Chapter 86.

I tried to explain the true value of the branch logically . The evidence I provided was rather simplistic, but it was persuasive nonetheless .

I said that it was impossible for a simple branch to be the reward for killing the Swordsman of Destruction . So rather than concluding that this branch was an ordinary branch, it was more logical to assume that it was special .

I then pretended to think about folktales and legends related to a branch and said there was one folktale that fit the bill .

“…There’s only one branch that comes to mind . Misteltein . ”

Misteltein, the branch that slew the Nordic God of Light, Baldur .

When Kim Suho heard this divine name of myths, his eyes widened in shock . I continued my explanation .

“But as you know, a divine weapon needs to undergo one or more awakenings to fully reveal itself . This branch must be the unawakened Misteltein . ”

I stared at the branch on the ground . It really did look like an ordinary branch .

“That’s why it looks so simple . ”

“Ah, I see… then we should figure out how to awaken it, right?”

“About that… . ”

I stared at the Caucasian man Kim Suho defeated . He was collapsed on the ground . It didn’t look like he was pretending to be unconscious either .

The fact that his body was there meant that Kim Suho had not killed him .

Of course, Kim Suho didn’t have a real reason to kill him, as it looked like the man didn’t reveal that he was a Djinn .

In reality, Devil Transformation was close to being a forbidden, secret technique among Djinns who infiltrated human society . The baldy only used it because he felt he would have died otherwise .

“Why don’t we get out of here first?”

I spoke as I pointed at the Caucasian man . As I didn’t know when he would wake up, it didn’t feel right staying here any longer .

“Yeah, that’s a good idea . ”

I didn’t reveal to Kim Suho that the Caucasian man was a Djinn .

It was because I was worried about the stock price plummeting . The worst thing that could happen was Packhorse Master’s stock becoming trash . After all, I threw all the money I made so far into it .

“Oh right, what happened to the man you fought?”

Kim Suho suddenly asked .

“…He ran away . ”

“Oh, then what should we do about that one? Shouldn’t we report him to the Association?”

“No, we don’t have any evidence . Plus, this place is the hidden stage of the Dungeon they were conquering . Since we are the ones who entered without going through proper procedures, we might end up getting punished instead . ”

We walked out of the Dungeon while talking about various things .

The outside world was already dark . The mountain was eerily lit up by the moon, and the cries of wolves and owls rang out .

It was practically a scene from Hometown Legends . [1]

I was scared, but I didn’t have the strength to continue walking . I sat down on the ground to rest .

“…Auu . ”

My whole body was plagued with pain and fatigue, especially my upper arm . Because I used all of Stigma’s magic power in one blow, it kept throbbing painfully . I couldn’t even move my left arm .

Kim Suho sat down next to me . I pointed at the branch in his hand .

“Put that branch down for a minute . ”

“Sure . ”

Then, using only my right arm, I took out the Butterfly Seedling Dust from my belt bag .

“Take a look . ”

I proudly showed him the Butterfly Seedling Dust . Its blue glow made it look like a treasure even at a glance .

Kim Suho asked in surprise .

“What’s this?”

“This is… . ”

I stopped in the middle of my sentence . Then, I looked at Kim Suho’s eyes, which shone with curiosity .

This dust was supposed to belong to Kim Suho, but since it ended up in my hands, I thought to use it to give Kim Suho a favorable impression of me .

“It’s a family keepsake…”

“What? Keepsake?”

“N-No, it’s not a keepsake . I’m just saying that it’s very important to me . ”

I quickly corrected myself . Admittedly, saying that it was a family keepsake was going a bit overboard .

“Anyway, this mystical dust can act as a catalyst for awakening hidden potentials of objects and humans . It was a gift from an elemental . You’ve heard about elementals, right?”

‘I’m using this precious item on Misteltein . Just for you . So, feel grateful . ’

That was the nuance I suggested with my words .

It seemed to have worked as Kim Suho put on a serious face .

“If I put this on Misteltein… something should change . ”

I knew that it would undergo its first awakening . Afterwards, the branch would take the form of a sword on its own based on Kim Suho’s increase in skill and the demonic energy cut down by Misteltein .

“I’m going to apply it . ”

I went to apply the dust on the branch .

“…Wait . ”

But suddenly, Kim Suho grabbed my wrist . He looked at me with a worried face .

“Are you sure?”

“About what?”

“Didn’t you say it was important to you?”

“…Ah . ”

I laughed subconsciously .

“It’s important, so it should be used at a time like this . Where else would I use it, if not on a divine grade weapon like Misteltein?”

“But still… . ”

“Just shut up and take it . ”

I cut him off and swiped Kim Suho’s hand away . Kim Suho scratched the back of his neck and looked at me half-gratefully, half-worriedly . I could tell that he was deeply touched . It seemed making a big deal out of this was worth it .

I carefully sprinkled the Butterfly Seedling Dust on Misteltein .

The dust seeped into Misteltein, and change was quick to happen .

The dust’s blue light flowed through the branch, and soon the surface of the branch turned black .

Now, it no longer looked like an ordinary branch .

However, there was another change . A leaf sprouted up from the tip of the branch, then fell to the ground .

Was it like this in the original story?

“See, I was right . ”

“…Yeah . ”

Kim Suho looked down at Misteltein and muttered in awe .

From this black branch, Kim Suho should be able to feel the hidden power of legends and myths .

“Then, as promised…”

I gave Misteltein to Kim Suho . Then, I picked up the leaf on the ground .

“You take the branch, and I’ll take the leaf . ”

“Hajin… are you sure? Why don’t we share this weapon? You can use it whenever you need it . ”

“Please, I’m not a swordsman . I’ll just die if I fight with a sword . ”

I made Kim Suho back down, then stealthily turned on my smartwatch .

===

[Misteltein Leaf]

—A byproduct left by the god-slaying branch after its awakening .

You can drink a tea brewed with it, which will increase your body’s health, or you can grind it and use it to make an amazing weapon .

===

I was more than satisfied with this outcome . I smacked my knees and got up .

“Alright, let’s go back now . ”

“…Yeah . ”

Kamak Mountain was too dangerous for us to stay overnight . We went down the mountain together . Kim Suho took the lead as I followed behind him .

In the middle of walking down the mountain… something grabbed my foot strongly . My body leaned forward .

“…!”

Thud . I fell to the ground .

I wasn’t hurt . A strong sense of déjà vu came over me .

‘Don’t tell me… . ’

I inspected my foot .

As expected, I had tripped on a root .

I dug it up carefully . It was a ginseng .

I swallowed hard .

It had a thick body and several roots branched out of it .

It was smaller than the last one I obtained, but it was undoubtedly a ginseng .

Jackpot .

“Hm… . ”

I stealthily put it in my cross bag, then chased after Kim Suho who went ahead .

After 30 minutes of hiking down, Kim Suho and I arrived at the Portal Station .

Currently, it was 1:53 A . M . The Portal closed at 2:00 .

We barely made it on time .

“Hajin . ”

In front of the Portal Station, Kim Suho turned to face me . His soft voice flowed into my ears .

“Let’s split up here . ”

“Hm? What about you?”

“Since I came all the way here, I’m going to stop by and see my family . ”

Kim Suho smiled .

“And thank you for today . ”

At that moment, a bright moonlight shone down on his face . The silver light revealed his honest eyes and clear smile .

…His appearance evoked something inside me . I remembered something I forgot for a moment .

The man in front of me, Kim Suho, was this world’s main character .

A man who only walked the path of righteousness .

A man who never compromised or abandoned his beliefs .

An ally of justice with conviction stronger than steel, and a seeker of truth who always treaded the correct path .

An existence that was already extinct in the modern world, but one that I always hoped would exist .

A righteous hero, one that I could trust more than anyone else in this world .

Just like his name, he was the true savior who would protect this world .

“…Yeah . ”

I spoke as we separated .

“See you later . ”

**

I came back to the dorm . The room was pitch black .

The sound of the door opening and closing seemed to have awoken Evandel as she trudged into my arms . I went to the couch with Evandel in my embrace . I was dead tired, but I still had one more thing to do .

[Jeronimo Mercenary]

I looked it up on the internet .

[Peak of mercenaries, Jeronimo . Mission success rate 99 . 7%]

Jeronimo Mercenary had 23 members . Their profiles were shown on the portal site along with photos .

They were all famous in the field of mercenaries, but in reality, these 23 members were disguises of 5~6 members of the Chameleon Troupe . The one who made this possible was Jain, who had the Gift ‘Camouflage’ .

“… . ”

I took out the business card I received .

[Jeronimo Mercenary]

Boss scouted me, not Shin Jonghak, into Jeronimo Mercenary . I didn’t know why, but it seemed she wanted me to fill in Chameleon Troupe’s empty seat .

I looked down at my smartwatch . Someone had sent me messages four hours ago .

[Yo]

[Can you help me study?]

[I’ll buy you food]

[Answer me]

[You gonna ignore me? ㅡㅡ]

[Oi ㅡㅡ]

It was Chae Nayun . When I saw her messages, I thought about her older brother, Chae Jinyoon . This thought then connected to my thoughts about Chameleon Troupe .

With Chameleon Troupe’s help, I might be able to kill Chae Jinyoon .

Without anyone finding out .

…Without anyone finding out .

**

Suwon Devil’s Nest . Everything had already been taken care of in regards to Packhorse Master . Now, Chameleon Troupe’s boss and Jain were watching a video on Kim Hajin .

“A simple rock with that much power… indeed, he’s full of potential . You were right, Boss . ”

Jain laughed lightly as she admitted to being wrong .

Although it was the result of pouring out magic power, it wasn’t easy to create such destructive power with just a rock .

But what Jain liked more than his combat prowess was his mercilessness .

If the enemy wasn’t a Djinn, he would have lost his life when he was struck by the rock . At the time, Kim Hajin didn’t know that his enemy was a Djinn .

Kim Hajin had attacked him with calm yet firm killing intent .

“But Boss, why aren’t you watching it until the end? I want to see his Devil Transformation . ”

“This is enough . Plus, I don’t want to see that . ”

“…Why?”

Jain asked, tilting her head . Boss pouted a little and murmured .

“…It’s gross . ”

**

The weekend flew by in a breeze, and Monday arrived .

A new week had begun .

“As you all know, Class Competitions will start this Friday . I’m taking volunteers to participate in the events! There’s a variety of them, so each person will have to participate in at least one event . ”

Before the start of class, during morning announcements, Yi Yeonghan reminded the class of the upcoming Class Competitions .

“Oh right . ”

I only just remembered it .

Class Competitions .

It was the first and final event before the midterms .

Just like its name suggested, classes would compete against each other in several events covering all sorts of topics . There were combat-related events like duels, dungeon time attacks, and magic battles, but also entertainment events like gaming, singing, and soccer .

If this was an official competition, only combat events would have been allowed, but this was a festival of sorts for cadets .

Naturally, the cadets began to chatter about the events they wanted to participate in .

“What are you going to do, Rachel-ssi?”

I asked Rachel, who was sitting next to me . Then, Rachel flinched slightly before replying with an awkward smile .

“I’m… planning on doing the quiz event . ”

“Oh, the quiz event . Maybe I should do that too . ”

“Quiz event is already full . ”

Jin Hoseung cut in . I turned toward Jin Hoseung, then faced Rachel again . She nodded .

“Y-Yes… it’s already full . Unfortunately… . ”

“Oh, I see . ”

“Now, now, soccer and basketball are already full . Calm down, everyone . ”

Hearing Yi Yeonghan explaining to the class, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of superhuman sports events they would be .

“We need someone for singing and archery… . ”

Yi Yeonghan paused momentarily and looked at me . At first, I thought he was looking at someone else . But seeing him grin when he met my eyes, I knew he was looking at me . Soon, other cadets also turned to face me .

I let out a dry cough and spoke .

“…I can handle archery . ”

“Perfect . ”

Smiling, Yi Yeonghan put my name down .

Not just in archery, but also singing .

“Wait, hey! What are you doing? Erase that!”

“Alright, thank you everyone! We’re done!”

Yi Yeonghan hit Enter, submitting the participants .

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