Chapter 3: I Became the Terminally Ill Master of the Heavenly Demon (3)

Bi Wol and I boarded a carriage heading west, leaving our sect behind. It felt like it had been quite a while since I'd ventured out of the martial arts world like this.

"Master, what kind of place is the Western Regions?" Bi Wol asked me with eyes full of expectation. She must have some fantasies about traveling for the first time.

"Broadly speaking, it's not much different from the martial arts world. After all, places where people gather to live are like that."

However, unfortunately, I was also the original author who wrote that fantasy world.

Back then, when I was less mature, I enjoyed creating gloomy and dark worlds.

It had become a dark fantasy world with a setting where demonic beasts swarmed in the north, and above that, there was a separate continent called the Demon Realm ruled by the Demon King.

"If it's not different, then...?"

"Wherever we go, there will be many hands seeking our help, Bi Wol."

I sighed deeply, having to dash Bi Wol's expectations.

If I had known that the world in the novel would become reality like this, I would have created a brighter and more hopeful story.

"Is what you're saying really true?"

Inside the rattling carriage, Bi Wol was pressed close to my side, whispering softly in my ear.

"I've heard that in the Western Regions, there are Taoists who use mysterious arts, and swordsmen who infuse their swords with qi are everywhere."

Her small, warm breath tickled my ear, causing me to start and move away. She followed, smiling broadly.

The closeness was sometimes frightening. Is this how a master-disciple relationship is supposed to be?

"Qi is replaced by something called 'mana', and just as internal energy gathers in the dantian, they have a 'mana core' in their heart that allows them to bring imagination into reality."

I pushed Bi Wol's cheeks away with my palms, feeling their soft, pliant texture. She puffed out her cheeks, looking disappointed.

"Master, why are you avoiding me?"

"You're too close. What if others misunderstand?"

To be honest, Bi Wol is like a daughter to me. She's a being born from the words I wrote, like a fragment of my soul.

"...I don't mind if I'm misunderstood."

"But I do! I'm the leader of a sect with an honorary title. What if rumors spread that I've touched my disciple?"

I said this while grabbing both of Bi Wol's cheeks and stretching them with my fingers.

She's cute, like soft, chewy rice cakes. She also looked a bit like a hamster with its cheeks full of sunflower seeds.

"Mather, pleathe let go (Master, please let go)."

Seeing Bi Wol's muffled pronunciation, I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Will you promise not to do it again?"

"Yes, so please don't touch me so roughly."

Bi Wol rubbed her sore cheeks with both hands, pouting. Seeing her like this, she seemed not like someone born with the Heavenly Killing Star who had to kill to survive, but just an ordinary girl.

'If it's like this, I should be able to change Verdandi and Azazel's fates too.'

I gently raised the corners of my mouth and brushed aside Bi Wol's disheveled hair.

A fanatical hero who kills people in the name of justice, and a saint who made a contract with a foreign god because she wanted to be loved.

For a creator, the greatest honor is to see their characters come to life.

'I want to end their stories as happily as possible.'

Now that it had become reality and not fiction, I had to do what I could. The best I could do as an author, not a reader, as someone involved, not a bystander.

"By the way, Master, is this 'junior sister' someone you've known for a long time? I didn't get a proper explanation last time..."

Bi Wol looked up at me as she asked. Her gesture was like a kitten looking up from below.

The way she clung to my arm with both of hers, not wanting to let go, was like a dog trying to rub its scent on me.

"They're like my daughters. And there are two of them in this world, not just one."

"...Pardon?"

At that moment, a chilling killing intent emanated from Bi Wol, enveloping her entire body. The horse pulling the carriage neighed loudly and reared up in surprise.

"...Bi Wol, suppress your killing intent."

"But, but..."

I gently stroked Bi Wol's head as I spoke softly. I scattered yin energy around to prevent her killing intent from spreading further.

At this rate, not only the coachman but even the horse might faint, ruining our journey to the Western Regions.

"Didn't I tell you not to reveal your emotions for such simple reasons? A sword without purpose and killing intent without direction only hurt oneself."

I didn't intend to scold my disciple for carelessly revealing her killing intent.

For Bi Wol, who was deeply attached and dependent on me, she might fear being abandoned because of the new junior sister coming in.

"The reason I said they're like my daughters is because, like you, they've lived unfortunate lives due to my mistakes, Bi Wol."

"Why do you say it's your fault, Master? You've done nothing wrong."

No, it's all my fault.

"I had the martial prowess to save a child in distress, and the chivalrous heart to pity them."

A bitter taste filled my mouth. As the creator of this world, I could have given them happy endings.

"But in the past, I turned a blind eye to that injustice. Making excuses to myself that they were just unlucky, because I was too busy trying to survive myself."

But I didn't. For me, the role of the final boss was to be an obstacle that had to block the protagonist's goal.

"The Ice Dragon who destroyed the cult that imprisoned me shouldn't say such things."

They were beings that had to die at the hands of the protagonists.

"...I could have saved them sooner. I could have saved more children. If my feet had been faster, if my sense of qi had been keener, I could have found you sooner."

"Wasn't it an unavoidable situation? No one would blame you, Master."

Bi Wol said it couldn't be helped. Yes, making excuses like this would ease the mind.

Weren't they just villains in a creation, beings without soul or body until I was possessed?

But,

"Words are infinitely light and easy, Bi Wol. Do you know how many children would have turned into blood and flesh if I hadn't saved you?"

Now the situation has changed. Everything in this world was breathing and had its own life.

All because of a few lines written by my incompetent hand.

"......"

"Bi Wol, my disciple who is like the bright moon in the night sky. Don't forget that the master you follow and serve is a pathetic human who is only now trying to face the past."

I couldn't tell Bi Wol everything about my circumstances, but I could explain it in a roundabout way as much as possible.

If I hadn't discontinued the series and had written it to completion, this wouldn't have happened.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind..."

Bi Wol seemed to understand what I meant, as she grabbed my wrist with both hands and made me pat her head more firmly.

The Heavenly Demon who had been emitting killing intent earlier was gone, and only a young girl throwing a tantrum remained.

"The junior sister you'll meet first is an unfortunate child who has been consumed by justice."

"When you say justice..."

"To put it metaphorically, she's a powerful person who tries to kill anyone who violates chivalry unconditionally."

I explained to Bi Wol about Verdandi. She uses the <Scales of Justice> and <Eyes that See Truth> to judge whether a person she's seeing for the first time is evil.

The problem is that the condition for being evil is as light as a feather.

"...You mean without question?"

A child who stole potatoes from next door due to famine and hunger, a mother who strictly disciplined her child with a rod.

"Yes, for that child, the intent to kill is infinitely light."

To Verdandi, they were all like evildoers who had committed wicked acts. This was the setting I had given her.

Because the final boss in a novel had to be stronger than anyone else and absolutely evil.

In Bi Wol's case, I was just lucky enough to be able to save her.

"This girl is starting to understand everything now."

Bi Wol said, making fists with both hands and nodding her head vigorously. Fortunately, she seemed to sympathize after hearing about Verdandi.

"You want to show that junior sister your boundless grace too, Master!"

"......?"

The words coming from Bi Wol's half-lidded eyes were a bit off, but she didn't seem to misunderstand my intentions.

"This unworthy disciple thought they might be your hidden illegitimate children. Of course, that couldn't be! The person I follow and respect endlessly couldn't have shared affection with another woman..."

Bi Wol showed a wide smile, even letting out a giggle. She held her cheeks with her hands, looking happy.

"...Wait, Bi Wol. Don't you hear something?"

That's when it happened.

A scratching sound, like chains dragging, could be heard nearby. It was a strange sound, not like a horse stomping its feet.

"It doesn't seem to be anything good."

As I cautioned Bi Wol, she also looked around, noticing something strange. She immediately took a stance, ready to jump out of the carriage.

"...It must be the sound of dragging iron chains. Bi Wol, can you tell how many are coming around us?"

I asked Bi Wol, who had an innately keen sense of qi, to scout the enemy forces.

As the saying goes, "Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat," understanding the opponent's strength is crucial.

"There are three sturdy men holding iron maces, five well-built men with clubs, two men who look like guards holding large swords, and lastly... one man who seems to be the leader, holding an axe."

Bi Wol closed her eyes tightly and discerned the group of bandits approaching the carriage.

It seemed they were planning to block the horse's path using iron chains and then seize the opportunity to extort money and people.

"Eleven in total. Good."

As soon as I heard Bi Wol's answer, I jumped out of the moving carriage before her.

Ice White Divine Technique, First Form. Ice Breaking Fist.

As I spun my body once and struck the ground with my fist, a thunderous sound erupted, and an ice pillar shot up.

It's a fist technique that concentrates all qi in the hand to condense cold energy and then releases it through the fist. If aimed at a person, it freezes their internal organs, or it can create a foothold like this.

"M-Master?!"

As I moved first, Bi Wol followed in surprise. The demonic energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Technique was swirling around her body.

Having quickly secured an advantageous position for fighting, we encountered,

"This area is managed by our Green Forest 72 Strongholds! If you want to proceed, pay the toll!"

We came face to face with a man whose bushy beard and mountain-like build exuded an intimidating presence just by looking at him.

"I am one of the stronghold masters of the Green Forest, Shin Jang-geumboo (Body Long Golden Axe), Lord Mountain Violence!"

A bandit wielding a large axe, swinging his arms around and making sounds as if cutting through the air.

"Hahaha!! If you don't want to be chopped up by our big brother's axe, leave the woman and money here and go!!"

"That's right! Our toll is very expensive!"

Mountain Violence and the bandits around him were looking down on us, unable to suppress their snickering laughter.

However, I remained unshaken by their laughter and slowly raised the corners of my mouth.

"...It seems you haven't heard the name Ice Dragon."

As my cold voice cut through the air, the bandits' laughter stopped instantly.

"Ice Dragon? You mean that martial arts master who was active in the battle between righteousness and evil?"

"Wait, could it be...?"

The bandits' expressions showed bewilderment and anxiety, and I smiled inwardly at the sight.

I needed money to go to the Western Regions anyway, and now walking treasures had come to me on their own two feet.