Chapter 470: Ten Thousand (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 470: Ten Thousand (1)
Her waist-length black hair flowed like silk.
Its darkness, devoid of any reflection, was profoundly alluring.
Her pale skin provided a stark, beautiful contrast to that raven hair.
She was beautiful.
Anyone who saw her would agree.
Her pupils shone with a violet light.
It was the natural mark of a Demonic Human, but hers was incomparable—far brighter, like exquisitely crafted jewels without a hint of cloudiness.
She was stunning enough to make anyone's heart race.
But what I felt upon seeing her wasn't excitement.
Why.
It was only fear.
Why is she here… Why?
I was terrified.
Emotions carved deep into my chest surged into my head.
I clenched my fist tightly, afraid my hands would start to shake.
The moment I saw those violet eyes, this feeling seized me.
My breath caught.
My heart grew cold.
A heavy pressure seemed to weigh down my entire body.
Ddddd-dddddd-!
A harsh, grating noise echoed.
I looked towards the sound. It came from where she was gripping the gate with her bare hand.
This is insane.
It was the Gate of Demons, the same one that had been trying to pull me in.
She was forcing it shut with her hand, and the noise was the gate straining to reopen.
…Forcing a spatial rift to close.
How was such a reckless act even possible?
Beyond that, the force emanating from the struggling gate was dangerously powerful. Just the shockwaves were giving me goosebumps.
Yet the woman—no, the ruler of ten thousand Demons—maintained the same calm expression, utterly unbothered.
Dddd…Ddddd-!
The repeating noise drew the Heavenly Demon’s gaze back to the rift.
“How loud,” she murmured.
The slight smile on her face vanished.
“…Please be quiet for a moment. You are bothering me.”
Her tone was tinged with annoyance.
Woong-
A shadow blossomed from her feet.
Swoosh-!
Darkness began to consume the world.
It was broad daylight, the sun high in the sky, but at the Heavenly Demon’s command, it turned to night.
My eyes widened as I watched the darkness envelop the territory.
Demonic Qi.
This shadow was pure Demonic Qi.
But it was fundamentally different from the energy used by other Demonic Humans.
It’s far denser. More malevolent.
Night had fallen.
That was my first thought as the Heavenly Demon’s Qi painted the world black.
She had brought night without a moon in the sky.
This wasn't like the Gu Clan's Secret Art, Red Heaven.
She had simply poured out her Qi, altering the very air and atmosphere.
Ddd… Ddddd… Ddd…
The Heavenly Demon stared coldly at the rift.
As her gaze fell upon it,
Ddd…
The rift’s violent noise shockingly ceased.
“You listen well. What a good boy,” she said.
Did the rift fall silent out of fear for the Heavenly Demon?
Of course, that was impossible. A Gate of Demons wasn't a living being; it couldn't feel emotion.
But.
…How else can I explain this?
There was no other logical explanation. The wild gate had instantly stilled and closed itself after she unleashed her Qi. The sight filled me with horror.
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze returned to me. Our eyes met, and I furrowed my brows.
…It’s really her.
This was undoubtedly the Heavenly Demon I knew.
Only one person in the world could command such an atmosphere.
She was known as the Demonic Cult’s heaven, the absolute power of the world.
The pressure she exuded made my head feel heavy, as if it would bow on its own.
She was more suited than anyone to stand atop the heavens.
That was the Heavenly Demon.
“How fascinating,” she said.
“…”
I had been silent for too long. My mind snapped back to attention at the sound of her voice.
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this.”
She smiled kindly.
That smile terrified me.
“What a refreshing gift, is it not?”
Still smiling, she took a step closer and reached out her hand.
What do I do?
I scrambled for a way to escape.
Step.
But my body had already taken a reflexive step back without my conscious command.
Such a reaction would normally be a grave insult, but the Heavenly Demon wasn't someone who felt such petty emotions.
However, there was a problem.
Even with my step back, she was already right in front of me.
Tap.
I was caught.
She closed the distance, grabbed my left arm, and pulled it forward for inspection.
A chilling sensation ran through me, and I immediately tried to pull back.
Squeeze-!
Damn it.
My arm refused to budge.
“Hmm.”
She lifted my arm. My sleeve slid down, revealing the monstrous appendage covered in blue scales.
It was a disgusting sight, to say the least.
A moment later, my arm was suddenly free.
Had I broken her grip with my own strength?
Of course not.
The Heavenly Demon had allowed me to retreat.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but that was the reality.
“Captain.”
“…!”
My body froze solid at the title she uttered.
Captain.
That was unmistakably what she had called me.
I stared at her, my pupils shaking.
“…How…”
She knew my identity.
How did she figure it out?
Moreover…
Why is the Heavenly Demon here in the first place?
Her presence in this place, at this time, made no sense at all.
As I stood there speechless, she continued, her gaze sharpening.
“I told you before.”
I gulped nervously.
“That I would be angry if you returned with injuries.”
Her eyes curved into crescent moons.
Her smile was beautiful, but the overwhelming pressure she exuded remained unchanged. I felt like I might start trembling at any second.
Perhaps I already was.
If so, I had to endure it with everything I had.
“…I think you have me mistaken for someone else. I am not this ‘Captain’ you speak of.”
I forced the words out. I had sworn to kill her one day; I couldn't afford to be cowed by fear now.
“Hmm.”
The Heavenly Demon considered my response for a moment, then nodded slightly.
“Is that so.”
Huh? Did she actually buy it?
That hope lasted only an instant.
“I suppose you aren’t called ‘Captain’ in that world of yours.”
“…!”
A chill ran down my spine at her calm words.
“Or perhaps, I haven’t made my appearance there yet? No, I doubt that’s the case.”
She thought aloud, a slight frown on her face as she rested a finger on her chin. I barely suppressed a gasp.
She knows I’m from a different world?
Not only had the Heavenly Demon appeared suddenly, carrying the Heavenly Venerable’s head, but she also seemed fully aware of who I was and where I came from.
Squeeze-
My heart reacted violently.
My Qi suddenly began to boil.
What’s happening?
I curled my body as an unexpected, harsh vibration translated into sharp pain.
And it wasn’t just my heart. My left arm throbbed violently, as if it had a heart of its own.
I’d felt this before. Where?
Wait…
Oh.
I remembered. I’d felt this during my confrontation with the Blood Demon, who was possessing Jang Seonyeon’s body at the Orthodox Faction gathering.
But why am I feeling this now, facing the Heavenly Demon?
No, this isn’t the time for that.
The situation was far too dangerous for distractions.
What do I do?
I felt the weight of the Heavenly Demon’s gaze locked onto me.
Despite our height difference, with her looking up at me, it felt like she was the one looking down.
Thump-! Thump-!
As my emotions and Qi grew more agitated…
Touch.
I felt a touch on my chin, gently lifting my head.
It was the Heavenly Demon’s hand.
“Captain.”
“…I told you, I’m not—”
“Judging from your eyes, you know exactly who I am. Don’t you?”
“…”
“I wonder how you know me. I’m very curious.”
I looked down at her. The smile was still on her face.
“That’s a good pair of eyes. I’d love to gouge them out.”
Her words were brutally violent.
“…”
“However, I will show you mercy. I am always merciful, after all.”
I needed to slap her hand away. Now.
But my body was frozen solid, refusing to obey.
Just moments ago, I’d thought I had grown strong enough, having stabilized my Fusion Realm, to hold my own against most foes.
Fucking hell.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, the Heavenly Demon appeared. My luck couldn't be worse.
And besides…
My eyes flicked downward.
The Heavenly Venerable’s head lay lifeless on the ground.
Even now, I was worried about the Demonic Sword.
Tsk.
She had been on her knees since the Heavenly Demon’s arrival, as was the proper greeting for a Demonic Human before their leader.
“Captain.”
Her voice drew my gaze back.
“Do not look away from me when I am speaking to you.”
Her tone was calm.
Gritting my teeth, I grabbed her wrist and pushed her hand away.
Swish.
“Hmm.”
The Heavenly Demon made a quiet sound of acknowledgment.
“I said I’m not your Captain.”
I strained to keep my voice from shaking.
Her violet eyes dropped to her wrist, which I was still holding. My tension skyrocketed.
“How refreshing.”
I expected her to pull away immediately, but she remained perfectly calm.
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this…”
A subtle heat entered her voice. My shoulders began to tremble.
“But this isn’t so bad.”
She smiled.
It was an alluring smile that carried something so ominous it chilled me to the bone.
“I want to ask you one thing.”
Was she greatly amused? Or was it something else? An emotion flickered in her eyes—a rare occurrence. When she did show emotion, it was usually closer to killing intent.
“Were you the one I ultimately chose?”
“What are you…”
I tried to respond, but her gaze shifted to an empty space nearby. All the while, she kept one hand pressed against the Gate of Demons, holding it shut.
“Unfortunately, we have a guest.”
I followed her gaze.
“…Huh?”
Something was approaching from the empty sky.
Swish-!
Swords.
Pure white blades were flying toward us. Hundreds, no, thousands of them filled the air.
I bit my lip.
Why are you here…?
First the Heavenly Demon, and now the situation was escalating further.
This Qi belonged to the last person who should be here.
As the sky filled with swords, the Heavenly Demon calmly tidied her hair.
I focused my vision.
A figure was riding atop one of the blades.
Her beautiful golden hair now shone with a white radiance.
The two swords she held gleamed brilliantly.
She floated in the air with the sun behind her, but rather than blocking the light, she seemed to fuse with it.
This was my least favorite form of hers.
She could only achieve it by burning her life force.
As the swordswoman made her sudden appearance,
“You fortunately seemed to have sensed it,” the Heavenly Demon said, her voice cold.
“It’s a face I still despise looking at.”
The irony was palpable.
How could it not be?
The woman who had appeared to confront the Heavenly Demon had a face that was identical to her own.