Chapter 113: The Doting Fool (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 113: The Doting Fool (2)
Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack.
The roar of helicopter blades echoed over a Seoul steeped in deathly silence. It was a news chopper dispatched on short notice.
Most major broadcasting stations had moved their headquarters to Wonju, where Joaquin Academy was located. As a result, they had no choice but to arrive late at the scene.
“…Whoa.”
The cameraman capturing Seoul through his lens let out an involuntary gasp.
It was an utter wasteland. The devastation was progressing to a degree that rivaled any decent post-apocalyptic film.
“Get a grip!”
“A-Ah. I’m sorry.”
At the female reporter’s sharp rebuke, the cameraman shook his head.
“No matter how shocked you are, you can’t act like that during a live broadcast.”
“Yes…”
Professionalism shone brightly through Reporter Kim's sharp demeanor. In truth, however, she had been the one making the biggest fuss earlier when Kali Yuga scattered status windows across everyone's vision.
She had only begun to regain her composure after those relentless windows flickering against her retinas finally quieted down.
The network wanted live coverage of this unprecedented supernatural event. They sent this reporter—who was doing a relatively good job of pretending to have pulled herself together—and the cameraman as special correspondents, putting them aboard an executive helicopter reserved only for high-ranking directors.
“Hello. This is Reporter Kim from CCB.”
Even as the cameraman framed the reporter opening the broadcast, he actively searched for another subject.
His professional instinct told him that the culprit behind this catastrophe was still somewhere nearby.
“Huh?”
“Seriously! I said we’re live—!”
“N-No! Look over there!”
The cameraman whipped his lens around. Reporter Kim grumpily turned her eyes toward where he was pointing.
“Huh?”
A dumbfounded sound escaped her lips.
A massive bridge spanned the north and south banks of the Han River. As the thick dust hovering over it cleared, a figure revealed itself.
“Is that person…?”
Reporter Kim yelled frantically toward the cockpit.
“Get us closer to Yanghwa Bridge!”
Thwack-thwack-thwack.
The helicopter swerved on command. The sudden shift threw the reporter off balance, threatening to topple her, but she couldn't care less. As they drew close to Yanghwa Bridge, she choked back a breath.
“The Heavenly Sword.”
He was standing right there.
As if they had rehearsed it, the cameraman aimed his lens straight at the Heavenly Sword.
'Hm?'
Adjusting the optical zoom, he noticed another object beside Kang Geomma. It looked like a lump of bluish flesh, mashed into such a pulp that its original shape was impossible to discern. The only thing he could gather was that, until just moments ago, it had been a living creature.
It happened in an instant.
=No…=
Suddenly, a creeping dread vibrated through the folds of their brains. It wasn't just felt by the cameraman, but by the reporter, the helicopter pilot, and every single citizen of Seoul. In that exact fraction of a second, everyone was engulfed in an unnerving gloom.
With trembling hands, the cameraman filmed Kang Geomma and that thing, desperately fighting down his terror.
=I… I cannot perish like this…=
It lamented.
=…O Counterforce. Is even this your divine will? Did my fleeting arrogance offend you? But this is unjust! Why do you leave him be when he is also an Apostle?! Why do you favor him when we are both Apostles?! Why do you grant me not even a sliver of room—!=
“Seriously,” Kang Geomma cut off the long-winded monologue. “Every single villain starts running their mouth when it’s time to croak. Do you guys take lectures from the Counterforce or something? Just because the Human Realm has Joaquin Academy, did the Counterforce go and set up its own academy too?”
=A-Ah. Look at him! Every time he opens his mouth, he spews nothing but blasphemous words! Yet why do you merely stand by and watch…!=
Kali Yuga couldn't finish his sentence. A barrage of Daixo Sashimi knives rained down upon him. The pilot instinctively swerved the helicopter away, but the razor-sharp blades deftly bypassed the chopper and plunged straight into the ground below.
=Gwaaaaaaaaaah!=
“Shut up and scram already.”
It was gruesome.
Yet watching the scene from the helicopter, the news crew felt an unexplainable sense of relief—a feeling of absolute liberation. Kali Yuga had attempted to seize control of humanity’s minds through the Blessing of the Apocalypse M.
And this was the result. Kali Yuga’s wicked scheme had been blown to bits, brutally shredded by Kang Geomma. Even the giant eye looking down from the top of Seoul Tower had begun to lose its shape.
Without even realizing it, the chains binding people's minds had shattered. Those who had awakened magic might feel a lingering sense of regret at losing their sudden boost.
However, the vast majority were ordinary people swept up in the disaster against their will. They had finally been freed from an unprecedented cosmic restraint. It was exhilarating. And the one who had restored their freedom was none other than Kang Geomma…
“Are you getting this all on camera?!”
“Of course!”
Everyone could see it with their own eyes. The live broadcast’s viewership was exploding at a mind-boggling rate.
Besides, look at the country they were in. This was South Korea, the absolute pinnacle of internet culture!
Furthermore, it was the nation possessing the Heavenly Sword, the spearhead of the 「Do You Know Club」!
The citizens would spread this footage across the entire world. Once again, the one who put a decisive end to a threat against all humanity was none other than the Heavenly Sword, Kang Geomma.
“Phew.”
Reporter Kim tore off the heavy microphone harness that had been stifling her chest. The broadcast was already ruined anyway. Whatever happens, happens. As a special correspondent, a single written apology should cover it. She fully intended to throw her weight around with management later.
Regardless.
The reporter watched the sashimi knives exploding against the far side of the bridge—Kang Geomma's trademark Flying-Sword Technique.
She had suspected it, but it really was Kang Geomma.
=O Counterforce! Have mercy on poor me!=
“You know, for an Apocalypse…”
Psh-psh-psh-psh-psh!
=Please, I beg of you!=
“…how do you have even less dignity than the Corps Commanders I dealt with ten years ago?”
Psh-psh-psh-psh-psh!
=Gwaaaaaaaaaah!=
“Come to think of it, no need to go back ten years. Even Ragnarok had about three times your presence.”
Kali Yuga prostrated himself, attempting to crawl away. Kang Geomma flicked his finger.
What followed was a breathtaking spectacle. Tens of thousands of sashimi knives froze in midair as if time itself had stopped. The camera captured every single detail in vivid clarity.
Kang Geomma drew Murasame alongside his EX-rank Sashimi. Immediately, the latter’s special ability activated.
[Spinning Sword Slots]
[MAINT)(EMERGENCY MAINT)(REGULAR MAINT)(EXTENDED]
▲
≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫
[..GENCY MAINT)(REGULAR MAINT)(EXTENDED MAINT)]
▲
≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫≫
[MAINT)(REGULAR MAINT)(EXTENDED MAINT)(EMERGENCY]
▲
[..REGULAR MAINT)(EXTENDED MAINT)(EMERGENCY MAI]
▲
[1-minute Sword Name selected.]
Whirrrr—
[Executing Extended Maintenance (延長 點檢).]
“Appropriate.”
=A-Ah…=
“Where’s that bug buzzing from?”
Kang Geomma lunged forward instantly. The sword dance that followed moved too fast for even the camera lens to properly track.
An incredible display of swordsmanship merged with an anti-Apocalypse decisive weapon. The very matter making up the Apocalypse scattered into fine particles, floating away like dandelion seeds.
“Because bastards like you keep pulling this crap…”
The master of mockery.
“…the people around me get hurt.”
=Arrrrrrrgh!=
Or perhaps, the master of intimidation.
“Even when I root out the False Gods, you keep popping up endlessly. If you’re going to pop up anyway, I might as well leave a warning so you shudder every time you make eye contact with me.”
=S-Stoooop…!=
“Consider this a warning written in your blood.”
In professional terms, his tea-bagging skills were sublime.
Kang Geomma was far from a righteous, noble hero. He feuded with nobles at the drop of a hat and routinely threatened the heads of sovereign nations. He was the type of person who manufactured his own enemies.
Yet people went wild for him. They weren't cheering for his violence itself.
“Because that’s just how the Heavenly Sword is.”
Because, in the end, he was on humanity’s side.
Whenever a public enemy appeared, Kang Geomma showed no mercy. He didn't bother with cheap compassion. Act up, and you get sliced. You get cut down. That was the Heavenly Sword they knew.
“Though he’s changed a bit lately.”
Gossipers often said that Kang Geomma had quieted down after starting a family. And it was true. Even during the Parsi Massacre, he had fought Ragnarok with a somewhat subdued, cautious momentum. Broadcasting personnel who rewatched that footage over and over had felt a distinct sense of dissonance.
Reporter Kim brought the microphone up to her lips.
“In terms of avoiding unnecessary strife, one could say he has matured compared to the past.”
Facing the secondary camera head-on, she continued her report.
“However, don't we all know the truth? The Heavenly Sword’s violence is ultimately a means to sever social inequality. Nobles are supposed to be 'heroes,' but since they refuse to listen to words, he raises the whip instead.”
The cameraman flinched. Neutrality was the absolute foundation of journalism. Of course, individual networks had their own leanings, but still…
“It has always been the same. Lord Heavenly Sword has always been on humanity’s side.”
This was an excessively subjective statement. Ignoring the cameraman’s desperate head-shaking, the reporter kept talking.
“While I cannot say for certain, reflecting on his actions so far, he is not someone who will suddenly turn into our enemy one day.”
“……!”
The cameraman recoiled in sheer shock, his camera jerking violently.
It was because the reporter had just peeled the skin right off her own face. It was a Human Skin Mask powered by magic power.
Come to think of it… since she had been sitting down, he hadn't noticed before, but had Reporter Kim always been this tall?
“I…”
Shaking her head, she swept away the beads of sweat on her forehead.
“…dare to say this to you all. Lord Heavenly Sword, Kang Geomma, was, is, and will be on your side—in the past, present, and future. At least, under the premise that you do not become a harm to humanity.”
Choi Seol-ah smiled brightly.
“To the nobles, the heads of state, and everyone watching this: stop dragging your feet and interfering with Lord Heavenly Sword’s actions at every turn. Have any of you ever stepped up to the front lines during a crisis like this even once?”
The golden light of the sunset sinking into the Han River cast a warm glow across Choi Seol-ah’s profile.
“You may want to deny the achievements Lord Heavenly Sword has built, but it’s impossible. While you were holding useless debates at your desks, he picked up a sword and slaughtered the enemy.”
Her earrings sparkled in the dying light.
“There are no shortcuts to glory. Lord Geomma’s path proves that.”
By then, even the blood-curdling screams Kali Yuga had been uttering had completely died down.
“This has been…”
Choi Seol-ah tossed the microphone out of the chopper. A sharp eeeeeing sound of static feedback tormented the listeners' eardrums.
“…Choi Seol-ah, the Public Interest Girl!”
Choi Seol-ah leaped straight out of the helicopter.
Spreading her long arms wide, she plummeted through the air, taking the full force of the wind resistance against her body.
“My Looooord!”
She let out an ecstatic shout.
“Welcome back!”
Kang Geomma raised his head, looking up at her with bewildered eyes. Kali Yuga was gone.
The helicopter backed away, allowing the cameraman to capture a wide shot of the breathtaking landscape.
“…What’s up with her?”
Choi Seol-ah felt like she had deeply missed that crooked, annoyed glare.
“Yippee!”
Driven by that overwhelming emotion…
“I! Since I’m a villain, I don’t really understand feelings that well!”
…it impelled Choi Seol-ah to act. Instead of swallowing the words tumbling around inside her mouth, she spat them all out.
“But I! My Lord!”
The forest of half-destroyed buildings, jagged like shark teeth, swallowed the setting sun.
* * *
NOTICE
We regret to inform you that the service for Blessing of the Apocalypse M 2nd, which you have loved so much, will be coming to an end. …[omitted]…
* * *
She waved her hand, brushing the system window away.
The backdrop of the Han River, bathed in the crumbling golden light of dusk, came back into full view. Choi Seol-ah shouted at the top of her lungs:
“I think I reaaaally like you!”
A certain doting fool’s serenade was broadcast live to the entire world.
— The Doting Fool. END.