Chapter 208
Chapter 208
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Double Agent
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Watching the Young Leader of the Fourth Division chatter away excitedly brought thoughts of the comrades I'd left behind.
They were probably doing well right now.
"What? Thinking about something while leaving me out? You wanna die?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm right here, and you're not even listening properly?"
The Young Leader of the Fourth Division, Gu Ok-gyeong, growled. I let out a sigh.
"You've been talking for a full hour already..."
"An hour's short. A chief physician has to consult properly with their patient."
"I'm just a swordsman."
"After touching my body like that, now you say you're not a doctor?"
"People might misunderstand."
"You've given them plenty of reason to. Right?"
Gu Ok-gyeong burst into laughter. Her laugh, like she was talking to a real friend, made me smile unwittingly too.
"Whoa, you smiled. You just smiled. You stone-faced guy. So you do have expressions."
"I'm human too."
"You hiding some dark secret inside? Yeong-wol showed glimpses of that sometimes, but you... I don't think you could deceive anyone even if you tried."
"I don't like it. I try not to deceive people if possible..."
I subtly drew out Heavenly Tribulation and showed it to her.
"I've got something dark inside me."
"...Was that a joke just now?"
"Yes."
"Ahahaha! You madman!"
Gu Ok-gyeong threw her arm around my neck and dangled from me.
"You're so strong, but you don't flaunt it... You slip money to pitiful folks you see on the road... Why live like that?"
"...When did you see that?"
"I'm the one asking."
"I was poor once too."
"So?"
"It caught my eye. That's all."
"Hmm..."
Gu Ok-gyeong suddenly climbed onto my back. Something soft pressed against it.
"Hey. Wanna really be my personal physician?"
"Aren't you too trusting?"
"I've got a good eye for people. For real."
"......."
"Oh-ho. That look saying you've already been royally screwed once from behind-what confidence is this?"
"Not quite..."
"But you thought something like that, right?"
Gu Ok-gyeong smirked.
"Yeah, fair enough. Not my place to say. But you know, I did see hints of Yeong-wol's dark side. Just didn't expect it to be that bad."
"...So you kept her close despite suspecting?"
"I told you-I didn't think it'd go that far. Figured I could take her if needed. I'm amazing, after all. But you? Nothing like that. You're an open book. Kinda like Daewoon, but different?"
I carefully set down the dangling Gu Ok-gyeong so she wouldn't fall.
"Still, better to stay suspicious. I'm from another faction, after all."
"Why's someone from another faction worrying about me?"
"We're comrades now, aren't we?"
"Pfft. Fine, whatever... I'll watch you a bit longer. Happy?"
Heuk Dae-un and Song Nam-cheon, who had been watching us from afar, approached.
"Done talking?"
"Just casual stuff. You could've joined. Why?"
"Young Leader. We need to get on with the discussion."
"...Right. Feels like my body's lighter, and now my head's light too. I overdid it."
Gu Ok-gyeong stretched. She swung her arms around.
"Alright. Let's make a plan. The comeback has to be stealthy. So they don't notice a thing. That crazy bitch needs to get hit the same way, right?"
"No straining yourself yet."
"Got it. Doc."
Pointing out every arbitrary nickname was exhausting, so I let it slide.
But some words couldn't be ignored, like when they came from Song Nam-cheon's mouth.
"To quietly rally forces, using the Killing Gate seems best."
"...Killing Gate?"
I couldn't help butting in. I'd planned to just listen, but that name was too familiar.
"Is the Killing Gate Leader the one who wears a fox mask?"
"...Not sure about that detail..."
"Huh? Why use a failing group? Didn't you hear on the way?"
"Pardon?"
"Tsk tsk. Chief officers need open ears. They were talking about it at dinner-next table over."
Gu Ok-gyeong sighed.
"Black Forest Hall's chasing the Killing Gate or something. You know those guys-vicious even among my old subordinates."
"Why would Black Forest Hall...?"
"Why? Obvious. Must've annoyed Yeong-wol plenty. Personal grudge or whatever. Anyway, if Black Forest Hall's involved, better find another way. Quieter and stealthier that..."
"Gu Ok-gyeong."
The Young Leader flinched.
She turned to me.
"Did you... just call me?"
"Yes."
"My name? Why?"
"A favor. Not as allies-as friends."
"Friends... huh?"
The Young Leader's mouth twitched.
"Spit it out. What?"
"Use the Killing Gate as messengers without changing plans. In return, I'll handle Black Forest Hall myself."
"Why?"
"The Killing Gate Leader's my friend."
"...Oh-ho..."
The Young Leader smirked.
"No reason not to. But then we risk exposure. If Black Forest Hall vanishes overnight, Yeong-wol'll suspect."
"......."
"So here's my counteroffer. A deal. Doc."
"Not that personal physician stuff again..."
"Not that."
The Young Leader grabbed my collar and yanked me close.
Our lips nearly touched. She grinned wide.
"We call each other by name. No formal crap. Deal?"
"...That's it?"
"Young Leader's word is heavy. Promise on my name. That's all."
"...Young Leader, that might be a bit..."
"Hey, Chief Officer, stay out. You know once I set my mind, I get what I want."
The Young Leader asked me.
"Well?"
At the absurd deal, I sighed.
"...Fine. Ok-gyeong."
"Heh heh. Satisfied."
...
Finding the Killing Gate's hideout wasn't hard. The chief officer had ties to them anyway.
Gu Ok-gyeong leisurely passed the time until the quick meeting date. Her body was nearly back to normal, the poison seemingly gone completely.
Gu Ok-gyeong leaned on the inn's second-floor railing, gazing down at Red Cloud chatting with Heuk Dae-un about swords.
What was it about that man?
The more she watched... hmm...
He grew on her.
Not just rationally, or as talent. Though she wasn't entirely immune to that either.
But what really drew her was beyond that.
She'd seen it on the way.
What kind of man he was.
He'd collected every animal hide from hunts for food, without discarding any. Turned out he sold them all to quietly donate to the starving.
And the funniest part? He did it without anyone knowing. A man hiding good deeds. Nothing funnier.
No fishing for praise. No wanting recognition.
Just naturally helping others.
It wasn't just that. His personality, speech, the vibe between-it somehow resembled the First Demon she'd met that day.
What exactly was their connection? He wouldn't say, but Young Leader Gu Ok-gyeong was fine with that.
Two people with similar auras. Plus, Red Cloud had this subtly amusing side.
Stiff, but not rigidly so. He tried matching others, but clumsily, which made her chuckle.
Innocent. Heavy atmosphere, yet he didn't let it weigh on everyone.
Look at him now. Smiling faintly while talking swords with Heuk Dae-un.
"...His smile's really pretty."
A man with a grave face that never seemed to smile, but when he did occasionally...
It made that one smile all the more precious.
And besides. As her health improved, she'd even requested a light spar once.
There she'd seen it. Pure swordplay without internal energy-clearly evident...
No fancy techniques or skills. Just pure sword motion.
Ah. Effort.
A mountain forged from effort.
Even his sword seemed tied to his character-it was hilarious. Never seen a man like him. Or rather, not the type to be in the unorthodox sects.
This place only had men with shallow swords anyway. Swords fueled by ugly desires. Daewoon was the only one without that fully visible...
But he was rigid.
And their relationship was strictly lord and subordinate.
Far from friends. Daewoon didn't want that anyway.
"You seem deep in thought, Young Leader."
Song Nam-cheon sidled up. Glanced down at Red Cloud and Heuk Dae-un.
His voice lowered.
"You like that warrior?"
"Rationally? Or as talent?"
"Both."
"The latter? Can't help but covet."
Maybe, just maybe.
The world's best might be down there casually sharing drinks.
At least one thing she knew.
"I'd lose."
"...Really?"
"For real. Skill to eat a Young Leader like me for breakfast? Madman. Keep him under me, nothing to fear. Doesn't seem interested in ruling... Definitely a peerless sword."
"...Could we recruit him..."
"Nah. Force it, and it'll backfire. Obvious. He's a famed sword-with an owner already. Can't covet a owned sword without getting cut."
Gu Ok-gyeong tapped the railing.
"...Still, tempting. Ah. Won't be my doc? That Heavenly Tribulation... Looked like it could cure anything incurable."
"You looked in agony for something like that."
"Thought I was dying. Honestly. Thought he was treating with poison. No poison that fierce exists. Almost slapped him thinking he lied at first. Fingernail-sized treatment felt like the world collapsing. Real... whoa... Never wanna feel that pain again."
Gu Ok-gyeong shuddered.
"Anyway, drop it. I'm not confident. If recruiting, do it fully-but doubt he'd go for it... Give up, give up."
"Then no choice."
"Once I reclaim Young Leader seat, let's see again. Greatest beauty in the world with money and power tempting him? Might turn his head?"
Song Nam-cheon flinched. Added a question.
"Then rationally..."
"Hmm. Never been in love, so dunno..."
Gu Ok-gyeong coyly pulled her hand from the railing.
Started down the stairs. To join the drinks.
"He reeks of male. Wonder what it'd feel like held close."