The Shiheoseon is a monster that worked as a subordinate for the Four Fairies during the last incident.
Flying Mummy.
It flew around, merging spirits and causing all sorts of chaos. But after the siege on the fortress, it totally disappeared, making me wonder if it fled. However, according to Seongwon, it seems it didn’t run away but is lurking somewhere nearby.
Why on earth is it hiding?
No matter how I look at it, it seems to be waiting for orders from the Four Fairies.
Four Fairies, Four Fairies… This is driving me mad.
Just hearing the name sends chills down my spine.
The reason the Four Fairies caused this incident? Curiosity. It seems they created Shiheoseon for that purpose. Are they keeping it waiting now that it’s no longer useful?
Whatever it is, having something like this nearby could mean another incident could happen. It really depends on the whims of the Four Fairies, but we can’t live in peace if such a thing lurks around our territory.
No matter what the Four Fairies say, if we keep our mouths moving, that should be enough.
“Honestly, I can’t trust that Seongwon’s info. Geunhyeop.”
After hearing this, Serin crossed her arms and said.
“I’m in the same boat. But we should at least test it. Proving that we can extract information will benefit us in various ways.”
“That’s true, but I’m worried that there might be a hidden trap in that information.”
“You should always filter any information anyway. How you judge it determines a person’s capability.”
“Hmm… Alright. Trying it out wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
With that feeling, I convinced Serin.
After preparing, we formed an expedition party to hunt down Shiheoseon.
It wasn’t a hasty decision.
We know the danger of Shiheoseon. However, judging from the appearance it showed during the fortress battle, we believed we could handle it with just the forces of Nachalbang.
“Moondo! Did you bring the rat!”
“Uh, yeah.”
Moondoil.
The oldest among us and a person who has proven his talents so far. I’ve earmarked him as the next squad leader after Jaemi Son.
Anyway, Moondoil was holding what looked like a cage in his hands, and inside was a small black rat.
This little guy has been ordered by Seongwon to guide us to Shiheoseon’s location. We can use it like a compass. According to the explanation, it stays quiet when we’re heading in the right direction, but squeaks and wiggles if we stray.
“Keep an eye on that rat. Got it? That’ll lead us to Shiheoseon.”
“Moondo! Understood!”
“Hehehe, very good. Doil, you know I’m keeping an eye on you. I’m secretly considering you as the next squad leader after Jaemi Son.”
“Ugh…!”
As I patted his shoulder and whispered secretly, his eyes began to shimmer with emotion.
“Moondo! I’ll do my best! But this tone! How long are we going to keep this up!”
“For now, keep it going.”
“Moondo! Got it!”
With a cheerful grin, Moondoil headed back to his squad.
“Listen up! We’re off to find Shiheoseon, who attacked our land today! Stay sharp!”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
See? He’s really good at leading his squad.
“Geunhyeop. But isn’t this a bit cruel? It’s amusing, but having him keep shouting Moondo doesn’t seem good.”
“If it’s fun, isn’t that what matters? I think it’s hilarious!”
“Even Wi Hayoung, who has a bad temper, is saying this, Geunhyeop.”
“Hmm, well, it is just for fun. I’m planning to let him off the hook as a reward later.”
If I don’t hear Moondo’s calls, I might miss it.
With that feeling, we set off.
Last time, we defeated the Yaguja-ttae, so maybe that’s why the atmosphere in the forest feels a bit nicer.
I’ve heard that even demons are somewhat mindful of rumors. When news spreads of creatures appearing or certain demon groups being hunted down, the savvy ones take notice.
Lowly demons might just wander in, but those with some level of intelligence are naturally cautious.
“Squeak!”
“It seems this isn’t the right direction.”
Following the guidance of the cage rat, we moved steadily.
Though our troops were on high alert during the transit, as nothing appeared, we began to relax a bit more.
Time passed.
“Squeeeeeek!”
Finally, the cage rat indicated that we had reached our destination.
“This area? Moondo, let’s send the kids out to find the cave. It should be around here.”
“Moondo! Got it!”
Immediately, we dispatched Moondo’s group to start the search.
It’s definitely more convenient having subordinates.
“Nothing particularly feels off… Could it be hiding its energy?”
Hayoung expressed her doubts.
“Banbakgwi? You’re not suggesting that are you?”
“Banbakgwi sounds like it, doesn’t it? Do you think that level is easy to reach? If Shiheoseon was that skilled, it wouldn’t have been showing that form during the fortress siege.”
That’s true.
But the fact that we can’t sense any energy is a bit suspicious. We should be careful.
“Here! We found it!”
At that moment, a subordinate rushed in shouting.
“Let’s go! Where is it?”
“This way!”
Following the direction indicated by the guy, we discovered indeed.
There was a hidden cave.
“Is this it? Moondo, you all set up defenses in this area. We’ll go in.”
“Moondo! Understood!”
The kids quickly set up camp.
“Then let’s check it out.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
I led the troops into the cave.
—Flicker!
As we entered the cave, Hayoung cast a spell, summoning a floating fireball. With this, we needn’t worry about the dark cave.
I cautiously drew forth the Heavenly Thunder Sword, advancing while keeping my senses open.
“I don’t feel anything in particular. Everyone, feel anything?”
“I don’t sense anything either.”
“Yeah. Me neither.”
Seems Shiheoseon really can hide its energy well.
Anyway, we navigated through the cave as cautiously as possible. Just as our concern peaked in this rather deep area, the end of the cave came into view.
“What’s that?”
There was something like a coffin in front of us. Could Shiheoseon be inside that?
—Swallow.
Swallowing hard, I moved closer.
“…!”
Indeed, Shiheoseon lay within the coffin!
A skinny mummy was sleeping inside!
What to do?
Should I take this coffin?
No, that’s unnecessary.
Our goal is to subdue it!
“Hayoung!”
“Got it!”
Immediately, Hayoung pulled out a bundle of charms she had stored in her chest and scattered them, quickly wielding her staff.
—Flicker!
As the fire spell unfurled, the charms ignited. Burning charms stuck to Shiheoseon’s body like patches.
—Boom!
And that triggered an explosion.
“Serin! Let’s combine attacks!”
“Understood!”
We rushed in, sweeping away the smoke and launching a furious assault on the coffin and Shiheoseon.
Ruthlessly slashing and stabbing with attacks akin to that of a brawler. After all, sword techniques are meant to engage opponents, not attack a corpse lying in a coffin. Thus, this mindless attacking continued.
In the midst of that.
“Ahhhhhh!”
The mummy’s eyes and mouth lit up with a terrifying glow as it began to rise!
“Ahhhhh!”
“This bastard! It’s alive!”
“But it doesn’t look good at all!”
Shiheoseon.
It was no longer in a normal state. Its clothes were mostly burnt or shredded, and its limbs were hanging off. Our fierce attacks had torn it apart.
With only its torso remaining, it floated grotesquely, pouring light from its eyes and mouth.
“Shiheoseon! Your evil ambitions end here! Sleep now!”
“I can’t sleep!!!”
—Aaaaaaah!
A roar.
“Ah, I can’t go back there! Infinite horror! Despair! Nihility! I can never go back there!!!”
It seemed to have lost its mind, mumbling wildly as it shook its body. It looked like it was mentally shattered by immense pain.
“What on earth are you talking about! Go back to where you came from and find peace!”
“There’s no place to return to!!! You don’t know what the underworld is like!!!”
The underworld?
“Stop rambling! Don’t listen to it! It’s a trick!”
Just then, Hayoung fired another flame ball, hitting Shiheoseon.
—Boom!
Ugh, I can’t hold back!
“Serin! Let’s finish this!”
“Yes!”
We charged at Shiheoseon. It seemed to try to cast a spell, but given its condition, it couldn’t respond properly.
It merely screamed in despair.
“Ah! Four Fairies! You deceived me!”
Four Fairies!?
“What do you mean by that?!”
“They said they would let me transcend life and death! But to send me this…!”
Send?
Is this bastard reading the remnants of the Four Fairies off me?
“Hahhhhh!”
—Shrrrack!
Serin’s Sword Technique of Boundless Space erupted forth. Ultimately, Shiheoseon shattered into pieces, falling apart entirely.
“Phew… It’s done.”
“You did well, Serin.”
“Geunhyeop, didn’t you mention the Four Fairies being a trick earlier? Words aren’t necessary in battle. They can fall for an enemy’s schemes. Especially from a sorcerer like this.”
“…”
“Don’t even think about engaging in conversation. Got it?”
“Sorry. I just couldn’t stay quiet when the Four Fairies came up. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Yes.”
When mentioning the Four Fairies, how could I remain silent?
But Serin points out something valid. There’s no way a creature like this could say anything normal. It’s highly likely it’s just babbling nonsense.
However, I’m intrigued by its references to the underworld and the objectives of the Four Fairies. What could be the reason?
“That’s true. Namgoong is right. A wicked creature like this is especially dangerous. A single word can corrupt a person’s mind.”
“I’ll be a bit more cautious. For now, let’s take this and get out.”
“Let’s do that. Ah, what about the items? Are they here?”
“Would you really collect items from Shiheoseon?”
How could I take something that came from a person?
“Wait! What?!”
Just when I was thinking that, a murky orb rolled out from between the corpse’s gaps.
What the heck!
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