Moving Darkness (2)

“Hoo~”

The [Deputy Master] of the criminal clan, [Tartarus], Tang Pyo-rim.

She blew a thick puff of cigarette smoke towards Moon Ha-yeon’s face once more.

“What a pathetic sight.”

Tang Pyo-rim shook out the ashes from her pipe onto Moon Ha-yeon’s head.
Hot residual heat.
The sound of some hair burning could be heard.

“Failed at the [Twin Head Troll]… failed again at the [Sea Dragon Temple]… Our Ha-yeon. How do you even have the face to show yourself around? Hm?”
“…I have no excuse.”
“Yeah, yeah, you should have no excuse. But you know…”

Sneering, Tang Pyo-rim suddenly grabbed Moon Ha-yeon’s head and lifted it up.

“What are you going to report… huh? We failed everything~ Please forgive us~ Is that it?”
“……”
“Got nothing to say?”

Moon Ha-yeon remained unresponsive to the continuous insults.

However, the mana flowing through her body was more turbulent with anger than ever.

Of course, Moon Ha-yeon possessed the strength of an A-grade <Hunter>.

Moreover, as befitted her inherited lineage, she excelled in <Mana Control> to the point where no one could notice.

Thanks to this, Tang Pyo-rim thought she had realized her place and reflected on her actions.

The lack of time also played a part.

“…Anyway, from now on, it’s the <Master>’s order.”

At the mention of <Master>, Moon Ha-yeon flinched involuntarily.

Tang Seo-ran, the clan master of <Tartarus>.
In the past, the true big shot of the underworld whom Moon Ha-yeon had encountered for the first time.

‘At the same time…’

The person whom Moon Ha-yeon must use as a stepping stone.

Moon Ha-yeon silently listened to Tang Pyo-rim’s ensuing words.

At first, the initial few were naturally understandable, so she just stayed quiet.
But she couldn’t stay quiet about the final directive that came out.

“…Is it true? That man?”

A question of disbelief.

Even Tang Pyo-rim, who was giving the orders, didn’t seem particularly pleased.

“That’s right. The order is to bring the <Sword Demon>.”

<Sword Demon> Seo Hang-woo.

The culprit of the <Gyeongbok Palace Massacre> incident that Bong Mi-chun had mentioned.

Among the <Villains> known to the public, he was the most vicious and was known to be incredibly strong.

A formidable A-grade individual who freely wielded various types of swords based on the powerful <Class> called <Weapon Master>.

A maniac rumored to be so obsessed with swords that he had lost his sanity.

In terms of affiliation, Seo Hang-woo was a high-ranking member of <Tartarus>, on par with Moon Ha-yeon.

The treatment he received was akin to a nuclear bomb.

No one could control or manage him.

This included <Clan Master> Tang Seo-ran as well.

He was merely someone who couldn’t operate in the open, just a collaborator moving forward together.

The goal of Sword Demon Seo Hang-woo’s life was simple.

A fight against an overwhelming opponent.

And to find someone who could surpass his sword.

Lastly, to die not from illness or aging, but by the sword.

Until the moment his life ended, fighting and fighting, walking the path of bloodshed.

That was the Sword Demon Seo Hang-woo.

But now, Tang Pyo-rim was saying to achieve a ‘great cause’ with such a madman.

“…I am truly sorry to say this, but Seo Hang-woo is not a man who can be controlled by me.”
“I know. But he listens to you, doesn’t he? At least a little?”
“…Only because certain things align with his interests.”
“Don’t worry. He’s already intrigued by someone.”
“…Intrigued? Who on earth?”
“The Overlord Sword.”

Moon Ha-yeon quietly muttered, “Ah…” in understanding.

Overlord Sword Peng Jin-ah.
A swordsman who, like the Sword Demon, became widely known with just a sword.
Though they walked different paths, both had the goal of achieving the ultimate state with the sword.
Indeed, if it were her, it would make sense that the Sword Demon’s heart would be moved.

“You know the conditions for the great task, right? Awakening ‘that’ safely is one, but… eliminating the flames that the Overlord Sword possesses is also crucial. Well, the Sword Demon will probably handle that. He’s smart enough for that.”

Tang Pyo-rim brushed her chin covered with a cotton scarf, showing a somewhat satisfied expression.

“If we handle it well, we might kill and eliminate them… Even if not, we could at least seal her sword…”

Tang Pyo-rim let her words trail off for a moment.
Thinking about the items she had to hand over from now on made her stomach churn.
She glanced at Moon Ha-yeon briefly.
Then let out a sigh.
She rummaged through her belongings and handed over a carefully guarded box.

Clink.

As the chain inside was unraveled, what emerged was a jet-black hexagonal gem.

Commonly known as a [Soul Stone], it was a high-purity material for descent.

And not just any random quality, but processed from the highest quality [Demon Stone].

It was a type of [Holy Relic] made after receiving [Revelation].

In essence, it was a unique item in this world.

“Ha-yeon. You know what it means to hand this over, right? The <Master> still holds you in high regard. Even someone as foolish as you.”

“……”

“Do well, okay? Please. If you fail again, the Master won’t let it slide. Of course, before that happens, I’ll tear you to pieces and feed you to the pigs.”

“…I will remember.”

Tang Pyo-rim placed the [Soul Stone] into Moon Ha-yeon’s hands, her tone firm and unyielding.

“I think you understand… as it is, it’s useless. You need to gather highly pure energy for the <Ritual>.”

Tang Pyo-rim was right.

The ultimate goal of sending executive Moon Ha-yeon to handle the <Academy> was to fill this <Soul Stone> with power.

Tang Pyo-rim grabbed Moon Ha-yeon’s chin.
Their eyes met.

“Ha-yeon, I’ll say it again.”

No matter what happens, it’s a grand task that must be accomplished.

“No matter the sacrifice… understood?”
“Yes.”

A moment later.

Moon Ha-yeon silently watched the back of Tang Pyo-rim as she left for another task.

She slowly lifted her leg.

Kim Minsu, coughing and wheezing, barely managed to stand.

Immediately, he lowered his forehead to the floor as if to break it and offered his apology.

“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t control my emotions, and…”
“……”

Despite Kim Minsu’s apology, Moon Ha-yeon remained silent.

“…Moon Ha-yeon?”

What Moon Ha-yeon was looking at was the <Soul Stone> she had received.

The energy swirling inside seemed to be enticing Moon Ha-yeon as it fluctuated.

“Minsu.”
“Yes?”
“You said you had knowledge of ancient history, right?”
“…Yes, it’s not something to boast about, but my ancestor was someone who researched such things…”
“…From what I’ve heard…”

The contract with the <Demon King> is taken by the one who first exchanges true words.

“Is that right?”

“…From what I’ve heard, the one who first exchanges true words form the complete contract.”

However, dismissing it as mere baseless knowledge, Kim Minsu trailed off.

“……”

Even with his answer, Moon Ha-yeon for a long time…
For a long time…
Silently stared at the <Soul Stone>.

About a week after the subjugation of the <Sea Dragon Temple>.

The <Gonis Hunter Academy> entered a week-long break under the pretext of repairing the outer wall and emergency stabilization.

But this was just a surface reason; I knew well from what Yu Neung-hae told me.

―Oh, so… it’s practically a vacation?
*―Then~ I really want to let you rest fully, but for now, you’re still a cadet, right? So, I’m giving you a break under the guise of free time. *
―…Will that be okay? Everything is recorded and scheduled…

Yu Neung-hae, who didn’t look like someone about to enter her 40s, gave me a pretty wink in response to my question.

―It’s for the hero who solved the dangers of the Academy. This much is natural.
―Even so…
―Don’t worry. This much leeway was sufficiently anticipated.

Thanks to this, we gained precious golden time.

We each took a rest in our own way.

In Ju Na-young’s case, I heard she would be sleeping for two whole days straight due to the aftermath of firing her Breath.

‘Moon Bora…’

Hmm, I don’t know.
Actually, I haven’t seen her much lately.

Judging by the rapid increase in mana over the past few days, I could roughly guess where she was heading.

So, what exactly is our angelic Meowi doing?

‘That is…’

“Meowi! Seha! Come here!”

Oh, no time to think.

I easily dodged the attack aimed at my back.

Currently, Meowi and I were clearing a [Dungeon] together.

We hadn’t gone far.

“Fugruruk!”
“Kweee!”

The familiar cries of monsters.

That’s right.

We had returned to the [Underground Waterway] dungeon we had once conquered.

“…This brings back memories. We used to always adventure alone together.”

“Meow~ But that was only a few months ago, right?”

True. Just a few months ago.
It feels like years have passed.

Anyway, why did we come back here?

‘To check the [Dungeon].’

Actually, even if we consider the [Underground Waterway], the [Sea Dragon Temple] was a powerful dungeon that didn’t match its grade.

The reason was that the medium of the enormous power called [Sea Dragon] amplified the difficulty.

But the [Sea Dragon] had been subjugated.

Thanks to that, the related dungeons were downgraded by one grade, and naturally, the ecosystem configuration also changed.

‘I came to confirm that.’

Well, also…

It was also to experiment with the power I recently obtained.

Two powerful [Skills] acquired recently.

Just as the high grade and massive mana consumption suggested, control didn’t seem easy.

I felt the need to handle and familiarize myself with them in advance.

“Meow!”

Meowi was helping me with this task, while also experimenting with the [Shield of Blue Light] she was holding.

The shield that Hyeja noona made using the carcass of the <Sea Dragon>.

It was called the <Sea Dragon’s Shield>.

It turned out to be an Hero grade shield, a perfect upgrade from the [Turtle’s Shield] she had been carrying.

‘As expected of Hyeja noona…’

Even with the help of the <Iron Blood Workshop>, creating a Hero-grade shield without it being a masterpiece was impressive.

I felt that she had also grown significantly.

“[Shield Push]!”
“Krueeek!”

With a shield that strong, it could easily end a fight on its own.

I looked at it with satisfaction, then turned my gaze slightly, feeling a sense of danger.

“Murrrr!”

It was the [Deep Thrust] of the <Merman Warrior>.

The first change in the [Dungeon] since the update was that the creatures that were once exclusive to the [Sea Dragon Temple] had started to respawn in the [Underground Waterways].

Though the variety of monsters had increased, their overall stats had decreased, making them easier to handle.

‘Perfect timing.’

I grabbed the thrusting trident with one hand.

“…Euk?!”

Surprised, it didn’t expect to be stopped with a simple grab.

It struggled with all its might to break free, but it was futile.

I pulled the trident’s shaft inward with strength.

The [Merman Warrior] was dragged in front of me, startled.

Crack!

“Murk?!”

Its pupils flipped.
Using no particular weapon, just pure physical technique.
I grabbed its side and crushed its ribs with sheer grip strength.

I then put additional strength into my legs.
Using the pivot of my foot, I slammed it towards the outer wall.

Crash!

Burst eyeballs and fishy flesh rolled on the ground.

‘Amazing.’

I had to retract my thought that everything was just so-so except for [Monstrous Dominion Step].

Just the fact that the foundation forming my body had become stronger made me feel twice as powerful as before.

On top of that, I even leveled up.

“Meow, Seha! It’s coming!”

As Meowi’s words ended, the sound of multiple footsteps could be heard.
Currently, I had intentionally turned off [Unprecedented Sense].

Sensing was inevitably Meowi’s job, as she was much faster.

Grrr!
Mrrrk!
Prrr!

[Merman Archer], [Frogman], [Lizardman Warrior], [Kelpie], even [Siren].

Around 20 monsters of all kinds appeared indiscriminately.

“Meow!”
“Meowi, wait a moment.”
“Meow?”

I stopped Meowi, who was about to use [Provocation], and walked forward.

This was the perfect number of enemies.

It was rare to see so many gathered together like this.

Bang!

I stomped down hard with True Horn.

In just one step, the monsters’ eyes filled with fear.

The blue magic flowing through my body turned into a sinister purple light.

With the activation of [Magic Power], they instinctively felt a sense of hierarchy as living beings and were terrified.

‘Shall we go?’

The true value of [Monstrous Strength].

[Monstrous Dominion Strength].
***A derived skill recorded in legends as overturning the world just by walking. ***
Finally, the time has come to use this.