Episode 39

To crush the Namgoong Clan.

That was Seojin’s only thought from the beginning.

However, the problem is how to crush them.

‘What should I do to make it known that I’ve crushed them well.’

The best thing is to expose their weaknesses and push them out with the government’s help.

That’s good, but,

‘There’s another way.’

Such matters are generally best left to the experts.

And I happen to have a pretty good relationship with one.

Though it’s more like they cling to me unilaterally.

“Are you saying you’ll crush the Namgoong Clan?”

As soon as I explained what we should do, Yoo Eunchae made a strange face. It was a face that said, ‘Can you crush them?’

“But the opponent has two high-ranking masters, more than ten mid-ranking, and over 500 beginners in their family?”

“What, is that all they have?”

“…Ah, yes. That’s all they have.”

With an incredulous expression, Yoo Eunchae heaved a deep sigh.

“Indeed, since the master is such a remarkable person, it’s possible to think that way.”

Hmm. With her arms crossed, Yoo Eunchae fell into deep thought.

Initially, she was puzzled, but soon, she grew increasingly fond of the idea.

“Wait, come to think of it, wasn’t that the item Namgoong Clan was digging up?”

“Don’t just talk to yourself.”

“If that gets exposed, that moment will mark the complete downfall of the Namgoong Clan, so now seems like the perfect timing. But to take down the Namgoong Clan, we need the government’s cooperation…”

Snap.

“Ouch… Wh-why did you hit me all of a sudden?”

Yoo Eunchae’s eyes welled up with tears as Han Seojin flicked her on the forehead.

“Because you’re talking to yourself.”

“But, there are several ears listening.”

“Are Unique Traits really that great?”

“Yes, it is. In this world, if you specifically mention a word, some will immediately hear them.”

“Does that cover the entirety of the earth?”

“It’s not quite the entire Earth. Non-human realms, the origins of the academy’s Spirit Veins, and the current meeting spot for humanity’s traitors. Except in those places, it largely works.”

“Hehe.”

Can one really train their Unique Traits to such an extent?

Well, I wasn’t one to talk.

My own Unique Trait: Eternity.

When it was strengthened once more, Eternity gave me new power.

The Blood Realm Abel possesses.

The Thunder Flash Heo Yoonji has.

I gained a similar power anew.

I used that as a pretext to ask the principal if she could install spirit veins for me.

“But are you really only going to expose the shame of the Namgoong family?”

“Do you think I’m going to handle things that tamely?”

“Breaking Namgoong!! Argh!”

“Why are you screaming like that?”

I said while I tried to cover my ears.

But Yoo Eunchae continued to speak with an excited voice.

“There are people who can do this with us.”

“There are people who’re willing to do this? Who are they?”

“I really, really don’t like it, but now is the best opportunity.”

There are only two people Yoo Eunchae would dislike that much.

Seon Woohyeon and Shin Yura.

Only those two.

“Seon Woohyeon. Shin Yura. We have to include those two!!”

“They want to destroy the Namgoong?”

“Yes. Seon Woohyeon will even lead the way. Gathering his forces tightly.”

“They have forces?”

“Those people are like the children of darkness. Creepy guys.”

Seizing the moment, Yoo Eunchae started to badmouth them.

“Seon Woohyeon, that guy might seem like a psychopath and cold-hearted, but in reality, he’s just as bad and utterly worthless, yet he also thinks that Namgoong should be eliminated.”

“…Is that so?”

It was almost a howl.

Her voice was accompanied by tremendous hatred. To what extent must one be wronged to harbor such resentment?

‘Did the two of them date?’

Thinking about it, it’s still their prime time.

When they fell into this world, it was natural to start dating.

It was a good time.

“Your intentions don’t seem pure.”

“So, you’re saying we should drag them along?”

“…Eh? Wasn’t that why you told me?”

No, I was planning to go in alone.

“…Are you that strong?”

“No, not to that extent.”

I can’t take on the Namgoong Clan alone.

The Namgoong Clan is indeed in decline.

However, the power of that family remains.

The head of the family is a martial artist at the pinnacle… It’s absurd, yet here we are.

‘According to Nam Hyerin, it seems there are still quite a few of them left.’

At the very least, two at the pinnacle level.

I can handle one on my own, but more than that is impossible.

However, there is a way to catch them.

I was thinking of causing a scene at the Namgoong’s place by bringing Heo Yoonji, whom I had met before.

‘Make things bigger?’

If it’s going to be bigger, I might as well make it explosive.

“Besides the students, what about members from other families?”

“That would be difficult. Even if they are from other families, they try to maintain good relations on the surface.”

“What about the Iron-Blood Sword Clan?”

“Are you thinking of using the Iron-Blood Sword Clan?”

“It seems like it could be possible.”

It’s more of a hunch.

But considering the actions the Iron-Blood Sword Clan showed last time, the probability looks pretty high.

“Then that’s settled.”

“…Can we bring in the Iron-Blood Sword Clan?”

“It seems possible.”

I remembered the first time I saw the head of the Iron-Blood Sword Clan not long ago.

Perhaps because it’s a unity event.

Many of the attendees at the banquet seemed to be notable figures.

A party after the solidarity meeting was held.

Many people attended there.

Initially, I had no intention of attending, but my thoughts changed slightly.

It was right after the principal had requested me and saw Namgoong’s head.

“It’s a relief, though. If Professor Han Seojin hadn’t come, many would have left, right?”

“Aren’t these the people leading their families?”

“To them, such a banquet is less about networking and more about their own training.”

“So, there’s no exception, after all.”

It’s also a characteristic of those who are heads.

They are in charge of the family’s martial prowess, but that’s also because they are all obsessed with martial arts or magic.

‘Their ranks are quite splendid too.’

I haven’t been reincarnated here for long, but sometimes I feel watched by faces I’ve seen on the internet or in newspapers.

I can feel Abel nearby getting tense.

“That person is called the Sword Saint. Currently, he is of the upper rank, but soon he will move to the highest rank.”

“That person is Shin Iseol, the head of the Magic Shin Clan. She is the first female head of the family and possesses exceptional magical skills.”

“And the person with a black dragon drawn on the bandage on their right hand. Wearing an eyepatch with a blood-red pattern?”

“…He is the head of the Shadow Jo Clan family.”

“It’s the same with Jo Gaeun. Is it a characteristic of the Shadow Jo Clan family?”

“…It’s embarrassing, but yes.”

“Indeed, they are the ones to be embarrassed about.”

“Are you the teacher of our Gaeun?”

“…!!”

I felt Abel gasp in shock next to me.

There was only one reason.

The person we had just been gossiping about had appeared right next to us.

“Yes, I’m the professor in charge of student Gaeun.”

“Hmm…”

He looked me over as if sizing me up.

But what is there to see?

Even the principal couldn’t properly size me up, so how could someone below her manage?

“You seem to have some tricks up your sleeve.”

“I do have a few things to boast about to others.”

“Is that so? But it’s unexpected. I heard from my daughter that the professor has an unrestrained personality.”

“I am a bit unrestrained with those who try to compete with me, but it’s a bit different with our students’ parents.”

They are the lifeline of the academy.

Even if I show a tyrannical demeanor within the academy, the reason I’m safe is simple.

My performance. Because of my overwhelming performance, I can act that way.

But these people are different.

Those who sponsor the place called [Academy].

That means, in other words.

‘They are the lifeline.’

They are individuals from whom money can be legally extorted.

Why wouldn’t I be nice to such people?

Of course, the moment they try to bite me, I’ll have to show them what kind of person I am.

“Ha, you’re a more different person than I thought, how disconcerting.”

“I also find you to be a different person than I thought, so I think today’s party will be enjoyable.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re more amiable than expected…”

I have a feeling it would be troublesome to make enemies with them.

For instance, it reminds me of the Tang Clan from my previous life.

Return kindness tenfold. Revenge a hundredfold. Those kinds of people.

“Rather, you seem more sinister and dangerous than I thought?”

“Is that so?”

A chuckle-like tone.

His purpose for wrapping a bandage with a black dragon drawn on it on his right hand or wearing an eye patch, even when his eyes are visible, is to hide something.

‘It’s a bit ridiculous how he hides.’

I roughly understand how this person has lived.

“My, my, our professor seems to have more insight than expected.”

He patted my shoulder and passed by.

I watched the head of the Shadow Jo Clan for a while as he walked away.

“People called heads; they all do about that much, right?”

“…Yes. However, I understand the head of the Shadow Jo Clan is a bit weaker.”

“Is this about his realm?”

“I heard he’s at the very beginning of the highest level.”

“Is that so?”

He’s genuinely a sinister person.

I responded to Abel.

[Change that information right away. Perhaps he could cross the barrier if he’s given the opportunity.]

“…!!”

Abel’s eyebrows furrowed.

He still can’t manage his expression. He’s only watching us now.

‘I guess I’ll just add three more cliff climbs later. Whatever.’