Episode 108

“Is it just this one?”

I sharpened my senses. There was no presence within a 30-meter radius around me, except for Ha Seonghwi.

It was strange.

The strength of the Nazi Empire comes from their ability to conceptually modify things.

This led to the creation of Magic Soldiers (魔道兵).

The empire itself dealt with extraterrestrial beings to infuse their soldiers with magical energy.

Soldiers imbued with magical energy were dangerous in their own right. Though they didn’t surpass Mines in ability, they retained their sanity. And some of them exceeded the power of Mines.

Their weapons were no different.

Firearms were not practical in this world, but those used by the Nazi Empire were a different story. Actually, a much different one.

Firearms were useful but had clear limitations. It took a large unit to even take down a lower-ranking monster. However, the Nazi Empire’s firearms were utilized even by higher-ranking beings.

Because their firearms possessed the power to kill even those of higher ranks.

“Seonghwi, are there any other presences nearby?”

“…No.”

I made an incredulous face at Ha Seonghwi’s words. Wilhelm really did come alone.

I looked at his corpse. Half of his body was ash, scattering in the wind. This was because half of their body was a Magic Soldier, created thanks to conceptual modification.

I lifted his banner using Nyeom.

The eagle emblem symbolizing the Nazi Empire. Collecting these would allow them to be exchanged for items by some entity harboring resentment towards the Nazi Empire.

Just in case, I also picked up his gun. I couldn’t use it as it’s designed only for Magic Soldiers due to the Empire’s conceptual modification, but it’s better than letting it fall into the enemy’s hands.

“But are you really going to fight the brigade commander alone?”

“Yes.”

“…Commanders are dangerous.”

Ha Seonghwi looked at me with deep eyes.

“The power and potential you have surpasses that of a commander. Maybe soon you’ll reach the transcendent realm.”

“Speak politely.”

“…Maybe soon you will reach the transcendent realm. But if you confront a commander now, you’ll die.”

“I suppose so.”

Facing the brigade’s leader without any preparation would be tough.

The other commanders were top-ranked entities. He was a monster beyond that, capable of fighting on par with transcendents.

I glanced at Ha Seonghwi.

She was offering genuinely helpful advice, thanks to the absolute command.

“The leader is really dangerous. They can even fight against transcendents. He’s a descendant of a vampire clan that once tried to conquer the continent.”

“I know.”

Kim Ara inherited the blood of giants.

The homeroom teacher carried the blood of dwarves.

Those who manifested bloodline abilities were quite troublesome.

Simply possessing a noble lineage awakened special stats, and mastering it would allow them to evolve into conceptual stats.

That’s why the Brigade of Eternal Heaven was strong.

The ability of the vampire clan to share their blood enhanced the latent abilities of the recipients. At the same time, they naturally swore allegiance to the leader.

Their strength didn’t rely on power from extraterrestrial beings. They had an alternative.

Anyway, it seems today’s exploration ends here.

I was thinking just that when suddenly,

“Where are you going?”

A heavy male voice was heard. It was a familiar voice.

I quietly gripped Black Heaven and turned my gaze.

“Tsk, this is why you can’t trust women. Look, she got distracted and failed her mission, didn’t she?”

A man with long, blood-red hair fluttered in the wind. His skin was burnt black, and his eyes carried a bloody hue.

Harun.

He was the one who had aimed for the head of the Red Tower Master, along with the vice-captain.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Harun said with a smirk.

“I don’t have much to say, but we are warriors. We can only speak through our swords.”

“Still as simple-minded as ever.”

“Hmph, it’s the mindset of a warrior. I know you’re also holding back. Your sword carries a deep murderous intent.”

Harun raised his greatsword. As energy condensed on the blade, it formed a sharp edge, and the concentrated energy turned into a blade, soon bursting into flames.

Sword Flame (劍炎).

A power only usable at the edge of the higher ranks. It’s the precursor to the Light of Destruction, usable from the highest ranks. It has the power to disrupt sword energy. Anything other than sword energy, like armor or other weapons, gets devoured by this power.

Even the Guardian’s Armor would struggle against it.

‘It should be okay up to a certain distance.’

In that case, a tactic of giving and taking was acceptable.

Whoosh.

Harun spun his greatsword and then leaped.

“Here I come!”

Harun raised his greatsword vigorously. I retreated a good distance using the intricacies of the Black Flash Sword Technique. Ha Seonghwi also stepped back.

“This crazy guy!”

“Haha! Not something a traitor of the brigade should say! And you, I’ve always wanted to kill you!”

Harun laughed maniacally.

“Crazy guy.”

Ha Seonghwi retorted briefly. She gathered pink magical energy in her hand. Her specialty is illusion. Harun has some resistance to that, but her illusions should still be able to penetrate his defenses.

“I agree that Harun is crazy, but I can’t just leave him to die.”

Suddenly, a feminine voice rang out. A girl-like woman wearing a hoodie and blowing bubble gum looked over.

“You’re not alone?”

“Hey, when you say it like that, it makes me sound like I’m always the one causing trouble.”

“Isn’t that right?”

“No, it’s true.”

Harun giggled.

I watched this scene, contemplating. If Harun and Rusted Green showed up, other members would follow. At least six.

‘It might be a good opportunity to experiment.’

I looked at them with a deep gaze. There’s also a safety net. The power to summon the stars given by the Emperor.

At least five of them.

The more, the better. That way, a complete sweep was possible.

For some reason, the brigade deploying their members like this indicated the commander was growing impatient.

“Are there others?”

“No. I’d like to say that, but it appears they are surrounding the area on the commander’s orders.”

Following Harun’s words, other beings revealed themselves. A one-armed swordsman, missing an arm. His name eludes me, but he was an acquaintance of the Sword Demon, Napak Cheon.

And the blue magician and the Witch Maiden I had seen before.

The Witch Maiden was quietly observing me.

-That’s why I told you to run away.

‘Well, this is how it turned out.’

-Just get captured quietly now.

The Witch Maiden stopped there, seemingly concerned that others might detect something amiss.

I quietly counted the numbers. Five.

Clap, clap.

A strong presence was felt as someone clapped their hands.

A masked figure appeared at the center, radiating an aura that seemed to command the surroundings.

[Proficiency in ‘True Heart (A+)’ has increased.]

“In fact, I thought mobilizing the members and even making an appearance myself was overkill. But it seems it’s not excessive at all.”

“You are.”

“The leader of the Brigade of Eternal Heaven. And the one who inherited the true blood (眞血) of the great night clan.”

The leader observed me.

“It’s terrifying, your potential. Being part of the brigade in your thirties would draw the world’s attention, yet you’re already capable of killing a member. You’re someone who will eventually reach the transcendent realm.”

“Will you make me a member too?”

“No. It’s too risky considering those watching you. The Emperor and the Overlord. Having either as an enemy is dangerous, but both is suicidal. You’ll be a hostage. And.”

The leader glanced at Ha Seonghwi.

“I’m not sure how you managed it, but you’ve effectively bound our Seonghwi. A power superior to mine, hmm.”

Interest tinged the leader’s voice.

“Can you tell me how you bound her?”

I gripped Black Heaven tightly.

“Hehe. As I thought, you won’t tell. And you don’t plan to be a quiet hostage either. But don’t worry. I’ll treat you kindly.”

A tone that didn’t see me as an enemy. Yet, the leader had that power. He raised his hand, and the brigade members quietly prepared for battle.

I…

Unsheathed the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. I didn’t use the power of White Rouge.

‘Black Heaven, are you ready?’

-Of course, master.

Black Heaven smiled lazily.

I activated my innate skill.

Dominant Soul.

Dominant Soul had two meanings.

To read the soul (讀魂). And to conceal the soul (董魂).

Reading the soul to steal memories and learn experiences. With that, I learned Divine Sight.

And the power to conceal the soul is exclusively applicable to me. The Devil wanted just that. A mechanism created for my safety.

I concealed my soul from my body.

At the same time, I felt something entering my body. It was Black Heaven.

-Take care, master.

The true power of Black God Martial Arts.

That voice rang out.

“Hmm?”

The leader sensed a change in the atmosphere. The blood of the great night clan gave him a silent warning. Leave this place.

‘Could it be…’

The Witch Maiden’s eyes widened. Power burst forth like an explosion. A force emanating from Lee Seo-ha’s body, seemingly negating everything.

Energy of Defying Heaven.

A power symbolizing the Heavenly Demon, rampaging indiscriminately. And soon, as the Energy of Defying Heaven was controlled, Lee Seo-ha revealed himself.

Swoosh.

Lee Seo-ha’s hair grew longer. Long hair down to her waist. The Witch Maiden felt something odd. It was Lee Seo-ha, except for the long hair… it felt like a different person.

“Who are you?”

Harun asked quietly, growling.

Lee Seo-ha. No, Black Heaven said with a smile.

“Who am I, you ask?”

Snap.

She took a light step forward. The Brigade of Eternal Heaven flinched. Just one step, but the black energy felt like it was pressing down on them, like herbivores facing a predator.

“The unrivaled sword under the heavens (天下第一劍).”

Crazy.

Harun inwardly cursed. This made no sense. How could mere energy bind them like this?

“And the being who will dye even the heavens black (黑天).”

The leader stirred the blood energy within him.

This was dangerous. This being was at least of transcendent status. Not yet, not a being to fight against yet.

‘It’s dangerous.’

Instinct was sounding the alarm. Death. If they fought this being here, only death awaited. He had a powerful life force, inheriting the blood of the true race. But against this being, that power seemed useless.

A power that seemingly negated everything, surrounding them, was too dangerous.

“The strongest being across past and present (古今第一人).”

Ha Seonghwi thought.

‘Sister. You’re so cool.’

“Come at me, vermin. I’ll show you the difference in our class.”

Black Heaven said calmly.