In the end, Jaemi Son didn’t show up.
Reluctantly, I returned to the inn where I was staying and went to sleep. I woke up early in the morning, strolled over to Haengdo Sect to casually scout for work, and then went back to look for Jaemi Son. Finally, I found this bastard.
“Hey! I’m here!”
“Where’s the gift…”
This guy immediately started whining about gifts as soon as he saw me.
“I had some treats but ate them all on the way here.”
“Ugh… you sound like you’ve got a gluttonous spirit inside you.”
“Hehehe, the Namgoong Clan is quite a distance away. Let’s grab a drink.”
“You’re paying for it…”
“Oh, come on, why do I have to pay?”
“Just look at your shabby appearance…”
Oh.
“Is there no other way?”
“Cough cough, a true gentleman indeed. So, what happened?”
“I’ll tell you everything.”
I immediately sat down with Jaemi Son and ordered drinks and snacks.
“Before that, was there anything special that happened? Did you finish up and get back alright?”
“Not really… Ah, wait. There was one thing.”
“What was it?”
“A swordsman named Madunachal appeared…”
“That’s me.”
“No way, did you figure it out already… that’s no fun. But seriously, I’m dying to know what happened in the Namgoong Clan.”
“Hehehe, it’s like this.”
I was itching to spill the beans too. After pouring a drink and munching on a dumpling, I started.
“Still, I managed to achieve something big. The Namgoong Clan rewarded me.”
“No way, that sword?”
“Yeah. It’s called the Heavenly Thunder Sword.”
I unsheathed it and handed it to Jaemi Son.
“Oh, ohh…! Incredible!”
Rarely did Jaemi Son marvel like this while inspecting the sword from every angle.
“It’s an amazing sword.”
“Hey… I also contributed by using an enhancement skill. What’s this nonsense… don’t joke with me…”
You were the supporter, and I was the dealer, man.
“You got a reward too! Besides, I’ve already met the Namgoong Clan’s master, Namgoong Cheon.”
“What…!”
Jaemi Son’s hair stood on end.
“You met the Sword King Namgoong Cheon…! He’s said to be a master of the Hwa-gyeong…!”
“What do you mean!”
A master of Hwa-gyeong!
“Just how strong is he?”
“If he’s the Sword King, he could contend with the Ten Great Demon Beasts of the World… Hehe, did you really not know? I knew he was crazy, but not this crazy.”
The Ten Great Demon Beasts of the World!
They were beasts so strong that they could make Madunachal seem weak in comparison, the absolute top among demons.
I couldn’t believe Namgoong Cheon was this strong!
Well, it makes sense.
That’s why his daughter must be an absolute master.
“What was he like?”
“He looked young. But just greeting him felt like standing before an overwhelmingly powerful presence.”
“Hah… Not fainting is already impressive.”
“Really? Anyway, I greeted him, received this Heavenly Thunder Sword, and Jade Flower Sword thanked me and taught me some martial arts. She treated me well for a few days.”
“What?!”
Jaemi Son clutched his head.
“I can’t believe this… You learned martial arts from the legendary Jade Flower Sword.”
“Yup. She was quite instructive for several days. Hehehe.”
“Ha… Haha, this is hilarious!”
Jaemi Son, holding his head, burst into a big laugh.
“I can feel the overwhelming jealousy… This is too cruel.”
“Stop it. Oh. And I ate Madunachal’s dish too. I got examined by that doctor from their side, and they said I was fine.”
“That sounds off…”
It could be true. But still, with no samples, the probability of me being the only abnormal type is quite high, so there’s not much to discuss. No, but I’m still a bit concerned. My internal energy has surely increased, but Morning Tent has become overwhelmingly strong. Is this a real side effect?
“Let’s drink quickly. I’m dying here.”
“You’ve been bragging all day…”
“You asked me, you jerk.”
“I never expected to hear such annoying tales…”
So, while we drank and drank, I recounted how I caught Madunachal. It became a time to reflect on how brave and magnificent we were and the noble deeds we participated in.
In the story, we were exceptional swordsmen.
“Hehe… If you learned martial arts from the Jade Flower Sword, your level must have risen. The next demon hunt should be easier.”
“Hehehe, I’m eager to test my sword techniques.”
“With my enhancement and your Heavenly Thunder Sword, we’re invincible… Forget that Madunachal name, let’s become the Unmatched Twin Swords together…”
“Sure. Not a chance I’m throwing that away.”
“Stop joking around, man…”
The Unmatched Twin Swords? What a ridiculous title.
That lame nickname pales compared to Madunachal.
“Ha!”
After drinking enough, we decided to call it a night.
“Hey! Let’s meet at Haengdo Sect tomorrow!”
“Got it…”
If we work together at Haengdo Sect tomorrow, it will be good. Just making this plan feels incredibly reassuring. Work is something you have to do with someone you trust. Thinking about teaming up with Jaemi Son made me feel secure already.
Just as I was on my way back to the inn.
“Hm?”
At some point, I suddenly felt a presence.
“…”
I glanced back, thinking I might be overly sensitive, but nothing was there.
Could it be PTSD?
After being attacked at night and crying like a madman, I had killed for the first time in that state, so I was feeling a bit anxious.
I had become stronger and gained more practical experience since then… but fighting for life and death is undeniably dangerous.
Feeling uneasy, I deliberately picked up my pace.
—Thud.
In that moment, I realized my worries weren’t mere delusions.
A figure stepped out of the darkness, calling out to me.
“Hey.”
The instant I turned back, two more figures emerged.
I was surrounded by a total of three!
“Who are you guys?”
I sensed trouble, quickly drawing my sword.
Three enemies? What could they want from me? Could it be… because my clothes are neat? Thinking I’m rich and coming to mug me? Trying to pick the pockets of the esteemed lord?
“Hah? Look at that bastard. Drawing his sword first? Did your mom teach you to draw your sword whenever you see people?”
One in the back spoke ominously.
“Hey, wait a second. What’s with that bastard? You said he’s a wanderer? But what’s that sword he has?”
One of the two in front asked.
They know I’m a wanderer?
Do they know anything about me?
“Well, um…”
As I saw one of them stutter, I realized something.
That familiar physique.
“Oh!”
That bastard is the one who tried to attack me last time!
“You little bastard! So it’s you!”
I shouted happily.
“You bastard…? I-I’m Oh Su-man!”
“Oh Su-man? Who’s that?”
“I’m Chang Sam’s friend, and I’m here to avenge your kill! I’ll repay for Chang Sam’s death!”
“Who’s Chang Sam?”
I had never heard of Oh Su-man or Chang Sam. Of course, I was an aspiring actor, an intellectual. Given the context, Chang Sam must be the one I killed back then.
But pretending I didn’t know would surely help with psychological warfare.
“Chang Sam was my dear friend, you killed him! Don’t play dumb!”
“Hehehe, that guy? He was crying so pathetically. I thought he was a ghost! Is it a sin nowadays to kill a ghost?”
“You bastard!”
My taunts seemed to have struck a chord with Oh Su-man.
And…
“…”
“…”
The other two also seemed to sense something odd as they widened their distance slightly upon seeing my relaxed demeanor.
My choice was correct.
There’s no way being tense will work.
—Thump thump!
Honestly, I was scared and found the situation overwhelming. My legs were tremoring. But I couldn’t show weakness to these thugs. I had to display only nonchalance.
Otherwise, it had to be pure murderous intent and will!
“But you’re a thug, yet you speak of avenging a friend? Is there no shame in that? What do you want? Did you think dying in a robbery was natural without harboring resentment? You’re an idiot.”
“I… can’t take this anymore! Brothers! It’s him!”
Brothers?
“…”
Though Oh Su-man shouted, the ‘brothers’ seemed to be intimidated. When they first surrounded me, they pretended to be cool, but the moment I established psychological dominance, their heads drooped.
“Brothers? You thought you’d come for revenge? Those brothers of yours, if you don’t want to die, do you think you could just get out of here? Hm?”
“You little…”
One of Oh Su-man’s brothers said.
“Are you not afraid of the Assassin’s Room?”
Assassin’s Room?
What kind of dark gambling place is that?
“Your bravado ends here. If you don’t want to be begging while your limbs are severed, drop your weapon.”
“Oh, oh, you came from the Black Path?”
It was clear they came from the Black Path.
Calculations.
Let’s calculate.
—Hoo.
I quietly elevated my internal energy, weighing how to handle this situation to my advantage.
Oh Su-man, who bears a grudge against me, came with the strength of these Assassin’s Room thugs to kill me. I could dismiss Oh Su-man, but could I sever the bond with this Assassin’s Room created by fate?
No.
It seemed impossible.
Besides, in this surrounded situation. Listening to their tone, they were surely going to resort to violence against me. It was practically certain I’d either die or have a disability.
I can’t accept that.
Therefore, I need to either kill them all or some and run away for my life.
Of course, that would mean creating an enemy relationship with the Assassin’s Room, struggling until one side is exterminated.
“…Damn it.”
Just the fact that I ended up in this kind of situation was so frustrating. Being a meal for those thugs just because I fought back?
Not going to accept it.
“These bastards are already a pain in the ass, and now they’re acting up…!”
“What?”
If something is happening, then I must fight.
This bastard must die before I call it over!
—Swoosh!
Cloud Flow Body Technique.
Flowing through the air naturally, I spun and charged at one behind me.
An unexpected situation arose. A thug from the Assassin’s Room, targeted, startled and unsheathed his sword. But even then, I was fiercely barreling forward towards him.
My momentum and will were overwhelmingly superior!
—Whoosh!
As Cold Mind Technique flowed, my internal energy surged throughout my body. I felt a rush of power. After diligently training in the Namgoong Clan, I won’t be demeaned by these punks!
“I’ll slice you up!”
Targeting the thug from the Assassin’s Room, I unleashed the Flowing Stream Sword Technique.
“Wh-what?!”
The sword wouldn’t stop until one of them was dead!
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