[Remote Detection]
I activated a wide-range detection spell.
Even while I was seated in the car, I could perceive a wide range of the surrounding area.
Only five minutes remained until we reached our destination.
Ghastly spirits rushed at us from all directions, front, left, and right, but they couldnt break through the previously activated [Tindaloss Shell] and [Ibn Ghazis Beacon].
Our main concern was the nine stray dogs trailing behind the car.
At first glance, they appeared to be nothing more than dogs, but in essence, they were corpses possessed by ghosts.
They were [Corpse Golems].
These creatures were supposed to be encountered inside the mansion
Why had they all crawled out?
Ah, who knows. Thats hardly the issue right now.
The skins of the beasts would offer minimal resistance to magic.
Gooooooo!
In fact, one particularly obsessed Corpse Golem leaped out.
Schhhhhhhhh!
[Tindaloss Shell] scorched its hide black
Kieeeeeeeeeeeg!!
But it scread and broke through!
The claws of this monstrous creature that was neither human, beast, nor ghost clung tightly to the car.
Before I could react, Jang Hyeon-deok suddenly shouted.
I can handle this much!
Screeeeeeeeeech!
Jang Hyeon-deok slamd on the brakes out of nowhere.
Crash!
The Corpse Golem was expecting to hit the slowing car with its claws but ended up smashing its head into the rear instead.
Guoooooo!!!
Despite the sudden deceleration, we didnt co to a complete stop.
The Corpse Golem was flung off before crashing onto the road.
Bang, thud!
Jang Hyeon-deok swiftly changed gears.
Vroooooooom!!!
He accelerated again after shaking off the creature.
Good. Well done!
But the enemy wasnt just one.
Spurred perhaps by the spirit of the one that had just attacked, the remaining eight beasts increased their speed and charged.
Gaaaah!
Gaaaaye!
We were not far from the mansion now.
My senses detected sothing lurking in front of the mansion.
Theres sothing waiting in front of the mansion too.
If we reach the mansion with these wild beasts in tow, well be surrounded.
Fu*k off, you runts!
I intended to shake these creatures off here.
I reached under the seat for the Butchers Hook I had casually placed there and activated its effect.
[The unique ability of the S-grade weapon Butchers Hook, Proof of Slaughter, was triggered.
// Proof of Slaughter: The power of necromancy spells increases by 100%.]
[Turbid Current]
This was a large-scale attack magic that rged water and necromancy elents.
It was difficult to activate without water, but here, water was abundant!
Boom!!!
The sound of groundwater bursting forth.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwagwa!!
And the sound of the rainwater, which had been flowing like a river, reversing its course.
Magical power from the netherworld intertwined, and a powerful black polluted torrent surged up from all directions, creating a huge wave around the car.
The wave mixed with mud and trees turned into a landslide that swept away the ghosts.
Guuaaaaaaah!
Stop, stop it!
Even ghosts are getting swept away by the wave?!
Thats exactly what this magic is for!
It wasnt just a spell that caused physical damage.
Because it was imbued with necromantic elent, those caught in the wave suffered damage directly to their spectral forms.
And thanks to the Butchers Hook, that effect was doubled!
These lesser spirits should be easily swept away with just this.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwagwa!!!
The wave that swept away the gathered spirits and corpse golems continued to roar down toward the base of the mountain and disappeared.
As the obstructing wave cleared, the mansion ca into view in the distance.
We were now very close to the mansion.
At that mont.
[System: The penalty trait Feasts Offering has been strengthened.]
Whoooosh!!
The trees in front of the road exploded and sothing huge popped out from there.
Jang Hyeon-deok scread before I could.
A bear?!
A monstrous creature with a bizarre appearance, as if covered in grotesque masks all over its body.
It was dozens of ghosts entangled in bear fur.
While it vaguely maintained a bear-like shape, in reality, it was made up of hundreds of faces.
[The souls trapped in the taxidermy collected by the mansions owner begin to awaken.]
At the sa ti, the ssage window displayed an unexpected piece of information.
[These taxidermies are not just re objects now. The taxidermies growl as they approach you.]
This was the ssage that should have appeared when the wild dogs first showed up.
[Your eyes will widen in astonishnt at the sight of the spirits bound within. /Null
Recovery in progress
Recovery complete
The souls of the sacrifices trapped in the giant bears taxidermy begin to awaken.
Dozens of souls forcibly injected into one body are struggling to take control of this body. The faces of the souls trapped in the bears body swell to create a hideous mask. This entity is now a powerful being that can no longer be called a corpse golem.
The essence of necromancy, a Necromancy Golem, now blocks your path.
Their madness, pain, and despair inflict terrible wounds on the minds of those around them.]
[System: Attempting to resist the distortion with your ntal strength stat. ntal strength checkfailure.]
[System: The unique trait Madness of the Abyss has been activated. Fear effect has been nullified.]
Ha, thats not even funny!
Its just a mid-boss, right?
Damn, why does the mid-boss keep coming out to greet us at the entrance!
That, that thing! What do we do now!
Fortunately, it seed that Jang Hyeon-deok had also succeeded in his ntal Strength check.
Then, there was no problem!
Just go! Crush it under!
What? Whaaat??!
I said step on it!!
The speed of the car increased.
The massive body of the necromancy golem swelled up.
It could no longer be called a bear.
It was a 5-ter monster, entangled with dozens of gigantic faces and filthy fur.
Krrraaaaahhhhh!!!
Keeeeehhhhh!!!
Kiiiiieeekkk!!
Dozens of mouths attached to its body let out a cacophony of horrifying screams in unison.
The car pulled the floating fires that had been wandering around it to the front.
Kiiiiiiiiii
[The unique effect of the S-rank accessory Ring of Corrupted Fla has been activated. Red Elent Concentration and Legacy of Fire Knowledge has been activated
// Red Elent Concentration: Increases the effectiveness of all fire-type spells by 50%.
// Legacy of Fire Knowledge: Enhances understanding of fire-type magic.]
A fierce fire concentrated in one point.
It was further amplified into a seething mass of plasma.
As soon as the pouring raindrops touched the vicinity of it, they evaporated into steam due to the imnse firepower.
Instead of stopping here, it forcibly injected the necromantic elent through the [Butchers Hook].
[Howling Fire]
It released the condensed magical power to a single point as much as it could.
Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
The noise, akin to the death throes, erupted as the pouring raindrops and the air were torn apart.
Crackle! Crunch!!
A beam of highly compressed magical power pierced through the body of the necromancy golem.
A large hole was torn through its body.
And through the gaps of that hole, the imprisoned spirits spilled out.
Grrraaaagh!
Freedom, freedom!
I hate you!! Die!!!
Kiiiieeek!
While so dispersed in search of freedom, those bound by necromancy tried to move their shattered bodies to swarm us!
Ah, ah! Aaaaahhh!
Jang Hyeon-deok reflexively tried to hit the brakes-.
Dont stop! Press harder!
Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!
Right in front of us! A crash was inevitable!
The entire car was enveloped in a myriad of protective spells: [Tindalos Shell], [Protective Circle], [Distortion Field], and [Prayer of Protection]. To these, a new spell was invoked.
[Fla of Hatred]
This magic turned any received impact into fiery retribution before sending it back to its source.
The spells recipient was the car itself.
Take this!
The cars weight and speed, the quadruple layer of protective magic, and even the necromancy golems attacks were all absorbed!
Boooooooom!!!
The [Fla of Hatred] erupted into a massive explosion.
Flas seed to cover the earth and a blinding flash of light filled the air.
At the heart of the explosion, the necromancy golem was obliterated, leaving no trace behind.
Bearskin and fragnts of corpses were scattered in all directions.
Spirits engulfed in flas wailed in the inferno.
And suddenly, the mansion lood right before us.
Ah, I pressed too hard!
Hey, stop! Stop!
I know!
Screeeeeeeech!!
Jang Hyeon-deok slamd on the brakes.
The car was unable to overco its montum and slid for quite a distance before it ca to a stop.
Its final resting place was perilously close to the mansions very front.
There was hardly a 5cm gap between the car and the wall.
Had Jang Hyeon-deok not executed a masterful last-minute turn of the wheel, we would have crashed directly into it.
Phew
Jang Hyeon-deok buried his face in the steering wheel and sighed deeply.
..
He then raised his head without saying a word.
His face was ashen and drained of all color.
There were tears in the corners of his eyes and his lips were strangely twisted and trembling.
His expression was a sight to behold. but perhaps he deserved so praise?
Well done. You really are a professional driver.
. Thank you.
The sky was still dark, and a fierce rain continued to pour down.
First, I activated the [Distortion Field].
Once ready, I grabbed the duffel bag from the back seat and got out of the car.
Its slightly heavy.
Though my strength had increased, it was still one of my lower stats.
The duffel bag that was filled with various items felt heavy in my arms.
So, weve arrived?
[The Hungry Mansion].
A large two-story building lood in the darkness.
Having co this far, it was almost like my own ho.
I surveyed the mansions exterior and started pondering how and where to make renovations.
Excuse Mage-nim?
Mhmm?
Before I knew it, Jang Hyeon-deok had stepped out of the car and approached with his legs trembling.
This is the place you spoke of, right?
Yes, it is.
What exactly is this place?
Hmm its a pension in Jangmyeong Mountain?
A pension? This building looks more like a haunted house.
Jang Hyeon-deok wasnt exaggerating.
It was a Western-style mansion with an old exterior that seed out of place in the secluded forests of Korea.
The surroundings of the mansion were overrun with strange and unidentified weeds.
It looked more like an abandoned building than one that was being maintained.
After glancing at the mansion several tis, Jang Hyeon-deok ca up to with a terrified expression and whispered.
Theres sothing, sothing on the second floor!
Well, there should be. Dealing with whats inside is my task for this request.
Its not over yet?
Its just beginning.
Jang Hyeon-deok stared at one of the second-floor windows.
The window, which seed less for letting in light and more for surveillance, gave off an eerie atmosphere.
The things we saw earlier there will be more of them, wont there?
Roughly speaking, yes.
Haha I see I see
Jang Hyeon-deok nodded his head with a aningful smile and then continued.
I-Ill be heading back now
Hmm. Alright, go back.
Arent you going to stop ?
Why would I stop you?
Jang Hyeon-deok is quite useful, you know!
Whats he getting at with this?
Hurry up and go, man.
Afterwards, Jang Hyeon-deok went back and forth and talked nonsense several tis.
It seed he was scared to go back alone, but entering with would be even more dangerous.
Besides, there was one task left for Jang Hyeon-deok to complete.
Take this with you on your way.
Whats this now?
Its a task for the quite useful Jang Hyeon-deok.
C-Cant I just go ho?
Just stop by sowhere on your way and do this one thing.
I moved closer to explain what he needed to be wary of and what he had to do.
What if a ghost appears again?
Ive taken care of the big ones, so the talisman should block the rest.
Are you sure its going to be alright?
As long as you dont get out of the car, youll be able to go back.
Jang Hyeon-deok grumbled a bit more but eventually, with a voice sounding utterly defeated, he agreed and started the car.
Hmm Can I really trust that guy?
I found it hard to place my faith in him.
Yet, by the ti these thoughts crossed my mind, Jang Hyeon-deoks car had already disappeared from view.
Oh, never mind.
What could be done about it now?
I turned towards the mansion.
Alright then. Shall we get down to business?
The stairs leading to the mansions entrance were slippery with moss and clearly neglected.
This place hasnt been maintained at all.
Biiiiii
When I rang the old bell next to the front door, I heard a creepy electronic sound.
Ill need to replace this bell too
Despite pressing the bell, no one ca out, so I had to ring the bell again several tis.
After a while, I finally heard so movent from deep within the mansion.
Creeeeak
A young man with a sinister appearance stood before .
This was the owner of the hungry mansion.
Heo Sang-hyeon welcod .
Youve finally arrived.
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