Chapter 441: Regret (Regret)

Hunting the Old Monsters.

The operation name given to them by that guy called Daeju. Seriously, his naming sense looked like it had absolutely zero balls.

This bastard, after bluntly dropping the main point, disappeared like yesterday.

It’s baffling what makes him act so busy.

I stared intently at the entrance where the guy disappeared, then turned my gaze away.

Right after the demonic energy filling the inside vanished, the demons burst out the breath they’d been holding.

“…It’s no joke today either. Feels like the pressure’s gotten stronger.”

One of them started talking, as if breaking the silence. Oh, is this the time for gossiping behind my back?

Unconsciously, I found myself listening with interest.

‘It’s obvious only curses will come out.’

If I had a bastard like myself as a superior, I might have ripped their throat out, so how much worse would these guys be?

As I thought that, I listened closely.

“How come you’re getting stronger and stronger, Daeju-nim is truly different.”

“Tell me about it. Someone like Cheonjun, that old geezer in the back room… is just a handful to our Daeju-nim.”

…Huh?

‘…What did they say?’

As I was eavesdropping, a conversation completely different from what I expected was unfolding.

What the hell are these crazy bastards saying right now…?

“We need Daeju-nim’s influence to spread even wider throughout the Central Plains.”

“Even if we didn’t want it to, it’ll spread soon enough. There’s no way those righteous sect bastards could possibly obscure Daeju-nim’s prestige.”

‘What is this.’

The more I listened to the conversation, the more I felt like I was losing my mind.

What are these guys talking about right now?

‘…What is this?’

No matter how much I listened, I couldn’t understand. The conversation grew deeper.

“The monster who single-handedly burned Mount Hua Sect to the ground.”

Not alone.

The Demonic Master handled Mae Hwa-seon and other key experts, so I just finished off the remaining disciples.

“Not just Mount Hua Sect, but you single-handedly wiped out the Sichuan Tang Clan too.”

This was also right after the forces of Geom-ma and Nok-wang attacked, followed by the support of the Black Flame Brigade.

I just approached Dok-bi, who was completely drained of strength, and finished him off.

‘What the hell are these guys?’

The more I looked, the less I understood.

Amidst the praise I’d never heard or seen before, continuing without pause.

I had to frown deeply, discovering my ears were burning with nausea.

Amidst that, someone must have noticed my expression and spoke to me.

“The newbie doesn’t seem to know much?”

“What…? A demon doesn’t know Daeju-nim’s prestige?”

Perhaps sensing my displeasure, the demons’ gazes focused on me with unfavorable expressions.

It was chilling. Every single one of these bastards’ eyes was genuine.

‘I’m going crazy.’

This is unexpected.

I naturally assumed they’d be looking down on me like dirt, so what is this gaze all about?

“…Everyone, you seem to like Daeju-nim, you bastar-?”

“Daeju-nim is the hope of us demons, yet you seem unaware of this.”

“Judging by your age, you don’t seem to have been a demon for long. How old are you?”

Um… how old should I say I am? I pondered for a moment.

“Twenty… two.”

I figured around that age would be fine.

“Twenty-two, have you passed the wall?”

“Yes… well.”

“To reach the Peak at that age… You’re a monster.”

“…”

At the demon’s words, I had to cough a few times. Since I was forcibly hiding my aura, it wouldn’t be easy for them to gauge my cultivation level.

While I kept coughing, another demon approached and asked.

“For what purpose did such a promising talent become a demon?”

“…Hmm.”

Why did I become a demon?

Why did Pal-jeol-yeop, who was twenty-two, become a demon…

“…My family was ruined by those righteous sect bastards.”

“Revenge, then.”

“Yes.”

The demons didn’t particularly doubt my hastily made-up excuse. Because, in a way, it was the most common and convenient excuse.

Badmouthing the righteous sects was the perfect way to fool these guys.

“…Filthy righteous sect bastards….”

“They pretend to be good and clean on the outside, putting on a facade, but the hidden world is all like this.”

“Don’t worry, kiddo, Daeju-nim will achieve your revenge for you.”

No, no, you crazy bastards.

Your Daeju won’t achieve that kind of thing. He’s just too busy living his own life and ignores everything.

I don’t know where such faith comes from.

‘They even started calling me ‘kiddo’ without me noticing.’

This kind of faith usually stems from being bound by the Demonic Master’s demonic energy.

A situation where betrayal is absolutely impossible helped foster this kind of faith.

Under the Demonic Master’s demonic energy, faith is ridiculously generated.

Regardless of this bastard’s personality, he would never betray the Demonic Cult.

It meant a sense of security derived from that.

It’s funny. A sense of security among demons.

I wonder if the Demonic Master started this aiming for this, but…

That was also something I didn’t know well.

What’s important, in the end.

‘Why these guys like me.’

I couldn’t figure it out. They must have only caused situations where I couldn’t possibly be liked.

What is the reason for showing such deep faith?

“…Um.”

The moment I was about to ask about this. Someone appeared, opening the door.

It was Muk-kwon again.

“Pal-jeol-yeop.”

“That… Daeju…”

“Pal-jeol-yeop. Can’t you hear me?”

“Ah.”

Just as I was about to continue speaking, I realized Muk-kwon was calling me.

Right, whether it was Chil-jeol-yeop or Pal-jeol-yeop, I had set things up that way yesterday.

“…Did… you call me?”

“Follow me.”

As soon as Muk-kwon appeared, the demons stiffened their postures as if nothing had happened.

The hierarchy was impeccably established.

‘…’

I stared at that with a strange expression, then followed Muk-kwon out.

Even as I forced my steps forward, my expression remained crumpled due to the incomprehensible situation.

---

Following Muk-kwon out, the place I emerged into was outside the main unit.

It wasn’t too far from the main force.

If I had to be precise, it was perhaps a position taking up guard duty.

Muk-kwon came out with me if he had to stand guard.

‘Annoying.’

Seeing that, I had to click my tongue inwardly a few times.

Because it was obvious he seemed to have come to gather information.

A demon like Muk-kwon standing guard?

Would an elite member go stand guard duty like that out of their mind?

“Pal-jeol-yeop.”

“Yes.”

“You said you were twenty-two, didn’t you?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“You’re young.”

If I said I was five years younger than this, he’d probably faint.

Looking at Muk-kwon, I had to think similarly.

‘It’s been a while.’

Although his intentions were annoying, seeing Muk-kwon himself wasn’t bad.

That guy belonged to the relatively normal side among the demons I knew.

If he hadn’t done those dog-like things at the Hwangbo family, he wouldn’t have become a demon.

Until the moment he died, Muk-kwon was the kind of guy who suited being called a warrior rather than a demon.

That’s probably why I felt more pleased.

Of course, unlike my feelings, Muk-kwon didn’t hide his wary eyes towards me.

“It seems you’ve reached the Martial Grandmaster realm, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

At my casual reply, Muk-kwon’s eyes narrowed.

He seemed very surprised.

Indeed, he would have been surprised even if I reached the Peak, so reaching Martial Grandmaster would surprise him even more.

‘My level is like that, but since I can’t use flames anyway, it’s only half-baked.’

I was already in an incomplete state, and since I can’t use the Nine Flame Wheel Technique, it’s only right to consider myself even weaker.

“…Martial Grandmaster at twenty-two.”

Muk-kwon seemed quite surprised.

Indeed, it was something that would have sounded unbelievably surprising even if I heard it myself.

That’s probably why he’s having me watched by Muk-kwon.

And this also signified another problem.

“How is it that a warrior like you hasn’t gained any renown? That’s the question.”

To a level where renown should have spread, comparable to the top late-bloomers of the era.

How could someone just pop up like this.

It was a situation sufficient to raise questions not only for Muk-kwon but for others as well.

This was something I was also worried about.

“In the past, I gathered some information about you.”

Because the Demonic Cult was relatively fast and accurate when it came to information.

“Pal-jeol-yeop… Forget specific clans, there wasn’t even information on where you lived….”

A chilling killing intent emanated from Muk-kwon’s body and eyes as he spoke.

Gugu-guguk.

The sensation of my shoulders being crushed was significant.

“You, what exactly is your identity?”

“…”

Killing intent spread around my body.

What should I do about this?

“Your name is clearly a pseudonym. Is your face a skin mask?”

Muk-kwon reached out his hand, just before his fingertips brushed my face.

Kwak.

“…!”

I grabbed Muk-kwon’s hand.

“Why are you doing this?”

Just before Muk-kwon could react, I looked at him and gave a slight smile.

Seeing that expression, Muk-kwon faltered.

“Doesn’t everyone have one or two secrets?”

“Ha, do you think it makes sense to have secrets under the name of our Cult? Do you dare, knowing who is above you?”

“At least it’s not Senior-nim or Daeju-nim, right?”

Ku-gu-gu-gung-!

At my arrogant tone, Muk-kwon was about to unleash his power, but after hearing what I said next, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“In our Cult, only the Cult Master is the sky.”

Mum-chit.

When the Demonic Master’s name was mentioned, Muk-kwon’s actions stopped once more.

“Regarding my secrets, the Cult Master already knows. Moreover, knowing, He sent me here.”

When a situation like this arose, how I decided to resolve it.

It wasn’t difficult.

Just like I did with Ma-geom-hu, I just needed to include the Demonic Master in every word.

Because these cultist bastards couldn’t possibly go against that existence called ‘sky’.

And, in their eyes, I would be the same.

“…Can you take responsibility for those words?”

The words that the Demonic Master knows everything, and despite knowing, sent me secretly to the Black Flame Brigade.

Can I take responsibility?

“Yes. I swear on the Cult Master; everything I say is the truth.”

I replied with a beaming smile.

Responsibility? Why would I bear that?

“There isn’t a shred of falsehood. Because I am the Cult Master’s loyal servant.”

As I said that resolutely, Muk-kwon’s killing intent somewhat faded.

Words spoken by a demon, containing the Demonic Master’s name, cannot contain lies.

At least this part is fortunate. From my perspective, where selling out the Demonic Master a hundred times over is fine.

It meant that a breakthrough to exploit like this existed, at least somewhat.

“My secrets are my secrets, but at the very least, I won’t do anything to inconvenience the main unit. This too, is for the Cult Master’s name…”

Pang-! Kwagagagagak-!

Just as I was about to speak, Muk-kwon’s fist grazed past my side.

Immediately after, the area behind me exploded with a deafening roar, erupting over a wide range.

I didn’t notice Muk-kwon throwing his punch. Crazy humans, they’re damn strong, really.

Wondering what this sudden surprise attack was, I looked at Muk-kwon.

“I understood what you said, but do not carelessly mention the Cult Master’s name. There is no one in our Cult who can call upon Him so easily.”

“…Ah, yes. I apologize.”

It was truly remarkable loyalty.

Seeing that, I smiled bitterly.

Yet your Daeju probably doesn’t even care about things like this.

‘Moreover.’

This hunt for the Old Monsters is the same.

Cheonjun’s objective too.

That guy, who obviously knew beforehand about the appearance of Pye-jon.

Even knowing that, he planned to proceed with the operation, and would brazenly even meet Pye-jon.

‘In the first place…’

Is he going because of loyalty towards the Demonic Master, even though it’s a fight he can’t win?

‘As if.’

There was no way I had loyalty towards the Demonic Cult.

Despite that, the reason I went out of my way to do such a foolish thing was none other than this.

My objective at this time.

Was none other than to reduce the Demonic Cult’s strength.

---

Kwadeudeudeuk-!

Around the time dawn broke, the training ground was still noisy.

In the air, golden sword energy moved ceaselessly, as if replacing the sun.

Below it, a woman with her hair tied up tightly was moving her body, shedding sweat.

Swiiik-!

Unlike the sword moving smoothly, the result shown by the sword’s tip was sharp.

The sword wind erupting from the sword continuously slashed through the air.

Swiik-! Swik-swik-!

Following the woman’s movements, the swords floating in the air moved simultaneously.

It seemed like ‘Eogi-eogeom’, called a sword master’s ultimate technique, but it was slightly different.

Ttuk.

A drop of sweat fell from the edge of the chin of the woman who had been moving for a long time.

The sword that had been slashing the air soon plunged into the ground.

Kwang-! As the sword plunged into the ground, the surface shattered.

After a moment.

Pa-ah-ng!

The sword stuck in the ground emitted light and then exploded.

Due to its impact, the seemingly neat ground became a mess.

As if leaving a trace, residual energy still scattered widely in the air.

Only after confirming that much could the woman finally exhale the breath she was holding.

“…Haa….”

Just as she was about to roughly wipe her sweat with her sleeve.

Someone approached the woman and handed her a towel.

“You worked hard. Little Sword Saint.”

At the address, the woman turned her head and looked at the man.

“…You must be quite busy right now, why have you come?”

Although the man’s disheveled appearance might warrant a frown, the woman’s expression was calm, without any such reaction.

The woman called the man.

“Geol-wang.”

At the woman’s call, Geol-wang smiled bitterly.

His eyes clearly held a bitter emotion.

“…A situation has arisen where you, young lady, must step forward.”

The guilt contained in Geol-wang’s voice was distinct.

He tried to speak calmly about it, but ultimately couldn’t.

Asking this delicate young woman for sacrifice was still something Geol-wang couldn’t bring himself to do.

Knowing that, the woman simply looked at Geol-wang and nodded without a word.

“Let’s go.”

The woman, having spoken briefly, walked past Geol-wang.

The woman’s golden hair fluttered in the wind.

The season was gradually growing colder.

The woman’s eyes were, as always, coldly calm.