The whole station was a silent. If you were to drop a pin, that would be audible.
Gulp*
The earlier screams now replaced with just the dry swallowing
Few moments ago they were fighting for what they called "rooms". Basically they are safe zones for the upcoming scenario.
But that all came to a halt when a bright light flashed through the line 3 exit, followed a loud sound comparable to an explosion.
In a few minutes, a figure stepped through the line 3 gate.
Everyone in the transit line 3 looks quietly at new comer.
Steps
Many gasped recognizing the boy who just walked in. He was the boy show in the system screen in the first scenario. The mere sight of him caused them to reel back. While few who didn't recognize him gasped seeing a ground rat being able to enter the station.
The white haired boy was walking with a girl lifted on his left hand while on his right; the sword glowed with bright neon blue hue.
The sheer bloodlust exerted from his form had almost taken a physical form of red hue incasing his body.
…
The magic I had launched was exhausting. It takes almost most of my mana to launch it.
Very soon I was at entrance to the station. It was broken.
'did my…hit it?'
It doesn't matter.
[You have entered Chungmuro.]
[The third scenario is will be in motion in 20 minutes.]
[#GIR-8761 channel is active.]
[#BIR-3642 channel is active.]
I stare at the people, they all stood still. Like statues of stones. Some paused mid swinging their fist in another's face. They wear all looking at… me?
Weary
This reminded me of… jongmo station.
'Ah… so they were shown too…'
[Main Scenario #3 – Green Zone (Day 3)]
Category: Main
Difficulty: C
Clear Conditions: Occupy the 'green zone' in the station and survive the monsters that emerge every night at midnight. This scenario will last 7 days.
Duration: 8 hours.
Compensation: 1,000 coins
Failure: ―
After reading the scenario I started walking through the station… whichever way I go, the crowd parts like the sea.
I walk around the station aimlessly.
Most of the zones were already at the hand of the victors. Only some were being contested for. I have come across many green zones with 2 or 3 people capacity.
The people in the zone were terrified. They didn't even have the strength to throw slurs at me. I raise my blade
I bring to down
I, again and again tighten then loosen my grip.
'ugh… isn't this how ncps die…'
I know this is …
Just….
Haaaaaaaa-
I walk away.
I had circled the floor with Shin Yoosung on my back.
I didn't bother going to the upper floor B2.
'What's the point, it would be same scenario anyway.'
…
I look at others, fighting.
"…am I an idiot?"
It just
Every time I raise the blade that,
Yes I will kill.
Yet,
I don't, 'why? I killed then…why now?'
"I don't understand… they are weak. I can crush them with one hand..."
'It's so stupid'
Exhale
I… as much as I complain… I myself am hesitant. I don't know… but I – I Just don't know…
I feel like… If I kill this time...
Even if I live, I will not be…
Me.
I feel like…if I ever stand in front of them, they won't even be able to recognize me.
Parent, Ji-yoon noona
Rage build up with in me.
Slap
Pain rang through my skull
'They are….dead. Idiot'
Unknowingly tears rolls down
Slap
Then another
I slapped and slapped until my lips burst, blood poured down my nose.
Yet it only fuels my rage.
Unconsciously I gripped my own neck.
The people around me didn't have time to focus on me, they were too busy with themselves.
My grip was so tight my breathing was cut off
My balance felt poor, mind light.
The stupid thoughts eventually vanished.
I finally stop
Pant* Pant*
Slowly my shoulders relax, my breathing return to normal.
I close my eye
The muscles on my face sometimes twitching
Until
Open
My gaze - cold
I walk to a room, as my blade glows, second away from swinging.
"ughhh…"
I freeze
My eyes on Shin Yoosung.
"…nn"
Oh, she's about to wake up.
Remembering how much I hit my face I quickly apply heal.
she slowly opens her eyes,
"How are you feeling?"
"...fine, just light throbbing" says as she massages her head.
I let her down on her feet.
"Here water."
Nod
"…hey Yoosung."
I explain to her the scenario than pause
I finally ask, "…Should I k-" I shut up just as quickly. It only now I realized. How I was asking the question, it was no different than shifting the blame from me to her.
I grind my teeth against each other.
I will try again
"…we have two choices. We can kill those three" I point to the nearest trio "or survive without a green zone."
I saw her shiver when I presented the option of killing.
But I won't repeat the same mistake with Jung Ha-eun and others.
'Only by choosing a path one will build conviction.' And when the storm comes, the tree won't bow down.
She shifts around under my gaze. Shin Yoosung felt the gaze despite moving her eyes to the ground.
"Ca-can you survive without the green zone?"
I wait to think before answering, "I think I will manage, I honestly don't know. It all depends on the monsters."
I close my eyes,
My heart beat slows
"I mean, killing them will make it so none of us will have to face danger."
Her gaze lowered again, shoulders trembling, "I-I don't want you to kill because-"
"yoosung"
She looked up
"What do you want?"
"Do you want to take a green zone, even if it means killing?"
I griped her shoulders in place. Her eyes wide, slowly water glossing in her eyes. With lips trembling, "N_NO, I don't want to…"
"But do understand, I… can't guaranty I can protect you if there is a horde."
Her breath quickened as her eyes darted between me and the green zone.
Her trembling fingers slowly curled into fists.
Seeing her firm on her choice, I could help but smile.
'I would have never sat at a green zone anyways'
My heart is already going ramped at thought of fighting.
'I would have no complained even if she had choose the easier option, I would have preferred it.' The reason I pointed at those three was so she doesn't blame herself thinking 'I will kill just for her'.
"Yoosung", I gently called her again, "Try to tame again."
"b-but …" she stops.
She straightened her back.
Nod
She drew a slow breath and exhaled
Mana flows from her extended arm on the rat's head
- A links trying to form.
Failed
She tries again
And again
[2 minute before the third scenario begins.]
…
Her eyes were now glossy with tears.
Every failure replying in her mind, "I-I can't…I am useless…"
"Every time…. I just …"
Her body was shaking violently.
"He was looking at me… I just… no matter how much I squeezed, he-he swung his tail in –in trust … b-but I…."
From what I could sense, the problem is with her. She, in a way has already tamed the rat. Her golden mana was rotating around within the thing.
It's just
She doesn't accept its loyalty.
She doesn't want to.
I hug her.
I… should say something
'But what do I say…' I am unable to utter any words.
'...wait'
The earlier sub scenario we faced, it, reenacted the trauma.
My eyes focus on her
What if she….
I clenched my fist so hard, the nails dug into my skin.
'Why did it not occur to me…'
"It's okay."
I just continue to hug her.
As the clocked ticked down, people became more desperate, in turn, more feral. This kind of reminded me of Suneung (university exam).
It's just; in this case, its life or death.
[Third main scenario has been enabled]
She was pulled out her trace.
"It's regrettable"
Her face paled, her body flinched... seeing the disappointment in my face only one thing went through her mind
"I guess there no avoiding it"
'Will… he.'
A grin forms on my face,
"Well missy, get ready to get showered with blood."
Her eyes widened as Shin yoosung's mind went blank
"w-what?"
The words Kim Seo-jin said was not what she thought he will say.
"We are killing monsters, no?"
I acted oblivious to her thoughts.
She wanted to ask questions but that had to be left for another time. ROAR*
Screams fills the station
I pick Yoosung like a sack of potato
"HICK! Seo-"
She quiets down as the wind hit her.
I paused mid stride remembering something, "Oh rat!" I look back. It looked at me, stiff. Eye wide in shock? Or disbelief? It's hard to tell.
"Oi, I didn't resist eating you for monsters to eat ya. Try and follow"
Swish
'…on second through"
Screeee
In the end, I put it on my back. I had to hunch a bit otherwise its butt will leave a bloody trail on the floor.
[Physique Lv 20 -> 25]
[Agility lv 20 -> 30]
[Strength lv 20 -> 25]
[Magic power lv 20-> 30]
'yup'
'Ignoring the fact I am rich, I gave up on the idea of saving but not completely yet'
Sigh
Considering my luck, I will have to get them up to 30 too but, let's see if we can increase it naturally.
Roa-
I cut through it throat as I jump over another's head. I dash through the station like the wind, search for a position where
I will have to just face one front.
I see a group of people screaming, as they had no other place to back up, beasts run from left and the front.
'Perfect.'
I cut through the hoard reaching in front of them.
"Stand with them"
Yoosung quickly followed what I said.
…
Arcs of blood flew everywhere as I cut through one after another. They were very easy to deal with, very weak monsters. But… I already did it once so their numbers isn't a problem.
However that time, I had plenty of room to move and no backline to protect. But I am strong enough that this has become easy as swatting flies.
This hoard most made us of ground rats and lower grade 8 monster named groll
Bodies after bodies pile up.
'hehehe, this is fun'
While Kim Seojin was having a field day, the people behind him-
(few minutes back)
"Ahhh! Monster! We are dead, a monster got behind him"
"Save uss!"
Some were bringing there weapon forward to supposedly defend against it.
Growl*
The pet rat, misunderstanding that they were trying to harm Shin Yoosung, stood at front. The spikes on its back stood straight.
As things escalating, Shin Yoosung was shaking, seeing this many people looking toward her with weapon. Tremble yet she opens her mouth, just then-
"D-don't feel ashamed, pointing you bats at a small girl" A girl, wearing a school uniform stepped forward. Here voice may have indicated that she's calm, but her shaking hands told that she was just as terrified.
"N-no, ther-"
"The person who defending us brought it along and it's not attacking."
"B-but…"
Ignoring them, the girl steps toward Shin yoosung, "Is it with you?"
Shin Yoosung, adjust her breath before answering, "Y-yes, she's…my pet"
"How?! That thing is a pet?"
The crowd started screaming again
"And we got monsters trying to eat us", the girl remarks as she points her shaky hand at front.
This shut them down. The girl, seeing their attention shift to the white haired blitz in front, got down to Shin yoosung's level. What they talked about, I wasn't quite able to pick up. Or more like I didn't bother, from her domineer I judged that she doesn't mean harm.
If she hadn't stepped in when see did, I would have abandoned killing the beast and rush in straight at their faces. Memorizing her face I focus back to the beasts.
…
[You have endured Chungmuro's night without the green zone.]
[You have accomplished the 'Never-ending Dawn' achievement at Chungmuro Station!]
[You have earned 1,000 coins as an achievement reward.]
[Constellation aligned with good are satisfied with your deed]
[You received 1000c sponsor]
[Constellation secretive plotter is looking at the scene with anticipation]
[Constellation the insane one is dissatisfied with you wasted of movements yet satisfied.]
[You received 100c sponsor]
?
[Constellation Demon like judge of fire and song of the sea are worried for your mental wellbeing]
[They ask you to stop and sleep]
I unknowingly almost smile at the last two massage but quickly catch myself and stop.
Exhale
Anyways
'This… was exhausting.'
I look at the last remaining groll. It had a big bear build with a horn. I was looking me with fear. As the scenario finished, it seems its aggressiveness decreased.
Hmm?
'you know…'
I don't kill it like the rest of his kin.
"You shall be a perfect ride."
Head tilt in confusion
Roa-
Slap
It looked at me
Offended
It tried to charge again
Another back hand slap.
It tried to run.
I gripped its hind lag.
"Growl"
"You ain't going anywhere"
Slap
Tries to retaliate
Another slap
…
It just sat there, any shred of dignity is might have had as a groll was slapped out of it.
It just stayed still, head down in shame. It had given up on life.
I open its mouth and dump a bear sedative.
I would have asked Yoosung to try to tame it, but there is another urgent problem.
For the last 8 hours, a pair of eyes was drilling it gaze into me. Now many others were too looking at me, but they were with awe.
'Something is different in his gaze.'
The 8 hours was exhausting because most of my attention was on him.
'He's strong'
My instinct rang alarm bells
He had appeared out of nowhere and just stood there staring at me.
My breathing quickens
"he he he…"
Unconsciously I giggle.
[Exclusive attribute demon of battle is excited]
The system message made me aware of myself.
I exhale, trying to slow down my racing heart.
"What's yar looking at me for, the last 8 hours?" I lock eye with him.
[Exclusive attribute foreigner trembles violently]
I felt restless, staring at him
'why?'
I clutch my chest,
his face.
Broad shoulders, muscled body.
Ah-
"Do you know Lee Seolhwa?"
'you stared at me to ask that?'
Frown
"Did I not ask ya a question?!"
His jaw tightens.
There was a long pause.
Seeing him not leaving, I answer.
"No" Although the name struck to be familiar.
"...I don't."
'Do I know someone like that...no, can't recall…meh maybe heard the name somewhere.'
I could help but feel puzzled.
Nod,
his gaze hardens.
He suddenly steps forward.
Click,
sword ready.
He stopped.
He just stared at me, my face.
I throw him questioning look.
His face was emotionless.
?
Yet his grip on his sword tightened.
"Your name?"
"Shouldn't you say yours first?"
A little Killing seeps out from him.
I respond with my own.
Everything went quiet.
Our eyes locked
Legs shift,
Ready
As the tension was reaching a conflict, his stance relaxed again.
He sighed.
"Yoo Joonghyuk"
"…"
"Kim Seojin"