Chapter 238

No matter how unexpected the object was, the fact that it caught the lingering scent suggests it’s quite sensitive to cursed energy.

Perhaps, like Old Man Tree Specter, it might be a Specter possessing power in that area.

‘Though I’d need to see it directly to know its exact level…’

It wouldn’t be an easy opponent.

That much was certain.

“W-what does that mean?”

“Are you saying this shelter will be attacked?”

Naturally, the civilians in the shelter, hearing such news, were thoroughly terrified.

The public perception of high-level Specters is akin to a natural disaster.

The fact that it was specifically targeting this place naturally filled them with dread.

“L-let me out!”

“Damn it all! Can’t you hear me? Open the door! I need to get out of here!”

“I want to go to the next shelter, the shelter in the next village!”

Watching the civilians, who were on the verge of panic and almost rioting, the shelter leader Ji Young-min slammed the wall with a stern face.

Bang!

Bang!

Crash!

The loud noise startled the civilians, causing them to flinch and momentarily fall silent, entering a brief lull.

Disregarding their reaction, Ji Young-min continued logically.

“Everyone, think back to when you were heading here. Was anywhere safe? The outside is no different now. There is no safe place.”

At his firm words, the civilians gradually calmed down and slowly returned to their spots.

Ji Young-min promised them as if making a vow.

“We will do everything in our power to stop it somehow. So, don’t act rashly and wait.”

“O-okay.”

In the end, the civilians could only send desperate wishes toward Ji Young-min, saying nothing more.

Having calmed the situation, Ji Young-min immediately came out and approached Joo Yong-taek to seek his opinion.

“What should we do?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to hold a defensive position inside? The shelter’s protective functions have long been proven.”

Ji Young-min nodded, acknowledging the reason in Joo Yong-taek’s opinion.

However, finding it absurd, I frowned as I looked at the two of them.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Why, why do you say that?”

They genuinely seemed not to understand the reason. Only then did I realize something that should have been obvious.

‘Well, of course, they’ve never faced an S-Rank before.’

Myself and those around me are individuals with narrative significance and extraordinary talents.

But naturally, not everyone in this world is like that.

Even though they experienced the second Night Parade of One Hundred Specters, the strongest they’ve likely faced directly is probably around A-Rank.

“The shelter’s Barrier won’t be able to stop it. If you don’t want all the civilians to die, we need to draw its attention.”

“Are you saying we need to go outside and confront it directly?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

At my answer, the expressions of the two darkened.

Going outside now meant getting caught up with the numerous Specters roaming nearby while having to fight that thing.

In other words, it was practically a suicidal act.

“…If a Sorcerer of your caliber says so, that must be the correct answer.”

Ji Young-min steeled his resolve and took a step forward.

Joo Yong-taek also hesitated but soon shouted to his comrades with a determined face.

“Only those prepared to risk their lives, come with us. Those with families, please stay put.”

He too seemed to be a respected leader, as most people stood up, but Joo Yong-taek pressed down on the shoulders of a few and made them sit back down.

“I said those with responsibilities shouldn’t come.”

Finally, the members who would go outside were decided.

Tensely, we opened the shelter door, moved to a spot a short distance away, and soon finished preparations to lure it.

“But, since we destroyed that object earlier, isn’t there no way now?”

“The method is simple.”

Just openly fire a Curse.

The prey you desire is here, so come running.

And finally, it began to react to the Curse I fired.

“The distance isn’t far. We should be able to see it with our eyes soon.”

“……”

One fortunate thing was that because it was radiating such an overwhelmingly powerful presence, the number of Specters wandering this area had significantly decreased.

For us, it was a very welcome thing, as we could focus solely on the target.

“Less than 1Km left.”

The air was unbearably heavy, and the sound of someone gulping could be heard.

It wasn’t strange to be afraid. Even if its rank was ambiguous, it was clearly a Specter approaching S-Rank.

Soon, something with a massive form revealed itself between the towering buildings.

An appearance reminiscent of a cross between a toad and a lizard.

Its thick skin looked capable of blocking any attack, and the spines on its continuously swelling back heightened its Oppressive Aura even more.

“Th-that is……”

And I too was finally able to ascertain its exact level through the Appraisal function.

【Datbaldoksoo】

▶Level 62

▶Stats

【Stamina : A+】

【Monstrous Power : A-】

【Art Formula : B+】

【Mental Strength : B】

▶Traits(7/10)

【Poison Dragon Rain(S-)】

【Grudge Curse Devouring(A+)】

【Cursed Hand(A-)】

【Oppressive Aura(B-)】

【Output Enhancement(B-)】

【Leg Strength Enhancement(C+)】

【Energy Reserve(C+)】

Considering its Level, Traits, and Stats comprehensively, it was borderline, barely reaching S-Rank or not.

Certainly, it wasn’t a Specter of that extreme power.

‘It wasn’t even mentioned in the original work…’

But that didn’t mean it was an opponent to be taken lightly.

Although I defeated former Shikigami in the space of Cheonghongyeong, they were ultimately just weakened illusions.

Taking down a Specter of this caliber alone was a task accompanied by considerable risk.

“G-goddamn it, take this!”

Overwhelmed by its Oppressive Aura felt just by standing there, several Exorcists let out cries and fired their Cursed Techniques.

Screech!

Crackle-crash!

Zzzzooom!

A bombardment of Cursed Techniques combining Intermediate-Rank Arts and several Advanced Arts.

However, it merely hunched its body and absorbed them all.

“N-no effect?”

“Techniques of this level won’t work! Prepare something stronger!”

But it wasn’t going to just watch. From the lumpy, swollen back of the creature, a powerful Curse laced with Toxic Aura shot out, targeting the Exorcists.

“Wall of Azure Heavens!”

“Prepared Stitch!”

“Realm of Meandering Currents!”

The Exorcists reacted quickly. Overlapping their bodies, they successively used Defensive Arts, maximizing their effectiveness.

They too had become accustomed to dealing with high-level Specters after experiencing the second Night Parade.

However.

Swoosh!

Sizzle!

Zzzzzooom—!

“Wh-what!”

Unfortunately, the opponent was a being far beyond the common sense they had held until now.

Looking at the Arts shattered by what seemed like a casual flick of an attack, the Exorcists wore expressions of despair.

Joo Yong-taek and Ji Young-min, supporting them from behind, barely managed to block the attack, but that single strike caused many to lose their will to fight.

But for me, their offense and defense were quite helpful.

‘I roughly understand.’

While its gaze was fixed on the Exorcists moments ago, I deliberately secretly extended my shadow and channeled a Curse toward its backside.

The result was a perfect hit.

Yet, despite striking a complete opening, it didn’t seem to take much damage.

Even though it was a fairly powerful Curse due to my Forbidden Technique Value.

‘It’s clearly a type similar to me.’

Coincidentally, it truly was.

A perfect Curse-specialized type, possessing powerful Curses while also having high resistance against them.

Seeing that it also easily blocked conventional Cursed Techniques, its basic defensive capabilities themselves seemed extremely high.

‘…Fundamentally, it’s not a very favorable matchup.’

There are largely two methods to deal with such a creature.

Either repeatedly attack with something specialized in more physical aspects, or attempt an attack with something possessing high resistance to Curses or Forbidden Arts.

Thankfully, I possessed both of those, but I decided to try a completely different method and spoke quietly.

“I will handle it. The Exorcists from the shelter, please block the surrounding paths and prevent any potential Specter approaches.”

“Will you be alright?”

It might sound a bit cold, but that was precisely why I brought them along in the first place.

I currently had the power to defeat it alone, and I had that much confidence.

‘No need to test the waters.’

Of course, caution was necessary. Unexpected situations can always occur.

That’s why I had been holding back and carefully observing the situation until now.

But. The estimate was already in.

Shaking off the last bit of doubt, I slowly moved my feet and headed toward it.

It rolled its massive eyeballs, scanning me.

Meeting that gaze, I smirked and slowly raised my palm.

“Try it. If you’re confident.”

As cursed energy began gathering in my palm, it also went into a frenzy, its back swelling greatly.

There wasn’t a shred of self-doubt within it.

The desire to turn me into a handful of poison and swallow me whole was palpable in its eyes.

Thus, its Curse was completed, and simultaneously, my Curse was also completed.

[Gwoooook!]

“Clear Death Fragrant Poison.”

An Advanced Art of the Curse lineage that corrodes the opponent’s body and soul with intense cursed power. Precisely the Art Hectail frequently used.

And its power, surprisingly, surpassed even Hectail’s at that time.

Fsssssh!

Zzzzooom—!

The two Curses collided, and the aftermath began corroding each other’s bodies.

I hardened my body, and it also stared at me without showing any particular sign of strain.

But as mentioned earlier, the estimate was already in.

I was stronger than it.

Fsssssh!

Zzzzzzzt!

As its own Curse suddenly began to be pushed back, it opened its eyes wide in shock.

But the broken balance of power could not be restored.

In the end, it was sent flying backward, taking the full brunt of that massive whirlpool of power.

Thud!

[Gwoooook!]

It immediately got up, but with a dumbfounded expression.

It had probably never imagined being overpowered by someone’s Curse in its life, so it was natural.

And its body was already being rapidly corroded by the Curse.

[Guluk, gok.]*

It focused its nerves, trying to shake off the Curse as if regurgitating it, but an uncontrollable slight tremor had already taken root in its eyes.

And toward such a creature, I slowly moved forward again.

“Azure Mountain Gu Poison, Death Realm Delusion Curse.”

Uttering the secret technique of Hectail, the Forbidden Arts Master of Night School, which I had never used before.