Chapter 153 - Murim Supremacy
'It's a Korean one this time?'
Now that he thought about it, Leo remembered that the words that the gentle-looking man spoke had also been Korean, he had been simply too caught up with the mess in his mind that he missed that tiny detail.
'Source language experience.'
Even though Leo did learn Korean afterward to read more untranslated novels, he was sure that he had read this novel in its translated form, but he was currently experiencing its 'raw' form. His original expectation of having an experience that was similar to his reading one turned out to be off the mark.
'Murim Supremacy!'
The information that Leo obtained wasn't that detailed. However, perfect reading memorization made it hard to mismatch the little details even in a sea of books. The novel he was currently in was just one of the countless titles played out in the martial art-focused world of murim, one that Leo had a stronger impression of.
Undoubtedly, this novel wasn't his first entry to the genre, he had read dozens of murim stories by the time he got his hands, or more precisely his eyes on this book, but the reason he noticed it this quickly was that it was like a breath of fresh air within the turbid smog!
"There are those who believe that children like you can't make a responsible decision, but I don't care about any of that!"
'Heavenly Strength Society!'
With a personality that was the exact opposite of his appearance, the speaker's words were unreserved regardless of his audience. This was the unrestrained behavior adapted by the former Heavenly Demon Cult!
In every single murim book that Leo had read, the Heavenly Demon Cult was always either revered as the final enemy or the home of some anti-hero protagonists. However, the author of this book had particularly changed the whole structure of the antagonistic organization!
Through the lore that he had set up, the author made it so the 'fanatic cult' concept was merely the shadow of the current Heavenly Strength Society. After several decades of fighting for supremacy over murim to raise the banner of blood, a certain Cult leader made an undoable change…
Said cult leader wasn't the strongest one to have headed the dragon, but he was said to be the wisest. Unbeatable by his juniors, he boldly absorbed the mystic fire worshiped by the cultists as the 'divine fire', renouncing their identity as a cult!
It wasn't that the leader believed in the justice faction's vision, someone who rose to his position wouldn't be that naive. Nonetheless, their identity as the world's common enemy had almost ended their legacy more than once, there had to be a proper change!
To begin with, their beliefs were built upon cracked foundations. Revering strength wasn't wrong, but worshiping it was! They would remain an organization that unrestrictedly pursued strength, unaligned to both the justice and evil faction, but the mentality of the masses within had to be properly guided!
Naturally, this action of his didn't go unopposed. Countless fanatics believed that he had gone mad, undeserving of his title as the generation's one and only Heavenly Demon. However, for the sake of avoiding the end he foresaw, the former cult leader mercilessly cut down all opposition through the aid of his prominent faction, bringing an end to an era…
"You were picked up from the bottom! Free from all kinds of attachments! Given the life-changing opportunity to stand for yourself!"
Although the internal war of the former Heavenly Demon Cult was devastating, the other factions didn't dare approach the wounded dragon, especially with its head still in full force. Even so, the annihilation of half the organization's ranks had to be mended.
"This is your last chance to make a choice!"
Having shed its 'demon' nature, the Heavenly Strength Society didn't resort to kidnapping suitable offsprings to renew their bloodline like they used to do after every major war. Instead, they picked up orphans that no one would take in, providing them with the chance to undergo the nurturing of the Society as long as they swore obedience within their initial training period.
Let alone the fact that they would be unrestrained once they successfully endured the initial training, just the fact that they could obtain food and shelter was enough to convince everyone. Although…
"C-Can I leave?"
A feeble voice emerged from within the orderly rows, the boy who spoke had the biggest stature around, but there were already tears in his eyes. Not everyone was capable of enduring the pressure that this place implored.
"Sure. Anyone else?"
"I…"
"Can we…"
Once the seed of fear was planted, it sprouted throughout the whole hall. The majority remained silent since they had nowhere else to go, but the tender fourth of the group had distinctly announced their hesitation.
"Alright, take them out."
Tick! Tick! Tick! Tick…
Without any warning, a group of guards dressed in black appeared out of nowhere as they proceeded to knock out the protestors, holding them before they collapsed to the ground.
"W-Wait… It was a mis-"
Frightened by the scene in front of him, the first one to ask for permission tried to take back his words. However, the only thing that awaited him was a chop to the neck, lack of resolve was one of the things frowned upon in the Society!
"No more?"
The speaker's last affirmation call was firmly awaited by silence, even those who had a sliver of doubt had already abandoned any thoughts of escape. They all believed that those who chickened out had their fates sealed, only Leo knew that they would be thrown back from where they came from. The Heavenly Strength Society was still mostly heartless, but they at least had boundaries.
Knowing so still, Leo didn't take the chance to escape this place to start his own journey. The whole thing was still questionable, but being a trainee of the Heavenly Strength Society was one of the greatest starting points he could think of.
'Besides...'
"Good. In that case, I welcome you all to the Heavenly Furnace!"
Leo couldn't help taking another look at the shaken hand grabbing the hem of his sleeve. Undeniably, there was more than one reason that reinforced his decision…