DEB 48

“Cough… Cough!”

The acrid demonic energy filled the air, making Huiyun cough up blood. Gritting his teeth, he lifted his upper body off the ground. 

Once his vision cleared, he saw a world tainted in a murky purple. The sky was violet, and from the blackish ground emanated an ominous, purplish haze that rose like heatwaves. 

Something clattered under his foot when he moved. Looking back, he saw a withered skeleton.

“Ugh…”

“Where are we now?” 

“Is everyone okay?” 

“Guild Master, what is this…?”

One by one, the Ash guild members, who had been caught up in the anomaly, regained their senses and looked around the unfamiliar world. Some spoke in serious tones about never having experienced such an event in a gate before, while others flinched at the sight of skeletons on the ground, and some staggered, unable to withstand the dense demonic energy.

Everyone’s complexion was growing paler, as if the atmosphere was draining their life force. Feeling his own strength gradually depleting, Huiyun lifted his head. 

They had definitely fallen from above, yet there was no visible hole in the sky. Without any sense of spatial distortion, it was clear what had happened.

They had been transported from the gate to this place for some unknown reason.

This was undoubtedly an error. The absence of any system notifications meant only one thing.

They had entered an area outside the system’s jurisdiction.

Being in a place where the system’s supportive abilities didn’t reach implied that they would receive no assistance or cooperation from the system no matter what happened next.

This complicates things.

Even a begrudged ally is more helpful than a blatant enemy. Huiyun internally called out to the golden system, which usually appeared at the slightest hint of his thoughts, but there was no response. His mental communications to the system felt blocked, as if something was preventing them from being sent.

Given this level of disconnection, it had to be that place.

Guessing where they had landed, Huiyun looked at Juan, who was sniffing the air and grimacing. 

He approached Huiyun.

“It seems like ‘that place,’ doesn’t it?”

Huiyun agreed, knowing there were only two places with such dense and ominous mana.

The gate had already been entered, so this had to be the latter.

“If we’re in their den, it’s a good chance to see how much strength they’ve amassed.” 

Juan said, unsheathing his sword with a warlike glint in his eye. 

Seeing the hatred burning in Juan’s eyes, Huiyun decided to heighten his senses using Yasha’s powers.

In his current excited state, Juan couldn’t make a rational assessment of the situation. 

Huiyun needed to keep his wits about him.

This is not good.

Indeed, it was necessary to scout the demon lord’s domain, but this wasn’t the right time, and certainly not with this team composition. The guild members were already struggling with the unfiltered demonic energy.

Moreover, Huiyun’s own condition wasn’t normal. He was using Yasha’s power to protect his heart from the demonic energy seeping deep into his body, but he was beginning to feel his limbs go numb. They wouldn’t be able to last long. Confronting the demons in their home turf, where they weren’t weakened, was suicidal.

Instead of fighting, they needed to escape. To do that, Huiyun needed to calm Juan, who was already itching for a fight.

He cast a white protective shield around the guild members and moved forward, with Siho baring its teeth and growling on his shoulder.

Hissss.

Like a monster, Siho snarled fiercely, its fur bristling as it stared at the sky. In a place devoid of the system, the spirit beast with system-like abilities was the only reliable entity. 

Huiyun followed Siho’s gaze to the sky.

Far off, something dark red was flying toward them. It was hard to see against the dark purple sky, but its movement was noticeable.

They were closing in fast. What first appeared as tiny specks grew to the size of pebbles, then to fist-sized rocks. 

Huiyun realized their true nature.

Demons.

Specifically, demonic sentinels guarding high-ranking demon tombs.

By this point, Huiyun wasn’t the only one who noticed their approach.

“Guild Master, look! Something’s coming from above!”

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Damn it. Where are we? And why isn’t the system responding?”

“Na-mu-a-mi-ta-bul…”

Some drew their swords while others steadied themselves with prayers, preparing for the approaching enemies. Demonic sentinels, with their wings spread wide, rapidly descended upon the intruders. Their red skin was covered in burn scars and wounds.

One sentinel, with half its face marred by burns, hurled a trident at the Ash guild members. 

The weapon, wreathed in black flames, cut through the air with a piercing sound.

“We’re under attack!”

“Don’t block it head-on! Deflect it! A direct clash will make it harder to counter the next attack!”

The Ash guild members responded without panic, coordinating to deflect the descending trident. Sparks flew, and the grating sound of metal on metal filled the air.

Though demonic sentinels were lesser demons, they were formidable foes tasked with guarding high-ranking demons’ tombs. More importantly, being ‘demons,’ they were far more dangerous than mere monsters.

Creatures with intelligence, cunning, and the ability to wield weapons proficiently.

The guild members groaned and shouted, struggling to fend off the incoming spears. It was likely their first encounter with unweakened demons, and they were undoubtedly taken aback by the unexpected strength of their adversaries.

“Hong Juan.”

“At times like this, call me ‘Ash.’ It gives me more strength.”

Understanding the meaning behind the call, the man pulled back his shoulders, took a deep breath, and threw his sword. As the sword sliced through the air, flames enveloped it. 

The massive flames, far surpassing the power of the demons’ thrown spears, collided with the demon sentinels like a meteor.

Though the demons screamed in agony, Huiyun did not let his guard down.

They wouldn’t be defeated by a single attack.

Their initial spear throw was likely a test to gauge the group’s strength, with the demons holding back their true power.

“Don’t give them a chance! We need to end this immediately!”

As the dust from the explosion settled, Huiyun sensed the still-living demon sentinels and launched dozens of light-made spears. The demons, emerging from the dust cloud, blocked Huiyun’s attacks with their tridents.

Grouped together, the demons coordinated their defenses, parrying Huiyun’s attacks as they descended. In the meantime, Juan conjured dozens of fireballs, targeting the sentinels with his flames.

“We’ll help too!”

Having finally broken free from the demon’s spear, the guild members gritted their teeth and joined the fight.

Despite realizing that their strength alone was insufficient, the guild members did not back down, and Huiyun revised his assessment of them. 

The members of Ash Guild, each with their unique quirks and thought processes, were indeed worthy of belonging to the nation’s top guild due to their abilities and determination.

Juan’s flames swept through the air, chasing the sentinels, while Huiyun’s spears intermittently aimed for their lives, causing the demons to falter. The sentinels, initially expecting an easy victory, hesitated and communicated amongst themselves in guttural sounds before ascending rapidly.

“Don’t let them escape!”

Demon sentinels typically guarded a specific territory. The ones attacking now were likely a scouting party, and if they returned with reinforcements, it would be disadvantageous for Huiyun’s group.

Determined to finish the fight, Huiyun focused his suppressed energy on the fleeing sentinels.

Domination.

The energy that had been restrained for the third time flowed freely, rushing toward the sentinels. As Huiyun felt his energy engulf the demons, he staggered, gripping the ground.

Using Yasha’s power in such a demonic energy-laden environment was excruciating, but there was no other way to deal with the immediate threat.

“Come down!”

Struggling to stay conscious, Huiyun shouted, his voice hoarse. The demons were suddenly subjected to a powerful gravity field, halting their ascent.

Snap.

The demons’ wings made harsh cracking sounds as they were forcibly grounded.

“Now!”

“We’re in the middle of a fight, focus!” 

“Attack! Hold them down!”

Seeing the demons fall at Huiyun’s command, the Ash Guild members hesitated momentarily before seasoned hunters led them back into the fray.

Huiyun wavered, opening and closing his eyes. He tasted the metallic tang of blood as it dripped from his nose to his lips. His hands trembled, but he maintained his focus, staring at the fallen sentinels.

Fifteen sentinels crashed to the ground.

“Now’s our chance!”

“Use your strongest skills! Don’t hold back!” 

“Pour out every last bit of your mana!”

The Ash Guild members attacked the downed sentinels with everything they had. Juan’s flames flared up, and the struggling demons screeched in agony as they perished.

“Ugh!”

“Huiyun!”

“Mr. Mok Huiyun!”

Huiyun, struggling to withstand the backlash of his power, eventually coughed up blood and collapsed. The guild members rushed to his side.

“Huiyun!”

Reacting the fastest, Juan caught the falling Huiyun and tried to offer him a potion, but Huiyun shook his head. 

Regular healing potions, saturated with pure mana, were harmful to him.

Enduring it was the only option. Huiyun wiped the blood from his mouth and surveyed the area.

No more sentinels in sight.

Just when he was about to allow himself a moment of respite, Siho, standing on his shoulder, raised a paw and pointed at the sky again.

“…!”

Huiyun and Juan both sensed the ominous presence in the distance, simultaneously turning their gazes skyward.

A vast, dark presence loomed in the black sky. 

“…A high-ranking noble.”

Huiyun narrowed his eyes, recognizing the familiar aura. It was at least that of a baron, if not a viscount. The owner of the aura was rapidly approaching. Juan stood protectively in front of Huiyun, but it was futile.

Even Ash, as strong as he was, couldn’t handle this level of power alone.

“Move, Ash!”

With no time to think rationally, Huiyun instinctively called out the name.

Yippp! Ding!

Siho cried out, and for the first time, the system’s notification sound, a beacon of hope, rang in Huiyun’s ears.

[The system has detected an anomaly in the gate.

Initiating emergency extraction.]

A blue notification screen expanded around Huiyun, encompassing him and the Ash Guild members, and with a pop, they vanished. When the notification screen dissipated, Huiyun and the Ash Guild members were no longer in the demon realm.