〈 Episode 549 〉 Why Are You Here?
Four days had passed.
I had already left the Guangdong region and arrived in Hunan.
Sssshaaaaaaa.
The sound of waves reached my ears.
Since night would fall before long, I found a valley and sat down for the moment.
I felt like I’d walked quite a ways, but it was still nothing but forest.
“Mm.”
I had admittedly been moving somewhat sluggishly, but…
It was still fine.
‘Things got resolved easily.’
Because I had gained some spare time.
There were three reasons I had moved a bit urgently in Guangdong.
The first was.
‘Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.’
A secret vault in the Guangdong region piled high with Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.
That was what it had been for.
Finding it hadn’t been all that difficult.
Because I had known the details in more depth than expected.
‘Though there were some problems in the process.’
There had been a clash with a fellow called Gugwonjeokma during the process, and a fight had broken out, but…
I had instead been able to use that to resolve the next matter.
‘I killed Wiseok.’
My second purpose for coming to the Guangdong region.
It had been to kill Wiseok, the man who had served as branch leader of the current Martial Alliance’s Guangdong branch.
To call this revenge would have been a stretch, as those feelings had faded somewhat.
‘It was killing two birds with one stone.’
The purpose had simply been to take care of it while I was already here.
‘And while I was at it, I had to spread my name too.’
Since I’d made a martial artist named Seodong aware of that part, it should be fine.
‘Though there is a chance he might not say anything.’
I’d told him to report it, but there was clearly a chance he wouldn’t.
But even so, that didn’t matter.
What mattered was that I had killed Wiseok.
Probably because of this, the Guangdong branch would spend about a month getting things in order.
Though the deceased might be only the branch leader.
‘It’s no different from having flipped everything upside down.’
It was no different from an unidentified person suddenly destroying the branch.
If the report had gone up to headquarters as-is, there would likely be several changes on their end as well.
‘One to two months.’
Time to send a new branch leader and clean up the remaining situation.
Probably about that much time would be needed.
That wasn’t a long time, but dealing with demonic beast incidents during that period would be delayed.
Then there would probably be human casualties.
So.
“Please just keep an eye on that part.”
At my words quietly whispered in the middle of the night.
[I shall obey your command.]
A voice answering from the darkness was heard.
I didn’t bother turning my head.
[We shall deploy personnel by region.]
Meaning, while the Alliance was in turmoil, to see to it that there were no casualties in the Guangdong region.
Ah.
“While you’re at it, have the rumors spread appropriately as well.”
[As you wish.]
Just when I thought I had finished everything that needed to be said.
[And…]
A voice transmission arrived, as if continuing those words.
[The Great Lord had words he wished conveyed.]
“The Dark King?”
I widened my eyes as if asking what, and the voice continued.
[‘The child’s preparations are complete. I shall send him back now.’ Those were the orders.]
“…”
Hearing the words, I let out a low breath.
Because I knew who those words referred to.
‘I’ll see him soon.’
The last time I had seen him was two years ago.
He had left with the Dark King saying there was necessary training, and before I knew it, it had already been that long.
I nodded slightly and spoke.
“Understood.”
When I finished speaking, the presence behind me vanished.
Feeling that, I finally rose from the rock.
I moved my feet.
Leaving where I had been, I walked toward the direction the sound of waves came from.
Drawing a bit closer.
Sssshaaaaaaa—!
The moonlit river water was churning from the waves.
And I could see someone sitting near the river.
Splash—! Splash—!
Someone was squatting, washing something in the river.
Having taken off his top, his pale skin was clearly visible.
Seeing that, I asked.
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
The one who had been diligently washing his clothes in the river flinched at my call.
Then, with a creaking neck, he turned his head and looked at me.
Yellow eyes stained with fatigue entered my sight first.
The youth’s identity was none other than—
The Sword Demon (劍魔) of his previous life, and the Heavenly Killing Star.
Furthermore.
The former sect leader of Kunlun. The person presumed to be the disciple of the Qinghai One Sword.
It was Seongyul.
“What are you doing right now?”
“…”
To my question, Seongyul showed me the clothes he was holding.
“…I was… washing some clothes.”
“At this hour?”
“…Yes… The timing wasn’t right.”
“Mm.”
Certainly, there hadn’t exactly been a chance to wash them before.
But even so.
‘He isn’t in his right mind either.’
To think he was washing his clothes just because a valley had appeared in this situation.
Meanwhile, the upper body of the fellow who had taken off his top was visible.
For a martial artist who had reached a high realm, his muscles were surprisingly scant.
His bones were large, so it was probably because he was so thin.
Especially, scars visible all over his body, not to mention his chest, stood out.
‘Those are.’
They weren’t scars inflicted by someone else.
They were traces left when one inflicted wounds on oneself.
“Hey.”
“Yes…?”
“Give me those clothes.”
“…?”
Despite making a puzzled expression at my words, Seongyul obediently handed over the clothes.
I grabbed the thoroughly wet clothes as if snatching them and breathed internal energy into them.
Huaaak—!
“…!”
Then instantly, heat burst forth and dried the wet clothes at once.
Immediately after, I roughly tossed the dry clothes back to Seongyul.
The fellow received them hurriedly with a stunned face.
Those scars were unsightly.
Looking at such a fellow, I asked.
“You surprisingly didn’t run away?”
“…Ah.”
Though not much time had passed since I had disappeared, it would have been enough time to run if he had wanted to.
Over the past few days since we started traveling together.
There had been similar situations during that time, but Seongyul had never attempted to escape.
To my question, Seongyul spoke to me without much change in expression.
“Even if I ran, there is nowhere to go.”
“Why? Go home. Your home is in Qinghai, isn’t it?”
When I brought up the topic of the Kunlun Sect, Seongyul’s expression darkened slightly.
“…That place… is no longer where I should go.”
Whenever the topic of Kunlun came up, his expression was always like that.
If there was anything I had found out about Seongyul over the past few days—
‘He hasn’t reached thirty.’
Did he say he was twenty-five now?
‘He seems to be affiliated with Kunlun.’
Either currently affiliated.
Or was formerly affiliated.
In my view, it was one of the two.
Furthermore.
‘It’s also true that he’s related to the Qinghai One Sword.’
He had never mentioned it directly, but it was definitely so.
Such a fellow.
‘Why is he doing that here?’
Since he was a Heavenly Killing Star, it wasn’t strange that he had fallen into a murderous maniac.
However, if it was a martial artist who belonged to the Kunlun Sect, various problems would arise.
‘The Heavenly Killing Star is to be killed immediately upon discovery.’
This was one of the rules established by the Alliance.
The Heavenly Killing Star must be reported to the Alliance immediately upon discovery.
This was close to a law that righteous sect members absolutely had to follow.
‘For the Qinghai One Sword, who should know that, to pretend not to know.’
Furthermore, if he was raising him in his own care.
‘What were his intentions?’
I didn’t know that much. What was important was—
‘That this had become a slightly troublesome situation.’
If in the past he had simply been a fellow crazed with murder.
What about the current Sword Demon?
At least from what I could see now, he merely seemed a bit dull, but was otherwise an ordinary fellow.
‘But that didn’t mean he was completely normal either.’
As if proving he was indeed a Heavenly Killing Star, judging by his appearance when we first met.
He was no different from the Sword Demon I had seen in my previous life.
However.
‘He hasn’t been completely dyed by the Heavenly Killing Star yet.’
In my previous life, he had seemed to be consumed by the constitution.
Now, it seemed he wasn’t completely like that.
In other words.
‘He’ll be consumed by it someday anyway.’
That he would one day fail to overcome the Heavenly Killing Star and be devoured by it.
When I recalled that.
‘I should just stick to the original purpose.’
Corrupt him into a Demon to use later.
That was why I had found this fellow, yet I couldn’t do it.
‘Tch.’
The eyes of the fellow who, a few days ago, had been engulfed in guilt and pleaded to be killed came to mind.
Recalling that made irritation rise.
‘Ah, damn it, I went and saw something useless.’
I was annoyed.
If I hadn’t seen that, I would have just finished him off.
Because I had seen those damned eyes, hesitation had been born.
Tch.
While clicking my tongue briefly at the rising emotions, Seongyul, having finished dressing, asked me.
“Um…”
“What.”
“May I ask what you expect of me…?”
“What?”
It was a question Seongyul asked carefully.
“…Why would someone like you go out of your way to take me along? Where do you plan to use me?”
Someone like you.
I snickered at the words.
“Do you even know who I am?”
“I do not. However, I know you are no ordinary person.”
He seemed to be under some misconception.
I wasn’t that great of a human.
‘Besides, I’m not even human anymore.’
I swallowed words I didn’t need to speak.
“Then you, not knowing who I am or what I’ll do—why are you following me?”
“…Because you told me to.”
Seongyul was telling me that.
“So that’s why you didn’t run away either?”
“Even if I ran, I would have nowhere to go, and moreover…”
Seongyul spoke to me with quieted eyes.
“I judged that I could not escape.”
“Mm.”
The reason he hadn’t bothered to run was because he believed he couldn’t escape me even if he tried.
‘He’s quicker on the uptake than I thought.’
That was correct. I had no intention of letting him go peacefully.
‘Worst case, I’d just kill him.’
He possesses the Heavenly Killing Star.
Knowing what would become of him later, why would I keep him alive?
Meanwhile.
‘Something I want from him.’
Something I want from him in this situation.
“Well.”
Nothing particularly came to mind yet.
No, there was, but it wasn’t something to ask of him now.
“Besides. Even if I tell you what I want, what changes? Will you actually do it?”
“…I do not know.”
Seongyul shook his head at this.
“However… if it is something I can do, I shall.”
Hearing that, I tilted my head.
“What a load of crap. Not knowing who I am or what I’ll do—you’ll do it if you can?”
I had planned to corrupt him into a Demon precisely because he was a bastard who wouldn’t do a damn thing I said.
And now he’s saying he’ll listen on his own?
It was simply absurd.
“Why this sudden nonsense?”
“…”
“What is it with you.”
Since he was saying he would listen himself, it would be convenient, but.
I was curious about the reason.
Looking at him full of questions.
At this, Seongyul opened his mouth with a tired voice.
“You know what problem I carry, do you not.”
I know well.
The mad constitution that thirsts for blood and desires the opponent’s pain.
“If you need me despite knowing that… I thought that was enough.”
Words saying that if he was needed despite being a Heavenly Killing Star, that was enough.
Furthermore.
“You have nowhere to go anyway, so instead of being like this, your mindset is to do something for now?”
“…”
It was a statement that felt somewhat resigned.
“Hmmm…”
Hearing Seongyul’s words, I recalled my thoughts.
‘Ambiguous.’
The Sword Demon who had not yet been consumed by madness.
If he had been steeped in madness, he would have been easier to use.
That ambiguous state was rather just a burden to me.
‘A bomb that could go off at any time.’
He seemed fine now, but if madness flared up, he might turn into what he had been at the inn.
Knowing that, wouldn’t it be better to just turn him into a Demon now and use him safely?
That thought came to mind.
‘It’s a hassle to even think about.’
Both the appearance of the fellow feeling guilty, and the hesitation because the Qinghai One Sword was involved.
Even if I thought about it for a long time, there was only one answer.
‘Unless I had a way to suppress his Heavenly Killing Star.’
How could such a thing exist?
I don’t know what the Qinghai One Sword was thinking, but at least as far as I knew, there was none.
Right.
‘Let’s take the easy way.’
If I wasn’t going to transform him into a Demon, I had to kill him.
In that case, it would be better to demonize him starting now.
Thinking so, just as I was reaching my hand toward Seongyul.
Saaaaah—.
“…!”
I turned my head sharply at the presence felt behind me.
“What.”
Seongyul made a bewildered expression seeing my appearance.
“Um…?”
“Be quiet for a moment.”
“…”
In the quiet, I drew internal energy through my body and spread out my senses.
Huaaaak—!
Internal energy bursting from my toes covered the surroundings.
Then I could feel the presence more clearly.
The presences numbered two.
Moreover, they were rapidly approaching this direction.
“Damn.”
I had to frown as soon as I felt the presence.
Because it was the presence of someone I knew.
However, the problem was that it was not a presence I should have felt here.
‘…Why do I feel that child’s presence here?’
Doubt arose, but there was no time to think. The moment I confirmed the presence, I circulated internal energy through my body.
Then.
Crack—!
Sounds came from the joints of my body and my flesh began to change.
“…Eh…?”
Seongyul let out a short exclamation seeing that appearance.
Thud-thud-thud—!
Along with the sounds, my body gradually grew smaller.
My height decreased and my frame shrank.
The difference was about one span.
“Huu…”
After barely making my body smaller, I swept my hair up.
Then I examined my reflection in the valley water.
Slightly reddened pupils were visible first.
Fortunately, it seemed I had transformed properly.
“…Wh-what…?”
Seongyul was making an astonished expression at my suddenly changed appearance, but…
Now was not the situation to explain what this was.
Because just as I was barely composing myself—
I could feel the presence finally approaching closely.
Step.
Soft footsteps were heard.
“Uhh…?”
Then a voice was heard.
It was the beautiful voice of a lady.
The lady’s voice was clearly quite flustered.
At that voice, I turned my head.
“…What?”
The woman who met my eyes widened them greatly.
The woman’s face was one that seemed familiar yet strange.
Eyelids that seemed sharp yet slightly drooped.
Black hair let down casually.
The small pattern drawn on her white martial uniform and a frame not large even for a woman.
And.
A face resembling someone I missed.
The woman couldn’t hide her expression as she looked at me.
“Why…”
The identity of such a woman was, surprisingly—
“…Why are you here, Brother?”
The fourth child of the Gu family.
It was Gu Ryeonghwa.