Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 169

Chapter 169: S-rank Outbreak （13）

At the time Kim Chun-sik was heading to Pohang.

Kang San was alone in the jaws of death.

The death he had just accepted had been completely reversed by a single reincarnation.

Swish.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Dark magic tore through the air and surged towards him.

Kang San felt a dazed sensation.

Visually, the attacks seemed to slow down, and a familiar yet strange sensation settled into every cell of his body. He no longer relied solely on his ‘Superhuman Senses.’ Instead of relying on sensing the direction of killing intent and dodging, he had the composure to fully perceive and block the attacks.

Clang━

Tatatatatatang!

He blocked the consecutive attacks.

He deflected each blow by precisely adjusting his shield, then calmed his breathing and steadily adapted to the sensations.

The Hebei Peng family’s banquet.

Seo Mun-ho, who had slaughtered countless martial artists, demonstrated how to use the Blood Demon Art precisely. It was a tremendous epiphany for Kang San. He could experience the realm that Seo Mun-ho had achieved through decades of relentless training, albeit indirectly, through a single memory. No, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a direct experience. In that moment, Kang San, as Seo Mun-ho, shared Seo Mun-ho’s senses and experienced everything.

When cutting down an opponent.

That sensation was transmitted through his hands.

Conversely, when an opponent’s sword tore through his body.

He felt the same burning pain, but Seo Mun-ho didn’t even blink.

『How dare you try to buy time against me.』

Kwaaarrrrrrrrrrr!

The Dark Lord stirred its magic.

The dark magical energy that had been spreading in dozens of tendrils now gushed out in streams, filling his vision.

Killing intent surged in densely.

He momentarily fell into contemplation.

Kang San, who had to endure for at least another hour and a half, had only one way to survive: to defend as passively as possible. But how long could he hold out? Even with Seo Mun-ho’s abilities embedded in his body, the sensation he perceived was only at the early stages of S-rank. In the end, he had only reached a level comparable to the Dark Lord. It couldn’t be considered a power that surpassed him. A battle where he was constantly being pushed back would inevitably have an end. The time Kang San had to endure was simply too long to simply hold out indefinitely.

He had to choose.

Endure, or…

‘The best defense is ultimately an attack, right?’

Thud.

He shifted his footing.

From a stance of retreating, he suddenly kicked off the ground and leaped into the surging dark magic.

Whizz.

Kwaang, kwaang, kwaang, kwaang!

The dark magic exploded.

This time, he didn’t block.

As he became more accustomed to Seo Mun-ho’s senses, he could detect the killing intent more clearly and evade with minimal movement. The dark magic grazed various parts of his body. Above his head, beside his face, his arms, his legs, and so on. He allowed the attacks to graze him lightly, and the attacks that produced a sizzling, unpleasant smoke didn’t inflict additional damage due to his Divine Power.

Whoosh━

He twisted his body.

Despite the bizarre posture of almost lying flat on his back, he immediately transitioned into a forward dash, maintaining his speed.

The distance closed.

He could feel the Dark Lord’s immense presence looming over him.

“Blood Demon Sword Technique, First Style: Blade Kill.”

Thud.

Kwaang━!

The attack was blocked.

The dark magic transformed into a circular shape, instantly blocking Kang San’s attack.

He had expected it.

His sword traced a bizarre trajectory, evading the counterattacking dark magic and once again encroaching upon the Dark Lord’s space.

“Blood Demon Sword Technique, Second Style: Pursuit Kill.”

Flash.

He pursued the Dark Lord.

His sword, bending like a snake, aimed to bite into the Dark Lord’s neck.

Tap.

The Dark Lord raised a finger.

As it flicked Kang San away, dark magic surged like a tidal wave, completely engulfing Kang San’s form. Kwaaarrrrrrrrrrr, a tremendous roar echoed. It appeared as if Kang San had been swept away, but suddenly, two Kang Sans emerged from the dark magic, flanking the Dark Lord. They were Dummies. He had summoned Dummies and temporarily commanded them to perform specific actions.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Dark magic spread to both sides.

This was the timing Kang San had been waiting for.

The appropriate distance.

Now that the Dark Lord’s defense was divided between two points, not just one.

“Blood Demon Sword Technique.”

He recalled the memory.

The fatal blow that had instantly cut down Mad Tiger Cheon Kang!

Flash.

“Fifth Style: Annihilation.”

Kwaang!

Kwakwakwakwakwakwang!

Kwarung, kwaaarrrrrrrrrrr!

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was a tremendous attack.

The magic of the Blood Demon Art erupted explosively, shattering the dark magic and giving him the sensation of tearing the Dark Lord’s body to shreds.

‘It connected!’

It worked.

His intention had hit its mark.

Even the Dark Lord wouldn’t be able to withstand this attack.

However.

Kwaang━!

Chaarrrrrrrrrrr!

Kang San was pushed back by an invisible shockwave.

He planted his feet firmly on the ground to slow his momentum, and when he looked up, he saw the Dark Lord, enveloped in dark magic.

Fizzle, fizzle, fizzle.

『A mere human, displaying such tricks.』

Crackle, crackle, crackle.

The surrounding plants rapidly withered and died.

They turned brittle and crumbled, a manifestation of the Dark Lord’s power.

The ability to absorb life force, controlled solely by the Dark Lord’s will, allowed it to recover instantly even if its body was completely destroyed. In the memories of the distant future, countless Korean Hunters had met their demise because of this ability. Even if they pushed forward with human wave tactics, the Dark Lord would eventually recover. Kang San had inflicted significant damage, but the only result was countless plants crumbling into dust.

The Dark Lord’s red eyes glowed.

『Human. What are you struggling so desperately for?』

There was no reason to refuse a conversation.

To buy time, he responded to the Dark Lord’s words.

“There’s no particular reason. I’m just struggling to survive.”

『Foolish creature. Your fate is already sealed. Throughout countless worlds, there has never been an exception. A mere human’s desperate struggle can never change that. It’s a destiny you must eventually accept, and you will be given a chance to repent as you reflect on your past. So…』

Kuurrrrrrrrrrr.

It stirred its magic.

As if it hadn’t suffered any damage, its presence remained as formidable as ever.

『Accept it. The destruction of this world.』

Swish.

It extended its hand.

Once again, magic erupted explosively, and this time, over a hundred tendrils surged towards Kang San.

Kang San felt a familiar sensation.

The Hobgoblin he had fought before.

The Vampire.

And now, the Dark Lord.

They all seemed to spout strange nonsense.

It didn’t matter.

Even if there was some connection between them, humans like Kang San had no choice in the first place.

The clear fact for now was:

“What the hell are you talking about?”

He didn’t want to die like this.

Thud.

He kicked off the ground.

Towards the magic that threatened to obliterate him, Kang San once again accelerated and charged forward.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

He didn’t know how much time had passed.

When Seo Mun-ho’s abilities first manifested, Kang San had thought there might be a chance for a reversal.

The same S-rank.

He had met the conditions for victory.

And that thought…

Kwaang━!

Crackle, crackle, crackle, crackle!

…was shattered miserably.

Like being hit by a truck, the exploding attack sent Kang San hurtling backward, carving a deep furrow in the ground.

There was no time to recover from the pain.

Whether it was an hour ago or two hours ago, the Dark Lord continued to relentlessly attack Kang San with the same destructive power.

Whizz.

Kwakwakwakwakwak!

Dark magic exploded.

He hastily scrambled to his feet and barely dodged, sending droplets of blood and sweat scattering in all directions. He gasped for breath, his lungs burning. There wasn’t a single part of his body that wasn’t torn or cut, and blood flowed profusely from a wound on his abdomen he had sustained ten minutes ago.

“……Fuck.”

This was his limit.

His opponent was an infinite being.

It was a miracle that a mere individual had endured against a monster that drew upon life force.

Moreover, he had already exhausted his stamina by slaughtering countless undead before even facing the Dark Lord.

It was a fight with no chance of winning.

He had no more strength to endure.

‘The moment I allow a single attack to land, it’s over.’

His legs trembled.

He had already used Healing Aura, and he had used Guardian’s Will to save his life once, so there was no next chance. If he died, he died. There was no miracle where his health would recover when it dropped below 10%, and all Kang San could do was desperately hold onto his fading consciousness.

He bit his lip.

He used the gushing blood to anchor his weakening spirit.

Suddenly,

He let out a hollow laugh at this absurd situation.

‘How the hell did I end up here?’

He didn’t know.

He just wanted to live a good life.

His efforts to escape misfortune had placed him before a catastrophe he had never experienced before.

It was ironic.

Back then, when he had experienced everyday misfortunes, he might have been mentally unhappy, but he hadn’t felt this level of threat to his life. At some point, he had forgotten the concept of cause and effect. Beyond accepting trials because of the karma of his past life and enduring them for the sake of happiness, he now simply accepted this life as it was.

It was just, that kind of life.

Seo Mun-ho’s karma had accumulated, leading to the existence of the current Kang San.

“Ptooey.”

He spat out blood.

Fragments of his internal organs were mixed in, but he immediately averted his gaze and moved towards the Dark Lord.

Even if he died,

He wouldn’t run away.

He couldn’t let his efforts so far be in vain.

It was then.

“Kang San-nim……!”

A voice came from somewhere.

It was familiar.

He turned his head and saw Kim Chun-sik, his face filled with shock, staring at him.

He didn’t have time to think about why Kim Chun-sik was here, whether reinforcements had arrived, or anything like that.

The moment he met Kim Chun-sik’s eyes,

『The special conditions for Memory Playback have been met.』

『Playing back the memories of target ‘Kim Chun-sik’.』

Strange memories were forcibly pushed into his mind.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

He saw someone.

It was a young boy.

With a haggard face, the boy stared blankly at the sky, and the adults gathered around him wore expressions of pity.

“Are you alright?”

“Oh dear, you poor thing.”

“Do you have a place to live from now on?”

People’s concerns.

Their goodwill.

It was all a lie.

The boy had witnessed the truth of how vile and corrupt the Righteous Murim had become as his own clan crumbled. They were the ones behind it all. If his benefactor hadn’t taken revenge and revealed the truth, the boy would have lived on, completely unaware of the truth, believing in a false reality.

He closed his mouth.

He didn’t show any sign of wavering.

He heeded his benefactor’s advice.

If people were to judge him as symbolically valuable, he had to demonstrate that level of mental fortitude.

“I’m fine.”

“……Fine? Even after losing your parents, your entire household?”

“Isn’t it something I can’t do anything about? But from now on, I’m going to get my act together and become strong. If it’s not revenge that someone else can take for me, it’s something I’ll have to handle in the future.”

The adults murmured.

To them, the boy was an alien being.

Everyone around him had been slaughtered, yet he hadn’t shed a single tear even after witnessing the horrific scene.

It was bizarre.

The people who had initially approached him with sympathy now hurriedly backed away.

The boy no longer looked at the sky.

From the moment he said he was fine, he began to physically train as if to show everyone.

Someone clicked their tongue, calling him a stubborn brat.

At such a young age, the sight of him suppressing his emotions for the sake of revenge was far from normal.

A few days later,

An old man visited him.

“Child. Do you want revenge?”

“Yes.”

He answered calmly.

It was a response that seemed to have been waiting for the out-of-context question.

The old man smiled.

“We, you see, were once a sect renowned for representing the Righteous Murim, but our reputation plummeted after we let a few villains escape. To be honest, we don’t deny it. We also acknowledge that the reputation of the Sichuan Tang Clan isn’t what it used to be. That’s why we aim to prove the strength of our lineage to the next generation. To learn the essence of the Sichuan Tang Clan and become strong, you need a strong will to endure poisonous Qi. What do you say? Will you follow me?”

It was the offer he had been waiting for.

The Sichuan Tang Clan, one of the Five Great Clans.

Just as his benefactor had said, a big fish who recognized the boy’s symbolism and value had reached out first.

There was no reason to hesitate.

“I will.”

“Good thinking. Come to think of it, I haven’t even asked your name. What was your name again?”

It was funny.

They had heard about the tragedy of his clan, knew it was the Baek family, yet didn’t know his name.

It was alright.

He had learned of their intention to use him, at least in this way.

The boy, too,

Would simply use them.

The boy said with a calm expression,

“My name is Baek Hyun.”

“Alright, from now on, you will keep your original name, but you will take the Tang Clan’s surname and live as Tang Baekhyun.”