Ep517 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

The darkness that remained in the place of the vanished sun. A pandemonium that devours everything in existence. The ground they had stood on just moments ago. The air they had breathed in with vigor. The warmth that had embraced their bodies. And the comrades who had bled beside them. One by one, they vanish without a trace. As if they were never meant to exist in this world. No, as if the world itself should no longer exist. "The heavens are enraged...!" It was the only explanation that made sense for the current situation. Even the followers of the Cult, who believed in and followed the Heavenly Demon as a god descended to earth, were busy beseeching the heavens. As time passed, some people began to resign themselves to the flow of destruction. "If this is the will of the heavens...." "How can mere humans possibly endure?" "Boundless mercy...!" Those who abandoned the struggle soon soared toward the sky. Their frailty did not end with their own demise alone. The force swallowing the world grew stronger with time. If what lay beyond was only death, wouldn't it be better to die swiftly than to suffer? At the moment such thoughts began to take root while observing those leaving without hesitation— "Never give up!" "Persevere with all your might!" "Victory is not far off!" Dang Sun-young and Baek Woo-jin's team members relentlessly pulled back those who were giving up. They had changed through their time with Baek Woo-jin. So much so that they could scarcely recall their past selves. They stood at the heart of the martial world, repeatedly growing, both in skill and spirit. What they learned from Baek Woo-jin was essentially one thing. It was indomitability. "The heavens have abandoned us? So what!" "Our lives are ours to own!" A spirit that does not bow to adversity. The notion that miracles find those who refuse to give up. Something known to all, yet difficult to put into practice. However, witnessing it firsthand transforms one’s heart. Baek Woo-jin demonstrated to them directly. If you don't give up, there is a path to be found. He showed them this several times over. Seeing this, and sometimes experiencing it personally, they grew to resemble him in spirit. "Hold on!" "Please, believe in him, in us, and persevere…!" "Then you will survive!" Even with doom looming overhead, they would not let the word "surrender" enter their minds. And their every word became a beacon. How could they remain so steadfast even in such dire circumstances? An unshakable faith, like the deep-rooted strength of a great tree, that seemed to rise from nowhere. This held firmly onto those who were toying with the idea of giving up. "Yeah..., even if we're going to die, let's live just a bit longer!" "It's said even rolling in mud is better in life!" "I'm definitely not dying before you!" "Oh really? Same here, buddy!" "Care to wager who'll die first?" "Sure! Loser calls the winner 'elder brother'!" "Alright!" Amid the affectionate banter exchanged with jest, The flame of hope, nearly extinguished by deepening darkness, Roars back to life. As the gravitational pull grows stronger, so does their vitality rejuvenate. A fierce tug-of-war then begins. In contrast to the steadfast Murim Alliance holding on with determination, the Cult was increasingly swept into ruin. "O mighty Heavenly Demon…." Their only focal point was the one and only Heavenly Demon. Yet, she was absent from their side. The Sub-leader's role was to sustain the faith of the followers in such times. But Chang Min found himself unable to utter a single word. "Are we truly abandoned…?" He understood. That their deity, the Heavenly Demon, had waited eagerly for this moment. Had prepared extensively for this very day. Because of this, he thought. Perhaps the catastrophe shrouding this world was not the wrath of heaven but the plan of the Heavenly Demon. In a situation where the followers, who solely trusted her, were being felled like autumn leaves. The complete absence of any words of assurance meant only one thing. The god they so much believed in and followed had left their side. In other words, they had been abandoned. "Ha, hahaha..., hahahahaha...! Cough, cough..., ugh…!" Laughter erupted from Chang Min, akin to that of a deranged man. Not even the moments he was abandoned by his parents or realized he was forsaken by the heavens had imparted such a shock. Why, you ask? Because a deity had always been by their side. The absolute being who provided shelter and refuge in place of those who had forsaken him. The current Heavenly Demon was undeniably different from her predecessors who had led the Cult of the Heavenly Demon. Despite her overwhelming power, she was not tyrannical. While she seemed to strive for the future, there was a certain aloofness about her. This puzzling characteristic was perceived as her unique strength. Observing her non-impulsive nature, unlike previous Heavenly Demons, he was convinced. She would undoubtedly achieve great feats that no one else could and lead the Cult into the light, away from the shadows. Believing her difference was the key, the betrayal he felt now was immeasurable. "Why..., just why—!" Even as he cried out to the heavens, no one offered an answer. All he could see were the cultists drifting upward to the sky, unable to hold on. Unlike the resolute Murim Alliance, he, Jang Min, found himself with no support left. Even if the unexpected cataclysm suddenly ceased— "...it's all pointless." What meaning could a life hold when abandoned by the last remaining deity? As resignation set in, the strength within his body gradually drained away. The moment Vice-Leader Jang Min gave up on life, the demise of the Cult accelerated. Without a visible leader and a vice-leader who had renounced life, there was nothing to halt it. One by one, they began to fall, just as the martial artists of the Murim Alliance, who were holding on tightly to one another, started to reconsider their own mortality. Then— Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom— The force that had been absorbing them, the world, began to wane. Once it weakened to the point of not being able to pull even a small pebble, the eyes of those who had gained a momentary respite turned to the sky. And they saw. "The sky..." "It's clearing up...!" "It's the light!" The darkness that had consumed the sun was slowly disappearing. The sun's reappearing rays scattered vigorously, erasing the darkness spread across the sky. It was as if a long night had passed, giving way to a bright new morning. And then they saw once more. A lone figure emerging in the clearing sky. While everyone else was bewildered, only his team recognized that tiny dot. "There, there...!" "Baek Gongja!" "You..." "Hero!" Though the titles varied, they all pointed to one individual. Baek Woo-jin. The person they had relied on, the embodiment of their trust. He, with the radiant lights, revealed himself yet again. Baek Woo-jin, descending slowly from the heavens to the earth. People moved towards where he would land. To celebrate the man who had quelled even the wrath of the heavens. To embrace him, who had returned alive from countless dangers. Just as Baek Woo-jin touched down, None achieved what they sought. "......." "......." "......." He was not alone. In his arms, as he descended to the earth, was a woman. An incredibly beautiful woman with a soft smile on her lips. The Heavenly Demon. The most formidable foe threatening the central martial world. She lay lifeless in Baek Woo-jin’s embrace. Undoubtedly, it was a cause for celebration. Her death signified peace for the martial world. One should be shouting and proclaiming the long-awaited peace. "......." "......." Yet none could utter a sound. Indeed, they could not. An indescribable, profound aura surrounded Baek Woo-jin, who stood grounded. An elusive feeling that married sorrow and joy. Though no explanation was spoken, this much was clear. No one present could comprehend Baek Woo-jin's emotions. That was the reason. Why even his comrades from the Murim Alliance could not find words to speak to him. As Baek Woo-jin moved among the gathered people, they'd hurriedly step aside, clearing a path. Without meeting anyone's gaze, he walked silently down the open path. Watching his gradually retreating figure with growing unease, Jegal Yeonji attempted to stop him. "Baek—!" "Don't." "Sister..." Dang Sun-young, placing a hand on her shoulder, restrained her. They understood. Baek Woo-jin and the Heavenly Demon. What kind of relationship the two had shared in the past. Because of this, they could not fathom it. What it might feel like to raise a sword against the one you loved and ultimately take their life. They could only speculate. “…He'll need some time.” No one could fully understand what was in his heart—it was a matter that only his resolve and time could resolve. Thus, they did not attempt to stop Baek Woo-jin from walking away into the distance. He walked solemnly across the battlefield and disappeared from sight. And he remained absent for quite some time. --- Author's Note: First and foremost, I apologize for the delay. As we near the conclusion of the story, I've been trying to write each chapter with greater care, which has led to delays. Throughout the writing process, there have been parts that felt misaligned with my initial vision. I wish to avoid such discrepancies as much as possible in the conclusion, which is why I’m putting in extra effort now. I know it's a somewhat late ambition, but I can't let it go easily. I’ll continue to do my utmost until the very end, striving to make every word resonate. Of course, I will also try to adhere to the schedule as much as possible. I look forward to seeing you in the next installment. Thank you, as always, for reading. Wishing you a peaceful night. (_ _)