Failed Possession Chapter-62

## Ch-62.

—

Bi-yeon had not seen clearly what happened below, but Old Withered Crone could no longer properly steady herself.

There were still those troublesome hands and spells around them. Bi-yeon did not want to give her time. Even if Old Withered Crone could not steady herself now, at higher ranks recovery came quickly with even a brief lapse.

More than that, Bi-yeon did not want Sword Dragon or that nameless man to take Old Withered Crone’s head.

So Bi-yeon boldly pressed forward.

‘It’s over.’

The troublesome hands and spells could no longer restrain her and scattered. Having closed to within arm’s reach of Old Withered Crone, Bi-yeon extended her hand wrapped in pitch-black Aura.

—Whooosh!

The hands that had been dispersing weakly all surged toward Bi-yeon at once. At the same time, the space containing Old Withered Crone and Bi-yeon rippled, and a powerful binding spell descended upon Bi-yeon.

The old witch had accepted death—but had no intention of dying quietly.

Her killing intent had already locked onto the Young Cult Leader.

She wanted to kill Sword Dragon and that unknown man as well—but that was impossible.

However, she could die together with the Young Cult Leader.

She could kill the inhuman disciple of the Heavenly Demon.

If she died together with the Young Cult Leader, even that arrogant Corpse Immortal Spirit would be surprised.

Old Withered Crone’s eyes darkened to pitch black. Her rampaging soul force swelled grotesquely, and her withered body trembled.

‘Mutual destruction?’

The desperate struggle was fierce. Bi-yeon grimaced beneath her mask. Heavenly Demon Divine Art resisted the binding spell—but subjugating and dominating it was impossible for her now.

Too impatient. Too careless.

Bi-yeon bit her lip and focused on her protective Aura.

Thud. Thud. Thud!

The rampaging soul force gathered surrounding mana. Old Withered Crone’s body continued to swell.

—Ssssh!

“Keugh!”

Just as the explosion was about to begin, blood sprayed from Old Withered Crone’s mouth. Her vision lurched violently and tilted sideways.

A dagger from below had half-severed her neck.

It was Yuri.

He had thrown Black Fang, infused with Aura, and cut her throat. Because her magic had been focused on Bi-yeon, he was able to pierce her defenses—but even so, as a 6th Rank mage, she had not been cleanly decapitated.

—BOOOOM!

Old Withered Crone’s body shattered, triggering a massive explosion. Had she exploded as she intended without Yuri killing her first, the blast would have swallowed even the ground below—but because she was slain beforehand, it did not reach Yuri’s position.

Even so, the explosion was violent enough to shake the underground chamber.

Bi-yeon, who had been right before her, could not fully escape it.

Rumble!

Her protective Aura shook violently under the impact, and blood burst from her mouth.

Even without mutual destruction fully realized, the power was this great.

Bi-yeon struggled to escape the blast—but the killing intent Old Withered Crone had harbored did not vanish even in death and clung to her.

Crackle!

Though it had been fading, it should not have split so easily—yet violet lightning cleanly cleaved through the explosion.

Yuri.

‘The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.’

She was not someone worth saving.

But she had not come alone.

Near the collapsed ceiling above, someone stood.

Overt demonic energy and presence. It had not been felt until now—but as the battle with Old Withered Crone neared its end, that person no longer concealed himself.

Whoever he was, he was clearly with the Young Cult Leader.

Judging by his presence, he seemed stronger than Old Withered Crone. Yuri even wondered if he might be one of the Seven Evils of the Demonic Cult.

Fighting one of the Seven Evils here would be madness.

Better to save the Young Cult Leader and place her in his debt.

Cleaving through the explosion, Yuri seized Bi-yeon’s wavering body. Then he swung his leg wide, completely sweeping away the murderous mana boiling around them.

—BOOM!

With a thunderous sound, the explosion died out.

“Ugh…”

Her entire body throbbed; her organs trembled.

The price of impatience and complacency.

She could have survived—but without help, her injuries would have been far worse.

Bi-yeon opened her tightly shut eyes and looked upward.

Crack.

“…!”

Her eyes widened.

Perhaps from the shock—the mask on her face shattered.

She hurriedly raised a hand to grab it—but her aching body did not respond in time.

The completely broken mask slipped from her face.

Yuri, who was supporting her, lowered his gaze.

Their eyes met.

A face severely burned.

Bi-yeon bit her lip hard and glared at him.

“…”

The face created by Disguise Art did not easily change expression. Even without it, Yuri would not have revealed anything upon seeing her bare face.

What kind of madman would laugh or grimace at the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult?

He lifted his gaze away and withdrew a mask from his robe, handing it to her.

It was the cultist’s mask he had worn earlier.

Bi-yeon startled slightly and looked between the mask and Yuri’s face.

“Th… thank you.”

She stammered and pressed the mask onto her face.

“There’s more you should be grateful for than that.”

As he set her down, his words made her shoulders flinch.

If he had not thrown the dagger and severed Old Withered Crone’s neck, the explosion would have been far greater.

And he had personally pulled her from the blast and killing intent.

“…I was helped. Thank you.”

Standing unsteadily on her own, she spoke.

As the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult, she did not bow.

Sword Dragon and Haryeong moved to Yuri’s side.

Sword Dragon openly glared at Bi-yeon—but did not move rashly.

He too felt the presence of the man above.

“We did not come to oppose the Orsia family.”

A voice descended from above.

Shadow Sword descended silently, cupping his fists toward Sword Dragon with a smile.

“Today’s encounter is purely coincidence.”

Sword Dragon did not respond, only stared at him.

They were indeed from the Demonic Cult—but Sword Dragon had no authority to press them here. This land merely borrowed the name of Panteleon; it was not ruled by Orsia.

The Demonic Cult was opposed by many—but not treated like the heretical cultists who worshipped the Evil God.

Even the Righteous Alliance treated the Demonic Cult cautiously.

Sword Dragon, though enraged at the cultists, could distinguish degrees.

The Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult was acknowledged by the Sword Emperor as a worthy rival.

Without lowering his guard, Sword Dragon asked,

“Why have you come here?”

“As you saw—to kill Old Withered Crone, a defector from Rudella Mage Tower.”

“That is all? Not to disturb this region and threaten Orsia?”

“If that had been our purpose, I alone would have sufficed.”

Sword Dragon’s brow twitched at the smiling reply.

“Please do not be so hostile. We came solely to kill Old Withered Crone. Nothing more.”

“…I would know your name.”

Sword Dragon fixed his gaze on Bi-yeon.

“I am Estor Orsia. What is your name?”

“Bi-yeon.”

She did not hide it.

Then she looked at Yuri, who stood slightly behind Sword Dragon.

“And yours?”

Sword Dragon also turned toward Yuri.

“Now I may hear your name, yes?”

At Sword Dragon’s mutter, Shadow Sword showed a faintly surprised expression.

‘His skill was extraordinary, so I assumed he was Sword Dragon’s companion… but they are strangers?’

That made him even more interested.

Sword Dragon’s skill was astonishing.

To think he had reached Radiant Sword at that age and rank.

The public’s praise had not been exaggerated.

As for the Young Cult Leader—he felt slight disappointment.

Her skill was outstanding for her age; her understanding and usage of Heavenly Demon Divine Art were excellent.

But falling for such a predictable mutual-destruction tactic showed psychological immaturity.

She needed to cut away impatience and complacency, and gain experience.

That man—

He was excellent.

Nothing to criticize.

He had not even fought at full strength.

His kicking and fist techniques were harmonious; even the lightning art he blended was flawless.

In Shadow Sword’s judgment, excluding himself, the strongest here was that man.

“I am curious about the benefactor’s name.”

Shadow Sword spoke.

“The world calls us demons without blood or tears—but not all in the Divine Cult are so. We too are human.”

Smiling, he cupped his fists toward Yuri.

“Had you not intervened, our Young Cult Leader would have suffered greatly. If you would grant us your name, the Divine Cult will not forget this debt.”

Just as when Sword Dragon had first asked, there was no room to evade.

“Benefactor.”

As Yuri was about to speak—

Shadow Sword added first,

“Not the false face and false name of Disguise Art—but your true face and true name, please.”

“…!”

“So that the Divine Cult may properly remember you.”

Shadow Sword still smiled.

Yuri could not.

“Disguise Art…?”

Bi-yeon and Sword Dragon both looked at Yuri in shock.

Unlike Shadow Sword, they had not perceived his disguise at all.

“How did you know?”

Yuri did not answer immediately, instead asking Shadow Sword.

Shadow Sword chuckled and pointed to his eyes.

“A disguise of that level cannot deceive the insight of a 7th Rank master. After all, Disguise Art merely twists the original face.”

In Shadow Sword’s eyes, he could see the distortions of bone structure, muscle, and skin.

The insight of a 7th Rank martial artist, when focused, could see through the human body itself—down to its weaknesses.

‘I see.’

That man was a 7th Rank martial artist, and a Disguise Art at this level could only deceive up to the 6th Rank.

‘Good thing I found out now.’

Thinking that, Yuri released the Disguise Art.

Crack, crack…

The twisted bones and muscles returned to their original form.

“My name is Yuri.”

There was no room for lies in this situation. To begin with, he had used Disguise Art and a false name only to approach the cultists.

‘They called me benefactor first, anyway.’

After encountering the Blood Fiend, his impression of the Demonic Cult was at rock bottom—but openly making enemies of them now would be suicide.

“Yuri?”

Bi-yeon murmured. It was the first time she had heard that name.

Sword Dragon was the same. He furrowed his brows and searched his memory, but no name “Yuri” surfaced.

“Thundercloud?”

After a brief thought, Shadow Sword spoke that alias.

He stared at Yuri in surprise.

“The talent acknowledged by Full Moon Play. Disciple of Fist Wolf…”

“I am not his disciple.”

“Huh… remarkable. I had heard you were 4th Rank.”

Shadow Sword muttered so, then turned his gaze to Haryeong.

She glanced at Yuri once, then removed her fox mask.

“I am Haryeong of the Salho gate.”

“Dark Blossom?”

Unlike with Yuri, Shadow Sword immediately spoke her alias.

He smiled faintly as he looked at her face.

“I have heard of the Dark Blossom who stands beside Mad Thunder.”

“I doubt they were flattering stories.”

“What can be done? Mad Thunder tormented our weaker members far too much. Ah, do not be wary. Those who died for being weak are of no concern to our Cult.”

Shadow Sword laughed lightly and turned his gaze away.

“Benefactor, your internal energy is somewhat lacking for your level of skill. If you ever visit the Divine Cult, please be sure to come by. We have plenty of elixirs worthy of serving you.”

Even with 7th Rank insight, one could not see internal energy concealed behind a Veil of Deception.

Yuri gave a small nod.

“Thank you for the offer.”

“I mean it sincerely. If you lack a place to stay, you are welcome to visit our Cult at any time.”

Shadow Sword knew Thundercloud and Mad Thunder were closely connected—but he did not care.

To reach 5th Rank at that age was a rare talent in the world. Honestly, he was tempted to subdue him by force and abduct him into the Cult.

But that could not be done here.

Sword Dragon of the Orsia family stood before them, and Thundercloud was indeed the Young Cult Leader’s benefactor.

So Shadow Sword slowly stepped back.

“Old Withered Crone may be dead, but the cultists in this region have not been exterminated. Sword Dragon—what will you do?”

“Why ask me that?”

“As you emphasized, this region borrows the name of ‘Panteleon,’ does it not?”

Shadow Sword slipped a hand into his robe and withdrew a thin folded paper.

“We have identified Old Withered Crone’s residence. We did not go there ourselves, but if you search it, you may find something useful to you and the Orsia family.”

“…”

“Regardless of intent, we did cause a disturbance right before Orsia’s doorstep. How about a compromise? Be satisfied with this information—and refrain from troubling us further.”

At the words “refrain from troubling us,” Sword Dragon’s brow twitched.

The very phrasing belittled the Orsia family.

“…Very well.”

But if it was the Demonic Cult, they had the right.

No matter how prestigious Orsia was, they could not confront the Demonic Cult alone.

Suppressing his boiling anger, Sword Dragon nodded.

“Haha, thank you for your understanding.”

The folded paper left Shadow Sword’s hand.

Using telekinetic force, it floated gently into Sword Dragon’s grasp.

“Then we shall take our leave.”

“I have not yet heard your name.”

Sword Dragon’s expression hardened as he stopped Shadow Sword.

Shadow Sword smiled lightly.

“I abandoned my name long ago. Now I am called Shadow Sword.”

“Shadow Sword…!”

A demonic figure among the Seven Evils of the Demonic Cult.

A man always mentioned when the Sword Emperor spoke of masters of the blade.

Sword Dragon immediately stepped forward and raised his sword.

“Before you leave, I would like to exchange one move.”

“Hmm.”

Shadow Sword’s smile deepened.

“I too am curious about the sword of Sword Dragon, heir of the Sword Emperor and future of Orsia. Young Cult Leader, may I?”

“Do as you wish.”

The outcome was obvious.

No matter how outstanding Sword Dragon was among the younger generation, he would not last a single move against Shadow Sword, who competed with the Rakshasa Witch for the title of Sword Demon within the Demonic Cult.

Shadow Sword knew he would win.

Still, he was interested.

Even if the result was predetermined, there were things one could only feel through direct exchange.

Shadow Sword drew the sword at his waist.

Without a guard, straight and narrow, the blade resembled a spike.

“I will yield the first move. Come.”

He lowered his sword casually.

Sword Dragon gave a slight nod and advanced carefully.

As the distance closed—

Sword Dragon suddenly kicked off the ground.

In an instant, the distance vanished, and his sword moved.

Wrapped in golden sword aura, it split the air.

—CLANG!

Yuri swallowed.

It felt like witnessing the pinnacle of swift swordsmanship.

The blade that rose from below cleaved both sword aura and blade, then bent with the arm, changing its trajectory.

“…I concede.”

As expected, Sword Dragon could not withstand a single move.

He felt a chilling cold at the blade halted just before his throat.

Shadow Sword’s sword aura had been a flash—

Appearing only at the moment of the cut, and now gone.

“The Sword Emperor’s teachings are excellent.”

Smiling, Shadow Sword withdrew his sword.

He said no more and turned.

“…”

Bi-yeon touched the mask on her face, stared at Yuri for a long moment, then turned and followed Shadow Sword.

The two leapt away, leaving the underground chamber.

“…Hah.”

Sword Dragon let out a long breath and looked at his hand.

Though his sword aura and blade had been cleaved in a single strike, not even blood marked his palm.

Staring blankly at his hand, Sword Dragon clenched his fist.

He took out the paper he had tucked away and looked at Yuri and Haryeong.

“Will you come with me?”

There was no reason to refuse.

*

*

 

“Who is Thundercloud?”

After racking her memory for a long time, Bi-yeon finally gave up.

Thundercloud.

No matter how she thought about it, she had never heard that alias.

But she knew Full Moon Play and Fist Wolf.

Full Moon Play was an enemy of Demonic Cult martial artists, and Fist Wolf had gained fame years ago for his reckless dueling tour.

Two years ago, they had displayed a public duel in Lutran, after which Fist Wolf withdrew somewhere into seclusion.

“A man who has wandered the underworld since last year.”

“The underworld?”

“Yes. He took on commissions from the Hao Sect and acted as a fixer for black-path sects, building his name.”

“He does not seem the type to remain at that level.”

“I thought so as well.”

Shadow Sword continued, recalling Yuri’s movements.

“For someone whose talent was guaranteed by Full Moon Play, his record was unimpressive—so I paid no attention. It seems he was simply concealing his strength. That madman judged correctly.”

“…”

“This may be unpleasant to hear, Young Cult Leader—but in my judgment, Thundercloud was the strongest there.”

“Was the difference between him and me great?”

“Hard to say. Just as Thundercloud concealed his full strength, so too did you.”

“I made many mistakes. I nearly died to Old Withered Crone.”

“Because you were certain of victory before killing her. Had you remained cautious to the end, that danger would not have arisen.”

“I will remember that.”

Bi-yeon replied curtly, touching the mask on her face.

‘Thundercloud… Yuri.’

More than Sword Dragon, that alias and name lingered deeper in her memory.