"…Hey, are you okay?"
"…What do you mean."
"No, you look very pale. Are you sleeping properly?"
"…."
"Hey."
I naturally ignored 'Shin Yoosung's' gaze staring at me.
Although they say getting proper sleep puts one in the best condition, there was too much to investigate and experiment with beyond that.
"…If I knew this would happen, I should have participated in the sixth scenario."
Ten Shadows Technique.
This seemed to be a technique derived from the treasures of Japanese mythology called Ten Sacred Treasures…, which I heard about sometime.
It seems to be quite a famous legend over there…, but I, who am not Japanese, don't know this myth properly, so I have no clue what to do.
It was unlikely to encounter a Japanese person in Seoul Dome, and I asked Yoo Sangah, who is quite knowledgeable, as if testing the waters, but there was no progress.
…Actually, there was one easiest way to solve this.
[Certain Constellations of Japan are interested in your 'Ten Shadows Technique'.]
Asking the Constellations related to that side who would be watching the actions of various Incarnations including me in this channel by now.
Although the scale of this Dokkaebi channel has decreased a little after passing the 'Disaster of Floods', there must still be quite a few in absolute numbers.
So among them, there must be a Constellation who knows the knowledge I desire.
However….
"…Tch."
I'd rather die. My pride doesn't allow it.
Having to bow my head and ask for help from those beggar-like Constellations.
I'd rather take the long way and investigate and find out by myself.
"Master of the Master. The next target is over there."
"…That annoying title. Can't you do something about it?"
"Then how about Great Master?"
"…Rejected too. Reminds me of a certain ninja organization dealing with demons."
"Is there such an organization on Earth too?"
"…."
Ah, rotten.
As my mind becomes exhausted, the conversation naturally flows strangely too.
I even had to manage the several Shikigami I released to hunt monsters, adding more load to my already tired head….
-Crunch.
At that moment.
A small rupture sound coming from somewhere striking my ears.
It could have been a monster's, but my judgment didn't lean that way.
And that—
"Kang Yuhyeon."
"Oppa."
—Seemed to be the same for the party members.
"I know."
As I snapped my fingers briefly, the Shikigami spread far away began to gather into my shadow one by one.
If the opponent were just trivial guys, I could have ignored them or subdued them alone.
But to say that….
-Thump. Booom. Boooom….
There were many.
Also.
-Rat-a-tat-tat…!!
Fully armed.
"This is…."
"Surely the sound of guns, right? By the way, do firearms work on monsters…?"
Just as Yoo Sangah and Jung Heewon had doubts, I was also curious about that part.
Did they imbue Magic Power into every single bullet? That would be too cumbersome a task.
…Well, seeing it with my own eyes would be enough.
"Lycaon. Wrap the Path of the Wind around me."
"Yes? But…."
"Does this sound like a request or suggestion right now?"
"…."
When I let out a brief killing intent, Lycaon used the Path of the Wind on me immediately with his fur standing on end.
Sensation of my body becoming light enough to float in the air. I felt that sensation for a moment, and then.
-Paaang…!!
Leaped at once towards the place where I felt the presence far away.
"…I see them over there."
I could confirm the exact location quickly.
Because they gathered in such a large swarm and took a vigilant stance as if waiting only for me.
"Knew you would come."
"Speaking as if you know me well makes me feel bad."
A woman wearing a trench coat and a peculiar mask who spoke to me as soon as she saw me.
Setting aside the number which was much larger than I thought. The outfit is…, prison uniform?
"…."
After the fourth scenario progressed, such a large faction could usually only be a 'King's' force.
And I think I heard last time that the King's factions excluding Yoo Joonghyuk and Kim Dokja strangely wear outfits matching their concepts….
If that is the case. Then what on earth does that prison uniform mean?
When I heard it briefly from Kim Dokja last time, I heard about such a King's force….
Definitely, a King leading those who belong nowhere, possessing no Flag, and not being a King's faction….
"…I see. Are you the 'King of Wanderers'?"
"Though it's undeserved. Kang Yuhyeon."
"Do you know me?"
"Know you well. I used to hear about you a lot from a certain child. To a regrettable extent."
…A certain child?
Who is that? People who know me are…, few.
And I wouldn't have let them run their mouths carelessly.
"So. What is the reason for bringing such a large force and messing around the vicinity so much?"
"Is there any special reason. Just as you are doing, we are just proceeding with the scenario."
"I don't think we are close enough to share miscellaneous stories."
"Really? Then shall we get straight to the point."
An atmosphere that seems light yet heavy.
That way of speaking subtly trying to pull the lead of the conversation to her side.
Is it just my imagination that someone who would be proceeding with the sixth scenario by now flashed through my mind for a moment?
"How about joining hands with me. Kang Yuhyeon. I think it wouldn't be such a bad proposal for you either."
"…Why?"
"I thought you would refuse immediately, unexpected?"
"…."
As expected, this déjà vu. It's not just my illusion.
This 'King of Wanderers' in front of me.
Definitely has a relationship with that gu—
"Anyway, back to the story…, you asked why? The answer is simple."
"…?"
"Even a bad parent who left her son's side has a heart wanting to protect her child."
"…!!"
-Click.
As the woman slowly took off her mask, her face hidden tightly inside was revealed clearly.
Definitely an age that should be at least in the 50s according to my expectation, but an appearance looking young enough to be in the mid-to-late 30s.
Furthermore, that. Unique unpleasant and bothersome, sometimes even annoying faint smile.
…Kim Dokja must have resembled his mother a lot in this way.
"You want to protect, Kim Dokja?"
"Yes. You heard correctly."
"Preposterous. Wanting to protect. That doesn't mean the weak doing it to the strong. It's what the strong do to the weak."
"So isn't that weak person asking the strong person personally right now?"
"Asking? Where does this look like the attitude of a person asking?"
"Speaking within the line of not offending you as much as possible, isn't that the correct attitude of asking."
"…."
Ha. This is really. Absurd.
So absurd that words don't come out easily.
"Fine. Good. Since I have something to receive from Kim Dokja too, and he is 'useful', I will accept your proposal."
"…Useful, you say. The nuance is quite rough."
"But I have no intention of simply volunteering."
With those words, as I slowly drew up Cursed Energy, Divine Dogs, Nue, Great Serpent, and Piercing Ox appeared from the shadow and glared at them with expressions as if they would kill a person any moment.
Wanderers aiming their rifles at my Shikigami with considerable tension at that sight were a bonus.
"My relationship with Kim Dokja is not maintained by friendship, camaraderie. Or such kind of emotions. Just cooperating because interests coincide. So you have to show it too."
"For example, in what way?"
"I'll be satisfied with 500,000 Coins."
At my words proposing 500,000 Coins, the woman in front of me twitched her eyebrows.
"500,000 Coins? I think you set the proposal price too high."
"Then die here."
"I don't want to do that. Is it okay to pay the price with something else?"
This person.
Does she have a mental skill or something?
I'm drawing up Cursed Energy to detect even slight physical changes, but except for exactly once during the conversation so far, there is no reaction.
As if she expected from the beginning that I would act like this.
…Is Prophet hereditary by bloodline or something?
"This scenario. I will dedicate all contribution points to you."
"I can receive the highest reward sufficiently even without your contribution points."
"But you can't get the rewards below that."
…Ho-oh.
I didn't even think she would approach in this way.
"Monopoly of rewards for the seventh scenario. I think it's a quite decent proposal than thought."
"…."
As she said, the reward I can get is only exactly one.
But, if I get rewards in that way as she proposed?
Just thinking about it, the income is already lucrative. But to be satisfied with this….
"Additional 150,000 Coins. This should be enough, right?"
"Existence Pledge?"
"Of course, must do."
"If that is the case."
—I decided to stop thinking about negotiation anymore.
Indeed, could there be better conditions than this.
"So, what should I bet as an Existence Pledge?"
"Nothing special. Just…."
"Just?"
"When that child's life is in danger. Just once, even just once is fine, save him."
"…."
-Whooosh….
Quiet street.
Along with the cold wind, the woman's words echoed briefly on the street.
With this, the second time, huh.
"Then, my business with you ends here. I appreciate you making time. Then…, no. Let me ask one more thing before going."
"What is it?"
"Did that child—"
—Say anything about me?
…This makes it the third time.
"No. He didn't say anything. Not a single word about you."
[Incarnation, 'Lee Sookyung', activates 'Lie Detection Lv.1'!]
['Lee Sookyung' confirms that the statement is true!]
"…As expected. Is that so."
"…."
The woman slowly puts the mask back on her face to hide her expression again.
At that moment, a somewhat lonely yet regretful smile seen for a very short instant.
I didn't say anything because that smile slightly resembled that smile made by someone I saw somewhere.
"Then goodbye. See you next time…."
"No, wait a moment."
"…What is it?"
I stopped her who was about to disappear among the Wanderers.
Well, nothing special.
"I cannot trust your strength. So—"
"…?"
-Bubble bubble bubble…!!
"To ensure obtaining the rewards, I need you to work hard during this scenario."
"…Haa. This, got me."
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