Chapter 86

00086 A Thousand Miles in One Rush

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Perhaps from the moment we entered the entrance, we were already inside the ruins of the laboratory. However, it was difficult to tell whether we were standing in the forest or in front of the laboratory just by looking around.

It seemed that the laboratory was built without significantly damaging the existing natural environment, rather than clearing the forest to establish it. Perhaps because of this, the ruins of the laboratory gave off a feeling similar to a natural fortress.

A sturdy iron door was firmly closed ahead. Without a word, the group moved towards the iron door with entranced faces.

The iron door, which looked heavy at first glance, creaked unpleasantly as I pushed it open, and rust fell off in clumps. I opened it just enough for one person to pass through and took a step inside.

Then, the group that followed me in stopped and held their breath at the sight before them.

"Is the light magic... still working?"

"Not perfectly. The intermittent flickering suggests that it's almost at the end of its life. More importantly, Mr. Soohyun."

With Jeong Hae-yeon's additional explanation, I regained my composure and focused on the front. A wide, white corridor reminiscent of a hospital hallway, and the faintly glowing light stones. However, the passage of time had clearly taken its toll, as the entire building was severely dilapidated. The cold, eerie atmosphere made the children huddle closer to me.

That's when it happened.

"Sniff... Sniff..."

A faint voice suddenly caught my attention. Although it came from a distance, it was clearly a human voice. The group was silent, and the corridor was quiet. Everyone's faces were tense, so I wasn't the only one who heard it.

"Brother, could it be like last time...?"

I shook my head at Yoojeong's anxious voice. It's not a Remic. I cast my senses forward and detected a human-like figure. However, there was a subtle, unsettling feeling about it.

After some deliberation, I decided to move forward. We couldn't stay here indefinitely, and we would find out more by getting closer. I felt someone gripping the back of my shirt, but I took the lead and started moving forward.

"Sniff... Sniff...?"

The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly. A long, narrow passage surrounded by old, rusted walls. As we moved forward, the faint voice became clearer.

"Sniff... Sniff... You've come?"

Sniff. You've come. As we closed the distance, I could finally make out the words. A sobbing voice, and the phrase "you've come." However, the tone was not welcoming but filled with clear hostility.

A little more. A little more.

Even without me saying anything, the group was on high alert. They had already drawn their weapons and were guarding the front, clearly terrified.

This was a psychological fear, not a physical one that threatened their lives. It was a psychological terror that stimulated the mind, similar to the horror movies they had seen on Earth, causing their bodies to involuntarily shrink back.

Of course, I was an exception. Having experienced the depths of hell in the first cycle, most ghosts and grotesque monsters seemed like mere trifles to me. Recalling that time, I couldn't help but shiver. Seeing my reaction, the children's anxiety only increased. There seemed to be some misunderstanding, but I continued to close the distance to the source of the voice.

Finally, we could vaguely see the figure making the sound. Although we were still some distance away, a figure was kneeling in the intermittent light of the flickering light stones. At the same time, a hand gripped me tightly from behind.

"Sol?"

"Don't... go..."

"Ansol, calm down."

Sensing something was wrong, Anhyun quickly stepped in to comfort Ansol, but her trembling didn't stop. In fact, it worsened. This wasn't just whining; it was as if she was about to have a seizure. I hurriedly placed my hand on her head and channeled my mana.

"Ah..."

As I infused her with mana, I could feel her frozen mana. I gently soothed and calmed her with warm mana. Seeing her gradually respond, I continued to calm Ansol.

Finally, a bit of color returned to Sol's pale cheeks, though she still clung to me in fear. After a moment, she finally spoke in a trembling voice.

"Enormous malice... that is... such blind..."

The children frowned at Sol's words, which they couldn't understand. Sol seemed to want to say something but couldn't find the right words. Only Jeong Hae-yeon was an exception.

"I feel the same. Mages and priests are generally sensitive to the flow of souls and spirits. A tremendous amount of resentment is emanating from the figure I can vaguely see. It's enough to make me shudder."

As Jeong Hae-yeon explained, Sol nodded urgently. Shin Sang-yong felt the same. Anhyun, though bewildered, hesitated, sensing something was off. Seeing this, I spoke in a light tone.

"Regardless, it's just a monster in the Hole Plane. We have no choice but to move forward. Don't be afraid. Let's get a bit closer."

"Brother...?"

"Brother."

Yoojeong and Sol looked at me with pleading eyes. Reading my determined face, they eventually resigned themselves and drew their weapons. After the arms that had been hugging me let go, we started moving forward again. As we closed the distance, the voice and the figure became clearer.

The figure appeared to be human. It wore a white but old and faded gown, and had long, disheveled hair. It was kneeling with its back to us.

As we approached, the sobbing suddenly stopped, and a chilling silence descended between us and the figure.

The group held their breath, staring at the figure's back. I took a step forward and spoke in a calm voice.

"Are you related to this laboratory?"

"..."

The figure didn't respond. I subtly placed my hand on my sword and signaled to the group. Just then, the figure's voice, which had been silent, reached my ears.

"How... did you come here?"

A grating voice just before a battle. We had no choice but to stop. Someone behind me swallowed hard. I calmly replied.

"We stumbled upon it by chance. If you can speak, we hope you will answer our questions. Who are you?"

"How... did you come here?"

"If you continue to evade the question, we will consider you an enemy and take appropriate action. This is your last chance. What is your connection to this laboratory?"

The figure didn't respond to my ultimatum. A moment of silence followed, and it was so eerie and uncomfortable. Then...

"In this place."

With a "crack," the figure's neck snapped.

"How."

"Crack!" Was that the sound of bones twisting? The figure's neck was bent halfway.

"Did you come here?"

"Crunch!" With a final "crunch," the figure's neck twisted completely. The body remained kneeling forward, but the neck had rotated 180 degrees. Only then could we see the figure's face clearly.

Sunken eyes, a nose that had caved in, and a mouth with all the teeth missing. It was a sight that could only be called a ghost. And the face was filled with unmistakable hostility.

"AAAAH!"

Unable to bear the sight, Sol finally screamed. I could feel Yoojeong covering her mouth from behind. The group's breathing had become rough, and they all seemed terrified. The figure, as if enjoying our reactions, slowly nodded its head and then opened its mouth again.

"Hehehe! How did you come to this place? Hehehe! Hehehehe!"

"Mr. Soohyun!"

Seeing the figure laughing maniacally, some of the group panicked. They couldn't overcome the psychological fear. As Jeong Hae-yeon's urgent cry rang out, the light stones in the corridor began to flicker more intensely.

Complete darkness. And the light stones, like flickering fluorescent lights, illuminated the corridor intermittently. The figure's movements began to synchronize with the flickering lights. With each flicker, it would rise, extend its limbs, and lunge forward, creating a feeling like a slide show.

As it lunged at me with its mouth wide open, I extended my right hand. I felt something sharp, similar to animal teeth, and I gripped it tightly.

"Kee! Keeeeee!"

"Light (Light)!"

I felt something tear at my fingertips, and at the same time, Jeong Hae-yeon's light magic activated, illuminating the area. I sighed in relief. Looking behind me, I saw the children poised to attack with their weapons.

"Are you guys planning to betray me?"

Trying to lighten the tense atmosphere, I made a joke, and finally, a response came.

"W-What? No, I was sure the ghost was... ."

Anhyun, who had been turning his head, looked at my hand and was shocked. I smiled and dropped it. The jaw, which rolled on the ground, stopped in front of the figure, which was clutching its own mouth.

Seeing the group's stunned faces, I shrugged and crouched down. The figure, which had lunged at me, was now writhing in pain. What a pretentious entrance for a mere monster. I knew it would end up like this. I might have been a bit too rough, but I didn't feel guilty at all.

Wiping my blood-stained hand on the figure's gown, I had a chance to examine it closely. It was somewhat grotesque but far less terrifying than the creatures in hell.

"Siiee..."

A deflated, mournful sound, but I ignored it. I only wanted information about this creature. I grabbed its long hair and lifted its face, which hung limply. I smiled softly.

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

Hello, I'm Ro Yujin.

Ah, I had an urgent matter early this morning. By the time I realized it, it was close to midnight, so I asked a friend to upload the chapter. I asked them to upload the novel first and update the afterword later, and they agreed.

I came back at 9 AM this morning, completely exhausted. I fell asleep immediately. I managed to write the chapter in a hurry, but I still feel a bit dazed. After uploading chapter 86, I think I'll take a quick shower. Hahaha.

『 Reader Comments 』

1. MTBear: Congratulations on first place. Thank you for your kind words. However, there are countless interesting works on both platforms. Hahaha.

2. PersonLife: PersonLife, who always makes me happy with your sacrifices (?). Hahaha. You don't have to be so obsessed with first place. Your passion for first place has been legendary and impressive. So, why don't you retire and focus on nurturing the next generation...?

3. zjekfksqlc: I'll check it right away after confirming chapter 86. You have a hawk's eye, thank you. :)

4. NiteRosa: Ansol, "Now the dungeons of the Hole Plane are all mine." With Sol and Soohyun working together, it will be easier to find dungeons. Hahaha.

5. Ramude: I aimed for that. Maybe the fans who left Sol for Vivian will come back...?

6. FallenPigeon: Wow. No, it's not that. It's... Hmm. Is it really hard to see me as in my 20s? Hahaha.

7. Hweel: Thank you for your question. I had an urgent matter, so... Yes, 1 is enough to go from 100 to 101. And it's possible to go over 101, but it's practically impossible. There can't be such a user, except for Soohyun. :)

8. Amishu: I'm writing the afterword now. Please wait a moment!

9. LordWash: Lately, I've been really worried about the young ones. Sob.

10. Ithercion: Hehe. I'm looking forward to it too.

Your recommendations and comments are the driving force behind my writing (this is a fact).

I always read all the comments.

Please don't be too disappointed if you're not mentioned in the reader comments.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a message, and I'll respond!

I'll end here for today.

I hope you always read the story with a comfortable mind.

I always welcome pre-reads, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions.