Chapter 182

Most of the Exorcists in the Subjugation Force had lost their will to fight after the large-scale bombardment Yoosakbi had recklessly carried out by sacrificing itself.

It was inevitable.

With just that one attack, where it abandoned its own defense, over half the personnel had either died or been rendered combat ineffective.

If they continued to oppose that thing, only death awaited them. Everyone realized that without exception.

Lee Eun-chan, who had briefly shared accommodations with Han Kangyoon and was a 2nd-Rank Exorcist, was one of them.

‘What the hell is this…?’

Previously, in a battle against a Specter judged to be A+-Rank, he had truly felt a wall.

Even though he hadn’t fought it head-on and was only providing support from the rear.

Lee Eun-chan could do nothing, and in front of a high-level Specter, an Exorcist’s life was far too light.

However, as time passed, he felt he had overcome that fear and was ready to advance to the next stage.

That’s why he had volunteered for this Subjugation Force.

But.

‘It… it was a ridiculous delusion.’

Even the A+-Rank Specter that had terrified him before was nothing more than a neighborhood bully showing off its strength in front of that rock monstrosity.

A single stomp shook heaven and earth, a single swing of its arm cost the lives of several renowned Exorcists.

It was clearly a calamity that should not exist in this world. It was not an entity that mere humans could oppose.

He felt endlessly foolish for having thought to stand before such a monster with his petty resolve.

‘I… I want to live.’

Right at that moment, Lee Eun-chan recalled a single sentence Han Kangyoon had casually said to him.

[It won’t be just that much. To survive, you’ll have to discard all the common sense you’ve held until now.]

Thinking about it, Han Kangyoon had already known. What an S-Rank Specter was, how unreasonable a disaster it was.

Despite knowing all those facts, unlike himself, Han Kangyoon had come here.

At that realization, Lee Eun-chan suddenly felt ashamed of himself.

Seeing the battle Han Kangyoon unfolded soon after made him feel it even more.

Han Kangyoon was strong, valiant, and unwavering.

‘…He’s amazing.’

Lee Eun-chan didn’t know any Exorcist who could fight like that, beyond his years.

While Special-Rank Exorcists existed in the world, until today, Lee Eun-chan had only ever seen them in videos or heard about them through rumors.

And when Han Kangyoon, who had chased the rock Specter into the mysterious curtain, finally brought its head and laid it out before everyone, Lee Eun-chan felt a thrill.

Han Kangyoon, who he had once considered someone to protect, now seemed like a great man placed on a completely different plane.

Truly, the size of their vessels was different.

“Did… did he really capture it?”

“Yes. It’s completely finished.”

The elderly 1st-Rank Exorcist Lee Moon-hyung, who had barely managed to tend to his wounds with the help of the surrounding Exorcists, opened his eyes wide as if he couldn’t believe it.

The reactions of the others weren’t much different.

Having witnessed in reality a feat that seemed like it could only come from an old tale, it was harder not to be surprised.

At this moment, Lee Eun-chan glimpsed a wall he would never overcome in his lifetime.

But on the other hand, he felt a conviction that something within him had truly changed.

He didn’t know exactly what, but it didn’t feel entirely negative.

‘This is… a true Exorcist…’

As Han Kangyoon staggered after finishing his words, Lee Eun-chan unconsciously hurried over and supported his body.

Then Han Kangyoon chuckled and said to Lee Eun-chan.

“You managed to stay without running away.”

“…I have nothing to say. I wasn’t much help this time either.”

“You did well. Life is originally the most precious thing.”

To think of it as consolation, Han Kangyoon’s words held considerable sincerity.

Slightly bewildered, Lee Eun-chan soon realized the meaning contained within them and deeply admired it.

‘…Is that so.’

His own life wasn’t the only precious one.

The lives of all the Exorcists here were equally precious.

Knowing that, Han Kangyoon hadn’t hesitated.

Although Han Kangyoon had actually just made a jesting remark, Lee Eun-chan, in shock, let out a hollow sigh until Han Kangyoon left the spot.

And watching his retreating figure, he resolved.

He didn’t know if a day would come when they would meet again, but at least until then, he would become a person with that level of mindset.

‘Every muscle aches.’

After facing Yoosakbi using Sahwanje’s passage, I literally poured out everything in a final, desperate battle.

The outcome was truly decided by a hair’s breadth.

It was just that Yoosakbi reached its limit faster than my strength ran out.

At the time, I agonized over many things, but indeed, not recklessly exerting my full power and waiting for an opportunity was truly the optimal choice.

‘Even compared to the original work’s version, it was only a difference of one Trait and a few Levels.’

That difference was infinitely small, yet infinitely large.

Moreover, at the very end, I almost got completely blindsided by an unexpected escape attempt, so I can definitely say it was an extremely perilous crisis.

‘Hell Difficulty, indeed not something to be taken lightly.’

Thinking about the events so far, it’s clear that as time passes, it exerts an increasingly significant influence.

I had to assume that moments even more troublesome than this would inevitably come in the future.

‘…Putting that aside, I fought well.’

Even by my own assessment, my skills have truly risen to a level that can’t be ignored now.

No, to be honest, this Han Kangyoon’s body has a much better sense than my original self.

If my experience and knowledge combine with Han Kangyoon’s body’s innate sense, I might be able to approach a realm I’ve never reached before.

‘I could never surpass the wall of the 1st rank.’

That being, whether it was a he or a she, was truly amazing. Frankly, I had confidence that I could somehow surpass those below if I just increased my playtime, but I could definitely say the 1st rank was beyond me.

Well, being such an extraordinary human beyond common sense, they could occupy and defend the throne of 1st rank.

Recalling the battles I had fought against the 1st rank several times in the past, I sank into deep thought, replaying each of their movements.

‘With Han Kangyoon’s body, could I respond?’

I couldn’t be sure. That was something you couldn’t know without actually fighting them.

Moreover, it had now become a rematch that could never happen.

But I didn’t feel bad.

Rather, I thought that made it even more meaningful.

Thud.

Resting in the space specially prepared by the Subjugation Force, I quietly sat up and fell into contemplation about future matters.

Now that the immediate obstacle, Yoosakbi, was dealt with, the remaining tasks were roughly divided into two.

‘The S-Rank Specter said to have appeared near Yoo Haon’s group, and Jinmyeong Daesa.’

If I had to choose the one with higher priority, sorry to say, it was the latter.

‘Jinmyeong Daesa is dangerous.’

He is extremely strong and cunning. Whatever plan he is scheming must definitely be stopped.

‘Fortunately, some groundwork has been laid for that time.’

This subjugation of Yoosakbi could also be considered part of that.

I performed outstandingly enough that no one could deny it, and the resulting fame would once again elevate my name’s worth.

‘It’s about time the Headquarters visits.’

I took the Exorcist qualification exam early and broke Cheong Soha’s record, and along with the previous Cat-Head Serpent incident, this time I clearly became the main force in defeating an S-Rank.

By this point, my abilities are clearly proven.

Given my age and future potential, the Headquarters would naturally seek to make connections and attempt contact.

Quite coincidentally, at that moment, a knocking sound came at the door.

Knock.

Knock knock.

“Excuse me. There are personnel from the Headquarters who wish to meet Han Kangyoon.”

“You may come in.”

“…Ah, yes.”

Click.

Exactly as expected.

Behind the man who opened the door and entered, several robust-looking men and women who appeared to be Headquarters personnel came into view.

‘Huh?’

But something slightly odd caught my eye. The Subjugation Force man acting as guide was excessively stiff, and the aura emanating from those behind him was unusual.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Hong Yong-taek】

▶Level: 55

【Yoon Seol-ha】

▶Level: 53

【Wee Ji-chan】

▶Level: 52

‘All three are 1st-Rank level?’

Clearly strange. There was no reason to send such valuable personnel as mere liaisons during an emergency like this.

Moreover, the patterns engraved on the Cursed Tools they possessed…

“We are from the Execution Department. Are you Han Kangyoon?”

“…That’s correct.”

“On charges of murdering civilians and multiple Exorcists, we will now take you into Restraint.”

It was the moment when Executors belonging to the Exorcism Headquarters’ Execution Department suddenly pronounced guilt upon me.

‘What on earth is going on?’

To be honest, it was so absurd that I couldn’t respond properly.

I’ve captured Specters, but no matter how much I think about it, I’ve never once captured a human. Then their words must be false.

But where on earth is the reason for them to drag me away like this in such a situation?

“We will hear your defense at the base. Until then, if you do anything suspicious, you will be subdued immediately.”

Their attitude, as if treating a criminal, frankly annoyed me, but there was nothing I could do.

There was nothing good about making a big deal out of it, and besides, I wasn’t in proper condition after the fight with Yoosakbi.

The Executors who took me to one of the Headquarters’ bases recited my charges in detail there and began verifying the facts.

I naturally protested and confronted them without a moment’s hesitation.

I hadn’t committed any crime anyway and had considerable backing in various ways, so there was no reason to be intimidated even if they were Headquarters Executors.

However, even I couldn’t help but be taken aback by their attitude, looking at me with disgust, and the feast of overly detailed charges.

‘…Is there any reason, logically, to act this much?’

If they wanted something, they could just suppress me like this and take it.

But these people were quite sincere. Their attitude was as if I had truly committed a crime and was hiding it.

Just as I was concluding it definitely wasn’t simple acting, they, unable to bear it, thrust an evidence screen in front of me.

“Disgusting. Do you intend to make excuses until the end even like this?”

“…Let me check first and then I’ll speak.”

What kind of evidence could there be for them to take such a firm stance?

Soon after checking the screen, I could fully understand their thinking.

‘…Damn it, something’s wrong.’

A man in an Academy student uniform brutally killing Exorcists on the screen.

Even to my eyes, that was clearly none other than me.