## Chapter 1219 – 1219. Ascending To The Light
A small city appeared in the distance.
I stopped, having been trampling through the grass as I walked forward. I took out a scroll from my pocket and unfurled it. I checked the map, confirming the city’s features.
‘The river flowing to the west of the city confirms that I’ve come to the right place.’
The third test of the Demonic Cult’s Training Camp. The task was to carry out a personal mission. The trainees had to complete their assigned missions within a set period and return to the training camp. Failure to return within the time limit or failure to complete the mission would result in demotion or expulsion.
Missions were assigned based on the trainees’ performance. The easiest missions were errands, such as delivering items. These missions were not dangerous but time-sensitive. They were relatively simple, but required trainees to move diligently, even sacrificing sleep.
My mission was to kill a guest named Chu Jeo, who was under the patronage of the Seon Family, the de facto rulers of Hagasi.
Chu Jeo, who had been under the Seon Family’s care for two years, was a traitor to the Demonic Cult. He had abandoned his comrades during the battle with the Heavenly Alliance. He had changed his face and gone into hiding, but the Demonic Cult’s expert trackers had found him.
Chu Jeo’s level was at the second stage of Entry. It was an ambiguous level for the Demonic Cult’s combat forces to deal with, so it was assigned as my mission.
‘It’s a bit different from the original story. Originally, Yeom Gu-seok was tasked with finding and killing an assassin operating near the Demonic Cult.’
It seems that my mission difficulty has increased because I showed better skills than the original Yeom Gu-seok. For the same reason, Yeon Ye-ha’s mission was also changed from the original. She is currently subjugating monsters near the Demonic Cult.
‘The situation isn’t bad. No, it’s actually good.’
Hagasi is related to the missions of Cheon Yu-un, Je Gal Mo-sun, and Seo Mun So-ryeo.
After reconfirming the mission details written on the scroll, I generated lightning. *Pajijik*. Blue currents flowed through the scroll. The currents soon turned into flames, burning the scroll. I shook the ashes off my palm and headed towards the city.
Five martial artists were controlling the city entrance. The character “Seon” was written on the chest of their navy blue uniforms. It meant they were martial artists belonging to the Seon Family.
They were making a list of people entering the city at the entrance. This meant that the city was being thoroughly managed.
I had no intention of causing a disturbance, so I quietly stood in line and waited for my turn. After about an hour, a merchant in front of me entered the city, and it was my turn.
“You are a martial artist. Where are you from?”
A well-groomed warrior approached. He had a likeable impression. Judging by the energy I felt, he was around the sixth stage of Entry. He seemed young, so he was quite capable.
“Do I have to say?”
“Please understand. We have been keeping records for the past 20 years.”
“Did something big happen 20 years ago?”
“It is a humiliating event for our Seon Family, but it is already well-known, so I will tell you. The Shadow Thief. I’m sure you’ve heard of him, haven’t you?”
“Of course, I know him.”
I also knew his face.
“Our Seon Family was once victimized by the Shadow Thief 20 years ago. Since then, we have been thoroughly managing the entry list.”
“I heard that the Shadow Thief has retired.”
“A new Shadow Thief will soon appear. That’s always been the case in the martial world.”
The martial world has a long history. To trace its origins, one would have to go back tens of thousands of years.
The funny thing is that even after tens of thousands of years, there has been little progress in civilization. Revolutions do not occur, and science and technology are still looked down upon. The martial world just keeps repeating itself.
The title of Shadow Thief is given to the best thief of the era. If a thief who steals from the emperor’s private vault appears again, he will become the new Shadow Thief.
“Do you think you can stop the Shadow Thief by just checking this entry list?”
“It will be difficult to stop him. But this list is surprisingly helpful. Recently, thanks to this list, we caught a merchant who embezzled from a trading company and a guy who tried to smuggle goods. Besides that… well, it helps in many ways.”
“…I see.”
That’s when it happened.
A dissatisfied voice came from behind.
“Hey, hurry up and go in! Can’t you see the people waiting behind you?!”
It was a middle-aged merchant. He was burly for an ordinary merchant, and there was a scar on his face. Third stage of Entry. He was a merchant who had learned martial arts.
“Are you talking to me?”
The man glared at me.
“Who else is here besides you?”
“I challenge you to a life-or-death duel.”
“……”
Everything went silent.
They must not have expected me to suddenly challenge him to a duel. The merchant scanned me and frowned.
“Are you kidding me? I’m a merchant. I used to know martial arts, but I’ve already given it up.”
“So you’re not a martial artist? If you’ve learned martial arts, you’re a martial artist. The sword hanging at your waist is proof of that. Draw your sword.”
“Why should I duel with you?! I’m telling you again, I’m not a martial artist!”
“I refuse your refusal to duel.”
I reached for the sword at my waist. The merchant’s face contorted. He grabbed the hilt of his sword as if he had no choice.
“You crazy bastard! Fine! Let’s have a sword dance for the first time in a while!”
The merchant shouted and unleashed his spirit.
No one stopped me and the merchant. Even the Seon Family warriors guarding the city entrance were just watching the situation.
It was because the merchant had accepted the duel. Duels in this world were similar to duels in the Middle Ages. And disputes between martial artists were common in the martial world.
The foolish merchant had misjudged my skills. He assumed that I was at the early stages of Entry. Hiding my skills was helpful in situations like this.
“Good! Today, I will return to my old self and feed my beloved sword with your blood!”
The merchant shouted. It was an outcry to be conscious of his surroundings. While everyone was watching with interest, I quietly drew my sword.
[Using Flash. Remaining stacks: 6]
Ghost Cutting Sword Technique, One Wind Reversal.
I became the wind and brushed past the merchant. A red line of blood appeared on the merchant’s neck a beat later, and then his body and head fell to the ground.
A duel that ended ridiculously easily.
The onlookers did not jeer at me. Rather, they looked at me with awe. If this were the modern era, they would have screamed, called the police, and caused a commotion, but this was not the modern era.
“…Amazing.”
A Seon Family warrior said, seemingly genuinely impressed.
“It’s nothing.”
“I’m not just saying that. It’s embarrassing to say, but I didn’t even see your movements… no, I couldn’t even see the Great Warrior’s movements. Your slash was like lightning.”
“Thank you for the compliment. Can I ask you to take care of the cleanup? In return, you can take the wealth that guy had.”
“You have transcended even material desires. We will take care of the cleanup. Great Warrior. What is your name and where are you from?”
I paused for a moment.
Was it okay to reveal my name? I rechecked the mission. There was no condition that I had to hide my identity.
“My name is Yeom Gu-seok. I came from the Demonic Cult.”
“……The Demonic Cult. Indeed, after seeing your skills, I cannot help but believe it. Great Warrior, what is your purpose in coming to Hagasi?”
“Do I have to say that too?”
“I apologize if I have offended you. But this is also part of my job…”
“It’s a trip. I heard there are many beautiful courtesans in Hagasi.”
“Yes. The courtesans of Hagasi are indeed outstanding. Especially the boat rides with the courtesans on the river… it’s truly like a divine experience.”
Hearing that, I smacked my lips.
A boat ride with top-tier courtesans on the river? I couldn’t pass that up. Time for a plan change. I’ll go on a boat ride today and carry out my mission tomorrow afternoon.
“Can I go in now?”
“Yes. We would normally charge a toll…”
He looked at the dead merchant. His colleagues were rummaging through the dead merchant’s belongings. One colleague was grinning, holding a heavy money pouch in his hand.
“We’ve already received enough, so you can just go in.”
“I see. Good work.”
“Ah, Great Warrior. What is your title?”
“I don’t have a title.”
“Then may I give you one? Many people have seen your skills, so a title will naturally be given. So, I would like to give you a title first.”
“…Do you have a good title?”
“Lightning Blade. You will be called Lightning Blade from now on.”
“That’s a title I’ve heard somewhere before.”
If he had given me a shitty title, I would have challenged him to a duel, but it was a title I liked, so I quietly walked into the city.
He didn’t just let me go. He ran up to my side and said in a small voice.
“Great Warrior. Go to the building over there by the river. It’s the best courtesan house in Hagasi, Boi-ru. It’s so expensive that ordinary people can’t even look at it, but the courtesans of Boi-ru are that outstanding. They are beautiful and know how to have a good time.”
“Thank you.”
That was very good information. My heart swelled with anticipation for Boi-ru. I immediately headed towards the place he had pointed out.
***
I spent the night playing with Boi-ru’s top-tier courtesans on the river and fell asleep at dawn. It was noon when I finally opened my eyes, still half-asleep, and looked around.
Food, alcohol, and naked courtesans were scattered everywhere. My semen was smeared all over the bodies of the five courtesans.
‘Indeed, it’s the best courtesan house in the city. It was a night without regrets.’
I had the boatman take me back to the city.
Boi-ru’s staff were waiting on the shore. Judging by their burly figures, they seemed to be from a black-market sect associated with Boi-ru. As soon as they saw me, they immediately bowed deeply.
“Did you have a good time last night?”
“I was satisfied.”
I threw them a money pouch. I had already paid in advance, and this was a kind of tip.
“Thank you, Great Warrior! Please visit our Boi-ru again in the future!”
“Ah, I’m not sure if I should say this, but have you ever thought about changing the name?”
“Yes?”
“Boi-ru makes me think of the color navy. It would be better to call it Girl-ru.”
“That’s…”
“Don’t you like the name? If not Girl-ru, then Mol-ru would be fine. Doesn’t it sound good?”
“There are some issues with changing the name right now… I’m not ignoring your opinion, Great Warrior. I will suggest your opinion to the owner later.”
“One last question. What’s the fastest way to get to the Seon Family estate?”
“If you go through the main street you see there, you will reach the center of the city. The largest and most splendid place in Hagasi is the Seon Family estate.”
I walked along the street he pointed out.
