Thud! Thud! Thud!
The Demonic Cult’s ceremony had begun.
In the courtyard leading to the main building, all the leaders of the Cult’s divisions were gathered.
Not only them, but the elders, pavilion mbers, and a few reclusive masters who rarely showed themselves were also present.
As it was the Cult’s largest event, the inauguration of the Cult Leader, even so unknown eccentric warriors filled the seats.
“The Cult Leader is coming!”
“Ooooh!”
“Waaah!”
Step, step.
At that mont, a man walking towards the courtyard appeared.
Behind him followed the Cult Leader’s guards.
Nearly three thousand warriors of the Cult gathered in the courtyard.
Amidst the massive crowd, the man strode confidently to the center of the courtyard.
“It’s the Cult Leader!”
“Only one in Heaven and Earth!”
“The future of the Demonic Cult!”
With cheers heard from all around, the ascension ceremony of the Cult Leader was swiftly conducted.
The handover of the Cult Leader’s relics, clothing, and various docunts. Several procedures were completed, and End Demon briefly fixed his gaze on one spot amidst the wait.
There were Demon Lord and Fang Spirit, who, having been defeated as candidates for the Cult Leader position, now lowered themselves, bending their knees in respect.
It was an action signaling the end of the successor struggle.
With Cheon Wol-seong ascending and pointing to End Demon as the next Cult Leader, they lost even the justification to continue the successor fight.
Of course, even if the ti had extended, the result would not have changed.
The fact that End Demon would beco the Cult Leader was an unchanging evaluation by the public.
Step, step.
End Demon passed them, crossed the courtyard, and climbed the stairs.
And standing again in front of the main hall, he looked at the crowd densely filling the courtyard and spoke.
“It was a long wait.”
As he began to speak, the surroundings fell silent.
End Demon ascended to the seat of the Cult Leader.
From now on, the people of the cult would live by his commands.
Death and life, and glory—All depended on the Cult Leader’s orders.
“Now is the ti to unite. I will achieve results first. So that our cult can rise to the top of the Central Plains!”
“Wow! Long live! Long live!!”
“End Demon! End Demon!”
Cheers echoed from all around. End Demon slowly waved back at them.
After standing there briefly, he handed over keepsakes and other items to the approaching overseer.
“Take them to my room.”
“Understood.”
He reiterated to the head of the guard warriors behind him.
“I will go to the office in the annex, so keep everyone away from the vicinity.”
“Yes, sir.”
Then, he turned his body.
Step, step.
And as soon as he entered the main hall, he exited through another doorway and continued walking.
After passing through a path leading to a narrow alley, a secluded annex soon appeared, and he headed straight inside.
“Hey.”
The Third Outdoor Office of the Cult Leader.
Seol-Hwi, who had already arrived and was seated, waved and acknowledged him.
Then, noticing the still stern expression on End Demon’s face, he asked curiously.
“Even though you’ve beco the Cult Leader, you don’t seem particularly happy?”
“It’s not a position I gained on my own. What aning does it have to rise in such a manner?”
“So, are you saying that if it’s not through your own abilities, even a good opportunity is aningless?”
“We are warriors. We grow by crossing the line of death, ready to face it. Although we might die in the process, we can gain experience and enlightennt. Soone like you wouldn’t understand.”
“Ha, you’re more romantic than you look?”
Hearing his reply, Seol-Hwi suddenly thought of Sa Yu-kang.
The words spoken now were similar to the statents he had made in the past.
He hadn’t realized it then, but now he could sowhat understand the emotions he must have felt.
‘It must have been absurd.’
Having experienced the power of the Creator, at so point, his mind must have been filled with the futility of everything.
Yet here was this player spouting nonsense about growing by crossing the line of death.
It was on par with what Seol-Hwi had once told Sa Yu-kang, about protecting what is precious.
‘Still, it’s nice because it feels like I’m looking at my old self. That’s probably why I liked Sa Yu-kang too, right?’
Seol-Hwi extended sothing from the table. End Demon, who was still dissatisfied, approached, and as soon as he picked it up, his eyes glead.
“This is…”
“The Absolute Supre Demonic Arts I ntioned back then. It’s the martial arts you need to master from now on.”
End Demon was utterly taken aback at that.
The Absolute Supre Demonic Arts, known as a top-secret. To hand it over so easily.
Co to think of it, there had already been absurd incidents before.
What did it an that the Cult Leader achieved transcendence?
“Did Cult Leader Cheon Wol-seong really achieve transcendence as everyone is saying?”
To End Demon’s direct question, Seol-Hwi shook his head.
“No. That was all an act I put on with all my might to deceive everyone.”
“What?”
“An act with all my might. Don’t you know?”
“If you’re asking if I know what it ans, I do, but…”
Seol-Hwi kindly spoke, noticing the confused look in the other’s eyes.
“It’s understandable that it’s hard to grasp. But I’ve done it before. It was a great help.”
“You ascended to immortality before?”
“Yes. That’s how I deceived others, and the leader didn’t die. I hid him in an appropriate place.”
“Hid him, what does that an…?”
“Alright, let’s leave this useless conversation here.”
Seol-Hwi casually changed the subject.
“Even if you’re dying to know about my existence, let’s settle this one thing first. Once that’s done, everything I do will make sense to you.”
“Settle? What is it?”
“Your ascension to the state of the Profound Demon.”
“…!”
End Demon did not respond imdiately but was already in agreent with the suggestion.
Despite being confused about how to understand the current situation, he definitely wanted to ascend to that state.
What stimulated him more than desires for power or honor was a strong competitive spirit.
Just how formidable an opponent was he? The excitent of it touched his primal instincts.
“You’re right. I don’t care about the Cult Leader. It’s not too late to understand after becoming a Profound Demon.”
“Excellent. You’ll begin your secluded training imdiately?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll give you a year.”
“……?”
“You can do it. I’ve also included my insights in that secret manual.”
Then End Demon quickly began to examine the book he had received. Soon, his expression changed to sothing indescribable.
The book didn’t just contain simple contents.
End Demon’s current realm, and the reasons for his stagnation of skills.
Problems to solve and skills to learn in the future.
It was a manual annotated with various interpretations, notes, and essential insights.
“Haa…….”
By now, End Demon couldn’t help but believe that the person before him was a being equal to a god.
A book that guides one to the elusive state of transcendence.
Was this even possible?
“What do you plan to do while I go into seclusion for training?”
This question stemd rely from End Demon’s curiosity.
One year—With this amount of ti ahead, he was curious about what kind of plans the person before him had made.
“Before I tell you that, I have two gifts for you.”
“……”
“Here. Take it.”
When Seol-Hwi suddenly opened his palm, End Demon looked at him curiously.
There was nothing on his hand.
There definitely wasn’t, but…
Swish.
In an instant, a splendid sword was placed in his hand.
A suddenly appeared object.
It felt as if he had fallen under an illusion.
“What is this…?”
“It’s the Fire Dragon Blade. They say it’s a divine weapon surpassing a treasured sword.”
“A divine weapon huh…”
“It might not seem like much now, but once you reach the state of Profound Demon, it will be of great help. It will draw out all the power of Profound Demon for you. It’s the perfect weapon for soone like you who uses fire attribute attacks as your main strength.”
He slowly approached Seol-Hwi.
Then, unlike before, he received the Fire Dragon Blade with reverence.
‘This is…’
At a glance, it was a blade of a tal on a completely different level from a regular steel blade.
Moreover, its appearance, with intricately engraved markings and symbols, was so delicate that one might wonder if a human could have crafted it.
It was the first ti experiencing such splendor in his life.
“And the other remaining thing.”
Seol-Hwi paused before speaking.
“I’ll persuade Goo Jong-myung for you.”
“…?”
“Right now, he’s in a difficult position. In a way, he’s beco like a dog chasing after chickens, hasn’t he?”
“But even so, there’s nothing those guys can do.”
“I know. It might just beco a hassle. Those who have nothing to lose are scarier.”
Seol-Hwi was aware.
The situation had beco awkward for the Mount Hua sect.
While cooperating, when End Demon suddenly beca the Cult Leader, they chose silence for the ti being.
Later, they might demand their share.
Of course, it wouldn’t matter to just kick them out, but it could beco troubleso.
“Is there a way?”
“Of course. I’m thinking of offering them an unbeatable deal.”
“And what is that?”
“Purple Cloud Divine Arts.”
“……!”
End Demon’s expression changed dramatically at those words.
“Why? Do I look like I’m lying?”
“No, it’s not that. Why are you extending such kindness to those kinds of people?”
“It’s not kindness. This is also part of my design.”
Goo Jong-myung—The one who first led Seol-Hwi to death.
And then, the system intervened, guiding him to et with that person.
Seol-Hwi thought it was appropriate for this individual, Goo Jong-myung, to be included in the plan.
If he could persuade that guy, and soday have him point a sword at the Creator.
He imagined it would be quite a sight to see the face of soone who had to face such an absurd situation.
“A sche?”
“I plan to hand over the Purple Cloud Divine Arts to turn him into a high-level master.”
“What did you say!”
End Demon’s voice rose. It was understandable to involve others, not just oneself.
But for it to be Goo Jong-myung?
“End Demon.”
At that mont, Seol-Hwi’s gaze changed as well.
With a look that allowed no more anger.
“Rember this clearly. The enemy we face is not a simple being like a human.”
“…….”
“I respect your beliefs, whatever they may be. Once my goal is achieved, whether you devour the Central Plains or kill Goo Jong-myung of the Mount Hua Sect, do as you wish. However, before that, I need masters who are comparable to gods to face a god.”
“Even so…”
“What would you fear once you ascend to the state of Profound Demon? Are you afraid that he will beco a Profound Warrior?”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Suddenly, End Demon shouted, clenching both fists tightly.
As expected, when his competitive spirit was provoked, he imdiately showed his temper.
“I will give Goo Jong-myung a year as well. His rise to Profound Warrior depends solely on his ability. If you want to prove you’re stronger than that kid.”
Seol-Hwi continued, locking eyes with him.
“Try to ascend to Profound Demon faster than he does.”
“……”
“Surely, you won’t be slower than that guy, will you?”
“I’ll cut my own throat if that happens!”
A shout as if a roar from End Demon.
His eyes mixed with anger and various emotions.
Perhaps more than the fact that he had to join forces with Goo Jong-myung, being compared to the Justice sects seed to have pricked his pride.
“Yes. The sooner anyone reaches the state, the better. Our plan will be accelerated.”
Seol-Hwi had a pleased expression.
There was nothing more beneficial to him than provoking End Demon.
Of course, Goo Jong-myung would also be provoked.
Then it would beco a good-natured competition, and eventually, he would see one master of Profound Demon and one master of Profound Warrior.
“But……”
Seol-Hwi asked, looking at End Demon as he turned around.
There was one last thing to ask.
“Goo Jong-myung, where is that guy now?”
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