The 31st Piece Turns the Tables

Chapter 286

That monk.

Since it was Spectre, the Ghost King, who mentioned it, the person in question was surely no ordinary individual.

Everyone except for Jin Ryeo thought of the same person—Hye Myeong.

It was him.

'Ah… They certainly had a problematic relationship.'

After obtaining the Golden Divine Statue’s power, Hye Myeong entered the Ghost Realm, causing quite a stir at the time.

'Is he really going to nitpick about something that happened so long ago?'

If the Ghost King were going to nitpick about that, he would have found fault with other things in the beginning.

"It did happen a long time ago…"

The group sighed in relief inwardly.

Judging by Spectre's reaction, it seemed that he wasn't going to make a huge deal out of his relationship with Hye Myeong.

Even so, they still hadn't overcome the crisis. Seol quickly changed the subject.

"How did you find us?"

"That's not important. You're all still standing before me, Spectre. I'm the one who asks questions."

However, Spectre wasn't someone who would easily relinquish control.

"Recently, any humans who wandered into the Ghost Realm were beheaded on sight. Though fewer than ten, executing them was far easier than sending them back."

"That's…"

"Humans bring chaos and disrupt the natural order. That's not what I want. You people would have met the same fate as them."

Gulp…

Jin Ryeo carefully opened her mouth, "I-I've recently joined. To die here would be…"

"Silence."

"…"

"If you weren't special, that is…"

Swoosh…

As Spectre waved his hand, a chilling energy filled the air.

"From now on, I will test you."

"What…"

"I need to see if you will be of use for what's to come."

Seol sighed inwardly at Spectre's words.

'As expected… So things are unfolding this way.'

Since it had always been like this, Seol would handle it the way he always did.

Swoosh…

Seol took a step forward.

However, Spectre stopped Seol.

"It isn't you…"

Seol looked at him in confusion.

"Step back."

"Didn't you say you would test us…?"

"Yes, I did."

"Then…"

"It's that child."

Swoosh…

A strange light scattered in the direction Spectre's finger pointed, confusing the group.

Seol immediately tried to reason with Spectre, "Please reconsider your choice."

"My decision won't change."

"She's…"

Seol was flustered because Spectre had chosen Seol Hong, the weakest in the group.

When they had first met, she had been overpowered by third-rate bandits.

It wasn't just Seol who should have opposed this decision. Seol Hong should have protested as well.

"…"

But for some reason, Seol Hong only bit her lip, showing no signs of objection.

Seeing her reaction, Seol narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the faint energy that came out of her.

And then, he realized something.

The energy emanating from her was completely different from her usual self.

The faint energy emanating from her was like the first trickle of water seeping through a crack just before a dam gives way.

"Could it be…"

"Shh…You're interrupting. Are you trying to ruin my entertainment?"

"…"

Spectre was smiling.

"But a test must be taken seriously. I've prepared quite an irritable opponent."

Clap, clap—!

As Spectre clapped twice, a noise came from outside.

Kiii…

KIIII!

"What are you doing? Hurry and bring it in!"

As one of the Ghost Souls shouted, the ghosts quickly began moving and soon dragged someone in—the creature’s enormous body rivaled that of Jamad, with six chained arms. Its head resembled that of a serpent, crowned by a fiery mane that blazed from the top of its skill down to its spine.

'Damn… It's Transcendent-rank!'

Seol became momentarily furious with Spectre.

To think he would prepare such an absurd opponent to test Seol Hong. The anger soon turned into energy and leaked out.

Whoosh…

As dark energy spread in all directions, the Ghost Souls looked at Seol with trembling eyes.

There was a storm-like energy flowing out of him.

Just as Seol was about to say something to Spectre, the Ghost King raised a hand toward him.

"I promise. That child won't get hurt."

"…"

Swoosh…

With the promise secured, Seol's energy quickly subsided.

The Ghost Souls, who had been underestimating Seol, kept their mouths shut after witnessing his energy.

'The promise has been made…'

There was no chance Seol Hong would be gravely injured in this test. If Spectre showed any sign of breaking his promise, Seol just had to step in.

Now, Seol also became curious about how Seol Hong's energy had changed since coming to the Ghost Realm.

What would come of following that trail?

"Remove the muzzle."

Clang…

One of the Ghost Souls drew its sword and severed the muzzle on the serpent ghost's mouth.

"Phew! Spectre… Hihihi… You seem quite troubled because of Yaksha. The ghosts should see you now."

"It seems you've been bored, seeing how you immediately started chatting the moment the muzzle was taken off."

Spectre glanced at Seol Hong and said, "This creature is a prisoner who escaped from the Sacheon Prison with Yaksha. Even if it dies, no one will mourn it."

"Die? Me? Hehe… Just extinguish me. Following your whims makes me sick. Hey, human, savor your moments. In the end, Yaksha will ruin your everything."

"You sure talk a lot for someone about to be beheaded by that child."

"Beheaded? Me?"

Crunch!

The serpent ghost gritted its teeth and glared at Spectre.

"If you win, I'll release you on the spot. You can hide anywhere in the Ghost Realm to survive. Ah, I'll even return your name, which I've devoured."

At those words, the serpent ghost's gaze subtly changed.

"You still play the hero, huh? What about my weapon?"

"Bring it."

WHOOM…

A display case with six swords was set up in one corner.

"You're making it impossible for me to lose… It's more satisfying to crush such a tiny being with my bare hands, you know?"

"Don't get too confident."

"Oh… Is the Ghost King concerned about me?"

"If it ends too quickly, it won't be entertaining."

Crunch…

Chi Woo was also looking at Seol Hong from behind. Although he hadn't said anything, he had also sensed something unusual from Seol Hong.

But no matter what, asking a woman with no talent for martial arts, who only knew a bit of basic fist fighting, to face an expert in wielding six swords seemed absurd.

The difference between their physical capability and their depth of skill was probably vast.

"Child, let me ask you as well. What do you need?"

"I…"

Seol Hong carefully opened her mouth.

"A… A sword, please."

There was a brief silence…

"Bring it!"

Another display case was brought in—one filled with diverse types of swords.

Seol Hong stood before it.

Chi Woo couldn't close his mouth in surprise.

He had never seen Seol Hong wielding a sword, not even once before.

Spectre then said, "Well, then… I'll enjoy myself."

"Begin!"

The serpent ghost holding six swords looked at Seol Hong and said, "I'll cut you into twelve pieces in the least painful way possible."

It was underestimating her.

The serpent ghost slowly approached her.

But something strange happened.

As Seol Hong grabbed a sword from the display and held it, the flow of the air around her shifted.

"What…?"

Swoosh…

Although she had just gripped a sword and was glaring at him, sweat began to trickle down from its palms for some reason.

'Am I nervous…?'

Jin Ryeo's eyes widened in surprise, "What's going on…?"

The moment Seol Hong grabbed a sword, Seol became certain.

That Spectre was right.

"How could this be…"

The serpent ghost charged while swinging its six swords.

"Heiya!"

It was now taking things seriously.

[The nameless being used Wind Breaker.]

[Your attack speed increases by 2% every time your attacks are blocked.]

[This effect can stack up to 40% and lasts for 30 seconds.]

Whir…

The moment Seol Hong's sword clashed with the ghost's.

Whoosh…

Her hair gently floated, and the tip of her hair started to shimmer with a golden hue.

Soon, an unfamiliar energy began to flow from her.

A collision happened.

CLANG!

Screech…

Screech…

Incredibly, all six swords pressed their full weight onto Seol Hong's sword.

The serpent ghost, which was almost at the Transcendent-rank, was dripping sweat from its forehead. Even its flaming mane seemed to feel the heat.

"I think I understand it… I…" said Seol Hong.

"I'll kill you!"

Clang!

Right after Seol Hong shook off the attack, the serpent ghost began swinging his swords fiercely.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

The six swords wildly danced as if possessed.

It was almost a divine sight. However, more surprising than that was Seol Hong deflecting the ghost's attacks as smoothly as flowing water.

Her movements were breathtakingly graceful.

Just watching her was enough to evoke awe.

Jin Ryeo and Chi Woo gaped at her in astonishment.

And soon, her movements bore fruit.

Slash…

The sound of a sword slicing through paper.

"…"

Fwoosh!

Clang…

"AAAHHH!"

One of the serpent ghost's arms flew into the air.

Seol Hong had cut it off.

Step…

Step…

She approached the sword that had fallen alongside the arm and grasped it firmly with her other hand.

For some reason, her movements felt more natural than when she was holding just one sword.

She… looked like she was familiar with it.

Seol Hong adjusted her stance.

Spectre spoke to Seol, "Do you know her?"

"I did. But now… I don't."

"Haha… Of course. The phenomenon of the Ghost Realm is often beyond human comprehension."

"Just what had changed…?"

"It’s not that something changed."

"Then…"

"A spirit dormant within her was awakened by that damn monk. Hye Myeong… That bastard who dared to drink all of the liquor I treasured."

"…"

"Don't pretend you don't know him. I can smell him on you too."

What had been dormant within her.

Seol finally realized what it was.

'It's the unfulfilled desire… She inherited Yu Hwa's unfulfilled desire… It wasn't left behind in the hand mirror…'

It wasn't a mere remnant attached to an object.

'It was directly left to Seol Hong…'

It was a power passed down to a life.

It was a power carved into a soul.

That's why Seol hadn't been able to grasp it easily.

"To think that just with the trace, she would be able to wield such power…"

"It's only possible for her. Your trace is merely an illusion, but hers is as good as a record. In other words, it's a power with a real existence."

While they were talking, the situation in the hall shifted once more.

Slash!

"AAAHHH!"

Seol Hong sent another arm flying.

Whoosh…

"That's…"

"Oh…"

Seol flinched.

Seol Hong made the newly obtained sword float into the air. The sword blended into the surroundings as if it were part of the background.

"I can hear it…"

[Seol Hong used Sword's Song: Bond]

[You can levitate a sword in the air and use it for both offense and defense.]

[The durability of the levitated sword is decreased and exerts only 80% of the weapon's attack power.]

Yu Hwa's power.

Yu Hwa's unfulfilled desire that Seol had sought was unfolding right before his eyes.