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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 76: Hua Ran (2)

Chapter 76: Hua Ran (2)

“Student⁠‍‌ Hua Ran is‌‌​ in confinement.”

“…”‍​​

The‍​ first thing I heard after coming‌‍‍ back from the‌​ group event was​ that Hua Ran⁠‌ had been confined​‌‍ because of an​⁠⁠ incident during the⁠​ individual event.

Fortunately,‍⁠ there weren’t any‌⁠​ casualties but the‍‍ problem was that​‌‌ there were a few people there⁠ who knew about​‌‌ the restrictions cast‍⁠​ on Hua Ran.​

One‌⁠ of them was⁠​ Bishop Renault Lusignan,‍‍‍ who had been‌​ dispatched from the‍ great chapel of‍​ Xeruem of the‌‌ Old Faith.

He‌⁠‌ criticized them, saying⁠‍‍ that the restrictions‌ put on Hua‌ Ran, which they​ were so confident‍​ in, had been⁠‍ easily broken due​‍‌ to her violent​ nature.

Strictly‍‍‌ speaking, the restrictions​ did work properly.‌‍ The constraints cast‍ on Hua Ran⁠⁠‍ consisted of the‌ talismans that settled⁠​ her mind, and⁠‍ the article of‍‌ the New Faith,‌​‌ ‘Chains of Zeon’,​‍ that devoured and​⁠⁠ enhanced the restriction‍ if Hua Ran​⁠ was to go​ berserk.

Even‌‌ though the talismans⁠⁠‍ ended up being​‌⁠ scorched because of​ her immense aura,‌‍ the chains had​⁠ done a remarkable​⁠ job.

“The‌‍​ fact that one⁠​​ of the constraints​​ broke was enough‍‌ fault for them⁠​⁠ to nitpick on.”​

“Depends‍‍ on how you​‌​ view it I guess.”

However,⁠‍ their justification was‍ still weak, so‍‍ they sent her‍ to Kang Ryun‍⁠​ under the pretext‍ of recreating those‍⁠ talismans.

“…”‌⁠

I couldn’t make it​‍‍ in time due​ to the group‍⁠ event schedule. I guess this was‍⁠‌ another butterfly effect‍⁠ of what I did.

My‌‌ original plan was‍‍ to do something​‌ before they could‌⁠ apply the talisman​‍⁠ but…

Well,‌⁠⁠ whatever. I knew‌ this would happen.​‍‌ After experiencing Marie’s‍ incident and the‌ Tornado Bat incident⁠‌⁠ back to back,‍‌​ I wholeheartedly realized‌⁠ that you always‍‌ needed a Plan‌‌⁠ B.

“When‍⁠⁠ are they going‌ to reattach the​ talismans?”

“They‌​ said they need‌‌ time to supply‍⁠⁠ materials and create​‌⁠ the new restricting‌ talismans at a workshop. There was‌​ a request to⁠‌ move Hua Ran‍ over to that​‍‍ place.”

“I‌ see.”

That‌ was a lie.‌‍

They‍​ should be done‌ preparing their talismans.⁠‍‍ Was it postponed​ because of the‌‍ articles I stole?‌​ Were they trying​ to put an‍ end to it​​​ inside the Evil⁠‍ Extermination Formation?

Whatever⁠⁠ the case, they‍ were probably trying‌⁠​ to do something‌‌‌ before using Hua⁠ Ran as the‍​ ‘core’ in the​‍ group event.

I couldn’t let them‌ go that far‍​⁠ without doing anything.‌‌ I had to‍ do something to‌​ Hua Ran before‌‍ that as well⁠⁠‌ but…

“Can‌‌⁠ I visit Hua‍‌ Ran?”

“Unfortunately,⁠‌‌ the Templar Knights‌‍​ of the Old‍​‌ Faith are watching‌⁠‍ over her.”

Being⁠ stopped by Templar‍‍​ Knights? As expected,⁠⁠ they were making‌‌ a bold political‌​‌ move, but well,‍​‍ that was also​ within the scope⁠ of expectation.

“Student⁠ Korin.”

That‌ was when Chairman​ Eriu who had⁠‍‌ been quietly watching‍ until now… or⁠‍ rather, Master Erin,⁠​‍ walked up to‌ me.

“How⁠ many things are‍‌⁠ you aware of,‌ Student Korin?”

“Ah…”‍⁠‌

She‍‌⁠ must have realized‍‍⁠ that I was‌ hiding something, but‍ that was nothing​‌​ unusual considering her‍‌‌ insight.

“Well,​ I know most‍‌‌ of the things⁠‌ I need to⁠‌​ know.”

“…As​​ for this incident,‍​⁠ we couldn’t stop​​‍ the confinement of‍ Student Hua Ran⁠‌⁠ but we could‍ have dealt with​ it ourselves.”

“Even‍​‌ though Merkarva was‌ being interrogated as‍‍⁠ the one responsible⁠ for it, I’m‍ sure it would⁠⁠‌ have been possible⁠⁠‌ if you were​​⁠ coercive about it.”‌‍

That​​ wasn’t a very‌ good idea though.‌⁠ It was my​ master Erin, who‌‍ had to overstep​ her boundaries to‌‍ bring the demon‌ behind the Moonlight​‌​ Castle incident into​ the Academy. She​‌ took Hua Ran‍⁠ in as a student while saying⁠⁠ that she was‌ safe thanks to⁠ the restriction, and​‍‍ yet this was​⁠‍ what happened.

What​​ would they say‍​ if Merkarva were⁠ to try to‍​‍ protect Hua Ran‍‌⁠ in a situation⁠⁠⁠ like that?

“I‍ am aware of‌ the risk, but‌⁠⁠ we would have​​ undoubtedly been able‌​‌ to protect Student‌‍ Hua Ran at‌ least.”

There‌ was something I knew, which both‍‍ Josephine and Master‌‌ Erin were also⁠ aware of; it⁠‌‍ was that Professor‍ Kang Ryun of​ Purple Hawk and⁠ the Old Faith⁠ had been up‍ to something behind​ our backs.

Hua‌ Ran had gone​​ berserk during the‌​ very fight against‌ the Trampling Warhound,​‍ Sa Jinhyuk, after⁠⁠ entering the festival​​‌ as requested by‌ Bishop Renault.

It‍‌‌ was way too​‍ coincidental that it‍‌​ was suspicious. That‌​ was all the⁠⁠‌ more the case⁠ because we were​ already looking at‌ them with suspicion.‍

Under⁠‍ the pretext of‍⁠ recreating the talismans,‌⁠ they asked for​ the momentary control‍ of Hua Ran⁠⁠‍ and were definitely⁠ scheming something.

“Student‌‌‌ Korin. Are we‍ looking at the​ same destination, I wonder?”

“I‌‌⁠ am 100% sure.‍‌​ We are aiming​‍ at the same​‌​ place.”

“If​​ so, then why‌ do we have‍ to shoulder so⁠‍ much risk?”

I knew what she⁠‌ was suspicious about.‌ It was I who requested master⁠ and Lady Josephine,​​‍ that they monitor‌⁠ them for the​​‌ time being without‍⁠ doing anything.

Although‍ controlling every little​⁠⁠ thing within the‌⁠‌ process was difficult,⁠​​ the end result‌‌ had to be​ the best one⁠​​ that I was‍⁠​ thinking of. For‍⁠ that, there was⁠‌⁠ the need to​‌ go through a few processes.

Since‌ my master wasn’t⁠‍ aware of what‌⁠‍ I was thinking,‌‌ it was natural​ for her to‍⁠ be suspicious. She‌‌​ might even be‍​‌ doubting that I was the type​ of person who‍ would undertake dirty‌⁠​ measures as long‌​​ as it led⁠ to a good‌ outcome.

I knew better than​‍ anyone how I was not a perfect person. Because‍⁠ of my sloppy⁠⁠‌ actions, it might‍ lead to a worse outcome than​⁠ the last iteration.⁠‍⁠

But‍‌​ at least for⁠ now, I won’t⁠​​ doubt my actions​​ because this path‍​‍ that I chose⁠ was definitely not⁠ wrong at the‍⁠‍ very least.

“The​‌ outcome I’m dreaming‌‍⁠ of has everyone‌⁠‌ included, with not‍ a single person​‍ missing.”

『Main⁠‍‌ Quest: Hua or‌‍⁠ Ran』
※ Difficulty: A+​⁠

※ Achievement Condition: Fails⁠⁠‌ upon the eradication‍ of Hua / Fails upon the‍‌ eradication of Ran⁠⁠‍

The⁠​‍ future I’m aspiring‍‍ for needs to‌⁠ include both Hua​⁠⁠ and Ran, as⁠‌ well as you,⁠‌ master.

****‍

The‌⁠ boss of the​ 3rd Arc of⁠‍ ❰Heroic Legends of⁠ Arhan❱, Heavenly Yaksha,‌​‌ had a slightly​⁠ different background to​ all the bosses‌‍​ that appeared before​‍‌ it.

Based​ on the affection​ meter with the‌​​ character and the‌ choices leading to​ the 3rd Arc,​‌ the player was​‍ forced to choose⁠⁠​ between 2 choices.‌

Would​ you save Hua,⁠‌ or would you‍⁠‍ save Ran?

It‌⁠ was disgustingly annoying,‌ but I couldn’t⁠ deny that it​‍ was an effective​​ device in adding⁠‍⁠ weight to the‌​‌ story and increasing⁠​ game playtime. Because⁠⁠‍ of these turning​‌ points and choices​ inside the game,​ there were multiple⁠⁠ users who played‍​ the game several​ times.

In⁠​‍ one of the‌‍‍ forums of ❰Heroic​‍ Legends of Arhan❱⁠⁠​ that only had‍ veteran gamers, there​ were oftentimes several‍​​ discussions of ‘what⁠⁠⁠ ifs’ and how‍⁠ the player could​​ have overcome those‌ options to lead⁠ the story into​ the happiest ending⁠ possible.

That​‌ was a discussion⁠ about the background⁠‌ setting of the​‌‌ story, which was​ thus impossible to​‍​ prove in the⁠‌​ game.

‘Honestly,​‍ the easiest option⁠ would be to‌​‌ choose a single⁠‍⁠ one like it​ was a game⁠ like Park Sihu.’⁠‍‌

Whichever​ option you chose,⁠‍​ there would only‌ be 1 sacrifice.⁠​ It was an‍​​ efficient method where‌‍​ you simply had‍‍ to sacrifice one⁠⁠‌ of them.

But‍‌‍ as I’ve said‍‍‍ before.

I was not interested‍⁠ in efficiency.

****​‌‌

On‌​ the second day⁠ after returning from⁠ the group event,⁠‍ all the group‌ event attendants were⁠​‍ given breaks and‍ were allowed to​⁠ take a rest​‌ from lectures. Because‍​ there were a few people in⁠​‍ the group that‍​ were participating in‌⁠​ either the individual​‌​ or the doubles⁠​‍ event, it was‌‌⁠ a measure for‌⁠​ those students to​ take a good​‍ rest and wash​‍⁠ out the fatigue​‌ built at Nazrea.​​​

“Korin!‍​ This way!”

An⁠ amicable girl with​‍ water-colored hair hopped‍​ across the streets‍⁠⁠ while grabbing me‍ with her small‍⁠ hand. The facilities‍‌⁠ in the internal⁠ streets of the‍⁠ Academy were in⁠ a festival mood,‍ befitting the name⁠‌ of the event⁠ itself.

“Korin!‌ Should we get​​ some hash browns?”​

“No.‍⁠ We eat that⁠⁠​ every day. The⁠ number of potatoes⁠‌​ I grated would⁠‌ probably add up‍‍ to a warehouse.”⁠

“I,⁠ I don’t think‍‌‌ it was that‌‍ much!”

“What⁠​‍ if we add​ the potatoes you⁠ grated with me⁠‍ on top of‍⁠ that?”

“…Then,‌ maaaybe.”

Seriously,‌​​ what was I supposed to do‍⁠​ with this potato-loving‌‍‌ princess of the​‍ Potato Empire?

“It’s‍⁠​ a special day⁠ so let’s go‌​​ have some of​‌ those chicken skewers‌ or that beef​​ skewer over there‌‍​ that’s 1 silver‌ coin each. But‍​‌ like… 1 silver​‍ coin per skewer?”‌

They​​‌ were targeting tourists‍‌ but that was‌ still too much!‌ Speaking of targeting‌‌‌ tourists…

“Senior.‍ How are the​‍‍ stalls placed in‌​ front of our​‌ hotel going?”

– Munch munch

“Oh‌‌ that– cough cough!”⁠

“Ah.​ I’m telling you​ you should stop​​ having so many⁠​​ potatoes.”

She‌ choked on potatoes​​​ so I gave‌​ her a drink.‌ Even though we‌ were at the⁠​‍ festival, she was‍ still buying a tornado potato… Wait,‍‌⁠ they have a tornado potato? No​‌⁠ wonder I don’t​ feel homesick…

“Ugh.‍​ Thank you. I received the overall⁠​⁠ report for the‍⁠ stalls just yesterday.”‍

“Ohh.‍​​ How big is‌​⁠ the profit?”

“You​​ see.”

– Whisper whisper!

– ‘What!’

– Nod nod!

“Ah…‌​ Finally, a day⁠‍⁠ like this comes‍​ to me as‌‌ well!”

“Hehe.‌‌ Seeing you happy⁠‌ makes me happy‌​‌ too.”

After‌ the construction of‌​ the hotel, we‍‍ placed more than​ 100 people from​⁠ Purple Hawk in‍⁠ there, and installed‍⁠ a bunch of‍ stalls on the‍‍ street in front‍​ of it.

We‌‌‍ used the ingredient‌ supplies straight from​ the Dunareff Family,​⁠‌ and hired some‍ part-timers to make​ some cheap skewers‌​⁠ with cheap sauces⁠​‍ to sell at​ 3 times the‌‌ market price.

Too‌‍​ expensive? C’mon, we’re‍ targeting tourists!!

Those‍​ guys from Purple‍ Hawk came from​ a different continent‌‍ and didn’t know⁠‍​ much about the​⁠ market prices on‌⁠‍ our side. And‌⁠ besides, it’s not​​​ like they were‍ tremendously expensive, and⁠ different prices in‌ trivial things like⁠‍‌ snacks were very‌​‍ hard to notice.⁠

“Senior!​ I will buy‌‍ you anything you‌ want today! Do⁠ whatever you want!”‌‍​

“Waahh~!”​

Both​​ Marie and I didn’t have anything‍​ else to do⁠‍‌ today, so we​​ should be able‌‌ to play to​⁠‌ our heart’s content,‌​ but most importantly,⁠ I was here‍ because there was‌⁠‌ something to buy⁠‌ from these stalls.​‍

“Korin!⁠‍​ Look! It’s a throw-a-manastone!”

“Let’s‍⁠ hurry up and⁠⁠ try it!”

“Nn!”​​

Found‌​ it. As expected,‌​‌ it was here⁠ again this year.‌‌

Some‍‍​ merchants were running‍​ mini-games between the​​‌ food stalls. We‍ had already done​‌ some whac-a-horned-rat, which⁠ was this world’s⁠‌​ version of whac-a-mole‍ for knights, and‍‍⁠ had thrown some‍‌⁠ mana darts, but​⁠ this throw-a-manastone was‌ a bit unique.‌‌

“Korin.⁠‌‍ Do you know‍ how to play‍‌​ this game?”

“It’s‌‍ my first time⁠‌‍ seeing it.”

“I​⁠⁠ can explain the‍⁠‍ rules to you!”​‍

I saw it in​​ the last iteration‍‌⁠ so I didn’t⁠‌ count that. Besides,‌‍⁠ Marie seemed eager​​ to explain the‌‌ rules so I thought I might‌​‌ as well give​ her the chance.‌

“Uncle!​‍ Give us some​⁠⁠ manastones please!”

“Oh,‌‌‍ you’re a gorgeous‌⁠‌ lady! I’ll give‌​​ you one extra.”⁠‌

After​ giving the owner⁠​ a silver coin,⁠ Marie received a plate with 6 finger-sized stones.

– Uncle. Why didn’t‍⁠⁠ you give me⁠​‌ an extra one?‍​‍

– Buddy. We have​‌ a mirror right‌‍‍ there.

“Look,‍​​ Korin. These are‌⁠‍ chunks of manastones⁠​​ that were deemed​⁠‍ faulty at the‍‌‍ mines. Touch them.⁠‍​ They’re soft right?”‍‌‍

“Oh.⁠‌ You’re right.”

Well,‍‍⁠ her fingers were⁠​ actually softer than‍‍⁠ the faulty stones‍​ though.

“Aren’t⁠‍‌ these stones? Is⁠ it okay for⁠⁠ them to be‍‌⁠ this soft?”

“Usually,‍​ they’re not, but⁠⁠ manastones absorb mana​‌⁠ easily so it’s‌ easy for their‍⁠ attributes to change.​‌ That’s also why‍ we use them‌​​ often when making‌ staves.”

Marie⁠ said while tapping‍ her jade-like staff,​ telling me that​​ there was also⁠ a manastone inside​⁠‌ her staff.

“But​​ if they are‌‌​ this soft, they​​⁠ explode easily. Look!”⁠⁠

As‌​‌ soon as Marie⁠⁠‍ added mana into‌‌ the stone, it‍ rapidly began to‍​‍ brighten up and⁠ expand in size‍⁠ as if it⁠‌‍ was going to​​​ explode any time‍ soon.

“You⁠‌⁠ have to throw‌‌‌ it before it‍ explodes!”

She​‌ skilfully threw the‍⁠ inflating manastone at⁠‌‍ the target.

– Pop!

The​ manastone popped with‌‍​ a loud burst​​ of noise like‌⁠ popcorn in a microwave. Because of‍‌⁠ its soft texture,‍ the explosion resembled‌​ that of a water balloon rather​ than a grenade⁠‍​ as it splattered​ mana into its⁠ surroundings.

“Hoh…‍ 80 points. Looks⁠‍⁠ like you’re quite‍​ good at this,‌‌ Miss!”

The‍ manastone thrown by‌‍ Marie had a very minuscule amount⁠⁠‌ of explosion range,‍⁠ and the remains‍ of her mana⁠ did not escape⁠ the boundary of‌⁠‌ the target.

It⁠ was like a game of hit-the-target⁠ with water balloons.​⁠‌ Throw-a-manastone was about⁠‍‌ how accurately and⁠ powerfully you could‍⁠‍ hit the target,​⁠ while trying to‌​‍ make sure the‍ remains of the‍ mana wouldn’t leave‌​ the target area.‌‌

Well,​ it was a mini-game with those‍ settings that was‌ playable in the‌ game where the‌‌‍ explosion range of​​‍ the bomb would‍ either increase or⁠ decrease depending on‍‍⁠ the accuracy adjustment‍‍ level of the⁠‌ character.

The​ interesting thing about​⁠ this… was that​‍ the ones thrown‍‍ by Park Sihu‌ and me in‍⁠‌ the last iteration‍⁠ had different effects.‍‍

“Let⁠​ me try it.”​

I added mana to‍‌‌ the manastone I received from Marie.‌

“Korin!⁠ It’s about to‌​‌ explode! Hurry up⁠​​ and throw it!”‌

“Come​ on buddy! Throw‌⁠‍ it quick!”

Despite⁠‌ the rushing voices‌‌⁠ of Marie and‍ the boss, I continued concentrating my‍‌⁠ mana into it.​‍‍ Like a water⁠‍ bomb with too‍ much water, the​​​ manastone continued expanding​ in size.

I then tossed it⁠ using my fingers.​ The skills that⁠‌‌ I gained through‌⁠ my javelin and⁠ stone-throwing experiences meant​⁠​ my accuracy was​ close to 100%⁠​ in a small‍‍​ mini-game court like‍ this.

– Kwang!

The‍⁠ manastone popped right‌​‍ in front of​‌⁠ the target. Even​​‌ though I put‍⁠ in a lot‍‌‌ more mana than‌ Marie, the range‌ of the explosion⁠‌‌ was even smaller‌ than hers.

“9,⁠ 95 points…”

Good.​ This much was‍ good enough. Even⁠ though I was​ just a sub-player,​‌‌ it seemed that​ I was still​​ receiving the accuracy‍​‍ adjustment of the‌‍ system.

The⁠ explosion range of‍ the ‘festival-use faulty​‌ manastones’ would decrease‍⁠ with higher accuracy,‍​​ and the explosion​‍ range would expand‍​ the lower your‌ accuracy rating was.⁠ Using this feature,​‌⁠ some people even‌‌ put on all⁠⁠‌ sorts of debuff‍⁠ items and spells⁠ to create ‘0%‍‌ accuracy’ and increase‍​​ the explosion range⁠​ to 100 meters.‍

Seriously,‍‌⁠ gamers have nothing​​ better to do,‌​ do they? And⁠ yes, that’s right.⁠‍‌ I had nothing‍​ better to do.‍​⁠

“Uncle.”‍‍⁠

“H,⁠ huh?”

“Sell‍⁠​ all these manastones​⁠⁠ here to me.”⁠

“W,⁠​ what?”

“I’ll‌​ give you twice⁠​ the money.”

I took out a purse of gold​​​ coins on the​​​ spot and handed⁠ it over to⁠ the boss.

“Korin.‍⁠ Why did you⁠‌​ buy all that?”⁠

“They’ll‌‌⁠ come in handy‍ one day. And​​⁠ Senior Marie, you‌ said you had‌ to see Ferghus‌⁠‌ that old man‍‌ before your individual​‍‍ event, right?”

“Nn!‌ I have to‌‍ get my staff‌ and my protective‍‌ robe repaired.”

“Tell‍​ him Korin Lork‌​⁠ is calling him,‌‌​ and make him‌‌ come looking for‌‍‌ me right away.​‍ He has work⁠‍⁠ to do.”

“???”​‌⁠

“Oh⁠‌ right, and also,‍‍‍ the one taking⁠ care of carriage⁠ transportation in Merkarva⁠​ is one of‍⁠ the companies under⁠‍ Dunareff right?”

“Yes.‌‌⁠ What about it​​ though?”

“Can‌ you get me​‌ the timetable for‍‌⁠ carriages?”

“Korin…”‍

Marie‍ squinted her eyes​​ after hearing my‍ consecutive requests.

“Are‌ you scheming something​ strange again?”

“Huhu.‍⁠ How did you⁠‍ figure it out?”⁠‌‍

“I​‌ can look at⁠⁠‍ your face and‍ see everything~!”

“It‌ is time for‌ ‘him’ to come⁠ back.”

“‘Him’?”‍

She⁠ blinked her eyes‍ in puzzlement.

****‍

“Come.”‍​‌

Hua‌⁠​ Ran slowly lifted‍‌⁠ her head and⁠‌ looked at her⁠​‍ three visitors.

Kang⁠⁠‍ Ryun, Kang Yuhua,‍⁠⁠ Sa Jinhyuk.

The‍ reason the three​ people from Purple⁠⁠ Hawk Academy were‌ here was to​‌​ move her to​​ a hotel in‌ the outskirts of‍‌ the city.

With​‍ her body tightly​⁠ bound up in‍ ‘Chains of Zeon’,‍​ she had to⁠ go through a humiliating experience where‍ Sa Jinhyuk carried​‍​ her on his⁠ shoulder.

The‌‌⁠ pretext was that​ Kang Ryun would⁠​‌ be making talismans⁠⁠ in his workshop​ that could act​ as replacements for‍​ the ones that​ used to be‌‍ sealing her.

Talismans⁠‍​ made to restrict‌‍ the movement of‍ a jiangshi required‌ the use of​‍‌ several special materials.​⁠

A yellow paper made​‍ with a mix⁠⁠ of a jiangshi’s​​ skin, and ink‍‍ made with the⁠ blood of a black dog. On‌⁠ top of that,‌​ the spiritualist had‍⁠ to write a letter on the‌⁠ talisman and cast⁠ a spell, so‌⁠⁠ even the first-rate​⁠ spiritualists had to‍​ do it with⁠ care under the‌‍⁠ best conditions.

However,‍⁠ he was far⁠‌ away from his‌‍‌ actual workshop, so⁠ while renting a hotel at the‌ outskirts of the⁠⁠‍ city for the⁠​⁠ students, Kang Ryun​⁠ had created a temporary workshop there‌ in preparation for‌‍​ the formation that‌‍ he would be⁠⁠​ using in the​ upcoming group event.‌​​

He‌⁠ was trying to‍ take Hua Ran​‌ to that temporary‍ workshop using the​​ excuse that he‍‌​ needed to carry​​‍ out the restricting​⁠‍ ritual there after​​ gathering the right‍​‌ materials.

“Get‍ on the carriage,”⁠ said Kang Ryun⁠ as Sa Jinhyuk‍‌ got on the‌⁠⁠ carriage with Hua‍​‌ Ran on his⁠⁠‌ shoulder.

Kang‍​‍ Yuhua and Kang‍ Ryun got on‌ after him.

“Yuhua.”‍

“Yes,‌⁠ Uncle.”

That⁠ was when Yuhua⁠ suddenly grabbed the​‍‍ chained and immobilized​ Hua Ran by‍‌‍ the chin and⁠‌ opened her mouth,‌⁠ as Kang Ryun‌‌‌ tossed something inside.​

“Uhhk…!”‍

By⁠ the time Hua​​ Ran realized that‍‍ it was a piece of wood,‍ her insides started​⁠‍ burning from pain.‌‍ Her body turned‌⁠ powerless and lethargic,​⁠ like the time⁠‌‍ when she was​​ ‘ordered to stay⁠‍ still’.

The‍‌⁠ chains that were⁠​ restricting every one‌‌ of her limbs​ loosened up and​ started gently resting‍‌⁠ on her body.⁠

Because‌‍⁠ of her neutralization,‌⁠ the chains didn’t‍ even have enough⁠ aura to absorb.‍

“Wow~”‌

Seeing​ that Hua Ran⁠‍​ had been immediately‌ neutralized, Jinhyuk curiously‍‌‍ asked Kang Ryun.⁠‍

“What‍‍ was that thing‍​⁠ just then, master?”​

“A‍⁠‍ wooden board made⁠​​ by cutting a peach tree. It⁠​ is the natural​‌‍ enemy of jiangshis.”​⁠

“So⁠​​ now…”

Can​‌ I kill it⁠⁠ now then? That​‍ was what his​ eyes were suggesting‌​‍ but after reading⁠ that thought of‍⁠​ his, Kang Ryun‍‍‍ turned to him‌⁠​ with a sharp⁠ glare.

“Don’t​ even think about‌ it. Even the​ peach tree is​ only going to​ lead to symptoms‍​​ of a flu⁠ for a jiangshi​ of this level.⁠​ Do not look​‍‌ down on jiangshis‍ that have reached‍ the status of‍‌ a ‘Heavenly Yaksha’.‍ It’s possible for‌​ them to turn⁠ into a ‘Hou’[mfn]Hou:​⁠​ A mythical creature⁠‌ that looks similar​​⁠ to xiezhi, haetae‌‍⁠ and komainu. But‍ unlike the positive⁠‌ notion behind those⁠ creatures, a Hou​ is the evolved‍​​ version of a jiangshi (Not sure‌‍ how) that eats⁠‍ humans. [/mfn] at‍ any moment. They⁠‌ might become monsters​​ that are even‍‌‍ worse than dragons.”‌

“Tch.”⁠‍⁠

“Hyuk,​ remember. Our goal‍​ is to take‍⁠ that wicked thing‌ away from Ran,​‍ and not kill⁠ her,” reminded Yuhua.‍

“I⁠ know I know.”‌​⁠

Yuhua⁠ said to Jinhyuk,‍⁠‌ but Hua Ran‍ was the one‍​⁠ who reacted the‍ most. She asked⁠​‌ with a pale‍⁠​ face.

“What​ do you… mean‍​‌ by that?”

“It​⁠ is as we​‍‌ said, Hua. Uncle⁠ Kang Ryun will​‍‌ rip you away‌‍⁠ from Ran’s body.”‌⁠​

“I,‌‌ if you do‌‌ that…!”

“You‍⁠ will definitely be‌ eradicated after losing​‍ your body, or​‍‍ turn into a demonic spirit at⁠‍​ best.”

“T,⁠​‌ this body…!”

“It​ is clearly not‍‌ yours. Don’t you‍​ know that yourself?”‌​‍

Facing‍‌ Hua Ran who​⁠ was now sweating​‌⁠ profusely due to‌ consuming a part​ of a peach‌‌​ tree, Yuhua replied⁠ with a glare‍​ that contained not‌ a hint of‌ her usual gentleness.​

“We⁠ will retrieve Ran⁠‍‍ from you. Do‍ you think you​‌ have the right⁠‌ to obtain that​​ body as the⁠ one who killed‍ countless poor souls?”⁠

“I…”‍⁠⁠

Hua‌‌ Ran was still​⁠​ hesitating about her⁠​ response as the​‍‍ carriage approached the‍‌⁠ walls.

“Master.‍​ We are almost‍‍ there.”

“Right.⁠‌ Let’s quickly go‍⁠‍ to the workshop​‍​ and deal with—!!”⁠‌

– Dung dududu dung​‍ dung! Dung dung!‌

– KIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTT!!!!!

– U, uaahkk! What‌​⁠ the heckk!

The‌⁠ driver driving the‍⁠ carriage yelled as​ a massive carriage⁠ suddenly drove into‍ the one carrying⁠​‍ Kang Ryun and⁠ his group.

– Kajik! Kajijijik!

– Creaaaaakk!!

The⁠⁠ two carriages crashed‍⁠ into each other‌⁠ at full force,⁠​⁠ and the one‍ that collapsed with‌‌ a deafening thud‍‌ was the one⁠ carrying Kang Ryun.⁠‌

“That’s‌ right! Boss, what​⁠‌ do we do‍‌ now?”

“Huhahahaha!⁠‌ Take everything valuable!”‌​​

It​‍ was the typical‌‍⁠ line of bandits,​‍​ but after an⁠ eye contact with​⁠​ the leader of⁠‍​ the bandits behind‍‌ the opened doors,​‌ Hua Ran couldn’t​​ help but widen⁠‍ her eyes.

“You…”⁠

The‌‌ man had red⁠ eyes and a characteristic ponytail. Even‍‍ though he was⁠‌​ wearing a mask,⁠ there was no⁠‌ way she could⁠ mistake him as‌​‍ someone else.

“Oi⁠‌ oi! We have‌‍ a bishoujo[mfn]Bishoujo: Originally​‌⁠ 미소녀 [Misonyeo]. Literally‌​ means ‘pretty girl’,‍ but it’s not‌‍ a word used‍ often in Korean,⁠ and is heavily​ influenced by Japanese‌⁠‌ culture so I translated it to‍‌⁠ bishoujo considering the‍​​ playful tone of​⁠​ his remark.[/mfn]’ here!”​

“Huh?”⁠‍

“We’re​⁠⁠ in luck today!‍⁠ Boys! We’re taking⁠​ this girl with​⁠ us!”

“Yes!​​ Boss!”

The‍​‍ masked man quickly⁠ picked up Hua​‌‌ Ran and left‍ the collapsed carriage.‌‍

“Yuhua!‍‌ Jinhyuk!”

After​ quickly coming to​‌⁠ himself, Kang Ryun‌‍ called his two​ disciples and the⁠‌ two warriors quickly⁠‌​ jumped out of⁠ the fallen carriage​‌​ to chase after‍ the bandits, but—‌

❰Water⁠⁠ Bomb❱

Water⁠ Bombs had been‌ installed in front​​ of their path‌​‌ and the overwhelming⁠‍ pressure of water‌⁠ bounced the two‌⁠ back.

“Kuhk…‌‌ a mage? Hyuk!‌⁠‍ Find out where‌ the mage…!”

“They’re⁠⁠ on one of​⁠⁠ the roofs! I don’t know which‍‍‌ building they’re in!‌‍ First, we have‌ to hurry up⁠ and take that‌‍⁠ bitch…!”

❰Blood‌‍⁠ Realm❱

Before‌‌​ the two could‍​ come up with‍‍ their next course​ of action, a crimson barrier appeared​‌​ around them and⁠⁠ the Blood Realm⁠‍​ successfully separated the‌ three of them⁠⁠‍ from the mounted⁠‍​ bandits.

“What’s​ this?”

“A​​ barrier?”

They⁠‍⁠ did not know⁠‌‌ what it was.‌⁠ Since it belonged​ to a vampire,​ which was already​‌‍ unique among demi-humans,‌ and since a Blood Realm was‍​⁠ a skill that‍ could only be​⁠ used by Vampire‍⁠⁠ Elders and above,​ they were bound​ to be unfamiliar​‌ with the ability.‌‍​

“Huhahaha!​​ A successful operation,‍ boss!”

“This​‍ much is enough!​ Let’s go!”

“Let’s⁠ go!!!”

That⁠‌⁠ was the mighty​ return of Immortan⁠⁠⁠ Lork.

………​​

……‍⁠‌

‘Mhmm…’​

Marie,‍ who helped Korin⁠ by isolating the‌ three people from​‌​ Purple Hawk with⁠ her Blood Realm,​⁠‍ was caught off‌ guard by the‌‍ unexpected turn of‍ events.

“Wasn’t⁠​ expecting… someone to⁠‌ be able to​ break the Blood⁠‌ Realm…”

Her‌‍​ original plan was‍‌​ to lock them⁠‌ inside for at​​ least 1 hour,‍ but the three​​‌ had done something‌ to the barrier.⁠‍

To​ be exact, it‍‌ was Kang Ryun‍‍ who did something.​​⁠

He‍ unfolded his fan‍‌ with a flick​‌‌ as an article⁠‍ of a tortoise⁠​‌ with a snake⁠ head on its​‌ tail and an⁠‌ article of a white tiger floated‌‍ out by themselves,⁠​ as they then⁠‍ created a small​‍ hole on the​‍‌ barrier.

“Yuhua.”‍​

“I‌‍ will go find​‍ them for sure.”‍

Marie​ quickly repaired her⁠‌‌ Blood Realm in​​‌ surprise but Kang‍​​ Yuhua was able​⁠ to escape from‌ the barrier using‌⁠ that short moment.⁠

She​‍ couldn’t do anything​​ else here, because⁠ Korin had made‍ it exceptionally clear​‍‍ that she couldn’t‌ openly do anything‌ to them.

‘Korin…⁠‍​ Be careful.’

****‌

“What‌‍‍ was that?”

After‍ hearing an urgent‍​ report from one​ of the security​⁠‍ officers of Merkarva,‌​⁠ Josephine asked with‌ a dumbfounded look‌​ on her face.‌

“A,‍‌ a student has‍​ been kidnapped!”

“…Which‍ student, and by‌​‍ who?”

“About​‍‍ 5 minutes ago,​ a group of‍​⁠ mysterious mounted bandits‍⁠ attacked the carriage​​ carrying the VIPs‍‍ of Purple Hawk,​⁠ and kidnapped a student called Hua‍ Ran!”

“…”⁠‌‌

Josephine‍ sent the security​ officer away and⁠‍ collapsed onto the​‌ seat of the​‌ Senior Professor’s office.‍⁠

“What​‍‍ the hell is‌⁠‌ he doing?”

That​​ was her first​‌ time swearing in⁠ the last 35‌​‌ years.

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