Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Special Training (8)
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Her golden hair tied up high matched her fair skin perfectly, along with her deep, rich green eyes and long eyelashes.
The girl was so beautiful that even the gentle curve of her eyes when she smiled felt enchanting.
If her ears hadn't been pointed—or at least if her surname weren't "Ip Marx"—she would have been a pure beauty alluring enough to tempt even Yeomyeong at least once.
The name of the girl he'd met in Incheon was "Miridis Ip Marx," and at the academy, she was "Iron Miri."
And now, in her trance-like state...
"Just call me Miri."
"..."
"It's a nickname. Call me that without any pressure. It's weird to use my full name even in dreams, right?"
Her usual calm demeanor was nowhere to be seen as she spoke in an excited, upbeat voice. Her joyful expression was a bonus.
It wasn't the attitude one would expect from being alone with a strange man in a forest littered with corpses. It wasn't like they were on a date or anything.
But Yeomyeong didn't mind much.
'...Well, it's a dream anyway.'
Dreams were essentially extensions of memory and the subconscious.
Whether it was the dream of a weary cleaner or the trance of an enlightened superhuman, that essence never changed.
So the Miridis before him was just a fake created by Yeomyeong's own memories and subconscious.
Realistic as she was, brimming with life just like the real Miridis...
"But... this really isn't a wet dream, right? If you're too embarrassed to admit it, don't worry about it."
"..."
"I was kinda curious myself, you know. About those naughty dreams humans have."
No way was this the real elf princess saying such things.
Why would that pure elf, rummaging through ashes for her dead brothers' belongings, care about wet dreams?
Yeomyeong brushed off his last doubts and answered firmly.
"...I already said, it's not that kind of dream."
"Then why did you summon me into your dream?"
Miridis narrowed her eyes, as if daring him to explain.
With a sigh, Yeomyeong recounted what had happened before he fell into this trance.
It didn't take long. He'd fought the substitute teacher to the death, grasped the true meaning of martial arts, and suddenly entered this trance. That was it.
"Killing intent? Enlightenment...? What does that have to do with me or your enlightenment?"
"...Maybe figuring that out is the key to the enlightenment."
"Hmm... Or maybe entering an elf's dream is the enlightenment itself?"
As the two pondered their conversation, Pasun interjected.
You can see it without grasping, reach the heavens without visibility—that is the teaching of Yang Yeom (??).
It was a sudden remark, laced with meaning too profound for Yeomyeong to grasp yet.
As Yeomyeong and Miridis both formed question marks in their minds, Pasun's androgynous voice continued.
It's the true essence of the Mariji Heavenly Divine Art that you stole.
"...That misty martial art? They called it a demonic art, not some divine art."
Thief of martial arts, denying the name too? Don't divide god and demon by Earth's shallow standards.
Pasun snorted with a huff before adding,
Anyway, it'll be easier to comprehend than that Black Wing Style or whatever. Hurry up and enlighten yourself so you can free me from this damn place.
Free him? Yeomyeong stared at Pasun, wondering what that meant.
What's with that look...? You didn't even know you trapped me here?
"..."
Yeomyeong didn't respond. He had nothing to say.
Silent affirmation.
Pasun's elephant face twisted, its tusks trembling.
You son of a bitch!
Pasun swung its trunk in a frenzy. Yeomyeong reached out to counter, but it was pointless.
The moment the long trunk touched his body, Pasun's entire form turned into translucent smoke.
.! ...!!! ...!!! ..!
No words came from the smoky Pasun's mouth. It just flapped its lips, cursing Yeomyeong silently.
Yeomyeong watched for a moment, then shook his head and turned back to Miridis.
"Miri, got anything to tell me?"
"Uh... not really...?"
"...I didn't mean to pressure you. Don't worry about it."
Yeomyeong closed his eyes.
He was certain—almost convinced—that he needed to achieve enlightenment to escape this trance.
Just like when he'd grasped the essence of Wave Yang Art, he sank into contemplation. Or tried to.
But just as he was calming his mind, Miridis suddenly spoke up.
In a voice entirely different from before—sticky and viscous.
***
"Iron Dung Beetle, I do have something to give you... but can I ask a question first?"
"...A question? What kind?"
"The day the restriction was lifted, what did you do with Seti?"
"..."
"You two had such a good vibe. You almost kissed on the rooftop... until her sisters cockblocked you."
Yeomyeong slyly opened his eyes and looked at Miridis. She was poking the ground with a stick she'd picked up somewhere.
"What was it humans call it...? Right, did you climb the adult stairs?"
"...Why are you suddenly curious about that?"
Instead of answering, Miridis plunged the stick into the ground with a thud, standing it upright.
With leaves still attached, it looked like a small tree.
"Just wondering if you've given up on revenge."
"...What?"
"Revenge. You know, revenge for the dead cleaners."
Yeomyeong didn't ask how she knew.
Her eyes, which had been glowing green moments ago, were now blood-red.
"It's not over yet. The Korean government, the players... they're still alive, aren't they?"
"..."
"You know this? Miridis's brothers were murdered by players too."
He knew. They were the last bodies Iron Dung Beetle had cleaned up.
"But Miridis didn't dream of revenge. Because Iron Dung Beetle would do it for her. You'd hunt down the players and avenge them tenfold, a hundredfold more cruelly."
"You... who the hell..."
"Shh. I'm not done."
Miridis pressed a finger to her lips and met Yeomyeong's gaze.
"Iron Dung Beetle, revenge is far from over—why dive into lovey-dovey games? Do you like Seti that much? Enough to abandon revenge?"
"..."
"I've held back so hard. When you played hero in Manchuria, when you played student at the academy... I endured it, okay?"
Yeomyeong clenched his fist.
His golden eyes grew icy cold, but whatever wore Miridis's skin kept babbling.
"Ah, is that what you're thinking? Seti's a comrade for revenge, so it's fine?"
"..."
"Foolish. The government maybe, but Seti isn't your enemy among the players. And above all..."
"...Above all?"
"Seti still has her sisters. Three of them, not just one. You? You've got nothing."
The sticky voice pierced his eardrums, stabbing his heart.
"When the moment comes to weigh revenge against Seti's sisters, you'll choose them. You know it."
The elf princess licked her lips with her tongue, like a snake eyeing prey.
"So you're running away? Choosing Seti over revenge. Hng, love— the perfect excuse."
Unthinkingly, Yeomyeong reached out and grabbed Miridis's throat.
Beneath the soft skin, he felt the fragile neck bones he could snap anytime.
"Getting the picture now? Why the killing intent overflowed."
"...Shut up."
"Here's the cause: The Yeomyeong in your head wants to live like a normal person with Seti, but the Iron Dung Beetle in your heart refuses."
Crunch. Yeomyeong squeezed her throat.
But Miridis's voice didn't weaken—instead, it grew even more seductive.
"Mind and spirit at odds, so killing intent leaks from your body. The crow girl offered to help, but that's just a band-aid. You know it? Useless without removing the root."
"..."
"The answer? Simple. Give up everything but revenge. Think about it—no need to hunt players. Just kill every academy student."
She laughed. A beautiful smile, whispering temptations.
"Go to Korea now, raid the Blue House cabinet meeting, burn down the National Assembly. Innocent civilians die? So what? The cleaners were innocent civilians too."
Yeomyeong gripped harder. But each time, Miridis pressed her body closer to him.
"Why act like a good guy? Iron Dung Beetle."
Her delicate fingers trailed his chest. From chest to neck, neck to lips.
"You swore at their graves. To kill them all."
Her fine finger slipped between his lips, caressing his tongue. The metallic tang of blood filled his mouth.
"Might as well kill Seti... and the saintess too. Then no more shaking."
"..."
"The sisters might interfere, so kill them. Kill that Ado kid you missed earlier... The crow's no threat—ambush her. Like before. Even beastkin can't survive a direct Comet Sword hit."
Her excited breath drew near his nose.
"You'll do it, right? Revenge?"
"..."
"Nod your head, and you'll wake from the trance... with power far beyond Black Wing Style or Mariji Heavenly Divine Art."
The sweet voice tempted, but Yeomyeong did nothing.
"...Iron Dung Beetle?"
The impatient elf princess questioned, and he bit down hard on the finger wriggling in his mouth.
No snapping finger, no scream.
But the fake Miridis flinched back in shock.
"What the hell?"
Yeomyeong spat out the blood pooling in his mouth. It tasted faintly of toothpaste.
"What I have to do."
Miridis—no, the killing intent's—face twisted.
"You're really... giving up revenge?"
Even that looked beautiful thanks to her natural features, but beauty wouldn't block a fist.
Thwack!
Mana-infused Wave Yang Art smashed into Miridis's face.
"No."
Yeomyeong didn't stop there, grabbing the collar of the falling girl.
"This is just... between you and me."
With that short reply, Yeomyeong pummeled her entire body.
In his dream, until the killing intent could never raise its head again.
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