Chapter 258

Now that I’ve come this far, I understand why Pyeong Wonmyeong refused to disclose the details of the request.

If the direct descendant of the clan is experiencing an unexplained Specter Transformation phenomenon, and if that were to spread to the public, not only would the clan’s prestige be tarnished, but her life would also be ruined.

“You may cooperate with each other, or if you have any leads, you may investigate privately.”

With those words, the retainers who had appeared from one side of the hallway began handing each of us a neatly arranged wooden box.

Jangsam, who opened it, spoke with surprise.

“Ah, no. This much?”

“It’s an advance payment. If you can find the cause and its solution, I’ll give you twenty times this amount.”

“Is that true?”

The Exorcists, except for me, all wore bewildered expressions and showed flustered reactions, suggesting it was an extraordinarily large sum.

“I’d appreciate it if you considered it that important. Of course, it also means I ask you to be especially careful not to let rumors spread.”

“This is enough to spark motivation. It’s a request worth tackling for the first time in a while.”

“There are other Taoist Masters I’ve directly invited for help, but they’ve also just begun their investigations, so there are no results yet. I don’t plan to gather more people for the time being, so please understand that my hopes rest heavily on you.”

“Of course, don’t worry! We’ll do our best to find a way.”

After a few more words of guidance, the Taoist Masters left.

However, only Shin Pyoeul and I remained, keeping our seats, so Pyeong Wonmyeong asked us.

“Do you have some other business?”

“Yes. There are a few things I’d like to confirm.”

“…I feel the same way.”

As I yielded my seat, Shin Pyoeul, seeing this, presented her business first.

“Would it be possible to examine the young lady’s body in a bit more detail?”

Certainly, that was something I had been thinking too.

We had checked the superficial condition, but that alone seemed insufficient for information.

Recognizing that reaction, Pyeong Wonmyeong nodded as if understanding.

“Wait a moment, I’ll go inform the young lady.”

With that approval, we were able to examine Pyeong Eunha’s condition in more detail.

‘As I thought…’

[Do you have something in mind?]

‘It’s still just a hunch.’

Unlike me, who confirmed my suspicions were correct, Shin Pyoeul seemed to have no results, sighing and stepping back.

Then, Pyeong Wonmyeong was seen talking to someone outside the room.

“Won’t you come out now? How long do you plan to stay like that?”

Strangely, Pyeong Wonmyeong was speaking towards the empty ceiling, and soon, very faint fragments of Spiritual Power began to be felt from there.

And shortly after, a girl who poked her head out as if parting the space answered sullenly.

“…Why are you being such a bother? I said I wouldn’t come out.”

“But they’ve taken on the same request. Wouldn’t it be better to at least get acquainted?”

“Pyeong Wonmyeong… are you an idiot? Don’t you know what it means that the Dream Phantom Bubble Shadow Formation was broken?”

The girl, glancing sideways at me, continued.

“If he decides to go wild, everyone here will die. I’d rather not face him directly.”

As I stood there dumbfounded by her clearly wary attitude, Pyeong Wonmyeong, smiling faintly, answered first.

“He’s not that kind of person.”

“…What are you basing that on?”

“My skill in arts may be lacking, but my judgment of people is far better than yours.”

“Well, aren’t you impressive, really.”

Eventually, the girl resignedly spun once in the air and landed on the floor.

More precisely, she had summoned a floating-type Shikigami in the meantime and was sitting on it.

“…I’ll at least say it’s nice to meet you. I don’t particularly want to get close, though.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.”

However, the one who actually showed a clear reaction to the girl was not me, but Shin Pyoeul beside me.

“M-Master?”

“Huh? Who’s your master… oh, Pyoeul? I didn’t recognize you because you’re all bundled up.”

It turned out the two were originally in a master-disciple relationship.

When asked about it, Shin Pyoeul answered like this.

“This is none other than the greatest Art Formula user of the current era, Seo Cheonye-nim.”

“…Don’t gild me unnecessarily. The one next to you isn’t exactly lacking either.”

It seemed Seo Cheonye was quite a famous figure in this era, and upon checking her information, I couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

【Seo Cheonye】

▶Level 81

‘…A monster?’

I thought she was at a similar level since she had been wary and respectful of me earlier, but that wasn’t the case at all.

At this level, the grand praises Shin Pyoeul had uttered didn’t seem like empty boasts at all.

If Hochoong had begun his activities in earnest, the evaluation might have been different, but he was still at the stage of cultivating in Jinyeonsan.

In other words, the Exorcist considered the greatest in this era was truly standing before me.

“How old are you, if I may ask?”

“…Asking that out of the blue? You probably aren’t much different yourself.”

“My appearance isn’t significantly different from my actual age.”

“Liar. Tsk. Aren’t you embarrassed in front of the kids?”

Seo Cheonye shook her head as if it wasn’t worth answering.

Seeing that reaction, I could only tilt my head in confusion.

[It’s probably because you broke that Dream Phantom Bubble Shadow Formation.]

Listening to her words, that was the cause of her deep wariness. But, to be honest, breaking out of it wasn’t that difficult, which was strange.

[Might it be because this is the World of Forbidden Techniques?]

‘What does that mean?’

[It’s a conceptual issue. Since they, who are ultimately just reproductions, tried to confine you, an external existence, with a Barrier Technique, it was nonsensical from the start.]

While perfect understanding was impossible, I roughly grasped the meaning.

In other words, the Dream Phantom Bubble Shadow Formation was originally a Cursed Technique at a level I couldn’t possibly handle, but because this is the World of Forbidden Techniques, I could break it without much difficulty.

‘Well, it’s not a bad thing, right?’

At least inside here, it’s safe to assume that safety is guaranteed against Barrier Techniques or similar arts.

Since the danger is reduced, it’s ultimately good for me.

“Master, have you also taken on the request? Then perhaps we should act together…”

“No need. I’m already moving in a different way. You handle things on your own.”

“Yes…”

Shin Pyoeul bowed her head with a somewhat regretful look.

As there were no other matters, after some conversation, we left the residence and returned to the bustling streets.

“…Um, what do you plan to do from now on?”

“There are things I need to check, so I’ll likely stay here for a few days.”

“Then, would you consider working with me?”

Looking at Shin Pyoeul, who suddenly proposed an alliance, she continued with a somewhat serious demeanor.

“It might sound like boasting, but Master is truly amazing. So, the fact that even someone like that is struggling… means that no matter how hard I try alone, it will be difficult to resolve the request.”

Certainly, her words were reasonable.

Seo Cheonye is an Exorcist with unparalleled skill.

If even she couldn’t solve it, then there must inevitably be unimaginable causality entangled in this matter.

Not just Shin Pyoeul, but even I can’t guarantee I could solve it alone.

“Alright. However, there’s something you must do for me.”

“Huh? What is it?”

Hearing my words, Shin Pyoeul nodded with a somewhat awkward expression.

Thus, the night in Hoobaek grew deeper.

[Do you think that girl is hiding something?]

“Yes. Probably so. Whether by her own will or by external force, either way.”

After examining Pyeong Eunha’s condition in detail at the residence, I could confirm one fact.

Having encountered a similar situation while playing the Exorcism Academy Series, I couldn’t be mistaken.

“Originally, Specter Transformation isn’t something that can happen so conveniently, but there were some doubts about her condition.”

The problem wasn’t that there was an issue, but rather that it was too clean.

She is steadily transforming into a Specter. And in an overly perfect state.

Just looking at the past incident of the Undeath’s Forbidden Curse involving Myeongyool and Arietta, it’s clear that complete Specter Transformation isn’t a simple matter.

Then one thing was certain.

In her Specter Transformation, her own will is clearly involved in some form.

[So you’re thinking of sneaking in and questioning her directly.]

“Yes. Surely that would allow for a more truthful conversation.”

With Pyeong Wonmyeong or clan members present, there’s no telling if she would answer questions properly.

So, I was heading towards the Pyeong Clan residence I had visited in the morning, taking advantage of the late night.

[That woman Seo Cheonye is a problem though…]

“We’ll have to hope Shin Pyoeul holds her back appropriately.”

Of course, Seo Cheonye would notice my infiltration one way or another, but that brief moment would be enough.

Thus, using various Art Formulas including a Concealment Art, I entered the clan grounds and could immediately sense that someone had detected my intrusion.

‘As expected…’

Seo Cheonye is an Exorcist of tremendous skill. Even now, if I didn’t know her capabilities, I might not have even realized I’d been detected.

Shin Pyoeul must have called her out by now, but it seemed there was no time to hesitate.

“I’ll proceed quickly.”

Passing by the clan members and guards on patrol, I headed to her room, where a powerfully erected Barrier and Exorcists resting in the surrounding rooms came into view.

Without hesitation, I used an Art Formula to put them all to sleep, then released the Barrier and overlaid it with my own.

With this, there should be no worry of being discovered by anyone except Seo Cheonye.

“You are…”

It seemed she hadn’t fallen into deep sleep yet, as Pyeong Eunha, sensing my presence after dispelling the Art Formula, woke up and covered herself with the blanket, somewhat frightened.

“I haven’t come with intent to harm. I simply have facts I must ask to resolve the request.”

“Even so, this is… how can I trust you, Taoist Master?”

“If I truly harbored ill intent, I wouldn’t be doing this now.”

“……”

Certainly, that statement wasn’t wrong, so Pyeong Eunha calmed her mind and answered me.

“Yes… I’ll forget this rudeness for now. So, what is it you want to ask me?”

Even as she said that, Pyeong Eunha somehow seemed to have an inkling.

Seeing that, I could once again confirm my prediction was correct.

“Young lady, isn’t it true that you already know the cause of the Specter Transformation?”

At those words, Pyeong Eunha’s head dropped.