Chapter: 523
A sword blade that sparkles beautifully, starting with a jewel.
The translucent blade, which seems to condense a strong energy, exudes a subtle atmosphere.
And that’s not all.
‘This…!’
Not only did the surroundings feel warmer, but I could also sense a surge in the fire energy I possessed.
‘Isn’t that amazing?’
It’s astonishing.
Not only does it invigorate the body, but it also enhances one’s energy.
‘It feels similar to the time I unleashed my blood energy before.’
Now, having shed my mortal shell and merged with my blood energy, the sensation feels reminiscent of when I was merely human.
Recalling that, I looked at the Brainiac again.
‘It truly is a remarkable item.’
I had thought it merely amplified the brain’s power, never expecting it to bolster both body and spirit.
“How… do that…?”
A surprised voice rang out.
It was none other than the voice of the ghost.
It seems seeing the Brain activated in my hand had opened his eyes wide in wonder.
‘Can a ghost utilize this too?’
A question flitted through my mind.
After abandoning the martial arts of the Namgung family and becoming a shaman, could Goeseon actually wield Brainiac?
If he can, there’s no greater treasure than this.
‘…That would make him better than you, right?’
[What the heck?]
I heard Noya’s indignant response to my comparative remark.
But to be fair, it was true.
A gem with the characteristic of never breaking.
And if we compare that to Brainiac, which possesses such qualities…
‘In terms of combat, this side is overwhelmingly superior.’
Ultimately, I won’t be able to use the sword, which means I can’t experience Brainiac either.
Nonetheless, Brainiac truly is an extraordinary item.
‘The problem is I’m consuming energy like crazy.’
It seems that since the sword itself is built from energy, the consumption rate is immense.
In my case, given my natural abundance of energy, I could manage a few hours with it.
‘But others won’t last long.’
Especially since it’s used as a weapon… Outside of its peak, it won’t be usable.
If I tried to grasp it too hastily, I could end up endangering my innate abilities.
While I inspected it with curiosity, I heard another voice.
[Inoooom…!!]
Namgung Myung’s roar echoed in my ears.
[How on earth… can you draw forth a sword?]
‘…Even if you’re mad at me for it, I’m just as bewildered.’
I had merely put in an energy offering, and it responded well enough that I decided to provide more.
Then, out of the blue, it activated! What am I even supposed to do about that?
‘I honestly had no idea I could wield it.’
Being unrelated to Brain energy, I never imagined I’d actually be able to use it.
Whoooosh…
I gave it a quick swing.
‘…Wow.’
Instantly, I couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
It felt completely different.
So light that it couldn’t even be compared to an ordinary iron sword, and the sensation of the blade slicing through the air was entirely different.
Is this truly a famed sword?
This might be why sword enthusiasts become utterly obsessed with good swords.
‘No, but where on earth can you find a sword made from such energy?’
As I continued swinging a few more times to feel it out…
[Ugh! Let go right now! You fool!]
Namgung Myung couldn’t hide his frustration, constantly shouting at me, but naturally, I only heard it out of one ear as it slipped past the other.
‘Just bear with it a little longer. It’s not like it will wear out from a bit of use.’
[…You…? This is something that can only be wielded by those of Namgung…!]
Well, I get that.
‘But it seems I can still use it, yes?’
What, then, is the Brain I hold in my hands now?
I don’t possess Namgung blood, after all.
Even the sensations resonating through the sword weren’t of brain energy.
This was undoubtedly pure fire energy.
The blade filled with my energy was clearly distanced from brain energy.
How is it that I’m able to wield this?
It’s a question I should have considered from the very beginning when I could so casually pick it up.
However, now is not the time for analysis.
“Are… we… done…?”
“… Oh, yeah. It seems like it’s mostly done.”
Namgung Bi-ah asked me, her expression as calm as always despite the extraordinary nature of Brainiac.
She genuinely seemed indifferent to whether I was using it or not.
‘…Is she really not surprised?’
Out of nowhere, a sword like this popped out from a stick.
Right now, Goeseon looks like his eyes might pop out from shock.
‘Well, that’s just who she is.’
Woohoo-!
With every slight swing of the sword, it emitted a loud sound.
I felt the massive vibrations radiate from it.
Even at first glance, it radiated overwhelming stature.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t use the level of swordsmanship employed by the Demon Sword Master.
But still, even this feels sufficiently powerful.
‘Should I refrain from using it?’
At that moment, I wondered whether it was better to set Brainiac aside and draw my ghost sword instead.
Yet, such an ethically conscious thought flickered past.
“…”
Swish.
I quickly dispelled those thoughts, pointing the sword directly at Namgung Bi-ah.
It was no time to be distracted by such things.
The tip of the sword filled with fire energy.
Namgung Bi-ah gave it a glance before quickly turning back and addressing me.
“I’m going now.”
Just as I was about to respond…
Swoosh-!
“…!”
Namgung Bi-ah launched herself without waiting for my answer.
She was fast.
So fast that the afterimage blurred in my vision.
In an instant, she burrowed into my embrace.
Low stance, angle of the hand gripping the sword.
‘She’s aiming to thrust it upwards!’
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, the sword was thrusting high.
There wasn’t enough time to back away.
I swiftly spun and dodged to the side.
In that fraction of a second while I was evading, the trajectory of her sword shifted as it came back toward me.
‘Ha.’
Look at that!
It’s hard to believe she could suddenly alter its angle like that.
What this means is…
‘Did she predict I would dodge like this from the start?’
That’s a realistic assessment, isn’t it?
I raised my sword to intercept Namgung Bi-ah’s offensive.
In the instant the Brainiac blade met the sword…
Clang-!
“…!”
A brilliant sound erupted as Namgung Bi-ah’s sword ricocheted away.
It wasn’t due to anything I had done.
The sword itself exploded with a force of repulsion, bouncing the attack back.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at that sight.
‘This thing is insane.’
The blade possesses a natural repulsive quality?
‘I definitely wagered energy just before that!’
Just prior to deflecting her sword, I sensed a drain of energy from my body.
It indicates that Brainiac commandeered the energy from my body independently to take a defensive stance.
‘…They say it’s one of the five great swords.’
The more I observe it, the more I feel regret that it’s not actually a sword proper. If such a sword existed, I would’ve stolen it without a second thought.
As the backlash vibrated through my arm, Namgung Bi-ah’s movements were momentarily interrupted.
I didn’t squander that moment.
I stepped forward just half a step.
Once I closed the distance a little more—
I swung my arm.
Swish! Brainiac soared toward Namgung Bi-ah’s chest with a deadly aim.
It was a simple thrust lacking any special embellishment.
Just a motion, swift and aligned with the essence of technique.
Namgung Bi-ah’s gaze locked onto the tip of my sword.
Then…
Whew—!
“…Hah.”
A massive wave of energy burst forth from Namgung Bi-ah’s body.
It was the Namgung family’s secret technique, the Emperor’s Sword Form.
The pressure pressed down on me.
Could Namgung Bi-ah truly harness this much power?
‘It’s so vastly different from when I first encountered her.’
When I rebooted and first met Namgung Bi-ah, she’d showed her identity as the daughter of the Namgung clan through the Emperor’s Form.
Comparing that time, the Emperor’s Form she now exhibited was substantially weightier.
As her name implied, it emanated an overwhelming presence that probably caused even those at a similar or slightly elevated level to back down.
But…
Her Emperor’s Form was still a work in progress.
Boom—!
As I radiated energy back at her, Namgung Bi-ah’s Emperor’s Form rapidly began to recede.
The aura shattered away as if it were breaking.
I watched as her lovely brows furrowed at that.
‘It’s still far from perfect.’
The Emperor’s Form demonstrated by the Demon Sword Master in my previous life was something that pressed down on the very surroundings.
Compared to that, the current Namgung Bi-ah still falls short.
The existence and might packed into the unyielding Emperor’s Form can easily crumble when faced against an even greater presence.
It was an evasion method I grasped through tussling with the Demon Sword Master back in my previous life.
Foolishly, I gambled away my energy to elevate my presence.
A clumsy method to dismantle an opponent.
It was a method that only someone like me, with an excess of energy, could pull off.
The thrust came unhesitatingly toward Namgung Bi-ah.
Regrettably—
‘There was just a brief gap.’
Amid the breakdown of the Emperor’s Form, that gap presented itself.
Namgung Bi-ah seized upon it without hesitation.
Ki-ki-ki-ki!
Utilizing that chance, she twisted her body and released a defensive strike with her sword.
Geuggeuggeuggeuggeuk—! Brainiac detonated in resistance as if it had been lying in wait.
Namgung Bi-ah managed to withstand that and successfully redirected my strike.
‘Hmm.’
The tip of her released sword barely grazed the air.
I concluded that my earlier action wasn’t misguided.
I repositioned quickly, swirling my foot.
Boom—!
“Ugh…!”
Namgung Bi-ah was kicked in the chest, sending her staggering back.
“Cough….”
After flying back a few steps, Namgung Bi-ah knelt, gasping for breath.
I faced her, speaking calmly.
“Is this it?”
“…”
It was still insufficient.
The assessment wasn’t bad, but that was all there was to it.
That made perfect sense.
“There were countless chances for me to end this, you know?”
“…Yeah…”
When I first swung my sword…
At the moment when the backlash sent Namgung Bi-ah’s sword flying away…
Had I not been holding my sword then, that would have been the end.
While Brainiac certainly performs well, the fact remains that wielding a sword is more of a hindrance than anything for me.
My form, of course, and my body have been intentionally tailored away from swordsmanship.
There’s little need for grievance, as I trained with that goal in mind.
“…If you’re only going to show me this, then I can’t let you go.”
“…”
Namgung Bi-ah began to rise slowly.
Despite the powerful kick, her energy was surely disarrayed, making it hard for her to breathe.
Yet she managed to regain her composure and steady her expression.
Swish.
She pointed the sword back at me.
“Again… please.”
“…”
The blade remained steady.
So did her gaze.
Namgung Bi-ah surely knew this.
She had to understand that, given our previous exchange, it was impossible for her to land a hit on me.
But it seemed she still meant to press forward.
“Why? Why on earth do you feel the need to do this?”
“…”
“Don’t you want to leave…?”
As I continued to speak, I found myself musing on pathetic phrases I hadn’t intended to utter.
The words refused to cease.
“You said you wouldn’t leave.”
She will never leave me.
It was indeed Namgung Bi-ah who asserted that.
“…You did say that.”
I recognize this is obsession.
I understand possessiveness all too well.
Yet I didn’t want to give her up.
It felt dangerous.
I tended to be wary about binding myself, resisting the deepening influence of each person.
I’d been bracing myself for the day when the bloody disaster would arrive.
No matter what happened, I hoped I could throw myself willingly into the fray.
So that even the slightest desire to live would vanish.
That was my wish.
But looking now, it seems it was already too late.
Upon hearing my words, Namgung Bi-ah tightly sported her posture and gazed at me.
“I won’t go. Not ever.”
“Well then, even now…”
“To be here, I need to leave.”
What a contradictory statement.
I bit my lip and grasped Brainiac firmly.
“…Okay, if that’s what you insist on. But no matter how much I mull over it, I don’t wish to let you go.”
“…”
“The promise stands. Prove yourself to me, and I’ll let you go.”
Could it be the result of having shed my previous self?
I felt an intense anxiety surrounding the potential loss of what I held within my grasp.
I wanted to safeguard that with all my being.
Such feelings began to wind around my body.
Thud-!
Namgung Bi-ah launched herself at me once more. It was the same route as before.
Watching her, I scowled.
‘What is she trying to accomplish?’
If it’s the same as before, it’s meaningless. That thought crossed my mind just then.
Whoosh—!
A sound rang out from Namgung Bi-ah’s blade. It was a testament to the sword’s spirit.
An exquisitely sharp and clear sound. This indicated that Namgung Bi-ah’s current skill level was remarkably high.
As the sword hummed, Namgung Bi-ah’s sword began to tremble slightly.
The path of the sword unfolded.
It was a style from the Namgung family. A slight sense of disappointment washed over me as I recognized the familiar sword work.
Just then.
[…Huh…]
I could hear Namgung Myung gasp in astonishment.
The very gentleman who had been demanding that I release Brainiac now seemed completely astonished.
[…What in the world… How can this girl…?]
The sword’s trajectory sliced through the air smoothly.
I observed Namgung Myung’s sudden reaction with a sense of wonder.
‘This…?’
I too began to understand as I witnessed the sword path unfolding gradually.
This is it.
‘It’s just like the Demon Sword Master’s sword.’
It resembled the sword dance she performed under the moonlight.
The essence I had reached had surpassed all issues tied to the Namgung clan.
It felt slightly clumsy, lacking in finesse compared to that of the Demon Sword Master, yet it was undoubtedly a reflection of that time’s sword.
‘When did this happen?’
Absorbing the astonishing sight of the sword’s momentum, I swallowed it down.
When did she manage to achieve something like this?
‘Could it be she learned from the Sword King?’
The condition I had stipulated regarding the Sword King was to reveal to Namgung Bi-ah upon realizing something significant.
I wondered if that was a flash of insight, but…
‘No…’
There simply hadn’t been enough time.
The brief moments I interacted with the Sword King only spanned a few days in Hanam.
That was woefully insufficient for learning something of this magnitude.
That indicates, eventually, it must be concluded that Namgung Bi-ah recognized this entirely by herself.
‘That’s remarkable.’
How hard must she have trained to attain such mastery of the sword?
She likely put forth an extraordinary effort.
No one would have confirmed her correctness; she would have been enveloped by confusion while honing this craft.
Is this path the right one?
I’m sure she’s wandered endlessly with those thoughts.
If she truly found her way to this point…
‘Did I simply not notice you?’
It meant I hadn’t paid heed to Namgung Bi-ah’s efforts all this time.
Recognizing the soul behind Namgung Bi-ah’s martial arts, I grasped the intentions woven into them.
“…”
I felt it.
It’s as real as any martial art; there aren’t any lies here.
I can feel her intent and purity as she gazes at me.
Boom-!
“Ugh…!”
I swung my sword, but Namgung Bi-ah sidestepped and swept my feet, unbalancing my stance.
In the next moment, I aimed to whirl Brainiac.
Swoosh—! The electricity of her Brain energy, shaped, surged towards me.
Even with my posture disrupted, I would not forsake the impulse to strike.
Quickly, I withdrew and swung my hand.
Whoosh—!
Flames erupted, swallowing Brain energy whole.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The Brain energy displayed was indeed less potent than one might think.
Its magnitude only appeared to magnify in size, but was it merely an illusion?
I released my energy senses. Something was caught.
Immediately, I swung my sword left.
Clang—!
As expected, Namgung Bi-ah darted from the left, converging for a surprise attack.
Gradually, her onslaught sharpened.
Do we grow stronger through combat?
No.
In truth, her power was being revealed smoothly.
It was probably a desire to show me.
To reflect her effort.
So please gaze upon me.
In that pure intent, I felt my heart tighten.
Am I ashamed?
Am I humiliated by drawing on my possessiveness in such a manner?
Perhaps, that’s the case.
Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
Brain energy entwined the sword, enhancing its speed.
Whoosh—!
“…!”
Namgung Bi-ah activated the Emperor’s Sword Form while executing her strikes.
Using the pressure to immobilize my joints, she pummeled me with her energy-laden swordplay.
Yet, the tactics blended with deception.
To seem so developed at such a young age carried an immensely advanced form—certainly much too skilled for someone just crossing the limit of their childhood.
The embodiment of Namgung’s twisted creations.
The ominous name of the Demon Sword Master was imprinted there.
“…You worked hard.”
The words burst from my lips without forethought.
Upon hearing this, Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes widened in astonishment.
It seemed she truly did not expect to hear such words.
“…Really?”
Namgung Bi-ah responded, her face breaking into a smile.
That expression was undoubtedly the most beautiful smile I had witnessed from her across my existence.
Was she so intent on perfecting this sword?
I could feel her heart’s essence.
It wasn’t just about that either.
As we exchanged blows and blended our energies, our hearts resonated and began a conversation of their own.
Martial arts harbor no falsehood.
In times when earnestness undermines our sense of ease, it proves to be overwhelmingly daunting.
I could feel it distinctly.
In all her actions, I fully sensed my presence intermingled with hers.
‘Why?’
It seems obvious that I harbor affection for her.
After all, she had sacrificed herself for me and continues to stand by my side now.
Though we may not exchange every small piece of ourselves, it’s not strange that my thoughts about her have morphed.
Acknowledging that was challenging, but I ultimately had to accept it.
Within my heart, there was clearly a space meant for her.
However…
‘Why do you…?’
What was it that she felt toward me?
The swords clashed.
Sparks erupted.
In that brief dazzling moment clouded by embers, she spoke.
“I also…”
What could that response possibly mean?
Both as I perceived intention through her martial arts, did she also grasp something herself?
Whatever it may have been, I didn’t wish to hear it.
Brain energy continued to accumulate.
While my presence expanded, the Emperor’s Sword Form did not retreat.
For some reason, it felt as if Namgung Bi-ah had tapped into a deeper well of strength.
She miraculously amplified her power.
Zoom—!
The ring of the Gu Flame Wheel Technique revolved swiftly within me.
As the flames grew, so too did the intensity of my presence.
The glow of Brain energy surged stronger.
I could see the Emperor’s Sword Form being pushed back.
Despite maintaining its form, an evident slow in its speed emerged due to the lack of energy.
An opening appeared.
Toward that, I swung Brainiac.
An utterly clumsy motion, nearly laughable to call swordplay, and a strike so rapid that it might feel almost shameful to deem it as such.
Still, it was sufficient to pierce through the gap.
I swung without hesitation.
Then came her words.
“I love you too.”
Namgung Bi-ah’s voice echoed through the air.
I clamped my lips shut.
How absolutely infuriating it is to unveil the sentiment I dreaded most.
Though I shamedly processed that, fortunately, Brainiac held steady.
With that, I swung.
Clang—!
Stuffed with overwhelming force, Brainiac connected with Namgung Bi-ah’s sword, bursting it into two. The sword is remarkable, but it too had its own inherent strength.
Was this it?
Just as I arrived at that precarious judgment.
Swoosh.
Namgung Bi-ah’s hand coiled around my wrist.
“What…?”
My eyes widened.
In that moment, I recognized my error.
Even when she had clearly swayed my focus throughout our exchange, she had already almost entirely released her sword.
Had she intended to abandon the sword from the start?
What was the rationale behind such behavior?
I lacked the time allowed to contemplate it.
Whap—!
Namgung Bi-ah struck toward my wrist to reap control over the Brain energy channel.
Having utilized my unrefined swordsmanship beforehand, I lost my balance entirely.
Unable to transition my stance as I was fully focused on Namgung Bi-ah’s blade.
Her fist descended quickly, aimed precisely at my wrist.
Though it wasn’t a particularly fierce strike, it briefly drained the force from my hand.
Namgung Bi-ah seized upon that lapse once again.
“…You…!”
Before I could process the extent of her actions, I blurted out in disbelief.
In that instant, she plucked Brainiac from my grasp, seizing control.
Brainiac slipped from my hand, and the energy diminished.
In a matter of seconds, it vanished, leaving only the handle in her hand.
I couldn’t grasp what had just occurred. Did Namgung Bi-ah genuinely not understand this predicament?
No matter how she may wrest the Brain away, if it cannot be wielded, it amounts to naught.
This was undoubtedly a grave mistake on her part.
The moment that realization struck me.
Fwooosh—!
“…What?”
Breathlessly, the Brain that had shifted from me exploded with light, so vivid it seemed unreal.
Krrrmmmm—!
Like thunder surging through flesh, Namgung Bi-ah became enveloped in radiance.
Through the jewel, the sword shimmered brilliantly.
It was far more lustrous than when I had wielded the Brain.
Brain energy erupted from all directions.
The pure white energy coiled around Namgung Bi-ah’s form.
Just like that.
Swish.
Brainiac’s sword halted, mere moments from cutting my throat.
“…”
A silence enveloped the room.
Within that stillness, it was Namgung Bi-ah who broke the silence.
“I’ve… won.”
“…”
With an appearance strikingly similar to that of the Demonic Swordmaster of my past life.
Namgung Bi-ah smiled.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hah…”
In hindsight, I likely realized it right here.
I would never surpass Namgung Bi-ah during my lifetime.
This had nothing to do with martial arts.
There’s no longer any way forward.
Awash in resignation, I closed my eyes.
Though my innermost feelings remained convoluted, I realized there was nothing more I could do.
“So… you have won?”
The words slipped out as if dictated.
Something silenced my mouth.
In a state of surprise, I opened my eyes to see her kissing me.
In the span of mere seconds.
My body stiffened as if petrified.
A sudden kiss.
As I remained frozen with a blank façade, Namgung Bi-ah pulled away, re-establishing the distance between us.
“…I’m not going anywhere. So… don’t you worry.”
With that comment, she beamed a bright smile.
Of course, I, utterly lost, could muster no words in reply.
…My anthropomorphic self stubbornly refused to relent.
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