The morning was surprisingly quiet.
Normal people were all busy working for survival, and the late risers were all sleeping.
So I stepped into a dim eatery with no customers, ordered a bowl of somen, and began gathering information on demons.
Collecting information is simple.
You just go into an eatery or tavern during a quiet time, give some coins to the server, and ask questions. Servers value those coins highly, so they answer honestly when you pay up.
“So, you’re telling me there are demons outside the city or town?”
“Excuse me… where are you from? I’m honestly surprised by your questions, as they seem quite obvious.”
“No. I haven’t seen many demons before.”
“That can’t be true…”
But the server looked at me suspiciously.
Well, in a world where demons are a given, I guess they would think I’m strange for asking. After a little chat, I understood; demons appeared inside the city and, of course, outside too.
If someone were to ask if demons exist in such a world, people would think they’re out of their minds.
If I was just trying to get home from a part-time job and a weird guy came up to me, pointing at a car and asking what it was, I’d think he was either a weirdo or a time traveler. I’d immediately call the time patrol.
Anyway.
Where there are no demons, there are bandits, and where there are no bandits, there are demons. It seems the government and martial artists regularly hunt them down, but the demons never disappear.
“Are the demons breeding like crazy?”
“That might be the case. Or they could just appear suddenly. I really don’t know.”
It’s seemingly a common issue without a clear cause.
That’s typical of a pre-modern society. Humans started understanding causes only after science advanced.
“So, this Soseongui, is it really that threatening?”
“Well… it’s not threatening at all. It’s just a bothersome demon that shows up at night, causing trouble, so it’s annoying to deal with.”
It seems Soseongui doesn’t have strong combat ability after all.
I see, it’s just a hassle, which is why the bounty is high.
“Ah, hey! Come quickly!”
“Yes, manager! For now, customer, that’s all!”
“Got it.”
The server, who had been talking to me, was called back by the manager.
Even though it’s quiet, a manager wouldn’t be pleased to see employees chit-chatting with customers. If I were the manager, I’d fold the server in half and stuff them in a drawer.
Anyway, there’s so much information I need to collect, but I have no idea where to start. There’s so much I don’t know about this world. Plus, the time for collecting information is ambiguous, and I’m out of money.
Looks like I’ll have to take my time collecting this info slowly.
Whatever it is, today’s information gathering ends here.
— Slurp.
The somen was damn delicious.
“Ahh, perfect.”
I finished off the bowl in a flash and left the eatery. Since I still had time, I went to a tavern to ask if I could rent a room for a few hours.
“I need to work at night, so I want to rent a room only until the afternoon, is that possible?”
“Ah, of course. Just pay 10 coins, and you can rent the room until then.”
It’s a bit pricey, but it can’t be helped.
Just wandering around uses up energy. I have to fight demons tonight, so it’s better to rent a room, crash, and wake up refreshed.
“Here you go.”
After paying, I headed up to the room and collapsed on the bed.
Damn it. With the strike staff, somen, room rental, and server tip, I’ve nearly spent all the savings I had. I’m left with just a handful of coins.
I’ve memorized the route to Daeil Farm. They said to go around Yusi, so I’ll wake up around Shinshi and set off.
“I’m counting on you, Sijang Gonbong. You’re all I have. I’ll trust you alone to help me overcome my fears and move forward. Got it?”
I patted the staff I placed beside me and closed my eyes.
“I love you, my stick.”
I showered it with love, stroking the staff as though a martial artist caresses their sword.
* * *
Finally, it was time.
I steeled my mind as I headed toward Daeil Farm.
Still, this will be my first time fighting demons. I know they’re weak, but honestly, I’m feeling a bit tense.
Ah, damn… this feels kind of scary. Am I really going to fight a demon, like in Inuyasha? With just Taekwondo and this damn staff? Inuyasha had Tetsusaiga, but I only have this pathetic strike staff.
I’m crazy…!
Did I do this for no reason?
“Risk management…!”
Fear surged through me, but I instantly calmed my mind, repeating “risk management” like a mantra.
If I don’t take risks in this martial world, I’ll just spend my life doing menial labor, saving 10 coins a day, until I inevitably die. I may be young and healthy now, but what about later?
I’ll either fall into illness or die from overwork; there’s no positive future there.
Then I have to do something.
“The man Kim Geunhyeop is more scared of hunger and dying than any demon!”
Thinking this way made those damn Soseongui feel like nothing more than mere snacks.
Bring it on!
Come at me, I’ll smash you all with my proud staff!
Enflamed with determination, I arrived at Daeil Farm.
“Oh.”
The farm is pretty big?
Is all this the farm once I go past the gate?
“Here! I’ve come to exterminate Soseongui! Please send someone out!”
I knocked on the gate and called for someone.
— Knock knock!
How long has it been?
— Creak.
The gate opened, revealing a hunched over, small elderly man.
“You’ve come to exterminate Soseongui?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, seeing your build, you must be a martial artist?”
“I know a bit of Fist and Kick Technique and Baton Technique. I’m no martial artist.”
“That should be enough! Come inside quickly! Those damn Soseongui have been popping up every night and are getting really annoying!”
“It sounds like the crops are taking a hit.”
“Exactly!”
He seemed satisfied with my physique. Good. This build is trust. Plus, since I’ve learned Taekwondo, it’s true I’ve grasped Fist and Kick Technique. Plus, who hasn’t swung a stick at least once?
Following the old man, I went deeper into Daeil Farm.
It was just a farm. They grow crops. I saw they likely raised livestock too. It’d be quite troublesome if demons appeared around here.
“They’ll start showing up around Shushi. Just kill all the Soseongui that come out. We’ll light some torches when it gets dark… If they go out, just head to that warehouse and replenish them one by one.”
I took in the layout while he explained.
This place is my battlefield.
I began running simulations in my head for the fight and positioned myself.
“Then do well. At dawn, I’ll send someone, so until then, just keep killing the Soseongui.”
“Got it.”
“Then.”
The old man left, and I was left behind on the farm. There’s about half an hour until Shushi. This damn martial world has a problem with accurately keeping time.
But anyway.
I sat in a small chair next to the warehouse, waiting for it to get dark.
— Swoosh.
With the sun setting, the world began to plunge into darkness.
This isn’t the bright, modern cities of Earth. When the sun sets, it truly becomes a world of darkness.
Night is the time for demons.
— Whoosh.
Of course, I had a torch, so it wasn’t complete darkness, but… from this moment, I became a being in darkness.
Turn fear into courage.
I thought about the time I played the Francesco game with friends during elementary school. There’s nothing that compares to that kind of fear! Demon fear is nothing compared to that!
“My name is Kim Geunhyeop of Darkness… the Grim Reaper who slays the demons of night.”
I stood up, clutching my staff, and walked toward the torch.
“They should be coming out soon.”
Tension bubbled up inside me.
Where are they?
East?
Or north?
Just as I was turning to gauge the direction, suddenly—
— Zoom!
I sensed movement!
“Is that you?!”
Focusing my sight, I saw it.
“Whoa?!”
A small demon with blue fur and a skull for a head!
“Damn! It really appeared!”
This is insane!
“An actual demon…!”
No way, there’s no way that thing isn’t a demon!
“Ukiiki!”
“Wushik!”
From the darkness, the Soseongui started emitting strange sounds and revealing themselves.
Their appearance matched the description I heard. They were small, about the size of a monkey. Their appearance resembled a long-armed monkey, but the blue fur was ominous, and the head looked just like a rat skull.
There were no eyes made of flesh and blood. Just holes in the skull. Instead of eyes, blue flames flickered where they should have been.
This is the demon Soseongui.
I felt as if facing a carnivorous beast. Moreover, the burning flames in their eye holes made me feel some kind of ominous presence. It’s really foreboding, and I’m overwhelmed.
— Sneaking.
The pack of Soseongui began to creep toward me…!
“This is crazy!”
Did I walk into my own grave?!
No!
Forget those weak thoughts!
“Whiiiii! Whiiiii! Whiwhi!”
I immediately puffed out a hissing sound like a snake, raising my staff in a threatening posture. I swallow my fear. After all, they’re just monster monkeys! There’s no way I could lose. I’ll utilize my experience from taking down Lupin with Power Strike in Elinia, Kim Geunhyeop!
“I have pride! There’s no way I’d get beaten by a bunch of monkeys! You lot are all done for! Kyaaaaa!”
The moment I let out that shout!
“Wushiiiii!”
“Wushik!”
Two Soseongui sprang into the air, charging at me!
Their mouths wide open and claws extended. If those teeth and claws hit me, it would hurt like hell.
But if I don’t get hit, I’m good!
“Watch out!”
I dodged their body charges, twisting my body just in time. I’m still young; I’ve still got these reflexes.
The two Soseongui went past me, and I seized the opportunity, propelling myself off the ground as I swung my raised staff down!
“You little punks!”
— Whack!
But the harsh reality hit.
My staff just sliced through the air. The Soseongui agilely dodged my strike. So this is what it means to be a demon?
“Wushiii!”
“Wushik!”
The dodging Soseongui jumped again, attacking me. These little brats are quite aggressive. Plus, they’re nimble. Instead of targeting them directly… I need to focus on when they attempt to attack!
“Ha!”
As I saw the incoming Soseongui, I accurately delivered a kick at that moment.
— Bam!
My powerful spinning kick, earned through Taekwondo 3rd Degree, collided solidly with the Soseongui, sending it flying far away!
“Wow!”
What a hit!
Crazy, the impact is incredible!
There’s no way it could survive that. Feeling victorious and wanting to let out a triumphant yell, at that moment.
“Wushiiii!”
“No way, you little punk?!”
Another one leaped onto my back!
And then it started biting my shoulder—
“-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”
A scream like that of Guan Yu seeing a cockroach erupted from my lips!
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