Irregular (2)
In front of the Goblin Den gate, the screech of emergency brakes echoed as black vehicles skidded to a halt. Five men piled out, their sturdy builds unmistakable at a glance. Hastily assembled, their gear was mismatched, but their faces brimmed with leisure and confidence. Emblazoned on their chests was a vivid guild emblem.
"Hey, isn't that the Gaon Guild emblem?"
"Whoa, for real. Why would big shots like them come to a place like this?"
"Didn't you see the emergency alert? There's an irregular popping up here—total chaos."
The crowd murmured in excitement. This guild had come to resolve the anomaly at an F-rank gate—one of Korea's four major guilds, Gaon, and their Cheongrang Party. All B-rank Awakeners, they were elite veterans even within the guild.
"How impressive can an irregularity from an F-rank gate really be?" Party leader Kang Cheolho scoffed, slinging his massive greatsword over his shoulder. To him, this wasn't an emergency—it was just annoying overtime.
"Let's go. Ten minutes, tops."
"B-but the Association said to hold position for now, right?"
"Hmph, what's the point of waiting? Waste of time."
"Still... it's an irregular. Kinda worrying."
"Ha, come on, man."
Kang Cheolho let out a disbelieving chuckle. He readjusted his greatsword and glanced at his party members. Of course, he knew about it too—the Blood Crescent incident, etched in history as a catastrophe. But things were different now, he was sure. Back then, they'd failed the initial response and let the irregular grow unchecked, snowballing the casualties. Only trying to stop it after it'd gotten strong enough—naturally, disaster followed.
But not this time. The irregular had barely emerged. Cut its head off now, and it wouldn't balloon into another Blood Crescent.
"Forgot who we are? Gaon Guild's B-rank elites, Cheongrang Party. Irregular or not, it's still an F-rank gate. No way it matches us. Quit worrying and follow me."
Kang Cheolho strode toward the gate entrance without hesitation. His party members, momentarily faltering under his resolute attitude, exchanged glances before hurrying after him.
…
Inside the gate. A suffocating stench assaulted their noses. Some grimaced at the rotten odor piercing their senses. And all around, gray mist shrouded everything—so thick they could barely see ahead.
Kang Cheolho's steps halted.
"...What the hell is this?"
"What's that smell? Blood?"
One party member clutched his nose. Deeper in, a horrific sight unfolded. A monster in pitch-black armor gripped a fallen man's throat. As it opened its maw, bluish smoke poured from the man's body into the monster's mouth.
"Haha! That's the irregular? Big lug, but nothing special!"
Kang Cheolho grinned, gripping his greatsword tighter. A man was dying right in front of him, but his eyes gleamed at the chance for glory.
"Hey, irregular! Make it fun for me, pretty please!!"
Kang Cheolho swung his greatsword and kicked off the ground. B-rank mana surged into the blade, ripping the air with a screech. But the irregular didn't even turn. It merely extended one hand indifferently toward him.
Shwooo!
In an instant, Kang Cheolho's body floated into the air, dragged toward the irregular's palm like a black hole's pull.
"Wh-what? What is this?!"
He flailed his greatsword in panic, slicing only empty air. As the irregular's hand covered his face, his cocky expression twisted into terror.
"Yes, that's the face. Perfect."
The irregular cackled eerily, thrusting its other hand deep into Kang Cheolho's chest. His eyes bulged. Agonizing pain silenced even his scream.
Pfshk!
Cracking ribs, the irregular ravaged inside. It withdrew a still-throbbing red heart, steaming hot.
"Ah... aaa...."
Kang Cheolho stared blankly at his own heart. The irregular bit into it.
Crunch.
Flesh tore with a chilling sound echoing through the forest. Licking blood from its lips in satisfaction, it watched Kang Cheolho's lifeless body crumple.
"Gaaah!! Run!!"
No one needed telling twice. Witnessing their leader's death up close, the party members bolted in blind panic. Pride vanished; survival instinct alone drove them. They ditched weapons, crashing through underbrush.
But terror slowed their steps, and the forest was already the irregular's domain.
"Kieeeek!!"
A goblin shrieked, tumbling dead. Eugene scooped up the mana stone with practiced ease.
That's twenty already.
Lost in goblin hunting, time flew. He'd ventured deep into the forest before noticing. Catching his breath, he summoned his status window in mid-air.
Leveling was smooth. The mana stones clinking in his pocket tallied about two million won. For one day? Insane. Eugene's lips curled into a grin.
Back-breaking day labor barely netted 100,000 won. Compared to that grind, this was tens of times better.
"No wonder everyone's obsessed with Awakening."
A little over an hour of hunting matched a major corp salary—monthly, even more. Pros risked it for reason.
Next time, bring a bag for stones.
First run, casual vibe—no prep. Next time, sweep clean; Sua's bills solved easy.
Then—
"Help! Please!"
Eugene froze mid-pickup. No mistake. Desperate death throes.
He crouched, peering toward the sound. Goblin Den was safe—minor scrapes at worst, near-zero fatalities.
Yet... his shadow writhed wildly. Not fear—excitement at something beyond.
What...?
Swallowing dryly, he crept forward. Through brush: a man crawling, leg mangled.
Spotting Eugene, he screamed in terror.
"P-please... spare me!!"
Familiar silhouette, guild emblem.
Gaon Guild?
Eugene stared at the logo. One of Korea's Big Four—household name.
Why here...?
The man's eyes were unfocused. Rare for F-rank to break someone so badly—especially Big Four.
"My party's all dead! Please... help!"
He clung to Eugene's pant leg, voice hoarse, hands trembling.
Eugene looked where he pointed: dark forest depths. Something massive, ominous there— dwarfing goblins.
Suddenly, trees blackened, withering. Green forest drained gray. Ground, trees, grass—all ashen, life sucked dry.
From gray mist, a huge shadow emerged slowly. Each step pulled at all life around.
"Ah... aaa...!"
The crawling man's face blanched. The irregular extended a hand indifferently. Like a black hole, the man's body flew toward its palm.
No scream. On contact, bluish life force drained into its mouth. The body shriveled like dead leaves, dropping.
The irregular that devoured him turned slowly.
Should I run...?
Blue eyes gleamed through its helm at Eugene. Breath caught—elite mana beast, clear.
"Hoh... Thought only pathetic humans, but fine prey appears."
It licked black mist from its lips, eyeing Eugene.
"I am Ghost Lord Barcas. Lucky day—such a feast prepared."
Kukuku.
Barcas stepped closer; grass blackened underfoot.
"Sorry, name rings no bells."
Eugene replied flatly. Fresh Awakener—why know beast names? But one thing sure: it spoke human. Proof of elite variant, far stronger.
Swallowing, he watched its every move tensely.
"Human soul so rich. Delicious. Nothing like the scraps."
Cold sweat down his back. Desperate odds, anyone saw.
But legs steady. Mind sharpened, senses keen. Comparing to Aria? Her overwhelming power made this "lord" seem meh. Calmed him.
Realistically? No win—pure loss. Even Gaon got wrecked. Escape? Doubtful—special powers.
What to do...
Options existed. But not call Aria yet—last resort. She'd warned: using power beyond limits wrecks her body.
Eugene gritted teeth.
Then—shadows at his feet thrashed wildly. Like eager dogs awaiting walkies.
One command, they'd devour.
What's up?
Shadows writhed fiercely. No words, but intent clear: pointed at Eugene, then Barcas. Begging off the leash.
Want me to unleash you?
Shadows rippled affirmatively.
Aria's shadow servants. They had confidence.
Eugene looked up at Barcas. It sneered, extending hand. Palm rippled; light-devouring black hole formed. Air warped in mighty suction—same skill that took Gaon fool.
Yet Eugene didn't dodge. No flight urge.
Instead, signaled antsy shadows quietly.
"Go on, then."
No other way. Without them, Aria inevitable. Avoid that.
All or nothing.
Command given—shadows erupted. Leashed hounds unleashed, lunging.
Barcas smirked, amused.
"Fool. Think petty tricks work on me? Even that filth becomes my nourishment."
Black hole widened into vortex. Shadows sucked in, swept like rapids.
Eugene watched calmly.
Going in so easy?
No resistance. Docile entry.
Odd.
Then—Barcas's triumphant face hardened.
"...Hm? Th-this...?!"
Absorbing arm blackened, withering. Normal mana dissolves—but shadows invaded like venomous snakes, devouring life force.
"Grah! My... body...!"
Barcas clutched arm. Absorbed power backfired, cracking black armor.
Unforeseen. Human mana too dense, ominous—even king's vessel couldn't handle.
No ordinary mana. Primordial darkness, sunk in abyss eons.
So...
"Kuhk! Gaaah!"
Terror in eyes, Barcas stared at Eugene. Behind him loomed vast, sinister phantasm.
Realization hit: on absorbing shadows, sensed it. Untouchable auras swirled around this human—from absolute sovereigns.
Not one—legions of mighty presences lurked within.
"Wh-what... are you? What hides in human skin?!"
Barcas's voice quavered. World-destroying otherworld king crumbled before true predator.
"Graaaah!!"
Black cracks spread body-wide. Fissures exploded outward; flesh twisted, internals bursting.
Dull boom.
No final scream. Barcas shattered utterly.
Brief explosion—gone without trace.
Huh...?
Lying down and winning? Or hands-free victory.
Eugene blinked at empty spot. Sole remnant: massive mana stone.
Then, vision flooded with frantic alerts.