episode_0087

Just as priests and paladins can only be found in the western continent, there are occupations in the eastern countries that can only be found here.

Representative examples include Taoists who practiced witchcraft rather than magic, or monks who practiced martial arts and spiritual techniques.

And although it is less known than these, there is one more occupation that fits the image of the East.

“The walking method is unique.”

“It is a technique called shadow stepping. This is the walking method used by all ninjas, including me.”

Ninja.

It refers to a person who works for the secret forces of the Eastern countries operating secretly in the shadows.

Reconnaissance, disruption, assassination, infiltration, etc.

Although they are not major combatants, they are active in many fields and show great skills.

Their competence could be seen just by looking at the gait of the ninja who was currently running in front of me.

“Even though you run fast, there is no sound of footsteps and you only run in sections where there is no light… … .”

“The theory is surprisingly simple. It uses your body’s energy to wrap a thin membrane around the soles of your feet. Then, no footsteps will be heard due to any impact, and acceleration will also occur.”

Even when I jumped high in place or stamped my feet, no sound was made.

The membrane using energy seems to embrace the object rather than push it away, but prevents it from coming into contact with the foot.

“What about running only in the dark?”

“Ninjas should never appear except under special circumstances. As a result of my training, I developed eyes that are sensitive to light at the same level as vampires and can only see dark spaces.”

“Then how do you behave in the morning and during the day?”

“He usually sleeps at that time and moves secretly in the shadows when on duty even at noon.”

“Are you using shadow magic?”

“It’s witchcraft, not magic. You can think of it as the same principle as Taoist monks living in the world of paintings.”

If magic is the concept of creating something from nothing using magical power, witchcraft is the power that makes human imagination come true.

There has been a lot of talk about whether witchcraft, which allows everything you imagine, is a superior compatibility with magic, but if you look at it strictly, it is different.

There are no limits to magic, but there are limits to witchcraft.

To put it simply, magic can make things created with magic last forever, while witchcraft was not infinite in anything.

Since it naturally disappears over time, the concept of eternity does not exist.

It is said that there is a time limit for ninjas to go into the shadows and for gurus to stay in the world of pictures.

Since each has different pros and cons, it is impossible to determine which is superior between magic and witchcraft.

“I don’t know how to use magic or witchcraft, so I can’t go into the shadows, but I think I can follow the walking technique. Was it like this?”

“… … !”

As I reproduced the ninja’s steps, the eyes of the man running ahead of me widened.

It seems that he was quite surprised to see him imitate a walking method that he had never seen before.

Since I usually manifest sword energy with my body, I was used to handling energy.

It was enough to just remove the sharpness from the sword, so I was also able to step on shadows.

“You’re amazing. As expected, you have outstanding abilities, as expected from someone whom His Majesty has taken notice of.”

“Amazing, I just followed the theory you said.”

“If you knew the theory and could follow it, anyone could become a ninja. There is no need to disparage the achievements you have made so far.”

“You are thoughtful.”

“Compliment, thank you.”

He seemed to be Hibana’s direct subordinate, so I thought his way of thinking would be similar to hers.

However, after a few words of conversation, I realized that he was an extremely honest and normal man.

When the water above is clear, the water below is also clear.

Hibana may be an extremely cruel Yodo, but as a superior, she may be a great leader.

“Almost arrived.”

“It arrived much faster than expected.”

“It’s natural since I ran without stopping.”

Due to his profession, he cannot ride a horse, but for a ninja, he has strong, fast legs and the intelligence to know shortcuts.

A destination that would have originally taken several days to reach was shortened to just half a day.

Considering that the man went back and forth under Hibana’s orders, he possessed incredible stamina and patience.

‘A guru who practices magic, a monk with a strong body, and a ninja who is a specialist in intelligence.’

In the past, during times of war, all powers were busy fighting, and the Eastern countries were regressing rather than developing.

However, after the emergence of the Empress who put an end to the war and unified all forces into one.

Eastern countries have achieved growth comparable to that of the Western Continent in a short period of time.

Hibana promoted the development of the continent by hiring outstanding talents in different fields.

The capital she built was truly magnificent.

“That place is Hibán, the capital of the Eastern country.”

“Even though it is early in the morning, it is very bright and noisy.”

“That’s because it’s the capital. So much so that it is said that there is no day or night in Hibán.”

“Because it is not even a country, but the center of a continent. I understand, but how are you managing public security?”

There were many energetic warriors in the eastern countries.

Since there were many people who wandered freely without being involved in power, real sword battles could often be seen within the village.

As a result, no matter where I went, the security of the village was close to being a mess.

“His Majesty was concerned that suppressing the freedom of samurai during the integration process would lead to resistance. However, he was also aware of the problem that if left unattended, the worries of those who are not unmanned will increase day by day.”

“You were pointing it out correctly.”

“So that tower was created.”

In Hivan, buildings with unusually high floors and large scale were built on the left and right sides, respectively.

The left side was presumed to be the palace where the empress lived, and the right side was a tower with lanterns installed outside each floor.

In terms of height, it was much higher than the palace, so the ninja’s finger was pointing there.

“What is that tower doing?”

“This is the Tower of Sura, where all the top experts on the continent are gathered.”

“Sura’s Tower… … .”

“It is no exaggeration to say that it is a place where most of the martial artists and disciples of Eastern countries gather.”

“Are they fighting a bloody fight over there?”

“By order from His Majesty, we are refraining from killing as much as possible. Instead, endless trials and challenges were imposed to ensure that the will to fight was maintained.”

“Are those idiots satisfied with that? They are a group that will not be resolved unless they see the end.”

“Among samurai, there are only a very small number of people who like blood. Most people kill their opponents for the sake of fame. For example, if you kill a famous warrior, won’t that person’s reputation increase and people recognize you? They fight because they want to leave their existence in a corner of history.”

“Is it a desire to prove the meaning of one’s existence…? … .”

“Yes, the role of satisfying that desire is the Tower of Sura.”

“How?”

“Would you please come here and take a closer look at the Tower of Sura?”

A ninja who steps on the trunk of the largest tree in the forest and stands on top.

When I followed him up the tree, I had a clear view of the capital city.

And the shape of the tower was clearly visible.

The area of the lower floor was strangely large, and as you went up, the area gradually decreased, forming a subtle cone shape.

“There is a rule that you can climb the Tower of Sura by passing trials or by challenging and winning against a high-level powerful person. And the higher you climb the tower, the more you can increase the fame you so desperately desire.”

“Hoo.”

Proof of the value of existence.

I have no particular desire to be recorded in history, but I thought I might be able to feel the joy of battle.

If you have time, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to head to the tower.

“For your information, my teacher, Geomje, is the only one staying at the highest level.”

“I was wondering where that nobleman lived, and it was there… … .”

“For reference, the higher you climb the tower, the better the quality of treatment and facilities are. High-class samurai are actually treated as VIPs on the continent.”

“It is indeed a structure that will satisfy Koreans.”

Even if you are a slave, if you have power, you can be treated as a noble.

If you climb to the top, you can turn your life around, and that opportunity is available to everyone.

It was an unconventional place that any military person could not help but be fascinated by and like.

“Sword Saint, how about giving it a try?”

“Before that, we have to meet Hibana first. If you go to the tower like this, your mission will be a failure, right?”

“Yes, then I will continue to guide you.”

We reached the outer wall surrounding the capital.

I thought I would enter through the main gate, but it is said that there is a rule that ninjas cannot use the main gate because they have erased their identity.

So, I entered the palace, bypassing the city center by using a secret passage connected to the inside of the palace.

After passing through an invisible hallway and climbing countless stairs, I finally arrived at the throne room.

To be exact, it was the ceiling of the throne room.

“You can go down here.”

“Is it okay to enter through here?”

“His Majesty gave permission, saying he did not care.”

“Then I have nothing to say… … .”

A ninja opens the bottom of the ceiling and urges you to go inside.

No matter how strong the trust relationship is, I don’t know if it’s right to create a space in the ceiling of the throne room and even an entrance.

Hibana must have had her own thoughts, but I entered the throne room through the ceiling.

The moment I landed on the floor and raised my head.

“Eh… ?”

“Ah… … .”

My eyes met Hibana, who was rubbing her crotch with a whetstone, with her legs spread in an M shape.

It wasn’t okay at all.