Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Blacksmith's Challenge
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The sunlight I saw after so long felt warm and gentle. I paused in the shade for a moment and looked up at the sky.
The weather was good, too. Not a single cloud marred the clear blue expanse.
There was a bit of chill in the air, but it was bearable. I lifted my foot and lightly dug into the dirt.
A dry earth scent, different from the smell inside Demon Valley.
I couldn't stop by the village, and I had to take the secret route, so I couldn't eat anything tasty either...
But I felt good.
Really good.
I leisurely unfolded the map. The destination was close enough to reach in a day even if I took my time, so I figured I could stroll and enjoy the scenery along the way.
So I walked. Reveling in the rare break, I snatched a falling leaf out of the air with my hand.
A movement I couldn't have dreamed of before was now possible. Effortlessly, like this.
Even small things filled my chest with emotion. I let the leaf go.
Just reaching the peak realm made me this happy-what would it be like to break through once more?
...The moment I reach the Heavenly Demon, I might just die of joy. Though that's probably far in the future.
Once I hit super peak, maybe the Heavenly Demon will entrust me with a proper double-agent role. On par with the leader of an average sect...
No, thinking that far ahead is getting ahead of myself.
Even among ordinary martial artists, those who reach peak are rare enough to count on one hand.
And even standout geniuses often fail to touch super peak.
It's not a realm just anyone can attain. So rather than dream, I should focus on steady practice.
The mere fact that I might reach it someday is enough to make me happy.
Heavenly Demon Cheon So-so.
I whispered my goal to myself and started walking again.
From behind, Number 20 asked.
"Why'd you bring me along?"
Her tone was sharp. But it felt a bit duller than it had deep inside Demon Valley.
She must be feeling good, too. It had been about half a year since we'd met.
"Your swordsmanship seemed a mess, so I figured I'd meddle a bit."
"Unnecessary kindness."
"Maybe. Sorry if I overstepped."
"......"
Our conversation was still prickly. But I didn't mind.
There must be a reason for her personality. What I'd done was just unsolicited kindness.
If she didn't like it, that was that. If anything, I should apologize for dragging her out here against her will.
"I heard Blood Demon Squad members get missions about once a month. But my squad never got any. In the whole year, I only had one."
"......"
"It's probably... my fault. The one above me is a bit picky... maybe she's using her influence. Fewer missions mean fewer chances to die, sure-but doesn't it also mean drifting further from the outside world?"
I raised my hand.
Fresh flowers brushed past my fingertips.
"I thought you were stuck inside because of me. Maybe I felt responsible. So I just blurted out the first thing that came to mind."
"......"
"Number 20, this isn't a debt. I'm just returning part of what I took from you. If it's uncomfortable, fall back a bit. I'll leave a trail, so follow at your pace."
"...Hah."
Number 20 sighed and stepped up beside me, not behind.
"Fine. Let's just go together."
"Thanks."
"...Weirdo."
We exchanged a few short words.
"Why be kind to someone first?"
"Who knows... Maybe I'm imitating a friend."
"A friend?"
"There was a friend inside Demon Valley who always reached out to others first. He got killed by someone he trusted, but I don't think his way was wrong."
Seong Ja-myeong.
I'd received so much from him. Too much to count.
If I hadn't properly learned Ghost Hand One Demon from him, I wouldn't have advanced my realm.
Then learning Soul-Pulling Thrust would have been delayed, too.
Could I have beaten Maeng So-un, who mastered White Demon Body, without Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword? No way.
Eun-seol-lan... How would things have been with the previous Number 20? His stories helped me open up to her.
In the end, everything circled back-what I'd gained from Seong Ja-myeong made me who I am today.
I fiddled with my sword.
"This sword was his, too. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am now."
"Is that the whole reason?"
"Who knows. I don't. Though I could add one thing..."
"What?"
"I just wanted to help."
I smiled faintly.
"You seem a bit clueless sometimes, Number 20."
"What did you just say?"
Her voice turned icy.
"...Pretend you didn't hear that."
"Think you can make me forget what I heard? Number 30, I'm not clueless. Take it back."
"I take it back."
"That's not sincere..."
Number 20 stumbled over a rock. I stifled a laugh.
"...You didn't just laugh, did you? Think the mask hides it?"
"It does."
"...Tch."
I got a rough sense of Number 20's personality.
Strong pride, a bit clueless.
Hates owing debts, always tries to repay what she gets.
"Number 20, mind if I ask one thing?"
"I'll hear it and decide."
"Why do you hate men?"
She answered flatly.
"Because they're ugly, ruled by lust, and their lower halves move before their brains."
"...Not all are like that, right?"
"They all are. Every man I've seen panted the moment they got a chance, no matter what sweet talk they spouted about protecting me. I know men well. Even you right now."
"Me?"
I racked my brain.
I didn't remember anything like that.
"Did I... do something?"
"Yes. You got me into your squad. Somehow."
"Me?"
"The Blood Demon Squad Leader said so. Stick close to Number 30. Grant his requests unless it's extreme."
"What... Oh."
Blood Demon Squad Leader. Her.
Something clicked, and I sighed. No helping it-I spilled the story.
Number 20 freaked out.
"You're... connected to the Thousand Blood Blade Demon?!"
The First Demon's other moniker.
Born from the tale of her carving a sea of blood from a mountain of corpses alone.
I nodded at the long-forgotten title, glossing over the details.
"We have a connection. Learned a few things from her."
"No way... How do you know the First Demon? D-Does she visit Demon Valley regularly?!"
"I've only seen her once since entering. Special circumstances. I saw the Fourth Demon once, too. Not for me, though-for Number 20 before you."
"...I thought the Blood Demon Squad was for life's losers buying in with cash... If the First and Fourth Demons intervened personally... How incredible was the previous Number 20?"
"Incomparable to me. An amazing person."
"And now?"
"She's the Fourth Demon's disciple."
"...That doesn't happen in the Blood Demon Squad. You're not lying?"
"What would I gain from lying about this?"
Number 20 pondered.
"...The First Demon's the one I respect most. The Heavenly Demon's top disciple, holding the Great Law Protector seat."
"Isn't the Cult Leader stronger, purely speaking?"
"Hearts aren't drawn just by strength."
Number 20 fiddled with her cheek under the mask.
"My dream is to join the Killing Blood Squad someday. The Thousand Blood Blade Demon's direct unit. That's why I joined the Blood Demon Squad. Other reasons, too... but she's my idol. Still, spots in the Killing Blood Squad are limited, so every cult member is my rival."
Number 20 sidled closer to me.
"How'd you connect with the First Demon? She really never comes back to Demon Valley? If there's a chance... could you introduce me?"
"No means or status for that. To her, I'm just a toy."
"I'd give my whole life to be her toy!"
"...I'll say flat-out no. She probably won't come see me again."
"I see..."
Number 20 sighed.
"Then the Blood Demon Squad Leader thing was a misunderstanding?"
"I can swear I never asked for that."
"Right... Makes sense. If you'd really wanted my body, you'd have touched me while I slept."
Number 20's steps lightened a bit.
"Guess I misjudged you. Thought there was an ulterior motive behind your kindness."
"Glad it's cleared up."
"But I still reject your confession. I don't want to get involved with men."
"I never confessed..."
We'd arrived at the smithy. But it was quiet around.
I knocked, but no response. Looked like the blacksmith was out, so I sat on a chair outside to wait with Number 20.
The day waned. He still didn't show. No point leaving now, so we waited.
Night deepened. Number 20, dozing against the wall, kept nodding off. I could see her jerking awake repeatedly, so I advised her.
"Just sleep."
"...Can't. What if we get attacked?"
"Who'd attack us here?"
"I don't want to lie down, at least."
"Lean then. Your neck'll snap."
"......"
I felt her glare. She even edged away subtly.
If she's gonna react like that, she shouldn't doze off. I sighed.
"Number 20, I'm not interested in you. Won't touch a hair on your head, so relax."
"...Not interested? That's kinda offensive too..."
"What do you want me to do?"
Number 20 finally rested her head on my shoulder.
"We'll take turns."
"Fine."
We spent the night. I slept briefly leaning on her shoulder, then woke to cold dawn air.
Number 20 was nodding off hard. Taking turns as lookout, she'd conked out completely.
I heard footsteps. I gently shook her. She jolted awake, looking around wildly.
"I-I wasn't asleep."
"Wipe the drool leaking from under your mask first."
"......."
Someone approached from afar. I stood to greet him.
He looked middle-aged. He glanced at my mask, then brushed past and unlocked the door.
"From the Blood Demon Squad?"
"Got a letter."
"Hand it over."
He skimmed the letter and plopped into a chair.
The inside was like any smithy. Iron tools hanging everywhere, making the workspace cramped.
"What sword do you want fixed?"
I handed over my sword. Number 20 did the same.
The blacksmith drew hers and swung it once, then shook his head.
"That girl's sword is easy to fix. But yours? No good."
"...Pardon?"
"You handled it too roughly. Recently slashed something you shouldn't have? Invisible cracks all over the blade. Miracle it didn't shatter."
Something I shouldn't have slashed.
I naturally thought of Maeng So-un with his White Demon Body. That rock-hard toughness had strained my wrist even then.
"...Can't fix it at all?"
"Nope. Just pick a new one from those hanging up."
"It's precious to me."
"Precious or not, the weapon's wrecked."
The blacksmith flipped the sword over.
"Wasn't great quality to begin with. Common sword anyone can buy. Those hanging up are sharper and tougher."
"I want this one."
"Stubborn. Some story behind it?"
"My dead friend's sword. Really no way to fix it?"
"...Tch."
The blacksmith clicked his tongue and fiddled with the tip.
"Not entirely impossible."
"What is it?"
"You've got seven days. Decent trek back to Demon Valley... Subtract travel, five days left. One here already, so four. Fixing takes one day... Leaves three to spare. Plenty."
"Three days for what...?"
"If you want it fixed that bad, go get the materials yourself."
"Where? What?"
"Blade's ruined, so need metal to overlay. Was coming back from finding a good cave. Blood Demon Squad means you've trained martial arts. Half a day's travel-mine some Blood Light Stone."
"Blood Light Stone..."
"Rare metal. Guarded by Vampire Bats; spotted it but couldn't mine. With a martial artist helping, possible. Report to Blood Demon Squad, they'll take most of your find. But if you help me, I get the extras, you fix your sword. Win-win."
The blacksmith jerked his chin.
"Your call. Assuming you've got the skill to dodge Vampire Bats and mine it."