Chapter 2: Opportunity of Fate (1)

If one had to choose the strongest person on the continent, who would it be?

It is one of those classic debates that tend to arise not only in the Continental Unification Gallery, but also in everyday life.

Some would say it is the Swordmaster of the Empire.

Others would claim it is the Grand Mage of the Kingdom.

There are those who would name the princess of the demon race, and those who would mention the missing hero.

Depending on each person’s origin, birth, background, or connections, the idea of “the strongest” changes.

Even so, the fact that all of them are powerful does not change.

Title) Who is the strongest person on the continent?

1. Ash of the Messiah Empire

2. Kadir of the Kingdom of Iris

3. Keirin of Mephisto

4. The missing hero

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) How strange. Why does this humble woman not appear in the poll?

ㄴAnd who are you?

HeavenlyDemon) I am the rightful heir and owner of the Divine Doctrine. I am the Heavenly demon

ㄴSo, who the hell are you? hahaha

People in the world do not know it well, but in the country known as “Jung,” famous for its mysticism, a monster lives.

Although Jung is far more closed off than other countries and almost no information about it is known, that does not mean they can block the gallery.

ㄴIf that really is Heavenly demon, it wouldn’t be wrong to say so. She is absurdly strong

ㄴThat much?

ㄴIn a one-on-one she sweeps them all hahaha. Even the masters of Jung fell before the Heavenly demon

ㄴThen why isn’t the rumor spreading? I think I saw something like that in the gallery

ㄴGo ahead and trust only rumors and try investing in stocks, come on

ㄴAh

ㄴHahahaha

But the rumors born in the gallery are not something that can be trusted. They are, by definition, unofficial.

And above all, it is ridiculous that Heavenly demon is using the gallery.

A warrior who subdued all the masters of Jung and unified the martial world, why would she be wasting time in a gallery?

And on top of that investing so much time.

Heavenly demon was someone who uploaded meaningless posts almost daily.

ㄴHey, HeavenlyDemon. According to you, who is the strongest person on the continent?

ㄴHeavenly demon) Naturally, this humble woman.

ㄴHahahaha, why even ask her? Obviously she’s going to say it’s herself

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Then I shall return the question. To what level have those people reached? Have they attained the state of Martial Enlightenment?

ㄴSwordTasteMaster) I am a Swordmaster

ㄴAllFather) I am a circle 10 mage

ㄴPrincessChangu) I am a circle 9 mage

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) What do those things mean? This humble woman does not master the language of the West well

ㄴHahahahaha

ㄴSenile old man hahaha

That is why users treat Heavenly demon like a concept freak or an outdated old person.

In fact, the inhabitants of Jung who use the gallery usually do not know well the languages nor the slang of other countries.

The gallery translates everything automatically, but it cannot properly translate proper nouns nor colloquial expressions.

It is a consequence of their isolation, although ironically that very thing is what makes there be many users.

ㄴIf you really are HeavenlyDemon, do something about the emperor. They say that if you use the gallery they execute you

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Do you dare attempt to restrict the pastime of this humble woman? Do you not fear the heavens?

After that post, rumors began to circulate that the emperor of Jung had been assassinated, and the use of the gallery became much freer.

Because of that, people began to seriously doubt whether Heavenly demon was or was not the real Cheonma.

Title) For Heavenly demon to see

If you really are Heavenly demon, upload a photo of your face. Then we’ll believe you

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Do you dare demand that this humble woman show her august face? What insolence

ㄴCould it be that she’s ugly? A horrible old woman? hahahaha

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) When this humble woman descended upon the martial world, she even obtained the title of the number one beauty in the world

ㄴYeah, sure

ㄴHahahaha

As time passed, Heavenly demon became more and more famous. Like an old woman trapped in her own concept.

Some even said that if the real Heavenly demon saw it, she would have already disemboweled everyone and executed them without mercy.

And it was not surprising almost everything Heavenly demon posted bordered on the level of trash.

The general opinion was that, unless you had an absurd amount of spare time, no one would write such things.

“How strange. Why does no one believe me?”

And the authentic Heavenly demon observed the gallery with a perplexed expression.

Skin white as snow, red lips, a delicate face, and curves impossible to hide even beneath a black robe.

The only “demon” under heaven, the absolute sovereign Yoo Sowol.

Today as well, Heavenly demon continued gallerying enthusiastically.

“I have already proven everything, and even so tsk, tsk.”

Yoo Sowol clicked her tongue.

Even so, there was not a trace of irritation on her face.

Rather, she seemed interested. It was no surprise the gallery was her only pastime.

One might wonder why someone of the Heavenly demon’s stature would waste her time like this, but in the end, she too was human.

Although she had defeated all the masters of Jung and obtained the title of number one under heaven, the boredom remained.

She was so overwhelmingly strong that there were not even any challengers.

That is why she secluded herself in the mountains under the pretext of closed-door training.

Title) If Heavenly demon is a fucking useless idiot, give it a like hahaha

ㄴLike hahaha

ㄴLike hahaha

“Hehehe. Damn bastards. To dare mock this humble woman.”

This was the good part.

People saying stupid things without filter, shielded by anonymity.

In the Divine Doctrine, most believers did not even dare look her in the eye.

After all, Yoo Sowol was the absolute sovereign under heaven. They could only venerate her.

But not in the gallery.

Here, protected by anonymity, they said things they would not even dare to utter.

Sometimes there was even sexual harassment, but Yoo Sowol let it pass indulgently.

After all, she did not know their faces.

‘If I could, I would like to face the masters of the West…’

Even so, there was something that bothered her she was always left out when speaking of the strongest person on the continent.

In other countries, thanks to constant exchange, the names of the powerful had spread widely.

But not in Jung.

Because of their isolationist policies, they were still like frogs in a well.

She even thought of presenting herself in person, but curiously, the believers opposed it vehemently.

— It cannot be. If you yourself descend, innumerable problems will arise.

— Why?

— If you are absent for too long, the believers will fall into chaos, and the insidious figures of the martial world will take advantage to attack. And above all…

— Above all?

— Do you not think it is absurd for the supreme sovereign to go in person? It would be proper for those barbarians to come to you.

— Hmm. That is also true.

Thus, the Heavenly demon was persuaded by the “Demonic Brain,” someone she trusted.

But his thoughts were different.

The moment she faced masters from other countries, everything would become completely entangled.

Jung had not yet been completely stabilized.

If, on top of that, they attracted the barbarians, the Heavenly Demonic Doctrine, built with such effort, could collapse.

It was a realistic judgment.

Title) Fuck, I’m going to go crazy because of the bastard I serve
SmartDemon

That woman, with nothing but martial arts in her head, wants to cause trouble again. Good thing I managed to stop her. Otherwise, she would’ve already run off.

ㄴStay strong, bro. And what do you do for work?

ㄴSmartDemon) In the language of the West it would be secretary? butler? Something like that

ㄴIt must be tough having a boss like that

ㄴSmartDemon) Ugh fuck, I feel like deserting

ㄴThen why don’t you?

ㄴSmartDemon) It’s a lifetime job haha. It started with the boss’s parents

ㄴHahahaha

ㄴBut if you’re a secretary, do you really get under the desk?

ㄴIs this guy crazy? hahaha

ㄴSmartDemon) If I did that, they’d smash my head in

Shortly after, another suggestive post appeared in the gallery, but Heavenly demon ignored it. It was something usual.

Then she shut herself back inside the Doctrine, went out briefly over matters concerning the emperor, and returned again, living ordinary days.

Not as the venerated Heavenly demon Yoo Sowol, but as the human Yoo Sowol, exchanging insults with others. And that was truly fun.

Until, by chance, she attained an enlightenment and entered closed-door training only to face a completely unexpected difficulty.

“Cough!”

Splurt!

When Yoo Sowol coughed, a large mouthful of black blood burst from her mouth.

It was a considerable amount.

As she wiped the blood from her lips, her expression turned grim.

‘That this humble woman has fallen into internal deviation…’

That was the case.

During her training, she had suffered internal deviation.

One might say it is absurd for the absolute sovereign under heaven to fall into such a thing, but it was still a trial.

Like the cocoon of an insect, depending on whether one manages to break it or not, one lives or dies.

To begin with, internal deviation is something that can affect anyone.

Not even the Heavenly demon is an exception.

‘My internal energy is becoming excessively powerful.’

The Heavenly demon was strong.

The problem was that she was too strong.

Yoo Sowol looked at her hands.

They were cracked like a spiderweb, as if they could shatter at any moment.

The shell could not withstand the inner energy and was collapsing on its own.

To overcome this, there was no option but to control that energy or neutralize it with a spiritual elixir.

However, no matter how many times she tried the former, her internal energy only continued to strengthen, without decreasing in the slightest.

‘Heaven is heaven, and earth is earth…….’

Even so, she kept gallerying until the end.

In truth, she was already half resigned.

As long as her internal energy kept strengthening, the only thing left was for this miserable shell not to endure and to explode.

It was practically a death sentence, so, with her mind blank, she wrote a post in the gallery.

Title) Is there no one who wishes to have a deep conversation with this humble woman? It is a serious matter.

Heavenly Demon

The title says it all.

ㄴHeavenlyDemonDeathBeam!!

ㄴTeeeeng!

“Hehe.”

Yoo Sowol smiled. She had a compassionate expression, as if she were looking at a pitiful idiot.

That the only place she could rely on was the gallery.

That was no longer just self-criticism, but self-contempt.

And the more she thought like that, the more her internal deviation worsened, but she was already in a state of detachment.

‘Is this how everything ends……?’

Before dying, she decided to check the gallery one last time. She did not like the idea of dying alone and in silence.

At least she wanted to leave something behind until the very last moment. It was a natural instinct as a human being.

With that thought, before writing her final message, she entered the post at the very top.

It was a post written by a new fixed nickname.

The same guy whom a dwarf had insulted, saying his head was like an anvil.

Title) Does anyone know what medicinal herb this is?

WildGrills

(Photo of an herb with crescent-moon-shaped petals)

I don’t know what herb this is, does anyone recognize it?

“…!!!”

Yoo Sowol’s eyes opened wide upon seeing the post. All because of the image.

The photo showed a medicinal herb with crescent-moon-shaped flowers.

‘D-don’t tell me it’s……!’

Even if the Heavenly Demon was obsessed solely with martial arts, she did know about medicinal herbs.

She had been born and raised in the Heavenly Demon Sect, consuming all kinds of existing spiritual elixirs.

Not only did she consume them, she also learned to master them. When it came to medicinal herbs, she was practically an expert.

‘Could it be the New Moon Spiritual Herb? No, it is certain.’

New Moon Spiritual Herb.

An extraordinary herb for controlling overflowing internal energy.

For Yoo Sowol, who was dying from being unable to control her qi, it was even more necessary than the elixir of immortality.

Without wasting a second, Yoo Sowol left a comment.

Her mind functioned several times faster than that of others, which is why she managed to claim first place.

ㄴHeavenlyDemon) Back off! This humble woman claimed it first! How greedy you are!

ㄴYeah, sure you did~

ㄴClaim it? Hahaha, the one the author likes gets it

ㄴOld lady, go over there~

“Y-you damned bastards……!”

But claiming it first meant nothing.

In that brief instant, a pack of hyenas drawn by the scent had already pounced.

Yoo Sowol exploded in anger, but soon fell into anxiety. The competition became too fierce.

She had sent an exchange request long ago.

But WildGrills was not accepting it.

‘How pathetic.’

Yoo Sowol let out a bitter laugh. Until the end, she ended up acting miserably.

But she was furious.

She wanted to die fighting, not in such a disgraceful way.

Her internal energy was becoming more and more uncontrollable, and her life expectancy was shortening second by second.

Just as Yoo Sowol was about to close her eyes, lamenting her own fate.

[The user WildGrills has sent you an exchange request. Do you wish to accept it?]

A saving hand descended from heaven.

Yoo Sowol’s eyes widened.

Why?

Why, among so many people, to this humble woman?

She thought a great deal, but acted quickly. She accepted the request without hesitation.

When she did, a square and empty window appeared before her.

[WildGrills: Hello hello, you are the Heavenly Demon, right?]

A short greeting filled the space. It was informal, but surprisingly respectful.

Yoo Sowol cleared her throat unconsciously before replying.

[HeavenlyDemon: That is correct. This humble woman is the only heaven of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Do you wish to trade with me?]

[WildGrills: Yes. You commented first, didn’t you? Whoever comments first gets it.]

[HeavenlyDemon: I thank you. It is rare to find someone with manners.]

Fortunately, WildGrills was not heartless. The Heavenly Demon sighed in relief.

The gallery was like a garbage dump.

Many hid behind anonymity to shamelessly expose their desires.

To find such courtesy in the midst of that dump felt like a rose struggling to bloom.

[HeavenlyDemon: Is there anything you desire? Whatever this humble woman can obtain, she will obtain it.]

For now she was limited because she had to focus on her cultivation.

But if she returned to the sect, she was willing to give him whatever it was.

Even to pass on a secret manual, if he so wished. The Heavenly Demon did not forget favors.

[WildGrills: For now, a tool to make fire, a compass, a weapon to protect myself, and some simple food. That will be enough.]

The Heavenly Demon was bewildered.

Was that all he wanted?

Did he not know what the New Moon Spiritual Herb was?

[HeavenlyDemon: Is that truly all? As you know, this herb is extremely valuable.]

[WildGrills: Even so, is it worth more than my life? I only need what is indispensable.]

[HeavenlyDemon: Hm… I understand. Some things I cannot obtain immediately, but with time I can.]

[WildGrills: I am also in a complicated situation, so I need to know if it is possible now.]

It is possible.

The Heavenly Demon looked toward a corner of the cave.

A secret manual with her insights, a large quantity of fasting pills, and her favorite sword.

Two of the conditions were already covered.

She did not have a tool to make fire, but she could solve that.

[HeavenlyDemon: What is your level? Have you reached the martial state?]

[WildGrills: I am a normal person……]

“This is bad.”

That way she could not teach him the meditative transformation. Yoo Sowol quickly moved on.

[HeavenlyDemon: I am sorry, I can only fulfill two conditions for now. The weapon and the food.]

[WildGrills: Mmm……]

[HeavenlyDemon: But if you descend to the sect, I will give you the other two.]

Yoo Sowol began to grow impatient.

The more her internal energy strengthened, the more cold sweat ran down her body.

Moreover, the maximum exchange time was three minutes.

If it ran out, they would not be able to trade for the entire day.

[WildGrills: Ok, understood.]

[HeavenlyDemon: Truly?]

[WildGrills: If you said you will give it to me, I have to believe you. If you do not fulfill it, then I will stop believing.]

“Ah…….”

What a polite young man.

Yoo Sowol was moved.

It was an opportunity of fate, a benefactor found at the very last moment.

Not when she entered the martial world, nor when she unified the Central Plains, had she experienced something like this.

Everything seemed to light up.

Although she was in a dark cave, the conversation with WildGrills shone like the sun.

‘No, now is not the time to be distracted.’

Yoo Sowol quickly took the sword and the fasting pills.

Objects she would no longer need upon reaching the next level.

She knew the gallery system well.

She only had to hold the objects she wanted to send.

[WildGrills has registered the exchange items.]

[HeavenlyDemon has registered the exchange items.]

[Do you wish to complete the exchange?]

She accepted immediately.

The other side also accepted quickly, and the message changed.

[Exchange completed.]

[WildGrills: I already received them. Did they arrive to you?]

Yoo Sowol did not see that message.

She was too busy stuffing the New Moon Spiritual Herb into her mouth in desperation.

She felt sorry for WildGrills, but her life was in danger.

As soon as she ingested the herb, she entered qi circulation and adjustment.

Just as she expected, upon absorbing the medicinal energy, the internal energy that burned like a volcano began to stabilize.

Even she herself was surprised.

At this rate, she could break the shell and advance to the next level.

Although relieved, Yoo Sowol did not lose concentration. She did not want to waste this opportunity.

‘Just a little more…… just a little more……’

Wuuung—

Yoo Sowol’s body began to rise slowly as she continued her energy circulation.

Her black hair floated as if in water, and a faint light emanated from her body.

Crack!

Like a bird breaking out of its eggshell, Yoo Sowol went through a similar process.

Although she had already undergone a bodily transformation before, she was going through it again.

The cracked skin peeled away, giving way to a new one.

Her skeleton and body adapted to a more perfect form.

To free oneself from all inner demons the state of Demonic Detachment.

In the Central Plains, this level is called the Profound state.

Swish.

Yoo Sowol’s closed eyes slowly opened.

They were not the eyes of someone who had seen death.

They were calm like a still lake, gentle like a breeze.

The Heavenly Demon, Yoo Sowol, broke the shell once more and gazed upon the world.

“Huff……”

She let out a sigh laden with mixed emotions.

Then she looked at her hands.

White and delicate skin, true jade hands.

She was satisfied. A smile arose naturally.

‘Ah. That’s right. I did not thank him.’

Yoo Sowol hurriedly entered the gallery.

Time had passed and the conversation with WildGrills had already been cut off.

The only thing she could do now was write a post.

Although she had reached the state of Demonic Detachment, the human Yoo Sowol had not disappeared.

On the contrary, she had become even more human after meeting her benefactor in a moment of crisis.

She wanted to repay that favor, no matter what.

Title) WildGrills, look at this.

Thanks to your benevolence, this humble woman has received a debt of gratitude that she must repay for her entire life. Without fail I will find you, so tell me what you desire. If you wish, I can even give you a secret manual.

Ah, and just in case, the objects you requested I will send them to you without fail.

For the Heavenly Demon to use the words “young master” was almost a supreme honor.

Some comments passed, but the one she was waiting for did not appear.

Yoo Sowol waited.

And waited.

But WildGrills did not respond.

“……Why is he not replying?”

Only a few minutes had passed, but to her they felt eternal.

‘Could it be because I did not thank him immediately?’

Yoo Sowol’s worry deepened even further.

***

Meanwhile, WildGrills.

— Graaah! Grrr! Roaaar!

“Ahhh, fuck!”

I was being chased by a beast.

Contrary to what the Heavenly Demon thought, I was absolutely in no condition to enter the gallery.