Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Witch's House
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Today, many things had gone awry from the plan.
Yuri's original scheme had been to infiltrate the cult's gathering itself using Directive Flame.
At the gathering, he'd meet the other possessors, leverage the name "Cat Panties," and weave in lies about having secret, private chats in reality with "Padrip Immunity" and others from the same background to pry out information.
Then, when the "Bishop" showed up, he'd slip out of the gathering at an opportune moment, avoiding the cult's "baptism," and if possible, even attempt to assassinate the bishop.
If things went perfectly and he made it right up to assassinating the bishop, he'd squeeze every last bit of cult information out of him before finishing the job.
But all those plans had gone to hell thanks to the Sword Dragon's rash charge and the Demonic Cult Young Leader's intrusion.
'Still, the results aren't bad, right?'
He'd swiftly killed Directive Flame before the guy could spout any nonsense. And the bishop, a 6th Tier mage and that withered old hag, he'd taken down without major losses.
He hadn't managed to connect with the other possessors, but in exchange, he'd made acquaintances with the Orsia Family's Sword Dragon and the Demonic Cult's Young Leader.
Especially saving the Young Leader's life—that was a pretty big win. He'd even earned a "favor" from Sword Shadow, one of the Seven Evils.
And the Young Leader himself must have a good impression of Yuri now. He'd saved his life and even slipped a mask on him.
Nor was it just the Young Leader. The Sword Dragon walking a bit ahead was showing plenty of interest in Yuri too. At first, seeing him charge in recklessly at the gathering, Yuri had pegged him as just some lunatic, but after exchanging a few words, he seemed far more decent than any Namgung Clan bastard.
On top of that, he'd learned the withered hag's hideout. A shame she'd self-destructed before he could interrogate her, but searching the place might turn up more intel on the Chaos Cult.
"Demonic Cult Young Leader, Sword Shadow of the Seven Evils, Orsia Family's Sword Dragon."
Ha-ryeong, who had been quietly walking beside him for once, spoke up. She tapped the fox mask draped over her side hair with her finger, glancing sidelong at Yuri.
"As expected of Yuri. The man who shocked Lutran two years ago with 3.5 billion. When you set your mind to it, you stir up waves wherever you go."
"Your tongue's finally loosened up, huh?"
In the past, Yuri had tried to brush off Ha-ryeong's nonsense without much pushback. But things were different now—his position had changed, and two years on his own had toughened him up. So he fired back without backing down.
"You were clammed up tight earlier, scared stiff. Now that the ghost's gone, you feeling better?"
"Yuri, you're under a strange misunderstanding. Scared? I've never been scared."
"Bull. Weren't you all hunched up, calling for your mommy who wasn't even here?"
"Mentioning my parents crosses a line."
"Hang on, Ha-ryeong. Don't move."
Ha-ryeong's face hardened a bit, and Yuri mirrored her, planting his feet and glaring behind her. Her expression stiffened instantly. She froze mid-step, eyes locked on him with rising tension.
"Wh-what is it?"
"Behind you!"
At Yuri's barked shout, Ha-ryeong leaped straight up. The sight stirred old nostalgia in Yuri.
His Earth apartment.
The phone he'd clutched before drifting off in bed.
Those short one-minute clips he'd scroll through mindlessly.
Especially the ones that hooked him: videos of cats doing hilariously dumb, startling things—like jumping in shock or bolting away.
Ha-ryeong's move was a dead ringer for one of those cats. No puffed tail or bristling fur, but her hunched shoulders bulged just like.
"My bad. Saw it wrong."
Before Ha-ryeong, who'd jumped high and landed, could spit out a word, Yuri beat her to it.
"..."
Ha-ryeong clamped her lips, glaring daggers at him. Her eyes burned with more killing intent than when she'd faced the Blood Fiend two years back, her brows slashed at a record-breaking angle.
"Why stare like that?"
"Because I really want to kill you."
"Let's not say such harsh things between us."
"Between us? What are we to each other?"
"Sister-brother, acquaintances, close pals..."
"Yeah, Yuri, you wanna die?"
The second he sorted the relations, Ha-ryeong pounced like she'd been waiting.
"Your manners are shit with your big sis. Where'd you pick up that rotten prank?"
"Th-that language is way too crude..."
"Pull that prank one more time, and big sis will end you."
Ha-ryeong said it, then smoothed her expression. She ignored the chill of cold sweat trickling down her spine.
"Your martial prowess has made you a total brat. Back when you were weak and innocent, you were kinda cute. But remember this, Yuri: I'm an assassin who strikes from behind, not head-on."
"Yes, Dark Flower."
"You know what it means for a title to have 'flower' in it?"
Ha-ryeong reverted to her usual blank face, puffing out her chest.
"Young age. Striking looks. Exceptional skill. All three have to align perfectly for a title to get a flower."
Flower (花) and Dragon (龍) carry big weight in late-genius titles. Top male late-geniuses get "dragon" in theirs; females get "flower."
The exception? Snow Princess Yeon Ri-eun-ha. Granddaughter of the White Silver Martial Duke, heir to the famed Yeon Ri Clan of martial houses, inheritor of his true arts—hence her Snow Princess title.
"You're not young anymore, though, Ha-ryeong."
Yuri's offhand remark as he listened snapped her restraint. Paak! Her foot slammed his shin.
"Ow."
"Don't fake pain like that."
Ironically, Ha-ryeong felt the stinging ache from the kick.
"I get that you have lots of misconceptions about me, Yuri. My age is a secret, but I'm not so old I can't be called a flower."
"So how old are you?"
"Secret."
As the two bantered amiably, the Sword Dragon stayed shut-mouthed. Truth be told, he wanted to butt in, but Brain Cloud and Dark Flower seemed tighter than he'd imagined—hard to wedge in.
'Brain Cloud... Dark Flower...'
The Sword Dragon wasn't narrow-minded. He knew Moonlit Night Dance and Blood Wolf's titles, but Brain Cloud? Nothing.
He vaguely recalled a youth they'd acknowledged two years back. Beyond that—his feats weren't sharply etched, that's all.
But he'd heard of Dark Flower. More precisely, of Derusia Magic Tower's Golden Lily—the brutal young witch now better known as Lightning Strike.
Dark Flower was known as her bodyguard. A Killing Guard Sect assassin, personally linked by Heavenly Thunder herself. Her identity was murky, but even as an assassin, her skills and looks earned her the Dark Flower title.
'This guy's reckless against cultists, but now he's just lurking quiet, gauging moods.'
Watching him glance back so much sparked the thought.
"Got something to say to us?"
Figuring the Sword Dragon couldn't start, Yuri did. Might as well get chummy with him too.
"My face must be prettier than expected."
Ha-ryeong muttered blankly.
"All 'cause you spouted nonsense earlier. Sword Dragon probably thought my face was mask-worthy wrecked, but nope—take it off, and it's a beauty? Shocking, right?"
"Shameless."
"So my face is wrecked, huh?"
"Not what I meant."
He didn't want to admit it outright, so he clammed up. The Sword Dragon, glancing back and hesitating, cleared his throat a few times and slowed his pace.
"The face under the mask caught me off guard. And... that you used Reverse Face Art—that surprised me too."
"You were cursing and bantering earlier, now formal speech?"
"We hadn't introduced ourselves then."
The Sword Dragon looked sheepish, matching Yuri's stride.
"Forgive the rude question. Truth is, I know nothing of the Brain Cloud title."
"I barely operated in the public eye."
"Did you do shady stuff?"
"Not saintly good, but no evil deeds."
"Hmm... Well, I... don't discriminate between righteous and black paths. I, Estor Orsia, believe I can befriend anyone not Demonic Cult or cultist."
He cleared his throat.
"But what's your relation? Sounds like you've known each other ages."
"Yuri was the childhood friend of Elena, the lady I served until recently."
Ha-ryeong answered.
"We bonded deeply two years ago. I even taught him martial basics."
"Martial basics...?"
The Sword Dragon staggered in shock, eyes bulging at Yuri.
"Elena the Golden Lily—not Lightning Strike. You learned basics two years ago? So Brain Cloud, you're... my age, 22, entered martial arts two years back?"
"Yes."
He stopped dead.
"Huh... hahaha, haha..."
He let out a hollow laugh.
"Indeed, indeed... the world's vast."
After chuckling, he gazed blankly skyward, mumbling.
"Not boasting, but I was born with blessed talent in a fine environment. Up to now, tons of support, no slacking on effort—I pride myself on that. Naturally... I figured among my peers, I'd be top dog."
Mages: Derusia's Golden Lily. Eastern clans: Yeon Ri's Snow Princess. Huangbo's Tyrant Dragon, Single Heaven Sword Sect's True Dragon.
He'd ranked himself above fellow late-geniuses mentioned with him.
"But today, my narrow sky crumbled. The Demonic Cult Young Leader, all those rumors—age and skill close to mine. Brain Cloud, you... same age, same tier, just two years in martial arts..."
"Lucky breaks."
Yuri replied quick.
"True, Blood Wolf taught me two years back, but I got various fortunes too."
"Fortunes...?"
"Yes. In Lutran, Heavenly Thunder gave me elixirs and arts privately. Got one in Logos too."
"Logos—the Chaos Rift?"
"Yes. As you know, rifts rarely spawn fortunes."
Orsia Family's biggest headache: refugees outside the city, from the Rift of Ranalta 50 years ago. Panterion near Ranalta, so Orsia knights managed its rift dutifully.
Thus, Sword Dragon knew rift fortunes well. Plenty of Orsia knights had lucked into them when Ranalta's rift rampaged.
"Right?"
Yuri glanced at Ha-ryeong.
No fortune in Logos two years back. But she wasn't daft enough to spill the truth here.
"Know Yuri's Lutran nickname?"
"Nope."
"The 3.5 Billion Man."
He'd heard it earlier but didn't get it. Sword Dragon blinked puzzled; Ha-ryeong continued nonchalantly.
"Yuri came up penniless, bare-handed, made 3.5 billion in under a month."
"...!"
"I've met tons of folks, but none as lucky. From nothing to 3.5 billion? What luck is that? Yuri's real talent? Not martial arts—pure fortune."
"Huh..."
Born gold-spoon Orsia, but not money-blind. He knew 3.5 billion was huge for a broke commoner.
"Yuri proved that insane luck in Logos too. Joked before arriving he'd snag a fortune—didn't think it'd happen."
"Huh..."
"Post-Logos, more fortunes. Without 'em, no way he'd hit this level."
She skipped details; Sword Dragon didn't pry. Fortunes, especially martial-related, were secrets by rule.
'Scored elixirs and arts, huh.'
Sword Dragon nodded, grinning.
"True enough. Brain Cloud, you're lucky for sure. I hitched a ride too. Without you all, killing that old hag? Tough. Possible, but would've needed resolve."
"Still, tangling with the Demonic Cult feels like bad luck."
"Haha, maybe. But I gained much today. Killed a cult bishop, learned the world's breadth. Realized I'm a frog in a well. Got real on the rumored Young Leader. Crossed blades with Sword Shadow, near Sword Demon level..."
He composed himself, eyeing Yuri and Ha-ryeong.
"Turned shocking encounters into bonds. Purged cultists—a feat—but Estor Orsia sees meeting you as the true fortune."
"Too kind."
"No, it's not. So Brain Cloud, Dark Flower—don't let this end here."
He bowed politely.
"I invite you as Orsia Family guests. I stake my honor and name on treating you without discomfort."
"How to refuse such a bow? An honor. Please, lift your head."
Only then did Sword Dragon smile and straighten.
"Thanks for accepting. The old witch's lair's near—quick search, then head back together."
"Sure, Sword Dragon."
Ha-ryeong answered abruptly. Sword Dragon blinked.
"Didn't you say 22?"
"It is, but..."
"Ha-ryeong, don't."
"Stiff vibe killed the mood, so I tossed in a joke."
"Uh... I'm fine."
Sword Dragon stammered.
"Sure, Sword Dragon."
Yuri tried it slyly. Sword Dragon's face flickered complex emotions.
"Sure, Brain Cloud."
He nodded reluctantly after a beat.
*
The withered hag's lair was a shabby, common building deep in a bustling alley—like Directive Flame's shack, laced with intricate spells.
Lucky part: no trigger just from nearing. Showy for a high-tier mage, security spells finely tuned—only forced entry activated them.
"Magic."
Sword Dragon muttered. Yuri stood glaring at the building, gauging spell types. Forced breach signaled the hag instantly; she'd counter per her will.
With her dead, brute-forcing shouldn't be trouble.
"Can you dispel?"
"Not with my magic skill."
Sword Dragon nodded, drawing his sword—half-broken from Sword Shadow.
"Slice it then."
"Can you?"
"Brain Cloud, you saw earlier? Orsia's Light Sword cuts all."
Boastful hyperbole, but true—it'd cleaved her full-powered spells in one stroke. Yuri and Ha-ryeong naturally stood guard around him.
Sword Dragon poured sword aura into the fractured blade. Kwarr-rung! Golden aura boiled, coating it.
'Three minutes...'
Cup ramen boil-time later, Light Sword complete. Easier second time, but sweat beaded his brow. Deep inner power or not, Light Sword strained him now.
Tsssk, tzzt...!
Advancing with Light Sword forward, building spells reacted. Massive mana in the blade clashed ambient mana, warping untriggered spell formulas into spatial cracks.
'Got it.'
Light Sword cleaved spells by cracking them thus—like perforation. Slice the crack, magic severs clean.
"Hup."
Short shout, swing. Shwaaak! Golden slash rent the cracks; spells dispersed.
"Done."
Sword Dragon exhaled long, retracting Light Sword. Burdensome, but proved Orsia Light Sword countered magic like Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
'Could I?'
Annihilating Evil burned mana and spells too—might work if pushed. Holy Flame Force Emission ignored defenses like protective auras, incinerating innards; twisted reverse, versatile vs. magic.
'Worth pondering.'
Seeing Heavenly Demon Divine Art and Light Sword broadened ideas. 3.5 Billion luck? He said it, but meh—still, previewing them was lucky.
"Inside."
Sword Dragon wiped brow sweat, leading.
'Might be spellbooks?'
Cult intel mattered, but spellbooks tempted too.
Withered hag: 6th Tier mage.
Ludelra spells or her pursuits—not Yuri's taste, but high-tier tomes held value even unread.
Kiiik.
Slicing spells clean meant no retaliation on door-open.
"Nice place."
Following in, Yuri voiced his honest take.
Exterior worn; interior opulent. Worlds from Directive Flame's shack.
But air reeked artificial—too pure, cloying.
Cause? Obvious soon.
First room: shelves crammed with large jars holding human-beast organs, flesh chunks.
"..."
Gaudy furnishings made it grotesque, eerie. Yuri glanced at blank-faced Ha-ryeong, leaning close to whisper.
"Wack."
Slap!
Sharp slap cracked his cheek. Un dodged, Yuri blinked; Ha-ryeong glared coldly, raising hand again.
"Told you you'd die."
"Sorry."
Yuri apologized sincerely for the brain fart.
"Don't die—let's test it."
"...?"
"Sorry."
Yuri apologized again.
"Our Yuri's nuts."
Ha-ryeong, face subtly twisted, finally shot back late.