Chapter 25

00025 The City of Traps. =========================================================================

"Of course, I’m against it. When you compare the forest to here, the answer is obvious, isn’t it? I don’t want to risk my life on some uncertain prediction of yours. I don’t think it’s necessary to take the same risks we did yesterday just to leave this city."

Although I had a slight hope, it was as expected. Yoojeong cast her vote against, and now the votes were one for and one against. My mouth felt a bit dry, but I decided to wait and see the result.

Next up was Kim Hanbyeol. If she voted in favor, there would be a glimmer of hope, so naturally, everyone’s attention was on her. She stared at me intently and then spoke in her usual calm voice.

"I don’t particularly want to leave either. However, after observing this person, I don’t think he has any ill intentions. He has always made good judgments for us. While there isn’t enough evidence to prove what he said, I think it serves as a basis. I can’t choose between for and against, so I will abstain."

Kim Hanbyeol chose to abstain. In a way, it was the safest choice. Yoojeong seemed to be confident that we would stay, and she was smiling. I decided to prepare for an unexpected outcome. Even if a boss monster appears, we’ll just have to defeat it. The challenge would be to do it without being noticed.

The remaining people were Ahn Hyun and Ahn Sol. Ahn Hyun glanced at his sister for a moment, then stroked her head and spoke.

"Sol."

"Uh-huh?"

"What do you want to do?"

At Ahn Hyun’s words, Ahn Sol looked thoughtful. She was folding and unfolding her fingers, seemingly counting the votes so far. Then, our eyes met for a moment, and she suddenly looked startled, her face turning red as she quickly averted her gaze. She kept glancing at me sideways, which made me wonder if she was feeling unwell.

"Of course, Sol is against, right? Isn’t it? It’s safe and comfortable here. If we go outside, scary monsters will come rushing in!"

Yoojeong was now treating Ahn Sol like a child. Ahn Sol seemed to notice this and, when Yoojeong exaggeratedly tried to scare her, her cheeks puffed up, and she pouted, shaking her head slightly. She glanced at me again and then spoke in a cautious voice.

"I… I agree with Hyun-oppa."

Oh.

"Of course! Naturally, in favor! Wait, what? In favor?"

Yoojeong, who had been nodding excitedly, immediately changed her expression and lunged at Ahn Sol. Ahn Sol quickly hid in Ahn Hyun’s arms. Ahn Hyun and Kim Hanbyeol were so surprised that they all stared at her with wide eyes. After a moment of hesitation, Ahn Sol slowly began to speak.

"Yes. I agree."

"Why! Why on earth!"

"Meep…."

Ahn Hyun, who had been fending off Yoojeong’s aggressive stance, gently asked Ahn Sol for her reasons.

"Sol. You need to tell everyone why you’re in favor."

"Uh… It’s just… a feeling. I have a feeling. Because…"

The moment she mentioned the word 'feeling,' Ahn Hyun’s expression changed drastically. It was a brief moment, but it was clear. Why was he reacting like that?

"Hey! How can you base your decision on just a feeling…."

"Quiet!"

Ahn Hyun’s sudden raise in voice made Yoojeong shut her mouth. Ahn Hyun’s face was unusually serious. He frowned and looked at Ahn Sol with a grave expression. Ahn Sol, seemingly unaware of his gaze, nodded and pointed at me with her delicate finger.

"Before, it was just a vague feeling… but I had a dream about Hyun-oppa today."

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. Sol, continue with your story."

"We were all sleeping in this room when a huge monster appeared. It was like an alien. The monster came straight to our building… and put everyone in danger. I thought we were all going to die… I saw everyone die. Then, the dream suddenly changed."

"How did it change?"

"The dream rewound like a clock being wound back, and suddenly Hyun-oppa appeared. The monster appeared again, but this time it was different. Hyun-oppa told us to run away, saying he would stop the monster. I was in his arms, and we were escaping the city in a panic. I was worried about him, and just as I turned to look back, the dream ended."

"Can’t you remember anything else?"

"At the very end, I heard a terrible scream or a cry… but I’m not sure."

We all listened to her story with bated breath. And I, for the first time since returning to the past, looked at her with genuine interest. Honestly, I couldn’t understand it, even though it was a field I wasn’t familiar with.

Her ability values are 75 magic points and 100 luck points. My 96 magic points are not just any points. Even in the Full Plane, they would make me a notable mage. I can barely see a single second of the past with the power of the Third Eye, yet she could see the past and future through the power of her dreams, albeit vaguely.

Of course, there was a clear difference between Ahn Sol and me. I can see actual events from the past and manifest my power at will. However, she can’t be sure if the events she sees are real or influenced by something else, and her power seems to manifest randomly. It seems her extremely high luck points make her predictions quite accurate.

Anyway, one of my initial doubts seemed to be resolved. The reason I couldn’t see them during the first round of users was clear. They must have gathered in this city for some reason and were defeated by a boss monster after two days. Ahn Sol was likely the only survivor.

"Ha…."

A deep sigh from Ahn Hyun was heard from the front. After finishing her story, Ahn Sol looked around nervously. Ahn Hyun tapped his fingers on the floor, deep in thought, and then spoke to everyone with a troubled expression.

"I also agree with Hyun-oppa."

"Why you too? You said you didn’t want to leave! Are you just siding with your sister?"

Yoojeong immediately challenged him, looking disappointed. Ahn Hyun looked at Yoojeong apologetically for a moment and then spoke.

"I’m not siding with her. It might sound a bit funny, but…."

Ahn Hyun, slightly bowing his head, pointed to Ahn Sol in his arms and continued.

"I’ve lived with Sol for over 19 years. We’ve been through a lot, and I’ve always felt that she has a very good intuition."

Of course. With 100 luck points, it’s possible to have premonitions or even see the future, though the rank must support it. As I thought this, Yoojeong frowned and sighed.

"That damn feeling, feeling, feeling. I’m sick of it."

"This isn’t a lie. Whenever Sol feels uneasy, something bad always happens. It’s rare to hear her talk about dreams, but… anyway, the vote is 3 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention. We’ll decide to leave. I hope everyone follows the agreement we made. Everyone, get up. Let’s act now."

"Are we leaving right now?"

"Given Sol’s dream, it’s better to leave as soon as possible. Everyone, just pack the essentials. Hyun-oppa, please keep watch just in case."

"Ok. I’ll do that. Call me when you’re done."

Seeing Ahn Hyun’s different attitude from yesterday, I smiled contentedly. After equipping the crossbow on my left arm, I stood up.

*

Subtle, but Ahn Hyun had definitely changed. His solo patrol this morning and his unusually proactive attitude were clear signs. Of course, a few words from me yesterday couldn’t completely change his inner feelings, but at least his outward attitude had changed, indicating that he was willing to do his best. It was a positive change, so I whistled while looking around.

As Ahn Hyun said, it was best to leave now. Delaying and starting in the afternoon, only to wander around at night, was something to avoid. Starting in the morning and finding a place to rest in the afternoon would be much better. Downstairs, the sounds of activity suggested they were trying to take as much as possible.

Breathing in the still cold air, I felt my head clear. If it had been just Park Donggeol, Lee Borim, and Lee Shinwoo, they would have insisted on staying, but things had gone surprisingly well. This is why it’s easier when high-level users are together. A moment of silence for Park Donggeol and his group.

We had survived the forest, the most difficult physical trial, and overcome the psychological trap point. Now, as long as we were careful of the boss monsters and other survivors that could randomly appear, the path to the central gate would be relatively easy. Of course, the other monsters that would appear…

"Excuse me…."

Just as I was thinking about the other monsters that would appear as we approached the center, someone called out to me. Turning around, I saw Kim Hanbyeol standing there. She had a small bag on her back, indicating she was almost ready.

"Yes. Are you all set?"

"I’m done. The others are still packing."

"I see. I’ll keep watch a bit longer then."

"…Can we talk for a moment?"

Her sudden request to talk left me puzzled, but I nodded.

"Of course."

She approached me slowly, glancing at me cautiously. I was curious about what she wanted to say. Kim Hanbyeol, who usually kept a calm demeanor, looked at me for a while before speaking in a cautious voice.

"Did you hear anything from Yoojeong or Ahn Hyun?"

"Did you and Yoojeong have a fight?"

"Partly… and anything else?"

Since I hadn’t heard anything specific about Kim Hanbyeol, I shook my head.

"I see. Actually…."

Her story was nothing special. She had opposed Yoojeong’s suggestion to leave. When she said the last survivor should live, I had a slight wry smile, but I knew it wasn’t her true intention, so I could let it go. It was better to accept it gracefully, as it was a common occurrence in the Full Plane.

"…I’m sorry. I was just really angry at the time. If I were in your position, I would have been very upset…."

I had never seen her calm voice so deflated. Her relationship with Yoojeong still seemed strained, but that was something I couldn’t interfere with. I smiled slightly and spoke.

"No, I wasn’t upset. In fact, I think you did well."

"…."

"Really. You made a calm and rational judgment. If we had left as planned, we might have all been in danger, as Hanbyeol said. There’s no need to apologize."

"Still…."

"I was a bit worried about Yoojeong’s temper, but I’m glad you’re here. If it happens again, do the same. I think it’s better that way."

"…Thank you."

As we finished talking, our eyes met. And for the first time, I saw her smile. It was a slight smile, but her appearance was definitely beautiful.

Suddenly, the 'her' from the Full Plane flashed through my mind.

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Typos and context corrections.