...Even in such a tumultuous era, it seems a small peace is destined to bloom.
Following the child's guidance, I ran until, before I knew it, a small village began to come into view.
The village erected upon the endlessly sprawling land possessed its own vitality, despite being in the chaotic and cataclysmic period known as the 'Archon War'.
Black smoke, a silent scream of fire, rose, and the fragrant scent grew gradually stronger.
"Is this the place?"
At my question, Giyeon, who had only just now opened her tightly shut eyes, spoke.
"Yes! This is our village!"
"...A village built near the Guili Plains... It must be safe."
Did the person who first thought to build this village know divine protection was close by, or did they build it simply because the scenery was good?
If it were me, it would probably be the latter.
As I came to a complete stop, Giyeon, who had jumped down from my back, was about to run towards the village but hesitated and looked back at me.
And in that time, I was deeply pondering where I should go to obtain information about the Archon War and survive favorably.
The lifespan gained through the Rejuvenation of Youth and Reversal of Aging didn't reach 3000 years, but if I advanced to the next realm, I should be able to secure at least 3000 years.
To reach the next realm, survival comes first. Moreover...
I observed my body and thought.
Certainly. My physique had long since reached the Pinnacle Attainment stage, and my spirit had barely reached Pinnacle Attainment through the principle of 'The Sword is Me, I am the Sword'. But...
I looked at my sword.
...My techniques. Are lacking.
I focused solely on thrusting, cutting, and deflecting rock to raise my realm.
Naturally, in foundational aspects like swordsmanship, footwork, and protective energy, I had already reached the Pinnacle Attainment stage.
But I had not learned anything else derived from these three...
It's lacking.
To express it, it's like a situation where, to build a tower, you ignored all other necessary materials and simply stacked two pillars straight up to reach the sky.
Among Mind, Energy, and Body, 'Mind' and 'Body' had grown overwhelmingly, causing 'Energy' to become relatively too low.
It's precarious and unstable.
To advance to the next realm, I need to add flesh.
Techniques. What I need are forms and various techniques.
And the various enlightenments that follow will lead me to an even higher realm.
As I was reaffirming my goals, Giyeon spoke to me.
"Um... If you haven't eaten yet. Would you like to eat before you go? Since you're here, I can introduce you to our village too!"
...Is it because she's a person from 3000 years ago? Her sense of crisis is sorely lacking.
"...Giyeon. You shouldn't follow a stranger so easily."
"Why?"
"Because they could be dangerous."
"But you saved me?"
"...They could be pretending to be kind."
"Okay! Then I'll be careful from now on! So, will you eat with us?!"
...Talk goes in one ear and out the other.
By the way... Food...
I still can't forget the feeling of sharp insect legs scraping the roof of my mouth and the sensation of slime fluid sticking to my throat.
...Food.
"Alright. I'd be grateful if you could share a little."
"Then I'll go ahead and tell them first!!! Oh right! Our village's name is Guili Assembly!!!"
...?!
Guili Assembly? That Guili Assembly?!
Giyeon threw words that caused a huge ripple in my heart and then quickly ran off to the village.
So it's called Guili Assembly. This place.
Judging by the scale of the village, it seems I fell to this land before it developed into a city.
That village. Will become Guili Assembly.
I slowly moved my steps towards the familiar place name I heard once again.
...By the way, if she came with me, it would only take three steps.
Thinking I might as well enjoy the scenery, I put my hands behind my back and began to walk slowly.
Beyond the stretching plains, a part of the sea and a mountain peak were visible.
That's probably Qingce Village, right? Though it seems people of this era just call it 'Qingce'.
Swish. Swish.
Oops. I should use my footwork.
As I circulated internal energy around my feet, my body floated lightly into the air, becoming able to support itself even by treading on the tips of the grass.
I can't carelessly damage even a single blade of grass. This is such noble and precious nature.
I walked slowly forward, gradually approaching the village.
And as I entered the outskirts of the village.
"Benefactor!!!"
A man and woman pair rushed out and bowed their heads to greet me.
...?
Ah.
"You must be Giyeon's parents. Pleased to meet you."
"Thank you so much! We heard most of the whole story from Giyeon, Benefactor!"
Hmm. This situation is a bit embarrassing.
I tidied my hair slightly and spoke.
"There's no need for such gratitude. I merely did what I could."
"But even so, many people in these times do not act. We can only thank you again."
The two, who bowed once more to express their gratitude, soon led me inside a tent.
Is it because it's 3000 years ago... It seems to be somewhere between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.
The two scooped something from a pot-like vessel from which a fragrant smell wafted and soon offered it to me, and Giyeon, her parents, and I soon sat around the pot.
"And then when the Benefactor appeared~"
Giyeon was already explaining what had happened to her parents for the third time, seeming very happy about something.
I stared blankly at the soup-like substance contained in the stone vessel.
Fish meat, cleaned and prepared for easy eating, floated about, and herbs adorned the fish's side.
...This is the best.
Carefully bringing the soup to my lips, I took a sip into my mouth.
...Delicious!
Was it because I had only eaten bitter bugs and slimes with unpleasant textures? It was so delicious.
A single tear flowed out from the warmth of the food and the familial atmosphere I felt for the first time in so long.
What I had forgotten was not just my name.
My... family.
My parents.
Their faces. Names. Voices.
All... forgotten.
I had forgotten.
As I shed tears, Giyeon's flustered parents fidgeted and checked if the soup was strange, and Giyeon sneakily approached and patted my back.
"...My apologies. I was lost in old memories for a moment. The food is truly to my liking, so please don't worry."
"Not at all. I'm glad the food is to your liking."
Giyeon's mother, who was in charge of cooking, happily and readily offered me another bowl, and
Giyeon chattered even more excitedly with a smile.
And I smiled as I watched the scene.
The sunset glow deepened.
I examined the newly received clothes here and there and sat down.
Perhaps because I had worn them for a hundred years, my clothes had become complete rags, and Giyeon's mother, who had been looking at my clothes, couldn't hold back any longer and offered me new clothes.
They look like ancient Chinese clothing... the kind that only appears in martial arts novels.
Perhaps considering that I travel the world here and there, Giyeon's mother gifted me clothes dyed black.
I lightly grasped the gifted clothes.
Warmth... human warmth.
How long has it been?
Feeling the warmth of human kindness, I looked up at the sky.
The sun had begun to set.
It was the time when all living creatures return home to relieve the fatigue accumulated during the day. The sun, which had illuminated the land from the sky all day, must also have accumulated weariness.
The clouds burn. Twilight approaches.
And I trembled at the visually perceptible passage of time for the first time in so long and deeply engraved the scene in my mind.
And Giyeon, who had approached me without me noticing, seeing me like that, sat down beside me and asked.
"Looking at the scenery again. Don't you get tired of it?"
"How could I tire of this scene. It's too beautiful."
"...You look younger than my dad but act even more like an old man than he does."
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Haha. I'm probably older than your father's father.
"Go help your parents. They'll be waiting."
"...Okay."
I smiled and watched the gradually darkening sky.
Stars rose.
In this world's sky too, stars rise.
Looking up at the stars, I drew my sword.
The true value of Noctilucous Jade reveals itself at night.
The Noctilucous Jade emitting a faint light like moonlight.
I, seemingly intoxicated by that light, stared blankly at the Noctilucous Jade sword.
...!
I heard something.
A sound like rapidly pounding the earth.
Thudthudthudthudthudthudthud.
...Demons!
I sprang up from my spot, gripped my sword, and leaped.
Boom!
From my leap, executed before I could even employ my footwork, the earth exploded, and dust flew in all directions.
Having leaped like that, I faced a horde of demons after only three leaps.
A horde of demons that seemed to number at least several dozen.
The direction this demon horde was heading was clear.
The village. They were heading for the village.
How dare they!
"Halt!"
I raised my sword high and infused it with energy.
The sword aura that bloomed like a heat haze twisted like a rope and became a blade of sword energy.
I cut.
Whoosh!
The air split.
Sccccratch!
The earth split.
With my single sword strike, nature groaned in agony and the vital fluids of creatures scattered in all directions.
Instantly, half of the demons were sliced apart.
But my sword had only been swung once so far.
The retrieved sword was now pulled back like a spring.
The demons, each bizarrely shaped in their own way, let out horrific screams and leaped.
I thrust.
The sword energy gathered at the tip of the sword, sharp as a spearhead, and shot forward.
The sword, shot out at tremendous speed, headed towards the demons, and.
Splatter!
Bloody chunks of flesh were pushed back in unison.
With just two attacks, dozens of demons were sliced apart.
Patter-patter-thud.
Rain falls.
Blood and flesh fragments that hadn't been blown away fell, obstructing my vision and hearing.
And when the rain stopped.
Thudthudthudthudthudthudthudthud.
Another sound began to be heard from beyond the opposite side of the village.
...What?
I frowned and looked towards the far side of the village.
Hundreds.
Hundreds of demons were surging forth like seawater.
But that wasn't all.
"...Hah."
The demons each had different appearances. Their features were also distinct.
Some demons had three arms, some...
Had wings.
Demons filling the sky began to close in from all directions.
...This is insane.
Are they taking advantage of the gap when Rex Lapis led the adepti to Qingce?
I extended my sword.
...Using Compressed Sword Aura Spheres could wipe them all out, but the damage might reach the village.
Damn it!
Feeling the lack of techniques keenly, I pushed internal energy into the tip of the Noctilucous Jade sword.
From the tip of the extended sword, sword energy erupted explosively and then condensed into a shining blade.
A solidified sword energy blade, at least 2 meters long, spewed from the tip of the Noctilucous Jade sword, and.
I shot forward at tremendous speed, holding the Noctilucous Jade sword.
Huuuup!
Taking a deep breath, I soon let out a tremendous sound from my throat.
"Everyone, run!!!"
The field echoed loudly, and all the villagers who heard my enormous voice began to rush out of their tents.
A few youths gripping spears, upon witnessing the demons, dropped their spears in shock and fled.
As I entered the village to cut across it.
The chaos existing within could be felt.
And far away.
Giyeon and her family were visible.
....
Increasing my speed further, I ground my teeth and swung my sword.
Instantly, the sword energy extending from the sword flew towards the demons, and.
The bodies of dozens of demons were sliced into pieces.
But. They don't stop.
Neither I. Nor those demons.
Those bastards seemed to know it too.
That this time, with the god absent, was an opportunity.
I employed my footwork and leaped into the heart of the demon horde.
Demons who hadn't even noticed my tremendous speed were swept away like fallen leaves before the edge of my Noctilucous Jade sword.
And only after dozens more demons were sliced apart did the demons recognize my presence and begin to attack.
There's no time to block or deflect. I focus only on cutting down even one more!
Sharp claws and fangs flew in, but it didn't matter.
The thickly layered protective energy deflected them all.
I began to erase the demons, repeating cutting, swinging, and thrusting in all directions.
But. Those that began to escape the range of my sword appeared.
The ones with wings!
Upon reaching Pinnacle Attainment, my power gained tremendous destructive force, but.
This power was originally for destroying what blocks the way, not for protection.
Hasn't it been said since ancient times: 'Easy to Attack, Hard to Defend'.
Fighting is easy, but defending is difficult.
Grinding my teeth, I leaped and cut down the winged demons one by one.
A single sharp star risen from the ground beneath the dark sky drew arcs as it advanced, cutting down demons.
When I had finally cut down all the winged demons.
"...Damn."
Thudthudthudthudthud.
This time, demons revealed themselves in addition from the opposite side.
And. Demons revealed themselves from the other side as well.
Three sides of the village were surrounded.
I hurriedly leaped again, but.
My energy sense, sharpened upon reaching Pinnacle Attainment, informed me.
By a hair's breadth. I will miss it.
Should I use Compressed Sword Aura Spheres?
No. Even compressing just two spheres of sword aura could slice the entire village apart.
Should I try to lengthen the solidified sword energy blade further?
...Could I. Truly control it well without cutting a single person?
I felt the emotion from the cave.
Damn it all, a familiar emotion.
Despair.
Though my body was shooting forward at tremendous speed.
My heart, my will, had already come to a stop.
...No.
Don't stop.
Take the step.
Isn't that what I lived for!
I took another half-step.
And.
I realized.
There is one child.
If I ignore that one child. I can save the dozens of people on the other outskirts of the village.
But. That child.
Was Giyeon.
Save Giyeon and lose the dozens.
Save the dozens and lose Giyeon.
By half a step.
Just. Half a step.
...Damn it all.
Grinding my teeth, I took a step.
I needed even greater speed.
But I didn't have it now.
In the end, I had to choose.
....
No. There is one way.
It might not work.
But. Shouldn't I try anything?
I drew my sword.
And. The moment I was about to brandish my sword.
Whoooooooooosh
...?!
The sound of something tearing through the air could be heard.
And.
Thwump!
An arrow pierced the head of a demon that was targeting the people.
And. It blooms.
A flower imbued with frost.
Dozens of sharp ice petals scattered and assailed the demons.
"...! Giyeon!"
And grasping the situation, I immediately leaped towards Giyeon.
I thrust!
Pshkew!
The demon whose heart was pierced by the edge of the extended solidified sword energy blade died instantly without even uttering a final scream.
Embracing Giyeon, I immediately leaped towards the inner part of the village, and.
In my leaping field of vision, someone appeared.
Two black horns rising from beautiful blue hair.
The woman aiming a bow at the demons shouted.
"Everyone, flee to the inner part of the village!!!"
The Guardian of Liyue had arrived at the village.