Absolute Regression

The Dark Demonic Art was a forbidden demonic technique.

Compared to general demonic techniques, it was far more tyrannical and fierce, but its power came with significant side effects. Those who mastered the Dark Demonic Art were mostly devoured by the art itself, falling into madness and indulging in slaughter until they met their end. Thus, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult strictly prohibited learning the Dark Demonic Art.

The dark demonic energy was the very energy that emanated from mastering the Dark Demonic Art. The aura was so overwhelming that I aimed to break his momentum first.

“What kind of trash have you mastered?”

“Let’s see if you can still call it trash when you die buried in it.”

“I shouldn’t have bothered coming to kill you. You would have died from the side effects of the Dark Demonic Art anyway.”

“I won’t die from side effects. I’ve succeeded in blocking them with the internal energy I gained from the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique.”

Sensing that this would not be an easy fight, I drew the Black Demon Sword.

When the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme extended his hand, a black aura enveloped his hand.

As the aura disappeared, a black sword appeared in his hand. It was clear at a glance that it was no ordinary sword.

“After killing you, someday I’ll also kill your father and take his place.”

“You’re too much of a coward to do that. You’ll live your whole life hiding your ambitions, just to keep yourself alive.”

In my previous life, he never revealed that he had mastered the Dark Demonic Art. He kept it as a hidden trump card for his own protection.

We were both furious at each other, and our anger fueled our internal energy into our swords.

Our swords clashed in midair.

Bang!

A deafening explosion rang out. Neither I nor the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme yielded an inch. Our internal energies were evenly matched. Had he not consumed much of his energy through his numerous soul-reaping techniques earlier, his transformed state would have overwhelmed me with internal energy. This was the power of the Dark Demonic Art.

From the beginning, I faced him with the Soaring Sword Art. He was an enemy I had to confront with my best techniques.

The first form, Balancing the Heavens, was unleashed.

Swoosh!

A streak of sword light cleaved toward the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. As a perfect line was drawn, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, who should have been sliced at the waist, soared upwards, swinging his sword. His deep voice bellowed out!

“Human Annihilation!”

His sword moved with blinding speed.

Where I had stood, six sword lines appeared and then vanished.

Had I not evaded with Divine Lightning Step, I would have been cut into six pieces and killed on the spot.

“Ghost Annihilation!”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme did not make the mistake of giving me an opportunity with a sloppy attack. A second attack, stronger and faster than the first, came flying towards me. Ṟ₳ŊÒΒËṧ

This time, the space where I had been standing was torn into twelve pieces. Twelve sword lights appeared and disappeared simultaneously, creating a truly spectacular sight.

I evaded again with the Divine Lightning Step, but it was more precarious than before.

Before he could launch his third attack, I unleashed the Transforming Heavens Style, the second form of the Soaring Sword Art.

My sword changed twelve times in front of Yasuo.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme did not avoid it but deflected each attack with his sword. Sparks flew whenever our swords clashed.

As the transformations created by the Transforming Heavens Style grew larger, the white radiance emanating from the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s eyes intensified. After deflecting the final twelfth transformation, he immediately counterattacked.

“Annihilation!”

His increasingly powerful third attack and the Profound Heavens Style, the third form of the Soaring Sword Art, were unleashed simultaneously.

Fortunately, I was not in the space that shattered into twenty-four pieces.

I had evaded, but the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme had not.

Slash!

The Profound Heavens Style tore into the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s shoulder. However, no blood flowed from his body. His skin had turned black and was as tough as armor. Relying on that toughness, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s attacks continued. His cry, saturated with a metallic sound, echoed.

“Destruction!”

Forty-eight sword lights spread out brilliantly. The space his sword light occupied grew larger.

It was powerful, but he had one flaw. Due to his lack of real combat experience with this demonic art, his attacks were somewhat monotonous. If I had used that martial art, he would not have been able to avoid it.

Barely evading, I unleashed the fourth form, the Fiery Heavens Style, an attack emitting sword energy.

The terrifyingly fast sword energy struck the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme with a thud. He staggered as if he was about to fall but steadied himself again. Originally, the struck parts should have been severed and disappeared, but they remained intact.

A stream of black liquid trickled down from the corner of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s mouth, but he still appeared solid.

“Young Master, why aren’t you using the Nine Calamities Demon Art?”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s voice had changed to a metallic tone, sounding almost inhuman. This meant he had synchronized with the Dark Demonic Art. At this rate, he would eventually be consumed by the demonic art. Such powerful demonic arts always demanded a price.

Despite that, he was overexerting himself, and he became more dangerous as a result.

“I think I can defeat someone of your level without using the Nine Calamities Demon Art.”

It was a deliberate provocation. In a close battle, the moment you lose your composure, you also lose your life. And this provocation had another purpose.

“Your arrogance will ultimately lead you to your death…”

As soon as the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme began to speak, I unleashed the Azure Sky, the fifth form of the Soaring Sword Art. It was a deadly attack designed to cut off the opponent’s breath while they were speaking.

The Azure Sky accurately slashed his neck. However, instead of severing his neck, only a black liquid trickled out.

The Azure Sky couldn’t even cut his neck?

“You’ve really become a monster.”

At my words, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme rushed towards me. It seemed like he was exploding in rage, but his breathing was steady. The provocation did not work on him.

Aiming for an opportunity to unleash my ultimate move, we soared into the sky.

Even as we ascended, our swords clashed endlessly. Like two dragons intertwining and ascending, we entangled each other and exchanged blows.

In that place, only the sound of swords clashing and the light they created filled the space. The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, known for using soul-reaping techniques, had hidden such a demonic art as his final trump card. This was the martial world.

At the end of the brilliant melee, the moment we separated from each other, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s eyes shone a bright white.

‘Dangerous!’

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme unleashed his final move. His cry burst forth in a perfect metallic sound!

“Heaven’s Annihilation!”

I did not evade. His opportunity was also my opportunity. We saw the same opening and thrust our swords towards it.

Along with the Underworld King Step, I poured all my internal energy into the Eighth Form of the Soaring Sword Art, the Yellow Springs Style.

Swoosh!

Slash!

Two lights intersected.

Brilliant sword light was drawn on the side where I stood. The space shattered into ninety-six pieces, with one entire side being sliced off. It was truly a breathtaking sight.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme did not look at the magnificent sight he had created. He was looking down at his own heart.

From his heart, pierced by my Black Demon Sword, blood was flowing. It was red blood, not black liquid. The once powerful and throbbing heart was now coming to a spluttering halt.

“How… how did you…”

To the disbelieving Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, I calmly replied.

“Your heart was so large that it was easy to pierce.”

Why indeed? It was due to his greed, for stealing the hearts of so many innocent people, that he met his end today.

Black smoke began to seep out of his body, and his transformation started to break apart.

He, who had seemed more monstrous than any monster, reverted to an ordinary person, someone you might find in Maga Village who could save ten lives.

“…It wasn’t the Nine Calamities Demon Art?”

“It was a combination of the Underworld King Step and the eighth form of the Soaring Sword Art.”

“Underworld King Step?”

“The Underworld King Step of the Wind God’s Four Steps.”

“How do you know the Wind God’s Four Steps?”

“It seems the heavens arranged it so I wouldn’t die by your hand.”

It wasn’t nonsense. Without the Wind God’s Four Steps, I would have died in today’s battle. I realized keenly that one must never be complacent when facing a Demon Supreme.

Honestly, I was confident I could defeat him because I had obtained the Blood Eye Essence.

But he had a hidden trump card. Without the Wind God’s Four Steps, I would have died—an incredibly perilous move.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, One-Slash Sword Supreme, and the remaining Demon Supremes—they all surely have hidden moves that differ from appearances.

Today, I became stronger.

Not because I killed the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, but because I learned never to be complacent again.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme slowly crumbled.

As he died, the space he had created began to crack.

His once lively, black eyes that moved so actively, now lost their vitality. Struggling to look up at me, he spoke with difficulty.

“…If I am reborn, I will definitely kill you then.”

I did not respond with a curse.

“If you are reborn, then live a long life. Surely, there are better ways than this.”

At my words, his gaze wavered. He tried to say something, but in the end, he couldn’t speak. It might have been a more severe curse, a final regret he wished to convey…. Or perhaps he couldn’t find in his heart the will to contradict me because he knew I was right.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme dropped his head and died. At the same time, the world he had created vanished.

We returned to the place where he initially intended to perform the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique.

Even in death, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme left one last mystery.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme died sitting cross-legged. Despite our fierce battle, he had no external injuries, as if he had died from qi deviation. He died in the world he so cherished.

I quietly left the place, carrying the child lying on the altar.

* * *

I bought some good liquor and snacks and returned to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

I entrusted the child to Seo Daeryong, telling him to secretly find the child’s parents. Since I mentioned that the child was almost sacrificed for a grand technique, the quick-witted and intelligent Seo Daeryong would handle it discreetly.

“Why did it take so long? Did you really make the snacks yourself?”

“How did you know?”

“What?”

“It took a bit of time to prepare the snacks.”

“What are you talking about? What kind of snacks did you get?”

Seeing the food I brought, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked puzzled.

“It’s not a dish that would take long.”

I smiled and poured him a drink.

“Here, have a drink. The night is still long.”

“Do you think an old man’s stamina is like yours? If I stay up all night, I’ll be groaning all day.”

“You’re still vigorous, aren’t you? Come on, let’s enjoy tonight.”

“Young Master, you seem to be in a good mood today.”

“Yes, I am.”

“For what reason?”

“It’s just nice to see you after a long time.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with eyes that seemed to wonder what I was up to.

But how could he know? That I had killed the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme in the twenty minutes I was gone.

We drank several rounds together. It felt like the first time I was having a refreshing and enjoyable drink since meeting him.

We talked about many things. We discussed the situation in the martial world, martial arts, Seo Daeryong, and the Sword Supreme.

Others might find it surprising, but we both had a lot to say, so there was never a shortage of topics at our drinking table.

“Do you know why I liked that little brat?”

“Why?”

“I asked him on the first day if he could sacrifice his life for you. He said he couldn’t.”

“That rascal, I should scold him.”

“I liked his honesty at that moment.”

“Tell Investigator Seo yourself. He might like it.”

“No need.”

“Then I’ll tell him next time. Sometimes these words need to be said. One word can change a life. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You really take care of everyone. At this rate, you’ll even take care of the stable hands. Why not go and feed the horses with them?”

“If I could, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“I’ve never met anyone like you in my life.”

“It will be the same for our cult. It will become the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult that has never been seen before. Isn’t it fine for our cult to be like that for at least a generation?”

Old man Blade stared at me intently. His gaze was deep, as if pondering something.

“Second Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“Pour me a drink.”

I had always poured him drinks. But this time, it felt different from usual.

I could sense it. This drink held a different significance from the others.

So, I said to him, “I pour this first drink for my left-hand advisor.”

He could have retorted, saying it was nonsense, but he accepted the drink in silence. I filled his cup to the brim.

Old man Blade looked down at the cup for a long time.

Then he emptied the cup.

Perhaps, at this moment, he decided to truly follow me?

Of course, it’s only a guess. He was always unpredictable.

Then suddenly, he spoke.

“Is the left-hand advisor higher or the right-hand advisor higher? If I’m going to be one, give me the higher position.”

I stared blankly at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.

“Hahahahahaha.”

We drank all night.

No matter how good a relationship is, it can be ruined by a single slip of the tongue. That’s why you have to keep building it. Until it becomes a strong relationship that won’t break from a few mistakes. Whether it’s over drinks, brawls, gifts, careful advice, or even insincere compliments. Whatever it is, you have to keep building and piling it up. Mistakes can be made by both me and him.

“You look handsome today.”

“Crazy fool.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon lifted his Heaven-Extinguishing Great Sword to reflect our faces.

“Now, look closely at my face and say it again.”

“Hahahahahaha.”

“Why are you just laughing! Say I’m handsome already!”

“You shouldn’t confess to a woman when you’re drunk.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon laughed, saying he caught a sycophant. I laughed along with him.

The fortune of gaining a true person is granted to at least one of those who make such efforts.

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