Damned Transmigration - Chapter 41

WeTried Translations

Translator: Joy

Editor: Joy

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Damned Transmigration ◈

Chapter 41: If it isn’t Logos

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“Who are you?”

Rather than swing the dagger in her hand, Haryeong decided to ask a question first.

The possibility was slim, but if they could talk, perhaps they would not have to fight. And if she learned who their opponent was, it might help them in battle.

“If you are curious about who this old man is, should you not first tell me who you are?”

The old man was in no hurry.

He was not hungry yet, and as he had said earlier, he had already cleared out the area. The night before, he had killed more than ten adventurers and tossed all their bodies into his hideout. If either of them had tried to run, he would have ignored any attempt at conversation and killed them first. Thankfully, though, they appeared willing to fight.

“I am Haryeong of Salhomun.”

“One of the assassins under the Faceless Killer? I learned your name for nothing. What could be more meaningless to assassins than a name?”

The old man clicked his tongue with a chuckle and turned his gaze to Elena. Still tense, Elena kept her wand pointed at him.

“Elena Heinderga... of the Dersia Mage Tower.”

“Ah. I thought it was some flashy lightning magic. So it was the Dersia Mage Tower.”

Salhomun aside, the name of the Dersia Mage Tower was enough to intimidate most people. If one of its mages was murdered, Heavenly Thunder might move personally. Yet the old man did not seem concerned by that.

“This old man is known as the Blood Fiend.”

The moment Haryeong heard that title, she understood why he had been so unconcerned.

“Blood Fiend Woo Jin-yeol...?”

Until ten years ago, he had been one of the Seven Evils of the Demonic Cult. In other words, he was a great demon equal to the Martial Apex Venerables of both the orthodox and unorthodox paths.

After losing to the Demon-Eyed Saber Master’s challenge, being expelled from the Seven Evils, and going into seclusion, why was he here in Logos of all places?

‘Wait...’

Haryeong flinched and examined the Blood Fiend.

His face was covered in wrinkles. His exposed hands were wrinkled as well. He was not bent for an old man, but neither was he robust.

It did not match the information she remembered. Once a martial artist surpassed the sixth tier, aging was suppressed. Upon reaching the seventh tier, they underwent rejuvenation and regained the body of their prime.

Haryeong had never seen the Blood Fiend in person before he went into seclusion ten years ago, but she remembered the description of a young man with a massive build comparable to the Fist Wolf’s.

‘...’

Was he really the Blood Fiend? She did not ask aloud. Instead, fragments of information began to come together in her mind.

Ten years ago, the Blood Fiend had lost a duel with the Demon-Eyed Saber Master and been expelled from the Demonic Cult’s Seven Evils. She had heard it was a one-sided duel.

The Demon-Eyed Saber Master’s curved saber had cut deeply into the Blood Fiend’s abdomen, and the Blood Fiend had survived only by begging for his life.

A grievous wound. More importantly, his dantian had been injured. An injured dantian, along with the humiliation of begging for his life. The Blood Fiend, once one of the Seven Evils, had no choice but to go into seclusion to escape the contempt of the Demonic Cult’s demonic martial artists.

An injury to the dantian. An old body that could no longer maintain rejuvenation.

‘Qi deviation.’

Had it occurred while he was recuperating from his wounds? Or had a demon of the heart come for him while he trained to avenge himself? One thing was clear. The old man before her did not possess the sense of stature she had felt from the Moonlit Reveller.

“You seem unable to believe that this old man is the Blood Fiend.”

“No. I believe you.”

“Assassin, you seem to have been thinking hard about this old man. What conclusion have you reached?”

“If you are recovering from Qi deviation, would not some secluded mountain valley be better than this place?”

Haryeong spoke without expression. The Blood Fiend twisted his face into a smile.

“If this old man had learned the martial arts of the orthodox path, I would have recuperated elsewhere.”

He did not deny the Qi deviation. Haryeong let out a short sigh and stepped back once.

“Why are you here? There are mountains everywhere.”

“Do you believe in superstition?”

“Pardon?”

“I believe in superstition.”

The Blood Fiend continued smiling.

“My wounds from ten years ago healed, but the inner energy I lost and my Qi deviation could not be reversed. My body could no longer resist age.”

“...”

“Is it not a common superstition that drinking young, pure blood can restore youth? In the past, I attained power and perfected my body by chewing human flesh and drinking blood.”

Elena’s face twisted at the grotesque words.

“Many young adventurers come to Logos. For me, few places make for a better place to recuperate. When people die, it is blamed on monsters, and it is easy to find young ones. There is variety, too.”

“I know that you have enjoyed cannibalism since long ago, Lord Blood Fiend. But even if you devour me, if you devour a mage of Dersia, Heavenly Thunder’s wrath will cover this mountain.”

“The name Heavenly Thunder is frightening to this old man now.”

The Blood Fiend’s lips parted. A white-coated tongue slid out between his yellow teeth.

“But if I eat you without leaving even a bone behind, even Heavenly Thunder will have no way of knowing. If it truly troubles me, I need only make you my final meal here and leave. There is no need for you to worry about this old man.”

“Must you truly do this? If you let us go, I promise that I will not tell anyone about you.”

“Rather than a verbal promise, killing you and silencing you is more certain. Assassin, whatever you say, this old man will not retreat. Did I not tell you? I believe in superstition.”

Sss...

His long tongue licked his lips. A crimson mist-like aura wrapped around the Blood Fiend’s body.

“Among all the young prey I have seen on this mountain, you two are the finest. Tiers that should be impossible at your age. Ah, such extraordinary talent. Your blood and flesh will taste sweet, and they will seep deep into this old body...”

He was insane.

Invoking Heavenly Thunder’s name had failed, but they had gained information through the conversation. The Blood Fiend’s Qi deviation. The inner energy he had failed to recover. His aged body.

The current Blood Fiend was far below the Seven Evils member who had once stood equal to the Martial Apex Venerables. It seemed he could not fully display the martial arts he had accumulated in the past.

‘Even so, he was once one of the Seven Evils...’

The fact that he had come out openly instead of ambushing them meant he was confident of victory. Even if he was no longer at his peak, a great demon who had once been one of the Seven Evils would not misjudge his chances.

‘We have no choice.’

[My lady. Are you really going to fight?]

Haryeong sent Elena a telepathic message. Elena flinched at the sudden voice in her head, but soon replied with magic.

[I told you. I am not as fast as you, and neither is Yuri.]

[I believe I can buy some time.]

[And if that old monster kills you and comes after us?]

[Then I will be dead, so there will be nothing I can do. We will likely reunite in that monster’s stomach.]

[Do not say such horrible things. If we fight together... what do you think will happen?]

[Honestly, I do not know. This is a highly unusual opponent.]

[Isn’t it about time you told me?]

The crimson aura around the Blood Fiend grew thicker. Crack. Electricity ran around Elena as well. Haryeong let both arms hang at her sides and circulated her inner energy.

[Haryeong, what tier are you?]

Her bodyguard had many secrets. Whenever Elena asked, Haryeong would say it was because she was an assassin. Her name was apparently an alias, and Elena had never even heard her exact age, much less her tier.

[I am fifth tier.]

This was no time to hide behind secrets. Elena let out a hollow laugh at Haryeong’s answer. She had expected Haryeong to be older, but she had thought their tiers might be similar.

[I do not know your exact age, but reaching fifth tier at your age makes you a genius, does it not?]

[Have I not told you several times? I am an extraordinarily skilled and fearsome assassin.]

Whoosh!

Green Ganggi covered Haryeong’s dagger. The Blood Fiend’s wrinkled eyes widened at the sight. He had thought she was around fourth tier, but she was fifth tier?

“Evil God! I thank you for giving me my daily bread again today!”

The Blood Fiend suddenly shouted, but nothing happened. It was merely a prayer.

He had come to this mountain to grasp at straws and restore his ruined body.

He had sought the Evil God’s blessing, but he had never received an answer, not even once. But could these magnificent provisions not be the Evil God’s blessing? If he ate those two, might he cast off the aftereffects of his Qi deviation? The Blood Fiend kicked off the ground with a broad smile.

“Run first.”

Elena whispered amid the crackling electricity.

“It will be dangerous, but it is better than here. Run straight down the mountain. If... if you meet anyone along the way, ask them to protect you.”

Elena did not wait for an answer. She focused all her attention on the Blood Fiend. Excluding her unfinished formula, the strongest Dersia formula Elena could use devoured the surrounding mana and spiritual power.

Thundering Flash Strike.

Kwararrrung!

A massive spear of lightning shot forward. The Blood Fiend’s red eyes widened, but rather than meet it head-on, he leaped high into the air. Thundering Flash Strike sharply changed direction and soared after him.

“Kuahahaha!”

The Blood Fiend laughed loudly and swung his right arm. Crimson Ganggi collided with Thundering Flash Strike.

Flash!

The exploded lightning scattered. His blackened sleeve turned to ash and scattered in the wind, and the Blood Fiend’s body was pushed slightly backward in midair. Yet the old body remained uninjured.

Papapak!

Haryeong rushed forward. Keeping her eyes on the slowly descending Blood Fiend, she threw her Ganggi-covered dagger.

Kkwang!

The Blood Fiend’s palm strike blocked the dagger.

Kwoong!

The Blood Fiend, pushed back farther, landed on both feet. Though only one person had fallen, the ground shook, creating a massive shockwave. Haryeong clicked her tongue and jumped high, while Elena flinched and raised her wand to form a barrier.

“Run, Yuri!”

Elena shouted again and rushed forward. If they fought here, Yuri would be caught in it as well.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

It was hard to believe the repeated sounds came from a dagger colliding with bare hands. Haryeong carefully maintained her distance and threw her dagger at the Blood Fiend. Yet no matter how many times she threw it, she could not pierce his protective Ganggi.

‘Qi deviation.’

She was certain of that now. Though her dagger could not pierce through and wound him, his protective Ganggi shook whenever it struck.

Even a fifth-tier Haryeong fighting at full strength should not have been able to shake the protective Ganggi of a seventh-tier martial artist.

Yet it only shook and would not break through. He must have lost much of his inner energy, but of course. Even if he had aged and lost inner energy, the martial arts he had attained at the seventh tier remained. His martial prowess was no longer what it had been, but his accumulated skill, experience in handling inner energy, and mastery of martial arts remained intact.

‘Protective Ganggi consumes a great deal of inner energy. If he cannot maintain rejuvenation, then his tier must have fallen because of Qi deviation. His acupoints cannot be normal either.’

If she dragged the battle out, they had a chance. Haryeong reached that conclusion.

‘A prolonged battle...?’

Could that truly be possible? The Blood Fiend smiled horribly within the crimson aura.

Kkwang!

The distance closed in an instant. Haryeong did not panic and used her footwork. The body the Blood Fiend had been about to seize left behind a faint afterimage, while her true body circled to his side.

She tried to drive her dagger in at close range, but as if expecting it, the Blood Fiend detonated his protective Ganggi.

Kkwang!

Haryeong gritted her teeth as she stopped herself from flying backward. She tasted blood deep in her mouth.

“Haryeong!”

Lightning flashed with Elena’s cry. Dozens of lightning bolts shot past Haryeong and exploded toward the Blood Fiend.

Papapak!

The Blood Fiend darted through the gaps between the numerous, swift bolts of lightning and swung both hands. Explosions and impacts followed. Haryeong blocked them with her dagger and raised her protective Ganggi, but her bones and organs rang painfully.

‘His control over Ganggi is different...!’

The gap was immense. If he was this powerful even after suffering Qi deviation, how strong had he been in his prime?

“Argh!”

A scream came from behind her as well. The Blood Fiend’s attacks were not focused only on Haryeong. Elena hurriedly raised a barrier, but she could not block everything. Elena forced her staggering body upright and coughed up blood.

“Assassin. Your martial arts look familiar.”

Crackle, crackle. The colliding Ganggi made tearing sounds.

“Assassin of Salhomun, you are from the Dang Family.”

The Blood Fiend’s breath stank of foul filth.

“Why is the Dang Family, which rules Salmun, in Salhomun? Does Salhomun belong to Salmun? This old man is learning this for the first time. Still, how strange. Your martial arts resemble the Dang Family’s Style of Merciless Assassination, yet they are different. You seem to be trying hard to hide it, but they are filled with emotion.”

“The smell.”

Haryeong twisted her lips as she spoke.

“Lord Blood Fiend. Your breath smells of filth.”

Haryeong’s body trembled, and green Ganggi quivered.

Papapapak!

Ganggi burst from Haryeong’s entire body in the form of daggers.

“A crude Rain of Ten Thousand Flowers!”

The Blood Fiend laughed heartily and swung both hands. Crimson Ganggi became one giant hand and blocked Haryeong’s daggers.

“Haryeong!”

Elena ran toward the staggering Haryeong and swung her wand. Arrows of lightning summoned by her magic poured toward the Blood Fiend, but even Elena’s magic could not drive him back.

Yuri...

He watched everything.

‘Me...’

He was excluded.

The Blood Fiend who had suddenly appeared had not looked at Yuri even once. The only ones he had singled out were Elena and Haryeong, and that had not changed.

The first thing Haryeong, who always wore an expressionless face while constantly making silly jokes, had done was grab Elena and Yuri and run.

When she judged that escape was impossible, Haryeong became the bodyguard she always claimed to be. Perhaps she could have escaped alone with her speed, but without hesitation, Haryeong flung Yuri and Elena clear and blocked the Blood Fiend by herself.

Elena did not choose to run. Her shout had been quite practical. Haryeong alone would not be able to hold the Blood Fiend back for long, and even if Elena fled at full speed, she would not be able to shake him off.

“Argh!”

Staggering amid the fragments of her collapsing barrier, Elena had shouted at Yuri to run.

No one here thought Yuri could fight. The Blood Fiend ignored Yuri, while Haryeong and Elena did not ask Yuri for help. They only told him to run.

Running was the right choice.

It was what Yuri could do here.

Second tier. That was the lie he had told them.

Third tier. Yuri’s true tier.

It was not an impressive tier. No one here was below Yuri’s tier. Jake, whom the Blood Fiend had crushed like a bug, had been third tier as well.

So Yuri could do nothing in this fight. Not while Haryeong coughed up blood and rolled across the ground, nor while Elena barely stood on trembling legs and the lightning she unleashed scattered against the Blood Fiend’s hands.

There was nothing Yuri could do.

If he did not want to die, if he wanted to improve even slightly his chances of surviving, the right choice was to run while the two desperately fought the Blood Fiend.

If he was lucky enough to meet other adventurers, he should ask them for help.

Yuri clenched his fist.

They had come to Logos because of Yuri.

If Yuri had not spoken about adventurers, Elena would not have come to Logos, and Haryeong would not have followed.

If Yuri had not been there, this would not have happened.

He did not want to die.

He wanted to live.

As for wanting to return to his original world, honestly, he had never desperately wanted it from the beginning.

There was no reason he absolutely had to return. He had no family, no friends, no job, no money, nothing he could do, nothing he could plainly say he wanted to do, no memories, nothing precious, no one waiting for him, and no one looking for him.

Lee Su-hyeok was someone empty, alive but alone.

When he had played that damned game for a long time, become better at it than others, fallen into a trap, and crossed into this world.

He had thought it was fucking awful. Naturally, he had thought about wanting to go back. But in one corner of his heart, there had also been excitement.

This was not an ordinary event.

In a sense, he had been chosen.

It was something extraordinary that had come to Lee Su-hyeok, an empty nobody who had never been chosen for anything in his life.

That was why returning to his original world had not felt so urgent.

Could life here be better than the life he had lived in his original world?

Had he truly never held such expectations?

‘No.’

He did not want to die.

He wanted to live.

He wanted it because he had hope for life in this world.

Kill the Evil God and make a wish to the Goddess of Order? Yuri doubted he could truly accomplish that, but as long as no one discovered he was a transmigrator...

He thought Yuri’s life might be better than Lee Su-hyeok’s.

To avoid dying, he had to run.

If he ran, Elena and Haryeong would die.

‘But I might live.’

For the hope Lee Su-hyeok carried, that was the right choice.

‘Me.’

If he ran and survived, how would he remember this day?

‘The fire that carries out heavenly punishment.’

He would not want to remember it.

‘The asura that destroys evil.’

He would remember it as a terrible nightmare.

‘The apostle who sets right the principles of heaven.’