Secrets of the Blood Demon
Nam Gyuil harnessed Shy's ability to delve into Sakaki Seito's memories, sharing the man's perspective. What Sakaki saw became what Nam Gyuil saw.
"Master."
Sakaki Seito cried out to someone in the darkness. But something was off. The being he called "Master" was a statue glowing red.
Nam Gyuil frowned in confusion.
What the hell? Why's he calling a statue 'Master'?
He already knew Sakaki Seito was a lunatic, but did the guy actually think the statue was alive?
Then it happened.
What is your mission?
A voice emanated from the red-glowing statue—or more precisely, it resonated directly in his mind, like telepathy.
Nam Gyuil had no idea what the statue really was.
In response to the question about his mission, Sakaki Seito dropped to his knees and raised his hands high, as if worshiping a god.
"My mission is to bring you, the great leader of the Blood Cult and my master, into this world."
Are you training as this seat has taught you?
"Of course, Master."
Sakaki Seito answered the statue's question and pulled something out to show it. It was a blood sword.
"I've forged the blade just as you instructed, Master. Look—the edge is glowing red."
Hummm.
As the blood sword drew near the statue, it began to resonate, reacting to something.
The statue's laughter echoed.
Well done. Grow without shame as a disciple of this Blood Demon.
"As you command. I will train day and night without tarnishing your face, Master."
Blood Demon—that referred to the Blood Cult's leader. The statue had dropped a massively important name.
You must resurrect me from the Netherworld without fail.
"I know. I will resurrect you without fail and make you the ruler of all dimensions. Trust in your greatest disciple, Master."
You, the greatest among my disciples?
"Yes. I am the strongest."
Hahaha, such arrogance. Prove it with your life.
Resurrect this seat first from the 'Darkness,' and you shall be rewarded.
"Yes! I will resurrect you, Master, first among the elders of Darkness."
Sakaki Seito replied as such.
Nam Gyuil felt uneasy about their conversation.
Is there an organization called 'Darkness'? Even in the Netherworld with the dead? From the context, it sounds like the villains gathered in the afterlife and formed this 'Darkness' group?!
Mind-blowing facts kept popping up casually, giving Nam Gyuil a headache.
Beware the 'Guardians.' They are scum who serve the apostles of 'Light' opposing Darkness and train under their masters.
It seemed there was also an organization called "Light" standing against Darkness. And those of Light selected certain people on Earth, appointing them as Guardians and teaching them.
"I will eliminate those fools opposing Darkness and ensure you become the greatest among them, Master."
Surpassing even the Heaven Demon?
"Yes."
Most intriguing. To hold a higher status than that Heaven Demon...
"I will make it happen."
Both Guardians and we hide our identities, but when the time comes, we will clash in the great undertaking.
"Once that battle ends, I will slaughter a billion humans and summon you into this realm, Master."
Nam Gyuil flinched at those words.
A billion people? To resurrect those in Darkness, he's offering living sacrifices. Horrific.
Yes. Conquer Earth with the monsters that served us in life.
"As you command!!"
Only then did Nam Gyuil realize the truth behind the gate incidents.
Darkness is invading Earth to resurrect themselves. That's why so many have suffered!!
Moreover, Darkness's disciples had schemed from the shadows to aid the monsters' conquest.
Recently, a tremendous energy surged on Earth.
"A tremendous energy, Master?"
Yes, different from the Guardians' light. Detected days after the operation to occupy the Korean Peninsula with orcs failed.
Nam Gyuil jolted. That timing matched when he'd ascended to the second floor of the Akashic Records.
Go to Korea and aid another disciple of Darkness.
"As you command. I shall do so."
With that, Nam Gyuil snapped out of the vision. Those were all the memories tied to the blood sword.
"Ugh?!"
A wave of dizziness hit Nam Gyuil, and he clutched his face in his palm.
"Ssus ssus."
Shy huddled up, worried something was wrong.
Nam Gyuil steadied his breathing, then stroked Shy's head to reassure her shrunken form.
"Thanks to you, I got some great intel. Good girl."
Shy stayed put, seemingly enjoying the touch. He comforted her for a good while.
Sitting on the sofa, Nam Gyuil organized the psychometry intel.
Villains like the Blood Demon and Heaven Demon had allied in the Netherworld, forming the "Darkness" organization. Their goal: resurrection via mass slaughter rituals. "Light" opposed them, selecting humans to train as Guardians to stop it. Gates were one method of Darkness's invasion of Earth.
Finally, they can sense the energy each time I ascend the floors of the Akashic Records.
One fact nagged at him.
Following the Blood Demon's orders, Sakaki Seito came to Korea to aid another Darkness disciple.
And that turned into an attempt on his life. Why target him? Just for closing the orc gate so effectively?
Darkness figures seemed to raise disciples via statues.
So who's the Darkness disciple in Korea?
Shim Jeongun came to mind.
According to Han Ducheol's testimony, Shim Jeongun's martial arts resembled Cheonma Singong.
He couldn't rule out Shim as a Heaven Demon disciple. But that raised a question.
When I entered the gate to fight orcs, he could've ordered the Gold Dragon Guild execs to assassinate me.
But he didn't. And the major guild masters didn't fight the orcs either.
Maybe only Shim Jeongun's with Darkness, not the Gold Dragon Guild? That would make sense...
Nam Gyuil pondered.
Shim was a selfish egoist, but unlike Sakaki Seito, he didn't act recklessly despite having the power.
Damn, not enough info to speculate.
He ran a hand through his hair.
Either way, it's clear Darkness and Light are building forces in secret for war.
And he was a third force, thanks to the Akashic Records.
Nam Gyuil sighed deeply. His head spun from the overwhelming truths.
In the end, I'll have to fight Darkness too.
He scratched his head.
For now, I need to meet these Guardians hiding and powering up somewhere. No idea if we can ally, though. Problem is, I don't even know who the Guardians or Darkness disciples are.
Things had gotten complicated. He had to move without knowing friend from foe. That limited his actions.
Can't move rashly until I can tell enemies from allies.
Nam Gyuil leaned back against the sofa.
Without enough intel, he couldn't confront Darkness.
And I don't even know how strong their disciples are...
Headaches everywhere. The Hunter Association, Darkness—enemies on all sides.
Guess I need to build my forces fast. Lots of work ahead.
Nam Gyuil stood from the sofa. First, elixirs. He gazed at the herbs for the Summoning Pill.
Need to buy the rest from the market.
He dressed, went out, bought the materials, returned home, and crafted five Summoning Pills.
Share equally with the team—one per head.
Nam Gyuil swallowed one and sat cross-legged for meditation.
The Summoning Pill boosted his dantian's internal energy. Power surged.
A thick, hot force coursed through his energy passages, making them tougher each time.
"Hoo."
Nam Gyuil regulated his breath. Impurities cleared, purifying his energy.
This is murim elixir power.
Far superior to Arnia's elixirs. He smirked. What would happen with a Daehwan Pill? Other sects had their own recipes too—Wudang's Taecheong Pill, Huashan's Zaha Divine Pill.
Nam Gyuil clenched his fist.
Murim's impressive. Way more paths to strength than Arnia.
He spent the whole day meditating, building his energy.
Night passed. Dawn light filtered through the window.
Only then did Nam Gyuil end his session.
Pulled an all-nighter, but feel fine. Elixir effects are top-notch.
Time to test his new strength. He grabbed his sword and headed to the guild.
4 a.m. The training ground was empty.
Nam Gyuil unleashed sword aura. The energy coating his blade burned fiercer than before.
Whoosh.
Swinging hard stirred a mighty gust. His martial arts had sharpened overnight, grown more fluid. His blade gleamed merciless and razor-sharp.
Can I manage Parcheon Divine Sword now?
Nam Gyuil steadied his breath and sent internal energy through all passages.
"Ngh!"
Better than before, but sending energy everywhere drained his dantian fast. He held for about three minutes.
A huge leap from not even lasting one.
But three minutes of full circulation is the limit... and that's without even using Parcheon Divine Sword.
One Summoning Pill wasn't enough.
Need a break first.
Nam Gyuil leaned against the wall and sat. The exertion cleared his mind.
He sorted his thoughts.
Two enemies: Darkness and the Hunter Association.
Darkness hid too well to fight now. The Association, at least, had known foes.
So take out the ones I can identify first?
Beat the Association, then face Darkness head-on. That was the plan.
To fight Shim Jeongun, I'll need intel, though.
Good thing he'd confirmed Shy's psychometry. Perfect conditions.
Time to gather intel.
Nam Gyuil clenched his fist.