CHAPTER 125: COME AT ME

Come at Me

The walk back was silent for the most part.

The group kept a sizeable distance from Han Jiwon as they followed him. Han Jiwon also kept sneaking glances back at them. Or Eleanor, to be specific.

He’d dreamed of this day for so long, spent nights imagining the day Eleanor would finally give herself to him. He’d never imagined it happening in the way it did, but that didn’t matter. He’d gotten what he wanted.

He just had to make a deal with a potentially Citadel-destroying entity.

Speaking of, he felt the pleasure from the Abyssal Scrounger at his successful mission. However, he could feel it urge him to be cautious in case this was a trap.

A sentiment Han Jiwon didn’t share. They were barely keeping themselves from being affected by the corrupt Mana. And that’s those who could. That last person who looked to be from the Obsidian Tamer Hall was barely standing, and the triplets were also not doing too good.

They could hardly keep themselves from succumbing to the Mana. Talk less of being a threat.

’And they did a good job restraining him.’ He smiled darkly as he looked at Osho who was being dragged unceremoniously by his collar by Kurt, with Gale being levitated off the ground by Sugil using the crystal that encased him.

Seeing the proud bastard be dragged like a measly extra, and by his own ’friends’ at that, just made it all the more delicious.

He was vaguely aware that doing all of this would probably result in him being hunted down. But the Scrounger had assured him it would allow him to escape such a fate.

They made sure to keep their pace swift, though, that Nicolas guy was slowing them down quite a bit. It was annoying Han Jiwon, and he had half the heart to end him then and there, but he knew he was already treading on thin ice.

’Just succumb to the Mana already. You hold no value.’ He thought derisively, but said nothing.

Soon enough, the group reached the center of the simulated forest, and Han Jiwon heard them gasp as soon as they arrived.

Han Jiwon was also a bit surprised as a few things had changed.

There were quite a few more beasts than before. Each of them was as docile as the last time. Moreover, there were a lot of students who had been bound near the rock where the Abyssal Scrounger sat. A cursory glance got him an estimate of around 400 students, which was surprising, as he’d assumed most of the students were dead.

However, he didn’t care about any of that.

The beasts gave him and the others a wide berth, allowing them to reach the rock where the Scrounger was, and Han Jiwon could practically feel the apprehension and fear from the group. Which was semi-understandable. The thing wasn’t exactly the most pleasant to look at.

Regardless, the group reached the rock where it stayed, and as soon as they got close, its constantly churning body moved to the edge of the rock.

"You did well." The Scrounger spoke to Han Jiwon before turning its attention to the others.

"I must say, I’m both impressed and disappointed." It said as a large part of its tar-like body detached and moved towards the group. They all took a step back, but it stopped a few meters away from them.

"Impressed that you were able to ascertain what I wanted, and disappointed that you ended it so quickly. You humans are quite fun to play with, I expected a bit more of a challenge. Some resistance perhaps. But just presenting what I want on a platter like this, it ruins all the fun, you know?" Its voice was mocking, and the group looked irritated.

"... What are you? And why are you doing this?" Ellie asked.

"Gasp. My apologies. You humans place a lot of emphasis on introducing yourselves when you first meet. How could I have forgotten such basic courtesy?" It said with thick sarcasm.

"You can call me the Abyssal Scrounger. Or Scrounger for short. As for why I’m doing this, well, let’s just say, some people aren’t too happy with that boyard his beast over there killing my... sibling." The way it said ’sibling’ was as though it found it distasteful. But the information was also intriguing.

’Sibling...?’ Han Jiwon thought, confused. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t know why the Scrounger even wanted Osho. He’d assumed that it was due to his talent, but there were other talented people within this dome. Why him specifically?

’Wait... corruption. Sibling... no way!’ His eyes widened as he put two and two together. He was naturally aware of the existence of the Skyblight Harbinger, but the news had said the creature fell to the combined forces of the military after being weakened by the Citadel’s Expert Rank Beast Tamers.

Had that been a lie?

He looked at the faces of the others, and other than Ellie, they seemed shocked as well when they put the pieces together.

"Speaking of disappointments." It shifted its attention to Osho who was watching everything with an uncanny apathy that made Han Jiwon feel a bit apprehensive, but he quickly killed the feeling. He couldn’t fight back. No need to be on guard.

"With how you were moving, I thought you were going to come running in. I expected some massive showdown where you gave me your all. But you seem to have expended all your energy on protecting your friends. Friends who seem smarter than you, apparently." It openly mocked him before turning its attention to Gale.

"A truly interesting specimen you are. You possess a bloodline, correct? I’m quite curious to see what it can and can’t do. You will be an excellent addition to my collection." When it finished, Ellie finally spoke again.

"So... what do you want? We’ve brought Osho, so how do you plan on keeping your end of the bargain? If you even plan on doing so." She asked with a clipped tone, and the creature gave a gurgling chuckle that sent shivers down the spines of everyone.

"Fiesty. No wonder that boy wants you so much. Your body would be quite nice to have." Han Jiwon felt a spark of annoyance at that, but the thing must have noticed as it regarded him.

"Worry not. I won’t take your prize. I will keep my end of the bargain. However, I do need to ensure that things remain under my control somewhat. So I will do to them what I did to you." It assured him, and he felt his anger subside a little.

He understood, of course. There’s no way those outside would let things slide if they knew what happened. The Abyssal Scrounger would most likely use them as puppets. Ensure that it has a way to move outside without being caught, and probably use them to paint some fake story about what happened. It sounded terrible, but Han Jiwon had gotten what he wanted, so it was only natural that the thing would get what it wanted as well.

"But first." It turned its attention to Osho once more, who stared at the thing, his expression still apathetic.

"Hm. You’re not scared. I’ll give you that. But in the end, you’re only good enough to be put inside my... wardrobe." It chuckled.

"Go on. Do what you want. I’ll be busy with him first." It spoke to Han Jiwon who immediately straightened. Hearing that he’d been given permission, he turned to Eleanor who looked more than a bit apprehensive. Her friends looked ready to fight, but...

"A deal is a deal, Eleanor. Your safety is guaranteed, so... come here..." His voice faltered a bit at the last part as he couldn’t help but swallow his saliva, his eyes roaming her body without any shame whatsoever.

Her body was truly a work of art. Her proportions were a sight to behold before, and had only gotten better as she had gotten stronger, the Mana refining her body.

He couldn’t wait to feel it against his. And it was his. Truly all hi‐

His vision suddenly spun.

’Huh?’ The world was spinning. Why was that?

He didn’t understand. He tried to move his body, but he found out that he couldn’t. In fact, he couldn’t feel anything.

Then he saw it. His body.

Without its head.

’... Huh?’ Was the only thought he could muster before his vision went black.

"Oh, what’s this?" The Abyssal Scrounger said with a note of interest as Osho and Gale casually undid their bindings, not looking perturbed that its agent had just been killed with ease.

"That was... unpleasant," Osho said and cracked his neck.

"So, you’re related to the Skyblight Harbinger eh?" Osho asked as Gale came to hover next to him. Instantly, the Corrupt Mana which had been plaguing the group was pushed away. Nicolas straight up collapsed while the others breathed heavily.

"... I see. It was a ruse. Interesting." The Scrounger spoke with a flat tone, as though this was of no consequence.

"Well. It’s not an issue. I hoped for some fun anyway. So, you intend to resist, in this position?" It asked, naturally referring to the fact that the group was surrounded by hundreds of Beasts.

"Yup. However, I do intend to bait you a bit," Osho said honestly.

"Your ability centers around taking control of others right? Is it purely mental? Or is there some soul manipulation going on somewhere?" Now it was the Abyssal Scrounger’s turn to be surprised.

"Oh. You seem a bit more observant than I’d initially thought," It said before asking. "Indeed, it centers around souls. Why?" The conversation was so casual that one would almost forget the situation they were in.

"Hm. I assume that means killing you is absurdly difficult. Since as long as a part of you remains you could always just resurface at some point or another." Osho rubbed his chin before smiling.

"In that case. Come at me." His words caught everyone off guard.

"... Excuse me?" The Scrounger seemed confused.

"You heard me. Come at me. Your ability centers around controlling living beings, right? Well. Come at me. I’m confident I can resist you. And if I can’t, well, you get my body. Isn’t that what you want?" His words were spoken with such confidence, that the Scrounger had to pause.

"Osho wha-" Ellie was about to speak when he faced her and mouthed.

’Trust me.’ She paused and her jaw clenched as she really, really wanted to resist.

But the sheer confidence in his eyes made her hesitate, and after a few seconds, she nodded.

"Haha!" The Scrounger cackled at this.

"Oh wow. I wonder what makes you so confident. Well, it’d be insulting to my very existence if I couldn’t agree to such a challenge. Some fine. I’ll take you up on it. And if I can’t control you, I promise to leave you and everyone else here alone." It said as its body became whole once more.

"Good." Osho nodded and spread his arms.

"Come at me."