21
Ep 21
The morning of the Demonic Cult was unusually restless, even though the sun had only just risen.
Since there had already been a surprise attack, vigilance toward intruders had sharply increased.
Enemies hidden within.
“…You bastard.”
A martial artist sitting in the inn frowned, grabbing someone by the collar as if suspecting them.
Thud, thud—slow footsteps echoed, drawing attention. His eyes widened as he looked up the stairs.
But his interest quickly faded. He tossed aside the person he had grabbed and instead watched the man walking past.
A man draped in a black dragon robe. Recently, there was no one in the Demonic Cult who didn’t know him. A demonic
practitioner who had saved the Sword Empress and a survivor who had single-handedly defeated dozens of peak experts.
But the real question was whether those rumors were true.
How could a man who had never been known within the cult suddenly shatter a rock that only top-tier masters could break,
and be deeply connected to the Sword Empress? With so many rumors circulating, it was hard to tell what was fact.
To him, the existence named Eugene didn’t feel particularly overwhelming.
If anything… it was strange. That brat, not even a proper inheritor of any divine technique, was somehow receiving
direct training under the Little Heavenly Demon.
Because of that, all kinds of rumors circulated within the cult about the man caught between the Sword Empress and the
Little Heavenly Demon—two extremes—but they were gradually fading. After all, he wasn’t even inside the main ranks, and
above all, he was under the overwhelming protection of the Sword Empress.
Hyeonmu, a well-known expert, had mentioned various suspicions about him from behind the scenes…
But the claim that he was an internal informant still lacked evidence, so interest faded.
‘At best, he’s just a pup… huh?’
“…Hm?”
The martial artist, who had been following him with his eyes, suddenly noticed something odd.
Where is that man going?
The Demonic Cult was divided into several areas.
Each governed by different elders.
This place was right next to a location currently under attack.
That man… was heading there.
‘That’s where those crazed orthodox sect bastards are rampaging…!’
‘What is he thinking?’
Before anyone could stop him, the man dashed off like the wind.
The martial artist stood up, then paused, murmuring in confusion.
Who exactly… is that man?
///
The place he arrived at was a city filled with thick, acrid smoke.
He took bandages out from his chest and wrapped them around his hands. They fit snugly.
What he was wrapping now was more for show. It was hard to fully trust the demonic sword, and using other weapons still
felt less natural than using his fists for the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Rather than engaging in sword combat, it was still easier for him to disarm or break the opponent’s weapon and beat them
down.
What mattered was experience.
Right now, he lacked refinement.
His composure was strangely calm, but mentality and experience were on a completely different level.
As he waited, he stuffed the elixirs he had secretly hidden into his mouth.
They were called elixirs, but in reality, they were like experience-boosting potions.
Each one lasted exactly three days.
During that time, he needed to accumulate as much real combat experience as possible.
“…Still tastes awful.”
He had already consumed the important ones when he stole them from the orthodox sect, but now he swallowed the
leftovers. It felt like he could absorb them more efficiently now.
Before long, footsteps approached.
From the front.
He took his stance and opened his fist. A sharp blade flashed, and a martial artist in blue rushed toward him.
“Get him! It’s an enemy!”
The man in blue silk clothes had a massive build. His thick legs were like logs, and his bulging muscles made him
resemble a gorilla.
Eugene faced them head-on. Several others circled behind him.
He glanced sideways, feeling the emptiness in his hands.
His mouth went dry. Sweat formed coldly on his forehead.
This was practically his first real fight using bare hands.
Even though he had faced peak experts before without flinching, now he felt tension against opponents who hadn’t even
reached that level.
He had no choice but to be cautious.
This wasn’t a game. Death was the end.
His vision narrowed as his mind spun rapidly. His clenched fists trembled slightly.
‘First strike wins.’
If he got surrounded, it was over.
Just like he had practiced, he continued the fight coldly.
Crack.
Strength surged into his fists.
The force exceeded expectations. The martial artist in front retreated, then swung his sword fiercely from behind. They
weren’t underestimating him.
If he charged recklessly, he’d only be pushed out of range. But Eugene had already stepped forward the moment they
created distance.
A traditional close-range fighter. An infighter.
Even if this wasn’t a game, the knowledge still helped.
Against close-range fighters, opponents always try to create distance.
His footwork flowed smoothly as his strike drove into the opponent’s abdomen. His fingers pierced through hardened
muscles like tofu. A blade slashed across his arm and side as another enemy cut in.
Drip. Drip.
Skin peeled back.
The opponent collapsed, clutching his stomach.
In mere seconds, a skilled fighter had been subdued.
But it didn’t end there.
Eugene spun like a windmill, delivering a backspin blow.
Boom!
A martial artist attempting a sneak attack was struck midair, blood spraying as his jaw shattered. He staggered before
collapsing.
Even Eugene himself felt momentarily stunned.
He had expected an ambush.
But what surprised him wasn’t that.
‘I… don’t feel anything.’
He had killed before while protecting Cheon Hye-rin.
But that had felt forced.
Now, he had done it willingly… and felt nothing.
As if he had long grown used to it.
It ended too easily.
He had prepared himself mentally countless times, but it felt almost laughable now.
‘And these guys were still considered experts.’
Silence fell.
It was overwhelming, almost like a one-sided slaughter.
But he didn’t feel satisfied.
It wasn’t enough.
…Still not enough.
He needed more.
This was all training. Real combat experience.
With only three days of amplified growth, he had to make the most of it.
After finishing them off, Eugene immediately moved to the next location.
///
The one overseeing the current situation was Ma Nwe, Cheon Ho-jung.
Since the previous incident, most responsibilities had fallen to him.
Every day was filled with work.
Capable members had died, while useless ones caused constant trouble. Cheon Ho-jung felt like he was losing his mind.
But—
“Who did you say?”
“That man. The one related to the Sword Empress…”
Seeing his usually calm subordinate so agitated, Cheon Ho-jung grew interested.
“What happened?”
An elder nearby spoke.
“Eugene, you mean? I heard he moved.”
“That’s the thing…”
“Good. Might as well make use of him.”
“…What?”
“That’s not it!”
“What do you mean?”
“The orthodox sect forces that invaded three days ago—completely wiped out. All by Eugene alone.”
“…What?”
“And that’s not all. He’s eliminating even peak-level experts at an unbelievable speed.”
“…What did you say?”
“I’m going.”
Unlike Cheon Ho-jung, the elder rose immediately, unable to believe it.
And when he arrived—
He was met with a baffling sight.
“This is…”
The city was quiet.
As he walked through the ruins, he suddenly stopped.
“…What is this?”
Eugene appeared, tossing down unconscious enemies tied with rope before calmly turning back into battle.
The elder burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! What kind of monster is this?”
It wasn’t a major contribution to the cult’s future, but it felt like a clogged vein had been cleared.
The martial artists who arrived later scratched their heads in disbelief.
The speed was absurd.
Why wasn’t he getting tired?
“…Tch.”
But Cheon Ho-jung reacted differently.
He scoffed.
They didn’t understand.
They couldn’t understand.
That man had trained every single day.
His body proved it.
He had endured extreme, life-threatening training, pushing himself to the brink of death.
All for one purpose.
To win a single person’s heart.
Eugene didn’t lack the desire to show his strength.
But he endured.
Because he loved someone.
And now—
After years of restraint—
He was finally revealing his power.
Cheon Ho-jung smiled faintly.
“…Now he’ll win her heart too.”
///
After the battle, Eugene headed somewhere immediately.
Without even cleaning the sweat off his body.
Step by step, he stopped in front of her chamber.
Bang.
“Cheon Hye-rin.”
“…Eugene? Why are you here? The final battle is so close—”
Cheon Hye-rin, who had been cleaning her sword, blushed slightly upon seeing him.
He ignored it and spoke.
“I have one request.”
“A… request? What do you mean…?”
She looked flustered at his serious tone.
“Can you help me?”
“…Anything. I’ll help.”
She accepted.
Eugene immediately placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze unwavering.
She hesitated briefly, then nodded.