Episode 157

Woosh!
Woosh-woosh!
Woosh-woosh-woosh!

I could see blades coming at me from all directions.

I dodged here and there, glancing back.

“……”

Peng Jin-ah.

She was looking at me with her arms crossed, as if thinking, ‘He really shouldn’t use it…’

Currently, I was demonstrating to her that I had used the [Overlord’s Annihilation].

It was a sort of demonstration, requested by Peng Jin-ah.

At the same time, I thought I might get advice on breaking its restrictions.

‘But I’m not sure if it will activate properly.’

During the <Sea Dragon> incident, to be honest, I barely activated it because I had the legendary skill [Strange Monstrous Strength] and a mental determination to succeed.

Originally, abilities were greatly influenced by the mental power of an <Awakened>.

In fact, in ‘GAL’, characters entering the state commonly referred to as <Determination> displayed higher combat power than usual.

However, since my current state was ordinary, there were many doubts about whether the [Overlord’s Annihilation] would be triggered.

‘That aside…’

Though it felt new, all the dummies attacking now were virtually implemented beings, incredibly close to reality.

‘It’s always fascinating to see.’

These dummies were entirely created through magic.

It was said that they operated with the integration of <System> adjustments and technology.

Even Chairman Yu Neung-hae said, ‘I don’t really know the exact principle. Even if you summoned all the past chairmen, no one would be able to explain it.’ It was practically over-technology itself.

At the core of all this, forming the foundation, was the grand magic of <Archmage> Amelia.

It was said to be based on an unknown-grade intrinsic ability commonly referred to as [Illusion Magic Circle Phantasma].

‘I heard the <Archmage> lived around 200 years ago…’

I, too, once became curious and looked it up in history books.

While nothing was recorded precisely, it seemed likely that a mage existed around that era.

‘In essence, it was she who continued the source of magic from that time…’

Additionally, she was said to have held a position when founding the <Gonis Hunter Academy>.

In essence, she was an incredibly important supporting character.

That’s why it was all the more mysterious.

Why, you ask?

‘I’ve never even heard the name Amelia, let alone an <Archmage>.’

At least as far as I know, the character called <Archmage> had never been mentioned in any main, side, or personal story.

‘Isn’t that strange?’

Honestly, for a character with such influence to never appear in ‘GAL’…

It was suspicious in many ways.

‘It seems like a character that hasn’t been updated yet, like a teaser…’

The words Yu Neung-hae casually threw out were also meaningful.

―Do you not know whose blood flows in <Snow Ice>’s body?

Hmm.

Contextually, it seemed highly probable that Moon Bora and the <Archmage > were related.

Come to think of it, the first person to mention the <Archmage> during the entrance exam was Moon Bora.

―Yes, that’s correct. It is called [Illusion Magic Circle Phantasma], a supreme skill that other academies cannot rival.

‘I’ll have to ask Moon Bora about this someday,’ I thought at that moment.

Peng Jin-ah, who had been watching, signaled.

I judged there was no need to warm up any further and stomped the ground with a bang!

Peng Jin-ah stood silently with her arms crossed.

She swallowed so hard her throat bobbed visibly.

A moment of tension.

Soon, she shuddered at the energy radiating from Yu Seha’s body.

Fortunately—or perhaps, unfortunately—the attempt ended in failure.

Yu Seha, unable to activate the [Overlord’s Annihilation], failed to defeat the approaching dummies, and the training concluded.

However, Peng Jin-ah couldn’t focus on that fact.

‘There’s no doubt.’

The intense gale that had surged moments ago.

It was a sign of the [Overlord’s Annihilation] being cast.

It was just not executed properly.
The fact that it activated meant Yu Seha had succeeded in using the [Overlord’s Annihilation] at least once.

‘……’

Peng Jin-ah swallowed dryly and turned her gaze.

She looked at the training tools they had been battling with just moments ago.

She had painstakingly procured those tools—through a mix of persuasion and thinly veiled threats—believing they would help him progress.

But…
However…
Nevertheless…
From this moment on, they were all unnecessary.

‘Haa…’

Initially, they were tools meant to enhance understanding of the [Overlord Sword Technique] and ultimately prepare for using the [Overlord’s Annihilation].

For Yu Seha, who had already reached that stage, they were nothing but a waste of time.

‘This is troublesome.’

Just a month ago.

She recalled the memory of him sweating during the [Gravity Sword] training.

‘…This, this isn’t right…’

She had repeated the thought over and over in her mind, only to be interrupted as he approached.

“Master?”
“Hmm.”

The first reason Peng Jin-ah showed Yu Seha the [Overlord’s Annihilation] was to remind him not to be arrogant.

The second reason was that he would continue to respect her, and…

Ha, the third was to see his lovable efforts to learn even one more thing.

Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely!!!

She didn’t teach him to learn it immediately and use it in actual combat.

‘But that…’

If he does it like this…
What on earth am I supposed to do…?

Peng Jin-ah felt slightly melancholic.

Being the master of a genius disciple was undoubtedly a privilege… but it came with a unique set of challenges that few could understand.

“Uh, Master.”

“Hmm?”

“So, about that… There are still too many restrictions on the [Overlord’s Annihilation]… if you could teach me a bit more—”

“Ah, no!”

Peng Jin-ah shouted loudly without realizing it.

Yu Seha’s eyes widened at the sudden shout.

In a fluster, Peng Jin-ah repeated, ‘Ah, it’s too early!’

Her anxious response wasn’t without reason.

‘In the second year, it might be possible to somehow hold onto him…’

By the third year, he would leave her.

For Peng Jin-ah, there was no justifiable reason to keep him.

The <Academy> fundamentally had an process that ended the curriculum based on a student’s excellence.

This was no exception, even for the conducted one-on-one.

‘If it’s Cadet Yu Seha… rather than honing the mastered [Overlord Sword Technique], he’d leave to learn other skills.’

As a master, his rapid growth should have brought her pride, but…

‘N-no, I don’t want that.’

Peng Jin-ah didn’t want it.

Imagining that her time with him would diminish…

She really hated it.

To the point where bile rose inside.

Such childish, almost like a child throwing a tantrum, thoughts.

Recognizing this, her face turned crimson.

St-still…

No means no!

“C-Cadet Yu Seha, raise your sword.”
“Huh, what?”
“We will immediately proceed with the Overlord Sword Technique training. Quickly!”
“Ah, yes!”

For about an hour like that.

Peng Jin-ah barely managed to calm her flushed face while supervising Yu Seha’s sword.

After practice, it was time for a well-deserved break.

I took out the lunchbox I had prepared for Peng Jin-ah.

“Cadet Yu Seha, is this by any chance…?”
“Yes, I prepared it.”

At my words, Peng Jin-ah looked at me with a surprised face.

This was quite embarrassing yet exciting.

Click.

Inside the lunchbox were several neatly made rice balls.

Peng Jin-ah looked at them with an expectant expression.

With clean hands, I carefully picked one up and handed it over.

“Master, please have the first bite.”
“…Ahem, well, thank you.”

I watched Peng Jin-ah eat cautiously, with hopeful eyes.

‘It’s different this time.’

It’s not like the egg mayo sandwich I gave to Meowi!

‘I even acquired the [Cooking] skill.’

It was a trait I barely managed to obtain after much effort.
Though it was only level 1, and no derivative skills had opened up yet.
As soon as I got it, my proficiency in making food surprisingly increased.

This rice ball was made with all my effort.

‘It can’t not be delicious!’

Munch, munch.

Peng Jin-ah savored each grain of rice from the rice ball handed over by Yu Seha.

Indeed, the nutty and slightly salty flavor…
Sprinkled sesame oil and furikake on the rice.
It seemed mayonnaise tuna was used as the filling.

‘Delicious.’

Truly.
It was just ordinarily delicious.

Well, even though she appeared this way, Peng Jin-ah was once the successor of the <Peng Family>.

She was a remarkable hunter who was active under the nickname <Overlord Sword>.

She had encountered quite a few dishes referred to as delicacies here and there.

In fact, compared to such extraordinary dishes, Yu Seha’s rice balls weren’t particularly outstanding.

But what did that matter?

Peng Jin-ah was convinced.

Out of all the food she had eaten in her life, this was the most precious.

It was the first—and likely the last—meal personally prepared by her one and only disciple.

That alone made it valuable.

“M-Master?”
“Hmm?”

Yu Seha.

He looked at her with eyes full of expectation.

Only then did Peng Jin-ah realize she hadn’t given her taste evaluation yet.

Gulp.

Swallowing what was in her mouth, she smiled brightly.
And Yu Seha’s expression brightened seeing that.

“It’s delicious. Excellent.”
“Thank you!”

The conversation started with rice balls.
Peng Jin-ah and Yu Seha continued to share stories, enjoying a pleasant mealtime.

Then, Yu Seha accidentally revealed some astonishing information.

“…A Legendary skill? Really, Cadet Yu Seha?”
“Yes, recently, I had an unexpected opportunity… not through <Synthesis>… but I obtained it.”
“Wow…”

Peng Jin-ah was astounded.

Even she did not possess a <Legendary> grade skill.

Even the Epic grade, one level below, was coveted by all <Hunters> worldwide.

But a grade higher, Legendary…

“…Could it be that the ‘Fireball’ you used earlier is a Legendary grade?”
“No, it’s a Unique grade. I deliberately didn’t use the Legendary grade. It’s still too much power for me…”

Yu Seha said that it was essentially his full power and a finishing move.

A type of buff ability.

The name was even [Strange Monstrous Strength].

“What a truly grandiose title. But after hearing the explanation, indeed, such a name is not wasted on this power. So… I assume you’re not telling me this just to boast…”

“Of course not. Well… once I get a better feel for it, could we spar? It’s hard to tell with dummies…”

Yu Seha scratched his head as if embarrassed.

Peng Jin-ah smiled warmly, as if finding such a disciple endearing.

“Of course. It’s only natural as a master. But… though I think you know, Cadet Yu Seha. Don’t tell anyone else. Many will become envious and jealous.”

“Don’t worry. I told you this because I trust you, Master.”

“……”

Peng Jin-ah flinched for a moment.
It was an unexpected critical hit.

Smiling like that…
So casually…
Saying he trusted her, what was she supposed to do?

‘…Ahem…’

Peng Jin-ah felt a fluttering emotion and cleared her throat.

Turning her gaze, she awkwardly said, ‘Th-thank you.’

“Ahem! Anyway… Cadet Yu Seha.”
“Yes?”
“Since we’re on the topic… let me ask you one thing.”

I was about to say, ‘Sure, ask me anything…’ but I flinched.

‘…Huh?’

Something feels strange.

Something feels dangerous.

Such a warning buzzed in my head.

Though I had kept [Unprecedented Sense] off since the [Sewer] incident, I’d noticed my pure ‘sense’ had become sharper to compensate.

And that sense was warning me now.

Whatever Peng Jin-ah was about to ask me…

It would be troublesome and dangerous in many ways.

“…I overheard it by chance. Just to let you know, don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of interrogating you about this.”

“Huh…?”

The atmosphere grew heavier.

Peng Jin-ah, usually expressionless…

I got the illusion of a subtle murkiness in her eyes.

And with the word that followed, the half-eaten rice ball got stuck in my throat!

“Kiss.”

“Gah!”

“I just overheard it by chance. Pure coincidence…”

Slyly.
Subtly.
Without anyone knowing.

Peng Jin-ah gradually closed the distance.

With both hands on the ground, she slightly leaned her head toward my shoulder.

A distance close enough for our breaths to touch.

The feeling of fear slowly crept up.

“I heard you kissed Cadet Ju Na-young… and not just an ordinary kiss…”

“It was a deep, deep show of affection, like inserting a tongue and ravaging the roof of the mouth. An unmistakably intimate kiss between lovers.”

“Cough, cough! Master, it’s a misunderstanding. You must have heard wrong—”

“Cadet Yu Seha, your excuses are pathetic. I already know everything.”

A chilling aura filled the training ground.

Peng Jin-ah slightly tilted her head.

Her eyes pierced through me.

“I know everything, but I want to hear it from your mouth.”

Really?
Truly…?
Seriously?

“…Explain calmly and in detail how it happened… To this one and only precious master, tell in detail.“