Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Treasure for the First Demon
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Fortunately, things went just as planned, and we made it out of the cave safely. Returning to the smithy in tatters, the blacksmith greeted us warmly.
"I was just thinking I might have to report two bodies lost. Glad you're back."
"......"
"......"
"Lighten up. Just a joke. This lustrous ore... top quality."
The blacksmith picked up a piece of blood light stone. He snapped off half from the arm-sized chunk.
"Didn't you say you only needed one?"
"Now that I see it, this much looks plenty."
"......"
I'd been had.
The blacksmith tossed the blood light stone into the furnace and stretched grandly.
"It'll take a while for the ore to melt. Shaping it properly will take time too. I don't want any interruptions while I work, so step out for now."
"You have leftover blood light stone from our deal."
"So? You want the scraps too? No way. Selling extras like this means complicated channels. Who do you think would even recognize its value?"
"I'm not asking for it. Use it up."
I nodded toward Number 20.
"Her sword still looks like it needs work. I'd be grateful if you'd use the remainder to fix that one too."
"...A sword that just needs minor polishing doesn't require blood light stone..."
"Apply it anyway. That's the deal, isn't it?"
"Stubborn kid."
The blacksmith clicked his tongue.
"Fine. But don't go blabbing anywhere that I have spare blood light stone. Keep your mouth shut. Got it?"
"With what you've given me, my lips are sealed."
"You won't get scammed anywhere."
Number 20 jumped in surprise. She fidgeted before giving a slight bow.
No words of thanks passed her lips. But for her, that was probably the best show of gratitude she could muster toward a 'man'.
I said nothing more. We just waited at the smithy until the weapons were done.
After spending the night outside, the blacksmith emerged with the goods. Sweat-drenched, he handed over the sword.
"Repairs complete."
The blade, infused with blood light stone between the metal layers, gleamed with a new hue. It looked like iron at a glance, but in the sunlight, a faint red tint danced along it.
I ran my finger along the edge. Sharp enough to slice skin with a touch.
"Excellent work."
"I've forged hundreds of blades. Never thought you'd actually punch through the blood bat flock and bring back blood light stone."
"Got lucky."
"Luck's a skill too. I'll have to scout some good spots next time. If our paths cross again, I'll help out. Pay you handsomely. Might even make you something better."
I sheathed the sword at my waist.
"This is enough."
"Greed's not your thing."
"Would it be if I had more?"
"That precious, huh?"
"Since shaking off those suffocating chains and starting to live right, you're one of the few real connections I've made."
I smiled faintly.
"A kindness I've rarely known in life-makes it that valuable, doesn't it?"
"Smooth talker. You could make a living as a merchant."
"Once I decide to wield a sword, that's all I'll do."
"Never lose an argument, do you? Off with you. Hope we meet again."
We headed straight back to Demon Valley. Number 20 gasped as she held her repaired sword up to the sun.
"The blade's shimmering red."
"Mine too."
"...You didn't match them on purpose, did you...?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Right?"
She looked upset.
"I'll forge you a new one, so hand it over."
"N-No way! I was just teasing! Hey! Don't take my sword!"
We bickered all the way back to Demon Valley. After a quick check-in, things returned to normal.
But I had no intention of diving straight into training. I'd brought a gift, after all. Time to deliver it to the rightful owner.
I requested a private audience. Normally denied, but the Blood Demon Squad Leader gave me a sidelong glance.
"...You want to see her?"
"Yes. I have something to report."
His scarred face twisted subtly in doubt. With a sigh, he relented.
"...Fine. Return to your post."
The First Demon's summons came a week later. Under Number 20's envious gaze, I left Demon Valley once more with the Blood Demon Squad Leader.
Along the path we'd passed before, to the small building the First Demon had lent me.
A veiled woman sipping tea while reviewing documents welcomed me.
"Why'd you call for me?"
"Missed you."
"Getting cheeky. I told you to keep your distance. If that's really why you're here, I'll blow your head off."
I drew the sword from my waist. I also pulled the manual and wooden box from my robes.
The First Demon swept the documents aside as I placed the three items on the table.
"What're these?"
"Relics of North Sea Ice Emperor Bing Baek-seol."
"What?"
Her hands moved like lightning. In an instant, she'd snatched the sword, manual, and box, inspecting their contents.
"......"
A chilling aura seeped from the three treasures.
She flipped through the manual silently, then frowned.
"Where'd you get these?"
"Found them by chance. Mining ore to repair my sword, I stumbled on a hidden spot."
"You expect me to buy that nonsense?"
"Fled into it while the blood bats chased me."
"Blood bats? What's that supposed to mean?"
I recounted everything that had happened.
The First Demon rolled up her documents and smacked my head.
"Can't you go a single day without causing trouble?"
"......."
"Look at you! I told you not to puff up like an idiot, and you still do it! Are you a damn child?!"
"...But I brought back treasure."
"Tch."
She set the manual down. Opened the sword case and wooden box, then sighed.
"Dense chill... No need to verify. You got lucky, Red Cloud."
"Thank you."
"But why bring them to me?"
"You were the first person who came to mind after I found them."
"......."
"That's why I brought them... but..."
I glanced at her face. Hard to read under the veil.
"No other reason."
"Is that so? Get out."
"Yes."
I stood neatly. I'd planned to hand them over and leave anyway-no regrets.
If she saved my life, this was just treasure in return.
Wouldn't it be weirder to regret giving it up?
I took a few steps. The First Demon stopped me.
"Wait."
"Yes?"
"You really want nothing in return?"
Her probing tone prompted my answer.
"Just came to give them to you. That's it."
"Why?"
"I said it already. You were the first who came to mind."
The First Demon fell silent.
She eyed me suspiciously, then forced me back into my seat.
"North Sea Ice Emperor's elixir. No ordinary person can consume it. Only North Sea Ice Palace members could even touch it. Same for the weapon. You need their arts to wield it."
"I see."
"The manual mentions that, but... parts are off. Clearly, Bing Baek-seol's body was failing while creating it. Needs reinterpretation in several spots."
"Yeah, it veered off track in places. Some characters were illegible."
"Still, Bing Baek-seol's arts are renowned. Ice White Divine Art freezes limbs on contact-deadly stuff. With 'Divine Art' in the name, its value is beyond measure."
She eyed my face again.
"And you gave it to me."
"Yes."
"...And?"
"Yes?"
I pondered.
I realized what she wanted to hear. Ah, the real reason, huh.
Well then.
"I'm glad I could give you something like this."
"...What?"
"I've always wanted to give you something, but never had anything worthy."
I smiled lightly.
"Feels good to finally pull it off."
"......"
"I'll bring you more whenever I find stuff like this."
The First Demon sighed.
She placed the sword, manual, and elixir back in front of me.
"Take them back."
"Yes?"
"I don't need these arts. Ice Palace techniques? Valuable, sure. But not that much. The Five Outer Palaces are far from the Divine Cult, hard to forge political ties. So, the arts' worth... I've already mastered the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Too late for others. Plus, our Leader's on bad terms with the Five Outer Palaces. Ice Palace stuff makes me want to puke."
"...I understand."
"Don't look so down. Well..."
The First Demon cleared her throat lightly.
"I get why you sought me out. That's enough. Good try-I'll give you that."
"What about these then?"
"You keep them."
"But I'm learning the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art too."
"Not saying to learn it. Sell it for cash, idiot. Even roughly valued, it'll last you a lifetime. Of course, finding the right buyer is key."
"Then you..."
"I don't need it. Don't need the money either. Take it back."
The First Demon added casually.
"And don't even think of learning it. It's an art that uses a 'woman's' yin energy. A man practicing it? Side effects nine times out of ten."
"......."
She reached out tentatively. Hesitated, then gently placed her hand on my cheek.
And pinched hard.
"Ow."
"...You're gonna die soon at this rate. Always stirring up trouble. Value your life, you moron."
For some reason, it felt like she smiled faintly.
...
The First Demon fiddled with her documents.
Red Cloud had already left. The Blood Demon Squad Leader too. Her aides kept watch from afar, but she might as well be alone.
Finish her duties and done. She tried flipping the page. But her fingers kept toying with the edge instead.
"You were the first person who came to mind, First Demon."
"...Tch."
Who could've guessed he'd summon her out of nowhere and pull out Bing Baek-seol's arts? And claim no reward needed, with his own mouth.
At first, she didn't believe it. Tested him by telling him to leave, even nodding dismissively.
But he actually stood and walked away.
Like he truly wanted nothing.
North Sea Ice Emperor's arts were priceless, beyond gold. The sword and elixir alone proved it.
No matter how dense Red Cloud was, he'd know their value at a glance. Yet he brought them to her.
Really meant to give them and go.
Why?
"I've always wanted to give you something, but never had anything worthy."
Because he knew their value-and wanted to give them to her.
"......"
Had anyone ever said such a thing?
To her, the First of Heaven-Earth Eight Demons. The Thousand Blood Blade Demon, a name that struck terror.
Good memories with Red Cloud? None. Just annoyance.
She'd summoned and trained him sometimes, but only because he grated on her.
Our Leader's dog. Nothing more. Maybe...
A slight curiosity for his uniqueness.
That was it.
"Feels good to finally pull it off..."
What an idiot. Desperate to do something nice for his tormentor.
Even if some of it was true, who in the world acts like that?
...Still, that slightly puffed cheek... that downcast look was kinda...
"A little cute..."
No. Wait.
What did I just say?
The First Demon hastily swallowed her words. No way. He's just a dog. A useless mutt, nothing more.
She cleared her throat needlessly and refocused on the documents. Calmly looked down again.
But she still couldn't concentrate.
In the end, the First Demon pulled an all-nighter to catch up on work.