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Chapter 7: The Heart-Pounding Chaos

“[Aaaahhhh!!!]”

My scream echoed all around.

The sheer force of the sound made the ground tremble every time it bellowed.

“Ugh!”

“Cough…!!!”

“Gah…!!”

My voice was wreaking havoc on the lower-ranked martial artists nearby.

I covered my ears and curled up. I even saw someone spitting blood.

The weak couldn’t withstand the backlash and ended up tangled in my sound.

‘This is bad.’

Seeing this made me immediately gather my strength.

Kuwung—!!!

Heat erupted from my body, scattering my presence everywhere.

I filled the area like I was declaring my domain, and gradually, people regained their composure.

That was close.

‘If this went on, it would have been a big deal.’

If it were low-tier martial artists, they truly would have gone mad from the overload of my presence.

In other words…

‘The top-tier couldn’t even approach me.’

Top-tier.

I too could now kill with a single strike, but that didn’t mean I was weak.

For some, I would be called a master, exalted even.

Just being top-tier would allow someone to join a sect or clan, living without worry for money for a lifetime.

‘And yet, those skilled ones are dying like bugs.’

All from just one bellow.

‘What a lunatic.’

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

With this kind of impact, it was no wonder people were calling it a calamity.

I cast a glance at the groaning ones and shouted, “Those who just got hit by my presence, get out of here! Staying will mean certain death!”

It was about time they realized this wasn’t a time for bravado.

The expressions of those who almost went mad were quite something.

It was dangerous.

Not just any danger, but the kind that could lead to certain death from a scream. They truly were on the verge of doom.

“If you plan to die uselessly here, you might as well go to the shelter and take care of the people. That would be far more meaningful, right?”

“Cough….”

Those pointed out hesitated, but eventually moved as if in self-recrimination.

Sure, if they hadn’t moved, I would’ve kicked them out anyway, so this timing was just right.

‘Even when lying down, find a proper spot to do so.’

If their lives were to be wasted like this, it would be better to use them somewhere worthwhile.

With a few upper-tier and peak-tier martial artists vacating the area, nearly half of the crowd had disappeared.

It didn’t matter.

After all, anyone who stayed would end up dead in a fight.

Those who left were simply not significant enough to matter. That was just fine.

‘The real fight starts now.’

[Aaaahhhh!!!]

The creature continued to howl.

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on it.

A goat’s head. A human body. Beastly hands and a tail.

And butterfly wings.

This was a creature I’d never seen before, among all the demon beasts so far.

‘Excluding the wings, its size is about… huge.’

Big for a human, but small for a high-level demon beast.

Could it really be a White Grade Demon Beast?

Such thoughts crossed my mind, but it was obvious.

‘If that isn’t White Grade, what is?’

With that much shaking and recoil.

If that weren’t White Grade, what would be?

[Aaaah…]

Then, suddenly it stopped.

And…

Its gaze locked onto me.

[Kyaaaaahhhh!!!]

Kuwung—!!

“Shit—!”

I cursed as I turned my head away.

Swooosh—!!!

Its sharp claws barely grazed the tip of my nose.

It was coming in fast.

If I had been just a moment slower, my head would have been gone.

Scratch—!!

“…!”

The building behind me split apart past the point where I had been struck.

It was as if five lines of sword intent had passed through.

I took note. I had to be cautious.

I clenched my fist and swung immediately.

Kuwung—!

[Kiiik—!!]

The demon beast screamed as I struck its face. But…

‘That was weak.’

The impact felt light compared to the force I used.

I realized instantly.

‘It’s the energy barrier.’

Just like before.

To deal damage to the barrier, I needed to mix my energy within. Only after it broke could my attack truly land.

The same applied to this creature.

Thanks to hastily using Heart’s Authority, my power was insufficient merely to slightly damage the barrier. I couldn’t deliver a more significant blow.

At that moment.

[Kiiiii—!!]

‘Oh no.’

With the backfire being minimal, it moved right away.

It attempted to attack me from close range, making it slightly hard to dodge.

Should I reveal my upper body?

‘No way.’

Relying on my regeneration could very well lead to instant death.

After a brief hesitation, I raised my left arm.

I might as well sacrifice one arm. Just as I thought that, a crack sounded.

Sssh—!

[Kiiik?]

Miraculously, the demon beast had failed to attack.

At the same time, a white-blue hair fluttered as lightning crackled.

It was Nangong Bi-ah. She had jumped in to stop the assault.

Not only that.

Swoosh—!

Golden light surged behind her, following swiftly.

Another strike cut through the air.

The blade, imbued with light, struck hard against Nangong Bi-ah’s sword.

Clang—!

[Kiiik—!!]

The demon beast’s weapon was knocked up harshly.

Its claws were flung back.

With its upper body now exposed.

“Prince—!”

A voice rang from behind.

Hearing that, my body instinctively reacted.

Heart’s Authority.

The fist that absorbed the wave collided with the beast’s upper body.

Kwadududung—!!

[Kyaaaaahh—!]

The energy barrier shattered, and its upper body buckled slightly.

That felt good. At that moment I thought.

Swoosh—!

The broken energy barrier began to recover, and just before it fully mended, something pierced through me.

Thock—!

A dagger.

The dagger flew into the demon beast’s upper body.

Then, someone darted in urgently.

A figure with light green hair appeared.

It was Tang Soyeol, twisting her body toward the dagger embedded in the beast’s chest.

Her feet drew arcs as she headed straight for the dagger’s handle.

Kuwuuuk—!!

[Kyaaaaahhh!!!]

The creature shrieked again as the continuous shocks sent it flying into the ruins.

Kuwung—!!!

As it crashed into the pillar, the building began to collapse.

Kukukung—!!

Dust and debris filled the air, creating chaos around.

For a brief moment, I was distracted by the scene.

But I couldn’t stare for long.

Flame Burst—!!

Fire began to swirl on my palm.

Flame Jade complete in an instant.

I compressed it multiple times.

To maximize its destructive power, I poured a sizable amount of energy into it.

I needed to unleash a stronger attack before the demon beast’s barrier could recover.

That was the purpose of the Flame Jade.

“Boss! I’m using this?!”

“…What? Wait!”

Suddenly, Bong-Soon sprang forth, swinging her staff to knock away my Flame Jade.

“Hey, you crazy girl—!!”

I was about to curse her for her outrageous actions.

Kawaaah—!!!

“…”

I had to shut my mouth for a moment as I watched the explosion unfold.

It caused much more damage than I’d anticipated.

The compressed Flame Jade had been struck externally, amplifying its explosive power.

“Eh? Why?”

Bong-Soon asked, puzzled by my curse.

“…No, good job.”

Seeing her puzzled expression made me awkwardly smile.

Who knew such a reckless method would work?

…Definitely something to try out in the future.

Anyway.

‘Hoo.’

I took a breath and surveyed the area.

Though unexpected, the cooperation had been exceptionally clean.

‘…Did we ever practice together?’

How could it be so smooth? I wondered, astonished.

I was genuinely surprised, yet the three women showed no signs of worry.

Their eyes were focused entirely on the fallen beast.

Was I the only one unable to concentrate?

Or perhaps…

‘Telling them to back off was a mistake.’

Had my words provoked their pride?

All three were staring with a heat in their eyes that was much more intense than usual.

Looks like I messed up big time.

‘Ugh.’

I swallowed the uncomfortable feeling and shifted my focus.

Right, now was the time for me to concentrate on the beast.

The ruins were getting engulfed in flames, fragments swirling around.

A space filled with blue flames as the result of the Flame Jade’s explosion.

[…Kiiiii….]

There, the battered demon beast was attempting to rise again.

However.

‘Something’s off?’

I tilted my head, noticing something strange.

The demon was barely rising.

Its body was looking quite odd.

‘…What’s this?’

Its body was riddled with cracks.

It looked like it might shatter at any moment. I couldn’t hide my confusion at the sight.

The previous attack was far from weak…

No matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t make sense of it.

What about the one we had fought in the North Sea?

Including Pejon and two transformation realm martial artists, we could barely shred its barrier.

We had barely scratched it!

‘And this one has become like this from just that?’

It makes no sense.

Could there really be such a drastic difference in durability?

[Keeeee….]

It looked like it would crumble if I even poked it gently.

‘It certainly has the power and speed of a White Grade Demon Beast, but….’

Is it just weak in durability?

Or, perhaps, was that previous one just unusually strong?

Seriously, where did I get the experience to tell the difference among White Grade Demon Beasts?

Lost in my thoughts while staring blankly at it.

‘…Or perhaps.’

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

‘Was it the Sacred Spear I shot in the beginning?’

When it was still in its white mass form, I rained down continuous attacks on it, and I saw it suffer.

However, it appeared to recover quickly, so I dismissed it as inconsequential.

‘That might have helped after all.’

If that had caused any issues with its durability, it was a significant advantage.

‘This is good.’

I felt something unusual stir inside me.

‘Should I change my plan?’

Initially, the idea was to endure and leave the final blow to someone else.

But given its current state, things could change.

‘…I could take it down myself, right?’

I had intended to avoid dealing with it, but if I could, everything would be different.

‘If with just that joint attack….’

It might just be possible.

Not only us but others who hadn’t yet joined would also be around.

With this setup, we could likely succeed in the hunt.

Alright.

‘Let’s do this.’

I thought, shouting to my team, “From now on—!”

Not even halfway through, though…

[Kiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaa—!!]

The beast howled before I could finish.

In that moment.

Woom.

“Eh?”

A familiar vibration resonated.

Gu gu gu gu—!!

A sequence of vibrations.

They seemed familiar but felt different.

Thump-thump—!

What I sensed was the demon energy responding. This feeling unmistakably meant…

“Wait…!”

“This, this is…!”

From all around, responses started to erupt.

Everyone began pulling something from their pockets to check.

Martial artists. To be specific, it was the artifact that anyone associated with a sword team in the Central Plains needed to possess.

‘…Demon Energy Talisman.’

The talisman developed by Wudang to herald the emergence of the Demonic Gate tearing through dimensions.

And everyone around pulled it out.

Which meant that my demon energy was responding to the source of the vibrations.

‘No way…’

Realizing the situation, I looked back at the creature.

[Kiiaaahhh—!!]

Crackle-crackle—!!

As if my ominous premonition was spot on.

A Demonic Gate began opening behind it.

And it wasn’t just one.

There were easily more than dozens.

Countless Demonic Gates filled the air in grotesque numbers.

“Ha.”

I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

The dozens of Demonic Gates that filled the space were all…

“Holy crap, really?”

All of them were Red in color.

 

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