Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Saingeom Sword Exhibition and Auction
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The Youth Exploration Club's purpose is exactly what it says on the tin: exploration.
They aim to visit and experience cultural heritage sites around the world, cultivating a grand heroic spirit.
That's not my opinion—it's straight from the intro on the club homepage.
But among the people gathered here, only a tiny fraction actually hold that intention.
Everyone's more interested in the rice bowl than the ritual, and that's true even for the club president, Kim Hak-hyeon.
"Formally, we have to tour Gyeongbokgung Palace. We'll breeze through it super quick. After that, it's free time. Ahem, I'm planning to keep things smooth today, but starting with the next outing, I'll prepare some fun little events, so look forward to it. Heh heh."
As someone filling the classic hype-man role that's mandatory in every academy story, he's obsessed with those "little events."
He forces contrived encounters between guys and girls.
No wonder the club's called "Youth."
Anyway, after brief introductions, the club passed through the portal and headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Just as Kim Hak-hyeon said, the tour wrapped up at lightning speed, and free time began.
"Alright, let's go!"
The Class A members followed Cheon Seo-yoon's lead toward the Sejong Cultural Center.
"Wow, so many people."
"Today's the auction day, so it's extra crowded."
As Baek Sa-young and Lee Dae-ho said, crowds were pouring in, turning the entrance into total chaos.
It was easy to see why the demons would target this place for terrorism.
We headed straight to the exhibition hall to see the Saingeom Sword first.
Walking along the viewing path, we soon came face-to-face with it.
In the center of the hall stood a tall pedestal.
Atop it, a single sword was thrust in like a king on its throne, catching everyone's eye.
The Republic of Korea's pride: a special-grade armament.
In-hae, In-dal, In-nal, In-si.
Forged at the exact moment when the character for tiger (寅) from the twelve earthly branches overlapped four times, hence its name: Saingeom.
The Four Yin Sword.
Few had survived since ancient times, but around ten had been preserved and elevated to armaments, one of which was on display here.
"Whoa, that's the Saingeom."
"No hands-on experience or anything?"
"Are you nuts?"
"Let's get closer first."
The group got excited and rushed over in a herd.
Me? I stayed back a step, watching from afar.
No need to get any closer.
My eyesight was sharp, and I was already feeling more emotion than the limit allowed, so I didn't see the point.
"That's a real special-grade armament."
Honestly, it was unexpected.
I'd come without much expectation.
Even with restrictions, I could manifest hero-grade armaments above it, and my mind was all on the bombing incident.
But maybe because browsing it boosted my overall understanding of armaments?
Seeing the special-grade one in person stirred deep emotions.
Its majestic aura, flawless perfection down to the tiniest detail, and sheer wonder that made its existence feel like a natural phenomenon.
"What the hell have I been swinging around until now...?"
Even fakes—I'd taken pride in the armaments I'd manifested so far...
It felt like getting smashed in the head with a giant hammer.
Just as I decided to seriously rethink armament manifestation once this incident wrapped up—
Click-clack, click-clack.
A security guard in a black suit approached with the sharp sound of high heels.
Huh?
I recognized her right away.
Familiar face, and that vivid crimson hair—unless natural, no dye could produce that shade.
"Cheon Seo-yoon! And you folks must be from Taehak Academy?"
The red-haired woman greeted her casually, and Cheon Seo-yoon's eyes went wide as she jumped and shouted.
"S-Sister Yi-hyun!"
"Been well?"
"Wow~ This is huge. What brings you here?"
It was her.
Vice Captain of the 8th Squad of the Extermination Corps, So Yi-hyun.
The one who'd slipped me her business card under the guise of a handshake...
But why was So Yi-hyun guarding the Saingeom?
The 8th Squad's ops area was southern Gangwon Province.
Shouldn't she be rolling around fighting demonic beasts in her Extermination Corps windbreaker, not a suit?
The question cleared up soon enough.
"It's a long story, but basically self-reflection duty, so I'm covering it as a special dispatch."
"Ah, special dispatch."
"I'm in charge of overall security. As you can see, not much to do..."
So Yi-hyun looked bored. I was mildly surprised, on the other hand.
Details not covered in the original story. Something I hadn't known.
Anyway, true to her setting as close friends with Cheon Seo-yoon, they exchanged warm greetings and caught up.
Before long, So Yi-hyun's eyes sparkled.
"Friends of yours? Faces from the exam look familiar—mind introducing them?"
"Sure thing."
At So Yi-hyun's request, Cheon Seo-yoon named us one by one.
"First, this is Ah-rin. Joo Ah-rin, the one I talk about sometimes."
"Nice to meet you."
"Oh, nice to meet you too. Heard a lot about you. Even prettier in person. Got a boyfriend?"
"...Pardon?"
"Hey, don't ask weird stuff."
Joo Ah-rin blinked in surprise, and Cheon Seo-yoon blocked her, shoving Baek Sa-young forward.
"This is Baek Sa-young. You know her, right? She was on the news recently~"
"Yeah, of course."
All bright young stars with promising futures—So Yi-hyun's smile wouldn't fade.
It widened even more introducing Baek Sa-young.
"Way handsomer in person. We met by fate, so let's see each other more."
"Pardon?"
Well, she'd been top of the Extermination Corps recruitment list before, so I got it.
"And this is..."
Cheon Seo-yoon's intros went from Lee Dae-ho to me.
It was a glancing encounter before, but not our first meeting, so I wondered if I should play familiar.
"I know him. Park Ha-yul from the academy. We've met once before. Remember me?"
"Yes, good to see you again."
She brought it up first, so I nodded naturally.
"You've been busy, huh? No contact at all."
"Nothing particularly urgent..."
Wait, no.
Not today?
Terror was imminent here.
Knowing the security chief would be a big help.
I saw it as a nice coincidence and twisted my words slightly.
"...but who knows. Might have reason to reach out soon."
"Hmm, really? Anyway, nice seeing you."
Glancing at her watch, So Yi-hyun looked regretful as she addressed the group.
"Auction's about to start, so I'll be swamped. How about handshakes before I go?"
Handshakes?
Was it what I thought? Our eyes met, and she gave a small nod.
Wow, sales pitch even now.
Impressive in every way.
* * *
After parting with So Yi-hyun, we headed to the auction hall.
"I'm going alone, so why keep following?"
"No big reason. Just wanna watch. Auctions are fun."
"Not because I'm curious what you'll buy. Absolutely not."
Cheon Seo-yoon stubbornly refused, but with Baek Sa-young and Lee Dae-ho tagging along, she gave up.
The auction area was just as packed.
Fewer people than the exhibition, but still enough to queue up.
When our turn came, a staff member assisted with entry.
"ID check, then ticket purchase."
Tickets came in two types: spectator for viewing only, bidder for actual auction rights.
Cheon Seo-yoon got a bidder seat; the rest spectator.
I'd bought a bidder seat separately in advance.
Far in a corner, out of sight no matter where Cheon Seo-yoon sat.
Given the valuables, ID verification was thorough.
"Ah, Taehak Academy student? One moment."
But official recognition helped here.
"All clear. Enjoy."
We got in faster than others.
Perfect for me, with pre-auction prep to do.
The auction hall took up the entire largest exhibition space on the first floor—spacious, with a luxurious vibe.
Three sides excluding the stage displayed various items.
"Check that out. Isn't that an expensive statue?"
In the center stood a famous statue that had Lee Dae-ho gawking, adding gravity.
A nude man in a helmet, one hand holding a sword, the other raising a woman's severed head to the sky.
"Yeah, looks familiar."
"Oh, that one. What was it? I think I saw the real thing in Italy once."
Baek Sa-young and Cheon Seo-yoon puzzled over it to no avail, so Joo Ah-rin, watching quietly, murmured.
"Perseus With The Head Of Medusa."
"Per-what? English?"
"Perseus holding Medusa's head. Looks like the real deal. From the Vatican's collection."
"Oh, Vatican... Where's that? Not Italy?"
"......"
"Whatever. Let's find our seats."
"Spectator seats are totally separate from bidders. Good luck, Cheon Seo-yoon."
The group left the sullen Joo Ah-rin behind and headed to their assigned spots.
I approached the statue instead.
Had business here.
I activated manifestation as soon as I got close.
Quickly engraved a special ritual prepared just for today.
"Where to etch it for best effect."
Somewhere subtle, but that'd anchor firmly once triggered.
That's when a familiar voice came.
"The life of this piece is in Perseus's hand: Medusa's head. The expression on her face."
Joo Ah-rin had snuck up, eyes fixed on the statue as she spoke to me.
"It captures the end of her tragic life with a poignant yet serene smile."
"...Yeah?"
I gave a half-hearted reply, busy.
She seemed a bit excited today. Talkative too, unlike usual.
What gives?
Then it hit me—her trait.
Art enthusiast.
Mouth itching to talk, and I was the only one around to listen.
"Critics say Perseus is just a pedestal to highlight Medusa's head. I agree."
Joo Ah-rin kept going nonstop.
That's when I spotted the perfect spot.
"Yeah. Bursting from the highest point would be super visible."
"Pardon?"
"Nah, just mumbling. Ignore it."
Satisfied, I waved my hand.
The small ritual hovering in the air moved to Medusa's crown, seeped in, and vanished.
Simple, but it'd serve as the signal flare to draw out the demons.
A moment later, the auction will begin. Distinguished guests, please take your assigned seats.
I'd just finished when the announcement played.
"Looks like it's starting. My seat's on the other side. Catch you after."
"Sure."
I parted with Joo Ah-rin and headed to my seat.
Once seated, I scanned the surroundings carefully.
Five security personnel deployed in the hall, and the demons...
Honestly, no clue.
Who was a demon?
About ten, maybe...
Until specific conditions triggered or they released demonic energy, they were indistinguishable from normals by looks alone.
But that was for the ones blending with civilians.
I knew the identities of the two who appeared directly in the original story.
Soon, the lights dimmed completely. A single spotlight hit the stage as a slick-suited man appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome. I'm hosting this special auction commemorating the Saingeom exhibition..."
After a simple greeting and applause, he bowed.
I just smirked.
Not hosting—terror.
One of the guys whose identity I knew had just taken the stage.