Episode 522: The Return of the Demon Instructor
A radiant light burst forth from Jonya’s body, merging with the surrounding black smoke to form the shape of a person.
Sssss…
In an instant, the smoke transformed into another Jonya.
Jonya looked at her doppelgänger and smiled wryly.
“So, you weren’t Baritan after all.”
“How did you figure it out?”
The newly appeared Jonya asked in a cold voice, her eyes fixed on the original Jonya.
The original Jonya shrugged.
“Honestly, I didn’t notice at first. You blended in perfectly. But then again, the situation was pretty dire.”
As she spoke, Jonya opened the door and stepped outside.
She settled into a chair just beyond the curtain, while the new Jonya followed, watching silently. Though she said nothing, her expression was filled with disapproval. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as if willing to listen.
Seated, Jonya continued, “When I took the hand of Number Seventeen, I feared nothing in the world. Those years with him were the happiest of my life. Even if everyone else turned away, as long as he was by my side, nothing else mattered. I just didn’t want him to suffer…”
“Enough with the rambling. I asked how you figured it out.”
The standing Jonya’s expression grew colder, but the seated Jonya seemed unfazed, continuing her story.
“Yes, your life was harsh and tragic. Even thinking about it now, it pains me.”
“Are you pitying me?”
“Perhaps. But I genuinely empathized and understood your deep sorrow and pain. After all, it was once my life too. It was sharper and hotter than any blade or fireball. It was dangerous. This attack was the most perilous I’ve ever faced. I almost fell for it completely.”
”…”
“If it were me? Well… I might have accepted Baritan into my body too. In that sense, I owe you an apology for calling you foolish.”
The seated Jonya flashed a grin at the standing Jonya, who wrinkled her nose and growled softly.
“I never asked for an apology.”
“Don’t be so petty. It’s a rare apology, so just accept it.”
“You…!”
“Of course, I wouldn’t have chosen differently. In your long life, the only one who truly reached out to you was Number Seventeen.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I knew your intentions. You must have staked everything on this demonic art. The moment I accepted Baritan with the same thought as you, you would have consumed my body.”
”…!”
“Just as Baritan consumed you, I would have been trapped in your snare and consumed.”
“You know well.”
Jonya didn’t deny it. Her plan was flawless. She had always anticipated a fateful encounter with Sabigang. She believed there would be a destined meeting. So, from her time in the Black Star, or even long before, she pondered how to confront Sabigang. But no suitable method came to mind. Every time she thought she had found a way to defeat Sabigang, he would inevitably surpass her expectations.
Then, finally, she discovered it. A way to defeat Sabigang without fail. It was the Illusionary Demonic Art she had developed. This art, inspired by the demonic aura web, began by enveloping both Sabigang and herself in a web-like structure of demonic energy. Trapped in the Illusionary Demonic Art, Sabigang would lose his sense of self and be drawn into Jonya’s world of consciousness. There, he would relive Jonya’s life, experiencing the decades she had lived.
For Jonya, who had been controlled since childhood, it wasn’t difficult for Sabigang to assimilate into her life. Just as Jonya had, Sabigang’s consciousness would start without a sense of self. Though he would experience a long span of time, it was merely a moment in the real world. If Sabigang failed to regain his sense of self and made decisions as Jonya, his identity would eventually collapse. Once freed from the aura web, he would either become a soulless shell or a madman driven insane.
But at the crucial moment, Sabigang made a different choice from Jonya. A situation fatal to Jonya. If the Illusionary Demonic Art were broken, Jonya herself could be in danger. Even in a world of consciousness, dying there could result in fatal internal injuries in reality. She had staked everything on this demonic art. But how…!
It was a situation Jonya couldn’t comprehend.
“Let me ask again. How did you know?”
“They say life offers three chances. Meeting Number Seventeen was your first. And though it’s a bit late, meeting me now is your second.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I asked how you figured it out!”
“Alright, since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. This place… I’ve been here before.”
“What?”
Jonya looked at Sabigang, who wore her face, with an expression of disbelief. This was her world of consciousness. Of course, it was also a place she had experienced in reality. But there was no way Sabigang could have been here. At the time, it was a strictly controlled estate.
Sabigang glanced at Jonya and smiled faintly. “Of course, I haven’t been here physically. But I’ve seen it through someone else’s memories.”
“Jeong Ryugwang…”
“You remember well.”
Jonya nodded, finally understanding. She had overlooked it. The memory seal she had placed on Jeong Ryugwang had been broken. She should have been mindful of that! But even so, she couldn’t have predicted this situation. Realizing the seal was broken and guessing that Sabigang had entered his consciousness to experience a similar process were entirely different matters.
Sabigang shrugged and continued, “I felt a sense of déjà vu. This place seemed familiar, as if I’d glimpsed it before. Then it hit me. I’d been here as someone else. So who was I, really? After a moment of confusion, I realized… I wasn’t me.”
Jonya slowly rose from her chair, a gentle smile on her lips.
“But here, I am the one who has lived ‘your’ life. The real power lies with me. And right now, you have none.”
The standing Jonya hesitated, stepping back.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I haven’t done anything yet. But… as I said, life offers opportunities. I’m giving you a chance. I understand your trials, your pain, your despair. So, why not consider living a different life from now on?”
”…”
“Despite everything, I was once an instructor. You’ve killed many and done terrible things, but I feel compelled to guide you. At least once, on behalf of the world that abandoned you, I should offer you a chance as an apology.”
The standing Jonya retorted coldly, “After driving us away so heartlessly, now you offer…!”
“Come, take my hand. Since I look like you now, it can symbolize you forgiving and understanding yourself.”
Sabigang, in Jonya’s form, extended a small hand. The standing Jonya’s eyes reddened. She twitched her cheek and spoke.
“Don’t think you can sway me like this. History can’t be undone with a few words…”
“It wasn’t easy to say. After experiencing your life and enduring the bone-deep sorrow… it was a hard-won sentiment. So forget that wretched Baritan…”
“Don’t you dare insult him!”
Jonya shouted, then returned to her cold demeanor, scoffing.
“I almost fell for it. I nearly forgot what this world did to me because of your sweet words. Get lost.”
“You’re deceiving yourself. By clinging to Baritan, you’re continuing your will for Number Seventeen. If you can’t stand on your own, you’ll keep making wrong choices.”
“Enough.”
“Is there truly no way?”
“No.”
Jonya stared intently at Jonya. Their gazes locked in the air for a long moment. Finally, Sabigang, in Jonya’s form, spoke.
“In that case, I can’t let you live.”
With those words, he snapped his fingers.
Pew!
A gust of wind shot forth, piercing Jonya’s forehead.
**
“Damn it! How did it come to this…!”
Chu Heeryong glanced out the window, grinding his teeth. The only relief was that Jagwi and So Cheonak were holding off the demon knights to some extent. He quickly slung a leather pouch over his shoulder. It contained teleportation scrolls.
“As long as I have this, an opportunity will come.”
Though frustrated by the disruption of his plans, he had no choice. Given the circumstances, leaving the alliance and hiding for a while was the best course of action.
Hiding Ong Gi-seung was unforgivable, even to himself, and certainly to Jonya.
Just then,
Crash!
The door shattered as a demon knight burst into the room.
It was impossible to tell if the figure in the dark armor was real or just a projection.
“Get lost, now!”
Chu Hui-ryong shouted, pulling a dagger from his coat and hurling it.
Swish, swish, swish!
Clang!
The demon knight didn’t even bother to draw his sword. The swiftly thrown dagger bounced off the dark armor.
“Tch!”
Chu Hui-ryong clicked his tongue in frustration and quickly dashed into another room, leaping through the air.
Crash!
He smashed through a window and landed outside, swiftly rounding a corner. As he reached for a scroll from his leather pouch, he was interrupted.
“Master! What on earth is happening?”
“We heard demons have appeared in the area! Is it true?”
The ones who rushed over were none other than the Blood Demon Quartet.
‘Of all times…’
Chu Hui-ryong discreetly slipped the scroll back into his pouch and replied, “You’ve come at the right time. Demons have invaded our base. I need to ask for your help. I have urgent matters to attend to, so please hold off those demon knights for a while.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ve done so much for us, how could we ignore your plight?”
“Leave it to us and go!”
“Thank you! I’m counting on you!”
Just as Chu Hui-ryong was about to turn away, one of them called out.
“But Master?”
“What is it?”
As he turned back,
“You can’t forget this.”
Whoosh!
A blade came hurtling down from above like a bolt of lightning.
“Gah!”
Chu Hui-ryong quickly raised his sword to block it.
Clang!
The metallic sound pierced his ears.
In that split second,
Whoosh!
A figure lunged at him from the front, slashing horizontally.
Slash!
His abdomen split open, blood spraying.
“Argh!”
Chu Hui-ryong gritted his teeth and shouted, “What is the meaning of this?”
In that moment, the fastest of the Blood Demon Quartet snatched the leather pouch from him.
“Must be something important, huh? Trying to protect it even while abandoning the base?”
“That—that’s useless to you! Give it back!”
“No can do. We’ll take good care of the Master’s belongings. Send him off.”
“Yes, big brother!”
The fourth member sneered as he approached Chu Hui-ryong.
Chu Hui-ryong looked at the Blood Demon Quartet with a grim expression.
‘Damn it!’