I Became the Academy’s Genius Shikigami Summoner – Chapter 287

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟖𝟕

“Protecting Taotie, what does that even mean?”

“Taotie is special, you see. . . . . . It seems it wasn’t easy to restrain it with the usual methods. I had originally intended to completely tie its hands in this life.”

That is, in order to effectively restrain it, Seo Cheon-ye had also offered a price, but now that had become an obstacle.

“How can there be no way?”

“It’s impossible. In fact, I’m fairly relaxed now that I know what you’re thinking.”

Furthermore, Seo Cheon-ye’s relaxed expression changed in an instant, and she spoke to us with sharp eyes.

“And although I declined Taotie’s offer, to be honest, I somewhat agree with it.”

“. . . . . . .”

“To me, you people aren’t very trustworthy either.”

Ultimately, it seemed that we had to consider her virtual neutrality as a premise.

As the situation took a strange turn, Cheong Juhwa, who had been listening to the conversation, quietly opened her mouth.

“It’s simple. Then let’s just subdue you right now and then go after Taotie?”

“Ah, I’ll tell you in advance that it’s also watching this side. If that happens, it will definitely try to join forces with me using the restriction. . . . . . .”

“Ugh, why are there so many obstacles?”

As Cheong Juhwa said, it’s a situation where it’s difficult to act either way.

However, we didn’t have time. We had to make a definite decision here and now, no matter what.

I looked away from Seo Cheon-ye for a moment and asked my companions for their opinions.

“What should we do?”

“It’s a difficult situation, but it’s more dangerous to leave Taotie alone.”

“I think so too, Oppa.”

Yoo Ha-on and Han Seo-ah showed their determination and didn’t relax their tension in the slightest.

However, the others were still troubled, and Shin Pyo-eul was particularly confused.

“Master, is there really no other way?”

“Well, even if there is, I want to maintain the current situation. Just as you chose this path of your own volition, I also prioritize the current world.”

Ultimately, that was the logic.

Even though she had grasped most of the circumstances, Seo Cheon-ye had decided to protect the world of sorcery that she had lived in.

Accordingly, she wanted to maintain the status quo for the time being, putting Taotie and us at a standstill.

“Even so, we have to leave this place soon. By then, Seo Cheon-ye will also have to make a decision.”

“I don’t know about that. You’re just going to leave. Do you have any confidence in what form this world will take after that?”

Honestly, I don’t know either.

Sancheon’s sorcery had only observed this past world, and it’s unknown whether it would collapse with all its might or be maintained in a separate dimension.

“If it is maintained, I will be able to suppress one Taotie somehow. So I hope you don’t shake this world any further.”

In the end, it’s parallel lines.

Since it seemed that the conversation wouldn’t progress any further, the rest of the party gradually began to make up their minds.

“I’m sorry, Master. I can’t say which side is right, but. . . . . . I definitely think this place has a cause.”

“. . . If necessary, even two is fine. I’ll follow Junior’s decision.”

Four of them had already shown their fighting spirit, and the others didn’t deny it much.

In that situation, it was an unexpected person who stepped forward.

“I’ve been a little bothered by something since earlier.”

“Guimei?”

“Listening to what you’re saying, Seo Cheon-ye, you seem to think Taotie is a being one step above us?”

That’s definitely true. From the beginning, the fact that she had imposed a special restriction relationship was special treatment compared to the other great yokai.

Accordingly, Seo Cheon-ye nodded as if she had nothing to hide.

“Yes. At least, that’s how I judged it.”

“Hmm, if you say so, then so be it.”

Nodding in agreement, Guimei clapped her hands and turned her gaze to me and the others.

“Then let’s do this, Oppa. Honestly, I’m a little bothered by dealing with both sides?”

“Is there a way?”

“It’s simple. We just have to make it attack us first.”

Certainly, as long as Taotie’s restriction is still in place, if it attacks us first, Seo Cheon-ye will also be able to break free from its influence.

“. . . That’s ridiculous. It knows that too, so it won’t attack us so obediently.”

“We have to make a promise beforehand. If that happens, can you swear not to intervene rashly?”

“What, do that or not.”

As soon as Seo Cheon-ye’s confirmation fell, Guimei smiled and pointed her finger at the other side of the room where the barrier was spread out.

“To call Taotie, we have to use that sister lying over there.”

“That’s. . . . . . .”

“Why, does it seem like it goes against the grain? But if we don’t take care of Taotie, that sister will die soon anyway? It’s something she’ll have to accept herself to some extent.”

It certainly wasn’t wrong. But it was also a little hard to understand. Seo Ji-an pointed that out.

“. . .If the situation has reached this point anyway, should we focus on just one person?”

“Probably. Still, I’ve been watching for a long time, so I know something. Taotie is strangely obsessed with that sister.”

Since it was Guimei’s judgment as a fellow great yokai, it wasn’t something we could simply ignore.

“If it succeeds, isn’t it the best way in the current situation?”

After hearing Guimei’s plan, we soon made up our minds, released the barrier, and met Pyeong-eun-ha on the other side.

“. . . I’ll do it. If I can only escape from this pain. Whatever it takes.”

To be honest, it wasn’t something I really wanted to do, but Pyeong-eun-ha’s own will was so strong that I couldn’t help but accept it.

After devising a more specific plan through cooperation, we headed to the middle of Duam Mountain, where Taotie was staying, with our determination.

Now, it was time to put an end to the long battle.

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

“It seems like it’s here after all.”

Along with Guimei’s dull murmur, a humanoid yokai appeared from between the trees.

A red-haired young man with small horns on both sides of his head, and a slender figure rather than a muscular one.

However, the power contained within it was literally that of a being that could shake the heavens and the earth.

“Guimei. . . . . . What are you doing?”

“Hmm, it’s no fun if you figure it out all at once.”

Guimei responded calmly, but unlike her, Taotie seemed strangely angry.

And from the words that followed, we realized that Guimei’s guess was all true.

“Return it to me right now. It’s the food I’ve claimed.”

Taotie was somewhat impatient.

It seemed to be in a very bad mood, as if it would attack us as soon as we made a single mistake.

Seeing that, Guimei smiled and shook her head.

“Well, what should I do. . . . . . .”

“I won’t fall for your tricks. Hand it over without saying anything.”

To that, Guimei also changed her expression and licked her lips with a wicked demeanor that she had never shown before.

“I guess you put in a lot of effort? I’m getting tempted too.”

“Huh, do you think I don’t know your schemes? No matter how much you threaten me, I won’t make the first move.”

As expected, it came out that way.

As if to prove the evaluation that its wisdom had also reached an extraordinary level, Taotie had already accurately grasped the crux of the situation.

However, Guimei smiled as if she had expected it and continued speaking.

“That’s too bad. Unfortunately, it’s not a bluff.”

And she pulled Pyeong-eun-ha from behind and instantly put her hand to her neck.

“She’s already made up her mind. If you don’t come out, I’ll kill this sister just like this.”

“. . . . . . .”

“I don’t have time to waste, so why don’t we just start?”

With those words, Guimei sharpened her nails, and Pyeong-eun-ha let out a painful moan as her neck was cut.

However, even then, Taotie remained silent, showing no reaction.

Just as I thought it was hopeless, Guimei sighed and raised her hand as it was and cut Pyeong-eun-ha’s neck.

Splat-!

Killing intent so blatant that even I, an ally, could sense it.

Guimei had really tried to kill Pyeong-eun-ha. I clenched my fist and watched Taotie’s movements without showing any sign of it.

And then, something amazing happened.

“You really have crossed the line!”

Kwaaang!

Taotie let out the aura of a fierce demon and charged at us in the form of a giant monster.

In fact, it had been filled with anger since a while ago, but it had just not shown it with its superhuman endurance.

We were nervous at its ominous aura, but we confirmed the success of the plan and deliberately blocked Guimei’s front to block Taotie’s attack.

Thud!

Drrrk-!

“Ack!”

“Ugh!”

Even though we had prepared for it, the force was so overwhelming that it was hard to handle.

We couldn’t help but be shocked that a mere physical assault possessed this much power.

However, with this, the conditions were met.

Taotie had attacked a human first in violation of the restriction, and now it could no longer receive Seo Cheon-ye’s help.

Convinced of that, the party members waited and began to cast spells with the momentum of a raging storm.

“Sacred Arts, Eight Trigrams and Celestial Heavens Art! Seven Trigrams, Supreme Light!”

“Rending Slash!”

“Taesanmun!”

All kinds of attack spells and binding spells were fired at the enraged Taotie, and Taotie let out a ghostly voice and repelled all of them with its materialized demonic energy.

Kaang!

Kaang!

Kaang!

『In that case, I’ll finish it here today!』

Words like the roar of a beast.

Even with quite powerful spells, it didn’t even budge.

“It really is a monster. . . . . . .”

However, unlike last time, this time there was a monster on this side too.

“Donors, don’t worry. Heup!”

Kuung!

Ho-chung, who slammed the strangely shaped wooden pole into the ground, recited an incantation as it was and drew out the spiritual power latent in his body.

“When the principles of heaven, earth, and man are combined into one, there is no one who can’t be defeated.”

Jumaseongcheon.

Whoooosh!

As Ho-chung’s spell unfolded, streams of light flowed along the ground in a strange shape and tied up Taotie’s body.

『Wh. . . . . . !』

For some reason, unlike before, Taotie couldn’t shake it off in one breath, and in the meantime, my Cleansing Death Fragrance and Yoo Ha-on’s Faithful Broken Shadow hit Taotie directly.

Thud!

Sizzle, sizzle!

『Kuaaaak!』

“Donors, I will continue without stopping. Divine Spirit Suppression!”

Whoooosh!

This time, streams of light penetrated Taotie’s body and slowed down its movements, and the other party members’ spells each hit it.

As the dust from the successive attacks settled, Taotie, which had taken some damage, took a defensive posture and silently looked at us.

『Indeed, these guys are worth fighting. . . . . . .』

Soon, a dazzling red light exploded from Taotie, which had curled up its body.

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