Chapter 599: Return of the Demon Sect
A deafening crash echoed through the air as Churyang was violently thrown backward.
“Arghhh!”
With a fierce battle cry, he summoned his inner strength, his feet sinking deep into the ground as his energy surged.
In that moment, Trajan’s sword failed to pierce the mana shield, and Dang Ihyeop seized the opportunity to strike.
Thousands of daggers erupted from his grasp, filling the sky like a storm of petals.
The dazzling display was enough to mesmerize any onlooker into a fatal trance. But Trajan, despite his confidence, was not so easily fooled.
With swift movements, he deflected the oncoming storm of blades.
The daggers, like a swarm of butterflies, relentlessly pursued him, creating a cacophony of clashing sounds as they met his defenses.
Even for someone as formidable as Trajan, this was a full-force assault from Dang Ihyeop, a prodigy of the Sichuan Tang Clan. He couldn’t afford to be careless.
“Mucheon!”
At Dang Ihyeop’s call, Mucheon spread his arms wide.
With a whoosh, hundreds of silver threads shot from his fingertips, weaving a web in the air.
Simultaneously, Seoraehyang launched a powerful gust with a thrust of her hands.
The two unleashed their ultimate techniques, pouring all their energy into a single moment.
“Impressive!”
Trajan roared, spinning like a top. The silver threads snapped like mere strings, and Seoraehyang’s gust dissipated into the air.
Yet, the poison embedded in the threads and gust took its toll, momentarily slowing Trajan.
Seizing the opportunity, Wigumjong and Jaunryong charged forward, their swords aimed at Trajan’s neck and chest.
But just as their blades were about to strike, they hesitated, eyes widening in shock.
In an instant, Trajan appeared behind them, slashing their backs with his sword.
With cries of pain, the two were sent sprawling to the ground.
At that moment, Trajan sensed a shadow emerging from his left and quickly retreated.
But before he could react, a chill ran down his spine.
A sharp slash cut across his back, causing him to stagger.
He turned to glare at Maesellan, truly astonished. Never before had a human wounded him, let alone a woman.
For the first time, anger began to seep into his expressionless face.
“How dare you…”
Meanwhile, Maesellan, panting heavily, felt a sense of frustration. She had given her all, yet failed to deliver a fatal blow.
‘Damn! I should have been faster!’
But even if she had been, she doubted it would have been enough. He was far stronger than she had anticipated.
How could the martial world hope to defeat such beings? Perhaps only if every warrior united against them.
On the other hand, Trajan, now injured, was seething with rage.
“How dare you!”
His roar sent waves of power rippling outward.
The eight who had attacked him struggled to withstand the force, crossing their arms defensively.
Then, a sound like bones breaking filled the air as a tremendous energy emanated from Trajan.
His body began to transform. Horns sprouted from his forehead, his size tripled, and his arms grew to the length of a man’s height.
“Forget fear. Let me teach you death!”
‘So relaxing.’
Sabikang submerged himself in the warm waters of the hot spring, feeling his body melt away.
The water rippled as someone approached through the mist.
Soft, fragrant skin, a pretty face, and delicate shoulders. It was Maesellan.
“You’re exhausted, aren’t you?”
“A bit.”
“More than a bit. You’ve been through so much.”
“Yeah, I have.”
Sabikang didn’t deny it. He had endured so much.
For what purpose? Was it truly for revenge?
At first, yes, revenge had been his goal. But over time, its meaning had faded.
Instead, a new purpose had emerged: to protect what was precious to him.
To not lose Maesellan, who stood before him.
Though he had tried to live with a cold heart after his return, he had inevitably formed bonds and found new people to cherish.
More connections than in his past life.
Is that it? Is human strength truly derived from relying on one another?
Sabikang submerged his head completely, then slowly resurfaced.
“I wish time would just stop here.”
“It can.”
“Really? Because this is a dream.”
“You knew?”
“Of course.”
Sabikang chuckled softly. He was aware.
He knew he was dreaming, that he had lost consciousness after enduring excruciating pain.
Yet he didn’t want to return to reality.
This comfort was too alluring, almost addictive.
What if he died in reality? Would his consciousness simply vanish?
Even if it did, he felt it wouldn’t matter.
Not if it meant such a peaceful end.
He wanted to stay here, forgetting everything, until the moment of his death, free from pain.
Was there any reason to return to reality and face that hellish ordeal?
Then, suddenly, Maesellan stood up.
Her graceful figure was fully revealed, but something seemed off.
Behind her smooth legs, something swayed.
‘A tail…?’
Looking up, he saw strange tattoos covering her chest, arms, stomach, and thighs.
“A succubus?”
Indeed, she was a dream demon, a succubus.
He had seen her a few times in the demon realm, so he wasn’t surprised.
But he hadn’t expected her to appear now.
The succubus smirked and spoke.
“Hmph. You know it’s a dream, so why be surprised to see me?”
“Not really. I’m not surprised.”
“Good. But what are you doing here? Don’t you know that those who dream lucidly aren’t allowed to rest?”
“I just want to stay a little longer.”
“Impossible. Those who linger between reality and dreams cannot be tolerated. Return at once.”
Sabikang frowned and asked, “Why wake me? There’s no need to go this far.”
“Who knows? Call it a whim.”
The succubus grinned mischievously.
But Sabikang didn’t believe her for a second.
Though playful, succubi always had a purpose.
There must be a reason she wanted to wake him.
‘Well, even if I don’t know now… I’ll find out eventually.’
In any case, with the succubus involved, he couldn’t remain in this dream world.
“If that’s the case, I suppose I must leave.”
“Of course. I’m the master of this place, after all.”
“Yet in reality, you’re just a dream demon who can’t do anything.”
“Shut up. Get lost.”
With her words, the hot spring water surged upward.
“Ugh.”
Sabikang opened his eyes.
Thankfully, he felt no excruciating pain.
He moved his fingers.
‘No issues.’
Good. He wasn’t dead.
Had he fully absorbed the elixir?
He slowly sat up.
He didn’t know how long he had been unconscious, but it seemed he had thrashed about quite a bit.
The room was filled with signs of struggle.
If not for the barrier and devices created by Murang and Josinryang, this place would have collapsed.
In one corner of the basement, a shed skin lay like a snake’s molt.
White hair was scattered everywhere, and his clothes were torn beyond recognition.
Sabikang instinctively realized.
He had undergone another transformation.
His body felt incredibly light.
‘Have I finally reached the pinnacle?’
He quickly assumed a meditative posture and circulated his energy.
His body felt as if it could float away.
He even thought he might rise into the air if he continued.
After completing the small and large energy cycles, Sabigang slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze was sharper and more intense than ever before.
“The Manhae Scripture…”
At that moment—
Boom!
A heavy rumble echoed, and debris began to fall from the ceiling.
Sabigang furrowed his brow and tilted his head upward.
“I need to get out of here first.”
**
“Ugh…”
Maesellan groaned, glaring at the monstrous Trajan.
He was truly a monster.
Though he had promised to teach her about death, she felt more fear now than ever before.
Trajan’s entire body was engulfed in searing flames.
But these were not ordinary flames; they were conjured by magic and did not consume everything indiscriminately.
They were flames of will.
Only what he wished to burn would ignite.
Moreover, he could control the heat of these flames at will.
Trajan suddenly reached out his hand.
In the next instant—
Whoosh, snap!
“Gah!”
Maesellan’s body was lifted into the air, and Trajan’s grip closed around her throat.
As she dangled in agony, Dangihyup shouted furiously.
“You scoundrel! Release her this instant!”
Swish!
A dagger flew from his hand.
Clang!
But with a casual flick of his wrist, Trajan deflected the dagger effortlessly.
He smirked.
Rip!
In a flash, he tore open the front of Maesellan’s clothing, exposing her chest.
“Looks like there’s something our boys can teach you before death.”
The implication was clear—he intended to use her as a plaything.
Just as Maesellan was about to retort in humiliation—
Whoosh! Slash!
”…!”
In that fleeting moment, Trajan couldn’t comprehend what had happened.
Why was the arm that had been gripping Maesellan’s neck suddenly severed?
What had struck him?
All he knew was that, along with the falling Maesellan, his arm had been detached from his body.
Thud!
“Cough, cough!”
Maesellan hit the ground, clutching her throat and coughing.
Then, Sabigang’s voice cut through the confusion, reaching Trajan’s ears.
“Touch my woman again, and I’ll kill you.”