Disciple Of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 17

Among the residents of Earth, only a handful had ever set foot in the invaded worlds.

While the residents of the invaded worlds casually stepped onto Earth, the reverse—bringing someone in—was rare.

Thus, stories about the invaded worlds, whether from Eun or Ainhardt, were like rumors.

‘A castle built of gold, cities stretching endlessly, a massive magic tower, a city with thousands of swords embedded in it.’

The landscapes of the invaded worlds were often described as grand and legendary.

In reality, the Volcano Guild’s headquarters, the Volcano, was said to be an immeasurably vast mountain with villages nestled between its sheer cliffs, and at the summit was the Volcano Sect, the true essence of the volcano.

So, there was anticipation.

‘The Blood King’s Castle.’

The headquarters of the Blood Cult, known as the Ilseong [a term referring to a specific group or faction within the Blood Cult].

A true world, incomparable to the world of Eun that he had briefly tasted before.

For Rowoon, this was the first time he was properly setting foot in the world of Eun, so he had high expectations.

However, the result was miserable.

“Haha… this is the Blood King’s Castle!”

Kang Eun-ha, who was leading the way, spoke in a voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz.

“Ahem.”

Kang Han-cheol turned his head away, and Han Do-baek simply lowered his head.

“…….”

The proud Black Sword Unit and even the Dark Blood Unit, who rarely showed any expression, cleared their throats and quietly turned their heads away.

“What a sight.”

That was Rowoon’s assessment of the Blood King’s Castle, the first world of Eun he had properly stepped into.

There were rows of dilapidated shacks, and people who looked like they were dying were walking around like corpses in the streets.

Still, there was something somewhat impressive.

“The lower members of the cult greet the esteemed ones of the cult.”

Every time their group passed by, those who looked like corpses would bow respectfully.

“What a sight.”

That too was a sight to behold.

“…….”

Kang Eun-ha, too, eventually fell silent without even giving a detailed explanation.

She, Kang Han-cheol, and Han Do-baek all knew.

The fact that the Blood Cult was ruined.

They owned the Kangha Group, operated the Black Sword Unit and the Dark Blood Unit, and had the Kangha Guild under their command.

Therefore, they thought that the statement about the Blood Cult declining was in comparison to its past glory.

But it was literally true.

“It’s really ruined.”

The Blood Cult was ruined.

Still, there was something mystical about Eun, and that was its architectural style.

Architectural styles from all over Asia were mixed up, yet they strangely harmonized.

Most of it was Chinese-style, but there seemed to be styles from the Joseon and Goryeo eras [historical Korean dynasties] that could only be seen in historical dramas.

There was another thing worth seeing.

The colors of the buildings.

‘Red.’

All the buildings, even the roofs of the dilapidated shacks, were red.

“Originally, the Blood Cult was in a desert considered an outlier even in Eun. They had to hide their capital in the desert, so the practice of painting everything red, similar to the sand, has remained to this day,” Kang Eun-ha explained to Rowoon.

“And… the reason why the Blood King’s Castle is in this state is…”

Kang Eun-ha hesitated, as if she was ashamed to say it herself.

“It’s ultimately because of wealth,” Kang Han-cheol answered instead.

“It’s not a well-known fact, but the world of Eun is a fragment of a destroyed world.”

Indeed, in the distance, black fragments could be seen as if the sky was broken.

They looked like a barrier that confined the Blood King’s Castle, but also like shards of broken glass.

The boundary of the world, unlike Earth, which stretched endlessly, was a barrier that could not be crossed.

“To maintain a world, nourishment is needed.”

The nourishment of the world.

That was the magic stones obtained from the monsters in the gates, or the cores of the gates obtained by defeating the bosses of the gates.

Or other massive energy sources like the cores of other dungeons.

“The scale of the Blood King’s Castle is so vast that it doesn’t fall behind any other world of Eun. Therefore…”

“It means it consumes a lot of nourishment.”

“…That’s right, Blood Demon. Gates occasionally form inside the Blood King’s Castle, but ultimately, there is a limit to the nourishment that can appear in a destroyed world.”

That was why Eun, or rather, the invaded worlds, were competing to advance into Earth and establish their power.

“It is presumptuous to inform the Blood Demon, but currently, the external forces of the Blood Cult are… only the Kangha Group and the Cold Tiger Guild led by the Third Elder, Han Do-baek.”

“Ha.”

It was absurd.

The Kangha Group?

It was true that they were a fairly large company.

It was also true that they had some influence in Asia, beyond South Korea.

But were they a leading conglomerate?

That was not the case.

They were barely above the mid-tier level.

“There are methods, such as the soul-binding sorcery of the Blood Cult, but as you know…”

“Since the forces of Eun have already advanced a lot, and with the awakening of players and Ainhardt, it would be difficult to do anything reckless.”

There was a limit to brainwashing through sorcery.

In other words, they had to build up their power directly or take it by force.

But even that was difficult for the Blood Cult.

If their presence was revealed, the forces of Eun would unite and do everything they could to erase the Blood Cult.

Moreover, in the form of an invaded world, if the entrance to the dungeon was found, their destruction was a foregone conclusion, so the Blood Cult had to be even more cautious.

‘That’s why they were so eager to recruit followers.’

Using the Black Market to subtly recruit followers.

That was the only thing the current ruined Blood Cult could do.

“Even in this state, are the elders still fighting among themselves?”

With the Blood Cult in this state, were the elders so unwilling to lose their vested interests that they were uniting and opposing each other?

No, that couldn’t be it.

“It’s because of this state that they are doing that.”

To escape this situation, they were uniting and gathering to advance into Earth.

The easiest answer for advancing into Earth would be absolute power.

If the Blood Demon became the incredibly strong being they desired.

And if he achieved the ultimate form of the Blood Demon Art, the Blood Demon God, which was passed down like a legend in the Blood Cult.

‘One-hand, no, two-hand.’

If they could reach a level where they could compete with those called absolute beings, the power of the Blood Cult would be on a different level than it was now.

The Blood Cult was now staking everything on this.

“By the way, it seems the Fourth Elder hasn’t reported to the Blood King’s Castle yet,” Han Do-baek said cautiously.

When they arrived at the Blood King’s Castle, they naturally encountered the Blood Cult members guarding the gate.

Since there was only one entrance to the Blood King’s Castle, Kang Han-cheol was tense, thinking that a battle would immediately break out if the Fourth Elder had reported to the Blood King’s Castle.

‘We greet the Left Protector.’

They had opened the way without saying anything.

“It’s definitely strange. But it’s a good thing. If they haven’t received the report yet…”

Kang Han-cheol glanced at the center of the Blood King’s Castle in the distance.

A massive building that had not yet lost its luster in the crumbling Blood King’s Castle.

“It will be easy to get to the Blood Demon Palace.”

Kang Han-cheol, Kang Eun-ha, and Han Do-baek looked at Rowoon.

Their faces asked if he was really going to do it.

They had to believe, but it was hard to have faith.

“I told you,” Rowoon clearly said to them.

“I’m going to catch the Blood Demon.”

“But…!”

Kang Eun-ha was worried.

Even with the Black Sword Unit, the Dark Blood Unit, the Left Protector, the Three Elders, and the Priestess, if they clashed with the forces of the Blood Demon Palace, the result would only be death.

“There’s no turning back anyway.”

Rowoon, as if he knew their feelings, curled up the corners of his mouth and said.

“It seems that the Fourth Elder has already reported.”

“……!”

“Hmph.”

In the distance, they could see those wearing dark red uniforms.

“The Blood Sword Unit…”

The appearance of the Blood Sword Unit, the direct guards of the Blood Demon Palace.

Jeong Chi-soo, the captain of the Blood Sword Unit, who had arrived in front of the tense group, bowed and said,

“We have come to escort you.”

* * *

The Blood Demon Palace, the Blood Demon Hall.

All the elders and protectors, except for the Three Elders Han Do-baek and the Left Protector Kang Han-cheol, were gathered there.

And at the end of the center, on a red throne, sat the current Blood Demon, the ruler of the Blood King’s Castle.

The only hope and focal point of the collapsing Blood Cult.

‘Blood Soo-baek.’

He was born as the youngest son of the previous Blood Cult leader and grew up without any expectations.

Therefore, he was free from the power struggles of the bloodline and was able to have a peaceful childhood.

‘The Scoundrel of the Blood Cult.’

That was Blood Soo-baek’s nickname in his childhood.

He was the one who used the small amount of power he was given as he pleased, without even considering the situation of the collapsing Blood Cult, making the elders frown.

But one day, the scoundrel youngest son changed.

As if possessed by something, or as if some other being had taken residence in him, Blood Soo-baek had changed.

The scoundrel had shown talent that surpassed anyone else.

Other members of the bloodline realized too late that Blood Soo-baek was dangerous.

Chwaaa!

At the young age of eighteen, Blood Soo-baek surpassed the other members of the bloodline and became the Vice Cult Leader.

It was a rebellion by Blood Soo-baek, who was thought to have never trained in martial arts.

Furthermore, he became the successor of the Blood Demon Art, which was practically lost.

Now, there was nothing to stop him.

No one could deny it.

“We greet the Blood Demon—!”

He was the Blood Demon.

The hall echoed with the sound.

The elders bowed to Blood Soo-baek with heavy expressions.

Swoosh.

Blood Soo-baek received their greetings by simply waving his hand without saying a word.

Then, Blood Soo-baek spoke in a voice like a demon.

“According to the Fourth Elder, the Left Protector has plotted treason.”

Kooong!

It was just a voice, but it felt as if the massive hall was collapsing.

‘Ugh. What kind of power is this?’

‘I heard he came out of seclusion, and he has achieved something.’

‘The Blood Demon God is not far away.’

The elders felt Blood Soo-baek’s power with their whole bodies and were moved by his achievements.

This man was the savior who would lead the Blood Cult, which was falling into an endless abyss.

“Yes! Blood Demon!”

In that case, Kang Han-cheol.

That foolish Left Protector had plotted betrayal.

The Fourth Elder, Im Baek-dok, stepped forward and shouted.

“He has dared to betray the grace of the Blood Demon and plotted treason! Furthermore, he has dared…”

Shudder.

“To bring up the story of a new Blood Demon and tried to deceive this elder.”

“What! A new Blood Demon?”

“What on earth is that supposed to mean!”

At Im Baek-dok’s words, some of the elders who had not yet received the report began to murmur.

Swoosh.

Blood Soo-baek waved his hand again, silencing the hall.

“Continue speaking.”

“It is judged that the Left Protector has also contacted the Third Elder, Han Do-baek.”

“The Third Elder… isn’t he close to the Left Protector? Then he might have joined the Left Protector.”

“What are you talking about? The Third Elder would have rather stopped the Left Protector or… tried to nip it in the bud.”

The hall became noisy again.

“I told you to be quiet.”

Blood Soo-baek said, emitting his inner energy.

“Hup!”

The elders gasped and lowered their heads.

Blood Soo-baek said,

“What about the Priestess?”

“That is… she is probably with the Left Protector…”

The Priestess.

The elders did not say it out loud, but that was what they were thinking.

The Blood Cult was a religion.

And in such a religion, the role of the Priestess was significant.

That the Priestess was in agreement with the Left Protector meant….

“Kuh-heup….”

It meant that there was a possibility that the Left Protector was not doing something pointless.

“The new Blood Demon might be real.”

Blood Soo-baek’s voice fell like a lump of iron.

“I have already received the Fourth Elder’s report… it seems that the Left Protector has already entered the Blood King’s Castle with this new Blood Demon.”

“That…!”

“But it’s a good thing.”

Blood Soo-baek was smiling.

His voice continued with a smile full of intense murderous intent.

“If the new Blood Demon is real, if the Blood Demon Art he possesses is real…”

Swoosh.

Blood Soo-baek stood up from his seat and said,

“Wouldn’t it be enough for me to absorb him and complete the Blood Demon God?”

“……!”

Blood Soo-baek’s red eyes were curved like a crescent moon.