Chapter 459
Chapter 459
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 459
Chapter Title: Kim Katt and the Ghost House
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"Crazy ghost bastards!"
He sprinted through the mansion, which felt like a labyrinth.
Just when he thought he'd shaken off one group of ghosts, new ones appeared. And no sooner had he ditched those than even more showed up.
Not just the girl ghosts, but nun ghosts, maid ghosts, and servant ghosts were all chasing him. It felt like he was a noble from the French Revolution being hunted by the staff—enough to drive anyone mad.
What the hell? This wasn't some amusement park haunted house.
Of course, being dead, they craved the hot blood and flesh of the living.
Right now, holy water was his only way to fight back, so running was all he could do.
He had the stamina and holy water to keep fleeing, but what about the others? Were they alone and being chased like him?
All he could think about was finding his friends and linking up ASAP. But those ghost fuckers wouldn't leave them alone. Dragging this out was dangerous, whether for quests or friendship. He never abandoned his friends.
"Fuck...!"
The path twisted and turned endlessly.
Honestly, finding his way in this mansion seemed impossible.
It was a seriously maze-like place. Random curves everywhere, incredibly complex.
At this rate, he might end up in the center of the mansion.
But that couldn't happen.
The mansion was clearly shaped like a square 'ㅁ'. There was no center, and it wouldn't be built like a maze anyway. Sure, it was a huge estate, but not that huge.
No matter how far he ran, the corridors kept going, and like Lina had pointed out earlier, the scenery seemed to repeat.
Even the stairs to the second floor, which he'd spotted several times before, were nowhere in sight now. Doors wouldn't open either. The handles wouldn't even turn, like they were just decorations, not real rooms.
"Ugh...! It's gotta be a barrier!"
This mansion had to be some space detached from the real world. Suspicious from the start, popping up out of nowhere.
The interior was a whole other dimension!
That meant as long as he was here, the ghosts controlled everything. They owned the space!
—Kiiiiiieeeek!!!
—Kyaaaah!!!
—Saaaaah!!!
"You motherless shits! Get lost, fuck off!!!"
He whipped around corners, changed directions, kept running. Would this ever end? Hit a dead end maybe? He'd been at it forever and hadn't even spotted a single hair from Kobson.
Right now, the idea of physical space meant nothing.
Then, suddenly, a corridor free of ghosts appeared.
"Haa... fuck."
Time for a quick breather.
Even he couldn't run forever. He leaned against a window, caught his breath. Gulped some water for his burning thirst. Chewed jerky to recover stamina.
"Haa... haa... damn it all, fuuuck..."
If he could just hit the ghosts, he'd smash right through them. Coating his sword in holy water and slashing would work too, but who knew how many he'd take down like that.
—Bam!
"Whoa, shit! What the—?!"
As he rested, a sudden pounding came from the window behind him. He spun away and aimed his sword at it—
"—No fucking way!"
—Thud! Thud!
—Smack! Smack! Smack!
—Thud! Thud! Thud!
The view outside was blood-red.
Even the reddest sunset wouldn't look like that. It was like dropping into the heart of a burning hell—the window glowed an extreme crimson. That light flooded the mansion's interior with ominous red.
—Thud! Thud! Thud!
"M-Motherfu...!"
But it didn't stop there.
—Palm prints.
Countless palms hammered the window like maniacs!
—Smack! Smack! Smack!
—Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Hell Hands!!!"
Hundreds, maybe thousands of the undead!
They plastered every window, pounding to shatter the glass! Now it wasn't just ghosts—hands were after him too!
He needed to bolt to a spot without windows. No way he could beat that Hell's Thousand-Arm Guan Yin bullshit. Break time over. He ran.
Still, the red glow beat total darkness for visibility.
—Thud thud!
—Thud thud thud!
But no matter how far he ran, no windowless corridor appeared. The once-quiet mansion filled with window-pounding noise.
It was the most obnoxious percussion performance ever.
"Quit pounding, fuck!!! Heavenly Demon Sky-Shattering Palm!!!"
Already stressed, the shitty noise pissed him off. He unleashed Heavenly Demon Sky-Shattering Palms at the windows.
—Boom!
"Let's see who wins, you shits!!"
—Boom!
—Boom!
—Boom!
He forgot about running and blasted the windows nonstop. It worked—the thousands of palms filling the glass retreated.
As the palms vanished, the red light faded, replaced by pale blue flooding the mansion.
"Hoo...!"
Against ghosts, the moment fear took over was defeat. See? Fighting back boldly sent hell's demons back where they belonged.
Sword drawn, he trudged onward.
"..."
This mansion... it's overflowing with grudges and hatred. A space for the dead to linger. They must want something to stay in this world.
Deep grudges, for sure.
Solving it might be the only way out.
Numerous adventurers had come searching and vanished. Where were they? If dead, bodies would remain. Did the ghosts eat those too?
Everything unknown.
But ignorance didn't mean sitting around whining. He searched for stairs. Basement or upper floors. Had to explore to find clues.
"Huuuuk...! Hic! Huuuuk! Knight... where is my knight? Why won't you save me? I've waited and waited... hic! Huuuuk!"
The nun ghost's wails drew closer.
She'd been wandering the mansion calling for her knight. Honestly, she looked so damn strong he didn't even want to run into her.
Come to think of it, that portrait from earlier... it kinda resembled her face.
"The mansion's owner?"
Owner... then she'd be the strongest ghost here, with the deepest grudge.
Would holy water work?
Could these two vials take her down? No clue, but she was powerful enough to turn the whole mansion into her barrier. Even Brass Celestial Society holy water might not cut it.
Too much at stake for a gamble. Not just his life.
And it wasn't the only option. Still time to find another way. Save gambling for last resort.
He ran again.
—Tap tap tap tap.
Dashing through the ghost mansion.
—Whoosh!
"Fuck off!"
He dodged appearing ghosts; if not, Heavenly Demon Supremacy Step to bulldoze through. Eventually, he hit a dead end.
"Dead end here... fuck."
As he turned to backtrack, a pure white woman stood behind him. Not sure if same as before.
"..."
He paused mid-escape.
—She didn't charge.
Let's try talking again.
"...What do you want?"
Of course, no answer.
Still, he asked.
"What's your grudge? Chasing me like this gets you nowhere. You can't kill me. Dead shouldn't mess with the living. Go back where you belong."
"..."
Grudges and hatred made them evil spirits.
But thinking that crap could kill Kim Katt? Big mistake.
"The living's life ain't as flimsy as your souls."
"..."
The banshee stared straight at him.
—Sadness.
Her face seemed etched with deep sorrow.
"...Are you... a strong knight?"
A cold voice emerged, chillier than midwinter frost. Strong knight? He could answer proudly.
"Fucking badass knight."
"...I don't understand. Are you a strong knight?"
"Fu... no. Yeah. Strong knight."
Not many knights as strong as him.
"I can handle you ghost shits without breaking a sweat."
"..."
The banshee bowed her head, seemingly pondering.
Knight... the nun ghost called for one too. Did they need a knight?
—Rustle.
"Free us."
Suddenly, the banshee raised her arm, pointing right. Then she dissolved into mist and vanished.
"...What?"
Where she pointed: stairs to the second floor.
Definitely weren't there before.
"Passing me a message?"
Anyway, those long-sought second-floor stairs appeared. Could be a trap, but had to check. Circling the first floor forever led nowhere.
Time to do what he could.
He approached cautiously.
The stairs were tall; above was pitch black. Venturing into that darkness sucked, but no choice.
—Creak.
Step carefully—creaking sound.
Old mansion, alright.
"Fuck ghosts anyway."
Up he went.
"I'm the Heavenly Demon, Kim Katt."
Fear only hits when there's an escape. He climbed the endless dark stairs. —Creak. Squeak. The ominous noises made him worry about collapse—that was his only concern.
Reached the second floor.
"Wha—what?"
—Whoosh.
Suddenly, the scene shifted, bright light pouring out. Like strolling a sunlit garden at noon. Morning already?
No.
Didn't seem so.
"...Music?"
With the light came soothing, bright music. Beautiful strings. A spring festival melody.
Ghosts trying to mesmerize him? He rubbed his eyes.
"What the hell is this."
Disbelief hit.
—Roll.
The mansion's second floor hosted a full-blown party.
"Take this wine to the gentleman over there."
"Yes, butler."
"Where to move the roast pig?"
A vast hall.
Servants and waiters bustled under the butler's commands. Maids poured drinks for nobles at tables; footmen shuttled food nonstop.
"Ohoho, fine wine."
A nobly dressed, handsome-bearded aristocrat savored his wine in admiration. Kim Katt rubbed his eyes again, suspecting ghost illusion.
Gorgeous chandelier.
Bright light.
And music.
Orchestra played beautifully yonder; below, noble daughters and crisply uniformed knights—swords at hips—danced. A full banquet, festival, party.
Or aristocratic social gathering.
—Mansion.
Maybe in its heyday, with owner and staff living normally, it always felt like this.
Anyway, he stood alone amid the revelry.
Dressed like this, he'd stick out like a sore thumb...
"Hohoho, handsome knight? First time at such a party?"
Suddenly, a big-breasted golden-roll-haired woman approached. Her stunning dress exposed over half her bosom—daring design. But not quite Winia's size.
Talking to him now?
"Pardon? What... uh."
"Shall we dance then?"
She smiled, offering her hand. Had he been accepted as one of them? He checked himself.
"Huh."
Well, shit.
One surprise after another.
His clothes had transformed into fancy knight's garb like the dancers'.
"Tell me tales of your exploits."