Chapter 407 – 401 Linden Village
Burned down wooden railings, dozens of collapsed and smashed houses, and the ground reddened with blood everywhere.
“…….”
Hwanin frowned at the traces of the disaster that had occurred in the small village on the low hill where the rain was pouring down.
It was because of two thoughts that came to my mind as soon as I saw this scenery.
An unpleasant feeling that people feel over a catastrophe.
A feeling of indifference even after witnessing the catastrophe that people suffered.
When the two emotions are mixed, the mind becomes dizzy.
= Even if we are late, it must be too late…….=
=Maybe it was too late from the start.=
= Huh? Too late from the beginning…… Ah.=
Hwanin, who thought for a moment about why his heart was split in two, cut off his emotions and organized his thoughts at the conversations between his girlfriends.
It was because there were too many reasons to guess.
And what came to mind was professional books that were close to tera units beyond gigabytes contained in laptops.
‘I’ll have to take some time to look at it.’
He has a congenital personality disorder. If mental illness also develops, there will be almost no answer, but it would be nice to find out how to treat it anyway.
In this situation, the only thing to believe in is Grimoam’s perfection that strengthens the spirit. Hwan-in fidgets with the bracelet he wears on his wrist and listens to the conversations of his girlfriends.
“Are you late from the beginning? What do you mean, Yurupa-sister?」
=Think about it. It’s a corrupted Bardul. Didn’t you know that the intelligent and clever guy asked for outside help?=
“…… Are you saying that Bardul attacked the village after noticing that people had gone out to ask for help from the outside?」
=I think it’s very likely that way. It rained and washed away a lot of traces, but it’s roughly a week or so.
= Hwan Yeon-ah. Is there anything suspicious around you?=
At Isilite’s question, Hwanyeon, who had been sitting on Yurupa’s shoulder with her eyes closed and her arms crossed, opened her mouth.
“I called the kids together and looked inside the 500m radius, but I didn’t see anything like a heteromorphic species or a monster.”
Hwanin, who got off the back of the flight attendant, manipulated the color-changing magic tool to change the flight attendant’s feathers to the color of a dark cloud and asked for it.
“Emergency, watch the surroundings from the sky and let me know if something approaches.”
Kyup.
Shuaaaaa
Bisang, now a mature adult, quickly soars into the raining sky with the smooth sound of the wind without the sound of its wings.
I changed it to the same color as the dark clouds, so unless you have very good eyesight, you won’t be able to recognize the flight in the sky.
He approached the girlfriends who were moving the wagon and the queues under a large tree near the village entrance.
“Let’s split into two and inspect the village. Li Kang, who can see the spirit, goes there with Isilite, Anne, and Yurpa, and Hwan Yeon goes with me. Do not act alone, go together as a group. If you find anything suspicious, tell me immediately.”
=Yes, Master.=
= Ong. =
“Yes.”
Hwanin, who put Hwanyeon between his hooded cloak and clothes, held the light spear’s core and looked around while walking on the land where the rainwater flowed.
A village with an inclination angle of about 10 degrees. Rice terraces and fields with green plants growing. A messy road and a tree that seemed to have been broken by strong force. Fence smashed by something.
Hwanin, who went to the house where the ceiling collapsed in flames, instilled his lower spirits into his body, then tore off the door and looked inside.
“…….”
Through the collapsed ceiling, traces of him abandoning what he was doing and rushing out can be seen.
After coming out, Hwanin followed the bloodstains washed away by the rainwater and muttered as he looked around the village where there were no livestock left.
“I can’t see the body.”
“…… That’s right. I can’t see it even if I look around with spirits. Did Bardul take them all?”
“If the dead bodies were gathered in one place, there would surely have been a wide and thick puddle of blood. However, given that there are no traces of that, the possibility is not small.”
Even though it is said that they killed people at random and moved them after that, there are few places where blood has formed.
The traces of resistance are also light, and there are almost no traces of being dragged or dragged.
「Hwanin. You don’t have a soul?」
If you ask the spirit, you’ll be able to easily find out what’s going on. Hwanyeon, who asked with that intention, tilted her head at the answer that came back.
“There is no soul in sight.”
“If I died from being attacked by a monster, I would have a strong grudge, but I don’t have any?”
Did he attain Buddhahood as soon as he died because the situation was so bleak and hopeless?
However, the hypothesis was excluded from the story told by Hwanin.
“It could be that it is hidden and invisible to my eyes. Or maybe you didn’t die in the first place.”
“…… If the person didn’t die…… It is said that Bardul took them alive, but if they were to take them away without leaving any traces…….”
Isn’t that more dangerous? I don’t think he’s an ordinary bardul. A huge monster… A monster or a handshake?
While Hwan-yeon thought about it while shaking her head, Hwan-in returned to the only entrance to the village and found traces of a quarrel engraved near the entrance.
It is not a trace of a battle of overwhelming power, but a trace of ordinary people with similar physical abilities.
While examining the traces that were fading because of the rain, Hwanin caught the sensation lightly brushing the nape of his neck.
“…….”
Not to live It wasn’t a good vibe either.
Something…… Instinctively reluctant…….
After the search, Hwanin goes back to the carriage, takes off the rain-soaked hooded cloak, shakes it off, and hangs it on the overhang of the carriage.
Que~
Coo.
Cooeng.
Looking back at himself, Kuckoo released the cooing Quees from the carriage, and the stuffy Jipuruk — shook his body like a puppy and stretched out his wings and head.
As I was taking out some fruits and vegetables from the food bag and feeding them to the Que who worked so hard, Hwanyeon flew in and shouted.
“Okay! There is not one corrupted Bardul, but several! The people who died due to the overwhelming difference in power just despaired and reached Buddhahood, and Bardul dragged away both the corpses and the living people, so there are no corpses or people left in the village!”
Hwan-in, who wrapped his handkerchief around Hwan-yeon’s body confidently speaking her reasoning, turned her gaze to the Que who were watching the rain falling under the tree.
“Right? Is my reasoning the same as the Hwanin’s?”
“It is possible.”
“Eh…….”
That means there are other possibilities. Are there any other reasons? What?
Some time after Hwan-yeon began to worry again, while Hwan-in was looking for an invisible flight, the women who went to the other side with Baek Ryeo-gang returned with blurred faces.
=Master, there was not a single survivor. Not even a corpse was left.=
“There were no people left as souls…….”
=I found a place like an evacuation site in the basement of the village chief’s house, but it was also smashed and messed up.=
=There is almost no meat left in the stockpile of food. There is only cheese and withered vegetables… Did you find out anything?=
Hwanin listened to what her girlfriends said one by one and asked them.
“How much do you all know about the corrupted Bardul?”
= Huh? Uh, as diverse as the Lukerang people, living like animals in remote places…….=
= I hate people, but that doesn’t mean I’m going ahead. I feel like I’m avoiding it because it’s dirty.=
“Isn’t Bardul causing an epidemic?”
“Epidemic…… Are you?」
“Okay. For example, being bitten and becoming a follower over time.”
Hwanin explained the reason for this thought by reflecting on what he had seen.
Traces of an ordinary person fighting. Traces of being startled and running out of the house. Traces of the fence not being shattered by strong force, but being pushed over by a physical fight.
Above all, the women’s expressions became serious as they paid attention to the fact that there was almost no sign of a gap due to the strong force corresponding to a professional, and that the time zone indicated by the sign was the same hour.
= That…… I’ve never heard of the symptoms, but I wouldn’t say they don’t exist.=
“Is it.”
=Yes. There are no disaster-class demons or demons that cause similar phenomena.=
“What is the disaster level? Is it different from the 10th percentile rating system?”
Isilite gave a short explanation to the question of fantasy.
= Disaster class means a monster that can cause damage to a town or city. For example, vampire.=
You can increase your load by sucking blood and infusing curses into your body, and the load that was born that way can also increase your load if it becomes stronger by drinking blood.
The explanation is that it is called a disaster level because it does not take long for the city to become a mess if left alone.
=Certainly, as Doryong said, there is no soul, and there are no corpses and people. Then, as Bardul fell, he gained the ability to become a follower, and with it, the story of how he destroyed Linden Village…….=
Wheeeeeing—
Anne, whose mouth was closed by the cool wind that blew in while she was talking, touched her forearm as if to wipe away goosebumps.
“Well, isn’t that a big deal? If it’s contagious follower ability, it’s classified as a disaster class……. I think it would be a good idea to contact the city and inform them of the current situation.”
= I have the same thoughts as Lady Ryegang. She thinks it would be better to connect to her, Gongja Baek. =
Shaaaaa—
A strong wind blows and leaves rustle, and a huge tree that must be hundreds of years old makes a bleak sound.
A time that gradually gets darker. The rain fell incessantly and the strong wind that blew in from time to time resounded with a cluttered and lonely sound.
Hwanin’s slow reaction, as if he was distracted by something, unlike his usual answers to questions or answers, also fuels the chill.
=…… Master?=
The Hwanin who do not look at themselves and just stare at the raining horizon. Isilite felt fear creeping into her heart little by little, and lightly gripped her phantom’s sleeve.
“Can’t you feel anything?”
=…… ?=
=… ?=
What do you feel?
It’s an incomprehensible question, but Isilite and Anne, who felt it was not serious, immediately pulled out their weapons, and Yurpa also took out her staff and held it.
Isilite looked at the flustered Hwanyeon.
Do you have something
Nothing!
Whoo oh oh—
The pouring raindrops rush in all directions. The rain is getting stronger, the feeling that the storm is getting closer and closer.
Beep—
When Hwanin whistles with his fingers, Bisang rushes down and gets tangled up in Hwanin.
“Emergency. Was there anything suspicious?”
Coo? Kuheung!
To the answer that there was no such thing, Hwanin thought it was his overreaction.
The girlfriends didn’t feel anything, and Byeong-sang didn’t find anything strange either. There is nothing that gets caught within the monitoring range of the fantasy spirits that are on guard.
She wondered if the strange sensation she felt was because of her mood.
After thinking for a moment, Hwanin gave instructions to Yurupa.
“Please send a short telegram to Prabur with a crystal ball. The village of Linden has been destroyed, and it seems to be the work of the corrupted Bardul, and it is enough to say that there are no survivors, even livestock and corpses left in the village.”
=Uh, yes.=
Hwanin, who gave instructions to Yurupa, was a little worried.
The option of leaving the village as it is because it is reluctant, and the option of staying here for the day.
In the case of the former, the forced march has already been carried out for the second day. To the extent that Que, who likes to pull wagons, was exhausted and whined to be relieved of the yoke.
It’s raining and night is coming soon, so it’s difficult to leave the village right away considering everyone’s fatigue.
Those who stay here for a day have an unfounded feeling that something unpleasant will happen.
After thinking for a while, Hwanin grabbed the light spear’s core and said to his girlfriends who looked nervous.
“Today we take a day off here. As for the night watch, I am in a group of two for an hour, Isilite, Isilite and Anne, Anne and Yurpa and Hwanyeon, Yurpa and Hwanyeon and me, and so on. Baek Ryogang stays vigil with me as soon as his spiritual energy is exhausted.”
= Doryeong. Is there something on your mind?=
“Well. I’m not sure either. I have nothing to say.”
=Didn’t you change your vigil because you felt suspicious?=
“The monster that destroyed Linden Village may not have left the area yet, and if so, it must have seen us entering the village, so it is a change of vigilance in the sense of being vigilant as there is a possibility of an attack tonight even when it rains. It has nothing to do with my reluctance.”
= Um…….=
“It will be difficult from the forced march for several days, but let’s all take care and stay vigil.”
=Yes.=
=Yeah.=
It was time to eat dinner, so Isilite put a pot on the earthen brazier made by Hwanyeon, boiled the stew, and barbecued meat, vegetables, and fruits for dinner.
This menu was chosen because I like to eat something warm as the weather is chilly and my body temperature has gone down a bit from the rain.
After that, the party did not relax, and after self-maintenance time in the wagon with the door wide open, they began to pass the time quietly and sharpening their minds.
It was because Hwanin’s appearance aroused their awareness and tension.
In the meantime, Hwanin took out her laptop and entered her medical category to find books related to her psychiatry.
First of all, look for items that fit your situation in the major categories, but…….
‘It doesn’t fit either way.’
A congenital personality disorder in which two conflicting emotions are felt at the same time.
This didn’t fit any of the items, and if you set a different perspective, it applies to most of the items.
It can be seen as a depression or anxiety disorder, but it can also be seen as related to trauma and stress. Since it is congenital, can it be seen as a physical symptom? It can also be classified as a substance-related addictive disorder caused by waves of serenity…….
Hwan-in, who thought it would be a symptom that would scare even a psychiatrist, found a simple classification of mental illness on a screen of data collected from her archive.
It is a classification method that judges whether it is neurosis or psychosis based on forgetfulness, hallucination symptoms, social adaptability, treatment method, and self-awareness.
According to this, he is a neurotic himself.
While checking the explanation of neurosis and the comprehensive treatment method, Hwanin confirmed that the only treatment method that can be applied to him is counseling treatment to relieve stress.
‘There is no answer.’
In a situation where it is difficult to understand technical terminology, when will you be able to learn psychiatry to understand your own condition and treat yourself?
I would do it if I wanted to, but now I have to go to Yeongdo, I have to take care of Alsop, and finally I have to go to the Tribal Union country…….
“…….”
…… Perhaps the reason why these symptoms are appearing now is not because of the variety of emotions caused by spirit art, but because of too much attention to establishing an obsessive countermeasure against hostility like Alsop.
Croak, croak, croak, croak.
The sound of rain lessens and the croaking of frogs begins to echo loudly.
Hearing the sound, Hwanin covered the laptop and thought a lot about this and that.
Like the Dunning Kruger effect, I wondered if I was making the details more serious while trying to self-taught psychiatry.
Hwanin climbed up to the roof of the carriage while organizing his complex thoughts and found Anne back to back with Isilite, guarding her surroundings.
“Anne, wouldn’t it be better to get some sleep?”
= It’s okay. It’s because my concentration doesn’t drop if I don’t sleep for three days. It’s more comfortable to be here than to sleep with anxiety. Isn’t that the same for the thief?=
After returning to Anne with a grin, she gives her a small nod and sits down next to her.
While listening to the soft drizzling rain and the cries of frogs in the fields where her owner had been lost, Anne opened her mouth with a slightly weak voice.
=I have often seen dead people, ruined villages and villages while traveling around the world…… Every time I see a village or village ruined, I feel skeptical.
“A sense of skepticism?”
= Yes. A sense of doubt that the gods really love us. If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have let this happen…….=
“As a religious person, that is a dangerous idea.”
= Uhhh.=
Hwanin turned her gaze away from Anne who forced her smile and looked towards the dark meadow, she said.
“I guess you could say it’s a trial because I love you.”
= Paradoxical. =
“Because working with such contradictions and paradoxes is called faith.”
Anne shrugged her shoulders at Baek Ryogang, who quietly came up from under her carriage and spoke.
=Are you not sleeping?=
“They say you can sleep enough after you die, don’t you? But in my opinion, it’s a lie. Because you die, you lose more sleep.”
It was a time when Hwanin and his women laughed lightly at the black comedy of a noble lady.
Coo?
Bi-sang, who had been dozing with Kurti and their heads on each other’s backs, flashed and raised their heads. At the same time, Hwan-in and his women stood up and took out their weapons and held them.
The feeling that something small and unpleasant is crawling in the cool temperature.
The unpleasant sensation of cockroaches crunching in the dark.
=Doryeong, can you see something?=
“Is it a monster? That’s a lot of numbers.”
What came into the eyes of Hwanin, who sees through the darkness with his expanded soul vision.
Keeh eh…….
Hey hey…….
It was an army of people who had turned into hideous faces, with insect-like side eyes covering half of their heads, or with irregularly shaped insect body parts protruding from their bodies.
Cheeks, crunches, cracks……
Hard, hot.
Sounds that irritate people’s nerves from the periphery are heard from all directions.
At the sound, Yurpa, who climbed onto the roof of the carriage, dropped the crane.
=Wow, what are you talking about?=
“Yurpa, we need light. It looks like you’re surrounded anyway, so it would be nice if you could shed some light on your surroundings.”
= Yes. I’ll turn it on right away. =
Because she went to sleep with the battle in mind, Yurpa immediately memorized an extra-large light ball technique and shot it into the sky without needing to prepare.
An orb the size of a human head soared into the sky, and then a burst of light exploded, illuminating a radius of 1 km.
And the scenery that was revealed was terrifying itself.
Churr….
Ayeek!
Geek… Knocking….
=.=
=Oh fuck!=
The surrounding landscape, brightened by the photosphere, was bloody enough that Anne had unknowingly spit out a sad sound.
The sight of a monster that looks like a combination of humans and all sorts of insects lying on its arms and legs like a beast, besieging the village on top of the hill and under the hill.
There are so many that you can’t see the floor because of the monsters wet and glistening in the pouring rain.
Hwanyeon, who had climbed onto the carriage with Yurpa, frowned and cried out with tears in her eyes.
“Damn……. Sorry! All of them were hiding in the ground!”
Was that why it was strangely reluctant?
After appeasing Hwan-yeon, who blamed himself for not being able to confirm it even underground, Hwan-in sighed after seeing the rag-like clothes the monsters were wearing.
“Not only Linden Village, but several other villages must have been affected as well.”
“I, those monsters, were they all human?”
“Okay.”
With a monstrous groan, such a monster began to approach the Hwanin party like a moth attracted to the light.
“Come. Everyone, get on Que’s back! Yurpa, don’t spare your consumable combat magic tools! Hwanyeon wipe out as many enemies as possible now!”
=Yes!=
“Okay!!”
As if to make up for her mistake, Hwan-yeon, baring her fangs, stretched out her hands toward the sky.
Jwajwajwajwa-!!
The rainwater flowing on the ground turns into sharp, pointy spears and swords, soaring up to pierce and cut through the bodies of monsters.
Aaaaagh-!!
As a signal, hundreds or thousands of monsters also screamed and rushed like a black wave.
