Indra Translations
Navigation
The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master Chapter 407: Kali Yuga (1)

Chapter 407: Kali Yuga (1)

“You⁠‍ are…”

Welter​⁠ tensed immediately.

“…Who?”‌⁠

Even‌ at that moment,‌‍⁠ those marked with⁠ stigmata were still‍‌‌ out of control‌‍​ as if they‌⁠‌ had lost their​‌ minds. There was​⁠​ no time for​⁠ nonsense. Welter frowned​ cautiously.

“Do⁠‍​ you know the​ Saint?”

“I‍ don’t know her.‍‍‍ But she knows​‍ me.”

“She?‍‍ He?”

His‌​‌ way of speaking​⁠‌ was unusual. Judging​​ by his appearance,​‍⁠ he looked to⁠​ be just past‍ his mid-thirties.

‘It’s⁠‍ as if he⁠ radiates experience.’

Welter⁠‍ observed him more‌ closely.

Black‌ hair. A relaxed​⁠​ attitude that was‍​ not influenced by⁠​‌ the environment. Hawaiian​ shirt.

Wait‍ a second.

Black⁠ hair? Black eyes?‍‌‍

Welter⁠ quickly turned toward‌ Yu Sein.

“Don’t⁠‌‌ tell me, Saint…‌⁠‌ that man…?”

“Don’t⁠⁠⁠ start with ‘Father!’​​​ or anything like⁠⁠ that. Though well,⁠‌​ I’m also from​‍ Joaquin Academy, so‍ technically he is​‌ my father.”

“Saint,⁠​ if you could‌‌ explain it in‌ a way that‍ I can also‍⁠‌ understand… I’d appreciate⁠​​ it.”

Yu⁠ Sein introduced him⁠​⁠ bluntly.

“He’s⁠ the founding hero.”‍⁠‍

“Eh…?”‌‌​

Yu​‌ Sein, now calm,‍ stated firmly.

“That‍​ man is Balor​‌​ Joaquin.”

Crunch!‍​

The‌‌‍ man continued chewing​⁠‌ his ice cream.⁠‍‍

“I⁠⁠​ think it’s been​⁠ almost seven hundred‍ years since I’ve‌ heard that name⁠⁠⁠ from someone else’s⁠‍ mouth.”

Balor‌ Joaquin smiled, showing​ his teeth.

***⁠

Yu‍⁠⁠ Sein stood up,‍⁠ brushing the sand‌‌​ from her skin.​‌

The‌ lace tied at‍‍⁠ her waist was‌ carried away by‌​⁠ a gust of‍‌‍ wind.

Welter​‍‍ hurried to cover‍‌ her by spreading‌ his arms in‍⁠⁠ an X-shape to‍‌ block her swimsuit.⁠

“Saint!​​ Your clothes, your‌⁠ clothes!”

“Silence‌ before I strip‌‍⁠ off the swimsuit‍ too.”

“Yes,‌‍​ ma’am.”

Welter‌⁠⁠ stepped aside.

Yu​‌ Sein stared at​ Balor Joaquin and‌⁠‌ spoke.

“It⁠‌‌ shouldn’t be possible‍​ for you to​‌​ exist in this⁠‌‌ timeline. The Ring’s‌⁠ Eye is a one-time-use ability.”

Yu‌​​ Sein had glimpsed​⁠‌ a fragment of⁠‌⁠ the truth when‍ she reincarnated.

“The‌ Ring’s Eye is​ an absolute eye.​​ Even if one⁠‍‍ is a god,‍ its rule must⁠​ be absolute.”

“Correct.​ Even I, being⁠⁠ a regressor of​‍ infinite time, had‌⁠‍ to sacrifice all⁠‌‍ my regression power‍ to activate the‌⁠‌ Ring’s Eye. As‌ you said, even‍​ gods can only⁠ use it once.”‍

Answered⁠ Balor Joaquin.

Yu⁠⁠ Sein’s face, stunned​ as she listened,‌‍⁠ immediately turned pale.‌​⁠

“The​‌‍ outer god sacrificed‌​ his life to‍​​ use the Ring’s​ Eye…”

“And⁠‍‍ threw me into⁠ this timeline.”

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma and the⁠​ outer god were​⁠‌ the same entity,​⁠ but also different.‍‌

The⁠‍ outer god was⁠⁠ the version of⁠⁠​ Kang Geom-Ma that​‍ did not renounce‌ his divinity. In‌​​ short, he was⁠‌‍ a piece of​ the gigantic system⁠⁠ called the universe.‍‍‍

That⁠ guy up there,‍​ swinging his sashimi‍ in the sky,​ was simply the⁠ god of the‌​ sword.

A god who refused⁠ to become the‍‍⁠ outer god, who⁠ rules over all‍ timelines.

Or‍ perhaps a human.‌‌

“Why​ would the outer‍⁠‍ god do something​⁠ like that?”

Welter,‌‍​ caught between them,⁠ looked bewildered. Because.​

‘Right.​ Even ■■■■ like‍ me sacrificed all‍ my power to‌⁠ use ■■.’

‘■■‍‍ Gave his life⁠ to activate the​‌‌ ■■ of the⁠​‍ ■■.’

‘Threw‌‍ me into this‍ ■timeline■.’

‘Why​⁠‌ did ■■ do​‌‍ something like that?’‌‍‍

In​​⁠ Welter’s ears, the⁠‍ words sounded fragmented.​

“Hmm.‍ I suspected as​ much.”

Balor⁠‌‍ Joaquin glanced at⁠ him briefly and⁠ continued.

“I⁠⁠‌ suppose he determined​​ that this was‍ the only possibility.⁠‌⁠ In fact, it‌​‌ probably is. This‍‌ is the first‍⁠⁠ time the Power‌ of Suppression has⁠​ sent apostles directly⁠​ to force a server shutdown.”

“Quite⁠ convincing. But before⁠⁠ that…”

A white light flowed⁠ over Yu Sein’s‍​‌ skin. It was⁠ sacred power, her‌‍‍ authority of redemption.‌

“I​ need you to‍ prove that you‍ really are Balor​‍​ Joaquin.”

“Reincarnators,​‍⁠ always so distrustful.”​​‍

Balor‌​ Joaquin scratched his​‌​ head with the‌ ice cream stick.​ However, he smiled.‍

“That‌‍‌ makes me more​⁠⁠ confident in you.”⁠

Particles​⁠‍ of light gathered‌⁠​ on the stick,​​⁠ which quickly took‌‍ the shape of‌ a sharp sword.‍‌

The‍​‍ sand on the‍ beach rose as​ if struck by⁠‍ a cannon.

[The⁠ Blessing of the‍ God of the⁠‌ Sword has manifested!]‌

That⁠ voice did not‍⁠ come from Yu⁠​​ Sein.

《May‌ the blessing of‍‌⁠ the gods be⁠‍‍ with you.》

“…It’s​‌‌ authentic.”

After​‍ witnessing that, Yu⁠ Sein could do​ nothing but nod.​‌

“What⁠​⁠ do you need?”‍‍‍

From⁠ Welter’s perspective, she‍ had agreed to‍‍ cooperate with Balor‍⁠​ Joaquin almost disappointingly‍ easily.

“All‌​ the elements that‍‍⁠ make up a game.”

“For⁠‌ example?”

Balor​‌‍ Joaquin drew a line in the‍‍ air with the‌ ice cream stick.⁠​‍ The space tore‍‍‍ slightly.

“For‌ ordinary citizens to⁠ see the status⁠ windows, this world‌‌ must be wounded.‍ Saint, your status​‌ window is the⁠‌​ one that can​‍ close those wounds.”‍

“…”⁠⁠⁠

Yes.‌⁠ That was the​⁠‌ reason why every‍​ time Kang Geom-Ma⁠‍ unsheathed, a status​⁠ window forcibly appeared.​‍

“Ordinary⁠‌⁠ citizens must also​‌​ be able to​ see the status‍‌‌ window. Only then​‍ can this apocalypse⁠⁠⁠ be perceived as‌⁠ a game.”

“That‍​⁠ expert is up‌​ there.”

“And​ here too.”

Balor‌‍ Joaquin pointed at‍‌‍ my chin with‌ the ice cream‌‌‌ stick.

Yu‍ Sein let out​ a faint sigh.‌

“There⁠‍‌ are many other‍ things that will⁠⁠⁠ be needed, but‍‌ I’ll start with‍‍​ that.”

Yu⁠⁠ Sein closed her⁠⁠ eyes and recited​ a spell softly.‍‍

“Stop​ spying and come‌​ out already.”

Under‌​ Balor’s gaze, Choi⁠ Seol-Ah, who was​‌ hiding behind a palm tree, flinched.​​

She⁠‌‌ was the one​ responsible for guiding⁠‍⁠ Balor Joaquin from⁠‌ Gehenna to the​ real world. Although‌‌‌ she hadn’t explained‍⁠ anything about it,⁠​ Choi Seol-Ah was‌‌‍ quite perceptive.

From‌ the conversation between‌ Yu Sein and‌⁠‌ him, she clearly⁠ understood that this⁠⁠‍ pervert was the‍ Founding Hero (the‌ real one).

Choi⁠​ Seol-Ah cautiously approached.‍‍

“A-are‍ you done talking?‌‍ hehe.”

“Thanks‍ to your guidance.”​‍⁠

“I-it’s​⁠ an honor for‍‌ me! Oh, founding⁠‌ hero.”

“Before‍‌​ we go, I want to ask⁠‌‍ you one more‍ thing.”

“W-what⁠ would that be?”‍‍

“Since‌​‌ this is Gehenna‌‍ Gate, there’s a subspace portal, right?”⁠​​

Choi​ Seol-Ah nodded, still⁠‌‍ somewhat dazed.

“Yes.‍‌‌ It’s just a few steps from​‍‍ here.”

“Guide⁠‍ me, please.”

“A-aren’t​⁠​ you going to⁠⁠ fight here?”

“How​ impatient.”

Balor‌​ Joaquin put the‍‍ ice cream stick​​‍ in his pocket.⁠‌‌

“Don’t‍‌‌ you think I need weapons and​⁠ armor before fighting?”​⁠

Ah.‌‌⁠

***⁠

Meanwhile.‌​⁠

Thanks⁠‍‌ to the quick‍‍ intervention of Speedweapon⁠​⁠ and the reserve​⁠ troops of the⁠ Gehenna Gate, people​‌ were being evacuated​⁠ safely.

They⁠‌ were moving in‌⁠​ line toward the​⁠​ bunkers located beneath​‍ the island.

Hawaii,⁠⁠ being next to‌ a Gehenna Gate,​‌‌ was a border⁠⁠‍ zone constantly threatened⁠​ by demons. Of​ course, there were‍ several bunkers prepared​ for emergencies.

Speedweapon⁠‍ and his team⁠​ chose one of​‌ them as a refuge.

Since​⁠ it was a military facility, it‌ could cause security⁠‍ problems later on.​‌​

But.‌‍​

“I’ll‌ take responsibility. Get‌‍‌ everyone inside.”

Speedweapon⁠‌‌ spoke in a firm tone.

“At‍⁠‌ the very least⁠⁠‌ we should report‌⁠ this to the​ president of the‍ Association…”

“Deputy‌‍‍ Director Lee, you’re‌⁠ from the Joaquin‍‌ branch, right?”

“Yes,‍ that’s correct.”

“Then​ surely you carry​​​ the insignia of​‌‍ the Hero Association,‍⁠ but you’re also​⁠‌ a heroine. Listen‌⁠‌ well. For a hero, the most⁠‌​ important thing is​‍‌ first, the safety⁠‌ of the citizens.⁠ Second, the safety​ of the citizens.​ And third, tenth,‌‌‌ and hundredth as​ well, the safety‌‍ of the citizens.”⁠​‍

Speedweapon⁠‍⁠ was known as‍​ a kind superior‌ to his subordinates.⁠‍ Many female employees​‌ admired him; that‌‌‌ said it all.‌

That⁠⁠⁠ same Speedweapon, now⁠ with a serious‍​⁠ face, emphasized strongly.‍

“We‌‌ must not feel⁠​ guilty about receiving⁠ a reprimand from‍⁠⁠ our superiors. We‍​​ must feel guilty‍‍​ about not having⁠​ allowed those marked​ with an unknown‍⁠ stigma into the‍ bunker. That is‌‍⁠ what should weigh⁠‌‌ on our conscience.”‌

“…I’ve⁠ been very short-sighted.”⁠‍⁠

“Let’s⁠‌ give it our‍‍ all, Deputy Director‍​‍ Lee.”

Speedweapon‌​ gently patted her​‌ shoulder.

Shortly​ after.

The​‍‌ worker checked from⁠​‌ the rear that​​⁠ the last group‍‍ entered the bunker.‍

She‍ was reviewing the⁠ list with the‌⁠ tip of her‍‌⁠ pen, meticulously.

“Bunker‍‌ 3D-45a3g is full‍ for now.”

“……”​⁠

“Chief?”⁠‌

Speedweapon‌‌ had a somber⁠ expression. And of‍​ course, with such‍ chaos, it was⁠​⁠ natural.

But‌‌‌ it seemed his⁠​‌ regret was not‌‍⁠ because of that.​‍

“Ah,‌⁠ yes. Are you​‍⁠ done?”

Resignation.‍⁠

“Everyone⁠‍ who could be‍ identified has already‍​ been evacuated to⁠⁠ the bunker, Chief.”⁠‌

“Good⁠ work. Let’s get‌‍ inside too.”

“Chief,⁠ excuse me…”

“Yes?​‍ Is there anything‍‍⁠ else to report?”‍

“Yes.‌‌ It’s just that…‍‍‍ Lord Changseong was​⁠ about to head‌​​ to Hawaii, but​ he said he⁠‌⁠ will have to​⁠ change destination.”

Richard‍⁠ Mura, alias Changseong,⁠ was one of‌​ humanity’s key members,​ part of the⁠​ Seven Stars.

Far‌ from weakening with‍‌‌ age, Changseong grew​ stronger each day.‌⁠‍ Although he had‍‍​ left the Association,​‌‍ he was still⁠ an active hero.‌

Since​‍‍ this was a global disaster, Changseong‍ was one of⁠ the few superhumans⁠‍‍ capable of inflicting‍‌⁠ significant damage on‍⁠‌ the apocalypse.

The​ plan was for​‍⁠ him to fly‍ immediately, meet Kang​ Geom-Ma, and begin‌​ containment from Hawaii,‌‍ extinguishing the flames‍⁠ of the apocalypse‍‍​ one by one.​​

However,‌ the world situation​ turned out to‍​ be much worse​⁠⁠ than the initial⁠ report.

As‌​ a hero, he⁠ could not ignore⁠​ it just to​‍‌ save face. His⁠‍ conscience tormented him.⁠

So,⁠​⁠ he suddenly changed​⁠ course.

“And⁠‍ even if it’s​ not the same,‍⁠ the Sword Master​⁠⁠ will come to⁠⁠ Hawaii as soon​ as possible.”

“It’s​​ unfortunate, but I understand the former⁠‍⁠ president of the‍⁠ Association. We’re barely⁠‍ holding on thanks​ to you and‍ the others. Elsewhere​‍ it must be‌​‌ much worse.”

Speedweapon⁠​ spoke bitterly.

“And‍‌ I also have‌​⁠ to fight among‌⁠​ those guys…”

At⁠‍ that moment.

Bzzzzzt!‌⁠

His‍‌⁠ smartphone vibrated. It​‌ was a call‌‌‌ from an unknown​ number.

“Hello?”⁠⁠‍

— Ah. It’s Yu‌⁠‌ Sein.

“Yu‌⁠ Sein? That Yu⁠‌‍ Sein?”

— How many Yu‍‌ Seins do you⁠ think there are?​ Anyway, I need‌ you to do‍⁠​ something. There’s no​ time to explain⁠ in detail, but⁠‍ it’s something crucial‍ to save the⁠‍ world.

Thump!​

“Save​⁠ the world? Me?”‍

— Among the healers⁠‍⁠ I know, you’re‌⁠ the most competent.⁠

“Can​​​ you repeat that?”​‍

— Which part?

“That​ among the healers​⁠‍ you know, I’m‍ the most competent?”‌

— For now?

Speedweapon​ placed his hand‌‍‌ over his chest.⁠

“Whatever‍ it is, tell‌ me. I’ll do⁠ everything I can.”​

— Don’t tremble like⁠‍ that when you‌ talk… Anyway…

Speedweapon​ nodded again and‍ again. And as​​⁠ soon as he‌ hung up, he‍‌‌ shot out as‍​‍ if he had⁠​ been launched.

A subordinate shouted after‍​ him as he​​ saw him run.​

“Chief!​‍ Where are you⁠​⁠ going?”

Speedweapon​ replied without even‌​ looking back:

“To⁠​ Hawaii’s regional broadcasting‌ station!”

It​‍​ was the only​​ place from which​⁠ the entire sound‌​‍ system of the⁠⁠​ island could be⁠‍‍ controlled.

“I…”‍‌

He‍ repeated to himself‍​ as if it​‌‌ were self-hypnosis.

“I’m​ going to save‌​​ the president and‍‌⁠ the world.”

Speedweapon‍⁠‌ was more motivated‍ than ever.

***‌⁠‌

Hands⁠​ did not stop.‍ My group and‌ I had been‌​‌ cutting down lightning‌⁠⁠ bolts for almost‌ thirty minutes.

Everyone‌ showed clear signs⁠‌‌ of exhaustion.

After‍​‌ all, this was⁠ only a temporary⁠‌ solution without a definitive answer. I knew it, and‍‍‍ so did they.⁠‍‍

‘We‍​​ have to buy⁠ time.’

Close‌ combat was my​⁠‍ role. Strategy belonged​‍⁠ to Yu Sein.‍​‍

‘I‍⁠ must trust.’

When‍ the time came,⁠ somehow, she would‍‌ communicate with me.⁠

Zzzzzzt!⁠‌‍

A gigantic eye gleamed.​⁠ I dashed forward​‌⁠ and, with Murasame,​ cleaved the lightning⁠⁠‍ in a single‌ slash.

Damn⁠ it. Kali Yuga⁠⁠ was doing everything‌⁠⁠ possible not to‌⁠ give us even⁠‌ a breath.

The​ lightning and explosions‌‌ erupting everywhere clouded‍‍⁠ our minds.

The⁠‍⁠ constant fear of​ being marked with​ a single strike,⁠ the ceaseless repetition​ of movements—everyone was‍‌‌ at their limit.‌​

If⁠ I felt that​ way, how were⁠‍‌ the others? It⁠ was a miracle⁠⁠‍ they had held⁠ on until now.‌‌ Truly admirable.

I raised my gaze⁠‍ to the sky.‍ The giant eye⁠​​ squinted.

It​ seemed to have‍⁠ noticed my attention.‍‌​

‘Should‌⁠ I cut that⁠⁠​ eye?’

I wanted to do‍‍⁠ it right then.‍​​

“…I‌​​ can’t.”

Just⁠‌​ looking around was​​‍ enough to understand​‍ the reason.

The​‌‍ giant eye had‌‍ spread red threads​ across the island.‍⁠​ They were spiritual‌⁠​ cords that connected​ it to the​‍​ civilians.

If‌ I cut them,⁠‌‍ they would die.⁠‍⁠

Kali‍⁠ Yuga had taken⁠‍⁠ hostages. What a miserable end.

It‌ had managed to‌ pinpoint exactly my⁠⁠ greatest weakness.

Lightning‌​ bolts tightened from‌‍ the sides, pressing‍ us. From above,​⁠ a persistent gaze.⁠⁠

Kali‌​​ Yuga’s combined technique⁠​‌ pushed me to⁠ make an extreme‌​ decision.

Do‌ it.

Cut‌ it all.

Isn’t⁠ it enough to⁠‌⁠ just swing the‍ sword?

It​ was as if⁠‍ it were telling​⁠‍ me. The gigantic‍ eye curved twistedly.⁠​​ A mocking smile?‌

It​‍ sure knew how‍ to get on⁠ someone’s nerves.

Fwoooosh!‌‌

A bloody aura covered​​​ my Murasame.

I felt an impulsive⁠​ temptation to cut‍ that eye here‍‍‌ and now. Even​ if a large-scale‌ massacre erupted with​​​ a single slash.⁠‍‌

There⁠‍ seemed to be‍‌​ no other way‍ out.

At‌‍​ that instant.

Toot-toot!⁠‌​

A recorder’s melody reached‌ us from somewhere.‌⁠⁠

We‌ all turned instinctively.​​ It was from‌​⁠ Speedweapon.

His⁠ music was so‍‍‌ powerful that it‍‌⁠ created waves even‍ on the sea’s‍ surface.

[The​ Blessing of Regeneration​ is activated!]

[Divine⁠​ energy is added]⁠‌⁠

[The⁠​⁠ Sung Blessing of‌‍‍ Healing is activated!]​‌

In‌‍ that fleeting moment,‌‍ I heard Yu​ Sein’s voice inside⁠​ my mind. It‌ was only one‌‍​ word.

‘Cut.’​

I see.

Suddenly,​‍‍ the whole picture‌‍ became clear in⁠⁠​ my mind.

I smiled.

And‌‍ with the sashimi,⁠‍ I cut the‍ thread I hadn’t⁠ been able to⁠​ release in my⁠⁠​ mental image.

[The⁠‌ Blessing of the‌​ God of the‌‍‍ Sword dissipates!]

 
What did you think of this chapter?
0 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.