Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Shh. Infiltrating
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Shh. Infiltrating.
The Hero Academy first-year representative student, Jin Seo-ah.
She sat in her seat, peering into her scabbard.
"...Haah!"
Just in case, she tried using her Ability once more.
Would it react like before? Would the scabbard's defensive capabilities strengthen?
Maybe that's why it had suddenly flown toward that innocent person.
With those thoughts, she increased the intensity of her Ability.
But the scabbard remained silent. Nothing happened.
No matter how much Ability Jin Seo-ah poured into it, it stayed perfectly still.
She tried several more times afterward but eventually gave up.
"What in the world is going on...?"
The scabbard wasn't reacting to her Ability at all.
There wasn't even the slightest tremor.
So why, then? Why had it flown toward that man that day?
It had never done that before, but of all times, then.
Maybe something was wrong with the scabbard?
A warning sent before some catastrophic failure?
'Yeah. I should ask Grandpa about this.'
Decision made, Jin Seo-ah grabbed her scabbard and headed straight for the family estate.
To meet the acknowledged master of the sword, renowned at home and abroad.
Soon after arriving at the estate, the servants came out to greet her.
"Welcome back, miss."
"I'm home. Is Grandpa here?"
"He went out briefly earlier but is now holding his sword."
"Thank you!"
Jin Seo-ah hurried straight to the training grounds within the family compound.
It was called a training ground, but to others, it was practically the size of a plaza.
This was where all the swordsmen of the Jin family swung their blades.
They tested their limits here and sought to become one with their swords.
No matter what Ability they possessed, the people of the Jin family wielded swords.
Some called them stubborn or mad for it.
Why cling to edged weapons when they had superior Abilities?
But the Jin family paid no heed to such words.
"Those who don't know romance cannot dream."
Those were the words of the unparalleled hero of Korea, the Sword Saint.
The head of the Jin family taught as much.
And the Jin family fervently followed their patriarch's teachings.
Jin Seo-ah, too, was a member of the family, chasing romance through the sword.
Wooooo!!
As she entered the training grounds, the howl of wind filled the air.
The swordsman's figure was visible in the distance, but his power reached even here.
He swung with a single stroke infused with unbreakable will.
Light from the blade scattered wildly, radiating momentum in all directions.
Before him, no villain, no monster—no foe could resist.
The saga of the man who reached the pinnacle with a single sword was still being written.
Jin Seo-ah waited patiently. She couldn't interrupt now.
Once the sword aura fully dissipated, the sword's master spoke first.
"Seo-ah, my dear!!"
He burst into hearty laughter—a kindly-looking old man.
Yet his true nature was that of a powerhouse even active S-Rank Heroes feared.
The Sword Saint, Jin Gwang-ho, retired from the front lines but still a hero.
"Oh dear. You've become such a lady now; I can't just scoop you up in my arms anymore!"
"It's fine. What's wrong with being hugged by Grandpa?"
But for now, he was simply a doting grandfather enchanted by his granddaughter.
"Oh, and thank you so much for handling that request right away last time."
"No need. The Jin family owes him a debt; that much was only right. I even wanted to give him a reward on top, but it might burden him, and weirdos might swarm if word got out."
"You did the right thing."
The weight of the Jin family name in Korea rivaled that of a top conglomerate.
Accepting money from them would surely draw hyenas.
Even though they could have offered far more.
That's why they stopped at formal employment at the Hero Academy.
"Um, Grandpa. Actually, I have a question about that matter."
"Oh? Let's see what my granddaughter is curious about."
"This."
What Jin Seo-ah held out was her scabbard.
The Sword Saint gazed at it for a moment before speaking.
"Isn't this the scabbard your grandpa's friend made?"
"I told you it reacted to my Ability and malfunctioned."
"You did."
"But today, I suddenly thought to try it again, and the scabbard didn't react at all. No movement like that time. Grandpa."
Hmm. The Sword Saint stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Then he slapped his knee with a snap! and mentioned a possibility.
"Maybe, Seo-ah, that man possesses an extraordinarily strong Sword Destiny?"
"Pardon? Sword Destiny? Well... y-yeah, that could be? But he's just an ordinary person without an Ability."
"Abilities are impressive, but they can't reveal everything about a person's brilliance."
"Ah."
Sword Destiny. The Jin family made it sound grandiose.
But simply put, it meant innate talent for wielding swords.
The Jin family had many disciples, some without Abilities.
The reason they took them in despite clear limits: they possessed Sword Destiny. That was it.
A decision only the sword-obsessed Jin family could make.
"And for your scabbard to react—no less than yours—it might be an extraordinary destiny. Even this old man is a bit excited now."
"Should we invite him to the family, then?"
"Whoa now. Not yet. Word might spread, putting him in a tough spot."
"Ah... sorry. I didn't think that far."
A lady of a great house, but at heart, just a girl who loved swords.
She had much to learn, but she was progressing well as a swordswoman.
"Now, enough of that. You look like you just arrived—go wash up. Dinner's soon."
Got it. Clutching her precious sword, Jin Seo-ah headed inside.
"... ."
The Sword Saint watched her retreating figure with a pleased smile.
But the moment his granddaughter vanished, his smile dropped instantly.
"Hmm."
It wasn't her Ability that made the scabbard react.
So why had the thing meant to protect its sword's master acted that way?
He'd spun tales of Sword Destiny for her, but no way.
It was an excuse. A diversion to shift her attention elsewhere.
A scabbard couldn't react to talent. Not possible.
'No way it'd react carelessly if made by that guy. So then.'
The highest possibility: a secret agent planted by the Union.
They were all sly, embedding eyes and ears everywhere.
The Jin family had dealt with such before; Hero Academy was par for the course.
Anyone might mistake them for a villain gathering over heroes.
They wouldn't plant an ordinary person, explaining the scabbard's reaction.
'Unless...'
The Sword Saint considered another possibility.
Unlikely. Low odds. But what if?
"...A Clan lackey, perhaps."
Should he investigate? But that might overreach.
If wrong, he couldn't avoid accusations of baseless suspicion.
He'd have to mull it over more, the Sword Saint thought.
Today, too, Yushin finished his work at the Academy and clocked out.
Somehow, he'd gone from day laborer janitor to full-time staff.
He'd even gained access to the Academy's treatment room.
Who was happiest about these facts? The Clan boss, naturally.
"Ahahaha! Come in! Another drink today?"
The Black Woman laughed as if she couldn't be happier.
Infiltrators were invariably weak and useless.
Those with real power were too prickly for undercover work.
Yet the Smiling Man had pulled it off.
He'd even earned trust, becoming official staff.
Taking him to the treatment room meant zero suspicion.
A villain rivaling the Seven Evils hiding in the Academy.
She chuckled even in her sleep imagining the heroes' reactions.
"No secretary today, I see."
The Smiling Man glanced around and said as much.
Looking for someone else before her, even with her right there.
The Black Woman felt a faint spark of irritation.
This was—just—displeasure as boss.
"I sent her away. Better if only you and I know about this."
"I see. You're truly thorough, Boss."
Praise? Had to be. Yes, praise.
The Smiling Man sat, and the Black Woman asked.
"What now?"
Blow up the treatment room? Assassinate a hero?
Or tempt a promising student to villainy?
She anticipated such words.
"Gotta work hard at my job, right?"
The Smiling Man lifted his glass as if it were obvious.
"Work...?"
Didn't he volunteer for infiltration with some scheme in mind?
She was about to pry, and he says he'll diligently clock in?
'...Ah. He won't even reveal that much carelessly.'
What a thorough man. Keeping secrets even from her.
Good mindset. Yes, that's infiltration.
The Black Woman curved a satisfied smile once more.