Chapter 57 — "Folded Path"
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**Team 3 – Inside the Third Portal**
Hyung's voice echoed off the crystal walls.
"We're stuck."
One soldier laughed nervously.
"What? How can we get stuck? Let's walk again."
They moved—boots scraping crystal.
Straight ahead.
Then three choices appeared: left, right, straight.
They took left.
Walked.
Hyung glanced at Kim Ji.
She said nothing.
Just stared forward.
Another fork—left, right, straight.
Left again.
They walked.
Came back to the entry point.
Same mark on the wall.
Hyung stopped.
"See? I told you."
Kim Ji's voice was quiet.
"We just turned left both times."
A soldier snorted.
"Then we turn right this time."
Kim Ji shook her head.
"You're thinking in circles because the ground is literally circling you. We took Left → Left and ended up at our own mark. That's one of nine permutations. Most of you will want to try Right next because it feels like the 'opposite.' That's the trap."
Hyung exhaled.
"Then what? We try all nine? We don't have time."
Kim Ji pointed straight ahead.
"The space is folding like a piece of paper. If you turn, you stay on the fold. If we go Straight and Straight… we are cutting through the crease. It'll feel like a dead end, but that's where the exit is hidden."
Another soldier laughed—bitter.
"Hmmp. Then what? It's not a trap? They want us to go straight? Or it's just basic psychology—anyone would go straight and they're waiting for us there."
Hyung looked at him.
"If you don't want to come, go home. Did you forget why we came here?"
**Flashback – Observation Tower. Earlier.**
Hasegawa stood in front of the team—voice steady, eyes hard.
"As you know, breakouts happen here. It's very common. So we go inside the caves. Kill the monsters. Destroy the cave so there won't be another breakout. We've tried many times and failed. We're doing it again because that's what humans are. If we give up now… it will affect our future."
She looked at every face.
"We go inside. Search for monsters. Kill them. If we find civilians—get them out. Leave the cave."
Silence.
Then—unison.
**"Yes, ma'am!"**
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**Present.**
The soldier shrugged.
"Okay. Let's go then. Wherever you want."
Hyung looked at Kim Ji.
Nodded.
They walked straight.
Entered the straight path.
Walked.
Another choice.
Straight again.
The moment they stepped into the second straight corridor—
Everything went black.
No blue glow.
No light.
Torches clicked on—white beams cutting through absolute darkness.
They walked slowly.
Careful.
Then—
Back at the entry point.
Same mark.
Same place.
The soldier laughed—angry.
"Ha! Now what? You were being all mighty and acting intelligent. We just came back here."
Kim Ji stared—surprised.
She didn't understand.
"Okay… now I understand. I should have thought about this earlier. We just need to walk backward."
Another soldier scoffed.
"Now backward? Then she'll say right. Does she even know anything? Even I can do better than her. I guess she just wants us to die here."
One soldier shouted.
"Miss Princess! We are not your guards! We don't have too much time—masks can run out! Rather than wasting our time—"
Hyung turned—voice sharp.
"Hasegawa made her team leader. We will follow her."
Some soldiers muttered.
"Yeah… you'll do. I guess you both are together to kill us. Or is it your revenge?"
Hyung shouted.
"We never force anyone! If you don't want to come—then don't!"
He grabbed Kim Ji's hand.
Walked backward—straight.
The soldiers sighed—grumbled—but followed.
Kim Ji thought—*Am I right this time?*
She looked at Hyung's hand holding hers.
*Yes… I am right.*
They reached the choice again.
Straight.
Entered.
Blue light washed over their faces.
A chamber.
Open.
Waiting.
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*End*