WeTried Translations
Translator: Joy
Editor: Joy
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Damned Transmigration ◈
Chapter 62: Unforgettable
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What had happened below was not clearly visible, but the Withered Crone could no longer properly control her body.
There were still troublesome hands and magic around her. Biyeon did not want to give her time. Even if she could not move properly right now, a high-tier mage could recover in only a moment.
More than that, Biyeon did not want Sword Dragon or that unknown man to take the Withered Crone’s head. So she boldly threw herself forward.
‘It’s over.’
The troublesome hands and spells could no longer hold Biyeon and scattered away. Having approached within arm’s reach of the Withered Crone, Biyeon extended a hand wrapped in pitch-black Ganggi.
Whoosh!
The hands that had been scattering weakly all rushed at Biyeon at once. At the same time, the space containing the Withered Crone and Biyeon rippled, and a powerful binding spell descended upon Biyeon.
The old witch had accepted death, but she had no intention of dying quietly. Her murderous intent had already chosen the Young Cult Leader. She wanted to kill Sword Dragon and that strange man as well, but killing both of them would be difficult.
But she could die together with the Young Cult Leader. She could kill that inhuman disciple of the Heavenly Demon.
If she died with the Young Cult Leader, even that arrogant Corpse Immortal would be a little surprised.
The Withered Crone’s eyes turned pitch-black. Rampaging soul power swelled enormously, making her shrivelled body convulse.
‘Mutual destruction?’
Her struggle was fierce. Biyeon’s face twisted behind her mask. Heavenly Demon’s Divine Art resisted the binding spell, but Biyeon could not subdue and control it in her current state.
She had been too hasty and complacent. Biting down on her lip, Biyeon focused on her protective Ganggi.
Thump, thump, thump!
The rampaging soul power even drew in the mana around them. The Withered Crone’s body continued to swell.
Swish!
“Ghk!”
Just as the explosion was about to begin, blood burst from the Withered Crone’s mouth. Her vision jolted, then rapidly tilted sideways.
A dagger that had flown up from below had cut halfway through her neck.
It was Yuri. He had thrown Black Fang, infused with Ganggi, and cut the Withered Crone’s neck. Her magic was concentrated on Biyeon, allowing him to pierce her defences, but a sixth-tier mage was still a sixth-tier mage. It was unfortunate that he had not cut cleanly through.
Boom!
The Withered Crone’s body shattered, and a massive explosion erupted. Had Yuri not killed her first with the dagger and allowed her to explode as she wished, it would have swallowed even the floor below. Because he had killed her in advance, the explosion did not reach where Yuri stood.
Even so, it was violent enough to shake the underground chamber. Biyeon, who had been right in front of it, could not completely escape the blast.
Rumble!
Her protective Ganggi shook violently against the explosion, and blood burst from Biyeon’s mouth.
Even though the mutual destruction had not been properly achieved, it had this much power. Biyeon struggled to escape the explosion, but the Withered Crone’s murderous intent did not disappear even after her death and continued to restrain her.
Crackle!
Though the explosion was already dying out, it would not have split apart so easily. Violet lightning cleanly divided it.
It was Yuri.
‘The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.’
There was no reason to save her, but she had not come alone.
Someone was near the collapsed, gaping hole in the ceiling.
Demonic energy and a presence openly revealed. Yuri had not sensed it until now, but from the moment the battle with the Withered Crone was ending, that person had stopped hiding.
Whoever it was, they were clearly one of the Young Cult Leader’s people. Judging by that presence, they seemed stronger than the Withered Crone. Yuri even considered that they might be one of the Demonic Cult’s Seven Evils.
Fighting one of the Seven Evils here would be madness. It was better to save the Young Cult Leader and make her owe him a debt.
Yuri entered through the divided explosion and forcibly caught Biyeon’s weakly swaying body. Then he swung his leg wide, completely sweeping away the mana around them that seethed with murderous intent.
Bang!
The explosion died out with a loud sound.
“Ugh...”
Her entire body ached, and her insides throbbed. This was the price of haste and complacency. She could have endured without dying, but without help, she would have suffered worse injuries than this.
Biyeon opened her tightly shut eyes and looked up.
Crack.
“...!”
Biyeon’s eyes widened. Perhaps because of the recent impact, the mask on her face had broken. She hurriedly raised a hand to catch it, but her aching body would not move at once.
The completely shattered mask slid down from her face.
Yuri, who was supporting Biyeon in his arms, lowered his gaze.
Their eyes met. Her face was severely burned. Biyeon bit down hard on her lip and glared at Yuri.
“...”
A face made with the Disguise Art did not change expressions easily. In truth, even without using the Disguise Art, Yuri would not have shown an expression upon seeing Biyeon’s bare face. What madman would laugh or frown upon seeing the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult’s face?
Yuri stopped looking at Biyeon’s face and raised his gaze. He took the mask he had kept in his robes and handed it to her.
It was the heretic cultist’s mask he had worn earlier. Biyeon flinched, looking back and forth between the mask and Yuri’s face.
“Th-thank you.”
Biyeon replied haltingly and pressed the mask onto her face.
“You have more to thank me for than this, don’t you?”
Biyeon’s shoulders twitched at Yuri’s words as he set her down.
Had he not thrown the dagger and cut the Withered Crone’s neck, a much larger explosion would have occurred. And he had personally rescued Biyeon from the explosion and murderous intent.
“...I received your help. Thank you.”
After stepping down from Yuri’s arms, Biyeon steadied her swaying body and spoke. Having become the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult, she did not bow her head.
Sword Dragon and Haryeong stood beside Yuri. Sword Dragon openly glared at Biyeon, but did not move rashly.
He could sense the presence of the man above them as well.
“We did not come to oppose the Orsia Family.”
A voice descended from above. Sword Shadow landed without a sound, cupped his hands in a martial salute, and smiled at Sword Dragon.
“Today’s meeting was entirely coincidental.”
Sword Dragon did not answer and merely glared at Sword Shadow. They were certainly members of the Demonic Cult, but Sword Dragon had no standing to pressure them right now. This land merely borrowed Panteleon’s name. It was not land ruled by the Orsia Family.
It was true that many regarded the Demonic Cult as enemies. But unlike heretic cultists who worshipped the Evil God, they were not treated as people who had to be killed without question. Even the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, which opposed the Demonic Cult most fiercely, treated them carefully out of wariness for their strength. The Cartel did not even belong to the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.
Even Sword Dragon, who had reacted strongly to the heretic cultists, knew where to draw the line. The Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult was an opponent the Sword Emperor acknowledged. Without lowering his guard, Sword Dragon looked at Sword Shadow and Biyeon.
“Why have you come here?”
“As you saw, we came to kill the Withered Crone, a fugitive from the Rudella Mage Tower.”
“Is that all? You did not intend to disrupt this area and threaten the Orsia Family?”
“If that had been our purpose, I alone would have been enough.”
Sword Dragon’s eyebrows twitched at the answer, which came with a smile.
“Please do not treat us with such hostility. We came here solely to kill the Withered Crone. There was no other reason.”
“...I would like to know your name.”
Sword Dragon spoke while keeping his gaze fixed on Biyeon.
“I am Estor Orsia. What is your name?”
“Biyeon.”
Biyeon answered without hiding it. She looked at Yuri, who stood a little behind Sword Dragon.
“What is your name?”
Sword Dragon turned his head to look at Yuri as well. He, too, was curious about Yuri’s identity.
“Now I can hear your name, right?”
Sword Dragon muttered. Sword Shadow looked surprised.
‘His skills were extraordinary, so I naturally assumed he was Sword Dragon’s companion. They do not know one another?’
That made him even more interested.
Sword Dragon’s skill was impressive. To think he had reached the level of the Light Sword at that age and tier. Not a single part of the public’s assessment of Sword Dragon had been exaggerated. They would only know after actually fighting, but if the current Young Cult Leader and Sword Dragon fought, neither would hold an overwhelming advantage.
He was a little disappointed with the Young Cult Leader, on the other hand. Her skill was outstanding enough to be unbelievable for her age. Her understanding and use of Heavenly Demon’s Divine Art were excellent. But falling for such an obvious method of mutual destruction showed psychological immaturity. The key would be to cast off haste and complacency, then gain varied experience.
That man, however...
Excellent. There was nothing to criticize. He had not even given his all in this fight. His kicking techniques and fist arts were harmonious, and the lightning-qi martial arts he combined with them were flawless as well.
In Sword Shadow’s judgment, aside from himself, that man was the strongest person here.
“I am curious about our benefactor’s name.”
Sword Shadow spoke.
“People call us cruel fiends without blood or tears, but not everyone in the Divine Cult is like that. We, too, are humans with blood and tears.”
Sword Shadow smiled gently and offered Yuri a martial salute as well.
“If our benefactor had not stepped in, our Young Cult Leader would have suffered a setback. If you tell us your name, the Divine Cult will not forget this favour.”
Just as when Sword Dragon had first asked, Yuri could not evade the question.
“Benefactor.”
Just as Yuri was about to speak under their gazes, Sword Shadow spoke first.
“I would like your true face and true name, not the false face and false name created by the Disguise Art.”
“...!”
“That way, the Divine Cult can remember both our benefactor and this favour.”
Sword Shadow still spoke with a smile, but Yuri could not return it.
“Disguise Art...?”
Biyeon and Sword Dragon looked at Yuri in surprise. Unlike Sword Shadow, neither had noticed Yuri’s Disguise Art at all.
“How did you know?”
Yuri did not answer immediately and instead questioned Sword Shadow. Sword Shadow laughed heartily and pointed at his eyes.
“A Disguise Art of that level cannot deceive the Insight Eye of a seventh-tier martial artist. The Disguise Art merely twists one’s original face.”
Sword Shadow could see the distortions in the face’s bones, muscles, and skin. The more a seventh-tier martial artist concentrated with the Insight Eye, the more thoroughly they could see the human body, even discerning its weaknesses.
‘So that is how it is.’
That man was a seventh-tier martial artist, and the current level of Yuri’s Disguise Art could only deceive up to the sixth tier.
‘It is fortunate I learned that beforehand.’
With that thought, Yuri released the Disguise Art.
Crack, crack...
His twisted bones and muscles returned to normal.
“My name is Yuri.”
Lying was impossible in this situation. In the first place, he had used the Disguise Art and an alias to approach the heretic cultists.
‘They called me a benefactor first, too.’
After what he had experienced with the Blood Fiend, Yuri’s opinion of the Demonic Cult was at its worst. But becoming enemies with them already would be suicidal.
“Yuri?”
Biyeon muttered. It was the first time she had heard Yuri’s name. Sword Dragon was the same. He furrowed his brow and searched his memory, but the name Yuri did not come to mind.
“Thunder Cloud?”
After thinking for a moment, Sword Shadow spoke the alias. He stared at Yuri with a surprised expression.
“The talent acknowledged by Moonlit Reveller. Fist Wolf’s disciple...”
“I am not his disciple.”
“Huh... Remarkable. I heard you were fourth tier.”
Sword Shadow muttered, then turned his gaze to Haryeong. Haryeong glanced at Yuri once before taking off her fox mask.
“I am Haryeong of Salhomun.”
“Dark Blossom?”
Unlike Yuri, Sword Shadow immediately spoke Haryeong’s alias. He smiled and stared at her face.
“I have heard of Dark Blossom, who stays by Mad Thunder’s side, several times.”
“I doubt they were flattering stories.”
“Can that be helped? Mad Thunder tormented our weaker members far too much. Ah, do not be wary. The Divine Cult does not concern itself with insignificant people who died because they were weak.”
Sword Shadow laughed heartily and turned his gaze away.
“Benefactor, your inner power is insufficient compared to your skill. If you ever come to Shinjeong, please visit the Divine Cult. We have no shortage of spiritual medicines with which to treat our benefactor.”
Even the Insight Eye of a seventh-tier martial artist could not see the inner power concealed by the Veil of Deception. Yuri nodded slightly.
“Thank you for the offer.”
“I mean it sincerely. If you have nowhere to stay, please visit the Divine Cult whenever you wish.”
Sword Shadow knew Thunder Cloud and Mad Thunder were close, but he did not care about that. Someone at the fifth tier at Yuri’s age was a talent rarely found in the world. Honestly, he wanted to subdue Yuri by force and abduct him to the Cult.
But he could not do that here. Sword Dragon of the Orsia Family stood before him, and Thunder Cloud was the Young Cult Leader’s benefactor. So Sword Shadow slowly stepped back.
“The Withered Crone is dead, but the heretic cultists in this area have not been exterminated. Sword Dragon, what will you do?”
“Why ask me that?”
“As you emphasised, this area borrows the name ‘Panteleon,’ does it not?”
Sword Shadow reached into his robes and took out a thinly folded piece of paper.
“We have identified the Withered Crone’s residence. We have not visited it ourselves, but if you search it, you may find something useful to you and the Orsia Family.”
“...”
“Regardless of our intentions, it is true that we caused a disturbance right before the Orsia Family’s doorstep. How about accepting this information as a compromise, and not troubling us further?”
Sword Dragon’s eyebrows twitched at the words not to trouble them. Speaking this way showed contempt for the Orsia Family.
“...Very well.”
But the Demonic Cult had the right to speak that way. No matter how great the Orsia Family’s influence was, they could not confront the Demonic Cult alone. Sword Dragon suppressed his boiling anger and nodded.
“Ha ha, thank you for understanding.”
The thinly folded paper left Sword Shadow’s hand. It floated over through a remote-object technique and landed in Sword Dragon’s hand.
“Then we shall take our leave.”
“I have not heard your name yet.”
Sword Dragon stopped Sword Shadow with a hard expression. Sword Shadow smiled and introduced himself.
“I abandoned my name long ago. Now I am called Sword Shadow.”
“Sword Shadow...!”
A demon of the Demonic Cult who belonged to the Seven Evils. The Sword Emperor always mentioned him when speaking of masters of the sword. Sword Dragon immediately stepped forward and raised his sword.
“I would like to learn a move from you before you leave.”
“Hmm.”
Sword Shadow’s smile deepened.
“I am also interested in the sword of Sword Dragon, the Sword Emperor’s successor and Orsia’s future. Young Cult Leader, may I step forward?”
“Do as you wish.”
The outcome was obvious. No matter how Sword Dragon was one of the foremost rising talents, he could not last even a single move against Sword Shadow, who competed with the Rakshasa Witch for the name of Sword Fiend within the Demonic Cult.
Sword Shadow naturally knew he would win, but he was simply interested. Even when the result was obvious, there were things one could only feel by crossing blades directly rather than watching.
Sword Shadow drew the sword from the scabbard at his waist. Straight and narrow, without a crossguard, it resembled an awl.
“I will yield the first move. Come.”
Sword Shadow let his sword hang comfortably and spoke. Sword Dragon nodded slightly, then carefully approached him.
As the distance gradually narrowed, Sword Dragon suddenly kicked off the ground. The distance vanished in an instant, and Sword Dragon’s sword moved. A sword wrapped in golden sword-force split the air.
Clang!
Yuri swallowed hard. It felt as though he had witnessed the pinnacle of the Swift Sword. The sword that had risen from below bisected both the sword-force and the sword, then bent with Sword Shadow’s arm and changed its trajectory.
“...I have lost.”
As everyone had expected, Sword Dragon could not endure even one exchange. He felt a chilling cold from the blade stopped just before his throat. Sword Shadow’s sword-force had been a flash. It appeared at the moment it cut, and had already disappeared.
“The Sword Emperor’s teaching is excellent.”
Sword Shadow smiled and sheathed his sword. Without another word, he turned around.
“...”
Biyeon touched the mask on her face and stared at Yuri for a moment before turning to follow Sword Shadow. The two leaped away and left the underground chamber.
“Hah...”
Sword Dragon let out a long sigh and looked at his hand. His sword-force and sword had both been bisected in a single strike, yet there was not even a trace of blood on his palm.
After blankly staring at his palm, Sword Dragon clenched his fist. He took back out the paper he had tucked into his robes and looked back at Yuri and Haryeong.
“Will you come with me?”
There was no reason to refuse.
* * *
“Who is Thunder Cloud?”
After searching her memory for a long time, Biyeon finally gave up trying to recall it herself.
Thunder Cloud. No matter how much she thought about it, it was an alias she had never heard before.
But she knew the aliases Moonlit Reveller and Fist Wolf. Moonlit Reveller was practically a sworn enemy of the Demonic Cult’s martial artists, while Fist Wolf had made a name for himself through a reckless dueling tour until a few years ago.
They had held a public duel in Rutlan two years ago, and Fist Wolf had gone into seclusion somewhere afterward.
“He is a man who has wandered the underworld since last year.”
“The underworld?”
“Yes. He made a name for himself by carrying out requests that came into Haomun and acting as a problem-solver for black-path sects.”
“He does not seem like someone who would remain at such work.”
“That was my impression as well.”
Sword Shadow continued, recalling Yuri’s movements from earlier.
“I paid no attention because his record was unremarkable for a talent vouched for by Moonlit Reveller. It appears he was simply concealing his strength. That madman saw him correctly.”
“...”
“You may find this unpleasant to hear, Young Cult Leader, but in my judgment, aside from myself, Thunder Cloud was the strongest there.”
“Was the difference between us that great?”
“Well, Thunder Cloud hid his full strength, and so did you, Young Cult Leader.”
“I made many mistakes. I nearly died to the Withered Crone.”
“You were certain of victory before killing her. Had you remained cautious until the end, there would have been no such danger.”
“I will remember that.”
Biyeon replied in a blunt voice as she touched the mask on her face.
‘Thunder Cloud... Yuri.’
More deeply than Sword Dragon’s, that alias and name remained in her memory.
Footnotes:
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