When I found Namgung Bi-Ah lying on the ground…
I was reminded of the Demonic Sword Master from my past life.
The memory of her quietly breathing her last in my arms beneath the pouring rain.
‘I was too carefree.’
It was only then that I lamented my own carelessness.
Watching as a world changed with the flutter of a tiny wing.
I had committed the sin of merely spectating while I stood afar, not wanting to dip my feet into the river of life.
If I had just stood still, none of this would have happened.
It was a contradictory result, as I despised doing anything yet knew I couldn’t do nothing.
I felt scared and exhausted.
Even after experiencing death, nothing had changed for me.
‘…What the hell am I doing?’
What was I doing after going through this regression?
Did I even want to kill the Heavenly Demon?
If so, I should have handed a sword to Wi Seol-Ah instead of a servant’s outfit.
Because I knew that was the quickest and easiest way.
But knowing that, what had I been doing this whole time?
I watched Wi Seol-Ah smile, believing the Sword Emperor would have a plan.
In reality, he simply wished for her to never pick up a sword.
What did I gain from this pitiful excuse?
I got to see Wi Seol-Ah’s smile, a smile I never witnessed in my previous life.
The hand I had once failed to hold was right next to me now, offering warmth as if urging me to grasp it.
The hand I should have let go of was now beside me.
It stretched in front of me, as if inviting me into its embrace.
But… did I genuinely deserve to be in those arms?
That beautiful smile would vanish once the Heavenly Demon made its appearance.
Knowing that, do I really deserve such treatment?
I asked myself once more.
Though I knew the answer, the fear still loomed.
‘I can’t fight the Heavenly Demon.’
I was afraid and didn’t wish to engage in battle.
‘It doesn’t necessarily have to be me.’
That was the flimsy excuse I told myself to allow for an easy life.
I had been living a carefree existence, clinging to that one miserable excuse despite committing countless sins and murders in my past life.
I tried to console myself with the notion that I could find happiness since I had already died once,
But knowing the truth only added to my suffering.
Thus, I ran away.
I practiced through the nights but didn’t have any clear purpose for doing so.
Whenever it came time to twist the flow or when the tide rose, I would think of ways to escape.
I stubbornly tried to convince myself.
Isn’t this enough? Do I really need to do more?
“So, are you satisfied?”
An unfamiliar voice questioned me.
“Are you satisfied with just this?”
‘No.’
Nothing.
I had filled myself with nothing.
This place still felt like a dream, half-remembered from my first day here.
A vaguely clear yet dreamy experience I felt I couldn’t wake from.
While I thought so, I knew I still had to bear the burden of responsibility.
To keep running away from hundreds of excuses for my current state.
And I needed to hold myself accountable for the upcoming events.
If I didn’t want Wi Seol-Ah to wield a sword,
Someone else had to take the blade.
Moreover, if Namgung Bi-Ah bore feelings for me and I wished to turn my back on them,
I had to let her go.
Even though she was engaged to me, I had countless justifications for breaking free.
… But even so, I couldn’t bring myself to let go.
My outrageous selfishness wished for her to not abandon me.
Ultimately, I was accountable for carrying all the burdens that had piled up around me.
I couldn’t go on running and hiding anymore.
So if I couldn’t let anything slip away and feared losing anything,
I had to finally awaken from this dream.
“…Oh.”
It was a new ceiling.
When my eyes opened, an unfamiliar ceiling came into view.
“…You’re awake.”
And there was an old man with wild white hair staring down at me.
It was the Immortal Healer.
Couldn’t believe the first face I’d seen after waking was the Immortal Healer. Just as I was about to bolt upright in shock…
“Ughhh!”
A scream escaped my lips at a sudden wave of pain washing over me.
The agony was so intense that I almost teared up.
“Jeez! Don’t you know how to be careful?!”
“What… happened…?”
Every bone in my body felt like it had been gnawed on by a vicious beast; the pain was beyond description.
As I struggled through the excruciating hurt, memories of what occurred before my blackout started flowing back.
“It seems like everything went well, so don’t worry.”
The Immortal Healer said, as if deciphering the expressions on my face.
How did I pass out, and what of Ya Hyeoljeok? …And Namgung Bi-Ah?
“…Um… what about the girl that was…”
“The girl who was with you is in much better condition than you, so don’t worry and just lie there.”
“Oh, I see… Thank you.”
Thankfully, it seemed Namgung Bi-Ah was alright.
Yet I still hadn’t gotten the chance to inquire about Ya Hyeoljeok.
As I was about to ask more, the Immortal Healer cut me off.
“It looks like your body isn’t in terrible shape, so once the pain subsides, you should be able to get up.”
“Thank you…”
“Even though I told you that you might die if you used too much Qi, you just drained everything.”
“Oh.”
“Nowadays, these kids think they’re invincible or something… I just don’t get why they act so carelessly knowing one stab can end their lives.”
I flashed a bitter smile at those words.
As the Immortal Healer noted, I had indeed been reckless after losing my senses.
‘…I really wasn’t in the right mind back there.’
I seemed to have used up everything without a single thought for the aftermath.
I likely had other options, but back then, something about me refused to calm down.
Even with Namgung Bi-Ah lying motionless.
‘And, why did I lose consciousness?’
I definitely had some Qi left, and physically, I wasn’t overly exhausted either.
Well, nearing the end, I had felt discomfort from using too much, but,
I was still able to move around freely unlike before.
And…
‘I feel like… I heard a voice at the end.’
It felt faint.
I was pretty sure I’d heard something.
But it was hard to place it.
Trying to recall only brought a shooting pain to my head.
Tap.
Along with the sound of something being placed beside me, a bitter aroma filled the air.
Is it medicine?
Next, something was brought close to my mouth.
When I glanced over, I saw Zhuge Hyuk trying to spoon-feed me something.
After hesitating, I ended up taking a bite.
The bitterness was more intense than I had anticipated, making me flinch.
“It’s just a pain-relieving medicine. Drink it all so you can feel better.”
Listening to the Immortal Healer, I dutifully gulped it down.
It felt odd being fed by Zhuge Hyuk.
“Wait a bit longer, and someone will be here. Everyone was anxiously awaiting your wake-up.”
“How long was I out?”
“Two days, and by the end of today, it will be three.”
“…T— Two?!”
I had lost consciousness for that long?
Memory of Wi Seol-Ah urging me to come back safe popped up.
She must be worrying about me like crazy.
“Now that you’ve woken up, the kids will be able to breathe a sigh of relief.”
I turned to where the Immortal Healer was pointing.
“…Oh.”
In the corner of the room, I saw two girls sleeping against the wall, leaning on each other.
It was Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-Ah.
“They couldn’t sleep waiting for you, and just as you wake up, they finally dropped off.”
“…”
Something stirred in my heart as I observed them.
While I watched, the Immortal Healer spoke.
“I have one question to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember when I called you a living corpse not long ago?”
“Yes, I remember.”
That was the reason I had ventured out to find demonic stones in the first place, so I couldn’t forget.
The Immortal Healer looked at me with a peculiar expression, as if he were pondering over something serious.
“I pride myself on being an exceptional physician.”
Now, that could sound arrogant, but considering the speaker was the Immortal Healer, a little boasting was understandable.
He continued speaking.
“Even with that confidence, I’ve never seen a case like yours before.”
“…Did you find another problem with my body?”
Again?
Is my body some kind of battlefield? Why are there so many issues inside it?
Is it all the trouble I got into back then?
I began to wonder why so many problems had emerged.
The Immortal Healer spoke in an expression full of contemplation.
“…It’s calm now.”
“Huh?”
“All those Qis that were trying to devour each other are now quiet as if they’ve died down.”
They’ve… calmed down?
It had barely been ten days since he mentioned I could blow up at any moment.
Taken aback by the Immortal Healer’s claim, I attempted to circulate my Qi around my body, but maybe because I was too drained, my abdomen just shook in response, and I found I couldn’t channel my Qi.
Instead, a different sensation coursed through me.
As I felt chills prickling my body, I stopped manipulating my Qi.
Demonic Qi…?
A murky, unstable demonic Qi was swirling inside me.
It was akin to the oppressive aura that Ya Hyeoljeok once possessed.
“Young Master is a dummy.”
“Yeah…”
“A dumb, dumb idiot!”
“Uh-huh…”
When morning came, I found myself under siege from Wi Seol-Ah’s reproaches.
The moment her eyes met mine, she started tearing up, forcing me to hurriedly soothe her.
Sadly, I couldn’t fully calm her; her eyes remained shiny with tears.
“Why do you always get hurt when I’m not around?”
I had no retort to Wi Seol-Ah’s inquiry.
It definitely seemed like that was how it always went…
‘Then again, I always do my best to avoid bringing her along when there’s danger.’
That was largely true.
Anyway, it was what it was.
Wi Seol-Ah used the back of her hand to dry her eyes.
For a moment, I contemplated whether to pat her head, but my body hadn’t fully recovered yet, making movement difficult.
“Really… you’re such a dummy.”
“Wait—!”
In the end, Wi Seol-Ah broke down sobbing.
As she cried, Namgung Bi-Ah, who had been silently sitting next to her, handed her a handkerchief.
Namgung Bi-Ah, too, had her arm wrapped in bandages.
According to the Immortal Healer, she was otherwise fine, and being a martial artist, she’d recover quickly in just a few days.
Wiping her eyes, Wi Seol-Ah, in a muffled voice, called out to Namgung Bi-Ah.
“…Sis.”
“Hmm?”
“…Can I blow my nose?”
She asked that very delicately.
Namgung Bi-Ah seemed taken aback by the unusual question but nodded her approval.
Then, I heard Wi Seol-Ah blow her nose.
For some odd reason, I felt like it was something I shouldn’t witness, so I turned my gaze away.
“Thanks…”
As she returned the handkerchief to Namgung Bi-Ah, the latter wore a puzzled expression, wondering what to do with it.
Guess I’d owe her a new one later…
While we were in this mood, the Immortal Healer entered and grimaced.
“Everyone out! I have to conduct a checkup now.”
“C… Can’t we stay a bit longer?”
“Would you think I can focus with all of you here? Go out now!”
Even Wi Seol-Ah, so used to being spoiled due to her looks, found herself scolded without regard by the Immortal Healer.
So in the end, Namgung Bi-Ah left alongside a sluggish Wi Seol-Ah.
I couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease seeing her glance back at me while leaving.
Once the two girls exited, the Immortal Healer seized my arm.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling much better than yesterday.”
“Still, I can’t let you go just yet, so stay in bed.”
“…Yes, sir.”
He seemed to have realized I wanted to get up.
This place didn’t feel like the hut I’d seen last time; was I still at Mount Hua?
While I laid still, the Immortal Healer suddenly spoke up.
“I haven’t properly thanked you yet.”
He said this, startling me as I lay in bed.
I stammered in surprise.
“What do you mean…?”
“You’ve ended up like this after fighting someone who targeted the hut.”
The guy who targeted the hut?
Was that Ya Hyeoljeok’s true goal for coming here?
Honestly, I had just fought him out of anger, so it wasn’t quite the grand reason the Immortal Healer imagined.
“Dohwa will need to come to give you more details… but because of everything going on, that will take a while.”
“When you say everything, is something happening right now?”
“It’s not something I should mention. Dohwa will explain everything later.”
The Immortal Healer’s tone turned somber as he said this.
It felt frustrating not knowing what was happening outside.
After a lengthy arm massage, the Immortal Healer got up, seemingly done with his medical duties.
“It looks like you’re improving, so you should be able to get up soon. But for now, stay put.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
After the Immortal Healer left, I took some time to think.
About the state of my body.
The Immortal Healer can’t sense demonic Qi.
He had been going over checks until now, yet didn’t mention anything about demonic Qi.
It could be he deliberately chose not to share,
But I considered that possibility quite slim.
I was uncertain how demonic Qi had spread within me, yet fortunately, it seemed to be gradually purifying.
It was similar to my previous experience when I absorbed demonic energy from a stone using my Ability to Absorb Demonic Energy, promptly followed by my Destructive Flame Techniques devouring and cleansing it.
However, the demonic Qi I currently possessed bore a noticeable distinction compared to the one from the demonic stones or the Heavenly Demon.
The Black Palace.
Particularly, it resembled the murky energy that Ya Hyeoljeok possessed.
As if I had stolen his Qi or something.
Did I absorb his Qi?
Is it possible to absorb Qi not from demonic stones, but from a person?
I’d never heard of such an ability.
While it might seem ironic, considering I absorbed energy from numerous demonic stones before.
Moreover, I believed the Immortal Healer mentioning the Qi calming down was also tied to this.
…Ultimately, I guess even my demonic Qi is stabilizing, huh.
That meant I wouldn’t need to go search for demonic stones just to absorb some.
I felt a bit uneasy knowing I’d have to deal with the Heavenly Demon’s demonic Qi once again in this life,
But it was high time I started preparing myself mentally.
That’s that.
One lingering concern brewed within me.
Ever since waking up.
Elder Shin.
I’d called out for Elder Shin, yet no response came.
Elder Shin…
I called out for him again.
…
Once again, no response.
I had been calling for him ever since I woke up the previous night, yet he hadn’t replied a single time.
I tried both vocally and through thought, yet silence reigned.
“…Where on earth did that old man disappear to?”
Elder Shin was nowhere to be found.
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