The Wudang Shaman's Reckoning
A large cafe on the first floor right in front of Gangnam Station. It was nearing closing time, so there weren't many customers left. The bell jingled as I stepped inside, and Detective Nam Gyuho, who had been sitting in the corner booth, shot to his feet. His face was deathly pale and grim.
"You've arrived, Suhu."
Just as I expected. The identity of the Vengeful Spirit coiled tightly around Detective Nam Gyuho's entire body—a Special Grade one shaped like a centipede, forged from Gu Poison. Someone had sent a Sal (Killing Curse) his way out of pure malice.
Sending a Special Grade Vengeful Spirit as a Killing Curse...
Detective Nam Gyuho staggered as he stood. Maintaining consciousness and even standing after taking a Special Grade Killing Curse showed incredible mental fortitude.
"I... suddenly came down with some kind of flu... I think I need to go to the hospital..."
Hey, it's not the flu. Through my Spirit Eye, I could clearly see the centipede clamped onto his neck, greedily sucking away his vital energy. If things continued, it'd drain his core energy completely, leading to shock and death soon enough.
No reason to hide it anymore. We needed to uncover the cause. Why had someone unleashed such a powerful Killing Curse on Detective Nam Gyuho?
"In the Wudang Sect, those capable of launching a Killing Curse with a Vengeful Spirit are called Jang Cheonsa."
"......Pardon?"
"The Special Grade Vengeful Spirit biting your neck right now is called the Heavenly Spirit Centipede, made with Gu Poison arts. You know, a centipede."
I lightly rubbed Detective Nam Gyuho's right eye with my palm. His spirit gates were already open. I just infused a bit of spirit power into his right eye so he could see it too.
"Eek! What the hell is this?! A centipede!!!"
"Ever heard of a Wudang Taoist named Jang Chen?"
"Pl... please spare me..."
Terror-stricken, Detective Nam Gyuho started begging me. No one could stay calm staring at that massive centipede slurping down his energy.
"Even I can't easily exorcise a Special Grade Vengeful Spirit."
Bullshit. Any ghost touching me gets one-shot.
"Om mani padme hum."
Bullshit again. I had no clue about true Buddhist incantations.
Tadak-tat-tat-ta-dat! I flicked my fingers around in a flashy display, forming what looked like a legit hand seal. Copied straight from an anime, and boom—perfect shaman cosplay.
"Begone from Detective Nam Gyuho!"
I thrust out my hand-sealed palm, letting it touch the massive centipede's body. Then, casually thought vanish in my mind.
Craaaack.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the giant centipede. The Special Grade Vengeful Spirit born of Gu Poison, the Heavenly Spirit Centipede, vanished in an instant without even a scream.
That was when it happened.
"Cough-cough-coooough!!"
It wasn't Detective Nam Gyuho who spat blood and collapsed. It was some guy who'd been watching us from a seat by the coffee shop door.
"You're Jang Chen!"
I yelled without thinking. Never imagined the curse-slinging shaman was right here watching.
The man was a mess. He puked up a bowl's worth of black blood and crumpled to the floor. The backlash from his Special Grade Vengeful Spirit's destruction hit his body full force. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, his meridians reversed flow, and bluish veins bulged under his skin.
This was the bastard who'd sent the Virgin Ghost's Killing Curse at Mina. The one carrying the Half-Human Shikigami spell.
Jang Chen.
The backlash from a shattered Special Grade Killing Curse rattled the spirit power and disrupted the vital energy. That's why shamans always hid in safe spots when launching curses.
"Hoh?"
An admiring grunt slipped out unbidden. Jang Chen was already overcoming the backlash.
Tap, tap, tap!
He pressed his acupoints, forcing the reversed spirit power back into proper circulation.
If he recovers, I'll be in deep shit.
Once Jang Chen bounced back, the ones in danger would be Detective Nam Gyuho and me. I was One Punch Man against ghosts, but against humans? Not so much.
A glance at Detective Nam Gyuho—he'd passed out from vital energy depletion. Jang Chen was recovering fast.
Showing weakness here wouldn't just endanger me; it'd screw us both.
"Tch..."
Like Detective Nam Gyuho earlier, I chomped down on the straw of my iced Americano. Gnawed it to bits while shoving both hands in my pockets, then sauntered slowly toward the fallen Jang Chen.
Jang Chen matched the Virgin Ghost's description. Handsome, but with small, sharply slanted eyes.
Now it was a battle of auras. He was regaining spirit power quick, but his eyes bulged at my approach. I flashed him a grin.
"Jang Chen. I got your gift loud and clear. Half-Human Shikigami and a Baekryeonggwi... real treasures. Using 'em great. Thanks."
Cough. Jang Chen puked up another bowl of black blood.
"H-how do you..."
"Why wouldn't I know?"
I flaunted a chunk of my spirit power like it was nothing. I had plenty to spare. Didn't wanna dwell on why it overflowed, though.
"!!!"
Hope vanished from Jang Chen's eyes in that instant. My spirit power output surpassed Severance Grade, edging into Nether Grade territory.
"I'll raise that Baekryeonggwi into a disaster-class evil spirit and make it my shikigami. And drop any jobs tied to me. I'm being nice today—that's all you get."
Jang Chen's pupils shook violently. He'd already lost the will to fight after seeing me exorcise the Heavenly Spirit Centipede.
"S... Senior. Why... spare me?"
Misunderstanding as expected. I was just watching for an opening to kill him.
No way I'd pass up this lucky break.
"Sharp eyes, as expected. Word was Wudang finally had a Jang Cheonsa... and your skills live up to the hype. Killing a talent like you? How could I face my Wudang ancestor, Jang Samfeng?"
I spoke in a calm, deliberate drawl. Gnawing the straw, but my gaze stayed razor-sharp. My Spirit Eye flashed; unable to withstand my spirit power, Jang Chen bowed his head.
"I won't forget this senior's boundless mercy..."
I welcomed the misunderstanding. He probably saw me as some immortal old master.
Not every day you see a Special Grade Vengeful Spirit one-shot.
But then I spotted something odd. Perched on Jang Chen's head—an alien presence. Another Special Grade Vengeful Spirit glaring like it wanted him dead.
Born of Gu Poison too. The Heavenly Spirit Spider.
Heavenly Spirit Centipede and Heavenly Spirit Spider... A shaman knowing Gu Poison cursing himself?
Didn't add up.
"But kid. That Heavenly Spirit Spider on your head doesn't seem to be yours. How's a Wudang Jang Cheonsa leashed by Miao Gu Poison? Triad's doing?"
The intel that Wudang worked under the triad came from the Virgin Ghost.
My words barely landed before he slammed his forehead into the floor.
"If this junior earns your pity and you release the Gu Poison... I swear eternal gratitude!"
So he wasn't collaborating with the triad—he was forced by Gu Poison.
"The Half-Human Shikigami spell too... came from that triad Miao shaman using Gu Poison, huh."
"Yes..."
I reached out to flick the Heavenly Spirit Spider on his head and make it vanish—
Nether Grade Duikryeong, look upon this lowly one. I'll leave this man's body and serve you as my new master.
The Heavenly Spirit Spider urgently transmitted thoughts to me. It had pierced the source of my spirit power.
Interesting little guy. It shrank to spider size and hopped off Jang Chen's head onto the floor.
"Gasp..."
Jang Chen's eyes bulged. The mental chains of the Gu Poison had snapped so easily.
"Senior's mercy..."
He kowtowed repeatedly, forehead to the floor.
"Thank you... thank you..."
Siren wails blared—cops incoming, probably.
"Get lost. If you're caught, it'll be a hassle. Even if I'm tight with the police, I got no pull."
"Wudang remembers enemies for three generations, favors for seven."
"Yeah, yeah. Now scram."
I waved him off with the back of my hand. That'd do it.
Once Jang Chen was gone, I sank slowly into a chair. Not someone the cops could handle. Four Special Grade shamans might stand a chance against him.
I'd seen Special Grade and Thousand Tremor Grade shamans in action before. Flames blanketing the sky, blood needles claiming hundreds of lives... Recalling the netherworld sent chills down my spine.
"Ah... fuck, how'd that bastard slip away... tch."
Master! Thank you for saving me! I'll serve you!
I placed the Heavenly Spirit Spider from Jang Chen's head on my hand, grinning at its eight eyes. After witnessing the Heavenly Spirit Centipede's end, this one was tame as could be.
A Special Grade Vengeful Spirit refined by Gu Poison. It could even manifest physically, holding spider form.
Heh. So you can pick your own master? Ditch me if someone stronger shows up?
Of course.
Oh ho? Check this guy out. Rare to find someone whose outside matches their inside—no deceit. Couldn't help but smile.
Would anyone stronger than me even need a guy like you?
Whether you need me is a mystery too.
Damn, that was fun.
What's your name?
Its eight eyes sparkled. Embarrassed, it started vigorously cleaning its fangs with its front legs. Diligently, meticulously.
I stared for a while, but no answer.
What's your name?
Give me one, Master.
Staring at the fluffy, shy spider—I thought spiders were cute for the first time. Especially those front legs, like cheerleader pom-poms.
You're ridiculously cute, so... Mongshili.
Thank you, Master.
It bowed its head. Its fluffy fur quivered as it shook its pom-poms in a joyful dance.
No, this little shit. Why's it so cute?
It bounced right into my thick hair.
Don't scratch your head too much—it tickles, Master.
Oh right, didn't ask your abilities.
You need this lowly one's power? Disappointing.
There's a knife for dogs, one for chickens.
Understood. Can withstand a joint assault from ten Special Grade shamans or five Special Grade Vengeful Spirits.
Not just Special Grade? Spirit Grade Vengeful Spirit?
Gu that lets it switch masters freely—knew it was at least Special Grade, but Spirit Grade? Solid news. No limits on physical force.
Spirit Grade, huh?
Yes.
You block bullets too?
Duh.
I almost asked where it learned to talk like that but held back. Refining Gu didn't just use venomous bugs. Human sacrifices too—mostly kids.
"Hoo..."
This one's innocent. Fuck those Miao bastards.
Handle bullets, blades, gunpowder attacks yourself.
Yes.
Block anyone trying to kill me.
Yes.
Tell me if anyone's spying.
Yes.
Alert me if food's poisoned.
Yes.
You just thought, 'This guy's living easy.'
Yes.
"Are you okay?! We got a call about someone vomiting blood here."
Paramedics beat the cops—firefighters are GOATs.
"I'm fine. Help him."
I pointed at the unconscious Detective Nam Gyuho. He'd lost tons of vital energy to the centipede—needed aggressive stabilization.
"It's severe malnutrition-induced blackout. Pump him full of nutrients."
"Pardon?? Oh, got it."
They loaded Detective Nam Gyuho onto the stretcher and into the ambulance.
"Um... is that blood from the patient?"
Jang Chen's blood was splattered everywhere grotesquely.
"Nah, some crazy drunk puked it up."
No desire to explain the mess right now.
I slipped out past the chaos. Heading home slowly, my mind grew even more tangled.
Jang Chen had definitely come for me—to turn me into a Half-Human Shikigami. He'd heard about me banging Mina and getting my essence drained.
But his first target was Detective Nam Gyuho. With a Special Grade Vengeful Spirit, no less.
What didn't make sense: Shamans avoid their curse targets' vicinity. Never heard of one lurking nearby to watch their own Killing Curse—total bad habit.
Probably hunting the guy who'd blocked a First Grade Vengeful Spirit. Learning it was all me? Must've rattled him.
But why was a Spirit Grade Vengeful Spirit's Gu Poison on Jang Chen?
Questions piling up.
"Jang Chen... targeted Detective Nam right after arriving in Korea... why?"
Muttering to myself, piecing together the mental puzzle.
Then an unexpected answer echoed in my head.
If Jang Chen fails to kill Nam Gyuho this time, he dies.
Mongshili gave a crystal-clear response to my question.
"Ah, you've seen all of Jang Chen's moves, huh?"
Anything you wanna know about him, I'll spill.
The spider dude suddenly fidgeted excitedly.
But—this bouncy little shit. Can't hate it.
