Chapter 209
Chapter 209
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 209
Chapter Title: Heavenly Arrow Wind Cloud Unit
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“Uh... We're really heading into the Heavenly Demon Palace?”
“Pinch my cheek for me.”
“Is this a dream, or is it reality?”
The order to enter the Heavenly Demon Palace finally made the unit members realize they would be serving the Heavenly Demon himself.
The path felt especially long and distant today. And as they walked, it seemed like every demon in the palace was staring at them.
“The closer we get, the more tense it feels.”
“I already feel like I'm gonna puke.”
“Look over there. Even our imposing division captain looks like that...”
At someone's words, the unit members' gazes turned to Song Joa.
At a glance, he appeared to march forward with a stiff, composed expression. But upon closer inspection, his hands and feet were moving in sync, his limbs trembling uncontrollably.
“Even the division captain is that nervous.”
“It's making me shake even more.”
They walked on, regulating their breathing through their mouths to calm their pounding hearts.
And when they finally arrived at the Heavenly Demon Palace, they came face-to-face with Jang Wi, the guardian at the door.
‘Left Protector!’
Seeing him, the unit members truly grasped where they were and whom they were about to meet.
“We're finally going to meet the Cult Leader.”
“My heart feels like it's gonna drop out.”
“I think I'm gonna faint.”
As they whispered among themselves, Jang Wi, who had locked eyes with Ibija, gave a nod.
With the signal, he opened the door.
In an instant, the unit members fell silent, and Ibija, who had been quietly listening to their chatter, finally spoke.
“Alright, be careful. Like you said, you might actually faint when you meet the Cult Leader.”
‘Just what kind of person is the Cult Leader?’
Ibija was not one to speak idly.
His warning sent a wave of dread crashing over them.
But the door was already open, leaving them no time to prepare their hearts—they had to move forward.
Thud.
As Ibija took a step, the unit members began to follow, one by one.
“...So this is the Heavenly Demon Palace.”
“It feels so restrained.”
“And yet, it's beautiful and mesmerizing.”
Taking in the interior of the Heavenly Demon Palace, they couldn't help but marvel at the aesthetic infused within.
There were no excessive decorations, yet the overwhelming atmosphere emanating from every direction washed over their entire bodies.
As they admired their surroundings while advancing.
Suddenly, Ibija halted.
The unit members stopped one by one as well, slowly peering ahead with tense hearts.
But.
“......Huh?”
A bewildered murmur escaped their lips.
It was inevitable.
Before them sat a grand throne, but its occupant was nowhere to be seen.
“C-Cult Leader?”
The unit members looked around in confusion.
Amid them, only Ibija stood unmoved and silent.
Puzzled by his demeanor, they asked.
“Division commander, what is this situation?”
“Do you know something?”
But to their questions, Ibija merely maintained his silence.
As the unit members exchanged confused glances, someone began to walk.
Thud. Thud.
The sudden footsteps drew all their gazes to one spot.
“Wh-what?”
Hyeok Mulin emerged from among them, slowly approaching the throne.
The cloth mask that had covered his mouth was already gone.
As he walked toward the throne, the panicked unit members hurriedly shouted to stop him.
“Newbie! What are you doing?!”
“Get back here! That's the Cult Leader's seat!”
But despite their pleas, his steps did not falter.
The unit members moved to restrain him more forcefully.
Then.
“...Stop.”
Song Joa and a few others grabbed them.
The restrained members furrowed their brows and raised their voices.
“Why are you stopping us?! The newbie's walking to his death— we have to grab him...!”
But they couldn't finish their words.
The faces of those holding them had turned ashen, paler than dirt, their souls seemingly fled.
Cold sweat poured from their bodies, soaking their backs.
“Division captain?”
But he gave no reply to the unit members, merely muttering to himself in a daze.
“Martial Demon Combat God Tournament... Just like back then...”
As the surrounding unit members voiced their confusion at his odd behavior, Hyeok Mulin arrived at the throne.
He draped the noble robe placed on the chair over his shoulders.
Then, slowly, he sat upon the throne.
At the sight, the eyes of the unit members below widened as if they might pop out.
It suited him perfectly.
But it was such a bewildering act that no one could move, frozen in stunned silence.
Except for one person.
Thud. Thud.
Only Ibija, their division commander, walked toward him.
“Division commander?”
All eyes focused on his sudden action.
Ibija stopped just before Hyeok Mulin.
He gazed at him for a moment, then knelt on one knee with precise movements.
“The Heavenly Demon has returned, bringing fortune to all demons! I pay my respects to the exalted Cult Leader!”
“......?”
At first, the unit members couldn't comprehend his words.
It was a situation too far beyond imagination, detached from reality.
But moments later, as the meaning sank in.
“......!”
Except for the few who had already realized, every unit member's hair stood on end, jaws dropped slack, eyes bulged beyond limit, and muscles stiffened throughout their bodies.
Their knees knocked together, minds reeled, hearts on the verge of stopping.
And Hyeok Mulin, the source of all this shock, welcomed them back in a subdued voice.
“Good work.”
The new recruit who had joined the unit.
Who could have guessed that recruit was the Cult Leader himself?
Shiver shiver shiver—
Realizing the truth too late, the unit members began trembling like leaves in the wind.
‘We treated the Cult Leader like one of us without knowing!’
‘We gave him the last shift on watch!’
‘I spent all night lecturing him on tracking traces!’
‘I stood night watch with the Cult Leader and blabbered about my brothel escapades...!’
Each recalled different memories, but the conclusion was the same.
It's over.
No hope remained for continuing their lives.
Having treated the “newbie” Hyeok Mulin casually and familiarly, as one would a recruit.
They wanted to beat their past selves senseless, but regrets now were pointless—the past couldn't be changed.
As the unit members' spirits crumbled to dust, Hyeok Mulin spoke again.
“No need to worry. Whatever words or actions you showed me during the mission, I have no intention of rebuking you for them.”
“......!”
At Hyeok Mulin's words, their souls half-returned, but they still couldn't relax.
In the heavy silence, they awaited his next words, and soon he continued.
“I have clearly assessed your unit's capabilities.”
Gulp.
The unit members swallowed hard.
Having performed the mission right beside them, he knew their strength better than anyone.
This was the moment of utmost tension, wondering how the Cult Leader would judge the unit.
Hyeok Mulin swept his gaze over their earnest, nervous faces and curved his lips upward.
“Congratulations. From now on, wherever you go, you will be recognized as the Heavenly Demon Army of our cult.”
At those words, pores flaring open across their bodies, they exchanged looks.
Then, clenching their fists, they cheered.
“Hooray—!”
“Officially recognized by the Cult Leader!”
In that moment, unable to contain their overflowing joy, they embraced one another in celebration.
Hyeok Mulin neither scolded them nor had any thought to.
Watching them openly shed tears of joy with warm satisfaction, he turned to Ibija standing before him.
“You've built a fine unit. Your merit is the greatest, no doubt.”
From Ibija's skills, character, and tendencies he had observed in the Millennium Prison, Hyeok Mulin believed him suited for this role.
Thus, he had granted him the position of division commander, along with full authority over personnel, composition, and everything else.
Some might think it too much for one person, but he had delivered results beyond expectations.
“It was possible only because the Cult Leader trusted and entrusted it to me.”
But Ibija attributed the achievement to Hyeok Mulin.
To others, it might seem mere humility, but to Ibija, it was sincere truth without a shred of falsehood.
‘Harder than offering loyalty is earning your lord's trust.’
Ibija had never received such trust in his lifetime.
Because Hyeok Mulin had shown faith beyond Ibija's own loyalty, he had strived endlessly not to betray it.
“I recall the first time we met.”
“Haha, that was back when I'd do anything to survive.”
Their first encounter had not been positive.
Ibija, burdened with enemies at his back, had charged at Hyeok Mulin to divert attention.
Yet that fateful meeting had blossomed into a bond between lord and arrow.
“The ways of the world are truly unpredictable.”
“I agree.”
With a gentle smile, Hyeok Mulin addressed the entire unit in declaration.
“The second unit of the Heavenly Demon Army, tasked with guarding this throne. I shall bestow upon you your unit's name myself.”
“The unit name!”
At Hyeok Mulin's words, their attention snapped to him.
It would be their second name, called for life—their very identity.
As all held their breath, watching his lips, he spoke deliberately.
“Heavenly Arrow Wind Cloud Unit.”
May the arrow shot toward the heavens ride the ever-changing winds through vast clouds.
“From this moment, I designate you the Heavenly Arrow Wind Cloud Unit.”
“Heavenly Arrow Wind Cloud Unit...!”
Their faces bloomed with admiration for the name Hyeok Mulin had bestowed.
It carried a noble dignity incomparable to any they had imagined.
As the unit members reveled in joy, Ibija watched warmly from the front. Then, Hyeok Mulin said to him.
“You've only just returned, so you must be tired.”
“No, sir. Give the order, and I can move out immediately.”
“Is that so? Then prepare to depart again tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Ibija nodded firmly, Hyeok Mulin spoke in a relaxed tone.
“You can ease up a bit. This time, it's not a mission.”
“Pardon? Then what...”
“You'll see when we get there.”
Finishing his words, Hyeok Mulin revealed a meaningful expression.
Ibija tilted his head in curiosity but could not unravel the mystery until they set out for the destination.