## Ch-65.
Haryeong showed not the slightest twitch of her brow even after tossing into her mouth a reagent of unknown nature that had been rolling across the floor—one personally concocted by the Old Crone, the runaway from the Rudella Magic Tower who handled corpses.
Like a critic tasting and evaluating cuisine, she rolled it around her mouth for a moment, thinking. Then she crouched down, straightened the sprawled Sword Dragon, and checked his condition.
“Perhaps not Sword Dragon… but Sword Idiot.”
After confirming that he had lost consciousness, she muttered. She swallowed the unidentified reagent she had been chewing, rose to her feet, and examined the reagents on display.
“He won’t die… will he?”
Yuri asked, unable to hide his concern. If Sword Dragon were to die here, it would not be Yuri and Haryeong’s fault. It would be a tragic accident brought on by Sword Dragon’s own carelessness in gulping down an unknown substance.
But the Orsia Family would not see it that way. Misunderstandings could arise. They might even be falsely accused.
“A normal person would die. This idiot won’t.”
Though she had swallowed only a few drops, the aftertaste was foul. Haryeong turned her head and spat lightly to the side, then selected several reagents from the shelf and moved to a worktable in the corner.
“His body is extremely healthy, his constitution excellent, and his internal energy profound. Thanks to this idiot’s foolish act, we’ve gained valuable information.”
“What information?”
“That killing Sword Dragon with poison won’t be easy.”
Not easy—but not impossible. With the Tang Family’s ultimate poisons, even Sword Dragon could be slain.
Yuri stepped closer to the worktable. Haryeong dripped measured drops of selected reagents into a clean flask and added powdered substances from her pouch. As she combined the mixture with careful focus, Yuri found his own expression growing serious.
He did not know the exact ratios, but she was a member of the Tang Family.
Whatever circumstances had led her to transfer from the assassination sect governed by the Tang Family to the Salho Gate, it was clear that her skill extended beyond assassination alone—her talent with poison was formidable.
It struck him as somewhat surprising. The Tang Family’s poison arts were renowned in both reality and game alike, yet Yuri had rarely seen Haryeong deliberately use poison.
Coating daggers with venom. Administering truth serum. That alone qualified as poison usage, certainly—but it lacked the profound depth one expected of the Tang Family’s arts.
‘Though how much profundity does poison really need?’
There were many things he was curious about regarding Haryeong, but he refrained from asking. If he began prying, she would undoubtedly use it as an excuse to ask difficult questions in return.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
Haryeong glanced sideways at Yuri while lightly swirling the flask in one hand.
“Are you finding unexpected charm in my intellectual demeanor?”
“I was just curious.”
“Are you curious about me?”
The question came abruptly. Though she often spouted nonsense with an unreadable face, she sometimes asked such sharp questions.
“It would be a lie to say I’m not. But I won’t be the one to ask first.”
“Why?”
“Because I feel that if you reveal a secret, you’ll demand one from me in return.”
At the honest answer, her lips twitched slightly—likely suppressing a smile.
“Do you still have many secrets?”
“Yes.”
[Earlier, the letter. You said you would tell me later.]
The question came not aloud, but through voice transmission.
[It stated that the Cult of Chaos is searching for a certain Possessor.]
[The one Point Ignition mentioned? The Possessor regarded as the Cult’s Saint? Is that you, Yuri-nim?]
[No.]
[That sounds like a lie. Possessors’ names are truly peculiar and grotesque, aren’t they—Mr. Cat-Panties.]
[Th-that’s not exactly a name. More like… a nickname.]
[What on earth did you do to earn the nickname Cat-Panties? Yuri-nim, did you go around on Earth showing cat panties?]
[Don’t talk nonsense.]
[Calling it a nickname only makes it more puzzling. That Myohee. Rabbit Princess. Usa… none of it makes sense. Pad-lip Immune? What is “pad-lip”?]
[I don’t know.]
Even before the ceremony of Full-Moon Play, his face had not wavered. Yuri maintained a poker face surpassing even Haryeong’s.
[Yuri-nim.]
Her lips curved faintly upward.
[I will never reveal to anyone that you are a Possessor. Whether you are Cat-Panties, Usa-Usa… Mi? Rabbit Princess? Or Pad-lip Immune.]
[…]
[My connection and loyalty to you and Lady Elena are part of the reason. But the greatest reason is my own greed.]
[What greed?]
[That I share a fatal secret with you.]
Yuri did not immediately grasp her meaning. As he tilted his head, she chuckled softly and set down the flask.
[That fact pleases me greatly. It is no boast, but my life has been rather unfortunate, uncomfortable, unpleasant, and dull. Thanks to you, Yuri-nim, it is now quite enjoyable—and thrilling.]
[I… see?]
[Yes. Had I not known your secret, I would not feel this way. I wish to enjoy such days for a long time. And I wish to savor the specialness of being the only one who knows your fatal secret.]
Only then did Yuri understand what her “greed” meant. He had never imagined such a reason and could only blink blankly.
“Hm.”
After studying his expression briefly, she straightened her faint smile and turned.
“It’s finished.”
She looked down at the still-unconscious Sword Dragon with faint exasperation, opened his mouth, and slowly poured in the contents of the flask. Then she rapidly pressed several of his acupoints.
“Khuh—!”
After a short while, Sword Dragon regained consciousness. Clutching his chest, he rose with ragged coughs before snapping his head up.
“Are you alright?”
Though awake, his mind was sluggish. He blinked blankly, then raised a trembling hand to touch his cheek.
“…”
Gradually, comprehension dawned. His face flushed red as he spoke haltingly.
“I… did something foolish.”
“As long as you know. Why would you drink something you couldn’t even identify?”
“In my judgment… it was a potion. It seemed suspicious, but I thought I’d be fine.”
“Why would you be fine? And even if it were a potion, why would you suddenly drink it?”
Sword Dragon hesitated at the sharp rebuke.
“…The color… was interesting. I was curious what it would taste like…”
Yuri was left speechless.
The reagent had been orange.
“What, did you think it’d taste like oranges?”
“Not particularly delicious. I thought it might be sweet, but it was only bitter.”
“Ordinary poisons may not affect you easily, Sword Dragon, but you were overconfident.”
Haryeong clicked her tongue.
“If you truly wish for a body immune to poison, you must cultivate it step by step to build resistance.”
“I was too complacent.”
Sword Dragon let out a long sigh and bowed deeply.
“Had Lady Haryeong and Thunder Cloud not been here, I would have died for my careless stupidity. Thus, you are both my saviors.”
“I did nothing. Repay Lady Haryeong.”
“Had Yuri-nim not been here, I would not have been here either. Repay him.”
Hearing them pass the credit back and forth, Sword Dragon laughed shortly.
“I shall repay both of you. If there is anything you desire, speak freely. Not only did you disperse the cult’s assembly and slay the bishop, but you saved my life. Even if I must open the treasury of the Orsia Family, I will reward you.”
Obtaining Corpse Dissolution Reversion alone was an immense stroke of fortune—yet he was offering access to the Orsia Family’s treasury as well.
“I will take an elixir.”
Haryeong spoke after politely stepping back once.
“Yuri-nim, is there something you desire?”
“Hmm…”
In the game, there were numerous items that could be farmed from the Orsia Family. The most valuable was the epic skill dropped by the Sword Emperor—Sword Saint’s Art. Though it suffered from long wind-up and recovery times, its power was the greatest among all sword skills in Seronis.
Aside from Sword Saint’s Art, there were equipment items—the armor of the Orsian Knights, the Sword Emperor’s blade, and more. If one were raising a swordsman, the Orsia Family possessed numerous items worthy of being called endgame gear.
Unfortunately, Yuri was not a swordsman. Nor did he feel much need for defensive gear like armor. He considered whether there was another epic item worth requesting, but nothing came to mind that he felt compelled to demand.
‘A martial arts manual?’
The Orsia Family was a martial house. Though famed primarily for the sword, they likely possessed a variety of martial manuals. Even if not developed by the family themselves, any manuals collected or preserved by them would, at minimum, be unique-grade skills.
“I’ll take an elixir as well.”
After some deliberation, Yuri chose an elixir too. Sword Shadow, who had departed with the Young Cult Leader, had pointed out his “lack” of internal energy.
It was because of the Veil of Deception. To lure opponents into lowering their guard—and to serve as proof that he had only begun learning martial arts a little over two years ago—he always concealed more than half of his internal energy.
In truth, thanks to his high mana affinity and the abilities of the Evil-Quelling Heavenly Principle Technique, his internal energy was far from lacking. Compared to others of the same Rank, he was not inferior at all.
‘An elixir should be taken when the opportunity arises.’
He had long since passed the stage where Rank breakthroughs depended purely on internal energy, and at higher Ranks victory was no longer decided by internal energy alone.
Still, to avoid petty remarks later about how profound or shallow his energy might be, it was better to consume as many elixirs as possible.
“An elixir, then. Very well.”
Sword Dragon nodded firmly.
“But Thunder Cloud, what exactly are you holding?”
When Yuri handed over the crystal orb and the directive and explained what they were, Sword Dragon’s eyes trembled.
—
—
Two days after leaving the Evil Hamlet of Zone Four.
They crossed the vast outer district—large enough to rival a small city—and arrived before the gates of the “true” Panteleon.
Before the gates bustled crowds of citizens from Zones One and Two, tourists from other cities, and foreign merchant caravans lacking trade permits—all waiting for entry approval.
It was not as enormous as Lutran, yet the stature of a city was not determined by size alone. With the Orsia Family, the Selvis Magic Tower, and several other prestigious houses, this city was one of the most prosperous on the continent.
Those without citizenship had to undergo inspection and pay an entry fee before entering the city. If their stay exceeded a month, the fee had to be renewed.
Such was the law of Panteleon—but it was not absolute. If one possessed proper qualifications, inspection was waived and entry fees exempted.
For Yuri and Haryeong, their association with Sword Dragon served as that qualification.
“Young Master Estor!”
Ignoring the throngs, Sword Dragon approached the gate as though it were only natural. Several figures leapt down from the walls.
On their matching uniforms gleamed a star shaped like a sharpened blade—the knights of the Orsia Family. With anxious expressions, they blocked Estor’s path.
“Where have you been for over a week without leaving a word?”
“Do you know how furious the Patriarch has been? Had you been one more day late, half the knight order would have set out to search for you!”
The weakest-looking among them was Fourth Rank.
It was obvious they were all above that level. Such were the knights of the Orsia Family.
“I went to Zone Four.”
Sword Dragon’s face remained calm as he faced their concern.
“Zone Four… you mean the Evil Hamlet?”
“Why would you visit such a squalid place?”
“I will report directly to the Patriarch.”
Dismissing their uproar, Sword Dragon turned toward Yuri and Haryeong.
“These two are my friends—and my saviors. Treat them as you would treat me.”
Curious and wary gazes fell upon them. Yuri simply received the stares without introducing himself.
“Understood.”
The oldest-looking knight bowed deeply.
“Shall you return to the family immediately?”
“If you intend to drag me there anyway, no need to ask, Sir Drist.”
“Drag you? How could we? Still, the Patriarch is indeed enraged, so I strongly advise you to return at once.”
“Tch.”
At the word *enraged*, even Sword Dragon’s composed expression crumpled slightly.
“I’ve shown an embarrassing side.”
Inside the carriage, he sighed heavily.
“I did not expect them to be waiting at the gate.”
“You’re beloved by your family.”
Yuri replied, glancing out the window. The carriage had set off without the slightest jolt—not across the ground, but through the sky.
“Beloved? I would call it overprotection.”
Sword Dragon smiled bitterly.
“I do not fail to understand the Patriarch’s heart, but I am no longer a child.”
Twenty-five years ago.
The Sword Emperor had passed the position of Patriarch to his son, the Sword Lord. Though he had overcome aging through rejuvenation, he did so to usher in a generational shift and to further hone his own blade.
The newly appointed Sword Lord was not equal to his father, but he was exceptional. Already Seventh Rank at the time, he was widely believed capable of reaching the Sword Emperor’s realm given time.
He never did.
Twenty years ago, the Sword Lord and his wife vanished, leaving behind only a letter declaring severed ties.
To withdraw not merely from the leadership of Orsia—the foremost martial house in the cartel—but to declare estrangement entirely. To disappear even leaving behind their infant son. Rumors abounded, but the truth remained unknown.
With his son’s incomprehensible severance and disappearance, the Sword Emperor, who had stepped back from the forefront, had no choice but to reassume leadership of Orsia.
Sword Dragon—Estor—did not remember his parents’ faces. He had been only two years old when they left with a single letter.
It was his grandfather, the Sword Emperor, who raised him. And it was the Sword Emperor who taught him the sword.
“The Patriarch will likely take great interest in you.”
Watching the scenery blur past the window, Sword Dragon spoke.
“There is something he often says. That among this generation’s rising talents, I am the most outstanding. Until now, I never doubted it. I believed so myself. But now, I know those words are wrong.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. Between you and me, who’s superior isn’t so certain, is it?”
“That is precisely what I wish to confirm today.”
Sword Dragon grinned at Yuri.
“Thunder Cloud. Will you spar with me?”
“At the Orsia Family?”
“I wish to request the Patriarch’s arbitration.”
“You’re putting me in a difficult position. You want me to thrash his grandson in front of the Sword Emperor?”
At the grumbling reply, Sword Dragon blinked.
“Hahaha!”
He burst into laughter.
“You say it’s uncertain, yet it seems you’ve already reached a conclusion in your mind.”
“Not a conclusion.”
“Do not worry—you will not be placed in difficulty. It is true the Patriarch favors me, but he is first and foremost a martial artist. If I lose, he will reprimand me. And he will lavish praise upon you.”
Sword Dragon continued with conviction.
“There is another reason I seek his arbitration. Thunder Cloud, I believe you are a man worthy of the title ‘Dragon.’ No—you must be called a Dragon.”
“Why?”
“Because I am Sword Dragon.”
He smiled.
“But a title—especially ‘Dragon’—cannot be self-proclaimed. The world must deem it so. Thunder Cloud, you are still unknown. But once word spreads of what happened in Zone Four, your name will rise immediately.”
Reputation.
Yuri felt conflicted.
If one lived in this world with power, reputation followed naturally. For a Possessor like him, it was a double-edged sword.
“Like most high-ranking masters, the Patriarch takes interest in outstanding rising talents. Perhaps he may be the first to grant you the title ‘Dragon.’”
“That would be an honor… but you also want the Sword Emperor’s advice regarding the spar.”
“Correct.”
That answer also implied that Sword Dragon had already anticipated the result of their duel. Though he was the one who had requested it, he did not believe his chances of victory exceeded half.
Sword Dragon was a man who had never tasted defeat against a peer of his age. Yet he did not fear defeat. From childhood, under the Sword Emperor and the family’s knights, he had suffered many defeats—and had grown by compensating for his shortcomings.
“Rather than explain how I was defeated, it would be better to request arbitration and show him directly.”
The flying carriage slowly descended.
They had arrived at the Orsia Family estate.
Заманчивое предложение от идиота меча