Chapter 131

The first exorcist to approach me opened his mouth with a dismissive expression, flaunting a bold face.

“I heard there was a student tagging along, and it seems it’s true?”

“……”

“If you value your life, you’d better step aside right now.”

In a way, it was a natural reaction. There was no reason to feel threatened by a mere student who hadn’t even obtained an official exorcist qualification yet.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

Name: Cheong Daewoong. Level: 47. He’s certainly a capable exorcist in his own right.

However, he doesn’t perceive the current me as an enemy to be wary of.

Instead, he’s sneering as if doing me a favor.

Sorry, but the price for that carelessness will now yield irreversible consequences.

Whoosh.

Sluurp.

Using the Severed Shadow’s Art Formula, Evolution, I secretly channeled my shadow behind him and began summoning Shikigami from there, timed with his Art activation.

“Come forth.”

Poof!

Pwhoosh!

“…Burn.”

Thump.

“Huh?”

First, Kongsami surged from the shadow, grabbed Cheong Daewoong by the collar, and threw him. Following right after, Sorisoe enlarged itself and slammed into Cheong Daewoong, who was now floating in mid-air.

Kwoom!

“Kuh-heuk!”

Cheong Daewoong, who had been focusing his gaze on me while activating his Art, couldn’t react at all. In an instant, he was battered and rendered combat ineffective.

Seeing this, the surrounding enemies flinched in surprise and shot intense looks my way.

They had realized I wasn’t someone to be taken as a simple Academy student.

“Don’t let them pass. Protect the students as per the Elder’s orders.”

“Yes!”

The exorcists of Cheong Soha’s faction, realizing my strength exceeded their expectations, quickly changed tactics and began marking their respective opponents.

Thanks to that, Cheong Joohwa and I could momentarily step back from the fierce battlefield, take a breather, and assess the situation.

‘…As expected, the overall combat power seems to be at a disadvantage.’

It seems Cheong Doyool was truly determined, having gathered as many as four Elders, including himself. Honestly, it’s beyond expectations.

‘Although the direction of the incident has already changed significantly, in the original work, he couldn’t muster this level of force.’

It was clear that Cheong Kibeom’s joining must have heightened his vigilance, making him act even more desperately.

Even so, thanks to Cheong Soha taking on two by herself, a rough standoff was created among the Elders.

The 10th Elder, Cheong Jiwoon, was still present, but he was currently being blocked by Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon, the strongest among those in the rear.

However, that created a problem.

Unfortunately, our side now lacked the combat power to handle the second-in-command level exorcists of the hostile factions.

Zzreeeng!

“Kkeu-ueuk.”

As expected, Cheong Jinsoo, Cheong Soha’s retainer who was facing the enemies at the very front, also clearly showed signs of struggling alone.

If things continued like this, it was obvious the front line would collapse even without the Elders adding their strength. We had to change that flow somehow.

“Shall we help?”

“It seems we must.”

Although the exorcists of Cheong Soha’s faction, who were confronting enemies around us, tried to dissuade us, Cheong Joohwa and I approached Cheong Jinsoo, who had deployed a defensive Art, and spoke without hesitation.

“We’ll join you.”

“What… No! They are not opponents you can handle, unless you’re ordinary 3rd-Rank exorcists!”

“We are aware. Even so, wouldn’t it be alright to lend our strength?”

At those words, Cheong Jinsoo let out a groan and agonized. Although he didn’t show it outwardly, it must have been an extremely difficult situation, so he seemed unable to refuse further.

“…Understood. However, you absolutely must not fight head-on. I will maintain this defensive Art as is. If you could disrupt the enemy formation with Cursed Techniques you’re confident in during the openings, that would be helpful.”

Having obtained Cheong Jinsoo’s permission, I nodded and examined the enemies’ information using the Appraisal function.

Ding!

【Cheong Goeun】

▶Level: 51

【Cheong Geuntae】

▶Level: 53

【Cheong Haemoon】

▶Level: 54

As expected, they were the second-in-commands of each faction, all easily surpassing Level 50, the benchmark for a strong individual.

Glancing over and appraising Cheong Jinsoo, his level was actually higher at 58.

No wonder he was somehow holding his own against those three; for someone serving under another, he possessed considerable skill.

“I’ll use a Talisman.”

“I’ll time it for you.”

Cheong Joohwa immediately took out Cheongwoon’s Talisman from her pocket, and I, as before, extended my shadow and prepared to stealthily ambush.

Whoosh.

As I drew in Spiritual Power, the three exorcists on the enemy side glanced over subtly without showing any expression.

They were wary of the Shikigami Art that had instantly incapacitated Cheong Daewoong earlier.

‘They’re seasoned indeed.’

In this state, even if I used the same method, it would likely be difficult to achieve significant effect.

However, truth be told, I had no intention whatsoever of repeating the same attack.

“Sahwanje.”

As if answering my call, a part of the shadow writhed greatly. Recognizing it, I began deploying an Art Formula without hesitation.

“When I give the signal, fire your Cursed Technique first.”

“Yes.”

As if she had gotten used to it in that short time, Cheong Joohwa had perfectly imbued an Intermediate-Rank Art Formula into Cheongwoon’s Talisman.

Whoosh.

“Now.”

At my signal, Cheong Joohwa threw the Talisman first and instantly began deploying her Cursed Technique.

“Soul Rending Slash.”

A future Cursed Technique I had previously taught her, an improved offensive Art Formula of Soul Blaze Rending Wave.

Augmented by the amplification effect of Cheongwoon’s Talisman, the Cursed Technique radiated formidable power as it shot towards the three exorcists confronting Cheong Jinsoo.

Sswae-aek!

“I’ll block it. Counterattack.”

“Let’s do that.”

However, as expected, the opponents were first-rate exorcists who had been through countless battlefields. Unfazed, they prepared to block the attack with perfect coordination.

And that was precisely the moment I was aiming for.

“Void Slaughter Seizure.”

Whoosh.

Sluurrp.

An Intermediate-Rank Binding Spell Formula I had used several times before. However, at this distance, it’s difficult to achieve an effective result.

The enemies knew this too, so they felt a moment of doubt, creating a split-second opening from there.

And then.

Sluurp.

Chwa-ra-rak!

My Art Formula, which had appeared behind the enemies unnoticed, seized and coiled around them without giving them any chance to react.

A new weapon created by combining my Phantom Body Trait with Sahwanje’s Unique Art.

A technique called Transference, which channels a deployed Cursed Technique through a shadow extended using the Evolution Art Formula.

“Wh-what is this…!”

Faced with an unheard-of technique, the opponent’s response was delayed. And in that opening, Cheong Joohwa’s Soul Rending Slash exploded.

Sswae-aek!

Zzreeeeng—!

“Kkeu-ueuk!”

The defensive Art enveloping them shattered, and the remaining shockwaves crashed in all directions.

Cheong Jinsoo, who had been under constant pressure, didn’t miss that opening either.

“Wide Threads, Six Concealment, Feathered Thunder Typhoon.”

Rapid and precise Incantations, followed by a surging flow of Spiritual Power. Roughly judging, it seemed to be a type of Advanced Attack Art Formula.

“Seven Generation Strike!”

Sswae-aek!

Kwa-ga-ga-gak!

The powerful offensive Art Formula, fired without giving them a chance to recover, completely swept through the area where the three exorcists had been.

It was only natural, in a way, that the enemies revealed afterwards were not in good shape.

“Kkh-heuk.”

“Heuk, huk.”

One was already completely combat ineffective, and the condition of the remaining two was also not normal. The situation had literally reversed in an instant.

Confirming the sight, Cheong Jinsoo turned his gaze to us.

“…Impressive. I asked you to create an opening, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.”

Well, come to think of it, it was also because Cheong Jinsoo was threatening enough that the enemies couldn’t pay attention to us.

I nodded and asked Cheong Jinsoo a question.

“Can you handle the cleanup by yourself?”

“Of course. But why do you ask…?”

Cheong Jinsoo also seemed not to have noticed, likely focused on the battle, but the situation was quite urgent.

‘…As expected, that side is the most precarious.’

Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon, blocking the Cheong Family’s 10th Elder, Cheong Jiwoon.

While Cheong Wooncheol was holding the front and Cheong Jiyeon was somehow supporting him, upon closer inspection, they were clearly being pushed back.

‘They might be able to hold out for a while, but anything more is impossible.’

If Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon fall, everyone behind them will simply be swept away like fallen leaves by Cheong Jiwoon.

Therefore, we had to lend our strength to that side by any means necessary.

“Shall I send out Azure Dragon?”

At Cheong Joohwa’s whispered question, I shook my head.

It’s still a bit early.

Azure Dragon revealing itself must absolutely be in the latter half of this fight, when the end is near.

Only then can we decide and settle everything.

‘Cheong Jiwoon…’

For an exorcist of Elder rank from one of the Three Great Noble Families, Art Formulas of Intermediate-Rank or below would essentially be unable to inflict any significant damage.

Close combat is obviously out of the question; the difference in basic physical abilities is so extreme that a fatal blow could be allowed in an instant.

All I can do now is maintain distance and support Cheong Wooncheol and Cheong Jiyeon with usable Advanced Arts. That’s it.

‘In that case…’

The Advanced Curse Technique I recently became barely able to use. With the curse enhancement effect of the Black Phoenix earring and the correction from my Forbidden Technique Value, even Cheong Jiwoon should suffer sufficient damage from it.

Kwaa-ang!

Ku-gu-gu.

Ku-gu-gu-goong.

Coincidentally, at just the right timing, a tremendous roar echoed and the ground began to shake.

Clearly, someone from the Elder side must have deployed a Grand Art.

‘…This is the chance.’

In the aftermath of such explosive Spiritual Power, anyone’s detection abilities drop; even Cheong Jiwoon would be no exception.

Having stealthily moved to the maximum effective range, I began slowly constructing an Art Formula, aiming at Cheong Jiwoon.

Whoosh.

“Dae Po Cheong Po Ho Cheong Jeong, Sa Jeok Bak Ri Se.”

Pa-su-su-suk.

To my knowledge, the 10th Elder Cheong Jiwoon, fitting for the youngest generation among the Elders, is an extremely smart type.

Because of that, he is adept at dealing with orthodox Sorcerers, and the methods for handling them are completely ingrained in his body and mind.

However, precisely because of that, his weakness is also more pronounced.

‘When faced with a future Cursed Technique with a completely different structure, he will likely panic and fail to respond efficiently.’

Moreover, if it’s my Curse Technique laden with various advantages, even Cheong Jiwoon will surely show an opening for a moment.

Kwa-reu-reung!

Zzeo-jeo-jeo-jeong!

By now, due to the Grand Art deployed by the Elders, lightning was falling from the sky and a storm was raging.

Precisely targeting that moment, I fired the completed curse directly at Cheong Jiwoon.

“Sa Ryuk Yo Hwa.”