Chapter 67

Whoosh.

Crunch!

“Ugh. Feels kinda bad, like we’re bullying the professor.”

Crunch!

Sophia grumbled as she delivered the final blow, her foot planted on the fallen Hwang Mansoo’s chest.

Honestly, it was beyond expectations. Even if it was a degraded version, I hadn’t thought we could subdue an opponent of this level without a scratch.

‘Is this what it means to have a fundamentally different engine from the start?’

Just as described in the original work, it was literally a fight of crushing the opponent.

Against cadets, I usually adjust my output, but if that weren’t the case, I would have surely been turned into minced meat tempered in Yeongwoldo by now.

Cheong Haram, who had been fighting alongside, also spoke up with a look of disgust.

“…I knew it, but you really are a monster.”

“If even Haram says that, even I’ll get sad.”

“Anyway, if they’re degraded versions, it seems we can handle even higher-tier opponents more easily than expected.”

However, that wouldn’t apply to everyone.

Just take Sophia or Hwang Jihak; they were among the top-tier in terms of skill among the academy cadets.

If other students encountered such opponents, they would clearly struggle.

‘It’s better to move after all.’

Just then, a signal came from Kongsami and Black Yin, whom I had tasked earlier with searching for Yoo Haon’s group.

Having made a decision, I spoke to everyone.

“I’ll act separately. I’m concerned about the other side.”

“Isn’t it dangerous alone? There might be stronger entities than this one.”

“No, it’s fine. If things go wrong, I can bind their feet with my Shikigami and escape.”

“That’s true.”

Once the conclusion was reached, Shin Sora, who had been stretching in the back to shake off the aftermath of the battle, said to me.

“We have no means of communication. If you have anything to convey, let me know through your Shikigami.”

“I’ll do that.”

With Sophia and Hwang Jihak here, this place shouldn’t be a problem. Without hesitation, I quickly began moving, following the presence of my Shikigami.

“Sorisoe. Come out.”

Swoosh.

Whoosh!

[I could sense it from inside too, but this is a peculiar situation.]

“I need to move fast. Transform and carry me on your back.”

[Lowly human. I’ve said it many times, but I am not a mount.]

Despite its words, bound by the contract, Sorisoe couldn’t refuse.

Soon, riding on Sorisoe, which had grown in size by absorbing Spiritual Power, I raced unimpeded through the streets.

‘Did most people manage to evacuate successfully?’

I ran along the road for a while, but only occasional shadows of people could be seen in the distance; no cadets or civilians were in sight.

‘The festival was nearing its end, so there probably weren’t many people left anyway. A small mercy in misfortune.’

If everyone’s safety was secured, all that remained was to find the place where the Seed of Solitude had taken root and destroy its main body.

Of course, that wouldn’t be easy, but if the Exorcists present within the academy gathered and combined their strength, it seemed entirely possible.

After moving a bit further like that, one shadow duplicate blocking the path came into view.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Shadow of Austin Bradlet】

▶Level: 46

I had a feeling, but this one is quite strong too. Seems like I drew a bad lot.

However, I curled the corner of my mouth and charged straight toward Austin’s shadow without stopping.

‘Soul Combustion.’

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

“Erysichthon’s Fang.”

Whoosh!

Crunch!

As I precisely executed the Art Formula, a massive fang formed of black mist appeared and swallowed Austin’s shadow.

A Curse that devours Curses, inspired by Greek mythology. It’s a Cursed Technique that first appeared in Series 5, which I was involved in creating.

‘As expected, their origin is Curses.’

I had actually sensed it since the battle at the previous shelter.

At first glance, it seemed like they copied and used the techniques of the duplicated targets, but ultimately, all those attacks were treated as Curses.

‘Then they’re my perfect counter.’

Double damage. And an equal amount of damage reduction. The Forbidden Technique Value, having reached its limit, was practically a cheat against such opponents.

[Somehow, these don’t feel unfamiliar. They have a similar feel to you.]

“Similar to me?”

It seemed like an out-of-the-blue remark, but considering the Phantom Body Trait, it might not be entirely wrong.

[The subtle scent of a Curse, shadows thickly enveloping the body. Isn’t it pretty much the same?]

“Somehow, that makes me feel unpleasant.”

Just as I reflexively frowned at Sorisoe’s words, I suddenly felt the remnants of the vanished shadow flowing into me.

Swoosh.

Whoosh.

[See? I told you they’re similar.]

“…….”

It might just be my mood, but I felt the power of the Phantom Body Trait, which had been considerably depleted in Yeongwoldo, swelling in size again.

This was a first for me too; I suspected it might be a phenomenon caused by the combination of my Forbidden Technique Value and the Phantom Body Trait.

‘Maybe this is an opportunity.’

I continued heading toward the location of Yoo Haon’s group, hunting every shadow I encountered along the way.

By the time I arrived at another shelter, the power of the Phantom Body Trait had grown significantly compared to before.

“See? I told you it’s a Shikigami with an owner. So suspicious for nothing.”

“R-really, someone came……”

“Oppa, are you hurt anywhere?”

At the entrance of Shelter No. 5, Kongsami and Black Yin, whom I had sent ahead, along with Yoo Haon’s group, were vigilantly scanning their surroundings for enemies.

As soon as they spotted me, Yoo Haon approached and asked.

“How is the situation on the other side?”

“Not much different from here. By any chance, haven’t you seen the Exorcists from the Guard Unit or the professors?”

“I heard some went to search for stragglers, and almost the entire main force headed toward the center of the Cursed Technique.”

Roughly as expected.

If so, by now, there was a high possibility they were confronting Yoo Hyeyeon, who was guarding the place where the Seed of Solitude had taken root.

‘But it should be about time for a resolution.’

Clearly, there was some unforeseen problem.

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes. We were actually in a crisis because we were short-handed.”

“From now on, you probably just need to focus on the north. I took care of most of the ones in the south on my way here.”

At my words, everyone present made surprised expressions. The male who had identified himself as a graduating class cadet also spoke up, sounding incredulous.

“You fought those things alone? There were clearly entities beyond cadet level……”

“The compatibility was good, so it was more manageable than expected.”

“…Was that something solvable by compatibility?”

We had only talked for a brief moment, but I started sensing the presence of shadows again.

The location: straight ahead.

The opposite direction from where I came from, the place where the Seed of Solitude, the subject of this Cursed Technique, had taken root.

“Ugh. When did those……”

“Everyone, form a battle formation! I’ll step forward.”

Three people, including Baek Eunseo, busily moved, but I raised my palm to stop them.

“No need to waste energy unnecessarily. I’ll take care of it quickly.”

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

As I formed hand seals with my fingers and called out names, the Shikigami slumbering within my shadow revealed themselves one by one.

The newly replenished Fierce Wolf and Bone Bear. Similarly, Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost and the Counter-Type Shikigami Doodoori, which I had crafted whenever I had spare time.

Combined with Old Man Tree Specter and those already outside—Kongsami, Sorisoe, Black Yin, etc.—it had already transformed into a complete army.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Shadow of Choi Seola】

▶Level: 16

【Shadow of Han Seungcheol】

▶Level: 22

【Shadow of Henry Anderson】

▶Level: 34

【Shadow of Baek Jieun】

▶Level: 47

Two entities appear to be Exorcists.

One of them is the shadow of Baek Jieun, who is also the homeroom teacher for Class 2-A.

I leave the shadows of ordinary people to the standard Shikigami, while I, along with the remaining Shikigami, deal with the other two.

Tap.

Tap-tap.

Crunch!

Growl!

“…Burn.”

Whoosh!

Whoosh—!

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to speak leisurely in such a situation, but the sight of multiple Shikigami simultaneously charging and overwhelming the enemy was truly spectacular.

‘Now it’s finally starting to look like a proper lineup.’

Satisfied, I curled the corner of my mouth and, seizing the opening created by the Shikigami, immediately thrust in the Cursed Technique that was essentially the counter to shadows.

“Erysichthon’s Fang.”

Whoosh!

Crunch!

Originally, with Baek Jieun’s actual skill, she would have surely evaded such an attack somehow, but the degraded shadow version ultimately couldn’t shake off the interference from the Shikigami, allowed the attack, and vanished.

Whoosh.

Sizzle.

Along with it came a familiar sensation—my Phantom Body Trait had once again absorbed the remnants of the shadow.

‘At this rate, it seems to have grown even larger than before I depleted its power in Yeongwoldo.’

It was something that had been on my mind all along, but I never imagined it could be restored in this form.

As the shadows all vanished, those watching wore dumbfounded expressions, each seemingly shocked.

It was only natural, given that I had eliminated the enemies in an instant, just as I had boldly claimed.

“It took us a long time just to take down one……”

“…No need to think it’s strange. Oppa is always like that.”

Personally, I don’t think it’s that surprising in the first place.

I merely rode the so-called compatibility advantage, but over there was Sophia, a monster who achieved the same result with pure skill.

‘Anyway, the problem is Yoo Hyeyeon’s side.’

The fact that the Seed of Solitude hasn’t been eliminated yet strongly suggests that the situation won’t be easily resolved.

It means there’s no point sitting here idly, hoping for a stroke of luck.

It’s truly ironic that we, mere cadets, have to move despite the gathering of several highly skilled Exorcists.

I secretly sighed and approached Yoo Haon, speaking up.

“Don’t you sense anything? Like with Sorisoe last time.”

After all, in the original work too, Yoo Haon played a part in eliminating the Seed of Solitude thanks to the protagonist’s unique buff.

If it’s her Blue Lighthouse Trait that illuminates the path ahead, it would surely advance the current stagnant situation.

Yoo Haon, who had closed her eyes and pondered for a moment, soon answered without hesitation, as if intuiting something.

“…I think we need to go to the center where the Cursed Technique is being deployed.”

“The center of the Cursed Technique?”

“Yes. I just have that feeling for some reason.”

As expected, that was the correct answer.

If so, then clearly, my role now is to protect Yoo Haon and escort her there.

“I’ll leave a few Shikigami here. By now, there probably aren’t many shadows left. If you stay inside, the door shouldn’t break.”

“Oppa? Can’t we go too?”

At Han Seoa’s words, I fell into brief contemplation.

Well, in the original work, all of Yoo Haon’s group gathered and contributed to resolving the incident. Taking them along wouldn’t be bad.

“Sorisoe.”

[Why are you calling me again, human?]

“Transform a bit bigger. Enough for four people to ride.”

[…….]

And so, we headed toward the place where the Seed of Solitude was planted to resolve the incident.