Bug Den (4)
The Insect Sorcerer was dead. The grimoire he'd been carrying became a nutritious snack for Go-seo, and the magic he'd used was now something I could wield as well. What that meant was...
"Hmm..."
Time was short. For now, the thing was focused entirely on growing and couldn't move, but it would finish up soon. Then it'd come after me—the one who'd wounded it.
I hurriedly flipped through Go-seo to find the entry on it.
"Where is it..."
Centipedes had symbolized ill omens since ancient times. With their close ties to curses and yokai, Go-seo was packed with centipede-related spells. There had to be something on this bastard in here...
"Found it."
In just five seconds, I'd skimmed all twenty pages. And with that, I learned the creature's true nature.
Its name was Oomukade. A massive centipede from ancient Japan—a powerful yokai that devoured dragons.
"Devours dragons, huh."
Dragons were among the most formidable of anomalies. Even a newborn hatchling ranked as a Legend Lower, and a fully grown one became a Mythic beast. For something to prey on them...
I couldn't understand why it was only Saga-level, on par with that Chaos faction weirdo.
"Oh."
But the next page made it all click. No wonder its rank seemed low for its power—it had a fatal weakness.
Ahh.
The moment I confirmed it, I began preparing the spell. I chanted the incantation with my tongue and formed mudras with my hands. Blood trickled from the unhealed wound on my wrist, and I used it to draw a magic circle.
"Heavens' brethren, draw your bows toward the earth."
Storm clouds rose from the magic circle. I traced a gentle curve, and the clouds followed my hand, forming a single bow. Raindrops gathered into an arrow and nocked onto the cloud bow.
"Alright then."
Now for the most crucial part. I gathered saliva in my mouth and spat it onto the rain arrow. The spit melted into it instantly.
Prayer time.
"Shin-nim, please bless me so I can take this thing down."
Let's go go!
Shin-nim's blessing infused the arrow, completing the preparations.
"..."
...
I drew back the bowstring and stared down Oomukade. Its head scraped the ceiling, and every leg it twitched sent shockwaves booming like earthquakes. It felt like I was a hero facing an apocalyptic monster.
But I wasn't afraid. I held the weapon that would kill it.
"Time to clock out."
[KIIIEEEEEEK!!!!!]
If it could move, that'd be one thing. But it was still growing, body unsteady. No way to dodge.
"Die."
Pfiiiing!
With those words, I loosed the rain arrow. It struck the beast's body in the blink of an eye.
Considering its size, it was less than a needle prick. But the thing shuddered violently, groaning as if struck by deadly poison.
[Kii, kiiieeeek...!!!]
Boom!
Then the explosion. The body filling the cavern ruptured from the impact point, bursting segment by segment. Green blood and corpse chunks rained down like a storm.
"Quite the spectacle. Messy, though."
Hmm~
I manipulated the pooled seawater to block the blood, while Go-seo tucked itself into my pocket to avoid any debris.
The filth rained for a good while. Then something thudded down in front of me.
"What's this?"
It was Oomukade's inner core. Round like jade, but deep green—looked toxic.
"First inner core I've seen."
I'd slain plenty of yokai, but never gotten one. Maybe only higher-rank ones had them? Or just this guy's quirk.
"Guess it's safe to pick up?"
I grabbed it carefully. No poison seeping in. Seemed harmless despite the look. Felt valuable, so I pocketed it securely.
"Anyway."
That wasn't the priority. Oomukade was just a lucky find. I had a real goal.
"..."
I crossed the wrecked cavern. Debris blocked paths, and the stench of seawater and blood stung my nose. But amid the chaos, the door leading down was intact.
"A barrier, huh."
Now I saw why. A gyeol-gye enveloped the door, protecting it.
What were they hiding down there to fortify it like this?
"Hmm..."
Breaking the barrier looked tricky. Looked like I needed a key item... Head back and search?
Fast-paced. Good.
"What."
Kaboom!
As I pondered, Shin-nim suddenly surged with power and shattered the barrier. It'd seemed sturdy, but it crumbled pathetically.
Jackpot for me.
"Let's go."
Good good!
With that, I opened the door and descended the stairs. Unlike the wide ones before, these were narrow. And long. Even after ages, no end in sight.
"Oh."
Finally, I reached the bottom and took in the lowest level.
"A workshop."
At the heart of the Insect Sorcerer's hideout lay his workshop. Insects of every kind pinned like specimens, eggs in jars. Magic circles covered the floor. In one corner, ominous magical gear—every piece dangerous and creepy.
"Hmm..."
I wandered the workshop slowly, pausing to inspect his research. Nothing caught my interest, sadly.
"Where's the grimoire?"
I'd come here for a magic book. The library led me this way, so high odds one was here. But no sign in the open.
Hidden somewhere? I sucked at treasure hunts...
Hum... power...
"Hm?"
As I debated summoning a search familiar, a faint voice whispered in my ear. Might've misheard, but trusting my gut, I followed the sound. And found the source.
"This it?"
Human. Can you hear my voice?
A small box in the corner. A seductive voice leaked from it nonstop. Soundproofed somehow, but it pierced through.
I shall grant you forbidden knowledge.
"..."
Do you not crave invincible might? Open the box and take me.
The voice kept tempting me. I was gonna open it anyway, so I obliged.
Crack!
No magical lock—just brute force did it.
"Hmm."
Yes, human! Take me now!
Inside: a weathered grimoire with a teal cover. Its tongue flicked endlessly, eerie mana tendrils snaking toward my arm like tentacles. My hand moved on its own, grabbing the book. The grimoire cackled in ecstasy.
You've let your guard down, fool of a mage!
"..."
Your wealth, your body, your soul—all mine!
Typical grimoire. It infested my arm, greedily sucking my mana, then my life force. It filled the void with its own mana. Unknown knowledge flooded my mind, revealing its identity.
"You're Do-cheol, right?"
Indeed! I am Do-cheol, King of Sloth and Corruption!
More or less. It laughed like victory was sealed. I pondered, then decided to end it quick.
"You've had enough time to squirm."
"Time to get eaten."
With my free hand, I pulled out Go-seo. It flipped open on its own and chomped down on Do-cheol's grimoire in my other hand.
GRAAAAH! What are you doing, you bastard!!
Nom nom~
Do-cheol's grimoire thrashed wildly, but the hierarchy was absolute. Go-seo devoured it bit by bit. Helpless in my grip, it could only be eaten slowly.
H-Human! Help me!
"Why should I?"
I'll give you immense power and immortality!
"Got that already."
Forbidden knowledge too!
"Just get eaten quietly. Don't make a fuss."
Nooooooo!!!
About five minutes of Do-cheol's yapping later, its grimoire was fully devoured by Go-seo.
"Full?"
Happy~
Go-seo hopped onto my hand, slurping up Do-cheol's mana too. Looked thrilled after its feast. Made me smile too.
"Time to head home."
Yeah!
Mission accomplished. No reason to stick around. Time to get home fast and learn some defensive spells to protect everyone around me.