Episode 499: Return of the Demon Instructor

Under the soft glow of moonlight, a man and a woman lay side by side, their bodies bare and intertwined. They were none other than Sabigang and Maeseollan.

It had been ages since they last shared such an intimate moment, lost in each other, with no room for any other thoughts. When was the last time they had devoted themselves so completely to one another?

Maeseollan turned to embrace Sabigang, a playful smile on her lips. “You know, you were really insufferable at first.”

“Really? I fell for you at first sight.”

“I know. No man can resist me at first sight.”

“Quite the confidence.”

“But you didn’t fall for my charms right away.”

“Maybe I did, and you just didn’t notice.”

“Liar. I tried everything, and you didn’t budge. In fact…”

She paused, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “I was the one who fell first.”

In the past, she would never have admitted such a thing. Her pride wouldn’t allow it, even if she harbored feelings for someone. But with Sabigang, there was no need for pretense. Just having him by her side filled her with a happiness that was almost overwhelming. This, she realized once more, was true love.

Suddenly, Maeseollan straddled Sabigang, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Sabigang raised an eyebrow. “If you had a hidden dagger, this would be the perfect moment to use it.”

“Have you been in such a situation before?”

“Plenty of times.”

He wasn’t lying. In the demon realm, his life had been threatened in similar ways countless times. But each time, his loyal subordinate, Helmut, had dealt with the assassins. Sabigang could have handled them himself, but he let Helmut do it to test his loyalty.

As Sabigang’s expression turned pensive, Maeseollan pouted. “Is it really okay to think about past women in a moment like this?”

“And what kind of moment is this?”

“The kind where a dagger would be perfect.”

Sabigang burst into laughter, finding her pout endearing. He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Back then, I didn’t know you. Maybe that’s why I had to face death as punishment.”

“Pfft.”

“And with such a beautiful woman on top of me, who needs a dagger? My heart might just stop on its own.”

“You’re impossible,” she said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her amusement. She tucked her hair behind her ear and asked, “So, why didn’t you fall for me right away, even though you were smitten at first sight?”

“Because you weren’t really looking at me.”

“What?”

“You tried to seduce me, but your heart wasn’t in it.”

“That’s…”

“I’m a sensitive guy, you know.”

Sabigang grinned. It wasn’t entirely a joke. In a world filled with schemes and betrayals, surviving required a keen sense of others’ intentions. He had lived that way for decades. Could he really fall for someone who approached him with hidden motives?

Maeseollan chuckled, then boasted, “I used Blink.”

“Really? That’s impressive.”

Sabigang was genuinely impressed. Blink was a high-level spell. When he first returned, he couldn’t use it and had to rely on the shorter-range Trice.

“And I’m joining the expedition with the leader.”

“Why the sudden decision?”

“I want to fight the monsters myself. I want to see how my sword fares against them and how strong I’ve become. If I just stay here…”

”…?”

“I’m afraid you’ll go somewhere I can’t reach.”

She murmured softly, resting her head on his firm chest. She could hear his heartbeat, a gentle reminder that even the strongest man had a heart like any other.

“You won’t stop me, will you?”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll go anyway.”

“Then I won’t stop you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you might stab me with that dagger and leave.”

“What? Haha!”

They both laughed, the sound filling the room. Maeseollan felt a deep contentment in that moment—the warmth of Sabigang’s breath on her forehead, the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek, and his arms wrapped around her waist.

“It’s funny, isn’t it?” she murmured.

“What is?”

“That in the midst of chaos, with demons descending upon the world, I can still find a moment of happiness.”

Sabigang stroked her back gently. “Maybe that’s the little grace the gods give us—to find moments of peace even in despair. It’s what makes us strong.”

“In that case, I want to feel strong again,” Maeseollan said suddenly, catching Sabigang off guard. He paused, then grinned mischievously.

“Shall we see just how strong we can get?”

With that, Sabigang sat up and kissed her deeply.

**

Nungunpa surveyed the martial artists gathered in the grand arena, each face set with determination. This was the first official expedition since the last battle at the summoning site.

Various sects had been sending their own forces to deal with the summoning sites, but this was the first time the Justice Alliance was officially mobilizing. The expedition was composed of the elite, handpicked by the leader himself.

Notably absent were any members of the Demon Extermination Division. Officially, they were being given a well-deserved rest, but the real reason was to curb their growing influence. This decision came from the top brass of the Justice Alliance, not just Nungunpa.

Nungunpa had much to gain from this expedition. It was a chance to restore the leader’s tarnished authority, to rally the martial world, and to prove their strength once more.

‘Why did I ever think so weakly?’ he wondered, shaking his head at his own past actions. Just days ago, he had considered stepping down as leader. Now, he couldn’t fathom why.

His gaze fell on Maeseollan, standing out even among the crowd. ‘It was after sparring with her that I felt that way,’ he recalled. They say beautiful women are bewitching, and she certainly was. After their duel, his resolve had wavered.

But no more. He would dedicate everything to the success of this expedition.

Nungunpa stepped forward, his eyes cold and commanding as he addressed the warriors. “We failed to prevent the demons’ descent. But through this expedition, we will reclaim our lost honor, unite the martial world, and lay the foundation to save our land!”

A roar of approval erupted from the crowd, filling the arena. Nungunpa watched them with satisfaction, having deliberately omitted any mention of Sabigang’s achievements, instead framing it as a restoration of lost honor.

It wasn’t a slight against Sabigang; it was simply the natural course of his speech. Watching the warriors, Nungunpa reaffirmed his resolve. ‘Yes, I will rise again!’

He clenched his fist, and a bird perched on the eaves took flight.

**

“The Justice Alliance is on the move,” Baritan murmured, waving a hand to extinguish the light in the crystal orb. Jonya nodded in agreement.

“The exclusion of the Demon Extermination Division from the expedition is…”

“Indeed, Count Adler’s plan worked. He skillfully manipulated the leader’s mindset. Had we left things alone, the leader might have found a way to heal his own spirit.”

“I see. But do you trust Count Adler?”

“Trust?” Baritan’s eyes widened in amusement. “In this place, there is no trust. Only belief in one’s own strength. Trusting someone else is an admission of one’s own weakness.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“The leader may see this as a chance to lay the groundwork for a counterattack, but…”

“It will actually solidify Count Adler’s foundation.”

“You’re quick to understand.”

Baritan smiled warmly, and Jonya blushed, lowering her head. “You’re too kind.”

“Now that we’ve seen the humans’ foolish ceremony, let’s go witness the demons’ own.”

“Yes.”

Baritan and Jonya left the room. Unbeknownst to the humans, today marked the demons’ official mobilization. One of the summoning sites had completed its terraforming, successfully transforming into a demon realm. Once a summoning site fully terraforms, a portal connecting to the demon world opens.

In other words, they could move directly from the Black Star to the summoning grounds.

Just like when the Order of the True Path had descended straight to their landing site from the altar.

If everything had gone according to the original plan, they would have skipped all these tedious steps and swept across the central lands in one fell swoop.

They would have cut down, killed, and abducted humans indiscriminately.

However, since they hadn’t managed to recover most of their potions and magical tools, and had encountered an unexpected formidable opponent, they were proceeding with more caution.

They would expand their reach gradually, moving from one terraformed summoning site to the next.

Baritan and Jonya moved down the corridor and entered the staircase leading up to the watchtower.

After climbing the spiral stairs for quite some time, they finally opened the door and stepped onto the walkway atop the fortress wall.

Whoosh!

A biting wind slapped Jonya’s cheek.

She paused for a moment before continuing forward.

And when she finally saw the gathering of demons and monsters below the wall, her eyes widened in shock.

“This… this is incredible!”

There were only about a thousand demon knights.

The rest were monsters.

Yet the presence exuded by those thousand knights was utterly terrifying.

Their intense magical energy reverberated through the air.

Ah! How fragile humans seemed in the face of such power!

At the forefront of the demon knights clad in black armor stood a figure radiating an especially strong presence, his expression cold and severe.

“Who is that?”

“That is Count Zakart, the commander of this assault force.”

“Count Zakart… His aura seems to surpass even that of Duke Aranius.”

“Aranius? Ha ha ha!”

Baritan let out a hearty laugh before continuing.

“Aranius, that old coward, was nothing more than a nuisance who feared me. The dark gods he worshipped had little to do with battle.”

“So you’re saying Count Zakart surpasses Duke Aranius in strength?”

“Of course. Let me reiterate, Duke Aranius’s combat prowess doesn’t even rank in the top ten.”

Baritan’s gaze shifted to the demon knights gathered below the wall.

They were on the verge of moving through the portal.

A chilling voice escaped Baritan’s lips.

“Now, the true bloodshed will begin in the central lands.”