DLC 16

Chapter 16 The Demon King’s Disciple (5)

“What are you staring at so intently?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Jinhyeok hurriedly lowered his gaze.

I can’t believe it…

The Demon King—the terrifying warmonger who had brought countless deaths and tragedies—was a woman.

The revelation was so shocking that, for a moment, it made him forget all the suffering he had witnessed. The Demon King suddenly felt unfamiliar.

Well… I did suspect it was possible. But I never imagined she would be this beautiful.

Even in his wildest imagination, Jinhyeok had never expected such beauty.

Slowly, he raised his head and looked at the Demon King once more.

Those blazing crimson eyes alone were enough to steal his breath.

But what struck him most was her body.

Never once in his life had Jinhyeok admired another person’s physique.

Yet the Demon King’s body transcended mere beauty.

Only one word came to mind.

Perfect.

To stand at the pinnacle of martial arts, perhaps one must forge a body like that. Or maybe she possesses such a body precisely because she has already reached that pinnacle.

Though not an expert in martial arts, Jinhyeok had learned through countless regressions how a body could be transformed into a weapon.

The Demon King’s physique seemed to present him with the answer he had been searching for.

It was perfection itself.

Powerfully trained yet flexible, every muscle flowed naturally. Even the scars scattered across her body looked as though they belonged there from the beginning.

It must have been through such training that she made the unstable demonic energy raging inside her completely her own.

As a fellow warrior, Jinhyeok couldn’t help but admire her.

“Hm. That’s enough staring.”

The Demon King cleared her throat, clearly aware of his blatant gaze.

Only then did Jinhyeok avert his eyes.

Regardless of differences in race or gender, her body represented the ultimate form a warrior could achieve.

And suddenly, a new path to strength appeared before him.

Physical improvement directly affects magical efficiency. Perhaps I can further develop my body’s circuits as well.

“What are you thinking about? Do you covet my body that much?”

Jinhyeok answered immediately.

“Yes.”

“Heh. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Had there been even a trace of lust in your eyes, I would’ve killed you on the spot—”

She paused.

“What?”

“It’s a truly perfect body.”

His voice held nothing but pure admiration.

No lust.

No ulterior motives.

Only respect.

The Demon King looked genuinely caught off guard.

“Ahem. Never mind. Enough jokes. Let me explain the Void once more.”

As expected, she quickly changed the subject.

The Demon King resumed her lesson.

“The Void possesses a fundamentally radiating nature. That is why a dantian is unnecessary. One only needs to focus on radiating power through the circuits.”

Unfortunately, Jinhyeok could barely concentrate.

The Demon King’s face and body kept flashing through his mind.

Yet she had already concealed herself beneath the Void once again.

For some reason, he felt slightly disappointed.

Right. Whether the Demon King is a woman or not doesn’t matter. It’s surprising, but she’s still an enemy I must someday defeat.

His fleeting disappointment vanished when the Demon King assigned him a new task.

“From this point onward, you must memorize the Nine Principles yourself. We will begin with the Honwon Ilche Heart Technique. The Void Heart Technique is still too advanced for you.”

“The mnemonic formulas…”

Jinhyeok sighed inwardly.

The words themselves were etched into his memory, but their meanings were difficult to grasp. Worse, he felt an instinctive sense of discomfort whenever he tried to study them.

When he explained this, the Demon King nodded.

“That is only natural. Your essence remains human. Which is why you must become a demon.”

“You want me to become a demon?”

“If you know how to handle the Void, it is quite simple.”

Jinhyeok let out another sigh.

“Honestly, it feels like a concept that’s impossibly far away.”

“What do you think is already flowing through your body? You are using the Void even now. You simply haven’t realized it.”

Growing frustrated, the Demon King continued.

“Even the dullest fool would have accepted demonic energy by now. The path is practically open already.”

“A dull fool…”

“You’re obsessing over that one remark. Which proves you’re a dull fool.”

A mischievous smile spread across her face.

“Don’t you want to defeat me?”

Jinhyeok clenched his teeth.

She really is infuriating when she wants to be.

“At least once in my life, I want to see you kneel.”

The Demon King burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Then become a Demon King. Cast aside your human instincts. Draw out your full potential!”

And so, Jinhyeok’s true training in demonic energy began.

Ordinary internal energy accumulates.

It gathers and remains within the body.

Demonic energy was different.

It radiated.

Because of that, its circulation speed was several times faster than ordinary internal energy.

And if one could master such power, growth accelerated dramatically.

Internal energy… This really does sound like something out of a martial arts novel.

[Proficiency in Honwon Ilche Heart Technique has increased.]

The training began with the body’s fundamental pathways.

The Ren and Du meridians, cleansed by regeneration and demonic energy, filled with power and circulated vigorously.

The process was extraordinarily dangerous.

At Jinhyeok’s level, attempting to control such violent energy was absurd.

Normally, mastering magical circulation required years of foundational training.

At least three years just to learn the basics.

But the Demon King’s methods were different.

She exploited demonic energy’s explosive speed and power, forcing circulation at a terrifying pace.

It was like handing an elementary school student an F1 race car and telling them to drive through a playground.

Yet the Demon King proceeded without hesitation.

“Of course, demonic energy is dangerous. Mishandle it, and you will suffer qi deviation. Even demons are not exempt.”

Even while saying that, she urged him to continue memorizing the Honma Divine Art and the Honwon Ilche Heart Technique.

Naturally, disaster struck.

COUGH!

The demonic energy coursing through his body spiraled out of control, inflicting devastating internal injuries.

Yet the Demon King merely smiled in satisfaction.

“Excellent. It’s progressing well. If you can complete a circulation cycle while controlling power at this speed, no future internal injury will pose a threat.”

Then she added calmly:

“Though you don’t need to worry about that. You can simply die and regenerate. Don’t adapt the demonic energy to your body—adapt your body to the demonic energy. Only you possess such a privilege.”

[You have died.]

[Beginning the challenge from the 99th Floor.]

After regenerating, Jinhyeok returned to the Demon King’s castle.

The Demon King frowned immediately.

“What is that energy? Did you obtain power from a fragment of the Void?”

The teacher who had patiently instructed him before his death no longer existed.

Only the wary Demon King of this timeline remained.

Suppressing a strange bitterness, Jinhyeok spoke.

“Please take a look at this.”

He produced the brooch from his inventory.

“Hm? How do you know about that? Don’t tell me… you’re a messenger from my other self?”

“The Demon King told me that if I showed you this and asked you to read my memories, you would understand.”

“You even know about my unique ability?”

The Demon King sighed and stepped forward.

“If everything is already known, then explanations are unnecessary. Do you consent to me reading your memories?”

“Yes.”

The Demon King placed a hand atop his head.

Immediately, she began reading his memories.

I’ll never get used to this feeling.

Then she laughed.

“Haha. Fascinating. So that’s how it is.”

Suddenly, she grabbed his shoulder firmly.

“Then let us continue your training, my disciple.”

“…Yes, Demon King.”

Regression after regression.

Death after death.

Training never stopped.

Whenever qi deviation occurred, the Demon King would either kill him instantly with the Dragon-Slaying Fist or force him to continue training until death became inevitable.

Qi deviation meant death.

No one across all dimensions trained like this except Yoo Jinhyeok.

Yet every death made him dramatically stronger.

[You have died.]

[Beginning the challenge from the 99th Floor.]

Each time he returned, he handed over the brooch.

Each time, the Demon King read his memories.

And the endless cycle of training resumed.

“Now circulate demonic energy throughout your entire body. Not merely through fixed pathways. Fill your muscles, your breath, every part of your being with demonic energy, then release it. Once you succeed, you will have laid the foundation for mastering the Void.”

Training.

And more training.

The slightest lapse in concentration meant instant death.

[Proficiency in Honma Divine Art has increased.]

[Proficiency in Void Heart Technique has increased.]

Naturally, Jinhyeok’s mastery of demonic energy advanced to an entirely different level.

[Your understanding of demonic energy has surpassed human limits.]

[Your understanding of demonic energy has surpassed level restrictions.]

He shattered both racial and level limitations with ease.

And eventually, even he began enjoying regression.

Death remained terrifying.

No human could escape that instinctive fear.

But there was something stronger.

The joy of growth.

“Congratulations, Yoo Jinhyeok. You have successfully infused demonic energy throughout your entire body.”

“Thank you, Demon King.”

Taking a deep breath, Jinhyeok felt the demonic energy flowing through every fiber of his being.

Its circulation was faster.

Stronger.

His regeneration had improved dramatically, and the power within him had reached an entirely different realm.

Yet Jinhyeok, intoxicated by growth itself, remained unsatisfied.

“Next comes connecting it to my magic circuits.”

The Demon King nodded.

“Correct. Connecting the demonic energy permeating your body to the magic circuits and strengthening them. This process will be harsher than any training you’ve undergone so far.”

She paused.

“For reference, it took me nine years.”

“I understand.”

Jinhyeok smiled.

“Would you care to make a wager?”

“A wager?”

“Let’s bet on how long it takes me to connect my body’s demonic energy to my magic circuits. If I finish faster than you did, you’re forbidden from calling me a dull fool.”

The Demon King snorted.

“That’s hardly fair. I achieved it alone, without a teacher. Besides, all you need to do is keep moving forward without fearing qi deviation.”

“Then how long do you think it will take me?”

She thought for a moment.

“Five years. If you succeed within five years, I will call you a genius for the rest of your life.”

“Deal.”

Jinhyeok grinned.

I don’t care how many times I die.

As long as I become stronger.

Death was no longer an obstacle.

The goal had been set.

Connect the magic circuits and the Heavenly Gate.