Chapter 155 – Socheonma, Dowon (4)

“It can’t be.”

The Golden Knights. Desperation laced Lemon’s voice.

“…What on earth!”

He was clearly a fresh-faced youth.

A young man with a delicate visage, so young that one could say he had only just immersed himself in this world.

He possessed a commendable skill, but there were many others on this side who could rival him.

S-class Hunter.
A title that could only be attained by those who had weathered all manner of chaos.

Even the Knights of the World Tree would often challenge themselves to prove their skills, but such a position could not be easily obtained.
Lemon was among those whose abilities were on par with them.

…But why?

Lemon’s legs trembled as he beheld the two corpses sprawled on the floor.
Moments ago, two S-class talents had been defeated.

By that man, their equal in prowess.

“Can a single body truly possess such power?”
“Absolutely… I should have severed my arm.”

Even the Knights of Lemon were losing their morale.
Overwhelmed.
The more they believed they could reach their goal, the more desperately they held on, but there was no noticeable change.

Veterans among veterans.
Hunters who had survived for at least thirty years by slaying monsters and ents.

They moved skillfully, severing their enemy’s tendons.
Tendons in both arms. One Achilles tendon.
Normally, one would become a helpless puppet in such a state.
Yet, the man continued to move with apparent ease.

Bizarre and grotesque.
Unfazed even while bleeding profusely.

Their fighting style was horrifying, beyond words.

Gouging eyes with two fingers. Piercing eardrums with a stolen sword.
There was no hesitation in carrying out these gruesome acts.

– Ugh, Ugh!

And what of magic?

Whenever an opportunity arises, they seek out the perfect spell for the situation and activate it.

An enigmatic being who defies the widely accepted notion that those from the Murim cannot wield magic. Instead, they turn the very magic against the other mages, breaking their spirits.

As if flaunting their own power.
They do not shy away from self-inflicted injuries, seemingly intent on provoking fear.

And it worked all too well against the motley alliance.

“Heh, huh… Aaaaaa!”

A hunter charges forward to stab the lesser Heavenly Demon with a crazed half-laugh. Grasping his spear, it should have pierced through the back—

But the lesser Heavenly Demon acted faster.

“…Gasp!”

As the lesser Heavenly Demon’s new form moved behind him, it kicked the man in the back. The off-balance hunter was slammed to the ground, and in that moment, thorns erupted from the earth, piercing the man’s entire body.

-Kwajik!

The sound of flesh being impaled by the thorns.
A blood-soaked, thorn-riddled rose bloomed.

The thorns were undoubtedly earth magic, transformed into this new form. Spontaneously altering magic like this is no easy task. Most likely, the spell had been prepared before the battle commenced. This realization only exacerbated the issue at hand.

How many tricks could that man possibly have up his sleeve? Although their skills were evenly matched, the patterns he could employ were on a completely different level.

Above all, the most significant gap between Heavenly Demon and the rest was:

“…He never tires.”

No matter how much he was cut down, his inexhaustible stamina showed no signs of wavering. With a determined grip, Lemon clenched the greatsword in his hand.

‘If it were mere bravado, that would be one thing. But it doesn’t seem that way at all.’

It became clear why Heavenly Demon held such a position. An inexplicable pressure. Charisma. The Red Knight Commander and the Captain of the Royal Guard, said to have reached the pinnacle of martial prowess, exuded a similar aura. Mugung, the Archmage and head of the Association, also radiated this energy, which Heavenly Demon could now perceive.

…If things were to continue this way, more individuals surpassing their limits would inevitably emerge.

A being that all World Trees are wary of and hostile to.
They belong to the same lineage as King Mokryeong, like the Heavenly Demon and Mugung of today.

“Keugh.”

They must be defeated here.

Gritting her teeth, Lemon screamed until her voice cracked.

“I’ve called for reinforcements!”

At the sound of her voice, a renewed light filled the eyes of those gathered. Everyone here must be defeated, even if it means their death.

Her bright yellow hair fluttered in the air as spirits clung to her body.

Liberation. Lignification.
The wooden beings present each invoked the protection of the World Tree.

“…Lion Heart King.”

Lemon, saved by the World Tree and having honed her entire body to repay the favor, could not be ignored for her skills. Some senseless people mocked her as a parachute, but it was clear she possessed the flair of a genius.

– Creeeak!

Power over intellect.
Spikes sprouted from the iron armor.

The massive branches of a tree extended from her shoulders like a lion’s mane.
The righteous golden magic swelled.

“Liberation… is something only the chosen bloodline can achieve.”

The power doubles if it can be harnessed.
Even among those of the same S-class, distinctions exist.

The eyes of the vibrant yellow lemon began to flicker with light.

-Shuaaaa!

Rain fell gracefully.
A cluster of yellow light, reflected by the raindrops, brightly illuminated the vicinity.

A being that vanquishes evil.
The sword of the World Tree, honed for his sake.

Lemon recited a prayer through gritted teeth, as if conquering despair.

“…World Tree, please take and heal it, so that it may perish.”

As the woman’s voice joined, the energy surged.
For the first time, the lifeless eyes of the demon steed turned toward her.

“Radiance of the trees, spirit of the woodfolk. Though it may be shattered, it shall not wilt.”

She gripped the greatsword with both hands and steadied it with one.

“Even if you escape glory, you will only become a bonsai. Returning to a mere handful of dirt.”

Golden Knights.

Combatants representing the Order.
Wearing white armor and raising a flagpole, the divine army spreading abundance.
Lemon lifted his foot.

– Thud!

Footprints embedded in the ground.
The blue energy spread, and the surrounding magical power entered her body.

Lemon’s unyielding gaze fixed on the man.

“…”

The collision was momentary.

In the blink of an eye, their bodies moved, drawing close to each other.

Lemon’s sword extended with a slicing sound, aiming to tear the man’s throat.
The movement of magical power that formed waves along the sword.

Even though he dodged the sword strike, the man’s body was torn apart.

– Kwa-jik!

The Heavenly Demon’s body retreated.
The upper body exposed by the long torn shirt.
The muscles of his chest were torn, blood spurting out.

He still stared at Lemon.

Believing he must not halt here, Lemon pressed him once more.
The sword descended again.

“…Agh!”

He exhaled a roar from his lips.
Unable to endure the pressure that exceeded the fatigue of battle, he had to scream just to clear his mind.

A knight’s swordsmanship.

The Heavenly Demon’s body moved.

– Kwajik!

Penetration.
The inescapable speed of the sword strike pierced through his shoulder blades.

For a brief moment, ecstasy appeared on Lemon’s face.

‘…To pierce the heart, just like this.’

But that moment was fleeting.
Blood slid down the blade and dripped from her sword hilt.

The sword remained motionless. It was because the Heavenly Demon had grasped it.

-Swoosh, swoosh.

The sound of blood gushing between muscles.
The man approached, taking one step closer.
Unfazed by the blade and flesh grinding against each other, widening the wound.

A dark, hardened face closed the distance.

*Bang!*

A fist struck White Peach’s abdomen.
The dark magical force shattered her armor completely.

─Heavenly Demon Divine Skill · Two Thousand Fold White Peach (萬疊白徒)

It seemed as if white petals were scattering. Her entire body was brutally and thoroughly pummeled.

“Kuhah…!”

Her lungs constricted, and a blood-streaked breath escaped her.
Magical energy swept through her entire body once.

Magic?
Unconsciously or consciously.

The source of her magical power was blocked, and the pieces of White Peach’s armor, deprived of their power, fell to the ground one by one. The female knight’s bravado was extinguished in a single blow.

“…Ah, ugh. Ugh.”

Her vision turned blood-red.

A man attempted to reach out to her.
Suddenly, he pushed White Peach aside and bent his head to dodge arrows flying in from all directions.

*Clang! Bang!*

He was kicked in the chest and fell to the ground.
White Peach looked down at her abdomen, feeling her insides twisting.

“…What on earth?”

Bloodied.

It’s so heated that I can’t use my magic.

As I gaze at Socheonma once more, disbelief etched on my face, he’s engaged in a fierce battle with the hunters who joined later.

Dodging the attack, he spins a full circle, striking a head with his foot. The impact caves in the hunter’s skull.

Avoiding a surprise attack from behind, he uses his foot to break the neck of another fallen enemy.

Black magic flickers several times along the ever-changing fingertips of Socheonma. It’s like watching petals.

“…Hah.”

A sigh escapes the man’s lips. His eyes are trained on the numerous hunters descending from Do-won.

Thirty-three.

The number of hunters he has defeated so far.

Though he may be a monster, he’s not without accumulated wounds. The blow dealt by Lemon has undoubtedly slowed the healing process. If relentlessly pursued, he could be killed.

Hope began to bloom on the faces of the Hunters and Knights.

-Chijijijik.

The sound of the walkie-talkie at that moment. A voice sprang forth from the pocket of a fallen corpse, echoing throughout the bloodstained battlefield.

-…Reinforcement. Request.

An inevitable call for backup. Yet, amidst this plea, another piece of information emerged.

-The Heavenly Demon is, not just one.

As the walkie-talkie was shared in pairs, this information would not have been conveyed to many. The voice was so faint that its content could hardly be understood, save for a select few.

“What?”

The man’s head snapped to attention. His reaction was anything but ordinary.

* * * * * *

The summit of Do-won.

Deep within the mountain range, the place was not entirely safe from the onslaught either.

“…Please, spare my life.”

Chaos reigned.

Fruits from the market stalls rolled across the ground. Merchants preparing for the day choked back tears as they begged for their lives.

Contrary to their original mission to assassinate the Lesser Heavenly Demon, the battle had devolved into a massacre of innocents. A hunter muttered under his breath, treading on the muddy earth mingled with rain.

“The Lesser Heavenly Demon has been spotted below.”
“It’s fine; presenting the sect leader’s head will suffice.”

Each of them either led a guild or boasted the greatest strength within one.

This was a fight that engulfed the entirety of Do-won. It was certain that capturing and offering those in power would contribute to their merit and further their careers.

The Heavenly Demon had attacked below? For the special task forces assaulting the innermost depths, this was actually welcome news.

An individual with a skill level surpassing S-rank by five or more. They were monsters acknowledged by the era, brimming with self-confidence.

“And if we capture that old woman’s daughter, it’ll be a jackpot. The reward will be sweet.”

Were they talking about Zodiac and White Peach?
Either beheading or enslaving either of them would bring in a significant sum of money.

“…I don’t think I can become close with you.”

Of course, there were those who truly unsheathed their swords solely for the sake of justice.
However, it was a misconception to believe that most of those harboring resentment towards Heavenly Demon were righteous individuals.

“Why, are you disgusted? Heh heh. We’re merely following the word of the divine. These wretched ones are traitors.”

The forces that turned their backs on the world.
Their true intentions were gradually coming to light.

But was this really the right course of action?
It was a fact that some hunters displayed a sense of pity in their eyes.

Bitter laughter and resignation.
Despite knowing that it wasn’t right, they ultimately drew their swords and expressed their agreement.

If they turned their swords against the gods, they, too, could end up in the same predicament as those in Do-won.
They would merely blend in with the trash of a superficially S-class society.

Some of them were thinking that way themselves.

“I never want to do something like this again.”

Yet it must be done. Steel. Jung Ho-Moon ultimately drew his sword.

A man who was considered to be nearly at the pinnacle among the S-ranks. He was also one of those who had to kill the Heavenly Demon, even if he didn’t want to.

Those who are threatened by the grace of the World Tree, or those who fanatically believe in the World Tree as if possessed. Of course, there were also those who genuinely carried out the benevolent will of the World Tree.

Historical events are usually a murky mixture of good and evil.

– Kwaaaaang!

The roof caved in. An A-rank Hunter’s neck was half-severed, and the lifeless body tumbled onto the floor.

In the eyes of Jung Ho-Moon and the Hunter, a woman dressed in black widened her eyes.

“…You.”

Her eyes blazed with rage, glistening like those of a snake. It was enough to make one’s body shudder.

Heaven. An unmistakable surge of black magical power pierced the sky.

The unmistakable power.
It is the ability of the Heavenly Demon.

“Why, why…”

Both sleeves are torn, exposing her crimson arms.
Cheondo’s hands, as if donning red gloves and not even wearing shoes, were drenched in blood.

“Little Heavenly Demon.”

Those words sprang forth from the hunter’s mouth upon seeing her.