Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Clash of the Squads
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Ji Wolhon led the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad toward the bustling district of the inner castle.
Even in the dead of night, the area glowed brilliantly with lantern light. Ji Wolhon entered one establishment where the entrance shone especially bright.
The interior was spacious and grand, filled with a considerable number of guests.
Ornate floral patterns carved into the walls and pillars made it clear at a glance that this was a high-class inn.
"Look at that. There's a tiger painted there."
"These chairs are polished smooth without a single burr. Must be top-grade wood."
"Wonder how much a meal costs in a place like this."
Most of the squad members had never set foot in such a luxurious inn before, so they looked around with wide-eyed wonder.
Just then, a server approached to greet them.
"Welcome to the Golden Fragrance Inn. May I have the honorable name of the guest who made the reservation?"
"Under the name Ji Wolhon."
"Ji... Ji Wolhon? Then, you must be the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad...!"
At the mention of the name, the server clamped his mouth shut in shock.
He then eagerly guided them to their reserved table.
"This way, please!"
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad followed the server through the inn.
Whispers from the other guests began to leak out toward them.
"Did I hear that wrong just now?"
"Sounded like Divine Demon Blood Death Squad."
Ignoring the growing murmurs around them, they reached their reserved seats and sat down awkwardly.
Soon after, exotic dishes like Three Cups Chicken and Stir-Fried Shrimp began filling the table.
These were clearly no cheap fares, so the squad members cautiously glanced at Ji Wolhon's expression.
But Ji Wolhon smiled reassuringly instead.
"Don't worry about it. The Cult Leader gave us plenty. Eat until you're stuffed today."
"Woooaaah!"
With those words, the tension melted away, and the squad cheered as they ordered high-end liquors they'd never tasted before.
As they dug into the meal with relish, Ji Wolhon watched them fondly before calling over the server who had been waiting nearby.
"We have a lot of people staying overnight. Are there enough rooms?"
"Yes. Though it might mean three or four per room."
"Hm. Mind if I inspect the rooms?"
"Of course. Right this way."
Following the server's lead, Ji Wolhon stepped away briefly.
With their leader gone, the squad grew even rowdier.
Their main topic of conversation was, naturally, their first mission.
Praising what went well, critiquing the shortcomings, and gossiping about the Cult Leader and Vice Leader—they chattered animatedly.
It was in the midst of their lively reminiscing that...
"Looks like it's really them, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad."
"The Cult Leader's guard who saved the people of the Akhan Desert?"
"Heard they wiped out seventeen bandit groups."
"Impressive. Makes sense with how tough the recruitment test was—must've gathered some hidden talents."
The murmurs from nearby guests reached their ears.
No one dislikes praise, so with the crowd hyping them up, the squad members' lips curled up to their ears.
"Seems like most of the guests here know who we are."
"Of course. We're the Cult Leader's first personally declared guard squad. The attention on our debut mission must be off the charts."
Most had never experienced this kind of spotlight before, so they basked in it happily.
But not everyone shared the positive sentiment.
Those who resented the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's emergence poured cold water on the mood.
"What's all the fuss about?"
"Helping desert beggars? Nothing comes back from that pointless effort."
"We could've done it too if we wanted."
At the unpleasant provocation, the squad looked up toward the source of the voice.
On the upper floor, squad members clad in black uniforms emblazoned with three crossed blades across the chest sneered down at them.
One squad member grimaced.
"Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad...!"
They were one of the cult's assault units, infamous for pushing through any mission no matter the casualties until success.
They too seemed to be holding a gathering that night, with many members present.
From above, they cast disdainful glares at the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
Then, one of them—visibly drunk with a flushed face—cackled and poured oil on the fire.
"The Cult Leader's guard? More like the first to bolt when things get dicey."
"...!"
At the mockery, veins bulged on the squad members' foreheads.
The first to act was none other than Han Baek.
"I can't let that slide."
Han Baek rose from his seat and fixed them with a cold stare.
"Can you take responsibility for those words?"
His hand hovered over his sword hilt, ready to draw at any moment, as he spoke sharply.
The Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad members, who had been staring blankly, exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
"Puhahaha! You took it seriously?"
"It was a joke! A joke!"
"No way two cult assault squads would draw blades on each other!"
They brushed it off as banter but added with smirking lips,
"Though if we really clashed, we'd win."
"You'd be humiliated, unable to show your faces."
"We wouldn't bully newbies like that."
"Wha-what...!"
As the blatant taunts hardened the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's faces, Man Hyobom spoke up casually.
"Pathetic losers showing off. Weaklings always run their mouths."
"Agreed. No need to bark back at dogs."
Rarely aligned, Man Hyobom and Danri Hyang's words enraged the Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad, who shot to their feet.
"What did you say?!"
"You damn rookies!"
They stormed down to the first floor en masse.
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad stood to meet them head-on.
Face-to-face, the two squads traded heated barbs on the brink of violence.
In the midst of the emotional exchange, the Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad landed a decisive blow.
"Oh right, isn't your vice leader a traitor? Locked in the prison for failing the Cult Leader—how dare he serve again?"
"You bastard...!"
Outraged, Han Baek reached for his sword—
"Drawing that would cross the line."
Eun Junghak, the Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad's leader—the Ruthless Black Demon—spoke slowly as he descended from above, having watched with interest.
Parting the crowd, he stood before Han Baek and lectured sternly.
"New squad, so you might not know. The cult forbids private spars between units."
Han Baek met his gaze and withdrew his hand from the sword.
Eun Junghak gave a faint smile.
"Not entirely forbidden, though. Just apply at the Sparring Grounds first, and it can happen anytime."
He glanced at Han Baek's sword before continuing.
"With both leaders' approval, of course."
"...!"
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad's eyes widened.
"Drawing first thing shows confidence in your skills. How about a friendly spar to build camaraderie?"
"That's..."
As they hesitated, Ji Wolhon returned and stepped between them.
"We accept."
"Huh?"
"For real?"
The Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad blinked in surprise at the ready agreement.
Eun Junghak's lips parted with intrigue.
"Hoo...?"
Their gazes clashed sharply in the air.
The Sparring Grounds.
A circular arena with tiered seating stacked like stairs around it, designed for large crowds to watch easily.
All official spars within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult took place here.
Now, the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad and Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad occupied the space, while Hyeok Mulin overlooked them from the elevated Cult Leader's seat.
"My apologies. I accepted the wager without consulting you."
Ji Wolhon bowed deeply beside him.
"It's fine. It was bound to happen eventually."
The Divine Demon Blood Death Squad had been isolated from other units.
Completing their first mission in that vacuum had drawn envy and jealousy.
This could be a good opportunity.
Showing well against an assault squad would earn fresh recognition.
As Ji Wolhon descended, Hyeok Mulin addressed them.
"I heard about the friction."
"..."
"..."
"I won't stop quarrels. Warriors grow from such experiences."
At that, the two squads glanced at each other.
"However."
Hyeok Mulin continued.
"Wagers need stakes."
It had already become a pride contest between squads, brimming with fervor, but with the Heavenly Demon overseeing, fitting rewards were in order.
"The winning squad gets ten thousand silver taels."
"Ten thousand...!"
As faces lit up at the generous prize, Hyeok Mulin added another.
"Plus, the individual victor spars with me personally for guidance."
"...!"
The leaders' eyes flashed.
"I'll judge. Fair and impartial, no objections."
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Begin."
At Hyeok Mulin's word, all but the combatants split to the spectator seats.
Three rounds total, one per squad leader.
Thud, thud.
Man Hyobom emerged first for the Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
His opponent: Taedo Gwang, one of the Wave Heaven Black Wind Squad leaders.
Hyeok Mulin nodded at them.
'First round won't take long.'
When wielders of similar weapons clash, skill gaps show clearly.
Man Hyobom had a backsword at his side; Taedo Gwang, a greatsword on his back.
Slightly different, but swords nonetheless.
Barring equal skill, a winner within ten exchanges.
"Tough luck running into me. Hurt you bad, and retaliation might follow?"
Taedo Gwang stretched, taunting his foe.
Man Hyobom showed no reaction, so he escalated.
"Climbed to vice leader easy on daddy's bloodline while others slaved? Time to taste bitterness..."
"Hey."
Man Hyobom cut him off, drawing his backsword.
"Just start already? No interest in you, nothing to say."
"Wh-what?!"
Flushing red, Taedo Gwang yanked his greatsword free.
But reason lingered; he glanced at Hyeok Mulin before charging.
'Warmed up enough.'
Hyeok Mulin raised his hand to signal.
"Begin."
Thud thud thud!
Taedo Gwang lunged explosively.
"If I'd been born in the Man Clan! I'd have smashed you long ago!"
"Always that Man Clan crap. Sick of it."
"Raaargh!"
Taedo Gwang bellowed, swinging his greatsword down first.
But just before it struck—
Boom—!
Man Hyobom flatly flat-slapped his cheek with the flat of his blade.
Head half-turned, Taedo Gwang flew through the air into the wall.
He crashed with a thunderous boom, spat blood coughing, then slumped unconscious.
"...Huh?"
The bout ended anticlimactically in one exchange.
Silence blanketed the Sparring Grounds.