I Became a Swordsmanship Genius at the Academy

---

“Why? Is something wrong?”

Hearing this, Park Eun-ho approached and pointed to a small gap beside the wall.

A tiny crevice obscured by pieces of corpses. Beyond it lay an unknown space.

“This is……”

“Could it be a secret space?”

“It seems so. Let’s finish clearing this up first.”

After completing the cleanup of the bodies, Park Eun-ho inserted mana into the gap and cautiously pried it open.

What was revealed in the small space was a tightly shut chest.

“I’ll check it first.”

The sub-team leader activated the search device and brought it close to the chest.

“There are no traps, and I don’t sense any mana reaction.”

“Then let’s open it.”

Park Eun-ho slowly opened the chest, and inside was a book with unsettling content.

“… I think we’ve found something significant.”

Park Eun-ho’s voice quivered—it’s not often to see him tense.

The book contained the location of the headquarters of the Jeogcheonggye.

“If that’s the case…”

“Yeah. Maybe we can finally finish them off soon.”

As Park Eun-ho said this, someone else’s gaze fell upon him.

“…”

The gaze turned back after the confirmation was complete.

Dozens of minutes later, in a dark space where no one else was around.

He took out a communication gem from his pocket, infused it with mana, and spoke.

“I have obtained information about the enemies’ location of the headquarters.”

[Is that so.]

The voice transmitted through the gem was eerie.

It was devoid of emotion and tone, making it impossible to determine age or gender.

The identity of the voice belonged to the leader of the Jeogcheonggye, the church head.

Ilho, responsible for collecting and conveying all information within the church, was uniquely empowered to meet with the church head at any time.

[You did well.]

Despite the unprecedented crisis of having the location of the headquarters exposed, the church head instead praised Ilho’s effort.

Because it was a task assigned by the church head.

For the plans that would take place later, it was necessary to divert the enemies’ attention elsewhere.

[Are the other matters proceeding well?]

“Yes. I have perfectly conveyed the church head’s instructions to the branch leaders across various regions. Aside from the branches that were attacked this time, all have begun relocating.”

[We must be cautious of the unbelievers’ gaze.]

“I will engrave that in my bones.”

The instruction given by the church head was to secretly gather all followers in one place.

It was a vital task that carried a significant risk of exposing the location of the headquarters to the enemy.

[It’s pitiful. It was my mission to guide them all to the Lord.]

“If we can continue down that path through sacrifice, they will be satisfied as well.”

From its inception, the Jeogcheonggye’s condition for joining was prior murder.

Their doctrine, which grew stronger and received praise with each life taken, was not solely built from anger and madness.

To them, murder was an act of offering to a distant god, commonly referred to as austerity.

Just as the Mad Demon, who was merely human, gathered the souls of his followers to achieve divinity.

They too sought to summon a god into this world by making sacrifices.

“What should we do about him?”

The smooth progress of the austerity was halted by the emergence of one presence.

Kim Il-shin.

With knowledge that should not be known and unbelievable prowess, he was an overwhelmingly dangerous being.

From the moment the church head first acquired information about him, he recognized the threat he posed.

The first person sent to deal with him was the bishop, Vernika.

An overwhelming force that seemed excessive. It was not a decision made in complacency.

However, Kim Il-shin didn’t just survive that; he defeated Vernika in direct combat.

That event even shocked the church head, who prided himself on having complete insight into the world.

Afterward, the church head recognized Kim Il-shin as an alien entity.

[I will use the divine object of the headquarters.]

“The divine object……”

The only divine relic left behind by God within the Jeogcheonggye.

If it’s that, not only could Kim Il-shin be restrained, but he could also be eliminated.

However, to use it, approaching the target closely was essential.

Ilho hoped to take on that risk and achieve greatness on behalf of the church.

“If you leave it to me, I will definitely succeed.”

[No. There is someone more suitable. Focus on your role.]

The returned answer was a refusal.

While disappointing, Ilho did not raise any questions or objections to the church head’s decision.

“I understand.”

With that final word, the communication ended.

Ilho moved on, wishing for the success of the headquarters’ plan, preparing for the next task.

*

Current time: 10:50 AM.

Kim Il-shin and Hanarim, who had left home together, arrived at the café they had promised to meet Hazuki.

“Have you been here before?”

“Nope. I heard you need to make a reservation.”

“That’s only for private rooms.”

“Oh, is that how it is?”

“The cakes here are delicious.”

“Ooh! Cake!”

While engaging in everyday chat, Kim Il-shin pulled open the door.

However, he was burning inside.

“Huuu……”

He couldn’t predict what kind of conversation the two would have when they met.

Blaming his past self for the choices he had deferred until now, he opened the door to the private room.

“You arrived just on time.”

Hazuki, who was already there, welcomed Kim Il-shin.

She stood up and approached, inspecting his whole body.

“It looks like you aren’t hurt. That’s a relief.”

“I told you I’m fine.”

“No matter how badly you’re hurt, you’re the type who would say it’s okay as long as you’re alive.”

“……”

After the brief exchange, Hazuki finally shifted her gaze to Hanarim.

“You seem to be okay too.”

“Luckily, right?”

In response to Hanarim’s informal question, Hazuki replied with a kind smile.

“Of course. Please have a seat. I’ve already placed the order.”

Kim Il-shin sat across from Hazuki, and Hanarim took a seat next to him.

Colorful desserts filled the table.

Once everyone was seated, it was Hazuki who first brought up the topic.

“I need to tell you something first.”

Hazuki’s voice became serious.

It seemed like an important matter, so Kim Il-shin focused on her words.

“I heard that the Pungsin Guild found out the location of the Jeogcheonggye’s headquarters. They said there was a book containing that information where we fought.”

Completely unexpected news made Kim Il-shin flinch.

“They say the information is being shared with the government and major guilds. Probably, a hunting team will be formed soon.”

It was news that couldn’t be brushed off lightly.

Kim Il-shin thought for a moment before asking.

“Where did they find it?”

“I heard it was discovered in a gap in the wall. I’m not sure if that’s accurate.”

“And who discovered it?”

“Team leader Park Eun-ho from the Pungsin Guild. Since you have some connections, it might be good to check with him.”

“Wait a minute.”

Kim Il-shin immediately tried to contact Park Eun-ho.

When he inquired about what he had heard from Hazuki, Park Eun-ho gladly shared the information.

[If you want to propose joining the hunting team, there are things you need to inform me about, so I wouldn’t mind you coming a bit earlier. I’m sure you know, but leaks are strictly prohibited.]

“I will keep that in mind.”

[Oh, and when you have time later, I’d like to request a private lesson.]

“Of course.”

Park Eun-ho’s trust in Kim Il-shin was exceedingly firm.

Had it not been for the information Kim Il-shin had provided initially, he wouldn’t have been able to find it.

Moreover, he was a hero who had defeated several bishops.

Although it hadn’t been announced yet.

‘……It’s the same location I knew.’

It wasn’t false information.

Confirming that made his displeasure deepen.

He had never heard of such an object being in Berter’s workshop.

Moreover, what was written in the book was, without a doubt, the location of the headquarters of the church head.

Since the head’s existence would affect the survival of the church, it was a place they risked their lives to maintain security.

There was no reason to write the location of such a place in a mere book or leave it languishing inside a wall.

A disturbing feeling washed over him.

Surely, something was being orchestrated.

Having revealed significant information, it was apparent they were targeting something even larger.

‘What could it be…….’

As he pondered this, he felt a poking on his side from Hanarim’s fingers.

Turning over, he saw Hanarim opening her mouth silently and pointing towards the cake on the plate.

“Ah.”

Seeing that, Kim Il-shin unconsciously picked up a fork and cut the cake into sizes suitable for eating.

Then, he fed one piece to Hanarim.

“Mmm…! It’s delicious……”

Hanirams face relaxed as she consumed the sugar.

After a few chews, she swallowed and poked Kim Il-shin’s side again.

“This time, chocolate.”

At his every response, Kim Il-shin continued to feed her cake.

Each time she eagerly accepted, it felt amusing, almost like feeding a small animal.

“This time, strawberry.”

“I already ate all the strawberries.”

“Oh….”

“I haven’t tried the mango here yet.”

“Then let’s go with mango…!”

Having moved his hands multiple times, Hazuki, who had been quietly watching, finally opened her mouth.

“How about you try eating the cake on your own? We were in the middle of an important discussion, yet you’re both adults, so you should be able to eat by yourselves, right?”

Upon hearing that, Hanarim responded nonchalantly.

“Oh, sorry. I think I’m still a bit tired. I didn’t sleep well after some strenuous exercise.”

“……You should have refrained from strenuous exercise, especially after the incidents.”

“It’s not something that can be controlled just by refraining.”

In the conversation between the two, Kim Il-shin began to sweat profusely.