Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Grandmaster's Legacy Key
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“It's about the SS-rank demon, the human breeder Pastor Lee...”
“I'll pass.”
“Hey, hear me out first. You see...”
“It's about rescuing the people he captured, right? Yeah, I heard it all. I'm declining.”
You want me to storm into that guy's lair and rescue people?
That place has eleven Archdemon Beasts that aren't even comparable to the subordinate S-rank Bohaku under the Mountain Ghost Lord constellation. Are they insane? Out of their minds? For real!
Even against just the S-rank Leghorn, I was on the brink of death during the fight. And since they know about me now, if I show up, at least two or three will come at me all at once.
“Shouldn't you at least hear the whole story before deciding? Why are you so hot-headed?”
“There are plenty of stories in this world you can't take back once you've heard them.”
People scraping by at the bottom often die or get hurt after learning truths they can't handle.
But this old lady doesn't give up. She stubbornly keeps staring at me and talking without stopping.
“I'll pay you handsomely.”
“I decline. No, why don't you just take that reward and live comfortably? Why go to all this trouble alone? Do you want to keep your position as academy director? It's been ages since those people were taken. That Pastor Lee guy probably turned them into something less than human with drugs and skills by now... Sending them back in that state would just bring suffering to their families.”
A shattered plate never goes back to normal, no matter how much glue you use.
The scars remain forever, tormenting them for life, and the medical costs could burden the remaining family even more.
Even if they're well-off financially, seeing a family member who can never return to normal would only deepen their grief.
“...That's one way to see it. Sigh~”
“Good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes.”
“True, but people naturally want to make up for their own mistakes.”
“The one who messed up was that Pastor Lee who raided that day. What sin did you commit, just assigning exam tasks like normal? Come on now~ Relax those shoulders. Some things you just have to let go. Since we're at it, I'll prep breakfast. Go wash up in the shower. You reek of blood and sweat... You got spare clothes in your inventory, right?”
“Fine.”
At least she's not stubborn to a fault. Maybe I convinced her, because the academy director heads to the shower with a resigned look, like she's gained some enlightenment.
Whether legendary hero or elder, in the end, they're all human. They have their moments of weakness too.
Anyway, I ask Akaron to prepare breakfast for her share as well, then check the news to gauge yesterday's situation.
“Whoa, Shin Gangnam got totally wrecked. No way they can stay put now, like it or not.”
The moment I turn on my phone for news, reports on the Second Shin Gangnam Incident are everywhere.
First off, the S-rank monster Bohaku's forces that headed to Suwon joined in, breaking the rear encirclement. In the end, Girmark, Bohaku, and hordes of A- and B-rank monsters crashed into Shin Gangnam like waves, collapsing the defensive line.
“...So once the line collapsed, Olympus and Blue Dragon finally stepped in aggressively. Shin Gangnam was a total mess before they barely drove the monsters out.”
They did repel them in the end, but Shin Gangnam's landscape was beyond recognition.
Monsters rampaged through the city streets after the line broke, and the firepower used to suppress them caused massive urban destruction.
“Twelve buildings collapsed. Major facilities, bank deposits, and VIP vaults all looted and torched. Well, with an S-rank monster in the mix, it was inevitable...”
When I fought, luckily it was on the outskirts along the highway, so aside from the torn-up ground, there was no real damage. But fighting downtown spreads destruction everywhere.
The monsters were driven out, but the Mountain Ghost Lord's minions succeeded in their goal of plunder.
“Shelters ransacked, around 1,500 people kidnapped. Gotta be 100% for trading with the Slaughter King. Sigh~ And yet Blue Dragon and Olympus are bragging like they did great.”
“That's the reality of this damn world now. Sigh~ Back when it was just Awakeners fighting each other, it wasn't like this. Those damn constellations...”
“The 'latte is...' we've been waiting for! They strut in like that. But the constellations at least deliver on their 'rewards.' Humans slap fancy words on it and screw you over. Like how North Korea's long gone, but their army's still stuck in the old days? Oh, thanks, Akaron.”
I take the breakfast Akaron serves and counter the academy director's old-man rant about constellations.
Her generation fought just against Awakeners. Ours has constellations fully embedded in daily life, so it feels different.
“Well, when I first got that 600,000 won monthly outside the protection facilities, I was thrilled like it was free money. But once out, I realized otherwise. Haha! Food was free in the facilities. 600k was a joke, and when I barely became an Academia staff, it was like 1.8 million at first? No wonder people flock to constellations. They deliver solid rewards.”
“Even if it destroys the world?”
“Even if humans die on the other side of the planet, that extra 10,000-won bill in my hand matters more. That's humanity, Director. We live what, 100 years tops?~ Worrying about it is weirder. This planet's been the 1% humans' game board long before the constellations' game. Doesn't change a thing.”
The old lady looks pretty shocked by my words.
Her face screams she's about to preach, but realizing it's pointless with me, she gives up quick, stuffs toast in her mouth, and sighs.
“Sigh~ Your tastes in constellations are unique, kid. How'd you end up with such a gloomy one?”
“I don't serve any constellation. And gloomy or not, what does it matter? People like me exist. Jeez~”
“You don't serve a constellation? Then how'd you get so strong?”
Whoa, you scared me. How the hell should I know?
One day I awakened, and suddenly I could pick these cheat skills. What do you want from me? It just happened!
“Dunno. Well, one thing I do know: whoever the god or whatever gave me this crap made a huge mistake.”
“...Sigh~ So what do you plan to do with that power now? Seeing how you took out demons and caused the Shin Gangnam mess, are you thinking of hiding your identity and being some dark avenger of justice?”
“Nope. Not at all. It was just bad luck dragging me in, and idiots keep doing stupid shit, so I had no choice but to draw my sword.”
She stares at me in disbelief.
Well, yeah, I caused a big scene, but I'm innocent.
For real~ I tried avoiding fights as much as possible, but they crossed the line first~
“Believe me or not, whatever. My goal is to level up as much as I can, then hole up quietly and live out my days, world ends or not.”
“That's your goal?”
“Yep. If I had a constellation, I'd swear on it. Seriously.”
“...Words fail me.”
Why? It's a modest, fitting dream.
She looks like she wants to lecture again but holds back. She closes her eyes briefly, sighs, and speaks.
“Fair enough. Better than running around 'for the world' and getting nothing for it.”
“Right? Can't force it.”
“But are you really okay with that? Never wondered why that power came to you? Think it means nothing?”
“Yep. Obviously. If everything had meaning, would Scavengers doing evil get 'chosen' too? Ah, good meal.”
Meaning, fate, justice, gods—all that bullshit can go fuck itself.
If any of it were real, the world wouldn't be this fucked.
Tired of dealing with her, I finish eating, send Akaron back to the sanctuary, and prep to leave the house.
“Anyway, even if there is some grand whatever, I'm not the guy for it. Find someone else. Young, bright, full of hope. Oh, and I'm leaving Seoul now. Yoo Seongwon already pissed off Chairman Bae from Shin Gangnam, so time to bail.”
“...One last request, then? Hear this out.”
“Sigh~ Talk while I pack.”
“Hold onto the Grandmaster's legacy for me. Someone as strong as you, who prioritizes their own safety, would keep it perfectly secure.”
...What did this lady just say? Hold what now?
The Grandmaster's legacy? The pseudo-legacy of the once-strongest Awakener in humanity?
I stare at her in shock, and she shrugs, continuing her explanation.
“That's right. The legacy. I'm not getting any younger, and I can't find anyone to pass it to. But then I spot the perfect guy to hold it.”
“...Just holding it, right?”
“More precisely, it's like the key to the box containing the legacy. You keep it and pass it to someone worthy later. That's the request.”
“No, now there's more to it. And what if I hand it to some random person?”
The Grandmaster's legacy? Holy shit, you want me to hold something even global Awakeners beyond Korea are after?
And knowing what a scumbag I am, she still wants to entrust it? Is she nuts?
“Who knows. Life needs a goal or two, or it's boring, right? I'll pay generously.”
“I'm not hurting for cash, so that kind of hassle...”
“Like your level-up headaches? Covering up clashes with the Association or guilds, manipulations, foreign routes for item sales and buys. Simply put, I'll serve you.”
Pfft!
Has this old bat lost her mind completely? Who serves who?
So she's offering to be my assistant(?) on top of handing over the Grandmaster's legacy.
But it's too good to flat-out refuse—a cheat key level of practical benefit.
“Wait. How'd you know about my level-up issues?”
“I asked Baekya Guild while investigating you. They knew your identity, so it went smooth. Even know you're level 45.”
“...Sigh~ Knew it.”
“Anyway, what do you say? Not a bad deal. Get support from an S-rank Hunter who's a beauty, super-talented, and experienced. Hohoho.”
“Saying that yourself? Shameless old hag. But no choice. Fine. I accept.”
Holding some relic I don't care about in exchange for full cooperation from a living legend S-rank Hunter? That's a steal.
The merits were too huge to find a reason to refuse.
And so, with a new ally secured, I shake her hand and start discussing plans for leaving Seoul.