Chapter 32
What in the world is that sinister presence?
The monster continues to attack while taking my strikes head-on.
Even without experiencing it firsthand, I can tell.
Just one hit from it, and I wouldn’t survive.
“What are you?”
There’s no answer, only another attack flying toward me.
If I were at full strength, I might have stood a chance, but as I am now, I cannot fight this monster.
I took a step back and sheathed my sword.
“Let’s stop. Continuing is just a waste of time.”
But the attacks didn’t stop. Something kept flying toward me.
“Are you not listening to me?”
The response I received was entirely unexpected.
【I told you earlier, didn’t I? This is training.】
“…I see.”
I drew my sword and adjusted my stance.
The demonic path is the way of slaughter.
Only blood and carnage can prove the worth of a follower of the demonic path.
Small attacks won’t work, so I gathered all my energy to end it in a single strike.
“Heavenly Demon.”
I struck, tearing through space, convinced the attack had inflicted damage, but my expectations were completely off.
【Thanks to the effect of Sacrificial Grace, all physical, magical, and mental damage is completely nullified.】
Not a single scratch was visible. I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it.
“A monster indeed.”
*
**
***
“Was there something happening overnight?”
“No, nothing happened.”
But that’s not true. Something definitely happened.
Her eyes were hollow, and her clothes were torn in several places, revealing patches of pale skin, making it difficult to know where to look.
I entered my sister’s room, grabbed some clothes from the wardrobe, and handed them to her. She thanked me and began changing right there, on the spot. Why do all the women I meet have no sense of shame?!
“Change in the room, please!”
“How petty. A real man…”
She started saying something but froze when she made eye contact with Nika. Abruptly, she muttered, “I’ll change in the room,” and rushed inside.
“What happened last night?”
When I asked, Nika shook her head, her adorable expression prompting me to take a picture. That’s when the Heavenly Demon, now dressed, emerged from the room.
Wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, she looked like a celebrity. Now, again, I had to worry about how to introduce her to my sister.
“You… look great, Heavenly Demon.”
“These clothes from another world are comfortable. And you may address me informally.”
She explained that this privilege was once reserved for her closest confidants, the Mad Demon and the Blood Demon, a bitter smile forming on her lips.
It seemed like there was a story there, but asking about it would be impolite.
Then again, who doesn’t have a story?
“After breakfast, we’ll head to the Tower. Does that sound good?”
“Oh, now that is good news.”
The Heavenly Demon seemed delighted at the prospect of entering the Tower after so long.
Before long, Lillian joined us, and I made sure everyone had a hearty breakfast. The Heavenly Demon seemed to enjoy soy sauce egg rice, eating three bowls.
“Food in this world is quite decent.”
“Right? I’ll make something even better next time.”
“I look forward to it.”
*
**
***
“Enter!”
【Entering the Tower.】
At the entrance to the massive Tower, I opened the door, triggering a message.
【Registering ‘Heavenly Demon,’ holder of Heavenly Demon Divine Art, as Han Ji-an’s vassal.】
【Heavenly Demon, holder of Heavenly Demon Divine Art】
An individual who unified the demonic path on the 87th-floor Murim World.
Danger Level: ?????
Special Skill: Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Special Restriction: Accompanying the Heavenly Demon.
【Special Restriction: Due to the Heavenly Demon’s presence, the inhabitants of ■■ Floor’s ■■■■ are now considered hostile forces.】
【Special Restriction: Due to the Heavenly Demon’s presence, the inhabitants of ■■ Floor’s ■■■ are now considered hostile forces.】
【Special Restriction: Due to the Heavenly Demon’s presence, the inhabitants of ■■ Floor’s ■■■■■ are now considered hostile forces.】
【Special Restriction: Due to the Heavenly Demon’s presence, the inhabitants of ■■ Floor’s ■■■■■■ are now considered hostile forces.】
【Special Restriction: Due to the Heavenly Demon’s presence, the inhabitants of ■■ Floor’s ■■ are now considered hostile forces.】
Ugh, déjà vu.
It happened with Lillian before, and now the same thing is happening—our list of enemies keeps growing.
I haven’t done anything, so why does the number of hostile forces keep increasing?
As I sighed in exasperation, the Heavenly Demon was beaming with joy.
“My enemies still live!”
Why is she happy about that…?
As I stared at her, baffled by her utter lack of guilt, Lillian cleared her throat beside me.
Only then did the Heavenly Demon seem to realize the situation, hurriedly apologizing. What in the world happened last night?!
At this point, even someone as oblivious as me could tell.
“Did you settle the hierarchy overnight?”
“T-that couldn’t be the case. There’s a saying that even a touch of the fingertips is fate. We’ve forged a bond far greater than that, so isn’t this destiny?”
Her eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck them, despite the elegant words she used to wrap the situation.
Still, maybe this wasn’t so bad.
I had imagined that the Heavenly Demon who unified the demonic path would say something like, ‘Blood and slaughter are the only reasons for my existence!’ while creating rivers of blood. But surprisingly, she was much more grounded, which was a relief.
Honestly, if she were the person I had envisioned, I wouldn’t have been able to handle her.
“Well then, let’s proceed.”
“I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”
She puffed out her chest confidently, telling me to leave everything to her. It left me unsure where to direct my gaze.
Was she always this combative? She didn’t seem like this yesterday.
【Would you like to enter the 18th Floor?】
Accept / Decline
“Accept!”
【Entering the 18th Floor.】
───────────────
【18th Floor Mission: Defeat 100 Mixed Golems!】
【Time Limit: Within 3 hours.】
【Restrictions: Martial Arts cannot be used.】
【Allowed Equipment: One-Handed Sword, Two-Handed Sword.】
【Special Conditions: Code of Murim, Oath of the Demonic Path.】
───────────────
With a flash of light, we were transported to a meadow, and I saw the Heavenly Demon’s face frozen in disbelief.
“…….”
“…….”
At this point, it would be fair to call it a targeted handicap, considering how blatantly the mission sealed away her abilities.
This was supposed to be her debut and my chance to see her powers on display.
“W-what if we exit and re-enter?” she asked desperately.
“If we leave, we can’t re-enter for a week.”
“I see…”
Disappointment was etched on her face when Lillian approached her, placing a hand on her shoulder with a radiant smile.
“Stay back so you don’t get hurt. Big Sis will protect you.”
“Even if I look like this, I am….”
“Excuse me! Are you talking back?”
Lillian glanced at Nika, and the Heavenly Demon flinched, startled.
“N-not at all! I’ll show my worth on the next floor.”
“Good.”
It was clear to anyone that the hierarchy had been firmly established.
Did a storm rage through the night or something?
Lillian stepped forward and swung her staff once, instantly obliterating a group of Mixed Golems.
The cobbled-together creatures made of miscellaneous junk were torn apart, their parts scattering everywhere as they were eliminated one by one.
───────────────
【5 defeated.】
───────────────
───────────────
【15 defeated.】
───────────────
───────────────
【35 defeated.】
───────────────
While the dependable Lillian continued to sweep through the Golems with her magic, Nika stayed close to protect me and the Heavenly Demon.
Her eager eyes betrayed her itch to join the fray.
“Do you want to hunt?”
【Yes!】
“Lillian.”
The moment I called her, Lillian put away her staff and approached me. Nika dashed forward and began hunting the Golems at incredible speed.
As I looked around, searching for anything worth looting, I glanced at the Heavenly Demon next to me and noticed her strange expression.
It looked like the face of someone experiencing PTSD. Why was she like this?
“Are you okay?”
“I-I’m fine.”
But she clearly wasn’t.
When I grabbed her trembling hand, she looked at me with startled eyes.
“W-why are you holding my hand so easily? Don’t you know the line between men and women?”
“…You tried to change in front of me earlier.”
“Seeing and touching are different things!”
Despite her words, she didn’t seem to dislike it, as she clung tightly to my hand.
“Your hands are quite large.”
“Are they? I thought they were average.”
As I held the Heavenly Demon’s fidgeting hand, I suddenly felt a soft touch on my other hand.
Looking to my side, I found Lillian holding my hand as well.
“They really are. Master’s hands are so big.”
“I-is that so?”
Flustered by the unprecedented experience of holding a woman’s hand in each of mine, I started to babble incoherently. That’s when a chilling voice rang out.
【What are you doing?】
In an instant, both Lillian and the Heavenly Demon jumped back, pretending as if nothing had happened.
At the same time, a blue message appeared before me.
───────────────
【100 defeated.】
───────────────
【Mission Clear!】
Rewards are being distributed.
【New Record Achieved on the 18th Floor!】
Registered in the Hall of Fame.
【Would you like to proceed to the next floor?】
Accept / Decline
“D-decline.”
【Exiting the Tower.】
With a flash of light, we were transported back home. Nika quickly snuggled into my arms.
【Master is mine!】
“O-of course! Master belongs to Nika!”
“Y-yes, the Master is yours.”
—
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