Episode 11
Episode 11
Translation: Godtl
The moment he returned to reality, Cheon Mu-jin immediately headed to a weapons store.
Since it was a place frequently visited by hunters, there was nothing strange about Cheon Mu-jin—a student in the Hunter Department training to become a hunter—visiting such a shop.
Moreover, since he officially had no awakened abilities, there was nothing unusual about him purchasing various weapons here.
"I'd like to buy a taser."
Without a word, the shopkeeper pointed to a display stand in the corner.
Tasers were common weapons. These days, even ordinary people bought them for self-defense, so as long as one had the money, obtaining one wasn't particularly difficult.
And since they were portable, getting one small enough to fit in the palm of his hand only required spending a little extra.
For this very purpose, Cheon Mu-jin had already exchanged the gold ingots he brought from the game world for cash.
Given his status, securing a few gold ingots had been trivial.
Once the transaction was complete, what happened afterward was of no concern to the shopkeeper.
After pocketing the taser, Cheon Mu-jin immediately returned home and lay down on his bed.
"Alright. Let's give this a shot."
After all, he had needed some means to protect himself in the game world as well. He could only hope that the taser he'd just acquired would be enough to safeguard him, still only at the First-rate realm.
[Entering Devouring the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.]
The moment he opened his eyes, what greeted him was none other than the training ground where drills were in progress. Each disciple was unleashing their Finger Art toward training dummies in a set sequence.
Depending on the variation, it was called either Finger Art (指功) or Finger Flick Art (彈指功). Though there were differences in the intensity of their Qi, none were particularly significant.
Most displayed attributes corresponding to their respective martial arts. The majority carried a sinister demonic aura—something that naturally accompanied those who practiced Demonic Arts. What set them apart was their innate talent.
Those with talent could imbue even this simple Finger Art with energy.
Naturally, the most eye-catching among them was Cheon Yeon-hwa, the successor candidate of the Poison Demon Clan. The other Young Cult Leader candidates, however, showed no particularly remarkable energy.
While some excelled in swordplay, saber techniques, or fist arts, few were born with the innate ability to manipulate energy with finesse.
Since their ultimate goal was the position of Heavenly Demon, all that truly mattered was mastering the Heavenly Demon's energy. Of course, in Cheon Yeon-hwa's case, her clan specialized in Poison Technique, so it was only natural that every action of hers carried traces of venom.
"As expected of the Poison Demon Clan's successor candidate."
After her turn, the training dummy in her group had melted into a sticky mess. There was no helping it—such was the nature of Poison Technique.
The Right Dharma Protector, Flame Emperor, let out a quiet sigh. Of course, he didn't let it show on his face. Concealing one's expressions was practically a basic virtue for a Dharma Protector serving the Cult Leader.
He merely thought to himself:
This generation lacks talent.
Truthfully, being able to manipulate energy didn't necessarily make one an outstanding martial artist—much less a candidate worthy of becoming the Heavenly Demon.
But then again, not every disciple who entered the Demon Path Pavilion was aiming for the position of Heavenly Demon.
Considering that most of the martial artists here would eventually hold significant positions within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, having a variety of talents among them was naturally a good thing.
Just looking at the current state of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, aside from the reigning Cult Leader hailed as the Heavenly Demon, the first names that came to mind were none other than the Right Dharma Protector Flame Emperor and the Left Dharma Protector Wind God.
Both were masters of Fire Technique and Wind Art, respectively—proof that they had reached the highest attainable positions within the cult, second only to the leaders of the various sects.
Though there were elders who held considerable influence within the cult, given that most of them owed their positions to hereditary succession, the prestige of being a Dharma Protector under the Cult Leader spoke for itself.
Putting aside his self-praise for now, Flame Emperor's face was filled with disappointment.
How could there be so little talent in this world?
Just as he was about to turn away in resignation—
"Next challenger, step forward!"
"Cheon Mu-jin, reporting."
Cheon Mu-jin stepped forward, performing the fist-and-palm salute. At the sound of his name, Flame Emperor's head turned back sharply.
The despised descendant of the Cheon Family. A bastard born from a lowly servant. The thorn in everyone's side.
All these words defined Cheon Mu-jin.
I wonder what kind of skill he'll show.
Truth be told, Flame Emperor didn't particularly support any specific Young Cult Leader candidate. As long as someone could bring glory to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, it didn't matter who became the Heavenly Demon.
Because of that, he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed with all the candidates who had stepped forward so far.
The current cult leader couldn't wield any energy besides the Heavenly Demon Energy. That's why he remained stuck at the rank of Top Figure of the Heterodox Path.
Even that was only achieved by riding on the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's reputation from behind—how grudgingly must he have clawed his way to it?
When you consider how the previous Heavenly Demon was hailed as the strongest under heaven, it was truly a pity.
Of course, the previous Heavenly Demon also wielded flame energy. It wasn't as if Flame Emperor held him in high regard just because of that.
...Or maybe he did?
In any case, Flame Emperor kept his expectations low.
After all, betrayal only stings when you expect something. So if you don't expect anything, you can't be betrayed.
Then it happened.
A Finger Flick Art was unleashed so fast that there wasn't even time to gather energy—and at its tip flickered a faint current of electricity.
"Thunder Energy?"
Flame Emperor doubted his own eyes.
***
'Good thing I bought that ring-shaped taser.'
Even so, if he had openly carried some suspicious device, it might have been mistaken for a Dharma Artifact.
But rings were common accessories, so no one would suspect a thing. Plus, since it was designed for hunters, the taser's output was even stronger than usual—meant to be used against monsters in the first place.
The taser fired from his fingertip struck the dummy instantly, and immediately afterward, electricity crackled outward like a bursting pod.
The current was strong enough to be visible to the naked eye.
'Pretty powerful, huh?'
Cheon Mu-jin smirked. At this level, it was more than enough to protect himself.
Just as he was smiling to himself—
Flame Emperor, the Hall Master of the Demon Path Pavilion, suddenly appeared right in front of him.
'What the—when did he get here?'
Though he didn't know Flame Emperor's exact realm, it was certain that he had at least surpassed the Flower Realm.
Having someone of that caliber standing imposingly right before him was no joke in terms of pressure.
"Was that Thunder Energy just now?"
"Y-yes... that's correct?"
Though it was clearly a misunderstanding, he decided to roll with it.
Showing that his abilities were extraordinary was actually a good thing.
If he wanted to aim for the Heavenly Demon's seat, displaying undeniable strength was crucial—and the best way to gather influence was to earn the acknowledgment of the strong.
A single remark like, "This one's quite exceptional," would make assembling forces infinitely easier.
"Would you be interested in learning a martial art from me? It's called the Five Elements True Art."
"The Five Elements True Art?"
The ones startled by that name weren't Cheon Mu-jin, but the others present.
The martial art practiced by none other than the Right and Left Dharma Protectors of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was none other than the Five Elements True Art.
A cultivation method based on refining Internal Energy through five elemental energies—a martial art bordering on the esoteric.
Of course, it went without saying that it was an exceptionally profound technique.
Would it be wise to pass up this opportunity?
Cheon Mu-jin hesitated briefly. If he could master the Five Elements True Art, he would undoubtedly grow exponentially stronger. But the problem was—he didn't actually possess real Thunder Energy.
There was no way he could learn it.
"I must decline."
Flame Emperor's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected a refusal.
"Do you have a reason?"
"Because I'm aiming for something higher."
At those words, Flame Emperor nodded slowly.
'Even a hatchling dragon is still a dragon, after all.'
Still, since he had refused in pursuit of the Heavenly Demon's seat, Flame Emperor wasn't displeased. If anything, he was satisfied to see such ambition in a Young Cult Leader candidate.
"Then I won't force you. I'll be watching your progress."
Fortunately, he hadn't been marked negatively. If anything, it was a positive sign—Flame Emperor would observe his growth.
"You won't be disappointed."
Flame Emperor smiled faintly and turned away.
In what should have been a heartwarming moment of recognition from a legendary martial artist, there was, of course, one person who couldn't bring himself to smile.
'Cheon Mu-jin... this arrogant lowborn bastard!'
Cheon Gi-baek of the Fist Demon Clan was seething with fury.
Flame Emperor was a master of fist techniques based on the Five Elements True Art—to someone like Cheon Gi-baek, who also trained in fist arts, he was nothing short of an idol.
Earning Flame Emperor's recognition through fist techniques had been one of Cheon Gi-baek's personal goals.
And yet, this lowborn wretch had surpassed him. Not only that—he had received Flame Emperor's acknowledgment, even an offer to learn the Five Elements True Art.
It was practically an invitation to become his disciple.
And then, the bastard had the gall to refuse, saying he would become the Heavenly Demon instead. How could he not be furious?
'That opportunity should have been mine. A lowborn like you has no right to throw it away so carelessly.'
Worse still, Cheon Mu-jin's current actions were dangerously reckless.
For a lowborn to discard such a precious chance was something he couldn't bear to witness with his own two eyes.
Cheon Gi-baek sent a silent message through Sound Transmission.
'Kill that bastard in his quarters tonight.'
What happened inside the Demon Path Pavilion was regrettably beyond interference—but outside was a different matter.