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The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master Chapter 409: Kali Yuga (3)

Chapter 409: Kali Yuga (3)

Choi​⁠​ Seol-Ah opened her‍ mouth in astonishment.‍

“Wow…”​

A soft sigh escaped‌ between her teeth.​⁠‍

Balor​ Joaquin was sitting‌‌ on the ground,‍​ adjusting his greaves.​​ He looked like‍⁠⁠ an ancestral hero​ straight out of⁠ the history books.‍⁠

‘Seeing‌⁠‍ him with my⁠‍ own eyes…’

It‍​⁠ was an overwhelming‍‍‌ feeling. Even if​​‍ she was a former villainess, Choi⁠⁠ Seol-Ah was also⁠ a graduate of⁠‌ Joaquin Academy.

Balor⁠‌ Joaquin noticed her⁠⁠ gaze and let​‌⁠ out a faint⁠ laugh.

“Don’t⁠‍ worry about how​ worn out the​ armor and weapons‍‍​ look. Believe it⁠​​ or not, they​‌ were made with⁠‌‌ full blessing by⁠ the best blacksmith‌ of my era.”‌

“The⁠‌‍ best blacksmith of⁠ your era… Him?!”​⁠⁠

Choi​ Seol-Ah held her‌​ breath. Her hands,‍ covering her mouth,‍ trembled slightly.

“He,⁠‌‍ Hephaestus?”

She​‌ used to frequent⁠‌​ auction houses, and‌​‍ whenever an item‌ at a record‍⁠‌ price appeared, it‍‍​ was almost always​​⁠ the work of‌ Hephaestus.

‘Damn⁠ it! So close‌⁠‌ and I didn’t‌‍‌ realize!’

She⁠ never imagined that‍⁠ masterpieces created by‌‌ Hephaestus would remain‍‌ inside the academy,​⁠ let alone in​ such good condition.⁠⁠

‘If⁠‍ I could sell‍‍ that… how much​⁠ would I make…’‍

Choi‍⁠ Seol-Ah swallowed.

Balor⁠​‍ Joaquin, not knowing​⁠‌ or perhaps knowing,⁠ smiled mischievously while​‍ boasting.

“Well.​‌ Do they still⁠⁠‍ remember his name?‍‌ He always went‍ around saying he​ wanted to be⁠​​ a blacksmith remembered⁠‍ in history… looks⁠‌⁠ like he made‌​ it.”

Clank.‌

Balor⁠⁠⁠ Joaquin stood up,​ supporting himself on⁠​‍ the ground. Then,⁠⁠‌ he unsheathed his‌‌ sword just two‍‍ spans.

“The​‍ same with the‍ weapon. He put​ in more effort‌ than with the​‌ armor. It can‍ withstand that power,⁠⁠ so it’s not⁠ just anything.”

“That⁠⁠​ power… Do you⁠‍‍ mean the Lord’s,⁠‌‌ I mean, the‍ Heavenly Sword’s?”

“You’ve‌​ got a good⁠ eye. Did you⁠​ notice just by‌ looking at it⁠ from behind the‍​‍ palm tree?”

“Well…⁠⁠ I have some​ experience.”

Choi‍‍‍ Seol-Ah unconsciously rubbed‌​‍ her abdomen. In‌ the past, she‍⁠‌ had taken several⁠‌‍ stabs imbued with‌ the blessing of‍​‍ the God of‌‍ the Sword. Just‌ remembering it made‍‌ her stomach twist.‍⁠‌

Balor⁠‍‍ Joaquin, as if‌​ he had already⁠​‌ decided to use⁠ her as his‌ assistant, admitted bluntly:⁠​⁠

“It’s​​ the same power,‍​​ but the output⁠⁠ difference is abysmal.⁠​ Heavenly Sword… ugh,⁠​ it bothers me‌​ to call that‍ brat that, but​ anyway.”

The‍⁠ Lord was the‌ disciple of the⁠​ founding hero? How?‍

Choi‍​‍ Seol-Ah, however, did‌‌‌ not show her⁠‍ confusion. After all,‍⁠ the founding hero‌ had appeared in⁠‍‌ person. Everything had⁠⁠​ already been a mess of causalities‌‌⁠ for a long⁠⁠ time.

Besides,⁠‍ when it came​‌ to the Lord,‌‌ everything seemed possible.​ That guy… wasn’t‌ human.

Balor⁠⁠‌ Joaquin continued speaking.‍‍

“He‌‌⁠ has the original,‍‍⁠ and I have​ a weakened version.​ On top of‍​ that, I have‍ to pay a greater price and‌​⁠ can’t even bring‌‍ out one hundred‍ percent.”

“How‍ unexpected. I thought‍ you, as the‍⁠ founding hero, would⁠‌​ have the original⁠⁠ or be stronger.”‍

“What‍‌ kind of way‌‍⁠ of speaking is​⁠ that?”

“Eh?”‍​​

“Just‍⁠ because he has⁠ the original doesn’t⁠​‍ mean he’s stronger⁠​ than me.”

…Isn’t⁠​⁠ it the same​‌⁠ thing?

Balor​ Joaquin pointed at‌ himself with his⁠‌‍ thumb, proudly.

“Kang​ Geom-Ma still has‍​ a long way‍ to catch up⁠‍⁠ to me. Even‌ if his power​⁠ output is lower,‍ technically I’m much‍​ more skilled. And⁠⁠⁠ besides, I’ve rejuvenated,⁠ so he’s far‌ from surpassing me.”‌‌⁠

Of‌ course, he was‍‌‌ glad about the‍‍ impressive growth of​⁠‌ his disciple, or​ rather, his son.‌‍​

But‌ for that very‌ reason, Balor had​ to remain as‌​‍ an unscalable wall.​ When one loses⁠​ the objective, one⁠ loses the path.‌ Without a compass,⁠⁠⁠ the future becomes​ uncertain.

And​⁠ that path inevitably​⁠‍ ends in deep​⁠‍ tedium and nihilism.‌ The stronger one​‌‌ is, the faster⁠ that stain corrodes​‌‌ the soul.

Surpassing​‌ the master.

When​‍ a disciple surpasses‍‌‍ the master.

The‍‌ master must do⁠​⁠ everything possible to​‍‍ prevent it. That‍​⁠ is the fate​‍ and the contradiction⁠ of an outstanding‌⁠‍ disciple and his‌⁠ master.

Ruuummble.⁠‌

The‌‍‌ dust accumulated over‌ the things in⁠⁠​ the warehouse rose.⁠‌ It was a vibration.

==⁠‍​ ==

CAUTION‌‍​

Hello.⁠‍‌ I am Blessing‌‍ of the Apocalypse‌‍ M 2nd.

The‌ Emergency Inspection has‌‍ been completed. We⁠ deeply regret the‍‌ inconvenience caused and‍‍​ we commit that‍ it will not​‌‌ happen again… (to‌⁠ be continued)

==‍ ==

Balor​ Joaquin diverted his‍‍‍ gaze from the‌​ pop-up window and‌ directed it outside.⁠‍⁠

Lightning⁠​‍ was pouring down‌‍⁠ like a downpour.⁠‍‌ Within that sinister​​‍ red light, Balor​‍‍ read a clear​ murderous intent.

“The‍​ enemy is getting⁠‌‍ desperate.”

It‍ was time to​ leave.

Balor⁠‍ Joaquin quickly headed⁠‍​ for the exit.‍​‍

Choi‌‌‍ Seol-Ah, seeing his⁠ back moving ahead,‌‍⁠ murmured unintentionally.

“As‍ far as pure​⁠​ skill… I think‌ my Lord is‌‍ a little better.”⁠‌‌

“…?”⁠

Those⁠‍‌ words stopped Balor‌‍ Joaquin in his⁠⁠ tracks.

“What?”‌

“Well,⁠‍ it makes sense.‍​​ Unlike the founding⁠‌ hero, the Lord‌‍‍ uses any sashimi‍​ he has at‌⁠⁠ hand. He always‌‌‍ says that an‌‌ expert doesn’t blame​⁠⁠ his weapons.”

“……”‍⁠

Smirk.​⁠‌

“On⁠ the other hand,​ the founding hero‌‌ seems to be​ more picky. Though‍‌ if it’s not⁠ so, I have⁠⁠ nothing else to‌​⁠ say.”

“You…”‍‌

Balor‍ Joaquin looked at‌⁠ her coldly.

“Do⁠⁠ you frequently get‌ hit by Heavenly‍⁠‌ Sword?”

“N-no,‌‍⁠ that’s not true!”‌​​

Smirk.​

Balor⁠ Joaquin let out‌ a sarcastic laugh,‌‌​ turned around, and‌‍ left.

“I’m​ telling you it’s‍​‌ not true!”

“Yes,‍‌‌ yes, I understand.”⁠

Choi​‍ Seol-Ah stayed in‌‍ her place, trying​⁠ to justify herself⁠‍⁠ indignantly.

“I’m‌ telling you it’s⁠ not true!”

***‌

Choi​ Seol-Ah ran desperately​‌‌ after Balor Joaquin.​

Rumble!⁠

The⁠⁠⁠ commotion outside the‍‌⁠ building grew even​ louder. The students⁠ were in complete‌‍‌ chaos. Suddenly, status‌‌‌ panels appeared in⁠ their eyes and‍‍⁠ lightning bolts rained‌​‌ down from the‌ sky.

“Kyaaaaah!”‍‌​

“Instructor​ Joto Mate! Take​ the kids to‌ the bunker!”

“Y-yes,⁠‍ sir!”

And‌‌​ in the middle⁠ of all that,‌​‍ evacuation was also‍ necessary. It was‍ literally total chaos.​‌‌

Compared​ to that, the​⁠​ commotion in the‍‍ warehouse was nothing.‍‍​ Maybe just before,⁠‍‍ when Balor and‌‍ Choi Seol-Ah had⁠‌ been there. But⁠ now, only a few shelves had‍ fallen over.

Clatter.‍‍⁠

From​‌ the tremor, the​​​ curtain rod collapsed.​‍

And‍‍⁠ when the curtain‍‍⁠ slid aside, the​‌ silhouette of a person appeared. It⁠ was a girl‌ with black hair,‍ Chaerina. She had‍ already been there​ even when the‌ other two were​‍ present.

Strictly⁠​​ speaking, she was‍‍‍ the one who​‍ had arrived first.‌

“In‍⁠ the end, you‌⁠ came too.”

Chaerina‍​ murmured.

“The⁠‍ one who drove​⁠‍ that man away⁠‍ from Earth and‍ made him wander‌​‍ aimlessly through this‍​ world.”

Her‍‌‍ tone showed no⁠ emotion.

A rough and dry⁠​ voice.

“…And​‌ at the same‌‌ time, the one‍ who saved him⁠​⁠ from hell.”

Clink!​

The⁠⁠ full-length mirror couldn’t⁠ withstand the vibration‌ and fell. Although​‍‍ the glass fragments‍‌ barely held their‍⁠⁠ oval shape, the⁠⁠ reflection of Chaerina⁠​ was completely shattered.‌​‌

As‍ Chaerina silently watched‍⁠⁠ her broken reflection,‍ a new emergency⁠​‌ window appeared.

It​⁠​ was another announcement​‌⁠ from Kali Yuga.⁠​‌

==‍ ALARM ==

The‌​‌ recent Emergency Inspection​ has no relation‌ to the game’s​ developing company.

We⁠‍‍ ask all players‍ to enjoy the⁠ “Golden Age” to​‌⁠ the fullest without​‌ confusion.

Enjoy‍‍ magic with all‌‌‌ your strength.

==‌ ==

Ha.​

An‌​​ empty laugh escaped​ her lips.

“They‍​⁠ don’t even bother‌​​ hiding it anymore.”‍‌

The‌‌⁠ message was blatantly⁠ direct. Kali Yuga‌ was desperate.

Its‌ goal was to‌⁠ break the boundary‍‍ between reality and⁠ Blessing of the‍‌‍ Apocalypse M 2nd.‍

Chaerina‍​ turned her head‌​⁠ toward the window.⁠

Even⁠ amid the chaos,‍⁠‌ some students continued‍​‌ casting spells. Their‌ faces were filled‍​ with ecstasy, joy,‌‌​ and desire.

The‌​ eye that dominated⁠‌ the sky poured‌​⁠ down lightning as‌ if encouraging them‌‌​ to keep using⁠ magic.

‘At‍ least two-thirds of‌ the world’s population‍ must accept this‍‌ end for it⁠ to manifest its​​​ power as a True Deity.’

Even⁠‍ if it’s an‍‍‍ Apostle of Suppression,‌⁠ manifesting as a True Deity after​⁠ Ragnarok isn’t easy.⁠‍

So‌ it will break‍‌‍ the boundary between​​⁠ illusion and reality,​‍ as if they‍⁠ were oil and⁠ water.

“…Denying​‌ Kang Geom-Ma in⁠‌ this world.”

There⁠‌​ was a high‌​​ probability that people⁠ would begin to‌⁠ accept only Kali⁠‌‌ Yuga and erase‌​ the existence of​ Kang Geom-Ma completely.‌⁠​

‘Apostle⁠ of Suppression?’

No‌​ way. How ridiculous.​​​

Kali‌ Yuga was going⁠​⁠ against the will​ of suppression by​‌ trying to seize​‌ this world for‍⁠⁠ itself. It was​‌ ironic, because Kang‌‌ Geom-Ma didn’t even‍​ consider this world⁠​ his property.

To⁠​ Chaerina, this world⁠‌⁠ was nothing more‌​ than a cage​​⁠ that trapped Kang​‍​ Geom-Ma, the real‌‌‍ Kim ■■.

And​ yet. For Kang​ Geom-Ma, this world‍‌ was his refuge.‌​‌

A kind of reward‌ for the previous‌‌ life in which‍ he wandered aimlessly.⁠

That’s​‌‍ why she was‍‌⁠ jealous.

“Don’t‍ be so happy…​​ in a world​ where I’m not…”‌‌‍

Even‌⁠ though you promised‌ you’d come back‌⁠ someday. You didn’t​ even bother remembering​⁠ your promise.

‘Why‌ does this world‌‍ fight so desperately…?’⁠⁠‌

Why​‌​ does it do‌‍⁠ everything it can⁠​⁠ to protect itself?​

It‌‍ irritates me.

I hate this world.⁠‍‌

I’m⁠ angrier at Kim⁠⁠‍ ■■ than at​ anyone. I wish​‌ I could contact‌‍ Kali Yuga right‍⁠‌ now.

Maybe⁠‌​ it makes more⁠ sense to form‌‍ an alliance with​‌ that giant eye‍​ and normalize this⁠ world. That would​‌‌ also fit with⁠ the promise I made to containment⁠‍‌ when I crossed⁠‌‌ into this world.​‌

Crack—‍‍

Her​ fingers crumpled the​⁠​ hem of her​ shirt. Chaerina loosened‌⁠ the hand pressed‍‌ against her chest.‍​

“Just⁠‍ this once.”

It’s‌‌ simply that Kali​‌‌ Yuga’s actions are‍‌ disgusting.

Chaerina’s‌​⁠ change.

It‍​‌ was only because‍ this “Apostle of‍⁠ Suppression” was using‌​‌ its power driven‍⁠ by personal desires.⁠‍

Chaerina⁠⁠​ brought both hands​⁠ together in front‍ of her navel.‌ In a triangular‍​‍ prayer gesture, the‌‍ rubble floated as​ if the area‌‍ had become weightless.⁠‌ Her skirt and‍​‍ hair also rose‍‍ into the air.⁠‌

“The​ true name is‌‌‍ Hela.”

She⁠‌‍ softly moved her​‌​ lips.

An‍⁠ ethereal tone flowed​⁠⁠ in the air.​

───────────⁠

Hell‍​ sang.

…….‍‌‌

She​‍‍ herself knew it.​‍​

She‍‍ was fully aware,​ more than anyone.‌​ She knew what​⁠ motivated this instability.‌

All‌ these mistakes were​ largely intentional.

The​​⁠ external justification of⁠‍‌ Kali Yuga’s desire⁠⁠ was just an‍‌ excuse. In the​⁠ end, even Chaerina​‌‌ let herself be‌‌​ carried away by​⁠‍ her emotions, and‌ she was turning‍⁠ into an enemy‍ someone who could​​‍ still be considered⁠⁠ an ally.

Even‌‌​ if she had‍⁠ to trade this​‍‌ entire world for​​ it, she wanted​⁠‍ to take him‍ away.

‘I…’‍​​

She⁠‌‍ still didn’t have‌​ the courage to‌‍​ face your sadness.⁠‌‌ She still didn’t‍⁠ have the endurance‍ to withstand your‌ reproachful gaze.

That’s‍⁠ why, at least‌ this time, I won’t sing a requiem. But a hymn for you.⁠⁠⁠

“Kang‍ Geom-Ma.”

Because​​‌ I love you…‍

Still…​‌‌ still I don’t⁠ want to be​‍ hated.

Someday‍ you’ll reproach me⁠⁠ for this.

I hope it’s as​‍⁠ late as possible.⁠‌‍

That‌‍ was Chaerina’s intimate​‍ and true feeling.⁠

‘Maybe‌‌ that day…’

For‌ Chaerina, that day‍⁠‌ would be the‍ End of Times.⁠‍

***‍​‌

The⁠​‌ end was approaching,‍ and the sword⁠‍ moved.

Swish!‍​

“Gyaaaaaaaaah!”‌​

The‌⁠‍ Emergency Inspection Cut‍​ struck the enormous‌‍​ eye once again.⁠‌​

“Tch.”⁠

Even⁠​ so, it wasn’t​​ enough to cut​ through the eyelid‍⁠⁠ completely. With each‌‌ cut, the eyeball‍‍ shrank in size.⁠

As⁠⁠ a result, the⁠‍ number of lightning⁠‍ bolts it fired⁠‍‍ toward the surface‌⁠ also decreased significantly.​⁠

‘At‍ least there won’t‍ be more victims​‍⁠ outside the island​​‍ of Hawaii.’

That⁠⁠ was a relief…‍‌‌ but it was‍ still too soon‍ to be optimistic.⁠‍‌ This wasn’t an‍‌ isolated incident.

It⁠‍⁠ was a world-scale‍​ disaster.
It‍⁠ wasn’t even clear‍ if the giant‍⁠⁠ eye on the‌ island of Hawaii⁠‌ was the true⁠ host.

‘There⁠ are too many‍ problems to solve‌​ first.’

Reducing‍‌ or eliminating the⁠‌‍ eye wouldn’t be‍ enough.

The​‌​ synchronization between reality​‌⁠ and Blessing of‌ the Apocalypse M also had to‍​ be broken.

It⁠​ was as if⁠‌ oil were trying⁠⁠ to mix with⁠ water. Only complete‍‌​ separation would prevent‌‍‌ it from seeping​‌​ back in.

Looking⁠‌‍ down, Yu Sein‍⁠‍ was sweating profusely.‍ She was using‍​⁠ her divine power​‍​ to the maximum⁠‍ to block Kali⁠​ Yuga’s mental interference‍​‌ over people.

But⁠ it was clearly‌ not easy. Like‌ trying to stop​‌‌ a rising tide‍‍ with a wall.⁠⁠

‘I‍⁠ have to destroy‍⁠ all those eyes‌ before it’s too​​‌ late.’

It​ wasn’t the time⁠​​ to measure the‌ situation. He had‍‍ already been fighting‌‍​ seriously. But now‌ he intended to‌‍ go all out.⁠⁠

If​‌​ he worried too​​⁠ much about the‌‌​ burden this could‌ place on the‍ world, they’d all‍‌‌ end up as​‍ puppets of Kali‍ Yuga.

‘Let’s‌ go.’

At‍⁠ that moment.

“……!”​‌

An‍​‍ electric current ran​‌​ down his back.‌⁠​

Silence.‌‍⁠

Absolute‌​ silence.

Looking‌ around, the faces⁠‌ of his companions‌‍‌ had also turned‌​ pale.

Even‍ he felt his​‍‌ blood freezing in​ his veins, how​⁠ must the others⁠ be?

He⁠​⁠ shook his head‌ to clear it.⁠⁠‍

‘This‍‌ is…’

The​‍ same as what‍‌ he had felt‍ right before the​‌‍ Farsis disaster.

[Hey]‍​⁠

It​ was Yu Sein.‌‍

Looking⁠‌‌ down, he saw‍⁠‍ her moving her‍⁠ bluish lips.

[The⁠ board flipped.]

‘What⁠​ do you mean⁠‍​ by that?’

[You‍ already know how​ Blessings, magic, and‍‌ awakenings work. Everything‌‍ happens when two⁠‍‍ completely opposing forces​‍ collide.]

A comment out of​⁠‍ nowhere.

‘Explain‍ it simple.’

[It⁠ seems like my⁠ divine power was​ about to try‍​ to stop it,​‍‍ but suddenly the​ power of hell⁠⁠‍ pushed me from⁠​ behind. Because of​ that reaction, Kali​​ Yuga’s interference with‌‍ reality is receding.]‌​​

‘So‍‍ that bastard’s attempt​⁠‌ to turn the‍⁠ world into a game fell apart,‍ huh?’

Yu‌‌‍ Sein nodded.

[Look⁠‌ up.]

“…That​ is…”

The‍ eye that had​‍ been unique was​‍ now divided into‍ multiples. He immediately⁠​​ realized that these⁠​ were all the​ eyes spread across⁠ the world, now​‍ gathered together.

Having⁠⁠​ exhausted its power,⁠‍⁠ Kali Yuga had‍‌‍ summoned them all​​ to the island⁠‌​ of Hawaii. The⁠⁠​ eyes, piled up‍‌‍ like clay, began⁠‌ to form the⁠​ figure of a monster.

Like‍​​ the ones they⁠‍⁠ had seen when⁠‍ facing the scattered⁠‍‌ villain cells.

Numerous⁠‌‌ arms.

A body covered with​ eyes like sores.​ Bluish, grotesque skin.⁠‌⁠

A true rakshasa.

One.⁠‌‌

[Look‍ at its face.​⁠ It’s scared shitless.]‍

Fear‍ was reflected in‌ each of those⁠ eyes.

[Guys,⁠​ let’s go.]

Yu​‌ Sein bestowed divine‌⁠ power upon all​‌ of us and‍ said.

[May‌ the Blessing of‍​ the Gods be‌ with you.]

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