Red eyes.

Unlike the flames that would flare up when I released my energy, or the crimson eyes my father bore, these were different.

If the red from flame energy glowed with a fierce brightness, Jang Seonyeon’s eyes seemed to emanate a blood-like hue, almost glowing with a sickly intensity. His pupils were narrow slits, giving him an unsettling, almost beastly look.

‘What… is this?’

The shock of seeing him alive was one thing, but the unease radiating from him had me breaking into a cold sweat.

The pain in my right arm was relentless, but beyond that, a deep, chilling discomfort was starting to take over.

What is this? Why do I feel so cold all of a sudden?

Ssssss…

The pain from the scaled part of my arm intensified as if it were spreading.

‘This…’

In recent months, I had grown accustomed to pain during my training with Paejon and his Tor-Ah-Pa-Cheon Art. Yet this pain was different—it felt as though the scales were expanding across my skin.

Why was this happening now? And, why was no one else noticing the strange transformation in Jang Seonyeon?

‘Is this only visible to me?’

If no one else was reacting, maybe it was something that only I could see. But why?

Amidst my confusion, an eerily familiar voice echoed in my ear.

-You don’t look well.

I turned in shock to find that it was Jang Seonyeon speaking to me.

-…You… bastard… -I didn’t mean to startle you, but I’m enjoying your reaction.

He smiled, and there was something about his tone that was entirely different from what I remembered.

How could this be? He had Jang Seonyeon’s face and voice, but his aura was all wrong. His words clung to me with a strange, sticky sensation, and though I couldn’t smell anything, there was an undeniable scent of blood in my nose.

‘The scent of blood…?’

The realization dawned on me as a horrifying possibility took shape.

-Blood Demon…?

As soon as I uttered those words, Jang Seonyeon’s smile grew wider, confirming my suspicions. I now understood why I felt such an intense disconnect—it wasn’t really Jang Seonyeon.

-You… -Sharp, aren’t you?

The being before me was the Blood Demon.

-How… how are you here? -Surprised to see me? -Is that even a question?! -I simply wanted to step outside for some fresh air. Does it not please you? -And what about Jang Seonyeon? The original owner of this body?

Was this like the Divine Lord, where he possessed a body? If he could do it, then surely the Blood Demon could too.

The Blood Demon cocked his head as if confused by my question.

-You burned this boy alive, so why seek him here now? -Stop playing games. You didn’t talk to me just to joke around, did you? -Heh.

My growl only seemed to amuse him further. Meanwhile, the pain in my arm was worsening.

Something was wrong.

‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’

It wasn’t like this before. Why was this pain suddenly overwhelming me?

‘Is it because of the Blood Demon?’

If there was any change, it was only that I had encountered him. Nothing else made sense.

-It seems you’re in considerable pain.

Though I was doing my best to hide it, he had picked up on my suffering immediately. It had to be related to him.

-Did you do something to me? -Heh… You might think so, but no. I have no intention of causing you harm. -Don’t give me that crap! Did you forget the time you forced your energy into me?! -Indeed I did, but has there been any harm? -What…?

How could he say that after injecting me with his energy?

-Didn’t you use my power when you needed it? -…! -It’s a miracle I bestowed upon you. Do you think I wouldn’t notice?

From his words, it was clear that he was aware of the times I had used the blood energy. Even if he wasn’t the cause of these scales, he knew about them.

-What is this?

When I asked about the scales, his expression grew strange, a gleam of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

-So it’s true. You are indeed the anomaly I’ve been searching for. -Enough riddles. What is this? -I wonder how you started blooming without being my fragment. -Blooming?

I barely understood his words, but they hinted at something deeper. Blooming? What was that supposed to mean?

-You’re on the path to something extraordinary. It’s worth celebrating. Isn’t it exhilarating to ascend beyond the weak and filthy ranks of humans?

His voice carried a hint of joy, which only made me feel more unsettled.

-I look forward to seeing you break free from your shell.

His tone grew almost feverish, as if intoxicated by the prospect. Meanwhile, the pain in my arm was becoming unbearable. I felt as though I was on the verge of screaming.

Noticing my condition, he chuckled.

-It seems you’re suffering greatly. Let me bestow my mercy upon you once again. -What…? -Take it as a gesture of congratulations. Don’t forget it.

At that moment, I felt a sudden surge of the blood energy I had stored within my dantian. It pulsed violently, almost as if obeying a command.

The sensation was rough and wild, flooding through me with such intensity that I could barely control it.

‘Damn it!’

The energy spread through my body in mere seconds.

And then…

‘What the…?’

The pain I had been experiencing disappeared instantly. Could it be that the blood energy had suppressed it?

I could no longer check the scales on my arm here, but the pain was definitely gone.

It was difficult to believe this had nothing to do with the Blood Demon.

-Heh…

Even now, the Blood Demon continued to laugh, watching me.

-That boy seems to harbor quite the disdain for me. -Disdain? -The pain you felt was an expression of hostility towards me.

I furrowed my brow at his words. Did that mean the scales weren’t ordinary?

He was practically enjoying this, relishing in his explanations.

I couldn’t understand anything about this entity before me. His expression was full of satisfaction, as if he were eagerly awaiting something.

-Most importantly, why are you telling me all this?

I had to know what he wanted from me. I was aware that he was trying to help, though I couldn’t tell if his assistance was genuine or part of a calculated scheme.

-What do you even want from me? -Nothing. I want nothing from you. -Really? Standing here, spouting all this nonsense, and you expect me to believe that?

The idea was absurd. He was clearly anticipating something from me.

-If I had to say, I simply want you to reach your full potential. -Still making no sense, I see. -You will understand soon enough. The day you come to seek me out is closer than you think. I eagerly await it.

-Did you really expect me to come find a calamity like you? What, are you hoping I’ll kill you?

At the mention of “calamity,” his laughter grew even more intense.

-You’re catching on faster than I expected. Not bad at all. -Tell me clearly—what is your goal? Why are you doing this to me? -My goal…

He paused for a moment, seeming lost in thought, before replying.

-To break free from what is predetermined. If you want to call that a goal, then so be it. -What is that supposed to mean? -Originally, I had intended to find my fragments, but seeing your blooming has made me reconsider.

The term “blooming” came up again, and it filled me with unease. If he was reconsidering his plans, then he must have had an agenda from the beginning.

Did he assume Jang Seonyeon’s appearance to carry out his schemes?

‘If so, then the disappearance of Jang Seonyeon’s trace when I returned from Magyeong…’

Was that also his doing?

I still had no understanding of his true motives or even the nature of his existence. But based on what he said, I knew he was far from human.

-No matter. I will proceed slowly, giving you time to understand. -What makes you think I’ll let you…!

Whirr—

Before I could finish, my head spun, and I felt a wave of dizziness overtake me.

Too disoriented to speak, I heard his final words:

-Do not worry. It’s only the recoil from your body suppressing its aggression.

-What did you do to me now? -I told you, I’ve done nothing. Look, even the abyss within you remains quiet.

True enough, the beast that usually growled and bared its fangs whenever the blood energy stirred was silent.

It occurred to me that perhaps this was because I now bore the Divine Sword, yet there was no time to ponder that.

-I came here simply to greet you today.

-Yet I leave with a great harvest, as I’ve glimpsed a new path.

-I’ll be waiting for the day you seek me out on your own.

As the Blood Demon’s words echoed in my mind, the dizziness grew worse. I tried to hold on, but I couldn’t. My consciousness slipped away.

When I finally regained my senses, the assembly had long since concluded.