Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Chosen Path
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"...You really pulled it off."
The First Demon, who had come to visit, clicked her tongue at the corpse of the Demon Valley Chief.
"What did you do with the blood?"
"I drank as much as I could for now... but I don't notice any particular changes."
"It's also called essence blood, but its effects are minimal. It can't compare to an inner core. Have you already consumed the inner core?"
"I was going to ask you if it was okay to take it when you arrived, so I kept it in my pocket."
I handed her the inner core I had extracted by slicing open the Demon Valley Chief's abdomen. The First Demon glanced at me.
"You didn't just help yourself to it."
"I was afraid I'd get scolded..."
"...Pfft."
It was the first time the First Demon laughed in front of me.
"Ahaha! So you're not completely hopeless! Good job. Mixing it with something else will be far more helpful for increasing your inner power than just swallowing it plain. And you have a choice."
"What kind of choice?"
"If I keep you by my side, I'll have time to teach you personally. Black-White Linked Sword. It's the secret art of the Bloodslayer Squad that everyone who joins must learn. Number 30. You're slow on the uptake. Not clever at all. If I tried to teach you two things at once, your head would explode."
The First Demon flicked the sword at her waist.
"So choose. Continue learning the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art. Or learn the Black-White Linked Sword."
"...What's the difference?"
"Everything's different. With the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, you can build on what you've already learned. But the Black-White Linked Sword is a different story. You'd have to start from scratch. That said, it would bring commensurate results. The Bloodslayer Squad is filled with the cult's top experts. The arts you learn there are on another level from ordinary techniques. Mastering them alone might turn a mortal into a dragon."
I pondered it.
The time it took to decide was short.
"...I'll continue learning the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art."
"Why?"
"It's the art that brought me this far."
This felt... right.
At least to me.
"I want to see its end. At the same time, I don't want to give up what I already have. It's more than just a form... it's an art infused with deep memories. If it's lacking, I'll refine it further. I'll improve it as much as I can."
"Hm. Whatever. I was planning to blend the essence of the Black-White Linked Sword into the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art and pass it on to you anyway."
"...Pardon? Then why ask?"
"I wanted to warn you not to chase superficial gains. A foundation you've built never betrays a warrior. If you'd been tempted by a stronger art, I was going to give you an earful..."
She primly turned her head away.
"You dodged it nicely. Don't get distracted by other arts. Take that Soul-Pulling Sword, for instance. That guy's disciple? A waste of time. You might find uses for it, but it won't take you far. Just follow my teachings."
"...Did you hear about me from Soul-Pulling Sword No Ha-cheon?"
"I'll say it again: I have no intention of becoming your master. This is all on the Cult Leader's orders."
The First Demon tugged firmly at my sleeve.
"...But."
Her voice carried a curiosity that made me wonder about the gaze beneath her mask.
"Don't even think about serving another master. I'm the one who taught you your arts. Once you've started, stick with it to the end."
"...I said the same to Soul-Pulling Sword."
"I heard."
"Then why...?"
"Say it yourself. That you won't take another master."
".......?"
It was an oddly obsessive tone. But since I felt the same, I nodded to her.
"I have no intention of serving anyone but you as my master, First Demon."
"I have absolutely zero desire to take you as a disciple! Not even a hair's breadth!"
"No... what am I supposed to...?"
"That's just how it is! Figure it out!"
The First Demon snapped and turned away. She looked back at Number 20 from behind her mask.
"Number 20, White Enchantress."
"Y-yes!"
"Pack your things. Take whatever you need. Stay confined to your nest until Bloodslayer Squad member Myo Ye-rin arrives."
"...What does that...?"
Number 20 looked at me.
I whispered to the First Demon.
"You said you'd handle it without mentioning my name, right?"
"True benevolence demands you take full credit for it. You dolt. Do you think kindness from an unknown source just sinks in nicely? If it were me, I'd be so uneasy I'd lose sleep over it."
The First Demon nodded toward her.
"Number 30 here made a deal with me. In exchange for taking down the Demon Valley Chief within a month, I agreed to nominate you for the Bloodslayer Squad."
"...Number 30... did?"
"Are there two 30th Lakes here?"
"B-but... why...?"
Number 20 looked at me. Her voice held a curiosity that made me wonder about the face beneath her mask.
The First Demon growled.
"Why? Because that guy's got a meddlesome streak. I've also secured the other one by any means."
"...N-no way..."
"Golden Plum Flower. Courtesan from Red Pavilion House. Her condition's a bit rough, but I've assigned someone suitable and pulled her out ahead of time. She's recovering now, so visit when you can. Myo Ye-rin will tell you where."
"Ah... ah..."
The mask over Number 20's face grew damp. The First Demon smacked my side.
"I'll head out first. Follow slowly."
She naturally stepped aside. I approached Number 20.
Her sobbing shoulders showed no sign of stopping. I had hoped she'd smile when she received the gift I prepared.
Crying was something I hadn't anticipated.
"Number 20. Are you okay?"
"Wh-who... who asked you...? Why did you...?"
"I'm sorry."
I apologized first. It was true that I'd acted on my own.
Then I offered some backing words.
"Number 20, I'll be leaving for somewhere far away soon."
"...Where... to?"
"Probably not inside the cult. Somewhere even farther. Maybe even..."
I spoke with a touch of bitterness.
"I might not come back."
"......."
"It's a mission where I'll have to risk my life. Of course, risking my life is something I've always done anyway."
I added a bit of humor, but she didn't laugh. She sniffled and tossed off her mask.
Her reddened eyes were soaked. The tears I thought would stop soon kept rolling down endlessly.
She asked in a choked voice.
"So... why are you going? Where to? Why on earth?"
"All classified."
"...Is it related to the First Demon?"
"Yes."
I had no idea how to face a crying woman's expression.
To begin with...
How do you even handle someone who's crying?
All I could do was talk. Even if it all sounded like endless excuses, there was no other way.
"I'm sorry for acting on my own. But... since I'm leaving, I wanted to do something for you."
"......"
"I know you dream of revenge on Red Pavilion House. I know you even drew your sword on the Soul-Capturing Madman Sim Sa-hyeon. But..."
I awkwardly scratched my head.
"Having a hostage means you can't swing your sword properly, right? And if you stay in the Blood Demon Squad, even if I pulled your sister out, you couldn't see her... so it'd be the same as before."
"......"
"So I took matters into my own hands. It's not much of a farewell gift... but I wanted to lighten your burden a little."
"Why...?"
Number 20 wiped her tears. She asked in a watery voice.
"Why... go that far... for me...?"
"You staked your life on my stubbornness too, didn't you? You drew your sword alongside my reckless actions and never complained once, even when you got hurt."
"......."
"That was cool. And... it moved me a little. The time we've spent together isn't that long in reality, but it was truly enjoyable."
I smiled wryly.
"Think of it as my way of saying I don't want to part. Separately from that, I'm sorry again. Number 20. I didn't mean to ruin your plans..."
"Is that why you fought the Demon Valley Chief so hard?"
Her voice was sharp and pointed.
I hesitated a bit in answering. It was part of it, but what can I say...
The bloody fight had ignited a fire in my soul. Fighting spirit. Hunger for the sword.
The intent was right, but my intensity was probably due to my nature.
I chose my words carefully.
"I promised, so I tried my best... but it was a beast I had to overcome anyway, so I went all out..."
"For me?"
"If we're splitting hairs, yes... but there's a bit of another story mixed in..."
"Say it straight."
She blew her nose into a handkerchief. She rubbed her eyes with her sleeve and fixed her reddened gaze on me.
"Was it for me?"
It wasn't wrong.
Not wrong at all.
I cleared my throat unnecessarily.
"Yes."
"......."
White Enchantress looked up at me sideways. She slipped off the white gloves she always wore despite hating men, the ones that kept skin from touching.
She, who detested skin contact, fiddled with my hand. As if searching for words, she suddenly lifted her gaze.
Eyes full of resolve.
She asked me.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't say."
"How high do I have to climb to hear it?"
"Pardon? Well..."
Aside from the Heavenly Demon and First Demon, to begin with...
Is there even anyone who can know?
"You'd probably need to be pretty high up..."
"I'll climb. Anywhere."
She yanked my hand and bumped her head against my chest.
"Hey. You know acting all high and mighty after doing your own thing is really pathetic, right?"
"...Pardon?"
"So wait. I'll repay you my way. You... just say one thing."
Half-leaning into me, she looked up.
"...This isn't... really the end, right?"
"......."
Her upward gaze trembled. I raised my awkward hand and placed it on her head.
Did the First Demon... do it like this?
I wasn't sure if it was okay to touch. But since it might be the last time, I acted freely.
"I'll do my best to make sure it isn't."
I'll come back alive.
There are too many people I need to see again.
"Effort is something I'm confident in."
"...That's enough."
"Hey, Number 20."
"Yes?"
"About wiping your face on my chest... it's kinda sticky..."
"That's what you're supposed to ignore!"
She demonstratively blew her nose on my chest.
"...I'll save the thanks."
Her muffled voice was small.
But I heard it clearly.
"I'll say it later, when I'm higher up and looking down at your face."
"Understood, Number 20."
"You're quitting the Blood Demon Squad, aren't you? And I'm not that anymore. Call me by name."
"...White Enchantress...?"
"Twenty-six, you said?"
"Y-yeah...?"
"I'm twenty this year. Drop the formal speech too."
Younger than I'd thought, she turned her head primly.
"I-I heard it's best to sort out titles before moving on... so..."
"So?"
"I'll call you... big brother... since calling names might not be right... N-no ulterior motives! Really!!"
......
Number 20, White Enchantress, packed her things.
She stubbornly wiped under her mask several times, then yelled at me.
"Just you wait! Next time we meet, I'll be stronger!"
"Yelling louder doesn't make it true. Captain. You really want me to take responsibility for this kid?"
"Train her until she's useful. If she really becomes useful, bring her back to me."
"Raising a disciple out of nowhere... Kid. If you can't keep up, I'll toss you off a cliff."
"I'll do anything! Train me!"
White Enchantress left like that. I turned to the First Demon.
"First Demon. What should I do now?"
"Follow me around and hone your martial arts. You'll also learn various odd jobs."
"Odd jobs like...?"
"How to handle information. Hand signals used among the cult's spies, and so on... Plus, you need to refine your lightness skill. Your Ghost Spirit Step was pathetic. The lower body is the foundation of martial arts. Without proper training, it won't reach full power."
The First Demon slapped my back.
"From now on, I'll drill you until you wish you were dead. Helping with my work comes after. I'll mix in the essence of Black-White Linked Sword with a suitably organized version of Ice White Snow arts. And if there's time, even the advanced art of Soul-Pulling Sword, equivalent to Fire Wheel Demon Sword... I have over a thousand arts at my disposal."
"......!"
"It's a path that's hard for your dull head to grasp, let alone follow."
The First Demon laughed.
"But it's the path you chose, so endure it silently. For the sake of rooting out those who infiltrated the Murim Alliance as cult spies and returning alive."
"...Yes!"
"Just to be sure, you don't plan to betray us if you go back there, right?"
"Isn't asking that weird? If I lie..."
"I'm just asking once. Answer."
I smiled at the First Demon's question.
"First Demon. This place is already my home."
"Hm."
"Besides, I still have things to accomplish, so I plan to return no matter what."
"That ridiculous dream of catching up to the Cult Leader?"
"That's one... but..."
I stole a glance at her profile.
"There's one more."
"What?"
"I want to be properly accepted as a disciple by one warrior."
"......."
The First Demon snorted.
"Try for a lifetime. See if it happens."
I caught the faint amusement in her words. Changing not just her feelings but even her manner of speech would take relentless effort.
...So.
I'll really give it my all, even if it kills me. For her recognition, at least.