Two days before the vacation ceremony.
"Finishedddd..."
Lim Eun-seo, who had completed her overnight work while drinking caffeine like water, stared at the "masterpiece" before her with a half-dead face.
"Hehe. Hehehe."
She laughed like a fool, but it didn't matter.
"This is by far the best sword I've ever made."
She had carefully shaped, forged, and heated the rare and precious material called adamant.
To know the appropriate temperature, she even learned crafting know-how through her guidance Instructor.
Especially when doing water quenching, which has higher risks compared to oil quenching and is thus rarely used, she prided herself on displaying the greatest concentration of her life.
'If I had wavered even a little, it would have cracked all over and bent arbitrarily. That would have been heartbreaking.'
But her genius talent succeeded in that difficult task.
Thus, she was able to obtain a sword of even higher hardness.
A sword that was thin, relatively hard, and suitable for both thrusting and cutting had been completed.
'Hmm. Perfect.'
This sword had a "stability" and "reliability" quite different from the one she had made for Lee Yu-jin.
"Above all, this visual, whew. It's breathtaking."
Though she made it herself, no, precisely because she made it herself, it was a thoroughly satisfying sword.
"Really. At this level, it's definitely worth the fangs... yaaawn."
The ti was now 4 AM.
Unable to resist the oncoming sleep, she laid down on the folding bed in the corner.
3, 2, 1.
In just 3 seconds, snoring sounds filled the quiet workshop.
After class, Su-hyeon, who visited Lim Eun-seo's workshop, couldn't help but nod at the hwando Lim Eun-seo had created.
"How is it? Do you like it? Of course you do. You wouldn't be human if you didn't."
"It's truly a magnificent sword."
"Yes, want to see how good it is?"
"Yes."
Swish.
As he drew the sword from its scabbard decorated with antique patterns, a clear sound rang out and the dark-colored blade revealed itself.
"It probably won't be visible at night."
"Of course. It will absorb even moonlight."
"The center of gravity, the shape of the blade, the tang, the pattern on the edge, the feel of the handle and how it wraps around—everything is perfect."
Above all, despite being a training sword, there was a spirit emanating from it that seed capable of cutting through anything.
"This is amazing."
'Once it's sharpened, it will be truly powerful, but since I don't have a real sword license yet, it's excellent enough as is.'
"Right? That's what I'm saying. This noona really poured her soul into making it."
"Thank you."
"So anyway."
Lim Eun-seo cleared her throat and said.
"This sword, would you give it a na?"
"A na? That's a bit..."
Su-hyeon grimaced.
"Oh, why not? Let's na it sothing like Moonless Sword, okay?"
"That's so cringy."
"What are you saying! A famous sword should always have a cool na! Like Lightning Sword, or Diamond Sword, or Nine Heavens Sword, or Devil Night Sword..."
In the end, Su-hyeon, unable to withstand Lim Eun-seo's pressure, nodded.
"Then let's just go with what you said first."
"Hehe. You should have done that from the start!"
[You have obtained the treasured sword 'Moonless Sword'!]
[The 'Moonless Sword' made with adamant is a famous sword with overwhelming excellence in hardness, mana capacity, and completeness.]
[Depending on your activities, 'Moonless Sword' may remain as the best early masterpiece created by future great master Lim Eun-seo during her academy days.]
[Achievent points 400 awarded!]
Su-hyeon smiled with satisfaction, thinking this was more than enough for what he had achieved in one sester.
"Huh? What? You actually like the na this noona gave it, don't you?"
"...That's not it."
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The day of the vacation ceremony.
Cadets gathered in the classroom before the assembly ti, sharing their vacation plans with excited faces.
"Hey guys. What is everyone going to do during vacation?"
To Kim Ho-su's question, Seo Jun-seong answered.
"Train, of course."
"You hardcore guy."
"Since I lost to Jeong Su-hyeon, I'm planning to talk with my father about how to overco my weaknesses."
"Using a cheat key, huh."
"I'll train a bit, go to a resort for a while, and rest."
"Nice. Where are you planning to go?"
"Jeju Island, of course."
"Wow."
"I'm jealous."
After the Gate Era, civilian overseas travel was rarely permitted.
'There's also the risk of Ma-in terrorism. The infrastructure isn't established so it's not economically viable. And there aren't many countries with the security and systems to travel safely anyway.'
Su-hyeon thought.
'So Jeju Island is a top-tier travel destination.'
From Japan divided east and west in conflict, to China governed by divided warlords, to Russia which had abandoned Siberia and barely governed its western territories.
In East Asia, there were almost no places where civilians could travel comfortably outside of Korea.
'And Hwang Ji-su isn't the type to forcibly go abroad using her father's connections.'
While Su-hyeon was thinking about this, Kwon Seung-yeon scratched her cheek.
"I'm just thinking of exercising and maybe doing so part-ti work."
It was an unavoidable choice since she couldn't do business with Su-hyeon during the vacation.
"What kind of part-ti job?"
"Well. Maybe a movie theater?"
"Oh wow. I heard you get to experience a lot of chemistry there."
At Nam Tae-hoon's words, Kwon Seung-yeon snorted.
"What are you saying. Nevermind."
"Why nevermind? Why don't you need to experience chemistry? Perhaps?"
Whack!
"Argh!"
Kwon Seung-yeon, who had kicked Nam Tae-hoon's shin like lightning, shifted her gaze sowhere else.
"I should look for sothing other than a movie theater."
Despite her words clearly ant for soone to hear, Su-hyeon was lost in his own thoughts.
"Su-hyeon?"
Lee Yu-jin tapped Su-hyeon's shoulder.
"Hmm?"
"What are you going to do during vacation, Su-hyeon?"
"Well, I need to exercise above all, but facilities are a bit of an issue."
"Oh right! That's exactly what I was worried about too."
Kwon Seung-yeon slapped her knee.
"To train at our level, we need to go to specialized fitness centers, right? And those places usually require a hunter license or sothing."
"I heard Execution Force Academy cadets often feel uncomfortable at such places since they're mainly frequented by hunters."
Hong In-hyeon said.
"Soone like Jeong Su-hyeon would be even more annoyed since his na is sowhat known. There will definitely be people who pick fights."
"Hmm."
While the relationship between Execution Force mbers and hunters is generally amicable, the world is wide and there are many twisted individuals.
'Among them are those who harbor hostility or inferiority towards the Execution Force.'
Su-hyeon thought.
"Then I have an idea."
Hwang Ji-su, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interjected.
"Would you both like to co to the place inside our company?"
"Huh? Can we really do that?"
Kwon Seung-yeon widened her eyes.
"Since our group is heavily involved in security services, there's a fitness center built for our Awakened employees."
"Ah right. I think I heard about it from you before."
"Hmm."
Seeing Su-hyeon's expression, Hwang Ji-su added as if understanding his concern.
"Well, it's not in the headquarters building, so my father won't bother you."
Su-hyeon getting increasingly involved with B&S was what Chairman Hwang Yong-jae wanted.
However.
Since Su-hyeon wouldn't be swayed by him anyway, he thought it was better to enjoy whatever favors he could.
'I should suck the honey until problems arise.'
"Then I'll take you up on that offer."
" too! Ji-su is the only one I can count on."
As both showed positive responses, Hwang Ji-su nodded.
"Then I'll ask them to make ID cards for you, so co pick them up soon."
Of course, she could send them if she wanted to.
But Hwang Ji-su had no intention of doing so.
'This is how you build pretexts.'
Seeing Hwang Ji-su chuckle with a "hmph," Lee Yu-jin, not to be outdone, opened her mouth.
"Su-hyeon, now that I think about it, my grandfather..."
Screech.
Just then, the conversation was cut off as Kim Cheol-han entered.
"Good morning."
"Good morning!"
"Hmm. We won't be seeing each other's faces for a while now."
Kim Cheol-han said.
"I won't say much. You all worked hard this sester."
"You worked hard too, Instructor!"
"Hmm. I certainly did."
He nodded with a stoic face.
"Now everyone, move to the auditorium. You'll hear plenty of long speeches there."
"...Urk."
An hour later.
Only after hearing "one last word" about ten tis were the cadets finally released from the lengthy instructions.
"...Then everyone, let's et again in good health."
"Thank you!"
??????°??☆????°??????
"Mom!"
"Oh my dear daughter!"
"Grandma!"
"Oh my dear grandchild, your face has beco so thin."
"Huh? I actually gained 2kg from binge eating during the final exams..."
"What are you saying? Your cheeks are so sunken!"
The cadets who had taken the bus to Gangneung Station were exchanging greetings with their families who had co to pick them up.
And among them were so big shots that drew everyone's attention.
"So that's the hero, Captain Seo Dong-jin."
"Wooow. He looks just like Jun-seong. A total flower of middle age."
"I wonder if I could get his autograph?"
Through the murmuring crowd, the father and son clasped hands.
"Jun-seong, you worked hard."
"Father. It's been a while."
There was one more parent who drew people's attention no less than Seo Dong-jin.
"It's the Sword Master!"
"So that's the Sword Master. Soone I've only seen in textbooks."
"He's bigger than I thought. Though he is thin."
"Yu-jin!"
Sword Master Lee Un-hak laughed heartily and hugged his granddaughter tightly.
"Your energy has beco much sharper since I last saw you recently. You've worked hard."
"Grandfather. You ca all this way yourself."
"Hoho, what else does an old man in the back room have to do? It's enough to just follow my grandchildren around."
Watching the two, Hwang Ji-su softly clicked her tongue and walked toward the limousine.
"Miss. You've arrived."
Hwang Ji-su replied to the butler who bowed in greeting.
"It's fortunate that my father didn't co."
"Miss. The chairman had an urgent schedule..."
"Of course he would."
Hwang Ji-su's cold face softened as she said to the butler.
"You've worked hard coming here. Let's go now."
"Yes, I'll escort you right away."
Just as she was about to get in the car.
"Hey! Su-hyeon!"
At the familiar na, Hwang Ji-su's head turned sharply.
People's attention was drawn to Park Min-cheol and Kim Chae-young, who had rented the most expensive car and were dressed in suits to pick up Su-hyeon.
"Is that soone who knows Jeong Su-hyeon?"
"He's young. Who could he be?"
"Is that his girlfriend next to him?"
"My goodness. Girlfriend, you say."
Kim Chae-young, who had co along, chuckled.
"So these people are the famous EFAC cadets."
Each one had vitality flowing through their eyes, and an undeniable confidence lted into their upright posture.
'They look like elites at a glance.'
And even amidst all this, she could easily identify which cadet was Jeong Su-hyeon.
'It must be that person.'
Just as described.
An extrely well-trained body evident even through his clothes, a masculine jaw with handso features, a face with cold eyes.
An aura subtly perceptible from the outside.
Su-hyeon, who had been walking with an upright posture, shook hands with Park Min-cheol.
"It's been a while."
"Well, not really that long."
Park Min-cheol chuckled.
"Officially, that is."
Su-hyeon shrugged and turned his gaze to Kim Chae-young.
"I've heard a lot about you. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon."
"Ah yes! Hello! Oppa always talks about Su-hyeon-ssi, and you're really as handso as they say."
"Thank you."
"Chae-young, hasn't your expression brightened too much?"
"Hmhm. Did I?"
"By the way, why did you co dressed like this?"
"How do I look? Like a successful and competent businessman?"
Park Min-cheol said, fluttering his jacket lapel.
"Chae-young picked it out for ."
"At first, he was choosing sothing ridiculous. It could have been a disaster."
"I suppose."
Su-hyeon nodded.
"Anyway, you worked hard. I've got plenty of at waiting, so let's go and eat heartily."
"Hmm. Protein is always welco."
Su-hyeon was going to stay at Park Min-cheol's house during the vacation.
"Jun-seong, is that cadet the one..."
"Yes. That's Jeong Su-hyeon."
The parents' eyes lit up as they saw Su-hyeon.
"Yu-jin. Is that boy over there the Su-hyeon you ntioned?"
"Yes."
"He's more than I heard."
The Sword Master said, looking at his granddaughter.
"Yes, bring him over soti soon."
"I will."
Besides the Sword Master and Seo Dong-jin.
"Unni. Is that Su-hyeon-oppa?"
Kwon Seung-yeon's younger sister, who had co to pick her up, was showing great interest in him.
"Yeah. That's him."
"I see. He's your type, unni."
"What are you talking about, seriously."
Kwon Seung-yeon grumbled.
"Is everyone at ho doing well?"
"Of course. Dad's fine, and the younger siblings are working hard at school."
"I heard you bought new clothes for all the younger ones? Good job."
"It's your money anyway, so what."
Her younger sister pouted.
"Anyway, let's go. Everyone's waiting for you to co before they eat chicken."
"Hmph, I can't resist chicken."
Kwon Seung-yeon linked arms with her sister and headed toward the escalator to catch the train.
'By the way, what exactly was that guy doing before he enrolled?'
She wasn't the only one curious about the combination of Su-hyeon, Park Min-cheol, and Kim Chae-young.
"......"
Hwang Ji-su, watching Su-hyeon through the car window.
She nodded at the sight of Kim Chae-young and Park Min-cheol, who appeared to be in a relationship that was more than just a crush.
"Let's depart now."
"Yes."
??????°??☆????°??????
After all the cadets had left with their families.
"Everyone's gone."
Nam Tae-hoon, who had been quietly watching from the corner while chugging coffee, made a faint bitter smile and called soone.
"Yes. Then I'll return via the next available transportation."
He had a separate place to return to.
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