Episode 497: Return to the Demon Realm
“Rebellion, you say?”
The Demon King, Tarrant, narrowed his eyes as he sat upon his throne.
A powerful aura emanated from him, so intense that Jonya, standing before him, found it hard to breathe.
Yet, among humans, she was considered a master of the highest order, having achieved eternal youth.
Even so, the energy radiating from Tarrant was overwhelming, beyond what she could fully withstand.
Baritan bowed his head as he reported, “Yes, Your Majesty. Duke Aranius, who discovered the whereabouts of Vertas, acted on his own and was caught. He confessed everything, and ten knights confirmed it.”
“And… he took his own life?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We tried to persuade him to atone for his sins and seek redemption, but he remained resolute in his betrayal and ended his life swiftly.”
Baritan spoke without a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
“Why were you unaware of Vertas’s existence?”
“I had my suspicions, but the sword’s appearance was different. I deeply regret my oversight.”
Tarrant scrutinized Baritan with his narrowed gaze before waving a hand dismissively.
“Very well. You may leave.”
Baritan bowed deeply and withdrew.
A moment later, a sinister voice echoed from the void.
“So, he finally did it.”
“I’m curious to see how far he’ll go,” Tarrant replied, as a dark presence materialized beside him, exuding an eerie aura.
It was Count Jacock.
“What Aranius sought was indeed Vertas.”
“Indeed.”
Tarrant nodded silently.
But the notion of rebellion was a blatant lie. It was likely Baritan’s doing.
Aranius was loyal to a fault, almost annoyingly so.
Thus, Tarrant felt no regret over Aranius’s death.
Demons, by nature, rarely felt emotions like sympathy or compassion.
However, the death of a loyal servant could stir a sense of loss.
Yet, Tarrant remained cynical.
“Such incompetence, to be outwitted by someone like Baritan.”
To Tarrant, incompetence was worse than betrayal.
Betrayal could be crushed and subdued.
But incompetence had no remedy.
Jacock spoke in a low voice, “So… he has returned. Sabigang.”
Tarrant nodded.
“A returnee from the Demon Realm, Sabigang… intriguing.”
A faint smile played on his lips.
**
Nungunpa paused as he lifted his teacup.
He peered intently at Maesellan, who sat across from him.
“You wish to join the expedition?”
“Yes.”
Maesellan nodded firmly.
Her clear, bright eyes, prominent nose, and tightly pressed lips, along with her slightly flushed cheeks and slender neck, made it easy to understand why people were captivated by her beauty.
‘Truly stunning.’
It was the first time Nungunpa had seen Maesellan up close for such an extended period.
While he marveled inwardly, Maesellan continued speaking softly.
“I heard the leader himself is forming an expedition to the summoning site. They say it’s of the highest rank. I wish to join.”
“Hmm. What prompted this sudden request?”
“Naturally, I want to help eradicate the demons.”
Maesellan replied clearly.
But if one probed deeper, her reasons were more personal than noble.
She had never fought a demon before.
She had only seen them when she visited the summoning site.
She had never participated in an expedition or even been near a summoning site.
‘I want to test my skills.’
That was her honest feeling.
More than the grand cause of saving the world, she wanted to see how strong she had become.
Moreover, she wanted the ability to help those close to her without hesitation, as she had witnessed the previous day.
Watching Sabigang and Jomuntak leave the sect had been more disheartening than she had anticipated.
As if reading her thoughts, Nungunpa smiled gently.
“You’re already quite strong, Chief Maesellan.”
“You’re too kind. I still know little about demons.”
“Neither do I.”
“Surely, you can’t compare yourself to me, Leader.”
“Hmm. How about a sparring match, then?”
“Pardon?”
“If you’re willing, I’d like to gauge your martial skills through a spar. Think of it as an interview.”
Nungunpa chuckled as he spoke, as if joking.
Maesellan didn’t want to miss this opportunity.
Nungunpa was a master of the highest order.
Sparring with such a formidable opponent was a rare chance.
Regardless of the outcome, it would be immensely beneficial for Maesellan.
With a look of gratitude, Maesellan clasped her hands in respect.
“If you grant me the opportunity, it would be an honor.”
“Haha, no need for such formality. Let’s head to the training grounds.”
Nungunpa stroked his beard and rose from his seat.
**
Swish! Swish!
Two swords, gleaming like silver, flew fiercely through the air.
Nungunpa tilted his head to dodge one and reached out to deflect the other.
Clang!
Despite the clash of hand and sword, a metallic sound rang out.
Swish! Swish!
The deflected sword relentlessly pursued him.
“Hah!”
Crash!
With a shout, Nungunpa thrust his sword downward, sending a wave of energy in all directions.
Clang!
The two flying swords were repelled by the energy wave.
‘He’s strong!’
Maesellan was impressed but not intimidated.
Instead, she sharpened her attacks and sent her swords flying again.
Swish! Swish!
The silver-scaled serpents darted toward Nungunpa’s vital points without pause.
At times, they shot straight like arrows, and at others, they curved gracefully.
Nungunpa was inwardly surprised by the ever-changing techniques.
‘As expected! The rumors of Chief Maesellan’s rapid improvement were true!’
With feints and deceptive moves, Nungunpa found it difficult to launch an attack.
After exchanging dozens of blows, an opening finally appeared.
Nungunpa closed the distance in an instant.
Whoosh!
His sword flew like a beam of light, aiming for Maesellan’s neck.
‘Oh!’
Startled, Maesellan stepped back.
Tap, tap!
Simultaneously, she deployed a shield.
Clang!
Nungunpa’s sword was deflected without causing her any harm.
Nungunpa’s brow furrowed.
‘What is this…?’
He suddenly remembered that warriors from the Heavenly Destruction Squad could use magic.
Given that Maesellan had been with Sabigang, it was only natural to assume she could use it too!
‘I was careless!’
Feeling slightly annoyed, his swordplay became even sharper.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
This time, Nungunpa began to corner Maesellan.
Once she started retreating, it was difficult for her to find an opportunity to counterattack.
The two serpents were busy defending, wrapping around or deflecting the incoming blade.
Clang! Screech!
Sparks flew as swords clashed and slid against each other.
‘Should I try it?’
Maesellan hesitated briefly.
If she failed, the spar would end in her complete defeat.
But if she didn’t try, she could prolong the spar.
She decided to think like Sabigang.
‘Yes, he would have done it.’
With that thought, she watched Nungunpa charging at her and murmured softly.
“Blink.”
In an instant,
Flash!
“What!”
Nungunpa, mid-swing, swallowed his breath and halted.
Maesellan had vanished from sight.
She was equally surprised.
‘It worked! Blink!’
After consuming the Everlasting Snow Ginseng, her internal energy had increased significantly.
And sparring with Sabigang had helped her once more.
As a result, she had reached the level where she could use Blink.
Meanwhile, Nungunpa, feeling bewildered, turned around to find two silver serpents flying toward the back of his neck at a fierce speed.
Swish!
“Ugh!”
Nungunpa quickly turned and swung his sword.
Clang!
He deflected one sword.
But the other grazed his cheek.
Slash!
“Damn!”
It was a sword made from the wing bones of a Darkburn.
Feeling the sting on his cheek, Nungunpa’s anger flared momentarily.
‘Damn it…!’
Maesellan was equally startled and flinched.
She hadn’t intended to cause injury.
It was an accident during the spar.
“I’m sorry…!”
As she began to speak, Nungunpa, drawing upon his full internal energy, swiftly turned.
Whoosh!
His sword, now imbued with energy, flew toward Maesellan’s heart with terrifying speed.
In that moment, she felt her entire body freeze like a stone.
Nungunpa’s killing intent seemed to ensnare her like a web.
Thud!
The blade stopped just a hair’s breadth from Maesullan’s heart.
The aura that had enveloped the sword had vanished without a trace.
Instead, the cold gaze of Neung Un-pa was fixed intently on Maesullan.
“Impressive skill, indeed.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. Are you alright? Is the wound okay?”
Maesullan finally found his voice.
Neung Un-pa sheathed his sword, speaking as if it were nothing.
“In a spar, such things can happen. A mere scratch is nothing. You shouldn’t have hesitated to stop your sword.”
“My apologies.”
“The expedition will set out in five days. Be prepared by then.”
“Thank you!”
Maesullan bowed deeply.
As Neung Un-pa was about to leave, he paused and turned back.
“I heard the head of Sabigang went to Yongcheon Temple?”
“Yes, he left early this morning.”
“Hmm. A pointless endeavor…”
“Do you really think it’s pointless?”
Maesullan murmured, almost to himself, prompting Neung Un-pa to frown slightly and look back.
“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… I feel reassured when he’s involved. He’s always managed to pull off the impossible.”
“The impossible, huh…”
Neung Un-pa scoffed.
Miracles don’t happen so easily, do they?
Just then, a warrior rushed over, dropping to one knee before Neung Un-pa to report.
“The head of Sabigang has saved Yongcheon Temple from danger!”
“What?”
Neung Un-pa’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
Maesullan stepped closer, speaking up.
“Looks like he did it again.”
“Remarkable, truly. The head of Sabigang is something else.”
Neung Un-pa nodded, conceding the point.
Maesullan bowed once more, expressing his gratitude.
“Thank you for your guidance today.”
“Think nothing of it.”
After Maesullan left, Neung Un-pa touched the wound on his cheek with a serious expression.
His face was more conflicted than ever.