Absolute Regression Chapter 56

Episode 56: Live long then.

Dark magic is a forbidden magic.

Compared to general magic, it is much more violent and powerful, but its side effects are just as great as its power. Most of those who learn dark magic are eaten by the magic, fall into a state of possession, and go on a killing spree until they meet their end. That is why the Heavenly Demon Sect strictly prohibits learning dark magic.

Dark magic was the magic that came out when you learned dark magic. The energy was so strong that I tried to break my opponent’s momentum first.

“What kind of garbage did you learn?”

“I guess that’s what people say when they’re buried in trash and dying.”

“I came here to kill you for nothing. If I had just left you alone, you would have died from the side effects of the dark magic.”

“There is no need to die from side effects. I was able to successfully prevent the side effects with the internal energy I gained through the Simhon Daebeop.”

I drew my black magic sword, having a feeling that it would not be an easy fight.

As the Demon Lord stretched out his hand, a black energy enveloped his hand.

As the energy disappeared, he was holding a black sword in his hand. At first glance, it was obvious that it was no ordinary sword.

“I will kill you and one day I will kill your father with my own hands and take his place.”

“You’re too scared to do that. You’ll live your whole life hiding your ambitions while trying to save your life.”

In fact, even in his life before his return, he never revealed that he had mastered dark magic. He carried it out until the end as a desperate measure to protect himself.

We were angry at each other, and we put as much energy into our swords as we were angry.

Swords clashed in the air.

Bam!

An ear-splitting roar erupted. Neither I nor the Demon Lord of the Underworld were pushed back an inch. In terms of internal energy, we were neck and neck. If he hadn’t exhausted his internal energy through the multiple Soul-binding techniques before, he would have overwhelmed me with his internal energy after transforming. This is the power of dark magic.

I have been fighting against this enemy with the Bicheon Sword Technique from the beginning. This is an enemy I have to fight with only the best techniques I have.

The first type of food was extracted.

Shhhh!

A single ray of light cut the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon in two. When a perfect line was drawn, the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon, who should have been cut off at the waist, was rising up and swinging his sword. The Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon’s shout burst out in a thick voice!

“Human destruction!”

It was a sword as fast as light.

Six sword lines appeared and disappeared where I was standing.

If I hadn’t used the flashlight to dodge, I would have been cut into six pieces and died there.

“Demon Slayer!”

The Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon also didn’t make the mistake of giving me a chance with a sloppy attack. The second super attack, stronger and faster than the previous one, flew in.

This time, the space I was standing in was torn into twelve pieces. The sight of twelve sword lines appearing and disappearing simultaneously was truly spectacular.

This time I avoided it with a blink of an eye, but it was even closer than before.

Before he could fire his third attack, the Bicheon Sword Technique, Jayishik, was unleashed.

My sword transformed twelve times in front of the Demon Lord.

The Demon Lord did not dodge, but struck back with his sword one by one. Sparks flew every time the swords clashed.

As the changes brought about by the transformation ritual grew, the white light emanating from the eyes of the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon grew stronger. After striking the last twelfth change, he immediately launched a counterattack.

“Annihilation!”

His third, increasingly stronger form, and the third form of the Heavenly Sword Technique, the Hyeoncheon Style, were unleashed simultaneously.

Luckily, I wasn’t in the space that was split into twenty-four pieces.

I avoided it, but I couldn’t avoid the Sub-Honmazon.

Choaaaak!

Hyuncheonshik tore the shoulder of the Sub-Honma-Jon. However, no blood came out of his body. The blackened skin was as strong as a robe. Based on that strength, Sub-Honma-Jon continued his attacks. His cries were drowned out by the sound of metal!

“Ruin!”

Forty-eight sword lines were splendidly embroidered. The space occupied by his sword light gradually grew larger.

Although he was powerful, he had one weakness. Because he lacked practical experience using this magic, his attacks were somewhat monotonous. If I had used that martial art, I would never have been able to dodge.

I barely escaped and fired the sacrificial ritual of Yeomcheonsik, a ritual that emits black energy.

The sword energy that flew at a terrifying speed struck the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon with a loud thud. The Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon, who staggered as if he was going to fall over, regained control of his body. The part that should have been cut off and disappeared was still there.

A stream of black liquid flowed from the corner of the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon’s mouth, but he still looked solid.

“Lee Gongja, why don’t you use the Nine Fire Demonic Skill?”

The voice of the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon changed to a hoarse sound, and it sounded like it wasn’t human. It meant that he had become one with the dark magic he had mastered. If this continued, he would eventually be consumed by the magic. Such powerful magic always demands a price.

Still, he was pushing himself, and I was in that much danger.

“I think I can beat you even without using the Nine-Handed Demonic Skill.”

It was an intentional provocation. If you lose your composure in a close fight, you will lose your life as well. And this provocation had another purpose.

“Your pride will ultimately lead you to death… … .”

The moment the Seophonmajon spoke, the best quick sword style of the Bicheongeom method, Jeo-shik Changcheon-shik, was unleashed. It was a decisive attack that cut off the breathing of the opponent who was speaking.

Changcheonshik cut the bastard’s neck precisely. However, the neck was not cut, and only a black liquid flowed out.

Even in the Changcheonsik, the neck doesn’t get cut off?

“You really have become a monster.”

At my words, the Demon Lord rushed toward me. He seemed to be bursting out in rage, but his breathing was steady. The plan of a fierce general did not work on him.

We flew into the sky, waiting for an opportunity to blow the whistle of despair.

As we surged, swords clashed endlessly. Just as two dragons ascended while encircling each other, we wrapped our swords around each other and exchanged swords.

The place was filled with only the sound and light of the sword and the sword that was invisible to the eye. It was a place where the Soul Demon Lord, known to only use the Soul Subjugation Technique, hid this kind of magic as his last resort. This is the world of martial arts.

At the end of the splendid melee, the moment we separated from each other, the eyes of the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon shone bright white.

‘Dangerous!’

The Demon Lord Seop-hon-ma-jon made his last move. His scream burst out as a perfect thunderous roar!

“Heavenly destruction!”

I didn’t avoid it. His opportunity was soon my opportunity. We saw the same opportunity and swung our swords at that opening.

I poured all my internal energy into the Eighth Form of the Flying Heavenly Sword, the Hwangcheon Form, together with the King of Hell Treasure.

Shhhhhhh!

Choaaaaaaah!

Two lights crossed.

A brilliant sword light was drawn on the side where I was standing. The space was split into ninety-six pieces, and one entire side was cut off. It was truly an amazing sight.

The Sub-Honmazon did not look at the wonderful spectacle he had created. He was looking down at his own heart.

Blood flowed out from the heart that had been pierced by my black magic sword. It was not black liquid, but red blood. His huge heart that had been beating vigorously had stopped moving.

“How on earth…? How?”

I spoke calmly to him, who was full of distrust.

“Your heart is so big, it’s easy to stab.”

How could that be? That is what I meant when I said that it was because of the greed that stole the hearts of innocent people that I met my end today.

The transformation began to break as black smoke began to leak out from his body.

He, who was more monstrous than a monster, has transformed into an ordinary person in the world who could save ten people in Magachon.

“… … It wasn’t the Nine-Handed Demon Sect?”

“It was a combination of the King of Hell’s Treasure and the Eighth Form of the Flying Heaven Sword Technique.”

“The King of Hell’s Treasure?”

“This is the Hades Treasure of the Wind God Temple.”

“How did you get the Wind God Temple?”

“I guess heaven has arranged for you not to die.”

It wasn’t a lie. If it weren’t for the Wind God Sabo, I would have died in today’s fight. I realized it desperately. You must never let your guard down when dealing with the Demon Lord.

Honestly, I was confident that I would beat him since I had obtained the blood essence.

But he had a trump card. If it weren’t for the Wind God Sabo, I would have died. It was a very dangerous move.

Bloodthirsty Demon Lord, Ilhwa Sword Lord, and the other remaining Demon Lords. They must have hidden a different trick than what they see.

Today I became stronger.

It’s not that I became stronger because I killed the Demon Lord, but I became stronger because I will never let my guard down again.

The Subhonmazone slowly collapsed.

As he died, the space he had created began to crack.

His black eyes, which had been moving so actively, grew and shrank, lost all life. He looked up at me and spoke with difficulty.

“… … If I am born again, I will definitely kill you.”

I didn’t respond with a curse.

“If you are born again, live a long life. There must be better ways than this.”

His eyes wavered at my words. He tried to say something, but he couldn’t get it out. It could have been a more serious curse, or he could have tried to convey his final regret.

The Demon Lord lowered his head and died. At the same time, the world he had created disappeared.

We were back at the place where we had first tried to practice the Heart and Soul Method.

Even after death, the Demon Lord of the Underworld gave us one last mystery.

The demon spirit was dead, sitting cross-legged. We fought so madly, but he died without a single wound, as if he had been possessed by a demon. He died in his own world, which he loved so much.

I picked up the child lying on the altar and quietly left the place.

* * *

I bought some good alcohol and snacks and returned to Hyeolcheondoma.

He entrusted the child to Seo Dae-ryong and asked him to secretly find his parents. Since he said that the child was almost sacrificed to Dafa, Seo Dae-ryong, who was quick-witted and smart, would know how to handle it secretly.

“Why did it take so long? Did you really make the side dishes yourself?”

“How did you know?”

“what?”

“It took some time to make the side dish.”

“What are you talking about? What kind of side dish is this?”

When Hyeolcheondoma saw the food I bought, he made a puzzled expression.

“It’s not like it’ll take a long time to cook?”

I smiled and poured a drink for Hyeolcheondoma.

“Here, have a drink. The night is still long.”

“Is that old man as physically fit as you? If you stay up all night, you’ll be sore all day.”

“You’re still in good health, aren’t you? Come on, enjoy your meal today.”

“Lee Gong-ja, you look like you’re in a good mood today.”

“Yes. That will be fine.”

“For what reason?”

“It’s just nice to see you again after such a long time.”

Bloodthirsty Demon looked at me with eyes that seemed to ask what on earth he was planning.

But how would he know that I had killed the Sub-Honma-Jon while I was away?

We met for the first time in a long time and drank several glasses of alcohol in a row. It seemed like the first time since I met him that I had a drink so refreshing and pleasant.

We talked about many things. We talked about the current state of the martial arts world, about martial arts, and about Seodaeryong and Geomjon.

People might think it’s surprising, but we’re both talkative, so we never run out of topics to talk about while drinking.

“Do you know why I like rat drops?”

“Why?”

“On the first day, I asked you if you would give your life for Janelle. And you said you couldn’t.”

“This guy needs to be scolded.”

“I liked that honesty back then.”

“Tell Inspector Seo directly. I think he’ll like it.”

“Nothing to do.”

“Then I’ll tell you next time. Someone has to do this. A single word like this can change your life. Why do you think so?”

“You really take care of everyone. At this rate, you’ll even be taking care of the guy who cleans up horse manure in the stables. Why don’t you go and give him some feed?”

“If you can, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“I have never seen anyone like you in my life.”

“The same will happen to our school. It will be a Cheonma Shingyo that we have never seen before. Wouldn’t it be okay for our school to be like that for a generation or so?”

Bloodthirsty Demon stared at me intently. His eyes were deep as he looked at me, as if he was thinking about something.

“Scholar of engineering.”

“yes.”

“Pour me a drink.”

I’ve always poured him drinks before, but this time it felt different.

I could feel that the drink I was drinking now had a different meaning from the other drinks.

So I told him.

“I will pour the first drink for my master.”

I was about to say something like, “What nonsense are you talking about?” but he accepted the drink without saying anything. I poured him a full glass.

Hyeolcheondoma looked down at the glass for a long time.

And I drank all the alcohol.

Maybe at this moment he truly decided to follow me?

Of course, I can only guess. He was truly an unpredictable person.

Then Thomas suddenly spoke.

“Is the left seat higher? Is the right seat higher? If possible, let’s make it the higher one.”

I stared blankly at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.

“Ha ha ha ha ha.”

We drank all night.

Even if it’s this good, one day, a single slip of the tongue can ruin the relationship. That’s why you have to keep building it. Until it becomes a solid relationship that can’t be ruined by one or two mistakes. Whether it’s drinking, fighting, gifts, careful advice, or unintentional compliments. Whatever it is, you have to build it up and build it up again. I make mistakes, and he can make them too.

“I saw you today and you look handsome.”

“That crazy guy.”

The Bloodthirsty Demon lifted his sword and shone it upon our faces.

“Now, look at my face clearly and say it again.”

“ha ha ha.”

“Why are you laughing? Tell me you’re handsome!”

“You shouldn’t confess to a woman when you’re drunk.”

Bloodthirsty Demon laughed, saying that he had caught a flatterer. I laughed along with him.

The luck of getting my real one will probably go to at least one of those who put in this effort.