Chapter 21
**
The sunlight I hadn’t seen in a while felt warm. I paused briefly in the shade and looked up at the sky.
The weather was nice, too. Not a single cloud could be seen in the bright blue sky.
There was a slight chill, but it was bearable. I lifted my foot and lightly scratched the edge of the dirt.
The scent of dry earth, different from that within the Demon Valley.
Since I couldn’t visit the village and had to move along secret paths, I couldn’t indulge in any tasty food…
But I felt good.
Very much so.
I leisurely unfolded the map. I was in a place I could reach in a day at most, so I figured I could take my time enjoying the scenery as I walked.
So I walked. Thrilled at the rare break, I snatched a falling leaf with my hand.
Such movements, once unimaginable, were now possible so easily.
Even small things filled my heart with joy. I released the leaf I had caught.
Just reaching a peak brought such happiness. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to cross another wall.
…When I finally met the Heavenly Demon, I might just die from joy. But that’s probably a story for a distant future.
Maybe when I reach the ultimate peak, the Heavenly Demon would properly assign me as a double agent. Comparable to the heads of major martial sects…
No, no. Thinking that far ahead is too much.
Among ordinary warriors, those who reach the peak are incredibly rare.
Even outstanding geniuses often struggle to reach the ultimate level, you know?
It’s not a realm anyone can just reach. So for now, rather than fantasizing, let my goal be to practice consistently.
Just knowing there’s a chance I could someday reach it brings me joy.
Heavenly Demon, Heavenly So-So.
I whispered my goal to myself and resumed walking.
From behind, Ilma asked.
“Why did you bring me along?”
Her tone was sharp. But it felt somewhat dulled compared to inside the Demon Valley.
She must be feeling good too, considering it’s been roughly six months since we met.
“I thought I’d offer some advice since your swordplay seems a bit messy.”
“That’s unnecessary kindness.”
“That may be true. I apologize if I overstepped.”
“…….”
Our conversation was still a bit prickly. But I didn’t mind.
There must be a reason for her to have such a personality. What I did was simply an act of unsolicited kindness.
If she didn’t like it, there was nothing I could do. In fact, if she didn’t want to come out, it was I who should feel sorry.
“Normally, members of the Blood Demon Organization receive missions about once a month. However, in the group I was in, missions were particularly sparse. In the whole year, I’ve only received a single mission.”
“……”
“Perhaps… it’s my fault. The person above me is a bit troublesome… and they might be exerting their influence. While having fewer missions could be interpreted as fewer chances to die, it also means we grow further from the outside world, doesn’t it?”
I raised my hand.
Fresh flowers brushed against my fingertips.
“I felt that it was my fault Ilma couldn’t go out. I might have thought I had some responsibility. So, what came to mind just slipped out of my mouth.”
“…Ha.”
With a sigh, Ilma stood beside me instead of behind.
“It’s fine. Let’s just go together.”
“Thank you.”
“…You’re a strange one.”
We exchanged a brief conversation.
“Why do you extend kindness to others first?”
“Well… perhaps I’m imitating a friend.”
“A friend?”
“There was a friend who used to extend a hand to others inside the Demon Valley. They were deceived in the end, but I don’t think that approach was entirely wrong.”
Seongja Myung.
I received a lot from him. Countless things.
Had I not learned Ilma from him properly, I wouldn’t have experienced this surge in level.
Then, I’d certainly have been late to learn Dan Hoon Choo.
Could Maeng-so-un, who mastered White Demon Body, have defeated him without the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword? It would have been impossible.
Eun Seol-ran… how was my prior relationship with Ilma? Thanks to his story, I managed to break my silence.
Ultimately, the things I received from Seongja Myung are what made me who I am now.
I fiddled with my sword.
“This sword belongs to that person. Without him, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
“Is that the whole reason?”
“Well… I’m not really sure. But if I were to add something…”
“What is it?”
“I just wanted to help a bit.”
I chuckled slightly.
“Ilma has her naive side.”
“What did you just say?”
Ilma’s voice grew cold.
“…Pretend you didn’t hear.”
“Do you think you can just let something you heard slide? Thirty!”
“I’ll take that back.”
“I’m serious about…”
Ilma stumbled over a rock. I had to suppress my laughter.
“…Are you seriously laughing right now? Do you think the mask hides everything from view?”
“It’s not like it’s hidden.”
“…Ugh.”
I could roughly gauge Ilma’s character.
Strong prideful yet naive.
A woman who detests being in debt and wants to repay everything she’s received.
“Ilma. Can I ask you just one question?”
“I’ll listen and then judge.”
“Why do you hate men?”
She stated bluntly.
“Because they’re disgusting, drowned in lust and move with their lower half before their heads.”
“…But not all men might be like that?”
“They all are. Every man I’ve seen has been like that. They bands around me claim to protect, but the moment there’s opportunity, they all get flustered. I know men well. Just like you, for example.”
“Me?”
I started to dig through my memories.
I couldn’t recall anything like that.
“Did I… do something?”
“Yes. You made me join your group somehow.”
“Me?”
“I heard from the leader of the Blood Demon Organization. He said to get close to Thirty. He asked me to humor all of his requests.”
“What does that mean… Ah.”
The Blood Demon Leader.
I sighed as something clicked into place. I had no choice but to finally spill the details.
Ilma gasped.
“You’re… connected to the Thousand Blood Blade Demon?!”
Another alias for Ilma.
A name derived from the story of how he single-handedly forged the Blood Sea from nothing.
Nodding to the title I hadn’t heard in a long time, I gave a vague response.
“I’ve learned a few things because of connections.”
“That’s incredible… How could you possibly have a connection with him? Is he perhaps visiting the Demon Valley periodically?!”
“I’ve only seen him once since entering the Demon Valley and it was only under special circumstances. I’ve also seen Sma, but he didn’t come to see me; he was there to check in on Ilma before me.”
“…I had thought the Blood Demon Organization was a place for life’s losers paid to come here… But if Ilma and Sma personally intervene, just how amazing was the Ilma before I came?”
“She was simply incomparable to me. Such a remarkable person.”
“What about now?”
“I’ve become Sma’s disciple.”
“…That’s not something that would happen in the Blood Demon Organization. Surely, you’re not lying?”
“What could I possibly gain from lying about that?”
Ilma seemed to be contemplating something.
“…Ilma is the person I respect the most. He’s the chief disciple of the Heavenly Demon and someone fully in grasp of the Great Law.”
“Isn’t the Master stronger in terms of sheer strength?”
“The human heart isn’t drawn solely by raw power.”
Ilma began gently massaging her cheeks under the mask.
“My dream is to someday enter the Blood Sea Organization. It’s the direct brigade of the Thousand Blood Blade Demon. That’s why I joined the Blood Demon Organization. Of course, there are other reasons, but… my admiration for the Thousand Blood Blade Demon hasn’t changed. However, the number of slots in the Blood Sea Organization is limited, so all the applicants are like my competitors.”
Ilma subtly moved closer to me.
“How did you end up in contact with Ilma? Is it true he really doesn’t come back to the Demon Valley? If, maybe given the chance… could you introduce us?”
“I’m not in a position to introduce anyone. To him, I’m merely a toy.”
“If I could become that toy, I’d gladly offer my entire life!”
“…I’d like to clearly state that it’s not going to happen. He likely won’t come to see me.”
“Is that so…”
Ilma sighed.
“Then has the story relating to the Blood Demon Leader been a misunderstanding on my part?”
“I can at least swear I didn’t ask him to do anything.”
“Well, that makes sense… If he had really targeted my life, he would have gone for me while I was asleep.”
Ilma’s step seemed to lighten.
“I must have seen you wrong. I got confused thinking your kindness had another meaning.”
“I’m glad we cleared up the misunderstanding.”
“But I still reject any confession. I don’t want to entangle myself with men.”
“I haven’t even confessed!”
Before I knew it, we reached the forge. But the area was quiet.
I knocked on the door but received no response. It seemed the blacksmith was out, so I sat outside on a chair and waited.
The day waned, and he still hadn’t returned. I could hardly leave now, so Ilma and I simply waited for him.
Night grew deeper. Ilma, who had been drowsily leaning against the wall, kept dozing off. Seeing her fading in and out of sleep, I offered a suggestion.
“Just go to sleep.”
“I… can’t do that. We might be attacked.”
“Isn’t it strange for someone to attack us here?”
“At least, I don’t want to sleep lying down.”
“Then lean on me. You’ll wind up with a stiff neck.”
“……”
I felt Ilma rolling her eyes. Subtly, she moved further away.
If she’s going to react like that, she should just refrain from falling asleep. I sighed.
“Ilma. I have no interest in you. You don’t need to worry; I won’t touch you even a hair.”
“…You’re saying you have no interest in me? That alone feels quite offensive…”
“What do you want me to say?”
In the end, Ilma rested her head against my shoulder.
“We’ll take turns sleeping.”
“Alright.”
We passed a night like that. When I woke up slightly drowsy, I felt the cool dawn air.
I noticed Ilma dozing off. It seemed that even while claiming to take turns keeping watch, she had fallen asleep.
I heard footsteps approaching. I quietly shook Ilma. She woke up with a start and looked around.
“I didn’t sleep at all.”
“Perhaps wipe off the drool that leaked from under your mask.”
“…….”
I could see someone walking from a distance. I stood up to greet him.
He appeared to be somewhat older. He glanced at my mask and then bypassed me to unlock the door.
“Are you from the Blood Demon Organization?”
“I have documents.”
“Show me.”
The man read the documents carelessly and plopped down onto a chair.
The interior of the forge wasn’t much different from the others. Iron tools were hung here and there, resulting in a somewhat cramped workspace.
“What sword do you need me to handle?”
I handed over my sword. Ilma did the same.
The blacksmith examined the swords, his brows furrowing.
“Well, your friend’s sword can be easily repaired. But yours? That’s another story.”
“…What?”
“You’ve treated your sword too roughly. Have you forced it to cut something it shouldn’t have recently? There are fine cracks etched throughout the blade. It’s a wonder it hasn’t broken.”
Something I shouldn’t have cut.
I unconsciously recalled Maeng-so-un, who had mastered the White Demon Body. The hardness of that boulder-like body had made my wrist ache even after striking it.
“…Is it truly unrepairable?”
“Not a chance. Just take one of those new ones hanging over there.”
“It’s a precious sword.”
“Precious or not, if the weapon itself is wrecked, it won’t help.”
The blacksmith flipped the sword over with a scowl.
“The quality of this was never that good, to begin with. It’s just a sword you could find anywhere. Those swords hanging there are far better. Sharper and stronger.”
“This one is better.”
“Stubborn, are we? Is there a story behind it?”
“It belonged to a deceased friend. Is there no way to repair it?”
“…Tsk.”
With a click of the tongue, the blacksmith fiddled with the tip of the sword.
“It’s not that there’s absolutely no way.”
“What is it?”
“You’re given seven days. Since the Demon Valley is quite a distance, if you cut a day for the return trip, that leaves you six days. Spending one day here counts as five left. And fixing it should only take about a day… so you’ve got four days to spare, huh. Plenty of time.”
“Four days… what do you mean?”
“If you want it repaired that badly, you’ll need to go fetch materials yourself.”
“Where and what are you talking about?”
“Since the blade itself is damaged, you’ll need a new metal to augment it. Just so happens I recently discovered an appropriate cave. If you’re a member of the Blood Demon Organization, you should have learned martial arts too. You can go to mine Bloodlight Stones just half a day from here.”
“Bloodlight Stones…?”
“A rare metal. The Bloodbat guards it, so even if someone found it, they were unable to harvest it. But if you’re skilled in martial arts, you might have a chance. If you report this to the Blood Demon Organization, they’ll likely take almost all the Bloodlight Stones you discover. But if you assist me instead, I can get the extra Bloodlight Stones, while you can repair your sword, right?”
The blacksmith nodded.
“The choice is yours. Of course, this is only true if you’re skilled enough to avoid the Bloodbats.”
