WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS x FLAME COMICS

Translator: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint ◈

Chapter 232: Episode 43: Sky-Splitting Sword Saint (4)

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Preparations were finished in no time.

I put Aileen in charge of the Yu Junghyeok Industrial Complex and entrusted the Kim Dokja Industrial Complex to Mark and several council members.

...More importantly, the Kim Dokja Industrial Complex sounded strangely unsettling. Had an industrial complex with that name really appeared in the Demon Realm? For some reason, I felt like the people there would be unhappy.

"Damn it, I'm just a tavern owner. Are you really going to make me do this?"

"Then run it like a tavern. Just until I get back. I've delegated part of my authority, so make sure you keep the peace."

Even after I said that, Mark still looked reluctant.

"Wouldn't it be better to at least show your face before you go? The people in the industrial complex will be confused."

"I don't have time to go all the way there right now."

"What if a new Revolutionary appears...?"

"The entire area has moved on to the next Scenario, so there won't be a Revolutionary for a while."

Mark looked as though he was trying to accept my answer.

I was a little worried, but Mark was more than capable of handling the industrial complex for a while. In the original story, Mark had done more than anyone else to help the wounded industrial complex recover. The Dokja Industrial Complex was in chaos after the disaster Junghyeok had caused, so it needed someone like Mark even more.

Mark left for the Kim Dokja Industrial Complex with the council members. As Myeongoh watched him go, he suddenly spoke.

"Then we should leave as well."

"We?"

I turned toward Myeongoh with a slight frown at his shamelessness.

...When had this man packed such a huge bundle of luggage?

"It would be awkward for me to stay here alone."

"..."

"And I know a thing or two about the martial world. I read more than three hundred martial arts novels in my youth."

Actually, I knew why Myeongoh wanted to come with us. More precisely, it wasn't Myeongoh who wanted to follow us, but his boss.

[The Demon King Demon God of Lust and Wrath is looking at you.]

[The Constellation Demonic Judge of Fire glares at the Demon King Asmodeus.]

I felt sorry for Uriel, but there was nothing I could do right now.

As long as I didn't know how the third round unfolded in the revised version, maintaining a good relationship with Asmodeus was the best option. Besides, something else worried me more than Uriel and Asmodeus.

"What a crowd of dead weight."

"Is everything in life a source of dissatisfaction for you?"

Junghyeok and Hayoung glared at each other. I let out a sigh.

Since our goal was to meet the Sky-Splitting Sword Saint, Junghyeok naturally had to come with us. Hayoung was also essential as a contact. More than anything, this journey would greatly help Hayoung grow.

"Then let's go."

When I signaled into the air, Biyoo let out a "Baaht!" and opened a portal in midair.

A portal spun into existence with a tsss-tsss-tsss sound. It wasn't as large as the Great Hole, but it was enough for the four of us to cross.

The impatient Junghyeok entered as soon as the portal appeared. Hayoung watched him vanish into the swirling portal and spoke in a tense voice.

"...It's my first time leaving the Demon Realm."

After experiencing their first dimensional transfer, Hayoung had lived only in the Demon Realm. I was about to say something encouraging, but Myeongoh unexpectedly spoke first.

"I've read more than three hundred martial arts novels in my youth. Just trust me and follow along on this journey."

I gave a small nod. Three hundred martial arts novels. He could say that because he had no idea what the First Martial World was like.

"Let's go."

The three of us jumped into the portal at once. For an instant, my vision went black, then a familiar scene of space unfolded before me. I had become a streak of light crossing the universe.

The galaxy of the Star Stream, where countless stories bloomed and faded.

A few stars glanced at me as they passed. By the time I came to my senses, my hand was pressed against rough ground.

"Ugh, I'm dizzy..."

Hayoung gagged beside me, while Myeongoh looked around with the enthusiasm of someone on a hike. Junghyeok was nowhere to be seen.

...He probably didn't want to meet the Sky-Splitting Sword Saint.

"Oh, so this is..."

Myeongoh, far too excited, urged us on with the face of a child. I wondered if I had looked like that when I first witnessed the beginning of TWSA.

[You have arrived at Blue Dragon Castle.]

Once the portal in the sky closed, I finally had time to look around.

「Blue Dragon Castle is one of the Four Great Fortresses of the First Martial World.」

According to TWSA, this was the largest fortress in the First Martial World. Even the scale of the fortress visible from the plaza was enormous. A great palace occupied the center, with a vast city spreading out around it.

There were marketplaces selling every kind of martial arts manual and lively main streets. Martial artists sat in front of large and small estates, chatting with one another. None of them openly displayed hostility, but their auras alone made it clear how formidable they were.

[The Constellation Prisoner of the Golden Headband looks interested.]

[A few Constellations look nostalgically at the scenery of the First Martial World.]

The First Martial World was where countless powerful beings had been born and raised. Perhaps some of the Constellations had passed through this place as well. Hayoung looked around with their mouth hanging open, then asked.

"...It looks kind of Chinese. Was it always like this?"

"Martial arts stories are usually set in that kind of place."

Still, it wasn't entirely Chinese in style. Those red lanterns looked Japanese, and some of the architecture mixed in Southeast Asian influences. Of course, there were things that were distinctly Chinese too. Like that China Dress...

[The Constellation Demonic Judge of Fire shoots you a glare.]

I pretended not to hear and kept walking. The fortress was too vast to get an exact sense of direction, but if what I had read was correct, the Sky-Splitting Sword Saint's martial arts academy should be somewhere in this area.

First...

Maybe I should head toward the market.

Since I'd come all this way, I wanted to try the food of the First Martial World too. What I wanted most was hot chicken broth and dumplings. Those were the two dishes Junghyeok ate most often in the First Martial World.

Scenes of him eating hot chicken broth and dumplings came up often. Whenever I read those parts at night, I'd clutch my empty stomach, go to a convenience store, and buy a thousand-won steamed bun.

"Hmm, I don't see anyone training in martial arts."

"Martial arts aren't something people show off carelessly. You should know that if you've read three hundred martial arts novels."

"There must be martial arts masters here, though. And martial arts academies?"

"Of course there are."

"I'm looking forward to it."

I looked at Myeongoh with pity. He still seemed to think this martial world was the same martial world he knew...

Not long after, Myeongoh muttered as if something were wrong.

"Something is strange."

"What is?"

He stared closely at a passing Incarnation as if he had seen something he shouldn't have.

"Why are martial artists wearing jeans?"

"Are martial artists not allowed to wear jeans?"

"No, but there shouldn't be jeans in this era of China..."

"They're probably tourists like us."

It wasn't just jeans. Most people wore earphones or huge headphones, and some Incarnations used devices resembling smartphones. There were people going for a martial-world style too, but around half of them wore clothes that didn't fit the setting, just like us.

Watching Myeongoh despair as his fantasy was destroyed before his eyes, I let out a short sigh.

"I know what you imagined, but this is what the martial world is like these days."

"I-is that so?"

"Of course. What era do you think this is?"

"This isn't the martial world I imagined..."

"Everything is disappointing when you see it in person."

Despite my rebuke, Myeongoh didn't look ready to give up. He had apparently learned a translation skill already, because he even approached a merchant in the marketplace. He sounded reasonably like someone from the martial world, too.

"Excuse me, where should I go if I wish to find a martial arts academy?"

The merchant, who had been dozing behind a shabby stall piled high with goods, blinked at Myeongoh's words.

"Hm? ...You must be new here."

"That's right."

"Why are you looking for a martial arts academy? Planning to learn martial arts?"

"If a man comes to the martial world, shouldn't he at least take home one sword technique?"

"Kahaha, that's right. You're absolutely right, Great Hero."

At the words "Great Hero," Myeongoh's mouth curled up in delight.

[The character Chu Gukmyeong has activated Bargaining Technique Lv. 4.]

This guy had been shady from the start.

"Still, Great Hero, I think you have a bit of a misunderstanding. These days, people don't learn martial arts at martial arts academies."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Haha, those sweaty traditional teaching methods are only used in backwater martial worlds numbered in the 100s. No one learns martial arts that way these days. I'm only telling you this because you seem unfamiliar with the world, so count yourself lucky."

Myeongoh asked in confusion.

"Th-then how do people learn martial arts these days?"

"These days, we use this."

The merchant brushed the dust from his goods and held one out. Inside the box was something like a small MP3 player.

[Heaven and Earth Ice Spirit Sword Martial Arts Mnemonic Set]

- Includes a direct recording by the Ice Flower Divine Maiden, one of the Ten Great Masters of the martial world, with a mind-imprint of the martial arts mnemonic!

- Repeated unconscious learning is the best way to learn martial arts mnemonics! Gain enlightenment into the mnemonic through repetition from childhood!

- Six monthly installments available! Anyone can become a master for just 500 coins a month!

"...What is this?"

"It's popular among young martial arts masters these days. They say anyone can become a first-rate master after listening to it a thousand times."

"That can't be... Is it really true?"

"Of course it's true. I've spent ten years in the martial world. Would I lie to a Great Hero? Didn't you see all those young people walking around with earphones on when you came here?"

"Ah, I did. ...Don't tell me?"

The merchant nodded meaningfully at Myeongoh's dumbfounded words.

"They're all listening to these in their spare time. Young people these days are more dedicated."

"Huh... I see. So that's how it was. I've fallen behind the times."

"Hehe, this limited edition was personally recorded by the Ice Flower Divine Maiden, so it's pleasant to listen to. You know the Ice Flower Divine Maiden, right? The martial world's official ear-candy girlfriend. Here, let me play it for you. It's very effective when you can't sleep, too."

While Myeongoh slipped the earphones on as if possessed, Hayoung rummaged through the merchant's goods beside him.

[Phantom Flying Guest Six-Month Home Training Set]

- You too can become a master of concealed weapons after following along ten thousand times!

- Includes a basic assassination tool set as a bonus!

[Namgung Clan's Imperial Swordsmanship: Just Follow Along!]

- Become a peak master through the safest and fastest path with online lectures from the Namgung Clan's best instructors!

- A twenty-four-hour question-and-answer board is available. No need to worry about qi deviation. Ask for help anytime!

Come to think of it, this sort of thing was all the rage in the First Martial World around this time. Learning martial arts by stimulating the unconscious, comfortably training at home while listening to lectures...

The merchant glared at Hayoung for carelessly going through the products.

"Hey, miss. Don't rummage through things if you aren't buying. These are expensive."

"Can you really become a master with this stuff?"

"Can't you see the reviews? They're all products certified by professional institutions."

Even I, who had read all of TWSA, had never heard of any of those institutions. There were reviews from ordinary martial artists too.

- Baek Yeongsindong (12, male): My friend listened to it, so I tried it too, and it's great. I've been first in the academy for three months now. Awesome!!

- Tamrang Miyu (32, female): Honestly, I wasn't sure after listening for three weeks.... But from the sixth week, my ears suddenly opened up and I started hearing martial arts mnemonics I didn't know before!!!

- Hwa Wang Banggun (24, male): This is seriously awesum. After listening to this, the Scenarios got super easy. What's with the Scenario difficulty?? I'm not even scared of Dokkaebis anymore!!!

Anyone could see it was false advertising, but it was hard for Incarnations visiting the First Martial World for the first time to resist the temptation.

They had made it this far by overcoming difficult Scenarios. Now they were being told they could easily learn profound martial arts, enough to lower Scenario difficulty, for a few coins. There was no way they wouldn't be tempted.

Manager Han, who had complained that he didn't like this kind of martial world, had already completely fallen for it.

"Would you two like to listen as well? It feels like everything goes straight into my ears..."

"Hehe, it seems you have a talent for martial arts, Great Hero. Most people spend around three weeks stumbling through what they call a healing crisis."

"Haha, is that so? Um, how much would this be if I paid in full..."

Just as I decided I should stop him, a chilling voice came from behind us.

"If everyone could become a master by listening to that trash, the First Martial World wouldn't have fallen."

Footnotes:

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