Chapter 115
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Department Head's Conditions
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"Then I'll get ready."
Satisfied with his agreement to go along, Erika turned and left. Watching her retreating figure, Lee Se-hun wore a peculiar expression.
'She talks about going together and all that, but in the end, she just wants to use me... And that's enough for her?'
He'd initially thought she was sulking because he hadn't made her gear yet, but it seemed she was more bothered by the idea of him ditching her.
'I even brought her that pure land stone... Next time, I have to make something for her no matter what.'
Prioritizing Erika's gear, Lee Se-hun pulled out his phone again.
'Now this is where the paths diverge.'
To visit the black market and Black Arms, Lee Se-hun needed exactly two things.
First, an S-rank or higher bodyguard to protect him in case of emergencies. Second, a black market expert who could escort him there and guide him around.
Finding someone who fit even one criterion was tricky enough, and someone who met both was rare. But around Lee Se-hun, there were no fewer than two who matched perfectly.
'If we're talking familiarity, Ma Gwang-su first.'
An S-rank with years of experience, adept at both killing and protecting.
On top of that, the unofficial group 'Executors' that Ma Gwang-su had formed infiltrated black markets and the like to hunt demons, so they might have easy access to information.
'The problem is, getting caught even once means a world of hassle.'
Ma Gwang-su and the Executors killed demons without mercy—and anyone who'd ever collaborated with them, questions asked later. In the shadows, they were treated like ticking time bombs.
So if they got exposed while accompanying him this time, not only would Unkillable be off-limits, but Black Arms itself might shut down immediately.
'In that case...'
Realizing there was only one person perfect for this job, Lee Se-hun pulled out his phone and dialed.
-What is it?
The gruff voice came through the phone. In response to Ryu Eun-ha's question, Lee Se-hun replied in a serious tone.
"I have something I'd like to consult with you about, Department Head. Could you spare a moment?"
-Can't say it over the phone, I take it.
"Yes. I'd prefer to meet in person and talk quietly."
-Hmm...
Ryu Eun-ha seemed to ponder for a moment before responding.
-Lunch break's coming up soon. How about we talk at my place? It'll be quiet there.
"Ah, that sounds good. Just send me the address, and I'll head right over."
-Understood. See you out front.
The call ended. Having set the meeting, Lee Se-hun chuckled as he looked down at his phone.
'This woman being a black market expert never suited her, past or present.'
In the public eye, Ryu Eun-ha was the model hero who followed the law to the letter—and in reality, she lived much the same way.
But there was one thing that loosened her strict mindset: 'gear.'
'She even said she'd wipe out the Valmut family because of me, and whenever she takes a liking to gear, she goes all-in without hesitation.'
Of course, she never crossed lines like colluding with Myriad Demons' Mire or massacring innocents. But if necessity demanded it, she'd ignore what society deemed illegal.
And as an extension of that, one of her hobbies was prowling black markets like Black Arms.
'The first time we met before regression was at a black market in Mexico...'
He'd been secretly selling gear there when Ryu Eun-ha appeared out of nowhere with a trade offer. How startled he'd been.
Reflexively swinging his hammer, only to get beaten senseless and hospitalized—then negotiating from his sickbed. It was a distant memory, but their first meeting stuck vividly.
'She said it was a long-standing hobby back then, so she's probably still at it. Plus, Black Arms has few ties to Myriad Demons' Mire and tons of gear in circulation, so she might even be a VIP.'
In other words, if he could secure Ryu Eun-ha's cooperation, he could safely navigate Black Arms and learn about Unkillable.
Lee Se-hun was steeling himself to persuade her somehow when—
Bzzz.
A message arrived with a vibration. Confirming Ryu Eun-ha's home address, Lee Se-hun looked curious.
'Hmm. Wonder how she lives in Babel.'
Before regression, she'd always rented on the outskirts, which felt a bit barren. But Babel was inner city, so maybe different.
Calling a taxi, Lee Se-hun headed to the address while scanning his surroundings.
'Not residential—business district.'
The business district housed skyscrapers of corporations and guilds partnered with Babel. Proximity to Central Square made it close to Borsippa's headquarters too.
'No small fries in Babel, but... this is big in another sense.'
Offices of world-renowned companies and guilds clustered together. Impressive in itself, but more astonishing was how the lineup shifted yearly.
Due to Babel's exorbitant rents or performance clauses—fail to meet targets, and you're out.
'Too pricey to ignore despite the sub-space terminal hub. Peak power play.'
Even cadets, faculty, guilds, and corporations had to earn Ludwig's approval to stay in Babel.
Small wonder people called it the Garden of Ascension.
"Thanks."
Thud—
Arriving at the address, Lee Se-hun stepped out of the taxi and looked up at the building right in front.
A five-story structure in a quiet corner of the business district. Clean exterior, but no signage—looked like a recently built empty shell.
"Hmm. This is..."
As Lee Se-hun squinted up at it—
"Cadet Lee Se-hun."
Ryu Eun-ha arrived a step behind, nodding curtly.
"Sorry for being late. Had some lingering work to wrap up."
"I just got here myself. No worries. But... this is your home, Department Head?"
No matter how he looked, it didn't scream 'lived-in.' Ryu Eun-ha nodded calmly at the question.
"Yes."
"...I see."
He hadn't seen inside yet, but he could guess the vibe. Glancing at him, Ryu Eun-ha cleared her throat and pointed ahead.
"Let's head in."
Approaching the entrance on the right, she placed her hand on the adjacent panel. Locks disengaged with a click, and the doors slid open sideways.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Entering with Ryu Eun-ha, Lee Se-hun surveyed the spacious interior.
Piles of gear crates stacked like mountains. Manufacturers ranged from big corporations to small workshops—more warehouse than home. He gave a wry smile.
'Even in Babel, she turns her house into a warehouse.'
At least before regression, she'd built a massive separate warehouse next door—maybe that was better.
Glancing lightly over the boxes, Lee Se-hun spotted something and asked.
"All common-grade gear?"
"Yes. Floors 1 through 4 are divided by grade for storage, and I live on 5."
"By floor..."
"Use these stairs to go up."
Explaining matter-of-factly, Ryu Eun-ha ascended the stairs by the entrance. No outer walls meant each floor's contents were fully visible upon arrival.
Floors 1 and 2 held lower grades, boxes sorted by type. From 3 up, large metal display cases lined up with rare-grade gear neatly arranged.
And floor 4: hero-grade gear, each in individual cases—impressively numerous.
"Quite a few hero-grade pieces."
"Yes. Total of 89 right now."
89 hero-grade gear. A regular cadet would gape, but Lee Se-hun felt little stir.
'Being department head must limit her. Not many.'
Before regression, she kept over 100 minimum. Probably skimped on stockpiles since she rarely joined subjugations.
Skimming floor 4, Lee Se-hun followed her to the top, floor 5.
"This is my place."
"..."
Like below, wide-open with no walls.
Furniture dotted around to divide spaces—bed, desk, dining table, bathtub—but without proper wall paneling, it meant little.
'...Worse than before regression?'
She'd never cared much for decor back then, but this was like dumping living essentials in an abandoned building.
Beyond stark, it felt somehow lacking. Staring awkwardly, Lee Se-hun prompted Ryu Eun-ha to speak sheepishly.
"I dislike clutter, so I keep it simple. Forgive any oddities."
"Well... tastes vary."
Everything essential was there, at least. Shifting topics, Lee Se-hun said,
"Shall we eat lunch before talking?"
"Sure."
They sat at the table in one corner. Ryu Eun-ha pulled two pieces of gear from her sub-space pocket.
A high-grade sword and bow—mass-produced, nothing special. Like onigiri and instant ramen, if anything.
"Um, Department Head."
"...Speak."
Ryu Eun-ha looked at him with expectant eyes. Lee Se-hun said what she'd been waiting for.
"I got a nice new skill, so if it's okay... could I experiment with gear flavors...?"
"Do as much as you like."
Handing over lunch like she'd been waiting. Smirking faintly, Lee Se-hun took the sword and bow, applying Verbal Engraving.
"[Swift Strike Enhancement], [Accuracy Correction]..."
Humm!
Verbal engravings clung seamlessly to the gear surfaces.
Easier to apply than his old 'Verbal: Bestowal,' and activatable for specific functions—allowing even conflicting effects without issue.
'Might wear off from combat impacts... but this should push hard early on.'
He'd planned light touches, but soon the sword and bow brimmed with engravings.
Pushing limits without destabilizing cores, Lee Se-hun handed them back.
"Here."
"Thank you."
Receiving them reverently like treasures. Staring at sword and bow, she unconsciously swallowed.
"Well then... bon appétit."
Crunch—crunch!
First, the sword with its fresh engravings.
Chewing delicately to savor, Ryu Eun-ha's eyes went wide at the taste.
"...!"
With each bite, her hair tips flickered crimson, and in a blink, the sword vanished.
Savoring the aftertaste fully, she spoke in an excited tone.
"Intensely stimulating flavor. Like ramen loaded with toppings—green chilies, egg, scallions, bean sprouts—for deeper taste."
Clearly pleased, she finished her review and started on the bow. Lee Se-hun grinned unwittingly.
"Like it?"
"Delicious. If I could eat like this for lunch daily, I'd focus better on work... Ahem. Never mind. Don't worry about it."
Catching herself lest it sound like a daily request, she backpedaled. Seizing the opening, Lee Se-hun spoke.
"I could make them for you."
"..."
Ryu Eun-ha paused mid-bite on the bow, eyes slowly turning to him.
"Really...?"
"Why not? You saw how quick it is."
"Still, daily would be a hassle. If it's because of what I said, no need to..."
"In exchange, one favor."
Meeting her gaze seriously, Lee Se-hun said,
"Take me to the black market, Black Arms..."
"No."
Cutting him off before he finished, Ryu Eun-ha refused flatly. Her softened face turned icy cold, like it had never happened.
"No idea where you heard about it, but that's no place for a cadet. Especially not a promising one like you, drawing attention."
"But..."
"I absolutely won't allow it this time."
Her demeanor chilled him, reminiscent of pre-regression Ryu Eun-ha. Stunned by the unexpected reaction, Lee Se-hun looked flustered.
'If she was truly satisfied, she wouldn't refuse like this... Ah, wait. Is it because I'm a cadet?'
Before regression, he'd been active-duty when they met, so any request was his responsibility. But now, he was just a budding cadet.
No sane educator would agree to take a student to a den like the black market, no matter the bribe.
'Even if it was delicious enough to cloud her judgment, she'd take me... Guess my skill's lacking.'
Bribing with gear seemed tough. Pondering persuasion, Lee Se-hun thought of another angle.
"Let's drop this..."
"Middle school."
Interrupting her, Lee Se-hun looked down as he spoke.
"Heading home late after school, I found a bloodied man collapsed at our front gate."
"..."
"I was clueless back then—panicked, tried calling an ambulance. But he said he was fine, just give him something to drink if I had it. Promised to repay me later."
A hazy yet indelible memory. Recalling it, Lee Se-hun continued.
"So I gave him my tumbler from my bag... Then an Association hero appeared. Turns out the bloody guy was an A-rank demon called 'Unkillable.'"
"...!"
Ryu Eun-ha's eyes widened in realization. Lee Se-hun met her gaze.
"No memory after that. Brick fragment to the head knocked me out. When I came to... it was all over."
The hero trying to kill Unkillable had limbs torn off, dead. Their battle's aftermath collapsed nearby buildings.
And his parents, waiting dinner for him—crushed under the rubble.
"I was the sole survivor... Know why?"
"..."
"The water. What I gave that bastard."
Amid ruins and corpses, Unkillable had stood over the surreal scene, looking at him calmly.
'I'll spare you. I promised.'
The tumbler handed earlier—as repayment, Unkillable spared only him and left.
Recalling it fully for the first time in ages, Lee Se-hun chuckled bitterly.
'What a ridiculous bastard.'
Sparing him mid-battle with a hero over a sip from a snot-nosed kid. Utterly absurd—and maddening.
Too unfair that such a monster senselessly killed his parents. Too infuriating that the monster indirectly saved his life.
"Got sidetracked... Anyway, point is—he's shown up at Black Arms."
"..."
"Not asking you to kill him, Department Head. Other things aside, I have to end him myself to feel closure."
Not entirely true now, but back then? Absolutely.
His past self might've died of rage if Unkillable fell to someone else.
"So just let me confirm what he's doing there... if he's even alive. I'll come straight back, behave from now on."
Decades old to him, but mere years to others.
Who wouldn't be moved by this?
'Ryu Eun-ha might not...'
He could only hope his gear had stirred her emotions.
Lee Se-hun waited anxiously.
"...Hoo."
Closing then opening her eyes, Ryu Eun-ha spoke slowly.
"In Black Arms, follow my orders above all. Never reveal identities, no matter what. Return immediately upon target confirmation."
"Department Head...!"
"And lastly."
Looking at the relieved Lee Se-hun with unyielding sternness,
"On overtime nights, make me a dinner bento too. That's all."