The Weapon Genius: Anything I Hold Can Kill-Chapter 68: A Leader’s Table

Seul stepped outside, arms crossed as she took in the scene before her. The recruits were still recovering from the morning's training, some rubbing at sore limbs while others simply sat on the ground, catching their breath. Their earlier duels had left them exhausted—but not broken.

The sun was rising higher now, casting sharp shadows along the cracked pavement. The world outside their little stronghold remained eerily quiet, but inside the walls, things were finally starting to feel like a real group.

Seul exhaled. "Alright everyone," she called out. "Food's ready. You guys earned yourself a nice breakfast."

Joon immediately perked up, pushing himself up from where he had been lounging against the fence. "Oh?, Food?,You should've led with that," he muttered, already making his way toward the school entrance.

Echo stretched, shaking out his arms. "Finally. I was starting to think we were training for starvation mode."

Jin rolled his shoulders, wincing slightly as sore muscles protested. The fights earlier had been necessary, but he could feel the weight of the morning's exhaustion settling into his limbs. A real meal was exactly what they needed before figuring out their next move.

One by one, the recruits stood, following Seul back inside. The cafeteria had changed since they first took over the school—it wasn't just a large, empty space anymore. The tables were actually being used now, the air filled with the low murmur of conversation.

And the smell of warm food filled the air.

Jin paused. That was new. Most of their meals up until now had been ration bars, canned goods, or whatever vending machine junk they could scavenge. But this? This actually smelled like real food.

His gaze flicked to Seul as they sat down. "Didn't know you could cook."

Seul shrugged, adjusting the gloves on her hands. "Used to do it a lot for Chul when we were younger. Had to learn alot of different receipes so I could always have something new for him to try."

Jin nodded. Chul—her younger brother. The kid was back at the station with Ryu, training so he could become strong enough to protect the ones he loved, especially his older sister.

"He's doing fine," Jin assured her.

Seul exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders. "Yeah. Ryu's got him. He'll be alright."

Joon smirked as he grabbed a plate. "Didn't know you had a soft side, Seul."

Seul didn't even look at him before reaching over and yanking his ear.

Joon nearly choked on his food.

"Keep talking," she said, voice flat, "and you're skipping a meal."

Joon winced. "Understood ma'am."

Echo snorted, leaning back in his chair. "This is the best entertainment I've had in days."

Jin let the conversation flow around him, eating in silence as he listened. The recruits weren't just eating—they were talking. Laughing, even. The tension from the morning had eased, and for the first time, they didn't look like a group of strangers stuck together by circumstance.

For the first time, they looked like they belonged together.

Even Haneul, who still clutched the staff tightly like a lifeline, seemed to be adjusting.

Jin let himself enjoy the moment—but only for a second.

Because this world didn't allow for comfort.

Once the trays were mostly empty, he sat forward, elbows on the table. The others noticed the shift immediately. The easy conversation faded, replaced by focus.

"We need to talk about what comes next," Jin said.

The recruits quieted, turning their attention to him.

"Food's holding up for now, but we'll be burning through it faster than before now that we have more people. The same goes for water. It's not urgent since we have a good amount of food and water, but it will become an issue soon."

Joon nodded, setting his tray aside. "So what's the plan?"

"We go out," Jin said simply. "We need to start exploring beyond the school, see what's around us, and get real combat experience outside of controlled fights. It's time to start hunting monsters and securing more resources."

Some of the recruits tensed at that.

Echo raised an eyebrow. "So, what? You're picking names from a hat?"

Jin shook his head. "I'll take volunteers first."

Joon grinned, stretching out his arms. "Oh, this should be good."

There was a pause. Some of the recruits exchanged looks. Then—

Haneul stood up.

"I'll go," he said simply.

Jin nodded. Not surprising. He had already proven he was serious about getting stronger.

A second voice followed.

Areum straightened, setting her tray down. "Me too."

Jin glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. She had fought well in training, but her ability was dangerous—to her and to others.

She met his gaze without flinching. "I need more control. If I don't push myself, I won't get better."

Jin nodded again. That was a good enough reason.

The third person hesitated before stepping forward.

Daehyun.

"I need the experience," he said simply.

Jin studied him for a moment before nodding. His ability had potential, but like the others, he needed real-world experience to refine it.

"That's three," Jin said. "Echo, you're coming too."

Echo smirked. "Obviously."

Jin turned back to the others. "The rest of you stay here. Seul and Joon will handle training while we're gone. We'll be scouting the area, hunting anything useful, and testing how you all do in a real fight. If anything happens while we're gone—"

Seul cut him off. "We'll handle it."

Jin nodded once. Then, standing, he cracked his neck and stretched.

"Alright," he said. "Let's move."

The scouting group stood, grabbing their weapons and preparing to head out. The recruits left behind watched them go, some with relief, others with frustration.

For the first time since they got back yesterday, they were stepping beyond the safety of the school.

There were so many things that could happen to them during this quest and he was sure that whatever dangers that were out there wouldnt stay hidden forever.

The cafeteria doors creaked as Jin pushed them open, stepping out into the midday sun. The light hit harsh and unfiltered, making the heat press heavier against his skin. The air outside felt different. Stale. Watchful.

The others filed out behind him—Echo, Haneul, Areum, and Daehyun. The rest of the recruits lingered by the cafeteria entrance, some stretching, others watching with unreadable expressions.

Joon leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "You sure you don't need a good-luck charm?" he called.

Jin adjusted his grip on his gloves, rolling his shoulders. "Save the luck for yourself. You're dealing with the rest of them."

Seul smirked. "We'll keep them alive."

Echo stretched his arms overhead, tilting his head back. "Man, I almost forgot what fresh air feels like."

"Right," Joon scoffed. "Because you've been working so very hard."

"Exactly," Echo shot back, grinning.

Jin ignored them, his focus shifting toward the school's entrance. The gate repairs from yesterday were still holding, but the damage was still visible. The last attack hadn't been serious—but it was a reminder.

They weren't untouchable.

And sooner or later, someone stronger would come knocking.

Areum pulled her gloves tighter around her fingers, her posture tense but determined. "So, where exactly are we heading?"

Jin glanced at the map on his interface. "There are a few places nearby we haven't checked yet. We'll start small—see what's changed since the last system update."

"Monsters, right?" Daehyun asked. His tone wasn't nervous, just curious.

Jin nodded. "Yeah. Anything we kill gives us more points. More points means better resources."

Haneul ran his fingers along the staff resting against his shoulder. "We're gonna be looking for fights, then."

Jin exhaled. "Yeah. But not just any fights. We're not wasting time on weak ones—we need something worth the effort."

Echo adjusted his jacket, rocking back on his heels. "I like the sound of that."

Haneul didn't respond, but his grip on his staff tightened slightly. He was still thinking about his last fight. His win against Hyunwoo hadn't come easy—and he had pushed himself past his limits to do it. But real combat? That was different.

Jin caught the hesitation in his stance.

"If you're not ready," he said evenly, "you don't have to—"

"I'm ready," Haneul said quickly, meeting his gaze.

Jin studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

The school gates creaked as they pushed them open.

The world outside wasn't the same one they had left two days ago.

The sky was too clear, too empty. The streets stretched out before them, cracked pavement leading into a horizon of abandoned buildings and twisted metal. What was once a familiar city had become something different—a battleground where nothing was truly dead, and nowhere was truly safe.

Areum exhaled sharply. "Okay," she muttered. "No turning back now."

Daehyun rolled his shoulders. "Let's see what's out there."

Jin took the first step forward.

The others followed.

Behind them, the school doors shut, sealing the recruits inside.

They were on their own now.

And whatever waited for them out there—they were ready to face it.