Absolute Regression

The night was silent and desolate.

When I entered the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he was sitting by the window reading a book.

“It’s the most unfitting sight in the world.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked up, startled. A look of welcome spread across his surprised face.

“I should scold those standing guard.”

“Please don’t. I came in secretly because I wanted to see you quietly.”

He examined my appearance and then asked with a dubious expression.

“Have you just returned to the cult?”

“Yes.”

“Sorry to ruin the sentiment, but my father went to bed early.”

“Still!”

“Yes, that’s right. You came to mind first.”

I shook the bottle of wine I had brought. It was the wine the Blood Heaven Blade Demon enjoyed.

We drank the wine in the rear garden of his residence.

To avoid interruptions, he dismissed all his subordinates guarding the place.

“Has it already been two months since you left the cult?”

“It’s been less than two months.”

During this mission, I had improved my Star Light Step technique, which shortened my return journey.

“How is Investigator Seo’s martial arts training coming along?”

“That tiny fellow is working quite diligently.”

To hear the words “quite diligently” from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s mouth was a strange expression, clearly showing their current relationship.

“He might seem a bit obstinate, but he has a strong will.”

“He’s never been obstinate with me.”

“He’s someone who knows where to stretch his legs.”

He was probably working hard while being mindful of his surroundings, and yet saying everything he needed to say. It seemed the Blood Heaven Blade Demon didn’t particularly dislike someone like that. ṝÅΝǑʙĚŚ

“By the way, I noticed the book you were reading earlier was a poetry collection. Were you really reading poetry?”

“Why? Do I not seem like the type to read poetry?”

“It’s not about the level, but it certainly doesn’t suit you.”

“I used to like books when I was younger. I just forgot about it for a while.”

It was hard to imagine this gaunt, stern-looking person in his younger days.

“What were you like when you were young?”

“Well… I was dark and gloomy.”

“You were similar to Investigator Seo.”

For some reason, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon nodded willingly.

“So what if it was like that or not? It’s all a past era that’s gone by anyway.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon emptied his glass. Silently, I refilled his empty glass. There are no comforting words for the regrets of a time that’s passed. I had experienced it once too.

“Did everything go well?”

“Yes.”

“Looks like there will be more trouble ahead.”

Why would he say that, reading some kind of confidence in my answer?

“What do you think I went out for?”

“It must have been something that would stir up a bloodstorm.”

“You have a serious misunderstanding about me. I like peace.”

“I like peace too. The kind that comes after I’ve subdued everyone with my own hands, that eerie yet blood-scented peace.”

I laughed and drank my wine.

“It was nice to get out for a while. Next time, why don’t you come out with me for some fresh air?”

“Outside, there are countless people I want to kill and many more who want to kill me… I’m more at ease just staying in the cult.”

He poured me another drink and continued.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but be careful. In the succession battle, one misstep and it’s all over.”

“What will you do if I make a mistake?”

“What else? I’d have to align myself with the First Young Master again.”

“You’re cold-hearted.”

“Of course. What good is a wing flapping without its body? I’d have to find another body.”

If it was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he would truly do that. After a day or two of regret, he would align with the First Young Master as if nothing had happened. The surprising thing is that imagining such a scene doesn’t make him feel particularly detestable.

This is exactly the charm of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. There’s no need to worry about whether he’s a good person or a bad person, whether he’ll support me to the end or betray me. If I fall, he’ll leave, and if I don’t, he’ll stay by my side forever.

“Please grant me a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Please drink with me all night tonight.”

“That’s not difficult.”

I stood up from my seat.

“You said to drink, but where are you going?”

“I’m going to get more drinks and some snacks.”

“You can just send the servants.”

“I want to get something myself.”

I planned to bring some amazing snacks to this drinking party. Snacks I had been preparing over the past two months.

I had decided to kill the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme tonight. No one would expect that I’d kill him on the day I returned from my mission.

And I’d become the person who drank all night with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He would be my witness. (EN : Lol, poor old man)

“I’ll be back soon.”

Leaving the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s residence, I used the Dark Shadow Step and headed west.

* * *

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was unusually excited today.

Even though it was the usual Heart and Soul Reaping Technique, his heart was beating faster than usual.

‘Is it because it’s been a while?’

It was the first time he performed the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique since Geom Mugeuk had come and threatened him to stop.

He had mentioned the Heavenly Demon in his threats, so he had no choice but to halt the technique for a while.

Of course, he could have continued in secret, but his opponent was already certain he was using the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique, so it left him feeling uneasy.

The news of Geom Mugeuk’s departure from the cult only heightened his suspicions. It seemed like a ploy to put him at ease and then find evidence against him.

But his patience had run out, and he finally resumed the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique today.

Whenever he performed the technique after a break, he always chose a child. The souls of young children were the most delightful at times like these. (EN : Urgh, trash. Go die and explode !!!)

As the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme descended the stairs to the secret chamber, he glanced back. He felt as though something was following him, and today his mind was unusually unsettled.

But there couldn’t be anyone tailing him. His Black Shadow Secret Art was protecting his shadow, ensuring no one could follow him. He was certain. Except for the Heavenly Demon, no one in the cult could approach him unnoticed.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme entered the secret chamber.

The walls were covered with all sorts of grotesque symbols and writings, and incense emitting a peculiar scent was burning all around.

In the center of the chamber, on an altar, a child lay sleeping.

A joyful smile appeared on the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s lips as he looked down at the child. Just as he reached out to wake the child, someone grabbed his hair fiercely.

‘!’

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme tried to counterattack, but his opponent was faster.

Slap!

His head turned from the force of the slap.

Only after being helplessly slapped could he swing his arms to free himself from the opponent’s grasp.

The opponent coldly spoke to the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, who had retreated a few steps.

“Didn’t I tell you not to?”

It was only then that the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme realized who had struck him. It was Geom Mugeuk.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme touched his cheek with a look of disbelief. Even though it was a surprise attack, it was still something that shouldn’t have been possible—it was shocking and humiliating.

“How did you get in?”

“When you’re flustered, you’re not mysterious or eerie at all.”

For a moment, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was taken aback. Usually, his voice would mesmerize people. It would echo, repeat, and whisper.

But now, he just looked like an angry man next door, full of envy.

“Is this your true nature?”

Though he could have erupted in anger, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme took a deep breath and regained his composure.

“I have truly misjudged you, Second Young Master. I deserved that.”

As he repeated that he deserved it, his voice echoed. He returned to his usual self.

“Now, this is more like you. This way, it’s even more satisfying to kill you. Earlier, you were so disappointing.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme remained unshaken.

“Second Young Master, answer my question first. How did you get in here?”

“I followed you in.”

He would think I was lying, but I was telling the truth.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme always protected his back with the Black Shadow Secret Art. Unless I had mastered the Wind God’s Four Steps, I couldn’t have evaded his Black Shadow Secret Art even by using the Dark Shadow Step.

However, with the Blood Eye Essence in my eyes, I could see the method to break his Black Shadow Secret Art. Once I broke it, my Dark Shadow Step worked. I was essentially hiding within his shadow.

“What does it matter how I got in? What’s important is why I came.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme stubbornly denied it even in this situation.

“If you’re still going to accuse me of the Heart and Soul Reaping Technique, leave now. I don’t know any such technique.”

“Then who is this child?”

“A poor orphan. I brought him here to teach him martial arts.”

“You’re a coward.”

“What?”

This time, I mimicked him.

“Coward, coward, coward…”

My voice echoed like his.

“Enough!”

At his shout, I coldly retorted.

“How long are you going to pretend? Is your courage only present when you rip hearts out of the bodies of the weak?”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme’s pupils shrank to mere dots.

The surroundings darkened and then brightened, creating a new space.

I was standing on the edge of a cliff.

Whooooosh.

The wind from behind tried to push me off the cliff.

“Have you forgotten my warning? I said that if you saw me again, you’d never return to the original world.”

His voice was chilling, like a ghostly wail.

He tried to create an atmosphere of fear, but I stood firm, not afraid at all.

“It seems you can’t stand it without scaring others like this.”

“Remarkable. How can you show such spirit at your age, even as the Cult Leader’s son?”

His pupils repeatedly expanded and contracted as he scanned me.

“You came to kill me, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“What makes you so confident?”

His words echoed repeatedly, not to mock me but to reveal his unsettled heart.

Then the echo abruptly stopped as he asked,

“Did the Cult Leader send you?”

This time, there was no noise. It was clear he found it hard to believe I would act independently.

“If my father wanted you dead, he would have come himself. You know his personality, right?”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme nodded, and once again, the surroundings became noisy. His muttering, the sound of the wind, and all sorts of strange noises mixed together. It was as if it was exposing his state of mind.

“It’s distracting. Let’s talk quietly.”

“Since this is your last wish, Second Young Master, I should grant it.”

The surroundings darkened and then brightened again.

He and I were sitting face-to-face in a picturesque pavilion. A tea table with lukewarm tea was placed between us.

“Second Young Master.”

His voice was back to normal, and he had returned to being an ordinary man.

“If we’re destined to kill each other, let’s have a candid talk one last time.”

“Alright.”

“We are demonic beings. Not just any demonic beings but the Demon Supremes ruling over all others. Do you think our lives are so lenient that we can afford to give choices to the weak? What’s wrong with becoming stronger by devouring the hearts of those weaklings? Isn’t greed our right? All my choices were for the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect!”

If Hwa Moogi hadn’t come and I had continued to live in the cult, maybe I would have pretended not to see such a Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. Maybe I would have turned a blind eye if it meant the cult could become stronger, using that as an excuse.

But my fate had changed. I was now a completely different person from the one back then.

I couldn’t sit and drink tea or wine with someone who grew stronger by tearing out the hearts of children. I couldn’t breathe the same air as him.

“That’s a lie.”

“What?”

“You didn’t steal hearts for the cult. You did it solely to survive longer. That’s true now and will be true in the future.”

If he truly cared about the cult, he would have sought revenge after my father died. But his choice was to be the last surviving member of the Eight Demon Supremes. His long and tenacious life was steeped in the lives of thousands of innocent people.

“You cared only for yourself and, in doing so, became a monster.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, staring intently at me, came to a conclusion.

“A mere twenty-something novice couldn’t understand me so precisely. You couldn’t evade my Black Shadow Secret Art and follow me, nor lay a hand on me. You’re… not the Second Young Master.”

His eyes, which had been constantly shifting in size, began to change color. A dazzling violet wave surged in his eyes.

The purple light from his eyes shot into mine, piercing through to my soul.

He asked, his question resonating deeply and heavily from the depths,

“Who are you?” (EN : I am the Future, the End of Times, the Abyss that Devours Back….)

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