Chapter 76: The Broker on the Verge of Exploding (2)

Chapter 76: The Broker on the Verge of Exploding (2)

Ill give it to you later, later.

I wanted an advance payment, but Park Kwang-lim wasnt in a position to do that. Even if he tried to make a transfer, his smartphone would probably burst into flames.

Besides, the method Im considering isnt a complete solution.

I took a moment to scan our surroundings.

This place isnt ideal for the ritual. But what choice do I have? Im not capable of securing a purified or quiet location, nor is it feasible to take him to my home.

I pulled out a few talismans from my backpack, some minor ritual tools, and oh, this is pricey. A straw doll.

Isnt that a cursed doll?

In Japan, they might use it for cursing, but in Korea, its called a Jeoung or Cheo Yong. It is typically used for warding off evil. Oh, and in China, its known as Chu Ling you know?

Not really. Im not good with occult stuff.

Not all brokers are the same, it seems. Anyway, I was just reading the message that popped up in the message window.

I cant say for sure how much they screwed you over, but the curse youre under seems to have involved the use of at least one live sacrifice. Such curses arent easily lifted.

Even before Park Kwang-lim demonstrated his magic trick of burning an intact paper, I could see the curse afflicting him.

The insights I gained coupled with a few spells I activated helped me visualize the nature of this curse.

Theres a woman hanging over your left shoulder.

Somehow, the genre seems to be shifting in an odd direction.

Its a bit embarrassing for me to say this, it sounds like something out of a cult. So lets refrain from unnecessary remarks.

But its true.

The transparent ghost of a woman with burns all over her body hung on his shoulder.

-Grrrrr

Who this woman was and what life she led, I couldnt say. Now, she had become a ghost devoid of will, merely spreading hatred in obedience to some unseen command.

This will make for an interesting test.

A test?

Ah, Ive accidentally expressed my true thoughts.

I felt a twinge of guilt towards Park Kwang-lim, given his dire circumstances, but this presented an excellent opportunity for me to practice. I was about to head to a place riddled with traps related to necromancy. There werent many opportunities to test this type of magic.

This will be my first time using this spell.

Is that safe?

Im not sure. If youre scared, you could ask someone else for help. Do you know anyone who has an admission ticket to Thousand Gold Temple?

Ahem, Ahem no, I do not.

Thousand Gold Temple was a unique shop and the only one of its kind in the entire country that was capable of resolving issues related to curses and cults.

So, what will it be?

Ill have to ask for your help.

Alright. Its awkward to start right here, lets move to a more secluded spot.

However, finding a significantly special location was out of the question.

I had been stranded in Paju within the [Cthulhu World] for several months now. During this time, I could barely secure a space for my body to lie down.

Even setting aside my limited social connections, finding a space suitable for conducting the ritual at hand was difficult.

If were going to do it in an arbitrary space, we might as well do it here.

Here? How is this any different from before?

We had moved, after all.

From one back alley in the Geumchon neighborhood to another alley in the Geumchon neighborhood.

Park Kwang-lims bewildered reaction was understandable given that we had only moved about 100 meters.

This place is a bit more secluded than before

Park Kwang-lim glanced around and his lips started twitching as if he was about to voice a complaint.

Not in a physical sense, but magically.

I see.

That doesnt mean I plan to proceed haphazardly.

It would be no different from performing open-heart surgery outdoors.

I reached into my backpack and pulled out several items: a bundle of talismans I had bought today and what Jeong Eun-taek called ritual supplies, such as wooden cups and candlesticks.

Though these items were indeed used in sacrificial rituals, they were versatile enough for various rituals.

So, with these

[Invisible Hand]

[System: The unique trait Madness of the Abyss has been activated. Mental agitation has been nullified.]

The problem was swiftly nullified.

I had waited too long for the trait Madness of the Abyss to fully activate. The Corrupted revealed its hideous teeth which were akin to those of a shark and let out a revolting scream.

-Graaaaah!!

It was fortunate that I had prepared a sound distortion barrier in advance.

It seemed to harbor anger toward me for forcibly materializing it. It glared at me before clumsily lifting its pincer-like limbs.

Grrrrrrrrr!!

As befitting a monster born under the influence of [Living Flame], the Corrupted conjured corrupted black flames around its pincers and charged at me.

Hey, hey, dont come any closer.

A brilliantly shining barrier formed around me.

[Tindaloss Shell]

This barrier, which resembled a turtle shell, was not designed to repel physical forces but to block spiritual beings.

Sceeeeeeek!

The Corrupted swung its menacing claws covered in flames and pounded on the barrier repeatedly, but it lacked the strength to break through.

Sceeeeeeeeeek! Bang! Bang!

It was clear that this creature lacked proper reasoning. It seemed not to comprehend that its attacks had little effect on me and just continued scratching at the magical barrier. Yet, that was all it could do; its efforts were feeble compared to the power it possessed.

Was this monster not supposed to be more formidable?

Ah, it seems it cant exert its full strength because Im not the target of the curse?

Had I been the target of the curse, this level of purification and barrier wouldnt have been enough to stop it.

I, I, I am?

Shh, keep quiet. Youre intentionally drawing attention here.

.

-Kirrrrrr!

Ah! It, its starting to notice me?

See, thats why I told you to keep quiet.

I gathered my magical power and lifted the [Butchers Hook].

[The unique effect of the S-rank weapon Butchers Hook, Proof of Slaughter has been activated.

// Proof of Slaughter: The power of necromancy spells increases by 100%.]

[Spirit Collision]

Kreeeeeeek!

A grotesque form of energy projectile was released along with a terrible noise that sounded like the scream of a ghost.

Boom!

-Aghhhhhhh!

Immediately followed by

[Rlyehs Flash]

Wham!!

A burst of dry noise followed by a brilliant white flash. A spell that weakens the forces of beings moving according to the laws of another dimension, much like the Corrupted.

[Chains of the Abyss]

Ssssssshhhh!

Sinister chains of a pale ash color burst forth from beneath the ground before entwining around the Corrupteds body.

-Kieeeeeek!

Ugh, this ones too low in the magic order to last long. As the Corrupted writhed, the chains threatened to snap and break in an instant.

However, they managed to prevent it from charging at Park Kwang-lim for the moment. It was crucial to subdue it right then.

But now what should I do?

The Corrupted wasnt a living creature. It was a being of the abyss, or more precisely, an abstract entity existing in reality through the sanction of the [Living Flame].

Among the spells I could use at this stage, there were some that could weaken or damage it, but none that could eliminate it.

To get rid of it, Id have to destroy the evidence of the ritual used to summon it

But there was no way to find it now. Perhaps it was in a secret place near Unjeong Station? The secret temple installed above the subway tracks. It was likely there. Regardless, I couldnt go there now to destroy it.

Ah, forget it.

Lets just stick to the original plan.