Rustle.
A powder-like substance seed to fall from its body with every movent.
It was its ashes.
The body had long lost the essence of life, now just a dark shell of what once was human.
Though I was certain that he was dead, the body still moved before .
Well, it wasn’t really normal.
Its robotic movents were definitely not normal at all.
The bastard observed its own body part by part, before it slowly turning its head towards .
[ Impressive. ]
The first thing that ca out of its mouth was a complint.
[ This child wasn’t weak, yet he ended up like this. This wasn’t sothing I expected. ]
The voice had a playful tone as though it found amusent in the situation.
Ignoring its destroyed body, it began to look around.
A blood red sky, the scent of blood the wind held, and the decaying land and trees.
Seeing them all, the Blood Demon spoke.
[ I wondered why I lost connection with him. Now I see. Another ruler already claims this world. No wonder it was difficult to break through. ]
As the Blood Demon spoke with amusent, I asked a question.
“…Is there sothing you want from ?”
The Blood Demon chuckled at my words.
[ You’re not very surprised. That’s a bit disappointing. ]
“I’ve already experienced this before.”
The sa thing happened back in the tournant of Dragons and Phoenixes, when I first learned the Blood Demon existed in our world.
I did think that it was possible for the bastard to appear again using Jang Seonyeon’s body like last ti in the tournant,
But for it to happen now of all tis.
I was pretending to be calm, but I was rather shocked inside.
I didn’t think that the Blood Demon could reach all the way to this world as well.
Just what is its identity?
“How did you co here?”
[ Don’t be too hard on , I too had to put an extre amount of effort to co here. ]
“Was that body that precious to you?”
I didn’t know if it ca to protect Jang Seonyeon’s lifeless body or if it had so business with , but either way, this was no welco reunion.
The Blood Demon stared at for a mont after my question, then let out a chuckle.
[ It is a pretty precious body. One I had high hopes for. ]
“But what do I do, I’ve already killed him. Are you going to carry the body back and resurrect him or sothing?”
I said mockingly, sarcasm dripping from my voice.
[ So, you want to joke around with , child. ]
But the Blood Demon didn’t seem annoyed at all.
[ It isn’t necessarily hard for to understand the rules of this world. ]
Fuck.
I silently cursed in my mind, hearing the Blood Demon.
It ant that the bastard understood the flow of this world, and that Jang Seonyeon would co back to life once I leave this world..
‘So, the Blood Demon knows that much, huh.’
I knew that it was a monster of the past that brought great calamity to the world, but I never expected it to understand this fake world too.
[ What an amusing world, don’t you think. ]
“…Since you ca all the way here, is it because you perhaps wanted to get in my way?”
The Blood Demon said it themselves that Jang Seonyeon was pretty precious to them.
That ant the Blood Demon was here to stop , knowing I intended to get rid of Jang Seonyeon.
I didn’t know how powerful the Blood Demon was, but if it was here to stop , this wasn’t a good situation.
[ Are you nervous? ]
It was rather strange to see the burnt hand of the body resting on its chin.
I charged my Qi.
I had already used up an extre amount earlier, dealing with Jang Seonyeon.
It would’ve been more efficient for to burn him to a crisp at once, but I had controlled my Qi to give him a slow, painful death. That has beco a problem now.
[ Those aren’t very good eyes. You should never be nervous, no matter the situation. ]
“What nonsense are you spitting?”
[ You said you’re going to kill this child, yes? ]
“Not that I’m going to, I already did.”
I had given him a slow, painful death with flas.
He would return back to life once I return back to the normal world, thanks to the rules here, but I already had a plan for that.
If that thod failed and Jang Seonyeon did return anyway,
Then I’ll kill him again and erase him from existence.
Better to force the situation than do nothing and risk greater danger.
[ You must have a deep hatred for this child. I wonder why. ]
I stared at the Blood Demon after hearing its question, but I imdiately wanted to look away.
Just looking at the body made feel uneasy.
I couldn’t quite identify what this strange sensation was.
Was this oppressive atmosphere coming from the very essence of that bastard?
I wanted to destroy it imdiately.
However, I suppressed my emotion and responded.
“What’s your goal?”
[ Hmm? ]
“If you you died and rotted for hundreds of years, why didn’t you stay that way? Why are you still alive.”
[ Hehehe… ]
The five heroes of the past who were at the very least strong as the current Heavenly Venerables, said that sealing the monster was the best they could do.
Because of that, the Blood Demon still existed in this world, sealed up.
But why was it showing up now, after so long?
“Are you thinking about resurrection?”
Was that its goal?
[ What an interesting question. Resurrection, you say. ]
“If that isn’t it, then you should sit back in a corner. Why do you keep interfering?]
Be it Namgung Cheonjun or Jang Seonyeon, both had used the Blood Demon’s power after receiving Blood Qi.
I wasn’t sure if it were only those two who received such power.
It was possible that there were more.
It could also an that the Murim Alliance is in the Blood Demon’s hands.
This was one of the reasons why I couldn’t trust the Alliance.
[ Hehe… ]
The Blood Demon kept chuckling, as if it was amused by sothing.
Was it mocking ?
[ Child. ]
The Blood Demon called .
[ You bring great entertainnt to this dull, predetermined existence. For that, I’ll grant you a gift. ]
“…What are you…”
[ If resurrection was my goal, I would have done it already. ]
“What?”
[ A seal, you say? Do you really think I’ve suffered all this ti because lesser beings bound ? ]
I froze at the Blood Demon’s words.
I couldn’t tell if it was telling the truth.
It might have been bluffing.
But what would it bluff for?
As my head was filled with complicated thoughts, the Blood Demon kept speaking.
[ I can always stand back up. ]
“…Then why didn’t you?”
[ There was simply no need. ]
“No need you say?”
[ That’s right. There was no longer any need. That’s why I didn’t get back up. ]
“Bullshit. Then why are you doing all of this now?”
[ Doing what? ]
I knew that both Jang Seonyeon and Namgung Cheonjun used the Blood Demon’s power, and I was talking to the Blood Demon itself right now, just like last ti through Jang Seonyeon’s body.
“What about all of the things you caused?”
[ I gave them strength because they asked for it. I did not reach out to them first. ]
“How am I supposed to believe that?”
[ Child, you must be mistaken. ]
Rumble-!
“…!”
A thick, foul stench of blood suddenly surged before .
I was forced to take a step back.
Without my Qi shielding , I would’ve collapsed and vomited right there.
This was definitely Qi, exploding out from Jang Seonyeon’s body.
Was it really this powerful even though it was using soone else’s body?
The Blood Demon spoke as my eyes widened in shock.
[ I do not need the belief from an insignificant existence like you. ]
Jang Seonyeon’s body gradually stood up.
The body seed ready to crumble at the slightest touch, yet it stood, leveling its gaze with mine.
Though I couldn’t see its eyes, I knew the Blood Demon was staring directly at .
[ Shouldn’t you be thankful instead? ]
“…What should I be feeling thankful for?”
[ Despite knowing where my five senses, Qi, and body went, I’m only watching in peace. How generous of . ]
Its five senses, Qi, and body.
That’s what the Light of Might had said before.
The Blood Demon’s five senses were scattered across the world.
He also ntioned that both its Qi and body were sealed away.
But it knows where they are?
Even if what the Blood Demon said was real, it didn’t make it any more convincing that the Blood Demon could revive.
Knowing where they were didn’t an the bastard could retrieve them.
[ I’m just waiting for the right ti. ]
Right ti… I assu it’s waiting for sothing.
“So if that ti cos, then you’ll resurrect in the end?”
[ I’m not sure… I haven’t decided yet. ]
The Blood Demon didn’t resurrect in my past life.
For , the Blood Demon was rely a monster that brought calamity in the past, and the one who was sealed away by the heroes.
With that in mind, I asked a question.
“There is one thing I want to ask.”
The Blood Demon suddenly laughed at my bluntness.
[ How insolent. You speak as if I ca here to chat with you. ]
“Am I wrong?”
[ Why do you think that way? ]
“If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t have told any of this.”
It had spoken of its five senses, its Qi, its body, how it didn’t desire resurrection, and how it was waiting for the right mont.
These were all details that raised more questions.
The Blood Demon revealed way too much, just for it to have co here to save Jang Seonyeon.
Its calm deanor also suggested that killing wasn’t its goal.
“If you’re not going to answer, then screw off. I’ve got nothing else to say to you.”
Still, I wasn’t about to view it in a positive light.
Whatever the bastard’s identity and goal were, I didn’t believe it was going to be any helpful for .
Whatever its intentions, in the end, it was just another bastard I’d need to eliminate.
[ What is it that you want to ask? ]
“Are you a calamity?”
When I encountered the mory of Yeon Il-Cheon, he told that the Blood Demon they fought was a calamity.
A calamity that would bring about the world’s end, fulfilling its destined fate.
On top of that, Yeon Il-Cheon called a calamity as well. He said that there was a reason for my transmigration, and that I would ultimately be the one to bring the world to its end.
Elder Shin told to believe in myself, but that was easier said than done.
Since the Blood Demon ca here for a conversation with , I decided to ask directly.
I asked whether the Blood Demon was a calamity.
I wanted to check if Yeon Il-Cheon was right.
The Blood Demon fell silent for a mont after hearing my question.
After a few seconds of silence, it spoke.
[ I never expected such a question from you. How amusing. ]
“I’m not here to amuse you. Now answer.”
[ Calamity, huh? ]
The Blood Demon stepped towards .
As it moved, a crack appeared along its neck.
[ What do your eyes see? ]
“Based on appearance alone, you certainly look like a calamity.”
The sight of the Blood Demon controlling a lifeless body, walking toward , was unsettling, even for .
[ Calamity, you say… Who told you about that? ]
“Just answer yes or no.”
[ No, there is no need for an answer, as there is only one. ]
It reached its arm out.
Its sword pointed toward , and I frowned.
I debated whether to disarm it or shatter the weapon entirely.
[ It would be Yeon Il-Cheon. ]
It seed like the Blood Demon knew who told that.
Should I try to deny it?
I honestly couldn’t trust Yeon Il-Cheon that much either.
[ What a pitiful man. He couldn’t let go of his regrets, so he acted. He has blinded you. ]
“My eyes are perfectly fine.”
[ No, you were blinded by a ghost of the past. I will open your eyes. ]
The Blood Demon’s fingertip reached out for my eyes.
It was close enough to touch, but I didn’t bother moving.
I could sense the Blood Demon trying sothing, but I remained perfectly still.
Just as the Blood Demon’s fingers were about to touch my eye—
Craaaack-!
At last, the mont I’d been waiting for arrived.
Sothing ca out from the ground and separated and the Blood Demon.
[ How unfortunate. ]
The Blood Demon spoke, disappointed.
I glanced down to see what had erged—a giant tree root. The Blood Demon, upon seeing it, took a step back.
[ It seems like I’ve used up too much ti. ]
Before the Blood Demon could reach for the tree root, its hand crumbled to dust with ease.
[ Is this what you were aiming for? ]
“Not necessarily, but you were coming closer, so I decided to test it anyway.”
[ How daring of you. You seed to have no intention of moving. ]
I was certain that it was going to co.
‘This’ too had sothing it wanted from , and I knew that the bastard needed .
Because of that, I knew it wouldn’t leave alone.
[ How unfortunate… I wanted our conversation to last a little longer, but it seems the ruler of this world isn’t pleased with my presence. ]
Cracks began to spread across the Blood Demon’s body.
[ It wasn’t enough, but I hope this conversation brought us a bit closer. ]
“You are more disgusting than I thought. Just leave quietly and don’t make feel any sicker.”
I snapped back, but the Blood Demon didn’t seem to care all that much.
Even as Jang Seonyeon’s body rapidly dissolved, I didn’t lower my guard.
The Blood Demon still had its eyes on .
[ The offer I gave you back then is still open. Co visit if you get to et the Dancer. ]
Ha.
I scoffed, letting out a dry, incredulous laugh.
“When you don’t even know what I’ll do if I visit?”
I had no idea who or what the Dancer was, so I couldn’t understand why the Blood Demon kept insisting I visit.
What if I destroy everything there after I accept the invitation?
Or was it just that confident?
“Even if I do visit, it definitely won’t be for a pleasant reason.”
[ I don’t mind that either. Getting out of one’s comfort zone is always a good practice, after all. ]
As the Blood Demon’s lower body vanished, its upper body collapsed to the ground.
Because of the impact, its body was broken into pieces.
When only fragnts remained, they scattered into dust with the wind.
Yet even then, the Blood Demon spoke one last ti.
[ Let us et again. ]
With those parting words, the wind carried away the last of Jang Seonyeon’s body.
“…Sigh.”
I let out a rough sigh afterwards.
I was finally able to loosen up a bit.
“For fucks sake. Every ti I try to do sothing, Soone interferes.”
Was this because of my bad luck?
My head hurts.
Of all things, why did it have to be the Blood Demon?
What’s going on?
I thought about what happened in my past life, but it felt pointless given all the new secrets I’d uncovered in this one.
Just what was that bastard’s fate, the purpose of the world, and what was the seed that Gu Clan had?
Even one of those questions was enough to give a headache, leaving my mind in disarray.
That’s why I ca here. I’ve been wanting to visit this place ever since I first ca to the Academy, and ever since I confird Cheol Jiseon being in the Academy.
I believed that the ‘thing’ in this world had answers for .
I turned around and spoke.
“If you were going to show up, you should’ve done it sooner. Why wait so long?”
Where there had been only barren land, now stood a colossal figure towering over , blotting out the sky.
I saw it in my past life as well, but it was truly unbelievably big.
It was hard to call it a tree because of its grand size and the atmosphere it gave off.
Moreover, I knew the na of this tree.
It introduced its na to one day.
It called itself the Fifth World Tree of this land.
Muah.
Sough-
The branches, stretching all the way to the clouds, began to stir as if responding to my voice.
The branches, bare and dried, only made it look more desolate.
Then,
[ Nice to et you. ]
A voice echoed in my ears.
It was a very hollow and sad voice.
It sounded exactly the sa as the voice I heard in the past.
Its greeting was the sa as before, but what followed was different.
[ My apostle. ]
I frowned at those words.
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