Chapter 683: Bongsun (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 683: Bongsun (2)
The Ghost Spear (鬼槍).
She was a Demonic Human belonging to the Ghostly Sword Army and one of its few female members.
She was also a peculiar case—a spear wielder like Tang Duk, yet still part of the Ghostly Sword Army. True to its name, the Ghostly Sword Army was a group formed around its captain, The Sword Demon (劍魔), and was composed primarily of swordsmen.
For a spear wielder to be among their ranks meant two things.
One.
‘She must be skilled enough to be accepted despite the discrepancy.’
Two.
‘She must be crazy enough to be accepted into The Sword Demon’s Ghostly Sword Army.’
The Ghost Spear was a person who met both criteria.
[Kyahahahahaha—!!!]
The Witch of the Battlefield.
There was nothing more terrifying than the sight of her piercing or slicing through martial artists with her long spear. She was always drenched in blood, her eyes constantly scanning for prey—the very image of an evil spirit.
As her reputation suggested, she was a master capable of annihilating three of the Alliance’s sword divisions with a single spear. Furthermore, the acts she committed with that weapon were so cruel that her title eventually included the character for ‘ghost’ (鬼).
In a way, she was the perfect fit for the Ghostly Sword Army.
If there was a slight problem, it was this:
‘Her clashes with the Deer King, I suppose.’
Just as the Sword Demon had friction with the Demonic Sword Queen, the Ghost Spear often clashed with the Deer King.
‘Then again, the Deer King went around stirring up trouble everywhere, so he always had plenty of enemies.’
There was the time he challenged me and got the shit beaten out of him. And the time the Deer King and The Sword Demon were about to fight to the death before the Heavenly Demon intervened and wrecked them both.
So, it wasn't strange that the Ghost Spear and the Deer King didn't get along.
‘What’s surprising is that, of all the Demonic Humans, this crazy bitch only had a problem with the Deer King.’
Unlike The Sword Demon or the Deer King, that madwoman unexpectedly had no friction with anyone else. She only ever fought to the death with the Deer King, over and over…
‘It’s a wonder she didn’t die.’
The Deer King was a captain in the Demonic Cult. No matter how skilled the Ghost Spear was, she couldn't compare to the Deer King or The Sword Demon. Yet, for the Ghost Spear to have survived all those fights meant…
‘Did the Deer King let her live?’
It was somewhat puzzling that the brute would have kept her alive. This was a man who tore apart women, the elderly, and children without a second thought.
‘…Well, none of that matters now.’
Whatever happened in the past was irrelevant. The important thing here was…
‘I’m the one who has to use her now.’
In this life, it was my turn to make use of the Ghost Spear.
‘Dammit.’
Honestly, I had no idea how to handle this lunatic. But I had no other choice.
‘The information I have is limited.’
The group I was currently building was formed using information I remembered from my past life. In other words…
‘It’s only possible with those whose activities I knew about.’
For the past three years, I had only corrupted those I knew were active around this time and who would be useful into Demonic Humans. The Ghost Spear was one of them.
“Ugh…! A-a little harder…!”
“...”
Hearing the chilling voice from beneath my feet, I swung my leg.
SMACK—!
“Gack!”
Struck in the head, the Ghost Spear flew back and rolled across the ground.
Ah, my mistake. Did I hit her a little too hard?
‘She was so creepy I couldn't control my strength.’
The Ghost Spear tumbled until she hit a rock, groaning. Beside her, Seong Yul was struggling to his feet, his hair a mess. I let out a dry laugh at the sight.
‘What a pathetic sight for a captain.’
To see Seong Yul, the Ghost Spear’s captain in my past life, in such a state… it was a truly bizarre scene.
“Ughhh…”
“What are you doing?” I asked Seong Yul as he groaned.
He clutched his head as if nursing a headache and looked up at me. “What are you doing here?”
I had ordered Nahi to keep watch, but I hadn't given Seong Yul any specific orders. Even though I was dragging him along, I had never turned him into a Demonic Human, so he wasn't completely mine. I was just testing the waters with him, so I’d never entrusted him with a mission like this.
What was he doing here?
In response to my question, Seong Yul explained in a pained voice. “…I felt a presence and came to investigate, but I was ambushed.”
“A presence?”
At his words, I immediately looked at Nahi. “Did you not put up a sound barrier?”
“My apologies,” Nahi immediately replied.
Hearing that, I let out a snort. “What are you apologizing for? You put up the barrier just fine.”
“...”
As I approached this place, I had definitely felt the traces of a sound barrier. It was just weak, so I had set up a new one myself. This meant Nahi had already taken precautions.
And yet, Seong Yul had still noticed.
“However, if Young Master Seong Yul ultimately detected it, then the failure is mine.”
“You don’t have to go that far. This guy’s the weird one.”
He must have an unusually keen sense for detecting Qi. Shaking my head, I walked toward Seong Yul and the Ghost Spear… no, Bongsun.
For the record, Bongsun was the name I gave her. When I found her, she was nameless and practically a beast, so I just gave her something.
“So, you were attacked while trying to stop the ambush?”
“That is correc—”
“That’s not the whole story, is it?”
“...”
At my rebuttal, Seong Yul’s lips pressed into a thin line.
I already knew Bongsun’s full strength. She wouldn't be easily pushed back even against Seong Yul, and if they fought to the death, Seong Yul would win by a narrow margin. If he was truly intent on killing her, Seong Yul, with his Heavenly Killing Star, would have the upper hand.
Moreover, Bongsun was currently bound and exhausted, meaning there was no way Seong Yul could have been caught in an ambush.
Given the circumstances…
“Why did you let her hit you?”
“...”
He knew what was coming and took the hit anyway. That seemed like the right conclusion. When I questioned Seong Yul, I could see him fidgeting. That confirmed it.
“I knew it. You took the hit on purpose. What’s the reason?”
“…That is…”
Realizing he had nowhere left to run, Seong Yul hesitated before finally speaking. “…It’s just, fighting a woman…”
WHAM—!
“Guh!”
At his ridiculous answer, I smacked him on the head before I could stop myself. I couldn't help it.
“What kind of out-of-character bullshit is that?”
“…Ughhh…”
The Deer King and The Sword Demon had no qualms about cutting down women and children alike. The more I looked at the Seong Yul of this era, the more absurd he seemed.
Besides…
“Are you going to wait until a knife is at your throat to come to your senses, just because she’s a woman?”
That pathetic mindset was infuriating.
“You’ll get yourself killed like that. Get a grip.”
“…I understand.”
Seong Yul looked like he didn't understand at all, but he forced a nod.
‘This is why kids with no real combat experience are a pain.’
I couldn't fight her because she's a woman. It had been a long time since I’d heard an excuse like that. For a hero of the Orthodox Faction, it might have been a somewhat normal response, but…
‘That’s how you get killed in a flash.’
Every single person who cared about such things during the war died without exception. After seeing that happen a few times, one’s perspective is bound to change.
‘Though I’ve been like this from the start.’
I tilted my head and looked at Bongsun beside me.
“Ugh… It hurts…”
Bongsun staggered to her feet, as if she’d been hit hard in the head. I frowned as I watched her.
‘…I hit her intending to knock her out, but she’s getting up.’
I was worried I might have killed her by failing to control my strength. My original goal was to knock her unconscious, but Bongsun got up as if it were nothing. Then, she looked at me with the violet eyes that symbolized a Demonic Human.
“Cult Leader.”
“What.”
“Why did you hit me?”
Was she really asking because she didn't know?
“Because you were spouting nonsense.”
“Why? Why? I’m a person, aren’t I? I can’t spout nonsense. Oh, wait, maybe I can?”
“...”
What should I do? Should I just kill her? We hadn't been talking for long, and I was already annoyed.
“I told you to stay put. Why did you have to attack him?”
“It’s your fault, Cult Leader!” Bongsun shouted in response to my sigh-laden words. “You said you’d let me mate! But you just called me here, tied me up, and didn’t do it! You even stomped on me! Oh, that last part felt good, though. You can do that again next time.”
Her choice of words was truly a work of art.
“…Mating?”
Seong Yul, who had been listening, shot me a strange look.
“What is it, you bastard? Straighten out those eyes.”
“…It’s nothing, sir.”
The way his eyes narrowed as if he was having some weird thoughts was a sight to behold. This was a total shitshow.
“When did I ever say that, you crazy bitch? I told you I wouldn’t do anything of the sort.”
“Then why did you call me? Weren’t you planning to do it?”
“I called you because I have work for you!”
“So we’re not mating?”
“I’m going to lose my mind.”
The conversation was going nowhere. This was worse than talking to a beast.
“Haa… Fine… Did you finish the job I gave you?”
“Yep!” Bongsun answered with a bright smile. “I only killed the ones I was supposed to! And I let the men I saw this morning live! I was a good girl. So, about mating—”
“How did you do it?” I cut off her nonsense and got to the point.
“Huh? What?”
“You said you only killed the ones you were supposed to. How did you handle it?”
“Ohh.” Understanding my question, Bongsun nodded. “It was a little hard to kill just one person… so I captured everyone and told them I’d let them live if they killed that guy! They all got super excited and did it! I think I’m pretty smart.”
“...”
Hearing her words, I rubbed my face with a dry hand. She uttered the most terrifying things with such a bright, innocent face.
I called out to Nahi. “Nahi.”
“Yes, Master.”
“How did you handle the witnesses?”
“No one saw the spear wielder’s face, but there were many clues that could lead to her identification, so most had to be dealt with.”
“You mean you killed them all?”
“Not all of them. I only eliminated those listed on the roster you provided. For the remaining individuals, I placed a forbidden formation on them to seal their lips.”
“A forbidden formation… that’s a bit risky.”
“Shall I order their disposal? Brother Duk happens to be in that area.”
“Leave it. Let the innocent ones be for now. If something comes up, we’ll deal with it then.”
As I spoke, I clenched my fist and slammed it down on the crown of Bongsun’s head.
THUD—!
“Kyeak!”
Bongsun shrieked and clutched her head. Ignoring her pain, I grabbed a fistful of her hair.
Yank—!
“I’m pretty sure I sent Zhuge Hyuk with you. So how did this mess happen? Hmm? You disobeyed orders again, didn’t you? Didn’t you?”
“Aghhhh!!! Cult Leader, it huuurts!!”
“It’s supposed to hurt. It’s supposed to!”
“But! I don’t wanna listen to that goody-two-shoes…! Kyaaak!”
“If you won’t listen to him, does that mean you won’t listen to me either?”
I was the one who gave the order to Zhuge Hyuk. Therefore, an order from Zhuge Hyuk to Bongsun was the same as an order from me. As my emotions grew colder, a murderous intent coiled in my eyes.
“…!!”
Bongsun, who had been screaming, felt the killing intent and her body went rigid.
“Do you think this is a game?” The words escaped my lips, dry and brittle. “I’m sure I told you. If you can’t follow orders properly, you’re of no use to me.”
“C-Cult Leader…”
“I have no need for a chess piece that doesn’t obey commands. What should I do… Just kill you here and now?”
“…Hic…”
Pressed down by my killing intent, tears began to well up in Bongsun’s eyes. I stared silently at her small, trembling shoulders and the reddening corners of her eyes.
“I-I’m… I’m sorr… I’m sorry… I-I won’t do it again…”
Bongsun finally choked out an apology. Only then did I release my grip and let her go.
“Hic… sob…”
“Stop your damn crying, it’s annoying.”
“Gasp…!”
“Tsk.”
What a troublesome and irritating creature. Her skills aside, Bongsun was like a bomb that could go off at any moment. She was difficult to keep around, and I didn't have the time to teach someone now. No matter how high her realm, if she couldn't be controlled, she was useless. Yet her nature was so pure that even commands enforced by Demonic Qi didn't work properly.
In cases like this, purely violent brutes were easier to handle. It had reached a point where it might be better to just get rid of Bongsun.
‘That’s why I’m hesitating.’
Should I just kill her? If she’s this hard to control, it would be better to just eliminate her. Should I just get rid of her now?
I pondered this, but…
“…Forget it.”
“…Hic… sob… okay…”
In the end, I chose to endure. Everyone I had gathered so far had their own purpose, and the spear wielder I called Bongsun was no exception. I needed her. Especially at a time like this.
Watching Bongsun hold back her tears, I remembered.
‘The blood of the Sword Queen.’
Though no one in the world knew it at this point, the previous Sword Queen was the Sword Queen. And Bongsun was her daughter.
It wasn't so much that I needed Bongsun, but that I needed the blood of the Sword Queen. The Sword Queen was one of the greatest shames the Alliance kept hidden, and one of the sharpest daggers I was preparing.
‘For that reason alone, I have to use her.’
So I couldn't just kill her and get rid of her. At least, not until I had used her.
Suppressing my frustration, I spoke to Bongsun. “Tomorrow, you’re going to the Alliance to register for the tournament.”
“Hic…? A tournament?” Hearing my words, Bongsun tilted her head. “What’s that?”
“It’s a thing. A competition where a bunch of idiots beat each other up.”
“Ooh! That sounds fun! I wanna do it!”
“…Right, I knew you’d like it. So tomorrow…” I glanced around and my eyes landed on Seong Yul. “Go with him and sign up.”
“Okay!”
“Yes…?” Suddenly singled out, Seong Yul wore a dazed expression, but I ignored him.
“It’s not like you have anything better to do. Come along.”
“…As… you wish.”
He wore a thoroughly reluctant expression. Well, I suppose even he could see that going with Bongsun was a recipe for disaster. It wasn't like she hadn't caused trouble before.
“But hey, Cult Leader.”
“What.”
Looking as excited as if she’d never been crying, Bongsun asked me a question. “If it’s a competition, are there prizes?”
“I suppose so. Why? Do you need something?”
I was pretty sure they were giving out things like a Daehwandan Pill or a sword. So I asked if Bongsun needed anything.
“If I win everything there, can I mate with you, Cult Leader!?” Bongsun exclaimed, her voice filled with passion.
Hearing that, a massive headache washed over me.
“For the love of god, stop talking about mating.”
I had no idea why she was so obsessed with such a vulgar topic. Who taught her that stuff?
“No? You said it was a prize!”
“…No… Ugh.” I started to explain, then shut my mouth, exhausted. I felt pathetic for even having to explain this. “Fine… Go ahead and try. If you win the whole thing, I’ll think about it.”
And so, I mentioned something she could never achieve. It was something Bongsun couldn't do even if she died and came back to life.
At my words, Bongsun shot to her feet. “You really mean it!? If I win, you’ll do it?”
“Yes. If you win, I’ll think about…”
I was waving my hand, trying to brush it off, when suddenly—
Woooong—!
“…?”
Feeling a sensation, I turned around. I felt something from the sound barrier. I immediately tried to expand my senses to check, but…
‘Dammit.’
The sound barrier I had set up beforehand was now blocking my own senses. This was the problem with thick barriers; the presence I felt from outside was significantly weakened.
Fwoosh—!
I immediately retracted the barrier and belatedly spread my senses, but…
“What was that?”
I couldn't feel anything. Only the presences I had already identified were there. There was nothing else unusual nearby.
‘Was I mistaken?’
Well, I had made the barrier quite thick, so it was possible. With that thought, I nodded.
A moment later, I saw something strange.
“Oh my, Young Master!”
“...”
“What a coincidence. Isn’t that right, Seol-Ah?”
“…Y-yes. What a… coincidence.”
Back in front of the tournament registration desk. There, I saw Tang Soyeol and Wi Seol-Ah.
Quite the coincidence, indeed.