"I wanted to make her human."

What did Wiesel Ah mean by that?

The reason why the Swordmaster took Shinui and Wiesel Ah to the Zhang family estate. Was it truly to make her human?

‘Does that mean she wasn’t human in the first place?’

It’s a perplexing thought. No matter how you looked at it, here or there,

Wiesel Ah was human.

She said it was to seal her immense vessel and power. After hearing her words, I could understand it, at least to some extent.

‘Presence.’

A presence that I hadn’t felt from Wiesel Ah before. But now, it was clearly perceivable.

Perhaps this is the difference.

When I met Wiesel Ah after the regression, She had no presence, no aura whatsoever.

Until I actually saw her in front of me. Or heard her voice.

It made me wonder if she was even there at all.

‘Could this be connected to what we’ve just discussed?’

It’s often the case that some humans are born with an exceptionally faint presence.

It's a kind of talent.

Most assassins, known as "silent guests" (암객), have this kind of ability.

Among them, there’s the Dark King (암왕), who was born with a murderous aura so powerful,

His talent as an assassin had reached its peak.

Even Namgoong Bia had this trait. But because his appearance drew so much attention, it was as though he didn’t have it.

In that sense, Wiesel Ah...

‘She was excessive.’

It wasn’t just that her presence was faint. It was nearly non-existent.

Moreover...

Her inhuman strength, though she appeared to have a normal body.

There were many moments when it was impossible to see her as a normal person.

From my perspective...

‘She’s going to be the Divine Sword in the future, so maybe that’s just how it is?’

That’s how I dismissed it.

‘But what if she wasn’t human from the beginning...’

No...

If she’s not human, then what is she? If Wiesel Ah isn’t human, then what could she be?

I had no answer.

But even if we put that idea aside,

It still doesn’t explain why the Swordmaster went to the Zhang family estate.

How would sealing a vessel—something every living being possesses—be possible?

Even if Wiesel Ah isn’t human, sealing it wouldn’t make her human.

And if Shinui truly succeeded, as Wiesel Ah had said,

‘Why did they have to go to the Zhang family estate?’

There’s no reason to leave the Nine Families to go to the Zhang family.

Shinui was with the Nine Families. Why was it necessary to travel all the way to the Zhang family estate?

In my past life and my current life,

I couldn’t understand it.

But when Wiesel Ah spoke again, I understood why the Swordmaster had to go to the Zhang family estate.

"...In the room, there was a massive stone, glowing blue."

A massive blue-glowing stone.

It wasn’t much of a description, But when I heard Wiesel Ah’s words, something came to mind.

‘The Sealing Stone (봉마석)...?’

It was an artifact I was familiar with from my previous life.

Zegal Hyuk, the grandson of Shinui and the mastermind of the Demonic Sect, had used it.

Its effect was similar to a formation or a barrier. It was a strange artifact that could seal both qi and demonic energy within a specific area.

The only person who could still exert power there, As far as I knew, was the Heavenly Demon.

I had heard that Zegal Hyuk, whose body was that of a regular person, had it installed for his protection.

‘So, the Zhang family originally owned the Sealing Stone?’

And here I thought its only effect was to prevent people from using their power. I didn’t realize it could seal power as well.

‘If Shinui did it, does that mean it was a part of his medical techniques?’

I couldn’t be sure.

But if the Swordmaster knew that the Zhang family had the Sealing Stone and went there for that reason,

And if Shinui was brought along to use the Sealing Stone and apply his medical skills separately,

In the end, they managed to narrow Wiesel Ah’s vessel and allow her to regain her presence and aura.

‘How does this relate to becoming human?’

There are several cases where people fail to recognize someone else’s presence.

One is, as I explained earlier,

When their talent is skewed in that direction.

Another case, like when I see the Swordmaster,

Is when the gap in skill is so extreme that the difference can’t even be felt.

In such cases, the presence is faint but not completely gone.

An example of this is...

‘The Heavenly Demon was like that.’

The leader of the Demonic Sect, dragging Zhongyuan into death and destruction with his bloodlust.

When the Heavenly Demon took a step, the surroundings would be crushed, and silence would fall.

That was when the Heavenly Demon deliberately unleashed his presence.

But normally, the Heavenly Demon was different.

So...

The Swordmaster wanting to make Wiesel Ah human

Means that Wiesel Ah isn’t human.

‘And she might not be related to him by blood.’

That’s what it means.

And it also implies something else I’ve long wondered about:

The relationship between the Heavenly Demon and Wiesel Ah...

There could be another reason.

‘...If there’s a connection, does that mean the Heavenly Demon isn’t human either?’

Though the Heavenly Demon’s power didn’t seem human, I had never considered that he wasn’t human at all.

‘Then what is he?’

What is Wiesel Ah? What is the Heavenly Demon?

If they aren’t human,

Then they aren’t the same as those referred to as outsiders, like the Exiled Races.

‘This is a mess.’

I never thought that humans were the only beings in this world.

This world is a place where demons can appear at any time.

And it’s not only demons that emerge from there.

Moreover, even I...

It’s difficult to call myself human.

‘So, the reason the Swordmaster went to the Zhang family was because of the Sealing Stone.’

The artifact I had thought the Heavenly Demon discovered and handed over to Zegal Hyuk...

Could it have originally been brought from the Zhang family estate? Or was there another Sealing Stone?

‘But the biggest question is something else.’

The biggest question here.

In both my past life and my current life, If Wiesel Ah’s life hasn’t changed,

Then it means that, in my previous life, the Divine Sword was sealed too. Her qi and vessel were both suppressed.

It might not be the case.

But the reason I’m thinking this is because...

I feel much closer to my previous life now.

The presence I feel from Wiesel Ah now

Is much closer to what I felt when I saw her in my previous life.

Her original energy has been reduced and suppressed, Allowing her to regain her presence.

So, does that mean Wiesel Ah faced the Heavenly Demon while sealed?

Even in that state, she had reached the pinnacle of her swordsmanship after a few years of wielding a blade.

‘What if she hadn’t been sealed...?’

What if she hadn’t sealed her vessel and wielded her sword?

What would have happened?

If there’s a way to break the seal on Wiesel Ah,

Then wouldn’t it be easier to stop the bloodbath the Heavenly Demon would cause?

The thought flashed through my mind.

Slap.

A sharp slap across my cheek erased it.

The most efficient way would be to have her take up the sword again.

I knew I should have made her stronger than she was in my past life.

But I hadn’t done that.

Just because I found a more certain way now, I wasn’t about to break my resolve.

Biting my tongue and dying—that wasn’t the answer.

Wiesel Ah had to live her own life. Not the life of a hero or the Divine Sword.

‘What was the Swordmaster thinking when he suddenly stopped her?’

It couldn’t have been just because his granddaughter’s talent was too outstanding, and she would attract too much attention.

There must be another reason.

Normally,

Even if I was curious, I wouldn’t have looked into it because it seemed dangerous.

‘...Should I meet the Swordmaster?’

If it’s related to Wiesel Ah,

I should at least try to find out. Although, honestly, I don’t want to face him.

But it’s not the time to be afraid.

Maybe,

It might even have something to do with the Heavenly Demon.

Just as I stood there, gathering my thoughts...

"...What are you doing?"

Someone approached me and spoke.

"...Just thinking."

"You’re bleeding."

"Huh?"

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. There was a bit of blood on it.

I must have slapped myself too hard.

The person who pointed this out was none other than Pang Ah-hee.

"What, did you get into a fight?"

"...I just fell."

"That’s what losers say. Who did you lose to?"

"Why do you always pick a fight the moment you see me?"

"I’m not picking a fight, just teasing. You look miserable."

"..."

Pang Ah-hee chuckled at her own words.

I hadn’t seen her in about a year.

"You’re joining too?"

When I asked, she shrugged.

"As you can see. If I don’t, my family would raise hell."

That was true.

The four major families were particularly sensitive when it came to the Xinlong Pavilion. Especially since the previous Xinlong was Pang Woo-jin, it was natural that Pang Ah-hee would be involved.

"It’s not like I can do much anyway."

Of the four great families’ bloodlines,

Pang Ah-hee was the only one who hadn’t joined the Yuklong Sambong, and she hadn’t earned a proper title yet.

She said it casually, but...

I knew about the title she would earn in the future.

She wouldn’t reach the level of a Sword Emperor like her brother, but still...

"Do your best, you’ll do well."

I said nonchalantly, and for a moment, Pang Ah-hee made a strange expression. What’s that look? It’s kind of annoying.

"What’s that... why are you looking at me like that?"

"That’s creepy, are you trying to hit on me?"

"I almost cursed you out just now. Watch your mouth."

"Sorry, but I’m not into guys with too many women around them. Besides, we’re already done, aren’t we?"

"...I wasn’t hitting on you, you lunatic."

My head was already a mess, and she was making it worse.

"We’re better off as friends. I’ll accept your feelings, though."

"I’d like to end our friendship right now, is that okay?"

At my words, Pang Ah-hee burst out laughing. I knew she was just teasing, but...

Why was she acting like this?

"Aren’t you part of Group 1?"

"Yeah, I’m in Group 1."

"Then can you go back to your group?"

Did she forget why we were divided into groups? Why did she come all the way over here just to provoke me?

"It’s fine, we haven’t started yet."

"Instructor! There’s someone crazy here...!"

"Ah! I’m leaving, I’m leaving!"

Without hesitation, I called for the instructor. Pang Ah-hee hurriedly stopped me.

Serves her right for acting out.

"No... It’s nothing, but something’s been bothering me. I was going to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Don’t overthink it, it’s just a feeling."

Pang Ah-hee’s expression became more serious as she approached me. Just as I was about to push her away because she was too close...

"There’s something off about that person, Shinseong."

Her words made me pause.

"...There’s a rumor that he’s a really good person, but something about the way he looks at you is unsettling."

"..."

That was unexpected.

I didn’t think Pang Ah-hee had such keen instincts.

I didn’t expect her to come and tell me this either.

Even as she said this, she quickly added a disclaimer.

"Don’t take it too seriously. It’s just a feeling."

Given how good Jang Sun-yeon was at maintaining appearances, It was strange to hear Pang Ah-hee say something like this.

But she had come to tell me, for my sake.

It seemed that, despite starting off as enemies, Our relationship had ended on decent terms.

"...I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks."

I said, and out of habit, I reached out my hand.

I almost patted her head like I used to with Wiesel Ah or Tang Soyeol. Their body types were similar, so I did it without thinking.

But Pang Ah-hee lightly caught my hand and stopped me.

"Hey. You shouldn’t do that to a girl you don’t have feelings for."

"...Ah, sorry, it’s a habit."

"If it’s a habit, you should stop. If you attract another girl like that, the pretty ones around you might start drawing their swords."

"..."

"No matter how I look at you, I don’t think you’re the type to attract girls. But this is your problem."

"I’ll be careful."

At my words, Pang Ah-hee let go of my hand and chuckled. She was right—I really did need to be more cautious.

I’d gotten too used to it.

"Oh, by the way. Also..."

"Hm?"

"Did something happen between you and Hyuk’s brother?"

"...Who’s that?"

"The Sleeping Dragon."

"Hm?"

A name that didn’t really suit Pang Ah-hee came up. Why was she mentioning him now?

"You... Are you close with the Sleeping Dragon?"

"Not really, but Hyuk and my brother know each other."

The Sleeping Dragon and Pang Woo-jin knew each other? This was news to me.

‘I’ve never heard the Sleeping Dragon mention Pang Woo-jin.’

Maybe he just didn’t tell me. I guess they were acquainted.

"So what?"

"He was asking about you."

"About me? The Sleeping Dragon?"

"Yeah. So I was wondering if something happened."

The Sleeping Dragon asked about me, through Pang Ah-hee?

What could that be about... Oh, I think I know why.

"Something did happen."

"What was it?"

"Nothing much."

I recalled when I arrived in Hanam.

"He was getting into a street brawl, so I got annoyed and knocked him out."

"...That’s something."

Pang Ah-hee looked at me with disbelief.

It wasn’t my fault. The idiots brawling on the street were the problem, not me.

"Is that why?"

"No, I don’t think it’s because of that... Anyway, ask him next time you see him."

"You going?"

When she had finished speaking, Pang Ah-hee walked away without hesitation. It seemed she really only came to pass along the message.

"I have to. If they find out I’ve been alone with you for too long, my life might be in danger."

"What are you talking about?"

"There are reasons, idiot."

Pang Ah-hee stuck her tongue out teasingly and walked off toward where Group 1 had gathered.

I sighed as I watched her walk away.

‘Thanks to her, I feel a little less frustrated.’

My tangled thoughts had loosened a bit. Not that Pang Ah-hee intended that, but...

I was still grateful. I shook my head to clear my mind.

‘Focus on what’s in front of you.’

Because of how recklessly I used my qi technique the day before, I wasn’t in the best condition for using my qi.

‘My dantian still aches.’

Even though I’d been resting and practicing deep breathing techniques,

I hadn’t fully recovered yet. Although, to be honest,

‘There shouldn’t be any need to exert myself where these kids are playing.’

I thought I could just let it pass, but I’d overlooked one thing.

Among all these kids,

There was a real monster hiding in the group.

___________________

 

Shortly after starting the last test of Group 2.

“Ugh....”
“I have a question.”

I'm faced with dark pupils, the color of ink, with no contrast.

The hand around my neck was too strong to shake off.

“You.”

A chilling voice enters my ear.

“Who are you?”

It was Overlord.