I Became an Illegal Cheat User – Chapter 102

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Gloria.

A first-generation Transcendent like the Martial God, and a great woman who had banished the Outer Gods from the world.

People called her the Saintess.

She had other titles as well: Daughter of God, Master of the Grand Temple, Guardian of the World, Holy Fist, and more.

However, after having her son, the title Gloria cherished most was not Holy Fist, but “Noah’s Mother.”

That’s how precious Noah was to her. He was a treasure more valuable than her own life, the last memory left by her beloved.

And that son had made a friend.

Lee Yu-jin.

The top student of Arena Academy.

His name appeared in every letter her son sent. Along with details of his accomplishments.

Though he had only been at the Academy for a day, he had led his classmates and resolved the Rift that appeared during their first outdoor class.

He not only saved people from the Rift that appeared in the Alchemy Workshop District but also single-handedly defeated a High-Rank Fallen.

During the midterm evaluation, he led his classmates on the deserted island, faced the Named Fallen Enchantress, and demonstrated his remarkable abilities.

Finally, during his internship, he not only defended the 1st Extermination Unit’s outpost against hundreds of thousands of Fallen, but also annihilated them all and held off Greed until Kali arrived.

These were achievements that would be hard to believe if not for her son’s letters.

Thus, Gloria’s gratitude towards Lee Yu-jin grew, and she became curious about this boy. She wanted to meet him.

So, she left the Grand Temple, timing her visit with the Academy’s Duel Season. And she was deeply moved when she saw her son again.

He had greeted her first! With a bright smile, no less!

Overwhelmed with emotion, Gloria decided to meet Lee Yu-jin during lunch to express her gratitude and offer a reward.

But then… the second match, the free-for-all, began.

And Gloria sensed it.

A familiar, sinister aura she thought she would never feel again.

The aura of an Outer God.

The aura of the beings she had banished from the world, emanating from Lee Yu-jin.

She couldn’t believe it.

Why did this boy possess the aura of an Outer God?

Doubt crept into her mind.

Was it truly the aura of an Outer God? Had so much time passed that she was misinterpreting it?

But each time Lee Yu-jin retrieved equipment from thin air, the sinister aura intensified, solidifying her suspicions.

…For the first time in a long time, she felt a surge of anger.

Anger towards this sinister being near her son.

Anger towards her older sister, Yoo Baek-hwa, the Martial God, who remained secluded in the Martial God’s Temple, doing nothing.

How could she allow such a sinister being to exist?

Gloria understood why others, especially Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek, who was watching the match beside her, couldn’t sense it.

The aura emanating from Lee Yu-jin was incredibly faint, undetectable to anyone who hadn’t directly fought the Outer Gods, like herself, a first-generation Transcendent.

But her sister, the Martial God, was a Transcendent of immense power, almost on par with a demigod. There was no way she couldn’t sense it.

Was she allowing this sinister being to live because its aura was faint? Was she using evil to combat evil?

If so, it was a sound strategy.

But that was the perspective of a Transcendent. As a mother, Gloria couldn’t tolerate it.

She couldn’t allow this sinister being to remain near her precious son.

So, she had her son bring the boy to her.

She decided to grant his last wish as a reward for awakening emotions in her son.

“Please let me speak with the Chairman!”

The sinister being unexpectedly requested a call with her sister, Yoo Baek-hwa.

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Fortunately, Gloria granted my request.

However, perhaps doubting my intentions, she decided to call the Chairman herself using her own smartphone.

I didn’t mind. All I needed was to speak with the Chairman.

Click.

The call connected, and the Chairman’s indifferent, yet subtly welcoming voice reached my ears.

– Gloria, it’s been a long time.

“Sister, it’s been a while. I trust you’ve been well?”

Gloria exchanged pleasantries before getting to the main point.

– Yes, I’m doing well. How about you?

“I’m doing well too.”

A typical, mundane greeting.

But seeing Transcendents exchange such pleasantries felt… strange.

It made me realize that they were human too.

As I was having that thought, Gloria began to explain the situation.

“This boy, Lee Yu-jin, possesses the aura of an Outer God. Why are you allowing this sinister being to live? I can’t tolerate this sinister being near my son, so I was about to eliminate him, but he asked for you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Chairman replied.

– …Gloria, release him immediately.

As expected of the Chairman. I knew I could trust her!

But Gloria, seemingly unable to comprehend the Chairman’s words, questioned her.

“Sister, the aura emanating from this sinister being is the aura of an Outer God. The same Outer Gods our comrades died fighting, the same Outer Gods we risked our lives to banish.”

– I know.

“Then you should…!”

Eliminate him immediately, Gloria was about to say, but…

– Gloria.

…the Chairman interrupted her.

“…Yes, Sister.”

– I know how you feel. The Outer Gods who took the lives of our comrades, the Outer Gods who nearly destroyed this world. You must want to eliminate this boy who possesses their aura immediately, especially since he’s near your precious son.

“Yes, I want to break his neck this very instant.”

Gloria said, glancing at me. I could feel the intense anger in her gaze.

– But this boy, despite possessing the aura of an Outer God, is a Guardian, just like me.

This time, she didn’t just glance at me, she turned her head and looked directly at me.

“…This sinister being is a Guardian, like you?”

Gloria asked in a disbelieving tone, as if she had just heard the most preposterous thing.

– Yes, I know it’s hard to believe. But it’s the truth.

“…I can’t believe it.”

Her expression suggested that it wasn’t that she couldn’t believe it, but rather that she didn’t want to believe it.

That’s how deep her hatred for the Outer Gods ran.

I understood her feelings.

However, understanding didn’t mean I wanted to die. So, please, Chairman, save me!

‘I’m going to be killed!’

As if she heard my plea…

– Then trust me. Trust my judgment, as I trust Lee Yu-jin.

…the Chairman said, asking Gloria to trust her. Gloria stared intently at me.

As if trying to confirm something.

And a moment later…

“…Alright. I’ll trust you, Sister. And I’ll trust this boy.”

Gloria’s way of addressing me had changed from “sinister being” to “boy.”

That meant I was safe.

– Thank you, Gloria. And Lee Yu-jin, I apologize for putting you through this.

“No, thank you for sparing my life.”

Thank you, immensely thank you!

– Don’t mention it. Come visit me in the Chairman’s office when you have time. I have a gift for you.

A gift?!

I wanted to tell her I’d go right away, those words sparking excitement within me, but unfortunately, the Duel Season was still in progress, so…

“I’ll visit you as soon as the Duel Season is over!”

I decided to visit her after the Duel Season, and the Fallen attack, were over.

‘I wonder what kind of gift it is.’

An elixir like last time? Or perhaps equipment?

‘Whatever it is, it’s from the Chairman, so it must be something good.’

As I was happily imagining the possibilities…

– Well, Gloria, let’s catch up later.

“Yes, Sister. See you later.”

…the Chairman and Gloria exchanged farewells.

Click.

The call ended.

“……”

Gloria lowered her hand holding the smartphone.

She sighed briefly, removed the knuckles she had been wearing, and…

“…I apologize for misunderstanding you.”

…bowed her head deeply, apologizing.

At the same time, the holy ropes binding me vanished.

I could move freely again.

I sighed inwardly in relief and spoke to Gloria, who seemed like she would continue bowing until I accepted her apology.

“It’s okay. It’s understandable that you misunderstood.”

I was alive, and that’s all that mattered. And honestly, this might have turned out for the better.

I had almost died because of a misunderstanding, so I could ask her to lift Asuka’s curse as compensation.

‘She wouldn’t refuse, would she?’

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“Is that really all you want?”

As expected of someone with a vast reservoir of holy power.

When I asked her to lift Asuka’s curse, Gloria asked if I was sure, as if she couldn’t believe it.

I wanted to ask for more, but the curse I was asking her to lift was the Dragon’s Curse, passed down through generations of the Shuhei family.

Even for the Saintess, lifting a curse placed by a dragon upon its very existence was a difficult task. So, I decided to be content with this reward.

“Yes, lifting Asuka’s curse is all I need.”

“……”

Gloria stared into my eyes without saying a word.

Then, she set her teacup down with a clink.

“…I almost killed this boy.”

She muttered in a guilt-ridden voice and stood up.

Click, click.

She approached me and opened her arms wide.

“I… I’m truly sorry.”

“……!”

With those words of apology, she pulled me into a hug.

And my face was buried in a massive cushion of holy power.

‘…Amazing!’

What was this incredible embrace?

It was warm and soft, and I felt like I could stay like this forever… It wasn’t just an embrace, it was… motherly.

[Click, photo taken.]

…What was that just now?

Something appeared in my vision and then vanished.

But that thought was fleeting.

“Yu-jin.”

Gloria, still holding me in her embrace, called my name in a gentle voice, even softer than before.

“I’m so sorry for doubting you and trying to kill you. Will you forgive me?”

As she spoke, her hand stroked my head. I felt a surge of energy coursing through my body.

Ding.

A system message appeared along with the notification sound.

Yes, Mother.

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Lifting Asuka’s curse.

The Saintess’s Blessing.

And help with defending against the Fallen attack.

These were the rewards I received for almost being killed by Gloria. Honestly, it was more than enough compensation.

Oh, and I also had lunch with her and exchanged numbers. She said I could call her anytime.

‘I should contact her when I visit the Grand Temple.’

It wouldn’t be long. I would be going to America in the second semester.

I considered myself lucky for this unexpected harvest and headed towards the coliseum.

There was still an hour left until the next match, but I wanted to go early and rest.

But as always…

“Lee Yu-jin-nim, is that you?”

“…Who are you?”

“Sword Saint-nim requests your presence.”

“Ah.”

…things never went according to plan.

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“This is the place.”

Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek’s secretary led me to a high-class tea house.

“Please, go in.”

The secretary opened the door to the tea house.

I entered and saw Lee Seo-yeon and Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek, alone in the spacious tea house.

“Lee Yu-jin, welcome.”

Lee Seo-yeon, who had been sipping tea, set her cup down and approached me the moment she saw me.

She took my hand and led me to Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek, who was quietly enjoying his tea.

“Dad, this is my friend.”

As Lee Seo-yeon spoke, Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek set his teacup down with a clink.

Screech.

He stood up.

“……”

He stared intently at me. Then, he glanced down at my hand.

I followed his gaze.

“Ah.”

Lee Seo-yeon was holding my hand, her fingers intertwined with mine.

I tried to pull my hand away, but Lee Seo-yeon held on tight, showing no intention of letting go.

I chuckled nervously and looked at Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek.

Our eyes met.

And he spoke.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He extended his hand.

What? Why was he acting so normal?

I was bewildered, but I maintained a cheerful facade and shook his hand.

And as we shook hands…

– I will kill you.

…I heard his murderous declaration.

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[MOMMY!!!]