Chapter 33

In this world, the stages of Cursed Techniques belong to fairly clear standards.

Therefore, unless there is a stark difference in skill between parties, it was natural for a higher-stage Art Formula to crush the opponent.

‘That’s how it should be originally.’

However, the attack was neutralized. It was something that made no sense logically.

“What trick did you pull?”

Cheong Jiyeon finally spoke up, seeming genuinely surprised this time.

To that, I remained silent. This technique had a difficulty level that even I couldn’t use in actual combat without extreme concentration.

‘I did test it a few times at the Academy…’

Frankly, whether it could be utilized in real combat was an unknown.

Parrying. The act of clashing weapons at the precise moment to sever an opponent’s attack.

When you think about it, this is a technique of the same branch.

Exorcism Academy players called this technique Severance (Severance).

‘The theory is simple.’

For each Cursed Technique, there are cases where, when force is clashed at a specific timing and in a specific way, it yields a greater shattering effect.

The technique that formalized and standardized the case yielding maximum efficiency among those. That was precisely Severance.

‘If successful, you can efficiently break the opponent’s Cursed Technique.’

Of course, just as parrying in other games has possible and impossible cases, Severance is also divided into feasible and infeasible situations.

However, as mentioned before, compared to the complex and diverse Art Formulas of the latest works, the Cursed Techniques of Exorcism Academy Part 1 had a relatively simple structure.

In other words, by my standards, most Cursed Techniques in this world now were outdated.

Naturally, using Severance wasn’t difficult either.

“…No answer, huh.”

Cheong Jiyeon stopped talking and rapidly deployed her Cursed Technique. A speed distinctly different from before—she too was starting to show her true colors.

‘Spirit Cannon Shell, Soul Blaze Rending Wave, even Void Slaughter Seizure.’

Just the confirmed Art Formulas numbered three, and she intended to fire them consecutively.

Blocking three Art Formulas in a row with Severance?

To be clear, it’s close to impossible.

It wasn’t a thought a normal person would have in the first place.

But.

Players capable of such nonsensical feats are called ‘veterans’ by the world.

And I was a genuine top player, the seventh closest to the peak among those veterans.

Crack!

Crackle!

Snap!

Zap!

Zzzzzzzzzzong!

“…What the, this is beyond a joke!”

Cheong Jiyeon let out a near-astonished exclamation and rapidly reconstructed her Art Formula.

The types of Art Formulas weren’t vastly different, but frankly, with my current Level, it was quite burdensome.

I blocked another attack and hastily opened my mouth.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to stop now?”

“Why should I?”

“If you intended to subdue me seriously, the fight would have ended long ago.”

That was correct.

It’s not that Cheong Jiyeon was slacking off in the fight. But fundamentally, there was no killing intent. Intentionally leaving openings for counterattacks was part of that.

“Even for a test, this much is violence.”

At my words, Cheong Jiyeon silently stared at me without a change in expression.

Then, soon loosening her hardened expression, she began brushing off the dust-covered shoulders.

“…Well, maybe I should stop.”

“……”

“Though you’re an incomprehensible guy, you don’t seem to intend harm to our side. Honestly, I don’t dislike Cheong Soha that much either.”

She was a truly self-centered person.

But frankly, I was relieved. I didn’t want to fight someone of her caliber yet.

“…I’ll return the Baekpyeonjang to you.”

“Forget it. How embarrassing would that be.”

Leaving only those words, Cheong Jiyeon turned away sharply. It seemed the earlier wager wasn’t proposed with the Baekpyeonjang in mind either.

Cheong Jiyeon, who had started walking, suddenly stopped and threw a final question at me.

Are you on the Blue Family’s side?”

That question contained all her sincerity.

To that, I nodded and answered.

“You may see it that way.”

“…Then that’s fine.”

Thus, Cheong Jiyeon and I returned to the Guard Unit without further conversation.

And.

“Senior! Why are you only coming now? It’s chaos right now!”

“Why?”

“It, it’s appeared! A big one!”

Finally, the incident began.

“You three, head to the scene immediately. Bring all the equipment you have.”

The situation was more urgent than expected. Even the veteran Exorcists of the Guard Unit, who usually remained unflustered by various Specter appearances, were all darkening their faces and preparing to mobilize.

“Two members from the 3rd Guard Unit, the initial discovery area, have already been killed. The target is fleeing northward, estimated at least A-Rank. Do not let your guard down under any circumstances.”

“Yes!”

A Specter of at least A-Rank or higher was an object of terror even for the Guard Unit members who had experienced all sorts of battles.

Naturally, the atmosphere couldn’t help but be heavy.

“Senior, I also……”

“You stay here. What are you doing, dragging kids along?”

“Ugh.”

Though Seo Jihye stepped forward with a solemn expression, Cheong Jiyeon didn’t hesitate to express refusal. Well, for Seo Jihye, still only 3rd-Rank, the attached baggage would be burdensome.

“All preparations are complete. Will you come with us?”

“What a useless question. Of course I’m going.”

Thus, all Exorcists worthy of being called mid-level or above left the Guard Unit, except for Yoo Jitae, who temporarily took command.

Of course, the remaining people also had a mountain of roles to fulfill.

“Enter alert posture with minimum personnel.”

The 2nd-Rank Exorcist Yoo Jitae, who turned his head and glanced at us, pondered briefly before continuing.

“With your skills, simple alert duty should be no problem. As it’s an emergency, I’ll leave it to your autonomous judgment.”

I naturally agreed. Since this was the original purpose anyway, there was no reason to refuse.

“What shall we do?”

At the nonchalantly posed question, Cheong Joohwa answered.

“Let’s go, I guess. It’s not like we’re going to capture it directly anyway.”

I was relieved at that answer.

If we ended up facing the newly appearing Fire Goblin from here as planned, it was clear that I alone would be insufficient.

“Then both of you, follow me. We’ll patrol the outskirts of the downtown area.”

Thus, Seo Jihye and we headed towards the designated alert zone.

To summarize the current situation:

The main forces of nearby Guard Units have gathered to subdue the Red Demon, and around that area, reserve forces like us are forming a secondary encirclement over a wide region.

In other words, it’s a situation where, if things go normally, it wouldn’t be strange for the incident to be resolved without difficulty.

“…Don’t worry too much. It’s not exactly a favorable situation, but it’ll probably end before we even get a chance to step in.”

Seo Jihye uttered an optimistic observation, perhaps thinking we might harbor anxiety.

But I knew.

The situation wouldn’t calm down so easily. Rather, it was certain to worsen further. Now that the situation was actually upon us, feeling quite tense was unavoidable.

‘The Fire Goblin we’ll encounter here is roughly B+-Rank.’

Frankly, it’s an overwhelmingly powerful opponent for those who aren’t even formal Exorcists.

However, we are not just ordinary Academy students. Moreover, we know the opponent in advance and have prepared thoroughly.

We can definitely pull it off as planned.

Beep.

Weeeng!

Weeeeeng!

“No, why at a time like this…”

No sooner had the thought ended than emergency sirens blared from various places.

Although most citizens had already evacuated due to prior warning broadcasts, the timing was absolutely unwelcome.

I hastily asked Seo Jihye.

“Where is the location?”

“It’s nearby, but it’s an area where other personnel are. They’ll probably handle it soon…”

KABOOM!

Whoosh!

Roar!

“Uh, uhh?”

It was an intense flame. Just at a glance, it wasn’t a Specter of ordinary level. Seo Jihye’s face stiffened.

Simultaneously, Cheong Joohwa spoke.

“Not sure, but it doesn’t seem like it’ll be resolved quickly.”

That statement was certainly correct. Clearly, no average Exorcist could stop it.

“Shall we go to support?”

At my words, Seo Jihye fell into thought, then pulled out the Communicator hanging at her waist.

Flick.

Flick.

“Ah, damn it. Why is this not working too?”

Shaking the non-functioning Communicator up and down, Seo Jihye sighed and spoke to me and Cheong Joohwa.

“…Stick close behind and follow me.”

Thus, we moved a distance of about 5 minutes following Seo Jihye.

Blazing flames and smoke overflowed from various places, and their intensity only worsened the closer we got to the area.

Whoosh!

Roar!

Crackle.

“Damn it, fuck…”

“Senior!”

How long had we been running when a man, clutching his shoulder and staggering, came into view from a corner of our sight.

It was Choi Youngho, a 3rd-Rank Exorcist belonging to the same Cheongdam 2nd Guard Unit.

“Whew, is that you, Jihye?”

“Are you okay? What on earth happened?”

Choi Youngho, momentarily grimacing in pain, plopped down on the ground and spoke.

“That thing, it’s at least B+-Rank. One attack shattered my Defensive Spell.”

“Shall I call for backup?”

“…Didn’t you get the message? Other areas are in worse chaos right now. Backup probably can’t come immediately.”

“Huh? Why?”

At that, Choi Youngho, with a hardened expression, answered.

“The target broke through the encirclement and escaped. The threat level has already been elevated to A+-Rank. Designation: Red Demon. Rumor has it over seven Exorcists have already fallen.”

“Th-that can’t be.”

A+-Rank means a truly high-grade Specter. And such a Specter is running rampant after breaking through the encirclement.

In short, it meant the situation had already grown uncontrollably.

“……”

Then we must at least minimize the damage here. The faces of everyone present naturally turned grave.

“So how do we stop that thing?”

“The 3rd Guard Unit personnel around here have joined forces and are confronting it. However, since all the strong people have been pulled to the other side, whether we can win…”

At those words, Seo Jihye, who had been pondering, immediately pulled out a bundle of Talismans and shouted to us.

“You two stay here. Take care of the senior for a bit.”

Tap-tap-tap.

Thus, Seo Jihye instantly leaped into the flames.

Left behind, Cheong Joohwa and I exchanged a stiffened gaze.

“What should we do?”

Cheong Joohwa seemed quite conflicted. She was probably internally analyzing the danger of the current situation and calculating heavily.

I answered Cheong Joohwa without hesitation.

“We go. That’s why we came.”

“What if I say I don’t want to go?”

“Then you don’t have to go.”

At that, Cheong Joohwa made an expression as if she didn’t understand.

After hesitating briefly, she confided her true feelings to me for the first time since arriving here.

“If we go, that person will die.”

Those words contained an inexplicable urgency.

Possessing a talent others couldn’t even imagine, predicting the outcome of the battle would have been easy for Cheong Joohwa.

“That unnie will die too. Probably all the Exorcists there will die.”

That’s why she’s conflicted.

Between her identity as an Exorcist and the way she has practiced living her life until now.

The Cheong Joohwa of the early work absolutely does not sacrifice herself for others. She doesn’t take unnecessary risks either.

However, in a corner of her heart, there always exists something akin to admiration for Exorcists who uphold their duty.

Though I had no intention of playing on emotions, it was a rather good chance to build favor.

Looking at Cheong Joohwa, I opened my mouth again.