Chapter 289
Chapter 289
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 289
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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"The King of Demon Heaven is satisfied."
...
...
I swung my fist at a passing man, beating him to death, and suddenly felt my mind clear up.
'Damn it. Lost control again.'
The Heavenly Demon Qi enveloping my fist wavered.
This sudden clarity was already the third time.
'Like waking from a dream... no, more like...'
It felt like I had been deeply immersed in something, only for my focus to shatter, suddenly making the surroundings visible.
'Obviously, it's the King of Demon Heaven's doing.'
What I couldn't understand was the King of Demon Heaven's goal.
Pushing my mind to the brink to turn me into a puppet? No, it didn't feel like that. If that were the goal, there would be more direct ways than this. Besides, the other contracted divine seat, the Lord of the Heavens, wouldn't just sit idly by.
'More like trying to corrupt me mentally...? Or change me.'
It wasn't just the King of Demon Heaven. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was growing stronger too. It was good for me, but at the same time, unsettling. Still, I couldn't abandon it now.
'Can't stop the trial either.'
Trials couldn't be abandoned. If I didn't want to do it, I'd have to die.
"I know. Shut up."
I started killing nearby humans again.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art activated as naturally as breathing. It took less than ten seconds to kill thirty of them.
'......Stats are rising, and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art is growing. It's not all bad for me. In fact, gaining stats this easily is an opportunity.'
Still, it left a really bad taste in my mouth.
All the people I'd killed so far hadn't resisted. Even when I gave them a chance, most gave up on life. Some tried to run.
Once, I deliberately let one run without chasing. But the guy showed up in front of me again soon after. He seemed surprised to encounter me, fleeing in the opposite direction. After it repeated a few times, he gave up running.
I keenly felt this wasn't reality. This was a game room created by the King of Demon Heaven. He was the GM, and I was the player.
This time it was a water park.
I indiscriminately killed everyone in sight. Men, women, young and old—all died by my hand equally. Though I hesitated a bit with the beauties.
I ignored the King of Demon Heaven and killed the beauties. At first, I followed his words and mercy-killed them. It was more enjoyable that way for me too. But knowing I was dancing to his tune, and seeing the beauties as mere dolls, killed the mood.
'Fuck. This woman's gorgeous. Killing her without enjoying would be 100% regretful!'
Of course, there were exceptions.
"Ah, this is impossible."
Controlling the Heavenly Demon Divine Art was hard. I intended to use just a bit of energy, but the whole Heavenly Demon Qi surged. I ended up putting full power into killing a man I could have punched to death.
I barely controlled it, but felt it was dangerous to continue.
And I already had a solution in mind.
"I know you can't quit mid-trial."
He's just probing.
Demonic art.
I definitely felt it this time. Unlike normal martial arts, it carried a sinister will. It granted immense power but led people to ruin.
"Change status window."
My mind cleared instantly. The sticky things crawling up my legs vanished.
Pzzt zzzt.
Blue lightning sparked in my hand.
"I don't need power I can't control."
Kwarrr rumble!
Lightning struck.
When one remained.
A young couple appeared before me. Both looked utterly ordinary.
"I'll die! Please spare my wife!"
"No! I'll die! Please spare my husband!"
The couple knelt, rubbing their palms together, insisting the other should live.
"Shut up."
I hurled lightning at the man.
Between man and woman, the woman's value was obviously higher. Even an ugly one held the potential to bear beautiful children.
And men, except me, could die for all I cared. Honestly, 99% of them could drop dead.
Pzzt!
The lightning writhing in my grasp vanished without a trace.
"King of Demon Heaven. I'm done dancing in your palm."
"I told you. I've played along enough. And... you made me feel fucking awful. I'll repay this debt someday. For real."
I felt my body being sucked away.
???
Opening my eyes, I was in a dusty abandoned building. Kasha lay unconscious at my feet. I'd spent about a week in the trial, but not even a second had passed in Atlantis. I wasn't surprised, having known beforehand.
'Status window.'
The Heavenly Demon status window appeared. It had been the Thunder Executioner one in the trial, but Atlantis showed the Heavenly Demon version.
'Oh... oh... these stat gains are real.'
Stats had skyrocketed. At this level, I could probably charge the Mud Hand Bandits head-on and wipe them out.
'No. Don't get complacent. Stick to the plan against the Mud Hand Bandits.'
More than that, I recalled the notification from completing the trial and examined the black glove on my hand.
I clearly remembered the alert about the Demon Subduing Coffer changing to Ten Thousand Killer.
The glove looked unchanged outwardly.
'Inspect.'
The original C-rank Demon Subduing Coffer had jumped two ranks to A. Its power had grown accordingly, but I felt more annoyed than pleased.
'I chose the Demon Subduing Coffer partly for its Anti-Demon Power... which is gone now.'
Anti-Demon Power might not be needed now, but it'd be essential later.
'Gotta find something that uses Anti-Demon Power when I can.'
I examined the glove closely. No visible change. But when I channeled Heavenly Demon Qi, it hummed in response. The amplification was definitely there.
"Countless grudge spirits?"
I realized from those words.
The things I killed in the trial. I thought they were illusions, but they were actually grudge spirits.
"You made me kill grudge spirits?"
"......"
I figured out the identity of the humans I killed in the trial.
Grudge spirits given human bodies by the King of Demon Heaven.
They looked too sane and peaceful for grudge spirits, but it made sense if the King of Demon Heaven was controlling them.
'The King of Demon Heaven sees grudge spirits with human bodies as human, while the Lord of the Heavens sees the opposite.'
It's a matter of perspective. Grudge spirits are ghosts with grudges. If originally human, receiving a body might make them human again.
Conversely, if they're beings that have shed humanity, a body makes them monsters, not humans.
'Doesn't matter to me. This is a novel world anyway.'
But the King of Demon Heaven's true nature intrigued me more. Granting human bodies to ten thousand grudge spirits? Not something an ordinary god could do.
"King of Demon Heaven. What's your true name?"
I asked despite guessing he wouldn't answer. Curiosity got the better of me.
"Sung Yu-jin flips off the King of Demon Heaven."
???
I looked at Kasha collapsed on the floor.
I'd noticed five minutes ago she was pretending to be unconscious after regaining consciousness. With my raised stats, Heavenly Demon Divine Art power, and proficiency, my senses had sharpened naturally.
'Planning to ambush when I get close.'
From Kasha's position, that was her only option. Her acupoints were sealed, preventing full power, but targeting my eyes—vital points among vital points—she might kill me.
'Thought she might give up, but she'll keep faking it for hours if I let her.'
I reached out to Kasha. My palm stroked her smooth, sandy skin, heading to her firm D-cup breasts.
They sagged slightly to the side against gravity, but that was natural. If they didn't while lying down, they were probably implants nine times out of ten.
Squish.
I gripped her breast, leaving a handprint, then caressed her smooth abdomen with the other. She looked flawless visually, but felt toned with muscle.
My hand slid lower. I felt the coarse texture of her red pubic hair as I touched her pussy. It was sticky with my semen. Spreading her labia, cum oozed out.
"Die!!"
Kasha bolted upright, thrusting her hand at my face. Her tensed middle and index fingers aimed for my eyes.
Snap!
Having anticipated it, I pinned her hand.
"Agh! Don't think this is over...! I'll kill you given the chance!"
"No. You won't get that chance. I'll turn you into an obedient kitten."
I placed my other hand on her lower abdomen.
Subordination (A) activated.
Imprinting Subordination mark on target.
Target's power and mental strength are weaker than yours.
Subordination mark successfully imprinted on target.
Subordination (A) successful.
Target is now subordinated to you.
A vivid pink heart-shaped tattoo appeared on Kasha's lower abdomen.