Chapter 174: Lewd Yokai After School (40)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 174: Lewd Yokai After School (40)
We stayed in Black Moon Village for three days, gathering the information we needed. The streets, lined with red lanterns, were bustling with yokai. The atmosphere was entirely different from the human world.
"What's the best way to get to Baekyo Village?"
A map, spread out on the table, shimmered faintly under the crimson moonlight. Han Chae-yeon pointed to a spot with her slender finger.
"It's too far to walk. Besides, we have to pass through Hyeolan Gorge."
"Hyeolan Gorge?"
"It's an area teeming with yokai beasts of Black Rank or higher. Most ordinary yokai wouldn't dare set foot in there."
I gave her a slightly puzzled look.
"Black Rank... Does that mean they're pretty strong?"
Han Chae-yeon nodded and explained.
"The ranks for the beasts here start at Common Grade. The lowest, Common Grade, are just minor yokai. Above them are Human and Profound Grade, which are about as strong as or slightly stronger than an average human."
"And above that?"
"Black Rank is where it gets different. Those are yokai with considerable power. And above them are Spirit, Heaven, God, and even Demon Grade... Each rank is on a completely different level."
Baek Mi-ho chimed in.
"I heard there's a Void Grade, too."
"That's a rank that only exists in legends. No one has ever actually seen one."
Han Chae-yeon pointed back to the map and continued.
"We'll need a special mount to cross the gorge. At least something of Black Rank or higher."
The yokai market in Black Moon Village grew more vibrant as the night deepened. Under the red lanterns, all sorts of yokai haggled over rare goods, their voices a low hum.
"This way."
Han Chae-yeon led us to a massive stable tucked away in the deepest part of the market.
"Looking for a mount?"
A husky voice called out. I turned to see a massive yokai with the head of an eagle. Its feathers were as black as the night sky, and its sharp, golden beak was impressive.
"We're looking for a mount that can cross Hyeolan Gorge."
At my words, the eagle yokai's expression changed.
"The gorge, you say... Then you'll need something of at least Black Rank."
He led us inside. The stable housed a variety of yokai beasts, from shadow wolves that breathed blue flames to ghost horses that floated in mid-air.
But Han Chae-yeon's expression was grim.
"These won't be able to handle the gorge."
"Hmm... a picky customer."
The eagle yokai smiled knowingly and pointed to an iron gate at the very back.
"In that case... how about this one?"
Clang!
The heavy iron gate swung open, and a crimson flame leaked out. Inside was a massive horse, large enough to easily carry two or three people.
It had skin like the night sky, a mane made of fire, and black flames rising from its hooves.
"What's the price?"
"A thousand gold coins."
Baek Mi-ho's eyes widened in shock.
"A thousand gold coins! Isn't that way too expensive?"
The eagle yokai chuckled.
"Heh heh, if you don't have the money, there's another way."
"Another way?"
"If you can tame it yourself... I'll give it to you for free. To be honest, we've already given up on taming this Black Flame Horse. It's a mad horse that just eats money, and our losses have been staggering."
The Black Flame Horse glared at us with its red eyes. The flames rising from its hooves were scorching the floor.
"Seo-yun, it's dangerous..."
Han Chae-yeon said with a worried look, but I had already made up my mind and stepped forward.
"This sounds fun. Shall I give it a try?"
"You look human, so be careful... A single kick from its forelegs could make your body explode."
The moment the eagle yokai threw the iron gate wide open, black flames erupted as if from an explosion. The Black Flame Horse roared and reared up on its hind legs.
Hee-hee-heeing!
Its cry carried the overwhelming pressure of a Spirit-Grade beast. The other beasts in the surrounding stables cowered in fear.
"You can still back out, you know."
I could hear the eagle yokai's voice, but I was already walking toward the Black Flame Horse.
"Seo-yun!"
I heard the worried voices of Han Chae-yeon and Baek Mi-ho. The Black Flame Horse's red eyes were fixed on me. The black flames rising from its hooves grew more intense.
"Such a stiff neck for a mere horse."
I drew my internal energy up from my dantian and approached it step by step. The aura emanating from my body made the Black Flame Horse's flames flicker.
Hee-hee-heeing!
The Black Flame Horse stood on its hind legs and swung its forelegs. A storm of black fire poured out. The nearby iron bars grew hot, and the other beasts shrank back in terror.
"So, you've got some power, do you?"
I slowly approached, building my momentum. My aura pressed down on the entire stable.
Hee-hee-heeing!!
The Black Flame Horse raised its forelegs high in a threatening gesture, wary. Crimson flames surged like a vortex. But I didn't flinch.
"They called you a Spirit-Grade beast, but is this all you've got?"
A powerful surge of internal energy exploded from my dantian.
The air grew heavy, and the Black Flame Horse's flames wavered for a moment. For the first time, a flicker of caution appeared in its red eyes.
"A mere horse dares to choose its master?"
As I took another step forward, the Black Flame Horse stomped its hind legs and flinched back. But as if in a final act of defiance, it cloaked its entire body in black flames and charged at me.
Rumble!
The ground around us cracked, and the iron bars buckled. But I simply twisted my body, easily dodging its charge.
In an instant, my hand shot out like lightning and roughly grabbed its mane.
Crack!
I slammed my hand down hard on its sturdy neck, and the Black Flame Horse screamed and struggled. But my aura pressed down on it relentlessly.
"Submit."
As I pushed down harder and harder, the Black Flame Horse's resistance weakened. Finally—
Thud.
Before a stronger being, it instinctively lowered its body, bent its legs, and bowed its head to me.
"Good. Now you're listening."
I patted its forehead and stood up. The eagle yokai's jaw was hanging open in shock.
"T-To think you'd tame it by force...!"
Baek Mi-ho looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
"Wow, that was so cool...!"
Han Chae-yeon also nodded in satisfaction.
"It must have completely accepted you as its master now."
I climbed onto the Black Flame Horse's back. Its flames no longer rejected me. Instead, they yielded obediently, as if welcoming their master.
I pulled the reins and smiled.
"Let's go. To Baekyo Village."
*
Click, clack.
The steady sound of shoes echoed on the cold stone floor.
The air in the prison was damp. A narrow, suffocating space lit only by a faint lantern.
A simple food tray was shoved roughly through the iron bars.
"Hey, food's here."
Yoo So-hyun.
As the one in charge of the prison, it was her job to watch over Kim Hyun-woo.
She peered through the bars.
Kim Hyun-woo was sitting against the wall.
His hands and feet were bound in specially made iron chains, and his entire body was wrapped in glowing blue sealing talismans.
He was firmly restrained, as if to prevent any movement.
He showed no reaction.
His eyes were closed, still and silent, as if trying to erase his own existence.
Yoo So-hyun let out a soft sigh, unlocked the cell, and stepped inside.
"If there's anything you want to eat, just say so. I'll bring it if I can."
She spoke in the gentlest voice she could manage. But Kim Hyun-woo remained unresponsive.
"...Sigh."
She muttered in a weary voice.
"What sin did you even commit...?"
A fate of death simply for being born.
Looking at Kim Hyun-woo, Yoo So-hyun suddenly felt the values she had been taught begin to waver.
A half-yokai.
Both her organization and her family had taught her that they were beings to be thoroughly eliminated.
"I..."
At that moment, Kim Hyun-woo's lips slowly parted.
"What's... going to happen to me?"
It was a small voice.
But it was a heavy, empty echo that filled the prison cell.
Yoo So-hyun was momentarily at a loss for words.
There was no anger, no fear, no despair in his voice.
Just... an empty void.
That silence felt even more cruel.
Yoo So-hyun briefly looked up at the ceiling.
A faint sliver of moonlight, seeping into the depths of the prison, brushed across her face.
"Well..."
She mumbled weakly.
"I imagine... you'll die?"
"......"
"You'll be transferred to headquarters tomorrow."
It was cruel, but it was the reality. A half-yokai captured by the Exorcist organization does not survive.
A fate already sealed.
Yoo So-hyun leaned against the wall and slowly sat down.
Side by side with Kim Hyun-woo, but at a respectable distance.
Just then, a very faint, yet distinct, bitter smile spread across Kim Hyun-woo's lips.
For the first time, his voice was tinged with emotion.
But it was resignation.
"...Heh."
It was as if he were mocking himself.
Yoo So-hyun couldn't bear it any longer and got to her feet.
She quietly left the cell.
Clank.
The door closed, and the prison sank back into darkness.
In the corridor.
Yoo So-hyun walked slowly, letting out a deep sigh.
'This is... wrong.'
The teachings she had heard countless times. A half-yokai is an enemy of humanity from the moment it is born.
They are evil, beings that deserve to die.
But Kim Hyun-woo, locked in that cell, had never once threatened a human. He was even the son of the exorcist who had killed the most yokai that threatened humans.
"...Haa."
She clenched her fists.
"Yoo So-hyun."
A cold, imposing voice. She stopped and turned her head. A man was slowly walking out of the darkness.
Kang Mu-jin.
A man who boasted formidable skill even within the Exorcist organization.
He was also the one in charge of this prison.
The pressure of his mere presence filled the corridor.
"Senior Kang Mu-jin..."
Yoo So-hyun swallowed hard.
"What's his condition?"
Kang Mu-jin asked with a blank expression.
"He's still quiet. He doesn't seem to have any intention of escaping."
Kang Mu-jin nodded.
"Quieter than I expected."
"...When he's transferred to headquarters tomorrow, what will happen to him?"
Yoo So-hyun asked cautiously. But when Kang Mu-jin's gaze fell upon her, her throat tightened on its own.
"You're sympathizing with the prisoner."
"...That's not it..."
Yoo So-hyun tried to protest, but Kang Mu-jin's firm voice cut her off.
"Half-yokai are dangerous beings. You must not be deceived by their appearance."
His gaze was cold and sharp.
"Tighten the surveillance until he's transferred to headquarters tomorrow."
"...Yes."
Yoo So-hyun bowed her head. Kang Mu-jin walked past her and said.
"Yoo So-hyun, we are exorcists. Do not forget our mission."
The sound of his footsteps faded down the corridor.
Yoo So-hyun stood frozen in place for a long time.
The corridor was cold and silent. But her mind was in turmoil.
'Is this... really right?'
Kim Hyun-woo's empty eyes flashed in her mind again.
A fate of death simply for being born. Was the 'justice' she had always known truly right?
Her fingertips trembled.