The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family: Chapter 137
In Berrie’s obsidian-like eyes, a strange object is reflected.
What on earth is this thing? My sister refers to this as my new “younger sibling”…
Summoning up her courage, Berrie tentatively presses it.
Squish-whoosh?
Berrie’s foot sinks in a bit before springing back out with a pop! thanks to its elasticity.
“Haaaak—!” (So disgusting!)
Berrie recoils.
It’s cold, sticky, and makes her feel icky!
She licks her paw clean.
Nothing stuck to it, right? She checks it several times just to be sure.
This is supposed to be my younger sibling? No way! Even if it’s sister’s choice, I can’t accept this! There’s no way!
It’s not unusual for Park Bom to bring home a new sibling. The ‘Captain Tiger’ plushies piled up in a corner over there or the ‘Angel Dragon’ dolls resting on the bed—every single one of them has been deemed Berrie’s sibling at one point or another. Any plushie embraced by Park Bom and brought into this room can be counted as Berrie’s sibling without a second thought.
But this, sister…this one, it’s just not working. Even with Berrie’s sizable frame, this thing is simply too grotesque to hold.
Doubtful, she presses it again.
Squ-whoosh?
“Hyyyyaaaak—!!”
She can’t take it anymore!
Berrie strikes out with her front paw, but instead of flying away, the thing responds with a pop~ and wiggles around.
Infuriated, she strikes again. And again it responds with a pop~ and wiggles.
“Shrrrrrrrrrk?” (What is this?!)
Da-da-da-da-da-da-!
Raising her claws, Berrie unleashes her ultimate ‘Da-da-da!’ technique—a fearsome skill capable of tearing a blanket to shreds in one swipe.
But…
Pop-pop-pop-pop!
Nothing happens. Not even a single scratch is left behind.
The thing wiggles back to its original shape.
Berrie grows more agitated. It’s as if it’s mocking her, like saying, “Is that all you’ve got? Bring it on!”
Berrie can’t restrain herself any longer.
How dare such insolence? A measly runt challenging me?
Berrie’s obsidian eyes gleam ominously.
Ever since Park Ki-hyuk stopped attaching “bodies” to Spring, he entrusted Spring’s care to Berrie. Why?
Because Berrie isn’t just an ordinary cat but a veritable beast in her own right, capable of summoning mana to craft wind hammers. Although she’s careful not to destroy it, she’s prepared to give it only a light punishment by controlling her strength accordingly.
“Take that.”
The wind hammer comes crashing down.
Right at that moment…
The door bursts open!
“Berrie, it’s me, your sister!”
In an instant, the chaos in the room fades, replaced by a serene setting.
“Hmm? Berrie, I see you’ve already gotten along with ‘Pop’!”
“Nyaaahaaang-.”
Berrie is wearing the cutest, most innocent grin.
We’ll deal with you later.
Park Bom’s Dragon Armor, otherwise known as ‘ParkPop,’ is of the slime type.
What is slime? Isn’t it the weakest of all monsters, treated as inferior even to ferocious beasts?
Perhaps this is why everyone expressed disbelief when Park Bom’s Dragon Armor first revealed itself. To be fair, compared to other Dragon Armors, it wasn’t particularly impressive.
However, Park Ki-hyuk was different.
“Our daughter has obtained something truly remarkable.”
People don’t realize that over half of all existing monsters evolved from slime. Slime is the origin of all monsters. Hence, it possesses the ability to transform into any form.
“Father, Father, look! Ta-daa, it’s a doll! Spring did it!”
“Wow, that’s amazing!”
“Hehe, I’ll show you something even cooler! Like this. Ta-daa! I made another one!”
“Oooooh!! Now I can play with dolls all by myself! Spring is amazing!”
“Heheheheh, Spring is amazing!”
It can contain anything.
“Father, Father, which one is different?”
“Hmm… what? Spring, you included the Bloodline?”
“Hehehe! Ding-dong-dang! This is a Weremouse, and this is a Squirrel!”
“Waaah… Can you make more? Father is curious.”
“Of course! Watch this, Father.”
By controlling the bloodlines within her and unleashing boundless creativity, Park Bom’s Dragon Armor had transformed into the most ideal form for her use.
Flames erupt.
Lightning crashes down.
Amidst the bombardment of magic, Han Jun-woo and Merhem exchange a glance before splitting up. Merhem recites her incantations, assisting Han Jun-woo as his magic temporarily freezes around him.
With newfound freedom of movement, Han Jun-woo performs a dazzling display of swordsmanship.
The sword momentarily gleams with light before shooting forward at an invisible speed, an attack precisely aimed at the opponent’s neck.
However…
Clang!
The perfectly executed strike is effortlessly blocked.
Han Jun-woo’s eyes widen in shock.
Was he surprised that his sword was blocked? No, that’s impossible. If he isn’t Park Ki-hyuk, how can every single attack land accurately?
Besides, wouldn’t it be more odd if Jin Yu-ri fell for such attacks?
Then why is Han Jun-woo surprised?
The answer lies in the method by which the attack was blocked.
Blocking Han Jun-woo’s sword is a greatsword—an absurdly overbearing greatsword at that.
“How’s this? My ‘swordsmanship’ isn’t bad, is it?”
“So this is a Dragon Armor…”
What Jin Yu-ri excels at is ‘magic.’
What Jin Yu-ri needs is a ‘strong body.’
What Jin Yu-ri desires is ‘Park Ki-hyuk.’
Hence, the Dragon Armor ‘Dragonian’ was born.
A Dragon Armor that amplifies the user’s ‘mana’ to increase strength and physical prowess, granting the user the ability to wield ‘swordsmanship.’
A dragon armor of monstrous proportions.
Clang! Clang-!
Han Jun-woo’s sword dances. Jin Yu-ri’s greatsword dances in response.
A spectacular exchange of blows ensues.
The music created by the clash of sword against sword reverberates through their hearts.
‘Jin Yu-ri actually knows how to wield a sword.’
Not only that, but on equal footing… a situation wholly unimaginable by Han Jun-woo.
If it were the old Jin Yu-ri, she would have shielded herself from the attack and retaliated with magic. Even wearing War Armor wouldn’t have changed that fact.
Back then, the War Armor she wore was clunky, designed for heavy defense, resembling a bulky full plate armor.
But look at her now. Her figure is exposed under a tight-fitting outfit akin to tights. The crimson scales covering the tights accentuate her lithe silhouette.
Completely different from how she used to be.
Whereas the past Jin Yu-ri wouldn’t have been capable of engaging in close combat with Han Jun-woo, the present Jin Yu-ri has both the strength and ability to meet Han Jun-woo’s blade head-on.
Moreover, her techniques…
“Geomho-ryu…”
Geomho-ryu Swiftsword Technique
Meteor
The sword gleams with a dazzling light. It emits a crimson glow reminiscent of spilled bl**d.
Startled, Han Jun-woo steps back.
“…!”
Behind him, the forest is cleanly sliced in half.
“…This swordsmanship?”
“Hehe. How’s it? This is ‘Meteor,’ pretty good, huh? It relies solely on ‘imagination,’ so it’s still a bit rough around the edges…”
“…You’re insane.”
“Hehe. Thanks for the compliment.”
As Jin Yu-ri was scratching her head bashfully, her tail suddenly lashes out, blocking Merhem’s mace, which was sneaking up from behind cloaked by invisibility.
Merhem lands gracefully and spits out a “Tsk.”
How did Jin Yu-ri block an attack that was enhanced with high-level enchantments? Even Park Ki-hyuk would have had difficulty noticing it without his unique ‘instincts,’ and magical detection methods employed by sorcerers would have been completely ineffective.
In reality, Jin Yu-ri didn’t know the attack was coming at all.
Jin Yu-ri’s mask slips as she stares at Merhem.
“Wow, Mary, you’re really improving! I almost got caught there.”
“Are you seriously joking, Yuli? You blocked it and still say you almost got caught?”
“Ah, well… it’s kind of complicated to explain.”
Could Jin Yu-ri really have mastered swordsmanship? Absolutely impossible. No matter how much of a genius she might be, there simply isn’t enough time or physical ability.
“I imagine it, and this just moves according to my imagination.”
“I don’t understand.”
“…Yeah, I don’t understand either, Yuli.”
“Just imagine ‘Dragonian’ moving on its own. Is that simple enough?”
“…”
“…”
Both of them look utterly confused, and Jin Yu-ri chuckles happily.
To be honest, she doesn’t understand either.
After all, the Dragon Armor was only created a few days ago—a brand new innovation. Its capabilities and limitations haven’t been fully defined yet.
Thus…
“Could you extend the favor just a bit longer? I don’t know much about the Dragon Armor either.”
Smiling cheerfully, she pulls back her mask.
The greatsword embedded in the ground rises. A crimson tail levitates. Red mana begins to coalesce, forming spheres encircling her.
An orchestra of sword and magic.
Neither sword nor magic lacks in any part.
A perfect fighting weapon.
Their current situation brings someone to mind.
“Ki-hyuk Park.”
“Ki-hyuk it is.”
Is it called Dragon Armor?
Whatever it might be…
They created a horrifying hybrid.
*
Huh? Is someone insulting me?
My ear itches. I want to scratch it right now, but the timing isn’t great. Kim Ha-ni, my junior, is lecturing me with a devoted expression, so it wouldn’t be polite to scratch my ear mid-reprimand.
“…I understand that you, as a senior, are busy. You’re in your 4th year. You’re obviously talented, so it’s natural that people would call on you often, making you busy. But there’s still responsibility to consider, isn’t there? As the leader of our club, is it right to neglect your responsibilities like this? Ki-hyuk senior, are you listening?”
“A, yeah. I’m listening.”
I am.
To sum it up, it’s about the club.
Our club, “The Escape-Free Hell,” which I started in my first year, is apparently about to be dissolved.
Excited by this development, Kim Ha-ni stopped me on the day I was supposed to test the Dragon Armor, forcing me to sit down and listen to her impassioned lecture.
“By regulation, clubs have some freedom. Anyone can start a club, but there’s a minimum membership requirement. Through student council authority, clubs with less than 10 members can be forcibly ‘dissolved.’ For us…”
“Only five members, right?”
“…Yes, that’s right. Five. The reason we haven’t been dissolved so far is entirely thanks to you, Ki-hyuk senior. You’re so amazing that the student council never dared to file a dissolution request.”
“…So they’re intimidated by me.”
“An accurate assessment. Then you understand the issue, correct?”
“If I leave, it’ll become a problem.”
“Senior, you’re in 4th year, your graduating class. You’ll leave the Academy this year. What will happen to our club then? Only me will be left behind.”
“Without me, obviously the student council will file a dissolution request.”
“The Academy will probably agree with them. Thus, the club will remain only as a distant memory in our hearts, fading away into oblivion.”
“Hmm. Let me ask one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“You’re staying, right? Can’t you recruit new students?”
“Yes! Recruiting them is the way.”
“But?”
“But, will the student council allow that?”
“…Eh?”
“Senior, don’t you remember? Our club got blacklisted by the student council and the Academy.”
“Ah…”
I completely understood now.
I had forgotten since I didn’t take it very seriously, but it was clear that our club had crossed swords with both the student council and the Academy since its very start.
However, does it matter?
“To be honest, the disappearance of the club wouldn’t bother me.”
“Eh?”
With a calm expression, Kim Ha-ni watching me in shock, I emptied my coffee cup.
“I created it because I didn’t want to be under anyone else’s authority. It’s no big deal even if it gets disbanded.”
It wasn’t created with great purpose.
I simply made it because I didn’t like the idea of someone looming over me. In simple terms, I wanted to do what pleased me without restrictions.
To me, the club served its purpose by giving me peace for four years.
As Kim Ha-ni looked at me with a stunned expression, I continued.
“That’s all. The memories of our little club… Mary put great effort into decorating the club room, right?”
“Mary, that wasn’t about the money. If needed, I’ll cover the expenses.”
“That’s not the point!! You’re trying to toss away our fiery youth right now! As a member of the club, I cannot accept this!”
“You’re more sentimental than you look. We have photos. If you really miss it, we can meet up. Do you know my personal number?”
“I do…”
“Then you also have Yuli’s number, Mary’s number, and Jun-woo’s number. What’s the problem?”
From my perspective, it’s all just time passing.
Why should I leave unnecessary traces behind needlessly? Especially when they don’t like us there anyway.
“Don’t put so much meaning into trivial things.”
That’s my view.
However, upon the arrival of the group, I received countless scolding.
“Are you out of your mind, Ki-hyuk? Did you turn cold-hearted after visiting America?”
“Exactly! Mary senior?!”
“Ki-hyuk, this is a bridge too far. Even if I want to support you, this is beyond the limit.”
“Yuli, you feel the same way?”
“I will remain neutral…”
“Jun-woo, give me a clue.”
“…You’re wrong. Apologize to Ha-ni.”
“You saw that! Everyone reacted like that!!”
Kim Ha-ni looked triumphant while I could only chuckle awkwardly.
I suddenly realized how young these people are, yet at the same time questioned if I was the one making a mistake.
Ah, this is such a hassle.
“Alright, so what do you guys want exactly?”
As one, they all shouted, “Maintain the club!!”
“Got it. You guys want it, huh? Kim Ha-ni, surely you have a plan?”
“Of course!”
Kim Ha-ni explained brightly, causing my expression to grow increasingly grim as hers brightened.
The next day, I went to the student council office and submitted a document.
Festival Participation Application
Club: The Escape-Free Hell
And just like that, I found myself diving into the highlight of the festival: “The Recruitment Market.”
