Chapter 387
Chapter 387
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 388
Chapter Title: The Sword Ghost's Question
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To the Sword Ghost's question, I clamped my mouth shut for a moment.
The reason for helping Han Se-yeon...
It was a question I'd heard from Han Dae-hyun, the former head of House Hanseong.
At the time, I'd given a vague answer about it being a mutually beneficial relationship.
But if I gave the same response now, the Sword Ghost wouldn't accept it at all.
I glanced subtly at Han Se-yeon.
She, too, seemed curious about the answer to this question, her face tinged with faint tension.
I took a short breath and opened my mouth.
"There are complex and varied reasons why I'm helping Ms. Han Se-yeon."
The Sword Ghost nodded, as if to say, "Go on."
"It's partly a symbiotic relationship where we can fill each other's gaps, but more than that, it's because I'm wary of the demon invasion enabled by House Hanseong's power."
"A demon invasion?"
At the word "demon," the Sword Ghost's face filled with doubt.
"Yes. The demons are currently centered around a 'King' and aiming to dominate the human world. If they start their full-scale activities, it will cause massive chaos."
The Sword Ghost seemed to know about the recent increase in demon incidents and showed some level of acceptance.
"Of course, we've successfully suppressed them early, greatly weakening their forces. Even so, we can't let our guard down because behind them stands Han Se-jin of House Hanseong, a powerhouse with immense authority."
To be honest, the Ten Demon Society itself isn't that dangerous compared to other villain groups.
Each individual has strong power, but they're few in number and subtly conservative, preferring to solve things with their own strength rather than relying on mysteries like Jaun.
The problem is the massive force called 'House Hanseong' behind them.
They control the world's economy and have collected numerous mysteries over a long time.
With major guilds under them—guilds so famous that just hearing the name tells you everything—they possess the power to wage a short war against the Association if they wanted.
"I need to stop Han Se-jin. The ambitions and desires he harbors will bring great chaos and destruction to society."
"Stopping Han Se-jin to prevent societal chaos. Anyone hearing that would think you're some apostle of justice."
I didn't bother responding.
"So, to block Han Se-jin, you're planning to make the young lady the head of House Hanseong?"
The Sword Ghost, who had called him "young master," changed his form of address.
It was quite a meaningful statement, but I decided to answer his question first.
"That's right."
The Sword Ghost stroked his chin beard. Then he continued.
"Han Se-jin's objectives. And how did you know he joined hands with the demons?"
"I can't explain in detail, but I have ways to obtain information."
I couldn't tell the truth, so I made up something vague for this part.
My answer must have sounded ridiculous because the Sword Ghost let out a hollow laugh.
"Can't explain... Are you borrowing the power of a mystery?"
"...Mystery?"
Han Se-yeon reacted to the Sword Ghost's mutter.
Ignoring her, the Sword Ghost said to me,
"Fine, I get it. Not all my doubts are cleared, but I can just ask this guy the rest."
With that, he walked over to the fainted Al-Asad on the floor and slapped his cheek with his palm.
"Ugh!"
Snapping to attention, Al-Asad jolted upright in surprise.
He blankly looked around, then realized his situation, his eyes widening.
"S-Sword Ghost...?"
As if about to flee, he began gathering mana. At that moment, the Sword Ghost grabbed him by the collar.
"Gah!"
"Answer my questions. What was your purpose here?"
Al-Asad clamped his mouth shut.
True to his upbringing as an assassin, his eyes burned with firm resolve not to leak information.
He gathered mana again, but this time, it wasn't directed outward—it was toward his own heart.
In other words, he was trying to kill himself. But the Sword Ghost wasn't one to miss that.
The Sword Ghost swiftly grabbed Al-Asad's head with his other hand.
He quickly injected mana, forcibly blocking the flow of mana in the guy's body.
"......Argh!"
A scream of agony burst from Al-Asad's mouth.
The Sword Ghost smirked at him.
"Trying to take your own life. Well-trained, aren't you?"
With that, he hoisted Al-Asad onto his shoulder.
Al-Asad struggled to break free, but the overwhelming power prevented any movement.
It was hard to believe this was the gap between two S-rank wizards.
"Young lady, there's a room on the second floor. It's late, so go up and rest first."
"...What about you, Uncle Sugi?"
At Han Se-yeon's question, the Sword Ghost lightly shook Al-Asad on his shoulder.
"I need to have a frank conversation with him in the Room of Truth."
The Sword Ghost said that and headed down the stairs to the basement.
—S-Save... No, kill me!
Screams soon echoed from below. Cold sweat broke out for a moment, but I let it pass.
Dawn.
Swooo...
The soft sound of wind blowing outside the window drifted in.
In the second-floor room, filled with an awkward atmosphere, only a small mana lamp illuminated the surroundings.
Han Se-yeon had been sitting at the desk since earlier, examining the 'Mysterious Demonic Tree Fruit' I'd given her.
"Do you see something?"
"Hmm. Yes. There's something a bit concerning. By the way, you said this fruit came from Gretel, right?"
I nodded at Han Se-yeon's question.
"Yes, that's correct."
"Can I ask where you met Gretel?"
...Where I met Gretel?
"I met her through a summon contract scroll obtained as a dungeon reward."
"A summon contract scroll?"
"Yes. She's a contracted summon, after all."
"Hmm..."
Han Se-yeon fiddled with the fruit and said to me,
"For starters, this fruit is known in the elixir world as an extremely rare demonic tree fruit that hasn't been properly studied."
"......Pardon?"
Her words startled me into asking.
Demonic tree fruit.
Thanks to the Outsider's blessing, I already knew, but I never dreamed that was its official name.
"Has a fruit like this ever appeared on the market?"
"Yes. It was 200 years ago, so now it's just a legendary tale passed down."
Gretel's fruit appeared on the market?
Was there another demonic tree besides Gretel?
Well, of course there could be, but I was a bit surprised since demonic trees are creatures from another world.
"The source?"
"No idea. How it was obtained isn't known. It was 200 years ago, after all."
"Hmm..."
Did Gretel have a friend—or rather, an ancestor from 200 years ago?
A huge curiosity suddenly welled up.
Gretel's ancestor.
If possible, I'd love to meet it.
Gretel, who secretly feels quite lonely, would benefit from a friend.
As I thought that, Han Se-yeon rummaged through her bag and pulled out a small case.
It looked like a mini kit for elixir production.
I don't know why she carries something like that, but it seemed she planned to start making an elixir in the middle of this late night.
"Aren't you sleeping?"
"I've only heard of this legendary elixir, and now it's right in front of me, so I can't resist."
"You're tired. Sleep tonight and take it slow."
"No. I can't hold back this kind of curiosity."
Han Se-yeon smiled faintly at me.
I knew she often pulls all-nighters without regard for time, so I couldn't stop her, but I still worried.
"Don't mind me. Jin-woo, you sleep on the bed."
The mansion's second floor had only one bed.
She was yielding it to me.
"No. Use it after you're done, Se-yeon. I was planning to sleep on the first floor."
"The first floor is cold."
As she said, the first floor lacked proper heating and felt quite chilly.
But with my cold resistance trait, the cold wasn't a big issue for me.
"Don't worry about me. You use it, Jin-woo."
With that, she turned back and began working on the elixir using the kit's tools.
Scrape, scrape.
I stared blankly at her fiddling with the fruit, then reluctantly sat on the bed.
The bed was soft.
They set up a barrier to refuse visitors but still prepared a guest room?
Leaning back against the wall on the bed, I watched her hazily until my eyes slowly closed.
......Feeling the soft sunlight streaming through the window, I opened my eyes.
Looking around slowly, I saw the unfamiliar room. Memories of yesterday soon flooded back.
I'd come to Busan to find the Sword Ghost to guard Han Se-yeon.
"Oof."
Stretching lightly and trying to get up, I noticed a blanket draped over me.
I turned my gaze to Han Se-yeon, slumped asleep over the desk in front of me.
"...She must have fallen asleep like that."
She'd apparently passed out after working on the elixir all night.
I'd given it to her without expecting this, and now I felt unnecessarily sorry.
I stood, took the blanket off me, and draped it over her shoulders.
Unaware, she let out a deep, soft breath.
Then, something on the desk caught my eye.
It was the demonic tree fruit, its form somewhat altered.
At the same time, the Outsider's blessing activated.
[Demonic Tree Fruit (In Production)(???)]
Description: Demonic tree fruit in production. Thanks to an excellent pharmacist, the elixir's effects have been greatly enhanced. Effects will manifest upon completion.
Current Added Effects: All stats +2%, all regeneration abilities +100%, Demonic Tree's Blessing (S) additional effect.
"Oh......"
Still incomplete, but through the Outsider's blessing, I could see what effects had been added.
All stats +2%, all regeneration +100%.
And even an additional effect from the fruit's trait, 'Demonic Tree's Blessing.'
"This much effect in one day..."
I was already anticipating the results once the elixir production was complete.
Harboring that anticipation, I carefully slipped out of the room without waking Han Se-yeon and headed down to the first floor.
"You're awake?"
The Sword Ghost's voice came with the sweet smell of food.
Looking around, I didn't see him.
However, a large bag and his weapons were in the living room, as if preparing to go out.
Then, chop chop chop. The sound of knife work came from the side.
Walking toward the sound, I saw the Sword Ghost chopping in the kitchen.
As I stared blankly, he glanced at me.
"First time seeing me cook?"
"Ah, no. It's just unexpected."
I'd thought he wouldn't touch cooking at all.
"And the young lady?"
"She's sleeping upstairs."
"I see."
The Sword Ghost nodded and ladled soup into an empty bowl.
"Have breakfast together. There's stuff to talk about."
At his words, I sat down. He placed soup, rice, and several side dishes on the table.
Egg soup, kimchi, and other vegetables.
Unfortunately, no meat. He looks like he'd eat animals alive, but oh well.
"Not sure if it'll suit your taste, but it's homemade, so eat up."
"Ah, yes. Thanks for the meal."
I first sipped the egg soup.
My eyes widened instantly.
[You have tasted cooking by one possessing the 'Ghost of the Sword (SS)' trait.]
[All stats increase by 1.]
[You have achieved the 'Ghostly Flavor' accomplishment.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
"Whoa."
An exclamation slipped out involuntarily.
Was egg soup this good?
No, more than that, I had no idea the Sword Ghost's 'Ghost of the Sword' trait affected his cooking.
But why does it affect it?
Putting aside the question, the Sword Ghost chuckled at my reaction, finding it amusing.
"Good thing it suits your taste."
"It's ghostly delicious."
"......Ghostly flavor, huh."
The Sword Ghost laughed with a somehow pleased expression. Then, taking a bite himself, he said to me,
"For now, I had a frank conversation with Al-Asad in the Room of Truth and got the information."
Frank conversation. In other words, torture.
"What did he say?"
"He confirmed he came on Han Se-jin's orders."
I nodded at the Sword Ghost's words.
"And even if this plan fails, Han Se-jin and the demon group will continue plotting to assassinate the young lady. As you said, Han Se-jin has joined hands with the demons."
The Sword Ghost tapped the table lightly with his fingers, lost in thought, then spoke.
"As you said, I'll take on guarding the young lady."
I smiled at his words.
Fortunately, things went according to plan.
With the Sword Ghost by her side, her safety would be assured even without me.
Moreover, his symbolic presence would greatly boost support for her within Hanseong Group.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I don't want House Hanseong to fall to some wastrel either."
The Sword Ghost muttered that and looked up at the ceiling. He seemed deep in thought, lips pressed tight.
"But I have one curiosity."
Suddenly, the air shifted.
The Sword Ghost, who had been staring at the ceiling, turned his gaze to me. Meeting it, I felt a strange tension.
Why set the mood like this for a question?
After staring into my eyes for a long while, the Sword Ghost gravely opened his mouth.
"You didn't happen to sleep in the same room as the young lady, did you?"