Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Epilogue (2)
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"Hmm, what should the next story be? It would be good if I could get a rough idea of what abilities the Preta Path's orb has."
Standing before the weapon display, I pondered the design and story for the next demonic sword.
"By the way, what kind of weapon should I make next? Maybe it's because I played with such a savage weapon, but this time, I want to go with something more conventional."
The Sword Demon's Soul-Severing Sword was technically a sword, but its fantasy-inspired design made it look a bit different from the typical blades of a martial arts world.
I was contemplating a more simplistic, angular, and standardized design when—
*Knock, knock.*
Someone was knocking on the smithy's door.
"Who is it?"
I left my room and opened the smithy door.
"Who's there?"
A man in a bamboo hat stood waiting, silhouetted by the bright sunlight.
"It's been a while, Blacksmith. Have you been well?"
A martial artist with fluttering black hair and a unique sword at his waist.
It was the Sword Demon, Unmyeong.
"Ah, Sir Sword Demon. It's been a long time."
"I'd like to come in and talk. Is that alright?"
"Of course."
As I stepped aside, Unmyeong entered, followed by Sohwal and Yuhwa.
"Hmm."
I looked at Sohwal and Yuhwa, whose atmospheres had changed considerably, and found it quite interesting.
Unlike when I last saw her through the Soul-Severing Sword, Sohwal's hair was a little longer and her attire more elegant, accentuating her femininity. Yuhwa, on the other hand, wore the neat, official uniform of the Heavenly Demon Cult, giving her the distinct air of a martial artist.
Whether they had actually built up some internal energy or not, the aura and presence they gave off were remarkably different from before.
I feigned ignorance and asked the Sword Demon.
"It seems you have new companions."
"I've taken on a disciple."
"Oh? I never thought you would take a disciple, Sir Sword Demon. This is quite a surprise."
At my words, Yuhwa shot me a slightly uncomfortable glare.
I was quite happy to see her, but from her perspective, this was our first meeting, so her discomfort was understandable.
"Well, it just happened. May I look around for a bit? This place is new every time I visit."
"Of course."
As the Sword Demon examined the weapon display, Yuhwa and Sohwal followed suit.
Among them, Yuhwa's eyes sparkled with particular intensity as she studied my weapons.
"Wow, I can see why they call this the best smithy in the Cult."
Unmyeong smiled faintly at her words and replied.
"I have visited many smithies, but I have never seen a place that forges weapons as perfectly as this."
Sohwal didn't show it with her expression or words, but she was staring at the weapon display with an almost obsessive intensity.
Having a soft spot for her, I casually asked.
"Is there a weapon that catches your eye?"
At my question, Sohwal snapped out of her trance and replied.
"It's alright. I was just accompanying the Sword Demon..."
*Pat.*
Unmyeong placed a hand lightly on Sohwal's shoulder and said.
"Why don't you take this opportunity to choose a good weapon for yourself? I will pay for it, so pick one you like."
A faint blush colored Sohwal's cheeks as she answered.
"I-Is that really okay?"
"Haha, from your expression, it seems you already have something in mind. Of course, it is."
At his words, Sohwal gave a slight nod and expressed her gratitude.
Yuhwa, too, glanced at the Sword Demon with a look of hopeful expectation.
Noticing her gaze, Unmyeong smiled slightly and said.
"I came here today to gift a sword to my disciple for her remarkable progress, so you may choose one as well."
"R-Really?!"
"Of course."
"Thank you, Master!!"
Sohwal and Yuhwa's eyes gleamed as they looked over the countless weapons on display.
Leaving them to it, the Sword Demon approached me and said.
"Shall we talk somewhere a little quieter?"
"It seems you have something to discuss."
The Sword Demon and I went into the quiet workshop where I usually conceptualized the stories for my demonic swords.
Sitting down in a plush chair, the Sword Demon placed the Soul-Severing Sword on the table.
Seeing that, I gave a small nod and spoke.
"As I thought, you had something to say about that demonic sword."
"Yes. I came by because I have a few things I'm curious about."
He picked up the Soul-Severing Sword, pointed to its eye, and said.
"Lately, I've been feeling a faint energy from its eye, just like before. It even seems to vibrate and react sometimes. This has to be a good sign, right?"
"Pardon? You're feeling an energy, and it's reacting?"
I asked back, my face a picture of surprise.
"That's right. After you repaired it to some extent, whenever I hunt blood demons or spiritual beasts, the energy I used to feel seems to be returning, little by little."
"Huh..."
"It has even vibrated in response to my own energy at times. This means she can be revived, doesn't it?"
"...I'm not sure. I don't know the details, but... if that's really happening, it must mean there's a possibility."
The Sword Demon's face brightened at my words.
His reaction aside, however, I couldn't help but feel utterly confused.
*'...I can't even send my consciousness into the Soul-Severing Sword right now. This is strange.'*
I tried to focus my mind and transfer my consciousness into the sword, but I felt something blocking me.
*'It really feels like something is already inside. A door that should be open is firmly shut.'*
To put it simply, it was like a door to a room I used to frequent was now locked tight, with someone living inside.
*'How curious. What is this? I never designed anything like this.'*
While I was lost in thought, the now-cheerful Sword Demon stood up.
"Hmm, hearing that you also see it as a good sign puts my mind at ease. Ah, and I've been searching for a lesser dragon lately, but they're proving hard to find, so I haven't been able to give it the creature's inner core. I'll be sure to deliver it when I find one."
"Ah, yes. You don't have to push yourself."
"If I want her to return even a day sooner, I must do my part."
"Ah, I see."
Watching him, I thought to myself.
*'Wait, do lesser dragons actually exist? I just made that up. Does that mean dragons exist too?'*
There are no lesser dragons, Sword Demon.
I wanted to say it, but I held my tongue.
There was nothing to be gained from telling him.
"By the way, what have you been up to lately?"
When the Sword Demon suddenly asked about me, I scratched my head and replied.
"Well, what else is there for a blacksmith to do? I'm always making new weapons and thinking about what to create next."
It was a bit of an oversimplification, but it wasn't a lie.
"I suppose so. Still, isn't it tough being cooped up in the smithy all the time?"
"I've never really thought of it as tough."
"Hmm."
Unmyeong stroked his chin, a hint of disappointment on his face.
When I looked at him with a questioning gaze, he answered.
"There's a festival soon, so I was wondering if you'd be going."
"A festival?"
"Ah, you don't know?"
The Sword Demon replied with a placid expression.
"In a fortnight, it will be the Cult's founding anniversary. There will be a grand festival."
"Has it been that long already?"
"It only comes once a year."
I nodded slightly and replied.
"Hmm, well then, I suppose I'll go out for the first time in a while."
"A good decision. It's not good to stay inside all the time. You need to get some fresh air."
He started for the workshop exit and said.
"I should be on my way now. I'll see you again in a fortnight."
The Sword Demon picked up the two swords Yuhwa and Sohwal had chosen.
"How much for these two?"
"It's alright. You can just take them."
"Hoh, these are clearly no ordinary masterpieces. It would be rude to accept them for free. I cannot do that."
"My smithy is overflowing with masterpieces of that caliber, so it's really fine. Besides, they were all made with materials provided by the Cult, so please, just take them. That was part of our agreement."
In truth, I didn't need money, as the Heavenly Demon Cult actively supported my weapon forging.
Part of the deal for receiving the smithy and materials was that I wouldn't charge the Seven Demons-level executives of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
After all, hadn't the Sword Demon himself received his sword for free in the past?
However, it seemed that even though he knew this, he intended to pay separately since he was getting weapons for his subordinate and disciple.
"Well, if you put it that way, I'll gratefully accept. If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word."
Frankly, a favor from the Sword Demon was worth more to me than money, so it wasn't a loss.
Who on earth could buy the Sword Demon's martial prowess with coin?
Since the Cult already supplied me with more than enough materials, gaining favor with the Sword Demon was far more important to me than money.
Having acquired weapons of outstanding quality, the faces of Yuhwa and Sohwal looked considerably brighter.
Especially Yuhwa, whose expressions were easy to read; the corners of her mouth wouldn't come down.
"We'll meet again."
Once the Sword Demon and his party left, the smithy fell quiet again.
I rested my chin on my hand for a moment, enjoying the silence, before muttering softly.
"Ah, am I really addicted to dopamine? I'm itching for another fun adventure."
I returned to my workshop and began to outline the concept for my next weapon.
***
*Step, step.*
As the sun began to set, someone stood before a cliff.
"Hmm. The scenery is truly magnificent."
A man wearing a deep bamboo hat and a veil spoke in a charming, deep voice.
"Yes, as you said, it is a truly fine place."
A woman, also wearing a deep bamboo hat and a veil, spoke up.
The red robe the man wore seemed to glow an even deeper crimson in the light of the setting sun.
"It is good to see that the Central Plains has so many beautiful places like this."
The man, after gazing for a moment at the river and mountains beyond the cliff, slowly turned his head to look at the desecrated grave.
"To be buried by a loved one in such a beautiful place, to have it mark your end... Your story was poignant, but it has reached a beautiful conclusion."
He said this while looking at the shattered remains of Wi-ak.
The woman beside him also spoke slowly.
"Two have already been taken down."
"So it would seem."
At that moment, the sun completely set, and a deep darkness fell over the sky.
And in that darkness, the man slowly removed his bamboo hat, revealing his face.
*Rustle.*
Long, pure white hair cascaded down, revealing pale skin.
He was a man of strange allure, possessing a beauty that was both androgynous and masculine.
But contrary to his beautiful appearance, the man's eyes glowed ominously in the dark, their color a chilling mix of black and red.
His red pupils surveyed Wi-ak, buried in the dirt.
"Hmm."
Behind him, the woman's red eyes also shone menacingly from behind her veil as she spoke.
"Asura Path and Preta Path were core forces of the Blood Cult. For them to be defeated..."
"Shh."
The man placed a finger to his lips and spoke softly, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"I would like a moment of mourning."
At his words, the woman bowed her head and fell silent.
The white-haired man observed Wi-ak's remains for a long time before speaking.
"I wanted to see for myself how your story would end. It is a shame. Still, you seemed content in your final moments, so may you rest in peace."
The man slowly rose to his feet and asked the woman.
"What is your assessment, Lady Biwol?"
The woman named Biwol, upon hearing the man's question, removed her bamboo hat.
Like the man, she had white hair and pale skin, her features beautiful and mystical.
She replied without any change in expression.
"I believe it is a truly sad affair."
"Your words say one thing, yet your expression remains unchanged."
"..."
The man chuckled, looked up at the night sky for a moment, and then spoke slowly.
"It seems a new story is still waiting to welcome me."
He took in the night breeze for a moment before his tone turned slightly irritated.
"That aside, who on earth would dig up a grave like this?"
He narrowed his eyes, genuinely displeased.
"After a lifetime of suffering, he could finally rest in death. To desecrate even that... isn't it too cruel?"
Yet, amidst his displeasure, he seemed to feel a sense of interest and curiosity about who could have done such a thing.
For while his eyes showed clear displeasure, the corners of his mouth were curled into a bizarre, faint smile.
Biwol bowed her head and replied.
"I will ascertain who is responsible."
Then, after a moment, Biwol spoke in a cautious tone.
"I do not know what kind of being it is, but it seems there is someone targeting us."
"So it would seem."
"Therefore, before it is too late..."
Biwol trailed off, slowly raising her head to gauge his reaction.
The man remained silent for a moment before answering.
"There is no other choice. It would be best to begin."
At his words, Biwol, who had maintained a stoic expression, looked genuinely surprised, and then a smile bloomed on her face.
"Everything is as the god wills."
The man surveying the view beyond the cliff—no, the Blood God—
lingered by Wi-ak's side for a moment, his eerie red eyes glowing, before he departed.