Chapter 330: The Apostle (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 330: The Apostle (1)
Rustle.
With every motion, a fine, powder-like substance drifted from its form.
They were its ashes.
This body had long been stripped of life's essence, reduced to a dark husk of its former humanity.
Though I was certain of his death, the corpse continued to move before my eyes.
But this was far from normal.
Its movements were jerky, mechanical—utterly unnatural.
The bastard inspected its own body part by part before slowly turning its head toward me.
[ Impressive. ]
A compliment was its first utterance.
[ This vessel was not weak, yet you reduced him to this state. An unexpected outcome. ]
Its voice carried a playful lilt, as if it found the entire situation deeply amusing.
Ignoring its own ravaged form, it began to survey our surroundings: the blood-red sky, the metallic scent carried on the wind, the decaying earth and trees.
Taking it all in, the Blood Demon spoke again.
[ So this is why my connection was severed. Another ruler has already laid claim to this world. No wonder it was so difficult to breach. ]
As it mused with evident delight, I cut in with a question.
“…What do you want from me?”
The Blood Demon chuckled at my words.
[ You show remarkably little surprise. How disappointing. ]
“I’ve seen this before.”
A similar occurrence happened during the Dragons and Phoenixes Tournament, when I first learned of the Blood Demon’s existence in our world.
I had considered the possibility that it might use Jang Seonyeon’s body as a vessel again, just as it did then.
But for it to happen now, of all times…
Outwardly, I feigned calm, but internally, I was reeling.
I never imagined the Blood Demon’s reach could extend even to this world.
Just what is it?
“How did you get here?”
[ Do not judge me too harshly. The effort required to reach this place was… extreme. ]
“Was that body so precious to you?”
I didn’t know if it had come to protect Jang Seonyeon’s lifeless form or if it had some other business with me. Either way, this was no happy reunion.
The Blood Demon stared at me for a long moment before releasing a dry chuckle.
[ It is a rather precious vessel. One I had placed considerable hope in. ]
“A shame, then. I’ve already killed him. Do you plan to carry the body back and resurrect him?”
Sarcasm dripped from my voice.
[ So you wish to jest with me, child. ]
Yet the Blood Demon showed no sign of annoyance.
[ It is not so difficult for me to comprehend the rules governing this world. ]
Fuck.
I cursed inwardly.
It meant the bastard understood the flow of this reality—that Jang Seonyeon would return to life once I departed.
‘So it knows that much.’
I knew it was a monster from the past, a calamity that had scourged the world, but I never expected it to grasp the workings of this fabricated realm.
[ A most amusing world, is it not? ]
“…Since you went to the trouble of coming here, is it to get in my way?”
The Blood Demon itself said Jang Seonyeon was precious. That suggested it was here to stop me from eliminating him for good.
I had no idea how powerful the Blood Demon truly was, but if its aim was to hinder me, this situation had just turned very bad.
[ Are you nervous? ]
It was a strange sight—the corpse’s charred hand came to rest on its chin.
I gathered my Qi. I had already expended a tremendous amount dealing with Jang Seonyeon.
It would have been more efficient to incinerate him instantly, but I had chosen to control my Qi, to let the flames consume him slowly, painfully. That decision was now coming back to haunt me.
[ Those are not good eyes to have. One should never show nerves, regardless of the circumstance. ]
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
[ You intend to kill this child, yes? ]
“Not ‘intend.’ I already have.”
I had burned him to death, slowly and agonizingly.
The rules of this world meant he would be restored upon my return to the normal world, but I already had a plan for that.
If that method failed and Jang Seonyeon returned regardless…
Then I’ll just kill him again. And keep killing him until he is erased from existence.
Better to force the issue than to do nothing and allow a greater danger to emerge.
[ You must harbor a deep hatred for this child. I wonder why. ]
I stared at the Blood Demon after its question, but an immediate, visceral urge to look away seized me.
Just gazing upon the body filled me with unease.
I couldn't quite identify the strange sensation. Was this oppressive atmosphere emanating from the bastard’s very essence?
I wanted to destroy it immediately.
Yet I suppressed the impulse and answered.
“What is your goal?”
[ Hmm? ]
“If you died and rotted away centuries ago, why didn’t you stay dead? Why do you still linger?”
[ Hehehe… ]*
The five heroes of the past—each at least as powerful as the current Heavenly Venerables—had said sealing the monster was the best they could manage.
Because of that, the Blood Demon still existed in our world, imprisoned.
So why was it appearing now, after all this time?
“Are you planning a resurrection?”
Was that its goal?
[ An interesting question. Resurrection, you say. ]*
“If not, then you should have stayed hidden in some corner. Why interfere?”
Both Namgung Cheonjun and Jang Seonyeon had wielded the Blood Demon’s power after receiving its Blood Qi.
I doubted they were the only ones.
It was possible there were more.
It could mean the Murim Alliance is already in the Blood Demon’s grasp.
That was one reason I could never fully trust the Alliance.
[ Hehe… ]*
The Blood Demon continued to chuckle, as if privy to some private joke.
Was it mocking me?
[ Child. ]*
The Blood Demon addressed me.
[ You provide great entertainment to this dull, predetermined existence. For that, I shall grant you a gift. ]*
“…What are you…”
[ If resurrection were my goal, I would have achieved it long ago. ]*
“What?”
[ A seal, you say? Do you truly believe I have suffered all this time, bound by lesser beings? ]*
The Blood Demon’s words froze me solid.
I couldn’t tell if it was speaking the truth.
It might have been a bluff.
But what would it gain from bluffing?
As my mind raced with complicated thoughts, the Blood Demon continued.
[ I can rise again whenever I wish. ]*
“…Then why haven’t you?”
[ There was simply no need. ]*
“No need?”
[ Correct. The necessity vanished. That is why I remained as I was. ]*
“Bullshit. Then why are you doing all of this now?”
[ Doing what? ]*
I knew both Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun had used its power, and here I was, speaking to the Blood Demon itself through Jang Seonyeon’s body, just like before.
“All the chaos you’ve caused.”
[ I gave them strength because they asked for it. I did not seek them out. ]*
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
[ Child, you are mistaken. ]*
Rumble-!
“…!”
A thick, foul stench of blood erupted before me.
I was forced back a step.
Without my Qi shielding me, I would have collapsed and retched on the spot.
This was definitely Qi, exploding forth from Jang Seonyeon’s body.
Was it truly this powerful, even using another as a vessel?
The Blood Demon spoke as my eyes widened in shock.
[ I have no need for belief from an insignificant existence like you. ]*
Jang Seonyeon’s body gradually rose to its feet.
It looked ready to crumble at the slightest touch, yet it stood firm, leveling its gaze with mine.
Though I could not see its eyes, I felt the Blood Demon staring directly into me.
[ Should you not be grateful instead? ]*
“…Grateful for what?”
[ Despite knowing the locations of my five senses, my Qi, and my body, I merely watch in peace. Is that not generosity? ]*
Its five senses, Qi, and body.
The Light of Might had mentioned this before.
The Blood Demon’s five senses were scattered across the world. Its Qi and body were sealed away.
But it knows where they are?
Even if the Blood Demon was telling the truth, it didn’t make the idea of its revival any more believable.
Knowing their locations didn’t mean the bastard could retrieve them.
[ I am merely waiting for the right time. ]*
The right time… It was waiting for something.
“So when that time comes, you will resurrect?”
[ I am unsure… I have not yet decided. ]*
The Blood Demon did not resurrect in my past life.
To me, it was merely a calamitous monster of the past, sealed away by heroes.
With that in mind, I asked another question.
“There is one thing I want to ask.”
The Blood Demon laughed at my bluntness.
[ How insolent. You speak as if I came here for conversation. ]*
“Am I wrong?”
[ Why would you think that? ]*
“If it weren’t true, you wouldn’t have told me any of this.”
It had spoken of its five senses, its Qi, its body, its lack of desire for resurrection, and its waiting. These were all details that begged more questions.
The Blood Demon had revealed far too much for this to be a simple mission to save Jang Seonyeon. Its calm demeanor suggested that killing me was not its goal.
“If you won’t answer, then get lost. I have nothing more to say to you.”
Still, I was not about to view it in a positive light. Whatever its identity and goals, I doubted they would be beneficial to me. In the end, it was just another entity I would need to eliminate.
[ What is it you wish to ask? ]*
“Are you a calamity?”
When I encountered the memory of Yeon Il-Cheon, he told me the Blood Demon they fought was a calamity—a destined bringer of the world’s end.
Furthermore, Yeon Il-Cheon had called me a calamity as well. He claimed my transmigration served a purpose, that I would ultimately be the one to end the world.
Elder Shin advised me to believe in myself, but that was easier said than done.
Since the Blood Demon seemed inclined to talk, I decided to ask directly.
I wanted to know if Yeon Il-Cheon was right.
The Blood Demon fell silent for a moment after my question.
After a few seconds, it spoke.
[ I never expected such a question from you. How amusing. ]*
“I’m not here to amuse you. Answer the question.”
[ Calamity, you say? ]*
The Blood Demon took a step toward me. As it moved, a crack snaked across its neck.
[ What do your eyes tell you? ]*
“Based on appearance alone, you certainly look the part.”
The sight of the Blood Demon puppeting a lifeless body, advancing on me, was unsettling, even for me.
[ Calamity… Who told you that term? ]*
“Just answer yes or no.”
[ No. There is no need for an answer, as there is only one possibility. ]*
It stretched out an arm. The sword in its hand pointed toward me, and I frowned, debating whether to disarm it or shatter the weapon entirely.
[ It would be Yeon Il-Cheon. ]*
It seemed the Blood Demon knew exactly who had told me.
Should I deny it?
Truthfully, I didn't trust Yeon Il-Cheon that much either.
[ A pitiful man. So consumed by regret that he acted. He has blinded you. ]*
“My eyes are perfectly fine.”
[ No. You have been blinded by a ghost of the past. I will open them for you. ]*
The Blood Demon’s fingertip reached for my eyes.
It was close enough to touch, but I didn’t move. I could sense it attempting something, yet I remained perfectly still.
Just as its fingers were about to make contact—
Craaaack-!
Finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived.
Something erupted from the ground, forcing a barrier between me and the Blood Demon.
[ How unfortunate. ]*
The Blood Demon sounded disappointed.
I glanced down. A massive tree root had risen between us. Seeing it, the Blood Demon took a step back.
[ It seems I have overstayed my welcome. ]*
Before it could touch the root, its hand crumbled effortlessly into dust.
[ Was this your aim? ]*
“Not specifically, but since you were getting closer, I decided to test a theory.”
[ How daring. You showed no intention of moving. ]*
I had been certain it would come.
‘This’ presence also wanted something from me. I knew it needed me alive.
Because of that, I was sure it wouldn’t leave me to my fate.
[ A pity… I wished for our conversation to last a little longer, but it seems the ruler of this world disapproves of my presence. ]*
Cracks spiderwebbed across the Blood Demon’s body.
[ It was not enough, but I hope this exchange has brought us closer. ]*
“You’re more disgusting than I imagined. Leave quietly and spare me further nausea.”
I snapped, but the Blood Demon seemed unperturbed.
Even as Jang Seonyeon’s body rapidly dissolved, I did not lower my guard. The Blood Demon’s attention remained fixed on me.
[ The offer I extended to you before remains open. Visit me if you encounter the Dancer. ]*
Ha.
I let out a dry, incredulous scoff.
“You don’t even know what I’ll do if I visit?”
I had no idea who or what the ‘Dancer’ was, so I couldn’t fathom why the Blood Demon was so insistent.
What if I accepted the invitation only to destroy everything there?
Or was it simply that confident?
“Even if I do visit, it certainly won’t be for pleasant reasons.”
[ I do not mind that. Venturing beyond one's comfort zone is always good practice. ]*
As the Blood Demon’s lower body vanished, its torso collapsed to the ground. The impact shattered it to pieces.
The fragments scattered into dust, carried away by the wind.
Yet, even then, it spoke one last time.
[ Let us meet again. ]*
With those final words, the last remnants of Jang Seonyeon’s body were gone.
“…Sigh.”
I released a rough sigh, finally allowing myself to relax slightly.
“For fuck’s sake. Every time I try to accomplish something, someone interferes.”
Was this due to my abysmal luck?
My head throbbed.
Of all things, why did it have to be the Blood Demon?
What is going on?
I thought back to the events of my past life, but it felt pointless given all the new secrets I had uncovered in this one.
What was that bastard’s ultimate fate? What was the purpose of this world? What was the seed the Gu Clan possessed?
Any one of those questions was enough to give me a headache, leaving my mind in disarray.
That was why I had come here. I’d wanted to visit this place ever since arriving at the Academy, ever since confirming Cheol Jiseon was here.
I believed the ‘entity’ in this world held answers for me.
I turned around and spoke.
“If you were going to show up, you should have done it sooner. Why the long wait?”
Where there had been only barren land, a colossal figure now towered over me, blotting out the sky.
I had seen it in my past life as well, but its size was still unbelievable.
It was difficult to call it a mere tree, given its monumental scale and the aura it emanated.
Moreover, I knew its name.
It had introduced itself to me once.
It called itself the Fifth World Tree of this land.
Muah.
Sough-
The branches, stretching high into the clouds, began to stir as if in response to my voice.
The bare, dried limbs only added to its desolate appearance.
Then,
[ Nice to meet you. ]*
A voice echoed in my ears.
It was hollow and sorrowful.
Exactly the same as the voice I remembered.
Its greeting was identical to before, but what followed was different.
[ My apostle. ]*
I frowned at those words.