Chapter 181

In a prison where not an inch ahead could be seen, Yoosakbi had slumbered for long years.

Its spirit grew dim, and its memories too became dulled.

Then one day, Yoosakbi felt the prison binding it gradually loosen.

As more time passed, a single crack formed within it, and Yoosakbi, transcending an eternity, could finally emerge into the world once more.

‘…I’m hungry.’

Having regained its freedom, Yoosakbi immediately devoured several nearby humans, absorbing their memories and knowledge.

And it came to realize. That a new era had dawned while it slept.

Having recovered its energy, Yoosakbi sought a suitable location to create its own domain. To fully restore the power weathered by the long ages, there was no other way.

In the process, it killed several Taoist Masters of this era.

The result was frankly disappointing.

‘Are these weaklings the ones who call themselves Taoist Masters?’

No matter how much the times had changed, compared to the Taoist Masters Yoosakbi knew, they seemed like children putting on a convincing imitation.

Thus, while immersed in creating its domain in the mountain range, Yoosakbi soon sensed an incomparably larger number of humans approaching than before.

And in the process of fighting them, it understood. The way of survival for the humans of this era.

‘Indeed, so that’s how it is.’

They were many.

They did not act alone or lead a small party like the Taoist Masters Yoosakbi knew.

The violence born from overwhelming numerical superiority was not something even Yoosakbi could take lightly.

Thus, it struggled and had no choice but to accept unwanted losses.

However, even so, Yoosakbi’s conclusion remained the same.

‘Truly weak.’

In Yoosakbi’s era, Taoist Masters were beings who instilled fear in Specters.

Among them, there existed top-tier masters who could make even Yoosakbi, called a Great Specter, tremble.

But here, there was no such being.

No one could instill fear in Yoosakbi, and thus the result could only be defeat.

Just as it was about to target the girl of Natural Qi who had been persistently bothersome after dealing with most of the humans, Yoosakbi felt its nerves jolt for the first time since regaining freedom.

‘This is…’

The shadows that had unknowingly covered the ground beneath its feet, from within them, a massive form revealed itself.

Screech!

Crash─!

Blocking the fist swung at it in haste, Yoosakbi instantly realized its identity.

A Specter, and a considerably powerful one at that.

‘Where from…’

Glancing around, Yoosakbi soon discovered the source.

The young human who had summoned the Fire Goblin still standing guard over the girl of Natural Qi.

“…Impressive. To tame a Specter of this caliber at that age.”

Moreover, what truly surprised Yoosakbi was that it had not sensed the opponent’s prowess at all until now.

Clearly, he had been waiting with an immovable heart for the moment Yoosakbi expended its strength and grew weary.

Regardless of age, one had to see that the soul of an exceptional hunter resided within him.

‘Not of the same rank.’

The giant Specter that appeared before its eyes was strong, but strictly speaking, it was slightly below Yoosakbi’s level.

However, the problem was that the current Yoosakbi was also far from its normal state.

‘…I’ll tear its throat out in one go.’

It seemed to have brought out its trump card, but it was a complacent response.

Yoosakbi, confirming its own victory, wrapped itself in Spectral Energy and poured strength into both feet.

And in that moment, it realized. That the opponent had not underestimated it, but rather the opposite.

“Come forth.”

Swoosh.

Squelch!

Splash!

It was not just one.

From the shadows that had grown large again, several Specters emerged one after another.

Moreover, they were not mere miscellaneous fiends. Each one harbored a power that could not be ignored.

‘……’

In a situation utterly difficult to comprehend, Yoosakbi finally had to admit.

In this era, while it had not seen anyone who could bring it fear, at least an opponent who stirred its competitive spirit existed.

‘I wonder how many minutes they can hold out…’

It was actually an unreasonable act. In my current state, I lacked the mental strength to even maintain Keuseundae alone.

However, judging by the power the creature had shown so far and its reaction after exchanging blows with Keuseundae, I knew.

That we could never win like this.

Thus, I immediately unleashed all available combat power in a surprise attack.

A fight with no retreat. A determination to end it, no matter what.

“…A Specter that handles fire. Its compatibility with me is not good.”

“There’s no need for you to step to the front.”

Following my instruction, Hwabaek released a multitude of plant stems into the ground.

Crackle!

Crunch!

Crunch-crunch!

“Just maintain that state until the battle ends.”

I’m not certain, but this should likely prevent Yoosakbi from properly exerting dominance over the nearby land.

As if sensing that fact, its face twitched for a moment.

“…To be able to command this many familiars, yet you hid your strength until now.”

I wasn’t particularly hiding it. I was simply waiting for the moment to make the most of this one chance as perfectly as possible.

‘Only three people can practically fight.’

The last remaining 1st-Rank Exorcist, Park Yong-jin, Seo Jian who wields Natural-Type Sorcery, and myself.

There were still some intact among the Exorcists of each team, but most of them had already had their will broken.

‘No choice, I suppose.’

In the fight from now on, bringing along someone who can’t coordinate won’t be of much help anyway.

I called Park Yong-jin, who was looking at the Shikigami with a surprised expression, and sent him to the rear.

“No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, so please keep firing Advanced Arts as long as your strength holds.”

Although his condition is relatively intact, Park Yong-jin is also already feeling extreme physical fatigue.

So, if we wanted to utilize his remaining vast Spiritual Power, this was the best method.

“…Understood. I’ll do so.”

Perhaps a veteran is a veteran after all; Park Yong-jin quickly found his role and blended in despite the bewildering change in situation.

Now, what happens next depends purely on me and Seo Jian.

“Keuseundae, Black Yin, Sorisoe.”

At my command, the Shikigami simultaneously charged at Yoosakbi.

Even the weakest among them, Sorisoe, now has a Level of 49.

For a Yoosakbi exhausted to the extreme, this was by no means an easy combination.

Whoosh!

“Guhk!”

While distracted by Black Yin’s feather barrage and Sorisoe’s flashy movements, Keuseundae’s strike landed on Yoosakbi.

It defended by wrapping its body in rock, but almost all of the impact must have been transmitted.

“…So you wish to challenge me to a contest of strength.”

Crash!

Boom─!

Yoosakbi strongly kicked off the ground and pushed Keuseundae away with its palm.

An elasticity beyond common sense, as if springs were attached all over its body. Even Keuseundae, with its massive frame, was helplessly pushed back and rolled on the ground.

But it was fine. It wasn’t only Yoosakbi who boasted formidable defensive power.

[Grooowl.]

Keuseundae, having received a powerful blow, kicked off the ground and stood up as if it didn’t even tickle.

Looking closely, it seemed even more energetic than before being hit.

The power of the Battle Qi Gluttony Trait, which swells its own strength by feeding on the opponent’s attacks.

Even the previously overconfident Yoosakbi seemed to waver slightly upon realizing this fact.

‘Battle Qi Gluttony is a truly cheat-level Trait.’

One of the top-tier Traits in the Exorcism Academy Series, mentioned several times before.

Frankly speaking, if that Trait hadn’t been sealed during the past battle at Yeongwoldo, I probably wouldn’t exist here now.

Thud.

Thud.

Whoosh.

[Grooo!]

Keuseundae, trusting in the power of the Battle Qi Gluttony and Impact Absorption Traits, boldly poured on the attacks.

Under that momentum, Yoosakbi couldn’t properly utilize its own strengths and was constantly busy defending.

When that happens, what follows is truly simple.

“Water Spear!”

“Seven Generation Strike!”

Screech!

Crash-boom─!

“Kuh-heuk!”

The attacks of Seo Jian and Park Yong-jin, having gathered sufficient power, were mercilessly fired, and Yoosakbi, failing to properly evade them, allowed another hit.

“…How dare you!”

Flames erupted from beneath the feet of the enraged Yoosakbi.

Just like before, it intended to collapse the battle formation with a powerful attack while accepting damage.

‘The heat…’

The flames swelled to an immeasurable size, breath suddenly cut off, choking.

What moved simultaneously was none other than Seo Jian.

“…If I use this, I won’t be able to move anymore.”

In short, she was saying she would leave the rest to me.

As I nodded, Seo Jian calmly closed her eyes and soon focused her mind, beginning to draw up a massive amount of Spiritual Power.

Then something amazing happened.

Water streams burst forth as if gushing from the land all over the mountain, all converging towards Seo Jian.

A sight as if drawing all the underground water veins.

Seo Jian, having orchestrated this, poured that water stream, filled to the brim with Spiritual Power, directly at Yoosakbi.

“Torrential Burst.”

Splash.

Whoosh─!

Splash─!

Sizzle─!

Fire and water met, generating a massive amount of steam, and the temperature in the surroundings dropped momentarily.

When it all cleared, only Yoosakbi, drenched as if caught in a downpour, stood silently in place.

After a long silence, Yoosakbi finally spoke again in an emotionless tone.

“I acknowledge it.”

“……”

“In this battle, I cannot defeat you.”

That was a slightly odd attitude. It wasn’t the Yoosakbi I knew from the original work.

“After experiencing a bitter defeat in the past and being imprisoned for an eternity, I realized one thing.”

“What are you saying…”

“That the form of victory is not predetermined.”

Having finished speaking, Yoosakbi stared into the void and revealed the fact I had been trying hard to conceal.

“You clearly appear exhausted. Surely you cannot freely command that many familiars.”

Immediately after, Yoosakbi leaped high, putting distance between us.

Crash!

Thud.

“I shall now find a place to hide and tend to my wounds. And I will find and kill you first.”

It’s not wrong. Yoosakbi is a high-ranking Specter. Naturally, it can recover its strength several times faster than me, a mere human.

However, that was also a truly unexpected choice.

‘I never thought it would make such a decision.’

Watching Yoosakbi’s retreating back rapidly growing distant, I let out a hollow laugh with a drained expression.

Hell Difficulty.

I never imagined it would bring variation even in this way.

However, there was one fact Yoosakbi did not know.

“Sahwanje.”

Swoosh.

Splash!

[Kee-heek.]

I give my all in everything, and in battle especially, I leave all possibilities open.

Originally, I hadn’t prepared to use this in such a situation, but it doesn’t matter either way.

“Connect the passage.”

The passages Sahwanje had been instructed to create all over the mountain range after arriving at Mudeungsan.

That moment was when they were unintentionally transforming into the final blade to take Yoosakbi’s life.