Chapter 289: Night Falls.
Chapter 289: Night Falls.
Right now, I am buried under a pile of papers that reek of mold.
It would be nice if I were doing this for some special, high-stakes reason. Unfortunately, my reasons are a bit more mundane.
I’m currently in the Public Archives located within the Martial Alliance Headquarters.
I say "public," but only Heroes, researchers authorized by the Management Bureau, or martial artists certified by the Martial Alliance are allowed entry. It’s a bit strange to call it public, but I suppose since anyone can enter as long as they meet the criteria, the name barely passes muster.
In this place, I’ve gathered a massive stack of books and tucked myself away in a corner to devour them one by one, making sure not to disturb the other readers.
As for why I’m doing something so seemingly useless...
For one, I have nothing else to do and need to kill time.
Secondly, after reading that "Two-Talent Sword" manual earlier, I wanted to see just how much absolute garbage has been collected here.
And besides those two, there is one more reason, but that’s not important right now.
"Goddammit, this is just a smut novel."
It started with some impressive-sounding phrases, and though the mention of "Yang energy" and "Yin energy" in the preface was a bit ominous, it contained some fairly profound concepts within my range of knowledge. I’d actually had some expectations.
But for the very next page to jump straight into copulation positions? What the hell am I supposed to do with this?
And why did they go through the trouble of commissioning illustrations for this crap?
The worst part is that this method would actually increase one's strength.
Fucking erotic martial arts.
You profane stack of paper.
The theoretical efficiency is dogshit, but it’s infuriating that, according to my common sense, it would actually work. If they’d put this much effort into anything else, they would have been much stronger.
I was so annoyed that I actually looked up the author’s name in the Hero Management Bureau database—something I hadn't bothered to do for any of the other fake manuals.
The information I uncovered was even more shocking.
A Hero couple.
The database didn't explicitly say it, but based on their recorded stats, they were likely both between high B-Rank and mid A-Rank.
No, seriously, what the...
"For fuck's sake, why does this actually work?"
In the end, my anger boiled over, and I chucked the book at the man hunkered down in the archives with me.
The man in the purple martial robes, whose arm was broken, was busy reading a book held in his healthy right hand. Even so, he caught the flying manual with just a flick of his pinky finger.
He glanced at the cover and spoke immediately.
"Ah, the Biik-ssangryeon. They are quite powerful martial artists. They are still registered at the headquarters; would you like to meet them? Of course, they’ve retired, so they aren't as strong as they were in their prime."
Wait, they’re still alive?
Well, I guess they certainly have a healthy marriage.
I was fuming, but since the two of them actually got that strong and were a married couple to boot, I had no desire to see their faces. Their registration numbers started with 11, and they were retired, which meant they were Heroes who had done their duty. If I met them, I’d probably end up hurling curses at Heroes who had already served their time.
Sigh. Fine.
I’ll acknowledge it.
It’s extremely inefficient for a normal person, but I suppose it was efficient enough for those two, so they used it. This is the difficult part of martial arts—the fact that certain styles suit some people perfectly while being a terrible fit for others.
But still.
"At least hide it somewhere. You can't just leave something like this out in public."
Why the hell did they write down their sex diary so graphically? What kind of kinky fetish is this?
"Hmm, is there a problem with the content?"
At my words, the Heavenly Sword seemed curious about the book's contents and began to flip through it. He probably knew what kind of martial art it was but had never actually seen the text before.
"Ho-oh."
"Hmph..."
"...Hmm."
After a few minutes of listening to that bizarre variation of grunts...
"I see. The content is substantial, but indeed, it is difficult to make public. However, it has archival value, so I shall keep the original in my personal collection and upload a copy to the Management Bureau database as a classified file."
Hey. You’re being obvious. Hey.
What’s the point of being all "live by the sword, die by the sword" if you’re radiating the aura of a total creep? This Heavenly Sword bastard isn't sane either.
I didn't even have the energy to argue anymore. I picked up the next book.
Void Heavenly Demon Kick (虛天魔KICK).
What the fuck is this now?
If you’re going to use Hanja, use Hanja. If you’re going to use English, use English. There are Western martial artists, so English texts aren't that rare, but I’ve never seen them mashed together like this.
I opened the book with that thought, but the principles contained within were surprisingly deep, contrary to the title. I found myself focusing on the text.
The title was a trap.
Seeing such heavy, serious sentences right after opening a book with a title like that made me think it might be the author's way of filtering out those who would mock it based on the cover. Though, I did think it was a bit much that not a single kick appeared in the book until the very end.
Anyway.
While I was immersed in the book, the Heavenly Sword also seemed to have found something interesting and was focusing intently.
I decided it was time to carry out the final reason I was here. I spoke quietly.
"Hey, Jianping."
"What is it this time?"
"Do you remember the first meeting?"
"Of course I do. I may forget many things, but I know there are things that must never be forgotten."
"Then, do you remember what the first agenda item was?"
There was no silence.
There was no hesitation.
"It was surely about the sin and punishment we must bear..."
The words flowed out without a moment's delay.
I used all my senses to check the Heavenly Sword’s physical state. He had answered almost subconsciously while focusing on his book. I couldn't sense even a hint of a lie.
Given the Heavenly Sword’s personality, a lie wouldn't have flowed out so naturally anyway. I could be 99% certain that the Heavenly Sword had nothing to do with it.
That’s a relief.
As much as we were rivals, I didn't want my relationship with my senior brother to be ruined.
"But why do you ask all of a sudden?"
Only now realizing the flow of the conversation was strange, the Heavenly Sword looked up from his book and asked.
"No reason. I was thinking of doing something related to that, but on second thought, it’s nothing important."
"How frivolous."
And so, in the corner of the archives, only the endless sound of rustling pages remained.
* * *
Time passed.
The disciples had many encounters with martial artists. They grew through those experiences.
I also reunited with Li Shuguang, whom I had met during the Mobilization Training, and shared drinks with the Heroes of old. Seeing those whose hair had turned grayer than mine stirred many thoughts, but the men themselves seemed to enjoy raising the next generation, masking the shadows within them with joy.
And I didn't forget to give a word of encouragement to Kim Hwan of the Jijeo-hoe, telling him his footwork was excellent.
He responded by challenging me to a duel. I sent him flying into the air with a single hammer strike, but seeing him unconscious with a somewhat refreshed expression, I figured he was fine.
There were several other incidents as well.
The blacksmith I’d argued with when we first met succeeded in straightening the rod—at least a little bit. Several idiots challenged me to duels after hearing the name of the One-Sword Style. There was also the story of a civilian who became obsessed with a Martial Arts Manual contaminated by Otherworldly Power; he had physically devoured a Hero to gain strength and was subsequently designated an A-Rank Villain.
Many things happened, but they all drifted away with the passage of time.
And then, the day arrived.
The day of the operation for The Society and Yumil to infiltrate the Martial Alliance Headquarters.
I wasn't participating in this mission, so unless something special happened, I would simply be on standby for emergencies. However, since this operation had started with my idea, I wanted to at least speak with the participants.
The Society's team, Yumil, and I gathered in one place.
Even as I looked around, the number of participants wasn't that large.
There was Yumil, pouting and refusing to meet my eyes.
There was Elder Li, who looked like he’d grown younger since joining The Society, standing tall with a bulked-up upper body.
There was a tiger beastman whose massive frame was ill-suited for infiltration. What was his name? Taiga? No, it wasn't such a direct name... Raiga, maybe? Anyway, a tiger.
And finally.
Seini.
The lineup itself was quite formidable. One high-tier A-Rank and three mid-to-high A-Ranks.
But there was one problem...
"Where is Quilp, and why are you here, Seini?"
You’re not an infiltration specialist. Why did a space manipulation specialist show up?
"Ah, that?"
In response to my question, the high-tier A-Rank monster—a boyish entity floating about 1cm off the ground with a translucent form—spoke in a tone that didn't match his appearance.
"Naturally, the initial draft of this operation scheduled Quilp’s deployment. But, well... you know. If Quilp infiltrates the Martial Alliance Headquarters, The Society's threat level will skyrocket. Call it risk management. Quilp’s notoriety is significantly higher than ours."
Sigh.
A sigh escaped me involuntarily. It wasn't that I didn't understand what he was saying.
Quilp—the Umbra Rat.
Al’shel—Octomundus.
The Management Bureau has a seizure the moment either of them is even spotted. In that sense, Seini, who has a lower profile, would be relatively fine even if seen.
However, there was one issue.
"That’s all well and good. But hey, the Heavenly Sword is in there. Are you confident you won't die without Quilp?"
I’ve thought about it many times. The Heavenly Sword might be a fool obsessed with appearances, but his skill is the real deal. It’s not that the four gathered here are weak, but to be honest, Seini is the only one among them who could even perceive more than ten of the Heavenly Sword’s strikes.
Of course, I’d wrecked his arm, so they might last a bit longer. But even considering that, the moment they run into the Heavenly Sword with this lineup...
I could only imagine one absurd ending.
[★ CONGRATS ★ TOTAL ANNIHILATION]
[One of The Society's 13 Executives Deceased.]
Because of that worry, the thought of just abandoning the plan right now crossed my mind.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Seini smiled and gathered particles of light in his hand.
"I’ve come prepared with my own countermeasures. Do you really think Chief of Staff Al’shel sent us here without a plan?"
The translucent boy spoke with bold ambition, flaunting his power. Of course, he wasn't actually a boy in terms of age.
Regardless, hearing those words only made my anxiety spike further. I used to think Al’shel was a smart octopus, but after seeing his helplessness in the Otherworld and the slapstick comedy he’d been performing lately, I’d begun to seriously doubt his competence.
But preaching that to Seini wouldn't help. Besides, I had only initiated this operation; I hadn't been involved in its development or execution. And since it was my fault for worsening the situation by letting the martial artists know Yumil was here, I had no choice.
I placed a hand on Seini’s shoulder and spoke.
"Ha, fine. It’s okay if the plan fails, just don't die."
Seriously, just don't die. Plans can be remade in a few years.
As I expressed my sincere concern...
"Please, do not worry. Who do you think I am? I am Seini—the one who dodged Lee Ha-ram’s hammer, escaped the hand of the Absolute Being who tried to dominate me, and crossed the Otherworld to reach Earth. Escaping and surviving are my specialties."
He bragged, making his body glow slightly. Honestly, I wasn't sure if being an expert at running away was something to brag about, but it did put my mind at ease a little.
With that, I didn't voice any further objections.
Time passed.
Night fell upon the Martial Alliance Headquarters.