Plummeting Demon Birds #3
They dove like birds of prey plummeting toward their quarry. But these things were the size of grown men, radiating an overwhelming pressure. And with numbers rivaling a full platoon, it was no wonder the escorts were quaking in their boots.
Whoooosh! The plummeting demon birds feigned a landing, raking their talons across our lines before soaring back up.
"These fuckers!"
Taunting us like this! Straight-up dive, swipe, and retreat—pure hit-and-run. If it connects, great; if not, the next one follows up. These bastards knew pack hunting inside out.
In situations like this, protect Ha-young while dodging with minimal movement.
"Kee-hee-hee-hit! You Murim dogs!"
"That meat looks nice and tender!"
"Let's see how long you last!"
The plummeting demon birds mocked us as they kept up the aerial assaults. We circled Ha-young tight, using light footwork to evade. For all their speed from afar, their attacks were predictable enough to dodge.
Then, mid-dodge—
"Tch! I'll rip you apart myself!"
One plummeting demon bird actually landed, planting its talons on the ground. Bigger and tougher-looking than the rest. The boss, maybe?
"Ha! You bird-brained fuck, who gave you permission to touch the earth? The second you did, you were dead meat!"
Ditching your aerial advantage for the ground? You're done.
"Kee-hee-heek! Cocky bastard! Against a Murim punk like you, I don't even need wings! I'll devour your heart raw!"
The demon bird charged, chicken claws pounding the dirt. But it wasn't just running.
Flap!
It beat its wings for a burst of acceleration, talons pulled back like a whip!
Screeeeech!
Those claws packed insane power. Claw Technique? No ordinary Murim martial art used fingers like that—too finicky. But these plummeting demon birds were born with talons made for it. That's why they pulled it off.
"Hup!"
I drew my sword lightning-fast, blocking the talons.
Claaaang!
Was that really flesh and steel clashing? These fuckers were born with weaponized hands. Total cheaters.
But even with that technique—my martial skill outclassed it.
"Haaap!"
I parried the talons and surged forward. But—
Flap!
"Shit!"
The bastard flapped back, retreating!
"Kee-kee-kit! Slow as any human!"
Using wings like that! I was shocked. I'd dismissed these yokai as scrubs, but they wielded wings and talons like pros, executing specialized solo martial arts. Scrub yokai inventing their own techniques? Bullshit!
"Take this!"
The retreating demon bird swung its wings.
Shwick!
Razor-sharp feathers shot out like daggers.
"Crazy!"
Ranged attacks too...!
Ching!
I whipped Thunderclap Sword in a wide arc, shattering the feather barrage. Then it flapped in for a high-speed lunge, talons thrusting like a palm strike.
Kiiing!
Sparks flew as I deflected. Followed by—
Screeeeech!
It spun, unleashing a back kick with those clawed feet straight at my face!
"You fuck! Who kicks me in the face?!"
One hit from those talons and my skin's gone. I heel-planted, backstepping the strike. Close call.
"What the hell are you idiots doing?!"
Suddenly it shrieked like a maniac. My gaze flicked back—
No need to turn.
"Hap!"
Serin's battle cry rang from behind. Looked like she was carving through them.
"Kuhahaha! Plummeting demon bird! Your minions are getting shredded!"
"Shut up, human!!!"
The boss leaped lightly, double talons aimed at me. Then—
Shwoooosh!
It rocketed forward like a missile. That was its secret ultimate.
"Eaaat thiiiis!"
I eyed it and—
"Ghost Assimilation Palm."
Aimed at its face, palm out, firing Ghost Assimilation Palm.
Fwoosh!
Purple fireball hurtled straight at the incoming demon bird.
"What?!"
It veered in panic, aborting the attack to dodge sideways.
Exactly what I wanted.
"Kuhap!"
Explosive ghost energy from my feet.
"Ghost Soul Single Thrust."
I slid across the ground sword-first at the veering target! Thunderclap Sword struck like a venomous serpent, piercing its torso.
Pfook!
"Gahk...!"
"Heh heh heh, stupid chicken-head. That's what you get for telegraphing."
"Eeek!"
It rolled its eyes in a last spasm, jaws gaping. But—
"Ghost Soul Torrent Break."
Booom!
Ghost energy detonated along the blade, shredding it from inside.
"Now! Serin! Ha-young!"
I finally glanced back.
"Gasp!"
"The boss is down!"
"To a human!"
Serin had dropped several; the rest low-flew to cover their fallen leader.
"Took you long enough to call!"
Ha-young hadn't used Taoism yet for one reason: hit them first and they'd scatter. Wait for the thick of battle, then icebreaker ambush.
Fwoosh!
She unleashed her prepped wide-area flame spell.
"Kee-hik?!"
Flames homed in like missiles. They tried fleeing, but it was a surprise. A Taoist popping up out of nowhere?
BOOM!
"Squawk!"
Explosions dotted the sky; burning demon birds plummeted.
I didn't slack either.
"Ghost Assimilation Palm!"
Flash!
Palm to the sky, flames lancing out like arrows from a divine archer, piercing evil wings.
"Ghost Assimilation Palm! Ghost Assimilation Palm! Ghost Assimilation Palm!"
"Kyaaaaak!"
"Aaaak!"
So satisfying to nail them...! Each palm shot streaked true, flames punching through wings and incinerating feathers!
"Wh-what iiiis thiiiis?!"
One by one, they fell.
"Flee! Flee!"
"Kyaaaaak!"
"Aaaaaaaaak!"
The demon bird platoon lost over half before fleeing skyward. Just three of us. We'd played defense to lure them in—victory.
"We won! Serin, Ha-young! You were awesome!"
"Whew, victory. Good thing the boss fixated on you, Geun-hyeop. It worked out."
"Right?!"
"More importantly, dude! You're landing those Ghost Assimilation Palms like a pro!"
"Heh heh heh, your fireballs were nuts. But damn, this Ghost Assimilation Palm is handy?"
First real combat use, but it clicked perfectly. Bait the dodge, then Ghost Soul Single Thrust finisher—flawless.
"Felt like Hou Yi possessed me for a sec."
"Hah? Hou Yi? That's ridiculous. Impressive technique, but how's that divine archery?"
"Just saying!"
It landed that well.
"Quit with the Hou Yi crap. Can you track those demon birds by scent? You sniff 'em out every time. Fail this and you're in trouble."
"Yeah, yeah. Gimme a sec."
My plan: thrash them, force retreat, track their stink to base.
"Hmm... Oh. Got it."
Demon bird stench incoming. Saw their flight path—easy track.
"First, their yokai cores. Guys! Help search!"
"Got it. On it. Ha-young."
"Yep."
While I rummaged the boss, they hit the others. Mercy kills on stragglers too.
And—
"Oho!"
Red yokai core from the boss corpse!
"Found it!"
"There it is. Lucky."
"What does a plummeting demon bird core do?"
"Uh? Yeah?"
Nothing popped intuitively. Later.
"Check later. Call the escorts first. Then we track solo."
"Understood."
Raid their base, loot the spoils—they'd flood out. Nachal Bang expansion, easy.
A silent mountain with jagged peaks thrusting skyward. Blue greenery clung to rocky crags, mist cloaking it like a secret realm.
A woman with golden hair stood there. No human.
Twitch.
Fox ears atop her head, single tail at her rear.
"Ah, you're back?"
The Byeokryeok Yoho munched a human arm like a snack, eyeing the incoming plummeting demon bird flock.
"But... fewer than expected?"
They landed beside her soon enough.
"What? Why'd half of you come back? Where's the boss?"
"Kee, kee-hik! Boss is dead! Attacked by Murim humans and a Taoist!"
"Oh. Really?"
She frowned; the demon birds cowered.
"Fine. Ambushed, got it. But empty-handed?"
"Th-they were too strong! Couldn't grab anything!"
As it trembled—
Slash!
Byeokryeok Yoho swiped her claws.
Rumble!
Golden lightning arced along the path, quartering the demon bird. Its edges charred black—no blood.
"Kawk! Kyaaaak!"
"Gasp!"
"Why!"
Terror-stricken, the rest took flight.
"I told you: bring meat and tribute. No tribute? Your flesh pays."
"You fox biiiitch!"