893 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Episode 893: The World's Greatest Hero's Childhood Friend Daughter. That single word froze my brain for a moment. ‘Daughter?’ Did the Blood Demon just call the Heavenly Demon "daughter"? I glanced at the Heavenly Demon. Crrrunch—! Her face was twisted with rage and her eyes gleamed with hostility. My skin prickled from the killing intent they emanated. Her face was contorted in unimaginable fury. ‘What's going on?’ What is happening right now? ‘Did he really say “daughter”?’ Unable to make sense of the situation, I stood in shock. “Hmmm.” I was jolted out of my thoughts by a voice close by. The Blood Demon had suddenly appeared right in front of me. The stench of blood was so intense that I felt nauseous. His body exuded a powerful and overwhelming bloody aroma. “Meeting your father, yet your expression is like that.” The Blood Demon's gaze was focused solely on the Heavenly Demon. He had no interest in me whatsoever. “You don’t seem pleased.” He said, laughing, Snap. I clenched my fist immediately. Fwoosh—! Flames erupted around it. I directed the heat toward the Blood Demon. At that moment. The Blood Demon's eyes turned toward me. [Stop.] ----!!! “Ugh!?” Instantly, my body froze. I tried to exert power, but I couldn't even make myself tremble. That sensation, it was a power I knew all too well. ‘...Dragonspeak…!’ I know it well because I use it often. What the Blood Demon had just used was definitely Dragonspeak. Crrrunch—! ‘Damn it.’ My joints and entire body were as rigid as stone. The pressure was so overwhelming that I couldn’t channel my power properly. “Child, wait a moment. Unfortunately, there are many matters to discuss between father and daughter right now.” The Blood Demon said, turning his head toward me. Whooooosh---!!! Something swiftly descended upon the spot where the Blood Demon had been standing. Boom---!! It was the stroke of a sword swung by the Heavenly Demon. “Hmm.” The Blood Demon expressed a peculiar reaction. Fwaaah—! The sword thrust into the ground. The sword blade, composed of demonic energy, was embedded in the earth, extending its shadow towards the Blood Demon. The demonic energy dominated the surroundings, baring its fangs toward the Blood Demon. Crack—!! A massive thorn manifested and lunged at the Blood Demon. He barely tilted his head in acknowledgment and, Thud. Smash—!! With a slight gesture, he shattered all the thorns. “Your vigor is impressive. I like it,” The Blood Demon said with apparent satisfaction. The Heavenly Demon stood in front of me, pressing her sword at him as if to shield me. “Stay away.” It was as though she intended to protect me. Still, I couldn’t move. “Quite an aggressive greeting.” “...” “It’s rather inappropriate to act so harshly toward your father, don’t you think?” “Get lost.” Her voice was laced with venom and thorns. The Blood Demon’s expression didn’t change despite the Heavenly Demon’s harsh words. “Ha.” With a chuckle, the Blood Demon beckoned with a finger. The bloody scent around him intensified. Whooooosh---!! A red aura began rising from him. The energy coalesced into a sword within his grasp. “The time has come, my daughter.” “...” “Let’s go together now.” Hearing this, my internal panic rose. Was he here to take the Heavenly Demon away with him? Why now after all this time? Could it really mean she was his daughter? I had suspected a connection between the Blood Demon and the Heavenly Demon, but if they were parent and child, the implications would be far different. Moreover. ‘Then what about Wi Seol Ah?’ What would Wi Seol Ah become in all of this? Crrrack. Just thinking about it made my body recoil. My muscles screamed, and my bones felt as if they were going to shatter. “No.” The Heavenly Demon spoke to the Blood Demon, her voice still filled with fierce emotion. “Is that so.” The Blood Demon nodded slightly, as if he expected this answer. “What a pity.” Slowly, the Blood Demon raised his hand. “While I don’t enjoy teaching…” Seeing this, the Heavenly Demon unleashed her demonic aura and lunged. “I suppose I have to when necessary.” Boom—! Screeeech---!! Their swords clashed, creating an immense burst of pressure. The tremendous clash made the black and red energies swirl together, like a gigantic vortex. Clang—! Clang—! Fragments of energy scattered with intense force. Amidst the countless grinding noises, the only visible thing was the intermittent bursts of energy. After what felt like an eternity, Fweeew—!! The vortex dissipated in an instant, revealing the two individuals standing in the same place as before. The only difference was, “Huff…” The Heavenly Demon, covered in wounds, was staggering while the Blood Demon stood with his hands behind his back, still at ease. ‘...How?’ How could the Blood Demon be so powerful? Even the Heavenly Demon, who had slain the entire Triumvirate alone, was being pushed back? Knowing the Blood Demon had faced all five of the great masters in the past, I was aware of his strength, but… ‘No.’ This wasn’t merely due to a difference in ability. Even with my body frozen, I could see something. She wasn’t fighting like the Heavenly Demon of her previous life. If anything, it was a reckless, feral style, even more so than Bong Soon’s. It was a fight style devoid of martial form, driven only by a desire to tear and kill. The refined techniques she once used as the Heavenly Demon were gone, leaving only a raw destructive style. Granted, her speed and power were still formidable... ‘It’s meaningless if it doesn’t land.’ She couldn’t touch the Blood Demon at all. Moreover, part of the reason she was being easily overpowered had to do with me. I had thought it was just in my head, but apparently, it wasn’t. The Blood Demon would occasionally take stances as if to attack me, and the Heavenly Demon would try to block them. ‘...If only she would just fight.’ What on earth was this madness? Additionally. ‘When will this restraint wear off?’ Crrrack. I had been struggling to force my muscles to move for a long time. Still, I couldn’t budge an inch. ‘Is that Dragonspeak different?’ It felt distinct from my own use of Dragonspeak. While it appeared to have a similar effect, its nature was entirely different. As far as I knew, Dragonspeak wasn’t particularly effective on those as strong as or stronger than myself. It might cause a brief pause, but there was always the risk of backlash, which made it difficult to use carelessly. However… ‘The fact that he can bind me so thoroughly means…’ Either his Dragonspeak was different from mine, or… ‘…Is there really that much of a gap in our levels?’ It suggested that the disparity between the Blood Demon's abilities and mine was immense. I couldn’t believe it. ‘Is it possible?’ I was at the peak of the top ten martial artists. I even contemplated that I might contend with the Triumvirate one day. ‘That's outrageous.’ I couldn’t easily accept the idea that there was such a gap between us. “Huuuuuh...” The Heavenly Demon exhaled quietly. She was once again standing protectively in front of me. ‘Get out of the way. Just get out of here.’ I repeatedly told her to leave in my mind, but it went unheard. “When facing an opponent, you shouldn’t let your focus waver. It’s not a good practice.” The Blood Demon admonished, but the Heavenly Demon silently gathered her demonic energy. The Blood Demon watched with interest and then spoke. “Since you’re my precious daughter, I’ll warn you.” He released his hands from behind his back and raised his sword. “Dodge this. Otherwise, you'll die.” Rumble---!!! Red energy gathered at the tip of the sword. My heart pounded as soon as I saw it. ‘…What is that?’ I knew instantly. It was a disaster. That crimson aura was catastrophic in essence. Screeeee---!!! The energy seemed to be screaming. I had never seen such a vicious and ruthless energy before. Moreover, its vastness was overwhelming. Just by observing, I could gauge the concentration of the energy. In truth, if what I'm seeing is any indication… ‘It’s several times stronger.’ The true power was likely several times what I perceived. It would take all of my strength to even consider blocking it. Logic dictated that avoiding it was the right course of action. “Ssssh—!” The Heavenly Demon inhaled deeply and summoned her demonic energy. She had no intention of dodging. The reason, likely— ‘Is it because of me?’ Perhaps because she was protecting me, the very reason for her obstinacy. Realizing this, I exerted my strength. Crrrrunch—! Forcing power into my body felt like it was breaking my bones. Could the Heavenly Demon withstand that? I suspected the Blood Demon wouldn’t kill her since he had come to take her with him. ‘But she wouldn’t be unscathed.’ If she didn’t dodge such a powerful attack, she wouldn’t come out of it unscathed. ‘So...’ Dodge. I desperately wanted to shout it. Honestly, I also had another thought at the back of my mind. If the Heavenly Demon took the hit and perished, wouldn’t that eliminate a threat? There was indeed a part of me that considered this. ‘Damnit.’ But that reasoning was promptly devoured by my emotions. At that moment, “This is called the Bloody Jade Ghost's Advance.” The Blood Demon stated nonchalantly. “A friend of mine named it. Try to withstand it.” Screeeeeeech—!!! With an ear-piercing screech, the calamity advanced. Though it wasn’t that large, it seemed to fill the sky. It descended like an ocean of blood. Crrrrunch—!! I twisted my body desperately as my muscles tore. Wooom--!! My heart pounded fiercely and continuously. My mouth opened. “…Get…away….” I barely managed to utter it. The mere act of speaking brought significant recoil to my body. The problem was— “No.” Once again, she refused. The Heavenly Demon didn’t even turn around when she replied. Her posture suggested she had no intention of moving. I stared at her back. It was small and frail. In her previous life, she appeared so imposing, yet now she seemed so small. The energy was almost upon us. If things continued as they were, I’d be caught in it. The Heavenly Demon knew this, did she not? “I will.” With a breath, she gathered her demonic energy and declared, “Protect you.” What made her so resolute? It was truly enigmatic and curious how someone meant to be eliminated was now protecting me. The view before my eyes turned red. At that moment, Wooom. I felt energy arise from within. “…!” Suddenly, my hand moved on its own. Craaaash—!!!! ****************** A pervasive aroma and energy spread throughout the area. The energy that swept the ground left it in shambles. There was little intact. In contrast to the beautifully ripened sky from the sunset, the ground was utterly devastated. The Blood Demon gazed at the ruined area and furrowed his brow. There was a single spot— Amidst the wrecked land, one place remained unscathed. The Blood Demon's gaze was fixed there. “Huaa….” A young man exhaled in disbelief, his daughter holding on to him tightly, both of them unharmed. Around Gu Yangcheon, the area was intact, as if the attack had been blocked. Normally, the Blood Demon would have laughed upon seeing this. Perhaps he would have even praised it. “Tch.” However, the Blood Demon’s brow rarely furrowed like it did now. The flames burning in Gu Yangcheon’s hand posed the problem. Those calmly flickering white flames. They stirred a feeling of revulsion just by being seen. Because of them, the Blood Demon couldn’t laugh. “You always manage to surprise me.” There had never been a time when it wasn’t the case. No wonder the Blood Demon referred to Gu Yangcheon as a fracture. He watched him with keen interest, yet— “This time, I’m truly shocked.” He was so surprised that he couldn’t even laugh. “I didn’t come to witness something like this….” The Blood Demon swept his hair back with his hand. His blood-red eyes began to shine even brighter. “Though I’ve seen something different, I suppose it’s a good thing.” The energy gathered in his hand again. Originally, he came to verify potential, but now the situation was different. “I have to kill him.” He must be killed. Having reached this conclusion, the Blood Demon moved immediately. Gu Yangcheon, seemingly sensing the Blood Demon’s intent, tried to move as well. [Stop.] “Kh—!” Whoooosh---!!! Once more, Dragonspeak spread outward. However, “…Huh?” Gu Yangcheon was able to move even after hearing the Dragonspeak. “This is interesting.” Seeing this, the Blood Demon narrowed his eyes. Dragonspeak doesn’t work. There was only one conclusion to draw from that. “What is it?” I wondered how this young dragon could break free from and move past Dragonspeak, but the reason soon became clear. The Blood Demon looked at Gu Yangcheon—or rather, at something behind him—and spoke. “It has been a long time.” The energy in the Blood Demon’s hand dissipated. “I was about to devour everything at a slight delay, yet I didn’t expect to meet you like this.” Hearing the Blood Demon's words, Gu Yangcheon frowned and spoke. “What on earth is this crazy guy suddenly babbling about…?” But then— “…!” As Gu Yangcheon tried to ask, he flinched. It wasn't Dragonspeak stopping him. It was the sudden sensation of something. A warm touch gently enveloping his neck. Gu Yangcheon’s eyes widened at the comforting, familiar grip. It was a sensation he'd felt before somewhere—a blend of longing and familiarity—and just as he was about to speak it aloud… [That’s not allowed.] A voice resonated through the air. The Blood Demon smirked and uttered the name of the being. “Wanje (萬界).”