By Zephyria ‘The more Mystical Instruments you handle, the more paths will open up.’
After learning about his terrible future, Kim Ju-won gradually increased the intensity of his training.
As if to prepare for the disaster that would come someday, he wanted to make his immature self as complete as possible.
Even when Ki Jae-eon released the Barrier he had created, and when he fainted while eating.
Even when he coaxed Ki Jae-eon to go out to the city to tell fortunes about their love lives and giggled.
When he was alone, he invariably took the time to train himself.
So that he could survive to the end without relying on forbidden liquor, and remain by everyone’s side.
And so that no one would carry all the burdens alone.
And before he knew it, Kim Ju-won had become his belief itself.
[Overcome setbacks and stand up.]
Like the ground hardening after rain, the repeated trials had made him strong.
“Don’t go running wild in someone else’s yard.”
Kim Ju-won pulled the bowstring taut. His thick arms lightly bent the horn bow made from the horns of a hundred-year-old water buffalo. His constantly trained muscles easily supported it, as it was considered to have the strongest elasticity among bows.
Squeeeak-!
As if the water buffalo’s tough sinews were alive, the bow emitted a magnificent sound as it was drawn.
It was a tacit message to shoot me right now and get rid of those monsters.
Yes, don’t worry, I’ll protect everyone.
As if reading Kim Ju-won’s will, a faint chuckle was heard from the flute hanging on his waist.
Spiritual power rose, and a unique light settled on the arrowhead.
[Thousand-League Flash] An arrow known to travel a thousand leagues in the blink of an eye each time it split the sky.
Of course, its power was also tremendous.
Of course, its power varied greatly depending on the user, but it was said that it basically pierced through ten specters before stopping.
“—-!”
The moment his finger released the taut bowstring, a lightning-like sonic wave erupted. The second arrow had been fired. Whoosh-! Its trajectory created a clear fissure in the sky. Before long, a sharp noise was replaced by a pleasant burst.
The arrow pierced between the Myeokchung’s eyes and cut the Saduchung in half at the waist.
It was a perfect hit.
“Get lost.”
Under the dark sky, the Taegeukgi, engraved with steadfast history, fluttered.
As if drawn by that fluttering, the children also regained their breath.
“Wow, Ju-won!”
“We’re alive!”
“I! Love! You! Kim! Ju-won!”
“As expected, he’s a useful man when it comes to catching specters, his face, and his body…!”
“That’s enough, what more do you want from Ju-won oppa?”
“Guys, this isn’t the time for this. We have to help too!”
“Yeah, we’ve endured worse than this, so insects are nothing.”
“Let’s goooooooooo-!”
The fading fighting spirit surged up from behind.
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
The children, who had been crushed by fear and disgust, instantly regained their smiles and steeled their resolve as Exorcists. It was all thanks to Kim Ju-won. His attitude of moving forward without wavering even in the midst of the storm began to inspire others.
“Don’t rush inside! First, create a Barrier and then-.”
Kim Ju-won took out an arrow and familiarly directed the children.
‘This level of crisis is enough for just me… no, just us.’
Just in time, the Teachers who had heard the commotion arrived.
“He’s everyone’s punching bag, really.”
Teacher Lee clicked his tongue with a displeased expression. The other Teachers next to him nodded in agreement.
“I know, right? We haven’t had our building up for long.”
“The elder’s heart is crumbling.”
“Teacher, what’s ‘heart crumbling’ when you’re an adult? Is that Gyeong-hak?”
“Oh my~ Has this place become known as a specter restaurant?”
“How on earth did they break the Barrier?”
“Let’s save the chatter for later. Let’s join the fight.”
“Yes, let’s do that. …Oh, but Teacher Park is not here?”
“He went to the underground prison. He’ll be here soon since it’s so noisy.”
Just as the Teachers were about to step forward to resolve the chaotic situation.
Kim Yeong stretched out his arm and blocked everyone’s path.
“Teacher Kim?”
“How about we watch for a moment?”
“Excuse me? There are so many specters though?”
Kim Yeong smiled at the other Teacher’s question.
“The children’s growth.”
“…No, even so.”
There were murmurs that they should resolve the situation quickly since it was a situation. But even so, Kim Yeong did not change his mind. He made eye contact with each of the Teachers and spoke calmly.
“If we step in, it will be over quickly. But wouldn’t it be nice to leisurely watch our disciples’ performance? Above all, Ju-won. It seems the day has come for a generational shift. Look at that reliable figure. He will surely become a good Exorcist.”
Kim Yeong still added with a smiling face that it was a great opportunity to increase the children’s practical experience.
“Teachers, when the children are blocking them well, shouldn’t we do something else we can do?”
“You’re saying we should look for the specters’ entry route?”
When the quick-witted Teacher Lee chimed in, Kim Yeong nodded with a satisfied face.
“Well, that’s definitely the concerning part.”
“Hmm.”
“Now that I hear it-.”
The surrounding noise that had been buzzing subsided for a moment.
“But really… it’s making me tear up just watching.”
“Everyone has grown up a lot, just like Teacher Kim said.”
“Look at Eun-ha. That composure.”
“Gyeong-hak only acts rash, but he does what he needs to do.”
“It feels like yesterday when they were so small…”
The Teachers looked at each other’s faces and nodded, forgetting about finding the entry route.
Everyone has worked hard-! Especially Teacher Lee, who was in charge of practical skills, had tears welling up in his eyes.
Ah, surpassing the master! There’s nothing more to wish for.
“It’s because Ju-won is leading them well.”
It was around the time when everyone was happily watching the disciples’ proud leap forward.
One minute to five minutes.
Five minutes to ten minutes.
Somehow, as time passed, the smile gradually disappeared from Kim Yeong’s face as he watched.
What was it? He had a strangely ominous feeling.
‘Why isn’t the number of individuals decreasing?’
He was certainly not the only one who felt something was wrong.
The children who were colliding with them head-on at the front line were the most sensitive to detecting the unusual signs.
‘What is it?’
‘Why does it feel like the numbers are increasing?’
‘Where are they pouring in from!’
‘Shibaal… when will it end!’
‘Are they laying eggs, by any chance?’
‘My stamina, I can’t anymore…’
With the edge of their swords, with talismans, with arrows, they killed and killed again, but they kept pouring in endlessly. No matter how weak the individuals were, it was a different story if it became an infinite loop. There was no match for numbers, and the longer it went on, the more disadvantageous it was for them. Their stamina would slip through their fingers like grains of sand, and their mental strength would also slowly be chipped away.
“This won’t do. Let’s postpone finding the source and slowly join the fight-.”
The Teachers, unable to watch any longer, moved to help.
…No, that’s what they were about to do.
“Wow, I’m so glad to see you all.”
That’s what it would have been if it weren’t for the folksy greeting that came from afar.
“But why aren’t the faces I’m looking for here?”
I came running barefoot like this. Huh? Don’t be so cold. The owner of the bewitching voice that tickled the ears and the light footsteps as if taking a night stroll casually squeezed through the gaps between the specters collapsing while spewing sticky liquid. But not a single speck of dirt was on his collar.
He looked like the king of the specters.
“Eon-ah, doesn’t your hyung get a greeting?”
A young man with a gentle face walking out with an aura of the abyss.
It was Shin Yoon.
When he appeared, a cold chill settled on everyone’s necks.
“Why is that guy here…”
Someone muttered with a stiff body. The murmurs spread like a wave. But Kim Yeong had something he needed to confirm before that commotion. He cut through the chaotic air and stepped to the front. He scanned the surroundings with a wary, cold expression and asked in a low, firm voice.
“Where is Teacher Park?”
“Who? Ah… Aah-!”
Aah, ah. Shin Yoon nodded with an understanding nuance and then turned up the corners of his lips.
“Our Teacher Park?”
“…”
“Well, if he’s lucky, he’ll be lying upside down, and if not, he’s probably gone.”
“—–!”
“Why are you asking such things? It hurts my mouth.”
Bad guys do the same things, don’t they? Shin Yoon waved his hand with a friendly face. His expression, tone, and actions were strangely out of sync. A sense of incongruity as if a thriller dubbing was put on a romance drama.
A crazy person. No, that’s a demon.
A monster wearing a human mask!