Red eyes.
Unlike the flas that would flare up when I released my energy, or the crimson eyes my father bore, these were different.
If the red from fla energy glowed with a fierce brightness, Jang Seonyeon’s eyes seed to emanate a blood-like hue, almost glowing with a sickly intensity. His pupils were narrow slits, giving him an unsettling, almost beastly look.
‘What… is this?’
The shock of seeing him alive was one thing, but the unease radiating from him had breaking into a cold sweat.
The pain in my right arm was relentless, but beyond that, a deep, chilling discomfort was starting to take over.
What is this? Why do I feel so cold all of a sudden?
Ssssss…
The pain from the scaled part of my arm intensified as if it were spreading.
‘This…’
In recent months, I had grown accustod to pain during my training with Paejon and his Tor-Ah-Pa-Cheon Art. Yet this pain was different—it felt as though the scales were expanding across my skin.
Why was this happening now? And, why was no one else noticing the strange transformation in Jang Seonyeon?
‘Is this only visible to ?’
If no one else was reacting, maybe it was sothing that only I could see. But why?
Amidst my confusion, an eerily familiar voice echoed in my ear.
-You don’t look well.
I turned in shock to find that it was Jang Seonyeon speaking to .
-…You… bastard… -I didn’t an to startle you, but I’m enjoying your reaction.
He smiled, and there was sothing about his tone that was entirely different from what I rembered.
How could this be? He had Jang Seonyeon’s face and voice, but his aura was all wrong. His words clung to with a strange, sticky sensation, and though I couldn’t sll anything, there was an undeniable scent of blood in my nose.
‘The scent of blood…?’
The realization dawned on as a horrifying possibility took shape.
-Blood Demon…?
As soon as I uttered those words, Jang Seonyeon’s smile grew wider, confirming my suspicions. I now understood why I felt such an intense disconnect—it wasn’t really Jang Seonyeon.
-You… -Sharp, aren’t you?
The being before was the Blood Demon.
-How… how are you here? -Surprised to see ? -Is that even a question?! -I simply wanted to step outside for so fresh air. Does it not please you? -And what about Jang Seonyeon? The original owner of this body?
Was this like the Divine Lord, where he possessed a body? If he could do it, then surely the Blood Demon could too.
The Blood Demon cocked his head as if confused by my question.
-You burned this boy alive, so why seek him here now? -Stop playing gas. You didn’t talk to just to joke around, did you? -Heh.
My growl only seed to amuse him further. anwhile, the pain in my arm was worsening.
Sothing was wrong.
‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’
It wasn’t like this before. Why was this pain suddenly overwhelming ?
‘Is it because of the Blood Demon?’
If there was any change, it was only that I had encountered him. Nothing else made sense.
-It seems you’re in considerable pain.
Though I was doing my best to hide it, he had picked up on my suffering imdiately. It had to be related to him.
-Did you do sothing to ? -Heh… You might think so, but no. I have no intention of causing you harm. -Don’t give that crap! Did you forget the ti you forced your energy into ?! -Indeed I did, but has there been any harm? -What…?
How could he say that after injecting with his energy?
-Didn’t you use my power when you needed it? -…! -It’s a miracle I bestowed upon you. Do you think I wouldn’t notice?
From his words, it was clear that he was aware of the tis I had used the blood energy. Even if he wasn’t the cause of these scales, he knew about them.
-What is this?
When I asked about the scales, his expression grew strange, a gleam of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
-So it’s true. You are indeed the anomaly I’ve been searching for. -Enough riddles. What is this? -I wonder how you started blooming without being my fragnt. -Blooming?
I barely understood his words, but they hinted at sothing deeper. Blooming? What was that supposed to an?
-You’re on the path to sothing extraordinary. It’s worth celebrating. Isn’t it exhilarating to ascend beyond the weak and filthy ranks of humans?
His voice carried a hint of joy, which only made feel more unsettled.
-I look forward to seeing you break free from your shell.
His tone grew almost feverish, as if intoxicated by the prospect. anwhile, the pain in my arm was becoming unbearable. I felt as though I was on the verge of screaming.
Noticing my condition, he chuckled.
-It seems you’re suffering greatly. Let bestow my rcy upon you once again. -What…? -Take it as a gesture of congratulations. Don’t forget it.
At that mont, I felt a sudden surge of the blood energy I had stored within my dantian. It pulsed violently, almost as if obeying a command.
The sensation was rough and wild, flooding through with such intensity that I could barely control it.
‘Damn it!’
The energy spread through my body in re seconds.
And then…
‘What the…?’
The pain I had been experiencing disappeared instantly. Could it be that the blood energy had suppressed it?
I could no longer check the scales on my arm here, but the pain was definitely gone.
It was difficult to believe this had nothing to do with the Blood Demon.
-Heh…
Even now, the Blood Demon continued to laugh, watching .
-That boy seems to harbor quite the disdain for . -Disdain? -The pain you felt was an expression of hostility towards .
I furrowed my brow at his words. Did that an the scales weren’t ordinary?
He was practically enjoying this, relishing in his explanations.
I couldn’t understand anything about this entity before . His expression was full of satisfaction, as if he were eagerly awaiting sothing.
-Most importantly, why are you telling all this?
I had to know what he wanted from . I was aware that he was trying to help, though I couldn’t tell if his assistance was genuine or part of a calculated sche.
-What do you even want from ? -Nothing. I want nothing from you. -Really? Standing here, spouting all this nonsense, and you expect to believe that?
The idea was absurd. He was clearly anticipating sothing from .
-If I had to say, I simply want you to reach your full potential. -Still making no sense, I see. -You will understand soon enough. The day you co to seek out is closer than you think. I eagerly await it.
-Did you really expect to co find a calamity like you? What, are you hoping I’ll kill you?
At the ntion of “calamity,” his laughter grew even more intense.
-You’re catching on faster than I expected. Not bad at all. -Tell clearly—what is your goal? Why are you doing this to ? -My goal…
He paused for a mont, seeming lost in thought, before replying.
-To break free from what is predetermined. If you want to call that a goal, then so be it. -What is that supposed to an? -Originally, I had intended to find my fragnts, but seeing your blooming has made reconsider.
The term “blooming” ca up again, and it filled with unease. If he was reconsidering his plans, then he must have had an agenda from the beginning.
Did he assu Jang Seonyeon’s appearance to carry out his sches?
‘If so, then the disappearance of Jang Seonyeon’s trace when I returned from Magyeong…’
Was that also his doing?
I still had no understanding of his true motives or even the nature of his existence. But based on what he said, I knew he was far from human.
-No matter. I will proceed slowly, giving you ti to understand. -What makes you think I’ll let you…!
Whirr—
Before I could finish, my head spun, and I felt a wave of dizziness overtake .
Too disoriented to speak, I heard his final words:
-Do not worry. It’s only the recoil from your body suppressing its aggression.
-What did you do to now? -I told you, I’ve done nothing. Look, even the abyss within you remains quiet.
True enough, the beast that usually growled and bared its fangs whenever the blood energy stirred was silent.
It occurred to that perhaps this was because I now bore the Divine Sword, yet there was no ti to ponder that.
-I ca here simply to greet you today.
-Yet I leave with a great harvest, as I’ve glimpsed a new path.
-I’ll be waiting for the day you seek out on your own.
As the Blood Demon’s words echoed in my mind, the dizziness grew worse. I tried to hold on, but I couldn’t. My consciousness slipped away.
When I finally regained my senses, the assembly had long since concluded.
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