It Looks Like Demonic Possession, Doesn't It?
Bukjin felt a gentle warmth flowing from her fingertips, seeping softly into his mind. Whether it was a sophisticated medical technique from his past life or a miraculous spell of this world, he knew that tampering with someone’s brain was an incredibly dangerous endeavor. Yet, in this moment, even as his body was surrendered to another's hands, Bukjin found himself unable to offer even the slightest resistance.
After about fifteen minutes, the Chief Priestess finally withdrew her hand. Without so much as a glance at Bukjin, she turned and slowly walked away.
"I sensed no trace of demonic energy within Im Bukjin’s body."
Jin Juje’s clear voice rang out, reaching everyone gathered in the plaza. Cho Heun, Ban Oe-min, and the others felt as though their hearts were about to leap out of their throats before they finally managed to regain their composure. Had the Chief Priestess detected even a flicker of demonic malice, Bukjin would have undoubtedly received a death sentence on the spot.
The 7th Prince and Im Gun-hyeon exchanged glances, their expressions visibly lightened by a sense of relief. Seeing this, Dam Gogeum curled his lip in a silent sneer.
'It’s too early to celebrate! The true killing blow is only just beginning. Soon, you won’t be able to cry even if you want to!'
Moreover, this would serve to elevate his own value. As these thoughts raced through his mind, Dam Gogeum’s eyes narrowed further.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. But the scene Dam Gogeum had anticipated was not unfolding.
'Huh?'
Dam Gogeum turned his head to look at Baek Hae-geum. The Sword Saint also wore a look of dazed confusion. Dam Gogeum’s heart sank.
'Don't tell me... an uncontrollable variable has occurred at the most critical moment?'
"The methods of the Outworld Demons are incredibly insidious and, at times, impossible to block. Im Geun-nam installed and operated a demonic altar in his villa for over a decade. This alone shows how much importance he placed on Im Bukjin. It is entirely possible that he is using a special secret technique to hide his demonic aura."
Dam Gogeum’s mind began to spin rapidly. He was intentionally stalling for time. Im Gun-hyeon spoke in a cold voice.
"Administrator Dam. What is the meaning of this? Are you suggesting you doubt the ability and impartiality of the Chief Priestess?"
Dam Gogeum narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly. "That is not what I meant. However, even if the Chief Priestess found no demonic energy, it does not change the current situation. Not only do I have no intention of releasing Im Bukjin, but I believe he must be imprisoned immediately. As everyone knows, our Empire maintains a policy of absolute extermination regarding anything related to the Outworld Demons. Furthermore, this matter is linked to the death of Lord Bang Jin-yu, making it a grave concern."
"You cannot imprison Im Bukjin!"
A voice suddenly rang out. "He has been awarded the 3rd Class Citizen's Medal of Honor! He has the right to be exempt from imprisonment!"
All eyes turned toward the speaker. It was Ban Oe-min.
"Ho ho, a 3rd Class Citizen's Medal of Honor? That only grants exemption from the prisons within Unmong City," Dam Gogeum said with a sneer. "I am well aware of that fact. Since you brought it up, I should inform everyone here exactly how Im Bukjin 'earned' that medal. Sang-eon! Step forward and tell them the beginning and the end of this tale!"
Oh Sang-eon walked forward slowly, pulled out a Spirit Vision Stone, and activated it. The image projected onto the crystal screen.
"The one who slaughtered all these people is none other than Im Bukjin," Dam Gogeum declared, addressing the tens of thousands of citizens in the plaza. "Can you even imagine it? Behind the facade of a playful boy lies a murderer of unparalleled cruelty. Even if the hundreds of adventurers in that fortress were wicked men, was such a brutal death necessary? To have their heads taken even after they were slain..."
The citizens' complexions paled. The sheer brutality was indeed excessive. Dam Gogeum’s words began to take root in their hearts. Many people found their perception of Bukjin shifting. During the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, Bukjin had seemed brilliant and innovative. He was witty, clever, and at the very least, he had seemed genuine. But seeing this footage—a scene that looked as if a butcher from hell had swept through—their positive view of him completely crumbled.
'Could such a bloodthirsty killer truly not be a demon worshiper?'
Cho Heun and Ban Oe-min shouted at the top of their lungs, trying to explain the context and the necessity of the actions, but it was difficult to reverse the massive shock the citizens had received.
Standing on the podium, Bukjin let out a sudden sigh.
'Dam Gogeum, you son of a bitch! You're more than just a little cunning.'
None of the cards Dam Gogeum had played so far were easy to counter. Bukjin was currently in a situation where he had mud on his pants, but because his opponent insisted it was dung, everyone believed it was dung. No matter how much he explained it was just mud, the people could only see the filth.
'There’s no way to refute this.'
'But Dam Gogeum is the First Administrator of Pungeo Province. Why is someone in such a high, untouchable position so hell-bent on killing a nobody like me living in a small city?'
Bukjin couldn't understand why he was the target of such intense hostility from Dam Gogeum. In truth, Bukjin didn't care much about what the citizens thought of him. The problem was how to resolve this crisis. But just as Bukjin was racking his brain, something unexpected happened.
"Ah..."
"Aaaagh!"
Two bizarre screams erupted from the podium. The sounds were like the cries of dying beasts, or the cheers of demons as the gates of hell swung wide.
Bukjin turned his head to see Ak Hong-hyang and Mi Yeo-yeon, who had been perfectly fine moments ago, suddenly emitting a strange, dark crimson mist from their bodies.
It was demonic energy!
The experts from the investigation team who were holding them failed to grasp the situation in time and came into contact with the dark crimson mist. Without a chance to retreat, they were instantly enveloped. The two experts let out agonizing screams as they began to wither at a visible rate. It was as if every drop of moisture and energy in their bodies was being sucked out by an unseen force.
Then, pillars of light—the very essence of the blood and spirit drained from the experts—were sucked into the mouths of Mi Yeo-yeon and Ak Hong-hyang. The two girls let out stifled, suffocating groans. Dark crimson patterns began to surface slowly on their faces, necks, and arms. Their bodies began to swell, tearing through their clothes to reveal skin stained black. Bones grew rapidly, piercing through their joints in sharp protrusions, and their fingernails lengthened into blade-like claws.
Swish—! Swish—!
Their razor-sharp claws moved with blinding speed. Cold light flashed. Two more experts from the investigation team nearby were sliced into dozens of pieces before they could even scream, collapsing in a spray of blood.
The transformation was so sudden and violent that the citizens were frozen in shock. Even Bukjin was utterly stunned.
'What is happening? This... it looks just like Demonic Possession!'
When Sim Bi had fallen into a demonic state during the preliminaries, he had absorbed the power of Do Man-seong and Lee Do in a similar fashion. The scene unfolding before Bukjin’s eyes was hauntingly similar. However, the physical and power-based changes in Ak Hong-hyang and Mi Yeo-yeon were far more violent than what Sim Bi had shown. A terrifying aura, as if a god of death had descended, radiated from the two girls.
"Yeo-yeon unnie..."
"Hong-hyang! What’s happening to you!"
Baek Geum-un and Han Bul-bu, who were close by, were horrified. Driven by the bond of friendship they had shared for so long, they instinctively rushed toward them. Instead of keeping their distance, they tried to stop their friends from killing anyone else.
Bukjin’s face turned pale with horror. He had seen the demonized Sim Bi kill Do Man-seong and Lee Do without a shred of hesitation. A person who had entered the Mara recognized no one, no matter how close they once were.
"No...!"
Bukjin screamed and sprinted forward with all his might. But he was already too late.
Swish—! Swish—!
Bone blades made of sharp claws flashed through the air. Blood geysered into the sky. Han Bul-bu and Baek Geum-un froze in their tracks, expressions of utter disbelief etched onto their faces. An immense amount of fresh blood erupted from their shoulders, arms, waists, backs, and legs. A blinding crimson light soaked their clothes.