Chapter 9: Mountain lord

Chapter 9: Mountain lord

Sangun (The Lord of the Mountain).

Although this word was once used to refer to tiger, it had completely disappeared from a society that had become stiff due to the development of technology and industry in the 21st century.

However, the Sangun still exists.

Even my shaman grandmother told me that she once performed an offering ritual for Sangun of Baekdusan Mountain.

Of course, they were not real animals.

They were spirits who borrowed the appearance of a tiger and were guardian deities.

And my grandmother, who used to talk about various things with me, in her old age, told me about how to hold the ritual and the food that Sangun likes.

[Have you come to me again, boy?]

My age was 28 years old, far too old to be called a boy.

But there was nothing else to say if Sangun, who had lived for thousands of years, addressed me as a boy.

"I am Deus Verdi. After three months of staying away from home, I have come to pay my respects."

accompanied by the warm wine and rice cake that Sangun likes.

The warm wine given by the maid had already cooled down in the cold of the North Whedon Mountains, but the yellowish mana gently wrapped around the bottle and warmed it up again.

The first time I climbed the mountain and met Sangun was about a month after I became Deus Verdi.

At that time, I tried to run away.

Learning magic was difficult, studying etiquette was difficult, and Deus had too much trash to take care of.

But among them, the most troublesome were the evil spirits in the mansion.

For some reason, the number of evil spirits inhabiting Verdis mansion was quite high.

Because I hadnt learned necromancy at the time, I had no choice but to pretend that I didnt see the evil spirits, but the stress was too much for me, and I ran away.

That was when I met the Sangun.

Sangun, who tore apart the evil spirits chasing me, and pitied me.

I bought some wine and rice cake that Sangun might like. Please enjoy if it suits your taste.

[.]

Sanguns mouth opened and a blue-colored spirit body emerged, wrapping itself around the wine and rice cake.

Then the offerings disappeared naturally as if they were absorbed into the spiritual body.

Although it didn't show in his expression, the oppressive feeling that had been pressing down seemed to disappear, so he seemed to be satisfied.

[ This is the first time. ]

.

I must not interrupt recklessly.

I listened to him with a nod of my head, leisurely taking in his words that flowed smoothly.

[For thousands of years, I have only been a presence of fear. It's the first time a human has come to me like this.]

That is because Sangun saved me.

[....]

An awkward silence hung between the Sangun and me.

Did he not actually intend to protect me five months ago?

Of course, I knew that.

Why would the Sangun bother to save me, a mere human being chased by evil spirits? He only tore them apart because the evil spirits invading his mountain didn't please him. He had no intention of saving me.

But why does that matter?

No, it didn't matter.

I would just use this relationship to my advantage.

Even if he didn't have that intention, I would force a connection between us.

That will be like a leash.

[I know you didn't come to find me just for a simple greeting.]

A solid voice resonated. He was getting to the point.

The truth is, I was afraid Sangun would be feeling uncomfortable, so I came to visit in advance.

[The ignorant immigrants are rampaging on my mountain.]

However, we do not have the strength to defend this mountain.

Sanguns blue eyes sparkled. As if hit by a waterfall in the middle of winter, my body stiffened and the pressure pressed down on my entire body.

[So, have you come to ask for my help? How dare you?]

Oh, Sangun.

I took a deep breath and slowly rose from my seat, meeting his gaze. Findd new stories at novelhall.com

I knelt down to set the table for negotiation, offering my riches.

Then, I sat on the other side, certain that I had what he desired.

Because I had no intention of giving the initiative in negotiations to a tiger sleeping alone in the mountains

What is it?

Although Finden Ai was the leader of the Gocheolsang, they were all like one family, so there was no formality.

After all, even if former slaves were concerned with formalities, it would look like a kid imitating an adult.

Something is coming.

Exhaling smoke from her cigarette, Finden Ai immediately went outside. Her comrades in the outpost followed her, gripping their weapons.

Although it was just a feeling, they believed in Finden Ai's "feeling" absolutely and followed her.

"Hah, the backup team should be coming soon."

"We'll just try to stall for time. Did that fool Count finally request support?"

They were members of the Gocheolsang who were surprised that Darius Verdi had chosen the citizens of North Whedon over his family, but Finden Ai ignored them and looked away.

"Phew."

She pulled the cigarette out of her mouth. Although she had only taken a few sips, she realized that it was not the time to be holding onto it.

"It's not that."

Finden Ai, who was twisting his wrist, caught sight of a man walking towards them through the pouring snow.

There is only one enemy.

"Just one?"

What?

One of the unit members, who was holding a sniper rifle, raised his scope to his eyes and shouted.

I really mean it! A man in a coat, holding a staff, is coming this way by himself!

Is he surrendering?

"Or maybe he's here to negotiate?"

Although the Gocheolsang group members were relieved to hear that it was only one person, Finden Ai gripped her axe tightly, more tensed than ever before.

And the snipers report continued, Oh, he appears to be a wizard! Every time he moves forward, the accumulated snow melts on its own!

A noble wizard indeed.

"Looks like all the Griffin aristocrats know how to show off."

For a guy who came here to surrender and negotiate, hes already making a bad first impression.

Finden Ai showed a sharp reaction to the comrades who still couldn't grasp the situation.

You fools, wake up and get your heads straight... He is the enemy.

"Yes?"

"......?"

At that moment, a sphere of flames came flying toward them. It was a magic that was neither massive nor threatening.

But Finden Ai didn't let her guard down and swung her axe to split the fire pit in half, however...

"......!"

Her gaze turned towards the fireball she had just split in half.

The half that was split merged back together as one.

Then, as if bending in mid-air, it turned its orbit and came flying back towards Finden Ai once again.

[Kyahahaahaha!]

With a terrifying scream.

- Whoosh!

The fireballs split apart once more. But as if it hadnt been hit, it merged back together.

From that point, large and small balls of fire poured out from the wizard.

[Kill! Let's kill him!]

[We're free! F*ck, freedom!]

[Let's quench our thirst with blood and fill our stomachs with flesh!]

[Immigrants! Get the mace!]

"What, what is this!"

"The magic is speaking! Get into formation!"

"Even if you beat it, it'll come back! Stand back to back and defend!"

The fireballs filled with various voices were randomly circling the sky as if they had a will, swallowing the falling snow.

Meanwhile, Finden Ais bloodshot eyes glared at the wizard in a coat, who strode toward them without pausing.

Necromancer!

It was the guys true identity.

Finden Ai growled as if she were about to tear him apart.

Deus Verdi did not even look at her, speaking in a low voice that was as cold as the mountain range's chill.

"Go and eat them up, you evil spirits."