It is humid underground in the cave-like terrain, and it only gets hotter as the environment changes midway. It should just be another combat training, something within easily his capabilities, but this crisis just has to happen under his watch.
Of course, Shin Jonghak is not complaining. He is simply doing what is expected from him. More than that, he is just doing what he believes is right.
The flames of desperation burn in his eyes. He must gather everyone, under his banner so that they can stand strong against the dissenters. Initially, he is just planning to fight to the death and repel whatever Djinn hinders his path, but that is too inefficient and hardly effective.
“Gather on me!” He shouts at the few cadets he manages to find from his aimless wandering.
Cadets of various roles from warriors, supporters, and sharpshooters gather on him as he commands. They march around the Dungeon tunnels, gathering every cadet they find on their way, and fighting every Djinn they stumble upon.
Jonghak’s heroic figure while carrying his spear rushes to the enemy headfirst, instilling a passionate burst in everyone’s heart who is watching and following him.
“I must find that bastard before the casualty balloons up…” He admonishes himself for not defeating Hyon Hyung there and then. In his assessment, he deems Hyon Hyung as a dangerous assassin who can easily kill anyone not on his level.
His spear glows an iridescent blue, orange, and red as he unleashes one big move. His magic power recovery is hardly catching up as he pushes himself to move forward.
Jonghak has seen enough blood, and he must end this. In front of him is a Djinn with a rather hideous demonic form. “You shall fall!” He flexes his spear to his foe.
***
The buildings around Cube resemble so much of the skyscrapers in a regular city. In a sense, Cube is a city of its own with its facilities set up in different sections from building to building.
On the Year 1 Building’s rooftop, Yun Hyuk watches the pathetic insect in front of him squirm and demand to do his bidding.
“Do you see this!? I really am going to send it!” Jin Sechan threatens Yun Hyuk.
After becoming a Djinn, a human will then receive various demonic features in correspondence to the power they wield. Yun Hyuk receives a pair of horns after his transformation. Through training himself again and again, he is now able to hide his demonic features.
When in battle, Djinns who have achieved great strength by being loved by their Devil patrons will then acquire the blessings of Devilization or Demonization as others like to call it. The video that Jin Sechan has is Yun Hyuk transforming through Devilization.
“It is pathetic isn’t it?” Yun Hyuk glances at Yoenha, showing his honest pity for her situation. “He is already a Djinn and he doesn’t even know it yet.” Yun Hyuk snaps his fingers, and the next second, Jin Sechan who is proudly standing like an idiot starts convulsing right there and then.
“Do you know? Djinn's Contracts are flawed. Despite being contracted to a superior, an inferior can still choose to betray. But it’s different for me. Let me introduce myself.” Yun Hyuk flamboyantly bows to Yoenha. “I am the Devil Lilith’s Apostle, Yun Hyuk.”
Jin Sechan then bursts into ash the same way that every Djinn does when they die.
Yoenha feels weak on her knees, but she endures. She cannot look weak in front of her enemy. “You are arrogant. What makes you think that you have the upper ground?” In her entire life, this is the first time she is resorting to a bluff.
And.
She miserably fails at it.
Yun Hyuk simply shakes his head in disappointment. “Your personal Doctor is it? As a loyal follower of Essence of the Strait, then he must have informed your father then. But no, that cannot be… Because he is already dead! Oh, perhaps, you have communicated to your father what is happening, and is on his way here… But oh no, that cannot be… It seems that the signal is a bit low… Sheesh, how can you contact Daddy now?”
“What do you want?” Yoenha gazes hardly at Yun Hyuk who seems to be enjoying too much all of this. But then, Yoenha starts vomiting black blood, making her weaker and weaker. “What… did you do to me?”
“I really wanted you so badly, Yoo Yoenha… Ahh~ But I cannot… My goddess after all wants you more than I will ever be… Say, do you know what is a Devil? I will let you on a little secret as to where Djinns come from…”
Yoenha shudders at the mention of the origins of Djinns which have been a long-held secret. But here, Yun Hyuk is easily revealing them.
“The lower rungs of the Djinn Society know of Devils as simply a source of power where they can establish a contract so that they may become stronger. In ancient times, Devils already long existed dealing with mortals in various interesting ways. That is how it is publicly acknowledged, but there is more than that.”
Yoenha interrupts Yun Hyuk in his speech, fearing the schemes behind his words. “And why… are you telling me that?”
“I am just getting on the good part. The reason why Devils are so painstakingly making contracts with the creatures of this world is so that they can create minions who will help them descend into this world. You see, Devils are essentially invaders. They want to be on this planet so badly... Now, here comes a question. How do they do that? It won’t be enough to just create Djinns one after another for them! Of course, they will need a medium. Someone compatible, and will perfectly house a Devil’s descent! Guess who is it?”
Yoenha’s features scrunch in incredulity. “That cannot be! No!”
“Yes!” Yun Hyuk cries in joy. “You are it.”
Yoenha backs off in fear only to bump into someone. It is a Djinn fully transformed in its hideous form. “You are not going anywhere.” The Djinn with a cracked face and a fiendish smile grabs her shoulder.
“Okay, another question… Your question… You asked why I am telling you all this?” Yun Hyuk is enjoying too much of it to the point that he just wants to keep going on and on, but he has a purpose for doing this theatrics. “I have committed a lot of sacrifices to advance the Devil’s Seed’s incubation… The last touch to further speed up the process is by breaking your mind, Yoo Yoenha… And I believe we are not so far from it until the Devil Lilith descends on this world.”
Yoenha is deathly pale, and her thoughts are in complete chaos.
Suddenly, ash rains on her shoulder. The Djinn holding her is no longer there. When she turns around, she sees Rachel wielding her trusty sword. “Sorry, I am late…” Rachel takes a step forward, covering for Yoenha. “I will protect you!” She plainly declares, but her intentions have never been so well-expressed.
***
I am running for my life with all I have. I cannot tussle with any Djinns for long as I am fatigued and running on fumes. Dueling Jonghak is not really an easy thing to do. I am no longer in the artificial Dungeon as I can leave that place to Shin Jonghak. That guy should be able to clean up the place. I believe in him! Not 100% cuz he tends to go crazy, but he should be able to protect the other kids.
I come to the clubroom where I see everything is in a mess. I reckon there must have been a fight. I grab the crowbar from the corner and pry open the steel compartment on the ground. There is a bunch of potions there and also my pair of daggers. If I left these things in my dormitory, then I will be wasting so much time.
“Hajin, are you there?” I press on my earpiece to check on Hajin.
“Currently occupied on the moment, I am surrounded…” I hear the crisp bangs that can only come from Hajin’s gun. He must be really busy.
I feel the weight of the dual daggers in my hand. They don’t really come from the same set, but their shapes are asymmetrical enough to each other that I should be able to wield them comfortably.
[Wolf Fang— This dagger is made of the fang of a Haunted Black Wolf. It increases accuracy and creates a horrifying wail when swung. The wail inflicts psychic damage and depending on chance, it can inflict a Nightmare on the recipient.]
The black dagger with little white on its blade feels icky to the touch, but I must get comfortable with it sooner. This is the same dagger I receive from the Wolf of Valhalla. It is considered a magic weapon, and its effects are nothing but terrifying.
[Jambiya— This dagger is made by unknown methods. It is a relic with weak history to it. It increases the level of dagger mastery by one level. It also increases critical damage.]
It is not as good as Wolf Fang, but the ancient-looking dagger I buy at a discount from the museum will be as deadly especially with combining its effects on top of the increased accuracy from Wolf Fang. I imagine the critical damage raining on my enemies in succession.
It is all fun, but this is not a game. I fix my mindset that lives can be lost, and people will die. I must not treat this as a game. I must abandon my foolish antics in this short while.
I grab the one healing potion from my hidden stash and take a quick gulp of it until it is empty. I grab another potion that replenishes stamina, and down it in one go.
I feel something vibrating from my right pocket. I grab the smartphone I set up to receive the SOS signal from the button I give Rachel. “Just hang in there…” I silently pray for both of them.
It is humid underground in the cave-like terrain, and it only gets hotter as the environment changes midway. It should just be another combat training, something within easily his capabilities, but this crisis just has to happen under his watch.
Of course, Shin Jonghak is not complaining. He is simply doing what is expected from him. More than that, he is just doing what he believes is right.
The flames of desperation burn in his eyes. He must gather everyone, under his banner so that they can stand strong against the dissenters. Initially, he is just planning to fight to the death and repel whatever Djinn hinders his path, but that is too inefficient and hardly effective.
“Gather on me!” He shouts at the few cadets he manages to find from his aimless wandering.
Cadets of various roles from warriors, supporters, and sharpshooters gather on him as he commands. They march around the Dungeon tunnels, gathering every cadet they find on their way, and fighting every Djinn they stumble upon.
Jonghak’s heroic figure while carrying his spear rushes to the enemy headfirst, instilling a passionate burst in everyone’s heart who is watching and following him.
“I must find that bastard before the casualty balloons up…” He admonishes himself for not defeating Hyon Hyung there and then. In his assessment, he deems Hyon Hyung as a dangerous assassin who can easily kill anyone not on his level.
His spear glows an iridescent blue, orange, and red as he unleashes one big move. His magic power recovery is hardly catching up as he pushes himself to move forward.
Jonghak has seen enough blood, and he must end this. In front of him is a Djinn with a rather hideous demonic form. “You shall fall!” He flexes his spear to his foe.
***
The buildings around Cube resemble so much of the skyscrapers in a regular city. In a sense, Cube is a city of its own with its facilities set up in different sections from building to building.
On the Year 1 Building’s rooftop, Yun Hyuk watches the pathetic insect in front of him squirm and demand to do his bidding.
“Do you see this!? I really am going to send it!” Jin Sechan threatens Yun Hyuk.
After becoming a Djinn, a human will then receive various demonic features in correspondence to the power they wield. Yun Hyuk receives a pair of horns after his transformation. Through training himself again and again, he is now able to hide his demonic features.
When in battle, Djinns who have achieved great strength by being loved by their Devil patrons will then acquire the blessings of Devilization or Demonization as others like to call it. The video that Jin Sechan has is Yun Hyuk transforming through Devilization.
“It is pathetic isn’t it?” Yun Hyuk glances at Yoenha, showing his honest pity for her situation. “He is already a Djinn and he doesn’t even know it yet.” Yun Hyuk snaps his fingers, and the next second, Jin Sechan who is proudly standing like an idiot starts convulsing right there and then.
“Do you know? Djinn's Contracts are flawed. Despite being contracted to a superior, an inferior can still choose to betray. But it’s different for me. Let me introduce myself.” Yun Hyuk flamboyantly bows to Yoenha. “I am the Devil Lilith’s Apostle, Yun Hyuk.”
Jin Sechan then bursts into ash the same way that every Djinn does when they die.
Yoenha feels weak on her knees, but she endures. She cannot look weak in front of her enemy. “You are arrogant. What makes you think that you have the upper ground?” In her entire life, this is the first time she is resorting to a bluff.
And.
She miserably fails at it.
Yun Hyuk simply shakes his head in disappointment. “Your personal Doctor is it? As a loyal follower of Essence of the Strait, then he must have informed your father then. But no, that cannot be… Because he is already dead! Oh, perhaps, you have communicated to your father what is happening, and is on his way here… But oh no, that cannot be… It seems that the signal is a bit low… Sheesh, how can you contact Daddy now?”
“What do you want?” Yoenha gazes hardly at Yun Hyuk who seems to be enjoying too much all of this. But then, Yoenha starts vomiting black blood, making her weaker and weaker. “What… did you do to me?”
“I really wanted you so badly, Yoo Yoenha… Ahh~ But I cannot… My goddess after all wants you more than I will ever be… Say, do you know what is a Devil? I will let you on a little secret as to where Djinns come from…”
Yoenha shudders at the mention of the origins of Djinns which have been a long-held secret. But here, Yun Hyuk is easily revealing them.
“The lower rungs of the Djinn Society know of Devils as simply a source of power where they can establish a contract so that they may become stronger. In ancient times, Devils already long existed dealing with mortals in various interesting ways. That is how it is publicly acknowledged, but there is more than that.”
Yoenha interrupts Yun Hyuk in his speech, fearing the schemes behind his words. “And why… are you telling me that?”
“I am just getting on the good part. The reason why Devils are so painstakingly making contracts with the creatures of this world is so that they can create minions who will help them descend into this world. You see, Devils are essentially invaders. They want to be on this planet so badly... Now, here comes a question. How do they do that? It won’t be enough to just create Djinns one after another for them! Of course, they will need a medium. Someone compatible, and will perfectly house a Devil’s descent! Guess who is it?”
Yoenha’s features scrunch in incredulity. “That cannot be! No!”
“Yes!” Yun Hyuk cries in joy. “You are it.”
Yoenha backs off in fear only to bump into someone. It is a Djinn fully transformed in its hideous form. “You are not going anywhere.” The Djinn with a cracked face and a fiendish smile grabs her shoulder.
“Okay, another question… Your question… You asked why I am telling you all this?” Yun Hyuk is enjoying too much of it to the point that he just wants to keep going on and on, but he has a purpose for doing this theatrics. “I have committed a lot of sacrifices to advance the Devil’s Seed’s incubation… The last touch to further speed up the process is by breaking your mind, Yoo Yoenha… And I believe we are not so far from it until the Devil Lilith descends on this world.”
Yoenha is deathly pale, and her thoughts are in complete chaos.
Suddenly, ash rains on her shoulder. The Djinn holding her is no longer there. When she turns around, she sees Rachel wielding her trusty sword. “Sorry, I am late…” Rachel takes a step forward, covering for Yoenha. “I will protect you!” She plainly declares, but her intentions have never been so well-expressed.
***
I am running for my life with all I have. I cannot tussle with any Djinns for long as I am fatigued and running on fumes. Dueling Jonghak is not really an easy thing to do. I am no longer in the artificial Dungeon as I can leave that place to Shin Jonghak. That guy should be able to clean up the place. I believe in him! Not 100% cuz he tends to go crazy, but he should be able to protect the other kids.
I come to the clubroom where I see everything is in a mess. I reckon there must have been a fight. I grab the crowbar from the corner and pry open the steel compartment on the ground. There is a bunch of potions there and also my pair of daggers. If I left these things in my dormitory, then I will be wasting so much time.
“Hajin, are you there?” I press on my earpiece to check on Hajin.
“Currently occupied on the moment, I am surrounded…” I hear the crisp bangs that can only come from Hajin’s gun. He must be really busy.
I feel the weight of the dual daggers in my hand. They don’t really come from the same set, but their shapes are asymmetrical enough to each other that I should be able to wield them comfortably.
[Wolf Fang— This dagger is made of the fang of a Haunted Black Wolf. It increases accuracy and creates a horrifying wail when swung. The wail inflicts psychic damage and depending on chance, it can inflict a Nightmare on the recipient.]
The black dagger with little white on its blade feels icky to the touch, but I must get comfortable with it sooner. This is the same dagger I receive from the Wolf of Valhalla. It is considered a magic weapon, and its effects are nothing but terrifying.
[Jambiya— This dagger is made by unknown methods. It is a relic with weak history to it. It increases the level of dagger mastery by one level. It also increases critical damage.]
It is not as good as Wolf Fang, but the ancient-looking dagger I buy at a discount from the museum will be as deadly especially with combining its effects on top of the increased accuracy from Wolf Fang. I imagine the critical damage raining on my enemies in succession.
It is all fun, but this is not a game. I fix my mindset that lives can be lost, and people will die. I must not treat this as a game. I must abandon my foolish antics in this short while.
I grab the one healing potion from my hidden stash and take a quick gulp of it until it is empty. I grab another potion that replenishes stamina, and down it in one go.
I feel something vibrating from my right pocket. I grab the smartphone I set up to receive the SOS signal from the button I give Rachel. “Just hang in there…” I silently pray for both of them.
