Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 140

Tales of the Spirit Lancer – Episode 139

No sound.

No sensation.

Only desolate silence.

It was the only thing that enveloped me, the only thing that existed.

My mind was hazy, and I couldn’t recall what I was thinking or doing.

I was just blank.

I didn’t know if my eyes were open or closed, nor did I care.

Just being here, without a thought, wasn’t so bad.

* * *

The confrontation between the gray tiger and Jaryong, which had lasted for three days, showed no signs of ending.

The swordsmen of the Sword Spirit Island were all trembling with fear as they watched the violet mist.

KWAANG!!

The mist heaved, and a roar erupted. Through the gaps, the figure of Jaryong with damaged scales was briefly visible, and the blood-soaked gray tiger appeared and disappeared.

It was then.

Suddenly, the violet mist expanded at an incredible speed, and blue flames soared with a deafening explosion.

[Kuaaaaak!!]

Ji-chung, in the form of Jaryong, screamed.

Taking advantage of the gap, the gray tiger clung to Ji-chung’s body and bit his neck.

Kwaddeuk!

Ji-chung twisted his body like an earthworm.

He seemed to be in considerable pain.

It was only natural, as the tiger’s teeth, as well as its entire body, were as sharp and hard as swords.

Ji-chung gnashed his teeth and thought.

Even though the beast’s body is tough, his own, possessing the Golden Body Technique, is equally sturdy.

The hardness of their bodies is about the same.

However, besides being hard, the beast’s body also possessed a keen sharpness.

Thanks to that, he was having quite a hard time.

This was the reason why the fight had not been decided even after three days.

He couldn’t bear to be humiliated like this by a mere spirit beast.

[I was going to deal with you using the Adamantine Body Art, but I have no choice! Now is the time to avenge the Sea Dragon Clan, rather than indulge my pride!]

Ji-chung, as if making excuses, suddenly chanted a strange incantation and concentrated his mind.

From within Ji-chung’s mind, fire spirits rapidly shot out in all directions.

Then, a strange wave began to spread from within the mist.

The tiger, sensing the anomaly, tried to retreat.

[Too late!]

Kieeeing.

With a bizarre sound, the space within the violet mist rippled as if a ripple was forming.

Soon, the heavens and earth reversed, the scenery changed, and all sorts of metal pillars began to soar high into the sky.

The illusionary realm of Ji-chung, the Great Elder of the Sea Dragon Clan.

It was the Six Realms Witchcraft Illusion (六界巫蠱幻) [a powerful illusion technique using witchcraft and spirits from six realms].

Soon, the colorful metal pillars turned into dust, and the dust transformed into all sorts of insects.

The insects varied greatly in size, from small ones to those as large as ten spans [a span is the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended].

Ji-chung’s figure disappeared, and only an eerie laughter was heard.

The gray tiger growled menacingly and remained vigilant, but there seemed to be no way to escape the illusionary realm.

Joy filled Ji-chung’s face.

[Struggle as much as you want!!]

* * *

My consciousness was gradually sinking.

Originally, it would have sunk to the point where it could sink no further.

[Pierce your woman.]

But these words kept echoing in my head, disturbing my peace.

My woman, you say.

It’s hard to figure out who he means.

Is he talking about Hwaran?

Or perhaps Chaluk?

Or maybe my disciple?

Or if not…

I tried to ignore it, but it kept echoing in my head when I was about to forget.

Could that be why?

I kept thinking about that child.

Snow-white hair like a snowy mountain in winter and clear blue eyes like a pristine lake.

That child with a beautiful face of verdant hair and rosy cheeks (綠鬢紅顔) [a poetic description of youthful beauty, referring to dark hair and rosy complexion].

I kept thinking about that child.

She was a child with an unfortunate fate, and I had to let her go because I couldn’t handle it.

But the child became a complete woman in a short time and came to find me.

I felt so sorry.

One of the reasons I ended up getting married was guilt.

She had gone through so much because of me, but her affection for me was immense.

It was amazing.

I hadn’t done anything properly for her, yet she loved me so much.

What am I worth?

Why does she pour out so much affection that I can’t even repay?

So I worried.

The more I did, the more sorry I felt.

I wasn’t even sure if what I felt for her was truly affection or something else.

We were married, but the feelings I had for her were a bit different from tender affection.

In the meantime, I left her behind to save Hwaran.

I cherished her, but there were other complex reasons as well.

That’s why I felt sorry.

I couldn’t even hold a wedding like ordinary people do, so wouldn’t she be upset, even if she didn’t show it?

For these various reasons, I felt truly sorry for that child.

Ah.

That must be why.

‘Husband… do you love me?’

A word that pierces the depths of my heart.

Moreover, it was even more so because it was said by that child, and no one else.

I couldn’t answer.

If what I felt was love, it could be called love, but it was quite different from the tenderness I felt for Chaluk. Moreover, because what that child gave was so deep and broad, my own seemed infinitely narrow and shallow.

It’s a strange thing.

Even though there are many women, that child, whom I especially think is ambiguous, keeps catching my eye.

It was then.

Twooong.

I felt a clear energy enveloping my body along with a clear sound.

It was a familiar resonance and energy.

It was definitely the exorcising energy emanating from the Hangbosa Ingeom [a sacred sword with exorcising powers].

Only then did I open my eyes.

When I opened my eyes wide, I was in a pure white space, my whole body pierced by swords.

They were swords of various colors and different appearances.

[Pierce your woman.]

Only then did I realize.

Why Hwanmang said such a thing.

A woman clicking her tongue was clinging to me before my eyes.

“You are not Hwaran.”

“If I am not Hwaran, then what are you? Do you still think you are you?”

The voice changed.

The appearance also changed, and a jet-black aura was overflowing.

“I am….”

Swords of various appearances were embedded all over my body.

They were getting deeper and deeper.

Digging into my body.

In an instant, all sorts of memories stirred.

Am I Yang So-paeng?

Or Kang Ryong?

Or Hwabung?

Or Hong Gyeong?

I myself began to get confused.

“The years and emotions they have lived are more than a thousand years old. Can you, who have lived only a few hundred years, handle it?”

I didn’t know.

I’ve never thought about it.

But I knew one thing.

Hwaran in front of me.

Something in the form of Hwaran.

That is.

“I know it’s a Heart Demon (心魔) [a demon born from one’s inner weaknesses and desires].”

Thuck!

I grabbed his neck.

Hwareureuk!

Blue flames soared as if to engulf him and me. A tearing scream echoed all around, and his figure rippled.

“Mountain Lord! It’s hot!”

He was Hwaran.

“Husband! I’m dying, please!”

It was Choa.

“Tiger!! Are you going to kill your mother?!”

And he screamed, taking on the appearance of my mother, whom I had never met.

“Hwanmang must have noticed the Heart Demon that was already inside me back then.”

That’s why he put a curse on me to make my body move.

“And you were trying to take over my body by taking advantage of the gap where the sword came in.”

“Kkieaaaaaaak!!”

The Heart Demon’s body began to turn to ashes in the fiercely burning blue flames. He tried to appease me by transforming into all the people I had met.

I knew why those who practiced asceticism feared the Heart Demon the most.

It picks out the most vulnerable and weak parts and appears, so there is nothing you can do.

“But it’s no use now.”

He is a Heart Demon born from the regrets and lamentations I had inadvertently harbored.

Now that I am aware of it, there is no need or reason to be afraid.

“Kuaaaaaaaaaak!!”

The Heart Demon screamed in agony.

But only for a moment.

He glared at me as if to kill me and said as if spitting out the resentment that was etched in his bones.

“Do you think I’ll disappear if you do this! I am your Heart Demon! I will be reborn again at any time and aim for your neck!!”

“So, are you telling me to offer my body to you? Nonsense!”

He didn’t disappear as if he would disappear.

He was rippling in the blue flames, but he seemed to lack strength.

A finishing blow was needed.

I tried to pull out the sword stuck in my body, but it never came out.

Then, I suddenly felt it.

The sword that was standing still beside me.

Although I couldn’t see it, she was always there.

I grabbed the air.

Flames rose from the hilt of the sword that my hand touched, and the appearance of the sword was revealed.

The straight sword seemed to tell her personality, and the beautiful appearance seemed to be looking at her.

I immediately swung the sword and cut off the Heart Demon’s neck.

A clear sword cry was heard, and the Heart Demon’s distorted head was cut off.

With a dull noise, his head disappeared without leaving any ashes.

The scenery, which had been a pure white space, began to heave greatly and change.

All sorts of landscapes overlapped and changed from moment to moment. There I was Daeho, but I was also Yang So-paeng, Hwabung, Hong Gyeong, and Kang Ryong.

The sword that was stuck in me had completely penetrated into my body, and even the hilt was not visible.

But I didn’t care.

There is something I have to do.

Whatever I am.

And whoever I am.

The sword in my hand is Hwaran.

I don’t know where this is, but that doesn’t change anything.

“Have you been protecting me all along?”

Hwaran-ah.

Then the sword throbbed greatly and slipped out of my hand, circling around me.

It was then.

The Manggeuk Ilgeom (Myriad Extremes One Sword) [a sword formed from the fusion of countless other swords] escaped from my body and began to resonate.

The 312 swords swam in the air like a school of fish, then suddenly merged into one and emitted a dazzling light.

They merged into one sword.

Soon, the appearance of the sword changed, and a woman with long hair fluttering in the air fell to me.

I was filled with joy, accepted her, and made eye contact.

“Have you been waiting?”

The eyes and lips that looked at me with a smile were truly welcome.

It was Hwaran.

My Hwaran.

“Why are you so late?”

“I was late to make you anxious.”

I looked at Hwaran for a long time while making eye contact.

I had so much to say.

While you were a sword, I cultivated for over 100 years.

I even cut off my own horn and put it in my head to wake you up.

I wanted to complain about this and that.

I also wanted to brag.

But the time was not right.

“There are many things I want to ask. How did I transcend Geomnotaksaeng (劍奴托生) [reincarnation as a sword slave] and Geomnyeonghwaya (劍靈和惹) [becoming one with the sword spirit] to become a Sword Spirit!”

I don’t know either.

But I felt like I knew what to do to find out.

I took her hand.

Hwaran looked at me pitifully with an expression that she understood at once.

Soon, I grabbed Hwaran, who had turned into a sword.

Whether it becomes Hwaran (禍亂 – disaster) or Hwaran (花爛 – flower radiance) depends on the owner.

I immediately stabbed Hwaran into my body.

Pook.

After that.

My body collapsed along with the swords.