Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Unity of Man and Sword!
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Being able to summon Ryu Seram on Christmas Eve was squarely in the realm of solid business.
She'd used me last time over that owl business, so now I was calling her in return.
Of course, she griped about getting her full overtime pay, but I just pretended not to hear.
Anyway.
Kaboom!
Ryu Seram plummeted to the ground amid swirling snowflakes.
Piles of snow surged outward like waves, kicking up a ferocious roar.
Ryu Seram was one of the Seven Apex Hunters from the 3rd Floor.
But the key thing to remember was that the 3rd Floor's level of power ranked at the absolute bottom among the Tower's layers.
Nangong Pacheon blocked her punch with his sword.
The ground where he stood cratered deeply, instantly showing just how heavy her fist had been.
Yet Nangong Pacheon merely rolled his shoulders as if nursing a minor ache.
"Wow, shit."
Ryu Seram leaped back urgently, naturally rejoining us.
"They said Old Martial World monsters are on another level entirely, and damn if it isn't true."
But she hadn't even gone full throttle either, judging by how she shook out her hand and clicked her tongue.
"Can we win?"
"Don't ask if you don't even expect it."
"It's just like you watching a Bear Force match with zero hopes..."
Her eyes burned with killing intent several times fiercer than when she'd thrown that punch at Nangong Pacheon.
I hastily averted my gaze, and Ryu Seram forced herself to breathe steadily before speaking.
"The goal is to buy time, right? That much we can manage."
"Really?"
"Though the three of us will have to fight like hell for it."
Her words drained the tension from my body. I hadn't planned on throwing myself into the fray that hard.
"My weapon just broke, though."
"You always carry that folding knife. Pull it out."
"What good's that gonna do?"
"Even a toothpick hurts if you keep stabbing."
Nangong Pacheon, standing right in front of us, seemed to judge that the three of us weren't half bad, unleashing an even greater wave of pressure than before.
"Ah, this Christmas is the worst."
I figured a little griping was fair game, all things considered—big deal or not, we were up against an absolute master from the Old Martial World.
"What the hell are you saying, you bastard?"
"Hah, speak for yourself. Shouldn't we be laughing?"
The two women on either side grabbed my arms.
"You're spending Christmas sandwiched between two beauties. Be happy."
"Indeed, few men enjoy such luxury."
"...You both had no dates anyway."
Nangong Haryeong flinched and looked away at my words, but not Ryu Seram.
"What? I had a party invite. From the Hunter Association, calling in all the high-rankers?"
"Hunter Association?"
Vice Chairman Yoo Ye-na's face flashed in my mind. I wanted to ask if I'd mentioned coming here to her, but Nangong Pacheon was starting to move, cutting me off.
"What a brutal Christmas this is."
Vroom.
In the taxi speeding across the overpass.
Nangong Yeon's heart pounded without cease, tremors refusing to fade.
She'd mustered her courage to come this far, but she couldn't shake the anxiety.
'I-is this really okay?'
Even now that she was here, she mocked herself for still hesitating.
It felt different from defying her father's orders.
For a martial artist taking her first step into romance, excitement and fear coexisted in her heart.
That's when Kim Yang, sitting beside her, pulled a cosmetics set from her bag.
"......"
Even as Kim Yang crooked a finger to beckon her face closer, Nangong Yeon didn't get it.
"Pardon? What-"
"Styling service."
Unsure what it meant but pushed by Kim Yang's irritated glare, she leaned her face forward.
And so, Kim Yang's makeup session began inside the rattling taxi.
Her movements were as delicate as a sculptor chiseling marble, flawless even amid the bumps.
The taxi driver sneaked peeks in the rearview mirror—Kim Yang's skills were that impressive.
"Ooh."
Nangong Yeon gasped at her reflection in the hand mirror: makeup flawless, tousled hair neatly styled.
She hadn't realized Meracle offered services like this.
"Scent."
Finishing the makeup, Kim Yang spritzed on perfume.
The man who'd looked like a bum under the bridge finally resembled a proper young master again.
"Ahem, how do I look?"
Asking out of a sudden urge for reassurance, she got a nod and thumbs-up from Kim Yang.
"Phew, thank you."
Nangong Yeon finally understood why people fussed over their looks.
Confidence welled up from nowhere.
She slowly turned her gaze to the window.
Neon lights twinkled beneath the falling snow.
'Strange.'
It was the same view from under the bridge, yet today it felt special.
She realized this was what they called a holiday.
'Christmas... huh.'
They'd said it was a special day.
They were right.
About fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a bustling commercial district teeming with people.
Skyscrapers sprouted like weeds, making Nangong Yeon feel insignificant.
She didn't want to get out, but with Kim Yang paying and stepping onto the street, she had no choice but to follow.
"Is this Luminus Plaza?"
Nod.
"Th-then... is she here?"
"Dunno."
"Pardon?"
"Find her yourself."
Kim Yang shooed her away with a wave.
Her curt attitude was like ice water snapping Nangong Yeon to attention.
'That's right. I've come this far. A true man presses forward.'
She strode ahead.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, her mind whipping itself onward.
What should she say when they met?
What expression should she wear?
Sorry? Or that it's fine?
Thoughts spiraled endlessly.
'Is it this frightening?'
Her heart thundered like it would burst.
She'd never wavered with a blade at her throat on the battlefield. Here, every step hammered her chest.
People everywhere.
Mostly couples. Some with family. Others with friends.
Weaving through the paired groups, she searched and searched.
The more she walked, the more she thought of her.
But all that surfaced clearly were the words they'd shared.
The phrasing of their chats, response times, tone.
Those stood out vividly.
Her actual face, though...
It was hazy.
'Why?'
How much time had passed?
Her features wouldn't sharpen in his mind.
'Why?'
Anxiety crept in.
At this rate, he might pass her by without recognizing her.
'Why can't I-!'
Nangong Yeon's steps halted abruptly.
Why couldn't he remember?
Of course.
'Did I ever truly look at her?'
He'd thought her beautiful at their first meeting.
But after that?
When he heard she'd melted her sword for a prosthetic arm.
What expression had she worn?
He'd flown into a rage, smashed the table, pointed his sword.
Now that he thought back, she might have been crying.
'Even so.'
He hadn't looked.
Or if he had, he'd pretended not to see.
Only words floated in his mind.
The chats had been enjoyable, but he'd never once imagined what expressions lay behind them.
'Ah...'
Even after wringing out every ounce of courage.
"Miss."
In the end, Nangong Yeon stood frozen, gazing up at the sky. Streets awash in neon, buildings piercing the heavens.
"I'm sorry."
Never once truly meeting her eyes.
It was the perfect reason to end their story in tragedy.
That was when.
"10 seconds left! 10!"
Cheers erupted.
All eyes turned skyward.
Every building in Luminus Plaza lit up their LED screens with a countdown.
'So it ends like this.'
Amid the crowd's festival, Nangong Yeon quietly bit his lip.
As everyone cheered in joy, he stood alone.
Alone?
Isolated?
No.
Not true.
He wasn't the only one standing alone here.
"Miss-! Where are youuu-!"
If he stayed put.
If he truly gave up here.
In this place brimming with happiness, two souls would be left unhappy.
I can't leave you alone.
Nangong Yeon poured strength into his throat and bellowed.
"Miss—!"
His voice echoed through the throng.
But this was Christmas, a worldwide celebration.
"Woooah!"
"7 seconds! 7 left!"
People welcomed his shout like another firecracker, roaring along.
"Miss—!!"
Even screaming until his throat tore, it drowned in the din.
"5!"
"Miss! Miss! Where are you!"
"4!"
"Nangong Yeon is here! Miss!"
"3!"
"I have so much to say!"
"2!"
"I'm no good with words! But there's something I must convey no matter what!"
"1."
"Miss—!"
[Merry Christmas!]
Bang! Boom! Kaboom!
LED screens on every building flashed Merry Christmas in unison.
As fireworks filled the sky, people embraced and beamed.
"Merry Christmas!"
"Yay! Merry Christmas!"
"Happy holidays!"
Through their laughter and fervor, Nangong Yeon realized no cry of his could reach.
"Ah..."
If he couldn't remember, surely she'd find him.
But Christmas's miracle granted him no such grace.
"Are you watching this sky too?"
Amid the crowd.
Head thrown back, tears streaming as he watched the falling snow.
"Merry Christmas, miss."
Because it never reached you.
I'm truly sorry.
"Huh? What's that?"
"Nangong-? What? What does it say?"
Nangong Yeon snapped his eyes open at hearing his name amid the crowd.
'Nangong?'
It wasn't just one or two.
"Old Martial World script?"
"I studied it. Nangong-."
"Got a translator implanted in my iris. Says Nangong Yeon."
No need to ask where. Nangong Yeon saw it himself the moment he looked.
Luminus Plaza's largest, grandest screen.
The LED that had read [Merry Christmas] moments ago now displayed new text.
[Nangong Yeon]
How long had this been prepared?
Nangong Yeon didn't need to wonder.
- J: If you'd like, may I recommend a romantic spot for Christmas?
- J: Shall I suggest places perfect for Christmas then?
Because J had been nudging him here for days.
"Sorry!"
"Eek?!"
"W-wait. Don't push?"
Sorry, but no time to waste.
His reckless dash now had a clear destination.
I'm coming.
Straight to you now.
So just wait a little.
"Hah! Hah-!"
When he finally shoved through the crowd to the building front.
He saw her.
A blonde woman standing forlorn amid the passersby.
Miraculously, the face he'd feared forgetting was crystal clear.
"Miss."
His throat was shot, forcing a whisper.
"......!"
Jessica heard and whipped around, searching for him.
"Ah."
Jessica's eyes quivered.
Instinctively, she hid her right arm behind her back.
Arriving before the still-worried Jessica, Nangong Yeon gazed down and smiled brightly.
"I wanted to be with you as the day turned. I'm a bit late, miss."
Surprisingly.
The words flowed naturally.
Emotions buried in his heart poured out as words without hesitation.
"That day, I should have at least talked with you, miss. I'm sorry."
"N-no. It's not."
Tears fell from Jessica's eyes.
Gently, he took her right arm as she frantically wiped them with her left.
"I'm sorry..."
Jessica flinched and trembled.
Instinct urged her to pull away.
"I-I thought you'd be happy. I can't wield a sword anymore, so at least in my own way, to carry on the Nangong will-."
Head bowed, she swallowed hard.
The moment shame and guilt made her try to withdraw.
Nangong Yeon gripped tighter.
"Unity of Man and Sword."
Man becomes sword, sword becomes man.
The essence of the Nangong way.
Gazing at Jessica's right arm, Nangong Yeon finally felt peace settle in his heart.
He'd agonized so much.
Suffered endlessly.
But seeing it up close like this.
The answer was so simple.
"I've heard a wife is called a partner because she shares half one's life."
"......Pardon?"
"Our bond, in a way... might touch the very essence of the Nangong way."
Jessica's pupils shook.
Nangong Yeon lifted his head, meeting her eyes squarely.
"If you have become the sword."
This time, he didn't look away.
No more seeing only words.
"Then by becoming one with you, I fulfill the Nangong spirit, no?"
"......!"
Jessica gasped.
Her expression screamed disbelief.
A future she'd dreamed of countless times, one she'd thought ruined by her mistake, was unfolding before her now.
"Miss, I've spent my life learning only to grip a sword, so I can't offer grand words."
But.
"Because I've trained my whole life never to release it-."
He gripped her hand—the hand that had once been Moonlight Sword—even harder.
"I will never let go of this hand."
Tears spilled from Jessica's eyes again.
But this time, from relief, not fear or shame.
Nangong Yeon slowly bowed his head.
Like paying respects in the martial world.
Yet far more intimately.
"Miss."
As if swearing upon his sword.
"Will you be my partner?"