Chapter 168

In the original work, Baek Soyool was essentially a walking bomb.

As mentioned before, the higher the difficulty, the more unpredictable her behavior patterns became, making her notorious among players.

That’s why I also had absolutely no intention of getting involved or clashing with Baek Soyool for the time being.

‘But…’

If things turn out like this, it’s a different story.

Baek Soyool has already taken a keen interest in me, and in fact, even now, she has cleverly set me up as the culprit in the murder case, causing a troublesome situation.

‘Now, I suppose she’ll bother me at every turn.’

However, in the process, she made one critical mistake.

And that very mistake will be the key to leading Baek Soyool to ruin.

“Oh my, what’s the matter? You want to have a private conversation?”

“……”

Even though we both have all the information, Baek Soyool maintains an incredibly brazen attitude.

After the situation calmed down, I called Baek Soyool again and brought her to her room on the third floor.

“By the way, you were amazing. To navigate such a tight situation like that. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to resolve everything on your own.”

“I also didn’t expect you to brazenly stir up trouble like this.”

“That must mean you were very tempted, right? What a shame. I had everything prepared for the aftermath as well.”

From Baek Soyool’s faintly smiling face, I sensed an inexplicable madness.

Like the Elders of the Three Great Noble Families tend to be, she too is the type of person who will do anything to achieve her goals.

In fact, in this incident, she even sacrificed her own family’s dependents just to get me.

Even if I were to join her side, could I be sure I wouldn’t end up the same way?

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think you’re someone I can personally trust and follow.”

“……”

A clear intent to refuse. In response, Baek Soyool made a meaningful expression.

Then, she spoke softly.

“Well, I didn’t think it would go smoothly from the start. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, right?”

Even though this attempt failed, her attitude suggests she believes I’m still within her grasp.

However, I smiled back at her and firmly replied.

“No. There won’t be a next opportunity.”

“Huh?”

“Because I already hold your life in my hands.”

“What do you mean…?”

Perhaps sensing something from my relaxed expression, Baek Soyool looked puzzled but also assumed a guarded stance.

But that was meaningless.

As I just said, her fate was already in my grasp.

“The Art Formula you used to frame me as the culprit, wasn’t it Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling?”

Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling.

A high-level Forbidden Art that steals the target’s Spiritual Power and makes it one’s own.

As if confirming my prediction wasn’t wrong, Baek Soyool flinched and answered me.

“…Impressive. I didn’t think you’d even know about such an antiquated Art Formula.”

“I’m actually more surprised that you learned it.”

“I happened to learn it by a series of coincidences. Although I’ve never had a chance to use it until now.”

In truth, there are many Cursed Techniques that steal a target’s vitality or energy.

However, Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling is somewhat special.

It doesn’t simply absorb the opponent’s Spiritual Power; it allows it to flow within one’s own body, gradually assimilating it.

In other words, through the execution of the Art, one can become closer to the person whose Spiritual Power was stolen.

‘That’s how she could completely deceive even the Executors from Headquarters.’

At first, I was uncertain. But as I resolved this incident, I became sure.

Baek Soyool stole my Spiritual Power and used it as is to kill the two victims.

“No matter who you are, if it becomes known that you directly harmed a member of the family, your position would become quite precarious.”

“…Are you planning to use that to restrict my actions? There’s no evidence left anyway, so nothing will change.”

It seems she’s under some grand delusion.

Looking at her, I softly shook my head.

After all, I also had no intention of telling anyone about today’s events.

“Baek Soyool, do you know the original purpose for which Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling was created?”

“…Purpose?”

She probably doesn’t know.

Even if she learned the Art Formula by chance, the information she could obtain likely ended there.

So, I revealed the answer without hesitation.

“Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling is merely a step in completing a higher-level Forbidden Art.”

“……”

“If you use the Art Formula on an individual over a long period, eventually the Spiritual Power of the two people becomes so similar that it’s thought to be identical. So, what do you think happens next?”

“You don’t mean… you become that person entirely, do you?”

That was correct.

Once the vessel is complete, one can use an even more powerful, higher-level Forbidden Art to completely devour the target’s body and soul.

It’s not just stealing power; it’s becoming that being entirely.

“…That doesn’t seem wrong. It was an Art Formula inefficient for combat or other purposes, so it must have had some special use.”

And it was precisely there that Baek Soyool committed a critical mistake without even realizing it.

By stealing and using my Spiritual Power, she assimilated a part of it into her own soul.

“Even now, remnants of everything you took from me probably remain within you. Of course, they’ll disappear completely in a few hours.”

“I don’t get the point. Does that change anything?”

Baek Soyool seemed completely clueless.

Naturally so. If the target had been someone other than me, it wouldn’t have been a problem at all.

However, Baek Soyool doesn’t know.

The immense Forbidden Technique Value accumulated beyond the limit within my soul.

And the danger of having a spiritual connection with someone like me.

“Baek Soyool, you shouldn’t have approached me in that way.”

Whoosh.

I drew up my Spiritual Power and poured it all into the Ritual Array I had engraved on my body before coming here.

“Soul Trampling Scorched Boundary.”

The Curse Art Sophia used on me during the fourth gate of the previous Exorcist qualification exam.

Those targeted by this Cursed Technique are bound by restraints heavier in proportion to the amount of spiritual connection currently linking them.

It was a minor Art Formula used in PVP only to counter specific meta professions, but for the current Baek Soyool, it would unleash power akin to divine judgment.

Fsssh.

Kwa-dudududuk!

“Ugh. What is this…?”

Baek Soyool momentarily lost control of her body as if crushed by something invisible.

Even in that brief moment, she tried to defend, but I had prepared the Ritual Array in advance to drastically reduce the casting time. Of course, she couldn’t possibly block it.

“You probably won’t be able to move a finger while the Art Formula is active.”

“…Is this your trump card? I didn’t think you’d resort to a direct confrontation like this.”

Despite clearly feeling tremendous pressure, Baek Soyool looked at me with a mad smile, not averting her gaze. Truly unbelievable mental fortitude.

However, unfortunately for her, Soul Trampling Scorched Boundary was merely a preparatory step.

I chuckled softly, sat on the bed, and spoke to her.

“Please don’t misunderstand. I have no intention of attacking.”

“…Hoo, hoo. You say that after using such a powerful Binding Art?”

“To understand what will happen next, this might be quicker.”

As I laid out the Talismans I had prepared according to the rules around the room, I slowly explained to Baek Soyool the situation she was in.

At first, she seemed puzzled about what I was talking about, but as time passed, her face darkened.

With her extensive knowledge, she too realized that what I was saying was true.

“To summarize, there is now a small channel connecting your soul and mine. You know what that means, don’t you?”

“…What exactly are you scheming?”

Baek Soyool rarely showed her displeasure openly.

Having their souls connected means both parties are exposing their weaknesses to each other.

A skilled Exorcist has plenty of ways to exploit that opening.

“But isn’t that too reckless? It won’t do you any good, Kangyoon.”

That’s true.

Although I have my own methods, there’s a clear difference in level between Baek Soyool and me.

Under equal conditions, Baek Soyool would naturally not fall behind.

‘Well, if the conditions were equal.’

I smiled faintly and spoke to her, who had been subtly trying to dismantle the Binding Art.

“The Art Formula I’m about to use is the Path of Absolution.”

“……”

For a moment, the corner of Baek Soyool’s eye twitched.

Of course she would know. In the original work, she was the first to use this Art Formula.

‘She probably prepared it as a card for unforeseen circumstances.’

In fact, Baek Soyool intended to use this Path of Absolution Art Formula to turn Baek Manseok, the First Elder of the Baek Family, into her puppet.

Considering that plan almost succeeded, most of the groundwork is probably still in place now.

“Setting aside how you know about it, you probably can’t use it on me, right? Activating the Art Formula requires various complex conditions…”

The corner of Baek Soyool’s mouth, which had been speaking, stiffened for a moment.

Perhaps in the process of recalling those conditions, she realized it herself.

The Forbidden Art, Mixed Origin Co-Dwelling, which she used to steal my Spiritual Power.

Because of it, the conditions between her and me have been met.

“…Now I understand. That kind explanation earlier was to lead to this.”

“Correct. Ironically, you completed the conditions for me yourself.”

Activating the Art Formula is possible.

But even so, Baek Soyool remained unshaken.

In fact, she seemed to have regained even more confidence.

“Then go ahead. Since you say that, you must know all the effects of the Art Formula, right?”

The Path of Absolution is a type of forced contract.

Using the souls of the two targeted individuals as collateral, it forces an endless race of death.

“Both parties accept continuous Curses, and the one who can’t endure forfeits their soul to the other.”

The one who loses and forfeits their soul literally becomes the other’s faithful servant, unable to refuse any command.

It’s possible to erase their personality entirely and turn them into a combat puppet; killing or reviving them is up to the master.

A Forbidden Art that yields irreversible consequences the moment it is activated.

Yet, without a moment’s hesitation, I raised my hand and began forming Hand Seals.

Chueok.

Whoosh.

Soon, using even my Soul Combustion Trait, I gathered all my Spiritual Power, and Incantations seeped from my lips, word by word.

“History Reversed, Ten-Thousand Actions Governed. True Soul, Eyes Public, Numbers Mournful.”

Seeing this, Baek Soyool was flustered. Her eyes showed she couldn’t comprehend my actions at all.

“Are you sane? You don’t actually think you can beat me in this kind of fight, do you?”

Baek Soyool reacted as if it were absurd, but I paid her no mind and proceeded with the remaining steps.

Whoosh!

Ssluk.

Sseureureuruk.

As the Art Formula took shape, the Spiritual Power flowing from my entire body began to envelop Baek Soyool and me, and soon it seeped inside, disappearing without a trace.

Through that process, the Art was finally completed.

“Path of Absolution.”

Fsssssh!

The die was cast.

And I already knew the outcome.