The End's Christmas (7) Extra
Flames raged across the site of the burning Endel Research Laboratory.
“Damn, this oven is something else.”
Intense red flames had swallowed the entire site. In the distance, one of the research lab buildings collapsed into the flames. The heat in the site was so intense that even under the thick soles of combat boots, the warmth was felt. But the important problem was separate.
“...Is this something we can just walk past?”
Irien wiped the sweat from under her chin and said. The path to the central building of the research lab was lined endlessly with infected. It was strange. The infected all stood in place, staring blankly at the sooty sky where ashes were falling.
“Elia, come closer.”
She grabbed Elia's sleeve from behind and pulled her closer. Elia had a face full of dissatisfaction but didn't say much.
“...What are they reacting to?”
“Well, I don't know. Anyway, be careful.”
Even though they got quite close, the infected showed no movement except slight flinches. Like Treval just before.
'These shouldn't turn into those.'
She recalled Treval approaching her in the bunker, or rather, the infected with three pairs of red eyes. Overwhelming existence. She instinctively knew she couldn't win even if she died and revived. If these evolve like that... She didn't want to imagine.
“...Eve, that looks like the main research lab building.”
“Yes, that's definitely it.”
Her eyes, hidden and moving between the infected, saw the specific forms of the infected. Those whose bodies melted from burns, hard to recognize shape, skin turned pitch black, black thorns sprouting where eyes should be, very diverse kinds. And most importantly....
'They're all grinning. Gross.'
They had a smile on their lips that looked like it was about to tear.
Then halfway there.
Suddenly, the infected burst into laughter in unison.
The eerie laughter echoed from all around, pressing down on them.
Her heart pounded, and the hand gripping the gun tightened.
Irien clenched her teeth.
'Damn, is it over?!'
There were over 200 infected on the ground. Completely surrounded. If they charge, she'll die. She aimed at one twitching infected in front.
'No. This vessel is not. *Cweeeek* Hurry.'
'Find. *Kkuruk* Find the owner.'
'Follow the meaning, follow, follow the meaning.'
Her finger on the trigger tensed. Shoot? No. Not yet. Damn, calm down. Be careful. If I shoot, they might really charge. Fear pushed, heart rate increased. But she wasn't afraid of dying. This fear was not of her death, but of the incompetence of not being able to protect Elia and Eve behind her.
She held her breath. Lungs burning.
Concentrate. Shoot when they attack.
Even if I shoot at the moment of attack, it's not too late-
'No. This vessel is* Cweeeek* not needed, death.'
'Cweeeek! Kkwiik?!! Cweeeek?!'
'Follow the command. Find, find- kiiiiik!'
At that moment, the infected screamed with throats torn, repeating unknown sounds. Over 200 of them simultaneously slammed their heads on the floor. They twisted in pain, fell to the ground convulsing madly, then calmed down.
“What, what...? Are they dead?”
“...Looks like it.”
“Hah, damn. This time I really thought they were dying.”
Irien said with a sigh after holding her breath.
“Like Treval in the bunker earlier, that damn vessel. Those who are crazy about vessels?”
“The 'successor' who seeks the end of the world... similar to prophecy... .”
“What? Successor? Prophecy? What kind of ghost story is that?”
Irien asked as Eve muttered to herself.
“...Nothing. I think I read something like that in a book.”
“Lieutenant Eve, time is urgent. Move immediately.”
“Got it, Elia.”
Then the central building of Endel Research Lab.
This place in the center of Endel Research Lab, with its enormous size, left a strong impression. 10 floors above ground, 60 below. At first glance, it looks like a black glass pyramid. Among researchers, it was called the holy land of High Elf life engineering.
“This is the research lab, a mansion? Anyway, I can't understand the nobles' taste.”
Entering through the door, the interior was opposite to the modern exterior – luxurious interior. Although everything was smashed, the marble statues in the lobby gave an idea of the skill of the elf artisans who carved them. The ceiling was high enough to look up, and the ceiling paintings depicting myths shone subtly in the moonlight.
“...Eve?”
Eve seemed to have been distracted by the ceiling painting for a while.
“Sorry. Keep moving.”
They entered secretly through the entrance, lowered their posture, and moved quickly.
“Find the stairs to enter underground.”
“Over there- eep?”
“-Shh.”
Irien covered Eve's mouth.
From the end of the corridor, presence was felt.
They hurriedly hid under the reception desk in the lobby.
“Executioner-nim, all places except the main building of the research lab have been burned to the ground. The residential area will be cleaned up soon.”
“Burn it again. Do not leave any evidence.”
“Understood.”
With heavy metallic sounds, the expressionless voices of the elders' fanatics were heard. Peeking out, from the far end of the corridor, figures in white robes wearing gas masks directing heavily armed flamethrowers were seen.
'How many kinds. Why are these guys here again?'
Then a radio message.
“Life response has been thoroughly checked, right.”
“Thank you. Then, all commit suicide to complete the order. Londinium long live.”
With radio noise, continuous gunshots rang out.
“Guide me to the 5th floor.”
“Understood.”
Footsteps faded.
When the sound completely disappeared, Irien opened her mouth.
“Fuck, mountains upon mountains. This time, I have to avoid those bastards?”
She bit her lip while suppressing the urge to pour out all the curses. She thought she had barely passed the infected, but even weirder guys than the infected blocked the way. It was like a dog's situation. The flamethrowers she saw earlier seemed to be wearing ridiculously heavy armor. Bullets wouldn't penetrate.
“It's good we arrived. How to find that damn room in this wide place-”
“-Don't worry, follow me.”
In the research lab where power was cut, an extremely dark darkness descended. They advanced through the darkness relying on a tactical light attached to the rifle. Irien was skilled in night combat, but even so, the structure here was so complex it was mind-blowing. But Eve was moving forward without hesitation, as if familiar with the place.
“Eve, have you been here before?”
“...I remember coming here 3 years ago.”
“You’ve been here? What the hell are you doing in a place like this-”
“-I'll explain later. First, go to the 6th basement floor. Through the secret passage there, you can go directly to the 13th floor.”
Moreover, she seemed to know the structure of this place quite well.
“Cold sweat, are you okay?”
“I, I'm fine. Keep going.”
Underground where even small air flow isn't felt. As they advanced through the darkness, direction sense dulled, and nausea started, the sound of Elia's breathing behind getting faster. Irien stopped briefly, grabbed Elia's chin, and pulled her face closer to her.
“Look into my eyes, see? Okay, now take a big breath.”
Elia's breathing after taking a big breath became a bit calmer.
“Yeah, good job. Want to hold hands?”
“Unnecessary meddling.”
They advanced forward relying on each other.
Like a firefly,
Eve became a small light guiding Elia and Irien.
How much further?
“There it is, the secret passage.”
Then, the 'Executioner' of the Londinium Elders' Council at the 5th floor magic circle was checking the life response around and found an anomaly, calling the deputy nearby.
“Deputy, come to me.”
“Yes, Executioner-nim.”
“I don't remember ordering 3 people in 1 team.”
3 green life responses.
If infected, would be red.
Then, the believers.
“I did not understand what you said.”
“There are people moving 3 in 1 team on the 6th basement floor.”
“Current believers are placed on ground floors 1, 3, 7 and basement 3, 7, 13, 28, 34 floors respectively.”
Not believers, then....
The Executioner narrowed his eyes and commanded the deputy.
“Rats have come in. Burn them to death.”
The council's hunting dogs smelled their scent.