The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 384: Destiny (3)

Chapter 384: Destiny (3)

“I‍ never imagined that‍‌ guy would become‍ the president.”

I turned my back⁠ on the building‌ and looked up.‍⁠ Amid the forest‌‌⁠ of steel, that‌‍ skyscraper stood tall, imposing, with the‌‌‌ Lancelot Company logo engraved on it.⁠‍‌

I had just finished⁠ a rather constructive⁠‍ conversation with Kane,⁠⁠ the company’s president.⁠‍⁠ The eastern sun had started to⁠⁠‌ warm my face.‌‍ Morning had arrived.⁠⁠‍

It‌⁠‍ had been an‌⁠‍ intense negotiation.

At‌‌‌ first, it seemed‌ like he would‌‍ give me anything‌ I asked for.‍ But at some‌⁠ point, Kane began⁠ to hesitate. Maybe‍⁠⁠ he thought my‌ demands were a bit excessive and⁠ started dragging out‍‌‍ his sentences.

‘All⁠‌ Mute sighing so‌ loudly next to‍‍⁠ me helped a lot.’

Under⁠ her “that’s enough”‍⁠ glare, Kane accepted⁠ my terms like‍‍ his soul was⁠ bleeding.

I asked him to cooperate with Joaquin‌ Academy’s graduate program.‍⁠

I know I didn’t‍ come here for⁠ marketing—I came to‍‌⁠ hunt villains—but

the⁠‍ more urgent the⁠⁠‌ situation became, the‌ more I felt‍‍ that the Academy’s⁠‌‌ growth was a priority. That conviction‌‍ became certainty as‍‍‌ I took down⁠ hidden cells.

‘It’s‍⁠ not just magic‌ that needs to be monitored.’

Who‍ would’ve thought villains‍ were now using‍‍ possession techniques?

That used to be a privilege reserved‍‌‌ for body commanders.‍‍⁠ Now, their former subordinates were using‌⁠ them recklessly. Things‌ are taking a dark turn.

That’s‌‍‍ why it’s necessary‍‍ to gather minds⁠ capable of analyzing‌⁠ these end-times anomalies‍‍ in Joaquin’s graduate‌⁠ program.

***‌⁠⁠

Of‍⁠ course, that requires‍⁠ money.

A lot, a lot‌‌ of money.

“The⁠ money I got from the emperor⁠ is almost gone…”‍

The‍‌ emperor’s account, which⁠‍ I thought was‍ an endless fountain,‌⁠ was closed a few days ago.‍‌ So I called‍‍ the imperial secretary to ask. Turns‍⁠ out, the expenses‍‍‌ were so disproportionate‍‍ that the Swiss‌‍ bank ended up shutting down the‌ account.

That⁠ happened yesterday.

— Lord Heavenly Sword…‌‌ this might hurt⁠‍ the imperial family’s⁠⁠ image, but… how⁠ much did you‍‍ spend, exactly? They’re‍⁠ even saying His‍ Majesty fell victim‍ to a banking‌ scam!

“I⁠ didn’t spend that‌ much.”

— Just seeing the‌ number of zeroes gives me vertigo.‌

“Better‍ that than seeing‍⁠ the emperor’s head⁠⁠ roll, don’t you‌ think?”

— If you keep⁠⁠ this up, it’ll‌‍ be my head‍ that rolls… His‍ Majesty promised unconditional support, but please,‌⁠ don’t make it‌ look like we‌‍ were scammed by‍ phishing.

As‌ he started whining,‌‍ I elegantly ignored‌‍ him. A promise‌ is a promise,‌ so I ordered‌‌⁠ him to give‍⁠‌ me the new⁠‌‌ account info without‌‌‍ too much fuss.‍⁠

Even‍⁠⁠ over the phone,‌‍‍ I could clearly‍⁠ hear his deep‌ sighs.

— …Opening the new‌ account will take‍⁠ about two weeks.‌ Until then, even‍‍ if we want⁠‌ to cooperate, we⁠ can’t.

His‌‌ last sentence was⁠‍ filled with despair.‌

I do have some⁠ conscience. I’m not‌‌ so shameless as‌⁠‌ to demand money⁠ from an empty⁠‍ account.

Just‍ when I was‌‍ looking for a new sponsor to⁠‌ cover that two-week gap—heaven helped me.‍

Cells‍⁠ from the New Union of Villains‍‌ appeared in the‍ U.S., threatening All‍ Mute’s life. I resolved what could’ve been a major‌‍‍ disaster.

I don’t like bargaining‍‍⁠ with human lives.‌ But the person‌⁠ who was saved‍⁠‍ offered something in‌ return. Leaving without⁠ accepting would’ve been rude.

That’s‌‍‌ how the deal‍ came about. I only claimed what‍ was fair. There⁠‍ was a little‌⁠ “negotiation” with Kane,‌ but it was⁠ settled amicably.

He‍⁠‌ might be devastated,⁠ but I’m satisfied.‌

‘Got lucky.’

Well, actually, it wasn’t‌ a one-sided deal.⁠ I also added‍⁠ clauses beneficial to‍ Lancelot Company.

And‌‍ now I’m on⁠‌‍ my way to‍ fulfill those clauses.‌‌⁠ But since I was hungry, I decided to grab‍⁠ breakfast first.

“Let’s‍ see… is there‌‍ any place that‍‌ sells doenjang jjigae?”‌

I walked leisurely down‍‌ a side street‌‍ in New York⁠ looking for a restaurant. The scenery‌⁠ wasn’t too different‍ from Seoul’s.

‘Is Seoul better than⁠⁠⁠ this?’

I had my cap pulled down low,‌‌ so no one‍ recognized me. Or⁠ so I thought.‌

“My⁠‌ Geom-Ma!”

A familiar voice pierced my ears. Sharp,‌ cheerful, and loud‍‌‌ enough to attract‌ everyone’s attention.

“…Rachel.”‌

“Where⁠ do you think‍‍⁠ you’re going without‍‍⁠ me?!”

I pulled my cap‌ down further and‍‌ avoided eye contact.‌⁠ A jolt ran‌‍‌ down my back. My chin rose⁠ involuntarily.

“Hey,⁠⁠ hey. Back off a bit.”

“Nope,‌ nope. If Ryozo⁠‌⁠ and Abel aren’t‌⁠ here, I’m not‍‌ leaving your side.”⁠

Right. The Changseong family⁠‍ has never been‌‌‌ good at listening.‌ But their bodies‌⁠ always react truthfully.‍

Shwing!⁠

“I‍ surrender.”

“Good‌ decision.”

At the sound of‍‍‌ my sword, Rachel‍ instantly stepped back.‍ As always, sashimi‌‌‍ is highly effective.⁠⁠

I sheathed the weapon‌ right in the‌ middle of New⁠⁠ York City, but⁠ no one cared.⁠‌ No one even‍⁠ noticed when I drew it.

I’m‍ me, and Rachel‌ just put on‌ sunglasses. Seriously, this⁠ city is desensitized.‍⁠

Once‌ the sword was⁠ away, Rachel immediately‍⁠⁠ moved closer. With a smile on‌⁠ her lips, she‌ asked:

“Going‍⁠ for breakfast?”

“Yeah.”⁠

“Then‌ let’s go together.‍ I’m starving.”

“Hmm…”‍

No‍‌ problem sharing a meal. Besides, after‌‍ what happened yesterday,‍ there were things⁠ to discuss. Even‍ if she seemed⁠⁠ to remember nothing,⁠⁠⁠ I had to‌‌ jog her memory.‍‌‌

After⁠⁠ all, Rachel was‌⁠‍ key in the Parsy incident.

And⁠ on top of that, Changseong people‍‌ have great appetites.‍‌ They’re almost food‌ fighters.

Big⁠‌ eaters, but also‌‍ picky.

I nodded.

“Alright.”‌

“Awesome!”⁠⁠

Rachel⁠‍⁠ excitedly lit up‌‌‌ her smartphone and‌⁠‍ started scratching the‌‍ screen with her⁠⁠ nail.

“Anything‌ you don’t like?”⁠‌

“Pizza,⁠⁠ burgers, fries.”

“…Are‍⁠ you kidding?”

No,‍ I wasn’t.

“Then⁠‌ what do you‌ want to eat?”‍⁠

“Doenjang‍‌ jjigae, kimchi jjigae,‍⁠ cheonggukjang.”

“Ew,‍ gross!”

Rachel‍ stuck out her⁠⁠ tongue in disgust.‌

Still⁠ wearing a sour‌ expression, she led⁠‍ me to Koreatown.‌‌ I’d missed that smell. And it‌ had only been‌ a day.

When‍ I deeply inhaled the jang aroma,⁠‌ Rachel squinted.

“You‍⁠ know, Geom-Ma… sometimes‍ it feels like‌ you do this‍⁠ on purpose. Like‌‌ you’re forcing that‍ ‘I’m Korean’ image.”‌

“It’s‍‍ not that. Like‌⁠ you said yourself,‍‍ I have a country-boy palate.”

“That’s‌ because you only⁠‍ eat vegetables. If‍⁠ you ate meat‍‌‌ sometimes, your taste⁠ would become more refined.”

What’s‍ she getting at‍ now?

“Besides,⁠⁠ the meat here⁠‍ in the U.S.⁠‌ is top-tier.”

“Oh.”⁠

That’s‌⁠ what she meant?‌‍ I ignored her‍ and walked ahead.⁠‍ She saw right⁠‍ through me. Rachel‍‍ smiled slyly and⁠ followed closely.

We⁠ had breakfast together at a Korean‌‍ restaurant. Come to⁠ think of it,‌‍ it was the‍⁠ first time I’d‍ ever been alone⁠ with Rachel.

Contrary⁠⁠ to what I expected, it was‌ surprisingly calm. She‌⁠ ordered politely and⁠ ate with zero‌ manners. That was⁠‍ it.

No provocative comments or‌‍ attempts at forced⁠‌ contact.

‘So‍⁠‌ this is the‌ real Rachel.’

She⁠‍ was like this⁠ during our cadet⁠‌ days too. Though‌ she pretended to‌ be all muscle-brained,⁠⁠ she had a sharp mind. And‍‌ a deep heart.‌‌ If she pushed‍‍‌ too far, she’d‌⁠⁠ probably feel guilty‌ toward Ryozo and Abel, her friends. That’s why she⁠ shut down all⁠‍ possibilities at the root.

Thanks⁠ to that, I ate quite comfortably.‌⁠ Although I did⁠‍ have to dodge‍ flying rice grains⁠⁠⁠ like a whack-a-mole.⁠

We⁠ talked about a lot during the‌ meal. In short,‌‌‍ Rachel thanked me‌‍ for the Parsy⁠⁠ disaster. While flinging⁠⁠ rice everywhere, she⁠ waved her hand.

“Ah,‌⁠‍ don’t say that!‌‍ I was soooo‍ bored lugging around this heroine badge‌‌ all the time!‌ Always dragged to⁠‍ ceremonies, photo shoots,⁠⁠ more ceremonies. Being a celebrity? Not‌ bad, but it’s‍‌ like wearing ill-fitting⁠⁠ underwear. Uncomfortable. And‌⁠⁠ if I take it off, I feel like everything⁠‌‌ will spill out.‍⁠ Even if I say this, deep‌ down, I like it. It’s fun.”⁠‍‍

“I’m glad it suits‌⁠ you.”

I had no more⁠⁠⁠ than a practical‌‍‍ response. From what‍⁠ she said, being‌⁠ a “heroine” was⁠‍ very different from‌‌‍ being a traditional⁠⁠ “hero.” It seemed more like a celebrity than a savior.

A hero could be‌‍ a horrible person⁠⁠ and no one⁠ cared. But a “heroine” relied on‍⁠ popularity. More than‌‍⁠ strength, what mattered‌⁠⁠ was embodying what‌ people imagined a hero to be.‌‍ That was the⁠⁠ true nature of‍ the role.

The⁠⁠ mental strain Rachel‌‌‍ had to carry‌ wasn’t small.

‘She’s‍‍ probably dealing with all that inside,‌⁠‍ but trying hard‍‌ not to show‍‌ it.’

Why‍⁠⁠ did it taste so bitter in‍⁠ my mouth?

The‍‍ metallic sound of‍⁠‍ the bowl began‍ to hum. I stood up with‌‌ the bill in‍ hand and glanced‌‍ at Rachel, who⁠ was rubbing her‌ stomach.

“I⁠ know you enjoy‍ being a heroine…”‍

I threw out the‌ bait. Whether she⁠ took it or‌ not was up‍ to her.

“But⁠‍‍ don’t you think‌⁠‌ being a dark‍ hero might be‌‌ fun too?”

“…”‍

Rachel‌‍‍ stared at me.‍ Then her heart-shaped⁠⁠ eyes curved.

“You’re⁠ a real expert.”‍‍

Crack.‍⁠‍

Rachel⁠‌ broke her sunglasses and kicked the⁠ chair.

“Let’s⁠ go. I’ve been wanting to work⁠‍ up a sweat.”⁠

She‍ stretched out strongly, opened the door,‍ and walked out.⁠ I smiled faintly‌⁠ and left the breakfast money on‍ the table.

***⁠‌

One‍‍ day.

In‌ just one day,‍ we managed to‌‌ pinpoint the location‌ of a Villain⁠ Union cell.

The‌‍ Joaquin Academy and⁠⁠ its graduate program⁠‍ went into full mobilization for the‍ search.

In‌ addition, I deployed‌‍⁠ a detection net‍‌ using my lightning-imbued‍ sword.

Though⁠ we still had‍‍ no trace of⁠‍ their main base,⁠ we had just⁠ received intel on one of their‍‍‌ key outposts. It came from Knox⁠ Auditore.

I transported myself and‌‌ Rachel using lightning⁠‍ magic. Rachel got‍ a little dizzy‍⁠ a couple of⁠ times. For her⁠ first time, she‍ handled it well.⁠⁠‌ Compared to her,‍ Ryozo and Abel‌ had shown everything‍‌⁠ they’d eaten before‌‌ the trip.

The⁠‌ key cell point‍‌ was 20 kilometers⁠‌ from Joaquin Academy,⁠⁠ in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do.⁠ An abandoned farming⁠ village. And they were occupying it⁠ illegally.

I guess the saying⁠ is true: “It’s⁠⁠ darkest under the⁠ lamp.” I don’t‌⁠ know what gave⁠‍⁠ them the confidence⁠ to set up‍ so close to‌⁠ the Academy.

‘Although‍‌ it is a good spot.’

Deeply‌‍ hidden among hills and so isolated that detection was‌ difficult. Auditore took⁠ 24 hours. Anyone‍ else probably wouldn’t⁠‍‍ have found it‍⁠ in a week.‍

— According to reports,‌⁠‌ the villains at‌ this point aren’t‍ much different from‍‌⁠ those ten years⁠⁠ ago. The closer‍⁠‍ you get to the core of the Union, the‍⁠ fewer demonic possessions⁠ you see—and more‌ “native” villains.

“‘Native villains,’ nice wording.”⁠

“Fewer‍‌ things to worry‍ about. Thanks.”

— If you want,⁠‍‌ I can come‌ too.

“No‌ need. The one‌ who starts it⁠ should end it.⁠‌ Besides, Rachel’s with‍ me. This’ll be⁠‍ quick.”

— Mura…? Geom-Ma, don’t‌ tell me you’re‍‌ once ag—

“Once⁠⁠‌ again what?”

…I⁠‍ decided to pretend‍ I didn’t hear‍‌‌ that. This idiot?‌‍

I put my phone‍ away. Rachel was‍⁠ stretching with fluid‌ movements. Behind her,⁠‌ her spear glinted‌⁠ under the midday‍‍‌ sun.

“You‌ ready?”

“I’ve⁠‍ been ready since⁠ I ate that‌⁠ cheonggukjang. Just say‌ when.”

Her‍ spear spun through⁠‍ the air. The‍‌ wind sliced by‍‌ the blade let‌ out a screech. With determined eyes,‌ Rachel declared:

“I’ll‌ show you what⁠‍ a heroine’s entrance‍ means.”

“Then‌⁠ let’s go.”

Before⁠ I finished speaking,⁠‍ Rachel was already dashing forward. Her‍‍ silhouette vanished like‌ a dot. I didn’t stay behind‍‌ and ran after‍ her.

This⁠‍ time, we didn’t use lightning magic.‍‍ Just our bodies.‌

Oh…‌⁠ Rachel was still‌‌ far ahead. Fast.⁠⁠ Maybe because of⁠‍ her jumping ability?⁠⁠ I grinned and sped up even‌‌ more. The wind⁠ became a barrier,⁠ like I was‍ swimming through water,‌ until suddenly, I felt like I hit a wall.‍‍

The‍ scenery whizzing past‌ turned into streaks. My body creaked, but I was‍ fine. It was‍‌‌ a different sensation⁠⁠‍ than magical teleportation.‌ Surpassing Rachel made⁠ it even more‌‍‍ thrilling.

In⁠‌ a single stride,‌⁠⁠ I crossed the⁠‍ winding valley. Behind‍‌ a torn tarp,‍‌ like a terminally‌ ill lung, came‌‍‍ a shrill voice.‌

Thanks for ratting us‍‌‌ out.

I gripped both sashimi⁠‌ blades in reverse‍ grip. With an⁠‍ X-slash, I ripped‍‌ through the plastic‍⁠ and slipped inside.‍ As I turned‍⁠ my eyes, the‍‍ first target was‍ already there.

“L-Lord Heavenly Sword…!”

Slash.‍‍

A metallic stench and⁠‍ sticky liquid drenched⁠ my hair. I didn’t respond. I sidestepped and thrust‍⁠‌ Murasame forward. The‌‌ impact traveled from‍ elbow to shoulder.‍ I retrieved the blade that had‍⁠ split a skull‌⁠ and, in the⁠‌ same motion, slashed‌ the neck of‍ another charging from‌ the side. The‌‌ blood spurted a beat late.

“S-Stop‍‌‍ him…!”

I spun. Using the‌ momentum, I plunged the sashimi into‍‌‌ another’s collarbone. The‌‍‌ blade protruded from⁠⁠ his shoulder like‍⁠ a thorn.

Crack!⁠

I ripped downward. Limbs‌ were torn apart.‌⁠ I moved again.‍ Blood clung to the plastic. My‍ fingers and the‍ blade were indistinguishable.⁠⁠

The‌⁠ sashimi and I were one.

It‍ had been a long time since‍‌ I felt this‍‍ kind of connection⁠⁠⁠ with my sword.

I grinned, bloodthirsty, and‌‌ stabbed. Crunch! Ribs‌⁠ shattered. A diagonal‍ slash sent organs⁠⁠ gushing out.

“D-Do something…!”

I attacked from the flanks. When needed,‌ I kicked to‍⁠ throw off their‌⁠ formation. Without magic,‌ cutting felt even⁠ better.

Screams‍‍⁠ rang out. One⁠‍ chanted spells, the‌⁠ plastic flared in‌⁠‌ the wind. Another‍‌‌ fell to his⁠ knees, sobbing.

A flash of my blade, and a pale face dropped‌ to the floor.⁠ Everything turned red.‌‌‌

I calculated distances between‍‌ enemies and traced⁠ paths. Once I finished, my sashimi⁠ rotated at an‌‍‌ angle.

A villain barked an⁠‌⁠ order. Maybe two.⁠

Like‍ an old slaughterhouse,‌ the air was‍ filled with a sick ecstasy. I became a whirlwind‍ tearing through villains.‌

Every‌‌‌ time my bloodied‍ reflection appeared on⁠‍⁠ the blade, I recalled their crimes.⁠‌⁠ What they did to the civilians.‍‍

I moved my shoulders‍‌⁠ rhythmically and swung⁠ Murasame in a wide arc. The trajectory was clean.‌‌‌ The blade passed‍‍‌ through several necks‍‌‌ at once.

Thunk.‍‍ Thunk. Thunk.

I took ten breaths⁠ and looked around.‌‍ Red. Everything was red. Ceiling, walls,‍ floor—all glistened with⁠‌‍ blood and grease.⁠‍‌

It‍⁠⁠ looked like I’d⁠ stepped into a monster’s guts.

“Haa…”‍

A white breath escaped‌⁠ my mouth. Rachel‍ was staring in⁠ silence, standing shakily.⁠

Under⁠ her gaze, my‌‌ mind cleared.

And⁠⁠ then I collapsed.‌‍ It wasn’t from‌‌ exhaustion. My chest‍‌‍ hurt.

I blacked out for⁠ a few seconds.‍⁠

“Geom-Ma,⁠ you…”

Rachel⁠⁠⁠ staggered over. She⁠‍ took my blood-soaked⁠‍ hand and, breaking⁠‍ all protocol, wrapped‌⁠⁠ her arms around‌ my neck.

“Your‍ humanity… it’s still‍‍ there.”

Rachel‌‌⁠ of the muscles,⁠ musclehead Rachel Mura, the heroine.