Episode 254: Blackmail (1)
The Holy Emperor led Damian to a place few had ever seen—the underground chambers of the Holy Palace.
There, a massive door made of thick iron loomed before them. The Holy Emperor placed his palm against it, and with a gentle infusion of divine power, the door began to open slowly.
“Shall we go in?”
Following the Holy Emperor, Damian stepped inside. A vast, empty space unfolded before him.
The room was barren, devoid of any decoration, but its walls were adorned with intricate murals. Most striking of all was the light that filled the room, despite the absence of any visible source.
“This is the sanctuary you requested.”
Damian gazed around the room, his expression a mix of awe and curiosity.
According to legend, the first Holy Emperor had discovered divine power within a cave. The Holy Order’s main temple was built atop that very cave, which had been expanded and fortified over the years to create this sanctuary.
“I didn’t expect you to ask to use the sanctuary.”
The sanctuary was more than just a symbolic place. For reasons unknown, divine power continuously emanated from it, making it a favored training ground for high-ranking paladins. The divine energy not only accelerated physical recovery but also enhanced training results.
“I suffered significant internal injuries during the battle with Slawa.”
In truth, Damian had another reason for borrowing the sanctuary. He intended to attempt a transformation—a rebirth of sorts.
Even for someone like Damian, the process of transformation was shrouded in mystery. Yet, he had a sense of what needed to be done.
‘Divine power stimulates the body. If I consume the elixir and harness the sanctuary’s divine energy…’
He might just succeed in his transformation. That was why he had requested access to the sanctuary.
“I hope I haven’t asked for too much.”
“It’s fine. The sanctuary is important, but it’s not something that can be stolen. Besides, no one here would oppose your request.”
Expressing his gratitude, Damian turned his attention to the murals on the walls.
The murals depicted seven men and women battling various monsters. It didn’t take long for Damian to realize who they were.
“These murals are about the Salvation Corps, aren’t they?”
“Correct. You recognized them well.”
Before the Empire and the Holy Order were established, the continent was overrun by monsters and demons. Humanity, driven to the brink, survived by hiding in caves and forests. But seven heroes emerged, uniting the people and fighting back against the monsters.
The Salvation Corps.
They vanquished the monsters and demons, reclaiming the continent and marking the beginning of human history. The leader of the Salvation Corps became the first emperor of the Empire.
“I heard these murals were painted when the main temple was built.”
“Then they must be incredibly old.”
The Holy Order was founded around the same time as the Empire, making these murals invaluable relics.
“Hmm…?”
Suddenly, Damian noticed something odd. Below the mural of the Salvation Corps, there were scratches, as if someone had carved into the wall with a blade.
He bent down to examine the marks. To his surprise, they weren’t mere graffiti. They were drawings of two figures.
“Who made these carvings?”
“Oh, those? No one knows.”
“No one?”
The Holy Emperor chuckled wryly.
“They’ve been there for so long that no one remembers who did it.”
Damian couldn’t tear his eyes away from the carvings.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’ll return to check on you tomorrow morning.”
With that, the Holy Emperor exited the sanctuary, and the iron door closed behind him.
Left alone, Damian studied the carvings again, focusing on the large sword held by one of the figures.
“Erebus.”
He reached into the air, and the tattoo on his wrist vanished as Erebus materialized. Thanks to the shard given by the Empire’s greatest swordsman, Erebus was now longer than before.
Damian compared Erebus to the carvings.
“It looks a lot like Erebus.”
Though crudely drawn, the carvings bore distinct features of Erebus.
He looked up at the mural of the Salvation Corps. Seven figures were depicted, but below them were the two additional figures.
“It’s as if they’re trying to say there were two more.”
Damian transformed Erebus back into a tattoo. Intriguing as it was, it was just graffiti. He couldn’t afford to waste more time.
From his spatial storage, Damian retrieved a dragon heart shard and an elixir.
He drank the elixir first. It slid down his throat, sticky and hot, like molten gold.
As soon as it reached his stomach, it transformed into life force. Damian felt as if his body was about to explode.
‘What immense life force.’
He calmed the elixir’s energy and placed the dragon heart shard in his mouth.
Just a twentieth of a shard.
Yet, as soon as he consumed it, a vast amount of magical energy surged forth, as if he were submerged in a sea of magic.
The life force of the elixir and the magic of the dragon heart.
The two energies clashed within him, like wild beasts fighting for dominance.
Damian held onto his consciousness with all his might. The real challenge was just beginning.
‘Absorb the divine power around me.’
While suppressing the two energies, Damian began to draw in the divine power that filled the sanctuary.
Now there were three energies within him, and the burden grew heavier.
‘Open all the mana channels with the Golden Needle Technique, then use the Starry Light Elixir to fully absorb the three energies.’
The reason Damian could attempt this transformation was thanks to his mastery of two mana techniques.
The Golden Needle Technique allowed him to manipulate his mana channels, while the Starry Light Elixir activated his body.
Damian continuously employed the two techniques.
Crack.
A strange sound emanated from his body, followed by waves of energy bursting forth.
Time passed, and eventually, Damian opened his eyes.
“Phew…”
He stood up, and something flaked off his body, piling up on the floor like eggshells. Damian looked down at them and smiled with satisfaction.
“It was easier than I thought.”
Damian remained at the main temple for some time, waiting for the dawn of a new era.
“It’s Damian Haxen! He’s coming this way!”
“Sir Damian! I’ve admired you for so long! Please, just one memento…”
“Sir Damian! Could you say a few words at today’s prayer meeting?”
“Oh, hero! Our hero!”
Staying at the main temple was more challenging than expected, as he was constantly besieged by paladins and priests.
He spent his days hiding, and even when he left, he had to slip away at dawn to avoid attention.
“You didn’t have to see me off…”
Damian said, looking at the Holy Emperor, who smiled warmly.
“It’s only right to bid farewell to an esteemed guest.”
“Thank you.”
“Others wanted to come, but circumstances were against it.”
Light and Shadow were on new missions, so they weren’t at the temple. Green Wind remained, but he didn’t show up, perhaps out of dislike for Damian.
“Sir Damian…”
Beside the Holy Emperor, Agnes stood with a look of regret.
“Where will you go after leaving the temple?”
“I have a few places to visit. I might be out of touch for a while.”
“Are you heading somewhere dangerous?”
“Isn’t the world full of danger?”
He couldn’t exactly say he was off to hunt a Weapon Master, so he gave a vague answer.
“Sir Damian, may I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
“If you come across any information about Victor the Woodcutter during your travels, could you inform the temple?”
“Victor the Woodcutter?”
“Yes, he’s a dark mage we’ve been trying to track, but information is scarce.”
Damian’s expression turned peculiar.
After all, Victor the Woodcutter was his own alias.
Whenever he had to use dark magic in public, Damian used the name Victor to conceal his identity.
‘I never imagined the Order would still be chasing that name.’
To be asked to investigate himself was an unexpected twist.
“That’s not a difficult request.”
“Thank you. If you find anything, you can report it to any local temple. They all have ways to contact the main temple.”
Damian nodded in understanding.
“In return, may I ask a favor of you?”
“Of course, anything.”
“Please let the people of the Apple Kingdom know that I’m alright.”
To protect his family, he needed to eliminate the Weapon Master as soon as possible. There was no time to visit the Apple Kingdom.
Still, having been out of touch with his family for so long, he wanted to send them a message, even if it was in this roundabout way.
“Trust me,” Agnes said confidently. Damian nodded in gratitude.
“Malta,” Damian called, turning his gaze to the side. Malta stood there with a sullen expression.
“We need to hurry, so hand it over,” Damian said, extending his hand to Malta. Malta grumbled, displeased.
“Damn it, sending Yeomyeong off like this again…”
“Just give it to me,” Damian insisted.
With a reluctant sigh, Malta closed his eyes and handed over Yeomyeong.
Yeomyeong was different in every way now, even the hilt and scabbard.
“Go ahead, draw it,” Malta urged.
Damian grasped the hilt and slowly unsheathed the sword. As the blade emerged, it radiated a dazzling light.
When Yeomyeong was fully drawn, the surroundings lit up. Damian stared at it in awe.
Originally, Yeomyeong had been forged from melted meteorite iron, which left its surface uneven. But now, it was transformed.
The surface was smooth as a mirror, and intricate wave patterns covered the entire blade.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Malta said, his face alight with excitement.
“I’ve mixed the blade with divine steel and rare metals. Its cutting power, strength, and elasticity are all vastly improved.”
Malta eagerly explained the enhancements.
“Sacred swords with divine steel have always made history. I guarantee Yeomyeong will do the same. No, it won’t just make history; it’ll be recorded as the greatest sacred sword.”
Despite Malta’s enthusiastic explanation, Damian barely heard him, his senses entirely focused on Yeomyeong.
“Truly remarkable,” Damian finally said.
“Right?” Malta beamed.
“I thought you were just eccentric, but your skills are extraordinary too.”
“Ha! Of course, I—wait, what did you just say?”
Damian sheathed Yeomyeong, then bid farewell to the three of them before departing the base.
Once outside, Damian headed west.
“I don’t know exactly where Hammerhead City is,” a voice echoed in his mind, “but I know the general area. It’s in the Harkmak Mountain Range.”
The Harkmak Mountains were notorious for their treacherous terrain, a vast expanse of peaks covering an area the size of a small kingdom. Dangerous monsters roamed the region, deterring most from venturing there.
Damian made his way toward the mountains. The sun had risen high in the sky, and the cool dawn air had vanished. The base was now far behind him.
Suddenly, Damian stopped and called out to the empty air, “You can come out now.”
There was no response.
“I said, come out.”
Finally, a man emerged from the nearby bushes.
“Wow, you already knew? That’s no fun,” the man grumbled. Damian regarded him with a blank expression.
“What does a disciple of the Weapon Master want with me?” Damian asked.
The man tilted his head in surprise. “How did you know? That’s impressive.”
“You’re carrying a cursed sword in plain sight. It’s hard to miss,” Damian replied, eyeing the large sword on the man’s back.
“Wow… You can sense a dormant cursed sword? You’re as sharp as they say, the one who killed Slar,” the man marveled, shaking his head.
“Since I’ve been found out, let me introduce myself. I’m Jeremy Demang, a disciple of the Weapon Master. I’m recognized as one of his top students—”
“I didn’t ask who you are. Just tell me why you’re following me,” Damian cut him off. Jeremy’s face twitched slightly.
“You’re impatient, aren’t you? I’m here to deliver a message from my master. You’re quite famous, so it wasn’t hard to track you down—”
“Answer,” Damian demanded.
Jeremy’s expression twitched more noticeably.
“My master wishes to meet you. Come with me.”
Damian hesitated. In Pandemonium, offers from villains were often traps. But even if it was a trap, meeting the Weapon Master could be advantageous.
“I’ll accept—”
“Ah, you might not want to refuse,” Jeremy interrupted.
“You’re from the Apple Kingdom, right? Your family is still there?”
Damian’s expression hardened, while a smile spread across Jeremy’s face.
“Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t sent anyone to your family yet. But if you don’t come with me, who knows what might happen…”
In that instant, a dark aura erupted from Damian, a murderous intent washing over Jeremy. Jeremy’s face froze.
Then, Jeremy twisted his lips into a smile.
“So, that’s your weak spot. If you want your family safe, you’d better come with me—”
Before he could finish, Damian launched himself forward, kicking Jeremy in the stomach without hesitation.
With a thunderous crash, Jeremy’s body flew backward, smashing through trees before hitting the ground.
“Sorry, I lost my temper for a moment and didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it?” Damian asked, his gaze fixed on where Jeremy had landed.
His eyes, visible through his hair, were filled with lethal intent.