Chương 337: Old Monster’s Rampage (6)

Oh Hye-seo's mind spins quickly as she looks at the monster, Seo Eun-hyun, behind her.

And at this moment, she calculates the optimal 'act' she needs to perform.

"Kugh, Seo Eun-hyun!"

First, she makes a sad expression on her face.

Then she speaks in a voice full of reluctance.

"Kill me...!"

Drip, drip drip....

Tears flow from Oh Hye-seo's eyes.

With awkward movements, she attempts to attack Seo Eun-hyun.

Flash!

The shape of an immortal beast emerging from her hand charges towards Seo Eun-hyun.

'He will think something is strange.'

If that happens, it will be Oh Hye-seo's victory.

She knows Seo Eun-hyun very well.

In fact, like many male employees in the company, Seo Eun-hyun also had a subtle fondness for her.

Oh Hye-seo knows this fact all too well.

'Now, Seo Eun-hyun. Notice that something is strange. Hesitate to attack me.'

The story she wants to show through her acting is that of a 'pitiful colleague being controlled by the evil Seo Hweol.'

After Seo Eun-hyun asks what's going on, she would answer that she's being controlled by Seo Hweol.

Then she would tell Seo Eun-hyun how to break Seo Hweol's control, and lead him to release it.

'After that, I'll inform him that I'm trapped by Seo Hweol. Then Seo Eun-hyun and the other colleagues will come to rescue me, and I can join them naturally.'

Oh Hye-seo smiles inwardly, satisfied with her perfect plan.

She cries again with tears streaming down her face.

"Kill me, Seo Eun-hyun…!"

[Understood.]

"…?"

And without hesitation, Seo Eun-hyun tears apart the shape of the immortal beast sent by Oh Hye-seo and swings a pitch-black ghost claw towards her.

Oh Hye-seo dodges the ghost claw with all her might.

This other dimension, created with the twisting of the Netherworld's outer bondary.

To control the center of this space, one has to be in a soul state.

Regular physical force doesn't work.

However, being in a soul state, Oh Hye-seo understands that it will be a disaster if she touches Seo Eun-hyun's ghost claw.

'That ghostly energy, that curse! If I touch it, my soul will rot away....'

She breaks into a cold sweat inwardly, thinking frantically.

'What is this? Why is he so unhesitant? No, wait. Does he really think I've betrayed him...? No, that can't be!'

Oh Hye-seo cries out tearfully.

"Free me, Seo Eun-hyun! Seo Hweol is controlling me, forcing me to attack you…!"

Kwakwakwakwang!

As she says this, she releases a Taiji from her hands towards Seo Eun-hyun and uses the recoil to fly backward.

Chiiii― However, Seo Eun-hyun, not having suffered even a scratch, walks through the white space with 38 lights shining from his eyes.

[Alright. I'll help you. Rest in peace.] Booong!

Without the slightest hesitation, Seo Eun-hyun scatters a curse spell towards her.

Pitch-black curses fall towards her in streams.

Oh Hye-seo grits her teeth inwardly.

'That stupid bastard! When Yeon suggested to have lunch together at work, he told her to eat alone, and now he takes my plea literally?! What a useless bitch!'

Having revealed that she's being controlled, there's no more reason to attack her unless he truly is an idiot.

Oh Hye-seo racks her brain.

'Yes, maybe because he fought Seo Hweol once, he knows how terrifying Seo Hweol is and believes there's no chance of saving me!'

With this conclusion, she bites her lip and acts again.

"Thank you, Eun-hyun. To break Seo Hweol's spell, you need to unravel the 108 threads of Yin-Yang Five Elements and a malicious restraint called the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner within me. Then you have to sequentially break the four curses in my consciousness, but that might be too difficult, right? Just let me rest!"

[Yes. It does seem really difficult. I have no confidence. Goodbye, Oh Hye-seo.]

'If you can't do it, at least ask Kang Min-hee or some other smart person!!! I even gave you the clues!'

Booong!

Oh Hye-seo barely dodges Seo Eun-hyun's curse again, sweating coldly.

'That useless bastard, he's really trying to kill me. Has he gone mad after learning some devilish arts? Just what happened during those 100 years to make him this broken? Even his past is shrouded by a hazy mist and unreadable….'

Biting her lip, Oh Hye-seo decides to change her plan.

'That crazy madman bastard. Wandering around with those strange things stuck on his shoulders, he's definitely gone mad.'

Oh Hye-seo rolls her eyes.

'Let's give up on Seo Eun-hyun for now. Since this madman is acting like this, there's no chance of joining him as a colleague. For now, it's better to look for an opportunity to join through Jeon Myeong-hoon or the sharp-witted Kang Min-hee later.'

Deciding to modify her plan, Oh Hye-seo spreads her hands.

Wiiing― A Taiji symbol spins between her hands.

"Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth, activate."

Paaaatt!

In an instant, the white space twists, creating a distance of 100 li between Oh Hye-seo and Seo Eun-hyun.

The Taiji rotates once.

The distance widens by another 100 li.

Seo Hweol's Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

This spell twists the outskirts of the Netherworld to create a special-purpose alternate space.

Originally, Seo Hweol could only create the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth but not control it.

What he could do was open and close the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth and grant administrator privileges.

However, even those granted administrator privileges could not freely manage the space.

To control this space, certain 'special conditions' had to be met even if one has received the administrator privileges.

And through her own powers, Oh Hye-seo can control this space as if it's hers.

'I need to get far away from Seo Eun-hyun and isolate him in another space. If I don't get out quickly, who knows what Seo Hweol will do to my body again.'

Kuguguguk!

Far away, the space begins to warp due to an immense attraction force.

Oh Hye-seo grits her teeth and extends her hands.

The space shifts, nullifying Seo Eun-hyun's attraction force.

"Hah, hah…."

She sweats coldly.

'Is it because he's at the Integration level? It's tough to negate his attraction force. Anyway, since I've sealed his attraction force, he won't be able to chase me with the ground-shrinking technique….'

At that moment.

"…What?"

Oh Hye-seo blinks her two eyes.

Seo Eun-hyun has appeared right in front of her.

[Don't worry. I'll set you free.] Bo-oong!

Seo Eun-hyun raises his arm.

Kwaaaang!

His arm, filled with pitch-black curses, smashes into the white space.

"What, what is this…!"

Oh Hye-seo gnashes her teeth in frustration, her expression one of disbelief.

'He got here without using the ground-shrinking technique and only with the Flying Escape Technique?'

Wiiing!

She spreads her hands and summons the Taiji again.

The Taiji spins rapidly, increasing the [distance] between her and Seo Eun-hyun once more.

100 li, 200 li….

3, 000 li!

'If, if it's this much, without the ground-shrinking technique….'

"…Is it an illusion spell?"

But contrary to her hopes, when she closes and opens her eyes, Seo Eun-hyun has reappeared right in front of her again.

"How, how did you get here without the ground-shrinking technique…!"

[I'm just that fast.] Seo Eun-hyun reaches out his hand towards Oh Hye-seo calmly.

Oh Hye-seo's face turns pale.

Even though she's emotionless, she still has 'desires.'

From basic desires like hunger, lust, and sleep to the fundamental 'desire to survive.'

And as a living being, the fundamental 'desire to live' and the 'fear' that stems from it are naturally present.

Oh Hye-seo, overcome with the fear stemming from her desire to survive, gasps for breath and extends her arms.

[Immortal Beast, Lustrous Glaze Peacock!] Flash!

A pure white light shoots towards Seo Eun-hyun.

But Seo Eun-hyun seems to wrap himself in a hazy mist, and the light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock scatters uselessly.

Oh Hye-seo retreats, continuously summoning the power of the immortal beasts.

[Immortal Beast, Yin Ghost Black Turtle!] The yin energy of the Black Turtle, said to command ten thousand ghosts, appears to spread around, but as Seo Eun-hyun's 38 orbs of light shine, the yin energy of the Black Turtle seems startled and tries to move away from him.

[Immortal Beast, Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape, White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus!] The power of the White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus, symbolizing order, and the Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape, symbolizing chaos, gathers in Oh Hye-seo's hands.

Oh Hye-seo clashes the black and white energies in both hands.

Kugwagwagwagwa!

The energy of great chaos seems to fill the white space completely.

But in the next moment.

[Great Mountain.] Flash [Splitting Emperor!] The energy of great chaos disperses and scatters entirely.

[Immortal Beast, Azure Peng.] Wiiiiing― Blue wings appear to burst forth from her shoulder blades, twisting the space around her.

At the same time, the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth twists, trapping Seo Eun-hyun in the distorted maze of space.

'This is the power of the famous Immortal Beast Azure Peng, renowned for its spatial labyrinth abilities. Combined with the power of the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth, the space is twisted once more, making it impossible to escape in a short time….'

Kwa-ching!

Then, breaking through the white space, Seo Eun-hyun's hand emerges.

[Oh… Hye… Seo….]

"Heh, heh…."

Oh Hye-seo once again sets up the spatial labyrinth to reseal Seo Eun-hyun, then uses the power of the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth to put more distance between herself and him.

Borrowing the power of the Immortal Beast Supreme Tiger, she strengthens her physical body and tries to break through the space to escape outside with the power of the Azure Peng.

However, she turns back at a chilling sound.

Dududududu― A giant with 19 dangling heads and 38 eyes weeping bloody tears, with a body of starlight and black, grotesque flowers blooming all over it, is running towards her.

Oooooooh― Kiiyaaaaaah― Huaaaaah― The eerie wails decorate the surroundings of the giant.

"Go, go away…!"

Finally, Oh Hye-seo's composure crumbles.

"Go away, you monster…!"

Dududududu― She summons the images of numerous Immortal Beasts and throws them at the monster.

But it's useless.

The yin energy of the Yin Ghost Black Turtle is just chewed up, the chaos of the Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape is contaminated into a curse, the Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness of the White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus are devoured by summoned pure white flowers, and the power of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock is blocked by a hazy mist.

The Azure Peng's spatial labyrinth is simply broken through, and the power of Supreme Tiger is ineffective.

Dududududu― Oh Hye-seo, towards the Seo Eun-hyun who has suddenly caught up and is reaching towards her, throws the form of the Black Dragon.

But Seo Eun-hyun grabs the jaws of the black dragon, tears it apart, and resumes his mad chase after her.

Wooong―

'Something' is caught in Seo Eun-hyun's grasp.

'Dangerous…! Dangerous! He's about to throw something at me, it'll be dangerous if it hits…!'

Sensing the flow of heaven and earth spiritual energy, she realizes Seo Eun-hyun is about to throw something 'ominous' at her.

'It's really dangerous! No!'

[All-Heavens!]

"Kyaaaak!"

Seo Eun-hyun throws 'something' at her, and Oh Hye-seo screams in agony as if her entire body is being shredded apart.

Clench!

Finally, Oh Hye-seo is caught in the giant's grasp.

'I finally caught her.'

I sigh as I glare at Oh Hye-seo.

She looks as if she's about to faint.

It seems that the pain from the All-Heavens Sword cutting through her soul is considerable.

'Alright. Now then….'

I begin to infuse ghostly energy into her body, distorting the space using Oh Hye-seo, who is the center of this area.

Kugugugu―

'This is a space made from borrowing the outskirts of the Netherworld. So….'

It should be fully maneuverable with my abilities.

Kugugugu!

The white space moves.

It twists.

Sensing my scattered colleagues, I begin to call them one by one.

Paaat!

Jeon Myeong-hoon is the first to arrive by my side.

Next, Kim Yeon and Oh Hyun-seok appear in order.

Paaat!

The last to appear is Kang Min-hee.

'Well, it seems everyone has gathered except Kim Young-hoon.'

[…As you all know, Oh Hye-seo brought us to this space. She is also the one who tampered with the Black Ghost Valley.]

"De-Deputy Oh?"

"Really?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon and Oh Hyun-seok are surprised, and Kim Yeon also looks slightly taken aback.

Kang Min-hee, however, crosses her arms and clicks her tongue.

"Let's hear the reason. Since she's been a smooth talker since Earth."

I look at Oh Hye-seo and ask.

[Yes. I'm curious as well. Just what is the reason for betraying us?]

"…."

Oh Hye-seo is an intriguing person.

She's always in a calm state, with her intent always being stable.

Though her intent, symbolizing emotions, are faint, she doesn't possess a horrifying heart essence like Seo Hweol.

To put it bluntly, Oh Hye-seo's heart essence is like a desolate desert, different from the filthy wasteland of Seo Hweol or the Mad Lord.

That's why, until I was directly attacked by Oh Hye-seo, I didn't know her true nature.

'Though I still don't understand, even now.'

What exactly is the motive behind her actions, and why did she betray us and join sides with Seo Hweol?

In response to my question, Oh Hye-seo smiles faintly.

Shudder!

"Hoho, as expected. You have been in contact with Miss Hye-seo for a long time."

Then, a bloody light emits from her soul.

Chuaaaak!

I try to seal Oh Hye-seo using ghostly energy, but I realize it's impossible.

I am pushed back by the blood light and end up losing her.

'This space. It's resonating with this light?!'

As the red light erupts, Oh Hye-seo's shadow squirms and becomes 'Seo Hweol'.

Seo Hweol gently wraps his arms around Oh Hye-seo's shoulders and pulls her into his embrace.

"Miss Hye-seo will be taken back. When I briefly took over her body outside, it turned out her ability itself originates from her soul. She herself is needed."

[You…!] Then, Seo Hweol moves his hand.

[Open, Tainted Soul Deadly Gaze.] Paaaatt!

Blood light looks to spread around, and Seo Hweol's horrifying heart essence spreads through the white space.

[Everyone, close your eyes and shut off your consciousness!] I urgently shout to the surroundings.

It's Seo Hweol's heart essence.

Staring at it for too long will make you instantly brainwashed by his Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

That's when it happens.

Shudder!

"The Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth is a kind of 'side path' using the outskirts of the Netherworld. The only difference is that the destination is not the Nether Ghost Realm…. but the Blood Yin Realm."

Kugugugugu!

In the distance.

A blood-red [World] can be seen.

"While I retrieve my Axes… you can enjoy a tour of the Blood Yin Realm. Hoho…. It should only take three, four thousand years."

I try to resist that blood-red [World], but the powerful attraction force continues.

'There's no other choice. I must jump.'

I exerted all my strength to break free from the attraction force.

Then, it happens.

Wiiiiing― From the hand that had grabbed Oh Hye-seo, a peculiar 'Taiji' shape begins to rise, enveloping my entire body like a tumor.

'This is…!'

[Seo Hweol…!] I grit my teeth.

'Was this all planned from the start?!'

Me going to the Black Ghost Valley, where the power of the Netherworld's outskirts is strong.

Oh Hye-seo revealing herself and inviting us to this space.

The fact that I caught and made contact with her.

It seems it was all within Seo Hweol's expectations.

Seo Hweol holds Oh Hye-seo in his arms, looking down at Seo Eun-hyun and his colleagues being dragged into the blood-red pit below.

"Originally, I intended for Miss Hye-seo to face that monster alone, and only send that monster in, but… It seems I'll have to send more people than I expected. To think you'd fail to achieve your goal and end up being captured in front of everyone. You're quite incompetent, aren't you, Miss Hye-seo."

At Seo Hweol's words, Oh Hye-seo, nestled in his arms, rubs her head and gives a sardonic smile.

"…You're quite remarkable too, Grand Prince. Pretending to use me as bait, ready to pop out at any moment to send my colleagues to another realm."

"Hoho, it's thanks to you, Miss Hye-seo, for following my thoughts so well. Because of you, I could send that old monster who had long contact with you below without resistance."

"By the way, how did you do that?"

"Doesn't Miss Hye-seo's soul contain the power of Immortal Beasts fused together? It's a spell that draws out the power of Taiji from that fusion to bind the opponent. Would you like me to teach you?"

"You're going to teach it in a strange way again, aren't you?"

"Hoho…."

It's then.

Kwagwagwagwa!

An immense giant of starlight reaches out from below, thrusting its hand into the space.

It's Oh Hyun-seok.

[Oh… Hye… Seo…! What is this… that you've done!!!]

"Oh my, Hyun-seok Orabeoni. Why are you struggling so much? Just go down."

[What… what would your father think! Stop this at once!]

"Ahaha, my father?"

Kwadududuk!

And then, another giant crawls up next to Oh Hyun-seok.

It's a giant of lightning with six arms.

It's Jeon Myeong-hoon.

[Deputy Oh… is this betrayal…!?] Red lightning flashes continuously from his eyes, and his shadow splits into six, fluttering around him.

But that's not all.

Kiiyaaaaaaaaaa― Aaaaaaaah― Oooooooooh― A horde of ghosts numbering in thousands arise, and within their midsts is an eight-foot ghost.

It's Kang Min-hee.

[You brazen bitch…. I knew it ever since you secretly followed your colleague to their houses. That you're a crazy bitch…]

"Hahaha, Miss Min-hee. Don't you look crazier right now?"

Oh Hye-seo bursts into laughter as she looks at the three monsters.

But then, she suddenly looks below and flinches.

Threads!

Pure white threads of consciousness stretch everywhere, tightly binding the three monsters and Seo Eun-hyun, who is about to fall into the Blood Yin Realm.

Kim Yeon is preventing Seo Eun-hyun's fall by restraining his body.

[Just wait… let's see when I get up there….] Jeon Myeong-hoon mutters, red lightning crackling from his eyes.

To make matters worse, a large centipede springs out of Seo Eun-hyun's Peach Garden Painting, spewing venom.

It's a scene of pandemonium as if monsters are crawling up from the Abode of Demons (복마전).

Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo, the two beautiful individuals, wear mask-like smiles.

"Hoho, Miss Hye-seo. Then, shall we exert some effort to prevent those monsters from coming up?"

"You won't stab me in the back, right?"

"That will never happen."

"... For now, stay away."

Oh Hye-seo slips out of Seo Hweol's arms and begins to prepare a spell.

Seo Hweol also emits a crimson light.

Oh Hye-seo creates the form of the Black Dragon among the Immortal Beasts, and Seo Hweol creates the form of a giant Sea Dragon.

A majestic scene unfolds as if two divine dragons are blocking monsters from the depths of hell from crossing into the mortal world.

"Let's go!"

Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo unleash their power upon the monsters climbing up from the Abode of Demons.

A divine light strikes upon the bizarre monsters.