Chapter 1153

〈 Chapter 1153 〉 1153. The Academy’s Savior

“Behold, the Unseen Blade Technique!”

The two supreme strikes clashed in midair!

The colliding strikes canceled each other out, unleashing a massive shockwave. As I was pushed back by the wind, I sheathed my sword while keeping a close eye on Fake Sung Yoojin.

Fake Sung Yoojin also retreated from the shockwave and sheathed their sword.

Just as I thought they were about to use a step technique, they suddenly appeared right before me.

“…So you’re using ‘Instantaneous Movement,’ huh?”

I never realized it when using it myself, but now that I’m facing it, it’s quite an annoying ability. That guy is about to attempt the Unseen Blade Technique. Since reacting normally would be difficult, I’ll use Instantaneous Movement.

“[Instantaneous Movement (刹那) activated. Remaining stacks: 5]”

My vision slows down. I can see the explosive momentum of their Hwalyeonbidoh blade being unleashed from its reinforced sheath.

“…Earlier, when they killed that guard, they used Instantaneous Movement once… This isn’t good. Compared to them, I’m one stack short.”

As I mentally curse under my breath, I respond to their attack.

“Unseen Blade Technique: Lower Century Slash.”

The blades accelerated by the reinforced sheath crossed each other.

“KAAAAANG!”

Neither blade budged after crossing.

“Strength, agility, reaction speed… everything is exactly the same as mine?”

CRACKLE CRACKLE.

A crimson lightning surged from their blade. I hastily increased the distance between us. If it were regular lightning, I might have taken the hit and countered, but the enhanced lightning from the Hwalyeonbidoh is even tough for me.

Fake Sung Yoojin charged at me like a gale, continuously unleashing blade techniques.

“KYAAAAAAAAAAH! What are you doing?! Counterattack already!!”

Ignoring Makiina’s words, I focused solely on dodging.

“If our stats are identical… I need to conserve stamina and mana. The one who tires out first loses.”

However, dodging wasn’t easy. With the Unseen Blade Technique sending relentless strikes and the extreme fast-swordsmanship through Instantaneous Movement, I somehow managed to evade thanks to my familiarity with its timing.

“…Damn it. Why is this guy attacking so recklessly?”

Is it because they’re fake? No, since they’re fake, they probably genuinely want to kill me and take the real Sung Yoojin’s place.

“If they don’t have exactly the same specs as me…?”

Laplaces must be involved in this. If it’s Laplaces, they could easily rig things.

“Shit. Am I just making things worse by stalling?”

Unlike me biting my lips, the fake one was joyfully swinging their sword around.

“Hahaha! Stop running away! Are you really the real deal if you’re scared of a fake like me?!”

Every time they swung their sword, crimson lightning bolts rained down. BOOM BOOM BOOM! Thunder roared as academy students gathered around.

“Why are you fighting here, you idiot?”

“Shouldn’t we stop them?”

“If we get hit trying to stop them, we’ll be the ones suffering. Let’s call a teacher instead.”

The academy students murmured while watching. Fake Sung Yoojin seemed displeased and swung their sword toward the students.

“You’re irritating, you trash!”

“KYAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Academy students were swept away by their strike. Bodies were cut open, and blood spilled onto the ground.

As their focus shifted to the students, an opening appeared. It was a golden opportunity.

“I’ll approach using Instantaneous Movement.”

“[Instantaneous Movement (刹那) activated. Remaining stacks: 4]”

“Unseen Blade Technique: Heavenly Gender Slash.”

Slice slice slice slice slice.

I alternate between drawing and sheathing my blade.


The slit of the katana sheath flaps open as the blade swings faster and faster.

“Y-you bastard…!”

The guy’s face twists in agony. He’s enduring every single one of my sword strikes. By continuously using “Flash Step,” he’s managed to evade over ten times already. It seems there’s no limit to how many times he can use Flash Step. However, with each use, his body appears to take on more strain.

‘My arm feels like it’s about to fall off. Time to finish this.’

My ultimate draw technique reaches its peak.

With consecutive slashes, the blood-red blade of Fire Lotus Sword glows at maximum speed as I swing it towards him. The speed is so fast, even I have trouble seeing it clearly. Attempting to dodge with Flash Step, the accumulated stress causes his body to momentarily lose balance and wobble.

Sssshhiiiaaaakkk!

I cleave through his body.

“Fuuuuck!”

Cursing and spilling his guts, the guy collapses to the floor.

I don’t let my guard down. Ignoring the pain in my arm that feels like it’s about to fall off, I sheathe Fire Lotus Sword and prepare for the next draw. The fake Sung Yoojin activates Full Recovery. Anticipating this, I boost my physical abilities using Heavenly Mind.

Shadow Heaven Style: Ultimate Technique – Heavenly Light.

The blade transforms into a streak of light, piercing straight through his heart.

As the fake Sung Yoojin tries to rise, his eyes widen in shock as he stares at me. His pupils tremble.

“W-what was that technique just now?”

“It’s something I made specifically to kill you.”

In the “[Savior of the Academy]” world, I never used the Shadow Heaven Style ultimate technique once. That’s why the fake Sung Yoojin didn’t know about it.

“…Don’t bullshit me. There’s no way someone talentless like you could create such a move on the spot…”

Crackle crackle.

Lightning surges forth. The red lightning begins electrocuting his body as he grits his teeth and stretches his hand toward my neck. With a slash of my blade, I sever his head.

‘It feels kinda weird since it’s like I’m cutting off my own head.’

Rubbing my neck, I glare at the fake Sung Yoojin’s head. After all, like Flash Step, Full Recovery might also be usable multiple times.

Fortunately, he doesn’t get back up.

“You’ve completed the Azure Dragon Trial.”

“The Azure Dragon Spear awakens to its true power.”

Seeing the notification window, I finally tear my gaze away from the fake Sung Yoojin’s corpse. He’s definitely dead.

‘Ryu Hana…’

Looking around, I pause.

The corpses of academy students killed by the rampaging fake Sung Yoojin are scattered everywhere, and academy teachers have surrounded me, glaring at me as if ready to kill.

Raising both hands to show I don’t want to fight, I use Heavenly Eye to check Ryu Hana’s condition.

‘Ryu Hana is on the back mountain.’

A fake Ryu Hana lies fallen before the real Ryu Hana. She’s won too.

I look up at the sky.

The trial is over.

The dungeon should collapse, and we should return outside… But the dungeon shows no signs of collapsing. It’s merely clear and bright.

•••

I’m dragged into the principal’s office while restrained.

The academy teachers surrounding me emit a menacing aura.

“Calm yourselves, everyone.”

An old man sitting directly across speaks. Wrinkles cover his face, with a white beard grown out, and he has a frail build. Though hunched over, he possesses a gentle charisma.

Jucheok Song.

The first principal of Maruhan Academy.

“Principal, this guy is a wanted terrorist. The bounty on his head exceeds 500 million. Moreover, five students are dead.”

“It’s regrettable that five students have died. However, shouldn’t we properly investigate? The one who killed the five students wasn’t him but his doppleganger. We have recovered the bodies as evidence, and there are several witnesses.”

“…Even so, the fact remains that he’s a wanted terrorist.”

I check my restraints.

Handcuffs are on both my hands. They’re not ordinary handcuffs. Magical enchantments make them difficult to break.

‘If I use the teleportation spell scroll, escaping wouldn’t be an issue. Even with the cuffs on, I can summon and rip the scroll.’

The problem is Principal Song watching me carefully.


And the teachers were there. If I made any suspicious moves, they’d stop me right away.

“So, what’s your name?”

Gang Jusok asked me.

“Sung Yoojin.”

“Got it. Sung Yoojin. You look incredibly young. There’s barely any difference between you now and the wanted photos issued a few years ago… Though you pull off our school uniform well, I assume you’re older than you appear.”

“…”

“I’ll give you a chance to explain. Why did you enter the Academy, and who exactly are you and that Dopplegänger of yours?”

“What if I invoke my right to remain silent?”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s your choice to stay quiet, and there’s nothing we can do about it. But don’t forget this: five students are dead. We’re barely restraining our anger as it is.”

The atmosphere was tense.

I started wondering if I’d be tortured next. In this day and age? Totally plausible.

“…I’m a Devil Hunter. I infiltrated the Academy to hunt demons.”

I opened my mouth.

Lies spewed out effortlessly. I was confident in my deception. The Dopplegänger, not me, killed those students. With witnesses around, they couldn’t pin the deaths on me.

“…”

After hearing my lies, they remained silent, deep in thought.

The door to the principal’s office opened, and a young teacher entered.

“Principal, we’ve reported to the Hero Association and investigated his identity. There’s no information on him whatsoever.”

“…When will the Association arrive?”

“There’s been a massive Gate opening in Pyongyang. They’ve requested we detain him since they need to handle the situation in Pyongyang.”

“Inopportune timing… Is Pyongyang really that bad?”

“…They said if they fail, Pyongyang might disappear entirely.”

“…”

The people in the principal’s office fell silent for another reason.

Principal Gang Jusok sighed deeply before issuing orders.

“Teacher Park, isn’t there a small warehouse near the Swordsmanship Department? I want to use it as a makeshift jail. Please clear out the items inside. Teacher Oh, we’ll need help from the Magic Department. Prepare binding seals in the warehouse and set up barriers around it. Teacher Yoon, go to the Administrative Department and gather surveillance personnel. One teacher and two staff members per team, rotating every eight hours should suffice. Everyone, thank you for your cooperation for the time being.”

“Yes, Principal.”

Following Principal Gang Jusok’s instructions, the teachers moved efficiently.

Only the principal and I remained in the office.

“If what you say is true, then the Dopplegänger must be a servant of the demon you’re hunting. Would you mind telling me which demon you’re after?”

“Laplace. The master of the 8th Legion.”

“…Figures.”

“Figures?”

“A few years ago, on the day you supposedly terrorized Seoul, there were testimonies that you fought Laplace and defeated giant monsters. According to the Association, if it weren’t for you, Seoul would have been half-destroyed.”

“You’re more competent than I thought.”

“I’m grateful to you. If it weren’t for you, South Korea would’ve taken a serious hit.”

“If you’re so grateful, how about unlocking these handcuffs?”

“That’s separate from the fact that you committed an act of terrorism, regardless of the reasons behind it. Your methods are flawed.”

“…”

I shut my mouth. Principal Gang Jusok’s resolve was firm. No matter what I said, he wouldn’t release me.

‘Trials never end. Just wait, and I’ll get out of this dungeon soon enough.’

I could endure the discomfort for a while longer.

I was locked inside the Academy’s storage room.

“…We found a security guard’s body in the trunk of the car you arrived in. Why did you kill him?”

Principal Gang Jusok asked me sharply.

“That guy was under the control of a demon.”

“…And you expect me to believe that?”

“I’m telling the truth. Believe it or not, it’s your choice.”

“…”

“One more thing. There’s a demon hiding somewhere in the Academy.”

“…Where is it hiding?”

“Let me out, and I’ll find it for you.”

Principal Gang Jusok stared at me for a moment, shook his head, and left the warehouse.