Yokai Stench from a Human?
I wondered if this fucker had a similar constitution to mine, like some comrade who could sense yokai too. But no, it was different. I didn't reek of yokai or anything like that. My inner energy was pure, and when I released it, it came out as gui qi. No way he was like me. So why the hell did he smell like a yokai? Was the bastard actually a yokai? No fucking way—a yokai in human form?!
"..."
I followed him like I was entranced, staying tense and ready to draw my swords at any moment. Of course, this could all be my imagination. How long had my sense of smell been enhanced? It wasn't like I could pinpoint yokai right away. Right now, I was just burying my nose in my wives' tits and asses to get my fill. But my instincts as a martial artist were sharp. Something was off.
Thud, thud.
The more I followed him, the clearer the yokai stench became. Even if the species was different, did they all share that distinct yokai vibe? That's when I was sure. That guy was a yokai disguised as a human.
I'd heard there were plenty of yokai that could shapeshift into humans. The common thread? They were pretty damn strong. Shapeshifting was some mystical shit, and it took real power to pull it off.
What could it be?
"Rat bastard."
Looking at his rat-like face, one thing came to mind. A Seo Saeng-won, evolved from a yokai rat lord. Those things infiltrated human society in disguise, climbed to high positions, and eventually caused horrific calamities. They controlled rat swarms and could even spread plagues. Pure evil. Their combat power wasn't top-tier compared to other yokai, but you had to watch out for their cunning. With their brilliant brains, they deceived people effortlessly. Killing one left a massive rat corpse, but if you fell for their schemes, you could end up framed for murder and thrown in prison.
Perfect. Time to go.
The Screaming Rakshasa Kim Geun-hyeop doesn't let evil like that slide.
"Hey, you."
Decision made, I approached the rat bastard and called out.
"Hm?"
The yokai energy hit me even stronger up close. The foul stench was overwhelming.
"You. Your tail's sticking out."
"Eek?! F-Fuck!"
The moment I mentioned his tail, he jumped in shock and checked his ass. Of course, no tail was there. Just bullshit on my part.
"What the hell! Who are you? Spouting nonsense out of nowhere!"
He was rattled, yelling loudly. Mentioning the tail had freaked him out and planted massive suspicion.
"Heh heh heh. Just tossing out a joke to strike up a chat."
"Lame joke. I'm busy, so I'm off."
"You. You're not from around here, right?"
"...Got a problem with that?"
"A problem."
I stared him down, dragging out the word. He was the one in a hurry, not me. As I gave him that meaningful look, he fidgeted and tried to turn away.
"I-I'm going now!"
"Long tails get caught."
"What...?"
"Ah, nothing. You know about the Sa-gwi incident in this region, right?"
"I do."
"That's why the city's a mess. No reason for outsiders to show up. What's your business here?"
"That's my business."
"No. It ain't."
"..."
I could see the anxiety creeping up on him.
"I'm the Nachal Bang leader, the Screaming Rakshasa. With the city in chaos, unorthodox fighters from outside are sneaking in."
I had to gauge his power level coolly by talking and watching his reactions.
"You saying I'm some unorthodox fighter? I don't even have a weapon! This suspicion is insulting!"
"If you're disguising as a commoner, you hide the weapon first."
"Bullshit!"
"Come with me."
"No reason to!"
As he spun around, I grabbed his arm. Testing his strength. He couldn't shake me off.
"Aaaagh!"
"Why the screaming? I'm just checking if you're unorthodox or not."
"Why the hell should I trust you and follow? Let go!"
I straight-up restrained him.
"Huh? What's this? A tail?"
I yelled in fake surprise.
"What?!"
"Tail! Hold still so I can grab it!"
"N-No!"
I pressed tight against him so he couldn't turn, pretending to grab his wildly thrashing tail. As expected, he couldn't shake me. His raw strength was weak.
That's when it happened.
"You bastard!!!"
He let out a roar, and black fur sprouted from his skin in a rush! He was turning from human to rat!
It really was a Seo Saeng-won!
"You crazy rat fuck! Showing your true colors, huh?!"
"Keeek!"
I kept my grip and leaped into the air.
"Stunner!"
"Chik!"
Boom!
I slammed him with a Stunner, and he squealed like a bitch. At the same time, baby rats swarmed from all directions. Trying to control rats on me? Fat chance!
"Where'd you call these rats from, you fuck? You're done!"
"Jjik! Jjiiik!"
I swung his tail like a flail and smashed him into the ground. The overwhelming attack scattered the rat swarm, fleeing the impact.
"Jj-ik! Jjik! Spare me! Spaaare meee!"
"Kuhahaha! A rat begging for its life! Hey! I caught a yokai Seo Saeng-won! Look at this!"
"Kyaaah!"
"Aaaah!"
I ran around advertising my catch, and the people nearby screamed in horror.
"I-It's the Nachal Bang leader! He caught a Seo Saeng-won!"
"The rat's huge!"
"Uwaaaah! It's a rat bastaaard!"
His identity was fully exposed now.
"Jj-ik! Human...! I'll kill you! Kill you dead!"
"Heh heh heh. We'll talk about that later."
"What?!"
The massive rat squeaked in my grasp, but I'd already won. No fear at all. Plus, I'd captured him alive. Now he had reason to be scared.
"I've got a ton of questions for you yokai shits. Wanna have a heart-to-heart?"
"Jj-ik?"
I headed to the Nachal Bang headquarters.
* * *
Interrogation room. Basically a converted warehouse. Gotta have something like a dungeon, right?
I had the Seo Saeng-won restrained there.
"What do you want, human?!"
"You Seo Saeng-won are called the yokai's intelligence brokers, right? 'Cause you're so damn sly."
"Chikchik!"
There was more to Seo Saeng-won lore. They knew everything about yokai society. Basically yokai info merchants. Makes sense—rats are everywhere. They communicate with rats, using the swarms scattered all over as informants. They gather intel on both human and yokai worlds and exploit it. Total con artists.
That's where I got the idea. Catch this one and squeeze out his info? Jackpot for yokai hunting.
"Chikchik! You want a deal? My info costs big! Human flesh! Gimme human flesh!"
"Human flesh my ass."
"Here?"
Creeeak.
The door opened, and Ha-young walked in.
"Oh, you came?"
"What? A real Seo Saeng-won? You caught this?"
"Taoist!"
"Kuk kuk. You spotted it right away? Capturing a Seo Saeng-won alive—lucky break. What're you planning?"
"Heard they know all sorts of info? Figured I'd wring some out while I had him. Yokai intel would be gold for wiping them out."
"As expected, your brain's top-notch. Fine. I'll help."
Having a Taoist around was convenient as hell.
"But he's demanding human flesh for info."
"Tell him to cut the gross shit. Stick this on him."
Ha-young handed me a talisman. I took it and approached the Seo Saeng-won.
"Hey, scholar boy. Know what this is?"
"Chik! Jjiiik! Stop! Stooop!"
Slap.
I slapped the talisman on his torso.
Sizzle.
Smoke rose from the talisman.
"Jjiiiiiiik!!!"
The Seo Saeng-won thrashed his head, screeching like a tortured rat.
"This is rat poison to yokai."
"Heh heh heh. Funny one, Ha-young. Rat poison for a Seo Saeng-won."
"What're you on about? Kuk kuk."
We tortured the shit out of him for a good while.
"Jj-ik... Jj-ik... I'll talk... Whatever you want..."
The rat looked totally broken, like he'd lost the will to live.
Of course, I wasn't falling for it. His head was full of schemes.
"Even if he talks, he'll feed us bullshit. Better smash his spirit more thoroughly."
"Jjiiik! No! I won't! Accurate info!"
"Yeah?"
Guess I'd hear him out and judge.
"Not a bad idea to verify ourselves. Alright, scholar boy. Guess what I'm curious about."
"Yokai! Info on strong yokai nearby! That's what you want!"
"Bingo."
Good start. Breaking their spirit first always works.
"I got info! I'll give it! So stop the pain!"
"If it's accurate, no pain and you'll get fed."
"Jj-ik! Strong yokai nearby! Sihaeseon!"
Sihaeseon?! Holy shit, that's Saseon-nyeo's underling!
"Sihaeseon? That monster behind this incident?"
"Yes! Hiding in a cave!"
If this was legit, it was valuable. Sihaeseon was a prime target. Couldn't leave him be—who knows what he'd do.
"Which cave."
"I know the direction!"
"Which cave!"
This fucker still wasn't broken!
"Jj-ik! How do I describe a cave in the mountains precisely? I just know the spot!"
"Fine. I'll buy it. You control rats, right? Send one to guide us. Or we keep interrogating."
"Chikchik! Got it!"
"Good. Prep it. I'll be back soon."
I wrapped up and left.
"Galbi Jong. Keep that yokai locked tight. Smart fucker—don't let him talk to the kids."
"Screaming Rakshasa. You sure? He controls rats. He'll communicate through them. Can't block every rat scurrying around, no matter the guards."
"Our left protector set up a barrier. Just guard him good."
"Understood..."
Sihaeseon. Time to hunt that bastard.