Chapter 524: Return of the Demon General
The battle seemed endless.
Facing just ten demon knights, he never imagined it would be this grueling.
Yet, their clones were nearly as formidable as their true forms.
Though the Blood Alliance warriors outnumbered the demon knights, they lacked the skill.
As time passed, the ground became littered with the bodies of the fallen warriors.
Most of the demon knights were mere clones, dissipating into dark smoke when struck, leaving no corpses behind.
Shhhk!
Whoosh!
Once again, So Cheon-ak cut down a demon knight’s clone, his shoulders heaving as he caught his breath.
In that fleeting moment,
Swish!
A chilling intent from behind made So Cheon-ak flinch and turn around.
A demon knight was descending from the sky, sword poised to strike.
‘Damn it! I let my guard down!’
Dark energy surged from the demon knight’s blade.
In that critical moment!
Clang!
A gust of black wind swept in, deflecting the demon knight’s sword with a man clad in dark armor.
Simultaneously, a shadow rose from the ground, shooting forward like an arrow.
The man in black armor swung his sword in the air, and the shadow mirrored his movements.
With that, the demon knight’s head was severed cleanly.
Thud, roll…!
Crash!
The headless demon knight fell, revealing it was not a clone but the real thing.
Recognizing the man in black armor, So Cheon-ak’s face lit up with joy.
“Kang-ah!”
“Good to see you again, Father.”
So Yu-kang, known as the Black Ghost, turned slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
Reunited with his son in the midst of the Blood Alliance, So Cheon-ak felt a surge of warmth.
But with enemies all around, there was no time for idle chatter.
The two stood back-to-back, vigilant.
So Cheon-ak spoke to the Black Ghost behind him.
“Never thought I’d feel so secure with you at my back.”
“I’m not a child anymore. Trust me. I’ll guard your back, Father.”
“You’ve grown so much.”
So Cheon-ak felt a swell of pride.
When his son went missing, life lost its meaning.
Every meal felt like swallowing sand.
But now, this day had come.
Unconsciously, So Cheon-ak tilted his head back to gaze at the sky.
The black sphere still floated ominously above.
‘What are you doing up there? You must prevail so we can overcome this. My son and I will hold on until you return. I believe it won’t take long!’
As if responding to his thoughts, a change occurred in the sphere.
Crack…! Crack!
Cracks appeared in the black sphere, and through them, a brilliant light began to seep out.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, beams of intense light shot out in all directions.
Finally,
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, the black sphere shattered and scattered.
The shell that formed the sphere evaporated into smoke in the air.
In its place, Sa Bi-gang and Jonya, who had been trapped inside, plummeted onto the roof below.
Crash!
Thud!
Jonya, unable to steady herself, rolled and vomited.
“Ugh!”
Bright red blood spewed forth.
In contrast, Sa Bi-gang appeared unscathed.
Pointing below, he spoke.
“Look. This is what you’ve done. Those bodies piled up are all humans like you.”
“Spare me the sermon! Humans are the most wicked creatures in the world! It’s fitting!”
“Is that so? How do you explain Seventeen, who helped you, also being human?”
”……!”
Jonya bit her lip, glaring at Sa Bi-gang.
She staggered to her feet.
Having lost to Sa Bi-gang in the realm of consciousness, Jonya was gravely injured in reality.
She barely managed to steady her trembling legs, glaring fiercely at Sa Bi-gang.
“Don’t speak of my brother lightly. He was purer than anyone….”
“Was he pure?”
“Silence!”
Whoosh!
Jonya launched herself at Sa Bi-gang, her inner power surging.
But Sa Bi-gang, aware of her injuries, easily sidestepped her attack.
“Too slow.”
With a slight twist, Sa Bi-gang tripped her, sending her sprawling.
Crash!
Jonya rolled across the ground but stubbornly rose again, launching another attack.
Swish!
Her small fist cut through the air, but,
Snap!
Sa Bi-gang effortlessly caught her wrist.
“You’re being deceived by Baritan.”
“Shut up!”
“You see Seventeen in Baritan, don’t you?”
”……!”
“They must look remarkably alike. With added beauty, no less.”
“Shut your…!”
“He’s protected by the demon of jealousy and delusion. Once ensnared, humans see only what they wish. You wanted to see Seventeen in Baritan.”
“Argh! Shut that mouth of yours!”
Jonya swung her fist again.
But Sa Bi-gang no longer held back.
Boom!
With a single strike, he tore off one of Jonya’s arms with a blast of energy.
“Aaaargh!”
Jonya knelt, blood pouring from her wound.
She couldn’t believe it.
Her end couldn’t be like this.
She had to exact revenge on all the martial artists of the world.
For that, Seventeen had sent her Baritan.
He was perfect.
And now, she was just one step away.
She only needed to absorb the demon soul and become like Baritan.
But why…!
“Why are you in my way!”
Jonya screamed, swinging her leg.
This time, Sa Bi-gang didn’t defend.
But Jonya couldn’t harm him.
Sa Bi-gang shook his head, speaking.
“You had one chance to kill me in that realm of consciousness. You can’t defeat me now, injured as you are.”
“Shut up!”
“You really don’t listen, do you? I was going to guide you one last time before sending you to the afterlife!”
Sa Bi-gang scolded, then twisted Jonya’s arm, throwing her onto the roof.
Crash!
The roof collapsed, and both Sa Bi-gang and Jonya fell to the ground below.
“Ugh! Cough, cough!”
Jonya coughed, blood splattering everywhere.
She realized there was no hope.
She had missed the perfect opportunity to kill Sa Bi-gang.
“Even in death… I’ll…!”
“Quiet.”
Sa Bi-gang approached, grabbing Jonya’s hand.
In the next moment, Jonya felt a stream of energy flowing into her from her fingertips.
At first, she thought Sa Bi-gang was making a final move to kill her.
But the energy he transferred was strengthening her.
Jonya frowned, glaring at him.
“What are you planning?”
“Trap me in your consciousness once more. Let’s return to the last time you saw Baritan.”
“Hmph! Why should I?”
“You’re going to die anyway. Don’t you want to know the truth before you do? The truth about the Baritan you so admire.”
“Forget it…”
“If you truly don’t want to, I’ll end it here and now.”
Sa Bi-gang raised his hand slowly.
He intended to deliver a fatal blow.
For a brief moment, conflict flickered in Jonya’s eyes.
After a pause,
“I’m not afraid of any truth.”
As she finished speaking, a tendril of dark energy shot out, enveloping Sa Bi-gang.
**
Jonya knelt in Baritan’s chamber, her head bowed.
“Raise your head. There’s no shame in being captivated by beauty.”
“Yes, my lord.”
She lifted her head, responding demurely.
In the moonlight, Baritan’s form was breathtakingly beautiful.
Yes, it was reminiscent of the time she saw Seventeen’s body.
After enduring pain, he would always gaze at the moon, shirtless.
‘Brother…’
Jonya felt an overwhelming urge to throw herself at Baritan.
Sensing this, Baritan asked, looking at the moon outside.
“Do you wish to be my woman?”
Her heart skipped a beat.
In that moment, she was transported back to the days spent with Seventeen.
She feared Baritan could hear her heart pounding.
“Do you want to be in my arms?”
Baritan asked again.
Tears streamed down Jonya’s face.
Ah, now she understood.
Why she was crying.
She missed Seventeen so much.
She missed her brother so much.
Then, a low, cold voice echoed in her mind.
Bang!
The voice in her head did something, and Jonya’s head throbbed with pain.
“Aaah!”
Unable to bear it, she screamed.
Baritan turned to her.
“Why the sudden outburst?”
“I’m sorry, my lord. My head… ah!”
Raising her head to meet his gaze, Jonya froze.
A monster…!
A creature that seemed to embody all the world’s ugliness tilted its head as it looked at her.
“Your head…? What’s going on?”
The monster slowly lifted Jonya’s chin, which was frozen in place.
A foul stench emanated from its hand.
Sunken eyes, skin rotting to a deep black, hair slithering like thin snakes, and eyes torn with a savage intensity.
This was not the Baritan she knew.
Jonya shivered at the grotesque and terrifying sight.
“My… lord…”
Baritan’s expression twisted into something even more frightening.
It was a face so menacing it could silence a crying child.
He spoke with a voice as cold as ice.
“Why are you not entranced by me?”
“Ah…”
“Why are you not entranced?!”
As Baritan shouted, black wings unfurled from his back.
“Those who are not entranced by me have no reason to exist!”
With a swift motion, Baritan raised his claw-like hand and struck down toward Jonya.
In that instant,
A blinding flash sliced through Baritan’s chest.
A torrent of dark blood erupted, drenching Jonya.
She stood there, eyes wide, unable to move.
“Ah…”
Thud, crash!
As Baritan collapsed, the figure who had intervened turned to face her.
It was Sabigang.