Machine God with EX-rank talent (Deus ex machina)

Exactly ten days later, the key warriors of the Heavenly Demon Cult gathered once more.

A sparring match overseen by the cult leader himself.

On the training ground, Hyun Suho and Hyeok Rigwang were already standing.

Hyeok Rigwang arrogantly tapped his shoulder with the flat of his sword and said,

“If you kneel and apologize now, I'll let you start as a low-ranking warrior in the cult.”

In truth, there wasn’t a single person in the Heavenly Demon Cult who welcomed the idea of an outsider like Hyun Suho suddenly becoming the cult leader’s disciple.

Among them, Hyeok Rigwang was especially vocal in expressing his intense feelings toward Hyun Suho.

Hyun Suho tilted his head, not understanding the reason.

“Is it because you’re unhappy with more competition?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Who said I consider someone like you a threat?!”

Hyeok Rigwang flared up like a fire.

“It’s just that I can’t stand a weak brat from the orthodox sect daring to stand at the same level as me.”

It was obvious, even without a lie detector, that Hyeok Rigwang’s words were sincere.

Even among the free-spirited warriors of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Hyeok Rigwang was known for being true to his emotions and instincts.

That’s why his nickname was the “Mad Sword.”

Not “Light” (光) but “Mad” (狂).

“Just sounds like he has anger management issues.”

Suddenly, Eun Hwi-gwang came to mind.

Of course, they were different—if Eun was more about light, this guy was about madness.

Though it seemed foolish to blow things out of proportion just because something didn’t sit well with him, Hyun Suho could guess the reason.

‘It must be the effect of the Celestial Demon Art.’

An incomplete martial art.

Depending on what it aims for, martial arts can vary greatly.

It could be the Flame Art that spews powerful flames, or the Ice Art that exudes cold air.

It’s a force among the best hunter skills, known as “Phenomenal Force” (事象力).

It’s a dangerous power with infinite potential. If mishandled, it could drive someone mad.

‘Just like that guy.’

The Martial Alliance didn't shun the Heavenly Demon Cult for no reason.

Many of those who incorrectly learned the Celestial Demon Art became madmen.

If it were only a matter of losing one's mind, that would be one thing, but they also became stronger.

There were frequent cases where warriors of the Martial Alliance were injured while trying to subdue such madmen.

In Hyun Suho’s eyes, Hyeok Rigwang was teetering precariously on the edge.

“A mad dog needs a beating.”

Hyun Suho drew his sword as well.

Schwing-!

Hyun Suho’s sword was a Mount Hua Sect weapon.

In other words, the sword of an enemy.

He decided to use this sword to never forget his vengeance.

This was Dokgo jeong’s sentiment.

As Hyun Suho exuded his battle intent, Hyeok Rigwang scowled.

“So, you’re refusing my generous offer and insisting on drinking the punishment liquor?”

“Isn’t it too early to decide who’s drinking the punishment liquor?”

“…You arrogant whelp.”

Grit!

Hyeok Rigwang ground his teeth.

He had proposed five moves to the cult leader because he was confident he could kill Hyun Suho within that limit.

No, he was sure he could slice him in half with just one move.

Already, he was glaring at Hyun Suho with murderous eyes.

And finally, when the cult leader gave the signal…

“Let the match begin.”

Without warning, he rushed in and swung his sword.

“Die!”

Whoosh!

From the very first strike, it was filled with murderous intent.

An attack aimed directly at the crown of Hyun Suho’s head.

It wasn’t particularly fast, but it was heavy enough to shatter an opponent’s weapon in one blow, and it allowed for a variety of follow-up moves.

If blocked, both the sword and the body would be cut; if dodged, the sword path would adjust to follow.

He was certain that this one strike would kill Hyun Suho.

However…

Boom!!

The sword that Hyeok Rigwang had swung to shatter the opponent’s weapon was blocked effortlessly.

Astonishingly, Hyun Suho didn’t dodge but instead met the attack with sheer force.

He didn’t just barely block it; he did so with an easy expression.

“Is this all you’ve got after all that talk?”

With a calm expression, Hyun Suho pushed the sword away.

Hyeok Rigwang tried to hold his ground, but he was forced to slide backward.

He was overpowered.

Realizing this, Hyeok Rigwang spoke with an incredulous expression.

“You! How can your inner strength be this strong?!”

No matter how prestigious a clan’s scion, this was unthinkable.

The fact that he was overpowered in terms of inner strength.

“Did you eat the Great Rejuvenation Pill or something?”

“I had something even better.”

The Sacred Jade Dew, said to grant years of internal energy with just a single drop.

Hyun Suho had gulped it down like it was nothing.

In truth, defeating Hyeok Rigwang wasn’t difficult for Hyun Suho.

The proper strategy was to draw him into an internal power struggle and then crush him with overwhelming force.

Hyun Suho could have easily won with a simple strategy that anyone else in his place could have used.

However, Hyun Suho wasn't just aiming for a simple victory.

Bang! Bang, bang!

Startled by Hyun Suho's overwhelming internal energy, Hyeok Rigwang began swinging his sword wildly.

He had started this fight to teach a presumptuous brat from the orthodox sect a lesson for daring to rise above his station.

The best outcome would be to seize the opportunity and kill him.

But the situation started to take a strange turn.

Hyun Suho's internal energy was as vast as an old master’s, and his swordsmanship was nothing to scoff at.

At that moment, Hyeok Rigwang realized he might lose this duel.

The Heavenly Demon Cult is a place where martial strength is revered.

If he were to lose to a young upstart in such a grand setting, not only would his chances of becoming the next cult leader disappear, but he wouldn’t be able to show his face within the cult ever again.

Realizing this, Hyeok Rigwang unleashed every martial art he knew against Hyun Suho.

Crash! Boom! Bang!!

The promised five moves had long since passed.

According to the agreement, Hyun Suho had already won.

But the duel continued, and the cult leader was still watching, not stepping in to stop the fight.

“Hmm!”

The cult leader watched the fight closely, as if he found it intriguing.

Meanwhile, the battle grew increasingly intense.

Boom!

Hyun Suho held the advantage in internal energy, thanks to the Sacred Jade Dew.

However, in terms of battle judgment and the depth of martial arts, Hyeok Rigwang was clearly superior.

Hyeok Rigwang was a martial genius, so much so that the cult leader himself had chosen him as a disciple.

Though he had a fiery temper, he was always serious when it came to training.

The cult leader had personally taught him sword techniques that suited his nature.

That’s why the fight was evenly matched at first.

The balance began to shift when Hyun Suho’s swordsmanship started to evolve.

Clang! Clang!

Hyun Suho’s sword was a fusion of the Dokgo Swordsmanship and other techniques he knew, creating something entirely new.

Although he had patched up various weaknesses, it was still far from perfect.

The Dokgo clan’s swordsmanship was swift and light, but it lacked weight.

He began compensating for that deficiency with Hyeok Rigwang’s sword techniques.

‘Stronger and heavier.’

Thud!

A sword technique that evolved in real time.

Naturally, Hyeok Rigwang was the first to notice this.

Retreating from a strike, Hyeok Rigwang’s face went pale as he stammered,

“This… this is impossible! How can you use my techniques…?”

It had taken him years of theoretical study and practice to master his swordsmanship.

It was devastating and astonishing to have it stolen in an instant, as if it were a child’s play.

Meanwhile, Hyun Suho smiled triumphantly.

‘I’m gaining so much from this dimension dungeon.’

He had learned not only swordsmanship but also footwork and throwing techniques from his opponent.

Priceless treasures that money couldn’t buy.

Even in reality, this would make Hyun Suho immensely powerful.

‘I should take everything I can from the Heavenly Demon Cult.’

[That sounds like something a bandit would say.]

Hyun Suho had learned all he could from Hyeok Rigwang.

Now, the only thing left to take from him was victory.

Clang, clang!!

He dodged his opponent’s attacks by moving in a zigzag pattern.

This too was a footwork technique he had stolen from Hyeok Rigwang.

Though Hyeok Rigwang recognized it, he had no choice but to be defeated by it.

Hyun Suho’s movements were now much more refined and fluid.

Clang!

In the end, Hyeok Rigwang was forced back by Hyun Suho’s sword and stumbled, falling to the ground.

He tried to get back up in a panic, but Hyun Suho’s sword was faster.

A thrust like a flash of lightning.

Whoosh!

“Gasp!”

As the sword aimed for his neck, Hyeok Rigwang reflexively closed his eyes.

But no matter how long he waited, he didn’t feel any pain.

“…….”

“…….”

A moment later, when Hyeok Rigwang cautiously opened his eyes, he saw the sword had stopped just in front of his throat.

Hyun Suho confidently spoke to the trembling Hyeok Rigwang,

“Do you wish to continue, Senior Brother Hyeok Rigwang?”

Trembling with humiliation, Hyeok Rigwang couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

He thought it might be better if his throat were pierced right then.

But at that moment, the cult leader raised his hand and said,

“Enough. The duel is over.”

With a curious expression, the cult leader looked around at Hyun Suho and then continued,

“Congratulations, my disciple.”

Hyun Suho responded with a deep bow to the cult leader.

“Thank you, Master!”

It was the cult leader’s proclamation.

Having overwhelmingly won the duel, no one could challenge Hyun Suho now.

In this unexpected turn of events, Hyun Suho officially became the disciple of the Heavenly Demon Cult leader.

And time quickly passed—seven years went by.

* * *

Hwa Mungul, the head of Mount Hua Sect.

For 15 years, he had led the sect with fairness and integrity, earning the nickname "The Gentleman Sword."

He was a revered elder, respected by all in the martial world.

But now, he was gasping for breath, covered in blood.

“Keo-heok!”

As Hwa Mungul coughed up blood, fragments of his severed intestines came out with it.

One arm had been cut off, and the sword he had wielded all his life was broken in half.

Not a single acupoint in his body was unharmed, and the bleeding was severe.

Even the Great Immortal wouldn’t be able to save him now.

It was the moment when the head of the once-mighty Mount Hua Sect was being killed.

And it was happening in his very own office.

Hwa Mungul, seeing the figure slowly approaching him, sensed that the end was near.

In his final moment, he spoke with all his heart,

“Please… let it end with my life.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the intruder mercilessly swung his sword, severing Hwa Mungul's head.

Slice!

The assassin stared blankly at the severed head lying on the floor for a moment, then carefully placed it in the prepared cloth bag.

Surprisingly, the Mount Hua Sect was eerily quiet, even after their head was killed.

The place that should have been teeming with guards was deserted.

Even as the murderer calmly walked out the main gate with a blood-soaked bag, no one was in sight.

The assassin was able to exit through the main gate without issue, only encountering Mount Hua’s elders once outside.

They stood there with anxious expressions, and upon seeing the still-dripping bag, they sighed.

But instead of drawing their swords, they bowed their heads and said,

“Please, let this grudge end here.”

In response, the man who had killed Hwa Mungul, Dokgo Jeong, replied in a cold voice,

“I have no interest in anything but the Blood Beast. I don’t want to see a war between the orthodox and unorthodox sects either. But if there’s anyone else related to the Dokgo family, I will hunt them down to the very end.”

“……”

Leaving the ashen-faced men behind, Dokgo Jeong began to move.

After walking for several days, he arrived at the site where the Dokgo family once stood.

Where there used to be a grand estate, now there was hardly any trace left.

In the center of the ruined estate, Dokgo Jeong set up an altar to honor the spirits of the dead.

The altar was adorned with severed heads—heads of all his enemies.

From the head of the Mount Hua Sect to those who had participated in the massacre, and even the officials who had turned a blind eye.

Pouring liquor on the altar, Dokgo Jeong solemnly bowed in respect.

Finally, having completed his revenge, Dokgo Jeong tapped the book in his possession and began to mutter to himself,

“There’s still one person left. They’re also part of the Heavenly Demon Cult, but I can’t seem to find them.”

For seven years, Dokgo Jeong had been cultivating his strength within the Heavenly Demon Cult.

From the first day, he made a striking impression on everyone with his audacious methods, and now he was the most promising candidate for the position of Vice Leader.

Many martial artists had come to follow him.

After all, the Heavenly Demon Cult was a place that revered strength.

Dokgo Jeong clicked his tongue in disappointment and continued,

“As promised, I’ll leave the rest to you. Please take good care of my body.”

At that moment, Hyun Suho’s consciousness reawakened.

“Huh?”

Finding himself once again possessing Dokgo Jeong’s body, Hyun Suho stood there in a daze for a few seconds.

Then he quickly started moving his arms to check the condition of his body.

“Was this a linked quest?”

He clearly remembered winning the duel against Hyeok Rigwang, but the next thing he knew, he was in this state.

A gap of seven years had passed.

Suddenly, the memories of what had happened to Dokgo Jeong during those seven years began flooding into Hyun Suho’s mind.

“...So that’s what happened?”

During those seven years, Dokgo Jeong had fought tooth and nail to become the most promising candidate for Vice Leader.

But Dokgo Jeong’s goal wasn’t to become the cult leader—it was revenge.

To that end, he had not only cultivated his strength but also never stopped investigating the Blood Beast.

And finally, about two months ago, he had started taking serious action.

Dokgo Jeong was clever.

Even as he killed people, he ensured he had a justifiable reason.

In the martial world, it’s an unwritten rule not to interfere in others’ personal grudges.

If the grudge involves one’s parents, master, or family, even the Heavenly Demon Cult wouldn’t interfere.

That’s why Dokgo Jeong was able to kill Hwa Mungul without the Mount Hua Sect intervening.

Rumor would spread that Hwa Mungul had died due to qi deviation while practicing martial arts.

It was the only way for Mount Hua to preserve their sect’s honor.

Though Dokgo Jeong had wanted to destroy the entire Mount Hua Sect, he held back.

During his investigation, he had discovered that there was a Blood Beast more important than Hwa Mungul.

Someone who was clearly associated with the Heavenly Demon Cult.

This was the extent of Dokgo Jeong’s memories.

“Were you asleep too?”

[I’m always with you, Master.]

Without Nova, Dokgo Jeong couldn’t steal and use others’ martial arts like Hyun Suho could.

Ironically, after that, no other martial artists dared to carelessly use their secret techniques in front of Dokgo Jeong.

That’s why Dokgo Jeong was able to move around without suspicion.

“And he left the final task to me?”

Hyun Suho took out the book that had been in his possession.

It was a detailed record that Dokgo Jeong had meticulously kept for his revenge.

There had to be a clue in here somewhere.

“Huh?”

As Hyun Suho recalled Dokgo Jeong’s memories, something strange came to mind.

It was the name of the Blood Beast that Dokgo Jeong had searched for until the end.

And that name was very, very familiar.

Quickly flipping through the book, Hyun Suho found the name written there.

“…Hyun Suho?”

It might be the final boss of this quest, the ultimate villain’s name.

He had encountered his own name in this unfamiliar world.

Yet again.