Episode 377: Return to the Demonic Academy
Twenty cadets stood with tense expressions, looking up at Sabikang.
These were the cadets of the first and second classes.
Sabikang, standing on the platform, surveyed them with a stern gaze.
“I know many things are still unfamiliar to you, and you haven’t fully adapted yet. There’s much for you to learn and understand. But as always, our enemies never give us the luxury of time.”
“Are we… heading into real combat?”
Jingyeongsan from the first class clenched his fist and asked. He was the cadet who had previously clashed with Yangchoji.
Sabikang nodded.
“Yes. Although not everything is in place, life doesn’t wait for us to be fully prepared. You will be deployed for your first real combat training. I call it training because I won’t intervene unless it’s absolutely necessary. You must be prepared to protect your own lives.”
“Does this mean… we’re finally fighting the Demon Sect?”
Jingyeongsan asked again.
This time, Sabikang shook his head.
“Not the Demon Sect, but the demonic creatures.”
“But isn’t it the Demon Sect that controls those creatures?”
“It’s different. The creatures will fight us of their own will. Any other questions?”
The cadets fell silent, exchanging glances.
It wasn’t that they had no questions; rather, they didn’t know where to start because there was so much they didn’t know.
Sabikang, understanding their feelings, nodded and continued.
“You’ll learn by facing things head-on. For now, focus on one thing: eliminate the creatures and survive. We depart tomorrow.”
“Understood!”
The cadets of both classes responded robustly.
**
A figure with a golden mask spoke to the sect leader seated on the dais.
“There is movement from the Demonic Academy.”
The sect leader opened his eyes and looked at the golden-masked figure.
“What kind?”
“They’re heading towards Jeongheung in Gangseo. We received an urgent report from the silver-masked one today, so they should arrive in Jeongheung by tomorrow.”
The sect leader’s eyes gleamed.
“Jeongheung… so they’re heading there after all?”
“Yes, it’s the first of the summoning sites to be revealed.”
“Wasn’t that the place where the altar was formed?”
“Indeed.”
As the golden-masked figure spoke with a faint smile, a sinister grin spread across the sect leader’s lips.
“Sabikang… he’s unlucky to end up there.”
“But it seems the silver-masked one is also heading to the summoning site with Sabikang.”
“The silver-masked one too?”
“Perhaps this is an opportunity to deal with Sabikang.”
“Hmm. If it’s the altar summoning site, Sabikang might not survive even without the silver-masked one’s intervention.”
“Honestly… it’s hard to say. He’s an unpredictable man.”
“True… I’m curious to see what outcome he’ll bring. If he doesn’t make it out alive…”
“We’ll lose the silver-masked one too. But…”
“The grand plan will gain momentum at that moment.”
“Indeed.”
A sly smile crept onto the golden-masked figure’s face.
**
Jeongheung, Gangseo, at Habok Mountain.
A group had gathered in front of the cave entrance.
It was Sabikang, along with the instructors, trainers, and cadets of the Demonic Academy.
The cadets participating in this mission were from the first and second classes.
Among the instructors were Jaunryong and Wigeomjong, and the trainers included Deungbuheong and Neungsoseo.
Lastly, Jinbaek, the head of the Chohwan Hall, was also present.
However, Heukgwi and Churyang couldn’t join due to their responsibilities at the academy.
Standing with his back to the cave, Sabikang cautioned the cadets.
“The likelihood of demonic creatures being summoned here is high. Since it’s the first discovery, I don’t expect them to be too strong. But don’t let your guard down.”
Then, a female cadet from the second class, Yeosojung, stepped forward and asked.
“Do we know what kind of creatures will appear?”
“No. We can’t be certain until we enter. In fact, there are various types of summoning sites. For example, some have a boss monster, while others don’t; some have barriers, while others don’t. We won’t know for sure until we go in.”
Hearing Sabikang’s words, the cadets steeled themselves with determined expressions.
Even though they were told the creatures wouldn’t be too strong, they were still facing something unknown for the first time.
Moreover, the creatures that appeared during the Great Battle of Seohwa Plain had enough impact to spawn a new cult.
Naturally, the cadets who had never encountered such creatures couldn’t help but feel tense.
Of course, some were brimming with unfounded confidence.
Jingyeongsan, who had been recognized for his exceptional swordsmanship and placed in the first class, was one such case.
Though he came from a minor sect, he was a promising talent who had earned much praise in his region.
His reason for joining the Demonic Academy was to achieve great feats recognized by the martial world and revive his declining sect.
Jingyeongsan approached Yeosojung to reassure her.
“Don’t worry too much, miss. These creatures are nothing more than lowly beasts. If you find yourself in danger, I’ll be there to help you without hesitation.”
At this, Yangchoji, who didn’t get along with him, snorted and interjected.
“Stop flirting and focus on keeping yourself alive, rookie.”
“Hmph. Typical of those from unorthodox sects to have such filthy mouths.”
“What did you say? Your mouth must be full of filth!”
“Hah! If you’re scared, just admit it. Why worry about someone else’s life?”
“Scared? Who’s scared? Even if hundreds of those creatures appear, I’m invincible!”
“Invincible, huh? More like invisible, leaving no trace behind…”
At that moment, a dark shadow loomed in front of Jingyeongsan.
“Enough with the chatter. Focus. We’re not here for fun.”
Startled by the cold voice, Jingyeongsan turned to see Wigeomjong standing there, his face hidden under a deep hat, lips tightly sealed.
“Why are you only scolding me? Just because you’re from the same unorthodox sect…”
Jingyeongsan couldn’t finish his sentence.
The intense killing intent emanating from Wigeomjong was suffocating.
Meanwhile, Deungbuheong, observing from the side, clicked his tongue.
“He’s an unsettling fellow. His aura is so intense it feels like demonic energy.”
He shook off his thoughts and reassured the surrounding cadets.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll protect you all.”
Once the preparations were complete, Sabikang turned and led the way.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes!”
The twenty cadets responded loudly.
Sabikang whispered quietly to Jinbaek, who stood beside him.
“Stay close to me.”
“Understood.”
**
Drip… drip…
Somewhere deep within the cave, the sound of water droplets echoed rhythmically.
The cave was dark and damp.
Even the cadets who had entered with confidence couldn’t help but feel tense as time passed.
Finally, when they could no longer see an inch ahead, Sabikang quietly chanted a spell.
“Light.”
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a ball of light floated in the air, illuminating the surroundings.
“Wow. How did he do that?”
“Isn’t that magic?”
“Magic sure is convenient.”
The cadets, who were just about to start their magic classes with the newly issued spellbooks, exclaimed in surprise.
None of them fully understood the principles of magic yet.
However, they had enough basic knowledge to know that Sabikang’s magic was distinctly different from sorcery or illusions.
The march continued in silence.
How long had they walked?
A bright light shone from deep within, making Sabikang’s light spell unnecessary.
“Incredible!”
“Who would have thought such a place existed?”
The cadets, reaching a large chamber beyond the cave, looked around in awe.
Massive pillars, faintly glowing, supported the ceiling in the vast chamber.
“Hey, these pillars seem to be made of the same material as luminous pearls.”
At one cadet’s remark, others looked at the glowing pillars, tilting their heads in curiosity.
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“But they’re truly beautiful.”
“Ahem. Step aside, let me take a closer look.”
At Jingyeongsan’s words, the other cadets hesitated and stepped back.
Jingyeongsan drew his sword, focused on the pillar, and with a shout,
“Haaah!”
He swung his sword with a powerful cry.
Swish, clang!
“Ugh!”
The sword bounced off harmlessly, and Jingyeongsan bit his lip in frustration.
Astonishingly, the pillar remained unscathed.
Jingyeongsan endured the pain in his hand and muttered.
“What’s going on?”
He couldn’t understand.
His technique, the Strong Dragon True Sword, could slice through rock like tofu.
And he hadn’t made any mistakes.
Yet, he couldn’t even scratch the pillar.
Meanwhile, Yangchoji laughed, clutching his stomach.
“Heh heh heh! Serves you right. Now your true skills are showing!”
“What did you say? You old fool, what do you know?”
At that moment, Jaunryong, who had been quietly observing the pillar, drew his sword and thrust it into the pillar, not to cut it but to pierce it.
Unlike the loud crash that accompanied Jinkyung-san’s attempt, Jaunryong sliced through part of the pillar with surprising ease.
Even Jaunryong himself, along with Yangchoji, was taken aback, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Though he had outwardly dismissed it, Yangchoji knew firsthand that Jinkyung-san’s martial skills were nothing to scoff at.
Yet here was Jaunryong, effortlessly cutting through what Jinkyung-san couldn’t even scratch.
“Is this what it means to be an instructor?” he wondered.
The cadets weren’t the only ones astonished by the display.
Even the senior instructor, Deungbuyung, was quietly impressed.
“I suspected his martial arts were formidable, but the more I see, the more amazed I am,” he thought.
Meanwhile, Jaunryong examined the severed stone piece and remarked, “It’s not glowing anymore. It was definitely shining when it was part of the pillar.”
“Does that mean this cave is like a living organism?” Deungbuyung mused aloud, to which Jinbaek nodded.
“That’s one way to look at it. A cave functioning as a single organism… truly fascinating.”
Sabigang, lost in thought, surveyed the surroundings.
“Something feels off…”
Having explored countless dungeons, he could usually gauge their difficulty just by stepping inside.
But here…
“I can’t make heads or tails of this place. Well, I suppose I’ll figure it out as we go.”
Just as Sabigang was about to move on, he heard excited shouts.
“Wow, real night pearls!”
“Where? Oh! They really are! How many are there? We’ve hit the jackpot!”
Two cadets’ exclamations drew others to the spot, where indeed, half a dozen night pearls were embedded in the wall.
“Since I found them first, I’m taking the biggest one,” declared one cadet, drawing a dagger to pry it out.
But then,
Blink.
“Huh?”
The cadet flinched and stepped back.
“Did that just…?”
“What’s wrong?” another cadet asked, approaching.
“I’m sure I just saw…”
It was as if an eyelid had briefly covered the night pearl and then lifted.
Then,
Blink!
“Whoa! What was that?”
“Something just blinked, didn’t it?”
The nearby cadet finally noticed something was amiss and shouted.
Suddenly,
Rustle…! Thud!
The wall began to tremble, and the section with the night pearls crumbled away.
“Ahh! The rock’s moving!”
“No, no! It’s a monster!”
The cadets cried out.
At that moment,
Flash! Flash! Flash…!
Hundreds of night pearls appeared along the cavern walls.
Rumble…!
Crack!
With a heavy sound, the rocks began to shift and detach from the wall.
As the massive form finally broke free, one cadet stared up in shock and muttered,
“My God… they weren’t night pearls. They were the monster’s eyes.”