Baek Hyun-Jae stood at the edge of the pit, his breathing steady despite the raw power surging through him. The Baptism of Blood had not just tested him it had reborn him. His body pulsed with newfound strength, his senses sharper, his mind clearer. The whispers of the abyss had tried to break him, but they had only confirmed what he already knew.
The world was broken. And he would be the one to reshape it.
The masked figure the High Elder stepped forward, his crimson robes barely shifting as he examined Hyun-Jae. "You have survived the abyss. The power of the Demonic Cult now flows within you. You are no longer an outsider. From this moment forward, you are one of us."
The surrounding cultists knelt in unison, their heads bowed, their voices chanting in eerie synchronization.
"Glory to the Demon Warlord."
Hyun-Jae's eyes gleamed. Demon Warlord… It was a title he would carve into the bones of Murim.
The High Elder gestured for him to follow. "Come. There is more to do."
They walked through the underground temple, a fortress hidden beneath the mountain. The walls were carved with ancient inscriptions of battle and conquest. It was a history written in blood, detailing the cult's countless wars against the so-called righteous sects.
"We have always been demonized," the High Elder said, his voice calm. "They call us monsters, but they fail to see their own corruption. The righteous sects claim to uphold balance, yet their leaders hoard power. They manipulate, betray, and discard those they deem unworthy."
Hyun-Jae scoffed. "I know that truth better than anyone."
The High Elder chuckled. "Indeed, you do. That is why you were chosen."
They stopped before a massive stone door, sealed with intricate demonic runes. With a single motion of the Elder's hand, the runes flared, and the door groaned open. What lay beyond made even Hyun-Jae pause.
A vast hall stretched before him, its ceiling lost in darkness. At its center stood an altar, surrounded by kneeling figures. But they were not ordinary cultists. Their bodies radiated terrifying energy killing intent so suffocating that a lesser warrior would collapse from the sheer pressure.
"The Twelve Demon Generals," the High Elder announced. "The pillars of our cult. They command our forces, each one a master of death."
One of the figures stood, removing his hood to reveal a scarred face and burning red eyes. His voice was a growl, filled with restrained violence. "So this is the one?"
The High Elder nodded. "Baek Hyun-Jae has passed the Baptism. He is worthy."
The scarred man approached, his aura pressing against Hyun-Jae like a storm of blades. "We will see."
In a blur, he struck.
Hyun-Jae reacted on instinct, his hand lashing out to block. The impact sent a shockwave through the hall, the stone beneath them cracking. But Hyun-Jae did not stumble. He stood firm, his eyes meeting the General's without fear.
The scarred man grinned. "Good."
The tension faded, and the other Generals observed him with newfound interest.
The High Elder turned to Hyun-Jae. "Power alone is not enough. We will forge you into something greater. You will not only take revenge you will lead the war that reshapes Murim."
Hyun-Jae smirked. "Then let's begin."
The Demonic Cult had given him power. Now, he would use it to burn his enemies to the ground.