Chapter 370
Chapter 370
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 370
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon's Bloodline
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A day later, the news had spread completely.
The Big Mouth article racked up over ten million views that single day. And that was just the start—countless derivative articles followed in its wake.
The comments were downright brutal.
Big Mouth had written the article based on the information handed over by Soo-hyuk and Unhyang. It detailed everything—from the time Unhyang was first entrusted to Shinryeonseong, to the intricate connections between Shinryeonseong and the Heavenly Demon.
"Brutal stuff."
Ye-ryeong, lying in the dorm and scrolling through the article, clicked her tongue.
She kept stealing glances at Unhyang. Unhyang was reading the article alongside her.
Unhyang had agreed to this. When Soo-hyuk said that if it had to come out someday, now was the time, she had wholeheartedly supported it.
But what was she really feeling now?
"You okay?"
Unhyang turned at Ye-ryeong's question.
Ye-ryeong expected her to be pale, but surprisingly, Unhyang was calm.
"I'm fine. More than I thought."
Even she seemed surprised by her own reaction.
How much had she dreaded this moment? Yet her heart wasn't racing—in fact, she felt serene.
"Maybe because you got the backlash from you guys first."
Was that the only reason? No—it was because they treated her the same even after learning her bloodline.
What mattered wasn't the gaze of strangers she didn't know. Far more important—ten times, a hundred times more—were the looks and bonds with those who cherished her and whom she cherished.
Unhyang had experienced that fully over the past time.
"The reactions aren't all bad, surprisingly."
Si-woo had been checking various articles and comments.
The response wasn't as bad as feared. Sure, there were vicious condemnations from those who hated the Heavenly Demon, but on the flip side, some hoped for Blue Eyes' rebirth.
"Right now, Blue Eyes and the Heavenly Demon coexist in our guild. People must be confused."
Heavenly Demon and Blue Eyes.
Blue Eyes and Heavenly Demon.
The two existed at opposite poles.
Blue Eyes, who became players' hope by breaking through the Guardians, and the Heavenly Demon, who reigned as players' terror.
Yet those two symbols were now gathered here, in this place.
"Fortunately, the first article was written favorably toward us. That Big Mouth guy has a sly way with words."
Soo-hyuk picked up Si-woo's words.
"Stopping the rampaging Hydra helped too. A lot of people owe their lives to that."
"You were thinking that far ahead back then?"
"Among what we want, there's also restoring the honor of our fallen comrades. Gotta think about it."
That was when it happened.
"I'm sorry."
Unhyang bowed her head deeply, her voice subdued.
"Because of me, you're caught up in all this controversy..."
"Enough of that."
Soo-hyuk cut her off before useless words could continue.
"And it's not all bad. If we can turn it around, it could make for some dramatic flair. More than anything..."
Soo-hyuk grinned.
"Thanks to you, the aggro's pulled perfectly, right?"
In that moment, Soo-hyuk slipped back into streamer-manager mode.
Unhyang paused, then let out a small chuckle. Thinking about streams at a time like this.
"I've been your manager way longer, but you really are the pro here."
"Still on leave, though."
Seeing Unhyang seemed okay, Ye-ryeong belatedly looked for the other two.
"Where are Hyo-min and Hailz?"
They were the only ones missing.
"Hyo-min was supposed to come yesterday. Says she's not satisfied yet."
Having woken up latest, Hyo-min was working harder than anyone. To not be a burden to her teammates, to be helpful.
She already had the ability, but apparently still felt insufficient. She'd always had that obsession.
"And Hailz?"
"Hasn't come back."
"Where'd she go?"
"Said she was going to meet the Dragon Lord, then left. No reply even on Kit..."
Soo-hyuk had a bad feeling, but.
"Nothing happened, right?"
Soo-hyuk's gaze turned to the window. She wasn't one to stay grounded, so she was probably flying somewhere right now.
That was when it happened.
In the distance of Soo-hyuk's view out the window, a small dot appeared.
"Be right back."
"Where to?"
Si-woo didn't get an answer.
In a flash, Soo-hyuk vanished, flying out the open window like a dot shrinking into the distance.
Hailz flew through the skies atop Vulkanus.
Today, she flew much higher than usual. So high it was invisible from below. If anyone looked up, they'd mistake her for a bird.
Even if spotted, it didn't matter.
No one but another dragon rider could reach this height. If someone could, fine—they'd earn the right to interrupt her thoughts through sheer ability.
And sure enough.
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
Soo-hyuk had found Hailz, who was lying atop Vulkanus mid-flight.
"How'd you get here?"
"Ran."
"How'd you know I was here? Good eyes."
"Saw some bright red bird up in the sky. Next time, fly lower. Chasing you wears me out."
Despite his words, Soo-hyuk showed no fatigue. Had he overcome Lightning's weakness? Lately, he seemed unbothered by its toll.
But Hailz, who knew his limits better than anyone, understood. It wasn't that he'd beaten the weakness.
He just didn't need to push that far anymore. She couldn't even recall the last time she'd seen him truly strained.
Soo-hyuk lay down beside her without warning.
Wondering what he was up to, she saw him just gazing at the sky. Squinting slightly against the glare.
"Looks like just sky from here. Sun, stars. You've been up higher, right?"
Soo-hyuk remembered what Hailz had said when they first met.
"Yeah."
"How much higher to get there?"
"A long way. Even Vulkanus can't make it. Gotta use magic."
"Guess I can't, then."
What was he getting at?
"You could go anywhere, oppa."
It wasn't just about climbing the sky. Something more fundamental.
Defeat the Guardian, head to the next floor. Then the one after.
Soo-hyuk seemed like he'd climb forever. Like he'd shake a stagnant world and change it.
Why did she feel that way?
Probably because.
"It's not climbing. We gotta get out."
"...Out?"
Hailz's eyes widened.
She'd only thought upward. Never outward. After the Guardian, the 10th floor awaited—that was it.
From start to now, players had one direction.
Higher. Even higher.
Beating Guardians, trials—all for that.
"What an idiot I am."
"Yeah?"
"No, not you. Me. A grand archmage, but my view was so narrow, staring up like a fool. Like a bull."
"Who knows who's the fool. My idea of going outside could be dumb delusion."
"That's exactly what makes you amazing."
Hailz sat up. Stretching as if her body ached from lying too long.
"The Lord's dead."
Soo-hyuk jolted up at the sudden words.
"You say that while stretching?"
Shock faded quickly; he looked at her with concern.
"Wasn't he your master?"
"Yeah. He helped me become a real mage."
No matter her genius, her rapid growth as a young mage had a reason: the great Dragon Lord.
The dragon lord, pinnacle of magic, spotted her potential early and taught her. Master and prodigy disciple—soon, Hailz had no equal in fire magic.
"Should've visited more since he gave so much. But I didn't."
"Regrets?"
"A ton. You never know till they're gone."
Soo-hyuk eyed her profile. Her expression and tone were casual, like losing a possession, but her eyes were puffy.
She must've cried alone up here. Holding back now for company, or tears spent.
"Why'd he go suddenly?"
"What reason does a geezer with millennia left have to drop dead?"
Killed by someone.
Few had power to kill the Dragon Lord, as far as Soo-hyuk knew.
On players' side: Heavenly Demon. Opposite:...
"Demon King?"
Hailz nodded.
"The Lord guarded the Middle Realm. Usually from Demon Kings."
Explanation enough.
"Not sure which of the three. Could be two, or all."
There were three Demon Kings.
Each rivaled the Heavenly Demon. The Dragon Lord blocked them from the Middle Realm.
"Planning revenge?"
He expected yes, but she shook her head.
"No. That'd make everything the Lord did pointless. He feared war between humans and demons most."
From her answer, Soo-hyuk knew: her delay was agonizing over crossing realms.
And her final choice? One reason.
This conviction.
"Even if I don't cross, they'll come."
Unlike her words, she hadn't abandoned revenge. Pretending cool, she burned hot inside.
Soo-hyuk silently gazed skyward again. The vast ceiling still caging them.
As the players' world below changed, so did the Middle Realm and demon world.
He felt it in his skin.
The long-stagnant worlds stirring with storm once more.