Again, Friendship and Filial Piety
It had been a grueling day. Returning to the dorm, U Hyo-chung ran his Afro comb through his hair and thought as much.
Argo, which boasted ironclad security, had been breached. The perpetrator had fooled the entrance exam proctors and enrolled as a student, so by now the directors and faculty must be scrambling to plug the holes in the security system.
Man, I miss my active-duty days.
Muttering with a wry smile beside him was U Jeong-guk, brushing his hair in the exact same posture—an even more massive figure than U Hyo-chung.
"Why bring up the old days all of a sudden?"
Just hit me that dealing with Shangju is way trickier than pitting wits against that Xavier guy.
"Doesn't it give you a sense of defeat, saying that as an Ancestor Spirit?"
True enough. But hey, being able to stick by my grandkid and lend a hand—ain't that something? This old man's grateful for folks who know to show some appreciation.
U Hyo-chung scratched the back of his head sheepishly at U Jeong-guk's pleased grin.
U Hyo-chung's goal was to become a capable spirit-force crime investigator. He hadn't always wanted to be a cop. Originally, he had talent in a completely different field from being a Shangju, and he took pride in that gift.
But after getting caught in a terrorist attack in Mexico City with his grandfather, U Hyo-chung changed course.
U Jeong-guk had given his life to save him, and from that day on, U Hyo-chung hadn't forgotten his hatred for the culprits—not even for a single day.
"...This mess, those bastards are behind it, right?"
U Jeong-guk's face hardened at U Hyo-chung's words.
The technique for artificially creating erosion spaces. Both knew the culprits behind this were likely the same organization that had pulled off the terror attack in Mexico four years ago.
The other students were whispering about it too. No way U Hyo-chung—who had lost family in that incident—wouldn't notice.
Hyo-chung. I've told you a hundred times, you don't need to think about revenge.
"......"
U Hyo-chung knew. His grandfather wanted him to live safely.
But he had no intention of backing down from the path he'd firmly chosen.
...That damn stubbornness of yours—whose blood is that from, anyway?
Realizing he'd failed to persuade him again, U Jeong-guk sighed.
A lead to his mortal enemies had appeared right before his eyes. He could easily guess how much that would rile U Hyo-chung up.
If he let this topic drag on, it would only stoke his grandson's urge to charge into danger. So, he decided to switch subjects.
Not to the terrorists who took his life, but to the lifelong rival he'd chased in his living days.
He'd told the story so often to his own grandson—whom he'd barely seen growing up due to work—that his son and daughter-in-law branded him a workaholic. But U Hyo-chung himself had always listened with sparkling eyes, enraptured by the tales of that romantic phantom thief.
Come to think of it, this old man spotted something fun today.
The word "spotted" made U Hyo-chung whip around, comb still stuck in his hair.
A faint hope flickered in his eyes—maybe his grandfather, a famed detective, had caught a lead on the terrorist Yeom Jin-gwan's movements.
Ever heard of Bartitsu?
"...That weird martial art that started in England?"
U Jeong-guk nodded.
Bartitsu was a martial art created in the 19th century by British businessman Edward William Barton-Wright, blending techniques from various countries. Unfamiliar to Koreans, but it had enough fame that the fictional baritsu Sherlock Holmes used took its name from it.
Basic knowledge for any longtime Sherlockian. But U Hyo-chung couldn't hide his shock at what came next.
Xavier Belmont was a Bartitsu practitioner too. Hell, he even customized it for himself. Us on the front lines called it "Xavier-style Bartitsu."
At those words, a few hallmarks of Bartitsu flashed through U Hyo-chung's mind.
A gentleman's self-defense art combining British boxing, Japanese jujutsu, Swiss wrestling (Schwingen), French savate, and cane fighting (cane de combat), it even incorporated tools like umbrellas or canes to efficiently subdue foes.
And U Hyo-chung knew someone who wielded a cane as a weapon.
That kid Kim Taeyang—his moves against the vengeful spirit looked familiar.
A short phrase, but U Hyo-chung grasped its weight.
His grandfather wasn't one to lie, and his eye was sharp. That meant Kim Taeyang was connected to Xavier Belmont somehow.
Xavier hadn't been seen in years, sparking rumors he was training an apprentice. Dismissed as baseless gossip before, but maybe Kim Taeyang was the successor carrying on the line of his grandfather's old nemesis.
The thought crossed his mind—but
"Taeyang's not that kinda guy."
U Hyo-chung shoved the ominous hunch aside with forced words.
True. This old man could be off-base. But what if...?
Not forcing his view, yet nudging U Hyo-chung's imagination—just one line.
U Jeong-guk wasn't lying. Kim Taeyang's moves in their spar and against the vengeful spirit had perfectly mimicked Xavier-style Bartitsu.
Judging it safer for U Hyo-chung to track Xavier's heir than the terrorists who killed him, U Jeong-guk sowed doubt about his grandson's friend.
Even knowing he shouldn't.
"Grandpa. Enough."
The problem was that his grandson had inherited his father and grandfather's unyielding integrity.
"You told me yourself not to suspect friends carelessly."
U Hyo-chung's eyes stared straight at U Jeong-guk, unwavering.
"Even if I haven't seen him in days, I owe Taeyang big time today. So—"
Without Kim Taeyang, all the first-years might've been wiped out.
Gazing at his clenched fist, U Hyo-chung continued calmly.
"If Taeyang goes astray, I'll beat sense into him myself. But until then, I won't let anyone slander him."
Yeah. That's the way.
Seeing his own and his son's faces in his now-grown grandson, U Jeong-guk could say no more.
He knew better than anyone how impossible it was to break that deep-rooted stubbornness etched in his genes.
Even down to ignoring your grandpa—you take after your old man completely.
"Damn right. Whose blood do you think this is?"
His heart wasn't at ease worrying over his grandson, but a pleased smile graced U Jeong-guk's face.
A man fully grown like U Hyo-chung would choose the right path even in crisis—he was sure of it.
* * *
On the third floor of Yeomyeong Hall, where the chairman's office lay, stood a sturdy old gentleman evoking an ideal free citizen from Greece's cultural heyday, alongside a middle-aged woman in elegant attire.
"You've had it rough. Even while I was away—"
Vice Chairman Kim Eul-nyeo submitted a report on incidents during Alexis Zorbas's absence. The chairman reviewed it all, then broke into a pleased smile.
"Good work. Especially no casualties."
"I'm ashamed. Prioritizing student evacuation let Yeom Jin-gwan and the hidden Bastards slip away..."
"We'll handle that in time. No deaths means the public won't bite too hard."
"But with the senior-junior introductory duel prep underway, any negative press could..."
The chairman chuckled easily, while Kim Eul-nyeo fretted he was too optimistic.
His granddaughter—the top entrant from last year—was set to participate. His only kin's debut to show the world her skills, and he seemed so nonchalant. Or did he have zero doubts about her prowess?
His next words dispelled her worries.
"A freshman and one teacher holding damage to this level? It'll draw eyes to this year's talent instead. Can't waste budget on reporters for nothing."
"If word spreads security isn't airtight, VIPs might cancel."
"Terrorists with brains won't pull stunts where all those strategic weapons gather."
A few words, and the chairman silenced Kim Eul-nyeo with logic.
"Relax. It's just the annual event. We have a far greater mission."
-Snap!
The chairman snapped his fingers. Curtains snapped shut, and the floor smoothly descended.
-Vroooom!
The office itself was an elevator. In under 30 seconds, they arrived at a secret chamber deep in the academy ship.
-Creak...
Beyond the not-too-thick steel door lay Argo's heart—its greatest secret. Tiny salt grains leaking from the cracks and an eerie friction sound hinted at what lurked inside.
"Protecting this treasure of humanity—that's our duty. Argo exists for it."
Tension like a warrior prepping for battle etched the chairman's face.
"Two top priorities. Android project status?"
"Implanting negotiable Ancestor Spirits into prototypes for testing once complete."
"Then just handle the leak on the underground facility's location before completion."
No secret facility existed under Park Myeong-gwan; the leak was deliberate misinformation from the chairman.
But it flushed out the traitor hiding within. He wanted it dealt with now.
"Search the lab."
Kim Eul-nyeo finally nodded at the chairman's icy glare—the first she'd seen since taking office.
"On it immediately."
* * *
Detection feature has completed all discovered challenges.
Searching for new challenges.
[Searching]
[?/3 discovered]
I had a dream.
In it, past memories replayed. Days at the orphanage with soul halves now indistinguishable from my own.
Two kids especially close to Kim Taeyang: a cold-eyed boy and a red-haired girl with a strong, beautiful heart.
I knew their names. Yukjeom and Gumiri.
The boy who killed his human-butcher parents and fled. The girl abandoned in the mountains right after birth.
Unlike me with no memories, they shared tragedies, yet accepted me as a friend.
After that... what happened?
Memory faded to black.
-Swish!
Bright light pierced my closed eyelids. The dream that held me slipped back into the unconscious, locking the door—and my eyes snapped open.
Ugh, so stiff.
Gemma had drawn the curtains. Unlike me with my shirt off, she was already bundled in a shower robe—disguise arts must make it easy.
Oh, you're up?
Her legs trembled as she clutched her waist. Couldn't walk straight—last night's aftereffects—but her face glowed from solid sleep.
"First time, but you nailed it."
Shut it.
"What's the secret?"
Studying from videos is basic, right?
I teased on purpose, but Gemma fired back shamelessly.
"Didn't expect you to flip me over so boldly."
Obviously. I'm a woman who steals what she wants.
Right. Thief bitch.
Gemma shot me a briefly embarrassed glare, then sashayed to the bathroom, hips swaying.
Pouting, but her emotions plain in her gait—so cute I couldn't help laughing.
"Oh, right..."
Brain half-fried last night, no room to think. What if I'd done something irreversible?
I hurriedly checked the piled-up system messages.
Trait 'No Genealogy' nullifies adultery penalty.
No filial impiety mark remains.
Genevieve Belmont's impression of you changes to 'XXXX'.
[Relationship Rank 1 → 4]
[Relationship Bonus: Additional traits and abilities of Genevieve Belmont unlocked for your use.]
"......"
As expected, cheat trait No Genealogy. What a steal.
Felt like unwrapping an unexpected gift.
Scrolling down revealed a string of relationship rank updates.
Yesterday's performance must've impressed—Mun Hee-jeong, Shin Sua, and others had leveled up.
"Teacher Han-nam, Teacher Da-un... Gong In-myeong and Senior Yun-ju too."
Hitting rank 3+ with three people completed a challenge, auto-applying a potential unlock ticket. Contractable Ancestor Spirits increased.
I recalled relics acquirable at Argo and stops along the route.
Pretty sure a few extinct-lineage spirits were available now.
Actually contracting a second one? Tough choice.
Especially knowing the synergy system unlocked after dealing with Yeom Jin-gwan in chapter 2.
"I'll decide later."
While Gemma bathed, I handled the urgent stuff.
My gaze fell on the nightstand holding the ring and sub model snatched from Yeom Jin-gwan last night.
"Joan of Arc's ring..."
Muttering its true name, I cautiously reached out.