Progress had stalled since we rounded up the Black Cloud Society operatives. Before I knew it, we were at the end of April.
No—let me clarify: we'd seen advances in other areas.
Everyone had grown tired of being pounded senseless and started sticking around after drills to spar in small teams. They'd become capable of holding their own in a fight, and Chen's improvement was the most remarkable.
She absorbs every lesson I give as if she were a sponge.
Even accounting for the fact that I push her hard, Chen is on track to outpace any margin I thought I'd maintain.
"That's what geniuses do…tsk, tsk."
The team leader grumbled, but who wouldn't covet that kind of raw aptitude?
"By the way, why have they gone so quiet? After showing themselves once, they should've scattered again in force."
Since our last bust, the Black Cloud Society had gone to great lengths to vanish. We caught a few foot soldiers here and there, but they were rank-and-file with no insight to trade.
Their operation was cunning. They mixed greenhorns with veterans, dispersed them across cells, and neutered us of any real spoils.
If Hongru is behind that, I hate to admit it, but he's got a sharp mind.
From the organization's perspective, he's ruthless but effective—assigning assets where they yield the highest return. If that's his tactic, capturing him quickly is my best gain.
"I'm heading out on patrol. Don't wait up for me."
"All right. Bring back some numbers."
"What am I, a vending machine? You press a button and crime stats pop out?"
"Kind of, yeah. Since you joined, promotion candidates in our unit have come out in trucks—haven't they?"
"Then order every promotee to send me a box of dried persimmons. Otherwise I'll request a transfer to Personnel."
"You think Personnel will take you?"
"The ladies there dote on me. I just have to play along and skim my paycheck."
"Pathetic. All because you've got a pretty face…"
"Hey, show some respect, team leader. This face is a strategic asset."
My baby face still gives me away, but I'm proud of it. If not for swords, I could've made my living grifting in the back alleys.
Would I really feed those lecherous old men dried persimmons?
No—if I played nice long enough, I'd slit their throats.
Typical of you, kid.
I'd sooner send those creeps to their next life myself.
Yongmun's city center was still packed with people, a bustle I hadn't yet grown used to. Markets were worse—claustrophobic in every sense.
When patrol left me peckish, I either hauled dumplings to Noya in the alley or tracked down Jay at his stall.
"Jay, it's lunch time. Usual order."
"One moment, please."
Nimble as a seasoned cutter, the kid carved fishcake while I watched, then glanced at my own hands. Mine were small, with scars crisscrossing every knuckle and calluses earned from gripping a sword.
Clumsy as ever.
What are you, gearing up for an emotional moment?
…Just thinking.
The Rat King's words from dawn echoed in my mind like a splinter I couldn't shake.
A path of death, one victim after another…
Nearly two years in the sword arts had taught me that I'd cut down dozens. Tens, at the very least.
To claim I'm protecting anything feels…
I wondered what advice Faust, Meursault, or even Liberi would offer. Would they urge me to double down or to shift course and find a new opening?
"Are you ready to eat?"
"Sorry—lost in thought."
ZEEEEEEEET
With spring's warmth came flies. One droned around before plopping into my fishcake soup and thrashing in the hot broth. The sickening sight held my gaze.
"I'll remake that right away."
"Sorry. I should've focused and eaten first."
That fly, flailing in a sea of broth, struck me as not so different from myself.
"Being alone does weigh on you, doesn't it?"
Maybe my impatience over the Black Cloud Society was gnawing at me. Suddenly I felt philosophical—ridiculous when I hadn't even earned the right to be wise.
What do you think?
Pitiable.
See? I knew it.
But, kid, even a bit of pity is sometimes necessary.
"Your Lin-su Fishcake Soup is ready."
"Phew…hot. But good."
Bastard.
"What was that?"
"Shut it, kid."
Why is he sulking? The petty things people cling to…
"Oh, is Hyun here?"
"Mr. Dong—just me when I'm hungry."
"Fair enough. Eat up so you can grow."
"I'll grow on my own."
It was a quiet spring lunch. At least it felt that way.
"Looks like the war in Kazdel is raging."
On a small TV in the corner, a news clip on the Kazdel Civil War flickered.
When does this thing end?
It was absurd to search for the end of a war that had barely ignited. Still, I knew which side would prevail.
At least I won't get dragged in.
There was no reason for me to intervene. I'd probably only witness Rhodes Island's arrival after Kazdel's conflict concluded.
"I'm done. I'm heading back out."
"Yes, please come again."
With a full meal, I resumed my patrol.
"Morning's come. It's warm."
I used to ignore temperature extremes, but life had improved enough that I now preferred warmth.
Dried persimmons will be more expensive…
Sad how small comforts now matter. Better to endure cold and relish persimmons.
"Oh—excuse me!"
I'd been lost in thought again and bumped into a passerby.
"Are you all right? Did you get hurt?"
A deep, measured voice came from above me. The man was tall, his trousers cut from expensive cloth.
He's not here to nitpick a laundry tab…
I looked up to see the gentleman's face and froze.
"You're polite, kid. Since we're introduced, I'll say my name is…"
His hair was black streaked with white, falling in a serpentine tail, his robes Eastern in cut, yet tinged with Ursus' deep austerity.
"They call me Kashei, little one."
The immortal black serpent of Ursus, leeching off others for millennia—Kashei, the scourge I'd always feared, stood before me.
What is that? How can a human exude such repulsion?
The [Mountain Spirit] inside me roiled at Kashei's presence. My stomach churned, but I could not falter.
Can I cut him down here?
Logically, the biggest gain would be to slay Kashei on the spot. Yet…yet…
I can't lift my sword.
Like predator and prey locking eyes, I recognized my place the instant our gazes met. I was prey.
"A wise choice, kid. You wouldn't want to brandish a blade out here in broad daylight."
I never wanted to hear that from the deadliest of killers.
"I must be off. Have a good day, child."
He passed me, fading into the crowd, while I stood frozen, half-raised hand suspended like a fledgling under the serpent's gaze.