Chapter 761: Appearance of a Hero (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 761: Appearance of a Hero (9)
It was pitch black.
A darkness so profound that nothing could be seen.
As I stared blankly into the void…
—Young… Master!
—Young Master!
A voice.
Hearing it, I forced my eyes open.
“…Hah.”
The darkness receded as my vision cleared, and my mind snapped back into focus. I immediately turned my head, surveying my surroundings.
The light had been truly immense. Were there any casualties? That was the first thing I needed to check. My instincts quickly scanned the area and returned a result.
…What a relief.
I finally relaxed after confirming the situation. No presences had vanished. My people seemed uninjured, and the martial artists behind them looked fine as well. The ground was pulverized and the surrounding area was a chaotic ruin, but…
Considering how hastily we had moved, the situation was good. At the very least, no one was dead.
It’s a good thing that was a Power.
The energy the demon had spat out was definitely a "Power." I had instinctively grasped that and managed to block it using Avarice just in time. If I hadn't, it would have been a catastrophe.
Wait. This is no time to be relieved.
I shook my head, trying to focus. This was no time to celebrate. Tang Soyeol was right beside me. I turned to her, ready to give orders.
“…It seems I can block that Power. For our next move, we should immediately—”
“N-No, Young Master! Don’t move!”
“Huh?”
Something was strange about Tang Soyeol's expression. She looked as if she were on the verge of tears. Why was she acting like that? Looking around, the others had similar expressions.
Namgung Bi-ah was staring at me with hardened eyes, and Wi Seol-Ah had dropped her sword, covering her mouth in shock.
What in the world was going on?
“What? Why are you all…”
Stagger.
“…Keuk?”
Thud!
A sudden wave of vertigo crashed over me. My knees buckled, and a torrent of blood erupted from my mouth.
What was happening?
I clutched my bleeding mouth and checked my internal condition. Only then did the reality of the situation hit me.
Ah, damn it.
It seemed I hadn't blocked all of it.
Looking down, I saw that my entire body was drenched in blood. A significant number of my bones were shattered, and my internal organs were shredded.
“Huu… Huk…”
Was it because I had unleashed Avarice so abruptly? Even though I'd absorbed most of the blow, it seemed my physical body had taken the brunt of the remaining impact.
As the pain intensified, I looked toward the demon.
[Kiiik… Kiii…]
Its condition wasn't great either. I had wondered why it hadn't used such a Power sooner; it seemed there was a massive backlash. The demon was collapsed on the ground, looking completely spent.
Seeing that, I forced myself to stand.
“Young Master!”
Tang Soyeol jumped in fright as I struggled to my feet.
“Stay down! We need to treat you first!”
“No time for that.”
Ptui.
I spat out a mouthful of gore and forced my Qi to circulate. It hurt. My acupoints must have been damaged, because my internal Qi wasn't flowing properly. Still, I moved.
If I could move, I had to. My arms and legs were still attached. I could walk, and I could breathe. That meant I could still fight.
“Any later and it’s over.”
I opened my hand, my body creaking with every movement. This was an opportunity. The creature was down. If I was going to finish it, it had to be now. I tried to summon my flames for one final strike.
[Ki… Kiik…]
The demon suddenly made a sound. For some reason, it sounded like it was laughing.
Just then—
Duung!
“…Damn.”
The wind howled.
My gaze lifted. The empty air shifted, revealing the scene above. Within the fully formed Gate of Demons, the crest was complete.
“Fuck.”
I cursed under my breath. Was I too late?
[Krrrrrrrrrr.]
[Shhhhiiiik.]
As if in answer, guttural cries echoed from within the Gate of Demons.
I’m too late.
While I was distracted by its Power, the creature had finished the ritual. Now, dozens of Red-Grade Demons were about to descend.
I turned my head to the others.
“Run.”
“…Run? What do you mean, run?”
I could see the confusion and defiance in the martial artists' eyes. Their expressions asked how they could possibly flee and leave this nightmare behind. They were truly clueless fools.
“Do you actually plan on fighting those things? You can't win. We need to fall back to where the civilians are gathered.”
I shouted, my voice laced with frustration.
“That won't stop them from chasing us,” one martial artist argued, refusing to budge. “It would be better to buy time here so the people can escape…”
The man’s stance was firm; he had no intention of leaving. To that, I stated flatly:
“I’ll do that.”
“…!”
The martial artist flinched.
“Lesser King of Hell… What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’ll buy the time. You go and help with the evacuation.”
I would stay behind and face them alone. My words left everyone in a state of pure shock.
“Lesser King of Hell! Everyone here knows you are strong. But to think you'd block this tide alone in your condition! Does that even make sense?”
“I have a way. So don't worry.”
I understood their hesitation. To any observer, this was a suicide mission. But…
I really do have a way.
It wasn't a bluff; I truly had a method. A last resort for when plans went completely off the rails. But to use it, I needed to be alone. It would actually be more helpful if these people just got out of my way. That’s why I was telling them to go.
“When I came here and saw that demon, I was already prepared to die,” an unknown martial artist said, his eyes bloodshot with emotion. “If someone must be sacrificed, let it be me. I cannot allow a man like you to end his life here.”
“…No, it’s not a sacrifice. I really have a way…”
“You alone will not be enough. I, Ucheonmyeong of the Ucheon Clan, shall stand by your side in this endeavor!”
These people. It’s like they aren’t even listening to me.
“Lesser King of Hell, thank you for saving my life earlier. You… you are the hope of the young generation and the future leader of the Orthodox Faction. Do not shoulder everything yourself.”
“…Fuck, just listen to what I’m saying!”
What kind of heroic delusions were they having? There was no time for this; I just needed them to piss off.
“Everyone, get out! I told you I have a way… Ugh!”
I clutched my ribs as I shouted. Ah, that one really hurt.
“…Young Master.”
As I was doubled over in pain, I looked up. I saw Tang Soyeol, her eyes brimming with tears.
“You’re a liar, Young Master.”
“What are you suddenly… What…”
“You said nothing would happen… but that was a lie.”
“...”
I had no retort for that. Even I hadn't expected things to get this desperate.
“I’m glad. I’m glad I didn't listen to you and came here. Otherwise, I might never have seen you again.”
“…That wouldn't have happened.”
“Please rest. From now on, we will protect you.”
It seemed they were already set on "protecting" me. Seeing how they had been hammering the demon earlier, it was clear I wasn't the only one doing the heavy lifting anymore.
“No… I mean… That…”
My head throbbed. I couldn't get through to them. I had no idea why nobody would believe a word I said.
What should I do?
How could I break through this deadlock? As I racked my brain…
Crackle.
I heard the distinct discharge of electricity. It was coming from Namgung Bi-ah.
“…Huh?”
While the other martial artists were still steeling their resolve, two people—Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah—were already walking forward.
Crazy. Are they actually heading toward the Gate?
“Hey! We have to stop them first…!”
[Krrrrung!!]
Of all the times, demons began pouring out of the Gate of Demons. These were monsters with bodies overwhelmingly larger than the Blue-Grade Demons. Beasts of various shapes and species tore through the dimensional rift.
Seeing this, I tried even harder to pull the two girls back.
Pajijik!
Fwoooosh!
“Ugh…!”
A sudden, violent gust of wind nearly knocked me over. The pressure was immense. I narrowed my eyes against the gale and looked ahead.
The source, surprisingly, was Namgung Bi-ah. But something about her was wrong. The Lightning Qi arcing from her hair and the dense killing intent she was emitting… I couldn't see her face, but judging by her aura, she was absolutely livid.
And…
She’s holding the Thunder Sword?
In her right hand, she gripped the Thunder Sword, which was hemorrhaging Lightning Qi. Her entire body was cloaked in a shroud of electricity.
…The Lightning Empress state?
It was the same form she had taken when she used the full power of the Thunder Sword. She carried an atmosphere that felt like she could slice through the world itself. Despite her earlier vow not to draw the blade, Namgung Bi-ah was now wielding it.
And what about Wi Seol-Ah? For someone who was supposed to be a patient, her momentum was even more intense than when she had fought the Heavenly Dragon. A golden aura that refused to be eclipsed even by the Thunder Sword radiated from her, making her look brilliant.
And amidst that radiating momentum, I sensed an anomaly.
“…That’s.”
I felt something different within the golden aura. I could see it—a white aura bleeding into Wi Seol-Ah’s energy. The moment I saw it, my body tensed.
…That’s not allowed.
Setting aside how she could even access it yet, that was a power Wi Seol-Ah must not use.
Shit.
This was bad. Looking at them, it was clear they planned to fight the emerging demons head-on. That couldn't happen. Using that power would destroy Wi Seol-Ah.
Even though I was battered, I prepared to intervene. The two of them walked toward the demons, and the surrounding martial artists braced themselves as if they had accepted their deaths.
Damn it.
I’m screwed. At this point, I don't give a damn who’s watching. I have no choice.
I immediately focused my mind to activate my power. The ring in my heart—not the ring of the Gu Flame Wheel Art, but the ring forged of sorcery. The rings, which had now grown to four, contained immense rotational power. The method I was about to use was a final resort based on that rotation.
Tak.
I moved my hands, forming a seal.
“Young Master? Why are you suddenly—”
Then, all sound ceased.
…Focus.
Giiiiing!
The rings began to spin. I steadied my breathing, about to initiate the technique, when…
“Young Master.”
A voice pierced the silence I had created. It was a voice that carried the immense weight of years.
“My apologies.”
I stopped the flow of power and immediately opened my eyes. I knew that voice instantly.
“This old man is very late.”
An old man appeared. The person I had been waiting for. Clad in the Gu Clan uniform, he stood before me. I saw Tang Soyeol’s startled expression; she hadn't even sensed his arrival.
There was no need for conversation or greetings.
“I will clean this up shortly.”
The old man lightly waved his hand.
Krrrrrrrrrumble!
“Please rest for a moment.”
With a deafening roar, a colossal heavenly punishment rained down upon the demons.