Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Sword Saint, Welcoming Paradise
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Putting the distant tales of the East aside.
Vallak had everyone run through today's training regimen.
But was even he bothered by thoughts of the East?
'Heavenly Demon...'
The Heavenly Demon that Narin had just mentioned lingered in his mind.
What exactly was a Heavenly Demon?
In simple terms, it was the absolute evil equivalent to a demon king in wuxia tales!!!
—Or at least it used to be, but these days, it was just your run-of-the-mill mass-produced heroine number one.
Sometimes a Heavenly Demon delivered food, went fishing, painted pictures, commanded space fleets, traded stocks, or dabbled in crypto.
And there were countless other Heavenly Demons making waves in all sorts of ways.
In any case, they were incredibly capable beings!
To Vallak, who was aiming to turn his dungeon into the ultimate endgame content, a Heavenly Demon was a formidable rival.
But the West was Vallak's turf, and the East belonged to the Heavenly Demon—that was the natural order!
Later, he figured a collab with whatever dungeon the Heavenly Demon built would be perfect.
That's how Vallak envisioned it: sharing drinks and spars with the Heavenly Demon to build a bond.
Then, harnessing the power of that friendship for a joint ultimate technique.
Right as he was lost in that fantasy...
"Master?"
"Ah, sorry about that."
Narin had called out to Vallak as he stretched again.
He'd already set up a training curriculum for Carel and Pepi, so they'd handle themselves.
But since this was Narin's first day, his direct guidance was essential.
After that, Vallak led her to a wide-open space and explained the training ahead.
"Just dodge the magic bullets flying at you from all directions, freely."
"Freely... you say?"
Narin felt doubts about this second supreme training method.
Hadn't the first one been that bizarre climb up a slippery, oil-slicked pillar?
She'd expected the second to be equally outlandish.
But just dodge magic bullets?
With no restrictions whatsoever?
It was so hard to picture that a question mark popped up over Narin's head.
Vallak just grinned and shouted.
"Alright, starting stage one. Ready?!"
"Yes!!"
"Go!"
───────Pew!!!
In that instant, Narin saw thousands of cherry blossom petals swirling in the wind.
A fierce gust swept across the green fields, sending blades of grass shooting up from the earth.
'Th-those... are all magic bullets?! And that sound...'
Warm, soothing instrumentals filled the entire space, calming the mind and body.
But standing there dumbfounded would mean thousands of magic bullets homing in on her.
Dodging the dancing cherry blossoms and grass blades amid the beautiful music, Narin focused all her senses.
"Now, stage two!"
"!!!"
The melody shifted with Vallak's words.
Even more lively, even more upbeat!
The countless magic bullets turned into ferocious beasts hunting their prey, relentlessly pursuing Narin.
Navigating the onslaught, she entered a state of total concentration, forgetting even herself.
Soon, lost in a trance, Narin's unnecessary movements dwindled to nothing.
Her body moved on its own, in sync with the surrounding music.
"Stage three!!"
This time, it was like a storm raging over the sea, massive waves crashing down on her.
The melody grew solemn, its high notes clawing at her eardrums, evoking a sense of crisis.
'This is supreme training. Sorry for doubting you, Master.'
From then on, Narin realized that following Vallak had been the best decision of her life.
She danced like a performer on stage.
***********
Watching Narin dodge the magic bullets like she was putting on a show, Vallak scratched the back of his head.
"Uh... she doesn't have to go all out like that..."
The second supreme training was just meant to make cardio more fun.
But Crescent Moon twirled away from the bullets like a ballerina, showing some truly peculiar moves.
Well, she looked like she was having a blast, so that was fine, right?
Yeah! As long as she was satisfied!
Dancing was one of the top cardio exercises, after all!
"Um... Boss?"
"Dhampir, what's up?"
"Was dodging them supposed to look like that? You were doing that... breakdancing thing to avoid them too."
Oh boy.
Dhampir seemed to have the wrong idea.
Sure, tastes varied from person to person—it was all about personal style!
He just let her think whatever.
Soon, Crescent Moon tired out, her movements slowing dramatically.
She started taking hits one by one, so Vallak ended the supreme training.
Whirrr...
"Huff... huff... huff..."
"Crescent Moon, you okay?"
"Y-yeah... I-I'm fi... *cough*...ne..."
Nearly an hour of dodging plus intense dancing would make her whole body scream, sure.
And now totally spent, it was best to call it there for the day.
When Crescent Moon still couldn't move after a while, Dhampir carried her off to the showers.
But this situation...
A lesbian heading to the showers with a cute, helpless junior?
Like handing fish to a cat!
So!!
"Little Kitty, I'm counting on you."
"Got it, nya!!"
Hahaha! Go on!
Shatter Dhampir's dreams and hopes with your innocence, kid!!
A short while later.
Just as expected, a very dejected Dhampir emerged from the showers with a fluffy, fresh Crescent Moon.
"Good job, Little Kitty."
"Hehehe! Praised by Vallak-nya!"
Alright, he'd fended off the evil clutches too.
Now, just one last thing.
"Crescent Moon, where do you want to stay?"
"Uh... Master, what do you mean?"
"Well, see..."
Right now, he and his sworn brothers all had rooms inside the dungeon for living quarters.
Ophelia didn't need rest anyway.
She'd claimed the sanctuary shop as her lounge and told him not to worry about her, so she was a special case.
The trolls coming later would commute from the Nyaotribe forest like Dhampir and Little Kitty.
So Crescent Moon had two options.
"First is living inside the dungeon like me and the others. Second is..."
"She can come with me and Pepi!"
With choices laid out, she should pick for herself.
What would Crescent Moon choose?
Honestly, he figured she'd commute with Dhampir.
She was a cat person, just like her—
"I'll stay here with you and the senior brothers, Master."
"Hm?"
"Eh?"
Ho ho... Crescent Moon made a surprisingly bold choice.
And she picked the exact spot right away.
"Also, I'd like to stay in this training hall."
"Eeeek?! Narin, for real?!"
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Crescent Moon stood and looked around the training hall.
"All these various training tools... and the supreme training I just experienced... This place is a paradise for martial artists like me."
"So you'll stay here?"
"Yes, Master. With this blessed realm's effects, I don't need meals or sleep anyway. I just want to focus on training."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Ahh... It was so touching, applause came naturally.
Who knew the newest member of their dungeon would turn out this exemplary!
And asking for secluded training on her own—how moving!
"Do as you wish."
"Thank you, Master."
"But when you rest, do it with Dhampir and Little Kitty."
"Uh...? Boss, is that okay?"
"No matter how focused on training, rest is crucial. So you can head to the Nyaotribe forest at least once a week."
He'd realized the importance of rest during the last general meeting.
No point in forcing nonstop training on Crescent Moon—she needed some relaxation too.
And being a cat person, just one day there would melt away her fatigue like it did for Dhampir!
And so, Crescent Moon took up residence in the training hall.
*************
A few days after Narin settled into the training hall.
Her skills, honed purely through relentless practice, improved by leaps and bounds.
Even facing the third supreme training, she...
"Huff... huff..."
"N-Narin... aren't you going a bit too hard?"
Pushed herself fighting constructs nonstop, without a single break.
Plus, confronting the Sword Saint's clone had been a massive shock.
So she threw herself into training with even more fervor.
Outwardly cool but burning inside, she now downed even the foul-tasting elixirs without Ophelia's help.
Thud!
"Th-this too... is training... Gluttony truly means nothing in life..."
"N-Narin!! Don't pass out-nya!!"
"Want a drink?"
"Ahh... thank you, Senior Brother..."
Of course, finishing the elixir always left her consciousness fading.
But with her comrades there, Narin could pull herself back up.
And today!
"Who would've thought... we'd end up sparring, just the two of us."
"Big Brother, isn't the timing a bit rushed?"
"No, now's perfect."
The three brothers sparred whenever they had time, no issues there.
But Carel was too weak compared to them for spars.
Now, though, Narin could be his opponent.
Excluding Pepi, the two weakest in the dungeon prepared to spar.
"By the way, Bellesa, why are you here?"
"Come on~ Why would I miss this fun show?"
Fights between the weak were always the most entertaining!
Bellesa had been checking the first floor when she spotted them gearing up and rushed over.
Of course, that alone would surely earn her a scolding from Vallak...
'Uh... looks good?'
—No!
Earlier, she'd brought the item he'd ordered.
"Ah, you finished Penguin's house?"
"It's been three weeks already—I had plenty of time. But I really poured my heart into it during that long stretch, so expect great things!"
"Got it. Oh, and I have a few more custom orders. That okay?"
"Custom orders? Of course!"
"Good. I want to commission a sword about this long, plus some magic tools..."
While Vallak and Bellesa chatted on the side.
"Fuu~ Standing here like this... it's really nerve-wracking..."
"...Please go easy on me, Senior Brother."
"You too!"
Narin and Carel finished their preparations for the spar.