Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The Sword Demon and the Demonic Sword
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According to my past life’s memories, the demonic swords of fantasy and the demonic swords of martial arts novels have a slightly different feel.
In fantasy, they are often like sentient weapons that can speak and possess immense energy, sometimes automatically emitting an aura.
True to the name "demonic sword", they possess transcendent, high-risk, high-return abilities that threaten the user's own well-being.
However, the demonic swords in martial arts novels are a bit more realistic.
They are exceptionally sharp and hard, retaining their edge even after being stained with the blood of many and passing through the hands of numerous users.
Most martial artists would typically call such a sword a masterpiece.
But if that masterpiece falls into the hands of a public enemy of the martial world or a demonic practitioner and is used to cause countless tragedies, only then does it earn the moniker of a demonic sword.
So, in this world, masterpiece swords and demonic swords are similar concepts. A sword becomes "demonic" not because the tool itself is special, but because its user's infamy is so extreme that the notoriety attaches to the weapon as well.
If you were to walk down the street and ask martial artists if they knew anything about a "talking sword," you'd be lucky to get away with just a scolding for drinking in broad daylight.
And what if you claimed to have made such a sword?
You might get a reputation as a blacksmith who's gone mad from forging blades all day long.
No, actually, that would be a fortunate outcome.
In the worst-case scenario, you could be accused of being a ghost from the Blood Cult, with its grim and shamanistic atmosphere, who used a human sacrifice to forge a sword, and be hunted down for it.
But where am I right now?
The Heaven! Ly! De! Mon! Cult!
Isn't this a wicked group that worships the absolute being known as the Heavenly Demon as a god and schemes to defy the heavens of the Central Plains?
Perhaps that's why the martial artists belonging to this place are all out of their minds.
The Seven Demons, the highest-ranking executives, each have a screw loose in their way of thinking, and their subordinates are often either devoid of self or excessively vicious.
I've never seen the Heavenly Demon in person, but he probably isn't sane either.
Even if he were sane to begin with, after reigning over people like this for so long, he would have surely gone mad at some point.
Anyway, the conclusion is that here in this Demonic Cult I belong to, people tend to just accept things unless they are exceptionally strange.
Even for such people, a "sentient sword" might come across as quite bizarre, but that's when I can use my reputation.
Who am I?
The greatest blacksmith in the Heavenly Demon Cult, no, in all of the Central Plains.
A genius of the century, a possessed blacksmith who churns out masterpiece swords on a whim.
I've already prepared a rough excuse for the demonic sword.
"One day, I was walking along and saw an old, unusually shaped sword in a deserted cave. I thought it was strange, so I brought it back to my workshop to reforge it, and what do you know... it was a demonic sword!" Something like that should work, right?
I know.
It's a really half-baked excuse.
But what if the ones who have to hear and accept that half-baked excuse also have a few screws loose themselves?
They'll buy it. They'll definitely buy it.
Having lived in the Demonic Cult for nearly twenty years, I can say with certainty.
Here, the result is more important than the process, so there's no way it won't work.
So, I first embellished the appearance of the completed demonic sword, making it more sinister and stylish.
An angular, elongated shape that any man would fall for.
A dark-hued blade and hilt that demonic practitioners would favor.
And even decorative elements around the sword to accentuate its key feature, the "Demonic Eye."
The eye of the finished demonic sword was enough to send a chill through anyone who looked at it.
"The problem is, who do I give this to?"
This was made for experimental purposes, and being the first of its kind, it might still have flaws or areas that need improvement.
But since it has never been used in actual combat, I don't know what needs to be done.
So I need to find a master for this demonic sword, but giving it to just anyone would be no fun and carry risks.
"Hmm…"
Just as I was deep in thought, someone opened the door to the workshop.
I hurriedly covered the demonic sword with a cloth, hid it, and came out of the workshop to greet the visitor.
"Who is it?"
When I stepped out of the room, I saw a martial artist in a luxurious, deep purple robe.
"I've been here once before, but this place never ceases to amaze me."
"Hmm?"
His face looked somewhat familiar, and the quality of his robe was exceptionally high.
Normally, one would have to be a high-ranking executive to afford something like that.
"The possessed blacksmith. I believe we met briefly before. Have you forgotten already?"
Suddenly, I noticed the characters for "Sword Demon" on the chest of his robe.
Upon confirming this, I immediately straightened my posture, bowed my head, and cupped my fist.
"Ah, I greet the Sword Demon."
My movements and voice weren't perfectly disciplined, but for someone as usually arrogant as me, this was a sufficient display of courtesy.
The Sword Demon seemed to know this as well, as he didn't take issue with my greeting.
"Indeed. You are as peculiar as ever. To greet one of the Seven Demons so casually. You're probably the only one in the entire cult who can do that."
"Well, my skills back it up."
"Heh heh, that attitude is also quite peculiar. Yes. If you have the skill, then you have the right. I agree with your way of thinking."
Because I had once forged a masterpiece sword for the Sword Demon, he was quite favorable toward me.
Of course, there wasn't a single martial artist who received a masterpiece from me who wasn't, but as his title "Sword Demon" suggested, he placed a particularly great significance on weapons, so he held an absolute favor for me.
Receiving the favor of not only the Sword Demon but other members of the Seven Demons meant my standing within the Demonic Cult was truly overwhelming.
Even martial artists dozens of times stronger than me would treat me with utmost respect.
This is what it means to be the focus of favor from the highest executives directly under the Heavenly Demon.
The Sword Demon chuckled softly and looked around, his eyes scanning the masterpiece swords I had created.
"Somehow, it seems your skills have improved even more since I received my sword."
"People grow and develop over time."
"Ah, that's right. You haven't even come of age yet, have you? Honestly, it's hard to believe."
"The world is full of unbelievable things."
"You're not just good at making weapons, you're also a smooth talker. That's just like you."
Like a handsome and good-natured older student at a university, the Sword Demon grinned, patted my shoulder, and spoke.
"Originally, my mission was to deal with key figures from the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions and quell some disputes, so I should have stayed in the Central Plains longer, but an unexpected incident forced me to return a bit early."
"I heard the Blood Cult got involved."
"Ah, so you've heard the news. Then a detailed explanation won't be necessary."
The Sword Demon plopped down onto a wooden chair and said.
"My sword broke during a battle with high-ranking Blood Demons."
"The sword I made for you broke?"
I couldn't help but be surprised.
The sword I had given the Sword Demon was a masterpiece among masterpieces, a great work into which I had poured my heart and soul.
I had crafted it with such perfection that the young Sword Demon could have used it until he grew old, and his grandson and his grandson's grandson after him.
I couldn't believe that such a masterpiece had broken.
"Yes. It wasn't that your skills were lacking. Your swords are always the best. It's just that the opponent was a bad match. It seems they were one of the 'Six Paths Blood Demons,' who are particularly strong among the Blood Demons."
"The Six Paths Blood Demons…"
I had heard they were in a position similar to the Demonic Cult's Seven Demons.
They are the highest executives within the Blood Cult, all of them Blood Demons and monsters among monsters who wield immense power.
Each one was said to possess skills equal to or greater than the Seven Demons, so it was understandable that the Sword Demon's sword had broken.
"The situation was too urgent to ascertain the details. We were ambushed from all sides."
"My goodness. It's a relief that you returned alive."
"Indeed. We had no choice but to make a strategic retreat for a later day."
*Why use so many words just to say you ran away?*
The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't say it out loud.
"Well, anyway, for that reason, I've come to ask you to craft another weapon for me."
"Hmm, I see."
It had arrived. The perfect opportunity to test my demonic sword.
*Fortune is on my side.*
A triumphant smile on my face, I spoke to the Sword Demon in a suggestive tone.
"Of course. I will forge a masterpiece befitting the Sword Demon."
-Clatter.
A sound came from the workshop, and the Sword Demon turned his head slightly to ask.
"Is someone in there?"
"Ah, about that…"
I put on my most anxious expression.
Noticing something was amiss, the Sword Demon said to me.
"Don't worry. I don't know what's going on, but if there's anything I can do to help, I will."
"Ah, is that so? Then, perhaps there's something in the workshop I'd like you to take a look at with me…"
"Of course. Let's go. What on earth is the matter?"
As I hesitated, the Sword Demon, his face full of curiosity, followed me into the workshop.
Inside, something covered by a cloth was emitting streams of sinister demonic energy, revealing its intense presence.
"That is…"
While the Sword Demon was observing it carefully, I pulled away the cloth, revealing the demonic sword I had created.
-Kiiing.
The eye of the demonic sword glowed with a red light, its dark blade glinting sharply.
"Hoh, what in the world is this sword?"
The Sword Demon, looking utterly fascinated, was completely captivated as he examined the demonic sword.
I, on the other hand, warned him.
"Be careful. It's no ordinary thing."
"It certainly looks that way at a glance."
At the very least, its appearance seemed to be a perfect match for the Sword Demon's taste.
Unconsciously, the Sword Demon began to take steps, drawing closer to the demonic sword.
At that moment, I calmed my pounding heart as much as I could and spoke through my will embedded in the sword.
[A new body comes to me.]
"What?!"
Seeing the sword speak, the extremely startled Sword Demon took a short step back, his guard up.
I approached him and said.
"Didn't I tell you? It's no ordinary thing."
Hearing my words, the Sword Demon asked with a bewildered expression.
"How can a sword speak? What is that, Blacksmith?"
Only then did I recite the excuse I had prepared.
"I don't know the details myself. One night, under a full moon, I discovered a certain cave. As if possessed by the ominous energy leaking from it, I went inside."
As I spun my fabricated tale, the Sword Demon began to focus completely on my story.
"Deep inside, I found a rusted, ancient sword stuck in a rock. I found it peculiar, so I immediately pulled it out and brought it back to my workshop to reforge it."
"A sword stuck in a rock? A cave…?"
As I fabricated a story with elements that martial artists would go crazy for, the Sword Demon's eyes began to sparkle.
"Yes. And so, as if possessed, I reforged the sword. When I came to my senses, 'that thing' was complete."
"Hoh… a truly strange affair indeed."
"I've observed it for the past few days, and that sword has a will of its own. Just like a 'human'."
"A sword with a will of its own…!"
The Sword Demon's body began to tremble slightly with anticipation.
This meant the time had come to close the deal.
I touched my forehead and said with a worried expression.
"Sigh, that's why I'm troubled. It's clearly a greater weapon than any I've ever made, but it will surely gnaw at the user's mind. It's a timeless 'demonic sword' that transcends a mere masterpiece. It will surely only grant its immense power to a master it acknowledges. That's why I was agonizing over how to dispose of this sword…"
-Thud.
The Sword Demon's trembling hand rested on my shoulder.
His Adam's apple bobbed once, and he slowly opened his mouth.
"Give it, give it to me."
"What? But this sword is…"
"I'm begging you. Please, give that sword to me…"
I lowered my head, my body trembling slightly as I slowly spoke.
"Thank, you. For, solving, my, dilemma."
As I spoke in a broken voice, the Sword Demon replied in a voice drenched with anticipation and emotion.
"Not at all. If you have a dilemma, it is only right that I, the Sword Demon, should solve it. Therefore, this demonic sword! I will definitely! Take it and dispose of it!"
The Sword Demon would never know.
The reason I lowered my head and my words came out in fragments.
It was because my entire body was paralyzed by an unbearable thrill.