The Nature of the Heavenly Killer Star
I remained bedridden for a while, but my physical condition gradually improved.
I was also starting to adapt, more or less, to the reality that I had been reincarnated as Baek Yeon, the Young Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Sect.
Once I recovered enough to move on my own, I left the infirmary and returned to the quarters where the original Young Sect Leader had lived.
And so, the daily life of the Young Sect Leader began anew.
Even though a major incident—an attempted assassination of the Young Sect Leader—had just occurred, the Sect Leader and the high-ranking elders didn't bother to check on me. Who knew what they were so busy with?
However, the words the Sect Leader had left me with continued to echo in my mind.
"Prove that you are worthy of being the Young Sect Leader."
What did the Sect Leader want from me—from the Young Sect Leader, Baek Yeon?
To figure that out, I must first understand the Sun and Moon Sect and the role of the Young Sect Leader.
My immediate priority was to acquire the knowledge necessary for my survival.
"I intend to read, so you may leave."
"Yes, Young Sect Leader."
Fortunately, the Young Sect Leader's room was stocked with various books and reference materials.
These texts contained not only the doctrines of the Sun and Moon Sect but also its history of development, the philosophies of past Sect Leaders, and records of their struggles against the orthodox Murim Alliance.
With nothing else to do, I spent every spare moment devouring these records, immersing myself in research.
The information I sought above all else was regarding the Heavenly Killer Star.
Just how incredible was this thing that both the Sect Leader and the cultists were making such a fuss about it?
—Isn't there anyone to kill?
A shiver ran down my spine.
Even now, this voice echoing inside my head was the Heavenly Killer Star.
When I had first heard it in the infirmary, my heart had nearly stopped.
It felt the same way now.
—How many days has it been? You haven't killed a single soul.
It felt as though something inside my very heart was whispering—or rather, screaming—directly into my ears.
It was a spine-chilling voice, like a sharp metal blade scraping against an iron plate.
Yet, on some level, it was also deeply familiar.
Because it was none other than my own voice.
At any rate, this was supposed to be the proof of one's qualification to become the Sect Leader...
The reason the Heavenly Killer Star was deemed worthy of leadership seemed to stem from the immense latent power sealed within it.
At the same time, I could easily understand why it was feared.
An urge to murder? Does that mean I'm going to turn into some mindless serial killer who slaughters people at random?
But the more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
Difficult to suppress the urge to kill? Well, it doesn't feel like that at all.
Usually, it remained quiet, only chiming in when I was about to forget its existence. Even at this very moment, the Heavenly Killer Star was whispering things like "kill" to me.
—That woman over there would be perfect. Her flesh looks so soft and tender...
Could you please stop saying such creepy things in my voice?
—Kill her! Just kill her first and think later!
What utter nonsense.
—Kill her!!!
Yeah, no. I'm not doing that.
—...
Rather than an uncontrollable impulse, it felt more like a nagging, annoying fly buzzing in my ear.
—Drink blood! The blood...
Ah, seriously. Shut up. You're being noisy.
—H-Hieek?!
Hey! Stop distracting me and stay quiet.
—Blood...?
I told you to be quiet.
—...
It was truly bizarre.
Contrary to the terrifying descriptions I had read, as time passed, the Heavenly Killer Star felt like nothing more than a minor, pathetic nuisance.
Moreover, it was the Heavenly Killer Star whose spirit was crushed by a single word from me.
After that, the voice of the Heavenly Killer Star didn't ring out for a while.
I didn't know why, but it was infinitely better than constantly feeling the urge to murder people.
—Ki...
Uh-uh!
—...
Good. Quiet now.
A short while later, three maidservants approached me politely. The one leading them bowed her head and spoke.
"Young Sect Leader. Your meal is ready."
"Bring it in."
I sighed as I watched the maid tremble in fear before me.
"G-Greetings to the Young Sect Leader."
"Is it truly necessary to greet me like that every single time?"
"Hieek! I-I am sorry!"
"What is there to be sorry about?"
"Please punish this servant!"
"...Never mind."
"Please spare my life!"
Every time I saw their reactions, a thought crossed my mind.
Just how much of a tyrannical lunatic was this Baek Yeon guy?
Baek Yeon was born the eldest son of the Heavenly Demon and was said to possess monstrous talent.
On top of that, he had been praised by thousands of cultists and brainwashed with the demonic doctrines of the sect since infancy.
Thanks to that, despite his young age, he had grown into an incredibly arrogant brat who acted as if he were the master of the Demonic Cult—no, the master of the entire world.
And he was only eleven years old.
What was even more ridiculous was the Sect Leader's reaction.
Whenever Baek Yeon behaved violently, insolently, and arrogantly, instead of scolding him, the Sect Leader had openly rejoiced, claiming he "possessed the true qualities of the Heavenly Demon."
How did I know this?
I had called one of the maids and questioned her, and the answers had poured out of her.
Of course, she didn't use words like "lunatic" or "arrogant brat."
"Whenever the Young Sect Leader corrected us with your majestic words and deeds, the Sect Leader was deeply proud, and we too..."
Right, I understand. You don't need to say any more.
In any case, the Sect Leader was largely to blame for raising this kid into such a tyrant.
"Young Sect Leader. Now that you have finished your meal, may I take the dishes away?"
"Yes."
"The tea maid greets the Young Sect Leader."
"I have brought dessert."
"Fine... I will be reading, so leave it there."
Perhaps because the Young Sect Leader was only an eleven-year-old child, a flock of maids and servants hovered around me constantly, no matter where I went or what I did.
This was incredibly uncomfortable.
When one left, two more would enter. I was uncomfortable around the maids and servants, and they were terrified of me.
Knowing how uncomfortable they were only made me feel even more awkward...
Yet, from the servants' perspective, they had a duty to guard my side, so they couldn't just leave of their own accord.
Ah... please, I just want to be alone.
As an extreme introvert, being surrounded by people who made me tense twenty-four hours a day was slowly draining my energy.
Then, one day.
I was combing through the records in the Young Sect Leader's room and study, gathering as much information on the Heavenly Killer Star as possible.
Among them, one particular passage caught my eye.
Reading those words, a sliver of hope bloomed within me.
If this was true, and if I truly possessed such a rare trait, it would be a godsend.
It meant that even though I carried the Heavenly Killer Star—the proof of the Sect Leader's successor—I wouldn't have to live as a bloodthirsty murderer.
Since this is a crucial matter, I should verify it myself.
Having made up my mind, I called out to the Heavenly Killer Star, which had been quiet for some time.
Hey, Heavenly Killer Star.
—...
You've been quiet lately.
—Ki... ll...
Yeah, no. I'm not killing anyone. But go ahead, try it.
—Kill...?
It's fine, go ahead. Let's see what happens.
—Ki... ll...?
With my permission, the Heavenly Killer Star slowly began to raise its voice.
—Kill!
The Heavenly Killer Star, which normally wouldn't have dared to utter a peep, gained confidence. It began to muster its strength, and before long, it started to run wild.
—Kill them! Kill everyone in sight and spill their blood!!!
My heart rate quickened slightly. A warmth spread through my hands and feet, circulating throughout my entire body.
And then.
My vision is red.
Suddenly, everything in my sight began to take on a crimson hue.
Feeling a chill, I glanced at the mirror.
!!
My eyes were emitting a deep, blood-red crimson glow.
It was a light so intense that I could clearly perceive it even through my completely reddened vision.
Is this the 'Crimson Eye'?
This was a phenomenon that occurred when the immense power of the Heavenly Killer Star was unleashed, and it was also a warning sign before the onset of madness.
It was said that once the madness of the Heavenly Killer Star took hold, one would lose all reason, succumb to an overwhelming urge to slaughter, and ultimately destroy everyone around them.
Did I get a bit stronger? I can't really tell.
But the most important thing was this...
Even in this state, I felt absolutely no urge to murder!
Just then.
"Young Sect Leader, I have brought the fruit cakes..."
Ah, now is a bad time...
The maid who was approaching froze in horror as she saw the crimson light radiating from my eyes.
"Hieek!"
Forgetting all etiquette, she turned on her heel and fled for her life.
Her expression and reaction were as if she had just laid eyes on a demon.
It was hardly surprising.
The rumors surrounding the Heavenly Killer Star were terrifying.
To see the notoriously ill-tempered, tyrannical Young Sect Leader unleashing the Crimson Eye of the Heavenly Killer Star, it was only natural for her to flee in fear for her life.
Even I found it intimidating, so how could she not?
Just then.
"Young Sect Leader, are you alright?"
"Heavens, the crimson glow!"
Several people rushed in to check on my condition, but...
"It would be best to leave the Young Sect Leader alone for now."
Soon, every single person, including the maids, evacuated my room.
Wait, what?
I looked around the empty room.
Everyone had fled in terror, fearing that I might slaughter them at any moment.
Yet, in this silent room, completely devoid of other people, it felt as though a notification was ringing in my ears.
Solitude secured. Charging initiated...
As an introvert forced to deal with people twenty-four hours a day, fatigue had been silently accumulating within me.
I couldn't remember the last time I had been in a spacious room with absolutely no one else around.
Though unintentional, thanks to the Heavenly Killer Star, I was finally able to be alone.
An incomparable sense of peace washed over me.
—Slaughter those annoying humans one by one! Spill their blood!
Quiet.
—S-Sp...
Tsk.
—S-Spill...
I had no trouble reining in the rampaging Heavenly Killer Star.
Soon, my vision and eyes returned to normal, and the voice of the Heavenly Killer Star fell silent.
Ah... how long has it been since I last felt this kind of freedom?
Savoring the long-awaited solitude, I fully enjoyed my time alone.
It was a comfort akin to lying down in my own room back in my original world.
If only every day could be like this.
If every day were this peaceful, it might not be entirely impossible for an introvert from another world to survive as the Young Sect Leader, Baek Yeon.
I only hoped this peace would last as long as possible...
"Young Sect Leader, did you truly think I wouldn't know your true colors?"
But the sudden arrival of an uninvited guest reminded me once more.
This world was not particularly merciful to introverts.