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Chapter 1: The Rising Dust

Thud…

Dust is rising all around.

The wind wasn’t blowing much, but it felt like an artificial gust was pressing down.

Crack!

The floor began to crumble.

As the cracks widened, it seemed endless.

The problem was that it wasn’t just cracking.

Sssssss–!!!

The floor started to turn blackened.

And that darkening began right from a woman’s toes.

“You.”

The Heavenly Demon spoke, her violet eyes shimmering.

“Do you want to die?”

With every word she uttered, vibrations echoed.

Gu Gugu—! It felt shallow, yet it didn’t stop, causing the people around to react.

“W-what is this!”

“The earth is trembling…?”

“The noble has fallen…!”

Some felt uneasy about the unfolding situation.

While others were horrified, staring at the unconscious Cheongseon.

And then.

‘Oh, damn it.’

I had to wipe my face as I surveyed the scene.

Kugugugu—!!!

The Heavenly Demon exuded black Qi as she approached.

Unintentionally, I swallowed hard.

Each step she took felt heavy.

My gaze into the future was utterly vacant.

The energy radiating from her was fierce, making me hastily focus my heart.

Thump—! It raced wildly as power surged within me.

With it, I forcefully blocked the energy she was spreading.

Had I left it as is, everyone nearby would’ve lost consciousness.

Struggling to contain the force, I thought.

‘…This is bad.’

The power was stronger than I anticipated.

Crackle—!!!

The energies clashed.

I was merely trying to keep it from leaking out.

Yet the intensity was enough to bring a hollow laugh to my lips.

Thanks to that, the forgotten reality hit me again.

‘…Right.’

That woman I was looking at was the Heavenly Demon.

The one called the absolute being in my previous life.

Although she appeared dull in this life, witnessing this side of her made it feel real.

‘I was too complacent.’

Since she had changed so drastically.

I subconsciously thought she was a completely different entity, but seeing her now made me realize I was wrong.

Kigik.

Piercing through the energy, the Heavenly Demon continued forward.

Her destination was undoubtedly where Cheongseon had flown off to.

“Cough…”

As if to inform us, Cheongseon staggeringly rose from his fallen position.

His cheek was flushed red like he had been struck, and there was blood trailing from his lips.

Let alone understanding what kind of situation he was in, his expression was truly a spectacle.

“T-this… this is….”

He wobbled, trying to get up.

And then Cheongseon widened his eyes as he noticed the approaching Heavenly Demon.

“What the hell…! You… who are you talking to…!”

“What are you going to do with his limbs?”

“W-what…?”

“What are you going to do with them?”

Kigik.

‘Damn it.’

The more I spoke, the stronger the energy became.

Now it was overwhelming just to hold it back.

“Gghh…!”

Moreover, no matter how much I blocked, Cheongseon nearby was definitely catching that energy.

He began to shake violently.

His eyes were filled with fear.

It was that kind of energy.

“Whose limbs are you…?”

Despite that, the Heavenly Demon kept walking.

“What are you going to do…?”

She finally reached Cheongseon.

Ssssssss…!!

The energy that was spilling forth began to take shape.

Like droplets blooming from dew.

That energy flowed and accumulated in the void.

It looked undeniably dangerous.

I clenched my teeth at the sight.

For now, I launched myself and hugged the Heavenly Demon from behind.

Thud—!

“…!”

As I embraced her, the Heavenly Demon’s body stiffened.

I felt the energy violently ripple.

“Are you crazy? What are you trying to do? I told you to stay still!”

Did she finally stop?

I added, but the Heavenly Demon remained silent, offering no reply.

I thought it had some effect.

The reason was that I saw the energy that had risen above wavering.

Feeling the shallow energy, I loosened my grip slightly.

I carefully pried it open, but thankfully, there was no movement.

I grabbed the Heavenly Demon’s wrist.

It felt somewhat cold for a human.

I worried it might explode, glancing at the Heavenly Demon.

‘She seems alright.’

Unlike before, she showed a somewhat calmed-down reaction.

“…”

As I stared at her, I started to back away slowly. Thankfully, the Heavenly Demon followed peacefully.

As we managed to space ourselves from Cheongseon…

“Ggh…”

Cheongseon exhaled the breath he had been holding.

He looked like he was about to vomit, but at least he wasn’t coughing up blood. It seemed his insides weren’t injured.

“T-these… these…!”

When I first saw him, he looked neat and graceful.

But after getting hit once, he was a complete wreck.

His long hair was a mess, and he was covered in dust all over his clothes.

“I will never forgive this… You and your lot…!”

“No, why am I being blamed…?”

It was unfair that I was being scolded when I was just trying to help.

If I hadn’t stepped in, he might not have made it.

“What are you doing!! Capture those bastards immediately…!”

Cheongseon shouted.

Only then did his guards seem to regain their senses, approaching us.

“…Ugh.”

What to do?

‘Should I run? Or fight?’

It wouldn’t be hard to escape as it stands.

However, considering what would happen afterward, it felt troublesome.

And taking them all down didn’t seem…

‘That’s not a good plan either.’

Dealing with them like back in the White Family days was a bit much.

‘Though, I could if I really wanted to…’

There were just a few things holding me back.

So what do I do?

Should I just bail?

After thinking it through, as I rolled my eyes and pondered, the sky caught my attention.

The sunset was fading, and night was approaching.

While staring at it intently…

“Ah.”

Something clicked, and I nodded.

“Right. I got it.”

A brilliant idea struck me.

I immediately turned to the Heavenly Demon and said.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

The Heavenly Demon appeared much more composed.

The only difference was that her cheeks were a bit red from the anger she had felt earlier.

Her white skin made it all the more pronounced.

That should heal over time, so I decided to ignore it.

“Listen carefully from now on.”

I whispered quietly and sent a thought signal.

“…”

And upon receiving the message, the Heavenly Demon nodded and said.

“…From now on, we shall restrain the criminals who harmed the noble…”

As the figures approached, we extended our arms obediently.

Clank.

Just like that.

Shackles were naturally tightened around us.

“I absolutely… absolutely will not let this slide.”

With Cheongseon, trembling as he grasped his cheek, it was the end of our predicament.

We were led away by their hands towards the Blue Family.

The Blue Family was the farthest from where we were.

It was nearly at the edge of the castle walls.

Unlike the White and Black Families, it was harder to gauge their position.

‘Still, it seems the largest among them?’

It appeared that the Blue Family was indeed the biggest estate I had seen.

Not only were the premises large, but the mansion itself also looked a floor or two taller.

Though I wasn’t well-versed in such matters.

If I found it fascinating just by looking, it must have been crafted with considerable care.

I thought to myself.

One thing.

‘Pretty as it may be, it looks quite fragile.’

The building’s durability didn’t seem very high.

It felt like it was completely hollow inside.

As if it would shatter even with a gentle tap.

‘Hmm.’

There was a simple desire swelling up in me to poke at it just a little.

If I had my way, I might have actually knocked on it.

‘Tsk.’

It was regrettable that it wasn’t the right time for such antics.

“Follow properly—!”

“Yes, yes.”

The soldiers tightened the shackles and dragged us along.

I trailed behind them, flailing a bit.

‘As soon as those shackles were on, they became so proud.’

Once they bound me and the Heavenly Demon, their attitudes shifted dramatically. Earlier, they treated us like ticking time bombs.

‘Is it the shackles that are the problem?’

I had worn these shackles before from the Black Family.

They were made from some special stones, right? Supposedly made it hard to use my energy, draining my strength.

‘Certainly.’

As soon as they were fastened, both my exterior and interior felt weird.

It was obstructing the flow of energy and also restricting my muscles.

Whatever it was, I felt plenty uneasy.

‘But it’s not exactly overwhelming.’

I could pull them off if I needed to, so it was mostly just an annoyance.

After a while of walking and glancing around the residence, I reached a specific area.

Creeeak.

As the door opened, a damp energy and stale smell brushed against my nose.

From the looks of it, it seemed to be a space meant for locking up criminals.

“…”

I couldn’t help but lick my lips at the sight.

‘Why does this seem familiar?’

I had been in this place frequently since coming to Mankye.

Having had experiences from my past life, I didn’t feel particularly thrilled about visiting a prison…

‘But I can’t help it.’

It wasn’t the time to be picky, so I entered quietly.

Oh, not quietly. The guards shoved us in as if tossing us.

“In a little while, a decision will be made. Until then, stay put.”

Their annoying tone made me grin.

“I’ll try my best.”

“Puh.”

The soldier twisted his lips at my words.

After all, I tried to be polite, and look at his response?

How ridiculous.

‘Their attitude has completely flipped.’

What should I say? It felt as if their temperament had changed entirely.

It wasn’t just because they were treating us as prisoners…

‘Is it because it’s night?’

Because the moon had risen. I started to suspect that was it.

‘The Moon Night Clan grows stronger at night.’

With regeneration and power increases.

If their temperament also turned violent, it might make sense.

“Lord will be looking for you soon.”

“Well, tell him to hurry up…”

Bang.

The soldier didn’t even let me finish and left.

“They’re so impulsive.”

With shackles on, I awkwardly scratched my head and turned to the side.

The Heavenly Demon was already lying on the ground, rolling about.

“…”

Isn’t she just overly comfortable?

“…Hey. What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

At my question, the Heavenly Demon tilted her head.

“What?”

“Not what but, what are you doing? Do you know why we’re here?”

“Who are we here for?”

“For you, obviously!”

If she hadn’t laid a finger on Cheongseon, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

Of course.

‘If she hadn’t, I would’ve gotten involved.’

But no point mentioning that; it’d only backfire on me.

“Is this how you can’t sit still and cause this mess?”

“…”

The Heavenly Demon frowned at my remark.

“He said something weird.”

“What was weird?”

Truth be told, he had said something rather foolish, but I remembered the Heavenly Demon acted out for less.

“He said he would cut off my limbs.”

“That was directed at me, not you, you idiot.”

“Right, but that’s why.”

“…”

She said nonchalantly, causing my mouth to snap shut.

In other words.

Did that mean she heard me cursing at her and ran over to slap me?

“…What are you on about?”

I shook my head in confusion, unable to grasp it.

“Why are you meddling with me?”

“…”

“What are you trying to achieve?”

“Uh, well…”

“Then, it’s my right to be angry. You shouldn’t be sticking your nose into my affairs.”

Even before we got to Mankye, I felt something was off about the Heavenly Demon.

It was the same during the Blood Demon incident.

She kept getting involved in things concerning me.

It bothered me and annoyed me.

“Plus, if you’re just going to make this whole mess, then just stay out of it. Or get lost and be quiet.”

“…”

After hearing my words, the Heavenly Demon bit her lip.

It appeared she had so much she wanted to say, yet couldn’t get a word out.

“Tsk.”

I shifted my gaze, feeling stifled that my arms were bound as well.

‘Should I just let them loose?’

The shackles felt bothersome enough that I considered breaking free, but for now, I decided to endure.

I sat still, closing my eyes.

‘How long will it be?’

How long until the one I’m waiting for arrives.

As I pondered, keeping my eyes shut for a moment…

Creak.

The door creaked open, and I heard a sound.

I opened my eyes at once.

At that moment.

“Hello?”

Someone entered, opening the prison door.

“It’s been a while.”

Hearing the cheerful voice, I turned to face the newcomer.

“Do you need my help?”

The young man who appeared was none other than Mongmong… no, Yusa.

The ruler of the current Yawol Castle and the person I had been waiting for.

 

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