生活助手

[“I’ll slaughter you!!”]

This pig-like guy… No, Nahmgoong charged at me.

It was an overwhelming force.

Even if appearance deceived, the physical prowess it possessed far exceeded that of a human.

No matter what it took, the determination to kill me was evident.

‘I shouldn’t engage with something like that.’

I unleashed my latent power, a technique that temporarily strengthens me.

That kind of thing was best left out on the field.

So, all I had to do was run away.

That’s what I thought.

“Is there really a chance to escape?”

Already, the capabilities of a wildly rampaging body.

Not just physical strength, but speed and magical power were a level or two higher than mine.

Running away from such abilities is not easy, even for me.

Moreover, this is the battlefield.

They might aim for Nam Hye-rin, Yoo Eun-chae, or Sunwoo Hyun.

It’s not a favorable situation for me.

Suddenly, a laugh escaped me.

“For various reasons, though.”

I realized that I had developed some affection for those guys.

I gripped the sword.

Aimed it at the guy.

He had stumbled just a while ago; can I take advantage of that? I stared at him provocatively.

[NOOOOM!!]

The effect was quite certain.

Nam Gung Gaju quickly rushed towards me. I casually raised the sword.

“Phew.”

Halting my breath, I activated my entire body.

My mind sharpened. I glared at him.

Pababapat!

Instantly, the approaching new type. He stubbornly aimed for my arm with his sword.

“To think that even in this situation, he wants to inflict pain, not on my neck but on me.”

It’s an absurd self-confidence.

Chaeang!

I deflected the sword outward and plunged it inward. Soon, there was a reaction. Holding the sword, he unfolded his stance and aimed for my vital points.

The deflected sword was forcibly held with strength, targeting me.

“You’ve been saying it since last time, but you’re too greedy.”

He swung the sword outward.

At the same time, he focused on So Suma Gong with his other hand.

Jjeojeoak─.

The left hand, imbued with the chill of destruction, effortlessly brushed off Nam Gung Gaju’s attack.

And straight towards his face.

Jjaak─!!

I slapped him on the cheek.

[……!?]

He wore a bewildered expression.

Although I couldn’t feel the expression on the pig’s body.

Even in a life-threatening situation, Namgoong Gaju clearly displayed a sense of absurdity in his emotions towards me.

“Have you never been slapped even once while growing up?”

So, I immediately retaliated.

Crash!!

[Ne-no-om, are you trying to provoke me to the end!!]

“Do you realize it now?”

I extended my foot towards the sword aimed at me. The moment he tried to adjust, I promptly used the counterforce to bounce back.

Kwaaang!

Namgoong Gaju came straight at me.

Using the counterforce, he caught up with me just by running, as I was bounced back.

He swung his fist. After seizing the sword with the Yeomdong magic, he held it with both hands and back tumbled.

However, perhaps realizing that his attacks no longer worked, he attacked me with his whole body.

“Good attack!”

I praised Namgoong Gaju’s judgment and immediately bowed at the waist. Then Namgoong Gaju reached out his hand.

Due to the hurried movement, his body staggered and wavered, but…

“He must think this is acceptable if he’s trying to kill me.”

In reality, this is a dangerous situation.

I firmly stood on the ground with both legs.

I extended my right hand straight upwards and my left hand straight downwards.

Each pointed to the sky and the ground.

The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation.

My body and Nangong Gaju’s body brushed against each other in an instant.

Thud.

Even though our bodies collided, there was only a light sound.

[This… This is unbelievable!]

“……!!”

Nangong Gaju was shocked.

Nangong Gaju’s body started to spin and passed by.

Of course, I’m not unscathed.

My left arm was completely gone from the previous blow, and my right leg was so damaged that it was difficult to move.

‘It’s okay.’

After all, the body will be tempered by the power of Demonic Cultivation.

The more it breaks, the stronger it becomes. That’s the power of Demonic Cultivation.

I raised my sword towards Nangong Gaju.

My hand was trembling.

It was difficult to get into the right stance.

“This is the end.”

My body twitches.

There aren’t many prayers left in the pouch.

I managed to hold on by recovering intermittently, but even I have my limits.

Enduring with dignity in the face of disgrace.

This should be considered the most significant achievement in this place.

He looked at Namgung Gaju.

The guy seemed clueless about what to do. At this rate, that fellow from the Namgung family would crumble.

All sorts of thoughts would cross his mind.

Where did it go wrong? What did I do wrong, etc.?

It might feel unfair.

A world where there exist individuals more malicious than oneself.

Having died singled out in that place.

“So what?”

It was just bad luck.

Coincidentally, my student was Namgung Se-ga.

The guy I collided with was Namgung Se-ga.

And, as a reward for defeating him, I could get what I desired.

“Just think of it as bad luck.”

Huuung!!

The sword energy surged. Swish. The sword screamed as if this would be its last strike.

“Eternal Moonlight永劫月光.”

Wuuung!!

Moonlight descended. It was more brilliant than usual.

A chilly wind scattered my hair.

From the dark sky, only this place was bathed in a peculiar light.

My body trembled.

I stared straight at Namgung Gaju.

[What are you exactly?]

“Hanseojin.”

[hehehehe. Still making such unbelievable excuses… It doesn’t matter. I can’t survive here anyway.]

His eyes calmed.

Perhaps standing on the threshold of death brings such realization. Is it the pursuit of enlightenment?

Namgung Gaju’s eyes deepened.

He raised his sword.

“Emperor Sword Form.”

[hehehehe… Why don’t you witness the Emperor Sword Form once!!]

Kwoong!

Namgung Gaju rushed at me again with his sluggish body.

But despite the heaviness of his body, his speed was distinctly fast.

As if he gained control over his body more than before, it efficiently changed.

uuung!!

The sword screamed. I moved the sword.

Flash.

A single black line emerged. The line gradually split into dozens, charging towards Namgung Gaju.

[What is this?]

“You can call it glory.”

In a world where everything seemed to distance itself, I spoke to Namgung Gaju.

This is the true essence of the Imperial Sword Formation.

Countless lines sought to entangle Namgung Gaju.

Middle Sword.

Reverse Sword.

Lines only visible when facing those who wield both of these swords.

A multitude of lines, examining everything about the opponent, forcing attacks arbitrarily.

Hence, it is nearly impossible to evade the sword of one who wields the Imperial Sword Formation properly.

One must accept the irrationality of only being able to counter.

Swords with the secrets of ascension all possess such intricacies.

The Self-Destroying Sword of the Volcano, The Taiji Enlightenment Sword of the Shaman, The Heavenly Demon’s Divine Art of the Thousand Horses.

They cannot be confronted head-on, hence their notorious reputation.

[hahahaha… This is Namgung’s sword…!]

Namgung Gaju spoke as if sobbing.

Crackle!

The blue-lighted lightning of the sword began to intensify. A tremendous force was felt.

Countless lines began to diminish.

Gradually, they intertwined and merged into one line.

Imperial sword style.

The emperor swung his sword.

My divine form clashed with Namgung Gaju’s divine form, and Namgung Gaju shook his head from a distance.

[…I have a request.]

“Why are you putting on airs like that when you’re about to die, you criminal?”

[…What did you say?]

I’ve been displeased since earlier.

Namgung, the head of the Namgung family, who has been abusing Nam Hye-rin, extorting women’s vitality, and forcibly conscripting civilians, is now acting as if he’s the victim.

“It seems that you, or rather… Namgung, have… that child ran for Nam Hye-rin.”

“…”

“Please… be lenient…”

Pfft!

From Noble mtl dot com

A fountain of blood spurted from Namgung Gaju’s throat as he spoke.

The nauseating, acrid smell of dark red blood.

“Master!”

Yoo Eun-chae was running from afar.

Later, Seon Woo-hyun was coming. Shin Yura, who had been hiding and acting on her own, and other people were also visible.

“Yoo Eunchae.”

“Yes? Yes!”

I approached Yoo Eunchae.

Then I spoke as quietly as possible.

“Grab everything you can right now.”

“Yes?”

“Just gather whatever you can for now. Others are eyeing it greedily.”

“Okay? Then what about the master…?”

“I’m going to pass out, so move me to my house.”

“Okay?!”

What’s okay about it?

I want to feed her until midnight, but my consciousness is fading.

All I remember is the pitch-black night sky.

There, I lost consciousness.

*

When I opened my eyes, all I could see was a bathtub.

Water was pouring out inside the bathtub like a fountain.

“Where is this…?”

Come to think of it, I’ve heard of this place.

The leyline runs beneath the academy.

Where the ley lines pass, an enormous magical energy overflows.

And here at the academy, it is renowned for the magical hot springs that use the energy from those ley lines to eliminate physical fatigue and possess healing abilities comparable to most divine clerics.

“He survived.”

I thought crossing the Rubicon would be a challenge.

Namgung Gaju, that ignorant fool.

“The body is…”

Remarkably light.

Perhaps it was a hefty price to pay, but the Taoist initiation has perfected my physique.

And…

Grumble.

“I’m hungry.”

Despite the lack of physical strength, my body was loudly proclaiming its desire for food.

One of the drawbacks of Taoist initiation.

In the beginning, it consumes too many calories.

Chew, chew.

I stepped out of the bathtub and went outside. A delightful aroma wafted through the air.

Someone’s cooking.

“Oh, Master is out… Kyaaah!!”

“Noisy.”

I ignored Yoo Eunchae’s scream.

I ignore even the piercing gaze that stares at me.

I immediately open the refrigerator and shove something chocolate-like into my mouth.

I also put in some prepared jerky-like thing.

It’s not that tasty because it’s cold, but I heard it’s a market side dish.

I quickly tear open a bag of jerky.

As I put the jerky in my mouth, I think.

‘That guy, Namgung Gaju.’

Even though he’s a criminal burdened with unnecessary weight at the end, his strength is real.

Because of that, I found myself thinking about abilities again.

Inherent abilities.

I truly felt the immense power it was.

That power significantly strengthened Namgung Gaju, who had barely reached the upper level.

‘I didn’t really know what the ability was.’

It was difficult for me to handle even his unique ability.

Well, I did act alone at times.

Although there’s blame on me for making things bigger, driven by the desire to deal with Namgung Gaju sooner than finding clues.

But no matter how I move, it’s not haphazard.

It may seem unplanned, but I always move with a plan in mind.

“I should check his ability.”

“His ability?”

“Sure. Do you know what kind of traits I have?”

“I do. Oh, no, I mean, you should at least look down! Did you think I was the only one here?! What about Hye-rin?”

“Huh?”

Only then did I notice Nam Hye-rin staring at me with a vacant expression.

Yoo Eun-chae also pretended to shield her eyes while sneakily glancing at me.

Had they been watching all along?