Ch. 224 - End of Summer (5)

Chapter 224: End of Summer (5)

In that split second when the black scythe loomed over Baek Yu-Seol’s neck, only one thought occupied his mind.

"I'm really going to die."

Calculations? Strategy? Compromise?

None of that mattered. 

The only thing he could do right now was to Flash forward.

Slash!

As the sound of the seats and windows around him being sliced apart reached his ears, he was able to close the distance to him.

But even if Baek Yu-Seol closed the distance, without Teripon, there was nothing he could do. Even if he had a weapon, it was doubtful he could inflict any damage on him.

So, Baek Yu-Seol did nothing.

When Baek Yu-Seol suddenly approached him with teleportation, he seemed a bit surprised and his eyes shone as he leaped back.

And then, he asked in a chilling voice.

- Flash... You use an unusual magic. Why didn't you attack?

Baek Yu-Seol didn’t feel the need to tell him that swinging this cheap staff, which was worth less than a back scratcher, would be meaningless.

However, there was no need to maintain silence either. 

On the contrary, if he was misunderstanding something, it was worth taking advantage of it.

"Kal Harimus."

Although Baek Yu-Seol’s memory was hazy, it seemed he had thought of the correct name as his eyes widened significantly.

"Witch hunter."

They hunted witches which were believed to be extinct. They lived hidden in the world's shadows.

However... They paid a great price to become witch hunters and gave up all their identities.

Their race, gender, age, and even their name and face.

It was necessary to combat witches. Since most of them had the abilities to enchant or bewitch others like a drug, so they had to forsake their identity.

- How do you know that name?

"Why? You'll have to figure that out yourself."

- … Could it be? Are you a witch hunter too?

“Yes. I can’t show you my proof right now due to circumstances, but isn’t the fact that I have the witch's crystal proof enough?”

Since they lived alone in the shadows of society, their social skills were severely poor. Baek Yu-Seol needed to coax him with words as gently as possible.

He appeared to scrutinize Baek Yu-Seol closely, then narrowed his eyes slightly.

- But... You haven't given up on your face.

"I made it temporarily. The witch I've tracked is hiding in society."

- That's unusual... Don’t you have any pride as a witch hunter?

[Blessing of the Pink Spring Moon]

"I am hunting a witch so detestable that I've forsaken my pride. I can never forgive them."

Hearing Baek Yu-Seol’s intense emotional appeal, the witch hunter hesitated for a moment before lowering his staff.

- ... I see.

This was why the power of the Pink Spring Moon was so useful. Even while spewing lies, if you put on a convincing 'performance,' your face would reflect sincerity. This perfect act could deceive anyone.

"Now, hand over the crystal. It’s my spoils."

- My apologies. I will return it.

The witch hunter handed him the crystal orb.

"..."

Baek Yu-Seol took the crystal and pondered for a moment.

Witches rarely appeared in the main episodes, but there were related characters. 

Stella’s Chief Knight Arien was living with a terminal illness due to a witch’s curse, and Hyejin Macaron of the Extermination Squad was a descendant who inherited part of a witch’s bloodline.

Even though they rarely appeared, witches left significant marks in the Aether World story, which indicated how powerful they were.

The [Crystal Orb of the 498 Witches] possessed by Baek Yu-Seol, to be honest, was half incomplete.

When he played Aether World Online, he didn’t have a deep interest in witches, so he never fully completed the item.

But what if he could complete this item?

It might become an even better growth item than the lost Wheel of Dawn.

- I will take my leave now.

As the witch hunter began to vanish into mist, he hurriedly called out to him.

"Wait."

- ... What is it?

"Actually, I need your help for this witch hunt. It’s not difficult; could you assist me?"

- Speak. If it’s for a witch hunt, I will help.

"I planned to use this witch's crystal to lure the witch, but its inherent power is quite weak. I need to recharge its magic. Could you take me to your subspace?"

- Why?

"My current subspace was completely destroyed after the last battle."

- Was it a witch?

"Yes. A witch who used pain magic. It was a terrible fight, but I succeeded in beheading her."

- I see.

The witch hunter hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

- Follow me.

As he broadly swung his scythe, the air split in half, revealing a dark red warp hole.

‘Oh...’

Honestly, it was a bit fascinating.

To perform such techniques, even a spatial mage would need to be at least Class 7, yet these people casually used such techniques. 

When the witch hunter crossed into the other side of the space, Baek Yu-Seol followed him. The space that appeared was entirely dark and murky.

The interior resembled an ordinary alchemist's laboratory, but it had a slightly different feel. It was more like a mad scientist’s lab who conducted biological experiments.

Fragments of creatures presumed to be either demons or humans were scattered everywhere. They were intertwined or fused, creating even more horrific appearances.

It was all in an effort to discard the physical body. 

Baek Yu-Seol tried his best not to look at it. Even with the blessing of Pink Spring Moon, enduring such a repulsive sight was tough.

"This is the essence of the witch."

"... You've gathered quite a lot."

The witch hunter handed him a beaker filled with dark red liquid, and Baek Yu-Seol praised him out of formality. But when he analyzed the quantity with his Sentient Spec...

Honestly, it wasn’t that much. It was enough for his use, but it was clear that this witch hunter had only recently started this work. 

Well. That was probably why he fell for his obvious lies so easily.

‘Should I push my luck a bit more?’

Initially, he planned to take just a little, but he changed his mind.

"I'll make good use of it."

Carefully opening the dark red beaker, Baek Yu-Seol placed his witch’s crystal orb on the table and slowly poured the liquid over it.

Hisss...! 

A message appeared.

[Item 'Crystal Orb of the 498 Witches' has increased in rank.]

[Crystal Orb of the 499 Witches]

Witches had no names. 

If they must have one, it would be the years they'd lived. 

For those tired of a life of killing, age equates to power and significance.

Originally, this crystal was made by a witch who had lived for an incredible 498 years. It gained an extra year thanks to the witch hunter's help, but... Honestly, it was disappointing.

If it gained one more year, it would become a 500-year-old crystal orb, but Baek Yu-Seol had no way to increase its rank on his own.

Pour! Pour!

Hisss...!

.....

So Baek Yu-Seol poured more of the beaker’s magic into his crystal.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Aren't you using too much?"

The witch’s essence was both sustenance and the source of power for witch hunters. It appeared he was reluctant to part with too much of it.

"I'll just use a little more."

"Even so, this is a bit..."

"Sorry. I’ll pay you back later."

"You're overdoing it. Even though we’re both witch hunters, I can't tolerate such excessive greed."

Oh come on. 

He was really whining. 

Having no other choice, Baek Yu-Seol decided to point out that he was a rookie witch hunter.

"Hey."

"Speak."

"How many witches have you caught so far? Is it at least ten?"

"... Seven."

"See? That's why you don’t know. I've caught over thirty."

"Impressive. And so?"

"It means you're a rookie. To lure the witch I'm after, I need a 500-year-old crystal orb, and you don’t understand why, do you?"

He fell silent then shook his head.

"I don’t."

"I figured."

‘How could he know? Even I don’t.’

"This hunt is extremely important. We’re going to hunt a tremendous, terrifying, and extraordinary witch. Do you understand now? By donating your spoils to me, you’re helping to eliminate one more of those vile witches."

...

He still appeared somewhat unconvinced, but since Baek Yu-Seol claimed to have hunted thirty witches, he reluctantly accepted, albeit grudgingly.

Ding!

[The item rank has increased.]

[Crystal Orb of the 500 Witches]

While they were talking, the item was completed. Feeling a bit guilty about taking more, Baek Yu-Seol set the beaker back on the table, patted the witch hunter on the shoulder, and walked past him.

"If this hunt succeeds, half of the credit goes to you. Anyway, thanks for this. I'll put it to good use."

“Sure…”

As Baek Yu-Seol quickly slipped out of the witch hunter's subspace, he found himself back inside the train.

"Phew..."

He didn’t follow, did he?

Baek Yu-Seol worried he might follow him out of spite, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. As soon as he exited, his subspace vanished as if waiting for his departure.

"Tsk. People should learn to share a bit."

Baek Yu-Seol plopped down in his original seat, and the dark and tense atmosphere instantly lightened.

Clank! Clink!

The train started moving normally again, and the passengers who had disappeared unnoticed returned to their places.

Thinking about the abilities of that 'rookie' witch hunter made Baek Yu-Seol break out in a slight cold sweat.

‘Well. Anyway, all’s well that ends well.’

"Let's check the item."

[Crystal Orb of the 500 Witches]

[Description: A special crystal orb created by a witch who lived for 498 years to strengthen her body. When used, it transports the user to the witch's domain.

[▼List:]

[1. Swim to avoid shark!]

[2. Run on the dizzying log bridge.]

[3. With the wolf…]

It was just as expected. 

A unique item that drastically increased stats with each mini-game cleared. It was called 'mini-games' in the game.

It wasn’t very popular in the game. No one knew why this witch trained her body, but the most likely rumor was that she died while playing one of the crystal orb’s mini-games. 

Baek Yu-Seol should also be cautious when using it.

Certainly, it was dangerous. But it guaranteed significant growth... It was only human to feel a bit excited about that.

‘Shall I try it a bit until I arrive?’

Baek Yu-Seol’s original plan was to try it secretly once he arrived at the dormitory, but now that he had the 500-Year Witch's Crystal Orb, he couldn’t resist anymore.

[Using the Witch's Crystal Orb.]

[Moving to the ‘Swim to avoid shark!’ dimension.]

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