Only I Am A Reader

"Alright, one last snack before we go."

After relaxedly exploring the prominent streets of Unnam for the last few days the tension surrounding Leo's small group had slowly melted away. At the very least, the four of them were no longer distantly floating away in confusion.

"Give me four chicken rolls."

The happiness and cheer that they had observed originally brought a tinge of envy within. Why was it that they had to suffer while the people living here didn't? However, they quickly came to understand that they weren't the most unfortunate ones around.

Even in the middle of the festive activities brought by the long-awaited Sword Conference, a few accidents happened every now and then. No killings had taken place, but a few normal people were maimed for as little as brushing by merciless Martial Artists, some of which were not much different from their past selves.

Although they had suffered to keep up in the Heavenly Furnace, they managed to obtain enough strength to shed away their painful memories, never to experience them again! He didn't particularly search for it, but Leo moderately made it so they saw what they needed to in order to come to a similar understanding.

"Thank you for your patronage!"

With a little edge taken off and some gloominess added on top, the soon-to-be adults relatively enjoyed their short stay on Unnam, acquiring all kinds of tastes. Leo wasn't sure if that made any difference, but he just did what he felt was right. He only hoped that they wouldn't develop hatred towards the world like a certain target of his…

"Woah… Do these stairs reach up that far?"

Arriving at the foot of Mount Hua, the true destination of their journey, Cheon Sohee exclaimed carved stairs spiraling up into the clouds. Unlike the mechanism-filled Mount Heaven, the daoistic sect desired to preserve as much of Mount Hua as possible, establishing their base directly at the top of the mountain!

Living in isolation atop the clouds directly coincided with the sect's belief. Normally, no one would climb such long stairs if it wasn't important. However…

"Seems like it. As always, don't go too fast and keep a consistent pace, this march might be a bit tiring even for us."

The stairs weren't as full as mall escalators on discount days, but they were unusually bustling for 'Mount Hua'. Although this was Leo's first time seeing it, he knew that the numbers attending this specific Sword Conference were larger than usual.

Climbing the stairs to reach the actual location wasn't another cliche test of endurance and will. It was just too long of a climb with a continuously decreasing level of oxygen! In order not to make a joke of themselves, Leo instructed the group not to follow the example of those running from the very start.

'Internal Energy can handle the suffocation, but we would end up out of breath.'

As a method that was used by a certain cheater to face-slap some mobs, Leo was too familiar with the possible obstacles!

'Nothing can beat the boredom though.'

Tap. Tap. Tap…

"When is this going to end?"

Displeasure was already a common expression on the climbers' faces. Even Cheon Yong broke out of his contemplative silence under the depressive atmosphere.

Most of the attendees had heard that climbing Mount Hua was a great experience that one could boast of for life. However, reality turned out to be extremely different! There was nothing to the front or the back other than stairs and more stairs! From a certain point, the stairs felt endless no matter how much one advanced!

"Just don't think about it so that it wouldn't feel longer."

Despite giving the advice himself, Leo himself felt stuck in a loop. The only one that seemed unbothered by it happened to be Yeon, the same faint smile that stuck to her face since they left maintained its position…

'It's not that bad I guess.'

Leo was suddenly inspired by Yeon's mentality! Even if he wasn't as simplistic as to enjoy spending time with Yeon just yet. This was the perfect time to relax!

Starting from his rushed entry, Leo hadn't got a single chance to let go. He was too hung up on going forward in fear of accepting the chance to be lazy. In a way… Didn't the climb serve perfectly as a pause button?

'This…'

"Welcome… Welcome… Welcome…"

Unfortunately, just as Leo felt like he could enjoy the break, he found himself to have reached the unreachable peak! A man draped in white Daoist robes with lines of pink repeatedly welcomed the mixed guests as they took the last step.

'Whatever.'

Staring at the grand gate decorated with a great calligraphy piece of 'Great Mount Hua Sect', the four of them left the gasping Martial Artists in the dust, joining the line extending in front of the registration desk.

A number of people who were simply here to watch went ahead, but the supposedly empty front field was still crowded with people between those who are gathering the courage to participate and those who were admiring the structures of the great sect.

"Next."

The line moved at a steady pace that wasn't too slow or too fast. Using the same mindset that got him through the endless climb, Leo quickly found himself at the front of the queue.

"Name?"

"Cheon Baekho."

"Age?"

"Fifteen."

"Stage?"

"First rate."

"Affiliation?"

"Heavenly Strength Society."

"Please provide… Eh?"

The registrar personnel who was too caught up in the endless recording suddenly came to a pause as he repeated the words he just heard over his mind. Before he could come to an understanding, a circular token attached to a scarlet feather was thrown in front of his eyes.

"Hea…ven."

The 'Cheon' inscribed on the pitch black token brought the man's eyes to a full circle as he looked back at Leo's serene face, the words that he intended to blurt finally made it out of his throat as they turned into an audible shout!

"Heavenly Demon Cult! The Demons are here!"