Chapter 342: End (3)

"Damn it. Why don't I feel even a little jealous?"

At the fierce standoff between Baek Hyeyang and Seol Baek at the front line, Song Jwabaek mumbled to himself.

Seeing this reminded him of the past.

Back when he naively approached Seol Baek, enchanted by her mysterious and beautiful appearance—only to be knocked out in a single move.

She was a monster who toyed with someone like him, who was already near the peak of martial prowess.

And the more he saw her, the more she seemed similar to Baek Hyeyang.

She was like a beast—a predator.

"Haha. It's quite a sight."

At the words of his master, the eerie and bizarre Haeakcheon, Song Jwabaek clicked his tongue inwardly.

So two fierce women clashing over one guy was "quite a sight" to him?

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't understand.

"So...so many of them."

At the voice of Song Woohyun beside him, Song Jwabaek swallowed nervously and nodded.

The land of Masang was filled to the brim with a horde of demonic beasts.

The main sect had gathered all their forces, along with several powerful sects from the demonic side, to march northward.

But still, he hadn't expected it to be on this scale.

"...Master, can we really win this?"

Even with the demonic sect alliance joining, the disparity in power was still stark.

But before Haeakcheon could answer, Gwisalkwonma Jang Munryang spoke up instead.

"It's no longer about winning or losing. If we don't stop them, humanity will be wiped out."

"Damn it. Now even monsters like those are popping up."

"...You brat. You always call Hae hyung 'Master' so respectfully—what's with that tone toward me?"

"Let's just move past it."

"You little—"

Jang Munryang clicked his tongue in disapproval.

But this wasn't the time to argue.

A war unlike any the martial world—or rather, the Central Plains—had ever seen in centuries was about to begin.

Baek Hyeyang, standing at the front, drew her sword and shouted.

"All disciples and members of our cult—listen! No long speeches. Wipe out those insignificant vermin!"

"WOOOOOOOO!!!"

A thunderous cheer erupted from the Blood Sect members, shaking the land.

Even those from the righteous factions who had begun to lose heart now surged forward, fired up by the rising emotions.

"We can't lose!"

"Show the spirit of the righteous sects!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

The rallying cries spread even to the forces of Musang Fortress advancing from the northwest.

"Are we going to be pushed back by the Martial Alliance and the Blood Sect?!"

"WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

The warriors of Musang Fortress shouted at the top of their lungs, not to be outdone.

Just moments ago, they had been full of fear and dread. But with the arrival of reinforcements from both major factions, morale was rekindled—and the half-demonic being's eyes turned cold.

"These pests..."

'They're acting all high and mighty just because their numbers increased.'

He couldn't stand that their morale had revived, despite still being outmatched.

Even with the demonic alliance joining, their forces were still outnumbered more than two to one—and on his side, they had the Demon Sage, their strongest and most elite force.

He glanced cautiously at the Demon Sage.

But unlike him, who was annoyed by the turn of events, the Demon Sage had a smirk on his face.

"Interesting."

"Master… why…?"

"That's the only real strength of filthy, greedy worms."

"That is…"

"In the face of danger, they unite as one, without exception."

The half-demonic couldn't deny it.

He too had once been a human named Noejang before becoming a monster.

Humans, though constantly at odds, unite when facing a common enemy or danger.

And this was that moment.

For the first time ever, the three major factions stood united in one place.

All to fight against the horde of demonic beasts.

"Even so…"

"It doesn't matter. When your life is on the line, all beings struggle to survive. That is an unchanging truth."

—Sshk!

As the Demon Sage raised his hand, the previously still monsters began to roar.

—KWOAAAAAAHHH!!!

—OOOOOOOOOO!!!

And when he thrust his hand forward, the beasts charged en masse.

As the blackened mass of monsters advanced, the earth trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

Watching them, the Demon Sage smirked.

"And if that hope they just clung to is mercilessly crushed—what despair would follow?"

At those words, even the half-demonic being began to wear a similar expression.

He was looking forward to what would come next.

—DUDUDUDU!!!

The armies of beasts and humans rushed toward the battlefield.

The tremors intensified.

Roars and battle cries mixed together, amplifying the heat of the moment.

And then—they clashed.

—CHANG! CHACHAK! KWA-KANG!

A brutal war began, where each side sought to slaughter the other.

This was no ordinary battle between humans—it was a war for survival between two different species.

And its brutality and intensity surpassed anything the martial world had ever seen.

Despite the battle having just started, both sides already had hundreds of casualties.

—SHHK! CRACK!

"GYAAAHHH!"

—KWOAAAAAH!!!

Screams echoed everywhere, human and beast alike.

The frontline was a living hell, and it only escalated.

Amidst the chaos, some stood out.

"HAAAH!"

The elite masters known as the Eight Great Experts and Five Evil Kings performed on a whole different level.

Each of their moves took down dozens of monsters in an unstoppable wave.

No matter how powerful the monsters were compared to regular humans, they were nothing before these peerless masters.

"WOOOO! That's Wind Spirit Eight Flows of Mujung Pungshin!"

"The Deputy Leader just sliced through dozens of enemies!"

"Who's that woman? The beasts are freezing!"

"Crazy! Is that Haeakcheon?! He's crushing monsters with his fists!"

Regardless of faction, these masters' efforts lifted everyone's spirits.

That was their greatest role.

But not everyone could shine like that.

—CRUNCH!

"GYAAAHHH!"

"Damn it! Dochaan!"

More fighters were locked in deadly struggle, watching comrades torn apart by sharp fangs.

Yet no one retreated.

They knew—if they backed down, even more would die.

—SHHK!

"Lady! Look out!"

Sama-yeong cried as she slashed a monster's neck.

"Hah… hah… Th-thank you…"

So Yeong-yeong, a rising star of Hyeongsan Sect and future female hero, was overwhelmed by the horrors of this war.

She lacked experience and was gradually wearing down.

But Sama-yeong stayed close to her.

'I'll protect the Young Master's sister.'

She couldn't let Jin Unhwi's sister die.

With that sense of duty, she fought beside her against the horde.

But the beasts were endless.

Even with the combined might of the Martial Alliance, Blood Sect, Demonic Alliance, and Musang Fortress, they kept coming.

These beasts were on a different level—tireless and ever-regenerating with every human they killed and drank from.

She now understood how Jiangsu and Anhui were wiped out in less than a day.

'Can we win…?'

Doubt began creeping in.

At this rate, their side might exhaust first.

Then the balance would crumble fast.

'No. I can't think that way.'

Only half a shichen had passed.

She had to endure.

Just then—

—RUMBLE!

"Th-the ground?!"

Suddenly, the terrain shook violently.

Sama-yeong shouted frantically.

"Lady, fall back!"

At that moment, from the cracked earth emerged a monstrous creature unlike the others.

It was huge—ten jang long, with hundreds of sharp teeth.

"Wh-what size is that?"

"Evade!"

—SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH!

"AAAH!"

"URGH!"

As it spun, everyone nearby was torn apart.

Beast or human—it rampaged indiscriminately.

—KWOAAAAHH!!!

Then, it targeted—

"Unnie!"

Sama-yeong.

She tried to use light footwork to flee, but it was too fast.

Despite its size, it moved with terrifying speed and caught up, jaws wide open.

'Am I… going to die?'

But just then—the monster screamed and twisted in agony.

—CRRACK!

Why?

Its body had been split in half.

"Are you alright?"

"Father!"

The one who had done it was Sama-chak, the Moon Mountain Sword.

At the start of the battle, he had left Musang Fortress's ranks and rushed straight to his daughter.

'Thank goodness.'

He didn't often show it, but he cherished his daughter dearly.

Sama-yeong teared up at the sight.

She had endured with a sense of duty, but she, too, had been terrified and exhausted.

"Dear child…"

Sama-chak gently patted her head.

Though covered in blood, the moment was heartfelt.

—SWISH SWISH SWISH!

But they weren't alone.

Slicing through enemies with a flurry of crimson hair and blades came Baek Hyeyang, now without her demon mask.

"Been a while."

"Baek Hyeyang."

He never thought he'd be glad to see this fox-like woman.

He wanted to greet her, but she frowned and spoke first.

"We haven't even settled things between us, and you just added another person to the table without asking."

"...What are you talking about?"

"That."

She gestured with her chin.

Snow was falling in the distance—where Seol Baek was freezing enemies with stunning martial skill.

But Baek Hyeyang clearly wasn't pleased.

Now understanding, Sama-yeong teared up.

"What? Are you crying?"

"No!"

Their banter was interrupted by Sama-chak.

"Wait, that guy's still not here?"

He'd already been annoyed that Jin Unhwi hadn't shown up while his daughter was in danger.

Baek Hyeyang, curious too, asked,

"Where is Unhwi?"

Sama-yeong, with teary eyes, answered,

"...They said Young Master is dead."

"What?"

"What are you talking about?!"

The two were stunned.

They hadn't heard a thing until now.

Then, with eyes reddened, Sama-yeong pointed at the monsters.

"...He was killed by the black-robed one leading the horde."

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"We didn't believe it either. But..."

Sama-yeong pulled something precious from her chest.

The broken hilt of the Namcheon Steel Sword.

'!?'

Baek Hyeyang's face contorted.

For a martial artist to lose their signature weapon—it was no trivial matter.

It was very possible he was really dead.

—GRIT!

A terrifying bloodlust surged. She looked ready to kill.

Then Sama-chak asked...

"...Is that bastard the one who made that sword like that?"

Among the group of monsters, the only one with a human appearance.

It had already been suspicious enough.

He had felt something unusual about it, but if it was true that this person killed the son-in-law known as the greatest under heaven, then he was a being even more dangerous than the monsters.

"If what former Lord Baek Hyang-mook said is true, then that person seems to be the one behind these monsters."

"Then that bastard is the mastermind."

— Rip!

At Sama-yeong's words, Baek Hye-hyang tore her sleeve and wrapped the sword handle and her hand with the fabric.

So she wouldn't let go of her sword no matter what.

Then she spoke in a voice filled with murderous intent.

"Then if we kill that bastard, we can stop these beasts and find out for sure whether Un-hwi is alive or not."

"You thought the same."

Sama-chak turned his body as if in agreement.

Like her, he was heading toward where that demon stood.

Sama-yeong spoke with concern.

"It might be dangerous."

"It's dangerous for everyone."

— Swish!

With that, Baek Hye-hyang dashed like a lightning bolt.

She pierced through the swarm of dark monsters like a single sword.

"I'll go too. Stay back—it's dangerous beyond here."

— Swish!

Sama-chak also dashed after her.

Whether Jin Un-hwi was alive or dead, the enemy's head was across that battlefield.

The basic rule of war: strike the head.

Even if they were monsters, if the one commanding them died, they would likely fall into disarray.

— Swish swish swish swish!

It seemed they weren't the only ones thinking this.

There were five peerless warriors pushing through the monster ranks.

"Kuahaha! Get out of my way, you bastards!"

— Crack! Crack!

Heo Ak-cheon advanced while crushing monsters with his two fists.

— Fwoooosh!

Jin Gyun of the Fiery Blade Sect surged forward with flaming power.

Ahead of Baek Hye-hyang was Seol Baek.

The five warriors all pushed through the black sea of monsters, heading for the demon.

But then, their heads turned upward.

'What!?'

The demon was walking through the air above them.

They had thought he would just watch from behind, but he was already in midair at the center of the battlefield.

Everyone saw it as a chance.

— Swish swish swish swish swish!

All five masters leapt into the air.

Although they hadn't coordinated, they all unleashed their strongest secret techniques simultaneously toward the demon.

Red Blood Golden Body, Invincible Fist

Blazing Flame Divine Art, Ultimate Thousand Fire Blades

Frozen White Divine Art, White Moon's Cold Shadow

Blood Heaven Great Luo Sword, Blood-Cutting Silent Blade

No Moon Sky Sword, Moon-Facing Defeating Blade

Each and every one of them was an ultimate technique.

'Please!'

All eyes were fixed on the scene.

Could they truly kill the leader of the monsters?

And then—everyone was stunned.

— Wooooong!

Heo Ak-cheon, Jin Gyun, Seol Baek of the Northern Ice Palace, Baek Hye-hyang of the Blood Cult, Sama-chak of Wolak Sword—all five peerless warriors froze midair.

The most shocked were the ones themselves.

'How can this be!?'

'What just happened?'

'Did he block it with energy alone?'

'We didn't even touch him…'

'Is such a monster even real…?'

Their fists and weapons didn't even graze the demon's perimeter.

As if an invisible shield surrounded him, the space shimmered, stopping them in place.

Even as they pushed their internal power to the limit, they could only tremble—they couldn't move.

The demon, with white serpent-like eyes, curled his lips and said:

"Now you shall understand what despair is."

— Flick!

He lightly waved his hand.

And with a tremendous pressure, space twisted, and the five masters were hurled away like cannonballs.

— BOOOM!

"Ugh!"

"Gah!"

They flew dozens of meters.

Anyone—monster or human—unfortunate enough to be in their path was shredded or crushed.

Everyone had to dodge the flying warriors.

— CRASH CRASH CRASH CRASH!

They only stopped when the force that launched them finally dissipated.

Baek Hye-hyang, embedded in the ground, vomited blood.

"Guh!"

Not a single part of her body was unharmed.

All her bones felt broken—she couldn't even stand.

The others were in similar shape.

Even Heo Ak-cheon, with his nearly invincible body, couldn't straighten his knees.

'…This is beyond martial arts.'

This wasn't human strength.

Or rather, they had been wrong from the start.

That being was never human to begin with.

"Father!"

"Cough… Cough… Stay back."

Unlike the others, Sama-chak looked barely conscious.

But he too had suffered internal injuries.

That power had rattled his internal organs.

It was a whole different level.

'That guy… he might have…'

He may have reached the highest realm that Sama-chak believed in.

A level where sheer will controls everything.

If that's true, then they were standing before an absolute being who had mastered the pinnacle of martial arts.

Then the demon raised his hand.

— Goooooooh!

The air above him shivered violently.

It spanned at least 30 jang (nearly 100 meters).

'No way…!'

Sama-chak jumped up and shouted to everyone.

"Get away! Stay out of the range of his strike!"

But it was already too late.

Some martial artists leapt desperately, but the demon brought down his hand.

And then—it happened.

Everything directly in front of him was erased by the crushing pressure of space.

— KABOOOOOM!

A line three jang wide and over thirty jang long was cut into the earth like a massive invisible sword.

Everyone was left speechless.

"Cough… Cough… The Formless Sword."

Jin Gyun muttered in disbelief.

If his eyes weren't lying, that was the legendary Formless Sword.

Long ago, Baek Mu-ja said that those who surpassed the limits of a superhuman could reach transcendence.

At that level, one could wield a sword even without a sword—a formless sword.

'I can't believe such a thing is real…'

It was shocking.

The demon had toyed with them all along.

He could have ended it quickly but chose to watch.

His mocking smile in midair proved it.

Then he spoke, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

"Fear, terror, despair—those are the only emotions you're allowed to feel."

No one could answer.

Because no one could deny it.

The unity they had achieved earlier was now completely shattered.

Everyone stared at the demon with pale, hopeless faces.

"Now, I shall enjoy watching you pathetic humans perish."

— ROAAAAR!

— OOOOOHHHH!

The monsters howled in response, like victorious warriors.

The martial artists could only watch in despair.

'My lord…'

Even Sama-yeong was sinking into hopelessness.

Strangely, at that moment, she thought of Jin Un-hwi.

Would things be different if he were here?

But since he hadn't shown up, it must mean he really had died at the hands of that monster.

— Drip!

Tears streamed down.

The demon, floating in the air, extended his hand forward.

It was a signal for the monsters to charge again.

And then it happened.

— RUMBLEEEEE!

Thunder rumbled from the sky.

A clear night sky—with no clouds.

Even the monsters froze at the unexpected thunder.

Everyone looked up, puzzled.

— RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE!

Then, the dark clouds began to spin rapidly.

They twisted like a dragon's coil, forming a massive vortex.

And from the eye of that storm, someone appeared—riding a sword.

— FWOOOOOM!

'!!!'

Everyone shivered in awe.

'It's him!'

They could never fail to recognize the man riding a sword through the sky.

"Aah! My lord!!"

Sama-yeong, crying, let out a joyful shout.

The one they thought dead had returned—like a myth descending to the mortal world.

— CRACKLE CRACKLE!

The figure burst through the swirling clouds and extended his hand.

A sword of rainbow-colored lightning appeared in the air.

And like a spear, he threw it at the demon.

— FWOOOOOSH!

The demon raised his hand to stop it.

Everyone expected it to be blocked like before.

But—impossibly—the space twisted, and the lightning sword pierced through.

— CRACK!

'What!?'

Even the demon's eyes widened in shock.

Too late to dodge, the rainbow lightning sword struck him directly.

— CRACKLE!

"Gah!"

Electricity exploded as the demon was blasted backward.

He crashed into a mountain behind the plateau.

— BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Dust exploded from the shaken mountain.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

That monster had been blown away with a single strike.

Cheers erupted like a dam breaking.

"WAAAAAAAH!!!"

Despair instantly turned into hope.

The demon's disciple, half-human half-immortal, looked shaken.

"H-how!?"

He had seen his master kill that man.

He should've been lying dead at the bottom of the lake.

And that wasn't the end of the shock.

— Wooooooong!

An odd energy was felt from behind.

Space twisted violently.

"Teleportation?"

But this wasn't small-scale.

Giant ripples spread in all directions, and then—

From within those folds, golden-armored soldiers marched in sync.

— STOMP STOMP!

Drums beat as banners flapped in the wind.

On them: Imperial Capital Royal Army of the Great Yeon Empire.

"This can't be!"

"What is this…!?"

Not only the monsters, but the martial artists were stunned.

The Royal Army they thought would take ten days to arrive…

Had appeared instantly—through a method no one expected.

— Grit!

The half-human demon clenched his teeth.

From the rippling space, he saw a bald old man sweating profusely, casting a massive spell.

'Elder Bi-seon!'

Once one of the Ten Sages, guardian of the royal palace bound by an oath.

They had believed he wouldn't interfere.

They never thought he would help.

'He used large-scale teleportation!'

Was that even possible?

Regardless, elite golden-armored soldiers and Imperial Guard units kept emerging.

Too many to count.

Just moments ago, the monsters had the numbers advantage.

But with the arrival of the Imperial Army, the tide turned.

The monsters were now trapped between the three martial alliances and the Imperial Army.

They had nowhere to run.