Episode 420: Return to the Demonic Pavilion

The manor was shrouded in a dark crimson aura, like a massive shield. Inside, the landscape wavered as if seen through a heat haze, exuding an eerie atmosphere.

“Sealed memories,” Mu-rang explained. “That barrier exists because of the seal.”

“Can we get in?” Sa-bi-gang asked.

Mu-rang nodded. “It’s possible, but we’ll have to deal with the Guardian Spirits.”

“Guardian Spirits?”

“If you try to force your way into the sealed memories, they’ll appear. Once we get past them, we’ll have to sneak by the guards patrolling the manor.”

“So, we can get in. Let’s go.”

With that, Sa-bi-gang strode forward. As he passed through the crimson barrier, a strange sensation washed over him. They were about thirty paces from the manor when a shadowy figure appeared before them, cloaked in black from head to toe, wearing a white mask with holes for eyes, nose, and mouth.

“A Guardian Spirit!” Sa-bi-gang realized just as the spirit raised a hand, a massive scythe materializing to strike at his neck.

“Tch!” Sa-bi-gang clicked his tongue, retreating swiftly and swinging his sword, Veritas.

Clang! The metallic clash echoed as the scythe vanished like smoke, only for more Guardian Spirits to appear around them.

“Be careful!” Mu-rang shouted, struggling against his own foes.

Sa-bi-gang smirked. “Interesting!”

He slashed horizontally with Veritas, sending a wave of energy that dispersed the spirits like smoke. He then leaped to Mu-rang’s side, cutting down the spirits surrounding him.

“Let’s go!” Sa-bi-gang urged, and they sprinted toward the manor.

“As long as we get inside, the spirits won’t follow,” Mu-rang assured him. But the spirits kept appearing, forcing Sa-bi-gang to fend them off with his sword. The lack of resistance when striking them was disconcerting, and the effort was draining.

Despite the fatigue, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. The spirits’ attacks were relentless, and each hit felt like being cut by a dark blade.

Sa-bi-gang paused, frustrated by the endless swarm of spirits blocking their path. “These things are endless!”

“The seal is stronger than I thought,” Mu-rang admitted.

“Any other ideas?”

“None. We have to break through.”

“Then let’s clear them out!” Sa-bi-gang launched himself forward, his sword aimed at the heart of a spirit. They vanished only when dealt a fatal blow, like a beheading or a pierced heart.

With a swift motion, he skewered several spirits, watching them dissolve into smoke. More spirits charged at him, but Sa-bi-gang was ready.

“Can I use magic?” he asked.

“Why not?” Mu-rang replied, gesturing toward the manor. “No one outside can hear us.”

“Good to know,” Sa-bi-gang muttered, extending his hands. “Explosion!”

Boom! The spirits burst into black mist, the manor remaining eerily silent despite the chaos. Yet, as quickly as they vanished, more spirits appeared.

“Enough of this!” Sa-bi-gang gritted his teeth, hoisting Mu-rang onto his shoulder. “Hold on!”

He leaped into the air, casting another spell. “Fire Field!”

The ground erupted in flames, consuming the spirits in a fiery blaze. Sa-bi-gang soared toward the manor, landing near the wall as more spirits closed in.

Mu-rang jumped down, blasting the spirits with a powerful spell. “Let’s move!”

They climbed the wall, the spirits unable to follow. “We made it,” Sa-bi-gang said, catching his breath.

“Now to find the Light of Tranquility,” Mu-rang replied. “Let’s go.”

They crouched low, moving swiftly along the wall. Reaching the roof of a nearby building, they surveyed the heavily guarded central pavilion.

“Let’s split up,” Sa-bi-gang suggested.

Mu-rang nodded, leaping away. Sa-bi-gang moved stealthily toward the main hall, taking out guards with precision.

He approached the last few guards, planning to take them out simultaneously. But a metallic clang from Mu-rang’s direction alerted the guards.

“Now!” Sa-bi-gang sprang into action, dispatching the guards with swift strikes. Veritas flew from his hand, striking true.

Mu-rang appeared, dusting himself off. “A bit tricky, wasn’t it?”

“You almost got us caught,” Sa-bi-gang chided.

“But it worked out,” Mu-rang grinned.

Sa-bi-gang retrieved Veritas, and they continued their infiltration. As they moved, two figures emerged from the main hall, catching Sa-bi-gang’s attention.

“Who are they?” he wondered aloud.

“Something wrong?” Mu-rang asked.

“Nothing,” Sa-bi-gang replied, watching the figures disappear into the night.

As soon as the couple moved away, Sabigang cut through the roof’s wooden beams.

Thanks to his skill, the wood sliced smoothly.

Once the two slipped beneath the roof, the interior of the main hall was fully revealed.

Sabigang frowned.

“I can’t see anything.”

“Could we be too late?”

A thought suddenly flashed through Sabigang’s mind.

“Could it be those people who just left…?”

“It seems the delay was caused by the spirits. Let’s go after them!”

Despite the effort it took to infiltrate, they had to retreat without achieving anything.

The two quickly climbed back onto the roof.

In the distance, they spotted the couple walking away from the estate.

The man was carrying a box.

“Is that it?”

With a swift motion, Sabigang and Murang began to pursue them.

Just as they were about to leave the estate, a voice rang out.

“Who are those people?!”

Members of the Red Demon Squad, returning to the estate, spotted them and shouted sharply.

Sabigang frowned.

“Red Mask…?”

The leader of the squad was indeed the Red Mask, someone Sabigang had already killed once.

Murang spoke up.

“This is the Dream Realm. Even if you eliminated him, time will restore him from memory.”

Sabigang, looking annoyed, walked straight up to the Red Mask.

“I don’t want to kill you a third time. Step aside.”

“What nonsense are you—”

In an instant, a flash of light sliced through the Red Mask’s neck.

His head flew into the air and landed with a thud on the ground.

A fountain of blood erupted from the body as it collapsed.

“Don’t follow. It’s a hassle.”

With that, Sabigang kicked off the ground and dashed away.

Murang quickly followed.

The Red Demon Squad members stood in shock for a moment before someone shouted,

“Catch those bastards!”

At the command, the squad members all began to chase after Sabigang and Murang.