NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121
Like a predatory bird diving down fiercely to hunt. But with a size as big as a human, it creates an immense sense of intimidation. With their numbers reaching squad level, it’s no surprise the transport agency workers are scared.
—Whoosh!
As the fierce creatures descended, they pretended to land, scratching us with their claws before soaring back up.
“These bastards!”
This is how they choose to intimidate us!
In literal terms, they scratch us as they drop down, then soar back up. If they hit, great; if not, the next one does the same.
These guys know a thing or two about pack hunting.
In situations like this, I have to protect Hayoung while dodging with the bare minimum of movements.
“Hee hee hee! Martial artists!”
“Your flesh looks so tender!”
“Let’s see how long you can last!”
The fearsome creatures laughed at us, continuing their aerial assaults. We dodged their attacks by sticking to light footwork centered around Hayoung.
Even so, they fly in from afar and attack. It’s easy to predict and dodge.
In the midst of this.
“Hey! I’ll tear you apart myself!”
One of the creatures actually landed on the ground.
This one appears bigger and stronger than the others.
Could it be the leader?
“Ha! You think you can step on the ground as a brainless fool? At that moment, you’re already a dead man!”
How dare you give up the advantage of being airborne and come to the ground?
You’re dead meat.
“Hee hee! Impertinent little human! I don’t even need wings to deal with a martial artist like you! I’ll eat your heart right here!”
The creature lunged at me with its vicious claw.
But it wasn’t just a run.
—Flap!
In an instant, it flapped its wings, gaining speed and swinging its deadly claw at me!
—Shwing!
The tremendous power behind its claws came flying in.
Is this what they call claw technique? This isn’t an ordinary martial artist’s skill. Using fingers for martial arts? That’s way too complicated.
But these creatures were born with claws specifically for using this technique. That’s why they’re using it.
“Whoo!”
I quickly drew my sword and blocked its claw.
—Clang!
Is this really the sound of ‘hands’ clashing with a sword? These creatures have hands that are weaponized. Total cheats.
However, despite using such techniques.
When it comes down to skill, I have the upper hand.
“Haaah!”
The moment I deflected the creature’s claw, I advanced.
But then.
—Flap!
“No way!”
It flapped its wings and pulled back!
“Hee hee! Slow and steady as expected of you human!”
Using its wings like that!
I was in for quite the shock. I underestimated the creatures, thinking they were mere demons, yet they skillfully utilized their wings and claws, executing specialized techniques with them.
Can a lowly demon even develop and use expert techniques?
“Take this!”
The creature, having pulled back, swung its wing.
—Swoosh!
Its feathered wings shot forward like daggers.
“Crazy!”
Throwing ranged attacks too…!
—Clang!
I swung my Heavenly Thunder Sword fiercely, deflecting the projectiles. Then, the creature raced towards me again, extending its claws as if it were going to rip me apart.
—Kreeeak!
As I deflected it, sparks flew.
Then.
—Shwing!
The creature spun around, attempting to kick me in the face with its claw.
“This bastard! Who do you think you’re kicking in the face?!”
With those claws, my face would probably be shredded if I got hit. I quickly used my heel to push off the ground, dodging the attack just in time.
If I had missed that, I’d be in big trouble.
“What’s going on here!!!”
Suddenly, it yelled like it was having a seizure.
I looked back briefly.
There was no need to turn around.
“Haaah!”
I heard Serin’s shouts from behind, indicating she was faring well. Seemed like the creatures were falling down like flies.
“Hahaha! Looks like your little minions are being cut down!”
“Shut it, human!!!”
This time, the leader lightly leaped into the air and aimed both hands at me.
Then.
—Whoosh!
It shot off like a rocket, and I realized this must be its signature move.
“Take this!!!”
Seeing that, I shouted, “Spirit Assimilation!”
I aimed at its face and unleashed the Spirit Assimilation.
—Crackle!
A purple fireball flew straight at the charging creature.
“What?!”
Startled, the creature tried to turn away.
Was it trying to dodge me?
That was exactly what I was counting on.
“Kaah!”
With a sudden explosion.
I unleashed the Spirit Blade.
“Ghost Spirit One Sword!”
Sliding along the ground with my sword, my Heavenly Thunder Sword struck like a deadly snake, embedding itself deep into the creature’s torso.
—Thud!
“Kah…!”
“Hee hee hee, foolish chicken-head. That’s what you get for a blatant attack!”
“Iik!”
It rolled its eyes wildly, trying to make a last-ditch effort as it opened its mouth.
“Ghost Spirit Flow Slash!”
—Boom!
Gathering spirit energy in my sword, I released a blast, which tore the creature apart.
“Now’s our chance! Serin! Hayoung!”
Finally turning back, I called out.
“Ugh!”
“The, the leader has fallen!”
“To a human?!”
Serin had already taken down several creatures, while the remaining ones hurriedly flew low, trying to protect their leader.
“When were you gonna call us?!”
The reason Hayoung hadn’t used her magical techniques until now was simple.
If she used them earlier, every one of them would have fled, so she was waiting for the right moment to strike.
—Crackle!
Hayoung unleashed the wide-range fire technique she had prepared.
“Hee hee?!”
The flames shot out like guided missiles toward the creatures. They tried to escape quickly, but as I said, this was a surprise attack. They never imagined a sorceress would pop up at a time like this.
—Boom!
“Ahh!”
Explosions erupted everywhere in the sky, engulfing the creatures in flames as they fell from the air. Of course, I was not just idly watching.
“Spirit Assimilation!”
—Fwoosh!
I extended my hands skyward and shot out flames, sending my projectiles tearing through the wicked creatures’ wings.
“Spirit Assimilation! Spirit Assimilation! Spirit Assimilation!”
“KAHAHAAH!”
“AHHH!”
The satisfaction of hitting them… it’s so good!
With each Spirit Assimilation I shot, they zipped through the air and burst into flames, setting their feathers on fire!
“W-What the hell is this?!”
One by one, the creatures began to plummet.
“Flee, flee!!!”
“KAHAHAAH!”
“AHHHHH!”
Eventually, the creature squad, having lost more than half their numbers, flew up high and fled. Just three of them remained. We cleverly baited them into attacking while taking a few hits ourselves.
“We did it! Serin, Hayoung! You both did amazing!”
“Phew, we won. Looks like the leader got overconfident against Geunhyeop, which worked to our advantage.”
“You’re right about that!”
“More importantly! Hayoung, you were hitting those Spirit Assimilations like crazy!”
“Hee hee hee, your fireballs were even more incredible. But seriously, that Spirit Assimilation really works!”
It’s the first time I’ve used it in combat, but it worked perfectly. The tactic of using it to bait attacks while the enemy dodged, leading to a finishing blow with Ghost Spirit One Sword was spot on.
“I swear, for a moment I thought the Spirit Archer was possessing me.”
“Huh? What do you mean by Spirit Archer? It was a solid technique, yes, but how does that make it a Spirit Archer’s shot?”
“Oh come on, it’s just a saying!”
I mean, it hit well enough.
“Forget about the Spirit Archer nonsense. Can you track those creatures now? You’ve only been sniffing around. Don’t think you’ll get scolded if you can’t follow up this time.”
“Okay, okay. Just a moment.”
My plan was to scare those creatures and then lead them into a retreat to track their scent, aiming to find their base.
“Hmm… Oh. Yeah, I can smell it.”
I could sense the scent of the creatures.
I had seen the direction they fled, so it shouldn’t be hard to follow.
“Before that, let’s check the leader’s inner core first. Guys! Help me search!”
“Understood. Let’s find it quickly. Wi Hayoung.”
“That’s the spirit.”
While I rummaged through the leader’s corpse, the others searched through the other bodies. We also confirmed and finished off any creatures that were still flailing about.
And then.
“Oh!”
I found a red gem on the corpse of the leader!
“I found it!”
“It’s here! What a relief.”
“But what kind of effect does the demon’s gem even have?”
“Huh? Good question?”
Nothing came to mind immediately.
Well, that’s something we can check next time.
“We can check next time. For now, let’s call the transport agency folks. After that, we’ll head out to chase those bastards.”
“Understood.”
If we rob their main base, all their accumulated loot will come pouring out.
With that loot, it’s a piece of cake for our transport agency to expand.
* * *
In a tranquil mountainous area where tall peaks rise high.
All around the rocky summits, green vegetation flourished, and mist shrouded the ground, making it look like a mysterious world.
There stood a woman with golden hair.
She was not human.
—Perk up.
Above her head, fox ears protruded, and behind her, a single tail swayed.
“Oh, you’re here?”
The Lightning Demon Fox unexpectedly gnawed on someone’s arm while watching the group of creatures flying in from the distance.
“But why are there so few?”
Soon, the creatures landed beside the Lightning Demon Fox.
“What? Why are you all back with only half of you? Where’s the leader?”
” Kee, hee hee! The leader has fallen! We were attacked by a martial artist and sorceress!”
“Oh, I see?”
As the Lightning Demon Fox frowned, the creature cowered in fear.
“Got it. You were attacked. But did you arrive empty-handed?”
“W-Well…! The enemy was too strong! We couldn’t bring anything!”
The creature trembled as it answered, and in that moment.
—Slash!
The Lightning Demon Fox swiped its claws.
—Kaboom!
Golden lightning burst forth along the claw’s trajectory, slicing the creature cleanly into four. The insides were charred black, with no blood spilling out.
“Kaaah! Kaaaah!”
“Ugh!”
“Why?!”
Helpless creatures rose into the air in fright.
“I told you, I wanted meat and offerings. Or else, you’ll become my dinner!”
“This bitch!”