Absolute Regression

Chapter 657: Today, None of Us Will Die

“That’s the place.”

At his subordinate’s words, Jin Hagun fixed his gaze on a building in the distance.

It was an abandoned manor. When the wind blew, the half-broken front gate let out a creaking sound.

They had finally tracked down the whereabouts of Artisan Gwak Yeong’s younger sibling and come to rescue them.

This mission was special to Jin Hagun.

It was a task entrusted to him by Geom Muyang himself. For someone with such pride to hand it over with the belief that you’ll do better than I will—it was something he wanted to succeed in at all costs.

“The manor is occupied by beggars, but judging from their movements, they are martial artists.”

“How many in total?”

“There are about seven or eight outside. It seems there’s roughly the same number inside as well.”

They must have disguised themselves as beggars, knowing that places swarming with them wouldn’t attract people.

“The positions of the sentries?”

A martial artist who had gone scouting unfolded a piece of paper. Rough outlines of the manor’s buildings were drawn on it.

“There are guards stationed in all four directions. Here and here, as well as here and here.”

The scout quickly pointed out the locations of the sentries.

Being members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, who carried out countless missions, they naturally split into teams and decided which enemies each would deal with.

“There’s a hostage, so take them out quietly and move inside.”

The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade approached the manor cautiously from all directions.

Leading the way with Jin Hagun were those whose lightness skill was the best among the brigade.

The moment the beggar who had been keeping watch outside collapsed from a hidden weapon, the brigade members surged forward from all four directions, leaping over the wall at the same time.

Just as Jin Hagun lightly landed beneath the wall, the beggar guarding that spot pulled a dagger from his bosom to attack.

But Jin Hagun had known he was there before he descended, so the man had neither the chance to shout nor the chance to strike.

Shhhk.

Slaash!

With a single sword strike from Jin Hagun, the neck of the martial artist disguised as a beggar was severed, and he fell.

The beggars guarding the other spots also collapsed under the Demon-Slaying Brigade’s surprise assault. They had decent skills, but nowhere near enough to withstand the brigade’s ambush.

Having breached the walls from all sides, the brigade members began sweeping through the buildings one by one.

Drawing on their seasoned experience, they silently took down everyone inside as well.

Now, the only building left was the largest one at the center.

And so, Jin Hagun and the members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade quietly slipped inside.

Daggers flew toward the throats of the beggars guarding the corridor.

The blades struck true, embedding themselves deep, and before the men could collapse, the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade slid forward and caught them.

Without a single scream or sound of bodies hitting the floor, they gradually pressed further inside.

And then—they reached the final door.

Opening it with caution, they stepped inside to find a vast grand hall.

There’s a space this large inside this building? The thought came unbidden, for the area was far larger than one would expect from the exterior.

At the center of the hall sat a man on a chair. His head was bowed low, and from the way he seemed to be in a deep sleep, his blood vessels had likely been sealed.

From the look of him, he was almost certainly the one they had come to rescue.

But Jin Hagun remained cautious.

Before sending a subordinate to verify, he turned to look at one man.

He was the oldest-looking among those present, though he wore the uniform of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, he was not one of its members.

This was Hwa Song, a master of the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art.

The Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art was a martial technique created to counter the Soul Reaping Art. It had been developed from the Soul-Suppressing Light Heart Art, originally a Buddhist martial art, and was designed especially to counter the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Soul Reaping Art.

The Martial Alliance had trained martial artists capable of using the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art, and Hwa Song was one of only two grand masters who taught them.

In other words, he was one of the top two experts in the Martial Alliance at breaking the Soul Reaping Art.

The reason Jin Hagun had come on this mission with Hwa Song was because of Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk had sent word that among the enemies this time was a master of the Soul Reaping Art, warning that the opponent’s skill was extraordinary and advising extreme caution.

Since that message, the Demon-Slaying Brigade had been moving together with Hwa Song at all times.

For this rescue mission as well, they had anticipated that the enemy might use the Soul Reaping Art—and indeed, that expectation proved correct.

Hwa Song, scanning the surroundings, immediately discerned the hidden technique at work.

“This place is under the Soul Strengthening Art,” Hwa Song said.

He explained further.

“In a space where the Soul Strengthening Art is deployed, the Soul Reaping Art gains even greater power. Even I cannot easily break it here.”

Jin Hagun’s expression hardened.

The one who had cast the Soul Strengthening Art would, of course, be a master of the Soul Reaping Art.

Which meant that this person could appear here at any moment.

The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade closed ranks around Hwa Song, keeping their guard in all directions. Above all else, he was the one who had to be protected.

Jin Hagun raised his qi to scan the area, but fortunately, he could not sense any hidden presence nearby.

Normally, the first step would be to confirm the hostage’s identity, but in a space where the Soul Strengthening Art was deployed, moving carelessly could not be allowed.

“Let’s break the Soul Strengthening Art first.”

“Please be careful.”

Hwa Song began dismantling the Soul Strengthening Art with practiced hands.

He moved a vase standing on a display cabinet to the side. Then he took down a hanging scroll from the wall and set it gently on the floor. He wasn’t carelessly shoving things aside; every single movement was deliberate and cautious.

He took some powder from his sleeve and sprinkled it onto the floor. He erased certain lines drawn on the wall, and in their place, he drew new ones.

All the while, Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade kept watch, tense and vigilant.

How much time had passed like that?

Hwa Song finally succeeded in breaking the Soul Strengthening Art.

“It’s done.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Even with the art broken, Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade could not sense any difference.

Now, all eyes turned toward the sleeping man in the center of the grand hall.

A man sleeping alone in a space where the Soul Strengthening Art had been cast—if this mission were anything other than a rescue, they would have withdrawn immediately.

But since there was a high chance he was Gwak Yeong’s younger brother, they approached cautiously.

Hwa Song took the lead with Jin Hagun, moving toward the sleeping man. The Demon-Slaying Brigade members flanked them on both sides.

Hwa Song placed his palm near the man’s forehead. A faint blue light seemed to flow from his hand.

“This person is not under the Soul Reaping Art.”

One of the brigade members stepped up and lifted the man’s head. After checking his face, the man turned to Jin Hagun and gave a single nod—it matched the description of Gwak Yeong’s younger brother.

“Wake him.”

At Jin Hagun’s order, a brigade member pressed an acupoint to rouse the man.

Although Hwa Song had said he wasn’t affected by the Soul Reaping Art, none of them knew what kind of attack he might launch upon waking, so they all raised their internal energy and stayed on guard.

The man woke with a start, staring at Jin Hagun and the brigade members in shock. The fear and surprise they felt from him were no act.

“Please spare me!”

The man squeezed his eyes shut. Just awakened, he didn’t think the martial artists before him had come to rescue him. He likely believed they were on the same side as those who had kidnapped him.

A brigade member asked him,

“What’s your name?”

The man opened his eyes slightly, gauging their intentions.

“Your name!”

Pressed again, the man answered quickly.

“My name is Gwak Ju.”

It was certain—he was Gwak Yeong’s younger brother.

Only then did Jin Hagun reveal his identity to him.

“We are the Martial Alliance’s Demon-Slaying Brigade. We came to rescue you at your sister Gwak Yeong’s request.”

He deliberately mentioned Gwak Yeong’s name.

At those words, Gwak Ju’s eyes widened, and a bright smile spread across his face.

“Ah! At last! Thank you, truly, thank you.”

“Let’s get you out of here.”

They were just about to turn and leave with him when it happened.

Shiiiik.

Chaaang!

Jin Hagun instinctively deflected the sword flying toward Gwak Ju.

It was truly startling. One of the Demon-Slaying Brigade members standing right behind him had suddenly thrust a sword at Gwak Ju.

“He’s been caught by the Soul Reaping Art!”

Just as that man was about to attack Gwak Ju again, a fellow brigade member beside him struck his demon meridian to suppress him.

“Urghhh!”

The subordinate’s face twisted in pain, and bulging veins rose instantly across his forehead.

“No!”

Jin Hagun shouted urgently, his heart sinking. It was exactly as Geom Mugeuk had warned—if someone under the Soul Reaping Art had their acupoint suppressed, they would die in terrible agony.

Fortunately, they had Hwa Song.

He swiftly pressed his palm to the man’s forehead and recited a mnemonic verse. As blue light flowed from his hand, the anguished expression faded from the man’s face.

The man looked bewildered to see everyone staring at him.

“What’s going on?”

He hadn’t even realized he’d been caught in the Soul Reaping Art. That alone proved just how exceptional the skill of the one who had cast it was.

Jin Hagun told him calmly,

“You were just caught by the Soul Reaping Art.”

The subordinate was shocked.

If not for Hwa Song, he would have died. And if Geom Mugeuk hadn’t sent word beforehand to beware, they would have suffered a disastrous loss here.

Jin Hagun released his qi and scanned the surroundings, but there was no sign of anyone else hidden anywhere in the hall.

“Let’s get out, now!”

For the moment, escaping this place was the wisest move.

But just as they hurried to leave—

Shiiik.

Another Demon-Slaying Brigade member swung his sword.

Paaat!

The attack was so sudden that the martial artist beside him couldn’t avoid it in time.

Blood sprayed from his arm.

Shwk shwk shwk!

Cheng cheng cheng!

He lunged wildly at his comrade. Other brigade members subdued him.

“Kkyaaaahhh!”

The attacker, more than the injured man, was in greater danger. With his acupoint sealed, the veins across his head swelled as if ready to burst, and he screamed in pain.

Hwa Song once again pressed his palm to the man’s forehead, chanting the mnemonic verse. The way the Soul Reaping Art took hold without any prior sign was disturbingly natural.

Hwa Song was inwardly astonished.

This shouldn’t be possible.

If the Soul Strengthening Art were still in place, perhaps—but it had already been broken.

Yet to unleash the Soul Reaping Art consecutively in this situation was no simple feat. The higher the opponent’s martial realm, the harder it was to ensnare them.

For members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, it should have been extremely difficult—and yet the enemy was casting the Soul Reaping Art in rapid succession.

Just who could this opponent possibly be?

Before Hwa Song could even release the Soul Reaping Art from the last victim, another martial artist swung his sword and charged straight at Jin Hagun.

Jin Hagun, without subduing him, shouted aloud.

Cheng cheng cheng cheng!

“Everyone, separate from the person next to you.”

The Demon-Slaying Brigade members created distance between one another—enough that even if someone suddenly acted out, they could still block it in time.

“Quickly, get out of here first!”

“Yes!”

One of the men in the back ran to open the door.

The instant it opened, he froze in shock.

Instead of a corridor, there was a space identical to the very room they were in. It was like looking into a mirror.

Instinct told him stepping in there would be a mistake, so he shut the door—then opened it again.

Whooosh!

This time, flames roared up right before his eyes.

Startled by the blistering heat, the martial artist hurriedly slammed the door shut.

While dealing with his own opponent, Jin Hagun caught sight of all this.

It was clear they had been drawn completely into the enemy’s domain.

“Master Hwa, please hurry!”

Was it because his internal energy was running low?

Hwa Song’s pace at unraveling the Soul Reaping Art began to slow.

Meanwhile, the rate at which their men were being ensnared only increased.

Cheng cheng cheng!

Another fight broke out among the Demon-Slaying Brigade members.

“Don’t seal their internal energy—just fight it out!”

While Hwa Song worked to dispel the Soul Reaping Art, they had to endure without suppressing their opponents’ meridians. If more and more of their comrades fell to the technique, the situation could spiral into grave danger.

Jin Hagun now understood.

Why orthodox Murim considered the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme and the Poison King among their most troublesome foes.

Any battle was difficult for a martial artist, but facing the Soul Reaping Art was especially hard. Fighting one’s own allies was a brutal test of the mind.

Another member of the Demon-Slaying Brigade succumbed to the art.

We have to get out of this space!

Jin Hagun handed his current opponent off to another comrade and sprinted toward the door himself.

Swaaaash!

Sword qi roared from his blade.

But the moment it touched the door, it vanished—like snow melting away.

Unless they found a way to break this, they wouldn’t be leaving.

He called out to Hwa Song.

“Master Hwa, we must break this space!”

Hwa Song didn’t turn to face him, as if he hadn’t heard the shout.

Just then, someone behind him spoke.

“Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader Jin Hagun.”

Startled, he turned. It was Gwak Ju. But gone was the innocent look from before.

Instead of attacking, he spoke calmly.

“Do you know why things have turned out this way?”

Jin Hagun realized it instantly.

A master of the Soul Reaping Art was using Gwak Ju’s mouth to speak to him.

“Why?”

At his steady question, the enemy delivered astonishing news.

“When Hwa Song broke the Soul Strengthening Art earlier, he actually triggered an even stronger one.”

“!”

It was an unbelievable claim, yet the situation unfolding before them proved it true. Otherwise, there was no way such a relentless barrage of powerful Soul Reaping Art could be explained.

“How is that possible?”

“I hid a new Soul Strengthening Art within the method to break the first one. He himself activated the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art I arranged.”

Earlier, Hwa Song had moved a vase, set a hanging scroll on the floor, sprinkled powder, erased lines, and redrew them.

It meant that in the very steps he took to dismantle the original Soul Strengthening Art, he had unwittingly triggered a different one.

“If the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art had been in place from the start, Hwa Song would have sensed something off. But the relief of believing he had broken the formation kept him from realizing a new one had been cast. I know him well.”

At those words, Jin Hagun understood. The opponent casting this Soul Reaping Art, like So Jeongrak or the Hermit of Heaven and Earth, had been scheming around the Martial Alliance for a long time.

And more specifically, they must have been working quietly around masters of the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art.

“Hwa Song has broken this exact same Soul Strengthening Art before. Twice, in fact.”

Jin Hagun now realized—the one speaking through Gwak Ju was the same person who had provided Hwa Song with those chances to break it.

“So, without a trace of doubt, he confidently used the very same breaking method he did back then.”

A glimmer of amusement passed through Gwak Ju’s eyes.

“Sometimes, familiarity is the greatest trap of all.”

Gwak Ju looked toward Hwa Song.

Hwa Song stood with his back to them, motionless. He was no longer dispelling the Soul Reaping Art. The blue glow that had shone constantly from his hands had vanished.

Slowly, Hwa Song turned to face them.

The instant they saw the change in his eyes, not only Jin Hagun but every member of the Demon-Slaying Brigade let out a groan.

The only person who could get them out of this place had fallen victim to the Soul Reaping Art.

Several members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade who had been standing nearby to protect him now drew their swords and turned toward Jin Hagun.

Those who had not been caught by the art could not hide their bewilderment.

Then came even more shocking news.

“At this very moment, the Martial Alliance Leader is killing the Young Cult Leader to save you.”

“!”

From Gwak Ju’s eyes, Jin Hagun could feel the killing intent of the enemy behind him.

“The Young Cult Leader will die at the hands of the Martial Alliance Leader, and you will die here.”

It meant that even if the Martial Alliance Leader killed the Young Cult Leader, they still intended to kill Jin Hagun. Their plan to eliminate both Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun was still in motion until the very end.

Despite the dire news, Jin Hagun’s expression brightened.

“Then that means they’ll know we’re in danger.”

He spoke to his subordinates.

“They’ll be coming to help us soon.”

Gwak Ju laughed loudly in scorn.

“Clinging to false hope.”

But Jin Hagun’s hope was rooted in an unshakable trust in his grandfather and in Geom Mugeuk. His grandfather would never kill Geom Mugeuk, and Geom Mugeuk would never allow such a situation to happen in the first place.

“The two people I trust most in the world know I’m in danger?”

Jin Hagun spoke quietly to his subordinates.

“Hold out until the end. Today, none of us will die.”