NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10
“Clink, one won.”
Currently, I have 270 coins in my pocket.
After capturing the Great Monster earlier, my balance swelled. Looking at this, I can’t help but think I’ve been rather diligent in saving money.
If I had just been grinding, I would have needed to work non-stop for 27 days at 10 won a day to make this much. Thanks to hunting demons on the side, I’ve managed to amass this fortune relatively quickly.
Let’s see.
It’s not even been a month since I arrived in the Martial Arts World. But with this amount, it seems I’ve grasped some survival rules quite well.
I’m really proud of you, Kim Geunhyeop.
You are the GOAT.
“Art of Orphans.”
So, how should I spend the money I have? If I leveled up from manual labor to demon hunting, I obviously need to invest accordingly. This is something I need to think about seriously.
While pondering this, I tried to fall asleep at the inn.
* * *
[Mass occurrence of Soseongui at Mijang Loading Dock]
In the morning, I checked the Dahoebang bulletin board, and there was something that instantly caught my eye.
“Oh!”
It looks like a mass of Soseongui has appeared.
[Number of recruits: 2]
How many are there that they need two people?
Besides, the pay is 200 won per person. Last time, when I took down a group of Soseongui, it was also 200 won.
Now it seems like it’s a 400-won job for two people.
I instinctively sensed it.
This is going to be tough.
But that’s not a reason to back down.
Who am I? Demon Slayer Kim Geunhyeop. A man with the power of Inuyasha minus his iron chain. Plus, having already defeated Soseongui before, I can’t back down now, or I’ll lose all my swagger and become a fool!
“I can’t become a fool.”
Alright.
Since it’s a job for two people, it shouldn’t be overly dangerous. If we fight back to back, what can those little Soseongui do? I smashed through their encirclement alone like the hero of the Smashing War, General Radan.
With me and another partner, clearing it should be a piece of cake.
No.
Not just clearing it, but we’ll wipe out those Soseongui today.
Is it really okay?
If the Soseongui become extinct, what will happen to the ecosystem?
I’m quite interested in the demon ecosystem, so I immediately went to offer my assistance.
“I saw the poster about the Soseongui appearing at the loading dock.”
“Oh, you’ve been slaying the pesky ones lately, huh?”
“Hehe, how did you know?”
“You’ve done it several times recently.”
The staff recognized me.
“If it’s you, there shouldn’t be a problem. But this job requires two people. Since we haven’t found anyone else yet, you’ll have to wait.”
“Well, it can’t take long to fill that position, right?”
“Soseongui are really annoying. If you’re unlucky, you might not get anyone today.”
“Hmm… In that case, I’ll wait here. I want to take those Soseongui down as soon as possible.”
“You’re very eager! Then just wait over there! I’ll pair you up as soon as someone arrives!”
“Thank you.”
Did they recognize me and offer me a chance? I’m grateful for the heads-up.
While awkwardly standing there for a while, someone approached.
“Are you here for the Soseongui job?”
He was smaller than me and skinny.
He looked somewhat slow-witted.
Obviously not a martial artist.
His combat power seemed lower than mine, but hey, numbers matter, right? Personal combat strength isn’t that critical.
“Yeah, I’m Kim Geunhyeop. You?”
“I’m Go Seoksam.”
“Do you have experience with Soseongui?”
“Just once…”
But this guy’s answers are too short.
“Well, that should be fine. I’ve taken down over ten of them.”
He arrived in the morning, and since we had to fight together today, I figured I should ease things over with some smooth talk.
I went straight to the staff to get some explanations.
“There’s a mass of Soseongui at the Mijang Loading Dock causing issues with the cargo. They show up every night, making it quite bothersome, so you need to handle this properly.”
“Got it.”
After memorizing the way to the loading dock, I moved with Go Seoksam.
“…”
But this dude is way too quiet.
Should I break the ice first?
“My first demon-slaying job was wiping out Soseongui that appeared on a farm.”
I tried starting a conversation while we walked.
“There were over ten rushing at me, and I just crushed them all. What about you, Go Seoksam?”
“I just… caught a few.”
“Just a few? How many were there?”
“…”
Why is he so silent?
“Hmm.”
I kept trying to make small talk, but he was really low on the social scale.
Normally, I wouldn’t bother, but… we’re about to hit real combat soon; we’re supposed to be comrades.
Thinking like that, a sense of camaraderie flared up, and I felt an urgent need to keep the conversation going.
“Well, it might not be bad to talk to a comrade before the real deal. After all, there’s a decent distance to the loading dock. Go Seoksam, where are you from?”
I became a bit more proactive in my approach.
The topic was simple chit-chat. This guy seems to be introverted, so people like that, when they struggle to talk, also struggle to refuse.
If I keep talking, he’ll eventually respond.
“I’m from Anhui City… this place.”
“I see. If you’re from here, you probably have some roots. What made you do demon-slaying?”
“Because… I have to live.”
“Hmm? Live? If you’re from here, you could do other jobs. Don’t you have some sort of backing?”
This is a kind of conversational strategy.
Even if you’re from here, it’s possible to work in demon-slaying. However, if you imply that it’s not possible, he’s more likely to answer.
“I don’t really have any backing.”
“None? What’s that about?”
As I persistently asked, Go Seoksam eventually began to respond to my questions.
Nothing too important, though. He’s in a similar bottom-tier life as me, just another drifter with nowhere to turn.
He hasn’t trained in martial arts and is just trying to get by.
I can relate.
Good. Today, we are comrades.
“I see.”
Knowing this much about my comrade is more than enough. Maybe I can fight alongside this guy.
As I wrapped up our little talk, we unexpectedly arrived at the loading dock. As soon as I got there, I stepped forward in front of Go Seoksam and spoke to the official.
“Did you come from Dahoebang?”
“Indeed. I’m here to handle the Soseongui.”
“Are you a martial artist? Your physique looks good.”
“Hehe, I’ve learned some self-defense techniques but I’m no martial artist.”
“I see. Anyway, this is where the Soseongui are showing up. They’re causing real problems, so I hope you can handle it quickly.”
This is all familiar territory.
“What times do they usually appear?”
“Once the sun sets, that’s when they start coming out. You can come back at that time.”
“Understood. By dawn, I’ll show you the Soseongui corpses.”
The official nodded in response to that.
Now it was official business.
“Go Seoksam. We have some time until night; let’s meet back here before sunset, shall we?”
“…Sure.”
We had about half a day left before the shift.
We could familiarize ourselves with the area and rest before coming back.
* * *
Time flew by.
I stood side by side with Go Seoksam, gazing up at the night sky.
“The sun has set. The Soseongui will soon appear. When they do, let’s fight back to back. As long as we don’t get flanked, they aren’t tough foes.”
“…”
I tried to break the ice, but Go Seoksam was silent, clearly tense.
“Uh, um…”
Is he scared?
His breath is shaky.
“Are you nervous? I thought you had some experience. They aren’t that scary.”
“Ah, hey!”
Right then, Go Seoksam pointed into the darkness and yelled.
—Goooh.
The glowing eyes of Soseongui began to emerge.
They were slowly approaching from all directions.
My blood began to boil.
“They’re here… wait.”
But there are really a lot of them!
“Shit!”
Seems like there are twice as many as before!
How many are there?
It feels like they gathered a whole battalion.
But there’s no need to panic.
We have twice as many on our side too.
Now that they’ve met me, today is their funeral day. Whether one comes or several dozen, that fact remains unchanged.
“Woooshiiiiik!”
“Siiiiiyik!”
Fueled by numbers, the Soseongui advanced, snarling viciously. I grabbed the Strike Staff and steeled my resolve.
“Hah, haah…!”
But Go Seoksam really doesn’t look good.
“Y-you better not be joking!”
Did he bite off more than he could chew? He really seems like a weakling. But he is my comrade tonight. I need to rally him somehow.
“There’s no need to panic! They may be numerous, but if we fight back to back, that’s more than enough! As long as we stay courageous, we can win! I took on ten by myself before!”
“What do you mean…!”
Just as I was about to boost his courage.
“Wuushiiiiik!”
“Shiiiiik!”
“Woooshit!”
The Soseongui charged at us.
Sure, I knew their movements well.
I’ve dispatched a few already; am I supposed to not read that?
“Wuushiiiiik!”
I locked onto the closest one.
“Shut up!”
—Smashed!
With that, I shattered its head.
The sound of its skull popping echoed through the air.
“Hahaha! You pitiful little things!”
Though they’re many, I feel secure.
Even if they look weak, with my comrade behind me, I’m not fighting alone. This is exactly what a battlefield is!
“Die already!”
—Splat!
—Smashed!
I swung my staff and delivered punches and kicks, beating the Soseongui back to pieces. I’ve done this many times; it’s routine now. Maintaining my composure, I could win without a doubt.
“Uwaaaah!”
“Go Seoksam! Pull yourself together!”
But Go Seoksam is really not doing well.
He’s letting the Soseongui attack him! They seem to recognize him as the weaker target compared to me!
—Wham!
Ultimately, the Soseongui latched onto Go Seoksam!
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
Why is he just screaming instead of shaking them off?! This dude is so goddamn frustrating!
First things first, I gotta help!
“Go Seoksam! Grab them and shake them off!”
I swiftly turned and struck the head of a Soseongui that clung to him with my strike staff.
“Keek!”
“Get off, you bastard!”
After shaking off another one with my hand and tossing it hard, I noticed Go Seoksam collapsed as if his legs gave out.
I really have so much to say, but I’ll save it for later. Right now, the important thing is to fight, not to lecture this guy!
“Get up! Go Seoksam! This is no joke, we’re in a real situation! You need to fight with the will to kill them!”
—Pulling!
I yanked on his collar, forcing him to his feet.
“Ugh…! Hah! Hah!”
“Get your stance ready! We’re fighting from behind me! Got it?”
“Y-yeah…!”
This dude looks like his mind is shattered.
Is he truly in a state of panic?
His mental breakdown happened way too fast! I’ve never seen such a weakling before!
Just a little while ago, I thought we could work well together, but starting to feel it’s a lost cause!
“Wuushiiiiik!”
Regardless, these little demons want to kill us. To survive and collect our pay, we need to wipe out these insufferable Soseongui. With the money on the line, I need Go Seoksam’s help, no matter what!
“Hah!”
I have to put on a brave face and lift our spirits!
“Go Seoksam! Just shout and fight!”
“Ah, uh…!”
“Make some noise, you bastard!”
“Ahhh…!”
Yelling, I swung my staff against an incoming creature.
It was right at that moment.
—Whoosh!
“Eh?!”
Something just latched onto my back…!
“Soseongui! This little bastard!”
“Wuushiiiiik!”
How did it get on my back?!
In that instant, fear pierced my heart, and when I reflexively turned around, I couldn’t help but gasp.
—Tap tap tap!
There was Go Seoksam’s back.
“Ugh!”
That bastard was running away!
“You’re… fleeing?!”
This crazy bastard is running away?!
“What the hell?!”