Chapter 2100 – 2100. The Ascent Of Guangming
Sung Ji-gon and I left the city together.
Bandit subjugation. Originally, this would have been something Sung Ji-gon would have handled with his subordinates. But with me helping Sung Ji-gon, the plan changed. Instead of needlessly leading troops, it was faster and more certain for Sung Ji-gon and me to take care of it ourselves.
“Those bandits at Paereung Mountain Fortress are acting up without knowing their place… It seems bandits are rampant all over the country these days.”
“Yeah, that’s right. Other cities are also having headaches because of the bandit problem.”
“If the Emperor gave a direct order, the army would take the lead and wipe out all the bandits.”
“The Emperor isn’t very interested in human affairs.”
“Human affairs?”
“Yeah. Remember what happened at the Manmu Tower? We fought a being from the Underworld. The Emperor is focused on matters related to the Underworld. The real elite forces are fighting monsters from the Underworld. He won’t personally step in for something as trivial as bandits.”
We began to approach the fortress. Sung Ji-gon and I intentionally suppressed our presence. We lowered our voices as well.
“Was it called Jiyum Mountain Fortress? There weren’t any bandits around here originally. I heard they appeared about three months ago? They were so insignificant that I didn’t even know they existed. By the time I realized, they had become too difficult to deal with easily.”
I couldn’t understand what Sung Ji-gon was saying.
“They’re just bandits.”
“There was a clever one among the bandits. He offered some of the wealth he gained from banditry to the city’s powerful figures. Thanks to that, I only found out about them late. Politics isn’t easy.”
Sung Ji-gon smiled bitterly. I could feel his frustration. I remembered that Sung Ji-gon had wanted to become a chivalrous hero when he was young.
“Well, don’t be too disappointed. If there’s a clever one among the bandits, he must have kept a ledger. If we get our hands on the ledger, we can punish those who took bribes.”
A guy with the brains to bribe powerful figures would surely have kept a ledger. The ledger could become a dagger to stab those in power.
“It would be good if there is one. But it doesn’t really matter if there isn’t. After the job is done, I’ll report it, and the higher-ups will take care of it. The Golden Guard will probably be dispatched. More importantly, Yoo Jin-ah, doesn’t this bandit thing remind you of the old days?”
“It does a bit. We slept with the bandit leader’s mother and wife.”
“I miss the old days sometimes. Back then, we could just have fun without thinking.”
We chuckled as we approached the fortress. Our conversation soon faded. Even when stepping on the fallen leaves on the ground, no sound was made.
A state where no footprints are left even when stepping on snow. It was called “Tapseolmuheun.” Sung Ji-gon and I had already reached that level long ago.
Upon arriving at the fortress, we sensed something was wrong.
There was the stench of rotting corpses. And there was no sign of life in the fortress. Sung Ji-gon and I looked at each other before rushing into the fortress. I had a strong feeling that something had gone wrong.
We entered the fortress. Corpses were scattered everywhere. Their flesh was rotting black, and maggots and flies were eating the corpses. Blood had soaked into the floor and wooden walls, staining them.
Sung Ji-gon quietly examined the corpses.
“Every single one of them has their abdomen torn open. It could be the work of a human who has mastered demonic arts, but it’s rare for them to do something like this so openly. It seems like the work of a monster.”
“Did a monster eat their insides?”
“Hmm. There are traces that look like they were eaten one bite at a time.”
“A one-bite fiend, huh.”
I shook my head. At the same time, I heightened my tension. A monster might still be hiding in the fortress. Even if no other presence was felt, you never know. It could be hiding by deceiving our senses with a special ability.
We entered the largest building in the center of the fortress. It was no different. The humans inside the building were all dead with their abdomens ripped open.
“There are no living bandits. What do we do?”
“We need to search for the monster, as it might be nearby. We can’t leave such an evil and powerful monster unchecked.”
Sung Ji-gon took out a small, unimpressive wooden box from his pocket. It was a spatial artifact. He opened the lid and took out an object much larger than the box. It was a steel cross. A mysterious energy was felt. It was definitely a magical artifact.
“It doesn’t seem like a combat artifact. What kind of artifact is it?”
“It’s a ‘Yoyokgi’ (Demon Energy Device). It’s an artifact that absorbs the faint demonic energy left at the scene and tracks it. It’s one of the artifacts supplied to the brigade commander level, and it’s quite useful.”
Is that possible?
As far as I could sense, there was no demonic energy left at the scene. How could it absorb and track it if there was no demonic energy?
As if mocking my negative thoughts, the tip of the Yoyokgi’s cross turned red. It had absorbed demonic energy.
“There really was demonic energy?”
“It’s an artifact that can detect and absorb even very faint demonic energy that is hard for humans to sense.”
“That’s quite a useful artifact.”
“Its effect is excellent, but it can’t be used for long. After using it a few times, you have to replace it with a new one. And it won’t activate if the monster is too far away.”
The Yoyokgi pointed in one direction and led us. Sung Ji-gon and I started running.
We arrived at a dilapidated house at the end of the mountain. It was a two-story house, but it was well hidden by the nearby trees and not easily noticeable.
Creak.
Before we could even enter the house, the door opened, and an old woman appeared. She was an old woman holding a cane in one hand. Her half-white hair was disheveled, and her eyes were glowing gold. The Yoyokgi was pointing at the old woman.
“What brings you two to this humble place?”
The old woman spoke politely. Judging by the demonic energy, she was definitely a monster, but there was no hostility or disregard for humans.
The power felt from the monster was roughly at the 3rd stage of Aura. If we fought, we would overwhelmingly win.
“…Beautiful.”
Sung Ji-gon muttered in a small voice. I pretended not to hear it.
Ignoring Sung Ji-gon, who was charmed by the monster, I asked,
“Did you kill the bandits and eat their insides?”
“Ah, you mean those foolish ones. Yes, I killed them and ate some of their insides.”
“You’re so brazen even after killing humans.”
“They are humans, but they are bandits. Criminals. Judging by the fact that you are holding a Yoyokgi, you seem to be from the Qin army… I swear I have never touched a human other than the bandits. Do you think I’m crazy enough to touch the innocent people of His Majesty the Emperor?”
Even the monster feared the Emperor. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the Emperor’s prestige, which could be felt even in a place like this.
“You’re different from the monsters I know. If you were afraid of the army, you wouldn’t have stayed here and would have left far away.”
“Why should I abandon my home and run away when I have done nothing wrong?”
“Most monsters aren’t interested in human society. Bandits or farmers, they’re all the same. The measure by which monsters distinguish humans is strength.”
“Indeed. But I am a monster, yet not a monster, and a human, yet not a human.”
“……A half-yokai.”
A hybrid of a monster and a human.
A being rejected by both monsters and humans.
“Among monsters, there are those who feel a desire to eat humans. They are commonly called ghouls. Half of the blood flowing in my body is that of a ghoul. Ghouls become healthier and stronger when they eat humans. Conversely, they weaken if they don’t eat humans. I ate humans to survive. But I swear I only ate humans who deserved to die. Please forgive me.”
I looked at her indifferently. I didn’t care whether she ate humans or monsters. It was much more beneficial to kill the half-yokai in front of me and finish the job. The reason I wasn’t acting immediately was because of Sung Ji-gon.
This area belonged to Sung Ji-gon. As such, I respected him.
“If you spare me, I will give you some information. It’s information I accidentally learned while killing the bandits. It’s useless to me, but… it might be necessary information for you gentlemen.”
A deal, huh.
I turned my head to look at Sung Ji-gon. He was looking at the half-yokai with sparkling eyes. Sung Ji-gon opened his mouth.
“Half-yokai. What is your name?”
“…I am called Bakdal.”
“Bakdal, I have heard your opinion well. But even if they were bandits, you had no right to punish them.”
“……Are you going to kill me?”
“You are a half-yokai. That means you are half-human. You are also a subject of His Majesty the Emperor. You killed the heinous bandits and upheld chivalry and justice… How could I punish you?”
“……”
Bakdal was silent. It was clear that she didn’t understand Sung Ji-gon’s words. Neither did I. Regardless, Sung Ji-gon continued to speak his mind.
“It is regrettable that half of you is a monster. As a general of Hayang City, I have a duty to kill monsters and protect the people… It is truly a regrettable thing.”
“…I don’t want to die.”
“What living creature wants to die? But I can’t just let it go. So, I have come up with a brilliant idea.”
“Yes. I’m listening.”
“Bakdal, become my woman. Become my woman and prove your humanity!”
“……”
“……”
Not only me but even Bakdal opened her mouth. Why did the story end like that? I glanced at Sung Ji-gon. His face was utterly serious.
“You intend to mock me.”
Bakdal’s eyes sharpened. Demonic energy flowed from her body. Anger was felt in her distorted face.
“I’d rather fight and die than be mocked.”
It was natural for her to think she was being mocked. Bakdal’s appearance was that of an old woman in her 70s at least. She was definitely not the kind of appearance that a man would find attractive. Except for one person, Sung Ji-gon.
“Oh dear… It’s unfortunate that my sincerity wasn’t conveyed. It can’t be helped, Yoo Jin-ah. Help me. I have to subdue Bakdal and take her by force. If I miss such a beauty, I will surely regret it for the rest of my life.”
Sung Ji-gon asked me for help with a desperate look in his eyes.
“Uh, okay. Sure.”
I had received quite a bit from Sung Ji-gon, so I decided to cooperate.
Sung Ji-gon drew his sword from his waist and ran towards Bakdal.
“Let’s see your pussy!!”
Is he really crazy?
