On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 88: Too Many Deranged S-rank Hunters

“Mr. Yu Il-Shin, I’d like to ask you something.”

Shin Yoo, an S-rank Hunter, was also a celebrity. His idol-like, upright young adult image made him famous as the nation’s younger brother. As a matter of course, he was popular among women.

However, seeing his heart stopping smile only made me fear for my life. That blue sword qi could easily cut through steel. Did he find out I was the one who stole Akdol?

“Uhm, I think there’s a misunderstanding...”

Just as I was desperately trying to figure out a way to cover up...

“What is your relationship with Sword Demon?” Shin Yoo asked out of nowhere.

Um, what was our relationship again? God and fanatic? Even if I told him the truth, it didn’t seem like he’d let me off. Actually, would he even believe me?

“We’re co-workers.”

Not exactly a lie since I was now a substitute teacher at the Hunter Academy, whereas Sword Demon was my teaching assistant, albeit unpaid.

“So, you’re from the Three Martial Association?”

“Huh? What’s that?” I asked.

Is it some kind of fake China triad gang?

Instead of replying, Shin Yoo’s blue sword qi mercilessly slashed through the air, coming toward my neck.

“I wasn’t expecting much, but you also didn’t seem surprised. Clearly, you’re no ordinary person.”

Tzzz!

The blue sword qi came to a stop just at the skin of my neck. I don’t look surprised? I am surprised! Do none of these fucking S-rank Hunters know how to hold proper conversations?!

“Bastard! What do you think you’re doing in front of Mr. Sword God!”

Sword Demon, who was in stealth mode, suddenly appeared with a thunderous roar. He swung his sword at Shin Yoo.

Clang clang clang!

However, Shin Yoo easily parried Sword Demon’s half-ton sword. For his slender figure, his strength was incredible.

“Kang Geom, you finally came to see me.”

“Cut the crap! You’ve been chasing me around for so long! Did you pester my master because you couldn’t get me?!”

Shin Yoo pouted. “That’s because you keep avoiding me! But... your ‘master’? This guy?”

“‘This guy’?! How insolent! Do you even know who he is?”

“...Who?”

As if on cue, Sword Demon reverently bowed toward me and said, “He’s my master! The ultimate sword master, the almighty Sword God! If you call yourself a swordsman, kneel before him! Worship him!”

I unconsciously covered my face. Ah, how embarrassing. I just want to leave...

“...‘Sword God’? I did hear that the Three Martial Association is a cult, but... Kang Geom, you’re still stuck in there, huh? No, you’re even more...”

Wait, so that’s what the Three Martial Association is all about?! It isn’t an organization with three founders like its name suggests?!

“Mr. Yu Il-Shin.” Shin Yoo bit his lips and turned at me. “Someone who's called Sword God should be able to block this move, don’t you agree?”

Shin Yoo crossed his swords, his eyes glinting like a snake’s as he took a stance.

““Snake Sword Venom Fang (Ryu)!”

Sword Demon sighed, “Mr. Sword God, please show this ignorant worm your greatness. Back then, he needed to be beaten before he’d listen, too.”

I didn’t think I’d ever engage in a fight with the S-rank Hunter Shin Yoo...

Pzzz! Pzzz!

Moreover, his sword qi was terrifying. Sparks flew from his crossed swords, gradually transforming into a snake’s head that bared its venomous fangs.

“Haa.” I scratched my head and stood up from my seat.

Sure, you’re just in time, I guess.

I never intended for this, but I did want to test my combat power as a malevolent god. After all, ever since I got promoted to a Low-tier God, my healing power had increased significantly.

Due to the recent holy war against the imperial army, my title Brutal Killer was upgraded from Rank C to B. Before, I was on par with A-rank Hunters at best, but what about now?

“Equip malevolent god title: Brutal Killer (B).”

The “Blessing of Slaughter” was triggered upon activation.

[Destroy, kill, and kill again! Let your evil deeds become your strength!]

This blessing grew more potent with every sacrifice I reaped.

Groooowl!

As a matter of course, having fought against a hundred billion imperial soldiers and their apostles, the blessing was on a whole different level.

Tzzz!

Black aura enshrouded my entire body, but the transformation didn’t end there.

Sss—

My hair had grown, covering my shoulders. My blackened nails were elongated like a beast’s. For some reason, I could feel something sprouting on my head.

[Silently Crawling Nightmare drew a sharp intake at your transformation.]

...Uh-huh, I’ll just ignore the message from the stalker.

“Haaaaa...”

Strength surged through my body like a volcano on the verge of eruption. I felt a few times stronger than before. Indescribable feelings of exaltation and omnipotence washed over me. It was as if I was on top of a mountain, overseeing the ground below.

Now, I no longer find Shin Yoo’s sword qi threatening. He just seemed like a snotty brat throwing a tantrum.

As he looked at me, Shin Yoo grew pale and cold sweat trickled down his body like rain.

I gestured at him with my index finger, as if saying, “Come at me if you dare.”

“Interesting. I never thought it’d be of this level. Regardless, my Venom Fang pierces through everything.”

Crouching, Shin Yoo curled up on the ground, lunging toward me like a snake encroaching its prey. His sword qis, resembling razor-edged fangs, aimed for my neck and heart at the same time.

My lips involuntarily curved into a cold smile. How absurd.

Although Shin Yoo was fast for a human, he was still ridiculously slow for me. I could’ve killed him at least ten times in the meantime. Ever since I equipped the malevolent god title, I felt like I was no longer the same person. The feeling of omnipotence that coursed through my body was thrilling, almost addicting.

Should I start with the arm?

Having decided to crush both of Shin Yoo’s frail arms, I reached out.

“Ugh, so noisy.”

Just then, a familiar female voice came from behind.

Right, I totally forgot. I’m not the only one in the infirmary.

In the next bed, covered with curtains, Sung Mi-Na woke up. Our commotion must’ve disturbed her sleep. She poked her head through the curtains. When she saw Shin Yoo charging at me, her drowsy eyes sharpened instantly.

“You’re bad!” Sung Mi-Na pointed her finger at him.

Shin Yoo, who was about to lunge at me, widened his eyes in shock.

“W-wait, Ms. Sung Mi-Na!”

“Die!”

“Urk!”

Shin Yoo hastily retracted his sword Qi to parry Mi-Na’s Power of Words, but he was a second too late.

“Cough!” Shin Yoo coughed up a waterfall of blood and fell to his knees. With a blurry vision, Shin Yoo looked at Sword Demon, desperately mustering his words, “K-Kang Geom...”

Plop!

Finally, Shin Yoo fell face down into the pool of his own blood, lying motionless.

“Huh?!” I was stunned by the turn of events and quickly unequipped my malevolent god title. “I-is he dead?”

Sword Demon took Shin Yoo’s pulse, before clicking his tongue, “Tsk, what a shame. He’s still breathing. He’s always been a tenacious leech.”

Didn’t Shin Yoo consider Sword Demon his friend? Wouldn’t he be upset if he saw that?

Sword Demon picked up Shin Yoo and slung him over his shoulder.

“He’s disturbed Mr. Sword God. I’ll dumb him somewhere appropriate.”

“W-wa...!”

Sss—

Before I could finish, Sword Demon had vanished like a shadow. Left alone at the murder scene(?), I contemplated for a while. They were acquaintances, right? Sword Demon wouldn’t kill Shin Yoo, right? Let’s believe in Sword Demon. After all, he did swear to turn a new leaf. Nevertheless, I was still unsure what their relationship was.

Meanwhile, Sung Mi-Na ran to me with a look of concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Don’t worry, Unni will protect you!”

Um, can’t you just call yourself noona instead? I’m a guy and calling you unni is a abit...

Sung Mi-Na then rubbed her eyes again. “Mm, I’m going back to sleep then.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

But Sung Mi-Na reached her arms to me, whining, “Put me to bed.”

Although this side of her was adorable, it also made me feel guilty. Also, people would kill me if they saw Sung Mi-Na, the icon of this era, embodying the allure of both a young girl and a grown woman, like this.

“...Okay. What lullaby would you like to hear today?” I looked up NeoTube for lullaby collections.

Flash! Ruuumble!

Sung Mi-Ri appeared, accompanied by a flash of lightning. “Mister! Are you alright? I felt a tremendous aura earlier and came as soon as possible! Kyak! What’s with all the blood?!”

“Wow, it’s Mi-Ri!” Sung Mi-Na smiled brightly and held Sung Mi-Ri’s hands, pulling her to bed.

“U-Unni?”

“Mi-Ri should sleep together, too.”

Sung Mi-Ri looked at me, confused as hell. I gingerly signaled that it was not a big deal, and to just go along with her older sister.

“Hehe.”

The sisters laid on the bed, and I played music from Neotube for them. Today’s selection was Brahms’ Lullaby. Sung Mi-Na soon fell back asleep, and it didn’t take long for Sung Mi-Ri to follow suit. Ever since her recent promotion to Rank S, she’d been feeling more exhausted from the increased activities as a Hunter.

“They look good together.”

The sight of them sleeping soundly together made me feel proud. I drew the curtains and cleaned up Shin Yoo’s blood. Afterward, I returned to my desk and turned on my laptop.

I should work on the next chapter update soon. This time, it’d be about my final battle with the imperial army.

Tadak! Tadadak!

I planned to start with writing the scene where the apostle was about to burn the entire world. In the next scene, I’d be unleashing the Second Stance of Demon Lord’s Heavenly Sword, Demon Lord’s Pratāpana...

Knock knock!

“Mr. Yu Il-Shin, are you in?”

Someone knocked on the door and entered the infirmary.

There’s a lot of visitors today, I thought. I turned around to see the class representative, Ko Myeong-Ji at the door. It’s the squirrel. She didn’t seem to be injured, so why was she here?

“Ko Myeong-Ji, did something happen in class?”

“N-no, it’s not that.”

At the same time, a booming voice rang from her skull necklace.

-Greetings, My Lord!

It was Hades, the Death Knight I had accepted as my familiar.

“Oh, Hades, hey. Is everything okay?”

-U-um...

Hades’ voice faltered slightly.

Then, Ko Myeong-Ji clutched the skull necklace tightly and said with determination, “Sir, there’s something I need to tell you. My grandfather insists upon meeting you, so...”

I tilted my head sideways. “Why would your grandfather want to see me?”

“After seeing Hades’ evolution, he seemed to have turned a little... Eek! H-he’s here! Sir, please take care! Off I go!”

After peeking out of the window, Ko Myeong-Ji ran out in a panic.

Why would she react that way? I also looked out the window and...

Screeeech!

A black limousine stopped by the building where the infirmary was. It was the type of limousine that was often used to transport coffins to a funeral.

Click.

An old man alighted from the car. He had sharp eyes and was wearing black robes, resembling a grim reaper. A woman stood behind him, dressed in similar black robes. Her long hair covered her face, making her seem like a virgin ghost.

Huh? That old man...

Didn’t we meet at the Hunter Association the other day? The guild master of Immortal Guild, S-rank Hunter Ko Sa-Deuk? He was Ko Myeong-Ji’s grandfather?

Swoosh!

Like a meteorite falling from the sky, a muscular old man landed before them.

Thump!

“You skeleton punk! How dare you do such a thing in a sacred place like an academy!” Choi Kang-San yelled, staring warily at Ko Sa-Deuk.

Did he just jump from his own office?

Tsk, tsk, does he want to break his leg? He was already quite old. Why didn’t he just take care of his own health?

“Why are you here?! If you attempt to conduct human experiments on our students again, I’ll kill you!”

“Keke, don’t worry. I’m here to meet my prospective grandson-in-law.”

“Grandson...-in-law?”

Ko Sa-Deuk showed a sinister smile, licking his lips with his black tongue. “That’s right. I heard there’s a promising young man here by the name of Yu Il-Shin?”

...What did he just say?