Subdued Soul Chronicle

Chapter 153: Ghost City (17)

Demonic beings attacked in the dark.

One of his hands was tied to a chain on the wall. Even if he tried to avoid them, there was a limit, and he was injured in a lot of places. But Seol Young couldnt feel any pain.

It is Teacher Baek Sans voice!

He just listened to the voice, which was so far away that he couldnt understand where it was coming from.

And Baek San wasnt alone.

Even though his eyes clearly showed that he wanted to come with us, he lied, saying he didnt want to, so I guess there is a reason why

There was Baek Eons voice too.

I could have never guessed that this might be the reason. Giving up on escaping to get us out safely The three of us were saved by that child.

If we hadnt caught the demonic beings and cut them off, we would have never known about this! Does it even make sense, Teacher? That child is out there making the decisions alone!

We must find him. Please, lets find him. We cannot let him die in a place like that.

The voices of Song Ok and Hyo Wol could also be heard. Beyond this space, the cries of demonic beings could be heard.

They were evil things that could have been imitating their voices.

Soon, Seol Young might hear them cursing him too. It could be their ploy to plunge him into psychological despair.

But no.

Seol Young knew it.

After the plan of the Lord failed, the lair was sealed.

Baek Eon, Song Ok, and Hyo Wol tried to enter after Seol Young but failed.

Even so, they didnt give up and searched for other ways. Then they succeeded in meeting with Baek San and came back here.

They came back again!

Seol Young held back his tears.

Even though I said no, they came back to find me again.

But then Baek Eon spoke again.

It is our fault. We should have thought about why he lied to us and just dragged him out right then. But at that moment, I was distracted by the necklace. He

Necklace?

The child had this necklace with him. It was a plaque engraved with the characters of Seol meaning snow and Young meaning spirit

What?

Baek San shouted.

He was someone who wouldnt raise an eyebrow in the face of a hundred enemies, but now it seemed like he was greatly surprised.

Baek Eon, Song Ok, and Hyo Wol spoke.

All three of us saw it. It cannot be a lie. Didnt you tell us all the time when we were young about taking a chance?

The name of the missing kid of your friend who died was Seol Young. The only proof of finding the child is the plaque that has his name engraved on it. If we ever meet that plaque and a child who is an orphan, we need to bring him back. You said that so many times that it has stuck in my head.

The son of your friend who passed awayit could be that child. Now that all the distractions are gone, he could be it, or he might have just picked up the plaque too, but isnt his age with the kid too similar? And the situation too?

Baek San was silent. And then he said,

It doesnt matter now. That child is already our child. Lets start by finding him.

Yes!

He could hear them moving quickly.

Seol Young listened to them in a daze. He didnt even notice that the demonic beings were coming to attack, and he continued to listen to them.

I didnt pick up this piece of jade. It was around my neck when I was a baby.

Then, does that mean he was the son of Baek Sans friend?

His father was friends with Baek San?

His heart pounded so fast that it showed no signs of slowing down.

If that is true

Then he had to meet them.

Puak!

After avoiding the demonic being that came to attack him, the fist of the demon landed on the wall, and its sharp claws snapped.

Seol Young picked it up with his left hand and attacked them back.

And then he shouted,

I am here! I am over here!

Seol Youngs voice broke through the screams of the demonic beings, but it seemed like it didnt reach them.

Song Oks voice could be heard.

Wait. Is this the same place as before? Am I the only one who thinks this?

No.

Baek Eon answered.

This is the place we marked with spiritual qi earlier. Father, this is strange. This is not like a defense technique but more like a place we continue to come back to.

Hyo Wol added,

It seems that when we try to get out, we end up coming inside. Teacher, everything is a mess in here.

Baek San groaned at this.

The law of causality. Is it because that guys strange power remains intact here? Kids stay alert. You dont know where we are going and what might happen.

When the Lord died, his control over this place was gone, which made the space work in a different direction than what it was made for.

It wasnt because of some evil power. It was because the law was broken.

So Baek Sans disciples couldnt spot him and continued to get lost.

Where are you? Yah! Chun Kwang!

I am here!

If you are alive, answer me!

Baek Sans voice faded slowly.

He came all this way to find me. Am I going to die without even meeting him?

His palms were sweaty as he dodged another attack. His hands were bloody as he touched the ground.

Was this his blood or theirs

He couldnt even count the wounds on his body. His eyes were becoming blurry.

It hurts. It is tough.

Every time he felt that, the skull on his head moved like it was pressing itself onto his face.

It was all just more despair. Do not resist and give up.

It was forcing itself like that.

No. There has to be a way.

Seol Young thought so, and picked up another claw as he fought, and then he thought,

Call.

He had seen it a couple of times when he fought with the Hwarangs. When in danger, they would take out a flute and blow into it, or they would shoot something into the sky. And the other Hwarangs would come rushing to rescue them or fight together.

I can do that too.

But of course, he didnt have a flute or a firework in his hand, but he had a way.

-Your voice holds power.

The words Teacher Seo taught him.

-That is why all the ghosts from the mountain come to your voice. It is your own innate thing.

He said.

-A person who sings really well can even attract souls. If such a person writes poetry, he will be a poet who gets noted even in the future, and if he sings, he will be talked about all around the world

And he smiled.

-If you do summons, then you can summon those of the living and ghosts too. There is no need for anything else. You just have to mean it.

Every single word came to his mind as if Teacher Seo were teaching him right there.

Maybe he really was.

The tomb ghosts vanished through the flame. Still, he had a feeling that they hadnt left his side.

When he closed his eyes and opened them again, there they wereall five of them.

It didnt seem like they burned in flames, but their forms were more intact than before, there was a soft smile on their faces.

Seol Young told them,

I am sorry. I didnt know it

But they shook their heads.

[Do not say that. We knew it.]

A cold hand touched his shoulder.

[We dont have time. So go ahead and call. With your will in it]

Seol Young closed his eyes. The ghosts were right. He didnt have much time.

He hoped they would come and see them again.

I am here.

He began to reach out.

It was hurting, and things were getting hard. It was as if his consciousness was now sinking.

But he still called.

At some point, he even forgot to fight the demonic beings. He couldnt even hear the Hwarangs talking, either.

He continued to call.

I am here.

He called and called, but he didnt get an answer. No matter how long he waited, they didnt come.

The energy gradually faded, and there came a time when all the flame had destroyed almost everything.

He realized that the time had come for him too. Death was close. He exhaled a cold breath and touched his forehead.

.. I dont want to die.

His thoughts spread faintly.

I want to see you again.

The string of consciousness slipped from his hand.

His breathing was turning hazy, and his body began to prepare for death. Just like someone who was ready to give up his life, the lights went out one by one in his body.

All the things he had done in his life flashed before his eyes.

At that time, something broke down with a bang. Then he heard the footsteps of people running.

Here! He is here!

Baek San shouted, and it was followed by several surprised shouts.

You came.

Seol Young was happy. But he was feeling sleepy. He wanted to sleep.

He has some pulse, but it is too slow! It looks like it is going to stop soon!

NO! NO!

His body was trembling.

Get up! Why did you fight back with a weapon like this without giving up, even when you were all tied up?! It is because you waited for us!

I am sorry! I am sorry that I cursed you! Please open your eyes. I cannot let this happen!

As long as you open your eyes, I will do anything for you! You cannot give up now!

Baek Eon, Song Ok, and Hyo Wol were shouting.

We found him too late.

Baek Sans voice came from very close.

How cold it must have been for you to live near the graves without knowing your parents. How sad must it have been to depend on the ghosts and now lose them? How hard have you fought all alone since you opened your eyes to this world? I really wanted to tell you these when I saw you again.

A huge, warm hand touched him.

You dont have to do that now.

At that moment, Seol Young felt a great sense of relief. It was one of the warmest words he had heard.

Really?

He opened his eyes with much difficulty. Teacher wasnt there. Not even Baek Eon, Song Ok, or Hyo Wol. And not even the ghosts were there.

No warm hands. Just a sword.

Someone was standing and holding it in front of him.

Blue Rainbow

Yes.

The man who was standing there with the sword answered.

Seol Young realized it then.

The warmest words that remained in his memory.

It wasnt his teacher who said it, but Zaha.

He was standing in front of Seol Young and was looking at him. The tip of Blue Rainbows sheath touched his forehead playfully.

Get up.

The cold energy of death dissipated.