Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Black Robe
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Grrrrrrr rumble.
A deafening roar from the sky, impossible to tell if it was thunder or a beast's cry, shook everything.
"Did Snowy do this?"
"Whoa!"
"It's coming? What's coming?"
The earth's crust flipped over, and the sky twisted.
I'd definitely experienced something similar somewhere before.
KABOOM────!!!!!
Before I could even sink into thought, a monstrous creature appeared right in front of me.
A black robe emerged, accompanied by a black water buffalo scattering red glints from its eyes.
An eerie aura blanketed the space.
The grassy scent that had tickled my nose was completely gone.
"F-fuck... Who are you?"
I wanted to run right then, but my body was frozen stiff, refusing to move.
"...Yo...ur... Hi...gh...ness..."
"...What're you... saying?"
His face was hidden in the pitch-black smoke billowing from the hem of the robe.
A chilling voice emanated from within.
"...We... seek... your... au...di...ence..."
"Shiiit... This is scary as hell. Speak clearly, damn it..."
My body trembled uncontrollably, cold sweat pouring down my back.
He kept scraping metal as he spoke, but I couldn't make out a word.
The one silver lining was that I didn't sense any hostility.
As the overwhelming pressure made me gasp for breath, the black robe began acting strangely.
Bow.
Out of nowhere, it bowed politely in greeting, then covered its mouth with its hand before pointing right at me, repeating the gesture.
"Talk? You wanna talk?"
Nod.
"We can't even communicate. What the hell do we talk about?"
Despite my refusal, the black robe kept waving at the air.
The tension had my body aching, but seeing this eased my mind a bit.
"Hmm, hold on a sec. Status window!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Basic Language Lv.1] Language Comprehension Basic Ancient Language Comprehension [Price: 200 Million Won] It had popped into my head to check the skill menu, but the price killed my interest instantly.
"Sorry, but can we just skip the talk?"
Shake! Shake! Shake!
Now it shook side to side in refusal.
"I don't even know who you are, and you want me to buy this?"
Nod. Nod.
"Haa─."
I hadn't set aside 200 million for this, and why spend it on some monster trespassing on private property?
No need to agonize.
"No thanks."
As I closed the status window, the black robe flailed its arms in panic.
"No, this is 200 million! I don't even know if it'd work, and how the hell do I pay for it?"
After a long persuasion attempt, it finally gave up and gestured for me to wait.
"Stay put? Still not buying. Too damn expensive."
"...──."
The black robe stood silently after hearing me, then bowed deeply once more.
"No, why all of a─..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 《The exalted Six Heavens Demon requests an audience in the palace》 "...Audience?"
The black robe straightened up and stared straight at me.
The playful waving was gone.
Instinct told me this thing was a monster beyond comparison. I couldn't refuse.
I had no choice anyway.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 《The Six Heavens Demon approaches the origin of Heavenly Peach》 《The Demon injects the origin of the name》 Ruuuuuumble.
Dark clouds raged wildly.
The world shook.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 《The Saintess's sun illuminating Heavenly Peach blazes brightly》 ... 《The Saintess's sun flickers as if about to extinguish》 ... 《The disciple of the Tathagata intervenes》 《The infinitely wise Shariputra prepares the mudra》 《Shariputra forms the Subduing Demons Earth-Touching Mudra》 ... My vision alternated between pitch black and blinding light, driving my mind to the brink.
How much time passed?
When even my sense of time warped.
The scene brightened, revealing the thatched house and meadow as if nothing had happened.
"Guhk. Urk."
The ground flipped, the world inverted.
Light flashed, and the world crumpled once more.
Dry heaves came involuntarily.
"Kuugh. F-fuck... you bastard."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Truth] Interprets Comprehends [Price: Conditional Transcendence] While heaving and staring at the ground, the skill window lingered before me.
The language skill from before was gone, replaced by this strange one.
But I had no time for skills.
"Snowy!! Snowy!! My baby!!!!"
Grabbing my shaking knees, I barely straightened up. In the distance, a white fluff ball came bounding toward me.
"Huff. Huff. Snowy!!!"
Too weak to move, I just held out my arms. Snowy shot over and leaped into them.
"Haa, haa. Snowy, you okay?"
"Yeah. Is owner okay?"
"Yeah... I'm fine too."
As I panted and hugged the fluffy bundle, Snowy's warm body heat seeped in.
"Don't go off without me?"
"Together."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Snowy's tiny paw patted my cheek.
My churning stomach settled instantly.
"But where'd that bastard go?"
"Did you call for me?"
"Hieeek!"
My heart, just calming, pounded again.
I'd hoped it was gone, but it popped up like a ghost the moment I spoke.
As I debated fleeing with Snowy, the black robe before me suddenly dropped to one knee and bowed its head.
"Your servant Yama seeks audience with the Demon Princess."
"...".
What the hell was this? Was it really looking for me? What even was Demon Princess?
Words overflowed, but they stuck in my throat.
"Um. Are you... sure you're looking for me?"
"Indeed, Demon Princess."
Even mustering courage for a loud voice got the same stiff reply.
"Haa─. So why'd you come?"
"Sent by Lord Mara Pasun."
"Huh? Why him?"
Just seeing the muscular black water buffalo made me want to piss myself, yet the rider flinched at my voice.
"Hmm... Mara?"
Flinch.
'Well, well.'
"Mara's little bastard?"
Flinch.
"Demon Princess..."
"He never cared about stuff like this."
"Please..."
Push further, and the buffalo behind might charge.
"Fine. But we have a lot to discuss, right? Plenty to hash out."
"Quite so. First, I was sent because the Demon Princess has taken her first step as the Demon Princess."
"First step? What's that mean?"
"It means you've gained the qualifications. That is ──...─".
Couldn't hear it again. Probably this Truth skill allowed basic talk, but with limits.
"Can't hear well. What was that thing you did earlier?"
"Since you fiercely refused, I offered my origin as the transaction price."
"Ah..."
That explained the frantic gestures and head-shaking.
"Thus, part of this servant's origin is lost. I humbly beg the Demon Princess to pity me."
"Yeah, well. Not sure if that changes anything. But can you lift your head? It's super awkward."
As I finished, the black robe slowly raised its head.
"Eww."
The smoke was gone, revealing a thick mustache and tusks jutting up like a wild boar's. A bandit face that'd scare goblins.
Everything from speech to looks was intimidating.
Capping it off, the house-sized buffalo snorting steam.
"Goddamn dizzy."
"If vertigo lingers, this servant can examine you."
"No. It's that buffalo behind you."
"Hm? You mean our Bonggu?"
"Whoa. His name's Bonggu?"
"Yes, isn't he adorable?"
Prrrr─ff!
"Sure."
"As expected, the Demon Princess has discerning taste."
"Hope so. So, what's next?"
"Next is the item bestowed by Lord Mara. I believe he gave prior notice."
Listening to the black robe—no, Yama—I vaguely recalled.
"Said he'd give a gift if I got stronger. Right?"
"Indeed. ──for that reason."
Like a broken machine, certain words made his mouth flop open uselessly.
Prrrr─ff!
Fwoosh!
Did I just see flames from Bonggu's nose?
"Sorry, can you give it now? I have something urgent."
Reading my urgency, Yama quickly waved at the air.
Four items appeared.
"Crown? Tiara? No, you're giving a crown and swords?"
"Yes."
"These are for cutting, right?"
Three peculiar swords without guards, perfect for slicing.
Thrust with these, and they'd slip, shredding my hand.
"Oho. Excellent eye. The crown and two blades are from Lord Mara Pasun. The remaining one is from this servant. Best for practice."
"Dual-wield with a main sword like Iaido...?"
"Lord Mara said it suits you better than anyone."
"Me? Crazy... No, he said it suits the Demon Princess perfectly. Imagined you swinging swords in both hands—nothing could suit better."
What era is this? Cold weapons need permits even to store. Getting these as gifts just made me sigh.
Reading my sour look, Yama cleared his throat.
"Ahem. The weapons appear and vanish at the Demon Princess's will, so no storage issues."
"Oh, really? Nice."
"Also, Lord Mara conveyed: On days you dislike blood on your hands, use the blades; otherwise, try the crown."
"What does that mean?"
"I merely relay Lord Mara's words. And this servant's final gift."
Tiiiing!!!
Yama snapped his thick fingers, nearly bursting my eardrums.
"Then this servant takes leave. Since you still wear a mortal shell, please preserve the demon body well, Demon Princess."
Yama spat his piece and vanished into smoke.
"Nice, my ass. Fuck, what am I supposed to do with swords?"
"Cool!"
Puu─ff!
Fwoosh.
"Hey, dude. Why not take Bonggu? You go too."
I waved him off, and he scraped the ground with a front hoof before igniting into flames and disappearing.
"Phew, Snowy, I'm dizzy."
"It's okay."
Pat pat.
Snowy's pats were pure healing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Peak-Gazing Blade─Dawn-Dusk Severance] Severing dusk from dawn. ◈ Drawing Stance Draw─Bisect ◈ First Blade Bisect ◈ Second Blade Bisect ◈ Third Blade Bisect [Growth Rate: 0%] "... ? This crap's the gift? All bisects. Half-assed brains or what?"