Chapter 103
Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Swift
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Swift.
It summoned the steps of the god once more.
Becoming light, it folded space.
The aura glowing blue tore apart the 'Sword Barrier' that Baek Siwoo had hastily deployed in astonishment.
Because it had infused an amount of mana incomparable to anything before.
Like slicing through a sheet of paper, the translucent barrier ripped open.
'Rune Dea' touched Baek Siwoo's neck.
Spurt-!
A small droplet of blood sprayed out.
Even though it stopped in time, the energy contained within left a wound on the body of an SSS-grade hero.
And that was the end.
Seowoojin retrieved all the belts from Baek Siwoo, who stood there dazed.
Ten in total.
Only a little over two hours had passed.
"I will end the training."
Ludein, who had been watching the training from the sidelines, stepped forward and announced that it was over.
The team members, who had been continuing their own battles, saw the ten belts in Seowoojin's hand and erupted in cheers.
It was an overwhelming victory.
"Haa."
After finishing training and returning to the dorm, Seowoojin sat on the edge of his bed and let out a sigh.
"Demonic Energy, of all things."
Since he didn't know about it himself, it didn't seem like he was tangled up with Demon King followers or the like.
That meant there had to be some other reason, but honestly, he had no idea.
Seowoojin was a Demon King only in job title—he knew jack squat about anything else.
"War's one thing, but... this is worrying."
What if someone in the Empire noticed that Baek Siwoo had Demonic Energy?
They freaked out over anything Demon King, Demonic Energy, demonkin-related.
No matter that he was an SSS-grade hero, they would definitely try to deal with Baek Siwoo.
Honestly speaking, whether Baek Siwoo got caught and died alone didn't matter to him one bit.
But the problem was the fact itself that a hero had Demonic Energy.
What if the Empire used that as an excuse to investigate all the heroes?
Seowoojin, who had absorbed Demonic Energy along with mana from the ruins, would 100% get caught in that investigation.
So he couldn't help but worry.
He had no assurance that the fallout wouldn't splash onto him.
"I've got to do something."
For that, he needed help.
Someone who knew a lot about Demonic Energy.
Someone who wouldn't suspect him.
There was only one person who met both conditions.
"Grand Duke Briana."
In his fight with Gerald, she had glimpsed one aspect of what Seowoojin had been hiding.
Yet she hadn't pressed him on it—instead, she'd even helped cover it up.
As the Empire's guardian, she undoubtedly knew far more about Demonic Energy than most.
"No one else fits the bill like her."
Martes crossed his mind briefly, but he dismissed her right away.
She was unusually friendly toward him, sure, but he couldn't trust her as much as Briana.
"...Guess I need to head to Mernotain."
He'd only just gotten back, but it looked like he'd have to go out again.
With his own safety on the line, he couldn't just sit back and watch.
"I'll take tomorrow off and leave the day after."
Sorry, Ailin, but this time he really had to go alone.
As Seowoojin roughly sorted out his thoughts and went to lie down on the bed—
Knock knock.
A knock came at the door.
"Who is it?"
Was someone coming to visit? He thought about it, but no one came to mind.
The door opened cautiously, and a head poked in.
Shaggy hair.
"Hello."
It was Kim Woo-ram.
He shuffled awkwardly in front of the door.
"Don't just stand there—come in."
Seowoojin got up from the bed and moved to the sofa.
Seeing him look like a puppy desperate to poop, he could guess the reason for the visit.
"What? Got something to say?"
When Seowoojin sat quietly and asked, Kim Woo-ram scratched his head.
"Uh......"
Kim Woo-ram hesitated, unable to get the words out easily.
But Seowoojin didn't rush him.
He simply met his eyes and waited.
...Though his eyes weren't visible.
After a long while like that.
Finally, as if resolved, Kim Woo-ram's mouth opened.
"How can I get as strong as you?"
As he spoke, he recalled Seowoojin's battle from earlier.
Something flashed brilliantly, aura blazed, lightning bolts rained down too many to count.
It was like the protagonist from the anime he admired, unfolding right before his eyes.
He could hardly believe they were both heroes.
He was just an extra.
Kim Woo-ram sank into self-loathing, even thinking that far.
Seowoojin looked at him and asked,
"You want to get stronger?"
"Yes!"
The answer came without a second's hesitation.
"It'll be insanely tough."
"I don't care."
"I've really crossed death's door multiple times. You wouldn't know, but just recently I barely survived."
"I can handle that much."
If he could just attain Seowoojin's strength, he was confident he could overcome any hardship or adversity.
"You sure?"
Seowoojin asked once more.
"Of course."
"Alright."
Seowoojin stood from the sofa.
He grabbed the coat Briana had given him, put it on, and headed outside.
"Follow me."
If he was that determined, it wouldn't hurt to give him a shot.
After all, Seowoojin himself had received countless opportunities and helps.
He thought of Ban Slane.
'A hero gets stronger the more you roll them.'
He strongly agreed.
In that sense, he decided to roll Kim Woo-ram.
fiddling with the 'Summon Stone' inside his coat, Seowoojin headed to the indoor training hall with Kim Woo-ram.
* * *
"Gerald is dead."
Silence fell at the lion's voice.
"Oh no, how'd that happen?"
The woman sitting in front of him widened her eyes and asked.
But no emotion showed in her gaze.
No surprise, regret, anger, or sorrow.
Even at the death of a comrade she'd spent long years with, the only feeling in her eyes was emptiness.
It didn't match her lively voice.
"Crusiel must have been tracking his movements. In the end, he met his end by the Sword Sage's blade."
The gloomy voice sank even lower.
"Hmm, that's weird. Gerald's not the type to lose to some old geezer."
"Before encountering the Sword Sage, he seems to have already sustained severe injuries. Probably from the battle with Taegong."
"That doesn't add up either. That tomboy inflicting serious wounds on Gerald by herself?"
She scoffed.
"We don't know yet if there were other helpers. That's what we need to investigate from now on."
"Handle it yourself. Oh, call me if you need my help."
She waved him off, as if it wasn't worth her interest.
But the lion had no intention of leaving.
"The plan's gone awry. This is the second time. If this continues, it'll cause major setbacks to the grand scheme."
His gray, dead eyes scanned the woman.
"It would be best to receive that help now."
"Haa-"
The woman sighed.
Then, twisting her delicate features, she said,
"Can't you see I'm eating? Save the heavy talk for later?"
She licked the red liquid staining her lips and glared at the lion.
"Reina, this isn't a request."
When he called her name, she had no choice but to stop eating.
"You're so annoying. What is it? What 'help' that's not a request?"
"Go to the Empire."
"The Empire? Why there?"
Reina tilted her head.
Why send her to that dangerous place?
"There's someone you need to bring back. He might be connected to Gerald's death."
"If it's something like that, one of the others could..."
"It requires the power of the invisible Dark Spirit."
Dark Spirit.
Reina's title and ability.
With even that name invoked, she couldn't refuse.
"...Who?"
"Seowoojin. One of the hundred blades aimed at His heart."
"A hero?"
"Bring him. We need to hear what happened to Gerald."
Reina thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, I'll do it. But!"
She raised a finger and smiled.
"Can I just suck a little blood? I've always been curious about the taste of hero blood."
Licking the red liquid from her finger, she looked decadent.
"Do as you wish."
The lion permitted it.
"Great. I'll head to the Empire as fast as I can."
Reina resumed her meal.
In her hand was the corpse of a girl not even ten years old.
* * *
"Control your breathing! Don't stop moving your feet! Where are you looking!"
"Kuaaaah!"
Letting out a scream-like shout, Kim Woo-ram's spear pierced the air.
Puk-
But compared to the momentum, the wound was shallow.
Groooar-!
The Demonic Beast with the wound on its belly, Arkavi, swung its fist amid its foul breath.
Clang-!
Fortunately, he'd raised his spear in time to block.
But he couldn't fully absorb the impact.
"Uwaaaah!"
He flew back and crashed into the wall.
Thud thud thud thud-!
Arkavi, in the form of a bull, charged at Kim Woo-ram.
Still dazed, he looked to be in real danger.
But Seowoojin didn't intervene.
'If he can't handle this much, he should quit being a hero.'
Kim Woo-ram and Arkavi were equals.
Meaning, if he fought properly, he could win handily.
'What a mess.'
Seowoojin chuckled dryly at Kim Woo-ram rolling across the floor to dodge attacks.
But he was pleased.
Even in that situation, the kid didn't give up the fight—he could sense the grit in how he gripped his spear.
"Plant your feet firm and thrust!"
At Seowoojin's words, Kim Woo-ram stomped his stance.
Thud-
His lower body stabilized.
At the same time, the spear shot out.
The power starting from his solidly planted legs reached the spear tip, piercing the incredibly tough hide of Arkavi.
A textbook thrust with no waste.
Grrrrraaah-
The Demonic Beast, heart pierced, let out an agonized cry and collapsed.
Flash-!
At the same time, light burst from Kim Woo-ram's body.
Level up.
He had finally reached level 30.
His breathing, which had seemed on the brink of death moments ago, calmed, and all the wounds gushing blood healed.
As the light faded and Kim Woo-ram appeared, he quietly alternated looks between his spear and Arkavi's corpse.
Overwhelming emotion filled his face, impossible to hide.
"Getting it now?"
At Seowoojin's question, Kim Woo-ram nodded.
He had never fought a battle like this before.
He'd only ever killed monsters brought by knights to level up, and during subjugations, he was the first to lag behind.
This was the first time he'd stood and fought without running.
'Must feel rewarding.'
Seowoojin knew the feeling.
The first time he'd beaten a Snowl in the North.
The euphoria from then was unforgettable even now.
Kim Woo-ram surely felt the same.
"Ha, haha."
Finally, laughter spilled from the kid's mouth.
A laugh mixed with joy and regret.
"Thank you."
He bowed deeply toward Seowoojin.
"The real work starts now. If you get satisfied with something like this, that's where you stop."
"Yes, got it."
Kim Woo-ram's attitude grew a bit more respectful.
Not out of fear, but from the heart.
"Wipe off some blood."
Seowoojin tossed him the towel he'd brought.
Covered head to toe, he'd need at least a wipe-down to head back.
"Yes."
Kim Woo-ram took the towel and cleaned the blood from his body.
Then, to wipe his face, he brushed up his shaggy hair.
'......What.'
Seowoojin blinked.
Kim Woo-ram's face was dazzling.
"Why are you so handsome?"