Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Light Priesthood (2)
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You have taken the first life of 'Eternally Burning Kindling'!
As a reward, you receive Burning Skin (Lv. 1) and Flame Jewel.
[Mental Protection Activated!]
[Mental Protection Activated!]
[Mental Protection Activated!]
[Mental Protection Activated!]
...
Cthuga is watching you.
Reward changed from Burning Skin (Lv. 1) to Flame Sword (Lv. 1).
Iaido Technique (Lv. 1) → Iaido Technique (Lv. 2)
Mana increased by 2.
"Hm."
Roarrr!
The moment I drew my sword, flames burst forth from the blade.
Fizzle...
But the fire quickly weakened and died down.
Seemed like my low Mana stat meant I couldn't sustain it for long.
"Flame, huh."
Mana could fundamentally transform into any element.
That was why mages could wield every attribute.
But even mages had their preferred elements.
Everyone was born with an affinity for different ones.
From intuitive ones like fire, lightning, or ice, to weapon or reinforcement types.
Flame Sword wasn't a bad skill.
Right now, it was just flames erupting when I drew the blade, but as a growth-type skill, it would remain useful all the way to the endgame.
"Hm..."
I lifted the red gem with my hand.
The relic 'Flame Jewel' obtained from slaying the Light Priest.
Using it enhanced fire-based abilities.
Its downside? It was a consumable relic.
The most populous club at Orbis Academy was probably the Swordsmanship Club.
Swords were one of the weapons heroes favored most, and top students often joined to build connections.
But the biggest reason was the 1st Grade Hero, Kim In-cheol.
If you asked any Korean who the most famous sword-wielding hero was, they'd all say Kim In-cheol.
One of the eleven 1st Grade Heroes in Korea.
It'd be weirder if the club with a 1st Grade Hero as advisor wasn't popular.
"Hey, you. Come here for a sec."
"Pardon?"
"Draw your sword."
"..."
I silently drew my blade.
"Channel Mana into it."
Roarrr!
"Already handling attributes, huh."
Kim In-cheol crossed his arms, eyeing me.
"What swordsmanship do you study?"
"None."
"Want to learn from me?"
I froze, staring at him in shock.
In the game, you needed to be at least a third-year to learn from Kim In-cheol.
He generally disliked teaching others, and he'd lost a disciple in the past.
'This...'
I couldn't take this.
In the game, I was the protagonist.
But now? There was already a protagonist.
No side character to assist the hero existed in the game, but he was still the protagonist.
Seo Ji-ho used dual swords.
To unlock his late-game potential, he had to learn a certain skill from Kim In-cheol.
"Planning to take on one more disciple?"
"Just one."
"Then, instead of me..."
"..."
It'd be a lie to say I didn't regret it.
The game had endings.
This real-world version surely did too.
Happy endings, bad endings, hidden ones.
I aimed for the happiest possible.
But was it right for me to snatch the protagonist's destined opportunity?
Could I really solo the ending?
I was fine.
I knew ways to deal with penalties even without the system, and how to handle variables—the strategy guides.
"This is the right choice."
I decided to let it go.
Arima Kanna.
She'd just heard something unbelievable.
She'd joined the Swordsmanship Club to expand her influence.
As heir to the guild, recruiting talent was crucial.
She lacked her brother's gifts, so...
Lee Han-su fell within her talent pool.
And today, 1st Grade Hero Kim In-cheol had summoned him.
Others saw it as routine correction, but her Arima blood—beast instincts—screamed otherwise.
[Follow and eavesdrop.]
Gulp.
Arima Kanna swallowed nervously.
Eavesdropping on a 1st Grade Hero? Hadn't she been caught already?
"Want to learn from me?"
Then came the bombshell.
A 1st Grade Hero offering discipleship.
Not teacher-student, but master-disciple.
Sword heroes fell into three types: technique, Mana, traits.
Kim In-cheol was 'technique'—a 1st Grade Hero through skill alone.
Learning from him meant far more than she imagined.
And now, she had to bring Lee Han-su into her guild.
But his response was shocking.
He'd refused the offer!
'Idiot... moron...!'
She nearly cursed aloud.
Seo Ji-ho was brilliant too.
Top freshman rank, genius with sword aura.
But yielding a personal invitation like that?
'Does he already have a master?'
No, he'd said he had none...
She couldn't comprehend it.
"Wait up!"
On my way back to the dorm, someone called out.
Arima Kanna.
"Why... did you refuse?"
From her tone, she'd eavesdropped.
That explained Kim In-cheol's glances at the door.
"Refuse what?"
"...Uh... I mean..."
She faltered when I turned it back on her.
Too embarrassed to admit spying.
"..."
"..."
A brief silence fell.
"Right! The guild thing."
She grinned, excuse found.
"You said you'd think about it. Haven't refused yet."
"Cool. Let me know when you decide."
Arima Kanna waved and left.
A small church in Europe.
An old man prayed there.
Wrinkle-lined face showing his years, white hair and beard.
Just an ordinary elder.
"...What is it?"
He stopped praying and turned.
Space rippled, and a man emerged.
Wearing a mask, left arm prosthetic.
"Kindling has died."
"..."
The old man fell silent.
"How many times?"
"Three."
His failed experiments from unstable Flame Seeds—'Kindling.'
Numbers 1 through 5 were special projects.
"Killed by what grade?"
"4th Grade."
"..."
Silence again.
A mere 4th Grade.
Disappointing for the materials invested in No. 3.
"You came all this way for that?"
"See this."
A man—one strike—felling No. 3's three lives.
He revived, but those first three were specially crafted!
The old man burst into mad laughter.
"Kuh... kuhehe...! So that's how a 4th Grade killed him!"
Flames erupted from his body.
Roarrr!
"Perfect material. Thanks for telling me."
"Not that."
"...Not that?"
Fizzle...
The flames shrank.
"What do you mean?"
"Already confirmed from afar. He bears flames."
"You mean...!"
"A new brother blessed by His flames."
The masked man tossed a head.
The old man recognized it.
Hardliner faction's leader.
"That's why you came."
The old man rose.
Crack!
Churchgoers stood in unison.
Roarrr!
"Can't let our new brother die like a dog to those hardliner scum."
Shanghai, China.
Son Ji-en, 5th Grade Hero and fire mage.
In truth, a Light Priesthood hardliner.
Sizzle!
"Spare me!!! Please!!!!"
"Heh, shoulda been more careful."
Son Ji-en ran a private farm.
Actually a drug plantation.
A suspicious reporter snuck in for a scoop—and got caught.
"Ughhh!!! I have a family!!! Please!!!"
"Me too. Boys, handle it."
"Yes, sir!"
Shing!
Tattooed men behind him drew weapons.
Knives, machetes, axes.
They charged.
"Fuck this!!! "
Panicked, Son Ji-en cast fire magic.
Roarrr!
"Die!!!!"
Yet they pressed on, bodies ablaze.
Clang!
But inadequate against his Mana shield.
"Huff... huff... fuck..."
Vmmm!
Boom!
Blocked attacks made their bodies explode.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions raged.
"Ugh... ugh...!"
Incredibly, Son Ji-en lived.
Missing right arm and left leg, though.
Step... step...
Footsteps from behind.
He whipped around.
An old man approached.