Chapter 398
The year was already drawing to a close.
It was late December, the eve of the new year. The usually bustling academy had grown quieter, with students returning home for the winter break. Just days ago, the Christmas festivities had filled the air with excitement, making the emptiness left behind even more pronounced.
“Almost New Year, huh...”
Luize, walking through the streets, observed the changed atmosphere with a peculiar expression.
Last year, when she was still undergoing rehabilitation, the thought of the approaching year had felt dreadful. But now, she no longer had those thoughts. If anything, she just had an urge to smack a certain someone—someone who had gone completely silent until Christmas Day, only to send a single text at 11:00 p.m. saying, “Merry Christmas.”
Well, he is a busy man after all...
Even so, couldn’t he have at least shared a meal with her? Luize felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction. She understood it in her head, but her heart refused to accept it.
Annoyed, she furrowed her brow. But that only lasted a moment, as she broke into a small, amused smile soon after. After all, the fact she could even afford to have such trivial concerns was proof that she had become far happier compared to last year.
Wishing for more would just be greedy, wouldn't it?
It would be a lie to say she didn’t want even more, but she didn’t dwell on it too deeply. To her, right now, what mattered more than her own wishes was the answer of the person she wanted to smack.
Alas, to get that answer, she first had to eliminate the Demon Force.
Every time I think about it, it’s absurd.
Why did she have to take down the Demon Force just to get his answer? Every time similar thoughts crossed her mind, she felt the urge to charge forward without waiting.
Each time, however, Luize suppressed that impulse. She already knew exactly what kind of response she would get if she acted like that.
“Phew...”
Realizing that further contemplation would only lead to more frustration, Luize shook her head and focused solely on walking.
Then, before long, she arrived at her designated meeting place: the training grounds.
“I see you’re here.”
“You’re late.”
Seeing Amir and Sung-Ha standing at the entrance, Luize glanced around.
“Is he not here yet?”
“He said he’ll be here soon.”
“Tsk. As always, he never arrives on time,” Luize complained, shaking her head in exasperation.
And at that very moment, a voice spoke from behind. “It’s you guys who are here ten minutes early.”
“?!”
Luize instinctively teleported away, startled—which made Se-Hoon smirk.
“Wow, your reflexes are getting sharper.”
“Y-You...!”
Her face turning red, Luize prepared to hurl a string of curses at him, but Se-Hoon waved his hand dismissively before she could.
“Yeah, yeah, I understand that I’m a bastard. You can curse me out later. Let’s head inside for now. You guys are busy too, aren’t you?”
Ignoring her complaints, Se-Hoon grabbed Luize by the shoulders and guided her inside.
“Ugh, don’t push me.”
And after securing the largest training room available, he faced the three of them.
“Ahem, as I mentioned in my message, the reason I called you guys here today is that your new weapons are finally complete. It took just a bit longer than expected due to material supply issues and other unavoidable circumstances...”
While Se-Hoon continued his lengthy explanation, the three exchanged subtle glances and started whispering among themselves.
“Why does he sound so proud of himself?”
“Probably because he has no shame.”
“Blacksmiths who abuse their power usually act like this.”
“...”
Luize had planned to call him out on it, but she hesitated, feeling a slight pang of conscience. Then again, regardless of the reason, it was his fault that their weapons had been delayed for months.
The mood began shifting. Sensing it, Se-Hoon cleared his throat and quickly got to the point.
“Anyway, I sincerely apologize for that part. Now, let me show you your weapons.”
Reaching into his void pocket, Se-Hoon pulled out the finished weapons.
At that, the three, who had been grumbling just moments ago, immediately turned their full attention to him. Despite their annoyance at the long wait, their expectations for Se-Hoon’s craftsmanship remained unchanged.
“Ta da~! Here are your new weapons!”
With great enthusiasm, Se-Hoon handed them over, which the three took and started examining their respective weapons.
“...”
A multi-colored fire-mana-imbued spear with incomplete finishing touches.
“...”
A staff that was essentially just a long stick with a crudely embedded black gemstone.
“...”
An object that wasn’t even a dagger—just a chunk of white ice.
For a long moment, the three silently stared at their weapons before glancing at each other’s weapons, comparing them.
Finally, at the end, their eyes met. They exchanged unspoken thoughts—and confirmed that they were all thinking the same thing.
“Should we just beat him up?”
“We should.”
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
As if moving as one, the three lunged at Se-Hoon.
Crash- BOOM!
The training ground shook violently, looking as if it were on the verge of collapse. There were even several warning lights flashing, signaling that the barrier was on the brink of failing.
The chaos continued, and the room only became silent when it subsided.
Urgh... I guess I can’t handle them as easily as before.
Despite dodging to the best of his ability, Se-Hoon had still taken quite a few hits. Rubbing his sore spots, he looked at the three, who were also slightly roughed up. In contrast, though, they were standing firm with dumbfounded expressions.
His movements have gotten sharper.
Even without fully using his powers, we’re almost evenly matched.
He just keeps getting more versatile.
Though none of them had gone all out, the three of them together managing only that much was a blow to their pride. It ignited their competitiveness, making them draw more of their mana to fight properly—
“Wait!"
Se-Hoon hastily raised his hands to stop them.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding. These weapons aren’t what you think. Let me explain.”
Suspicious, Luize narrowed her eyes. “Fine. Talk.”
He met each of their gazes. “Your new weapons might seem unfinished, but that’s intentional. They’re designed to support your growth.”
“Support our growth?”
“Yeah. Think of them like unique skills that are on the verge of awakening.”
Seemingly realizing something thanks to those words, Sung-Ha and Luize looked down at their weapons.
“From our fight just now, I can tell that you two are already at the threshold of awakening your unique skills. You can already control them freely, so technically, you’ve acquired them already.”
“...”
“But why aren’t they officially recognized by the system, you may ask? It’s because your inner foundations haven’t fully solidified yet.”
If they wanted to attain Complete Source Resonance and Mana Assimilation as their unique skills, they could do so now if they wanted. However, those unique skills were originally meant for the Mad Dog and the Blast Dog.
For Sung-Ha and Luize, who had both taken a different path thanks to meeting Se-Hoon, they no longer fit quite right anymore.
“I see... So that’s how it is.”
“Hmm...”
Both of them grasped that as well, making them fall into deep thought.
Seeing that, Se-Hoon continued. “If I forged fully completed weapons for you two right now, it would actually be detrimental. They might even disrupt the natural progression of your unique skills.”
“Still... you didn’t have to make them this crudely,” Luize protested.
But at those words, Se-Hoon smirked.
“Who said they were crude?”
“Well, obviously—”
“Try infusing them with mana and say, ‘Phase Manifestation.’”
Glancing at each other, the two only then followed his words.
Woong-
Upon the command, flames of various colors surged from Sung-Ha’s spear, refining its edge into a deadly weapon, while Luize’s staff split at the gemstone to reveal a hidden core.
In the blink of an eye, their weapons had transformed completely. Eyes wide with shock, the two turned back to Se-Hoon, who grinned triumphantly.
“I enchanted them with Lea’s enchantments. For a brief moment in battle, they’ll adapt to match your abilities perfectly.”
They fully utilized the power of Phase Manifestation: an enchantment that made imitations manifest the power of the real thing.
“Once you fully awaken your unique skills, I’ll refine them properly. What do you think?”
“Hmph. I guess this isn’t that bad,” Luize scoffed.
“Well... I suppose this is acceptable.”
Watching Sung-Ha and Luize nodding in understanding, Amir, who had been silently observing, suddenly interjected. “Then what about me?”
He already had his unique skill, so why had Se-Hoon given him such an absurdly bizarre weapon?
“Oh, yours was made using Zayed’s crystal,” Se-Hoon casually explained, as though just remembering what he forgot.
“...Excuse me?!”
Shocked, Amir immediately looked down at the lump of ice in his hands, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Seeing that, Se-Hoon quickly added, “No, no. To be precise, I didn’t touch the crystal itself. I just encased it in ice to prevent it from breaking.”
“Ah, I see. Well, of course... I’ve always believed you wouldn’t do something like that.” While Amir said that, he had clearly suspected it just a moment ago.
Yet, Se-Hoon let it slide and just continued. “Even though Wurgen restored the soul, it’s shown no response so far. So, I figured I should try keeping it close to you.”
“With me?”
“Yeah. If it's near you, your presence might help it regain consciousness.”
If there was anyone who desperately wished for Zayed’s return, it was Amir. By keeping the crystal close and infusing it with his presence, there was a chance Zayed could awaken one day.
Amir gazed at the ice crystal in his hand, his emotions swirling. It took a while for his emotions to settle, which was when he spoke again. “I appreciate your consideration, but... carrying this around like this is a bit much, don’t you think?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.”
Se-Hoon stepped forward and, before Amir could react, firmly pressed the ice crystal into Amir’s chest.
“?!”
Whoosh-!
Thanks to the pre-applied barrier, it easily merged into his body, embedding itself near his heart.
“I overlapped the crystal with your heart using the power of Boundaries. Now, you can transmit mana to it without hassle,” Se-Hoon explained, pulling his hand away.
The crystal’s physical form remained in the Netherworld, but it was linked to Amir’s heart, creating a strange, surreal connection. Feeling the faint sensation of that connection—something foreign within him—Amir looked down at his chest in wonder.
“...Thank you.” A small smile was on his face.
He had been caught off guard initially, but in the end, it was all for his sake. Amir gently placed a hand over his chest, satisfied.
With the last one addressed, Se-Hoon faced all three of them.
“The raid on the Silent Volcano is approaching. I might need you all then, so start preparing.”
While none of them were as overwhelmingly powerful as they had been before his regression, their potential for explosive power was undeniable. Even in their current state, they could prove invaluable at a critical moment.
“Don’t worry.”
“Just make sure to call us in time.”
“Just call me; I’ll follow.”
Despite being told to fight on the frontlines, which would make even seasoned heroes nervous, the three of them hadn’t even hesitated to respond.
After all, if Se-Hoon was stepping onto the battlefield, it was only natural that they would stand beside him.
And with those unwavering responses, Se-Hoon sent them off.
Then, once alone, he took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts.
Almost everything is in place.
Other than the three’s equipment that needed time to fully develop, a majority of the preparation was done. The Heroes Association had also contacted him, saying that the raid team’s formation was nearly complete.
The full-scale battle against the Demon Force was imminent.
Only one task remained now.
This might be the most important one.
If it went well, it would simply unravel a secret. If it went wrong, however... it could trigger a war.
Se-Hoon pulled out his phone and made a call.
“Help me inform your family head that I’d like to meet him now.”
He set off for the Myers family mansion.
***
The Myers estate was covered in a pristine blanket of snow, making it a sight that had become unfamiliar since his last visit in the summer.
It feels... oddly cold. Se-Hoon took in the sight with a peculiar expression.
It wasn’t just the snow—it was the weight of the secrets hidden within the place that sent a chill down his spine.
He walked forward, ready for the revel, and saw a figure was waiting for him outside with her coat draped over her shoulders.
“Welcome.”
“Why are you out here in this cold? You could’ve just waited inside.”
“I was bored, and it’s not that cold, anyway.”
For an S-rank hero like Aria, the current weather didn’t even require her to use mana to keep warm. The same applied to Se-Hoon, though he still acted as if he felt the cold.
“Even if you’re not, you should still act in accordance with the season. It could make your interactions with people smoother.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Take this situation, for example. If you had been waiting inside due to the cold but stepped out just to greet me, I might have been touched.”
“...I see. That is a bit of a missed opportunity.”
Chuckling, Aria turned toward the mansion and walked in. Se-Hoon followed, observing her carefully.
It hasn’t even been a month since I last saw her, yet... she’s become so much sharper.
If the Aria from before had been a perfectly honed sword, then the Aria now was one that had actually tasted blood. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of training she had undergone for her aura to change so drastically.
“You’re staring a bit too much, you know?”
“Ah... My apologies. It’s just that you seemed to have changed quite a bit since the last time we met.”
Hearing his comment, Aria calmly replied, “Considering my opponent, I needed to prepare properly. I’ve never trained this intensely before, so I’m not fully used to it yet.”
Even among the countless heroes in the entire world, Aria was regarded as a genius. How many times had she ever needed to prepare as thoroughly as she had for a fight? Perhaps he would finally be able to see Aria unleashing her full power.
This reminds me of her from before my regression...
The holy swordswoman who stood on the front lines, slaughtering demons without hesitation—Se-Hoon lost himself in memories of her, whose presence overlapped with her current self.
Moments later, they arrived at the family head’s office.
“Go on in.”
“Alright.”
Announcing his arrival with a light knock, Se-Hoon stepped inside.
Within the room, at the window, the head of the Myers family—Aaron Myers—stood there looking out in silence. Slowly, Aaron turned around and his mature, stony gaze met Se-Hoon’s. Though he resembled Jake, his presence was entirely different.
Se-Hoon opened his mouth—
Shh-
But Aaron raised a finger to his lips, silencing him.
Then, without acknowledging Se-Hoon further, he walked over to his desk, placed his hand on a certain spot, and infused it with mana.
Whoosh!
Aaron vanished with a flash of light.
Does he want me to... follow him? Se-Hoon narrowed his eyes.
It was clear Aaron was under some kind of restriction, preventing him from speaking openly. So rather than discussing it directly, he was choosing to show Se-Hoon the truth.
If that’s the case...
Instead of using the method Aaron had activated, Se-Hoon examined the space in the room. And then, tracing the path through the distortions, he slipped through the gaps in space.
Whoosh!
He arrived at an underground facility situated dozens of kilometers away from the Myers estate.
His eyes widening in shock at Se-Hoon’s ability to track him manually, Aaron then gave a quick nod before walking deeper inside.
As they passed through the facility, Aaron demonstrated how to bypass each of the strict security measures filling the entire place. However, Se-Hoon simply ignored them all, simply wrapping himself in a Veil of Whitespace and walking straight through.
I won’t trigger any trivial restrictions this way.
Aaron had likely steeled himself to risk his life against whatever restrictions were in place, but there was no need for such theatrics in the first place. Se-Hoon pressed forward unimpeded, proving that he could reach the end anytime he wanted.
And finally, they arrived.
Woong-
Seeing the vast cavern filled with golden, translucent liquid, Se-Hoon instantly understood its purpose.
The Essence of the Sword most likely has a connection to this.
He recalled the special genetic material created by the Seeker in collaboration with the Myers family’s previous head.
But why here, all of a sudden...?
Puzzled, Se-Hoon scanned the interior of the underground chamber, and soon, his gaze fell upon dark silhouettes lurking in the deepest part of the cavern.
“...!”
His eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, he strode forward, moving deeper into the chamber to examine the corpses submerged in the golden liquid.
“...”
Each looked as if they had only recently died—there were no signs of decay. Furthermore... all of them bore the distinct features of the Myers bloodline.
But what truly caught his attention were not the bodies themselves.
Those swords...
Each corpse clutched a grotesque, eerie blade.
Se-Hoon’s mind raced, trying to recall something eerily similar from the past.
Then, after a long silence, he finally spoke. “I once heard about Jake’s uncle—Gilbert Myers.”
Aaron said nothing, merely watching him.
“He was a renowned figure, so I looked into his records... and discovered that he was slain by Demon’s Edge.”
It had happened during the first war against the Demon Force. There had been countless similar deaths, so it had never stood out as anything unusual. But... staring at the corpses before him, Se-Hoon found himself considering an entirely different possibility.
“I know that your family has lost many members in battles like that. And I assume their bodies were never recovered.”
Aaron, still, remained silent.
Se-Hoon took a deep breath.
Then, his voice steady but firm, he continued. “This may be an extremely disrespectful question, but... since you brought me here, I assume you want me to speculate.”
Standing at the golden liquid’s edge, he met Aaron’s gaze.
“Gilbert Myers... no, the entire Myers bloodline—have they been inheriting Demon’s Edge?”
A suffocating silence filled the cavern.
And at last, for the first time since they met, Aaron opened his mouth.
“Yes.”
His voice was heavy, each syllable laden with the weight of history.
“We are the ones who gave birth to Demon’s Edge.”