The Returnee Wants to Live Comfortably

Chapter 149 : Dogs Are Great.

Dogs Are Great.I quickly soared through the air and charged headlong into the crack.

On the way, phantom spirit flying creatures attacked, but just by flapping my wings, they were torn to shreds.

Forcing my way through the obstacles, I finally entered the fissure.

Inside, it was a space teeming with countless phantom spirits trying to come out through the crack.

"It's still the same here, huh?"

To explain, this space was the passage connecting the Underworld and the present world.

The reason this passage was opened was because of the Underworld Formation, so it was only natural that all phantom spirits exposed to this place were influenced by that formation.

Besides, the Underworld Formation was activated by borrowing the strength of phantom spirits.

Not just any average phantom spirit either— but by a master-class phantom spirit.

It's fair to say the entire space was forged from its strength.

"If I just smash that phantom spirit..."

This space would vanish, and the crack would close on its own.

It wasn't much different from a gate crisis— if you took down the one boss, things would quickly calm down.

The only problem was, there was no one but me who could take down this boss.

― Grrrrrrng.

As I went deeper into the crack's space, I heard a beast's growl.

As befitting a beast that lived in the Underworld, just hearing it exerted tremendous pressure.

But since I had already experienced more than enough of this in Mewzealand, it had no effect on me.

After going a bit further, the silhouette of a giant wolf came into view.

― Grrrrrrrk!

At that moment, the wolf's eyes gleamed.

It had no less than six pupils.

With a howl, the wolf unleashed its magic power, finally revealing its true form— Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound, and a master-class phantom spirit of the Underworld.

Its specialty was incinerating mountains with a breath of flame or engulfing enemies in terror with its crimson glare.

"Hm?"

I noticed something odd about the guy.

Among its six red pupils, one was blue.

If its eyes changed like that, it meant it had shared its own strength with someone.

That's how this one expanded its pack.

Of course, most creatures who received such strength couldn't withstand it and ended up as monsters, but that didn't matter.

― KRAAAAA!!!

The guy roared and charged at me.

As it lunged at me with jaws wide open, I released a tremendous burst of energy infused with magic power.

〈Soul of Spirit〉

It could put mental pressure on the opponent just by locking gazes.

It usually hunted by throwing its prey into terror and then devouring them whole.

That changed when a foe stronger than itself appeared.

― Sque... yelp!

Sensing the energy I released, the guy recoiled in fear, backing away.

The predatory glint in its eyes, like a wild beast after prey, vanished without a trace.

That's when it happened.

──────────────────

[A unique mission has been issued.]

― A master-class phantom spirit residing in the Underworld has appeared through a crack. Become the spirit's master and tame it.

Reward: Great Karma Increase (Physical body recovery 4%), desired stat +8

──────────────────

'At this timing?'

I had planned to catch it quickly and head back, but the reward was too tempting to refuse.

Since it was something I could finish right away anyway, I accepted the mission in my heart. Clapping my hands, I coaxed the guy.

"Come here, puppy. If you come over, hyung will buy you a treat."

― Kr, grrr...

"What do you want to eat? Rawhide? Dog food?"

― Kr... grr!

"If you want some, come over here. Pork cutlet... no, maybe we could go for a walk to get some rawhide?"

I tried to approach it as kindly as possible, but for some reason, it didn't take a single step.

It just kept backing away warily.

Did I really look that scary?

I thought I was talking as gently as if I were coaxing a kid.

"There's nothing to be afraid of, really."

― Whine...!

"If you come now, I'll give you something tasty and even do the surgery comfortably. Okay? So...."

― Yelp!!

As I reached out my hand, it suddenly turned tail and bolted away.

"Hey! Where are you going!"

― Yiieeeng!

When I hurried after it, the guy only got more frightened and ran even faster.

When I tried smiling, it abruptly picked up the pace.

I felt unfairly angry at its sudden reaction.

"Hey, you damn mutt! What's so suspicious about me!"

― Eiiiing!

"If you come now, I'll make it easy for you!"

Yunhee always pestered father, saying she wanted to keep a dog.

Honestly, I understood—dogs are cute.

But seeing the current situation, I just couldn't understand Yunhee anymore.

How did she expect to raise something that never listened?

"Hey!! Do you want to end up as boshintang!!?"

― Eek!

I simply couldn't understand dogs.

That famous trainer who always said "dogs are great" seemed all the more amazing now.

"Boshintaaanngggg!!!"

― Eiieeeng!

Just what was wrong with my method?

If only that trainer were here right now.

****

BOOOOM—!

The usual concert hall packed with people had now become a battlefield due to the appearance of phantom spirits.

In the center, Ah-rin summoned her sword and swung it. The drawn blade cut down the advancing hunters.

"Huff...! Huff...!"

More than forty hunters lay at Ah-rin's feet.

Exhausted after facing those guys, Ah-rin was out of breath.

Unfortunately, the enemy looked to number over a hundred.

"Give up already. That's a number you can't handle alone."

"Grr!"

"But that's odd. Why haven't you revealed those nine tails?"

At Lu Huikang's remark, Ah-rin clamped her mouth shut.

Sura Mode was the state when she revealed nine tails and unleashed her true strength.

It was power to be used in dire situations— and now was exactly that. But she couldn't use it now.

"Too bad, but even if I wanted to show it right now, I can't."

Sura Mode meant forsaking other abilities and amplifying her strength to the maximum.

But now, she had already activated another ability and couldn't use it. In short, she was unable to fight at full power.

"Whatever the reason, if you surrender now, I'll send you off painlessly. I don't like seeing kids like you suffer."

"Then you shouldn't have messed with me in the first place!"

Ah-rin couldn't believe what Lu Huikang was saying.

Whoever he was, he'd introduced himself as part of the Heaven and Earth Society.

The scent was the same, so she knew what kind of people they were.

"This is an inevitable sacrifice."

"What?"

"Heaven and Earth Society is an organization boasting a long history in China. It's been a pillar supporting China all this time. But now, that great name is overshadowed by some Sura or whatever!"

It was true that the Heaven and Earth Society had a long history.

If not for the unfortunate gate crisis, they probably would have kept their reputation going.

"We'll return to our former glory. That's why we've gathered here today. For that reason, we'll willingly give our lives!"

Indeed, Lu Huikang's appearance was no longer quite human.

Whether he'd made some strange contract or not, his body was covered in fur like a wolf.

One of his eyes was even red. T

hat mysterious strength seemed to have helped him find Sura's identity.

"Then, can I ask you one thing?"

"What is it."

Ah-rin had listened well— it was all talk about regaining the organization's glory.

As she stabbed her sword through the neck of a phantom spirit sneaking up from behind, she asked:

"This Heaven and Earth Society... is it really worth reclaiming, if you have to stoop to things like this?"

She jabbed the skewered phantom spirit in Lu Huikang's direction for emphasis.

After all, it was the Sura guild that summoned this phantom spirit.

And those calling themselves Heaven and Earth Society had also cooperated for their own goals.

Whether it was the Sura guild or Heaven and Earth Society, they were all the same breed.

What sort of mighty mission could justify endangering innocent people like this?

"Worth? Did you just say worth?"

Lu Huikang's eyes widened as he raised his voice.

"The history of Heaven and Earth Society is the history of the continent! Reviving the achievements we built in the shadows is something even those sacrificed would understand!"

"Sacrifice? Understand?"

"That's right! It's not just me— everyone longs for those days! That's what our prestige is!"

Ah-rin was only 15, but she knew what he meant.

For the sake of their own culture, they were willing to trample others'.

In truth, the Heaven and Earth Society was nothing but a criminal organization, not a national body.

Claiming that as their nation's achievement was laughable.

Were decades of drug trafficking, violence, and evil supposed to be an "honorable history"?

Enslaving people, feeding and housing them, and calling it grace?

"Now I understand why Grandpa infiltrated your organization."

Ah-rin had only learned this recently.

Her grandfather, a former public security officer, had gone undercover in Heaven and Earth Society.

He'd built enough trust to meet face-to-face with their boss at the very top.

What must he have felt, seeing these people calmly commit atrocities and call it pride?

"I don't know who that grandpa is, but shall we end this now?"

As soon as he finished, Heaven and Earth Society members rushed at Ah-rin as one.

― KIEEEE!

The flying phantom spirits, too, darted at Ah-rin like predators spotting prey.

Heaven and Earth Society members had doused themselves in some kind of formation-specific perfume.

The phantom spirits ignored them and targeted only Ah-rin.

Only they were free from being interrupted by monsters.

FWOOOSH—!

Suddenly, something started sparkling in the sky.

Like a shooting star, it rushed down leaving a white trail.

Approaching at supersonic speed, a sonic boom erupted.

With white wings beating, it stretched out its legs and shouted:

"Jet Kick!"

Those caught by that kick, faster than anyone could imagine, were knocked right out.

The air pressure stirred up by the wings made it look as if a bomb had dropped.

The kick mowed through the hunters like bowling pins, landing directly on Lu Huikang's face.

THUD—!

Struck squarely, Lu Huikang's face contorted as he was slammed into the side of a building.

Seeing who had delivered the kick, Ah-rin grinned and cracked a joke.

"What's with 'Jet Kick'? That's so lame."

At Ah-rin's remark, Eunseol, who had flown in like a bolt of light, beamed confidently.

"Got a problem with it?"

"Doesn't it make you cringe? You really shouldn't shout out move names."

"It was supposed to be a secret, actually. I practiced that move just for you."

"...."

While the two were bantering, the knocked-down hunters began to recover. Lu Huikang, flung to the wall, got to his feet and approached again.

"Who the hell are you!"

"Me? I'm a classmate of hers."

Eunseol answered Lu Huikang's furious question nonchalantly.

"You're in Class 4. We don't have you in our Class 6."

"Oh, right? Huh."

Ah-rin pointed out her error, and Eunseol looked thoughtful.

"Should I just call myself a clubmate?"

"I'm not even in a club."

"Then how should I introduce myself?"

While they joked for a moment, Heaven and Earth Society members recovered.

Lu Huikang started breathing fire from his mouth.

"If you don't want to die, stay out of the way!"

"Says the old man who should just get lost!"

Eunseol fired a beam from her hand to match it.

The two powers collided, but the flames were overwhelming.

Outmatched, Eunseol had to dodge sideways to avoid the fire.

"Too bad. I made a contract with a master-class phantom spirit. You think a bunch of kids with barely dried blood on their heads can beat me?"

That kick was just a sneak attack. In a straight fight, Eunseol realized she was at a disadvantage, and her lips tightened.

"I even made such a cool entrance."

"That Jet Kick wasn't cool at all."

"I practised it watching a lot of anime."

"What kind of anime has that?"

Before they knew it, the hunters, having gathered themselves, lunged at the two again.

Thanks to Lu Huikang's fire, their spirits had been lifted.

SLASH—

WHOOSH—

Ah-rin launched a powerful slash, and Eunseol fired a beam in the shape of an arrow.

But Lu Huikang's flames extinguished them all again. It was as if it burned away magic power itself.

"Kill that fox girl!!"

― KIEEEE!

On top of it all, the phantom spirits joined the fray. Having already tired herself out fighting 20 earlier, Ah-rin didn't know how much longer she could last. Neither did Eunseol, who was on a similar level.

CRACKLE—!

That's when the air suddenly turned icy, freezing everything around. All the Heaven and Earth Society hunters and phantom spirits charging at them were trapped in ice.

"Looks like you're all completely insane."

"Karen, teacher?"

"It's like watching the researchers from my world."

With cold air flowing around her, Karen walked up slowly. Seeing this new interrupter, Lu Huikang fumed.

"Who are you!"

"Me? I'm their teacher?"

"Don't interfere! Get out of my way!"

Lu Huikang spewed a massive plume of fire from his mouth. It was the strongest he'd fired yet, turning blue.

"And who are you to attack my kids and cause all this trouble!"

Karen responded by conjuring up a powerful snowstorm.

The flamethrower and the blizzard crashed together, gradually neutralizing each other— but, in the end, one side was overwhelmed.

CRAAASH—!

The massive flames were instantly swallowed up by the freezing cold and vanished.

The heat that had filled the air cooled at once, and Lu Huikang ended up frozen solid.

"You're really nothing at all."

Karen, having turned the scene into winter in an instant, smirked.