Absolute Regression

Chapter 659: Am I Still Cute?

A chilling silence flowed through the air.

It really felt as if the ghosts had been so frightened that they stopped crying altogether.

Even though his move had been broken in a single strike, Gwak Ju instead let out a loud laugh.

Jin Hagun could tell. That laugh was not originally Gwak Ju’s own voice. What did it mean that the laughter of a master of the Soul Reaping Art was mixed in?

‘His emotions are being shaken.’

Jin Hagun sensed it — the first crack had begun to form in the world that the man had created.

Gwak Ju, who had been laughing aloud, suddenly stopped.

“Our young Demon Supreme is better than that old man of the orthodox sect over there.”

At those words, Hwa Song’s face turned red.

He was one of the two Grand Masters who taught the Great Righteous Soul-Reversal Art in the Martial Alliance.

To think that he, of all people, had fallen victim to the Soul Reaping Art — it was a deep humiliation, and the enemy had just pressed upon that wound.

“Not only that, but that old man even went so far as to personally activate the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art.”

Just as his face flushed an even deeper red, Jin Hagun stepped forward.

“But at the very least, he does not hide behind someone else.”

Jin Hagun’s voice was clear and firm. It carried the Mind-Clearing Technique that blocked stray thoughts and drove out heart-demons. At that, the flush on Hwa Song’s face cooled down.

“I have no face to show you, Division Leader Jin.”

Jin Hagun firmly consoled him.

“There is no need to blame yourself. That man has been working beneath the surface around you for a very long time, Master Hwa. This scheme likely began from the very first day you started teaching your disciple. No one can know what he might have secretly fed you, or what subtle suggestions he has been planting all this time. Even the arrangement of the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art was extremely cunning. Anyone would have fallen prey to it.”

Gwak Ju sneered at Jin Hagun.

“Our Leader Jin is quite busy — flattering the Demon Supreme and consoling an old man of the orthodox sect in the same breath.”

Even at his mockery, Jin Hagun did not waver in the slightest. Though this was a world shaped by the man’s dark sorcery, Jin Hagun was the Division Leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade.

In fact, he felt grateful to him. Because of this incident, he had realized much.

It wasn’t just the renewed resolve to become stronger.

After being caught in the man’s dark sorcery, he had been forced to endure constant humiliation and a sense of helplessness.

But even in that process, he had tried to ensure that none of his subordinates were harmed. The thought that had persisted in his heart was this:

His pride could be wounded — but his subordinates must not be.

Jin Hagun focused on this feeling within himself.

Seeing how he had changed, he felt that he had matured. Yes — even if the tip of the sword trembled, the heart must never waver.

As he was steeling his mind, the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme spoke to him.

“Once fully grown, a tiger is frightening, but a serpent is not.”

How could he not understand?

It meant that the tiger was not yet grown enough to face that serpent.

Because he had not expected her to say such a thing to him, Jin Hagun was inwardly moved.

He slightly bowed his head, expressing his gratitude to her.

Gwak Ju cut in again.

“What a scene. A Demon Supreme of the Demonic Cult consoling the great Leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade! How bizarre can this get?”

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme slowly turned to look at him.

Shhh!

That gesture felt exactly like she was saying, Shut your mouth.

Gwak Ju’s expression hardened. Without uttering a single word, she had managed to turn him inside out.

Of course, he did not simply let it pass.

“Your Young Cult Leader was killed by the grandfather of the one you’re trying to save right now. So then… who’s the serpent?”

Fearing any misunderstanding, Jin Hagun immediately stepped forward.

“Please do not be deceived. That never happened.”

Then, from the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme came completely unexpected words.

“I know. If one of the two had to die, with all due respect, it would have been the Alliance Leader.”

For a moment, Jin Hagun was startled.

From her unwavering gaze, he could tell she truly believed that.

He could feel that it did not come from rudeness, but from absolute faith in Geom Mugeuk.

‘Ah, that’s right… she’s the first Demon Supreme of the next generation.’

Thinking of her as Geom Mugeuk’s first Demon Supreme, he could understand her unshakable belief.

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme stepped toward Gwak Ju and spoke.

“Ghost games should be played between ghosts.”

Seeing her walking toward him, Gwak Ju smiled broadly. His feeling toward this young Demon Supreme was—

“Cute.”

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme stopped, then beamed at him.

“Don’t change your words later.”

“Even the way you talk is cute.”

Tak-tak-tak-tak!

The Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists, still under the Soul Reaping Art, moved to block her path.

Gwak Ju looked on with a face that seemed to say, Let’s see what you’ll do now. Go ahead and put on a show.

The Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists stepped forward, swords aimed at her.

Naturally, the one who became anxious was Jin Hagun.

He and his men had refrained from attacking their comrades even at the risk of injury, but the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme was different. She would never bother with such consideration, and he could not force it on her.

Jin Hagun gave a signal with his eyes to the Demon-Slaying Brigade subordinates nearby, then stepped forward. Following him, all the brigade’s martial artists moved to the front.

“We’ll take care of them.”

“There’s no need.”

At her words — Trust me, and stand down — Jin Hagun immediately ordered his subordinates to step back. He trusted her.

He trusted Geom Mugeuk, who had sent her.

The Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists under the Soul Reaping Art charged toward her all at once.

Shiiik! Shwik! Shiiik!

Just as the unensnared brigade members—who looked ready to risk their lives to stop them—were about to rush forward, Jin Hagun stretched both arms out to the sides, halting them.

If they couldn’t trust her, they should have stepped in from the start. If they trusted her, then they had to trust her to the end.

The spiral pattern on her cheek began to glow, and at the same time, a blindingly white wave of energy burst forward from her body.

Whoooom!

The fierce gust of energy sent everyone’s collars and hair whipping in the air.

Silence followed.

The brigade martial artists who had been swinging their swords froze mid-motion. The blades thrust toward the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme stopped in place.

“Huh?”

Their expressions had returned to normal—faces full of confusion as if wondering why they were attacking a woman they had never even seen before.

As though sweeping them clean with a blast of wind, the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme had dispelled the Soul Reaping Art ensnaring them all at once. It was an awe-inspiring display of divine might.

The brigade martial artists quickly turned to look at Jin Hagun, who stood behind her, and pieced together what had happened—that they had been caught in the Soul Reaping Art.

In unison, they leapt toward Jin Hagun.

He greeted them with joy.

“Welcome back.”

Seeing him drenched head-to-toe in blood, they could guess what he had endured.

“Thank you, Leader.”

“Give your thanks to the Demon Supreme.”

The brigade martial artists turned and bowed respectfully to her.

“Thank you.”

Without looking back, the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme simply raised one hand lightly.

Jin Hagun found himself liking her even more.

Perhaps it was because, as long as his ties with Geom Mugeuk remained, she would be a Demon Supreme he would see for a very long time.

Now, only Gwak Ju stood before her.

Even after she had broken the Soul Reaping Art on the Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists in an instant, he did not show the slightest sign of being flustered.

At the moment, his eyes flashed sharply—

Chaaang.

One of the brigade martial artists half-drew his sword.

Once again, he had been caught in the Soul Reaping Art, and was about to attack the comrade beside him. But before the blade could be fully drawn, the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme dispelled the art.

Chaaang!

Another blade, just sliding from its scabbard, stopped midway.

It was a Soul Reaping Art duel the likes of which they had never seen before.

Like a game of Go—attack, defend, attack, defend—it went back and forth.

Each time, the spiral marking on her cheek shone brightly.

Just as her opponent had used the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art to enhance his Soul Reaping Art, it was clear that Soul Painting was lending her strength. And with each flash of light, the spiral marking grew fainter.

In the end, her opponent gave up on trying to ensnare the Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists.

Gwak Ju slowly clapped his palms together in a silent applause, as if admitting defeat. He still wore an air of nonchalance, but he could not hide the glimmer of surprise in his eyes.

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme spoke as if tossing the words out carelessly.

"With how easily frightened you are, why did you get yourself involved in something like this?"

It was not blatant mockery, but a question that sounded like she was genuinely curious. That was why Gwak Ju’s face stiffened, irritation flashing sharply across it.

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme had never been the mild type. Her ambition was great, and her temperament sharp.

However, ever since she had risen to the position of Demon Supreme, she had devoted herself solely to training. Because she had been weaker compared to the other Demon Supremes, how hard had she worked to escape that reputation?

Now, after training in seclusion, she was facing a formidable foe for the first time in a while, and her tongue was gradually loosening.

"It’s my first time seeing someone hide behind a hostage."

Unfortunately for him, the body she was speaking to belonged to Gwak Ju.

She knew very well that this entire operation was a rescue mission to free him.

Gwak Ju immediately shot back.

"I hear the Young Cult Leader is the one who put you in the Demon Supreme’s seat. Did you offer up that body of yours to him?"

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme threw the provocation right back at him, returning it with interest.

"Then what about you? Did you offer up your self-respect before coming here?"

In the end, he could not hold back.

Gwak Ju’s gaze turned cold as he pulled something from his robes.

To their surprise, it was a counterfeit hidden weapon — the Blitz Blade.

At first, it seemed he meant to launch it at his opponent.

But instead, he raised the Blitz Blade to just beneath his own chin. He was about to take his ‘own’ life.

"Since our Demon Supreme insists on calling me a coward, I have no choice but to prove otherwise."

He glanced at Jin Hagun and gave a thin smile.

"Wasn’t saving me the mission? The mission has failed."

Jin Hagun’s mind raced — he could not allow Gwak Yeong’s younger brother to die like this.

But he trusted the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme. She knew full well that the man had to be kept alive.

Before the Blitz Blade could be triggered—

Something was launched first.

Clang, clang!

Before anyone realized it, something had coiled tightly around Gwak Ju’s body.

The black chains that had been inscribed in the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme’s hand had manifested in reality, binding him completely.

"Go on then, if you want to die!"

His fingers were not restrained. But Gwak Ju could not fire the Blitz Blade. Normally, the moment this died, the he could leave his body.

But bound in these chains, that was no longer possible.

"Chain-Soul Binding!"

The chains had locked his soul entirely within Gwak Ju’s body. If Gwak Ju died, he would die along with him.

Gwak Ju tried to break the chains. But the black radiance only flared brighter and showed no sign of breaking.

"You mean to tell me you painted such a powerful Soul Painting yourself?"

His eyes widened, brimming with disbelief.

"Who painted it for you?"

He was certain it was not her own work. And she did not deny it.

"If I had only a few more years, I wouldn’t need a Soul Painting to deal with you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme yanked on the chain, sending Gwak Ju flying toward her.

She clamped her hand firmly around his neck.

He could feel it — her killing intent was not just a threat.

"Do you intend to kill this one as well?"

He tried to use Gwak Ju’s life as leverage, but it had no effect.

"Why? Is there a reason I shouldn’t?"

Her free hand rose into the air.

"It’s a good bargain, isn’t it!"

Swaaaash!

Before anyone could stop her, she struck down toward Gwak Ju’s head without hesitation.

"Wait!"

At his urgent shout, her hand stopped — just barely above his skull.

He knew it for certain. The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme had truly meant to kill him.

For the first time, a trace of fear appeared on Gwak Ju’s face.

Of course, he had never once considered dying alongside such a worthless hostage.

"I’ll leave."

Clack.

The Blitz Blade dropped from Gwak Ju’s hand to the floor, as if in surrender.

Yet the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme continued to look down at him coldly, as if weighing her decision.

Gwak Ju cried out desperately.

"This man is someone the Great Young Master promised to save. You must not kill him!"

To think he would ever plead like this.

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme grinned wildly, like a madwoman, and asked,

"Do you still think I’m cute?"

The moment the words left her lips, the black chains vanished into her arm. The chains were now much fainter in color than when they first appeared.

Gwak Ju’s expression returned to normal.

The intruder who had been inside him was gone in an instant.

With Gwak Ju freed, every last person here was now released from the Soul Reaping Art.

Jin Hagun, watching her threaten her opponent, felt as though he were looking at a witch. He wondered what this young witch would become with age.

Just then, a furious voice boomed through the air, shaking the surroundings. Now, he no longer bothered to hide his rage.

"How dare you open the door to my world and step inside."

His voice echoed as if he didn’t truly exist here, as if it were reverberating from deep within a cave.

"You mock me and threaten me?"

In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed.

Fwoooosh!

They now stood atop a cliff, buffeted by fierce winds.

Everyone was precariously positioned on its edge, so high up that clouds could be seen far below.

The cliff was real. If they fell from here, they would truly die.

"You should never have opened that door and come inside."

In a Soul Reaping Art battle, entering another’s world always put you at an overwhelming disadvantage. The one unfolding the world had far more control than the one trying to break it.

"Go ahead and try to save them, if you can."

Craaaack! Craaack!

The cliff beneath them began splitting apart, crumbling from the edges inward. The height was such that even lightness skills would be of little help in survival.

The spiral marking on the Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme’s face glowed more brilliantly than ever as she chanted her incantation.

The moment the light faded—

Gwoooooom!

From beneath the clouds came a deep rumble, and then another massive cliff broke through the mist, rising upward.

Astonishingly, the new cliff looked almost identical to the one they were standing on. But there was no time to marvel.

"Everyone, to the other side!"

At Jin Hagun’s shout, the Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists leapt across to the other cliff using their lightness skills. Jin Hagun took Gwak Ju under his arm and flew over as well.

Those whose lightness skills fell short were aided by their comrades, and all landed safely on the opposite side.

Rumble!

By then, the original cliff had completely collapsed into the abyss.

The Soul-Reaping Demon Supreme’s hair whipped in the wind.

"So this is your world?"

She called out sharply from the cliff she had summoned.

"If I take it away, then it’s my world."