Revenge (2)
“Captain Jin, did you predict this too?”
No, not at all.
In the heat of battle, you simulate countless hypothetical scenarios and prepare countermeasures for them—but you never actually expect those scenarios to happen. Or more precisely, you desperately hope they won't.
“It's not certain yet.”
I prayed inwardly that it wasn't true. If this was a real spirit, we were utterly fucked.
“……It isn't, right?”
I turned to Yang Japyeong, who had approached me, my voice laced with desperate hope. But……
“……”
His tightly shut mouth showed no sign of opening.
“Yang……great hero?”
Why are your pupils trembling so violently?
“Goddamn it……”
“It's the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear.”
Yang Japyeong snapped out of it at my curse and delivered the confirmation kill.
Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear.
I had no idea what the other spirits looked like, but compared to Taeyanghu, this one's appearance wasn't particularly special.
Except for one thing.
“It's……big.”
Insanely big.
When crouched, it was the size of a house. But as it rose to its full height……
“Shit……”
My neck craned back endlessly.
Over two jang tall. A body so thick it was impossible to guess how much it must eat daily just to maintain it. Its toes ended in mid-sized black claws that gleamed ominously, and its eyes—lacking whites like a human's—shone with a faint murderous glint.
I could understand beasts like imugi or snakes having massive builds since they shed their skins, but this was just a bear cub that didn't shed. It was hard to believe something like that could grow to such a size.
From the side came Ilgak's muttering voice, overwhelmed.
“Truly……the mystery of nature.”
This wasn't the time for admiration!
Something's off.
According to Yang Japyeong, spirits were so rare you could wander Mukrim your whole life without finding one. They weren't called spirits for nothing.
Yet Taeyanghu had appeared, and now the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear……
It's definitely connected to the Demonic Cult.
With the Demonic Cult occupying Mukrim, this spirit was blocking our path, radiating hostility. Could this really be coincidence? I refused to believe I was that unlucky.
Shit, for real.
“W-what do we do?”
Nam Hwaseong couldn't tear his eyes from the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear, his body trembling.
“What do you mean? We stick to the plan.”
“……”
Nam Hwaseong's face turned ashen. He was part of the operation, after all.
“Yang-great-hero, please guide the way.”
“……Be careful.”
At my gesture, the procession began moving again.
The original plan was for designated members to strike first upon sighting a spirit, luring it far from the main group.
“……”
But its sheer mass and aura made it clear a preemptive strike wouldn't cut it.
It was a primal fear that overrode internal energy or martial skill levels, dominating reason itself.
Kroooaaarrr!
A massive roar echoed through the entire forest. Those stepping cautiously froze instinctively, only resuming at signals from behind.
“Get ready.”
“B-but we haven't all gathered yet……”
“We have to separate it here first. How long are you gonna wait?”
The goal was just to draw the spirit away from the main body. We weren't in a position for a leisurely hunt, especially with over half injured—hunting it outright was impossible.
But could we even push back something that massive?
Still, no choice. We had to.
“Push it back with the first volley, max power.”
“……”
I could feel them gathering their energy without a word.
White mist rose from Ilgak's clasped hands on his shoulders.
Everyone knew. The moment that behemoth rampaged, casualties would skyrocket.
“Hah……insane……”
Dang Seohui and Moyong Jaehwa, arriving late, gaped at the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear.
“H-hyungnim. How do we fight it?”
I don't know. First bear like this I've seen.
What's the key difference between a spirit and a regular spirit beast?
From my experience, it's intelligence.
Not enough samples for academia, but look at it now.
Why's this bear cub eyeing our vanguard and rear, sizing up the formation?
“It's coming……”
“Huh? Not yet……”
“Get ready!”
Some hoped it might just watch and let us pass.
But I say again: don't mistake it for a dumb animal.
Taeyanghu adjusted natural formations at will and even spoke.
Kroooaaarrr!
Sure enough, spotting the six squads of injured, the bear charged.
“Pour it on!”
Rumble.
I unleashed the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm I'd gathered in my palm.
Kabooom!
Nam Hwaseong's Green Branch Iron Cloud Palm followed, then Ilgak's One-Strike Great Diamond Palm poured in.
Papapapapang!
And that wasn't all. As full combat began, every special task force member unleashed their arts.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Kaboom!
Its size made aiming easy—just throw and it'd hit somewhere.
The devastating force carved out a chunk of the forest.
“Run!”
At the signal, academy students bolted wildly from their cautious pace. Getting caught in this fight meant no escape.
Pupu-pu-pupu-pung!
Green Three Yang Divine Palms added in succession, and Moyong Jaehwa's Heaven-Earth Splitting Sword shot from both hands.
The explosions were so fierce some passersby vomited blood mid-run.
The task force had no attention for them, eyes locked on the Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear.
Shattered trees and earth piles filled the air with thick dust.
Visibility obscured, we couldn't gauge its state.
“D-did we kill it?”
As Nam Hwaseong spoke the jinx, the bear's massive form emerged clearly from the smoke.
“Goddamn it……”
Someone cursed, and the enraged Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear bellowed.
Kroooaaarrr!
Its skin bore minor scratches, but no serious wounds—no joy in the task force.
Still, I held faint hope. Unlike Taeyanghu, no special abilities apparent.
Not like it could spit dirt…… shit, it wouldn't, right?
Kuoooar!
The wounds only fueled its rage. It suddenly raised a paw.
Too far……
Even for that bulk, one arm couldn't reach us.
But.
Thud—
It slammed the ground.
Thud-thud—
Just posturing? Then—
“What the hell!!!!!”
The earth rippled like ocean waves, surging wildly.
The overwhelming vibration stunned us. The undulating ground passed the task force and exploded into the procession.
Boom!
Earth piles became waves, burying academy students whole.
“Aaaagh!”
“W-what is this!”
“Kuhk……!”
The line dissolved into chaos; students frantically dug out the buried.
Kroooaaarrr!
Meanwhile, the victorious bear underwent a change.
“H-hyungnim……those wounds……”
The scratches we'd inflicted……
“……”
Were slowly regenerating.
What the fuck is this thing?
Kroooaaarrr!
Thud, thud, thud, thud. The healed Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Bear charged.
“Block it!!!!”
Ilgak activated Golden Bell Iron Cloth; golden energy shimmered over his body.
Yeah, with that protector art, even its claws couldn't……
Then.
“Hah……”
Ilgak leaped up, meeting the bear's eyes. What an idiot.
Thwack! Boom!
The bear swiped at the airborne monk; the golden form shot off like an arrow.
“That useless……”
Golden Bell held, so no grave injury. I yelled at Nam Hwaseong.
“Don't forget—its body is three times our size!”
“Who you callin' dumb?!”
The bald idiot was worse than Nam Hwaseong.
Nam Hwaseong clung to the bear's foot with his protector art.
The bear tried shaking him off, annoyed, but he stuck fast.
“Don't underestimate Samwonmun's Heavenly Root Adhesion, you bear bastard…… Aaaagh!”
Unable to dislodge, it slammed its foot down repeatedly.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Kuung.
A huge crater formed in the hard earth, Nam Hwaseong finally flung off inside.
Kroooaaarrr!
With Nam Hwaseong gone, it lunged at students digging in the dirt piles.
“Aaaagh!”
“Kuhk!”
Each swipe or step added corpses. Fancy sword forms and auras left mere scratches; the bear didn't flinch.
Tatata-tat.
I sprinted full-tilt, kicking off the ground hard toward it. At exactly one jang above its head……
I unleashed sword aura and Heavenly Root Adhesion, smashing down.
Stab-squish.
The flesh-slicing sword aura grated through meat forcibly.
Good if it'd stuck, but the sound was flesh tearing, not bone.
It dodged……?
Last-second head tilt. My Red Light Sword pierced its shoulder deep, but only that.
Kroooaaarrr!
It thrashed in pain. Opposite paw extended, claws raised; I yanked my sword and leaped high again.
Its claws whistled just below my toes.
Absurd defense—sword barely penetrates. Ridiculous regen—heals instantly. And it ignores us elites to target the wounded.
This won't work……need a plan……
Then I saw its bloodshot eyes.
As its paw dropped……
I summoned the dual-element arts from capturing Taeyanghu, activating Heavenly Root Adhesion again.
Pupupu-pupu-pung!
Hot energy rained like fire, scorching fur with a foul stench.
Burns hurt more than cuts; it flailed wildly.
I slipped past claws, dropped between its legs, then fired Flying Dragon Claw to climb its back.
Then.
Sizzle.
Solar energy filled both hands; I gouged its eyes.
Kroooaaarrr!
Writhing in agony worse than ever, paws over eyes.
Seizing the gap, I looped Flying Dragon Claw around its neck and dragged full-force backward.
“Now! Hit it!!”
Palm strikes exploded from all sides; still blinded, it began sliding toward us.
Yet it barely budged from its spot.
Then, from the woods—a massive palm struck it.
Dooong—
Like striking a bell, vibrations rang through the air.
“……Earth Bear monk, I cannot see you as mere beast.”
Ilgak's dry gaze shifted from dirt piles to dead students.
“Carnivores hunt only when hungry.”
His clasped hands struck alternately.
Dooong—Dooong—
Each motion sent bell-like reverberations; the immovable colossus finally slid back.
Dooong—Dooong—
Kroooaaarrr!
It resisted, but blinded, kept retreating.
Dooong—Dooong—
Finally far from the line.
Golden fist aura cloaked Ilgak's fists.
Pupupu-pupu-pung—
Not matching Cartoon Invincible Fist, but each punch burst flesh two jang away.
First time it bled profusely, shedding chunks.
Dang Seohui shoved poisoned darts into wounds.
“Haaah!”
I tried severing an arm with sword aura.
Thud!
Flesh cratered to bone, but bone held.
Grrr……
Something felt wrong. Then……
“……”
Its burned eyes met mine.
Whoosh—
A casual swipe.
Thud!
My insides churned violently.
Smashed through a few trees before stopping; I kicked up.
“Kuek.”
Blood surged up.
Despite my protector art.
……How did Ilgak and Nam Hwaseong survive this?
Suppressing roiling innards, I charged again.
Praying the last sight was illusion.
Kroooaaarrr—
Threatening viciously, its eyes had regenerated.
Dogshit regen.
“Shit……is it a jiangshi or what.”
Even our all-out wounds healed in seconds.
“……”
Task force faces twisted.
Students digging too.
“H-how do we……fight this……”
“What is it……”
Absolute power gap froze everyone.
Haa, didn't want this risk.
Click.
Sheathed Red Light Sword, pulled task force back.
“Rescue those buried first!”
“C-Captain Jin?”
“Hurry!”
Task force retreated stealthily.
Kroooaaarrr!
Thinking victory, it lunged at students again.
Rumble.
I blasted Radiant Heaven Divine Palm.
Kabooom!
Before it faded, summoned Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand and Cartoon Invincible Fist.
Pupupu-pupu-pung!
Dantian emptied instantly.
Flames erupted over its body.
But.
“Shit……”
Smoke rose; flames died as regen erased burns.
Couldn't stop. Glanced at dirt piles briefly, then climbed its body, wrapping Flying Dragon Claw tight around neck.
“Captain Jin! All rescued!”
“Then move!”
“But……”
“That's an order! Now!”
At my shout, students with wounded fled the area.
Meanwhile, I maxed Azure Dragon Ring.
With that regen, it won't mummify.
Using it before so many was suicidal.
But no other ideas.
“Let's see who outlasts who!”
Massive energy flooded dantian via Azure Dragon Ring.
Every meridian screamed to burst.
“Ugh……uuugh……”
Veins bulged face-wide, ready to rupture.
How immense? My over-five-gapja dantian filled instantly.
“Kaaaaagh!”
Once thought Azure Dragon Ring unbeatable.
Learned against Jegumhak: arrogance.
Dantian, meridians, vessels—all have limits. Human body isn't profound iron.
Rough absorption consumes the body.
Energy fills, overflows—unleash whatever: Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand, Mutual Destruction Fist.
Thank god it doesn't spew flames like Taeyanghu.
Kroooaaarrr!
It screamed in torment, but so did I.
Dantian aside, every vessel swelled then contracted sharply.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Realizing it couldn't shake me, it rolled, slamming into giant trees.
“Kuhk!”
Mouthful of blood erupted again.
Tried releasing Flying Dragon Claw to escape, but……
“Damn……”
Tangled from rolling; Thousand Silkworm Cloak wouldn't unravel.
Stay calm, regulate energy……
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Impatient, it rolled again.
Tied tight, couldn't detach.
Reactivated Azure Dragon Ring; Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand on fresh flesh.
It shrieked madly. Yeah, even I'd go insane with scalp burned repeatedly.
In its daze, I neared the head.
Crack.
Tore charred, wrinkled skin—black skull gleamed.
Fuck, bone or steel?
Thud—Thud—
Sacred Fire couldn't dent it.
Limit……
Unbelievable— so close. Dantian full, but arms failed.
One solid hit……
“Someone……”
Turned: only corpses.
Ah, told 'em to flee for Azure Dragon Ring.
Now I need to, but Thousand Silkworm Cloak stuck, and it'd chase relentlessly.
If me, I'd pursue even armless, tear to shreds.
Endgame: my vessels shred to death, or its regen exhausts it. Latter unlikely—look, healing already.
Just pray Sahwal-dan escapes in time.
While I hold it……
“Captain Jin!”
Ilgak's voice—he should've evacuated with wounded.
Huh?
Turned weakly: shiny bald head sprinting here.
Doesn't listen for shit.
Still, fortunate. Chuckled, eyed bear quickly.
Gaunter, but not mummified. Won't suspect absorption art.
“Ilgak! Hundred-Pace Divine Fist!!”
“Uh, yeah?”
“Head! Smash the skull!”
No art could crack it. Sacred Fire failed.
Lucky he's so disobedient. Shaolin's 72 Ultimate Arts pack punch.
“But……”
I knew his hesitation. Not now.
“Hurry, you bald bastard!!!”
Ilgak's face hardened.
His robes ballooned.
“Captain Jin, take care……”
Sounds pissed……no mistakes, right?
Anxiously……
Hummm.
Space warped like Mutual Destruction Fist; massive fist realm formed.
Shaolin 72 Ultimate Arts' top-tier destruction: Hundred-Pace Divine Fist.
Shreeek—
Fist realm streaked like meteor, smashing skull dead-on.
Craaaack──
Force nearly yanked me, but Thousand Silkworm Cloak held firm.
“Captain Jin, done?”
Weary Ilgak; I grinned unwittingly.
Crack—
Tiny fissure in steel-hard skull.
Perfect gap for Sacred Fire Demon-Exterminating Hand.
Disobedient bald.
“First useful thing you've done.”
Gathered last strength, thrust hand deep.