Chapter 38 : Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Digestion (1)

Mana. The mysterious power that filled this vast continent— the divine blessing bestowed by the gods. It was the source that allowed the world to exist, and the one thing absolutely necessary for all seven races, humans included.

Those who wielded this mysterious power weren’t limited to swordsmen. The mana overflowing through the continent had infinite possibilities for interpretation, and thus, those who handled it were divided into countless branches. Among them, if one were to name a special case, everyone would agree on a single answer.

Magicians. Those most familiar with mana— who invoked miracles in the mortal realm through incantations and ritual formulas. They were the kind of people who could bring forth miracles with their bare hands.

「So, magicians have set foot on my land.」

They were the sort who spent their lives locked away studying magic, preferring the company of dust and books in dark chambers over seeing the outside world. For that reason, magicians who stepped beyond their towers were extremely rare— and extremely dangerous. They lived unbound by order or law, disconnected from human society.

「In my time, they wouldn’t even have dared dream of such a thing.」

In simpler terms— they were unsociable, curious troublemakers. Especially the black magicians exiled from the magic societies.

“Ugh.”

So of course, I couldn’t help but sigh.

***

As soon as I returned, I inspected the entire territory. From the outskirts to the central district, I found nothing drastically different from before. There were faint black wisps drifting in the air that bothered me, but nothing seemed physically damaged. Just… unpleasant.

After finishing my brief inspection, I headed toward the mansion to unload my heavy belongings.

In the yard, Seol Yoon was swinging her sword with her usual expressionless face. Her movements looked almost like a dance set to silent music, yet at the same time, it seemed as if she were locked in an invisible battle against unseen foes.

As always, her sword was breathtakingly beautiful— not the brutal act of wielding a weapon, but an art form in itself.

「The girl’s sword has grown again.」

“……”

「Geniuses are always delightful to teach. Unlike you— you talentless, dull-witted young descendant.」

Liam, satisfied at first, soon jabbed me with his usual scolding tone.

I didn’t have much to say in return. Even to my untrained eyes, Seol Yoon’s swordsmanship had improved remarkably. Her form, her rhythm— everything was sharper than when I had left.

Compared to the time when she had fought in the arena as the Black Bride, her current swordsmanship was leagues apart.

“You’re back?”

Lost in watching her sword, I hadn’t noticed her gaze until she spoke first.

She looked at me, indifferent as always. Despite my long absence, she didn’t ask how I’d been or say she was glad to see me. It was just… typical of Seol Yoon.

“Yes, I’ve returned.”

“You get stronger?”

“More than before.”

“Good. Then we’ll spar again soon.”

She gave a faint, almost mischievous smile. Sweat glistened across her face, catching the sunlight.

I almost smiled back, entranced, before snapping out of it.

“Was there any trouble in the village while I was gone?”

“Yeah. There was.”

There was. I waited for her to elaborate, but she didn’t.

Given the context, this should’ve been the part where she explained what happened. Instead, she just blinked and went back to swinging her sword, as if that one word was all the explanation I’d get.

I blinked. Then asked again.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah?”

Seol Yoon stopped mid-swing and looked at me with innocent confusion.

Ah, I had momentarily forgotten— she was the type who had put every ounce of social skill and speech into swordsmanship.

“……?”

Her face, utterly sincere as if wondering why I was even asking, made me feel dizzy. For a fleeting moment, I missed Fetel— that friendly man who could talk endlessly even without being asked.

‘If the Orc Elder had seen this, he’d have called her more Orc-like than me.’

Her mindset wasn’t all that different from the Orcs I’d just been living among. Of course, I couldn’t say that aloud unless I wanted a sword to the head. So, suppressing my frustration, I forced a smile.

“I’d like to know what exactly happened while I was gone.”

“You should’ve said that from the start.”

Even back in my village, it still felt like I was talking to an Orc.

At last, Seol Yoon lowered her sword.

***

Talking with Seol Yoon was never easy.

She truly only answered what was asked— nothing more. Still, by carefully crafting ‘detailed questions,’ I managed to piece together what had happened while I was away.

“So, to summarize— two incidents with roe deer, and a group of bandits showed up, which you wiped out. That’s it?”

“Yeah. That’s about all that was interesting.”

To Seol Yoon, there was no difference between startled deer and axe-wielding bandits from the mountains. Both were weak, pitiful beings that cried out in fear and could be cut down in a single strike. In this remote place, Seol Yoon was the wolf among sheep.

“And there was a weird kid who came begging once.”

“A weird kid?”

“Yeah. Looked like one of those slum rats. Filthy rags, starving face— asked if we had any food to spare.”

“Where’s that poor child now?”

A beggar child from the slums. Not an uncommon visitor. When such kids came by, I usually gave them bread or a potato before sending them on their way. But Seol Yoon answered bluntly:

“I chased them off. Told them to get lost if they didn’t want to die.”

“……You didn’t give them anything?”

“No. Everything here belongs to you. I’m just a guest in your domain— I can’t give away your things as I please. My duty is to protect what’s yours. Isn’t that only right?”

Her reasoning was perfectly logical.

I looked into her cold eyes, about to tell her she could’ve at least given the child a crust of bread— that there were many unfortunate souls around here—But then.

“Besides, they felt… off.”

“Off?”

“Yeah. Just this uneasy feeling. My instincts were warning me. Ever since I was young, whenever I’ve felt that kind of ominous energy, bad things always followed. So I told them to leave. Immediately.”

Perhaps… her response hadn’t been wrong after all.

「She must’ve sensed the presence of a black magician.」

“……”

「It happens often. Black magicians, being exiles, lack servants or test subjects supported by their guilds. So they usually take in orphans or cheap slaves as familiars. That child was likely one of those.」

Seol Yoon tilted her head slightly at my silence.

「And the girl has spiritual sensitivity, doesn’t she? She carries Eastern blood, which attunes her soul— so she instinctively sensed that foreboding aura.」

As I stayed quiet, Seol Yoon suddenly said,

“Oh, right. When the kid left, they glared at me really hard. Said I’d regret not showing mercy— said they’d come back one day.”

“That sounds like a threat.”

“I mean, it felt weird to chase after a kid and cut off their arms and legs just to shut them up.”

“……”

As always, Seol Yoon had a way of leaving people speechless.

Still, thanks to her, I had a lead.

A black magician’s servant, disguised as a beggar, had come to our village and been turned away. The promise to return was surely not an empty one. Magicians— notorious throughout history for their pettiness— were known for repaying even the smallest slight.

“I don’t know why shit like this keeps happening to me.”

I muttered, half to myself. Liam responded.

「Because you insist on living in a village where shit tends to gather.」

“……”

「A place with no population, no proper faction nearby— perfect for those who need to hide. Frankly, it’s a miracle only small fry have shown up so far. Black magicians love turning places like this into labyrinths.」

Right. Rumors had already spread of black magicians and plagues.

This wouldn’t be the last trouble to find me.

“What should I do?”

And once again, I chose not to run. I would face whatever came.

「Since ancient times, there’s always been one cure for those antisocial magic bastards.」

“……?”

「A good beating.」

***

I discovered something peculiar while talking with Seol Yoon.

“What do you mean, do I see anything? No, I don’t see a thing right now.”

She couldn’t see the strange marks that were obvious to my eyes. Even before Liam had pointed it out, I’d sensed something wrong. Yet even after I told her, Seol Yoon couldn’t perceive it.

Why? Our abilities shouldn’t be that different.

The answer came from Liam.

「It’s because of your paranoia— your compulsive suspicion.」

“My… suspicion?”

「Yes. Your sword has evolved in that direction. A sword’s nature always mirrors its wielder. Your obsessive need to question and dig deeper— your sword has taken after that. That’s why you noticed the faint traces of the black magician’s presence so quickly.」

Suspicion. The same trait Liam had once called my greatest talent.

「Detecting such faint traces instantly isn’t easy. Fascinating— your suspicion shines even in domains beyond swordsmanship.」

“Really?”

「Yes. Perhaps it’s also due to your recent experience of being cast into the spirit world by that Orc shaman. Your spiritual sensitivity may have sharpened.」

Spiritual sensitivity, huh. I didn’t know if that was a good trait for a swordsman, but better to have it than not. Who knew what kind of enemies I’d face next? Whether they’d carry swords or staffs— or fling spells like falling rain— there was no shortage of shit in the world.

Anyway, with the black magician’s ominous traces lingering around my land, I decided to start by burying the Guardian Stones I’d received from the Orc Elder.

「That’s a good temporary measure. Once buried, magicians won’t be able to perform their tricks easily.」

“What kind of tricks?”

「Well, for example— turning this area into cursed ground, or reshaping it into a labyrinth where spells run rampant. Against that, you’d stand no chance.」

“……”

「Unless you can draw Paths strong enough to repel curses, or fly beyond their reach, a swordsman cannot win against a magician.」

In other words, at my current level— impossible.

I silently buried the Guardian Stones around the perimeter of the village. Nothing changed outwardly. For a moment, I even wondered if the Elder had played a joke on me. But Liam soon spoke.

「That Orc gave you something quite good. With this, most magicians won’t even dare enter.」

“Really?”

「Yes. If they force their way in, the shamanic curse within those stones will activate and destroy their souls. That brute may look crude, but as a shaman, his skill is exceptional—equivalent to a swordsman at the entry level of a Sword Expert.」

That comparison made it clear. And realizing that I had stood before such a being and talked so confidently— a chill ran down my spine.

「And don’t forget, he gave you another gift as well.」

“A gift?”

「You may not realize it, but that gift slumbers within your soul.」

He must’ve meant the burning sensation I’d felt when the Elder had laid his hand on my head.

I still didn’t know what it was, but it made me curious.

After carefully burying the Guardian Stones, I returned to the manor.

Under the bright sunlight, I asked Liam,

“So, what should I prepare next?”

「Do you have any preparation other than one thing?」

Liam smiled slyly down at me.

「Let’s eat your new sword, young descendant.」

His gaze turned toward 「Wild Instinct.」

「As I said, this sword’s digestion process will be… far from gentle.」

That blade— too massive to even be called a sword— gleamed under the light.