Chapter 14 - The Heavenly Demon Walks (1)
I activated Qinggong and raced toward where Vertus’s presence emanated.
As the distance closed, the surrounding devastation became vividly apparent.
Though it should have been midday, an inky darkness blotted out the sky.
The once verdant foliage withered instantly under the malevolent energy seeping across the land.
Even the air scraping against my skin felt unbearably oppressive as I sprinted through this tainted space, preoccupied with a critical concern.
‘My Demonic Qi reserves are insufficient.’
Ordinary martial artists utilize Qi accumulated in their Dantian.
Those who practice demonic arts transform their constitution to convert Qi into Yin-aspected Demonic Qi, yet the principles governing its application remain fundamentally similar to Qi.
Martial techniques consume Demonic Qi, which must then be replenished through elixirs or Energy Circulation.
But of course, no elixirs exist in this world, making that replenishment method impossible.
That left only Energy Circulation…
[Warning: Unable to detect natural Qi in surrounding atmosphere.]
[Energy Circulation: Demonic Qi recovery effects cannot be applied.]
The very air here differed in nature from the Heavenly Demon Simulator’s world, preventing absorption of environmental Qi during Energy Circulation.
Naturally, this meant the entire process—converting natural Qi into internal energy, then transforming it into Demonic Qi—had become impossible.
Thus, I’d been forced to minimize martial techniques, especially the Demonic Qi-intensive Heavenly Demon Arts…
‘The real question is—how powerful is this Vertus?’
Judging by the Saintess’s demeanor whenever she mentioned him,
she might not know his exact strength, but any being who nearly destroyed a continent would undoubtedly be monstrous.
With ample Demonic Qi, I could unleash the Heavenly Demon Arts freely…
But could I confront him with barely half my reserves? Even if victorious, what then—exhausted and powerless?
[One important system notification awaits.]
‘What now? Quiet—I’m in the middle of serious deliberation.’
[One important system notification awaits…]
‘Fine! What is it?’
The system’s persistent pop-ups left me no choice but to check.
After remaining silent since my arrival here, why the sudden clamor?
[Detecting anomalous atmospheric composition in user’s vicinity.]
[Analyzing components…]
[Analysis complete. Confirmed presence of energy structurally similar to user’s “Demonic Qi.”]
“Wait. What?”
I halted mid-stride, awaiting the system’s next message.
[Current local atmosphere contains elements functionally analogous to Demonic Qi alongside ambient Mana.]
[Due to contaminating factors, direct absorption into user’s Dantian remains impossible. However, skill “Energy Circulation: Demonic Qi” can refine nearby air into usable Demonic Qi.]
“…”
I surveyed the ominous surroundings once more.
So… I can absorb this?
Inhale—
Assuming proper stance, I drew a measured breath while igniting my Dantian.
[Activating “Energy Circulation: Demonic Qi.”]
[Demonic Qi circulation stabilizing.]
[Attempting natural Qi absorption from atmosphere… Warning. No natural Qi detected.]
[However, detecting energy with properties analogous to Demonic Qi. Commencing alternative absorption.]
Through breath and pores, an alien presence entered me.
Yet within its strangeness lingered something faintly familiar.
-This can be controlled.
I channeled the absorbed energy through my Blood Vessels, filling my Dantian to capacity.
Then released a single drop of Yin Qi within.
[Confirmed fusion between unknown energy and Yin Qi in Dantian.]
[Purifying contaminants while extracting energy exhibiting Demonic Qi affinity for conversion.]
Suddenly—intense expansion within my Dantian.
I expelled the impure energy causing this swelling through my Blood Vessels, reversing the absorption process to purge it from my body.
[“Energy Circulation: Demonic Qi” complete.]
[Demonic Qi fully restored. Current reserves: 100%]
Post-circulation, I assessed my Dantian.
That satisfying fullness—long absent—now returned.
My gaze swept the surroundings again.
What once felt repulsive now seemed… endearing.
“Hah… Hahaha!”
Just you wait, Vertus—whoever you are.
The Heavenly Demon comes—not Mana-unlimited, but Demonic Qi-unlimited.
“Surrender, Saintess.”
Kwaaaa—
A tsunami of Corrupted Mana vomited forth by Vertus crashed against the luminous barrier shielding the Saintess.
“Ghk…!”
Clutching the crucifix at her throat with both hands, she chanted desperately to maintain the faltering shield.
Should it break, not only the Saintess—but her fallen comrades behind her—would inevitably be consumed by Vertus.
“Emily… Sir Barkus and the others…”
Their resistance had lasted scarcely twenty minutes.
Against the endless tide of demon-possessed soldiers and holy knights, they stood no chance.
Then Vertus—merely watching with amusement—had gestured once.
A storm of black feathers descended, leaving all but the Saintess mortally wounded.
Uooogh!
Boom! Boom!
Watching her winged comrades mindlessly pounding the barrier with bestial fury…
The Saintess could only weep—from sorrow and terror.
“Hmm. An entertaining spectacle, but let us conclude.”
As Vertus flicked one wing—
Whoosh!
Two black feathers shot forth like lightning, shattering the barrier to pierce both her lungs.
“Kkh—!”
Finally, even the Saintess collapsed.
“Hack… kegh…”
Auriel tried breathing—impossible. Only crimson blood bubbled from her lips with each failed exhalation.
The demonic thralls moved to swarm her fallen form.
“Halt.”
At Vertus’s command, the mindless horde simultaneously knelt, awaiting orders.
“While watching the Saintess ravaged and dismembered by her own comrades would prove diverting…”
Vertus turned his gaze elsewhere.
“…killing our hostage might prompt that Heavenly Demon to flee. We’ll reserve such pleasures for after his disposal.”
He sensed the anomalous presence approaching.
“Behold, Saintess. Your abandoned lover comes belatedly to your rescue.”
‘N-no…’
The Saintess shut her eyes tight.
‘Please… I’d rather you’d stayed away…’
Yet contrary to her wish—
Tap.
With that peculiar footstep—as if treading air—the Heavenly Demon arrived.
The scene was horrific.
Those who once served divine will now stood as Fallen Deities’ thralls.
Soldiers emblazoned with violet sigurs, sprouting wings resembling Vertus’s own—a demonic legion.
And Vertus himself, soaring triumphantly beneath blackened skies with over two thousand at his command.
Yet the Heavenly Demon merely stood indifferent before this overwhelming force.
“I see. You don’t fear me.”
Not that Vertus particularly cared.
Only that his enjoyment at seeing the man beg for mercy in terror would be slightly delayed.
Now remained only his disposal.
Then—once more—he would dye the mortal realm’s skies with his darkness, finally placing this land beneath his heel.
“But that arrogance seals your fate.”
As Vertus raised his hand, the kneeling thralls simultaneously turned toward the Heavenly Demon.
“Go. Bring him to me alive. I must reclaim what he stole.”
Not that he needed that power.
Corrupting the Radain Church’s forces had already amassed sufficient Corrupted Mana.
This order stemmed from a Fallen Deity’s pride.
Vertus couldn’t tolerate some mere human pilfering his essence.
Groooaaar!
At their master’s command, the thralls charged.
Most ran—some scrambled beast-like on all fours—
While the more gifted—like the demon-adapted inquisitor Erdan and several holy knights—took wing.
Less a battle than a tsunami of malice crashing upon a single man.
“…Must the fliers come separately? How inconsiderate.”
The Heavenly Demon sighed at the incoming tide of evil.
Mere steps remained before collision.
Yet he moved not—drawing no sword, making no evasion.
Then—finally—he acted.
A deep inhalation, then exhalation—his habitual Dantian-awakening motion.
The Demonic Qi drawn forth gathered in his legs as for Qinggong—
But now in quantities beyond comparison.
The mere act of standing made the earth tremble.
His next movement proved absurdly simple.
Just lifting his right foot—as if to take a step—then placing it forward.
[Heavenly Demon’s Dominion Step activated!]