Lord of Despair and Hatred (9)

Lord of Despair and Hatred (9)

It’s her first time in real combat. There was no time to think about anything else.

All Jeon So-hyeon, who had opened her spiritual eyes, could see was a massive lump of demonic energy radiating enormous hatred.

“Ugh…”

She gritted her teeth.

Because she can see what others can’t, she can understand and feel it better. Therefore, she can interfere with those things and at the same time be more affected by them.

‘That’s not just a simple monster!’

To others, it’s just a terrifying monster. But the Kang Jun-seok that she sees now has surpassed the level of a simple monster.

The hatred and despair he emits are transmitted without filter. It’s a dense malice and killing intent that freezes even the police, Special Forces, and Magical Girls with just a fragment of it.

Jeon So-hyeon, who handles Pama power and is more sensitive to demonic energy than anyone else, had to face it head-on. Even if her own power somewhat offsets it, it’s a pressure that can’t be endured with ordinary mental strength.

“Pama technique… Pacheon…!”

However, Jeon So-hyeon managed to endure it, even as her face contorted.

Gabi’s merciless training was a great help, but in fact, she was a tough person who had gone through various experiences before, able to endure such inhumane and extreme training.

“Argh!”

Overcoming the opponent’s dark energy, a blue lightning-like power of Pharma burst from her outstretched hand.

Magic and Pharma’s power are opposites. She had already endured the opponent’s power, so now it was her turn.

“What, how is this possible.”

“The monster’s body is dispersing!”

The rampaging monster, Kang Jun-seok, who was hit by Pharma’s power, screamed and writhed. Unlike Jeon So-hyeon, a being that has lost its reason and is raging cannot withstand it with willpower.

Everyone watching the scene was shocked.

Due to their opposing nature, once hit, the effect is maximized. Even the Special Forces, who had been pushed back, were left speechless at the sight of the monster collapsing with a single blow.

‘It’s over…’

Jeon So-hyeon, clutching her knee, panted as she watched Kang Jun-seok lose consciousness and collapse along with the dissipating black vapor.

It was because she had drawn too much power at once, still unskilled in controlling it, to the point where her stamina was depleted.

“What on earth…”

“Team leader! He, he’s still alive!”

One of the Special Forces members shouted to the dazed team leader after confirming that Kang Jun-seok, collapsed on the ground, was still breathing.

[That’s enough, now retreat]

It was then that Jeon So-hyeon heard Gabi’s whisper in her ear. So she turned away without watching any further.

“Wait!”

It was then that the Special Forces team leader grabbed her. His eyes were shaking as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Who, who are you? Don’t tell me you’re another experiment…”

“I’m not some experiment. And does that even matter?”

She turned away with a cold expression.

“If it was difficult to save us, you should have at least properly prevented it.”

“W-we did our best. We requested support and planned to attack again…”

“That’s the wrong answer. You know it full well.”

She sighed, her eyes alternating between the special task force leader and the magical girl who was starting to sense the atmosphere.

“If you had cooperated, it might have been possible. But you didn’t. In the end, saving people isn’t what’s most important to you.”

As a psychic, she could understand better. What emotions were mixed in that gloomy aura Kang Jun-seok was emitting.

An intense anger and despair she had never felt before. And sadness. Knowing this, Jeon So-hyeon couldn’t possibly view them favorably.

“I didn’t expect anything from the start. You were always that kind of people.”

“What do you know to talk…”

Jeon So-hyeon sneered and left the place. One of the agitated special task force members opened his mouth, but the team leader stopped him.

‘Certainly, the higher-ups must have something more in mind than simply creating a new crisis response system.’

The team leader also didn’t fully trust the superiors giving him orders. Their purpose was clear. He had only joined agreeing that it was simply a new system to replace magical girls, but he was gradually learning more about the true nature of One Road.

“She’s not wrong, is she?”

“Magical girl.”

“It’s all because of you people. I’m just a coward who doesn’t want to step up first and doesn’t belong anywhere, but you automatically consider magical girls as enemies and treat them with hostility.”

The magical girl Clea spoke to him, his face complicated.

“Especially girls like Casilena who work even at the risk of getting hurt… while you adults just get in the way. Are you feeling wronged? I’m talking about your higher-ups.”

She openly sneered and mocked them, but they couldn’t openly refute her either.

As the Special Forces gradually expanded, there was a significant gap between the field ranks and the command ranks. At least half of the newly recruited members from Korea were those who volunteered with genuinely pure intentions.

However, the purpose of those controlling them was already a political arena tightly bound by intricate and detailed interests.

“It would be a misjudgment to be too complacent just because you’re a low-ranking member following orders. Lunatics like Taquilath don’t care about such things.”

She left those words behind as she departed.

The Special Forces members, each deep in thought, remained in place until police reinforcements arrived from afar.

***

“Phew.”

“I was worried I might have to start over when I forgot the spell midway, but somehow I managed to remember it.”

While the others were left to clean up, Jeon So-hyeon, unlike before, arrived at the alley where Gabi, now invisible to others, was waiting, and removed her mask.

“It’s ruined.”

After catching her breath, she sighed while looking at her phone. Images and videos of her had already been spreading on the internet for a while.

It was clear that her personal information would be exposed soon.

“Isn’t this what you prepared for?”

“That’s true, but now that it’s happened, I envy those magical girls who can transform.”

She smiled bitterly. She had been prepared for her identity to be revealed. She knew that in today’s world, it was impossible to completely hide unless one could transform like a magical girl.

“That monster. As expected, it wasn’t just a simple beast.”

“I saw it too. It was closer to a rampaging collective entity made of negative energy. It’s completely incompatible with the power of Pharma.”

“Taquilath said that. There’s a monster that creates such monsters.”

“…That’s right. Until we catch him, we can never stop those monsters in this land.”

Gabi, who had suddenly taken out a pipe, lit it and muttered absent-mindedly while puffing smoke.

“There are too many wounded people in this land. Far, far too many. It’s a world where only humans exist. It’s truly detestable and horrific. And what has become of it? Humans have divided themselves into celestials, demons, fairies, orcs, and goblins. Indeed, befitting the only race capable of producing hybrids with all other races.”

Jeon So-hyeon couldn’t respond to Gabi’s quiet words. The deep and rough emotions she had just felt were still vivid.

“We need to establish roots as quickly as possible. But will that be easy? The humans here are nothing but a ragtag bunch. They’re fools who indulge in luxury on a sinking ship, not knowing their place. If my lord were to rule over you, none of you would survive.”

“But, but there are still many good people.”

Jeon So-hyeon spoke without realizing it in response to Gabi’s scathing words.

Of course, it was sincere. She firmly believed that there were people trying to correct what was wrong.

“And there’s hope too.”

“Hope?”

Gabi turned her head in the direction Jeon So-hyeon was looking. A group of middle school students was coming out of the underground.

Unaware of what had happened outside while they were having fun, they seemed bewildered by the gathering ambulances and police.

“Well, they’re not that much younger than me, but anyway.”

“Is there any guarantee that they won’t become as corrupt as the current adults?”

“That depends on how we guide them.”

Jeon So-hyeon found herself closely observing one of them. A female student who stood out among the group with her beauty and aura.

“…Hmm, maybe you’re right.”

Gabi smirked. Of course, it was a smile with a completely different meaning from the serious Jeon So-hyeon.

“I heard there was some danger, but you seem to be alright. We didn’t even know something was happening underground.”

“Ahem. It happened a bit far from here. Fortunately.”

Lee Jin-ah, noticing that Jeon So-hyeon was watching her, left the group and approached her.

Jeon So-hyeon cleared her throat and gave a vague answer. Naturally, she assumed that Lee Jin-ah couldn’t see Gabi like other ordinary people.

“It was a monster. But a somewhat unusual monster.”

‘Why am I telling this to this kid?’

Breaking the brief awkward silence that followed, Jeon So-hyeon opened her mouth again. However, the words that came out were involuntary.

“What kind of monster is it?”

“…Despair, and hatred.”

“I saw what Taquilas said on the news.”

Jeon So-hyeon was flustered, but her mouth moved on its own. However, Lee Jin-ah nodded as if she had expected it.

“In other words, the mastermind gives desperate people a chance for revenge and corrupts them… Think about it carefully. Where is he hiding while doing this? It might be difficult right now, but if he has a purpose for these actions, he’ll probably show a specific pattern soon.”

Lee Jin-ah casually dropped a big clue and left again.

Jeon So-hyeon stared blankly at her retreating figure.