The Scorpion's Vengeful Mate

I swatted away the flood of messages popping up. No energy to read them right now.

'Fuck, that inauguration hit hard.'

A sigh escaped my utterly drained core. I wiped the streaming sweat from my brow and slumped back. Once things settled, I'd have to check it out properly. Was that really the Black Sheep bastard? If so, why the hell was it moving so fast?

That's when it happened.

Ohana from beside me rushed over and threw her arms around me in a tight hug.

"You did it! You really did it! Siwoo, you're amazing!"

"Hey, hey. I'm sore all over."

"Thank you. You saved my life... If it weren't for you..."

"What, you crying?"

Ohana hung her head, sniffling. Tears welled up in her big eyes and trickled down. She snorted loudly, snot streaming, and I panicked for a second.

"...Hic, sorry."

"Why sorry all of a sudden?"

"Because I'm useless... Sorry. I feel so shitty. You were fighting right in front of me. I saw you getting hurt. But I couldn't do a damn thing. My legs were frozen in fear."

*Well, if you'd jumped in, it would've been a bigger headache.*

"If you'd butted in, you'd be critically injured at least, you idiot."

"Still, still... Hic."

She kept bawling in frustration. Full-on ugly crying, so I playfully ruffled her hair.

"I'm the one who should thank you. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠You shotgunned that poison bomb out of the air, right? Without that, I'd be sharing drinks with the King of Hell by now."

"Snort... Sniff. B-but no booze. You're underage, Siwoo."

"...That's what you latch onto?"

I let out a baffled chuckle. Ohana grinned through her tear-streaked face, flashing a V-sign with her hand. So very her.

Footsteps approached. Cheolwangguk and Song Junho stared with beaming faces. Even after nearly dying, their eyes sparkled. Song Junho looked ecstatic, like he'd been trapped in a cave for years and finally saw light. Cheolwangguk's eyes welled up, ready for a bear hug.

'Ah, fuck.'

Guys staring like that? Straight-up dog vibes, no joke.

"Choi Si—"

"Tsk, stop right there. Hey! No approaching. I've heard enough embarrassing shit through our Ohana here. Both of you, shut it, okay? Yeah? People can die of shame, you know."

"Uh, y-yeah..."

"Ahem. Got it."

Hug? Handshake is plenty. Actually, no to that too. Shivering at the creepiness, laughter and relieved sighs echoed around. The kids hugged or sobbed quietly, faces saying everyone survived. Some had bad injuries, but no life threats.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Look over there!"

"It's, it's disappearing!"

Cracks spread through the barrier outside the window, slowly fading. But A-rank wasn't for show—the pace was agonizingly slow.

'Gonna take at least an hour.'

I figured I'd patch myself up in the meantime. How many crises in such a short time? Still, nothing beats real combat for growth.

* * *

The brush with death had nudged me ever so slightly back toward my prime realm. Especially that black sword aura at the end.

'The slash I first unveiled against No-Face.'

In that all-or-nothing strike that cleaved everything into him, I'd manifested that color once before. Faint and hazy today, but reuniting with even a speck of it was a huge gain.

'Once rescue arrives—'

—!!!

I couldn't finish the thought. A chill raced through my body. That creepy, nauseating scent brushed my nose.

Not just me—Song Junho beside me paled too. Alarm bells screamed in my head.

I grabbed Ohana's wrist and hurled her toward Song Junho with all my might.

Ohana, clueless, blurted, "Huh?"

Dust billowed. A shockwave from the excavated tunnel slammed into me, sending me tumbling. I smashed through the remaining desk and crashed into the wall behind.

"Siwoo!"

Ohana's scream rang out. I squinted ahead.

From the collapsed adjacent classroom, something that shouldn't be there appeared.

"Kishiruk..."

The signature scorpion monster. Barely 2m tall, weak aura, but the demonic energy confirmed it as a magic beast.

'...Another one?'

My jaw dropped blankly. Where the hell had it been hiding?

'No way... Waiting from the start?'

Then it hit me. A throwaway line from Jeon Eunbyeol during our past chat flashed like lightning.

—Y-yes... Oh, th-that... B-Blazer Scorpions always come in pairs, like husband and wife, s-so be careful~ Hehe...

"...Ah, fuck."

That was foreshadowing?

'Ease up on the brain-melt twists.'

"Kishieek!!!"

The roar echoed threateningly. The watching kids froze speechless.

* * *

Dead silence fell. Eyes glazed black with fear of death.

"I-it's over."

Murmurs erupted.

"E-even strong Choi Siwoo in the end..."

"Th-the barrier's fading, but..."

"W-we're all gonna die. It's the end!"

Panic spread. Song Junho stared blankly. He knew he had to act, but couldn't move.

*This is too much, right?*

A gruff voice reached his ear.

"Song Junho."

Cheolwangguk stepped forward, pale-faced, using his axe like a crutch for his broken leg.

"I'll buy time somehow."

"What the hell?"

"Look straight. It's not as strong as before. Smaller, tolerable demonic energy. No special ability—no unique wavelength. I can drag it out."

"But...!"

"Different from earlier. The barrier now? We can break it. Outsiders are giving their all to save us. So grab Choi Siwoo and get out. That monster's not dead."

As Song Junho opened his mouth, a sharp woman's voice cut in.

"Tin can. Don't pose like a badass on your own."

"...Inabi?"

Inabi stood beside Cheolwangguk, sweat streaming. Her right arm was fully purpled with poison.

"Don't overdo it—fall back. What can you do with that arm?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Shut it! You know my style? Can't stand owing debts. Think I'd let guys hog all the cool moments?"

"You've already handed them over."

"Quiet! He passed out—no count."

She activated her power with her good arm. Blood swirled into a sphere.

"Inabi, stay back. This is mine!"

"Shut your trap, you wobbler!"

Song Junho stood speechless at their bickering. He hesitated.

*What do I do?*

Both looked half-dead. He had to step up. But his feet wouldn't move. Terror surged. Shame followed.

Second strongest in class after Choi Siwoo. A hero's path fears no sacrifice.

He clenched his trembling hands. What next sword saint? What Song family genius? Such a coward.

Song Junho stepped forward, eyes wide.

"Both of you, move! I'll—"

"—Shut your bullshit and stay down."

—Boom!

Song Junho couldn't finish. A gale blasted as a figure shot out like lightning.

Choi Siwoo. Bloodied, he charged in a flash.

"Kisik?!"

He kicked the lunging magic beast out through the outer wall. Shoved it through the tunnel.

Boom—!

Wall crumbled; they flew into the air together. Barrier shards scattered like embroidery.

Behind, Song Junho's desperate yell. *Noisy brat.* If kids wanna fight, fight fast. Their chit-chat was too frustrating—I bolted out.

"Kishieek!"

The beast's screech. Scuttling claws in midair, resenting me.

'Even exhausted, that attack won't land.'

Lucky the tunnel barrier was weak. After all those sword auras, it'd be weirder if intact.

I eyed it. As expected, unscratched carapace. Weak as it was compared, still a magic beast. No strength left—showy kick did no real damage.

'Doesn't matter.'

Yeah, doesn't. Goal wasn't that from the start.

"Kay. Position!"

Gathered remaining power, overtook the beast. Rode the wind, spun, and stomped its back shell.

Boom—!

Beast screeched, accelerating downward. Baffled by the painless hit, it looked down. Demonic energy surged. Rage, killing intent, hostility poured from it.

"Kishieek!"

"Figured it out? Too late."

Ding—.

Evening bell tolled from the plaza fountain, marking time.

It plummeted right onto it. Split the spraying water, smashed the base.

Boom—!

Fountain shattered, water sprayed everywhere. Debris wrecked flowerbeds. Base collapsed.

Splash—!

Beast plunged into the underground well, howling.

"Whew..."

I slicked back my wet bangs. Its body sizzled, melting rapidly. Magic beasts are weak to holy power. The holy water in that fountain? Far deadlier than any poison.

'Tell me about it.'

Who'd think that fountain would save the day? Life's full of surprises.

They won't bill for damages, right?

'Nah, it's the church—won't be stingy.'

Worst case, sweet-talk Yurika.

"Kishararak!!!"

It glared at me. Compound eyes oozed massive killing intent. The male's wail, unforgiving the killer of his queen, his wife. Vowed to take me down no matter what.

"Kishaak!"

The beast charged. Forced half-melted muscles, pincer thrusting like a stake.

I watched the incoming strike. Leaned against the well wall. Utterly spent. No dodging left.

That hit would critically wound me. But fine.

Locked eyes with her through the window when I exited. She's coming now.

Light seeped into the pitch-black well. Bright gold filled the space, like moonset and sunrise.

Beams intensified, then a massive boom.

Boom—!

"—Kisharaaak!"

Agonized cry. Carapace shattered instantly. Innards cracked, burned by intense heat.

'...Materialization of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Light.'

Imbues light with physical force, unlimited as long as bearable. One of the strongest unique abilities I knew.

Its owner arrived. A greatsword of pure light plunged into the beast's heart; she gripped with both hands.

Her flowing platinum hair turned full gold, fluttering. Fierce eyes gone, replaced by resolute hero gaze.

"...Late. Damn bitch."

"Siwoo!"

Hero Erina Yulis. A entrance so very her.