The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 401: Face to Face with the Lion (2)

Chapter 401: Face to Face with the Lion (2)

Without‍ anyone noticing, a crater had formed‌‌ in the demon‌⁠ realm, Gehenna.

“At⁠ last…”

The‍ long-awaited day had⁠ arrived after camping‍ inside it for‌‌⁠ months.

***⁠

“You’ve⁠ recovered about ninety‌ percent.”

Crack.‌

Balor‌‌ Joaquin clenched the‌‌‌ fist he had‌⁠ been staring at.⁠⁠ His hand, now‌ completely open and‌‌ numb, clearly bore⁠ the marks of⁠‌ his nails.

“Ha⁠ ha… Ha ha!”‍‌

A trembling smile spread‍ across his lips.‍

“I⁠⁠‌ ate so much garlic and mugwort that even my‌⁠ saliva tasted bitter.”‌⁠

He‍ didn’t even know‌ when he might‍⁠‌ regain the power‌‍ of truth. In‌ the worst case,‌⁠ he might have‌ to live eternally⁠‍ as an incomplete‍ reflection.

Balor‍‍ Joaquin waited in‍ silence.

‘I‌ am an infinite‌ regressor.’

He had returned countless‌⁠ times. He found‌⁠ possibility within the‌‌ impossible.

Don’t‍ let anxiety take‌‌ over.

If⁠ you do, you‍‍⁠ will always find‌ the answer.

That‍ was the firm‍ conviction Balor Joaquin had forged as‌ an infinite regressor.

And⁠ in the end,‍ this time too,⁠ patience bore fruit.⁠⁠

“I⁠⁠ should schedule the‌⁠ crossing to the‍‍ human world soon.”‍

First,‍ he had to discuss it with‌‌ the squirrels, especially⁠‍ Sikkuru.

Deep‍ down, he wanted‍‌ to go directly‍‍⁠ to Joaquin Academy‌‌ to reunite with⁠⁠ that boy.

‘But nothing in this⁠⁠‍ world is that‌⁠ easy.’

To‍ go to the‌‍‍ human world, it‌ was essential to⁠ pass through the‌‍ Gate of Gehenna,‍ and Association heroes constantly roamed there.‌‍ According to the squirrels, it was‍‌ that very boy⁠ who had arranged⁠‌‍ such measures.

Recently,⁠⁠ demons had shown⁠ troubling signs. So‌ he had permanently⁠ stationed personnel in‌ Gehenna as a precaution.

If‌ he were immortal,‌‍‍ it wouldn’t be‌‌‌ a problem, but‌ now that Balor⁠‌⁠ was regaining his‌⁠‌ true self, there was no way⁠⁠⁠ to avoid scrutiny‌ when crossing the⁠ gate.

Saying‌ “I am a hero from the‌ era of the⁠‌‍ Great War” would be a contradiction‌⁠ in itself coming⁠‍‍ from Balor.

“That‌⁠ disciple of mine‌⁠ has put me⁠ in quite the‍ bind.”

And‍‌ yet, it felt⁠ good.

That‍ boy, who had always been alone,⁠⁠ seemed to have‌‌ adapted well to this world. Though‍‍ he was progressing‌ far too quickly⁠ for his age,‍⁠⁠ so Balor would‌ have to scold⁠‌‌ him firmly.

With‍ a hidden smile,⁠⁠ Balor Joaquin headed‌‌‌ for the surface.⁠⁠ He leapt nimbly⁠ up the steep⁠‍ cliffs. He had‍ learned those movements‍ from the squirrels.‌

“Hop!”‍‍⁠

He‌‌‌ struck the ground‍ with his hand⁠ and emerged from⁠‍‌ the crater. Let’s‍ see, where are‌ the squirrels? By‍ now, they should‌ be gathering acorns.⁠

“…What‍ is this?”

He⁠ saw a group‍‍ of squirrels gathered‍⁠ in a circle. They were all‍ huddled together, watching‍‍ Lycan as he‍‌ used his smartphone.‍‌‍ Balor Joaquin cautiously approached.

“…What‍⁠‍ are you all doing?”

(“Oh,‍⁠ hero of the⁠ Great War era!”)⁠

His‍ assistant, the red⁠‌‍ squirrel, quickly ran‌ to greet him. With a jump,‍‍⁠ it climbed onto‌ his shoulder and‍ whispered in his‌⁠‍ ear what was‍‌‌ happening. Only then⁠⁠‌ did Balor’s lower eyebrow twitch slightly.‌

“Blessing‍‍‍ of the Apocalypse‌⁠‍ M 2nd”

Apparently,‌‌ it was a mobile game.

(“Technically⁠ it’s 2nd, the‌ second part.”)

He‍‌‍ was so stunned he couldn’t even⁠‌ form words. Balor⁠‌‍ glanced at Lycan.‌ Even so, both‍‍‌ he and the‌‌ squirrels were engrossed‌‌‍ in their phones.‌⁠

(“No,‍ sir! Not like‌ that! You have‌ to dodge there‌ and press button‌‌ 1 right after!”)‌

(“Dodge,‍ please! You’re clearly‍ stepping on a trap! How can‌ you not dodge‌‌ it? Old age‌⁠⁠ doesn’t forgive, jeez.”)‍‌

(“Silence,⁠‍‌ damn rodents! Because⁠ of you I can’t focus! Shut‍ up before I tear you all‌ apart!”)

(“Invest⁠⁠ in reaction speed‍⁠ instead of that‍ trash magic!”)

(“Damn‍ primitive rodents!”)

Balor’s‌⁠‌ eyes dimmed as⁠ he watched the‌⁠ spectacle. That a former Corps Commander‍‌ would be caught‍‌ up in a mobile game… There‌‍ were so many‌⁠ things to say⁠ that they clogged‍‍‍ in his throat.‍‌

(“But‍‌ it’s quite fun,‍‍ hero.”)

The⁠ red squirrel, who‍‍ held the title⁠‌⁠ of assistant, timidly⁠‍‌ defended Lycan.

Balor‌‍‍ sighed in resignation.‍

“…It‍ must be fun…”⁠‍

He⁠‌‍ wasn’t in a position to judge⁠ Lycan either. On Earth he too⁠ had taken refuge‌ in mobile games‌ to kill boredom.‍ Before long, he⁠ had become an‍ addict.

He‍ started that game‍ because he wanted‌⁠ to feel some‌ nostalgia for his former world.

But‌ before he knew it, his bank‌‌⁠ account was empty.‍⁠‌

It‍‍⁠ was then that,⁠‌ inspired, he sent a proposal to‌‍‍ a game company‍‌‍ contest. With all⁠ the life experience⁠ accumulated as an‌ infinite regressor, his proposal was accepted‌ without question.

Thus⁠⁠ was born Miracle‌ Blessing M.

“Hmm.”⁠‌

Balor‍‍ crouched next to‌⁠ the squirrels and looked closely at⁠⁠‍ the game.

The⁠⁠ graphics of Blessing of the Apocalypse‌ M 2nd seemed‌‍ familiar. The gameplay, interface, and backgrounds‍⁠ were incredibly similar‌‌ to his own‍‍⁠ game, Miracle Blessing‌⁠ M.

“It’s‍‌ too… too similar.”‌‍‌

To‌ the point where⁠ it seemed like‍ plagiarism. Though, of⁠ course, Miracle Blessing‌‌ M wasn’t completely‌ original either.

But after all, this⁠⁠ and that world⁠‍‍ exist on different⁠⁠ timelines, don’t they?‌‌‍ Even so, it‍ left a bitter‌ taste.

“Assistant.”‍⁠

(“Yes,⁠ hero.”)

“If‍ this is a ‘2nd,’ does that mean there’s a ‘1st’ of Blessing⁠⁠‍ of the Apocalypse‌‍ M?”

(“…Uh.‍‍⁠ I never thought‌ about that…”)

“Well,‍ whatever. Maybe it’s‌ just a marketing strategy.”

(“Ah!⁠‍ That makes sense!”)⁠‌

The⁠⁠‍ red squirrel nodded‌‍⁠ enthusiastically.

(“Calling it Second gives⁠‌ the impression that⁠⁠⁠ something big already⁠‌‌ existed in First,‍ even if it⁠ didn’t!”)

“Damn‍ clever one.”

He⁠ scratched its head‍‍‌ with his index finger. The squirrel made a strange‍⁠ noise. After rolling⁠⁠ around a bit,‌ it regained its‍⁠‌ composure.

(“Ahem!‍‍‌ Would you like‍ to try the⁠‌‌ game, hero? I just happen to‌ have a spare phone here.”)

“No,⁠‌ thank you. At⁠⁠‍ my age, I’m⁠ past playing games.”⁠‍

(“…Age?”)‌‌

The squirrel glanced toward‌‌ Lycan.

(“Agh!⁠⁠‍ Damn camera!”)

Lycan⁠‌ ruffled his hair‍ and collapsed.

“I‍‌ take back what‌⁠‌ I said about‍⁠ age.”

(“Yes,⁠‍‌ hero.”)

***⁠‌⁠

Rachel’s⁠‌ explosive declaration left‌‌ me stunned for‍ a long time.‍‍

As⁠‌‍ if that weren’t‍ enough, Media added‌ a remark loaded‍‍‌ with meaning.

— I am already‌ one of the‍ Seven Stars.

— And since I’m⁠ an ancient, even‍ if I’m biologically‌ seventy years old,⁠ I’m actually a bit younger than‍ you all, yes?

— Kang Geom-Ma oppa.‍⁠

— Mediaaaaaa…!

After⁠‍ the Economist’s narration,‍ we dispersed. I left behind the‌ piercing stares of Ryozo and Abel‌ burning into my‍ back. And I fled.

Correct.⁠‍

Of⁠⁠‍ course, to Yu⁠ Sein’s lodging.

“Can I laugh?”

The‍⁠‍ corners of Yu‍‍‍ Sein’s lips trembled.‍‍

“No.”‌‍

“Pfft!”⁠‍‍

“I said don’t laugh.”⁠⁠

“Pfft, hahahahahaha!”

Yu‍ Sein clutched her⁠⁠‍ stomach and rolled‍ on the floor.‌‍ She literally looked like a fish‌‌ thrashing on a cutting board.

‘A‍⁠ snake?’

The‌‍ moment I thought it, Yu Sein⁠⁠ suddenly froze.

“Hey.‌⁠ As the soul‌ bearer and reincarnation⁠‍ of the Great Benefactor, I have‌ total telepathic connection.‍ The profane thoughts⁠ you have stab‌‍⁠ directly into my‌ brain, you know?”

“And‍ why are you‌ eavesdropping on other people’s thoughts?”

“Maybe‍‍ because you’re the⁠ one always flirting.‌ How can other⁠ women say things⁠‌ like that about you in front⁠ of your own⁠ wives!”

Thunk!‌‍

……‍‍

I sheathed the sashimi⁠‌ back into my‍‍ chest. I had‌‍⁠ knocked her lightly with the pommel,‌ and the sensation‍ was delightful.

“…Tsk.”⁠‌

Yu⁠⁠⁠ Sein was already‍‍ rubbing the floor,⁠ her lower lip⁠ jutting out theatrically.‍‍

“Why‍ take it out‌ on me?”

“Monologues‍‌ are for thinking,‍‍ not saying.”

“That‌ wasn’t a monologue.”‍

“Uh-huh.”⁠‌

You‌‍ want another hit,‍⁠ don’t you?

“Stop!‌ No violence!”

Yu⁠‍ Sein stretched out‌‌ her arms like‍‍ a traffic officer.⁠

“You’re‍ really ruthless. Is that why everything⁠ with you gets⁠‍ so complicated? All heroes have a screw loose.”

Heroes‍ tend toward violence.‌⁠ Whether men or‍⁠‍ women, they despise⁠‍ those who are‌ too gentle. In‍‍ this world, men⁠ with the scent‍‍ of soap don’t⁠ get much popularity.⁠⁠

“I⁠ know, I know.”‌

“Anyway,‌‌ your business is⁠ your own. I just want you‍⁠‌ to be clear that I have‌‍ no intention of⁠ meddling in it.”‍‍‍

In‍ fact, Yu Sein‌ was very busy‍ lately. Because of⁠ the task I entrusted to her.

The‌⁠⁠ main mission—suppressing Chloe—was‍‍ still unresolved. She‍ had sought help‍ from several people.‌⁠

But⁠‌ the awakening of‌‌ a Blessing is⁠ one of the⁠⁠‍ most difficult issues‍‍‌ in 700 years‍‍‌ of hero history.‌⁠ It’s not something⁠ a few of‌‍⁠ my ideas could‌ solve.

The‍ problem is that⁠‍ there’s no time.⁠⁠‌ The bomb collar‌‌ around Chloe’s neck‍‌ is still active.⁠⁠‌

‘First,‌ we have to‌⁠ disable that bomb‍ collar.’

And⁠ it turns out‌ Yu Sein’s divine⁠‌ power is surprisingly‌‌ effective. Her ability‌‌ penetrates deep into people’s inner selves.‍⁠

That’s‌ why she regularly⁠ suppresses the rampaging⁠⁠ inner demon in Chloe’s mind.

‘Even‍ if she’s a materialist, she’s not‌‌ charging anything.’

Yu Sein was helping‍‌ selflessly. Even I,⁠⁠ who asked the‌‍⁠ favor, would feel⁠ guilty hitting her‌ again.

I shook my head.‌

“…I‍ was just venting.⁠‍‍ We’ve got the‍⁠ trust for that,⁠‍ don’t we?”

“We?‌ That sounds weird. Don’t tell me‍⁠‌ you’re thinking of adding me to⁠‌⁠ your harem now‌‌ that you’ve picked‌‌ up two more?”‌‍

“Dopamine⁠‌‍ addict.”

I nudged her cheek⁠‌ with my elbow.⁠⁠ Since my arms‌ were occupied, she⁠ extended hers and⁠‌ started pushing back.‍‍⁠

“More‌ importantly, you can’t‍⁠ feel love.”

I’d heard it before.‍ Ever since Yu⁠⁠ Sein synchronized with‌ the system interface,⁠⁠‍ emotions like affection⁠⁠ had faded. It was similar to‍ how I struggled‍ with my own humanity.

“You⁠⁠ speak so ugly.”‌⁠

“Yeah,‌ yeah. I’m a bastard. Happy?”

“You’re‍‌‌ only realizing it⁠⁠‍ now? With two‌‍ beautiful wives and still flirting with others. And what‍‍ else? Chloe? You⁠ barge into another‍ woman’s house asking‌‌ her for help…‌ Wow, listed like⁠‍ that, it sounds⁠ terrible!”

“……”⁠

“Sorry.”⁠⁠

I let it slide‍⁠ since she apologized‍⁠ so fast.

Yu‌‌‍ Sein tried to‍‌ change the subject⁠‌⁠ by picking up⁠‌ her smartphone. Then‍ she lay back⁠ on the sofa‌‌ in the most⁠⁠ comfortable pose in⁠⁠ the world, letting‍‍ her legs drape‍⁠⁠ over my thigh.‍‌⁠

“What are you, my‍ shirt?”

“Something⁠ like that, right?”‍

“Pff,⁠‌ whatever.”

I rested my head‌ against the sofa‌ back. Come to⁠ think of it,‍‌ it had been‌‌ a long time‍ since I cleared‌‍ my mind.

‘In‍⁠⁠ my previous life,‌ I used to‍⁠⁠ play mobile games in moments like⁠ this.’

Now,‌ I have a family, I’m older,⁠‍ and it’s not⁠‍ that easy. Besides, I fear being‍ dragged into another⁠‌ world again.

It’s a ridiculous idea‌‍ that should never‍ happen.

But I am living⁠ proof.

“Hey,‍‌‍ Kang Geom-Ma.”

Yu‍‍ Sein tapped me‍⁠ with her foot.‍ Then poked my‌ crown with her‍ finger.

“Do‍‌‌ you know this‌‌ game?”

Despite‌⁠ her mocking tone,‌‍ she frowned seriously.‌ She showed me‍‍ her phone screen.‍

“…Blessing‍ of the Apocalypse‌ M 2nd?”

The‌‌⁠ name of the⁠‍‌ game felt strangely⁠‌‍ familiar.

“It suddenly became incredibly popular. Since I’m⁠ a forum rat,‌ I investigated everything,‍ and there’s no campaign or viral‌ push to explain‍ it. It just exploded.”

“…Maybe⁠ it’s a phenomenon⁠⁠‌ for you as⁠‌ a gamer. But‌‌ for me…”

“How‍⁠ can you ignore it when you lived it?”

Yu⁠‍‌ Sein shot me‌⁠ a sharp look.‍‌

“In‍‍ my opinion, this‌ is the signal.”‌

The second apocalypse.

Yu‌‍ Sein didn’t finish the sentence. Then,‍‍‌ without a word, she handed me‍ the smartphone. I stared at it,‌ then tapped the‍⁠ screen.

Commemorative⁠ launch event of‍⁠ Blessing of the‌‍ Apocalypse M 2nd⁠

←Adharma‌ Festival→

***⁠‍

☞Tap‍ the screen to begin the adventure☜⁠