Chapter 86 – Words Without Legs (1)

I told Kim Suho the reward couldn't just be a simple branch. It must be special. Then I pretended to think about folktales and legends until I recalled one about a branch.

“The only branch that comes to mind is Misteltein.”

The branch that slew Baldur, the Nordic God of Light. Kim Suho’s eyes widened as I continued explaining.

“As you know, a divine weapon needs to awaken before revealing its true form. This branch must be the unawakened Misteltein.”

I stared at the ordinary-looking branch on the ground.

“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 unconscious Caucasian man on the ground. Of course, Kim Suho hadn’t killed him since he looked human. Djinns who infiltrated human society considered their devil transformation a secret technique. The baldy only used it as a last resort.

“Why don’t we get out of here first?” I spoke as I pointed to the Caucasian man. We didn’t know when he would wake up.

“Yeah, that sounds good.” I didn’t tell Kim Suho they were djinns since the stock prices might tank. After all, I had invested all my money into Packhorse Master.

“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 was their dungeon’s hidden stage. We might be punished instead since we interfered.”

Of course, I lied to protect my wealth. We walked out of the dungeon while talking about various things. Outside already grew dark, but the moon lit up the mountain as wild animals cried out. I didn’t have enough strength to continue, so I sat on the ground to rest.

“Auuu.”

My entire body ached, especially my upper arm. It throbbed in pain because I used up all of stigma’s magic power at once. I couldn’t even move my left arm anymore as Kim Suho sat next to me. I pointed to the branch in his hand.

“Put that branch down for a minute.”

“Sure.”

I took out the butterfly seedling’s dust with my right arm.

“Take a look.”

I showed him the blue dust that glowed like a treasure.

“What’s this?” Kim Suho asked in surprise.

“This is…”

I stopped in the middle of my sentence. Then I looked into his eyes, which shone with curiosity. This dust was supposed to belong to him, so I would use it to gain his favor.

“It’s a family keepsake.”

“What? Keepsake?”

“N-No, it’s not a keepsake. I meant it’s important to me.”

I quickly corrected myself. A family keepsake sounded too overboard.

“Anyway, this mystical dust can act as a catalyst for awakening objects and humans. It came from an elemental. You've heard of elementals, right?”

I’m using this precious item on Misteltein, so be grateful. My plan seemed to work as Kim Suho looked serious.

“Something should change if I put this on Misteltein.”

It would undergo its first awakening and transform into a sword that grew alongside Kim Suho as it absorbed more demonic energy.

“I’m going to apply it.”

“Wait.”

Kim Suho grabbed my wrist and looked at me.

“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 times like this. Where else would I use it if not on a divine weapon like Misteltein?”

“But still…”

“Just shut up and take it.”

I shook off his hand. Kim Suho scratched the back of his neck. He seemed half-grateful and half-regretful. I could tell that my gesture deeply touched him. Making a big deal out of it turned out well.

I carefully sprinkled the butterfly seedling’s dust on Misteltein as a blue light flowed through the branch and its surface turned black. It no longer looked like ordinary. A leaf also sprouted from the tip and fell to the ground. Was it like this in the original story too?

“See, I was right.”

“Yeah.”

Kim Suho looked at Misteltein in awe. He could feel the hidden power of this black branch now.

“Then, as promised…”

I gave Misteltein to Kim Suho and picked up the leaf.

“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 want.”

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

Kim Suho backed down as I checked my smartwatch.

[Misteltein’s Leaf] — A byproduct of the god-slaying branch after its awakening. A tea brewed with it will increase your health, or you may grind it into a legendary weapon.

I felt more than satisfied as I smacked my knees and stood up.

“Alright, let’s head back now.”

“Yeah.”

Kamak Mountain was too dangerous to stay overnight. Kim Suho took the lead as I followed behind. Then something suddenly tangled my foot.

“…”

Thud. I fell to the ground with a strong sense of déjà vu.

Don’t tell me…

As expected, I had tripped on a root.

I carefully dug it up and swallowed hard. It had several roots attached to a thick body. Although it looked slightly smaller than the last one, I had undoubtedly found ginseng. Jackpot.

I placed it into my bag before chasing after Kim Suho.

We finally arrived at the portal station after 30 minutes of hiking. We barely made it in time at 1:53 A.M. since the portals closed at 2:00 A.M.

“Hajin.”

Kim Suho faced me in front of the portal station. “Let’s split up here.”

“Hm? What about you?”

“I’m going to visit my family since I came all the way here.”

Kim Suho smiled. “And thanks for today.”

The moon shone down on him and revealed his clear eyes. His appearance stirred something inside me. I remembered something I had forgotten. Kim Suho was this world’s main character. Someone who only walked the path of righteousness and never compromised or abandoned his beliefs. An ally of justice with conviction stronger than steel, and a seeker of truth who always treaded the right path. An existence that became extinct in the modern world, but one that I always hoped for. A righteous hero that I could trust.

That was why I named him Suho (守護). [1] He would save and protect this world.

“Yeah.”

I spoke as we separated. “See you later.”

***

I returned to the dorm. Evandel seemed to have woken up as I entered and trudged into my arms. I carried her to the couch. I felt exhausted, but still had one more thing.

[Jeronimo Mercenary]

I looked it up on the internet.

[The peak of mercenaries, Jeronimo. Mission success rate: 99.7%]

Jeronimo Mercenary consisted of 23 members. The site displayed their profiles along with photos. However, these 23 members were all disguises between 5-6 Chameleon Troupe members. Jain's gift, Camouflage, made it possible.

“…”

I took out the business card.

Boss had scouted me instead of Shin Jonghak. I didn’t know why she wanted me to fill the Chameleon Troupe’s empty seat.

Then I noticed someone messaged me four hours ago.

[Yo] [Can you help me study?] [I’ll buy you food] [Answer me] [You gonna ignore me? ㅡㅡ] [Oi ㅡㅡ]

They all came from Chae Nayun. I thought about her older brother, Chae Jinyoon. My thoughts connected back to the Chameleon Troupe. I might be able to kill Chae Jinyoon with the Chameleon Troupe’s help.

***

Everything had been taken care of with regards to Packhorse Master. Boss and Jain watched a video of Kim Hajin at the Suwon Devil’s Nest.

“A simple rock contained that much power? Indeed, he’s full of potential. You were right, Boss.”

Jain laughed as she finally admitted it. It wasn’t easy to create such destructive power with just a rock even though he used magic power. Above all, Jain liked his mercilessness. The enemy would’ve instantly died if he wasn’t a djinn. Kim Hajin had attacked with killing intent without knowing his enemy was a djinn.

“Boss, why aren’t you watching until the end? I want to see his devil transformation.”

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

“Why?”

Jain tilted her head. Boss pouted before murmuring.

“It’s gross.”

***

The weekend flew by as Monday arrived.

“As you all know, class competitions will begin this Friday. Would anyone like to volunteer for events? Everyone will have to participate in at least one.” Yi Yeonghan announced before the start of class.

“Oh right.”

I recalled the class competitions that would take place before the midterms. Not only would we compete in combat events like duels, timed dungeons, and magic battles, but also entertainment events like gaming, singing, and soccer. It resembled a school festival. Naturally, cadets chattered about which events to choose.

“What are you going to do, Rachel?”

I asked from next to her. She slightly flinched before replying with an awkward smile.

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

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

“The quiz event is already full.”

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

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

“Oh, I see.”

“Now, now, calm down everyone. Soccer and basketball are all taken up.”

I couldn’t help but wonder how these superhumans would play sports.

“We need someone for singing and archery.”

Yi Yeonghan paused and glanced over. I thought he was looking at someone else, but then he grinned. Soon, the other cadets also turned towards me. I coughed and spoke up, “I can handle archery.”

“Perfect.”

Yi Yeonghan wrote 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 and submitted the participants.

1. His name means “to protect.”