Chapter 212
Chapter 212
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: For Elise
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Basement Level 2.
This place was unstable, shrouded in a profoundly gloomy aura. The first thing I sensed upon descending was the purple. An ominous amethyst hue, its origin unknown, filled the entire second underground level.
It felt oddly like the lighting in a karaoke bar.
I'd been thinking of summoning Seunundo Teacher's Compass for the first time in a while, reminiscing about Jongno, Myeongdong, and Cheongnyangni. But the atmosphere made it seem like that wouldn't do.
Not in a dump like this.
I couldn't call the Compass here.
That would be a mockery of song itself.
Personally, I love the color purple, but the vibe down here was impossible to enjoy. The air felt heavy, and the floor seemed sticky and slick.
—Grooooaaar...
Even stranger, it felt like some eerie sound was echoing from ahead. Honestly, it was fucking terrifying. So scary that I stuck to Elise like glue, scanning every direction warily.
"Elise. This is fucking scary."
I said, trembling, and she extended her hand.
"Please hold my hand."
"Thanks."
I gripped her small hand with my gauntleted one. No warmth came through, but the firm strength from her smaller hand was more reassuring than anything.
"I can feel Saint's trembling... It's strange to see the valiant Saint shaking like this. Are you afraid?"
This bizarre atmosphere was unbearably frightening.
A dreamlike haze, as if wandering through a nightmare... The basement walls, reflecting the purple light, seemed to twist into grotesque shapes.
"Nah, not exactly... I'd be fine seeing the enemy for real, but this vibe is fucking scary. My imagination's running wild."
"You mean the atmosphere? Hmm, it doesn't bother me at all, so relax. If you want, I can use Holy Light."
"No, no need."
I desperately needed it, but that would just draw aggro.
Elise's Holy Light repels evil beings, so we couldn't waste it. Holding her hand as we walked, suddenly Lina pressed right up against me.
"Lina, back off a bit. I get you're scared, but you're in the way."
"...I, uh."
"Now."
"Okay..."
"...Anyway, toughen up now."
She looked a little pitiful.
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
I thought of Lina's grandmother, wailing somewhere in the depths. Her old body twisted grotesquely, pulsing wildly... 'Lina, Lina!' Madly calling her name as she charged.
What face would Lina make seeing that?
...Not a happy one.
—Gulp.
Ominous imaginings kept amplifying. At the same time, the mana in my inner world blazed fiercely. Was this a side effect of training based on delusions? I gripped Elise's hand tight, suppressing the fear.
Breathe in,
exhale, calming my mind.
Spread the burning mana through my body... Yeah.
With mana this hot, no need to fear ghosts or mutants. No matter how mighty, they couldn't withstand my secret ultimate technique.
I believe in my power.
A Heavenly Demon fearing enemies? Absurd.
Confucius spoke not of strange forces or gods. How could I, a follower of Confucianism, fear them? Unknown beings, once known, are nothing. With that, I shook off all fear.
No longer afraid, I let go of Elise's hand.
"...Better now?"
"Thanks to you. Appreciate it."
"If you get scared again, grab it anytime."
"Heh, count on it."
I'm good now, Elise.
We walked the endless corridor.
—Fwoooo...
"...Elise."
The purple light seemed to intensify the further we went... Then, a weird sound. My imagination? I called Elise to check.
"...I heard it too."
Not a hallucination—real.
I heightened my vigilance to the max, pointing my blade forward. Beside me, Elise raised her mace. Lina squeezed between us, watching the rear.
"...Lina, keep a good eye on the back. If we get ambushed and die, not my fault."
"I-I'll watch! Just don't suddenly d-disappear on me."
"Disappear? What?"
"L-like, suddenly run off without me..."
"What are you on about."
We advanced toward the sound. —Crunch, crunch. It grew more distinct. Something's there... Obvious. But strangely, not scary.
Whatever it is, I'll hack it down.
That's Kim Katt.
Slice enemies and brag to Cloudie.
—Grrr... Gruk!
I exchanged glances with Elise.
Definite monster sound. Or something like it. An eerie gnawing, like fangs tearing flesh—from beyond this locked door.
"...It's locked."
Glowing red with rust.
Seriously considering smashing it.
As I pondered, Lina tugged my arm.
"I-I think I can do it..."
She whispered tiny in my ear. She sensed the lurking presence too. And she could open it?
Oh.
Right, she's a thief.
Lockpicking's child's play.
Lina rummaged in her pouch, pulling out thin wires, inserting and twisting them in the lock. After guarding for about three minutes, —clunk. It opened.
"I-I did it..."
"Good job."
We spoke softly.
And a warning.
"No matter what you see... Tch, just steel yourself."
"...A monster?"
"That too, and... Accept whatever."
"..."
Hard to say.
Of course, Lina's grandma might have received baptism, become a true immortal, living happily. But is the world some hopeful Teletubby hill?
Teletubbies are mortal too, bound by fate's wheel. If they can't escape, how could Lina's everyday grandma defy the heavens for immortality?
Mortal.
More likely crossed the River of Three Paths by now.
Or worse.
—Creeeak.
I shoved all thoughts aside and opened the door. Not what I should think now. Only two things: what's inside, and valuables.
The locked room was pitch dark. Door open, purple light crept in, faintly illuminating.
"..."
"..."
We advanced silently.
The sound continued.
—Thud.
Something underfoot.
Looking down... A severed human thigh.
Fuck.
Who the fuck dumps this shit here.
...Motherfucker.
—Crunch, crunch...
The sound, and purple rays filled the room. Slowly, I scanned around. Brick room.
Emaciated, twisted corpses strewn everywhere.
Instant judgment:
Ah.
These shattered mummies were all believers.
Then,
What's making the gnawing sound?
—Crunch, munch...
It was turned away, quietly, calmly shaking shoulders, engrossed in eating. No.
Not "it."
These scattered bits everywhere—that's it.
As Elise and I prepared to end it—
—Hwoeack!
It turned to us.
—Chomp, chomp.
A grotesque mummy-like crone, mouth bloodied. Barely human, jaw moving unnaturally.
Elise approached cautiously...
"G-Grandma!!!"
Lina behind screamed in horror!
—Crunch.
Fuck! It was her after all!
I lunged, swinging my sword—
—Queeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her mouth split four ways, long tongue spewing out, bellowing hellish screech!
Fuck this!
"Punishment!"
Elise thundered past me, mace swinging. Immense speed and power! —Splatt! But it smashed an innocent corpse.
—Hop!
Hong Kong Granny—no!
Ghoul Granny hopped like a frog!
"It's Ghoul Grannyyyyyy!!!!!!"
"Grandma!!! Grandmaaaaaaa!!!!!!!"
Lina lost it, charging Ghoul Granny. Tragic, but she's a liability now!
"You motherfucker!!!"
Ghoul Granny, intent on dragging her granddaughter to the afterlife, leaped at Lina. I kicked off, blade aimed there.
Infuse mana in body, in arms!
Trust enhanced body and muscles, thrusting like a knight lance-charging!
—Queeeeee!!!
"You bitch!"
Twisted joints.
Striking air, it altered Ghoul Granny's trajectory mid-air, dodging. "Elise!" But I'm not alone! Elise charged, "Purification!" mace swinging.
—Splatt!
Meat exploding sound, Ghoul Granny slammed into the wall. —Queeeek!! Mouth split four ways again, threatening with tongue.
"D-don't! That's my grandma!!!!"
"Give up! That's not your grandma anymore! It's Ghoul Granny (GhoulGrandmother: GG for short)!"
"Grandmaaa!!!"
"You blind bitch, does that look like your granny to youuuu!!! "
I hell-swept the rampaging Lina, tripping her. Ignoring her sobbing face-down, charged Ghoul Granny again. Tragic, but emotion now could kill us!
"You fuck! Lina's nemesiiiis!!!"
"Lord of Orderrrr!!!"
Suddenly, angelic halo glowing above Elise's head. Sacred skill banishing evil! Exposed, Ghoul Granny writhed in agony!
—Quaaack!
Something shot out!
"Dodge!"
Ultimate gentleman reflexes, I hurled aside!
"Gaaaah!!!"
Ghoul Granny's long tongue! Chameleon-like, lashed for range attack! No mercy—I grabbed the dangling tongue, slashed it. —Shrieeek!!! Painful groan!
"Elise! Nowwww!!!"
That's not Lina's grandma anymore!
We kicked off together.
"Dieeeee!!!"
"I shall purify!"
—Pound, thwack!
—Stab, pierce!
Nando-Nando Fernando Teacher's Butchery Class!
Practicing that weird childhood video's lessons, tore Ghoul Granny apart! Undead don't die easy! For living Lina, ensure true nirvana!
Inwardly chanting ghost nirvana mantra nonstop, thrusting blade.
—Quek! Queeeeek!!!
Ghoul Granny thrashed.
But my slashes maybe, Elise's mace pounding was too much. Jaw split four ways, jagged teeth twisted grotesquely, she slumped.
"Haa... haa..."
Stopped the violence.
Situation over.
But...
...Lina?
"...Lina? You okay?"
"..."
Lina, nose-bloody from hell-sweep, approached. I couldn't fathom her feelings. Just did what an adult should.
What emotions in those steps toward her monstrous dying grandma?
Lina knelt by Ghoul Granny.
"...Elise. Hold off a sec."
"..."
Stopped Elise from acting.
Give them farewell time, even briefly.
That's adult duty.
"Hic... hic...! Grandma, Grandmaaa...!"
Lina sobbed, hugging the mashed upper body. Elise moved again, but I stopped her... It'll be fine.
"L-Linaaa...?"
Eerie, utterly melancholic, feral voice emerged.
"G-Grandma?!"
"L-Lina, my dear..."
At the end, grandma regained sanity. "Let's go, Elise." I took Elise's hand, pulling. Sounds from behind. "G-Grandma's f-fine... fine... Sorry, Lina... Sorry, so sorry..." Monstrous voice, but girl's tearful sobs drowned its horror.
...Purple signifies death, they say.
Eh.
That's bullshit.
Monster and girl's wails—yeah.
Didn't match at all.
...Sad.