This Place, This Is Hell. (1)

I can’t breathe.

No, I’m afraid to even breathe.

In a vast plaza, where the word “vast” fits better than just “wide,” countless people are lined up.

The strange thing was that the faces of those who clearly possessed extraordinary energy were all pale white. In their noticeably trembling hands, threatening long spears were held.

Of course, everyone experiences moments of trembling in fear in life. Yet, the reason this scene couldn’t be taken for granted was because those trembling like children were the Evil Sect’s bastards, whose very name instills terror throughout Southern Lands.

“A-alliance Lord! P-please! Please spare me…”

Swoosh!

The sword that soared into the sky fiercely fell and cut off a person’s neck. The severed head floated lightly in the air.

Thud.

From the body that collapsed like a bundle of straw, red blood gushed out in waves.

The faces of those who saw the scene turned even paler.

They were all affiliated with the Evil Sect. Naturally, they had seen countless deaths. Seeing someone die now would hardly evoke any particular emotion.

But the scene unfolding before their eyes was clearly different in nature from any “death” they had witnessed before.

“Next.”

With Ho Ga-Myung’s cold voice, a corpse still warm was dragged out like rotten wood. Then another was dragged in like cattle to the slaughter.

The eyes of the one completely pale with fear were bloodshot. A desperate voice burst out like a seizure.

“Alliance, Alliance Lord! It’s not me! I’m not a fool resisting you! Please believe me, Alliance Lord! Please! Pleeease!”

That wail was almost unbearable to listen to.

The one being dragged now was probably also a villain who had taken many lives with his own hands. Yet even he was no different from ordinary people when facing his own death.

“Alliance Lord!”

Dragged into the vast plaza, he lifted his trembling head and looked toward the main hall.

“Huh… Huh…”

At that moment, a deflating sound escaped his mouth. His terrified appearance did not match his accumulated fame and rank at all.

But no one here could scorn that pitiful figure. Anyone witnessing this scene would react the same way.

The main headquarters, newly built after the Evil Sect was formed, had a vast central area paved with luxurious white marble, reflecting Jang Ilso’s taste.

When sunlight shone, the plaza sparkled like freshly fallen snow, symbolizing the Evil Sect itself.

But the dazzling marble was now stained dark red. The blood of those who died here flowed and flowed.

Who could maintain composure before such a sight?

“Ugh…”

The intense smell of blood assaulted the nose. The man’s pants quickly became soaked.

“Alliance Lord! Please spare me! I’ll do anything! Anything! It’s all a conspiracy! I’ve never once opposed you! Please! Please spare me! Alliance Lordddd!”

He let out a scream that was neither a shout nor a scream, looking desperately upward.

His gaze passed over the blood-stained ground toward the towering stairs connected to the plaza.

While the lower part was soaked in blood, the upper stairs gradually revealed white light, culminating in a summit shining with sacred whiteness.

That stark contrast seemed to signify the difference between the one dragged here and the one at the top of the stairs.

A magnificent, huge jade throne sat atop the stairs, and a man sat there slantwise.

“Alli-Alliance Lord…”

A red robe embroidered with golden dragons. Beneath it, a pale white hand lightly grasped a nearby wine cup.

“Hmm.”

The man who lifted the cup, Jang Ilso, looked down at the screaming man with a languid gaze.

“Alliance Lord!”

The man shouted like seeing the last lifeline below a cliff. But Jang Ilso soon lost interest, leaning back fully against the throne’s backrest.

Instead, it was Ho Ga-Myung who spoke.

“Execute him.”

The chilling voice echoed eerily.

Those who flinched at the voice immediately moved, dragging the screaming man to the execution block and pressing him down.

“Hii… Hiiiiiik!”

Swoosh!

The sharp sword swiftly cut the man’s neck in one stroke. The flying head sprayed blood everywhere as it rolled emptily on the ground.

Those watching without moving a finger barely swallowed their dry saliva.

The man just beheaded was Jo Pyo, one of the great masters of the Black Ghost Fort, notorious like a demon in Fujian.

But he was cut down like a worm without even properly resisting.

Who could have imagined such a scene just a month ago?

Those here do not fear death. From the moment they decided to join the Evil Sect, they accepted the fate of becoming corpses swarmed by flies on some battlefield.

But none imagined their last moments would be like this: dragged like criminals, unable to resist, and beheaded in front of many.

Not all deaths are the same.

This worthless feast of death was enough to make even those prepared to become fertilizer on the battlefield tremble in fear.

“So boring.”

And in this eerie atmosphere, there was only one who was unaffected by fear.

Jang Ilso took a small sip of the fine liquor in his cup and spoke.

“How many more are left?”

“There are 362 scheduled for today. Jo Pyo was the 178th.”

“Half remain still remain.”

Jang Ilso sighed and leaned back against the throne.

“If you’re bored, I’ll finish the remaining executions.”

“No, no.”

At Ho Ga-Myung’s words, Jang Ilso slightly shook his head.

“We once shared the same table; isn’t it courteous to watch their final moments? I am a person with that much consideration.”

“…”

“And…”

Jang Ilso slowly lowered his head and looked at those filling the plaza. Seeing their terrified faces, a satisfied smile spread across his lips.

“In such events, the superior should be present. It makes it more meaningful, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

Ho Ga-Myung glanced at Jang Ilso’s expression and asked.

“Then, speeding up the executions is…”

“Tsk tsk tsk. Ga-Myung.”

“Yes, Alliance lord.”

“They lived like vermin and are hard-to-spare criminals, but aren’t they still human?”

“…”

“Killing them quickly out of annoyance is not right. Proceed as scheduled.”

“Yes, Alliance Lord.”

Ho Ga-Myung reluctantly nodded.

Well. I don’t know.

The fate of those scheduled for execution today will not change. They also know they will die today.

Continuing the executions leisurely seems to give them a bit more time to breathe. But on the other hand, it only prolongs their time trembling in fear, waiting for death in despair.

‘Pitiful.’

Ho Ga-Myung was not one to feel pity easily, but he could not help but sympathize with those trembling in fear, waiting for their turn.

But that was all. In truth, it was inevitable. From the moment they dared harbor rebellious thoughts against the Hegemony Lord, their fate was sealed.

“Continue the executions.”

“Yes!”

At Ho Ga-Myung’s shout, those in charge of execution began moving busily. Another criminal was dragged out.

Jang Ilso looked down indifferently at the scene and raised his cup.

“A fine sight.”

One life disappears, and another cup of wine is emptied.

One life, and then another.

The executions, linked by blood, continued until the sun hung low in the west, dyeing the world in sunset hues.

Today, the red sunset even stained the white marble where Jang Ilso sat with a blood-like hue.

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso, clad in a white robe, quietly gazed at his alcohol cup.

Looking into the perfectly still cup calmed his slightly excited heart.

Jang Ilso lifted his head and looked toward the helper standing beside the bed.

Suddenly, Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Oh my. Why are you trembling so?”

“Alliance Lord…”

The helper’s face, already pale white, had now turned almost blue.

“Not feeling well? Go and rest quickly.”

“Ah, no, Alliance Lord! How dare I…”

“Tsk tsk.”

Jang Ilso clicked his tongue pityingly. Unlike his gaze at the warriors below the stairs, this look was quite gentle.

“Then go and bring a stronger liquor here. The blood scent clinging to you is too strong to sense the fragrance.”

“I-I will.”

“No rush. Take your time.”

“Yes.”

The helper, pale as death, hurried outside, and Jang Ilso chuckled softly.

“I don’t understand why those kids fear me so much.”

In fact, it was understandable.

There are many tyrants who easily kill or torment lowly helpers. But Jang Ilso has never killed a helper who hasn’t mastered martial arts. He never coveted their bodies nor tormented them on whims. In fact, he even paid them generously when they quit.

Yet their gaze toward him remained soaked in fear, which was quite amusing to him.

“What would the lowly know? They probably just find it hard to look.”

“Tsk tsk. There you go again.”

Jang Ilso sighed lightly.

“They’re not lowly. Why do you keep calling the kids doing their jobs well lowly?”

“…”

“The word ‘lowly’ isn’t for kids like them. It’s for pigs who do things beyond their station and sit in places above their rank.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Don’t just say it; try to understand, Ga-Myung.”

Jang Ilso scolded him, but Ho Ga-Myung looked at him without changing expression and spoke.

“Alliance Lord.”

“Speak.”

“…Do you plan to continue executions tomorrow as well?”

“There are about two days left, aren’t there?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Then so be it. Ugh. Sitting all day is frustrating, but… this is what being Alliance Lord is like.”

“The losses are too great, Alliance Lord.”

Hearing that, Jang Ilso suddenly smiled deeply.

His face reflected in the flickering lantern was devilishly charming.