<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 57>
One year ago, the kidnapping incident by the Evolutionary Group that shocked this nation was officially concluded as an “internal power struggle within the Evolutionary Group.”
The Chief of Police declared it an incident caused by the reckless pursuit of an absurd research project called “artificial bloodline inheritance,” asserting that the research had failed.
But the truth was different.
At the time Park Ki-hyuk entered the laboratory, the research had already gone beyond its intended scope. In fact, it could inherit the bloodlines, preserving 80 percent of their abilities.
Of course, it wasn’t a completed product. Because it had not been stabilized, the side effects were unpredictable and could manifest at any time, in any manner.
But would people recognize this? Given the astonishing results right in front of them?
Honestly, even if it had been announced in this state, the world would have been in shock. It meant touching upon what was deemed an unknown power, treated as a noble realm: “bloodline inheritance.”
So, was the police lying? Did they swallow such an extraordinary research result and remain silent?
No. They truly did not know.
Because it had been manipulated by Park Ki-hyuk.
Was it because he was a Sword Master, trying to protect the power of his bloodline?
I can confidently say it was not.
Sure, Park Ki-hyuk felt uneasy about a Sword Master existing who was not his family, but that was strictly a personal issue.
From a researcher’s perspective, this study was… a double-edged sword.
Think about it: if the research had been perfectly completed, would the Evolutionary Group have taken such a reckless gamble?
Saying “inheritance is possible” could also be taken as “inheritance is the only thing possible,” and that’s exactly how the research was at that time.
The subsequent stabilization and all the time and resources it would consume were burdens that were hard to fathom.
It was certainly an enticing achievement, but eating it would result in trouble in some form.
Yes, if only I could unravel the perfect secret of bloodline inheritance, I could bear the risks. But it was only 80 percent of the power. It was derivative.
So what was the real reason Park Ki-hyuk manipulated the research?
It was because of Park Bom.
If the research were made public, it would reveal that bloodline inheritance had yielded some results, and the fact that the sacrificed children had attempted “multiracial inheritance” would also come to light.
By climbing to that point, it could reveal Bom’s existence.
In one person’s body, there were 16, no, with the addition of the “Sword Master,” 17 bloodlines breathing.
What would happen if this fact were exposed to the world? No matter how much of a Sword Master one was, protecting Park Bom would become difficult.
So after much deliberation, he decided to manipulate the experiment itself.
All to protect Bom.
“……”
“Um, is this such a sensitive topic?”
“……”
“……”
Yggdrasil and I are facing each other across the table.
As is natural, aside from our family, no one knows about Bom’s current state.
Yet someone who isn’t family has caught on.
A source of anxiety has emerged.
What should I do… I silently gaze at Yggdrasil with emotionless eyes.
“……”
“……”
The chilling standoff continues, and Yggdrasil is the first to speak.
“Do you know why I like Park Ki-hyuk?”
“……”
“It’s because of those eyes. Your eyes are not human-like; they are closer to ours.”
You act like a human, speak like a human, but while praised as a Guardian Spirit, the essence of Yggdrasil is that of a monster.
A monster named Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
“How should I put it? I feel as if I’m looking at a fellow kind.”
“Cut the nonsense….”
I sit down and ask.
“How much do you know?”
“Is it important?”
“It is. Depending on your answer, our response will change.”
As I speak, I place my hand into my spatial pocket, ready to summon the “Demon,” while my other hand awakens the “Apocalypse.”
“Really, humans have too many unnecessary suspicions. Why can’t you take things as they are? It’s quite hurtful.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“…… I know that Park Bom is unstable.”
Yggdrasil smiles bitterly while looking at Park Bom.
“With a small body, an unfinished vessel, filled with questionable powers. Powers of different natures are at odds with each other, ready to explode at any moment, all suppressed by a single powerful force.”
Yggdrasil points a finger at me.
“You. It’s the power of Park Ki-hyuk. That’s all I’ve seen.”
“…… Interesting. Are there others who know about this?”
“No.”
“What grounds do I have to believe you?”
“That’s enough. This is the last time I’ll give you a favorable view.”
Yggdrasil’s aura sharply intensifies.
“I’ve made it clear: I spoke in good faith. Accept it as it is. Don’t bring your childish human standards into this.”
“…….”
“…….”
A moment of silence.
My mana and Yggdrasil’s mana dance in the air for a moment.
I withdraw my hand from my pocket first.
“Haah. I’m sorry. This might sound like I’m your father.”
“I also apologize. I didn’t realize how significant Park Bom was to you.”
“Let’s go back to what you said earlier. How do you intend to solve the issue regarding Bom?”
“Well, this pertains to when Park Ki-hyuk looked into the ‘ecological collapse phenomenon.'”
“Tell me. If possible, I can conduct an investigation about that much.”
“That’s good to hear. Park Bom is receiving a lot of love.”
Yggdrasil smiles contentedly, refills her teacup, and gets to the point.
“What is the most pressing issue for Park Bom right now?”
“The most pressing issue is….”
I can’t find the words right away. Too many thoughts come to mind.
“If you can’t answer, shall I?” “Instability” or “precariousness.” This is Park Bom’s current problem.”
The internal forces fighting, the physical vessel, the mental soul—all of it is unstable.
“It’s like a piece of glass. So fragile and precarious that it seems it could break at any moment.”
“Then I can see why you understood the need to intervene.”
“That’s also because it’s too unstable.”
If it were a fully grown adult, intervening would be simpler. The vessel and soul would already be complete.
In fact, there’s a similar example here.
When the “Demon Lord’s Magic” and “Sword Master’s Instinct” mixed with the “Giant’s Body” in my own body. What did I do then? I set them ablaze and broke through.
It was possible because everything was completed in terms of the vessel and soul.
But Bom is only six years old. To add a bit of a joke, she’s growing day by day.
An age where one’s vessel and soul are still developing.
At this point, one has no choice but to be cautious. If not, Bom could be damaged.
I had no intention of gambling with Bom’s future.
“Park Ki-hyuk is probably waiting for Park Bom to grow up. At least to the point where he can intervene. Maybe around 10? Even then, you should be able to fix her.”
“Eight years old is enough.”
“Hah. Confidence, as expected of you, Park Ki-hyuk.”
“Stop circling around and get to the main point. How are you going to solve it?”
“Impatient, aren’t you?”
Yggdrasil smiles and claps her hands.
With the sound of applause, a tree rises beside her.
And something sparkling between the trunks of the giant tree.
“We are rooted in one place for our entire lives. That’s the destiny of the World Tree.”
A fruit shining brilliantly, like an apple made of diamonds.
“If it’s a potion, it’s useless. Bom is still too young for potions….”
“Quiet. Please let me continue.”
Yggdrasil cuts me off and carefully slips her hand into the trunk of the tree.
“Our rooted place is our homeland and the foundation we must cultivate for our lives.”
But what if another life exists in the rooted place?
You may have heard it before. What is precious in my eyes is also precious in others’ eyes.
That the World Tree’s rooted area being good means it’s full of vitality. There will certainly be an ecosystem thriving there.
Then what do they plan to do about it?
“Humans establish their selves throughout their lives, but we, at this time, when we answer this question, truly establish our ‘self.'”
If “rejection” is chosen, it will smash all life, creating an ecosystem solely for oneself from zero.
If “isolation” is chosen, one thoroughly confines themselves from the surroundings, living their whole life in hiding.
“I’ve thought deeply about it.”
What should be done.
“Greed gives rise to conflict, and conflict ultimately brings bl**d. It’s only a problem when one is dominant with power, but if the logic of power is reversed…”
All that remains is destruction.
Creating enemies for a World Tree that must live rooted in one place for its entire life is absolutely disadvantageous.
So Yggdrasil decides to choose.
“Harmony.”
“To confess, I’m not that peaceful. Nevertheless, the reason I chose to live together is purely for survival.”
“Harmony” chosen as a means of survival.
Yggdrasil poured her affection into it.
To the land, the environment, and all the lives rooted in that land.
“This is where the saying ‘A forest does not thrive alone’ comes from. It’s true. It forms the foundation of our Academy. In fact, this saying applies more to me than to the students. Heh. Isn’t it interesting?”
Thus, the World Tree, having established its identity, begins to act in earnest.
“I do many things, but you don’t need to know about that, Park Ki-hyuk….”
Yggdrasil gently caresses the child, causing the trunk to part as if permitting.
“The World Tree bears fruit over 10,000 days. We plant this in the ground and nurture the vessel.”
Not as a child but as a clone. Creating another ‘me.’
“Of course, this fruit can contain all of me.”
Powers, abilities, and even Yggdrasil’s own essence of “Harmony.”
“The Fruit of Harmony. If this power, which unites all beings, can stabilize Park Bom’s insides…”
It creates an independent entity formed as a single forest.
If we bind the countless bloodlines tormenting Bom under the name of “Harmony”…
“What do you think? Are you considering a deal?”
Naturally, my answer is.
“Deal.”
It was a transaction with no reason to refuse.
A few days later, dozens of vehicles formed a procession heading to the Academy.
The emblem on the vehicle’s door depicted three crossed swords. It was the emblem of Optimum, one of the top five agents in the world.
What business does Optimum have at the Academy?
As students and faculty members all focus on the procession of vehicles, the vehicles come to a halt in front of a blue gate. It was the passage to the Forest of Wisdom.
And a man stepped out from the vehicle.
The top candidate for the next Guardian and one of the strongest Sword Masters, considered to be among the three most powerful in history.
Mountain Lord Park Su-hyeok.
“This place hasn’t changed.”
“Commander, are you disarming?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
Park Su-hyeok trudged toward the Forest of Wisdom.
As he stepped into the gate, familiar sensations and visions flickered before him.
When he attended the Academy, Park Su-hyeok had lost control of his overflowing bloodlust and challenged everyone in the Academy.
He subdued his peers, left his seniors in the dust, and even overpowered the professors.
Having subdued everyone in the Academy, finally, he dared to challenge the pinnacle of this Academy.
That was Yggdrasil, the master of this place.
Looking back now, it was an embarrassing memory that could make him pull the covers off himself, but he wouldn’t deny it. The desire to compete is an unavoidable fate for a Sword Master.
“Welcome, Park Su-hyeok.”
In his line of sight, Yggdrasil was smiling. Her smile was exactly the same as before, not a bit changed.
“It’s been a long time. You haven’t changed at all.”
“Park Su-hyeok hasn’t either. Look at you; you’re holding a sword. Heh.”
“Ah….”
It seems his hand instinctively went for the sword.
Park Su-hyeok scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Yggdrasil watched him and chuckled softly.
“Heh. It’s always entertaining. You, Su-hyeok, Min-ji, and Ki-hyuk. Sword Masters truly never disappoint me.”
“Since we’re at it…”
It takes a lot of time to equip oneself.
“How about a match?”
Park Su-hyeok raises his sword.
“Come on. It’s great to reminisce after so long.”
Green orbs of energy began to float around Yggdrasil.
*
In the Student Council auditorium.
Sitting alone a bit apart from the boisterous atmosphere, I thought to myself.
“……I wonder if my brother is doing well.”
Something, though I can’t pinpoint it, an unknown sense of anxiety washed over me.
At that moment, suddenly a figure jumped out in front of my eyes.
“Whoa!!”
“……What are you doing?”
It was Jin Yu-ri. She had used stealth magic to sneak in from the entrance.
“Tch. Caught again. I was so confident this time.”
“You still have a long way to go. That aside, why are you here?”
“Why? If you’re going, I naturally have to go too.”
“You don’t have to come….”
This was a deal between me and Yggdrasil. I didn’t want to involve my friends in this.
So I planned to act alone, but she was really persistent.
“Who else would take care of you if not me?”
With a flick, Jin Yu-ri dusted off the dirt from my clothes.
“There’s no dust. Trying to touch me sneakily?”
“Heh. These days, I really like men who are in good shape.”
“What am I to do with you?”
I’m going crazy. What should I do with this whirlwind of chaos?
As I struggled to think, an announcement finally came over the auditorium speakers.
“From now on, there will be a pre-briefing on the ‘Ecological Collapse Investigation.’ Investigation team, please maintain silence.”
