The sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, was warm. I stopped briefly in the shade and looked up at the sky.

The weather was pleasant. Not a single cloud marred the clear, blue expanse.

Though it was slightly chilly, it was bearable. I lifted my foot and gently dug into the dry earth with my toe.

The scent of dry soil was different from the oppressive stench inside the sect.

I couldn’t stop by a village or indulge in delicious food due to the secretive route we had to take...

But I felt good.

Really good.

I leisurely unfolded the map. The destination wasn’t far—just about a day’s journey. I could afford to take my time and enjoy the scenery as I walked.

So, I walked. Enjoying this rare respite, I reached out and caught a falling leaf with ease.

Movements that would have been unthinkable before now came naturally. Effortlessly.

Even the smallest things filled me with elation. I released the leaf I’d caught.

Reaching the pinnacle realm brought me such joy—what would it feel like to break through yet another wall?

...I might be so elated that I’d die the moment I reach the Heavenly Demon’s level. Though that’s likely a story for a distant future.

Perhaps when I reach the transcendent realm, the Heavenly Demon might entrust me with a proper double-agent mission. Something that rivals the responsibilities of a sect leader...

No, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Those who reach the pinnacle realm are exceedingly rare, even among martial artists. And even among extraordinary geniuses, many fail to touch the transcendent realm.

It’s not a level just anyone can achieve. For now, let’s focus on steady practice rather than dreams.

The mere fact that I might someday reach it is enough to make me happy.

The Heavenly Demon, Cheonso So.

I whispered my goal to myself as I resumed walking.

From behind me, Number 29 spoke.

“Why did you bring me along?”

Her tone was sharp, but it lacked the harsh edge it had back in the sect. Perhaps she, too, was in a good mood. It had been half a year since we started working together.

“I thought your swordsmanship seemed lacking, so I figured I’d give you some pointers.”

“That’s unnecessary kindness.”

“Perhaps. If I overstepped, I apologize.”

“...”

The conversation remained curt, but I didn’t mind.

She must have her reasons for being this way. What I did was nothing more than an unsolicited act of kindness.

If she didn’t appreciate it, so be it. If she didn’t want to be out here, I should probably apologize for that instead.

“I’ve heard that Blood Demon Division members typically receive missions once a month. But for some reason, the squad I was in barely received any. I only had one mission in an entire year.”

“...”

“It’s probably my fault. My superior is a bit... particular. Maybe they’re exerting their influence. Having fewer missions might mean fewer chances to die, but it also means being more detached from the outside world, doesn’t it?”

I raised my hand, letting the tips of fresh flowers brush against my fingers.

“It occurred to me that perhaps it’s my fault you haven’t been able to leave the sect. Maybe I felt some responsibility for that and ended up blurting out my thoughts.”

“...”

“Number 29. This isn’t a debt. I’m merely returning a small part of what I’ve taken from you. If it makes you uncomfortable, we can put some distance between us. I’ll leave a trail for you to follow at your own pace.”

“...Hah.”

Number 29 let out a sigh and stepped beside me, rather than staying behind.

“Fine. Let’s just go together.”

“Thank you.”

“...Strange man.”

We exchanged brief words.

“Why are you so kind to others?”

“Well... maybe I’m imitating an old friend.”

“An old friend?”

“There was a friend in the sect who would always extend a helping hand first. He was deceived and killed, but I don’t think his way of living was wrong.”

Seong Jamyeong.

I owed him so much—so much that I couldn’t even count it.

If I hadn’t learned the Ghostly Spirit Steps from him properly, I wouldn’t have progressed in my cultivation.

If I hadn’t mastered the Single Soul Hammer, I would have struggled to cut down Maeng Sowoon, who had learned the Baekmashin. It would have been impossible without the Gucheon Blood Demon Sword.

And Eun Seollan... My prior connection with the former Number 29 helped me find my voice in the sect.

Everything Seong Jamyeong gave me came full circle, allowing me to be who I am today.

I fiddled with my sword.

“This sword also belonged to him. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Perhaps not. If I had to add one more thing...”

“What is it?”

“I simply wanted to help.”

I smiled faintly.

“Because you can be a bit clumsy, Number 29.”

“What did you just say?”

Her voice turned icy.

“...Let’s pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Do you really think I can ignore what I just heard, Number 30? I am not clumsy. Take it back.”

“I take it back.”

“You’re not being sincere—”

She tripped over a rock and stumbled. I barely suppressed a laugh.

“...Are you laughing right now? Just because you’re wearing a mask doesn’t mean I can’t tell.”

“You can’t see me, can you?”

“...Urgh.”

I was beginning to understand Number 29’s personality.

Proud, yet clumsy.

A woman who hated owing debts and insisted on repaying everything she received.

“Number 29. May I ask you something?”

“Depends on what it is.”

“Why do you hate men?”

She responded curtly.

“They’re disgusting, driven by lust, and act with their lower half instead of their brains.”

“...Surely not all men are like that.”

“All of them are. Every man I’ve seen was like that. They spout nonsense about protecting me, but given the chance, they’re all the same. I know men well. Even you.”

“Me?”

I searched my memory.

I couldn’t recall doing anything.

“What did I do?”

“You added me to your squad. I don’t know what strings you pulled.”

“Me?”

“The Blood Demon Commander told me to stick close to you and comply with your requests.”

“What...? Oh.”

The Commander. Of course. I sighed and explained the situation.

Number 29’s eyes widened.

“You’re connected to Cheonhyeol Inma?!”

Ilma’s other title, the Thousand Blood Blade Demon. A name born from tales of her creating rivers of blood.

Hearing the title after so long, I nodded. Without delving into details, I gave a vague explanation.

“I’ve learned a few things from her.”

“Incredible... How did you meet her? Does she visit the sect regularly?!”

“I’ve only seen her once since joining the sect. Even then, it was a special case. She came to see the former Number 29, not me.”

“...I heard the Blood Demon Division was a place for losers who signed up for high pay... If Ilma and Sama took a personal interest, how remarkable was the previous Number 29?”

“She was incomparable. An extraordinary person.”

“And now?”

“She became Sama’s disciple.”

“That doesn’t sound like something that would happen in the Blood Demon Division. You’re not lying, are you?”

“What would I gain from lying about this?”

Number 29 hesitated.

“...Ilma is the person I respect most. As the first disciple of the Heavenly Demon and the Sect’s Guardian.”

“The Cult Leader is stronger, isn’t he?”

“Strength alone doesn’t determine admiration.”

Number 29 touched her masked cheek.

“My dream is to join the Blood Shadow Squad someday. Ilma’s elite unit. That’s why I joined the Blood Demon Division. I have other reasons, but my admiration for her is unwavering. Still, only a few can make it into the Blood Shadow Squad, so every disciple is essentially my competition.”

She sidled closer to me.

“How did you meet Ilma? Will she return to the sect? Could you... introduce me?”

“I’m in no position to introduce anyone. To her, I’m just a plaything.”

“I’d give my life if it meant becoming her plaything!”

“...Let me make it clear—it’s not happening. She has no reason to visit me.”

“I see...”

Number 29 sighed.

“Then I misunderstood the Blood Demon Commander’s intentions?”

“I can swear I never made such a request.”

“I see... If you were interested in me, you would’ve tried something while I was asleep.”

Her steps lightened.

“I guess I misjudged you. I thought your kindness had ulterior motives.”

“I’m glad that’s cleared up.”

“But I’ll still reject your confession. I don’t want to be involved with men.”

“I’ve never confessed...”

Eventually, we arrived at the forge, but it was eerily quiet.

Knocking on the door yielded no response, so we sat on the outdoor chairs to wait.

The blacksmith didn’t return even as night fell. As the hours passed, Number 29 began nodding off. Watching her repeatedly jolt awake, I gave some advice.

“Why don’t you just sleep?”

“I can’t. What if we’re ambushed?”

“An ambush here would be unusual.”

“Even so, I won’t lie down.”

“Then lean back. You’ll hurt your neck.”

“...”

I sensed her glare and her subtle attempt to put distance between us.

If she

was going to act like that, she might as well stay awake. I sighed.

“Number 29. I have no interest in you. I won’t touch a single hair on your head, so you don’t have to worry.”

“...No interest? That’s insulting in its own way.”

“What do you want from me?”

Eventually, she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Let’s take turns keeping watch.”

“Fine.”

We spent the night that way. When I woke up, the cold dawn air greeted me.

I saw Number 29 still dozing, having clearly fallen asleep during her watch.

Hearing a noise, I nudged her awake. Startled, she looked around.

“I wasn’t sleeping.”

“Wipe the drool under your mask.”

“...”

A figure approached in the distance. Rising, I moved to meet him.

The older man glanced at my mask before unlocking the forge door and stepping inside.

“You’re from the Blood Demon Division?”

“I have a letter.”

“Let me see.”

He skimmed the letter before sitting down.

The forge was similar to others—a cramped workspace filled with hanging tools and weapons.

“What’s the weapon you want repaired?”

I handed over my sword, and so did Number 29.

The blacksmith inspected hers first and nodded. When he examined mine, he shook his head.

“This one can’t be fixed.”

“...What?”

“You’ve handled this sword too roughly. Did you recently cut something you shouldn’t have? There are micro-fractures all over the blade. It’s a miracle it hasn’t shattered.”

Something I shouldn’t have cut.

I thought of Maeng Sowoon, who had mastered the Baekmashin. Cutting through him had felt like slicing solid rock.

“...Is there no way to repair it?”

“None. Take one of the new swords hanging over there.”

“It’s an important sword to me.”

“Important or not, it’s in terrible condition.”

He flipped the blade over.

“It wasn’t high-quality to begin with. Any sword on that wall would be sharper and sturdier.”

“I prefer this one.”

“Stubborn, aren’t you? Does it have a story?”

“It belonged to a dead friend. Is there truly no way to repair it?”

“...Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, the blacksmith fiddled with the blade.

“It’s not impossible.”

“What do I need to do?”

“You’ve got seven days, right? Subtracting travel time, you’ve got five left. It’ll take a day to repair the sword, leaving you four days. That’s plenty.”

“Four days for what...?”

“If you really want it fixed, gather the materials yourself. You’ll need bloodstone.”

“Bloodstone?”

“A rare metal. I spotted a deposit guarded by vampire bats on my way back. It’s too dangerous for me, but with your skills, it’s doable. If you report it to the sect, they’ll confiscate most of it. But if you help me, I get the leftover bloodstone, and you get your sword repaired. Win-win.”

The blacksmith gestured with his chin.

“The choice is yours. That is, if you have the skill to fend off the bats and mine the bloodstone.”