Fortunately, as expected, we were able to safely exit the cave. Returning to the blacksmith’s shop in tatters, the blacksmith welcomed us.

“I was thinking of reporting that we had two corpses. Thank goodness.”

“……”

“……”

“Cheer up. It was a joke. This brilliant ore… the quality is excellent.”

The blacksmith picked up a piece of bloodstone. From a chunk the size of a single arm, he chopped off half.

“You said you needed one, right?”

“Now that I see it, this seems more than enough.”

“……”

Got him.

The blacksmith placed the bloodstone into the furnace and stretched his back.

“It’ll take a little while until the ore melts. It’ll take some time to process it into something manageable too. I’d prefer it if you didn’t interfere with my work, so please step outside.”

“It seems we have extra bloodstone left.”

“So? Are you asking for some of that leftover amount? You’re being foolish. To sell it separately, it has to go through complicated channels. How many people do you think recognize the value of bloodstone if you carry it away?”

“I’m not asking for you to give it; I’m asking you to use the rest.”

I indicated Twenty-Nine.

“It seems that the sword hasn’t been fully repaired yet. I’d appreciate it if you could also use the remaining bloodstone to fix that sword.”

“…There’s no need to apply bloodstone to a sword that just needs a little finishing…”

“Please apply it. That was our agreement, wasn’t it?”

“You’re quite stubborn.”

The blacksmith clicked his tongue.

“Fine. But don’t go blabbing about my extra bloodstone to anyone. Keep your mouth shut. Got it?”

“Since I’ve received something, my mouth will be heavier in return.”

“You won’t get scammed, will you?”

Twenty-Nine was taken aback. She hesitated before gently bowing her head.

There were no verbal expressions of gratitude, but that was likely the best she could manage in showing her gratitude to a ‘man.’

I didn’t say much. I simply waited until the weapons were all completed at the blacksmith’s shop.

After spending a night outside, the blacksmith emerged carrying the items, his face drenched in sweat as he handed over the sword.

“The repairs are done.”

The blade, now infused with bloodstone, glimmered in a different hue than before. At first glance, it looked iron-colored, but under the sunlight, a faint red shimmer danced around it.

I ran my hand along the blade. It felt alive. I could almost sense it ready to slice.

“Excellent.”

“The swords I’ve made number in the hundreds. It’s only now that I realize I didn’t expect you to retrieve bloodstone by piercing through Vampiric Attire.”

“I was lucky.”

“Luck is skill too. I should find an appropriate place next time. If fate allows, I’ll help you again. I can make an even better sword then.”

I sheathed the sword at my waist.

“This is more than enough.”

“You’re too greedy.”

“Isn’t it excessive to desire it all?”

“Is it really that precious to you?”

“It’s one of the few connections I’ve made since deciding to break free from my chains and truly live.”

I smiled faintly.

“It’s a kindness I seldom receive in life, so it’s valuable.”

“You certainly have a way with words. You could make a living as a merchant.”

“I’ve decided to wield a sword, so I will only think about wielding a sword.”

“You certainly don’t say much. Good. I hope to see you again.”

Immediately, we returned to Demon Valley. Twenty-Nine, who had been admiring the repaired sword in the sunlight, gasped.

“The sword shines red!”

“It looks like mine too.”

“…You didn’t match them on purpose, did you?”

Twenty-Nine’s eyes narrowed.

“Of course not.”

I felt uneasy.

“I’ll have a new sword made for you, so hand it over.”

“N-no way! That was just a joke! Ah! Don’t take my sword!”

We bickered as we arrived at Demon Valley. After a simple inspection, we returned to our previous routine.

However, I didn’t immediately plunge into training. Having brought a gift, it needed to go to the person it rightfully belonged to.

I requested a personal meeting. Normally, such a request wouldn’t be accepted, but the Blood Demon Leader slightly revealed his face to me.

“…You want to meet him?”

“Yes. I have something to report.”

His expression was doubtful. Just as the scars on his face began to contort slightly, he sighed.

“…Fine, I understand. Return to your seat.”

The call from Ilma came a week later. With Twenty-Nine’s envious gaze upon me, I left Demon Valley once more with the Blood Demon Leader.

We traveled through the road we had passed before, heading to the small building that Ilma had previously offered.

A masked woman was waiting for me, perusing documents over a cup of tea.

“Why did you call me?”

“Because I wanted to see you.”

“You’ve gotten bolder. I clearly told you not to come for that purpose. If that’s the case, I’ll blow your head off.”

I drew my sword from my waist, also pulling out the manual and the wooden box.

Ilma pushed aside the paperwork to clear a space on the table.

“What’s this?”

“Relics of Bing Baeksul from the Northern Sea Ice Sect.”

“What?”

Ilma’s hands moved quickly. In an instant, he snatched the sword, the manual, and the wooden box, checking their insides.

“……”

Three treasures exuded a chilling aura.

Ilma, silently scrutinizing the manual he’d pulled out, frowned.

“Where did you get this?”

“I stumbled upon it. While mining the ore to repair the sword, I found a hidden place.”

“Do you expect me to believe such a ridiculous tale?”

“I stumbled into it while being chased by the Vampiric Attire.”

“Vampiric Attire? What’s that nonsense?”

Then I recounted the events that transpired.

Ilma rolled up the documents and smacked my head.

“Don’t you ever feel an itch for trouble if you go a day without causing it?”

“…….”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop puffing your chest? Are you a child?!”

“…Still, I brought back treasure.”

“Tsk.”

Ilma set the manual down and cracked open the sword and wooden box, then sighed.

“A dense malevolence… no need to verify. You were lucky, Jeok-un.”

“Thank you.”

“But why did you bring this to me?”

“The first person that came to mind after obtaining it was you, Ilma.”

“…….”

“So I brought it to give it to you…”

I subtly observed Ilma’s face. It was hard to discern any change beneath the mask.

“There’s no other reason.”

“Really? Well then, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

I stood up neatly. Given that I originally intended to hand it over and leave, I didn’t feel much regret.

If receiving a life is akin to a gift, then this is just a treasure.

Wouldn’t it be weirder to feel sorry for giving it away?

I took a few steps when Ilma stopped me.

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really saying you don’t want anything in return?”

With a strangely probing tone, I answered.

“I’m genuinely here to give this to you.”

“Why?”

“As I said earlier, you were the first to cross my mind.”

Ilma fell silent.

Casting quick glances at me as if examining my intentions, he forcibly sat me back down.

“The elixir of the Northern Sea Ice Sect. It’s something that can’t be consumed by just anyone. Only a member of the Northern Sea Ice Palace can touch it or use the weapon. You need their martial arts for that.”

“I see.”

“The manual does have the contents written within it… but some areas appear strange. It’s clear that Bing Baeksul wasn’t in perfect condition while using this. Several portions need reinterpretation.”

“Indeed, there were many portions that went off the rails. Some characters were barely recognizable.”

“Regardless, Bing Baeksul’s martial art is famous. The Bing Baeksul Divine Art is said to freeze limbs upon receiving a hit. As the term Divine Art suggests, its value is inestimable.”

Ilma once again scrutinized my face.

“You’re giving me this?”

“Yes.”

“…And?”

“Yes?”

I pondered for a moment.

I grasped what Ilma wanted to hear. Ah, so he wanted to know the real reason.

Well then.

“I’m happy to be able to give such a thing.”

“…What?”

“I’ve always wanted to give something, but never had the chance.”

I smiled slightly.

“It feels like I’ve finally accomplished something.”

“……”

“It’s rare to find something like this; I’ll bring more in the future.”

Ilma sighed.

He placed the sword, manual, and elixir back in front of me.

“Take it back.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t need this martial art. The martial arts of the Ice Palace? Its value is high, certainly. However, it’s not that substantial. The Celestial Gaol doesn’t have a good relationship with the Holy Sect, making it hard to establish political ties. In that case, what’s left is the worth of this martial art… I’m already a practitioner of the Heavenly Demon Martial Arts. It’s too late to learn a different one now. Moreover, the Master has had some unfavorable relations with the Celestial Gaol. If you mention their martial arts, he might get angry.”

“…Is that so.”

“Don’t look so glum. Well…”

Ilma cleared his throat subtly.

“Now that I understand why you sought me out, that’s enough. I’ll say your attempt was nice—I’ll give you that.”

“So what should I do with this?”

“You can keep it.”

“I’m learning the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Technique, you know?”

“I’m not saying to learn it. I’m saying to turn it into cash. You fool. You could easily earn a lifetime’s worth of money if you play your cards right. Of course, that comes with the downside of needing to find the right owner.”

“So you mean you…?”

“I don’t need it. I don’t really need cash either. Take it back.”

Ilma casually added.

“Don’t even think about trying to learn it. It’s a martial art that uses the energy of ‘women.’ Most likely, if a man learns it, it’ll backfire terribly.”

“…….”

Ilma reached out with her hand. Hesitating for a moment, she carefully placed her hand on my cheek.

She stretched it out slowly.

“Ow.”

“…You’re going to get killed soon. Keep causing trouble. Value your life, you idiot.”

For some reason, I felt like she smiled slightly.

…

Ilma fidgeted with the documents.

Jeok-un had already left. The Blood Demon Leader was the same. Even though his loyal followers were maintaining a distance and lurking, the distance felt so far that it was like being alone.

Once the official duties concluded, that was it. Ilma was about to flip the page of the document. Yet, she kept fidgeting with just the last part without turning it.

“I thought of Ilma first.”

“…Tsk.”

Who would have known I’d suddenly pull out the martial art of Bing Baeksul? Moreover, it seemed she’d even said she wanted nothing in return herself.

At first, I didn’t believe it. It felt like a trial. So, I intentionally nodded my head to prompt her.

But she really stood up.

It seemed she genuinely wanted nothing in return.

The martial art of the Northern Sea Ice Sect is priceless. Just looking at the sword and elixir tells you that.

Even if Jeok-un were a fool, he’d realize how precious it is at a glance. Yet, she brought it to me.

She was ready to truly give and leave.

Why?

“I’ve always wanted to give something, but had nothing to give.”

Because she understood its value, she wanted to give it to me.

“……”

Has anyone ever spoken such words before?

Ilma from the Heavenly Eight. Her name alone is terrifying, the Thousand Blood Blade Demon.

Good memories with Jeok-un? None. Just annoying memories.

She would sometimes call me for guidance, but that was just because I bothered her too much.

She’s the Master’s dog. There were no further feelings beyond that. Just somewhat, how should I say it…

A slight curiosity towards her peculiarity.

That’s about it.

“I feel like I’ve finally accomplished something…”

How stupid those words are. How ridiculous to be desperate to do something for someone who tormented me.

Even though I’ve received a few things, is there really such a fool in this world?

…Despite that, the slight puffiness of her cheeks… that sulky expression is somewhat…

“A bit cute…”

No. Wait a second.

What did I just say?

Ilma hastily wiped away the words she was about to let slip. That’s impossible. That girl is just a dog. Just a useless mutt.

Clearing her throat for no reason, she returned to her paperwork. Attempting to calm down, she resumed looking over the documents.

But she still couldn’t focus on the work.

Ultimately, Ilma would have to burn the midnight oil to catch up on her backlog of work.