Chapter 239

After using the Grand Art Trust Shattering Shade in the previous battle with Luke, I felt a strange sensation.

Surprisingly, it was the feeling of having completed the art formula more easily than expected.

Of course, it was a venture akin to a gamble, but even so, when the art formula was completed, I still had a handful of composure left. It meant that even Trust Shattering Shade had failed to push me to my limits.

‘Then…’

Perhaps I could use even more powerful Cursed Techniques as well.

Thus, the art formula I had in mind was Hectail’s Grand Art, Death Transcending Wheel.

Frankly, the probability was at best fifty-fifty. I knew the structure and content of the art formula itself, but it remained unchanged that it was a technique of a higher rank than what I could currently handle.

“The wheel of the Three Realms and Six Paths circles eternity.”

Whoosh!

However, the moment the timing for a counterattack arrived, I felt an inexplicable intuition that it was sufficiently possible now.

Moreover, I also wanted to test it definitively here.

To see where my current limit lay, how far I could reach if I drew out all my power.

And indeed, the art formula was being constructed and connected according to my will, gradually revealing its formidable might.

“Grand Art, Death Transcending Wheel.”

Screech!

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

The moment the art formula was completed, an immense surge of death energy erupted, completely engulfing my vision.

Datbaldoksoo, witnessing that overwhelming power, assumed a full defensive posture, but that alone was woefully insufficient.

In the end, the art swept over its body, and it writhed in agony, letting out a scream filled with pain.

[Gwaaahk—!]

Its limbs corroded, and parts of its flesh began to gradually necrotize.

Unable to withstand the intense Curse invading its body, it was collapsing from within.

And finally, when the aftermath of the art subsided, it vomited black, dead blood and collapsed powerlessly onto the ground.

‘Is this the extent…?’

Though it feels awkward to say it myself, the Death Transcending Wheel I just completed possessed even greater power than Hectail’s.

It also meant that the power granted by the Forbidden Technique Value was tremendous enough to completely bridge the considerable gap in specs.

‘However…’

It was already a high-ranking technique, and using it in an even more powerful form placed a significant burden on my body.

Though likely a temporary phenomenon, my right upper body, from which I fired the art, feels almost paralyzed and won’t move properly.

Even with the compensation from the Forbidden Technique Value, it was this severe; originally, this right arm and shoulder might never have recovered.

‘Well, it was a technique even that Hectail used with extreme caution.’

It was a tremendous power, but it seemed best to avoid reckless abuse nonetheless.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I quietly stepped toward the creature’s corpse.

“He, he really took it on alone…?”

“Are you injured anywhere?”

Immediately after the battle ended, the Exorcists who had been scattered around hurried toward Han Kangyoon’s location, each wearing astonished expressions.

The traces of battle were such that one might believe a bomb had exploded, but the sight of Han Kangyoon standing there unscathed before the mangled, dead Specter evoked a profound sense of dissonance in them.

‘It was undoubtedly a high-ranking Specter…’

‘Can one reach such a level at that age?’

Jealousy must be of a comparable level. To them, who had accumulated much experience over the years, Han Kangyoon was already perceived as an unapproachable existence.

Ji Youngmin, the shelter’s supervisor, felt the same sentiment.

“Truly incredible. How was it?”

“It was strong. However, it would be a stretch to say it had fully reached S-Rank.”

“Haha…”

In other words, to Han Kangyoon, even this monstrous horned toad was considered an opponent a step below.

Realizing this, Ji Youngmin couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“…Indeed, you are not talent to be kept confined in a place like this. You are clearly someone who must accomplish more important tasks.”

“You flatter me.”

Due to Han Kangyoon’s previous exploits, an unspoken atmosphere had formed within the shelter, hoping he would stay and protect them.

Frankly, Ji Youngmin felt the same.

In this chaotic situation, protecting the citizens with only himself and his subordinate Exorcists was fraught with anxiety.

But now he could be certain.

Han Kangyoon was not someone whose feet would be bound here.

He was undoubtedly talent who would act for the world in more critical situations.

“It seems I must urgently meet with my companions. Could you perhaps handle the disposal of its corpse?”

“Of course, don’t worry and go ahead.”

As Han Kangyoon departed, an Exorcist spoke to Ji Youngmin, who was watching his retreating figure.

It was Yoon Yeongcheol, a distant junior of his from Headquarters who had recently qualified as a 2nd-Rank Exorcist.

“But, hyeong, isn’t this surprisingly doable? From what I saw up close, that young man also took it down without much difficulty.”

“You’re saying something that could get you into big trouble.”

Of course, thinking that way isn’t strange. At a glance, Han Kangyoon’s battle seemed that easy and clear-cut.

However, the outward appearance and the underlying reality were markedly different. Ji Youngmin at least had the discernment to recognize that.

“Yeongcheol-ah, try firing your most powerful Cursed Technique at full strength.”

“Hmm… Alright.”

Thus, Yoon Yeongcheol recited an incantation and poured the most powerful Advanced Art he could currently use onto Datbaldoksoo’s corpse.

Before they knew it, the other Exorcists were also watching the scene, but upon seeing the result, they were all left speechless.

“Wh, what…?”

“There’s almost no impact?”

If the creature had been alive and well, it wouldn’t have been so surprising.

But now it was a lifeless corpse, and due to having taken Han Kangyoon’s attack head-on, its hide was torn and its skin corroded.

Yet even against such a creature, Yoon Yeongcheol’s attack failed to leave any significant wounds.

“Do you understand now? If he hadn’t been here, we would have been annihilated. If you truly wish to protect the citizens, all of you, engrave the danger of high-ranking Specters clearly in your minds.”

As the gathered Exorcists nodded with serious expressions, Yoon Yeongcheol, who had also been greatly flustered, added one more remark.

“Huh, then just how strong is that young man?”

That was something even Ji Youngmin couldn’t know.

“…You’re late, hoobae-nim.”

“My apologies. A rather strong Specter attacked.”

Earlier, immediately after escorting the citizens to the shelter, I had entrusted Arietta with one request beforehand.

It was to gather information by moving around the surrounding area or other shelters.

‘To move in a timely manner, above all, we need to grasp the situation closely.’

Given Arietta’s abilities, they could be actively utilized for stealth and reconnaissance, so it was a fortunate matter for me.

“So, what were the results?”

“…First, the situations at other shelters aren’t significantly different from here.”

It seems everyone is suffering from a lack of combat strength, anxiously protecting citizens from the pouring Specters.

If so, it seems clear that the number of mid-level Specters has greatly increased.

And the important part was what came next.

“Was there any? Information about them.”

At my words, Arietta shook her head with a subtle expression.

“I managed to obtain some information on high-ranking Specters, but I couldn’t find any Specters matching the characteristics you described.”

“…I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

Each of them was prominently featured in the original work, becoming archenemies of Yoo Haon and his companions.

I thought I might find clues about one or two of them, but it seems I was mistaken.

‘Was the timing too early?’

However, I’m not sure if such a mention existed. In the original work, it didn’t take a particularly long time for them to reveal themselves either.

If so, for now, the correct judgment would be to move around, changing locations and expanding our activity range.

“I will leave this place soon.”

“Okay. I’ll get ready.”

Thus, after returning to the shelter and bidding farewell to Ji Youngmin and Joo Yongtaek, I left the place without delay.

“Where do you plan to go now?”

“First, I intend to survey the situation by circling the outskirts of Seoul.”

Since Yoo Haon and his companions are scattered around that area, most incidents will also occur there.

Of course, there could be plenty of incidents not highlighted in the original work, but thinking about that now is meaningless anyway.

“…Hoobae-nim, the situation is worse than expected.”

“Indeed it is.”

Expanding our activity radius like this made it clear. Rather, Ji Youngmin and the people at that shelter were the lucky case.

Even just around Namyangju, where we are now, there are quite a few citizens who haven’t yet moved to shelters and are hiding in their homes or nearby community centers.

Moreover, some among them are stranded on the streets, hastily hiding in sewers or underground parking lots, making it easy to grasp the urgency of the situation.

While helping such people and slowly moving from area to area, we were able to obtain various pieces of information as initially hoped.

One notable piece was news from neighboring China.

“Has it gotten that bad there?”

“Well, that’s what they say. Apparently, the land is too vast and the population too large to handle. They say those with power and money are already fleeing.”

Considering the case in the original work, it seems China is indeed experiencing quite dire circumstances now.

The existence of the Specter Desire Jar, which I sent back to Sakoonpa’s headquarters, is likely not unrelated to this.

“Anyway, you be careful too. If things go wrong, who knows what could happen to this country.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Indeed, this Night Parade of One Hundred Specters is also something whose flow I can hardly grasp.

There have been more than a few incidents differing from the original work so far, but this time is different.

‘The flow is too different from what I knew.’

Perhaps this time, I may have to discard all the common sense I’ve held until now.

Steeling myself with such resolve, I continued circling the outskirts of Seoul with Arietta, rescuing citizens.

And when about two weeks had passed like that, I finally had to admit.

‘The Specters that made a name in the original work… not a single one has appeared.’

Something is definitely amiss.

This Night Parade of One Hundred Specters will likely flow in a composition entirely different from what I had imagined.