Chapter 285

She had sought my counsel, but it seemed she hadn’t truly expected an answer, as Kwimae chuckled softly and continued speaking.

“There’s nothing to hide, so to put it plainly, there definitely exists a method for beings of this place to ascend to the outside world. However, the subject of that ascension must absolutely not be oneself.”

“Then that means…”

“Mm. You shouldn’t be thinking about how to ‘take’ it, but rather how to ‘be carried along.’ So, I have no intention of harming you, Oppa.”

That’s why Kwimae had chosen the role of an observer until now, never plotting any schemes.

It was too abstract a statement to trust immediately, but it certainly made logical sense.

“I have several methods in mind, but they’re still just hypotheticals at this stage. They need a bit more review. So, let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“I’ll use every possible method to help you achieve your goal, Oppa. In return, once I’ve prepared the means, cooperate with me to go outside.”

In a different sense, it was a fresh proposal. Other Great Specters like Bloodrot or Soul Enchantress only thought of opposing us and taking everything for themselves.

However, setting aside personal feelings, I voiced a somewhat skeptical opinion.

“It might benefit me, but I can’t be sure it’s the right thing to do. Besides, the situation outside isn’t good either, so I’d rather not cause unnecessary chaos.”

Even if this answer meant gaining another powerful enemy, so be it. Wrong was wrong.

Yet, Kwimae didn’t seem disappointed by my response.

“Actually, that makes me trust you more. It means you at least don’t intend to use me deceitfully. I really do like you, Oppa.”

“……”

“So, I’ll explain a bit more in detail. First, I have never killed an innocent human for personal desire.”

It’s not that she has any particular affection for the human race. She simply said that to her, Specters aren’t much different.

“If I had to categorize myself, I’m neutral. I believe in everyone living their own lives, doing their own thing.”

Furthermore, Kwimae added, my worries would ultimately be meaningless.

“As I said, nothing is decided yet, but even if I go outside, it likely won’t be in a straightforward form. So, the things you’re worried about probably won’t happen, not even as a one-in-a-million chance.”

A somewhat bitter emotion even seemed to emanate from Kwimae as she said this, allowing me to realize she was sincere.

If she was going that far, I had no reason to refuse.

I nodded and informed Kwimae of my acceptance of the deal.

“However, the final decision will be made after consulting the group. And if the method is perfected, you must share all of it with us without hiding anything.”

“Mm. That’s fine. It probably won’t be applicable to anyone else but me anyway, so keep that in mind.”

Having finished the conversation, I waited for dawn, then gathered all the members at Jinyeonsan to review Kwimae’s proposal.

“Well, isn’t it fine…? She said she’d accept any restrictions, and we have nothing to lose.”

“Hmm, I actually find her being too submissive suspicious. Leaving even the cooperation with this ‘method’ to our own judgment? It’s too favorable for us.”

In response to Sophia’s doubts, Kwimae answered with a smile.

“Because ultimately, in any form, it’s meaningless if I am the subject, Unni. You could say it’s a force majeure.”

“…Ugh, stop acting like a child and return to your original form, won’t you?”

“Huh? It’s not an act. I’ve always lived like this.”

“Ugh, you’re definitely suspicious!”

Sophia seemed somewhat dissatisfied, but when Hochoong declared he would preemptively block any potential schemes from the middle, she accepted the proposal, convinced.

Thus, Kwimae formally entered a cooperative relationship with us and immediately began proving her competence.

“Although it won’t be exactly the same as a human’s… most of the arts I command can be taught to others. So, I can sufficiently help with improving Cursed Technique systems.”

The expression ‘mastered a thousand arts’ didn’t seem to be an empty boast, as our training definitely began to accelerate after she joined.

Even Hochoong was impressed by Kwimae, so further explanation is meaningless.

Furthermore, we received various useful pieces of information from her.

“So, you’re curious why your ability to perceive essence couldn’t see through me?”

“Right.”

Of course, I remembered a few instances in the game where the Appraisal function didn’t work, but I couldn’t precisely determine what method Kwimae had used.

“From my perspective, the fact such an ability exists is more amazing… but the reason is probably surprisingly simple.”

Kwimae said it was simply because, in reality, the current her was Soyool.

“Confusing? To put it simply, both are my true forms. Think of it as covering one side according to need. In this state, I actually can’t use any of my abilities as a Specter.”

It wasn’t a perfect understanding, but I could at least grasp how she had deceived the Appraisal function.

If she was telling the truth, the Appraisal function probably simply conveyed the information of ‘Soyool’ as she was.

‘…There’s no denying she’s a Sorcerer of an incredible level.’

Besides that, she possessed a truly vast amount of knowledge, including information about Docheol, another Great Specter.

“Docheol is still bound by constraints… Mm. That seems possible. Looking at the situation, it’s almost certain.”

Then we could rest easy for the time being.

When I then brought out the information obtained from Bloodrot and sought further advice, Kwimae added as much supplementary explanation as possible.

“…It’s all correct, but it lacks a bit of nuance. Just from the description, Docheol seems like a monstrously strong physical-type Specter, but in reality, that’s not entirely the case.”

“Don’t tell me it’s also proficient in other combat methods?”

“Its Cursed Technique abilities are on a level not inferior to mine, and its possessed wisdom is also outstanding. To my knowledge, there are things Docheol chooses not to do, but nothing it cannot do.”

That was an utterly preposterous story.

I pride myself on mastering the entirety of the Exorcism Academy Series, but even among them, finding a Specter of that caliber was difficult.

Even amidst my astonishment, there was a somewhat interesting part, so I asked Kwimae a question.

“If I’m not mistaken, it sounds like you’ve actually fought it before.”

“…Huh? Of course, Oppa. I’ve fought Docheol a few times. After forming a pact with Seo Cheonye, we haven’t even met, so it might not be very useful as a reference.”

Also, after briefly recalling the past, Kwimae added a remark as if she had just remembered.

“And this is speculation, but… Docheol might be hiding another form besides the two known ones.”

“Another form?”

Previously, Bloodrot had said that Docheol usually lived in a humanoid Horned Specter form, and when serious, transformed into a bizarre beast’s appearance.

But Kwimae was suggesting there might be another form besides those two.

“I’m not certain either. There was just one time when Docheol was furious to the core, and I felt a bad premonition then.”

Even so, it was the opinion of someone with experience, so it couldn’t be dismissed lightly.

Engraving the information Kwimae gave me in my mind, I spurred on my training relentlessly for the eventual fight with Docheol.

And when another two months had passed like that, we finally met Seo Jian, who had come to Jinyeonsan.

“…Sorry I’m late. Everyone. I heard some news, but it took longer than I thought.”

“What happened?”

Everyone asked with curiosity, and in response, Seo Jian offered a faint smile and a single reply.

“I went to meet Dad.”

“……”

I, at least, instantly understood what those words meant.

Seo Taehoo, who had become Seo Jian’s parent after crossing over to the modern era through the Oracle Bone Casket. That meant he existed in this present era.

As I found myself unable to speak easily, perhaps out of consideration, Seo Jian opened her mouth again.

“I expected it, but he really was insufferable. When I first saw him, I even thought about just exorcising him again.”

“Hmm…”

It was a remark too rough to believe came from her, but simultaneously, Seo Jian let out a light laugh. It was an unburdened expression I had never seen from her before.

“But still, thanks to that, I feel like a lot has been sorted out.”

Certainly, the conclusion between Seo Jian and Seo Taehoo was, to put it mildly, not good.

Seo Taehoo remained cold and detached to the end, and Seo Jian also ended up taking her own father’s life with her own hands.

But the current her was different.

The fact that she had called Seo Taehoo ‘Dad’ from the start felt like a significant change to me.

“…Are you okay?”

“Mm. I realize it only now, but I think Dad loved us quite a bit, even if he himself didn’t know it.”

If she felt that way, it was probably true.

Feeling that Seo Jian had received some form of compensation, I nodded with a satisfied heart.

And when I checked her information through the Appraisal function, I couldn’t help but be utterly astonished.

【Seo Jian】

▶Level 74

▶Stats

【Stamina : B】

【Spiritual Power : S-】

【Art Formula : S-】

【Willpower : A】

▶Traits (9/10)

【Water God (S)】

【Feng Shui Arts (S-)】

【Torrent (A+)】

【Nature Affinity (A)】

【Mutation (B+)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Daughter of the Wind (B-)】

【Financier (B-)】

【Hawk’s Eye (C+)】

It was truly tremendous growth.

Of course, after inheriting Seo Taehoo’s power in the past, she had achieved rapid progress and attained a high Level, but now she had reached a level far more incredible than that.

“…What kind of training have you been doing?”

“Nothing special. I just went to the territory of the Qiangji tribe, learned how to handle power, and gained various achievements.”

From her words, I could discern another fact.

Wasn’t it said that the Qiangji tribe of Specters, when they reached old age, killed their aged kin, took their power, and returned them to the earth?

“Don’t tell me…”

“Mm. If there was anyone who met the conditions, I returned them all to the earth. They were violent beings anyway, so why hesitate?”

Ultimately, it meant she had caused quite a stir one way or another, so I could only let out a hollow laugh.

Seo Jian had trained in the Qiangji tribe’s method of using Natural Qi while simultaneously exorcising aged individuals and continuously increasing her power.