Chapter 11 — The Demonic Cult

Morning broke through the clouds, and the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room.

Second Zenin stretched, yawning loud enough to rattle the floor.

Young Lord, why didn't you wake me up early?

Vaelrik stood with arms folded by the window, unmoved.

Because today is the last day you'll sleep well.

What do you mean?

Sit down. I'll help you form your first core.

Okay, my lord.

He obeyed immediately, sitting with legs folded.

Don't move too much. You might cripple yourself.

Vaelrik placed his hand on his back. Second Zenin winced as energy began to gather inside his body. A sharp pain rushed through him, but he remained still, teeth clenched. Not a word. Not a sound. He endured.

He's calmer than First Zenin, Vaelrik thought.

Then came the sudden burst.

A surge of raw energy exploded outward — his core had formed. Successful.

Look at that forest, Vaelrik said, motioning toward the horizon.

Second Zenin looked up.

My lord… that's one of the Three Forbidden Forests. No one who entered ever returned.

Yes. And you'll be living there for the next five years. Until you reach 5-star strength.

Vaelrik tossed him a scroll.

Here. A technique for you.

—

🜁 Triple Vein Core Method

The method was strict. The first core absorbed raw mana.

The second refined it.

The third spun it through the body with perfect control.

It was slower than common techniques. Weak at first. But once the body adapted, it became nearly undetectable and frighteningly efficient.

In emergencies, the cores could be merged.

One core: 3 minutes of enhanced power.

Two cores: 6 minutes.

Three cores: 9 minutes — with power tripled.

Then, total collapse. Hours needed to recover.

In this world, people followed the common sword path — low-grade swordsman, mid-grade, high-grade, and swordmaster. But Vaelrik chose another path. A 5-star with his method… would be called Grandmaster — a class only mentioned in myths.

Vaelrik handed him a sword.

You won't need money. You'll be in the forest.

Don't die, Second Zenin.

Second Zenin nodded.

Okay, my lord.

—

Five Years Later

Vaelrik's ring shimmered with a voice.

First Zenin reported calmly.

My lord, I've reached 3 stars.

Congratulations, First Zenin.

There was a pause.

My lord… I saved a mercenary girl from a beast. We fell in love.

Vaelrik was quiet for a long moment.

Congratulations again. But remember…

Love can be the cure to everything — or a poison without cure.

It doesn't use hands, knives, or swords… but it hurts more than death.

Understood, my lord.

Come to the Engul family when you reach 5 stars. You've got a junior now.

Can't wait to meet my junior.

Haha.

We'll meet when you're ready.

Yes, my lord.

—

Another call lit up the ring.

First Zenin spoke with pride.

My lord. I've reached 5 stars. I'm outside the Engul family gates. I have something to say.

Second Zenin chimed in from the other side.

My lord! I've reached 5 stars too! But… you gave me no money, so I ran all the way from the forest. I'm outside the gate too.

Vaelrik walked to the entrance calmly.

How are you, my blades?

Both Zenins dropped to one knee.

We greet our lord.

Let's go inside.

As they stepped through, a 7th-class fireball streaked toward them.

Vaelrik flicked his sword. Gone in an instant.

Then came a rain of twenty more — 8th-class fireballs.

Vaelrik and both Zenins raised their hands. The spells shattered like glass.

From the balcony, a woman shouted.

Husband, if you attack our son one more time, you're not eating for a week.

Vaelrik gave a quiet nod and stepped forward. Twenty years old now, fully grown.

Later that night, Second Zenin leaned close.

My lord… are we escaping tonight?

No.

Vaelrik turned to First Zenin.

Now speak. What did you want to say?

First Zenin looked down. His voice cracked.

I lost her.

How?

She left me. For another noble.

Vaelrik's gaze turned colder.

I warned you.

Love isn't gentle. It's a silent poison. You won't feel it. You won't see it. But it kills. Even gods fall to it without knowing why.

First Zenin bowed his head.

Yes, my lord.

From tomorrow on, both of you will spar. Every day. One year.

Understood, my lord.

—

One Year Later

We're leaving today.

Where are we going? both Zenins asked.

To keep a promise, Vaelrik replied.

They traveled far — to barbarian territory. Just as they reached its border, a spear stopped inches from Vaelrik's throat.

A woman stood firm. Fierce. Familiar.

You're late. By one day.

Vaelrik smiled slightly.

I never said I'd come on the exact day.

The woman smirked.

Fine.

Maria stepped beside him.

Want to ride a beast together? You're still not fully recovered.

Vaelrik nodded.

Yes. I'm not healed.

Both Zenins rode behind them on a larger beast. First Zenin started sobbing quietly.

Second Zenin turned to him.

Don't cry.

You've never had a girlfriend. It's easy for you to say.

Thanks to that, no one ever left me for a noble.

First Zenin broke into louder tears.

Maria whispered to Vaelrik.

Why is he crying? Should we comfort him?

Vaelrik began sweating.

Don't look back.

Okay…

—

That Night

Maria leaned toward him.

Vaelrik, try this.

She fed him by hand.

First Zenin sobbed nearby, still chewing.

Vaelrik looked to him.

It's not what it looks like.

Then… what is it? First Zenin asked, trying to hold his tears.

...

Second Zenin, take him. Comfort him.

From behind, the tribal leader walked over.

Vaelrik, you're an adult now. What about marrying Maria?

First Zenin's wail echoed through the woods.

Yaaaawwwhhhhhhh—

One of the elders muttered.

The Banshee's myth is real. It's screaming now.

Vaelrik stood up and bowed.

Tribal Leader, I must refuse. But I want to ask something in private.

What is it?

About the Demonic Cult.

Don't get involved.

They've found the Sword God's ruin key.

But they need someone chosen by the Sword God to enter.

That's all I know.

Thank you.

—

The Next Morning

You two. Pack my bag. I'm leaving.

Where to, my lord? Let us help you.

No need.

He stepped out alone. Maria was sitting on a cliff, staring into the sky.

I'm leaving.

I know.

Why did you refuse to marry me?

Vaelrik hesitated.

Because I've got a long, hard road. My life's on the line.

Then… after it ends, will you reconsider?

I might.

What do you mean might? You'll reconsider, right?

Yes. I will.

—

You two. Train your aura here.

Okay, my lord.

Vaelrik sat down. Closed his eyes.

Power surged. A burst of energy cracked through the air. The Zenins shielded him.

Six-star. Seven-star. Eight-star.

His hair turned white. His eyes, golden. Aura stretched for miles.

From somewhere far off…

A prodigy has been born. May be a blessing… or a disaster.

—

Elf Kingdom – Main Gate

Who are you? Humans aren't allowed here.

Vaelrik stepped forward.

I'm Vaelrik.

Who are the two behind you?

My Zenins.

...

Open the gates.

They opened.

—

That Night – Royal Palace

You saved our princess once. We never repaid you. Ask anything.

Let me speak in private.

Hoho. Eat first.

The First Prince sat beside him.

So, you're Vaelrik.

Yes.

Vaelrik looked into his wine glass.

No reflection.

He whispered to his Zenins later.

Keep an eye on the First Prince. Don't let him see you.

In private:

You want to know about the Demonic Cult? Their hideout is behind that mountain. A cave.

Vaelrik stared.

Why are you looking at me like that? Say something.

The First Prince is a demon.

Don't cross the line, Vaelrik. We respect you—but that's enough.

Let me prove it. Just cooperate.

If you're wrong, you'll lose your head.

They walked into the prince's chamber.

Vaelrik stepped forward.

Living like a prince must be nice, demon.

A clean swing—one arm gone.

Father! He's trying to kill me!

Another swing. Left arm gone. Then legs.

The prince's body shifted, revealing a monstrous form.

You damn—

Vaelrik cut again—hands, legs.

Then he leaned in and whispered.

Even gods can't regenerate wounds from me. Who do you think you are?

With one final strike, he cut the demon in half.

The royal family stood in silence.

Thank you.

—

Vaelrik moved toward the cave. Both Zenins followed.

A massive door. He placed his aura into it.

It opened.

Inside, hundreds of cultists waited. The door slammed shut.

No need to hold back. Kill everyone.

Vaelrik rushed in.

Sword God: Mirror Reversal.

The cult leader's attack rebounded.

Then — Sword God: Fifth Form — Starfall Descent.

A leap into the sky. A crash heavier than galaxies. Divine fire. Perfect destruction.

The cult leader tried.

Dominic Sword: 7th Form — Unstoppable Deflect.

He failed.

Vaelrik merged his 8 cores.

The strike broke through everything.

Zenins finished the cultists. Vaelrik collapsed.

He found the ruin key.

A barrier stopped the Zenins.

Inside, a sword awaited him.

It pulsed. Recognized him.

A figure emerged.

Vaelrik knelt.

I greet the First God Mother Gia, who sealed the Six Gods with herself. We remember your sacrifice.

Gia's voice was soft.

Vaelrik… or should I say Razik.

The Fiv

e Gods unsealed them.

They killed me. This is just my fragment.

Vaelrik clenched his fist.

You're not ready. I'll give you a trial. A realm where time stops. You can train for billions of years.

You cannot face their direct servants yet.

Upgrade your techniques.

Can I bring my Zenins?

Gia nodded.

All three vanished into a massive forest.

A land of dragons.

Here, they could die over and over. And never stay dead.

From behind, something growled.

!