EP.47 Hwan-su (Recall)
Hwan-su. It was the ability granted to me.
At first, I had no idea what to do with it and just clicked my tongue in frustration, but the more I understood it, the more its applications seemed to multiply by the day.
Of course, it only worked on objects I'd held in my hand first and then let go, so it was a bit finicky in that regard. Still, the power itself was incredibly useful.
Dropping a weapon in battle was a massive loss, no question. Even a throwing weapon forged from iron—if you didn't recover it, that was a huge expense. And when you fumbled a regular weapon, sure, you could whip out a backup you'd prepared, but there was always that split-second gap you couldn't avoid.
That kind of mistake only happened in fatal errors, like a severed wrist tendon or a brutal shock to your sword hand.
But Hwan-su turned those deadly blunders into strategic maneuvers.
You could set your sword aside briefly to dodge barehanded, or unleash sword strikes impossible for a human body. And the biggest perk? Retrieving thrown spears right from where they'd landed.
That's why I willed it now. For the weapons to return to my hand.
I drew in a sharp breath—swoop—and the daggers I'd hurled at the magic beast snapped right back into my grip. In the same instant, I plunged them into the charging wolf.
Yelp! Grrr...
The black-furred wolf-like magic beast let out an agonized whine before collapsing in a heap. The fight had started in the pitch-black night, but dawn was already breaking—it left a bittersweet pang in my chest.
At least I'd pocketed mana stones from each kill, so my mana hadn't completely bottomed out.
Three left now, one of them the leader, Rascal. I spat out the blood pooling in my mouth and extended my hand to the side, summoning my spear.
A spear I'd thrown earlier sometime. The moment it clicked perfectly into my grasp, Rascal charged alongside the other two.
As I built momentum to hurl it, those two split left and right, vanishing into the forest.
Snap, snap! Leaves crunching underfoot as the wolves slipped between the trees. But I couldn't afford to worry about them—Rascal barreling straight at me was the real threat. Get careless with those two, and I'd end up this bastard's breakfast.
I clenched my molars—grind—and infused the spear with mana before throwing.
A mana-charged spear never missed. But hitting didn't mean piercing clean through. So I aimed for one spot only.
The spear whistled through the air from my hand, slicing straight into Rascal's eye.
Roooaaar! Its bellow shook the ground. I could feel the vibration in my skin.
I clamped one hand over my ringing ear and surged forward. Sweeping my other hand back, the sword hilt whipped into my palm.
Follow-up strike. I launched myself at Rascal, thrashing in pain.
A quick glance back—the two flankers were closing in again. I'd been saving this for the trek to the Demon King's Castle, but dying here would make all goals pointless. I chucked the dull red mana stone behind me.
The sword in my right hand swung, piercing Rascal's left eye as well.
Crunch! It felt like stabbing weak pudding. It sank in light and easy, but the queasy gush when I pressed deep made me want to yank free immediately.
Rascal's writhing grew wilder in its agony, and I strained every muscle to hold on.
Sure, I could just recall the sword and let go. But since I'd gone for the eyes, I had to see it through.
Yelp yelp! And those rear flankers were closing fast. Tsk—I clicked my tongue, gripped the sword tight, and began the incantation.
Not a long chant—the mana stone flashed, blocking the beasts' charge.
The barrier, condensed from mana, smashed into their snouts. The two lost balance, whimpering as they tumbled.
Their wolf forms left them dazed from nose-first collisions—almost comical. But it only bought time, so Rascal came first.
I ground my teeth, ready to drive from eye to brain, when its thrashing jerked my sword hand loose, sending me flying into the air.
Midair, without luck or magic, no human could alter trajectory. And I'd thrown my last mana stone back there.
No choice—burn my remaining body mana. But options were slim; my snap judgment felt too slow. As I scowled and reached for a spell, searing pain lanced through my side.
Rascal had lunged on instinct, chomping my flank by sheer fortune. For me, disastrous.
Blood surged from the punctured flesh. “Gaaahhh!”
Squeeze out mana or get devoured. Its massive jaws lifted me effortlessly. Grind—molars cracking, I extended my hand, recalling the thrown sword.
As Rascal gaped wide to crush me proper, I swung my arm, stabbing its gums, then wrenched free with raw arm strength.
Roooar! Guh-roar! That one really hurt—it twisted, snorting and sniffing, a sight more sinister than ever.
I clutched my gushing side, gaze dropping to the churning sensation. “…Hah, hah… Damn it. Too much blood.”
Emergency spell to staunch it, but no spell reversed blood loss. Vision spun from the hemorrhage.
Ahead: Rascal convulsing. Behind: the two ramming the mana barrier, regaining their wits.
Exhausted me. No real sleep, fighting till dawn—breath ragged, hunger gnawing. Empty stomach, sleepless, overexerted, bleeding—my body screamed.
Teeth grinding. A sigh escaped. But with my life on the line, no stopping.
I gripped the sword again.
Awooooo! Rascal's final roar shredded my eardrums. The pair ignored shattering skulls, smashing the barrier to charge.
This desperate? I recoiled, swinging—but they blew past me, flopping beside Rascal.
What the—? Then Rascal tore into them.
Watching it devour its kin chilled me. Magic beasts cannibalize?
As my face twisted, the spear from its right eye popped free. Something rolled—roll roll.
Wait, that's cheating. No time to think—its red eyes, replenished, fixed on me.
It had swallowed the mana stone—its "heart"—and regenerated not one pair of eyes, but two. Grotesque upgrade.
“Ngh!” Mana critically low, no resupply. Even if, had to down Rascal first.
Plans never go smooth. My "pick off small fry for mana stones" strategy? Foiled by its cannibalism.
Should've stanched later? Nah, blood loss said otherwise. Inevitable.
No mana for spear recall. Sword swings only—coat blade in mana to slice that armored hide.
Four eyes now; no point gouging.
Thud, crunch. Boom! Boom! Rascal, furious, rammed trees in its charge. Laughable— it seemed unfazed, trees snapping aside.
Extra eyes sharpened vision, boosted strength—terrifying.
I dropped low, and its arm whooshed overhead. Claws raked—three gashes per tree behind me, toppling them.
Insane? Glancing back in horror, wide-eyed—Rascal spun without mercy, rear leg kicking me airborne into a half-smashed trunk.
“Ngh, guh…” Groaning in pain, Rascal closed fast.
Incomprehensible. Why hadn't the Demon King invaded with these monsters? Not at full strength, no comrades to distract—fair. But what was this "Sirius" Lobelia mentioned? Dread hit.
Minutes from death, yet pondering leisurely.
But doubts stuck. Facing the charging Rascal, I shook off and stood. One task left.
*No one comes. No one at all.
Not just anyone—I waited for Kudbeka. So now I slept at the mansion's entrance.
Meals light anyway—fill belly quick, back to waiting.
With only this routine left, exhaustion set in. A game might've been fun with varying patterns, but solo? Boring. No computer, no smartphone to peek other worlds.
Same day, same routine. Waiting life—miserable.
Zoned out, a thought struck: Am I too passive? Is Kudbeka in peril too? Desperate for my help?
He wouldn't need mine, but... maybe.
That sparked action. Search for him? Summon that beast we rode?
Why not—if I entered my room, I have mana, right? Let's try.
I raised both hands. But... how to cast? Tilted head.
“……How do you even...?”
Furrowed brow, pursed lips—no instant answer.
Beast's name? Rascal. Right, Rascal.
Kudbeka said: Spells need methods, but Demon King wills it.
Thinking "come" might not work—try another way.
Glanced at blanket I'd used, snapped fingers—wishing it'd float.
It twitched up, then down. Grinning, I nodded.
“Good!”
Rascal! Come here now!
Fingers snapped. Snap—clear ring echoed sharp in my ears.