Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: It's Okay Because I'm a Genius Even on a Time Limit
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The Yosaldae Special Task Force is a special unit without a designation number.
Therefore, they must be busy.
Or at least, that's the common assumption.
So what can you do?
[What is a boring sword?]
I was too ragged and starving to craft a proper reply, so for now, I had no choice but to eat something—anything.
Even Mount Geumgang is best viewed after a meal, right?
I boiled a pack of ramen in one go and slammed the whole pot onto the table.
First, I slurped up some broth.
"Ah."
After letting out a short sigh of satisfaction, I grabbed a steaming clump of noodles and shoved a big mouthful in.
Slurrrp.
I chewed and swallowed it almost whole, then bit into a piece of danmuji. The crisp texture and sharp sweetness filled in the missing 2%.
"This is what life's about."
After inhaling a few more bites like that, I flashed a satisfied smile and checked the time.
About 15 minutes had passed—plenty for some mind games.
I recalled the Yosaldae Special Task Force's signature stiff tone and arrogant vibe.
Thanks to remembering Han Su-hyuk's critique, the reply flowed effortlessly.
[A boring sword is one wielded by a boring guy. Looks like you've finally done some soul-searching.]
Bzzz.
The response came quick.
[Senior. You're busy, but you read it anyway. Thank you so much. You seem to know exactly what's wrong with me...]
It was a long-winded message, but the intent was clear.
He wanted specifics on what made his sword boring—and advice on how to break free and leap to the next level.
"Well, you'd be the frustrated one here."
I smirked wryly and typed out my reply.
[Lack of fun means you're trapped in a mold.]
[It's a chronic issue with goody-two-shoes who chase perfection.]
[You try finding answers in the sword, but this won't work because of X, that won't work because of Y. You end up losing all vitality.]
It was just a vague line I half-remembered from some wuxia novel.
Honestly, it was nothing but me pretending to drop some profound wisdom.
Truth was, boring swords and all that crap weren't the point right now.
Bzzz.
[I see. As expected of you, Senior. I get it in one go!]
But the reaction was good.
Baek Sa-young responded with clear excitement, then hesitantly asked.
[So what should I do now?]
"What to do, huh..."
It was a key moment, so I set my chopsticks down for a bit.
My goal was simple: nudge the original story's plot forward a tad to let Baek Sa-young grow fast.
A Demonic Space that he wouldn't discover until the end of summer break—I'd push him to check it out next weekend.
There lay an armament that would shape him into the true Baek Sa-young.
A guide to lead the protagonist to his destined fate.
After some thought, I typed away.
[The sword is the dance of the unconscious. Stepping outside your fixed radius and gaining diverse experiences will help break the mold plenty.]
[Diverse experiences?]
[There's a Demonic Space scouting mission available right now. Might be good for you to tag along and build some.]
[Me?]
[Why? Scared?]
[No, but...]
Baek Sa-young seemed genuinely hesitant at first, but he soon accepted.
[Thank you. I'll give it my all to complete it, since you trust me with this!]
[Expectations are high.]
I kept it short, let a beat pass, then continued with orders.
[Just in case, round up a teammate and go together. Someone the total opposite of you would be ideal. You'd learn something new. Got anyone in mind?]
I floated the idea casually, hoping he'd bite with Park Ha-yul.
"Decent teammate" was code for me, after all.
I'd resolved to build a proper bond soon, and I was planning to tag along as Park Ha-yul for this Demonic Space trip.
[...Going with you isn't an option, Senior?]
But this guy still hadn't caught on...
[Do I look like I have time to spare?]
[Sorry.]
[Pick from the Taehak students. Same department would be better.]
[Then...]
Then what?
I figured this time I'd get a clear hint pointing to "Park Ha-yul."
The gloomy, shady opposite of Baek Sa-young.
Someone kind to everyone versus someone curt to all.
Anyone would see it was Park Ha-yul...
[There's this bold friend named Cheon Seo-yun.]
...Oh, right. Cheon Seo-yun fits too.
It made sense, but it wasn't the answer I wanted.
[Pick a same-sex teammate if you can.]
[Huh? How'd you know Cheon Seo-yun's a girl...?]
[Does it matter?]
[No, sir. Then...]
Baek Sa-young went quiet for a while, mulling it over again, and finally gave the answer I wanted.
[Come to think of it, there's one more. A sorcery-type who wields a sharp sword...]
[Reliable?]
[I think so... But I'll confirm before moving.]
* * *
Vatican City, the world's smallest country.
Reina rose from bed, tousling her messy bedhead.
"S-Saintess! Are you okay?"
The nun tending to her jumped in alarm and rushed over.
She checked her all over to make sure, then handed her a glass of water. Reina took it without refusing.
Gulp gulp. After a few sips, she finally spoke.
"How long was I out?"
"A full day. You collapsed the moment you arrived, and now you're up."
"I see."
Reina nodded silently, piecing it together.
Right after losing her holy power, she'd overtaxed herself using her trait.
"Shall I call the doctor?"
"No need. A doctor can't help with this."
She shook her head firmly, then closed her eyes and scanned her body.
The holy power she'd expended via her trait was refilling like mana, so that was already back...
But the stolen essence of the sacred flame.
This innate energy, the core of her being, had taken a real hit.
A full tenth of it was gone.
That would take six straight months of prayer to recover.
Still, she felt no resentment.
It was her own doing, and absorbing holy power in the first place was beyond common sense—a near-miracle.
So in the end...
This must be God's will too.
Meeting the seed of the saint, and it bearing the sacred flame's essence.
"I'll bring some simple soup first."
As Reina silently made the sign of the cross, the nun who'd dashed out returned with a tray.
She dragged the protesting Reina to the table, sat her down, and shoved a spoon into her hand.
With no choice, Reina took a bite...
"Hm?"
"Tasty, right?"
She skipped answering and kept spooning it up.
Sweet yet nutty, like eating melted bread.
The nun watched with a pleased smile, then grew worried.
"They say you overused your trait again?"
"..."
"That's why the cardinal's furious. He said to report the moment you wake up—threw a huge fit..."
"Did he?"
Reina asked flatly, not stopping her spoon.
It had been unavoidable at the time.
Better to burn lifespan aiding the fight than submit to Satan.
But the nun pressed on, getting worked up herself.
"You can't just brush this off. I hear they're really gonna punish you this time. Rumor has it they're sending you to Taehak."
"...What did you just say?"
This time, Reina couldn't let it slide and stopped eating.
The nun sighed lightly.
"They mean to bench you from Dawn Society activities for a while. Probably..."
"No, Taehak. If they send me, when?"
"Pardon?"
But the question felt off somehow.
"There must be enrollment procedures or something. Around the second semester, I suppose."
"This semester? Does Korea have a day like that?"
"No, that's not..."
Realizing Reina had never been to school, the nun explained slowly.
"Two months left, huh."
Reina frowned at her nose bridge and muttered under her breath.
Then she shot up and started dressing.
The nun assumed she was pissed.
"Saintess, calm down. It's not set in stone yet—let's think of countermeasures first..."
"If I'm getting punished anyway, might as well take it quick."
"...Pardon?"
But Reina looked surprisingly relieved as she gazed at the nun.
Things had twisted oddly, but it aligned with what she wanted.
Truth was, she'd been curious.
How the saint's seed infused with sacred essence would evolve.
And the half-baked fantasies from moments ago.
Satan's unclear identity nagged at her too.
So what choice was there?
With this chance, off to Taehak it was.
* * *
Word from Baek Sa-young came the next afternoon.
-Hayul-ah, you feeling better?
"Body? Of course I'm fine. We saw each other right before discharge yesterday."
-Right, yeah.
But this guy can't hide his emotions either.
He was giving off that awkward vibe, like someone with an agenda.
That raw charm was Baek Sa-young's appeal, but I'm the type who prefers cutting to the chase, so I tossed him an opening.
"Got something to say?"
-Yeah... But not for phone. Wanna meet in about an hour?
"Sure, let's talk in person."
-But you're really okay, right?
"You a doctor? Why keep asking."
-Got it. See you soon.
Baek Sa-young hung up sounding more upbeat than before.
Things were going to plan, so I smiled in satisfaction too.
"That settles Baek Sa-young for now."
I tapped my desk and pondered the next task.
My next target was the chatty, trouble-magnet Cheon Seo-yun, but I didn't have a solid plan yet.
"Hm..."
So, I fired up my laptop to handle what I could first.
I searched Simmian, Korea's largest official exchange run by the government.
Time to start making real money...
The method was straightforward.
Buy somewhat valuable antiques, reinforce them with SP, then sell for profit.
I'd been mulling it over but kept putting it off for training. Now was the time.
My bank account was stacking up nicely, begging to be put to work—and money's always better the more you have.
Even trash like the Seven Demons had roped in Han Su-hyuk with cash power, right?
Good thing I'd gotten the all-clear to rest until Tuesday, so no pressure.
I picked items that weren't armament-grade but had decent age, great looks, or practical value.
Test run: three purchases.
[Purchased Unnamed Poet's Fountain Pen.]
[Purchased Yangban Scholar's Earrings.]
[Purchased Geumgang Twin-Headed Serpent Leather Coat.]
[Total 15,500,000 KRW charged.]
The last coat was pricey—overspent a bit—but I'd treat it as an investment.
Shopping done, I ate dinner, and soon a text pinged.
[Hayul. Can you come to the comprehensive training hall now?]
But why the comprehensive training hall?