Chapter 171
Chapter 171
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Maturing Forces
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These days, with him only hanging around the Soul-Exterminating Ghost Killers and the Demon Dragon Squad, there might be talk that he's been neglecting the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps—that is, the Unwoo Guild.
But it was the same when the Heavenly Demon Cult formed its three divisions.
Just like always, the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps, his first disciples, had grown alongside Yong-un ever since they were the Demon Illusion Corps.
And once they reached a certain level of growth, they became a force that could forge its own path without Yong-un's direct involvement, much like the Unwoo Guild today, eventually gaining independence.
Reality followed the same pattern.
The Phantom Demon Assassins Corps, now the Unwoo Guild, had developed the strength to stand on its own without Yong-un's help.
Just like the Heavenly Demon Cult's elite guards, who could thrive independently.
The Unwoo Guild had become Korea's elite guard, able to raise its name and reputation without Yong-un.
And from there, it naturally slipped from Yong-un's grasp, transforming into a force that actually supported him instead.
Just as the Unwoo Guild was doing now.
So what about the Soul-Exterminating Ghost Killers and the Demon Dragon Squad?
They were special forces with different characteristics from the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps.
While the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps was a force exposed both internally and externally in the martial world, the other two were not.
They were secretly nurtured special units that would continue to grow under Yong-un's command until they were fully ready to be revealed to the world.
And once they reached the numbers Yong-un had in mind—fifty in the Demon Dragon Squad and ten in the Soul-Exterminating Ghost Killers...
They too would gain independence from Yong-un, just like the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps.
'Someday, these guys won't need my help either.'
It was bittersweet, but also something he looked forward to.
He hoped it wouldn't come, yet at the same time, he wished it would arrive sooner.
Kkiiik.
"Bro?"
Perhaps because of those thoughts, Yong-un's footsteps soon led him to the Unwoo Guild's office.
"Doing well?"
It had been a while since he'd seen Myung-un.
Unlike his other subordinates, Myung-un was blood-related.
Because of that, he was the only one Yong-un had passed down the nameless manual of Heavenly Thunder Master intact—the one that had shaped the current Yong-un.
"It's tough, but I'm picking it up bit by bit."
Myung-un's expression brightened noticeably.
Early on, he hadn't even properly mastered the first form, the Five Elements Harmony, and had needed Yong-un's steady guidance.
But now?
As the Soul-Exterminating Ghost Killers, Demon Dragon Squad, and Phantom Demon Assassins Corps grew, so did Myung-un.
His martial art was so profound and difficult that, unlike the other forces approaching completion, he was still lingering at the Organic Realm.
But even that made him the undisputed standout among his subordinates.
"Your bright expression is a relief. No questions?"
"Like you said, not yet. I'll figure it out as I go."
Myung-un casually hid his hands.
His hands were torn up, a sign he was nearing the end of the Dragon Phantom Incarnation, the final strike.
"The Organic Realm can't be taught. You have to grasp it yourself."
"I know. That's what makes it fun."
The bandages wrapping Myung-un's fists were soaked in blood.
Blood that wouldn't dry meant he was training nonstop, without a moment's rest.
"It may hurt now, but keep at it. The Crimson Heavenly Demon Qi I gave you won't betray your efforts."
"I know, bro. Thanks."
Myung-un smiled.
In his faint smile, the Crimson Heavenly Demon Qi he'd fully claimed as his own shimmered subtly.
"Oh! Lately, sparring with the Protector Generals has been a huge help. Right?"
Ho-gun, sitting across from him, threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Kuhahaha! Exactly. He's growing so fast, he'll catch up to me soon."
Ho-gun, who had been laughing vigorously, suddenly stopped and looked at Yong-un.
"So... have you forgotten about me, Supreme One?"
Unlike the others, Ho-gun had received the least direct instruction from Yong-un and now voiced his grievance.
It was understandable—his mind had been preoccupied with the independent Unwoo Guild, so he hadn't taken Ho-gun to other gates or even the San Marino Demons.
Instead of answering, Yong-un smiled faintly and asked Jin-cheol.
"Can you manage without Ho-gun now?"
"More than enough. Our Phantom Demon Assassins Corps has grown to a certain extent, and Myung-un has been a tremendous help."
He was boldly saying they didn't need Ho-gun anymore.
Ho-gun should have felt slighted, but his face lit up with excitement, like chains had been lifted.
Yong-un felt the same as Ho-gun.
He'd heard plenty about Ho-gun from his occasional calls with Jin-cheol.
Ho-gun had resolved many of the guild's crises, and there had been numerous gate dangers where his absence would have dealt the Unwoo Guild a heavy blow.
But lately, those calls had stopped entirely.
"You've grown."
"Yes, thanks to you."
Jin-cheol bowed his head.
"Allow me to express my gratitude once more. Without you, Supreme One, we'd still be scraping the bottom, just looking up. Thank you."
"My help was significant, but it's all because you did well. That's why I chose you."
"Knowing your faith in us only made us work harder. You are the Unwoo Guild's blessing, Supreme One. Truly... thank you."
It was a cliché, but it still tugged at his heart.
"We'll pass. Our guild can't accept it."
"We're afraid of retaliation from the four major guilds. No."
"Y-You're going to handle a sudden gate alone? It's too dangerous. We can't allow it."
The Jin-cheol from their first meeting overlapped with the current Jin-cheol, wearing a faint smile.
Nothing had changed about Jin-cheol himself.
Only his position and fame had.
But that position and fame had given him the opportunity to pursue his long-held dreams, turning the Unwoo Guild into Korea's top guild.
"You're the only one who made my dreams come true, Supreme One. I'll serve you with my life."
Out of nowhere, Jin-cheol dropped to his knees and bowed deeply to Yong-un.
Myung-un and Ho-gun were startled by the sudden action, but knowing how much Yong-un had helped Jin-cheol, they smiled warmly.
"Rise. Just keep doing well from now on. No mistakes, and stay true to your current self."
"Yes, Supreme One."
"And don't change your loyalty to me either. Ahem."
"Hahaha! Of course not, Supreme One!"
The office erupted in laughter at Yong-un's playful remark.
Then Ho-gun, mid-laugh, tossed a comment at Yong-un.
"You've changed too, Supreme One? Didn't know you could joke around. Hahaha!"
"Don't say silly things. Get up."
"Yes!"
Ho-gun rose from his seat.
His massive frame towered over Yong-un as he looked down.
"Unfortunately, you don't belong anywhere right now."
"Pardon?"
Ho-gun looked bewildered.
Yong-un added, to explain to the foolish but steadfast Ho-gun.
"Could you work under Myung-su?"
"No, I can't work under someone weaker than me."
Yong-un chuckled.
Ho-gun hadn't changed a bit.
Why had Ho-gun sworn loyalty to Yong-un?
Because of strength.
Yong-un possessed the strength Ho-gun lacked and the path to attain it, so he'd staked his life on him.
"Then how about under Sword Tiger?"
"As I said, under someone weaker... ugh..."
Ho-gun scratched the back of his head.
Yong-un nodded.
"That's exactly why you don't belong anywhere yet."
"Then what should I do?"
"What else? Keep serving as the Phantom Demon Assassins Corps' Protector General."
"Pardon?"
Ho-gun's face fell, not what he'd hoped for.
"Hear me out. From now on, you'll learn a martial art from me."
"A martial art! Yes! That's perfect! I'll keep being the Protector General!"
Simple as ever.
"But unlike the others, it won't be one of my martial arts."
"Pardon?"
Ho-gun's high spirits plummeted again.
It showed so plainly on his face that Yong-un nearly burst out laughing.
"Don't worry. If you learn and master it well, it'll take you higher than those who learned mine."
"Really? Perfect! I'll train hard!"
"Hahahahaha."
The office bloomed with laughter again at Ho-gun's rollercoaster emotions.
"Why are you laughing, you lot!"
"Sorry, hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
Even Yong-un couldn't hold back his laughter as he said,
"Starting tomorrow, come to the Soul-Exterminating Ghost Killers' place. You'll serve as my hidden ace, separate from the Unwoo Guild."
"Hidden ace! Trump card! Yes! Just what I wanted!"
"From now on, my orders take priority over the Unwoo Guild's for you."
Jin-cheol bowed his head.
"Yes, we can handle things ourselves without Ho-gun now."
"Good. Hear that?"
"Yes!"
"We'll start tomorrow, so rest well today."
"Yes! Supreme One! Kuhuhu, my lord's brother, wait for me. Things are about to change."
Yong-un chuckled and headed out of the office.
As he opened the door and stepped out,
"Ah!"
Yong-un raised his hand, pointing at Ho-gun.
"By the way, it's not that Myung-su and Sword Tiger are weaker than you, so you can't join them."
"Pardon?"
"Myung-su and Sword Tiger are stronger than you now."
"What do you..."
"It's just that it's too late for you to fit in with them. I'll be off then."
"Supreme One! What does that mean?!"
As the door closed, Yong-un tossed back,
"You'll see tomorrow. Bye."
Unable to contain his curiosity, Ho-gun kicked off the ground and flung the door open.
But Ho-gun's level was still too low to catch Yong-un, who had already vanished with intent to leave.
"Supreme One!!!"
Ho-gun wailed into the empty hallway.
Yet the departed train showed no sign of returning.
At that moment.
Washington, USA, where GHO headquarters was located.
Five black sedans pulled up smoothly at the entrance.
Each had a driver who opened the rear doors.
Ten people stepped out naturally.
All wearing black leather long coats, they ascended the stairs to the massive GHO headquarters main gate.
"Who are those guys?"
The overwhelming presence and confidence dominating the stairs drew stares from hunters visiting GHO.
There were plenty of quirky teams in the world.
Some American hunter teams wore rugby gear into gates,
while Chinese teams donned traditional attire and opera masks.
So the onlookers, assuming they were just another odd group, smirked and drifted away one by one.
Then they noticed the skull emblem on the back of the black leather coats.
[D.D.C]
Ghoulish red letters in the center of the white skull.
But since it wasn't famous, people looked away.
"You've arrived."
Unlike the other hunters, the GHO hunter at the gate treated them with exceptional deference, bowing 90 degrees like to a superior.
The D.D.C members naturally spoke down to the GHO hunter as well.
The man at the front handed the leather bag he carried to the approaching GHO hunter.
"Deliver this to the God of War."
An unbelievable name followed.
"Yes, I'll make sure it's delivered. The Vice Director and God of War are together, so I can hand it over there."
"Lead the way."
"Yes, this way."
Following the GHO hunter's courteous guidance, the ten D.D.C members strode upward, black coats billowing.
D.D.C.
The world barely knew of them.
But as the world's hunter organization, GHO knew many teams and called in special ones like this for special cases.
Being directly summoned by GHO meant...
They excelled beyond GHO in certain matters.
Kkiiik.
"They're in here."
A fairly large door opened, revealing the God of War and GHO Vice Director Charlie waiting inside.
"It's been a while."
The D.D.C leader bowed toward the God of War and Vice Director Charlie.
"Come in. I hoped never to see you again, but here we are."
At Charlie's natural condescension, the D.D.C leader sat stone-faced opposite them.
The remaining nine D.D.C members stood sharply at attention behind him.
"No choice. We're the team that can't escape GHO even if we wanted to, roaming the world."
The D.D.C leader pushed aside the beer in front of him.
"As long as Demon Cries exist."
Knowing he liked beer, Charlie had personally selected and placed the best ones.
Yet he set it aside, prompting Charlie to ask,
"I heard you like beer?"
"I do."
The D.D.C leader glanced at the beer.
"But once we decide to start a job, no alcohol."
Charlie smiled satisfied at the professional D.D.C leader.
The leader then looked at the silent God of War.
"It's been a while. If even you sought us out directly... does that mean a Demon Cry even you can't handle?"
Such a rare event forced him straight to the point.
He knew the God of War's power well.
Having worked together once, he held him in high regard.
"That's right. It's beyond what I can handle alone."
"Stronger than that guy from back then?"
The God of War grimaced at the mention.
"About the same. Maybe even stronger."
"Impressive. Then we've already failed before starting? We still haven't caught that one. He climbed too high."
The D.D.C leader pointed upward regretfully, smacking his lips.
Because that guy was none other than...
The Mercenary King.
A Royal Class.
In truth, right after learning the Mercenary King was a Demon Cry, the God of War had requested GHO and D.D.C's help.
He was an opponent no one could take alone,
and his achievements plus his followers' power were overwhelming.
Declaring someone like him a Demon Cry without solid proof was futile; their influence was the world's greatest.
That was why the God of War hadn't captured him despite knowing.
But if he wasn't Royal Class yet...
"Interesting."
With Death Demon Cry, the God of War, and GHO united, no being could escape.
Death Demon Cry's leader, Polant—world's top Demon Cry hunter—smiled for the first time.
"If that's the case..."
"He hasn't reached Royal Class. Not yet."
Royal Class were lights saving the world.
Humanity's hope, nearly invincible under global laws unless blatantly breaking major ones.
Especially Demon Cry accusations without proof barely warranted investigation.
But if not Royal Class...
"We should start quickly. Before he does."
Crunch.
The Mercenary King failure still stung Polant; he gritted his teeth, pulling a book from the leather bag.
"What's that?"
The God of War asked about the unfamiliar book.
Polant fiddled with it.
"We live to eradicate Demon Cries. While you built your legend, we fought them relentlessly."
Flip.
The pages turned.
Filled with unfamiliar runes and peculiar circular magic circles.
"And recently, we deciphered this. Demon Cries call it the Demon King's Rune Script."
Demon King's Rune Script!?
The God of War and Charlie's eyes widened.
As expected, Polant snapped the book shut and stowed it.
"Now, no Demon Cry can escape us."
Proving his words, the Death Demon Cry members behind him wore faint smiles.