episode_0403

Ugh…!

She had fallen nine stories from an apartment building.

Curled up in a desperate attempt to shield her luggage carrier, her skull had struck the ground first—shattering like an eggshell. The impact dislodged her twisted vertebrae, and her body, unable to resist inertia, flattened like jelly slammed against the floor.

But there was no time to process any of it.

Broken ribs pierced her organs. Crushed innards spilled through ruptured skin.

Every inch of her battered body throbbed with pain.

This must be how a tomato feels when it hits the ground, Eunha thought optimistically.

When else would I get to spread out so much? She decided to treat it as an exaggerated stretch.

Flexing her stiff limbs—pop, pop—she figured she’d feel refreshed once she healed.

—

“Hieeek… H-heeeek…!” “Shh, calm down… Look at me. I’m fine.” “B-blood…!” “Head wounds bleed a lot, you know? I’ll be okay—just take deep breaths.”

And the first thing Eunha did after regenerating her shattered body wasn’t to writhe in lingering agony but to soothe the startled infant Kim Saran clinging to her.

…….

“You okay now?” “……You swear you’re not hurt?”

—

The [silhouettes] in the apartment windows.

An Abnormality that drops people head-first into their desired destination.

Couldn’t they send me in a gentler way?

Of course, Abnormalities weren’t known for their courtesy.

『Using grudges as transportation… tsk. Never mind, miss.』

A security guard’s voice echoed like a hallucination.

Did he get sulky because I left without saying goodbye?

Thud.

A clay doll dropped onto Eunha’s head—like a light tap from a grandpa’s fist.

She obediently tucked the fallen doll into her carrier.

Squish. Squish.

—

Late afternoon. [Chuncheon Swordsman Guild] headquarters.

A wing reserved for Kim Saran’s family.

After wiping away stubborn bloodstains in the kitchen, Eunha patted and cradled the infant Kim Saran, who had buried her face in Eunha’s ample chest.

“I hoped you’d visit soon, but not like this…” “Yeah. I know.” “Did you use some kind of blood ritual?” “Something like that.”

Tiny fingers kneaded at Eunha’s chest—larger than the baby’s head. Having wielded swords for years, Kim Saran’s grip was surprisingly firm.

It felt like comforting a skittish little sister.

Listening to Kim Saran’s breaths gradually steadying, Eunha chewed on the jerky offered to her.

Oddly tasty.

“This jerky’s interesting. Tender and not too salty.” “Y-yeah…” “Rich families even eat fancy jerky, huh?”

Ooong…

Beside them, the shaggy dog Jjongi shook its head as if warning against eating it.

Does Jjongi want jerky too? But she’d heard human jerky had too much sodium for dogs. Maybe she’d buy pet treats later.

As she chewed, Eunha explained why she’d come to [Chuncheon Swordsman Guild] so late.

—

<>

A snippet from the TV news.

Not a report of someone dying—but of a body being found.

So, for a corpse to appear by 1 PM tomorrow, when did the actual event occur?

Since they used the word “discovered,” it couldn’t be a fresh kill lodged in a wall.

That’s why she’d rushed here.

“Has anything strange happened at the guild? Someone gone missing, or maybe an unfamiliar guidebook found?” “……”

Kim Saran seemed to hesitate.

She squared her shoulders as usual, but one hand fidgeted near her collarbone, half-covering her chest. Avoiding eye contact, she chewed the jerky slowly.

“……Truth is, I was caught leaving [Milky Way Dojo] earlier.”

Kim Saran explained that after finishing her café shifts, she always stopped by the dojo to train with the [One-Armed Swordsman]. Today, as she slipped out, she’d bumped into an employee visiting the annex—flustering her.

“Who was it?” “Dunno. A C-rank Hunter working at the guild, I think.”

Eunha glanced around.

The annex.

Beyond the kitchen, a wooden hallway lined with rooms for Kim Hayang, Jjongi, and Kim Saran.

“Private space for my family. To avoid suspicion, I only use this annex to access [Milky Way Dojo].” “You can enter an Abnormality’s [Territory] freely?” “Jjongi made it possible.”

Maybe an effect of drinking Original Potion?

Jjongi nodded beside them—like it understood every word.

“……”

Eunha lowered Kim Saran and tugged her collar.

Plop—the baby flopped onto her back, bumping her head with a thunk.

Kim Saran, who willingly stepped into an Abnormality’s Territory nightly.

Jjongi, freely crossing between Territory and reality.

The guild employee who sneaked into their private wing.

Where to even start?

She’d thought handing over the Reverse Cross would suffice—but no.

Some self-reflection was in order.

‘Leave Jjongi for now—Kim Saran first.’

Chewing jerky, she recalled the [One-Armed Swordsman]—a headless, one-armed specter in tattered armor.

Back when Kim Saran invited her to [Chuncheon Swordsman Guild], she’d nearly lost her head training under him.

[Milky Way Dojo]:

A secret space shrouded in darkness, governed by ominous [Rules], where nameless masters lurked—perfect for the sword-obsessed Kim Saran to frequent.

‘So… every night, she enters the [Territory], trains with the [One-Armed Swordsman], and returns?’

How is she still alive?

Though Kim Saran had reflexes sharper than most beasts, without Jjongi’s watch, she’d have been doomed.

“I swore to become your sword—had to grow stronger fast.” “That was dangerous.” “The protagonist of [Sword Ghost Reincarnation] grew recklessly strong as a righteous demon… Guess I leaned toward the unorthodox.” “No idea what you’re talking about.”

Eunha’s smile wavered.

Kim Saran slumped like a scolded puppy—yet kept nibbling jerky. Watching her, Eunha snorted and pulled her into a hug.

Wanted to be stronger?

She was already far stronger than Eunha.

But no matter how strong, one misstep with an Abnormality’s [Rules], and she’d be torn apart.

She must’ve been scared.

( 『We advise against reckless use of our artifacts, miss.』) ( 『Stay distant from entities fueled by grudges.』 )

Words from an Abnormality long ago.

The living shouldn’t draw near those.

She wanted to warn Kim Saran too—but who was she to talk, using Abnormalities as transportation?

“……Tell me next time. I’ll worry.”

That was all Eunha could say.

Squeeze—

The warmth of another body.

A chest large enough to smother faces like melted hotteok.

The knot in her stomach dissolved.

“……Thanks.”

Her words must’ve carried magic—Kim Saran wordlessly hugged back.

…….

“Who was the intruder?”

After calming Kim Saran down, Eunha asked about the guild employee spotted in the annex.

Ooong…

With each jerky chew, Jjongi whimpered uneasily.

“Dunno the name. Seen ’em around the main building sometimes. Office worker.” “Hmm…”

No leads.

Eunha’s gaze shifted to Jjongi, who also shook its head.

Even the dog didn’t know.

Must be a recent hire.

“……Why trust Jjongi over me?” “Obviously.” “Eunhaaaa.” (betrayed tone) “Mhm.” (nom) “That’s the opposite of an answer.”

Eunha laughed and squeezed Kim Saran—burying her face in that pillowy chest until all sulking melted away.

Kim Saran inhaled deeply in her embrace.

Warm, milky scent.

“Ma…” “Don’t start.”

Bonk.

Eunha flicked Kim Saran’s forehead, chuckling.

An unknown C-rank sneaking into the guildmaster’s annex?

Something gnawed at her.

Rubbing her cheeks—sore from smiling all day—she recalled the Association’s former Deputy Chief Cha, who’d tried leaking classified files.

A connection?

(After dismantling the [Facility] on October 1st, everything’s been unstable.)

[Azure Dragon Clan] suddenly appointing successors.

A C-rank infiltrating [Chuncheon Swordsman Guild]’s annex.

Need to investigate.

“Jjongi. Remember their scent?”

Oong.

The gray shaggy dog nodded eagerly before sniffing the floor.

Even without Eunha, clever Jjongi would’ve tailed the intruder.

Kim Saran tapped the sword at her hip.

“Ooo! We’re tailing ’em? I’m comin’ too.” “Don’t leave the building. Call Kim Hayang if needed… Where is she?” “Dunno! Probably lost again.”

Busy night ahead.

“……By the way—Kim Saran, what’s your exact Skill again? Did you ever say?”

As they followed Jjongi out, Eunha matched their pace.

“Mmm… This way!” Oong.

Kim Saran’s nose was slightly sharper.

Is she part beast?

…….

﹌﹌﹌﹌

…….

(Know the lament of the left-handed swordsman.)

In the darkest room of [Milky Way Dojo], the left-handed swordsman stands guard before his lord.

Though he lacks a right hand—or even a head—replacements are plentiful.

No shortage in devotion to his duty.

『……。』

His armor is bloodstained,

but the sword in his left grip remains keen.

One by one, he fells those who approach,

eternally standing—

『……。』

Leaning against the door where his lord slumbers,

the swordsman keeps watch tonight.

…….

﹌﹌﹌﹌

…….

“Hk—!”

Mid-step down the hall, Eunha froze—a fleeting vision searing her mind.

“Why’d ya stop?” “……”

She pressed a hand to her eye, grimacing.

A tale of a sword without a right hand.

A scene glimpsed through a circular bullet hole—one that had been obscured all this time.

(What was that? Didn’t take any pills…)

Something was changing.

“You sick from the jerky?” “Huh?” “Didn’t take you for a weak stomach.”

Shaking it off, she resumed walking.

“Don’t fret. I’ll protect you.”

Like the swordsman guarding his lord.

Before them stretched the dark wooden halls of [Milky Way Dojo].

…….

…….

Late night. [Chuncheon Swordsman Guild] headquarters.

Time pressed onward.

“……Why was I given the Reverse Cross? Why not erase my memories like the others?”

A question with no answer.

If there was a criterion…

Perhaps it was grudges.

A grudge towering to the heavens—

and a vessel fit to carry it.

Maybe that’s why the North Star chose her.

“……Hey. My sword’s name is Pride, y’know?” “Wh—Kim Saran? How’d you even—?” “You trampled on my pride just now.”

Kim Saran’s C-rank promotion party.

A time for small celebrations.

CLANG—!!!

Blocking her blade with Thread-Saw, Eunha understood.

“Drop the weapon.” “Partner. Should we really spare ’em?” “That’s why I’m here.”

<>

Tonight.

Kim Saran kills a man.