Translation:
Inside a small cabin, those who had survived were still locked in a desperate struggle.
“Block it!”
“If they get in, we’re all finished!”
“Yeek!”
Their figures, wielding sickles and hoes, desperately piled up wood as a makeshift defense.
It was more like a last-ditch effort than proper fortification.
A situation on the brink of disaster.
A Jiangshi’s arm grabbed a man by the head.
“Sa-save me!”In that very moment—
Boom!
So Yu-myeong launched himself from the ground.
“A corpse created by sorcery dares to harm the living!”
A blue energy surged along his sword in streams.
“Kek!”
As he executed a technique from ‘Taeguk Swordsmanship,’ the Jiangshis’ heads were cleaved into pieces.
Kwakwakwakwakwakwa!
The saying that he was a disciple of the Murim’s Mugang Sect was indeed no exaggeration.
The Jiangshis were being swept away, incapable of mounting a proper counterattack.
One exchange. Two exchanges… Three exchanges.
So Yu-myeong had dispelled over seven Jiangshis in the blink of an eye and shook off the blood from his sword.
“Wow. Impressive for a newcomer? Reminds me of the old days of the Contractor.”
“He’s useful. We can leave the menial work to this guy from now on.”
“Truly, he lives up to someone chosen by Mr. Jinhyuk.”
While compliments followed, So Yu-myeong’s face was cast in a heavy shadow.
The joy of having saved people was short-lived as he realized the reality of his situation.
“Th-thank you.”
“I thought it was all over…”
“Sob sob sob.”
Maybe it was the relief of being alive.
The tension drained from the people, and they slumped to the ground where they stood.
The village, once home to hundreds, now scarcely had thirty survivors.
If this much damage was done by just a handful of Jiangshis…
The casualties could exponentially increase depending on their route.
“First, please share this. Once you’ve caught your breath, I have a few questions.”
Jinhyuk took out water and barley bread from his spatial inventory and distributed it among the people.
As they took a brief respite, a hint of life returned to their haggard faces.
“I am the village chief here… First off, I must express our gratitude once again for saving our lives. If it hadn’t been for you, not a single one of us would have survived.” řãＮÔBЁŠ
The elder bowed deeply, showing his gratitude.
“But sir, for what purpose have you come to such a remote corner?”
“There were those we had to deal with who attacked this place… and there is a person we are seeking.”
“You’re looking for someone?”
Jinhyuk glanced around.
Everyone was busy attending to the wounded and preparing for any potential additional attacks from Jiangshis.
Exchanging some light conversation wouldn’t attract attention.
“Do any of the survivors here recently arrive in this village?”
If the Heavenly Demon left the Heavenly Demon Cult for Luoyang, it would be a relatively recent event.
To those who lived together their entire lives, a stranger would be conspicuous.
“There is, in fact, one person. A young man who arrived here five days ago.”
The elder nodded.
“Is that person here now?”
“Yes… they are.”
As expected.
He came here to regain his inner strength.
The site where Yin and Yang’s harmony clashed was the only such place in all of the Murim.
“Don’t point. Just describe that person’s appearance as if we are having a casual conversation.”
“Just mention this, and it should be enough for you to recognize him. A man with a peculiar scar on his neck. He is the person you are looking for.”
A scar on the neck.
Jinhyuk’s eyes darted like lightning.
Among the people tending to the wounded…
‘There.’
Though disheveled and seemingly starving, his visage was…
The eyes, however, were still very much alive.
In fact, the intensity shining through his unkempt hair was sharper than even his master’s.
The wound on the neck looked not like it was made by a sword but as if torn by a beast.
“Thank you.”
Jinhyuk rose from his seat.
＊＊＊
The Heavenly Demon.
A calamity to all demons and the term for the leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
‘That the Heavenly Demon Cult could fight against the Unified Eight Schools and the Five Noble Families all on their own in a proper war was all thanks to the existence of the deemed absolute, the Heavenly Demon.’
But.
Even the highest-flying bird can one day find its wings broken.
The king, who once basked in everyone’s awe and envy…
…was no longer seen on his throne.
Why he fought the 50th floor.
Why he cast aside everything he possessed.
The reasons were unclear.
But now, he was resolved to uncover it all.
Jinhyuk slowly approached the man.
“May I sit beside you?”
“…”
The man did not react to Jinhyuk’s words.
However, Jinhyuk took the lack of response as an implicit permission.
With a thud, as he took a seat, the man finally reacted.
“I didn’t say you could sit.”
“If you had objections, you should have spoken them, no?”
“You’re shameless. Or do you mean that you can ignore the will of people who are just grass-eaters?”
“I’ve dealt with the Jiangshi and provided a meal, I figure this much should be acceptable?”
Jinhyuk countered with a sly smile, yet bringing forth a valid point.
Apparently lacking a retort, the man sighed softly.
“Do as you like.”
He had not recognized the face of the Heavenly Demon in the past as they had never crossed their paths openly.
‘He looks healthier than I expected.’
The Heavenly Demon, too, had an appearance similar to that of any ordinary person.
Rather, thanks to a rebirth process, he likely had cleaner skin and a sharper visage instead.
Jinhyuk activated ‘Eyes of Gluttony’ and cautiously observed his quarry.
Ding!
——————————————————
Name: Baek Il-ha
Gender: Male
Age: ?? years
Level: ???
Strength ??? Agility ??? Stamina ??? Magic Power 7 Internal Energy ???
Available Stat Points: 0
Unique Ability: Heavenly Demon Divine Arts (천마신공)
Skills: ‘Heavenly Demon Overlord Steps (천마군림보)’ Lv?? , ‘Heavenly Killing Energy (천살강기)’ Lv??, ‘Heavenly Demon Great Catastrophe (천마대멸겁)’ Lv??, ‘Heavenly Demon Rebound Energy (천마반탄기)’ Lv??…….. Too many skills to display, folding details.
——————————————————
[Copy Conditions: The current Heavenly Demon has nearly depleted his primal energy due to a battle with a being from the 50th floor. Regaining his past internal energy is impossible. However, if you can assist the Heavenly Demon in regaining his power, you may copy one of his unique abilities or skills.]
[Special Conditions: You have one opportunity to delve into the Heavenly Demon’s memory. The completion level of the copied Heavenly Demon Divine Arts will depend on your prior understanding of the Heavenly Demon and his techniques. (Maximum 10 stars)]
To ascend the tower smoothly.
You must acquire the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts to reach the 50th floor…
It is not a choice but a necessity.
‘With Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, the speed for breaking through the 40th floors is over seven times faster.’
Especially the Norse deities and their affiliated divine beasts emphasize power and brute force optimized for one-on-one combat.
Naturally, to fight them, corresponding abilities were essential.
‘While Black Heavenly Demon Emperor’s Arts and Herculean Strength are beneficial, Heavenly Demon Divine Arts is the most efficient.’
Generally, abilities are acquired through fusion to create superior versions.
But Heavenly Demon Divine Arts was a flawless skill without a higher tiered version.
‘Fenrir or Jormungandr… it matches well against them.’
More than anything, incurring a debt to the Heavenly Demon would be advantageous for the journey ahead.
Although the copy conditions were strict, a way must be found.
“Why not drop the act? You’ve heard about me from the master already.”
Jinhyuk ended the tiresome game of pretense first.
Samajaza betrayed the Heavenly Demon, but Amhwang did not.
It was not out of opportunism but pure belief and loyalty towards the Heavenly Demon.
Even after losing everything, he remained devoted.
Eventually.
“…I’ve heard that Wuho-Bup has taken a disciple. Despite claiming he’d never take one throughout his life, to do so in his later years, and against a foreigner from outside the tower no less.”
The Heavenly Demon chuckled with mixed emotions.
“Fate is a truly curious thing.”
“It seems so indeed. So, what brings Wuho-Bup’s disciple all this way to seek me out?”
Now comes the main topic.
“That day. Could you tell me what happened, please?”
Mentioning past wounds, the corners of the Heavenly Demon’s eyes furrowed tightly.
Yet it was only momentary.
“Because I had one of the crowns… those who shouldn’t have crossed over, did.”
“…!”
This time, it was Jinhyuk who was surprised.
He never expected to hear ‘crown’ from the Heavenly Demon’s mouth.
A holy relic necessary to reach the summit of the tower.
Did he possess one of those?
“Judging by your reaction, you seem to know about the crown.”
“I’ve heard of it.”
Jinhyuk did not deny it.
“Considering you spoke in the past tense… does that mean you no longer possess it?”
“Right. But don’t worry. It wasn’t taken by them. In the final moment, I threw the crown out of the tower.”
…What?
So, the most important treasure of the tower was thrown away?
Thrown, no less, towards the lower levels of the tower?
Seeing Jinhyuk’s dumbfounded expression, the Heavenly Demon hastily added.
“Ahem! I know it was an idiotic move. But it’s better than them getting their hands on it, right?”
An unbelievable circumstance.
A monster capable of piercing through the tower’s floors with personal power alone.
“Do you not have any regrets…?”
He had fought them, losing all his internal energy in the process.
He successfully repelled the beings of the 50th floor, but the cost was immense.
“I… I do not regret it.”
The Heavenly Demon spoke calmly.
Was it an unquestionable truth, or a lie he told himself to escape from despair?
The sun dipped slowly behind the mountains.
Day drifted away.
Night came calling.
＊＊＊
In the deep of the night, when everyone else slept.
Jinhyuk took out the martial arts manual he had brought from Unmu-gwan.
[The manual is now accessible!]
[The culmination of ‘Blood Spirit Asura Heart Method,’ a manual written by the 2nd Heavenly Demon ‘Baek Wol-cheon, is unveiled.]
[Your understanding of all of the Demon Sect’s martial arts increases by 370%!]
[Extended use of the technique can lead to demonic possession!]
The double-edged sword that greatly aids in learning demon arts but could drive the practitioner mad.
The very manual penned by Baek Wol-cheon when he had reached the pinnacle of utmost evil.
It was so cryptic that understanding the heart methods and techniques described within was impossible, but just absorbing the demonic energy from the book would be a significant aid in comprehending the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts.
‘Hooo…’
Using ‘Black Heavenly Demon Emperor’s Arts’ and ‘Demonic Ki,’ Jinhyuk calmed the rampant demonic energy inside of him.
As soon as the ‘Special Conditions’ activated, a wave of cold magic engulfed his entire body.
[Accessing the Heavenly Demon’s memories.]
Jinhyuk closed his eyes quietly.
And when he opened them again…
Kukukukuku!
All the surrounding scenery had changed.
The sky was dyed in purple.
Amidst floating stones and fragments of rocks…
There was the Heavenly Demon.
Aloof and arrogant.
The supreme ruler of Murim stood with his sword drawn amidst the raging typhoon, solid as a bamboo in the storm.
His opponent, an ancient entity with numerous mouths and sharp teeth.
Shub Niggurath.
Though her power was tremendously restrained for manifesting in the lower levels of the tower, her mere presence was enough to overwhelm all life.
Simply by looking, she could fracture space and remodel landscapes.
A god beyond physical laws was set in motion to erode the stairways.
But.
The Heavenly Demon did not flinch or cower in her presence.
‘That is the Heavenly Demon in his prime…’
You must seize every detail.
Every movement, every gesture.
And what the Heavenly Demon’s true intentions were.
[Understanding: 0%]
“Come forth, mother of black sheep. The master will personally measure the depths of your power.”
“Kieeeeee!”
The battle that would go down in the annals of the tower’s history had begun.
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