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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 75: Hua Ran (1)

Chapter 75: Hua Ran (1)

There‌‍​ was once a girl called Ran.‌‌‌ She was an​​ unlucky girl who​‍⁠ couldn’t even walk​‌ outside on her‌⁠ two feet due⁠⁠ to a long‌‍‌ illness of hers.​​​

“Dad!​ It’s been a while! Huh? Sister‌‌ Yuhua! You’re here⁠‌⁠ as well?”

“Hi‌ Ran. How have​​‍ you been?”

Ran⁠​‍ had a family⁠⁠ that loved her.‌​​ She had friends‌ and neighbors.

If‍‍⁠ not for her‍ incurable disease… or​​ in fact, if​ not for her​ father never giving​ up on elongating‍ her life and⁠⁠‍ if he instead‌ stayed with her…‌‌ Ran’s life would‍‍‌ have had a happy ending.

“Ahh…‌ Ran. Ran.”

“D…‍⁠ dad?”

Over​ time, the illness⁠​ restricting her started⁠​⁠ to rapidly crush​⁠ the happiness surrounding‍‍​ the girl.

Ice‌‌ Yin Constitution.

It​‌⁠ was a body⁠ constitution type that⁠​ was only spoken⁠ of in the‍ legends. An infinite⁠ source of Yin‌⁠⁠ was suppressing the​‌ Yang energy inside‌​‍ her body, and​⁠ was thus creating​​​ an imbalance and⁠​​ disharmony.

Ran’s​ father, Kang Yu,⁠‌ looked for all‌‌⁠ sorts of ways‍⁠‌ to cure his⁠⁠‌ daughter. However, all⁠ the methods known⁠​ to cure Ice‌‌​ Yin Constitution were​ close to being​‍ impossible, and Ran’s​ early death seemed​‍‌ unavoidable.

“Ran…”‍⁠‌

Sacrificing‍ the time he⁠⁠​ should have spent‍ with his daughter,‍‍‍ Kang Yu went​‌ around searching everywhere.​‌ He went to‌‌ the mountain peak‌⁠‌ of a mountain⁠​ range and requested⁠​​ the help of‌​‌ the lord of⁠ the mountains, the‌⁠ Heavenly Tiger, and‌⁠ even gained an⁠‍​ elixir after helping⁠‍​ the hermits of​ Mount Tai.

Crossing‌ to other continents,‌‍ he looked for‌⁠‌ his old friends‍⁠‌ and received their‍ help to look⁠‍​ at regional spells‍⁠​ that could cure​‌ his daughter.

14‌​​ years.

Ever‌​ since the birth⁠⁠​ of his daughter,​‍ he wandered all‍‍ around the world‍‍ looking for ways‌⁠ to cure her⁠⁠⁠ body, but none‌​ of those were⁠⁠⁠ effective on Ran.‍⁠⁠

Slowly,‍ the end was‌‌​ approaching them. His‌‍ desperate attempts were‌ almost about to‌‍​ come to an​⁠ end.

“D…​‍ dad.”

“Ran.‌‌ Your father will‌⁠ definitely bring you​ back to life.‌‍​ I can do‍‌ anything in the​ world, if it⁠ means I can‍ save you.”

She‌‍​ had a happy⁠‌ and affectionate family⁠ but there were‍​‌ two pieces of​‍‌ misfortune in her​​ life.

One‍ was that Ran‍​ was born with‌⁠‍ an incurable disease,‌

And​‌ two was the‍ prodigal talent of‌ Kang Yu, who⁠⁠ was known as‍ the best spiritualist​‍​ of the time.‌​

He‍ searched everywhere to​​‌ look for a strong source of‍ Yang that could⁠‌ put a stop⁠‍ to the infinite​ source of Yin‌‌ in her body.‍

However,‍‍‌ the legendary body‌ constitution that had‌⁠ been told down‍⁠ from times immemorial‍ was too much⁠ for a mere‌​ human to resolve‍ so… he had‌‍ to change his‍‌ line of thought.⁠

If‌ he couldn’t find​ enough Yang to‍‌‌ suppress the Yin,​​​ maybe he could​ instead look for‌​ ways to consume‌ all that Yin‌​‍ energy in her‍‍‌ body.

That​‍‍ was why he⁠ relied on the‌ organism that was​‌ born from Yin.⁠‌‌ They were beings⁠ that he was‌‌​ very familiar with‌⁠​ as a spiritualist,​​ whose job was‍‍ to send poor‌ souls of those‌⁠ who died on‍​ a foreign land‍‌‌ back home.

Kang⁠​ Yu turned his‍ alive daughter into‍⁠ a Jiangshi.

That​ was the birth‌ of the living‍‌ Jiangshi, Hua.

****⁠

A small wooden cuckoo​ made from the‌‍ country of ice​​​ and snow shouted⁠​‍ at the world​⁠ of giants.

– Coo! Coo!

9 am. The bird‌⁠‌ of the vintage⁠ clock cried out‌‌‍ loud to notify​⁠ people of the‍​⁠ time as Hua⁠‍⁠ Ran instinctively raised‍‌ her body. Her⁠‍‍ movement was like⁠‌​ that of a creaking machine. Subconsciously,​ her arms were⁠ facing the front‍‍ in a straight​​⁠ angle as she​ quickly lifted herself⁠‌‌ up from the​⁠‍ bed.

“…”‍

With‍ a glare, she⁠ gazed around. Her⁠ room was as⁠ dark and lifeless​‍ as always – the only furniture​ inside the room​ was a small‍​ wardrobe and a large urn.

The⁠​ urn for gold⁠‌‍ coins that she⁠⁠ brought after selling⁠‌ everything that belonged‍‍‍ to her in​⁠ the eastern continent‍ was being filled‌ up at a rapid speed. That​‍‌ was proof of⁠​ how the business‍‌‍ of the boy⁠​ who liked poking⁠‌‌ his nose into‌ other people’s affairs⁠‍‍ was faring smoothly.‍​‌

Going‌​​ past the urn‍⁠ full of gold⁠ coins which acted‌‍​ like a piggy⁠ bank, she walked‌‍⁠ to the wardrobe.​‍​ The chains restricting‍‍ her body jingled‍‌‌ with each of​⁠ her movements.

– Creak!

She‌ opened the wardrobe,​ which had nothing​ but a bunch‌‍⁠ of black nun‍ clothes inside. Even‍ though she was⁠‍ a probationary nun​⁠ of the New‍⁠ Faith, her wardrobe‌‌⁠ was still way⁠‍ too barren considering‍ how most sisters​⁠‌ of the religion⁠​‍ had a few​​⁠ modern clothes or​‍ two.

“Clothes.”⁠‍‌

Her‍⁠ chains loosened slightly​ as soon as⁠‌ she said that.‍‍⁠ These specially crafted‌ chains from the‌‌‌ chapel of Zeon⁠​​ reacted to her​⁠ inner energy and‌ she could tighten‌ and loosen them​ at will. They​​ were there as⁠⁠ a restricting device⁠ to stop her​⁠‍ from having a fit but they‌ did show respect​​⁠ to her daily‌ life through seemingly​ trivial features like⁠⁠‍ this.

It‌ had already been‍⁠ about a year​ since she had‌​‍ been wearing these‍⁠ nun clothes. After‍ she wore the‍ sparkling rosario as‍⁠ well as the​‍ nun headpiece, the⁠⁠⁠ chains slowly crawled‍ back up and‌ restricted her body‍​‌ again.

They‌⁠ were tight enough‍ to crush a normal human body,​⁠ but it felt​‌‌ like just another‌ piece of clothing‌‍ to the Jiangshi⁠ with an Unbreakable‌ Vajra Body.

– Clomp! Clomp!

Climbing​​​ down the stairs​ to the dining⁠‌ room, her nose‌ picked up a faint scent of⁠ butter. Today’s breakfast‍⁠​ menu appeared to‌‌ be toasted bread‌​ with ham.

“Hua‌ Ran.”

“Josephine.”⁠

In‌ the kitchen, Senior⁠ Professor Josephine of‌‌ Merkarva Academy was‌⁠ awkwardly toasting bread‌ on a frypan.‍‌

“…What⁠⁠‌ are you doing?”​

“Hmm.​⁠‍ I was trying‍ to make the‌‌⁠ ‘Isaac Toast[mfn]TLN: Isaac‌​ Toast: A Korean‍​⁠ street food. Similar⁠‌‌ to the given⁠⁠ description.[/mfn]’, which is‍⁠‌ apparently famous in​ the east but…”​‌‍

After‌⁠ putting butter on‌⁠ a heated frypan,‍‍ all you had‌‍​ to do was⁠⁠‍ put the bread‍‍​ on top and​ cook it. Even‌⁠ Hua Ran, who​ was from the‍ eastern continent, wasn’t⁠ sure how this⁠​‍ had anything to​​‌ do with the​ east but simply​​ glossed over it‌ because it was⁠ one of the‍​​ dishes that the‌​ pony-tailed boy introduced⁠‍‍ while saying it‍⁠‌ was from the​‍ east.

“That’s‌ too much butter.”⁠

“Ahht…⁠ Really?”

Unfortunately,‌​ Josephine wasn’t the​ best at household‍​ chores.

“I‌ want mackerel sandwich…”‌⁠

“A⁠‌‍ mackerel sandwich?”

“He‍​ made it. Cooked​ mackerel.”

“…Student‌⁠ Korin. Where did​⁠⁠ he learn such​ eccentric dishes from?”⁠​⁠

Josephine,‍ who was also⁠​ repulsed by raw‌ fish, apparently couldn’t‌​​ understand why you⁠ would put cooked‍​⁠ mackerel between slices​⁠‍ of bread.

“Fish‍ is supposed to‍‍ be cooked and‌ served by itself.‌ It is not‍​ supposed to be‌ eaten inside bread.”​

“Booomer.”‍​

“Booomer?⁠⁠ What do you‍ mean by that?”​​‍

“He⁠‌‌ said that’s what‌​​ you call inflexible‌ people.”

“Looks‍⁠ like I must‌⁠⁠ seriously consider the​‍ eviction of Student‌ Korin.”

While‍⁠⁠ murmuring how he⁠​‍ was nothing but‍ a bad influence,‌​‌ Josephine flipped the⁠‌ bread on the‌ frypan. Unfortunately for‍ her, it was​‌​ charred black.

“Anyway,‌ please go wash‌ yourself before we​ eat.”

“Don’t⁠⁠ want to.”

“Go.​‌‌ Wash. Yourself.”

Her‌‌⁠ eyes were very‌⁠⁠ sharp. Washing once‌ in the morning,‍ and once at⁠⁠​ night before going‍‍ to sleep – this bothersome routine‌‌⁠ was a very⁠⁠ tedious one to⁠‍⁠ follow for Hua⁠‍⁠ Ran, who used‌ to live a lawless life.

“Hmm…”‍

There​​ was a PDHPE[mfn]Personal⁠ development, health and​​‍ physical education[/mfn] lesson⁠‍‍ about how washing‍‌ was to get​‍ rid of bacteria​ or whatever, so‍‍​ that meant the‍ goal was to‍⁠‍ ‘get rid of⁠‌ bacteria’ right?

Fortunately,⁠⁠​ the chains and​⁠ the clothes on‍‍ her body were​ all specially crafted​‌ items that could‌‌ hold off against​​⁠ most things in⁠ the world.

Shortly⁠⁠‌ after that, Hua‍ Ran returned to‍‍ the dining room‌⁠ with black ashes‌⁠‍ all around her​​ body.

“W,‍‍ what have you⁠⁠ done?”

“I‌​⁠ burned myself.”

“???”​⁠‌

“Don’t​⁠‌ bacteria die from‌⁠ fire?”

“Go​‌⁠ right now and⁠⁠‍ wash yourself. With⁠ water.”

“I⁠​​ don’t understand.”

“Now!”‌‍⁠

She⁠ was still only‍⁠‌ 3 years old.​‍​ Even though Josephine⁠‍ wanted to give​ her a flick‌​ to the forehead,‌ she knew her⁠​‌ hand was the‍⁠ only one that‍‌ was going to​​ suffer so instead,‌‌ she decided to⁠‌ give more health-related​‍ lessons.

****‍

Annoying.‌‌

Hua​⁠ Ran thought to​⁠​ herself.

Because‍⁠‍ of the request⁠ of the Old‌ Faith and Senior‌​⁠ Professor Kang Ryun‌ of Purple Hawk‍‌‌ Academy, she had⁠​ to unwillingly attend⁠‍‌ the festival.

The‌‍​ one she had​‌‌ to join was⁠⁠ the individual event.‍ At least it‌⁠‌ was better off⁠ because it could‍‌ be done by‍‌ herself.

“Hua​ Ran. You cannot‌‌⁠ be serious against‍⁠ them.”

“…I‌‍⁠ don’t understand.”

She​⁠ had read the‍⁠​ festival rules already,⁠​ and also knew‌ how this boisterous⁠​ festival was a contest for competing‍ students.

“I⁠​‍ can’t hit them?”‌​

“It’s‌⁠‌ not like you⁠ can’t retaliate but…”‌⁠

Josephine‍​‌ reminded her with‍ a serious look⁠​ on her face.‍

“Most‌ things in this​‌ world are weaker‍​ than you. Treat⁠​‍ them like you⁠⁠⁠ would with a little twig, and‌​‌ that would be‍⁠ enough for you‍‌ to win.”

Hua‌‍ Ran reflected on‌⁠ the ones that​‌ she had to⁠ be a little‍​‍ serious with, like‌ the noisy potato-lover‍‌⁠ and the spearman‍ who pretended to‍​​ be an adult.⁠⁠

“How‍‍ weak are they‍​ compared to him?”⁠​

Josephine‌​ knew that the​‌‌ person Hua Ran⁠​ mentioned was almost⁠​ always ‘that boy’‌⁠⁠ and easily realized⁠‌​ who she was⁠‌‍ comparing them to.‌

“Right.‍‍​ Compared to Student​​ Korin…”

About⁠ 1/10. Thinking that⁠ should do, Josephine​⁠‍ assigned that as⁠‌‌ the outline.

“Remember.⁠​​ There are a lot of people​ that are trying​ to find faults‌ with your existence‌​​ itself in this‌‌​ place. Please try⁠ to pass this‍‍‍ festival as smoothly‌‍ and quietly as⁠‍ possible.”

The⁠​ individual event soon‌‌⁠ began.

“Uaahkkk…!‍ Why! Whyy!!”

“Ah​‍​ please! I can’t⁠‍ even shake her!”‍⁠

“Why‌ can’t I even​‍‍ cut her hair??!”​‌

The‍ individual event of‌​ Merkarva and Purple‌ Hawk’s festival became​⁠‍ a pandemonium of‍‌‍ chaos.

Whenever⁠⁠ the rounds began,‍‍‍ Hua Ran would​‍​ stay still without‌‌​ doing a single‍‌‌ thing, and simply‍​ stood there looking⁠⁠ at them.

Her‌‌​ opponents would swing‍‌ their weapons but‍‌⁠ whether it be​‍ a sword, an‌‍‌ ax, or a mace, none of​ those weapons could⁠‍ harm a hair​ on her body.‍‌

Even‍ though she was​⁠ just a small​ girl, she appeared​⁠⁠ like a large‌⁠ mountain firmly standing⁠‌‌ its ground.

“I,​‌ I give up.”⁠‍‌

Facing‌ the unsurpassable wall,‌​‌ the students couldn’t​‍‌ help but admit‍ defeat.

Fortunately,‍‍ there weren’t any‌‌‌ casualties despite Josehpine’s‌‍​ concerns, but there‍ were still a bunch of young⁠‌ teenage girls and‍ boys whose hearts⁠​⁠ crumbled at the‌‌ face of an‌⁠‍ unbreachable wall. However,‌⁠ that was inevitable‌​‍ the moment Hua‌⁠ Ran joined the‍ festival.

“Boring.”​⁠‌

Even​⁠‍ the punching lessons‍ she had with​ the boy were‍⁠ more interesting than‍ this.

『You‍‍ start from the‍ small basics.』

If‌ you give your​ very best to⁠ everything, you’ll learn⁠ how to be​⁠⁠ caring.

Learn​ how to be‍ caring, and it‌‌ will leave a mark on your​ personality.

If‌⁠ it leaves a mark on your‌‌⁠ personality, it will​‌ show on the‍⁠ outside.

And⁠⁠‍ if it shows‌⁠ on the outside,⁠⁠⁠ you will become‌​‍ brighter,

If​ you become brighter,‌⁠⁠ you will move​ other people,

Move​ other people and‌ you will change.‍

And‌‍ if you change…‌⁠‍ you’ll become mature.⁠​‍

She​​ condemned him saying‍ that he only​‍​ knew how to​ talk big but…​ it might have⁠ left a big‌⁠⁠ impression on her.⁠‍

The‍⁠ punching skill that⁠​ the boy taught‌‍‍ her, which she‍‍ diligently practiced so​‌‌ that she wouldn’t​ lose again, had‍⁠ become attached to‌​ her body after‌ practicing it every‍ day.

It‌ went… something like‍‍ this.

❰Eight‍‍​ Poles: Punch of​⁠ the Descending Dragon❱​

– Boom…!

………‌

The​‍⁠ stadium immediately turned⁠⁠​ silent as Hua‍⁠⁠ Ran realized her‍ mistake. She had​‌ accidentally used the‌‍‍ punch that she‍ had learned from⁠​⁠ the boy.

As‌‍ a result, her‌ opponent, who had​ been swinging a battle ax at​​ her, flew across‍ the venue like‌ a dove and‍ landed in bloody⁠⁠ tatters while the‌ weapon got demolished⁠ into molecules.

“U,​⁠⁠ uaahh…”

It⁠​ was her umpteenth‌‍ opponent. He seemed‌ like one of⁠⁠⁠ the famous 4th⁠ year students or⁠ something, but he​ was visibly appalled‍‍ after seeing that​‌‌ only the handle‍‍‍ part of his‍​​ battle ax was‌⁠‍ remaining after her‍ attack.

“M,⁠​ monster…”

“…”⁠⁠

That‌ was nothing new.​‌⁠

She‍‍ wasn’t even upset⁠‌‍ because she had‌ been hearing it​⁠ all the time‍‌‌ but… for some‌ reason, her chest‌ ached a little​​ bit more than‌‍ usual.

Before‍​ long, it was‌​‌ already the 8th‌‍ round.

That‌⁠‌ was the last‌ round of Group⁠ C where she‍‌ was in, and⁠⁠⁠ this time, her⁠‌ opponent was a student from Purple‌‍⁠ Hawk Academy.

She​ thought it would⁠‌⁠ be the same‌⁠‌ thing as always⁠‌⁠ but soon, when‌⁠ she saw the​‌⁠ boy walking towards​ her in large⁠‍ strides, she got‍‌​ a feeling that⁠ he looked familiar.​‍​

“We‍‌ meet again.”

The⁠ boy with ominously‍‌‌ white hair, Sa⁠⁠ Jinhyuk, was standing⁠​ in front of​‍‍ her.

****‌

The​‌ combination of bleached‍ white hair and​⁠ the black eyes​ of those from‍⁠ the east was​‌ definitely not harmonious‌⁠​ by any means.‌‍

However,‍ it was still​ vivid enough to‌⁠‌ leave a strong⁠ impression so Hua‍‍ Ran still remembered​ the boy called‌‍ Sa Jinhyuk.

‘Doesn’t‌‍ change anything though.’​​‌

“Haak…‍⁠ Haak…!”

Was​‍​ he strong? Probably.‌ He was about‌ as strong as​‍‌ her unpleasant housemate,⁠​​ and was within‌‌‍ the category of‍‌​ ‘strong’ in terms‌ of humans.

However,‌​​ that was in⁠ the standard of‌‍ humans.

A living Yaksha’s standard​ started from 10,000.​‍ Telling the difference‍ between 10 and‌‌⁠ 100 was… frankly,​ quite difficult for‍‍‍ her.

“Doing‍‌⁠ more won’t change⁠⁠‍ anything.”

It​‌‌ had been 5 minutes since the​​ start of their‍‍ fight. Without doing‍​ anything in retaliation,‍‍​ Hua Ran calmly⁠ accepted the opponent’s⁠ attacks.

Each‍‌ and every one‌ of those attacks‍⁠ were rapid and‍‍⁠ heavy.

Heavenly‌ Windmill, Killing Moon‌⁠ Flash Kick, Battle​​ Hound.

Those⁠​‍ consecutive kicks were⁠​ menacingly fast. His‌ legs traveled at‌ the speed of⁠​‌ sound and burst⁠​​ the air to​ attack the Unbreakable​⁠⁠ Body.

“Damn‌‍‌ it…!”

However,‌ the unmovable fortress‍‌⁠ remained firm. It‌ did not move​ a single inch.⁠‍‌

“Try​‍ stopping this!”

His⁠‌ left foot rotated‍ in a clockwise‌‍⁠ direction on the⁠ spot as his‍‌‍ heel began to​‍ face Hua Ran.‌‍ Rooting that leg‌ firmly into the​‌ ground, he twisted⁠‍‌ his waist and⁠​ spun with his⁠‌⁠ right leg.

❰Spinning​​‌ Axle❱

That‍ kick contained even‍‌‌ the shapeless form⁠​ of aura and‌‍‌ was almost like​ a falling comet.​

“Huh?”⁠‍

Even⁠ the crowd was‌‍ befuddled by that⁠​‍ attack.

Heavenly⁠⁠‍ Yaksha Hua Ran.⁠⁠ Some of her‍‌ contenders mixed in​​ killing moves during​⁠ the festival but​​⁠ the crowd didn’t​‍⁠ think much about⁠ it.

They​⁠ had seen over‌⁠ the consecutive rounds​‍‍ of the individual⁠‍ event that no‍‍‌ attacks worked on⁠ this monster of​‍‌ absolute defense.

However,​‌⁠ this one was​ a bit different.​‌ Something in it​ was different – the aura condensed⁠⁠ inside his kick‌ even oppressed the‌‍ atmosphere nearby and⁠ was evidently different‌‌ from other attacks.‍⁠​

It‌⁠⁠ was a comet‌​‍ – a comet​⁠​ that destroyed everything​⁠‍ in its path.‍‍

– Kwaaaaaang!!

The⁠⁠ comet landed on⁠‌‌ Hua Ran. Until​ the very last‌‍ second, she did‌‍ not move an​​‍ inch and…

“…Fuck.”‌

The​ comet screamed with⁠ a profanity.

“Done?”​

Despite​‌​ seemingly speeding through⁠ space and striking‌ at the fastest‌ possible speed, the⁠⁠‌ comet lost its‌ power at the​‌‌ face of an​‍‍ immense star.

Unbreakable‌ Vajra Body.

No‌‍ blade in the‌​‌ world could cut‌‌ through the skin,‌⁠‌ nor could fire​​ or water leave⁠⁠ any mark on​​‌ the body. It⁠ was on a whole different league‍​‍ to normal defensive‍ spells that were​‌‍ supported by aura⁠ and the inner​ qi.

That‌ constitution was the⁠ one sitting at‍‌⁠ the epitome of‌⁠ unfairness, and the‍‌ ones attacking people⁠ with the Unbreakable‌ Vajra Body were‍⁠ the ones that⁠⁠ had to suffer⁠ damage. Sa Jinhyuk⁠⁠ was the one​ who gained fractures‍ from that attack.⁠​

“You⁠‌ damn monster.”

“…”​

He‌‌ uttered the same‌​​ insult as others‍ but this one‌​ was different. Rather​ than fear, it‍⁠‌ was backed by‌‍⁠ rage and hatred…‍

“Give‍​ up. Doing more‍‍ is not going⁠​ to change anything.”‍

“Haha…”‌​‍

She​ was trying her​‍‌ best to follow​‍ Josephine’s words that​⁠ she shouldn’t hurt⁠​​ other people, but‍ it seemed to‌⁠ have sounded absurd⁠‍‍ in the ears⁠ of her opponent.⁠‍

“Stop‌ pretending to be‌ nice all of‌‌ a sudden. It’s​⁠ too late to​‍⁠ act kind and‌‍​ merciful.”

“…What‌ do you mean.”⁠‍

“You‍‌​ should have used‌‌‌ that mercy of⁠​⁠ yours before killing⁠ my family.”

『I‍‍​ will kill you!​ No matter what,‌⁠⁠ I will definitely​‍‍ kill you with​​ my own hands!』‌

His‌ eyes overlapped with​‌ the eyes of‍‍ the person who⁠‌ glared at her‌‍ after losing his⁠‌ mother and sister.‌

It‌​ was then. A burning city appeared⁠‌ before her eyes.⁠‌ Corpses were everywhere.⁠‍‍

That‍​‍ was a scene⁠ of massacre.

“Huh?”‌‍‍

『Hua.‌⁠‌ Kill all the‌‌⁠ humans of this​ land. There should​ not be anything‍ living left behind‍‍ in this place.』⁠‍

“You​‌‌ are a monster,⁠‌⁠ Hua. A monster⁠ far from being‌ human. You’re pretending​⁠​ to be a human this far⁠ in, and it’s‍‍ so disgusting I feel like throwing⁠⁠‌ up.”

“No…”⁠‌‌

“And‌‌ what about your‍⁠⁠ body? You are‌‌ not Ran. You’re‌ just a monster‌ that stole Ran’s⁠⁠‌ body.”

“N…‍ no. This is​⁠ mine… My body…”​‍

The‍‌⁠ corpses that had‌ been scorched in​‍ the pit of​​ flames started to‍ move again. The‌‌ dead crawled towards‍‌​ her. Corpses with​‍ brains, guts, and​​​ limbs ripped out​​‌ hoarded towards her‍ from all around.⁠‌​

Thousands​ and tens of‌⁠⁠ thousands of dead​ people cursed while⁠‍ approaching her. The‌⁠⁠ hair of the‍‍‌ boy which used​⁠⁠ to be black‍ turned white as​‍ tears of blood​⁠​ flowed down his⁠ cheeks. He screamed⁠​ while reaching his​‍ arm out.

『Die,⁠‌⁠ monster. Someone like‌ you shouldn’t have‌ been born!』

『Die!​ You monster!』

『Please‌ die. We’re begging‍ you.』

『We‌​‌ have shredded the‍⁠ limbs of your​ father to death.‌‌ We will now​‌ subjugate you in‌ the name of⁠​‍ the Royal Palace.』⁠

—-—-—-‍‍‌

Flames​‍⁠ consumed the air,‌‌‌ leaving nothing for‌‌‍ breath and the​ disgusting scent of⁠‌‍ corpses clogged her​‌ throat. More than‌​⁠ anything…

『Give​ me my body‌⁠ back!』

That​ voice alone was‍‌ so frightening and​⁠‌ scary, that even‍ the red eyes⁠⁠‌ of the monster‌‌‍ quivered after hearing‌ it.

“This‌⁠ is mine… Mine!‌‍ This body is‍⁠ mine!!”

I have the right.‍⁠⁠ I have the‍​​ right to have⁠ this body!

『You​​ shouldn’t have been⁠⁠⁠ born!!』

“Be‌‌ quiet…!”

It‍ was then. Red‌⁠‌ aura began to‍‍ soar in all‌​‍ directions with Hua‌⁠ Ran at the‍‌‌ center.

Crimson‍⁠ aura started to⁠‍⁠ surge through the⁠⁠‍ air, as if‌⁠‌ it was contending‌⁠‍ against heaven itself.‌‌⁠ The aura emanating‌ out of the​‌‌ body of a Yaksha, one that​​⁠ far exceeded the⁠⁠‌ norms of humans,​​​ demolished the arena‍ in less than⁠ a second and—‌

– Chiriririk…!

Her‌‍‍ chains of restriction‌‌ swallowed her aura‍‍​ and stretched out‌ to no end.​‌‍ In place of‌⁠⁠ the scorched talismans,​‍ the restricting chains‍⁠ turned large enough​​​ to cover the​‌‍ arena and suppressed‌‌‍ her with their‍​‌ might.

“Haak…⁠ Haak…!”

Only⁠ after being restricted⁠⁠‍ by chains that⁠‌ were now several​‍ kilometers long did‌ Hua Ran realize⁠⁠ that the things⁠⁠‌ she had been‌ seeing and the⁠‍‍ voices she was‍‍‌ hearing were gone,⁠‍ and that was⁠ the biggest relief‌​ for her.

Thank⁠ goodness. I didn’t​​ lose my body.⁠‌‌

—————!!⁠⁠

There​ were a lot​ of grumbles and‌ noisy chatters all‌​ around but the​ relieved child soon⁠‌ went to sleep.⁠⁠‍

****⁠‍

“I‌‌ knew that monster⁠‍ was going to​‌ do something like​‌⁠ this!”

At‌‌‍ the Chairman’s office‍ of the Academy,⁠ Chairman Eriu and‌ Professor Josephine couldn’t​‌‌ do anything but‌ quietly listen to‍​ the denouncement of⁠‌‍ spit-splattering Bishop Renault​​‌ Lusignan.

An‌ incident had occurred‌‍⁠ during the individual‌⁠ event of the‌ festival. Hua Ran‍‌ going berserk would‌⁠⁠ have led to‌ a huge catastrophe‌ without the chains‍⁠ of restriction, which‌‍‍ was why they⁠​‌ had no words⁠​ to say in‍ response.

“We‍​‌ will carry out‌⁠ a detailed investigation​ as to why​ Student Hua Ran…”​⁠‌

“Investigation!​ What investigation?! We‌ don’t know when‌‍ that monster would‍ start going around​ killing people, so​‍ why should we‌‍ watch that happen⁠‍ from the side?‍​​ We must kill​​​ that monster right…”‌‍

“That⁠‍ is way too‍ extreme an argument,‌​​ Bishop Lusignan.”

Chairman‌​ Eriu said with​‍ a sharp glare​ at the excessive‌‌‍ comment.

“Hmph.⁠ In the first‌‌‍ place, it was​‌⁠ you, Chairman Casarr,‌⁠ that wanted to⁠​ take in that​‌ wicked demon. You‍‍ will have to‌​ take your due⁠⁠⁠ responsibility.”

“Of​‌‍ course. However, we​ must first observe​‌‍ Student Hua Ran​ and the state‍‌⁠ of the restriction​‍‍ spell.”

“Yes.‌ Looks like those‌‍‍ chains made by‌​ the protestants worked‌⁠ pretty well, but⁠‍‍ the problem is‍ that the talismans​‌‌ made by the​ pagans of the‌⁠ east were burned,‌​‍ is it not?”​

“The⁠​ talismans that are‌‍ supposed to settle⁠ Student Hua Ran’s​ mind have been‌⁠ burned. We are‌‍ planning on inviting⁠ spiritualists from the⁠⁠​ east to create‍⁠​ new talismans but…”‌

“Is‌‌ there a need⁠‍ to go that‍ far?”

“…What‍ do you mean​ by that?”

“Do‌ we not have​‌ a spiritualist already?‍​‍ One that came‌‍‍ from the renowned​⁠ academy of the‌ eastern continent.”

“…”‌⁠⁠

Chairman‌‌ Eriu and Josephine⁠⁠​ thought of the‌ same person. They‍ thought of the‌ senior professor of‍‌‍ the eastern academy,‌ the best formation‍‍⁠ expert of the‍⁠‌ east who was⁠ also a first-rate‍​‍ spiritualist at the​‌ same time.

“Professor‍ Kang Ryun will⁠⁠ be returning soon‍ after the end​​ of the group‌ event, right? Let’s‌⁠ request Professor Kang‍ Ryun to hurry‍‌⁠ up and create‌ talismans for us.​ We never know​‍​ when that evil⁠‌‍ demon is going‌‍​ to go berserk​​ again.”

It‌⁠ was something they‍ couldn’t refuse.

****‍⁠​

In​‌‍ a dark and‍ small room with​ no sunlight, all‌‍⁠ she could see⁠⁠‌ were stone walls​‍‍ and the moss⁠‌ growing on those⁠‍‌ walls.

“…”​‍‌

Hua‍ Ran thought about⁠⁠ the things that⁠‍‌ recently happened to⁠ her.

She​ remembered the forgotten‌‌‍ past, and the‌⁠‌ original owner of‌ this body had‍​ once again tried‌‌ to take it⁠‍ from her.

『This‍ is my body!‍⁠ Give it back!‍ Give it back⁠​​ to me, you‍⁠⁠ monster!』

Born‍ as the personification‍ of the Unbreakable⁠ Vajra Body, she⁠ had nothing to⁠ fear but that​‌ voice was the‌‌ only one she‍​ feared. It had​ continued from the‌⁠‌ very moment of​​ her birth and⁠‌‍ that fear was​ thus very difficult⁠​‌ for her to​‍⁠ overcome.

“This‌ is mine… This​⁠‌ is my body…”‌

“Is‍​‍ it really though?”‌

Someone‌ refuted the mumbling​‌​ self-justification of Hua​ Ran. She looked​​‌ for the owner⁠ of the voice‍​​ with emotional eyes.‍​⁠

“You…”⁠​

“I​ am the uncle⁠‍ of Kang Ran,‍‌ the original owner​ of that body‌​ which you have‍‍ control of.”

Kang⁠⁠​ Ryun.

He​‌ was the senior‌ professor of Purple‍‌⁠ Hawk Academy, and‍⁠ the older brother​‍ of Kang Ran’s‌‍​ father, Kang Yu.‍⁠

He​‍‌ was most certainly‌ one of the⁠ ones who hated​​ Hua the most,‌ since she had⁠​ taken over the​‌​ body of his⁠ niece, Ran.

“I‌ am not… giving‍‌‌ it back. This​⁠ is… mine.”

“Oh‌ no no. Hua.‌ You’re misunderstanding me.”⁠

Kang‍ Ryun consoled her‌‍ with a benevolent‍ voice like an⁠‍​ adult dealing with‌ a child. Hua‌‌‍ Ran recalled hearing‍‍‌ his voice somewhere…‍​‍ It went like…⁠​‌

『Hua.‍‌ Kill all the⁠​ humans of this‍ land. There should‌‌⁠ not be anything‌ living left behind‌‌ in this place.』‌‍

“Hua.⁠ Do you want​‌‍ to have full‌⁠‍ control over that​⁠ body? I can‍ help you with‍‍ the process if⁠‍‍ you want to.”⁠⁠

“…What?”‌‍

The‌​ whispers of the​​⁠ venomous serpent slithered‌‌​ up the neck​‍‌ of the child.⁠‍‍ The poisonous apple‍‍‍ was too sweet⁠‌⁠ for a child⁠⁠⁠ to refuse.

『…Hua.』‍‍

And⁠ a girl was‍ silently watching all⁠ that happen.

『You​​ can’t. Don’t listen‍⁠‍ to him.』

The⁠‍‌ girl’s voice did⁠ not reach her.⁠​‌ From the start,​‍ it had never‍ reached her even​⁠​ once.

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