I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 257 : Sweep Away (1)

On the day his training ended, Su-hyeon received an unexpected message.

[A new title, 'All Rivers Return to the Sea', has been granted!]

[Through intense training, you have achieved perfect harmony between sword and fist, pioneering a new martial art based on your own methodology.]

[Unprecedented achievement! Calculating achievement points!]

[Achievement points 6000 awarded!]

"Wow."

Despite gaining an unexpected hidden title, Su-hyeon merely let out a short exclamation.

"That's amazing."

This was because the accomplishments Su-hyeon had achieved over the past year were far greater than any mere title or a few thousand achievement points.

"I truly can't believe it."

Ju Taeyang exclaimed in admiration as he looked at Su-hyeon, who had dissolved the dimensional magic and come outside.

"Admiration, veneration, astonishment, wonder. Which word should I use to describe you?"

"You flatter me."

"Flattery? If anything is excessive, it's your achievement."

Ju Taeyang chuckled.

"Isn't that right?"

"......Indeed. It's a sight that makes me doubt my own eyes."

Chief of Staff Heo Sung-gyeom.

Having rushed over at the Commander's urgent call, he spoke as if unable to believe what he was seeing.

"A transformation beyond words."

How was such a thing possible in just one day?

Wasn't this already in the realm of myth?

"I told you. It contains a full year's worth of achievement."

"I didn't expect you would use that arrangement here, though."

Heo Sung-gyeom nodded.

"Seeing the results like this, I can raise neither complaints nor objections."

"Haha. This is what it means to prove the process through results."

"S-rank."

Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"It seems you've already comfortably crossed the threshold of S-rank."

"Your discernment is impeccable as always. That's right."

"At this level, I believe he could easily match the three unit Captains—Dragon Spear, Flame Emperor, and Fist King."

Heo Sung-gyeom let out a hollow laugh.

"A 17-year-old, no, a boy who just turned 18."

"Yes. That's the achievement this boy has accomplished."

"Commander. I am witnessing a miracle right now."

Su-hyeon was listening to their praise silently with a faint smile on his lips.

"My, my. You were precocious before, but now you're truly adult-like."

Heo Sung-gyeom exclaimed once more as he observed Su-hyeon.

Su-hyeon's markedly changed presence.

His contained energy.

It was exactly the kind of weightiness one could only sense from an Awakened at the Captain level.

"To reach such a state through one year of training. Well, considering the achievements you've made over the past year, perhaps it's only natural."

"I truly agree. I'm glad I was able to use my final arrangement on Su-hyeon."

Ju Taeyang laughed heartily.

"So, Su-hyeon, now I'll ask you one thing."

Ju Taeyang.

The hope of humanity, humanity's pinnacle, a symbol of hope.

He looked at the boy who would become his successor and asked.

"What do you want most right now?"

"......I believe I now have sufficient power."

Therefore, Su-hyeon said.

"I want revenge."

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"Before we get into the main discussion."

Ju Taeyang, who had seated Su-hyeon and Heo Sung-gyeom in the refreshment room, said.

"What about the academy?"

"One thing that's certain is that Su-hyeon's power is already at the Captain level. But the problem is that he lacks both experience and seniority."

"I agree."

"So I was thinking, perhaps we could create a separate position for him, something like a Commander's direct subordinate unit or Chief of Staff's direct command, or a special agent role?"

"Hmm."

Ju Taeyang, with his arms crossed, turned to Su-hyeon.

"What do you think?"

"I still have much to learn. And I'm young. If possible, I'd like to maintain my status as an academy cadet for now."

"Look at that."

Ju Taeyang laughed heartily.

"Then wouldn't even the Special First Place position be insufficient? To fully utilize your power in the future, you'll need more freedom than a third-year graduate."

"In other words, we need a plausible justification and honor."

Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"In that case, I have one idea that comes to mind."

"As expected from Chief of Staff Heo. What's that method?"

"Early graduation."

Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"What if we adjust Su-hyeon's status to an early graduation candidate and have him graduate next year as soon as this semester ends? Afterward, we can formally enlist him in the Execution Force and give him a position that allows him to move freely."

"Hmm."

Ju Taeyang nodded.

"That's good."

"I think that's a good idea."

Su-hyeon also showed a positive reaction.

"Still, graduation after just one year since enrollment."

Ju Taeyang laughed heartily.

"You're making history once again."

"So that the history can continue into the future."

Su-hyeon said.

"I'll do my best."

"Su-hyeon certainly has a way with words that's quite admirable."

Heo Sung-gyeom smiled.

"I agree."

Ju Taeyang nodded and changed the subject.

"Good. Now let's talk about the operation."

"Yes."

"Understood."

"The targets for revenge would be Lee Cheong-myeong and Ha Jin-su, those two Ma-in, correct?"

"Primarily, yes."

"Alright. The most important thing is how to draw them out and fight them."

"First of all, as you know, they're as cunning as they come. If a Captain-level fighter disappears, they'll immediately be on alert."

Su-hyeon said.

"So the Captain-level fighters need to appear to be deployed on major missions or guarding major facilities as usual. I think that's the first condition."

"I agree."

Heo Sung-gyeom said.

"In other words, Su-hyeon himself needs to act as a joker and catch them off guard."

"That's right."

"They could never anticipate it."

Heo Sung-gyeom smiled wryly.

"That just days after losing their master, Su-hyeon would have grown so powerful that he'd be targeting them in return."

"Hmm. This might sound a bit crude."

Ju Taeyang, who had been listening to their conversation, said.

"If someone could predict that, wouldn't they be insane?"

"Yes. That would make them a paranoid patient."

Heo Sung-gyeom laughed.

"So the problem comes down to one thing: how to lure those two."

"Yes. We need powerful bait."

"I'd like to tell you both."

Su-hyeon said.

"We already know who would be the optimal person to play the role of that bait."

"......You mean the 'Sword God'?"

"Yes. I think we need to ask the Sword God for help."

"I'll talk to Un-hak-hyung."

Ju Taeyang nodded.

The two men weren't far apart in age, and despite the differences in their positions as Hunter and Execution Force, they had a close relationship from fighting many battles together.

"No."

Su-hyeon shook his head.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to him myself."

"......."

Reading something in Su-hyeon's expression, Ju Taeyang readily agreed.

"Alright. Go ahead."

"Is that okay?"

Despite Heo Sung-gyeom's concern, Ju Taeyang remained firm.

"It'll be fine."

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"Su-hyeon."

The residence of Sword God Lee Un-hak.

Lee Yu-jin, who had been granted special overnight leave to return home, greeted Su-hyeon.

"I didn't expect to come back again like this."

"......Yeah."

Yu-jin opened the door and let Su-hyeon in.

"Let's talk inside. Grandfather is waiting."

"Your aura has changed since I last saw you."

Lee Un-hak, sitting in the reception room with a haggard complexion, looked at Su-hyeon and said.

"What on earth happened?"

"I'll explain that to you now."

Su-hyeon briefly explained to Lee Un-hak and Yu-jin what had happened.

"Impressive."

Lee Un-hak marveled.

"That Taeyang fellow, to think he's been hiding such a treasure all this time."

"It's an unbelievable story."

Yu-jin said.

But the truth was that the aura emanating from Su-hyeon had completely changed in just two days, making it impossible not to accept.

'It's not just that his power has increased. He's grown taller, and his physique too.......'

Wouldn't it make more sense to say he came back after a year of training rather than growing so much in just one day?

"I can hardly fathom how great your grief must be. However, as someone who has also lost a master, I believe I have the right to say this."

Lee Un-hak nodded, seeing the flame burning in Su-hyeon's calm eyes.

"I want to avenge him with my own hands."

"If the Commander of the Execution Force approves, and the Chief of Staff has jointly planned it."

Lee Un-hak nodded.

"That means they value your strength that highly. And their judgment doesn't differ from mine."

"Thank you. Then I'll explain the operation."

Su-hyeon continued his explanation.

"The execution date is three days from now."

"You know well what day that is."

"Yes. It's the day of the joint funeral for Instructor Lee Ho-seung and the other victims."

Su-hyeon said.

"The [Sword of Belphegor] will certainly be watching."

"Yes. Without a doubt."

"On that day, please show yourself as someone whose strength has completely diminished."

"......That is."

Yu-jin was about to say something but closed her mouth.

"Grieving, deeply grieving. An old man in the back room who has lost both the strength and will to hold a sword."

Lee Un-hak said.

"You're asking me to reveal such an old man's appearance to the world."

"......Regrettably, yes."

"Truth be told, I feel like becoming that way right now."

Lee Un-hak laughed weakly.

"I want to abandon everything and depart abruptly, and I also want to exact a thorough revenge. I want to swing my sword madly, yet at times I can't stand the sight of this thing called a sword."

For a man who has lived his entire life looking only at swords, Lee Un-hak said self-deprecatingly.

"Sir, you mustn't weaken. Above all else, Yu......"

Yu-jin.

The word lingered in Su-hyeon's mouth.

Was it because of caution that it might seem too casual in front of the family elder?

Or was it because he suddenly remembered Yu-jin's long-standing complaint about disliking her name being called with her surname?

Su-hyeon stammered a little and said.

"......For Yu-jin's sake too."

"......!"

Leaving behind Yu-jin's surprised expression, Su-hyeon bowed his head.

"Yes. That's right. Our Yu-jin, my grandchildren. And my children. If I think of them, I must stay strong."

The Sword God muttered.

"......If you show such an appearance on that day. They will certainly try to assassinate you when you're alone."

"That makes sense."

"Only then will we be able to draw out Ha Jin-su, and......."

Su-hyeon sighed and continued.

"Ma-in Lee Cheong-myeong."

"Heh."

Ma-in Lee Cheong-myeong.

How painfully that name rang in his ears.

"That's when ......Yu-jin and I will join in. Without borrowing the strength of other Captains or members."

"A decoy, is it?"

Lee Un-hak burst into laughter.

"Fine. What can't I do? Abandoning this empty title of Sword God, cutting off my hands and feet—none of that matters to me now."

As Lee Un-hak rose abruptly from his seat, an intense light once again shone in his eyes.

"I will break this cycle of karma."

"No."

Su-hyeon shook his head.

"I will do it."

"Why?"

"A situation where a disciple's enemy is another disciple and your own son. I know it's a pain I can't even begin to fathom."

Su-hyeon slowly rose from his seat and clasped his hands in front.

"How could a father who killed his son continue to eat and live on?"

"......."

Lee Un-hak squeezed his eyes shut.

Yu-jin bowed her head and bit her teeth, struggling to make no sound.

"I cannot leave an even greater wound in your heart."

Therefore.

"I will at least resolve this with my own hands."

Su-hyeon's hands grasped Lee Un-hak's aged hands.

"As a disciple who has lost his master."

"......."

Finally, tears fell from Lee Un-hak's tightly closed eyes.

"Thank you. Truly, thank you."

"......Thank you so much."

Yu-jin's white hand covered the clasped hands of the two men.