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At the freshmen gym.
The attention-seekers originally planned to rent the indoor gym, but the raised expectations of the swordsman and the Black Forest led here.
The indoor gym is now being used by the attention-seekers as a waiting area before the match.
‘They said they’re rehearsing.’
It should be “practicing” since it’s a match, not a performance, but the attention-seekers seem to see things that way.
They seem to be playing tricks seeing that the door is locked.
The place where I have business now is nearby though, so it didn’t really matter.
“This way, Jo Euishin.”
Hwang Jiho, in the form of Hwang Myeongho, called me.
I wonder what was so good that he looked happy.
Did he feel happy that I asked him to do me a favor?
He seemed very uncomfortable when I had just returned from the bridle, but his mood must’ve improved.
Maybe he’s dealing with side effects of using too many alter egos at the same time.
“Does it seem strange that I’m in a good mood? Hahaha!”
So he knows.
Hwang Jiho’s laughter rang throughout the gym hall.
“You asked me for help right away. I can’t help but feel good about the benefactor doing something that I find to be desirable.”
I had no choice but to ask Hwang Jiho a favor.
It will be difficult for me to talk about the swordsman and what will happen in the future.
“It’s here.”
Hwang Jiho stopped at the door.
The hologram nameplate installed in the front door read ‘Black Darkness Swordsman.’
He must’ve typed this himself, right?
This student must be thoroughly devoted to his concept.
“You must be there outside. Come in.”
We heard a voice over the door before we could knock.
The swordsman sensed Hwang Jiho and my presence and allowed us to enter.
Willing.
I pressed the automatic door and I saw them inside.
Four people in the waiting room, all dressed like martial artists.
‘Is the youngest-looking one our classmate?’
The Black Darkness Swordsman was meditating in a corner.
It must be necessary for him to have a good morning.
I can’t disturb him for no reason and risk cringed so I decided to leave him alone.
“Welcome. My student is in the middle of preparing for a battle, so I’ll greet you instead.”
Among the three men standing, the one in the center spoke up.
He seems to really care for his student.
‘How interesting.’
It was amazing that they kept their concept up.
All of them were unusual, but among them, Blademaster Heukrim’s energy and appearance were extraordinary.
The team master of Black Forest did not have a fierce face like Ham Geunhyung or a magnificent sense of courage like Yeom Bangyeol.
However, even though he proudly dressed up in black historical clothes in the broad daylight of the modern day, his energy waves and appearance were shrewd.
“I heard that you’d have a companion, but I didn’t expect the Nameless Supernova to appear.”
“Hello.”
“How polite. The education in this academy is not neglected.”
Did Blademaster Heukrim know about me?
I had the alias before I entered school, so perhaps that’s why he knew.
But seeing that he recognized me right away from my face, he must’ve done his research.
He looked at me through his hat and spoke.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumors about you, Nameless Supernova. You carry black energy, and you can handle all types of weapons.”
My energy wave is black, and I can handle weapons through the Use Objects skill.
Does he like that fact?
“If you choose to carry a sword, you shall be fit to enter our group.”
Blademaster Heukrim suddenly handed me a black business card, with letters scrawled in neat calligraphy.
It’s a little difficult to recognize, but it seemed like a device code.
‘He gave me his contact just because I have black energy waves and can use a sword? One of the top four professional player team’s master?’
I looked at him carefully, questioning if he was in his right mind, but I only saw goodwill and aspiration in his eyes.
The willingness to recruit a talent that fits their team’s color.
Hwang Jiho stepped in before he could say anything more.
“It’s not very nice to talk while standing. Take a seat.”
Hwang Jiho spoke with a smile, but there was strange pressure in his words.
Perhaps because the old man actually looked his age, the scene felt appropriate.
At Hwang Jiho’s recommendation, I sat on the sofa with the table between me.
The three men were on one side, opposite of me and Hwang Myeongho.
As the representative, Blademaster Heukrim spoke first.
“I answered the call because the owner of the academy where my student is a part of was mentioned. Please make it quick as my student’s sparring session is just around the corner.”
He seems to treat Eungwang High as an academy, with Hwang Jiho as its owner.
‘But why do Hwang Jiho and Blademaster look quite awkward?’
There was a big difference between his attitude toward Professor Ham and Hwang Jiho.
I could roughly guess the reason.
Blademaster Heukrim is still in his twenties, and he has attended Eungwang High.
This means that he was in high school during the time when Hwang Jiho was negligent.
The time of corrupt teachers like Choi Pyeondeuk.
It should be strange to him that the negligent Hwang Jiho still held his position.
Even though he might’ve guessed this, Hwang Jiho feigned ignorance.
“I have a question before we get to the point. Are the two people who accompanied you trustworthy?”
“Of course. I did not bring light-tongued people because I thought you would bring up something difficult to reveal.”
“They must be famous players seeing that you trust them. May I know their names?”
Hwang Jiho greeted the two while listening to their introduction and asked one or two simple questions each.
While listening to them speak, Hwang Jiho raised his finger and pressed his temple for a second.
It was subtle, but it was a pre-agreed signal.
I nodded.
‘The background check by his alter egos is completed. I guess we can talk about it safely.’
When his companions finished speaking, Hwang Jiho raised two fingers.
Golden energy waves flowed out of Hwang Jiho’s fingertips and wrapped the surroundings.
Fwaaat!
Click, click.
A golden boundary was created, and the Blademaster and his companions quickly reached for their weapons.
They must’ve done it by reflex at the sudden intense energy waves.
The companions only took the sword in their hands, but the Blademaster quickly identified the power.
When they found out that the energy waves were simply to create a soundproof boundary, the men backed down.
“It’s from the wonder of the most famous academy in this land. I apologize.”
“It’s alright. You have great reflexes.”
“The wicked devil is after my life everywhere. It was ten years ago that I almost lost my heart, deceived by the appearance of a child.”
It was a player-like vigilance from someone who declared an all-out war against the Seven Demon Gods and their priests.
Indeed, without that level of strength, he might’ve lost his life earlier.
“We don’t have time so I’ll get to the point. Yours truly has two priests of the Demon Race.”
Hwang Jiho’s tone changed along with the atmosphere.
He decided to deal with the Blademaster not as the Chairman of Eungwang High but as the head of the Tiger Clan.
The martial artists looked astonished at the mention of demon priests.
“One is the priest who serves Avaritia of Greed, and the other serves Invidius of Jealousy. Both dared to commit a brutal act against my school.”
“They aimed for Eungwang High? Did you arrest them alive?”
The Blademaster asked questions actively.
In order to get on the same boat as him, we had to appeal that we had a common enemy.
The most effective way to do that was to reveal the demon priests secured by the Tiger Clan.
‘Has he never captured a Demon Race priest before? Judging from his reaction, I think our first move worked.’
With the two demon priests in our hands, it won’t be difficult to join hands with the Black Forest.
The question was how to get the Black Darkness Swordsman to school.
“That’s right. The two I mentioned earlier were captured alive. We missed the one who served Iranus of Wrath, but we were able to stop him.”
We moved on to the priest who served Iranus of Wrath.
It would’ve been easier to negotiate if we had three.
It was a shame that we missed Iranus’ priest, but it was more important that Yeom Junyeol is safe.
“Can you get into more details?”
“Of course. However, I have my conditions.”
“Do tell.”
The Blademaster no longer urged Hwang Jiho to make it brief.
“The Seven Demons will move next year. No, it will be more accurate to say that they’re already moving.”
“The Seven Demons are on the move?”
“Yes. The Black Forest must’ve caught the signs too.”
The Blademaster affirmed in a heavy voice.
“If you need cooperation, I will help you as much as I wish.”
“Is your student going to cooperate?”
“…I have to consult my student. Putting aside all things, we will work together to build strength to fight against the Demon Race.”
The Blademaster said that he would respect his student’s decision.
His expression was covered slightly by his hat when he said that, but his face looked shaded.
I’m sure that the Black Darkness Swordsman will fight on the front line if this continues.
The Blademaster seemed to think it was admirable but doubtful.
‘It’s as expected. There’s no teacher who wants his students to devote themselves to hunting demons in their teens.’
I thought the Blademaster would want his student to have a normal school life.
The Black Darkness Swordsman is a student of Eungwang High, and the Black Forest sent men abroad to accompany him in an important event.
If he just wanted his student to hunt demons, he wouldn’t have done such a bother.
Hwang Jiho’s words continued.
“The self-indulgent Demon Race will attack Korea to show off their strength. One of the targets will be Eungwang High.”
“The reason why you’re asking about my student… is it because you want him to stay in Eungwang High?”
“If I do?”
At Hwang Jiho’s words, the Blademaster spoke firmly.
“I will respect that child’s decision. I am not to order him. Let us agree on different terms.”
Information on their enemies is revealed, but I can’t believe they’re acting like this.
The head of the Black Forest doesn’t seem to have any intention of forcing his student to make a choice.
Well, we didn’t mean to force him to go to school in exchange for information from the beginning.
“I didn’t say that it was a condition.”
Hwang Jiho smiled mischievously and looked at me.
“Jo Euishin will be giving the conditions.”
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