Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Hiring the Sword Ghost
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Not all demons are villains.
Some blend into society and live quietly, while others are belligerent but adhere to established rules.
But the Demon Subjugation Society is neither.
Their aspiration is ceaseless chaos and terror, heeding the devil's voice flowing through their blood.
Thus, they commit all sorts of terrorism and crime, surviving on their infamous reputation.
They hold the twisted belief that they must never become a laughingstock, even in defeat.
"Roberto, that bastard... got taken out without doing a damn thing?"
Hence, the Seventh Demon's rage, flaring up like a sudden blaze, was justified.
He valued the Demon Subjugation Society's prestige more than anyone.
The messenger, bowed and delivering the news, trembled violently before cautiously speaking.
"Would you like to see it for yourself?"
With a flick of the Seventh Demon's hand, a crystal orb floated up and settled into his arms.
Infusing it with demonic energy cleared the cloudy interior, revealing the truth of that day.
Roberto, swaying with a wine glass in hand, sensed the anomaly and sprang up, unleashing his demonic energy.
Then, an unexpected beam of light shot in.
As a single flash pierced his chest, the Seventh Demon paused the image.
"That's no ordinary sword."
He recognized it at a glance.
The chillingly sharp aura was unmistakably from a high-grade armament.
Moreover, the inscription on the blade.
Even for something so small, it carried a special energy.
The insight of an ancient demon who had lived for ages was formidable, and he soon realized it.
"A spell array..."
It seemed engraved via 'imbuement,' similar to magical enchantment.
Compressing such a complex array to this degree was novel and astonishing.
It elevated the application of sorcery, which lagged behind magic, to a new level...
And there was only one place capable of such feats with sorcery.
"...The Brew Clan."
Having identified the source, the Seventh Demon fixed his coldly sunken eyes on the messenger.
"Any further orders?"
"The Chairman commands you to capture Roberto's killers discreetly."
"Tsk tsk. Discreetly, huh..."
Even from a prestigious direct lineage?
It was a tough order, but the Seventh Demon nodded with a bitter smile.
"Got it. Tell them someone has to clean this up."
"Will you move yourself?"
But he shook his head at the follow-up question.
He had a surer card to play.
After a brief pause, the Seventh Demon spoke with a faint smile.
"Tell them I'll hire the Sword Ghost."
The messenger's eyes widened in shock.
Sword Ghost.
Or the Demon of the Sword.
A ronin unbound by any faction, yet his renown surpassed even the Chairman's.
The Seventh Demon spoke with firm conviction.
"Tsk tsk, why so surprised? He's human in the end. Throw in some decent amusement and a fortune, and he'll have to move."
"Understood. Here's the detailed directive."
The messenger stood casually and handed over an envelope.
Skimming it lightly, the Seventh Demon offered a curt comment.
"Impatient temperament. Wants action next week?"
"There's a rumor of a big event at Taehak."
"Not bad timing. First, I need to recruit someone intimately familiar with Taehak's internals."
"Can you pull it off?"
If so, it would be perfect,
But the messenger asked with skepticism.
"Tsk tsk, I told you already."
Yet the Seventh Demon—
The old money demon, also called the Money Ghost, a titan in usury—was resolute.
"In a world where money moves even the Sword Ghost, isn't it? Tell the Chairman I'll handle it perfectly."
* * *
A long-overdue outing.
Leaving behind Joo Ah-rin, who somehow looked uneasy, I returned to Taehak and headed straight to the training grounds.
From physical conditioning postponed due to the commendation ceremony to practicing the Three Disasters Technique.
After finishing what I had to do, night fell quickly.
It was time to wash up and sleep, but I plopped down on the floor to mull over the experience from this episode.
Then, I recalled that day's memories.
"Hmm..."
The inspiration stemmed from the all-out clash with Cheon Seo-yun.
Her peerless performance was still vivid in my mind, and since I'd grown somewhat accustomed to Thousand Thread Veil, I felt the need for melee experience too.
"Shall I give it a try?"
On a whim, I summoned three autonomous scarecrows that could even attack.
Two at 7th stage, one at 8th.
If anything, the lowest tier among green demons.
As soon as I hit start, they charged with long clubs swinging.
Like sketching a battle scene, I planned rough actions, then activated sorcery.
32-stroke 1-star Wind Control Technique: Ox Gale.
Strength and agility subtly rose, and I kicked off the ground.
Simultaneously, I summoned the Loyalty Guard dagger and wrapped it in Thousand Thread Veil.
Once ready, I fired the left-hand Thousand Thread Veil, snagging the lead one's ankle.
Yanking hard tripped the oblivious charger flat.
Then, a following scarecrow leaped high, closing distance while evading.
Before its feet touched down, the dagger from the main Thousand Thread Veil launched.
Puk—
It pierced the defenseless gut in one thrust, and the Loyalty Guard dagger protruding from its back twisted trajectory midair, slamming into the fallen scarecrow's chest.
In the blink of an eye, two were retired.
Only one 8th-stage left.
No trouble.
I unwound the left-hand Thousand Thread Veil to bind its limbs.
First, constrict the legs, then pin the arms.
It thrashed like a caterpillar in a web,
Stretching the threads to near breaking, then contracting again.
For a perfect finish, I recalled the Loyalty Guard dagger.
Glancing to check remaining time, I manifested sorcery.
32-stroke 1-star Fire Control Technique: Flame Bullet.
The technique I'd barely, and for the first time, used against Roberto.
Inspired by magical enchantment, practicing this secret move I dubbed 'Sorcery Transplant.'
I reached toward the completed array.
And compressed it.
Smaller and smaller.
Distortion would ruin accuracy and power, so shrinking without damage or deformation was extremely advanced.
Even the one that hit Roberto had only 60% accuracy or so.
If he'd stayed vigilant with demonic energy barriers, it wouldn't have dealt such damage...
Anyway, that wasn't the point now; I refocused.
Finally, down to fist-sized.
Took about 30 seconds.
[Manifestation Accuracy: 65%]
Thrusting my right hand, the blade sliced through space into its chest, exploding on impact.
The scarecrow shattered and scattered, fizzing away.
"As expected."
Still clumsy, but the power was satisfying.
I was tempted to burn SP and specialize it right then...
But the engraving and compression weighed heavily, making it impossible.
No choice but to grind through effort.
With diligent practice raising proficiency, it'd be a huge asset ahead.
I lay back for a break.
"Right."
A sudden thought jolted me up. I opened my phone, searched a number, and called.
A familiar voice soon answered.
"Young Master!"
It was Choi Jin-cheol.
"I was just about to contact you—perfect timing."
Choi Jin-cheol continued excitedly, as if he'd called.
"I heard you switched to the sorcery department and got selected as a special scholarship student."
...Now?
The massive lag flustered me.
Hadn't it been over two months?
Even for a reclusive Brew Clan, this was excessive, but I accepted it.
It meant they'd fully discarded me.
No one in the family cared.
"What's that to you? Anyway..."
I pivoted, seeing it as convenient.
I requested a 2-star spellbook immediately.
"Sorry, but why a spellbook...?"
"To sell."
"Pardon?"
"Kidding."
Silence over the line, but I chuckled on.
"No matter how discarded, a Brew Clan is still a Brew Clan. No restrictions on accessing family secrets, right?"
"...Ah, yes."
Still slothful, yet somewhat alert.
I equivocated vaguely from my ambiguous position.
He was a direct secretary, but not my man yet.
Better to keep it airtight.
"Then tomorrow, a visit..."
"No. Seal it with magic and leave it at the main gate."
After shaking off Secretary Choi, I hung up.
My goal: hold out as long as possible.
I dusted off and wrapped myself in Thousand Thread Veil.
Gearing up for one more round.
Ziiing.
Guess that's it for today.
"Ah, already this late?"
I turned off the phone alarm.
Once a day. Time to water the flower bud. Or rather, transfuse blood.