Written by: Loki
Inside an Ordinary Cave
Lucian, after thoroughly checking his current body's condition, discovered a flaw: he was far too weak. Yet after walking for two days, his muscles had begun to feel alive again—albeit only slightly.
"I need physical training. This body is far too weak to carry the knowledge I've accumulated from my previous life," he thought grimly. "When I was this age before, I was already dueling with knight commanders." He sighed as he looked over his frail body once more. Nothing could be done except to rebuild it.
To be honest, Lucian was deeply confused by his situation. He knew he had died of old age. He had never heard of such a thing as waking up in another world after death—and who would leave such a record, when one would first need to die to make that discovery?
Then, a bold question formed in his mind:
"Perhaps... are my parents here?"
But just as quickly, he dismissed the thought, laughing bitterly at himself.
"Oh, Lucian. How naive of you."
Even if his parents were here, would they remember anything of their past lives? Would they even exist in this strange world? He had no proof this "reincarnation" or "transmigration" was common. Maybe he was a rare case. Maybe this was punishment for his tyranny in his past life—or perhaps, a gift of pity from the gods. A second chance.
Lucian had been a genius swordsman and emperor, feared across his world. At seventeen, just three months after his parents' death, he annihilated the empire responsible for his father's death, carving his name into history. Who could erase an entire empire alone? Even his father hadn't been capable of such a feat. And Lucian had done it all without relying on anyone but himself, always on the frontlines, drenched in the blood of his enemies. He had killed so many that even he had lost count.
After avenging his father's death, he vowed to fulfill his father's dream by conquering the world, uniting all nations under one banner: the "Drevahn Continent."
No one knew whether Lucian's conquest was to honor his father's dream or whether he had simply become a battle maniac. The truth was, it was the only way he knew to maintain his sanity. The moment the news of his parents' deaths reached him, madness had already consumed him.
Conquering the world was both his tribute to his father and his escape from grief. He sired hundreds of descendants—so many that even he had lost count of how many children he had fathered in every nation. Unlike his own father, who had shown favoritism, Lucian had treated his offspring purely based on their achievements. Among them, only one child came close to his talent, and only that child remained by his side in his final moments. Naturally, he entrusted his crown to that child.
Lucian died at the age of 148.
Back in the Cave
After reminiscing about his former life, Lucian finally calmed himself.
"Father, Mother... if you're watching, I know you are proud of me. This time, I will live for myself. I will leave my grudges in the past world. I made a name for myself there, and I will do so here." He muttered to himself.
With that vow, he began his training.
For three months, Lucian put his frail body through hellish physical training every single day without rest. By the end of it, he had forged a body he deemed worthy of his skill.
"Not bad." quite satisfied with his achievement.
Next, he refined his swordsmanship techniques and used body-enhancing methods, restructuring his physique to that of a true swordsman.
In just two years, he had returned to his former peak—the strength he once had at the height of his reign.
"Hmmm… I can now rewrite history! A Swordmaster at twelve, not seventeen! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
His laughter echoed through the cave, satisfaction lighting his eyes. For two years, he had done nothing but train, stepping out only to hunt wild boars and gather fruits.
Finally, after achieving what he wanted, he decided it was time to venture out into the world and make a name for himself.
Or so he thought.
For two years, he had lived in this "ordinary" cave, unaware that something—or rather, someone—had been watching him.
Suddenly, a formless force erupted, pulling him deep into the cave's depths.
"Wha—what sorcery is this?! Unhand me, or I'll cut you down!" he roared, but no matter what he tried, he couldn't break free.
"AHHH! DAMN IT! I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A NAME FOR MYSELF—WHAT IS THIS NOW?!"
His screams echoed through the cavern as he was dragged into its darkest depths.
A deep, resounding laugh filled the cavern, shaking the walls with its sheer power.
"Amusing child~ I've been watching you ever since you first intruded upon my sacred tomb," a voice declared.
Tomb? Lucian's gaze followed the sound and fell upon an old man sitting cross-legged on the ground.
"Be my disciple, child," the man's voice commanded.
Lucian's eyes narrowed as he studied the old man—and then he realized something unsettling. The figure before him was a corpse. The voice was coming from it.
"I will pass on my knowledge to you… if you beg me with all sincerity," the voice continued, dripping with arrogance. "To receive my teachings is like receiving heaven's own blessing! I, Jeonglak Cheonma, the 3rd-generation leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, am a being feared by this entire world!"
Lucian raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the bravado. "You still died, though," he said dryly, noting the knife lodged in the corpse's chest.
Yet Lucian knew this man's strength was real. That invisible force which had dragged him here so effortlessly was proof enough. Even as a renowned swordmaster, he'd been helpless against it—and this was just a fragment of power left behind by a corpse.
"YOU LITTLE— …Fine. You've got a point," Jeonglak's voice sputtered before clearing his throat. "Anyway, be my disciple. I'll let you leave this cave once you've inherited my martial arts."
You might wonder what kind of Heavenly Demon behaves like this. Indeed, Jeonglak Cheonma was unlike any other. Unlike all the previous cult leaders—and likely those to come—none were as unpredictable and unserious as Jeonglak.
Though immensely powerful, he was infamous not for his strength but for his mischiefs. He was a master of disguise, and his unparalleled disguise arts were sought after by assassins across the world—yet none had ever found his legacy until now.
In his lifetime, Jeonglak roamed the murim world pulling pranks on both righteous and evil factions. Once, he even disguised himself as the Righteous Alliance Leader, mingling with high-ranking officials for no reason other than amusement, turning the Alliance into a laughingstock.
Lucian, of course, knew none of this history. He wasn't from this world, and Jeonglak's boasts meant little to him. But that overwhelming force was all the proof he needed.
Lucian had been granted a second chance at life. It would be foolish to let pride get in the way of such an opportunity.
It turned out that Jeonglak had never taken a disciple before his death. After reaching the pinnacle of cultivation and mastering his sword, he left behind this remnant will to seek a worthy candidate—one talented enough to shoulder his legacy.
He was so carefree and unserious that no one even realized he had achieved such a feat. No one even thought that it is possible to leave a will behind. And his death? No one knows the truth. He simply vanished into thin air. Perhaps, like Lucian, he too was transported to another world after upsetting the balance here.
As for the corpse lying in this cave, stabbed through the heart by nothing more than a common knife—how could that possibly be him? More likely, it belonged to some unfortunate traveler who stopped to rest here, only to be robbed and murdered
But even after six hundred years of waiting, countless travelers had taken shelter in this seemingly ordinary cave, yet not one had met the expectations of this lingering will—until Lucian arrived. At first, it thought, "Ah… another disappointment."
But then, this child remained in the cave, pushing his body through relentless training. He possessed a natural talent for swordsmanship so rare it appeared only once in a millennium, a talent that reminded the will of its own younger self. Against its expectations, it found itself drawn to him.
A genius… yet he focuses solely on sword technique? Why does he not cultivate? What is wrong with this child?
After seeing the child planning to stay here, he decided to just watch him for his amusement. He continued to watch this child train in a unique sword technique, amusement flickering in his eyes at times, and frustration at others.
"Why the hell is he not cultivating?!"
But how does Lucian even know what cultivation is? He's not from this world. When Lucian was finally about to leave, he finally decided to show himself.
Back in the present
"I, Lucian Arcturus Drevahn, will receive your teachings," he declared plainly. For an emperor, this was the highest respect he could offer.
"You disrespectful little brat! …Whatever," Jeonglak's voice retorted. As the remnant will of the Heavenly Demon, formalities meant nothing to him. His sole duty was to pass on his legacy to a worthy heir.
And thus, two of the most powerful beings from two different worlds met—forming a bond that would shake history itself.