Chapter 99
87th Floor.
The world known as Murim, where it is said the Heavenly Demon unified the demonic factions.
Does that mean an easy win? Maybe a single word from the Heavenly Demon will let us pass?
“It doesn’t seem like that will happen.”
“Sorry? Why not?”
“Because there’s no way that my absence left that position empty until now.”
“Ah…”
If a new Heavenly Demon has risen and is in control, how would they react to the reappearance of the former Heavenly Demon?
Typically, they’d welcome it, but Murim is different.
Murim is ruled by the law of the strong, where strength is the law, and a Heavenly Demon suddenly descending from the sky wouldn’t be left alone.
“There will be daily life-or-death duels. It will take at least a month, maybe up to three.”
“That’s a long time!”
“That’s the short estimate.”
What’s so amusing? The Heavenly Demon keeps smiling.
“But I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Let me clear the 87th floor by myself.”
Didn’t she just say it would take three months?
…Still, since she doesn’t usually ask for favors, I have no choice.
“Alright. But please make it quick.”
“Thank you.”
As she smiled brightly and responded, I pressed “Yes,” and a bright light enveloped us.
【Entering the 87th-floor Murim.】
【The 87th floor is the domain of Murim.】
【Respect to the warriors.】
───────────────
【87th Floor Mission: Obtain the Demonic Sect’s Pass.】
【Time Limit: Unlimited.】
【Restrictions: None.】
【Equipment Restrictions: None.】
【Regulation Restrictions: None.】
───────────────
The Demonic Sect…
Just the name alone screams “evil.”
“Then I’ll be off.”
And with those words, the Heavenly Demon disappeared.
Leaving us behind—what are we supposed to do in the meantime?
“Shall we head to an inn and get some dumplings?”
“Uh… sounds good?”
It’s not like we have anything better to do.
Now that I think about it, wasn’t the sect established by the Heavenly Demon called the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, not the Demonic Sect?
***
Under a dark sky filled with clouds, the Heavenly Demon Palace of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect stood atop the Iron-Blooded Mountain’s summit, towering over a thousand-foot cliff.
The palace’s black basalt walls layered like dragon scales gave the impression of a black dragon coiled around the mountain.
“It’s been a while.”
Upon entering the palace, the first sight was the Blood Abyss Pool.
A pond continuously emitting a red mist, surrounded by seven pavilions where the seven elders of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect once resided and taught their disciples.
Currently, there was no trace of any presence—a place now devoid of life.
The further inward I went, the more ominous the atmosphere grew, invoking memories of the past.
“What caused it to end up like this?”
“It all started after you left, Heavenly Demon.”
Turning toward the voice, I saw a woman dressed in mourning clothes emerge.
She was one of my subordinates and one of the seven elders—Lady Magus, Dan Hong.
“Where are the other elders?”
“They’re gone. Right now, I am the only one… no, the only one still alive.”
Dan Hong spoke casually of the annihilation of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
But it wasn’t casual at all.
Blood flowed from her eyes and mouth.
“Why did you abandon us?”
“Did you think you could remain sheltered under my wings forever?”
“If you had at least… at least said something, the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect wouldn’t have collapsed so miserably.”
“That was also the will of the heavens. It seems I taught you all poorly.”
“…”
Finally, Dan Hong’s legs began to crumble, and she collapsed slowly.
As I stared at her impassively, she managed a smile at the end.
“I’m glad I could see you one last time, Heavenly Demon. I’ll see you again in hell.”
“Alright. I’ll follow later.”
With those words, Dan Hong vanished, leaving behind only ashes.
As I stepped further inside, I saw thoroughly destroyed buildings and corpses reduced to ash.
The Heavenly Demon Palace, once said to contain all the world’s martial arts secrets, was now empty, and the treasure vaults once filled with gold and silver held not even a single coin.
“I have nothing more to say to you, but I will make you one promise.”
Taking out the subspace cube handed to me by my master, I poured its contents—alcohol—onto the ground.
“I’ll make sure your journey isn’t lonely.”
***
The Demonic Sect.
A rising faction that displaced the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
However, it’s nearly impossible to push out the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, which unified the demonic factions.
Unless, of course, they borrowed power from others.
“This is all thanks to you.”
“It was nothing, really.”
“Then let me deliver what I promised you.”
“Hehe, I’ll be looking forward to it.”
When I offered a cup of alcohol to the being draped entirely in robes, they declined.
“I cannot consume human food.”
“Ah, what a pity.”
A being that referred to humans as “humans.”
While it’s said the Demonic Sect borrowed power from beings beyond human, only the elders and I know this.
“Then I’ll excuse myself first.”
“I’ll bring the item to you next time.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The item promised to them is cursed, making it difficult to handle casually.
We had to enlist the help of the current elders and even those beyond humanity to break the curse. It should be resolved soon.
Before that, I should check what the item actually is.
For them to provide us with such incredible power in exchange, it must be something significant.
“How tempting.”
As I enjoyed another glass of alcohol that seemed particularly sweet today, commotion erupted outside.
“What’s going on?”
“An intruder has appeared.”
“Tch… and we have guests. Deal with it quickly.”
“Understood.”
My good mood from moments ago had evaporated.
I couldn’t just sit idly with this sour feeling.
Stretching my hand, I grabbed the Blood Demon Blade as it flew toward me and headed outside. An ominous energy lingered—where were the guards who had been stationed here?
Could they all have been overwhelmed?
It seems we need new personnel.
As I took a step forward.
“Are you the leader of the Demonic Sect?”
A voice, enchanting even upon first hearing it, reached me.
Turning toward the source, I saw someone so breathtakingly beautiful that they seemed like a fairy descended from the moonlight. Their indifferent gaze locked onto me, but why did they look so familiar?
Surely, I’ve seen them somewhere before…
“Who are you to so casually address the leader of the Demonic Sect?”
“How dare someone who betrayed the pride of Murim by allying with non-human forces call themselves a leader?”
“…Who told you that?”
“Ask them in hell.”
As they drew their sword, its beautiful blade held my gaze.
No, I know this sword.
How could I ever forget it?
It was the sword that conquered Murim and felled the martial overlord known as Hyun-gyeong in a single strike.
“…Heavenly Demon?”
“You know of me?”
“How… You were supposed to be dead!”
“I am not dead. I stand before you now.”
“What can a mere ghost accomplish now? Your Heavenly Demon Divine Sect was destroyed by our Demonic Sect. Not a single one of them survived!”
“So I’ve heard.”
The Heavenly Demon walked toward me slowly, and my legs trembled.
“It seems I failed to teach my children properly.”
Even the slightest move would likely result in my death.
“But as their parent, I must avenge my children.”
With a single swing of the sword, my body began to crumble.
And so did the followers of the Demonic Sect standing behind me.
***
“How could such feeble strength defeat the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect?”
This level of power couldn’t possibly bring down the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
There must be something behind it, and that is…
“There you are.”
Amidst the crumbling ruins, something glimmered.
If I hadn’t taken a step back, I would’ve been killed.
“My, my, you dodged that?”
“Ah, so it’s you again.”
With one swing of the sword, the barrier shattered, and the non-human entity’s form was revealed.
A girl with pristine white wings.
Known as the Angel of the 89th Floor, the source of all this chaos.
“But you see, this is all Han Ji-an’s fault. If you had just agreed to our terms, we wouldn’t have invaded Murim.”
“Ridiculous. Your attempts at sowing discord are meaningless. But there’s one thing you know, and many things you don’t.”
The sword thrust forward, shattering the barrier completely.
“Once I clear the 87th floor and destroy the 88th floor, your turn will come. You will face the most horrifying end.”
“…What nonsense.”
“Enjoy your moment while you can. Your time is coming. Oh, and before that…”
With another swing of the sword, the angel was sliced in half.
“You can go ahead and wait in hell. If you see my children, be sure to say hello for me.”
—
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