Chapter 649: It’s Funny Seeing a Serial Killer Talk About Human Decency
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 649: It’s Funny Seeing a Serial Killer Talk About Human Decency
Swaaaaaaa
The murderous aura began to dissipate from the ink-black blade.
As it did, the pitch-black hue grew faint, the color slowly bleeding away.
From a black deeper than the abyss to a gray like smoldering ash.
From an ashen gray to a white as pure as snow.
Then, the snow-white blade began to shine with a radiant luster.
It was as if the sword itself had swallowed the sun.
"……"
Salhon watched the scene, his jaw hanging slack.
What was happening before his eyes was utterly unbelievable.
That massive surge of murderous aura—an aura so vast that even he, who had accumulated killing intent for centuries, felt a primal fear—had simply vanished.
Not only had it been quelled, but the murderous energy had been withdrawn to reveal a blade of brilliant light.
Even a single glance told him that the energy radiating from the sword was anything but ordinary.
Salhon was plagued by questions.
How could this be?
How was such a thing even possible?
He couldn't wrap his head around it. It defied all common sense.
"Salhon."
Sun-woo’s voice pierced through his confusion.
"Y-yes, speak."
Salhon stammered as he found his voice.
"Thank you."
"Pardon?"
"I survived thanks to you."
Sun-woo expressed his gratitude with a polite demeanor.
If not for Salhon’s shout, he would have been consumed by the killing intent. How could he not be grateful?
He was truly thankful that Salhon had helped him regain his senses.
"Well… it was nothing."
Hearing the thanks, Salhon wore a look of utter bewilderment. He never expected such a polite apology—or rather, an expression of gratitude.
Did he eat something wrong?
The Jang Sun-woo he knew was a shameless bastard. He wasn't the type to offer this kind of courtesy.
"Have you… gained complete control over the killing intent?" Salhon asked, his face etched with intense curiosity.
"……What do you think?"
Sun-woo replied with a small smile playing on his lips.
"I don't know."
Salhon voiced his honest thoughts. He really didn't know. He couldn't feel even a trace of murderous aura from the man anymore. It was as if the fact that he had just been radiating such a terrifying aura was a mere illusion.
Because of that, he couldn't tell if Sun-woo had brought the killing intent under perfect control or if he had extinguished it entirely.
"Want me to tell you?" Sun-woo asked, his smile widening.
"Please, tell me."
"I don't want to."
Sun-woo spoke with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"……"
Salhon’s face crumpled into a scowl. He felt like Sun-woo was toying with him.
"Wipe that look off your face."
Sun-woo’s voice dropped an octave, turning cold and threatening.
Flinch.
At the menacing tone, Salhon immediately smoothed out his expression. He was annoyed, but he had no desire to cross the man.
"That’s better."
Sun-woo chuckled, seemingly satisfied.
"You asked if I’ve brought the killing intent under complete control?" Sun-woo asked calmly.
"…Yes."
"I have."
Sun-woo nodded.
"Then…!?"
"I can control it perfectly now."
"Congratulations."
Salhon bowed his head in feigned celebration. It galled him that Sun-woo had become even more powerful, but he figured it was better to suck up to him for now.
"It’s thanks to the Killing Method you taught me," Sun-woo said with a smile.
"I have one more question."
"Go ahead."
"Are you currently suppressing that massive killing intent?"
"It’s a bit different from suppressing it."
"Different?" Salhon asked, puzzled.
"I’m not forcing it down. The killing intent simply follows my will."
"Follows your… will?"
Salhon’s expression remained one of utter confusion. He couldn't understand what kind of nonsense Sun-woo was talking about.
"Yes. I don't want to emit killing intent. So, the aura responds to my will and vanishes."
Sun-woo explained exactly what he was feeling. Currently, his killing intent felt like an extension of his own limbs. Just as he moved his hands or stomped his feet, he could move it however he pleased.
"You mean… you’ve mastered it? You’ve subjugated the killing intent?"
"I suppose you could put it that way."
"That’s impossible!" Salhon roared, his voice rising. It was simply too absurd to believe. "The Killing Method I taught you is based on the principle of suppressing and forcibly dragging the killing intent! But to make it submit? That’s unheard of!"
Killing intent was not something to be subjugated. It was something to be led by force, suppressed, and controlled. How could one make such a thing submit and order it around like a servant?
"Well, I did it," Sun-woo said nonchalantly. "It just worked."
"Then… can you release it again?"
In response, Sun-woo raised the Dragon Tail Soft Sword.
Swoooooosh!
A monstrous surge of killing intent swirled, and the blade began to be dyed in an ink-black hue. The massive aura was being concentrated into the sword.
"How’s this?" Sun-woo asked, holding up the blade that was now darker than the blackest ink.
"Are… are you alright?"
"I’m perfectly fine, as you can see."
Sun-woo replied with a relaxed smile.
"How… how can this be…"
Salhon stared blankly. Despite concentrating such a massive amount of killing intent, Sun-woo showed no signs of being tainted by it. He looked completely at ease.
"I don't think I have to worry about being consumed by it anymore."
Sun-woo continued to smile, while Salhon could only gape at him. Sun-woo’s actions had completely shattered his common sense, leaving him dazed.
*
Crazy bastard…
Salhon cursed inwardly. Despite researching the Killing Method for hundreds of years, the one thing he could never subjugate was the killing intent itself. Yet, the man before him had completely broken it to his will, using it like his own hands and feet.
Unlike Salhon, who had to drag it along by force.
He couldn't help but swear. This man had achieved a feat that he himself had failed to accomplish in centuries.
"Well, keep up the hard work."
Sun-woo’s voice snapped Salhon out of his thoughts. Startled, he looked up to see Sun-woo already turning toward the exit.
"Wait… wait a moment!" Salhon shouted urgently.
"What?" Sun-woo glanced back.
"Where are you going!?"
"There’s something I want to test out."
"Test out? What do you mean?"
"I’ve had an epiphany."
Sun-woo’s smile deepened.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Salhon asked, carefully gauging Sun-woo’s reaction.
In a way, he was Sun-woo’s savior. He had handed over a Killing Method more precious than his own life, providing the foundation for Sun-woo to handle the aura, and he had even helped him from being consumed by it. If Sun-woo was a human being, it was only natural that he offer a fitting reward.
"Forgetting something…"
Sun-woo looked as if he were deep in thought.
"Ah!"
He let out a short exclamation as if he had just remembered.
Right. If you’re human, there’s no way you’d just leave.
Salhon grinned broadly. The joy of finally being able to shed these godforsaken restraints welled up within him.
Grab.
Suddenly, Sun-woo leaned down and picked up the black blindfold and the gag that were lying on the floor.
"Huh?"
Salhon looked confused. Why on earth was he picking those up?
Step, step.
Sun-woo walked right up to the restrained Salhon.
Tug.
He covered Salhon’s eyes with the black blindfold and tied it tight.
"Wait… wait a minute!" Salhon cried out as his vision went dark. He couldn't understand the sudden turn of events. What the hell was he doing?
"What?" Sun-woo asked, sounding genuinely puzzled.
"What are you doing right now!?"
"I’m blindfolding you."
"I know that! I mean, why are you blindfolding me!?" Salhon shouted in frustration.
"I can't just leave you like this, can I?"
"You can! No, please do!"
"Ayy, I can't do that. I heard that if a person stares at the same spot for too long, they go crazy. This is a small kindness from me."
"The same spot!? Are you saying you’re not going to release me!?"
"Why would I release you?" Sun-woo asked back, as if the idea were preposterous.
"I taught you the Killing Method!" Salhon yelled desperately.
"You did," Sun-woo nodded.
"And I helped you snap out of it right before you were consumed by the killing intent!"
"You did."
"And yet you’re going to restrain me again!?"
"Yep."
Sun-woo confirmed it without a moment’s hesitation.
"You son of a bitch! That’s not right!"
Salhon screamed, cursing at the top of his lungs. He was overwhelmed by a sense of injustice and rage. If this guy was human, he couldn't do this. How could he even think about re-restraining his life-saver? This was a violation of all human ethics.
"What’s the problem?" Sun-woo asked, sounding like he truly didn't understand.
"Even beasts know gratitude! Are you saying you’re worse than a beast!? If not for me, you would have been swallowed by that aura and turned into the worst kind of murderous ghost! How can you receive such a favor and then act like you know nothing!? This goes against all human decency!"
Salhon roared in fury. The more he thought about it, the more indignant he felt.
"Hahahaha!"
Suddenly, Sun-woo burst into laughter. It was a genuine, hearty laugh.
"What’s so funny!?"
Salhon’s face turned beet-red as he screamed. Sun-woo’s laughter only fueled his rage.
"It’s just funny hearing a serial killer talk about human decency."
Sun-woo spoke with a thick smirk.
"Wh-what!?"
"You’ve killed countless people over hundreds of years. Do you really think you’re in a position to talk about human decency?" Sun-woo asked, his gaze turning sharp.
"……"
Salhon fell silent. He had no rebuttal.
This bastard… using logic on me…
It was an airtight argument. A piece of human trash who killed for money had no right to preach about decency.
"Be grateful I’m even letting you live."
"Was this… your plan from the beginning!?"
"That’s right," Sun-woo replied calmly. "I never said I’d let you go, did I? Why are you getting your hopes up, getting hurt, and feeling disappointed all on your own?"
Sun-woo looked at him as if he were pathetic. His only promise had been to spare Salhon’s life. Seeing him expect to be set free now was almost comical.
"Eeeeeeeek!"
Salhon let out a frustrated shriek.
Thud.
Ignoring the scream, Sun-woo pried Salhon’s mouth open. He intended to silence him with the gag.
"Wait! Wait! Just my mouth! At least leave my mouth free!"
Salhon began to plead desperately.
"Cut the crap. I know you’re just trying to pull something."
Sun-woo forced the gag into his mouth, effectively silencing him.
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
"Reflect on your sins."
Sun-woo spoke flatly to the now blindfolded and gagged Salhon. Then, without a hint of lingering attachment, he turned away.
Step, step.
He began to walk slowly out of the torture chamber as if nothing had happened.
"Mmmph! Mmmph!!!!"
Hearing the footsteps, Salhon despaired. He realized Sun-woo was leaving.
"Mmmph!!!!"
He cried out with every ounce of desperation he had. But that desperation was muffled by the gag and never reached Sun-woo.
Mmmph! Mmmph!!!!
Only the muffled sounds echoed through the chamber.
Creeeeeak.
The sound of the heavy door opening reached his ears.
Nooooooo!!!!
Salhon screamed internally. A wave of despair washed over him, signaling that everything was over.
Thud.
The thick iron door slammed shut with a heavy thud. Sun-woo was gone.
Salhon was left all alone in the darkness of the torture chamber, swallowed by despair.