The Support Ate it All-Chapter 572: Graduation Ceremony (2)
Leaving the men’s burning heat behind,
the next thing that caught my eye was the three club presidents.
Bong Jae-seok of the Magic Engineering Club, Ha Su-yeon of the Great Nature Club, and Mok Jonghwa of the Emerald Magic Tower Club.
“......”
When our eyes met, Mok Jonghwa gave a small nod of greeting, and I dipped my head in return.
They weren’t exactly friendly, but they didn’t seem hostile either.
We’d faced each other in the “challenge-the-superior” duel match and cleared out the resentment in our hearts.
And the other two presidents’ faces were full of goodwill.
Ha Su-yeon opened with a faint smile at the corners of their mouth.
“Nari talks about finals a lot. She said it was a little hard, but fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her that bright.”
“I plan to keep a good relationship with her going forward.”
Ha Su-yeon’s smile softened even further.
“Thank you. And please take good care of the [Cube of Life (B)] too. It’s an important project for us as well, not just Magic Engineering. The guild is watching with interest, too.”
Bong Jae-seok added a line.
“I already got a firm answer. Not just full support—they’ll also prepare compensation proportionate to the contributions.”
“That’s reassuring. You can consider success a matter of time.”
I’d already made it dozens of times, and I’d even made it after coming into this game-world—how could it fail?
Bong Jae-seok nodded in satisfaction.
“Next year, the key will be how well my little sibling keeps up, but you don’t need to worry. I keep saying it, but they’re a genius.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Just don’t go sweet-talking and making things complicated.”
“As if.”
I gave a small smile, but Bong Jae-seok still looked thoroughly unconvinced about that, of all things.
It felt like their gaze slid slightly past me.
I was about to turn and see if something was behind me when—
“So this is where you were.”
Two hands appeared and pinched both my cheeks.
Of course. Dang Gyu-young, Jegal Soso, and Paeng Mi-ryeong were right behind me.
I spoke like I was startled on purpose.
“So you were here.”
At that, “Show” and “Gyu” narrowed their eyes in sync, then started a joint attack, tugging my cheeks outward.
“We came to congratulate you, so why are you going somewhere else!”
“Yeah, yeah! You’re supposed to find your noona first!”
“Is Bong Jae-seok more important than us?”
“I can’t endure this sense of betrayal!”
Even as my cheeks got stretched all over the place, I calmly explained.
“I’m greeting people in the order I run into them. You two are first, obviously, but it’s not polite to ignore other upperclassmen and walk past.”
Dang Gyu-young and Jegal Soso looked at each other.
“Hm....... That isn’t completely without merit.”
“Still, it’s kind of infuriating.”
“But maybe you just have to dodge well while you do it? Or something?”
“Right? This is guilty.”
Then they shifted to my left and right, grabbed an arm each instead of my cheeks, and declared solemnly.
“Kim Ho, we sentence you to the Show-Gyu restraint type.”
“From this moment, you move as one body.”
“Who do you want to go congratulate?”
In a sense, it was pure nuisance, but the two of them seemed to think it was fine.
They were the Swordsmanship Club vice president and the Thief Club president, and they seemed friendly with plenty of other third-years too.
So I decided not to break the Ho-Gyu-Show fusion.
First, I bowed to Paeng Mi-ryeong nearby.
“Congratulations on graduating, Upperclassman.”
“Thanks.”
Paeng Mi-ryeong answered while looking at us like we were hopeless.
My relationship with the Swordsmanship Club had started as bad blood.
Back then, [Black Lion Room] had priority bidding rights on the line, and we’d barged in without caring and turned it into a mess.
But I’d massively improved the relationship by providing maps and a strategy guide, and we’d even cleared [Assembly of Villains] together.
Now, from the Swordsmanship Club’s perspective, I was a high-quality supplier who provided all kinds of Hidden Pieces, including strategy guides.
From Paeng Mi-ryeong’s perspective, I was probably something like their best friend’s close younger brother.
Considering my friendship with Show-Gyu, I’d likely still see them even after graduation.
Next, I moved toward the White Magic Club.
President Jeong Chong-myeong, Hong Ye-hwa—an officer who also served as president of the Ruby Magic Tower Club—Han Gyeoul who’d lent an Ice Wall, and Choi Han-gil who’d provided the “kidnap-and-confinement pot” materials.
Nearby, I also spotted Jeong Jin-myeong, Hong Yeon-hwa, and other siblings, family, and underclassmen.
When I got close, Jeong Chong-myeong, aware of me, greeted me.
“Hi, Kim Ho.”
“Hello, Upperclassman. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. But why are you two......?”
Naturally, their eyes looked strange as they took in the fused Ho-Gyu-Show.
Meanwhile, Dang Gyu-young looked completely unbothered.
“He’s being punished.”
“O-oh....... I see.”
Maybe Jeong Chong-myeong decided it was best not to dig deeper, because they accepted it roughly and let it go.
Then they jerked their chin toward Jeong Jin-myeong and spoke.
“I heard you wiped out their base clean? I was impressed when I heard. Beat them up regularly next year too. That one needs to get hit a bit.”
“No, hyung!”
At the younger sibling’s protest, they grinned.
“Half joke, half serious. Having a rival is good for improving skill.”
“I’ll beat them diligently.”
“That’s what I want to hear. And I already told the club members, so if you get anything good, bring it here. Not to the Swordsmanship Club.”
Jegal Soso clicked their tongue and pointed at them with the hand that was still holding mine.
“Why are you picking a fight all of a sudden? Are we going to clash at auction again?”
“Of course it’s a joke. Half.”
“And the other half is serious?”
“You have to get your claim in early.”
“Yeah? Then me too.”
Jegal Soso flashed a business smile.
“If you need anything, come to the Swordsmanship Club. You know our Namgung, right?”
“Of course. I’ll remember both of your words.”
I had no reason to take a side, so I wrapped the conversation by leaving some room on purpose.
In the brief lull, Hong Yeon-hwa came trotting over.
Behind her, Hong Ye-hwa walked up with a complicated expression.
Out of courtesy, I bowed to the older sibling first.
“Congratulations on graduating, Upperclassman.”
“Thanks. And I’m grateful for how you helped Yeon-hwa in a lot of ways.” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
“It’s because you trusted me and left it to me.”
Hong Ye-hwa opened their mouth like they were going to say something, then cut it short.
“Th... that’s...... right.”
Dang Gyu-young and Jegal Soso whispered quickly.
“‘I’ll keep trusting you with her’ would be kind of...... you know, kind of?”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t trust him either. How many is it now?”
“Three? Or four?”
“Then if you add me, it’s five?”
“Hey, get out of that.”
While the two noona argued in low voices, Hong Yeon-hwa—who’d been rolling their eyes—quietly stepped forward.
Carefully, they asked me,
“During break...... are you going to stay there the whole time?”
‘There’ was, of course, Dang Gyu-young’s main house.
I gave a small nod.
“Unless something comes up.”
“Ah.......”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s expression fell into an immediate sulk.
They looked at their older sibling like they wanted to go too, but Hong Ye-hwa cut it off firmly before the question even came out.
“I told you no.”
“Just for a quick visit......?”
“Why are you saying something else now?”
It seemed like, because of family circumstances, Hong Yeon-hwa had to stay at the Ruby Magic Tower all winter break.
When even their last resistance failed, Hong Yeon-hwa made a face like a puppy staring at tasteless feed.
I smiled and said,
“Take care, and let’s stay in touch often.”
“Yeah.......”
Maybe the idea of at least being able to message each other was some comfort, because Hong Yeon-hwa’s complexion brightened just a little.
After saying goodbye to the Hong siblings,
we kept Ho-Gyu-Show mode on and scanned around again to see if there were any other familiar faces.
Then Dang Gyu-young stopped short, like they’d found something.
Following their gaze, I saw Oh Sehun and Song Cheongi standing there.
Judging by how comfortably they were talking, it wasn’t just a disciplinary committee club president and a student council president relationship—they seemed to have a personal acquaintance too.
Come to think of it, they’d helped out during the temporary storage facility infiltration too.
Dang Gyu-young smacked their lips, regretful.
“......Damn, I didn’t get to smack those two around.”
Then they asked me casually,
“Want to go one round, last time?”
“You can, if you want.”
“Honestly—what do you think? Can I win?”
“Fifty-fifty, or slightly unfavorable.”
Against Song Cheongi, I estimated 4.5 to 5.5.
Against Oh Sehun, I estimated about 4 to 6.
Dang Gyu-young frowned.
“......That’s ambiguous.”
“Your Gyu-shadow slots aren’t filled yet.”
They’d recently increased their [Shadow Extraction] slots by two using a necromancer spellbook.
If they added two undead at the level of “Yeon-Gyu Director” and “Gyu-young Grand Elder,” and learned to handle them proficiently, I figured their odds would climb to 6–7.
Unfortunately, the dungeon building had closed and the semester was already over.
Maybe they felt our eyes, because Oh Sehun and Song Cheongi both looked our way at the same time.
Just like always, I bowed properly.
“Congratulations on graduating.”
“Thanks, Kim Ho. Were you talking about us by any chance?”
Dang Gyu-young answered instead.
“We were thinking about throwing down one last duel.”
“It’s been a while since we saw you in a duel match. Same for Cheongi.”
Song Cheongi gave a small chin tilt.
“That’s right. I wanted to experience how much stronger you’ve become, but it’s a shame.”
“If you really want, I can spare a little time. What do you want to do?”
Oh Sehun was the one who offered first.
But Dang Gyu-young, looking indifferent, put a hand on my shoulder.
“We’re not doing it. He says it’s 4 to 6.”
“4 to 6 is a big improvement, though? Wouldn’t it be worth trying?”
“It doesn’t look like the kind of picture I want.”
Right—what Dang Gyu-young wanted was to smack someone around with a bat, not to seize victory after a fierce battle.
Still, they didn’t seem like they were abandoning the idea of revenge entirely, because they added one line.
“Next time we meet, we fight.”
“Sure. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Oh Sehun’s narrow eyes curved gently.
As we left, Dang Gyu-young clenched their fist.
“A Gyu can wait ten years for revenge and it still won’t be late.”
“Do you need ten years?”
“It means I’m waiting for the right time.”
And that time wouldn’t be far away.
*****
After the final time with the graduates ended,
Seo Ye-in, Dang Gyu-young, and I finished cleaning up, then headed to the platform right on schedule.
And we boarded the train that was waiting.
Dang Gyu-young, peeking into the passenger car windows, said,
“This one’s empty.”
Then they slid the door open and stepped inside.
“......”
“......”
Dang Gyu-young and Seo Ye-in looked at each other.
Then they looked at the seats, then at me, then at each other again.
A battle of reading the room had begun.
When nobody moved in that state, I couldn’t stand it and stepped in.
“I’m sitting first.”
The moment I went to plant myself, Dang Gyu-young’s [Shadow Leap] activated.
It vanished under my feet with a WHOOSH, then appeared with a WHOOSH in the seat right next to me.
“Hmph-hmph.”
“......Foul.”
“Learn it too~”
Seo Ye-in stared at the opposite seat for a few seconds, then sat on my lap with perfect naturalness.
Dang Gyu-young let out a scoffing breath, like it was ridiculous.
“The chair’s uncomfortable and you sit there?”
“First-class seat.”
“......Come out for a second. Let me sit too.”
“No.”
“Just for a second.”
“No.”
Watching the two of them bicker playfully, I suddenly checked outside the window and said,
“It’s snowing.”
“......?”
Dang Gyu-young and Seo Ye-in turned their heads to the same spot.
Pure white snow was falling in soft flakes.
*****
Everything was red.
From the man’s hair to his eyes, his martial robe, the sword in his hand, and even the streams of blood flowing beneath his feet.
If you traced the river of blood upstream, you would find a massive reptile collapsed at its end.
Its former majesty was nowhere to be found—dead with its tongue lolling out.
“......”
The man’s face looked indifferent, as if he felt nothing at all, but those who served him up close noticed immediately.
His mood was displeased.
Staring at his sword, the man spoke as if to himself.
“......A strand of regret remains. Must it be wielded with the Blood-Wind Sword after all.”
“We apologize. It is because our abilities are lacking.”
The blood-robed ones all lowered their heads at once.
Even though there had been more than one elder-level figure dispatched to Dungeon Island, they hadn’t recovered the Blood-Wind Sword—nor even properly grasped its whereabouts.
They couldn’t keep wasting strength, so they’d pulled back for the time being, but it was also true that they’d failed to properly carry out their orders.
The blood-robed ones couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Then the man—the Blood Demon—spoke in a flat tone.
“That is enough. A famed sword chooses its master. There is no more suitable candidate than myself, so when the time comes, it will naturally return.”
He handed the sword to the side. A blood-robed one snatched it up quickly and stored it in something large and long—almost like a golf bag.
“......”
With both arms hanging down, the Blood Demon stared into the distance.
At the end of his gaze were two small dots.
They approached at frightening speed, then halted in midair.
Two dragons.
One covered in yellow-ochre scales, the other in purple scales.
Their voices echoed through the area.
Looks like we’re already too late.
A battle between the strong can become a war of endurance, but it can also end in an instant.
After seeing the devastation before them, it seemed they’d grasped the situation at once.
The two dragons’ gazes focused on the Blood Demon.
......Blood Cult Leader.
It was foretold, but in the end, you became a madman.
Until now, we deliberately let you live. Stirring chaos in the human world benefited us as well.
But now, there is no turning back. Having harmed our kin, you too will pay the price for your sin.
If you have last words, speak them.
The Blood Demon stared at them in silence for a time.
Then he opened his mouth, like a mutter to himself.
“To break the wall of transcendence, I tried choosing the orthodox faction’s stale method. Deep repentance. Time spent observing the inner self, and assimilating oneself into the world of no-self.......”
.......
“It was not without gain, yet in the end I arrived at a single conclusion. The essence of a martial warrior is a blood-fiend who kills and is killed. Only unceasing life-and-death duels can break that wall.”
The Blood Demon slowly extended his left hand.
At that, the Left Protector, who had been waiting, approached carrying the golf-bag-like case and handed over a sword.
The way the Blood Demon accepted it looked as natural as a boss taking an eight iron.
SHHHRING—
A different blade from the one put away earlier—pitch-black—slid out of its sheath,
and the Blood Demon continued.
“Our cult’s history has also been written in blood. Now, I will finish writing that history.”
At that, every blood-robed one in the area cried out in unison.
BLOOD REIGNS OVER ALL UNDER HEAVEN! LONG LIVE THE BLOOD DEMON!
The dragons’ pupils, calmly watching, slit straight down into vertical lines.
As if power that had been suppressed was being released, the ground trembled and space warped.
Humans always place blind faith in the power they possess.
Without realizing how insignificant it is, like insects......
Your history ends here.
“Whether one lizard or two, it makes no difference. Come.”
With those words, the battle raised its curtain.
Magic circles rose one after another, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° filling the area, while the blood-robed ones spread a combined formation array.
Meanwhile,
the Blood Demon’s sword moved infinitely slowly.
Like painting a picture onto the air with a brush.
The blood that had pooled thickly on the ground rose in droplets as if defying gravity, then transformed into a blood-red gale that seized control of the entire area.
[Heavenly Demon Blood-Wind Sword Art]
“Bloodflow.”
