Chapter 234: Battlefront (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 234: Battlefront (4)
“What the hell is wrong with this guy…?”
This was the first time I’d ever seen him, and yet the bastard faints the moment he lays eyes on me?
“Oy, what’s his deal?”
Gu Jeolyub answered my question cautiously.
“…He’s the martial artist I mentioned earlier. The one I found alone on the plains.”
I frowned in disbelief.
Another one? This was the third one just this month.
That brat Gu Jeolyub had gone out on a simple reconnaissance mission and came back with yet another straggler from the Murim Alliance. I was utterly speechless.
“If you’re going to keep picking things up, why not pick up some money instead of people?”
“…”
“The kid’s gotten even weirder ever since they gave him that title.”
What was it again? Sword of Heroic Flame? Flaming Hero’s Sword? Whatever. The point was, he’d been given a title.
It was supposed to mean he was some kind of hero who shot flames from his sword or something. What a ridiculous title. Just hearing it made me cringe.
And the crazy thing is, he actually likes it. What the fuck is wrong with him?
Judging by the stupid grin on his face, Gu Jeolyub seemed genuinely pleased with it.
He clearly didn’t grasp the weight of my words, because he actually talked back.
“…But I couldn’t just leave someone in danger.”
“Yeah, which is why I told you to think before you bring them here.”
“I wasn’t in a situation where I could—”
“If you weren’t in a situation to think, then you shouldn’t have brought him at all.”
“…”
Gu Jeolyub scowled, clearly unhappy with my response.
I could understand why. Saving someone in need is a noble deed. To anyone else, it would look like Gu Jeolyub had done a good thing.
“For fuck’s sake, hey. Have you already forgotten about the last time you accidentally brought a Murim Alliance spy back with you?”
But from my perspective, it wasn’t that simple.
“…”
“Hey.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“I told you, it’s good that you want to help people. But if you can’t take responsibility for the consequences, you need to learn to stay in your lane.”
Gu Jeolyub had a kind heart. He’d said it himself—he dreamed of becoming a hero who helped others.
But there’s a limit to how many times you can use that as an excuse.
“The problem is, you’re actually really weak. How many times do I have to tell you? If a real problem breaks out here because of this, you’ll die without being able to do a damn thing. You know that, right?”
“…Ugh.”
My words must have hit a nerve, because he flinched.
“If you found him on the plains, you could have just helped him and left him there. Why did you have to drag him all the way back here?”
“He… he was injured, so…”
“You brought him here because he was hurt? Did you expect us to heal him? People might actually think we have an apothecary tucked away in this camp.”
“That’s…”
“Weren’t you the same guy who got bitten by a Blue-Grade Snake Demon because you let your guard down during a hunt? You were bedridden for weeks. So who’s supposed to be worrying about whom right now? Huh?”
“…Ugh…”
It was fine that he dreamed of being a hero. I understood that ambition. But the core issue remained: he couldn’t clean up his own mess.
As Gu Jeolyub stood there faltering, I glanced at the man comfortably passed out on the ground.
A low-ranking swordsman from the Murim Alliance?
His clothes and general appearance suggested as much.
“Hmm…?”
But as I looked at his face, a flicker of recognition stirred in my mind. For some reason, it felt familiar.
“Who is he again?”
I couldn’t say I knew him well; my memory was a complete blur. If I had met him before, he clearly hadn’t been important enough to remember.
“What did you say this bastard’s name was?”
“Bi… Bi… I think it was Bi-something?”
“Hey, ‘Sword of Heroic Flame.’ You’re telling me you can’t even remember his name?”
“Ah…!”
“You’re doing a fantastic job. Do you have a death wish?”
My body felt stiff after dealing with that horde of demons, so I stretched. Gu Jeolyub flinched at my movement and took a step back.
“…Young Master, why are you stretching all of a sudden?”
“Judging by your face, you already know why, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t.”
Even as he said it, I noticed the subtle gathering of Qi in his legs.
Hehhh? Look at this fucker.
“You little shit.”
Was he thinking of running away?
Ah, you’ve grown up so much, my little Jeolyub.
Swoosh.
Before he could make a move, I wrapped myself in a layer of heat and stepped toward him. I matched my speed to his, ready to intercept his escape.
Grip.
But before I could, a cold hand gripped my wrist.
I turned to see Moyong Hi-ah, her sky-blue eyes fixed on me.
“…The food is getting cold, Young Master.”
I thought about shaking her off, but the chill seeping into my skin made me reconsider. Clicking my tongue, I turned back.
“I’ll be there as soon as I’ve cleaned up this mess. You go ahead.”
“How long will it take?”
“It won’t take long.”
Moyong Hi-ah nodded and walked back the way she came. Gu Jeolyub, finally reading the room, hurried after her.
“Hey.”
“Yes…?”
“You forgot to take that with you.”
Gu Jeolyub looked back, genuinely surprised, as if he’d forgotten. He picked up the Murim Alliance man and scurried after Moyong Hi-ah.
That idiot’s martial arts were improving, but his common sense seemed to be deteriorating.
“Did he get hit in the head or something…?”
Hmm…
“…”
Wait, had I hit him on the head too much?
I couldn’t exactly deny it, recalling how the past year with Gu Jeolyub had gone.
“…Let’s just finish this and go eat.”
After sending off Moyong Hi-ah, Gu Jeolyub, and the nameless guy, I turned to the pile of demon corpses behind me.
If I left them there, other demons—either lurking nearby or tearing through dimensions—would be drawn by the scent of blood. I had to clean it up.
Crack.
Cracking my knuckles, I prepared myself.
As I did, the once-clear sky seemed to instantly darken. The air grew heavy, thick with a darkness that obscured the Toxic Qi mingling within it.
Flinch-!
Activating my Demonic Absorption Art, I felt the Qi in my Dantian stir. The movement was clear and distinct, like a muscle stretching.
The world around me seemed to be enveloped in shadow.
It wasn’t that the sky had actually darkened. It was my perception that had shifted.
Staring at the towering mound of demon corpses, I whispered softly.
“It’s food. Eat.”
As if in response, a low growl echoed through the air.
[Grrrr…]
It was the sound of a beast’s hunger.
* * *
After finishing the cleanup and returning to my tent, I found several people had already gathered inside.
Muyeon, who had gone out earlier to stand guard; Gu Jeolyub, the one who brought the man; the current Vice Captain of the Fifth Army; and a few others were seated around a table.
“I thought we were eating first. Why is everyone gathered here?”
When I entered, they all stood and bowed respectfully. I quickly motioned for them to sit down. I never understood why they bothered with such formalities.
The Vice Captain stood to answer my question.
“We thought it would be proper to deal with the work matter first.”
“That?”
I pointed toward the man lying unconscious in the corner.
“What about him? Is there another problem?”
“…We’ve checked him over. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be the same situation as last time.”
Those words again. ‘The same as last time.’
Hearing them, Gu Jeolyub, who was crouching nearby, flinched and let out a few forced coughs. I couldn’t blame him; the memories were undoubtedly unpleasant.
“Where’s Sister?”
“The Captain went to inspect the gate.”
I nodded at the Vice Captain’s reply.
Another one must have opened.
It felt like the frequency of the Gates of Demons opening had increased lately. I was certain the numbers were noticeably higher than before.
“What should we do about him?” the Vice Captain asked.
I gave a slight nod. With Captain Gu Huibi absent, command fell to me.
How ironic.
“Why do you ask about every little thing? I told you to handle it as you see fit.”
“How could I? This order comes not from the Captain, but from the Lord of the clan himself… I wouldn’t dare make such a decision lightly.”
“Tsk…”
This was all because I’d stepped in to resolve the crisis the Fifth Army faced half a year ago. I’d only done it because it looked like they’d all be wiped out otherwise, but thanks to that, I’d been promoted to this troublesome position.
“…Send the usual signal to the Murim Alliance. Scout the area, and if it’s clear, just dump him outside the forest. They’ll take care of the rest.”
“And if they refuse to send people to the edge of the plains like last time?”
“They can sort it out among themselves. That’s beyond the scope of our concern.”
“Understood.”
“And ask that guy for the details.”
“Pardon?”
When I pointed my chin at the Bi-something guy, the Vice Captain looked at me strangely. He was probably wondering how to question a sleeping man.
He needn’t have worried.
“He woke up a while ago.”
True to my words, the bastard who’d been pretending to sleep flinched upon hearing me.
“…Ah… Ahhh, what a good sleep that was…”
Now that all eyes were on him, his attempt to sit up was almost laughable.
I can tell at a glance he’s a few bricks short of a load.
How did Jeolyub manage to find someone just like himself? Just watching him gave me a headache.
“Ha… Haha…! Nice to meet you all.”
After watching his awkward greeting, I sighed deeply and stood up.
“Anything else to report?”
“Ah… Regarding the Captain…”
“I was already planning to see her, so don’t worry about it.”
“Understood. Please get some rest.”
He seemed to want me to meet Gu Huibi after she returned. I wondered if it was really necessary for me to go fetch her, but it wasn’t like I hadn’t planned on it anyway.
I’m not necessarily going just to see Gu Huibi.
But it was close enough.
After telling them to handle the rest, I left the tent and headed elsewhere.
As I walked further, I began to see steam rising in the distance.
“Young Master.”
When I arrived, Hongwa hurried over to greet me.
“Why did you make so much?”
“…Uh, Lady Moyong… said the Young Master worked very hard today.”
So Moyong Hi-ah was behind this.
Even so, why prepare such a feast at lunchtime?
“It must have been a lot of work to make all this.”
“N-Not at all. Most of it was prepared by the Moyong Clan.”
“Again?”
I scoffed at Hongwa’s words. They should focus on feeding their own people. Why did they insist on providing for us as well?
Just as I was wondering, Moyong Hi-ah emerged from behind Hongwa.
“We prepare food for our clan anyway. It’s no trouble to make extra for yours. Please accept it kindly.”
“The problem is that this isn’t the first or second time you’ve done this.”
“You worked hard today.”
It wasn’t just today, but I let it slide. I was thankful that they lightened the load for our clan’s swordsmen and servants.
Still, one thing bothered me.
There’s no way she’s doing this without an ulterior motive.
Knowing Moyong Hi-ah, she wasn’t the type to act without expecting something in return.
On top of that, she played the part of the warm, gentle noble lady, and she made sure to be seen working hard despite her high status. Because of this, people in lower positions were starting to speak very highly of her.
…It all seems very intentional.
To me, it looked like she had plenty of reasons for her actions, but since the outcome was ultimately beneficial, I tried to let it be.
“Oh, right. We also prepared dumplings.”
“…Where?”
My eagerness must have been obvious, because Moyong Hi-ah giggled after seeing my reaction.
Over the past year, Moyong Hi-ah had started to smile more genuinely. It wasn’t that she never smiled before, but instead of the practiced, polite mask, she now often smiled naturally.
And honestly, it wasn’t a bad sight.
I found myself staring at her smiling face.
“Young Master Gu.”
“Yeah.”
“If it’s not too much trouble… Do you have some time after the meal?”
But then Moyong Hi-ah asked me in a strangely sweet tone, covering her mouth with her sleeve.
What… was with that sticky voice?
Regardless, since she’d asked, I answered after popping a dumpling into my mouth.
“I have to go meet someone later.”
“Huh?”
“It seems my sister is on duty today.”
She didn’t seem to like my answer. Moyong Hi-ah’s expression grew noticeably colder.
“…Young Master Gu.”
Her voice, too, had dropped to the icy tone I remembered from when we first met.
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to meet the Sword Phoenix? Or are you going to pick up the Sword Dancer?”
“Why ask such an obvious question?”
It was so obvious that answering felt ridiculous.
“What reason would I have to go greet the number one maniac of my own household? It’s obvious—Hey, where are you going?”
“He seriously can’t read the mood. That idiot.”
“Hey! At least leave the dumplings!”
“Go get them yourself!”
Moyong Hi-ah vanished in a huff, taking the entire plate of dumplings with her.
…I hadn’t finished eating them yet…
With a desolate expression, I watched the dumplings disappear, swallowing the last one I held in my hand.
Since it was the final bite, the disappointment cut deep.