Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Sword Demon and the Demonic Sword (2)
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The Grand Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult and one of the Seven Demons, known by the title Sword Demon—‘Unmyeong’. If his life were to be summed up in a single word, none would be more fitting than "Sword Demon."
Raised by a single mother, he was given the name 'Unmyeong', which meant 'to become famous'.
*Carve your name into the clouds.*
Though his mother's true wish is now unknown, he ultimately became famous, just as she had hoped.
The Grand Master of the Heavenly Demon Cult. The despair of all swordsmen. The Sword Demon, public enemy of the martial world.
Whatever he became, he had etched his name upon the heavens.
Yet even he longed for something more.
It was an unfillable void in his heart.
A life spent training with the sword every moment, defeating formidable foes.
But at the end of it all, there was only emptiness.
And so, he honed himself even more relentlessly as a swordsman.
Having lived his entire life as a swordsman, an inevitable desire grew within him—a desire for a 'sword'.
The feel of a cheap blade versus a masterwork is different from the very moment you grasp it.
As someone who had swung a sword his entire life, he could feel this difference more keenly than anyone.
In that regard, the swords forged by the cult's 'Possessed Blacksmith' were all worthy of being called masterpieces among masterpieces.
And on the day he received his first masterwork from the blacksmith...
Unmyeong could only be astonished.
*To think a sword like this could exist in the world.*
He had thought it would be impossible to ever wield a greater blade.
But that belief was utterly shattered today, the moment he held the demonic sword.
His hand closed around the hilt.
*'This heavy yet comfortable feeling... It truly is an immortal masterpiece that surpasses all others, just as the blacksmith said!'*
In that moment of high anticipation, the demonic sword's red eye darted about before finally settling on the Sword Demon.
[Are you the one? My new master.]
He had been warned, but seeing a talking sword for the first time still left the Sword Demon flustered, and he swallowed hard.
*'This is no ordinary aura! To be this menacing just by looking at it...!'*
Suddenly, the blacksmith's final words came to mind.
*-It will try to gnaw at its wielder's mind. You must break the demonic sword's will.*
Breaking another's will was a familiar task for the Sword Demon.
He drew up his demonic energy, his aura turning menacing as he spoke to the sword.
"That's right. I am your master now. From this day forward, you will obey my commands."
Having reigned as one of the strongest in the Heavenly Demon Cult, a strict top-down hierarchy, his first words were naturally coercive.
In the Sword Demon's experience, nothing was more effective against a rebellious subordinate than applying intense pressure from the start.
But the demonic sword only scoffed at his words.
[Kekeke. My master, you say? The foolish mortals who held me all said something similar. Do you want to know what happened to those idiots?]
The demonic sword whispered to him in a bizarre voice, neither male nor female.
[They all lost their minds and had their bodies stolen by me.]
"Do not compare me to such weaklings."
As Unmyeong spoke with firm resolve, his eyes glinting sharply, the demonic sword fell silent for a moment before speaking in a satisfied tone.
[Hoh, you possess quite a fine body. Alright, I'll admit it. You're a little different from the others I've met. Yes. I hope you'll last a bit longer this time.]
"You'd do well to abandon any thought of taking over my body."
[Keke, anyone can talk big at first. I look forward to hearing your screams before long.]
"What a shame. It seems your expectations won't be met."
From this first day's battle of wills, Unmyeong could tell the demonic sword would be no easy opponent.
Nevertheless, the corners of his mouth remained upturned. Despite the sword's prickly attitude, its appearance and the aura it contained were simply overwhelming.
*'With this sword, I can surpass the Ghost Demon and become the strongest of the Seven Demons!'*
While there was no official hierarchy among the Seven Demons, they all secretly had a sense of where they stood in relation to one another.
The Sword Demon was strong enough to be called the most powerful of the Seven, but he was not on the level of the 'Ghost Demon', whose overwhelming power was practically in a league of its own.
Rumor had it that the Ghost Demon's strength rivaled that of the Heavenly Demon himself, a level that needed no further explanation.
In essence, Unmyeong was second-in-command.
He firmly believed that this unknown sense of lack within him would vanish once he defeated the Ghost Demon, so his thirst for power was immense.
Therefore, Unmyeong saw this demonic sword as both a golden opportunity and a crucial test.
"Demonic sword, what is your name?"
He reasoned that a being of this caliber would have a name, and as if to meet his expectation, the sword spoke quietly in a chilling voice.
[Soul-Severing Sword. Remember it well. It is the name of the one who will steal your body.]
"I see. I am Unmyeong."
He let out a smirk and replied in a tone similar to the sword's.
"The man who will conquer you and seize immense power."
Whether pleased by his firm will, the Soul-Severing Sword responded with a ghastly laugh.
[We shall see. Let's find out how long that resolve of yours will last.]
***
The day after Unmyeong received the sword.
He headed to the Possessed Blacksmith's workshop to have a scabbard made for the Soul-Severing Sword.
He threw open the door and spoke to the blacksmith, who was engrossed in his work.
"I am taking good care of the sword you gave me."
"Are you alright? It's no ordinary blade..."
"Don't you worry. I'm no ordinary man myself, am I?"
"Still..."
"The reason I've come is that I need a scabbard to house that thing."
"A scabbard..."
After a moment's thought, the blacksmith shook his head and replied.
"There is no scabbard that would suit it."
"Hmm? What do you mean? Can't you just make one?"
Unmyeong asked, tilting his head, and the blacksmith answered.
"For an ordinary sword, yes. But that one has a will of its own. And its temper is anything but ordinary. Imagine trying to forcefully confine such a being."
"Indeed, the backlash would be severe."
"If it were just words, it wouldn't matter, but the demonic sword's aura is so overwhelming that any scabbard would soon be damaged or destroyed."
"Then how should I manage it? Besides, its unique appearance is likely to attract unwanted attention."
The blacksmith, deep in thought, came up with an idea.
"Then how about simply wrapping it in bandages or cloth?"
"Hmm?"
"It's something I realized after making it, but that blade won't require any special maintenance. Simply infusing it with your energy will be enough for it to maintain itself."
"I suppose that makes sense for a sword with a will of its own."
For a fleeting moment, the blacksmith's expression seemed to say, *'You actually believe that?'* but the Sword Demon dismissed it as his own misunderstanding and thought no more of it.
"Ahem. Well, maintenance aside, as for hiding it from prying eyes, using light cloth or bandages would be best. They are materials that can be easily obtained and replaced."
"I see. If they get damaged, they can be quickly replaced."
Nodding, his mind made up, the Sword Demon turned to leave the workshop.
"Thank you for the advice. It has been quite helpful in learning to control the blade."
Just as he opened the door to leave,
the blacksmith left him with a meaningful remark.
"Are you truly certain you'll be alright? One of you is bound to be completely broken."
"Hmm."
*One of us will be completely broken.*
The Sword Demon turned his head slightly, his eyes filled with firm resolve as he answered.
"I am not swayed by trivial emotions. That is the way of the 'swordsman', and the 'life' I have lived."
"I see. Then I am relieved. Please, drive out its wicked will and become the demonic sword's true master."
"Of course."
With those words, the Sword Demon swept his robes stylishly and strode out of the workshop.
***
I watched the Sword Demon's cool exit and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew, thankfully, he seems to be completely immersed in it."
Normally, getting too carried away isn't good for one's mental health, but for the Sword Demon, with his rock-solid mental fortitude, it didn't seem to be a problem.
"He looks like he'll overcome it just fine. In that case, should I go all out without holding back?"
A demonic sword is supposed to gauge its master's level and present trials accordingly.
In that respect, the Sword Demon was a 'top-tier' master.
His will to press on, unshaken, no matter how arduous the path, was remarkable.
*'So this is one of the Seven Demons? It would be rude not to give my all against someone with such unwavering resolve.'*
I began writing the scenario for the trials to come.
The most important thing, above all, is a proper exit.
Parting is inevitable from the moment a meeting begins.
But how one parts can leave a lasting impression on those who remain.
Left alone in the workshop, the blacksmith let out a strange laugh and spoke.
"Sword Demon, I will test that will of yours...!"