The small, black pill I pulled from my belongings rolled in my palm, its surface caked with grime.

It carried the scent of the Black Sky Axe Sect’s late sect master, undoubtedly a spiritual elixir, though the strange aura it exuded hinted at an unsettling origin.

Number 29 broke the silence.
"Don’t eat that as it is. Who knows what might happen."

"I want to share it with you," I replied.

"Eat it yourself. That thing has no connection to me."

"If you hadn’t accompanied me, I would’ve died at the hands of Teacher Baek and Meng So-un—"

"Stop being a fool. Why are you so desperate to share everything?"

Desperate to share, she said.
Perhaps. But I simply didn’t want to claim credit for something I hadn’t done alone.

Despite my insistence, Number 29 flatly refused. At one point, she even kicked my shin.
"Listen, you stubborn idiot! Just eat it yourself! But not right now. Keep it for later—it needs to be processed first."

"...Then I’ll repay you some other way."

"Forget it. The role of Wang Sohong’s wife is over. That debt was hers, not mine. I’m Number 29, not the one who owes you anything. I’m just a third party, so keep that reeking pill for yourself."

"...Then why not keep being my wife?"

"W-What are you saying?! Are you insane?! Stop talking nonsense like a child!"

Five days later, we reached Magok. Number 29 stood at the entrance, wiping her face as she gazed down at the cliffs below.

"The report is written convincingly. There’s nothing they can hold against us. You remember what we agreed to say, right?"

"I do."

"...Let’s go. We have to report in. Even if we try to run, a pursuit squad will follow."

"I’m sorry for dragging you into this."

"It’s fine."

Number 29 stepped forward.

"I did it because I wanted to."

We traversed the winding cliffside paths that led to the hidden entrance of Magok. This narrow, treacherous route was the only way in.
The silence as we entered was stifling. No one greeted us, and there was no sign of movement.

The air within Magok felt unnaturally still, devoid of the usual energy of the place.

"Something’s wrong."

The further we went, the more unsettling it felt.

It was as if we were stepping into the jaws of a beast.

In the quarters where Number 29 and I were usually stationed, someone was waiting.

A towering figure stood under the dim glow of a luminescent pearl. His stark white hair resembled that of a polar bear, and he held someone in his grip. The person trembled like a leaf, though they didn’t appear weak—certainly above my level.

But the man... he exuded nothing.
And yet, the oppressive sensation he gave off was unmistakable.

Why did he carry the same aura as Ilma?

"You’re tense."

I flinched. His voice was deep and resonant. Instinctively, I took a step back.
The white-haired man smiled.

"Come here."

Refusing didn’t feel like an option. I could sense that defiance would shatter everything.
Trembling, I moved forward and knelt on one knee before him.

"..."

"..."

Even without lifting my head, I could feel his gaze dissecting us.
Beside me, Number 29 was trembling. If someone like her was shaken, then this man was beyond extraordinary.

Who was this man? His face was obscured by a mask, leaving no clues to his identity.

"Do you know who I am?"

"...No," Number 29 answered. I stayed silent.

One response seemed appropriate. She was my senior, after all.

But the white-haired man didn’t seem pleased. He shifted his massive frame and crouched before me.

"But I know who you are, Jeok Un."

"...!"

He knew my true name—something only the Heavenly Demon and Ilma were privy to.

"Who... are you?"

"A man who’s been watching you from afar."

"..."

"Relax. I’m here to talk. Number 29—or should I call you Eun Seollan? Is that more fitting?"

Number 29 flinched visibly.

"Did my father... send you?"

"Your father? Please. I had no idea he was capable of controlling me. To me, he’s just another ordinary man. Oh, pardon my rudeness—such words might insult Jeok Un."

"......"

"It’d be nice if both of you relaxed those tense faces. While you’re at it, why don’t you tear off those fake ones as well? Jeok Un, yours is already torn—you’ve just been hiding it with bandages. Go ahead, take them off. I permit it."

I felt compelled to obey. There was no room for resistance.

I tore away the bandages, revealing my true face.
The white-haired man hummed in approval.

"Your bone structure has improved. And your appearance... has changed. Is this a result of martial arts? Or perhaps that pill? I wouldn’t know—I only have half of what you do."

"How much do you know?"

"At least as much as Ilma. I have many eyes, Jeok Un—enough to see what others miss."

"Ilma...?"

"There are only two people in the world I address as ‘Ilma.’ One of them is the sect leader’s Grand Protector, who voluntarily withdrew from the power struggle."

Ilma.

If that’s true, then this man must also be a member of the Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth.

"There’s no need to be shocked. I’m not here to blame you. But, Eun Seollan—are you not going to remove your mask?"

Hesitating, Number 29 finally tore off her Infimyungu, letting it fall to the ground.
The white-haired man’s eyes lit up.

"As expected of the bloodline of Eun Yang-baek. If you hadn’t been raised as a warrior, your beauty alone could have swayed the world."

Number 29 bit her lip. I, too, was at a loss for words.

Her face was striking. Her sharp, predatory gaze was offset by long lashes that only accentuated her beauty. Even her fierce expression failed to obscure the allure she radiated.

Not just a rare beauty.

She was breathtaking, the kind of beauty one might only encounter once in a lifetime. In terms of sheer appearance, she could rival even the Heavenly Demon.

"A beauty and a handsome man, together in one place. A sight to behold. I’d like to keep both of you by my side."

"..."

"..."

"Don’t be so wary. Right, Blood Demon Deputy? Am I someone they should be wary of?"

"N-No, Sir Four Demon! Never!"

Four Demon.

And the Blood Demon Deputy—one of our highest-ranking officers—was groveling before him.

The Four Demon chuckled, patting the deputy’s head.

"You almost surprised me, sending a letter to Ilma about their arrival. I warned you against that before, didn’t I?"

"I-I had an obligation to inform her..."

"Well, the Blood Demon Deputy is soft-hearted, so I’ll let it slide this time. But there won’t be a second chance. Understand? Ilma may wield less power than I do, but you know where your loyalties should lie, don’t you?"

"O-Of course, Sir Four Demon!"

"Good to see you understand."

The Four Demon turned his gaze to me, tilting his head slightly.

"Jeok Un, do you know who it was you killed?"

"...Mengcheon’s eldest son, Meng So-un."

"Meng So-un, yes. But it would be more fitting to call him the one who mastered the White Demon Body."

White Demon Body.
The name of that technique surfaced again, but I still didn’t fully grasp its significance.

"You seem clueless. Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll enlighten you. You’re aware of the three pillars that uphold the Heavenly Demon Sect, aren’t you?"

"...The Manma Sect, the Rakshasa Sect, and the Black Word Sect."

"Well-learned. Those are the three pillars, the foundations of the sect. Now, who oversees them?"

"The Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth."

"Correct. Very good."

The Four Demon tapped the ground with a stick he held.

"The Manma Sect is led by the Second Demon, my senior brother. The Rakshasa Sect? The Fifth Demon, my senior sister—an intimidating woman. And the Black Word Sect?"

"You, Sir Four Demon."

"Your head’s not just for show. Excellent."

Though his words were full of praise, I could tell they were hollow.

"The three pillars uphold the sect but also serve as checks and balances. One of us is usually chosen as the sect leader's successor. And those who aren’t?"

"..."

"They’re eliminated. It’s always been this way. Only the chosen survive. The Heavenly Demon’s might stems from this ruthless succession. Naturally, one might ask—how can one survive as a disciple of the Heavenly Demon if not chosen?"

"..."

"There is a way. My senior sister is a prime example. Withdraw from the power struggle early. Accept the position granted by the Heavenly Demon and prove disinterest in authority. That way, survival is possible. It worked out for me—when the strongest among us voluntarily stepped back, it was a relief

."

The Four Demon’s laughter abruptly stopped.

"But it was also disappointing. A disciple of the Heavenly Demon should have ambition."

"..."

"We all dream of our version of the sect. My senior brother, my senior sister, and I. Without ambition, martial arts mean nothing. We are dreamers, but also rivals who must overcome each other to survive. Even those not directly in competition with us band together under shared visions. I, too, have an ally—the Sixth Demon. And here’s where you come in."

"..."

"The White Demon Body. It’s a technique of the Manma Sect. Dangerous and forbidden. The sect leader himself warned against teaching it. The sects have many such techniques hidden away."

"So... the events in the Black Sky Axe Sect were orchestrated by the Manma Sect?"

"Precisely. But I didn’t come here to discuss the Manma Sect. My Black Word Sect, being newer, lacks techniques of such caliber. We’re the weakest of the three, both in resources and manpower."

The Four Demon tossed his stick aside.

"The sect leader will eventually step down. Less than ten years remain of the term established by the First Heavenly Demon."

"..."

"That’s why I’m personally gathering those who will become my strength. It may look ridiculous for a sect leader to run around recruiting, but I’m desperate. My reason for being here is the same. Two individuals at the pinnacle—one of whom, though troublesome, has caught Ilma’s attention. That alone proves their potential."

"..."

"You’re interesting, Jeok Un. But my goal today isn’t you. I’d rather not sour relations with Ilma or risk entanglement with the sect leader. No matter how greedy I am for talent, I won’t bite into a poisoned apple."

The Four Demon shifted his gaze from me to Number 29.

"My target is you, Eun Seollan. I’ll take you out of here."

"...!"

"I’ll give you the success your father dreamed of. Join the Black Word Sect as a division leader. With your level of skill, no one will object. But first, I have to ask—why did Eun Yang-baek send you here? Someone with your talent should never have been placed in this situation."

Number 29 trembled as she answered.
"Until I came here, I had never touched martial arts."

"...That explains everything. As Eun Yang-baek’s daughter, it makes sense. That makes you even more remarkable. Eun Seollan, you have talent, and I can help it grow further. Someone who has reached the pinnacle so young cannot be ignored. With only one wall left before transcendence, your potential is extraordinary. If you come under my wing..."

The Four Demon leaned in and whispered seductively.

"You’ll gain not just the title of division leader, but also the title of the Four Demon’s disciple."

Number 29’s eyes widened. She trembled at the weight of his offer.

I understood the gravity of those words.

To become a disciple of the Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth was an unparalleled opportunity. The prestige alone would command respect from nearly all the sect’s top martial artists. It was a position of honor and power, unattainable for most.

The offer spoke volumes about Number 29’s extraordinary talent.

"Leave the Blood Demon Division and come with me, Eun Seollan."

"I... I..."

"If your father is an issue, I’ll deal with him personally. Eun Yang-baek may wield influence, but he’s still beneath me. There may be friction with the Manma Sect, but you’re worth the effort."

"..."

"You must have a future you dream of. Everyone takes up the sword to pursue their desires. Follow me, and I’ll give you the power to realize your dreams. As my disciple, you’ll stand at my side, wielding that power in glory."

The Four Demon extended his hand.

"Take my hand. I’ll pull you out of this wretched place—"

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

A familiar voice cut through the air. I turned my head.

Beyond the entrance stood a figure wreathed in a blood-red aura. The intensity of it made it seem as though a sea of blood was advancing.

"That one was personally chosen by the sect leader. You have no right to touch them."

"...? Wait, Senior Sister, there’s a misunderstanding—"

"That one is mine."

Ilma.

A member of the Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth gripped my shoulder and yanked me forward, pulling me into something soft.
I had been embraced.

Half against my will.

"I trained them myself, broke them myself. They’re my toy. No one will take them from me. If you try..."

"...?"

"...I’ll personally break your fingers."

"...???"

The Four Demon stifled a laugh, glancing at me.

"This is the first time I’ve seen you act like this, Senior Sister."

"..."

I kept silent.

"Lady Ilma."

"I didn’t tell you to speak, you idiot. Shut your mouth."

"The Four Demon isn’t here for me. He came to recruit Number 29."

Ilma froze.

"...What?"