Chapter 7: Sword and Magic Sword (6)

I’m running alone through the darkness.

It’s not that something’s chasing me, but it feels like I need to flee at any moment.

I don’t even know what I like, but I feel compelled to run toward something out there.

I must run toward my goal and escape failure.

“Huff… huff…!”

The faster I run, gasping for breath, the more anxious my heart grows.

The destination seems to recede further, while whatever’s behind me feels closer.

As I ran endlessly, I suddenly fell into a deep pit beneath my feet.

Falling without end, I flailed my arms to grab something, anything, but nothing was there.

How long will I keep falling?

It feels like an eternity, yet also a fleeting moment.

Is there even a bottom?

What was I so afraid of that I ran so desperately?

What was I chasing so relentlessly?

Everything is shrouded in questions, with not a single certainty.

Then, my mother’s words echoed in my mind.

“You must become famous. Make everyone look up to you.”

“Succeed. Be superior to all, perfect in their eyes.”

“Become a great person and avenge my shame. Make your father, who abandoned me as lowly, regret it…”

Unknowingly digging her own grave, my mother cursed the world daily.

Even when her grave was complete, her words to me never changed.

“Never show weakness. The world waits for you to falter.”

The further I go, the more anxious and fearful I become, but I mustn’t show it.

I have to be perfect.

Yet, for some reason, every time I run forward, someone blocks my path.

To be perfect and superior, I must surpass everyone and stand alone at the top.

‘Get out of my way.’

As a child, when I first held a sword, street thugs blocked my path.

After surpassing them, martial artists stood in my way.

After overcoming them, masters beyond the pinnacle blocked me.

Now, a woman I can’t possibly defeat stands before me.

Ghost Demon, or Ghost Blade Rakshasa, said to be the strongest of the Seven Demons. If I surpass that monster, what will block me next?

Is there even an end?

If I stumble, will those chasing me catch up?

The peak might be just ahead, but what if I keep falling like this?

In the black pit, endlessly plummeting, I closed my eyes, refusing to look down.

Because I’d surely tremble with fear if I did.

I’d rather break than face it.

Then, a familiar yet irritating voice rang out.

[There’s no such thing as a perfect person.]

Who’s that?

A red eye flashed in my mind.

Oh, damn it. That annoying thing.

It had to be that wretched demonic sword, but its words weren’t entirely bad.

[Sadly, as a human, you’re doomed to live with anxiety and fear. But, my master, let me tell you something good.]

[Happiness isn’t in reaching a goal and feeling satisfied—it’s in the process of chasing it. So don’t be too hard on yourself.]

[Life only moves forward, not back, so it’s okay to take it slow sometimes.]

At the bottom of the pit, despair awaited, but I opened my eyes to face the speaker.

There, instead of a red-eyed sword, a woman in pure white reached out to me.

[Value yourself, my master.]

As I slowly reached for her radiant, warm hand…

—

Clunk!

“Urgh!”

Yunmyeong jolted awake, smacking his head against the wall.

It didn’t hurt, but such a scene would look ridiculous to others, so he instinctively glanced around.

A chill ran down his spine—his instincts were never wrong.

[Oh, my foolish master, Yunmyeong. Had a nightmare, poor thing? You’re drenched in cold sweat.]

The sword’s red eye curved, radiating mockery.

Normally, he’d snap at it to shut up, but with his subordinate Sohwal at the driver’s seat and the dream woman’s voice matching the sword’s, he couldn’t speak.

[Why so dazed? Wipe the drool from your mouth. Some Sword Demon… tch.]

“Ha…”

A headache creeping in, Yunmyeong pressed his hand to his forehead.

‘It was just a dream. No way that annoying thing could be so kind.’

Mulling over the comforting words from the dream, he gazed out at the scenery, trying to ignore the sword’s voice.

[Quiet now? Finally ready to obey me? Good boy. Keep it up.]

Crunch

His efforts were in vain as his fists clenched, veins bulging with rage.

Every word was expertly chosen to provoke him.

As a grandmaster of the Heavenly Demon Cult and one of the Seven Demons, he hadn’t faced such blatant mockery or disdain in ages.

Sure, there was occasional rivalry among the Seven Demons, but even they were cautious around him, a top-tier fighter. Their jabs were gentlemanly compared to this damned sword.

He’d only been disrespected as a child, but that was long ago, and he’d crushed those foes. Now, his tolerance for insults was near zero.

Frustration and anger welled up, but he could neither act nor speak, leaving him fuming.

Then, he spotted the spare cloth meant to wrap the sword.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the sword, gritted his teeth, and whispered so Sohwal wouldn’t hear.

“You bastard… I’ll cut you off from the world…”

[What a sulky child, pouting over a lost toy. So cute.]

“You… you bastard…!”

He finally spat out a vulgar curse he’d never normally use.

Bloodshot eyes glaring, he roughly wrapped the sword in cloth.

Before, he’d covered just the blade and eye, but now he swaddled it entirely, making it look like a bundle of rags rather than a sword.

“Huff… huff…!”

Breathing heavily, he stared at his handiwork.

“How’s that? Feeling trapped? Reflect deeply and sincerely apologize, and I’ll unwrap you!”

Knowing the sword’s personality, he doubted it would reflect or apologize, so he considered this a bold move.

But Soul-Severing Blade’s response was unexpected.

[Yunmyeong, my master. You’re quite upset. I’ll apologize this time.]

“What? You’re… apologizing?”

Thinking he misheard, he stared at the sword, dumbfounded.

[Yes. Why act like it’s your first apology? I teased you too much, so let it go.]

The venomous sword’s sudden meekness left Yunmyeong awkward and uneasy.

‘I didn’t expect it to hate being covered that much. It has a human side after all.’

“Hmm, well, I didn’t expect you to back down. A bit surprising.”

[I apologize again. I didn’t realize such petty taunts would hit you so hard. Your heart is frailer than I thought. My mistake. I’ll treat you gently, like a child, so don’t worry.]

Twitch

A vein popped on Yunmyeong’s forehead.

With a twisted smile, he glared at the cloth-wrapped sword, his lips trembling.

“Of course. You defective hunk of scrap. Just you wait. I’ll crush that arrogant will of yours someday.”

[Don’t say such harsh things. It makes you look weak.]

Yunmyeong’s patience, responsible for containing his anger, had long since shattered.

Even for Sword Demon, who’d endured countless painful and lonely training sessions, the sword’s infernal mouth was unbearable.

“Grr… argh…!”

Clenching his fists, trembling, he gritted his teeth and hissed, “Fine… my frail heart’s wounds won’t heal easily… I’ll accept your apology, but you stay wrapped up for now…!”

He’d given up beating the sword verbally. Now, he’d show it through actions.

[Poor master. If I had hands, I’d gently soothe your wounded heart. Such a pity.]

“I agree. If you had hands, I’d smash them to pieces, and my wounded heart would feel a bit better. Truly a pity.”

Their childish refusal to yield made it hard to tell if they were enemies or old friends.

Then, the small door to the driver’s seat opened, and Sohwal spoke.

“Sir, we’ve entered Qinghai. There’s a village nearby. Shall we stop?”

The ambush site was in southwest Qinghai, further south, but after days in the carriage, Yunmyeong’s body felt stiff, so he nodded.

Despite bickering with the sword moments ago, he quickly regained his composure and replied calmly.

“Yes. Let’s stop at the village, gather supplies, and rest well before moving on. You must be tired from driving so long—take a good rest.”

“Understood. I’ll take you to an inn in the village, secure the carriage, and find lodging.”

Even Sohwal, with her sturdy stamina, rarely showed fatigue.

But driving for days without rest had taken its toll, evident in the dark circles under her eyes.

Naturally, a superior’s duty includes managing their subordinate’s condition.

Knowing rest was as crucial as training, Yunmyeong planned to let both himself and his subordinate recover fully in the village.

He glanced out the carriage window.

Beyond the setting sun, a village came into view.

“It’s a decent size. We should find everything we need.”

Thus, a black ebony carriage entered a village in northwest Qinghai.

Rustle

Unaware that someone, hidden in the dense forest, watched with glowing red eyes.