The Double Agent of the Heavenly Demon Sect

“The sword is beyond you,” the First Demon said, and an unseen hand smacked the back of my head.

“I told you not to grab it on your own.”

“… But.”

“Don’t argue. What’s forbidden is forbidden.”

“Can’t you tell me why?”

“Why?” The First Demon stood in front of me. “There’s no need to explain it. I’ll show you.”

Something struck my chin, and I lost consciousness instantly. When I came to, the First Demon was pressing her foot on my back.

“The first technique of the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art, ‘Demon’s Ghost Hand’. It’s the first form you learn upon starting. While the overall form is singular, its applications are many. Being the most basic, the form itself is simple. The four applications focus on attacking, retreating, and striking. But powerful moves require large preparatory actions, and weaker ones allow multiple strikes. The skill is weaving them together seamlessly. A unique movement imbued with inner power carries meaning in itself. The Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is complex, far from simple. And the sword technique derived from it? Is that any simpler? No, it’s even harder. It’s not something someone like you can wield from the start.”

“…”

“Whether we’re talking about forms or techniques, all of it requires a body that can handle it. Simply grabbing a sword? Your energy channels would get tangled, and you wouldn’t even be able to mimic it properly. You’re third-rate.”

“…”

“Did I say something untrue? You’re third-rate. Incredibly third-rate.” the First Demon sneered.

“Are you at least smart? Not at all. Incredibly dull, even. Your sensory perception is terrible, and you’re not particularly skilled at anything. The only halfway decent thing about you is your adaptability, and even that’s not particularly outstanding. Maybe your actual intelligence is fine, but when it comes to martial arts? You’re dense. A dunce.”

“…”

“Jeokwoon, what you have was not meant for martial arts. Thanks to the Endless Tribulation, some of that nature is being remolded, but your innate qualities won’t entirely disappear—they never do.”

“… Then why are you teaching me martial arts if I have no hope?”

“It’s the Cult Master’s order. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Every word chipped away at my pride, but I also knew.

‘I’m no genius. I’m far from it.’

She was right. Teach me one thing, and I learn just that—barely. I have to repeat it over and over just to retain it.

“The things I’m teaching you now are meant to prepare your body for when you do finally wield a sword. So just keep quiet and follow my words.”

My shattered pride lay scattered around me. I couldn’t even pick it up; I just hung my head.

I knew she was right. But at the same time, everything I had seemed so pitiful, and I couldn’t stand it.

I know I’m ordinary.

But even so… I wanted to reach beyond my limits.

“…Even so.” I rose to my feet. “I want to go faster, even if it’s just a little.”

“…”

“If I’m going to wield a sword someday, I want to wield it sooner. First Demon, even if what I have is worthless, it can’t destroy my ambition.”

“You’re full of desire.”

“I didn’t have it before. But…”

I thought of the Heavenly Demon’s face.

I smiled bitterly.

“The Cult Master has changed me, First Demon. I won’t grab a sword, but… Please teach me a faster way to become stronger.”

“Rushing ahead only leads to stumbling.”

“I’ll balance myself to avoid falling.”

“This isn’t something a third-rate like you can handle. Damn fool. Let me ask you, what are you so desperate for? Do you really think…,” the First Demon sighed.

“Do you really think you can stand where the Cult Master does with that body of yours?”

“If I must, I’ll carve my soul to make the attempt.”

“…”

“I already died once that day, First Demon. The Cult Master was the one who breathed life back into an empty shell.”

The pain of the Endless Tribulation surged through me.

But I found comfort in this pain because it reminded me I was alive.

“I want to grow stronger. As a martial artist.”

“Stubborn fool.”

The First Demon stepped back, creating some distance before looking up at me.

“Idiot. You’re talentless, as I said. But even for someone as miserable as you, there’s still something.”

“What?”

“Endurance. That’s your blade. And if you can endure, there’s one weapon you could use—something I’d never recommend to a fellow sect member. But if you have it, it could at least give you one molar to fight with.”

“… What is it?”

“The Endless Tribulation. But neither I nor the Cult Master ever use it. And the reason is simple. It’s graceless, like fighting in a mud pit, and it makes you look insane to others.”

The First Demon drew her sword.

“If endurance is all you have, I’ll teach you this. It’s not elegant, but you can become stronger. And your growth will improve a bit.”

“I want to learn.”

“I haven’t finished. There’s a price. It’s rooted in endurance. It’ll bring you pain beyond what you’re already feeling—headaches with every step, to the point where you might even want to stab yourself to escape it.”

“…”

“Even so, do you want it?”

The First Demon asked.

I answered.

“To have a path forward and not take it—that would be more painful for me.”

“Tch.”

The First Demon muttered.

“You’re the craziest bastard I’ve ever seen.”

——-

—Slash!

A hand swept past my face, cutting my nose and drawing blood.

One of the top-tier fighters, Two’s technique was as sharp as steel. Each strike, infused with inner power, tore through the air with precision.

“You filthy worm. Who do you think you are?”

His voice was cold, with the assurity of someone who had killed before, and his hands moved with no hesitation.

I drew upon the Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art to its limit, channeling my inner power and performing ‘Demon’s Ghost Hand.‘

Our hands clashed, and I was the one who got thrown back, my arm bending painfully under the strain.

He laughed.

“Pathetic. Worthless trash.”

—Boom!

My body twisted back, and my stomach felt like it was being torn apart from the blow. 

Blood mixed in my staggered breath. As I stumbled back, Two cracked his knuckles and approached me.

“Tell me, why’d you come after me? Seong Jamyeong? Who’s that supposed to be?”

“… Shut your mouth…”

“Seong Jamyeong… Seong Jamyeong… Damn! It still doesn’t ring a bell. I don’t know that name, and I don’t understand why you’re after me.”

He kicked me in the jaw.

“But judging by your expression, you’re not like me. There’s wisdom in your eyes. You’re not the type who enjoys killing, are you? Which makes this even stranger. This is our first meeting. We’ve got no history. I didn’t even steal anything from you, so why are you targeting me?”

“…”

“Could it be… because of that fool I killed yesterday? Can’t remember his number, but he was pathetically weak. About your level. So, was that poor bastard Seong Jamyeong?”

Two laughed loudly.

“A bunch of idiot weaklings teaming up! Ha! Did you come for revenge with those fists that can’t even hit right? That Seong Jamyeong must be crying in hell right now. You’re pathetic. Nothing but chewable trash. Oh… Are you trying to crawl away? Planning to escape?”

He stomped on my back.

“You and I are worlds apart, Thirty. I haven’t laughed this much in ages. Let’s see… I don’t even remember that guy’s number. But I do remember one thing.”

“… Ugh!”

“That fool thought I was a newbie. Came up to me holding a freshly caught snake. You know what his first words were? ‘Brother, you look hungry. How about eating this?’ Like an idiot among idiots. But he wasn’t entirely wrong. I was hungry… in a different way.”

He grabbed the back of my neck and flung me.

I hit a tree, which shook from the impact. Leaves fell around me, obscuring my vision.

“I took that snake he handed me. I thought he might be playing a trick, so I told him, ‘Eat it first to make sure it’s safe.’ So he did. Looked like he was starving—just swallowed it whole without chewing. Isn’t that idiotic? He was hungry, but instead of feeding himself, he offered the food to someone else.”

Two drew his sword.

“There wasn’t a bigger sucker out there. I played along for a bit before cutting off his arm. Thought it wasn’t enough, so I sliced open his stomach too. When his guts spilled out, his face changed. He couldn’t speak, just gagged as I ate his arm right in front of him.”

“…”

“It was a hilarious expression. And his arm tasted decent. My blade sang beautifully with the thrill of a kill. Thirty. Or should I call you Jeokwoon? You smell just like he did.”

Two approached slowly.

“So, what will you say when your guts spill out?”

He had thrown aside his hood, revealing a hideously distorted face, far from what a human could manage. 

This was a beast, a monster baptized in blood and murder. I leaned on the tree, struggling to stand.

Just from a brief exchange of blows, the gap in our abilities was clear.

Twenty-nine was right.

‘It’s too soon. I can’t beat him.’

… But…

But even so, I couldn’t retreat.

[Brother… This place, Devil’s Valley, is such a cold place.]

Indeed, Jamyeong.

Devil’s Valley was too cold a place. It was never a place meant for someone like you.

A person who reached out to help others, only to be cut down. That doesn’t make sense.

It’s unfair.

I can’t accept it.

So…

I’ll show you, at the very least.

“… Hah.”

The moment the roles are reversed.

“I’ll split you apart.”

He walked toward me, his shifting steps vanishing for an instant.

Ghostly Step. His was a higher level than mine, but I also unleashed my own Ghostly Step.

I didn’t use my inner power. I conserved it as much as possible, compressing and holding it back as I dashed forward.

I extended my hand. There was only one thing I could do. It was the basic move I’d honed since I arrived here.

Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art’s Demon’s Ghost Hand.

—Pahng!

The air split as my hand swung forcefully forward.

But it hit only empty air. His sword slashed past, blood staining its edge. My blood splattered onto the ground in the dark.

Nine Heavens Blood Demon Sword.

His sword had severed my right arm.

“Gahhh!”

“Haha! What an expression!”

He licked the blood off his sword and sneered, running his hand down the blade.

“Your blood is sweet. Yours has a defiant taste. For you, I’ll slice up every limb before I get to your guts. It’ll be a fun time, so fun you won’t want it to end.”

I looked for my severed arm. The agony surged.

I wanted to scream but held back. The intense pain wasn’t just from the missing arm.

My Endless Tribulation was writhing. Just like before.

Just like when the First Demon severed my arm once before.

[This weapon relies on endurance. You’ll feel pain greater than you can bear.]

The Endless Tribulation was searching for the missing limb. I buried my face in the ground.

Instead of crying, I laughed. I stretched out my hand to pick up the severed arm.

[But if you can endure it, even just a little, you’ll become stronger than before. Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art is a martial art learned on the edge of death. The more blood you shed, the deeper your understanding of its techniques.]

I gripped it in one hand. 

Two’s smirk faded.

“What… Are you doing?”

I reattached the arm. A wave of pain so intense that even I, who was accustomed to the Endless Tribulation, could barely withstand it surged through me.

The Endless Tribulation thrashed, sensing I was trying to harness it, and it squeezed every vein in my body.

I wanted to die. But at the same time, I couldn’t die. 

I’d done this to survive, after all—I couldn’t take my own life now.

Instead, I stood up. I swallowed the pain and clenched my fist. My severed arm had reattached itself, and as it mended, I kept whispering to myself.

Don’t stop, Jeokwoon.

Even if you’re covered in blood, crawl forward.

Because…

Because this is the path you chose.

“…Your arm… reattached… This is impossible…!”

I took my stance, facing his horrified expression. 

I circulated Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art through my body, murmuring to myself.

I was born in the mud. When I first opened my eyes, I couldn’t see the sunlight.

A life beneath the clouds.

That is who I am.

—And I hated it with a passion.

[Fuhuhu. It seems that being in Devil’s Valley isn’t all that bad.]

Jamyeong, how about you?

Did you love your life?

[Having someone like Brother Thirty in this place made me so happy.]

I don’t really know you. I don’t even know exactly what your dream was.

Like tasting only the surface of a watermelon, we never delved deeply into each other. We just looked at the surface, talked, and laughed.

But it was good enough.

[Brother Thirty. Brother Thirty is…]

Jamyeong.

So, please don’t feel sorry for this.

I’m doing this because I want to. If you’re watching from the afterlife, then laugh for me.

That is my friend.

A snake crawling through the mud of this unequal world, climbing its way up—

[Survive… For both of us.]

A snake can never become a dragon.

But I dare to dream it.

A dream I’ll never reach.

“… Jamyeong.”

I staggered forward, something blurring my vision.

It felt as if all the veins in my body were about to burst, but I took another step forward.

Tears mixed with blood fell to the ground, but I raised the corners of my mouth.

My friend is watching.

I can’t show a pitiful sight.

“Watch.”

Voice, reach him.

Fly through and pierce even the sound of the wind.

“Watch how I survive.”

Roll in the mud, Jeokwoon. Roll and stain yourself with blood.

Even if you’re covered in wounds, keep going. Toward that distant, unreachable height.

And at the foundation of it all, one martial art will always be there.

“Nine Heavens Blood Demon Art.”

I clenched my fist.

The time I laughed and talked with him was painted in blood.

“Demon’s Ghost Hand…!”

A crimson afterimage cloaked my body.

The Endless Tribulation roared.