Chapter 287

“Protect Docheol? What do you mean by that?”

“That thing is special… It seems I couldn’t easily impose a restraint using ordinary methods. From the start, I intended to completely bind their feet in this lifetime.”

In other words, to effectively impose a restraint, Seo Cheonye had also offered a price, but now that had become an obstacle.

“Is there really no way?”

“It’s impossible. Honestly, even now, because I’ve learned of your intentions, things are quite precarious.”

Furthermore, Seo Cheonye, her previously relaxed demeanor changing in an instant, spoke to us with sharp eyes.

“And while I refused Docheol’s proposal, to be honest, I agree with it to some extent.”

“……”

“For me, you all aren’t exactly trustworthy figures either.”

In the end, it seemed we had to think based on the premise that she was effectively neutral.

As the situation took a strange turn, Cheong Joohwa, who had been listening nearby, quietly spoke up.

“It’s simple. Then shouldn’t we just subdue you right now and then go capture Docheol?”

“Ah, let me say this in advance. That thing is also watching this side. If such a situation arises, it will surely try to use the restraint to join forces with me, won’t it…?”

“Ugh, why are there so many complications?”

As Cheong Joohwa said, the situation is ambiguous whether we do this or that.

But we had no time. Whichever it was, we had to make a clear decision right here and now.

I briefly averted my gaze from Seo Cheonye and asked the companions present for their opinions.

“What should we do?”

“It’s a difficult situation, but leaving Docheol is more dangerous.”

“I think so too, Oppa.”

Yoo Haon and Han Seoa revealed their intent for a decisive battle, not relaxing their tension in the slightest.

However, the others were still lost in thought, and among them, Shin Pyoeul was feeling considerable confusion.

“Master, is there really no way?”

“Well, even if there were, I want to maintain the current situation. Just as you chose that side of your own will, I too am merely prioritizing this current world.”

In the end, that was the point.

Even though she understood most of the circumstances, Seo Cheonye had decided to protect this World of Forbidden Techniques she had lived in.

Accordingly, for now, she wants to pit Docheol against us to maintain the status quo.

“Even so, we must disappear from here soon. By then, you too will have to make a decision, Seo Cheonye-nim.”

“That’s also unknown. You all are just leaving. Are you certain what form this world will take after that?”

To be honest, I don’t know either.

Mountain Sky’s Secret Art merely observed this past world; we cannot know whether it will collapse after its power is exhausted or be maintained in a separate dimension.

“If it is maintained, I can somehow suppress Docheol alone. So I want you to no longer shake this world.”

In the end, it’s a parallel line.

Somehow, no room for further progress in the conversation seemed visible, so the rest of the party also began to slowly make up their minds.

“I’m sorry, Master. I can’t say which side is right… but I definitely believe there is a greater purpose here.”

“…If it comes to it, even two is fine. I’ll follow the junior’s decision.”

Already four had shown their will to fight, and the others did not strongly deny it either.

In that situation, the one who stepped forward was an unexpected person.

“Something’s been bothering me since a while ago.”

“Kwimae?”

“Listening to you speak, it seems you, Seo Cheonye, consider Docheol a step above even us?”

Certainly so. The fact that she imposed a special restraint relationship from the start was special treatment compared to other Great Specters.

To that, Seo Cheonye nodded as if she had nothing to hide.

“Yes. At least, I judged so.”

“Hmm, if you say so, then it must be so.”

Nodding her head in understanding, Kwimae then clapped her hands and turned her gaze to me and the other party members.

“Then let’s do this, Oppa. Honestly, facing both sides is a bit concerning, isn’t it?”

“Do you have some method?”

“It’s simple. We just make that side attack first.”

Certainly, as long as Docheol’s restraint is also maintained, if it attacks us first, Seo Cheonye could also escape its influence.

“…That’s a ridiculous thing to say. It knows that too, so it wouldn’t just obediently attack.”

“You’ll have to promise first, though. If it comes to that, can you swear not to recklessly step forward?”

“Well, do as you like.”

As Seo Cheonye’s confirmation fell, Kwimae grinned and pointed with her finger towards the other side of the room where the barrier was deployed.

“To lure Docheol in, we can use the unnie lying over there.”

“That is…”

“Why, does it seem against reason? But anyway, if we don’t deal with Docheol, that unnie will die soon, right? She’ll understand taking a bit of risk herself.”

It certainly wasn’t a wrong statement. But it was also a bit hard to understand. Seo Jian pointed that out.

“…Now that things have come to this point, would it really care about a mere human?”

“Probably, unnie. But I’ve watched for quite a long time, so I know something. Docheol is obsessively attached to that unnie to a strange degree.”

Since it was the judgment of Kwimae, a fellow Great Specter, it wasn’t something we could simply ignore.

“If it succeeds, it would be the best method in the current situation, right?”

Having heard Kwimae’s plan, we then steeled our hearts, released the barrier, and had a meeting with Pyeong Eunha who was on the other side.

“…I’ll do it. If only I can escape this pain. Anything.”

Honestly, it really wasn’t to my liking, but Pyeong Eunha’s own will was so strong that I had no choice but to accept.

After devising a more concrete plan through cooperation, we steeled our resolve and headed for the mid-slope of Duam Mountain, where Docheol was said to be staying.

Now, it was the moment to put an end to the long fight.

“Seems like they’ve come.”

Along with Kwimae’s indifferent murmur, a humanoid Specter revealed itself from among the trees.

A red-haired youth with small horns on both sides of his head, giving an impression more slender than muscular.

But the power contained within was literally that of an existence that could shake heaven and earth.

“Kwimae… what are you doing?”

“Hmm, it’s no fun if you recognize it at once.”

Kwimae responded nonchalantly, but in contrast, Docheol seemed inexplicably very angry.

And from the following words, we could realize that Kwimae’s conjecture was entirely true.

“Return it immediately. It’s the nourishment I’ve marked.”

Docheol was somewhat impatient.

He looked extremely displeased, as if he would attack immediately if things went even slightly wrong.

Seeing that, Kwimae laughed and shook her head.

“Well, what should I do…?”

“I won’t fall for your tricks. Hand that over quietly.”

To that, Kwimae also completely changed her complexion and, with a bewitching attitude she hadn’t shown until now, licked her lips.

“You must have put quite some effort into it, huh? I’m tempted too.”

“Hmph, do you think I don’t know your scheme? No matter how much you threaten, I won’t make the first move.”

As expected, that’s how it turned out.

Just as the evaluation said its wisdom had also reached an extraordinary level, Docheol had already accurately grasped the crux of the situation.

However, Kwimae smiled as if she had expected it and continued.

“Too bad. Unfortunately, it’s not a bluff.”

And while hugging Pyeong Eunha from behind, she instantly brought the edge of her hand to her neck.

“She’s already prepared herself. If you don’t step forward, I’ll kill this unnie right here.”

“……”

“I have no intention of stalling, so shall we begin right away?”

With those words, Kwimae sharply raised her fingernails, and as a wound appeared on the neck area, Pyeong Eunha let out a painful moan.

But even then, Docheol remained silent, showing no reaction.

Just as I thought it was indeed impossible, Kwimae let out a sigh and raised her hand to strike down at Pyeong Eunha’s neck.

Screech—!

A murderous intent so blatant even I, an ally, could sense it.

Kwimae truly intended to kill Pyeong Eunha with that hand. At that, I clenched my fist tightly and discreetly observed Docheol’s movements.

And then, something amazing happened.

“You truly dare to cross the line!”

Kwaaang!

Docheol erupted with the momentum of a ferocious evil spirit, transforming into the form of a giant monster and charged at us.

In fact, it had been filled with rage since a moment ago, just not showing it due to superhuman Endurance.

While tensing at that extraordinary energy, we confirmed the success of the plan and deliberately protected Kwimae’s front, blocking Docheol’s attack.

Jjeeong!

Jjeojeojeok—!

“Huaat!”

“Uuugh!”

Even though we were prepared, it was an incredibly powerful force hard to withstand.

We couldn’t help but be astonished that a mere physical charge contained this much power.

However, with this, the condition was fulfilled.

Docheol had attacked a human first, violating the restraint, and now could not receive Seo Cheonye’s help.

Assured of that, the party members, as if they had been waiting, began firing Art Formulas with the momentum of a raging wave.

“Taoist Method, Eight Trigrams Star Sky! Seven Trigrams, Supreme Light!”

“Soul Rending Slash!”

“Perilous Ache Gate!”

All sorts of Offensive Arts and Binding Spell Formulas were shot at the enraged Docheol, and Docheol spat out a sinister voice and deflected them all with Spectral Energy that had taken form.

Kaang!

Kang!

Kaaang!

[Since things have come to this, I must see the end here today!]

A voice like the roar of a beast.

Even though we poured out fairly powerful Arts like Bloodrot did when opening the power of the Mark, it didn’t even budge.

“It’s really a monster…”

But, unlike last time, this time we had a monster on our side too.

“Patrons, there’s no need to worry. Hoo!”

Kuoong!

Hochoong, who had slammed his strangely shaped wooden staff into the ground, began reciting Incantations and drew out the Spiritual Power latent in his body.

“When the principles of Heaven, Earth, and Man are united as one, there is none who cannot be opposed.”

Curse Demon Heaven Formation.

Huuung!

As Hochoong’s Cursed Technique unfolded, strands of light that flowed along the ground in a strange form bound Docheol’s body.

[Wha…!]

Somehow, unlike before, Docheol couldn’t shake it off in one go, and taking advantage of that opening, my Clear Death Fragrant Poison and Yoo Haon’s Trust Shattering Shade directly hit Docheol.

Jjeeong!

Pasasasasak!

[Kuaaaak!]

“Patron, I will continue without stopping. Zhen Shen Dai Na!”

Huuung!*

This time, the strands of light seeped into Docheol’s body, slowing its physical form, and the Art Formulas of the other party members each struck it fiercely.

As the dust raised by the successive attacks cleared, Docheol, having taken some wounds and adopting a defensive posture, silently looked at us.

[Indeed, you are worthy opponents…]

Then, from Docheol who had hunched its body, a dazzling red light exploded forth.