Chapter: 530
What did this crazy old man just say?
‘You want me to touch you?’
I felt so disgusted that I had to dig into my ears immediately.
I wanted to think I misheard it.
However, it seemed like I wasn’t the only one who heard it; Goeseon’s expression was a complete mess.
You can tell just from looking at their faces.
That guy was thinking exactly what I was thinking.
And, as expected…
“Inspiration… Are you crazy?”
He just blurted out what I wanted to say. It felt a bit refreshing.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I understood this situation at all.
‘You want me to touch you? Are you really out of your mind?’
I heard that it was the regret Namgung Myung left behind. He’s said to be trapped in a state of obsession over it.
I couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone completely mad after hundreds of years.
…Myung-ah… Myung-iya…
Amidst all this, Shin Noya’s pitiful voice was getting on my nerves.
‘…Noya, your friend isn’t dead yet. He’s right there… No, he is dead. He’s over there.’
He speaks as if he’s missing him, so I let him know he’s right in front of me.
“Hehehe, what are you talking about, kid? Where on earth is Myung-i?”
‘It’s over there…’
“Did you mistake that pervert for Myung-i? Hahaha. That can’t be!”
‘…’
I see.
Shin Noya was now turning his back on reality.
Though he claims it’s not Namgung Myung, it’s the embodiment of his foolishness, so in a way, it is Namgung Myung.
It seems Shin Noya is starting to believe that this isn’t the case.
‘…hmm.’
Honestly, I didn’t want to believe it either, but what can I do since I’ve already heard it?
…please…
Namgung Myung continues to speak to me in a pitiful tone.
What on earth is going on?
‘Fuck… What should I call this?’
I have no idea how to describe this boiling emotion.
One thing is for sure: it’s definitely not a good feeling.
Who would’ve thought I’d end up in such a situation with a dead person?
Barely managing to suppress the goosebumps creeping up my spine, I asked Namgung Myung,
“…Why are you doing this? By any chance…?”
Have you lost your mind? I stifled the words on the tip of my tongue and blurted out something else.
“Are you hurt…?”
Do the thoughts held within the treasure also hurt?
I’m not sure about that, but at the very least, I understand that Namgung Myung is in a strange state.
How could anyone think this is normal?
“Oh no…! Please…!”
‘Seriously, why are you doing this?’
It was terrifying.
In a situation even a woman would find bewildering, here’s this old man, who should be dead from old age, shouting to be touched.
“Oh, seriously, why are you doing this?”
I found myself stepping back without even realizing it. Why on earth is this happening?
As I distanced myself with an expression of disgust, Namgungbia, who was next to me, looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked,
“…What’s wrong…?”
“Why is this old man acting like this right now…?”
The moment I was about to bring up Namgung Myung, I noticed something was off when I saw Namgung Bi-ah’s expression.
“You….”
“…?”
“Are you… not able to hear anything?”
At my question, Namgungbia tilted her head.
So, she can’t hear Namgung Myung’s voice?
‘…And you even went so far as to use the brain?’
Not only did he grasp onto the brain until just a moment ago, he also pulled out the sword properly.
Yet, she can’t hear Namgung Myung’s voice?
‘What is this situation?’
As I momentarily floundered in this unexpected situation, Namgung Myung spoke to me with a weary voice.
“…That descendant may have been recognized by the brain, but not by me.”
“What does that mean…?”
So the brain acknowledged her.
Yet she’s not recognized by Namgung Myung?
Aren’t both supposed to mean the same?
“Even if the brain likes that child, she won’t hear it unless I let her hear my voice.”
Does this mean the brain can be used regardless of Namgung Myung’s recognition?
‘Then wouldn’t that be a good thing?’
Looking at this old man’s personality, it seems better that Namgung Bi-ah doesn’t hear his voice after all.
‘… use it.’
So, in the end, Namgung Myung’s power is needed for Namgung Bi-ah to get stronger.
Even if Goeseon ends up taking the sword from Namgung Myung and telling it to Namgung Bi-ah.
‘It would be far better if Namgung Myung taught her directly.’
Even if Goeseon learns Namgungga’s true swordplay, he is still a shaman.
It wouldn’t even remotely compare to Namgung Myung personally sharing it with Namgung Bi-ah.
So it leaves me with more questions.
“…Why don’t you just admit it?”
For someone like Namgung Bi-ah, isn’t this situation overflowing with potential?
It’s not like she’s lacking in talent, nor did she abandon Namgungga like Goeseon did.
She is probably in the best condition to learn sword techniques.
How could he not acknowledge Namgung Bi-ah?
When I asked this to Namgung Myung, he answered,
“…Why should I tell you that?”
Hehehe.
‘Look at this old man?’
Is he trying to maintain his pride while all this is happening?
Seeing Namgung Myung like this inevitably raises the corners of my mouth into a grin.
It’s not so bad.
Having them come out and try to exploit my weaknesses is always refreshing.
“I think you need something from me. Mind stepping up?”
“…”
If you’re begging to catch a bug yourself, there’s nothing easier to manage than that.
It’s kind of annoying to grovel, but if you wish for it that much, then you shouldn’t come to me like this.
Also,
“I need to know why you want this.”
I need to figure out the reason behind Namgung Myung’s weird behavior.
We need to know what its cause is.
I’ve gotta know whether he’ll bring harm to me or not.
“…this guy…”
Maybe realizing he’s got a weakness, Namgung Myung belatedly reacts, but it’s already too late.
“If you don’t want to say anything, you don’t have to.”
However, that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to do whatever you want. That was clearly conveyed in my words.
“… crack.”
I could hear Namgung Myung grinding his teeth.
What I discerned from observing him is,
‘He must really be in a hurry.’
Seeing him putting up with this situation with all this fuss shows just how desperate he might be. What could be making him so out of his mind?
‘Did I do something?’
I can’t recall.
All I did was mess with the brain for a brief moment during the day.
And because of that, my body was wrecked by the backlash.
The aftereffects still haunt me right now.
From that perspective, grabbing the brain again would be incredibly uncomfortable.
Hence, I didn’t want to mess with the brain if at all possible.
Given the current circumstances, it doesn’t make sense for me to cooperate with Namgung Myung.
In other words,
“Provide a reason. That’s it.”
I wondered for a moment if that self-important old man would actually comply.
“… That child’s sword isn’t for herself.”
Suddenly, Namgung Myung started to provide reasons as if he was willing to cooperate.
“What do you mean by that?”
Not a sword for herself?
“As soon as the child caught the brain, she could sense where she wanted to go.”
Is he referencing the time when Namgung Bi-ah captured and utilized the brain?
“No matter how honorable that belief is, the brain responded to it, but I didn’t.”
Namgung Myung’s voice, which had seemed fatigued just moments ago, was strangely filled with fervor.
I can feel a multitude of emotions swirling inside him.
“Because I know what it means to wield a sword for others, I don’t want to lend my strength to a child wanting to walk that path.”
“You…!”
‘…Noya. Just a moment.’
As Shin Noya was about to burst forth upon hearing Namgung Myung, I intervened mentally.
A sword for others.
Namgung Myung’s statements ultimately reflect his lamentation for having lived for the world.
‘No, is this a lament left behind by Namgung Myung?’
It might not differ greatly, but it’s probably quite similar.
No matter how Namgung Myung’s main self may have disappeared along with that foolishness, I sensed I understood somewhat as to why he won’t acknowledge Namgung Bi-ah.
A sword not meant for oneself, but for another.
If Namgung Bi-ah seeks to cultivate such a sword.
For whom is this sword made?
I already knew the answer.
“Me.”
Considering that she expressed she’d go to the North Sea to protect me, it’s obvious who the sword is for, even for me.
If Namgung Myung considers that a problem, then…
“So what do you want me to do about it?”
“…What?”
That doesn’t really concern me.
I just don’t want Namgung Bi-ah to charge ahead, trying to protect me.
If it results in situations like this, from my perspective it’s all just crap.
“The kid’s got a kind heart, but you’re throwing a fit because you don’t like something. That’s what I’m saying?”
“How can you say that…”
“What the fuck, that’s exactly it.”
My words may sound harsh, but I’m not wrong either. A little annoyance crept into my voice as I pressed, causing Namgung Bi-ah’s eyes to widen beside me.
I tried to hold back as much as possible in her presence.
She’s really getting on my nerves.
“The so-called ancestor is acting worse than a crying child.”
“This jerk…!”
Seeing Shin Noya lamenting over Namgung Myung’s current state repeatedly,
It appears the true Namgung Myung, the real deal, wasn’t like this. I don’t know why this gentleman has turned out this way.
‘Could it all come from that foolishness?’
He even referred to it as a foolish sentiment he himself left behind.
Perhaps he left behind just a lump of ugly emotions.
‘If that’s what got him through the years, I can accept it.’
But, of course.
“I’m not about to endure that shit.”
There are plenty of old folks around, all senile and out of their minds.
I’ve already got a headache. Dealing with this old man is just too much work.
I was planning to find out what’s going on and leave.
It probably will be easier to do just that.
I spoke to the trembling Namgung Myung.
“You said you need me.”
“…Yes…”
I’m unclear on why I’m needed, but if it’s as urgent as it seems.
“Then promise me you’ll properly teach her. Then I’ll grab him.”
I need to get something out of this as well.
“You…!”
Namgung Myung’s voice deepened in reaction to my threat.
Could he really be surprised this came down to a negotiation? It’s never too late to realize!
“I’ll threaten if I have to, is that what you mean?”
Haha.
I broke out laughing at Namgung Myung’s response.
“This old man is quite the character.”
I suppose one could say that he hasn’t seen me for a long time.
“What’s so amusing…”
“Then isn’t this a threat? What do you assume it to be?”
“…”
“Take it a step further, and it’s more of a deal than a threat. It’s better when we exchange, isn’t it?”
I’ll do what you ask, so just fulfill my wishes.
Is that so difficult?
To me, it doesn’t seem that challenging.
While managing to ease my crumpled brow, I spoke to Namgung Myung.
“So, just tell me whether you’re on board or not. I’m sleepy and want to go to bed.”
“…click.”
Namgung Myung kept gnashing his teeth in response to my inquiries.
Watching Namgung Myung’s reactions, I could already foresee what kind of answer would come next.
If there’s a slight annoyance in it,
‘I might’ve gotten a little heated, and pushed a bit hard.’
Not so much an apology to Namgung Myung, more like one to Shin Noya.
After all, I was entertaining myself by treating his friend this way…
“Friend? Who are you referring to?”
Oh, I guess I’ve already become a stranger in his eyes.
My feelings of guilt dissipated the moment Shin Noya reacted as if he truly didn’t recognize me.
That’s a relief.
Goeseon was watching Noya with a face that couldn’t be described.
Namgung Bi-ah merely rolled her eyes around, baffled by the situation.
In the midst of it, I awaited Namgung Myung’s response.
A few seconds trickled by.
“…I will share it…”
Finally, I heard Namgung Myung’s answer.
“What did you say, sir? It’s hard to hear you.”
“…I’ll show the sword to that child as well, so please hold him now.”
“I already told you, I can’t hear you.”
“How could you not hear me saying this!”
Namgung Myung yelled insistently, but I genuinely couldn’t hear him.
“She can’t hear me.”
“…!”
It seems that it’s not just me; Namgung Bi-ah hadn’t heard from him yet either.
This needed to be clarified.
“… Huh.”
As if he grasped my intention, Namgung Myung exhaled with a brief sign and spoke again.
“… Can you hear now?”
“…!”
Only then did Namgung Bi-ah visibly respond, as if she finally caught onto something.
Her surprised eyes looked rather cute.
“It’s resolved… now…”
The moment I heard Namgung Myung say that, I quickly fetched the Brain from Goeseon.
I wanted to wrap this up speedily if we were going to do it.
With that…
Woof—!
I felt my energy being absorbed into the brain I held.
“Ugh…!”
Immediately, Namgung Myung emitted a sound of astonishment.
His reaction struck me as disgustingly unsettling, making me want to pitch it away right there.
But for now, I had to endure it.
‘… You wanted me to catch you, but were you planning on leeching off my energy?’
I felt an alarming amount of my energy being sucked away.
It was munching away at me in sizable portions.
“Ughhhhh!”
“…Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
It’s the sound of an old man groaning.
It’s simply revolting.
As the pace of what I was betting began to gradually reduce…
“Why are you really doing this?”
I questioned Namgung Myung, not bothering to mask my contempt.
Why on earth is he acting in this way?
Perhaps because I gave him some energy?
His voice returned somewhat, as if he had just regained consciousness again.
“…It’s because you infused energy into the brain.”
I nodded slightly at Namgung Myung’s words.
As expected, it appeared to be because I had used the brain earlier.
‘But why?’
What connection does my energy input have to do with how Namgung Myung responds?
No matter how I think about it, I find little relevance.
“Do you know what’s causing this?”
“…I know. I just didn’t think I’d experience this firsthand.”
Fortunately, it seems Namgung Myung understood the reason.
First of all, he returned the brain, which he had been holding onto like it was disgusting, to Goeseon.
The expression on Goeseon’s face as he received it again didn’t seem particularly cheerful either.
Perhaps it’s because he’s seen too many unfortunate faces from his ancestors.
If something like this happened to my ancestors, I suspects I would lose quite a bit of affection too.
Finally calming down from his heavy breaths, Namgung Myung turned to me and said,
“…I have some theories on why this is happening.”
“It seems rather late to be bringing up such theories now.”
“I have one question for you. Ah-ha-ya.”
His voice matched the cool, detached tone I encountered the first time, so I chose to poke fun at him once more.
He seems intent on ignoring my comments.
I was going to smile and let it go, thinking it wouldn’t matter much.
“What is your relationship with the Blood Demon?”
This made my brows furrow at Namgung Myung’s words.
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