Chapter 477: Damned Bastard (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 477: Damned Bastard (1)
“Dammit.”
The curse escaped my lips the moment I took in the sight before me. I was back in the secret vault, the very place where I’d first met Tang Jaemoon.
Did I seriously just get kicked out?
Sigh.
A wave of speechless frustration washed over me, and I could only let out a heavy sigh. She’d said her piece and then ejected me without another word.
“Why are all the heroes from the past like this?” I muttered.
I hadn’t even gotten a proper conversation. She’d spoken with an air of omniscience, only to dismiss me like an afterthought.
Crack.
My teeth ground together, the sound a sharp punctuation to my irritation.
What about Elder Shin?
I tried to sense if Elder Shin was still with me, but there was nothing. No presence, no sound.
I doubt he fell asleep again.
My vessel issues had been partially resolved, so it seemed unlikely he’d have slipped back into slumber. Which meant…
Did Tang Jaemoon do something?
That seemed the most plausible explanation for now.
Hah…
I forced myself to calm down, to cool the heat of my emotions. My thoughts drifted back to the conversation with Tang Jaemoon. She’d spoken as if I had forgotten something crucial, and that this ‘test’ was meant to reveal it.
But what is it?
I genuinely had no idea. It probably wasn’t about the Demonic Sword or the Celestial Sword. I remembered everyone who had died back then clearly.
Maybe I have to think about the anomalies that occurred because of my appearance?
In that regard, one person did come to mind. There might have been one, but I’d never bothered to dwell on it.
There is no way.
Such a thing would be impossible.
…Of course, that’s not possible.
It shouldn’t be, at least.
Many things had changed in that timeline because of me—the Murim Alliance's actions, the Heavenly Venerable's moves. But the most significant change was the Heavenly Demon’s appearance.
But what do I have to do with the Heavenly Demon?
That was precisely why I’d never given it much thought. There was simply no connection.
Although…
…
The biggest problem was my own uncertainty.
…Huh.
What was this uneasy feeling gnawing at me? I couldn't pinpoint its origin. Did it start when I met that world's Heavenly Demon? Or perhaps when I faced Tang Jaemoon after the test? Maybe it began the moment my vessel shattered. Whenever I thought about the Heavenly Demon, this disquiet surfaced.
What’s going on?
What was this sensation, and why did I feel it? Tang Jaemoon’s words had filled my mind with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. I didn’t believe I’d forgotten anything, yet my heart felt strangely heavy. Was there really something I was unaware of?
…And it involves the Heavenly Demon?
The inconsistencies were piling up. After all, it was most likely the Heavenly Demon who had sent me back in time.
Why?
If that was true, how had she done it, and for what purpose? Did she want something from me?
But that doesn’t seem to be the case, judging by what I saw.
My first encounter with the Heavenly Demon suggested otherwise. It was back when I was with the Murim Alliance army, on a mission to hunt Demonic Humans. That was when I met her. She had slaughtered the alliance forces like they were insects, and I’d only escaped with Wi Seol-Ah by the skin of my teeth. The Heavenly Demon had ambushed that area for the Celestial… no, for Wi Seol-Ah. I was just collateral damage, turned into a Demonic Human in the process.
But judging by that, I clearly wasn’t her goal.
I was certain of that much. At least, that’s what I had believed then.
…But what about now?
I was beginning to question everything. Was it because of what Tang Jaemoon said, or was it something else? I didn’t know, but something was clearly wrong.
I forced another calm upon myself and pondered. It felt like a fog over my sight had thinned slightly, though I hadn't even realized a fog was there until now.
…I’m not sure. I don’t have the answer as of now.
Maybe it had nothing to do with the Heavenly Demon. It could be something else entirely. But I had no answers.
It’s funny how I’m even thinking about it in the first place.
I’d never once considered these questions before hearing Tang Jaemoon’s words.
…
As I stood there in silent thought,
Wait.
I remembered something strange. Huh, why hadn’t I thought of this before? My current confusion regarding the Heavenly Demon… I had never, in my entire life, pondered these things. Wasn't that strange? It was a monumental problem, yet I’d never given it a single thought, despite knowing full well how dangerous the Heavenly Demon was. So why was I thinking about it now?
A nervous gulp caught in my throat as I turned the question inward. I realized it then.
I was intentionally avoiding any thoughts about the Heavenly Demon in my mind.
I had been dodging the topic subconsciously every time it arose. I’d always told myself it was a problem for the future, that I had more immediate concerns. Now, I started to see the problem with that. It almost felt as if something—or someone—was preventing me from thinking about her.
What was going on? Why were these thoughts surfacing only after what I’d just been through?
…Perhaps.
I remembered taking a sip of tea during my conversation with Tang Jaemoon. She said it was a ‘piece of Oblivion,’ didn’t she? Maybe consuming it was the cause? Ever since then, a strange sense of certainty had been growing in my mind.
Grrr…
I spun towards the source of a sudden, low growl. Qi instinctively surged through my body. Was there something else in here with me?
Blaze-!
Flames erupted from my hand.
Tsk.
I clicked my tongue in immediate frustration at the sight of the blue flames dancing on my palm. The pinkish-red flame was one thing, but this color was… problematic. I shelved that concern for the moment and focused, ready to charge toward the growling sound.
Grrr-
“…Hmm?”
Another growl echoed, and something emerged from behind a pillar. My eyes widened as I got a clear look at the bastard.
“Blood Qi?”
It looked eerily similar to a certain monster I’d encountered before. The cranky dragon that had desperately tried to possess me.
Grr…
However, this thing’s size was nowhere near as colossal as the one I remembered. It was even smaller than me, though it bore a definite resemblance. Its body was covered in beautiful scales, with hair on its arms and legs, and a gaping maw filled with razor-sharp fangs.
Why is this bastard here?
My body moved before my mind could fully process the question. My plan was simple: capture it first.
Swish-!
I tilted my body and launched a fist, wreathed in blue flame, straight toward the creature. But before impact,
Grr.
“…!”
I saw its eyes. I instantly twisted my body away, aborting the attack.
Swoosh-!
Craaash-!
My fist, diverted, struck the pillar beside the monster. The pillar erupted into blue fire.
Crack-! Thud-!
It collapsed into shattered, burning pieces with a deafening thud. I could have recalled the flames, but I stood frozen, staring at the creature with a shocked expression. Despite me having been right in its face, the bastard simply tilted its head in confusion, showing no sign of aggression.
“You…”
My voice was laced with bewilderment as I posed the question.
“…Are you perhaps the Red Water Snake?”
The creature’s eyes began to sparkle the moment I spoke its name.
Grrr.
It gave a light, affirmative nod of its head.
“…”
I was speechless. This was the Red Water Snake, born from the Red Demonic Stone? But it had turned into… this?
“Why did you become like this?” I mumbled, unable to form a coherent thought.
Its appearance was utterly transformed. Before, it had been a small water snake, barely able to coil around my arm. Now, it was thick and long, easily as tall as me if it stretched out. Its body was long and flexible, but it hardly resembled a snake anymore. The only reason I could recognize it was because of one thing.
Woong-
The energy inside my body was resonating with this bastard. Perhaps because of our connection, I could instinctively tell this was the Red Water Snake.
Grr.
The creature poked out its tongue and licked my face. The thin, forked tongue was gone, replaced by a huge, thick one that slathered my cheek with a heavy, wet stroke.
“You’re getting saliva all over me, you bastard.”
The amount of drool was no joke, given its new size.
Why did this happen?
I thought to myself as I absently began to pet its head. I didn’t need to ponder long, however.
Is it because of me?
Judging by its scales and the resonant energy between us, the reason for the Red Water Snake’s transformation was obvious.
“…Because I changed, you changed as well?”
Grr?
The bastard tilted its head, seemingly unable to understand my words. Despite its monstrous appearance, its behavior was just as simple-minded as before.
Thankfully, only its appearance seemed to have changed.
But that was also the biggest problem now.
How am I supposed to deal with this thick bastard?
I’d been too puzzled to consider it until now. I was somewhat glad it had returned with me, but I had no way to hide it like I could when it was a small snake. My mind churned with conflict as I watched it tilt its head, its whiskers twitching in confusion.
Just what is this bastard?
Putting aside its origins from a Demonic Stone and stealing my Qi, it was now changing form.
It isn’t going to change any more than this, right?
The thought was frightening. What would I do if it grew even larger?
If it does get bigger…
I was reminded of the Blood Qi monster I’d encountered in my mind. That thing had been enormous, its size comparable to the Red Water Snake Demon I’d fought in the river. That was a serious problem.
And how will I feed it?
I was already worried about the cost of feeding its current thick-bodied self. If it got any bigger, it would be a catastrophe for my wallet.
Hah.
A laugh escaped me mid-thought. I found it funny that my primary concern was how to care for and feed the bastard, rather than simply abandoning it. I continued petting its head, and it rubbed back against my hand affectionately.
After a few more pats, I turned my head.
“Hmm.”
I scanned the vault and spotted what I was looking for, then walked toward it. It was a pile of items at the far end of the hall. The Heavenly Poison Orbs and the White Demonic Stone. Thankfully, they were all there, just as they had been the first time I saw them.
“…”
The first time I’d laid eyes on them, I’d drooled with lust. Now, I didn’t feel the same burning desire. I carefully picked up one of the Heavenly Poison Orbs.
“Hmm…”
Was it even safe to consume this thing in my current state? I hesitated, not fully understanding the changes my body had undergone.
What about my martial arts?
Was my Demonic Absorption Art still functioning? I put down the orb and picked up the White Demonic Stone instead.
Woong-
The moment I touched it, I felt its energy being drawn into me. It seemed my martial arts were unaffected by my physical transformation.
Then could I consume all of this energy?
As I pondered,
Swish-
“…!”
A flowery scent hit my nostrils, and a slight heat emanated from my body.
This feeling…
I rolled my eyes, recognizing the familiar sensation.
[Ugh…]
Just as I expected, a familiar voice echoed in my mind.
Elder Shin?
[…]
I tried calling out to him, sensing his presence, but he gave no response.
Elder Shin?
[…]
Huh?
Perhaps…
Had he disappeared again? A spike of nervousness shot through me at the thought.
[…Don’t talk to me right now.]
Thankfully, it seemed he was still there this time.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, curiosity coloring my tone.
[I’m rather embarrassed right now… just don’t talk to me for a while.]
…Oh, understood.
It seemed something had happened. I was concerned; his voice sounded much more subdued than usual.
Elder Shin, I’m going to ask one thing just in case.
I knew he told me not to speak, but I had to ask.
Did you perhaps get slapped?
[…]
No response came. I’d asked half-jokingly, but had it actually happened…?
Elder Shin… did you really…
[W-Who dares to slap who!?]
…
He shouted in anger. Judging by his reaction, it seemed that was exactly what had occurred. I couldn’t see him, but his shaky voice suggested he’d been scolded rather severely. And the only person who could scold Elder Shin like that…
-This is…
She appeared right behind me.
-What happened?
Her voice carried a slight undercurrent of confusion and anger. I turned my head toward the sound.
“Oh.”
I immediately understood why Tang Jaemoon was asking. One of the secret vault’s pillars was completely destroyed.
Tang Jaemoon was scowling at the wreckage, her gaze sharp enough to cut stone. Then,
-Descendant…
Her eyes locked onto mine. The moment our gazes met, her fierce eyes burning into me,
“Sigh.”
I let out a sigh and pointed a finger to a spot nearby.
In that spot,
Grr?
The former Red Water Snake, which I had been petting earlier, was tilting its head in confusion. Looking into its sparkly, innocent eyes, I shouted without a shred of hesitation.
“I told you to be careful…! How are you going to go around breaking everything in your sight!”
I was scolding the poor, clueless bastard.
Though, of course…
-…Descendant?
It obviously didn’t work.
Of course it didn’t, because…
Blaze…
My distinct blue flame was still burning brightly on one of the broken pieces of the pillar.