<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 65>
Now, the story I’m about to tell is the story of one sword.
Among the world’s three greatest forges—America’s “Artefactory,” the EU’s “Nest of Swords,” and Korea’s “Furnace”—stands the last one.
About a year ago, an order came to the master of this forge and the finest blacksmith in the world, known as the “Master of the Furnace,” or “Gama.”
Gama laughed derisively in response.
“An order? An order?! I must be hearing things in my old age. Throw it away. Tell them never to contact me again.”
However, once he realized that the order came from the world’s top five “Agent” organizations, Korea’s best “Agent,” and Gama’s most significant benefactor—the witch of Optimum—he reacted quite differently.
“Ahaha… That makes sense. That makes sense indeed. Considering it’s a very important order, I’ll personally handle it. Give it to me.”
He immediately began the work.
However, at the very start, Gama found himself questioning his eyes.
“Am I seeing things? Apprentice, isn’t this the Devil’s Spike? They want a sword crafted from this cursed weapon of the Demon? Let me see the request again… It’s real? Ahaha. Looks like the witch has lost her mind.”
Once upon a time, the Devil’s Spike was a sword obtained during the very first raid on the level 8 Gate’s “13th District of the Demon Realm” when its boss, Satan, was defeated. And this Devil’s Spike had another infamous nickname.
“The Worst Trash in Existence.”
“It carries a total of… 72 curses. It’s an authentic product, Master Gama.”
“Tsk, it’s indeed garbage. Dismiss the young apprentices. If they’re contaminated by the residual curses, it will cause serious problems.”
“Master, isn’t it common knowledge that a demonic sword can only produce more demonic swords? Would the witch of Optimum not know this?”
“She might not. Perhaps there’s a way to purify it.”
“Isn’t that impossible? As I’ve said, even a saintess couldn’t handle this thing.”
72 curses.
A demonic sword imbued with every single known human-recorded demonic curse.
Thus, a weapon forbidden to mankind.
Should a human ever wield this sword, it would be safe to assume that person had become either a Demon or a Monster. The Devil’s Spike was, without a doubt, the worst demonic sword in existence.
And yet, they were asking him to craft a sword out of this?
What kind of thinking was this?
Over and over, Gama confirmed this. He even called the witch of Optimum personally.
Seriously, they wanted him to dismantle this cursed weapon and make a new sword?
He checked again and again.
Yet the witch of Optimum, Kim Yeon-hee, was consistent in her response.
“Yes, I’d like the most cursed demonic sword you can make, as powerful as possible. The Devil’s Spike we provided doesn’t even hold a candle to how potent the finished product can be.”
Hearing her firm answer, Gama made a cautious prediction.
This sword was absolutely not meant to be used.
Perhaps it was for interrogation purposes? Or perhaps assassination? If a cursed sword stronger than the Devil’s Spike existed, even being in the same room could drive a human insane. If not torture, maybe it was for assassination. That explanation made sense.
No matter how he thought about it, he could come to no other conclusion.
Is this what’s called a paradigm shift? Indeed, this was the kind of audacious thinking expected from the head of the world’s top five agencies, the witch of Optimum.
Alright. Fine. I’ll do it your way.
I’ll create for you the perfect cursed sword, one that will drop any person just by touching its hilt.
Thus, a monstrous weapon born from Gama’s misunderstanding.
“You! Aren’t there cursed swords rotting away in the basement? Bring them all. Quickly.”
Using the Devil’s Spike as the base, he combined it with 37 other demonic blades, weapons, and spears, all prefixed with ‘魔 (Ma)’ to craft a sword.
The blade length was 170 cm, its width 25 cm, and thickness 5 cm.
The weight of the current form was an astonishing 74.4 kilograms.
Its appearance was extremely crude, lacking even basic adornments. It was a colossal weapon far beyond the size and specification of an average human.
Because it was forged from countless cursed blades, the total power of the curses it contained was immeasurable.
A sword so cursed it was forbidden for use, by anyone, for any reason.
Thus, it was named.
“Devil.”
And the sword that rewrote the history of cursed blades was now in Park Ki-hyuk’s hands.
Wooouuung! Wooouuung!
In the midst of the intensifying battlefield, Devil howls.
If translated, it probably means “Just one more bite.”
Before us, the Elder Sandworm twists and thrashes violently, causing trouble, but in Devil’s eyes, it looks like nothing more than prey.
“Fellow.”
Even though he’s eaten quite a bit, he is still starving.
What a greedy creature. How adorable.
“If you want it, I’ll give it to you then.”
Smirking, I leapt.
It seemed the sword was in a good mood too. Without me even needing to say anything, it helped me out. The sword became as light as a feather in my hand.
This was one of Devil’s functions, “Weight Control.”
The speed of my leap skyrocketed.
The distance closing rapidly.
The Elder Sandworm, which had been on high alert, finally noticed and let out a roar.
Naturally, this was followed by a violent thrashing.
Though looked down upon by Devil, the Elder Sandworm is still an elite among its kind—1.5 times stronger than an average Sandworm.
Moreover, it’s currently in a life-or-d*ath situation. Its life is literally hanging by a thread.
In moments like this, a Sandworm’s survival instinct explodes, driving it into a frenzied state. All remaining strength is channeled into an offensive fury.
In simpler terms, the thrashings alone are beyond what ordinary defenses can handle.
Keeeeeaaa!
Bang! Bang!
A deafening scream shakes the cavern floor.
The violent resistance causes cracks in the walls.
Cracks appear in the underground cavern ceiling as sand particles fall.
To any third party, it would be a horrifying sight—its massive body resembling a five-story building but moving with explosive speed and agility.
However, to me, it’s nothing more than a desperate worm trying its best to survive. I feel no excitement.
With one step, I close the gap.
With two, I deflect an attack.
With three, I’m within striking distance.
With a single swing, it’s within reach. I could strike anytime.
But I hold back—for a single, perfect strike.
Bang!
I thrust Devil into the ground. The broad blade shields me like a shield.
A moment later, the excited tail of the Elder Sandworm swung toward me.
Reacting violently to my movements, the Elder Sandworm ignored Jin Yoo-ri hovering in the air and Han Jun-woo looking for openings, focusing solely on me.
Keeeeeaaak! Keeeeeaaak!
It was putting its entire strength into pushing me away.
It’s afraid, very afraid.
The wounds, the pain, the fear, the despair—everything has driven the creature insane.
But the one responsible for this mental breakdown?
It’s him.
Devil.
Uuuuuung!
The second of Devil’s abilities.
“Life Drain”
It doesn’t simply absorb bl**d or stamina; it drains the very essence of life.
When you tear flesh, immense pain follows. But what happens when life itself is drained forcibly from the body? Not by choice, but by force?
It’s excruciatingly painful.
Physicality and soul—the foundations of humanity.
Life is the fuel for these foundations. Something absolutely essential that cannot be missing.
And yet, it’s being torn apart.
Shredded.
Ripped away.
The most painful way to d*e, they say, is to burn alive.
I can confidently say this pain is far worse.
Whoosh! Clang! Whoosh! Clang!
A dull sound followed by the Elder Sandworm’s tail strikes.
Yet our Devil remains calm—not just calm, but positively delighted.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Each strike splashes the Eldor Sandworm’s bodily fluids onto Devil, the fluids rich in its life force, a great source of nutrients for the blade.
Whoosh!
Keeeeeaaak!
The attacker suffers while the defender rejoices.
Is this what they call “the ultimate preference?” Laughing at an impossible thought, it only showed how much leisure I had.
“Still, though.”
It’s time to bring this to an end.
Crunch!
My nails extend like tiger fangs, my fine hairs stand on end.
Opening my eyes, my pupils split, awakening the dormant beast within.
The Sword Master, who embodies destruction, declares:
“I’m not ready yet.”
Uuuuuung!
The magic circle covering Devil glows.
Fiery dark light akin to flames engulfs the scene.
Apocalypse, the punishment of the Demon Lord, emerged.
Two forces swirl together. No, three forces. With the awakened might of the “Giant,” they all combined.
The power of the Sword Master, the Demon Lord, and the Giant.
All the dormant powers inside me awakened.
I had finally reached my complete form.
And now, Devil’s third ability shines:
“Unbreakable.”
The only sword capable of containing the complete power within me.
Devil was such a sword.
Geomho-ryu Destruction.
Reverse Heaven.
Defying the heavens.
The sword of darkness splits the world.
The first slash shatters the space. The second annihilates the enemy. The third breaks the rules.
When the six sword beams carved the hexagram in the air,
This place was no longer an underground cavern.
The walls blocking the way were completely gone. Where the ceiling should be, a dazzling sun now shines.
And my opponent, the Elder Sandworm, lay in pieces, shattered into six parts.
“Finished.”
The battle is done.
It’s time to go back.
The representative’s office of Optimum.
A woman burst through the door angrily.
“Are the kids here?”
Without formalities, she cut straight to the chase. The woman was none other than Yoo Hae-ryen, the matriarch of the Jin-ryong family.
“Did you sell the door-knocking etiquette somewhere?”
“Quit the pleasantries, kid. You and I don’t need such formality. Give me a cold drink, I’m parched from running.”
“You really do have a knack for oddities, Gasnaga.”
Though the words sounded harsh, these two were the best of friends.
Soon, the Secretary-General arrived with a refreshing tea and snacks.
“Changwoo, hello.”
“Welcome.”
“Yeah, I just arrived. By the way, are you still a secretary? You were one when I was here too.”
“No, I’m now also the Secretary-General.”
“Wow? Secretary-General now? Looks like you’ve climbed the ranks, Changwoo. Still, why do you handle all these menial tasks instead of delegating them?”
“That’s enough nonsense. Secretary-General, please proceed.”
“Haha. I brought this personally just to see you two together again. Here’s pineapple soda and Kim pastries. I prepared an iced Americano for the boss.”
“Amazing, you still remember my taste. Thanks.”
“That’s because the two of you are my ‘patrons.’ Then, may you have a pleasant time.”
“Bye bye.”
With the Secretary-General leaving, only Kim Yeon-hee and Yoo Hae-ryen remained in the representative’s office.
“Stop the theatrics and just say what you want to say.”
“You heard the kids are here. So, here I am.”
“Is that really the reason you came here?”
“…Plus, the operation those kids conducted. They were regulating the Collapse phenomena.”
“Operation Kingmaker.”
“Yes, Kingmaker. I’m curious about how it went.”
Chugging her iced Americano with a straw, Kim Yeon-hee smiled and answered.
“It succeeded.”
“I thought so. After all, it’s something done by Park. It was bound to be successful.”
“…Who gave you the right to call him ‘Park?'”
“Enough. Don’t mind the small things. So, what do you plan to do?”
“Do about what?”
“You know what. The hyenas trying to capitalize on your son’s achievements.”
“…”
This was the very issue that had been bothering Kim Yeon-hee.
Regulating the collapse phenomenon—a concept that broke all conventions. Even envisioning it deserves recognition, yet they achieved actual results.
Moreover, the results were achieved by an Academy student, not even a frontline agent.
This situation provided fertile ground for opportunists.
Indeed, certain agencies had already started their moves—like the Association, the Administration Bureau, the Academy, and the Hunter Alliance.
It’s understandable that those who provided support got involved. However, even irrelevant interest groups were now circling like vultures.
A worried crease formed on Kim Yeon-hee’s forehead.
“Our greedy Hye-tang would let her stuff be stolen by others? It’ll be the day the sun rises from the west tomorrow.”
“…You know me too well.”
“I know you, and you know me.”
“Sounds so redundant.”
“It does.”
Click, the two women facing each other burst into laughter.
“So, what are you going to do? We’re ready to move, depending on your decision.”
“Hm, don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure you’re fine?”
“Yeah, I’m truly fine.”
All preparations were already in place.
As Yoo Hae-ryen said, Kim Yeon-hee would take back what was hers, or she’d rather d*e first.
“…Well, if you say you’re fine, then that’s that. By the way, where is Park?”
“Don’t you usually ask about Yoo-ri first?”
“Huff. What does this child know? A son-in-law’s love comes through the mother-in-law.”
“Hmm, you surprise me.”
“Anyway, we should at least feed him something for his hard work. Where did he go? Did he go home?”
A seemingly simple question, but Kim Yeon-hee’s lips curl into a smile, recalling the sight of her son rushing home in a hurry.
“Ki-hyuk….”
*
“Huff huff!”
Timed it perfectly. From afar, I can see Flower Garden Kindergarten, where kids are doing belly bows to their teacher.
Soon, they run to their mothers.
Among them, I see a boy holding Merhem’s hand with a somewhat sad face.
It’s my daughter.
Spring.
“Spring! Spring!”
At the sound of my call, Spring turns her head.
“…Dad?”
Finally, our eyes meet.
And we run toward each other, hugging tightly.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
“Spring!”
Looking carefully at her face, her eyes, her nose, her mouth, and her puffed cheeks…
Only then did it all sink in.
That I’ve returned.
I am finally home.
