Chapter 89

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Ebonarch

Chapter: 89

Chapter Title: After the Black Lotus Flood

-----------------------------------------------------------------

After returning from the Black Lotus Flood.

All the cadets had been transferred to the Ascus Infirmary for treatment, and even Lee Se-hun, who had no major injuries, underwent a brief check-up.

"No need for inpatient care at this level. You're free to discharge today."

"Thank you!"

Thrilled at the prospect of avoiding the tediously boring infirmary, Lee Se-hun teased Jake, who was stuck with a two-week prognosis, as they headed out. But it didn't take long to realize that had been wishful thinking.

"We detected the anomaly after discovering fragments of the Puppeteer's puppets in the Lotus Tree. Were there any other irregularities?"

"There were no prior warning signs before that new monster appeared, right? Like something off inside the Flood..."

"Cadet Lee Se-hun! Just a word about what happened that day... Ack!"

Investigators from Babel Academy and the Hero Association had mobilized for the inquiry into the incident. And then there were the reporters who'd snuck in without permits.

With such a massive event erupting after so long, chaos reigned both inside Babel and out in the world at large. Naturally, the spotlight fell on the two witnesses—especially Lee Se-hun, now discharged.

'So that's why that bastard Jake was grinning...'

He wanted nothing more than to barge into Jake's room and whack him with a hammer, but unfortunately, the gravity of the situation meant no one was letting Lee Se-hun slip away easily.

Not just any villains, but one of the Ten Evils—the Puppeteer—had manipulated a monster hidden in a danger zone to assault Babel cadets.

One scandal alone would have been huge, but two at once? The fallout was enormous. Seizing the moment, various factions tore into each other to protect their interests.

And Babel couldn't escape the fray either.

Sensational articles bashing Babel's capabilities flooded the airwaves.

Break it down point by point, and the fact that no one died in that emergency was a miracle in itself. But criticism was inevitable for failing to prevent it.

So Babel sidestepped the debate, owned up cleanly, and shifted gears.

Jake Myers, who felled the B+ monster and Sacred Tree from the Flood. And Lee Se-hun, who forged his sword and provided support.

Babel highlighted their heroics to the public, deftly redirecting attention. The tide began to turn.

Unlike the Hero Association, which oversaw danger zones comprehensively, Babel was purely an educational institution. There were shortcomings in the response, but no outright fault.

"Thanks to you, we managed to smooth things over. You've done great work."

Once the dust settled somewhat, Lee Se-hun was invited by Kasar to a renowned Japanese restaurant. He scratched his head sheepishly at the praise.

"You did all the heavy lifting, Professor. With press conferences and Association inquiries, you've been swamped."

"True enough. Fighting's one thing, but the endless post-battle chit-chat wears me out more."

Kasar spoke like he was utterly fed up, though he seemed relieved now that it was wrapping up. Seizing the moment, Lee Se-hun probed carefully.

"Professor, mind if I ask something?"

"Shoot."

"What exactly do you do in there...?"

Lee Se-hun, perched at the counter, posed the question. Kasar, prepping fish across from him, answered flatly.

"What else? Getting ready to make sushi."

He replied with deadpan nonchalance, as if it were obvious.

Dressed impeccably in a crisp white chef's uniform that clashed with his massive build, Lee Se-hun double-checked the menu's shop name.

[Smoke Army]

'Thought he was the owner... turns out he's the head chef.'

As Lee Se-hun stared in stunned disbelief at the surreal scene, Kasar finished with the fish, washed his hands, and explained.

"Once I hit S-rank and became a guidance professor, everyone—cadets and faculty alike—just tiptoed around me. Got sick of it, so I started this place as a hobby and a way to chat freely."

"Oh... So, has it helped you relax more?"

"Nah. They all get indigestion afterward and stock up on antacids. Seems work talk stresses them out."

"..."

Then what's the point? Kasar caught Lee Se-hun's look and grinned.

"Anyway, my peace of mind's improved, so it's a win."

Both sides uncomfortable before, now just one. Technically true. As Lee Se-hun grimaced...

"...Huh?"

His eyes widened at the kitchen knife Kasar ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠drew.

'That’s...'

A chef's knife sharpened on Helena's custom whetstone from Aqar Quf's hardware store—the retired Forging Department professor's.

Spotting traces of his own handiwork, Lee Se-hun gaped. Kasar glanced at it slyly.

"This knife—you sharpened it, right?"

"Ah, yeah. You knew?"

"Heard from sis. Thought it was nonsense when she said a freshman did it..."

Considering his recent feats, it might've been a sign. Kasar sliced through the fish in one fluid motion, expertly shaping sushi as he continued.

"Your subjugation practical scores—you and Jake both get full marks. Taking down a variant justifies it."

"Thank you."

"Weekend award ceremony coming up. President's got extra rewards lined up, so think about what you want."

Other places might've ended with just a certificate, but Babel's generosity shone through. Lee Se-hun smiled warmly.

"The variant monster—Sacred Tree investigation's nearly done."

Lee Se-hun perked up at the key topic, straightening in his seat.

"No anomalies found, so distribution based on combat contribution. Jake's ceding his full share to you."

"Yes. We had a prior agreement."

The reward for crafting Radiant Light Sword. Jake paid with byproducts from this Sacred Tree.

"You'll get 80%. I'll take 20%."

"..."

The Sacred Tree—once divvied up among countless corporations and heroes into hundreds of shares. Claiming 80% made Lee Se-hun's heart pound.

'Not set in stone yet. Calm down.'

Unlike before regression, this one was barely B+—incomplete.

Immature as it was, refining it like in his past life would take trial and error. Stockpiling as much as possible was key.

'And which parts matter too.'

Composing himself, Lee Se-hun eyed Kasar.

"Any chance you'd sell me your share, Professor?"

"Ho... Going for monopoly?"

"More materials, the better. Doesn't seem like something I can source elsewhere."

Kasar finished a piece of sushi, plated it, and responded.

"Two conditions."

"Name them."

"Schedule's tentative, but soon—a massive subjugation on the Pilgrimage Path in Indonesia. Join if you're free."

"Pilgrimage Path..."

A borderline barrier where one Summit Climber, the Pilgrim Karl Andersen, erected a holy ward against Myriad Demons' Mire.

Regular subjugation teams were dispatched to weaken the Mire's erosion. Kasar proposed joining one.

'Indonesia's C-to-B danger zones... No sudden death there.'

Not risk-free, but with Kasar along, it was manageable.

Munching the plated sushi, Lee Se-hun nodded decisively.

"Got it. Second?"

"Some guys I know—solid skills, but crap with their gear. When schedules align, check 'em out for me."

The unexpected request piqued Lee Se-hun's interest.

"Like Jake?"

"Not quite that level, but close. Not asking you to craft—just evaluate."

Folks skilled enough for Kasar's endorsement.

Possibly old acquaintances from his past life, or valuable connections. Lee Se-hun nodded.

"Checking them out's no big deal. I'll do it."

"Good. I'll contact when dates firm up—two weeks' notice, plenty of buffer. Focus on your stuff till then."

"Understood."

Wrapping up, Kasar eyed the empty plate.

"More?"

"If you make it, I'll eat."

When else would he get Smoke Army sword sushi? Lee Se-hun requested seconds without hesitation. Kasar eyed him curiously.

'This kid's unfazed by me...'

From battling the Puppeteer's minions to now, the guy had guts. Warming further, Kasar grinned and grabbed fresh fish.

"Alright. Eat your fill today."

As Lee Se-hun watched Kasar enthusiastically prep fish, a thought struck him.

"By the way, where's the President? Didn't see him at the press conference."

"Ah, him?"

Kasar scaled and beheaded the fish, replying casually.

"Probably off dealing with some clueless punk."

A dreary warehouse on the outskirts of France.

A hooded figure strode into the rust-eaten, dust-choked interior, long abandoned.

Dusk filtered through shattered windows amid swirling dust. As shadows deepened, the intruder—Pierre Valmut—spoke.

"Come out."

His words echoed through the warehouse.

Something stirred in the shadowed corner, a humanoid silhouette lurching unnaturally.

Krik... creeak.

Drip... drop.

The jerky, grotesque shadow slumped into a chair in the gloom.

"Our esteemed customer seems quite upset."

The voice was a woman's, smooth despite the eerie motions. Pierre scowled at the cheeky query.

"You know the situation and still spout that crap?"

"Of course I know. Or... don't you? Didn't get the report from your minions..."

Pierre clenched his fist involuntarily as the shadow stroked its chin.

"Your fancy puppets didn't just fail to kill Lee Se-hun—they couldn't even wound him seriously before collapsing!!"

When placing the initial request, Pierre hadn't expected guaranteed success.

He knew Babel's thorough prep for cadet field trips, and S-rank hero Smoke Army Sword Kasar was on-site.

Expectations were half. Serious injuries requiring long recovery would've let Dawn sabotage his mana circuits.

But the result? Total failure. Far from hurt, Lee Se-hun had ascended higher, tangling everything.

"Now the whole world knows him. If he gains the Ascendant Emperor's protection from this, we're done! How do you plan to fix this?!"

Just a talented cadet versus one under Babel President Ludwig Schubert the Ascendant Emperor's wing? Worlds apart.

A Summit Climber wielding massive societal influence. Merely opposing his protégé would drive allies away.

'Babel purges everyone tied to Father, external ventures shrink...'

Survival meant sheltering under UD Group, led by equally influential unknown Jürgen Kruger.

But the Valmut name would vanish, reduced to a subsidiary—losing status and freedom.

As Pierre trembled with rage and fear...

"Ahahaha!"

The shadow—the Puppeteer—burst into laughter.

The boisterous sound clashed with the twitching silhouette, exuding chill menace. Pierre stared stone-faced; she waved it off.

"You don't know that old man at all."

"...What?"

"He likes talent, sure, but his standards aren't that low. Kid's nowhere near protection ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠level yet."

She stroked her chin assertively.

"But... yeah. You lot pull strings everywhere, so he prunes at the slightest annoyance."

Her voice cut off abruptly.

Pierre flinched, staring at the shadow amid the ensuing eerie silence.

"Ah, sorry. One relay point just got nuked—connection dropped. Old man's pissed."

"That means..."

"Our great Ascendant Emperor's rat-hunting our bases like mad. Keep talking, and he'll hit here too?"

Pierre paled at her nonchalant tone. Discovery of dealings with the family and Ten Evils? Unpredictable fallout.

'But leaving now...'

No next chance without negotiating. He—and Father—could be severed for good.

As Pierre hesitated...

"Don't sweat Lee Se-hun. I'll handle him properly next time."

The Puppeteer leaned back casually.

"For real?"

"The Sacred Tree's owner is furious. Traded silence for a favor... Can tidy him up then."

Allying with another faction for round two. Pierre frowned at the vagueness.

"If it flops like this again..."

"Won't."

She cut him off, leaning forward.

Her face emerged from shadow.

A puppet's visage stitched from human skin, grinning mouth whispering.

"Then I'll puppet your family to help."

"..."

Threat wrapped as kindness. Pierre shuddered.

An S-rank hunter turned to materials, puppeteering thousands, tens of thousands—true form unknown.

Recalling the Ten Evils' Puppeteer's nature, Pierre gripped his fist.

"Won't... come to that."

With that, Pierre departed. The Puppeteer gazed at his back, then the sunset window.

"Babel..."

The Ascendant Emperor's garden, once her own. Imagining a blooming flower within, she smirked.

"Hope you've grown nicely."

Her puppet body slumped lifelessly, strings severed.