What on earth is happening…?!
Wang Han, who had been organizing books in the Ministry of Justice’s library, gritted his teeth and sprinted deeper into the building.
The fire that had broken out near the Great Library was spreading rapidly, threatening to engulf the entire Ministry of Justice building. The flames had erupted when the demonic spirits overturned a brazier.
Whoosh!
As he dashed through the corridors of the Ministry, he glanced out the wooden windows. The courtyard was crawling with grotesque and disgusting demonic spirits.
Soldiers from the Truth Insight Terrace rushed out and started slashing at the creatures, but there seemed to be no end to them.
Even during the recent Sun Demonic Spirit incident, when demonic spirits had overrun the palace, the situation had been utter chaos.
For demonic spirits to appear in Cheongdo Palace, the most secure palace in the Empire….it was a disaster so grave that the entire country was aware of its severity.
During the last Sun Demonic Spirit invasion, the mere presence of demonic spirits within the palace had been enough to summon the Heavenly Maiden from her sanctuary.
How long had it even been since they eradicated the Sun Demonic Spirit? And yet, here they were, facing another demonic spirits rampage.
On top of that, the sky had suddenly turned from broad daylight to pitch-black night.
His closest friend Seol Tae Pyeong had suddenly drawn his sword and staged a rebellion.
The world had completely lost its mind.
I need to find a safe place to hide! I’ll barricade myself inside the storage room behind the library. Judging by the situation, running outside would be a death sentence!
Just as he was making his way deeper into the building to grab the key to the storage room—
Creak.
Bang!
Most of the officials in the Ministry had already fled the premises.
Wang Han thought they were fools. With demonic spirits swarming the entire area, it was far wiser to hide deep inside than to run blindly into the massacre outside.
Screeeeech!
He had just burst into the clerical office to grab the key to the storage room when—
“…Minister…?”
Wang Han’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The clerical office within the Ministry was responsible for managing the various keys of the imperial palace.
And right in front of the massive, imposing shelves stood the Minister of Justice. He was motionless and was staring up at the ceiling.
Wh-What… the hell…?
A sense of foreboding crept over him, and Wang Han quickly came to a halt.
“S-Sir Minister…? Why are you here?”
The Minister of Justice stood motionless as he stared up at the shelves. He was completely unresponsive to Wang Han’s words.
Something felt wrong.
Unintentionally, he swallowed hard.
Outside, the shrieks of demonic spirits filled the air, mingling with the sound of clashing blades and blood splattering across the ground…. yet the Minister didn’t so much as glance in that direction.
Wang Han had heard that most officials ranked Upper Third Rank or higher had left for the White Immortal Mountain to attend the Crown Prince’s birthday ceremony.
It was particularly strange that a figure as high as a Minister would be absent from the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony.
And yet, the Minister of Justice An Seo Yeol remained standing there without even the slightest movement.
“S-Sir Minister! Do you not see what’s happening outside?! I don’t know why you’re here, but you need to flee at once! The main palace will be engulfed in flames! The entire place is swarming with demonic spirits!”
“The key… to the Imperial Tomb.”
“…What?”
“Where is the key… to the Imperial Tomb…?”
“The Imperial Tomb…? Why are you looking for a tomb key at a time like this? Th-This isn’t the time for that! Come with me to the storage room—”
Crunch.
Wang Han froze mid-motion just as he was about to grab the Minister’s arm.
That sound.
A sickening, splintering noise. Like something breaking apart.
A sound no human body should ever make.
He slowly lifted his head, and that was when he saw it.
The Minister of Justice was turning his face toward him.
—His body remained facing forward, but his head had twisted all the way around.
As if the sound of his neck shattering meant nothing, his bloodstained face stretched into a grotesque grin and his lips tore open.
His facial bones had already caved in, crushed beyond recognition.
Just meeting his gaze sent a shiver down Wang Han’s spine. It was the kind of horror that could make a man faint on the spot.
Crash!
Without even managing to scream, Wang Han collapsed backward.
Crunch, snap.
“Where is the key to the Imperial Tomb? Where is the key to the Imperial Tomb? Where is the key to the Imperial Tomb?”
“……S-Sir Minister….”
Creak, crack.
Calling out to him was meaningless.
Wang Han had to accept the truth. The man standing before him was no longer the Minister he once knew.
Fortunately, Wang Han was quick to adapt.
Clutching his trembling legs, he forced himself to shout.
“W-Who… what the hell are you?!”
“Give me the key… Find it for me… Find it….”
“This is crazy…!”
The Minister of Justice twisted his body grotesquely as he slowly approached.
Wang Han hurriedly tried to get up and dash out into the corridor.
“….…”
The Imperial Tomb.
It was the most secretive place behind the Jongmyo Shrine, where esteemed vassals who had sacrificed themselves for the country were buried.
He had no idea why that monster was trying to enter such a place, but he had an overwhelming feeling that he had to stop it.
More than anything, this entire situation was far from normal.
He didn’t know what was happening or how things had come to this, but he had an unshakable certainty. Whatever that creature was trying to do, he had to prevent it.
The key to the Imperial Tomb.
The fourth compartment of the third row.
Wang Han remembered its exact location. Before running outside, he leaped toward the shelf and swiftly tucked the key, wrapped in cotton cloth, into his chest.
“…The key…!”
The creature, wearing the form of the Minister of Justice, let out a sickening sound as its flesh split apart and lunged at Wang Han.
Whoosh!
Crash!
“I may be a strategist who relies on my brain rather than brawn, but do you really think I’d lose to an old man?!”
He rammed his shoulder into the Minister and quickly regained his balance.
“Haha… Huff… Huff… Huff!”
But in the next moment, a dagger gripped in the Minister’s grotesquely twisted hand pierced straight through Wang Han’s shoulder.
Officials of Upper Third Rank and above were granted a small dagger in case of emergencies. Either to protect themselves or, if necessary, to take their own lives.
It was practically a ceremonial dagger and something he had long forgotten even existed.
Wang Han clutched his bleeding shoulder and let out a scream.
“Arghhh! Fu*k! Cough—!”
He was a man who had spent his life buried in law books and military strategy texts. There was no way he had ever been stabbed before.
Gripping his wounded shoulder, he collapsed to the floor,
Thud! Clang!
The key to the Imperial Tomb rolled across the ground, but Wang Han desperately reached out and snatched it up.
He clenched it so tightly that it felt as if the sharp edge might pierce straight through his palm.
Hah… This is crazy… Why the hell am I… going through this kind of hell…?
Struggling to lift himself, he raised his head only to find bloodshot eyes staring directly into his.
They were so close that he could feel the creature’s rancid, blood-tainted breath against his skin.
A drop of blood dripped from its caved-in face, landing on his eyelid.
“Give me the key. Give me the key.”
“Ugh… Locking eyes with a man like this is just creepy as hell….”
Wham! Thud!
Wang Han swiftly kicked the Minister’s body, shoving it away.
The creature was knocked back, but an eerie chill still clung to Wang Han’s blood-soaked arm.
“Haha… Huff… Huff… Every time you forced me to work overtime… Every time you pulled those ridiculous political schemes… I always wanted to kick you like this at least once…!”
“Graaah… Ugh….”
“If it weren’t for that old man, I would’ve been Minister of Justice! Do you know how long I’ve been a secretary?! My time in the sun was finally coming…!”
He shouted in a sarcastic tone, but that did nothing to dull the excruciating pain in his shoulder.
Gritting his teeth against the agony, Wang Han clenched the key tightly and bolted into the corridor.
“The key to the Imperial Tomb… The key to the Imperial Tomb… That bastard… that bastard….”
[The key to the Imperial Tomb is here!]
Sching.
Have you ever felt every hair on your body stand on end?
Wang Han wanted to ask someone, anyone, because at that very moment, he was feeling it with perfect clarity.
Bursting into the courtyard, he was instantly overwhelmed by the greatest terror he had ever experienced in his life.
The walls, the garden, the rooftops, the porch.
Everywhere, soldiers and demonic spirits were locked in battle. The demonic spirits who were fixated solely on the blades flashing before them were consumed with thoughts of devouring human flesh.
Yet the moment Wang Han stepped outside the courtyard, every single demonic spirit as if responding to an unseen command, let out a shrill screech and turned their heads toward him in unison.
As if they were one body, they all stared at him. The killing intent burning in each of their eyes pierced through him like ice-cold daggers.
“Wow… I’m losing my mind.”
Without hesitation, Wang Han began climbing onto the roof of the Great Library building.
***
– Did you accomplish what you set out to do?
A warmth spread through my body.
When I looked up, I saw someone sitting with their back turned to me, beyond a vast expanse of white.
At a glance, it was clear they were an old and withered human with a stooped back and graying hair. The very picture of someone who could pass away at any moment.
As I pushed myself up into a sitting position, the old man who was still facing away spoke to me.
– Did you accomplish what you set out to do?
When I shook my head, the old man let out a long sigh.
– Ah… You fool. All these years, and you haven’t changed one bit.
Then he asked another question.
– So? Did you stay true to your convictions?
Jolt.
Flash.
In an instant, my eyes snapped open.
A blizzard raged through the White Immortal Mountain. Near the Taehwa Pavilion, halfway up the mountain, stood a platform.
Countless soldiers, stationed there as a garrison, stood guard alongside the members of the Black Moon Unit.
“General Seol…! You’re awake…!”
A small piece of cotton cloth had been spread over the dirt floor beneath me; perhaps it was their attempt at creating a sickbed.
In this freezing cold, simply letting my body rest like this was already a miracle. If I hadn’t succumbed to the cold, that alone was fortunate.
But considering the situation, they likely had no time to prepare a proper infirmary.
When I opened my eyes, the platform in front of Taehwa Pavilion was in complete chaos.
It seemed the soldiers had managed to cut down the demonic spirits that had appeared for the time being, but there was no telling when more would emerge. The damage was already considerable.
When I pushed myself up, Jin Cheong Lang who was trembling clung to me without even bothering to wipe away the tears streaming down her face.
“I… I called out to you, but you didn’t respond… I thought you were completely consumed by the demonic spirit’s blood… No matter how much I shook you, you wouldn’t answer… I… I didn’t know what to do… General Seol, I’m so glad you’re awake… I’m so glad….”
“I’m fine, Your Highness.”
“Tae Pyeong-ah…!”
From the other side, Po Hwa Ryeong rushed toward me, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me.
“Ahhh! You’re awake! Tae Pyeong-ah… Tae Pyeong-ah… No, uh….”
She had been shouting, but then she suddenly stiffened, realizing how many ears were listening.
“T-Tae Pyeong… I mean… Vice General! The Vice General has regained consciousness…!”
At this point, there was no use correcting the title. Everyone who had heard already knew.
But there was no time to worry about such details.
“What’s the situation?”
“The area around Taehwa Pavilion has mostly been cleared. But at this rate, more demonic spirits will come flooding in again soon….”
The one who answered was the White Princess.
When I turned toward the voice, I couldn’t help but flinch.
In a situation as extreme as this, it was impossible for anyone to look unscathed.
Even Jin Cheong Lang, despite being the Heavenly Maiden, was covered in dust and dirt, and Po Hwa Ryeong was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.
Yet White Princess Ha Wol…. she stood there with her entire body drenched in blood as she casually tied up her hair.
Her elegant and luxurious robes of the White Tiger Palace were torn in multiple places. Upon closer inspection, I realized the fabric had been used to bandage my wounds.
Given the circumstances, there had likely been no medical supplies available. This was the best solution she could come up with.
“Are you all right, White Princess?”
“Oh… this? It’s not my blood, so don’t worry. I’ve already ordered your Black Moon Unit to tend to themselves. As the leader of the Inbong clan, your allies, I trust you won’t mind a little overstepping of authority.”
“You took command of the Black Moon soldiers?”
“In a crisis, giving orders usually gets people to listen. The soldiers of the Truth Insight Terrace are also getting reorganized. Once you’ve steadied yourself, we should return to the main palace.”
The White Princess lifted the hem of her tattered skirt, walked over to me, bowed her head slightly, and asked,
“You can still fight, can’t you?”
Even amidst this disaster, she had taken control of the battlefield and organized the soldiers on-site.
She remained calm and completely sane even when surrounded by blood-soaked corpses, scattered entrails, and severed limbs. Even this living hell.
“We can’t protect the court officials here any longer. While the activity of the demonic spirits has subsided, we must quickly return to the palace, regroup with the soldiers of the Truth Insight Terrace, check on the emperor, and assess the situation at the main palace.”
“…Aren’t you scared?”
“Huh?”
“Aren’t you afraid of this situation?”
The White Princess widened her eyes as if she had just heard something absurd, then let out a short, breathless laugh.
“Of course, I’m scared.”
“……..”
“But what can I do? I just do it anyway.”
When I looked down, I saw her hands trembling.
Was it from the cold? Or… from fear?
This wasn’t the first time I had seen her hands shake.
The one White Princess had envied and resented so much…. the Vermilion Princess.
Long ago, when she had crossed swords with me… even as her hands trembled with fear, she had stared me down with unwavering determination.
Did the White Princess realize it herself?
No, she couldn’t have. There was no way she was aware of it.
“Take care of yourself. You have an important duty, don’t you?”
“An important duty?”
“…You must kill the Plague Demonic Spirit.”
The moment the name left her lips, I couldn’t help but be taken aback.
How did she know about the Plague Demonic Spirit?
I turned my gaze toward Jin Cheong Lang and Po Hwa Ryeong. Their eyes too were steady and resolute.
They already knew.
But how?
Then, when I looked up toward Taehwa Pavilion… I immediately understood. Someone had told them everything.
Only a handful of people knew about the Plague Demonic Spirit’s existence. These were people I had personally shared that knowledge with.
That number was small.
After all, even if I had spoken of it, who would have believed me?
And among those few confidants, the most reliable of them was now kneeling atop Taehwa Pavilion.
She sat quietly and looked at the cold, lifeless body inside the Taehwa Pavilion. Her name was In Ha Yeon.
There was no need to explain whose corpse lay before her with its warmth fading by the moment.
Closing her eyes, In Ha Yeon knelt down and lowered her head.
Amid the biting winter air, she remained silent… utterly still…
There was no time to tend to the body.
Because the war was not yet over.
“Tae Pyeong-ah.”
From within the platform, another girl slowly rose to her feet.
Even as snowflakes swirled around her, her small frame exuded unwavering strength.
She was Seol Ran, the mistress of Vermilion Bird Palace.
“…The situation has reached its peak. From now on… whatever we do, we must be prepared to stake our lives.”
“Ran-noonim…”
“We need to make things clear now….”
Vermilion Princess Seol Ran.
Azure Princess Jin Cheong Lang.
White Princess Ha Wol.
Black Princess Po Hwa Ryeong.
At last, the four mistresses of the Four Great Palaces had gathered in one place.
“For us to survive, we must decide what needs to be done.”
There was only one goal.
To hunt down the Plague Demonic Spirit.
Leave a Reply