Ch.71Myriad Sword Emperor

The sensation throughout my body had become heightened. This meant I was inevitably sensitive to the hostility others carried. Sae-rin sensed a faint hostility from those approaching on horseback.

How much reason could one have to harbor ill will toward someone they’ve never met? Sae-rin pondered while running. The pungent smell of blood in the air stimulated her sense of smell. It was human blood, not animal. The sticky, clinging sensation seemed to speak volumes about the usual conduct of the mounted group.

“Spread out!”

As the distance closed, a man who appeared to be the leader shouted. The way he drew his sword while mounted looked skillful. The same was true for his companions spreading out to the sides. The smell of blood grew stronger as they drew near.

They were raiders.

A common sight in the wilderness. In fact, one could say everyone in the wilderness was a raider. This was a place where someone you met today might stab you in the back before the day was over.

Sae-rin’s gaze lightly swept over the raiders’ faces. They were full of smiles. Did they not consider the possibility of their own defeat?

The girl who had been running lightly adjusted her grip on her sword. The power dwelling in her body was overwhelmingly vast. This phenomenon couldn’t simply be explained as being in good condition.

Her heart pounded violently with anticipation for the upcoming fight. The girl, who had been running on all fours like a beast, lightly jumped up and spun in the air.

She could clearly feel the wind brushing against her skin. The same went for the opponent’s gaze and breathing. Sae-rin’s eyes traced the blade that passed by her like a caress. Her figure stretched long across the sword’s surface, reflected in the moonlight.

The next thing she recognized was the expression of the opponent swinging the sword. The smile had disappeared, replaced by bewilderment. Perhaps he hadn’t expected her to dodge his attack.

‘He seems to know the area well…’

Sae-rin immediately readjusted her grip on the sword. She didn’t use the edge. The flat of the blade struck the man’s face.

Smack-!

With a crisp impact sound, the man’s body staggered and fell from his horse. It contrasted sharply with Sae-rin’s graceful landing after rotating in mid-air.

“Th-this, argh…!”

He had quite some endurance. Despite being struck rather hard, the man didn’t lose consciousness. He immediately got up and swung his sword. There was no hesitation in his movements. He seemed accustomed to chaotic battles.

Clang-!

The man’s skill was considerable, but no match for Sae-rin. As she lightly wielded her Moonlight Sword, executing the swift sword technique of the Snow Dragon Sword of Taebaek, thin cuts appeared all over the man’s body.

Her heartbeat seemed to accelerate upon smelling fresh blood. Sae-rin licked her lips as she pressed the man. How that appeared to others didn’t matter. Her throat was parched. She felt a terrible thirst.

“S-so we’re supposed to fight, right?”

“You’re asking that now?!”

Theo and Flora, who had arrived belatedly, also drew their swords. Theo’s gaze sank heavily as he stared through the hazy dust.

Crackle-

Vivid lightning flashed around Theo’s body. The mounted raiders didn’t approach easily. They merely circled around, raising clouds of dust.

Clang-!

While crossing swords with the man, Sae-rin could discern his strategy. His attacks appeared bold, but the force behind his sword was shallow. He was watching for an opportunity to withdraw his body at any moment.

That wasn’t all. He constantly readjusted his grip on the sword or changed his posture, trying to conceal the direction of his gaze. It meant he was waiting for something.

‘He’s waiting for the horse.’

He was clearly waiting for his runaway horse to return. Sae-rin detected a faint presence in the distance. It wasn’t approaching recklessly but watching from afar for an opportunity. A clever horse, that meant. A slight smile played on Sae-rin’s lips.

“Hyaaah!”

With a battle cry, the man began to charge. Sae-rin likewise moved forward in response. The moment her lightly stepped foot touched the ground, a powerful impact erupted.

Thud-!

It was a move to strengthen her stance by releasing mana and to break the opponent’s balance. The fierce pressure that erupted pushed the man’s body slightly back. Sae-rin didn’t miss that opening.

It wasn’t an attack meant to kill. Using the sword would mean unnecessary bloodshed. The small girl dove into the man’s embrace. The way she avoided the swinging sword was like a beautiful painting.

Sae-rin’s gently extended hand touched the man’s chest.

Did he sense something? The man’s downward gaze filled with shock. Sae-rin looked up at him and smiled lightly.

“I’ll make good use of it.”

A statement with multiple meanings.

Thud-!

With a dull impact sound, the man’s body spun and soared into the air. The mana that flowed through the small hand created a violent vortex inside the man’s body, churning his insides.

Vortex Destruction Fist.

Originally a martial art used with the fist. However, she used her palm to reduce its destructive power. The short incantation had also undergone multiple modifications. Still, the power was fierce. Enough to kill if she had failed to control it.

“We’ve been had!”

As soon as they witnessed their leader being taken down, the remaining gang members fled. They were mounted, and having only watched from a distance for an opportunity, they couldn’t be pursued.

If they had come closer, more could have been taken from them.

Was it wisdom learned in the wilderness? They didn’t hesitate to abandon their comrade. After all, they were a group united only for profit. Sae-rin shook off idle thoughts and walked toward the man.

“Urgh…”

The man was trembling and spitting blood. The mana that had penetrated his body was wreaking havoc throughout. It was naturally painful. If he didn’t receive treatment in time, he would no longer be able to use mana.

“Your name?”

“P-please spare me…”

“Name.”

“Max…”

The name flowed from the man’s mouth. Whether it was his real name or not didn’t matter. She just needed a word to refer to him. Sitting astride Max, Sae-rin looked at her friends.

The two had also succeeded in capturing one of the raiders. They had already finished binding him with the rope they had brought. They were waiting for Sae-rin.

They understood her intentions without words and followed along. Just looking at them made her feel good. It felt just like being with her siblings.

Sae-rin said:

“Good job.”

“You suddenly ran off and scared us. Do you know these people?”

“Of course not.”

Sae-rin answered Theo’s question. Meanwhile, Flora dragged over the raider she had captured.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No.”

“These guys are wilderness raiders, right?”

“Yes.”

Flora looked at her friend with a curious gaze. She was a beautiful girl who had come from beyond the mountain range. She occasionally did things that were hard to understand, so this sudden action wasn’t particularly surprising either.

‘This is what it means to be wild…’

Sae-rin was the first among the group to notice the raiders’ approach. It was truly a terrifying wild instinct.

The spoils from this battle were considerable. The three transformed into wilderness raiders themselves and plundered everything. The loot obtained was as follows:

Leather clothes reeking of sweat, two horses, two swords, food and miscellaneous items, and a bag containing gold coins.

The plundered raiders knelt on the ground, watching cautiously. After realizing there was no intention to kill them, they obediently followed all commands. Sae-rin called to Max, who was still spitting blood.

“Max.”

“Y-yes!”

“What’s to the west?”

“W-west, you say…”

“The place where reincarnators have been flocking lately. I heard there’s also a Thousand Swords Festival there.”

As Sae-rin asked the question, she raised her small hand. Wiggle- As her cute fingers squirmed vigorously, Max’s face turned pale. He answered almost shouting while spitting blood.

“T-there’s been talk recently about a city being established. I think that’s what you’re referring to…!”

“A city? In this land?”

“Y-yes!”

“You know where it is, right?”

“Of course I—hack!”

That was the moment their destination was decided. Sae-rin turned to look at her friends.

“Should we go check it out?”

“We’ve got the information, we can’t just sit still. Let’s go.”

Everyone had the same thought. Sae-rin nodded.

One of the raiders would be left behind. This was because each of the two horses could only carry two people. Max rode with Theo, while Sae-rin rode with Flora.

“W-wait! Don’t leave me behind!”

The raider left alone bellowed loudly. Unable to get up from the ground due to his restraints.

“What should we do with him?”

At Flora’s question, Sae-rin turned her head. If he survives from there, that’s his fate. Those destined to die will die no matter what they do, and those destined to live will live no matter what.

It would probably be difficult for him to die easily. He would either be caught and eaten by monsters or meet his end after suffering extreme hunger and thirst.

“Max. Which direction?”

“That way, miss!”

Max shouted for his life.

‘Shit… shouldn’t have messed with them…’

He had momentarily forgotten the warning not to bother the elderly, children, and especially little girls in the wilderness. Max’s eyes grew hot with tears.

Riding on horseback, Sae-rin looked up at the sky. The brilliant full moon that had been shining was now covered by dark clouds. The excitement she had been feeling since earlier had calmly subsided.