Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: I Closed the Door, Not Knowing a Demon Had Come Out (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Look at that sight.”
Shudder.
Gwak Sa trembled.
Jeong Illyong spoke without even looking at him.
“Isn’t it truly ironic? The sight of those inhuman beasts bowing to true animals.”
“Ugh.”
“This martial world is riddled with illusions.
A chivalrous hero who draws his sword to save a family, unable to tolerate injustice; the romance of exchanging cups of wine on a sailboat, born from the friendship of a duel with no lingering resentment…
Every warrior who steps into the martial world harbors such fantasies.”
“…”
“But the martial world is merely one facet of reality. Though I dislike it, it operates on the principle of the law of the jungle, just as those Demonic Cult members proclaim.
In the end, isn’t it just the rule of beasts, eating and being eaten?”
Jeong Illyong's smile, reminiscent of an immortal's, was stained with a darkness as deep as his refined appearance.
“Humans, in the end, are also beasts. Whether you kill by biting or by deceit, all that matters is to kill and kill again until you reach the top.”
Jeong Illyong turned his head toward Gwak Sa.
Gwak Sa squeezed his eyes shut without realizing it. Jeong Illyong's clear gaze, directed at him, was terrifying.
“In a world of beasts, morals and norms are worthless. Isn’t the very reason we were born into this world to claw our way up toward an endlessly high place?”
Jeong Illyong turned his head back.
His eyes fell on Juhwa, her hair gripped by Yulrang.
“And the one who sits on high can strip away all the rights of those who dwell below.”
A smirk.
The refined smile he had shown until now twisted into something utterly distorted. It was bewildering that such a handsome face could produce such an expression.
“Today is, in many ways, a delightful day.”
Behind the pristine white smile, the desires of a demon more wicked than the fiends the world decried as evil seethed.
The loser who had craved the ultimate throne, only to retreat before a greater power, had not yet given up on his dream.
Higher, stronger, more superior.
Far behind his back, as he looked only to the heavens, never below, a red thunderbolt wreathed in explosive killing intent flashed.
* * *
Yeon-i shouted.
“Everyone, halt! Stand by!”
Grrrr.
The demonic practitioners and the wolves all stopped their attacks.
It was understandable for the demonic practitioners, but for the wolves to cease their assault was unexpected. Yulrang had halted the Blood Wolf Pack.
Yulrang scanned his surroundings.
A faint crack appeared on his previously expressionless face.
“To lose eight to these vermin… They are certainly lacking.”
Whimper.
The wolves each backed away, bowing their heads low. They seemed terrified.
Yulrang looked down at Juhwa.
Aside from one cheek being swollen, her expression was unchanged. However, the shock and rage that flickered in her trembling eyes spoke volumes about her state of mind.
Yulrang’s eyes darkened.
Thwack!
“Keuk!”
Juhwa’s body bent backward as she was kneed in the stomach once more.
“Not a fitting expression for a loser.”
Yeon-i ground her teeth.
“You bastard! Let her go this instant!”
Yulrang’s gaze shifted to Yeon-i.
In that moment, Yeon-i felt the strength drain from her legs.
‘What kind of gaze is that…?’
It wasn't human. But to call it a beast's gaze wouldn't be right either.
It was the terror of the Demonic Eyes, a feeling she had only experienced from the high-ranking officials of the Inner Sanctum. It was a gaze that instilled an unknown fear, something that seemed not of this world.
Woooong.
Demonic energy began to rise from Yeon-i's body, like another beast raising its hackles in the face of a threatening predator.
Yulrang smiled.
He slowly raised an arm and pointed at Yeon-i.
“Die.”
“What?”
Just then, Ma Dongpil, who had regained his senses, shouted.
“Dodge—!”
Crunch!
A massive wolf lunged in an instant, tearing into Yeon-i's neck and torso.
Crack! Crunch!
Its merciless jaws crushed bone and all. The light in Yeon-i's eyes vanished.
Yulrang spoke coldly.
“You killed her, so she is yours. Finish it cleanly.”
Grind!
Before everyone’s eyes, a person was chewed up and swallowed whole.
The demonic practitioners’ faces turned pale. Though Juhwa was the highest-ranking among them, Yeon-i had been their actual leader.
The sight of their leader being devoured by a wolf the size of a calf was a shock in itself.
Ma Dongpil’s eyes wavered.
‘How could this be?’
Yeon-i was a master. Although she was a step below him or Juhwa, she was a demonic practitioner worthy of being called a peak master.
She could have dodged if she’d wanted to. So why hadn't she noticed the wolf pouncing?
Just then, Yulrang turned his head toward Ma Dongpil.
“Your performance was quite impressive. I’ve lost count of how many Blood Wolves died at your hands.”
“...!”
“Wolves can be raised again, but my temper isn’t good enough to ignore the effort I’ve put in.”
Flinch!
Ma Dongpil felt every muscle in his body stiffen.
The moment his eyes met Yulrang’s eerie ones, his nerves went wild. His heart pounded, and his hands and feet grew cold.
‘Those eyes!’
Yulrang was a formidable master.
But it wasn't his aura that his body was reacting to. It was his gaze, that indescribably bizarre gaze, that was binding his opponent's body with invisible chains.
Yulrang raised his hand once more.
His thick, long finger pointed at Ma Dongpil.
“You, too, shall die.”
Boom!
Ma Dongpil charged.
Not just anywhere, but straight at Yulrang. His intent was to kill the leader of this pack before an attack could even be launched.
A faint hint of admiration appeared on Yulrang’s face.
“Excellent.”
Bam!
“Keuk!”
Ma Dongpil was sent flying backward.
He hadn't been struck by Yulrang. He’d been hit by the tail of the Leader of the Blood Wolf Pack, which had approached without him noticing.
A Blood Wolf's body boasted the hardness of steel. Being struck by the tail of the strongest among them, the Leader, was no different from being hit with an iron bar.
Gush!
A large amount of blood poured from his nose and mouth. His trembling body was proof of severe internal injuries.
‘This is bad.’
The internal bleeding was severe. His remaining true energy was running rampant, and excruciating pain shot up from his tangled muscles and broken ribs.
He was in no condition to fight. If he moved carelessly, he would surely die without even landing a blow.
“Third… Squad Leader.”
A pained groan escaped Juhwa’s lips.
Yulrang looked around and shouted.
“Prey is scattered everywhere. Eat your fill…”
“Run!”
Juhwa shouted, coughing up more blood.
“Everyone, run! Quickly, report this situation to the branch…”
Thwack!
Juhwa’s words were cut short. Struck in the stomach three times in a row, her complexion turned from white to a deathly pale.
Even if he was holding back, Yulrang was a man whose body was dangerous enough to kill a first-rate master with his external arts alone.
It was a wonder she had lasted this long.
Ma Dongpil shouted in a hoarse voice.
“Quickly, escape…!”
The members of the Third Squad gritted their teeth.
The Squad Leader's command was absolute. The moment Ma Dongpil spoke, they tried to flee immediately.
But it was impossible. Not because they couldn’t bear to leave Ma Dongpil behind, but because they physically couldn't escape.
Slither.
Blood Wolves surrounded them from all sides.
And that wasn't all. Between the Blood Wolves, beasts of prey, who had appeared from who knows where, revealed themselves one by one.
Dozens of wolf packs that had been scattered in the nearby hills, as well as two tigers and wild dogs, had gathered.
The newly arrived animals didn't even growl. With red eyes, they drooled and stared blankly at the group as if hypnotized.
They had the appearance of beasts but didn't act like them. These new animals were even more unsettling than the Blood Wolf Pack.
“Hngh!”
A demonic practitioner gritted his teeth and ran. He aimed for a gap between the Blood Wolves, where the ordinary wolves stood.
“Out of my way, you things!”
Thwack!
Two wolves were crushed by the demonic practitioner’s sword.
But.
Snap!
The wolves lunged recklessly, biting into the man's arms and legs.
“Aaargh!”
He tried to spin and throw them all off, but surprisingly, the wolves held on. This was not the strength of ordinary wolves.
Whoosh.
A Blood Wolf that had appeared behind the man bit down on his head.
Crunch!
It was a futile death.
Yulrang smiled.
“I suppose dying like that is better than being torn apart alive.”
They couldn't even resist. In a situation where they could hardly lift a finger, the terror of the group reached its peak.
Thump.
Yulrang released his grip, and Juhwa collapsed.
Looking down at her, Yulrang’s lips curled slightly. Her pale skin, exposed through her torn clothes, stimulated his beastly instincts.
“If I had the time, I would have violated you until dawn before killing you.”
Shudder.
Juhwa glared up at Yulrang with venomous eyes.
Yulrang looked around and shouted.
“It’s mealtime!”
Kyyyaaa! Woof! Woof!
The beasts let out fierce roars and charged all at once.
Ma Dongpil and Juhwa squeezed their eyes shut.
* * *
Jeong Illyong stroked his beard.
“Hmm, this is unexpected. I thought he’d humiliate her in front of everyone.”
The victor has the right to take everything from the vanquished. Even though he intended to kill them anyway, he thought Yulrang might at least enjoy some sport.
Looking at Juhwa, Jeong Illyong licked his lips.
“Then again, he probably didn't want to embrace a stinking wench from the demonic path.”
He rose from his seat.
“It seems to be mostly over, so let’s prepare to move… Hmm?”
Jeong Illyong frowned.
He looked down at the back of his hand.
‘…?’
The hairs on his hand were standing on end.
Not only that, a chill ran down his spine, and goosebumps erupted all over his neck. In contrast, blood rushed to his face, making it feel hot.
An ominous sign. His body reacted before his mind could comprehend it.
‘This feeling is…’
Swish!
Startled, Jeong Illyong spun around.
His eyes widened.
Crackle!
An oppressive aura emanated from the distance. The constantly flashing light was distorted with killing intent and rage.
Chaaang!
Jeong Illyong drew his sword without thinking. He didn't know the opponent or their skill, but it felt like something he had to do.
‘The direction of the killing intent is…?’
Jeong Illyong’s face hardened.
‘Me?!’
Paaaak!
The red thunderbolt that had been shooting straight toward him suddenly changed direction.
The bolt of lightning shot high into the sky.
It seemed ready to attack at any moment, yet it had changed its course. Still, the killing intent remained fixed on him.
Jeong Illyong’s gaze followed the thunderbolt upward.
And then back down.
‘…!!’
Something far redder and fiercer than the blood-colored wolves charging from all sides descended to the ground.
Kwaaaang!
Yulrang, Ma Dongpil, Juhwa, and everyone else were startled.
Thick dust rose from the shattered ground. Beyond the dust, a red light flickered on and off.
Grrrrr.
The charging wolves stopped in their tracks and lowered their heads. Their bared teeth and wary eyes betrayed their caution.
The dust slowly settled.
And there, a young man carrying a massive saber on his back was revealed.
The young man, Seo Ryang, growled more fiercely than any Blood Wolf.
“I came to crush one guy, but it looks like there's a whole pile of trash to take out.”