The same hut as before. Yet, amidst the overwhelming silence, Ilma’s familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there stood a lone maid. As the Blood Demon Unit leader stepped aside, she quietly addressed me.

"Blood Demon Unit member Samsipho. Remove your mask."

"The Blood Demon Unit is forbidden from revealing their faces to others..."

"Remove it."

The sudden shift in atmosphere, freezing the room in an instant, was enough to prove she was no ordinary maid.

She was, without a doubt, someone far stronger than me.

I complied for now. She stared intently at my face.

"You have many scars."

"What must I do—"

"There is something you must do before asking questions."

She grabbed my sleeve and led me with a firm yet expressionless demeanor.

"There’s an odor coming from you. Your clothes are shabby. Everything is unsatisfactory."

"Excuse me?"

"Where you’re about to go is Majon—the Demon Hall—where the Heavenly Demon resides. Such rags and stench cannot be permitted to sully that place."

"......!"

It wasn’t just a summons from Ilma—it was a call from the Heavenly Demon.

I nodded, acknowledging the weight of what this meant.

"What must I do?"

"Everything."

We arrived at a place that seemed hastily prepared, with a bath and an assortment of fragrant oils laid out. A set of fresh clothes was neatly folded beside them.

The woman placed her hands on my clothes. I flinched but allowed her to proceed.

"Turn your back to me."

"Is this not embarrassing?"

"This is part of my duty. To mix personal feelings into work would be the height of foolishness."

She meticulously cleaned my body, repeatedly changing the water to remove every trace of dirt.

A pleasant scent began to emanate from my skin, and my tangled hair was completely combed out.

The sensation of my newly groomed hair felt strange, as I had always kept it short to avoid interference in martial arts.

It had been a symbol of my rough life.

Now, it felt as though I’d become some wealthy young master.

"This isn’t the time for idle thoughts. Put on the clothes."

I followed her instruction. The neatly folded clothes fit perfectly, needing no adjustments.

My appearance had transformed in an instant. But the woman wasn’t done. She stood before me once more.

"I will teach you the basic etiquette."

"Even etiquette..."

"In the presence of the Heavenly Demon, no one may violate decorum. I will not stop you if you wish to lose your head."

"...I understand. Please instruct me."

Despite her rigid and sharp tone, she taught me with careful precision, taking her time to guide me through every detail. When the half-day lesson was finally over, she exhaled a satisfied sigh.

"Follow me."

A carriage awaited us. Once aboard, the horse galloped across the flat plains and began climbing a steep path.

Though there was a road, the terrain was harsh, almost like scaling a mountain. Yet the horse did not falter or rest.

It was a fine steed—no ordinary animal. And the carriage itself was of such high quality that it seemed fit only for esteemed guests.

I straightened my posture instinctively, careful not to dirty my surroundings.

The woman sitting across from me spoke.

"The place we are about to enter is a secret passage leading to Majon, where the Heavenly Demon resides."

"A secret passage?"

"Only a select few workers affiliated with Majon are aware of its existence. Its depths are immense, and the path is complex. Do not lose sight of me. Should you step into the wrong corridor..."

Her voice turned icy.

"You may wander within forever."

"......."

It was likely meant as a threat to some degree. But her serious expression made it hard to dismiss entirely.

I turned my head to glance outside the carriage. Before long, it stopped before an unidentifiable cave entrance.

The cave seemed deep, damp, and filled with an unpleasant odor.

As if it were the most natural thing in the world, the woman took up a lantern and led the way.

"From here on, you must not speak."

"Why not?"

"There are some things better left unknown."

"......."

Heeding her warning, I stepped inside, focusing all my attention on not losing sight of the lantern swaying in front of me.

How long did we walk? The seemingly endless cave eventually led to a door.

But even then, it wasn’t over. Beyond the door lay a labyrinth of hallways, each more complex than the last.

An oppressive silence filled the air, broken only by the sound of our breathing.

"This way."

This time, instead of grabbing my sleeve, the woman took my hand.

Guided by her, I took a step forward, and suddenly, the scenery around me changed.

From a meadow to snowy mountains.

From snowy mountains to a field of blooming flowers.

Each time I blinked, the landscape transformed, as though I were walking through a dream.

"...An illusion array?"

"Shh."

"......."

Silenced once more, I focused solely on the sensation of her hand in mine as we traversed the ever-shifting surroundings.

The woman, seemingly familiar with every twist and turn, led us through the maze with unwavering confidence.

We walked and climbed, walked and climbed. Finally, at the end of countless repetitions, her last step echoed with a resounding tap.

With that, the illusions vanished in an instant.

"...Huh?"

My involuntary exclamation echoed down the barren hallway.

The woman released my hand, as if signaling that we had returned to reality. She whispered softly.

"Go inside."

Before me stood a door, adorned with intricate symbols that set it apart from anything ordinary.

The woman pushed it open, revealing nothing but darkness beyond. She took a step back, as if her role had ended, and gestured toward the entrance.

"Proceed."

"Is this where your guidance ends?"

"You will understand once you go inside."

Following her words, I stepped forward. As soon as I fully entered, the door closed behind me.

Silence and stillness enveloped me once more. Yet amidst it all, a familiar scent reached my nose.

The scent of ma—demonic energy—pressed down on me, suffocatingly intense.

She is here.

Within this place...

She is waiting.

"......."

I walked. I kept walking.

Down a narrow path that seemed to stretch endlessly. And at the end of it, I pushed open yet another door.

The faint scent of incense brushed against my nose. A room vast beyond comprehension.

As I turned my head, I saw a transparent glass enclosure. Beyond it...

It was water.

".......?"

An unbelievable sight. I gazed beyond the glass.

There were fish. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but they were undoubtedly fish.

Strange. Isn’t this strange? A wall made entirely of glass—it would surely be fragile, yet it spanned one whole side of the room.

No, more than that—a lake next to a room?

What kind of bizarre harmony is this?

"You seem lost, little mutt."

A voice, filled with laughter, called out. I turned my head.

And there she was, that familiar figure standing before me.

"It’s been a while. Hasn’t it?"

Arrogant eyes. Yet a body deserving of such pride. The same breathtaking, awe-inspiring appearance as before.

I immediately knelt before her, reciting what I had been taught.

"May the Heavenly Demon reign eternal! Ten thousand demons..."

"Silence."

"...Yes."

I had wanted to demonstrate my manners, but in hindsight...

Even during our first meeting, I hadn’t exactly been courteous.

I stood, my heart pounding furiously. But not wanting to let it show, I steadied my breath.

Cheonma Cheon Soso.

She cast her haughty gaze toward the glass wall.

"Isn’t it beautiful?"

"It’s incredible."

"Right? Who else would build a house with just water and glass separating it? Even I was surprised the first time I saw it."

"Did you build this place, Cult Leader?"

"This is the Heavenly Demon’s sanctuary, passed down through generations. Any Heavenly Demon can visit this part of Majon whenever they wish. And that lake beyond the glass? It isn’t ordinary. Every living thing there is what you’d call a spiritual entity."

"......."

"A living treasure trove of elixirs. Among them are things you won’t find anywhere else. All of it is part of the Heavenly Demon’s treasure, known as the Lake of Chaos Yin and Yang."

The Heavenly Demon turned her gaze to me, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"If you’re hungry, I could catch one for you."

"I’m fine, thank you."

"Can you really call yourself a hunting dog if you refuse food from your master?"

"...I will eat it gratefully."

"Good. That’s a good boy."

She walked ahead, leading me across the oddly fragrant room to a prepared table of food.

"I didn’t catch or cook it myself, but I hope you’ll enjoy it."

"Thank you for the meal."

We ate in relative silence. She didn’t ask me anything.

Instead, she spoke as if enjoying the meal herself.

"I like this cut of meat. When you’re trapped in the mountains, it’s hard to truly savor the taste of fish. Even if a river is nearby, how could it compare to properly cultivated fish?"

"It’s certainly... remarkable in flavor."

"Try this one. Eat more."

"Thank you."

After the meal, she handed me a cup of tea.

I drank it, but its bitterness was overwhelming. She, on the other hand, sipped it with evident enjoyment.

"It’s a tea that purges toxins from the body. Drinking it can push you to the peak of transcendence, allowing you to fully control your energy."

Transcendence?!

I forced myself to finish it, despite the bitter taste spreading through my entire body. When I grimaced, she chuckled, her shoulders shaking.

"I was joking."

"......"

"That expression of yours is priceless. Ah, is this why people keep dogs? There’s no such tea, you fool."

The Heavenly Demon leisurely tilted her cup, grinning slyly.

"Jeok Woon. My gatekeeper. At least now you’re worthy of being called a martial artist. What have you seen and experienced? Tell me everything."

"Where should I begin?"

"Everything you’ve witnessed."

"......."

I opened my mouth and recounted all I had experienced. Though I kept it concise, she shook her head in amusement, as if unsatisfied.

"Summing up years in just a few words—how boring. While I’ve been stuck here, you’ve seen so much. The lives of ants are the most entertaining. They struggle, making things harder than necessary to achieve what I could do effortlessly. Watching it all unfold is the greatest pleasure."

"......."

Knowing her twisted nature, I elaborated on the stories.

I told her about Ilma’s teachings.

"Ilma? Really? She said that to you? That girl, working so hard without taking on a single disciple... Seems she’s finally found some amusement."

I told her about entering Magok.

"Magok, huh? I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it a place tailored to those of much lower skill? Still, at its center is the Master of Magok. When you defeat him someday, be sure to split his belly open and chew on the inner core. Drink his blood, too. It’s all precious Bao Blood."

I told her about the story of Seongjamyeong.

"Hmm. Sounds like the fate of someone without talent. Yet, he ended his life gloriously, igniting a flame through you."

I told her about Isipguho, Baek Mae.

"The disciple of Sama? I’ve heard of her. Seen her too. Her talent is astounding—comparable to the Eight Demons of Heaven and Earth. Even after picking up the sword late, she reached the pinnacle... Sama must be grinning from ear to ear."

I told her about Maengcheon.

"The Black Heaven Blade? A clan I’ve never heard of. But if you praise him so highly, he must have been a decent man. After all, a man’s worth lies in his spirit. I do enjoy those who build themselves up. His blade must have been sharp."

I told her about Bingbaekseol.

"Oh, I’ve heard of that. Ilma reported it to me. Said she handled the martial art of The Five Palaces Outside the World on her own. I was a bit surprised; usually, she would’ve brought it to me. She’s too attached to her disciples."

I told her about the Sama family and the Talhongeom.

"I heard Sama’s family absorbed the Cheonak Gate. The family’s once-ruined fortunes are rising quickly. The Talhongeom? Of course, I know it. You faced that sword and survived?"

The Heavenly Demon smirked, standing from her seat to approach me.

"How far have you mastered Gucheonhyeolmagong?"

"I’ve just entered Paeryeok Mado."

"Really?"

She drew out her words, whispering something in an incomprehensible language.

Suddenly, my entire body’s energy twisted violently.

"Urgh...!"

"Stay still. That’s right... Let me see. The Thousand Tribulations have fully taken root. It seems to respond to my voice, meaning it must find its host quite agreeable. But there’s still resistance. Even trying to refine it would inevitably bring pain."

She pressed firmly on various points of my body.

"Still... your body’s structure is starting to solidify. This might be enough to use it."

"What do you mean by it...?"

"First, let me ask you something, Jeok Woon."

She gently tilted my chin up, her gaze piercing.

"Are you ready to live as my dog?"