Chapter 247

Screech!

Grrroooaaan─!

[Ghhhurk─!]

The Art Formula used by the Liu Family’s Liu Zijian during the previous White Forest Pavilion incident, Self-Jade Heaven’s Trample.

He had used it merely as an Art Formula for attack, but in truth, Self-Jade Heaven’s Trample demonstrates its effectiveness even more when used to counterattack an opponent in the midst of composing a complex Art Formula, just like now.

As my Spiritual Power, like flowing electricity, seeped into the gaps of the yet-to-be-completed Art Formula with its invasive energy, Bikang had no choice but to forcibly cancel the development of its Cursed Technique, taking on the risk.

Furthermore, taking advantage of that opening, Keuseundae rushed in and began to incessantly interfere with Bikang, emitting its unique aura.

[Y-you, you insignificant insect!]

It was blustering loudly with bravado, but by now, it too must be quite agitated.

With me, Arietta, and the four Elders creating a chaotic distraction in front, and the hastily fired vines hindered by Yoo Haon’s group’s restraint, its Vitality Absorption was being impeded.

In other words, Bikang must now be vividly feeling itself being gradually pushed toward the precipice.

[Don’t make me laugh!]

Kwaaang!

Whether thanks to the regenerative power from its Rampage or not, Bikang had already recovered from the recoil of canceling the Art Formula and began to press Keuseundae instead.

Since there was no immediate need to overexert, I recalled Keuseundae into the shadows and distanced myself from it, joining the Elders.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m not injured anywhere.”

“Huh, I could tell from the time you faced the Sakoonpa and the great distance, but your nerve is anything but ordinary.”

Baek Jibong checked on my well-being with a surprised expression, and Hwang Cheolho praised me while slicing through the vines erupting from the ground in one stroke.

And then, throwing a handful of Talismans behind him, he preemptively blocked the tendrils that were secretly aiming for the support Exorcists.

Seeing them carry out their tasks perfectly without needing to be told, I let out a small sigh of admiration and turned my head back toward Bikang.

‘How much time is left for the Rampage duration?’

After the initial ambush resulted in casualties, we succeeded in blocking its Vitality Absorption without losing a single Exorcist.

Even without Yoo Haon’s Demon-Suppressing Trait, a reaction should be normal by now.

Crack!

As if my expectation wasn’t wrong, Bikang’s body began to show very fine cracks as vitality gradually drained from it.

Proof that a definitive time limit had been imposed on it as well.

From now on, Bikang would likely confront us with a truly life-or-death resolve.

[Though it’s an excessive task for the likes of you… I too must be prepared to make sacrifices.]

Muttering while looking at the sky, Bikang soon sharpened its Spectral Energy and severed several of its own legs, scattering blood and flesh fragments in all directions.

As we, speechless at the sight, paused our movements, an unknown fluctuation occurred, and some kind of Art Formula began to be constructed at high speed.

‘What is this?’

This was also a situation I was encountering for the first time, and a pattern not found in the original Bikang.

In other words, a new move born from the aftermath of Hell Difficulty.

The fact that its danger would be terrifying was obvious without even thinking.

“Lady Verdi.”

[That is a ritual offering its own body as a Sacrifice.]

Thankfully, as a member of the Ancient Witch clan, she seemed to have some grasp of it.

Then, Bikang would likely receive a reward commensurate with the Sacrifice it offered from now on.

And what kind that was, we could realize without difficulty soon enough.

Swoosh!

Kaang!

“Ghhurk?”

Struck by a blow too fast to follow with the eyes, Hwang Cheolho, who barely blocked it, groaned.

And then he urgently shouted.

“It’s not at a level where you can see and block it! Evade!”

As he said, Bikang’s subsequent attacks were no different from facing a typhoon head-on.

Hwang Cheolho continuously retreated, spitting up blood, and the state of the others wasn’t much different.

Crackle!

Kwagagagak!

“Hurk! T-this!”

“Baek Family bastard! We must gather and form a Defensive Formation, a Defensive Formation!”

Cheong Kilyeong seemed intent on gathering together to limit the attack’s path and have everyone block it, but that wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

Moreover, if it came to that, it was obvious it would target other Exorcists to absorb vitality, so it couldn’t possibly be considered a good plan.

Whoosh!

“Aaah!”

“Kraaah!”

Eventually, casualties occurred among the Exorcists who had been retreating under its relentless assault, and that vitality was transmitted intact, restoring Bikang somewhat.

‘This won’t do!’

Quickly reaching a conclusion, I took a risk, dashed forward, and shouted.

“Lady Verdi!”

[Yes. My strength has recovered somewhat.]

Instantly understanding my intent, Verdi used the accumulated Natural Qi to materialize her own soul.

And then she immediately extended her hand and began composing an incantation.

“Admittedly, a Specter of this level is something I’ve rarely seen myself…”

Strictly speaking, during her prime, she had reached a realm even the Bikang before us couldn’t touch.

Even if it was merely a fragment of that power, it would be enough to affect it.

[What is this, this energy!]

Behind the panicking Bikang, spider legs suddenly surged down from the sky, pressing down on its body.

Kwaaang!

[Ghhurk!]

Bikang tried its best to evade or block it, but in the end, its movements completely froze for a moment.

Seizing that opening, the Art Formulas of the Subjugation Force Exorcists and the Elders began to pummel it.

Boom!

Bang!

Grrroooaaan!

[Kraaaah!]

Splitting flesh and Spectral Energy scattering increasingly in all directions.

Now, Bikang’s expression was visibly tinged with urgency.

[This can’t be…! I haven’t even fully regained my power yet!]

Bikang, with eyes completely filled with madness, once again severed its remaining legs and offered them as Sacrifices.

And then, having lost even its reason, it began charging toward us.

[Keeeeeek─!]

“I won’t let you do that.”

Seo Jian, with a weary face, raised her hand toward the sky.

Then, the blood of the victims, gathered in a spherical shape behind her, surged upward into the sky.

What received it next was Arietta, who had accurately predicted Bikang’s charge path and was floating in the air.

“…It’s over.”

As she gestured with her hand, the gathered blood transformed into the shape of long needles and rained down toward the ground like a downpour.

Naturally, the target positioned was Bikang, which had become a monster.

Screech!

Kwagagagak─!

[Keeek…!]

Bikang, receiving that tremendous attack with its entire body, soon uttered a final Terminal cry and slumped down, collapsing.

And then, its body began to completely split apart.

Crack!

Cracklecrackle!

Its body losing color, turning to dust and disappearing.

The moment the Great Specter Bikang, which had driven even four Elders into a corner and nearly plunged the Subjugation Force into death, met its end.

“We’ve almost finished the construction now. Leave the rest and everyone get some rest. You’ve all worked very hard indeed.”

At those words from Baek Jibong, the Exorcists of the Subjugation Force each slumped down in their spots with exhausted faces.

After defeating Bikang, we collected our comrades’ bodies and immediately set to work laying the foundation for the Barrier.

And with that nearly completed as well, the Subjugation Force’s mission had truly come to an end.

“Damn it, I’m dead tired.”

“But we survived, didn’t we? We have to carry on for the others too.”

“Old Man Cheol, you worked hard too.”

Groans could be heard from all around, and those who lost close comrades even shed tears.

Certainly, not a few casualties had occurred, but rather, considering how strong Bikang was, it should be called a miracle.

‘Our strategy was largely successful, but there were many crises too.’

Honestly, it’s unavoidable to feel daunted.

Because, even this Bikang was merely among the mediocre ones among the Great Specters confined within the Upper Casket.

“Hoo.”

As if reading my expression, Arietta, who had been quenching her thirst by swallowing water, approached and asked.

“…This is just the beginning, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It was strong enough, but ultimately, it was merely the starting point.”

If my prediction is correct, from now on, one of the Great Specters confined within the Upper Casket will be released at regular intervals.

In other words, what we must do is make full use of the time in between. And it can be said that we must settle the score directly before they fully regain their original power.

‘Still, the result itself isn’t bad.’

One fortunate thing is that the abilities of Yoo Haon’s group, who were also the original protagonists, have truly grown a lot.

It seems that, thanks to the grace period granted due to the Hell Difficulty’s influence, they too have sufficiently raised their level.

‘They’ll probably reach Elder-level soon.’

In the battles to come, their genius will be a greater help than anything else.

To not fall behind, I too must constantly think and ponder countermeasures.

“It’s time. Everyone, prepare.”

Following the instruction from Elder Baek Jibong given shortly after, the Exorcists moved in unison and completed preparations for the Barrier construction.

And the moment it was initiated exactly at the promised time.

A giant pillar of light rose into Seoul’s sky.

The moment the final fortress spanning all of Korea, the Great Barrier Eight-Star Formation, revealed itself.

Immediately after finally completing the construction of the Great Barrier, I promptly sprang into action.

The time remaining until the next Great Specter revealed itself was a mere 10 days.

So, there was no time to waste idly.

However, after those 10 days passed, I had no choice but to admit that such thinking was wrong.

‘What in the world is going on?’

All 10 days of the predicted time had passed.

But during that period, no traces of another Great Specter appeared; instead, only moderately strong Specters, like during the initial third Night Parade of One Hundred Specters, began to appear in droves.

What that meant was simple.

That a grace period had been granted once again.

‘Why?’

That was clearly the minimal consideration given to cultivate the power to confront the Great Specters we would face in the future.

Naturally, it would be the first and last, and such consideration would not be given twice.

At least, I thought so.

But what unfolded before my eyes was also an undeniable fact. It wasn’t something I could simply ignore and overlook.

‘…Something doesn’t sit right.’

Where there is a cause, there is an effect; where there is an action, there is a reaction.

Naturally, the current situation must also have meaning.

And the first possibility that came to mind was something I didn’t even want to imagine.

‘Is this much… still not enough?’

My face, sensing an unfavorable change, darkened.