Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Persistent Phantoms
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The ghosts kept harassing us relentlessly as we moved.
"Damn phantoms."
After a few hours had passed, the remaining hunters were all those with mental fortitude strong enough to resist the ghosts' possession attempts.
Of course, everyone looked utterly exhausted from fending off the ghosts' mental assaults.
Once possession no longer worked, the ghosts' tactics became predictable.
"Poltergeists."
Unable to inhabit people, they possessed objects and attacked instead. Daggers hanging from a hunter's belt suddenly unsheathed themselves and flew at us. Nearby rocks and tree branches whipped through the air toward us.
If it were just objects flying around, no hunter would get hurt by them. But these projectiles were infused with vivid, malice-filled mana.
They hurt like hell. Sure, they were minor injuries, but the body relies on the mind, and the mind relies on the body. Damage to one naturally weakens the other.
"At least that's a relief."
I muttered as I slapped away a flying rock with my hand.
Our magic attacks barely scratched the ghosts, and likewise, their poltergeist assaults couldn't inflict real damage on us.
If an ordinary hunter had used the mana those ghosts were pouring into poltergeists, several of us might have died.
"Chan-seok, can't you handle them with your flames?"
"Of course I can."
These things were barely holding vague forms together through sheer grudge. A burst of Paradox Flame would burn away their resentments in an instant.
"But the moment I use Paradox Flame on the ghosts, the flames on our heads stop acting as gas masks."
The problem was that deploying Paradox Flame against the ghosts would extinguish the protective flames currently burning atop our three heads, ending their gas mask function.
"That's fine."
Han Sang-ah pulled out three blood-soaked masks. They belonged to hunters who'd been possessed by ghosts.
"...You want us to wear those?"
Jeong No-hun made a dubious face. Fresh blood dripped from the masks. They'd vomited blood while wearing them, so the mouthpieces were probably a mess.
"Yeah, why not? None of the hunters participating in the Jaun Valley cleanup had infectious diseases."
With that, Han Sang-ah casually covered her mouth with one. A chunk of bloody flesh plopped down from under the mask.
No wonder the ghosts that tried possessing her bounced right out. Her mental resilience was impressive in all sorts of ways.
"Ugh. Can't we just rinse them with water?"
"All the water around here is contaminated. The only usable stuff is our drinking supply."
And using that up would leave us rationing water for the next twelve hours.
"The human mind isn't that tough. You confident you can fend off ghost possessions while parched?"
I tapped my spear with my hand as I spoke.
"Mess up, and you might end up with a spear in your chest instead of money in your pocket."
Jeong No-hun squeezed his eyes shut in resignation and donned the blood-drenched crimson mask.
The instant he put it on, I thrust my pitch-black flaming hand toward a ghost lunging at me. Its head. Paradox Flame clung to it, incinerating the shrieking specter into wisps.
Once I started using Paradox Flame in earnest, ghosts approaching us were like yarn tossed into a bonfire—engulfed and burned to nothing in seconds.
"How's everywhere else holding up?"
I asked via in-ear, and a response came.
Not too bad. It'd only been about three hours since we started the survey.
In other words, more damage from hesitating and trying non-lethal methods.
"How's it now?"
Classic chain reaction: friend gets possessed, others kill them, witness cracks, ghost pounces.
"Can't be helped."
We'd prepared for Jaun Valley poison, not ghosts. That's on the hunters.
Perfect. Worth the veteran title and exorbitant fees. 32% meant three days tops, or today/tomorrow if lucky for the Erosion Core.
"Got it. We'll follow the advice."
Another twelve hours. No time for food or water. The Jaun Valley ghosts had noses like bloodhounds for human scent. They circled us ceaselessly, moaning and shrieking to grate on our nerves without pause.
"This doesn't feel like a Rank 1 zone."
Han Sang-ah glanced at a ghost that had tried and failed to enter her, then shared her thoughts.
"Agreed."
Rank 1? No way. We were still patrolling the outskirts. Deeper in, something worse awaited.
We pressed on without rest, incinerating the moth-like ghosts with Paradox Flame, patrolling for twelve hours before returning to Harbin.
"So, this is the surveyed area so far."
A bit short of Seagull Team's estimate. We'd failed to enter Changchun City proper, finishing only the outskirts.
Adakawa—who'd ditched the magical girl outfit for a suit—stared at the map and responded.
"About 70 km northwest of Changchun, there's an area with multiple lakes."
"Anything special?"
The Seagull Operating Team leader, listening in via in-ear, replied immediately.
"They must have reported something last."
So the fog blanketing Jaun Valley originated from those discolored lakes.
"How many lakes near Changchun City?"
All bubbling like humidifiers, pumping out purple fog.
"Symptoms for those exposed without respirators?"
"Some got pus-filled tumors all over. Others had lungs wrecked."
The fog had varied effects, all deadly. And one common trait.
"Hallucinations. Horrific ones. Self-harm is the least of it—they turn violent on fellow hunters."
Obvious reason: ghosts finish off the hallucinating victims. Simple, effective.
"They wouldn't have removed their masks themselves."
Adakawa replied.
"A few of those 15 had resistances to this kind of poison."
And even they went dark...
"Looks like the fog from those lakes and reservoirs is too dense for masks or resistances to handle."
Thicker than what normal fog resistance or masks could counter.
What kind of search was that? Skipping spots and missing the Erosion Core? Pack up and go home?
I spoke up after thinking.
"Then Han Sang-ah, Jeong No-hun, and I will team up to check areas other hunters can't."
Paradox Flame could handle it. It didn't filter the purple fog—it sterilized it completely, like heat-treating canned goods.
No toxin stood a chance.
"But even if we find it, other hunters can't follow without protection."
"I can shield up to 150 max with my ability."
Beyond that, no. Adakawa Nanami's face turned serious.
"So entry team caps at 150."
"Yes. Pre-select them."
The rest focus on clearing paths for the assault team.
"Oh, and hunters are grumbling. Thought you'd want to know."
I nodded readily at Jeong No-hun's words.
"No byproducts."
Everyone came for cash. Ghosts left none.
"Not entirely. They drop ectoplasm. But it's chump change."
Jeong No-hun chomped an apple perched on the table.
"Not everyone's here to smash Erosion Cores like you guys."
"You?"
He tossed and caught the bitten apple, grinning.
"Once this pans out, I'll be swimming in payout. No plans to bail."
Smooth talker.
"Anyway, starting tomorrow, we'll adjust policy accordingly."
Post-survey briefing over.
"Also, bring all hunters suffering from fog exposure. Can't fix boils or wrecked lungs, but I can purge residual fog components."
Fog victims were lost in hallucinations and paranoia, unable to act properly.
Plus, most would have foul nightmares tonight. Even failed possessions left grudge residue on their souls.
I prepared several large basins, igniting Paradox Flame within them.
"...What're you doing?"
"Tell everyone to stand over these basins for a while."
Like a shower. Normally water, but tonight it was fire. Soon, Han Sang-ah returned.
"Hunters aren't thrilled."
"These cowards. How do they hunt with such weak nerves?"
I eyed Jeong No-hun, yawning in his seat.
"Jeong, come with. Need a seasoned assistant for demo."
He'd spent plenty of time with my Paradox Flame in Harbin. He'd hop right in.