The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 256: Kang Geom-Ma, Sword Demon, Heavenly Sword…

Chapter 256: Kang Geom-Ma, Sword Demon, Heavenly Sword…

A searing sensation that‌ felt like it⁠‍‍ was melting my‍‌⁠ optic nerve, and⁠⁠ a stabbing pain⁠‌ that twisted through‍ my brain. If I didn’t have⁠‌ the [Blessing of‍ Insensitivity to Pain],‌‌ I probably wouldn’t‍ even dare to‍⁠ use this.

I agree that the⁠⁠ [Blessing of the‌‌⁠ Sword God] grants⁠⁠ transcendent power. What⁠‌⁠ I don’t understand⁠ is why it⁠⁠ comes with so⁠‌ much pain.

If⁠‍⁠ I had to⁠ guess, maybe it’s‌⁠‍ due to the‍‌ massive influx of‍⁠ information crashing into⁠‌ the body all⁠⁠‍ at once.

Like‍‌⁠ trying to cram‌‍ infinite data into‌‌‌ hardware with limited‍ capacity. It’s just⁠ a theory, but‍‍ the most plausible one I can‌‌ come up with.⁠‌

Anyway, the point is‌‍ this—the pain from⁠ the [Blessing of‍‌‍ the Sword God]‌‍ is insane. And⁠ if you don’t‍⁠ have a strong⁠‌‌ enough “hardware” (body), you simply can’t‍‍ endure it.

Even⁠ Balor Joaquin barely managed to handle‌‌ it. Which proves‌‍ it’s not just‍‍⁠ my problem—no human‌ could withstand it‌ easily.

And that’s where the‍ question arises.

Does‌‌ this pain and‌‌ power only affect‌ humans? What about‌‍ those with superior‍ hardware, ike demons?‍‌ Would it also⁠‍‍ affect high-level beings?⁠‍‌

I never had a chance to find⁠ out. And the⁠ two times it⁠⁠‌ came up, I was so close‌⁠ to dying that‌‌‍ there was no‍‌⁠ room for experimentation.⁠‌‍ I couldn’t afford to play around⁠⁠⁠ when my life‌⁠ was hanging by a thread.

But that’s life. Opportunities⁠ always come when‌‌⁠ you least expect‍ them.

Like⁠⁠ right now.

This‌‌ damn wretch, eyes‌ wide open in‌‍ my hands, will‍ be the guinea⁠‍ pig to settle‍ that old doubt.‍‌‌

Of‍ course, that doesn’t mean I’m free from the pain‌ of the [Blessing‍ of the Sword God].

But‌⁠ humans are creatures‌‍‍ that adapt.

And this pain that drives you mad—after‌‍‍ a full year of enduring it,‌‍ it no longer‍ feels the same.‍‌ It’s not like⁠⁠ in the beginning⁠‍ when I cried,⁠ drooled, and screamed⁠‌ in agony.

“Ah,‍ shit.”

The‍‍‍ curse slipped from my lips reflexively.‌ I insist—it’s just⁠⁠ that I’ve gotten used to it.‍⁠ Not that it‌‌ doesn’t hurt anymore.‌ Being stabbed a lot doesn’t make‌ it stop hurting.‌

I feel like I could die any⁠ second. I bit‌ my lower lip⁠‌ so hard it‌‍⁠ was shredded.

My‌⁠ thoughts are all‌‍ jumbled. My mind⁠‍‌ processes things in⁠ flashes, like someone‌⁠ cut its circuits with scissors.

“…Hahaha.”‍‌‌

Still,‍ seeing Fermush’s face‍ twisted like crumpled⁠ foil made me‍ laugh.

Smack!⁠

When‌ she gushed out‍ blue blood, I slapped her. Don’t‍‌ you dare faint‌ on me now.⁠

“You‍‍ think you’re the‌ only one suffering,⁠⁠‍ bitch?”

Fermush‍‌‍ writhed in panic.⁠ But it was‌ pointless. Her resistance meant nothing.

“What’s⁠ it like being‌ the weak one? The humans you‍‌ killed with a flick couldn’t even struggle like this‍‍ before they died.⁠‍ What now? You‌ caused earthquakes, summoned‍ golems, flipped the⁠‌ sky and thought‌‌⁠ you were a goddess? Don’t make‌‌‍ me laugh. You’re⁠ the plague. No—you’re worse.”

“Mmpf…”‌

“Stay⁠ still, bitch. You’re⁠ spitting on my‍ hand.”

I was going to‌‌‍ slap her other‍⁠ cheek but ended‌ up squeezing her⁠ neck with all‌ my strength. It was so thin‌‍ it looked like‍ it’d snap, yet‍ it was incredibly tough.

Of‌‍ course—it’s a Corps⁠ Commander. I like‌⁠⁠ that. The smile⁠⁠ on my lips⁠‌ kept widening.

“In my old world,‍ we had a saying.”

With⁠⁠‌ bloodied lips, I whispered in her‍ ear. The pain⁠ was so overwhelming‍ I had to⁠‌ speak to stay‍‍‌ sane.

“Crying⁠‌ when you’re suffering‌⁠‍ is third-class. Enduring⁠ it is second.‍ Laughing is first.”⁠‍⁠

Fermush‌ stared at me‌ with bloodshot eyes.‌ What a look—surely‌‍ about to throw‍⁠ a punch.

I didn’t care. I kept talking mindlessly.

“But⁠⁠ the more I think about it,⁠ the dumber it‍‌ seems. Judging people⁠‌⁠ by whether they⁠⁠‌ cry, endure, or‍‌‌ laugh? What do‌ you think, Fermush?‍‌ You agree?”

“…Ugh.”‍

“Shut‌‍ up. Don’t answer.‌ You’re not human,‍‍ so your opinion‌‍ doesn’t matter.”

“……”‌‍

“Wow,‌ not going to‌ answer? How rude.‍ Someone talks to‌ you and you‍ don’t even reply.‌‌ No manners at‌ all, huh?”

When‍‌ I taunted her⁠ with laughter, her⁠‌ expression changed. Like‌‍ someone who’d never‍ felt fear in⁠‌ their life trying⁠‌ to express it‌⁠ for the first⁠ time. It was‌ grotesque, but right⁠ then, I found‍⁠ it amusing.

Truth be told, I don’t even know‍ what I’m saying.⁠‍ I don’t know‌ if I’m talking⁠ out loud or‌ just thinking to⁠‍‍ myself.

What‌ matters is this—Fermush‍ died afraid of‍ me.

That’s‌‌ the point. The‌ pain of the‌ [Blessing of the‌‌ Sword God] is‍‍‍ just a side effect.

“Agor,⁠ then Vesna, and⁠ now you, Fermush.⁠ I taught you⁠ all what fear⁠‍ is. You should⁠⁠⁠ thank me. I’m⁠‌‍ the one who⁠⁠‍ gave you the‌‍‍ emotional depth you‌‌‌ were missing. Go,⁠ now—go play in⁠ hell with the⁠‌‍ other commanders. I’ll‌‍‍ send that Kuarne‍ you love to⁠ join you soon.”‍⁠‌

Tap.‍‍

“……”‍

My‍ laughter was the⁠⁠‍ last thing she⁠⁠‍ heard before her⁠ head dropped. Blood‍ from her nose‍ ran down my⁠‍ hand. Even when‌‌‌ I slapped her⁠ cheeks, she didn’t⁠ react. She wasn’t‌ breathing anymore.

“I‍‍ said it hurts like hell—and she really went and‍‌ died.”

I let go of her remains. Finger marks were clearly‌⁠ embedded on her‌ slim neck. Then her body began‍ disintegrating from the‌‍ limbs into dust.⁠

“Damn⁠⁠ weak demon.”

And‌ with Fermush, I arrived at an‌ experimental conclusion too.‌‌

The‍ pain of the‍ [Blessing of the⁠ Sword God] drives‍ humans insane—but it kills demons.

My⁠ mind and body‌‌ were shredded from‍‌ the cost of‍ this lesson, but… how should I say it?

It’s⁠‍‌ like someone who’s⁠ only worn generic-sized‌ clothes finally putting⁠‌ on a tailored⁠‍ suit.

At⁠ this moment, I realize that even‌ my brain might‍⁠ be a bit‍ broken.

Right‌ now, I’m not‌ Kang Geom-Ma the‍‍ Heavenly Sword. I’m⁠‌ a lunatic.

And⁠‍ I don’t care.‍

Kang‌‍ Geom-Ma, Sword Demon,⁠ Heavenly Sword.

In⁠ the end, all⁠⁠ of those are⁠‌⁠ me—and at the‍ same time, none⁠‌ of them are.‍

As‌ I rambled on‍‌ like a madman,‌ my eyelids grew‍ heavy. I wanted‍⁠ to lift my‌ head and look‌‍ at the sky,⁠‍ but even my‌‍ neck wouldn’t respond.

‘It’s‌‌ coming—that moment.’

I figured that next‌⁠ time I opened‌ my eyes… I’d‍ probably be staring⁠ at a hospital‍‍ ceiling.

I accepted the darkness‌‍ washing over me⁠ like a black wave.

***‌‍⁠

[You⁠‌⁠ have obtained the⁠ sixth fragment of‍⁠ 【???】, ‘The Barrier‌‍ Between Humans and‌⁠‍ Demons’. Total acquired⁠⁠ (6/7).]

Flash—⁠‍

==‌‌ ==

『We‍‍ raised a great⁠ wall to sever⁠‌ all ties between‌‍ humans and demons.‌⁠

But⁠⁠‌ in the end,‌‍ we understood that‍⁠ this too was‌ a mockery from⁠⁠ the heavens.

How‌ much longer must⁠‍ we allow ourselves‌‌ to be manipulated‍‌ by them?

It‌‌ is heartbreaking. It⁠‍ is painful. It⁠‌ is infuriating.

Why—why‍ do those so-called‌‌‍ gods go to⁠‍ such lengths?

What is it they‍ fear so desperately?⁠‍‌

Who‍ is that being‌ who reduced the⁠⁠ celestials to mere‌ vermin?

Oh,‌ I pray.

Where are you?

If‌ nothing else, even⁠ just an echo⁠‍ of your name.‌‍‍

Have mercy on this‌ fool.

Please,⁠‌ answer me.

I beg you, and‌ beg again.』

==⁠ ==

[NEW!⁠⁠ You have completed⁠ the main quest⁠‌ ‘Union Between Humans‌ and Demons’, and‍‌ a reward is‌ granted.]

♪♫♬♩♫‍⁠

[▷‌⁠ You can now⁠‌ activate ‘True Blessing‍⁠ of Insensitivity to Pain’.]

[▷⁠ You can now⁠⁠ activate ‘True Blessing‍‍ of Communication’.]

[▷‍‍ The ‘Mastery Blessing‌ of Strength’ has⁠ increased exponentially.]

[▷ ‘Awakening of the Blessing of the⁠⁠ Sword God’ is‍‌‌ approaching.]

[…]⁠

[…]‌⁠

[Well⁠⁠‌ done.]

***⁠‍‌

Silence‍ fell over the‍‍‍ survivors.

“Ugh…”‍‌

The‍ bearded man slowly lowered his gaze.⁠ At the same‌ time, he realized⁠‌ that where his‌ right arm should‍ have been, only the wind swirled.‌

He⁠‍⁠ let out a hollow laugh as‌ he looked over the battlefield. Motionless⁠ golems and shredded remains of flesh.⁠‌‌ For a moment,‌ it felt like‍ hell’s time had⁠ stopped.

He‍⁠ muttered with resignation.‌

“…So⁠ many died.”

His⁠⁠‌ mouth, hidden behind‍⁠ the beard, could⁠⁠ not hide the‍ bitterness. The relief‍ of being alive‌‌⁠ wasn’t enough to⁠ lift the corners‌‍ of his lips.‌‌

Supporting⁠‍ himself with his‍ left hand, the⁠ bearded man staggered‍‍ to his feet. He closed his⁠‌ eyes for a moment. He could‌ feel the heat‌‌ of sunset filtering‌⁠ through the clouds⁠‍ against his skin.‍⁠

“Hey.”⁠

A familiar yet strange‍‌ voice reached his‍ ears. He slowly‍ opened his eyes.⁠‍

It was the archer‌⁠ he had chatted‍‌ with hours ago,⁠ limping over. He⁠‌ was missing a leg—hence his slow approach.

Seeing‍‍ him, the bearded‍‍ man smiled. He ran to his⁠⁠ side to support‌ him.

“In⁠‌ the end, losing‌ an arm or‌⁠ a leg is⁠ a small price‍ to pay for surviving, right?”

Said‌ the archer. The‍‌ bearded man burst‍ out laughing.

“We‌ were lucky!”

That⁠‌ was the beginning. Survivors began to‍ emerge from the⁠‌ rubble. Life blooming like wildflowers in‌⁠ the middle of‌⁠ hell.

The⁠ bearded man felt the bitterness in‌‍ his mouth dissolve,⁠ and laughed even louder. This time,⁠‍‍ the archer joined⁠ him. One after‌ another, the heroes⁠⁠‌ joined in with‌ smiles.

Then⁠‍‌ two figures descended⁠ from above, using the arms and‍‌ hands of the‌ giant statue as‍ footholds. Everyone turned⁠‌ their gaze toward⁠ them. They were‌ Changseong and the⁠‍ Sword Master.

The‌ bearded man squinted.‌ In Changseong’s arms⁠‌ lay a young⁠ man. He was⁠‍‌ covered in bluish⁠‌⁠ and red blood,‍ in a state⁠ so wretched it‌‌‍ surpassed even the‍ mutilated.

The⁠‌ bearded man stared⁠ in shock. The‌‍ archer, seeing his‍ expression, smiled slightly‌⁠ and asked.

“Since‌‍ I’m missing a leg, could you‌‌‍ help me kneel?‌‍‍ I can’t do‍‍‍ it alone.”

The‍‍ bearded man didn’t hesitate to agree.‌ And not only‌ that.

“Actually,⁠ I was thinking the same thing.”‌⁠

He‌ knelt as well⁠ and said.

“Before‌ the battle, when‌ that boy addressed‍‌ us, he did‍‍ so as one⁠⁠⁠ of us. I thought it was‍‍‍ just for show⁠ at the time, but I was‍⁠ wrong. He fought⁠ at the front—more than anyone.”

“Then,⁠ you’re uncomfortable looking‌‍ down on someone‍⁠‌ like that?”

The‌⁠ bearded man nodded‌‍⁠ modestly.

“Something‌ like that.”

The archer’s eyes shone⁠ with satisfaction. Then‌‍‍ he shouted loudly,⁠⁠ raising his bow⁠‍⁠ to the sky.‌

“Heavenly‌⁠⁠ Sword!”

Someone‌⁠ responded with a powerful voice.

“Kang⁠ Geom-Ma!”

The‍ young man’s name‍ echoed in chants.‍⁠ The survivors’ ovation⁠ was so loud it hurt the‍‍ ears. Though each‌⁠ one called him‌‍‍ differently—

“Heavenly‍‌ Sword!” “Sword Demon!”‍⁠ “Kang Geom-Ma!”

The⁠ titles mingled. One was his moniker‌ as one of‍‌ the Seven Stars—Heavenly‍ Sword. The other,‌‌‌ his true name‍‌ Kang Geom-Ma.

The‍‌ words split and‌‍‌ reunited like threads⁠ being stitched together.‍

Until at last, they‍ merged completely into‍ a new name.⁠