Why the Hell Are There Yokai in Murim?! 2
The morning hours were pretty quiet. All the normal folks had gone off to work for their survival, and the late risers were still snoring away. So I slipped into an empty noodle shop, ordered a bowl of somyun, and started gathering info on yokai.
Gathering info was simple. Hit up a quiet noodle joint or inn during off-hours, slip the waiter a coin, and ask away. Waiters treat every coin like gold, so they answer honestly if you pay up.
"So, yokai show up outside the city or villages?"
"Customer... where the hell are you from? You're asking the obvious stuff, and it's honestly throwing me off."
"Nah, I just haven't seen many yokai."
"No way..."
But the waiter stared at me like I was some shady character. Fair enough... this was a world where yokai were a given.
From chatting, I pieced it together. Yokai popped up even inside cities sometimes, and outside? Total norm. Asking if yokai exist here? They'd think you're some kinda idiot. Like if I'm heading home from a gig and some weirdo points at a car asking what it is—I'd peg him for a nutjob or time traveler and call the time cops on his ass.
Anyway. No yokai? Bandits. No bandits? Yokai. Officials and Murim folks hunted them down now and then, but they never went away.
"Do yokai just breed like crazy?"
"Could be. Or they pop up outta nowhere. I dunno the details."
Everyday problem, cause unknown. Pre-modern societies were all like that. Humans only started figuring shit out after science kicked in.
"So, these Little Blue Ghosts are that big a threat?"
"Nah... not really threatening. They just show up at night causing chaos, making 'em a pain to deal with."
So the Little Blue Ghosts weren't powerhouse fighters. Made sense—dirty, annoying jobs paid big.
"Ahwei! Hurry up!"
"Yes, boss! That's it for now, customer!"
"Got it."
The waiter got called away by the boss. Even in slow hours, yapping with customers all day won't fly with the manager. If I were boss, I'd fold that kid in half and stuff him in a drawer.
Anyway, tons of info to collect, but no clue where to start. I knew jack about this world. Time and cash were tight too. Guess I'd have to gather it slow and steady.
Info hunt over for today. Slurp.
Somyun was fuckin' delicious.
"Keurgh, perfect."
I scarfed the bowl like melting snow and bounced from the shop.
Still had time, so I checked the inn for day rooms.
"Gotta work tonight. Can I rent a room till afternoon?"
"Sure thing. Ten coins gets you three hours from now."
A bit pricey, but no choice. Wandering outside drained stamina. Fighting yokai tonight? Better crash here and recharge.
"Here."
Paid up, hit the room, and flopped down.
Fuck. Club, somyun, day room, free waiter info. Blown through my savings. Just a handful of coins left.
I'd memorized the way to Daeil Farm. Leave around yushi, so wake at Shen Shi and head out.
"It's all on you, Director Club. You're all I got. I'll trust only you, conquer my fears, and push forward. Got it?"
Stroked the club beside me and closed my eyes.
"Love you, bat."
Caressed it with love, like some sword demon polishing his blade in a wuxia tale.
* * *
Time finally came. Heading to Daeil Farm, I steeled my mind.
First time fighting yokai, no matter how weak. I was tense as hell.
Fuck... this is kinda scary.
Inuyasha shit? Me, real yokai, with just taekwondo and this shitty club? Inuyasha had that chain blade—at least I got this worthless bat.
Insane...! Did I bite off more than I can chew?!
"Embrace the risk...!"
Fear hit hard, but I chanted my risk mantra like a spell to calm down.
No risks in this Murim? I'd slave away forever, saving ten coins a day till I croak. Young and fit now, but later? Disease, overwork—doom city.
Time to do something.
"Manly Kim Geun-hyeop fears starvation and freezing more than yokai!"
Suddenly, Little Blue Ghosts felt like bug fodder. Come at me! I'll smash you all with my glorious Director Club!
Whoosh!
Burning inner fire, I arrived at Daeil Farm.
"Whoa."
Big farm. Past the gate, all fields?
"Here for the Little Blue Ghost extermination! Someone come out!"
Knock knock!
How long? Creeeak.
Gate opened. Stooped old man emerged.
"Here for the ghosts?"
"Yep."
"Oho... built like a tank. Murim warrior?"
"Bit of fist and club arts. Not full Murim."
"Plenty good! Come in! These ghost shits ruin my nights—pisses me off!"
"Hitting the crops hard, huh."
"Spot on!"
Guy had grudges. Sized me up and approved. Yeah, this build screams reliable. Taekwondo counts as fist arts. Club? Who hasn't swung a stick?
Followed him deep into the farm. Crops, livestock—yokai here? Total hassle.
"Around Xushi, they start showing. Just kill every one that appears. Torches at dusk—grab more from the shed if they die."
Memorized terrain while he explained. My battlefield. Ran mental sims, picked spot.
"Good luck. Send someone at dawn. Slaughter till then."
"Got it."
"Later."
Old man left. Farm mine. Half to one hour till Xushi. Murim time fuzzy as hell.
Plopped on chair by shed, waited for dark.
Swish.
Sun dropped—world plunged into black. No city lights here. Pure darkness.
Night: yokai time.
Flicker.
Torch lit—not total black. But from now, I was darkness prey.
Turn fear to courage. Kid days, friends and me played Francesca at night—that terror topped all. Yokai? Weaker than horror games!
"I am Kim Geun-hyeop of the Dark... reaper of night yokai."
Stood, gripped club, headed to torch.
"About time."
Tension boiled. Where? East? North? Pivoting—
Flash!
Something rustled!
"There!"
Focused—saw it.
"Holy shit?!"
Small yokai: blue fur, skull head!
"Fuck! Real deal!"
Insane!
"Actual yokai...!"
No doubt—that thing's yokai!
"Ukikik!"
"Usisik!"
Darkness echoed weird cries as Little Blue Ghosts emerged. Matched descriptions: monkey-sized, long-armed ape vibe, but blue fur creepy, rat-skull head. No flesh eyes—just blue flames in sockets.
Little Blue Ghosts. Felt like prey before a carnivore. Those flame eyes oozed yoki. Eerie, overwhelming.
Creep.
Pack crept toward me...!
"Fuck!"
Did I walk into my grave?! No! Cut that weak shit!
"Shiiiik! Shiiiik! Hiss! Chup!"
Snakeskin hiss, raised club high—threat display. Swallowed fear. Just monster ukiki bitches. I got this.
Channel that Elinea Power Strike on Lupin vibe, Kim Geun-hyeop!
"I ain't losing face to monkey fucks! You shits are done today! Kieeeek!"
Roared—
"Usiiiik!"
"Usisit!"
Two leaped at me! Jaws wide, claws out. Those teeth/nails? Brutal. But dodge 'em!
"Wabarat!"
Read moves, twisted—body-slam dodged. Young body, reflexes sharp.
They whiffed past. Pounced, swung raised club down!
"You! You! You little fuck!"
Whoosh!
Harsh reality. Club sliced air. Ghost nimble—dodged.
Right, yokai perks?
"Usiiiiik!"
"Usisit!"
Dodged, then charged again. Aggressive little bastards. Fast too. Don't chase—
Like now! Time their attacks!
"Hup!"
Incoming ghost—perfect roundhouse!
Splat!
Taekwondo 3rd dan power—blasted it far!
"Yes!"
Crazy! Solid hit feel! You're toast! No surviving my kick.
Victory rush. Roared joy—
"Usiiiit!"
"What the—?!"
Other latched my back! Bit my shoulder—
"Kyaaaaaaaah!!!"
Screamed like Guan Yu spotting a roach mid-foam party!