Episode 606: Return of the Demon Lord
Sabikang’s eyes grew hollow.
He furrowed his brow deeply and asked, “What nonsense are you spouting now?”
“Can’t you understand even when I speak in the language of the Central Plains?”
“Ridiculous. I was clearly trying to find a way to return…”
“You captured Adler, tortured him, and killed him. Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
For a moment, Sabikang couldn’t comprehend the situation.
Does this mean the Demon Lord has also returned?
As if reading his thoughts, Tarrant spoke.
“Of course, I haven’t returned. I just know.”
“How…?”
“It’s instinct.”
Tarrant curled his lips into a smile.
Among the evil gods that protect him, the one with the greatest power is the God of Instinct.
Even so, it doesn’t make sense. How can instinct alone reveal everything that happens in the future?
Tarrant chuckled.
“It’s hard to understand, isn’t it? That’s the difference between humans and demons. You try to comprehend everything with that limited brain of yours, and that’s your downfall.”
“Enough with the nonsense…”
“You don’t have to believe me, but it’s true. I sent you back to the past on purpose. To meet you again like this.”
“Why go through all that trouble?”
“Don’t you see?”
Tarrant glanced around with a sly smile.
In the distance, a million warriors were raising clouds of dust as they waged war.
With a nostalgic smile, Tarrant said, “For greater power. To leap higher.”
His gaze returned to Sabikang, who met it silently.
Tarrant continued, “Through you, I came to value the abilities of the people of the Central Plains, especially the warriors. Watching humans push their physical limits without magic intrigued me. Just as I feel now, watching you.”
“And so?”
“You were special among them. Even now, aren’t you unique? I judged that I could break my limits by using you.”
Sabikang stared at Tarrant and spat out, “But you can’t know the future. You speak as if you’ve seen and experienced it.”
“True, I couldn’t know the future. At least not until I came to the Central Plains. But aren’t there beings who exist outside the bounds of time?”
“The bounds of time… Are you talking about gods?”
Tarrant smiled faintly. “It seems your mind is finally catching up. I followed my instincts and killed Jakok, absorbing his power. His greatest abilities were foresight and change. When the God of Instinct that protects me absorbed those powers, I could understand everything.”
Sabikang’s expression twitched.
If what he says is true… No, it’s highly likely to be true.
Tarrant is cunning, but he’s not one to lie about such things.
It seems that my return was indeed Tarrant’s doing.
And by killing Count Jakok and absorbing his powers, Tarrant came to know the full story.
In fact, after killing Count Jakok, Tarrant used the absorbed powers to further strengthen the God of Instinct.
However, even with the newly acquired powers, it was impossible to know everything about a future that hadn’t happened yet.
But when the bounds of time collided, he could glimpse fragmented memories.
That’s why Tarrant sought out Sabikang before.
During their conversation, the God protecting Tarrant showed him vivid moments.
Moments that were Sabikang’s past but Tarrant’s future.
“But from now on, the future will change completely.”
Tarrant murmured quietly, spreading his hands.
The ground began to tremble as if an earthquake had struck.
Rumble…!
Finally, dust, gravel, and stones began to rise into the air.
An immense magical power was emanating from Tarrant’s entire body.
He looked at the distant battlefield and said, “Behold. This moment I’ve created. Isn’t it a perfect stage? A million sacrifices. And your abilities for me to absorb. All conditions are perfectly met.”
Rumble…!
Even massive boulders were now floating lightly in the air.
It was as if the entire ground was being lifted.
Tarrant was quite satisfied.
After all, sacrifices offered to the evil gods had always been about quantity or quality.
Either many or of high quality.
But this time was different.
A million humans trained in martial arts had gathered.
A truly high-quality sacrifice.
However…
“You haven’t grown as strong as I expected, Schwitz von Grental. I thought you’d be a bit more of a challenge.”
”…!”
“But bringing such high-quality sacrifices is enough to satisfy me.”
Sabikang spoke with a calm, sunken gaze.
“You underestimate them.”
“No, I don’t. That’s why I’ve made various preparations. The Great Demon.”
”…!”
In the next moment.
Boom!
The ground was lifted entirely.
An immeasurable magical power burst forth from the Demon Lord Tarrant’s body.
**
In a damp basement.
Count Adler, with tentacles sprouting from his face, was connected to a pillar that seemed to be alive and writhing.
Occasionally, a strange light would travel along the tentacles to the pillar.
The walls, ceiling, and pillars pulsed as if they had a heartbeat.
Suddenly, Adler’s eyes rolled back, emitting a bright light.
And then.
Rumble…!
A heavy vibration echoed as changes began to occur somewhere.
**
Walking through the collapsed canyon, the warriors finally found some relief in their expressions.
Thud! Thud!
“Ugh!”
The warriors advanced, stabbing the demons and monsters trapped under the rubble with their spears and swords.
Leading the charge, exuding fierce energy, was Yang Bi-woong, the leader of the Black Water Brigade.
“Growl…!”
Spotting a werewolf trapped under a pile of rocks, Yang Bi-woong frowned and approached.
“Why did you come to the human world to suffer like this?”
He growled softly, grabbing the werewolf’s head.
“Growl…! Grr…!”
The werewolf growled as if ready to pounce, but with its lower body pinned under a heavy rock and severe injuries, it couldn’t move.
Yang Bi-woong sneered.
“In your next life, choose whether to be a human or a wolf.”
Thud!
Before he finished speaking, the werewolf’s head exploded in his grip.
He shook off the blood and looked around.
The Black Water Brigade members were dealing with the fallen monsters and demons.
Deputy Leader Jin Cheong-il approached and said, “If we keep fighting like this, we’ll win decisively.”
“Don’t let your guard down. There are still plenty of them waiting to welcome us.”
Yang Bi-woong gestured toward the end of the canyon.
As he said, at the canyon’s edge, numerous demons and monsters were waiting, exuding magical energy.
“It’s time for the second round.”
“Indeed. We’ve come this far, so we must wipe out every last one of those creatures!”
“Good resolve. Fight with the determination not to die alone! Take at least one more with you to the afterlife!”
“Understood!”
The Black Water Brigade members shouted in unison.
Their spirit lifted the morale of the warriors gathered from all over the Central Plains.
Roar…!
The canyon was filled with a tense atmosphere of killing intent and energy.
The demons and monsters stationed at the canyon’s end were also slowly gathering their magical energy, preparing for a battle.
Glade, the captain of the Tamons Knights, slowly gripped his spear and spoke quietly.
“Prepare.”
“Yes, Captain!”
The Tamons Knights responded in unison, raising their spears.
The air became thick with a mix of magical energy and killing intent, making it hard to breathe.
As Glade slowly raised his hand to signal the charge, he suddenly paused.
‘What was that just now…?’
He furrowed his brow and looked around.
‘Did no one else feel it?’
The other knights and monsters were still focused on preparing for the charge, their spirits high.
But Glade had sensed something.
A presence different from the usual magical energy emitted by demons and monsters.
“Captain…?”
Deputy Captain Gargus, waiting for orders, called out cautiously, and Glade quickly put a finger to his lips.
“Shh.”
Sensing something amiss, Gargus swallowed hard.
Moments later.
Rumble…!
With a gentle tremor, the warriors, their energy fully gathered, began to advance.
Each wore a determined expression, ready to crush anything in their path.
But Glade focused his mind on the other, unfamiliar presence he had sensed.
Finally, he gave a quiet command.
“Retreat. Slowly.”
“What?”
Gargus, standing beside him, widened his eyes in surprise.
But Glade only gave him a sharp look.
Realizing his mistake, Gargus quickly bowed his head and replied.
“Understood. Everyone, retreat slowly!”
As he turned and shouted, the demons and monsters began to back away cautiously.
Meanwhile, the warriors advancing through the canyon scoffed as they saw the Tamons Knights retreating.
“Hah! Those demons, always belittling us, are now cowering in fear of our might!”
“Exactly! Let’s crush them completely!”
As the members of the Black Brigade shouted, warriors from all over the central plains joined in the chorus.
“Yes! Let’s wipe them out in one swift strike!”
“I’m determined to slay a thousand demons in this war. Then maybe I’ll have enough to start my own sect!”
“Haha! I’ll be your witness when that happens.”
“Good. Just make sure you survive.”
“Of course!”
Their banter seemed oddly out of place on the battlefield.
But it was their way of shaking off fear and boosting morale.
‘Something feels off…’
Yang Bi-woong furrowed his brow slightly.
Normally, he wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss.
But as they say, the position shapes the person.
Now, as the leader of the Black Brigade, responsible for uniting and guiding both the brigade and the martial artists, he had developed a newfound caution.
Just moments ago, the Tammons Knights seemed ready to confront them.
Yet, as soon as they began their advance, the knights suddenly retreated.
‘Is this a trap?’
Yang Bi-woong glanced back.
He was checking for any signals from Gu Yoon on the hill.
If there were a trap, Gu Yoon would be the first to suspect and signal them.
But there was nothing.
‘Then why are they retreating?’
Could it be that they were truly intimidated by the humans’ momentum?
Just then, a thunderous roar erupted from the distance where Sabi River and the Demon King were clashing.
Everyone’s attention snapped in that direction.
The ground split open, rising up, and from the Demon King suspended in the air, a crimson aura spread like a sunset.
In that moment when all eyes were drawn there.
“This is…!”
Yang Bi-woong felt a powerful energy surging from below, making his hair stand on end.
He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Retreat! Everyone, fall back!”