Chapter 20
No One stepped into the antique shop.
As soon as he entered, the sound of the wind chime at the door jingled.
Inside, it felt like an entirely different world.
If the cityscape could be described with the word 'modern,'
Then this place seemed like stepping into an ancient house from a thousand years ago.
Countless objects were placed everywhere. Each one was nearly a hundred years old.
The main color palette outside consisted of white, black, blue, purple, and red from neon signs and buildings.
But in here, it was a warm tone of earth, wood, lamp fire, and calm wind.
No One knew what those colors are called, but when he thought about them, he didn't think of the hue, the tone.
He thought of nature.
A young girl sat at the counter, looking at No One.
"Brother No One?"
No One turned and looked over.
That voice.
"Hana?" No One saw her figure and smiled in greeting.
It was the first time they met in real life.
This shop belonged to Sword of Love's family.
Sword of Love's real name is To Trung Phong.
But he didn't know Hana's real name.Since knowing Sword of Love, he had only called her Hana.
Digging into someone's personal information wasn't his interest.
No One had known Sword of Love for about three years. They met through another game, then both jumped into First World together.
Hana was Sword of Love's younger sister, but she studied in a different city and had only recently returned home.
The shop originally belonged to Sword of Love's grandmother, but due to her old age and frail health, Sword of Love took over the responsibility of looking after it for her.
However, the shop mainly opened so the grandmother could relax in her old age with her antique collecting hobby. Their family wasn’t really facing any financial issues.
Hana was a bit surprised. Sword of Love hadn't mentioned that No One would be visiting her grandmother's shop.
She should have realized it. The place that selling all kinds of music considered to be old now, there was only her grandmother's shop in this city!
"Has Sword of Love not woken up yet? That monkey, he can sleep for 24 hours straight."
Hana smiled as she greeted No One.
"Yes, Big Bro is always like that. Did you come to look for music?"
"Yes, looking for a few fitting tracks for when we tackle Phantom of The Immortal Blade again tonight."
Hana broke into a cold sweat.
Hearing the four words "Phantom of The Immortal Blade." She felt a psychological shadow.
Stolen novel; please report.
"No One, you were the one who got thrashed by it the most, yet you still plan to return?"
"Or do you enjoy masochism...?"
"Hey."
No One raised his thumb.
"Last night, you were amazing!"
Hana paused.
"Ahem... Brother No One, think about what you just said."
Huh.
Oh.
Wait.
"I mean, last night you were great at buffing! For someone new, that's impressive."
Hana smiled, looking a bit brighter.
"Being able to help you guys is good enough. I still have a lot to learn."
"Not at all, you just need some practice. Have you gotten used to playing the Bard yet?"
"Not really, once I started playing, I became a Musician, almost skipping any minigame mode."
Ah...
No One felt a bit disappointed.
There was no one to share his pain with.
He really wanted to find fellow Bards to lament about the music-playing mechanics.
But Hana completely bypassed that step.
Hana shook her head and began heading to the back of the house.
"Grandma just bought a batch of old music, probably dating from 2000 to 202x. Let me get it for you."
"Thank you!" No One smiled.
He took out his phone, touched the back of his neck, and started playing music.
These days, the concept of "headphones" has almost disappeared.
Most people now buy devices that attach directly to their eardrums.Playing music anytime they want.
While waiting, No One decided to listen to a few songs he recently bought but hadn't had the chance to hear yet.
At the same time, he reviewed videos of the battles from the previous day.
There was one point that made him ponder.
【"This is the end of the illusion."】
【In the Hall of Past Memories, the Immortal Blade entered a state of enlightenment. The sword bearer picked up the sword and directly performed the Starchaser Sword Technique, from which they realized a new sword technique.】
【The memories of the Immortal Blade during their Demonic transformation flooded back. The person they loved the most died by the very blade of the Immortal Blade. Endless sorrow.】
【Becoming God or Demon depends entirely on a single thought. The Demonblade was born when the Immortal Blade no longer believed in the path they followed.】
These are the narrative lines that have appeared in the dungeon so far.
What caught No One's attention was the line from the Hall of Past Memories.
The end of the illusion.
The Heavenly Demon In Black also spoke of illusions.
Connecting the events, it's possible both were referring to the same thing.
Destroying the Principles.
The end is also a beginning.The implication is that this dungeon marks the moment when monsters begin to know how to cancel animations and counterattack, a skill previously reserved only for players?
Those three lines are an introduction to the Phantom of The Immortal Blade.
According to the area name, it seems this Phantom belongs to the past of the Immortal Blade.
In the past, during her cultivation, the Immortal Blade accidentally killed the person she loved most, which led her to a Demonic path, becoming the Demonblade?
However, this conflicts with the presence of the NPC Immortal Blade standing in the City of Azure Flames.
Hmm...
Damn it.
No One had a few things he immediately wanted to investigate.
"Hana, I have an urgent matter. My card is still on record; just swipe it and copy the data of those songs for me. See you another day."
"Oh.. Okay! Goodbye!"
No One slipped on his rollerblades and rushed home.
He opened his phone to find a message from the Heavenly Demon. He replied at once.
【No 11: Thank you, Master. Do you know anything about the Immortal Blade located in the City of Azure Flames?】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Asking me about another woman, you're getting bold.】
【No 11: Please don't joke, Master. Your disciple needs more information to defeat the Phantom of The Immortal Blade.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Her real name is Avery Snow. A figure renowned in history. You can learn about her at any city library.】
【No 11: Thank you, Master.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Oh, there's more.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: She is my ex-lover.】
Dropped.
He directly dropped his phone.
The phone slipped under the wheels, causing No One to fall flat on his face.
What?
Did he... hear wrong?
What did his Master just say?
【No 11: I wish to hear more, Master.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: A lover from a past life.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: If you want to hear the details, come to the main hall.】
【No 11: Definitely.】
Damn, damn, damn, damn.
Is it true?
Damn, damn, damn, damn.
An ex-lover?
So Master likes women?
No One was a bit bewildered.
Then why give me a class outfit with nipple rings and exposed tips? Could it be that she's into both men and women!?
No One was about to send this information to the guild group chat when he immediately saw a message from Heavenly Demon In Black pop up.
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Only disciples are allowed to know these things. If you speak of it outside, I'll shave you down and use you as a human practice dummy for your junior brother.】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Cute emoji】
【Heavenly Demon In Black: Come to the main hall soon, so you can meet your junior brother. His class is Shadow Assassin. He might be a bit more cold-hearted than you.】
...
Master, could you not be both threatening and trying to be adorable at the same time?
Nobody sings "I'll stab, stab, stab" to the tune of learning meow sounds.