Chapter 637: A Lovers' Spat
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 637: A Lovers' Spat
"The demonic power of a sword?"
Sun-woo asked her, his expression clouded with doubt.
He couldn't bring himself to believe in such a thing. What on earth was she talking about?
"Swords possess a demonic allure," Ok-ryeong continued, her eyes sparkling like starlight. "Simply holding one instills a desire to cut something."
She went on, her gaze intensifying.
"And as the swordsman’s realm deepens, that demonic power grows even stronger, beginning to tempt them. It whispers for them to swing, to wound, to draw blood."
"…But… I’ve never experienced anything like that…"
"It’s not the kind of thing you can perceive consciously. It lies dormant in the subconscious, only to strike as an impulse at a critical moment. It’s so subtle that even the master doesn't realize it's happening."
Ok-ryeong’s expression turned somber.
"I don't understand… Are you saying the sword is alive?" Sun-woo asked, still looking unconvinced.
Though he considered his sword a companion that protected him, it was ultimately just a tool. How could a mere object possess the demonic power to manipulate its master?
"Life… calling it that wouldn't be entirely wrong. After all, a swordsman breathes life into their blade."
"Breathes life into it?"
"Yes. Over a long period, a sword permeated by its master’s internal energy takes on a life of its own, transforming into a blade meant solely for that master."
Ok-ryeong continued in a calm, steady tone.
"A blade meant solely for the master?"
"It undergoes a process of optimization. It changes to accept internal energy more efficiently, to resonate faster, and to exert even greater power."
"…Optimization."
"The problem is that during this optimization, the demonic power inherent to the tool also grows stronger. It then tries to wield the master according to its own will—to make them live a life faithful to the essence of a sword."
Sun-woo slowly lowered his gaze. He looked down at the weapon in his hand, the Dragon Tail Soft Sword, with newfound doubt.
Even now, it looked as beautiful as ever. More than that, it felt reliable and sturdy. It was the ultimate partner, capable of handling his incredibly bizarre internal energy. He found it impossible to believe that such a sword was trying to manipulate him.
"Are you saying… the demonic power of the Dragon Tail Soft Sword will eventually consume me?"
Sun-woo slowly looked back up at Ok-ryeong, who was watching him intently.
"If you continue to swing your sword in pursuit of its true essence," she replied, nodding slowly. "If you do that, Sun-woo, you will become the sword itself. You will lose the name 'Sun-woo' and be forced to live as nothing more than a blade."
Her eyes were filled with deep concern.
"…As a blade?"
"Yes. You will have no choice but to live as a tool that knows nothing but how to cut."
Sun-woo fell into a heavy silence. Hearing the phrase "a single blade" made something stir in the back of his mind. Pieces of a puzzle began to click into place.
It wasn't the first time he had heard those words. In fact, he had heard them until his ears were practically calloused. A man’s face flickered in his memory.
The man who had danced a Sword Dance while freely sharing his enlightenment with Sun-woo during their first meeting. The man who had cut down Grand General Lee Yeon—a man of despair-inducing strength—in a single strike. The man who claimed he had no name and asked to be called simply "a sword." The man who had provided the clue to reaching the Profound Realm.
"…The Sword Man."
A single blade. He was the Sword Man.
Am I turning into someone like the Sword Man?
Sun-woo looked puzzled. He wondered if the Sword Man was the inevitable destination for those who reached the pinnacle of the Killing Sword.
But then, another question arose. Was becoming like the Sword Man truly a bad thing? He had been a pleasant, boisterous man—someone whose very presence exuded a friendly and gallant charm. Sun-woo couldn't understand why becoming like him would be a negative outcome.
"Who is the Sword Man?" Ok-ryeong asked, noticing his confusion.
"I met a man once who asked to be called 'a sword'…"
Sun-woo began to recount his history with the Sword Man. He told her everything: how they met, the enlightenment he received, their eventual reunion, and the powerful foe the man had defeated.
Ok-ryeong remained silent after hearing the story, her lips pressed thin. She seemed lost in thought. After a long moment, she finally spoke.
"Sun-woo."
"Yeah."
"It sounds like that 'Sword Man' was someone who sought to become the sword itself—to be perfectly faithful to the sword's original purpose."
"…But he had emotions. He could laugh, he was cheerful… and gallant."
Though he called himself a sword, the Sword Man possessed feelings. He wasn't some madman who had lost his humanity to spend his life swinging a blade.
"One can still have emotions. However, his highest value was likely the act of cutting. That was his core."
"Is that wrong?"
"One cannot judge the right or wrong of another's values. Everyone pursues different things."
Ok-ryeong shook her head slowly. It wasn't right to call someone "wrong" just because their values differed. Every individual's choice deserved respect.
"Then what exactly is the problem?"
"I don't want you to become like that," Ok-ryeong said, her eyes turning sorrowful.
"……"
"I want you to remain human, Sun-woo. I don't want you to live as a tool." Her voice began to tremble. "I don't want you to be consumed by killing intent and wield a Killing Sword… I don't want you to seek a life as a mere tool for cutting… I don't want you to give up on being human."
Humans were beautiful because they were human. One should never abandon their humanity to become a tool. At least, that was what Ok-ryeong believed.
"…Abandon my humanity? That would never happen."
Sun-woo immediately denied her claim. He insisted such a thing was impossible.
"But you are picking up the sword specifically to kill, aren't you? You can't even control your own murderous aura yet."
Tears began to well in Ok-ryeong’s eyes, born from the deep-seated anxiety she felt for him.
"That’s… just because I’m not used to it yet. Once I get a bit more practice, I’ll be fine. So… don't worry, okay?"
Seeing her tears, Sun-woo hurriedly tried to reassure her. He claimed it was just a matter of familiarity and that everything would be alright once he adjusted. But Ok-ryeong’s tears showed no sign of stopping.
"It’s not a matter of getting used to it. In fact, the more you get used to it, the further you will drift from being human. Having murderous intent will become your new normal."
"……"
"Right now, you are in a more dangerous state than that Sword Man. That man only sought to cut, but you are seeking to kill. Your essence is far more dangerous and violent. The Killing Sword will eventually destroy you. So please… I beg of you… give up the Killing Sword."
Ok-ryeong began to plead with him. She begged him to discard the Killing Sword and not give up on his humanity.
Sun-woo remained silent, his mouth shut tight. He had no idea what to say.
Discard the Killing Sword? Wasn't the Killing Sword the ultimate weapon that could protect not only himself but everyone he held dear? Wasn't it the supreme technique that had even severed the arm of Lee Jae-won, the man called the World's Greatest Martial Artist?
And she was telling him to throw it away? He couldn't find the words to respond. It felt like an impossible request.
"…I can't."
Sun-woo finally spoke. It was a refusal.
"…Sun-woo."
Ok-ryeong looked at him with tragic eyes, her lashes soaked with moisture.
"Without the Killing Sword… I can't protect you. Without it, I can't protect anyone I care about."
Sun-woo met her gaze with an unwavering stare. He needed the Killing Sword to carry out his will to protect everyone. Therefore, he couldn't discard it—not even if it was a request from the woman he loved.
"I don't want that," Ok-ryeong said firmly. "I don't want you to protect everyone at the cost of your own humanity."
"Ok-ryeong… it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I won't lose my humanity."
Sun-woo tried to soothe her with groundless confidence. To be honest, he had no certainty that he would be fine. Even with his "Plot Armor," there was no guarantee it would preserve his character. Hadn't Lee Jae-won also benefited from Plot Armor, only for his personality to turn completely rotten?
He couldn't be sure he would remain unscathed. But for her sake, he acted as if he were certain, pretending there was nothing to worry about.
"How can you be so sure?" Ok-ryeong asked.
Sun-woo couldn't answer. He had no evidence to back up his claim.
"Ok-ryeong, can't you just trust me?"
"I trust you, Sun-woo… but I don't trust your sword."
"This sword is also something created by the 'me' you trust," Sun-woo said calmly.
"You didn't create it because you wanted to, did you?" Ok-ryeong stared at him with sorrowful eyes. "You forced this sword into existence just to survive… just to protect…"
She believed that the Killing Sword wasn't what Sun-woo truly desired. He was too fragile and kind-hearted to truly pursue the path of slaughter.
"That’s not true. This sword is exactly what I’ve been seeking. With this, I can kill my enemies before they kill me. I can protect everyone! Everyone can be safe!"
Sun-woo spoke with eyes full of conviction. He sought a sword that protects—a blade that could defend against the countless external pressures threatening what he held dear.
In that sense, the Killing Sword was perfect. He could kill an opponent who intended to kill him before they had the chance. If the threat was dead, everyone was safe. He had perfected the "Protecting Sword." If not the Killing Sword, what other blade could possibly serve as a sword of protection?
"You're wrong," Ok-ryeong said flatly.
"What!?"
"You are wrong, Sun-woo."
"What do you mean by that!?"
Sun-woo looked at her, completely baffled. He couldn't understand. He was wrong? He was wrong for pursuing the Killing Sword for the sake of those he loved? What on earth did she mean?
"You are destroying yourself to protect everyone else!" Ok-ryeong shouted, her voice rising in anger. "Do you think anyone would be grateful to be protected like that? What kind of foolish woman would be happy that her lover sacrificed himself for her!?"
"It’s not like that! I’m not destroying myself!"
"You're saying that becoming a literal sword that kills people because you're consumed by murderous aura isn't destroying yourself?"
"I won't be consumed!"
"You have no proof of that!" Ok-ryeong yelled.
"……"
"What I want isn't a sword meant for killing. I want the man named Jang Sun-woo!"
"If I don't do this, I can't protect you!" Sun-woo roared in frustration. "I know! I know it’s dangerous! I know the murderous aura is thick and can affect my mind! But I have no choice! I have no other way! I refuse to lose you before my very eyes ever again!"
"Why do you only see me as something to be protected? Why do you only see me as someone you're bound to lose!?" Her face was flushed as she screamed back at him.
"……"
"Why do you insist on carrying everything alone? I want to be your strength! I want to be your reliable partner! So why do you keep trying to do nothing but protect me!?"
Her pride was wounded. Before she was Sun-woo’s woman, Ok-ryeong was a martial artist—and a high-ranking one who sought the pinnacle of martial arts at that. Yet Sun-woo constantly viewed her as a fragile woman and tried to sacrifice himself to keep her safe. How could she not feel insulted?
Clench.
She suddenly gripped the hilt of her sword.
Screeeech.
She slowly drew the blade from its scabbard. A sharp, brilliant edge revealed itself to the world. It was the famous sword, White Flower.
"Draw your sword," Ok-ryeong said, raising her blade. "I will show you personally that I am not as weak as you think."
Her eyes blazed with determination.