am-books Chapter 21
Chapter 21
The sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, was warm. I stopped briefly in the shade and looked up at the sky.
The weather was pleasant. Not a single cloud marred the clear, blue expanse.
Though it was slightly chilly, it was bearable. I lifted my foot and gently dug into the dry earth with my toe.
The scent of dry soil was different from the oppressive stench inside the sect.
I couldn’t stop by a village or indulge in delicious food due to the secretive route we had to take...
But I felt good.
Really good.
I leisurely unfolded the map. The destination wasn’t far—just about a day’s journey. I could afford to take my time and enjoy the scenery as I walked.
So, I walked. Enjoying this rare respite, I reached out and caught a falling leaf with ease.
Movements that would have been unthinkable before now came naturally. Effortlessly.
Even the smallest things filled me with elation. I released the leaf I’d caught.
Reaching the pinnacle realm brought me such joy—what would it feel like to break through yet another wall?
...I might be so elated that I’d die the moment I reach the Heavenly Demon’s level. Though that’s likely a story for a distant future.
Perhaps when I reach the transcendent realm, the Heavenly Demon might entrust me with a proper double-agent mission. Something that rivals the responsibilities of a sect leader...
No, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Those who reach the pinnacle realm are exceedingly rare, even among martial artists. And even among extraordinary geniuses, many fail to touch the transcendent realm.
It’s not a level just anyone can achieve. For now, let’s focus on steady practice rather than dreams.
The mere fact that I might someday reach it is enough to make me happy.
The Heavenly Demon, Cheonso So.
I whispered my goal to myself as I resumed walking.
From behind me, Number 29 spoke.
“Why did you bring me along?”
Her tone was sharp, but it lacked the harsh edge it had back in the sect. Perhaps she, too, was in a good mood. It had been half a year since we started working together.
“I thought your swordsmanship seemed lacking, so I figured I’d give you some pointers.”@@@@
“That’s unnecessary kindness.”
“Perhaps. If I overstepped, I apologize.”
“...”
The conversation remained curt, but I didn’t mind.
She must have her reasons for being this way. What I did was nothing more than an unsolicited act of kindness.
If she didn’t appreciate it, so be it. If she didn’t want to be out here, I should probably apologize for that instead.
“I’ve heard that Blood Demon Division members typically receive missions once a month. But for some reason, the squad I was in barely received any. I only had one mission in an entire year.”
“...”
“It’s probably my fault. My superior is a bit... particular. Maybe they’re exerting their influence. Having fewer missions might mean fewer chances to die, but it also means being more detached from the outside world, doesn’t it?”
I raised my hand, letting the tips of fresh flowers brush against my fingers.
“It occurred to me that perhaps it’s my fault you haven’t been able to leave the sect. Maybe I felt some responsibility for that and ended up blurting out my thoughts.”
“...”
“Number 29. This isn’t a debt. I’m merely returning a small part of what I’ve taken from you. If it makes you uncomfortable, we can put some distance between us. I’ll leave a trail for you to follow at your own pace.”
“...Hah.”
Number 29 let out a sigh and stepped beside me, rather than staying behind.
“Fine. Let’s just go together.”
“Thank you.”
“...Strange man.”
We exchanged brief words.
“Why are you so kind to others?”
“Well... maybe I’m imitating an old friend.”
“An old friend?”
“There was a friend in the sect who would always extend a helping hand first. He was deceived and killed, but I don’t think his way of living was wrong.”
Seong Jamyeong.
I owed him so much—so much that I couldn’t even count it.
If I hadn’t learned the Ghostly Spirit Steps from him properly, I wouldn’t have progressed in my cultivation.
If I hadn’t mastered the Single Soul Hammer, I would have struggled to cut down Maeng Sowoon, who had learned the Baekmashin. It would have been impossible without the Gucheon Blood Demon Sword.
And Eun Seollan... My prior connection with the former Number 29 helped me find my voice in the sect.
Everything Seong Jamyeong gave me came full circle, allowing me to be who I am today.
I fiddled with my sword.
“This sword also belonged to him. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Perhaps not. If I had to add one more thing...”
“What is it?”
“I simply wanted to help.”
I smiled faintly.
“Because you can be a bit clumsy, Number 29.”
“But I’ll still reject your confession. I don’t want to be involved with men.”
“I’ve never confessed...”
Eventually, we arrived at the forge, but it was eerily quiet.
Knocking on the door yielded no response, so we sat on the outdoor chairs to wait.
The blacksmith didn’t return even as night fell. As the hours passed, Number 29 began nodding off. Watching her repeatedly jolt awake, I gave some advice.
“Why don’t you just sleep?”
“I can’t. What if we’re ambushed?”
“An ambush here would be unusual.”
“Even so, I won’t lie down.”
“Then lean back. You’ll hurt your neck.”
“...”
I sensed her glare and her subtle attempt to put distance between us.
If she
was going to act like that, she might as well stay awake. I sighed.
“Number 29. I have no interest in you. I won’t touch a single hair on your head, so you don’t have to worry.”
“...No interest? That’s insulting in its own way.”
“What do you want from me?”
Eventually, she rested her head on my shoulder.
“Let’s take turns keeping watch.”
“Fine.”
We spent the night that way. When I woke up, the cold dawn air greeted me.
I saw Number 29 still dozing, having clearly fallen asleep during her watch.
Hearing a noise, I nudged her awake. Startled, she looked around.
“I wasn’t sleeping.”
“Wipe the drool under your mask.”
“...”
A figure approached in the distance. Rising, I moved to meet him.
The older man glanced at my mask before unlocking the forge door and stepping inside.
“You’re from the Blood Demon Division?”
“I have a letter.”
“Let me see.”
He skimmed the letter before sitting down.
The forge was similar to others—a cramped workspace filled with hanging tools and weapons.
“What’s the weapon you want repaired?”
I handed over my sword, and so did Number 29.
The blacksmith inspected hers first and nodded. When he examined mine, he shook his head.
“This one can’t be fixed.”
“...What?”
“You’ve handled this sword too roughly. Did you recently cut something you shouldn’t have? There are micro-fractures all over the blade. It’s a miracle it hasn’t shattered.”
Something I shouldn’t have cut.
I thought of Maeng Sowoon, who had mastered the Baekmashin. Cutting through him had felt like slicing solid rock.
“...Is there no way to repair it?”
“None. Take one of the new swords hanging over there.”
“It’s an important sword to me.”
“Important or not, it’s in terrible condition.”
He flipped the blade over.
“It wasn’t high-quality to begin with. Any sword on that wall would be sharper and sturdier.”
“I prefer this one.”
“Stubborn, aren’t you? Does it have a story?”
“It belonged to a dead friend. Is there truly no way to repair it?”
“...Tsk.”
Clicking his tongue, the blacksmith fiddled with the blade.
“It’s not impossible.”
“What do I need to do?”
“You’ve got seven days, right? Subtracting travel time, you’ve got five left. It’ll take a day to repair the sword, leaving you four days. That’s plenty.”
“Four days for what...?”
“If you really want it fixed, gather the materials yourself. You’ll need bloodstone.”
“Bloodstone?”
“A rare metal. I spotted a deposit guarded by vampire bats on my way back. It’s too dangerous for me, but with your skills, it’s doable. If you report it to the sect, they’ll confiscate most of it. But if you help me, I get the leftover bloodstone, and you get your sword repaired. Win-win.”
The blacksmith gestured with his chin.
“The choice is yours. That is, if you have the skill to fend off the bats and mine the bloodstone.”