Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Master Craftsmen's Showdown (4)
After hearing the proposal, both craftsmen remained silent for a long time. Then Torto spoke first.
"Who will evaluate us?"
This was actually the core of this duel.
Testing the strength of a sword would be disadvantageous to Torto. His core specialty was magic, after all.
On the other hand, if they were evaluated solely on magic, it would be absolutely unfavorable to Cheollu.
No one could evaluate them when they were so completely different. This had been the biggest concern from the very start.
Fortunately, I had already found an answer to this.
"No one can evaluate you two. So you'll evaluate yourselves directly. You'll also declare the victory of the duel yourselves."
"What do you mean?"
This time, Cheollu asked.
"The two of you will make one thing together. A sword is fine, armor is fine too. Even just a decorative item is fine. But for one object, each of you will do what you want to do. In that process, you'll naturally see each other's skills. When that's over, evaluate each other."
A weapon made by the two together.
This was the result I had wanted from the beginning.
Even after my proposal was revealed, the two didn't readily agree.
The time waiting for their answer felt longer than usual.
It was because I wanted to see their creation with a pure heart.
"Cowards."
The Witch provoked them. At this, Torto shouted first.
"Fine! As long as I have materials, there's no way I'll lose!"
Torto looked at Cheollu. But Cheollu was cautious.
At this, Torto shouted.
"With mere tricks like that! Who can't make a sharp and strong sword?"
Those words got to Cheollu.
"You know nothing about what a sword is."
Cheollu finally answered.
"I'll do it."
I cheered inwardly. But I didn't show it.
"I'll prepare a separate place for you. I'll get you anything you want."
And so the duel between the two craftsmen began.
They set up in the mountains.
Through the Witch, Torto received all the research facilities and materials he wanted. On the other hand, Cheollu wanted a crude forge.
Torto was satisfied with the laboratory and materials the Witch had prepared, and Cheollu accepted them calmly.
"There's no time limit. Do as you wish. Ask for anything you need at any time."
We decided to leave them alone until the results came out.
The craftsmen's duel ended safely, and construction of the main headquarters resumed.
Fairy now mentioned the Heavenly Demon Cult in every interview and sometimes talked about their friendship with me.
The craftsmen had no news for over a month, and there was no news about the Ten Alliance either.
However, inside the Heavenly Demon Cult, things were not very quiet.
Ten people had newly joined.
Right after the Ten Alliance incident, 5 people contacted us, and after the craftsmen's duel, 5 more additionally reached out.
All of them had belonged to the Hundred White Blood Corps in their previous lives.
But they couldn't enter the Hundred White Blood Corps right away.
After over a month in temporary positions, 2 people gave up on the Heavenly Demon Cult and left. At that news, I had to acknowledge once again that the world had changed.
At least the remaining 8 persevered until the end.
Hundred Tiger Ghost deliberately criticized those 8 even more and put them through harsher training. Even so, they gritted their teeth and endured.
Finally, on October 1st, a month after the craftsmen's duel ended.
They were recognized as part of the Hundred White Blood Corps.
With this, the Hundred White Blood Corps now had 13 members. After that, Hundred Tiger Ghost treated them exactly the same as the Hundred White Blood Corps members who had joined earlier.
—When construction is complete, you may bring your families.
At my words, the Hundred White Blood Corps cheered. However, Jimun Seo-saeng had to do a lot of work because of this.
—We cannot rely only on the Hanjeong Group. Operating costs should reach a level where we can handle them independently.
In my previous life, when a martial arts sect conquered a region, there was naturally income that came in.
Businesses that needed protection like courier agencies and high-class inns were the basics, along with tribute from other sects, and sponsorship from wealthy people was not insignificant either.
Besides that, there were various directly operated businesses.
—Did the oil business fail?
—That's a business started from a long-term perspective.
—What do you want?
—We need to directly intervene in Korean government projects.
—Alright. Proceed.
Jimun Seo-saeng was in the midst of preparing for that.
I spent busy time helping with personal training and the Hundred White Blood Corps' training.
Meanwhile, news of various reincarnators was conveyed in the media.
'13 members of the Hundred White Blood Corps.'
It was a much smaller number than expected. My expectation that at least 30 or more would gather had been wrong.
'The time for a choice has come.'
I wanted to hold out until all the Protectors gathered. But there was still no contact from Sword God and Dang Man-cheon.
'Should I accept other sects?'
Once the main headquarters is completed, there will be plenty of space.
Even considering families, if we built dormitory buildings, we could accommodate 100 warriors.
'It will be desolate.'
This wasn't a problem to decide easily. The very meaning of the Heavenly Demon Cult could be shaken.
But it was absolutely necessary work to adapt to the world's changes.
'Let's wait a little longer.'
The two Protectors continued to weigh on my mind.
The possibility that they hadn't heard the news was now almost zero. Unless they were born as natives in some remote place, they surely would have heard the name of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
While I was thinking about various things, Hundred Tiger Ghost rushed over.
"Cult Leader, Torto and Cheollu have requested an audience."
"Is it complete?"
"It seems so."
My heart pounded.
I didn't even know what they were making.
It could be a sword, a shield, or armor. Maybe it was a useless decorative item.
What made my heart pound now was pure anticipation.
A work created by two craftsmen.
'It will either be the best or the worst.'
I informed the Witch of the news, and we immediately moved to their workshop.
The two craftsmen's workshop.
All their tools were lying around, having lost their purpose. It meant there was no more work to be done.
And on white cloth, a single sword lay.
When I saw that sword, my heartbeat quickened again.
The sword had an unusual form.
It was a double-edged sword with a thin blade about two fingers wide that narrowed as it went up.
Compared to other swords, both its width and thickness were thin. On the other hand, the handle was decorated with elaborate patterns.
The black-colored handle had 10 deliberately dulled gems embedded in it, and where the grip touched, there were holes for fingers to enter.
It was positioned exactly where the middle finger would go when gripping the sword.
"Is it complete?"
Both nodded with tired expressions. Even so, their eyes shone.
"Who's the winner?"
I asked them before directly examining the sword.
They looked at each other for a moment. Then Cheollu answered first.
"The match hasn't been decided yet."
Torto nodded in agreement.
"What do you mean?"
At my question, this time Torto answered.
"Anyway, you want us to do a bit more work, right? And we acknowledge each other but can't acknowledge defeat. So we decided to work more."
At Torto's answer, Cheollu simply added one thing.
"Certainly broadened my horizons. I'm grateful for this opportunity."
"Hey! You unlucky metalhead! That makes me look like the bad guy!"
The two seemed to have acknowledged each other and learned much while working together.
"You may stay as long as you want."
While saying that, I casually tried to grab the sword. Then Torto blocked my hand.
"Why are you doing this?"
He smiled.
"This is a one-of-a-kind item throughout both my previous life and current life. You're just going to take it?"
"What do you want?"
"Materials to make the next item."
"I'll naturally prepare that."
"And sufficient money and safety guarantee."
I didn't expect him to say this so openly. So it was actually more comfortable.
"If it becomes known that such weapons are being made, our lives will be in danger too."
Torto skillfully proceeded with negotiation.
I withdrew the hand I had extended toward the sword. And I asked confidently.
"Join the Heavenly Demon Cult. Then you'll be safest."
At this, Torto and Cheollu shook their heads simultaneously.
"Then we'd have to make things for free. No thanks."
"They're not biting."
I had hoped, but as expected, they didn't bite.
"How much do you want?"
"Just promise you'll give it. How much I want depends on how many we make."
I was about to answer when Torto glared and asked.
"Promise in the name of the Heavenly Demon."
I looked at Cheollu instead of Torto.
This kind of oath was a method used in the martial arts world. If one had high reputation, it had the same effect as a signature.
Cheollu slightly avoided my eyes.
"Cheollu, you have some petty sides too."
"It's fair compensation."
"Fine."
I confidently promised in front of them.
"I, the Heavenly Demon, promise fair compensation."
With that, the negotiation was complete. However, one thing remained.
"Will installments work?"
At my words, even the Witch glared at me.
"I was just joking."
I quickly cleared up the atmosphere.
"Safety guarantee and compensation. We'll do our best. I promise in the name of the Heavenly Demon."
Torto no longer stopped me either.
I finally grasped the sword. Contrary to expectations, I felt a heavy weight.
'Good.'
It's better for a sword to have some weight rather than being unconditionally light. Cheollu must have taken this into account.
I lightly touched my finger to the blade. Even though I protected it with internal energy, blood beaded up.
Next, I thrust the sword into a randomly protruding rock.
The sword penetrated the rock smoothly, like entering water. When pulling it out again, there was no great resistance.
There wasn't even a small trace on the blade. If blood got on it, it seemed like it would fall down like on glass.
"Excellent."
"That's not the end of it. There are five types of magic cast on it. Illusion, Fire Bomb, Wind Cutter, Shadow Dash—all useful magic in combat. The last magic is Soul Connection. Once you imprint an owner, only that person can use the magic."
I had heard about Illusion from the Witch. The rest were unfamiliar, so I couldn't quite grasp them.
But Torto's confident expression definitely guaranteed their effectiveness.
'A magic sword.'
I looked at the silver magic sword with its well-extended blade reflecting moonlight. This was the result I had so desired.
"Test it out."
At Torto's words, I immediately answered.
"It's not for me to use."
"What?"
"I'm going to give it to Hundred Tiger Ghost."
Not only Torto but also Cheollu frowned. They didn't like it.
They had naturally expected me to use it.
"Think about it carefully. Who will cherish this sword more?"
At my question, they showed expressions of deep thought. I added one thing.
"Think carefully about who it will be more precious to. Hundred Tiger Ghost is fully qualified to receive such a sword. He's the captain of the Hundred White Blood Corps."
The two eventually accepted it.
"Fine. Then decide on the next weapon."
"Me?"
"Of course. As I said, this is a match. It's fair for a third party to set the topic."
I inwardly thought this worked out well. But then the Witch stepped forward first.
"Anything is fine, right?"
I felt uneasy and tried to stop her. But Torto's answer was quick.
"Anything is fine!"
At his confidence, the Witch immediately stated the topic.
"A dress."
It was too late. The Witch's answer was faster than mine.
"That's too unfavorable for Cheollu..."
"Fine."
Surprisingly, Cheollu accepted it.
'Why are you accepting that? You idiot!'
I forcefully swallowed the words that had risen to my throat.
"I'll wear it myself."
When the Witch stated confidently, Torto and Cheollu had satisfied expressions.
"We'll contact you when it's done."
"Next time, we'll definitely settle the match."
I turned around while hearing their words.
"Hey, did you really have to mention a dress there?"
"I conceded the first one. That was already being very generous."
"But a dress in this situation!"
"Do you think dresses are trivial?"
"They're more trivial than protecting lives!"
When I shouted without backing down, the Witch said with a sneer full of derision.
"That's why you don't have a girlfriend."
The Witch left those words and turned away.
"Hey! I'm popular! Stop right there!"
Hurting one's pride is this easy.
The Witch accomplishes that even without magic. She's a true magician.
"She doesn't have a boyfriend either. I should have said that."
I continued to regret not saying this.