WeTried Translations
Translator: Joy
Editor: Joy
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Damned Transmigration ◈
Chapter 75: Wealth
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It was a sparring match between juniors far beneath them. They should at least have been able to offer a brief assessment as they watched, yet the Sword Emperor, the Fist King, and the Wind Calamity said nothing while the match continued.
They could not.
Even the Wind Calamity, who did not know enough about martial arts to evaluate them in detail, could see that the spar between Thunder Cloud and the Sword Dragon was not merely at the level of a fifth-tier.
The Sword Dragon had been at a disadvantage from beginning to end, just as he himself had said. That was why the Wind Calamity could not bring himself to speak further. He had already been rebuked for letting news of the spar slip to Heavenly Thunder of the Dersia Mage Tower. If he opened his mouth again for no reason, he felt as though he would earn the Sword Emperor's cold gaze as well.
The Sword Emperor had no intention of doing that.
A few seconds after the spar began, he had become certain that his grandson, the Sword Dragon, would lose. In truth, he had sensed it even before the match began.
What surprised him was that Thunder Cloud's ability far surpassed even his expectations.
The Sword Dragon had been swinging a wooden sword since he was five years old.
He had learned swordsmanship before opening his dantian and entering the path of internal energy.
Even in the Sword Emperor's eyes, after a lifetime spent wielding a sword, his grandson's talent for the blade was exceptional.
Yet against Thunder Cloud, his grandson's sword had not been able to shine. What was he lacking? He was not arrogant about his talent, he trained diligently, he had never lacked for sparring, and the Sword Emperor believed he had experienced enough real combat.
‘That is it.’
The answer was not difficult to find.
What ultimately separated the Sword Dragon from Thunder Cloud was their environment. The Sword Emperor had already heard how Thunder Cloud had lived until now. Fights where death could come at any moment. Not only one-on-one spars, but dozens of chaotic group fights as well.
The Sword Dragon had also sparred and seen real combat. However, he had not experienced many battles where death could come at any time. In the end, the real combat he had faced was combat where other knights protected him, combat where he would not die.
Only after realizing that did the Sword Emperor understand the sense of dissonance in the match.
Thunder Cloud's movements were dangerous.
Even while facing Glimmerblade, which could slice him apart if he made a mistake, Thunder Cloud did not hesitate.
Boldly driving his hands and feet into the paths of the surging slashes and cutting off their trajectories was not something courage alone could accomplish. If his timing were even slightly late or he misread the sword path, he would bleed. Yet he aimed precisely for the perilous point where the blade seemed as though it would cut him, but did not.
That was why it looked so dangerous.
‘A sense gained by throwing himself into life-or-death battles.’
His grandson had been born with many talents, but he lacked that sort of sense. Such instincts were not innate. They were developed through experience.
‘What he used in the middle was similar to the Fist King's technique.’
Thunder Cloud had never learned martial arts directly from the Fist King. They had only sparred lightly two days earlier. Thunder Cloud's martial arts differed from the Fist King's, but what they pursued was the same.
The Sword Emperor let out a hollow laugh and glanced at the Fist King.
The Fist King's expression was utterly serious. He did not think his martial arts had been stolen. He, too, knew that it was not the same technique.
“What a brazen bastard.”
The Fist King smiled again as he mulled over Yuri's words.
‘You said you would teach me a move.’
He had certainly said that, but who could have imagined Yuri would immediately grasp its principle like that?
“I had intended to wait until later because of his connection with Fist Wolf, but now I want him too badly.”
“Who would not?”
The Sword Emperor smiled as he answered. A fifth-tier at twenty-two. Not only was his rank high, but he also possessed ability built upon a solid foundation. He would undoubtedly become a Martial Apex Venerable someday, and Thunder Cloud had yet to join any faction.
“If I had a daughter, I would have taken him in as my son-in-law.”
“You are not even married. What are you talking about?”
The Sword Emperor clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“He is the one who refused the position of captain of the Orsia knights.”
“I would not join my older brother's knights either. No matter how impressive they are, they are still only a knight order.”
“Gah...”
“Is there no way to take him as a disciple? We can settle things with Fist Wolf later. Should we just drag him off by force?”
“Stop it. If you force someone who does not want it to become your disciple, do you think they will treat you like a master?”
“I do not expect to be treated like one. I just need to throw my martial arts at him, let him learn them properly on his own, and have him go around saying that his master is the Fist King, Dokgo Gwi-jin.”
It was an answer shameless beyond belief. The Sword Emperor stared at the Fist King in disbelief, then slowly shook his head.
“Stop talking nonsense and think of a title.”
“A title, a title...”
“Jeydolph, offer an opinion as well.”
“Thunder Dragon... how does that sound?”
The Wind Calamity gave his suggestion with an awkward expression after being singled out.
“Thunder Dragon?”
“Isn't simply adding Dragon to a title too simple and insincere?”
He was criticized the moment he offered an opinion.
‘Then why did you ask?’
Unable to complain openly, the Wind Calamity could only give an embarrassed smile.
‘Is this normally how they give people titles, putting them on the spot like this?’
Yuri felt unbearable awkwardness and stared up at the sky. A dragon title might be a tremendous honor for a rising junior, but Yuri had not been born and raised in this world. He found it difficult to share that sentiment.
‘A title...’
It was a little different from a nickname. In this world, a title stood in for one's name. If someone did not know a person's name, was not close enough to use it, or felt respect rather than familiarity, they used a title.
By that logic, Estor calling Yuri by his name meant that, beyond formality and respect, he recognized something akin to friendship between equals.
‘A friend?’
He had become close enough to use names with the heir of the Orsia Family. The orphan who had agonized in a cramped room in Oldor over how to live in this world had come this far.
“Have you thought about what you will request?”
Estor, who stood nearby with his arms crossed, asked the question.
“If I ask for an Elixir, will you give me one?”
“I would have to.”
Estor answered without hesitation. The Sword Emperor, who had been discussing Yuri's title, glared at Estor with flashing eyes, but Estor continued without paying him any attention.
“Everything in the Orsia Family will be mine someday anyway. As far as I know, there are still a few bottles of Elixir left.”
“You little brat. It may be yours someday, but it is not yours now!”
The Sword Emperor finally roared, but Estor did not even acknowledge him.
“However, every Elixir in the family now is an old model. It differs from the new Elixir made by Alfreon Ascard that you drank. Even the old model is among the finest artificial elixirs, but it is inferior to the new one.”
“Is that so?”
“If you want to request an Elixir from me, do it later rather than now. In a few years, the Ascard Family will send us an Elixir as a gift. There may even be further improvements by then, so it would be better to receive one then than take an old model now.”
Estor let out a short laugh.
“Personally, I do not recommend drinking more Elixir. Your internal energy would increase enormously and your lifespan would lengthen, but the change would not be as great as it was the first time.”
“I was only asking just in case. It is not that I want an Elixir.”
Yuri only wanted to know how far a request could go. An Elixir was something no amount of money could buy. Estor even said he would give him a new model that had not yet been developed, so it seemed that a “request” carried tremendous weight for Estor.
“I will save my request for later. There is nothing I want right now.”
“How about a gift for me?”
Haryeong, who had been watching the spar from afar, approached them.
“As it happens, I gave Yuri-nim a fine dagger two years ago, and I have yet to receive anything in return.”
“Was that not payment for helping Haryeong-nim?”
“You have a good memory.”
Haryeong muttered it with her usual expressionless face.
“Still, I did quite a lot for Yuri-nim when you were nothing. I think you could give me at least one gift.”
“Go ahead and tell me what you want.”
“My hair is tidy, so I do not need a hairpin. I would be very happy if you gave me a dagger like the one I gave Yuri-nim.”
Why did she specifically mention a hairpin? Yuri frowned slightly and looked at Haryeong, but her expression did not change.
She was obviously doing it on purpose.
“You have a terrible personality.”
“My personality is flawlessly kind.”
“You say you do not need a hairpin, but you always wear the same one.”
Since the first time he met her two years ago, Haryeong had worn the same hairpin. It was an old butterfly-shaped pin. It looked like an expensive, beautifully crafted item, but its faded luster made it seem quite old.
“It was my mother's keepsake.”
“I am sorry...”
He had meant to tease her for contradicting herself, but that answer left Yuri unable to say anything more. On Earth, he had killed many strangers' parents while pounding away at a keyboard in front of a computer, but even during that turbulent period, he had distinguished reality from the internet.
“What meaning is there in merely saying you are sorry? Show some sincerity.”
“Hmm... a dagger...”
Estor muttered obliviously.
“There are several daggers in the Orsia treasury as well...”
Yuri shot Estor a glare that clearly told him to shut up. Using this precious request to receive a dagger would be a painful waste.
“I will choose one myself and give it to Haryeong-nim later.”
“Yes?”
Though she had demanded a gift, her answer came out surprised when he agreed to give her one. Yuri looked at her face. Her expression was the same as usual, but her eyes had opened slightly wider.
“Did you truly say you would give me one?”
“You asked for one.”
“I did say that, but I never expected the rude Yuri-nim to agree so readily.”
“I do not think I am rude enough to deserve that...”
“When will you give it to me?”
Her widened eyes returned to normal.
“The sooner, the better.”
“You do not need one right away. You already have many daggers.”
“Yuri-nim has never thrown a dagger, so perhaps you do not know this, but the more daggers one has, the better.”
It was oddly persuasive.
“Ah, but do not worry. I will not use the dagger Yuri-nim gives me for throwing.”
“Yes... thank you...”
The sooner, the better, she said, but Yuri could not give her some ordinary dagger sold in a weapon shop. It was true that Haryeong had taught him various things before he properly entered martial arts, and after Fist Wolf left Rutlan, he had also received her advice.
‘Black Fang was useful too.’
Black Fang, which he had thrown in an attempt to kill the Withered Crone, was still tucked inside Yuri's clothes.
‘I managed to apply the Fist King's technique, but I am still far from using it properly.’
Thirty years had passed, and this world differed from the game. Yuri did not know whether the Fist King's martial art was currently the Ten Thousand Waves Severing Fist, but its performance was far too different from the game.
As Yuri understood it, the Fist of the Rending Cloud was evasion. In game terms, while the skill was active, it made the opponent's attack MISS.
The Ten Thousand Waves Severing Fist attacked during an enemy's skill-casting motion and forcibly canceled it. Either way, doing it in reality rather than a game required the ability to read an opponent's moves.
‘Or judge and move the instant I see their attack.’
It was not easy. Yuri could read an opponent's moves to some extent, but he had been able to apply the Fist King's technique during the spar with the Sword Dragon because he had learned the lightning qi martial art, the Art of the Violet Lightning Flash. It had allowed him to gain a speed advantage over the Sword Dragon and limit his sword paths as Yuri had intended beforehand.
‘If my opponent is faster than me, it will be difficult to cut off their flow.’
He could compensate for that weakness with the Fist of the Rending Cloud. If he reacted to attacks, redirected them, and cut off only what he could, he might earn the Sword Dragon's assessment that he fought like an asshole.
‘Still, it feels like this build is finally taking shape.’
He could not equip or apply penalty skills like a game character. The skills he had learned also differed from the game. However, the concept of the build itself was similar.
The evasion of the Fist of the Rending Cloud and Whirlwind Cloud Steps, and the Fist King's cancel.
If he could use Eternal Thirst later, he could gain lifesteal as well. The Art of the Violet Lightning Flash for speed, the Heavenly Art of Annihilating Evil for attack power, and Sacred Flame Release for a finishing blow.
‘If I complete it like this, it might be better than my game character.’
It seemed that way in theory, but unlike the game he controlled with a keyboard, Yuri had to judge and move for himself in reality.
“Cloud Dragon.”
A voice abruptly cut through the build forming in his mind.
“Cloud Dragon. What do you think?”
It was the Sword Emperor.
‘He said Thunder Dragon was too simple and insincere because Thunder Cloud became Thunder Dragon...’
The Fist King, who had made that criticism, nodded as though he was satisfied with Cloud Dragon. The Wind Calamity, who had been criticized, did not openly show it, but looked as though he were forcing a smile.
“It can mean a dragon within the clouds, or a dragon ascending while riding the clouds. You have not made a great name for yourself until now, but does it not suit someone who has suddenly drawn attention?”
It was not an atmosphere where Yuri could say he did not want it. In truth, it was not a title he disliked enough to refuse.
‘Cloud Dragon...’
How should he describe this ticklish feeling?
His chest felt itchy, his face warm, and his fingertips and toes prickled.
“If you like it, you may say so.”
A breath brushed past his ear. Yuri startled and hunched his shoulders before looking to the side. Haryeong was watching him with a subtle curve at the corner of her lips.
[You could use telepathic message. Why whisper in my ear...?]
[I wanted to see that reaction. In any case, Yuri-nim, if you like it, say you like it. Do not be self-conscious about your expression.]
[I do not particularly like it.]
[Do not lie. Seniors far above you personally gave Yuri-nim a title. As far as I know, Yuri-nim is the first junior in this world to receive a title from the Sword Emperor.]
[What about Estor?]
[No matter how much the Sword Emperor cherishes his grandson, he is not shameless enough to personally give his grandson the title Sword Dragon.]
Yuri was unsure whether he liked it or not, but it was true that the Sword Emperor, the Fist King, and the Selvis Mage Tower Master had given him a title. If he stood there without any reaction, all the goodwill he had accumulated would collapse, and he would become an ill-mannered junior.
“It is an honor.”
Yuri gave the proper answer. A proud and delighted expression naturally appeared on his face, though he had not consciously tried to make one.
“So, Cloud Dragon Yuri, when are you leaving?”
Estor suddenly asked. He had not gained a title himself, yet he was nodding nearby with a satisfied expression.
“I do not wish to stay longer and inconvenience you, so I plan to leave tomorrow.”
Yuri answered modestly, but Estor immediately responded.
“I am coming with you.”
A clear expression of bewilderment and displeasure appeared on Yuri's face without him meaning it to.
Suddenly?
Why?
“Ooh.”
Before Yuri could answer, the Sword Emperor exclaimed in admiration.
“Estor, that is the most pleasing thing you have said today. It seems you learned much from your spar with Cloud Dragon.”
“Yes.”
It did not seem as though the Sword Emperor intended to stop his grandson.
“It could be dangerous if you travel with us...”
“Danger is what I want.”
“That boy needs to experience danger. He cannot remain in Panteleon forever. I worried when he went to Foul Village alone, but he will be fine with Cloud Dragon and Dark Blossom.”
“We are planning to visit the Black Dragon Society's Salhomun...”
“As long as it is not the Demonic Cult or a heretic cult, I do not care.”
“I have no connection to Salhomun, but I have deep ties with the Severing Blade Sect, one of the Six Evils of the Black Dragon Society. I still exchange gifts every year with its sect leader, Blood Heaven Blade Paeng Hu.”
“Paeng Hu is a decent fellow for someone of the dark path. Do you think he has reached the seventh-tier by now?” the Fist King asked.
“Last year, I heard that he only needed to overcome one more wall. He may reach the seventh-tier within this year.”
The Sword Emperor and the Fist King continued their conversation.
[What does it matter? I do not mind traveling with the Sword Dragon.]
[But...]
[Yuri-nim is a transmigrator, so you would need to watch your words and actions if you travel with the Sword Dragon. Still, considering the eyes of those around us, it would be better to travel with him.]
Yuri considered her words for a moment.
Even when he and Haryeong traveled alone, they did not openly discuss his identity as a transmigrator. Once he gained fame, suspicions could arise from all directions. However, traveling with the Orsia Family's Sword Dragon would dispel quite a few doubts.
“You pay the travel expenses.”
After thinking it over, Yuri said that.
“I have plenty of money.”
Estor answered with a grin.
Footnotes:
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