Chapter 286
Chapter 286
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 286
>Chapter Title: Seolhong's Trial
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Baldy.
It was clearly referring to someone.
And since those words had come from the mouth of the Ghost King Duyoksini, the target was no ordinary person.
Everyone in Kang Seol's group except Jin Ryeo immediately thought of one person.
Hye-myeong.
That was him.
‘Uh… yeah, not exactly a good connection.’
Hye-myeong had once entered the Ghost Realm after awakening the power of the golden statue. Things had gotten pretty rowdy back then.
‘No way he’s picking a fight over something from way back?’
If the Ghost King was going to nitpick about that, he could’ve found fault with anything from the start.
“…It’s old news, isn’t it.”
The group swallowed a sigh.
From Duyoksini’s reaction that followed, it seemed he wouldn’t make a big deal out of his relationship with Hye-myeong, fortunately.
Even so, they hadn’t escaped the crisis yet. Kang Seol quickly changed the subject.
“How did you find us?”
“That’s not important. And you’re still standing before this Duyoksini. I ask the questions.”
Duyoksini wasn’t about to hand over control so easily.
“For some time now, any humans entering the Ghost Realm have been summarily beheaded upon discovery. It’s fewer than ten fingers’ worth, but it’s easier than sending them back.”
“Such…”
“Humans cause chaos and disrupt control. That’s not what I want. You would have met the same fate as them.”
Gulp…
Jin Ryeo cautiously spoke up.
“Um, I only just joined them. Dying here…”
“Quiet.”
“Joined…”
“Unless you were special…”
Swoosh…
As Duyoksini flicked his hand, a chilling aura spread.
“Now, I will test you.”
“What…”
“I must confirm if you’ll be helpful for what’s to come.”
Kang Seol sighed inwardly at Duyoksini’s words.
‘As expected… things are unfolding this way.’
It had always been like this, so the response was the same as ever.
Step…
Kang Seol stepped forward.
“…Not you.”
Duyoksini stopped Kang Seol’s action.
Kang Seol gave him a puzzled look.
“Step back.”
“…Didn’t you say you’d test us?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then…”
“It’s that child.”
Swoosh…
Strange light scattered in the direction Duyoksini pointed his finger.
And that light dyed Kang Seol’s group in bewilderment. Kang Seol immediately said to Duyoksini.
“Please reconsider that choice.”
“No, my will doesn’t change.”
“She…”
The reason for his bewilderment was that Seolhong, the weakest in the group, had been singled out by Duyoksini.
The girl who, at their first meeting, had been overpowered even by third-rate bandits.
Naturally, not just Kang Seol but she herself should jump up in opposition to this decision.
“…….”
But for some reason, Seolhong only bit her lip, showing no strong resistance to the decision.
Seeing that reaction, Kang Seol narrowed his eyes and closely examined the faint aura emanating from Seolhong.
And he realized one fact.
The aura coming from her now was something entirely different from the power he knew of her usual self.
The small trickle of aura leaking out was because it was seeping from a crack before the dam fully collapsed.
“No way…”
“Shh… it’s interference. Do you intend to ruin my entertainment?”
“…….”
Duyoksini was smiling.
“But a test can’t be conducted carelessly. I’ve prepared a rather prickly opponent.”
Clap clap!
As he clapped exactly twice, a sound came from outside.
Kiiii…
Kiiiiiii!
“What are you doing! Bring him in quickly!”
One of the ghost souls shouted, and the ghosts hurriedly dragged someone in.
A massive body rivaling Jamad’s, with arms wrapped in chains of unknown material—three pairs, totaling six.
Its head resembled a python, and a burning mane running from the crown of its head down its back was striking.
‘Damn, it’s transcendent!’
Kang Seol was suddenly furious at Duyoksini.
To prepare such an absurd opponent for Seolhong’s test. That anger soon erupted as his aura.
Whoooosh…
A dark, murky aura scattered in all directions, and the ghost souls looked at Kang Seol with shaken eyes.
An aura like a storm poured from him.
Just as Kang Seol was about to say something to Duyoksini, the Ghost King extended one hand toward him.
“I promise, that child won’t be harmed.”
“…….”
Swoosh…
As he accepted the promise, Kang Seol’s aura quickly subsided.
The ghost souls, who had always mocked Kang Seol, kept silent after witnessing that torrent-like aura.
‘I’ve secured the promise…’
Even if something went wrong in this test, Seolhong wouldn’t suffer serious injury. If it seemed like the promise would be broken, Kang Seol would step in—that was all.
Now, conversely, Kang Seol grew curious. About the changed aura from Seolhong since arriving in the Ghost Realm.
And what lay at the end of that trail.
“Remove the gag.”
Shing…
One of the ghost souls drew a sword and cut off the gag on the python ghost’s mouth.
“Pha! Duyoksini… hehehehe… you seem troubled by the Yaksha. The ghosts should see you like this.”
“You must’ve been bored, chattering away the moment the gag comes off.”
Duyoksini looked at Seolhong and said.
“This one is a prisoner who escaped Sachun-ok with the Yaksha. He’s of no use to the Ghost Realm’s affairs, so killing him means nothing. No one would grieve if he dies.”
“Die? Me? Heh heh… just erase me. It’s uncomfortable moving according to your will. Hey, human. Enjoy it while you can—ultimately, the Yaksha will ruin everything for you.”
“The one about to have his head cut off by that child is awfully chatty.”
“Erasure? Me?”
Grrrrr!
The python ghost gnashed its teeth and glared at Duyoksini.
“If you win, I’ll release you immediately. You can hole up anywhere in the Ghost Realm and scrape by. Ah, and I’ll return your devoured name too.”
At those words, the python ghost’s eyes changed subtly.
“You’re putting on quite the hero act. Where’s my weapon?”
“Bring it.”
Boom…
A display case with six swords appeared in one corner.
“This… you’re really making it impossible to lose. I’d enjoy crushing that lump of flesh with my hands.”
“Don’t get overconfident.”
“Oh… is the Ghost King actually concerned for me?”
“If it ends too quickly, it won’t be fun.”
Grrr…
Chiwu had retreated far back and was watching Seolhong. Though he hadn’t spoken, he too had sensed something unusual in Seolhong’s aura, having traveled with her all this time.
But even so, to have a woman who only knew basic fist techniques due to lack of martial talent face a master wielding six swords.
There would be a vast gap in physical condition and technical depth.
“Child, I’ll ask you too. What do you need?”
“Um…”
Seolhong cautiously opened her mouth.
“A… sword.”
A brief silence fell…
“Bring it!”
Similarly, a display case appeared.
A display case filled with various kinds of swords.
Seolhong stood before it.
Chiwu couldn’t close his mouth.
He had never properly seen Seolhong wield a sword—or upon second thought, he’d never seen it at all.
Duyoksini bared his hideous fangs and said.
“Then… let’s enjoy.”
“Begin!”
The python ghost gripped its six swords and said to Seolhong.
“I’ll divide you into twelve pieces painlessly.”
It was underestimating Seolhong.
The python ghost approached slowly.
Yet, something strange happened.
As Seolhong selected her desired sword from the display and gripped it, the flow of air reversed.
“…What?”
Swooooosh…
Simply by holding the sword and glaring at it, sweat suddenly dripped from its grip for some reason.
‘Am I… tense…?’
Jin Ryeo said with wide eyes.
“What is that…”
Kang Seol was certain the moment Seolhong gripped the sword.
That Duyoksini’s judgment was correct.
“No way…”
The python ghost charged, swinging its six swords.
“Chaa!”
Now it was serious.
[The Nameless One uses Wind Breaker.]
[Each time the six blades are blocked in defense, attack speed increases by 2%.]
[Attack speed rises up to a maximum of 40% and lasts for 30 seconds.]
Whish…
The moment Seolhong’s sword met the ghost’s swords.
Fwooo…
Her hair floated slightly.
The tips of her hair dyed gold.
Soon, an inexplicable aura flowed from her.
The clash occurred.
Kaaaaang!
Kik…
Kikikik…
Mysteriously, all six swords bore down with their full weight on Seolhong’s single sword.
The near-transcendent python ghost was now sweating from its forehead. Even its burning mane looked hot.
Seolhong said.
“I get it now… me…”
“I’ll kill you! How dare you!”
Paaang!
Right after shaking off Seolhong’s sword, the python ghost swung its blades ferociously.
Kagang!
Kang!
Kagagagang!
The six swords danced like they were possessed. The sight was near-divine, but even more astonishing was Seolhong effortlessly deflecting the ghost’s attacks like flowing water.
Her movements were so beautiful. Movements that were awe-inspiring in themselves.
Jin Ryeo and Chiwu gaped at her.
Finally, her movements produced a result.
Slice…
The sound of paper being cut by a blade.
“…….”
Pshuuuuuu!
Clang…
“Kuaaaaaaaa!”
One of the python ghost’s arms flew into the air.
It had been severed.
By Seolhong.
Step…
Step…
She approached the sword that had fallen with the arm.
And gripped it in her opposite hand.
For some reason, wielding two swords felt far more natural than one.
She… looked familiar with it.
Seolhong adjusted her stance.
Duyoksini spoke to Kang Seol.
“Do you know about her?”
“I did. But… now I don’t.”
“Kukuku… That would be the case. There are many things in the Ghost Realm too difficult for humans to comprehend.”
“…What exactly has changed?”
“Nothing has changed.”
“Then…”
“It’s that damned baldy who awakened the lingering spirit dormant within her. Hye-myeong… that bastard who devoured all the liquor this Duyoksini cherished.”
“…….”
“Don’t pretend not to know. I smell him on you too.”
The thing dormant within her.
Kang Seol finally realized what it was.
‘…Yuji. Yuhwa’s Yuji… it wasn’t left in the hand mirror…’
It wasn’t a will connected to a mere object.
‘It was left… directly in Seolhong.’
A power connected to life.
A power engraved into a living soul.
That’s why Kang Seol couldn’t easily obtain it.
“But to wield power with just that trace…”
“It’s possible only for her. Your traces are mere illusions, but hers is like a record. In other words, a power with definite substance.”
As they spoke, the situation in the arena flipped once more.
Puhwaaaaak!
“Euaaaaa!”
Seolhong severed another arm.
Fwoooong…
“That’s…”
“Hoo…”
Kang Seol flinched.
Seolhong floated the newly acquired sword into the air. The sword blended naturally into the background like camouflage.
“I hear it… clearly.”
[Seolhong uses Sword Song: Karma.]
[Floating a blade in midair, usable for attack and defense.]
[The blade continuously consumes durability and exerts only 80% of weapon attack power.]
Yuhwa’s power.
The Yuji of Yuhwa that Kang Seol had sought was unfolding before his eyes.