SSS-Class Suicide Hunter-Chapter 277: Orthodox Faction (2)

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4.

I was never meant to be part of the righteous path.

Hmm.

After leaving the cave, Venomous Snake roamed the world.

Beautiful places, famous for their scenery, breathtaking views.

He went to a place where waterfalls poured from the sky, sitting alone on a rock, getting drenched, trying to withstand the force of the waterfalls. He climbed to the highest peak, where he was closest to the sky, and gazed endlessly at the world below for days and nights.

This isnt it.

He felt no particular emotion.

The [Self] nestled in his heart didnt react at all.

Venomous Snake scratched the back of his head, recalling the advice of the martial arts leader Namgung Un.

Blew it. This is all wrong Righteous path involves incorporating nature into the sword, but no matter how beautiful and stunning things I see, I feel nothing. Rather, watching people commuting in the city feels closer to my heart.

The majestic power of the waterfall.

The vastness of the world spread beneath the mountaintop.

The terrifying lightning and torrential rain.

Im not impressed. Its like, oh wow, so grand! Truly befitting of the leader of Chen Mu-mun! I feel absolutely nothing like that.

None of it charmed the [Self] within him.

Ah, I should have gone to the demonic sect. Kim Gong-ja is lucky. Why did he get matched with a teacher that fits him perfectly? Damn it

Day 407 since his emergence.

The [Self] lurking in his heart continued to speak only of jealousy, lamentation, and sighs. A black blob. Squirming and oozing sticky slime, Venomous Snake felt its outline clearly in his heart and moved on.

Clang!

The sound that echoed from the market streets initially went unnoticed by Venomous Snake.

With his senses honed from years of training and a sharp aura, he certainly detected the metallic sound. However, while his bodys senses reacted, the [Self] entrenched within him remained indifferent.

Clang!

The place he was wandering through was Guru, the homeland of the Dokkaebi Race. Venomous Snake often visited Guru, hoping to find some insight into how to defeat Kim Gong-ja, and watched the Fire Painting Plays.

As a result, Venomous Snake could recite all 11 lines of dialogue that Kekkeruker used to confess to Raviel, even with his eyes closed. He sometimes wondered why these people were acting so absurdly, but then realized the most absurd [Self] was within him, and he became contemplative.

Clang!

And then, slowly.

Clang!

The [Self] coiled up within him slowly raised its head.

Various scents and aromas wafted through the streets. Among them, there was a sharp, metallic scent. The [Self] twitched its nose, tracking the source of the smell.

Clang! fre(e)novelkiss.com

It led him to a blacksmiths forge.

Located a few blocks from the main street, this area was less crowded. Smaller theater troupes huddled together here, and Dokkaebi with slightly tight purses wandered around.

Clang!

The blacksmiths shop was set up in a secluded spot by the roadside.

It was more like the shop was slowly sinking rather than just being established. The roof was partially collapsed. The pillars were rotting. Some had already lost their support, precariously pushing against the roof like a tilting tower.

A place that would vanish if time blew on it.

Clang!

A burly blacksmith swung his hammer there. Clang! The red-hot iron spit sparks as it was hit, and Clang! it slowly twisted and bent under each blow.

There was no impressive skill.

No eye-catching performance.

Just a moment, master.

Just.

Your hammering technique is quite unique, isnt it?

Hoo.

The blacksmith wiped his face with a towel. Up close, he was indeed tiny. Much smaller than even the Dokkaebi, let alone the Noble Race. The blacksmith, not even reaching his own waist in height, was,

What is it? Are you a customer from the Noble Race?

A small Fairy Race member.

Do you need something? Just so you know, I dont make weapons.

Huh? Why no weapons? In the Dokkaebi blacksmith industry, weapons are the pinnacle, especially swords. Dokkaebi give a sword as a gift when their children reach adulthood, and if it wears out within a year, they gift another. Its a delightful custom.

Ah

The Fairy blacksmith finished wiping off his sweat.

He seemed somewhat indifferent.

Dont you find it odd? Maybe even absurd. Its great that they treat us minority races well and without prejudice But including that, its just too much. You know what I mean, right?

Oh, I know exactly what you mean.

Despite being strangers, they quickly found common ground, nodding in agreement.

One was a Fairy running a modest blacksmith shop, despite it being his livelihood, and the other, a human Hunter wandering around in the guise of a Noble Race. Despite their dark pasts and murky intentions, they briefly united in spirit.

You understand what I mean. So, what would you like to order? Ill make it cheap for you.

Ah.

Only then did Venomous Snake remember his original purpose for coming here.

His pitch-black heart urged him to speak up quickly.

I didnt come to buy anything, just got curious and stopped by.

Hmm?

Dont worry, Im not suspicious. Anyway, I happened to hear you hammering while passing by. The sound of the hammering was incredibly consistent. I thought it was just regular hammering, but the interval and strength of each clang were exactly the same.

Indeed.

There was not even a 0.1 second deviation; the sound of the hammer echoed continuously.

To an ordinary person, it might just seem like regular hammering, but Venomous Snake was extraordinary. He easily noticed the anomaly in the blacksmith shop.

Could it be? Despite its shabby appearance, this blacksmith shop actually possesses extraordinary skills

Ah, please dont sit on that chair. It wobbles so much that I had to fix it to the floor, and now the floor wobbles too. If you sit there for more than 15 seconds, the floor will collapse. It took me 15 seconds, but if you sit, youll fall right through.

A first-class blacksmith hiding in a modest shop? An S-rank twist or something?

Venomous Snake was thrilled.

His heart and the [Self] making nonsense noises inside were both pounding.

Venomous Snake always preferred these things over beautiful nature or grand landscapes. Things that seemed ordinary but were actually extraordinary. Hidden powers, hidden statuses, hidden setups, hidden masterminds, hidden worlds. These stories always made his heart race.

Uh

Feeling overwhelmed by his bright, eager eyes, the Fairy blacksmith felt uneasy.

S-rank, whatever that means, but our blacksmith here is nothing special

But you must have a hidden past and special talents, right?

I was born into a normal family and started blacksmithing after our fortunes declined. Sir, I have no talent. How can I compare to the Dokkaebi, born with built-in muscular strength, in blacksmithing?

Ah, youre clearly lying.

Really?

I have no reason to lie to a customer. It wont make me any extra money.

If youre not going to order something, could you please leave? Youre disturbing my work.

It seemed to be true after all.

Venomous Snake mumbled to himself, Strange, very strange, as he lingered around the blacksmith. The Fairy blacksmith sighed, Bad luck but eventually ignored Venomous Snakes presence and continued hammering.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Watching the hammering from a distance, Venomous Snake suddenly spoke up.

Its still the same, isnt it?

From Venomous Snakes perspective, he could only see the back of the blacksmith, the small frame of the Fairy, tirelessly working. Well-toned back muscles, balanced shoulders, and arms moved ceaselessly.

What, are you leaving?

The rhythm, the interval, the force, its all the same. Theres no deviation in the hammering. It would be easy to mimic with enhanced time perception using aura, but its clear theres no aura here. So, its all about feeling.

Huff. Hoo

Venomous Snake furrowed his brows.

If this Fairy blacksmith had walked the path of martial arts and learned to harness aura, he might have become an excellent warrior.

Remarkable, but whats the point? Why insist on such hammering?

Without turning, the Fairy replied, It makes it a bit more interesting.

Interesting?

Yes, the work. Blacksmithing.

Clang!

How tough it is. Customers take it home, use it for cutting, chopping, hammering Its easy to use but hard to make. If it was just a hobby, itd be different, but this is my job.

Clang!

Damn, I really dont want to work.

Clang!

So hard

Clang!

I want to die

Clang!

Im dying!

Clang!

As the hammering continued, the Fairy blacksmiths curses became more intense. Though it seemed directed at someone else, it mostly seemed self-directed.

Venomous Snake was at a loss for words. Despite not hearing due to the sharpness of the hammering, this blacksmith shop was noisier than any workshop in the city.

Ah, I see. You time your curses with the hammering. The sound of the hammer conceals the curses, so they go unnoticed.

Venomous Snake realized.

Are you insane?

Sir, youve been quite disruptive. Its time for you to leave.

Realizing that all kinds of oddities abound in the city created by Kim Gong-ja, regardless of race, Venomous Snake commented.

So, its fun for you. You dont look like youre having fun, though. Are you really enjoying it?

Of course. Theres a subtle joy in it.

The blacksmith wiped his face with a towel.

Work is inherently hard. Its normal to be tough. Especially since I wasnt born suited for this job. I lack talent. But while working, I ended up cursing, right?

Well

If theres absolutely no joy in work, really none, Id feel like dying.

Clang!

I find just enough fun to keep from dying.

Clang!

Some colleagues relax on weekends, go on trips, rest, visit new bathhouses, or talk about the latest postponed Fire Painting plays. I dont really understand that.

Clang!

Looking at high mountains, I think, Why are you so tall while Im so small? Are you challenging me? When I visit scenic spots, I feel detached, emotionless. Ah, this, feeling like dying while working its unbearable. The despair doesnt go away.

Clang!

Im dying.

Clang!

But I cant die, so

Clang!

I find small bits of fun in my work. You praised it as something remarkable, but Im just finding fun to survive. Look. Clang! See? Clang! Keeping the same rhythm makes it interesting. Its like unfinished music. Clang! Dont you think?

Finally, the blacksmith turned around. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝘸𝑒𝑏𝓃𝑜𝑣𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝑜𝓂

The Fairy was smiling broadly, his face reddened by the forge and smeared with soot.

Fun, right?

At that moment.

Ah, its pretty challenging, you know. Continuously matching those moments. It really ignites my competitive spirit. Its like my own personal challenge that no one else is doing.

Venomous Snake, and the [Self] he harbored within his heart, realized something.

A man who already realized who he was, gained further insight from watching a small blacksmith.

The rules of the game are there too. When it rains, I slow down a bit.

What he finds beautiful, what feels natural to him, and what he truly wants to infuse into his sword until his arms move and his blood pulses.

The Master of the Chen Mu-mun realized.

When fog rolls in, I slow the hammering to create an auditory effect. Isnt it poetic? When the sound of clang, clang echoes distantly in a foggy city, it feels like the city, or even the fog, is crying. I find such things more interesting than famous mountains or scenic spots.

It wasnt the screams of suffering people.

It wasnt humans scratching their nails in hunger.

It wasnt the air filled with laughter from those who shared similar scars and were healingclose, yet not quite there.

Just enough to survive.

Those who endure.

Although I want to die

Those who find joy in enduring.

I can survive.

That joy.

A fleeting moment of happiness, insufficient to be true happiness.

Every day, enduring by breaking a part of themselves, sighing yet smiling.

Willpower.

The desire to survive.

Venomous Snake slowly nodded.

Its easy to dismiss such happiness as a trivial trick. Its easy to say that its not real happiness but merely a postponement, and thus, one should find their true self and talents.

Its easy to say that ones life is somehow wrong.

It looks quite interesting.

But what does it matter?

Can I try it too?

Even the most meager happiness is still happiness.

Even a smile that briefly lingers before fading is still a smile.

Something that undoubtedly existed, exists, and will exist.

Proof of life and the desire to live.

Eh? Are you sure?

Im an Oni, arent I? Im good at using my strength.

Its not just about strength

Ah, just give it here. I have a lot of money. Ill leave my purse here, so if anything goes wrong, let the foreman take care of it.

Everyone works.

Everyone suffers through work.

Everyone finds joy in enduring their suffering.

Therefore, this happiness is something that can envelop the world like a heaven comparable to the Infernal Heavens, regardless of time and place.

Here we go!

Venomous Snake took off his shirt and tightly gripped the hammer.

Alright! Lets give this a try!

The beauty of nature, the resonance in the heart, and the scenery he wanted to show the world seemed too far from him. The laughter of children in a wheat field, too happy to be true, seemed beyond his capacity to capture in his sword.

But the happiness of ordinary people.

Just trying a bit harder, struggling a bit more, and finding a little joy to prevent themselves from dying instantly. That kind of happiness.

Ive never worked in a forge before! But I can do this! Aja!

He could capture that in his sword.

He wanted to capture that.

Venomous Snake realized that the beauty, resonance, and landscape he had been searching for were right here, in this form of righteousness.

After all, what I have in abundance is time!

Clang!

The sound of the hammer echoed.

Clang!

Again, it echoed.

Clang!

The sound of hissing,

Clang!

Echoed.

Clang!

Echoed.

Clang!

Echoed.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!