Rumors spread faster than feet.
The rumor that started from Lawrence had completely spread to Dmitri in just a single day.
"Did you hear the rumor?"
"The one about Young Master Roman defeating the Blood Fang? Does that even make sense? Young Master Roman can't even swing a sword properly. He's just a half-wit."
"... That's true, but the testimonies from those who claim to have seen it are too vivid."
"That's how rumors are. Even if Young Master Roman went hunting and caught a wild boar, the rumor would inflate it to him slaying a legendary dragon. I heard that Young Master Roman showed something in front of the people of Lawrence, but it was probably staged by the Dmitri Knights. That day, the Dmitri Knights rushed out of the castle in a hurry."
"Is that so? Well, how could that fool from Dmitri do such a thing?"
Most people didn't believe it.
Just like the boy who cried wolf, Roman's image in Dmitri was far from trustworthy.
People dismissed it as an absurd rumor.
Even when merchants from Lawrence passionately recounted the story, the only reaction they received was ridicule.
While the men were busy gossiping, a boy nearby who was organizing his belongings pricked up his ears.
"... Young Master Roman defeated the Blood Fang?"
Thud.
His heart sank.
The boy's name was Kevin.
After being helped by Roman, he had been making a living by doing odd jobs that Hans had arranged for him.
For Kevin, the day he met Roman was unforgettable.
At the moment when his life was falling into the abyss after being beaten by the Blood Fang gang, Roman appeared like an angel and delivered judgment upon the evil group.
The screams of the Blood Fang gang.
The sight of Roman shoving a dagger into their mouths and cutting out their tongues—it all looked incredibly cool to Kevin.
From that day on, Kevin had a dream.
'I want to become a strong man like Young Master Roman.
A resilient person who can protect my loved ones from any danger.
In this barren world where no one can be trusted, that's the only way my family can survive.'
He clenched his teeth.
He didn't know when or where the Blood Fang gang might strike again, but with his father unable to fulfill his role as the head of the family, Kevin had to step up.
Then came the rumor.
While everyone in Dmitri dismissed it as nonsense, Kevin was certain it was true.
Thump, thump.
His heart raced.
Roman Dmitri, who had once fended off thugs with a tree branch.
If it was him, sweeping away the Blood Fang gang alone wouldn't be a problem.
The hero who had promised to solve his family's debt problem had made a miraculous feat a reality in just a few days.
'Ah, Young Master.'
He choked up.
He didn't know if Roman had really gone through such danger for his sake, but the fact that he hadn't forgotten his promise to a mere commoner like him was deeply moving.
He wiped his tears.
He had work to do, but he couldn't focus, overwhelmed by his emotions.
When would he be able to see Young Master Roman again? If that day ever came, Kevin wanted to express his gratitude without forgetting the feelings he had now.
He spent the day busily.
Just as he was about to finish his last task—
Thud.
"Young... Young Master?!"
"It's been a while."
At the sight of Roman Dmitri, who had come to find him, Kevin dropped his belongings to the ground without realizing it.
For a moment, he was stunned.
Doubting if this was reality, Kevin suddenly bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Young Master! Thanks to you, my family has been able to survive. Really, truly, thank you!"
He choked back tears.
With a flushed face, Kevin spoke from the heart.
Roman said, "Kevin, have you been well?"
"Ah...!"
He was speechless.
Roman remembered his name.
Others might think it a trivial detail, but Kevin couldn't take it lightly.
It was overwhelming.
Tears welled up in his throat, and Kevin spoke in a trembling voice.
"Thanks to you, Young Master, I've been doing well. The Blood Fang gang no longer harasses us, and with the help of Mr. Hans, we've been able to solve our urgent livelihood problems. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Gratitude, you say. From now on, I have a proposal for you."
"... What do you mean?"
"From now on, your family won't have to worry about making a living. You'll live in a warm house that keeps out the cold wind, eat three delicious meals a day, and not just spend each day in exhausting labor but also enjoy hobbies. The way to live like that is simple. I plan to make it happen for you."
Goosebumps rose on his skin.
Kevin didn't know what Roman was getting at, but he instinctively knew that a significant opportunity had come his way.
"Therefore, live for me. If you swear loyalty to me, I will gift you a new life."
Roman's declaration.
It was like a bolt of lightning struck his head.
Kevin had never once dreamed in his life that he could follow someone as great as Young Master Roman.
But Roman had made the offer first.
To become his person.
Though he felt dazed, thinking this might not be real, Kevin knew he couldn't let this opportunity slip away.
It was instinct.
Kevin, still prostrate, pressed his forehead hard against the ground.
Thud!
"From now on, I will live for Young Master Roman. If you tell me to die, I will die. If you tell me to kill someone, I will kill them. The promise to take care of my family—that alone is enough."
He raised his head.
Blood dripped from his forehead.
Drip, drip.
The blood fell, some even flowing into his eyes, but Kevin didn't blink as he looked up at Roman.
He was a foolish boy.
To show loyalty with blood.
'Even his foolishness resembles Gwangma.'
Gwangma had been like this too.
When Roman ordered him to hold his ground, he stood his ground even against hundreds of righteous martial artists.
Back then, he was just a nameless man, but he earned the nickname Gwangma.
Though his body was covered in wounds from the onslaught of attacks, and the blood flowing from him formed a river, Gwangma didn't let out a single groan as he held off the righteous martial artists.
The loyal servant of the Heavenly Demon.
When Roman first took Gwangma in, he too had sworn loyalty by pressing his head to the ground at Roman's words.
"My life belongs to you from this moment on."
Kevin's voice.
It was more than just resemblance.
Kevin was even more extreme than Gwangma.
He chuckled.
Another child with unique charm.
In this new life, Roman was ready to accept new bonds.
"Good. From now on, you are mine."
In a time when no one paid attention to Roman, he had gained a person.
Roman brought Kevin with him.
He asked Hans to help Kevin adjust for the time being and then headed to the place Hans had found.
A shabby workshop within the inner city.
It was a place once used by Baron Romero.
Because of that, outsiders were strictly forbidden from entering, and it was well-isolated from the outside, making it a suitable place for training.
"From now on, I will spend a week in this workshop. During that time, I won't need anything, not even food, so don't let anyone in. Remember. Unless my people are in a dangerous situation and need me immediately, no one should come looking for me."
He gave strict instructions and then went inside.
Inside the workshop, there was nothing.
A cool breeze blew, and the floor was covered with straw, likely prepared in advance by Hans.
It was a meticulous detail, but it wasn't something Roman needed at the moment.
He cleared away all the straw and sat cross-legged to fully receive the energy of the earth.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
He began to circulate his qi.
In an instant, Roman was immersed in his own world, slowly moving the mana that had accumulated in his dantian.
'First stage of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.'
Currently, Roman's body hadn't even taken the first steps in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
His weak body needed a foundation, and until now, he had been content with just accumulating mana to enter the first stage, the Human Stage.
And now, Roman had gathered the minimum amount of mana.
To fully utilize the martial arts derived from the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, he needed to enter the Human Stage.
'The Human Stage begins with removing the turbid qi from the body.'
Whoosh.
The mana moved.
The heavy mana flowing through his blood vessels soon hit a massive wall.
Thud.
It was the turbid qi.
Roman, in his mid-twenties, had never lived a productive life.
His body had accumulated more turbid qi than others of his age, and from the start, he was blocked by the turbid qi, causing his face to flush red.
But he didn't lose his composure.
This was an expected situation, which was why he had planned to gather the minimum amount of mana before entering the Human Stage.
For the life ahead, Roman needed to become stronger.
Having formed new bonds, he needed strength to protect them and achieve his goals.
The Human Stage.
That was the beginning.
Preparing himself.
Roman calmly observed his inner self.
'Remove all the turbid qi in one go.'
Thud.
Rumble.
The mana reacted.
Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk.
Having devoted his life to martial arts, the turbid qi began to melt away under Roman's strong will.
The power of mana depends on one's will.
Those who don't understand mana can only exert 10% of their 100% potential, but Roman was someone who could push beyond his limits to exert 150%.
The mana surged fiercely according to Roman's will, and under the intense pressure, blood began to flow from his nose.
Drip, drip.
It was a hopeful sign.
This wasn't a case of qi deviation, but the turbid qi being expelled from his body, resulting in dark, black blood flowing out.
Time passed.
One day.
Two days. ...
And three days.
Roman was completely immersed in his mental state.
His face was drenched in sweat, and the blood that had been flowing from his nose now seeped out from all his pores.
Calmly, step by step.
Roman expelled the turbid qi.
To enter the Human Stage.
And to reclaim the power of the Heavenly Demon once more.
A state of selflessness.
And so, Roman spent his time in the isolated space, cut off from the outside world.
Hans.
He hurriedly moved somewhere.
Originally, he planned to go fetch Roman by evening, but the situation that had arisen didn't allow him the luxury.
"Has Young Master come out yet?"
A week ago, as soon as Roman entered seclusion for training, Lawrence announced their intention to visit Dmitri.
The annulment.
It was a matter that needed to be resolved in person, but Hans had reported Roman's situation to Baron Romero, and the meeting was postponed.
And today.
He received word that Lord Lawrence and his daughter had visited the Dmitri territory early in the morning.
Thus, he had no choice but to go find Roman.
'The atmosphere isn't normal.'
The world still didn't know about the annulment.
Of course, those who needed to know were aware, but it was puzzling why Lawrence hadn't made it public yet.
Regardless.
It was a situation where Roman was needed.
Upon arriving at the workshop, Hans stood quietly at the door, waiting for Roman, even though he needed to call him immediately.
"Remember. Unless my people are in a dangerous situation and need me immediately, no one should come looking for me."
Roman's command.
Hans remembered it.
There were many people in the castle waiting for Roman.
But for Hans, following his master Roman's orders was more important.
The recently changed Roman wasn't one to make empty promises.
There must be a clear reason why he told them not to call for him, so Hans told the people he would fetch Roman immediately and then quietly waited for Roman to come out.
How much time had passed? Several people came looking for Hans.
After sending them all away, Hans finally sensed movement from inside as the sun began to set.
Creak.
The door opened.
And out came a familiar face.
Hans, who had been about to greet Roman with a bright smile, was startled upon seeing him.
"... Young Master?"
Sharp eyes.
Milky white skin.
And a robust, manly physique.
It was certain.
Roman's appearance had changed quite a bit.