The Terminally-Ill Side-Character Inside of a Martial Arts Novel

With a harsh slap sound, the head of the woman covered in cuts all over her body turned.

Even though she had just witnessed her finishing a fierce fight, Shin Yubin neither pitied nor sympathized with the woman, Geumnak Ju, standing before her.

Rather, she glared at her as if she were pathetic.

“You stupid bitch. You couldn’t even beat someone using just two daggers and ended up causing trouble? Do you even know what a grave sin you’ve committed?!”

It was a sharp voice filled with excitement. People around who knew the relationship between the two tried their best to avoid looking. They had no intention of getting caught between those two and shedding blood unnecessarily.

Geumnak Ju kept her hands behind her back and hung her head low. She couldn’t show any resistance to Shin Yubin, who was shorter and smaller than her, with a slender waist that could be severely injured internally with just one punch.

There was a big wall between the two that couldn’t be evaluated simply by strength.

“I’m sorry…”

“Sorry? Do you think it all ends with just that one word? I even fed you that precious elixir to make you win there, but in the end you disappoint me.”

Geumnak Ju squeezed her eyes shut. She thought she could win. She used a huge greatsword while her opponent had small daggers. She thought she could end it all with one blow no matter how swift the opponent was.

But her opponent was swift and at the same time heavy. She never clashed directly with the greatsword even once, while slashing wounds all over her body with the daggers, and in the end blocked the huge greatsword with two daggers. It showed the difference in strength.

Geumnak Ju felt her pride crumbling. Her pride as a martial artist was shattered in an instant.

She was more vexed by the humiliation of being defeated by the woman named Beon who used daggers, than by Shin Yubin ranting in front of her.

“You piece of trash! If the Young Madam wins, I’ll make not only you but also your precious father kneel before me and answer for your crimes.”

Shin Yubin spat out sharply before turning her body. As Geumnak Ju staggered back, Shin Yubin returned to her seat and frowned.

It was an unexpected situation.

She never imagined Moyong Sowol would defeat two people and make it to the final.

Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, she had even forcibly increased Geumnak Ju’s strength by feeding her forbidden elixirs. There were side effects, but it could produce greater strength in the short term. Even if caught, she could escape punishment, and in the process, the Crimson Lotus Festival matter could be glossed over, so it didn’t matter what happened.

But Moyong Sowol was stronger than expected, and Geumnak Ju fell faster than anticipated. Shin Yubin bit her nails and frowned.

If Moyong Sowol wins, she would have to kneel before her as she said.

Kneel before the Righteous Sect? She’d rather bite her tongue and die. Shin Yubin pondered how to resolve this strangely unfolding situation. But having come this far, there was no solution.

The only thing left was for Moyong Sowol to lose in the final.

“…Damn it.”

“Why do you look so anxious?”

Shin Yubin turned her eyes at the voice coming from beside her. Lee Seonghak was entering, proudly displaying his shiny bald head.

Shin Yubin frowned as she looked at him, then turned her body with a sigh and greeted him.

“Elder Lee Seonghak.”

“Kukuku. Why? Things not going well? Your voice echoing sharply even outside seems to show you have a lot of complaints.”

His eyes rolled around, scanning Shin Yubin. She felt disgusted by Lee Seonghak’s gaze sweeping over her body.

To think a decrepit old bald man would have such a lecherous gaze. She felt like bugs were crawling all over her body, but she couldn’t show it. Shin Yubin drew out extreme patience and calmly spoke.

“What brings you here?”

“What else? You looked worried and troubled, so I came to help.”

Lee Seonghak slowly approached and stood next to Shin Yubin. Was it an illusion that his flaring nostrils looked particularly large? Shin Yubin stepped back and shook her head. Lee Seonghak chuckled softly at her reaction and looked at the martial arts arena.

“Are you anxious? Afraid that girl might win?”

“It’s not like that…”

“If that girl wins, all the women of the Demon Cult will have to kneel before her. That includes you too, Shin Yubin.”

“…”

“The humiliation of kneeling before the Righteous Sect that you hate and despise due to your grandfather’s influence. Hmm, you’d rather die than do that, right?”

Shin Yubin felt her insides boiling. To think he came all this way just to provoke her? Shin Yubin’s eyes narrowed.

She wanted to tell Lee Seonghak to leave right away and then ask her grandfather Shin Hohyeol to punish him, but she couldn’t.

After all, Lee Seonghak was an elder belonging to the Holy Stream League and one of the high-ranking figures in the Demon Cult. There was nothing good about making an enemy of him unnecessarily.

As Shin Yubin was choosing her words and pondering how to respond, Lee Seonghak opened his mouth.

“Yes, that’s not particularly good. To think some bitch who rolled in from who knows where is thinking of standing above our heads. From the beginning, she should have been stuck in a corner waiting for her lifeline to be gnawed away slowly, but to come out to a place like this. Don’t you agree?”

Knowing that it was the Holy Stream League who made that plan, Shin Yubin found his words absurd.

To lament now after causing trouble themselves. As Shin Yubin narrowed her brows, Lee Seonghak raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder.

Shin Yubin was startled as if a bug’s leg had been placed on her, but Lee Seonghak’s following words were shocking.

“Those who don’t know their place have short lives.”

“…?”

Shin Yubin’s gaze fell on him. Lee Seonghak grinned broadly.

“Don’t worry. Whether that girl wins or loses here, she won’t end up standing above our heads anyway.”

His laughter flowed low and ominously, unpleasantly so.

* * *

I stood in front of the stairs leading up to the martial arts arena, quietly looking up. I had already fought twice and won both times.

The first time was difficult, but the second time was easy. How would the third time be? I thought of my final opponent.

It was a woman who used two daggers and fought by taking her opponent’s soul with an unmatched speed before delivering the final blow.

Short hair covering her neck slightly and cold eyes. Her fighting style was new and difficult.

“How do you feel?”

I turned my head. Hyuk Dojin lowered his gaze to me after looking at the stage. There was a smile on his lips.

“Do you think you’ll win?”

“I’m not sure. How does it look to you, Dojin? Do you think I’ll win?”

“I see.”

Instead of answering, Hyuk Dojin briefly acknowledged my words, then tilted his head slightly and answered slowly.

“I’m not sure. From what I saw, that woman’s skills are not particularly outstanding. But her basic senses are excellent and she perfectly utilizes what she has. That’s an admirable talent.”

“Are you saying I’ll lose?”

“On the contrary. From what I see, Sowol is stronger. The depth of inner energy and even understanding of martial arts. But her method is a perfect way of fighting in real combat. If Sowol gets used to that, she will surely win.”

He lowered his hand and leisurely drew the sword from the scabbard I was holding. He stepped back, swung it a few times, then nodded.

“You did well in both previous matches, but now you need to do even better. When cut by daggers, it will hurt and sting. So you need to be more calm and focused. From what I see, I don’t think Sowol is in any way slower than that woman.”

He smiled and handed me the sword. I took the sword he handed me, put it back in the scabbard, then turned my head. Hyuk Dojin held my hand with a stern face.

“Don’t try to break the opponent’s strength with something else. Sometimes following that strength can be the answer.”

“Follow it…”

Hyuk Dojin quietly grabbed my shoulders and gently hugged me, stroking my hair. I closed my eyes in his warm embrace. Hyuk Dojin’s voice came faintly.

“It’s a strange feeling. I’m very happy that Sowol has become so healthy and strong that she can have martial arts matches with others, but on the other hand I feel a bit sad. I wonder if you don’t need my help anymore, and also if I’ve pushed you too hard.”

“I’m still far from enough. I still need you a lot.”

I slowly stroked his back. Even though he was hugging me, somehow it felt like I was the one hugging him.

I smiled at his voice that sounded like he was whining in my arms, and pushed his shoulders.

Hyuk Dojin laughed deeply.

“Go and crush them. And today, let’s share the victory cup together up there.”

I smiled brightly as I looked at him pointing to the winner’s platform. Then I turned my body and climbed back up onto the martial arts arena.

As if they had been waiting, a huge cheer erupted along with expectant voices pouring out all at once.

“Young Madam! Win until the end and claim victory at the Crimson Lotus Festival!”

“Ah, since you’ve come this far, smash them all!”

I smiled at the voices I heard. Even up to the first and second rounds, the voices hoping for my defeat were now gone.

But having come this far, many people were hoping for me to win. Whether that was simply for entertainment or sincere.

I approached the center of the arena and stood in front of the short-haired woman. She had looked small from afar, but standing close she was a bit taller than me. I scanned the two daggers at her waist with my eyes.

“Moyong Sowol.”

“…?”

As I raised my head, the woman faced me and spoke briefly.

“Daughter of the Moyong clan and wife of the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. A noble flower blooming on the cliff that everyone looks up to and lives for.”

“…What.”

“What kind of person are you? Did you grow up preciously like a flower in a garden? Or did you struggle to survive in hell? You must have lived easily, adorned with colorful silks and jewels, taking precious medicines and learning ascending martial arts. Isn’t that right?”

I frowned at the sudden question.

“That’s unpleasant. Suddenly hearing such words doesn’t seem very nice. Especially from someone I just met.”

She jerked her chin as if telling me to answer. I slightly narrowed my brows at the arrogant gesture, then answered slowly.

“Neither.”

“Then?”

The referee moved away. The pouring voices subsided.

I faced Beon Yang and drew my sword. Beon Yang also drew her daggers and held them, urging an answer. Looking at her, I spoke softly.

“I was an onlooker waiting for death with the grim reaper before my eyes.”

“An onlooker?”

“And now I’m a rebel struggling to drive away that death.”

I drew up my energy. A faint wind blew, fluttering my clothes and hair.

“You asked, so I’ll ask too.”

Perfect silence descended. Meeting her eyes looking at me, I put strength into every part of my body and immediately rushed forward, swinging my sword down.

Beon Yang’s eyes widened in surprise as she blocked with her daggers against my attack. Looking at her startled eyes, I smiled.

“Have you ever experienced being struck by the grim reaper’s scythe?”

Tl/note: Hello, it’s translator Kayi! A small bonus in the form of an additional free chapter, and starting next week the schedule of 3 ch/week will return.

I hope you enjoy the novel and would appreciate it if you would rate the novel on NU. I think I’ll do such weeks with double releases again in the future. Thank you for reading!