Chapter: 442
About ten days have passed since I landed here.
As each day goes by, the desire to wake up from this dream gradually fades, and at this point, my goal has shifted to somehow produce the results this world desires and escape.
Thud thud thud—!
Someone’s bones just snapped.
“Crunch.”
With a short scream, he breathes his last. He’s wearing a white uniform with the word “justice” written on it.
He’s one of the warriors from the Murim Alliance.
“… ”
Chuk—
His head bows down, and as I watch the dying man roll his eyes, I silently dust off my hands.
The sensations are still incredibly vivid.
‘… This really feels disgusting…’
Corpses were scattered everywhere.
Most of them were martial artists clad in white, but there were a few demons interspersed among them, of which the number was extremely small.
And those weren’t even the Black Flame Corps’ minions; they were all just warriors that came from the Ghost Sword Corps.
I quietly observed the scene.
Drip—
I felt something running down my cheek.
When I wiped it off with my thumb, it turned out to be blood.
“… ”
I frowned at that.
Because I already knew where the injury had come from.
It was a wound I sustained when the Alliance’s warriors had launched a surprise attack just before, and I failed to respond properly.
It wasn’t that they executed a proper ambush or that I had let my guard down.
I had already sensed them through my Qi, and at best, I had just barely managed to reach my peak power.
There was no way I would fall to those guys.
This was simply a matter of—
‘I hesitated.’
It must be because I hesitated to kill them myself.
The despair reflected in the eyes of the warrior charging at me, the desperate wish to survive, the fear.
It all seemed so clear that I unknowingly froze for a moment.
The split second created a gap, and the tip of the warrior’s sword touched my cheek.
That’s why blood started to flow.
‘Shit…’
I curse inwardly, recalling the lingering sensations still in my hand.
Right now, there’s no reason to be afraid of killing people.
If I were to feel like this, it should’ve been different ever since I regressed.
‘… This is absurd.’
It’s simply absurd.
Returning to this damn time. Coming back here to fight this wretched war again.
And those guys’ eyes that remind me of that whole process.
‘I need to escape quickly.’
Perhaps that’s why I feel increasingly impatient.
I just wanted to get out of this hell as soon as possible.
Thud.
As my weary mind continued to grow, I sensed someone approaching from behind.
“Newbie.”
“…!”
A drowsy, hazy voice, laced with something chilling.
There’s only one person with this voice.
“… Yes, my lord.”
I confirmed the approaching Demon Sword Master and slightly bowed.
The Demon Sword Master halted a few steps away from me, gazing at me while speaking in her trademark manner.
“… What are you doing…?”
“… ”
“… You’ll die like that.”
“I’m sorry.”
The sudden admonition puzzled those around her, but I knew what she meant.
Among the corpses scattered around, one piece of meat was particularly finely chopped. That was the warrior who had scratched my cheek.
The moment the tip of his sword brushed past my face, the Demon Sword Master unleashed her sword energy from behind me.
In an instant, the sword energy surged forth and struck the guy’s body, resulting in his immediate death from numerous strikes delivered in a fleeting moment.
I should have felt something bitter as I looked at the mangled piece of meat.
The more I witnessed scenes like this, the clearer it became what this world was all about.
If it were Namgung Bi-ah, she wouldn’t resort to such brutal methods.
Even if she had, she would have only taken him down with one blow.
‘… Ha.’
That thought slipped out of my mouth without me realizing it.
In the past, I compared Namgung Bi-ah to the Demon Sword Master, yet now I find myself looking for traces of Namgung Bi-ah in the Demon Sword Master.
What a filthy feeling. How selfish.
‘Did I want to pretend that the past never happened?’
I told Dang Je-moon that I would remember and carry my regrets.
Deep down, I might want to forget.
Maybe that’s why they are showing me this world.
It’s like they’re telling me to remember and not forget my regrets.
‘Then, that’s just terrifying.’
This cursed world felt particularly frightening all of a sudden.
“… ”
The Demon Sword Master, who had been looking at me, wore a strange expression.
Clank—
She retrieved her sword and turned away.
“… Be careful.”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Having muttered a brief phrase, she leisurely disappeared.
After the Demon Sword Master had vanished, the remaining demons finally released the sounds they had been holding in.
It was a somewhat murmured din.
Among them, one approached me and asked.
“Hey, newcomer.”
It’s still a title I can’t quite get used to.
“Yes.”
“… Do you, by any chance, have a friendly relationship with the Deputy Lord?”
“… Yes?”
What the heck does that mean?
“What do you mean by that?”
As I frowned slightly and asked, the demon continued, trying to clarify.
“Well, I’ve never seen anyone treated so casually by the Deputy Lord.”
The demon didn’t add, “Except for the Great Lord.”
“Casual?”
I have no idea which part makes them think that.
“There isn’t anything like that.”
I simply chuckled in response.
A friendly rapport with the Demon Sword Master.
There’s no way that could exist.
At least not here with her…
‘Because we don’t even know each other.’
That was enough for me.
The Black Flame Corps, based near Sichuan.
If the Celestial War had begun in earnest, then after having succeeded in capturing Sichuan, what they did was not particularly remarkable.
At best, they could deal with the remnants of the alliance lurking in Sichuan like today, or patrol the area to assess the issues.
If anything had changed, it was that the vigilance had somewhat heightened since I heard about the Heavenly Lord.
‘Just the fact that the Black Flame Corps is patrolling in person makes it obvious.’
Each one of them was a warrior on par with a lieutenant general in the Meng Alliance.
Even within the Black Flame Corps, seven or so individuals below the Great Lord surpassed the level of elders or heads of households by other sects.
The presence of such individuals roaming around indicated the significant impact of the Heavenly Lord’s interference.
I watched the Demon Sword Master walking toward Daejeon from a distance.
‘The Heavenly Lord faces the Demon Sword Master.’
This recalled memories of that time.
When the Heavenly Lord drew attention from the outside world, it was none other than the Demon Sword Master who directly confronted him.
Facing Namgung’s sword with Namgung’s sword.
Moreover, it was the Demon Sword Master’s intent to eradicate the remaining bloodline of the Namgung family.
The problem was.
‘Ultimately, that did not succeed.’
It was never easy to claim victory against the Heavenly Lord.
No matter how skilled the Demon Sword Master, who had inherited the title of Sword Master, might be, the Heavenly Lord was an ancient demon reigning over the Central Plains for decades.
There was no chance the Demon Sword Master could easily overcome such an opponent.
She understood this reality, which is why she ventured forth in full strength to face the Heavenly Lord.
That’s when the problem arose.
‘The Traitor attacked the main camp.’
While the Heavenly Lord diverted attention away, the Fallen Lord raided the main camp, and I found myself in a confrontation.
That was the problem.
Yes.
‘… She came to me.’
While I was entangled in a brawl with the Fallen Lord, most of the demons were slain, and I was on the brink of being killed by him, but the Demon Sword Master appeared and yanked me away from him.
In the process, they lost the most powerful entity, the Demon Sword Master, resulting in the annihilation of those opposing the Heavenly Lord.
Muk-kwon barely survived but lost one of his arms.
Fortunately, the wounded Heavenly Lord retreated, and the defeated Lord also ended up injured, fleeing from the intervening Cheonra Blackwatch, ultimately facing the Great Lord Pilduma.
At this moment, Peng Woo-jin appeared and rescued the Fallen Lord.
This chaos ensued after the Demon Sword Master left the battlefield to save me.
Moreover, it led to the Demon Sword Master’s demise.
Bearing the injuries inflicted by the Heavenly Lord, the Demon Sword Master stood against the Fallen Lord.
Although she managed to escape his clutches and didn’t lose Sichuan, the wounds sustained from the Heavenly Lord and the Fallen Lord would eventually lead to her death in a subsequent ambush.
‘No.’
I need to express this correctly.
The Demon Sword Master could have run away whenever she wanted.
She could have lived as long as she wished.
But she,
‘In the end, died for me.’
She came back for me. She died for me.
Isn’t this just the most awful thing ever?
Did she know that every moment, I was wishing for my own death?
At first, I wished for my father to die.
After that, I wished for the Fallen Lord to kill me.
What I’m implying is that during the raid, all I wanted was for myself to die.
I pondered this as I gazed at the back of the Demon Sword Master.
‘… Will you make this choice again this time?’
I knew it.
Since the world hasn’t changed, there’s a high chance the Demon Sword Master will make the same choice, and if I intervene, perhaps it could still alter that choice.
Yet even though I knew that, I found myself in a situation where I could only watch helplessly.
“… ”
If there was any disruption to the current situation…
‘… The divine sword… will die.’
I squeezed my eyes shut, grappling with the thought.
The new sword will perish.
Indeed, this was the scenario.
A scenario where I had no option but to act desperately.
Crack.
I gritted my teeth.
Staring at the back of the Demon Sword Master, I clenched my fists.
This is why I describe this life as hell.
Regardless of the choices one makes, someone is bound to die.
Even if it’s just a fantasy, making a selection felt so incredibly difficult.
Even if the death of the Demon Sword Master serves as a crucial element behind my regrets.
If I choose to save her, then the divine sword might die.
So, does that mean there wouldn’t be any regrets from that action?
‘But what if I simply let the Demon Sword Master die?’
If I choose the same path as my former life, would that be acceptable?
‘Hah…’
As I arrived at this point, the words Dang Je-mun had previously spoken resurfaced in my thoughts.
He said that it doesn’t matter which option you choose. That nothing will change, perhaps?
“… ”
Reflecting upon it now, it’s profoundly meaningful. Was that something he said because he foresaw this kind of situation arising?
If that’s the case, then this is truly a grotesque notion.
‘It doesn’t matter what you choose?’
What a ridiculous idea.
‘How can it not matter?’
It could not be so.
No matter how much I tell myself this situation is a mere illusion, thinking that way lightly seemed utterly impossible.
I…
Could never accept that.
“… ”
And so, my thoughts began to multiply, overwhelming me rather than providing clarity.
I found myself in a situation where I could hardly choose.
Of course.
Fortunately, there was at least one alternative available.
It may be the simplest option, or perhaps the most complicated one.
If I aimed to accomplish something… I was ready to make that choice.
Chirp—
As soon as I arrived at headquarters, I began to walk around, covered in blood.
Now, the stench of blood surrounding me was nothing that bothered me in the slightest.
Since I had lived a life like this before, readjusting was an easy task.
With that thought in mind, I traversed through the corridor and reached Daejeon, yet for some reason, the stench of blood seemed stronger than usual.
‘Hmm?’
I wondered if I was the only one sensing the difference; I could feel a faint flow of energy radiating from the Demon Sword Master walking ahead.
It felt as if something was bothering her.
Thud.
As the enormous door swung open, we entered Daejeon.
Inside, there were already others present.
As I scanned the room, it became clear that compared to the Black Flame Corps, the scent of blood was particularly pungent, and the murderous aura practically oozed from their bodies.
Each wore a sword at their waist, and I could recognize who they were by their attire.
“Hee hee.”
I raised my head upon hearing laughter.
Someone was seated in the place the Black Flame Lord should occupy.
He was a man with untamed hair cascading down and a twisted grin playing upon his lips.
An eerie madness coupled with his murderous aura sent chills down my spine.
‘… That guy.’
I grimaced as I recognized him.
The hall was filled with the demons of the Ghost Sword Corps.
What this implied was that the man sitting at the head was the master of these demons.
‘Sword Demon.’
That is, the infamous Cheon Sal-seong.
The man, seemingly relaxing in his seat, turned his gaze to the Demon Sword Master and grinned.
“It’s been a while, Demon Sword Master.”
“… ”
Swish.
In response to his words, the Demon Sword Master immediately drew her sword.
Then, she quietly whispered toward him.
“… Step down…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Get down… from there. That’s… not your seat.”
A surge of energy flowed from the words and presence of the Demon Sword Master. The disparity in level felt as if my very core was compressing.
Despite sensing that overwhelming aura from her, the Sword Demon merely chuckled in response.
“Well, it’s not like the Lord is here. I’m just having a seat, is that too much?”
“… ”
Just as the Demon Sword Master was about to escalate her energy in response to his words,
Squeak.
The Sword Demon casually shrugged and started to rise from his seat.
‘That fool again.’
The Sword Demon I saw after so long remained true to his notorious image of being a lunatic.
If Muk-kwon was the least demon-like among those I knew, then the Sword Demon was, on the contrary, the most demon-like.
Thud.
The Sword Demon descended the stairs, approaching the Demon Sword Master.
“I heard the Great Lord is absent. Do you have any idea where he is?”
“… ”
There was no answer to his question. The Demon Sword Master merely continued to watch him silently.
Maybe that was the problem. The Sword Demon clicked his tongue and continued.
“Well, I still don’t like that angry look in your eyes, but if it weren’t for that, you’d be quite beautiful.”
A surge of energy rose from the Black Flame Corps behind him.
Consequently, the aura of animosity began to thicken among the demons of the Ghost Sword Corps as well.
In that gap, I was left with an utterly baffled expression.
‘These insane idiots?’
They suddenly lumped together and seemed ready to start a fight amongst themselves.
Since I usually wandered outside the headquarters, I hadn’t even realized this situation had unfolded.
As I observed the relationships that appeared much more strained than I expected, I was wondering how to handle it.
“Hmm?”
“…!”
Suddenly, my gaze met that of the Sword Demon, who was engaging in a tense standoff with the Demon Sword Master.
His eyes filled with murderous intent turned toward me.
Instantly, curiosity mixed with interest began to emerge in his gaze.
“I see a face I don’t recognize. Who is this kid?”
The Sword Demon took a step closer, gracing me with a sinister smile.
What should I do? In a moment of unintentional disdain, I slightly frowned.
A change also occurred in the Sword Demon’s expression.
“Oh? Seeing that expression, it seems you don’t know who I am. That must be why you’re making that face in front of me.”
Well, this is a bother.
Now I’m curious about this damn annoying fellow.
I should’ve just kept my head down and stared at the floor; this was turning into a hassle.
Swish.
The Sword Demon suddenly reached out, gripping my chin and inspecting my face.
“Seriously, if you don’t educate them properly, you end up with genuine weirdos like this. Are you new? How odd. You look different, yet there’s something strangely reminiscent about you.”
It was painfully obvious who he was implying.
The Sword Demon continued, his brows furrowing more and more.
“… Maybe that’s why I don’t like your eyes. If you keep looking at me that way…”
That was when.
“I’ll teach you a lesson by plucking out your eyes for proper education…!”
BOOM—!
In an instant, a massive surge of energy exploded, slamming the Sword Demon body into the wall.
THUD—! CRUNCH—!!
Dust billowed out, and fragments shattered by the impact tumbled toward the spot where the Sword Demon had been embedded.
It all unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Eyes wide in shock, I turned to see who had made this unexpected move.
Crackle. Crackle.
The Demon Sword Master, having just struck the Sword Demon, stood boldly with her overwhelming energy radiating outward, seemingly unbothered to conceal it.
Her aura was infused with murderous intent, projecting an imposing presence.
The intensity of the Demon Sword Master’s existence caused the nearby space to contort slightly.
The demons of the Ghost Sword Corps were caught so off-guard by the abruptness that they couldn’t even draw their swords.
In that moment, the Demon Sword Master gradually amplified her aura and spoke.
“… Do not touch me with those… filthy… hands….”
Vivid anger seeped into her voice as she addressed the Sword Demon.
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