Chapter 149
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Genius Blacksmith's Press Conference
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“……”
As usual, An Jeong-wan was making his morning rounds when he blankly stared at the scene unfolding before him.
“Hoo……”
Lee Se-hun was balancing perfectly steady on his left index and middle fingers in a handstand. Not only that, but he was emitting fire-attribute mana from one sole and dark-attribute mana from the other, both in perfect circles, making him rotate at a constant speed.
His core stability. And perfect control over his mana too.
Lee Se-hun's skills didn't drop after every major injury—instead, they skyrocketed at a terrifying rate.
An Jeong-wan watched the flawless display for a long while before nodding.
“You're discharged.”
Snap!
Lee Se-hun swiftly righted himself and bowed his head to An Jeong-wan with a satisfied expression.
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks… Department Head Ryu is waiting downstairs, so pack up and head down.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, and take this with you and have a look.”
Lee Se-hun took the thin folder from An Jeong-wan and immediately flipped it open.
[Correlation Analysis of Divine Power and Elixirs]
It was a course outline on manufacturing elixirs using divine power and how their effects changed. It detailed the methods to be used in class and the elixirs as materials. As Lee Se-hun skimmed it, an intrigued expression crossed his face.
“Is this the class you wanted me to help with as a temporary TA before?”
“That's right. It was supposed to be something else originally, but since you've been so busy, it got pushed back and changed to this.”
“Hmm……”
Lee Se-hun examined the documents again at An Jeong-wan's explanation.
Divine power—discovered by Pilgrim Karl Andersen, one of the Summit Climbers, and spread worldwide alongside his Pilgrim Church.
It was a highly unique force, similar yet different from mana. Before his regression, Lee Se-hun had encountered it in many ways.
Pure Land seems to be taking root nicely… This shouldn't be bad.
With Babel allying with the Pilgrim Church and UD Group this time, checking out divine power beforehand wouldn't hurt.
Decision made, Lee Se-hun tucked the folder into his subspace pocket and nodded.
“I'll review it in detail and get back to you.”
“Class is next week, so take your time thinking it over.”
With business concluded, An Jeong-wan left first. Lee Se-hun packed his things and headed downstairs.
At the end of the hallway leading to the lobby stood Ryu Eun-ha, impeccably dressed in a suit, waiting for him. Lee Se-hun approached her side.
“Good morning, Department Head.”
“……Good morning.”
She gave a slight nod in greeting, then scanned Lee Se-hun's body from head to toe.
Her gaze pierced right through his clothes, full of worry. Lee Se-hun gave her a small smile.
“I'm all better now, so no need to worry. Professor An said there's no issue.”
“……Understood.”
Seeing for herself that he was fine, Ryu Eun-ha eased up a bit and glanced toward the lobby.
“There's quite a crowd. You sure you're okay with that?”
“Don't worry. Whether it's a lot or a little, it's all the same to me.”
Ryu Eun-ha pondered his confident demeanor for a moment before nodding.
“Then let's go.”
Lee Se-hun stepped into the open lobby alongside her, where reporters packed in shoulder-to-shoulder, immediately swarming him.
Click-click!
Cameras flashed from all directions the moment they emerged.
The genius blacksmith who succeeded in mass-producing sword aura.
The hero who swiftly countered the Myriad Demons' Mire terror attack and minimized casualties.
Lee Se-hun was walking news. The lobby erupted in chaos at his appearance, and he couldn't help but smile.
Man, takes me back.
Before his regression, when his wanted status was lifted and he cussed out the Hero Association at a press conference—it had been about this hectic.
Confirming just how much of a hot topic he'd become, Lee Se-hun turned to Ryu Eun-ha.
“Only the reporters we pre-approved, please step forward.”
At her call, they rushed up with mics in hand. Standing before them, Lee Se-hun opened confidently.
“Questions?”
“There are rumors the mass-produced sword aura is from the Myers family. A word on that?”
It was a question he'd anticipated. Lee Se-hun calmly faced the reporters.
“It might look similar, but it's completely different sword aura. I did reference the Myers family's a bit during development.”
“Rumors say you're exclusively producing with the Myers family. True?”
“Talks are ongoing, so I can't confirm yet. But for mass-produced sword aura gear, quality matters most, so it'll probably proceed steadily.”
“Is the political marriage with Aria Myers true…?”
“Nonsense.”
He fielded the barrage, picking the decent ones. The reporters watched, surprised.
He seems unfazed for a first-timer.
That prior leak about sword aura mass-production was promo too. Kid knows his stuff.
He'd seemed oblivious to media before, but turns out he wielded it shrewdly when needed.
As they inwardly admired, one reporter who'd been biding his time spoke up sharply.
“Some say Babel used this terror incident to push Cadet Lee Se-hun as the next big prospect. Your thoughts?”
The lobby fell silent. Nearby reporters gawked at him.
Asking that inside Babel? As the reporter opened his mouth again—
Rumble—
A crushing pressure emanated from Ryu Eun-ha beside Lee Se-hun.
The reporter's face drained pale under the suffocating weight. Hair tips aflame scarlet, Ryu Eun-ha growled.
“You……”
“Department Head.”
At Lee Se-hun's call, she halted, turning to him.
“It's fine.”
Far from rattled, he seemed to have been waiting. Realizing something, Ryu Eun-ha withdrew her mana.
Confirming the mood had settled, Lee Se-hun eyed the reporter.
“Which outlet?”
“……Ch-Chilsung Daily.”
His ashen face made Lee Se-hun nod knowingly.
China. No wonder they're not thrilled.
Babel's ties with UD Group and Pilgrim Church aligned three Summit Climbers' factions dominantly.
For China, backed by Sacred Flame Lord Li Kensé, Lee Se-hun was a thorn.
Especially as a blacksmith.
Recognizing the probe, he pondered briefly before replying.
“I get what you're fishing for. Asking a freshman that? Kinda pathetic. But fine, I'll answer.”
Reporters perked up tensely.
They'd been curious too, just wary inside Babel.
Lee Se-hun paused dramatically before speaking slowly.
“I'm a genius.”
“……Pardon?”
“Not just any genius—on par with Summit Climber Li Kensé himself. One of history's greatest.”
“……”
Stunned by the unexpected, they stared blankly. Lee Se-hun pressed on confidently.
“So I get the dumb rumors. Geniuses defy common sense—that's the point.”
“……”
“But let me be clear: whining about scams at this level? You'll regret it later. Why?”
Sweeping his gaze over reporters and cameras, he grinned assuredly.
“Because what I make next will blow this away.”
Overreacting now means you'll be overwhelmed later.
Satisfied with the hushed lobby, he continued.
“Still doubt me? Grab a hammer and come at me. I'll take you on—ah, only those who've mass-produced sword aura. Gotta match ranks.”
Reporters' jaws dropped at the gauntlet thrown to artisans worldwide. Lee Se-hun carried on nonchalantly.
“That's enough on this. Next question?”
“……”
“None? Alright, we're done.”
Smoothing his clothes, he strode out. Reporters snapped to and chased.
“W-wait!”
“More questions…!”
Scenting scoops, they clung. Even in the car, they'd pursue. Lee Se-hun glanced at Ryu Eun-ha, pondering, then said.
“Department Head. Just us.”
“Got it.”
Understanding instantly, she scooped him up effortlessly.
Her hair tips ignited scarlet—
Thud!
Kicking off, they ditched the reporters in a blink.
Borsippa headquarters rooftop.
Arriving in leaps, Ryu Eun-ha set Lee Se-hun down.
“You did great.”
“Nah, you did the heavy lifting, Department Head.”
Ruffling his tousled hair, Lee Se-hun stretched and gazed over the city from the railing.
Almost fully restored.
Hard to believe a massive terror attack hit recently—spotless.
Realizing how cleanly he'd countered, he beamed proudly.
Babel's safe for a while, at least.
Watchers had cockroach-like survival, so some insiders might linger. But nothing like this incident again.
Weakened forces, and fear of exposure would keep them in check.
Gotta fully split Watchers from Myriad Demons' Mire.
They cooperated for mutual gain only. Disrupt that, prevent targeting.
If they fully ally like pre-regression, Demon Gods emerge faster.
Things wouldn't shift overnight, but divergences from his knowledge would grow.
Controlling all variables perfectly was tough, but sowing division or preempting headaches? Doable.
Gonna get busier.
Bitter smile at the relentless pace—
“Cadet Lee Se-hun.”
Ryu Eun-ha approached cautiously.
“Shouldn't we kill that interview?”
“Huh?”
“From experience, being that blunt invites trouble……”
Her worried tone drew a chuckle from him.
“It'll be fine. And that's exactly what I'm aiming for.”
Playing humble and hiding skill would've raised more flags.
Succeeding at sword aura mass-production—a holy grail for artisans. Brushing it off as luck? Suspicious.
Would just look like a schemer.
Hide poorly, and foes prepare thoroughly. Better flaunt arrogant genius cadet vibe boldly.
They'll guard, but see me as easier prey.
That tiny gap becomes a fatal stab, like this incident. Thoughts sorted, a notion struck him.
“Speaking of, did I sound natural? Tried channeling the Three Dogs vibe from before regression.”
Get caught acting? Ruined.
Ryu Eun-ha eyed him oddly.
“That was acting?”
“Yeah? What else……”
“Thought you meant it.”
Eyes widening in greater shock at the "acting," she stared. Relieved yet oddly unsettled, Lee Se-hun thought.
Do I really come off that rude…?
Sure, a bit sharp usually, but not thug-level like Three Dogs.
As he inwardly denied—
Bzzz.
Vibration from Ryu Eun-ha's pocket.
Checking her phone, she looked at him.
“They've arrived at the conference room.”
“Ah, then let's head down.”
Shaking off stray thoughts, Lee Se-hun entered the building with her.
New Forging Department guiding professor. Plenty to discuss: department ops, Meister guild direction via Kim In-cheol.
And snag that budget.
How to butter them up? Pondering reactions, they entered the conference room.
“You're late.”
Helena greeted them—the hardware shop owner, former Forging professor—hair pinned with chopsticks, loose work clothes.