#119 Do-in U-jae
Bassago rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. 'Strange.'
While observing the rift from which the demons had emerged, Bassago sensed an energy slightly different from the Murim rifts he'd seen before.
'Something's interfering.'
The rift was narrowing further. Gates connecting dimensions always left a slight gap even as they shrank. That had been the case with the Demon Realm and Earth, and the gate to Murim in the past. But now, this one was on the verge of complete annihilation.
'If it closes, it'll be over in an instant.'
Bassago began rapidly drawing a magic circle.
'Damn it, I'm actually getting used to this crap.'
On the other hand, doubts lingered.
'Can't even find where that Kirin bastard crash-landed... What the hell's going on in Murim?'
The space where Baal had once fought the Heavenly Demon had vanished entirely. Erased from the coordinates.
'Is that even possible...?'
What in the world was happening?
Bassago mulled over his thoughts before glancing back at Kang-ho, who stood deep in contemplation. In that moment, a wave of relief washed over him. He chuckled wryly at himself.
'Baal and that monster operating in the same dimension.'
With absurd events already unfolding, nothing would surprise him anymore.
Goooong—
Kang-ho patted Bassago's shoulder as the exhausted mage collapsed.
"Good work."
Kwaaaaah—!
The completed magic circle emitted an eerie glow. Kang-ho confirmed the Eternal Crystal from Toonworld vibrating at its center.
Narrowing his eyes as he peered below, Kang-ho turned to Bassago.
"Tell Jun-seok our location."
Bassago's mind flashed with Jun-seok's vision.
"Demons into jiangshi?"
Kang-ho instantly grasped the implication and gave a bitter smile.
"That's reassuring."
The biggest change from before was that Kang-ho now had a truly reliable, immensely powerful friend operating independently. While Kang-ho preferred to let the world turn on its own unless absolutely necessary, Jun-seok was a bit different. Their temperaments differed, but their goals aligned. How great a pillar of support that was.
Now, Kang-ho had resolved to head to that side—to the Murim world.
'A world overrun by demons first.'
Just like the vision he'd seen in his dream long ago, Earth might end up the same.
'Please.'
Kang-ho hoped otherwise. There were too many knots to untangle.
'May I find clues in this world.'
He spoke up.
"Ian, Carron. Guard this area, then head to the southern dispute zone to collect and incinerate the demon corpses. If it sparks conflict with the Chinese, it'll become an international issue—handle anything dicey with that guy. And if things escalate, use my name freely."
Bassago pointed at himself with a 'Me?' expression.
Ian Rampage and Carron—heroes of Canada and Belgium, respectively—had duties to their homelands if trouble arose.
"Got it."
"Don't worry about things here."
Ian and Carron nodded.
"Good."
With positions settled, Kang-ho turned to gaze into the gate. Beyond it, the Murim world revealed itself.
A profoundly alien otherworld, viewed from the dizzying heights of the sky! It resembled an immense ink wash painting on white paper.
As Kang-ho stood with arms crossed, staring blankly—
"This is the western region."
Han Su-hwa peered down in astonishment.
"Western?"
"Yes. It looks like one of the western Immortal Realm areas where the Do-in reside."
Murim's northern Fantasy Realm, southern Malevolent God Realm, and western Immortal Realm. Murim seemed far vaster and grander than imagined.
"Do-in?"
At Kang-ho's question, she nodded.
"Those who cultivate the Dao. They wield lingqi—a refined form of internal energy used by Murim folk. If Murim martial artists' internal energy fuels techniques, think of the Do-in's lingqi as harnessing natural forces. It's a realm uniquely theirs, shrouded in mystery."
She added, gazing at the Immortal Realm below.
"And it's been ages since I've seen it myself."
Ku-ung!
A massive explosion rocked the distant Murim horizon. Flames roared skyward.
"A demon invasion. That's Dao arts used by the Immortal Realm's Do-in. They fear accumulating karma, so they rarely employ them lightly."
Kirin continued.
Kang-ho's face lit with keen interest. Beings from another world wielding an entirely new power!
After explaining, Kirin asked.
Kirin and Han Su-hwa looked to Kang-ho. A demon's unique aura rushed forth. His mind was set.
"Let's go."
Krreung!
Furball leaped in at Kang-ho's word. Theo plunged down with a resolute face, Kirin and Han Su-hwa exchanging determined glances before following. Finally, Kang-ho told Bassago,
"You stay here, wait for Jun-seok. You know what to do if trouble hits?"
Bassago laughed incredulously.
Kang-ho crossed without hearing him out.
Bassago thumped his chest in frustration.
Sshaaaa—
The world below from the sky was truly immense. A colossal, radiant mountain! Thick white mist encircled it like a vast belt.
Holy auras mingled with demonic ones everywhere. Crisp, cold air whipped their skin.
Quaaaeek—
Kang-ho inhaled deeply, eyes widening. As they descended, demons swarmed into view—alongside Do-in battling them.
The Do-in fought in extraordinary forms. Hwaaak! One rode clouds, raining destruction across the skies.
Another wielded a massive brush, painting in the air. Completed characters glowed divine, assaulting demons. Drawn beasts leaped alive from the void.
Flames erupted spontaneously, lightning crashed. Chwaak! Chwaak! Clay soldiers rose from earth, charging demons.
Brilliant lingqi radiated from them all, vivid in Kang-ho's eyes.
Suddenly.
'What's that...?'
A gigantic demon caught his eye—far larger, utterly unlike prior ones.
'New breed...!'
Unlike others, it bore something grotesque at its heart, its power overwhelmingly superior.
'Wasn't around 50 years ago.'
Tak—!
Kang-ho landed lightly. From afar, a mountain; up close, flat plain. Gentle slopes stretched endlessly, distant peaks piercing the heavens.
This single mountain was the Immortal Realm itself—an independent domain.
A demon writhed grotesquely before him.
Demons resembled humans, but towered 2-3 meters, bodies consumed by darkness. Features blurred, movements undulating like foul seaweed.
'Low-grade demon.'
Kang-ho's eyes sharpened. Earth's past demons varied too—from low to high-grade, abilities disparate. Even low-grade outmatched A-rank disasters.
Fallen Do-in littered the ground amid slain demons—battle's aftermath.
Sshaaa—
Unpleasant winds howled. Chwaaak!
Water surged, engulfing the demon. A man appeared, compressing it like a crushed can.
Pajijik!
The demon perished.
"Huff... huff...!"
The man's face paled rapidly. Long, disheveled hair to his waist, loose Daoist robes. He clutched a massive bead-like object, exuding an otherworldly aura.
As Kang-ho approached the corpse—
"Step back!"
"...?"
"They're wicked spirits! Those unawakened to spiritual power risk corruption! Don't let your guard down even with corpses. This area's extremely dangerous—evacuate!"
His voice reached Kang-ho via translation magic. Kang-ho sensed profound goodness—pure, lofty radiance enveloping him. Up close, even more wondrous.
'Is that lingqi?'
Kang-ho smiled unwittingly at the pristine energy. It cleansed the soul just to behold.
"Huh?"
The man startled, eyeing Kang-ho's back.
"P-perhaps... a Fantasy Realm sacred beast?"
Kirin caught his gaze.
The man nodded politely.
"I am U-jae, a mere mid-level Do-in of Yeongmaek Village."
Turning to Han Su-hwa—
"And you, perhaps...?"
"Ice Dragon, one of the Fantasy Realm's four sacred beasts."
"Ah...! An honor to meet you. To encounter such exalted beings one can scarcely glimpse in a lifetime—my ascension must be near. But..."
U-jae tilted his head.
"Why are you in the Immortal Realm? Especially now...?"
U-jae nodded gravely.
"A massive rift tore through the Immortal Realm recently. Seems simultaneous crises across Murim. Our village fell to their raid..."
Anger and grief filled his eyes. His gaze shifted to Kang-ho.
"Is this man your servant?"
Kirin faltered slightly. Kang-ho typically concealed his power fully in normal situations—lest its pressure crush all. Suppressed, he appeared utterly ordinary.
As Kirin hesitated, Theo burst into laughter.