Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 59

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 59

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius 59

Gu Yaja (4)

Sesshoseki (Killing Stone).

As the name suggests, it’s not a special item like a sword or armor, but a type of stone. A stone that can be commonly found by the side of the road.

However, with the addition of ‘killing’ to its name, it’s no ordinary stone.

In the episode where this stone appears, hundreds, even thousands, of casualties occur, suggesting it’s a stone specialized in killing, just as its name implies.

And most importantly…

‘It has a deep connection with me.’

In the original story, Baek Seung-woo, a minor antagonist, dropped out of the academy due to failing grades.

He was a promising student, but he was crushed by the protagonist’s rapid growth. Losing his momentum, he eventually stumbled upon something he shouldn’t have.

That is the Sesshoseki.

“Do you know what Sesshoseki is?”

“A stone that a Gumiho transformed into upon death. More specifically, it’s closer to a sarira [a Buddhist relic, often a pearl-like bead found among the cremated ashes of a spiritual master].”

“You know more than I expected.”

“It’s one of the Gumiho’s legacies. Well, to be exact, it’s a treasure of the Japanese government.”

Baekmen Geummo Gumiho, a fox considered one of the three great evil spirits of Japan.

There are many stories about her legends and past, but what’s certain is that she met her end in Japan.

After her death, her body became a stone, a poisonous stone (毒石) that scattered potent resentment and curses.

The poison is so strong that most blacksmiths are poisoned before they can even work with it, making it famous as a material that no one can process.

Of course, since it’s a treasure of the Japanese government, individual blacksmiths wouldn’t recklessly attempt to process it.

“Why is such a dangerous thing in this country, and even at an auction house?”

“How would I know? I just heard it from someone. The auction is today, so do as you please.”

“……”

His words only complicate things further.

Sesshoseki, which plays a crucial role in Baek Seung-woo’s corruption and downfall.

I had no way of knowing how the original Baek Seung-woo acquired the Sesshoseki and became corrupted. I didn’t read the novel, and few people would delve into the fate of a character based on themselves.

It’s just depressing to think about.

“……This is driving me crazy.”

Should I take the Sesshoseki, or should I leave it alone?

A binary choice, where I don’t even know the right answer, lies before me.

It would be nice if I could distinguish between the false and the real. Unfortunately, I lack such abilities and knowledge.

“……”

I closed my eyes and pondered.

What should I choose?

If I choose the former, I can keep the Sesshoseki.

A legacy deeply connected to the Gumiho could be a significant asset to the family. Depending on the circumstances, it could be used to manufacture powerful equipment or leverage the Japanese government to gain an advantage.

The latter offers no benefit or disadvantage to me.

Having the trigger for Baek Seung-woo’s corruption from the original story by my side doesn’t seem like a good idea. Even if there were advantages, I suspect the disadvantages would outweigh them.

Just then.

A translucent window appeared before my eyes, guiding me.

[Main Quest: Decision]

[Description: Your actions were clumsy, and your preparation was insufficient. As a result, the protagonist awakened as planned, and unrelated students became sacrifices to the scenario. Nevertheless, you have decided to continue down this path. No one knows what awaits you at the end of this decision.]

[Clear Condition: 1. Intervene in the new episode in advance, 2. Exclude the protagonist’s intervention.]

The quest I had previously received came to mind.

The translucent window flickered dimly and began displaying a new message.

[Found an intersection between the main quest and the new scenario!]

[A scenario is added to ‘Main Quest: Decision’, and it is re-established as a new main quest.]

[Outputting ‘Main Quest: Sesshoseki’.]

……

[Main Quest: Sesshoseki]

[Description: You have put in considerable effort to alter the planned scenario thus far. Now it’s time to see the results of that effort. The outcome will determine whether your preparation was sufficient or still lacking.

Your only goal is to acquire the ‘Sesshoseki’ at the underground auction house. The method you choose is irrelevant. What matters is the choice you make through that stone.]

[Clear Condition: 1. Obtain the ‘Sesshoseki’, 2. Prevent other competitors from acquiring it.]

[Success: ‘Point Shop’ opened, ‘Trait Catalog’ presented, ‘Author’s Reply’]

[Failure: Nothing happens. Instead, there will be no change.]

The moment I saw the reward, my body stiffened.

There was no longer a choice. This damn status window was forcing me to make only one decision.

* * *

There is an absolute gap between humans and demons.

Humans can achieve absolute power through training and practice, but demons possess tremendous power and abilities from the moment of their birth and transformation (變態).

Although the honorable nobles who should lead the demons are confined to a cursed island due to system restrictions…

The demons under their command are free to roam the city without restrictions.

Of course, if they acted openly without precautions, they would likely be killed by the Association or the Guild.

“Are we meeting in a dark cave again today? This doesn’t seem very good for my health.”

“I, I’m sorry! The Association and have been furious since that mercenary failed, and they’ve destroyed all our branches…!”

“Ah, I’m not trying to blame you. I’m just worried about the health of the demons living here.”

“We’re fine! There’s no problem!”

A dark cave, abandoned for an unknown amount of time.

Several people were present.

No, one human and several demons.

Normally, one would assume the human was kidnapped, but their relationship was peculiar.

The demons with horns were bowing to the human.

The human surrounded by demons wasn’t particularly strong either. The magic power he emanated was stronger than that of ordinary people but weaker than any of the demons gathered there.

An act that defies the very nature of demons, where power reigns supreme over law and morality. An ordinary person witnessing this would rub their eyes in disbelief.

It was that shocking.

The shocking behavior didn’t stop there.

The human man retrieved a document from his coat and handed it to the demon.

The demon, who had been bowing moments before, politely received and read the document.

The document’s purpose was immediately clear.

It detailed the next destination and objective.

“A ring of golden dwarves, a sword made from a severed snake’s tail, and even a cursed stone… The Japanese government couldn’t have missed this. Crazy, crazy.”

“Humans are like that. If you coax them a little, they’ll even sell their country’s treasures for their own greed.”

“In that sense, the owner of this auction house is truly human. To think of putting these things up for auction in his right mind.”

Jongno Underground Arena.

The horned demon read the location at the top of the document repeatedly, marveling at it.

What kind of fortitude must the owner of this place possess to do this?

He, a demon who had abandoned his humanity, didn’t have the courage to do something so reckless.

The items in this auction are all treasures cherished by the Japanese government. To receive such treasures from brokers and then proudly sell them.

He must be completely insane.

“Anyway, we absolutely must acquire these auction items. Even if the plan goes awry, be sure to recover the cursed stone.”

“Ah, yes! I’ll summon all the demons from C-class to A-class who are available!”

“Haha, you don’t have to go that far. There are also martyrs in our Demonic Cult willing to disguise themselves as participants.”

The demon wiped his hands, trying to hide his sweat from the gentle-toned human man. Martyrdom (殉敎) is the act of sacrificing one’s life for faith.

The one who willingly makes that noble sacrifice is called a martyr or a fatalist (致命者).

The human man said he had already selected such individuals in advance.

The demon felt an indescribable madness at the sight of him sending members of his religion to their deaths without concern, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Since I’ve been involved to this extent, I don’t think there’s any need to deal with this matter any further? I hope we can meet again with a smile next time.”

“Ah, yes, yes! P, please be careful!”

“Haha, I’ve told you, you don’t need to use honorifics with me. I hope your tone will be more relaxed next time.”

With those words, the human man left the cave.

The demons surrounding his weak figure frowned and watched him, but he didn’t seem to notice.

Instead, the demon who had been speaking until now took a deep breath.

He stared at the floor until the human’s presence completely vanished.

Only after the human was gone did he finally raise his head and lament.

“Haha, when did our Pandemonium’s status fall this low?”

“S, Senior, are you okay?!”

“Ah, yeah. I’m still breathing.”

“No, that’s not what I’m asking?! What is that guy that we have to bow down to a human…?”

“Huh? You don’t know Simon?”

“……Simon?”

He didn’t recognize the name.

He asked again with a completely bewildered expression.

“Simon, the Demonic Cult Worshiper (魔敎崇拜者). Have you never heard of him before?”

“Ah! I don’t know the name Simon, but I’ve heard that alias somewhere.”

Demonic Cult Worshiper.

He is a wanted criminal, notorious as a vicious cult fanatic.

The wanted level is C-class, and a player who has passed the B-class rank test at the Player Association could easily capture him.

That’s just in terms of brute force.

“Why do you think the alias ‘Demonic Cult Worshiper’ was attached to his wanted name?”

“Well, isn’t it because it’s more provocative to use such an alias in broadcasts or articles?”

“Ha, you idiot. My successor is such a fool. My future is bleak. Think about it carefully.”

The subservient demeanor from moments ago was gone.

The sharp and violent appearance befitting a demon returned.

The junior admired the senior’s transformation but also pondered quietly.

There are many worshipers and fanatics in the Demonic Cult besides Simon.

But why is that alias only attached to a human named Simon?

As a demon with limited experience, he had no idea.

“I, I can’t think of anything no matter how hard I try.”

“Ha, yeah, what would you know? I don’t know much about that person either, but they say he has a silver tongue.”

“Yes? Are you saying he’s good at talking? What does that have to do with it…?”

“You’re really stupid. Shouldn’t you understand on your own if I’ve said this much? Why can’t these kids these days understand even if you give them a hint…?”

“I, I’m sorry!”

The senior scratched his head and then the junior’s head as well.

He didn’t know why the demons these days were so lacking.

Shouldn’t they understand on their own if he’d said that much?

It wasn’t like that in his day.

He was deeply pessimistic, clinging to old-fashioned notions.

This was all because the Association and attacked the demons’ secret bases. If that unfortunate event hadn’t happened, he would have had a better junior.

He wouldn’t have had to hide in this dirty cave or show such a humiliating attitude to a human named Simon.

“If only the Magic Hunter had been even half successful…!”

It all started with the failure of the ‘Magic Hunter’.

The Magic Hunter, who was also featured in articles for causing a mass slaughter by attacking one of the dungeons managed by before attacking Chilseong.

Even if he hadn’t died in Chilseong, his existence as a demon, as stipulated in the contract, would have been a significant asset.

Because of his growing power as a demon, wouldn’t have even dreamed of taking proper follow-up measures and retaliation, fearing even greater harm.

The Association wouldn’t have been able to seize the opportunity and cooperate with the guild to smash and burn all the branches.

“But there’s still hope, isn’t there?”

“Hope? In the current situation where we demons are bowing down to a human religion instead of leading the awakening of the nobles, is there hope?”

“I, I heard that the Yongjang [warrior general] candidate in the European branch is coming.”

Yongjang (勇將) was a slang term used in Pandemonium.

Now that the nobles are sealed on a remote island, the four vanguard leaders will lead Pandemonium, which is relatively weak compared to other forces.

It refers to one of them.

“That’s a relief. With his Yongryeok [warrior’s power], he will be able to fill the void left by the nobles for a while.”

A Yongjang candidate is stronger than an ordinary S-class player.

It’s difficult to compare them to a ranker, but considering the candidates’ potential, reaching the realm of a ranker isn’t that far off.

At that level, there will be no major problems in accomplishing the great cause.

“Even though our ‘s prestige has been shaken for a while, we only need to endure until the day the nobles are released from the system’s sanctions.”

Even if it costs us our lives until that day.

It is right for us lowly demons and commoners to sacrifice for the nobles. The blood flowing in our veins exists for them.

A demon with extremely aristocratic ideals swallowed his words and closed his eyes.

Everything is for the nobles.