The Forbidden Blade

Chapter 2: The Man Searching for a Sword

The mysterious man stared silently at the pile of black ashes before him.

The moment Lexie had raised her arm to shield her face, he had arrived. In a single instant, the drunken man's body was crushed the moment the newcomer laid a hand on him.

The creature Lexie had encountered was no ordinary human—in fact, it wasn't human at all. It was a being that had wandered into the human world and lived among mortals as though it belonged there. That was why it had dared to shove Lexie without the slightest hesitation.

The mysterious man walked toward the ashes and crouched down before them. He stared at the remains for a moment before gently blowing a stream of air from his lips.

"You've lived here for a long time, yet you never learned to respect the true owners of this world. I'm sorry, but you have to disappear. Otherwise, you'll only bring trouble upon us. If I hadn't found you tonight, you would've become an obstacle to my mission."

The faint breath leaving his lips suddenly became a powerful gust. At the same time, a violent wind swept through the area. It struck the ashes once, scattering them into the air until nothing remained.

When the wind finally died down and silence returned, the mysterious man turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, Lexie winced with every step she took. She was only a few steps away from the house she shared with her friend.

She let out a deep breath and carefully tried to move her back, hoping it was only a pinched nerve. But before she could even stretch properly, a sharp jolt shot through her spine.

"Damn it! If I hadn't worked overtime, I wouldn't be dealing with this," she muttered irritably.

She continued walking until she reached the front door and knocked twice, their usual signal to let her friend know it was her.

Her friend answered the door with sleepy eyes, still half-asleep.

Unlike Lexie, who worked from six in the evening until midnight, Lily worked from morning until late afternoon. Tonight, however, Lexie had been forced to stay for overtime, which was why she hadn't gotten home until after two in the morning. She felt as though she might as well have slept at the textile factory.

She quietly walked inside, her back throbbing with every step. She only hoped she wouldn't wake up with a fever later. Losing her job was the last thing she needed.

Exhausted, she dropped onto the long couch. It was soft enough to ease her aching body, even if only a little.

Lily glanced at the wall clock. She squinted as her blurry vision slowly adjusted before frowning.

"It's already past two. Why are you only getting home now?"

She sat near Lexie's feet, which hung over the edge of the couch.

"Overtime."

"That's some brutal overtime. You came home looking like your whole body hurts."

Lexie wondered whether she should tell Lily what had happened earlier.

She wasn't even sure if it had really happened.

Maybe it was just exhaustion—lack of sleep, an empty stomach, and overwhelming fatigue playing tricks on her mind.

"Hey! You've gone quiet."

Lexie smiled with her eyes closed.

"Go back to sleep. I'm going to sleep too. My body's aching all over, and I desperately need some rest."

"In that case, go sleep in your room. I'll leave you alone. I have work early tomorrow."

Lily walked away, leaving Lexie lying on the couch.

After a few moments, Lexie forced herself to stand.

She had forgotten about the pain in her back.

The instant she straightened up, agony shot through her spine. She grabbed onto her pants as her knees buckled, forcing her to the floor.

She bit her lower lip to keep herself from crying out. The last thing she wanted was to wake Lily.

The longer it lasted, the more unbearable the pain became, especially around her spine.

Despite the agony, she forced herself to stand.

She just needed to reach her bed.

Maybe a painkiller would finally help.

Making a living was already hard enough, and now someone had decided to make her life even more miserable.

After taking medicine for the pain, she lay down on her bed.

Only a few moments later, however, her body curled in agony as the pain grew even worse.

What's happening?

The medicine should've eased the pain by now.

Why was it getting worse instead?

She squeezed her eyes shut and endured it.

The medicine seemed completely useless.

Maybe sleep was the only thing that could dull the pain.

Hopefully, she'd still be able to fall asleep despite the constant waves of agony.

---

The next day, Lexie opened her eyes and realized it was already close to five in the afternoon.

She hurriedly got out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and rushed to eat before getting ready for work.

She was about to head to the bathroom when she suddenly stopped.

"My body's not hurting anymore."

A smile spread across her face.

"So the medicine was just slow to take effect."

Without another thought, she went into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and immediately ate afterward.

She couldn't afford to be late for work.

By the time she left the house, darkness had already begun to settle over the city.

She hurried down the streets, alternating between walking and running.

She couldn't afford transportation yet.

She hadn't received her paycheck, and the few coins left in her bag weren't even enough for a taxi.

While rushing toward the factory, she accidentally collided with someone.

Both of them tumbled onto the roadside.

Lexie immediately got to her feet and bowed repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I'm really sorry."

She looked up and realized the person she had bumped into was a man.

He remained seated on the ground, quietly staring at her.

She turned, intending to run off again, but suddenly felt someone grab her arm.

She looked back.

The man she had bumped into was holding her wrist, his expression serious.

"W-What is it?" she asked nervously.

What if he demanded money for medical expenses?

She barely had enough money to survive herself.

"May I ask you something?"

She frowned slightly.

"What is it?"

The man released her arm and stood up, dusting off his pants.

"Do you know anyone around here who sells swords?"

Lexie looked him up and down in confusion.

"Swords?"

He nodded.

"Yes. Do you know anyone who sells them... or perhaps forges them?"

She stared at him.

How strange.

Who went looking for swords in this day and age?

Don't tell me he actually intends to buy one.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

She had completely forgotten she was running late.

"I'm sorry, but I really have to go!"

Without waiting for a reply, she turned and sprinted away.

She glanced at her watch.

Only two minutes remained before she was supposed to be inside the factory.

She had just taken a shower, yet sweat already soaked her entire body.

Right as the clock struck six, Lexie saw the small gate used by the factory workers beginning to close.

"Wait!"

Breathing heavily, she grabbed the gate before it could shut completely.

Her coworker, Mandy, looked at her in surprise.

"Oh? I thought you weren't coming in today."

Lexie grinned. "I wish. I'm not rich enough to stay home and do nothing."

The two shared a laugh before heading to their respective workstations.

As Lexie arranged the rolls of fabric, she suddenly paused.

The strange man crossed her mind again.

Who on earth searched for swords nowadays?

Most people wanted guns.

But that man...

He was searching for a sword.