“……”

I knew the Heavenly Demon was beautiful. Even though I had grown accustomed to it, her appearance naturally made me look away whenever our eyes met.

But the person before me was on another level. Even though she had been casually dressed, her beauty had been meticulously refined, with every bit of it displayed from tip to toe.

But was this charm typical charm?

I wanted to shake my head and say no.

“……”

It was an arrogant beauty.

Yet her arrogance shone brightly because it was fully deserved.

Every movement, from her fingertips to her toes— I found myself staring in a daze. The air felt suffocating, created not by depth but pure atmosphere.

Her adornments swayed as she moved. She had let down the half-tied hair, which now flowed like silk.

Heavenly Demon.

Suddenly, I felt the weight of that name. Wasn’t she like another being altogether?

It felt like one could only look up to her… Such a strange sensation.

“Are you smitten?”

I snapped back to reality. Embarrassed that I had been lost in thought, I hurriedly nodded.

“Y-yes, yes…”

“So you’re smitten?”

“Y-yes? Ah, yes…!”

I was taken aback, realizing the implication of the question late.

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”

“Hehe. So my little pup thinks so highly of me?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Hearing the little pup say that makes me happy. Come here and give my shoulders a bit of a rub.”

The flashy clothes she wore looked heavy just by their weight. I placed my hand on her delicate shoulders.

To the naked eye, she was a beauty beyond compare. But the moment I placed my hand there, I felt it.

“……”

She was indeed different.

A woman turned warrior.

“You’ve stiffened. Stiffer than before. But… you’ve also snapped back more than before.”

“…….”

“You are a celestial warrior. To be captivated by something other than a woman— how amusing.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“What is there to apologize for? You startled a man twice in one moment. It means your charm knows no bounds.”

The Heavenly Demon laughed with a “kyokyokyo.”

“If my puppy can be surprised, every man who meets you must faint. Did you know? The number of suitors pouring in for you each day exceeds dozens. Starting from the scions of prestigious families… At one time, they even wanted to claim you.”

“…….”

“But you turned them all down. Do you know why?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Because your taste in men is rather unique.”

Her adornments jiggled. The Heavenly Demon looked up at me.

A smile perched on her lips was filled with mischief.

“Curious, are we?”

“Honestly, yes.”

“I like foolish men. I don’t find those who give up easily appealing. They lack spirit, perseverance, and any redeeming charm.”

The Heavenly Demon scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.

“It’s said they promise to make you happy… But how can those who haven’t even attempted the impossible speak of happiness? It’s so boring. Being surrounded by tedious men is utterly dull to me. After all, a partner should be someone you can learn from. I’m different from Ilma. I prefer overpowering someone rather than nurturing them in my skirt. To be overwhelmed by someone inferior to me is either impossible or nothing more than a farce, so I feel no thrill in that act.”

“……”

“So, my puppy. If you promised, then come up quickly. Did you not say you’d surpass me? Then that’s a challenge. If you beat me, you shall have me too. The one true ideal of the world will be complete, and how can I refuse someone so bold? Right now, you’re wonderfully cute, but if you add some dashing charm, I might even wag my tail in front of you.”

“Master… please…”

“Haha! Look at your face! You’re such a cute little fella.”

The Heavenly Demon rested her chin in her hand, pondering for a moment before beckoning me closer.

She leaned in, her sticky voice nibbling at my earlobe.

“Just so you know… I’m a first-timer, so you’ll have to be gentle with me, okay?”

“…Master, please.”

“Hehe. The earlobe’s quite tasty too. I can see why Ilma likes it so much… Cuteness has its flavor. I’ll need to be careful before my tastes change.”

The Heavenly Demon stood up and reached for the mask I had set aside.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stared at my face. A small gasp escaped her lips.

“Though the scar remains, you’ve added some color to that face of yours. Ilma would drool. Be careful not to break your waist.”

“……”

“Well, you don’t need to worry now. After all, it’s Huaxing.”

Amidst the torrent of indecent remarks, I finally covered my face.

“That’s enough now…”

“Haha! Come here! I must consume you completely.”

“Master.”

I heard a voice from beyond the door.

The laughing Heavenly Demon patted my shoulder. She handed me my mask.

Joy lingered on her lips, one she couldn’t hide.

“You shall properly bask in the praises and then at the peak, enjoy the banquet. By then, the left and right guardians will protect you. After that, you can roam freely. With so many goodbyes, you won’t see these people for a long while.”

“Y-yes? But the bodyguards…”

“Don’t you want to enjoy the banquet yourself? There are so many attendees. Some noble faces will surely appear. Go mingle as much as you’d like. It’s been a while since you’ve left the main school and it might be the last time you see them.”

“…….!”

Consideration.

A farewell gathering meant for me.

“I doubted your intentions, Master.”

“I suppose Ilma has a bit of possessiveness, after all. That incident made it even bigger. Surely you need a reason to attend the banquet? Of course…”

The Heavenly Demon chuckled.

“I think it might be entertaining.”

…Is it really consideration?

…

“Long live the Heavenly Demon!”

“Long live the Black Heaven Sect!”

The banquet began to celebrate the accomplishments.

The huge banquet hall could easily accommodate over a thousand people. Inside, the events were unlike anything I had ever seen.

The strongest members of the Demon Cult gathered in droves. Not just that, the unified murmurs testified to how powerful the Heavenly Demon’s position was.

After passing through complicated procedures, the magnificent offerings to honor the Heavenly Demon culminated in gifts of swords from various factions.

After starting the banquet, just the procedures alone took two hours. Once that time passed, the Heavenly Demon finally whispered to me.

“Go on, play now, little pup.”

I lightly bowed in acknowledgment and stepped down from the high seat. I felt the gazes of those who passed by.

Tigers in masks were watching me. The Ilma. The master of the Manma sect.

A sharp gaze accompanied them. The Rabbit mask. The Samma. The master of the Nacals sect.

An all-too-familiar Wolf mask waved at me. The Sma. The leader of the Black Death sect.

Only Sma was the one to speak to me.

“Hehe. You’ve grown. Quite a fine disciple you are. What on earth happened for you to surpass my disciple so quickly… Shouldn’t it have been you that I picked that day?”

“It’s been a while, Master Sma.”

“No need for formalities. Between us, there’s no need for that. Seol-ran is down there. Rekindle your old friendship as you wish.”

“…You two know each other?”

“We’re beyond knowing each other; we’re close friends. But stay away from my lady. She has someone.”

“Sma, no need to be rude. We are in the presence of our Master.”

“Understood, Older Brother. But where is your older sister?”

The leaders passed by in a clamor. The energy felt like they viewed me as commonfolk.

Their energy was perfectly cloaked. The only reason they could deceive like that…

Was surely due to the immense power they all possessed.

I descended the endless stairs. Within the vast banquet hall, countless eyes were fixed on me.

I overheard whispers.

“Who was beside the Master…?”

“Could it be someone prominent? Wasn’t there only one person who sat beside him, other than the left guardian?”

“A scion of a powerful family? Or maybe… a new disciple?”

“Go find out.”

I wasn’t fond of the attention. As I slipped through the people, I sought out the individuals I needed to meet.

The first I approached was Eun Seol-ran, surrounded by men.

“Good day. This is Baekmae from the Ma House…”

“Ah. Yes.”

“I will say…”

“Is that so?”

Her half-hearted reply revealed a faint capillary in her forehead.

It felt like she couldn’t speak due to her position.

I gently maneuvered through and took her hand, pulling her from the clutches of the men.

“Wha-what…?”

“It’s me. Seol-ran, senior.”

“You!”

“You rascal! What’s the meaning of this?!”

“How dare you be so rude! Lady Eun was speaking with me…!”

Eun Seol-ran shoved the men away. For the first time, she smiled and took my wrist.

“Let’s change places. It was nice chatting. Until next time.”

“W-wait, Lady Seol-ran?!”

“Just for a moment…!”

We traversed the banquet hall together. Her eyes sparkled.

“I never imagined the Master’s bodyguard would be you… Is this for real?”

“Thanks to the Master’s consideration. My skills are still far from sufficient.”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case… You didn’t… surpass it, did you?”

“Yes. I did surpass it.”

“Goodness! To think you’d actually catch up! How did you do it?”

“Effort, I suppose… Honestly, I don’t know yet. I’m still a bit overwhelmed…”

“Hahaha! Overwhelmed? Nonsense!”

Now that I looked, Eun Seol-ran had changed as well. One might say she was even more beautiful.

She was already pretty, but now it felt like her beauty reached its peak. The compliments pouring in around us supported this.

“I’ve heard the Black Death Leader’s disciple is pretty, but… who would have thought she’d be this beautiful.”

“I can see prestigious families who seek to join the Black Death sect coveting her. Not just that, men smitten by mere beauty will surely line up.”

“With power, beauty, and the abilities of a warrior, what man would dare refuse her?”

“Moreover, her father is none other than the leader of the Manma sect, right?”

“Go speak to her. Hurry.”

“P-please, don’t push me. Father…”

A sea of praise.

“Indeed, senior. You’re outstanding.”

“I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.”

“You are outstanding.”

“It’s nothing. Oh. Did you know? The Black Heaven Sect ring a bell? The mission we took together.”

“I know.”

“The Black Heaven Sect has joined the Black Death sect. The leader is… Jeok Dae-gwang. Apparently, a mere gatekeeper took the leader’s position. They say it’s due to his good reputation? His martial arts skills aren’t bad either.”

“Jeok Dae-gwang… you say?”

I recalled the warrior who had wished well upon my path. His words had held weight.

“I hope things go well for him.”

“I wish I could say it directly… but regrettably, he didn’t attend. It isn’t exactly a gathering where a leader of the Black Heaven Sect would appear.”

Feeling the crowd’s gaze on us, Eun Seol-ran pouted in disappointment.

“Shall we take a round first? I need to give a piece of my mind to those gathering around. What’s your name now?”

“It’s Mu Myung.”

“Mu Myung? Odd name. Using a pseudonym so openly? Anyway, see you later.”

“I’ll see you later, senior.”

I walked away.

I heard chatters. To be precise, it wasn’t chatter but fighting sounds.

Familiar voices entwined with one another.

“No, I don’t know, I tell you.”

“If you don’t, who would know?!”

“I went all the way to her place and she wasn’t there?! Is someone giving out missions again or what?!”

“If you’re going to lie, at least try to embellish it! Honestly… hasn’t changed, has it?”

“Ah! You’re insufferable!”

“I’m not interested in a loser like you. Scram.”

“You were the one who approached me, weren’t you?! Didn’t you call me a benefactor?! Is this how you treat a benefactor?!”

“It’s revoked.”

“What a drag! Seriously!”

A white-haired woman with a glance around observed the scene. Baekmae.

Across from her was a dark-haired man I had seen before.

I approached him.

“Long time no see, brother.”

“…Only one can call me that.”

The glance skimming over the mask settled on me. After a moment’s pause, Smaak, the head of the Sma Family, inquired.

“How many damn secrets are you hiding?”

“A few too many, I’d say.”

“A few? You say that like it’s nothing.”

Smaak chuckled softly.

“It’s been a while, foolish little brother.”