Chapter 199 : Chapter 199
Chapter 199 - Combo (9)
Kang Jae-gu.
It had been a truly long time since he had come to the Abyss.
Since becoming the Family Head, his only visits had been a brief one three years ago on the day his youngest daughter first set out to conquer the Abyss, just to encourage her.
He had never imagined there would be a day when he would set out on such a long journey into the Abyss.
His destination was Hardeon.
He intended to go there and meet the Demon King again.
The Demon King wants to reunite with the contractor on Earth!
This was the Demon King's message delivered through Seo Ji-han.
That arrogant youngest son of the Haewon Sword Family seemed to think the contractor was Yoo Seong-jin, but the true contractor with the Demon King was Kang Jae-gu himself.
'Anyway, it's a relief.'
He was in a difficult spot anyway.
The fact that the zombie incident he had prepared for a long time was on the verge of being thwarted. This was a violation of his long-standing contract with the Demon King, and he was so worried about the consequences that he had been suffering from insomnia lately.
The past events suddenly flashed before Kang Jae-gu's eyes like a kaleidoscope.
Memories of his younger days when he competed with his brothers for the position of Family Head of the Gwangun Sword Family.
Despite being the eldest son, Kang Jae-gu always felt an inferiority complex toward the second son, Kang Sun-gu.
No matter how much bone-breaking effort he put in, he could not surpass his brother, who was two years younger.
His father's cold gaze toward him was always terrifying.
Anger flared whenever he watched the family vassals starting to line up behind his younger brother, Kang Sun-gu.
It was then that a lifeline came down from an unexpected place.
Hardeon, a mysterious place discovered by chance in the Abyss.
Kang Jae-gu met the Demon King there.
Do you need power?
That temptation was too sweet.
The Demon King had promised overwhelming power.
Kang Jae-gu accepted the irresistible proposal, and he was eventually able to purge the second son, Kang Sun-gu, and ascend to the position of Family Head of the Gwangun Sword Family.
It was unimaginable for someone like him to fail to fulfill his contract with the Demon King.
'I shouldn't have left it to that moron Yoo Seong-jin!'
He was well aware of the desire for revenge Yoo Seong-jin had toward him.
Kang Jae-gu feigned ignorance and secretly set the stage.
So that the promise with the Demon King made long ago could be fulfilled through Yoo Seong-jin.
Anyway, since the way to meet the Demon King again had been opened, he intended to speak honestly about all these circumstances and ask for understanding.
Whether to postpone the fulfillment of the contract a bit longer or to sign a new contract.
'I've finally arrived.'
The journey to the portal leading to Hardeon had been long.
Since he had set out for the Abyss secretly, he could not even bring an executive secretary and had to handle all the trivial matters alone.
And finally, the portal of brilliant light visible in the distance.
Since the reunion with the Demon King was right before him, even Kang Jae-gu, who was called a Sword God, could not help but feel nervous.
'Wait, what is that?'
A single silhouette visible behind the portal.
It was clearly the shape of a person.
'There is another person who knows about Hardeon?'
It was problematic for people's footsteps to keep reaching this place, which had been a mysterious world.
Kang Jae-gu decided to first identify the person's identity and then decide whether to eliminate them.
***
As expected, Kang Jae-gu had snatched the bait.
To think he would appear so submissively.
I stepped forward toward him, one step at a time.
Although I was wearing a Human Skin Mask, he would soon discover my identity.
Because this place, Hardeon, was a secret location unknown to people.
Kang Jae-gu drew his sword and was closing the distance with me.
Then he narrowed his brow and stared at me.
"A familiar face."
He spoke in a low-pitched voice and revealed killing intent toward me.
"I have been in the media quite a lot. I do not know if you have heard of the hero of the Busan zoo."
With that, I took off the Human Skin Mask I was wearing.
For a moment, Kang Jae-gu's eyes widened, and then he wore a venomous smile.
"That was you, Seo Ji-han?"
"That is how it turned out. But what brings you to Hardeon, Family Head? Did you perhaps sign a contract with the Demon King?"
"You really played me, you brat."
"You are not denying it."
"Then, the Demon King's message was also?"
"A lie, of course."
At my words, Kang Jae-gu lowered his head and began to chuckle.
"I've been hit properly. I shouldn't have handed over the Hardeon report in the first place."
"Because I set the stage so that you could not refuse to give it."
"All of that was your plan? Since when have you known?"
"It was a suspicion rather than knowledge. Though it eventually turned out to be true."
Once again, Kang Jae-gu laughed loudly.
"You really seem to be something. My head is quite dazed right now."
"The problem is that you keep taking the bait like this. If you had stayed still, it would have been difficult for me to find a way."
"So you lured me here to test me one last time, and now you're going to have a showdown with me?"
"Correct."
"But there's one strange thing."
"Speak."
"After playing me so meticulously, why did you come out alone? Or is there something hidden that I don't know about?"
"I will tell you one hopeful story, Family Head. No one besides me knows the whole story of this situation."
"What?"
"If you can kill me and return safely to the Gwangun Sword Family, nothing will happen. Oh! Of course, you will have to fulfill your contract with the Demon King quickly. Otherwise, the Demon King will be angry."
At my words, Kang Jae-gu laughed coldly.
"A very interesting fellow. And I haven't liked you since a long time ago."
"What is the point of long words when you have someone you don't like in front of you?"
I summoned the Holy Sword Bastian.
"Fine. I'll finish you off first and take the rest of the debt from the Haewon Sword Family. I'll thoroughly tear them down."
Since the zombie incident had been effectively stopped, just killing me alone would not satisfy his anger.
It seemed he was indeed afraid of the Demon King.
WHISH!
Kang Jae-gu's sword flew in rapidly.
A swift strike worthy of the name swift strike, seen after a long time.
It was a thrill I was feeling for the first time since coming to Earth.
BANG!
Swords clashed, and sparks flew.
Suddenly, Kang Jae-gu's gaze changed.
Because experts can gauge an opponent's strength just by crossing swords once.
"Not bad!"
"It shouldn't have felt like just that."
"Arrogant brat."
BANG!
Kang Jae-gu's shoulder shook slightly at my counterattack.
I slightly curled the corners of my mouth and adjusted my stance.
Kang Jae-gu also appeared to be preparing for the next move while catching his breath.
Our swords continued to collide, creating loud noises and drawing numerous straight and curved lines in the air.
I did not want to end this duel quickly.
It was practically impossible to fight a life-or-death battle with such a strong person on Earth.
Since I had met an opponent I could exchange blows with, I intended to have the most enjoyable match possible.
In that way, dozens of exchanges passed in an instant.
BANG!
However, unlike my heart that wanted to spar for a long time, Kang Jae-gu's expression began to twist slightly.
He was feeling that something was going wrong as my swordsmanship parried all his sword moves filled with killing intent.
Since his mind was wavering when it would not be enough to concentrate entirely on the match, it was natural for the balance to collapse in an instant.
WHISH!
Finally, my sword drew a red line on Kang Jae-gu's shoulder.
I wished he had competed for a bit longer.
"It is a pity."
A match that was no longer fun.
There was no reason to drag it out further.
WHISH!
I immediately cut Kang Jae-gu's side.
Blood splattered, and he let out a groan.
"You might not understand, but you must accept it."
"Shut up!!"
Immediately, Kang Jae-gu's sword rushed in desperately.
The majesty of one of the Three Sword Gods was no longer visible.
Once his strength was drained, I could clearly see his bottom.
WHISH!
Blood splattered once again, and finally, Kang Jae-gu fell to one knee on the ground.
"You may leave a final testament."
"You bastard! You're playing with me until the end."
"I am not playing with you. If you pass away in vain without leaving a single testament, wouldn't the Gwangun Sword Family fall into chaos?"
Kang Jae-gu must also know that it was impossible to overturn this match.
I immediately took out a recorder.
"I usually have no mercy for villains, but I will make a special exception today. This is your last chance."
"A villain..."
Kang Jae-gu wore a bitter smile.
"Can you not acknowledge it?"
"I have nothing to say as one who has failed. But are you really saying you won't touch the Gwangun Sword Family if I alone die?"
"In exchange, there is a condition. The remaining six zombies. If you tell me their locations, the Gwangun Sword Family will be safe, and I promise to deliver your testament well."
In my opinion, the culprit of all this was Kang Jae-gu as an individual, not the Gwangun Sword Family.
I thought there was no reason to see more blood beyond that.
"And I won't give you much time."
Kang Jae-gu closed his eyes while catching his ragged breath.
He would have never imagined today would be his end.
I could give him at least the minimum time to prepare his mind.
A short while later, he spoke in a low voice.
"Make sure you keep your promise."
I nodded.
His final testament was not long.
He only left details about the next Family Head and simple final wishes.
He added that there was no need to look for his body.
"Then, prepare for the final strike."
I stepped back a few paces from Kang Jae-gu and then channeled mana into the Holy Sword Bastian.
"Show me your best strike as well."
Of course, I intended to.
Because my opponent, Kang Jae-gu, was one of the best gladiators in the world.
***
After handing over Kang Jae-gu's voice file and the sword he used to the Gwangun Sword Family, the world went into an absolute frenzy.
Numerous suspicions were raised regarding the death of the absolute being who was called one of the Three Sword Gods.
From suicide theories to assassination theories within the Gwangun Sword Family, this death was continuously reproducing stories.
However, as long as I kept my mouth shut, Kang Jae-gu's end would inevitably remain a mystery forever.
This was also the last promise between Kang Jae-gu and me.
"Unit Leader Ji-han. What else did you say I had to do?"
"Oh. It is nothing major."
I asked Rosie to deal with the remaining six zombies.
Since even for me, it was difficult to detect zombies whose seeds had not yet sprouted.
But a dragon was different.
With Rosie's detection magic, she could find them all within a day if I just designated the approximate locations.
"Can you do it, Rosie?"
"Yes. Of course."
"You seem more submissive than before?"
"Me?"
"It is the first time you said okay without making any conditions."
"Do not misunderstand; it is not because I lost to you, Unit Leader Ji-han! And buy me mint chocolate."
Rosie appeared to be getting defensive on her own.
"Take care."
I patted her head.