The Shaman King (6)
Then no matter how much you hit him, if he plugs his ears and goes "ebabebe," it won't work?
Kangryeong Daegun might really be doing that. The relatively less injured Kangryeong Daegun bolted up as soon as he escaped the museum and started running away like a madman.
Ju Kang-rim couldn't accept that this fierce chase would end so anticlimactically.
That's when Ju Kang-rim remembered the gun he'd never used, still tucked inside his hanbok.
He quickly pulled out the blunderbuss from within his hanbok. But once he had it in hand, he hesitated.
There was a reason he hadn't used it until now. He had no damn idea how to fire the thing.
But that's what these guns were made for—blasting away blindly.
Ju Kang-rim grabbed something random from his pocket, shoved it into the barrel, aimed at Kangryeong Daegun, and pulled the trigger.
Kyaaaaack!
Instead of a gunshot, a scream echoed out. Fragments exploded from the musket, raining down on Kangryeong Daegun's body like hail.
He staggered but didn't fall. No clue how to end that tenacious bastard's life.
Right then, a car screeched up to the museum steps.
"Elder! Get in!"
It was one of his organization members who'd been waiting nearby. An angel to Kangryeong Daegun, a devil to Ju Kang-rim.
Kangryeong Daegun painfully shoved his body into the car.
Ju Kang-rim, just emerging from the museum, roared at him.
But damn it, more cars were piling in. This one a massive trailer truck.
Ju Kang-rim thought the trailer looked familiar. Kangryeong Daegun thought it was moving way too fast.
Before he could even think of the driver, a thunderous crash—the trailer smashed right into Kangryeong Daegun's car.
With a deafening boom, the car crumpled like paper and tumbled all the way to the opposite side of the museum.
Smashing into the wall, it erupted in a spectacular explosion, scattering metal shards everywhere.
Ju Kang-rim stared blankly at the roaring flames, then looked at the driver who'd brought the trailer.
"M-Mr. Ju Kang-rim the Hunter? A-Are you okay?"
Han Min-ah staggered out, legs apparently giving way from the drive. She looked like she had no idea what she'd just done.
Ju Kang-rim forced a grin at her.
"Heal me up a bit, Nurse."
***
As the bite scar on Han Min-ah's arm glowed, Ju Kang-rim felt his body lighten bit by bit.
Her ability didn't heal physical wounds directly. But it mended the damage to his soul from Kangryeong Daegun's attacks.
Soul wounds didn't heal with painkillers or bone-setting pills. Her power was essential.
Otherwise, he'd have to wait ages for his soul to recover.
"Thanks."
Once he could move somewhat freely, Ju Kang-rim tried to stand urgently.
Han Min-ah grabbed his shoulder with a shocked look and pressed down hard.
The unexpected strength made him plop back down without thinking.
"Where do you think you're going, patient? Stay put!"
"H-Hey, Han Min-ah. I appreciate it, but this is super urgent right now."
Probably her nurse instincts kicking in. But Ju Kang-rim could get treated later.
First, confirm Kangryeong Daegun's status.
Even struck by lightning, riddled with dozens of bullets, crushed like paper in a car, trapped in flames—he was still an immortal. High chance Kangryeong Daegun lived.
Han Min-ah relented when Ju Kang-rim stood firmly. He gripped his hand axe tight and staggered toward the burning car.
Outside, a charred figure burned fiercely. But no way to tell if it was Kangryeong Daegun.
Didn't even know how many were inside originally.
Target: Capture Kangryeong Daegun
🎁 Reward 1: Saingeom Enhancement Voucher
🎁 Reward 2: Guaranteed Legendary Grade 'Today's Fortune'
But the mission wasn't complete, so Kangryeong Daegun was definitely alive.
'So close, and letting him slip now would be a waste.'
Ju Kang-rim scanned the wrecked car and spotted a trail of blood and black soot stretching from the broken windshield.
He followed it.
"Damn it..."
But the trail vanished at the stone wall.
Kangryeong Daegun was clearly too injured to stand. No way he jumped it.
Ju Kang-rim quickly checked surroundings and concluded.
'He had help.'
Someone unknown aided Kangryeong Daegun. Carried his wounded body and leaped the wall effortlessly.
Why not intervene earlier? No idea. But Ju Kang-rim thought it was for the best.
'Yeah. I never thought I'd take him down solo anyway.'
Immortals fought immortals, and alliances were common.
He'd treat this as finding the next lead. Whoever backed Kangryeong Daegun had shown their tail—yank it and uproot them all.
Ju Kang-rim sighed, about to close Biman, when a message caught his eye.
Ju Kang-rim bit his lip hard. But Yoo Wol-ryeong sent one more.
***
Ju Kang-rim rushed to Deoksugung Palace with Han Min-ah. But zombies had already flooded in.
Surrounded by walls—how? The trailer Han Min-ah drove had smashed the main gate.
But no need to worry about her.
Tang.
Han Min-ah fired at a charging zombie with the gun Yoo Wol-ryeong gave her.
Tang.
The zombie's head vaporized in one shot. Despite recoil that could snap a wrist, she seemed unfazed.
"How'd you know to come?"
"Oh, you said you'd sneak-attack and kill that Kangryeong Daegun guy. Then it got super loud for ages. Zombies nearby all headed that way... so I figured you needed backup."
"Why ignore 'wait there'?"
"If I listened that well, I wouldn't aim to be a zombie hunter."
Fair point. Ju Kang-rim wanted her obedient, but she exceeded expectations. Better let her act independently for growth.
Plus, via Yeomra, he learned another unexpected boon from her.
Good news. He still tripped on rocks or nearly twisted ankles, but no drowning in mucus risk.
'Gut-shaman ritual—where? Find a shaman?'
"That's Deoksugung up ahead."
Han Min-ah spoke. Slightly delayed, but close.
Arriving at Deoksugung, Ju Kang-rim spotted something bizarre right away.
On the stone floor before it, a massive blood pool—and a man's lower half standing inverted in a Y-shape.
Even without the upper body, the massive build reached chest-high on Ju Kang-rim with its soles up.
"Deputy Ju Kang-rim."
Yoo Wol-ryeong emerged from Deoksugung, pale-faced.
Han Min-ah said worriedly, "She looks bad."
"Deputy Yoo Wol-ryeong is always pale and expressionless."
"Oh? Anemic?"
Not sure if "dead" would fly. Ju Kang-rim glanced at the corpse.
"Who's this?"
"Water bear or moon bear? Not sure. Claimed immortal, so I pinned him and did lion soul-summoning. No issue now."
"You knew his name?"
"Said 'Mapo's Water Bear Kim In-pyo.'"
Ignorance of name weakness leads to such pathetic ends. As long as lion soul-summoning stays secret, easy to exploit.
He knew some real names already.
"Where's Ttakkachi?"
Yoo Wol-ryeong nodded inside instead of explaining.
Inside: Manggu dead gruesomely, Ttakkachi tied to pillar with sword in chest.
"......"
"Manggu seems taken out by Kangryeong Daegun. Quick response suggests surveillance on her from start. Or left her to lure you."
Ttakkachi chose to join; Ju Kang-rim chose to use her. Their choices, no guilt.
But losing key asset stung.
Examining Ttakkachi's body, Ju Kang-rim sensed odd presence circling her.
He widened eyes at the dagger in her chest.
"This is..."
"Yes. The soul-binding talisman you gave."
It held her soul. No zombie or ghost.
"Wait, then we can revive..."
Yoo Wol-ryeong shook head.
"Her body took sudden death qi. Done for. If you want, I'll guide to ledger. Otherwise, deep grudge risks vengeful spirit."
Send her off. Ju Kang-rim struggled to accept.
Ttakkachi didn't betray. His choice to give her chance wasn't wrong.
But her death makes it wrong.
"Her use isn't over."
Future needs Ttakkachi—no, Shira Vito's skills.
Ju Kang-rim opened shop in Biman.
Ttakkachi max B-grade now. But no S-grade contract means limits like Han Min-seong's 'Blood Rain.' Only S-grade preserves self and power.
But capitalism hit even underworld.
"Nyang..."
"Why the cute noise?"
Han Min-ah asked puzzled. Ju Kang-rim replied weakly.
"Lend me a million nyang."
"Nyang?"
He clutched forehead. He had just over 4,000 nyang. Not even ink for that contract.
Dry up all zombies here? Doubtful.
"Deputy Yoo Wol-ryeong, any savings?"
"About 684 nyang spare."
"Jesus. Quit gambling!"
Ju Kang-rim yelled instinctively, then eyes gleamed.
Han Min-ah shivered at his greedy glint.
"Right! 'Today's Fortune'! I still got my reversal shot!"
Yoo Wol-ryeong snapped fingers.
"That's the spirit."