Chapter 1: The first magic sword of the Central Plains

I’ve often been told I have a knack for craftsmanship since my past life.

I had a great talent for making and assembling things unknowingly that this would persist even after reincarnation.

The Heavenly Demon Cult’s main base, Mount Heaven.

Having read countless martial arts novels in my past life where this faction appeared frequently, I instantly realized I had been reincarnated into a martial arts world.

I chose the profession of a blacksmith to make use of my skills, and it didn’t take long to realize my talent was far from ordinary.

Every weapon I crafted was hailed as a legendary sword or blade, causing warriors to lose their minds over them, and my reputation spread quickly.

“Your swords are truly remarkable every time I see them.”

“How do you churn out legendary swords so effortlessly? It’s a blessing you’re with the Heavenly Demon Cult.”

When word of my skills reached the cult’s higher-ups, I was summoned and gifted an enormous forge, and I began producing legendary swords like a machine.

“Good heavens! What are these swords?!”

“You’re truly the greatest blacksmith! I’ve wielded swords my whole life, and none compare to these!”

But after a few years, this work grew dull and repetitive.

So, I decided to create something new.

Legendary weapons that appear in fantasy novels.

“Ego weapons.”

Weapons with consciousness, demonic swords that slowly erode their master’s mind, leading them to ruin.

Of course, some novels depict them as mere talking weapons, but I have no interest in such mundane settings.

As a genius blacksmith, my focus is solely on the legendary “demonic sword”!

A captivating concept is what completes a sword’s story.

As I pondered various ideas, someone flung open the forge’s door.

“Hey! Haunted Blacksmith!”

A lively woman with flowing black hair burst in energetically.

“Haunted Blacksmith” is one of my nicknames, a metaphor for my otherworldly talent.

“What’s up, merchant riffraff?”

“W-what?! Merchant riffraff?! I told you not to call me that!”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Ahem! How about ‘Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Special Incident Analysis and Handling Unit’? I came up with that title after some thought yesterday.”

“That’s way too long and clunky. What even is that?”

“What?!”

“Long doesn’t mean cool.”

“N-no way! Isn’t your ‘Haunted Blacksmith’ nickname cool because it’s long?”

“Never thought of it that way.”

“Gasp!”

Her name is Hyuna.

She comes off as carefree and a bit dim, but in reality, she’s an assassin disguised as a merchant, handling critical missions in the martial world.

She’s the leader of the Shadow Assassins, the cult’s elite assassin unit, unmatched in combat and stealth within the group.

Her making such a loud entrance clearly means she’s here for something unrelated to her main duties.

“So, why are you here? I’m working on something important.”

“What, you’re always busy?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t it be weird if the cult’s greatest blacksmith had free time?”

“Hmm, fair point. You’ve got a point…!”

Hyuna nodded with her characteristic “I get it” expression.

As I kept staring, she quickly got to the point.

“Have you heard? Sword Demon is returning.”

“Sword Demon? Already? Why?”

“I didn’t hear the details, but it seems the Blood Cult is involved.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

The Heavenly Demon Cult has seven top executives, called the Seven Demons.

One died during a mission, leaving six, as one seat remains vacant.

Among them, the one considered top-tier in martial prowess is the Sword Demon.

As the name suggests, he’s a master of the sword, the most common weapon in this martial arts world, rumored to be able to take on multiple orthodox sect masters with a rusty blade.

Naturally, he wields one of my legendary swords.

Even someone as formidable as him would face setbacks if the sinister Blood Cult intervened.

Rumors say the Blood Cult’s demons, or Blood Ghosts, each possess unique powers and regenerative abilities.

Of course, being cooped up in Mount Heaven, I’ve never seen them myself.

‘Not that I care much.’

“By the way, what does Sword Demon’s return have to do with you coming here?”

“Nothing, really. Just thought I’d mention it.”

“Oh.”

Back to the point, I realized this woman barged in because she was bored.

“Get out! I’m busy as hll.”

As I waved her off, Hyuna pouted, clearly sulking.

“Tch! You workaholic blacksmith with zero sense of fun!”

“You know that and still come back every time. Talk about persistent.”

While organizing my plans for the demonic sword, a sudden idea struck me.

“Hey, can you take cult items outside?”

“Hmph, I’ve got nothing to tell a boring guy like you!”

“If you do, I’ll let you visit for a week without complaining and even offer you tea.”

Hyuna’s eyes sparkled as if she’d never been upset, and she spoke up.

“Yup! You can take some stuff out if it’s for a mission!”

“Really? Even weapons?”

“Hmm… Well, I’ve only taken my personal weapons, but it should be fine, right? The higher-ups aren’t too strict about it given our mission nature.”

“Perfect. Just what I needed.”

“What’s perfect about it?”

“Be my errand runner.”

“What? Errands? Me? The leader of the cult’s top assassin unit?”

Hyuna pointed at herself in disbelief.

“Yup. Do me this favor, and I’ll give you a legendary sword.”

I made an offer no warrior could refuse.

“What, you’re tossing out a legendary sword like it’s some cheap blade from a market stall?”

“To me, a legendary sword is just that.”

“True, for you, it probably is.”

“Now you’ll become a proud owner of a legendary sword.”

“Owner?”

Hyuna tilted her head at the unfamiliar term.

“It means master. Usually used for people who own luxury or expensive items.”

“Ooh, luxury! That’s what owner means? Never heard it before, but it sounds cool!”

Of course, it’s a Western term, so it’s bound to sound unique, but I didn’t bother explaining.

“So, I can become the owner of a legendary sword?!”

“Yup.”

“Sweet!”

I gestured toward the weapons displayed elegantly behind me.

“I’ll let you pick any sword back there. How’s that?”

“For real?!”

“Yup, for real, you punk. Assuming you agree to my request, that is…”

Before I could finish, Hyuna, practically drooling, leaped to the display and grabbed two ornate daggers.

Grab

Holding a dagger in each hand, her eyes gleamed as she looked around.

To an outsider, she might’ve looked possessed by the weapons, but I could understand.

In modern terms, it’s like a supercar designer offering you any car from their garage if you do them a favor.

Who wouldn’t go crazy?

So, I get it.

Hyuna, lovingly cradling the daggers, started… licking them?

“Hey! What the hll are you doing? That’s filthy!”

“These are mine now! Mine! No one’s taking them!”

“At least wipe them first! They’ve been on display, probably covered in dust!”

“I’ll clean that dust right off~ My babies~!”

“Ugh, gross…”

Unable to watch, I shook my head.

Why are warriors so simple?

I’ve heard rumors of some lunatic wanting to marry their sword—could it be like that?

Whenever I have these thoughts, I compare swords to cars in the modern world.

A lunatic licking their car in a display of affection?

Surprisingly, they exist!

A lunatic falling in love with their car and wanting to marry it?

Shockingly, they exist too!

Aha, I see.

To warriors, swords are that kind of existence.

Instinctively, I feel repulsed, but I understand it logically.

“Yeah, makes sense.”

On the flip side, for my demonic sword project, this trait of warriors is quite promising.

Their obsession with weapons makes it fun for me to imbue my will into them.

If I met someone who treated weapons as mere tools, it’d kill the excitement.

It’s entertaining when warriors bicker with their swords as if they’re real friends or enemies.

‘I’ve got the concept down. Shall I make one?’

“I need to work now, so get out.”

“Okay, okay!”

Clutching the two daggers, Hyuna left the forge without a clue, just following my words.

What a simpleton.

“Alright, let’s show off some skills.”

Rolling up my sleeves, I melted metal in the furnace to craft the vessel for my ego sword.

—

“Perfect~!”

After days without sleep, pouring my heart into it, my first ego weapon was complete.

The demonic sword “Soul-Severing Blade” was born.

The red eye at the junction of the hilt and blade moved back and forth, exuding the aura of a fantasy demonic sword.

Of course, it’s just a gem, polished sharply with a special metal inside to look like an eye.

Then, I infused the prepared sword with my will, mixed with demonic energy.

Whoosh

Black demonic energy flowed from my body into the sword.

The sword’s eye pulsed like a heart, then fully opened, sharing my gaze.

Calming my racing heart, I channeled my will into the cold metal and spoke.

“I am the Soul-Severing Blade, the first demonic sword.”

And with that, the blacksmith, high on his creation, passed out.