Chapter 95: Then That Is Enough.
Chapter 95: Then That Is Enough.
The air around me grew heavy and stagnant at my provocation. The demonic energy radiating from the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon seized control of the surroundings.
His demonic energy was unique. He had earned the title "Extreme Evil" precisely because of this energy, known as the Laughing Evil Heart.
The Laughing Evil Heart awakened a human’s primal urge for violence.
When exposed to it, one’s heart would race violently, consumed by an insatiable desire to kill. Those with weak internal power often drew their swords and slaughtered whoever stood next to them. Even masters with high internal energy found it difficult to maintain their composure under its influence.
“Behind this mask, there are two faces. If a face other than the one the Second Young Master has seen thus far awakens, even I find it difficult to control. That is why removing the mask is no simple matter.”
If the face I had seen until now was the "Smiling Demon," the other face he spoke of must be the "Extreme Evil."
“I did not mean to be disrespectful, Lord Smiling Demon. It is simply my belief that friends should be able to see each other without reserve, whether they have two faces or three. It was a comment born of youthful bravado, so please forgive me if I overstepped.”
I had been exposed to this Laughing Evil Heart before my regression. Back then, I hadn't yet learned the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, so I’d had to endure it through agonizing effort.
But things were different now.
The Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art activated naturally, shielding me from his Laughing Evil Heart. Though my mastery of the art had not yet reached the level of Great Achievement, it was more than enough to easily block the energy he was emitting.
Instead of intensifying the Laughing Evil Heart, the Smiling Demon slowly withdrew his demonic energy. The smiling eyes within the mask’s holes gradually grew cold and settled. The fading of that mirth meant he had suppressed his anger.
“The Second Young Master is truly impressive. You aren't shaken by my Laughing Evil Heart at all.”
“I’ve been tempered against evil hearts and poisonous minds since I was young. You know how it was, don't you? My brother was particularly harsh when it came to me.”
The Smiling Demon let out a loud laugh. As if he had never created such tension in the first place, he returned to the demeanor he’d had when we first met.
“The Second Young Master is a truly interesting person. It is a great shame we could not become friends.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
As I turned to open the door, the Smiling Demon spoke.
“I still believe it was the Second Young Master who killed the former Soul-Seizing Demon Lord.”
“You are mistaken.”
I didn't deny it too vehemently. This tension between us was the most important element in maintaining our relationship.
Through the closing door, I caught a final glimpse of the Smiling Demon, left alone in his white room.
*
I ran into Seo Dae-ryong at the entrance of Villain Valley.
“Investigator Seo, what are you doing here?”
“I’m training, sir. I was running for physical conditioning.”
“In front of Villain Valley, of all places?”
“It just happened to turn out that way.”
“Were you planning to jump in and save me if things got dangerous?”
He was even carrying the great blade he used for training.
“I’m touched.”
“I told you, it’s not like that. How could I possibly break through that place?”
“That’s why I’m touched. You came to save me even though you knew you’d likely die.”
“I just... came to check. I figured if I heard sounds of fighting inside, I could go inform my Master.”
“Smart. That’s exactly what you should do. Instead of jumping in and dying in vain when you lack the skill, you should do exactly that. With a right hand as wise as you, what do I have to worry about?”
Only then did Seo Dae-ryong let out a sigh of relief, finally certain that I had emerged unharmed.
“Phew, my legs are still shaking. Even if it’s you, Pavilion Master, I was a little worried.”
“Investigator Seo.”
“Yes?”
“Keep worrying about me in the future.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, keep worrying. I can make mistakes, lose my way, and do stupid things too. So keep worrying and keep helping me.”
Seo Dae-ryong gave a faint smile.
“Of course. If your right hand doesn't do it, who will?”
“My left hand, probably.”
“Are you really going to ruin the mood like that?”
As the two of us walked and joked back and forth, we suddenly stopped and looked up at a tree overhead.
“What are you doing up there?”
To my surprise, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was perched on a branch.
“Watching the sunset.”
“Specifically here?”
“To keep an eye on my disciple and see if he’s slacking off.”
In that moment, Seo Dae-ryong froze. As he stared blankly up at the Blade Demon, his eyes welled with tears. It was the first time the Blade Demon had referred to him as his disciple.
“Master! Thank you, Master!”
Seo Dae-ryong’s voice was thick with emotion. The Blade Demon, who detested such atmospheres, barked out a command.
“What are you staring at? If you came to train, get running!”
“Yes! Master!”
Seo Dae-ryong began to sprint. Seeing as he even forgot to say goodbye to me, the Blade Demon calling him "disciple" must have been truly moving.
I leaped up and sat on the branch next to the old man.
“You brat, it’ll break.”
“I’ll stay as light as a feather.”
Despite two people sitting on it, the slender branch did not break.
“That was well done.”
“Hardly.”
“Did you see how happy he was? That’s why you shouldn't delay these things. Just say what’s on your mind, take credit when it’s due, and show your hate when you feel it. That’s how you should live.”
“Is a youngster trying to lecture an old man?”
“Yes. You should learn. That’s the only way you’ll get along with the younger generation.”
“Always have an answer for everything, don't you?”
We looked at each other and chuckled.
“If you were this worried about me, you should have just said so.”
“I only came because I thought you might piss him off. When that Extreme Evil fellow gets angry, he truly loses his mind.”
“Have you seen it?”
“Once. No one could stop him.”
Yes, I knew that side of him too. "No one could stop him" was the perfect description.
“I had a feeling that if it were you, he might actually go mad.”
“Why me?”
“Because you have a real talent for infuriating people. Why would the Smiling Demon be any different?”
“Fortunately, it didn't go that far today.”
“You were able to walk out without bloodshed because you are the Cult Leader’s son. Otherwise, one of you would have died.”
“Thank you for worrying, Elder.”
“Worrying, my foot. Let’s go.”
“The sun is setting over there. Let’s watch for a moment before we go.”
“Getting old is sorrowful enough; why would I want to watch the sun set?”
The Blade Demon leaped away, vanishing from the spot.
Left alone, I sat on the branch and watched the sinking sun for a while.
Suddenly, I remembered the Smiling Demon’s final moments before my regression. I remembered his eyes, sparkling with a final burst of clarity.
—...I can’t remember. When I was a child running around with my friends, did I want to kill the person who was "it" even then? When did I become like this?
—Do you regret it? Living such an evil life.
—Regret? Hardly. My only regret is not killing more before I go. It’s just that... now that I’m actually headed for Hell, I’m scared. I’m scared. Ah! This is suffocating. Take off this mask... Thank you. This is the first time you’ve seen my face, isn't it?
—You must have been told you were handsome when you were young. Why did you wear this your whole life?
—When I was young, my Master asked me when he chose me. He said if I followed him, I could never take off this mask for the rest of my life. He asked if I could do that. In exchange, he promised me a life where I could kill to my heart’s content. I said yes without a moment’s hesitation. Ah! Come to think of it, I was already like that back then. That’s why my Master recognized me.
—You had plenty of chances to take the mask off after your Master died.
—You’d understand if you wore it. Once you put it on, you can’t take it off. It’s comfortable. You kill and kill while wearing the mask. Eventually, the mask is the one doing the killing.
—Stop making excuses for the mask. You’re the one who killed them all.
—You caught on? Hahaha, cough. It’s hard to really laugh. This mask became my symbol; how could I take it off? Should I have sent a missive to the Murim saying, "The Smiling Demon is taking off his mask starting today"? Hey, Mu Cheol. Ah, Mu Cheol probably wasn't your real name either. What is your real name?
—...
—Did you ever once think of me as a friend?
—...
—You bastard. When you come to Hell, you’ll die by my hand.
—Fine. You can have your revenge then.
—It’s been hurting so much for a while now. Draw your sword now, friend.
—Farewell.
The Smiling Demon had died by my hand.
At the time, I had no choice but to eliminate him in the process of gathering materials for the Great Regression Art. He was a villain who deserved to die, but in his final moments, he died considering me a friend.
I never did say the word "friend" to him. Perhaps in that moment, I was the greater villain.
*
My father readily agreed to a match of Go despite my sudden visit.
Usually, we played in silence, but today I was talkative.
“...I met the Demon Buddha a while ago. I said things I didn't mean, tested him, and tried my best to see what kind of person he really is.”
Father didn't answer, focusing only on the board. Normally, he would have barked at me for being so noisy, but today he remained quiet.
He had realized. He knew his son had come because he was troubled and wanted to talk.
I continued.
“Today, I met the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. I don't like him. It’s not because he supports my brother, but because the way he kills people while smiling like a maniac makes him seem insane.”
Father spoke as he captured one of my pieces.
“Keep the dead stones to this board only.”
He was telling me not to kill any more Demon Lords. He had said the same when the Soul-Seizing Demon Lord died, and now he was emphasizing it again.
What if I had to kill the Smiling Demon again? If that was our destiny? I felt that he and I were bound by a truly persistent fate.
I only hoped it wouldn't come to that in this life.
“Do I even have the skill to kill the Smiling Demon? Anyway, the reason I’m going around meeting the Demon Lords is...”
I kept talking. I intended to say everything I wanted while he was listening so patiently.
“It was for my sake, but also for my brother’s. When I first went out on my hunt, I boasted that I would make all the Demon Lords kneel and line them up, but facing them in person... it’s not that easy. You were right, Father. Dealing with people is the hardest thing in the world.”
Father said nothing and continued to place his stones. It seemed he had made up his mind to only listen today.
“Please don't misunderstand and think I’m unfit to be the successor just because I’m showing this side of myself. By working through these concerns now, I will show an even stronger side later.”
“Since you have the chance, why don't you badmouth your brother too?”
“I’m going to refrain from badmouthing him for a while. He’s working hard, floating gracefully like a swan. He must be exhausted from paddling his feet incessantly beneath the water! He’s not the type to come and confess like this, is he?”
For a split second, I saw Father smirk. It was a very subtle and fleeting change, but nothing escaped my New Eye Technique now.
“As expected, my Go game is falling apart because I’m talking too much. I’ll focus now.”
I concentrated on the game. As we reached the endgame, I asked a question.
“When I don't know what to do, may I come to see you occasionally?”
Father’s hand, about to place a stone, paused in mid-air.
“Isn't that cheating? Seeking answers from the referee?”
“Don't think of yourself as the referee; just think of it as offering a bit of advice from the sidelines.”
Father set his stone down.
“Advice can be entertaining.”
He didn't say yes or no directly, but it was an acceptance.
I knew. Even if he treated me kindly like this, it was separate from choosing a successor. He was the kind of man who could say, "Your brother is the successor," as early as tomorrow.
The result of the match was my victory by a mere two points.
“Your skills are improving by the day. Are you keeping Strategist Sama awake at night to practice? Now that is cheating.”
“Do you not have a strategist of your own?”
“He says he can’t play Go.”
“Where in the world is there a strategist who can’t play Go?”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right. I’ve never even heard of a strategist who can’t play Go in storybooks. I must have been deceived by a strategist who claims he can’t play.”
Father chuckled at my banter.
“Then, I shall see you next month.”
As I bowed and turned to leave, Father’s voice came from behind me.
“Is the burden heavy?”
My heart surged at those words. It was the first time I had heard words of comfort from him.
“It would be a lie to say it’s as light as a feather, but it isn't so heavy that I can’t bear it.”
“Then that is enough.”
Then that is enough. Why did those words sound so good lately?
If someone recognizes my effort... yes, then that is enough.