Night Parade of One Hundred Demons (2)
Even looking up at the sky, no moon was visible. All that could be seen was the black barrier. From every corner of the city came the wails of yokai and the screams of people. Malefic mana bubbled up from all directions, all of it converging on this one spot: Hanseong Tower.
"...."
[Hehehe!]
[Die die die.]
The density of mana was absurdly high. The wind howled like a storm, and formless ghosts frolicked in the air. The malefic mana was so potent that ghosts were spawning naturally.
[Chirruruk!]
[Eek!]
[Save the ghost!]
Of course, none of them could approach me or Glider. They instinctively knew we were beyond them. And I didn't have to waste time on pointless fights either.
It was a win-win for both sides.
"Go on."
[Chirruruk!]
Glider dropped me off at the helipad, and I sent him into the city. He'd save people in my place. No ordinary yokai could touch him, so he'd be a huge asset.
"Let's do this."
After sending Glider off, I started walking slowly across the rooftop.
My destination was obvious: Yu-hwa.
Finding the source of the gathering mana was easy.
[It's been a while, Jin-seok.]
"Not like I missed you."
At the tallest point on the Hanseong Tower rooftop, a sharp spire jutted up, and Yu-hwa stood there.
But it wasn't Yu-hwa. Instead of her bright, cheerful voice came the sinister, mismatched tones of Gonggi.
"How about you give Yu-hwa back quick and get lost?"
[Yu-hwa and I are already one. Too late for that.]
"Bullshit."
My mana sight saw it clearly: deep in her heart, bound by iron chains, Yu-hwa thrashed wildly, desperate to break free.
If I could just take down Gonggi, Yu-hwa would be fine.
[You think I'll go down easy?]
"We'll see about that."
I talked a big game, but honestly, I wasn't sure.
I'd fought toe-to-toe with the cult leader, who had Legend-rank power. But could I beat a Saga-rank monster like Gonggi?
Maybe if I play it smart?
Logic said no, but my instincts said yes.
For a few reasons, but the biggest was that the ritual wasn't complete.
Yu-hwa's still alive.
If Gonggi had fully descended, Yu-hwa would've been gone. Since she was still kicking, I'd arrived faster than expected, interrupting the ritual.
An incomplete Gonggi versus me... For some reason, baseless confidence welled up inside.
[I'll kill you.]
"...."
I slashed my wrist immediately, splattering blood on the ground.
Gonggi raised her sword at me too.
"...That's not a real sword, is it?"
[Oh? You thought I'd fight you myself?]
Looking closer, her blade had no edge. A ceremonial sword—for show, or what a commander might carry.
Thinking of Gonggi's power linked to that sword, I could guess it held something annoying.
[Attack.]
"What the hell."
[[[Kieeeek!!!!]]]
The moment Gonggi commanded, thousands of evil spirits charged from all sides.
They'd been cowering moments ago, but now they raged like berserkers, minds lost.
Voice-based command magic, huh. Even I couldn't survive that many swarming me.
[Tentacles.]
[Shuruk!]
I quickly drew a magic circle, summoning massive tentacles.
They wrapped around me, shoving back the spirits. The spirits bit and tore relentlessly, defying death itself, but they couldn't outpace the tentacles' regeneration.
[One, two, three—boom!]
Gonggi knew that, so once enough had gathered, she ordered them to self-destruct.
They hesitated but couldn't resist her command.
Reluctantly, they ignited themselves. A massive explosion rocked the rooftop, shaking heaven and earth.
"Block it!"
[Shruk...!]
I frantically controlled the tentacles to shield me, but one blast took them out.
"Damn, headache."
I wasn't unscathed either. No direct hits, but the blast and flash left me dizzy.
I slapped my cheeks a few times to shake it off.
"Cute trick!"
[Glad you enjoyed~?]
Hundreds of spirits had blown up, but thousands more remained.
She sent them at me right away, but the nearby ones had been caught in the blast, giving me time to chant.
[When the sea rises again, unrelenting typhoons shall come!]
Massive blood loss fueled the second spell.
The air vibrated around me, then a colossal storm swept everything away.
Spirits turned to dust in the gale; even Gonggi's movements were hampered.
[Lightning, strike!]
[Tch...!]
I unleashed bolts at Gonggi. Her style didn't scream tanky.
Sure enough, instead of blocking, she rode spirits to flee.
Toward the city.
[Winds!]
I manipulated the air to pursue.
First time trying flight magic—clumsy, but worth the risk.
[Shoot her down!]
[Keeek!]
Gonggi commanded spirits to fire mana bullets.
Dark purple projectiles filled the sky.
My flight wasn't acrobatic enough to dodge, so I powered through.
[Lazy goat! Block these attacks!]
[Ah, got it!]
Mini Dodol appeared with the spell.
As mana drained, thick wool enveloped me.
It deflected every bullet and even cushioned my landing before vanishing.
[You're annoyingly persistent!]
"Pot calling the kettle black?"
We landed in the city center.
I slashed my other wrist to grab her; she screeched in frustration.
[Yokai comrades! Come help me!]
Gonggi ran, spamming commands. Her mana spread, drawing other yokai here.
[Human! A human!]
[That one's strong-looking?]
[Eat him and we'll get stronger!]
The yokai eyed me hungrily. Devouring strong humans would boost their legends, evolving them further.
As if.
If even Gonggi—far stronger than them—was fleeing, how could these yokai kill me?
But they could still slow me down.
[Thanks, everyone!]
"That bitch."
Look at her go. Commanded the yokai with her voice, then bolted like a coward.
One more delay, and Yu-hwa might be lost forever.
I poured all my mana into wiping the yokai—and half the city if needed.
[Beast with ten thousand legs! Bring calamity to this land!]
I summoned the monster I'd fought recently: the centipede that devours dragons, spreader of quakes and plagues.
A degraded version, but its Saga legend wouldn't fade.
[Oomukade, wipe them out.]
[Kirreeek!!!!]
The sky split open like an egg, and baby Oomukade crawled out.
Not fully grown, shell soft—but still a Saga monster. No match for story yokai.
[Wh-what is that thing?!]
[Run!]
[Save the yokai!!!]
Yokai were classic strong-against-weak, weak-against-strong. Even mind-controlled, they panicked at the building-sized centipede.
They turned tail immediately.
Oomukade pursued, devouring them one by one.
"Perfect."
No more ankle-biters. Just focus on Gonggi.
I hopped on wind currents, chasing her far-off figure.
"Don't run! Fight me!"
[Screw you!]
The chase wove through skyscrapers.
She kept sending spirits to harass, but I'd adapted.
Frying chargers with lightning, blocking blasts with wind.
[Fuck! You a fairy or something!?]
"A god's husband!"
The chase tilted my way. Her spirit mounts slowed as numbers dwindled.
I was getting the hang of flight, speeding up.
Five minutes, and I'd catch her.
[Need a hand?]
[Get lost! No—help me!]
Then, a wildcard: a four-armed giant burst from between buildings.
Its aura was off the charts—stronger than Gonggi, pure Saga-rank.
We're screwed.
Even I couldn't beat a full Saga yokai clean. Two? No chance in hell.
[Want help?]
'....'
Shin-nim's voice again. Sensing danger, offering power.
But I refused.
Her offers were tempting, but wishes twist easy.
You'd only save me.
[...Busted?]
We're married. I can tell.
Shin-nim loved only me from day one.
She didn't like or hate my circle much—leaning hate, if anything.
Simple reason: time and love I gave them cut into hers.
"Sigh."
[Mad...?]
"Nah? Why would I get mad at you?"
She sounded a bit scared, but I shook my head.
Yu-hwa mattered to me—not to Shin-nim, just a bug her husband liked.
No forcing my views on her.
I'm grateful, actually.
Shin-nim could've cut me off from friends, but she didn't. Thankful for that.
Look now: her hubby throwing himself for some girl, and she's cool with it. Worried, even.
Shin-nim was an angel, no doubt.
...Wouldn't that downgrade her, though?
Anyway.
"I'll handle it solo."
[You sure?]
"Gotta try till I can't."
I pulled a small knife from my pocket. Backup plan.
Didn't expect to use it so soon.
No better way. Facing two Sagas meant risking my life.
"Here goes."
I raised the dagger to stab my thigh—
Then shadows fell from the sky, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Here to help, Uncle!"
[Chirruruk!]
Glider soared in, with Se-ah riding him.
...What the hell combo is that?