Divine Army Commander – Part 1
The Divine Army Commander spoke in a tone like he was scolding a younger sibling.
“Disciple. Have you forgotten the oath you swore to the Twin Heavenly Demons? You promised to repent for three years, and yet here you are, stepping out of the Repentance Hall. What foolishness is this?”
“I haven’t broken my oath. I’m just out for a walk.”
“If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. A walk? Even a three-year-old wouldn’t buy that excuse.”
His tone was gentle, and his expression was calm.
But his eyes were sharp as blades.
The kind of gaze that warned he’d strike the moment I didn’t turn back.
And yet, the Blood King showed no sign of backing down and replied firmly.
“I have my reasons.”
“Explain them.”
“Well…”
The Blood King began repeating what I had told him.
But the Divine Army Commander remained like stone.
“That’s utter nonsense. You’re saying your junior sister attacked the master or tampered with his corpse? That the master left behind his body and magic power to ascend into a higher realm? That’s hard enough to believe—and claiming your junior sister committed such a heinous act is something I absolutely cannot accept. Have you forgotten how devoted she was to the master?”
“I remember. But—”
“Stop spouting nonsense and leave. The only reason I’m still using words is because your companion is maintaining a magic seal. Otherwise, I would have already broken your arms and legs and dragged you off like last time.”
Break his arms and legs?
So this is the Demonic Cult, after all.
They’re willing to dismember someone just for disagreeing.
In any case, the Divine Army Commander clearly wasn’t going to believe us.
And that was expected.
The Grand Elder didn’t believe me. Neither did the rest of the Demonic Cult.
The only one who believed me from the start was the Blood King.
Step, step.
I stepped forward myself.
Taking two steps past the Blood King, the Divine Army Commander turned to look at me.
Glass-like eyes, hard to read any emotion from.
“Greetings, Divine Army Commander. I am the Sword of Korea, Warrior Kim.”
“Hm. I’ve heard much of your name. Now that I see you in person, it seems none of it was exaggerated. Very well, Sword of the Nation, do you have a noble suggestion to offer?”
“As far as I know, the Demonic Cult is ruled by the law of strength.”
I casually rested my hand on the Black Tiger Sword at my waist.
“Let’s settle this like warriors—with our swords.”
“Hah.”
The Divine Army Commander let out a dry laugh, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’ve heard you broke through the Three Trials of the Heavenly Demon. The second person ever to do so, and the fastest on record. And yet, something doesn’t add up. If you truly broke through the Three Trials, then you should be wrapped in the aura of the Heavenly Demon Art. So why can’t I sense even a trace of it from you?”
“You’ll understand once you cross swords with me.”
“Hmm.”
At last, the Divine Army Commander twisted his lips into a smile.
Not the soft, gentle one he’d worn until now.
This one was savage. Predatory. Overflowing with killing intent.
“Very well.”
The Divine Army Commander approached me.
“Let’s see just how strong a Heavenly Demon’s vessel really is.”
GUOOOOOH—
The wind surged.
A tremendous pressure exploded outward.
It wasn’t a man approaching—it was a mountain in human skin.
“Hrk!”
“Guh!”
Even the disciples nearby were so terrified they stumbled back.
They barely managed to hold their ground by unleashing their Heavenly Killing Star energy, innate strong ki, divine blood, and protective body techniques.
I didn’t even turn around as I waved my hand behind me.
The Grand Elder, the Blood King, and the disciples quickly retreated.
Hundreds of meters back.
Before I knew it, word had already spread.
Hundreds of Demonic Cultists had come flooding in from the Demonic Cult.
Encircling us, they naturally transformed the clearing in front of the Heavenly Demon’s Hall into a dueling arena.
No one spoke.
Afraid of disturbing the duel, everyone held their breath.
WIIIIIIING—
A vibrating sound echoed from the Divine Army Commander’s body.
A dark dragon-like light writhed around him, swirling around his White Dragon Robes.
“I am Jin Wicheon, Acting Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, Commander of the Myriad Demon Army, Leader of the Chinese Martial Alliance, Chairman of the Asian Superhuman Association, and Conqueror of Vietnam. I received direct instruction in the Heavenly Demon Art from the Great Sublime One himself and have mastered every major technique of the Demonic Cult. Sword of the Nation, I will show you the greatness of the Heavenly Demon Art.”
“I am Warrior Kim, the Sword of Korea. Though I have no official master, I once received sword instruction from the former commander of the Eastern Army, known in his time as the Black Tiger Swordmaster. I have expertise in sword, hammer, shield, and firearms alike—so be warned.”
Slowly, I drew the Black Tiger Sword.
[Mars Swordsmanship] [Master of the Sword] [Bright Eyes]
[Giant’s Strength] [Mana Soul] [Fatal Strike]
With a flash of blinding sword energy, the aura of a seasoned war veteran rose to meet the Heavenly Demon Art.
With my left hand, I drew Mjolnir.
[Master of the Blunt Weapon] [Sacred Knight] [Lightning Leap]
[Magic Brain] [Thor Cultivation Technique] [Practical Combat]
CRACKLE CRACKLE
Lightning flared to life.
No—beyond lightning, a thunderstorm compressed to its extreme.
The Annihilation Thunder had imbued itself into Mjolnir.
And that wasn’t all.
[Master of the Shield] [Sacred Knight] [Earth]
[Celestial Wall] [Vajra Body] [Undying]
I covered my entire body with defensive traits.
Aegis transformed into a massive golden shield.
I had switched out three full trait sets in under a second.
I wasn’t trying to stack traits.
This was a warning.
The Divine Army Commander’s brow twitched as he watched me.
“So it really is the Heavenly Demon’s vessel…”
“I believe the Blood King already explained it to you.”
“Possessing the Heavenly Demon’s body doesn’t make you invincible. It’s just a talent. A sword forged ten thousand times will slice through a mountain of scrap metal. If all you’re relying on is your talent, then you’re in for a rude awakening.”
The Divine Army Commander pushed his mana to the limit.
I could see his entire mana circuit lighting up.
And I understood what each one meant.
[Heavenly Demon Art] [Reverse Aging] [Master of Fist]
[Mana Soul] [Sympathy of Will] [Mind’s Eye]
Even just the Heavenly Demon Art alone was a monstrous ability.
But then, there was more.
[Reverse Aging], which boosts all stats, combined with [Master of Fist], [Mana Soul], [Sympathy of Will], and [Bright Eyes]—and now [Mind’s Eye], a trait similar to Bright Eyes but specialized for combat.
No wonder he was the Great Disciple and personal student of the Heavenly Demon.
Still…
‘He’s weaker than me.’
Originally, the Divine Army Commander was among the top-tier SSR characters, with especially high stats.
That was all thanks to Reverse Aging.
But how did he compare to me now?
Of course, I was stronger.
Normally, I would’ve been far behind him—but I’d taken four doses of Trait Reconfiguration Elixirs.
I went through hell to get them.
When I hit Level 8, I scoured the world for the rare sub-material, Divine Blood.
‘As long as I don’t let my guard down.’
That’s all I needed. Just that.
“Come.”
The Divine Army Commander said calmly, looking at me.
“As a senior of the martial world, I shall grant you three seconds.”
…Huh? What did he say?
Three seconds?
The Great Disciple and personal student of the Heavenly Demon.
Heir to the Heavenly Demon Art.
It seemed the arrogance of those titles had soaked into his brain.
I let out a brief laugh—then silently kicked off the ground.
BOOM!
[Grand Assault] activated in an instant, hurling me like a missile.
His calm expression zoomed rapidly into my view.
I swung my sword at him.
[Nephilim Sword] [Nephilim Sword]
A light like the cosmos burst into flame.
A sight where dark matter and the Milky Way intertwined.
It wasn’t a perfect enhancement.
But the world trait I had nurtured was maximizing the strengthening effect through identical trait stacking.
“Hm!”
The Divine Army Commander groaned, thrusting both hands forward.
A vortex of black light spiraled up.
It formed an impenetrable wall around him.
The Black Qi of the Heavenly Demon Barrier.
But it was lacking.
It couldn’t even compare to the massive black dome I had witnessed back in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do.
BOOM!
See?
Unlike the black dome that nullified everything, this one exploded on impact.
Even so, the Heavenly Demon Art was still the Heavenly Demon Art.
Clumsy as it was, it easily blocked my attack.
I could see relief flicker in the Divine Army Commander’s eyes.
Too bad for him.
Now it really begins.
[Lightning Leap] [Lightning Leap]
Mjolnir vanished.
Transformed into pure elemental lightning.
This was Destruction Thunder incarnate.
No—something beyond even Destruction Thunder.
I brought it down in a crushing strike.
KRRAKKA-BOOOM!
A thunderous explosion.
A lightning storm struck the ground.
The stone plates beneath our feet shattered to bits.
Dust and debris blasted into the sky like reverse-falling hail.
The Divine Army Commander’s eyes trembled.
Then came the third, finishing strike.
[Master of the Shield] [Master of the Shield]
Qi grew like a spike.
And I slammed into him with full force.
These weren’t defensive traits like before.
I had switched to offensive traits—Giant’s Strength, Mana Soul, Practical Combat.
A pure burst charge set, like a shock trooper going all-in.
KWAANG!
“Gah!”
Even the Heavenly Demon Barrier couldn’t hold out.
Cracks spiderwebbed through it like glass—then it shattered completely.
The Divine Army Commander was flung away, overwhelmed.
He flew hundreds of meters before slamming into a cliff.
RUMBLE…
The cliff began to collapse.
Earth and stone rained down like a storm.
A magic barrier flickered—but it only sputtered sparks.
The earlier impact had broken through even high-level magic.
“Hah… Hahaha!”
The Divine Army Commander let out a boisterous laugh as he stepped out.
He looked totally disheveled.
His entire body was caked in dirt and dust.
His pristine White Dragon Robes had turned into Yellow Dragon Robes.
I raised the Black Tiger Sword and scoffed.
“Who was giving who three seconds again?”
Three seconds of grace from a warrior.
Let’s be honest—that’s something a master gives to a novice.
Just because you’re older, or became a superhuman first, doesn’t automatically make you a master.
The Divine Army Commander’s face flushed red.
“I was out of line. I overestimated myself.”
“Then let’s hear you say that again—properly.”
I switched traits on the spot, showing them all off.
Classic Warrior, Martial Artist, Paladin, Gunner, Assassin, Dragon Knight—you name it.
The traits I’d accumulated.
Not a single one could be taken lightly.
Scrap metal?
That’s a joke!
The Divine Army Commander bowed respectfully in martial salute.
“My apologies, Sword of the Nation. I mistook you for a pile of mixed metals—but now I see you are a mountain of tempered steel. I offer my sincerest apology for my arrogance.”
“I accept. Now, let’s really get started.”
I could’ve ended it earlier if I wanted to.
But the Divine Army Commander and I weren’t true enemies.
There was no need to kill him.
And if I wanted to build reputation with the Demonic Cult, it was far better to show them an honorable, strength-against-strength duel rather than take advantage of a careless opponent.
FWOOOOOM—
Mana surged.
The mana of the world began gathering toward the Divine Army Commander.
His eyes gleamed sharply at that moment.
With mana converging, he took a mighty step forward.
THOOM!
Heavenly Demon’s Imperial Step.
It felt like gravity was crushing me.
The mana of the world poured into him, forming a massive pressure.
At Level 7, I’d probably have been paralyzed by the overwhelming mana.
But for me?
Didn’t apply.
[Indomitable]
I shook it off and charged forward.
The Divine Army Commander swung his palm toward me.
A black wave surged like a tsunami.
Heavenly Demon Sky-Piercing Palm.
The strongest offensive technique in Arcane Seoul.
‘Copying it.’
Same trick as before.
Just like I did in the Heavenly Demon’s Three Trials—I replicated the Heavenly Demon Art.
And projected the Heavenly Demon Barrier in response.
Instead of a sword aura, I deployed the Heavenly Demon Barrier.
The Divine Army Commander’s eyes widened.
“No…!”
How’s it feel to witness it in person?
From afar, the Grand Elder stroked his beard.
“Heh heh heh.”
He let out a hearty laugh, as if he couldn’t believe it.
Even the Demonic Cultists who had been silently watching dropped their jaws.
“Th-That’s impossible!”
“It’s the Heavenly Demon Art! That’s the Heavenly Demon Art!”
“A new Heavenly Demon has been born!”
“Is he truly… the Heavenly Demon?”
“It can’t be! If that were true, you would’ve already made it public!”
The Divine Army Commander’s eyes blazed with fury.
“I don’t believe it!”
Then he lunged at me like a comet.
Unleashing Heavenly Demon Sky-Piercing Palm, manifesting the Heavenly Demon Art to its extreme, launching a headbutt cloaked in the Heavenly Demon Barrier, and trying to bind me with Heavenly Demon’s Imperial Step, while flickering in and out of space like a mirage.
As expected, this wasn’t going to be easy.
Fighting by copying the Heavenly Demon Art was impossible.
The difference in proficiency was just too great.
He was the Great Disciple and personal pupil of the Heavenly Demon, after all—you can’t treat him like some mass-produced iron puppet.
“Sword of the Nation! What happened to all that momentum earlier?!”
Only one option remained.
Fight the way I always have—by swapping traits in real time.
I stabbed with my sword, swung with my hammer, blocked with my shield, slammed with my body, and unleashed a hail of bullets with dual pistols.
[Mars Swordsmanship] [Mars Swordsmanship]
[Sacred Knight] [Sacred Knight]
[Celestial Wall] [Celestial Wall]
[Practical Combat] [Practical Combat]
[Invincible Gun] [Invincible Gun]
Each time, my World Trait glowed.
Bit by bit, very slowly, it grew.
Every time I blocked, dodged, deflected, struck, shattered, and destroyed those chunks of black light—
‘This is strange.’
It felt like the Divine Army Commander’s Heavenly Demon Art was stimulating my World Trait.
They were clearly different kinds of traits.
But it was acting like fertilizer.
Every time an explosion rang out, a tiny mana vein sprouted.
Every blow that shook me planted a small mana cell.
Which meant—ending the fight quickly would be a waste.
I deliberately dragged it out, extending the battle, and a subtle expression crossed the Divine Army Commander’s face.
“You bastard…”
He thought I was holding back.
The hushed sound transmissions exchanged by the Demonic Cultists slipped straight into my ears—thanks to the enhanced senses of a Level 8.
[Is the Divine Army Commander… losing?]
[Unbelievable…]
[He’s the strongest among our entire Cult…]
[I used to feel annoyed that he used the character ‘Heaven (天),’ but at this rate, maybe he deserves it.]
[He might not be the current Heavenly Demon… but he’s definitely worthy of becoming the next.]
[Who knows, maybe the Heavenly Demon will take him in as his youngest disciple.]
In one ear and out the other.
The Divine Army Commander charged again with a furious roar.
“This can’t be! This can’t be happening!”
He fired off the Heavenly Demon Sky-Piercing Palm with everything he had.
A blow strong enough to bring down a skyscraper.
But before my layered Celestial Wall, it scattered like a phantom.
Just like that black dome in Gwangju, which nullified every attack.
ZZZZZTT—
That power became fertilizer—fueling the growth of my World Trait.
The mana circuit in my chest trembled.
TOK TOK—its edges were developing.
This time, true leaves sprouted.
Not just seed leaves—real foliage was forming, and a sturdy stalk began to rise.
The roots, thick and coiling, stretched down and anchored themselves to my back.
Instinctively, I understood a new way to use this.
[Nephilim Sword]
I equipped it first.
In a straight-up power clash, it’s the strongest trait I have.
[Nephilim Sword]
The World Trait replicated the same trait again.
The now-thickened roots held the second trait in place.
And then—the newly grown stalk began to move.
As if connecting the two identical traits into one.
[Nephilim Sword][Nephilim Sword]
If I were to diagram it, it might look like this.
But this wasn’t the end.
This was the start.
I shoved my mana into it.
As I focused my mind, the entire World Trait turned blazing red.
Like molten steel at its melting point.
Like lava that could melt mountains and stone alike.
And so, the two traits fused.
Unity.
Or perhaps—Evolution.
A completely new, transcendent sword art never before seen in games or reality.
[Cosmic Sword]
The cosmos itself—beyond even starlight (罡)—imbued itself into my blade.
CRACK!
The Heavenly Demon Sky-Piercing Palm split apart.
The Divine Army Commander’s face twisted in shock and terror.
And then—
The Cosmic Sword came crashing down on him.
–TL Notes–
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YOOOOO trait fusion finally