## Chapter 211 – For Elise
Basement Floor 2.
It was an unstable place filled with an extremely gloomy aura. The first thing I felt upon descending was the color purple. A sinister, amethyst hue of unknown origin saturated the entire floor.
It was like someone chose the lighting for a karaoke room.
I briefly wanted to sing “Compass” by Seol Woon-do and reminisce about Jongno, Myeongdong, and Cheongnyangri. But the atmosphere made it seem inappropriate.
Not in a place like this.
I couldn’t sing “Compass.”
It would be an insult to the song.
Personally, I really like the color purple, but I couldn’t bring myself to like the atmosphere here. The air itself felt heavy, and the floor seemed to be slimy.
ㅡGweooooooo…
I even felt like I could hear some strange sound coming from the distance. Honestly, it was fucking terrifying. So terrifying that I stuck to Elise like glue, scanning our surroundings.
“Elise. I’m fucking scared.”
As I said this, trembling, Elise extended her hand.
“Take my hand.”
“Thanks.”
I grabbed Elise’s small hand with my gauntlet-clad one. I couldn’t feel any warmth, but the strong grip from her hand, smaller than mine, was reassuring.
“I can feel your trembling, Saint… It is peculiar to see such a valiant Saint trembling like this. Are you afraid?”
This strange atmosphere was unbearably frightening.
A dreamlike feeling, as if wandering through a nightmare… The basement walls, reflecting the purple light, seemed to distort into bizarre shapes.
“No, it’s not exactly that… If I saw the actual enemy, I’d be fine, but this atmosphere is fucking terrifying. It stimulates my imagination.”
“The atmosphere, you say? Hmm, I am unaffected, so rest assured. I can use Holy Light if you wish.”
“No, there’s no need.”
It’s extremely necessary, but that would attract aggro.
Elise’s Holy Light has the effect of repelling evil beings, so it shouldn’t be wasted. As I walked along holding Elise’s hand, Lina pressed herself against me.
“Lina, move away a bit. I understand you’re scared, but you’re hindering my movement.”
“…Th-that’s…”
“Quickly.”
“Yes…”
“…Well, and now you need to brace yourself.”
I feel a little bad for her.
“Huh?”
“Never mind.”
I thought of Lina’s grandmother, who must be wailing somewhere in the basement. The old woman’s body was grotesquely twisted and pulsating wildly… ‘Lina, Lina!’ Then, she would frantically call out Lina’s name as she charged.
What kind of face would Lina make when she saw that?
…It wouldn’t be pleasant.
ㅡGulp.
Ominous imaginings kept amplifying. At the same time, the mana within me surged violently. Could this be a side effect of training based on delusions? I gripped Elise’s hand tightly, desperately suppressing my fear.
I inhaled,
Exhaled, calming my mind.
I spread the burning mana throughout my body… That’s right.
With this much burning mana, there’s no need to fear ghosts or mutants. No matter how powerful these beings may be, they won’t be able to withstand my Secret Arts.
I believe in my power.
It was absurd for the Heavenly Demon to fear the enemy.
Confucius did not speak of strange forces or chaotic gods. How could I, who believes in Confucianism, fear such things? Unknown beings, beings I don’t understand, are nothing but bullshit when you get to know them. With that, I shook off all fear.
No longer afraid, I released Elise’s hand.
“…Are you feeling better now?”
“Thanks to you. Thank you.”
“If you become afraid again, I will hold it anytime.”
“Hehe, I’m counting on it.”
I’m okay now, Elise.
And so, we walked down the endless corridor.
ㅡPhew…
“…Elise.”
The purple light seemed to intensify the further we went… Then, I heard a strange sound. Did I mishear? I called out to Elise to confirm.
“…I heard it too.”
The sound was real, not a hallucination.
I raised my blade, aiming it forward with extreme vigilance, and Elise, standing beside me, raised her mace. Lina stuck close between us, watching our rear.
“…Lina, you need to watch our back carefully. If you get ambushed and die, I don’t know.”
“I-I’ll watch carefully. So, please don’t suddenly d-disappear.”
“What disappear?”
“S-suddenly running off and leaving me behind…”
“What are you talking about?”
We advanced, following the sound. ㅡCrunch crunch. The sound began to take on an increasingly concrete form. Something was there… That much was clear. But why? I wasn’t really afraid.
Whatever appears, I just have to cut it down.
Kim Ghatt is that kind of man.
I have to chop up the enemy and brag to Cloudi.
ㅡGurgle… Gurk!
I exchanged glances with Elise.
The distinct sound of a monster. If not a monster, then at least something equivalent. It was a bizarre echo, as if some fanged creature was tearing into meat, and it came from behind this locked door.
“…It’s locked.”
A lock, rusted red.
I seriously considered smashing it open.
As I was contemplating, Lina tugged on my arm.
“I, I think I can do it…”
Then, she whispered in a very small voice in my ear. Lina must also feel the presence lurking beyond. More than that, she said she could open it?
Ah.
This bitch was a rogue.
Picking a lock would be nothing for her.
Rummaging through her pockets, Lina pulled out a couple of wire fragments and inserted them into the lock, twisting and turning them. After guarding our surroundings for about three minutes, ㅡClunk. The lock opened.
“I, I opened it…”
“Good job.”
We spoke quietly.
And I gave a warning.
“Now, whatever you see… Tsk, just brace yourself.”
“…Is there a monster?”
“There’s that, and, well… Accept whatever you see.”
“…”
It’s hard to say.
Of course, there’s a possibility that Lina’s grandmother received baptism and was reborn as a true immortal, living happily ever after. But was the world a hopeful Teletubby land where things always turn out well?
Even the Teletubbies are mortal beings, and thus, they can never escape the cycle of fate. If that’s the case for the Teletubbies, I didn’t think Lina’s grandmother would defy the heavens and gain immortal power.
Mortal.
In fact, there’s a higher probability that she’s already crossed the River Styx.
Or even in a worse state than that.
ㅡSqueak.
Pushing all thoughts into the depths of my mind, I opened the door. That’s not what I should be thinking about now. The identity of what’s inside and anything that can be turned into money. Only those two things.
The inside of the locked room was quite dark. As the door opened, the purple light crawled through the darkness, eventually illuminating the interior faintly.
“…”
“…”
We advanced without a word.
The sound continued.
ㅡThud.
Then, something caught on my foot.
Looking down, it was… a torn-off human thigh.
Shit.
What kind of fucking asshole threw this shit here?
…Sheeeit.
ㅡCrunch, crunch…
The sound grew closer, and finally, a stream of purple light filled the room. Slowly, I looked around. A brick interior.
Withered corpses strewn everywhere.
Making a quick judgment,
Ah.
These shattered corpses were all those of mummified believers.
In that case.
What is the identity of this sound of something being eaten?
ㅡCrackle, crackle…
The one making that sound had its back to us, quietly. And with the utmost composure, it was focused on eating something while shaking its shoulders. No.
Not something.
Weren’t the things scattered here and there what it was eating?
Just as I was about to finish it off with Elise.
ㅡWheeeck!
It turned to look at us.
ㅡMunch munch.
A grotesque, hideous, mummy-like old woman with her mouth covered in blood.
There was hardly any trace of a human form, and her jaw moved strangely.
As Elise cautiously approached…
“G-Grandmother!!!”
Lina, who was behind us, screamed in shock!
ㅡCrunch.
What the fuck! So this was it!
I was about to jump out and swing my swordㅡ
ㅡKweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At that moment, Lina’s grandmother’s mouth split into four, and a long tongue shot out like a torrent, unleashing a scream like the jaws of hell!
What the fuck!
“Punishment!”
Elise shouted like thunder and ran out faster than me, swinging her mace. A powerful blow, gaining strength from the incredible speed! ㅡThwack! But her attack shattered a harmless corpse.
ㅡFlop!
Hong Kong Granny, no!
The Ghoul Granny jumped like a frog!
“It’s a Ghoul Granny!!!!!!”
“Grandmother!!! Grandmother!!!!!!!”
Lina had completely lost it and was about to run towards the Ghoul Granny. It’s unfortunate, but she’s just a hindrance like that!
“You fucking bitch!!!”
The Ghoul Granny, deciding to hold hands with her granddaughter on the way to the afterlife, leaped towards Lina. Kicking off the ground, I aimed the tip of my sword in that direction.
I infuse mana into my body, infuse mana into my arms!
Believing in the power of my enhanced body and muscles, I tried to thrust my sword like a knight charging with a lance!
ㅡKweeeeeee!!!
“You fucking bitch!”
Grotesquely twisted joints.
As it struck the air, the Ghoul Granny’s trajectory, which had been flying through the air, shifted, evading my attack. “Elise!” But I’m not alone! Elise, who had rushed in immediately, swung her mace, shouting, “Purification!”
ㅡThwack!
There was a sound like a chunk of meat exploding, and the Ghoul Granny flew all the way to the wall and crashed into it. ㅡKweeeck!! She opened her mouth in four again and menacingly stuck out her tongue.
“D-don’t! That’s my grandmother!!!!”
“Give up! That’s not your grandmother anymore! It’s a GhoulGrandmother (abbreviated as GG)!”
“Grandmother!!!”
“You fucking bitch, does that look like your grandma to youuuu!!!”
I tripped Lina, who was about to go berserk, with a Sweep the Leg. Ignoring Lina, who was sobbing as she fell forward, I ran towards the Ghoul Granny again. It’s unfortunate, but if we get caught up in emotions, someone could die!
“You fucking! Lina’s enemyyyyy!!!!”
“Oh God of Orderrrrr!!!!!”
At that moment, a halo of light appeared above Elise’s head. A divine skill that illuminates the darkness and drives away evil beings! Exposed to that light, the Ghoul Granny writhed in agony!
ㅡSwoosh!
Something was shot out in that moment!
“Th-thud!”
Exerting my extreme senses, I leaped and dodged!
“Gyaaaaaack!!!”
It was the Ghoul Granny’s long tongue! The tongue, shot out like that of a chameleon, launched a ranged attack! I didn’t hold back and grabbed the still-extended tongue, slicing it with my sword. ㅡVweeeick!!! A groan filled with pain!
“Elise! Now’s your chanceeeeee!!!!”
That is no longer Lina’s grandmother!
Elise and I kicked off the ground at the same time.
“Dejaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!”
“I will purify!”
ㅡThwack thwack!
ㅡStab stab!
Nando Nando Fernando-sensei’s dismemberment class!
Practicing the teachings of that bizarre video I saw as a child, I tore apart the Ghoul Granny’s body! Undead don’t die easily! For the sake of the living Lina, I had to make sure she passed on properly!
I endlessly recited incantations for the Ghoul’s Granny’s peaceful passing while swinging my sword.
ㅡKweak! Kweeeak!!!
The Ghoul Granny struggled.
But even if she could withstand my swordsmanship, she would have had a hard time enduring Elise’s mace massage. When the jaw, split in four directions with jagged teeth, twisted grotesquely, the Ghoul Granny drooped.
“Haa… Haa…”
I stopped the violence around there.
The situation was over.
More than that…
…Lina?
“…Lina? Are you okay?”
“…”
Lina, who had been hit by Sweep the Leg, approached with a nosebleed. I couldn’t even begin to guess Lina’s feelings. I had only done what I had to do as an adult.
What kind of emotions were contained in those steps, approaching her grandmother who had become a monster and was dying?
Lina approached the Ghoul Granny and knelt down.
“…Elise. Just stay still for a moment.”
“…”
I stopped Elise, who was about to do something.
Let’s give her a moment, a time to say goodbye.
That was the duty of an adult.
“Sniff… Sniff…! Grandmother, Grandmother…!”
Lina burst into tears and hugged her grandmother’s crushed upper body. Elise tried to move again, but I stopped her… It would be okay.
“L-Lina…?”
A strange, and all the more desolate and feral voice flowed out.
“G-Grandmother?!”
“L-Lina, is that you…”
In the end, her grandmother seemed to have regained her senses. “Let’s go, Elise.” Saying that, I grabbed Elise’s hand and pulled her away. I heard a voice from behind. “G-Grandma is o-okay… I’m okay… Lina, I’m sorry… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” It was the voice of a monster, but the sound of the girl crying while shedding tears was enough to erase its horror.
…They say purple implies death.
Well.
I heard that was a lie.
The wails of the monster and the girl, yeah.
They didn’t really go well together.
…Sad.
sad