"I didn't sense any Mana being used... How did you defeat the Banshee?"
"Have you forgotten what we Dwarves excel at?"
"...What does drinking beer have to do with it? Was beer the Banshee's weakness?"
"..."
A brief silence fell between Daimons and me. He then threw his head back and roared with laughter.
"Hahaha! A good joke! It's true we Dwarves love our beer, but that's not the answer. The real answer lies in my equipment. If I can't capture a Banshee, I'll simply forge weapons that can!"
"I see. Is the chainmail also what makes you immune to curses?"
"Indeed. Banshee curses aren't particularly potent, so wearing this is enough to withstand them."
"I noticed a fine powder left behind where the Banshee vanished. What is that?"
"As you can see, it's Banshee powder. By using it, you can sharpen swords or create a cloak that repels the cold to your liking."
Daimons shook the bottle containing the powder. It was a fine, blue dust.
"What happens if you ingest it?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Hmm."
I decided to test the Banshee powder on bandits or prisoners later. It might be an even more potent narcotic than heroin or methamphetamine.
As we ventured deeper into the Ironwood Forest, monster attacks became increasingly frequent. Surprisingly, facing Banshees that soared through the air proved easier than dealing with Monster Rats that scurried faster than cockroaches. The Banshees, perhaps overconfident, lacked agility.
"It's reassuring to have a warrior of your caliber by my side," Daimons remarked.
"Lord Daimons is no ordinary warrior himself," I replied.
"I know it's flattery, but it's still pleasant to hear."
We avoided Ironwood trees possessed by Banshees entirely, steering clear of Ironwood Ghosts whenever they appeared.
"Shouldn't we deal with the Ironwood Ghosts?" I asked.
"The Banshees will eventually release their possession and leave the Ironwood trees on their own. To defeat an Ironwood Ghost, we'd need to cleave through steel-like wood in a single strike time we don't have."
"Why not just set it on fire?"
"Do you think ironwood would even catch fire?"
"..."
We finally found the White Ironwood we were looking for.
It was more than three times larger than other Ironwood trees and pure white.
"What do we do now?" I asked.
In response, Daimons gripped the iron axe hanging from his back.
"Obviously, we need to chop it until the sap flows. Then we'll insert the steel straw. I'll chop the White Ironwood, so keep an eye out for me. Monsters always seem to interrupt when I'm chopping trees..."
Just as Daimons started walking toward the tree,
Giggle, giggle, giggle.
A chilling laughter echoed through the forest, and the White Ironwood's sharp branches lashed out like whips. Daimons startled and dodged sideways, leaping toward me.
"Huff! Damn it!"
"A Banshee?"
"Ordinary Banshees can't possess White Ironwood. It's the Banshee Queen."
Daimons glared fiercely at the White Ironwood, his expression filled with frustration, but he didn't recklessly charge forward.
"Today's a bust. Let's head back to the village."
"Are there no other White Ironwood trees nearby?"
"There are, but they're too far away from here. It's late, so we should return to the village tonight and go to another White Ironwood location tomorrow."
To have to retreat empty-handed because of a single monster... I didn't like it.
"Lord Daimons, no matter how I think about it, it feels wrong to retreat after coming all this way. Let's draw out the Banshee Queen and kill her."
"Did you see those branches attacking me earlier? The attacks will only get faster and stronger the deeper we go. Plus, White Ironwood is far tougher than regular Ironwood. Unless the Banshee Queen shows herself, we'll have to hack through the White Ironwood... Ugh. This is just depressing."
Even I would struggle with that. To chop through this White Ironwood with an axe would take... no, at least several hours of hacking. And that's while dodging the White Ironwood Ear's attacks.
"Lord Daimons, iron doesn't burn, but it conducts electricity."
I summoned a Thunderbolt in my palm. Daimons' eyes widened, and he nodded slowly.
"Indeed... But that won't burn the White Ironwood."
"This isn't just any Thunderbolt. I believe it will even affect the Banshee Queen possessing the White Ironwood."
Killing the possessed creature also kills the possessing Banshee a defining characteristic of Banshees in this world.
I hurled a Thunderbolt at the White Ironwood. Azure lightning struck the tree's trunk, and the electric current surged through its entire body.
*Pzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"Hahaha! This one-sided assault is so much fun! Just my style!"
"Banshee Queen! The troublesome monster that's been tormenting us! Keep going! More!"
Encouraged by Daimons' cheers, the attacks continued relentlessly.
Finally, unable to withstand the onslaught any longer, the Banshee Queen released her possession and burst forth from the White Ironwood like a geyser.
She was about 1.5 times larger than a typical banshee, and a cracked crown adorned her head.
Screeeeeech!
The banshee shrieked and charged toward us.
"Lord Daimons!"
"Don't worry!"
Daimons stepped in front of me and swung his hammer. The hammer struck true, but there was no sound. The Banshee Queen seemed to fly sideways for a moment before abruptly changing direction and lunging at me again.
Crackling!
Thunderbolt crackled in my hand, yet the Banshee Queen didn't flinch.
Screech!
With a piercing scream of agony, she clung to my body and burrowed deep inside. Though Mana shielded me, her possession couldn't be stopped perhaps because she was the Banshee Queen herself.
You have been possessed by the Banshee Queen.
Your exceptional Mental Strength resists the Banshee Queen's possession.
The Banshee Queen's possession remains unbroken.
Normally, possession meant instant unconsciousness and complete surrender of one's body to the Banshee.
But now, my mind remained clear. The problem was that neither I nor the Banshee Queen could control my body.
"Good heavens! Possession!"
Daimons recoiled from me in shock. A wise decision.
"L-Lord Daimons...!"
"Huh?! You damned Banshee Queen! What trick are you trying to pull?!"
"No! Lord Daimons! It's me! Sung Yujin! The Banshee Queen hasn't taken control of my mind!"
"...Is such a thing even possible?"
"You're seeing it right now! The Banshee Queen and I are fighting for control of my body!"
My body convulsed violently, like a patient in the throes of a seizure. My limbs twisted into grotesque angles. When the Banshee Queen, possessing my body, tried to move forward, I pulled backward. Whenever I attempted to summon Mana, she interfered.
"...This is driving me mad. What am I supposed to do?"
"That's..."
I didn't know either. This was my first time being possessed, and I had never researched the subject in detail.
The King of the Demonic Heavens has donated 1,000 AP.
"Do you want help? The condition is to kill one person per day for the next 100 days."
The King of the Demonic Heavens' proposal irritated me.
"Shut up!!"
"Why are you suddenly acting like this? Is my voice that annoying?"
"Ah, no, I wasn't talking to you, Lord Daimons! That Banshee Queen dares to try seducing me, not knowing her place!"
"Such evil! Don't fall for the Banshee Queen's seduction!"
The Lord of the Heavens has donated 10,000 AP.
"How long do you intend to keep up this farce? You're not actually falling for the Banshee Queen, are you?"
"..."
I racked my brain. Judging by the Lord of the Heavens' lukewarm reaction, I might already possess a way to break free from the Banshee Queen's possession.
"Sung Yujin! I'll break your legs and arms first, then take you back to the village! We'll find a slower method to undo the possession there!"
"Huh?! What are you talking about?!"
Has this crazy Dwarf gone completely mad?!
"There's no other way!"
"No! Wait! Just calm down and wait a moment! Thunderbolt!"
Zzzzzzzzz!
Electricity surged through my body. Though my physical and mana movements were still restricted, Thunderbolt activated because it was a skill. The current coursed through me, but the Banshee Queen remained unharmed. My body itself was immune to Thunderbolt's effects.
Use Deception (SS) to change the Status Window to Heavenly Demon? No, since my physical body isn't changing, it probably won't work...
Is the Demonic Heavenly Art the answer? Perhaps the Heavenly Demon Physique grants resistance to possession.
...Judging by the Lord of the Heavens' reaction, there must be a way! ...Ah!
I had it.
"Lightning Speed!"
I activated the most recently acquired Skill from the world of God's Atlantis.
My body underwent Electric Body Transformation. As my flesh turned into thunderbolt, my physical form temporarily vanished.
Screech?!
The possession broke. The Banshee Queen stood before me, bewildered.
"Manroe!"
Lightning tore through the Banshee Queen's body.
410 AP acquired.
Where the Banshee Queen had stood, only powder and a bracelet remained.
"Impressive! Who would have thought you could kill the Banshee Queen with such a method!"
Lightning Speed deactivated after three seconds, returning me to my original form. I retrieved the bracelet and powder that had fallen to the ground.
Banshee Queen's Powder
A high-quality material with various uses.
Provides resistance to cold. Can reveal the invisible.
Rank: B
Banshee Queen's Bracelet
Usable only by women.
Grants temporary flight based on Mana reserves.
Mana +5
Rank: A
I wasn't sure about the Banshee Queen's Powder yet, but the Banshee Queen's Bracelet was quite impressive. The flight ability was situational, but the Mana boost was excellent. The only drawback was the female-only restriction.
I should give this as a gift. But to whom?
Daimons approached. I quickly hid the bracelet behind my back.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of coveting your possessions. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Wouldn't you give me the Banshee Queen's Powder? I won't ask for it for free. I'll pay a fair price..."
"I'll think about it. Let's gather White Ironwood sap first."
It seemed the Banshee Queen's Powder wasn't just for blacksmiths. I could probably sell it for a higher price in the city.
As Daimons collected the sap, he asked, "You won't sell the Banshee Queen's Powder? I'll pay handsomely."
"Have a beer."
"Kiyaaa! Beer after a battle hits different!"
I often visited the Ironwood Forest.
Training my Demonic Heavenly Art in the forest's cool air was far more productive than wasting time in the village.
That day, I was diligently training, slaying Monster Rats and Banshees as usual.
Then I sensed an unusual presence.
"...What is that?"
The Qi felt far more distinct and ominous than that of a Monster Rat or Banshee. I moved toward the source of the disturbance.
A thick, black smoke lingered in the air, gradually dissipating. I quickened my pace, the smoke growing denser with each step.
Finally, I found it.
A black horse stood shrouded in the dark smoke, its eight legs wrapped in the swirling darkness.
World Leap (Pseudo) is watching you.
I flinched, my body freezing mid-stride.
World Leap. True Name: Sleipnir.
A False God that appears throughout the Territory. To tame it, one must defeat it in battle. Even after taming it, if it deems its Master unworthy, it will vanish immediately.
In the original work, Kang Myungjin killed Sleipnir the moment he encountered it. Having a dragon, he had no attachment to Sleipnir.
Can I even kill it with my current abilities?
The Lord of the Heavens has donated 100,000 AP.
"The warhorse of dog food. Kill it."
100,000 AP.
The Lord of the Heavens was more serious than ever.
Screw it!
I couldn't afford to antagonize the Lord of the Heavens here and now. I unleashed a bolt of lightning with Manroe.
"Puh-hing."
Sleipnir effortlessly twisted its body to evade the lightning, mocked me, and galloped toward the sky. By the time I tried to pursue it, it was already too late. Sleipnir had vanished.
World Leap (Pseudo) remembers you.