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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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A day before disaster struck.
Ki Ju-seon was developing the Manaplate Armor at a breakneck pace.
With Lee Seok-hyun filling the gaps in his practical skills, nothing could stop Ki Ju-seon.
“I… I want to sleep.”
“Things are looking blurry… double vision…”
“No, there really are two.”
“Oh? Ah… then I can still work more.”
Of course, the research students were being worked to the bone, but this was a price he was willing to pay.
Even though there wasn’t a strict deadline, Ki Ju-seon was driving them relentlessly, as if his life depended on it.
He possessed the most important trait for a researcher: the ability to focus intensely when a clear goal appeared.
“More! More focus! The frame is done, now we just need to connect the mana circuits!”
A solid steel frame, Forenta saplings, a professor and student capable of mana forging, and, to top it all off, Lee Seok-hyun’s designs making all of this possible.
The only obstacle was time.
Sensing they were close to realizing his dream, he devoted himself to the development, body and soul.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Bang!
“No, not like that! You have to twist your wrist slightly while hammering to distribute the mana evenly.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Baktor and Kim Seok-cheol, moved by Ki Ju-seon’s passion and plea, actively participated in the development.
‘I never thought Ki Ju-seon would ask for help.’
Baktor, in particular, hadn’t shown much interest in this kind of project before. Despite his packed schedule, he’d joined the development.
The professor, usually aloof and quick to retreat to his workshop, had personally come to ask for assistance.
Moreover, Baktor had become deeply interested in the Manaplate Armor designs.
While there were many areas needing revision and improvement, these were issues that naturally arose in the early stages of development—problems that would be solved as they progressed.
‘This is truly remarkable.’
He was constantly amazed by Ki Ju-seon’s vision and Lee Seok-hyun’s ingenuity.
He had always simply crafted what others requested, never having conceived such innovative designs himself. That made this project even more impactful.
To create a weapon unlike anything the world had ever seen, with his own hands.
That was what stirred Baktor’s passion and led him here.
‘A weapon shaped like armor, covering the entire left arm… The idea of something capable of both protection and attack is truly captivating.’
It wasn’t just well-balanced—it excelled in both offense and defense, an ideal weapon.
While it currently resembled a handcuff more than armor, its small size merely reflected its early stage.
Baktor was already brimming with excitement.
‘It will be incredible once it’s complete.’
The challenge, of course, would be its actual usage.
Baktor swallowed his doubts about whether a human could truly wield such power and picked up his hammer again.
The completion of the Manaplate Armor prototype was drawing near.
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A few hours before disaster struck.
The first to sense the impending doom was Woo Do-hyun, a first-year student at Mirinae Academy.
Not the principal, not the professors, not even the upperclassmen, but Woo Do-hyun.
His innate talent for swordsmanship, coupled with his ability to sense malevolence associated with blades, allowed him to detect the demons’ presence.
‘What is this?’
However, lacking any experience with this kind of phenomenon, he understood something was wrong but couldn’t grasp its true meaning.
Like repeatedly sounding a fire alarm to someone who didn’t know what it signified.
Woo Do-hyun sensed danger but didn’t understand what it was or how to react.
‘Should I tell someone?’
That something ominous was about to fall from the sky? That it seemed like it would happen soon? To whom? How should he convey this?
The countless questions swirling in his mind clouded his judgment, preventing him from reaching a clear conclusion.
“Professor… Gainard?”
“Yes, Woo Do-hyun, what is it?”
“Something… something ominous is going to fall from the sky.”
Woo Do-hyun, deciding to speak up rather than waste time pondering, hurriedly informed Gainard.
“Hmm?”
Unfortunately, Gainard couldn’t understand what Woo Do-hyun meant.
If Lee Seok-hyun hadn’t existed, if Woo Do-hyun had been the one to enter the academy showcasing extraordinary abilities beyond just combat, and if he’d already made a name for himself in his first month…
Gainard might have taken his words seriously, investigated, and reported the matter.
But…
Lee Seok-hyun’s uniqueness had overshadowed Woo Do-hyun.
Now, Woo Do-hyun was simply seen as a student with exceptional swordsmanship.
His age—a mere 17-year-old freshman—and his specialization in swordsmanship made his vague warning seem less credible.
‘Is he feeling anxious so soon after entering the academy?’
Even if Lee Seok-hyun had said the same thing without providing concrete evidence, Gainard would likely have dismissed it as anxiety.
Since Woo Do-hyun offered no further explanation, his warning was interpreted as homesickness.
‘That’s understandable.’
Recalling his own youth, when he’d often looked up at the sky, missing his parents, Gainard nodded.
He was still young, after all.
Woo Do-hyun, seeing a respected professor nod with a knowing and understanding look, felt reassured.
His sense of foreboding, inadequately expressed, was dismissed as a minor incident. And in that moment…
They lost their last chance to prepare for the disaster.
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“This is! This is so exciting! How can we be looking down at Mirinae Academy like this without getting caught!”
“The view is amazing! If only I’d been born in a place like this, with a house and everything, I wouldn’t be so miserable!”
“Peschino! Peschino! Where’s the rose-petal sandwich I saved for when we descend? The one I told you about yesterday!”
“Ah, I kept it safe. Should I bring it now?”
“Bring it immediately! Useless idiot! You should have it ready without being told!”
This is going to kill me.
Peschino, the mid-rank demon, swallowed his resentment as he diligently catered to the high-rank demons.
They were about twenty minutes away from Mirinae Academy.
Until then, these damned high-rank demons seemed intent on exploiting his servitude, ordering him around incessantly.
‘They just got lucky and became high-rank demons. I’ll be high-rank soon too!’
He’d spent so long bowing and scraping to these faceless figures, meticulously planning and executing this operation.
This Death Meteor, carrying hundreds of demons, was the culmination of Peschino’s efforts.
He’d invested nearly everything he had to make it happen.
The challenges of transporting so many demons undetected while bypassing Mirinae Academy’s barrier…
“Peschino! I heard you bought Wongbak’s testicles at the black market! Give them to me! I have better use for them than you!”
“Yes, hehe… of course… I’ll have them ready as soon as we’re done.”
“Good! That’s what I expect.”
“You’re really tormenting Peschino. I don’t need any, so give me a massage. I’ll kill you if you hurt me.”
“Certainly, hehe.”
These bastards had no idea.
While strength dictated hierarchy in their society, these demons took it to the extreme.
‘I’ll kill them all.’
Once he became a high-rank demon and reached his peak, he would slaughter them all and use their skulls as wine goblets.
His targets weren’t limited to the Mirinae Academy students.
He’d heard the power boost from devouring high-rank demons was immense.
Peschino, dreaming of a glorious future, looked down below.
‘Those fools, laughing and oblivious to what’s coming.’
Peschino’s enhanced eyesight, a byproduct of his demonic transformation and rigorous training, allowed him to clearly see Mirinae Academy.
The pleasure of tearing apart those carefree children, the thrill, and the sweet rewards that followed…
It was a feast for the senses, a delectable spread he couldn’t wait to savor.
He smiled brightly,
Crack.
And died instantly.
“How annoying. Why can’t he hide his true intentions? His face gives everything away.”
“That’s because you can read minds, isn’t it?”
“Even if I can! It’s just… some people are incredibly transparent! They practically beg you to read them! It’s like they’re saying, ‘Please tell me what I’m thinking!'”
Despite their subordinate’s death, the high-rank demons showed no reaction.
They simply tossed his corpse aside as if discarding something dirty, their faces indifferent.
“He was already being disrespectful, trying to join us high-rank demons. He was clearly planning to backstab us!”
“Calm down. We’re about to arrive. Five seconds to entry.”
“Five.”
“Four.”
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
The countdown ended, and a deafening roar engulfed the high-rank demons.
KABOOM!
Screams of students mingled with the explosion.
The sound signaled that disaster had fallen.
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