Chapter 300: An Uneasy Pause
“Looks like everyone is here. I assume you all know why you’ve been summoned?”
In the ‘Black Martial Hall’, a particularly secretive location within the Heavenly Demon Cult, a few individuals had gathered.
Sitting arrogantly in the central seat of honor was Zaho Hobeop Samaja. [1]
It was Shimmasha Ryung, ranked fourth in the Cult, who spoke first.
“We’ve heard. Those fools. If only they had kept the attention outside the tower, our grand plan would have been much smoother.”
“Who would have thought the True Ancestor would die? I thought they were stronger, but it ended so pathetically.”
Chae Hongah and Paechunmu added their comments.
They had planned to advance into the martial world and swallow the Empire whole. Now, everything had come to a standstill.
Just then…
“Calm down. Regardless of their success or failure, our Cult’s power alone is sufficient to sweep through both the martial world and the Empire.”
Samaja, who had been silent, stood up.
All eyes focused on him.
“With the Heavenly Demon injured and in hiding, our Cult has remained in an unprecedentedly long seclusion, watching the arrogant Martial Alliance rampage and the Western Empire taint our land. But that time of humiliation ends today.”
A hawk with broken wings is no longer a hawk.
It is merely a remnant of the past that needs to be cleansed.
In a world ruled by power, as is the Heavenly Demon Cult, a new Heavenly Demon is naturally needed.
It is time for Zaho Hobeop Samaja to act.
“Shimmasha Ryung.”
“Yes, Supreme One.”
Shimmasha Ryung bowed deeply.
“How are the preparations?”
“Everything is ready as per your instructions. Would you like to see for yourself?”
“Hoo. Yes, I look forward to it.”
As Samaja gently raised his hand, Shimmasha Ryung approached a wooden pillar.
It seemed entirely ordinary, but when infused with internal energy, a drastic change occurred.
Kukukukung!
With a loud noise, the floor of the annex began to open slowly.
Soon, stairs leading underground appeared.
“This… This facility exists here?”
“What is this, Zaho Hobeop?”
The others exclaimed in surprise.
Despite having spent their entire lives within the Heavenly Demon Cult, they never imagined such a massive facility was hidden beneath the annex.
“I reiterate… I have invested a long time and prepared much for this endeavor. So, all you need to do is trust and follow me.”
Samaja’s lips curled into a smile.
At the bottom of the stairs.
Inside, illuminated by torches, an unimaginable number of Jiangshi lay dormant, awaiting their master’s command. [2]
There were not only Blood Jiangshi and Poison Jiangshi, but also Yin-Yang Jiangshi capable of facing supreme masters, and even one of the highest-grade Jiangshi, the Celestial Jiangshi.
These were supreme Jiangshi captured from the Blood Sect and nurtured through Shimmasha Ryung.
“I will take over the martial world within a month, starting with Kunlun. Ah, but first, we need to tidy up our house. Where is that old Uho Hobeop and his disciple?” [3]
“They are currently outside the tower.”
“Offering themselves as sacrifices, I see. What a fortunate turn of events.”
Samaja chuckled.
“Shall we form a pursuit team?”
“No. Just leave them be. With only the Shadow Unit, they can’t do anything. We can deal with the Dark Emperor and his disciple slowly once they return to the martial world.”
With the Jiangshi and the elite forces of the Heavenly Demon Cult, killing those two would be no trouble at all.
—
Outside the tower, three days had passed, and the outbreak was still the hot topic everywhere.
[Heroes Who Saved Humanity]
[An In-Depth Look at the Veterans Corporation: Members and Their Abilities]
[Personal Interviews Collection]
[Saint Teresa of Amsterdam Proudly Declares Her Affiliation: ‘Proud to Be a Part of the Team’]
[Kang Jinhyuk Revealed as a Famous BJ with a Hidden Past!] [4]
Various articles flooded the internet and communities.
While there was a lot of bait and false stories, it was clear that the Veterans Corporation’s stock was soaring.
-sky: Once again, we owe our lives to Jinhyuk.
-void: I thought I was really going to die. Buildings collapsing, roads destroyed…
-min: I thought what happened inside the tower didn’t concern us, but seeing it happen outside made me realize how serious it was.
-Lili: Agreed. Seriously. I almost died of fright.
-AwakeBlind: Everyone knows, right? The memorial service will be broadcast live today.
-NK: Yes, I heard. It’s at 3 PM, so not long now.
-Nanglang: It’s at the Daejeon National Cemetery, so those nearby should go in person.
-Kimmy: Right. We should all see it. To honor those who died.
-ByMinishin: Sigh. Grateful, sorry, and so sad.
-JXH: I think players deserve more respect. They risked their lives fighting for us.
-11: Absolutely. They should.
—
Soon, a nationwide live broadcast began.
It was aired not through the Tower of Trials system, but the official channel of the Korean Awakener Association.
Sabaek.
Jinhyuk, Chun Yoosung, and Teresa appeared, dressed in black suits.
All spotlights focused on the three.
—
-SagewithJuice: Oh my God! It’s Jinhyuk!
-LeeDoyeon: Even Chun Yoosung and Teresa are here.
-MinkyungBoo: Wow, what a lineup.
-ArkaJoo: Jinhyuk looks great in a suit.
-Las: Maybe it’s the bandage on his shoulder, but he looks even cooler.
-Kupi: An injured man. Cool. Thrilling!
-MagnetOnFridge: But why is he wearing a bandage when he could use a healing skill?
—
The chat window moved crazily with thousands of mourners and reporters.
“Look. Jinhyuk saved all these people.”
“To say that… too many were lost.”
Jinhyuk smiled bitterly.
He had heard that thousands of players had died in Korea alone.
Globally, the number reached tens of thousands.
If the estimated figures were this high, the actual number was surely even higher.
“You did your best. You achieved results that are hard to believe. So stand tall. If you only think about what you lost, you can’t move forward.”
Chun Yoosung placed his hand on Jinhyuk’s shoulder.
To hear such words from this guy…
Yes, hearing that does give some strength.
The living must carry on for tomorrow.
—
-Kyakyakya: Oh! Look there. Takeshi from the Samurai Guild is here too.
-ParkHeeSoo: Right. He said he came to repay a debt to Kang Jinhyuk.
-McDoriaKetchupThief: I heard they lost over a hundred guild members.
-IIII: Yes, they suffered huge losses.
-Pri: He fought at the front lines against that goat to save the refugees.
-Mojo: Still, he’s got loyalty.
-GreenLeaves: I’m seeing him in a different light.
—
“Have you come? This humble human greets the great and revered god…”
“…!?”
Jinhyuk quickly stopped Takeshi, who was about to speak.
What was he planning to say in front of the entire nation?
“Keep quiet.”
“Yes?”
“You know the saying, ‘Silence is golden’?”
“Ah, understood.”
Seeing him bow his head dejectedly pricked Jinhyuk’s conscience a bit.
One day, he would have to tell this guy the truth.
Just then…
“Jinhyuk, come quickly. The ceremony is starting.”
Teresa waved from up ahead.
“Yes, I’m coming.”
Jinhyuk moved forward, passing through the reporters and mourners.
Amidst the falling snowflakes.
White chrysanthemums, whiter than the snow, were placed before the graves.
One for the citizens who died in this outbreak.
Another for the players who died saving them.
And one more for the military and police who, despite having no special abilities or skills, ran into danger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With the sound of a gun salute, a brief memorial service ensued.
—
-Pri: At least it ended well.
-Mirinae: Can we finally breathe easy now?
-Sage: No, it’s not over.
-Jew: Yes, that gate is still there.
-CosmosComet: Is there a stronger one?
-Him: That guy who controlled the black goats is still left.
-Low: When it made those eerie cries, the goats moved. It seemed to command them, so it must be the boss.
-ButterWaffle: They say its magic level is unmeasurable. That’s hopeless.
-YoonJaeSun: They say every guild is putting in maximum effort to find a way to close the gate.
-JustTrustMe: Sigh. It’s really worrying.
—
For now, there was relief that they had survived.
But there was also considerable concern about the still-open gate.
Naturally.
This was merely buying time.
The fundamental problem remained unsolved.
‘About a week left.’
Jinhyuk’s gaze turned to the distance.
The enormous gate was still visible in the sky.
Within its shimmering surface.
Many spiked teeth protruded.
Warning that it could emerge and turn everything to nothing at any moment.
—
The next day.
At a large pension in Gapyeong, an unusual gathering took place.
Under a parasol, Jinhyuk, the Dark Emperor, Alice, and Wolyoung sat on one side.
Opposite them were Chu Honsa-Young and Chun Yoosung.
Teresa was supposed to join after helping Andrea shop for clothes outside the tower.
What started as a small afterparty had grown with more people joining in.
Anyway.
A meeting between two giants.
‘Just watching them sends shivers down my spine. To think they would meet outside the tower… in swimsuits.’
Chu Honsa-Young was smiling brightly, while the Master had a sullen expression.
Though he pretended not to care, there was a subtle tension between them.
Chu Honsa-Young, wearing an elegant cardigan and a wide-brimmed hat, lay on a sunbed.
With sunglasses on and sipping an ice-cold tropical drink, she looked like she was on an overseas vacation, ready to snap Instagram photos.
I have no idea how she adapted to this world so quickly.
Did Chun Yoosung give her private lessons?
Meanwhile, the Master was wearing a full-body swim suit, like one a swimmer would use. He even had a swim cap on.
“Ahem. Disciple, the clothes of your world are very uncomfortable.”
Of course they are.
The swim suit had ripped under the strain of his muscles, how could it be comfortable?
Jinhyuk couldn’t voice his thoughts when…
“Oh my. I think the Dark Emperor’s brain is made of muscle too, that’s why his clothes can’t hold up. Usually, the foolish ones choose such outfits without considering their physique.”
Chu Honsa-Young took a sip of her drink.
“I… foolish? Did you just call me foolish?”
In an instant.
Kwakwakwakwa!
All the water in the pool shot up into the air.
“Kyaaah!”
“What… what’s happening?”
“Is it an earthquake?”
“Could it be that the outbreak has opened again…?”
Guests in the nearby pension screamed.
Chun Yoosung sighed as he looked at the two.
“This is worrisome.”
“Agreed.”
Thus.
The vacation outside the tower began.
***
Footnotes:
[1] Zaho Hobeop Samaja (좌호법 사마자) is a title in the context of the story, which can be interpreted as “Samaja, the Left Protector of the Law,” indicating a high-ranking official within the organization.
[2] Jiangshi (강시), often referred to as “hopping vampires” or “zombies” in Chinese folklore, are reanimated corpses controlled through supernatural means. They are known for their stiff movements and are typically depicted with their arms outstretched.
[3] Uho Hobeop (우호법) is a title in the context of the story, which can be interpreted as “Right Protector of the Law” or “Friendship Protector of the Law,” indicating another high-ranking official within the organization.
[4] BJ (Broadcast Jockey) is a term commonly used in South Korea to refer to online streamers who broadcast live content on platforms like AfreecaTV or Twitch.
