Nightmare or Horror

[The ‘Whispering Demon’ begins to take an interest in you.]

The Lady of Scales. Along with the ‘Nameless Observer’, now the ‘Whispering Demon’ has shown interest as well.

‘Who’s that?’

It’s a name that I don’t recall, but somehow… I can’t put it exactly in words—an ominous feeling.

‘I’m not sure.’

I don’t know every guardian after all. The very fact that I’ve caught the interest of one is pretty good by itself. It all depends on how I control the situation, how I act—then I’ll see if it’s a benefit or not.

‘There must be many guardians watching.’

Countless guardians who haven’t revealed their names are probably paying attention to this channel, ‘#19207.’ Since only Seonhwa and I have entered the Seoul Station Dungeon, the scrutiny will undoubtedly focus on us.

[The ‘Sensory Eye’ (感覺眼) has been activated.]

Through the Sensory Eye, information began to stream to me. Even without seeing through my own eyes, my mind painted a vivid picture. Seonhwa asked me.

“Is this… a dungeon?”

The Seoul Station Dungeon was generally dark. The atmosphere was like that of a damp cave. Quite moist and cold. Water dripped down from the ceiling. I nodded my head.

‘It looks just like the one I saw on YouTube.’

This dungeon will become a ‘tutorial dungeon’ in the truest sense, where countless players will come and go, gaining experience. I looked at Seonhwa.

──────────

[Player]

Name: Kang Seonhwa

Age: 14

Level: 15

Class: –

Guardian: –

Status: Loneliness/Fear/Trust/Dependence

Disposition: Neutral/Curiosity

Summary: Mild Brother Complex

+ No class has been chosen.

+ No guardian has been chosen.

+ Disposition and traits/summary can change depending on the situation.

+ Proficiency with the Sensory Eye is low, detailed information access not possible.

──────────

I smirked to myself.

‘She’s already Level 15?’

There were some strange traits, but I decided to ignore them. It’s somewhat… neither Seonhwa nor her sister seem to have what you’d call a ‘normal’ summary.

‘She’s been raised well. To that extent.’

In Korea, only monsters like slimes, urban foxes, and urban wolves were released, so the fact that she raised her level to 15 means she’s been playing quite diligently. If that’s what she achieved by hunting those low-level monsters, it’s impressive.

I told Seonhwa,

“Remember what I told you in advance?”

Seonhwa nodded. I took the lead, and we started walking. BJ Senia followed in a semi-transparent state. I couldn’t read her expression since it was emotionless, but it seemed she was clearly displeased. I must be ‘quality content’ to her, and she’s worried that I might die here.

‘She’s not worrying about me.’

It’s not about me she’s concerned for,

‘It’s about the ‘product’ called ‘me’.’

There was no need to take Senia into consideration. After all, I had no intention of dying. My concern was solely on how to ‘sell’ the product called ‘me’ better.

‘Seven crossroads.’

Seven pathways, which become activated as I pass each one. Seoul Station Dungeon has a ‘total difficulty’ that’s pre-set. When all seven paths are activated, the danger is split seven ways. Simply put, it’s like sharing the difficulty level ‘7’ among ‘7 people,’ bringing the difficulty on each path down to ‘1.’

‘Conversely, if we choose only one path…’

The entire difficulty ‘7’ gets concentrated on a single path. That’s the case if one were to play normally. But Seoul Station Dungeon has been conquered by plenty of players before, and hidden pieces within are now opened.

“Brother. I see the crossroad over there.”

I could see the seven caves. They resembled the gaping maws of snakes.

“Stay here.”

[The ‘Lady of Scales’ watches you with interest.]

[The ‘Whispering Demon’ continues to show interest in you.]

[The ‘Nameless Observer’ observes you seriously.]

I entered the leftmost, the first cave. Simultaneously, a golden magic circle appeared on the floor of the cave.

[Seoul Station Dungeon 1st Path. ‘Nepharas’s Path’ is activated.]

Then I immediately came out. The next path was the same.

[Seoul Station Dungeon 2nd Path. ‘Dyugo’s Path’ is activated.]

[Seoul Station Dungeon 3rd Path. ‘Deransha’s Path’ is activated.]

…

…

[Seoul Station Dungeon 7th Path. ‘Lakhtulah’s Path’ is activated.]

All the paths had been activated. Just activating them was enough. Moving forward wasn’t the only option. Retreating, if necessary, even sidestepping was required. Each path is free to enter and exit. There’s no condition to ‘clear’ all paths simultaneously. This method of clearing is fully feasible.

Now the difficulty of every path has been adjusted to ‘1’. I stood before the 1st path, ‘Nepharas’s Path.’

“Let’s go.”

* * *

Masanghyun sensed that this ‘play’ was not a one-time event. A tutorial field had appeared, ‘middle managers’ and ‘guardians’ emerged, and monsters appeared as well.

He boldly decided not to attend the financial company where he had already passed the entrance exam and was supposed to start working. He was determined to devote himself to ‘playing.’ Some people laughed at his choice, criticizing him for giving up a stable job with a high salary without even giving it a try.

But Masanghyun saw the future.

‘As expected… it continues.’

Where there are weak monsters, there will be strong ones. Strong monsters will drop better items. Even by hunting just slimes, urban foxes, or wolves, items like ‘iron swords’ or ‘low-grade health potions’ already drop.

‘They’re quite effective.’

These items are useful in real life. Something like a ‘low-grade healing potion’ boasts a far better effect than a typical over-the-counter medicine. If such items drop from such feeble monsters, what about more powerful ones?

Of course, much better things will drop. The world was changing, and he decided to adapt quickly to this new world. That was Masanghyun’s choice.

‘That’s a dungeon.’

Near Seoul Station Exit 2. A dungeon. The middle manager who was focusing on broadcasting Masanghyun chuckled.

“At least seven or more are needed for that place. Hmm. Two have already entered, so we just need four more.”

Several players approached. They seemed to be survivors from the tutorial field. Amidst them, more information was dispersed to the world through the middle managers.

[Dungeons will collapse if not cleared within a certain time frame.]

[When a dungeon collapses, monsters break out of it.]

[That phenomenon is referred to as ‘Dungeon Break.’]

[Only ‘qualified players’ can clear dungeons.]

Police began to control Seoul Station Exit 2. It was natural to take precautions because it might be dangerous. For the safety of the citizens.

Someone was walking toward them. Their feet were about 30cm off the ground. Though they walked, they floated above the earth. It was clearly not human.

“What a hassle.”

A creature with one horn on its head and blue skin muttered as if it were bothered, approaching the police.

“Are you going to compensate for my living? Why block my broadcast?”

He grabbed one of the police officers by the throat and lifted him.

“Chk, choke! Release me, release me!”

Another policeman quickly pulled out a taser gun.

“If you do not release him, I will fire immediately!”

At those words, the ‘alien creature’ grinned wickedly, turning its neck in a bizarre double rotation to look at the officer aiming the taser gun at it.

“Shoot.”

Simultaneously, a loud crack! The policeman’s neck was broken. The officer, who had been held by the collar, died instantly. The crowd started to scream and run, fleeing in panic.

“Bloody insects. Making such noise.”

Red orbs appeared on the creature’s fingertips. He scattered them into the air, where they bounced around like bouncy balls. Flames sprang from the clothes of the many people they touched.

“So why. Why do you interfere with others’ business? Insects.”

The police officer aiming the taser was no exception. His body started to burn. He rolled on the ground begging for help.

Seoul Station Exit 2 was a complete and utter chaos. At least dozens burned to death right there, with many others trampling and pushing each other as they fled. The only ones left nearby were two people: a player and a middle manager.

“Now then, shall we begin the play, you player bastards?”

Masanghyun did not run. He survived the great upheaval in Jongno; such disturbances were familiar to him. He clenched his fist in preparation, knowing the name of that middle manager—’Chris.’ He also knew the player with Chris.

‘Seo Ju-hwan.’

There was a brief encounter in the tutorial field. At that time, Seo Ju-hwan was hunting goblins and seemed to be enjoying the slaughter, laughing maniacally while soaked in blood. Seo Ju-hwan and Chris. They seemed to be well-matched middle manager and player.

Seo Ju-hwan sent a nod.

“We meet here, Terminator of the Tutorial.”

Those who followed Masanghyun in the tutorial field died, but five people who followed Seo Ju-hwan survived. Now, there were seven players gathered here.

The man behind Seo Ju-hwan shrugged his shoulders and said,

“As expected of the Terminal, you can smell money. Dungeons and monsters will change the world.”

“…”

At this site, though a policeman was killed, the other players were not greatly disturbed. They had already experienced such a world. They were there at the scene where 140,000 died.

Masanghyun thought for a moment. His middle manager ‘Neptune’ also recommended having seven together.

‘Do I have no choice?’

Masanghyun didn’t want to get involved with them, but there was no choice. They were survivors of the tutorial field, with quite a bit of power. They would surely be helpful in clearing the dungeon.

Masanghyun said,

“Let’s form a party and go in.”

* * *

Kang Seonhwa was not yet as accustomed to playing as Kim Hyukjin.

“Big brother. Aren’t they too big? Aren’t they too strong?”

“Don’t worry. They only look strong.”

A monster in the shape of a ‘bull,’ its whole body black.

──────────

Black Yak -LV. 12

──────────

The Black Yak was a large and powerful animal-type monster. When agitated, it would charge forward and knock down its prey, and such attacks could instantly kill even higher-level players.

Rooooaaaarrr!!!

Three Black Yaks charged at Kim Hyukjin.

Kim Hyukjin sidestepped, then using his iron sword, sliced off one of the Black Yak’s horns. In the same motion, he sprung up the side of the cave and mounted one of the Black Yaks.

Roooaaar!!

Though the Black Yak fought back wildly, Kim Hyukjin didn’t fall. Planting his feet firmly, he lifted his sword and brought it down with force.

Thud!

The iron sword pierced the Black Yak’s skull. The creature collapsed, and Kim Hyukjin cut off its horn.

“Huh?”

Kang Seonhwa’s eyes widened in astonishment.

‘Two, two at once?’

All his movements flowed naturally, as one. Two Black Yaks fell on the spot.

Boing.

Lightly hopping off the carcass of the downed Black Yak, Kim Hyukjin threw his body towards the one that had stopped. His movement was swift, like a dipper skimming the water.

Slice.

Another horn was cut.

[You have hunted a Black Yak.]

[You have gained experience.]

[You have obtained 12COIN.]

Kang Seonhwa asked hesitantly,

“Brother. What…what you’re doing right now.”

Something about it was strange.

“Can anyone else do it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I noticed it while playing outside myself; I haven’t seen anyone moving like you, brother. Even amongst the tutorial survivors… No one was like you.”

“Really?”

Kim Hyukjin didn’t think much of it. It wouldn’t matter much if he was skilled but yet unmatured. A low-level player’s skill, no matter how great, has its limits. The mastery he gained from knowledge of the future didn’t seem extraordinary to him.

“How do you do that?”

It was hard to believe, even having seen it with her own eyes. It was as if he were born to play; a predatory animal. To the 14-year-old Kang Seonhwa, that’s how it seemed.

“Well.”

Kim Hyukjin glanced at Senia, knowing his words would also be relayed to the guardians.

“Just work hard.”

“Hard work?”

“Yeah. As hard as you don’t want to regret. With your best effort in every moment.”

Kim Hyukjin spoke sincerely. He didn’t want to live with regrets anymore. This time, he wanted to live differently. His words were earnest, but doubt flickered in Kang Seonhwa’s eyes for the first time. Is it really possible to become like him through effort?

[The ‘Nameless Observer’ remains silent.]

[The ‘Lady of Scales’ is satisfied with your answer.]

[The ‘Whispering Demon’ despises your answer.]

Kang Seonhwa clenched her fists. She had her suspicions about Kim Hyukjin, but fundamentally she trusted him completely.

‘I will…!’

She believed Kim Hyukjin must be making immense efforts out of sight. She felt ‘the weight of an adult’ in Kim Hyukjin’s words. The notion of working as hard as you don’t want to have regrets felt heavy, and with that weight came an overwhelming sense of trust.

‘I’ll make an effort.’

Vague hopes began to blossom—that perhaps she could become like her brother if she tried. She dared to dream. Kim Hyukjin and Kang Seonhwa continued to hunt.

After a while, Kim Hyukjin smiled.

‘At last, it has appeared.’

Something had been dropped—an item that shimmered and shone. It was the item Kim Hyukjin had been seeking.

“Brother. What is that?”