Failed Possession Chapter-21

## Chapter 21

—

‘Why is he coming?’

Supported by Elena, I thought that as I stepped into the house.

One of the Four Tyrants among the Martial Zeniths, Chuk Shin-do, the Full Moon Play.
A lunatic who didn’t even bother hiding the fact that he was a Possessor, starting from his very name.
And despite acting like that in public, he wasn’t hunted down—he had climbed to 7th-tier as a martial artist and become one of the Martial Zeniths.

Padlip-Immune.
Chuk Shin-do.
Cat Panties.
FUCKINGSEXY.
USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎

Those five who used to band together with Yuri—Lee Su-hyeok in overseas communities were infamous for bad reasons. Lee Su-hyeok, who only exchanged healthy opinions with other players, was extremely wronged, but when the community was at its peak, he still got lumped together with those bastards and called an idiot just because he was close to them.

Unlike the wronged Lee Su-hyeok, the other four honestly deserved to be called idiots, and among them, the ones constantly competing for first place were USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ and Chuk Shin-do.

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎ used a picture of a female character with rabbit ears as a reaction image on every post and, no matter what he said, stuck “USA” at the end.

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎
Isn’t my character cute USA?

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎
How do I kill this guy USA?

USAUSAMI₍ᐢ.ˬ.ᐢ₎
How do I get in here USA?

At first I couldn’t understand what the hell he was talking about, but after turning off the auto-translation feature, I finally understood.

Isn’t my character cute-usa?
How do I kill this one-usa?
How do I get in here-usa?

It turned out that “USA” didn’t mean America.

[Why the hell do you stick USA at the end of every sentence?]
[Because I’m a rabbit-usa.]
[What bullshit is that?]
[Cute bunny-usa.]

After we were able to talk one-on-one, I asked him the reason, but Lee Su-hyeok still couldn’t understand why USAUSAMI kept attaching USA to everything. It didn’t seem necessary to understand anyway, so he left it alone.

If USAUSAMI was an incomprehensible lunatic, then Chuk Shin-do was at least within the bounds of understanding. First of all, unlike USAUSAMI, normal communication was relatively possible with him.

[You Korean?]
[If you’re immune-to-insults can I use mom-insults?]
[Got a mom?]

In fact, Chuk Shin-do was extremely active in communication, always leaving the first comments on Padlip-Immune’s posts and showing that sticky Korean camaraderie.

But that cheerful Korean would sometimes go wild to the point communication broke down, especially on days when the soccer player he worshipped had a match.

[Our bro’s gone crazyyyyy LOLLLLL]

I didn’t know what exactly was crazy, but whenever there was a match, Chuk Shin-do started posting nonsense “practice commentary” threads several hours before kickoff.

When the game actually began, he commentated every single action of the player.

He commentated even when the player wasn’t on camera.

If the player went to the bench, he spammed curses instead of commentary.

He wasn’t the only soccer fan in the community. Overseas users enraged by his spam commentary would bring trophies or scoreboards to crush his spirit, and every time, Chuk Shin-do would somehow pull out ridiculous photoshops to counter them.

[Tsk!!!!!]

That crazy bastard is coming to Lutran. I don’t know exactly when, but he said he’d come within the year.

‘Are we close…?’

Yuri seriously thought about it. Still, since they were both Korean, he had talked quite often with Chuk Shin-do, and Cat Panties.

[Hey you damn Padlip-Immune bastard, don’t quit before then. I’ll buy you drinks when I get there lol]

They even made a drinking promise, though it never happened.

“…”

Actually, there was nothing to think about. The answer was already decided. I shouldn’t approach him.

Before becoming Yuri, I’d been repeatedly told not to trust other possessed ones. No matter what kind of guy Chuk Shin-do was, there was no reason for me to approach him first just because we were both possessed. Maybe he insisted on that name precisely to lure in possessed ones who came looking for him and hunt them instead.

‘Among the possessed, there are those who devour others to strengthen their souls.’

There was no guarantee Chuk Shin-do wasn’t one of them.

“I can’t make dinner.”

My body still felt heavy like a stone. Lying sprawled on the sofa, I said that, and Elena stared at me with an incredulous face.

“I’ll take care of myself, so just rest!”
“Yeah…”
“What about your food? Want me to make something?”
“If I eat the young lady’s cooking, I might die.”
“Whoa, you scared me.”

At the sudden voice, Yuri flinched and turned his head.

“No— since when were you there?”

I really hadn’t noticed. Haryeong, who had been standing by the window, shrugged with an expressionless face.

“You wound my heart by saying that.”
“Were you hiding on purpose?”
“I was hiding, yes, but not because I’d done anything wrong.”
“Then why?”
“You may not know, but watching someone else’s martial arts training is taboo. Bakered-nim exchanges the Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist with you on friendly terms, but I am not.”
“Ah… right.”
“You should at least say something before training. I came back casually with the young lady and saw you lost in a trance, throwing punches. Do you know how shocked I was? Still, since I’m a proper assassin, I didn’t keep watching and quietly backed away and exited the gate again.”

Hearing that, she was right. She had been considerate of me. So Yuri blinked and bowed his head.

“Th… thank you.”
“As long as you understand. Anyway, the young lady’s cooking isn’t edible, so just eat the bread you have.”
“I can at least fry bacon.”

Elena glared at Haryeong.

“I never knew frying bacon counted as cooking until today.”
“Haryeong, aren’t you going back?”

Normally, when Elena returned home, Haryeong didn’t enter the mansion. But today, unusually, she came into the living room and sat on the sofa.

“There’s something bothering me. I’ll talk a bit and then go.”
“What is it?”
“Is Chuk Shin-do, the Full Moon Play really coming to Lutran?”
“Well… not sure of the exact date, but he said sometime this year.”
“Why is he coming?”
“How would we know that?”
“Haryeong-nim, you don’t know either?”
“Yes. Today is the first time I’ve heard he’s coming.”

She frowned and crossed her arms. Since she rarely showed emotion, the fact she openly frowned meant his visit wasn’t something light.

“Maybe he’s just visiting for fun.”
“That would be nice, but since he informed Bakered-nim in advance, there may be something planned in Lutran.”
“Planned…”

Elena tilted her head.

“Come to think of it, what happened at the Le-Seun auction house was strange. A 7th-Rank mage, Harabel Usia, the Flame Vermilion Bird, personally put up the spell of Scorching Inferno.”
“Yeah.”
“Perhaps there was some sort of deal between Lady Flame Vermilion Bird and the Ascad family. And Chuk Shin-do’s visit might also be related to the Ascad family.”

Haryeong’s black eyes stared steadily at Elena.

“Me? Why?”
“Aren’t you curious?”
“About… what?”
“Why Chuk Shin-do is coming to Lutran. Why Lady Harabel put her unique spell up at the auction house.”
“…”
“Lord Dercia, the Tower Master, has long been friends with the Ascad head. He might know the circumstances.”
“You want me to ask directly?”
“You’re curious too, aren’t you?”

Elena rolled her eyes. She was curious. But rather than Chuk Shin-do’s reason, she was more curious why the Flame Vermilion Bird put one of her unique spells up for auction.

“Could it be because of the Namgung clan?”

Yuri, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“Last time Orca-nim said the Ascad family doesn’t like the Namgung clan.”
“So you’re saying the Ascad family invited Chuk Shin-do to check them?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not impossible, but… it feels unnecessary.”

Haryeong shook her head.

“They don’t need outside help. The Ascad family alone can push out the Namgung clan. They just leave them be because they don’t need to act.”
“They’re that strong?”
“Yes. In pure force they might lose, but the city of Lutran itself is the Ascad family’s power. And any lacking force can be borrowed from the Dercia Magic Tower.”

After saying that, she stood up.

“If you don’t know, there’s no reason to stay longer. I’ll head back.”
“Will you investigate separately?”
“I think I should. No matter how bizarre and unpredictable that madman is, he wouldn’t come to Lutran with bad intentions and cause chaos… but he’s an unpredictable lunatic. If he truly decides to rampage in the city, escorting Lady Elena will become very difficult.”

Bizarre and unpredictable madman… just what on earth had he done after becoming possessed to earn such an evaluation? It seemed he had done many other things besides simply revealing his name.

“And yet Bakered-nim applied for a spar with such a madman. I’m starting to think Bakered-nim is no ordinary madman either.”
“Isn’t it possible Bakered-nim could win?”
“The 6th Rank and the 7th Rank are on different levels. There might be a ‘what if,’ but if the spar actually happens, I believe Bakered-nim will lose without question. Anyway, Yuri-nim, fighting starting tomorrow.”
“Fighting for what.”
“From what I overheard, Bakered-nim seemed extremely motivated. He probably won’t guide you kindly like I do.”

Leaving that teasing remark behind, Haryeong departed the mansion.

‘Motivation, huh…’

Today, after directly seeing the secret manual of the Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist and unfolding the forms myself, I felt many things.

I could probably manage somehow on my own, but being able to properly learn the fundamentals of fist techniques from Bakered, who had reached a high realm as a martial artist, was a good opportunity.

I also felt the need to train my external body. Since he said he would guide me for a month, if things went well, I might be able to get advice beyond just the Rantian Flowing Cloud Fist.

“You’re eating, right?”

Elena, who was heading toward the kitchen, looked back at Yuri with a soft smile.

“Let’s just fry bacon.”

It seemed like I’d be receiving intense training starting tomorrow, and I didn’t want to eat anything weird and upset my stomach.

*

*

The Dercia Magic Tower. The room of the Tower Master, occupying the entire top floor.

“What exactly do you want to say that you’re fidgeting and watching my mood so awkwardly?”

Sitting on the sunny window railing, Orca mocked her while swirling the teacup hooked on her finger.

“Or are you planning to muddle my mind with this poison and squeeze answers out of me? If that’s the case, it’s useless. The Tower Master of Dercia will never yield to torture.”
“You’re being too harsh.”

Elena stopped tidying the messy desk piled with books and papers and glared at Orca.

“You’re the one who said you sometimes miss my tea.”
“I did say that. But I drank your tea a few days ago. My mouth still remembers that hell, so I don’t miss it right now.”
“How bad could it possibly be…”
“Elena, your tea is exquisitely awful. The brewing method, the time, the water temperature, even your sense in choosing the leaves and the cup is dreadful.”
“You’re really too much.”
“Elena. What’s fortunate for you is that while something is lacking, your talent for magic was added instead. That’s why you’re here. On the very top floor of the Dercia Magic Tower.”

Chuckling, Orca released the teacup hooked on her finger. Instead of falling, it floated gently by magic and landed on the desk Elena had been organizing.

“Your talent not only allows you to be here, it even allows you to ask me personal questions. So stop hesitating and ask.”

“The spell of Scorching Inferno appeared at the Le-Seun auction house.”

Elena sighed deeply and sat on the edge of the desk.

“They said Harabel Usia personally sold the spell. Do you know the reason?”
“A debt.”

Orca wasn’t surprised at all to hear the spell had appeared. She already knew about what happened between the Flame Vermilion Bird and the Ascad family.

“In the past, the Flame Vermilion Bird once ruined one of the Ascad family’s enterprises. The burning old tree in Mount Surt bears a fruit that forms the essence of fire energy once every hundred years. The Ascad family had watched it for a long time to obtain it and finally secured the fruit.”

Since it wasn’t a story that circulated publicly, Elena leaned in closely to listen. Orca continued, looking fondly at her curious prospective disciple.

“But the burning fruit never returned to the Ascad family. At the time, the Flame Vermilion Bird hadn’t yet reached the 7th Rank. She barged in, stole the fruit, and fled while taking Delreia Ascad hostage.”

“D-Delreia young lady?”

Elena’s eyes widened. Delreia Ascad was the direct granddaughter of the current head.

“Even the Flame Vermilion Bird probably didn’t intend to demand ransom. She likely planned to secure the fruit first and then release her. But Alfreon came to me about his kidnapped granddaughter. So I went to find the Flame Vermilion Bird.”

Recalling the memory, Orca laughed softly.

“I secured Delreia’s safety, subdued the Flame Vermilion Bird, and brought her before Alfreon. But interestingly, Alfreon forgave the kidnapping of his granddaughter and gifted her the burning fruit. And he attached two conditions.”

“What kind?”
“One: when the Flame Vermilion Bird later reached the 7th Rank, she would put one of her unique spells up at the Le-Seun auction house. Two: she would grant one request from the Ascad family. By not adding ‘unconditionally,’ Alfreon was already being very merciful. Honestly, I thought he’d kill her.”

Orca smiled again as she looked at Elena.

“He even gave her the right to choose which spell. Naturally, she chose one she could afford to part with, but a 7th Rank mage’s unique spell has enormous value. And since it appeared in a public auction rather than a secret one, Le-Seun’s name must have grown even larger. There are probably dozens more VIPs now, and many big shots will attend the next secret auction.”

“Big shots…”

Elena murmured softly, listening as if entranced.

“Could Chuk Shin-do be coming to Lutran because of the secret auction too?”

At that, Orca’s smile vanished. She stared at Elena with round eyes.

“Chuk Shin-do? You mean Martial Zenith?”
“Yes.”
“He’s coming to Lutran? Who told you that?”

The fact that Orca—who seemed to know everything—asked back like that flustered Elena. After blinking a few times, she explained about the auction house and what had happened yesterday.

“Fist Wolf Bakered…”

Orca stroked her chin and fell into thought.

“He must be coming as a guest of the Ascad family.”
“That’s what I thought too, right?”
“You don’t need to worry about him. He’s a famous madman, but he’s a well-behaved kind of mad.”
“What does well-behaved mad even mean?”
“It means he doesn’t do truly insane things. Rather, I’m more interested in your childhood friend than Chuk Shin-do.”

With a mischievous smile, Orca stared straight at Elena.

“When I glanced at him before, I judged he had talent, but it seems he’s even more talented than I thought. My eyes aren’t perfectly accurate after all. If I’d known, I would’ve brought him with you ten years ago.”
“His talent for magic seems so-so though.”
“You said he took half of the Azure Heaven Pill, right? That’s not bad. If he’d been raised carefully for ten years, he’d have become something.”

Orca wasn’t stingy with praise, but praising someone who wasn’t even part of the Dercia Tower, and not even a mage, was extremely rare. Without realizing it, Elena’s lips and cheeks twitched upward at Yuri being praised and acknowledged.

“Uh, um. Yuri said he wants to try learning magic someday. When that time comes, I’ll try teaching him.”
“A martial artist is different from a mage.”

Orca said while turning her gaze outside the window.

“A mage can train alone until reaching a certain level. Getting used to spells and focusing only on casting magic is enough. But a martial artist is different.”

“…”
“My eyes may not be perfectly accurate, but there’s one thing I can say for sure. Elena. Your childhood friend isn’t suited to be an ornament or a pet. That guy would fit better eating prey, not feed.”

“Yes…”

Elena answered quietly.

“Actually… next time, I’m thinking of taking Yuri on a request from the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“So you’re not planning to send him alone.”
“I—I’ll only go with him at first.”

Adding that last bit like an excuse, Elena left the room. Orca, still sitting on the window frame looking outside, let out a short sigh and shook her head.

“Not good.”

They said Fist Wolf’s training would end in a month.

‘I should take a look.’

—