Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: The Three Forbidden Grounds (3)
I had my doubts, but fortunately, my Mental Focus had recovered.
Unlike Innate True Qi or internal energy, Mental Focus didn't seem to replenish through meditation. Instead, it appeared to recover over time or depending on my physical condition.
As I activated Heavenly Authority, I spoke to the trio in rags approaching me.
"Who are you people?"
At my question, they looked at each other and burst into boisterous laughter.
"Puhahahaha!"
"This kid’s a riot. 'Who are we?'"
"You're a prisoner now; what good is knowing that? Khahat!"
A prisoner?
I frowned at their words. Did they think I was a captive?
Sigh. I suppose that’s true. Come to think of it, being thrown in here isn't much different from being captured.
One of the men, a scruffy-bearded fellow in rags, aimed a stone axe at me and spoke with a commanding tone.
"Hey, newbie. If you want to keep that measly life of yours, drop the sword and strip naked! Everything!"
The Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue.
But something was strange.
'Did my appearance change or anything?'
I looked at the back of my hand. Seeing the dot dyed crimson, Heavenly Authority had definitely been activated. I had clearly invoked the Mental Focus of the Blood Demon, yet there was no change in my appearance?
I had wondered why they weren't reacting, and now I knew why.
That would be a problem.
Right now, my major acupoints were blocked by needles, so I couldn't even tell if my energy was circulating.
At my words, the voice of the Blood Demon Sword rang out.
'Could it be?'
My throat went dry at the Blood Demon Sword’s words. If that were the case, I was essentially fighting barehanded, whether I used Heavenly Authority or not.
"Look at this guy. He’s not answering."
"Just take it from him."
"That fancy sword is mine!"
Suddenly, they rushed at me. They swung stone axes and thrust stone spears, but they weren't just flailing wildly. These men were trained in martial arts. However, judging by the speed of their swings, they were merely performing forms without any internal energy.
'Tsk.'
I had no choice. If Heavenly Authority wasn't working properly, I’d have to deal with them using my own strength.
I parried the first stone spear that lunged toward me.
Sla-slash!
In that instant, the stone spear was sliced cleanly along the trajectory of my sword.
"W-what?"
The man in rags who had thrust the spear couldn't hide his bewilderment. I lunged toward him and kicked him square in the chest.
Thump!
"Guh!"
Blood sprayed from the man's mouth as he was sent flying back more than thirty feet.
Seeing this, the other two men stopped their attack in horror.
"Y-you?"
"Isn't your internal energy sealed?"
I didn't understand it either. Since there was no change in my appearance, I assumed the Blood Heaven Great Achievement Art wasn't circulating. Yet, that single blow had undoubtedly caused internal injury to the opponent.
'Shall I test it?'
I dashed toward one of the two remaining men. My body felt light as I reached him in an instant. At this rate, my movements were at least on par with a First-Rate Master.
Snap!
"Aaagh!"
I instantly twisted his arm behind his back, subduing him. Then, I struck a pressure point on his head, and his body went stiff.
"D-damn it!"
As the man beside him tried to flee, I caught up to him in a single bound and struck the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious. I lightly caught the torch he was about to drop.
"Phew. I feel like I can breathe now."
My clothes were soaked and damp, but the torch provided some welcome warmth.
Even after taking them all down, I was still confused. Heavenly Authority was definitely active.
'But why?'
When I invoked the Mental Focus containing the Blood Demon's spirit fragment, my martial prowess usually soared to the peak of the Supreme Peak Realm. But right now, I was only at the level of a First-Rate Master. I couldn't even undergo the Blood Demon transformation.
While I was struggling to guess the reason, the voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword echoed in my mind.
'Hmm?'
'I did.'
The level I can handle?
That made sense. Right now, both my internal energy and Innate True Qi were forcibly sealed by needles. In such a state, manifesting power at the Supreme Peak Realm was fundamentally impossible.
'......So that was it.'
I couldn't be certain, but it seemed plausible for now. I quickly withdrew the power of Heavenly Authority. Since this was my only means of self-defense, I needed to conserve my Mental Focus as much as possible.
Just as they said, judging by the rate the torch was burning, it would only last about fifteen minutes at most. Once it went out, I’d be blind again.
I shook one of the fallen men awake.
"Wake up."
The man woke up and stammered in confusion.
"Y-you... what are you? How can you use internal energy?"
Was he so sure I couldn't? It wasn't my job to answer him, so I just asked what I wanted to know.
"That’s none of your business. Why are you trapped here?"
The man didn't answer. I added a bit of a threat.
"Do you have a death wish?"
Realizing I wasn't joking, the man answered hurriedly.
"I-I was caught by the Moon Evil Sword and imprisoned here."
What? He was caught by Sama Chak?
No kidding. I gestured toward the other two lying nearby.
"The others too?"
"T-that guy over there came in two months after me. I heard he was caught by the Moon Evil Sword too. But not that one."
The man pointed to the one I had kicked in the chest earlier.
"I heard he was thrown in here after being held in the Golden Prison of the Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect in Peerless Fortress."
"Wind Shadow Eight Streams Sect?"
That was one of the Four Great Martial Sects of Peerless Fortress. So Sama Chak wasn't the only one using this place.
As I looked at him skeptically, the man continued.
"Most of the people here were forcibly dropped by Peerless Fortress. People like me, caught by the Moon Evil Sword, are dropped in occasionally too."
"Wait, does that mean there are others besides you three?"
The man nodded. This was surprising. To think there were survivors inside Bongnim Valley, one of the Three Forbidden Grounds. Just how many people were in here?
"Are there many?"
"Not that many. Including us, there are about forty-four."
Forty-four wasn't "not many." That was quite a large number of survivors. It meant the basic requirements for survival existed here. Then again, Sama Chak wouldn't have dropped me here otherwise.
"Nearly half of those who fall here get swept away by the rapids and sucked into that hole, losing their lives."
The man pointed to the hole where the rapids flowed. I had almost been sucked in there myself.
"......How did you get in here? The Moon Evil Sword? Peerless Fortress?"
"I told you, it’s none of your business."
The man shut his mouth. He was a former martial artist, and his spirit was already returning; he looked like the type to pounce the moment he saw an opening.
I questioned him again.
"How long have you been here?"
"......I’ve been here for about four months. That friend has been here for five, and the one from Peerless Fortress has been here for nearly a year."
I was inwardly shocked. They had been trapped here much longer than I expected. It seemed Sama Chak’s order to survive for a month wasn't just a cruel joke. He said it because it was actually possible.
"Hehe. Why so surprised? There’s an old man who’s survived here for over twenty years."
"Over twenty years?"
Twenty years in a pitch-black place like this. That was an incredible will to live. It wouldn't be easy to endure for so long in a prison-like place you couldn't escape.
"Well... that old man probably doesn't have much longer to live, though," the man said bitterly. Judging by his tone, it seemed the old man was dying of old age.
The Lesser Conversation Sword made a sharp point. If someone had been here for over twenty years, the chances of escape were indeed remote.
'......I have to endure, whether I live or die.'
Still, it was a relief. It was good that there were people who had arrived before me. I needed to learn their survival methods.
"How do you all survive here?"
This was an underground cave. I was curious how they found food. Water wasn't an issue since the rapids were right here.
"There are strange trees in the cave with roots that burrow deep inside."
Ah, so that’s why the torch looked so strange. It was made from a bundle of tree roots.
"We use those for fire."
"What about food?"
"The place is crawling with bugs, rats, and snakes."
I couldn't help but grimace. So I had to survive on those things for a month?
It already sounded horrific. Of those, snakes seemed the most tolerable. I had grilled and eaten snakes back when I was in the Blood Wolf Unit. But rats and bugs? I didn't think I could do it.
......True. If I want to survive, I’ll eat anything.
I pointed to the torch I was holding.
"Can you eat these?"
"Those roots are too bitter, and if you eat them, you break out in rashes all over your body. They're inedible."
What a disappointment. So I really had to hunt snakes, bugs, or rats. My stomach already churned at the thought of the month-long survival feast ahead.
I turned back toward the rapids and muttered, "I guess there wouldn't be any fish in a place like that."
Then the man spoke up. "There are. There’s one place where you can catch fish."
"Fish?"
That was the best news I’d heard so far. I was already hungry, so this was perfect.
"Lead the way."
*
With the man in the lead, I followed him into the cave. Just in case he tried to run, I had broken his right foot. He was now limping as he guided me.
The cave was much longer and more labyrinthine than I expected. I could easily get lost if I didn't remember the way, so I asked the Lesser Conversation Sword and the Namcheon Iron Sword to memorize the path as well. I didn't bother asking the Blood Demon Sword; he wouldn't listen anyway.
As the Lesser Conversation Sword noted, the torch was flickering precariously. It looked like it would die out any moment. It might be better to find more tree roots first.
"Let's go to where the tree roots are first."
"We're almost there; you want to turn back? It’ll take more than fifteen minutes to get to the roots."
"We're almost there?"
"It’s right ahead."
What did he mean? The cave wall ahead was a dead end. The man pointed down. Looking there, I saw a small hole at the base of the cave wall. It was a narrow opening that required crawling on one's stomach.
I looked at him suspiciously, then set the torch on the cave floor and peered into the hole.
'Ah!'
Just as the man said, there was a small pond inside. He had said the water welled up from below, and it seemed he was telling the truth.
I told the man, "You go in first."
The man hesitated for a moment.
"What is it?"
"There are many poisonous insects in there. We’ve often suffered from bites, and some have even died."
"Stop talking nonsense and lead the way."
"Ahem."
Did he really think I’d trust him enough to let him behind me? The hesitating man got into a crawling position and scrambled through the hole. I followed suit, crawling behind him.
Once inside, a small chamber revealed itself. In the pond at the end of the chamber, I could see shadow-like shapes. I ran toward it.
"Ah!"
There really were fish in the pond, just as he said. And they were larger than the palm of my hand. There was a dark hole at the bottom of the pond, which seemed to be where the fish were coming from.
Stop complaining. If I starve to death, you guys are in trouble too.
Man, he grumbles even more than the Lesser Conversation Sword.
Anyway, if I could catch and grill these fish, surviving for a month wouldn't be a problem. Warmth, water, and food were all sorted.
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s remark, I looked down. I had been so focused on the pond that I hadn't noticed, but there were no poisonous insects on the floor. Instead, there were broken fragments scattered about.
'......Bone fragments?'
They looked like bone fragments no matter how I viewed them. I turned back to look at the man.
"Why are there bone fragments scattered—"
Shhh.
Before I could finish, the torch went out. Darkness swallowed everything. The faint, glowing embers barely illuminated the surroundings, making it impossible to see anything clearly.
Damn it. This was the biggest drawback of this place.
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, I heard the sound of someone running.
He was trying to escape in this situation? I drew the Lesser Conversation Sword and threw it toward where I remembered the exit to be.
Clang!
The sword bounced off the stone floor.
The Lesser Conversation Sword informed me. To think he’d use this opening to flee. Catching fish would have to wait; I had to go after him.
At that moment—
Splaaaaash!
The sound of overflowing water echoed from behind, and cold droplets drenched my back. The voice of the Namcheon Iron Sword thundered in my mind.
'A monster?'
I slowly turned my head. Along with the sound of dripping water, four purple glints appeared in the upper part of the chamber. They were glints I knew all too well.
'......Damn it.'
It was a Human-Faced Snake.
Now I understood. What the bone fragments were, and why the man had been so reluctant to enter.
'This is insane.'
How does it make sense to encounter a monster that people rarely see in a lifetime twice in one life?
As I focused my Mental Focus, the dot on the back of my hand glowed crimson. I drew the Blood Demon Sword from my waist.
I could tell just by the size of its eyes. Its eyes were a deeper shade of purple than the one I’d seen before. I did a quick calculation in my head. Should I dive through the hole immediately? Or should I risk my life in another fight with this thing?
'......If I don't make it through cleanly, I’m dead.'
The stone floor was too uneven to slide through. The conclusion was clear. I’d killed one before; there was no reason I couldn't kill another.
I gripped the hilt tightly. But then, something completely unexpected happened.
Slither!
The purple eyes of the Human-Faced Snake, which I assumed would lunge to devour me, slowly lowered. It was as if it were bowing its head.
'......What is this now?'
*
"This way. Hehehe."
The limping man led the way with a sly laugh. Two men followed behind him. In their hands, they held proper swords and sabers, not crude stone weapons. Even their clothes, though old and worn, were far cleaner than the rags the limping man wore.
"Is what you said true?" one of the men with a saber asked.
The limping man replied, "Of course. That monster snake just had a feast, so it won't show itself for a while."
At his words, the man with the sword smirked. "It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted fish."
"Tell me about it. Because of that damn monster snake, it’s been months since we’ve had any."
The limping man said to them, "Please put in a good word for me with Lord Paewoong. And the three bundles of tree roots you promised..."
"Hmph. Do you think Lord Paewoong would break a promise?"
"I understand. Hehe."
Soon, they reached the cave with the pond. Arriving at the opening, the man with the sword said to the limping man, "You go in first."
"Me?"
"I said, go in first."
"T-that’s..."
"Didn't you say it’d be fine since it just ate? Here! I’ll give you a torch, so don't be a coward."
The limping man cursed inwardly. That monster snake hated light. In the past, it would run away just from the sight of a torch, but now even that was dangerous. After molting three months ago, it seemed to have developed a resistance to light; now, it targeted the person holding the torch first.
"You didn't lie to us, did you?"
"......Of course not."
Ultimately, the man took the lead and crawled into the cave. As he shone the torch ahead, he saw nothing but the pond. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"It’s clear."
At his call, the two men outside crawled in as well. Once inside, they were so excited they let out cheers. In Bongnim Valley, fish was a luxury beyond price.
"Let's catch them and get out of here."
"Hehehe. How long has it been since we had fish?"
They hurried toward the pond. The limping man followed them with a bright face, hoping for a share.
Thud!
Suddenly, a sound came from behind. The three of them turned their heads. Someone was standing by the cave entrance with his arms crossed.
The limping man’s eyes widened.
"You... you? How?"
It was So Woon-hwi. He should have been eaten by the snake monster, yet here he was, perfectly fine.
The man with the sword spoke in disbelief. "He’s alive."
"You bastard, you lied to us!"
"N-no! I clearly saw the monster appear..."
It was then.
Splaaaaash!
The water in the pond surged upward as something massive revealed itself. It was a giant snake-like monster with sharp fangs and four glowing purple eyes.
"Hieeeek!"
The three men scrambled to run forward in terror, but the monster snake—no, the Human-Faced Snake—opened its maw wide and swallowed the swordsman holding the torch in a single gulp.
It happened in an instant.
"Gack!"
Crunch! Crunch!
"Aaaaaagh!"
Horrific sounds echoed from behind, but they didn't look back, charging toward So Woon-hwi to save their lives. So Woon-hwi leveled his sword and blocked their path.
The man with the saber screamed, "What are you doing! Do you want us all to die together?"
The limping man also begged piteously. "I-I didn't do it on purpose. I’ll pay you back once we’re out, so move! You’ll die too if you stay here!"
So Woon-hwi gave them a smirk.
"Why should I move?"
"Graaaah! You little brat!"
The man swung his saber recklessly at So Woon-hwi. He was using a saber technique, but without internal energy, the power was pathetic.
But So Woon-hwi was different.
Clang!
With a flash of his sword, he easily parried the man's saber. As the saber flew from his hand, the man couldn't hide his shock.
"I-internal energy?"
Slither!
Meanwhile, the sound of something heavy slithering came from behind them.
They turned their heads in unison.
Blood dripping from its maw, the Human-Faced Snake was closing in.
The two men froze like stone statues, rendered speechless. Yet, the creature simply loomed over them, staring down with a vacant gaze.
"Why...?" the limping man muttered, bewildered.
So Woon-hwi provided the answer.
"This fellow is surprisingly obedient to my words. It’s quite fascinating, really. Hey. Lower your head."
No sooner had he spoken than the Human-Faced Snake slithered forward and lowered its head.
Their eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. The monster had actually obeyed him.
It—it’s true!
The limping man scrambled to his knees before So Woon-hwi.
"P-please! Spare me! I’ll tell you everything I know, everything! Just please, let me live!"
So Woon-hwi’s voice was ice-cold.
"There’s one more person here besides you."
"!?"
The limping man’s face drained of all color. He opened his mouth to beg further, but So Woon-hwi spoke without a shred of hesitation.
"Eat him."
In an instant, the man’s world plunged into darkness.
Crunch!