It was the first time he had seen his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“Magnificent!”
That was Geom Mugeuk’s honest impression. He wanted to say the same to his own Heavenly Demon Soul. You have to grow to be that magnificent too!
Kiiiiing.
The swords of the two enormous Heavenly Demon Souls pushed against each other, letting out a metallic shriek like a thunderous roar.
Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul radiated an aura in which killing intent and demonic energy were mingled, while his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul emitted only pure demonic energy.
It was a situation that seemed ready to erupt into a bloody battle at any moment.
“Wait!”
Geom Mugeuk spoke to Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“Just a moment before you fight! This is a moment that will never come again in the history of murim, so just a moment!”
Of course, those words were meant for Hwa Mugi inside its body. He would be the only one capable of giving orders to that Heavenly Demon Soul.
When he accepted Geom Mugeuk’s words, the two Heavenly Demon Souls remained standing as they were, swords locked against swords.
Geom Mugeuk looked again at his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“So you’re the completed form!”
One thought naturally arose in his mind. He wondered how his own Heavenly Demon Soul’s appearance would change once he achieved Great Completion of the Twelfth Stage.
Jin Paecheon sent Baek Jagang a voice transmission.
—Cult Leader Geom has achieved Great Completion of the Twelfth Stage of the Guhwa Demon Art.
He could confirm it through the Heavenly Demon Soul’s different appearance.
Baek Jagang’s gaze, which had been fixed on the Heavenly Demon Soul, turned toward Jin Paecheon.
—We should go stand beside that Heavenly Killing Star.
To Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang’s joke did not sound like mere joking.
Even so, he thought he had done well to come here this time.
Although there had been moments when his life had been in danger, and although he had been made to feel such helplessness, he had come to know exactly what level of skill Geom Ujin possessed.
Even to the point of forgetting that an even greater danger now stood before him, Jin Paecheon was still most concerned about Geom Ujin.
This time, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul. That thing, too, was no ordinary Heavenly Demon Soul.
The killing intent mingled with its demonic energy was, without question, incomparable to any killing intent he had ever experienced.
If an ordinary expert were exposed to that killing intent, they would try to kill whoever was beside them, and if there was no one to kill, it was powerful enough that they would harm themselves.
Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul asked with an expression of incomprehension.
“How has yet another Heavenly Demon Soul descended?”
Since he himself was present, it was entirely possible for Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul to descend.
He was borrowing the body of the Heavenly Killing Star, and the two Heavenly Demon Souls were manifesting from a single body.
He could even understand that Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul had descended.
The human called Geom Mugeuk was exceptional beyond measure.
Like master, like Heavenly Demon Soul; he could accept that there might be at least one Heavenly Demon Soul in this world prepared to emerge even at the risk of annihilation.
His gaze turned to the final Heavenly Demon Soul, the one he could not understand no matter what.
It was Geom Mugeuk who answered that question.
“No, I know the main character appears at the end, but if you could call it forth like this, you should have done so sooner.”
From his father came the answer Geom Mugeuk had expected.
“Is this not your fight?”
There was that reason as well, but in truth, there was another reason. And Geom Ujin revealed that true reason.
“I called it forth earlier too.”
“What?”
Not only Geom Mugeuk, but everyone present was shocked.
Then came the astonishing truth.
“The Heavenly Demon Soul refused to descend.”
If it had been earlier, then it had been when he fought Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Geom Mugeuk could not understand it.
That Heavenly Demon Soul of his father’s did not seem like it would have been frightened by Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Nor did it seem likely that it would have shown respect simply because the other was a Heavenly Demon Soul of a former Heavenly Demon from three hundred years ago—at least, not if it was his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
“It did not regard the opponent as a true Heavenly Demon Soul.”
Had it seen it as a half-formed Heavenly Demon Soul lodged within a human body? Certainly, Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul was not a normal Heavenly Demon Soul.
Strictly speaking, Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul was the same. It had not been a proper succession; rather, the body of the Heavenly Killing Star had absorbed the Guhwa Demon Art.
But his father’s thoughts were different.
“I do not believe that was why it refused.”
“Then why was it?”
Geom Ujin’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Geom Mugeuk flinched in surprise.
“Because of my Heavenly Demon Soul?”
It could not have been because his own Heavenly Demon Soul was stronger.
“Out of respect for your Heavenly Demon Soul.”
“!”
Because, by nature, a Heavenly Demon Soul was not a being that received help from another. It had done so to preserve that pride.
Or perhaps his own Heavenly Demon Soul had conveyed its will. Leave this fight to me. He did not know if such a thing was possible.
“Then why has it come out now?”
At that, an even more surprising statement followed.
“I asked it.”
His father had not issued an order to the Heavenly Demon Soul. He had asked it.
“It was the first request I made after becoming the Cult Leader.”
Perhaps it might have been the first request his father had made in his entire life. He was not the sort of man who asked anyone for anything.
The Heavenly Demon Soul had accepted his father’s first request.
He had said he had never spoken with the Heavenly Demon Soul, but surely it had watched over his father for many long years.
And so, more than anyone, it must have understood just how great a meaning his father’s request carried.
“I cannot quite imagine you asking the Heavenly Demon Soul for something, Father.”
In truth, what moved Geom Mugeuk even more was not simply that his father had made a request.
What mattered was that he had told him that fact.
If you do not say it, no one will know—this was the moment his father was putting into practice what Geom Mugeuk had said to him again and again. And in front of these people, no less.
“Thank you, Father.”
After bowing respectfully to his father, Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze toward the Heavenly Demon Souls facing one another.
“There are too many Heavenly Demon Souls here!”
At those words, the four Heavenly Demon Souls moved at once.
The one that charged forward fastest among them was Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Kaaang! Kang!
As it had shown in the earlier battle, his Heavenly Demon Soul overwhelmed Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul from the very first exchange.
It pressed forward, overwhelming it in strength, demonic energy, and speed. And then—
As Geom Mugeuk watched it drive the other back, he felt a strange sense of incongruity.
“Wait! Fall back!”
Geom Mugeuk called his Heavenly Demon Soul back. Although it held the advantage, the Heavenly Demon Soul retreated according to Geom Mugeuk’s command.
“I know how badly you want to fight. But something is strange.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul, which had been pushed far back in the first exchange.
“It fought you earlier too and was clearly overpowered. So why is it trying to fight again?”
At this rate, that Heavenly Demon Soul would be annihilated, and its power would be absorbed by you.
Of course, it was possible that Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul was being stubborn out of pride.
But Hwa Mugi was inside that body. There was no way he would so meekly give up Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
‘He was definitely trying to scheme something.’
That was the conclusion Geom Mugeuk reached.
As always, carelessness came when fear had lessened. Just like now, when his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul had appeared.
He must not forget. The master of that body was Hwa Mugi. A man born with a fate of slaughter, one for whom it would not be strange to kill every person in the world.
Meanwhile, the other two Heavenly Demon Souls were also clashing.
As mountain pressed against mountain, the earth screamed.
Kwadududuk.
When the two Heavenly Demon Souls exerted their strength, the ground beneath their feet shattered and caved in.
And the two Heavenly Demon Souls showed that the notion that a larger body meant slower movements was a mistaken prejudice.
Swaaaaaak.
A sword thrust swiftly toward its opponent was avoided by twisting the body. Even as it dodged the incoming attack, it counterattacked at the same time.
The battle between these two was different from the fight between the previous two Heavenly Demon Souls.
If the clash between Geom Mugeuk’s and Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Souls had been a battle of momentum and demonic energy, the current battle was far more refined.
The Heavenly Demon Soul of the Heavenly Killing Star and the Heavenly Demon Soul of the Great Completion of the Twelfth Stage of the Guhwa Demon Art.
They fought like people. The swords they swung were swift and precise, aiming for the opponent’s vital points.
Because such colossal beings moved in such a manner, the amazement of those watching was even greater.
Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul, too, watched their fight without missing a single moment. Geom Mugeuk could tell. This battle was affecting his own Heavenly Demon Soul.
‘It is learning to fight.’
Boom! Kwaang!
The sounds and sparks created by the collision of the enormous swords were like fireworks exploding in the sky.
‘This fight has to be decided quickly.’
Calling forth a Heavenly Demon Soul could be done even without internal energy, but once the Heavenly Demon Soul began fighting, it consumed an enormous amount of internal energy. Even now, his father and Hwa Mugi were expending tremendous amounts of it.
Chaeaaang.
After meeting several attacks head-on with its sword, Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul this time deflected the attack at an angle.
A single small opening formed as a result.
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul did not miss it.
Shiiiiik!
With its shoulder as massive as a castle wall, it struck the opponent’s chest.
Thuuung.
When the shoulder collided with the chest, it was as if a low, deep bell rang out.
Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul staggered, but it did not fall.
Not letting that opportunity slip by, Geom Ujin’s sword flew in and this time cut into its side.
Paaak!
From the wound cut by the sword, black demonic energy flowed instead of blood.
It was the first time Geom Mugeuk had seen it. When a Heavenly Demon Soul was cut, it bled demonic energy like blood.
Just as it was about to charge in without missing the opportunity—
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul turned around with lightning speed.
Shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk!
Before anyone knew it, the Seventh Form, Demon Soul Genesis, unleashed by Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul was unfolding behind its back.
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul did not strike down the dozens of blades of force pouring in from behind on the spot.
If it did, it would allow an attack from Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul behind it. It was an exceptionally clever move, using itself as a shield while targeting the rear.
Whoosh.
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul used the momentum of its turn to rotate once more and move sideways. Since it had intended to move that way from the beginning, it was able to take position in time.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul swung its sword and struck down the surging force.
There was no attack coming from behind. Because it had shifted to the side, Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul also had to block its own attack pouring down upon it.
The moment it struck down the incoming assault—
They again sent their swords flying toward one another. As demonic energy and killing intent coiled around each other, the two Heavenly Demon Souls clashed once more.
Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul had displayed one threatening move, but its opponent was his father’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
No matter how great Hwa Mugi was, how could he match the depth with which his father understood the Guhwa Demon Art?
There existed a gap that even that profound internal energy and tremendous killing intent could not overcome.
Paaak!
Once again, the thigh of Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul was cut. Demonic energy flowed from the wound.
Thud!
This time, a fist slammed into its face.
Hwa Mugi could not have imagined it. That his father had achieved Great Completion of the Twelfth Stage of the Guhwa Demon Art. Not only had the Heavenly Demon Cult Leader Hyeok Docheon of three hundred years ago failed to reach it, but Cult Leaders who had attained the Twelfth Stage could likely be counted on one hand in the entire history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Of course, that did not mean Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul was simply taking the beating.
Thwack!
Just as it slid backward and distance opened between them—
The two eyes of Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul turned pure white.
The Ninth Form of the Guhwa Demon Art, Demon Soul Supreme.
The instant its eyes flashed, light burst forth from them.
It was not trying to kill Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul with this. Since the opponent would also block with the Ninth Form, it intended to lead this fight into a contest of internal energy.
But Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul responded in an unexpected way.
Shiiiiik.
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul ran, avoiding the light of force.
No matter how fast it was, how could it possibly evade Demon Soul Supreme?
Jiiiiiiing.
Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul ran, avoiding that light as it chased after it, cutting through the world. Astonishingly, what it unleashed was—
The Eighth Form of the Guhwa Demon Art, Demon Soul Rush.
Normally, it would not have been able to shake off that gaze.
But Demon Soul Rush at the Twelfth Stage narrowly avoided the Demon Soul Supreme of Great Completion.
Shiiiiik.
It seemed to draw a circle as it made one lap around Hwa Mugi.
Then, as if declaring, Here it is! upon reaching a certain point, its huge body soared upward with a whoosh.
The light extending from those two eyes split the sky.
As if even that had been anticipated, Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul twisted its body in midair to avoid it, then dropped straight down and struck with its sword. It was truly a move perfectly designed from beginning to end.
Swaaaaaak!
Puaaaak!
The sword of Geom Ujin’s Heavenly Demon Soul split the opponent’s shoulder and carved all the way down to its chest.
From the cleaved wound, demonic energy gushed forth like a waterfall, and a deep, desperate scream like something heard from hell burst out.
Chwaaaaak!
The sword that had cut down from the shoulder descended all the way to the Heavenly Demon Soul mark engraved over the heart.
At the very moment when severing even that would have ended everything,
the Heavenly Demon Soul’s sword stopped.
At first, he thought Hwa Mugi had used some kind of trick. But that was not it.
Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Soul had stopped of its own accord.
Shuuuuuk.
Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Soul pulled out the sword that had been lodged there.
Paaaaak.
Demonic energy surged like blood, but not enough to annihilate him.
Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Soul returned the sword to its sheath.
Clack.
Those watching could tell. Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Soul had no intention of completely annihilating its opponent and absorbing its power.
The moment Geom Mugeuk saw that, someone seemed to overlap atop the Heavenly Demon Soul. It was his father.
‘So the Heavenly Demon Soul resembles Father.’
Because he was someone who would never choose to grow stronger by sucking away an opponent’s power.
It was the moment he confirmed for certain that a Heavenly Demon Soul was born based on the nature of its master.
Then what about my Heavenly Demon Soul? It only needs to take the first bite!
A change occurred in Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul.
Sssssss.
The killing intent began to vanish from eyes where killing intent and demonic energy had been tangled together, until only pure demonic energy remained.
Astonishingly, what filled those eyes brimming with demonic energy was gratitude.
Geom Mugeuk learned something new about Heavenly Demon Souls. If Hwa Mugi died, his Heavenly Demon Soul would disappear as well, but that death would be of a different dimension from having its power stolen by another Heavenly Demon Soul and being annihilated. The difference between vanishing forever and not.
The two Heavenly Demon Souls looked at each other with indifferent eyes, as if they had never fought so fiercely. Though defeated, it showed neither shame nor anger.
After sending that blunt gaze for a while, Hwa Mugi’s Heavenly Demon Soul silently disappeared.
At least one thing was certain. From now on, it would never descend in front of Geom Woojin.
Once it disappeared, as if its own role had ended there as well, Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Soul looked once at the master it served, then disappeared too.
Whatever it was thinking, Hyeok Docheon’s Heavenly Demon Soul merely watched the scene in silence.
Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Soul was the same.
At that moment, Geom Mugeuk jabbed his Heavenly Demon Soul in the side with his elbow and said,
“Don’t get moved by that.”
The Heavenly Demon Soul slowly turned its head toward Geom Mugeuk.
“If we’re in the same situation, you must absorb the power no matter what. Coolness lasts only a moment, but strength is eternal! You know that, right? That your master is the incarnation of greed.”
At the look in its eyes, as if it could not tell whether he was joking or serious, Geom Mugeuk nodded and said,
“We’re still at the stage where we need to get stronger.”