Chapter 34: The Enchanted Demon Sword
by xennovel“Alright, go ahead and peel it.”
Suddenly, an apple flew toward her. Lara exclaimed, “Whoa!” and instinctively reached out to catch it. It seemed all those training sessions with the Knight Order hadn’t been completely wasted.
Then, out of nowhere, the Demon Sword shuddered and shouted.
“Hey! Even a tough guy like you can’t peel an apple properly!”
“Useless piece of scrap.”
“Hey! Did you hear what I said?!!”
“I’m just stating the obvious, so what?”
The Demon Sword began to titter ominously. Whether it was anger or something else, a tepid warmth radiated from its hilt, but Mikhail paid it no mind and continued with biting sarcasm.
“A sword’s purpose is to slash, cut, and peel. Do you really think a blade that can’t even do its basic job deserves to be called a sword? It’s nothing more than a decorative lump of lead.”
“…I’ll make you take that back. Hey!! What do you mean you didn’t prepare an apple?!”
Why me… Lara grumbled under her breath but obediently extended the apple toward the sword.
“Hey!! Toss the apple upward! Quickly!”
“Huh? Oh, alright…”
The moment she hurled the apple into the air, an extra arm moved on its own, slicing the apple’s peel with swift precision. It was a technique bordering on magic. The now bare apple split neatly into eight pieces, landing squarely in Lara’s palm.
“See that? This is what a real tough guy can do!”
“Wow… That’s really impressive.”
It was Mikhail, skillfully manipulating the stubborn Demon Sword with apparent ease.
Mikhail picked up a crescent-shaped apple slice, and for reasons unknown, he frowned slightly.
“More importantly, did you clean that blade?”
“No…”
“I figured as much. Bury this apple in the dirt—it’s too filthy to eat.”
“Hey!! I just peeled it for you, you wanna get yourself killed?! Today, I’m definitely going to beat the crap out of you! Get it?! I’m gonna beat you up!”
A vicious aura burst from the Demon Sword. Lara, barely managing to restrain the rampaging blade, darted outside in a hurry.
“Settle down, will you?!”
“Whose side are you on?! Don’t stop me! Today, I’m settling scores once and for all!”
“Aaah, please calm down! Do you even realize you’re a sword? At this rate, someone’s going to get seriously hurt!”
“Don’t you know I’m already famous for taking lives? They say tough guys fear me! Even in my prime, I was the best sword-wielder in Gangsangdo!”
As the sword suddenly whipped upward, Lara shouted incoherently and grabbed its swinging handle with her other hand. In that desperate moment, as she wracked her brain on how to subdue the out-of-control Demon Sword, she noticed a stray clump of dog poop on the pavement.
Slowly, she maneuvered toward the mess, pressing down the wild swinging arm until the tip of the blade nearly touched the dog droppings.
“…Don’t move. If you cause any more havoc, I’ll slice that dog crap up!”
“Are you serious right now?”
“I said it—one more move and I’ll chop up that mess.”
A cold wind brushed across Lara’s cheek. Gradually, the murderous aura emanating from the once glistening Demon Sword dissipated, calming down almost instantly.
“I’ve never had such a terrifying master before…”
“Why should I be your master?”
“Because I chose you.”
“I refuse. So now, let go!”
Lara peered down at the hilt of the Demon Sword. Her lonely, regretful gaze made the sword flinch and shudder, clinging onto her hand even tighter.
“I can’t let go… I can’t live without you!”
“I’m sorry. I just want to be rid of swords. But I’ll introduce you to a Female Lead who wields one instead.”
“It can’t be anyone but me!”
“Stop it already! I’m sick of swords!”
Her hollow cry echoed through the darkened forest. A resigned light cascaded over the tilted blade of the Demon Sword.
“Things have changed… Do you really want to send me off to another woman? You know what they say: there’s no tree that won’t fall after being struck ten times.”
“That’s right. There isn’t a sword that won’t break even after ten strikes.”
“Hey! That’s enough!! Hey… oh, I get it!”
Lara, her arm hanging limply, gently lifted the Demon Sword upward.
“How about one week? Try living with me for just one week! And if you still think you’re useless, sell yourself to any Female Lead who wields a sword.”
“Hmm…”
Lara couldn’t decide easily. Whether God was aware of the gravity of the situation or not, He remained oddly silent. Desperate, Lara finally turned to seek His advice.
‘God, are you listening? What should I do? The Demon Sword truly belongs in the hands of a Female Lead. An extra like me shouldn’t be entrusted with such an amazing artifact…’
His advice wasn’t much help.
“Let me make it clear—I’m not one to kill people. I can’t even seriously injure anyone. The worst I’ve done in life is nick my finger on an A4 sheet.”
The Demon Sword seethed in anger at the remarks of a law-abiding citizen.
“Then when do you normally use a sword?!”
“For cooking, of course!”
“Hey! A real tough guy wouldn’t be seen in the kitchen!”
“Otherwise, you’d be chopping up dog crap or something…”
“A true man cooks in the kitchen and does it with style!”
And so, unexpectedly, Lara—the extra who had been sealed away—landed herself both the Demon Sword and, oddly enough, a culinary magic blade.
“Alright, today’s quota is met.”
Lara handed a bulging envelope of membership applications to Diches. Even though the blue moon had long risen, the office was bright. Beneath the cheerful lights, Diches accepted the envelope with a businesslike smile.
“Well done.”
“You’re not planning to reduce the headcount by 100, are you?”
“Not at all. Frankly, I never expected such passion from you.”
“A promise is a promise.”
Determined to do anything to meet her goal, Lara had made a pact with herself. Just as she was about to leave,
“Raan, Kyung.”
Lara froze when a strong hand grabbed her wrist. Looking back, she saw him with downcast eyes, pleading in a desperate tone.
“How can I ever let you go?”
“Boss?”
“Hey!! Who does this guy think he is?! Won’t let go, does he?”
Suddenly, a gruff male voice was heard. Diches swiftly drew his sword and turned around. There was no one there. At the same moment, an old man’s hearty laugh echoed all around.
“What a joke, huh? I’m right here!”
Lara tried to shush him by gripping the hilt of the Demon Sword, but it clattered merrily against its scabbard. Late to notice, Diches finally turned his attention to the Demon Sword hanging at Lara’s waist.
“That is…”
“That’s the talking sword, a magical blade that’s become the latest toy for kids. Hehe, just ignore it.”
“Hey!! I warned you—if anyone touches my Lara, it’s game over. Got it?!”
Lara’s face flushed scarlet with embarrassment.
“Why are you lying to me?”
Diches’ demeanor changed; his chilling gaze pierced through Lara. As his grip tightened, Lara let out a weak moan and twisted her shoulder, trying to break free.
“What’s your connection with this sword? Speak frankly.”
“Boss, please let go of me…”
“You’re on the brink of losing it. Explain properly—does your absence from 6 PM to 9 PM mean you’ve been fooling around alone with this sword? Speak up!”
“Fooling around? It’s just a talking toy sword, nothing more!”
“Do you think I’m embarrassed? Hah, I know. A tough guy in Gangsangdo is one who knows when to step back for the one he loves.”
“Shut up! Just shut up!”
Lara’s face burned as she screamed, almost collapsing. Both men ceased their actions. Diches loosened his grip on her wrist slightly.
“What can I do to keep you by my side? You have no idea how much I…”
“Don’t do this. You have Lady Elina I with you.”
“There’s Lady Elina I, you, Tina, Jaynil, Azwen, Julie, Grape, Amy, Clo, Berad, Daisy, Parosia, and another 228 I won’t even mention.”
“So many, huh? Maybe you should just let go of a small fry like me.”
Lara glared and shoved his hand away, deeply pondering whether this trash could truly be called the Male Lead.
‘Only 42 more to go…’
With just two days left to recruit 100 members, despite Lara’s relentless efforts with both Youngae and other socialites, half the slots still remained.
‘Promote, huh?’
Heeding God’s advice, Lara nodded. Promotion was indeed a good idea. The only problem was deciding where to do it.
‘The busiest spot in the capital is… Well, during weekdays the shopping district is pretty quiet… Ah!’
Lara’s eyes widened. There was exactly one place that drew crowds even on a weekday.
Without delay, she stacked a bunch of membership applications and started pasting candy flyers one by one. By the time she finished 100 copies, lunch had long passed.
Grabbing the applications, Lara hurriedly climbed into a carriage. The diligent carriage halted about 50 meters from the entrance of Daeshin Shrine. From the long line of carriages reminiscent of sausages, it looked like walking in the middle might be much faster.
After getting off the carriage, Lara began walking with the heavy membership forms in hand. Once past the entrance, she had to climb another long set of stairs with the crowd. It was a day filled with walking, running, climbing—a tough day for a saleswoman.