Sword Saint (1)
I picked up my sword. I cut down enemies. I went to war, stood on the battlefield, and proved myself.
But right now... what the hell was I doing?
Staring blankly into empty space, sword still gripped in my hand. What was I hoping to see by gazing at nothing? Had I lost my mind? Or was it longing?
Somewhere, I could almost hear nagging voices. Shave that beard. Cut your hair. What's with all that growth?
"...Haha."
I let out a hollow laugh and started slashing at the remaining villains around me.
Three months ago, I cut down one villain. The next day, two. Then four... Eventually, over a hundred, a thousand.
Why had I cut down villains? Why had I swung my sword? There had to be a reason. There was a reason.
What happened three months ago?
"...Ah."
A memory surfaced. One I wanted to forget. But memories weren't so easily erased.
Han Sujung was dead. Killed by villains during an absurd mission.
I swung my sword and brutally slaughtered the superior who gave the order. Then I cut down every villain in sight. It didn't matter who. I just wanted to kill.
No... I needed to kill. Only then would the rage in my heart ease.
Why? How had I become like this?
...Ah. Right.
From the start, I was just a puppet. A hollow shell, moved only by strings. A fool obsessed with the pinnacle, ignoring everything around me—a puppet fixated on one goal.
A puppet only becomes human when pulled by strings. But the one pulling them was gone, so I reverted to being a lifeless doll.
What do I live for now?
It was the first time. The first time I'd lost my purpose and wandered aimlessly.
With no goal, I was empty. And my surroundings were a nightmare. Heroes feared me, treating me like a villain. Villains glared endlessly, hungry for my death.
The name Sword Saint faded; Sword Ghost took its place amid my savagery. But somehow, I survived.
I killed because I didn't want to die. I lived because I wanted to live.
But what meaning did it hold now? Nothing was left for me. It was all over. What point was there in my actions?
A puppet that can't move has no value. It should just disappear.
"...Yeah."
Slowly, I raised my sword to my throat. Now, I wanted to die. I had no will to live. I'd end it with my own blood as the finale.
"Wait!!!"
But I couldn't.
Someone called desperately. I turned slowly to look.
It was a girl. Striking silver hair. The Hero.
"...Hero, huh. What is it? We're not exactly close."
"...True. But we were comrades who talked a few times, fought side by side."
"...Were we? Anyway, what do you want?"
I stared blankly, but silence was her only reply. No answer came, so I sighed, figuring she was just stalling.
I turned to swing my sword again.
"Don't die!!!!"
A frantic voice shouted from behind.
"Why not?"
"Huh...?"
"Why tell me not to die?"
"...Because I want you to keep living."
"...Funny. Think a few chats make us friends?"
"Even if not friends! I don't want to lose talent and firepower like you!"
"...So you need a weapon. That's why you're trying to save me. At least I saw you as a comrade..."
"Wha—? N-No... That's not...!"
"...No words? Then shut up."
I turned to swing for real this time.
But another shout rang out. An utterly ridiculous one.
"I-I'll!! Stay by your side! Please!! I'll be your friend, not just comrade—don't die!!!"
"...What?"
I froze in sheer absurdity. As I opened my mouth to retort, darkness swallowed my vision.
When I opened my eyes again, a familiar ceiling stared back.
"...A dream, huh."
※ Three months had passed. A lot happened in that time.
First, we moved. To an apartment with four rooms, no less. In this cutthroat housing market, even a hero who'd smashed tons of villains struggled to snag a place in Seoul. Call it connections? I mentioned it casually to Han Sujung, and she jumped in to help without me asking. I refused flat-out—didn't need more favors—but she pulled strings anyway.
Since I needed a good spot for the sisters anyway, I accepted gratefully. Saved a bundle too.
Next up: healing the sisters' wounds. Growing up under trash parents, battered around, their bodies were scarred everywhere. Seeing Yu Sua's back... I nearly snapped and hunted down their "dad."
We started treatments at the hospital, but scars needed mana to heal properly—pricey stuff, a real burden. Then Han Sujung stepped up again. I tried refusing—house was enough—but she insisted for the sisters' sake. So I caved. Now, most scars were gone, minor ones aside.
"Mm..."
Lost in memories, I heard a mumble. Turned my head.
Yu Sua slept beside me. Smiling in her sleep, tossing cutely—pretty as ever, but where's the blanket? I swear I covered her.
"Sleeping cold again. No blanket..."
Spring chill lingered; I told her to wear warmer PJs, but she liked these. Praying no colds, I went to fetch one.
"Mmm..."
Another mumble. Turned—Yu Se Eun slept nearby too.
"Well, well."
Smiling and murmuring in sleep—adorable, but you too? Blanket kicked off?
"...Cute, so I'll let it slide."
Every morning like this. Pillows missing, found under the bed asleep. Blankets pulled up at night, shoved off by morning. Two bad sleepers turned the bed into chaos daily.
I quietly covered them, slipped out of bed.
"Told you to sleep separately, but no listening."
Post-move, I set up rooms for each: fancy beds, pillows, blankets. Perfect. But they ditched them.
They begged—er, requested—to sleep with me. Next day after chatting with Han Sujung, they said nights scared them. Made sense, so I agreed once.
Big mistake. Kept begging, then just snuck in like routine. Missed my chance to stop it; still sharing a bed months later.
Not my kink or pervy urges. Definitely not.
"Heave-ho..."
Out in the living room, I drew curtains. Bright sunlight flooded in. High floor—cityscape at a glance.
Time to seize the day. Stretched big.
※ After the sisters woke, we planned breakfast.
TV on, morning news droned. Usual villain crap, but seemed ramping up lately.
"Hm... Hoyeon-hyung and Sujung must be swamped."
"Huh? Why?"
"Villains popping up nonstop. Heroes busy."
"Hmm~ Good thing. Oppa isn't a hero."
"Why?"
"Busy means gone all day. Can't see you. We got no mana."
Yu Se Eun nibbled toast, pouting cutely. Post-Christmas progress—she banmal'd Han Sujung now too. Sisters eyed her sharp at first... but accepted it? After a few stares, calling her by name was fine.
"Anyway, oppa. You said something today?"
"Oh? Yeah, right."
Money spent big. Could coast till year-end frugally, but sisters growing, malnourished before—needed spoiling. No miracles, but better late than never.
Needed cash. Off to check Adriel Hero Academy instructor exam.
"Academy instructor... late nights?"
"Probably."
"Tch... Bummer. Whole day without Seojin oppa."
"You'll go to school later. Same deal then."
"Hmph. Till then we see you. Same school? All day."
Heard bits of their story. Knew why no school yet. Deep scars don't fade quick. School trauma too—maybe next year or later.
They'd go if with me, but academy news? Wanted to be superhumans too. Regret only.
"You got this, oppa! Oppa’s the best!"
"Right! No one's stronger!"
"Haha... Thanks."
Never shown skill once. No clue where that came from. But cheers? Smiled.
Breakfast done, freshened up quick.
"Have fun, oppa!"
"Take care, Seojin oraboni."
Yu Se Eun waved grinning; Yu Sua switched to "oraboni" over duplicate nicknames. Headed out with their send-off.
Drove to what was now truly my old workplace: Building A.
"Ughhh... Home... wanna go home..."
"Villains... those fucking... bastards... why so many lately..."
"Hey... any Pax Aid...? Or Red Bull... gimme energy..."
Zombie-heroes groaned everywhere in agony.