<THE DEMON LORD OF THE SWORDSMANSHIP FAMILY - Episode 39>
“…Though it may be seen as somewhat crude, we must acknowledge it as long as we live in this society. Raids start with money and end with money…”
It was ‘Understanding the Principles of Raids’ class.
An elderly professor with a flamboyant mustache projected an image.
“This is what raids looked like in ancient times. As you can see, this is the assault team. Symbols of swords, spears, robes, and staffs are occasionally visible too. Though equipment may differ, the form of the assault teams hasn’t changed much from now. However, here…”
A corner of the image was zoomed in.
Contrasting with the chatting assault team, people bent over in the shadows, collecting something.
“Students, do you know what these people are?”
“Porters.”
“Correct. Porters. Much earlier, before the creation of ‘A-Space Magic’, ancient raids needed to employ porters like this because they had to make money.”
Another image appeared.
Porters carrying away the corpses of monsters.
“The porters are collecting monster corpses and magic gems. To put it in modern terms, it’s the ‘loot’ process. Before I explain this, let me add a brief note.”
The old professor picked up a marker.
And in elegant handwriting, he wrote ‘Monster Loot’ on it.
“Based on Blue Gate standards, the scholarly consensus is that the monster corpse preservation rate is about 30%. In other words, 70% of monster corpses disappear after a hunt, leaving behind only magic gems. The reason is unknown. It remains a mystery full of conjecture.”
“Those who have experienced hunting will know this. Monster corpses mean money. So if only 30% of them are preserved, it’s like money disappearing in front of the assault team’s eyes. Therefore, they repeatedly try to research ways to increase this preservation rate, but ultimately, there’s no method.”
“However, we’ve realized a scenario where this preservation rate reaches 100%. That’s the Red Gate. Monsters that flow ‘backwards’ from the Red Gate to reality leave behind their corpses 100% of the time. At one point, this phenomenon was misused in crazy ways, which became quite a trend. Unbelievable, isn’t it? That concludes the additional note on ‘Monster Loot.’ Now, let’s move on to the main subject.”
The old professor put down the marker and projected another image.
In the image, the porter bent under the weight of a heavy load, following the assault team.
“The professor mentioned that raids start with money and end with money. During raids, the role of the porters is exactly like this—supply. The quantity is massive. This part is crucial. The profit of the assault team is directly proportional to how long they can hunt inside the Gate.”
An image of setting up a fortification.
An image of cooking in a huge pot.
An image under the moonlight, someone keeping watch from atop a tree.
“Porters also played many other roles.”
One last image, dissecting monster corpses.
“Supply, fort construction, cooking, guarding, and lastly, monster dissection. Everything is embodied in these porters. The purpose is clear.”
Money.
“Allowing the assault team to focus solely on hunting, which brings overwhelmingly high profits.”
… …
Optimum Agent Headquarters.
Right now, I am stepping into the second underground floor, the ‘Automated Puppet’ Development Department, with Mom.
“Wow…”
Beyond the glass window, robot arms moved busily. Small parts gathered and gradually formed into something.
War Machines.
The ones I saw endlessly in Jin Yu-ri’s catalog.
“Are those War Machines, Mom? Are we making War Machines too?”
“Isn’t it obvious? This is Optimum. One of the world’s top 5 Agent organizations! If we don’t make them, who will?”
“But, Mom, didn’t we come here to borrow supply equipment?”
“Haha, look at you, so cute. You know it’s right in front of you, supply equipment.”
“Are these War Machines supply equipment, not combat equipment?”
“What are you talking about? Do you really think supply equipment is just combat rations and some makeshift tents?”
“Uh… yeah… so, is that not allowed?”
“Oh my. That’s quite the wrong assumption. Son, it’s the 21st century, not the 18th!”
My excited mother was reciting the chronology of supply logistics.
From ancient porters, to the logistics revolution brought about by the advent of A-Space Magic, all the way to the 21st century where nutrition, sleep, and overall condition are comprehensively managed.
It seemed this was her specialty, as she seemed even more excited.
In short,…
“Ultimately, it’s about money?”
“…Though it’s frustratingly simple, yes. That’s the key. Money is the most important thing.”
Suddenly, I remembered the ‘Understanding the Principles of Raids’ lecture I attended yesterday. The professor there also said that raids start with money and end with money. I decided to mention this to Mom.
“Eh? Professor No Haechun?”
“You know him?”
“Of course. He was the ‘Understanding the Principles of Raids’ professor even when I was around. He’s still active, I see. He must be doing well.”
“Except that the class is boring.”
“He’s still the same. But you should pay attention. The class might be dull, but Professor No is sensitive to trends, so it will help you a lot.”
“You mean this machine is the trend?”
“Exactly. Our son has a great knack of spotting the core, just like me. This machine represents the current trend; it’s destined to become the flow of the era. By the time you’re fully active, you’ll see them even more frequently.”
Indeed, I’ve heard about these machines a lot lately.
From tedious tasks to delicate operations, these machines are replacing many facets of labor. I’ve heard that citizen groups are pushing for regulation citing human rights and job issues.
Honestly, this is an aspect I don’t really understand. But from the perspective of raids alone, the trend of machines will continue.
Because back when Golems were all the rage in the Empire, it was much the same.
Commonplace Golems. Upgraded Golems known as Gigants and Titans. Chimeras created using corpses.
In the Empire, all these creatures manipulated by humans were called ‘Servants’.
Technically speaking, my Skeleton is also a Servant.
Initially, Servants were used to eliminate delays while mages cast their spells. With the evolution of magic, they took on more diverse roles.
Speaking of which, these servants perform uniformly in various environments, unlike humans who are vulnerable to variables.
What environment? Does that ring a bell?
Exactly. Gates.
The inside of Gates is truly an unknown world.
It could be an impossibly high mountain, a dry desert, or darkness so thick you can’t see your hand in front of your face.
To show uniform performance in such conditions?
It’s a tremendous advantage.
This is why they become indispensable.
The development of Servants and machines will continue as long as Gates do not disappear.
It will continue forever.
“Will this be okay? Alright, take a look. I picked out what’s trendy these days. So, what do you like?”
“Mm, any is fine.”
“Ugh, I knew it. Let’s see them one by one.”
The first model.
A steel box big enough to swallow a person, with wheels attached.
“This is a model from America. It can set up a base, cook meals, and even recover corpses. It looks slow, but the speed is decent. One of its special features is that it can establish its own communication network, allowing the use of radios over much wider ranges.”
The second model.
If the first was a rectangular prism, this one resembled a snowman.
A peculiar object with two white spheres embedded side by side.
“Doesn’t it look like a snowman? Hence, it’s called ‘Snowman.’ Like the previous ones, it has basic functions. What’s special about this model is that it’s equipped with a ‘Floating Magic,’ making it the fastest among support machines, useful for operations.”
The last model.
Where the previous two were square and circular, symbolic of metaphysical shapes, this one was different.
This one was unmistakably humanoid.
Like a mannequin.
“Hmm, this one…”
Did I imagine it, or did mom glance at me while explaining?
“This one has all the basic functions. It’s not specialized for supporting like the first two models though. Instead, it leans more towards ‘War Machines.'”
“But if it can support and fight, isn’t that better?”
“Well, it has its drawbacks.”
Although it possesses combat ability above average, it has lower mana efficiency.
It uses hands and feet like a human, showing human-like mobility, but autonomous behavior is impossible.
Listening to it, it seemed strange. Why was she mentioning so many disadvantages compared to the other models?
And the reason soon became clear.
“Honestly, let me confess, son. This is a model produced in-house by Optimum, and the performance is pretty good. But it’s still in the testing phase….”
“Pass.”
“Ki-hyuk?”
“Pass!”
What’s so important? It’s ‘Made by Mom.’
I walked out with a satisfied expression.
… …
“That looks like a mannequin…”
Mary tilted her head towards the white mannequin and looked at me.
“Is this really the new model made by Optimum?”
“Yup. What do you think, is it okay?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. The appearance isn’t bad, though.”
“Right? I thought the others all looked weird. They were like squares, triangles, and circles—like something out of kindergarten art classes. But look at this design. Humanoid. How endearing.”
“Support machines are normally like that. It’s more about performance rather than appearance. Can it move? Let me see how it works.”
“As the operator, you need to tie this controller like a headband and use mana.”
I was explaining it to Mary for a while, but behind us, Jun-woo and Jin Yu-ri had already been happily playing with the machines after hearing the explanation earlier.
“I feel like my senses have expanded.”
“Fun! Kick! Kick! Yeah! Yeah!”
Each of them had one machine. While Jun-woo appeared proficient due to his usual control, his white mannequin machine was executing punches quite skillfully, resembling a boxer.
On the other hand, Jin Yu-ri’s machine wasn’t faring too well. Despite looking eager to execute many moves, its clumsiness indicated her lack of control. All her actions and movements appeared awkward.
“Like this. Got it?”
“More or less. Let me try.”
Mary, wearing the control headband, furrowed her brow in concentration. The white mannequin in front of her moved forward, backward, to the right, left, spun once, twice, and even danced to a song currently popular on the streets.
Oh… Surprisingly good mobility.
“Not bad?”
“You’re handling it better than expected. Usually, this is what you’d typically see.”
I pointed to the machine in the back throwing a high-kick at a punching bag and toppling over by losing balance.
Jin Yu-ri’s machine.
“You have talent in summoning.”
“I… do? Hmm, maybe that’s why. I’m quite good at things, you see.”
Mary, thrilled by the compliment, was joyfully playing with the machine.
Thus, the kids played with their new toys like children receiving presents, only stopping when lunch arrived.
“Om!”
A delightful mealtime.
By the way, we usually talk a lot during meals.
“So, you’re saying these machines are lent to us in exchange for Optimum providing supply material?”
“And, there’s supposed to be something attached to the chest area.”
“Aha, a logo. Ow, it’s spicy. Can I have some water?”
Mary was looking for water after eating Tteokbokki, and Jun-woo naturally passed her a drink while continuing the conversation.
“That’s common practice.”
“Renowned assault teams are practically walking advertisements. But Ki-hyuk, isn’t it a problem to rely on this help from your mom? The final exam evaluates all aspects of a raid.”
“Fine…”
“Just fine. No issues.”
My words were interrupted by Jin Yu-ri.
“I dropped some.”
“Wipe it yourself. Why do you always have to cling to me and ask for it?”
“Don’t act up when you’re offering to help me for nothing. I detest men who mess around.”
“You got scolded…”
“Excuse me!”
This time Mary cut me off.
Please let me speak. Why are you guys doing this to me?
“Yuri, continue what you were saying. Why is it fine?”
“Because…”
Jin Yu-ri grabbed the front of my shirt.
“Background also counts as a skill.”
To use everything available to one’s advantage.
It’s proof that the Academy is by no means a fair place.
“…But why are you grabbing my shirt?”
“It’s a killer argument.”
The world isn’t fair.
“You try your best, but you’re just a side character. After all, the ‘Bloodlines’ get everything.”
“Remember him? That middle school classmate of yours. He was from a Bloodline, and went straight to the Academy…”
Some people work every day without gaining the power others receive simply due to being from a Bloodline.
I wanted to change it. I wanted to sever this deep-rooted injustice with my own hands.
That’s why I joined the Evolutionary Group…
“Sorry for the trouble, but for the time being, suspend your activities, Head. The ‘Executive Department’ seems to have caught on to something.”
“Phew, you should’ve kept your boundaries. Tidying things up indiscriminately causes problems. Your overreach has put us in a difficult situation.”
“Regrettably, the ‘HomunculusF’ project must be handed to the Japan branch… Excuse me! It’s not because you’re the son! I picked based on ability alone, ability!”
I almost mistook it for a moment—it being unfair.
How could this place be fair either?
Look at them, shouting about grand ideals and the future, only to protect their own and fill their pockets in the background.
Then I’ll do the same.
“Mr. Sa… Mr. Sa? Mr. Kim.”
Manager Kim opened his eyes.
“You’re here? Work?”
“Suspicious ones are taken care of. We’ve cleared out our facilities and moved everything to the ‘Daegu Lab.’ We’ve given a heads-up to the police, so we’ll have some peace for a while.”
“Good work. Normally, I’d invite you for a bowl of rice and a sip of Soju, but we’re short on time. Are the kids ready?”
“Just tell me.”
“Alright. Once we’ve got the spare time, clean up the subjects and head to Daegu.”
Hand it over? Who thinks they can decide that?
Since I started it, I’ll see it through. Even if it fails. No taking what’s mine.
Manager Kim pulled out a spear from his A-Space.
“Henceforth, the Korean branch of Evolutionary Group will act independently.”
The snake wrapped around the spear opened its crimson eyes.
