A heavy silence fell.
Saying that it was his final request had been the strongest card the Extreme Evil Little Demon possessed.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had never expected the Extreme Evil Little Demon to come out like this. It was not a situation where he could lighten the mood with a joke.
Because of his pounding heart, the Fist Demon unconsciously clenched his fist. He felt as if he, too, were standing on the battlefield the Extreme Evil Little Demon had unfolded.
Geom Ujin stared silently at the Extreme Evil Little Demon.
Before they knew it, the air around them had turned cold. Under Geom Ujin’s aura, heavy as Mount Tai, the Extreme Evil Little Demon felt a suffocating tightness. His whole body ached as if it were being torn apart. It felt as though he were falling into a pit whose walls were densely studded with sharp blades.
Feeling the pain, the Extreme Evil Little Demon closed his eyes. He had the illusion that he was standing in the middle of a battlefield. Blood flowed like streams, and shouts rang out from every direction. Flames surged upward, and hidden weapons flew everywhere. In the very center of that battlefield stood the Extreme Evil Little Demon.
And the person standing before him was not Geom Ujin, but Geom Mugeuk. With his mask pushed up on his head, he was looking at him and speaking. Though no sound could be heard, the shape of his mouth made the words clear.
I wish to see more of your world, Lord Little Demon.
The moment Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly and lowered the mask over his face, the Extreme Evil Little Demon returned to reality.
In the place where Geom Mugeuk had stood was Geom Ujin.
Their eyes met, and at the same time, the tremendous pressure that had been crushing him slowly began to disappear.
Geom Ujin spoke sternly.
“I can tolerate seeing your back while you wear the Undying Ghost Mask, but do not look at me while wearing that mask.”
The Undying Ghost Mask was a mask worn when going out to the battlefield. It was the Heavenly Demon’s solemn warning that, no matter what happened, he was not to point his blade at him.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon lowered his head.
“Forgive me, Cult Leader.”
Though he had given a stern warning, there was no displeasure on Geom Ujin’s face. The forgiveness that said he would overlook it this once was already there in his expression.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the Fist Demon could feel it. Rather, because of this, Geom Ujin had taken a liking to the Extreme Evil Little Demon. His manliness had pleased him. The kind of person the Heavenly Demon liked was exactly someone like that.
As if to prove it, Geom Ujin added one more remark.
“If another time comes in your life when you need to ask a favor, what will you do after calling this your last request?”
“Even if such a time comes, I will endure it.”
The Extreme Evil Little Demon had given up the chance that would be granted to him.
“I will accept only that you made your first request.”
It was Geom Ujin’s consideration, saying that even if he asked again later, he would hear him out. Though it could be called rude if one wished to call it so, Geom Ujin embraced the Extreme Evil Little Demon with immense magnanimity.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon lowered his head with moved eyes.
“Thank you.”
He turned around again, removed the Undying Ghost Mask, and put his original white mask back on.
To the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, that white mask with nothing drawn on it felt like a more terrifying mask than the Undying Ghost Mask with its evil spirit painted upon it.
Just then, someone else appeared there. This time there were two of them, and astonishingly, they were none other than the Drunken Demon and the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
The Drunken Demon was thoroughly drunk.
“We greet the Cult Leader.”
The Drunken Demon and the Sword Venerable stood side by side and greeted the Cult Leader.
“It would have been proper to sober up before coming to see you, but while clear-headed, I truly did not have the confidence to face you, Cult Leader, so I had a drink. Please forgive me.”
The Drunken Demon immediately looked after the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
“Ah, the Sword Venerable said she wouldn’t come, but I dragged her here by force.”
This was the Drunken Demon’s friendship. Without burdening her relationship with the Heavenly Demon, he was being considerate so she would not be left as the only one who had not helped Geom Mugeuk. After all, there was a clear difference between having come here and not having come.
Though she had been persuaded and followed him, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable felt troubled. Her head said, You absolutely must not go! But her heart was conflicted, wondering, Is it all right if I alone stay out of it?
To her, the Heavenly Demon had always been a difficult and venerable person. Yet what entered her eyes now were the three Demon Venerables who had arrived before her.
‘Why did they all accept Geom Mugeuk’s request? Were they not afraid of the Cult Leader’s thunderous wrath?’
She wondered if there was some relationship she did not know about, and felt hurt, while at the same time thinking she might be too selfish. To be honest, she could not understand why even that Drunken Demon was suffering so much.
Geom Ujin asked the Drunken Demon.
“Did you come because of Mugeuk as well?”
The Drunken Demon had told Geom Mugeuk that the Cult Leader disliked him, but Geom Ujin showed no sign of that whatsoever.
As if making an excuse for coming late, the Drunken Demon said,
“I refused the Second Young Master’s request to persuade you, Cult Leader.”
“Then why have you come?”
“Because I was ashamed. I was the one who first pestered him to become sworn brothers, but when the situation actually came where I should help, I was ashamed of myself for stepping back.”
The Drunken Demon’s voice trembled. Considering how well he usually spoke and how good he was at joking around, one could tell how nervous he was now.
Geom Ujin did not ask the Drunken Demon why he had fallen for Geom Mugeuk. Did he truly dislike him?
The one who asked that in his place was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
“How did you end up being won over by the Second Young Master? We have all said our piece, so you speak as well.”
The Drunken Demon glanced at Geom Ujin, then spoke cautiously.
“The Second Young Master intoxicates me. When I look at him, I think of alcohol. When we drink together, it is enjoyable, and when he is not there, I miss him and drink again. In truth, there have been several people like that in my life. But the Second Young Master has a different kind of special quality.”
“What is that?”
“He intoxicates me, and at the same time, he keeps making me sober up. Just like now, standing before the Cult Leader. He makes me drunk, then makes me sober. Then makes me drunk again. The Second Young Master is the only person who does both of those at once.”
The Demon Venerables quietly listened to him, each thinking of their own Geom Mugeuk.
Just then, Geom Ujin abruptly asked,
“If he is that special, why did you refuse Mugeuk’s request?”
“I am sorry, but may I have a drink before I answer?”
It was a rude request, but because he was the Drunken Demon, it was also a request he could make.
When Geom Ujin nodded, the Drunken Demon gulped down the liquor at his waist. As the alcohol entered him, vitality began to return to his eyes.
The Drunken Demon stared straight at Geom Ujin and said,
“Because of you, Cult Leader.”
At his answer, tension began to swirl around them once more.
“Because of me?”
“Yes. Because of you, Cult Leader, I became a pathetic older brother who could not even look after one younger brother.”
“Why because of me?”
“Because my desire for you not to dislike me was greater.”
The Drunken Demon thought that if he did not say it today, he would never be able to say it. At least once, he had wanted to tell the Cult Leader. Why do you hate me so much? Please do not dislike me like that.
“Did you think I disliked you?”
“Do you not?”
The atmosphere grew more and more taut.
The Ilhwa Sword Venerable’s sound transmission quickly flew to the Drunken Demon.
—Are you insane? Stop!
The Drunken Demon glanced at her.
—If I don’t say it now, I’ll regret it when I die.
The Drunken Demon took out more liquor and drank deeply. Then he brought up a story he had never told anyone.
“I tried to look good in your eyes, Cult Leader! Though you never once looked kindly upon me!”
He had not expected to say it in a place where the other Demon Venerables were present, but emotions were always bound to burst out at moments like this. No, perhaps it was because he had wished for someone to hear what he felt.
Geom Ujin said nothing.
“Shut up! You drunkard!”
The one who shouted was the Ilhwa Sword Venerable. Just as the Drunken Demon had looked after her, right now, she was the only one looking after the Drunken Demon.
“You drunkard! Why did you come here? Did you come to lament your own lot? You said you had to step forward for your younger brother, didn’t you? You said that even if the Cult Leader hated you and drove you out, you would step forward, didn’t you? You said I had to be here too, didn’t you? You said only then would I have something to say to the Second Young Master later, didn’t you? But what are you doing now? Why are you rambling drunkenly instead of saying what you came to say? How dare you, and in front of whom!”
Originally, she was not someone who got angry at others like this. Nor was she someone who spoke this much. But she was deliberately getting even angrier. She hoped that by doing this, Geom Ujin’s anger might be eased.
Whether he knew her heart or not, the Drunken Demon shouted back.
“When I saw the Cult Leader’s face, I forgot everything! What are you going to do about it!”
“Don’t pretend to be drunk! You’re still far from drunk!”
At that, the Drunken Demon flinched.
“You drunkard! Even I would dislike you. Borrowing the strength of alcohol to babble on and on. Why would he hate you? Because you do hateful things, that’s why he hates you.”
“Yes, yes, you’re amazing! Our noble Sword Venerable! Truly amazing! As for me, I’m already marked anyway, so it’s fine. It’s perfectly fine!”
It was precisely then that Geom Ujin abruptly spoke.
“I do not hate you.”
For a moment, silence fell. Everyone’s gazes turned to Geom Ujin.
“I hated your master.”
In that instant, the Drunken Demon was shocked. It was the first time he had heard this. Even his master, the person directly involved, had never once said such a thing.
Geom Ujin said nothing more. He did not scold the Drunken Demon for his rudeness, nor did he apologize for letting him misunderstand. He did not say why he had hated his master either.
The Drunken Demon stared at Geom Ujin and asked,
“Did you truly have not even the slightest feeling of hatred toward me?”
“I did not.”
One corner of the wall that had been stiflingly blocking the Drunken Demon’s heart collapsed with a crash. Beyond the fallen wall, a single ray of light entered.
“If I had known this would happen, I should have thrown a drunken fit long ago.”
As if he had never been drunkenly rambling earlier, the Drunken Demon was calm and serious.
“Not knowing that this was the reason… on the days I came back from seeing you, Cult Leader, I drank too much. Why does he look at me so coldly? Did I make some mistake? I couldn’t sleep from all sorts of thoughts.”
The Drunken Demon could now look Geom Ujin in the face. Ever since he had thought the Heavenly Demon hated him, he had been unable to look properly at Geom Ujin.
“I am sorry to you, Cult Leader, but the drunken misconduct I showed today seems as though it will remain the greatest drunken fit of my life.”
Geom Ujin asked,
“So? Will you also ask me to handle Mugeuk’s matter?”
The Drunken Demon answered firmly.
“No. I will not ask.”
Geom Ujin looked over the five Demon Venerables.
Since he had become the Heavenly Demon, this was the first time five Demon Venerables had come because of one person.
“That brat is rewriting the history of our cult.”
Geom Ujin spoke into the air.
“Bring Mugeuk here.”
* * *
When I arrived, Father and the five Demon Venerables were lined up and looking at me.
I had thought they would each persuade him separately, but I had not expected all five to be in one place. On top of that, even the Drunken Demon and the Ilhwa Sword Venerable, who had refused, were there.
“Your son has come at your summons.”
Thankfully, Father’s expression was not all that bad. My eyes met those of the five Demon Venerables one by one.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon gave a slight nod, as if signaling that the situation had turned out all right.
The Fist Demon clenched his fist tightly in a way only I would notice. With that action, he told me that this was what the atmosphere here had been like.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon was smiling. From the relieved look in his eyes, I could tell that he had gone through something tremendous.
The Drunken Demon was looking at Father. I could feel that another change had occurred in his life. Standing beside him, the Ilhwa Sword Venerable smiled at me.
“All five people I like are here!”
At that, the Drunken Demon, still looking at Father, spoke in a voice full of drunkenness.
“Why are you leaving out the Cult Leader? It’s six.”
“I was leaving you out, Brother.”
“…Ah.”
The Drunken Demon drank. Seeing him drink so openly in front of Father, it seemed something truly outrageous had happened. I could hear about today’s events later from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Drunken Demon.
I stood before Father. Inwardly, I was tense, wondering what the result would be.
It was at that very moment.
The Extreme Evil Little Demon slowly walked over and stood beside me. With that one action, I could guess what sort of stance he had shown today.
The eyes behind his mask smiled at me.
I did everything I could.
Thank you, truly, Lord Little Demon.
We exchanged our feelings through our gazes.
Next, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sighed and stood beside me.
“What sort of uproar is this in my old age?”
“I’m sorry.”
The next person to move was the Fist Demon.
“He is my first disciple, so it cannot be helped.”
Three Demon Venerables came to stand on my side.
Their gazes as they looked at Father were filled with apology. They were not opposing Father. They were showing their will to protect me.
Just then, the Drunken Demon, who had been looking at Father, walked over to my side.
“Now that I see Mugeuk, I simply can’t help it. I must help too. Was my master perhaps disliked because he went back and forth like this as well?”
Geom Ujin answered the Drunken Demon’s question.
“It was the opposite. When he was drunk, he never yielded in his stubbornness.”
“Then that is truly fortunate. I would probably be first among the Eight Demon Venerables when it comes to being easily swayed.”
“Is that not a problem in its own way?”
“Then please tell the next Drunken Demon this: I disliked your master because he was too easily swayed.”
Before the Heavenly Demon, the Drunken Demon finally became at ease. The one person who could ramble drunkenly even in front of the Heavenly Demon, and who would build up the tremendous trust needed to be allowed to do so. That was the path the Drunken Demon needed to walk in his relationship with Father.
And I had a premonition that this change in their relationship would change the man known as the Drunken Demon.
This time, the Drunken Demon looked at me and smiled.
“Wait until this pathetic older brother becomes impressive.”
The Drunken Demon was speaking sincerely.
“If you promise you’ll be less impressive than me.”
The Drunken Demon handed me the liquor bottle. Promises with the Drunken Demon were made through alcohol. I drank from it, then returned it to him. The Drunken Demon drank as well.
After drinking like that, the Drunken Demon walked over to the Ilhwa Sword Venerable.
Then he took her hand and brought her over to our side.
“I believe the Cult Leader’s decision is right.”
“I know. Even so, the place to stand today is here.”
It was enough that her will had been conveyed to the Cult Leader.
Even in the midst of this, the Drunken Demon placed her beside the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, then returned to his own place.
And so the five Demon Venerables lined up on my left and right. When we attacked the Valley of Villains, there had been four, but now even the Fist Demon had joined, making five.
Father silently looked at me and the Demon Venerables. Father did not seem displeased, nor did he seem pleased. Well, it was probably his first time experiencing something like this too.
That contemptuous sneer appeared on Father’s lips as he looked at me. Yes, in a situation like this, there was no smile more fitting than that one.
“Very well. Originally, I would have permitted it only if all eight Demon Venerables had come, but today, Geukak did the work of three.”
If Geukak counted for three, that made seven in all.
“If you place just one more person before me, I will permit this matter.”
“Who is it?”
From Father’s mouth flowed the name of a single person. It was the name of the final Demon Venerable, the very person I had not met even once since my regression.
“The Poison King.”