185. 2-1 The Sword Freed from Elysium

Lee Do-hyeon slowly regained consciousness on a cold stone floor.His body ached in every corner, but his inner energy was gradually recovering.However, the first thing he felt upon rising was a profound sense of alienation.The air itself was different.The energy flowing with his breath felt completely unlike what he had known in the Murim.When he tried to channel his martial arts, the flow twisted unnaturally.It wasn't qi—something else entirely ruled this place.

He looked up to survey his surroundings.A desolate village.Ruined buildings and corpses strewn across the streets.And barely breathing survivors.

Suddenly, a scream rang out in the distance.Do-hyeon sprang to his feet and rushed toward the sound.At the center of a plaza, a young girl was being chased by monsters.Without hesitation, he drew his sword and struck down the creature.

But—The monster he cut did not disappear.Black smoke rose, and the creature reformed itself.He frowned.His martial arts weren't fully effective here.

The monsters swarmed relentlessly.He swung his sword again and again, but his inner energy was quickly depleting.This was not the Murim.The rules of this world were suppressing him.

Then, a crimson aura blanketed the plaza as a figure appeared—A man cloaked in black, with horns protruding from his head.A corrupted demon.

"An outsider, are you?"The demon looked at him with a curious gleam."Whoever you are, escaping from here won't be easy."

The demon reached out and lifted a villager into the air,then thrust them into a swirl of crimson magic.

"You humans are such useful resources."He smiled."Now, show me your power."

Within seconds, a new monster emerged from the dark mist—The demon was transforming villagers into abominations by stealing their souls.

Gritting his teeth, Do-hyeon raised his sword.But fighting in a drained state was too dangerous.

At that moment—The sword in his hand began to tremble.

"…At last, I am free."

Do-hyeon's eyes widened.The sword was reacting on its own.

"In the Murim, I was a blade constrained."A voice echoed from the sword itself.Even in the Murim, the Ego Sword had shown traces of sentience,but here in Elysium, it revealed its true nature.

"In that world, I had to rely on your inner energy. But here… it's different.""I am a sword born of this world, and I can draw freely from its power."

Do-hyeon understood instantly.In the Murim, the sword had been suppressing its own strength.Here, it no longer needed to.

The sword began to glow, absorbing mana.This wasn't mere magic—it was the sword itself transforming by accepting Elysium's mana.

As he gripped it, a wholly new energy burst forth.Not gi—but pure mana.A power flowing in accordance with this world's laws.

He raised the sword.A stream of blue mana gathered at its tip.A new form of combat was being born from the fusion of blade and mana.

He struck down once more.This time, the monster did not regenerate.The sword's mana annihilated its very essence.

The demon grinned."Interesting. Few of your kind undergo such a change."

He raised his hand."Let's observe a little longer. Fall back."

The monsters slowly retreated with him.

Do-hyeon stared at the sword."Have you regained your true power?"

The sword responded with a subtle vibration.

"Not yet. I must accept even more."

He was no longer just a martial artist of the Murim.He had to grow stronger under new laws.

He recalled the Heavenly Sword Demon's words:"Accept this world's rules. Martial arts alone are not the answer."

He gripped the sword again.A new journey had begun.

***

Chapter : A Failing Body and New Allies

He thought he had overcome the worst, but his body grew heavy once more.Even breathing felt burdensome.Lee Do-hyeon barely managed to support himself with his sword.He had believed that his inner energy and mana had recovered after the last battle—but it had been a false hope.The laws of this place did not behave as he knew them.A burst of strength always demanded a steep price.

"Urgh…"He dropped to his knees.An unstable power spread from within, pressing down on his entire body.

"Your body has yet to fully adapt."The Ego Sword let out a low, resonant hum.But now was not the time to analyze anything.

At that moment, someone approached him.

"Are you all right?"A soft voice reached his ears.When he looked up faintly, a young man stood before him—a youth draped in a red cloak, holding a lute in his hands.

"To have come this far… You must truly be someone who fell from the stars."The young man smiled playfully,but his eyes held caution and discernment.

Behind him stood a woman.She had silver hair and wore a white robe.In her hands was a small staff that shimmered with a gentle light.

"You need healing,"she said, offering no further explanation as she raised her hand and released a glow.

In an instant, warmth washed over his body.His wounds began to close, and the crushing fatigue on his shoulders lifted.Lee Do-hyeon stared at his hands in surprise.

"Healing magic?"The woman nodded lightly.

"If you intend to survive here, it's best to cooperate with allies like us."The young man tapped his lute and continued,"We help wanderers like you. I'm Kairon, and this is Erian—a healer."

Lee Do-hyeon studied them both slowly.Could he trust them?

But he had no choice.

"I am… Lee Do-hyeon,"he replied tersely."And this word—wanderer—you mentioned… Can you explain what that means?"

"Hmm, rather than me explaining it…"Kairon gave him a wink and pointed behind him.

At the end of his gesture sat an old man beside a small campfire.He had spread out a faded scroll and was writing something upon it,as if trying to record everything in the world.

"He'll give you a more accurate answer."

Lee Do-hyeon cautiously approached.The old man lifted his gaze in silence.

"You must be the new arrival."His eyes were as though they saw the flow of the entire world.

"You must have many questions."The old man tidied the scroll slightly and said,

"This place is Elysium—a land where the legacies of gods and titans remain."He placed his hand on the scroll.The ink shimmered with light and began to flow.

"And those like you… have brought many changes to our world."

Lee Do-hyeon tensed and asked,"Those like me? You mean others came before me?"

The old man chuckled quietly."Yes. You are not the first. But…"

His gaze deepened."Most of them refused to accept the laws of this place—and disappeared."

Lee Do-hyeon inhaled the cold air.Others had come to this world. And their fates…

He could feel it.Surviving in Elysium was not merely a matter of strength.

Lee Do-hyeon realized—this was no ordinary parallel world.What awaited him was not just battle,but the need to understand and adapt to the laws of this realm.

But time was running out.Before the demons struck the village again,he had to master new powers.

And within the old man's words,he began to sense that the link between his world and Elysiumwas no coincidence.There was a deeper truth buried here.

***

Chapter : Once a Man of Honor

At the center of the village stood an ancient citadel.Rust-red gates, crumbling walls, and a tower worn to ruin.Once, it had been a proud fortress of the holy knights.Now, it was nothing more than a husk of despair and fear.From within its ruined halls, demons had emerged.A place once protected by sanctified warriors had become a cradle of death and corruption.

The Resolve Toward the Demon Citadel

The village had found a fleeting calm with the arrival of the wanderer—but it was no more than a brief reprieve.The villagers once again gathered to cleanse the citadel.

Soldiers sharpened their blades.Civilians lifted torches.Priests offered solemn prayers, readying themselves for battle.

"This time, we end it."Gail, one of the village's defenders, spoke with determined conviction.

And then, reinforcements arrived.Clerics and warriors dispatched from the monastery joined the ranks.Carrying shields infused with sacred light,they came to purge the darkness within the citadel.

The morale of both soldiers and priests rose higher.There was only one path forward."Seize the citadel. Free the village from the demon's shadow."

The assault began.Soldiers locked shields and charged forward.Priests cleared the path with radiant incantations.

"Light, guide us!"As holy energy burst forth,undead and demonic creatures screamed as they burned in flames.

Once inside the citadel,the tide seemed to turn in their favor.Spears pierced through demons.Blessings mended wounds.

"We're winning!""This is the end!"

Just as hope for victory began to take shape—the air changed.

At the heart of the citadel,a massive shadow began to rise.Each footstep rang out like clashing steel,the sound of death itself drawing near.

When the figure finally emerged,all soldiers froze.

"No… It can't be…!"One soldier muttered, pale with fear.

A knight stood before them—clad in pitch-black armor,once a warrior of light,now cloaked in darkness.

His helm glowed with an ominous crimson light.His blade, soaked in blood, radiated malevolence.Even his steed—a demonic Mamah—breathed black flames as it stamped the ground.

"That's…"A soldier trembled, crying out,"Holy Knight Zebrah…!"

Once the master of the citadel,once the greatest knight to guard this land—he now stood corrupted,shrouded in blood-red mana,defending the very evil he once fought against.

"This land is no longer yours."His voice was cold, devoid of warmth.

The honor and justice he once embodied—long gone.Zebrah gazed down upon the villagers.There was no pity in his eyes, no hesitation.Only command.

He unsheathed his sword.

"Eradicate them."

With his order, shadows erupted throughout the citadel.Undead knights clad in shattered armor.Fallen clerics casting vile curses.The fortress had become a hellscape.

"Aaagh!""Fall back!"

One by one, the soldiers fell.Even the priests' sacred spells were consumed by darkness.

"The holy power… It won't reach them!"Zebrah's blade tore through light itself.Mounted atop the Mamah, he charged—soldiers flung aside like leaves in a storm.

"Now, this citadel is whole again."He raised his blood-red sword high.The land he once protected—he now drenched in blood by his own hand.

Screams echoed.Despair returned to the citadel.

And then—

From afar,a lone figure silently drew his sword.His gaze turned cold.

"Another traitor…"

Blue mana slowly rose from his blade.Lee Do-hyeon stepped forward,toward the heart of the corrupted fortress.

His battle—was only just beginning.