Chapter 277
Chapter 277
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 277
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Hasera
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Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
This supreme technique from another world was passed down only to the absolute ruler of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the Heavenly Demon.
Its profundity was so intricate and demanding that only history's greatest geniuses could barely master it.
So how had the Heavenly Demon, Hasera, managed to learn this legendary art?
It was thanks to the Heavenly Demon from another world who suddenly appeared in midair on the day she turned twenty.
“Greetings. I am the Heavenly Demon. Looking at you... you're a genius, aren't you?”
A woman in Chinese-style attire with her black hair casually tied back tossed a booklet to the newly adult Hasera.
“You're mine now, so start learning this from today.”
Hasera, who had become a hunter, frowned and looked up.
“Heh heh. I don't know what kind of world this is or why I have to wander it, but I'll give you exactly four months.”
“......”
“If you can't master the basics in that time, you die. Understood?”
A status message appeared simultaneously.
[Ding!]
[Stage: Encounter with the Heavenly Demon]
[Difficulty: Immeasurable]
[A hidden quest has arrived.]
[You have encountered Kang So-so, the Absolute of Another World, Heavenly Demon (SSS Grade).]
[Having gained the power of a constellation through human martial arts, she ultimately lost her life and now wanders the universe in search of someone to whom she can pass on the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.]
[Receive Kang So-so's recognition within 4 months. Otherwise, you die.]
“......”
She knew that everyone in humanity awakened as hunters at age twenty.
But Heavenly Demon? SSS Grade? Kang So-so? Constellation?
They were all unfamiliar terms.
[Otherwise, you die.]
Staring into Kang So-so's chilling gaze before her.
It felt like she really would die if she didn't learn it.
“......”
Hasera gave no reply.
To be precise, she couldn't.
She had some kind of trauma-induced speech impediment.
“Oh ho, I see. You can't speak? Tsk tsk, so fragile-minded. But it doesn't matter. Pain often brings out genius even more... Learn this desperately. Circulate the mental technique, build your inner energy. Then, you can regain that lost voice.”
Hasera's eyes sparkled.
Those who hadn't experienced the daily inconveniences of a speech impediment couldn't understand.
Especially in this rapidly changed world.
Everyone was too busy surviving to care for the disabled.
But to overcome that disability?
To make sounds like everyone else?
This was.
A jackpot, even if she couldn't eat it.
Nod.
The young Hasera nodded vigorously.
And so began the special bond between Kang So-so and Hasera.
Hasera was tougher than expected, had exceptional athleticism, and learned at an extraordinary pace.
Genius.
Talent bestowed by the heavens.
“Hmm, this is quite exciting for once!”
Kang So-so was delighted.
Since falling into this damned world, those who approached claiming to be geniuses had all failed to meet her standards.
Some grew at the pace of a lame rabbit.
Others seemed promising at first, only to reveal greed rivaling a pig's gluttony.
Their fates were predictable.
Qi deviation.
They'd die before even reaching the devilish realm.
As befitting a demonic art that granted swift achievements but demanded equally severe side effects.
She needed someone with a steadfast mind and strong spirit.
Thus, Kang So-so had killed all who fell short.
Slicing them down with her mind sword.
“Not bad. You're provisionally accepted.”
Four months later.
Hasera had successfully survived.
“But my true test begins now. To become my successor as Heavenly Demon, becoming the world's best is the bare minimum. This world has a ranking system, right? I'll give you one year. Enter the rankings within that time. Fail, and you die. But if you make the top thousand, I'll take you as my disciple.”
[A hidden quest has arrived.]
[Enter the rankings and receive Kang So-so's recognition within 1 year. Otherwise, you die.]
It was utter madness.
A difficulty that would make any hunter curse the heavens and choose suicide on sight.
“......”
Even Hasera felt a moment of despair.
But what could she do to survive?
She had no choice but to move.
Beyond that, though.
She was drawn to the Heavenly Demon Divine Art itself.
A perilous yet beautiful martial art.
Crafted for an absolute ruler who reigned over the world.
“Do you want to live? Then shut up and breathe.”
She followed Kang So-so's instructions without protest, regulating her breathing.
Caressing her dantian with each breath, tilling the soil for the Heavenly Demon's energy to sprout.
“Even while gathering qi, maintain strict vigilance around you. Who knows when I might change my mind and kill you.”
Even then, Kang So-so suddenly ambushed and beat her.
“......!”
Breaking bones, tearing muscles.
“This is the cult's training method. It's brutal enough to make the weak and spiritless abandon life. Don't want to get hit? Then watch properly. If you detect my ambush, I'll spare you that day.”
Kang So-so drove Hasera mercilessly.
Beatings disguised as training.
Punishments disguised as stamina building.
“What, crying? Kahahaha! If you're shedding tears over this, just stab your gut and end it!”
Whenever tears fell for no reason, Kang So-so never missed it.
She shook Hasera's fragile mentality until it spun wildly, then smashed it down.
“Don't want to die again? Then pick up the sword. For shedding tears, no sleep tonight.”
Except for minimal sleep, every moment was devoted to training.
And the result.
[Ranking 620th, Heavenly Demon Hasera]
Hasera achieved her goal triumphantly.
Earning the moniker of Heavenly Demon.
“Heh heh, of course you did. Congratulations. From now on, you are my one and only direct disciple and the successor to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
Kang So-so straightened her back and crossed her arms.
“So prepare yourself. The path ahead will be even harsher.”
She had acknowledged her.
As the next-generation Heavenly Demon ready to make her name in this new world.
* * *
Shuuu......
Hasera finished her qi circulation and meditation, disrupted by the uninvited guest, neatly storing the raging energy in her dantian.
Thanks to her master Kang So-so's teaching to never lower her guard even during meditation.
She had easily detected Delaila's approach.
“Didn't I tell that wench last time? To stop coming. Why does she keep popping up?”
Kang So-so, floating in midair, furrowed her brow.
She had long grown weary of Delaila, who appeared out of nowhere whenever forgotten.
This time, she showed up at a truly critical moment.
“You're so close to reaching the devilish realm......”
Kang So-so acted as Hasera's agent.
The founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was all under Kang So-so's guidance.
Even her current closed-door training, day and night without respite, was at Kang So-so's behest.
Because.
‘The time to become the world's best is near.’
The world called Earth was broader and vaster than imagined.
It teemed with the strong.
Even the Demon King's multicolored eyes, which once rivaled constellation power, made Kang So-so's eyes widen slightly.
‘And that's second place?’
Kang So-so couldn't tolerate it.
The Heavenly Demon must be the world's best.
Overwhelming the world, descending upon it from above.
Hasera's current ranking was third.
With the summit in sight, how could she stop training?
“......”
Feeling her master's gaze, Hasera silently stared at Delaila.
Dungeon Maker.
No matter how strong she was, Hasera couldn't ignore Delaila.
She was the one who provided this space.
Delaila's dimension-hopping ability brought more gain than loss.
Beyond that.
For someone with a speech impediment like herself, Delaila—who always approached and shared news of the world—was a precious friend and her link to the outside.
“Hmm, I heard you were going into seclusion last time, but the situation is urgent.”
Delaila smiled and approached Hasera.
“Mind helping out a bit?”
“......”
Hasera blinked slowly.
A gesture urging more details.
“You brat! What explanation? Chase her out now! Didn't we agree last time? To cut off the world until entering the devilish realm!”
The ghostly Kang So-so bellowed, but Hasera shook her head.
‘No, I'll hear her out.’
After earning the Heavenly Demon moniker.
She made all decisions under her own initiative.
Kang So-so was merely an advisor; Hasera didn't yield her will entirely.
‘That's proof I'm alive.’
In other words.
Even founding the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
And the closed-door training.
Were ultimately Hasera's own will.
Of course, there had been resistance at first.
Kang So-so had raged and threatened to kill her.
‘Then kill me.’
When Hasera firmly declared she wouldn't live as her master's puppet, Kang So-so had no choice.
She had to yield a step.
There was no guarantee of finding another disciple like Hasera, and she was already the Heavenly Demon.
The old-generation Heavenly Demon couldn't oust the new.
“Hmph, so the Heavenly Demon has some spirit. If you insist on listening, what can I do?”
Kang So-so turned her head away in annoyance, but that was it.
As Hasera stared intently at Delaila again.
“A dragon appeared.”
Delaila spoke.
“......?”
“It's called Jisuryong, and its power is terrifyingly strong. Maybe even stronger than that Heavenly Demon teaching you from behind?”
“What? What did that thunderbolt-headed wench just say?!”
Kang So-so's eyes blazed.
But her words didn't reach Delaila.
Sring! Whirrl!
In that instant, Hasera drew her sword and swung it gracefully.
In the blink of an eye, words etched into the floor.
- Who's gathered?
“Ah, um. Almost everyone. The Demon King said he's coming too.”
“......Demon King?”
Kang So-so, who had been furiously raging, paused.
“Oh ho, that's different. The Demon King Go Saemok-in is coming? Then we should go too. Can't let him hog all the rewards.”
“And that guy I mentioned before, Joo Dong-hoon, is here too.”
“......!”
This time, Hasera paused.
Joo Dong-hoon.
The one Delaila sang praises about whenever she visited.
The one with far greater potential than the Demon King, herself, or even the Magic Tower Lord.
And possibly.
The one who might have a master behind him, just like her.
“......”
Delaila had closely analyzed Joo Dong-hoon during his trials.
Spotting moments of self-talk, similarities to Hasera.
They even discussed such things.
Whirrl!
Hasera swung her sword again.
- Fine, I'll go. Lead the way.
With Kang So-so by her side gone quiet anyway.
Hasera judged it fine to see the world after so long.
She was curious about that man in a similar situation too.
* * *
Kugugaga...!
Staring at the Jisuryong's impending breath attack, I thought.
‘This.’
Can't dodge it.
Can't block it either.
No answer.
So why did the Demon King say it's worth trying?
Who is the other guest Delaila called?
Just as I wondered.
“They'll arrive soon.”
The Demon King grinned, and simultaneously.
Wuuung!
Cracks formed in midair.
‘That's......’
Spatial translocation on par with Vladimir?
Crack!
The cracks soon split open, and two women emerged from the rift.
“Nice to see everyone. Some familiar faces, some after a long time.”
One was Delaila, met during the trial.
“......”
The other was a black-haired woman I'd never seen.
‘Insane.’
I couldn't help but widen my eyes.
‘Her aura is almost on par with the Demon King's?’
And in this world, only one woman should emit an aura like the Demon King's.
Heavenly Demon Hasera.
Swoosh.
She appeared in midair and slowly raised her sword.
In that moment, the ambient mana felt like it shifted somehow.
Regaining the flow stolen by the Jisuryong's breath?
“......”
Just raising her sword to reverse the flow.
Incredible ability.
Even more astonishing, the suction of the drawn-in breath vanished.
“Hua, hua!”
“W-We survived!”
“Thanks to that woman? Who is she anyway?”
Hasera had never appeared in the media.
Her face wasn't as familiar as other rankers'.
“Who else? A woman wielding a sword who can block aura across this range......”
“Hasera?”
“No way......! So both the Demon King and Heavenly Demon showed up?”
Goooooo......
Ultimately, an immense surge of energy gathered at the Jisuryong's mouth.
The world-shaking mana waves halted.
In that instant, silence enveloped all.
Kugugu!
And then, the erupting energy.
“Now, Heavenly Demon!”
The Demon King shouted.
“......!”
Hasera nodded sharply in response.
Whoosh!
Moving fluidly, as if about to kiss.
Sss!
I stepped on the shadow too.
Having grasped the intent from the Demon King's voice.
“Everyone, focus your strikes on the dragon's neck!”
The Demon King yelled.
Simultaneously.
Kwagagaga!
A new demon beast emerged from the massive magic circle.
[The ancient demon beast 'Temper' appears!]
Its size was enormous.
About half the size of a city-covering dragon?
Its aura was leagues beyond the previous tentacle beast 'Veligoh'.
“It'll hurt quite a bit. Even most Demon Kings would shake their heads at Temper's power.”
Shweeeee!
The massive-winged, ferocious-bodied beast swung a heavy fist.
Kwaaaang!
A deafening explosion tore through the sky.
Moreover.
“......!”
Hasera, sword raised, unleashed her strike.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Heaven-Shattering Asura Sword.
Demon Dragon Heaven-Shatter.
Kwagagaga!
Sword energy evoking an Eastern dragon poured ferociously toward the dragon's neck.
- Wh-What?
The dragon's first startled cry.
The moment Temper's power and Hasera's Demon Dragon Heaven-Shatter twisted the dragon's thick neck skyward!
Kuaaaa!
A massive brown beam erupted from Brius's mouth.
Not toward us, but in a completely different direction.