novelburst-info
Chapter 259
Chapter 259
The impersonator stepped down from the truck’s cargo compartment.
What would this brazen shapeshifter, who had the audacity to impersonate the Silent Swordsman, say in front of her?
Ha Eung Eung mentally prepared possible responses.
Possible Responses
- What incredible skill!
- Tch, kill her.
- Oh no, I’ve been found out.
- What incredible skill!
The first response belongs to the type of person who feels a sense of pride.
This is a common phrase heard from prominent warriors or major figures in the Martial Arts World, such as the head or deputy head of a major sect.
Despite having great confidence in their own martial prowess, they often praise others for just surviving a few seconds, treating them like playthings.
- Tch, kill her.
The second response is from the type of person who gives up quickly.
This is a phrase often heard from lesser warriors, young nobles of righteous sects, or children of influential families.
Despite their high self-esteem, they lack the skills to back it up. If captured, they would scream helplessly like a child when pressure is applied, making them the least enjoyable opponent for Ha Eung Eung.
- Oh no, I’ve been found out.
The third response belongs to those with a bit of composure.
This is something one might expect from a hidden assailant or assassin.
People who say this usually present a decent fight, and Ha Eung Eung would enjoy drawing out their hidden tricks as they are methodically pressured.
‘Which type will you be?’
With an expectant gaze, Ha Eung Eung watched as the impersonator opened their mouth.
“Nice to meet you, original. I am Silent Swordsman Mk-?. Dr. Johann the Second, who created me, calls me Mark 2. From now on, please call me Mark 2.”
“….”
An unexpected self-introduction.
It was a surprising reaction.
‘Well, I actually prefer this.’
This type of self-introduction is rare but does exist in the Martial Arts World.
It’s not the typical boastful type who puffs up with power like some minor figure trying to act superior. It’s often seen with those who lead a smaller, elite group, such as a deputy leader or leader of a faction.
These people tend to introduce themselves politely, often signaling their own achievements rather than displaying arrogance.
‘There has never been a case in the Martial Arts World where someone making a self-introduction was weak.’
The confidence that allows someone to behave in such a manner without having to act tough in front of their enemy, it’s born from true self-belief and conviction.
[Haenampa Sect Master Ha Eung Eung here. May I ask you a few questions?]
“Alert. Dr. Johann has warned me not to leak confidential information to outsiders during external missions. Mark 2 will comply with Dr. Johann’s warning.”
[If you don’t answer, I will hit you right now.]
“Exception. Dr. Johann has ordered me to escape by any means necessary if my existence is under significant threat. I will comply with the order.”
It seemed like an opponent who could be easily handled.
[Silent Swordsman Mk-?. Are you a shapeshifter?]
“Negative. Mark 2 is the greatest masterpiece created by Dr. Johann the Second, combining his implementing abilities with modern science. I am a homunculus created with life.”
[So there are still dirty sorcerers in modern times.]
“Question. Mark 2 does not understand the reason behind the original’s comment. Request for clarification.”
[Move aside. Life isn’t sweet enough that you can get anything just by demanding it.]
Mark 2 tilted its head, mimicking Ha Eung Eung’s usual gesture.
Even without speaking, its face, which was remarkably close to a masterpiece from a cathedral or a work of a great sculptor, gave off an unintended charm.
This posture could usually evoke sympathy from most people, but Ha Eung Eung was an exception.
Thunk.
“Ouch.”
Mark 2’s expression darkened as it got a light tap on the head.
[Don’t act cute with my face.]
“Discontent. Mark 2’s actions are a result of learning from the original. Any criticism directed at Mark 2 is a self-criticism of the original.”
[Don’t think that just because you look the same, you can be me, fake. You can’t be me.]
Mark 2’s face grew cold as it felt its existence was being denied.
Its eyes sharpened, its lips tightly pressed into a straight line, a stubborn but oddly captivating face.
Ha Eung Eung hesitated for a moment as she saw its face—so similar to hers, yet showing more emotional honesty than herself.
“Negative. Mark 2 is undergoing training to acquire the original’s combat ability, but its growth potential is infinite.”
[Is your training in courtesy also part of your growth?]
“Affirmative. After escaping the watch of the organization, Mark 2 cannot use specialized training facilities. To verify its abilities, it must gain real-world experience.”
An entity that imitates human actions and pretends to be human.
Its goal is to match the strength of its target.
If it imitates both the appearance and strength, what will it try to imitate next?
Such thoughts were a bit eerie to imagine.
For Ha Eung Eung, who had once been forcibly possessed by the game and lost her identity as a man, this was a chilling thought.
However, she didn’t blame Mark 2 for it.
‘This one, too, is a victim caught up in things beyond its control. A different kind of victim than I was.’
What Ha Eung Eung felt was closer to sympathy.
It was someone like her, yet lacking the strength she had.
Someone controlled by others.
Mark 2, a mirror image of herself from the Martial Arts World.
How was this different from the days she was controlled by the Blood Cult?
[Your existence is unwelcome, but I do pity you.]
“Alert. The original’s emotional expression indicates affection. The analysis that the original is weak to cuteness has been confirmed.”
[Do you want to grow stronger?]
Mark 2 was about to answer affirmatively but then hesitated, eyeing Ha Eung Eung cautiously.
“Question. I suspect this is just a buildup to hit me again.”
[No, I won’t hit you. Answer me.]
“Affirmative. Mark 2 wishes to grow as strong as the original.”
[Why? Why do you seek strength?]
“Correct. That is Dr. Johann the Second’s command…”
[That’s not an answer.]
Ha Eung Eung locked eyes with Mark 2, her gaze sincere.
After a moment of hesitation, Mark 2 finally answered.
“Sadness. Dr. Johann called me a failure. Mark 2, without the power of the Silent Swordsman, is a disappointment to Dr. Johann.”
[And?]
“Additional. Dr. Johann, for Mark 2’s safety, helped me escape the organization’s eyes and take refuge in an external organization. Mark 2 wishes to be of help to Dr. Johann.”
[Is that all?]
“Record. A cursed monster. A creepy woman. A woman with a halfway decent face. The organization looked down on and ignored Mark 2. Dr. Johann’s creation wishes to prove that I am not a cursed monster, not a creepy woman, and not a woman with a halfway decent face. I want to show that I am not a failure.”
Though Ha Eung Eung had never seen her opponent’s face, she could tell from Mark 2’s words.
For Mark 2, Dr. Johann the Second was not just a creator, but a figure much like a parent.
Just as Ha Eung Eung was embraced by Haenampa after being cast into a strange world, Dr. Johann was Mark 2’s family.
‘It seems Mark 2 may think of the organization as an inadequate family, just like I once did.’
It wasn’t laughable.
It wasn’t something to be looked down upon either.
Had she been in Mark 2’s shoes, if the first organization she encountered in the Martial Arts World had been the Blood Cult, and if they had been her only sanctuary, she would have had no choice but to rely on them.
She would have had no choice but to trust them.
Seeing Mark 2’s tragic fate and uncertain future, Ha Eung Eung couldn’t help but feel sympathy.
[Do you know martial arts?]
“Possible. Based on data from Half-Demon Valley, Mark 2 has analyzed and learned 13 different martial arts.”
[Show me.]
[If you truly can perform martial arts,]
[Then I will offer you a chance to live a different life from now on.]
“Question. I suspect this is just a buildup to hit me again…”
Although she thought Mark 2 might share her bold nature, as all animals are more fearful in their youth, unaware of whether their counterpart is prey or predator, Mark 2 also carried that fear.
[The Silent Swordsman of Half-Demon Valley, what kind of person is he?]
But if she is also a Silent Swordsman…
[Do you retreat in front of enemies?]
[Do you become fearful and cautious?]
If she is your copy…
[Do you simply give up when facing injustice?]
[Do you just blame your lack of strength?]
If you claim to be a martial artist…
“Negative. The Silent Swordsman is a man who only knows how to charge forward. Based on learned data, he faces battles without avoiding them.”
Such a moment.
Such an opportunity.
She would not miss it for the sake of mere fear.
That was Ha Eung Eung’s first lesson she wanted to pass on to Mark 2, someone who looked just like her.