Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Friend (2)
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The shadow Gwiyeong had always carried in her heart was none other than powerlessness.
She believed her father was cast out from his sect because she was born.
She believed her father went to stop the heretics because of her.
She believed her parents died because of her.
Gwiyeong could do nothing for the people most precious to her.
When she abandoned her mother and ran, she felt a crippling sense of powerlessness.
The fact that her weak self could offer no help whatsoever drove her mad.
How could one possibly describe the feelings of a child fleeing for their life, knowing their parents would die?
It was something that could not be expressed in mere words.
***
The savage shouts of the heretics echoed.
"These bastards! Are they insane?!"
"How dare they touch our Black Ghost Guild!"
"We'll show you exactly what happens to those who mess with the Black Ghost Guild in this neighborhood!"
It was none other than the Black Ghost Guild that had killed my father.
My mother took my hand and fled from those heretics.
But judging that we couldn't escape like this, my mother looked at me and said.
"You must never, ever look back!"
"M-Mom!"
"You're smart, so you know what I'm saying, right?"
"But then, Mom, you'll...!"
"I'll be sure to survive and follow, so you run on ahead!"
I couldn't bring myself to leave my mother behind.
Seeing me hesitate, she had no choice but to caress my cheek and speak softly.
"You must survive. That's what I want more than anything."
With those words, my mother gave me a gentle push.
"Go on."
At her word, I turned and started running.
My bare feet were torn and bleeding, but I ran with all my might.
A moment later, from behind, I heard the sound of the heretics cursing at my mother and swinging their blades.
There were no screams.
There was only the sound of the heretics' vile laughter.
It was my mother's last desperate act to keep me from worrying.
But I wasn't foolish enough not to know.
I knew all too well what was happening.
In my heart, I knew I shouldn't leave my mother, but still, I ran.
Tears blurred my vision, and my cheeks were scratched by branches as I tripped over thick tree roots.
My knees were scraped and bleeding, but I quickly got up and fled again.
I hated my weak self with a passion, but still, I fled.
A terrible sense of powerlessness took root in my heart as I fled, abandoning my parents.
Human aggression and greed feed on powerlessness.
It is the struggle of human nature, trying to control objects and situations to never feel such a dreadful emotion again.
It is the scream of a heart that never wants to lose someone precious and suffer again.
I brainwashed myself so that I would never lose someone precious again.
That I should never trust others, that companions and friends were nothing but baggage.
To never feel powerless again, I built up my strength and gathered followers.
I gave weight to my words and actions.
After gathering enough strength, I sought out the Black Ghost Guild, which had long been the object of my fear, killed its leader, and took his place.
I did not change the guild's name.
I didn't know it then, but I think I wanted the psychological comfort of having completely subjugated the object of my fear and hardship, of standing above it.
But what I truly feared was not the Black Ghost Guild, but powerlessness itself.
That's why I couldn't stop, even after placing the very existence that had thrown my life into the abyss beneath my feet.
A second and third Black Ghost Guild always appeared before me.
The White Serpent Guild was one, then the Black Dragon Society, the Heretic Alliance, and now, the Blood Cult is before me.
I expanded my power to protect myself, but strangely, enemies never ceased to appear.
Until now, I had endured with overwhelming talent and obsession, but it seemed I was finally reaching my limit.
Brutally killing the leader of the White Serpent Guild, beheading an executive of the Black Dragon Society with a single strike, and drawing my blade against the Heretic Alliance.
It was all a series of reckless acts.
I knew I was heading for a cliff's edge, but I didn't stop.
My mind had broken long ago, and without realizing it, I was losing my grip on reality.
Now, beneath the black moon, as a dreadful bloodlust descended, I crumbled.
I can go no further.
The shadow in my heart takes form, clinging to my body like a sticky ooze.
-Give up.
-You can't do anything.
-In the end, you're alone. No one can protect you, and you can't protect anyone either.
As I gasped for breath, I heard someone's voice.
[...my words... you hear?]
The faint voice grew clearer.
[Get a grip. Your one and only friend is here.]
In that moment, I remembered.
The precious being who was the only one to become my friend.
His body was made of cold steel, his heart wounded, broken, and stained black—my blade, no, my only friend and companion.
He had warned me, even setting aside his own revenge and dreams.
He told me to run.
But in the end, my stubbornness had brought him to his limit as well.
Through my blurring vision, countless figures from my memories flickered.
My father, my mother, the subordinates who followed me, the villagers who showed me kindness, and even Gale Blade.
They looked at me with what seemed like resentment.
They glared as if to ask what, exactly, I had done when they were in danger.
They said nothing, but their silence drove me even madder.
As Gale Blade stared at me with his blood-red eyes, I lowered my head and cried out.
"Gale Blade...? No... you too, because of me! Everyone, because of me..."
I had built strength and gathered power, but I couldn't protect anyone.
There was no one left by my side.
Just then, Gale Blade's vile voice rang out.
[You are alone. You always have been, and you always will be. So abandon all hope.]
He was blaming me, hating me.
Humans are too weak to live alone.
To have no one by your side when things are hard and painful is a truly miserable thing.
The world inflicts endlessly harsh trials upon those left alone.
It plants endless loneliness, pain, anxiety, and depression.
I can't endure it anymore.
As my reason began to fade, a warm voice, unlike the one I had just heard, seeped into my ears.
[This won't do.]
A moment later, the negative emotions that had been assailing me from all sides washed away from my body as if cleansed.
The darkness recedes, and light arrives.
Anxiety vanishes, and stability flows in.
As my vision gradually cleared, an even more distinct voice reached my ears.
[Have you finally opened your eyes, my friend?]
-Rustle
As a white plum blossom petal drifted by, a person stood before me.
Beneath the black moon, a man of pure white stood gracefully amidst the crimson blood.
I stared, entranced, at the man who seemed completely detached from this cruel world.
"You, could you be... Gale Blade..."
[Yes. You've finally come to your senses.]
Gale Blade, no, the man of pure white, smiled warmly, his gentle face looking down at me.
I met his eyes, once hidden behind a black wolf mask.
Corruption and madness were no longer to be found in those deep, pure eyes.
The man who had been consumed by betrayal and hatred had returned to his original self.
He slowly reached out, caressed my cheek, and spoke.
[You have walked such a hard and lonely path, Gwiyeong.]
In that instant, the countless hours I had endured alone flashed before my eyes.
No matter how difficult or lonely it was, there was never anyone by my side.
Feeling my arduous life being completely understood by someone, my eyes welled up with tears without me realizing it.
An unknown emotion surged up, rising to my throat.
[It's a cruel and difficult world, but you have endured it well enough. Don't be afraid anymore. I am here by your side now.]
The moment I heard those words, it felt as if my breath had stopped.
My mind went blank.
The feeling of someone understanding my life was truly indescribable.
White petals danced and fluttered around him and me.
In this dark and cruel world, we faced each other.
I spoke in an endlessly childish voice.
"I... it's been so hard."
I tried my best to suppress my emotions, but I couldn't.
"I, I really..."
Just as my body trembled and my voice cracked with tears.
-Rustle
The man of pure white embraced me and said.
[You don't have to say any more. You have endured enough, so there's no need to blame yourself.]
"B-But I couldn't protect anyone..."
-Pat
He patted my back once and then slowly spoke.
[Yes, you've suffered. It must have been so difficult.]
You've suffered.
Hearing those words, I let out the emotions I had been holding back and cried my heart out.
It felt like someone had caught me from behind just as I was pushed to the edge of a cliff.
The world had given me endlessly harsh trials, and I had been struggling and fleeing all alone.
And now, a being like a warm sanctuary stood before me.
As I poured out my emotions for a long while, the man slowly began to pull away.
Not wanting to lose him, I held onto him, pressing myself deeper into his embrace.
"D-Don't go! Don't leave my side again! I can't be alone anymore! If you're gone, I...!"
As I cried out, he patted my back and said calmly.
[I understand your pain and hardship. I was the same. This world is far too cruel, isn't it?]
I slowly lifted my head and studied his face.
His deep eyes seemed to gaze upon the pain in my heart, offering comfort.
[I struggled so hard, but in the end, I was abandoned by the world. To me, Gwiyeong, you cannot imagine how precious you are.]
"Me...?"
He nodded slightly and said with a smile.
[It was you who pulled me out of the utter blackness of my corruption. That is why your existence is immeasurably precious to me.]
[So I will remain by your side forever. So that you will never have to suffer again.]
At his words, Gwiyeong took a sharp breath, recalling the emotions she had once experienced.
The misery of that time when she could do nothing for the one she held precious.
[My body should have died back then anyway. I barely clung to life through revenge and obsession. But now that I've let everything go because of you, all I have left is you.]
My heart pounded rapidly.
My face grew hot and red, and I stared at him intently.
Hot tears welled up, and I slowly opened my mouth.
"Pr-Promise me! That you'll never leave me alone!"
At my words, he seemed momentarily flustered, but then he smiled brightly and replied.
[Of course, Gwiyeong. When have I ever been apart from you? So this time, too, we will be together.]
He slowly extended his hand to me.
The moment I saw that hand, my heart beat as if it would burst.
Suddenly, I remembered the warm love of the man and woman I had seen in the village.
For some reason, I could not forget the sight of them walking together, holding hands and smiling at each other.
I couldn't understand it then, but now I knew for certain.
'Ah, so this is love.'
It was no different from him saying he loved me, that he would stay with me forever.
At his words, I slowly released my embrace and looked at him.
Despite having just cried, I smiled with an unbecoming brightness and said.
"Yes, let's go together. When the two of us are together."
At my words, he smiled gently and replied.
[We are the strongest.]
I immediately took his hand, and together, we advanced toward the throne of blood.
Gazing at his endlessly radiant figure in this dark and dreary world, I was lost in a daze.
The black moon casts down an ominous light, as if glaring at us.
But the white plum blossom petals drive away the darkness, brightly illuminating our surroundings.
The Blood Pretas, who had been screaming and groaning in agony nearby, saw the brilliant light and white plum blossom petals, then slowly bowed their heads and retreated.
They prostrated themselves before us, opening a path toward the Preta Path.
A moment later, we stood before the bloody steps leading to the throne where Wi-ak sat.
He held my hand gently and said.
[The greatest enemy blocking our journey lies beyond this, but with you, I fear nothing.]
I nodded and replied.
"Yes. With you, I fear nothing."
Hearing my words, he seemed relieved and slowly allowed his body to be enveloped by plum blossom petals, transforming into a weapon.
I could see that the appearance of the Gale Blade in my hand was different from usual.
Its blood-red eye was now white and blue, and the blade and hilt, which had been entirely black and dark, had turned a pure white.
Its form, too, had changed from ferocious and savage to something quite refined and calm.
I quietly looked at the pure white blade and thought.
'So this was the noble form your heart held.'
As I gazed at the blade, he spoke.
[Are you ready?]
"Yes."
Wielding the Gale Blade, which now held a white light, I slowly ascended the stairs.
As I climbed, the demonic cries of the Blood Pretas below grew faint.
Soon, I reached the top of the stairs and faced the Preta Path sitting on the throne of blood. I gripped the pure white blade firmly and said.
"Preta Path, let's end this now."
"..."
Preta Path Wi-ak avoided the gazes of his parents, who stared at him relentlessly, and looked down at the ground.
They continued to murmur to their son.
"Enemies keep appearing because you are not strong enough."
"You are still lacking. This will not do."
"You must become stronger. At this rate, you won't be able to protect anything."
"Trample and take. You must obtain everything and control it within your grasp."
They whispered to Wi-ak in unison.
""What more will you sacrifice for the greed that will consume you?""
At those words, Wi-ak opened his eyes and rose from his seat.
He grabbed each of his parents' heads with his hands and said.
"I will sacrifice you, who were most precious to me. So please, erase what's left of my humanity completely."
Then, he crushed his parents' heads, bursting them.
As their heads exploded, splattering blood, Wi-ak's parents let out twisted, bizarre laughter, making a horrifying sound.
A moment later, their blood and flesh transformed into small, thin red snakes, which slithered up Wi-ak's hands and into his body.
Afterward, the Preta Path's entire body turned crimson red, his muscles swelled, and long, sharp teeth like a beast's fangs grew out.
Red smoke billowed violently from his back, and countless 'mouths' sprouted all over his body.
On his arms, shoulders, hands, and even his legs and feet.
And from those mouths, disgusting and repulsive dark red tentacles slithered out.
It was a twisted form that could no longer be considered human.
His cruel and tragic greed, his desire to devour everything with his entire body, had manifested in a hideous form.
Wi-ak the human was no more; in his place stood the Preta Path, completely maddened as a Blood Demon.
He exhaled red smoke and spoke in a grotesque voice.
"Truly persistent. Both you and that damn weapon. I will absorb you all with my power."
The pure white blade and the dark red bloodlust bared their fangs at each other.