Chapter 25: The Monster in the Cave (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25: The Monster in the Cave (1)
I was so startled that I forgot to even offer my thanks.
The appearance of the monster before my eyes was so gruesome it defied description. His face, gaunt to the point of resembling a skull, was so pale from a lack of sunlight that his veins were clearly visible.
Furthermore, he didn't have a single strand of hair—not even eyebrows.
-…Song Woo-hyeon wouldn't even be a match for this guy.
Even the Lesser Conversation Sword clicked its tongue at the man’s appearance. It was a face that would strike awe and terror into anyone. When such a man bared his yellow teeth and smirked at me, a chill ran down my spine.
‘Ah?’
But there was something even more shocking.
I hadn't noticed because of his face, but the man had no legs. He was even missing his right arm up to the elbow. Did that mean he had pulled me up with a single left arm in such a crippled state?
“Kekeke.”
The man let out a peculiar laugh. His raspy voice sounded like metal scraping against metal. Having vomited up the valley water and feeling much better, I hurriedly offered my greetings.
“Thank you for saving me, Elder.”
With his forehead and cheeks covered in deep wrinkles, he looked to be at least sixty. He seemed to be around the same age as Hae Ak-cheon.
Just then, the man raised the hand he had placed on my shoulder.
-Look at those fingernails.
The Lesser Conversation Sword made a fuss. The nails on the man’s lone left hand were incredibly long, like weapons. It looked as if he had grown them out and sharpened them to a point.
Swish!
For a moment, I tried to dodge, fearing I might be stabbed, but the man opened his palm and stroked my cheek. Then, he smiled brightly and spoke.
“You’ve got some nice meat on your bones.”
‘!?’
What did this man just say?
As I stood there bewildered, the Namcheon Iron Sword spoke in a heavy voice.
-Woon-hwi. Don’t be alarmed, but look down.
At those words, I cautiously lowered my gaze. The moment I saw it, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
The cave floor was littered with countless bone fragments. No matter how I looked at them, they were human bones. I saw fish skeletons scattered among them, but they didn't even register in my mind.
-We need to get out of here. This place is dangerous.
-Are you about to get eaten?
I shared their sentiment. No matter how much I wanted to think the best of the situation, the circumstances suggested this man was a cannibal. There was no other reason for bones to be dismantled so haphazardly.
The man looked at me and licked his lips.
“You look delicious.”
Damn it. My ominous intuition was right. Thinking I might be eaten at any moment, I desperately swung my sword at the man. It was a relief that I was already holding the Namcheon Iron Sword.
Clang!
In that moment, I couldn't hide my astonishment. It was practically a surprise attack, yet the man had caught the Namcheon Iron Sword with his bare hand. And this wasn't just any strike; it was backed by the 9th-star internal power of my Middle Dantian.
“Kekeke.”
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
The man used a unique technique to strike my wrist and snatched the Namcheon Iron Sword away. Then, he hurled the sword toward the cave wall.
-Oh no!
Thud!
The blade of the Namcheon Iron Sword sank halfway into the stone wall. It was incredible internal power. But he wasn't finished. The man grabbed my wrist and tried to snap it.
‘Kh!’
In desperation, I aimed for the man’s neck with the Lesser Conversation Sword I held in my left hand. The man slightly tilted his head back to dodge the dagger, then suddenly pulled something with his right stump.
Snap!
In an instant, my left arm, which held the Lesser Conversation Sword, was yanked forward.
“Wh-what?”
There was something wrapped around my wrist. I hadn't noticed it earlier in the chaos, but it was an incredibly fine thread.
-Woon-hwi, cut it!
At the Lesser Conversation Sword’s shout, I twisted my wrist slightly, trying to slice the thread.
Ping!
‘What?’
The thread wouldn't cut. Even though I lacked swinging room, I had infused it with internal power, yet the dagger was repelled instead. How could such a thin thread have this kind of elasticity?
“Kekeke.”
Grab!
The man lunged and gripped my throat. Then, he yanked me toward him. I tried to resist, but the man’s internal power far exceeded mine.
“Gah!”
Having pulled me close, the man opened his mouth wide. Then, he sank his teeth into my left shoulder.
Crunch!
“Aaaaaagh!”
As his teeth tore into my flesh, my entire body seemed to freeze. Terrified that I was about to be eaten alive, I flicked the Lesser Conversation Sword into the air and tried to snatch it with my right hand to strike while he was distracted.
However, this monster’s reaction speed was like that of a ghost. He let go of my shoulder to dodge the strike, then immediately grabbed and twisted my right hand holding the dagger.
Crack!
“Aaaagh!”
My wrist was completely snapped. Looking at the way it bulged, it was definitely broken.
“Don’t resist, little meat.”
The skeletal man gave a chilling smile. Dammit, was I really going to die as human meat to some monster I’d never even heard of? The man opened his mouth again, preparing to tear into me.
It was then.
-…Woon-hwi!
A faint voice reached my ears. It pierced through even the roar of the valley water echoing through the cave.
-It’s the crazy old man!
The Lesser Conversation Sword recognized the owner of the voice.
-…You damn disciple!
Successive shouts echoed from outside. Without a second thought, I tried to scream to reveal my location.
“Ma—”
Thwack!
The man struck me across the head. I knew I shouldn't lose consciousness, but my vision was already fading to black.
-Woon-hwi! Woon-hwi!
-Hey! Wake up! Wake up!
Noisy voices echoed in my head. They were the voices of the Namcheon Iron Sword and the Lesser Conversation Sword. Had I been unconscious this whole time?
-You’re awake!
As I tried to open my eyes, the Lesser Conversation Sword shouted urgently.
-Don’t open them! Keep them closed!
At its words, I stopped myself. I didn't know why it wanted me to keep my eyes shut.
‘Ah!’
I suddenly remembered my master, Hae Ak-cheon. I should have let him know I was alive, but I had been knocked out by the monster. The spot where he hit me throbbed. Feeling something sticky on my head, it seemed I had bled.
That damn bastard. My broken wrist hurt like hell, too.
-We have to wait for the monster to lower his guard. Stay still.
‘…Understood.’
For now, I had to follow the Lesser Conversation Sword’s advice. Because of the sound of the rapids echoing through the cave, I couldn't tell where the monster was. Why on earth was a monstrous person like this in a place like this?
‘What happened?’
-After you passed out, that monster started acting strange.
‘Strange how?’
-He dragged you deeper into the cave, and now he’s crouching in the corner, holding his breath and trembling as if he’s terrified.
‘Even now?’
-Yeah. He’s still in the corner.
‘Why is he doing that?’
I couldn't understand it. Was he afraid the cave’s location would be discovered? There was no other reason to hide. But why would someone so freakishly strong be trembling in fear, even if his body was broken?
-I don’t know. He’s been like that for half a day.
Had half a day already passed? That explained why it was so dark even with my eyes closed. Even through closed eyelids, one can tell if it’s light or dark outside.
‘What about the old man?’
That was what mattered. I hoped he was still looking for me.
-…Don’t be disappointed. We heard periodic shouting nearby for nearly four hours, but it stopped after that.
The Namcheon Iron Sword’s words made my heart sink. In the end, I had to get through this situation on my own. If I hadn't already experienced far more desperate situations and even death itself, I wouldn't have been able to remain calm.
Let’s assess the situation. The monster only has his left arm, but he is a peerless master. It’s hard to judge accurately, but if his body were whole, he might be a monster on par with Hae Ak-cheon. However, looking at the situation, his mind seemed unstable. His speech was slurred, and the way he hid and trembled just because of some shouting outside suggested he wasn't sane.
-The monster will definitely try to eat you.
-Wait for that moment.
The swords were thinking the same thing as me. For now, that was the only way. The tough thread the monster had tied was still wrapped around my left wrist.
‘Phew.’
Calm down. I cautiously regulated my Innate True Qi. I tried to check if the monster had sealed my pressure points, but surprisingly, he hadn't. Why did he only knock me out? For a master of this level, it would have been safer to seal my pressure points just in case. Whatever the reason, it was a stroke of luck.
‘One strike.’
I had to take him down in a single blow. To do that, I had to aim for a vital point. The most effective ones would be the Spirit Command Point, the Qi Gate Point, the Gate of Life Point, or the Jemun Point. I would have to choose based on how he approached.
-Wait. I’ll let you know the moment he moves.
And so, the agonizing wait began. Fifteen minutes, thirty, forty-five, an hour, two hours…
Staying still while tense made my entire body feel stiff. Then, it happened.
-He’s moving!
The Lesser Conversation Sword alerted me. Since he had no legs, I heard a dragging sound as he crawled forward, feeling his way with one hand. He was getting closer. My heart hammered against my ribs. If I missed this one chance, I would become human meat.
-He’s almost there.
As he drew closer, I could feel his presence clearly.
Thump!
He scrambled up and crawled onto my chest. Perhaps because he was so gaunt and missing limbs, he wasn't that heavy. However…
“Meat… meat…”
Goosebumps erupted all over my body. This was the most chilling experience I’d had in both my past and present lives. In the darkness, the man’s breathing was vivid.
“Haa… haa…”
-He opened his mouth. He’s going to bite.
The Lesser Conversation Sword shouted. Not yet. If I struck now, he might realize it.
Chomp!
His teeth sank into the area above my right collarbone. It was painful, but I channeled my Innate True Qi to its limit and aimed for his right ribs. The man sensed it like a ghost and caught my right hand.
‘Kh.’
My broken wrist screamed in pain. But this was a feint. The moment he grabbed my right hand, I curled my left hand as if I’d been waiting and struck the Spirit Command Point at the center of his crown with all my might.
Crack!
“Aaaaaaaaaagh!”
The monster screamed insanely and thrashed about. Dammit, what happened? I had hit the vital point accurately, yet he didn't die.
“Krrrk-ga-ga!”
Screaming, the monster pushed me away with one hand and flung himself back, then rolled around near the cave entrance, clutching his head. Now was the chance.
‘Where is it?’
-Over here.
The Namcheon Iron Sword signaled its location. I threw myself forward and quickly pulled the Namcheon Iron Sword from the wall. Then, I swung the sword down at the monster in one go.
In that moment…
Clang!
‘Dammit!’
The monster suddenly moved his right elbow, shifting his balance to the side, and the sword missed. Thinking this wouldn't do, I gathered internal power in my foot to kick him in the face. But the monster caught it with his left hand.
Grab!
Then, he violently shoved my foot away. My body flew up and slammed into the cave ceiling.
Thud!
“Cough.”
I hit the ceiling and fell to the floor, and that’s when the monster climbed onto my back. He gripped the back of my neck. Dammit, was it going to end in failure like this?
Then, the monster’s voice reached my ears.
“What are you? How did you learn Innate True Qi?”
‘!?’
His speech wasn't slurred like before. He was speaking quite clearly. But how did this man know I had learned Innate True Qi? Innate True Qi wasn't an energy that could be sensed through normal internal energy.
Squeeze!
“Guh.”
The monster gripped the back of my neck even tighter.
“Tell me this instant… wait? That sword… isn't that the Namcheon Iron Sword?”
What? Who on earth was this man? He even recognized the Namcheon Iron Sword despite its rusted state. If it were someone the sword knew, it would have said something, but it remained silent as if it didn't know him either.
Still, this might be a chance to survive. If he was someone I could talk to, perhaps we could communicate now that he seemed sane.
“I… I am the successor of the Namcheon Sword Guest.”
“What? You’re that fellow’s successor?”
‘That fellow?’
Was he an enemy of the Namcheon Sword Guest? If so, even if he was sane, I was still in the lion's den. Was this the end?
Then, I heard a sobbing sound from behind me.
“Sniff.”
What? Was this man actually crying?
-Uh… he’s crying.
The Lesser Conversation Sword spoke as if it couldn't make heads or tails of it. I thought he was an enemy, so I couldn't understand why he was weeping. Overcome with emotion, the monster continued to sob and hiccup.
This was driving me crazy. How long did I have to stay like this with my neck in his grip? After sobbing for a long time, the monster seemed to compose himself and finally spoke.
“Truly bizarre. How bizarre.”
“Senior… I… don’t know… what you are talking about.”
“I suppose this, too, is fate.”
Release.
The monster let go of my neck. Then, he climbed off my back. He no longer seemed to have any intention of harming me. Without lowering my guard, I cautiously pushed myself up.
Despite having no legs, the monster sat neatly as if in a meditative posture and looked at me. If he had been a madman before he regained his senses, he now looked like a grandmaster. I became curious about his identity.
“…Senior. If it isn't a discourtesy, may I ask for your name?”
At my question, the monster sighed and answered.
“I am Han Ji-sang.”
‘Han Ji-sang?’
The name sounded familiar, yet I couldn't quite place it. Who was he? As I wondered, the Namcheon Iron Sword spoke in a shocked voice.
-No way! How is that guy still alive?
‘What do you mean? Do you know him?’
Just a moment ago, it had spoken as if it didn't know him at all, but its reaction now was intense. The Namcheon Iron Sword spoke to me as if gritting its teeth.
-He is the Dagger-Killing King.
‘…The Dagger-Killing King? The Dagger-Killing King!’
I couldn't hide my shock. This gaunt monster before my eyes was the Dagger-Killing King?
-Why are you so surprised? Is he that big of a deal?
The Lesser Conversation Sword asked, seemingly ignorant of the name. This fellow claimed its previous owner was a martial artist, yet it knew nothing about the people of the martial world.
The Dagger-Killing King. He was a man called the King of Assassins.
-He sounds like someone important. Is he really that great?
That was an understatement. From what I knew, he was a legendary assassin who was said to have transcended the capabilities of a mere killer.
-Transcended the capabilities of an assassin?
He wasn't an ordinary assassin. His martial arts were known to be extraordinary, but the incident that made him famous was, ironically, his only failed assassination. He had boldly targeted Ardent King Hegemon Jin-gyun, one of the Eight Great Masters of the Central Plains.
The Eight Great Masters weren't called superhumans for nothing. Naturally, the assassination failed. However, the Dagger-Killing King was the only assassin to ever survive after exchanging over a dozen moves with Ardent King Hegemon Jin-gyun. That anecdote was what spread his fame as the King of Assassins.
-Woon-hwi. This guy… is a cowardly man who only aims for people’s backs. You must never trust him.
The Namcheon Iron Sword warned me in a voice seething with rage. What could have happened for it to react this way? As I wondered, something unexpected happened.
Thud!
Suddenly, Han Ji-sang, the Dagger-Killing King, prostrated himself before me with his broken body. Then, he spoke to me in a voice filled with resolve.
“Successor of the Namcheon Sword Guest. Please, allow me to repay my debt.”
I had no idea why he was saying this. Perhaps because of the Namcheon Iron Sword’s warning, I couldn't let my guard down. Even if he looked like this, wasn't he the man called the King of Assassins?
“Senior. I have no idea what you are talking about. If you could tell me the circumstances…”
“I do not have much time left. First, let me repay the debt.”
“What?”
In that moment, Han Ji-sang pulled his elbow back. My body was forcibly pulled into a kneeling position by the thin silver thread wrapped around my wrist. Startled, I tried to scramble away from him.
But…
Grab!
Before I knew it, Han Ji-sang’s hand was gripping the crown of my head.
‘!?’
It was the exact spot of the Spirit Command Point I had targeted when he was insane. Was he doing this for revenge?
“Kh!”
I tried to circulate my Innate True Qi to shake off his hand.
“Even if you refuse, I must repay this debt.”
Press!
Strength flowed into his palm.
“Argh!”
In that instant, a hot energy flowed from Han Ji-sang’s hand, through my Spirit Command Point, and into my body. But this energy wasn't normal internal energy.
‘…This is?’
It was Innate True Qi. Surprisingly, Han Ji-sang was able to utilize Innate True Qi. As I marveled at this, Han Ji-sang spoke to me.
"The Spirit Command Point is also known as the Hundred Convergences Point. It is the best point for receiving Innate True Qi. Concentrate."