Episode 142: Return to the Demonic Sect
Ilsal’s face twisted into a grimace, but there was nothing he could do, paralyzed as he was.
“You need to think carefully. The leader chose an honorable death, knowing you were still here. But if you die too? I’ve heard that the organization can only survive up to Isal.”
Sabigang’s observation was spot on.
The leader and Isal were dead.
No one knew what had happened to Samsal and Sasal.
If Ilsal died now, the Salmak would effectively vanish from the martial world.
As Ilsal hesitated, Sabigang continued nonchalantly.
“Well, fading into history has its own significance. You’re all scum who deserve to die. Considering the evil you’ve done and the chaos you’d cause, maybe it’s best if you’re wiped out.”
Ilsal glared at Sabigang before speaking.
“How can I trust your promise?”
“What promise?”
“The promise to grant us freedom later.”
“Oh, that… It’s hard to explain. You’ll just have to trust me.”
A curt reply.
Yet somehow, it seemed more genuine because of its bluntness. If Sabigang had tried to persuade him with elaborate arguments, Ilsal might have been more suspicious.
The assassins watched Ilsal closely, their lives hanging on his decision.
Finally, Ilsal spoke.
“Fine. I submit.”
“Heh, wise choice. But I can’t fully trust you either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Those who value their lives lightly often treat loyalty the same way. I think it’s better for someone with a stronger will to live to lead you.”
“What?”
“Introduce yourselves to your new leader.”
Sabigang smirked and gestured toward the entrance.
Footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Ilsal and the assassins turned to the entrance with anxious expressions.
A cold-eyed old man stepped in.
Ilsal’s eyes widened in shock as he recognized the newcomer.
“You…!”
“Yes, I am your new master.”
The old man with a sinister smile replied.
The other assassins also recognized him and were equally stunned.
The new leader of the Salmak was none other than Akcheon Goe, the master of the Blood Demon Sect’s Vermilion Bird Hall.
Sabigang grinned.
“His martial skills surpass yours, so I doubt you’ll have any complaints. And I suspect his assassination skills are top-notch too.”
“Why is the Vermilion Blood Claw here…?”
The Vermilion Blood Claw was Akcheon Goe’s infamous nickname in the martial world.
Ilsal and the assassins were baffled.
Wasn’t Akcheon Goe supposed to be dead at Sabigang’s hands?
Yet here he was, their new leader.
What was the relationship between these two?
What was happening in this martial world?
Sabigang turned to Akcheon Goe.
“Can you manage them?”
“Hmph! Handling these wretches is nothing.”
“Indeed, it takes a villain to handle villains.”
“Heh, you talk as if you’re not one yourself.”
“Seems I’ve grown soft.”
Sabigang’s icy smile made Akcheon Goe glance at him warily.
“Just saying.”
The more the assassins listened, the less they understood.
Why was the notorious Akcheon Goe acting so submissive to Sabigang?
Suddenly, Akcheon Goe shouted.
“There’s nothing to be curious about! I’m in the same boat as you.”
Recalling that fateful day, Akcheon Goe sighed involuntarily.
**
Swish!
A flash of light and a chilling sound followed.
‘To think I’d hear the sound of my own neck being cut…’
As Akcheon Goe slowly fell, such thoughts crossed his mind.
But then…
‘Huh?’
Something was off.
He quickly felt his neck and body.
He was unharmed.
“What is…?”
Looking up, he saw Sabigang standing there, looking down at him.
Beside him was a rock, cleanly sliced.
Sabigang’s final strike had cut the rock, not Akcheon Goe’s neck.
“The master of the Blood Demon Sect’s Vermilion Bird Hall, Akcheon Goe, died today.”
“What?”
It couldn’t have been a miss…
“Why spare me?”
“Felt it would be a waste to just kill you.”
Sabigang walked over and sat on the sliced rock.
He was utterly drained of energy.
The aftermath of using high-level martial arts and magic in succession was severe.
If Akcheon Goe had even a sliver of energy left, he could have killed Sabigang with a single strike.
But Akcheon Goe was also depleted.
Akcheon Goe chuckled.
“What a strange fellow. Sparing me because of my talent.”
“Don’t get it wrong. I’ll use you thoroughly.”
“Use me?”
“Yes.”
Sabigang replied indifferently, pulling a pouch from his robe.
‘What’s he doing?’
Akcheon Goe frowned as Sabigang took out two bottles from the pouch, one filled with red liquid, the other with blue.
They were strange, luminous bottles.
Healing and mana potions.
Sabigang drank both potions in one go.
A hum resonated within him.
His wounds healed, and his depleted mana replenished.
Converting it back to internal energy, he felt his strength returning.
“Whew, I feel alive again.”
“What did you just do?”
“None of your concern.”
Sabigang replied curtly, pulling a red pill from the pouch.
It was something Akcheon Goe had never seen before.
Sabigang approached Akcheon Goe and grabbed his cheeks.
“Ugh! What are you…?”
“Swallow it.”
Akcheon Goe was forced to swallow the pill.
Sabigang grinned wickedly.
“It’s a curse-like poison. I can kill you anytime I wish.”
“What…?”
“Feel free to test it. You’re a scoundrel who deserves to die anyway.”
“You bastard…”
“Watch your mouth. I’m not as forgiving as you might think.”
“Ugh…!”
Sabigang smiled faintly at Akcheon Goe.
“You said it yourself, didn’t you? You only lend your strength to those you can rely on. I liked that. Now, the only person you can rely on is me.”
**
It took a full day to install Akcheon Goe as the new leader of the Salmak and organize things.
Akcheon Goe knew exactly how to handle villains.
Initially, some assassins voiced their discontent, but Akcheon Goe quickly silenced them.
Sabigang was impressed by his swift control and adaptability.
‘I’m glad I decided to use him.’
Sabigang returned to Yongcheon Hall three days later.
Some instructors, including Cheon Saemyeong, still eyed him warily, but most now regarded him with awe.
Some instructors even went out of their way to greet him.
His popularity soared among female instructors and students.
Some blushed just from making eye contact, while others cast him secretive glances.
Naturally, the status of the Special Class changed as well.
Once seen as a group of troublemakers, it was now recognized as a class of elite students.
The academy awarded Sabigang and the entire Special Class with plaques and rare elixirs.
It was an unprecedented honor.
After the ceremonies, Sabigang returned to his office and collapsed into his chair.
“Finally, some rest.”
So much had happened in such a short time.
But his solitude didn’t last long.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Yeom Jaryang entered.
“You called for me…?”
“Take this.”
Sabigang tossed the Darkblade to Yeom Jaryang.
Caught off guard, Yeom Jaryang caught the sword and looked at Sabigang with wide eyes.
“Is this… for me?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a huge sword.”
“Don’t like it?”
“No, I love it. It’s perfect for showing off. Heh. I was just complaining with Wookyung and Danhwa.”
“Complaining? About me?”
“Well, you hadn’t given us any gear yet.”
“You brats, do you think I owe you?”
“Hehehe.”
Yeom Jaryang grinned from ear to ear.
He had been waiting for this moment.
Finally, he had his own magical weapon.
Sabigang chuckled.
“A sword suits you better than a blade. And that’s a magic sword. It acts as a conduit for magic. You’re the fastest at learning magic among the students, so it should suit you well.”
“Wow! Thank you so much!”
Yeom Jaryang bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Then, staring at the Darkblade, he suddenly spoke.
“I’ve decided.”
“Decided what?”
“This sword’s name. Heh.”
Yum Jaryang had always felt a twinge of envy watching Jo Muntak and Gok Bo-ok name their weapons with such ease and confidence.
So, when he finally received his own magical weapon, the first thing he wanted to do was give it a name.
“Its original name is Dark…”
“It’s the Black Dominator Blade! Heh heh!”
“Hmm… well, that’s the best I’ve heard so far.”
Yum Jaryang couldn’t stop grinning as he examined the Black Dominator Blade from every angle.
“With this, does it mean I can cast Ice Bolt more easily?” he wondered.
After scrutinizing the blade for a while, he gave it a swift swing towards the window.
In that instant—
Whoosh!
Crack! Crash!
An ice bolt suddenly materialized and shot out from where the blade had sliced through the air, shattering the window completely.
“What the—!”
Even Yum Jaryang, who had swung the sword, was taken aback, his eyes wide with surprise.
“Did it really happen that easily?”
The magic had activated far more effortlessly than he had anticipated.
Of course, he had mentally prepared to cast Ice Bolt and gathered his energy, but he hadn’t expected it to actually work.
Yet, it had fired off just like that.
The difference from casting magic barehanded was staggering.
It was as if the Black Dominator Blade temporarily amplified his internal mana.
“This… this is magic!”
A shiver ran down his spine, and a thrill surged from deep within his chest.
But that excitement was quickly doused by the voice of Sabi Kang.
“What are you doing? Why not just demolish the whole place and rebuild it while you’re at it?”
“Oh, s-sorry! I’ll fix it as soon as possible!”
Even as Yum Jaryang apologized profusely, the smile on his lips refused to fade.