Chapter 101 Demon (1)

“Co-Sect Leader..?”

When Yoon-seok muttered with puzzlement, the Sword Demon nodded vigorously as if he was right. As if it was a good thing for him to serve one more person. The Sword Demon’s expression somehow looked happy.

“The fact our messiah disappeared without appointing a predecessor had caused the millions of followers so much concern, but I can’t believe she found such an outstanding predecessor for us!”

Was the Heavenly Sect always like this? As if he’d forget about his honor, the Sword Demon was still kneeling on the floor. Yoon-seok decided to figure out the facts first.

“The word messiah you use, are you referring to the Heavenly Devil?”

“That’s right!”

He had expected it, but with such an immediate answer, he felt dizzy. What was he supposed to say? Although he did learn the Heavenly Sword, he wasn’t her apprentice? That there must be a huge misunderstanding?

‘I think the situation will take a weird turn if I do that..’

The Moorim people viewed martial arts with great importance. Just as the Sword Demon suddenly knelt after seeing him use one martial art tactic, he might suddenly turn into his greatest enemy with the truth. But it was too vague to just sit around and do nothing.

“Let’s go! Our many gathered disciples are waiting. If they can see the Co-Sect Leader, everyone will shed tears of joy!”

The Sword Demon seemed to want to bring Yoon-seok back to the Sect immediately and announce it to everyone. However, unlike before, he didn’t reach out his hand to drag him along. Instead, he bowed and waited for his answer.

“..”

The Sword Demon, who secretly raised his head and checked Yoon-seok’s hardened expression, asked carefully.

“Why are you not responding? Did this slow-witted swordsman’s rudeness offend you earlier?”

As he was thinking about responding, suddenly, the Sword Demon started to bow his head to the floor. Repeatedly, with all his might.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

It wasn’t to the extent of becoming bone-crushing nor flesh splitting. Maybe because of his high durability levels, what was breaking wasn’t his forehead but the ground.

‘I seriously have no idea what these people are thinking..’

It was a lot more impressive than a clumsy apology, but there should be a limit. Rather, that’s why this almost looked like a silent threat. Eventually, Yoon-seok stopped him.

“Please stop.”

“Yes.”

The Sword Demon stopped his actions as if he had been expecting it. The change in attitude was too fast that he felt whiplash. Yoon-seok rubbed his throbbing forehead as he regarded the man.

“I do have a connection with her, but I am not her apprentice. So you can’t call me Co-Sect Leader.”

He didn’t know how things would go from here, but Yoon-seok told the truth. He’d rather fight with this person here if needed, but if he’d officially become their Co-Sect Leader, it felt like he would be pulled into more trouble than anticipated. In addition, if the whole story was revealed later, the situation might become more complicated.

“..Why do you say that? Didn’t you just use the messiah’s sword?”

The Sword Demon tilted his head. He had seen this coming. Yoon-seok briefly explained what had happened between him and the Heavenly Devil. They’d met at the duel, and he received a lesson from her, and in truth, he’d mimicked Heavenly Sword after seeing her use it once. After explaining, the Sword Demon laughed as if he’d heard a funny joke.

“Hahaha! You’re so funny, Co-Sect Leader! How can you mimic Heavenly Sword just by seeing it once?”

Yoon-seok slowly realized no words could convince this fanatic who had faith engraved on every wrinkle in his brain.

“Then let’s go! Since you’re from another dimension, it’s alright to ignore the rules of the Sect. I, Jeong Dae-woon, will fully assist you.”

Yoon-seok turned his head unknowingly because he found Sword Demon’s gaze burdensome. Then Ashton and his eyes met. As expected, he also looked confused, as if he hadn’t yet adapted to the situation. Though, as if he’d immediately come to his senses after looking at Yoon-seok, he advised him through telepathy.

—Please say you’ll visit them later. I heard that the order of hierarchy in the Heavenly Sect is more strict than anything. And if you’re a Co-Sect Leader, who is just below the leader, he won’t be able to say no.

As he said, it would be wise to pass the situation and come up with measures.

“Today is not the day. I’ll be there shortly, so please wait for me.”

“..Is this a command?”

“..It is.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Ashton’s prediction was just right. The ever so persistent Sword Demon stepped down without a single objection. However, he smacked his lips and threatened Ashton.

“You said you’re Ashton. While I’m away, I’m going to ask you to take care of the Co-Sect Leader. If a scratch ever appears on his skin..”

“Yes.. I’ll take good care of him. Then Mr. Yoon-seok.. please come in.”

Ashton opened the door for Yoon-seok, even using honorifics that he had never used before. Then he bowed and held the door until he entered. The Sword Demon didn’t leave but watched his back.

Click.

Although the door was closed, Yoon-seok and Ashton didn’t say a word and went straight to the second floor. He only breathed a sigh of relief after entering the room where they usually enjoyed refreshments and conversed. Ashton closed the curtains on the window and murmured.

“He’s gone.”

“No, he’s not gone. It seems like he’s hiding his presence and waiting nearby.”

Through his senses, he could feel the presence of the Sword Demon and the Sect disciples with him scattered around the building. It was more like security than stalking. The direction they were looking wasn’t at the building but outward.

—What should we do then? I’m sure they can hear everything we’re saying.

Ashton had been sending telepathy with a disgusted expression, but Yoon-seok merely grinned and activated his powers.

「 To Lady’s Commandment, the sound within the area is completely blocked from the outside.」

This provided the conditions for them to talk.

“..What an interesting power.”

Ashton, who had only heard about Lady’s Commandment and was now encountering it for the first time, made a strange face. He must be remembering how Earth challengers were forced to confess their sins and died by this power.

“Anyway, what do you suggest we do now?”

When Yoon-seok opened the conversation first, Ashton abandoned his thoughts and focused on the current issue.

“I should be the one asking you that. What do you plan to do?”

There were two options: pretend to be their co-leader or somehow break up their delusions and clear up the relationship. As Yoon-seok fell into deep consideration, Ashton asked meaningfully.

“By the way, is there no possibility that Yoon-seok is the Co-Sect Leader?”

“..?”

“I felt at odds from the start. Sword Demon Jeong Dae-woon is the type of challenger to resolve problems through his fists over words, but he’s not stupid. If he was convinced that Yoon-seok was the co-leader, there must be a reason we don’t know yet. For example, that swordsmanship can only be done by the chosen.”

Ashton’s guess also sounded reasonable. As soon as he heard that, he started to take what Sword Demon said a little differently.

—I can’t believe she found such an outstanding predecessor for us!

He said that the Heavenly Devil found a predecessor and sent him to them. In other words, it meant certain conditions must be met to take over that position..

But he had to point out something.

‘Is it because of b Heavenly Body}?’

Although it was synthesized into {Bloodseeker Ultimatum} and now became b Divine Ultimatum}, it was none other than {Heavenly Body} that made it possible.

‘Maybe that’s the condition to use her Heavenly Sword...’

Of course, it was an unproven theory. As a result, Yoon-seok’s wrinkles grew deeper. The problem wasn’t about posing as the predecessor but the legitimate conditions themselves. From the moment he became involved, he would never be able to shake it off. Did Yoon-seok’s thoughts reflect in his eyes?

Ashton responded calmly.

“Don’t be too pessimistic about it. The January Clan, one of the 6 major forces in the United Plaza, will support you.”

He didn’t even spend that much time in the plaza anyway, so what was the difference if they watched his back? He shouldn’t be thinking in a crooked way. There were many talented challengers in the January Clan, and the Sword Demon himself was a duel challenger who reached the 19th floor. This meant that information could be obtained up to the 19th floor, just like how Yoon-seok, who ran at the top of the Earth, shared information to Ashton for the lower floor Earth challengers.

“I’m sorry to say this, but we know very little information about this place compared to them. Since this is the first time a Tower has opened on Earth.”historical

Eventually, Yoon-seok decided to take advantage of the co-leader position, although he didn’t know what that might entail in the future. Though he did think of her as his mentor..

He denied it in the first place, but it was them who didn’t even pretend to listen.

“I think I need to meet this Sword Demon again.”

“Sure, I’ll come with you.”

Yoon-seok and Ashton headed down to the 1st floor and left the building. At that moment, the disciples scattered around the building shifted in like assassins to surround them.

“You’re here, Co-Sect Leader!”

It seemed like the number of disciples increased rather quickly. Anyway, there was an order to everything, so Yoon-seok turned to the Sword Demon, who was standing at the front.

“Please stand and come in. Let’s talk.”

“Yes, sir!”

He didn’t think he would get used to them saying ‘yes, sir.’

“From now on, we’ll have to keep anyone and everyone out of this room!”

The Sword Demon said this after he asked his followers to step out.

“Yes, sir!”

The warriors were divided in perfect order to create a human barrier outside the room. Indeed, it felt like not even a single ant could slip past them.

“Please sit down.”

“How could I, when the Co-Sect Leader is here..”

When Yoon-seok offered him a seat, Sword Demon rejected it. But when he added that it was an order, he quickly sat in the chair as if he’d never asked. Was it the Heavenly Sect culture to repeat things twice? It was hard to understand, but he didn’t show it in his expression.

“I’m going to ask you this first. Are there any special conditions to use the Heavenly Sword?”

Was he just an imposter, or was he the Co-Sect Leader? It depended on his answer.

“Yes, it does.”

“Then what are the conditions?”

“It’s.. we’re not sure. However, those destined to be born with such qualifications a long time ago eventually rose to a leader’s position. This has been God’s will since the beginning of the world, and the reason why I did not have any doubts since I saw it.”

Fate, which meant it was their faith.

‘If this is the case, there’s no reason to lie anymore.’

He asked if he would still be treated as the Co-Sect Leader with or without the Heavenly Devil accepting him as her apprentice. Then the Sword Demon answered firmly.

“That’s right.”

Thanks to this, Yoon-seok’s burden was lifted.

“Well, why don’t we move to our headquarters instead of this small room? I’m not comfortable with the Co-Sect Leader being in such a shabby place.”

It was a sly tactic to get him to enter the January Clan’s building, but Yoon-seok offered a flat refusal in response.

“No, I’m not going there. And I want you to keep it a secret.”

“..May I ask why?”

“Because I’m still not good enough.”

It was a slight excuse not to get involved with them, but the Sword Demon was impressed again.

“Following the little God’s will, I’ll be waiting.”

He meant to risk his life and ascend the Tower, but.. surprisingly, the Sword Demon wasn’t concerned at all. He asked for the reason out of curiosity, but he received a very religious answer.

“Because it is destiny as to where the sky wants to go.”

Eventually, Yoon-seok stopped trying to understand them. Afterward, he asked what came after the 12th-floor trial to get information, and the Sword Demon answered each in detail. Finally, he even asked him to work closely with Ashton and help him when he could. The Sword Demon gladly complied.

Thus, the moment when it was time for them to separate after gaining what he wanted arrived. A man came in, rattling the door open. It was one of the warriors standing guard.

“What disrespect is this?!”

The warrior bowed and shouted.

“Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!”

He yelled three times and immediately went straight to the main point with a white face.

“The m-messiah is on her way here!”

Messiah. This meant that the Heavenly Devil was heading this way..

That was wrong. No, it’d be right to say he was one step late.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! So we meet again. Little kid.”

When everyone came to their senses, an overwhelming presence suppressed everything around the room.

“..”

She was here.