Second Life of a Dragon Raising Hunter

---

Chapter 395

Thanks to Dang Sa-ryeon killing the Poison King, the morale of the expeditionary army soared to the skies, but it was inevitable that they would come to a halt.

With Yeon-woo’s presence overshadowing him, Dang Sa-ryeon seemed not to play any significant role in the expeditionary army at first glance.

However, Dang Sa-ryeon was also a key figure in the expedition. Advancing any further in this state was no easy feat.

“I’m sorry. The Poison King insisted it had to be now.”

“It’s alright. It’s all for my sake.”

The first visitor to the bedridden Dang Sa-ryeon was Jin Baek-cheon. His expression, confessing there was a reason behind his actions, looked extremely apologetic.

“But that’s amazing. The Poison King would have been a formidable opponent even for the Poison King. If that’s the case, we won’t have to worry even if the Poison King retires immediately.”

“You’re exaggerating, Lord. The girl is still far too lacking to take on the patriarch’s role.”

“Heh heh, that friend raised his daughter well. Then, just rest. Yeon-woo, I’m counting on you for the future of our world.”

“…Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Though the expedition had a medical team, only Yeon-woo, who mastered Divine Art of Recovery, could care for the fundamentally weakened Dang Sa-ryeon.

Somehow, as if he had become a dedicated physician, he was doing his utmost.

Jin Baek-cheon and the Poison King decided to stay at the campsite. They could no longer advance but needed to confirm just how severe the damage left by Yeon-woo’s mana was.

And since they couldn’t easily abandon the campsite they had worked hard to obtain, they thought about inflicting a little more damage.

As for the rest — Yeon-woo, Dang Sa-ryeon, and Jegal Yeon — they decided to return with the wounded warriors.

Naturally, it was for Dang Sa-ryeon, and for Jegal Yeon to reorganize the reinforcements. Yeon-woo aimed to secure their retreat.

With no way of knowing how long the war against the Heavenly Demon would last, it was not wise to stay too long clinging to martial sects.

And it was not just martial sects that were experiencing problems.

Yeon-woo needed to worry about Earth, and also about Alkeon.

Thus, his head felt like it might burst, but he had to resolve the most pressing matters one at a time.

It was hard to pinpoint which battlefield was the most urgent, but Yeon-woo thought it was Alkeon.

Though observing the situation and marching with an army were entirely different. The Heavenly Demon could only reveal their ambitions but hadn’t moved in earnest yet.

“…Am I not needed in this tent?”

Beside the bed where Dang Sa-ryeon lay, Yeon-woo, who had nothing to do and was reading a book, suddenly murmured that.

When you think about it, Divine Art of Recovery is effective just by being cast, so why was he here?

“I’m bored. At least keep me company. What if my recovery magic malfunctions suddenly?”

“If that were the case, I would have paraded around warning people. I’m too scared to cast it on myself.”

Yeon-woo stared at Dang Sa-ryeon, who said that with a ridiculous expression, but he quietly put the book down.

Yeon-woo knew why Dang Sa-ryeon was acting this way. There was no way he couldn’t know, as he was essentially taking on a caregiver’s role for the time being.

“If you were scared, you should just admit it honestly.”

“…How am I supposed to say that?”

At Yeon-woo’s words, Dang Sa-ryeon pouted.

Trying to act cute was just annoying. While quietly cursing in his heart, Yeon-woo sighed.

“Hiding your true feelings too much isn’t good either. You need to know how to let some things out.”

“Wow, aren’t you the advice-giver?”

Despite looking indifferent, he was at least enough of a person to offer advice. Besides, he had plenty to say to those who overexerted themselves and ended up going crazy.

The problems with Dang Sa-ryeon’s body mostly stemmed from the aftermath of the Myriad Thousand Flower Dance.

Ordinary assassination techniques could not injure the Poison King, and the poison arts were fully counteracting each other.

In such a situation, the only way for her to win against the Poison King would be to unleash something beyond her realm.

If that sort of flowering hadn’t existed, it might have been different, but fact remains there was obviously a presence of their assassination techniques, which complicated matters.

She hoped that her rage towards the Poison King would materialize, and that desire took the shape of the Myriad Thousand Flower Dance.

“I’m in no position to talk, but don’t overdo it, okay?”

“…I’ll consider that positively.”

‘Didn’t I give a similar answer once too?’

Those who overexert themselves while risking their bodies are typically very stubborn and don’t listen to advice.

“And once you recover, revisit the Myriad Thousand Flower Dance. It might help.”

“Hmph, what do you know about the Myriad Thousand Flower Dance?”

“As if I don’t know anything, I’m in a position to at least say something, you arrogant brat.”

Although the way she was flapping her lips might make one think otherwise, Dang Sa-ryeon was currently unable to even budge a finger.

Yeon-woo lightly poked Dang Sa-ryeon’s forehead with his finger. Seeing her expression tense up, it was clear she was suffering from immense pain.

“If you don’t listen, I’ll make you play with Shar.”

“…I’m sorry, please spare me!”

“Okay. Just lie down and rest.”

With Dang Sa-ryeon raising the white flag against Yeon-woo’s threats, he laid her back on the bed.

This wouldn’t wrap up in a day or two. It might even be worth considering transporting her with teleportation if it became necessary.

*

“Well then, see you next time.”

“Safe travels. Are you sure you don’t need to worry about the return trip? I could attach a few more warriors if you’d like.”

“Being told that makes me a little uneasy.”

The next day, even though Dang Sa-ryeon still couldn’t move, Yeon-woo, now able to help carry her thanks to her recovery, and Jin Baek-cheon were exchanging farewells.

The distance between the campsite and the dimensional portal was one that could not be covered in just one day.

They had come quickly without any injured, but returning would likely take at least three days.

In other words, the longer the delay, the higher the chance of unexpected incidents occurring.

After Jin Baek-cheon’s words indirectly conveyed that reality, Yeon-woo had no choice but to show his troubles.

If anything happened, the ones who could respond were only Jegal Yeon, Yeon-woo, and a handful of warriors. This was practically a solo protection assignment.

After contemplating for a while in that spot, Yeon-woo decided to request additional troops.

In fact, even with Jin Baek-cheon and the Poison King left behind, they should be able to handle at least the remaining two of the Omas.

With that in mind, he was able to request additional troops without any burdens.

“Once the investigation is complete, call me again. I’ll handle other matters until then.”

“Ah, I appreciate your assistance.”

As Yeon-woo and Jin Baek-cheon finished their conversation, it seemed the Poison King had a few words with Dang Sa-ryeon. Dang Sa-ryeon lay on the stretcher with an expression of defeat.

After the Poison King left with a dissatisfied look, Yeon-woo lifted Dang Sa-ryeon on the stretcher with teleportation magic, saying:

“See? I told you not to overdo it.”

“…Yes, yes. You were right.”

The more one stubbornly overexerted themselves, the more powerful and massive the nagging would return.

After realizing that truth, Yeon-woo tried not to overexert himself as much as possible as well.

Granted, he had no choice when it came to dealing with Demon Kings, as there was simply no way to win without overdoing it.

In any case, the group, including Yeon-woo, began to leave the campsite and head back to Earth.

*

Yeon-woo was certainly not an optimistic character. This meant he didn’t believe there wouldn’t be incidents during the return journey.

‘No matter what, I didn’t expect something this significant to happen.’

The fact that he was ready to let Dang Sa-ryeon be carried by Jegal Yeon meant it was a very serious matter.

Dang Sa-ryeon shouted something, realizing some kind of anomaly, but there was no time to hear it.

A massive presence approaching from the southwest. Who could help but tense up upon sensing that?

Yeon-woo felt the same. The aura he was familiar with was one that couldn’t be compared to ordinary beings.

Simultaneously, an indescribably sticky feeling was trying to disrupt Yeon-woo’s senses.

‘…The Heavenly Demon is coming.’

The only entity possessing such an inhuman presence in this world was the Heavenly Demon. It was impossible for another to exist at such a magnitude as this, unlike Earth.

However, what puzzled him was why the Heavenly Demon, who had remained quiet, suddenly started to move. What was so intriguing?

The answer was quite simple. They could think of nothing beyond their own existence.

‘A pretty much universally popular being, friend or foe.’

Yeon-woo slowly calmed his heart, tinged with confusion.

The most important thing for a warrior beyond realms was to maintain reason and composure. Nothing could be accomplished in a state of lost reason.

As he gradually moved toward Earth, Yeon-woo awaited the arrival of the Heavenly Demon. Jin Baek-cheon and the Poison King would likely sense the Heavenly Demon’s presence and head this way.

While the Heavenly Demon was undoubtedly a powerful entity, they couldn’t sustain existence solely on their martial prowess.

The nature of their martial arts exerted immense influence.

Thus, if he could stall for time until Jin Baek-cheon and the Poison King showed up, and if the Omas didn’t chase after the Heavenly Demon, it meant he could potentially deal with the entity right here.

‘The conditions are rather harsh though. I have to hold on, and the Omas can’t come.’

At least it was a relief that there was one condition he could actively work toward.

Genuinely, he didn’t want to meet the Heavenly Demon. It wouldn’t bode well for the education of the children’s emotions. There was nothing good about meeting a world-class, no, cosmic-level pervert.

As he thought about that, he stood up from the tree stump he had been sitting on.

Before him sat a beautiful being that was indistinguishable as a man or woman, lightly settling down.

“Is it you?”

[We’re connected. You’re the one, the so-called hero, right?]

Hmm, even facing it directly, his heart felt immensely peaceful.

At the very least, the fact that he didn’t see any sign of the Omas within his line of sight was helping to calm Yeon-woo’s heart.

The Heavenly Demon seemed interested in Yeon-woo, but Yeon-woo couldn’t care less. With his sword drawn, he aimed it at the Heavenly Demon’s neck.

The pitch-black sword, as dark as any shadow or darkness, was effortlessly caught by the Heavenly Demon without even moving a finger.

The powerful mana flowed in tandem with the will of the Heavenly Demon. The mana surrounding his body was like another body of its own.

Could he break through if he pushed forward like this?

Ending his judgment in the brief moment, Yeon-woo pulled out his Doppleganger.

The firmly stuck blade came out shockingly easily, almost as if it were saying it had no intention of fighting him.

With an attitude that seemed indifferent to the battle, Yeon-woo gently swung his sword.

He didn’t care. All he thought about was killing the Heavenly Demon.

“Haha, quite reckless, huh? Not bad.”

“Ugh.”

Even as he gagged, Yeon-woo’s momentum showed no signs of wavering. Even in that moment, the Heavenly Demon’s mana was creeping up on him as if to swallow him whole.

(To be continued in the next chapter)