Chapter 43: Return to the Demonic Academy
Emergency.
All the cadets were gathered in one room.
“So you’re saying the Black Twin Demons have captured Mok Dan-hwa, Min Yu-hyang, and Baek Mi-ryeong?”
Yeon Woo-kyung asked Yeom Ja-ryang.
Having traveled together for quite some time, most of the cadets had grown comfortable enough to speak casually with one another. Of course, there were exceptions, like Yeon Woo-kyung and Mok Dan-hwa, who still used formal speech with each other.
Yeon Woo-kyung and Yeom Ja-ryang had initially spoken formally, but somewhere along the way, they had dropped the pretense. Not that it meant they were particularly fond of each other.
Yeom Ja-ryang nodded.
“Yes. There was nothing we could do. Mok Dan-hwa was the one who signaled us to run.”
“Is there any chance those female cadets escaped safely?”
“Unlikely. Maybe one, if they’re lucky.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“The Black Twin Demons’ subordinates chased us, but they went after the women themselves. They’re much stronger than we thought, and they have numbers on their side.”
Yeon Woo-kyung fell silent, lost in thought.
Things had gone awry again.
The plan to get Mok Dan-hwa’s group kidnapped had succeeded, but only if they could escape on their own. As it stood, they were in real danger. While it was certain that Sa Bi-gang would face consequences, the risk to the women was not part of the plan.
The cadets murmured anxiously.
“What do we do now?”
“Where are the instructors when we need them?”
“This is serious. I didn’t think the Black Twin Demons were this powerful.”
Just then, Gok Bo-ok shouted.
“You cowards! Are you just going to sit here trembling? We should go rescue the kidnapped cadets!”
“But didn’t you hear Ja-ryang? They have more people than we thought, and they’re strong.”
Jo Mun-tak countered.
Gok Bo-ok shouted again.
“Ha! With that kind of weak spirit, how do you expect to accomplish anything? Those who agree with me, raise your hands.”
Contrary to expectations, the cadets hesitated to raise their hands. Without the safety net of their instructors, the harsh reality of the martial world hit them hard. They were all novices, with no real combat experience. Imagining a fight was one thing; risking their lives was another.
The Black Twin Demons had become a terrifying presence in their minds.
“Damn it! Where are the instructors? Why aren’t they here? Did they abandon us?”
Gok Bo-ok’s grumbling only heightened the cadets’ unease.
Dan Ri-jeong turned to Yeom Ja-ryang.
“What do you think? You’re the only one who’s faced them.”
All eyes were on Yeom Ja-ryang. He frowned, staring at the floor.
The Black Twin Demons were formidable. He had only managed to block a single attack, but it was enough to understand their strength. If the person who threw the blade had been serious, he would have died on the spot.
Going after them with just the cadets? Impossible. Even if they miraculously won, the casualties would be severe. Not even the instructors could help then.
Yeom Ja-ryang, having made up his mind, spoke.
“I’m sorry for the kidnapped cadets, but we shouldn’t act rashly. They’re not opponents we can handle without getting hurt. We should wait for the instructors to return.”
“I agree.”
“Me too.”
One by one, the cadets raised their hands in agreement.
Yeon Woo-kyung shrugged and stood up.
“Well, if that’s the consensus, we have no choice but to wait for the instructors.”
He opened the door and left the room. As he walked down the corridor, a faint smile played on his lips.
“Should I laugh or cry? Either way, the instructors are in a real bind now.”
His expression was closer to a smile.
**
Thump. Thump. Thump!
A heart as large as an adult’s torso. It pulsed as if alive, yet it wasn’t a living creature. It was merely the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscle, like the heart of a beheaded man that continues to beat for a while.
The fact that it had moved through dimensions with the barrier was proof enough. The Dragon Heart, with its immense mana, maintained its pulse for much longer. The blood on it didn’t dry easily, making it seem as if it had just been extracted from a dragon’s chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump…!
Sa Bi-gang’s heart beat in sync with the Dragon Heart. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the stone platform. A shiver ran through him.
‘Once I consume this…!’
He reached out slowly. The heart felt strange and slippery, and the powerful pulse pushed back against his hand.
‘Still not used to it.’
The joy of finding the Dragon Heart was short-lived, and the smile faded from his lips. It wasn’t his first time seeing a Dragon Heart. He had consumed one in the Demon Realm before, but it was a memory he preferred to forget.
The reward for successfully consuming a Dragon Heart was immense, but the process was excruciating. Eating the massive heart raw, without cooking, was a pain beyond imagination. He couldn’t afford to vomit even a little. Even if his stomach felt like bursting, he had to force it all down.
‘Damn it! I’ve come this far. Let’s just do it.’
Resolute, Sa Bi-gang lifted the metal box and stepped down. He sat down heavily, thrusting his hand into the box.
Squish!
Snap!
Muscle and tendon tore as he ripped a piece of the heart into his hand.
Crunch. Munch.
Sa Bi-gang chewed the piece mindlessly, then closed his eyes and swallowed.
‘Ugh!’
He couldn’t savor the taste. Before it could imprint on his mind, he had to eat as quickly as possible.
Snap!
This time, he tore off a larger piece and brought it to his mouth.
Crunch. Munch. Slurp.
Gulp!
Snap!
Crunch. Munch. Slurp!
Gulp!
Sa Bi-gang devoured the Dragon Heart relentlessly.
**
“Bon appétit. Heh heh.”
Ja-gwe licked his lips, grinning slyly. He leaned over the neck of a naked woman, licking it with a wet tongue.
“Ugh!”
The woman trembled with shame and fear.
“Heh heh. What a sweet sound.”
Ja-gwe, straddling the woman’s stomach, began to undo his lower garments. The woman could only shed tears in a daze.
Meanwhile, U-gwe, who was in the middle of assaulting another woman nearby, turned and asked.
“Ja-gwe, when are we going to eat those ones?”
“Let’s finish with these first, then we’ll see.”
“True. It’s best to save the tastiest for last.”
“Exactly, U-gwe.”
“Right, right. And that one over there is mine. Don’t forget, Ja-gwe.”
“Got it. The other two are mine, U-gwe.”
“Ha ha. Good, good.”
U-gwe continued his vile act, casting a leering smile at Mok Dan-hwa, who was trapped in a cage nearby.
Inside the cave, Mok Dan-hwa, Min Yu-hyang, and Baek Mi-ryeong watched the Black Twin Demons with pale faces.
‘We underestimated them! They’re too strong!’
Mok Dan-hwa’s expression hardened. There was no chance to use the Blood Elixir. These men could overpower them without even tapping into their demonic energy.
“Dan-hwa, what are we going to do?”
“I’m honestly terrified.”
Min Yu-hyang and Baek Mi-ryeong’s eyes brimmed with tears. Mok Dan-hwa bit her lip, glaring at the Black Twin Demons.
The men were engrossed in their vile acts, mistaking the women’s cries of pain for cries of pleasure.
“Ha ha! Moan some more!”
“Feel the thrill! Ha!”
Mok Dan-hwa watched them with disgust before suddenly shouting.
“Hey!”
“Huh, huh. What?”
U-gwe paused his vile act and looked up at Mok Dan-hwa.
“If you let us go now, we’ll pretend none of this ever happened!”
“Huh? Why would I do that? If we pretend it never happened, I can’t have you.”
“Do you even know who I am? I’m Mok Dan-hwa of the Sword Blossom Clan!”
“Heh heh! I know, I know. That’s what makes it so exciting. I never thought I’d get to have the young lady of the Sword Blossom Clan. Ha ha ha.”
“Aren’t you afraid of death?”
“Ha ha ha. If I were afraid of death, would I live a life of crime? If I can have you today, I don’t care if I die tomorrow. Ha ha.”
U-gwe’s words drained the color from Mok Dan-hwa and the other cadets’ faces. Mok Dan-hwa bit her trembling lip.
‘These people are insane. They’re obsessed with lust!’
Whether he understood her thoughts or not, U-gwe continued with a sly grin.
“Pretty little puppy, just wait a bit. I’ll put a collar on you soon. A bitch like you should crawl on all fours. Ha ha ha.”
Mokdanhwa stumbled backward, her legs giving way as she collapsed to the ground.
She had never felt such terror in her life.
“So… so scared…!”
But her pride wouldn’t allow her to show it.
She clenched her teeth, determined to hold her ground.
The Left Ogre chuckled.
“Hey, Right Ogre, don’t scare her too much. What if she wets herself?”
“Hmm? That might be fun. Let’s see the little bitch pee herself naked.”
“Heh, you’re such a pervert, Right Ogre.”
“You’re no different, Left Ogre.”
“True enough.”
Right Ogre grinned at Mokdanhwa.
“Hey, bitch. Why don’t you show us how you pee on all fours? Lift one leg while you’re at it.”
“Heh, Right Ogre, lifting a leg is what male dogs do. Females just squat.”
“Who cares? She’ll do as she’s told.”
The Black Twin Ogres laughed, drooling with amusement.
“I’m going to be sick. I can’t stand this…!”
Mokdanhwa, her face pale, clamped her hands over her ears.
**
“Oh… I can’t stand this…! I’m really going to be sick…!”
Sabigang’s face was ashen as he clamped a hand over his mouth.
His stomach was so distended it looked ready to burst.
At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if he died from it.
“Ugh, blegh!”
Nausea surged up.
He quickly covered his mouth, forcing down the bile that rose to his throat.
“No, I can’t! This is the last one! Just a little more, hang in there!”
His body shuddered involuntarily.
Squirm. Squirm. Squirm.
Inside the box, only one heart the size of a fist remained.
He had devoured everything else, and this was the final piece.
He wanted to rest, but he couldn’t stop now.
The longer it took, the less effective it would be.
So Sabigang hurried, eating as fast as he could.
“Alright, this is the last one!”
He picked up the final heart and brought it to his mouth.
Crunch! Munch! Slurp!
Gulp!
“Ugh!”
Finally, Sabigang let out a long belch and sprawled out on the ground.
His stomach swelled like a mountain.
“Huff, huff, huff! Damn it, I’m never doing this again!”
He muttered to no one in particular, his words lost in the air.
His stomach felt like it would explode, making it hard to move.
After a long moment of deep breathing, Sabigang smirked.
“Alright, time to come out now.”
Who was he talking to?
Then, a crimson aura began to emanate from his entire body, growing more intense.
BOOM!
An immense energy surged violently, triggering a massive explosion that obliterated everything around him.