Demons (1)
“Young Cult Leader……?”
Choi Yun-seok muttered in a dazed voice, and Geom-ma Jeong Dae-un nodded vigorously as if to say that's right. He looked so thrilled to have one more person to serve.
“The million followers of our cult were heartbroken that the Heavenly Venerable retired into seclusion without naming a successor, but to think he would send us such an outstanding heir!”
Are all demonic cultists like this? Jeong Dae-un had completely forgotten his dignity, still sprawled flat on the floor.
For now, Yun-seok decided to clarify the facts first.
“By Heavenly Venerable, do you mean Lady Cheonma?”
“Indeed!”
He'd half-expected it, but hearing the immediate confirmation made his head spin. What was he supposed to say?
That he'd learned the Cheonma Sword but wasn't really her disciple? That they were all having some weird misunderstanding?
If I say that, this hard-won thaw might turn awkward again...
Murim warriors placed immense significance on martial arts. Just like how they'd suddenly knelt and called him Young Cult Leader after seeing one technique, telling the truth might make them flip and treat him like an archenemy.
But staying silent felt awkward too.
“Please come at once! Many cultists summoned here are waiting. They'll weep with joy at the sight of you, Young Cult Leader!”
Jeong Dae-un seemed eager to drag him back to the clan hall and announce it to everyone. But unlike before, he didn't reach out recklessly. He just kept his forehead glued to the floor, awaiting a response.
“……”
Glancing up cautiously, Jeong Dae-un saw Yun-seok's stiff expression and asked carefully.
“Why so silent, milord? Did this foolish old swordsman's rudeness earlier offend you?”
As Yun-seok pondered his reply, Jeong Dae-un suddenly slammed his forehead into the ground like a madman. Full force, too.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
It wasn't the sound of bones crunching or flesh splattering—thanks to his high Durability stat, it was the floor that cracked instead.
Yun-seok wondered what the point was, but kept it to himself.
Their way of thinking is just... beyond me.
It was more striking than a half-hearted apology, but there were limits. At this rate, it looked like a silent threat.
Finally, unable to watch, Yun-seok stopped him.
“Enough.”
“As you command.”
Jeong Dae-un halted instantly, like he'd been waiting. The shift was so swift it bordered on absurd.
Rubbing his throbbing forehead, Yun-seok spoke.
“I do have a connection to her, but I'm not her disciple. So I can't be your Young Cult Leader.”
This could lead anywhere from here. But Yun-seok told the truth anyway. Better to fight if it came to that than get officially crowned their Young Cult Leader and tangle in headaches beyond imagination. Plus, if the full story came out later, things might get even messier.
“…How can you say that? Didn't you clearly wield the Heavenly Venerable's sword?”
Jeong Dae-un tilted his head, puzzled. Not the reaction Yun-seok expected.
Yun-seok briefly explained his encounter with Cheonma: they'd met in the arena, she'd taught him one move, and the Cheonma Sword was essentially stolen by mimicking what he'd seen once.
Jeong Dae-un burst into hearty laughter, as if it'd been a hilarious joke.
“Hahaha! Such a playful Young Cult Leader! How could anyone mimic the Heavenly Venerable's sword after seeing it just once?”
Yun-seok realized it then. No words would sway this fanatic whose brain was etched with faith down to the wrinkles.
“Then come with us at once! As an outsider from another dimension, you're ignorant of our cult's rules. This Geom-ma Jeong Dae-un will serve you with utmost sincerity by your side.”
His sparkling gaze was burdensome; Yun-seok averted his eyes unconsciously—and met Eshton's.
Eshton looked confused by the sudden shift, but snapped to upon seeing Yun-seok, sending optimal advice via telepathy.
—Tell him you'll visit later. The demonic cult has a strict hierarchy—more than anywhere. Young Cult Leader is right below the Cult Leader, so they'll never refuse. Buy time, make plans. Wise move.
Sound advice. Stall for now.
“Not today. I'll visit soon—wait for me.”
“…A command?”
“…A command.”
“As you command.”
Eshton's prediction nailed it. The persistent Geom-ma backed off without argument.
But he smacked his lips regretfully and menaced poor Eshton.
“Eshton, was it? Mind the Young Cult Leader while I'm gone. If so much as a scratch mars that noble form……”
“Y-yes... I'll serve diligently. Then, Yun-seok... please, come in.”
Using utmost honorifics he'd never uttered before, Eshton opened the door for Yun-seok, bowing obsequiously until he entered.
Jeong Dae-un stayed put, staring holes into Yun-seok's back.
Click.
The door shut, but neither spoke as they headed upstairs. Only in their usual tea room did they exhale in relief.
Eshton drew the curtains and muttered.
“He's gone.”
“No. Still there. Hiding his presence, waiting nearby.”
Sensing presences, Yun-seok noted the warriors who'd come with Jeong Dae-un had spread out, encircling the building. More like bodyguards than surveillance—their eyes scanned outward, not in.
—What now? He can hear everything.
Eshton sent a telepathic grimace. Yun-seok smirked and invoked his authority.
Shaman's Law completely blocks all sound within this domain from leaking outside.
Now they could talk freely.
“…Remarkable authority.”
Eshton, who'd only heard rumors, made a strange face upon first experiencing Shaman's Law. He was surely recalling Earth's challengers who'd confessed sins and died under it.
“Anyway, what now?”
Yun-seok opened first; Eshton shook off distractions and focused.
“That's what I should ask. What do you want, Yun-seok?”
Two choices: play along as their Young Cult Leader, or shatter the illusion and cut ties.
As Yun-seok pondered, Eshton asked meaningfully.
“But... any chance you really are their Young Cult Leader?”
“……?”
“Felt off from the start. Geom-ma Jeong Dae-un solves problems with force over words, but he's no fool. If he believes you're the Young Cult Leader, there's a reason we don't know. Like, only the chosen can wield that sword technique.”
Eshton's speculation rang true. Suddenly, Jeong Dae-un's words replayed differently.
—To think he found such an outstanding heir and sent him to us!
Cheonma had sent him as her heir. Meaning, succeeding her required specific conditions...
One possibility clicked.
Could it be the Heavenly Demon Body?
It had synthesized into Blood Demon Divine Art, now evolved to Heaven Breaking Divine Art... but its foundation was the Heavenly Demon Body.
Maybe that's the requirement for the Cheonma Sword...
Unproven hypothesis. Yun-seok's brow furrowed deeper.
Even if legitimate, problems abounded. Entangling with them meant unbreakable bonds.
Reading his unease, Eshton spoke calmly.
“Don't overthink the worst. One of the 6th Floor Plaza's six powers—the Ilwol Clan—backing you.”
His plaza time was minimal anyway; what difference did backup make? But he couldn't dismiss it cynically.
Ilwol Clan had many experts; Jeong Dae-un alone was a 19th-floor Duel challenger. Info up to at least 19—that was huge.
Like how leading Earth's Yun-seok shared intel with lower challengers via Eshton.
And returns weren't just personal gain.
“Forgive me, but we know far less about this place than they do. First time the Tower opened on Earth.”
In the end, whatever future fallout, Yun-seok decided to leverage the Young Cult Leader role.
Cheonma—his heart's mentor—nagged at him, but he'd denied it, and they'd ignored that.
“Need to meet Geom-ma again.”
“Yes. I'll come too.”
Soon, they descended to the first floor and stepped out.
Warriors scattered around converged like assassins, prostrating before them.
“We see the Young Cult Leader!”
Their numbers seemed to have grown in that short time.
Even cold water has hierarchy; Yun-seok addressed the foremost, prostrated Jeong Dae-un.
“Enough. Stand and come inside. Let's talk.”
“As you command!”
That 'as you command' would never grow on him.
* * *
“From now on, not even an ant pupa gets in this room!”
Jeong Dae-un's response to Yun-seok asking him to dismiss the trailing warriors.
“As you command!”
They dispersed in perfect order, forming a human wall outside. The atmosphere was ironclad—no ant would breach it.
“Sit, first.”
“How dare I sit in the Young Cult Leader's presence……”
Jeong Dae-un recoiled at the offer. Add it was a command, and he plopped into the chair like nothing happened.
Always needing two prompts—is that cult culture? Incomprehensible, but no need to show it.
“First question: Does wielding the 'Cheonma Sword' require special conditions?”
Play-acting Young Cult Leader? Or legit? His answer would decide.
Jeong Dae-un's lips parted slowly.
“Yes. It does.”
“What conditions?”
“That... even we don't know. But from ancient times, those born qualified receive fateful bonds, ascending to Heavenly Venerable. Heaven's will since the world's dawn—and why we had no doubt upon seeing you.”
Fate. Their faith, in other words.
Now it felt like a religion, not a bandit crew.
No need to deceive, then.
Yun-seok cut straight: Would they accept him as Young Cult Leader even if Cheonma hadn't acknowledged him as disciple?
Jeong Dae-un replied firmly.
“Yes.”
A weight lifted from Yun-seok's heart.
“Then, instead of this cramped shack, how about our main base prepared here? Leaving the Young Cult Leader in such squalor feels like grave irreverence.”
Jeong Dae-un subtly pitched moving to Ilwol Clan's building. Yun-seok shut it down flat.
“No. I won't go there. And keep my being Young Cult Leader secret.”
“…May I ask why?”
“I'm not ready yet.”
Excuse to minimize ties, but...
Jeong Dae-un admired repeatedly, replying:
“We shall follow small heaven's will and wait in faith.”
Suicidal Tower climb pledge, but...
Curious why no worry showed, Yun-seok asked. Religious answer:
“For heaven's path holds destiny.”
Yun-seok gave up understanding their mindset.
Shifting to intel-gathering, he asked about trials post-12th floor. Jeong Dae-un detailed everything.
Finally, Yun-seok requested Eshton stay close for major/minor aid.
Mistaking Earth's 'Earth' clan—united challengers—as Yun-seok's followers, Jeong Dae-un agreed readily.
As they wrapped, having gained all, the door burst open with a thud. One outer guard rushed in.
“Such insolence!”
Jeong Dae-un scolded; the warrior bowed and shouted.
“Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Heaven and earth eternal!”
Three cheers done, pale-faced, he got to the point.
“Hea-Heavenly Venerable approaches!”
Heavenly Venerable. Cheonma heading here.
Actually, wrong. Or rather, too late.
“Keekeke! We meet again, little child.”
By the time everyone recovered, an overwhelming presence crushed the room.
“……”
Cheonma. She'd arrived.