Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: New User, Gwiyeong
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Just as I was nearly finished making the weapons.
The Heavenly Demon Cult was in an uproar, likely because the investigation into the Sword Demon and Ghost Demon's battle site had concluded and the report had been properly submitted.
I, diligently hammering away at weapons in my forge, found out a bit late, but whenever I stepped out for some fresh air, it was all anyone talked about.
"To think the Ghost Demon was a traitor..."
"Hah, does that mean the Sword Demon fought two of the Six Paths Blood Demons at once?"
"The Old Demon is dead, and the traitor Ghost Demon is dead too. Can we even call them the Seven Demons anymore? Two spots are already empty."
"Who knows? I guess some rising powers will soon step up to fill the vacancies."
"Should I give it a shot?"
"You? Are you kidding me? You think the Seven Demons is a joke."
"Just kidding."
In the end, the Heavenly Demon Cult is just a place where people live.
The betrayal and death of a top executive. And praise for the Sword Demon, who overcame adversity to seize victory.
Every time I went out, this was the topic on everyone's lips, so even though I spent most of my time in the forge, it was impossible not to know.
"By the way, did you hear the rumor that the Sword Demon took on a disciple?"
"The Sword Demon? That's surprising. He's not the type. He always goes on missions with just one subordinate."
"My friend who works as a gatekeeper said that disciple has quite the talent. Even though she only started learning martial arts a short while ago, her speed at mastering swordsmanship is apparently incredible."
"Well, the Sword Demon wouldn't have accepted just anyone as his disciple, so in a way, that's to be expected."
It seemed they were talking about Yuhwa.
After being cooped up in the workshop all day, it's actually quite fun to come out like this and listen to people's conversations.
"Alright."
I stretched my body, stood up, and loosened my muscles.
"Now that I've cleared my head, time to get back to work."
As I headed to the forge, I envisioned the design of the new demonic sword.
"A crude broadsword form, infused with the arrogance and pride of the orthodox sects... If I pull this off, it could be incredibly captivating."
It was a headache, but this kind of dilemma was fun for a blacksmith.
"I need to hurry back and draft the design again."
I quickened my pace toward the forge.
A few days later.
I had crafted Hyeon-a's demonic sword and the broadsword-style demonic sword.
Hyeon-a had a specific design she wanted, so that wasn't difficult, but I poured my heart and soul into making the broadsword.
To match the image of a crude and barbaric broadsword, I combined a rough blade shape with coarse decorations, making them harmonize with each other.
And since it was a demonic sword, I used a dark base and engraved red patterns to create a dangerous aura.
What set it apart from the sword I gave the Sword Demon was that this time, the eye of the demonic sword, which would contain its will, was embedded in the blade itself.
The eye was placed on the widest part of the blade, and the edge below it was shaped with long serrations, giving it the appearance of bared teeth.
As a result, the weapon had a very rough and unique feel, like something you'd see in a Western fantasy RPG.
However, since I blended in Eastern elements as well, you could call it a fusion.
Moreover, this piece wasn't just unique in appearance.
After processing the inner cores of the Human-Faced Spider and the Two-Headed Serpent, I mixed their energies to grant it a 'special ability.'
It was no longer limited to simply amplifying the user's energy.
In a way, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a true demonic sword now.
I was wiping my sweat-drenched face with a cloth, admiring my finished work, when the forge door was thrown open and someone entered.
-Clang!
"Haunted Blacksmith! I'm here! The weapon's finished, right?!"
Hyeon-a burst into my workshop, her eyes sparkling.
"Can't you be a little quieter? Like when you were spying on me before."
I said to Hyeon-a in a subtle tone, and she replied with a bright smile.
"Should I do that from now on?"
"Hmm."
On second thought, her being loud was probably better.
"Never mind, just act like you usually do."
"See? You like it better that way, too."
"Yeah. Anyway, here's the dagger you asked for."
I handed Hyeon-a the dagger she had requested.
Unlike other daggers, its blade shape was quite unique. It wasn't straight but curved, and the blade widened toward the tip, making it resemble a sleek, angular kukri, if I had to make a comparison.
"But isn't this type usually specialized for slashing? Wouldn't a longsword be better?"
"Well, there's that. But daggers have the overwhelming advantage of being easy to carry. Besides, with my speed, distance is never an issue."
"I see."
"And I already have something for stabbing from you."
As the leader of the assassination squad, Hyeon-a could wield weapons freely with both hands.
It seemed she planned to use two daggers at once.
"Wow... but you really are the best! This is even cooler than I imagined!"
She turned the demonic sword over and over, looking at it, so lost in thought she was practically drooling.
"Of course. Who do you think I am?"
"Then, say something with it now!"
At her request, I chuckled, gathered my thoughts, and spoke through the dagger's eye using the will I had imbued in it.
[From now on, if you have something to say to me when you're far away, use this.]
"Oh, ooooh!!! The sword is actually talking!"
"Well, it's a feat only someone of my caliber can pull off. It's made from processed thousand-year cold iron, so it's on a completely different level from anything you've used before."
"Whoa!"
She let out a pure cry of admiration.
Then, with a slightly strange expression, she made an odd request.
"Hey, you know. Do that for me, too."
"Do what? What are you talking about?"
"You know, like you did for the Sword Demon, all cool and atmospheric. Do it for me, too!"
"What the, you're not a kid. Why ask for something like that when you already know everything?"
"Ah! Just once! I want to hear it, too!"
"Oh, come on..."
"Ah! Aah! Just once! Once is enough!"
"What is this..."
It's easy to act for a stranger, but I was a little reluctant to strike a pose and talk like some edgy teenager to someone who already knew the whole story.
But since she was pleading so desperately, it felt wrong to ignore her completely, so I decided to do it briefly.
"Just once."
I gathered my thoughts, recalling the memory of the Soul-Severing Sword, and conveyed my will in a solemn voice.
[My foolish master.]
Hearing that, Hyeon-a glanced back and forth between me and the dagger, then said with a flushed face.
"That was you, right? It was really you?"
[To witness the truth and yet turn away. Do you fear me?]
I finished speaking and let out a smirk.
"Heheh. Is it fun?"
At my words, Hyeon-a stared blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Bwahahahaha! Hey! This is fun! You should do this sometimes! I feel like I've become some kind of evil contractor! Bwahahahaha!"
"It seems people in direct contact can hear my voice. Keep that in mind. Anyway, you're heading out soon, right?"
She replied with a disappointed expression and tone.
"Yeah. I wanted to hang out with you a little longer, but oh well. Can't be helped."
"Then take this and give it to some of the more decent guys among the heretics."
I said, handing the broadsword-style demonic sword to Hyeon-a.
"Since it's come to this, you're going all in to help, huh?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? By the way, does this broadsword have a name?"
"It does."
After much deliberation, I had decided on a name for the broadsword.
A word that emphasized its violent and fierce aura.
"Gale Blade!! The blade of the uncontrollable wind!"
As I spoke confidently, Hyeon-a narrowed her eyes slightly and said.
"Well, it's cool, but it sounds like something a kid would come up with..."
"You don't get it. To really pull off a concept, you have to be half-crazy and half-childish."
"What, a concept? What does that..."
I reprimanded Hyeon-a with the will of the broadsword.
[Foolish one, did you believe you could control me? I am the Gale Blade. The uncontrollable wind itself.]
As I put on a serious act, Hyeon-a's expression changed completely.
"Oh, hearing it like this does make it sound different."
Just then, someone from outside called for Hyeon-a.
"Captain, we really must be going now!"
It seemed to be one of Hyeon-a's subordinates.
"Ah, alright!"
Hyeon-a let out a deep sigh and said to me.
"I really have to go now. You said to give this to a heretic who looks decent, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. I'm counting on you."
"You can count on me. I'll give it to someone who looks really interesting!"
With those words, Hyeon-a left the forge.
After she left, I was left alone and felt a little worried.
"If she gives it to some boring guy, it'll really kill the mood."
But I quickly decided to let it go. I trusted that she would handle it well enough.
"Well, someone like Hyeon-a should have a good eye for these things."
And so, before a new story began, I decided to give my body and mind, weary from the relentless work, a rest.
"Alright, I guess I'll go take a break."
***
A village in the southeastern part of Hunan province.
Seated in a grand armchair, Gwiyeong was holding a meeting with her executives.
Her face was undeniably beautiful, and her figure was curvaceous enough to make any man blush.
But the executives of the Black Ghost Guild facing her couldn't dare to do so.
They clearly remembered the fate of those who had sexually harassed Gwiyeong.
Furthermore, apart from her charming appearance, the aura and gaze she possessed were that of a beast of prey, so no one saw her as a woman.
While everyone was frozen stiff, gripped by fear, Gwiyeong opened her mouth.
"So, there was an attack this time?"
"Yes. A man in black of unknown identity suddenly stormed our establishment and caused a ruckus."
"Was everyone taken down by just one person?"
"Yes. The manager in charge of the southern gambling den, a martial artist at the initial peak level, was utterly crushed. Shall I issue a disciplinary action?"
"No need. If they were defeated by a single person, he must be a master of the transcendent level or higher. You can't punish someone for being swept away by a natural disaster."
Gwiyeong, also a transcendent martial artist, knew this.
As one's level rises, the walls between stages become immense, and numbers gradually lose their meaning.
"What do you think his objective is? Money?"
"No, that's not it. He only targeted and defeated the martial artists affiliated with the Black Ghost Guild at the establishment before disappearing without a trace."
"He only took down my subordinates and left? Then his goal is to see me. Where is he now?"
"We don't know the specifics, but the areas where he appears are reportedly consistent."
"Let's head there at once."
With that, Gwiyeong rose from her armchair, draped a black robe over herself, and began to walk.