Chapter 192: Sword for Life (1)
At the ti Harang and the Sword Demon were having their conversation, a clandestine eting was taking place in the shadows of the continent.
Their identities: the leaders of Black Hydra, a subordinate organization of the village.
Specifically, it was a discussion among the First, Second, and Fourth Hydras.
“Are we just going to stand by and watch?”
“…….”
The Fourth Hydra’s voice was filled with agitation.
Considering her usual deanor, this was unbelievable. She was known for being rough with those below her in rank but impeccably polite to those above her.
Yet, she couldn’t help it.
The Third Hydra had died.
Of course, death was like a friend to them. Given the nature of the village, which ruled the continent’s underbelly, and their role as its sharpest swords, danger was a constant companion.
But the Third Hydra’s death… it was far too futile.
At least, that’s what the Fourth Hydra thought.
‘He wasn’t soone to be used and discarded like fodder.’
Fodder.
Yes, that was his role—nothing more, nothing less.
A man of the Third Hydra’s rank.
Soone who was on the verge of becoming a Sword Master, perhaps even capable of rising to the First’s position, reduced to experience points for fledglings.
‘What’s even more absurd… is that this isn’t the end.’
Yes, this wasn’t the end.
Of course, she knew the village’s original purpose was for the birth of the “Great One.” But wasn’t that a story from 300 years ago?
Among those currently in the village, no one believed in such legends anymore. No, even if it were possible, it wasn’t worth the countless sacrifices.
Only the “village’s master” was obsessed with it.
Like soone possessed.
“He’s gone mad.”
“……Mind your words.”
“Isn’t it true? We’re not tools! Even if the village was ford for such a purpose 300 years ago, we’re now rightful executives who deserve proper treatnt!”
“…….”
“It’s not just who thinks this. Haven’t we heard from ‘Scale’ and ‘Skull’? They must be displeased with the current situation as well…”
“Enough.”
Wooooong—!
The First Hydra showed displeasure, and a heavy Presence emanated from him.
Beads of sweat ford on the Fourth Hydra’s forehead.
She knew he wasn’t using his full strength. She was all too aware that this was him showing considerable restraint.
That’s why she clamped her mouth shut, but the current situation was hard to endure.
‘At this rate, not only but even those above will die. The entire Black Hydra organization will vanish.’
Even so, the village’s master wouldn’t bat an eye.
Rumors suggested he wouldn’t alter his plans even if the entire village had to be restructured.
At that mont,
the Second Hydra, who had been silent until now, spoke.
“We’re not going to sit idly by either.”
“What do you an?”
“It’s a bit early to go that far. But… I can tell you we’re secretly in talks with Scale and Skull.”
“……What about Red Magician? Have you spoken with them?”
“That’s in progress too. But don’t expect active participation from them. That sly fox will likely keep watching until the end.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Go now. We have our own tasks to handle.”
With that, the Second Hydra closed his eyes.
The First Hydra did the sa. Sipping his tea as if there was nothing more to say, the Fourth Hydra bowed respectfully and cautiously left the room.
“……What will beco of us?”
She didn’t know. The Second Hydra’s words carried so confidence, but thinking of the village’s master made her knees tremble.
But one thing was certain.
‘……I don’t want to live in the shadows anymore.’
There was no longer a reason or need for it.
With that thought, the Fourth Hydra silently moved to carry out her duties.
***
A month after rescuing hostages from the Third Hydra’s grasp, Harang, Sheratiya, and their companions left the Seton Swordsmanship Hall’s territory and returned to Comrcial City Marzen.
“Woooaah! The heroes are back!”
“Harang! Hagio! The pride of our Marzen!”
“Eddy rcenary Corps! Eddy rcenary Corps!”
“Everyone, head to the tavern! Let’s hear so epic tales!”
Marzen was a cauldron of frenzy.
This was because news of Harang’s effective victory at the Seton Swordsmanship Festival had spread.
And because it was widely known that Harang, along with two others, had rescued hostages from the clutches of Red Magician, whom even the Seton Swordsmanship Hall feared.
This was a trendous achievent.
The courage and skill to stand against a formidable foe that even the Holy Kingdom found burdenso and the Seton Swordsmanship Hall feared!
It was a heroic feat that an ordinary person could never accomplish.
“Could… we arrange a eting with Harang, no, Sir Harang?”
“Co on, Daereon, you’re close with him, right?”
“Eddy, I want to hear Sir Harang’s tales too… Can’t you make it happen?”
“Pale! Why are you being so stingy? You and Harang are close! Just one eting, is that so hard?”
“Ugh, get lost. All of you, get lost!”
“Boss is busy!”
Because of this, flies sward from all directions, but the Eddy rcenary Corps coldly brushed them off. They even declined an award from the city council, citing injuries as an excuse.
Of course, normally, they wouldn’t have gone this far. Harang wasn’t particularly averse to eting people.
But the timing wasn’t right.
It was because of the conversation with the Sword Demon that kept lingering in his mind.
‘The rage within your heart… Using it as fuel to surpass the wall—I don’t recomnd it.’
‘What do you an?’
‘I can’t just stand by and watch your sword consu your life.’
‘……I still don’t understand.’
‘Think carefully. Raising the power of your swordsmanship isn’t everything. A sword is rely a tool to support your life; it shouldn’t beco your life itself.’
‘…….’
‘Let give you an extre example. Are you prepared to sacrifice your precious bonds to beco a Sword Master?’
“……No way.”
In an empty room, Harang slowly shook his head.
He couldn’t do that. Absolutely not.
At the sa ti, he quickly realized why the Sword Demon had said those words.
‘The Elder… didn’t approve of sacrificing my life, my precious parts, for the sake of swordsmanship growth.’
What was the driving force behind Harang now?
Rage.
Where did that rage co from?
From self-loathing and a sense of inferiority.
In the end, to wield greater power, he had to keep fueling negative emotions and maintain a desolate life. The mont those were resolved, he’d lose all his strength—it was obvious.
The question about sacrificing precious bonds was an extension of that.
What if soone from the Eddy rcenary Corps lost their life because of his shortcomings?
What if Sheratiya beca crippled?
What if Hagio or the orphanage children were hard?
‘I’d rage as a result, and I might even break through the wall. But that… isn’t the kind of growth I want.’
Harang closed his eyes tightly.
Breaking the wall by igniting negative emotions.
Reaching the Sword Master realm through the “loss of bonds.”
That was absurd.
He wanted to grow stronger to protect his precious bonds, yet the most efficient and fastest way to do so was to sacrifice them.
What an ironic situation.
“……I can’t do that.”
Muttering quietly, Harang opened his eyes sharply.
He quickly left the room.
Feeling stifled, he wanted to take a walk. His head felt like it would explode, and he craved fresh air.
Of course, that didn’t an good ideas ca to him. The faster his steps, the more complicated his thoughts beca.
‘How can I embrace intense, profound emotions strong enough to break the wall without sacrificing my life?’
Nothing ca to mind easily.
Even Sword Master Heitz of Acanthus had broken the wall through the negative keyword of “revenge,” and though the Sword Demon hadn’t said it explicitly, Harang suspected it was similar. If it weren’t, he would’ve recomnded his own thod to Harang.
Of course, he didn’t think all Masters reached their realm through negative emotions or by sacrificing their lives.
Take the Head of the Seton Swordsmanship Hall, for example. He beca the south’s greatest through pride in his swordsmanship hall.
‘But that’s a realm forged over decades of devotion to the swordsmanship hall, like steel tempered over ti. It’s far too slow for to pursue now.’
Huff, Harang let out a sigh.
He knew it was greed.
To gain explosive emotions in a short ti, the power of “negativity” and “loss” was necessary. It was far more shocking and stimulating.
If he didn’t want that, he’d have to build up the values he pursued over a long ti. In other words, he needed ti.
‘I can’t do that.’
Harang didn’t have ti.
His ability to live his life fully was entirely due to the village’s rcy.
The mont they changed their minds, this peace would crumble like a sandcastle.
Harang couldn’t bear that.
He had to grow stronger.
But he couldn’t sacrifice his current life either.
It might feel like a childish tantrum, but that was Harang’s honest heart.
“Hey, Harang?”
At that mont,
a familiar voice called out nearby.
It was Sheratiya Viyan.
Harang’s expression showed slight surprise.
Though he’d t her often out of necessity, running into her on the street like this was a first in over two years in Marzen.
But Sheratiya was even more surprised.
Instead of his usual stoic expression, Harang’s face clearly showed distress and worry.
“What’s wrong? Is sothing up?”
“……It’s about swordsmanship.”
“Oh, then I probably can’t help…”
“It’s also about life and emotions.”
“……? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Sheratiya, letting out a rare crude remark, quickly covered her mouth. Since so ti ago, she’d wanted to show only her refined side in front of Harang, so this slip felt significant.
But Harang actually felt relieved by her outburst.
Because he thought it was indeed nonsense.
‘Yeah, it’s nonsense. And greed.’
But sohow, he had to turn this nonsense into sothing that made sense.
Only then could he survive, and those around him could survive.
With that thought, Harang cautiously asked:
“Lady Sheratiya.”
“Yes? What?”
“What positive emotions are as intense and profound as the sorrow, rage, or agitation from losing a precious bond, yet not negative?”
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