Chapter 18: 18

Chapter 18

The lounge on the top floor of the hotel.

On a large screen occupying one side of the wall, the view from the sponsorship venue was currently being broadcasted.

— Now! The next child I’m going to introduce is a cute little lady from Somang Nursery! Everyone, let’s give her a round of applause!

— Ah, hello! I’m…

A host who introduced the children to the guests and the children who clumsily introduced themselves.

The way the children desperately tried to present themselves as in need of love looked pitiful enough for others to be sympathetic.

But despite that, an old man sitting in front of a screen only frowned, then he spoke.

“…It’s not this one either.”

Namgung Taesu sighed while leaning against his wheelchair. A secretary who was beside him bowed her head deeply.

“I-I’m sorry. I should’ve prepared someone properly…”

“No. There’s nothing to be sorry about. You’re the one who had prepared the event according to the whims of this old man…Keuk!”

After finishing his words, Namgung Taesu suddenly coughed. As if he was having a fit, his cough lasted for dozens of seconds.

“President!”

The doctor next to him hurriedly attached a respirator to his mouth. But in the next second he grabbed the respiratory and threw it away.

“Huu…This is for an elderly person who’ll die soon. I don’t need it yet.”

“B-but you can’t overdo it, President!”

“Hoho, Choewon Jang is the only one who cares about my body. But thank you for worrying about me.”

Namgung Taesu showed a very exhausted expression as he spoke.

Liver spots blooming all over the face, and a skinny body that reveals only skin and bones.

It looked like an old man who had drank the heavenly water and was waiting for his death.

But despite that, his eyes were still and clear.

‘I can’t afford to die yet.’

Several generations have already passed since he moved here to Earth.

And in that time, he has devoted his whole life to raising the fallen Namgung clan.

He endured harsh humiliation and lived a servile life, and sometimes even abandoned his pride as the righteous faction by touching dirty work.

It was only after decades of effort that it was possible to rebuild the name Namgung on this land.

‘But it’s still not enough…’

From the perspective of Namgung Taesu, he couldn’t be satisfied with the current state.

He created the group called Changcheon, but he knew well that it was insignificant compared to the power he enjoyed in the murim. There was something essential to recreate that past glory.

It was the power that made the Namgung clan who they are today,

The Boundless Firmament Righteous Sword method.

In particular, the Monarch Sword Art.

Unfortunately, however, the Monarch Sword Art currently held by the Namgung clan was only half. The manual was lost at the time when the survivors of the Namgung clan fled to Earth.

But even if it wasn’t, it was a martial art that was notorious for its convoluted steps and learning curve. There also wasn’t any explanation to solve it…

As a result, it has reached a point where none of the immediate blood relatives of the Namgung clan can use the Monarch Sword Art.

Therefore, Namgung Taesu was here in search of clues to restore it.

‘Heavenly body…It’ll definitely be possible if it comes into such a person’s hands.’

A legendary constitution blessed by God to train in martial arts.

If it is the talent to understand and learn all the martial arts of the world, then the Monarch Sword Art of the Namgung clan could also be restored.

And…

If the divination done by the Namgung clan was correct, then the Heavenly Body will appear at the venue today.

‘I must…have it in my hands.’

Namgung Taesu looked at the screen and his eyes shone coldly.

* * *

The sponsorship event had already begun when I returned to the hotel. In front of the entrance to the venue, a childcare teacher was seen wandering around with an anxious look.

As soon as she saw me, she suddenly screamed.

“Why are you so late?”

“I’m sorry…The hotel is so spacious that I got lost.”

“Huu…I’m going to lose my mind. Anyway, we don’t have time, so quickly change your clothes and get your makeup done. Hurry up!”

I followed the person in charge of the event to the waiting room located behind the stage.

There were already children gathered from various nursery schools standing like a market stall.

“Heuk…waaah.”

“Hello~! I’m 11 years old~…!”

“Ah, no…W-why isn’t my ability working all of a sudden…?”

From those who were preparing their speech while looking in the mirror, to even those who were checking their abilities again.

The children, who were once abandoned by society, were trying hard so as to not miss this opportunity.

It was noisy.

I watched the scene from afar after I quickly changed my clothes in the narrow space. Soon after, a woman with colorful hair approached me.

“Oh my! Look at you! What’s wrong with your hair? Rather than makeup, we should do something about your hair first.”

Saying so, she sat me in front of a mirror. On one side of the mirror, the scene of the venue was being broadcasted.

“What kind of style do you want…? No. I’ll just take care of it, so wait a minute.”

Then she began to trim my hair with a pair of flashy scissors. She was a chaotic woman perfect for this chaotic landscape.

As I waited for her, a child suddenly sat down next to me soon after.

White skin and silver hair with a tint of blue. And an expressionless face like a doll.

He was a handsome boy with a very cold impression.

Hmm…Who was this?

Somehow, he looked familiar. But I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

I stared at him for a while, then he suddenly looked at me and asked in a sweet voice.

“What are you looking at?”

He seemed annoyed judging by his expression. He was as feisty as he looks.

“Nothing, I just glanced at you because you’re handsome.”

“…You’re a very rude rascal. I’m not used to being looked at by lowly people like you, so don’t look at me anymore.”

The guy said and frowned. Then, after staring at me for a moment, he turned his head back to the mirror in front of him.

I complimented him for being handsome, but he’s acting like that.

Perhaps because of the absence of a father and mother figure, his personality was very bad. Because of that, I think my young heart is going to be scarred.

Okay. Let’s write down his address and kill him later.

As soon as I thought so, an event official appeared at the entrance and shouted.

“Next in line, please get ready in advance!”

Then the unfortunate guy sitting next to me got up and headed to the stage.

…But really, I think I’ve seen him somewhere.

On second thought, it’s definitely a face I’ve seen before. Is it one of the heroes that I killed in the last round?

While I was lost in thought, the boy’s face was reflected on the monitor in the mirror.

— The child to be introduced this time is a person of noble lineage. The prince of a deceased royal family who came from another world! Let me introduce Eugene!

Along with the enthusiastic explanation from the host, the boy climbed onto the stage.

“12 years old. Eugene.”

Then, without saying a word, he picked up a wooden sword lying as a prop on the side of the stage and began swinging it in the air.

— Oooh!!

A perfect trajectory of the sword without an inch of imperfection. At the boy’s exceptional swordsmanship, exclamations burst from all over the venue.

The boy, who had been swinging the wooden sword for a while, soon put the sword back on the display stand and left the stage.

The moment I saw it, I thought I knew who he was.

It was him.

Namgung Eugene.

A genius among geniuses who became a C-class hero at the ripe age of 13.

In the past, when I was wandering the streets, I remember reading it in a newspaper article.

Then, that guy will be adopted by the Namgung clan today.

If I didn’t remember his last name wrong, it’s probably likely to flow that way.

Come to think of it…If he’s 12 years old now, wouldn’t he die next year?

In the last round, Namgung Eugene received a lot of attention when he became a C-class hero at the age of 13.

However, not long after that, he died in an attack by a terrorist group with a grudge against the Namgung clan.

And because of that, the Namgung clan went into an uproar.

At that time, it was such a big event that even the back alley where I was mainly active had an impact, so the fact that he had died is still vivid.

Well, people without manners should die early.

While I was recalling past memories, the woman who was trimming my hair behind me suddenly shouted.

“Oh…my god!”

She looked at me with a very surprised look when she looked in the mirror. She soon slapped my shoulder and spoke.

“It’s really amazing! It’s totally amazing! You had this face, but why did you dress like a beggar?!”

Because she was making a fuss, other makeup artists around her began to flock around me.

“Oh, my. What’s this? Why is the boy so pretty?”

“I know, honestly, I feel slightly defeated.”

“Slightly? I think it’s a complete defeat.”

“What? You’re so mean!”

Thanks to them, this place that was otherwise noisy felt twice as hectic. I wanted to get out of here quickly.

At that moment, the official who visited the waiting room a while ago called me at the entrance.

“I’ll prepare for the next segment in advance!”

Thanks to that, I was able to get out of this hectic space.

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In a hidden space next to the auditorium that led to the stage, I thought to myself while waiting for my turn.

With the new skill I had gained this time, I’ll be able to get adopted to a good place.

I don’t want anything like becoming an honorary noble or gaining special citizenship. What I’m aiming for is at least a 2nd class family.

With that much, I’m sure they’ll be able to support my hero activities after I become a hero.

— The next friend I’m going to introduce is Choi Noah from House of Flowers! Please give him a round of applause!

I can hear the host calling my name. I checked my outfit one last time before heading onto the stage.

* * *

The guests all looked at the pamphlets in their hands when the host called out the next child’s name.

“Let’s see, Choi Noah, 12 years old. Specialty is…playing games?”

“Oh, my. I’ve never seen such a case before. There wasn’t anything else to write?”

“Well, I’m sure he’s a gloomy boy. I don’t think he’ll be suitable for a classy family like mine.”

The guests inside the venue let go of their expectations and began chatting with one another.

At that moment, a young boy appeared on the stage.

“Uh…Huh? Is that him?”

“… Didn’t it say he was a boy?”

Unlike the mood a while ago, those who saw the boy had no choice but to burst into admiration.

A beautiful face like an angel and a cute, playful expression. And, the mysterious purple eyes that shone.

Every eye at the venue became focused on one place.

As if someone had cast a spell, the moment they saw the boy’s appearance, strangely, they started to like him. It was a subtle change that they themselves wouldn’t be able to notice.

“Hoho, I can’t believe playing games can be a speciality these days. Isn’t it a healthy leisure activity?”

“Hmm…He’s the perfect boy for a noble family like mine.”

Finally, the child standing in the center of the stage grabbed the microphone.

“Ah, hello! My name is Choi Noah! And I’m 12 years old!”

The boy simply introduced himself, but there were noises of laughter everywhere.

“This is a talent show, so I’ll show what I’m most proud of.”

Then surprisingly, the child took a wooden sword out from the display stand next to him, just as Eugene had done a moment ago.

Everyone at the venue watched the child’s behavior. But at that moment.

Boom???!

With a loud roar, one of the walls of the venue suddenly burst. Then the sound of someone laughing was heard.

“Haha! I’m first!”

What stood there was an iron giant wearing a steel suit. Following him, dozens of masked people began to invade the venue.

“Aahh! V-villains!”

“Everyone, run away!”

Most of the people who are currently gathered here were just from ordinary families.

Officials from famous hero families and scouts from various famous organizations were watching from a separate place.

As a result, they were helpless in the face of the villains’ ambush.

“Haha…it’s going to be fun chopping people up!”

The steel giant, holding a photon blade in his hand, began to playfully chop up the people around him.

Not only that, the masked villains swung their swords at the people trying to escape.

Everywhere became filled with blood and screams as the venue quickly turned into a mess.

Then one step later, a woman with fluffy ears entered the venue.

“Huh, Andes? How are you already here enjoying it alone?”

Breaking someone’s head with one hand, the steel giant spoke.

“You’re late, Vera! I was certainly on time.”

“Are you really going to bullshit like this?”

“Haha. Didn’t I tell everyone the time? Please show up on time next time.”

While the two were bickering, the inside of the venue was reduced at a rapid speed.

The people who had tried to escape died, and the remaining guests knelt on the floor with their heads lowered.

Vera stared at the bodies and spoke.

“Well, by the way…Will Gomin be okay by himself?”

“Why are you worried about him? He’s probably enjoying it more than we are by now anyway.”

“Yeah…? Everything will be fine, right?”

“Hmph! If you’re going to talk about that ominous feeling or whatever, just go home.”

At Andes’ words, Vera quickly changed her expression and spoke.

“No. It’s just a passing thought. Let’s quickly clean this up and move on to the next step.”

“Okay. Then I’ll head up first and suppress everyone, so wrap up the few kids. There are only ordinary people here anyway.”

“Okay. Leave it to me.”

Vera nodded, pulling out a long sword from her waist. Then Andes and a few subordinates left the venue.

Soon after, she stepped toward the stage where the children were.

* * *

Screams came from all directions.

Cut bodies were littered everywhere, and even the ivory carpets were stained with blood.

I stood on the stage and watched.

Villains.

I was certainly expecting something to happen today, but I didn’t think villains would brazenly invade like this.

Maybe because of the effect of a while ago, but I was really attracting people’s attention…The opportunity that came after a long time was wasted.

Anyway, should I be thankful for my misfortune…?

As soon as the villains attacked, a message appeared in front of my eyes.

[Challenge – Wipe Out the Terrorist (Chain Quest).]

Condition: Clean up the terrorist who has invaded the hotel.

Period: 1 week.

Reward: 3x Random Box (Low).

A challenge that rewarded as many as three low-grade boxes. The reward is good.

And most of all, what I like is…

There’s nothing ambiguous like saving someone.

It’s a problem that can be solved by killing everyone here. Nice and simple.

The moment I was smiling happily, I saw a masked villain approaching me.

“Hey, kid! If you don’t want to die, go over there right now and kneel down.”

Blood was dripping from the sword in his hand. Seeing that a light was swaying finely on the blade of the sword, it seems that he is at a level capable of imbuing mana onto weapons.

In other words, transforming my body using won’t be very helpful.

But I don’t have to run away anymore.

I lifted the wooden sword that I still held in my hand. The masked villain burst into laughter and spoke.

“Crazy bastard. Die.”

As if he was trying to split my head at once, he swung the sword down without mercy.

However, I coiled my wooden sword around the falling sword and hit his wrist.

“Keuk!”

The sudden pain caused the guy to drop his sword.

And at that moment???

Puk???!

“Keuh…keuk!”

I caught the falling sword and put the blade into his neck in one motion. Perhaps because of the momentum of the blade, but it was neatly embedded even though mana wasn’t used.

As expected, it’s good.

I gave a satisfied smile and checked my new skill.

Classification: Magic

Grade: C (Unsealed: S)

Effect: The ability to understand and reproduce martial arts increases.

*Correction applied to C-grade martial arts and below

*You can imitate C-grade martial arts skills and below

*You can see the sword.

*The skill cannot be strengthened with skill strengthening items.

*Current effectiveness is sealed. The skill will be unsealed once certain conditions are met.

I can’t believe this came out of the medium-grade box…

It was simply a reward only obtainable by breaking through the lowest probability possible.

In addition, I’m not sure what conditions I need to meet, but the skill can grow into S-grade simply by unsealing it.

Well, it was enough for now.

I wanted to immediately swing my sword…So I was very grateful to these guys who were so nice to appear just in time.

As soon as I thought that,

Whoosh???!

A silver light flashed in front of my eyes and passed by my cheek with a sharp sound. I touched my cheek and realized it was dripping with blood.

“Who are you?”

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A woman with fluffy ears appeared in front of me and was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Great.

Just like that, I looked at her and lifted my sword without saying a word.

== Translator’s Note ==

1. Please report any typos, grammatical/spelling errors, sentences you find weird, and other etc…in the comment section.

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