Chapter 24 - Blacksmith (5)

Fortunately, as expected, we were able to escape the cave safely. Returning to the blacksmith's workshop in rags, the blacksmith greeted us.

＂I was thinking I might have to report two corpses, but thankfully you're both alive.＂

＂......＂

＂......＂

＂Cheer up. I'm joking. This lustrous ore… The quality is excellent.＂

The blacksmith picked up a Crimson Blood Stone. He broke off half of the piece, which was the size of an arm.

＂Didn't you say you needed one?＂

＂Now that I see it, this much seems sufficient.＂

＂......＂

I’d been had.

The blacksmith, having placed the Crimson Blood Stone into the furnace, stretched.

＂It'll take a while for the ore to melt. Preparing it for use will also take some time. I don't want to be interrupted, so it would be best if you waited outside.＂

＂There's Crimson Blood Stone left over.＂

＂So? Are you asking for the remainder? Don't be silly. Selling this separately would require going through complicated channels. Even if you took it, how many people would recognize the value of Crimson Blood Stone?＂

＂I’m not asking for it. I'm asking you to use it.＂

I gestured towards 29th.

＂It looks like her sword still needs some work. I would be grateful if you could use the remaining Crimson Blood Stone to repair it as well.＂

＂...There's no need to use Crimson Blood Stone on a sword that only needs minor repairs...＂

＂Please use it. That was the deal, wasn't it?＂

＂Stubborn, aren't you?＂

The blacksmith clicked his tongue.

＂Fine. But don't tell anyone about me having extra Crimson Blood Stone. Keep your mouth shut. Understand?＂

＂Having received a favor, my mouth will naturally become heavy.＂

＂You won't be swindled anywhere.＂

29th was startled. She hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head slightly.

No verbal thanks were given. But that was probably the best expression of gratitude she, as a 'woman,' could give to a 'man.'

I didn't say anything else. I just waited at the blacksmith’s workshop until the weapons were finished.

After spending a night outside, the blacksmith emerged with the items. His face drenched in sweat, he handed me the sword.

＂The repairs are finished.＂

The Sword Body, infused with Crimson Blood Stone, shone with a different color than before. At first glance, it appeared to be the color of iron, but when sunlight hit it, a faint reddish hue shimmered.

I lightly stroked the Sword Body. The qi was alive. It felt as if my fingertips would be cut.

＂Excellent work.＂

＂I've made over several hundred swords. Thinking about it now, I really didn't think you'd actually penetrate the Blood-sucking Bats and retrieve Crimson Blood Stone.＂

＂I was lucky.＂

＂Luck is also a skill. I'll have to look for a suitable place again next time. If we have the chance, help me again. I'll compensate you generously then as well. I might even be able to make you a better sword.＂

I secured the sword at my waist.

＂This is enough.＂

＂You have little greed.＂

＂It wouldn't be unreasonable since there's a lot.＂

＂Is it that precious?＂

＂Since deciding to live properly after escaping suffocating shackles, she's one of the few connections I've made.＂

I smiled faintly.

＂Since it’s a kindness I’ve rarely received in life, it’s that much more valuable.＂

＂You're quite the smooth talker. You could make a living as a merchant.＂

＂Since I’ve decided to wield a sword, I intend to only wield a sword.＂

＂You won't back down on a single word. Go. I hope to see you again.＂

I immediately returned to Demonic Valley. 29th, looking at the repaired sword in the sunlight, exclaimed.

＂The sword sparkles red!＂

＂Mine does too.＂

＂...Don’t tell me you intentionally matched them...＂

29th’s eyes narrowed.

＂Did you?＂

I was annoyed.

＂I’ll have a new sword made for you, so hand that over.＂

＂N-no way! I was just joking! Ow! Don't take my sword!＂

We arrived at Demonic Valley, bickering. After a brief check-in, we returned to our usual routine.

However, I had no intention of immediately focusing on Su Ryeon. Having brought a gift, shouldn’t it be given to the one who should rightfully receive it?

I requested a private meeting. Originally, such a request would not be accepted, but the Blood Demon Squad Leader briefly showed his face to me.

＂…You ask to see her?＂

＂Yes. I have something to tell her.＂

He had a dubious expression. His scarred face contorted slightly, and then he sighed.

＂…Alright. Return to your position.＂

The summons from the 1st Demon came a week later. Receiving envious glances from 29th, I left Demonic Valley once again with the Blood Demon Squad Leader.

We retraced the path we’d taken before, arriving at the small building the 1st Demon had provided.

A masked woman, reviewing documents with a cup of tea, greeted me.

＂Why did you call for me?＂

＂I called because I missed you.＂

＂Your jokes have improved. I specifically told you to cut it out. If you really came for that reason, I’ll take your head.＂

I drew the sword from my waist. I also took out the Secret Manual and the wooden box from my robes.

The 1st Demon, seeing the three items placed on the table, pushed aside the documents.

＂What is this?＂

＂These are the relics of the North Sea Ice Emperor, Bing Baek Seol.＂

＂What?＂

The 1st Demon’s hands moved swiftly. In an instant, she took the sword, the Secret Manual, and the wooden box to examine their contents.

＂......＂

A sharp, cold Yin Qi emanated from the three treasures.

The 1st Demon, silently scanning through the Secret Manual, frowned.

＂Where did you get these?＂

＂I obtained them by chance. While mining for ore to repair my sword, I found a hidden place.＂

＂You expect me to believe such a preposterous story?＂

＂I stumbled upon it while being chased by Blood-sucking Bats.＂

＂Blood-sucking Bats? What nonsense is this?＂

I recounted the events that had transpired.

The 1st Demon rolled up the document and smacked me on the head.

＂Does your body itch if you don’t cause trouble for a day?＂

＂.......＂

＂And there it goes! I told you before not to puff up your cheeks! Are you a child?!＂

＂…Still, I brought back treasure, didn't I?＂

＂Tsk.＂

The 1st Demon put down the Secret Manual. She opened the wooden box and the sword, then sighed.

＂A heavy Yin Qi… There's no need for verification. You were lucky, Jeok Un.＂

＂Thank you.＂

＂But why did you bring this to me?＂

＂You were the first person who came to mind after I obtained them.＂

＂.......＂

＂So I came to give them to you…＂

I cautiously observed the 1st Demon’s face. It was difficult to discern any changes beneath the mask.

＂There is no other reason.＂

＂Is that so? You may go.＂

I stood up cleanly. Since my original intention was to deliver the items and leave, I didn't feel particularly disappointed.

If what I received was my life, these were merely treasures.

Wouldn't it be stranger to be upset about giving them away?

I took a few steps. The 1st Demon stopped me.

＂Wait.＂

＂Yes?＂

＂You really don’t want anything?＂

Responding to her strangely inquisitive voice, I said,

＂I really just came to give these to you. That’s all.＂

＂Why?＂

＂Didn’t I say earlier? You were the first person who came to mind.＂

The 1st Demon fell silent.

She scrutinized me, as if trying to gauge my intentions, then forced me to sit back down.

＂The North Sea Ice Emperor’s Spirit Pill. This is a Spirit Pill that ordinary people cannot consume. To begin with, unless you're a member of the North Sea Ice Palace, you can’t even touch it. The same goes for the weapon. You need to possess their Martial Arts to use it.＂

＂I see.＂

＂Although the details are written within the Secret Manual… there are some strange parts. It seems Bing Baek Seol’s condition was not well while writing this. There are several parts that need reinterpretation.＂

＂Indeed, there were many parts where the contents seemed to go off track. Some characters were difficult to decipher.＂

＂Nevertheless, Bing Baek Seol’s Martial Arts are renowned. The Divine White Yin Arts are said to be dangerous Martial Arts that can freeze one’s limbs upon contact. As the name ‘Divine Arts’ suggests, its value is immeasurable.＂

The 1st Demon scrutinized my face once again.

＂And you gave this to me.＂

＂Yes.＂

＂…And?＂

＂Yes?＂

I pondered for a moment.

I realized what the 1st Demon wanted to hear. I see. She wanted to hear the real reason.

If that’s the case…

＂I'm happy to be able to give you something like this.＂

＂…What?＂

＂I always wanted to give you something, but I never had anything I could.＂

I smiled slightly.

＂I finally feel like I’ve accomplished something.＂

＂......＂

＂I will bring you more things like this if I find them.＂

The 1st Demon sighed.

The sword, the Secret Manual, and even the Spirit Pill were placed before me again.

＂Take them back.＂

＂Yes?＂

＂I don’t need these Martial Arts. The Ice Palace’s Martial Arts? Their value is high, yes. But not that high. The Five Secret Societies are far removed from the Divine Sect, and it's difficult to establish political relations with them. Then the only thing to consider is the value of these Martial Arts… but I’ve already learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. It’s too late for me to learn other Martial Arts now. Besides, the Cult Leader had a rather unpleasant encounter with the Five Secret Societies. She loathes the Martial Arts of the Five Secret Societies.＂

＂…Is that so?＂

＂Don’t look so down. Well…＂

The 1st Demon cleared her throat.

＂I understand why you sought me out. That’s enough. I’ll say your attempt was… good.＂

＂Then what should I do with these?＂

＂Take them.＂

＂I’m also learning the Nine Heavenly Demon Arts.＂

＂I’m not telling you to learn it. I'm telling you to exchange it for money, you idiot. You could earn enough to live on for the rest of your life. Of course, the drawback is finding the right buyer.＂

＂Then, Sir 1st Demon…＂

＂I don’t need it. I don’t particularly need money. Take it back.＂

The 1st Demon added quietly,

＂Don’t even think about learning it. It literally utilizes the Yin Energy of ‘women.’ If a man learns it, nine times out of ten, there will be side effects.＂

＂.......＂

The 1st Demon hesitantly reached out. Hesitating for a moment, she carefully placed her hand on my cheek.

And then she pinched it.

＂Ouch.＂

＂…You’ll die soon. Running around causing trouble like this. Know the value of your life, you idiot.＂

For some reason, I felt like she had smiled slightly.

. . .

The 1st Demon fiddled with the documents.

Jeok Un had already left. The Blood Demon Squad Leader as well. Although her trusted subordinates were keeping their distance and lying in wait, the distance was so great that it was no different from being alone.

Once she finished her official duties, it would be over. The 1st Demon tried to turn the page. However, she couldn’t, and instead continued to fidget with the corner.

「You were the first person who came to mind.」

＂…Tsk.＂

Who would have known he'd suddenly summon her and present her with Bing Baek Seol's Martial Arts? Furthermore, he even stated with his own mouth that he didn't want anything in return.

At first, she didn't believe him. Thinking he might be testing the waters, she deliberately nodded her head, telling him to go.

But he actually got up.

As if he truly desired nothing in return.

The Martial Arts of the North Sea Ice Emperor are priceless. One could tell just by looking at the sword and the Spirit Pill.

No matter how foolish Jeok Un was, he would have recognized at a glance how valuable they were. Yet, he brought them to her.

He truly intended to give them to her and leave.

Why?

「I always wanted to give you something, but I never had anything I could.」

Because he knew it was valuable, he wanted to give it to her.

＂......＂

Had anyone ever said such a thing to her before?

She was the 1st Demon of the Heavenly Eight Demons. The Thousand Blood Blade Demon, whose name alone instilled fear.

Good memories with Jeok Un? None. Only memories of hitting him.

She occasionally summoned him to give him guidance, but that was simply because he was an annoyance.

He was the Cult Leader's dog. She had no particular feelings beyond that. It was just, well…

A slight curiosity piqued by his peculiarity.

That was all.

＂I finally feel like I’ve accomplished something…＂

Such foolish words. Being so eager to do something for someone who tormented him.

Even if it was true that he had received a few things from her, what kind of idiot would do such a thing?

…Still, his slightly puffed-up cheeks… that dejected expression was a little…

＂A little cute…＂

No. Wait.

What did she just say?

The 1st Demon hastily erased the words she almost uttered. That couldn't be. That brat was just a dog. A useless mutt.

Clearing her throat needlessly, she focused on the documents again. She calmly looked down at them once more.

But she still couldn't concentrate.

In the end, the 1st Demon had to stay up all night to catch up on her backlog of work.