the status window Yu Sein used to display regularly.

I couldn’t say exactly what was different — maybe I should say the texture of the characters felt drier, more arid.

‘Is it because it’s an EX-rank weapon? Does it even have its own exclusive status window?’

Hmm. Come to think of it, it didn’t seem to be solely because of the weapon’s rank. It was more of a hunch — as if the issue lay in the materials used for the reinforcement.

Suddenly, I remembered something old man Volundr said. In this world, the rarer the materials, the more unpredictable the weapon’s rank becomes.

It just so happened that Speedweapon collected strange materials in the Demon Realm. Since it was reinforced with an unknown material, it was only natural that its performance and effects were also a mystery.

‘Now that I think about it, I still don’t know this weapon’s true performance.’

So far, I haven’t noticed a clear difference from Murasame.

Murasame, which had become an S-rank weapon after multiple reinforcements, already handled my power well. If this sashimi is EX-rank, it should show some exceptional trait — but nothing has occurred to justify it.

The only notable moment was that duel with Leon. At that time, this weapon slowly absorbed the magical energy emanating from the Dragon Heart.

Although it’s just an impression, at that moment, the sashimi felt like a baby eating baby food.

And shortly after, today, for the first time, this weapon seemed to “open its eyes” by displaying its status window.

It’s truly surprising. But since I’m not alone, I couldn’t show my astonishment. I haven’t even had the chance to review it all.

‘It seems the brief encounter with Kali Yuga was the trigger.’

Gulp.

My dry throat was moistened by saliva. That was a crucial clue — the reinforcement material is related to suppressive power.

Speedweapon, you bastard. What the hell did you pick up in that zone of demon swords?

Then again, I was an idiot for accepting it without thinking.

‘Birds of a feather, as they say.’

I shook my head. There’s someone much more capable than me in this field.

As soon as I return to Korea, I need to meet that person. I already have the itinerary planned.

It’ll probably be tomorrow.

Because today…

Today, I must accomplish a great feat.

Wait for me, Ryozo. I will serve my nation and return wrapped in glory.

A smile spread across my face.

“Hmm.”

“Hmm…?”

All Mute’s face darkened. Her expression clearly betrayed unease.

‘You saw it clearly, All Mute.’

Between All Mute and me, Rachel just blinked wide-eyed. Yes, Rachel.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

***

The follow-up was left in Rachel’s hands.

She began crafting a stretcher with some broken columns. She tore a few beams from the ceiling and tied them with emergency bandages.

“Tada! What do you think, our dear Geom-Ma?”

“Looks convincing.”

“Right?”

“Except for how you address me.”

“There you go again. You’re so cold, Geom-Ma~”

“……”

After showing off a bit, she lifted the wounded in one go. Rachel, now acting as porter, started walking. Just stepping on the ground made it sink slightly under her feet.

All Mute and I walked behind Rachel, escorting her for protection.

From the pile of bodies slung like sacks, limp legs or hands dangled.

Anyone seeing this would think we were at a funeral. But the strength she has is monstrous.

‘This has to weigh at least 1,500 kilos…’

I’m reminded once again of Changseong’s brute strength. Even back in her student days, she stood out for her raw power, but now she seems to have become a real King Kong.

All Mute, walking at my pace, murmured suddenly.

“Rachel lifts three thousand in three reps.”

Ah, that explains it.

‘With five hundred, you’d already be considered noble.’

And she lifts six times that.

Even though I’ve spent a long time in this world, moments like this remind me I’m still a foreigner. Even I, Kang Geom-Ma, who wields superhuman strength thanks to magic and the Blessing of the God of the Sword.

By the way, Speedweapon once told me that the Changseong do strength training with ultra-heavy reps. Their recovery ability is so absurd that torn muscles regenerate themselves within seconds.

When I played Miracle Blessing M, I didn’t pay attention to Rachel’s blessing, so I was unaware. But now I see, her blessing is as broken as the “Blessing of the Spirit of the Sword” from the Nibelung family.

All Mute looks visibly exhausted, while her junior, Rachel, is still fresh as a daisy. That must be why.

I guess, thanks to that superior recovery, she was able to shake off the terror we had just experienced in an instant.

Reckless to the point of recklessness. A fighting spirit that knows no limits.

The Changseong embody exactly what people imagine when they think of a hero. In contrast, the Nibelung have a reputation for being a bit too formal.

‘I suppose that’s why they don’t get along.’

While I was lost in these thoughts, suddenly light blinded me. We had finally emerged from the dungeon’s endless tunnel.

A tumbleweed rolled up and bumped against my feet. What greeted us was a dry prairie landscape, like something out of a western movie. The American western sun was harsher than Korea’s.

Rachel, sweating buckets, turned around.

“Can I drop this here, senior?”

“Wait a moment.”

All Mute abruptly closed her eyes. Around her, the airflow changed.

‘The Blessing of Blocking.’

She shut off all senses except hearing. Her perception, refined only with hearing, was literally superhuman.

Maybe even more so than my perception using the Blessing of the God of the Sword, which I learned through affinity.

Moments later.

“Everything seems fine.”

After completing the area check, All Mute opened her eyes slightly. Rachel laid the stone stretcher on the ground. The tumbleweeds brushing her ankles rose to knee height.

The people stacked like mountains still had vacant stares. It was clear they needed attention.

Just as I imagined, All Mute commented.

“There’s a Texas branch of the Lancelot Company nearby. I’ll ask them to send personnel. Also, we need to verify these people’s identities.”

“No wonder it’s the most famous. Do they have a lot of branches in the U.S.?”

“Fifty-two.”

Whoa.

Too many.

“One per state. There are several abroad too.”

“So they’re literally world-class.”

“And we’ll be the ones benefiting from it.”

All Mute gave a faint smile. Her face showed relief after so much tension.

While she contacted the company, I turned around.

“Pfff…”

Rachel lifted her clothes and wiped off sweat. Under her black sportswear, sharply defined abs showed. It wasn’t a six-pack — it was an eight-pack.

‘Is that even a human body…?’

While wiping her face, our eyes met. I flinched, and she gave me a sinister smile. When she does that, it always makes me nervous.

Rachel stepped closer, her scent of sweat wafting through the air. Although it should smell bad, the scent was surprisingly sweet. It didn’t seem like perfume—it had to be her natural scent.

“No matter how healthy vegetables are, if you only eat greens every day, you’ll get sick, Geom-Ma~”

…What the hell is she saying?

“Sometimes you have to eat meat too, you know?”

Rachel bit the hem of her shirt. With her abs on full display, she added in a suggestive tone:

“I’m always ready to gi—!! Khegh!!”

All Mute lifted her by the neck. Rachel flailed like a criminal hanging from the gallows.

“You just can’t go five minutes without flirting, can you?!”

“Alright, alright! I was so close! I’ve been chasing Geom-Ma for ten years, I swear!”

“Enough.”

All Mute threw her through the air. Quite far. Her silhouette receding under the Texan sunset had a poetic vibe.

When Rachel came back covered in dust, All Mute and I burst into laughter. It was hard to believe we had just come out of a nightmare.

That’s what heroes do. They walk a tightrope between life and death, and if they survive, they can laugh like nothing happened.

‘I guess I’ve become one too.’

The black-haired boy who was once a stranger is slowly fitting into this world. I’m becoming part of Miracle Blessing M… and with time, I’ll act more and more like a true hero.

Vruuum!

Not long after, with the sun descending in the west, several trucks with the Lancelot Company logo crossed the plain.

Workers in uniform got off. Some were startled upon seeing me, but All Mute gave them a signal, and in silence, they began loading civilians onto the trucks. It was clear this wasn’t their first time. Lancelot employees avoided unnecessary fuss. They were precise and efficient.

Of course, there are always exceptions.

“U-um… Mr. Heavenly Sword, may I have your autograph…?”

“Hey, you! Rookies shouldn’t step out of line!”

“Uaaaah! A once-in-a-lifetime chance!”

The desperate employee being dragged away left tracks on the ground. She was thrown into the truck bed with the civilians. Watching this, I commented:

“Korea is better in these things.”

“……”

“You saw it yourself. Joaquin’s grad school was built in just one month.”

“……”

“I don’t know if that would be possible in the U.S. In such a free environment, achieving full unity seems tough.”

“……”

All Mute had a look full of words she wanted to say. Wow, look at that vein throbbing on her temple. I smiled smugly and silenced my thoughts.

‘Korea wins.’

As they evacuated the injured, the three of us closely watched each of the workers. It was instinct.

‘Villains could be anywhere, and possess anyone.’

There was a chance that one of these workers was an infiltrated villain.

A hero’s life is full of twists; thinking only in optimistic terms is dangerous. The more they look like reliable adults, the more suspicious you have to be.

Many final bosses started like that.

I cast a sharp gaze at the group, stopping briefly on each. No one looked suspicious. Hopefully it stays that way. Not the opposite.

One worker clearly felt intimidated by my gaze. He seemed moved that a hero of the Seven Stars level stayed till the end.

“I hope your dedication is rewarded.”

The employees removed their caps and bowed slightly. I returned it with a simple nod, and some looked visibly moved.

After showing their respect, they disappeared into the distance in a cloud of dust. Only the three of us and the rolling tumbleweeds remained, watching the trucks fade away.

“Pfff…”

All Mute wiped her forehead, relieved. Then she looked at me. Her expression was annoyed.

“If we go a bit further, there’s an airport. A private jet is waiting for us there. Let’s go to the HQ together.”

A grumpy-sounding invitation. It was almost exciting.
Though am I imagining it, or did she emphasize the words “private jet”?

“What if we go in a better way? Faster… and more comfortable.”

“No offense, but I doubt Korean technology can achieve that.”

“Tell me that after you experience it.”

Quickly, I grabbed the wrists of All Mute and Rachel. Taking advantage of their confusion, I injected lightning magic. Tiny particles spread through their nervous systems.

“This’ll be a little shocking.”

And in that instant…

KRA-KOOOOM!!

A thunderclap shook the sky, and we turned into three bolts of lightning shooting into the heavens.

***

“Ah, Mr. Heavenly Sword. We just got the report from the staff. Wow, I can’t believe you saved our two top stars! I don’t know how to thank you!”

“Of course! We must reward you properly! Just say the word. Whatever our company can offer, it’s yours.”

“Hey, Elizabeth, don’t interfere! If we start haggling here, we’ll disgrace the name of our Hero Company. And we’re talking about Mr. Heavenly Sword. Even from a business perspective, we’ve got nothing to lose. So, tell us, what do you want, Mr. Heavenly Sword?”

“…Ah, eh… hmm. Well, it seems possible… yes. Yes, it’s viable. In business, a given word must be fulfilled… yes, that too, huh?”

“N-no, I didn’t say it was impossible! Just that… before that, maybe we should call an emergency board meeting… Ah! But I never meant to bargain! If Mr. Heavenly Sword wants it, then we’ll make it happen no matter what.”

“Y-yes… I’m also very glad to meet you. Please take care…”

At Lancelot Company, there is a legendary figure.

His name is Kane. He was the manager of All Mute and Elizabeth Khan, and two years ago became CEO of the company, backed fully by the board.

Kane is an American famous for his cunning. He was like a human calculator: able to make others believe they were making a “great deal,” while maximizing the company’s gains.

He also managed Rachel Bongseon herself. Walking a true golden path, he took over the world’s number one hero company, Lancelot.

A true corporate myth. He defeated political rivals and won the internal war. Though it was made possible by All Mute’s full support, Kane was outstanding on his own merit.

That’s why he always took pride in himself.

And he had every reason to.

“…Kane.”

All Mute looked at him with sympathy from behind. Kane’s eyes, fixed on the window, were filled with melancholy.

“You okay?”

“…Why wouldn’t I be? You saved your life and Rachel’s. This expense is nothing…”

But his pupils were vacant. All Mute had seen that expression before. Right after her dog was neutered.

“I’m… fine… no, I’ll be fine. Right…?”

All Mute silently swallowed.

Outside, the New York dawn was beginning to light up the sky. Small dots appeared in the distance: the Lancelot board members arriving by helicopter.

To Kane, they weren’t executives. They were butchers.

Or had they already come once?

After his encounter with Kang Geom-Ma, Kane had immediately called for an emergency board meeting. He acted before informing.

Something no CEO should ever do.

“…Kane.”

All Mute placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Stay strong.”

“…Ugh…”

Kane nodded, looking at the helicopters approaching.

A dewdrop, like a tear of dawn, rolled down his cheek.