Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Relocating the Base
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"First things first... we need to decide on the Shadow-Walking Yokai."
"Why not just give her everything? Right?"
"That's what I'm saying. Either hand it all over or don't give options at all. I don't get why they make us agonize like this."
"Tell me about it. When all the choices are so damn good, it just drives you insane..."
If this were just a game, fine—but this is reality. The moment options pop up, you know regret's lurking right behind. You'll end up thinking, 'If only I'd picked that one back then,' or 'What if I'd gone with that item?'
That's just how it's structured. Because this world isn't a game—death is permanent. No roguelike resets where you respawn and start over. Every choice demands focus and caution.
"Damn it. The ring... the wheel... the shell... Which one's best?"
Breaking it down by category: accessory, weapon, armor.
The Bogeyman's Ring amps up Eun-ji's stealth even further. Perfect for assassin play—hide anywhere there's shadow. It can even beam hallucinations into nearby humans' heads, sowing chaos.
"The issue is we might get caught in those hallucinations too."
"Yeah. No distinction between enemies or allies—just 'humans'..."
"Could end up screwing over our own side. Especially someone like Ha-rin with sharp ears—she'd freak at the slightest noise. Exposed to hallucinations mid-fight? Concentration shot."
"Auto-eliminate, then."
"Yeah..."
Of course, you'd need to test it hands-on for the real deal... but no dice. Pulling it out seals the choice. If we could try before buying, perfect—but this apocalypse ain't that user-friendly.
Sometimes they outperform the description... but with such skimpy hints...
Best we can do is deduce and pick. Agonize for the optimal every time.
"No ring means wheel or shell left."
"Hmm... For mid-to-long-range frontline brawls, the wheel's tempting. But the shell's armor too."
"Right? Wheel boomerangs back when thrown. Shell's rare armor... solid."
Though the Wanyudo's Wheel might double as armor too—not pure weapon. More like a shield, maybe.
It orbits its master—sounds like Gundam funnels. Probably attacks on command and shields too. But a giant floating wheel? Stealth's toast. Means ditching sneak mode while it's out.
Honestly, I'd gear her with armor. Defense plus decent stealth beats the ring. But it's Eun-ji wielding it—her call. If shareable, my two cents; but yokai energy locks it to her.
"I'm leaning... toward the wheel."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Plus, half-yokai shift made me better for frontline than stealth anyway. I've fought with blades, ambushes, throws... Feels right grabbing and hurling. Shadow-infuse for control too..."
Fair. Her class evolved with Sae-do-hanya, skills shifting off pure stealth reliance. Embracing yokai boosted her stats huge, like Ha-rin or A-ram's otherkin classes.
Still bittersweet—she's ditching ninja vibes. No more vanishing mid-fight to backstab... Unavoidable. Styles evolve with growth. Personally bummed, but her powering up? Thrilling.
"Wheel it is. It's basically her yokai-energy exclusive now. Go with your gut."
"Hehe... Thanks."
And so, Shadow-Walking Yokai reward: Wanyudo's Wheel.
"Shall I summon it?"
"Yeah. Let's see how badass it is."
Eun-ji called the wheel from thin air.
Whoooosh...
Its hub bore a snarling male yokai face—probably Wanyudo himself. Ugly as sin. Like a temple gate's guardian statue.
"It's really floating."
"Huh... Hold still, Eun-ji."
"Huh?"
I grabbed a loose concrete chunk from the rooftop, chucked it her way.
Clang!
The wheel orbiting her intercepted instantly. The carved face twisted viciously, glaring at me. That thing's got a mind of its own. Ego-wheel...?
"Whoa... OP as hell."
"Good pick, huh?"
"Totally. Kinda jealous."
As expected: weapon-shield hybrid. Throw returns to hand; summoned, it orbits, auto-blocking incoming.
My girls always snag gear I covet. Envy aside, can't yoink it... Proxy thrill watching them wreck.
"Yokai energy drain?"
"Not too bad. Summoned idle? One-two hours easy. Full combat control? Drops hard. Feels intense."
"Not an all-day thing, then."
Lucky Hanya's mask boosts her energy. Three rewards synergize nicely.
"Next up..."
Half-Human Half-Yokai deed reward mirrors last Half-Human Half-Demon's: melee weapon, awakening accessory, ranged weapon. This time: melee, necklace, ranged.
These are her lifelong signatures—growth path choice time.
Hell Demon Sword... All solid. But yokai-only ego-steal risk...
Key: 'yokai' scope? Pure ones only, or half-breeds too? Vague criteria could backfire bad.
"Half-yokai probably counts, right?"
"Think so?"
"Yeah. It's her deed reward. No way it's unusable for her—that defeats the point."
"True..."
"And bro? Hanya's mask lets you wake Chihiro in my shadow."
"Right. Then..."
"Chihiro's full oni. She'd wield Hell Demon Sword free rein."
"Fair. Got it."
Next: Heaven Ghost Orb. Penalty's a dealbreaker—insanity loss. Instant deduct.
"Losing reason... Nah."
"Agreed. Too steep."
Already buffed as half-yokai—go full rampage demon? Chaos.
"Pama's Hornbow or Hell Demon Sword."
"Bow or blade."
"But unnie..."
"Yeah?"
"You know how to shoot a bow...?"
"Uh... Never touched one."
Pama's Hornbow mismatched. No archery experience. Skills unrelated; she's always rocked blades, chains. Learning now? Stretch.
Yokai-energy shots too. Exclusive, drains heavy—one miss, done...
Narrowed: Hell Demon Sword. Risky ego-snag, but half-yokai might pass. Worst case, Chihiro-only mode.
Please, loose judgment—count half as yokai...
Heaven Ghost turns you 'true yokai'—implies half's partial yokai.
"This one, then."
"Hell Demon Sword. Sword over bow anyway."
After ages debating: Hell Demon Sword. Truth? Hooked since reading the name...
"Whoa... Looks wicked cool."
"Right? Stupid jealous. Why no signature for me...?"
Gacha-game SSR vibes. Blood-red sheath, ornate gold fittings, killer grip. Passive in sheath—no reaction when I touched.
"Mask on, summon Chihiro, then draw?"
"Yeah? Chat possible?"
"Yep. She initiates sometimes."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Mostly one-sided questions... Not hostile. Observes world or sleeps."
"Weird. Summon her."
"Okay!"
Eun-ji donned Hanya's mask, muttering to shadow-Chihiro. Looked half-mad from sidelines.
Probably how I look chatting evil gods.
"Changing soon. Watch... bro."
"Gotcha. Careful."
"Hehe. Yep!"
Eun-ji's mind receded; sealed Chihiro surfaced.
Thud.
"Urk...!"
"B-bro..."
"Hiee!!"
Rooftop air crushed down. Cowering Hiiro screamed too—pure oni pressure slamming us.
Double gravity vibe. Beside me, Ye-won-i winced, cradling mana-fed Helgen. I shielded her.
"Kyaa!!!"
Helgen thrashed in Ye-won-i's arms, roaring against pure-oni aura, trying to protect her. Hatchling, stay put—no help now.
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[Hmm... Sorry...]
"Gahk... Y-you maniac..."
Chihiro waved apology; pressure lifted.
[Fresh air after ages... Got carried away...]
"Hoo... Y-you..."
[Hmm... Worried I'll hijack Eun-ji? No need. Shadow's comfier... Emerging tires me...]
"Ah... R-really...?"
[Yawn... Yeah. Curious about this sword, right?]
"Yes. Says yokai-only..."
[Yokai... Broad term. Eun-ji qualifies. Maker's Biwang's work, huh?]
"Huh?"
Another damn teaser keyword.
Biwang mention? Collision incoming.
Just dodged Dragon King... Now Biwang...
Living as Luck-666 Cultist taught me: casual name-drops? Guaranteed encounter.
[Hmm... Shared origins, no issue... Tired now. Questions answered... I'm out...]
Chihiro faded; Eun-ji resurfaced. I hugged still-spooked Ye-won-i, cautious.
"Eun-ji. You good? Feel okay?"
"Exhausting..."
"Yeah?"
"Yep... But Chihiro takes the backlash."
"How so?"
"I'm fine-ish... She struggled hard. Crashed right after. Bro, swap's risky—not takeover, but her not emerging in crisis."
"Huh... Didn't see that coming."
Movies: sealed beast claws out desperately. Chihiro? Opposite.
Just cabin-fever yokai sightseeing.
"Wait, pure vacation?"
"Kinda?"
"Huh... Ambitionless yokai."
No conquest lust—just tourism. Deflating.
But that burst... Strong. Not Kyseria-level, but field-boss shredder easy.
Zero fight-will, though...
At least confirmed: Eun-ji wields Hell Demon Sword. Better than possessive psycho.
"Now, real rest..."
"Master!!!"
Merhere screamed up. Ha Jin-seong led grim slaves and harem onto roof.
"What?! What's up?!"
"No—that's my line!!"
"Huh?"
Me baffled; A-reum followed: "Felt evil aura. Everyone rushed up. Nothing here?"
"Ah..."
Explained Chihiro's yin vibe spooked 'em.
"Since we're all here... Major announcement?"
"Huh? What?"
"Nah, sis. No biggie. Thinking relocate base. Tired of ad-hoc staffing—want systematic now."
Brainstormed since Missing Persons' Forest.
Mart's cozy, but crew grew—crave bigger, more rooms.
Hotel? Nah. Cramped for fights, collapse risk, fire hazard...
Nearby school or department store? Zone off living spaces. Saw Hwang Su-min, Yoon Ha-jun, alchemist Hellas crammed brewing—gift 'em science lab.
Flasks galore. Hellas'd love it.
"Scout during update lulls, move then."
"Sounds good! I'm in!"
"Neck-clap time...!"
Son Ha-eun atop Dullahan thrust bony hand up.
Dullahan mimicked, hollering "neck-clap." Agreement. Ha-eun softened her up—still pariah duo. Nobody approaches but me.
"Yep. Thanks... Ha-eun... Any prefs? School with field?"
Fields/auditoriums: rallies, group work, dragon landings.
Non-awakened slaves clammed up; normie slaves hesitant. Harem unanimous yes-men.
"Local school it..."
Moon Geun-oh shot hand: "National Assembly?"
"What?"
National Assembly...?
"Why not raid Blue House? Yeouido trek?"
"N-no."
"Nah, solid idea. Don't sweat."
"Y-yes!"
Patted his shoulder.
Prefer nearby loop. Yeouido...? Dragon fly quick?
Test Ragal's seal polymorph—dragon-back capacity.
Less Assembly focus—claim Yeouido. Han River handy for water, fish(?). Zombie bridge drop Maipo, done...
Surprisingly viable.
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