< Who do you think I am? >
Daein was astonished.
“So you made chicken with fireworks in the sky for me to see?”
[You took off your bracelet and turned off your communicator. So I thought that if I made a huge chicken in the sky, you would see it.]
Lily spoke in a sad voice over the communicator. Even without looking, I could tell that my cheeks were swollen.
“······.”
Since it was true that I had kept all of my artifacts in my bag as a way to practice martial arts, I had nothing to say about that.
‘That was the monster that appeared in the sky of the Demonic Cult.’
Daein recalled the story he heard from Cheongwoon earlier during the day.
A huge flaming monster that rose from the Demonic Cult’s stronghold, and a strange character that appeared above its head.
ㅁㅏ ㅈ ㄱ ㅆ iI
“···It was the uncle.”
If the soldiers of the Murim League, who are tearing their hair out to interpret the text, find out, they will have a fit.
“Besides, you are the god of the Demonic Cult?”
[It’s called Hwashin!]
“Either that or that…”
Daein didn’t even know where to start to resolve this matter.
‘It doesn’t seem like it’s a dangerous situation right now.’
From what I heard, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Church is watching the little boy in order to use him as a justification for war, but since he is revered as a god, he will not be able to harm him carelessly.
A grumpy voice came from the other end of the communicator.
[I shamefully left out my bracelet…]
“There was a reason for that. anyway. “What happened next?”
[After that···. Ah? Please wait a moment.]
After a while, Lily’s tone of voice calmed down.
[Add. From now on, I will explain.]
“···Abraxas? it’s you?”
The great man opened his mouth in bewilderment at the unfamiliar change. I was really surprised today.
[I borrowed Lily’s mouth for a moment. Because a Serpent’s oral structure cannot speak like a human. I can’t even use some magic yet.]
Even during this time, it was funny to think about it.
“You really have degenerated into a snake… Dragon turns into a snake… Big…”
[I guess you don’t want to hear it?]
The great man said, holding back his laughter.
“Hmm. “Please explain what the situation is.”
Abraxas sighed lightly and explained the situation they were in.
[Preparations for war are in full swing here. The cult leader advertises every day that it is a holy war with God, and thanks to this, I think the morale of the soldiers will skyrocket.]
“···So when do you think the troops will be dispatched?”
[One month at the latest. I’m looking forward to running out as soon as next week.]
“crazy···.”
The great man was sweating profusely.
‘The future has completely changed.’
Originally, the Great War took place about a year later. The Demonic and the Murim Alliance are perfectly prepared and clash with each other in a force-for-force manner.
But when Lily came to Moorim, the future changed drastically.
‘···You can’t just blame the kid.’
Lily followed Daein, and if Daein hadn’t created the dimensional terminal in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened.
The great man’s expression became serious.
It seemed like it was a mistake to quietly take only the Changcheon Shingeom and return.
“Can’t you just say that God doesn’t want war? “For example, delaying the deployment of troops.”
Abraxas sighed from the other side of the communicator.
[I tried to do that too… The Heavenly Demon Cult leader is completely crazy. Even a god would try to kill someone if it offended him?]
“no way···?”
[Really. Even if the others don’t know, you can’t touch the cult leader. He’s a guy who puts his own desires before his religious beliefs. If we openly oppose war… I don’t know what to do.]
“······.”
If Abraxas was like that, it would be like that.
The great man trusted his judgment as he had lived a long time and had seen countless people.
In that case, you need to get the kid away from that crazy guy quickly.
“Do you think you can get out of there?”
[I don’t think that will be easy either. I’m being watched all day by some pretty strong guys.]
“They must be warriors under the direct command of the sect leader…”
Daein felt his stomach getting stuffy.
If the war between demons and demons continues like this, the little boy will come out to the martial arts world with the demonic warriors.
Since he is an incarnation of God, security around him will be tight, and on the other hand, political factions will try to kill him at all costs.
‘Maybe more masters than the Heavenly Demon will rush in…’
What if the leaders of a political faction feel more attracted to killing gods than humans?
After all, we need to get Lily out of the demonic cult quickly. You can’t be left alone in enemy territory with no friends…
“···wait for a sec.”
Daein recalled what Lily said when communication was first connected.
“kid. “What does it mean that you made friends at the Demonic Cult earlier?”
[that···. wait for a sec. It would be better for Lily to speak.]
After a while, Lily’s voice returned to normal.
[Grandpa Grandpa is good to me, and Uncle Sogyoju is also kind… Sisters here too. Everyone be nice to me.]
The voice changed back to Abraxas.
[Here, kids. Except for the religious leader, most of them have strong religious beliefs. Sogyoju, he seems a little different.]
“So it’s not like there’s anyone around you who can help you?”
[That’s true, but the authority of the religious leader is very strong now. Moreover, he is also the strongest here.]
In the end, the martial arts group was all about strong self-respect, and the Heavenly Demon Church had that tendency even stronger.
Unless someone more powerful than the Celestial Demon Cult appears, tens of thousands of warriors will only follow the Cult’s orders.
[···Even if a savior from the scriptures of the Heavenly Demon Church appears, it will be of no use if he is weaker than the cult leader.]
“saver? what is that?”
Abraxas explained about the savior found in the scriptures of the Heavenly Demon Church.
[Humans here believe they come from another world. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but the savior is a very important figure in these beliefs. We are supposed to take them to the paradise they originally lived in.]
“There is such a thing… A savior.”
The great man was lost in thought while stroking his chin.
Cheon Muhan, the leader of the Heavenly Demon Church.
In Moorim, he is an absolute expert called Cheonma.
‘I understand that he killed the Murim leader Ya Yul-gi in the Battle of Jeongma and befriended Geomseong.’
Although Daein did not experience the Great War, he knew its general flow and outcome.
Cheon Muhan was stronger than Yayulgi, who was mentioned as the leader of the top ten masters, and was a swordsman who was on a par with the swordsman, who was said to be the third best swordsman in the world.
‘But I know a master who may be stronger than the world’s three greatest enemies.’
As the thoughts reached that point, a rough picture began to form in the great man’s mind.
‘Plus, I have an artifact that will make the expert stronger.’
The great man said.
“First of all, try roasting the people around you a little more. As much as possible. So increase your influence.”
[That’s not difficult, but why?]
“I have an idea. Just do that.”
Quickly, the plan in my head was becoming more and more concrete. At times like this, he was a man whose mind worked surprisingly quickly.
“And now that we’re there, let’s ask another favor.”
[What request?]
“Child, since you are a god, you can go anywhere within the Demonic Cult, right?”
The answering voice changed from moment to moment depending on who was calling.
[Maybe it’s possible?]
“There must be a place like Jangseogak where martial arts are collected. Because I will call you by name. Find some books there and memorize them. Ah. “Is it possible with magic?”
[You can memorize a few books without using magic.]
“good. then···.”
The great man called out the names of magicians who would make the martial arts people tremble just by hearing their names.
Sosu magic. Blood Demon Gong. Flame magic. Lord Surama.
Although they may be one level lower than the Heavenly Demon Godkong or the Heavenly Demon Godkong – depending on their constitution, they may be better than that – but each and every one of them was a world-class divine skill.
Abraxas, who sensed what the great man was thinking, said.
[The magic of this place… No, did you say martial arts? Are you asking me to steal it?]
“Strictly speaking, it’s not stealing. “I’m not coming out with a book.”
Abraxas clicked his tongue at that shamelessness.
[I can’t believe you’re thinking like that even in this situation. You are really…]
“Think of it as an offering.”
[······.]
“And one more thing.”
It didn’t end here. The great man rummaged through his bag and took out something of his own.
It was a map hidden inside a stone statue of the first Heavenly Demon that I found when I went to North Korea.
‘I was really planning on visiting this place later, but…’
The place indicated on the map was within the territory of the Heavenly Demon Church.
Daein said as he placed the map on the communicator.
“I’ll send you a map using the scan function. Please do some research when you have time. “You don’t have to do this, so don’t feel pressured.”
[Are you exploiting us properly?!]
[Just make them work! It’s bad, really!!]
Abraxas and Lily complained in turn.
It was strange that they had the same mouth but a slightly different voice.
The great man gently comforted the two people.
“Now that we’ve arrived there, we need to take everything we can. “I will finish my work here as quickly as possible and go there, so just wait a moment.”
[When will you come?]
“ASAP.”
As the great man said that, he changed the plan in his head to a great extent.
‘If this continues, I might end up listening to the Geomwang’s will.’
However, the method will be different from what Geomhwang thought. Although the detailed plan has not been fully developed yet…
“Let’s call it a day. “If the call lasts too long, the leader will get suspicious.”
At that time, Lily shouted from the other side of the communicator.
[mister! I’ll call you every day from now on! Don’t miss it, every day!]
“I get it. Let’s talk every day around this time. Oh, don’t forget to brush your teeth before going to bed.”
Daein ended the call.
***
smart.
The great man knocked and entered the room. Manpak Nogee, who was still drinking alone, turned to Daein.
“Hey. “Who did you talk to for so long?”
He was a great man who had taken something out of his bag earlier and ran to the next room when he heard the voice of a girl.
When the disciple returned after a long time, Manbaknogoe urged him to speak quickly.
The great man sitting across from Manbaknogoe hesitated and spoke.
“that is···. Something a bit awkward has come up. “I might have to give up on the martial arts competition.”
The old man snorted as if he had no idea.
“Hey. Don’t make things up, just say it. “Are you going to ask Nobu for something more troublesome?”
He was an expert who had a rough understanding of his students’ personalities after teaching them for a month.
“Anyway, I guess…”
The great man poured the soju he had brought into Manbaknogoe’s glass. Give or take. Two bottles of soju disappeared in an instant.
“My younger brother, who should be on Earth, is now in Moorim. “It seems like it’s in a pretty dangerous place.”
“So, are you asking me to bring the child to you?”
Daein said, ‘A. No way.’ He shook his head.
“No matter how much you are a teacher, you can’t go in there.”
“···What is it?”
The proud old Manbak did not listen to those words. He said, opening his ring eyes.
“Where are you saying that Nobu can’t go in? “The Murim League is also an old man who comes and goes like it’s his own home!”
The great man sighed and shook his head.
“But that doesn’t work. “Master, your life will be in danger if you go in there.”
Even though he knew it was an obvious trick, Manbak Nogee was caught in it.
“This guy? Please tell me. “As long as it doesn’t become a war against the Heavenly Demon Church…”
“There it is.”
“···what?”
“The battle of the Heavenly Demon Church. “They say he’s trapped somewhere nearby…”
“Are you making fun of Nobu now?”
“That can’t be right.”
Daein spoke frankly about Lily’s situation.
When the whole story was over, Manbaknogoe was silent like a mute who had just eaten honey.
“After all, it wouldn’t work if you were a teacher, right?”
“······.”
“I understand. “No matter how expert you are, if you can’t do something, you can’t do it.”
“······.”
‘weird? Isn’t it time to say you’ll go, even if it’s just for your pride?’
The great man carefully looked at the old man’s expression. Contrary to expectations, he had a bitter expression.
“Master?”
“······.”
Daein’s original plan was to lend his artifact to the Manpoku no Kai and ask him to rescue Lily.
Doppelganger’s mask.
Shadow Cloak.
Demon Sword Shalit.
A short-distance movement scroll for escape.
Several types of potions.
With this level of skill, it would have been enough to rescue Lily.
If I were a little more greedy, I might just kill the Heavenly Demon.
however···.
‘The reaction is very different from what I expected.’
As a heavy silence continued, Daein first apologized.
“sorry. I’m asking an unreasonable favor… “Please pretend you didn’t hear it.”
“Kkeulkeul… Hey. “That’s not it.”
The Manpaku old man smiled forlornly and let out a long sigh. He drank the remaining soju one after another.
And only after a long time, Manbaknogoe opened his mouth with difficulty.
“you···. “Who do you think I am?”
< Who do you think I am? > end
