Published at 7th of June 2026 8:21 pm

Chapter 438

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

"Heavenly Demon, you say."

The masked figure spoke those words.

Hearing them, veins bulged at the Young cult leader's temple.

"... You insane bastard."

How dare he utter that name in whose presence?

The Young cult leader's lips curled into a smirk as the scent of blood began to waft from his eyes.

"Do you have any idea who I am, standing before you now?"

『You're asking who?』

As if finding the question laughable, the so-called Heavenly Demon let out a low, mocking chuckle.

Keuk, keuk, keuk, keuk—!

There was demonic ki laced within the soft laughter he let out.

『I told you before, didn't I?』

Tap, tap. The

figure lightly tapped his own mask.

『A half-witted fool with no qualifications. Isn't that you?』

Chak-chak-chak!

A wave of force erupted from the Young cult leader's body.

The violent backlash made the surrounding demonic beings flinch.

"Your Eminence...!"

One of the Eight Demonic Beings urgently spoke up.

"If you release your energy, the Alliance may take notice...! Please...!"

Hearing this, the Young cult leader's expression twisted.

It was indeed true; even if he unleashed his energy here, it would only attract attention.

If that happened, he might lose what he had set out to gain.

"Hoo."

He calmed his energy.

The murderous intent gradually seeped into his body until he was silent once more. The masked one watched, smiling.

『You can't even control it properly, since it's not truly yours.』

"... What?"

『You're simply an unworthy vessel. Which is why—』

Ooooohhhh--!!!

"...!!"

From the figure's toes, an aura began to spread out, enveloping the surroundings.

It was a completely different, heavy, and intense force than the Young cult leader had exuded.

What was remarkable, though—

'... Does it not flow beyond a certain radius?'

Both demonic ki and killing intent merely revolved within a set area, not spilling past its bounds.

It was an incredible display of control.

『You can't even use it properly. Isn't that right?』

"... You bastard..."

Grinding his teeth, the Young cult leader tried to release his energy again.

Step.

The masked man took a step forward. At that moment—

Kugugugugung—!!!

The earth trembled violently.

"Keuk!"

"... Gggh!?"

Several demonic beings stifled their groans, swaying from the force.

"This is...!"

One of the masked Eight Demonic Beings widened his eyes.

The demonic ki was suppressing the body. This...

"The previous Heaven's..."

The previous Heaven.

The one who was the entirety of the Demonic Cult, revered as a deity.

The very power that once belonged to the Heavenly Demon.

"Outrageous."

Amidst the situation, the Young cult leader's eyes filled with resolve.

The Young cult leader of the Demonic Cult—he who had acquired the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and was on the verge of becoming the true Heaven.

And yet, this man dared speak of the Heavenly Demon?

"I'll shred your tongue to pieces right now."

『This seat's tongue?』

The voice was dripping in disdain.

『Do you really think a mere brat like you could do what no one else could?』

Creak-creak-creak—!!!

The Young cult leader unsheathed his sword instead of replying.

"I'll learn what you truly are from now on. For the crime of dishonoring the previous Heaven in my presence, while speaking of the Heavenly Demon—you'll be judged here and now."

Wuuuung. The sword hummed. At the sight, the masked man guffawed.

『Judgement, is it.』

That word—'to pass judgement'—was just too amusing.

『Very well. Judgement. A fine word.』

"... I'll—"

『Then I'll give you a chance.』

Tok—!

The masked one tossed the blade he was holding at the Young cult leader's feet.

The sword lodged itself into the ground.

"... What...?"

The Divine Sword, suddenly appearing before him.

The sacred object wielded by the Heavenly Demon, known as the key of the cult—the sublime artifact.

It was right there, before his eyes. The very thing he'd sought so desperately.

'Is this real?'

Was it authentic?

The sword—right here in front of him? But why...

'Why throw this to me?'

While the Young cult leader was bewildered, he noticed the masked figure nodding toward him.

『Go on, pick it up.』

"... What?"

『Take up the sword. Prove that you are worthy.』

"......"

The Heavenly Demon's Divine Sword.

Proof of qualification.

Hearing these words, the Young cult leader's face twisted.

The conditions of the Divine Sword were the problem.

'Only those who can wield the Divine Sword are...'

Only those of the Heavenly Demon's bloodline through generations.

In addition, only those possessing the Heaven-Slaying Star could do so.

Remembering this, the Young cult leader reached out his hand.

'Is that really true?'

But what if it's not? His fingertips trembled slightly.

As he moved to grip the hilt, the moment his middle finger touched it—

Crackle—!!!

"...!"

A burst of ki erupted, forcing the Young cult leader to recoil.

"... What—!"

"The Divine Sword...!"

Three among the Eight Demonic Beings reacted violently.

They had just witnessed the Divine Sword rejecting the Young cult leader before their very eyes.

『Keuk, keuk, keuk...』

The masked one laughed.

『The sacred object rejects you.』

"......"

『You lack qualification, so that much is obvious.』

"What do you know...?"

『Must I know? Such things don't interest me. What matters is—』

Swoosh.

The masked man stretched out his hand.

At that instant, the Divine Sword embedded in the ground leapt into his grasp.

Chak—!

He held it with utter ease, and the Young cult leader ground his teeth.

『It simply means that you are not worthy.』

"You rigged this, didn't you."

『Not a bad excuse. Think that if it makes you feel better.』

It was as if the mask cared not at all, for he kept smiling—and at the same time—

Kwaggagagak.

He erupted his energy even more powerfully.

At once, a shadow thickened behind his back.

Small shapes coiled around his body, as if wrapping him up.

Swoooosh.

They twisted and shimmered. Bizarre and grotesque forms.

『The essence does not change, after all.』

"......"

Such an unnatural sight.

The Young cult leader's eyes trembled as he saw it.

He'd seen something like that before.

No, it wasn't so much seen—he'd heard of it.

That—

'No way.'

Was that the Heavenly Demon Divine Art manifested?

The way endless shadow layered itself over the body—it was just as the Young cult leader had heard of the technique.

'Divine Arts...'

Not just the Divine Sword, but even the Heavenly Demon Divine Art? Just what on earth—

'What is that guy's identity?'

Could he truly be of the Heavenly Demon's bloodline? Impossible.

'The bloodline of the Heavenly Demon...'

He had tracked them down and killed them all.

There should not be a single descendent of the Heavenly Demon left on earth.

For one to suddenly appear now?

And to possess both—

'The Divine Sword and the Divine Arts?'

The Young cult leader's teeth ground together. This was something that should not exist.

Not for his plans—especially not.

"You resort to sorcery. Such foolish tricks...!"

Unleashing his energy with tremendous force, he drew his sword.

Black-enhanced energy infused the blade.

Just as he dashed madly at the masked man—

『That will not do—』

Kwaggak!

The shadow formed a wall in front of the Young cult leader.

Black flames.

A thick barrier dividing the two.

『I am merely here today to pay my respects, so I don't wish to waste time on pointless skirmishes.』

"What did you say...?"

『Oh seeker, lusting after that which you cannot obtain...』

Chak.

The masked man pushed his sword back into his waistband.

He simply stepped back.

"... Where are you going...!"

The Young cult leader tried to pursue in haste.

Fwoooosh—!!!

The flames cut off his advance.

He wanted to force his way through, but it was impossible.

What on earth were these flames...!

『If you cannot even break through that, how could you dare wave your sword at this lord? The next time we meet, I hope you'll show me something less pathetic.』

"Wait...!"

Whether his clothes burned, whether his body burned, he tried to dash through—but by then, the Heavenly Demon's vessel was already fading away.

Like mist, he dissipated slowly, then collapsed instantly.

Whoosh—!

Even the rising flames faded away into nothingness.

"... This...!"

Gone.

He vanished right before his eyes, taunting him as he left.

"That bastard...!!!"

Slam—!!

The Young cult leader stomped the ground in a rage.

With a rough sound, the earthen floor caved in beneath him.

Eyes ablaze.

With murderous brilliance glinting in his bloodthirsty gaze, the Young cult leader muttered:

"Find him."

He gave the command to the Eight Demonic Beings.

"No matter what—it must be done."

That damned man who had just vanished.

"Bring him before me."

He had to be found at all costs.

"... Sir...!"

The demonic beings tried to reply, but for some reason, doubt flickered subtly in their eyes.

The Young cult leader didn't notice.

* * *

A night when thick clouds hid the moon almost completely.

"......"

I returned to my quarters and took off the mask, surrounded by the cold air.

"... Uh...uu..."

With a barely exhaled sigh, my body simply collapsed. My legs had gone to jelly. The tension had drained from me, that's for sure.

"Ghhhhh..."

Maybe it was the reaction, but my muscles ached all over.

"Damn... Ugh... I'm really dying here."

My arms were shaking. I shed the clothes I'd been wearing and tossed the mask aside carelessly.

"Am I crazy or what...?"

I muttered out of fear. At my words, someone responded.

『Well? Wasn't it fun?』

It was the Heavenly Demon.

"Fun, my ass. How can you call that fun...?"

I was shaken.

I knew the plan, but I hadn't expected things would go so wildly.

At first, he said he'd just borrow my body to drive a wedge between the Young cult leader and the demonic beings—that there would be no harm to me.

'As far as ruining the Young cult leader's plans, I think that worked out...'

There were other issues, though.

"... Can we really just run away like this?"

I wasn't sure if simply escaping would solve anything.

"They'll definitely try to find me."

I'd shown them both the Heavenly Demon's Divine Sword and the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, so of course, the Young cult leader would stop at nothing to hunt me down. But—

"... What if I get caught?"

Doesn't bode well.

Maybe it was the spirit possession, but my physical state was a mess too.

『Don't worry. They'll never be able to find you.』

"... Why not?"

『As long as you possess demonic ki, it can't be helped. I've put precautions in place, so don't bother yourself.』

"......"

Demonic humans with demonic ki.

He said they could never find me? Such certainty made no sense to me.

'That power...'

Was it the Heavenly Demon Divine Art? I now remembered that the backlash was its cause.

'The Young cult leader can't wield the Divine Sword.'

Just as he'd said, the sword rejected him for lack of qualification.

'At the same time, the Heavenly Demon used my body to unleash the Divine Arts.'

Even while possessed, my body remembered the sensation.

It was a wholly different feeling from Yu Chun-gil's martial arts.

Like worms crawling—unpleasant, yet paradoxically refreshing: such a strange sensation.

"... Demonic ki."

The ki that the Heavenly Demon had used through my body. It seemed he'd drawn upon the Divine Sword's power too.

"Looking at it this way, couldn't the Young cult leader wield the sword too?"

『Hmm?』

A question flickered through my mind.

"If you give your approval, qualifications or whatever, anyone could use it, right? The same should go for the Heavenly Demon Divine Art."

The Heavenly Demon's bloodline.

Even if I wasn't a direct descendant, I was able to wield the sword, and likewise, use the Divine Arts of the Heavenly Demon.

Wasn't the Heavenly Demon's approval all that mattered anyway?

Saying so, I added—

『That's a strange thing to say.』

"What do you mean?"

『Neither the sword nor the Divine Arts. You cannot wield them without qualification.』

"... But you let me use them. Other than the Spiritual Sight, my qualifications are flimsy, aren't they?"

Whether it was my own will or not.

To claim that my only qualification was Spiritual Sight—while I didn't even have the Heaven-Slaying Star.

The most crucial condition of all—

"I'm not even of the Heavenly Demon's blood—"

The Demonic Cult's master.

I wasn't of the Heavenly Demon's bloodline.

As I said that—

『Why do you think so?』

"... Sorry?"

The Heavenly Demon said something odd.

『Why—』

But those words—

『Why are you so sure the blood of the Heavenly Demon does not flow within you?』

"... What?"

It was far too difficult a question for me to understand.

TL's Corner:

What?

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