Chapter 146

Ultimately, my goals boiled down to two major objectives.

To proceed with the tasks I had originally planned in order, and to raise my level as quickly as possible.

The first task I decided to undertake among them was, as I mentioned before, to Bloom Laura’s Unidentified Trait.

“Traveling together and completing an assignment… I’m quite looking forward to it.”

She, too, had chosen the field trip club at the start of the semester out of curiosity about Korea’s famous sites, so I frequently ran into her there.

And this time, the club had assigned a project.

Form a group of three or four, visit a Spiritual Spot of your choice, and submit a report.

For me, who intended to stick close to her and naturally aim for the opening of her Unidentified Trait, it was a perfect opportunity.

“So, where should we go? Preferably somewhere we don’t usually get to visit.”

Coincidentally, Shin Sora, who was in the same class, was also in the club, so we smoothly decided to form a group of three.

“Somewhere we don’t usually get to visit… Ah, then how about this place?”

The place Laura pointed to was the Ondalsanseong Fortress in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do.

It was a considerable distance, but it certainly fit the condition Shin Sora mentioned, so there were no objections.

“Coincidentally, I hear there’s a festival being held there too?”

“Wow, a Korean festival… It’s my first time.”

“Then it’s decided. Let’s go there.”

With that settled, we now had to decide on a group leader.

Since there were only three of us, the title of ‘leader’ felt a bit hollow, but we couldn’t avoid the decision as we had to give a presentation based on the report.

“As for the leader, of course…”

“It’s Kangyoon, right?”

Both naturally turned their gaze and looked at me, but I shook my head.

“This is also an experience. How about Laura gives it a try?”

It wasn’t because I was lazy. I judged this would also help with the Blooming of Laura’s Trait.

One of her two Unidentified Traits was precisely the Path of the Sovereign.

While it had various detailed effects, its most special point was granting massive advantages as a commander or leader of a group.

‘Increased leadership, stat boosts based on group size, and even sharing thoughts with each other.’

Furthermore, individuals under her command receive significant bonuses to stamina and mental strength.

Such abilities could clearly become a key during the upcoming Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis.

So, how does one Bloom that very Path of the Sovereign Trait?

‘Naturally, you have to keep running the gauntlet.’

Stand before countless others time and again, sometimes becoming the leader, sometimes commanding them.

When such experiences reach a certain threshold, the Path of the Sovereign Trait will reveal itself.

“Well, that’s fine too. Laura has done a lot of that sort of thing back home, right?”

“W-well, that’s true…”

As Shin Sora said, Laura likely already had some accumulation of such experiences.

So, I just needed to keep stimulating that part and instilling confidence in her.

Perhaps the Trait’s Blooming could begin within a few months, if fast.

“Yes. I understand. Then I’ll give it a try.”

And so, we headed to Chungcheongbuk-do a few days later at the scheduled time.

The concept of Spiritual Spots in this world is quite fascinating.

At tourist sites or cultural heritage locations, places countless people have passed through over countless time, one can feel more refined Spiritual Power.

“This place also has a strangely interesting feel.”

“Yes. I felt it last time at Jongmyo Shrine too, but indeed, the appreciation is completely different from country to country.”

Even I, a modern person, could feel that same sensation.

It’s hard to put into words, but it’s a feeling as if the footsteps of the many people who passed through here over time are directly imprinted?

Anyway, as a result, training in such places yields greater efficiency than usual, and even simple Spiritual Power recovery or Cursed Technique potency itself increases.

It’s not for nothing that the term Spiritual Spot exists.

Clap.

Soon, Laura clapped her hands once and continued, looking at the two of us.

“Then, shall we first walk around here and there?”

Indeed, a princess is a princess, for better or worse.

Even in that simple sentence, one could feel dignity and resolve. Somehow, it made you feel like you should naturally follow her words, perhaps?

Anyway, following her words, we toured the tourist area of Ondalsanseong Fortress once, organizing our impressions and taking photos.

To be precise, it was structured with Ondalsanseong Fortress as the focal point, with various ruins related to the past Ondal folklore existing around it.

At the end of the course, Shin Sora, who discovered a cave, tilted her head and said.

“We just came to see the fortress, but there are more interesting things than I thought. What’s that cave?”

“It’s Ondalgul Cave. It’s a natural limestone cave. They say General Ondal trained here in the past, hence the name.”

“What the, Laura, you’re Spanish, why do you know this so well?”

“W-well, since I’m the leader, I studied a bit beforehand…”

Laura smiled awkwardly, and with the cave as the last stop, we had toured all the attractions of the tourist site.

Surprisingly, there was a lot to see, so it took quite some time.

The time was already 4:20 PM. There was little time left before the festival started at 5 PM.

“This is good timing. Let’s have a drink and then go see the festival.”

“Yes. Sounds good. Hehe. I’m looking forward to my first Korean festival.”

Leaving the two in high spirits for various reasons, I subtly shifted my gaze elsewhere and spoke.

“Is it okay if you two are alone for a while? I have a personal matter. I’ll be back before the festival starts.”

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

“Come back soon~”

And so, parting from the two, I left the tourist area briefly, then took out the Black Bird from the shadows and sent it flying somewhere.

Swoosh.

Flap!

‘Even if it’s bothersome, I have to do what needs to be done.’

One of the reasons I joined this field trip club.

It was precisely for the search for the Yeoijoo I had promised Azure Dragon.

‘Coincidentally, there was one candidate site near here.’

The hypotheses I created after thoroughly reading all the Exorcism Academy series and even studying the setting books.

If I verified them one by one, I would surely reach my destination someday.

Whoosh.

‘A pity, but not here either.’

So far, I had checked three locations. But all were busts.

Of course, there was no need to be disappointed. After all, the candidate sites I personally felt the strongest hunches about were still unchecked.

But just as I decided to withdraw, I momentarily sensed a strange energy and followed its trace.

And at the bottom of a lake, I discovered something I never expected.

‘Why is this here?’

A semi-transparent colored passageway that gave an illusion as if space was distorting.

It was one of the entrances leading to the Eternal Labyrinth.

‘…Roughly looking, it seems to have been open for quite a while.’

If so, the entrance would probably disappear within a few days and reappear in another location.

After a moment of contemplation, I summoned Sahwanje from the shadows and gave an order.

“That thing. Can you try connecting it to your space? So that even if the location moves later, we can head towards it from your side.”

The labyrinth’s passageway had certainly appeared before, even in the previous Sahwanje’s Nest.

If so, it probably wasn’t impossible.

Whether my thought was correct or not, Sahwanje tilted its head this way and that, then made a gesture indicating it would try.

[Kyaaak.]

And after about ten minutes passed, Sahwanje, sweating profusely, sent me a triumphant look.

It had succeeded in connecting the passageway.

‘…This is an unexpected achievement.’

Honestly, I had no immediate plans, but I had acquired a way to head back into the Eternal Labyrinth if ever needed.

Though the destination was random, it was essentially like getting a direct ticket.

‘Of course, I can’t just recklessly enter.’

The remaining labyrinth zones totaled three.

If I were to fall into the one called the worst, Blind Mountain, even I couldn’t guarantee returning alive.

‘I wonder if Xiao Chen is still alive.’

If she too hadn’t died, she would be wandering somewhere in Blind Mountain.

Briefly recalling past events, I organized my thoughts and slowly left the spot.

Before I knew it, the time was 4:55 PM. Now it was truly the start of the long-awaited festival.

However, my thoughts were leaning a bit elsewhere. Hearing that a festival was planned, I had something in mind.

‘Since it’s a rare opportunity, I should train Laura now.’

For that reason, I planned to cause one very small commotion.

Of course, I had no intention of ruining the festival everyone was looking forward to. It was just a minor incident, insignificant enough not to hinder it.

‘For better or worse, real combat is the best training.’

Outwardly enjoying the festival with them, I kept waiting for the right timing. And finally, I could face the awaited moment.

‘Roughly now, I guess.’

However, soon I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Crash!

Rumble!

“Kyaaah!”

“R-run away!”

“Exorcists! Where are the Exorcists!”

Suddenly occurring noise, and citizens terrified.

Naturally, I hadn’t done anything yet. Also, what I had planned wasn’t an incident of this scale either.

If so, there was only one case that could be inferred.

“…Everyone.”

“…Yeah. It seems like this is.”

“It seems a Specter has appeared.”

A Specter had truly attacked the festival site. A real, actual situation had occurred.

“Let’s not panic and help the citizens evacuate. There should be Exorcists on patrol for the Specter.”

“At a festival of this scale. No matter how incompetent, at least a 2nd-Rank would be here, right?”

Their words were correct. In a situation where capable Exorcists existed anyway, what we had to do was help them however little we could.

But as soon as the commotion broke out, I sent out the Black Bird to grasp the situation and soon realized things were turning strange.

“…They’re already down. Two 3rd-Rank Exorcists on patrol. Seriously injured.”

“What? What do you mean?”

Of course, aside from the two who fell, there were still remaining Exorcists.

And I soon discovered them.

Facing a Specter with a pair of wings striding through the air, the Exorcists blocking its path were in tatters.

They already seemed to struggle to continue the fight, reaching a point where they had to worry about their lives.

Such a scene meant only one thing.

“Be on guard. The opponent is likely a high-ranking Specter.”

“……”

Before the citizens enjoying the festival, a moment of true calamity had struck.