The fourth floor safe point slowly grew quieter as night fell. Lights dimmed across the small houses, and the usual noise of adventurers faded into low murmurs. Even in a place like this, people needed rest.
But not everyone slept peacefully.
Igna lay on the floor of Emily's house, staring at the ceiling. His mind was still occupied with everything he had seen that day—the clean killings, Yash's analysis, and the feeling that something was moving in the shadows.
Nearby, Hena had already fallen asleep, and May rested quietly beside her. Yash sat near the wall, eyes closed, but Igna could tell he wasn't truly sleeping. Emily, on the other hand, was wide awake, casually watching Igna.
Emily: "You're thinking too much."
Igna turned his head slightly.
Igna: "Can't help it."
Emily smirked.
Emily: "Relax. If something happens, Yash will handle it."
Igna didn't respond. That was exactly what bothered him.
(I don't want to depend only on him…)
The room fell silent again.
Then—
A loud shockwave echoed through the entire floor.
The ground trembled violently.
Everyone woke up instantly.
May: "What was that?!"
Yash was already on his feet.
Yash: "Outside."
They rushed out immediately.
The moment they stepped out—
They saw it.
A massive figure standing in the distance.
A giant skeleton.
No—
A colossal skeleton.
Its size towered over the structures of the safe point, its hollow eyes glowing faintly as it moved forward. Each step it took shook the ground, sending cracks through the surroundings.
Panic spread instantly.
Adventurers rushed out, shouting, preparing for battle.
Igna: "That thing… is huge…"
May tightened her grip on her weapon.
May: "Everyone's joining this fight."
Yash's eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't speak.
The battle began.
Dozens of adventurers attacked at once. Magic spells filled the air, blades clashed against bone, and explosions echoed across the safe point. But the skeleton didn't fall easily.
Each swing of its arm crushed the ground.
Each step sent shockwaves.
Several adventurers were thrown back instantly.
Igna moved forward with May and Hena.
His golden paths appeared, guiding him through the chaos. He dodged falling debris, avoided massive swings, and struck at openings whenever possible, but his attacks barely made an impact.
Igna: "It's too strong…"
Hena supported from behind, her healing magic keeping them in the fight.
Hena: "Stay focused!"
May activated her speed, rushing forward and landing multiple strikes on the skeleton's legs, but even she couldn't break it completely.
The fight dragged on.
More adventurers joined.
More attacks landed.
Slowly—
The skeleton began to crack.
Then—
Yash moved.
He stepped forward calmly, his presence cutting through the chaos. His blade appeared in his hand, and without hesitation, he rushed in.
The speed was overwhelming.
He moved past attacks, through debris, and directly toward the skeleton's core.
One strike.
Clean.
Precise.
A massive crack spread through the skeleton's body.
Then—
It collapsed.
The ground shook one last time before everything became still.
Heavy breathing filled the air.
The fight was over.
But something felt wrong.
Igna's eyes shifted.
Toward the safe point.
Bodies.
Several adventurers who hadn't even joined the fight were lying on the ground.
Dead.
Clean cuts.
No struggle.
His chest tightened.
Igna: "…The killer…"
May's expression darkened.
Hena froze slightly.
Emily's smile was gone.
Yash looked at the bodies.
His eyes narrowed.
Then—
He turned.
Without saying a word.
And started walking.
May immediately followed.
May: "You know where?"
Yash didn't stop.
Yash: "Yes."
Igna followed without hesitation.
His heart was beating faster.
They reached the edge of the fourth floor.
The path leading deeper—
To the fifth floor.
Yash stopped there.
His voice calm.
Certain.
Yash: "The killer went down."
The air felt heavier than ever.
And without waiting—
They moved forward.
Into the fifth floor.