Chapter 9 (5)
Chapter 9 (5)
If you watch Korean makjang dramas, there's always a scene where the rich parents pay off the poor kid to get them to break up with their child.
The Sword Empress right now was exactly like those rich parents in a makjang drama.
Except instead of money, she was swinging a scabbard.
Fuck. This is such bullshit.
The fact that I'm actually going through this is fucking ridiculous, and I don't get it at all.
If this were a novel, game, or manga, I would've grabbed the author by the collar first thing.
Every story has a structure, but I'm currently experiencing it in a completely twisted order!
"I don't know how you seduced that child, but she has a lot of work to do and abundant talent, a child with a promising future. She is like an uncut gem that someone like you has no right to touch."
It seems the Sword Empress thinks very highly of Seol-rin, seeing her as a promising talent who will make a name for herself in the future.
"That is why a pest like you shouldn't be clinging to her. A pest that gnaws at her future and potential, damaging her so she can never shine again."
"By what right do you get to decide that! Did you even ask Seol-rin!? Did Seol-rin even want this!?"
I'd already ditched the honorifics and pleasantries out of rage, but the Sword Empress accepted my informal speech without a care.
"Young love is hot and reckless. She might be sad now, but later, when she rebuilds her family and makes a name for herself as a master, she'll be glad she broke up with you."
Fuck! This is such bullshit!
It's impossible to talk to her! She just keeps spouting her own claims!
She sounds like she's got something profound to say, but there's no substance to her argument!
"Then by what right are you doing this shit!"
"Because I'm a witness."
"...What?"
"After I first stepped out into the Murim world, I had a friend I made. And I also had a junior with talent that could catch up to me."
She sheathed her sword for a moment and recalled something.
"A friend who was talented, beautiful, possessed vast wealth, and had a charm as a woman that I lacked."
Something is starting to come to mind.
I checked all the information on the Sword Empress, but I'd forgotten some of it as time passed.
I can't help it! If I focus on other things while learning martial arts, my efficiency drops!
"Honestly, I was slightly ahead in terms of talent, but the difference was only enough that it could be overcome with effort. But."
"Ugh......!"
Keuk......! Is this the killing intent of a martial artist who has reached the Hwagyeong realm......!
My win rate, which was already hitting rock bottom, is now drilling into the underground!
My instincts are screaming that I 'cannot win,' confirming my defeat.
"That friend was brutally toyed with by a frivolous piece of trash like you. That guy was similar to you. I told my friend not to meet him because he was dangerous, but she ignored my warning and, through their continued meetings, ended up pregnant without even being married."
I remembered.
This is a story related to the second character I remember in this Pungun Murim.
"Once the child was conceived, the man revealed his true colors. He had been coveting her wealth from the very beginning. The man created all sorts of debt in her name and ran away with her riches. Even after she realized she'd been deceived, she begged him, saying she didn't need love, just please don't leave her—and he kicked her in the stomach and left."
"Iron-Blooded Asura......."
"You know her, too. Yes, Iron-Blooded Asura Seon Ga-ryeong. She became a villain who shudders at the mention of men and feels pleasure in killing them cruelly."
The second character I remember is the leader of the Sura Blood Palace, a giant of the evil faction who protects weak women and teaches them martial arts to become strong: Iron-Blooded Asura Seon Ga-ryeong.
Looking at it this way, she's similar to a Megal, but the Sura Blood Palace is different from those who curse men but can't live without them.
They are closer to 'true' feminism, trying to rise to the same position as men by having women handle the hard work men usually do, refusing help from men, and striving for women to be self-reliant.
I had put Iron-Blooded Asura on my list of 'female candidates,' thinking, 'Hahaha, you hate men? Then I'll have to use my dick to make you realize your female instincts!'
The fact that she had a past connection with the Sword Empress was just secondary information I found while digging for data.
The reason I couldn't remember it in an instant was because I had obtained this information at a secondary level to begin with.
"I regretted that day over and over again. If I had stopped her more strongly, if I had steeled myself and taken action even at the risk of being hated. If I had done that, my talented and beautiful friend could have lived a happy life while being respected by many."
The Sword Empress unleashed cold killing intent, as if she saw me as being on the same level as that scumbag.
Before I could say anything, she started talking about her junior this time.
"My talented junior's talent for swordsmanship had the power to make me feel a momentary sense of defeat. However, she suddenly took some white-faced scholar as her husband, washed her hands of the martial world, and left, causing that talent to be locked in darkness forever."
I'm not sure who she's talking about.
"If that junior had continued to be active as a martial artist until now, the name Sword Empress would be hers, not mine. But her talent was buried, all because she said she didn't want to put her white-faced scholar in danger in the Murim world. Unlike my friend, she might be happy, but from a martial artist's perspective, it was so unfortunate that she had to abandon her innate talent."
So who is that junior!
"And Hong Seol-rin, I discovered that child by chance. She is also a promising talent with abundant ability and beauty. I will not let that child become the second Iron-Blooded Asura, or the second junior."
Fuck. I finally understood why this was happening so suddenly.
The Sword Empress had already gone through her own 'Gi-Seung-Jeon-Gyeol' (structure).
I, who had to be hit suddenly without any prior information, couldn't help but be confused about what was going on.
And because of her friend and junior, she was projecting her emotions onto Seol-rin, who had a generally similar background.
There was nothing in the original info about her being a busybody over stuff like this!
As soon as I get back to the modern world, I'm going to destroy that wiki!
"Ha... fuck....... I'm pissed."
Right, let's calm down and think.
So, she mentioned two stories, and it seems she's doing this to me because I'm similar to the guy who used her friend.
Click!
I injected internal energy into my gauntlets and took a fighting stance.
"You intend to resist."
"Yes! I'm pissed about getting hit out of nowhere, but I'm even more pissed that you're treating me like the same kind of trash who irresponsibly abandons women just because the vibe is similar!"
If it were the latter, I might have acknowledged it.
But this woman was completely projecting her emotions onto the former.
How dare she compare me to a guy who doesn't even have the ability or guts to make a woman his own!?
Comparing me to an idiot who can't even eat a meal that's already been set on the table!?
The very fact that she puts my value on the same level as that piece of shit is an insult!
"It's a good thing, then. I was intending to discipline you properly anyway."
She's coming!
My side!
Kaaang!
"Ugh!"
I focused all my nerves and barely managed to block the scabbard flying toward my side.
Good! If I keep blocking like this......!
Swish swish swish swish!
I gained some confidence after blocking the first attack to my side.
However, the Sword Empress thoroughly crushed that confidence.
With the sight of the scabbard flying in, forming countless afterimages and shapes.
Bam bam bam bam!
"Ugh! Argh!"
"Etiquette toward an elder. Even if the Murim world is ruled by strength, there is a minimum level of etiquette that must be observed. Unless it's a battlefield where you kill or be killed, your actions have crossed the line."
"Shut up, fuck! What does age have to do with right and wrong!"
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
I can't believe I have to listen to this kind of Confucian Taliban bullshit!
This old fart's preachy, self-righteous nagging.
It's what I hate and despise the most.
I'm the one who rebelled against those kinds of old farts even in the modern world, you fucking bitch!
I endured the pain out of rage and rushed forward quickly to drive my fist into the bitch's body.
Pow!
"Ugh!"
"Your current appearance is truly beastly. No, I should call it your true nature."
I looked down; my abdomen had been struck by the scabbard.
When did she......!
"And the crime of violating and toying with a woman in a secluded place without even being engaged, and trying to end her life as a martial artist. Did you think I approached making noise innocently without knowing anything?"
Damn it! She saw!
The Sword Empress, that damn bitch, saw me enjoying Seol-rin's body yesterday!
"Ughhh!"
I endured the pain and jumped back to create distance to regroup.
"Huff... huff... huff......!"
I was wearing shirt-style armor that could block sword energy, but this armor had one major flaw.
No, I knew that too.
'It's weak to blunt force!'
If it had been a sharp weapon, I could have blocked it without much damage.
However, the Sword Empress is beating me up using the scabbard for impact rather than cutting.
It wouldn't be a problem for a decent expert, but the biggest problem is that the existence in front of me is one of the top swordsmen in the entire Murim world.
"Disappear. And never approach that child again. If you resist, I won't kill you, but I will make it so you can't interfere with her."
Seeing her arrogantly tilt her chin and talk to me makes my blood boil.
"Shut up! Shut the fuck up! That girl is my woman! She's mine! Don't you dare treat me like that piece of shit!!"
I poured all my internal energy into it and rushed toward the Sword Empress.
I could feel the energy leaking out here and there as I poured it out inefficiently, but if I could just land one hit on that bitch in exchange for that......!
"As expected. You are far from enough to be that child's partner. I'll take care of the rest, so don't worry and get lost."
"What?"
For a moment, there was an optical illusion as if her right arm holding the sword had disappeared.
I reflexively brought both arms together to guard my upper body and face, hunched my waist, and rushed.......
"Ugh... ugh......?"
Keuk......! My... head......!
My head... feels like it's going to split.......
"Argh!? W, what is this!!"
More than my splitting headache, I was surprised by the view far from the ground, so I tried to get up without realizing it.
"Huh? Uh?"
But there was nothing for my feet to step on.
When I barely came to my senses, I realized I had been placed on a pillar.
What? What is this? Why am I in a place like this?
Since it's awkward to be in this position, let's go down to the ground.
Thinking that, I jumped down from the tree and landed.......
Thud!
"Arghhhhh!"
As the shock of landing on the ground was transmitted, my whole body cried out in pain!
Wait. Pain?
"Ah!"
I remembered!
"Sword Empress!!"
The last thing I saw was the Sword Empress's figure, looking as if her right arm had disappeared, and the afterimage flying in quickly, bending like a snake.
And when I looked up at the sky, sunlight was coming through the leaves, lighting up the forest.
I fainted? Me?
Having experienced fainting for the second time, I must have had a dumbfounded expression on my face.
The first time was a faint caused by an sudden influx of excessive knowledge, but this time it was a faint caused during combat, so the shock was even greater.
How do I feel about fainting?
It feels like I time-traveled.
I just blinked, and the time has moved from night to day.
At this point, it's ridiculous.
Still, that fucking bitch didn't leave my bag behind.
Moreover, there are no signs of her rummaging through it.
Yeah, she thinks I'm so dirty she won't even touch my stuff, huh.
After finding the ointment in my bag, I took off my clothes and thin armor.
"Hee-ik......."
The armor had vivid dents left here and there by the scabbard.
Fortunately, there were no other major problems, so the defensive power itself should be fine, but seeing these marks makes the anger toward the Sword Empress and the pain in my body feel branded into me again.
Bruises had formed on my side and abdomen.
I first spread the ointment thinly over the bruised areas.
After applying the ointment like that, I sat down, leaning my back against the tree trunk.
"What the hell kind of situation is this......."
At this point, it feels artificial.
It was like this with Ha-yeon, too.
Just one step.
If I had taken one step forward, Ha-yeon and I could have lived a happy life together, but I had to break up due to an unexpected interference.
And Seol-rin.
Just when Seol-rin was about to become my woman, an unexpected existence called the Sword Empress tackled me.
I could go meet Seol-rin like this, but the Sword Empress, that bitch, will definitely try to chase me away.
With more coercive and violent means than now.
In any case, what is clear is that there is always interference at important moments.
What is this? What the hell is this situation?
Could it be that this world is like a manga or a novel, and I'm the protagonist who got caught in the hands of a shitty author with no skills and is suffering from these artificial problems?
If I were a reader, I would have cursed, 'That idiot author doesn't have the ability to develop the story, so he's making forced settings with artificial developments lol. Just quit writing. The 1 byte used on you is a waste.'
"...Let's stop with the empty jokes."
Right. Let's stop with the escapism.
There were no incidents that blocked the trip itself when I was traveling to find the fortuitous encounter.
There were troubles, but they were all problems that I could solve with my ability.
But strangely, whenever the perfect timing comes to make a woman my female, an existence with strong power that I can't solve with my ability 'coincidentally' interferes.
The Demonic Cult did it with Ha-yeon, and the Sword Empress with Seol-rin.
It's so exquisite and artificial that I can feel some kind of will saying, 'Not yet.'
If there really is such a will, why is it interfering with me like this?
Okay, let's imagine. What if Ha-yeon became my woman smoothly without interference?
If I had successfully escaped Chang'an with Ha-yeon?
I would have left to find the fortuitous encounter, but I would have lacked the desperation to learn martial arts while living happily with Ha-yeon.
Even if I somehow got stronger, I would have kidnapped a large number of females worth training with the stronger me and completed my own kingdom.
Ha-yeon was the type with an open mind who didn't care how many concubines I had.
Heaven-Breaking Association? Who cares if they destroy the Central Plains or not?
There's no reason to risk my life fighting, so if it looks dangerous, I'd just run away somewhere else.......
"Ugh!?"
At that moment, a keyword came to mind, as if a foreign substance was being injected into my body like a syringe.
-You must not let the Heaven-Breaking Association destroy the world.-
"...Uh."
Wait.
Wait, wait, wait.
Have I been enjoying fantasy novels for too long?
Could it be that I was a terminal addict confusing reality with fantasy?
I didn't think of this just now.
In the first place, I didn't have a single thought about stopping the Heaven-Breaking Association.
But why did such a thought pop into my head?
If it were the usual me, I wouldn't have even been able to imagine such a keyword.
Is it a side effect of 100 Intelligence?
The phenomenon where a purpose I didn't even imagine pops up on its own is.......
Could it be the World's Will......?
If you look at some works like games, novels, or manga, there are some novels with keywords like 'World's Restraint' or 'World's Will' that try to flow into a fixed history.
For example, a work called Steins;Gate had a self-proclaimed mad scientist protagonist who tries to save a girl with a unique way of speaking called 'Tuturu~', but no matter how much he saves and saves and saves, he falls into despair as she keeps dying due to a series of 'coincidences' and 'incidents'.
My current situation is exquisitely similar to those novels.
It's only been twice, am I thinking too big?
But in the first place, the fact that I came to this Murim world doesn't make sense.
Originally, this game has a storyline where 'the player becomes one of the righteous faction, evil faction, or Demonic Cult, builds up strength, and defeats the Heaven-Breaking Association, which is trying to conquer the world by killing all martial artists except themselves.'
Since the world of Pungun Murim has a story where the Heaven-Breaking Association must be defeated, what if the 'World's Restraint' is saying to me, 'Hey, if you steal talented women, you'll get a bad ending, so don't do it.'?
What if that's why I'm going through this trouble?
"To hell with it. Is the Heaven-Breaking Association that scary, you idiot? Fine, this hyung will get the fortuitous encounter, get strong, and take care of the Heaven-Breaking Association, whether it's one or two! That should do it!"
I can't live without the sense of conquest and pleasure of pinning down a woman's body, thrusting into her with my dick, and making her moan.
Fighting the Heaven-Breaking Association is dangerous to my life?
Do you think such a measly danger can stop my desire to get females!
I only thought about avoiding it because there was no benefit (women) to be gained from fighting the Heaven-Breaking Association, but if it comes to this, the story changes.
"And Sword Empress......! I'll make you a true masochist who reaches climax just from getting spanked! I'll make you apologize for daring to hit me!"
There are even more reasons to get the fortuitous encounter and become strong.
I checked that the medicine had dried, then put my clothes back on and headed down the mountain.
First is internal energy.
Next is martial arts.
The last fortuitous encounter, wealth, is on hold for now.
It's comfortable to have money, but I don't want to be obsessed with it.
In the first place, the reason I pushed this fortuitous encounter to fourth place is to use it later if I need money.
If I'm going to get it, I'll get it after gaining fame in the Murim world and letting the world know that no one can deceive or rip me off.
And I'll make my females while being hostile to the Heaven-Breaking Association.
Listen well.
Even though I've resolved to fight the Heaven-Breaking Association, if you interfere with me not being able to get females, I'll destroy the World's Restraint, the will, and everything.
I'm the type who moves diligently only when there's a reward.
The goal is the Yangtze River.
I'll take a boat from the Yangtze River to Hunan.
After looking in the direction Seol-rin would be heading for a moment, I moved my feet to go down the mountain.