Farewell to the Master and the Fear-Eating Yokai

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Jin Samwol returned home. It was the place she'd lived for the past decade or so. Not a grand house by any means, but she'd never once thought it small.

To her, who had wandered the streets after losing her parents, this house had been her entire little world. She hadn't left even as she yearned for the greater world beyond—not just because of her master.

This small world was everything to Jin Samwol. Her happiness and joy were all here. Home was the place she could always return to. Having such a place was a blessing.

Jin Samwol loved this house. She could even drift through life aimlessly and end her days here without regret.

But today, the house looked different. Instinctively, she realized her heart had already left it.

Like a bird hatching from its egg to face the world, or a snake shedding its skin for a new body, Jin Samwol had taken a step forward in her spiritual growth.

"Has Samwol returned?"

A deep, resonant voice came from her master's room. The tone was slightly different from usual.

Jin Samwol hesitated, unsure how to respond. How could she explain everything that had happened?

As she pondered in silence, her master's door slid open smoothly. He tossed her a small bundle.

"Take it."

He asked nothing. Arms tucked into his sleeves, he gazed at her with an indifferent expression. Jin Samwol stared back, dumbfounded.

"Master... this is..."

"Your things. I've packed useful items for the outside world. Prepared the day I took you in. Of course, I've updated the contents over time—no outdated stuff."

Where there is meeting, there must be parting; where there is parting, there must be meeting again. The Black Rock Taoist had long understood this truth of the world.

"Our paths overlapped for a time. This is where they diverge."

"Master... if I leave, who will prepare your drinks?"

"Hmph! Who was it that heartlessly abandoned my aged pine liquor? Worrywart. I've lived alone since before you were born. Now I'll torment idlers in peace."

The Black Rock Taoist turned abruptly with a thud. Jin Samwol's eyes reddened. She performed a deep bow to his back.

"Master, thank you for taking in this lowly woman. This disciple doesn't know how to repay your ocean-deep grace."

"You know it well. You were a street urchin scraping by. Well... I've polished you up nicely; you can manage now. Eat well, live well. That's my final blessing."

With that, the Black Rock Taoist shut the door firmly.

Jin Samwol understood. He was avoiding her face to steel his own resolve.

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

She bowed deeply to the closed door. After a long moment, she slowly raised her head, turned, and stepped out. It was time to face the world.

Night fell. As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the slash-and-burn villagers retreated into their homes. The silent village felt eerie enough for zombies to emerge.

My lodging was the village chief's house. Hosting guests was one of the chief's duties, naturally.

I'd been given a separate annex away from the chief and his wife's bedroom. But the moment the chief passed out drunk, I snuck into his room.

This chief bastard had gotten plastered earlier. He and his wife, Sobaek, lay side by side like chopsticks, fast asleep.

Kekeke! This'll be a different kind of fun.

I slyly lifted Sobaek's blanket and slipped inside. She hadn't drunk much and woke at my presence.

She startled, of course. It was dark, so she couldn't see my face clearly, but she'd know it was me. In this tiny village, who else would dare rape the chief's wife but an outsider?

"Shh!"

"Eek! N-no... mmpf!"

I clamped her mouth to stifle any loud cries. She thrashed wildly, but a woman's strength was no match for mine.

A sleazy grin spread across my face. I whispered in her ear.

"Don't wanna wake your husband next to you? Better stay quiet."

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"

Sobaek glanced at her snoring husband. His breathing was steady—he was out cold. But he could wake any moment.

"Living with that old geezer must be tough, right? Let's have some fun with a young stud for once. Kekeke! Time to taste that pussy."

I stripped off her underclothes quickly. No time or desire for leisurely fondling.

I dropped my pants and rubbed my cock against her entrance. Surprisingly, Sobaek's pussy was already soaking wet.

Don't tell me this bitch was hoping for it?

Come to think of it, her protests felt a bit forced. Good girl.

I thrust straight in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without foreplay.

Squelch!

"Mmmph!"

"Oh ho! Nice tightness. Guess that old man's dick is pathetic. Heh, lucky me."

I pinned her down and fucked her. She resisted fiercely at first, but soon accepted my cock, moaning in pleasure. Actually, she'd been welcoming it from the start. This slut had been craving young cock.

With a bitch like this, she's probably fucked half the village...

A bit gross, but I ate her like junk food anyway. Her moans grew louder, so I clamped her mouth harder.

"Ch-chief! It's out! It's here!"

A young man's voice shouted from outside. Gongs clanged deafeningly. Even the drunken chief stirred.

"Ugh...! Could this be..."

Thwack!

I knocked the chief out with a chop to the neck.

Sobaek was too lost in my cock to notice her husband getting hit. The couple was starring in a sitcom. Situation changed, so I pulled out.

"N-no!"

Sobaek cried out. I forced her down and covered her with the blanket.

"Wait here. I'll be back to pound you."

I headed outside.

Torch-bearing young men (mostly middle-aged) swung clubs vigorously. Leading them was a mischievous-looking boy with eerie white eyes only—no irises. Like a kid ghost from a Japanese horror flick.

The adults' swings had little effect. Geosunda drooled and bellowed.

"Kekeke! Lots of people today. Feasting after so long~ Nice. Nice."

"Begone, you evil spirit!"

"Why? So many fear me!"

Arms spread wide, Geosunda's body grotesquely twisted and grew rapidly.

The boy form became a youth—lifeless all the same.

"Who to kill today!?"

He scanned for targets. The sturdy villagers trembled and backed away. Clubs were useless against such a freak.

"You're that Geosunda bastard, huh. Real kid, too. Not anymore."

"Huh? New guy. You ain't scared?"

Geosunda ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fixed his blank white eyes on me. I suddenly wanted to gouge them out.

"Oh!? Shaman? Exorcist? Don't look like a monk."

"Martial artist."

I leaped at him. Legs propelled me forward, closing in instantly.

My fist smashed his face perfectly. From extension to impact: under 0.3 seconds.

True Straight Fist.

Enhanced KHC. Half internal energy, half mana cocktail in my fist. Motor-like roar as the power wave slammed his face.

"Graaak!"

He spun 360 in midair. A normal head would've exploded like a rubber ball. Tougher than expected.

But high defense just makes you a sandbag.

I pursued instantly. My steps were ascending footwork.

I could stick to him at my chosen distance for a full second if I wanted. The gap in skill showed in the first hit.

"You bastard!"

"Head! Head!"

Left and right temple hooks. He couldn't match my power or speed.

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He raised arms desperately to block. Center exposed, obviously. No need to attack the guard—Han Kangwoo's teachings were etched in my bones.

"Gut!"

I kicked his belly like shoving. He flew like a balloon in a gale. I matched speed, keeping distance zero. Chain attacks demand constant effective range.

True Straight Fist.

Solar plexus shot like a bullet. Not plain—internal energy and mana swirled from shoulder, wrapping the fist. Full-force punch to cave his chest.

Crunch!

"Gaaaaah!"

My arm pierced through. I yanked it out fast.

Black mist billowed from the hole instead of blood. Confirmed: no human. He glared, biting his lip.

"Human scum!"

"Not beat enough, huh? Call me 'sir'."

I double-fisted his skull mercilessly. Like a cartoon prof flicking kids' foreheads.

"Grk! Aak! W-wait! Aaaaak! Stop! Stop!"

"You're just a daily shit factory!"

"Aaaaaak! I-I don't shit!"

"My god! Beating Geosunda one-sidedly. Is he really Han Seonsa's disciple?"

"Don't let your guard down. That yokai feeds on human fear! If we fear it, he grows giant and heals!"

Geosunda thrived on fear. No fear? He's fucked.

"Villagers! Let's smash this punk together! Why fear trash like him!?"

They eyed each other, then raised clubs high.

"Right! Avenge our friend! He killed my buddy! Atone in death!"

"Kill him! Fuck him up!"

"Waaaaah!"

"W-wait! Aaaaaak!"

Villagers clubbed, hoed, and stoned him. Fear gone, he shrank to kid size.

We didn't stop. Everyone knew this freak killed despite looks. Beat till dead.

"Aaaaaak! Mercy!"

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

We pounded till his hide shredded. Black smoke rose from his body, fading him away.

"N-no! Vanishing! Can't end here!"

"Die!"

Final straight fist. He dissolved into smoke.