Chapter 67: Swordmaster Siegfried (2)

After being discharged from the hospital, a week had passed.

However, I still couldn’t return to the academy. This was due to a message from the academy director, Media, who asked me to refrain from attending until he allowed it.

‘Well, considering that every time I show up somewhere, a demon appears as if by magic, it makes sense.’

In my case, I encountered demons, which a normal person would never face in their lifetime, approximately once a month. To top it off, the second encounter wasn’t just any demon; it was one of the commanders of the Demon King’s army, their greatest military force.

‘I was on the brink of death that time, but I survived.’

Even so, during the two weeks I spent hospitalized, I had time to organize my thoughts in various ways. The fact that I didn’t have to worry about medical expenses also helped a lot.

The ticking of the second hand on the room’s clock moved slowly, allowing me to recall several things.

From the moment I first manifested the Blessing of the God of the Sword, to the midterm exams and the incidents in the Buffalo dungeon, many memories fleetingly crossed my mind.

‘But I still don’t know what happened on Avalon Island.’

No matter how hard I tried to remember the sensations of that moment, I just couldn’t. Even though my memories were clear, the sensations seemed to have faded away. It was as if someone had deliberately torn out that part of my memory, leaving behind an unpleasant feeling.

“Just when I thought I was beginning to understand… it turns out I know even less.”

The Blessing of the God of the Sword is a mysterious power.

It manifests inevitably when I am on the verge of death, guiding me away from that threshold.

Viewed in that way, it’s a very grateful blessing.

However, the more it manifests, the more my humanity fades.

I recalled my memories and the sensations while slaughtering the Undertakers.

At that moment, I didn’t even frown.

Even as the life faded from my enemies’ eyes, I didn’t hesitate for a moment while wielding my sword.

In fact, it felt as if my blade was quenching its thirst by taking lives.

‘And I didn’t even feel a hint of remorse…’

As I reflected deeply, I mentally whispered to open my status.

Beep―

== ==

Blessing of the God of the Sword

If you cut it, it will cut.

◎ Body Level: (9▶12) – Reduces the restriction on sword handling.

◎ Spirit Level: (5▶8) – Imposes intimidation in speech and actions.

◎ Weapon Level: (3▶5) ▷ Unlocks reduction in pain during blessing manifestation, the pain is reduced (1▶2) levels.

☆ Synchronization Rate: 12.7% ▶ 17.9% ▷ One line of 【???】 can be read.

→ [NEW! You have met the requirements by reaching a Synchronization Rate of 15%.]

【???】

[※ The blessing is only activated with swords shorter than (39+1) cm and narrower than (10+0) cm.]

== ==

“It’s rising quickly.”

The status window, which I checked for the first time in a long while, showed a significant increase in the numbers. The top three levels, which used to increase slowly, now displayed a more evident change.

“The Weapon Level also increased, reducing another stage of pain.”

As I glanced down, I noticed that the Synchronization Rate had reached the conditions to unlock something. I extended my index finger and touched the words.

Flash―

== ==

☆ Synchronization Rate: 17.9%

▷ Two lines of 【???】 can be read.

You can faintly perceive the voice of 【???】.

→ [Reaching a 25% Synchronization Rate will fulfill the next unlock conditions.]

== ==

“Hmm.”

I let out a sigh and narrowed my eyes. As I expected, the number representing the red lines showed some variability.

However, what stood out the most was a new message.

⌜ You can faintly perceive the voice of 【???】. ⌟

I repeated those words in my mind several times.

‘Can I perceive a voice…?’

At first, I thought the three question marks represented an abstract concept. But those words hinted at something new that might be an entity or a being.

‘Perhaps those damned question marks are a living being or an existence itself.’

My thoughts drifted in various directions. I rubbed my forehead and let out a deep sigh.

Then I turned on my phone to check the time.

“Ah, it’s late.”

Last night, Media had called me unexpectedly.

He said he would explain the details in person, and we had agreed that I would come to the director’s office today.

“Anyway, I had something to ask him. This is perfect.”

Moreover, if the Sword Master was present, I could take the opportunity to thank him.

I owed him a lot, from reserving an entire hospital room for me to taking care of me while I was unconscious.

It’s an invaluable debt. Even though repaying it might be impossible, at the very least, I could express my gratitude.

I straightened my clothes and hurriedly left the dormitory.

Tick, tock.

The second hand of the wall clock moved quickly, as if rushing me.

***

As he slowly savored his tea, the Sword Master took gentle sips from his cup.

Media’s eyes blinked slowly as she watched him.

He seemed to be enjoying the taste of the black tea, as a satisfied smile formed on his face.

‘…That old man, still managing well even without an arm.’

The heroes of the Seven Stars are those who stand at the front lines of the battlefield. They are accustomed to losing limbs as if it were an everyday occurrence.

Even Sakiko Kojima, known as the Master of the Bow, is missing an eye, and Richard of Muira, the Master of the Spear, has a deep scar on his back.

‘…I’m no exception either.’

Media touched her energy core with a bitter expression. Today, the sensation seemed heavier and sharper than usual.

‘What the hell happened to that old man on the island?’

Media shot a glance at the Sword Master while thoughts swirled in her mind. When Siegfried returned from Avalon Island without an arm, Media had been stunned.

As the one recognized as the strongest of humanity, there was no creature that could even scratch him. His flawless condition, even at seventy years old, was a testament to his strength. But now, he had returned without an arm. It was incomprehensible.

‘And all because I sent the students to Avalon as a protective measure…’

Media had tried to use her Poet’s Blessing to understand what had happened, but it was useless. Events beyond the perception range of her blessing could not be captured.

The only thing she could assume was that it hadn’t been an ordinary event.

The Sword Master refused to talk about what happened on the island. He always smiled brazenly and told them to wait until Kang Geom-Ma woke up.

Media was about to say something unpleasant.

The Sword Master had rushed back from Avalon, carrying Kang Geom-Ma.

Kang Geom-Ma’s condition was near death.

Even though he had no visible wounds, his body was completely wrecked. All his muscle fibers and nerves were torn apart like broken elastic bands, and his pupils were clouded.

That day, Media felt like her mind was collapsing. She warned all medical staff and healing heroes in the hospital that if they didn’t save Kang Geom-Ma, they’d end up in a hospital bed instead.

‘Well, at least they managed to save him.’

Media cast a severe look at the Sword Master.

He too had been thoroughly examined after returning from the island. They wanted to make sure he didn’t have any other injuries.

However, the doctor in charge had been astonished.

“…In my more than thirty years of seeing patients, I’ve never seen anything like this, Director. It’s not that the Sword Master has any problems; on the contrary, he’s incredibly healthy. Even the minor ailments he had are gone, as if they’d been wiped away by a divine miracle.”

Hearing those words, Media felt both relieved and filled with rage.

Kang Geom-Ma’s state was partly the Sword Master’s fault. Despite that, she couldn’t say anything because of his subsequent actions.

The Sword Master had paid out of his own pocket to reserve an entire wing of the hospital—an astronomical expense considering the costs of Joaquin Academy.

‘That miser who wouldn’t even dare buy a 50,000-won fishing rod…’

Moreover, the Sword Master didn’t leave Kang Geom-Ma’s side while he was hospitalized. He cared for him devotedly, even sleeping very little.

Not even a father would have shown such commitment. For this reason, Media decided to be patient and wait for him to speak.

But today, her patience was reaching its limit.

Knock, knock.

Media, crossing her legs, drummed her nails on the armrest.

The Sword Master, with his eyes closed, savored his tea before speaking.

“Media, it seems that over the years, you’ve gotten better at making tea. Twenty years ago, every time I drank your tea, I ended up with a stomachache.”

As he said this, large veins formed on her beautiful temple, and Media let out a loud scream.

“You crazy old man! Do you think this is a café? Kang Geom-Ma is about to arrive, and you’re still avoiding the topic! How do you expect me to understand the situation?”

“Hahaha, why the rush? You should relax a bit.”

“Did you leave your brain on the island along with your arm?! You stubborn old man!”

Media glared at him furiously, but he simply hummed as if nothing was wrong.

She grabbed a tissue box from the table and threw it, but the Sword Master dodged it without even opening his eyes.

“Slow.”

“You crazy old man!”

The two exchanged remarks in a harmonious tone for several minutes. Finally, a visibly exhausted Media touched her forehead and took a deep breath.

As her body relaxed, her mind began to cool.

Over time, a deep sense of fatigue started to overtake her. It was the so-called “Sage’s Time.”

“…Siegfried, what really happened on the island? Tell me something. Because of you, I haven’t been able to sleep with the constant calls from the media.”

The Sword Master glanced at her sideways, set the cup down, and spoke seriously.

“I needed time to organize my thoughts. What happened on the island took time even for me to understand.”

“What the hell happened there…?”

Before she knew it, the second hand of the clock marked five minutes to noon. The meeting time with Kang Geom-Ma was approaching. Siegfried touched the sleeve of his now-empty right arm and spoke slowly.

“On Avalon Island, the Fifth Corps Commander, Agor, appeared.”

“What?”

The Sword Master’s serious and direct tone left no room for doubt. Media’s eyes trembled for a moment, then darted around.

“No, that’s ridiculous.”

The Sword Master shook his head, dismissing Media’s denial of reality. Her pale lips quivered.

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth. He was the one who took my arm.”

“…Is Kang Geom-Ma’s condition also his fault?”

The Sword Master nodded. Overwhelmed, Media sank into the sofa, feeling a wave of exhaustion.

“Then, what happened to Agor?”

“He was defeated. It hasn’t been made public yet, but I confirmed it myself.”

“Did you defeat him alone?”

“Hahaha, do you really think that would be possible?”

Then, the Sword Master’s somber expression lifted, and he let out a laugh.

Media, watching him, felt the back of her neck stiffen.

“Siegfried, you’ve finally lost your mind.”

Agor was a commander skilled in mental magic. The aftereffects could have caused Siegfried to lose his sanity. As his laughter grew deeper, the possibility turned into certainty.

“Siegfried?”

When Media’s eyebrows relaxed slightly, the Sword Master smiled.

“…”

Silence took over the room for a moment. Time passed slowly in the academy director’s office.

However, Media felt a chill run down her back.

In the Sword Master’s silence, fragments of a hidden intention began to become clear.

“N-No, it can’t be… Agor’s subjugation⎯?”

Knock, knock.

A cheerful knocking sound filled the academy director’s office. Media alternated her gaze between Siegfried’s face and the door. Beads of sweat that had gathered at the tip of her beautiful jaw dripped down.

Suddenly.

Someone entered the academy director’s office, guided by a staff member.

“That’s right.”

Siegfried finally responded with an indifferent smile.