Chapter 55: Mireuk Cult (5)

The converging stones obstructed my view.

As the space darkened, I bit my lip.

Once Jeonryusan Mountain and its surroundings merge into one, it will weigh at least tens of millions of tons. If something that heavy falls from this altitude...

It would be a situation worse than a nuclear bomb explosion. At the very least, the cities near Jeonryusan would be vaporized.

Hundreds of thousands of deaths.

I couldn’t hesitate.

“Black Sheath. Please.”

I placed the Black Sheath against the stone encasing me. According to my estimation, the Black Sheath nullifies physical phenomena created by spiritual power.

But despite bringing the Black Sheath close, the stone didn’t move.

At that moment, a memory surfaced.

It was a memory of scolding Harin long ago.

Harin kept hurting herself, so I had scolded her.

“Harin, why are you hurting yourself like this? Seriously, let’s go to the hospital with me.”

“I need the blood. Don’t worry too much, brother.”

Harin, with her characteristic blank expression, brought a brush to her wound.

“Do you know why blood is red?”

“Why?”

“Because blood is life. Life is yang energy, which is why it’s red.”

Then she brought the blood-stained brush to the bell.

“Even the blood of an ordinary person contains yang energy. This is the easiest and most convenient way to strengthen the bell.”

Upon hearing that, I immediately snatched the bell from Harin. She jumped around expressionlessly, asking me to give it back, but I didn’t return it.

But why is this memory resurfacing now?

I looked down at the Black Sheath I was holding.

“Right, the Black Sheath is also a spiritual tool.”

It was said to be the tool of Heavenly Demon, the spirit of fire.

So it meant it strengthened by consuming my blood.

Without hesitation, I bit my thumb and drew blood. Then I brought the blood to the Black Sheath.

Praying for a miracle, I rubbed the blood on the Black Sheath.

“Please.”

But there was no reaction from the Black Sheath.

The reaction came from my eyes.

I saw something strange.

It looked like a blurry hologram.

This didn’t seem like spiritual power, but rather some advanced technology.

The hologram spoke.

<If blood has been applied to the Black Sheath, it means the descendant’s fate hangs by a thread.>

The blurry hologram moved.

It looked like a black ghost.

<Show me the situation.>

Then light emanated from the Black Sheath.

It resembled the light of a movie screen.

The light from the Black Sheath rapidly showed what had just happened and then disappeared.

<Is it the Unified Demon Lord? I don’t understand why the Demon Lord is acting like a human.>

“That’s not the important thing right now.”

<I understand. Protecting the mortals of the secular world is the priority.>

The hologram spoke.

<I can only rely on ancient technology. Descendant, will you lend me your body?>

“Lend you my body?”

<I mean to put you in a state of light sleep and control your remaining consciousness as I wish.>

Rumble- Rumble-

The sound of stones merging grew louder.

“If it can stop this massacre, fine.”

<Good.>

The hologram gradually faded away.

And I felt a sudden wave of drowsiness.

<I will show you the true power of Heavenly Demon.>

****

Yoo Hajin spoke with a blank expression.

“Descendant, remember this dream well.”

To be precise, it was Yoo Hajin’s body that spoke. His consciousness was half-asleep at the moment.

“We, the Heavenly Demon, are beings with souls. There is a part of the teaching that connects with cultivating the soul. Steal and learn that teaching.”

“At this level, I can at least borrow a part of the body. The right eye, the right hand, no, the right leg will be good.”

Yoo Hajin’s body moved.

To be precise, his right foot was raised high.

Even in his half-asleep state, Yoo Hajin felt blood rush to his foot.

“With my step, all things will be freed from enlightenment.”

And then the right foot stepped down on the ground.

“Heavenly Descent. Heavenly Demon Liberation Step.”

At that moment, the stones that wouldn’t crumble under the Black Sheath collapsed and began to fall to the ground.

“This is the leg of the Heavenly Demon, the Right Leg. By stepping on the ground, I declare this area as Mara’s domain. Thus, for just a moment, I neutralize all spiritual powers in the entire area.”

“The Black Sheath can only restore connected objects. The Unified Demon Lord likely maintained a vacuum between the stones encasing you and the outer stones. Seems they haven’t forgotten what happened with me long ago.”

At that moment, Yoo Hajin’s body staggered.

“Is time up already? Descendant, I have a shameless request from this defeated master.”

Yoo Hajin’s body spoke.

His voice sounded desperate.

“Prevent the day when enlightenment rains down like a storm.”

All the stones began to free-fall. Released from the ominous power of spiritual abilities, the stones surrendered themselves back to gravity.

And Yoo Hajin was no exception.

Yoo Hajin’s body spoke.

“And you, escape from this cruel fate of Mara.”

With those words, Yoo Hajin shook his head.

He had regained his consciousness.

“Damn it!!!”

The first thing he saw was the ground rushing up to meet him.

****

As soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the ground rushing towards me.

Instinctively, I executed a fall-breaking technique before my head hit the ground, barely managing to save my life.

Boom— Boom— Boom—

I looked around.

Fortunately, I finished this task before Jeonryusan (or what was left of it) fully lifted, so the surrounding area was still intact.

“Where’s Joo-cheol?”

I glanced around.

At that moment, instead of Joo-cheol, I spotted the masked woman.

I watched as the masked woman wriggled, trying to crawl away. She looked severely injured.

“You said you’re not human, right?”

“Ugh, my master’s power merges souls into one. Even I’m in this state, so how could anyone survive this unscathed?”

So Joo-cheol didn’t just merge Jeonryusan into one. He merely combined the souls, and Jeonryusan came along for the ride?

He’s truly a monster.

Can I really beat him?

“No, that’s not what’s important right now.”

I looked down at the masked woman.

Since she’s not human, it doesn’t matter how I treat her.

I stepped on her to keep her from moving.

Then I pointed the Black Sheath at her and spoke.

“Hey, where’s your master?”

“I-I don’t know.”

But there was no need to ask her further.

Joo-cheol appeared in the sky.

“You’ve been tormenting that girl since earlier, haven’t you?”

“You really care for this woman, don’t you?”

“She’s quite a talented one. But to think you could use the Right Leg. It seems I can’t subdue you right now.”

Joo-cheol gazed into the distant sky.

“Though my subordinates are carrying out a diversion, soon the Celestial beings of Cheonji will gather. It would be troublesome for both of us. Let’s withdraw for now.”

“Ah, that’s good. Then just answer three questions and I’ll let you go. And make a vow, of course.”

After sighing, Joo-cheol spoke.

“As the ruler of all combinations, I vow to speak only the truth.”

Upon hearing his vow, I immediately asked.

“Where is Harin right now?”

I had heard it clearly from this guy

.

‘Stay quiet until the master returns.’

That meant Harin was currently elsewhere.

“The master is beyond the Great Demon Gate.”

“The Great Demon Gate?”

“It’s also known as the Gate of Spiritual Awakening. The barrier seems to be breaking, so quickly ask your next question.”

So I immediately asked the next question.

“Where is the Great Demon Gate?”

“Cheonji constantly changes its location, so even I don’t know.”

“Is saying you don’t know all you have to say?”

“I have only answered truthfully. Quickly, ask your last question.”

Annoying bastard.

I should’ve hit him harder when I had the chance.

It pisses me off that he already healed the wounds I inflicted earlier.

“Then how do I access the Great Demon Gate?”

“You need permission from Baekdu, the command tower of Cheonji. But since the Great Demon Gate is the most sacred place Cheonji holds dear, even celestial beings are not allowed to approach it. You’ll need another way.”

With that, my questions were over.

But I had no intention of letting the masked woman go...

“She’s gone?”

The masked woman had disappeared without a trace.

Seeing this, Joo-cheol spoke.

“You’re too naive, Heavenly Demon. Don’t trust vows too much. The highest-ranking experts break their vows and just endure any divine punishment. What use is divine punishment from mere ‘Heaven’?”

“What are you talking about? Are you saying you lied?”

Damn it, can’t even trust vows?

I clenched my fists tightly and glared at Joo-cheol.

He shook his head as if he had no choice.

“No, if you die believing in vows, our master would be saddened. That’s why I’m telling you this.”

Joo-cheol was rising high into the sky, disappearing.

As he vanished, he spoke in a sorrowful voice.

“Are you walking the fate of Mara after all? Something our master tried so hard to prevent.”

He left one last word as he completely disappeared.

“If it would end like this, I should have revealed everything about this world from the start.”

As soon as Joo-cheol disappeared, I ran.

Being caught by the celestials would cause many problems for me too.

I ran and ran until I escaped into the city.

****

Having escaped, I entered a large bookstore.

Once inside, I was almost drawn to the section on spiritual powers.

The book titles were like this:

<Spiritual Power Development for Prospective First Graders>

<The Essence of Enlightenment, Including Lectures on NewTube>

<Learning Basic Spiritual Powers Through Comics>

<Exam Questions for Major Clans, Including Advice from Successful Candidates>

<Starting from Scratch: Psychic Sensitivity>

Harin had always told me not to delve into spiritual powers. I had lived by that command faithfully. But why? Why do I feel so betrayed by those words now, standing here?

I cannot see spirits.

Harin, if you knew what kind of being I was, shouldn’t you have explained a bit more?

Why didn’t you tell me about your life and whereabouts?

Why did you tell Joo-cheol instead of me?

I’m your family.

“You bad girl.”

In the end, I picked up the book.

From now on, I’m going to ignore everything Yoo Harin said. I’ll learn everything about spiritual powers, shamans, and whatever else.

And though I don’t know what “realm” means, I’ll work hard to advance in it too.

“To face a monster like Joo-cheol, I have no choice. And I’ll also have to deal with Cheonji.”

I’ll become strong and aim for the Great Demon Gate.

Then I’ll find Harin and give her a stern scolding.

A spank on the butt that only Jamsuni has tasted.

I’m coming to find you, Yoo Harin.

I clenched my fists and chose two books.

It’s hard to find information on spiritual powers on the internet. It’s as if the internet holds a grudge against spiritual powers, often leaving out crucial information.

So this is a rational purchase.

<Spiritual Power Development for Prospective First Graders>

<Recommended for Elementary Students! Learning Basic Spiritual Powers Through Comics>

I brought these two books to the cashier.

I’ll start training hard with these two books.

“Both books together cost 42,000 won, sir.”

“Is there any chance for a discount…?”

“Are you crazy, sir? Of course not.”

Of course, I’ll also need to earn some money.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

TL: You can support the translation and read 5 chapters ahead of the release here on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Bill94 

Support Author

Join Discord