Chapter 192
Chapter 192
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 192
Chapter Title: Final Farewells
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"......."
Blindingly brilliant.
But I have seen this brilliance before.
「Come in.」
The person who pinned me down with casual words. The woman whose outline I couldn't even make out no matter how long I stared.
First Demon.
It was similar to her.
"......."
Something... just won't take shape.
For every opponent I've faced so far, I could at least imagine how to reach them...
But not now. The outline itself refuses to form.
"Your judgment is right. But even so, there are times when you have to raise your sword. Everyone has their own position, don't they?"
Reverse Star, True White Heaven leisurely rummaged in his bosom. He pulled out a flask of liquor and took a swig.
"You came here on orders... and I'm not so different. We serve different masters and seek different things, so we're bound to clash. Go on, tell them to run. I know from experience that facing a vengeful ghost isn't as fun as it sounds. A sword swung by someone lost to madness isn't as sharp as you'd think... A foe at full strength is far better. More enjoyable, too."
"......."
"Ah, want a sip?"
I tried to size him up.
If there was any chance of victory, I would have tried anything. Even called on my companions for help.
But... I can't see it.
Every sajin I've encountered so far-I could glimpse the edges of their domains...
But now, nothing at all.
This isn't mere Manifestation Realm. It's nothing like the packs of sajins I've faced before.
"...Where exactly do you stand?"
"Outsiders who haven't reached the heights always lump them together willy-nilly. But if Reverse Heaven's Reverse Stars were equals to sajins, the Heavenly Dragon Society Leader... or the Death Path Branch Leader, do you think the current standoff would be possible?"
"......."
"Not all Manifestation Realms are created equal. We're beyond that. If I had to name it..."
Weight settled into his playful tone.
"Transcendent Realm would be more accurate."
True White Heaven vanished.
In an instant, like mist scattering from that very spot...
As if he'd never been there at all.
"......"
I pulled trembling Su-ah into my arms. She must have sensed it vaguely too.
The utter helplessness before a predator.
The fact that this foe was leagues beyond any warrior we'd faced before.
"Ah, Dad... N-no... No way..."
"......."
"L-let's run together... Dad... No... That's..."
"It's okay."
Run away.
It could be an option. Such a path might exist.
But no matter how lightly he spoke or acted, he didn't seem the type to go back on his word.
The instant I fled, that supremely powerful warrior would pursue and rip everything I had to shreds.
Choices appeared to exist at first glance, but they didn't.
He'd merely granted a brief reprieve.
"...Let's walk a little."
I stepped down from the carriage. I asked the nearby soldiers to hold the reins for a moment.
As we walked together, my companions spotted us and leaped from their carriage.
"What's going on? Why are you walking? Wait... Su-ah? Why are you crying?"
"W-what happened?"
I turned to my companions. Each one was a precious bond to me.
The beginning may have been messy, but now they were all changed people.
So I didn't want to lose them. Not in any way.
"Seolran sunbae."
"Yeah?"
"Please look after Su-ah."
"...What's this about? Explain."
"Break from the formation and head back to where we started."
"Didn't you hear me? I said explain. Why all of a sudden?"
"We ran into Reverse Heaven's crew. The Seventh Demon of the Heaven-Earth Eight Demons."
Silver Frost Orchid flinched.
"...And?"
"He's on another level entirely. From me. From anyone standing here. Even that sajin's name... would lose its shine before him."
"...What?"
I pushed past Silver Frost Orchid's hesitation. I turned to the rest of the group.
The enemy had shown mercy, but I had no idea how long it would last. So I kept my words brief.
First, my disciples. I gripped Gwangyang and Narin's shoulders.
"Gwangyang."
"Y-yes?"
"Swinging your sword with power is good, but easing up just enough is important too. I'm not saying go completely limp. Find the middle path. Plant an unshakable core, then build everything else around it."
"M-Master... Wh-what's this all of a sudden..."
"Narin."
"Y-yes?"
"Don't doubt yourself-forge ahead. It'll be fine. Being different from others doesn't make you wrong. I guarantee it. Your path is the right one. You will become a true master."
"M-Master... Why are you acting like this... Like you're about to die..."
I turned to Baekhyeon.
"Baekhyeon."
"Yes...?"
"Hwasan's sword is famed for its beauty. Each technique blooms like a splendid flower. But that's not the whole story. Flowers are beautiful because they're natural. Don't bind yourself too tightly to the forms. They don't define your entirety."
"...M-Master..."
I looked at Gu Hwarin.
I gave a faint smile.
"Hwarin."
"...Yes."
"It might be best to take a different route for your jianghu travels. Pick somewhere safer next time. And... I'm sorry, but until these kids grow into proper warriors, could you watch over them?"
"...Wh-what in the world... did you run into...?"
"Can you promise me that?"
Gu Hwarin swallowed dryly. She nodded faintly.
"Leave it... to me..."
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply. I met the eyes of Killer Gate Leader Suryeon.
"I've received so much help. Truly. Suryeon."
"......."
"What I gave pales beside what I received. I can't even hold my head up to you."
"I did it because I wanted to."
"...Hearing that makes me all the more grateful. Number 1. Take care of yourself. Stay healthy."
"...Yes."
I started to turn away.
But Suryeon grabbed my sleeve.
"If you want me to, I'll stay."
"I don't."
I gently pried her hand free. I quietly stroked her hair.
"...Wouldn't a daughter obey her father?"
"...You're so sly. Pulling that out only when it suits you."
I met the eyes of the four from the Demonic Cult. Complicated stories bound us, forging deep ties.
I took a step forward with them.
Su-ah's sobs reached me. But my talk with her would come last.
Before then, I wanted promises from everyone... one by one.
Even if it was selfish. For her sake.
"Ryongryong."
"L-let's fight together. Whatever it is, that's what we do, right? Like in Aekmin... Yeah? We just do that...? We beat the Blood Demon, so we can beat anything. I-I'm stronger now... Way stronger than back then... Y-you know that...?"
Ju Ryongryong seized my hand.
"Why... act like we're both gonna die...?"
I felt her trembling.
I gripped her hand tight, steadying it.
"No need to worry. I intend to win."
"...How is any of this... the behavior of someone planning to win...?"
"Ryongryong."
I gently laid my hand over hers.
"Will you look after Su-ah?"
"......."
"He promised, but I can't predict what he'll do once it's over. He might kill me and come after you all. So... at least to the First Demon's side... get Su-ah there safely. I beg you."
"T-together..."
"I'll win and catch up. He's with Yeongwol, almost certainly, so taking them down ends the mission. I'll return, even if late. You're just leaving a little ahead."
"...Really...?"
"I promise."
I turned to Heuk Danhwa. Her face was set hard as she shook her head at me.
"I'm not going."
"...Danhwa."
"I said I'm not. Don't force me. Su-ah? She's a sharp kid. I care for her a bit. But not like you. Don't spout nonsense. No matter who the opponent is, you and I together might pull through. So shut up about it."
"He can erase his presence completely. I had no idea he was there until he spoke. He holds a ghostly position, so he's naturally a master of stealth too."
"......."
"Please. Danhwa. Your Demon Illusion Technique will help shake any pursuit. Lead the group. I'll chase right after it's done."
"...No."
"Danhwa."
"...You really piss me off... Spouting nothing but infuriating crap... Why force me to curse you out...? Ugh..."
Heuk Danhwa ground her teeth. She yelled a few times before finally wiping her face in resignation.
"...You said you'd chase, so chase. Somehow."
"Of course."
Baek Mae glanced around furtively. She slyly tugged my sleeve.
"Th-that's not it, right? Oppa? We've been through this before. Right? L-like that time? We made it then. So it's the same... y-you'll make it... right?"
"...Right."
Baek Mae. I placed my hand on her head. I stroked down slowly, even wiping the tears pooling at her eyes.
"Don't worry. Go with them. Got it?"
"...B-but why talk like you're dying?"
"I'll live. Just like always."
"B-but... but..."
"It's okay."
I stroked her a few more times, then turned away.
Silver Frost Orchid looked up at me.
"...The opponent's this strong?"
"Might not be enough."
"Even with four Incandescence Realm experts as escorts... might not be enough?"
"Yes."
Silver Frost Orchid.
She lowered her voice.
"...Odds of survival?"
"......."
"Tell me. What's the estimate."
"I don't know. But..."
I shifted on my sword hilt.
"Have I ever broken a promise?"
"...What?"
"I'll catch up. Sunbae. Don't worry-just go."
"......."
Silver Frost Orchid clicked her tongue.
"...If you're lying, I'll kill you twice over."
"Yes."
"Move. Everyone, pack up. We leave the formation naturally."
"W-wait...! Seolran unni! Even so, this is...!"
"Shut it. Ryongryong."
Silver Frost Orchid yanked Ju Ryongryong along.
"This guy's never once spoken idly. No whining. For your sake too, and his."
The group stirred into motion. To their backward glances, I simply nodded without a word.
Su-ah ran to me. Her voice still trembled.
"D-Dad... Dad... S-so then..."
"...Su-ah."
I pulled her into a hug. I stroked her hair to finish our unfinished talk.
"I've... wasted more time than I realized. But not anymore. I'm living more fully than ever."
Our first meeting might have been chance.
But what followed was pure joy.
Finding a child like you.
Being able to stay by your side.
"...Ah... Ah..."
"Don't waste your time. The sisters will take you. To my benefactor. The one person I trust most. She'll look after you."
"Dad too... t-together..."
"I'll follow. Don't worry-go on ahead."
"R-really...?"
"Yes."
I stroked her small head.
A martial genius. A hard worker too.
But what struck deepest first...
I hooked my finger with my daughter's hand. A brief promise.
"I'll follow somehow... so don't worry. This isn't a lie."
"......"
Su-ah nodded. I watched the group silently until her nod faded into the distance.
There was no grand goodbye. To avoid drawing eyes, those who'd followed me simply slowed their pace naturally and slipped from the formation.
The glances that brushed past were intricate, bittersweet. I was probably wearing the same expression.
...Perhaps.
A nagging doubt crept in-had I just made a promise I couldn't keep?
Even so, I had to see it through as far as I could.
"Finished?"
"Yes."
Death, standing close enough to touch, whispered.
I drew my sword. Toward a warrior who stood beyond even the Heavenly Demon's expectations, in a place now utterly beyond reach.
He smiled.
"A warrior at full strength. Perfect. But if you want our blades to truly meet, you'll need to strive far harder than this. Grow strong amid death, Red Cloud. Strong enough to satisfy me."
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