The Heavenly Demon Can’t Live A Normal Life [EN]: Chapter 15

Rumors spread very quickly.

The rumor that started in Lawrence spread to Dimitri in just one day.

“Did you hear the rumor?”

“The rumor that Master Roman defeated the Blood Fang? That’s absurd. Roman is someone who isn’t special and can’t even swing a sword properly.”

“Well, the people who said they saw it told very clear stories.”

“That’s how rumors are. Even if Roman went hunting and caught a wild boar, the story would be much bigger, like he fought a dragon. I heard that Roman showed something to the people of Lawrence in front of their eyes, but the Dimitri Knights probably set the stage. After all, the Dimitri Knights rushed out of the castle that day.”

“Is that so? Well, how could Dimitri’s someone who isn’t special do such a thing?”

Most didn’t believe it.

Just as people don’t believe the boy who cried wolf, Roman’s image in Dimitri was far from trustworthy.

An absurd rumor. That’s how people dismissed it.

Merchants came from Lawrence and said the rumor was true. They were so sure, they even spat on the ground as they spoke to show they were serious! But the people of Dimitri just laughed at them. “Roman? Do something amazing like that? Impossible!”

While the men were gossiping about the rumor, a boy tidying up luggage nearby started to listen closely.

‘Roman defeated the Blood Fang?’

His heart dropped like a stone in his chest.

The boy’s name was Kevin.

Having received help from Roman, he was making a living doing odd jobs that Hans had found for him.

He could never forget the day he met Roman.

At the moment when his life was becoming very bad after being beaten by the Blood Fang gang, Roman appeared like an angel and punished the bad gang.

The screams of the Blood Fang gang. Stuffing a dagger into their mouths and cutting out their tongues seemed so cool to Kevin.

It was from then on that Kevin had a dream.

‘I want to become a strong man like Roman. A strong person who can protect my people from any danger. In this barren world where no one can be trusted, that’s the only way for our family to survive.’

He gritted his teeth.

He didn’t know when or where the Blood Fang gang would strike again, but even if his father couldn’t fulfill his role as the head of the family, he had to step up.

Then he heard the rumor.

The people of Dimitri treated it as nonsense, but Kevin was certain it was true.

His heart raced.

Roman, who had defeated villains with a tree branch, could wipe out the Blood Fang gang alone with no problem.

His hero, who had promised to solve the loan shark problem, had turned a miraculous event into reality in just a few days.

‘Ah, Master.’

He choked up.

He didn’t know if Roman had really done such a dangerous thing for him, but the fact that he hadn’t forgotten his promise to someone who was just a commoner was overwhelming.

He wiped away his tears. He had to work, but he couldn’t concentrate because of so many feelings.

When would he see Roman again? If that day ever came, Kevin wanted to thank him and show him how he felt right now.

He spent a busy day. Just as he was about to finish his last task…

Thud.

“M-Master…?!”

“It’s been a while.”

At the sight of Roman who had come to find him, Kevin unknowingly dropped his luggage on the ground. He was stunned for a moment.

Kevin, who was doubting whether this was reality, was startled and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Master! Thanks to you, my family can live. Thank you so much, really!”

He choked up. With a flushed face, Kevin poured out his heartfelt words.

Roman said.

“Kevin, have you been well?”

“Ah…!”

He was speechless.

Roman remembered his name. Others might think it was a trivial matter, but Kevin couldn’t take it lightly. It was overwhelming.

With tears welling up in his throat, Kevin said in a choked voice.

“Thanks to you, Master, I’ve been really well. The Blood Fang gang doesn’t oppress us anymore, and thanks to the work that Hans found for me, I was able to solve my problems with basic needs like food and shelter. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

“Gratitude, you say. From now on, I intend to make you an important chance.”

“…What do you mean?”

“From now on, your family won’t have to worry about problems with basic needs like food and shelter. Living in a warm house that blocks the cold wind, eating delicious food three times a day, and not just spending every day doing exhausting work, but also enjoying hobbies. That’s how you’ll live. That’s what I intend to create.”

Goosebumps rose on his skin.

Kevin didn’t know what Roman was trying to say, but he instinctively knew that a big opportunity had come to him.

“Therefore, live for me. If you promise to be loyal to me, I will gift you a new life.”

Roman’s words. Lightning struck in his head.

Kevin had never dreamed of being able to follow such a great person as Roman.

But Roman had offered first. To become his man.

He felt dazed, thinking that it might not be real, but Kevin knew that he shouldn’t miss Roman’s offer.

It was instinct.

Kevin, still on his knees, slammed his forehead hard against the ground.

Thwack!

“From now on, I will live for Roman. If Roman tells me to die, I will die, and if he tells me to kill someone, I will kill that bastard. That promise to take care of my family. That’s all I need.”

He raised his head. Blood was flowing from his forehead. The dripping blood flowed into his eyes, but Kevin looked up at Roman without blinking an eye.

He was a foolish fellow. Showing loyalty with blood.

‘Even his foolishness resembles the Mad Demon.’

The Mad Demon was like that too.

The one who guarded his position against hundreds of good fighters who thought they were right at Roman’s command was the Mad Demon.

At that time, he was just someone unknown, with no famous name, but he earned the title of Mad Demon.

His whole body was covered in wounds from the attacks coming from all directions, and the blood flowing from his body created a river, but the Mad Demon blocked the fighters who believed they were doing good without even making sounds of pain.

A loyal follower of Roman.

Even when he first accepted the Mad Demon, he had promised to be loyal by slamming his head at Roman’s word.

“My life is yours from now on, Master.”

Kevin’s voice. It was more than just similar. Kevin was an even more dedicated person than the Mad Demon.

He chuckled. A child with another good quality.

In his new life, Roman was ready to accept new relationships.

“Alright, you are mine from now on.”

In the days when no one was paying attention to Roman, Roman gained a person.

Roman brought Kevin with him.

He asked Hans to help Kevin settle in for now, then walked towards the workshop Hans had found.

It was an old, dusty workshop inside the castle walls. Baron Romero used to use it, so it was always kept locked and private – perfect for training in secret. The thick stone walls blocked out all outside noise and distractions.

“I’m going to be in the workshop for a week,” Roman said. “I won’t need any food, so don’t let anyone in here, no matter what. Okay? Unless it’s an emergency and my people are in danger.”

He emphasized it again.

Then, he went inside.

Inside the workshop, there was nothing much.

A cool breeze blew through the room. The floor was covered with straw, which Hans seemed to have prepared in advance.

It was a thoughtful detail, but Roman didn’t need it anymore.

Roman moved the straw to one side. He sat cross-legged, ready to absorb the earth’s energy.

Cheonma Shin-gong.

He focused his inner energy.

In an instant, Roman entered a deep state, guiding the *mana* he had gathered from his *dantian*, the center of his power.

‘Cheonma Shin-gong Stage 1.’

Roman’s training with Cheonma Shin-gong was just beginning.

His body was still weak, so he needed to build a strong base. The first step of Cheonma Shin-gong was called the ‘Stage of In,’ or the ‘Human’ stage. So far, he had only focused on gathering mana, his inner energy.

Now, Roman had gathered enough mana.

To fully use the martial arts of Cheonma Shin-gong, he needed to enter the Stage of In.

‘The Stage of In starts with removing the bad energy, or *impurities*, from the body.’

Hwa-ak.

Mana moved within him.

The mana, which had been flowing smoothly through his blood vessels, was suddenly blocked by a wall.

Thud.

It was an impurity.

Even though Roman was in his mid-20s, he hadn’t lived a very healthy life. His body had more *impurities* than others his age. His face turned red as he realized he was already blocked by impurities.

But he didn’t panic.

He had expected this. That’s why he planned to gather just enough mana before starting the Stage of In.

Looking ahead, Roman knew he had to become stronger.

He had made new friends and needed the strength to protect them and achieve his goals.

The Stage of In was the beginning.

Preparing himself, Roman calmly looked inward.

‘Remove all the impurities at once.’

Thud.

Rumble.

Mana reacted to his will.

Cheonma Baek Jung-hyuk had dedicated his life to martial arts. Now, the impurities began to break down because of Roman’s strong will.

The power of mana depended on willpower. Someone with a weak will might only use a small part of their mana’s true strength, even if they had a lot of potential. But Roman was different. He could push past his limits.

The mana surged powerfully according to Roman’s will. Blood started to flow from his face because of the intense impact.

Drip, drip.

It was a good sign.

It wasn’t a demonic state. Instead, black blood flowed out as the impurities were released from his body.

Time passed.

One day.

Two days.

And three days.

Roman was completely focused.

His face was covered in sweat, and blood poured out of every pore.

Calmly, step by step, Roman released the impurities.

To enter the Stage of In.

And to regain the power of Cheonma once again.

He was in a state of selflessness.

So, Roman spent his time in a space cut off from the outside world.

Hans hurried along.

He was supposed to pick Roman up in the evening, but something had come up.

“I wonder if the young master has come out,” he thought.

A week earlier, as soon as Roman began his training, Lawrence had said he wanted to visit Dimitri.

The broken engagement needed to be discussed in person. But the meeting was delayed because Hans told Baron Romero about Roman’s training.

Now, today, Hans had received a report that Count Lawrence and his daughter were visiting the Dimitri territory early in the morning.

He had to go find Roman.

‘Something’s not right,’ he thought.

The broken engagement hadn’t been made public yet. Some people knew, but it was strange that Lawrence hadn’t told anyone.

Either way, Roman was needed.

Hans arrived at the workshop. He stood in front of the door, waiting for Roman, even though he needed to call him right away.

“Don’t let anyone in here, no matter what. Okay? Unless it’s an emergency and my people are in danger,” Roman had said.

Hans remembered Roman’s command.

Many people were waiting for Roman in the castle.

But for Hans, following Roman’s orders was more important.

The changed Roman didn’t make empty promises. There had to be a good reason why he told him not to call. So, Hans told the others he would call Roman right away, but he quietly waited for Roman to come out.

Time passed.

Some people came to find Hans. He sent them all away. Finally, as the sun began to set, he felt someone inside.

Creak.

The door opened.

A familiar face appeared.

Hans was about to greet Roman with a smile, but he was shocked by Roman’s appearance.

“Lo… Lord?”

Sharp eyes.

Pale skin.

And a strong, manly body.

It was clear. Roman had changed, a lot.