A Wicked Scream

So Eun walked for a while, keeping his hand placed under his chin. His sullen expression remained as he roamed out of the threshold before he stopped. He sighed with relief when he spotted no one, then continued to leave.

However, after attempting his first step, something had caught his eye.

He turned around to see Dong-Hyun standing there, a few meters away from him.

So Eun raised his eyebrows at the youth, who avoided his gaze. "Dong-Hyun, you can't come with me. You already mentioned it; it's risky to be exposed out there. If you're worried about my sake, I will be alright."

He stated with his nonchalant face, which made the teenager shrink his small figure. He looked down and placed both hands on his back.

"It's my obligation now to follow you. Please take me with you. I won't be a bother."

Dong-Hyun talked as if he's on edge. Maybe because of the thought that he depicted himself as a nuisance during the mission. But then, hesitation and concern invaded his mind, heeding the forewarning of the Demon King that could be lurking anywhere.

That thought heightened his anxiety when he realized their Deity had missed the ceremony. Bumping into the notorious Demon King is one hell of a dire omen. Dong-Hyun shuddered at the sight and set on his goals to go with him.

Meanwhile, So Eun gazed at him, adamant about keeping the boy protected at the Palace. Yet when he was about to speak again, Dong-Hyun intercepted.

"I can offer you knowledge about Gods and Ghosts. I studied them a lot in my free time!" He insisted, smiling innocently. So Eun didn't want to bring him in the first place, but when he thinks about Dong-Hyun's personality, the type that who wouldn't just give up on his word. He's firm on his stand to accompany the Deity.

Yet So Eun was the same, nearly blurting out the words out of agitation. He stopped himself, scolding himself internally for behaving too offensive.

He puffed out a sigh and gave Dong-Hyun a warm look. "Don't wander around and stay close to me. And please keep my identity hidden." He sternly said but with the reassurance of beckoning the boy to walk beside him. Dong-Hyun's eyes lit up and went forward.

"Thank you! I will not be a burden!" He said, smiling his way onto the path. So Eun glanced at him and replied with a brief nod.

They were at the opening of the Palace gates of the Tipolo region, which was owned by a Deity and the population living within its borders. So Eun and Dong-Hyun stepped out. In the streets with bustling people, some iconic group appeared before them. They were clad in delicate ornate costumes, and some carried an extended white fan while presenting on a tunic, marching in a particular direction.

So Eun examined their exquisite garments, wondering what occasion would take place today. He wiped sweats on his forehead before walking away. Dong-Hyun followed along with a question.

"You're not going to ask me why a lot of people are wearing those?" He spoke with a hint of enthusiasm lingering in his voice. So Eun knew the adolescent just wanted to appear knowledgeable in a Deity's eyes.

Bragging his hard-work 'talent' at studying would be a pleasure to show some face to a high reputable Deity. He forced not to chuckle at the teen, looking at him with a sign of playfulness.

"Tell me what you have." He coaxes him to speak; that's why Dong-Hyun brings a priceless smile on his face. Oblivious at the mirth showing on So Eun's face.

"They are here for you, Your Highness. Whenever a Deity would descend on the Tipolo Palace, a group of youth would always assemble the families to welcome the Deity. It's an old tradition; those children back then grew up and passed the customs onto their grandchildren."

So Eun paid attention with his ears at Dong-Hyun while looking around. Upon reaching through the broad streets of Tipolo, more people came in and replaced the empty spots on the road.

The road was huge for three carriages passing by at the same time. So Eun kept his hands on his back, avoiding the crowds walking near them. After all, his divine power could easily be perceived by other people, aren't they?

So Eun thought about it and halted in his tracks. Dong-Hyun, who was immersed in story-telling his tales, stopped too. He gave So Eun a complicated look.

"Something isn't right." So Eun whispered. But the teenager caught on. His eyes widened as he stepped closer to So Eun's side.

"What is it?"

"Why aren't they reacting to me? I mean, that's a good sign, but those people outside Tipolo easily perceive me." So Eun wandered his eyes everywhere, seeing several commoners filling up the road. Then something caught his attention from ahead of them.

"Oh... Right, I didn't recognize that. Also, uhh.. Deities are pretty normal at this point--" Dong-Hyun fidgets on his shirt while looking down, and he doesn't see So Eun walked ahead.

His eyebrows came together, squinting his eyes in front of him. Ahead of him are people who are huddled and gathered in one particular area, pressing onto something that piques the crowd's attention.

Thus, So Eun couldn't help but check over for himself too.

As he took a few steps towards them, a terrifying shriek of a child disturbed the place. Everyone was surprised and alarmed, a wave of tingling sensation ran down their spines. So Eun quickly looked for the source of the sound.

Dong-Hyun caught up to him immediately, spinning his head around to find something.

"What's happening?!" The teen exclaimed, angling his head to stare at So Eun, who is quiet.

However, So Eun couldn't detect the kid and glanced at the teen.

"Look for the child!" He talked to Dong-Hyun while he's in his track of running elsewhere. The youth didn't have the time to reply when he suddenly cried out for So Eun.

"Watch out!!" So Eun understood the meaning behind the worried voice. He detected the spiritual energy, a vigorous thrust that has advanced behind him. And he reacted swiftly as the owner of the powerful aura controlled the horse that almost ran him over.

So Eun stepped aside as fast as the lightning. That forced out a scream from Dong-Hyun.

A person don in a crimson armor plate didn't even reduce his pace and bypassed So Eun.

No, it's likely a Deity riding a stallion as he continued to rush onward with the insane speed. So Eun barred his way, but the strange person didn't pay attention, or it didn't matter to him.

They are utterly speechless. That alone confirmed his suspicion. Something unpleasant had arisen somewhere, which calls attention to a powerful Deity for support.

So Eun was close to follow and lend a helping hand too, but then he saw Dong-Hyun, who hadn't gotten over his panic because of that horse, the teen's face drained of all color. He lifted his hand to point behind So Eun.

"There he is!"

So Eun turned around and saw a man holding something in both of his hands. The crying child has been dragged down the lane. The man seized his wrist with his left hand, and in his right, it had a knife designed for slicing meat.

So Eun knew the situation wasn't right, so he charged towards them. Yet, It wasn't a long moment before another scream came out.

When he received it, it was distinctively different from when they first heard it. Some people reacted shortly and ran away out of fear. Some froze on their feet along with So Eun.

He saw it, the scream came out of the child's mouth. But when it went off, it was as if a twenty-year-old had called out for help. They suddenly heard a piercing outcry as if the child was suffering from excruciating agony. They listened to an utterly atrocious voice as the voice alone plunged the people into a terrible state.

Something like this was impossible to believe in when it came out from a small figure of a kid, wearing ragged clothing.

From then moving forward, So Eun realized that the sound wasn't coming from a human being, but a Ghoul child.