Episode 459: Return to the Demonic Sect
The cold wind brushed against her cheek.
Standing atop the southern gate, Maeseollan gazed intently at the three figures on the opposite rooftop.
She turned to Danrijung beside her and asked, “Can you tell who they are?”
Thanks to her exceptional eyesight, Danrijung nodded. “They appear to be the four disciples of the Demon Sect’s leader. The middle-aged man on the far left resembles the first disciple, Ilsinma. The one with the eyepatch in the center is Isinma, and the large man is Samsinma.”
“And where is Sasinsma?”
“I don’t see him.”
“Hmm.”
Maeseollan pondered silently. She and Danrijung had already gathered detailed information about the disciples from Jaunryong.
Just then, Murang approached from behind. “The demons are attacking from the northeast.”
“How many?”
“Not many, just about a dozen each. They’re trapped in the spell and wandering aimlessly.”
“Only a dozen?”
Murang nodded. “They’re not to be underestimated. They must have sensed something was off, so they sent a small group first.”
“A reconnaissance team?”
“More like a sacrificial one. A throwaway move.”
“They’re ruthless, even to their own.”
“That’s the Demon Sect for you,” Murang muttered bitterly.
“If they lose contact with the sacrificial team, they’ll realize there’s a spell in place.”
“They probably know by now. They’ll send in experts to break the spell. But…”
“The master’s spell won’t be broken, right?”
“Of course not. It could last up to three months, maybe just one.”
Maeseollan frowned slightly. “That’s shorter than before. It was six months, then two.”
“Facing them directly, they’re tougher than expected. But it won’t be less than a month, I assure you.”
“And if we need to escape?”
Murang shook his head. “It’s hard to make it easy to leave while keeping others out. Especially with so many people. We’d have to use the emergency passage, the ‘Earth Dragon Path.’”
The ‘Earth Dragon Path’ was an emergency escape route created by Josinryang and Hongyeom when the fortress was built. It led from the underground training hall to the outskirts of the fortress.
No one expected to use it so soon.
Maeseollan approached Josinryang nearby. “Is the emergency passage operational?”
“Of course. It’s regularly checked.”
“That’s a relief.”
Even as she spoke, Maeseollan thought to herself, ‘I hope we never have to use it.’
Using the passage would mean the enemy had breached the inner gate, a dire situation indeed. But they had to be prepared for the worst, especially with so many injured.
With determination, Maeseollan addressed the group. “Think of this place as our last stand. It won’t be easy, but we’ll be the ones cheering in victory at the end.”
Everyone nodded resolutely.
“Commander Go.”
“Yes.”
As Gojuksan stepped forward, Maeseollan sighed lightly. “Help the wounded to the underground training hall. Be ready to evacuate if necessary.”
“Understood!”
As Gojuksan hurried off, Maeseollan turned to Danrijung. “There’s no point in waiting for them to regroup.”
Danrijung seemed to understand, nodding as she slowly drew her bowstring. “I’ll give them a little nudge.”
Maeseollan nodded with narrowed eyes.
**
The cold night wind swept across the plaza in front of the southern gate.
Not a single ant crawled in the open space. Instead, countless demons lined the paths leading from the plaza, exuding a menacing aura.
Hundreds more stood ready on the rooftops near the southern gate.
On the rooftop opposite the gate, Ilsinma stood with arms crossed, muttering, “So they’re all huddled inside?”
“Most of them are probably injured. It’s almost over,” Isinma replied.
Samsinma pounded his fist into his palm. “Let’s go in and crush these insolent fools.”
“Looks like Samsin’s riled up,” Isinma chuckled, seeing Samsinma’s flushed face.
“I won’t sleep until they’re destroyed.”
Just then, Sasinsma descended beside them, followed by four spellcasters.
With pale skin and a gaunt frame, Sasinsma approached Ilsinma. “As expected, all paths except the southern gate are blocked by spells. They have a reason to focus on the southern gate.”
Ilsinma squinted at the four behind him. “How long to break the spell?”
An elderly man stepped forward. “The caster is skilled. It could take six months, maybe three.”
Ilsinma’s expression hardened.
A moment later, with a flick of his finger, a gust of wind pierced the old man’s forehead.
Thud!
As the old man fell, the remaining three widened their eyes in shock.
Ilsinma turned to the woman behind the old man. “How long?”
“If… if we’re lucky…”
“Shorter.”
“Maybe… a month.”
Thud!
The woman fell, a hole in her forehead.
The two middle-aged men beside her broke into a cold sweat.
Ilsinma asked one of them, “And you?”
“I-I’ll do it in a day!”
“Now we’re talking. But a day might anger the leader. Finish in two hours.”
“What? I-I’ll do my best!”
“Good, go.”
The two spellcasters hurried off.
Sasinsma tilted his head. “Can they really do it in two hours?”
“They won’t.”
“Then why…”
“At least they won’t take three months. Desperation is key.”
“I see.”
“Even rats find escape routes. There’s likely an emergency passage to the inner gate. Search the outskirts for its exit.”
“Understood, sir.”
Sasinsma bowed.
At that moment, a streak of light shot from the southern gate.
Ilsinma twisted his body, catching the long arrow.
Snap!
The arrow was longer than usual.
Samsinma growled, “Those bastards dare…!”
Ilsinma raised a hand to calm Samsinma, looking at the gate with interest.
Sasinsma commented, “Impressive skill. The rumors of a master archer in the fortress weren’t unfounded.”
“This isn’t it.”
“Sir?”
“This is just a provocation. They weren’t trying their best.”
“Surely not…”
Sasinsma looked skeptically at the gate.
Ilsinma transferred the arrow to his left hand, examining his right palm. Blood seeped from a small cut.
His expression twisted into a sinister smile. “Interesting. So that’s how they want to play? Fine, release the Mad Demon Squad. Let’s give them what they want.”
**
“Those are…!”
Jaunryong shuddered at the sight of the demons positioned at the southern gate.
Maeseollan glanced at him. “Do you know them?”
“Yes, they’re the Mad Demon Squad.”
“The Mad Demon Squad?”
Maeseollan narrowed her eyes. The name alone suggested madness.
One thing was clear: the aura they exuded was anything but ordinary.
It felt like they could explode at the slightest touch.
The hundred or so members of the squad radiated a chilling energy.
Josinryang chuckled coldly. “Whatever the Mad Demon Squad is, they won’t charge in recklessly with the mechanisms in place.”
However, Jaunryong shook his head.
“They won’t care.”
“No matter how ruthless the organization, shouldn’t they at least consider the possibility? Clinging to the impossible…”
“Simply put, they’re a ‘discarded card’ too.”
“A discarded card…?”
Jaunryong turned to Josinryang and spoke calmly.
“The Gwangmadan is a group created by the Marengyo, who brainwashed captured warriors with dark arts. They’d leap into a fire without hesitation if ordered by their leader. In short, they’re not in their right minds.”
“What madness…!”
His words weren’t directed at the brainwashed members of the Gwangmadan. It was the sheer horror of using such dark arts on fellow humans, even if they were enemies, that made him speak.
“They’ll be here soon. We need to be ready,” Jaunryong said, his expression serious. Maeseollan nodded, scanning their surroundings.
“Everyone, take your positions and prepare for their arrival.”
“Understood!”
The warriors dispersed, taking their places. Maeseollan clenched her jaw, glaring at the approaching enemies.
‘Come on!’
As if sensing her challenge, the leader of the Gwangmadan roared.
“Attack!”
“Hyaaaah!”
The Gwangmadan members let out a unified battle cry, sprinting forward with agility. As they reached the center of the square,
“Now!” Josinryang shouted.
Suddenly, with a ‘clank!’ sound, hundreds of holes appeared in the walls.
Then,
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
Like a barrage of crossbow bolts, short arrows filled the air, shooting out from the wall.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
“Argh!”
“Aaah!”
The leading Gwangmadan members fell, twisting as they were struck. Some managed to deflect the arrows with their weapons.
Clang! Thunk!
But the deflected arrows found new targets in their comrades’ chests.
Yet, as Jaunryong had said, the Gwangmadan felt no fear. They were fixated solely on breaking through the southern gate.
As dozens of them charged forward, ignoring the arrows, spears suddenly shot up diagonally from the ground.
Shk-shk-shk-shk!
Thud! Thunk! Thud!
“Gah!”
“Aaah!”
Many were wounded and fell, caught off guard by the sudden spears. Made from the bones of dark creatures, the spear tips inflicted burning pain on the injured.
They were like moths drawn to a flame, heedless of the danger.
Watching the battle unfold, Ilsinma spoke gravely.
“Now, we sweep them away for good.”