Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: The Unburnt Mountain
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Unlike any ordinary day, it was a sunny afternoon in the Demon Realm, where an unusual peace had settled.
Unlike the mountains of the Demon Realm, where flames eternally soared due to the scorching earth, there was one lone mountain that preserved trees untouched by fire.
And on that mountain lived a pair of siblings who, unlike other demons, harbored little desire for conquest or slaughter.
Their names were Barum and Bafer.
Unlike other demons, the siblings shared a bond of familial love.
They hunted for one another, protected each other, and lived for each other's sake.
Barum wielded a peculiar power no other demon possessed—blue claws—that swept away every demon who approached the mountain range, driven by their lust for domination.
Bafer, with her Regenerative Demonic Eye, always healed Barum's wounds perfectly.
As time passed, their prestige pierced the heavens, with rumors spreading far and wide of monsters dwelling in the unburnt mountain range.
That was when a devil crept into their peaceful lives.
A demon called Jackal had set their mountain ablaze.
Though the range was impervious to fire, Jackal's Demonic Eye made the trees forget their innate resistance, and in an instant, the flames began devouring the entire mountain.
But that was far from the end of it.
Jackal led the demons he'd brought and launched an assault on Barum and Bafer.
And the onset of that despair...
Pfuk.
"O-Oppa..."
...began with Jackal's claw piercing Barum's chest.
"Bafer!!!"
Jackal's cruelty didn't stop there.
"Oh? Another treasure here?"
He gouged out the dying Bafer's eyes and embedded them into the red gem on his forehead, claiming everything she had.
"I'll kill you!!!"
It was more than enough—overflowing, even—to ignite Barum's fury.
Barum's blue claws were formidable.
They sliced through dozens of demons, then turned toward Jackal himself.
But dozens more demons stood in formation before Jackal. Exhausted from the battle, Barum finally dropped to his knees before him.
"Your power should suffice. From now on, you're my weapon. Keh heh heh."
Jackal's greed didn't end with Bafer.
His searching and forgetting Demonic Eyes unfolded from his glaring gaze.
Barum's fading mind built walls of manipulated memories, layer upon layer.
"If I can't have it, I'll just take you whole."
After Jackal snatched Barum and vanished...
The Demon King's edict to hunt him down for stealing four Demonic Eyes unleashed thousands of demons upon the siblings' mountain.
But by then, Jackal had already fled the Demon Realm.
= = =
'Interesting.'
Bafer's actions and the unnatural flow of qi in Barum piqued Yong-un's curiosity.
After directly applying a soul-ensnaring technique to Barum's head, Yong-un witnessed something fascinating.
The world of the demons known as the Demon Realm, the ties between what he thought were Barum and Bafer with Jackal, and everything Jackal had done to Barum.
But what truly amused Yong-un was something else.
The layers upon layers—dozens deep—of forgetting barriers Jackal had draped over Barum's mind.
They were gradually peeling away thanks to Bafer, his little sister's Regenerative Demonic Eye.
The moment he confirmed it, Yong-un deliberately forced Barum to his knees, provoking Jackal.
And the result...
"Jackal!!!"
Bafer's Regenerative Demonic Eye obliterated every forgetting barrier encasing Barum's mind.
Pfuk! Slash! Slash!
Barum's blue claws ripped open Jackal's abdomen, severed his limbs, and finally decapitated him.
They say revenge is sweet.
'No, never.'
Yong-un, who had seen revenge to its end, knew that better than anyone.
He understood the emotions surging through Barum now—and just how agonizing they were.
"Gaaahhh!! Sob... sob..."
Even when the object of revenge died, the wished-for events didn't return.
Revenge was merely a vent.
Yet it did nothing to heal the heart.
Instead, a vast emptiness filled the void left by rage, gnawing away at the soul.
"Sob... sob..."
Tears poured from Barum in rivulets.
Covered in Jackal's blood, he shed bloody tears.
He rolled wildly on the ground, back against the earth.
"Pummeling the ground with your fists or blasting out demonic energy won't change a thing."
Yong-un stepped toward Jackal's corpse.
But Barum didn't even glance at him, despite his words.
He simply covered his eyes with his arms, shedding endless tears.
"This, perhaps."
Yong-un reached into the red gem on Jackal's forehead.
His head squelched, and inside, he sensed a total of ten orbs.
Ssshh.
Grayish smoke billowed as the orbs vanished.
More precisely, as the so-called Demonic Eyes disintegrated, Yong-un's fingers moved amid them.
He seized two orbs and yanked them from Jackal's head.
Crack. Spurt.
Blood sprayed out.
Then came a burst of pure white light.
Only then did Barum stop crying and lift his head.
"This is all I can do to help."
Yong-un approached Barum.
He pressed what he held in his clenched fist into Barum's forehead.
A brilliant light erupted from Barum's brow.
Though the pain of his skull being pierced should have been excruciating, Barum's face didn't twist in agony.
Instead, a serene smile tinged with longing spread across his lips.
"Haa..."
His closed eyes opened, and a white gem like Jackal's formed on Barum's forehead.
White light poured from his gaze.
More precisely, it was the keepsake left by his sister Bafer—her Regenerative Demonic Eye.
"Its rightful owner is you, so it belongs with you."
With that, Yong-un turned away without a hint of lingering attachment.
"Bafer... sob... sob."
In the heart of Convergence Valley.
Barum, who had turned all to death, retracted his blue claws and wept.
With the white Regenerative Demonic Eye that ill suited his claws of death, he wailed from the depths of his soul.
"Sob... sob..."
= = =
"Well done."
Yong-un patted Myung-un's head.
Myung-un had overcome the crisis that had bound Yong-un's movements.
Was it luck? Or Myung-un's effort and talent?
Either way, the might of the Crimson Heavenly Demonic Qi, acquired through a loophole, had perfectly integrated into Myung-un's body.
Though the pain and endurance had ravaged his spirit, it was a resounding success for Yong-un's intentions.
To obtain perfect Crimson Heavenly Demonic Qi required bone-shattering agony and soul-crushing despair—trials Myung-un no longer needed to face.
'Got it cheap.'
Yong-un smiled down at Myung-un, whose cheeks had hollowed from barely eating.
He resembled someone fresh from secluded training.
Outwardly haggard, but inwardly more solid than ever.
Once Myung-un sealed the remaining Crimson Heavenly Demonic Qi in his dantian, he could eat and regain his health.
Then, Myung-un would walk the path Yong-un laid out, with Crimson Heavenly Demonic Qi as his foundation.
Not the dark road suited to vengeance.
But the righteous path of absolute supremacy led by Yong-un.
"You did well."
Inside the Convergence Valley manor.
Yong-un gazed at his bandaged subordinates.
Ghost Slaughter Soul Extinction, Demon Dragon Corps, and Unwoo Guild knelt on one knee.
"No, Supreme One."
"We merely did what was expected."
"It was tough, sure. But we gained plenty."
Jincheol's flawless response, Myeongsu brimming with reverence.
And even now, Geomho unable to drop his playful demeanor.
Each wore different expressions, but all had internalized profound insights from the battle.
Yet one realization burned common in their hearts.
To protect the Supreme One.
To stand firm even without him.
They must grow stronger—a truth deeply rooted in the hearts of Yong-un's forces.
"Grow even stronger. Strong enough that I can entrust my back to you."
Yong-un's words resonated deeply in their chests.
They already felt it without words, but his declaration sent fresh ripples through them.
"Yes, Supreme One!"
In that moment of reply, all playfulness vanished.
They vowed sincerely to Yong-un.
To become strong subordinates worthy of guarding his back.
"Jincheol, Myeongsu, Geomho."
"Yes, Supreme One."
A lord could not betray their enlightenment and hope.
Yong-un smiled and issued his command.
"From this moment, ignore all threats except those directly aimed at us. Focus solely on training."
He ordered the same secluded training as Myung-un's.
"One year. For one year, set aside all duties and devote yourselves to cultivation. Become strong enough that I can trust you."
This was likely what they desired most in this moment.
To assimilate their insights, grasp the newfound strength from revised manuals, and pursue unyielding training without distraction.
"Thank you, Supreme One!"
Having commanded exactly what they craved, all forces bowed deeply to Yong-un in genuine gratitude.
Yong-un returned a smile.
"Jincheol, when they need aid, come to me directly. I'll handle everything for them."
"Understood. I'll act according to your command, Supreme One."
"Go now. We'll meet again in a year."
"Yes, Supreme One."
His subordinates left Convergence Valley with buoyant hearts.
With all gone and the valley tidied by the Night Slaughter Society assassins per Muhee's orders, Yong-un surveyed it.
"I wonder how much it'll change in a year."
The assassins had cleaned up, but Yong-un's eyes caught every trace of battle.
The potential of his subordinates, empowered by openly shared manuals, permeated the valley.
Their unyielding will to face even invincible foes head-on lingered here.
"How delightful."
What lord wouldn't rejoice at his growing subordinates?
The smile on Yong-un's lips at thoughts of their strength in a year wouldn't fade.
Thud.
Barum appeared before him.
So close Yong-un could touch him with an outstretched hand.
Yong-un regarded him and spoke.
"No need for thanks. Nothing binds you now. Live as you wish. That's what honors your sister."
Barum, expressionless, lifted his head at Yong-un's words.
Gone were the eyes stained with killing intent and demonic energy.
Instead, deep sorrow and emptiness gazed at Yong-un.
Mingled with expectation of something—and fear of rejection.
Clack.
Barum bowed toward Yong-un and dropped to one knee.
"I've never served anyone. Not even the Demon King's commands. No Demon God resides in this demon's heart."
Sorrow laced Barum's voice.
It trembled faintly at the end.
As he raised his head, his deep blue eyes met Yong-un's kindly smile.
"Will you... give me purpose? Grant me... emotions like those humans have? Will you..."
Swish.
"...give me the chance to serve you?"
Barum bowed his head.
His body quivered slightly.
Reading his emotions, Yong-un chuckled.
"Heh, harboring fear of rejection?"
"...?!"
Barum's head snapped up.
"Fear not. I've already felt a kinship with you."
Revenge.
It had been Yong-un's everything—a task to discard.
Yet now, a successor ready to walk that path knelt before him. How could he refuse?
"Then..."
"Speak with respect, first."
"Th-then, do you permit it?"
"Call me Supreme One. From now on, you are the Fifth Ghost Soul of Ghost Slaughter Soul Extinction."
Fifth Ghost Soul.
Discarding the name bestowed by the Demon God, Barum received a new one: Fifth Ghost Soul.
"Fifth Ghost Soul..."
And Supreme One...
Barum murmured the name preciously, his face flushing.
"Second Ghost Soul."
Yong-un called toward the manor.
Cheonil emerged from within, where he'd been waiting.
"That child..."
The Fifth Ghost Soul recognized Second Ghost Soul.
The one who'd punched him squarely in the side grinned.
"Introduce yourself. Fellow Ghost Souls of Ghost Slaughter Soul Extinction."
"Hi... Sorry about earlier. I didn't know you were hurt, hyung..."
Cheonil approached, fidgeting bashfully.
His shy, apologetic demeanor drew a smile from the Fifth Ghost Soul.
'Bafer...'
How long had it been since he last smiled?
Barum hastily schooled his expression and looked at Cheonil.
Though they looked nothing alike, Cheonil's bashfulness evoked Bafer.
Barum rose and extended his hand confidently to Cheonil.
"Pleased to meet you."
Cheonil had witnessed Barum's ferocity, but with Yong-un present...
No fear stirred in his heart.
"Yeah! Congrats on getting better, hyung!"
Instead, genuine apology and a child's pure congratulations touched Barum deeply.
"Heh."
Such innocent belief in his words.
'Bafer... Another child just like you is here.'
Barum pulled Cheonil into a tight embrace.
"H-Hyung?"
Startled, Cheonil glanced at Yong-un.
Yong-un smiled down at them.
Relieved, Cheonil spoke to Barum.
"Hyung, we're super close in Ghost Slaughter Soul Extinction! Let's be close too. You're family now!"
Family.
The word struck Barum, then pierced Yong-un's heart.
Cheonil couldn't know how precious that meant to them.
But his innocent words stirred the emotions of these two powerhouses.
"Yes, family. Now I have a family here."
Yong-un smiled softly.
'Good.'
The emptiness born of vengeance.
As one who'd walked that road, Yong-un knew nothing overcame it like family.
"I'll protect you, no matter what."
Yong-un nodded faintly at Barum, treading the same path, then entered the manor.
'Not what I intended, but a fine pairing.'
He'd merely placed two Demon Cries capable of demonization together, and an unexpected synergy formed.
Cheonil would learn the powers of demonization from Barum.
And Barum would find healing in Cheonil's innocence.
"Perfect."
Amused by the unforeseen duo, Yong-un smiled and headed to Myung-un's room.
Then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
It wasn't just his forces he now anticipated in a year.
Barum and Cheonil's bond.
Their relationship had joined Yong-un's interests as well.