Ch.11438. Soso and the Hell Blood Demon (3)

At those words, Soso grabbed my sleeve.

“Minsu? What do you mean by boyfriend…”

I held Soso’s hand firmly and quietly silenced her.

“Shh. Just follow my instructions for now.”

At that, Soso fell silent. I didn’t have the luxury to check her expression.

As Soso mentioned, I had introduced myself as her boyfriend.

Of course, there was a reason for it. While it’s true my feelings for Soso were wavering, I hadn’t suddenly confessed my feelings to her.

‘Right now, I need to say something shocking.’

For now, it was something to anchor Soso’s wavering words. Soso’s encounter with the Hell Blood Demon was the main episode and event. She needed to be in top condition.

What I just said would serve as strong motivation for someone like Soso.

And there was one more intention behind it.

The important part was what I said after the boyfriend comment: “I’m the one who will inherit the Cheonma Divine Sect.”

As expected, the Hell Blood Demon reacted to those words.

“What nonsense are you spouting? You speak as if you’re Yeonga’s son-in-law.”

The Hell Blood Demon’s expression changed from looking at me like an insect. It meant he had developed an interest in me.

‘Good. I need to buy more time like this.’

Right now, only Soso and I were at the observatory. Pyo Seonghun and Jeong Yuha, who came with us, were absent.

Under my instructions, those two were moving around this coastal cliff area. A dizzying cliff dangerous to traverse even on a clear day.

But as martial artists of the Cheonma Divine Sect, they could move even in this night.

‘And those two should be able to neutralize them. The Hell Blood Demon’s shadow puppets.’

It was the same with the Suspicious Demon. The realm of sacrificial lambs. The demonic energy generated through those offerings cannot be immediately absorbed by the caster.

If the caster were a demon, it wouldn’t matter. But if a human caster were to directly accept that demonic energy, their body would suffer extreme overload.

‘That’s why they filter the demonic energy through those shadow puppets.’

It’s similar to a transmission tower. Considering the case of the Suspicious Demon, the shadow puppet must be nearby.

It needs to be close to the caster to receive the filtered demonic energy. The two people’s mission was to quickly find and eliminate that puppet.

And my role was to buy time until that puppet was eliminated.

‘The Hell Blood Demon who has absorbed all the demonic energy would be too much for our current party.’

I had already provoked him.

“The current Cheonma is quite fond of me. So if I marry Soso, I’ll clearly be the one to inherit the Yeonga name. Since I’m the future Cheonma, why don’t you show me some respect? Even though you were expelled, you’re still a disciple of the Cheonma Divine Sect, aren’t you?”

At those words, the Hell Blood Demon’s expression grew even paler.

“Cheonma… you’re saying that Sehwi fellow acknowledged you? No matter how I look at you, you’re not a swordsman. How could you become a son-in-law…”

Then his body trembled. After staring into space for a moment, he muttered to himself.

“Yes. Son-in-law… Cheonma… that position should have been mine, not that damned Sehwi’s. Some unknown man with no lineage… seducing Yuha with empty words and defiling her body… Haha!! Yes, he’s truly like a demon!!!”

Judging from the Hell Blood Demon’s reaction, I could roughly guess the situation.

The Cheonma Divine Sect is a place that pursues absolute strength.

The Cheonma bloodline is highly valued for generations. But when the only successor is a daughter, and if that daughter has no talent for martial arts, they sometimes bring in a son-in-law.

Soso’s father had inherited the Yeonga name that way. The Hell Blood Demon must have been Yeon Sehwi’s sworn brother and rival.

‘Good. Now that I’ve touched the Hell Blood Demon’s sore spot…’

Through my earpiece, I could see the demonic energy oscilloscope waveform in this area. The high energy, similar to Crosel’s explosive core, was gradually decreasing.

Undoubtedly evidence that the two were eliminating the puppets. But there must be more puppets remaining.

I needed to continue this diversionary tactic to keep the Hell Blood Demon focused on me.

“Haha… the Cheonma Divine Sect has truly fallen. Now they’re going to pass the name of that great sect to such a worthless… awakened one who isn’t even a swordsman.”

“Well. Perhaps because I’m not as worthless as you say. My father-in-law isn’t a fool to want to pass the Cheonma position to me, is he?”

“You worm! How dare you speak such nonsense before me!”

Suddenly, the Hell Blood Demon’s demeanor changed.

I could feel mana rapidly accelerating around him. No, beyond mana, clear blood-red sparks were rippling around his body.

‘Hell Blood Technique? He seems to be accelerating demonic energy instead of mana based on that sorcery.’

Simultaneously, that demonic energy washed over me like a wave.

***

It was fierce demonic energy. Unlike ordinary villains who use demonic power.

The Hell Blood Demon was someone who had learned the Cheonma Divine Art, a top-tier mana acceleration method. Even without swinging his sword, the intense demonic energy rushed at me, threatening to tear my body apart, but—

Taaaaaang—

Parma’s sacred fire. The wall of flames it created in the air completely blocked the Hell Blood Demon’s demonic energy.

“How did you block my demonic energy?”

The Hell Blood Demon looked at me with a surprised expression. But soon he smiled coldly again.

“I see. If you’re bold enough to spout such nonsense before me, you must have a trick or two up your sleeve.”

And then he laughed maniacally again.

“Hahaha!! Yes. So Sehwi has brought in some magician wannabe into the Yeonga family. Well, he never was suited for swordsmanship anyway. Using the prestige of the Cheonma Divine Sect, being praised as one of the Five Great Celestial Stars or whatever… becoming so arrogant… kukukuk.”

Then, he placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

“Anyway, I understand that you’re someone Yeon Sehwi has his eye on. And since Soso doesn’t deny your words. In that case…”

At the same time, his eyes glowed crimson.

“In that case, if I kill you…!! I can return to Yeon Sehwi the same pain I suffered! Isn’t that right!! Haha… Kuhahaha!”

Like a true villain, desire seemed to surge in his head. And the intensity of the demonic energy accelerating around him grew even stronger.

“Stop talking nonsense! How dare you…”

Soso tried to rush at him. But I let go of her hand and extended my arm to stop her.

“Wait. I’ll handle this one. Why don’t you go help the other two?”

“No! How can I leave you alone…”

“No. You must. This Lee Seonwoo’s demonic energy is beyond what I expected.”

Just like when Chae Min-ah awakened Crosel. The surrounding demonic energy was rising to extreme levels.

‘Damn. Is he absorbing demonic energy from the shadow puppets?’

The Union hunters would be reducing the realm of sacrificial lambs, and the other two would be dealing with the puppets. But facing the Hell Blood Demon like this would reduce our chances of winning.

‘So I need to weaken him somehow. Then have the entire party confront him together.’

Pyo Seonghun and Jeong Yuha seemed to be moving diligently, but it was too dark now that night had fallen, and heavy rain was pouring down.

Therefore, Soso, an awakened one far superior to the two, needed to move. Then we could find all the remaining hidden puppets.

“But how can I…”

Soso hesitated, unable to leave me alone. But I shouted:

“Hurry! Trust me.”

Soso knows my character well. That I never speak nonsense. And that I’m extremely stubborn.

Finally, Soso moved.

“I’ll be back as quickly as possible. Don’t overdo it. You absolutely cannot get hurt.”

I nodded. Soso left the observatory. Meanwhile, Lee Seonwoo, having absorbed some filtered demonic energy, drew his sword.

“Power… such overflowing power… Kuhah… Yes. This vision I see… this abundant power is a realm that cannot be reached with the mere Cheonma Divine Art!! With this new power I’ve embraced… with demonic energy… I will surely kill you, whom Yeon Sehwi cherishes!!”

Kwakwakwakwakwang—

Lightning struck again. I could see Lee Seonwoo’s face, soaked with rainwater. And the sword he drew was definitely no ordinary weapon.

‘Certainly the Cheonma Divine Sect’s sacred artifact, the Shadow-Erasing Sword.’

The treasured sword of the Cheonma Divine Sect said to erase even the shadow of its opponent. Undoubtedly that S-class Ancient Gear.

And soon, his aura-infused sword pointed toward me.

***

Soso felt extremely anxious.

She didn’t want to leave Minsu’s side at all. Moreover, Minsu was with Lee Seonwoo, the Cheonma Divine Sect’s Public Enemy No. 1.

But Minsu had told her to help the other two people. So she couldn’t stay there.

Since joining Flame, Minsu had never given wrong orders to guild members.

His operations sometimes included incomprehensible commands, but when followed, the results were always perfect.

Minimizing damage while maximizing gains. With that perfect operation, Minsu had won the hearts of the Union hunters.

So refusing his instructions at that moment would ruin his plan.

‘I will never interfere with Minsu.’

And she had already awakened the Blood Demon, causing great injury to Minsu. So if it was Minsu’s word, for Minsu’s sake, she could do anything.

Soso ran swiftly across the steep coastal cliff as if it were a walkway.

Once the Cheonma Divine Art reached the 6-star realm, such feats were not difficult at all. A mana acceleration method that dramatically increases human physical efficiency.

That Cheonma Divine Art, refined by the sect over many centuries, surpasses any mana acceleration method on Earth.

Soon, she detected the presence of two people. They were in combat with shadow puppets.

Sha-sak—

Soso’s sword cut through the shadow puppet.

“That sword trajectory? Young Sect Leader!”

And the two immediately recognized Soso’s strike. Soso said:

“This shadow puppet. It uses our sect’s swordsmanship.”

“Yes. It seems to be virtually an extension of Lee Seonwoo himself…”

“Then if I join in, we can eliminate them faster. We must hurry. The longer we take, the more danger Minsu is in.”

“Y-Yes, understood!”

The two immediately responded to Soso’s words. Though they were affiliated disciples of the Cheonma Divine Sect, they had received direct sword training from the main sect.

That’s why they were exceptionally skilled swordsmen. However, even they couldn’t surpass Soso’s Destruction Heaven Divine Sword.

In fact, the two were still amazed by the trajectory Soso’s sword had just drawn. She must have instantly dealt with the shadow puppet they had been struggling with.

But such reactions weren’t important in Soso’s mind. She was only filled with thoughts of quickly returning to where Minsu was.

‘Minsu said that. He said he was my boyfriend.’

And those words had shocked Soso greatly. Words she thought she would never hear from Minsu.

The joy was so overwhelming that she couldn’t react at all in that moment. She had barely managed to calm herself because they were confronting the Hell Blood Demon.

‘Of course, those words might not be… sincere.’

Minsu never speaks without thinking. “Soso’s boyfriend” and “Cheonma’s son-in-law” – those words had made the Hell Blood Demon lose his composure.

Minsu always provoked when he could provoke. Despite his fiery temperament, Soso knew well that he possessed an equally cold rationality.

‘Still… I was happy.’

Countless fantasies filled her mind. If Minsu really were her boyfriend. And her father already liked Minsu.

If Minsu truly became her husband someday, becoming the Cheonma Divine Sect’s son-in-law and continuing to be with Soso.

If that day came, there would probably be no woman happier than Soso in this world. Because Soso loved Lee Minsu.

And unlike with Ains, it wasn’t an impossibility. Soso had clearly felt it.

Recently, Minsu was definitely conscious of her as a woman. Once the Yeongdo incident was over, perhaps there might be progress between them.

‘So I must hurry more.’

She would never let that Hell Blood Demon hurt Minsu. She needed to hurry more. She had to deal with all these puppets and capture the Hell Blood Demon as well.

‘For Minsu’s sake, I’ll surpass all my limits.’

Soso’s mana accelerated even more. The realm of the Cheonma Divine Art that the Hell Blood Demon couldn’t reach.

Soso was breaking through to the 7-star realm at this moment.