88 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

**The Freed Slaves Become Obsessed, Chapter 88** *A Realm Severed by the Defiled Monk's Enclosure* The barrier stretched, covering the ground with such meticulousness that even the sound of underground water was entirely blocked out, as if allowing no margin for error. When Rin struck the barrier with her fox fire, it quickly extinguished, disappearing into oblivion. It was the same fox fire that was capable of reducing even formidable spirits to ashes, yet here it proved ineffective. "Can you see? Those talismans on the barrier walls? They're catalysts that massively amplify the effect of the spells." Talismans had been arranged along every side of the barrier. The defiled monk had anticipated Rin's arrival, laying a trap and waiting. "You knew about this?" "Of course~ Didn't I tell you? The monk is cunning. While mocking you as a mere six-tailed fox, he thoroughly prepared himself." "Then why didn't you tell me?" "If you only seek safe battles, how will you ever become a nine-tailed fox? Growth under a time constraint always requires risk." This childish fox had hit the nail on the head, startling Rin with the truth. Although displeased, Rin agreed with the notion of taking risks to grow. She needed to advance quickly to protect Karami. "Your Highness... It is with utmost humility that I confess. Please forgive this offense in light of my mission..." The defiled monk, speaking indirectly about dealing with the situation swiftly, began his fox hunt in earnest. Thump. He thrust a staff into the ground. A chime rang faintly. "Strike." In front of the monk, the air rippled as if compressing, followed by a sharp gust of wind emitted with a surge of broken energy that made his robe flap violently. Something was approaching. It wasn't visible, but the force was palpably felt against her skin. A piercing attack like a bullet shot forward, unable to blink before it pounced. Rin waved her hand as though applying paint, creating a barrier just in time. Close enough. The hastily erected shield collided with the oncoming projectile. However, perhaps due to its rushed nature, the protective barrier wasn't as sturdy as usual. It pierced through the barrier like a needle through paper. "Hiss!" Rin twisted her head just in time, feeling the sharp object whistle past her hair. A moment's delay and it would have drilled a hole in her face. But there was no time to relax. The monk, still holding a rosary in his other hand, chanted another spell. "Bead of Nirvana." A massive bead descended from the sky as he spoke. With no time to observe, Rin launched herself off the ground. Thud! As the bead hit the ground, it rapidly shrank, forming a binding spell. It was apparent that being caught by it meant certain confinement. Even avoiding it offered no respite, for with each chant the monk uttered, another massive bead descended, relentlessly chasing after Rin. Thud. Thud. Thud. Just when she thought she was done fleeing in her life again. Rin dodged the beads, resuming her escape, yet there was an awkwardness to it that didn’t exist before. It wasn’t just that she hadn’t run in a while. It was her new size, more than anything, her chest movements were uncomfortable. Her rapid growth accentuated the awkwardness. She hadn’t had enough time to adjust to her suddenly changed body. "Ugh!" Rin flung fox fire at the monk in a desperate attack, but with a mere swing of his staff, her attack scattered powerlessly. Even Wungui fell to such an attack. The difference in strength between Rin and the monk wasn't the only issue. ‘This barrier... It suppresses my power...!’ The Heavenly Net was not just a barrier meant to trap foes. It contained a curse to weaken those within. Not only did it hinder the use of spiritual power, but it also significantly reduced the potency of spells. The barrier was robust, attacks were ineffective against the monk. Rin could only envision a future where she was inevitably captured. "Use those eyes of yours. What are you saving them for?" The nine-tailed fox, who had been quietly assessing Rin's capabilities, spoke out of frustration. "Rin doesn’t know how to use them yet! I just found out today that I have this ability!" "Sigh... When it was me, I just knew instinctively how to use them. And they still call this a nine-tailed fox." "If you’re not going to help, could you be quiet? It’s distracting!" Unable to rid herself of the spirit form that kept sighing exasperatedly at her, Rin finally shouted in irritation at the nine-tailed fox. After another sigh, the fox spoke, feigning generosity. "A barrier this strong is bound to have risks. To dispel the spells, start by destroying the talismans." "Destroy the talismans?" "No, no. I said risks, remember? That means the monk can’t leave either until he removes the talismans himself. But I've been clear many times, the monk is sly." The monk was unlike ordinary spirits. A human who chose corruption. Even if he became a spirit, the unique nature from when he was human would still remain. "A coward who sets up talismans against a mere six-tailed fox wouldn’t leave an escape plan for his own defeat? A monk who swallowed his companion because he feared death? It's so unlikely~ If things turn against him, he’d have to run right away, how could he wait to remove each talisman?" "Then... what should I..." "Find the flaw in the barrier." Rin immediately activated her Solar Eye. The light of the sun reflected in her pupils. "Fragments of fate are just a part of what the Solar Eye can see. Depending on the conjurer's intent, its use can be limitless." The first method for using the Solar Eye. "Let your mind melt into the sun. You now become the sun that illuminates everything. A sun that even reveals the heavens." It was a cryptic statement. Rin, already struggling to avoid attacks, wasn’t in the mood for a game of twenty questions. So she chose not to try to understand. The more she tried, the more confusing it became. Instead, she stopped thinking and turned her awareness over to her instincts. It was a wise decision. Even after aeons passed, memories eroded, and new personalities emerged, their souls were still one. They shared the essence of the nine-tailed fox. There were things that didn't require words for communication; instincts etched into their souls awakened the abilities of a nine-tailed fox. Rin widened her eyes. It was as if she herself had become the light illuminating the world, with her Solar Eye beginning to reveal the hidden aspects. The subtle movements of the defiled monk. The flow of spiritual energy within him. Even the energy constructing the barrier. Rin noticed something crucial. Beneath the monk's feet. In that precise spot, the flow of energy was notably weak. No wonder he hadn't moved an inch from that spot. She thought it might be the monk maintaining some semblance of monk-like grace, but it wasn't like his kind would have such virtue. Quite the opposite. It was a vile trick to hide his own cowardice. The task ahead was simple. "So I just have to move him from that spot?" Rin, having figured out the barrier's weak point, crouched low and then sprang forth like a slingshot, her hand enveloped in flames. The opponent was a sorcerer. Not skilled in close combat and unable to attack recklessly with the bead of Nirvana in close proximity, or so she hoped. "Ah, that's only half correct." Rin soon found out what that meant firsthand. The monk pulled out the staff he had embedded in the ground. A sinister purple energy wrapped around the shaft. Whiz! The monk thrust the staff like a spear. A purple flash pierced through Rin's shoulder like a bolt of lightning. "Ugh!" He placed his empty hand against Rin’s abdomen. "Shatter." BOOOOM──! "Ugh!" With a resonant vibration that shook the air, a massive shockwave exploded in Rin’s abdomen. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her body flung back and only stopping upon colliding with the barrier. Although she tried to stand up after falling to the ground, her body wouldn't respond. The vibrations had spread through her entire body, rattling even her brain. Everything spun around her. The nine-tailed fox squatted before the fallen Rin, chuckling as if watching an amusing spectacle. "A monk isn't like an ordinary magician. They call it a battle mage, I think? If you compare them, they’d be in that category. They can hold their own against most martial artists." "Why do you keep withholding such important information...?" "I was going to tell you! But you rushed in before I could." It was infuriating, but now was not the time to argue. Rin draped her body with fox fire as one might don an article of clothing. She had pleaded with Yuhwa to teach her this healing technique after Karami was gravely injured by the blood wolf. Even so, complete recovery required time, and she still trembled. The nine-tailed fox, seeing Rin's state, asked with curiosity. "You supposedly captured Wungui. How exactly did you manage that? From where I stand, it doesn’t seem possible." It was because Karami had helped. With a suspiciously perfect understanding of the exploit, they were able to deal with Wungui without a hitch. But now she was alone. Out of a desire to capture the monk and earn praise, Rin had recklessly sought him out. She had believed she could secure a straightforward victory even without assistance. "There is one method..." "If you have something, say it quickly." "Give me temporary control over your body." Even with the same body and power, the pilot could make all the difference. In other words, by letting her take control, the nine-tailed fox would capture the monk with true nine-tailed fox strength. The fox whispered into Rin's mind. "Well? Isn't it tempting?"