Chapter 442
“What… what the hell?”
“Who just interrupted Player Kang Jinhyuk’s selection?”
“And for an 8-star difficulty challenge at that….”
“Are they out of their minds?”
“There are plenty of ways to commit suicide, I suppose.”
The murmurs among the crowd grew louder.
No one had expected someone to interfere with Veteran Corporation’s business.
Jinhyuk also turned toward the source of the voice, his face momentarily filled with surprise.
‘Unbelievable.’
He pressed his fingers against his temples.
He already had a vague idea of who was responsible.
He just didn’t want to accept it.
“My feelings for Lady Alice won’t waver over something so trivial! I will not be caught off guard again. Face me properly this time, fair and square!”
Lucius’ face turned red with conviction.
Jinhyuk had hit him hard enough to knock him out for at least an hour.
Clearly, he had underestimated the durability of a high-ranking player.
Maybe next time, he should use the ‘blade’ instead of the handle.
“That guy is impressive in many ways. I’ve never seen someone so persistent,” muttered Chun Yoosung.
“Right? I’ve seen many leeches in my life, but this is the first time I’ve seen one that keeps coming back like a vengeful ghost. It’s like his brain resets every time he gets knocked down. Don’t you think, Yoosung?”
“…Are you directing that at me?”
“N-No! Just saying!”
“Be careful. Just because you see the blade coming from the front doesn’t mean there won’t be one coming from behind.”
“O-Of course! Anyway, what do we do about that guy? If this keeps up, our theme selection is going to be ruined.”
Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung were supposed to clear the theme together.
If Lucius kept causing chaos, their coin expenditure would spiral out of control.
“Tsk….”
Chun Yoosung clicked his tongue.
He had invested his own coins into this as well.
Letting Lucius run wild wasn’t an option.
“I’ll cut him down. In the meantime, finalize the theme selection.”
Violence wasn’t forbidden in the theme selection process.
As long as both sides agreed, duels were a perfectly valid method.
Other factions avoided fighting only because they didn’t want to risk losing valuable assets.
‘Srrng!’
A blade shimmered with a green glow.
Ryuhwa.
A cursed sword infused with martial energy. The very air around it trembled as it emitted an eerie, grating sound.
‘Kiiiiing!’
“You are… Player Chun Yoosung, correct?”
“You know me?”
“How could I not know of a ranker who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship? I have always wished to cross blades with you.”
“…Hmph. At least you have some taste.”
“However, since you’ve chosen to aid a villain, I cannot go easy on you. As per the code of chivalry, I shall grant you the first strike.”
“Fine by me.”
A battle between fools was about to begin.
‘Ka-ka-ka-kang!’
Swords clashed back and forth.
Meanwhile, Jinhyuk simply waited.
The rule was clear—if a participant failed to respond within three minutes, the bid would automatically close.
“Wait, stop! No!”
Lucius panicked.
His plan to settle the match within three minutes had completely backfired.
[The theme ‘Produce 101: Find the ‘Real’ Heavenly Demon’ has been selected.]
[Players ‘Kang Jinhyuk’ and ‘Chun Yoosung’ are being forcibly transported to the designated area!]
‘Wuuuuuung!’
A bright light engulfed them.
Their vision faded to white.
—
A realm filled with countless Heavenly Demons.
Heavenly Demons possessing others’ bodies.
Heavenly Demons who became chefs.
Heavenly Demons working as hunters.
Blacksmith Heavenly Demons.
Emperor Heavenly Demons.
Even Heavenly Demons who became celebrities, billionaires, or stay-at-home parents.
With their ever-increasing numbers, the Tower of Trials had created a special contest—
To determine the ‘one and only true’ Heavenly Demon.
‘Swoosh….’
A soft breeze rustled through the air.
The crisp, refreshing atmosphere was a rarity.
They had arrived in Murim.
One of the tower’s realms where purest Qi flowed freely.
“How was he?”
“Not bad. It’s a shame the fight ended before we could settle it.”
“Don’t be too disappointed. He’s definitely coming back for more.”
“…True.”
Chun Yoosung nodded.
“More importantly, where are our masters?”
“This is the right location. And the time is correct… They should be here soon.”
Jinhyuk scanned his surroundings.
Two large, turtle-shaped boulders crossed over each other—this was their meeting spot.
Then—
‘Rustle.’
The bushes parted as two familiar figures emerged.
“Kuahahaha! Finally found you!”
“I told you multiple times this was the right way, but you insisted on taking a detour… We almost arrived late.”
“What matters is that we made it. Honestly, you orthodox sect types have no patience.”
“Anyone would lose their patience traveling with an idiot from the Demon Cult.”
Dark Emperor and Phantom Shadow Death.
Two of Murim’s greatest figures.
Despite trekking through the deep mountains, not a single speck of dust marred their robes.
Their breathing remained steady, as if they were merely on a casual stroll.
“Master!”
“Master….”
Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung called out in unison.
“Oho! It’s been a while. How have you been? You look thinner. I told you to eat properly while training.”
“Then maybe send me some food along with your advice.”
“What? Are you implying that I, the greatest figure of the Heavenly Demon Cult, am a miser who starves his disciple?”
“I didn’t say it ‘that’ harshly…”
“Fine! I understand! I shall hunt down every beast in this mountain and feed you until you burst. Stay right here!”
‘Kukukukuku!’
The Dark Emperor’s muscles swelled like balloons.
Watching his bulging frame, Jinhyuk was sure—
Even the Grim Reaper would step aside for this old man.
“Wa—wait a minute.”
Jinhyuk tried to stop him.
But it was already too late.
‘KWAANG!’
A deafening explosion rocked the ground.
“Kuahahaha! Protein!”
The Dark Emperor charged madly into the forest, disappearing from sight within moments.
‘If only he could run into the Murim Alliance Leader and the Top Ten Masters of the Orthodox Sect on his way.’
Or better yet, slip off a thousand-foot cliff or accidentally eat a poisonous mushroom.
—
“-Fufu. Young Master Chun looks healthy. Seeing your handsome face again fills this master with joy.”
“M-Master…?”
“Oh dear, if you reject my affectionate touch, this master will be heartbroken. Sob, sob.”
“……Understood.”
Chun Yoosung had finally met his match.
He always acted recklessly around others, but he dared not defy Phantom Shadow Death.
And so, an hour later—
The Dark Emperor returned from his hunt.
His shoulders were piled high with all kinds of meat.
“Let’s fill our stomachs first. The Heavenly Demon will likely arrive by the hour of the Rat—or perhaps even later.”
In other words, past midnight.
Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung prepared a makeshift campsite.
‘Fwoosh!’
Over the Primordial Flame, Jinhyuk roasted the meat—
Then sprinkled it with Bruhill Desert Salt, a gift from Rick.
Finally, he activated Otherworldly Restaurant.
A delicious aroma wafted through the air.
‘Gulp….’
‘Gurgle!’
Swallowing sounds echoed around them.
Even the Dark Emperor and Phantom Shadow Death, who had long transcended their appetites, couldn’t resist.
To warriors like them, food was merely fuel for the body.
Gourmet indulgence had no place in their lives.
And yet…
Why were their eyes fixated on Jinhyuk’s hands, as if entranced?
“-D-Disciple.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Ahem! Not that I’m rushing you, but isn’t the food almost done?”
“Master, have you ever cooked before?”
“Of course not.”
“Then please wait quietly. ‘Tsk!’ I’m in the middle of perfecting the seasoning ratio here.”
“Why are you rushing him, Dark Emperor? If you’ve never so much as touched a drop of water, the least you can do is wait properly.”
“Indeed. The Dark Emperor could use a lesson in patience.”
Phantom Shadow Death and Chun Yoosung chimed in with sharp remarks.
“M-My apologies. That wasn’t my intent… I’ll just stay quiet.”
The Dark Emperor scratched his head, looking guilty.
His muscles even seemed to shrink a little from sheer embarrassment.
‘Food really does have the power to tame even the wildest beasts.’
Jinhyuk hummed to himself.
Thanks to his well-honed cooking skills, he wouldn’t have to endure their nagging for a while.
In fact, he could probably dump all the minor chores on Chun Yoosung.
His hands moved even faster.
“Alright, dig in. This is the Veteran Special Steak and Stew.”
At last, Jinhyuk unveiled the perfectly grilled barbecue and steaming stew.
In that instant—
‘Papat!’
Utensils shot out at lightning speed.
A fierce battle unfolded in midair—
Between those trying to grab the biggest cuts of meat and those trying to stop them.
‘Ka-ka-ka-kang!’
‘Kaang!’
The chopsticks and spoons, infused with martial energy, had far surpassed mere eating utensils.
“H-How does this taste… so good? There’s not a hint of gamey flavor?”
The Dark Emperor, the first to shove a bite into his mouth, inhaled sharply.
“It melts… even better than beef.”
Phantom Shadow Death covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes widening.
“Amazing. To think someone who looks like ‘that’ could create such delicate cuisine.”
Even Chun Yoosung couldn’t hide his admiration.
“I made plenty since we had the ingredients. Don’t hold back.”
‘Bzzzz!’
Jinhyuk’s Braham’s Ring trembled violently.
Inside, a very hungry Alice was throwing a fit.
‘Just hold on a little longer. I’ll let you out soon.’
That girl had an uncontrollable appetite.
After being cooped up in the Corridor for so long, any sight of delicious food sent her into a frenzy.
And so, the four of them spent the evening chatting—
As the sun set and the night deepened.
—
Meanwhile…
‘Crackle!’
A crimson spark flickered—
And the space itself split apart.
“Hmm. This place isn’t bad.”
“So, this is Murim?”
“Yeah. A world full of foolish humans who do nothing but fight day after day.”
“Kekeke! Sounds fun. These idiots don’t even use real mana, yet they act like warriors.”
Four figures stepped through the rift.
Each one possessed long, jet-black horns, sharp features, and striking beauty.
All of them were high-ranking demons—
And direct descendants of Guntafer.
And beside them—
Stood the hero from Olympus—Paris.
The one who ascended in status by piercing the heel of Achilles.
Although controversial, no one doubted his skill with a bow.
“‘A contest to determine the Heavenly Demon’s successor…’ This really is as much of a pain as I heard.”
Paris furrowed his brows.
He couldn’t complain, though.
The higher divinities had already made their decision.
But that didn’t change the fact that this mission was incredibly risky.
Their intervention violated the Tower’s rules, meaning there could be unpredictable consequences.
A double-edged sword.
‘At worst, we might end up as the hunted. There’s even a chance that the other high-ranking administrators, excluding Hastings, could intervene.’
Speed was crucial.
They had to move swiftly and complete their mission.
Paris scanned the air for lingering auras.
“The other Heavenly Demons haven’t appeared yet.”
Their objective was simple:
Recruit as many Heavenly Demons as possible—
And kill the one in this Murim.
Along with Kang Jinhyuk and every last one of his allies.
That was the order he had received from Athena and Ares.