episode_0092

The next morning, I was on my way to the adventurer’s guild.

There, standing in front of my door, was the woman who had trespassed into my precious home the day before.

“…….”

The woman stared at me with an unreadable gaze.

But I felt a chill run down my spine.

‘What the hell did she do to already be here?’

A strong suspicion about my house crept into my mind.

I had spent so much platinum here.

That’s why, when I pressed the security alarm, the guards arrived immediately.

This was supposed to be the safest area in the Cradle.

‘Why is a stalker attached to me?’

I studied the intruder.

Outwardly, she seemed fine.

But then again, no sane person would write “I’m crazy” on their own face.

I eyed her with suspicion.

“…….”

The woman stared back at me with lifeless eyes.

Still, something felt off.

Sure, my appearance had improved significantly, enough to turn heads.

But was it really stalker-worthy?

From an objective standpoint…

‘Actually, yeah, it checks out.’

My looks in this place were on another level.

Others often said I carried an inexplicable aura.

Even in a land overflowing with handsome men and beautiful women—all influenced by mana—my appearance stood out as exceptional.

‘This one’s my stalker.’

Once I saw it that way, everything about her seemed different.

Her blank stare now looked even more vacant.

‘Wait, is she really a stalker?’

Thinking about it, there were suspicious details.

Somehow, for whatever reason, the woman spoke to me.

“Sword Hero.”

……Had rumors already spread in that short time?

‘No way.’

I had gone straight home after leaving the labyrinth. There was no time for rumors to spread.

Which meant…

‘Who is she?’

I studied her.

The woman stared at me dully before finally opening her mouth.

“Han Yuseong, listen.” “Who the hell are you?” “……?”

She blinked at me with those empty eyes.

Now that I looked closely, she was stunning. Gem-like eyes that shimmered, golden hair with a glossy sheen.

‘Too bad she seems a few screws loose.’

I kept staring.

She tilted her head, mirroring me.

“Ah, right.”

In a dazed voice, she muttered to herself.

Rummaging through her clothes, she pulled out a piece of paper.

“The Imperial Chancellor’s orders.” “And you are?” “……?”

She looked at me, head still tilted.

“You don’t know me?”

How the hell would I know you?

Well, actually, I had a guess.

But it was hard to believe someone so famously dangerous could be this dense.

“Genius Slayer.”

The moment I spoke, the woman frowned.

“Yeonhwa.” “……?” “So Yeonhwa. That’s my name.”

So Yeonhwa said plainly.

—

Genius Slayer, So Yeonhwa.

That name was known by anyone of importance in this land.

Though the Empire had tried to keep her hidden as their secret blade,

her talent was simply too overwhelming to conceal.

She was originally meant to be the Sword Hero, but as the saying goes—a pearl in a clam.

Rumors about her had spread until everyone who mattered knew of her existence.

And—

‘The Genius Slayer.’

A nickname earned by breaking and crushing countless prodigies.

There had been no shortage of geniuses.

But all of them had shattered under the weight of her sword.

The title Genius Slayer wasn’t given lightly.

So Yeonhwa blinked at me. I crossed my arms and stared back.

“So, why are you here?” “I was ordered to investigate you.” “……?”

Wouldn’t you normally gather information from various sources?

Instead of just showing up and demanding answers outright?

As if I’d just tell you.

You’re not fooling anyone.

“So tell me.” “…….”

A headache was coming on.

This type was new to me.

“What do you want to know about me?” “Dunno. I was just told to investigate.” “By who?” “The Imperial Chancellor.” “……What if I refuse?” “Can’t. Then I’d have to attend banquets for a while.”

Shouldn’t it be the opposite?

No, from what little I’d seen of So Yeonhwa’s personality, it made sense.

‘Too busy swinging her sword day and night, I guess.’

Her social skills were severely lacking.

“Then at least spar with me.” “Spar?” “Yeah.”

So Yeonhwa looked at me with expectant eyes. The glint in her crimson gaze was unnerving.

She genuinely just wanted to fight.

‘A duel, huh.’

I studied her.

Her talent was terrifying—rumor had it she could perfectly replicate any swordsmanship after seeing it just once.

Diago had once said fighting her was idiocy.

At first.

‘But honestly.’

When I first heard about her, I thought, So what?

I had my own pride in swordsmanship.

And later,

Diago had acknowledged me.

—You… could become the Sword Hero.

That’s what he said.

I looked at her.

The Empire had kept her hidden, so she probably hadn’t leveled up much in the Cradle.

She’d be around my level, maybe slightly higher.

One of the two.

A fight wouldn’t be bad, but—

‘Why should I?’

Honestly, I had too much to sort out right now.

New abilities from leveling up.

The technique the Holy Sword showed me at the end—Heaven’s Wrath.

I was already swamped just mastering those.

‘And now this so-called Genius Slayer shows up out of nowhere.’

I couldn’t afford to slack off just because of her.

“No.” “……Then tell me about yourself.” “Also no.” “Why do you keep saying no?” “Because I don’t want to.”

So Yeonhwa frowned briefly before speaking again.

“I’ll hear you out. Within reason.” “Not interested.”

I really wasn’t.

A duel with So Yeonhwa would teach me a lot, sure.

But I had another certainty.

If I fought her, I’d end up giving something away too.

A strange instinct whispered that to me.

—

Hans, the guard, had been in a good mood.

To be precise, he had been in a good mood—until yesterday.

The reason was simple.

The upscale district in the Cradle, reserved for adventurers and nobles.

While on patrol, he’d heard the security alarm and rushed over.

‘Wait, this place—?’

The residence of Han Yuseong, famed disciple of the Sword King, Volkan.

A place so expensive even nobles balked at the price, but the land’s unique mana made it worth the cost.

A crucial environment for brewing potions and poisons—forcing Han Yuseong to endure living here despite the cost.

And now, the alarm had gone off.

‘This is my chance.’

Hans saw an opportunity. The disciple of Volkan, a power player in the Cradle.

He didn’t crave high authority—that was beyond his station.

All he wanted was a promotion to guard captain.

So he worked hard.

So he arrested the woman.

And so, he was about to be demoted.

“……Excuse me?” “Sorry, but the woman you detained… holds the rank of Countess in the Empire. And she’s here under orders from the Imperial Chancellor—the most powerful man in the Empire outside the royal palace.” “…….”

Hans’ face turned pale.

He might avoid demotion.

This was the Cradle, separate from the Empire.

But the Cradle and the Empire were closely tied.

And he’d imprisoned a Countess acting on the Chancellor’s orders.

“There’s still room for leniency. Fortunately, higher-ups are interested in Han Yuseong.”

Meaning, the opposition faction might step in.

But Hans knew better.

Those with that kind of power wouldn’t stick their necks out for him.

So—

Hans went to Han Yuseong’s house to beg for his life.

And there,

“…….”

Two figures stood in a standoff, both turning to look at him.

‘……Demon Kings?’

They looked less like heroes and more like conquerors ready to take over the world.

Before he knew it, Hans fainted.

—

‘Why the hell did this guy pass out?’

I barely held back a sigh.

Dealing with So Yeonhwa alone was exhausting enough, and now some random guy had to show up and collapse.

I called the nearby guards to handle it and headed to the adventurer’s guild.

“Join my clan.” “No.” “What do you want?” “Not much.”

I’d consumed plenty of elixirs.

Money wasn’t an issue.

If I really needed more, I could always borrow from Erme.

If I had to pick something—

‘Armor, maybe.’

It was about time to replace mine.

Lost in thought, I quickened my pace.

This wasn’t the time for distractions.

‘She’s in the way.’

So Yeonhwa’s appearance was too conspicuous.

The orthodox hero’s gait, taught by the Holy Sword—

The light, far-leaping steps, Flying Swallow Steps.

I slipped into the black market, leaving So Yeonhwa behind.