Crackling sounds.

As the body moved slightly, something fell off like powder.

It was ashes.

The body had already lost its vital functions. What remained was nothing but a charred 'something' that used to be human.

Yet the traces, which should have been absolutely impossible to move, were now moving as if nothing was wrong.

Calling it “as if nothing was wrong” feels odd to say, though.

The creaking movement was far from normal.

The figure examined its own body one part at a time, then tilted its head slightly and looked at me.

[Impressive.]

The first words that came out were a compliment.

[This child wasn’t weak, but to end up in this state... This was beyond my expectations.]

The voice sounded like it was filled with amusement.

Leaving behind its ruined body, it gazed around once again.

A blood-red sky, a breeze tainted with the scent of blood.

Rotten ground and dead trees.

As it took in these surroundings, the Blood Demon spoke.

[So that’s why the connection was severed. The reason was clear. There’s another master of this world. No wonder it’s not so easy to intrude.]

As the Blood Demon spoke, sounding intrigued, I asked him.

"Do you have any business with me?"

At my question, the Blood Demon chuckled.

[You don’t seem surprised. That’s a bit disappointing.]

"I’ve been through this once before."

I had faced him at the Martial Arts Tournament, and from what I learned afterward, I had already figured out that the Blood Demon still lingered in this world.

Just like at the tournament, I wondered if he would appear again, perhaps through Jang Seon-yeon’s body this time.

‘But of all times, why now?’

Though I was trying to remain calm, inwardly, I was quite shocked.

I hadn’t expected the Blood Demon to intrude into this world as well. What on earth was this guy?

“How did you come here?”

[Don’t worry too much. It took quite a bit of power for me to reach this place.]

“Was that body so precious to you?”

I wasn’t sure whether he came to protect the already burned-to-death Jang Seon-yeon, or if he had some business with me.

Whatever the case, this wasn’t a pleasant encounter.

After hearing my question, the Blood Demon paused for a moment and then let out a soft laugh.

[That child was quite precious, actually. I had high hopes for him.]

“Well, what can I say? I’ve already killed him. You still want to take what’s left?”

I replied with a mocking tone, but...

[You’re teasing me, boy.]

The Blood Demon didn’t seem fazed.

[Understanding how this world is structured isn’t all that difficult for me.]

‘Damn it.’

I couldn’t help but curse inwardly at his words.

What he meant was that he already understood the essence of this world. Furthermore, he implied that when I return to the original world, Jang Seon-yeon would be revived, and he was aware of it.

‘Can the Blood Demon truly know such things?’

No matter how much of a monster he had been in the past, causing massive bloodshed, understanding the mechanics of this world was a different matter altogether.

[It’s an amusing world, don’t you think?]

“…So, did you come to interfere?”

The Blood Demon had mentioned he held some affection for Jang Seon-yeon. He might have intervened, knowing I intended to finish him off.

I wasn’t sure how much power the Blood Demon had, but if he decided to interfere, it wouldn’t be good news for me.

[Are you anxious?]

His decayed hand rested against his chin in a gesture that was strangely unsettling.

I gathered my inner energy.

I had already used quite a bit of it when dealing with Jang Seon-yeon.

If I had simply burned him quickly, it would have been better. But trying to control the flames slowly had actually been the problem.

[That look in your eyes is concerning. You shouldn’t be filled with doubt in any situation.]

"What are you even talking about?"

[Did you say you intended to kill this child?]

“I didn’t intend to kill him. I already did.”

I had burned him to death, inflicting pain as I did. By the laws of this world, he might revive when we return to the original one, but...

I had already thought of a way to deal with that.

If my method didn’t work and Jang Seon-yeon did come back to life, then...

‘I’ll kill him again.’

It was an extreme solution, but it was better than letting things spiral out of control.

Even if I had to force the situation, it was better to take care of it.

[It seems you really despise this child. Why is that?]

I looked at the Blood Demon, but quickly turned away.

Just looking at him made me uncomfortable. There was still that strange, indescribable feeling.

Perhaps it was the very presence of the Blood Demon itself.

I wanted to get rid of him immediately. But I suppressed that urge and asked calmly.

“What’s your objective?”

[Hmm?]

“You’ve been dead for centuries. Why don’t you just pass on quietly? What are you still hanging around for?”

[Heh... heh...]

Even the five great martial artists of the current generation, who were believed to be at the level of the Three Sovereigns, couldn’t kill him. They had said that sealing him had been the only viable option.

As a result, the Blood Demon had been sealed away on this land.

So why was he still lingering and showing himself now?

“Are you trying to resurrect yourself?”

Was he planning on coming back to life?

[That’s an interesting question. Resurrection...]

“If that’s not your plan, then why don’t you stay sealed quietly instead of wandering around?”

There were people like Namgoong Cheonjun and Jang Seon-yeon, who absorbed the Blood Demon’s power through his blood energy.

Could they really be the only ones who received his power?

There could be more.

‘It’s possible that even the Martial Alliance is under the Blood Demon’s control.’

I already had my doubts about the Martial Alliance, and this just gave me more reasons not to trust them.

[Heh...]

The Blood Demon had been chuckling non-stop, seemingly amused by everything.

Was he mocking me?

[Boy.]

The Blood Demon called out to me.

[You, of all the fated ones, bring me the greatest pleasure. Allow me to offer you a gift.]

“…What are you talking about now?”

[If I had wanted to resurrect, I would have done so a long time ago.]

“What?”

[Sealing... Do you really think I’ve been toiling away for centuries because of some seal cast by mere mortals?]

At those words, I froze momentarily.

I couldn’t tell whether he was telling the truth or lying.

Was he playing a trick? But for what reason?

As these thoughts raced through my mind, the Blood Demon continued speaking.

[I could have risen anytime I wanted.]

“Then why didn’t you?”

[Because I didn’t need to.]

“You didn’t need to?”

[Indeed. There was no need for me to do so anymore. That’s why I stayed dormant.]

“Bullshit. If that’s the case, then why are you meddling now?”

[What do you mean?]

I already knew that both Jang Seon-yeon and Namgoong Cheonjun had received the Blood Demon’s power.

Even last time, the Blood Demon had conversed with me through Jang Seon-yeon’s body.

“So why are you saying this now?”

[They asked for power, so I gave it. I didn’t reach out to them first.]

“How can I believe that?”

[Boy. It seems you’re misunderstanding something.]

[Boy. It seems you’re misunderstanding something.]

Suddenly, a heavy, bloody aura surged in front of me.

I instinctively stepped back. If I hadn’t gathered my energy in defense, I might have fallen to the ground, vomiting.

The aura was undoubtedly emanating from Jang Seon-yeon’s body.

Could a possessed body emanate such power?

As my eyes widened in shock, the Blood Demon spoke to me.

[I do not need your faith.]

Crackle...

Jang Seon-yeon's body began to rise.

It was fragile and charred to the point that it looked like it would break with the slightest touch, but it still stood, looking directly at me.

Even though his eyes were gone, I could feel his gaze fixed on me.

[You should be grateful.]

"...For what exactly?"

[Even though I know where my five senses, energy, and body are located, I’ve been content just watching. Isn’t that mercy?]

His senses, energy, and body.

Hwang Ah Bul-yeong had mentioned it. The Blood Demon’s five senses were scattered across the world, and his energy and body were also sealed separately.

‘He knows where they are?’

Even if that was true, it didn’t make the idea of his resurrection any more believable.

Knowing their locations and being able to retrieve them were two entirely different things.

[I am merely waiting for the right time.]

"Time for what? Are you planning to resurrect when the time comes?"

[Well... That remains to be seen.]

In my previous life, the Blood Demon never resurrected.

He was merely the villain who caused the Bloodshed Incident in the past, later sealed away by the heroes.

I recalled that as I spoke up again.

"I have a question."

Hearing my bold words, the Blood Demon chuckled.

[You’re quite daring. It’s as if you think I came here just to chat.]

"Isn’t that why you’re here?"

[Why do you think that?]

"If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be wasting time telling me all these trivial things."

Five senses, energy, his body, how he wasn't aiming for resurrection… All rather insignificant details.

He had come to save Jang Seon-yeon, yet he was saying so much. If he intended to kill me, he could have attacked the moment he appeared.

“If you don’t want to answer, then leave. I have no further business with you.”

I had no intention of dealing with him pleasantly.

No matter what his objective or identity was, I doubted he was someone who could bring any benefit to me.

Whatever his purpose, eventually, I would have to deal with him.

[What is it you wish to ask?]

"Are you a calamity?"

As Yeon Ilcheon’s echo once mentioned, the Blood Demon was referred to as a calamity—a disaster meant to bring destruction upon the world, carrying the weight of fate.

Yeon Ilcheon had also said that I, too, was a calamity. That my regression had a reason, and that eventually, I would lead the world to ruin.

Although Shin Noya had encouraged me to be confident, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

If the Blood Demon had come to converse with me directly, I might as well ask him:

Are you a calamity?

Is what Yeon Ilcheon said true?

Upon hearing my question, the Blood Demon remained silent for a moment. Several seconds passed in silence.

Then, he responded.

[I never thought you’d ask such a question. How amusing.]

“I didn’t ask for your amusement. Answer the question.”

[A calamity...]

The Blood Demon took a step toward me.

As he moved, cracks began forming across his body.

[How do I appear to you?]

"Looking at you right now, you seem like a calamity to me."

A grotesque, lifeless body, housing a spirit long dead—no matter how you looked at it, he appeared like a calamity.

[A calamity, huh... Who told you that?]

"Just answer if it’s true or not."

[No need. There's only one person who would call me that.]

He reached out his hand, and I frowned as the blackened fingers approached me.

Should I strike?

Or should I destroy him?

[Yeon Ilcheon, no doubt.]

The Blood Demon instantly figured out who had told me.

Should I deny it?

From my perspective, even Yeon Ilcheon wasn’t entirely trustworthy.

[A foolish man. He still hasn't let go of his regrets, it seems. He’s clouded your vision. I’ll have to open your eyes.]

The Blood Demon’s fingertips came closer to my eyes.

Though they were about to touch my eyes, I didn’t move.

It seemed like the Blood Demon was about to do something to me, but I remained still.

Just as his fingertips were about to touch my eyes…

Crack!

The reaction I had been waiting for erupted.

Something burst forth from the ground, separating the Blood Demon and me.

[Ah...]

The Blood Demon let out a disappointed sigh.

I looked to see what had emerged.

It was a massive tree root. Upon seeing it, the Blood Demon stepped back slightly.

[I’ve lingered too long.]

The Blood Demon reached for the root, but before his fingers could touch it, they crumbled to dust.

[So, this is what you were counting on.]

"It wasn’t really intentional, but I thought you might make a move. So, I was prepared."

[You’re bold. You had no intention of moving, did you?]

I had expected it to happen.

‘This thing’ clearly had an interest in me and had a purpose for me, so I didn’t think it would just stand by and let things escalate.

[It’s a shame... I would’ve liked to talk a little more, but it seems the master of this place does not welcome me.]

Cracks began forming all over the Blood Demon’s body.

[Though I am not satisfied, I hope this conversation has brought us closer.]

"You're a lot creepier than I expected. It’s disgusting. If you’re going to leave, just disappear quietly."

I growled, but the Blood Demon didn’t seem bothered.

Even as Jang Seon-yeon’s body was crumbling and vanishing, I stayed alert, not letting my guard down.

The Blood Demon continued to look directly at me.

[What I said before still holds true. When you meet the Dancer, come find me.]

Hah.

I let out a sarcastic laugh.

"And what exactly do you think I’ll do when I find you?"

I didn’t even know what the Dancer was, yet he kept insisting I seek him out.

What if I decided to show up and destroy everything?

Was he confident enough to keep inviting me like this?

“If I do end up coming, I guarantee it won’t be for a pleasant visit.”

[That’s fine too. As long as you step outside the bounds, there’s nothing better.]

With those final words, the Blood Demon’s lower body crumbled and his upper body collapsed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The fragmented body scattered like dust in the wind.

Even as this happened, the Blood Demon left me with one last remark.

[We shall meet again.]

With that, the wind carried away the remains of Jang Seon-yeon’s body, leaving my sight.

“...Huff.”

I finally exhaled a deep breath.

I had been holding my breath, tensing up the entire time.

“That bastard... Why does something always have to go wrong whenever I try to do something?”

Perhaps it was just bad luck, or fate. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything.

Of all times, why did the Blood Demon have to show up now?

‘What’s happening?’

Thinking back to the information from my past life, it seemed like all the secrets I hadn’t known were now coming to light.

What could this all mean?

What kind of fate was it?

What was this cursed world?

What was the “seed” that Guga had mentioned?

One or two of these things would’ve been bad enough, but they were piling up one after another.

It made my mind spin.

That’s why I had come here. Ever since I arrived at Shinryong Hall, ever since I confirmed the existence of Cheoljiseon, this was the place I intended to visit.

I believed that if anything or anyone could know the answers, it would be here.

Turning around, I spoke aloud.

"If you were going to show up, you should have appeared earlier. Why are you so late?"

The words of frustration were directed at...

Instead of the barren plains that had stretched out endlessly before, what now stood before me was something towering high enough to block out the sky.

Even though I had seen it in my past life, its size was still unbelievable. Calling it just a tree was far too simple.

Its atmosphere, its grandeur—everything about it was on a different scale.

Moreover...

This tree had a name.

It once introduced itself, saying:

"I am the fifth World Tree, rooted in this land."

It called itself Mua.

Rustle...

In response to my words, the branches that stretched all the way into the clouds began to sway.

The branches were bare, as the leaves had long since fallen.

It made the scene feel even more desolate.

At that moment...

[It’s good to see you again.]

A voice echoed in my ears.

It was an empty, sorrow-filled voice.

The same voice I had heard before.

Although the first greeting was the same, the second sentence was different from what I remembered from my past life.

[My apostle.]

Hearing those words, I frowned.