By Zephyria However, contrary to the infuriating situation, hope surged within him. It might seem absurd, but it was true. It was because of the [Wish Eater] just now. Now, think about the Wish Eater’s rules again.
[The entity does not disappear until the bell rings three times.] Conversely, it can be interpreted as [The entity disappears as soon as the bell rings three times.]
In other words, he could survive if he just held out until the last bell rang.
‘The records about Wish Eaters are all different, so I can’t predict the exact time…’
In any case, he had no choice but to believe the common record that [it disappears after ringing three times]. It was a relief just to know that the Evil God had a limited time.
Thump—-!
Lightning began to strike in earnest, destroying various parts of the main office. From the dormitory to the training grounds. Kim Yeong was enraged at the sight of the memories they had built up collapsing in vain.
“That bastard…!”
But no matter how angry he was, there was something else he needed to focus on right now. The safety of the children, which was more important than anything else. “…Everyone!” Kim Yeong shouted, urging them to leave.
“Kyaaah!”
“Ugh!”
However, that too was not easy.
Fiercely flying attacks and the debris of shattered buildings scattered everywhere, blocking the escape route.
It was at that moment.
Hyung, lean on me. A huge light flashed above Ahn Seo-myeong’s head as he whispered and supported Ki Jae-eon. An attack that briefly drew a cross in the dark night sky turned into a single point, and then rapidly charged towards the two of them. Unlike the attacks that had been pouring down randomly and mercilessly, this was a precise aim.
No, Seo-myeong-ah! With Kim Yeong’s tearing shout, Ahn Seo-myeong widened his eyes and raised his head. Flash! A light that cut through the darkness. It was already within range. It was too late to dodge.
Sensing death, Ahn Seo-myeong hugged Ki Jae-eon as if to protect him and tightly closed his eyes. At the same time as swallowing the groan that was about to burst out from fear, Kwaang! The ground vibrated. Soon, a cloud of dusty dirt enveloped the entire main office. A multitude of screams were sucked into it. People staggered and screamed as a deafening gale raged. It was a scene of utter chaos.
“Myeong…!”
Kim Yeong barely managed to support himself and took one difficult step at a time towards the direction where Ahn Seo-myeong and Ki Jae-eon had been. Please, just be alive, he prayed and prayed.
Whoosh!
Had he taken about four steps when the wind suddenly began to subside?
No, to be precise, it was being sucked into one place. And then he heard the voice of a middle-aged man.
“I said I’d be back soon, but Ms. Soon-ja from the neighborhood down the street brewed some makgeolli. I just had three cups. You’re not mad, are you? Our Yeongie.”
Flap! A folding fan spread its ribs and showed off its majesty. Violets were painted in a simple yet splendid manner on the blackened surface. A blue tassel attached to the end fluttered with the movement of the hand holding it.
Incredibly, the man’s fan had completely nullified the Evil God’s attack!
However, its appearance… was so bad that you could believe he was a homeless man. It wasn’t just that his attire was shabby. Old flip-flops with his toes sticking out, black sweatpants with stretched knees. In particular, the roughly worn bucket hat was reminiscent of a fishing pond regular.
But no one ignored him. Rather, they sat down as if they had been saved by his appearance and shed tears.
Of course. Because he was the man called the owner of this main office.
“What a way to make a first impression…”
The man turned his body slowly, knelt down on one knee, and stared intently at Ahn Seo-myeong and Ki Jae-eon. Hmm- His black eyes closely examined the condition of the two. Soon, he confirmed that there was nothing wrong and smiled cheerfully. Wrinkles formed around his eyes as he smiled. He looked to be well over forty, but his sturdiness was no less than that of a twenty-year-old in his prime.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Ja-myeong.”
“Elder.”
Ahn Seo-myeong replied to the greeting towards Ki Jae-eon.
Then, Kim Ja-myeong wiggled his eyebrows and pinched Ahn Seo-myeong’s cheek without hurting him.
“Little guy, you’ve become a man while I wasn’t looking.”
Did you get taller too? Your shoulders seem solid, but I can’t tell because you’re sitting down. A nonchalance that didn’t fit the serious situation. Kim Ja-myeong laughed heartily and straightened his bent legs.
“I’m quite a fan of our Ki Jae-eon. I was so nervous that I even drank some alcohol, but it doesn’t seem like I’ll be getting an autograph right now…”
Kim Ja-myeong raised his chin and scratched his rough stubble. Then, he waved his hand apologetically at the children’s angry complaints about why he was so late.
“Aish… Where is that Joo-won kid. Why am I the only one getting cursed at.”
The amazing thing here was that the atmosphere, which had been close to a disaster, was instantly changed.
With the appearance of just one person, people were freed from the unknown fear that they might die. It wasn’t just that the probability of survival had increased. A hopeful escape route called Kim Ja-myeong had been created!
“Let’s save the calm talk for later.”
Swish! Once again, the fan spread in an arc. The restrained movements were very clean and sharp.
Rumble!
Something red appeared in the swirling sky, wriggling its long body. The energy of burning fire and strange noises, even the gradually raging rain and wind.
[Specter – Ganggil]
“It’s a Ganggil!”
One of the teachers shouted.
Hot air that suffocated him.
A fierce storm that destroyed buildings.
A fire dragon that destroyed everything it touched like a saw.
The children screamed in panic at the sudden appearance of the Ganggil, which was already bad enough. It wasn’t even just one. The specters that filled the sky roared.
At the right time, the Evil God kicked off the air and descended at the speed of light. The stone spear that he rode down like a support chwaaaak- scraped the floor and stopped.
Kim Ja-myeong pointed to the sky and asked.
“You’re not thinking of taking care of them?”
Instead of answering, the Evil God grabbed the stone spear and swung it around. The sound of metal rings colliding with each other king- a sharp noise that touched the ears. Kim Ja-myeong nodded at the cool gaze watching him from within the bandages.
“You’re not.”
So you’re saying we have to get our faces red with each other? Kim Ja-myeong laughed heo heo and shouted, “Yeong-ah!” A loud echo with strength bbak in his diaphragm. Kim Yeong came to his senses with a start at the loud voice that seemed to have boiled a train boiler.
“Yes!”
Kim Yeong ran towards the children as if he knew without being told. Kids, get up! Let’s go! He comforted the frightened children with a look that said they could rest assured now.
And Kim Ja-myeong.
A one-on-one situation with his life on the line!
“…is not!”
The Ganggil, which was charging straight at him, thump! collided with a transparent Barrier and flew away.
“You have to watch carefully before coming in.”
Kim Ja-myeong clicked his tongue.
“Do you know that the most careful thing to be in a battlefield is an old general?”
A playful question. But it wasn’t an empty word. That’s right. There were already those who were protecting the main office one step ahead of Kim Ja-myeong.
The five elders of the main office.
They had already moved quickly and scattered to each end of the main office, unfolding new Barriers.
“Getting old means exchanging that much experience for wisdom. Hmm? …Hmm, there’s nothing difficult about it. It just means, you’re cunning.”
Kim Ja-myeong winked one eye. The voice he spat out was extremely cheerful.
“Well, that’s enough of the self-introduction! Shall we, young man, have some fun with this bearded old man!”
Kim Ja-myeong chwarak! folded the fan and chwarak! unfolded it again, and began to chant in earnest. The yin and yang taegeuk patterns were embroidered on the floor. Unbelievably clean and virtuous spiritual power. It was a skill that he could be proud of as representing the main office.
…But.
It was strange.
‘Look at this guy?’
Kim Ja-myeong thought while exchanging fierce attacks.
‘Why is he holding back?’
Ironically, that was really the case.
Even though he was pretending to be relaxed, he was fighting with all his heart, but for some reason, this unknown uninvited guest was not giving his all at all. When he divided the moves, he could clearly feel that he was dealing with him roughly.
‘No, it’s not that.’
He’s not holding back.
‘…He’s not even fighting me.’
Kim Ja-myeong’s lips twisted crookedly. This was the first time he had been treated like this. He had never been treated like this while living under the name ‘Kim Ja-myeong’!
‘I’m kind of a popular guy…’
Kim Ja-myeong snorted at the attitude that he was completely out of his interest.
‘Am I not fun?’
If not…
‘Is there someone else he wants to fight?’
The gaze in the bandages… the place he kept looking at.
That’s right. The answer was already decided.
“Young man, is it possible that what you want is the Exorcist ‘Ki Jae-eon’?”