The Death Walker's Seal

Chapter 7

"Something I should not do."

[Seal release authorized.]

[Current seal strength: 32%]

[Warning: Large scale memory wipe will occur.]

[Affected range: Approximately 5000 people.]

Red light exploded from Baekho's body. It was so bright that everyone had to close their eyes. When they opened them again, Baekho looked different.

His skin was paler. His eyes glowed red like burning coals. Black marks appeared on his arms, spreading like cracks in glass. The air around him felt heavy and cold.

"What are you?" Choi Iseul whispered in fear.

Baekho did not answer. He stepped forward. The water spirits attacked him all at once, then he moved.

His speed was impossible. He appeared behind the first spirit and touched it. The spirit crumbled to dust. He moved to the second spirit. He touched it and it also turned to dust. Third spirit, same thing 

In five seconds, ten spirits were gone.

The remaining spirits realized they could not win, so they  tried to run.

Baekho raised his hand. Black energy shot out like chains. The chains wrapped around the spirits and pulled them back. One by one, he absorbed them all.

[Death Absorption: 20 targets]

[Power increased significantly]

[Seal strength: 28%]

When it was over, Baekho stood alone in the clearing. The red light faded. The black marks disappeared. He stumbled and fell to one knee.

"Hey!" Lee Rowoon ran over to him. "Are you okay?"

Baekho pushed him away weakly. "Do not touch me."

"What did you just do? What was that power?"

"None of your business."

Moon Rael approached cautiously. "Those spirits are gone, but we are still trapped. The corrupted core is still active."

Baekho looked at the altar. He was too weak to destroy it now. Using that much power drained him completely.

"I will do it," Choi Iseul said. She walked to the altar and placed her hands on the corrupted core. Fire magic erupted from her palms. The core began to crack.

"Everyone help!" she shouted. "Pour all your mana into destroying this thing!"

Lee Rowoon added his lightning magic. Moon Rael added her wind magic. Even Park Hwan added his weak earth magic.

The corrupted core shattered. Dark energy exploded outward, then disappeared.

The Gate shook. The forest around them began to dissolve.

"We are being ejected!" Moon Rael said. "The Gate is closing!"

The world twisted. Colors mixed. When Baekho's vision cleared, he was lying on grass. Real grass. In the real world.

Professor Jung Beom stood over them with a shocked expression. Other instructors ran over with medical kits.

"What happened in there?" the professor demanded. "The Gate closed twenty minutes early! We lost contact with you!"

"It was a trap," Lee Rowoon said while catching his breath. "Someone placed a corrupted core inside. The monsters were stronger than Grade E. Much stronger."

"Impossible! We checked that Gate three times!"

"Check again," Choi Iseul said coldly. "Someone wanted us dead."

Professor Jung Beom's face darkened. He turned to his assistants. "Seal this area! I want a full investigation! No one leaves until I get answers!"

Instructors surrounded them and began asking questions. Medical staff checked for injuries. It was chaos.

In the confusion, Baekho quietly stood up and walked away. No one noticed. That was the effect of the seal. Even though it was weaker now, it still made people forget about him quickly.

He made it to the academy gates before someone called his name.

"Kim Baekho!"

He turned around. Choi Iseul ran after him.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Home."

"The professor wants to question everyone."

"I have nothing to say."

"You saved our lives in there. All of us would have died without you."

"You are welcome." He said coldly 

He turned to leave again, but Choi Iseul grabbed his arm.

"I know what you are," she said quietly.

Baekho froze.

"I do not know how I know. The memory is fuzzy, like a dream I am trying to remember. But I know I have seen you before. Two years ago. At the Incident."

"You are mistaken."

"Am I? Then why do I remember a boy with red eyes standing in the middle of all those dead bodies? Why do I remember black marks on his skin? Why do I remember thinking, this is not a monster, this is something worse?"

Baekho looked at her. His expression was blank. "What do you want?"

"I want the truth. What are you? What is that power you used?"

"You do not want to know." He said

"Yes, I do."

"No," Baekho said firmly. "You really do not. Because if I tell you, your life will change forever. You will become part of something dark and dangerous. You will never be able to go back to your normal life."

Choi Iseul stared at him for a long moment. Then she said, "Then do not tell me. Just answer one question."

"What?"

"Are you going to hurt anyone?"

Baekho thought about his sister. About the medicine she needed. About all the illegal Gates he had to clear to earn money.

"Not if I can help it."

"Good enough." Choi Iseul let go of his arm. "But I am watching you. If you do anything suspicious, I will report you."

"Fair enough."

He walked away. This time, she did not follow.

As Baekho left the academy grounds, he checked his phone. Five missed calls from the hospital. His heart sank.

He ran.