Just like this, a day is gone.
The air in the station is now heavier with hopelessness than ever before.
Soft whimpers echoed throughout the station.
Around late evening we got a new system massage announcing that the outside is filled with poisonous gas, for the survivor to stay within stations.
It was utter chaos.
It was fun to watch the fat politician so flustered. But he isn't a politician for nothing. He had shifted his tone in a manner that suggested that the strong should step up in this scenario, help the weak and what not.
But as they … no, as I say. Death threats are the most effective threats.
"Unintentional" killing intent leakage had magically shifted his speech to he will take responsibility.
After that, none came to bother me.
Well, none excludes the ones whom I came to the station with.
Jung Ha-eun, "Have you seen the announcement?"
"hmm…"
Jung Ha-eun was about to say something, but Park Sang-hoon asked first. "What's your thought on it…boy?"
"Well, since they gave a restriction to above ground, this hints that the next main scenario is in the subways. So, if you ask me, it's only right we explore the track"
Park Sang-hoon nods.
[Many constellations praise your sharp deduction skill.]
[Sponsored 800c]
In the first part they confirmed my suspicion
But on the other hand, this much?
Hey, I am not complaining.
"What do you guys think?" I ask them.
Lee Do-hyun, "Yours makes sense; we don't have much going on our part."
The conversation had ended there.
Lee Eun-ji stayed behind for a bit longer, asking how my hand was and caressing Shin Yoosung. She had invited Yoosung to join her. But seeing her snuggling to me in reply to her invitation, she left with an awkward smile.
Back to the present-
[Constellations shows interest]
[Many are curious what you're trying]
[Many are astonished at your ability]
Currently I am trying to use magic to reinforce the blade.
At arm's length sat Yoosung. With shiny eyes she's stares at the blade. The periodical shine seems to have caught her interest.
Honestly, seeing her This interested is what's motivating me at this point. I have been trying to go it for the past half an hour now.
But the mana just keeps dissipating. It's becoming exhausting. More than mana problem it's just I was getting exhausted mentally.
'Kinda similar to the tiredness you feel after a long study session'
Seeing me frown, "What's wrong?" Shin Yoosung asks
"I can't put a finger on it, mana is just not reinforcing the blade."
"I flowed, flooded the blade with mana, yet nothing seem to work. I am confused, is it material inconsistency?"
"oh, flowing…" She stares at me, confused.
"that's how I envision mana movement, like water flowing"
"Oh!" She tilted her head, looking off in to the distance. Her hair was flowing down to the side.
"Why not try and freeze it, like ice"
I freeze
My eyes widened.
'Why didn't I think of that!'
It all clicked togather.
Greenish blue light or mana flowed down the blade. It resembled a blend between a circuit board and vines or root growth. First a main branch formed, from which smaller and smaller branches formed, creating a crystal that connects end to end with each other. The blade emitted a soft glow.
[Congratulations! You have learned reinforcement!]
My heart beamed with joy. I dropped the blade and scoped her up immediately. I spun in joy with her. Startled, she squeaked a little before joining in to laugh.
[Secretive plotter gives you thumbs up]
[Many constellations applaud your ability]
[Some constellations set their calculative gaze at you]
[The demon of violence pulls his hair, frustrated that it's not fair]
…..
My laughter died seeing Yoosung's unfocused gaze.
I quickly stop spinning.
"…sorry"
Using me as support, she shook her head; I think she's implying 'it's okay'.
Awkward ,
While scratching my chin, I offer her water.
She refused.
Seeing my head down, she came in standing in my line of sight. Peering into my eyes, she squeezed my arm, as if reassuring me.
Afterward, her eyes kept flickering in between me and the blade.
"Do you... want me to…?"
Her head bounced up and down.
...
We sat shoulder to shoulder.
In the distance, people were collecting their rations.
I stare blankly toward Park sang-hoon and the others. They were eating the food given as a ration. I would have shared with them my food, but it all depends on their decision.
I have to be logical. I can't spend resources on those who won't follow me.
The me now can't afford to.
.....
My heart was pounding in my chest.
Every now and then, I look thoughtfully beside me. Shin Yoosung sat cross legged, humming as she swung side to side.
She was happily sipping on a juice box.
She had occasionally faced me, asking if everything is okay.
I answered with a smile that everything is okay.
But honestly,
'no'
I grip my right hand, trying to stop my hands from shaking by drowning it with pain.
Every time I try to ask, the words refuse to come out
I know I should let her know, but … I am scared.
Soft exhale
My eyes close briefly
"..hey Yoosung"
"hm?"
"You know, I have been meaning to tell you… I am leaving"
She paused. Turns to me "When will we?"
"You know how we had the talk with rest about staying or leaving. I want to … sorry?"
She looked at me in the eyes, "When will we leave?"
I choked a little,
"You know, it can be dangerous. The rest haven't-"
"Take me" she gripped my hand with her hands.
A weak chuckle escaped me. "Yeh, it was never a question. "
My heart yearns to embrace her. As I move my hands close to her, I pause. In my mind I doubt whether to hug her or not. At the end I decide not to. I just settle for stroking my hand through her hair.
She glanced at me once more then focused back to whatever she was observing at a distance.
...
"Do we really have to do this" asked Jung Ha-eun. She was hugging herself, rubbing the back of her elbow with her palms. The jacket she's wearing…I steal a glance toward Lee Do-hyun.
"Haven't you hear, the exploration group sent yesterday didn't return."
"It's because they were weak".
Her face had instantly gone red, eyes wide in rage. Park Sang-hoon put a hand in front of her.
"Boy isn't it quite risky to go unarmed?"
I jokingly stare at their arms. But seeing no reaction, I stop it.
"I mean, that's what you get for giving your weapons away. Now I had suggested that you know...."
I lightly tapped one blade against another.
Silence
"But as you guys are so against it. Bare arms will have to do the job"
Except Park Sang-hoon, the rest's faces had gone pale white.
"Tsk* you're no fun"
I wave my hand dismissively
"Don't worry~, I have an idea."
"If that fails I have some" pointing to my spare blades.
And so we set off.
…..
The tunnel was pitch black, except for the flashlight; there was no source of light.
[Night vision] is truly coming in handy.
Honestly, primarily I thought the glow from my sword would be enough, forgetting the fact that they didn't have night vision.
'That's on me I guess'
Luckily I had a flashlight.
Also, I handed the dull blades to Park Sang-hoon and Lee Do-hyun. You never know what can happen.
As we walk through the dark,
Presence!
I signal them to pause.
In front came Komodo dragon-looking creatures.
'Shit! Ain't this supposed to be beginner friendly?!'
Regret started to set in.
< Sub Scenario – food Acquisition >
Category: Sub
Difficulty: E
Clear Conditions: Directly hunt the monsters that can be used as food and cook them.
Time Limit: None
Reward: 500 coins
Failure: ???
'One two…' at total of five.'
Two were outside the lighted area, trying to flank.
I spring forward, not giving them any time.
Slash *5
"That was easy."
The regret washed away immediately.
[You successfully hunted 5 ground rats]
I blink twice
'THOSE WERE GROUND RATS?!'
I stare back at the corpses.
…..
Sheesh
God knows what they were feeding on.
[Constellations praise the primitive weapon building]
[Sponsored 600c]
I have made makeshift hammers out of the femurs. I have cut out the spikes on their necks as short blades.
Now, as their spines are rigid, I managed to make 2 swords and 1 short sword
Don't ask what happened to the other 2.
I turn toward them, like some auction spokesman, and I present them the weapons, letting them choose.
I was looking at Shin Yoosung. Surprisingly, she was quite nonchalant about me dissecting the whole rat, checking what could be used as weapons.
Others however, despite being older, were disturbed. Jung Ha-eun had outright vomited her guts out. Lee Do-hyun was still running his hand along her back.
Park Sang-hoon chose first, taking the femur. Surprise to me, he decided to hand over his blade to Jung Ha-eun. Lee Eun-ji took the hammer too.
Shin Yoosung and me stare eye to eye. She was looking at me like a knight waiting for the master to hand her weapons.
I hand her a femur and a short sword.
'look at her go.'
She excitedly swung the sword around. Looked quiet comical, seeing her almost tumbling due to over extending.
'She will get the hang of it.'
"Okay! Why not the swords?"
I was proud of them, and none chose them.
"Well… A blunt weapon will be easier to swing." Replied Lee Eun-ji, while sheepishly twirling her hair.
I stared at her for a second.
The contrast was strangely unsettling.
Somehow, seeing someone act cute while discussing violence felt deeply wrong.
...
'Oh well, at least it's good that she's adapting'
Putting that aside
Thinking about it now, the blades honestly weren't worth the hassle.
It can be called exaggerating to call it sharp, and you have to hit with the edge aligned, or it will snap and if lucky just bend.
"Fair enough"
I turn around. Well, now for my haul.
[Secretive plotter clutches his head in frustration.]
[Demon like judge of fire request you to take reasonable amount]
[Song of the sea agrees with the demon like judge of fire]
[Insane one looks at the others and sighs in disappointment.]
[insane one says a man needs his weapons]
[Defender and promoter of youth sighs saying there you go again]
....
[Many new constellations look with confusion asking why the others reacting like that]
I stare at them. Lips pursed.
"come on. It ain't that bad. Trust me, come on."
Other were looking at me with confusion, while Shin yoosung just took the chance to stand close to me.
Rubbing my hand over her head, I get back to reading.
[Secretive plotter points his finger at you saying he would trust you with his secrets but not your 'not taking the whole stoke' claim]
"ouch"
[Many constellations look at secretive plotter and exclaims]
[Some of new constellations nods there head as if understanding the situation]
[Constellation who likes drama pops popcorns in his mouth as he enjoys the drama. Adds that pun intended]
….
After much deliberation I decide to take 2 blades, 1 hammer and 8 spikes.
Honestly, the longest ones almost lost it when I was about to grab 15.
"Haaa I nee-" a storage device. I didn't dare say last part out. I can already envision some constellations going "OH SO yOU cAN poCKE DA eARth"
"Let's go"
…..
I stood at the back but still near, letting them fight. We took care of another group of 5 ground rats.
As of now, if more than 3 come, I take care of the extras, allowing them to figure out how to deal with the remaining. Jung ha-eun is still terrified but she's adapting.
'They are tired.'
I look at Shin Yoosung. Unfortunately, it seems she's still terrified of hurting anything. I am slowly circling my hand on her back in an effort to comfort her.
I move toward them as I clap my hands.
"Guys good job, let's go b…"
My ears caught digging sounds from where we were standing. We have faced this twice before. I calmly extend my hand to bring Shin Yoosung behind me.
Nothing
She was still standing there, twirling her fingers. Head down, looking down at her hands. Oblivious to the danger.
The hole opened right behind Shin Yoosung, as a ground rat lunges for her.
"NO!"
I rush with full force, reaching her at the nick of time, pulling her out of the way as I kick the ground rat away.
I throw a spike, drilling through the head of the ground rat. I quickly look her up and down, checking for injuries.
Her body stiffened, her hands shaking.
But then,
A sharp scream echoed through the track; Jung ha-eun was dragged down.