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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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I told them to close the doors of the inn for now, in case of another attack.
As I watched the workers and waiters gather weapons, I turned to Sayoon.
“Is your bruise okay?”
“Yes, of course! I can fight more.”
The sight of the small girl with her fist clenched tightly was truly reassuring. I nodded at her and unfolded the map of Seomhwa Village.
“There are guards at the government office, so it should be fine… the first place we need to go is the village headman’s house. This path also connects to the road from outside the village, so it’ll be easier to track the enemy’s movements.”
I thought of the kind old village headman. He didn’t know any martial arts, but he was wise and resolved disputes in the village with his calm demeanor. If he were to die, it might cause chaos in Seomhwa Village.
Making up my mind, I headed toward the village headman’s house with Sayoon. Along the way, we saw some injured soldiers. After tending to them and entrusting them to the frightened villagers, Sayoon, who had been silent, spoke up.
“Who are they?”
“Well…”
There were too many possibilities.
First, of course, it could be a scheme by the Iron Blood Clan.
The Hongseong Sect had claimed Seomhwa Village as their territory and lent their name to it.
What if Seomhwa Village suffered a major blow and fell into chaos?
It would be a disgrace to the Hongseong Sect’s precious honor.
Then, to restore their honor, they would have to send disciples to protect Seomhwa Village.
And during that process, the number of people guarding the Hongseong Sect would decrease, making it vulnerable to a divide-and-conquer strategy.
Second,
We had to consider the possibility of an attack by the Monster King, which was a recurring event in the game.
The Monster King was a fallen immortal who could control monsters and used mercenaries who succumbed to money and power to disrupt the empire.
In Heavenly Bright Moon, half of the non-event periods revolved around his attacks. So much so that players on the forum nicknamed him the “Recurring Event King.”
According to the lore, the Monster King had existed even before the Iron Blood Clan, and he had been causing trouble for a long time, so I couldn’t be sure that this attack wasn’t his doing.
Third, there was the possibility of repercussions from the Demonic Sect’s invasion of the empire.
Whenever something happened in the martial world, it was safe to assume that the Demonic Sect was responsible for half of it.
They used evil sorcery, controlled monsters, and used mercenaries to cause chaos, just like the Monster King.
And the targets of their disruption were usually the territories of powerful figures in the world.
Besides these, considering the movements of the evil faction and other recurring events based on events that had existed in the lore for a long time, it was impossible to pinpoint who was behind this.
…
Should I just say it’s the Iron Blood Clan’s doing?
“Well, who they are doesn’t really matter, does it?”
Sayoon gripped her sword tightly.
Haha, this girl. Haha.
Sayoon, who spoke with her proud eyes fixed forward, stepped in front of me with a determined look.
We had encountered another man in black clothes, just like the one before, trying to approach the village headman’s house.
“…I hear the clash of metal. It seems like the senior sisters are protecting the headman. Let’s defeat this guy quickly and go help them.”
“We should.”
The man in black, seeing Sayoon and me, seemed to grasp the situation quickly as well.
He raised his sword and growled at us.
“…Tsk. It seems one of the fools has been defeated.”
“Indeed, you fool.”
I immediately threw a stone.
Taking advantage of the moment when the man deflected the stone with his sword, Sayoon dashed forward.
Star Flow Steps.
The man in black widened his eyes in surprise at her strange footwork, as swift as the movement of stars.
-Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their swords clashed three times in rapid succession. Fierce attacks that sent sparks flying, yet neither the man in black nor Sayoon showed any change in expression.
Was this just a warm-up for them?
“You little brat…!!”
A voice filled with murderous intent. The dagger in his right hand aimed for Sayoon’s neck. She twisted her body to dodge, and I threw another stone at him.
-Swish!!
He kicked the stone aimed at his head, intending to kick Sayoon with his extended foot. Sayoon, taking advantage of the opening, retreated a step back. She calmly placed her sword in a ready position, checking a few strands of her hair that fell to the ground.
“…Hidden weapons.”
“You’re not going to call me cowardly, are you?”
The sharp blade that protruded from the front of his right leather shoe retracted. Glancing at it, Sayoon took a deep breath and calmed her mind.
“You don’t seem to have much real combat experience. Your body is stiff. Is it because you don’t know where the next hidden weapon will come from? Hehehe, how cute. Go drink some more breast milk and come back.”
“I don’t have a mother.”
“…Tsk.”
Even at the insult directed at her deceased mother, Sayoon remained calm. Wow, immune to insults about parents.
The man in black seemed momentarily flustered, as if he hadn’t expected his provocation to be blocked like this.
But it didn’t seem like he was going to back down out of guilt for insulting her mother.
He just slowly approached, dragging his feet across the ground.
And then, licking his lips, he smiled like a snake that had found its prey, and moved.
His body swayed from side to side, his dagger aiming for her throat.
It was the Black Snake Steps.
A movement technique favored by the evil faction, it allowed for attacks from both the left and right, but it was vulnerable to attacks from above.
He seemed to think that Sayoon wouldn’t be able to attack from above because she was shorter than him, but…
“What?!”
Maintaining her tense expression, Sayoon lightly leaped at the last moment. As she jumped, soaring higher than an adult’s height, the man widened his eyes in surprise.
Spinning in midair, Sayoon kicked him in the head.
A jump using the Star Flow Steps, followed by a Heavenly Star Kick combo!
Wow! She learned well!!
That combo even appeared in the tutorial.
After executing the Heavenly Star Kick perfectly, like a scene from a painting, Sayoon thrust her sword towards the man who was about to fall forward. The sharp tip of her sword trembled slightly.
But he wasn’t a pushover either. He quickly turned his body and threw his dagger.
-Swish!!
Sayoon dodged it with a slight tilt of her head. But she didn’t dodge it completely…
This bastard!!?
He dared to injure that beautiful, jade-like face!!
-Thud!!
His sword pierced the man’s neck, but I couldn’t contain my anger.
As she pulled out the sword from his neck with a slight twist, a fountain of blood erupted.
Sayoon retreated, avoiding the blood, and then, catching her breath, smiled faintly at me.
“I won. Let’s go!”
“You have a cut on your face…”
“Oh? Ah, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine.”
I took out a handkerchief from my pocket. And a box of healing ointment.
“Wh-what?! It’s really okay! Isn’t that healing ointment? It’s expensive!”
“I don’t mind spending this much.”
“…Okay.”
I opened the box of healing ointment, and a refreshing scent filled the air as the ointment inside was revealed. Sayoon’s eyes widened at the sight of the luxurious box.
It was understandable. It was really expensive.
It was a highly effective healing ointment made by the Divine Doctor himself, costing one gold coin per box.
“Stay still.”
“I can apply it myself.”
“You don’t have a mirror.”
“Ahaha…”
Sayoon laughed awkwardly and closed her eyes tightly. Perhaps it was because of her long eyelashes, which were still visible even when her eyes were closed, but she possessed a beauty that didn’t match her age.
But was that important now?!
Sayoon had a cut on her face!
“I hope it doesn’t leave a scar…”
“A scar like this is a badge of honor for a martial artist…”
“Throw that badge of honor away. There, done.”
Fortunately, the cut wasn’t that deep. It should heal fine with regular application of the ointment.
I placed the remaining healing ointment in Sayoon’s small hand.
“Huh?”
“I’ve already used it once, so I can’t sell it again. It’s better for you to have it. You’ll be fighting more than me.”
There was enough ointment in the box for about ten applications. Considering the future battle with the Iron Blood Clan and other potential events, it was better to give it to her.
I had a few more boxes at the store, and I could order more if needed.
After thinking for a moment, Sayoon hesitated and then bowed her head.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You saved my life, both back at the inn…”
I pointed at the fallen man.
“And now.”
“Hehe… ah, that’s right! We should go!”
“Wait a moment. Let’s search his belongings.”
“Okay, okay.”
Whether they were from the Iron Blood Clan, the Monster King, the Demonic Sect,
Or just random thugs,
I thought we might find something if we searched his belongings.
But as expected, just like the guy at the inn, there was nothing to identify him.
“That’s a shame.”
“Indeed. Let’s go.”
The clash of metal was getting louder, which meant the fight was intensifying.
I ran towards the village headman’s house with Sayoon, and there we found Yoohee fighting against four men in black.
“Senior Sister!!”
I threw a stone, and Sayoon dashed out.
It was enough to distract the men in black, who were attacking Yoohee with a combined formation.
“Innkeeper Yu!!”
The village headman, who had been trembling in fear behind us, shouted urgently. I quickly ran to his side, and Yoohee, relieved, broke the enemy formation from the outside, pulled Sayoon, who had joined her, into a hug, and ruffled her hair.
“Oh, my precious little one. You came just in time! This is why I love our youngest!”
“Ehehe…”
“Now, shall we begin?”
The synergy between martial artists who practiced the same techniques was powerful. Especially so for the Hongseong Sect disciples, who lived together, ate together, and practiced formations almost every day, living like sisters.
“Haaaah!!”
“Yah!!”
The girls’ movements were swift and sharp. Like starlight illuminating the vast, dark night sky, they dodged the onslaught of the men in black and began their counterattack.
“Y-yes! The Hongseong Sect!”
The village headman, having regained his composure, shouted, clenching his fists.
“Kill them! Tear them apart! Show them that they have no future…”
“Come on, the kids are listening. Tone down the violent language.”
“Ahem.”
The village headman coughed awkwardly and then grabbed my arm tightly.
“But, Innkeeper Yu, who are they?”
“I don’t know either… Didn’t they say anything when they attacked you?”
“Not really… They just said I had to go with them.”
Damn it.
Would I have to capture one of them and torture him for information?
Just then, Yoohee’s sword sliced off the arm of one of the women in black. Seizing the moment when their formation faltered, Sayoon stepped on Yoohee’s shoulder and leaped into the air, kicking another man in the head with a Heavenly Star Kick.
As he groaned, rolling on the ground, Yoohee’s sword glowed with light.
Sword Qi.
It seemed like she was about to use one of the latter techniques of the Hongseong Divine Art.
“Hup!!”
With a low shout, a beam of starlight shot forward.
The destructive power contained within the starlight shattered everything in its path, reaching its target unhindered.
Star Soul Sword.
The destructive soul contained within the starlight shattered the man’s sword and pierced his heart in a single blow.
“Gah…”
Two down. It was enough to turn the tide of the battle.
“D-damn it…”
“You didn’t tell us it would be this tough…”
Faltering,
The remaining men in black, realizing they were at a disadvantage, began to retreat.
“Damn it… why isn’t the backup arriving…!”
Backup?
There were more of them?
As a shadow fell over Sayoon and Yoohee’s beautiful faces,
I asked the men in black,
“What backup?”
“….”
“I’ll let you live if you tell me.”
“W-well… to be honest, we were hired…”
Hired?
By who?
As I stared at them, one of the men in black gritted his teeth and said,
“Damn it! I never wanted to take this job in the first place! That guy is so damn ominous…”
-Thud!!
Something long protruded from the chest of the man who was about to shout.
It was a blade.
The man in black looked down at it in disbelief and collapsed. The man next to him was about to scream when a sharp blade suddenly pierced his neck as well.
Sayoon, Yoohee, and I all looked in that direction.
“…Oh my.”
It was a woman in black clothes, just like the ones before.
But the aura she exuded was different.
Just her presence sent shivers down my spine with her intense killing intent.
This…
This was impossible to win.
I froze.
Glancing around, I saw that the village headman had fainted from the pressure, Sayoon was clenching her teeth so hard that they were bleeding, and Yoohee’s eyes were wide open.
And so, the woman who had made us all tense with just her appearance was approaching.
-Click. Click.
Every step she took carried weight and power.
Her sharp nose,
Her dark eye makeup,
Her blood-red lips,
Her long, black hair that reached her waist.
And…
-Woooong…!!
The black energy surrounding her body.
It was demonic Qi, the symbol of the Demonic Sect.
In this critical situation, my mind was racing, calculating a way out.
Well, at least I didn’t say it was the Iron Blood Clan’s doing. That would have been embarrassing…
“…Who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter… Hey, you guys over there.”
Her hand movements were seductive. She lightly moved her hand, adorned with sharp iron claws, and smiled, her red lips twisting.
Beautiful.
But equally dangerous.
Her eyes, as dark as the abyss, were fixed on me. I tried to look away and pretend I didn’t notice, but it was useless.
“Don’t play dumb. Now, come with me. If you refuse… you know what will happen, right? I’ll cut off an arm or two. Don’t make the others die needlessly.”
Damn it.
Was there no other choice?
It was time for me to step forward and buy some time.
I could stall for time with conversation until Chae-jin arrived, and then we could escape.
I recalled “100 Stories That Would Please the Demonic Sect” and stepped forward.
“Innkeeper?!”
“Stay back!”
My dear girls,
I’m better at stalling for time against the Demonic Sect than you are.
“I’ll try to buy some time, go get Miss Chae.”
“Oh my? Was Moonlight Blade here? Then I should hurry. I wonder if we’ll even have time to chat?”
“Before that, I don’t know why you want to take me and the village headman, but if you’re from the Demonic Sect, I have some stories you might find interesting. Why don’t you hear them first and decide my worth?”
“Hmm?”
“You don’t seem foolish enough to not know the value of a single word.”
Now, what should I tell her?
The location of Sa Ma-jun, the former military strategist of the Demonic Sect, who stole their sacred artifact and ran away?
Or the location of the other half of the incomplete Heavenly Demon Divine Art?
Or the location of the forgotten Demon God’s temple?
The secret passage leading to the Demonic Sect?
Or…
Ah, I don’t know. I’ll just say anything to buy time.
“Ahaha, I like men who are always confident like you.”
She smiled, a dangerous yet beautiful smile, winked, and licked her lips.
“I hope you’re still confident even after losing an arm…”
Kaboom!!
What the…
Where did the person who was talking to me just a moment ago go?
I wondered if that was even a sound a human could make.
Like being hit by a charging bull, I watched as the woman who had been standing there leisurely was sent flying with a loud bang, tumbling across the ground and groaning.
“I wondered what crazy bastards were lurking outside Seomhwa Village… I’m glad I finished them off quickly and came running.”
The figure who had sent her flying with a swing of her greatsword casually planted the massive weapon into the ground.
She brushed back her fiery red hair, as vibrant as roses, and tied it up with an old leather strap, securing it in place. Then she looked at us.
“Innkeeper Yu, I hope I’m not too late.”
The woman who calmed our nerves with a single, stunning smile.
The senior disciple of the Hongseong Sect.
It was Hongryeon.
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Ohhh, here comes the dandy long legs’ daddy long legs.