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Chapter 29: Holy Sword Unleashed.
Self-declared class cancellation.
The reason?
Just didn’t feel like going to school.
This kind of trend among college students these days was something even Professor Shin Arin of the Combat Department understood well.
It had been nearly ten years, but she had once been a bright-eyed college student herself.
So, she could understand the feeling—
But not from her student, Shin Yuseong.
“He listens to my lectures so intently. I asked the other professors too, and they all said his eyes stay sparkling until the end of class. He’s not just resting on his natural talent—he works hard, and that’s what makes him such a good kid. So there’s no way Yuseong would just skip school for no reason.”
“...I mean, maybe he’s just really not feeling well today?”
True, for a normal person, feeling sick that day is a valid excuse.
‘But our Yuseong?’
She had only been teaching him for about two weeks, but she was certain.
Others might slack off, but not her Yuseong.
She hadn’t yet seen the full extent of his potential or strength, but sometimes, you just know.
Shin Arin had a gut feeling.
“He’s the best. Until the day my bones crumble and I retire from hunting, I doubt I’ll ever meet someone better than him.”
In more ways than one.
His focus in class, his potential, even his current ability—
He was not someone who should be compared to average students.
Give it some time, and he might surpass even her.
Despite the immense expectations she held for Shin Yuseong, her fondness for him as a student made her worry.
“I hope he comes to school tomorrow…”
* * *
“Come out.”
Just when I was debating whether to start causing a scene, a dark mage finally came for me.
Not one of the usual handlers who dragged strangers into the room, but a woman who had been watching me from a distance with curious glances.
Even now, as she pulled me from the prison, her eyes still held a strange lust.
I know this world is turned upside-down, but seeing it firsthand is still surreal.
It makes you wonder—
Is this really happening?
I'm no demon, yet here I was, dragged into a dark mage’s hideout.
If anyone I knew saw me like this, they’d probably go, “Wait, what? Is this real?”
[The Goddess can’t hold back and munches her popcorn with loud crunches.]
[(ㅎ^ㅎ)]
[She watches with eager anticipation.]
Well, at least the goddess next to me seems to be having a great time.
Maybe that’s enough.
And I know the old men in the hero’s party would absolutely lose their minds seeing this.
The more I thought about it, aside from the hassle for me, there were only upsides.
[To all our evil and thorough dark mage villains:
Black Chronicle Auction has brought out another top-tier item—just for you!]
The more I sat back watching those fools act up, the more my fingers started to itch.
Alright.
Let’s draw it.
The sword.
* * *
“Alright! Lot 127, 50 billion won!
It’s a magical item from an A-rank dungeon, and it still has two enchantment slots left!
Not only is it rare, but the functionality alone is worth it!
One! Two! Oh! Lot 40, 60 billion! Lot 127, 70 billion!”
The auctioneer—a dark mage and smuggling division head of the criminal organization Black Chronicle,
stood with a wide smile, arms spread in triumph.
“Ahhh! Lot 127 has claimed it for 90 billion—the A-rank deep sea dungeon artifact is SOLD!”
Today’s auction was going very well.
From the beginning, even with typical dungeon items you could find anywhere, the bidding war was intense.
Sure, the A-rank dungeon artifact was valuable—but its fair price should’ve been around 50–60 billion.
The reason it sold for nearly double was simple:
‘Big shots have gathered, and they’re full of hot air.’
She herself was a senior figure in a criminal syndicate known for swindling people,
but the guests at this event were criminals with even greater reputations.
A drug lord infamous for selling a new kind of digital narcotic.
A professional hitman who would assassinate anyone for a fee.
A dark mage known for skinning the faces off handsome hunters—the “Face Collector.”
A top executive of the Heavenly Demon Sect from the Central Plains—the “Demon Brain.”
And finally, the Black Knight Vermouth,
who would’ve been a high-ranking hunter if he hadn’t been stripped of his license.
With such big names present, other well-known figures flocked here just to make connections.
Even the usually reclusive boss of Black Chronicle, along with other division heads, showed up to network in this abandoned factory.
‘Ahh, so this is what power feels like.’
Running the auction, she couldn’t help but feel elated.
This wasn’t even her exclusive stage,
but knowing these powerful figures came to watch her show was a dopamine rush straight to the brain.
And with the auction prices soaring, her personal cut was growing by the second.
“Ah! Lot 127 snatches up the Siren Queen’s Trident for 120 billion!”
How could she not be excited?
And the main item she had planned for today hadn’t even been revealed yet.
Just thinking about how that piece was safely stored in their hideout made her mouth go dry.
It was hard to believe they’d actually secured it.
And now it was time to turn it into cash.
But before unveiling the main dish, there had to be an appetizer to whet the appetite—
And what a fine appetizer it was.
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“Now! For our next item, we present a ‘male student’ overflowing with the potential to become a top-tier Hunter!
Oh, and fun fact—he’s a beloved protégé of that infamous mad dog, Shin Arin.
We also personally confirmed—this kid’s face? Absolutely premium.”
The current top student at Seoul Academy of Supernatural Abilities, a heartthrob, and a gifted individual favored by an S-rank hunter.
The more charming titles like these, the more they whet the customers' appetites.
Of course, it also increases the reasons for being hunted down by official hunters, the Association, or even the government.
‘Well, I’ll figure something out.’
Living off crime was just business as usual for her.
A bold department head, currently acting as the auctioneer, she shouted with a triumphant smile:
“Ah, everyone! Please welcome a stunningly beautiful warrior who will go down in auction history!”
As she gave the signal, the canopy over the stage was pulled away.
With the curtain hiding the scene behind it gone, a male student stood there, dazed.
It was Shin Yuseong, now exposed to the gaze of the entire crowd.
“Oh.”
Just as the host had described, he was indeed a strikingly handsome youth with excellent body proportions.
And with rumored talents in both magic and martial arts, most of the attendees at this secret auction lit up with interest.
They’d have to get closer to check if he was a fake listing or not—but for now, he certainly looked promising.
“Starting bid is at 30 sheets!”
A pretty high opening price.
But for depraved dark mages and vicious villains, giving up on such a rare male student wasn’t an option.
“Oh my! Bidder #127 charges in first again! 50 sheets!”
The auctioneer was thoroughly enjoying herself.
The head of the hideout hadn't anticipated any unexpected incidents.
What could a boy in magic-suppressing cuffs possibly do?
He’d stayed quiet until now, so no one thought he’d suddenly stir up trouble.
Slice—
Suddenly, a faint sound, like something being cut.
It didn’t fit the heated, excited atmosphere of the auction hall—it was subtle, barely audible.
But having nearly reached the realm of a high-level dark mage, the auctioneer barely noticed the anomaly occurring dangerously close to her.
Clatter—
Ding–ding—
The magic control cuffs that had bound Shin Yuseong's wrists suddenly split in two and rolled across the floor.
It was a disruption to the auction’s flow, yes, but not severe enough to hurt profits.
She was about to brush it off—but something caught her eye.
‘…What is this?’
She quickly picked up the cuffs and examined them.
The cut was immaculate.
They hadn’t worn out from age—this was more like they'd been cleanly severed by a powerful force.
On a stage where no one had come up besides herself and him, it looked as if someone had brought a cutter and sliced it clean through when no one was looking.
She momentarily lost her words.
Now wasn’t the time to panic—she had to say something light and witty to keep the auction going—
“Oh Yurseus.”
Half a lifetime as a criminal had trained her instincts—and they suddenly weighed her tongue down.
And those instincts were right.
They had just come far too late.
“May the blessing of the divine be upon you.”
The dark mage suddenly realized—
She was already falling.
Screeeech—
Her tilting vision was disorienting.
The cut dripping with blood felt hot and cold at once.
As her body collapsed, she saw the boy now holding a drawn sword.
“Holy Sword: Release.”
With those words, the entire warehouse began to split in two.
Everything was collapsing.
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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