Today's Fortune (5)
The Demon Brain, transcending human cognition with its vast knowledge, knew that its wisdom could not be fully passed to a single successor. Thus, it raised disciples to inherit fragments of that knowledge one by one. They became the Seven Demon Sages. And Jegeomhak was the one who claimed the title of Fierce Sage among them.
Of all the Seven Demon Sages, it had to be this guy...
This bastard would later play a decisive role in toppling the Murim Alliance by slaying its Chief Strategist, Jegal Somyeong. A man I'd never crossed paths with in my previous life, and now here he was, plopped right in front of me in this one. What kind of odds were these? No way in hell this was random chance. Had I blabbed a bit too much about karmic laws, and now the heavens were cursing me for it? Otherwise, this made zero sense.
"...Hmm. Just what are you, exactly? Black Flame Dragon?"
Gyun Yeohyeon—no, Fierce Sage Jegeomhak—tilted his head.
"Not only the Twin Shadow Ghost Demon Squadron, but even Predation Armor and my true identity... How in the world do you know all this?"
"...".
If only there were a disease that killed from sheer curiosity. Then I wouldn't have to deal with this prick.
He nodded slowly at my silence.
"As expected, no answer, huh?"
Crack. Pop.
Jegeomhak straightened his bent fingers, then began gathering two distinct energies in each hand.
"You'll feel like talking soon enough."
Damn these bastards. Even the Mudang's Dual Heart Technique couldn't handle two opposing energies so cleanly.
But I couldn't just bitch and moan forever. No knight in shining armor was gonna swoop in to save me.
He started merging the two clashing energies into one. Fire and water qi—polar opposites—somehow harmonized into something even more immense. It looked ominous as hell, like a lit thunderbolt bomb.
White Moon Heaven-Subduing Three Forms, First Form: Extreme Swiftness.
I struck while he was busy, figuring he couldn't use Predation Armor with both hands occupied.
Scree—
The sword qi pierced the air toward his chest—
Clap.
He clapped his hands together.
In that instant—
Piiing—
An enormous surge of energy exploded, filling the space.
"Gahhhh!"
I couldn't even hold it back with my inner energy. The attack shoved the very air aside, rivaling Radiant Heaven Divine Palm in sheer power.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom!
Confined by the space, the explosion couldn't vent outward and ricocheted back in. The shock pulverized my bones like gravel.
'Insane...'
If Damak took this hit, he'd be done for. I spun, shielding him from the blast.
"What the hell are you...?"
Damak stared, utterly baffled.
Hell if I knew. But if I died here, who cared if he lived or died? Still, Damak was the one who'd carried the Murim Alliance forward in place of Jegal Somyeong amid that hellish Righteous-Demonic War. My body moved on instinct to protect him.
From behind my searing back came Jegeomhak's mocking voice.
"Saving a future enemy? Is that the Black Flame Dragon's sense of justice?"
Justice? Had I ever dreamed of being some chivalrous hero? I'd ditched that fantasy back when Gye Cheolyeong stole my special admission spot by force.
"I don't move for justice."
The surging Tae-eul True Scripture cooled the burning heat on my back, fueled by my fury. Thank god for the Thousand Silkworm Cloak from Wang Geumsan—minimal damage.
A sneer crept onto my lips unbidden.
"I move for vengeance."
Even if Damak became my enemy someday, if he could screw over the Demonic Cult in my stead, I'd gladly throw my life at it.
"Die, you fucker!"
Left hand unleashing Cartoon Invincible Fist, right hand scattering Twin Heaven Sword Conclusion, I pressed him hard.
Jegeomhak blocked with ice barriers, flicked his fingers to dispel the true sword and fists hidden in illusions. The moment I paused, he'd counter with fireballs, no doubt.
Ting—ting—ting ting ting ting—
As expected. The instant fire gathered in his left hand after dispelling my attacks—
I hurled the Black Dragon Sword at the flames and stepped into Tae-eul Paeman Sinbo, flanking him.
The calm bastard finally yelled.
"You think a childish trick like that will take me down?!"
As he turned, erecting an ice barrier—
Sizzle!
I unleashed full-power Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand, melting through.
"What in the...!"
"You think you're the only one who can handle fire qi?!"
The ice vaporized in the blazing heat, exposing his chest wide open. But as Predation Armor blocked one hand, the flames in my palm withered and vanished without a trace.
Damn, this guy's no joke. Still...
"I've got one hand left!"
I thrust my remaining hand with all my might.
One Demon-Exterminating Hand blocked by Predation Armor, the other piercing for his heart—
"Think I'll let you?!"
Jegeomhak countered my Sacred Fire with a swirling fireball from his palm.
Whoosh.
Two flames split the space precisely in half.
"What...?"
His eyes shook in disbelief. Then the immense pressure from his hand spiraled out of control, exploding everywhere.
Boom boom boom boom boom.
I desperately channeled inner energy to shield my face. Scorching heat swept over arms, shoulders, legs, thighs.
As the blinding light faded, the space looked different. Black holes pocked the once-red barriers; inside, only ash remained, nothing left to burn.
I quickly checked myself—minor burns, nothing major. Grabbed the Black Dragon Sword and eyed Damak.
"You okay?"
"...".
As expected, he was out cold. At least he was breathing...
Huff huff.
I whipped around at the sudden presence.
"Shit...".
Still alive? Jegeomhak's ashen form twitched amid the soot.
And it didn't stop. Plop plop, plop, plop.
Black ash flaked off as he slowly rose.
What a pain in the ass.
His lips parted slowly.
"...Hoo."
Crack—crack—
He stretched his body and shoulders. Clothes shredded by the blast, but not a single burn mark on his skin.
"This technique shares similarities with our cult's arts. Care to explain?"
Good thing Damak was unconscious. Not that it mattered if we died here anyway. But worrying like this proved I desperately wanted to live.
As I glanced at Damak, Jegeomhak's brow furrowed deeper.
"...Could you be one of our cult's lost bastards?"
This guy's delusions were off the charts.
"If so, we could talk more..."
I ignored his nonsense, and he took it as confirmation.
"You goddamn prick, turning an innocent guy into a bastard son?!"
The grueling wheel war dragged on. He blocked my strikes; wounds started accumulating on me. Our powers seemed matched, but he showed no inner energy drain. Meanwhile, I poured everything in just to barely defend.
'At this rate...'
I shook off the grim thought. Negativity helped no one here—only sapped morale further.
Think positive... positive... Yeah, couldn't.
Damn it.
Then—
Crackle.
Through the blackened Geomunjinbeop, golden light flashed, revealing a shiny bald head.
"Jin... patron... what the hell is this place...?"
The most welcome bald head of my life.
Ping—
I fired Flying Dragon Claw, snagged Damak, and tossed him to Ilgak.
The startled monk caught him on reflex.
"J-Jin patron! Tossing something like this out of nowhere—I can't help if...!"
Your exit is the help!
Damak slipped through the gap Ilgak made; moments later, the black void turned red again.
Sneering from behind.
"Foolish. He had a better shot at survival escaping."
Jegeomhak shook his head regretfully. But I wasn't fooled. Getting trapped outside with this Geomunjinbeop would've made dealing with him trickier. No way he'd set up a formation he didn't know.
I sneered back.
"Talking like the cat who thinks he's got the mouse."
That was their nature, after all.
The fierce battle in Damak's quarters furrowed brows deeply.
"Shouldn't we check inside? It's been over two hours already."
Here at Damak's place on Jin Sowoon's request, but he'd only asked them to block outsiders. Dang Seohui shook her head firmly.
"Jin Sowoon isn't the type to send us on fool's errands."
"Huh?"
The usually vacant-eyed Dang Seohui pulled out ornate vials and throwing knives from her bosom.
Even the recovering Ak Byeongbi gripped the iron bars, ready to fight.
Blood Fight couldn't help blurting.
"What're you talking about?"
"Jin Sowoon said a dangerous foe was coming here."
"Dangerous foe?"
Blood Fight extended his senses—only amateur black path riffraff nearby. Dangerous, though?
Whoosh.
Yeom Gwi-bi flinched, igniting fire qi in both hands.
"Below us."
"Below?"
As Blood Fight looked down—
The torchlit shadows twisted grotesquely.
Realizing the oddity, he kicked off the floor—
Shwick shwick shwick—
Black blades erupted, slashing at the group.
"...These goddamn bastards!"
Blood Fight shook blood from his peach blossom bone, rage boiling. But he held back his usual reckless kick—he'd gauged from that exchange they weren't pushovers.
The blade targeting his ankle slithered back into shadow; black forms oozed around them.
Figures wrapped head to toe in black cloth. Torchlight flickered, but nothing showed inside the hoods.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"...".
No response to Blood Fight's growl. The ten split, half diving into the Geomunjinbeop.
Allies lunged, but the rest's unexpected strikes halted them.
"What the...?"
Their robes billowed, absorbing fireballs and qi blasts effortlessly.
While Blood Fight's crew stood dumbfounded—
Half the robed figures slipped inside.
"You dare...!"
Red blood qi rippled in Blood Fight's bleeding right foot.
Dang Seohui, watching ahead, whispered shakily.
"Be careful. Jin Sowoon said they're terrifying."
The guy who'd left his guts at the academy called them terrifying? One exchange confirmed it—their methods were unnatural.
Blood Fight felt unusual power surging in his legs.
I was fascinated by Geomunjinbeop combat tactics. Lure foes into your board, fight on your terms. Gamblers love fleecing suckers on home turf—who said warriors were different?
That stunt at the academy with Muryangbulgolmokhonjin? Prep for future Demonic Cult wars. Enemies trapped, marching to doom; allies free to maneuver, support, evacuate wounded.
Overwhelming might or weird sorcery—proper board turns it all manageable.
And seeing theory in action? Even better.
'Problem is these assholes using it on me.'
Five black-robed figures pierced the red wall.
Perfect timing—I was about to school Jegeomhak on justice and reason.
"Haa..."
Sigh escaped at first sight. The Formless Ghost Demon Corps—Demonic Cult's shadow guard elites.
Expected backup, but them? Fitting—they'd breach Blood Fight, Yeom Gwi-bi, and Dang Seohui.
Jegeomhak's status in the cult seemed higher than I'd thought.
My reaction drew his strike, as expected.
"Oh? From your look, you know their identity too."
"...".
His smug leisure turned everyday casual. Must feel good. I'd reciprocate in his shoes.
I nodded at the Formless Ghost Demon Corps.
"Kinda cowardly, no? We were one-on-one."
"Orthodox sects call numbers their greatest strength, right?"
Never agreed. Our Small Justice Squad always outnumbered.
"Stirring lies? True Demon Brain disciple."
"Heh heh heh."
His grating laugh. Or maybe my mood made it sound that way. Felt like this life's end loomed again.
"You're quite the amusement. Even Little Demon Lord might take interest."
'Little Demon Lord' from his lips chilled my blood. Only one entity cult grunts meant by 'Little Demon'.
Observing my stiff face, he glanced aside.
"Came for another purpose, but..."
Eyed Damak's exit, then grinned at me.
"This might be more fun."
Not my imagination. That creepy smile was real...
"Care to join our cult with me?"
"What?"
Did I hear right? Sahyeokryeon offered vice-leader yesterday; now cult invite? Was I overpromoted?
"First time hearing such horrific bullshit in my life."
"Oh, not probing intent. Just sharing the decision."
"...".
Crazy bastard. Utterly insane.
I eyed him and the Geomunjinbeop alternately.
Meanwhile, Formless Ghost Demon Corps moved.
Entering unknown formation? Suicide. Stay put? Cult kidnapping likely.
Neither appealing.
Laughter bubbled up unbidden.
'Haven't had such brutal false dichotomy in ages.'
Both worsen my hell? Pick the one screwing them over.
That's how I endured my shitty past life.
Tap.
I stepped Heavenly Lone Walker God Step—poor for tight spaces.
Bang.
Speed secondary; control abysmal. Deflected a Corps blade, grabbed his robe, halted barely.
Dodged emerging shadow blade with a spin, unleashed Cartoon Invincible Fist.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom.
No ice walls—even Corps robes blocked it. Worse, the robes coiled, snaring fist and arm like a net.
Left arm immobilized. Expected that.
Swoosh.
Wrapped Black Dragon Sword in sword gang, fired Socheon Sword Technique.
A line of light pierced straight—shattered ice barrier toward Jegeomhak's temple—
Whip—thud.
Another Corps robe wrapped my right, halting it.
Jegeomhak dodged slightly, smirking.
"Knew nothing of Formless Ghost Demon Corps' power, huh."
He nodded, stepping closer, shoving his face in mine with smug glee.
"They're quite skilled at live captures."
Smile so repulsive I wanted to smash it.
"Is that so?"
I immediately unleashed Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand on both ensnared hands.
Whoosh.
Flames roared; gripping robes loosened briefly. But more swarmed to bind.
Jegeomhak's face oozed leisure.
"Useless. Once they grab you, no escape..."
That expression pissed me off.
"No escape, you say?"
I poured full power into Sacred Fire.
Jade Pure Heavenly Star Force-infused, it excelled against demons.
Clack.
Left hand burned through robe, clashed with Jegeomhak's.
Crackle crackle.
Flames frosted over, sensation fading distantly.
Still smug, he wagged his head.
"And the heat dies quick."
So confident in his arts. Didn't consider I extinguished it on purpose?
I grinned at him.
"'Cause I don't need it anymore."
"?"
Activated Azure Dragon Ring on my left hand.
"Huh?"
Smug face shattered.
Shwaa—
White frost vanished instantly. Opposite hand's Sacred Fire surged, primed to erupt.
Now horror dawned on Jegeomhak.
"Wh-what is this...!"
What else? Your cult's beloved Absorption Great Law!
Jegeomhak couldn't hide his shock.
Yeah, that expression was the best.