Chapter 7: Six Blood Valley (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: Six Blood Valley (2)
I ended up being totally humiliated thanks to a sudden fart.
The Lesser Conversation Sword teased me, saying it was a great distraction from the boredom, but I was beyond frustrated.
However, that embarrassment was short-lived.
‘This is strange.’
-What’s strange? The fart? Pwahahahaha!
‘Sigh... Not that.’
-Then what?
‘The pain has completely stopped.’
-That’s good. I was actually pretty worried.
‘...You were?’
-Of course. We’re a community bound by fate.
‘Don’t make me laugh. I’d sooner trust a passing flea. Anyway, it’s not just that. The feeling is different.’
-What kind of feeling?
‘How should I put it? There’s no sense of a foreign object inside me. If anything, I feel refreshed.’
In my past life, it wasn't like this.
After receiving the Blood Parasite, there was a distinct, uncomfortable sensation. Since a bug about the size of a finger joint was wriggling around inside your body, that repulsive feeling was hard to get used to at first.
“Ugh...”
I could tell just by looking at the others who had returned to their spots after consuming the parasite.
The twins, Song Jwa-baek and Song Woo-hyeon, were clutching their chests with grimaces on their faces, looking as if they had chewed on filth.
-So you’re saying you’re not like them? Is it because you’ve already adapted to it?
‘Not at all.’
There was no way to "adapt" to something like that.
Strangely, putting adaptation aside, I was puzzled by how refreshed my body felt, as if my vitality was surging.
‘Could it be...’
Had something gone wrong with the Blood Parasite inside me?
Actually, there was a simple way to solve this mystery.
-What is it?
‘I just need to lightly stimulate the Blood Parasite with my internal energy.’
-If you do that, you’ll know—
It happened right then.
“Ack, gegh, gegh!”
Song Jwa-baek, who was right next to me, began to convulse, foaming at the mouth before collapsing.
A startled Song Woo-hyeon grabbed his brother, panicking.
“Brother! Brother!”
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘...Tsk, tsk. That’s exactly what happens.’
If you clumsily try to do something to the Blood Parasite with internal energy, the bug goes wild. The resulting pain is enough to make you lose consciousness.
Unless one was a master of internal arts with profound internal energy, attempting to interfere with or suppress the Blood Parasite was a shortcut to an early grave.
Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung of the Raging Blood Unit spoke up from the platform, as if the timing were perfect.
“Do you see? This is what happens when you try any foolish tricks with the Blood Parasite. Do you understand?”
“Loyalty!”
Hearing my shout, the other boys and girls quickly followed suit.
“Loyalty!!!”
One corner of Gu Sang-ung’s mouth curled up at the sight.
It was likely because I was serving as a model example, setting the atmosphere on my own. My goal wasn't exactly to help the others, but by stepping forward first, I could reduce casualties and elevate my own standing.
-What? Is your goal to get on their good side?
‘Exactly.’
In this life, I had no intention of becoming a third-rate spy. I planned to climb to the top and properly pay back those who had toyed with me. To do that, I had to prove that I wasn't a disposable pawn, but a winning card worth using.
Once everyone had finished consuming the Blood Parasite, Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung took a nail-sized restoration pill from a small gourd bottle and spoke.
“Do you see this?”
It was a Life Preservation Pill.
“This is called a Life Preservation Pill. If you do not consume one of these every twelve watches, you will die.”
The faces of the children darkened at his words.
The Blood Cult, having been defeated by the Martial Alliance, had only one way to maintain its existence until now: forcibly increasing its membership. The most effective tool for that was the Blood Parasite.
If twenty-four hours passed without the pill, the Blood Parasite would go berserk and devour the host’s heart.
“The gourd bottles we are about to distribute contain four pills each. I believe you can guess the outcome if the supply of Life Preservation Pills is not maintained on time.”
Gu Sang-ung’s gaze shifted toward the corpses covered in straw mats in front of the platform. Despair clouded the eyes of the youths.
Control through fear was the most quintessential Blood Cult method.
“Well, as long as your loyalty to the Cult is proven, the supply will be provided on time. Furthermore, our Cult strictly values ability.”
He pointed toward the Great Leaders standing before the platform.
“Do you see the belts around the waists of these Great Leaders?”
The Great Leaders, who were advanced warriors, wore blue belts.
“That belt signifies an advanced warrior of the Cult. Once you are recognized for your ability and merit and become an advanced warrior, the Blood Parasite in your body will be removed.”
The expressions of the children turned peculiar. He had presented them with a way to escape the pressure of the Blood Parasite.
It was a carrot of sorts.
An organization cannot be run on the whip alone. By planting a glimmer of hope like that, they induced the recruits to become thorough members of the Blood Cult.
“Gain recognition and climb higher. Then, you shall be rewarded.”
He was feeding them hollow hope. In the end, both I and these children were no different from the monkeys in the proverb of 'three in the morning and four in the evening.'
Clap!
Gu Sang-ung performed a fist-and-palm salute toward everyone and spoke.
“I sincerely welcome your entry into the Blood Cult. As of today, you have become training disciples of this Cult.”
As soon as he finished speaking, I shouted.
“Blood Tax! Blood Tax! Blood, Blood Tax!”
The children, who had been watching for cues, followed along.
“Blood Tax! Blood Tax! Blood, Blood Tax!”
Because I had set the example, the Great Leaders didn't need to step forward and explain the Cult’s etiquette of loyalty. They looked satisfied, as if their jobs had been made easier.
Well, everyone except for one person.
Great Leader Oh was someone who would be displeased no matter what I did.
“We will now begin the rank assignment for the training disciples. Great Leaders, prepare yourselves.”
“Loyalty!”
Upon the Unit Leader’s command, the Great Leaders headed behind the platform.
Behind the platform were the entrances to caves leading into the mountain cliffs. There were three entrances in total. Three of the Great Leaders entered one each, while Great Leader Oh and the female Great Leader remained in front.
Creeeeeak!
The cultists cleared the platform and guided the training disciples toward the cave entrances. As they approached, the Unit Leader standing before the caves showed a wooden identity token from his robe and spoke.
“We will verify your natural talent. You had better do your best to receive a good rank.”
The wooden tokens in the Unit Leader’s hand were engraved with 'High' (上), 'Middle' (中), and 'Low' (下).
In my past life, the token I received was 'Low.' It was the worst possible grade.
-Why is it the worst?
‘If you get that, you’re forced to start as a low-rank warrior.’
And not just any low-rank warrior—you’re used as a disposable pawn by the Blood Cult whenever they need one. You had to receive at least a 'Middle' token to have any hope of rising.
-But will you be okay? They said they’re checking talent, but your dantian is destroyed.
The Lesser Conversation Sword showed concern for once. It seemed he really did worry, considering he called us a community bound by fate.
“I will be waiting on the other side. I hope you receive good tokens.”
With those final words, Unit Leader Gu Sang-ung entered the cave. The two Great Leaders followed him in.
However, as Great Leader Oh entered the cave, he glanced back and gave me an inscrutable smile.
‘He’s up to something.’
It seemed he had prepared some kind of trick.
Once the Great Leaders had entered, the mid-level warriors of the Blood Cult took control of the training disciples. The clothes the disciples wore had markings on them—the rank markings left on them when they were kidnapped.
My clothes had a marking too. It said 'Middle' rank, meaning I had to enter the middle cave.
As I, who had been in the front row, stood up to enter the cave first, a mid-level warrior blocked me.
“You are last.”
“Pardon?”
I had intentionally rushed to the front, yet I was told I was last. It seemed Great Leader Oh had indeed pulled some strings.
-That Great Leader Oh guy is really being a pain.
‘...I agree.’
I expected him to be a variable, but he moved quite fast. Thanks to him, I was forced to watch every other training disciple enter before me.
When it was Song Jwa-baek’s turn, he spoke to me with a voice full of determination.
“Hmph! Since it’s come to this, I’m going to become an advanced warrior. I’ll get there before you!”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“Hey. It’s not your turn yet. Sit down.”
“Oh, right.”
Song Jwa-baek, having sat his younger brother Song Woo-hyeon back down when he naturally tried to follow, snorted and marched bravely into the cave. He was burning with unnecessary enthusiasm, as if I were some kind of arch-rival.
‘I’m jealous.’
-Why? Because he’ll get a 'High' rank?
‘Yeah. It’s a certainty.’
They might look foolish on the outside, but their talent was exceptional. If it weren't, there was no way they would have become the notorious Black-White Twin Ghosts. I recalled that they were called Unit Leaders back then.
It took nearly an hour for all the training disciples to enter the caves. Finally, it was my turn.
“Wait a moment.”
But they didn't let me in immediately. After making me wait for a short while, the mid-level warrior finally told me to enter the cave. I would soon find out what they had prepared.
Step, step!
Inside the cave, illuminated by torches, there was a hollow chamber. A Great Leader would be stationed inside that chamber to assess the disciples' talent. The Great Leader who had entered the middle cave earlier was a man named Hae-gyeom, who had a relatively generous personality compared to the others.
‘Wait!?’
However, a completely unexpected person was waiting in the chamber.
This man, who looked to be in his mid-to-late thirties with a mustache and an eyepatch over one eye, was none other than Blood Wolf Great Leader No Seong-gu.
‘Ah... So this is what they prepared.’
No wonder Great Leader Oh had looked so triumphant. Seeing No Seong-gu looking much younger than he did in my past life didn't bring me any joy; instead, I was struck with bewilderment.
It happened at that exact moment.
Flash!
Blood Wolf Great Leader No Seong-gu moved like lightning, his hand shooting out to grip my throat.
“Ack!”
I didn't even have time to dodge. I couldn't believe a human could be this fast.
-Hey! Can you handle this alone? Pull me out, quick!
The Lesser Conversation Sword shouted for me to draw him from my robe. But even if I did, I was no match for this man. As an advanced warrior, he was a first-rate master. Even if the sword helped me, it was impossible for my body to keep up with this man’s movements.
Thud!
No Seong-gu kicked my legs out from under me. Naturally, I had no choice but to fall.
Crash!
“Urgh!”
It felt like my back was going to break.
Shring!
Then, No Seong-gu drew his saber and pointed it at my throat. He spoke in a voice laced with fury.
“You said your maternal grandfather served under my father?”
“...That is correct.”
Slice!
As soon as I finished speaking, No Seong-gu’s blade bit slightly into my neck.
“Whoa! W-what are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?”
As I panicked, No Seong-gu snorted in disbelief.
“Ha! You must be suicidal. Do you think I, a Great Leader who was trained by the Blood Wolf Unit, wouldn't remember the name of even a single warrior who served under my father?”
‘!!!’
I was momentarily speechless. I had been found out far too quickly.
Press!
“Argh!”
No Seong-gu pressed the blade down further and demanded, “Who the hell are you?”
He looked ready to kill me on the spot if I didn't reveal the truth. My heart pounded like crazy.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Where did this courage come from? Was it a surge of stubbornness because I had already died once?
Grip!
I roughly grabbed the blade of No Seong-gu’s saber. Without caring that the edge was cutting into my fingers, I spoke to him.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“What?”
At my sudden words, one of No Seong-gu’s eyebrows shot up.