A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 367

367. Abyss of Darkness

No-gun grinned, watching the demonic being pulse with jet-black energy.

“Let’s start easy, shall we?”

*Whoosh.*

No-gun and his sword, So-ryung, shot toward the demonic being. The demonic being, its red eyes fixed on No-gun, sneered.

*Swoosh.*

The blue energy of So-ryung’s blade seemed to leave a shimmering trail as it plunged toward the demonic being. In that instant, the demonic being vanished without a trace.

However, No-gun wasn’t surprised or flustered.

“Hmph.”

*Fwoosh.*

No-gun subtly twisted his body and launched a steel projectile. Surprisingly, the projectile hurtled straight for the demonic being, who was just about to reappear.

*Clang.*

The projectile was easily blocked, but the demonic being couldn’t hide its surprise. No-gun’s projectile had accurately targeted its location even before it had fully materialized.

—*How?*

“Why are you so surprised by so little?”

*Tap.*

As the demonic being’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, No-gun was already upon it.

“The psychology of those who run away is always the same.”

*Whoosh.*

Before the others knew it, No-gun’s So-ryung, already in motion, descended on the demonic being. This time, the demonic being didn’t evade.

*Swoosh.*

The demonic being raised a pale hand as if to grab So-ryung. Simultaneously, the demonic being’s black hands, rippling with dark energy, swarmed behind No-gun.

The plan was to restrain No-gun from behind while blocking So-ryung.

Before Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, or Seo-rin could even react,

*Whoosh.*

No-gun’s flying body suddenly dropped downwards. Using a gravity drop technique, he changed direction in mid-air.

“Haa!”

*Whooong.*

With No-gun’s powerful shout, the force behind So-ryung explosively increased.

And before No-gun’s feet even touched the ground, So-ryung’s blade split the demonic being, several times larger than itself, in two.

*Slash.*

The demonic being’s form momentarily turned into a faint mist, and No-gun landed on the ground. But that was the only reaction from the demonic being.

—*Kkeueoooong.*

With a bizarre wail, the demonic being began to reform.

The demonic being’s form became clearer, as if emerging from a dense fog. There wasn’t even a trace of the impact or damage from the previous strike.

—*Didn’t I say it’s useless?*

It was the same situation as when it had been hit by Geom-hui’s Sanghyoiljeol [a powerful sword technique] earlier. Despite the perfectly aimed strike, the demonic being hadn’t been affected at all.

—*Your sword doesn’t work on me.*

The demonic being’s eyes, looking down at No-gun, were chillingly cold. But No-gun wasn’t surprised, nor did he despair.

“Is that so? Then…”

*Rustle.*

Smirking, No-gun spread his hands. So-ryung had already disappeared into its scabbard, and his fingers were now loaded with steel projectiles.

“I’ll just keep trying until it works, then.”

*Swish, Thwack.*

As he swung both hands, the steel projectiles exploded from under the demonic being’s chin. There wasn’t even time to dodge or block.

*Thwack thwack thwack. Clang.*

No-gun’s steel projectiles instantly pierced the demonic being like it was made of rags. But that didn’t cause any particular damage. And the demonic being wasn’t just standing still either.

*Whoosh whoosh whoosh.*

Ominous energies poured down towards No-gun from all directions. No, to be precise, towards where No-gun *had* been.

Because No-gun had already retreated.

*Kaboom.*

But that wasn’t the end of it. The ominous energies pouring from the demonic being’s numerous hands were chasing after No-gun.

Even in that urgent situation, No-gun’s taunting voice didn’t stop.

“The power of the Demonic Heavens is descending? But so what.”

*Clang.*

No-gun swung So-ryung to meet one of the destructive energies head-on. Using that recoil, he spun his body in mid-air and then charged straight towards the demonic being.

“The core is still the same.”

*Snikt.*

A sound that hadn’t been heard until now echoed. So-ryung had cut nearly half of the demonic being’s hand, which had been raised to block No-gun’s attack.

“You said my sword doesn’t work? But you’ve been blocking or dodging only *this* attack since a while ago.”

No-gun grinned, looking straight into the demonic being’s eyes. The sword energy rippling on So-ryung’s blade stopped right in front of the demonic being’s face.

“This is your weakness, isn’t it?”

The demonic being’s eyes, which had hardly wavered until now, began to blaze. And ominous energies, far greater than before, poured towards No-gun’s back.

“Tch, what a temper.”

No-gun smirked and leaped away. So-ryung’s sword energy bloomed brilliantly in the darkness.

*Kaboom, Clang clang.*

The ceaseless back-and-forth between No-gun and the demonic being was shaking the underground shrine.

At first glance, it seemed like No-gun was toying with the demonic being, but everyone knew he was walking a razor’s edge between life and death.

In an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation where black demonic energy and the energies of experts were churning like mud, a situation where all senses seemed to be cut off, No-gun was facing that demonic being alone, just as he had promised.

“Seo-rin.”

At Son-bin’s voice, Seo-rin raised her head. Son-bin’s gaze was directed not at No-gun, but at the Great Demonic Cauldron, a huge black incense burner.

“Let’s do what we did before.”

Seo-rin quickly understood what that meant. Just like when she had been swallowed by the black demonic energy, if Son-bin created an opening, they would try to destroy the Great Demonic Cauldron with Seo-rin’s power.

“Okay, Brother.”

Seo-rin nodded vigorously.

“Please be careful.”

Dang Wol-ah’s quiet voice flowed out.

“I’ve been trying various things since a while ago, but nothing works on that Great Demonic Cauldron at all.”

Unlike usual, Dang Wol-ah’s voice continued naturally.

“No, I feel like it’s trying to absorb my inner energy instead.”

“Thank you, Miss Wol-ah.”

Son-bin nodded to express his gratitude to Dang Wol-ah. Then he turned his head to look at Sa Su-yeon, who was standing guard in front of him.

“Miss Su-yeon. Even if a dangerous situation arises, please don’t overdo it.”

Sa Su-yeon was wary of the demonic being’s attacks that might target Son-bin.

According to No-gun, it was only natural for the demonic being to try to stop Son-bin from destroying the Great Demonic Cauldron.

“Don’t worry.”

Sa Su-yeon said with a smile.

“I can protect myself, at least.”

She said that, but Sa Su-yeon was prepared to protect Son-bin even at the cost of her own life. She could never allow danger to befall Son-bin because of her own inadequacy.

Finally, Son-bin turned his head to look at Geom-hui.

Geom-hui was standing a little distance away, near the entrance of the underground shrine, watching the overall situation.

She was securing the only escape route and, if necessary, was ready to unleash Sanghyoiljeol at any time to restrain the demonic being.

No-gun had warned that everything could collapse if she made a mistake, but No-gun himself wasn’t even paying attention to that right now.

Son-bin slightly lowered his head to ask Geom-hui to take care of things. Geom-hui’s expression didn’t change at all, but her eyes clearly conveyed affirmation.

*Swoosh.*

Son-bin stood facing the Great Demonic Cauldron and slowly raised the Seon geom Baekro [a treasured sword], closing his eyes.

*Hwaaa.*

An eerie energy swirled around Son-bin.

Of course, it wasn’t that he hadn’t felt the energy of the demonic being until now, but now, the jet-black demonic energy that filled all directions was becoming even more vivid.

A terrifying sight where malice, hatred, pain, and screams seemed to fill all directions.

What was felt from the Great Demonic Cauldron was precisely such a terrible nightmare.

*Buzz.*

A quiet cry from Baekro awakened Son-bin. He opened his eyes and saw Baekro faintly glowing.

The deeper the darkness, the more radiant the light.

The clear energy of the Hyeoncheon Daegangyeol [a powerful martial art] and the subtle streams of light called ‘Afterglow’ were shining more brightly than ever from Baekro’s blade.

Son-bin smiled without realizing it and slowly raised his eyes.

*Kaboom.*

The demonic energy of the Great Demonic Cauldron surged like a huge jet-black torrent, swirling before his eyes.

But he wasn’t afraid. Son-bin took a step forward, looking straight at the center of that torrent.

At that very moment.

*Swish.*

The abyss of darkness opened its eyes towards Son-bin.

* * *

—*Kekeke.*

No-gun frowned at the demonic being’s sudden laughter.

“What’s so good that you’re laughing like that?”

*Swoosh.*

The demonic being’s hand blocked So-ryung’s blade energy that was rushing towards its red eyes.

*Snikt.*

So-ryung’s blade energy instantly dug about halfway into the demonic being’s hand.

“You can’t even handle me.”

*Tap.*

Before the words were even finished, No-gun immediately leaped back. A destructive energy rushed into the spot where he had just been.

*Kaboom.*

Energies exploded along with So-ryung’s blade energy, embroidering the sky. By the time No-gun landed, the demonic being’s hand, which had been half-cut, was regenerating.

*Swish swish.*

—*You are right.*

The demonic being said, retracting its hand. No-gun frowned and glared at it, wondering what this sudden nonsense was.

—*The Demonic energy of Naraka [Buddhist hell] contained within the Great Demonic Cauldron is the source that created all the demonic creatures and demonic beings of this land. So, destroying the Great Demonic Cauldron also means threatening the source of that power.*

There were no more destructive energies rushing towards No-gun. Even the demonic being’s black hands were still.

“So?”

No-gun openly wore a suspicious expression. There was no reason for the demonic being to obediently admit its weakness.

—*Aren’t you curious why I’m facing you instead of him?*

The demonic being laughed, its red eyes filled with undeniable malice and ridicule.

“Brother!”

“Young Master Son!”

At the urgent voices of Seo-rin and Sa Su-yeon, No-gun turned his head, forgetting that he was in front of the demonic being.

And he saw it.

Son-bin’s eyes, standing in front of the Great Demonic Cauldron, were turning gray. It was a bizarre and eerie sight that defied common sense.

Moreover, even the light surrounding Baekro was becoming noticeably dimmer.

“What have you done?”

Flames sparked in No-gun’s eyes.

“What have you done to our Bin!”

No-gun’s angry voice echoed loudly in the underground shrine.

—*One who gazes into the abyss.*

The demonic being said with an extremely calm gaze, eyes devoid of emotion.

—*The abyss will also gaze into him.*

It was like a declaration, an absolute declaration that couldn’t be refuted by any words or logic.

No-gun felt his breath catch in his throat for a moment. As if savoring that sight, the demonic being continued.

—*I’m looking forward to it. What kind of demonic being will he transform into? Perhaps a new Demon King will descend upon this land.*

The demonic being was laughing as if everything was already over. It didn’t even consider restraining or opposing No-gun or the others.

—*For someone once called the Great General to fall and become a Demon King, isn’t that truly thrilling?*

For it, this was the most joyful moment ever. Now that a new demonic being was about to be born from the Great Demonic Cauldron, that joy would be complete.

*Grit.*

No-gun gritted his teeth and immediately leaped towards Son-bin, shouting.

“Everyone, stick to Bin!”

Almost no one immediately understood those words. No-gun, who landed right in front of Son-bin, grabbed Son-bin’s shoulder.

“Hurry!”

Only then did Sa Su-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, Seo-rin, and Geom-hui stand close to Son-bin.

“W-where do I grab?”

At Seo-rin’s flustered question, No-gun answered dismissively.

“Anywhere. Just hold on tight.”

Seo-rin squeaked and clung to Son-bin’s arm as if hanging on for dear life.

“And then?”

At Dang Wol-ah’s voice, No-gun gritted his teeth.

“Tell him not to go.”

No-gun never thought he would say such ridiculous words, but the only method he could think of was something like this.

“Don’t leave us behind, don’t go.”

It was too powerless, but it was a word filled with No-gun’s sincerity.

* * *

It existed in an abyss so deep it was dizzying, a chilling feeling as if looking straight at the naked face of malice hidden in the darkness.

But at the same time, it brought a certain joy. The veil that had been covering the truth was lifted, and the deep secrets of the world were revealed before his eyes, a joy like seeing the naked body of a Peerless Beauty alone.

Looking at the great darkness standing before him, Son-bin felt such contradictory emotions at the same time.

*Whooooosh.*

The darkness was raging in all directions. That tremendous jet-black torrent embraced Son-bin and flowed fiercely.

In that torrent where it felt like everything about him would be swept away at any moment, Son-bin felt a completely unfamiliar, yet all too familiar sensation.

It was familiarity.

An undeniable sense of kinship felt at the same time as an instinctive sense of disgust. It was a sensation that Son-bin himself couldn’t understand at all.

*Buzz.*

Son-bin lowered his gaze at the sensation he suddenly felt in his hand.

Baekro was crying, but that cry was smaller and more fragile than ever before.

The light was also so faint that it seemed like it would disappear at any moment. The clear energy of the Hyeoncheon Daegangyeol and the traces of that ultimate flow that Hyeongma had called ‘Afterglow’ were now just faint traces.

Like a memory that had briefly passed by long ago, or like a faint attachment that no longer had meaning, it had already faded.

*Whoooooooooosh.*

The jet-black torrent enveloped Son-bin. Now, that flow was neither chilling nor disgusting. Even the sounds like screams that rang in his ears now seeped in naturally, like the sound of a flowing river.

*Swish.*

Son-bin removed one hand from Baekro and reached out towards that jet-black torrent.

Now he knew. No, he couldn’t even understand how he had been ignoring this clear and obvious thing until now.

It had always been by his side, right there, where he could reach it just by reaching out his hand. He had just been pretending not to see it.

It was at that very moment when Son-bin’s fingertips were about to touch the jet-black abyss.

*Ding.*

It was a very faint sound, a sound like a meaningless noise that would be immediately swallowed by the jet-black torrent.

But Son-bin turned his head because that subtle sound was calling his name.

*Ding, Ding.*

It was a small and fragile light, a light that seemed like it would go out at any moment, circling around Son-bin without disappearing.

Not only that.

As Son-bin looked at that light, those lights had already landed on his shoulders, back, arms, and chest.

‘Ah.’

It was warmth. The moment he felt that small and faint warmth, Son-bin realized that he was standing in a terribly cold place, a cold place where all things seemed to freeze and remain frozen.

‘That’s right.’

*Buzz.*

Baekro began to cry again. The clear energy of the Hyeoncheon Daegangyeol regained its light, and a faint glow flickered and shone again.

‘I am…….’

*Whoooooosh.*

The small lights had already increased to countless numbers. In those lights, Son-bin saw.

The laughter of children, the bright and warm times he had spent in the Seowon [private Confucian academy], and the happy smiling faces of his precious people.

Suddenly, warmth filled his chest, and he felt like he was about to cry. Only then did Son-bin raise his head and face the abyss of darkness again.

“I’m sorry, but.”

Saying it would be meaningless, but Son-bin wanted to say it. It was his own respect for the great other stream that had once contained the stars.

“I have already made my choice.”

*Rustle.*

Son-bin gripped Baekro. At that moment, he vividly felt a soft warmth lightly brushing against his cheek, a touch so soft and slightly cold.

*Buzz.*

Baekro cried. Listening to that sound of joy, Son-bin swung Baekro down as it was, resolutely and clearly.

(Author’s words)

??? : (Voice modulation) No, I just looked because I was curious, but you suddenly looked at me…….

*Ah, April is over.

I couldn’t sleep because of the rapidly decreasing reserves, but I was happy because you were with me.