As we stepped through the entrance, it felt as though we had already entered the ruins of the research facility. Yet, looking around, it was hard to tell if we were still in the forest or standing before the lab itself.
The building seemed to have been constructed with minimal disruption to the surrounding nature, rather than clearing the forest to make way for it. This gave the abandoned research facility an air of a natural fortress.
Ahead, a heavy iron door stood firmly shut. Without a word, our group moved towards it, as if drawn by an unseen force.
Pushing the door open, rust flaked off in a shower, accompanied by a grating, unpleasant creak. I left it ajar, just enough for a person to slip through, and stepped inside.
The others followed, and we all froze at the sight before us.
“Is the light magic… still working?”
“Not perfectly. It’s flickering, almost at the end of its life. But Su-hyun…”
Jung Ha-yeon’s explanation snapped me back to attention. The corridor was wide and white, reminiscent of a hospital hallway, with faintly glowing light stones. Yet, time had taken its toll, leaving the entire structure in a state of severe decay. The chilling air made the others huddle closer to me.
Then, we heard it.
A faint voice, distant but unmistakably human. The group fell silent, the corridor eerily quiet. It wasn’t just me who heard it; everyone’s faces were tense.
“Oppa, is it like last time…?”
Yoo-jung’s anxious voice prompted me to shake my head. It wasn’t a Lamic. Probing ahead, I sensed a human-like figure, but something about it felt off.
After a moment’s hesitation, I decided to move forward. We couldn’t just stand there. Someone clutched my sleeve, but I took the lead, advancing cautiously.
“Is someone… there?”
The corridor stretched endlessly, the rusted walls enclosing us. The voice grew clearer as we approached.
“Is someone… here?”
The words became discernible as we closed the distance. The voice was sobbing, but the tone was anything but welcoming; it was filled with hostility.
A little closer. Just a little more.
Though I hadn’t spoken, the group was visibly tense, weapons drawn, ready for anything. It was a psychological fear, not a physical threat, reminiscent of horror movies back on Earth.
I was an exception. Having fallen into hell in my first life, ghosts and grotesque monsters seemed almost trivial. Yet, recalling those memories sent a shiver down my spine, which only heightened the group’s anxiety. Despite their misunderstanding, I steadily closed the gap to the source of the voice.
Finally, we could make out a figure, kneeling in the flickering light. At the same time, I felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around me from behind.
“Sola?”
“Don’t… go…”
“Ansol, calm down.”
Anhyun quickly moved to comfort Ansol, but her trembling only intensified. It wasn’t mere whining; she seemed on the verge of a breakdown. I placed a hand on her head, channeling my magic.
“Ah…”
As my magic flowed into her, I felt her frozen energy begin to thaw. Gently, I soothed her, and slowly, her color returned. Yet, fear lingered, and she clung to me. After a moment, she spoke in a halting voice.
“Such… malice… it’s… so blind…”
The others frowned, unable to comprehend her words. Ansol seemed to struggle to express herself, but only Jung Ha-yeon seemed to understand.
“I feel it too. Mages and priests are sensitive to spiritual and mental flows. The figure ahead is emanating intense resentment. It’s enough to make my skin crawl.”
Jung Ha-yeon’s explanation made Ansol nod vigorously. Even Shin Sang-yong seemed affected. Anhyun looked puzzled, but his hesitant steps betrayed his unease. Watching them, I spoke lightly.
“It’s just another monster in the Hall Plain. We have no choice but to move forward. Don’t be afraid. Let’s get a closer look.”
“Brother…”
“Oppa…”
Yoo-jung and Ansol looked at me pleadingly, but seeing my resolute expression, they resignedly drew their weapons. Once their arms released me, we advanced again. As we neared the figure, the voice and its form became clearer.
The figure appeared human, clad in a white but tattered gown, with long, disheveled hair. It knelt with its back to us, so we only saw the back of its head.
As we got closer, the sobbing abruptly stopped, leaving a chilling silence between us and the figure.
Holding our breath, we watched its back. I stepped forward and spoke softly.
“Are you connected to this facility?”
”…”
No response. I rested my hand on my sword and signaled to the group. Just then, the figure’s voice drifted through the air.
“How… did you come here?”
The unsettling question halted us. Someone swallowed audibly behind me. I replied calmly.
“We found it by chance. If you can speak, please answer our questions. Who are you?”
“How… did you come here?”
“If you continue to evade, we’ll consider you a threat and act accordingly. This is your last chance. What is your connection to this facility?”
The figure remained silent, the pause heavy and foreboding. Then…
“This place…”
With a sickening crack, the figure’s neck twisted.
“How…”
Another crack, the neck bending further.
“Did you come here?”
With a final, gruesome snap, the neck twisted completely, the body still kneeling but the head now facing us. We could finally see its face.
Hollow eyes, a sunken nose, and a toothless, slack mouth. It was the visage of a ghost, exuding palpable malice.
“Aaaah!”
Sola couldn’t hold back her scream. Behind me, I sensed Yoo-jung stifling her own cry. The group’s breathing was ragged, clearly shaken. The figure seemed to relish our reaction, its hollow eyes narrowing as it spoke again.
“Heehee! How did you come here? Heeheehee!”
“Su-hyun!”
The figure’s manic laughter sent some of the group into a panic, unable to overcome their psychological fear. As Jung Ha-yeon’s urgent voice reached me, the light stones flickered more violently.
Darkness enveloped us, the corridor intermittently lit by the flickering stones. With each flash, the figure moved, rising, limbs dangling, lurching towards us. It was like watching a series of disjointed photographs, a macabre slideshow.
As the gaping maw lunged toward me, I instinctively thrust out my right hand. Something sharp snagged against my outstretched fingers, and I realized it felt more like an animal’s teeth than a human’s. But there was no time to ponder that; I gripped the teeth with all my strength.
“Ugh! Aaaah!”
“Light!”
I felt something tear away at my fingertips just as Jang Ha-yeon’s light magic flared to life, illuminating the scene. I exhaled in relief, glancing back to see my companions poised to rush to my aid, weapons at the ready.
“You guys… planning to betray me?”
I tried to lighten the tense atmosphere with a joke, and finally, they reacted.
“Uh, no! We thought that ghost was—”
An Hyun, who had been scanning the surroundings, froze when he saw what was in my hand, his face a mask of shock. I chuckled and let the object drop to the ground. The severed jaw rolled across the floor, coming to rest against the figure clutching its mouth in agony.
Seeing my companions’ bewildered expressions, I shrugged and crouched down. The creature that had charged at us so fiercely was now writhing in pain. Serves it right for making such a dramatic entrance. It had startled my precious comrades, so I didn’t feel the least bit guilty for my heavy-handed response.
After wiping my bloodied hand on the creature’s robe, I took a closer look at it. It was grotesque, but still preferable to the demons from hell.
“Ssss…”
A pitiful, deflated sound escaped it, but I paid no mind. All I wanted was information about this thing. I grabbed its long hair and lifted its head, smiling faintly at the sight of the weakened monster.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Ah, I had an urgent matter to attend to early this morning. Before I knew it, it was almost midnight, so I asked a friend to upload the chapter for me. I told them to just post the story and that I’d update the author’s note later, and they agreed.
I was out until 9 AM today and collapsed into bed as soon as I got home. I’m still a bit out of it, but I managed to write this chapter. I think I’ll take a quick shower after posting episode 86. Haha.
『 Reader Comments 』
MTBear: Congratulations on being first! Thank you so much for enjoying the story. But there are countless entertaining works on both the web and in novels. Haha.
LifeOfPeople: You always bring me joy with your selfless (?) dedication. Haha. Don’t stress too much about being first. Your legendary passion for first place is already well-known. Maybe it’s time to retire and mentor the next generation…?
zjekfksqlc: Oh dear. I’ll check episode 86 right away. You truly have the eyes of a hawk. Thank you. :)
Nitroser: Ansol: “Now the whole plane’s dungeons are mine.” With Sol and Suhyeon teaming up, finding dungeons will be a breeze, right? Haha.
Ramude: It was a calculated move. Perhaps Sol’s fans, who were stolen by Vivian, will return…?
FallenPigeon: Whoa. No, it’s all wholesome… Hmm. Is it hard to see me as in my twenties? Haha.
Hwiul: Thanks for the question. I had an urgent matter. Yes, you can increase from 100 to 101 with just one point. And you can go beyond 101, though it’s practically impossible. No one can do it, except Suhyeon. :)
Amish: I’m writing the author’s note now. Please wait a moment!
RoadWash: Lately, I’ve been worried about some of the more risqué content. Sigh.
Iteration: Hehe. I’m looking forward to it too.
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