Chapter 30: Ghoul Shaman

Chapter 30: Ghoul Shaman

A small silver bell with a short handle.

Engraved on its surface were bizarre and blasphemous patterns.

It was a powerful artifact, imbued with a malevolent aura.

And that artifact was clutched in a bony hand protruding from the wall.

Tha-that thing a hand coming out of the wall?

One of the security team members said something in disbelief, but that wasnt the end of it.

A person slowly began to walk out from the large red circle drawn on the wall.

You have ruined our plans.

Small and frail in stature, draped in tattered robes, with long unkempt white hair.

His entire body was covered in grotesque tattoos, and his eyes glowed a sinister green.

Even though he clearly had a human appearance, he was a terrifying being, far more dreadful than any ghoul or zombie.

He stood leaning against the inner wall of the underground parking lot while staring at me.

[System: The Enhanced Vigilance trait has been activated.]

Before that huge and hideous pattern, the old man, no, the cults high priest, voiced out his seething rage towards me.

Clothed in a robe resembling a sackcloth, with long white hair.

His entire body was covered with bizarre tattoos, and his eyes shone with an ominous, dark green glow.

A grotesque old man who was clearly human in form yet exuded a dread far surpassing any ghoul or zombie approached while shaking a silver bell.

Our cults great undertaking, you dare to interfere

A cult?

Yes! The prowler among the tombs

The old man continued as he slowly raised his trembling arms. A grating, phlegmy voice emanated from his lips.

The prowler among the tombs, the greatest and mightiest of ghouls, the progenitor of the ghoul species, and the father of all ghouls who has bestowed his magnificent flesh upon this unworthy servant

I couldnt help but let out a hollow laugh.

What is this bastard?

Was there such an NPC in the Demonic Cult, those who worship the [Father of All Ghouls]?

Judging by his condition, the level of magic he possessed, and the artifact in his hand, he was at least a high-ranking priest, if not the cult leader.

Even if I completed the ongoing guests from the underworld quest and followed it with the series of subsequent quests, no such character should appear.

An entity outside the games settings? Or just an NPC I had yet to encounter?

Numerous questions arose in my mind, but it seemed unlikely Id get any answers.

The condition of the one who should provide those answers did not look promising.

The old man holding the bell scratched his furrowed forehead furiously and was mumbling to himself incoherently.

You came too soon, too soon. If only, if only you had been a little slower, we could have summoned more quality followers Regrettable, so regrettable. We could have turned this entire building into our sacred temple, but we lacked enough sacrifices to gather more power What a shame a shame

Kwak Dae-yong gritted his teeth in anger.

Turn this place into your gathering spot? This bastard

Kwak Dae-yong, who interpreted the old mans words in his own way, raised his hammer and shouted.

This crazy old man! Whos backing you to commit such filthy acts?

Kukuku Backing? Backing? The only one who can command us is our Lord, only our Lord! Following the divine revelations and commands of our great leader, we prepared to conduct a major and holy ritual, yes, the underground ritual, to prepare for the feast But then, these worthless trash, not even fit to be ghoul fodder, dare to interfere with the grand plan bestowed by the [Father of All Ghouls]

The old man wearing a sackcloth-like robe continued to rant and rave with unrelenting momentum.

Though this was my first experience with such an event, it wasnt my first encounter with this kind of scenario.

The cultists, their minds deranged no, having peered into the deep abyss and realized the truths of this world.

Their behavior was typically like this. Hmm Its a chore to listen to such ramblings without a skip button. I wish I could press skip.

Before I could do anything, Kwak Dae-yong had already intercepted the old mans words.

RItual? Lord? What kind of bullshit is this!

Kwak Dae-yong, who fell for the provocation, looked ready to wield his hammer and charge out at any moment.

But then again, rushing in here wouldnt make any difference

[Telepathy]

[Team Leader, forget that. Ill handle this. Just take care of your men.]

What? Oh uh okay.

Kieeeeee!!

Kukieeeeeh!!

Boom!!

The fireball, precisely directed and angled, was unfortunately intercepted and exploded in mid-air when two ghouls suddenly leaped into its path.

Kuhahahaa! See, see? For the glory of the great, great prowler among the tombs, the children of the father throw themselves like dogs!

Damn it, his faith and the artifact he held were genuine, despite his cheap incantations and crude magic.

In response to his wish, the great being dwelling deep in the abyss granted him new power.

[The Father of All Ghouls].

Krrrrrr

His face, wrinkled like an old tree trunk, was grotesquely twisted.

His snout elongated, and large fangs emerged.

And then there was the sticky green mist enveloping his body.

It moved like a tangible bundle of ropes or a cloak, stickily wrapping around him.

Hes turning into a monster!

Someone among Yeonams security team shouted.

Shoot! Shoot him before its too late!

Ratatatatatata!!!

The ominous green mist and the cold eerie aura.

hundreds of bullets poured out from about ten gun barrels, but for some reason they couldnt penetrate the green mist surrounding the old man, or rather, the ghoul shaman who had now mutated into a completely grotesque form.

As if getting lost in the mist, the bullets that flew under precise aim had their trajectories bent the moment they came into contact with the mist and scattered in a random direction.

Even those who mainly wielded melee weapons hesitated to approach the bizarre ghoul shaman.

Keh Kekkekkek

A strange laughter erupted from the ghoul shaman.

His body slowly tilted, not falling but swaying in an odd posture. Then, suddenly lifting one foot off the ground

Boom!!

It wasnt an explosion. It was the sound of the ghoul shaman rolling his foot.

Aaaaargh!!

The ghoul shaman, having amassed a great deal of magical power, stamped his foot once, and then his body disappeared.

Incredible speed.

Ssss!

The ghoul shaman reappeared in the middle of the security team and struck the head of the closest team member.

Crack!

With a casual swing of his fist, a persons head was pulled out in an instant by the ghoul shaman.

Whoosh!!!

Blood gushed in an incredible volume from the severed head, which was only left with its lower jaw, staining the ceiling of the underground parking lot, where the concrete framework was exposed.

The ghoul shaman momentarily gazed at his blood-soaked hand before slowly opening his mouth.

The skin on his face had not yet stretched sufficiently to support his mouth, which elongated like a ghouls snout.

Eventually, his cheeks were unable to bear the excessively stretched snout and tore apart with a ripping sound.

He extended his long tongue and leisurely licked the blood off his hand.

Kuhehe, kukukukuku Delicious.

Bizarre speed and unfathomable strength.

And a scene of utter horror.

Regardless of my will or emotions, a message window popped up and obscured my vision.

[Your mind cannot comprehend this horrific scene. You resist the fear with your Mental Strength stat. Sanity check Success.]

However, among the ranks of the security team, screams erupted from those who couldnt overcome the situation.

Aaaaaah!!!

The ranks of the bewildered security team fell into disarray. Amidst the chaos, one person who was afflicted with a different form of distortion burst forth.

You son of a bit*h!!!