DEB 47

T/N: In the previous chapters I use Yokai as Siho’s species because I couldn’t find a better word for it, it was supposed to be spirit beast. 

***

“Moving through this way is definitely easier. It reminds me of the old days. Do you remember? When the monsters first appeared, we used to conquer their lairs just like this.”

“I don’t remember. I was Yasha’s seventh disciple, after all.”

“Oh, right, that’s what we’re going with. Anyway, it’s nice to reminisce. Maybe we should do this more often, just the two of us?”

“I’ll pass.”

Their conversation, like a duel of spears and shields, carried on until they arrived at the deepest part of the ant nest-like gate. If it were an ant nest, this would be the queen’s chamber. Huiyun examined the blocked entrance, sensing the powerful aura inside.

On par with, or slightly stronger than, a steward. Ah, now that he thought about it….

Recalling the first time he met the three hunters, Huiyun looked up.

“Before we go in, I want to ask something. How did you end up collapsing at the Persian Duke’s gate?”

The steward was indeed strong, but judging from Juan’s current skills, the three hunters combined should have been able to defeat him. The steward’s troublesome trait of growing stronger with the opponent’s power would be meaningless against superior numbers. Given this, the situation seemed odd, so Huiyun asked. Juan, reaching out to the door, chuckled as if hearing an amusing story.

“Do you know the Amon Guild?”

The name was unfamiliar but not completely alien. 

“I think I’ve heard of it somewhere.”

Huiyun dredged up faint memories. Juan nodded slightly.

“The guild leader there tried to pull some tricks. I was under the penalties of an S-rank contract and was poisoned, so I couldn’t use my full strength. That gate was a trap to bury us from the start. We were originally commissioned to explore a mid-level gate.”

“And when I arrived and cleared the gate, it must have caused a headache for the Amon Guild.”

“Exactly. Thanks to you, we managed to catch and punish them. It was quite a famous incident, made the news and everything. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

Those news reports must have come out while he was unconscious from the penalty. Feeling relieved to have his curiosity satisfied, Huiyun saw Juan smirking. Ignoring the uncomfortable gaze, Huiyun finally asked why.

“What?”

“Just, thinking about it again, it seems like there really is such a thing as fate. It’s amazing how you appeared just at that moment.”

It was the system’s doing.

Huiyun wanted to tell him that, but seeing Juan’s face, which resembled a child who firmly believed in Santa Claus, made him hold back. His conscience pricked him. 

He couldn’t tell Juan, who genuinely thought it was fate, that it was the system’s guidance. Deciding to keep the truth hidden, Huiyun redirected the conversation to the gate before Juan could extend his nostalgic narrative.

“Enough pointless chatter. Let’s head in.”

“…It wasn’t pointless.”

Despite grumbling about being dragged out of his reminiscing, Juan pushed the heavy door open.

Creeeak.

A heavy, oppressive air wafted out from the slight opening in the door, filled with a sinister demonic energy.

“…Ugh.”

Demonic energy, after all, is a form of mana. 

The dense and foul energy was even worse than what Huiyun had felt at the Persian Duke’s gate. Juan stepped in front of Huiyun, shielding him with flames that burned brightly and consumed the demonic energy, making it easier for Huiyun to breathe.

An ominous feeling shot down Huiyun’s spine. Instead of thanking Juan, Huiyun immediately threw one of his prepared spears, revealing the guardian inside. The creature caught the spear and exhaled hot steam, exuding hostility.

A goat.

Traditionally a symbol of demons, the giant creature resembled a minotaur with a humanoid form, guarding a black flame.

‘That must be the soul fragment of the Lord of Greed.’

Huiyun created a new spear and shot it like an arrow at the black flame.

Clang!

The spear ricocheted off an invisible shield, faster than Huiyun’s enhanced vision could track. 

As expected.

“It has a protective barrier. We can’t break it with sheer force; we’ll have to deal with the guardian first.”

Realizing the straightforward approach wouldn’t work, Huiyun advised. Juan looked disappointed but intrigued as he stared at the towering monster.

“Since we’re doing this together, why don’t you just support me? It’ll be good for you to see what I can do, so you know for next time.”

‘I never agreed to a next time.’

Juan seemed overly eager, despite Huiyun’s lack of enthusiasm. Nonetheless, recognizing the need to gauge Juan’s abilities, Huiyun nodded and stepped back, conjuring five spears in the air. They were ready for emergencies.

With Huiyun prepared, the guardian reached behind itself, grabbing two massive double-edged axes. Each axe was large enough to easily decapitate a person, which impressed Juan as he leaped forward.

Bright red flames surged around him, alive and deadly, as he launched an attack at the guardian’s face.

Clang!

The initial strike was blocked by an axe, but that was just the beginning. Juan summoned flames to encircle his entire body and manipulated them with a mere gesture. 

The flames, resembling the sun, moved like a wave and engulfed the guardian. It wasn’t a small wave but a tsunami of fire that overwhelmed the guardian, forcing it to swing its axes in desperation.

However, the axes, swinging through the blazing inferno, only fueled the fire, making it grow larger.

Fwoosh!

Flames swirled around the guardian, turning into a fiery vortex. Trapped and burning, the guardian swung its axes wildly, causing more injuries to itself.

– Screeech!

Realizing it couldn’t handle the flames, the guardian shifted its focus to Juan and charged. Its heavy axe came down with immense force, and Huiyun’s eyes widened as Juan didn’t move to evade the strike.

“Juan!”

In that instant, the sound of equal force clashing against the axe echoed, and the entire room was bathed in red. The dark space was now filled with the light of flames covering the ground, walls, and ceiling.

In the midst of the fiery landscape, a man stood unharmed, grinning. Juan plunged into the flames, swinging his sword repeatedly with explosive force. 

He deliberately struck the guardian’s axes, creating countless loud clashes.

– Grrrrk!

The guardian retaliated with both axes, but its attacks, slowed by burns, couldn’t even graze Juan. He smoothly dodged the attacks and flicked his fingers, sending a small fireball into the guardian’s eye, blinding it in one eye.

Seizing the momentum, Juan struck the guardian’s axe again, creating a deep crack. Another strike shattered the thick axe.

-…!

The guardian’s face filled with despair as Juan’s flames coiled around it like ropes, binding it tightly.

“Not as strong as I expected. Maybe because it’s not a high-level guardian.”

Throughout the battle, Juan maintained a relaxed demeanor, smiling with excitement. Sensing the end, he leaped into the air and plunged his sword into the guardian’s chest.

“Next time, bring a stronger guardian, Lord.”

Gazing at the black flame behind the guardian, Juan channeled his fire through the sword. His flames enveloped the guardian, consuming it entirely, until its agonized screams filled and then silenced the boss chamber.

The guardian’s blackened body collapsed with a resounding thud, scattering ashes in all directions.

“…You have to leave some room for support if you want any help.” 

Huiyun muttered, shaking his head at Juan, who had toyed with the guardian and ended the fight single-handedly. As expected of the leader of the nation’s top guild, his combat style immediately reminded Huiyun of Ash, the red dragon.

Worrying was pointless.

Huiyun had been tense, expecting a tough fight given his own lack of combat experience in this body, but it had all been for nothing. The battle ended anticlimactically.

– Yippp!

Siho, who had climbed onto Huiyun’s head, pointed a paw at the black flame and cried out.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to purify it?”

– Yipp!

Siho nodded affirmatively. Still unsure, Huiyun informed Juan of the situation, mentioning Siho’s abilities and asking if they could bring the soul fragment over. Juan, seeing no issue, fetched the black flame.

– Yipp!

Siho’s eyes glowed a bright blue, and the black flame began to die down slowly. Little by little, the flame faded until nothing remained but a dim, lifeless fragment.

—

[Spirit beast ‘Siho’ has absorbed the impure demonic energy. The spirit beast’s strength increases by 4%.]

Progress to level up: 96% remaining

—

“What’s this?” 

Huiyun exclaimed in surprise at the unexpected notification. He grabbed Siho, asking if it had gotten stronger. The silver fox purred and nodded.

Good job, Siho!

While Huiyun hugged and petted the fox, Juan eyed the remaining fragment with disdain and crushed it underfoot.

Crash.

The sound of shattering glass filled the air, and the gate shook.

—

High-rank gate ‘Fragment of the Enraged Greed Lord’ has been cleared!

Contribution ranking:

1. Juan Hong

2. Huiyun Mok

3. …

—

Only then did Huiyun remember the quest to achieve the highest contribution.

Damn, I forgot about that.

He was still processing his disappointment when the doors to the boss chamber opened, and the other Ash guild members entered, looking equally battle-worn and covered in blood.

“Guild Master! Great work!” 

“Great work, everyone!”

They, too, seemed to have endured a tough fight.

Just then,

– Yip!

Siho let out a sharp cry, raising its fur in alarm.

—

[Spirit beast Siho senses a dire premonition!]

—

A notification appeared as Siho’s ability activated, and suddenly, the floor of the boss chamber gave way, as if a sinkhole had formed.

“…!”

There was no time to react. Huiyun and the rest of the Ash guild were swiftly pulled down into the depths of the gate.