A Giant Serpent (I)
The wail of the Outer God echoed throughout the entire mountain range. At the sound, the bull demonic beasts tethered by the scent-trigger snapped their heads up in alarm.
As if awakening from a deep sleep, the bulls hurriedly turned their bodies, trying to flee.
"Seize them!"
The Butterfly Mask shouted. At her command, the believers rushed to grab the bulls attempting to escape. Their movements were practiced, as though they had done this many times before.
Watching the scene, Woojin sized up the situation.
'So the Dark-Side priests have been living in symbiosis with that serpent.'
The city of the Dark-Side priests.
Its defensive facilities were woefully inadequate. The only barrier was a wooden palisade—so flimsy it looked as though it could collapse at any moment. Like a sandcastle built upon a tide-washed shore.
And yet, despite such terrible conditions, the city was safe. All the demonic beasts in the surrounding region had fled to avoid the giant serpent.
'It seems the Dark-Side priests somehow managed to form a friendly relationship with that savage creature.'
He didn't know how they had accomplished it, but judging by the circumstances, they must have gone through countless trials and errors.
The Butterfly Mask remained remarkably calm.
"O Outer God!! Please, calm your wrath! We have brought more offerings!"
As she shouted, she grabbed a bull demonic beast by the face with her right hand. In the next moment, pink particles of light flowed out from the sleeve of her robe.
Scent-trigger pheromones poured forth. The bull's eyes glazed over as it inhaled them.
Drool streamed from its mouth. As though dreaming a sweet dream, the corners of its lips curled upward. Staggering like a sleepwalker, the bull rose to its feet and began walking toward the serpent.
The serpent sat still, swallowing the food that had walked to it on its own.
…Gulp.
The serpent let out a satisfied belch. It had every reason to. Without moving from its spot, it had devoured five bulls.
The hunger of the Outer God was appeased.
Having offered tribute to the Outer God who ruled the mountain range, they should be able to pass through this region safely. Thinking so, the Butterfly Mask began preparing to depart.
"O Outer God, we shall take our leave now. May you remain in good health."
After the Dark-Side priests bowed in unison, they slowly retreated backward.
It seemed as though the situation was coming to a close…
"…Krrrroook."
The serpent suddenly bared its fangs.
The Butterfly Mask faltered slightly at the sight. They had offered more tribute than usual, yet for some reason the Outer God seemed displeased. The atmosphere grew heavy, as if it might lunge at any moment.
The Butterfly Mask hurriedly cried out,
"O Outer God, forgive us! We shall offer more tribute—please quell your anger!"
The Dark-Side priests nearby moved quickly. They grabbed one of the bulls they had set aside for cargo transport and dragged it before the Butterfly Mask.
Sensing what was about to happen, the bull thrashed wildly. But its resistance did not last long. Just as before, the Butterfly Mask doused it in pheromones.
The bull began walking toward the serpent.
If they fed it a few more, surely the Outer God would be satisfied.
That was her hope, but—
"Kiiiaaaah—!!"
The Outer God roared like a thunderclap.
What it desired was not mere bulls.
The serpent turned its head and looked this way.
Woojin's eyes met the serpent's.
'…That bastard… wants to eat me.'
The serpent was complaining about its side dishes.
When one eats the same food repeatedly, one sometimes craves a special dish. Devouring a being of great power would elevate its own rank as a demonic beast.
Woojin had been suppressing his power to conceal his presence, but the serpent seemed to have instinctively sensed it. Unable to restrain its greed, it flicked its tongue repeatedly.
The Dark-Side priests also caught on to the situation. The Butterfly Mask blinked in fluster.
"W-What should we do…?"
She muttered softly. The High Priest beside her offered advice.
"To be chosen by the Outer God is a great honor. It would be best to hand that man over."
At those words, the Butterfly Mask stood in silence, clearly conflicted. But before long, she shook her head and shouted,
"…O Outer God! We cannot offer one of our believers as tribute. Please reconsider!"
An unexpected answer.
'She's giving up the easy path.'
Offering a single believer would resolve this situation simply. Yet for some reason, she chose to try persuading the Outer God instead.
Naturally, the serpent did not like that.
"Krrrroook…"
Its growl deepened as its throat rumbled with irritation. It had to be calmed.
The Butterfly Mask stretched both hands toward the serpent.
The pink cloak she wore fluttered violently—light pink, as if dyed with balsam flowers.
Strangely, the shape of the cloak began to change. It widened and split into four sections, transforming into something resembling moth wings.
Flap, flap—!
The moth wings beat powerfully.
A flood of pink particles poured out. Carried by the gusts of the wings, pheromones surged relentlessly toward the serpent's head.
Like storm clouds, the pheromones enveloped the serpent's head. Watching this, Woojin inwardly admired her.
'As expected of someone of high rank—her ability surpasses the others.'
It seemed she had not won the position of bishop through mere gambling.
However, it was futile.
Mental attacks could not deal significant damage to a higher-ranked existence.
Just as Woojin in the past had endured enchantment without much difficulty, the serpent merely shook its head twice, scattering the pheromones around it.
Its gaze grew even more chilling.
Seeing this, the High Priest shouted urgently,
"Seize Number 42!! We must offer a sacrifice to appease the Outer God's wrath!"
The Butterfly Mask cried out in protest,
"We cannot leave such a precedent! I'll buy time—believers, take the supplies and—"
She never finished her sentence.
The High Priest beside her suddenly drew a dagger and stabbed the bishop repeatedly.
Thud, thud!
"Ah— Aaaagh!!"
The blade tore into the priestess's side. Each strike drew a scream. Before long, the Butterfly Mask collapsed onto the dirt.
As if delivering a final blow, the High Priest plunged the dagger into her heart. The hilt stood upright like a gravestone. The priestess's body went limp.
The bishop had been assassinated.
The sudden insubordination left the Dark-Side priests in shock.
"High Priest! What are you doing?!"
One believer shouted. The High Priest replied in a tone full of conviction,
"This is an example to quell the god's wrath! My choice is surely the correct one!"
Saying so, he stepped forward—walking toward the serpent's open maw. All the believers thought he had gone mad.
But the serpent's gaze softened.
The irritating moth that had been grating on its nerves was dead. Seemingly satisfied, the serpent, which had looked ready to attack at any moment, now grew still.
The High Priest let out a coarse laugh.
"Ha, haha!! See? Was my choice not correct?"
Then he gestured and pointed at Woojin, who stood there silently.
"Bring me the sacrifice at once!"
The High Priest's command rang out. In response, the Dark-Side priests moved to surround Number 42.
Woojin swept his gaze over his surroundings.
'…This situation suddenly turned strange.'
Judging by the atmosphere… the High Priest seemed to have been planning this rebellion for quite some time.
Although the one in command had abruptly changed, the higher-ranking believers obeyed the High Priest's orders as if it were only natural. As though they had been forewarned that something like this would happen.
The moment he gained justification, there was no reason to hesitate. Seizing the opportunity, the High Priest assassinated the bishop and became the city's new ruler.
"This is regrettable."
A large-built believer said so. The man held a round shield and a mace. Woojin's eyes shifted to the brooch pinned to the man's chest.
「No.1」
The strongest among the believers. A powerful figure who had never once yielded his rank.
Number 1 spoke magnanimously.
"Number 42. Accept the Outer God's blessing. If you do, we will not lay a hand on your body."
To offer one's body to the Outer God was the greatest honor—and duty—an adherent of the Dark Side could perform.
Woojin nodded.
"Understood. I cannot refuse my duty."
"…What admirable resolve."
Number 1 muttered, seemingly impressed.
He had expected Number 42 to try to flee, yet he accepted his duty with startling composure. In respect of that resolve, the Dark-Side priests stepped aside and opened a path.
Woojin walked toward the lakeshore. The High Priest greeted him with a smile.
"Number 42! Thank you for cooperating so willingly."
"There's no need for gratitude."
In this world, things always come full circle.
Thud—
Woojin's fingertips pierced into the High Priest's chest.
The High Priest's eyes flew wide in shock. Instinctively, he grabbed Woojin's wrist.
"W-Wait!"
He shouted desperately.
But Woojin's fingers had already grasped something—something more precious than the heart of a Dark-Side priest.
Rip!!
He pulled his hand out.
In his grasp was a round object the size of a walnut.
The High Priest's inner core.
As though inspecting a newly crafted product, Woojin raised it close to his eyes.
'Seems he's eaten well.'
He rather liked its size.
The moment Woojin popped it into his mouth, the High Priest—who had stood frozen—tilted backward. His body rolled down the slope and into the lake.
Number 1 approached belatedly, opening his mouth.
"…You, what are you suddenly—"
Woojin did not bother letting him finish.
He reached inside his robe, drew the machete he had kept hidden, and swung.
Sensing the strike, Number 1 raised his shield.
Craack!
The machete split the shield in two and continued straight through Number 1's upper body.
His stance became awkward. Number 1 tilted slightly to the side.
"Wh-Wh-What is—"
Like a broken radio, he repeated the same words.
Woojin casually nudged his head with the back of the blade.
A beat later, the diagonally severed upper half of Number 1 parted from his torso.
Woojin searched the corpse and retrieved its inner core.
This one, too, possessed a fine core.
Chewing it, Woojin let out a faint chuckle.
'And that concludes my little game of Dark-Side priest.'
He had expected to keep this up for at least several months, but circumstances had twisted strangely, bringing things to an early end.
He shoved Number 1's corpse with his foot.
The body rolled down the slope and fell into the lake. The serpent's jaws welcomed the slab of meat.
Crunch, crunch!
The serpent chewed and swallowed Number 1's remains.
Picking at his teeth with a fingertip, Woojin spoke.
"Since we've shared something good… how about we part on friendly terms?"
Naturally, the serpent was not satisfied.
Its head blurred for an instant.
Its jaws lunged forward at terrifying speed, like a train charging down the tracks.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWA—!
The serpent's head swept through the place where Woojin had stood.
Then it lifted its head stiffly and looked around for its prey.
The human from before was nowhere to be seen.
Where had he gone?
The serpent searched repeatedly, puzzled.
But no matter how long it looked, it would not find Woojin.
He was already atop its head.
This was no metaphor.
Woojin was riding the serpent's neck.
'A bit slow on the uptake.'
When the serpent had lunged, he had leapt over its head and landed upon its body.
Gripping the machete firmly with both hands, Woojin thought it might be easier than expected.
He swung with full force.
Slash!
The serpent's head was cleanly severed.
It dropped straight down.
He had killed it.
…And yet—
'Why does it feel lacking?'
It felt like slicing through hollow bread.
As Woojin frowned in puzzlement—
Crunch, crack—
A strange sound came from the severed neck.
Flesh swelled at tremendous speed. The cross-section bubbled violently, like boiling water.
Rip!!
Something burst out from the wound.
Two heads.
When one head was cut off, it became two.
A monstrous creature often mentioned in myth.
'Hydra.'
The total number of its heads was nine.
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