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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Namgung So-yeon felt dizzy.
Like walking a tightrope across a chasm, a single misstep away from plunging into the abyss.
The Martial Alliance Leader stood before her, and beside him, the Divine Healer examined her condition.
After checking her pulse and examining her eyes, the healer clicked his tongue.
“Tsk… your constitution has completely changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“The energy from the elixirs and cores has permeated your body, altering your very nature.”
“Then… my martial arts?”
“Still worried about your martial arts at a time like this? Tsk! Typical martial artist.”
The healer frowned and inserted needles around her neck.
“Ugh!”
Her heart pounded, and Namgung So-yeon gritted her teeth.
The healer watched as her eyes turned bright yellow, and then he removed the needles.
She gasped for breath, as if she had been choking.
“What was that?”
“…Have you heard of the Blood Demon?”
“Blood Demon?”
“The Blood Demon once brought a storm of blood to the Central Plains.”
Martial Alliance Leader, Dokgo Nam, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.
He was a man of average build with a thick, dark beard and a long scar across his cheek.
“You must have heard of the Sichuan Bloodbath.”
“Yes, a little.”
“Few know the true cause. It was the Blood Demon who orchestrated the Sichuan Bloodbath.”
The Blood Demon, Do-uk.
Driven by an insatiable desire for power, Do-uk had consumed a dangerous combination of elixirs and cores, suffering terrible side effects.
The side effects transformed him into a bloodthirsty monster, craving the blood of the living.
Namgung So-yeon’s eyes widened.
“Are you saying… I’ve become like the Blood Demon?”
“Indeed,” the healer confirmed.
“The corpse of the healer in the training room… it confirms our suspicions.”
“…”
“You appear normal now, having absorbed his blood, but the cravings will return. When they do, you will crave the blood of others.”
“I see. Then…!”
Namgung So-yeon stood up, drew her sword, and pressed it to her throat.
*Clang*
Her sword flew across the room, clattering to the floor.
The Alliance Leader, now in a fighting stance, had disarmed her.
“Why?! If I live, another Sichuan Bloodbath will happen! That healer died because of me! I must atone for my sins with my life!”
Namgung So-yeon cried out, but the Alliance Leader gripped her shoulders firmly.
“No, that will not happen.”
“Follow me.”
Namgung So-yeon followed him.
They walked for some time.
Despite her familiarity with the Martial Alliance, the path they were taking was unfamiliar.
“This area is protected by a barrier. Only authorized personnel are allowed entry.”
The Alliance Leader explained, as if answering her unspoken question.
The Alliance Leader, Lightning Sword, and the Divine Healer.
Three of the greatest talents of their time stood before a stone chamber.
The Alliance Leader opened the door and revealed a small, bare room.
“There’s nothing here? Am I supposed to train here?”
Namgung So-yeon had assumed they would discuss ways to manage her bloodlust. The Alliance Leader shook his head.
*Creak*
He lifted a handle on the floor, revealing a staircase leading down.
“Come.”
He descended the stairs with nothing but a torch in hand, and Namgung So-yeon followed.
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“Where… where is this?”
They had entered an underground prison.
Rows of sturdy iron bars lined the walls.
Moans and groans echoed through the darkness, and the rattling of chains accompanied their every step.
“This is the Alliance’s secret prison. Where we hold our enemies.”
“I didn’t know this place existed. But enemies?”
“The prisoners here pose a grave threat to the murim… to the world.”
“They don’t look very threatening.”
Namgung So-yeon had expected to see powerful martial artists, individuals capable of wreaking havoc with overwhelming force.
She tilted her head in confusion.
“Appearances can be deceiving. I hope you learn that quickly.”
The Alliance Leader offered this advice and then turned to her.
“There is currently no cure for your bloodlust.”
“Oh…”
Her face fell, but he continued,
“But we can prevent the deaths of innocents.”
“How?”
“Whenever your cravings become unbearable, you will feed on the blood of the ‘sinners’ imprisoned here.”
“What are you…”
“Lightning Sword, think of the bigger picture. Your skills are already on par with mine. But you are young. Do you understand what that means?”
“???”
“It means you have the potential to become even stronger.”
“But with this bloodlust, I can’t live a normal life.”
“That’s why I’m proposing this solution. If it meant sacrificing innocent lives, I would never suggest it.”
Seeing her hesitation, the Alliance Leader pressed on.
“Haven’t you eliminated countless threats to the Central Plains? This is no different. These prisoners have all committed heinous crimes. Don’t hesitate.”
“But…”
“Don’t you have a duty to become stronger? I remember what you said before entering the training room.”
‘I will destroy the Heavenly Demon.’
That’s what she had declared before swallowing the elixirs and cores and entering the training room.
“It’s unfortunate that you’ve become a Blood Demon, but perhaps… this is a chance for you to gain the power to surpass the Heavenly Demon. You will grow stronger with each feeding.”
“For the sake of peace in the Central Plains, become the blade of the Alliance.”
His words were earnest, filled with conviction.
And then, the Alliance Leader added one final line.
“…”
Namgung So-yeon stared at the floor for a while.
*Nod*
She nodded weakly.
*Nod*
Her nods grew stronger and more determined.
*Nod*
Her eyes burned with resolve.
“A wise choice. Now, follow me. I’ll tell you everything we know about the Heavenly Demon’s secrets.”
*Gulp*
She was suddenly very hungry.
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