Baekgang's Fall – The First Protagonist Slain
Quite some time had passed since my first kill of the Heavenly Demon and our first date. After that date, we sparred together every single day. I couldn't resist her ironclad resolve to end each day with a duel. Thanks to that, I grew through combat gains, and my bond with the Heavenly Demon deepened.
But she still won't tell me her name.
Was there some secret behind her name? The harder it was, the more my determination burned.
"Haa... haa..."
Today, like always, I lay on the training ground floor, staring up at the setting sun.
"Your growth is truly absurd."
The Heavenly Demon marveled at my combat growth ability.
"Rest tomorrow."
Huh? Rest? Coming from her—the one who said her body itched without daily spars?
Unexpected words slipped from her lips.
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. We've located Baekgang."
While we dueled and dated, the other demonic cultists had been scurrying around to pinpoint Baekgang's position.
Perfect timing.
Fighting only the Heavenly Demon nonstop had left me without a real sense of my progress. Time to use Baekgang as my power gauge.
"They're preparing the strategy, so rest up."
The righteous sects and demonic cult formed an alliance, deciding to take down the Yokai King.
And Baekgang while they were at it. I gave my body a well-deserved break and awaited the Heavenly Demon's summons.
"Brother, long time no see."
Chun-sik, whom I hadn't seen in ages. I'd favored him early on, but after shifting to the front lines, we lost touch.
He'd grown a lot. His face and hands were covered in scars.
"Yeah. You heading out too?"
"Yes. We'll fight together after so long."
One good thrashing had wiped out all his arrogance. With even Chun-sik mobilized, this was a total war effort.
"Hmmm..."
Was conquering the Heavenly Demon post-story? It screamed final boss battle to anyone watching.
That kept her too busy for me to make a move. Days passed, and the departure ceremony finally kicked off.
Per the Heavenly Demon's decision, I stuck with her unit. The elders or executives—whatever those old fogeys were—objected fiercely.
"If you don't like it, beat me and become Heavenly Demon yourself."
She'd shut them down with a classic 'You got a problem?' vibe. The showy ceremony ended, and everyone returned to their units.
"So it's just us two?"
Our unit: me and the Heavenly Demon. Alone.
"The others would just drag us down."
I questioned the tiny numbers, only to get treated like the weirdo.
"Focus."
We waited on standby. The righteous and demonic forces would carve a path to the Yokai King; our role was to race down it.
Conserve stamina until then.
"I'll handle Baekgang if he shows."
That's partly why she'd slotted me into her unit. But could she beat the Demon King?
It wasn't about strength—it was systemic. Per Platina, only the protagonist could kill the Demon King.
Beating and killing were different, so maybe it'd be fine? Lost in stray thoughts as the others fought hard.
They cleared the path quick.
"Block them! Don't let them reach His Majesty!"
"Demonic cultists! Don't get pushed back by these pathetic yokai!"
The battlefield roared. The Heavenly Demon and I slipped deep into enemy lines without a drop of blood spilled.
"Guh... kuhuk!"
"Sto—krhak!"
A few yokai broke through the encirclement toward us, but I dispatched them all with single strokes.
Stragglers like these? I handle them myself.
Couldn't risk the Heavenly Demon wasting energy on trash when we didn't know the Demon King's full power. We pressed on, sniping occasional mobs, until someone leaped before us.
"Long time no see, Heavenly Demon. And..."
Baekgang's eyes met mine.
"Go on ahead."
I told the Heavenly Demon. The situation was obvious.
I stood guard to keep Baekgang from interfering. But he ignored her, staring only at me.
Wait, is he gay?
Unlikely with her as the heroine, but... I kept an eye out just in case.
The Heavenly Demon passed Baekgang without issue. Now it was just us, glaring each other down.
"I have a question."
Right—he'd mentioned something last time too. When ordering the gumiho captured, he'd said he had questions for me.
"What?"
I asked casually.
"Do you know how to return to Earth... to Korea?"
His words caught me off guard. Korea? Another dimension's native?
My world? Choi Rin's? Or a third with a Korea?
Whatever, he wasn't from here. Classic webnovel "returnee" trope, possession variant.
How'd he know I'm from another dimension?
The doubt didn't last.
"The Demon King... Yokai King told you?"
"Yes. Answer quickly."
That Demon King never helped. Well, except making protagonists rush in and tank heroine affinity.
"No clue."
Short and sweet. Baekgang drew his sword.
Last time, I'd tense up. But one-armed? Not scary.
Losing an arm didn't sap spirit.
Balance crumbled. Fights hinged on body balance.
The Heavenly Demon's words exactly. Attack power varied wildly by where you put the force.
Could be powerful.
Or swift.
With his balance wrecked, Baekgang's strength naturally dipped. Denying his weakness, lost in past glory, he charged.
Baekgang unleashed Thunder God Style footwork. His lighter body slipped his control.
Panicking at the unexpected speed, he faltered. I swung Gram as he hesitated.
Body memory? He parried with his sword.
Baekgang shoved back. His face twisted in shock and doubt.
Obvious thoughts.
"Isn't it obvious?"
He looked up at my voice.
"No way one hand beats two."
Basic common sense. Not to him, drunk on old triumphs.
"Me, lose to trash like you...?"
He charged again. Protagonist grit?
Optimized Thunder God output. Swung one-handed.
Wind God Style's razor winds coiled his blade.
Output's weak.
Two hands before—no recoil even with heavy winds.
Now, lowered output to manage kickback.
"Think you'll win?!"
Mental fragility. Admitting weakness broke him.
I gripped Gram two-handed and swung. No Holy Sword Gram summon.
Raw power.
Kagak—!
Blades clashed. Baekgang yielded.
Kang—!
His arm flung high. Torso exposed.
I recovered stance swiftly.
"Gotta reach the Demon King, so..."
Swing.
"Just die already."
Flat words as I bisected him. Or tried.
"Kuh!"
Black energy burst, repelling Gram, shielding him.
"Heavenly Demon's Dominion Guard..."
A technique she'd shown in spars.
From that stance?
Perfect opening, blocked. Silver lining: massive recoil on Heavenly Demon Art.
"Hoo... hoo..."
Stamina drain—he panted hard. Awkward form cost extra.
Contrasting my composure. Now sensing disadvantage, he glanced back.
Pure flight instinct.
Let him run?
On battlefields, broken foes often fled for good if spared.
Considered it for Baekgang. His eyes killed the thought.
Have to kill him here.
No fear in those eyes. Letting that live meant trouble.
"Hoo..."
Killing never got easier.
NPC... just an NPC.
Mindset reset, gripped sword. Summoned Holy Sword, blade to light.
He triggered Water God Style. Wrong call.
Judgment lacking.
Should've burned stamina on Heavenly Demon Art. Light blade dropped on his crown.
Deflecting with Water God—but
Kkang—!
Crisp snap—his sword shattered.
"Ah..."
Last gasp, cleaved in two. First protagonist kill.
Come on, something happen! Eyes shut, waiting.
Nothing?
No event. Fine—rush to Heavenly Demon.
Legs flew; soon spotted her and Demon King.
Both wounded.
"Oh? An outsider means Baekgang—the 'protagonist'—lost?"
Demon King distanced from Heavenly Demon, eyed me.
"Guess I wait."
Whatever, prepping to flee.
"This is our last meeting, then."
More cryptic nonsense.
"Creepy."
Heavenly Demon spat at his smile. Demon King vanished anyway; war ours.
"Hmm... what reward to give?"
Heavenly Demon eyed his fading form.
"Maybe this body?"
Teasing grin.
"Yes, that's the best."
She shut up at my retort, face flushing.