I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 22

Isabelle’s expression hardened at Jian’s question. She pondered for a long time, thinking about something.

“The people who want to impress aren’t looking at me.”

Isabelle’s gaze was fixed on a huge frame set up in the presentation hall. She uttered with a bitter expression,

“It’s my father.”

The photo in the frame was of a man familiar to Jian. A name mentioned in every media outlet, impossible not to know.

“You don’t mean… your father’s name is.”

“Right there.”

The name written in gold under the frame. The owner of the tower and the living embodiment of wealth.

Ubel B.

‘So that B was for Blitz.’

Knowing the background, somehow, her aloofness and fiery temperament made sense. Talent, looks, background. Isabelle lacked nothing. A life never tailored to anyone else. Jian thought, looking at Isabelle’s profile,

‘The person who saved the world in a past life is working part-time.’

…What did you save.

* * *

The rooftop of the Twin Towers.

The view, as high as the sky, with the whole world submerged below, was beautiful. Of course, the rooftop was off-limits to the general public. But.

Shaaa.

The two men and women facing the cold night wind were not ordinary people.

They were ability users with stigmata.

If Saber was the light of the ability users who saved humanity, these two were the shadows of the ability users.

The two belonged to Desire.

The purpose of Desire was not revealed, but the state had designated them as an anti-government terrorist group, villains.

– Target confirmed. Corner of the square. Table 34. There’s only one guard, and he’s not active duty.

A man in a mask spoke up after his subordinate’s report.

“Did you hear that?”

“I heard, but I’m still against it~ Threatening that Ironblood?”

The beauty with a flirtatious voice.

Her body was so sensual that even a large jacket couldn’t hide it.

“Even if it doesn’t work, the operation is a success. A hostage that can’t be negotiated with can be discarded. It’s a declaration of war to the Tower.”

The masked man’s words were calm, but madness gleamed in the eyes visible through the mask.

“It’s the opening salvo for our utopia.”

The beauty smirked.

“Well, we’re halfway to success already. I don’t care. Thanks to you, I robbed the stealth bank.”

In her hand was a black bead. The sinister mana it emitted made it clear it was an artifact. After caressing the bead, she said,

“Hmm, the security is lower than I thought. How about we secure the Tower Master instead?”

“It’s pointless. He would choose martyrdom, and the Tower would just fit another cog. The clock won’t stop.”

“You always talk so complicatedly. Well, I guess I have to listen to what I’m told, right? What choice do I have?”

Flutter.

She threw her magical cloak, and the sigil shone. Though her sensual body was hidden by the cloak.

Colorful.

Something moved.

When the cloak was removed, the beauty had transformed into a muscular man. The muscular man smiled provocatively, just like the beauty had before.

“Remember~ It’s in 30 minutes!”

* * *

The lights went out, and the spotlight hit the stage.

As everyone’s gaze stayed on the stage, a man walked to the center, and all the lights in the square turned back on. The man who stood on the stage, looking dignified and middle-aged, was named Yubel.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Thunderous applause greeted his entrance. When the applause subsided, Yubel, holding a wireless microphone, began to speak.

“Humankind divides the Gates into the first and second generations. The first generation refers to the time when humanity faced the brink of extinction due to the materialization of the Gates and the disaster penalties.”

On the day the gate first opened, humanity was defenseless.

If the gate wasn’t cleared within the given time, the area would transform, monsters would appear, or natural disasters would strike due to the backflow of mana.

As many disasters as there were gates came upon humans, and it was a time to be thankful simply for being alive.

Yubel’s lips, which had been firmly sealed as he gazed at the people, parted once more with a grave voice.

“The second generation is about conquest. With the power of the Saber, the gate has now become no different from a meteorological disaster. Nevertheless, the gate always has a negative impact on humanity.”

Yubel wore a serious expression.

Fitting for the head of a corporation, his speech was charismatic and compelling, drawing the undivided attention of the crowd.

“Our Tower of Magic has tirelessly researched the reasons and principles behind the gate’s emergence. Could this formidable power be harnessed for the benefit of mankind?”

Click-

A large screen lit up, displaying an inn from the area commonly known as Murim in Zone 3. It was a world one might experience as a Saber.

“The truth about the gate that we uncovered was astonishing. A parallel world that had broken away from this Earth. Perhaps worlds that might have existed. Fragments from those very places are what the gates are.”

As Yubel moved his hand again, various game screens appeared on the display.

“But that’s not reality. Once a fragment departs from its original world, it’s virtual, just like these games. It’s merely a video containing the contents of a movie.”

During the presentation, Yubel wore a meaningful smile.

“But what if we could specify the world, time, and place where a gate will open?”

Gulp.

Unknowingly, Gian swallowed. One could visit the future at will or peek at the technology of other dimensions. Indeed, humanity’s technological prowess had advanced several stages since the gates opened.

“This is the third generation of the gate: ‘Utilization of the Gate.’ In fact, we have collaborated with IG to develop a virtual gate.”

With a gesture from Yubel, various photos of academies scrolled across the screen.

“We’re using it for student exams and various Saber-related events. But as technology further develops, humanity will be able to enjoy more advanced technology through the gate.”

Once again, applause erupted at Yubel’s speech.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

An endless round of applause. At that moment, the eyes of Gian and other active Sabers were drawn to one spot.

‘What’s that?’

The use of mana.

Someone in the corner of the banquet hall was targeting Yubel, using mana. And sure enough.

Boom!

An explosion resounded, and the building’s debris poured down over Yubel’s head. But swiftly, active Sabers of rank 5 and above shielded Yubel. Thanks to them, Yubel was unharmed, but the plaza had turned into chaos.

“What’s going on?”

“Fire on the upper floor!”

Screams and blasts intertwined, drowning out each sound with another.

“Evacuate for now!”

“Ah, save me, please!”

“Don’t panic, head to the emergency exit!”

The active Saber escorting Yuvel whisked him away from the plaza in an instant. After scanning the situation in the plaza, Gian told Isabelle,

“The emergency exit behind the stage is the closest! Get out there!”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Isabelle was flustered by the sudden turn of events, but Gian had no time to tend to her. On the day he came out for suburban activities as a bodyguard, a terrorist attack had occurred. Gian listened intently to his earpiece.

– Static, static… fast… notify. Over!

After the explosion, Gian turned on the crackling earpiece and said,

– Received. Will send the VIP through emergency exit number 3. Notify.

“What are you doing? Hurry up.”

“You seem to be mistaken.”

A burning structure fell from the sky and stopped right above Isabelle’s head. It was blocked by a barrier made of mana.

“I detest hardship, but I’m a Saber too. I won’t evacuate before the citizens.”

“Fine. But you plan to rescue in that dress?”

At Gian’s question, Isabelle ripped her velvet dress.

Rip!

The dress, now resembling a miniskirt, looked unsightly but was much better for movement.

“So, any problems?”

“None. Absolutely.”

Gian and Isabelle threw themselves towards the citizens.

Their speed, fueled by mana in their feet, was like a whirlwind.

* * *

Isabelle, who had rescued twenty citizens, was catching her breath.

“Huff, huff, there’s no more on this floor, right?”

Even with mana-enhanced strength, there are limits. Isabelle, sitting on the floor drenched in sweat, said,

“Yeah, good job, Isabelle.”

“Ugh, how much dust did I inhale. Cough! I don’t even know what the purpose is…”

In the Twin Towers, there were no secrets nor any reports. Moreover, the chaotic situation, akin to hell on earth, was being sorted out swiftly by the Tower’s quick handling.

Yet, the purpose of the terror remained undisclosed. Throughout the rescue operation, Isabel couldn’t shake off a nagging unease.

“Miss Isabel!”

Someone came running towards her in a hurry. Isabel, who had been sitting down, slowly stood up and looked at the person.

“…Mr. Arman?”

“Lord Yubel is looking for you.”

“I’ll head down soon, the rescue is over.”

“Soon?”

“We have to catch the terrorists.”

“Oh dear, Miss. That’s a job for the active Sabers. You should evacuate first.”

As Arman pleaded, Jian, who was watching, spoke up.

“If you, as a student, have done this much, it’s enough. I’m against catching the culprit too. Go see your father.”

Isabel nodded at Jian’s realistic advice. It was unreasonable for her, merely a student, to take on a villain.

Only then did Arman breathe a sigh of relief. He extended his right hand to Jian, wanting to shake hands.

“Thank you! Given the incident, I will propose that we pay today’s security personnel three times their usual fee.”

“No, it’s okay. It was something that needed to be done. But…”

Jian grabbed Isabel’s wrist and pulled her towards him.

“Hey, what? You, you-you-you! Suddenly! What is this…!”

They were close enough for their breaths to touch. Isabel’s face flushed with the sudden turn of events. However.

Jian took out a magical tool, the Black Fragrance, and swung it at Arman.

Swoosh!

Arman looked at Jian with a seductive expression, different from before.

“You’re quick-witted. How did you know?”

“Arman is left-handed.”

Jian’s voice towards Arman was chillingly cold.

Bizarre.

“Huh, pfft. Ha, ahahaha!”

A muscular man over thirty laughed like a teenage girl. His gesture of covering his mouth was quite feminine.

“Ah~ you have a keen eye, don’t you?”

“Villain, what is the goal of the terror?”

“Sorry, that’s a secret. Instead, I’ll show you something interesting.”

The stigma shone, and the magical cloak enveloped Arman.

Vivid and vibrant.

Instead of Arman, it was the sensuous beauty, Cloa, who appeared from under the cloak.

Cloa loved her own appearance. There was no reason for her to insist on maintaining Arman’s form, especially after their strategy had been exposed.

“Is that magic device a transformer?”

“Yes, that’s right. But what a pity, little one. Your keen eye has been your misfortune. I only intended to take this lady with me.”

Cloa responded candidly to Gian’s question, a sneer on her face.

Realizing the situation, Isabelle chuckled wryly.

“What? I was your target? I must have really underestimated you.”