The Demon God’s Awakening (5)
The man turned his head to look at Cheon So-seon.
The moment Cheon So-seon met his gaze, her heart sank.
She had never seen eyes like these before. They weren’t filled with murderous intent, nor were they brimming with hatred. They weren’t even mocking or cold.
The sheer indifference in his eyes made her knees weak. Despite her formidable martial arts skills, a chill ran down her spine, and her legs nearly gave way. The man spoke.
“So-seon.”
Hearing her name, Cheon So-seon was startled.
“Grandfather?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Cheon So-seon was bewildered. The man bore no resemblance to her grandfather. If it was indeed him, he hadn’t just become younger; he had transformed into an entirely different person.
“Did the Great Technique succeed?”
“Yes, it did.”
“Are you really my grandfather?”
“Yes, I am.”
The Cheonran, which had never opened before, confirmed it was indeed her grandfather.
‘But to change so drastically? Has he truly become complete?’
Just then.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Several more explosive devices rolled into the room.
“Watch out!”
Cheon So-seon quickly turned, spreading her arms to shield herself with protective energy.
But the explosives didn’t detonate.
Cheon So-seon widened her eyes.
The devices on the ground floated into the air, crumpling like paper.
Creak. Creak. Creak.
Normally, such pressure would cause them to explode.
Yet, despite the immense force, they didn’t. It was inexplicable, but it was happening right before her eyes.
Crack.
The floating devices fell to the ground, now unrecognizable.
Cheon So-seon turned back to Cheonran.
The man had risen from Cheonran, standing tall. His bare body seemed to glow as if he had been reborn.
He was indeed Cheonwangun, her grandfather. Reborn with a new body, he was astonished by his own power and abilities.
An immense energy surged from his core.
But this overwhelming power wasn’t just from his martial arts. It was a primal force emanating from his entire being.
When Cheonwangun extended his hand, clothes folded neatly nearby flew up and dressed him as if an invisible hand was assisting him. It was no ordinary skill, far beyond mere telekinesis.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Cheonwangun reached up with his hand.
Boom!
With a simple gesture, the ceiling was blown away.
A round hole revealed the sky above.
Cheon So-seon was astounded. She could have destroyed a ceiling if she wanted to.
But to remove it so cleanly, without a speck of dust, was beyond her. The edges of the hole were smooth, as if sanded down, despite being cut with sheer force.
‘This isn’t human martial arts.’
Cheon So-seon was now certain. The Great Technique had truly succeeded, and her grandfather had become complete.
They had worked so hard to achieve this.
It was a moment to dance and laugh with joy.
Yet, while she was overjoyed, Cheonwangun himself seemed indifferent, as if he had forgotten the past.
Cheon So-seon felt an inexplicable distance, a fear of the unknown.
Whoosh.
Cheonwangun leapt up first, and Cheon So-seon followed.
As they emerged above ground, hundreds of martial artists surrounded them.
They were from the Demonic Extermination Squad and the Iron Cavalry. As elite members of the Martial Alliance, each was a master in their own right.
The leader, Ma Jung-yeol, gave a ruthless order.
“Kill them!”
The martial artists charged.
In the next moment.
Swoosh!
Silence fell.
Cheonwangun extended his hand, and there was nothing at its end. The martial artists who had charged, those standing behind them, and even the buildings behind them had vanished.
In a single move, dozens of masters disappeared without a trace, not even leaving bodies behind. It was impossible to tell who had died.
Everyone was paralyzed with fear, unable to speak or even scream. Though they numbered in the hundreds, no one dared to move.
A heavy silence weighed on them all.
Such a powerful move was unprecedented. Even if they were to become beasts, they might muster the courage to fight.
But now, they felt like dust before a tiger. It was incomparable, unthinkable to even try.
Yet, they couldn’t just stand there. As Ma Jung-yeol was about to give another attack order.
Whoosh.
A gust of wind was heard again.
Cheon So-seon’s finger pointed at Ma Jung-yeol.
He looked down at his chest. Blood was spreading from the left side, where his heart was.
Cheon So-seon’s swift attack had become even faster and stronger. It was already a difficult attack to block, but after witnessing Cheonwangun’s display, Ma Jung-yeol was too stunned to defend himself.
“Atta…ck…”
He couldn’t even finish his last command before collapsing forward.
Cheonwangun smiled.
It wasn’t a mocking smile. If it had been, it wouldn’t have been so terrifying. Instead, it was a pleasant smile, yet it sent chills down everyone’s spine.
Cheonwangun addressed the martial artists.
“Go back and tell them. They don’t need to come looking for me anymore.”
It was a terrifying statement. It meant he would come to them.
Cheonwangun led the way, and Cheon So-seon followed.
The martial artists watched them leave in silence. No one dared to meet their eyes.
And so, the two of them departed.
＊＊＊
The third formation of the Black Abyss Sea Array, the Tidal Wave Formation, was complete.
With the completion of the Maze Formation, the Flame Formation, and now the Tidal Wave Formation, Galsaryang felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The fortress was now safer than any other place.
“Well done.”
Galsaryang shook his head at Baekpyo’s praise.
“If it weren’t for you and the Black Panther Unit, we wouldn’t have completed the Black Abyss Sea Array so quickly. Thank you.”
“No, it’s thanks to your leadership. Thank you.”
Galsaryang smiled warmly at Baekpyo. He couldn’t be more grateful for his presence.
“How’s the expansion of the accommodations going?”
“The Byuk Clan and the Song Family have been actively helping, and it’s almost complete.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Just then, a subordinate from the Three-Eyed Pavilion rushed in.
“Urgent news.”
Galsaryang was taken aback by the report.
“What is it?”
Baekpyo asked, and Galsaryang relayed the information.
“It’s about Cheon So-seon. The Martial Alliance found his whereabouts and sent the Demonic Extermination Squad and the Iron Cavalry, but they suffered a great defeat.”
“Was it Cheon So-seon?”
Galsaryang shook his head at Baekpyo’s question.
“No, it was a very young man with him. His martial arts were terrifying. Witnesses say dozens of masters died in a single move.”
“Hard to believe.”
Especially since they said he was a young master. But with so many witnesses, the report couldn’t be wrong.
Normally, it would be good news. The conflict between Cheon So-seon, the Dark World, and the Martial Alliance was advantageous for them. They needed to sow discord.
But Galsaryang felt uneasy. Especially with Byuk Lidan absent.
Galsaryang spoke with a tense expression.
“Something is about to happen.”
It was something ominous, unlike anything before.
＊＊＊
Whoosh.
I flew through the sky, arms crossed, standing tall.
It was the Demon God Flight.
Normally, to fly at such a height and speed, one would need to use sword flight techniques.
But the Demon God Flight allowed me to soar without a sword, maintaining a proud posture.
Despite the impressive display, the energy consumption wasn’t as severe as expected. It was a testament to the greatness of the Demon God Wind Step.
Below, the view of the fortress unfolded. I could see the layout and position of each building as if looking at a blueprint.
And I discovered something.
From above, the Demon God Fortress was shaped like a fearsome demon’s face. It was truly astonishing.
After a refreshing flight, I landed on a rooftop.
It was a soft landing, as light as a feather.
Despite flying through the sky, my breathing was calm. I was genuinely captivated by the martial arts, beyond just the trial of the Demon God’s Awakening.
I had mastered all the martial arts in the Demon God Wind Step. It was written above the second door.
When I first memorized the theory, I stood before the door.
But it didn’t open. It seemed I needed to not only understand but also execute the martial arts to open it.
I looked at a distant rooftop and leapt.
Whoosh.
In an instant, I crossed the air and landed on a rooftop that was too far to be called the other side.
It was the very Demon God Step I had first used to crash through a wall.
But now, I could adjust the distance with some finesse.
[Could such martial arts truly exist? Even seeing it with my own eyes, I can hardly believe it.]
For the Heavenly Demon, who prided himself on his martial prowess, to utter such words, it was clear just how extraordinary the Demonic Divine Wind Steps were.
The other techniques of lightness and footwork were equally astounding.
The Demonic Shadow Step.
While the Demonic Single Step and Demonic Flight were designed for movement, the Demonic Shadow Step was intended for attack.
It allowed one to vanish from sight and reappear behind the opponent like a shadow.
Just like the Demonic Single Step and Demonic Flight, it was on a completely different level from ordinary martial arts stealth techniques.
If someone were to attack me using the Demonic Shadow Step, I was certain I wouldn’t be able to evade it.
There were also techniques like the Demonic Floating Cloud, which allowed for vertical ascension and various maneuvers, the Demonic Bullet Shadow, which charged forward at incredible speed, destroying everything in its path, and the ultimate technique, the Demonic Path, which enabled teleportation to any visible location.
The Demonic Path, in particular, was a martial art that truly surpassed human limits. Theoretically, if there was a distant mountain in sight, one could reach it in an instant. It seemed like a technique only a true demon could master.
It sounded impossible, yet I couldn’t help but think it might be achievable. After all, I could already move as if teleporting a few steps away.
I was eagerly anticipating the next martial art I would learn after mastering the Demonic Divine Wind Steps.
What kind of incredible technique would match this footwork?
Just the thought made my heart race.
With such excitement, I returned to the initial room. Now, I could use all the forms of the Demonic Divine Wind Steps. Although I had only reached the third level, this trial wasn’t about achieving perfection.
As I stood before the door, it opened automatically with a soft whoosh, as if sensing my progress. I could feel it—some transcendent force was at work within this Demonic Fortress.
Once again, a single table held a single book. Unlike the manual for the Demonic Divine Wind Steps, this one was much thicker.
The moment I read the title, a shiver ran down my spine.
The Demonic Code.
It was undoubtedly a manual containing the martial arts of the demon.
And there was another door ahead, with an inscription above it:
<Once you have chosen your path, stand before this door, and it shall open.>
I instinctively knew that this was not the end of the trial. With trembling hands, I slowly turned the first page of the Demonic Code.