Chapter 2: Black horse and devil sword

According to my past life’s memories, demonic swords in fantasy settings and martial arts novels have slightly different vibes.

In fantasy, they’re weapons with consciousness, capable of speech and radiating immense energy, sometimes automatically emitting an aura.

True to the name “demonic sword,” they possess transcendent power but come with high-risk, high-reward abilities that threaten the user’s life.

In martial arts novels, demonic swords are more grounded.

They’re exceptionally sharp and durable, retaining their edge despite being stained with blood and passing through many hands.

Warriors often call such swords legendary.

But if that legendary sword falls into the hands of a public enemy or a villain, causing countless atrocities, only then does it earn the title of demonic sword.

In this world, legendary swords and demonic swords are similar concepts; the sword itself isn’t inherently special, but it gains infamy due to its user’s notorious deeds.

If you asked a warrior on the street about a “talking sword,” they’d scold you for being drunk in broad daylight.

And if you claimed to have made one?

You’d be branded a blacksmith who went mad from forging swords all day.

That’d be the best-case scenario.

At worst, you’d be hunted down, accused of being a sinister Blood Cult sorcerer who forged a sword with human sacrifices.

But where am I?

The Heavenly! Demon! Cult!

A wicked group that worships the Heavenly Demon as a god and schemes to overturn the martial world.

Perhaps because of this, none of the warriors here are entirely sane.

The Seven Demons, the top executives, each have a screw loose in their worldview, and their subordinates are either devoid of personality or excessively brutal.

I’ve never met the Heavenly Demon, but he’s probably not sane either.

Even if he was, ruling over these lunatics for so long would drive anyone mad.

In short, in this cult, anything less than outright bizarre is just shrugged off.

Even for these nutcases, a “sword with consciousness” might seem alien, but that’s where my reputation comes in.

Who am I?

The Heavenly Demon Cult’s—no, the martial world’s greatest blacksmith.

A once-in-a-generation genius, the haunted blacksmith who churns out legendary swords.

I’ve already prepared an excuse for the demonic sword.

One day, in a secluded cave, I found a strange, worn sword and brought it to my forge for reforging, only to discover… it’s a demonic sword! That’s the story.

I know it’s a flimsy excuse.

But if the lunatics listening to it are just as unhinged?

It’ll work. It’ll definitely work.

Having lived in the cult for nearly twenty years, I can say with certainty: here, results matter more than the process.

So, I adorned the demonic sword to look even more menacing and stylish.

A sharp, elongated design that men would fall for.

A dark blade and hilt, perfect for villainous tastes.

And decorations to highlight the sword’s centerpiece, the “demon eye.”

The completed sword’s eye alone sent chills through the surroundings.

“The problem is, who do I give this to?”

It’s an experimental piece, my first, so it might have flaws or need improvements.

But since it hasn’t been tested in combat, I don’t know what needs fixing.

I need to find an owner for this sword, but giving it to just anyone would be boring and risky.

“Hmm…”

As I pondered deeply, someone opened the forge’s door.

I quickly covered the demonic sword with a cloth and stepped out to greet the visitor.

“Who’s there?”

Outside, a warrior in a luxurious purple robe stood.

“I’ve been here before, but you never cease to amaze me.”

“Hmm?”

His face seemed familiar, and the quality of his robe was exceptional.

Only a high-ranking executive could afford such attire.

“Haunted Blacksmith, we met briefly before. Forgotten already?”

Then I noticed the “Sword Demon” characters embroidered on his robe.

I immediately straightened, bowed, and clasped my hands in a salute.

“Ah, greetings, Sword Demon.”

It wasn’t the most formal gesture or tone, but for someone as cheeky as me, it was polite enough.

Sword Demon, knowing this, didn’t take issue with my greeting.

“Still as peculiar as ever. Probably the only one in the cult who greets a Seven Demon so casually.”

“That’s because my skills back it up.”

“Heh, that attitude’s unique too. But if you’ve got the skill, it’s fine. I agree with your thinking.”

Having crafted a legendary sword for him before, Sword Demon was quite fond of me.

Most warriors who receive my swords are, but as the Sword Demon, he places extra value on weapons, giving him an almost absolute fondness for me.

With the favor of Sword Demon and other Seven Demons, my status in the cult is unmatched.

Even warriors far stronger than me treat me with utmost respect.

That’s what it means to have the concentrated favor of the top executives just below the Heavenly Demon.

Sword Demon chuckled softly, scanning the legendary swords I’d crafted.

“Seems your skills have improved since I got my sword.”

“People grow as they age.”

“Right, you’re not even twenty yet, are you? Hard to believe.”

“The world’s full of unbelievable things.”

“Not just great at forging weapons, but at talking too. That’s you.”

Like a charismatic college senior, Sword Demon grinned, patted my shoulder, and spoke.

“My mission was to deal with key orthodox and unorthodox figures and settle disputes, so I was supposed to stay in the martial world longer, but something unexpected brought me back early.”

“I heard the Blood Cult was involved.”

“Oh, you’ve heard? Then I don’t need to explain much.”

Sword Demon sat on a wooden chair and continued.

“In a battle with high-ranking Blood Ghosts, my sword broke.”

“The sword I made broke?”

I couldn’t help but be shocked.

The sword I gave him was a masterpiece among masterpieces, crafted with utmost care.

It was made to last through him, his grandchildren, and their grandchildren.

That such a sword broke was unbelievable.

“Yes, it wasn’t due to your lack of skill. Your swords are always top-notch. The opponent was just too much. It was one of the ‘Six Path Blood Ghosts,’ apparently.”

“Six Path Blood Ghosts…”

I’d heard they’re like the Seven Demons of our cult.

Top executives of the Blood Cult, all Blood Ghosts, monstrous beings with immense power.

Each one is said to match or surpass the Seven Demons, so it made sense his sword broke.

“The situation was too chaotic to assess fully. We were ambushed from all sides.”

“Damn, surviving that is a feat in itself.”

“Yes, I had to make a strategic retreat for the future.”

‘Why not just say you fled?’

I thought to myself but didn’t say it aloud.

“Anyway, that’s why I’m here to request another weapon.”

“Hmm, I see.”

This was it—the perfect chance to test my demonic sword.

‘Luck’s on my side.’

With a sly smile, I said to Sword Demon in a subtle tone, “Of course. I’ll craft a legendary sword worthy of you.”

Clank

A sound came from the workshop, and Sword Demon glanced over, asking, “Someone in there?”

“Oh, well…”

I feigned nervousness as best I could.

Noticing something odd, Sword Demon said, “Don’t worry. Whatever it is, if I can help, I will.”

“Really? Then, would you come to the workshop with me? There’s something I’d like you to see…”

“Of course. Let’s go. What’s got you so hesitant?”

As I stalled, Sword Demon followed me into the workshop, curiosity written on his face.

There, something shrouded in cloth radiated sinister demonic energy, its presence overwhelming.

“What’s that…?”

As Sword Demon examined it closely, I pulled back the cloth, revealing the demonic sword.

Zing

The sword’s eye glowed red, its dark blade gleaming sharply.

“Ho, what’s this sword?”

Sword Demon, utterly captivated, stared at it in awe.

I warned him, “Be careful. It’s no ordinary blade.”

“It doesn’t look ordinary at all.”

The sword’s appearance clearly matched his tastes perfectly.

Unconsciously, he stepped closer to the demonic sword.

Suppressing my excitement, I spoke through the will imbued in the sword.

[A new vessel approaches me.]

“What?!”

Shocked by the sword’s voice, Sword Demon stepped back, visibly on guard.

I approached him and said, “Didn’t I tell you? It’s no ordinary blade.”

Hearing this, he asked, bewildered, “How does a sword speak? What is that, Blacksmith?”

I launched into my prepared excuse.

“I don’t know the details myself. One night under a full moon, I found a cave and was drawn in by a sinister aura.”

As I spun my tale, Sword Demon focused entirely on my story.

“Deep inside, I found a rusted, worn sword embedded in a rock. Thinking it odd, I pulled it out and brought it to my forge for reforging.”

“A sword in a rock? In a cave…?”

His eyes sparkled at the story, packed with elements warriors go crazy for.

“Yes. I reforged it as if possessed, and when I came to, ‘that’ was complete.”

“Ho… truly a strange tale.”

“I’ve studied it for days, and that sword has a consciousness, like a human.”

“A sword with consciousness…!”

Sword Demon’s body trembled with anticipation.

It was time to seal the deal.

I touched my forehead, feigning worry, and said, “That’s why I’m troubled. It’s clearly superior to any sword I’ve made, but it’ll likely erode its user’s mind. It’s a demonic sword, beyond a legendary one. It probably only grants its immense power to a master it acknowledges. I was wondering what to do with it…”

Tap

Sword Demon’s trembling hand rested on my shoulder.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he slowly spoke.

“Give it to me. Please, give it to me.”

“But that sword…”

“I beg you. Please, let me have that sword…”

I bowed my head, trembling slightly, and spoke slowly.

“Thank you… for resolving my dilemma.”

As I spoke in a halting voice, Sword Demon, overcome with anticipation and emotion, replied, “No trouble at all. If it’s your dilemma, this Sword Demon must solve it. So, that demonic sword! I’ll take it and handle it!”

He didn’t know.

The reason I bowed and paused wasn’t hesitation.

It was because my body was paralyzed with uncontainable exhilaration.