A Terminal Healer Needs an Obsessive Maniac-Chapter 128
The red bird, Ruby, who had been quietly hiding in the pocket of the Hwangseong ceremonial uniform, moved swiftly and brought back the S-Class item, the pocket ring, that Ryu Seoha had spotted during the battle.
“Well done.”
Ryu Seoha quickly slipped the ring onto his finger, lightly praising the bird. Ruby chirped softly, rubbing its face against Ryu Seoha’s palm. Choi Kanghoo, who had been staring at the swirling black hole with displeasure, turned his gaze to the little bird, clearly not thrilled.
“Let’s catch the apostles first.”
Ryu Seoha patted the strong arms holding him, soothing him with gentle words. He was still troubled by the fact that he hadn’t yet secured an item to help him resist the dark magic filling the higher dimension. It was something the original Choi Kanghoo didn’t need, so obtaining it had been delayed.
If the apostles continued using humanity as a shield, hiding across various countries, it would become a serious headache. Now that they had successfully lured them out, they needed to end this. Choi Kanghoo nodded in agreement.
[You are now exposed to the effects of the S-Class item, 'Pocket Ring.']
With his lover’s approval, Ryu Seoha placed his hand on Kanghoo's broad shoulder and infused magic into the ring. In an instant, his body shrunk to less than half the size of Ruby.
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As he shrunk, now small enough to fit on Choi Kanghoo’s shoulder, he felt the red wings that had blocked his vision carry him into his lover's shirt pocket. It was the perfect depth.
“…A shame I can't look at you a little longer.”
Choi Kanghoo muttered in a disappointed tone as he stared at the now tiny Ryu Seoha, watching as the soul and the remains of the First Apostle were collected. His voice was thick with regret.
As he gently stroked Ryu Seoha's small head with his fingertips, his lingering gaze spoke volumes. It was as if he wanted to kidnap him and roll him around in his mouth.
“When we’re done, I’ll let you play with your doll all you want.”
Ryu Seoha whispered in a soft, wind-like voice, soothing his lover’s disappointment. Finally shaking off his reluctance, Choi Kanghoo summoned his sword with a hand gesture.
Clang—!
The sound of metal scraping filled the air as his weapon clashed with something large descending from above. It was a giant carpet, unfurling like a rolled-up scroll covering the sky.
“The Black Swamp Carpet, one of the cult’s sacred artifacts.”
Despite the thunderous noise around him, Choi Kanghoo didn’t miss the small voice coming from the pocket of his shirt.
“A tool specialized in controlling the surrounding magic, I assume.”
He muttered as he observed the monsters that had been frozen in place by his magic beginning to stir again, feeling the ambient magic, which had been locked in place, start to writhe.
“Yes. It works well with tracking abilities, so there’s a high chance the Eleventh Apostle is nearby…”
Ryu Seoha trailed off as the fabric of his lover's shirt pocket flapped violently in the wind, cutting him off. His eyes darted around, assessing the situation.
Boom—!
Choi Kanghoo quickly dodged, stepping aside as gigantic spears resembling the thick columns of an ancient temple rained down on the spot where he had just been standing, turning the square into rubble.
Thankfully, civilians had been barred from the area since the meeting was scheduled here. Otherwise, there would have been massive casualties. Each of those S-Class items was powerful enough to be used only as a final blow when hunting boss monsters.
What made matters worse was the spatial magic mixed in with these attacks, suggesting the possible involvement of the Fifth Apostle, who specialized in such abilities. It seemed the remaining apostles had gathered.
The sturdy ground and grand electronic billboards were shattered, and the famous shops lining the square were demolished without mercy. Choi Kanghoo surveyed the destruction, then grabbed Ruby with one hand.
“This might make you a bit dizzy.”
He warned as he stuffed the small bird into his shirt pocket alongside Ryu Seoha, preparing for rapid movement. After watching Ruby’s fiery wings gently envelop his tiny lover, Kanghoo activated his skill.
[You are now exposed to the effects of the skill, ‘Spatial Leap.’]
As the chaotic scene unfolded behind them, with S-Class monsters freed from the frozen magic, rushing toward them, Choi Kanghoo’s power took hold.
[You are now exposed to the effects of the skill, ‘Spatial Leap.’]
.
.
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[You are now exposed to the effects of the skill, ‘Spatial Leap.’]
Ryu Seoha, unable to process the sheer speed of events, clenched his eyes shut. ‘A bit dizzy’ was a severe understatement—it felt like the world was spinning out of control.
“Chirp…”
Ruby fluttered her wings gently, wrapping them around him like a mother bird comforting her chick. The warm feathers brushing his delicate skin helped calm his racing heart.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Ryu Seoha tried to gather his thoughts and assess the situation.
Choi Kanghoo had already killed one apostle in Venice, two more in Prague Castle, and three during a rescue mission. Of the remaining six apostles, the First Apostle was dead, the Second Apostle’s location had been traced, and the Third, Fifth, and Eleventh Apostles were currently engaged in battle with Choi Kanghoo.
‘So, where is the Fourth Apostle?’
Opening his eyes despite the lingering dizziness, Ryu Seoha scanned the chaotic Times Square. Apostles he recognized were fleeing across the piles of monster corpses.
Despite unleashing all manner of rare items and sacred artifacts, they seemed solely focused on avoiding Choi Kanghoo’s relentless attacks. The Yeo-ui Sword, now splitting into hundreds of blades, slashed and struck at their bodies.
Though the strikes appeared random, none of the blows were wasted. Choi Kanghoo was systematically hunting the apostles, driving them into a corner, their blood dripping as they fled.
“Ah! Guild Leader!”
Amidst the chaos, Choi Kanghoo suddenly hesitated. A voice that should not have been heard here rang out, startling him. His gaze turned sharply toward the source of the noise, and Ryu Seoha's focus followed.
“Please, save me!”
Standing on the rooftop of a building to the east was an S-Class monster, its sharp proboscis pressed against the temple of someone Ryu Seoha and Kanghoo both knew all too well. It was like watching a desperate criminal take a hostage.
It was Dr. Han Gangsuk, who should have been safely secured in his heavily guarded house in Hannam-dong. His expression of utter despair was identical to the one he had worn at the cemetery in the western U.S.
“That’s the Fourth Apostle.”
Ryu Seoha's calm words left no room for doubt, and Choi Kanghoo’s eyes narrowed.
“There are others too!”
As if hearing Ryu Seoha’s quiet pronouncement, the man disguised as Dr. Han Gangsuk frantically pointed elsewhere. His desperate gesture was aimed at a collapsed building to the south.
“Huff.”
Amidst the clouds of dust, another familiar face emerged. Despite being threatened by an S-Class monster, Han Gaeul wore an expression of forced composure, trying to suppress her fear.
Frowning, Ryu Seoha followed a strange instinct and turned toward the sinkhole in the west. As expected, another familiar figure was caught in the clutches of an S-Class monster.
“….”
Though battered and worn, her lips remained tightly sealed, and her eyes scanned her surroundings with caution. This was Kwon Sejeong, who should have been busy providing serum to make rank booster potions.
Finally, Ryu Seoha’s gaze drifted north, and his eyes narrowed. Just as he had suspected, but hoped would not be the case, the person trapped there was none other than his precious sister, Ryu Jeonga.
“Seoha…”
Her faint voice called his name, filled with sorrow. As he gazed at his eldest sister, now reduced to prey, Ryu Seoha's lips twisted slightly. His expression resembled a mocking smile.
“Choi Kanghoo, you can kill them all.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Choi Kanghoo activated his [Spatial Leap] skill, not bothering to question the reason behind Ryu Seoha’s cold command. Ryu Jeonga’s face, darkened with confusion, grew more and more panicked as the grim reaper drew near.
“Se-Seoha!”
Just as a desperate plea left her lips, a large hand reached out and grabbed Ryu Jeonga—or rather, the Fourth Apostle’s neck, which had taken her form.
“Ruby, cover your eyes.”
After ensuring the bird’s wings were covering Ryu Seoha's view, Choi Kanghoo squeezed his grip. The ominous cracking sound of bones breaking was muffled by Ruby’s crimson and golden wings.
“Tsk. Just a mirage.”
Ryu Seoha, having swiftly removed the bird’s wings from his face, watched as the image of his sister disappeared like a malfunctioning hologram.
“They must have used an item that enables cloning.”
“So, one of the remaining three is the real one.”
As Ryu Seoha explained, Kanghoo’s lips curled into a pleased grin. He surveyed the east, west, and south, deciding which target to go after first.
Then, an unsettling aura emerged from beyond the closed warp gate. It was dark magic from a higher being—one he had encountered before.
