Caught in the Back Alley (2)
Caught in the Back Alley (2)
[ What is a Boss (Advanced Course) ]
'Fire Fist'
There are many opinions on what a boss is, but the closest one is that it's the fear people remember.
Many adults still remember the 'Bag-carrying Ghost' or 'Red Mask' they heard about when they were young.
Those memories pile up and turn into a monstrosity in the Spiritual World. And among those monstrosities, the exceptionally strong ones become bosses.
So, whether you're a newbie or a veteran, it's better to avoid bosses as much as possible.
Seriously, don't get cocky just because your level went up. They are on a completely different dimension.
Don't get cocky, because there's so little information on how to kill them or what kind of powers they have.
I looked at the Red Mask, recalling Fire Fist's post.
'Countless Occultists must have been paralyzed by fear and only answered that she was pretty.'
I'm different.
Why would I be afraid?
I saw Park Gyu and Han Ye-ji vomiting and clutching their foreheads in front of the evil spirit, but I felt nothing.
Even now, standing in front of the boss, I felt no pressure.
-Talisman-selling Girl: I'll give that 100 points for horniness. Can't resist that Dongtan look lol
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: Bu-pal-i, the newbie learned something weird.
-Talisman-selling Girl: He didn't learn it, the newbie is just showing his true colors now lol
-Gumi Miho: Oh my, isn't this going to get an R-rating?
-Kitsune: My face is getting hot...
"Ho...horny..? How can you say such vulgar things."
"Who are you calling vulgar? Hey, sister, your outfit is way more vulgar."
Honestly, the Dongtan look that fully exposed her chest was more vulgar.
"You're the first person to say that to me... so, I'll make you just like me?"
"Why does it end up like that?!"
"We'll be the best couple!"
She lunged with sharp red claws.
I pulled out my hands wearing the knuckles.
Like film frames passing before my eyes, I could see the Red Mask's movements.
And those movements even allowed me to glimpse the future.
An attack aimed at my shoulder.
I twisted my body to dodge, then grabbed her wrist.
"One shot coming up!!"
I struck her solar plexus with my other hand.
Ppeoeok!
The sound rang out intensely due to the stat increase from leveling up and the knuckles.
"What... is this it?"
The Red Mask laughed and shook off my hand.
"Damn it. No wonder she's a rare Pokemon, she's so strong."
I hurriedly pushed the Red Mask away and retreated.
-Jack the Ripper: If it were my dual pistols, I would've made two holes lol
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: As expected, Ripper pops out like a ghost lol But, do you think that would work on a boss? lol
-Gumi Miho: You'd need at least a noble-grade spiritual tool to even inflict a small wound, you know?
-Talisman-selling Girl: Exactly! Buy some noble-grade talismans and spiritual tools from me!
'Can't take her lightly.'
I didn't have any enhancement or protection talismans right now. If I messed up, I could get my throat slit.
I can't gamble anymore.
I threw the Fire Talisman from my pocket and shouted.
"Burn!!"
The talisman flew and hit the Red Mask's forehead.
"What is this?"
The Red Mask, who had picked the talisman off with her hand, said.
"Ah... that's... a time bomb..."
Hwareureuk—!
The talisman ignited, and the raging fire engulfed the Red Mask.
It didn't end there; the fierce flames swallowed the entire alleyway.
"Whoa?! It's stronger than last time?"
I hurriedly ran to a corner and checked the chat window.
-Talisman-selling Girl: Wow, it burns well~
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: What kind of hellfire is that flame? It's really scary.
-Kitsune: Hoeee... That's amazing!
-Gumi Miho: Come to think of it, this is Kitsune's first time seeing it lol
-Monk No. 24: It is like the fires of hell. Amitabha...
Amidst the admiration, I saw it. In the overlapping film, the Red Mask was walking out of the flames.
"So."
It was her voice.
"Is this all you've got?"
She walked toward me, glaring with eerie red eyes, her body only slightly covered in soot.
Not a single wound was visible.
"This doesn't work either?"
Just as I was about to take out the sealing talisman, the Eye of Acceleration automatically activated and showed me a scene.
It was a picture of the Red Mask's hand grabbing my mouth. I could see my mouth being ripped apart left and right if she applied force.
'Crazy.'
I immediately took out the Sealing Talisman. Just as the Red Mask, who had approached in the blink of an eye, was about to grab my mouth.
Tak.
I barely managed to stick the sealing talisman on her forehead.
"Whoa... that was close."
The Red Mask's sharp claws stopped right in front of my nose.
If I had been a second late, my mouth would have been ripped apart.
"Now then, let's try running..."
As I stepped back to run away, a small explosion sound was heard.
Pung—!
"Th...what is this!! Human!!!"
I looked down at the small capsule that had fallen to the floor.
"Huh...? Is the sealing talisman... supposed to feel like this?"
I picked up the capsule and looked at the chat window.
-Talisman-selling Girl: ??? The sealing talisman is just supposed to stop movement...?!?!
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: Eeeeeee?!!!
-Kitsune: You sealed the boss?!
-Gumi Miho: No, that... ugh... damn... is that right?! Is that even right?!
I faced the chat window filled with question marks.
*
"Release this immediately! Human!!"
I looked down at the Red Mask, who was tapping the capsule with a much thinner voice.
Her voice had become like someone who inhaled helium.
Is it because she got smaller?
When I lifted the capsule with my hand, she screamed in surprise.
"W...wait a minute, human...!!"
"If you keep being noisy."
I spun my arm holding the capsule with all my might.
"Kyaaaaaaa!!"
"Mmm~ Sounds good."
I looked at the capsule.
'Amazing.'
Judging by the reactions of the gallery users, I knew this wasn't normal.
The problem is what to use the capsule for, which is only supposed to seal things.
-Spiritual Master: Wait, I was farming. What on earth happened?
"Oh, you came at the right time. Admin-nim, what should I do with this?"
The Admin, who hadn't been in the chat because he was busy, appeared.
-Spiritual Master: This... I'm seeing this for the first time too...?
"Is that so."
I examined the capsule here and there with a sense of regret.
'What is this button?'
I pressed the small button on the capsule.
Pusyuk.
With a sound, a beam of light came out of the capsule and hit the ground.
"Ugh, I feel like throwing up..."
Then, the Red Mask in her original state popped out, clutching her mouth.
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: You crazy bastard, why did you press that!!
I ignored Back Mountain Mountain Spirit's chat and stared at the Red Mask.
'I get it.'
I know what the intention of this capsule is.
"Bow your head."
"What..? Human, I don't take such order—"
I pressed the button again. She was sucked back into the capsule.
"You... you know what happens if you don't listen to me, right?"
I loosened my shoulders and prepared a 360-degree ride.
"I'll listen! I'll listen!!"
The Red Mask shouted in terror.
"Damn it, if you mess up, I might put you in the toilet and flush you. Want to watch some poop water?"
At those words, she shook her head violently.
Furthermore, I saw it.
The thick, dark chain connecting me and the Red Mask.
"This... isn't a sealing talisman, it's a Slave Talisman?"
I looked down at the Red Mask, who was bowing her head.
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: This guy is a psycho.
-Spiritual Master: You treat a boss like that...?
-Gumi Miho: It's really dirty, but it actually works.
-Kitsune: Now I'm starting to be afraid of the newbie... Hoee...
Amidst the shocked chat, I took out the Red Mask again and ordered.
"Let's go to the place with the most stray ghosts around here."
"I won't! Listen to the damn human's words—"
The Red Mask shouted, grinding her teeth. It felt like her fangs would dig into me at any moment, but I showed her the capsule and said.
"You bastard... you're a disgrace!! Do you want to perform 'comradery'?"
"A...no..."
She walked sluggishly and took the lead.
"You say that... but... your body is honest."
"No..! It's not that I want to do it!!"
-Talisman-selling Girl: Even if you say that, your body is honest. Hehehe (Ghost blushing meme)
-Gumi Miho: Both of you, please turn off your pupils. Please.
-Jack the Ripper: Everyone, stop watching Japanese doujinshi;;
-Vatican: What is that doujinshi thing? Shit... fucking....
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: You saw it, didn't you... comrade.
It wasn't boring at all to look at the chat window while walking.
"So funny."
We arrived at a mountain ridge with some kind of pavilion.
'What is this, is this the end of the alley?'
-Talisman-selling Girl: Wait... here....
-Back Mountain Mountain Spirit: That's that spot, right?!
-Monk No. 24: Amitabha, I will pray for the repose of the pupils.
-Kitsune: I'll close my eyes! Let me know when it's over!
Why is everyone making such a fuss about what comes out here?
While I was thinking that, I heard something running from far away.
Dudududu!!
I stared at the group slowly approaching from afar.
"Damn... shit."
Ragged, half-naked beggars were running toward us as if they were going to a free soup kitchen. Most of them were bald, skinny old men.
"Was this... a Ghost-kass spot?!!"
"I... hate it!!"
"Alright, Red Mask, sortie right now!"
I shouted, gripping my knuckles tightly.
"I, why me!"
"Because that's a meat shield."
Nod.
I nodded and kicked the Red Mask's butt.
"Go now, Red Mask!!"