Chapter 118: Alone in the Cave (3)

I went deeper into the cave.

Naturally, the cave was filled with nothing but darkness. There were no secret tomes of enlightenment, no white-bearded sages, no legendary swords engraved with the wisdom of the blade.

Could it be… I’m the only one who can’t see them?

Suddenly, I threw myself into a deep bow and shouted toward the darkness.

“Please, grant me your teachings!!!”

Of course, there was no response.

Reality hit me like a truck.

Feeling embarrassed, I kept walking forward and started thinking about the levels of spiritual power users. My current level was Righteous.

You know, Solitude – Swallow – Righteous. That Righteous.

Truthfully, you’re only really considered a proper psychic once you’ve hit Righteous. People who’ve only reached Solitude or Swallow are still treated like half-normal folks.

“Why do they even call normal people ‘criminal’? Can’t they just say ‘ordinary person’ instead?”

It’s not like normal folks are really criminals or something.

Sure, the Chinese characters are different, but the terminology used by psychics was starting to seriously piss me off.

Anyway, I could focus blood into my eyes and use a power called Negative Sight. Based on what I experienced at Big Hand Casino and with the Heavenly Ordeal Sect, when hit with Negative Sight, your Spiritual Sight shuts down and your abilities get sealed.

The downside? Your eyes feel like they’re about to pop out, and they get bloodshot for days. Minor drawback, really.

And then there was Heavenly Demon Reigning Steps—no, wait—maybe I could use something called Negative Stomp. The previous Heavenly Demon had once used it through my body back at Mount Jeonryu.

She’d explained that it was a technique that, by stepping on the ground, temporarily declared the area as Mara’s domain, nullifying all spiritual powers in that region for a brief moment.

Honestly? It was a badass move, so I tried practicing it on the rooftop once.

Didn’t work. I couldn’t feel any activation, like I could when using Negative Sight.

While I was stomping around shouting all alone, Nayu next to me yelled “Nayu-Beautiful leg line!” and started showing off her legs.

Well… to be precise, she was copying me.

But hey, she did have some nice legs.

It was just hard to tell because she always wore those big, puffy hanboks. Actually, if you looked closely…

Anyway. That’s enough nonsense.

Looks like the cave’s almost at its end.

But if there’s a technique like Negative Stomp that uses your feet, shouldn’t there also be something like a Negative Hand? That thought suddenly popped into my mind.

“Shouldn’t even be thinking about that when I can’t even use Negative Stomp properly.”

And so, I arrived at the end of the cave said to grant immortality and raise one to the level of a sage—Seon Ascension Cave. And at the very end stood a giant jar.

That jar was inscribed with the same ancient script I’d seen along the way here.

I quickly pulled out my phone.

<Recognized Text (Ancient God-Exiling Script) – Translation Target (Modern Korean)> <Translation: A person is born from another, but the truth they carry is not.>

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

The phone kept translating.

<Translation: O seeker of truth who would transcend. Cast away what was given by others. Leave only that which was not given to you.>

The ancient script continued.

<Translation: That which was given by others, the Shi, cast it into this jar.>

Shi. Thanks to all those years of obsessively reading Magic Chinese Character Textbooks in elementary school, I knew that one well. It’s the character for “Corpse” used in shamanic or spiritual contexts.

The more familiar “corpse” just adds the character for death to it.

Anyway, close enough.

“Cast away the shi given by others… Are they saying I’m supposed to throw my own body into this jar?”

I instinctively backed away from the jar.

What the hell is even inside that thing?

But the next lines completely blew away any guesses I had.

<Translation: Offer the shi. Offer your enemies here. Offer your allies here. Offer your family who came with you. In doing so, understand the corruption you’ve received from being human—the corruption of connection. You cannot refuse this mantra.>

“…What the f—”

<Translation: Fall into samadhi. You cannot resist (translation unavailable). Bring your mind into samadhi. Your mind must (translation unavailable) quickly. Enter samadhi. If you (translation risk), you can fall into samadhi. Leave only the truth. As you extract your comrade’s spinal fluid (translation danger) and gouge out their eyes with your fingers (translation danger)

···········If you’re still sane, then right now (translation danger)>

“What the f—”

Yes, I said the same thing twice.

Because this was crazy.

Of course, I’m not the type to go insane just because I read some deranged message.

But the content was so shocking I couldn’t help but zone out for a second.

“This is supposed to be enlightenment?”

Right. I could only reach enlightenment by killing another psychic.

Kill all the Awakened.

Kill those who shake the world.

But that’s not how I wanted to level up.

“If this is the only way to level up, then screw it.”

Just then, a notification popped up on my phone:

“Alarm? Oh, right.”

Before diving deep into Seon Ascension Cave, I had set up motion detectors and cameras near the entrance. You never know who might come in. I even placed a few in other rooms just to be safe.

And that wasn’t the only precaution I’d taken. The hereditary shamans had warned me plenty about the brutal competition inside this place.

“They weren’t exaggerating after all.”

The camera feed was now showing a group of people—clearly skilled psychics, judging by the spirit tools they were holding.

“Check for surveillance spells. If someone got here before us, there’s a good chance they set up detection techniques in this room.”

“I’ll check immediately.”

Wait… are they about to discover my camera?

One of the male psychics performed a flashy ritual, then shook his head.

“No spells detected.”

“Good. Brothers and sisters, let’s go.”

That group entered. Not long after, another group in blue hanboks rushed in.

“Those damn Ilwol-Oakmoon bastards must be insane. They’re charging in even though Ido River hasn’t even dried up yet? Shameless trash. Let’s go!”

“Yes, elder brother!”

More people came pouring in.

And among them… was someone I knew.

“Chick…”

Chick was surrounded by protectors. She wasn’t chirping like usual. Her expression was grim and quiet.

She came here, too?

What are these psychics after? Obviously, they’ll enter, slaughter everyone they came with, and reach some kind of new state called Immortals, right?

I don’t want to witness such a twisted farce.

“Shut up. I’m not getting stronger in a place like this.”

Those were Chick’s words in front of Cheonsu.

Not all psychics are cruel.

Some don’t want to harm others.

But even someone like that could be seduced by the inscription here—and might end up killing a close friend.

Let’s be honest.

I don’t want to see Chick caught in that kind of tragedy.

I hesitated briefly… then grabbed Black Sheath from my belt.

Without a second thought, I swung it down hard.

CRASH—!

The centuries-old jar shattered instantly.

And… nothing happened.

“…So, uh, how do I get out of here?”

I needed to get the hell out of this damn cave.

But how do I sneak out now?

If they catch me for breaking the jar—and maybe pocketing a few treasures along the way—I doubt they’ll just let it slide.

That’s when it happened.

A voice came through the phone, still connected to the cameras.

It was one of the psychics who had just entered the cave.

“Something’s coming. Everyone, raise your spiritual power!”

…Something’s coming?

Of course, I couldn’t see anything.

But the psychics were talking amongst themselves.

“It’s a wraith. A massive number of wraiths. Damn… they’re blocking the entire view. Visibility’s terrible.”

“What’s going on? Did someone break the Jar of Vengeful Spirits or the Solitary Vessel? Why is the cave suddenly filled with ghosts?”

Wraiths, huh.

So that’s what was sealed in that cursed jar—poor trapped souls.

Anyway… visibility is shot, huh?

“They’re low-grade wraiths. They can’t harm us. Move out!”

“Br-Brother, could you repeat that? The shrieking from the spirits makes it hard to hear…”

“Pathetic. What, you can’t hear even this?”

What does a spirit’s shriek even sound like?

I kind of want to hear it for myself.

But more importantly…

“Visual and auditory senses are paralyzed?”

I smiled.

I didn’t even realize it until I felt my lips curl up.

Ufufufufu…

Spirit tools and talismans cost a fortune. Even the cheap ones start in the triple digits.

If you’re trying to level up by killing people—then you should at least suffer a bit for it.

“Henceforth, this Heavenly Demon shall initiate a petty prank.”

With all the dramatic flair of the Tenpai Heavenly Demon, Yoo Hajin descends.

Sure, I came up empty-handed in Seon Ascension Cave.

But since I’m already on my way out, I might as well collect some compensation from these fools.

****

Despite the tidal wave of vengeful spirits crashing toward them, Wolhyang didn’t flinch.

Even as she watched their cracked skulls, severed arms, and dangling intestines, she didn’t waver.

The wraiths screamed in betrayal and hurled ghastly curses at her. But Wolhyang of Ilwol-Oakmoon didn’t take a single step back.

To a traveler of the spirit realm, being scared by lower-class souls was the height of disgrace.

“Huff…”

So when the disciple beside her gasped, she couldn’t help but snap.

“Don’t make pathetic sounds. Are you seriously frightened by such low-grade souls? Can you even call yourself a disciple of Ilwol-Oakmoon?”

“I—I’m sorry, Sister. But…”

“No excuses. Just focus on soul detection. Ignore all ordinary-level spirits—focus only on those that pose a threat. Simple, isn’t it?”

Idiot.

Wolhyang shook her head.

Whether it’s a demon or a murderer—flinching like a commoner was just shameful.

Any being with a soul can’t hide it. So if you just concentrate on spirit detection, there’s no reason to be startled or scared. How could someone not know such a basic principle?

So Wolhyang sharpened her focus.

Good—only minor souls nearby. Just some small fry and our own disciples. Nothing else…

…Then what the hell is this hand touching my hairpin?

“…HIIEEK!”

A squeal burst out of Wolhyang.

– – The End of The Chapter – –

 

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