Chapter 374: A Sword (5)

‘The leader of the Justice Alliance, Hwa In, has declared war on Kim Hae-il, the Single Slash Sword!’

The people of the kingdom, who had been entirely focused on the grand combat competition, were now in an uproar.

This was a duel that stirred the heart.

A confrontation between a master of solid, well-established standing—
And a rising master shrouded in complete mystery.

A battle that no one had expected,
But everyone now desperately wanted to witness.

Tap, tap, tap.

The Heavenly Demon lightly tapped the table with the fan he held in his hand.
The sound echoed softly, but the expression on his face remained relaxed.

Cale smiled brightly at the sight.

“Our Young Master has quite the incredible personality, doesn’t he?”

Alberu, seated by the window, calmly brought a teacup to his lips.
His demeanor was unchanged, as if none of this surprised him.

Meanwhile, Cale continued speaking—his voice carrying quiet disbelief.

“How is it possible that he just stood up and left without even looking back—
The very moment the first match ended?”

Tap, tap!

The Heavenly Demon’s hand stopped mid-motion—
The fan he had been tapping stilled.

“So—”

A low voice escaped from his lips.

“It seems the Justice Alliance… is connected to the Wanderers.”

Cale gave a silent nod.

“Doesn’t it feel like they weren’t threatened or manipulated like Dark Abyss was…but rather had some kind of cooperative relationship? Perhaps something even deeper?”

Nod~

Cale nodded again.

“Also, that leader clearly thinks I am the AI who’s been helping Ahn Roh Man, doesn’t she?”

Nod~

Another firm nod.

“Ha!”

The Heavenly Demon laughed.

“It’s fun.”

Alberu nodded at those words.

“It’s really fun.”

Of course, the meaning was very different.

Alberu, who received the Heavenly Demon’s gaze, adjusted his hair, which had been ruffled by the breeze, elegantly, and spoke.

“Because our identity is hidden.”

Tap, tap, tap.

The Heavenly Demon tapped the fan again and asked Cale.

“When are you going to meet with the leader of the Justice Alliance?”

Currently, this place was the Heavenly Demon’s room, and only Alberu, Cale, and the Heavenly Demon were there.

Hmm.

Cale answered after a brief silence.

“The rules are simple—
Once the sixty-four have clashed and half remain, the tides shift anew as the path to the final thirty-two is redrawn.”

It wasn’t a typical fixed tournament bracket.
The matches were reshuffled at each stage, restructured again and again.

“I don’t know. We can’t say for sure when we’ll meet.”

“And what about the manipulation?”

Cale turned the question back—
His tone light, teasing, as he looked at the Heavenly Demon, who had brought up the possibility of manipulation so openly.

“Are you that eager to cross blades with Hwa In?”

“I must make her pay the price—
For daring to point her sword at me.”

Cale laughed again. A mischievous, quiet laugh.

Then, as if it were nothing, he spoke in a calm voice—

“Heavenly Demon.”

“What?”

“What would you do… if Hwa In wasn’t a pawn of the Wanderers,
but a Wanderer herself?”

The corners of the Heavenly Demon’s lips curled upward—
a hint of amusement, or perhaps something far more sinister.

“What does that mean?”

“Simply put…”

Cale leaned back slightly as he continued.

“The same Wanderer…The one who threatened Passote.”

Sohyi.

Based on the official results, it had been confirmed.
She was listed as number 17 among the 64 victors.

“There could be more than one Wanderer.”

“Who knows?”

“Maybe the leader is also a Wanderer.”

Currently, Cale didn’t have a criterion to distinguish whether she was a Wanderer or not. Unless Choi Jung Soo, team leader Sui Khan, or Choi Jung Gun are here.

The Heavenly Demon stared at Cale.
Then, quietly—
“And?”

Cale met his gaze.
“The Wanderers are strong.”

What if the leader is a Wanderer?

“Ha, haha —”

The Heavenly Demon laughed.

It was a bright, refreshing laugh—
The kind they had never seen from him before.
A joyful, almost carefree laugh.

But that laugh vanished just as quickly as it came.

“…Did they say the Wanderers are stronger than Choi Han?”

“We don’t know for sure,” Cale replied.
“But it’s possible.”

The Hunters of the Five-Colored Family.

Cale’s thoughts lingered on them.
He planned to evaluate each of them carefully—
And respond as if they were demigods in human form.

“Well.”

The Heavenly Demon smiled.
It was a strange smile—
Neither amused nor scornful.

“Whether it’s Sohyi... or the leader of the Justice Alliance... whoever it is.”
“If one of them is a Wanderer—"
“I don’t think she’s that strong.”

People often misunderstood the Heavenly Demon.

He was neither arrogant,
Nor had he always been strong.

Among his brothers, he had once held the lowest position.
He had known defeat, humiliation, and insignificance.

He had clawed his way up—
And eventually, he became the Heaven of the Demon Cult.

His rise had not been glorious.
In fact, it had often been petty.
Desperate.

And yet—
That made him even more dangerous.

He wasn’t simply powerful.

He was intelligent.
He was more cunning and calculating than anticipated.

“…Is her only job to go around pretending to be the leader of some small sect,
just to search for an AI?”

The Heavenly Demon laughed—
A short, breathless laugh that slipped out before he shook his head.

“Ha, I don’t think someone with true status in the Five–Colored Family would be doing something like this.”

This wasn’t a confrontation with a god.
Nor a battle against a demon.
Not even a clash between ancient clans.

It wasn’t something one did for the sake of a great cause or divine will.
Was the sole task of this supposed Wanderer… just searching for an AI?

And if that was all—
Was she really after the title of heir?

“Besides, if it’s someone trying to level up their position by quietly eliminating potential competitors…”

The Heavenly Demon lifted one shoulder in a small shrug.

“I don’t think she’s that strong.”

And the moment he finished speaking—

Cale responded without a change in tone.

“Then you take care of the leader.”

Toc, toc, toc.

At that exact moment, a knock echoed from the door.

Alberu stood and moved to open it.

Cheon Rye, the subordinate of the Dark Abyss leader, was waiting outside.

She looked directly at Cale and delivered the message.

“It’s news that just came out. Those who reach the semifinals, there will be a dinner with the king and queen. You’ll be invited to the royal palace.”

It was a message Cale had specifically requested.
Any news related to the royal palace—
He had asked to be informed of it immediately.

“Oh, really?”

The gazes of Cale, the Heavenly Demon, and Alberu crossed for a moment.

“I just need to win my fourth match.”

The Heavenly Demon spoke naturally, his eyes drifting up to the ceiling.

“It would be nice… if things progressed a little faster.”

Tap, tap.

He tapped the fan lightly against his palm.

Then, with a calm voice that betrayed none of his inner restlessness, he added—

“It’s starting to feel a little boring.”

He looked perfectly composed.

But it was clear.

He was growing impatient.
He wanted to fight—
Soon.

* * *

“Left, Sorak!”

Waaa!

The Heavenly Sword Sect—
One of the Five Great Powers.

A place where those who pursue the sword as the embodiment of nothingness gather.

And Sorak—
He was the heir of that sect.

A swordsman said to be a true genius.
One chosen by the blade.

“……”

But his expression…
Was far from confident.
In fact, he looked uncomfortable.

It was because of the man approaching from the opposite side of the arena.

“Right, Kim Hae-il!”

Kim Hae-il, the man known as the Single Slash Sword—
The one who had earned the nickname Sword,
An unknown martial artist who defeated all his opponents with just one move.

And now, he was at the center of attention—
Because the leader of the Justice Alliance had publicly declared war on him.

Actually, that didn’t matter.

People usually prefer the challenge of an unknown, rather than the success of someone who has a name.

But it’s a little problematic that the sword is involved in that reason.

Both the leader of the Justice Alliance, Hwa In, and Kim Hae-il, are swordsmen.

But they aren’t from the Heavenly Sword.

They aren’t people who have dedicated themselves to the sword all their lives.

How is it possible that they are more famous than us, for using a sword?

Sorak felt deeply uncomfortable.

Not because he underestimated Kim Hae-il—
In fact, it was the opposite.

He was tense.

Because arrogance…is a useless emotion.

Dong!

The match began with the echoing sound of the drum.

The combat arena was packed.
Every seat filled with people who had come to witness one thing—
The match between Sorak and Kim Hae-il.

The Sword Master has also arrived.

Queen Tamahi was absent, But Charun—her sword instructor and trusted advisor—had come to observe.

This was an opportunity Sorak would not waste.

He took his stance and spoke to Kim Hae-il.

“I’m honored to face someone who’s earned fame for his sword.”

Even if it irritates me a little...Still, I’m glad.

Because crossing swords is always fun.

“…”

Kim Hae-il didn’t respond.
He simply gave a light nod.

Nod~

A silent greeting.

Then he stood still.
As if he was already bored.

“…”

Sorak’s brow twitched slightly.

He calmed his mind at once and reached for the handle of his sword.

The Single Slash Sword.

You will collapse—before my own single slash.

Sorak had never shown the full extent of his true skill.

But today—
He decided it would be acceptable to reveal it.

Even if, by doing so… that man loses his life—

After all, there was no rule that said you couldn’t kill in this competition.

It doesn’t matter, does it?

Sorak stepped forward.

And drew his sword.

It was a motion he had performed hundreds of thousands of times—
Each movement carved into his very bones.

So natural.

Swoosh–

Too natural.

And because of that… it was terrifying.

Because mastery through repetition, was more dangerous than raw talent.

Sorak knew that truth better than anyone.

His specialty…was the basics.

Because of that—
He had been able to maintain his position as heir, despite his young age.

And naturally, he was regarded as the future of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Swoosh–

The motion of drawing his sword—
Simple, but flawless.

Charun, the Sword Master who also served as the queen’s instructor, opened his eyes in surprise.

“The world—”

As the blade was drawn—
It felt as though the world itself was being split in half. Horizontally.

Was it an illusion?

No.

It was an illusion…that could become reality.

Huh–

The Heavenly Sword.

They were raising a monster in that place.

Sorak’s strength—
It was overwhelming.

Charun felt a chill run down his spine.

That horizontal line—
Created by a sword that, at first glance, seemed ordinary.

But if someone who understood the true nature of that line had been present—
They would have frozen on the spot, just as Charun had.

Thud!

But Charun moved.

He sprang to his feet.

His aging body, which struggled even with sitting and rising quickly,
ignored the burden of time.

There was no room to hesitate.
No time to consider anything else.

A line—
So sharp, so absolute—
It felt as though it could split the world in two.

An absolute boundary drawn by the sword.

And toward that line—
Kim Hae-il slowly raised his hand.

Then, from top to bottom—

He drew a line.

A vertical stroke.

It was a movement even simpler than Sorak’s.

Huu–

There was no illusion that split the world.
No aura surged.
No power was released.

But—

Swoosh–

As he drew a single line from top to bottom, a gentle wind brushed through the arena.

Swoosh–

And just like that—
The horizontal line that had seemed to divide the world…Vanished.

Thud.

Charun sank back into his seat.

Kim Hae-il… I can’t comprehend his depth.

The words of Queen Tamahi—spoken with awe—echoed in his mind.

Tamahi.
The strongest person in the Kingdom of Lan.

If anyone in this land truly understood Kim Hae-il…It might be her.

“…”

And Sorak—

“…”

He stood frozen. Unable to say a single word.
His gaze locked onto Kim Hae-il.

And Kim Hae-il, the Heavenly Demon—

“…”

He simply looked up at the sky.

It’s boring.

This world…
This life under a false name—where no one knew he was the Heavenly Demon—

At first, it had been refreshing.
Stimulating.
Interesting.

They were experiences he had never had before.

But at this moment, he felt boredom.

…Choi Han.

Choi Han.
Cale Henituse.

I don’t get bored at all when I think about fighting against those guys.

Weak.

The people I’ve encountered here are really weak.

It wasn’t arrogance.

It was a natural feeling for him, as the Heavenly Demon.

“Kim Hae-il, you–”

Sorak’s voice trembled.
He looked at Kim Hae-il with an expression full of passion, and opened his mouth.

“How many times have you wielded a sword?”

At that moment—
The gaze of the Heavenly Demon, who had been looking at the sky, turned towards Sorak.

Sorak felt the boredom that was reflected in the Heavenly Demon’s eyes.

And the Heavenly Demon said.

“I don’t remember.”

Hundreds of thousands?
Millions?
Hundreds of millions?
Billions?

Well.

The Heavenly Demon didn’t remember.

Because wielding a sword had become as natural as breathing, for him.

“Why should I remember?”

The moment he encountered the Heavenly Demon’s doubt, Sorak was speechless.

“…I’ve lost.”

He lowered his head.

The Heavenly Demon had won.

Waaa!

Cheers were heard.

But the Heavenly Demon thought.

…This place is too peaceful.

Suddenly, he felt it.

That he was in a world very different from the Demon Cult.

“Young Master, you’ve worked hard.”

The Heavenly Demon ignored Cale’s words as he continued walking.

But then—
He stopped.

Because of what Cale said next.

“Won’t it get fun soon?”

At that moment—
The corners of the Heavenly Demon’s lips curled upward.

* * *

The combat competition, which was full of noise, continued.

Quarterfinals.

Only eight masters remained.

Among them–

Kim Hae-il.
That name was there.

The Ghost Sword.
Hyun Seong.

And,

“Hwa In, Sohyi.”

Two more names remained.

“The leader will face Sohyi.”

Passote, the leader of Dark Abyss.
He would face Sohyi in the quarterfinals.

When Passote stopped at Cale’s words.
Cale placed his hand on the Heavenly Demon’s shoulder, who was sitting next to him.

“Of course, our Young Master will face Hwa In first.”

The Heavenly Demon simply drank a cup of tea.
But Choi Han, who was by his side as an escort, opened his mouth.

“I’ll go that day.”

“I’ll also go.”

Alberu and Choi Han decided to go together.

* * *

“Single Slash Sword! Single Slash Sword!”
“Leader! Break the streak of the Single Slash Sword!”

Waaa!

A space filled with deafening cheers.

The Heavenly Demon looked at Hwa In, the leader of the Justice Alliance, who was standing in front of him.

The corners of his lips curled upward.

“Now it will be fun.”

 ------

T/L: Two swords. One grudge. And the entire arena holding its breath for the storm about to erupt.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Mayank]