Chapter 346
Chapter 346
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 346
Chapter Title: Man-sul vs Heavenly Demon (1)
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Muryeongdo-won City's back mountain.
The place where the Destruction Dragon had resided.
Hasera and I, having climbed up there, swiftly drew wooden swords.
[Item: 'Supreme of Gold and the World's Best' (SS-grade)]
[Grade: SS]
[Type: Catalyst]
[Description: A wooden sword that can uncover the secrets of hidden ruins.]
[Effect 1: Can open the dungeon, 'Martial World.']
[Effect 2: Item bound to Hunter, 'Joo Dong-hoon.']
[Effect 3: This item can only be activated by Hunters grade SS or higher.]
Linked to my class.
My own catalyst, continuously evolving.
[Condition: The meeting of 'Han' and 'Han'!]
[Opening the catalyst 'Supreme of Gold and the World's Best' (SS-grade) will lead you inside with the Heavenly Demon.]
[The Heavenly Demon is nearby.]
[The catalyst can be activated.]
The conditions were already met.
Wooong!
The wooden sword emitted a mystical glow and flashed brightly.
Soon, the dungeon's door would open.
"Why does this phenomenon occur? No point in dwelling on it."
A sudden joint quest?
Analyzing why it appeared wouldn't yield answers anyway.
Humanity still knew nothing.
Why we gained 'unique abilities.'
What 'dungeons' are.
What the 'system' is.
And so on.
We still stood atop an unknown world.
"But what I want to say is."
I turned my head to look at Hasera.
She simply gazed at me with a silent expression.
"Each to their own survival."
Our goals might align or diverge.
My aim was awakening Bone Il-i.
Hers was resolving her master Kang So-so's 'han.'
"If our paths differ, we'll have no choice but to compete. Okay?"
"......"
Hasera looked at me with an inscrutable expression.
Then, shortly after.
Nod.
She lightly nodded.
"Good."
I scratched my cheek.
Wooong!
At the same time, I poured my energy vigorously into the wooden sword.
Kugugugu!
The entire back mountain began shaking as if struck by an earthquake.
[Would you like to activate 'Supreme of Gold and the World's Best'?]
[The dungeon, 'Martial World,' can be opened.]
Hasera's eyes flicked upward slightly, probably seeing the message too.
Well then.
No need to drag this out?
'Okay. Let's go.'
As I answered inwardly.
Flash!
A blinding light filled my vision.
* * *
Martial World.
The world where Bone Il-i and Kang So-so seemed to have lived.
To an outsider, it might sound like a 'forest of martial arts,' but it typically referred to a kind of societal community.
A place where martial artists acquired, passed down morals, rules, techniques, and knowledge unique to them.
But.
The space we arrived in was somehow different.
First off.
Ta-at!
I landed leisurely on the ground, accustomed to dungeon transfers.
Swish!
Hasera landed steadily as well.
We quickly surveyed our surroundings.
Drop, drop!
The regular sound of water dripping onto the damp floor.
Rugged, uneven rock walls enclosing the area nearby.
A dim view, and a musty smell blending underground water, dissolved minerals, and countless bacteria.
Yes.
This was a cave.
A place where shimmering stalactites and beautiful stalagmites formed a fantastical harmony.
Sring!
Hasera drew her sword.
Then wrote something.
- Beautiful.
"......"
This woman.
Was she admiring the natural wonder right now?
Even I couldn't tear my eyes away enough to say that.
Exaggerating a bit.
More beautiful than Muryeongdo-won?
'Hmm.'
Standing still.
Just as I was fully absorbing the massive, mysterious work of nature with my whole body.
Step.
Someone's footsteps echoed then.
Flinch!
I furrowed my brow.
Definitely.
Not even a presence had been felt.
"......!"
Hasera also dropped into a stance in shock, apparently sensing nothing either.
Fwoosh!
I immediately switched my Divine Slayer weapon to a spear.
Crack! Crack!
I summoned my loyal subordinates, excluding Arin and Demir.
"My lord, we've been waiting!"
"Master, you called?"
Sun, Eldrin, Kaden, Dana, Mugak, Yui-sa.
Six subordinates.
At the same time.
"Who are you?"
I spoke toward where the footsteps came from.
But.
The voice from there was quite shocking.
"......My lord."
My lord?
......Suddenly?
"My lord. Finally....... you've come here. Thank you for coming....... I."
The elderly man in a bamboo hat who revealed himself.
Too sturdy to call a grandfather.
Yet too white-haired and browed for middle-aged.
"Yes, I am Bone Il-i, my lord."
Bone Il-i......?
No, what was going on?
His 'han' wasn't even resolved yet, and he was calling me lord right away?
Stunned by the unexpected situation for a moment.
[Ding!]
[You encounter the han-bound ghost Supreme of Gold and the World's Best, Baeg Mu-hyeon.]
[Caution!]
[Dungeon special effect.]
[Some han-bound ghosts materialize.]
A random message appeared in my view.
* * *
Gulp!
Hasera swallowed.
At first, she was excited.
Everything was new.
The catalyst dungeon Joo Dong-hoon pulled out was fascinating.
Her heart raced at the thought of finally seeing the secret behind his rapid growth.
And then.
The beautiful scenery visible right upon entering the dungeon.
Honestly.
Wasn't it a romantic space perfect for sharing with someone curious?
But.
The elderly man who appeared there put Hasera on edge.
'Strong.'
The bamboo-hatted man who called himself Bone Il-i.
His strength was on another level entirely.
Joo Dong-hoon? Kang So-so?
No, it felt fundamentally different from those.
If she hadn't entered the realm of Entering Devil, would she even sense this?
"......"
Hasera silently shook her head.
Probably.
She'd just think of him as an ordinary middle-aged man.
['Han-bound ghost Supreme of Gold and the World's Best, Baeg Mu-hyeon' encountered.]
[Some han-bound ghosts materialize.]
Baeg Mu-hyeon.
His power was that mystical and restrained.
The silver lining.
This Baeg Mu-hyeon called Joo Dong-hoon 'lord'?
At least not an 'enemy.'
But then.
"What?"
Kang So-so's eyes widened as she stepped forward.
"Whoa, what is this?!"
Unlike usual.
Extremely excited, she sniffed and stroked her body frantically.
"Eehat! Eeha-hat! Eehahaha-hat!"
Why was she like that?
Had she gone mad?
As Hasera frowned at her master.
"I can smell it. I can feel touch. Ahh, I'm back. I'm alive again! Eehahaha-hat! Now I can achieve the reign of the Demonic Path with these hands once more!"
Hearing her master's words, Hasera's eyes widened too.
Ah?
No way.
The part about some han-bound ghosts materializing......
It was referring to Kang So-so?
"Of course."
Sring!
The Heavenly Demon Kang So-so grinned deeply.
And elegantly shook her sword.
"But first, that wooden sword bastard. I suppose I should cut off your head for daring to ambush me?"
Hey.
Master?
Why start like that out of nowhere?
Kugagagaga!
An immense aura began rampaging.
Was this the prowess nearing the Transcending Devil realm?
'Huff.'
Hasera felt her breath catch.
Ah, scratch that.
Perhaps even this Baeg Mu-hyeon would fall like a leaf before Kang So-so's sword...!
"What?!"
Kang So-so's bewildered voice rang out then.
"Why won't it cut?"
Swish! Swish swish!
Moving at invisible speeds, swinging her sword dozens of times per second.
But.
"......"
Baeg Mu-hyeon simply stood in place.
The astonishing part.
As if he weren't of this world.
Kang So-so's sword pierced through his body this way and that.
"You bastard. What trick are you pulling!"
The Heavenly Demon Kang So-so's sword assaulted.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Heaven-Shattering Asura Sword.
Asura Blood Dragon.
Kugagagaga!
A roaring blood dragon surged from the ground.
Sword strikes slashed everywhere like a starving predator devouring its prey.
Spinning like a tornado.
"Like back then! Try swinging that wooden sword again!"
"......Little sister."
Then.
The bamboo-hatted man's mouth opened.
"Little sister? Little sisteerrrr?"
Kang So-so's eyes flashed.
"You dare attach that cringeworthy title to me?!"
Kwagagagaga!
Kang So-so's sword stormed like a gale.
But Baeg Mu-hyeon merely murmured with clasped fists.
"I remember you, little sister. The supreme of an era and the fifth Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult, Kang So-so."
"Not Demonic Cult, the Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
"Though....... you lost your life to my greed, your sword was decent enough. Not quite on par with Sima Dalma of Shaolin, Jang Sam-bong of Wudang, or the first Heavenly Demon. Hmm, about fourth place?"
"You son of a....... you fucking bastaaard! What kind of bullshit is that!"
Kwagagagaga!
No matter how much Kang So-so swung her sword.
Baeg Mu-hyeon was like a ghost.
No.
He really was a ghost.
"Disappointing, but futile, little sister. Physical force doesn't work on me here."
"Is that so?"
Her face flushed red with rage, blood rushing to her head.
Kang So-so glared with bulging eyes.
"Then how about this?"
Swish!
Kang So-so turned her drawn sword toward Joo Dong-hoon.
- Master?
The flustered Hasera quickly swung her sword to form letters.
Normally she'd think it, but she was that shocked.
- What are you doing right now?
"Shut up, you annoyingly goody-goody Heavenly Demon bitch."
But madness already dripped from Kang So-so's eyes.
"You."
She intoned while glaring at Baeg Mu-hyeon.
"If you keep dodging instead of facing me, this bastard you call lord. Joo Dong-hoon, was it? I'll cut him down."
"......"
What.
Why was the situation turning like this?
* * *
Sring!
Slash, slash slash!
The moment Kang So-so's sword turned to me.
My six subordinates aimed their weapons at her.
'Hmm.'
Narrowing my eyes, I assessed objectively.
Current Kang So-so was incredibly strong.
'Nearing the Transcending Devil realm, right?'
Rough estimate.
If Entering Devil is SSS-grade, that means the Devil realm is SSS-grade.
Thus, Transcending Devil.
Means surpassing SSS-grade.
Climbing to the next stage.
'Which means.'
Right at the peak of SSS-grade.
In other words, one step away from the level of spirit realm Spirit Kings.
And by feel, she seemed about that strong.
Comparatively, like 'Ancient Magic' (SSS-grade)?
'Troublesome.'
One thing clear.
Kang So-so was stronger than dragons.
Naturally stronger than Apophis too.
'Hmm.'
Could I win in a fight?
It'd be about fifty-fifty.
I.
Hate losing anywhere, you know?
Fwoosh!
As I resolved to clash and switched my spear to a sword.
Kwaaaaang!
Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted from Kang So-so's direction.
"Keuk! What now, again?"
Kang So-so shrieked in bewilderment as she was pushed back.
Hm?
What?
I was flustered too.
Didn't sense a presence this time either?
Glancing aside, Baeg Mu-hyeon stood motionless with clasped fists.
Then?
Someone else appeared?
Dust billowed thickly where Kang So-so was flung.
At the same time.
A hazy figure caught my eye through the dust.
"Kekeke."
Laughter from that direction.
Huh?
"This is quite the sensation I've not felt in ages."
Huh? Huh?
What was this.
A familiar voice?
"By the way, you there, the foul-mouthed wench."
"Kyaaak! Who the hell is this old geezer?!"
"Keke, confidence in spades. Flapping your mouth with that level of skill. Swinging a sword at someone else's disciple as an adult."
"......What? Someone else's disciple?"
Kang So-so rose, frowning.
I gaped in shock too.
Elder?
No way.
The Elder had materialized too?
"Yes, foul-mouth."
Indeed, the Elder.
Nicknaming Kang So-so right away.
"Leave the disciples be. How about the masters play a bit?"
Sring!
A sword was drawn from the old man's waist.
The sword I'd seen in the past.
In the 'Deep Han White-Haired Elder' dungeon.