Shadows of the Grsondae
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My eyes, accustomed to the faint glow of the luminous stone, stung from the sun's harsh glare. Jin Samwol was in the same boat. We both shielded our eyes with one arm.
Leaning on each other for support, we slowly adjusted to the bright world outside. Luckily, both of us could handle our internal energy, so it didn't take long. Soon enough, we opened our eyes fully and took in the vibrant scene.
Unlike the cramped, dull cave, the lush green mountains and vast blue sky hit me like a breath of fresh air, clearing my chest. The phrase "the air here's different" was made for moments like this. I didn't have claustrophobia or anything, but damn, humans were meant to live in open spaces.
I stepped forward slowly. The fresh grass scent tickling my nose felt great. Jin Samwol grinned just like me, her eyes wandering to random wildflowers.
"First off, I need to go see my master."
It had been days since she went missing, so Black Rock Taoist was probably worried sick. He hadn't come looking for some reason, but she looked eager to report back ASAP.
"Go ahead."
I had no reason to see Black Rock Taoist right now, nor did I want to.
Our relationship was a bit awkward. He had this huge curiosity about me, a guy with no heavenly fate, and I just found that interest annoying. Jin Samwol knew it too, since she didn't push me to come along.
"I'll wait here. Go on, Jin Sojeo."
"Yeah. I'll be back as fast as I can."
With that, Jin Samwol dashed off. Was it the Power of Sex? Her movements looked way sharper and quicker than before. After guzzling my nutrient-packed fluids during all that sex, her skills must've skyrocketed.
While waiting for Jin Samwol, sitting idle felt lame. Might as well stroll around and clear my head now that I was out of that damn cave.
Just grass and trees around here, but the dynamic scenery was a sight to behold.
Changbai Mountain's landscape looked like a master artisan had carved it stroke by stroke with a massive chisel. Mist-shrouded ridges could've been straight out of an ink wash painting by a famous artist, and the surrounding flora taught a lesson in perfect harmony.
As I wandered, admiring the views, something odd caught my eye.
"Footprints?"
Huge ones. But not normal human prints.
They looked like massive straw sandal imprints stomped into the ground—way too big for any person. Cheonhwa, who'd been coiled around my dick, transmitted telepathically.
—Those are yokai footprints.
"Yokai?"
Come to think of it, I had one uncleared quest.
Yokai Extermination
↳ Defeat 1 yokai with powerful yokai energy.
Perfect timing—a yokai trace right in front of me. Like divine providence telling me to clear the quest. Yep, heaven definitely favors me.
"What kind of yokai?"
—Hmm... From the yokai energy trail, it's a Grsondae.
The hell's that?
No such character in the original story.
—Grsondae is a yokai born from solidified darkness. Like most yokai, it feeds on human fear. No mercy in its attacks—terrifying bastard. Seems it's been rampaging around here, terrorizing folks.
Cheonhwa had been stuck in that cave for 3,000 years, but she knew her yokai. She said she'd been peeking at the outside world through her clairvoyance. Three millennia of data adds up.
Plus, as an imugi herself, she was close to yokai kin. Her power was yokai energy, after all.
"A yokai, huh. Time to exterminate it."
—What? You an exorcist or something?
"Nah. Just bored."
Quest, really. Don't give a shit if it kills adults or eats kids.
The Grsondae's prints stood out from animal tracks, making it easy to follow. They led toward a settlement—a slash-and-burn village.
'Why haven't Han Kangwoo or Black Rock Taoist handled this yokai? Or does it keep respawning?'
Probably the latter. Explains why yokai keep popping up on Changbai.
—Human dwellings. Decent population.
"Yeah. Slash-and-burn village."
The vibe was grim even from afar. Villagers gripped clubs at the outskirts, their wary eyes dark with killing intent.
Approaching without a plan would spark trouble. Better gather intel first. Eavesdrop on their chatter?
"Quiet for years, and now it's moving again. Old Man Choi the day before yesterday, Park yesterday. Who's today?"
"Don't jinx it. It killed two—maybe it's full and gone."
"What'd Geumbo say? Send word to Han Pansu?"
"Radio silence. Think Han Pansu moved?"
"Then what about us?"
Full of worry and dread.
'Grsondae's been raiding the village.'
From the talk: casualties yesterday and the day before. They'd called on Han Kangwoo.
'But no word from him? Because of me?'
He'd used Time Delay mentoring me—a brutal technique even for the world's strongest.
His silence now? Probably recovering. His face looked wrecked when we parted. Yeah, that tracks.
'Perfect storm. My cue to shine.'
"Should we beg that Taoist?"
"That drunkard's gonna help? He hates us picking his herbs already."
"No choice. We're desperate—grovel."
Consensus: Ask Black Rock Taoist.
No way.
Can't let him steal my kill. Finally found a yokai—lose it now, who knows the hassle.
Prime time to swoop in. I strode toward the village boldly.
Middle-aged guards at the entrance bristled like wolves, clubs raised. Five total.
Could wipe 'em in under three seconds. But not here to fight.
"Hello. Just a passing scholar."
"Who're you!? Look Central Plains-born. Here for Han Pansu?"
The front guy eyed me up and down. Sharp one. Love quick wits—easy to deal with.
"Technically, descending the mountain after finishing studies with my master."
"Master? That drunk Taoist?"
No way they'd guess Han Kangwoo? Fair— he'd rejected all top talents from the Plains.
As I pondered how to spin it, a familiar face emerged. The young guy who'd first led me to Han Kangwoo.
"You're that guy from before..."
They all turned to him.
"Geumbo? Know him?"
"Yeah. Took him to my brother a while back."
Guards lowered clubs, relaxing. As if those toys threatened me anyway.
"Wait—so your master is...?"
"Yeah."
I struck a pose. Cheonhwa giggled telepathically.
—Acting like hot shit!
"'Cause I am."
I muttered back softly.
—Your master's that big a deal? Wanna meet him.
"Maybe if fate allows."
Sudden curiosity: Cheonhwa vs. Han Kangwoo—who wins? Original story says Han, but current Cheonhwa? Tough call.
His true power was only hinted at, never detailed—hard to compare.
"Cheonhwa-nim, random question: How strong are you now?"
—Hmm... Tricky. Used tons of primal energy shedding—might be weaker than before. But closer to ascension, so not a loss.
Weaker and still that stacked? Cheonhwa's a monster. Impressive.
"Han Pansu took a disciple? Bullshit."
"Never happened before."
"And descending already? No way."
All skeptical glares.
Whatever—they believe or not, not my problem.
I just wanted Grsondae intel. Village tragedy? Dogshit.
But Geumbo eyed me differently.
"I think different. He... might really be brother's disciple."
"Huh? Basis?"
"His aura's worlds apart from before. You know my energy sense is sharp. Feels like a different person—too strong to even gauge now."
Confident. Villagers' faces shifted.
"R-Really? He's strong?"
"Don't care if Han's disciple or not—as long as he slays the Grsondae."
"We're in no position to be picky. Ask him?"
"Better than the drunk Taoist."
Opinions flipped fast. Sneaky fucks.
The apparent leader approached, polite now.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Lee Sibak, youth council chair of this slash-and-burn village."
'Over 50 calling himself youth chair? Shameless prick.'
I cursed inwardly, face neutral. Useful info? No need for beef.
"Overheard. I exterminate the yokai—Grsondae, right?"
"Oh! We'd be thrilled!"
Fake youth chair beamed. Men smiling like that make me wanna dump ice water on 'em. And no free labor.
"Then, what's the reward?"
Current mood—they won't back out. Normal ask. Free yokai hunts? Scammers.
Never do what you're good at for free. Famous villain line.
"R-Reward? We're poor runaways dodging taxes—nothing to offer..."
"Shame. I'm out."
Act zero regret—they need me.
As I turned, he grabbed my hand. Nearly punched his face.
"C-Come in, let's talk details?"
I played along. Scope the village, snag a decent girl.
Tiny village, under 50 households, over 300 folks.
More people, better odds for cuties. Scanned with eagle eyes.
'Pass. Pass. Pass. Pass. Fuck. Pumpkin patch.'
All bombs. Village or ammo dump?
'No decent girls!?'
Lotus in mud, right? Nah, wishful.
Women were frog-like at best—zero femininity. Rough as men.
Harsh mountains weeded out the weak. Survivors manlier than guys.
Respect to dudes knocking up four each. Without Unix Cube, would've joined 'em?
'Fucking sucks. No proper women... Ah! Jackpot!'
Amid pumpkins, flower-level girl. White jeogori, red skirt.
Face average. Below Jin Samwol among my girls by a bit—her two grades under.
Still, village beauty. In real life, envy bait.
"Welcome to our village. I'm Sobak."
Sobak: village head's wife. Head: 60+ geezer. Her: early 30s.
'Thief bastard. Don't hate—I'm one too.'
I eyed her hungrily. Decided to hunt Grsondae.
Villagers offered booze. Sobak poured. They knew sole "womanly" role.
Smart pricks.
"It might show tonight. Youth council's guarding, but can't handle Grsondae alone."