The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 408: Kali Yuga (2)

Chapter 408: Kali Yuga (2)

False name.

A false name.

The‍‍‌ “Blessing of the⁠ God of the‍ Sword” was, so‌⁠ to speak, a camouflage.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?‍ After all, I am the god‍ of the sword,‌‍ so how is⁠‍⁠ it possible that‌‍⁠ I am observing‍‍ myself from above?⁠‍ The image didn’t‍⁠ fit.

That’s‌‍ why the blessing⁠⁠ of the god⁠ of the sword‍ was more like‍‌ a play on‌ words created as⁠ a containment mechanism‍⁠ to deceive myself.‍⁠⁠

If‍‍ I had arbitrarily⁠ deactivated the blessing,‍‌ this world would⁠‍ have ended up⁠ in shreds.

For‌ example, when the‌‌ blessing was stripped‍ from me by‌ the commander of‍ the 5th Corps, Agor, on Avalon‌⁠ Island.

Even⁠‍‌ though I used⁠ the World Tree, Yggdrasil, as a catalyst, the planet‍ nearly collapsed from‌‍⁠ the overload.

‘Good‍‍ thing the Blessing⁠ of Regeneration and‍ the Blessing of‍⁠ Transfer were activated⁠⁠‌ in time…’

In the worst case, the entire Avalon⁠ Island would have‌‌ disappeared. That’s how⁠ dangerous it is‌ to deactivate the‍ false blessing of‍⁠⁠ the god of‌ the sword.

Even‌‌⁠ now that I have fully awakened‌ the memories and⁠ powers of the‍‍⁠ god of the sword, controlling it⁠‌‍ is still a burden for me.⁠

‘If⁠⁠ I can avoid‌ it, better not‌‌ deactivate the blessing.’⁠‌‍

However.‍‌

[The‌ Blessing of Healing‍ manifests.]

[Divine‌⁠‌ energy is added‌ to it.]

[The‍⁠ Blessing of the‌ God of Healing‌⁠ manifests.]

***‍‌

Fweeeeeee!⁠

The funeral march that‌‌ Speedweapon played resounded‍ with force.

I can imagine him‌‍ blowing the recorder⁠‌⁠ as if his‌⁠ lungs were about⁠ to burst.

“That‌ guy… always so⁠‌⁠ passionate.”

Even‍ so, in the‍⁠ midst of the‌‍⁠ general exhaustion, Speedweapon,‍‍⁠ thank you for‍⁠ that.

I silently gave thanks⁠ and lowered my‌‍ eyelids halfway.
In‌‌ my half-closed eyes,‌‍ a dark spark‌ flickered.

Chills.‍‌‌

A shiver ran through‍ my whole body.‌‌ It wasn’t out‍ of fear.

It was because of‍‍ an unknown hormone‍‍ that ran rampant through my body.‍⁠ It climbed my‍ spine and took‍ over my mind.‌

A slight pain.

And‍‍ that’s why I was so alive.⁠‌‍ I felt truly‌ alive.

Damn‍ it! What if⁠‌ I feel like‌ smiling? What happens‌ then?!

I made no attempt‌ to hide my‍⁠ smile.

Let’s‍‍ admit it.

In⁠⁠ Ragnarök it was‍‍ the same. Deep‍ down, I longed‍ for these moments‌‌ of crisis.

After‌ all, it’s such‍⁠ an intimate desire‌‍ that no one‍ will ever find‌‍ out. Just when⁠ I was about‌ to propel myself into the void…‍

“……?”‌‍

I crossed gazes with‍‌ Ryozo. She blinked,‍ eyes wide open.⁠‍

‘What‌⁠ is that?’

Why‍⁠ are you looking‌ at me like‍ that? As if—as⁠ if you had‍ read my thoughts.‍⁠

[Presence⁠ of Code. Yggdrasil‍ detected.]

[It‍ can be used as a catalyst.‍‌ Do you wish‍⁠ to proceed?]

Flash!‍

[Y‌⁠ / N]

I nodded before realizing‍ it.

[Y]⁠

▲Light‌⁠‍ green particles began⁠ to float.

They‌ emerged from Ryozo’s‌⁠ skin and dispersed‍⁠ softly, spreading as⁠ if embracing the‌ earth.

[The‍‌‍ personality – Code.‌ Yggdrasil can momentarily‍ elevate its level⁠‍ as a catalyst.]⁠

Immediately,‌‍ a sacred energy‍ began to emanate from me.

Blessing‍ of Strength.

Blessing‍‌ of Transfer.

Blessing of Regeneration.

It’s‍ surprising.

The⁠‍⁠ situation resembled very‌‍ much when I exterminated the commander⁠‌ of the 5th⁠ Corps, Agor.

But‌‌ there was a difference. I don’t mean just the⁠ place.

Yggdrasil‌ isn’t here! Then‍⁠ how…?

‘It‌‍‍ can’t be…’

Fragments‍‍ of the picture‍ began to fit‍‍ together. That puzzle⁠ full of gaps⁠ like an old‌ man’s gums was⁠⁠⁠ finally starting to⁠ form a clear plan.

“Ryozo,‌ you…”

“Explanations‍‍‌ later, Geom-Ma.”

Ryozo⁠‍ shook her head,‌ dismissing the conversation.‍⁠ She was wrapped in a light‌ green energy.

“The⁠⁠ enemy is right⁠⁠ in front of⁠ us.”

“……”‍‌‌

I agree.

I stopped thinking. And⁠ I let myself be carried away‌ by the intoxication⁠ that made it‌⁠ impossible to distinguish‍‍ the ground beneath my feet.

Glup.

Ryozo⁠‌⁠ eased her dry‍ throat and looked‌ at Kang Geom-Ma.‍‌ Although she had‌ told him to⁠⁠‌ focus on the⁠ fight, she too⁠‍ was clearly shaken.

‘I‍ think that…’

The‌ Yggdrasil has taken⁠ root inside Ryozo.⁠‌ Undoubtedly, it was‍ during that incident‌‍⁠ on Avalon Island.‌⁠ Since she spoke⁠‌‍ with Mesther, the‍‍ ancestral mind, something⁠ in Ryozo had changed.

‘This feeling of unity…‍‌ Kang Geom-Ma and‍⁠ I are connected.’‍⁠

And‍ is that all?‍

Ryozo⁠‌ could also see⁠ the phrases that⁠ previously only appeared‍⁠‌ in Kang Geom-Ma’s vision.

Her‌‌⁠ head was spinning.‍ For the moment,‌⁠ she didn’t understand‍ anything. She wanted‌ to reflect, but‍‍ it wasn’t the‍ time—the survival of‌ humanity hung by⁠ a thread. Adding‌‌ confusion to an‌ urgent situation only made her eyes⁠ and her brain⁠⁠ threaten to explode.⁠

“There⁠ is something I do understand clearly.”‌‌‍

She couldn’t stay away‍ from Kang Geom-Ma. Neither emotionally nor‌‍ physically. At this⁠ moment, Kang Geom-Ma‍‌ needed “Ryozo, united‌ with Yggdrasil.”

Perhaps‍ understanding her mistress’s‍ will, the dragon‍⁠ of light carried‍‍ Ryozo near Kang‌‍‌ Geom-Ma.

It wasn’t a physical‍ movement, but an‌ action possible because⁠ it was a thought-being.

Ryozo⁠ positioned herself floating‌‌‌ at his side,⁠ back to back.‌‌ The others instinctively‍‍‍ imitated her.

They⁠ all kept a certain distance from Kang Geom-Ma, making‌ sure not to get caught, but‌‍⁠ they shared a look.

‘Our‌‍ role is to protect the rear.’‍

‘Ok, Saki-ssi. That’s my‍‍ thing!’

‘…What‍‍⁠ is Ryozo planning?’‍

They‍⁠ didn’t know.

Ryozo⁠ only intended to do what she‌ must.

Because.‍

Goooooh.‌

Everyone⁠⁠⁠ turned pale. Though‌‍ they hadn’t agreed,‌ they all turned⁠ their gaze toward‌ Kang Geom-Ma at⁠⁠ the same time.‌⁠

“Eh,‍ why…? Why can’t I see Geom-Ma?”⁠

Rachel‍ rubbed her eyelids with her wristbands⁠‌ and opened her‌‍ eyes again. Still,‍ she couldn’t see⁠‍‌ him clearly.

Kang⁠⁠ Geom-Ma’s outline wavered⁠ like a mirage.‌ It was the‍ Aura. His mere‌ presence distorted the⁠‌ dimension around him.‌

Leon’s⁠ lips were dry.⁠‌ He had directly‍⁠ experienced Kang Geom-Ma’s strength, and he⁠ was someone who‌‍‌ could proclaim himself⁠‌⁠ the strongest of‍‍ the era after‌‌⁠ him.

Tick.‌‍‌

Cold⁠ sweat drenched his‌ back.

Tick.⁠‍

For‍‌ a moment, the⁠‍ hero’s intuition and⁠ the laws of‌ the universe acted⁠‌ in unison.

Shhh…‌

Kang‍‍ Geom-Ma’s shoulder moved.‌⁠

Murasame⁠‍⁠ rose. A black‌ gleam ran across⁠‌ the blade.

Slash…!‍

It‌⁠ fell.

There‍ was no shout⁠ nor name of‌‍ technique. Just a cut. Without embellishment.⁠‍

He held the sword and let it‌‍ fall. That was⁠ all.

It⁠ was, from all‌ I knew, the‌ simplest and at⁠ the same time‍ the most elevated‍ way of wielding‍⁠ a sword.

=……=⁠

The‍ enormous eye, Kali Yuga, finally reacted.‍‍

In its retinas, wide‍‌ open on both‌⁠ sides, a cross‌⁠ of multiple lines was drawn.

十十十十十十十十十十
十十十十十十十十十十
十十十十十十十十十十
十十十十十十十十十十

The‍‍‍ rays that Kali‍ Yuga scattered like seeds were all cut at once.

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma had neutralized‌ the barrages with a single slash.⁠

Abel and Leon were⁠ left agape.

“That‍ is…”

“That⁠ is…”

That‌ is “mu” and⁠‌ that is “bu”.⁠

It‌⁠ is often said‍‌ that one who reaches the highest‍ level in any‍⁠ discipline ends up‌‍ emptied.

That⁠ slash proved it.⁠

Ryozo,‍ Abel, Leon, Rachel,⁠⁠ and Media… None⁠‍‍ of them could‍‍⁠ feel anything from⁠‍‌ Kang Geom-Ma’s strike.⁠‍

And⁠⁠ it wasn’t just due to the‍ abysmal difference in‍ power. Kang Geom-Ma‍ had imbued his⁠ sashimi with nothing.‍⁠‌

The⁠ giant eye, still‍ stunned, wrinkled abruptly.‌ Everyone covered their‌ ears.

=Do‍ you really… refuse‍‍‍ to accept the⁠ end?=

He‌‌ ignored it.

Kang⁠⁠ Geom-Ma lowered his‍‌ gaze quickly.

In⁠ the distance, like⁠ a dot, Yu‍ Sein moved her‍‍ chin toward him.‍

Yu⁠ Sein clasped her⁠ hands in prayer.‌‍ A sacred halo appeared above her‌ head.

She⁠ barely moved her⁠⁠⁠ lips and sent‍ him a mental message:

[I‌ will show people‌ a mission window⁠ through the rift‍‌ in this world‌‍ that you created.]‍⁠⁠

[In‍ any case, you‌‌ will also see⁠‍⁠ it, but consider‍‌‍ this a prior‍‌ notice. I would‍‍ like it to⁠⁠ reach all world‍ culture, but… that⁠ is beyond my‌ abilities. For now,‌ I will begin‌⁠ with the island‍ of Hawaii.]

Kali‍ Yuga had manifested‍ by borrowing the structure of a game.

Its‍‌ intention was to⁠⁠‍ separate people from⁠ reality.

Its⁠⁠ malicious plan was‍ to tear down⁠ the support for‌ Kang Geom-Ma and⁠‌ occupy that void of recognition for‍‍ itself.

‘One‍‌ game is covered with another game.’‍

That‍‍ was the improvised⁠ plan Yu Sein‍⁠ devised on the‌ spot.

Honestly,‌⁠ it was absurd.‍‌ Even though Balor⁠ Joaquin had given‍ her a hint,‍⁠‍ it was like⁠ asking someone to⁠‌ circumnavigate the world‍ with only a compass.

However,‌ the viability of‍‌‌ the plan increased exponentially in an‍‌ instant. It was thanks to Ryozo.⁠‍ Her fusion with‍ Yggdrasil was an‌‌‌ unexpected twist.

[If⁠ he were here,‌⁠ this would be⁠‌ possible… but he‍ won’t cooperate, right?⁠‌ For now, Kang⁠ Geom-Ma, do as‌‌ you wish. I have prepared the⁠ board.]

Kang⁠‍‌ Geom-Ma kicked the⁠ air several times.⁠⁠ He rushed toward Kali Yuga. At⁠⁠‌ that moment, a reddish light concentrated‍⁠⁠ right in the center of the⁠‌‍ eye. Its intent‍ was to condense‌ all the scattered rays into a single point.

Whoosh!‍⁠

An⁠ arrow pierced the⁠‌ eyeball. Although it⁠ was as small⁠ as a needle,⁠ Kali Yuga frowned.‍ It had been⁠ interrupted just before⁠ unleashing its decisive⁠ strike.

That⁠ opening.

Kang Geom-Ma did not‍‍ waste it. He‌⁠ drew a wide‍‌ arc with Murasame,⁠ wrapped in sword-light.‍⁠ The black trajectory‌ rushed toward Kali Yuga.

It‌‌ was forced to‍ spread the rays as if they⁠⁠ were a disc. The disc and‌ the slash collided⁠⁠⁠ and shattered.

It‌⁠ was no easy opponent. He had launched the strike⁠ with the intent‌ to cut even the sky, and‍⁠ it blocked with‍ lightning? Agor had‍‍‍ been torn apart with an attack‌‌ that wasn’t even‌ half of this.‌‌

“That‍⁠ defense is insane.”‌‍

There‌ was no other‌‌ choice. Kang Geom-Ma‍⁠ carefully drew the‍ EX-grade sashimi he‌ had kept in‌ his chest.

[Now!]‌‌‌

Yu‍‌ Sein had also⁠ finished her preparations.‍‌

Kang‌ Geom-Ma vaguely understood it. He had⁠ always hesitated about‌⁠ whether to name⁠⁠ it or not.‌

And‌ now he understood why.

[Initiating‌‍ sword name selection⁠ (Beginning sword-slot spin)]‌‌

[(Sword Slash)(Emergency Inspection Slash)(Scheduled‍‌⁠ Slash)(Extended Slash)]
▲≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫‌‍⁠

The⁠ sound of whrrrrrr⁠ accompanied the characters‌ sliding rapidly.

[(Urgent‌‌‌ Slash)(Scheduled Slash)(Extended Slash)]
▲≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫‌⁠‌

The speed slowed.

[(Sword‌‍ Slash)(Scheduled Slash)(Extended Slash)(Emergency‌‍ Inspection Slash)]
▲

At⁠ a distance close‌‍ enough to strike‍ Kali Yuga’s gigantic‍ cornea, the panel‌ stopped.

[(Scheduled‍ Slash)(Extended Slash)(Emergency Inspection‍ Slash)]
▲

[ The sword name⁠ has been determined⁠ for use during⁠‍ 1 minute. ]

Shiiing—‍‌‌

[Activating⁠⁠‌ Emergency Inspection Slash]‍

Kang⁠ Geom-Ma set aside‍ his expression of‌‌ bewilderment. He let‍⁠ out a laugh.

“It⁠ truly is a final combat weapon⁠ for the apocalypse.”‍‌‍

If⁠‍ this was an‍⁠⁠ apocalypse disguised as‌⁠‍ a game, then‌‌⁠ let it tremble‍ even more.

=……!!=‌

The‌ Heavenly Sword unleashed‍‌ a slash.

Kali‍ Yuga deployed a barrier, but—

Wham!‌

The‍⁠⁠ strike grazed it.

The⁠‍⁠ eyeball burst.

A black liquid, like⁠‍ oil, gushed from⁠‌ the crack.

=GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!=‍‌‍

It must pay for‌⁠⁠ the sin of‌ having deceived the‍⁠ users.

“You⁠ bastard.”

The⁠⁠ slash of the‌‍‌ Emergency Inspection Slash⁠‍ shattered the enemy.‍

***‌‍

At‍⁠ the same time,‍‌‍ in Joaquin Academy.⁠

Balor⁠ Joaquin didn’t even‌ have time to‍⁠⁠ review the legacy he had left⁠ behind. He went‌ straight to Warehouse‍ No. 1.

He‌‌‍ was able to‍ enter easily thanks‍⁠ to Choi Seol-Ah⁠‌ accompanying him.

She‍ had deactivated the‌ security system. Balor⁠ Joaquin walked through‌‌ the warehouse at‍ a brisk pace.‌

Warehouse‍‍ No. 1 was‌‍⁠ a depot full‍‍ of ancient artifacts.⁠ Mostly weapons and⁠ armor he had⁠‍‍ used in his‍‌ days as active.

‘What⁠ memories.’

But‌‍‍ there was no time for sentiment.‌ The world was‍‌ drowning in chaos.‍

Balor⁠ restrained his urgency‍ and examined the⁠ place.

A while later.

“There‍ you are.”

He‌‌ stopped in a corner of the‍‍ warehouse. He pulled‌⁠‍ aside a thick,‌⁠‌ dust-covered curtain.

A splendid armor and‍‌‍ a sword were‍ displayed inside a glass case.

Clang!‌

Without‍⁠⁠ hesitation, Balor smashed‌ the glass. He⁠‍⁠ stole the objects⁠‌ with such dexterity‍‍‍ that even a professional looter would‌‍ call him “master.”‍

‘That‌ guy is an ancestral hero?’

He‌⁠ looks more like‍⁠ a thief.

Choi‌‍‌ Seol-Ah tried to⁠ hide her surprise.‍⁠‌

Fwoosh.

A corner of her vision was occupied⁠‌ by a holographic‌ window.

==‌‌ ==

NOTICE‌

Hello,‌‍ we are Blessing‍‍ of the Apocalypse⁠ M 2nd.

We⁠ have detected an‍⁠‍ unexpected error, so⁠ we will carry‍‍‍ out an “Emergency⁠‌⁠ Inspection Slash.”

We‌ know this event‍‌ may cause surprise,⁠ since until now⁠ the service has‍⁠ run without trouble.‍⁠ We ask for‌⁠ your understanding while… (to be continued)⁠‍

==‌⁠ ==

Clink.‌⁠⁠

“It has begun.”

The⁠‌ sound of metal⁠‌ awakened some clouded⁠ eyes.

At‍⁠ some point, Balor‍ Joaquin had already⁠‌ donned the armor‍ and was gripping‌ the hilt of‍‍⁠ his sword.