Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Not the Demonic Cult, We're Bandits
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"Don't worry, she's just an ordinary bandit."
"I'm definitely going to punish you...."
"......"
Yeah, that's scary.
In fact, in the novel, she's a heroine who becomes as strong as the protagonist, so it hits even harder.
But growling while tied up like that...
"Aww. So cute."
"Eeeeek-!!"
To me, she just looked adorable.
When I stroked Yu Somyeong's head, she lunged at my hand like she was going to bite it.
"Hey now, miss. Calm down and hear me out first. We've been protecting you all this time, and now we're gonna let you go home."
"...What?"
The moment I said that, Yu Somyeong froze in surprise. I scratched under her chin and continued.
"But since we've protected you so far, we gotta collect a protection fee, right?"
"What are you talking about? Protection fee? ...Eek."
She yelled in indignation at the mention of protection fee, but I flicked her forehead and pushed her back.
"...And you've already taken everything I have!"
"Not enough."
"What-?"
Of course, if Yu Somyeong sold her belongings and sword, it would more than cover the tolls we've been collecting from merchants passing through the mountains.
But Yu Somyeong's on a whole other level.
"Ten gold crowns it is."
"...What do you mean."
Her mouth dropped open at the mention of ten gold crowns. Classic over-the-top reaction from Yu Somyeong.
"...I don't have that kind of money right now."
"You don't need to pay it yourself. The Yu Clan of the Mountains will cover it for you."
"...My clan?"
I grinned as I answered. No mirror, but it was probably a real thug's smirk.
"Our bandits are smarter and better informed than you think, miss."
"Smar..., what?"
"Anyway. The Yu Clan of the Mountains doesn't have a clan leader right now, and most of the warriors are gone, right?"
"H-How do you...!"
In truth, bandits get pretty good intel. We hear all about the world's goings-on while shaking down merchants.
Last week, from the merchants who donated that fine leaf tobacco to us, we heard there was big movement at the Yu Clan of the Mountains.
Something about the clan leader taking warriors out to answer the Murim Alliance's call for reinforcements?
Anyway, the Yu Clan of the Mountains is basically empty right now. Perfect for a clean sweep.
Plus, I've got their most prized golden leaf tobacco right here in my hands.
"Come on, miss. Make me rich quick."
"I'd rather die than suffer that humiliation.... Mmph...!"
"Talk like that, and here's a gag for you."
I gagged Yu Somyeong, tied her securely to my back, and headed out.
My men were already waiting outside, preparations complete.
"Boss, let's go."
"Yeah, boys."
No more, no less—just ten gold crowns.
"Let's go make some money."
I'm gonna strip 'em clean, nice and proper.
....
....
But...
"Waaaah-!!"
"...Hey, why's it suddenly so noisy over there?"
"...No idea, boss."
We were right in front of the Yu Clan of the Mountains, and something was going down—total chaos.
I sent Dongryong to sneak up on the wall and check it out. He came back to report.
"B-Boss."
"What? What's going on?"
"Inside, the warriors are fighting each other with swords drawn."
"...Huh? For real?"
...This is awkward.
I need to make money here?
Looks like someone beat us to it.
'Who else would think to rob an empty house besides me...'
A line from some celebrity in my past life popped into my head.
'The thoughts in your head are in someone else's head too.'
Everyone gets the idea to burgle an empty place.
"Ha... damn it. Should've come earlier."
No way we're collecting cash in this mess...
"Boss, what now?"
"No clue... me neither."
Twitch.
That's when I felt something flopping behind me like a fish out of water.
It was Yu Somyeong, who'd been listening to our conversation.
"Mmph!! Mmmph!!"
"Ah, hold still a sec... Fine, fine, I'll put you down."
Her struggling got wilder, so I set her down from my back and removed the gag.
The moment her mouth was free, she asked me with a confused look.
"What's going on at my house right now?"
"Not sure exactly, but the warriors inside are fighting each other?"
"Why..."
In an instant, the confusion vanished from her face, replaced by urgency.
"...Untie me."
"Sigh... Miss Yu, this isn't the time to throw a fit..."
"Untie me now-!! Inside...!"
No, looking closer, her face wasn't just urgent—it was desperate.
"My brother's inside-!!"
"...!"
...Brother?
Only then did I recall the original novel in more detail.
Did Yu Somyeong have a brother in the novel?
No, she didn't. Because she was the young clan leader of the Yu Clan of the Mountains.
Come to think of it, I remembered her telling the protagonist about her brother.
Definitely...
"He was killed by demonic cultists..., ...!"
'No wonder something felt off.'
Now that I knew, my senses picked up a faint demonic aura.
Demonic cultists... Heavenly Demon Divine Cult members... are inside.
"......"
My life's goal is to live ordinarily, without getting tangled up in the novel, the righteous sects, or the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
But...
'Get out... and never set foot here again.'
...I couldn't help the shiver that ran through me at the mention of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
"Untie me now!! I have to protect my brother!!"
Snap.
I untied Yu Somyeong as she thrashed around. Surprised I'd let her go so easily, she widened her eyes.
"You..."
"Miss."
I helped her up and said,
"Looks like I'll have to double the protection fee."
**
Shing-.
"Urk-!!"
The sword of Wi Yongmyeong, brimming with dark crimson energy, sliced into Yu Jinmyeong's waist.
His arms and legs were already covered in sword wounds.
"Huff..."
Overwhelmed by burning pain, Yu Jinmyeong lost his balance and dropped to one knee. Wi Yongmyeong sneered down at him.
The kindly smile he'd worn all this time had been a lie—this vile grin suited him perfectly.
"Just give up now, and I'll let you go painlessly. Heh heh."
"You bastard..."
Yu Jinmyeong ground his teeth and forced himself back to his feet.
"Even if it kills me, I won't give up."
Truth be told, despite his words, the situation was grim.
The enemy outnumbered his allies at a glance, and he was wounded in the leg.
'The Willow Blossom Sword Art relies on speed...'
Worse, his opponent was a veteran with far more experience, wielding a demonic art that cloaked his blade in savage dark crimson energy.
Victory was a long shot now.
'No choice.'
Yu Jinmyeong resolved to pour everything into one final strike.
Swooo-.
"Hoh?"
As Yu Jinmyeong channeled his energy into his sword, Wi Yongmyeong scoffed.
"Planning a last desperate attack? But what can you do, young clan leader? You look like you've barely any energy left."
"......"
Yu Jinmyeong didn't reply, but Wi Yongmyeong was right. His other injuries had sapped his inner energy.
Even so, he squeezed out every last drop.
Then... he lowered his stance.
"...!"
Yu Jinmyeong's eyes locked solely on his foe's neck, focusing as if his life had led to this sole purpose: severing that throat.
That moment—staring at Wi Yongmyeong's neck, channeling power into his legs and hands—lasted less than a second, but he poured every drop of blood and sweat from his struggles into it.
At last, his body leaped into the air...
And a single technique blossomed from his sword.
Willow Blossom Sword Art: Willow Bloom Annihilation.
Peeeng-.
Time seemed to freeze for Yu Jinmyeong—everything slowed.
To others, it would be a blink too fast to follow.
Even then, his sword steadily closed in on Wi Yongmyeong's neck.
'Got him.'
The Willow Blossom Sword Art's speed was beyond most masters' reaction.
The moment it connected, Yu Jinmyeong declared victory in his mind.
But...
Kwang-.
"Urk-!"
His blade didn't meet neck. Unable to withstand the impact, Yu Jinmyeong's body flew back several paces.
"Uweeek-!!"
Blood spewed from his mouth. Forcing his depleted energy had caused internal injuries from the backlash.
Wracked by the agony of twisting organs, Yu Jinmyeong crumpled.
Wi Yongmyeong approached slowly, straightening his clothes, looking every bit the victor.
"Young clan leader, such folly."
"You scum-! Urgh..."
"I've been with the Yu Clan of the Mountains longer than you've been alive. Think I wouldn't know how to counter the Willow Blossom Sword Art?"
"Th-That can't be..."
A counter to the Willow Blossom Sword Art... Yu Jinmyeong despaired on the ground. Wi Yongmyeong kindly continued his explanation.
"Those who use the Willow Blossom Sword Art are idiots who always aim for the neck. It's obvious where you're striking, so if I just brace a heavy sword there in advance, what can you do?"
"Urk..."
Truthfully, anyone who thought about it could figure it out, but his lack of experience led here.
He might feel wronged, but victory and defeat were sealed.
The victor, Wi Yongmyeong, raised his sword to claim the final life.
"Well then, see you in the next life."
"Wi Yongmyeong-!!!"
And as the blade descended toward Yu Jinmyeong's neck...!
Whoosh-.
Smack!
"Aaak!"
In the midst of his final motion, Wi Yongmyeong felt a sharp sting on the back of his head.
"Who's there-!"
"Who do you think?"
Clang-!
He whirled around to face a young man swinging a saber at him.
The guy looked like a shabby gigolo in ragged clothes, using his spin to shove Wi Yongmyeong's sword aside...
Thwack-.
"Ugh...!"
And drove a kick into Wi Yongmyeong's solar plexus. Sent flying, Wi Yongmyeong tumbled several paces.
'Wh-Who is he?'
Seeing him, Yu Jinmyeong sensed the young man was no ordinary foe.
Especially since this stranger had suddenly appeared to help him.
But he didn't drop his guard, asking the youth,
"...Who are you? Don't tell me you're with the demonic cultists?"
"You're the young clan leader, right? Don't worry, I'm not a demonic cultist."
At those words, Yu Jinmyeong finally smiled.
Whoever he was, this young man had come as an ally to save him.
Now that he looked, the guy was quite handsome—trustworthy even...
"I'm a bandit from up on Mount Hwayak."
Trustworthy... Huh?
"Wh-What...?"
"I came to protect you."
Yu Jinmyeong rubbed his eyes and looked up again at his savior's face.
He was handsome as first glance...
"Miss Yu agreed to pay double the protection fee."
...but he looked exactly like a thug.