Chapter 585: Strong, and Therefore Difficult

TL: FoodieMonster007

It was a night that would be impossible to forget. Everyone stood upon the duel platform, their faces tilted up toward the night sky. As they watched the stars pour down, not a single person spoke.

They simply stared at the stars in a profound quiet. It was a moment that was best suited for silence.

When they were first assembled and led outside, many had assumed the worst. "Now that the excavation is in its final stages, he's going to kill us all!" they thought. They had not been permitted to go outside even once since their arrival.

But that was not what happened. The Sword King simply had everyone look up at the sky.

At first, they were all bewildered, but a wave of emotion gradually washed over them. They took in the beautiful stars and the scent of the outside breeze for the first time in a long while. In this moment, they truly felt that they were alive.

At least for now, they were able to escape from all the distracting thoughts that started with, "If I survive, with that money! With that hope!"

It was as if the stars and the wind were telling them a simple truth: You are alive.

If they had been alone, the feeling might not have been so deep. The starlight felt all the more profound because they were looking up together with those who had suffered through that hell alongside them.

The Sword King was among them. He too was watching the stars. He did so for a very long time.

Then, the Sword King suddenly turned his head to look at Geom Mugeuk. He had brought the workers out, but it was Geom Mugeuk who gazed at the stars with the most intensity.

What could the Young Cult Leader be thinking, with those deep eyes that seemed to hold the stars within them?

Everyone's thoughts were different, but at least one thing was the same. They would never be able to forget these stars, or this night air.

When Hong In opened his eyes the next morning, the previous night felt like a dream. He had actually dreamed about it as well. Of course, he woke up when a meteor fell while they were all gathered, scattering them in every direction.

His dream had been to use the money he earned here to build a small martial arts academy in a kind village, meet a good woman, and live happily. Now, one more thing was added to that dream. He would definitely survive and make sure to watch the stars every single night.

As he tried to get up, Hong In's eyes fell on the pure white blanket covering him. His gaze naturally shifted to one spot.

Geom Mugeuk was sitting cross-legged on the blanket, circulating his energy. Did he stay up all night like that?

He considered how all of this had happened since that newcomer arrived. Was it really because of him?

"Alright, everyone up!" Hong In shouted as he climbed out of his bed.

The workers washed up and ate breakfast just as they always did. It was the same morning as yesterday, yet the atmosphere among them was strangely different.

After they finished their preparations, they gathered once more in front of the iron wall.

"Alright, I don't need to tell you why we have to focus today, right?"

All the workers laughed at Hong In's words. It felt like a very long time since they had all laughed together like this.

Hong In spoke to the Sword King on behalf of the group.

"Thank you so much for yesterday."

The workers standing behind Hong In also bowed their heads to the Sword King in unison.

The Sword King gazed at them and said softly, "Was I too late?"

A resounding "No, sir!" came back in response.

The Sword King's gaze then turned to Geom Mugeuk. His eyes seemed to ask, "Are you satisfied now?"

Geom Mugeuk answered with a bright smile that seemed to say, "Isn't this so much better?"

"Alright, let's begin the work!"

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG.

Starting with Geom Mugeuk's cheerful hammering, the workers all began their respective tasks.

The excavation team's work proceeded in a rhythm. When Geom Mugeuk dug out a section quickly, the other workers would move in to finish up.

Excavating the mechanism was even more difficult than it had been on the first day. This was because complex devices began to reveal themselves in various places.

However, Geom Mugeuk's hands still moved with nimble grace. He had become more accustomed to the work, just as the work itself had become more difficult.

Still, he was not greedy and did not attempt to do everything himself.

"Please help me with this."

He asked the workers for help whenever it was necessary. If a task seemed too difficult for the workers, he also asked the Sword King for assistance. Because of this, the work progressed smoothly.

The mechanism buried underground gradually revealed its true form. It looked like a living creature, its parts stretching out in every direction.

Geom Mugeuk, who had some knowledge of mechanism engineering, could tell what he was looking at.

This is not a recently made mechanism.

It was a device from long ago, yet its delicacy was incomparable to modern ones. It must have been crafted by a tremendous artisan, even for its own era. Of course, that did not mean it would be harder to dismantle. The art of mechanism engineering had developed dazzlingly over the years.

Just as the work was continuing!

"……"

At the sound, everyone's eyes turned to its source. A worker wore a panicked expression. He had accidentally touched something he shouldn't have.

"……"

The walls on both sides opened up, revealing dozens of holes.

"Watch out!"

The moment Geom Mugeuk's shout was heard.

SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH-SHWISH!

From both sides of the wall, dozens of deadly hidden weapons shot out at an incredible speed.

In that instant, Geom Mugeuk's sword spun.

WHOOOOSH.

A small circle of air instantly grew larger as a wind whipped up around him.

WHIRRRRRRRRRRL!

It was Geom Mugeuk's sword wind. He had intended to strike the projectiles down with his sword, but he created a sword wind instead, fearing he might miss even one.

PAPAPAPAPAPAPAK!

The flying weapons were swept up in the sword wind and thrown back to where they came from.

However, he had not blocked all of the hidden weapons. What Geom Mugeuk had blocked were only the ones flying from the left wall.

Screams should have erupted from the workers on the right side, but not a single one was heard.

When Geom Mugeuk turned around, he saw the Sword King's back. He had instantly rushed forward and swung his sword, deflecting all the hidden weapons.

Since they stood back-to-back, neither man could see how the other had blocked the attack. The workers might not have seen it clearly either, but it must have been a truly fantastic display. Geom Mugeuk was disappointed that he could not witness the technique himself.

But was he so confident that he wouldn't miss a single one? Or did he just think it was fine if one or two of them died?

"Is anyone hurt?"

At the Sword King's question, Hong In answered in a loud voice.

"No one. Thank you for saving us."

The workers looked at each other in relief. Perhaps it was because they had seen the stars yesterday, but the emotional impact of their survival felt greater than ever before. No one blamed the colleague who had made the mistake.

Their gazes turned to the floor. Dozens of hidden weapons deflected by Geom Mugeuk and the Sword King were scattered on the ground.

They considered it natural that the Sword King had blocked the attack, but they had not expected Geom Mugeuk to stop all of those weapons.

To those staring at him with surprised faces, Geom Mugeuk said, "I told you I'm worth a hundred men, didn't I?"

This was the moment they confirmed with their own eyes that Geom Mugeuk was a truly great master. They should have known when the Sword King gave him special treatment.

After thanking the Sword King, the workers gathered around Geom Mugeuk.

On behalf of everyone, Hong In expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you."

Hong In's words and his attitude toward Geom Mugeuk had now become polite.

"Please treat me comfortably as a newcomer like before."

How could they do that to a man who was the best at his job and so strong in martial arts? He had even saved their lives.

"I actually enjoy being the youngest member who hides his strength! So please, treat me comfortably!"

At Geom Mugeuk's joke, not only Hong In but the other workers also laughed.

Hong In did as Geom Mugeuk wished.

"Thanks, rookie."

The work resumed.

As if no such accident had ever occurred, Geom Mugeuk focused on his task.

With Geom Mugeuk leading the effort, a job that would have taken an unknowable amount of time was already finished.

At this rate, it seemed they could completely excavate and even dismantle the mechanism by the next day.

"Work's over!"

At Hong In's shout, Geom Mugeuk yelled, "I'm hungry!"

It would have been nice if it ended there.

"But aren't you going to throw a welcome party for the newcomer?"

The Sword King's hand naturally went to the shoe tied at his waist. However, he could not possibly throw it in front of everyone.

Especially not at the person who had just saved them all.

"This time he bought alcohol and meat?"

At Lee Ahn's report, even the Fist Demon let out a hollow laugh. He kept making expressions that did not suit his serious and fearsome face whenever a report about Geom Mugeuk came in.

"It seems the Young Cult Leader is still doing fine. He didn't buy medicine or a coffin, after all," the Flower Sword Supreme picked up on Lee Ahn's joke.

"Wouldn't medicine be better? From the enemy's perspective."

Lee Ahn laughed, understanding what she meant. It would be easier to block a sword qi than to deal with Geom Mugeuk at a drinking party.

"Then I'll report again as soon as I hear anything."

She left the room and went out into the courtyard.

She had come out smiling, but inside, she was worried about Geom Mugeuk.

Buying blankets, watching the stars, buying alcohol.

But how could Geom Mugeuk be just playing around? That thought made her even more worried. She knew the man named Geom Mugeuk better than anyone.

Even there, the young master is trying so hard.

The stranger the report, the harder he must be trying.

Just then, someone spoke from behind her.

"Are you worried about the Young Cult Leader?"

Turning around, she saw the Flower Sword Supreme walking toward her.

Lee Ahn answered honestly.

"The Young Cult Leader saw something in him that I couldn't see."

The Flower Sword Supreme nodded.

"Yes, he is that kind of person."

While Lee Ahn had viewed the fact that he saw through the Sword King negatively, the Flower Sword Supreme saw it positively. He was someone who saw what others could not, so there was no need to worry.

"You know what kind of person the Young Cult Leader is, don't you?"

Yes, as much as she worried because she knew him, Geom Mugeuk was also a person she did not worry about at all for that same reason.

"Yes! Who am I to worry about whom? From now on, I'll wrap up my worries tightly in a blanket."

The two women faced each other and smiled. The Sword Supreme could have been a difficult person to be around since they had not worked together much, but Lee Ahn was grateful that she was being so friendly.

The Flower Sword Supreme was about to continue on her way but stopped.

"Commander Lee."

"Yes, Sword Supreme."

The Flower Sword Supreme offered some unexpected advice.

"When the moment comes that you have to make a decision, do not hesitate."

Lee Ahn was inwardly flustered by the sudden advice. What she just said was not about hesitating when unleashing her martial arts.

It meant not to hesitate when having to make a decision in life. It also sounded less like a suggestion to decide quickly and more like a plea to decide correctly.

"Yes! I will never hesitate."

At her spirited reply, the Flower Sword Supreme smiled and then walked away.

Lee Ahn stood there for a moment, watching her retreating back. A moment ago, she had seen regret in her eyes. It was an impulsive remark born from that deep regret.

What decision did you hesitate on to be regretting it so much?

The mechanism was completely revealed.

Its appearance was like that of a monster that had been hiding underground, its bones and innards now exposed.

All the workers in the underground chamber gathered to watch it. It was a truly moving moment. They had gone through so much hardship just to see this.

Of course, no one knew what awaited them beyond that iron wall. They didn't know if more dangerous things were lined up, or if this was simply the end. They knew nothing.

They just hoped that this process would end even a day sooner.

The mechanism expert said to the Sword King, "This is a mechanism made with very old technology."

"Can you dismantle it?"

The man looked at the mechanism and then nodded with a confident expression.

"I can do it."

When the Sword King nodded, the man spoke energetically to the workers he led. They were all people he had personally taught.

"We're starting the work."

Geom Mugeuk stood side-by-side with the Sword King, watching the dismantling team from the side.

"Thank you for the welcome party yesterday."

The Sword King shook his head. Yesterday's welcome party had been utter chaos. Perhaps it was because they had gotten a breath of fresh air. When Geom Mugeuk led the mood, everyone was too busy laughing and chatting to be controlled.

When a drunk Geom Mugeuk had mentioned wanting to hear Big Bro's song, he had immediately gotten up and left, so he did not know what happened afterward. He had, however, muttered something to himself at the time. "Crazy." It was directed at Geom Mugeuk, and also at himself for even holding a welcome party.

"Honestly, I'm still confused. Whether this is your true intention, or just for show."

Geom Mugeuk answered without hesitation.

"It's for show."

The Sword King looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"If someone wasn't watching me, I don't think I would have done this. Even now, I'm trying hard for you. For you to see my specialness."

"While stating your intentions like this?"

"Confession is also part of the effort."

"Fine, let's say that's true. Why are you trying?"

After a moment of silence, Geom Mugeuk spoke honestly.

"It seems I'm afraid of fighting you."

The Sword King's gaze deepened as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"So maybe I'm trying to build a good relationship like this. In the hope that you'll hesitate for even a fleeting moment right before you kill me. Because of that hesitation, you'll die by my hand."

The Sword King spoke with an incredulous expression.

"If you say it all so honestly, doesn't that make it meaningless?"

"This is all part of the strategy."

Watching Geom Mugeuk give a deliberately sly smile, the Sword King turned his attention back to the dismantling work.

Then, the Sword King said abruptly, "It's not easy for a person to change their destiny."

After a brief pause, Geom Mugeuk asked, "With your skills, wouldn't you be able to change even that destiny?"

The Sword King gave no answer.

Yes, how could Geom Mugeuk not know? Jo Cheonbae, who ran a business in the Demon Village, this Sword King before him, and himself. He knew how difficult it is to change one's life.

It's difficult if you're strong because you're strong, and difficult if you're weak because you're weak.

"You were angry before. When I described the people I killed as your comrades. Then what kind of work are you doing with people who aren't even your comrades?"

And then he asked the question he really wanted to ask.

"Who is above you?"

Geom Mugeuk's heart pounded. Would the name Hwa Mugi really come from the Sword King's mouth?

However, the Sword King said nothing. Geom Mugeuk did not ask again. This too was a question that had to be saved and cherished.

Just then, the mechanism expert came and reported.

"The mechanism has been dismantled."

He could feel all sorts of emotions spreading out from everyone there. Surprise and tension, fear and anticipation.

Geom Mugeuk and the Sword King stood at the very front of the iron wall. The other workers gathered behind the two men. They prayed that their long hardship would end here.

"Then I'll open it."

GRRRRRR.

You could tell by the sound that it had not been opened for a very long time.

As everyone watched, the iron wall slowly began to open.