Call of Abyss

Chapter 15

"Now we must hurry and settle this.

It seems the time has come for this mansion, boasting a hundred years of history, to finally collapse."

Hyunmu said as he watched through the first-floor lobby window, seeing the massive flame bird in the sky drop flame masses that quickly destroyed various parts of the mansion.

"Indeed, the Yellow Sword is an incredible weapon.

However, I didn't come here empty-handed, relying solely on the Abyss One."

As Hyunmu spoke, he drew a sword from the silver scabbard at his waist.

The sword, which should have shone with a silver light, took on a foreboding black hue.

"Hyunmu, I still can't believe that you, the most upright and honest, betrayed us.

But seeing that sword, it seems you have indeed turned to the Medici Family."

"Yes, this sword is the original silver sword that Cult Leader Giovanni of the Medici Family strengthened with the power of the abyss.

The sword itself might not be better than the Yellow Sword, but in terms of swordsmanship, I'm superior to you, am I not?

Then shall we have a fight?

I've always wanted to have a genuine match with you."

"Hyunmu.... I will take your life as the price for betraying Ada and our comrades."

"That's fine.... if you can!"

As soon as Hyunmu finished his conversation with Cheongryong, he raised his sword high and charged at Cheongryong.

Cheongryong searched for an opening in Hyunmu's defense with his eyes and took a defensive stance with the Yellow Sword.

At that moment, a dark aura burst forth from Hyunmu's black sword, enveloping Cheongryong.

Cheongryong quickly rolled to the side to evade.

"Don't underestimate my sword, Cheongryong.

Although it's not as great as the Yellow Sword, it is a weapon imbued with the power of the Great Old One."

Cheongryong straightened up and stared directly at Hyunmu's sword.

Hyunmu's sword would likely destroy not only the body but also the mind if it even grazed someone.

The only way to win this duel is to swiftly evade the dark aura emanating from Hyunmu's sword and subdue Hyunmu, the wielder, in one fell swoop.

That is the only way to win this match.

"Hyunmu! This next attack will be the last."

"Come at me, Cheongryong! Let's finally determine who's truly stronger."

As soon as Hyunmu finished speaking, Cheongryong charged at him, throwing the Yellow Sword's scabbard held in his left hand at Hyunmu.

"Such a crude trick! That's not like you."

Hyunmu deflected the Yellow Sword's scabbard with the dark aura from his sword.

At that moment, Cheongryong assumed a thrusting stance and closed in on Hyunmu's side.

"Damn, was the scabbard just a distraction?"

Hyunmu sidestepped to avoid Cheongryong's sword and swung his sword upward at Cheongryong.

"It's over, Hyunmu!"

As Cheongryong shouted, he leaped into the air, spun around, and struck Hyunmu with the Yellow Sword.

Once again, the Yellow Sword shone brilliantly, and at that moment, the sound of a breaking sword echoed as blood gushed from Hyunmu's body.

"Damn, you were far superior in swordsmanship as well.

It seems I was never your match from the start."

Hyunmu muttered bitterly, clutching the broken sword as he collapsed to the ground.

"Hyunmu!"

Cheongryong bent down and embraced the fallen Hyunmu.

"Hyunmu! Why? Why did you betray us?"

"Cheongryong, don't look at me like that. My thoughts remain unchanged....

This world is rotten, and humans more vile than the abyssal monsters roam the streets.

You and your little Ada will eventually venture into the world.

Then you'll understand my words."

Hyunmu spoke while gasping for breath, then closed his eyes.

Cheongryong couldn't let go of Hyunmu for a while, staring at him in a daze.

"Cheongryong, I understand the situation is unfortunate, but we must go now.

We don't know when the mansion will collapse."

Baeksan, who had already entered the first-floor lobby and stood in a corner, spoke to Cheongryong.

Cheongryong raised his head and looked at Baeksan.

Surrounding Baeksan were Seoyeon, Sungmin, Sergeant Shin, and Assistant Kim.

"I'm sorry. I've been watching your fight for a while now.

But it wasn't a situation where I could intervene, so I just watched.

I'm sorry, and please stay strong."

Cheongryong quietly nodded at Baeksan's words and stood up.

"Ah, let me introduce you.

This is the 10th Ada Lovelace."

Cheongryong introduced Jisoo, who was behind him, to Baeksan and his group.

"I see? So the 9th Ada has passed away.

I'm Abyss Hunter Baeksan, and I greet the 10th Ada Lovelace."

Baeksan clasped his hands together in an A shape and knelt on one knee toward Jisoo.

"Given the urgency of the situation, let's dispense with formalities.

Baeksan, is there a way out of the mansion?"

"Yes, Ada. I understand there is a secret passage entrance near the dining room."

"Indeed.... Although I've never seen it, I remember hearing about it from the 9th Ada.

Then let's hurry to the dining room."

"Yes, Ada."

Baeksan led the group toward the dining room.

"Where are the remaining Abyss Hunters, mansion trainees, and Ghost Guard soldiers?"

"Most of them are dead or captured."

"That's.... We need to take them with us...."

"Ada, your safety is the priority.

If something happens to you, their sacrifices will be in vain."

"Baeksan...."

Baeksan glanced at Jisoo, who was running beside him.

A small child, only ten years old.

In this dire situation, she was too young to bear the name Ada.

No matter how bright and talented Jisoo was, under normal circumstances, the 9th Ada would never have passed the name Ada to her at only ten years old.

She would have taught Jisoo more and explained how heavy the name Ada was, passing it on only when she became an adult.

Baeksan suddenly felt endless pity for Jisoo, who had to bear the name Ada without anyone to guide her.

"This is the dining room."

Cheongryong said as he kicked open the burning dining room door.

The dining room walls were already ablaze along with the famous paintings hanging on them, and a long banquet table stood in the center, also engulfed in flames.

"Cheongryong, help me out.

Let's start by overturning this banquet table."

"Yes, Baeksan. Understood."

Baeksan and Cheongryong overturned the banquet table in the center of the dining room and removed the carpet spread on the floor.

A large iron door was embedded in the floor.

"Seeing the keyhole, it seems we should open this door with a key, but there's no time to find it now."

Baeksan examined the keyhole of the iron door, then suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up at Cheongryong.

Cheongryong understood the meaning in Baeksan's eyes and nodded.

"Everyone, step back.

Baeksan and I will blow the iron door away."

Cheongryong drew the Yellow Sword from the scabbard at his waist and shouted to his companions.

The Yellow Sword, as if understanding Cheongryong's intentions, was already shining brilliantly.

Baeksan approached Cheongryong and drew the bowstring of the Yellow Bow toward the iron door.

An arrow of light was strung on the Yellow Bow's string.

"Let's begin."

"Yes, Baeksan."

Baeksan released the bowstring, and Cheongryong swung the Yellow Sword downward.

Two yellow beams of light erupted from the bow and the sword, colliding with the iron door. With a loud crash, the door exploded into pieces.

"The stairs have appeared.

It seems too dark to see ahead, so I will create some light.

Flickering Orb of Light!"

As the iron door shattered, revealing a long, seemingly endless stone staircase, Seoyeon turned to the group and extended her hand into the air.

Above Seoyeon's head, a soccer ball-sized orb emitting a blue light materialized.

"I'll lead the way, so everyone, follow me."

After confirming the Orb of Light was securely positioned above her head, Seoyeon began walking at the front of the group.

Baeksan, Cheongryong, Jisoo, Sungmin, Sergeant Shin, and Assistant Kim followed Seoyeon hastily, looking at her with trust.

Nia, noticing no more fireballs falling from the sky, dispelled the black protective barrier that had surrounded the mansion.

As the enemy had temporarily ceased their attack, Nia decided to quickly chase after Assistant Kim's group.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Nia's feet trembled.

Feeling an ominous premonition, Nia quickly stepped back.

At that moment, a pillar of fire burst up from the exact spot where Nia had just been standing, accompanied by a loud crash.

"You must be the wandering herald of the Black Star, Nyarlathotep."

"Call me Nia, young lady.

In my current form, the name Nia feels more comfortable."

As Mina, who had arrived at the mansion's garden with a few others, approached Nia and spoke, Nia smiled at her and replied.

"Lady Nia, this fight has nothing to do with you in the first place.

Our Medici Family acts to strengthen human society.

We have no intention of causing trouble for someone like you, who enjoys observing human society.

So why do you keep interfering with us?"

"Elder Lorenzo, your Medici Family underestimates the Great Old Ones too much.

They always demand a price equivalent to the power they lend.

The Medici Family has overused the power of the Great Old Ones.

The Great Old Ones will demand a massive price, not just from your family but from all of human society.

If human society were to collapse as a result....

That's not something I desire."

Nia addressed the tall and skinny man standing next to Mina in a firm tone.

That man was Elder Lorenzo, the brain of the Medici Family and its first elder.

"Lady Nia, if you continue like this, it will be truly troublesome for us.

We must ask you to leave at this point.

Mina, please take care of it."

"Well then, let's see what Lady Nia is capable of."

Elder Lorenzo, having seemingly given up on persuading Nia, shook his head and stepped back.

As Lorenzo stepped back, Mina extended her hand toward Nia.

Mina's hand glowed red for a moment, and with a series of loud bangs, four more pillars of fire erupted around Nia.

This brought the total number of fire pillars surrounding Nia to five.

"Come forth, Flame Ones!"

When Mina shouted, five flaming entities resembling demons with goat heads and large wings emerged from the pillars of fire.

The beings Mina had called Flame Ones immediately breathed fire at Nia as they leaped out of the fiery pillars.

"I tried mimicking Cult Leader Giovanni's Abyss One, and it's not bad, right?"

"Impressive, Lady Mina.

It's as if demons from hell have appeared."

Elder Francesco, who was standing beside Elder Lorenzo, swallowed nervously as he watched the Flame Ones floating in the air and threatening Nia.

"Elder Francesco, how about you take Blaze and the Abyss Ones to pursue Deputy Cult Leader Katerina's group right now?

You can kill everyone except for Deputy Cult Leader Katerina."

"I'll do so, Elder Lorenzo.

Blaze, since you can track those with the power of the abyss, take the lead.

Just follow Deputy Cult Leader Katerina."

At Elder Lorenzo's request, Elder Francesco spoke to Blaze, who was standing behind him.

Blaze did not respond verbally to Francesco's words and simply started running toward the mansion.

"Abyss Ones, let's go as well."

Elder Francesco led all the nearby Abyss Ones and followed Blaze.

"Now then, Lady Nia. Shall we settle this once and for all?"

Mina clapped her hands once with a smile.

At that moment, flaming swords appeared in the hands of the Flame Ones.

The Flame Ones, still breathing fire, began swinging their swords at Nia as she dodged nimbly.

"Apophis!"

When Nia called for her black snake, Apophis, it leaped out from beneath her feet and lunged at one of the Flame Ones with its jaws wide open.

At that moment, all the Flame Ones breathed fire at Apophis.

Before Apophis could devour even one Flame One, it vanished into the ground.

"Lady Nia, your pet snake is no match for my Flame Ones."

Mina laughed aloud as she spoke to Nia.

"That's true. I was hoping not to use this, but it seems I have no choice now."

As Nia spoke, she extended one hand forward, and a long black scythe suddenly appeared in her grasp.

"Let me show you a bit of the power of the Grim Reaper's Black Scythe, Scythette."

Nia dashed forward like a whirlwind, swinging Scythette at the Flame Ones.

The Flame Ones couldn't put up any resistance against Scythette and disappeared one by one with loud explosions every time they were struck.

"You truly look like a Grim Reaper, dressed in black and wielding a black scythe.

You seem even stronger than I had heard, Lady Nia.

Of course, I'm still stronger.

Lady Nia, you didn't think I could only create five Flame Ones, did you?"

As Mina finished speaking, dozens of fire pillars began erupting all over the garden.

The mansion and garden shook as if an earthquake had struck due to the rising fire pillars.

"You truly have no limits.

It will take quite some time to eliminate all these Flame Ones.

And I can't defeat you, who is the main body, in the first place.

Then, as the Medici Family wishes, I will take my leave now. Apophis!"

Looking around at the dozens of fire pillars rising from the garden, Nia spoke with a sigh and summoned Apophis.

Once again, the enormous black snake, Apophis, leaped out from beneath Nia's feet.

"Lady Mina, we'll meet again soon."

"Where do you think you're going?"

At Nia's sudden farewell, Mina extended her hand forward.

From Mina's hand, a flaming bird shot out and flew toward Nia.

At that moment, Apophis opened its massive jaws, swallowed Nia, and disappeared.

With a loud crash, Mina's flaming bird struck the bare ground, leaving nothing behind.

"Don't be too upset, Lady Mina.

Now that the Medici Family has begun moving in earnest, Nyarlathotep will come to us anytime."

"Next time, I'll deal with her myself right away.

It's too infuriating when she escapes like this."

Mina spoke with a frustrated expression.

By now, dozens of Flame Ones had emerged from the fire pillars, filling the mansion's garden.

With her, we can defeat anyone, no matter who they are.

Elder Lorenzo smiled in satisfaction as he thought this, looking at the dozens of Flame Ones.

Seoyeon, Baeksan, Cheongryong, Jisoo, Sungmin, Sergeant Shin, and Assistant Kim descended the long spiral staircase for a considerable time.

The further they went down, the wider the secret passage became, and as they neared the bottom, they emerged into a large and majestic hall.

"Who is this person?"

Sungmin looked at the statue of a woman in a hanbok placed in the center of the hall.

The statue depicted a woman with a yellow bow slung over her shoulder, holding a yellow sword in her right hand, and wearing a yellow necklace.

"This is the first Ada Lovelace.

She was the one who established the Ada Mansion and first trained the Abyss Hunters.

Thanks to her, the monsters of the abyss have not been able to invade this country since the era of the Korean Empire."

Hearing Baeksan's words, Sungmin nodded and examined the statue once more.

Even as a statue, she appeared to be a person with a beautiful appearance and a resolute spirit.

At that moment, Jisoo approached the statue, knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and clasped her hands in an A-shape.

"First Ada, please give me strength.

Now that the Ada Mansion faces a great crisis, the 9th Ada, who is still young, has passed away, leaving me with the name of Ada.

Please grant me the power to protect the remaining people of the Ada Mansion and crush the Medici Family's conspiracy."

At Jisoo's words, the atmosphere among the group became solemn for a moment.

Cheongryong watched Jisoo's trembling shoulders from behind.

With such a small and frail body, she must bear the name of Ada and overcome this great crisis.

Cheongryong felt a pang of sympathy and unknowingly lowered his head.

At that moment, the sound of the wind being cut was heard as a silver arrow flew from somewhere and lodged at Cheongryong's feet.

"It's Blaze and the Abyss Ones. Quickly, run away."

Baeksan looked up at the spiral staircase they had descended and spoke.

Blaze, Elder Francesco, and dozens of Abyss Ones were descending the stairs.

The once silent clearing was suddenly filled with the ghastly cries of the Abyss Ones.

"Everyone, there's no time. Escape through that passage.

A little further, and you can reach the coast."

Nia appeared from somewhere, holding a long black scythe, and pointed to a distant passage with her finger.

"You're safe, Nia."

Baeksan looked at Nia approaching the group and spoke.

"After sensing you all entered the secret passage safely, I hurriedly fled as well.

That girl named Mina is really strong."

"Nia...."

"I have no injuries, so don't worry.

It's truly fortunate that everyone is safe like this."

Nia smiled as she spoke to Assistant Kim, who was looking at her with worried eyes.

At that moment, another silver arrow flew, and Sungmin quickly swung the silver bow he was holding to deflect the incoming silver arrow.

"With our current strength, we can easily defeat that group, but if we delay and that girl named Mina arrives, it's over.

This time, I'll flee with you, so let's hurry to the passage."

The group nodded at Nia's words and began to run toward the distant passage.

Nia, running at the back of the group, swung the Scythette at the pursuing Medici Family mob.

Then, a crescent-shaped dark red beam shot out from the Scythette, destroying the spiral staircase the Medici Family mob was descending.

With a loud crash, the sound of the stairs collapsing was heard, along with the Abyss Ones' horrifying cries.

"Cheongryong, let's go."

"Yes, understood, Baeksan."

As Baeksan and Cheongryong ran, they shot yellow beams from the bow and sword they held toward the Medici Family mob.

A series of loud crashes were heard as the spiral staircase collapsed even more severely.

"Apophis!"

Once the group had all entered the hall's passage, Nia summoned Apophis and released it into the hall.

Apophis coiled itself, growing larger and eventually filling the hall with its body.

Shortly after, as the group continued to run through the narrow passage, a loud noise was heard behind them as the hall also collapsed.

"We've finally escaped."

A few hours later, upon reaching the wide coast after exiting the secret passage, Sergeant Shin sighed in relief.

The dawn had broken, and they could see the blue waves rolling onto the beach.

The horrific disaster that occurred last night at Ada Mansion and the Gangwon-do mountain range seemed like a story from another world, as the coast was quiet and peaceful.

The group stood on the beach, taking a moment to catch their breath while looking at the blazing sunrise and the vast blue sea.

"What do we do now?"

Eventually, Assistant Kim looked at Nia standing beside her and spoke.

Nia gazed at the rolling blue waves for a long time, then nodded as if she had made a firm decision and turned to the group.

"Seoyeon, given the situation, there's no other choice.

Since they have the strongest card called Cthulhu, we must also have a card to counter it.

It seems the time has come to awaken your master, Cthulhu, who dreams in the abyss."

Seoyeon was bewildered for a moment, not understanding Nia's words, but soon realized their meaning and widened her eyes in surprise.

Nia smiled faintly upon seeing Seoyeon's startled face.

After Nia finished speaking, a strange tension began to envelop the group once more.

For some reason, the waves rolling behind Nia, dressed in a black dress and holding a black scythe, felt rough and ominous, unlike before.