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Chapter 317

“I thought it would just barely be possible. Then I’ll turn that question into certainty. Even if it’s a doubt I’ve carried, I must seize the results myself.”

“It’s not that it could be possible; it is possible. It’s not that I can do it; I will do it. Changing my mindset like that is the price of carrying this burden.”

“It will be painfully excruciating. It will hurt to the point where I might rather wish for death to escape the torment.”

“Still, it’s better to roll in the mud alive than to die. Yeon-woo knows very well how horrible the experience is of suffering from injuries and illnesses that make it impossible to live a long life.”

“That bastard! Are you trying to kill me!! The base is in the northern mountains!!”

“Don’t talk to me, it’s driving me nuts!!”

Ras, who had been maintaining a semblance of politeness, must have been in so much pain that he let out a curse. But I hope you’ll understand.

In a situation where smashing the mana core and reducing him to an aura-less civilian is the easiest way to survive, I’m trying my best to preserve whatever warrior’s honor he might have left.

It’s said that saving a human completely corrupted by demon energy is impossible. It’s the truth.

Yeon-woo is no exception to that. What he’s doing now is merely a way to save someone who is less contaminated by demon energy.

If he hadn’t received the teachings of the Sword Saint, if he hadn’t even gotten a toe into the Master’s realm because of that, he wouldn’t even be able to attempt it.

It really is impossible without Master-level mana control.

The method, of course, is harmonization. However, using harmonization on humans typically yields no effect since humans are natural beings.

If the magical contamination is just on the surface, that might be one thing, but expelling the demon energy that has eroded the body from the inside is out of the question.

Especially the demon energy that has burrowed deep into the blood vessels is nearly impossible to get rid of. Cutting off the contaminated part might work, but removing it altogether is nearly impossible.

‘What if I use harmonization inside the body?’

It’s an obvious thought, but the pain it causes is anything but obvious.

Harmonization is, in essence, like a high-pressure wash. It involves pouring in overwhelmingly pure mana to wash away all the filth from the surface.

That’s where the problem arises. While the body may be relatively tough, the blood vessels are infinitely delicate.

If you just hammer harmonization in without care, it would result in a mess of broken limbs while trying to save someone.

It requires a touch of painstakingly precise control of mana that Yeon-woo could not have imagined before opening the Master’s door.

He must use harmonization but control it specifically to remove only the demon energy inside the blood vessels.

Easier said than done, it’s sheer madness. Just think about how thin the blood vessels are; it’s like trying to thread a string through a hole in an extremely thin thread.

It’s easier than a camel passing through the eye of a needle, but from the standpoint of the patient, it might as well be the same.

‘…I can do this.’

Even so, he was managing it. Following the lead of his own senses.

Mana doesn’t have an endoscope camera, so he can’t see ahead, but he was moving forward without disturbing the flow of blood, without touching anything wrong.

“Ugh… ugh…”

Of course, unrelated to this situation, Ras was in so much pain from his screams that his voice was completely gone.

The demon energy that covered one of Ras’s arms began to dissipate. Ras would surely be glad to see it, but he wouldn’t have the mindset to appreciate it.

If things continued on like this, he’d be able to save Ras.

“Of course, I won’t let it go like this.”

Purple demon energy swirled around. The lingering resentment of countless Demon Cultists who died here piled up and reacted.

Hatred towards the Sword Saint began to give shape, forming a twisted and eerie faith.

A giant of purple hue. A human composed entirely of demon energy, made from demon energy.

‘Someone’s playing tricks.’

As far as Yeon-woo knew, only one person was capable of such deeds.

It was clearly a trap set by Soolma. The Demon Cultists at the front line weren’t that strong, aside from the surprise attackers, and most of them were just run-of-the-mill demons.

Though the Martial Alliance predicted that once they lost their reason, they would be hard to control…

Simply unleashing useless troops and setting a trap with Soolma’s sorcery. Ironically, the ones who triggered that sorcery were none other than themselves…

Even in a crisis, Yeon-woo remained calm. No, he didn’t even consider it a crisis to begin with.

For him, who had entered the realm of Master, opponents like that were no problem at all, and demon energy never posed a great threat to him.

While attacks could hurt, he didn’t need to fear being contaminated by demon energy like others.

‘The only issue is that I haven’t gotten used to the changes that came with becoming a Master and that I’m treating Ras.’

That was indeed a big problem. During the previous fight with Christoph, it was easy to see how much weaker an Aura Master could be before getting used to those changes.

Fortunately, he managed to acclimate somewhat while manipulating mana to heal Ras.

He hadn’t adapted to the changes in physical capability, but given the current situation, it made no sense to move his body around aggressively in battle.

Using his left hand to harmonize with Ras while using something like magic with his right hand.

Could he really pull off a feat that seemed possible only if one had two brains?

With that thought, Yeon-woo chuckled. In the end, he had to revert back to the beginning. There’s no other way. He will do it.

Concluding so, Yeon-woo stretched out his right hand. What should he choose? There were many means at his disposal. But if he were to choose the most effective means against demon energy, it would be harmonization.

If someone heard that he would fine-tune harmonization using both hands differently, Ras would have his eyes wide open in shock.

A typical purple giant, resembling a Demon Cultist, began swinging its fists.

As Soolma’s servant, it would not be slow by any means. Still, to Yeon-woo’s eyes, it was staggeringly slow and an utterly predictable punch.

Without batting an eye, Yeon-woo extended his right hand.

*

“Huh, damn… what have you done to me… You said the base is in the northern mountains…!”

“Oh, you’ll thank me for this later!”

Ras, who was looking at Yeon-woo with a gaze like he was seeing a lunatic, dropped his eyes.

Thinking about it, something felt off. With injuries that wouldn’t be out of place in the dead, along with contamination and the trio of pain, how is he still alive?

“What? What happened? Did the Sword Saint come by?”

“The Sword Saint didn’t come, but I, someone who learned from the Sword Saint, did.”

“That’s completely different.”

“But it was quick.”

Though said in jest, it was effective that he could handle it on the spot.

If separate equipment had been necessary, he would have missed the golden opportunity to resolve things during the time it took to go back.

“You can feel free to thank me. You won’t have to lose your arm or die. I’ve postponed your trip to Valhalla.”

“…Huh.”

Ras held his freshly healed right arm to his face while I tried to make light of things.

What’s happening? Just don’t cry, okay? A northern tough guy lives by his pride.

“…Thank you. Truly.”

“Don’t mention it. I could have abandoned you, but I helped you.”

Human relationships are about give and take. If someone gives you something first, you should always be ready to give something back at any time.

Feeling proud of this as Yeon-woo stood to leave, Ras stood up as well.

Feeling proud, thinking about turning to leave, Ras let out a chilling voice.

“…Hey, wait a minute.”

“What is it, Ras? Did something suspicious happen?”

“You… what exactly did you do?”

Just a moment ago Ras’s eyes were filled with gratitude, now they were filled with disbelief, as if he couldn’t comprehend what he was seeing.

Could it be that it’s become something utterly unmanageable? It did make him feel a bit uneasy.

In truth, nothing significant had happened. The forest was simply swaying its green leaves as usual. The lively greenery unfolded behind the Sword Saint’s observation deck. Ah, how peaceful it all seemed.

“It looks nice. Green is truly a pleasant sight.”

“…Damn it, if I knew it would escalate to something like this, I wouldn’t have followed you.”

“Haha, it’s a bit late to say that, isn’t it? Now that things have come to this, shall we sign a contract for employment?”

As he pulled out the contract papers he always carried around from Relin’s Warehouse, Yeon-woo said so.

Ras didn’t refuse those papers. He probably decided that getting protection from the other side was better than being interrogated about what happened between the Martial Alliance and Hobak Guesthouse.

Assuming that was the case, Yeon-woo’s task was simple. All that was left was to explain what was good about their products and what advantages they had like a hawker.

Since the boss was also the salesperson, where could you find such an advanced company?

*

“Finally, it seems I’m about to finish organizing things.”

Hah, Dang Sa-ryeon sighed tiredly. It had truly been a long time since he heard about the betrayers from Choi Yeon-woo; a year and a half had passed.

After showcasing the Chaotic Garden technique in the fight with Choi Yeon-woo, countless Ka-in who were maintaining neutrality turned their bodies towards Dang Sa-ryeon, and the clues obtained from the evidence sent by Choi Yeon-woo were remarkable, or else it wouldn’t have ended in just a year and a half.

“Hey, Myun. It’s really over, right? Can I take a break now?”

Dang Sa-ryeon, perched arrogantly on a chair, rested his chin in his hand with a look that suggested he was utterly fed up, called out to Dang-myeon.

In response, Dang-myeon, who appeared discreetly from behind, muttered nonchalantly.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever told you not to take a break. But are you planning to rest while leaving this poor guard to your lonesome?”

“I know you’re working hard. But I really want to take a break. Honestly.”

Dang Sa-ryeon’s words carried a tone that felt somewhat pleading, making Dang-myeon touch his nose.

If one who never cried would say such a thing, then it seemed he must be quite exhausted.

The trick to making others work is always to grant them a respite once in a while.

Although he spoke like this, the one doing the actual ordering was the young lady, not him. In fact, such words should come from Dang Sa-ryeon, not himself.

‘He’s being too hard on himself….’

When there’s something that piques his interest, no one says a thing when he focuses his thoughts on that.

“Okay. Shall we go have some fun for a change?”

“Phew.”

Though it felt like the relationship had reversed at some point, it wasn’t bad at all. At the very least, it showed a bit of humanity, unlike the people from this household.

Thinking so, Dang-myeon stood from his chair and followed after Dang Sa-ryeon, stepping out into the dark space.

Beneath their feet lay a messy heap of purple blood and corpses. In the Dang family, which never forgets grace or grudges, and if they’re indebted, they repay double or triple.

The punishment for those who betrayed the family is none other than to meet death amidst excruciating pain.

(Continued in the next episode)

 

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