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Chapter 581: Night Arrival

“Hello.”

A light greeting.

It sounded harmless to anyone’s ears, but…

As I looked at the person uttering those words, I found myself completely frozen in place.

Those purple eyes I feared might haunt my dreams.

The strands of black hair swirling with hints of another color.

Her appearance was reminiscent of someone I could not forget.

I had thought I would eventually encounter her someday, but I never imagined I’d run into her in a noodle shop in the back alleys of Hanam.

No, I doubt any human could have predicted such a meeting.

Woo—!

My heart began to race uncontrollably.

The moment I recognized her, my body tensed up on its own.

I felt power swelling in my heart.

Hoo—!

At the same time, the energy coursing through my body went wild.

A headache.

Blood Qi surged, and a strain rippled through my still-healing physical body.

Yet, I pushed more energy into it as if trying to disregard the strain.

I had to do this.

It felt utterly insufficient even then.

‘What should I do?’

Why on earth was she here?

Am I still dreaming?

‘Damn.’

I knew very well that was impossible.

This situation couldn’t be a dream when the Demon Energy was so palpably agitated.

The dormant energy within me stirred to life.

It was clear my instincts were reacting to her presence.

I couldn’t tolerate the notion of another Demon Energy in the same space.

What kind of mad energy is this? I felt a wave of frustration wash over me.

Yet, the energy itself was the least of my concerns right now.

One thought ran through my mind.

‘Could I kill her?’

Was it really possible for me to kill the being standing before me?

That thought consumed me entirely.

Years ago, when I first encountered her at Shinryong Temple.

I had struggled to harness my power back then.

Now, I had filled my strength to a degree that far exceeded that time.

‘Yet, it’s still insufficient.’

To face the Heavenly Demon stored in my memory, even this was nowhere near enough.

She who played with the Three Eminent Beings that ruled the Central Plains, floating high above them.

No matter how much stronger I’ve become now.

She remained the Heavenly Demon.

Cold sweat trickled down my neck.

I concentrated, trying my utmost to control my breath.

It was not easy.

The Heavenly Demon merely stared at me, silently observing, without making any move.

That made me wonder.

‘Should I run away?’

That was the most practical method.

No matter how much my power had increased, this situation was dangerous.

Not to mention, my body was not in its optimal condition either.

She was certainly aware of that.

Woo—!

My instincts urged me to retreat.

The Demon Energy was practically whispering to me.

To hurry and kill her.

Step by step.

I approached the Heavenly Demon.

I tightened my heart one more time.

My rational mind knew.

I shouldn’t pick a fight here.

It would be a rash decision, an irrational act.

But.

Even so, my fingertips tried to move contrary to my thoughts.

At that moment.

“Don’t.”

The Heavenly Demon, who had been quietly watching me, spoke.

I involuntarily froze at her voice.

Her purple eyes, seemingly calm, stood in stark contrast to the chaotic situation.

They appeared tranquil, unlike the mountain of noodle bowls piled high on the table.

I glared at the Heavenly Demon with a scrunched-up expression.

As our eyes met, various emotions surged within me.

Hatred.

Resentment.

Fear.

A mix of those feelings.

“What are you…?”

I barely managed to utter the words.

It was the best I could do.

“Don’t.”

The Heavenly Demon repeated the same response, lifting the noodle bowl she held towards me.

What was that? What on earth was she doing?

As I pondered this, she said,

“Dinner.”

The Heavenly Demon simply stated.

“…What?”

“I told you to stay still while I eat.”

What in the world could this possibly mean?

Amidst the confusion of emotions, a sense of bewilderment washed over me.

This conversation made no sense, no matter how I looked at it.

Whether she realized it or not, the Heavenly Demon continued to ignore me and focused solely on her own words.

“So, stay still.”

Finishing her remarks, she began to eagerly slurp up the noodles.

She attacked those noodles with quite a fierce appetite.

This was reminiscent of Wi Seol-Ah, as if her actions were provoking me further.

I nearly exploded in disbelief at what I was witnessing.

‘What the hell is this?’

What kind of situation am I in?

I came to a noodle shop for breakfast, and here is the Heavenly Demon devouring noodles.

This absurd situation felt humorously surreal. What on earth could it mean?

‘…Is that really the Heavenly Demon?’

I couldn’t help but wonder how ridiculous my doubts were.

But those doubts quickly faded, for I knew this was no fantasy.

This Heavenly Demon was real.

If not, the Demon Energy wouldn’t exhibit such hostility.

I could tell.

That this woman was indeed saturated with absurdly intense Demon Energy.

She was the original source and master of that energy.

No matter how much I had converted it to my own,

Could that ever change this fact?

It hadn’t changed.

Even now, can’t I see it?

I gazed at the woman casually slurping her noodles, wishing to perceive her deeper motives.

No, I hoped to do so, yet, I failed to succeed.

As I tried to peek inside, I was met with a colossal barrier, preventing me from seeing beyond.

Not to mention.

‘The barrier blocking me is composed entirely of Demon Energy.’

What kept me from perceiving the Heavenly Demon was the overwhelming mass of Demon Energy.

Years of returning and countless hunts against Demon Beasts to gather energy hadn’t prepared me for this.

Once again, standing before the Heavenly Demon, I realized.

The quantity and quality of what she had was entirely beyond my reach.

That was indeed the Heavenly Demon.

The very being I must kill in this life.

Then….

‘What’s with her demeanor?’

What was that behavior? It was nothing but confusion overflowing in my mind.

Why was the Heavenly Demon sitting here slurping noodles?

Even her appearance felt like something had drastically shifted.

In a previous life, the Heavenly Demon had been an embodiment of disaster and despair for humanity.

She viewed all beings, save herself, as mere insects.

Possessing the incredible strength that allowed her to maintain that arrogant stance.

Royal above ten thousand.

Standing alone while ruling over the Three Eminent Beings of the Central Plains, looking down upon all.

That was the Heavenly Demon.

Yet—

What in the world was unfolding before my very eyes?

Slurp.

Arrogance aside, she was chugging down the broth straight from the bowl now.

And then.

Thud.

Once she must have finished, she slammed the empty bowl down on the table.

The expression she wore was quite the sight.

“Hmm….”

A notably satisfied look.

How many bowls did she devour? It looked like it was nearing ten with a rough count.

Then she declared,

“It was delicious.”

Giving that brief acknowledgment, the Heavenly Demon stood up.

“…!”

I took a sharp breath, feeling my tension spike.

Though I had been momentarily shaken by the bizarre situation, the fact remained she was the Heavenly Demon.

I had to remind myself just who I was standing before.

All sorts of thoughts rushed through my mind.

What would happen if a fight broke out?

If everything around us got devastated, when would the Association intervene?

Could I hold out until they did? Even if I managed to hang on.

‘Is the Association on my side?’

This was no small number of problems.

Simply encountering the Heavenly Demon here compromised my entire plan.

I clenched my teeth.

The situation was fraught with issues.

Knowing that made it all feel even more impossible.

Was this a chance or a crisis?

Caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, I couldn’t decide and was being gradually enveloped.

That’s why.

Even as the Heavenly Demon approached me, I didn’t react.

‘What the…!’

In no time at all, the Heavenly Demon was right beside me.

By the time I finally reacted and tried to move, she grabbed my arm tightly.

Clench—!

I felt the grip on my arm.

“…!”

I couldn’t yank it free.

The pressure was strong.

To escape, I’d need to release a good amount of energy.

My gaze shifted.

In that moment, the Heavenly Demon wasn’t looking at me.

Where was she gazing?

“Please, calculate my bill.”

With a nonchalant expression, the Heavenly Demon spoke.

An old woman appeared.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my, my thin girl ate quite a bit, didn’t she?”

The old woman chuckled cheerfully as she looked at the stacked bowls.

I inhaled sharply as I watched the Heavenly Demon hand over something to the old woman. Money.

The old woman’s eyes widened in shock.

“My goodness. I don’t have anything to give you as change…”

It was an amount that could hardly be made in a day selling noodles, let alone several bowls.

The old woman appeared flustered, but the Heavenly Demon seemed unbothered.

“Keep the change.”

Saying that, she bowed her head slightly to the old woman.

At that moment, I had to stifle a gasp.

It was hard to believe the Heavenly Demon would bow her head to anyone.

“It was tasty. I’ll come again next time.”

As the Heavenly Demon was about to leave, the old woman seemed to want to say something.

But the Heavenly Demon dragged me along outside without hesitation.

As soon as I was outside, I quickly pulled my arm away from her grip.

Thud—!

There was no need to exert much strength.

She certainly wasn’t gripping me that tightly anymore.

Once I broke free, the Heavenly Demon tilted her head, observing her empty hands.

I stared at her with a twisted expression.

I suppressed my rising emotions, my voice strained as I asked.

“…Why. Are you here?”

No matter how much I tried to hold back, my voice came out low and fierce.

That was my best effort.

Hearing this, the Heavenly Demon met my gaze calmly.

Then she responded.

“I came to eat.”

The answer struck me, making me grind my teeth.

“Stop with the nonsense, what’s your intention…!”

Was she messing with me or what? It made no sense.

As I questioned with disbelief, the Heavenly Demon replied.

“You.”

What was she going to say? In that tense moment.

“Why do you hate me?”

An unexpected question caught me off guard.

“…What?”

I stammered in confusion.

The Heavenly Demon asked with full curiosity in her eyes.

“I haven’t done anything. Why do you hate me?”

It was the most bewildering statement I’d heard since my return.

Why do I hate her?

Could that even be asked?

I could list a dozen reasons on the spot.

I could spit out hundreds of words in an instant.

Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t find a single word to respond with.

‘What is this?’

Nothing came out.

It felt as if something was sealing my lips shut.

Why was I hesitating?

Out of fear of the Heavenly Demon?

That was true. I was afraid.

Afraid of the being who had attempted to consume everything and burn the world.

But that wasn’t enough of a reason for my mouth to stay shut.

What was the issue then?

Chewing on my tongue in irritation, I tried desperately to find the words, but still, nothing came.

Time passed.

If I couldn’t place my sword on my tongue, I should at least place it on my fingertips.

But I couldn’t do that either.

I merely stared at the Heavenly Demon, my mouth a sealed door.

“…”

Seconds ticked by as we stared into each other’s eyes.

As I struggled to find the words, she turned her gaze away and gestured.

Following her gesture, I gazed towards the place we had just exited.

“Here, it’s delicious. It’s my favorite spot.”

Her voice touched my ears.

“You should try it too.”

It felt like a completely trivial suggestion.

So I turned my head back towards the Heavenly Demon.

“…Damn it.”

Maybe it was a mistake to let my guard down for a moment.

In an instant, the Heavenly Demon had vanished from her spot.

I could taste my own blood on my tongue.

At the same time, I had to wipe my face with my dry hands.

It was a fact I had been painfully aware of, but now, I felt it even more keenly.

I was sure, deep down, something had twisted far beyond my understanding.

 

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