Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Adjacent Company Uncle
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This woman was the leader of the Vermilion Bird Squad, Zhuge Seo.
Of course, it was a different squad, but she wasn't like that uncle from the next company over. She was definitely my superior.
The owner of that soft, voluptuous sensation I'd felt in my hand just moments ago was one of the heads of the Murim Alliance's four great organizations.
I wasn't about to lose my head just for groping her breasts a bit, but the situation had undeniably turned awkward as hell.
"Understood."
I let out a long sigh as I spoke.
"What's this favor you want?"
She flashed a relaxed smile.
"You should've said that from the start."
For a split second, I had a powerful urge to flick her forehead. I suppressed the rising emotion and forced a smile.
"Yeah, my bad. So, what's this grand favor?"
"A sword debate."
Her words caught me off guard.
"Sword debate? Why the hell now...?"
"You'll do it, right?"
She cut me off and fired back. Her eyes burned with a resolve that brooked no refusal. Not that I had much choice anyway.
"Fine. I'll do it. But I've never learned any martial arts."
"I know. That's why I'm asking."
Damn it.
I barely managed to lower my raised fist. This woman was a master at getting under people's skin.
Zhuge Seo smirked as if she could see right through me, then laid out her terms.
"The one who gives better instruction wins, and the loser grants the winner any one wish, no matter what it is."
Lose, and I grant any wish?
My gaze involuntarily drifted to her ample breasts. The incredible sensation from before came rushing back to my palm. There were so many things I wanted to do with those breasts...
...A ton, actually.
I'm winning this, no question.
"Sounds good. But since I don't know the first thing about martial arts, let's keep the sword debate super basic."
"Hm..."
Zhuge Seo pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. We'll do it that way."
Perfect. Hook, line, and sinker, you bitch.
I smirked inwardly. My depleted mental energy had already started recovering a bit.
'Akashic Records. Sword debate basics, martial arts fundamentals.'
I immediately opened the memory library and laid out only the most basic theories from the countless martial arts manuals I'd swept up earlier.
Open-book test. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn't beat someone who'd memorized thousands of books whole.
And then, I lost three rounds straight.
"......"
"Wow! You really suck. Even a third-rate fighter would do better... Ah! Sorry. It slipped out... Hehe... Want to go again, Vice Squad Leader?"
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! Hell no, you're bad luck!"
If I recited theory, she'd point out practical flaws. If I brought up variations, she'd stress the basics. Whatever I said, she was always one step ahead, looking down on me. This bitch was just ridiculously good.
Zhuge Seo clutched her stomach, barely holding back laughter as she spoke.
"Pfft... Well, a deal's a deal."
"Fine! What do you want?!"
Zhuge Seo pulled a book from her bosom and handed it to me.
I took it.
It was warm.
It must've been tucked between her breasts until just now—the book radiated a soft, fluffy warmth.
"Read this. That's my wish."
I mumbled an unenthusiastic agreement and turned to leave the library.
The moment the heavy door closed behind me, I buried my nose in the book and took a deep breath.
Sniff—!
A sweet, cozy feminine scent mixed with the aroma of ink paper tickled my nostrils.
Ah. Nice.
I headed straight back to my quarters in the Azure Dragon Squad. I'd spent longer in the library than expected; outside the window, darkness had already fallen like pitch black.
The room was quiet. Ha-eun and Soso were fast asleep in their beds. No sign of the rabbit—it must've gone into its wooden cage.
I quietly climbed into bed.
Read a book? She wasn't my teacher, and she wasn't gonna quiz me later or anything.
Still, I'd agreed to her wish, so I should at least give it a look.
I opened the book.
It was a novel.
The first chapter hooked me right away. Engaging plot, appealing characters—I got sucked in before I knew it.
But around the midpoint, the story veered off into nonsense. Logic vanished, and the characters acted like they'd all lost a few screws.
Then the ending. The author seemed hell-bent on slamming the reader with a flashy plot twist to the back of the head.
"...What the fuck!"
What the hell is this guy on?
Ending it like that?
Is he insane?
I ended up pulling an all-nighter and slammed the final page shut. On the last page was an author's note titled "A Change of Heart."
Story going off the rails?
Don't make me laugh.
It's been off the rails from the start.
Don't backseat-game me.
Backseat me, and you're dead.
Of course, I'd die too.
I've already died twice.
So death doesn't scare me.
Let's both go our separate ways.
This is for you to hear.
Got a problem?
Swing at me.
No.
Forget it.
Just bear with it.
I haven't eaten.
Living off dry noodles every day.
Hm.
Forget everything up to now.
All jokes.
No.
A ronin with a sword threatened me into writing this.
Please spare me.
I have two daughters.
I'll give them.
No.
Make an offer.
"......"
So that's the "change of heart." What the hell did this asshole spew in his afterword? Clearly got roasted in some reviews. Manic episode much?
I checked just in case, but no author's name anywhere in the book. I chucked it to the floor. Zhuge Seo, you gave me this piece-of-shit book?
Dawn was breaking faintly outside. No sleep, ruminating over crap, and my mind was wrecked.
Need to recover.
I got out of bed and approached Soso, still sleeping soundly with soft breaths.
Her soft ass peeked out from under the blanket. Without hesitation, I yanked down her bottoms and climbed on top.
"Mm... Senior Brother...?"
Soso whimpered in her sleep, but I ignored it.
I grabbed her plump ass and shoved my rock-hard cock straight into her slick entrance.
Squelch—.
"Hngh...!"
Her softened pussy from all night clenched and writhed around me fiercely.
Squelch squelch
I started thrusting. The wet friction sounds washed away the night's fatigue and irritation, turning it into pleasure.
"Haah... S-Senior Brother... Wait... Mm."
Soso mumbled incoherently, half-asleep, but I gripped her waist tighter and sped up. I could feel my mental energy vessel filling rapidly.
"Ah. Semen rising."
I slammed deep.
Spurt! Spuuurt!
"Hoo..."
My mind cleared.
I got up, threw on some clothes haphazardly, grabbed the book from the floor, and opened the door.
Then headed straight for the Vermilion Bird Squad's library.
Creeeak—
As I opened the door and stepped in, Zhuge Seo, who was organizing books near the entrance, spotted me and smiled brightly.
"There you are, Vice Squad Leader."
Her bright smile reignited the rage I'd stewed in all sleepless night. I strode up to her and thrust out the book that had tormented me.
"What the hell is this? Why'd you recommend this garbage?"
"Take a guess."
Zhuge Seo calmly took the book, grinning obnoxiously.
"Beats me. Feels like my brain got raped—can't think straight."
"Hehe."
She burst out laughing at my words. Then, as if to rub it in, she tucked the book right back into her bosom. I couldn't help swallowing hard as it sank between her massive breasts.
"And in the end, didn't you come right back to me?"
"...Ah."
Right.
She recommended this crap to lure me back here.
I rubbed my forehead and muttered.
"Your personality... is seriously twisted."
"I know."
She shrugged nonchalantly. Tempted to flick her again. Maybe I should announce upfront that I smack any woman.
"So, why drag me back?"
She averted her gaze, pretending otherwise. Then mumbled in a mosquito-like voice.
"...Just because?"
"Pardon?"
"Maybe a tiny bit? I kinda... wanted to see you."
Hm. Not bad.
The anger surging up until a moment ago melted away like snow.
Then, Zhuge Seo's eyes locked onto my waist.
"That sword... you got it from the Secret Cave?"
Ah. This was the one I'd stashed in the corner, ready to stab the author if she turned out to be the hack behind that novel.
"Yeah, from the Secret Cave."
"Thought so."
She nodded and stepped closer. She peered intently at the sword on my belt.
"Wearing it on your belt like that, looks like the demonic energy hasn't corrupted you? Oh, right—you said you haven't learned martial arts."
She's asking if demonic energy doesn't invade without internal energy.
I'd suppressed the demonic energy with hypnosis on the demonic sword, but no need to reveal that. She couldn't sense energy from me anyway, since I had none.
"That's right."
At my answer, Zhuge Seo eyed me curiously and asked cautiously.
"Mind if I... take a quick look?"
I drew the sword from my belt and handed it over.
She jumped back in alarm.
"N-No thanks! Just set it on the floor!"
"It's fine. This one's a dud."
I placed the sword in her hand.
"Uh..."
She took it hesitantly, held her breath, and examined it. Soon, her eyes widened round.
"...It's true."
She inspected it disbelievingly from all angles, then handed it back.
"Aside from the black color... it's just an ordinary iron sword. No trace of demonic energy at all."
Yeah, figured. I knew that already.
"Care to follow me for a sec?"
Zhuge Seo led me to the deepest corner of the library.
There sat a long iron box about as tall as a person, all by its lonesome. She rolled up her sleeves and grunted, trying to drag it.
"Sigh."
I sighed pityingly, went over, and effortlessly lifted the other end.
"Use your internal energy if you have it."
"Circulating qi is boring—I don't like it much."
She replied curtly and opened the lid.
Clunk—
A chill emanated as the box opened.
Inside lay three Mad Demon Swords, plastered with talismans, side by side.
"No way, three of them...?"
I feigned surprise, and she explained.
"Alliance Leader brought them back in one day."
Three in a day? While hundreds spun their wheels?
So this is what a speedrun looks like? Why not just solo the whole thing?
As if reading my mind, Zhuge Seo spoke bitterly.
"The Alliance Leader is a busy man. Conflicts among murim folk aren't limited to the Secret Cave."
Suddenly, she launched into a pitch like a rundown college prof hyping up his dying department at an info session.
"The Murim Alliance was founded by the Alliance Leader for the grand goal of peace in the Central Plains... but compared to that, our power is pathetically small. Of the five great families dividing the murim world, only his Duguo Family and our Zhuge Family fully stand with us."
"The Nine Schools and Eight Paths offer symbolic aid at best, but no real muscle. Everyone knows the Demonic Cult threat, yet they prioritize short-term gains and personal safety."
I tilted my head at her words.
Something felt off.
"Huh? Then what about Paeng Daesan?"