Chapter 20: Claiming the Demon’s Right

The underground chamber trembled.

Energy from the seven demonic weapons pulsed violently against the stone walls, reacting to the presence of two kinds of power—one ancient and slumbering, the other new and unknown.

Jin Seo-Won took one step forward.

The three cloaked intruders tightened their formation. The tallest one—clearly the leader—raised his hand.

> "Kill him before the legacy accepts him."

They moved at once. Silent. Deadly.

The first attacker dashed in with two short blades, his movement swift like a shadow. The second launched dozens of needle-like projectiles laced with poison. The third stayed back, forming a strange hand seal—preparing a support technique.

But Seo-Won didn't flinch.

Instead, he closed his eyes.

> [System Skill Activated: Demonic Perception – Short Burst Mode]

A pulse exploded from his body—brief but powerful.

> "The one on the left is faster than he looks. Poison techniques… standard of the Poison Clan. That one in the back—formation type. Can't let him finish it."

He moved.

In a flash, he spun under the flying blades, his fingers grazing the ground—and then struck upward with his palm, unleashing a shockwave of dark energy.

> Crack!

The first attacker slammed into the ceiling, bones shattering. He didn't get back up.

Seo-Won twisted, snatching a handful of poisoned needles from the air and hurling them back toward the source with ten times the force. The second man screamed—his own weapons burying into his chest.

Only one remained.

But he had already finished his seal.

> "Now perish!" the final attacker roared.

A wave of crushing force surged toward Seo-Won—thick, dark, and burning with a demonic curse.

> [System Alert: Unknown technique. Countermeasure—active scan.]

[Auto-defense protocol engaged.]

The mark on Seo-Won's hand glowed.

Suddenly, the aura shifted.

He stepped through the curse.

It parted like mist.

> "What—?!" the enemy gasped.

Seo-Won raised his hand.

> "Let me show you what real demonic power looks like."

From his palm, a black flame erupted, forming a spear of pure destructive force.

He hurled it.

> BOOM!

The final attacker flew backward, crashing into the far wall with a burning hole through his chest.

Silence fell.

Dust swirled. The weapons on the walls began to tremble again—not in rejection, but in recognition.

Then—

> [Blood of Hell – First Weapon Resonance Detected]

[You have been acknowledged by: "Demonblade Yasha"]

[Compatibility: 89% – Weapon Selection Confirmed]

The massive black sword embedded in the wall pulsed, then slowly lifted itself, floating toward Jin Seo-Won.

Its demonic aura wrapped around him like chains of fire.

He grabbed it.

> "You chose me?"

The sword pulsed again—almost as if in answer.

> [New Skill Unlocked: Yasha's Wrath – Level 1]

A slow, determined smile crossed Seo-Won's lips.

> "This is only the beginning."

---

Outside the ancient chamber, unknown to him—seven watchers in cloaks stood hidden in the trees surrounding the Black Snow Valley, silently observing the tremors below.

One of them narrowed his eyes.

> "The Fourth Prince has taken the first fang."

Another one whispered,

> "Tell the clans. The game has started."

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