I trained at the training ground, then headed off to work.
The next day, I woke up, went to work, and patrolled while worrying about Mines and villains causing trouble. I ate with Kim Seo-hyun, trained, and then headed home.
It was a routine like a hamster wheel.
But this routine wasn’t too bad in its own way.
“Hey, how did the Cheonryu Guild end up here!”
“What do you mean? It’s because you guys reek of disgust.”
I activated my internal skill.
Extreme Ice.
Crackling!
A beam of ice shot out from my ring, freezing the Mine. The frozen Mine slowly turned to ash from the inside, and some of it was absorbed into my body.[Your Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven increases by 1.]
‘It’s growing slowly.’
Feeling the increase in the Energy of Defying Heaven, I sighed internally.
The stronger the Mine, the faster the Energy of Defying Heaven increased.
Weak ones didn’t make a difference, even if I caught 10 of them.
The biggest problem was that the seeds of Mines were drying up.
Being a Mine had enormous advantages, but there were significant drawbacks as well.
In the case of Tak Yoon-il, a technician-type could overpower a swordsman who relied on physical strength.
That wasn’t all.
Even if a limb was severed, attaching the cut part healed it instantly, and even if a limb was lost, it could be restored in a day.
Therefore, associations, guilds, and hunter groups captured Mines as soon as they found them. They were far too dangerous.
In other words, becoming a Mine was like making the world your enemy if discovered. Hence, very few desired to become Mines.
“Is this the end of Mines in this area?”
“Seems like it.”
Kim Seo-hyun sheathed her sword and said.
“I don’t feel any magical energy nearby.”
“Then it’s over.”
I replied calmly.
“Shall we go for lunch?”
“It’s about lunchtime. What should we eat?”
The most significant issue at work, what to have for lunch – I pondered this with Kim Seo-hyun.
We spent some time on the street, then went to a nearby pasta restaurant.
“They say the pasta here is really good.”
“Really? Then shall we go here?”
“Seo-ha, don’t you want something?”
“…Let’s eat pasta.”
I considered suggesting the nearby bone soup or blood sausage soup, but I thought Kim Seo-hyun wouldn’t like it, so I opted for pasta.
‘It’s too bothersome to search for another restaurant now.’
The interior was impressively tidy as we entered. Most of the customers appeared to be female or couples on a date.
We chose a nearby table and sat down.
“Are, are you ready to order?”
“Yes. I’ll have the Vongole pasta, and what about you, Seo-ha?”
“I’ll have the Meatball Tomato Pasta. Oh, and I’m quite hungry, so shall we also order a Gorgonzola Pizza?”
“Sounds good.”
“Yes, I’ve taken your order.”
The staff member bowed and headed to the kitchen. Then, I unfolded a piece of paper that the staff member had discreetly handed me.
“I’m not usually like this, but if you don’t have a girlfriend…”
It was a note with that message. The handwriting was round and bubbly, quite adorable.
“…Is this a phone number?”
“Yes, the handwriting is cute and bubbly.”
Kim Seo-hyun murmured softly as I chuckled.
“As expected, when a man is too attractive, he tends to attract a lot of female attention.”
Her tone was so icy that I could only laugh awkwardly.
“Here are your ordered Vongole Pasta, Meatball Tomato Pasta, and Gorgonzola Pizza.”
The waiter announced as he placed the pizza in the center, served me the Meatball Pasta, and set down a Blue Lemonade.
“I didn’t order this.”
“Th-this is on the house, a service from us.”
The staff member explained and quickly disappeared with a laugh.
“Do you like it?”
“Sure. It’s quite nice to receive a gesture of kindness.”
I tasted the Blue Lemonade. It was delicious.
“Then why not pursue a date…”
“There’s no time for romance. The dream I’m pursuing is vast.”
“A dream…?”
To defeat enemies with minimal loss of life and to witness a happy ending in this world.
But I wondered if that was truly achievable.
The enemies would get stronger. I would become stronger, too, and so would the people around me, but there would come a day when our strength would wane.
When that time came…
“Well, that’s why I don’t have time for romance.”
“Nice dream.”
Kim Seo-hyun nodded her head.
“Then I’ll help you with your dream, Seo-ha.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Without Kim Seo-hyun, my dream wouldn’t be possible.
After that, we trained moderately and then parted ways. Kim Seo-hyun went to her home. I went to the Red Tower.
‘Is it over already?’
I would be interning until the day after tomorrow, then I had a day off for the holidays, so I would have three days off before returning to school.
Muttering about my fate, I headed to the Red Tower.
“You’re a guest. The Lord of the Red Tower will be here shortly.”
“Yes.”
After a short wait, I was called. I was guided to the upper floors of the Red Tower.
Entering the reception room, the Lord of the Red Tower was waiting for me.
“Welcome.”
I exchanged light greetings.
Casually deflecting the Red Tower Lord’s attempts to introduce me to Hong Yu-hwa, we got to the main topic.
“The item I was going to give you, here it is.”
The Red Tower Lord took out an item and placed it on the table. It was a white sheath that seemed perfect for the Black Heaven.
At first glance, it looked quite impressive.
I appraised it with my Talent, Reading(-).
[White Rouge (B+)]
An artifact tailored for Lee Seo-ha. Crafted by combining the powers of a skilled artisan and a magician.
Contains advanced technologies.
: The longer the sword stays in the sheath, the more damage it deals upon drawing. (Up to 300%)
: Upon drawing, increases the speed of the sword with all kinetic energy.
“It turned out quite well.”
Holding White Rouge, I fell into deep thought.
Various powers existed in this world.
From martial arts and magic to divine power, Yin-Yang techniques, immortality arts, and alchemy, all sorts of powers existed here.
Then there were the supernatural abilities known as special powers.
The Energy of Defying Heaven negated all of these.
However, there was one power it did not negate: the power known as the ‘Mystery.’
It interfered with the system and could be said to be the law of the world itself.
‘What an absurd thought.’
It negated everything but not the world itself. Hence, transcendent beings found the Energy of Defying Heaven fascinating.
I was happy about it.
Due to its nature, the Energy of Defying Heaven provided me with other powers.
Click.
I inserted the Black Heaven into the White Rouge.
-Oh, this is pretty nice!
Black Heaven seemed as delighted as a child.
I should have obtained this sooner.
-This place is quite cozy. It’s my first time in such a place; not bad at all.
‘…How does it compare to the previous sheath?’
-The previous sheath? Ah, you mean the sheath of the previous owner.
Black Heaven replied and then seemed lost in thought.
But with a confused expression.
-…I don’t remember. It seems the previous owner restricted my memories.
‘Really?’
Responding to Black Heaven, I looked at it with suspicion.
It was true that she helped me, but apart from that, Black Heaven seemed more like a sword spirit than…
I calmed my mind with True Heart and thanked the Lord of the Red Tower.
“I appreciate it more than I expected. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. My life is not that cheap. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”
With that, the Lord of the Red Tower handed me a piece of paper that felt like a business card.
“It seems the Korea Hero School is reopening soon.”
“…”
“You look as if the world is ending just because school is reopening. Ah, anyway, please take good care of my granddaughter.”
“…Yes.”
I nodded with a sad expression.
The penthouse inside the school was dust-free despite being vacant for a while.
The robot vacuum and magic inside the room prevented dust, and any that did form was cleaned up.
I stood in front of the mirror.
A man in black slacks and a white shirt, topped with a black necktie and white blazer, was reflected back.
It looked hot for summer weather, but the uniform is an artifact, always maintaining the right temperature.
Anyway.
Looking at myself in the mirror, one thought crossed my mind.
‘…Damn, I look good.’
My previous life wasn’t unattractive, but compared to now, it was overwhelmingly plain.
If my previous life was handsome among average people, now I surpassed all the handsome men seen on TV.
Height, proportions, face. There was nothing lacking in these three aspects.
I was the epitome of a perfect handsome man.
‘…Maybe it’s time to stop escaping from reality.’
Sigh
A natural sigh escaped me. I stopped escaping from reality.
I was wearing my school uniform.
That meant, today was the first day of school.
“…I want to die.”
With that thought, I left the penthouse to go to school.
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