Survival 90

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In the red-light district where mayflies, prostitutes, and drug addicts live, in the slums stained with pickpockets, beggars, and gangsters, in the black market where rights disputes stained with blood occur time and again, in the arena where fighters engage in desperate battles day after day…

The Sword Demon had personally experienced all the darkness of the underworld. Fortunately, having just enough talent to survive on “knife’s bread,” he was able to keep his life. But in the underworld, life was as cheap as the flies on a corpse.

‘The world is rotten.’

His own life’s journey contributed to such thoughts. Where else could the blood on his knife have come from? Even in those harsh and vile places, countless fierce battles took place.

However, there was a decisive reason. Just one step out of the underworld. No. Even within the underworld, there were often seen those who…

“It’s boring. Watching the fights of the weak is supposed to be intense. Make it more exciting. Isn’t the battle too bland?”

Those who look down on them from high above, treating them like bugs. There, from birth, were the nobles, referred to as blue-bloods.

From the moment he opened his eyes and became aware of the world, it was a rule too obvious. But at some point, the Sword Demon felt a strange discomfort.

-Why do only we have to roll in the mud?

-Even though we look the same and speak the same language, why are we treated like bugs?

‘Unlucky.’

Some are born into a life as wretched as a cesspit. Why them!

The so-called blue-blooded nobles. Even they bleed red when pricked. How so?

‘It would be better if everything was turned upside down. This world, it would be better if it were destroyed.’

Unresolved questions soon gave birth to a twisted desire mixed with inferiority and violence.

“Believe in the calamity! Our savior who will drive the Manhett Empire to destruction!”

The proposal of the madmen who suddenly appeared to the Sword Demon, who harbored such desires, was too sweet a fruit.

Thus, decades after joining that organization, the Sword Demon mingled with them, becoming a member of the same flock. A fanatic enough to flinch at the word ‘calamity’ spoken by the other party. That was where the Sword Demon stood now.

“The Calamity of Many Faces? Pfft, never heard of such a name. Stop spouting nonsense and get lost.”

But that was only for a moment.

-Kwang!

With rising anger, the Sword Demon leapt over the fist of a golem flying at him. The distorted-faced demon growled at the unseen opponent.

How could one be a fanatic without properly knowing the god they serve? Though he was an uneducated brute who had only been fed on the sword, he too had picked up some common knowledge after becoming one of Kerzo’s top officers.

The calamity of famine from the east.

The calamity of death from the west.

The calamity of nature from the south.

The calamity of dominion from the north.

The Calamity of Many Faces was a name unheard of in records or the prophecies of fortune-tellers.

It was only natural not to believe.

But then,

“Tch. With such widespread distrust, how can anyone profess to believe in the calamity? Forget it. It was just a momentary interest on my part.”

The voice that clicked its tongue in disappointment sounded vividly in his ears.

“Still, I can’t just ignore it completely. I’ll add some seasoning, and you can do the cooking.”

Seasoning? Cooking?

Wondering what absurdity this was, about to furiously hurl insults at the source of the voice, when suddenly,

-Beep. The hostile entity’s strange magic-using gloves are breaking down!

The Sword Demon’s eyes widened.

‘Those are… Ah, is that what the ‘Puppeteer’ was talking about as the core?’

The completely collapsed golems. The magic circles drawn on their chests.

Instinctively, the Sword Demon realized that these were the vital points of the monsters swarming towards him.

-Swish.

In the gap created by the unidentified being, his sword easily sliced through the golems’ chests.

-Operational stop…

-Emergency support request…

Sliding his sword back into its sheath,

Blink. Blink…

With the magic circles flickering out, the last golem’s movements ceased entirely.

If one claims to be a calamity,

No, if one boasts about impersonating a calamity, is this level of ability a given?

For the Sword Demon, who knew nothing of magic, it was an unfathomable realm.

“Ha-ha! To sweep these foes away with a single stroke of the sword! Indeed, you are worthy to be called my follower! Ah, yes. Since you’ve alleviated my boredom, I’ll give you a gift.”

The tone sounded almost benevolent, reminiscent of the nobles he had encountered before, sparking a surge of irritation just as he was about to unleash his fury.

Thump, Thoom, Thump!

From afar, the sound of new golems rushing in could be felt.

“Damn! Reinforcements already?”

Just as he was about to make his escape,

“Go straight, turn right at the second intersection. If you go two blocks further, you’ll see a house with red bricks and an ash-gray roof on the left. Enter there and press the back wall behind the counter. You’ll find a passage leading out of the academy.”

Before he could vent his anger, the unidentified voice spilled out its instructions without pause, not giving him a moment to respond.

“Sigh, it’s only natural to be suspicious. Do as you wish. Believe it or not.”

-Just so long as I’m entertained.

The Sword Demon didn’t miss the faintly whispered voice.

Clearly a being of considerable power, but leading him towards his own demise?

[Strong resistance from the intruder. Execute immediately! Repeat. Execute immediately!]

However, the inorganic mechanical voice echoing from behind made the Sword Demon conclude his deliberations.

‘Overthinking isn’t my forte. That’s better suited for the young ones.’

Leaving the scheming to other officers like the fortune-teller or the beastmaster.

Whether to die by falling into a trap or to be crushed under the sheer volume of golems.

The outcome, death, was the same either way.

So, the choice was obvious.

‘I’ll gladly be deceived, you who dare impersonate a calamity…

After all, it’s just a spare body.

Simple death wasn’t a significant obstacle for him.

If it was a trap meant to lead him to his demise, then it was also an opportunity to inform his colleagues about the audacious one who boasts of calamity.

And then,

“Red bricks with an ash-gray roof…! To think it was real.”

Indeed.

As per the voice’s instructions, there indeed stood a building with those exact features.

‘Let’s see, whether it’s a trap or not can only be known by experiencing it firsthand.’

“Hup!”

-Bang!

Though the door was locked, it was hardly a high-security vault door; unable to withstand the Sword Demon’s kick, it was too frail.

With a shout, he kicked the door off its hinges, and sure enough,

The protruding bricks behind the counter caught his eye.

“…Huh.”

One last time, as if to be fooled,

The Sword Demon pressed each brick without missing any.

-Abnormal body temperature detected.

-Immediately eliminate upon target discovery.

As the golems drew nearer, he pressed a brick without realizing, feeling anxious.

-Koogooong.

With a loud noise, the space that appeared to be just a wall collapsed.

A sinister passage, its end shrouded in darkness, not visible.

“What are you hesitating for? Get in. Do you really want to be killed by those scraps of metal here?”

A chilling voice seemed to push him from behind, ringing in my ears.

‘Right, I’ve already climbed onto the back of a running calamity.’

Half in resignation.

And half with a faith in an unknown disaster he was unaware of, he stepped into the jaws of that darkness.

-….

As soon as he set foot inside, the entrance that had been spinning with a loud noise just moments before vanished without a trace.

“…Always making the wrong choice. Familiar with the plight of a rat trapped in poison, but not pleasant.”

Just as he was about to sit down, resigned to the trap he suspected,

[Beep. The trace of the perpetrator ends here]

[Enhance search around commercial area 4]

[Guerrilla tactics suspected. Immediately canvass the surrounding houses]

A loud siren and the heavy operation sound of machinery could be heard beyond the closed walls.

‘Could it be…I wasn’t detected?’

The sound growing fainter gave me confidence in his speculation.

“How about it? You did well to listen to me, right?”

“……”

“Though a spare body, it’s not without a price, right? The first was your left eye, living as a blind person isn’t too hard, is it?”

“H-how did you…!”

Seeing his expression filled with horror, he let out a frivolous laugh.

“Keke. You’d be more surprised if you didn’t know the ability of a deity, wouldn’t you?”

The solemnity from before vanished.

A voice snickering like a clown.

But rather because of that.

The space in his heart filled with doubt.

Wouldn’t it be stranger if the disaster that intends to destroy the world was fine?

The moment he heard about his own ability and penalty, known only to a few within the organization.

The twisted faith that had been obscured by doubt opened its eyes.

“Then I’ll go. Take care of yourself.”

The sound, like the siren before, gradually faded away.

He didn’t hesitate for long.

-Flop.

The swordsman knelt down, bowing deeply towards the invisible voice.

Awe for the deity and gratitude for being saved.

“Oh, O Disaster!”

And, the sense of superiority covering it all!

Who in Kerzo would enjoy the glory of conversing directly with the disaster!

‘Even that fortune teller must not have had such an experience.’

But because of a moment of doubt, his deity seemed to be leaving him now.

“Please look after me more! It was my ignorance, not knowing of your existence! As long as I have been here, my loyalty is second to none!”

The swordsman’s voice was desperate.

He couldn’t let decades of waiting be ruined by his own foolishness!

He had no choice but to rely on his generosity, prostrating himself.

A second felt unbearably long.

Just waiting endlessly to speak again at that moment.

-Didn’t I tell you to stop spouting nonsense and get lost?

The voice was so filled with noise that even the gender was indistinguishable.

How welcome that playful voice was.

“Please forgive my rudeness! This humble servant will gladly accept any punishment!”

Although he had been part of the Disaster Sect, Kerzo, for a long time, he had only seen the empire and the nobility’s continuous success without any significant change.

But at this moment.

‘Finally! The Disaster itself has graced us! The day the world turns upside down isn’t far away!’

The fruit of his faith manifested right before his eyes.

How could there be any doubt left!

He had already proven everything as a deity!

Joyful madness melted into his wrinkles.

***

‘Good. Puhaha.’

Trying not to burst into laughter while looking down at the back of the prostrated swordsman’s head, it was only amusing to me, who had become their deity by accident, thanks to the power of invisibility magic.

‘After all, I had fooled Báthory by pretending to be a demon before. It wouldn’t be impossible to impersonate the final boss if I scaled things up a bit.’

As if applauding my dedicated acting, the message window in the status screen also blinked regularly.

[Quest Completed!]

[Identify the identity of the heretical force ‘Kerzo’ -> Deceive ‘Kerzo’s officer, the swordsman]

[You have exceeded the target.]

[Rewards will be settled.]

Truly an unexpected windfall that came rolling in.

I immediately scrolled down the message on the status screen.

[Activation of a new faction within the ‘Kerzo’ Disaster Sect]

[Mobilization of forces possible in specific situations]

My gaze went to the robe of the swordsman kneeling at my feet.

“Does this mean I can summon the swordsman and his forces if necessary?”

If done right, isn’t it possible to incite a fight between the disaster and the Disaster Sect to aim for mutual destruction?

“Take this.”

Taking advantage of the fact that he was not looking up while prostrated, I quickly took out a communication crystal from my bosom and dropped it into his hand.

“What, what is this?”

“It’s a tool to connect with those who can contain me. Wait for contact.”

“Oh! A spokesperson for the manifold disaster! This will be a good meeting for me too. I will treasure it!”

“Yes. I too had fun for the first time in a while.”

Of course. Not only did I get someone to take the blame as the thief of the holy sword replica, but also a fool who would give away the information about their base and organization.

And even secured a volunteer for a meat shield.

How could it not have been a fun time?

Even a generously giving tree would surely shed tears if it saw the swordsman.

“Then, let’s part here. We’ll see each other again when the time comes.”

“Yes! I will spread the name of the Calamity of Many Faces to everyone in Kerzo!”

Leaving the swordsman, who was spouting all sorts of flattery, I hurriedly escaped through the passage.

‘This place is no longer usable.’

The academy has been rummaged through by outsiders once.

Such a sloppy secret passage for saving on distribution costs would be easily caught once an investigation begins.

“Ah, how do I apologize to the saintess?”

Originally, this place was frequently used for outings to the city outside the academy under the guise of dates with the male leads.

-Your Highness, welcome, quickly!

-Wait, you’re going outside? Without even taking a servant or maid?

-Volunteer work? Eh, the elders and children at the orphanage won’t welcome it, you know. By the way, keeping your identity a secret there, promise me!

The protagonist secretly going out for volunteer work.

And the male lead following her with the purpose of a date.

Certainly, it would play a big part in their academy life.

“Eh, forget it. It’s not the only rat hole here, and let the protagonist figure it out! Let’s take pride in having preemptively hindered Luciana and the prince’s relationship.”

After all. While that side is playing a love game, this side is too busy to care about such minor things.

I still need to deliver the holy sword replica to Oparn.

Prepare for Luciana’s first lesson tomorrow, and receive information for cross-verification from Wolbaek…

I interlocked my fingers and stretched my arms above my head to relieve the fatigue in my muscles.

“First, I need to dispel this invisibility magic… Aha.”

The invisibility magic was still well maintained.

A very good way to utilize this came to mind.

Surely, the fantasy that starts with ‘If I became invisible’, is something everyone has thought about at least once.

Imagining the delightful scenes I was about to encounter, saliva sweetly moistened my mouth.

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