The Freak Show Foreman

Endless descent towards infinite space.

The emotions felt by the two demons as they tumbled through the dark sky were fear.

It was similar to the feeling that humans facing the abyss would experience.

Bayern, who unintentionally imparted a lesson in karma to the demons, ceased using his abilities.

No matter how much he was a disciple, he could not misuse the power of the Abyssal Chiral.

There was always a price to pay for his favour.

Especially for powerful abilities like the power of reversal.

Gravity returned to its original state.

However, the two had gained momentum and only started falling again after soaring for a while.

The height was estimated to be about 100 meters.

Even though their bodies were sturdy, they couldn't survive a fall from this height.

Then, they spotted a river a little away from the expected landing point.

At this height, even water would have a hard time serving as a cushion.

But it was better than crashing into the ground.

Once they survived, they could return to the Abyss and recover their bodies.

Zakanubas adjusted their posture.

It was a mid-air movement utilizing the repulsion from this world.

Bayern watched them with a smile.

He was an experienced exorcist.

He had already anticipated that they would react like this.

He glanced at the river and made a gesture.

With one hand still in place, he twisted the other hand downwards.

"Flowing water… turn back."

Once again, the power of the Abyssal Chiral manifested.

He attempted to reverse the "flowing water" into "still water" to freeze the river and strike their bodies.

However, the power of the Abyssal Chiral acted far beyond his expectations.

The world brightened up.

The members watching the fight shielded their eyes from the sudden burst of light.

Despite it being midnight, the brightness resembled daylight.

The source of the light was the river where Zakanubas were falling.

The river, which was flowing noisily until a moment ago, was now engulfed in large flames.

"Is the opposite of 'water' 'fire'? Damn, what kind of ability is this…"

Bayern cursed as he looked down at his own palm.

The power he possessed, the power of reversal, was quite unstable.

The duality and reversibility seemed like a binary choice between two predetermined results.

However, to divide the world into two requires a 'criterion', a third element.

The 'axis' around which the world is reversed was the user of the ability himself.

"Kieck!"

Fortunately, the result was much more effective than he had intended.

Their bodies, shattered by the impact of the fall, were incinerated by the flames.

They writhed a few times before turning into dust.

It was the fate that awaited the bodies of the demons exposed to the intense light.

However, Bayern's expression as he watched this wasn't pleasant.

It was because of the unintended consequences of the reversal.

Being responsible for reversing the aspect of the world was never an easy task for a human.

When using the power of reversal, if the role of the 'criteria' was not clearly defined, the user could also be affected by the ability.

Changes in habits or personality were fortunate, but in unfortunate cases, gender reversal could also occur.

The Abyssal Chiral of duality and reversal.

Having lived as its proxy, Bayern had long forgotten what his original personality was like.

Fortunately, it was clear that he was still a man…

Confirming the death of the demons, he released his powers.

The flames turned back into water.

The river emitted thick steam due to the intense heat around it.

Bayern glanced at the cigarette he had just thrown away and confirmed that it was still lit before putting it back in his mouth.

It was an unhygienic habit, but he didn't care.

"Hey, are you guys okay?"

Approaching them with his old coat fluttering, the man made the members take a step back.

Ella couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Having seen firsthand how strong those demons were, she knew.

But that man just played with them with a few gestures and words.

Overwhelming strength.

A type of power beyond common sense.

The man before her reminded her of someone she knew well.

Wonderstein.

"He resembles him."

Of course, in terms of appearance and attire, they were completely different, but the atmosphere they exuded was similar.

In the sense of 'danger.'

"Are you, their leader?"

He stood before Ella.

With a smile on his face as he lit a cigarette, he seemed relaxed.

It was almost inevitable for him to take advantage if the opponent showed any weakness.

She was adept at hiding her fear while facing Wonderstein.

She stood awkwardly with her arms crossed, leaning on one leg.

"Not the leader, but right below him."

At her words, he looked at her with a displeased expression.

"A brat without manners, interrupting adults' conversation."

It was then that Ella realized he was not addressing her, but someone behind her.

Strangely, he had addressed Womon.

Womon, pointed out as the leader by him, scratched the back of his head.

"I-I'm the youngest though…"

"Hmm?"

Ella raised her hand to his waist, looking at Bayern with a teasing smile.

"He may seem old, but he's actually 10 years old. I'm the assistant director of this circus."

"Ah… I thought he might be the leader when he smashed Zakanuba's head…"

At that moment, someone ran out of the village entrance.

It was a woman with a large pink flower on her head, so big it seemed burdensome.

With a tense face, she rushed out, looking surprised when she saw Bayle.

"Oh, Captain!"

"Valentina, the nun."

She ran towards him with a delighted face.

However, with a gloomy face, he extended his palm towards her, pushing her away.

"Whoa!"

Pushed away by him, she tumbled to the ground.

She immediately got up after falling and shouted at him.

"What are you doing!"

"What if you rush at me with thorns on your body."

At his words, she looked down at her own body with a realization.

She had come prepared to confront demons, with her body covered in spikes like a porcupine.

For him, a sorcerer, her embrace was uncomfortable.

"But still, that was too much! You should've said it instead of doing it!"

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"When have you ever stopped because I said something? You fool!"

His words made Valentina's face flush.

"Ugh! Captain, your temper is acting up again!"

"Didn't I used to keep quiet about these things? Frankly, every time I saw you, I thought you were stupid! You fool! Fool! Fool!"

"Ugh, p-please stop!"

She covered her ears with both hands, shaking her head.

"Anyway, it was Captain who took care of the Zakanuba. You're amazing to take down three of them!"

Bayern shrugged.

"It's not three. It's two. One was taken care of by these people here."

"What, really?"

Only then did she notice the circus members and looked surprised.

"Yeah. They're a circus, apparently. They used some strange powers… probably inspired by Kirku."

"Circus? Monster Circus? Ah, could it be that you are Wonderstein's subordinates?"

Ella, who had been on guard due to the successive appearances of unknown individuals, was moved by her words and stepped forward.

"S-Subordinates? Who said we're subordinates!"

"Then?"

"Just… well, it's an employment relationship… But aside from that… how do you know that person?"

"I don't know. I treated the people caught in the Debulroots together with him!"

Valentina told them about what happened with Debulroots.

The circus members were surprised not so much by the story of him defeating monsters alone but by the fact itself, causing Valentina, who had acted dramatically and raised her voice during the dramatic scenes, to feel quite embarrassed.

Ella guessed why the members were shaken by that fact.

She was not the one who didn't know what question they had been wanting to ask Wonderstein all this time.

Wonderstein, who could manipulate and play with human bodies.

They had been too afraid, too worried that even after their fears were allayed, they might receive a negative answer, so they didn't dare to ask.

Could it be a cursed deformity treatment that even skilled doctors, alchemists, magicians, and priests didn't know about?

Maybe Wonderstein could provide an answer.

Still, there was always a lingering doubt in her heart.

Perhaps…

Maybe…

Could it be possible, after all?

If it were the Director…

To change their bodies.

The question they had harbored in their hearts but couldn't bring themselves to ask.

But today, a clue was revealed.

The incurable curse plague.

It was related to their origins.

But he claimed to have cured it.

Then…

"Hey, you blabbermouth! Why are you talking so much? Are you spreading rumors that we're tracking down Black Mages?"

"Uh, well, no!"

Valentina's expression crumpled at the unexpected sight.

"You did, you did! Ah, just shut that foul mouth of yours!"

"Ah! Don't let go!"

It was Ella who first noticed the anomaly.

While the members exchanged hopeful news and the two exorcists chatted amongst themselves, only she, who remained vigilant, could detect it.

Even though it was night, that place was unusually dark.

The black curtains seemed to absorb all light.

"There…"

"I clearly said you should hurry up and get what you need from the priest and come to the meeting place!"

"B-But, you see, the plague is spreading…"

Ella, unable to contain herself any longer, shouted.

"Look at that!"

Only when Ella pointed did everyone's gaze shift to where she was indicating.

The members didn't know what the black curtain fluttering in the air meant, but the two exorcists knew what it signified.

Valentina's complexion turned pale, and even Bayern, who had remained composed in front of the Zakanuba, couldn't hide his perplexity.

Ella could understand.

The emotions that surfaced on their faces were unmistakable fear.

"What… is that size?"

"Ah, that's right! The Mabanggyeon has become extremely hot!"

"Mabanggyeon? Why are you saying this now?"

"Because… the captain kept pressuring me so I couldn't find the time to say…"

"After this is over, I'll…"

There wasn't much time for yelling.

A chilling and sharp wind, like that blowing through a gap in an Arctic glacier, flowed through the black curtain.

At the same time, a large figure appeared there.

At first glance, it resembled Zakanuba.

Although it was several times larger, it had a rabbit's head with antlers and long arms stretched out.

However, the creature wore a helmet made of a dragon's skull on its face and draped a silky black cloth behind it like wings.

And most notably, a large ebony scythe hung over its shoulder.

Valentina realized that what she had read before wasn't wrong.

It was just that there were so many Zakanuba gathered there…

In the depths of its crimson eyes, flames flickered.

Noua-Zakanuba.

A high-ranking demon of the Abyss nicknamed the "Reaper."

He emerged from the Abyss's curtain, surpassing dozens of Zakanuba's in power