Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Ghost Swords
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"A ghost sword literally sucks in filthy souls and stuffs them in anew. But even so, some tendencies remain. However, the souls that are mixed and born are completely different. As I said before, they're like newborns."
In front of me lay three swords.
But instinctively, I could feel it. These three swords, starting with their differently colored scabbards...
Should not be drawn easily.
"The white sword left by Bingbaek Seol was a famed sword from birth. It could implant a soul just by glancing at one's hand. The other two, I forged myself. Thanks to that, I didn't sleep for three months."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not about apologies. It's a call to listen more closely. Now. Look."
He picked up one of the swords from the rack.
"This is a ghost sword. Naming it is my role, but how you wield it is yours."
"What's its name?"
"The one to wield the Fire Wheel Demon Sword is Black Day. The white one, reborn from my fingertips, is White Night for the Ice White Divine Sword. And the last one..."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith let out a sigh.
"It's unfinished."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't you hear? Unfinished. That one... I don't know. I don't know exactly what to call it."
"What do you mean precisely?"
"I craft ghost swords tailored to their owner. They rebel against anyone but the rightful master from the start. I analyzed your body thoroughly. From weight balance to fitting blade edge, hilt length, and more... nothing overlooked."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith swung the sword in its scabbard.
"These ghost swords don't suit my body. Nor any other warrior's. But they fit yours absurdly well. Except... that one."
"What does that...?"
"I gave it birth, but midway, the hammer moved on its own."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith's hand trembled.
"That thing used me to forge its body. I thought I selected what would suit your intentions best... but something extra slipped in there."
"What...?"
"Heavenly Tribulation."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith's expression grew grave.
"After finishing the two, haste took over. Sleeplessness shook my mind. So I added what I shouldn't have. A fragment of Heavenly Tribulation I extracted from you and observed. It entered that blade."
"What exactly is this Heavenly Tribulation?"
"Only the founding Heavenly Demon truly knew it. The creator of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Do you know why our cult bears the 'demon'? It started with our seed being inhuman. The seed of calamity exiled from the Central Plains. Our progenitor possessed Heavenly Tribulation."
"So what exactly is...?"
"Didn't I say I don't know fully? I only know... it's what one who reached the end of nothingness bore."
"......"
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith sighed.
"If anyone knows about Heavenly Tribulation now, it's the current cult leader. Ask her if you're curious. I'm only telling you about ghost swords. Anyway, that one's as good as one that shouldn't have been born. Heavenly Tribulation, which lacks a body, gained a sword's form, and naturally absorbed a soul to back its will."
"Is that... possible? Is Heavenly Tribulation that powerful?"
"No. Impossible. I even asked the previous cult leader if I could use Heavenly Tribulation as material. But hers didn't integrate; it vanished intact. Yours is different. Only one hypothesis here."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith turned to me.
"Heavenly Tribulation's nature changes with its owner. Like ghost swords. Yours, born from the current Heavenly Demon, grew utterly unlike any past Heavenly Demon's. Yours is vicious. Relentless, clinging without surrender. Perhaps that's why it caused the impossible."
"......"
"After forging it, I couldn't draw it. After shoving it hot from the forge into the unfinished scabbard, I didn't touch it for a while. Thought to smash the mistake, but even that failed. Wouldn't shatter or break. After that, I bound it with samang cloth. To prevent leaks from the thing that wouldn't draw."
"So I should never draw it in my lifetime?"
"No. Then I wouldn't introduce it."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith crossed his arms.
"You draw it. Check inside."
"......"
"Black Day and White Night are like newborns. Ghost swords I made mixing souls, as always. Their egos will form by how you wield them. But that one is different. Vastly so. I can't grasp its true nature. Couldn't name what I didn't make, nor destroy it..."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith stepped back.
"It's surely waiting for you."
"......"
I stepped forward. Gripped one sword on the rack firmly.
Heavenly Tribulation reacted instantly. Veins bulging vividly over it like beholding wonder, I tightened my grip on the hilt.
I felt something too.
This is...
So...
"How is it?"
I reached out silently. Severed the cord fixing blade and scabbard.
I heard Heavenly Tribulation's whisper. Urging me to draw it, so I nodded.
Grabbed the scabbard with my other hand. Slowly drew the blade.
But it wouldn't come.
As if I lacked qualification.
Instead, whispers came. Incomprehensible ones. But I knew they were directed at me.
Released the scabbard. The sword shuddered on its own.
Not rebellion.
Just shy, unfinished.
Released the sword. In the whispers, I heard its name.
"Nine Forgets..."
"What? Nine Forgets? Why name it something so ominous?"
"You're right, elder. This sword is unfinished. It knows that, refusing to be drawn."
I stroked the scabbard.
"...But it's not dangerous. I can tell."
"Not dangerous? It'll be kind only to you. I said I know it's unfinished. Then do you know what's needed to complete it?"
I tried conversing. But Nine Forgets didn't answer.
Just growled lowly.
Its desire lay in that cry.
"Time."
"...Time?"
"It'll reveal itself when ready. Until then, pretend it doesn't exist."
"Heavens... A newborn ghost sword with such a distinct ego...?"
"May I check the others?"
"No reason not to."
Black Day. Drew the black-bladed sword to draw forth the Fire Wheel Demon Sword's energy.
The sword itself didn't react. But it felt different from ordinary blades.
Strange sensation climbing the hilt. Is this ghost energy?
Suddenly, my arm clamped tight. Even burned to the wrist.
Shook it off with a flex.
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith gasped.
"Doesn't it hurt?"
It hurts. But bearable.
The gripped part recovered instantly. I saw faint flames flicker over it.
Flames burning without internal energy. This is fire energy.
Wanted to try shapeshifting, but held back. One more to examine.
"The sword."
Snatched the last from the Ghost Valley Nightsmith. White Night, its form changed unlike before.
Sharp chill flowed out. But milder than before.
Not explosively, but self-controlled. Icy cold trailed my wrist. Like rebellion, it etched clear frost marks on my skin.
Endured once, sheathed it. Both...
Their tempers are no joke.
"Fiercer than expected?"
"Yes."
"Newborn confusion, or unfamiliarity with you. Ghost swords are born from cruelty. Their savage nature clings to bodies made for killing. Rebellious is normal."
"......."
"Remember two things. Fail to tame them properly, and they'll harm you... and"
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith raised a finger.
"Focus on taming one ghost sword at a time."
"Pardon?"
"Ghost swords are greedy. Jangling multiples, they won't like it. When taming one, focus solely. Know what happens if you abandon child-rearing midway? They go astray. Once astray, may return as enmity. When you draw late out of need, it'll lunge for your throat. Above all, ghost swords ceaselessly race to seize their owner's body..."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith cleared his throat.
"To avoid being devoured, diligent effort's needed."
"Thank you, elder."
"No need. Just promise one thing. When you can draw that freakish sword, show it to me, no matter what."
"That curious?"
"It audaciously used my hands, Ghost Valley Nightsmith Cheol Il-hwan's, to make itself. So..."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith glared at Nine Forgets.
"I'll confirm with my own eyes how great it is."
......
The ghost swords were complete. None properly wieldable yet, but my tasks in Demon Sealing Cave were done.
The exit used was the back door. Hidden rear path, blindfolded, guided by cave guards.
Before leaving, I politely bid farewell to those I'd met.
"Leaving already?"
"Time flew."
"You learned much."
My pack overflowed; trainees gave till it couldn't hold more. Eager to give even one skill's worth.
"Take this. Useful."
"That one..."
"My work not good enough?"
"Gratefully accepted."
Hands full, couldn't refuse. Trainees burst laughing at my comical load.
"Not some homebound youth."
"Packed plenty. Visit later."
"Eat this on the way."
"Too much."
"Plenty for your size. Eat more!"
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith gripped my shoulder.
"Remember my words? When Nine Forgets completes, bring it. Absolutely."
"I'll remember. Won't forget your grace, elder."
"Grace? I act as I please. Made because I wanted to."
The Ghost Valley Nightsmith grinned.
"Still, since I made them, spread their names. Loud enough for me to hear. Got it?"
"...Yes!"
Left Demon Sealing Cave. Smooth path for carriages; I rode something through the night.
Blindfold removed after. Cave warriors who dropped me unknown set pointed one way.
"Straight that way, you'll hit the road, warrior. Follow to village; easy after."
"Thanks. Share this on return. Too much for one."
"...Haha! Gladly!"
Shared food, lightened load. Still peddler-like.
Walked brush. As said, road soon appeared. Village quick along it.
Finding way to cult altar easy. Any cultist knew direction.
Ate perishables from heavy pack. Their goodwill; crammed before spoiling.
Plenty provisions; roadside camping easy. Like picnic.
Tried raising one ghost sword simultaneously. First: White Night, longest companion. It scattered petty chills, trying to devour me.
Gripped and swung, countered fiercely. Blocked sword path, spewed cold, lunged.
Fiercer rebellion than Ghost Valley Nightsmith described. Baring teeth, refusing submission.
"...Hmm."
Couldn't use long due to ghost sword nature. Intensifying chill forced scabbard as seal.
More refined, but riskier. Started matching eyes with it.
Didn't want forceful suppression; drained energy first. Skin necrotized fully, but endured via Heavenly Tribulation.
Within tolerance, gave stage for its rage. Heavenly Tribulation's regen slowed in yin cold; re-sheathed when excessive.
Each draw, White Night rampaged. I accepted meekly.
Paused travel. Deep forest, long dialogue with it.
Silent conversation.
[......]
Rampaging White Night probed my body freely. Kept minimal lines, deflected softly.
Strong suppression mismatched me. Chose embrace. No desire to overwrite wills forcibly.
[.......!]
Longer than thought. Forest froze, losing shape...
White Night halted. Stored rampage fury, asked me.
Whisper.
Unlike Nine Forgets', clear words I understood.
Infant babble; White Night whimpered.
If just taking hits, hand over your body.
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