Chapter 423
Chapter 423
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 423
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon's Descent
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The Heavenly Demon appeared, his faint red hair flowing, exuding a presence that was utterly unique.
He wasn't even flaunting his aura, yet he drew the eyes of every Greed demon in the vicinity.
The Greed demons reacted in one of two ways upon spotting him.
They grew even more ravenous, as if they'd unearthed the world's most priceless treasure, or they trembled in terror.
Bartrolion fell into the former category.
His black eyes gleamed like he'd discovered something more precious than anything in existence.
"Impressive."
Drool dripped from his grotesquely gaping maw as Bartrolion spoke.
He'd planned to finish his meal first before dealing with the Heavenly Demon.
But then—
Slash—.
A red blade had already sliced through both of Bartrolion's wrists mid-air.
Squiiirt—.
Blood spurted from the severed arms. Bartrolion's gaze dropped to his fallen limbs.
It wasn't just his arms that were cut.
The Heavenly Demon, now right up in his face, severed his neck as well.
It was the Heavenly Demon Sword in motion. Bartrolion's head lolled off limply. The surrounding Greed demons shrieked at the sight.
Kieeeek—!
Amid the ear-piercing cacophony, the Heavenly Demon caught the collapsing Unhyang and executed a swift foot technique.
In a blur, he arrived where the rest of the group waited. Those who'd thought Unhyang was done for sighed in relief but hesitated to approach.
The Heavenly Demon saving someone? It was unbelievable, even with their own eyes.
One person alone strode forward without a second thought.
"You okay?"
Jin-un, drawing close, checked Unhyang's pulse. She was only half-conscious.
"No major external injuries."
"External? So internal damage, then?"
"Neither. If anything, it's mental shock."
"Any ideas?"
"I was the same my first time encountering the Heavenly Demon Spirit. She'll be fine for now. A little rest, and she'll come around."
"For now, huh."
Meaning it could worsen with time. And what that entailed was something the Heavenly Demon himself had lived through and proven.
"If issues arise, you help her."
Jin-un's face twitched at the Heavenly Demon's words.
"Me?"
"You're the one who purged my Heavenly Demon Spirit. Should be doable, right?"
"I could, but..."
"Then?"
Jin-un was at a loss for words at the Heavenly Demon's what-gives response.
Was he refusing out of dislike or difficulty? No—it just felt weird getting such a request from the Heavenly Demon.
But he couldn't say no, either.
Separate from the Heavenly Demon's ask, Jin-un was quite fond of Unhyang. Logically, knowing she was his blood should make him dislike her, but he kept seeing his own daughter in her.
In the end, Jin-un gave a small nod and changed the subject.
"Anyway, no problems, right?"
"Yeah. Even if there are, she'll overcome them. She's got more talent than I ever did."
As Jin-un chatted with the Heavenly Demon, Hyo-min and Woo Seo-hyun approached.
Hyo-min visibly relaxed upon confirming Unhyang was safe. The situation could've easily ended with her devoured by Bartrolion.
"How'd you get here? Weren't you with Soo-hyuk?"
"That guy's with the Sloth Demon King."
"...The Demon King? By himself?"
"Worried? Go check on him. Not stopping you."
For a moment, she pondered doing just that.
"Worried? Who for who?"
Hyo-min shook her head, realizing it was unnecessary.
The Heavenly Demon had come here because he trusted Soo-hyuk. If he believed Soo-hyuk could handle it solo, then so could she. Right—who was worrying about whom? It was Lee Soo-hyuk, after all.
"If you're gonna worry, save it for over there. Demon Realm's gates are closing shop today."
Sloth's Demon King with Soo-hyuk, Greed's here.
Then the one battling Hielz over there must be Lust's Demon King.
Three Demon Kings clashing in three spots. The outcomes here could decide a lot.
Thud—.
Then, slow footsteps approached as Bartrolion lumbered toward the group.
His severed arms and head had reattached. Greed demons clung to his neck and wrists, regenerating him.
Grrrrr—.
Hyo-min's divine beast, Yora, bared its teeth at Bartrolion.
His demonic energy was stronger than before. The more village Greeds stuck to him like barnacles, the mightier Bartrolion grew.
"Didn't think you'd drop that easy... but still, gross."
A being that revived endlessly via Greeds no matter how many times you killed it.
Nothing was more horrifying than fighting something with infinite lives. Bartrolion could throw away his life without a care.
Click—.
As Woo Seo-hyun raised her gun toward him—
Shiiiing—.
Sharp swords erupted from everywhere in the village, soaring skyward.
Ten thousand blades danced through the skies. The Greeds blanketing the village in darkness lifted their heads to gaze at the swords.
The Heavenly Demon stepped forward alongside the myriad blades.
"Don't touch it."
A killing intent poured out, promising to cleave anything that neared. Woo Seo-hyun unwittingly lowered her gun.
Red energy rippled around the Heavenly Demon. His already crimson Heavenly Demon Sword glowed pure scarlet.
"Could it be...?"
Woo Seo-hyun murmured, watching the Heavenly Demon's back as he advanced on Bartrolion.
"Is that guy angry?"
In the temple, Soo-hyuk and Rasilius clashed.
Craaaack—!
Ruuuumble—.
Thunder roared repeatedly as Soo-hyuk darted across the temple's center.
His speed made him seem like multiple figures. Yet Rasilius matched it, moving in tandem.
Boom, KABOOM—!
Sword and fist collided, each impact booming like thunder. Rasilius had looked sluggish, almost limp, but now he kept pace with lightning's speed.
The viewers spectating via stream still hadn't fully grasped the situation.
Lee Soo-hyuk versus a Demon King.
At first, they'd seen it as just an extension of the counteroffensive—some fun new spectacle.
But.
The chat darkened rapidly at one viewer's sponsor message.
If Lee Soo-hyuk and Blue Eyes got wiped out, the fallout would be catastrophic.
Demons had been trickling through nonstop lately. Soo-hyuk's presence had eased fears, but losing even that would spell disaster.
This was humanity's do-or-die showdown with the demon race.
Zzzzzap—!
Lightning cracked as Soo-hyuk ramped up his output.
Movements too swift for the eye. Rasilius lost him in the sudden speed surge.
Soo-hyuk targeted vitals relentlessly. Stab, shunk—the sword sank into weak points.
No illusions from his senses. Soo-hyuk spun, thrusting a fist.
KABOOM—!
Fist met fist, hurling them apart.
Screeeech—.
Soo-hyuk, flung far, clawed the floor to halt. Rasilius did the same.
"Ow."
Rasilius shook his hand, whining exaggeratedly.
"Hurts so bad. Can't remember the last time I felt pain like this."
"Same here."
Soo-hyuk's fist throbbed too.
Probably worse than Rasilius's. Soo-hyuk was a swordsman, not a brawler.
Zzzzzt—.
Lightning around Soo-hyuk intensified gradually. His heart quickened, body heating up.
Then.
"Ever thought of joining us?"
Rasilius's offer cooled the heated air momentarily.
Soo-hyuk paused to clear his head, lowering his sword.
He'd charged in on Gyo-seong's tale, but couldn't end it yet for a reason.
Risking everything to breach the Demon Realm was also to uncover clues about "the event that will someday begin."
And for that, dialogue was essential.
"Join you?"
"Yeah."
"Want me to become a demon?"
"Not even that. Just cross over. I'll spare you."
Normally, he'd ignore it.
Slice that mouth off, stab the throat.
But intel required restraint.
"Pass."
"Why? Must be tiring hanging with the weaklings."
"Other reasons? I hate you lot. No confidence living with rabid beasts."
"You do the same to us. We've taken plenty of hits."
"You attacked first."
Players hit demons sometimes, but mostly vice versa.
Rasilius nodded in agreement.
"Fair."
"Where does your malice even come from? That 'event someday'?"
Soo-hyuk naturally brought up the looming event.
Per Gyo-seong, Rasilius knew of it. Soo-hyuk harbored deep unease about it.
Sure enough, Rasilius grinned at the question.
"That what you wanted?"
"You know it, right?"
"Got guesses."
Not certain, then.
But enough. Players, Soo-hyuk included, had zero leads on it.
"What do you think of this tower?"
Out of left field.
But linked to Soo-hyuk's query.
Clues lay in his words.
Not expecting an answer, Rasilius continued without pause.
"Prison keeping us in? Farm? Someone's playground? One thing's sure: some existence beyond our wildest dreams built it."
"Beyond imagination? Saying gods made the tower?"
"Gods? Those incompetent bastards?"
Rasilius slapped his forehead, laughing dramatically.
"You treat gods like omniscient beings. They're just another race, like us."
Soo-hyuk nodded.
True—the gods from the trials differed from expectations. Superior, sure, but not much beyond humans or demons.
"Demons are evil brutes, gods benevolent and almighty. Who decided that? Are gods truly good? I doubt it."
"What's your point?"
"Don't get trapped in bias."
"What?"
"Is the tower really imprisoning us?"
Rasilius glanced upward, at the sky—no, the ceiling.
"Not protecting us?"