After the strategy meeting ended, everyone dispersed to carry out their respective tasks.
Na-yoon also moved to a suitable sniping position with a talisman stuck to her back.
It was a talisman that Team Leader Song Ji-hye had warned her was incredibly expensive, designed to mask her presence.
The effect would wear off if she made any noticeable moves, ran, or attacked, but for quietly sneaking around like she was now, it was the perfect item.
Will this really work… this plan?
To be honest, she felt uneasy.
Looking back, it had been the same with the centipede devil and the vampire devil.
Did any plan involving devils ever go smoothly?
Of course, they had faced high-ranking devils that were no different from a natural disaster.
These were beings that a few agents could hardly hope to handle.
But by that logic, wasn’t this situation the worst of all?
The enemy was the strongest devil they had ever encountered, and on their side were only six agents.
Considering that she was just a rookie, it was really more accurate to say they had only five.
Shin Na-yoon! Stop thinking such depressing thoughts. Focus, focus!
The die had been cast long ago.
Now, all she could do was see it through, no matter was the outcome was.
Just like its flashy nature, the Entertainment Devil didn’t bother with the tedious task of chasing Na-yoon and the others itself and only sent its minions instead.
It leisurely rode atop a dazzling float car from the parade plaza and was approaching their direction at a slow, theatrical pace.
[Hmm? Where could everyone be hiding? So, our special guests are not only good at running but also at hiding. Ha, perhaps a mouse’s head would suit you all better than me, don’t you think? But how long can you stay hidden like this?]
Even the talisman masking their presence was not omnipotent.
The stronger the devil, the more sensitive they were to the presence of others around them.
They were exactly 100 meters from the devil. This was a distance calculated to be the safest for carrying out the operation without being detected.
As the Entertainment Devil who was sitting on the float car gradually reached the target point,
Team Leader In Ha-young was the first to act.
The words she had said before the mission flashed through Na-yoon’s mind.
– First, I’ll use the power of the binding devil to restrain its body.
– What? I thought you couldn’t use that anymore? Didn’t you say the contract was broken?
– It wasn’t completely broken. The connection has recently been restored. If I push myself, I should be able to use it at least once.
– No, I’m against this. The cost of that contract—
– I know. But I have no choice. If I don’t use it now, when else would I?
“Power Manifestation—Ringvine.”
From both of In Ha-young’s hands, chains poured out with a clear metallic ring.
It hadn’t been long since she used the power of the Vitality Devil.
As a side effect of using yet another devil’s power, tears of blood trickled down her cheeks.
But even so, In Ha-young’s focus didn’t waver in the slightest.
Dozens of chains shot forward like arrows, tightly binding both the Entertainment Devil and the float car it was riding.
The Entertainment Devil stretched the mouth of its mouse mascot head into a long grin, then looked down at In Ha-young with a relaxed attitude.
[Ho? Now that’s an interesting power! It’s pretty sturdy, too. But what do you think you can accomplish by holding me down for a moment? My minions are still here, you know!]
The moment In Ha-young revealed herself, the minions of the devil filling the theme park responded immediately.
A giant Tyrannosaurus, a herd of man-eating horses, a dragon soaring through the sky, parade floats, mascots, and mannequins that filled the streets. All of them charged straight at In Ha-young.
But with her hands gripping tightly to the chains restraining the devil, In Ha-young was unable to move from her spot.
This was the moment Na-yoon had to act.
– If I use my power, from that point on, every enemy will be targeting me. I can’t move from here, so during that time, Na-yoon and Seo-joon, please protect me.
Bang! Bang-bang! Bang-bang-bang!
Na-yoon fired the dual pistols she borrowed from Park Seo-joon like crazy.
The speed of her shots was almost on par with a machine gun.
Gunshots echoed without pause, each round piercing precisely through the heads of mannequins inching closer to In Ha-young.
While Na-yoon took care of the minor minions, Park Seo-joon focused on the larger threats.
He was aiming a sniper rifle that was nearly as tall as a person from muzzle to stock.
With each heavy shot, the consecrated bullets ripped through the hulking forms of the dragon and Tyrannosaurus without mercy.
“Kuoooh—!”
Whoosh!
Even as it plummeted with its wings punctured, the enraged dragon spat fire.
Flames that were reaching thousands of degrees Celsius swept precisely over where Park Seo-joon had been.
But he had already moved to another position.
Shoot, relocate, shoot again, then relocate.
Thanks to the relentless firing of the two sharpshooters, the devil’s minions were too distracted to get close to In Ha-young.
[Aha! So, you’ve thought this through! Fufu, things are getting interesting! I thought you’d just run away, but it turns out you’re seriously after my neck! But now, what’s your next move? If you want to cut off my head, you’ll have to come here with a blade yourself!]
In front of the Entertainment Devil, countless minions stood as if forming a solid wall.
They weren’t simple mannequins, but soldiers with different concepts guarding the devil and blocking their path.
[Just so you know, these chains won’t hold me much longer. Even if my fighting power is a bit lacking, I am still a high-ranking devil, after all. Allow me to explain generously. It won’t take more than ten seconds to break free of these chains.]
The Entertainment Devil laughed leisurely while mocking Na-yoon and the others.
Just like it had said, strength was gradually draining from In Ha-young’s hands, which gripped the chains.
Nevertheless, In Ha-young had a confident smile on her lips.
Though blood-tears streamed down her cheeks, she spoke as if she didn’t care about the pain.
“Ten seconds is enough.”
From behind In Ha-young, Team Leader Song Ji-hye appeared.
“Team Leader Song, could you clear a path to the devil? Think you can manage?”
“Hah? Do you know who you’re talking to? Of course I can! Though I’ll have to use up every talisman I’ve got.”
“That’s all we need. Just create an opening for a moment.”
“Do you have any idea how much each of these talismans costs? Don’t forget, I’ll be adding this to your debt.”
“Om Om Geup Geup Yeo Yul Ryeong Sabaha!”
Hundreds of talismans fluttered out in two neat rows, paving a path forward.
The yellow-glowing talismans kept the devil’s minions from daring to approach.
At that moment, for the first time, a look of surprise flashed across the Entertainment Devil’s face.
[This is…]
– One person is enough to take the devil’s head. So, one of you should stay behind while the other goes to call for reinforcements. When all eyes are on us, it’ll be far easier to escape.
– Then I’ll stay.
-…Are you sure you’re up for this? It’s my plan, but the chances of success are probably slim.
– I’m the fastest runner here.
Seo Na-ri who had been perfectly hiding her presence until the very end sprinted down the path.
She ran with such force that the pavement cracked beneath her feet and debris flew up with every step she took.
In the blink of an eye, she closed the hundred-meter distance, leaped into the air, and flew straight at the devil’s neck.
Her flight was as light and graceful as a butterfly, but her blade struck like a stinging bee.
In that instant, the Entertainment Devil’s eyes widened but it was already too late.
Swish!
Seo Na-ri’s scythe sliced cleanly through the air and severed the devil’s neck with precision.
The devil’s severed head rolled onto the ground, and the lifeless mascot head tumbled along the floor.
Everyone erupted in cheers at once.
“It’s done! Hell yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!”
“Kyaaa! Of course, it had to be me!”
“Whew… we did it.”
As the devil’s head fell, all its minions came to an abrupt halt.
Na Yoon wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and looked around the suddenly quiet surroundings.
She couldn’t quite believe they had won.
“Is it… is it really over?”
At her words, Park Seo-joon who stood nearby was taken aback.
“Hey, rookie! Don’t ever say that line!”
“Huh?”
At that moment, the entire theme park shook violently, as if an earthquake had struck.
The ground twisted violently, everyone lost their balance, and stumbled from the sudden impact.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Damn it! I knew this would happen…!”
Soon, the surrounding buildings began to shake, with stone and concrete twisting together to form the shape of a giant figure.
It was an unreal sight, defying all common sense.
People stared blankly, unable to comprehend what was happening before their eyes.
The face of the completed giant wore the same eerie grin as the mouse mascot head.
The giant’s voice boomed like thunder.
[Uhahahaha! Uhehehehe! Good, good! This is absolutely wonderful! To think you’d risk your lives to put on such a thrilling show just for me!]
In Ha-young looked up at the giant in shock and murmured,
“It should be dead… I’m sure we cut off its head, so how….”
[Uhehehehe! You put on such an entertaining show, so as a courtesy, I thought I should at least pretend to be dead once. It seems you were all thoroughly deceived. I guess my acting was quite convincing, wasn’t it?]
Team leader Song Ji-hye couldn’t contain her anger as she spoke up.
“You son of a bit*h! You tricked us from the beginning? Was the whole ‘cutting the head off is a fatal weakness’ thing a lie?”
[Oh, no way. A devil never lies. It’s true that decapitation is my weakness. However….]
The giant looked down at the mouse head lying discarded on the ground and asked,
[Did you really think that thing was my true form? Honestly?]
The giant spread its arms wide as if mocking the group.
It was so huge that they couldn’t even take in its entire form at once.
[This is my world! This entire theme park is like an extension of my body! Did you really think cutting off the head of some mascot suit meant you’d defeated me? With just that?]
As soon as the words left its mouth, the devil’s laughter echoed throughout the theme park.
It was only laughter, yet the sound was as powerful and overwhelming as a sonic weapon, leaving the group completely disoriented.
[Despair more, writhe in betrayal. Be consumed by rage and agony! Those very emotions are the finest offerings you can give me. I’ve savored your feelings, so now it’s time to savor your bodies and souls to the very last bite!]
With those words, the giant’s enormous fist split the air and came crashing down.
Boom!!
The impact shook the ground violently, and the group was flung in all directions by the sheer force of the shockwave.
Na Yoon briefly lost consciousness as her head reeled from the impact.
….
..
.
“Ugh… my head…”
How long had she been out?
When she opened her eyes, the area around her was utterly destroyed, and she saw Seo Na-ri caught in the devil’s massive hand.
“N-Na-ri-ah!”
The devil was eyeing the limp Seo Na-ri with interest and spoke in a curious tone.
[From the first time I saw you, I found you fascinating. Neither human nor devil, are you? I imagine you’ll have a taste unlike any ordinary human. I always start with what intrigues me most, so I’ll be eating you first.]
The devil opened its mouth wide and slowly brought Seo Na-ri, who was trapped between its huge fingers, into its open jaws.
N-No…!
Na-yoon reflexively grabbed Seo Na-ri’s scythe from the ground without a second thought.
At that moment, it felt as if time itself had slowed, and everything around her grew eerily quiet.
Pushing aside her pain and fear, Na-yoon sprinted toward Seo Na-ri with reckless desperation.
At the same time, she thought. I might not be able to slice through its neck, but at least… one finger!
Within the slowed time, Na-yoon closed the distance in an instant and swung the scythe with all her might.
The devil’s index finger was severed cleanly. This created a small opening that allowed Na-yoon to pull Seo Na-ri free from its grip.
“Hey, snap out of it, Na-ri! Open your eyes!”
She shouted desperately, but Seo Na-ri remained completely still.
Just then, a giant hand gripped both Na-yoon and Seo Na-ri once again.
“Ugh!”
The crushing pressure left Na-yoon barely able to breathe, and blood pooled at the corner of her mouth.
As her body was pressed further and her vision began to fade, she couldn’t help but curse Kang-joon in her mind.
You bastard! What kind of “opportunity” is this? We’re all about to die here!
The devil observed Na-yoon with interest and spoke.
[What was that just now? It didn’t feel like mere speed. This is my realm, and yet, it felt as if I had slowed down.]
“W-Well… if I promise not to do it again, could you maybe let us go?”
[Ha, do you think that’s possible? It seems you too have made a contract with a devil… Hmm, what kind of devil’s power is this? I think I’d like to take a look inside your mind.]
Suddenly, a searing pain like her mind was being ripped apart tore through Na-yoon.
“Aaaaagh!!”
As Na-yoon let out a scream filled with pain and lost consciousness, the devil muttered to itself with interest.
[Hmm? Why can’t I read it? There’s something familiar about this energy… What is it? What could it be that’s causing this… well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just swallow her and savor the taste first, then slowly tear through her memories later.]
The devil leisurely opened its mouth wide.
Its huge jaws drew closer, ready to swallow both Na-yoon and Seo Na-ri in one gulp.
At that moment, Na-yoon who had been hanging limply slowly lifted her head.
And then with a sharp, piercing gaze, she looked coldly into the giant’s eyes.
The devil sensed the unmistakable shift in her aura and opened its mouth in confusion.
[What…? Her energy seems much stronger than before—]
“Who do you think you’re about to eat?”
[…What?]
“Your breath is so disgusting, I can hardly stand it.”
There was no warning.
As Na-yoon swung her arm to the side, the devil’s hand which had been gripping her shattered into pieces as if it had exploded.
Seeing its own hand disintegrate like soft tofu, the devil wore a stunned expression for the first time.
[W-Wait a second—]
“Shut up.”
Na-yoon swung her fist hard.
The giant’s body crashed to the ground with a huge impact.
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