Demon (3)
A week later.
In the rear garden of the secret estate that the Sword Demon had bought outright, the Heavenly Demon spoke.
“Who could have foreseen it? That teaching a single lesson to a promising young sprout would lead to this.”
It was like the older brother turning into the husband, and the husband becoming the father—a development straight out of some twisted family drama. So many coincidences had piled up that it truly felt like the will of heaven.
“I had intended to end this lineage with my generation...”
Though not officially announced, Yun-seok had become the vice sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult. Ignoring the Sword Demon's well-meaning advice to study the cult's laws, he had stayed here instead, receiving instruction directly from the Heavenly Demon.
And from that, he had learned three major things.
“Now you've finally grasped the form of the second form.”
First, the Cheonma Sword—the technique that had shocked Namgoong Cheol and surprised even the Sword Demon—was a martial art composed of eight forms. For reference, the first form that Yun-seok had used so effectively until now was called Heavenly Demon's Dominion.
He had learned the others in theory only; the sole one he could even imitate was the second form: Time-Piercing Black Severance.
It pierced through time, traversing the present world. A technique with that kind of feel, classifiable as a type of spatial sword blending swift slashes and heavy strikes.
'It still feels more like magic than a martial art, though...'
A sword that didn't just dominate space but ruled it entirely, impossible for anyone to evade. When mastered to the pinnacle, it would even allow him to slash through the air at Yun-seok as the Heavenly Demon had done in the past.
Well, for Yun-seok—who couldn't use the form unless facing head-on—it was still a distant goal.
In any case, the second revelation was this.
“So, do you have no intention of visiting the Cheonma Cave?”
Heavenly Demon didn't refer to a specific person but a position. Those who obtained the secret manual in the Cheonma Cave and proved worthy would inherit the seat and lead the cult.
For reference, the vice sect leader position arose when there were two Heavenly Demons in an era—and it was usually vacant. Either the Heavenly Demon killed the vice sect leader, or the vice sect leader slew the Heavenly Demon to usurp the throne. For one reason or another, the seat had always been empty within a year.
“Yes. It doesn't seem necessary yet.”
“Well, you're a special case. No need to cling to that place.”
In that sense, Yun-seok was fortunate in many ways. Even without completing the Heavenly Demon Physique in the Cheonma Cave, he had acquired it through a loophole, gaining the Cheonma Sword—and he didn't need to clash with the current Heavenly Demon, who had lost interest in the cult.
“Still, when you hit a wall someday, go take a look. It will surely help.”
“Yes.”
The Heavenly Demon settled onto the pavilion bench in the garden and pulled a silver thread ball from her subspace pouch. Then she chanted.
“Knitting.”
The third and final thing he had learned in the past week was this.
Was it because she was an untouchable supreme being in her own right? The Heavenly Demon's hobby was buying strange skills with AP.
Whoosh!
As she uttered the command, the thread ball in her hand began rapidly taking shape. Just what rank allowed for such speed? He was curious but didn't ask.
For Yun-seok, who had obsessively squeezed every drop of efficiency from his AP, it was a profoundly deflating sight.
'How many such skills does she even have?'
Knitting, pottery, embroidery, and more... The production skills the Heavenly Demon had mastered were incredibly varied. And now it seemed knitting was the highest ranked among them.
“Done. Try it on.”
In just four minutes, she had whipped up a handkerchief, embroidered the character for “demon” onto it, and tossed it indifferently to Yun-seok.
Catching the unexpected gift, Yun-seok used Appraisal before tying it on, as instructed. But...
◈ Handmade neck accessory by the 31st Heavenly Demon, Jeong So-wol, as a gift for her disciple.
◈ Crafted from Hidden Treasure Silk, which accumulates the essence of great nature over a millennium.
◈ Prevents feeling cold when equipped.
◈ Magic power recovery speed increases 3x when the moon is up; stamina recovery speed increases 3x when the sun is up.
What was this thing? A B+ rank item, whipped up in minutes. And Jam-eun-bo-sa? An unfamiliar material, but it looked extraordinary at a glance.
But that wasn't the point.
'Do I really have to wear this?'
Honestly, the design didn't appeal to him. At best, it was like a scarf... more like a napkin to keep food off your clothes during meals. He hadn't even realized it was a neck accessory until using Appraisal.
Unable to withstand the Heavenly Demon's subtle gaze, Yun-seok meekly draped the Mawigeon around his neck.
“Hm, not bad.”
The Heavenly Demon gave a curt appraisal. The words weren't overly praising, but her eyes looked immensely satisfied.
She even created a temporary mirror with her inner energy and floated it in the air for him to check.
“How's that? Now you look a bit like a demon, don't you?”
A single “demon” character embroidered on cloth making him look demonic? It was a mindset hard to empathize with, but...
Instead of nitpicking, Yun-seok voiced his curiosity about the technique she had just shown.
“How did you do that?”
“Infuse ice attribute into your inner energy, compress it to the max, then spread it wide.”
A disarmingly simple explanation. The Sword Demon, waiting attendance nearby, stealthily smiled to himself.
'Even the Heavenly Lord is oblivious in these matters...'
Easier said than done—that was far beyond igniting flames with inner energy via Samadhi True Fire. It wasn't just altering attributes; it required pinnacle mastery of manifesting external energy.
No one could learn from such a vague description. But stepping forward here would be outrageous impudence.
'I'll explain it properly to the vice sect leader later.'
The Sword Demon thought so and held his tongue. In the end, it was a pointless courtesy from one to ten.
“Like this? Pretty simple.”
Yun-seok used Heaven-Breaking Energy to form a mirror in the air.
He didn't make a fuss over succeeding on the first try. Just an indifferent glance—and the Heavenly Demon was the same.
As if it were only natural.
“......”
The Sword Demon gaped unwittingly, but no one paid him any mind, so none noticed.
Yun-seok examined his reflection.
'...Looks better than I thought.'
Truly, as the Heavenly Demon said, it wasn't bad. Maybe because of the luxurious material? It felt like wearing a slightly unusual tie.
This was wearable daily, he thought, then asked.
“By the way, why the sudden gift?”
He appreciated it, but the reason intrigued him. She had made all sorts of things with her odd hobby skills while he trained—but never gifted any before.
“Think of it as a farewell gift from your master... no, the sect leader, to her vice sect leader.”
“A farewell gift?”
“Training ends today. This sect leader has long-postponed business, so from now on, I'll pause climbing the tower and head to Murim for a bit.”
“...I see.”
Her even saying this much implied a grave matter spanning quite some time. He wouldn't be human if he felt no regret over the timing—but Yun-seok didn't try to stop her.
The past week's boons were already beyond repayment.
Silence descended on the garden. Perhaps uncomfortable with the awkwardly heating air, the Heavenly Demon cleared her throat.
“Ahem! One final piece of advice. Eight-Colored Sword Qi... Tch, what kind of name is that?”
“......”
“Anyway, it's lacking because you're neither here nor there, but even to this sect leader's eyes, that sword qi holds infinite potential.”
Infinite potential. Yun-seok hadn't expected such high praise from her lips; an odd mix of emotions washed over him.
Looking at him, the Heavenly Demon clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction before continuing.
“So research it well. If you can find your own color and core... Hm, well. This sect leader might even look forward to it then.”
“......”
“Remember this: we are demons.”
Demon. For reference, in the Heavenly Demon Cult, “demon” didn't mean “evil”—at least not when referring to the Heavenly Demon.
The “demon” they deified and worshipped was one who could shatter what must be shattered without hesitation.
“So think deeply on what you must shatter. The path will open.”
With that, the Heavenly Demon departed.
The Heavenly Demon left, but Yun-seok remained.
He could return to the waiting room, but he didn't want to. It felt like this elusive something would vanish without a trace if he did.
'What I must shatter...'
Yun-seok pondered endlessly the koan she had left behind.
How much time passed? Sensing this was a crucial turning point for Yun-seok through his experience, the Sword Demon soundlessly left the estate, guarding the perimeter and blocking all variables.
Of course, Yun-seok was too deeply immersed to notice the consideration.
'...What must I shatter?'
He had agonized over it countless times before, reaching conclusions repeatedly—the answer came swiftly.
An unjust world. Only by smashing it could he create an ideal one. For that, he had chosen to climb the Tower of Heaven.
—Shatter the filthy earth and open new heavens. That is what we ask of the Heavenly Demon.
The cult doctrine the Sword Demon had murmured like brainwashing brushed past in his flowing consciousness, then faded.
'First, what exactly does “demon” mean?'
The Heavenly Demon had said demons and evildoers were different. So what, precisely, set them apart?
Yun-seok saw it as the subjective viewpoints of observers—the gaze of those looking at demons and evildoers. Individual standards created the divide.
His own actions proved it. Not purely good, but calling them evil? Perspectives split sharply depending on those involved.
Jang Il, who endured injustice firsthand and received salvation, saw him as a savior. To ordinary folk who hadn't, Yun-seok was just a madman.
'Am I a demon, then?'
The Heavenly Demon had said: We are demons. Remember that.
Yet Yun-seok doubted, and doubted again. Defining himself by someone else's imposed identity? Unacceptable.
Hadn't the Heavenly Demon advised just that? Find your own color, your core.
But...
'What the hell am I?'
No matter how he pondered, he couldn't even call himself a demon.
How could he? If the line between demon and evil lay in observers' standards—and he had none.
'No, maybe not the standards... I just never tried to see.'
Yun-seok opened his eyes.
And looked at the bracelet on his wrist.
Pure. It turned white for good deeds, black for evil. It still glowed an ambiguous gray.
No wonder the Heavenly Demon called him neither here nor there.
Scrape.
Using the technique from the Heavenly Demon, he formed a mirror. Staring at his reflection, he placed a hand on the Judgment Sword at his waist.
He had never looked in a mirror while wearing it. No mirrors in the tower; on Earth, he left gear behind.
But claiming he couldn't check? Self-deception. Opportunities abounded, even during the 45-day mission.
Pfft.
A laugh escaped. He had judged many by subjective whim. Believing it his duty. Never enjoying it.
Or so he had convinced himself...
No more evasion.
Clang!
Before the mirror reflecting his unadorned self, Yun-seok drew his sword.
And grasped the essence of this koan.
The truly important thing wasn't who he was.
But what he would become.
“......”
Yun-seok vaguely sensed it.
No matter the outcome.
From here on, countless things would change.