Chapter 451
Clang.
A damp, musty smell mixed with the distinctive scent of iron fills the air.
There was a small window, but no light made its way in. The only illumination came from a tiny lamp stuck to the wall.
This situation felt oddly familiar.
I couldn’t help but let out a slight smile at the emptiness of what seemed like a déjà vu.
Thud—
I raised my hand and moved it slightly, feeling something clattering against it.
Handcuffs were tightly binding my wrists.
“…”
I grimaced at the sight. I wondered if a pair of handcuffs could really hold me back.
After scanning the area, I began to figure out what these handcuffs actually were.
Damn, they used something expensive for this.
Given their quality and strength, it was apparent what kind of item we were dealing with.
Eternal Iron…
These handcuffs were definitely made from Eternal Iron. A pair of handcuffs of this caliber could only be used to restrain those above the peak level of martial arts.
It seems like a muddy mixture, but…
It’s not easy to find Eternal Iron just lying around, and there’s no way they would use a whole chunk to make a single set of handcuffs.
Well, there must be more of it now than back in the day.
If this truly is the past, there should indeed be more Eternal Iron than in the world after my regression.
Originally, Eternal Iron was so rare that it was hard to obtain even for a fortune, but…
In about four or five years, a mine filled with Eternal Iron will be discovered in Zhejiang, leading to a substantial increase in its quantity.
Of course.
During that process, the landmark where it was found would mysteriously disappear after an attack.
The Murim Alliance would quietly distribute it until getting caught, and various events would unfold, but the fact remains that there is more Eternal Iron now than before.
That’s why they’re mixing it into handcuffs.
…How ridiculous.
Even if only a small amount of Eternal Iron is mixed in, it’s recognized as a prestigious weapon.
At this moment, Eternal Iron was casually mingled with handcuffs.
This was truly absurd.
If I go back, I need to visit Zhejiang.
Despite having lots on my plate, this was a significant reason why I hadn’t been overly concerned about money.
I may not know the full future, but I do remember some of the key events.
It’s only natural that I remembered the stories about Eternal Iron as well.
What I’m worried about is that, given how much the flow has changed, trying to use my time wisely might lead to new problems.
At this point, knowing the information didn’t guarantee anything.
But I can’t not go.
It’s not just any old thing—it’s Eternal Iron.
It would be quite beneficial for my future, so giving up on it would be a shame.
As I pondered while looking at the handcuffs, a wave of emptiness washed over me, and I slouched.
After all, this wasn’t the time to be mulling over such matters.
“Ugh…”
I glanced back at the wall.
Then, clink—! I felt a movement beneath me, causing my body to rise slightly.
In response to that uncomfortable sensation, I couldn’t help but mutter.
“Ah… the driving is terrible.”
It was quite a rough statement, but honestly, I couldn’t muster up anything polite.
That was just my predicament.
I was currently aboard a moving carriage.
Oh, I can’t see it, so I can’t say for certain, but given the circumstances and the sensations, it seemed obvious.
I ground my teeth in this constantly vibrating, jostling space.
Right now, I was being transported to the unit where the Murim Alliance was located.
Looking at the handcuffs binding me, I sighed repeatedly.
“Ah, this just isn’t it…”
How did I end up in such a situation?
“What the hell happened?”
There was no need to think too deeply; the answer was clear.
The reason I found myself in this mess was entirely of my own making.
Rumble—!
A harsh sound echoed from the suddenly appearing dark clouds above.
Inside the ominous blackened clouds, crackling electricity surged, seeming on the verge of striking the ground.
Is this truly a phenomenon created by man? It was awe-inspiring enough to give me goosebumps.
As I watched the warrior who conjured this phenomenon, a name came to mind.
“Thunder Empress.”
Another alias for the Demon Sword Master, and the one that I think suits her best.
Having mastered lightning manipulation, she has reached a level where she can defy nature itself.
This was the realm that those who wield the force of energy and martial skills could only aspire to attain.
A warrior who has honed the control over energy to the extreme—a level similar to the Divine Sword’s essence.
I recalled the transcendent state that the Master had once described.
He said it was a state of uniting within the framework of martial arts.
Looking at the current Demon Sword Master, I couldn’t be completely sure, but I felt she had reached or was at the brink of that level.
If not, there was no way she could manifest such a presence.
Boom—!
The range of her dark clouds gradually expanded.
It seemed she was ready to unleash her full power—an unnerving energy was emanating from her.
“What’s with her?”
I swallowed nervously as I watched.
Seriously, why is she acting this way?
I was taken aback when I heard that Sogeomseong wanted me.
But even more surprising was the reaction from the Demon Sword Master; her fury was uncanny.
“But why is she reacting like that when I’m the one being summoned?”
I wondered if she was mad because there was a new recruit being dragged away.
“That girl?”
The Demon Sword Master would never act like that.
Despite being affiliated with the Black Flame Corps, she had zero contact with other demons and couldn’t care less about anyone other than herself.
“So, what gives?”
I stared at the furious Demon Sword Master, who was blasting out lightning, feeling quite lost.
This is real.
“Does she really recognize me?”
Perhaps she had sensed my identity. But how did she figure that out?
It was baffling.
The energy was sealed, my appearance had changed completely, and the Black Flame Demon Emperor was still walking around just fine.
I may have experienced reincarnation, but it’s impossible the Demon Sword Master, who clearly hadn’t gone through anything like that, would recognize me.
“…Demon Sword Master.”
The crackling energy of the Demon Sword Master spread, and the one who appeared most startled at this sight was none other than Sogeomseong.
She realized the Demon Sword Master’s killing intent was genuine.
Crackle-crackle—!
The blade forged from crackling energy enveloped the Demon Sword Master’s sword.
She looked ready to explode as she walked towards Sogeomseong.
Frowning at this, Sogeomseong began to wrap herself in her special aura as well.
“Huh?”
My eyes widened at the sight.
Sogeomseong was raising her energy as if intent on challenging this one.
“Is a real fight about to break out?”
This is intense.
Furthermore, even though the Demon Sword Master belonged to the Demonic Cult, she didn’t employ any magic.
This meant she could resist Sogeomseong’s power.
She was the only one from the Demonic Cult capable of fighting Sogeomseong purely based on skill.
What this signified was that if a battle broke out, it was going to be a bloodbath.
Swish.
A few energies floated behind Sogeomseong, morphing into sword shapes.
She raised a sword in one hand, while her other hand readied a different blade.
Dual Swordsmanship.
In one hand was the weapon she favored.
And in the other, a sword made of pure energy.
In addition, countless sword blades fluttered behind her, showcasing her Moonlight Dance technique.
Sogeomseong, now in a battle stance, spoke to the Demon Sword Master with renewed sharpness in her gaze.
“Demon Sword Master, are you intending to fight like this?”
“With your agreement.”
The Demon Sword Master’s reply was unyielding.
“Even the Demon is standing still, so why are you stepping up?”
The Demon recognized as the true leader here, Mage, quietly observed from the back.
He seemed curious about how the situation would unfold.
That bastard, he’s not stopping them, he’s just watching.
“You scoundrel, drop dead from a heart attack.”
I cursed inwardly, glaring with fire in my eyes.
In the meantime, despite Sogeomseong’s words, it was evident that the Demon Sword Master had no intention of halting.
Certainly, if that’s what she wants, blood could be on the table at any moment.
The Demon Sword Master’s white hair absorbed the lightning, changing colors.
Her oceanic blue eyes also mirrored this transformation.
The Demon Sword Master fully transitioned into the Thunder Empress as she closed in on Sogeomseong and stated.
“That’s irrelevant.”
“…”
“Nothing to worry about.”
“What does that mean…?”
At the moment Sogeomseong was perplexed by the Demon Sword Master’s reply.
“The important thing is, you aim to take what belongs to me. I have no intent of letting it slip away.”
“…!”
Sogeomseong’s eyes widened, startled by the assertive clarity of the Demon Sword Master’s speech—usually muddied and stuttered.
The chill in her gaze settled.
“I’m giving you nothing as of now.”
“Demon Sword Master…!”
Boomboom—!
Thunder rumbled overhead.
The tension between the two combatants escalated in the bizarre turn of events.
The Heavenly Master stood with his arms crossed as though awaiting something, but I could sense emanations of alien energy swirling around him.
This indicated he was at the ready to intervene, but Mage gave no sign of stepping in.
It appeared he was merely observing, yet I suspect he was concocting a hundred different thoughts in his mind.
I was in a similar boat.
“What do I do?”
From start to finish, I was lost.
The reasons the Demon Sword Master was furious and the sudden interest from Sogeomseong… or specifically, why the Murim Alliance wanted me.
I had no inkling of how it had come to this.
At least one thing was clear.
“If this persists, it will get ugly.”
Standing idly by would lead to chaos, and I knew it all too well.
I sprang to action.
Despite the feeling that the Demon Sword Master’s rage could tear me apart, I pressed on.
I might not know her intentions, but I knew she saw me differently now.
Was this feeling due to my anxiety-laden, shallow confidence?
I crashed through her aura and seized her wrist.
“…!”
The Demon Sword Master shot a furious glance at me after the abrupt contact.
But once she recognized who it was,
The burning aura dissipated…
The churning clouds in the sky dispersed, and the energies around us quieted down.
What remained was just the Demon Sword Master’s gaze locking onto my wrist.
Zing—.
A sharp pain shot through my wrist, prompting me to check for injuries. I noticed a burn there; perhaps a result of the lightning’s fury.
Upon seeing this, the Demon Sword Master’s eyes wavered.
I reflected on that moment.
The Demon Sword Master was treating me as someone special.
The reason she hadn’t drawn her sword or aimed for my neck was clear.
The proof was in how she hadn’t flung my hand away either.
Having pondered this, I addressed the Demon Sword Master.
“I’m fine.”
“…”
“I’m alright. So just relax.”
As I spoke, I watched intently for her reaction.
The agitated energy coursing through her seemed to gradually abate.
The Demon Sword Master regained her usual self.
Confirming this, I turned my attention toward Sogeomseong.
“So you wanted me?”
It seemed she hadn’t anticipated my sudden inquiry, as Sogeomseong flinched a bit.
Seeing her reaction, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Wasn’t it obvious? The Heavenly Demon had warned against underestimating the four heavens.
This was significant enough that they were gathering power against me.
It implied that even if the Heavenly Master and Sogeomseong were to intervene, they desired me.
Why was that?
“I have no clue.”
What’s crucial here is that regardless of the situation, I was the issue.
Additionally, there was someone out there who wanted me.
A figure who could mobilize Sogeomseong and the Heavenly Master for such matters.
It’s clear someone is pulling the strings from the shadows.
If they pinpointed me as the target, it suggested they had some insight into my situation.
Which indicates that…
“Whatever it is, I guess I should meet them.”
This might be someone knowledgeable about things we don’t comprehend.
Even though the situation looked precarious, I couldn’t allow Sogeomseong and the Demon Sword Master to clash, nor could I risk inciting war.
In the end, I was left with one option.
“Let’s go.”
For now, I should just check it out.
In my view, this was the best course of action.
So here I am.
Handcuffed and trapped in a dark carriage illuminated by a single dim light.
All I can feel is the rattling vibration of the carriage.
“Where are we headed?”
Are we going to Hanam, where the Murim Alliance’s headquarters is?
No way, that’s too far.
Even by carriage, it would take at least a month, so that can’t be right.
“…Did I make the right choice?”
I twisted my body and thought.
It was an impulsive decision, but if you ask whether it was a good one, then no.
It was just the optimal choice I had at that moment.
Just then, when I claimed I would walk on my own, the Demon Sword Master attempted to stop me.
Yet it was Mage, who had stayed silent, who intervened.
I understood his thought process.
Considering the degree of curiosity he had towards me and that the Murim Alliance desired me, he likely wanted to avoid an unnecessary fight that might threaten Sogeomseong.
“…I wouldn’t have acted that way.”
It was strange, but right now I questioned his choice.
If it were me, I would have fought to protect myself—someone the Murim Alliance wanted.
There had to be a reason they wanted me badly enough to go to war.
I should have felt unusual about how Mage simply allowed things to unfold.
Is this feeling because of my thoughts being altered from my regression?
“I can’t be certain.”
Now, I could only guess.
What I’m certain about is that this world is different from what I previously knew.
That’s the most concerning part.
“Subtly different.”
Clearly, something was different.
Both the issues regarding the brain and the additional unidentifiable energy lingered.
“Ugh.”
If I just let it pass, would it get worse?
In reality, when something eventually blows up, it’s not easily overcome.
“Life is truly unpredictable.”
Honestly, I’m starting to think luck has nothing to do with my existence.
“What on earth am I supposed to do?”
Wasn’t it said that regret is the name of the game?
I was expected to make decisions but would it matter which choice I made?
So far, I hadn’t encountered a moment where I made significant choices.
What on earth do they want from me? What’s their intention behind thrusting me into this chaos?
The more I pondered, the more frustration bubbled within me.
“Ha…”
I’ve been sighing endlessly.
Suddenly, clunk—! bang—!
The carriage jolted violently before gradually slowing down.
Almost immediately after,
Creek.
The door swung open, letting in a faint beam of light.
Squinting, I looked in that direction, greeted first by vivid golden hair.
“…Step out.”
It was Sogeomseong who opened the door.
Feigning indifference, I managed to utter a casual remark.
“Have we arrived already?”
It felt like only a day or two had passed at best.
If it was that close, we shouldn’t have covered much distance yet.
Yet we were already here?
I shook off my daze and stepped out into the night.
I could sense gazes all around me.
All the members from the alliance were watching me intently.
Their eyes clearly expressed disdain and hatred towards me.
I casually brushed off those looks and scanned my surroundings.
“The Heavenly Master is nowhere to be found.”
I wasn’t sure if he was keeping watch or hiding somewhere.
At my level, I couldn’t even spot him.
“Follow me…”
With those words, Sogeomseong took the lead.
As I looked in the direction she was headed, it appeared to be a dark forest.
“…”
I silently followed her without a word.
There didn’t seem to be any other warriors trailing behind. Were we only two?
While walking, I suddenly called out to Sogeomseong.
“Hey.”
She halted and glanced back at me.
“Could you remove these?”
I was referring to the cuffs binding my hands.
Upon hearing this, Sogeomseong stared at me as if I were spouting nonsense.
“I’m blocked off anyway. If you could just let me loose…?”
“Not possible.”
“Tsk.”
Her firm response kept me from pressing further. Honestly, I’d have denied my own freedom as well.
“Then why don’t you tell me who’s looking for me?”
“…”
This time, she responded with total silence.
As I regarded her with a strange emotion in the silence, I noticed an inexplicable hesitation sparkling in her eyes.
Just then, she posed a question.
“What’s your name?”
I paused for a moment, taken aback by her bluntness.
I hadn’t expected her to suddenly ask for my name.
Trying to appear unfazed, I deflected.
“So you want me specifically, and yet you don’t even know my name?”
“What I sensed was… just the energy contained within you.”
Only then did I understand why she had pointed me out.
“So the resonance was the issue?”
It appeared my energy resonated with that of the Divine Sword.
So that’s why I was marked.
This implied she had known about my existence from the start.
“What the heck?”
How did she find out?
My confusion deepened.
“… “
As Sogeomseong prepared to question me again, suddenly—
Whoosh…!!
“…!”
I felt a chilling energy creeping up from behind.
With my spine tingling, I quickly shifted my gaze.
There,
Chaotic crack—!
A rift began to open abruptly in the air.
Sogeomseong, however, displayed no surprise—seemingly informed about what was to happen.
The rift’s nature was unmistakably a magic gate.
Frowning at the unexpected gateway’s emergence, I saw a figure stepping out from beyond the dimension.
Soft-arriving steps.
The figure that emerged gracefully from the dimensional riff was a woman clad in a veil.
As I stared, contemplating what this could mean, she neared and bowed her head at me.
“I meet the beings of another realm.”
Immediately, an unfamiliar title reached my ears.
With a frown at this bewildering situation,
The woman raised her head and spoke to me.
“I am a dancer.”
Dancer.
That was how she introduced herself.
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