Chapter 615: Biwegun (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 615: Biwegun (7)
It’s a memory that surfaces every now and then—rarely, but vividly.
Back when I had just turned twenty.
Yes, the same age I am now.
A memory from the days when I was merely surviving, just barely breathing, inside the Demon Realm.
"I told you, didn't I? You're too slow to keep up."
That bastard looked down at me as I gasped for breath and spat those words.
Damn it.
"Hah… I have to be able to… hah… haaah… actually follow you, you crazy bastard."
I could barely speak. That was how utterly exhausted I was.
Watching me struggle, Woo Hyuk laughed.
"You just died three times at my hands."
Once, when my throat was slit in the first exchange.
Twice, when I fell for a feint in the third.
And the last time, when I failed a reckless charge.
It meant that every single thing I had tried had failed.
"Just kill me in one go. Why drag it out three times? Dammit."
"I told you to try thinking before you fight."
"I did, you son of a bitch."
"Don't you remember almost getting eaten alive last time because you charged in just like that?"
Remember? Bullshit. I remembered it all too clearly.
The Young Sword Saint and Woo Hyuk had saved me just as I was about to be chewed to pieces.
"…It was so fucking embarrassing. Why didn't you just let me die back there?"
As I spat out the lament, Woo Hyuk suddenly flicked me on the forehead.
Thwack!
My head reeled from the slightly-too-strong blow.
"You crazy…!"
"A life isn't something you throw away so carelessly."
I was about to flare up, but Woo Hyuk's words made me stop with a frown. His eyes were unnecessarily serious.
"I keep telling you, you need to fix this habit of giving up just because something doesn't work."
I didn't understand him. If your means and methods don't work, isn't charging in headfirst the only option left?
Besides…
My life isn't precious.
Why would I cherish a life like this? Countless lives that seemed far more precious than mine had been extinguished in this land. And my own life wasn't righteous enough to be considered precious.
To me, his words were incomprehensible. Perhaps that feeling showed on my face.
Woo Hyuk looked at me and sighed.
"You need to calm your temper."
"This is me living with it calmed."
I said it with all my heart, but Woo Hyuk's expression instantly soured. Look at this bastard…?
"See? You were about to get angry just now."
"That's because you're making a shitty face."
"A person can make a shitty face sometimes. Does that mean you have to get angry right away?"
"If I hold it in, I'll die of frustration."
"Your very existence is like a walking frustration, so it should be fine… Sorry. Put your hand down. I apologized within three seconds."
I gritted my teeth and held back. It wasn't like he'd let me hit him, and if I attacked recklessly, I'd be the one getting beaten up.
"Please, no matter what happens, just endure it three times. If you do, you'll be able to live."
Endure it three times when I could barely endure it once. At the time, it sounded like pure madness. In fact, even after hearing those words, I rarely ever held back. Not even on the day that Woo Hyuk, the one who said them, died.
Now, I try to live by those words.
But sometimes, a question follows.
Telling me to cherish life, that a life isn't something to be thrown away carelessly… those words.
At the very least…
I didn't think they were for Woo Hyuk to say.
I knew because I, too, had lived while giving up on life. The eyes of the Woo Hyuk who advised me to live were themselves dead. And the one who lived by throwing his life on the line, just as much as I did, was Woo Hyuk.
The only difference was this:
I just threw my life away recklessly. That bastard simply burned his own body to save others.
My life isn't precious. So, I'll live as I please and die. That was me.
My life isn't precious. Therefore, I'll use it to save others. That was Woo Hyuk.
We seemed similar in many ways. But in many ways, we were different.
That's why I wonder. I, who was like a worm, may have lived that way, but you? You, who lived under the protection of Wudang and the focus of the entire world?
How did you come to have such empty eyes?
And also…
Why do you feel a kinship with me?
What was the reason you extended a hand to a nobody like me and treated me as a friend?
These were things I could never know, because the man was dead. And so, what I've come to feel while living in the present is this:
In the end, you were right.
I was wrong. Woo Hyuk was right.
Cherish your life. You must not throw your life away carelessly.
This probably wasn't what he was trying to say, but I could now see that my life had its own value.
Although it was…
Thud!
Not a life for myself.
Swoosh!
The Taoist Qi of the Wudang Sect.
Its uniquely clear and pure energy mixed into the flow, adding to its strength. The defense of Wudang is not about being unbreakable; it's about calmly letting any attack flow past. It is a movement that is both leisurely and swift.
Stomp!
And yet, the foot that stomped on the snow was heavy with weight.
The sword flows. That would be the most fitting description. It is distinct. And beautiful. Far more so than the sword of the elder I faced at Wudang, at least. Because it discards idle thoughts, becomes thoughtless, and simply flows.
Woo Hyuk's sword contained the true will of Wudang.
Splurt!
The tip of the sword grazed my cheek. Blood splattered. Feeling it, I smiled.
This crazy bastard.
This one and that one. It's only been a few years, yet they're all turning into monsters.
Woo Hyuk had already surpassed the wall. He was at the Peak Realm when I first met him. By the time we parted, he was at the Perfected Peak Realm. Now, he was on the verge of the Fusion Realm. He hadn't fully crossed over yet, but it wouldn't take him long.
This is ridiculous.
I felt a sense of futility. I'm sure he wasn't this fast in my past life. Tang Soyeol, Yung Pung—all of them. For some reason, the growth rate of the young prodigies felt like it was on a completely different level.
And here I am, barely hanging on after devouring every fortunate encounter I can find.
I have no idea where they keep getting these enlightenments from.
Fwoosh!
I changed my footwork, taking half a step back. In that instant, the sword grazed the tip of my neck. By the time I looked, the sword was already gone. He had withdrawn it as soon as it failed to connect.
Woooong!
Heat rose in my eyes, and my heart began to beat faster. I opened my Mind’s Eye.
Fwhoooosh!
Countless lines of death emanated from Woo Hyuk's body. At the same time, stars poured from the tip of his flowing sword. The stars were the traces left by the blade. They were so numerous that they resembled the night sky.
He's gotten stronger. I realized it as I watched him.
However, fortunately, I was still stronger.
Blazing Wheel.
FWOOOOOSH—!!
The blue flames erupting from my body quickly enveloped the surroundings. The blaze swirled, swallowing everything in its path.
"…!"
Seeing this, Woo Hyuk flinched and widened the distance. His eyes were trying to gauge the range of the flames. Watching him, I altered the movement of my energy.
You know, when you’re at war…
There are times when you have to face countless enemies. At times like that, my ability could be used as an enormous advantage. And when you spend your days spewing out countless flames to burn people…
Modification.
There were times I modified my martial arts to my own liking. That is the power I have now.
Blazing Wheel Transformation.
Whoooooosh—!!
The massive ring of fire flowing around my body gradually changed shape into tens, then hundreds of smaller pieces. The torn and shredded fireballs gradually took on a sharper form.
They finished their transformation, taking on the appearance of arrowheads.
Woo Hyuk's eyes widened as he saw this. It was a vast amount of fire, enough to obscure his vision. I looked at him and lowered my fingertips.
Instantly.
KUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAA---!!!
The countless fireballs floating in the sky rained down on Woo Hyuk.
KABOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM---!!
A tremendous explosion erupted across the snowy field. As the flames burst, energy scattered in all directions. With each blast, my heart pounded harder.
Tsk…
I'm low on energy. My internal energy, which had been depleted before, hadn't fully recovered. That was the reason.
Chwaaaak!
The reason Woo Hyuk could hold out like this.
Shiiiik---!!
CHWAAAAAAAAAAAAK---!!!
A sword of incredible speed. Countless streams of Combat Qi were blocking all the flames. He slashed and slashed again through the air. The traces left behind formed what looked like a circular barrier.
KWAGAGAGANG--!!
As if determined not to miss a single one, he struck down all the flames. It was a chilling display of speed and accuracy.
Wow.
Watching it, I suddenly had a premonition. If the world truly becomes peaceful, and if I can prevent the blood disaster from happening…
The next contest for the title of Sword King is going to be fierce.
The Sword King who would receive the title after Namgung Jin would be exceptionally strong. Whether it was Yung Pung, Seong Yul, or Woo Hyuk, or anyone else, it would be a sight to see.
As I thought that…
Fwip!
I leaped and closed in on Woo Hyuk.
"…!"
In the midst of blocking the flames, Woo Hyuk's gaze shifted to me as I charged.
Swish!
The speed of his swinging sword increased. The barrier grew thicker as a result. Was he trying to make it difficult for me to approach? Not a bad choice. He had to block the flames as well, after all.
But.
Even among such swift sword paths, there must be a gap.
The Mind’s Eye I learned from the Dishonored Venerable was telling me so. My eyes burned hot. Amid the dizzying paths of the sword, a faint light flashed.
There it was. In the midst of the chaotic symphony of blades.
I reached out my hand without hesitation.
And then.
GRAB!
"Keuk!!"
My hand broke through the barrier, grabbed Woo Hyuk's neck, and pulled him out.
KUUUUUUUUUAAAAAK---!!
The raining flames swept across the ground.
KWAGAGAGAGAK-!!!
Everywhere around us was scorched, except for the spot where we stood. After a long moment, the downpour of fire stopped. Amidst the thick, billowing smoke, I lifted Woo Hyuk up high by his throat.
"Hey."
"Keoheok…"
Woo Hyuk let out a choked gasp. He didn't look to be in good shape. It didn't seem like he'd taken a fatal blow, but he must have been hit a few times, unable to block all the flames.
"Does it hurt?"
I asked calmly, and Woo Hyuk replied in a rough voice.
"…Huu… huu…. Yes… it hurts a lot…"
"You died more than three times at my hands in that fight just now."
It was funny even as I said it. Because it was something Woo Hyuk had once said to me.
"…I know. I know it well."
Woo Hyuk laughed at my words. Unlike me, who couldn't laugh back then.
"…As expected, you’re strong. You seem much stronger than before."
"Hearing that from you makes my conscience sting."
This guy was a true genius. Every time I heard words like that from geniuses like him, what little conscience I had left would ache. Well, that aside.
"Why did you do it?"
"..."
"It’s all fine. People can start rebellions if they live long enough. Isn't that how it is?"
If you don't like it, you can flip a country on its head. What's the big deal? Up to that point, it was all fine. But…
"You're not the one who should be stopping me."
Woo Hyuk had drawn his sword and genuinely tried to fight me.
"You could die. You know that?"
Did he think he could beat me? No, Woo Hyuk wouldn't have thought that. Then did he think I couldn't kill him?
That's about half right.
That's right. I can't kill Woo Hyuk. Partly because I consider him a friend. And because Woo Hyuk was too valuable a person to kill.
However…
That’s only when Woo Hyuk is ‘Woo Hyuk’ to me.
The guy who tried to protect pathetic me. The guy who, even in countless situations, maintained some unknown conviction. The guy who, at the very least, wouldn't stand in my way.
That was the Woo Hyuk I knew.
But…
Are you Woo Hyuk right now?
Or are you some nobody named Biwegun? Even if the being was the same, he wasn't the same person to me.
"Tell me. Why are you doing this?"
So I asked. I asked while looking into Woo Hyuk's eyes, but this time, too, Woo Hyuk didn't answer. He just stared at me silently.
Hmm.
I was about to add something else but had to shut my mouth. The look in Woo Hyuk's eyes right now… it was a look I was all too familiar with. Eyes so familiar, as if I'd seen them somewhere before.
Where had I seen that look? I thought about it for a moment before realizing it.
Ah.
Right, that look. I wondered where I'd seen it.
They're the same as my eyes.
They were the same as the eyes I had in my past life. They seemed clearer than mine were, for now. But that meant…
Should I kill him?
It meant his condition was far from good. He had given up on everything, barely holding his collapsing mind together. Was there any meaning in that act? Was it already too late for the Woo Hyuk of now?
As that thought crossed my mind, strength flowed into my hand.
Just then.
Endure it just three times.
"..."
Those damn words echoed in my ears.
"Tsk."
Whoosh!
I threw Woo Hyuk aside.
Thud! Tumble, tumble.
"Keuk…!"
Woo Hyuk rolled helplessly across the snow. Unable to properly circulate his internal energy, his body left deep tracks in the ground. Watching him, I said:
"Get lost. I'll let it slide this time."
With that, I left Woo Hyuk with the order to disappear and was about to turn toward Namgung Bi-ah.
Rustle, rustle.
Hearing a presence, I turned back. There, Woo Hyuk was getting back to his feet. I wish it had ended there, but…
Shing.
He once again aimed his sword at me. Seeing that, I had to pinch the bridge of my nose. He had no intention of letting this go quietly. Is that what this was?
"…You're really going to die. Stop it now."
I spat out the words as a warning.
"Then kill me."
Woo Hyuk looked at me and said resolutely.
"I can't let you go there. So just kill me."
"Ha."
I cursed and gathered my energy.
"You son of a bitch."
I see. This meant there was no other way. In that case…
"Fine then. Go ahead and die."
It seemed there was only one option.
I moved. Woo Hyuk leaped toward me at the same time. The tip of his sword was sharp. It meant he wouldn't hesitate to use it. I could feel his sincerity.
Watching him, I wrapped my palm in flames.
Flaming Sphere.
A blue jewel coalesced above my palm.
Shiiik! A significant amount of my internal energy drained away. This meant I, too, intended to end this in one blow.
I rushed at Woo Hyuk, clutching the Flaming Sphere. He forced his staggering sword upright and charged at me. Killing intent coiled around the tip of his blade.
Seeing it, I swung my hand and thrust the Flaming Sphere toward Woo Hyuk.
Just before we reached each other, I could see it.
Woo Hyuk's sword, stretching toward me…
Shhh...
…was losing its power just before it reached me.
Seeing this, I thought:
Right.
I wasn't surprised.
I knew it.
Because I knew it all along.
Watching it, just before the Flaming Sphere touched Woo Hyuk's body…
Fwoosh!
I retrieved the energy of the Flaming Sphere, pulling it back.
"What…?"
The moment Woo Hyuk saw and was stunned…
GRAB!
I grabbed the sword. And plunged it into my own body.
Shluuuk!
A chilling sound came from my stomach.
"…!!"
The blade dug into my flesh. Blood flowed from the skin, dripping down the blade.
"Ah…!!"
Woo Hyuk's eyes shot wide open, stunned by what had happened. He tried to hastily pull the sword out.
GRIP!!
I grabbed it tight, preventing him from pulling it out.
"You…!"
"Three times."
I cut Woo Hyuk off.
"You told me to endure it just three times, but I think I endured it about four times this time. Good job, right?"
Woo Hyuk's eyes, unable to comprehend my words, were filled with confusion and doubt. Looking at him, I said:
"I’ve been through it myself, you see…"
Blood kept flowing from the corner of my mouth. Feeling it, I grinned at Woo Hyuk.
"I've found this is the most direct way to make someone snap out of it."
This was from my past life. It was based on personal experience—something I went through with my own father.