A sword imbued with unprecedented, colossal power cleaved through space as it surged in.
Blocking its path were dark-red scales.
Kagagak! Shraaak—!
The next instant, blood sprayed along with a deafening screech like metal being ground.
The armor-like scales were torn apart in a single stroke, leaving the arm in tatters, while several fingers were severed and sent spinning into the air.
“Kahahaha! Now this is exhilarating!”
It was a grievous wound that would have killed an ordinary person from shock on the spot, but Harley did not so much as blink at his own blood. Instead, he burst into wild laughter and dug in even deeper.
Like a beast wholly swallowed by madness, as if he had lost all reason, he refused to retreat no matter what damage he suffered.
Yet the martial principles contained in each and every one of his movements showed that, unlike before, he was now using his strength far more efficiently.
Kwaaaang!
Fingertips wreathed in dark-red energy, flying in as though to tear space apart, collided head-on once more with a demonic sword that seemed to condense all the darkness in the world.
Amid the air screaming from the impact and the surrounding scenery shattering in its aftermath,
the two beings met each other’s eyes and savagely twisted their faces.
“Grr! I’d say it’s about time I reached you. You’re one damn persistent fellow!”
“That is my line, you monster bastard… No matter how much of a yogoe you are, there should be limits. Just what sort of breed are you? Are you the legitimate son of the Dragon God or something?”
“Kahahaha! Who knows? Maybe it’s because I’ve eaten a lot of things that are good for the body.”
“A yogoe of your caliber would never move alone. I suppose I can take this as the will of all Geumodo? You should have simply stayed hidden like you have until now. You monsters are hastening your own doom.”
The Heavenly Demon, who had set his demonic sword against the claws flying at his face, muttered in a low growl.
At the information contained in those confident words, the corner of Harley’s mouth twitched slightly.
‘Geumodo?’
His eyes gleamed sharply.
Judging by the way he spoke, he seemed certain that Harley was a member of that force…
‘Of course. So there really was a separate organization made up of yogoe.’
And it seemed to be a considerably large force at that, large enough that most yogoe belonged to it.
That was information he had not encountered despite spending quite some time in the Ganghwan Realm.
Even though he had been investigating local powers in detail, gathering materials from Earth while also receiving help from the Jegal Clan, a prestigious family among prestigious families!
‘No, perhaps the Jegal Clan might have known. From what he said, it sounds like Geumodo hasn’t stepped into the world for a very long time.’
Come to think of it, the materials he had requested had focused on which powers ruled each region.
With so many forces scattered all across this vast land, it had been impossible to examine each and every one of them.
‘Good. Thanks to this, I’ve got more to look into. Geumodo, huh…’
Putting aside how he would make use of that in the future, what he had to say in this situation was already decided.
“Kahahaha! Then did you think we would simply watch you forever? We will never stand by and let your schemes go unchecked!”
“You dream in vain. No matter how you struggle now, it is already too late. Our plan is already proceeding smoothly.”
He had only been spouting whatever came to mind to suit the situation, yet he gained another piece of information.
Whether it was because the Heavenly Demon was confident that it was already irreversible, or because he assumed Harley’s side already knew, Harley could not tell.
‘…So, in other words, this attack isn’t the only trick these Demonic Cult bastards are pulling?’
It seemed the Beoncheon Society Leader’s designs on the Ganghwan Realm had not ended with tearing out the Dragon Heart and drying up its energy veins.
As he grasped how the situation was unfolding, a creeping sense of unease began to rise within him—that if he continued handling things as leisurely as he had until now, he might end up ruining everything.
‘…I really do need to invest more resources on this side.’
Just as he inwardly made that decision, revised his future course of action, and resolved to take a more active stance,
“Amitabha—
Benefactor Heavenly Demon, do not forget that this humble monk is here as well.”
Master Mujin of Shaolin, who had briefly withdrawn to recover himself, joined the battle once more, and the fight began to grow fiercer and fiercer.
Rumble—
From the body of the eminent monk, whose kasaya had been tightened to immobilize one arm, a heavy yet pure Buddhist energy spread outward and clashed with the Heavenly Demon’s demonic qi, which had been encroaching in every direction.
His vitality had waned and he had lost part of his body, so his combat strength was no longer what it had been at first. However, thanks to Tanker Harley clinging tenaciously to the Heavenly Demon even while his own body was being carved apart, conditions were created for him to focus more comfortably on attacking.
“Every last one of you… is so bothersome.”
As the situation flowed that way, the Heavenly Demon’s brow furrowed even deeper than before.
In truth, if things had gone according to the original plan, this should not have dragged on like this.
Yet ever since that yogoe bastard had suddenly popped out, had everything not begun to go awry?
He once again slashed open Harley’s chest as he turned his head slightly to survey the state of the battlefield.
The same was true on that side as well; they had struck an unexpected reef.
“Kraaak—! Come at me, you filthy Demonic Cult bastards! This body is the Mad Demon… was… Ugh, aaaagh! You son of a bitch! Die! Dieee!”
“Kh, block him!”
Kwadeudeuk— Kwaaaang—!
At the center of it all, a single madman had burrowed into the midst of the demonic martial artists and was rampaging about, as if venting his anger.
It was an extremely dangerous act that would have gotten his head lopped off in an instant under ordinary circumstances, but the problem was that this madman was a martial artist standing at the threshold of the Transformation Realm.
In effect, unless it was the Heavenly Demon or the Ghost Sword Demon Emperor, both of whom were in the Profound Realm, there was no one present who could handle him.
Of course, it was not as if there were no Transformation Realm masters belonging to the Divine Cult here, and they even had secret arts that disrupted the opponent’s internal energy, so that rampage would not last long…
“Now is our chance! Press them!”
The martial artists of the orthodox faction were not so easygoing as to let the opening created by that pass by.
Had they been hothouse flowers with no real battle experience, perhaps, but those here now were elites who had honed their abilities amid endless conflict and strife.
‘This is no good.’
Calming his heart, the Heavenly Demon assessed the situation coldly.
This place was Shaolin Temple, which could be called the heart of Buddhism.
Naturally, this place was densely filled with formations and arts centered on the Buddhist Way.
Until now, the surprise attack and thorough prior preparations had allowed him to neutralize them to a certain extent, but there was nothing good about remaining for long in a place like this, which was the antithesis of demonic force.
[“Cult Leader, we have secured the dragon’s child.”]
Just as his mind was leaning in one direction, a subordinate’s sound transmission drove in the wedge.
[“The transport unit has currently shaken off the Vajra Buddha, withdrawn from the battlefield, and begun moving him.”]
In effect, that meant the greatest purpose for which they had come here had been achieved.
Slowly nodding at his subordinate’s transmission, he looked around at those present once more.
Master Mujin, the Divine Monk, who stood in his way and poured out fierce attacks, and the unidentified yogoe who had appeared out of nowhere and interfered with his plan.
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze moved past them toward the fierce battlefield within Shaolin Temple’s grounds, now reduced to chaos, and fixed on one person among them.
A young man who, based on a realm that had grown even further, was facing many demonic martial artists and playing a part in obstructing their work.
An otherworlder who had come from outside this dimension.
“Hoo.”
A small sigh slipped from his mouth.
This was the first operation carried out by the Divine Cult, which had remained silent for a truly long time, as it finally began acting in earnest.
That was why, while securing the dragon’s child, he had intended to personally step forward and sweep away the pillars of the orthodox faction all at once.
‘As expected, not everything goes according to plan. It is regrettable for now, but it cannot be helped.’
It had gone awry due to an unexpected situation, but in the end, this had only been something done in passing.
To make certain of disposing of this yogoe bastard, whose life force was bizarrely tenacious, would take no small amount of time, and during that time the cult’s losses would also snowball.
Considering the great undertaking ahead, that was not a very good choice.
“Well, fine. Regrettable as it is, we shall stop here for today.”
At last, his voice, carrying immense pressure, rang out in every direction.
And immediately after,
the movements of the Demonic Cultists, who had been charging in blindly with no regard for their own lives, stopped all at once. Then, as though measured by a ruler, they formed ranks and began retreating in an instant.
“Don’t follow them! Maintain formation!”
“Keep watch and recover the wounded!”
The orthodox martial artists, flustered and wondering what kind of trick they were trying to pull, raised their weapons and heightened their vigilance. But the Demonic Cultists who retreated in unison did not even pay them any mind.
As an icy tension lingered over the battlefield that had suddenly entered a lull,
“Consider today a greeting. You were more impressive than expected. Even rotten, a herring is still a herring; indeed, you are just about worthy of invoking the name of the Murim Alliance.”
The Heavenly Demon’s voice continued, resounding as if shaking the entire area.
Even then, he cut off one of Harley’s arms as Harley clung to him tenaciously.
“Of course, had there been no interloper, that too would have ended here… But I suppose that is also luck. Though I do wonder how long that luck will last.”
His gaze turned toward Harley, who had somehow retrieved his severed forearm and was attaching it back in place.
No matter how he looked at him, he was a disgusting bastard.
“Hmph— In any case, you may rejoice that you survived today. Though we shall have to see just how long that lasts. Heh heh—.”
Leaving behind those meaningful words, as if there were still something more, the Heavenly Demon glanced at Hugo once more for the last time, then rose higher and higher.
And as if matching his movements, the Demonic Cult’s combat units also began withdrawing like the ebbing tide.
“…Haa.”
“Hoo, hoo…”
But those who remained could not bring themselves to pursue them, even as they watched the enemy retreat.
While the battle had been in full swing, they had been swept up in excitement and swung their weapons recklessly. But now that they had some breathing room, they were beginning to recognize the situation around them.
“Ughhh—.”
“S-save… me…”
“……”
Those bleeding and groaning, comrades whose strength had fallen so low that they could not even do that, and…
even the corpses of acquaintances who had already breathed their last and were growing cold.
In the end, they had survived and driven off the enemy, but no one here thought of it as victory.
“Move, quickly!”
“Where are the physicians?!”
Thus, immediately after all the enemies had withdrawn, those who remained hurriedly recovered the casualties and assessed the damage.
Not a single one of those who had taken part in the battle was unharmed.
At best, they had light injuries, and there were scores of wounded.
…Though that was still better than losing their lives entirely.
However, among the human damage that had occurred, there was one person who fell under neither light injury, nor injury, nor death.
After a small commotion arose among Shaolin Temple’s upper ranks, several people began moving busily.
The bloodline of the imperial family who had been entrusted to Shaolin Temple, Ju Gangin.
He was the only missing person caused by this disaster.
And while not missing, there was another who had suddenly vanished not long after the battle ended…
“No, where the hell did this bastard run off to now?!”
The shout of the former Mad Demon, Mok Ingwang, who had been left awkwardly alone among strangers, echoed hollowly.
***
A mountain region quite far from Shaolin Temple.
“Ptooey.”
Standing at its summit, the Heavenly Demon spat out bloody saliva.
Though he had not allowed a single effective strike throughout the fight, this was the price of forcibly using the foreign power called “divine power,” which did not exist in this world.
Of course, compared to its effects, this much was only a trivial matter.
“So, you followed me all the way here. You must be saying you want to end this once and for all.”
Reaching up to massage the back of his own neck, the Heavenly Demon slowly turned and looked behind him.
There stood the yogoe who had made him grit his teeth until just moments ago, arms crossed as he silently stared at him.
“Pahahaha! That’s right! It’s not my style to end a fight I started on such an unsatisfying note!”
“Hah. Do you think I withdrew because I lacked strength?”
At that brazen response, the Heavenly Demon let out a hollow laugh.
To begin with, if the place they had fought had not been inside Shaolin Temple, and if he had not needed to worry about losing useful subordinates, he would not have withdrawn like this.
That tiresome Divine Monk, with his stubbornly tenacious life, must have had his head taken for certain as well.
“To think you came seeking your own grave. Fine, if you want to die that badly. Since it has come to this, I will make sure to deal with you, at least.”
The Heavenly Demon drew his demon sword once more.
In truth, he had come all the way here because he knew his opponent was pursuing him, and had deliberately led him here.
After all, he had retreated to reduce his subordinates’ losses; he could not allow that monster to render it all meaningless.
“Kahahah! Hold on a moment, friend! I’m not so stupid that I’d come at you alone after getting beaten up like that!”
The Heavenly Demon, who had been about to strike, paused for an instant at his opponent’s carefree reply.
Yes, no matter how thoughtless the other seemed, if he had anything resembling a brain, he would not charge in alone like this.
But no matter whom he brought here, there was no one in this world who could stand against him—
A chill.
—At that moment, suddenly.
Something brushed against his instincts.
An energy both familiar and unfamiliar. ‘...Demonic energy?’ His face, stiff as stone, slowly turned to the side.
Immediately after, he found himself facing that face head-on.
A middle-aged man with a cold, ruthless impression, black hair, black eyes, and a short black beard, staring at him with a twisted sneer.
“Kuhut—
So you are the Heavenly Demon.”
“...Who are you?”
Merely by existing there, the strange man seemed to freeze the entire surrounding space.
The corner of the Heavenly Demon’s mouth twitched as if in a spasm.
The demonic energy the other possessed was certainly familiar to him, and yet... ‘No, no. It’s completely different. That is...’ Along with an instinctive wariness, every hair on his body stood on end.
It was a physical change he had never experienced since reaching his realm and inheriting the name of the Heavenly Demon... no, one he had experienced exactly once before.
Yes, this was—
‘...Fear? Fear, you say? Me?’
Gritting his teeth, he glared at the strange man before him.
And then he immediately denied the thought that had surfaced for a moment.
This was merely tension from the sudden appearance of a worthy opponent.
Since there was no doubt the other was far from ordinary, was it not only natural to be wary and tense?
“Who am I, you ask... Hm, yes. I suppose an introduction is in order. Khehehek.”
But as if he cared nothing at all for the other’s reaction, the strange man burst into laughter by himself.
A chilling laugh quietly echoed through the silence, taut as a drawn bowstring.
It was only when the Heavenly Demon’s patience had nearly reached its limit that the man’s next words followed.
“I am the sovereign who rules over all demons—”
Unknowingly, strength began to slowly enter the Heavenly Demon’s hand as it gripped the sword hilt.
“The despair that spreads terror across the earth—”
His gaze was already nailed to the other man, unmoving.
“The end that proclaims the world’s conclusion—”
In a space where even time seemed frozen, the strange man’s eyes curved and the corners of his mouth twisted upward.
A smile that, for some reason, felt strangely out of place.
“—I am none other than the Demon King.”
That day, before the one who called himself the demon of the heavens, the king of demons descended.