Episode 480: Return of the Demon Cult
Sabikang was certain of one thing.
These people would choose their lives over money.
They had been hiding their whereabouts out of fear for their lives. But now, they had emerged, seizing the opportunity.
They would never have imagined that the Justice Alliance would leak the location of the herbalist to the demons.
“What kind of fool is this?”
The old woman’s gaze at Sabikang said it all.
“Are you out of your mind?”
She asked, suppressing her rising anger, to which Sabikang replied with a smile.
“Does it matter if I’m in my right mind right now?”
“Ugh…!”
Just then, a loud metallic clatter echoed from the stairs.
“Let’s postpone our deal for now.”
The old woman said coldly and strode away.
As she ascended the stairs, her eyes widened in shock.
“What is this…?”
The people charging at her with swords were none other than the local residents—innkeepers, butchers who prepared meat every morning, and even passersby!
Ordinary people had suddenly taken up arms and were causing chaos.
“Didn’t you say the intruder was a demon?”
“The Twelve Zodiac Guardians are handling it outside!”
The Twelve Zodiac Guardians were twelve supreme masters who protected against any unforeseen threats. The intense killing intent Sabikang and Maesellan felt upon entering was theirs.
The old woman struck down a bystander blocking her path with a fierce blow and rushed outside.
Indeed, a fierce battle was raging in the middle of the street.
“Monsters…!”
The Twelve Zodiac Guardians were facing five enormous creatures—ogres and cyclopes.
But the Guardians were also masters of the highest order. With equal numbers, the battle was gradually tipping in their favor.
“Damn, the demons really have invaded!”
She shook her head, recalling Sabikang’s words. How could such a fool be part of the Justice Alliance?
“Still… this can’t be the end.”
Even the neighbors and passersby had lost their minds and stormed the shop with weapons. There had to be something or someone causing this madness.
The old woman furrowed her brow and scanned her surroundings when—
“Are you the owner here?”
A deep yet melodious male voice came from behind her.
“When did he…!”
Startled, the old woman turned and struck out instinctively.
Bang!
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“Blocked…?”
The man behind her hadn’t moved. Instead, a thin shield enveloped him, dissipating her attack.
It was a protective barrier.
He was none other than Viscount Ailid.
He smiled gently.
“Quite the clever child.”
“Child…?”
The old woman’s brow furrowed deeply. This young-looking man had the audacity to call her a child.
She reached out to the side.
In the next moment,
Whoosh, thud!
A long spear flew into her hand from inside the shop.
“Impressive little trick.”
“Your tone is insufferable for someone so young! Show some respect for your elders!”
Unaware of the demons’ near-immortal lifespan, her reaction was understandable.
She kicked off the ground and charged with her spear.
Thud! Thud!
Ailid drew his sword and deflected her spear multiple times.
As time passed, the old woman felt a growing sense of despair.
There was no opening.
Ailid spoke.
“Typical of insignificant humans to boast about their years of survival.”
“You scoundrel!”
“Even so, you’re far beneath me.”
Whoosh, crash!
“Ugh!”
The old woman was sent flying back into the herbalist’s shop, tumbling haphazardly.
The ordinary people who had been causing chaos with their swords were also knocked aside, groaning in pain.
“Ugh, spit!”
The old woman spat out a mouthful of blood and sprang to her feet, returning to the street.
Ailid still wore a relaxed smile.
“Speak.”
“Speak what?”
“Where is the elixir you insignificant beings rely on?”
“Hmph! If you think I’ll just tell you…”
The old woman’s eyes suddenly went blank.
“Ugh…!”
She furrowed her brow and bit her lip hard.
The moment she met his gaze, she was overwhelmed by a powerful urge to reveal everything.
If she hadn’t quickly gathered her inner strength to defend herself, she would have spilled all the secrets by now.
Blessed by the god of lies and deceit, Ailid had a knack for ensnaring human minds.
“The elixir… the elixir is…!”
As she began to speak, the old woman suddenly drew a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed her own thigh.
“Ugh!”
The pain and flowing blood snapped her back to her senses.
“I almost made a grave mistake. What a formidable spell. I mustn’t meet his eyes again!”
She gritted her teeth and assumed a defensive stance.
But fighting without looking at her opponent’s eyes was a significant disadvantage.
Every battle begins with eye contact.
Moreover, her opponent was far stronger than she was.
Ailid twisted his lips.
“So, you have no intention of speaking willingly?”
In an instant,
Whoosh!
Ailid sliced through the air, closing the distance between them in a flash.
The old woman reflexively raised her head to look at him but quickly averted her gaze and thrust her spear.
Swish! Thud!
But her spear only grazed Ailid’s clothes.
Instead, Ailid’s sword pierced through her shoulder.
“Ugh!”
Slash!
Ailid withdrew his sword and slashed diagonally.
The old woman’s eyes widened in agony as a scream tore from her lips.
As she staggered back, Ailid swiftly approached and grabbed her chin, lifting it.
In that moment, her gaze met Ailid’s crimson eyes directly.
“Ugh!”
Ailid, still smiling, asked,
“Now, speak.”
“Ugh…! The elixir is… about five li from here… in the manor… the mechanism is…”
Despite her desperate resistance, her mouth betrayed her, spilling the truth.
Then, suddenly,
[Shall we resume our transaction?]
A booming voice echoed from all around.
Ailid’s concentration wavered for a brief moment, allowing the old woman to regain her senses and leap back.
Ailid furrowed his brow and shouted,
“Who are you?”
[I have no business with you, so keep quiet. Well? Are you ready to continue our deal?]
The voice resonated from all directions, making it impossible to pinpoint its source—a masterful use of the Six Harmonies Transmission technique.
The old woman bit her lip.
“Even if you pretend to save me now…”
She felt no gratitude.
It was as if two bandits had come to extort her.
The only difference was…
One promised her life, while the other did not.
She had never imagined such a moment would come in her life.
But what choice did she have?
She had no way to defeat the demon before her.
Finally, she spoke in a heavy voice.
“I accept your terms.”
[A wise decision.]
The voice replied, and Ailid furrowed his brow, shouting,
“What are you doing? Show yourself immediately!”
He couldn’t accept being toyed with by mere humans and was visibly enraged.
Then,
Whoosh.
A gust of wind swept by, and a young man appeared before him as if by magic.
Ailid flinched,
“If you insist, I suppose I should show myself.”
Sabikang muttered nonchalantly, drawing his sword in a diagonal slash.
Swish!
“Ugh!”
Ailid quickly retreated, glaring at the cut on his chin with disbelief.
He couldn’t fathom the situation.
How could a mere human inflict a wound on him?
“Who the hell are you?”
Ailid asked, his brow deeply furrowed, and Sabikang replied with a calm expression.
“It’s been a while, Ailid.”
”…!”
Ailid’s eyes widened.
After a moment, he glared at Sabikang with a gaze full of fury.
“How do you know me…!”
“Of course I know you. You were beneath me.”
“What?”
“As a human who once rose to the unprecedented rank of Demon Grand Duke.”
“What nonsense…!”
“Your life is forfeit anyway. No need to dwell on it. Oh, do you know why I leaked the location of the herbalist to your kind?”
”…?”
“Partly to facilitate a deal with them, but also to draw you out one by one and eliminate you.”
“This crazy human…!”
Bang!
In an instant, Ailid launched himself at Sabikang like a bullet.
But he was no match for Sabikang.
Whoosh!
Sabikang’s sword sliced through the air, tearing the void apart.
Just moments ago, Sabikang had been standing right in front of him, but now he was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, that familiar, indifferent voice came from behind him.
“You can’t defeat me.”
“Damn it…!”
Swish!
Clang!
As he spun around, his sword clashed violently with Veritas, ringing out with a loud, metallic sound.
Shhh…!
Ailid felt a shiver run through him as he sensed the energy emanating from Veritas.
“This… this is…!”
There was no doubt about it.
This was Veritas, the Demon King’s sword.
At first, he hadn’t recognized it because it looked different. But now, with their swords locked, he was certain.
How could a mere human wield Veritas?
“You look like you have a lot of questions,” Sabikang sneered coldly, pressing his advantage.
Slash!
“Argh!”
Ailid cried out, stumbling backward.
Sabikang advanced on him, step by step.
‘What… what is this?!’
Ailid was completely overwhelmed by Sabikang’s dominating presence. Initially, he had been filled with rage, but now his mind was consumed by fear and terror.
His heart pounded wildly in his chest.
Sabikang twisted his lips into a mocking smile.
“Did you know? Right now, I’m feeling more exhilarated than ever. It’s the first time all my hard work feels worth it.”
“Ugh…!”
Ailid retreated, his pride stung by the fact that he was backing away from a mere human. But his body obeyed its instincts.
As much as he hated to admit it, this human was strong. Far stronger than he could ever be.
In the next moment, Ailid’s eyes turned crimson, and he let out a thunderous roar.
“Tear him apart!”
Suddenly, the crowd, their eyes also glowing red, surged toward Sabikang.
At the same time, an old woman shouted.
“Protect him!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The Twelve Zodiac Warriors, having dispatched the monsters, descended to form a protective circle around Sabikang.
Sabikang grinned like a specter, his lips curling into a wide smile.
“Time to settle old scores!”
Bang!
He shot forward like a comet.