Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: The First Demon Sword
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Even in my past life, I was often told I was good with my hands.
I had a real talent for making and assembling things, but I never thought it would carry over after I was reincarnated.
Mount Heaven, the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Since it was a faction that appeared constantly in the martial arts novels I read in my past life, I immediately knew I'd been reincarnated into a martial arts world.
I chose the profession of a blacksmith to make use of my skills, and it wasn't long before I realized my talent was more than just a little special.
Warriors would leap for joy, calling every weapon I forged a masterpiece, and my reputation spread like wildfire.
"Your swords are truly incredible, no matter how many times I see them."
"How can you forge such masterpieces so easily? It's a blessing you're one of the Cult's own."
Soon, word of me reached the ears of the Cult's high-ranking officials. I was summoned at once, gifted an enormous workshop, and began churning out masterpieces like a machine.
"Gasp! These swords are...?!"
"You truly are the greatest blacksmith! Of all the swords I've used in my life, none have been more magnificent than these!"
But after a few years, even this became dull and boring.
So, I decided to make it.
The legendary weapons that only appear in fantasy novels.
'Ego Weapons'.
Demon swords with their own egos, said to slowly eat away at their master's mind until they lead them to ruin.
Of course, some novels portray them as ordinary weapons that can just talk a little, but I have no interest in that kind of setting.
For a genius blacksmith like me, the only thing that matters is the legendary 'demon sword'!
An alluring backstory is what completes a sword's legend.
As I was considering various candidates for what would be best, someone threw open the workshop door.
"Hey! You possessed blacksmith!"
A woman with a bright and cheerful aura burst in, her black hair flying.
'Possessed blacksmith' was one of my nicknames, a literal reference to my demonic talent.
"What is it, you merchant riffraff?"
"W-what?! Merchant riffraff?! I told you not to call me that!"
"What should I call you then?"
"Ahem! How about 'The Captain of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Special Incident Analysis and Processing Division'? It's a nickname for my official title that I thought long and hard about yesterday."
"It's too long and pretentious. What even is that?"
"What?!"
"Longer doesn't mean cooler."
"N-no way! Isn't your nickname 'possessed blacksmith' cool because it's long?"
"I've never once thought that."
"Gasp!"
'Hyeon-a.' That's her name.
She usually acts flighty and a bit dim-witted, but in reality, she's an assassin who handles major missions in the Central Plains while disguised as a merchant.
Not just any assassin, but the captain of the Black Curtain Assassination Squad, an elite unit composed of the Heavenly Demon Cult's finest.
This means her combat prowess and her ability to conceal her presence are overwhelmingly superior within the group.
So, for her to arrive with such a clamor obviously meant she was here on unofficial business.
"So, why are you here? I'm in the middle of something important."
"What, are you always busy?"
"Yeah, of course. Wouldn't it be stranger if the Cult's best blacksmith had free time?"
"True. That makes sense. You have a point...!"
Hyeon-a nodded, making her characteristic 'I get it' face.
As I continued to stare at her, Hyeon-a quickly stated her business.
"Did you hear? The Sword Demon is returning."
"The Sword Demon? Already? Why?"
"I didn't get the details, but it seems those bastards from the Blood Cult got involved."
"Ah, well then."
The Heavenly Demon Cult has seven high-ranking officials.
They are called the 'Seven Demons,' but one died during a mission a while back, so one seat is vacant, leaving only six.
Among them, the one known to be in the top tier in terms of pure martial prowess is the 'Sword Demon'.
As his name suggests, he is a master of the 'sword'—the most common weapon in the martial arts world. Rumor has it he can take on several masters of the orthodox factions with nothing but a rusted blade.
And, of course, he was using a masterpiece I had forged.
But even for someone that incredible, a mission is bound to run into trouble if the wicked and insidious Blood Cult gets involved.
According to rumors, the Blood Cult's ghouls—the Blood Demons—each possess unique powers and regenerative abilities.
Of course, I've never seen one myself, having been cooped up here on Mount Heaven.
'Not that I really care.'
"Anyway, what does the Sword Demon's return have to do with you visiting me?"
"Nothing? I just thought I'd tell you."
"Ah."
Getting back to the point, I realized this woman had once again barged in simply because she was bored.
"Get lost! I'm busy as hell."
As I shooed her away with a wave of my hand, Hyeon-a pouted, making it clear she was sulking.
"Hmph! You workaholic blacksmith! Not an ounce of fun in you!"
"And you're really something else, coming here every time when you know that full well."
Just as I was organizing my plans for the demon sword, something flashed in my mind.
"Hey, are you allowed to take the Cult's property outside?"
"Hmph, I'm not telling a boring guy like you anything!"
"If you tell me, I won't complain even if you visit without reason for the next week, and I'll even serve you tea."
As if she'd never been sulking, Hyeon-a's eyes sparkled, and she spoke up.
"Yep! I can take a certain amount with me if it's necessary for a mission!"
"Really? Does that include weaponry?"
"Umm... I guess? I've never taken anything other than my personal weapons, but it should be fine, right? Given the nature of our missions, the higher-ups aren't too strict with regulations."
"Good. Perfect."
"What's good? What's perfect?"
"You're going to be my errand runner."
"What? An errand? Me? The captain of the Demonic Cult's top assassination squad?"
Hyeon-a pointed at herself in disbelief and asked again.
"Yep. If you do me this favor, I'll give you a masterpiece sword."
And with that, I made her an offer no warrior could refuse.
"Hey, how can you offer a masterpiece sword as casually as if you're buying a cheap iron sword from the local market?"
"Because to me, a masterpiece sword is worth about that much."
"Well, I guess for you, that's true."
"Now you too can become a proud masterpiece sword owner."
"What's an owner?"
Hearing the word for the first time, Hyeon-a tilted her head and asked.
"It means 'master.' It's a term usually attached to those who possess luxury or expensive items."
"Ooh, luxury! So that's what an owner is? I never knew, but it has a unique ring to it! It's so cool!"
Of course, it sounded unique because it's a word from the West, but I didn't bother telling her that.
"So I can become a masterpiece sword owner now?!"
"That's right."
"Kyaa!"
I gestured behind me, showing her the magnificently displayed weapons.
"I'll let you choose any of the swords back there right now. How about it?"
"R-really?!"
"Yeah. For real, you brat. Of course, that's assuming you agree to do my favor, no matter what..."
Before I could even finish, Hyeon-a, drooling, leaped straight to the weapon display and snatched up a pair of ornately decorated daggers.
With a dagger in each hand, Hyeon-a's eyes gleamed as she looked them over.
From a third-person perspective, she looked as if her very soul had been stolen by the weapons, which was completely understandable.
To put it in modern terms, it's like a famous car designer offering you any supercar you want if you just do them a favor.
And then pointing to his garage and telling you to pick one... who wouldn't go crazy?
So, I get it.
I get why Hyeon-a is cradling the daggers in her arms and lovingly lick—
"Hey! What the hell are you doing, you freak?!"
"These daggers are mine now! Mine! No one can take them away!"
"At least wipe them before you lick them! They were on the display rack, they must be dusty!"
"I'll clean all the dust off for you~! My babies~!"
"U-ugh..."
Seeing such an unbearable sight, I shook my head.
Why are warriors so simple-minded?
I heard a rumor about some lunatic who wanted to marry his sword. Is it really like that?
Whenever I have these thoughts, I compare the tool that is a sword to a modern-day car.
A lunatic who licks their car as a sign of affection?
Surprisingly, they exist!
A lunatic who falls in love with their car and wants to marry it?
Surprisingly, they exist!
Ah, I see.
So that's what a sword is to a warrior.
I felt a visceral revulsion, so I couldn't empathize, but I understood it intellectually.
"Right. That's plausible."
Looked at another way, these warrior traits were actually quite beneficial for my demon sword creation project.
After all, from my perspective of imbuing a will into a weapon, it's more fun if the user is overly attached to it.
If I encountered someone like me, who treats weapons as mere tools, my interest would plummet, wouldn't it?
It's more entertaining to watch a warrior bicker with their sword as if it were a living friend or foe.
'Alright, the planning is done. Shall I make one first?'
"I've really got to work now, so get out."
"Okay, okay. Okay!"
Clutching the two daggers, Hyeon-a cluelessly followed my orders and left the workshop.
What a ridiculously simple-minded person.
"Alright then, let's show them what I can do."
Rolling up my sleeves, I melted metal in the furnace and prepared the demon sword that would become the vessel for the ego sword.
***
"Perfection~!"
My first Ego Weapon, crafted over several sleepless days with all my heart and soul.
The demon sword, 'Soul-Severing Sword,' was thus complete.
A red eye, set where the hilt met the blade, darted back and forth, giving it the aura of a 'demon sword' straight out of a fantasy story.
Of course, it only looked like an eye. In reality, it was just a sharply cut red jewel with a special metal placed inside to create the illusion.
Next, I imbued the finished demon sword with my will, along with my demonic energy.
Black demonic energy flowed from my body and began to settle into the demon sword.
The demon sword's eye pulsed like a heart, then opened completely, sharing its sight with me.
Calming my pounding heart, I infused the sword with my will and spoke through its cold, metal body.
"I am the Soul-Severing Sword, the first of the demon swords."
And with that, the blacksmith, high on his own creation, passed out.