I Became an Illegal Cheat User

132 – Means of Conversation (2)

Having settled for lunch with a convenient yet delicious, top-notch lunch box made by the academy’s chef.

Afterward, I took out some dessert to share with everyone.

Of course, with the presence of the Spirit Enhancement Group, there was perfect, all-body cleansing, so there was no need to eat dessert.

Still, the reason I brought out dessert instead of a potion was.

“Wow! Ice cream!”

Because As wanted to eat ice cream.

“Hehe, it’s delicious!”

With a mini spoon, one scoop at a time.

As, with her adorably tiny hands, scooped up the ice cream and gelato, her eyes sparkling like stars, looked genuinely happy as she smiled.

“Oh, so cute!”

Seeing that adorable sight, Asuka, who was sitting next to her, quietly and contentedly watching, finally couldn’t hold back and exclaimed her feelings.

“Haha, as Asuka said, our hero is indeed very cute.”

“That’s true. Don’t you think so too, Lee Seoyeon?”

“…Yeah.”

Noah, Arthur, and even Lee Seoyeon.

With a satisfied smile that seemed to mirror Aska’s feelings, I looked at As.

But not everyone in the inn shared the same feelings or reactions.

– …Human emotions are truly incomprehensible. It’s just about consuming food, yet they make such a fuss over it, calling it cute.

It was none other than As’s holy sword, Sacred.

“…I actually don’t understand you.”

Saying that, I plunged the mini spoon I was holding deep into the gelato.

“Can’t you just think to yourself?”

I turned my head to the side.

“Then why come over to me and say such things?”

I asked while looking at the small sword, the size of a carrot knife, floating beside me instead of behind As as usual—Sacred.

At my question, the blade of Sacred, which had been directed at As, shifted to look at me.

– I didn’t say it to seek understanding. Among the two who can hear me, one is too preoccupied with food to pay attention, so I’m just saying this. So please, don’t mind me and continue eating.

“…….”

Hmm, perhaps the discipline from yesterday was a bit lacking.

‘Politeness reset in just one day.’

But still…

It wasn’t as if they were being incredibly rude like the first time we met.

The absurdity and actions outside common sense directed at As had been corrected.

‘Maybe I can let this slide.’

I decided to brush it off.

“Okay, since you said not to worry, I won’t.”

So I declared that I would indeed stop worrying, just as Sacred had suggested.

– Ah…

A voice filled with disappointment flowed from Sacred.

Well, of course.

There was no way they would come over just to complain.

‘What do you mean, don’t mind it?’

I chuckled softly and returned my gaze to the gelato. Then I pulled out the spoon I had stuck into the gelato and scooped a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth.

And when the sweet, cool sensation slid down my throat.

“Since we’re here, why don’t you tell me what kind of trial you set for As?”

I asked about the trial I had imposed on the hero, As, today.

Then Sacred responded in a tone that suggested he wasn’t too pleased with the question.

– …I did as you said.

“So what was the trial?”

– …….

Don’t beat around the bush; be clear.

At the implication of my question, Sacred’s words faltered.

‘What’s this?’

Suddenly, he’s gone quiet?

Could it be that he defied my warning and imposed an unreasonable trial on As again?

If that’s truly the case….

‘I’ll have no choice but to repeat what I did yesterday.’

And this time, with even greater intensity.

So that he wouldn’t dare to defy my warning or act so arrogantly again.

Thinking this, I activated my inventory.

The moment I reached inside to pull out Astra.

– Ah, no! It’s not what you think!

It seemed he realized what I was about to do.

Sacred, who had been delaying his answer to my question, panicked and tried to stop my actions.

“Really? Then why are you hesitating to speak?”

– Well, it’s just… I mean…

What is it, really?

Even after seeing where my hand was going and panicking, he still hesitates to speak?

I glared at Sacred, filled with suspicion that swelled like a balloon.

“You’d better speak clearly.”

Otherwise.

“I’ll put you in a small box along with Astra.”

– Hiiik…!

Of course, to enter the fog of death or to destroy the Demon King’s immortality, the power of the Sacred is necessary, so I can’t keep it locked away for long.

But that’s okay.

It won’t take long to subdue that arrogant holy sword.

One hour.

Assuming I ride the golem at full speed.

The estimated time of arrival at the fog of death in the north.

That should be enough.

Why?

‘One minute.’

It didn’t take more than a single minute.

The holy sword, which thought itself so noble and looked down on everything except for discipline, had begged for its life, promising to do as I wished.

But now, not ten minutes, not thirty minutes, but one hour?

To be put in a box alongside Astra for that long?

Beyond mere submission, its sword nature, its very ego, could collapse.

But so what?

‘That might even be better.’

It was a weapon that thought even its own master was beneath it.

So much so that even without an ego, it wouldn’t matter.

And even if it could no longer undergo trials and strengthen its body.

That might actually be good for Astra.

Of course, setting aside personality, if we only consider the weapon’s performance.

Five times a day.

If I can overcome the trials the holy sword gives me like daily quests, my body grows stronger.

Moreover, every time I overcome a trial, the trial gauge I earn fills up, raising the weapon’s rank.

If this world were a game.

And if I were still in the position of a player.

It would be an exceptionally great weapon that I absolutely had to obtain.

But the place I am now is the hidden world, yet it is undeniably reality.

Still unformed in values.

For a child only seven years old, the Sacred Sword is not a very good weapon.

And furthermore.

‘Will the rules really just stand by?’

I am in doubt.

The Sacred Sword, Sacred.

A holy relic created by the rules of this world.

Thus, a weapon infinitely close to the rules.

No, it might be connected beyond mere proximity.

Can such a weapon truly exert power even in another world?

And the plan I have in mind.

To take As to the outside world, the world I live in.

Can I really guarantee that it won’t interfere with that plan?

So.

‘Should I eliminate it?’

A rabbit dies, and the dog is cooked.

It’s an act that I find utterly distasteful.

Yet, the Sacred Sword is a potential obstacle that could turn into an enemy at any moment.

No matter how much it may help As, I am not kind enough to leave a being that could disrupt my plan unchallenged.

Let alone one that has been unpleasant since our first meeting.

If I had felt a sense of fondness from the start, thinking, ‘Hey, this one’s not bad?’

No, even if I didn’t feel fondness, if it had been kind to the child, As.

Even if it held the potential to disrupt my plans, I would have sought another way, rather than entertain such a distasteful thought of elimination.

Perhaps I have thought too deeply about it.

– …No, right? I’m not having such a frightening thought, am I?

It seemed as if the Sacred Sword sensed something akin to murderous intent from me.

With a voice filled with fear, it asked me.

“…….”

But I did not answer.

I simply ate the ice cream quietly, without a word.

One spoonful.

– Really… no?

Two spoonfuls.

– …Excuse me, you?

I could feel Sacred’s anxiety growing every time the mini spoon traveled back and forth between the ice cream and my mouth.

When I had eaten a fair amount of gelato.

Tap.

I set the mini spoon I was holding down on the table.

Then I turned my head to look at Sacred.

Trembling.

Now, Sacred could only shiver, unable to say anything.

Perhaps because of their small size, they resembled a frightened little creature.

I let out a deep sigh at the sight.

‘…My thoughts are running too hot.’

Yes, it’s still something that hasn’t happened.

There’s no need to have a headache over an uncertain future just yet.

So, let’s give it a chance.

Let’s push aside that uncomfortable thought of being discarded.

With that in mind, I withdrew my hand from the inventory. Then, relaxing my narrowed eyes, I spoke to Sacred.

“Sacred.”

– Yes… yes?

“This is your last chance.”

– …….

It seemed they understood what I meant.

The trembling of Sacred’s sword, which had been shaking like a aspen leaf, suddenly stopped.

And after a moment of silence, they looked at me.

– …I understand. I will speak.

Then, with a resigned voice, they descended from the air and plunged the tip of the sword into the table with a thud.

– The trial I have set for the hero today is this.

As Sacred spoke those words, light began to flow from the gem embedded in the center of the sword. The light coalesced, forming five adorable figures.

All the figures resembled As.

But their actions were all distinctly different.

To describe the meaning of the figures starting from the one at the top…

1. Stretching and yawning.

2. Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. Taking a nap.

4. Having a snack.

5. Sleeping with the holy sword.

…that was it.

What’s this? There’s absolutely no problem?

No, in fact, these are perfectly suitable, wholesome trials for As.

But why?

Why was there hesitation in speaking?

It was absurd; a laugh escaped me involuntarily.

Noticing my reaction, Sacred immediately revealed the reason.

– …I was just wondering if this was really okay. Honestly, think about it. A trial that’s just about waking up well in the morning, eating three meals regularly, taking naps, and having snacks… what kind of trial is that? It’s just the everyday life of a well-off little human. Don’t you think?

“Yeah, that’s what I wanted. For As to sleep well, eat well, and laugh well.”

At my words, Sacred floated up again.

Then, looking at me with a voice full of confusion, it asked.

– But… if that’s the case, overcoming the trial will yield very little power.

“So?”

– …Huh?

“What does that matter?”

– Did you hear what I said? If you give such easy trials that are like everyday life, my power will increase, while the hero’s power will remain almost the same. In the future, I might not be able to be used properly.

“Yeah, that might be true. But is that something we need to worry about right now?”

– Huh? …What do you mean?

“Hey, be honest with me. Do you even know how old As is right now?”

– …Why is human lifespan suddenly coming up?

“Just answer my question. Do you know or not?”

– I know… he’s 7 years old.

Yeah, you’re right.

“As you said, As is 7 years old now.”

– …So? What does that have to do with trials?

…To think you still don’t understand after all this.

It’s certain.

Sacred, this holy sword.

As, no, humanity itself has little interest.

“Ugh.”

I let out a short sigh and picked up the mini spoon I had set down on the table.

Then, tapping the blade of the Sacred, I continued my halted words.

“You don’t know, but usually at 7 years old, a child should feel at peace under their parents’ care. But the damn rules of this world have led As’s life into hardship with the shackles of being a hero. Do you really think that’s right?”

– It seems you’re the one who doesn’t understand. Being a hero is the most glorious position bestowed by the gods…

“Ha, a glorious position?”

Did you really think that through?

“Hey, take a look at As.”

At my words, Sacred turned the blade to look at As.

To Sacred, I continued speaking.

“Don’t you feel anything from that sight?”

– ….

No answer.

Just staring blankly at As.

But that didn’t last long.

– …Well, I’m not sure.

After pondering, it seemed nothing came to mind, so they replied with uncertainty.

Well, I didn’t expect much.

I thought they wouldn’t understand, given their lack of interest in humanity.

So, specifically.

“Right now, As is happy. Not because of the glory of being a hero you mentioned, but due to the simple joy of eating something sweet and delicious.”

I shared what As might be feeling at this moment.

– …A mundane daily life.

Did Sacred feel something from my words?

He mumbled softly and looked at As again.

“As, would you like some more ice cream?”

“Whoa! Really? Yes, I’d love to!”

“Here you go.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

As’s face was blooming with joy.

Just eating ice cream, yet he looked truly happy.

The despondent, tear-filled expression I saw yesterday was nowhere to be found.

“Honor is for those who desire glory; it’s unnecessary for someone like him—a child who finds happiness in such simple things.”

– ….

“Then maintain the intensity of the trials as it is now.”

– …How long should I do that?

“Well, until your body and mind mature to a certain extent?”

– Please provide a clear standard.

“A clear standard….”

How should I explain this?

I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, pondering deeply.

After a little while, I blurted out the thought that had come to me.

“When As feels the need for strength. From that point, you can adjust the intensity of the trials.”

Of course, that situation will prevent As from saying he needs strength.

That’s why we, as adults, are here.

– When I feel the need for strength…, yes, I understand. I will do as you say.

“Good.”

Please do that.

So I won’t have to think about eliminating you.

&

Sacred returned to the hero.

I floated quietly behind As, as if I had felt something significant in our promise.

“Lee Yu-jin, has the conversation with the Holy Sword concluded?”

As expected.

Had everyone been listening?

‘Well.’

Since we were the only ones in the inn, they must have heard everything.

I tossed an empty ice cream container into the open inventory beside me and answered Arthur’s question.

“Uh, it’s done. I got a promise.”

“A promise, huh… I can’t hear what the Holy Sword said, so I can’t know for sure, but considering what you mentioned, it must be helpful for As.”

I nodded at As’s words. Then, I spoke to Terra, who was wiping the messy corners of As’s mouth with a handkerchief.

“Terra, could you go up to the second floor with As for a moment? I need to start discussing things that shouldn’t reach the Discipline.”

[Yes, understood. But before that, Master.]

‘Huh? Why?’

[Shouldn’t you ask As first? The Discipline might catch on. We can’t reveal everything about the plan, but we can ask if As wants to stay with us, can’t we?]

‘…That’s true. Terra, you’re right.’

I had only been thinking that the Discipline shouldn’t know about my plans.

I hadn’t actually considered asking As about whether she wanted to join us.

The most important aspect of the plan was As’s thoughts.

‘After all this, lecturing Sacred… I’m not really that different.’

I let out a short sigh and chastised myself for my shortcomings. Then, as Terra suggested,

“As, did you enjoy the ice cream?”

“Yes! It was really delicious!”

“Really? I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. If you want to have more next time, just let me know. Got it?”

“Wow! Really?”

“Of course, really.”

“Yay! I’m so happy!”

“…So, about that, As.”

I stood up with a creak.

Then I approached As, kneeling on one knee in front of her, and asked for her thoughts on joining us.

“Would you like to stay with us going forward?”

“…Will you be with us from now on?”

“Yes, I will be with you from now on.”

“…Why?”

“Because I want you to be happy. And I want to give you what you deserve to enjoy.”

Words that someone in the modern world might hear and call arrogant, asking if you’re a fool.

I know too.

I know that what I’m saying now is arrogant.

There are countless people who are starving to death.

Many, young and old alike, are not saved, and they meet their end.

This is true in this world as well as in the outside world, the modern one.

Yet, you want them to be happy?

You want to give them what they ought to enjoy?

Some might say this.

Aren’t you saying that for your own petty satisfaction?

Is it really right to care for that child alone?

If so, shouldn’t you be taking care of others as well?

Yes, that’s true.

The term “hero” is used when someone saves another.

It should be right to save not just one person, but everyone.

But.

I don’t think that way.

A hero is also a person.

I can’t save everyone I can’t see.

So I will try to save those I can see.

Those whose voices I can hear.

Those who are within reach.

That is the value of heroism I believe in and hold dear.

So, As.

“Will you join us?”

In this rotten world.

I will save you from the absurdity that only imposes irrationality.

With a swift motion, I extended my hand.

“…….”

Asga blinked her large eyes and looked at me.

And not long after.

“Yes!”

With a bright, cheerful smile, she jumped into my arms.

I embraced Asga, smiling gently at her.

&

“Koohhh….”

“Ah! Even while sleeping, she’s so cute!”

“Lady Aska, could you please be quiet? If you shout like that, Asga might wake up.”

“Ahh…, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a sound….”

As Aska clapped her hands over her mouth with a gasp, Terra, who had been gently stroking Asga’s head while she lay on her lap, turned her attention to her.

I chuckled softly at the sight and looked ahead. Beyond the car’s windshield, the violet mist drew closer, the mist of death filling my view.

‘We should arrive in about five minutes.’

Then, shall I review the plan in the meantime?

But honestly…, the plan isn’t much.

1. Arrival at the mist of death.

2. Use of Sacred’s ability, fulfilling the conditions to enter the mist.

3. Asga, Aska, and Terra waiting outside the mist, carrying Sacred into Astra, entering the mist.

4. Upon encountering hostile life forms, eliminate them. And upon discovering the Demon King, use Sacred’s ability to destroy immortality before eliminating.

And then.

‘Y-Your master lies asleep within the enormous tree, the World Tree, shrouded in the mist of death. But can you truly reach that place? Can you break through those loathsome creatures? I think it’s impossible… Ah, no! I misspoke! So please, move that weapon away!’

The enormous tree that the Pig King spoke of.

Let the dragon emerge from the World Tree.

How?

[Leviathan(S)][1]

By burning it.