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* * *

Although Siri had intervened out of the blue, she neither opposed nor modified the plan set by Seti.

Everything she said during Yeomyeong’s test was a lie; actually, she had been actively supportive of Seti’s plan.

"So, to put it bluntly, the core of Unnie’s plan hinges on how much fame Oppa can attain."

Fame.

To gain such a significant amount of fame that important figures of the Korean government would come to meet him personally.

The problem was the means to achieve it.

What kind of method should they use for someone who lived at rock bottom and had no proper background to gain such fame?

The answer Seti provided the puzzled Yeomyeong was simple.

“If you gradually reveal your talents in places where people’s attention is focused, fame will naturally follow, Yeomyeong-ssi.”

“Places where attention is focused?”

“Academies, dimensional portals, conflict zones... wherever Superhumans gather is where the attention is focused.”

Ever since Dimensional Portals had opened, Earthians had been unable to take their eyes off Superhumans.

It was unavoidable because, from the very start, Earth’s superhumans were tools of regime propaganda.

Heroes of the people, proof that America was loved by the gods, real-life Superman, symbols of progress…

Even after the Soviet Union had collapsed and the Cold War ended, Superhumans were still loved and treated in the same manner as before.

“You don’t need to think too hard about it. You can say that the public’s interest in Superhumans is no different from their interest in celebrities.”

Upon listening to Seti’s explanation, Yeomyeong immediately understood what she meant by that.

Publishing, media, broadcasting...

The so-called mass media continuously aired every move of Superhumans without fail.

Bookstores were filled with various novels and comics about Superhumans, and TV dramas set in Superhuman academies constantly broke viewership records.

Economic newspapers criticized the frequent regrouping of Superhuman mercenaries, which disrupts international oil prices, while the academia discussed the influence of classical philosophy on Superhuman martial arts.

Of course, all this was merely a cultural phenomenon.

Real important information, such as the true intention of martial arts or magic spells, was not disclosed to the general public.

Even Yeomyeong, who had watched numerous Superhuman documentaries and read tons of comics, did not completely understand what proper martial arts were.

“…I understand the context. So, what should I do now?”

As soon as Yeomyeong finished speaking, Seti handed over five documents.

One admission application, one acceptance letter, and three wanted posters.

“Please make a choice, Yeomyeong-ssi.”

Upon checking each document, he saw that the names and dates written on each of them were all different.

Did she start preparing this from the very day she left Incheon?

After marveling at Seti’s ability to put the plan into action immediately, Yeomyeong first checked the acceptance letter.

The acceptance letter was from a PMC—A private military company commonly known as a mercenary group—The Sonjuk Mercenary Group operating between the Manchuria and Kaesong Dimensional Portal, which primarily dealt with monster extermination and security details.

It was a veteran mercenary group Yeomyeong had heard about even during his janitor days.

I always assumed that it wouldn’t be easy to receive an acceptance letter from a place like that in just a few days...

While examining the acceptance letter, Yeomyeong asked her frankly.

“…How did you manage to get this?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“The mercenary group’s acceptance letter. I believe that it shouldn’t have been so easy to obtain this.”

Just as Seti was about to reply, Siri, who was standing beside her, interjected.

“Unnie spent quite some money.”

“…Siri.”

“Honestly speaking, I don\'t think she had to spend much on the mercenary group. After all, how much would it cost to admit one new recruit into a mercenary group where people die regularly anyway?”

“…”

“But the academy admission application is a different story. It probably cost more than a hundred million.”

Siri pointed to the admission application with a smile. Yeomyeong examined the contents of the application cautiously.

And the next moment, he immediately frowned.

At the very bottom of the document, the part that said ‘Transfer in the second semester of first year’ caught his eye.

“The second semester… So, in six months.”

“I\'m sorry. No matter what I tried, it wasn\'t possible to get an earlier admission than that...”

Seti bowed her head sullenly, and Siri added from the side.

“With the entrance ceremony just around the corner, how can they accept first-semester applicants now? And it’s not like it’s an ordinary high school. Security has also been tightened drastically after last month\'s terror attack.”

Yeomyeong nodded. It was not something he couldn’t understand.

Unlike the academy depicted in dramas, the real Superhuman academy was treated like a quasi-military base.

Rather, Seti’s ability to even get an admission application was impressive.

…Maybe I should have accepted the recommendation letter from the Holy Sword back then.

That thought crossed his mind, but he immediately shook his head.

He was not entering the academy for the sake of training, but to kill people.

If he committed murder after being admitted through a recommendation letter, how would the Holy Sword and the Australian government respond?

Would they understand his desire for revenge? Probably not. In fact, it would be a relief if they didn’t come after him with swords in hand to reclaim their honor.

He already had too many people he needed to kill without needing to increase his enemies…

Yeomyeong considered all this while tapping his finger on the table repeatedly, then picked up the three remaining wanted posters.

The wanted posters had photos of criminals who were either Superhumans or were partially skilled in mana.

A crazed murderer who used magic to kill, a madman who fed people to monsters, and an escaped Necromancer.

Below the wanted posters were details such as the last seen locations and commonly used magic, written in tiny, meticulous notes. Judging by the handwriting, it seemed likely that Seti had written them herself.

A short while later, as Yeomyeong placed the wanted posters back on the table, Seti, who had been observing him, spoke up.

“So, which one will you choose?”

With that prompt, she began explaining the advantages and plans for each option in detail.

If he joined the mercenary group, he would gain practical experience, and when going after wanted criminals, he would always need to bring along an internet broadcaster—

After Seti’s lengthy explanation came to an end, Yeomyeong turned to Siri and asked.

“Siri, when exactly is the academy’s entrance ceremony?”

“Didn’t Unnie tell you earlier? It’s in three days. Although it should have been held two weeks ago, it was postponed due to last month’s terror attack.”

“…In three days.”

“Not every student can even attend the entrance ceremony and most of them are waiting in the dorms. Thanks to that, both Unnie and I are able to roam around without being monitored by the Korean government.”

“In that case…”

Yeomyeong recalled the conversation he had with Seti at Pier 13, where she had introduced herself as a ‘special admission candidate for Lord Howe Academy.’

“I should leave either today or tomorrow.”

Seti did not deny it.

“…Yes, that’s right. My sister and I will have to return to the academy soon. But, it’s not a complete farewell, right?”

“…”

“You have my contact information, don’t you? We can keep in touch even when I’m at the academy, and I can go out on weekends…”

Yeomyeong and Siri squinted while looking at Seti, who was mumbling.

Unable to bear the two’s gaze, Seti fumbled before clamming up.

“Unnie, Lord Howe Academy is in Australia. What do you plan to do by going out every weekend? Fly in on Saturdays, stay overnight, and fly back on Sundays? Even weekend couples can’t manage that.”

“…”

“Let’s be honest. We’re not in a position where we can accompany or fight alongside you because we’re under government surveillance. We can only offer indirect help like connections or money.”

“Siri, shut up.”

Only then did Seti narrow her eyes and glare at Siri. Instead of being frightened, Siri got up from the table in an exaggerated manner and quickly hid behind Yeomyeong.

“Am I wrong? And it’s also something Oppa is already aware of, right?”

“…It is just I didn’t expect to part so quickly.”

“Oh, really? It’s Unnie’s fault for not bringing it up earlier then.”

Eventually, unable to hold back, Seti jumped up from her seat and began chasing Siri.

Yeomyeong watched the two chase each other for a moment before turning to speak to Seti.

“Seti, you said that I could choose these documents as I wish, right?”

“Huh? Yes, of course. You can choose whatever you like.”

As soon as she finished saying that while grabbing Siri by the collar, Yeomyeong boldly picked up all five documents.

Seeing this, Siri tilted her head, and Seti’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me…you’re not going to choose all of them, are you?”

“Is there even a need to choose just one of them? Six months is a long time. I can gain practical experience in the mercenary group, capture all the wanted criminals... and then enter the academy.”

Only then did Siri realize Yeomyeong’s intention and burst into laughter.

“Haha, you’re right. That’s right. Why choose just one? If you can do them all, then just do them all.”

Seti glanced at Siri and Yeomyeong for a moment, then nodded as if she had arrived at a decision.

“If that’s what Yeomyeong-ssi wants, then then I’ll assist you.”

* * *

“Sir.”

Jang Man, who was looking at the sea, turned his head towards the voice calling him.

The boy, who was once known as Dung Beetle and was now called Cheon Yeomyeong, was approaching him.

“So, how did the discussion go? Did it end well?”

“Yes, I plan to proceed as planned originally.”

“...Then you’ll be leaving this city. When do you intend to leave?”

“I’ve decided to leave immediately. So, I’ve come to say goodbye… to you, Sir.”

“I see. Well, indeed, there’s no need to delay it any longer.”

Jang Man did not ask where Yeomyeong was going. Where this boy would fight or with whom was none of his concern.

However, like all old people, he felt that he should at least offer a small amount of help for the young one’s future path.

He pulled out a suitcase he had prepared earlier and leaned it against the back alley wall. The suitcase was larger than Jang Man’s torso.

“Sir, what is this...?”

“Open it.”

Without hesitation, Yeomyeong opened the suitcase.

Clack. After unlocking the latch and examining the contents, Yeomyeong looked at Jang Man with astonishment.

“While you were in the bunker, I asked the young lady named Seti. She said that you used up all the weapons you bought last time.”

The suitcase contained weapons identical to those Dung Beetle had bought at the black market.

Remington MH750, ammunition, and a dense collection of grenades.

“A man shouldn\'t set off on a journey empty-handed.”

“Thank you… Sir.”

“No need to thank me. Since I gave it to you on my own accord, how you use it is up to you. One more thing...”

Jang Man waved his hand before taking out another item from the back of the suitcase.

A long object wrapped in cloth.

It was the sword used by the imperial knights in the past and the one Yeomyeong left under the bar counter after purchasing it.

“You didn’t take this sword with you last time. I was planning to discard it but brought it here just in case.”

“...”

“I won’t ask why you bought a sword you didn’t even plan on using.”

Yeomyeong carefully accepted the sword.

The sword, identical to the one used by the Player who had killed his colleagues and foreman, made Yeomyeong’s heart sink as he quietly gazed at it.

Looking at Yeomyeong’s demeanor, Jang Man hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Yeomyeong.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“May I give you a few pieces of advice?”

“...I will listen.”

Jang Man looked up at the gloomy sky filled with clouds.

“Once you leave this city, never trust anyone. No matter who the other person is, always suspect that they are lying. You won’t gain anything in terms of relationships, but you won’t lose anything either.”

“...”

“Also... if you decide to kill someone, be sure to kill them. The sooner you kill the enemy, the better, and it’s faster to resolve misunderstandings after completing the deed.”

Having said that, Jang Man sighed.

The advice he had just given were not the words of a respectable or wise old man. They were filthy and sordid, more like the words of a black-market smuggler.

This was advice he would never have given if their relationship had been slightly more normal.

“…The Foreman probably never gave you such advice, right? He was a gentleman, far from trash even when dealing with it.”

Jang Man brushed his hair back before looking down at Yeomyeong again.

“After everything is over, let’s go visit his grave together.”

“...Yes. We should definitely do that.”

Their conversation didn’t continue any further. Both knew that it was best to keep farewells brief.

Yeomyeong picked up the suitcase and the sword, bowed to Jang Man, and then turned to leave the alley.

Just as the clouds drifted across the sky, the smuggler and the janitor parted /genesisforsaken