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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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The morning was leisurely.
Everyone was either at work or asleep.
I entered an empty noodle shop, ordered, and gathered information about demons.
Gathering information was simple: go into a shop during off-peak hours, tip the waiter, and ask questions. They value every coin.
“So, demons exist outside the cities and villages?”
“Sir… where are you from? I’m bewildered by your questions.”
“I haven’t seen many demons.”
“That can’t be…”
The waiter looked suspicious.
This is a world with demons.
After talking, I understood. Demons appear even within the city, and are commonplace outside.
In such a world, asking if demons exist is like asking what a car is on Earth.
Anyway, where there are no demons, there are bandits, and vice versa. The government and martial artists conduct extermination campaigns, but the demons never disappear.
“Do they just… multiply?”
“That could be it. Or they appear suddenly. I don’t know.”
Common, but the cause is unknown. Typical of pre-modern societies.
“Is this soseonggwi dangerous?”
“Not really. It’s a nuisance that appears at night and causes a ruckus.”
The soseonggwi isn’t a strong fighter.
The pay is high because it’s a bothersome job.
“Waiter! Come quickly!”
“Yes, Manager! Sir, that’s all for now!”
“Alright.”
The waiter was called away.
Even during downtime, a manager wouldn’t appreciate idle chatter.
I have a lot of information to gather, but I don’t know where to start. I know so little about this world. And I lack the resources.
I’ll have to take my time.
Today’s information gathering ends here.
These noodles were delicious.
“—Ahhh, fuck yeah.”
I finished eating and left. I still had time, so I went to the inn and inquired about daytime rentals.
“I work at night. Can I rent a room for the afternoon?”
“Of course. 10 mun coins for three sijin.”
A waste, but it can’t be helped. I need to conserve energy for tonight.
“Here you go.”
I paid and went to the room to lie down.
The tagu bong, the noodles, the room, the information fee… I’m almost broke.
I’ve memorized the way to Daeil Farm. I should wake up around the Hour of the Monkey and leave.
“I’m counting on you, Siljang Gonbong. You’re all I have. I’ll overcome my fear. Got it?”
I stroked the staff.
“I love you, club.”
Like a sword master.
The time came.
I headed towards Daeil Farm, steeling my resolve.
My first demon fight. I’m nervous.
Oh, shit… This is scary. Am I really going to fight a demon? With Taekwondo and this club?
This is crazy…!
Did I make a mistake?!
“Risk-taking…!”
Fear washed over me, but I chanted my mantra.
Without risks, I’ll spend my life doing manual labor and die penniless.
I have to do something.
“I, Kim Geun-hyeop, fear hunger more than demons!”
The soseonggwi now seemed insignificant.
Alright!
Bring it on!
I arrived at Daeil Farm.
“Oh.”
Quite big.
“Hello! I’m here for the soseonggwi extermination! Someone in charge, please!”
I knocked.
The gate opened, and an old man emerged.
Small and hunched over.
“You’re here for the soseonggwi?”
“That’s right.”
“Seeing your build, are you a martial artist?”
“I’ve learned hand-to-hand combat and staff techniques. Not a martial artist, per se.”
“That’s enough! Come in! Those soseonggwi have been a real pain!”
“Significant crop damage, I imagine.”
“Exactly!”
He’s frustrated.
The old man seemed satisfied with my physique. Right. Physique is trust.
I followed him into the farm.
Just a farm. Crops and livestock. Troublesome if demons appear.
“They’ll appear around the Hour of the Dog. Kill any soseonggwi. We’ll light torches. If they go out, get more from the shed.”
I surveyed the surroundings.
My battlefield.
I ran combat simulations.
“Do your best. I’ll send someone at sunrise. Just focus on killing the soseonggwi.”
“Understood.”
“Alright then.”
The old man left. About half a sijin to a sijin left until the Hour of the Dog. This world’s lack of precise timekeeping is a problem.
I sat and waited for darkness.
As the sun set, the world darkened.
Night is the time of demons.
It wasn’t complete darkness thanks to a torch… but I became a creature of the darkness.
Transform fear into courage.
Demons are nothing compared to childhood games in the dark!
“I am Kim Geun-hyeop of the Darkness… the Grim Reaper of demons.”
I stood, grabbed Siljang Gonbong, and walked towards the torch.
“It’s time.”
Tension built.
Where are you?
Just as I was turning…
I detected movement!
“There!”
I focused.
“—Gasp!”
A small, blue-furred, skull-headed demon!
“Shit! It appeared!”
Crazy!
“A real demon…!”
No doubt!
“—Screech!”
“—Hiss!”
More soseonggwi appeared from the darkness.
Exactly as described. Monkey-sized. Like gibbons, but with ominous blue fur and rat skull heads.
Empty sockets with blue flames.
This was the soseonggwi.
A predatory feeling. A demonic aura.
The soseonggwi crept towards me…!
“Holy shit!”
Did I make a mistake?!
No!
I made snake-repelling noises and brandished Siljang Gonbong. Swallowing my fear.
“I won’t lose to monkeys! You’re all dead! Kyaaaaa!”
“—Hissss!”
“—Hiss!”
Two leaped at me!
Claws extended.
But I dodged!
The two soseonggwi flew past. I kicked off the ground and swung Siljang Gonbong!
“Take this! And this! And this!”
But…
My Siljang Gonbong cut through the air. They dodged.
“—Screeech!”
“—Hiss!”
They jumped again. Aggressive. And fast. I have to time my attacks!
“—Hah!”
I aimed a kick…
My roundhouse kick connected!
“Wow!”
Amazing!
You’re finished!
“—Hissss!”
“Not this one too?!”
The other one clung to my back!
And bit my shoulder-
“—Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”
A scream erupted!
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