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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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Among the Earth’s inhabitants, those who had set foot in the Invaded Worlds were few and far between.
The inhabitants of the Invaded Worlds stepped onto Earth’s soil casually, yet, conversely, they rarely allowed anyone in.
Therefore, whether it was Eun or Einheart, stories about the Invaded Worlds were like rumors.
‘Castles built of gold, endless cities, colossal magic towers, cities studded with thousands of swords.’
The landscapes of the Invaded Worlds were generally described as magnificent and legendary.
Indeed, Hwasan, the headquarters of the Hwasan Guild, was said to be an immeasurably vast mountain, with a village nestled amidst sheer cliffs, and at the mountain’s summit resided the Hwasan Sect, the true essence of Hwasan.
Therefore, he had expectations.
‘Blood King Castle.’
The headquarters of the Blood Cult, also known as Ilseong.
The real thing, incomparable to the glimpse of Eun’s world he had briefly experienced before.
Even as Lee Rowoon, this was his first time properly stepping into Eun’s world, so he harbored special anticipation.
However, the result was disastrous.
“Haha… This is the Blood King Castle!”
Kang Eun-ha’s voice, shouting as she led the way, was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
“Ahem.”
Kang Hangcheol turned his head, and Han Do-baek lowered his head entirely.
“…….”
Even the proud Black Sword Unit and the usually expressionless Dark Blood Unit coughed awkwardly and quietly turned their heads.
“It’s a spectacle.”
That was Lee Rowoon’s assessment of the Blood King Castle, the first of Eun’s world he had properly stepped into.
Dilapidated shacks were lined up in rows, and the streets were filled with dying people walking like corpses.
Still, there was something quite impressive.
“This humble servant greets the esteemed members of the Cult.”
Every time their group passed by, those corpse-like people bowed respectfully and paid their respects.
“It’s a spectacle.”
That, too, was a spectacle.
“…….”
Kang Eun-ha finally closed her mouth, unable to offer a detailed explanation.
She, Kang Hangcheol, and Han Do-baek all knew.
The fact that the Blood Cult was ruined.
They owned the fairly large Kangha Group, operated the Black Sword and Dark Blood Units, and even had the Kangha Guild under their command.
Therefore, he had assumed the talk of the Blood Cult’s decline was in comparison to its past glory.
But it was literal.
“It’s truly ruined.”
The Blood Cult was ruined.
Still, there was something mystical about it, befitting Eun: the architectural style.
Architectural styles from all over Asia were mixed haphazardly, yet they strangely harmonized.
The majority were predominantly Chinese in style, but it seemed to incorporate elements from the Joseon and Goryeo dynasties, styles one might see only in historical dramas.
There was one more thing worth seeing.
The coloring of the buildings.
‘Red.’
Every building, even the roofs of the collapsing shacks, was tinged with red.
“Originally, the Blood Cult was located in a desert considered to be beyond the borders of even Eun.
They had to hide their holy city in the desert, and that’s why the practice of painting everything red, similar to the sand, remains to this day.”
Kang Eun-ha continued her explanation to Lee Rowoon.
“And… the reason the Blood King Castle is in this state….”
Kang Eun-ha hesitated, as if embarrassed to say it aloud.
“It’s ultimately because of finances.”
Kang Hangcheol answered in her stead.
“It’s not a well-known fact, but the world of Eun is a fragment of a ruined world.”
Indeed, in the distant sky, black fragments were visible, as if the sky itself were shattered.
It looked like a barrier confining the Blood King Castle, yet also like shards of broken glass.
The boundary of the world, not endlessly stretching like Earth, but with an impassable veil.
“For a world to be maintained, it needs sustenance.”
The sustenance of the world.
That could be obtained from magic stones from gate monsters, or the gate cores acquired by defeating gate bosses.
Or other massive energy sources like dungeon cores.
“The scale of the Blood King Castle is comparable to other worlds of Eun. Therefore….”
“It means it consumes a lot of sustenance.”
“…That’s correct, Blood Demon Lord. Gates occasionally form within the Blood King Castle, but ultimately, the sustenance that can appear in a ruined world is limited.”
That’s why Eun, no, the Invaded Worlds, rushed to Earth to establish their power.
“Although I am unworthy to address the Blood Demon, the external forces currently possessed by the Blood Cult are… the Kangha Group and the Cold Lake Guild led by the Third Elder, Han Do-baek.”
“Ha.”
It was absurd.
The Kangha Group?
It was true that they were a fairly large company.
It was also true that they wielded a certain degree of influence in Asia, beyond just South Korea.
But were they a leading conglomerate?
That wasn’t the case.
They were barely above mid-sized.
“Since the Blood Cult also possesses sorcery like soul-snatching, there are methods, but as you know….”
“With the forces of Eun already having made significant inroads, and with the awakening of players and the presence of Einheart, any reckless moves would be difficult.”
Brainwashing through sorcery also had its limits.
In other words, they had to either build it up themselves or steal it.
But even that was inconvenient for the Blood Cult.
If they revealed themselves, the forces of Eun would unite without exception and strive to erase the Blood Cult.
Furthermore, with the nature of the Invaded Worlds, destruction would be a foregone conclusion if the entrance to the dungeon was discovered, so the Blood Cult’s actions had to be even more cautious.
‘That’s why they were so eager to recruit followers.’
Subtly recruiting followers using black markets.
That was the only thing the currently failing Blood Cult could do.
“Even in this state, are the elders still fighting amongst themselves?”
Even with the Blood Cult in such a state, were the elders still divided and obstructing each other, unwilling to relinquish their own interests?
No, that couldn’t be it.
“It must be because of this situation.”
They must be desperately uniting and gathering forces to advance into Earth, to escape this wretched state.
The easiest answer for advancing into Earth would be absolute power.
If the Blood Demon became the overwhelming force they desired.
And if he achieved the ultimate form of the Blood Demon Arts, passed down as legend in the Blood Cult, the Blood Demon God.
‘One-handed, no, two-handed.’
If he could even match those called absolute beings, the Blood Cult’s power would be on a completely different level.
The Blood Cult was currently gambling everything.
“By the way, it seems the Fourth Elder hasn’t reported to the Blood King Castle yet.”
Han Do-baek spoke cautiously.
Sure enough, when they arrived at the Blood King Castle, they naturally encountered Blood Cult members guarding the gate.
Since there was currently only one entrance to the Blood King Castle, Kang Hangcheol had been tense, thinking that if the Fourth Elder had reported their arrival, a battle would immediately break out.
‘We greet the Left Guardian.’
They cleared the way without a word.
“It’s certainly strange. But it’s worked out well. If they haven’t been informed yet….”
Kang Hangcheol glanced towards the heart of the Blood King Castle in the distance.
A massive structure, its luster yet to fade amidst the crumbling Blood King Castle.
“Reaching the Blood Demon Palace will be easy.”
Kang Hangcheol, Kang Eun-ha, and Han Do-baek looked at Lee Rowoon.
Their faces asked, “Will you really do it?”
Faces that wanted to believe, but struggled to find that belief.
“I told you.”
Lee Rowoon had clearly told them.
“I’m going to catch the Blood Demon.”
“But…!”
Kang Eun-ha was worried.
Even with the Black Sword and Dark Blood Units, the Left Guardian, the Third Elder, and the Divine Maiden, if they clashed head-on with the forces of the Blood Demon Palace, the result would only be death.
“There’s no turning back anyway.”
Lee Rowoon, whether aware of their feelings or not, curled the corners of his lips and said,
“It seems that Fourth Elder fellow has already reported it.”
“……!”
“Gasp.”
In the distance, figures clad in dark crimson robes were visible.
“The Blood Sword Unit….”
It was the appearance of the Blood Sword Unit, the direct personal guards of the Blood Demon Palace.
Jeong Chi-soo, the captain of the Blood Sword Unit, arrived before the tense group and, cupping his fists, said,
“We’ve come to escort you.”
The Blood Demon Palace, the Blood Demon Hall.
All the Elders and Guardians, excluding the Third Elder Han Do-baek and the Left Guardian Kang Hangcheol, were gathered there.
And at the very center, atop a crimson throne, sat the ruler of the Blood King Castle, the current Blood Demon.
The sole hope and center of the failing Blood Cult.
‘Hyeol Soo-baek.’
He was born the youngest of the previous Blood Cult Leader and grew up without any expectations.
Therefore, he was removed from the power struggles of the blood descendants and enjoyed a relatively peaceful childhood.
‘The Madman of the Blood Cult.’
That was practically Hyeol Soo-baek’s nickname in his youth.
The very person who caused the elders to frown, wielding his meager share of power as he pleased, without a thought for the failing Blood Cult’s circumstances.
But one day, the madman youngest changed.
As if possessed, or perhaps another being had taken residence within him, Hyeol Soo-baek transformed.
The former madman displayed talent surpassing anyone else.
The other blood descendants belatedly realized the danger Hyeol Soo-baek posed, but it was too late.
Fwoosh!
At a mere eighteen, Hyeol Soo-baek surpassed the other blood descendants and became the Young Cult Leader.
It was a rebellion by Hyeol Soo-baek, who everyone thought had never practiced martial arts.
Moreover, he became the inheritor of the Blood Demon Arts, which had been practically lost.
Now, there was nothing to stop him.
No one could deny it.
“We greet the Blood Demon —!”
“We greet the Blood Demon—!”
He was the Blood Demon.
The great hall resonated with their voices.
The elders bowed to Hyeol Soo-baek with grave expressions.
Hyeol Soo-baek accepted their bows without a word, simply waving his hand.
Then, Hyeol Soo-baek spoke in a demonic voice.
“According to the Fourth Elder, the Left Guardian has plotted treason.”
Boom!
It was just a voice, but the large hall felt as though it was collapsing.
‘Ugh. What kind of power is this?’
‘I heard he emerged from seclusion. He must have made progress.’
‘The Blood Demon God is not far off.’
The elders, feeling Hyeol Soo-baek’s power throughout their bodies, were awed by his achievements.
This person was the savior who would lead the Blood Cult, which was endlessly plummeting into the abyss.
“Yes! Blood Demon!”
In that case, Kang Hangcheol.
That foolish Left Guardian had plotted treason.
The Fourth Elder, Im Baek-dok, stepped forward and shouted.
“He dared to forsake the grace of the Blood Demon and plotted treason! Furthermore, he dared to…”
Trembling.
“He spoke of a new Blood Demon and tried to deceive this elder!”
“What! A new Blood Demon?”
“What in the world is that supposed to mean!”
At Im Baek-dok’s words, several elders who hadn’t yet received the report murmured amongst themselves.
Hyeol Soo-baek waved his hand again, silencing the hall.
“Continue.”
“It is judged that the Left Guardian has also contacted the Third Elder Han Do-baek, not just me.”
“The Third Elder… isn’t he close with the Left Guardian? If so, he might have sided with the Left Guardian.”
“What are you talking about? If it’s the Third Elder, he would have either dissuaded the Left Guardian… or nipped it in the bud altogether.”
The hall became noisy again.
“I told you to be quiet.”
When Hyeol Soo-baek spoke, emitting his internal energy.
“Gasp!”
The elders gasped and lowered their heads.
Hyeol Soo-baek spoke.
“Where is the Divine Maiden?”
“That is… she’s probably with the Left Guardian…”
The Divine Maiden.
The elders didn’t say it aloud, but that’s what they were thinking.
The Blood Cult was a religion.
And the role of the Divine Maiden in such a religion was significant.
The Divine Maiden siding with the Left Guardian meant….
“Ugh….”
It meant there was a possibility that the Left Guardian wasn’t just causing unnecessary trouble.
“This new Blood Demon might actually be real.”
Hyeol Soo-baek’s voice fell heavy as iron.
“I have already received the Fourth Elder’s report… It seems the Left Guardian has already entered the Blood King Castle with this new Blood Demon.”
“Such…!”
“But it’s worked out well.”
Hyeol Soo-baek was smiling.
Along with a smile filled with viscous killing intent, his voice continued.
“If the new Blood Demon is real, if his Blood Demon Arts are real…”
Hyeol Soo-baek rose from his seat and said,
“Wouldn’t it be simple for me to absorb him and complete the Blood Demon God?”
“……!”
Hyeol Soo-baek’s red eyes curved into crescents.
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