Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Demonic Cult
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"Why that look on your face? Do you think this lady would covet your master's possession or something?"
"..."
Honestly, I had suspected exactly that, but there was no way I could say it outright...
"...It's a precious item, after all."
"You're learning faster than I expected. The more I see of you, the more I like you."
Remembering how she'd exuded an ominous aura even during that brief small talk earlier, I'd hastily changed my answer—and it seemed I'd hit the mark.
She didn't seem the least bit offended by my honest suspicion, either.
"It does seem like a precious item, but it's not particularly useful to me. It wouldn't make sense to fall out with you over something like this Night-Luminous Pearl."
"...I'm glad you see it that way."
"Wasn't that the deal from the start? This lady doesn't like breaking promises."
...Her words carried a double meaning.
Meaning I had to uphold my end of it properly, too.
*Stare*
I gazed at the fox bead in my hand. Its interior was now perfectly clear.
The alien, dark crimson energy was gone, leaving only the familiar blue glow that softly illuminated the surroundings—just like the bead I'd carried for the past three years.
'...With this, Master should be safe now.'
She was too far away for me to check her condition directly, but she should be fine by now.
Since the bead's state reflected Master's, the demonic energy must have left her main body as well.
"...Then I'll go check on my companion in the next room for a bit."
"You're not just going to leave like that, are you?"
I confirmed the bead's state and turned to leave the room, but the Heavenly Demon's words halted me right at the door.
"If you permit it, I'll go. Will you?"
"What do you think?"
It had barely been any time since we'd started talking, and already I felt suffocated.
I wished she'd just say it straight.
The thought of having to adapt to that personality from now on already made my head ache.
"...I'll be right back."
"Good. Give them a proper farewell."
I closed my eyes briefly at her words, then left her room and headed next door to Yeo Socheon.
*Jump!*
"H-Hey, how'd it go?"
She'd been fidgeting restlessly, shaking her leg while seated, and shot up the moment she saw me, rushing over.
She must have been worrying a lot on her own.
"...Here."
I silently handed the now-pristine fox bead to Yeo Socheon.
"Ah..."
Her eyes lit up as she took it, but her expression turned complicated—she couldn't simply rejoice.
A purified fox bead meant the task was done, but it also meant everything was just beginning.
"...Tell Master for me."
"...And you?"
"..."
"...Got it."
Seeing I had no reply, she seemed to grasp the situation fully and took the bead without another word.
Even with all the resolve in the world, facing it head-on changed everything, it seemed.
She'd come in steeled for this, yet here she was crumbling at the moment of truth.
And she'd just been encouraging me moments ago, right before entering the Demonic Cult.
*Stare*
"...You'll be okay, right?"
"What am I supposed to say to that now?"
"I-I mean, like I said earlier, don't go picking fights and ruining things, ending up in some weird mess... Just stare at the ceiling patterns or count stars outside the window to hold out. We'll handle things from outside somehow... Don't get hurt, physically or mentally, okay?"
"I got it, I got it."
Now that worry was flooding her, she was patting me down like a mom sending her kid on a school trip. I grabbed her hands and pulled them away.
"While I'm safe here, wrap up the Blood Cult properly. I don't want to hear any more creepy talk about destruction or whatever when I get back."
"Yeah... It should be possible. We let them slip away, but we dealt a massive blow... I confirmed a huge number of their souls shattered then. It's just the final cleanup that's nagging at me... If we grab their tail once more, we can finish it for good."
"That's a relief, then."
The situation didn't sound all that bad, at least.
I'd thought we'd blown it completely since they escaped, but it was just from the dungeon, so a bit more effort should seal it.
"Even if you're locked in a basement, negotiate for at least some exercise... If you don't move, your muscles atrophy..."
"I said I know, stop it."
I got the advice, but this made it feel like I really was marching to my doom.
...Not that I could deny it.
"...Anyway, you'll figure it out as it comes. I'm heading out now..."
"Don't get too lonely without me."
"...I'll keep your master company."
"Thanks for that."
I smiled at Yeo Socheon as she prepared to leave.
Part of it was wanting to leave on a good note for our last meeting, but I was genuinely grateful she'd look after Master.
Master would be lonely without me, sure,
but she needed to spend time with others too.
...It's not like I could live with her forever.
*Creak*
"...Take care?"
"...Come back safe."
*Thud...*
With that, Yeo Socheon stepped out.
I didn't think the Demonic Cult would grab her now—not unless the Heavenly Demon intervened personally, and even then, she could break through.
Which meant I was truly the only one left here now.
'...Been a while since I've been alone.'
The room felt oppressively quiet after she left. I wasn't ready to head out yet.
I wouldn't be alone with the Heavenly Demon next door, but
maybe I needed time to sort my thoughts.
'What was I even thinking, charging in alone?'
I slumped into a chair, reflecting on the past three years since arriving in the Central Plains.
Dropped into this dangerous world without warning, I'd luckily been taken in by Master and grown until I could stand on my own—
then bolted out into it on a whim because I was bored.
Good people had kept me alive; otherwise, I'd have ended up a corpse rolling in some ditch long ago.
Not everything was good, but considering the world's dangers, I'd survived remarkably well with just that.
Then I learned why I'd been pulled here,
and the Heaven, Earth, and Gods I'd cursed turned out to have been watching over me diligently.
And suddenly, I had three wives... no, four now...
'Never imagined it'd turn out like this.'
Who'd have thought all my stats were piled into sex.
My son's growth had always been suspiciously vigorous, but
back then, I'd thought, 'What's the point of it being big if there's no use for it?'
It was actually inconvenient for solo living if it was needlessly huge.
But if I'd known it'd lead to this lascivious body,
it would've been pretty great...
'...Wouldn't have ended up like this without it in the first place, huh?'
*Stare*
I eyed my crotch—now behaving itself—with an odd look.
Come to think of it, wasn't it this guy's fault that all I could do in bed was lie there like a woman, arms pinned, moaning as I got milked?
Too big and sensitive for its own good, cumming over and over—not just inadequate, but dozens of times without pause,
barely recovering from one pleasure before the next...
"..."
Screw it, whatever.
At least it'd just be the Heavenly Demon from now on—less strain on the body, maybe.
Her personality was a bit off, but she was still a virgin.
No experience with men yet, so if I played it right, things might be manageable for a while.
Not that I was arrogantly thinking I'd take the lead in bed or anything.
My pride had been shattered enough times that clinging to it now would just be a sickness.
Meekly taking it from below was the way...
'Wait, that's weird too.'
After a life soaked in sex, my head felt warped somehow.
Why was I assuming we'd jump straight into bed with the Heavenly Demon?
I'd offered my body myself, but she was still a virgin—surely she wouldn't demand it right away.
No matter how smitten she was at first sight or how lewd my body was.
We needed time to get to know each other first. That was the natural order.
'Yeah. Don't overthink it.'
This made me sound like some rape-bait desperate not to miss out.
I admitted my tastes weren't wholesome, but I preferred vanilla romance.
*Clap clap*
"Alright. Let's go."
They said you could survive a tiger's den if you kept your wits.
Deep breath done, cheeks slapped twice to clear my head, I returned to the Heavenly Demon's room.
"I finished seeing off my companion and—"
"Ah, you're back. Here, try this on. If it doesn't fit, I'll call someone to alter it."
*Flutter*
The door opened, and a set of clothes flew straight at me.
I caught it before it hit the floor and took in its appearance:
black base with striking gold embroidery in places—quite the stylish outfit.
"...This is..."
"It's what you'll wear from now on. Wouldn't want pointless trouble with the others here, right? It's stamped with the Young Leader's insignia, so even elders won't touch you lightly."
"...Pardon?"
What had I just heard?
Young Leader? Of the cult?
"...You mean Young Leader of the cult...?"
"The Young Leader of this cult, yes. The position's been vacant, so no need to worry about taking someone else's spot."
"........Pardon?"
Was I hearing this right?
Me, the Demonic Cult's Young Leader?
Just like that?
"The formal appointment will take some time to prepare, so for now, just get fitted for the clothes."
"M-My lord of the Divine Cult, wait. As I understand it, the Young Leader is the cult leader's direct heir or successor...?"
"Well, yes. But I have no children yet... nor anyone I'm planning to pass the cult to. You taking it poses no issue. Don't worry about what happens if something befalls me—such things won't occur."
"B-But isn't the Heavenly Demon Cult a place where the strong reign supreme? If a nobody like me ascends to Young Leader, surely there'll be complaints..."
"Who would dare?"
*Chill*
The air grew heavy once more.
Not the body-prickling chill from before, but a cold emanation of her own emotions.
"I am the master of this cult. Who would dare complain about me seating whom I choose as my successor?"
*Smile*
A signature smile bloomed on the Heavenly Demon's face amid the pervasive chill.
An atmosphere where no one could raise a counterargument.
And just like that, overnight, I found myself wearing the most ridiculous hat imaginable.