Chapter 333
Chapter 333
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 333
Chapter Title: Demir's Masterpiece (2)
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I Raise a Skeleton 333
The headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Nestled at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, where a scenic wonder unfolded amid the city.
"Uhahaha!"
"Kuhahaha!"
Laughter filled the air.
Warriors who usually devoted themselves solely to training in silence were, for once, drinking and reveling in a festival.
"We've finally surpassed the Demon King's army, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
"Raise your cups! Lay down your swords this time! Enjoy yourselves!"
"You've worked hard, Lady Hasera!"
"Cult Leader, you're amazing! Hooray! Hooray! Hoorayyy!"
The reason for their joy was simple.
[World Ranking 2nd, Heavenly Demon Hasera]
For the first time since the founding of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, their leader had defeated the Demon King.
[Korea is now the strongest hunter nation in the world—no one can deny it!]
[Proud hyper rankers Hasera and Joo Dong-hoon. We now hold rankings 2 and 4.]
[Hunter Association Chairman Choi Tae-seung: "A round of applause for the rankers who achieved this great feat."]
[The red wave filling Seoul—is this a repeat of the 2002 World Cup?]
The title of world's strongest nation, seized from America.
The fervor across Korea had yet to die down.
"Hasera, Hasera, Hasera!"
"Joo Dong-hoon, Joo Dong-hoon, Joo Dong-hoon!"
Whether at City Hall or Gwanghwamun Square.
Citizens in red shirts sang cheers all day long.
Stores gave away food, drinks, and alcohol for free.
Even as cars blared horns and gridlock brought everything to a standstill, no one grew angry.
If the entire nation was like this.
How could the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, at the center of it all, contain their excitement!
It was certain.
At this very moment in Korea, the only group training steadily and composedly without faltering was the Byeolcheonji sect alone.
In any case.
Amid that festive scene.
The protagonist, Hasera, sat silently in a daze.
Yet there was no sense of incongruity.
She had never been one to speak, nor to indulge in drink or revelry.
She was only sitting there because of her master, Kang So-so.
Was it the duty of a cult leader to watch over the joy of her followers?
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
Beside her, the absolute being from another world watched.
The Heavenly Demon (SSS Grade), Kang So-so, asked.
"You've finally ascended to the realm of Entering the Demonic Path, so at least show some sign of joy."
"……."
"The leader's seat is like that by nature. Can't you even smile once for followers who worship power and martial arts? Truly pathetic."
A smile?
Hasera forced the corner of her mouth up slightly.
Like this?
"……."
It was an awkward expression anyone could see.
It was fortunate the followers weren't looking at Hasera but focusing on their drinks.
"Sigh, fine. Forget what I said, you girl."
Kang So-so shook her head.
Her disciple was perfect in every way.
Except for that one flaw.
She had absolutely no social graces.
"Of course."
A Heavenly Demon had no need for such things.
Anyone demanding it could just be cut down.
"So, what is it?"
Kang So-so said softly.
"What has your heart so shaken?"
The reason Hasera was spacing out.
Her master, Kang So-so, had a pretty good intuition about it.
"Is it that Joo Dong-hoon or whatever?"
Swish.
Hasera's vacant gaze turned.
Then she nodded faintly.
Hasera had never been one to hide her emotions.
'That's right.'
For the past few years, Hasera's sole goal had been Jack Smith.
Kang So-so had also wanted her Heavenly Demon to reign supreme over the world, catching up to the Demon King.
And two days ago.
She had surpassed the Demon King.
Entering SSS Grade, the constellation realm.
'But.'
That man she saw at Delaila’s gathering.
World Ranking 4th, Joo Dong-hoon.
'Something was different.'
It was the instinct of a swordmaster.
Her ranking was higher, her aura stronger.
Yet she didn't feel like she could win easily in a fight.
Like one beast recognizing another.
The hairs on her body stood on end.
'The Demon King felt easier, if anything.'
The Skeleton Emperor seemed to be hiding something deeply.
That skeleton Arin had even beaten the Magic Tower Lord, hadn't she?
Did it make sense for a summon to defeat a hyper ranker?
"Hmph."
Kang So-so snorted.
"You've just entered the threshold of true Heavenly Demon, so why the lack of confidence?"
Shake, shake.
Hasera shook her head.
It wasn't a lack of confidence.
She was just curious.
Swish!
Finally, Hasera rose from her seat.
"Ah, Cult Leader?"
"Where are you going?"
A few elders asked.
Whoosh! Silently drawing her sword, Hasera sliced through the air with her sword energy.
- Just stepping out for some air.
- Don't mind me, keep enjoying.
* * *
At that moment.
Demir's workshop.
"Hoo."
Seated on the royal stone, I took a deep, reverent breath.
To my left was the 'Destruction Dragon's Fang' I'd prepared.
To my right was the 'Crystal of the Profound Depths' as big as my body.
The forged weapons, adamantium ingots, and mithril ingots were neatly organized in the corner.
"Ready, Master?"
In front of me, the shortstack grinned, hammer in hand.
"Of course."
Gulp.
Swallowing dryly, I pulled out the blueprint.
[Item: Destruction Dragon Set]
[Grade: SSS]
[Type: Blueprint]
[Description: Design plans for crafting the 'Destruction Dragon Set.']
[Effect 1: Allows crafting of weapons and accessories with the prefix 'Destruction Dragon's.']
[Effect 2: Requires 1 'Refined Destruction Dragon's Fang,' 50 'Adamantium,' 50 'Mithril.']
[Effect 3: Boasts exceptional performance due to its complex crafting difficulty.]
[Effect 4: Requires 'Crystal of the Profound Depths' (SSS Grade) to fuse the metals.]
A true constellation-grade blueprint.
An item of historic value that Demir had alchemized while envisioning the Destruction Dragon.
I knew he'd grinded nearly a month to obtain it.
Something with a 0.000001% drop chance, if that?
"Master, from now on, we'll hammer for 15 hours straight with the spirit of friendship. Like last time, got it? The key is focus."
For a lifelong masterpiece, not a single hammer strike could be careless.
Melting the mithril.
Shaping it.
Binding the hilt.
Infusing the soul.
No margin for error in any step.
"Now we'll melt this fang with the Crystal of the Profound Depths."
"Okay, don't worry—just start."
Demir began preparations with the hands of a master craftsman.
Roarrr!
Tossing the materials into the blazing anvil.
"Ooh, Master!"
Demir let out an exclamation of delight.
"The fang—that sturdy fang—is melting so easily!"
The byproduct of earth was magnificent.
Did its all-encompassing power embrace even the Destruction Dragon's fang?
"Right into forging!"
Clang! Clang!
Demir's hammer began to dance.
The work of deforming metal with heat!
"The key is your inspiration, Master!"
Claaang!
As he slammed down the hammer, Demir shouted.
"Think of the Destruction Dragon—and of us who will wield this!"
"I know."
Us.
We've combined our strength plenty of times, right?
"Hoo."
I exhaled and picked up the hammer.
Better than Demir alone—striking together lets my imagery infuse better into the weapon.
Clang, clang!
A clear ring reverberated through my eardrums.
Clang, clang!
I focused my thoughts.
I tried to draw out my affectionate feelings for my subordinates and my surprisingly rich sensitivity.
'Hmm.'
But.
This time, every hammer strike felt somehow uncomfortable.
Ahh.
'This is…….'
A pain I'd never felt before.
Yes.
The pain of creation.
Clang, clang!
My arms and back muscles ached from the full-force strikes, so why did my skull throb?
"Master, start envisioning now!"
"I'm trying."
First up was the sword.
Bone One's sword.
What should I envision while looking at Bone One, whose past life I don't even know?
But I had to create it.
Since it was made with all my and Demir's efforts, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
Clang, clang!
"Master, art isn't born without agony. I'm constantly thinking and rethinking during the work too. But you know?"
"Yeah."
"The key is your inspiration! Leave the technique to me and think!"
Right.
First that came to mind was the Destruction Dragon, Vinasa.
A being that destroys all.
Born to annihilate the world.
So, the theme I'd envision this time was 'destruction.'
It didn't matter who Bone One was.
The only hint was Supreme of Gold and the World's Best?
Yeah, probably an insanely strong guy.
Then, shatter everything with the sword.
Shing!
In my mind, I drew the sword.
Its razor-sharp blade stimulated my skin.
Goosebumps rose.
Whoosh!
The sword I swung cleaved mountains and seas.
No?
Make the imagery grander.
It cleaved the earth and split the heavens.
Ultimately, it sliced an entire planet.
Rumble rumble rumble!
The world split in half and drifted apart.
And within that.
Clang, clang!
I hammered away.
"Kuhahaha! Master! That's it! A bit more like that! Uhahat! It's shaping up perfectly!"
Good thing it was working.
Next, the sun.
Clang, clang!
As my imagery targeted the sun, Demir's hammer naturally pounded the spear.
One mind, one body.
Ahh.
Feeling 'one mind, one body' not with a spouse but with Demir……
That was a bit pathetic……
"Master, no stray thoughts!"
"Got it, sorry!"
Clang, clang!
I snapped to and hammered.
We'd barely hit 1% progress.
Can't lose focus already.
Clang, clang!
From the sun onward, it was easy.
A precious subordinate and comrade I'd shared resonance with.
I bound the sun within the Solar Spear to 'destructive power.'
Rumble rumble rumble……!
Immense flames engulfed the planet.
Sizzle, sizzlle!
Heat rose, seas began to melt.
Forests turned to deserts, lava erupted from the earth.
The moment the whole world shimmered in haze.
"Ughhh! So hot, Master! Is this the sun's destructive power!"
Clang, clang!
The rougher my imagery, the more the weapon took form.
In its sharpening shape, yes.
Vinasa.
I could smell him.
- Roooaaarrr!
His savage roar made my heart pound.
Clang, clang!
Demir's hammering continued, and my imagery unfolded without pause, day or night.
'Eldrin.'
The forest kin, queen of the moon.
Her arrow shattered a world.
Pierced a planet, cleaved a sun.
'Kaden.'
The indomitable shieldbearer who sparked a revolution.
How to envision 'destructive power' with a shield?
Right.
Just smash with the shield.
A true fighter doesn't discriminate weapons.
Boom, kablooey!
I smashed the planet with the shield.
Shattered the world to pieces.
'Arin.'
The sole successor of ancient magic.
Her magic incinerated a planet.
Eloise's flames made the burning planet burn fiercer.
'Demir.'
The universe's strongest blacksmith.
The weapons you craft are the tools of destruction I've envisioned so far.
'Dana.'
The great saint revered by countless people.
No destruction, no recovery.
Woooom!
But even you have something to destroy.
The undead.
Rumble rumble rumble!
A tsunami of holy light from the saint engulfed the necromancer legions.
I imagined them swept away with shrieks and wails.
'Mugak.'
The constellation of battle (SSS Grade), closest to the God of War.
His fist pulverized a star.
Kicked a planet like a soccer ball.
'Yui-sa.'
The great spiritist contracted with the four great spirit kings.
Rumble rumble!
A storm of the four elements overturned the world.
'And finally.'
Bone Twelve.
Bone Twelve was different from the other subordinates.
Mystifyingly weaponless, class undefined.
A bare-handed skeleton.
'Yeah, you're an accessory anyway, not a weapon.'
Just envision Vinasa's 'destructive power.'
Roooaaarrr!
What I envisioned was his breath.
His ultimate killing move.
Thud!
A nuclear breath erupted from his mouth toward the universe.
Clang! Clang!
"Good, Master! Perfect! But repeat it! Keep repeating! Layer more imagery! Make your destructive power more concrete! Until the weapon is complete!"
I planned to anyway.
Rest?
No such thing.
How could I sleep seeing that sleek, beautifully forming design!
Clang, clang!
A smile was definitely on my lips as I hammered away.
Wahoo!
This is fucking fun!