9
Ch.9 You're going to die.
"Grrrr..."
Why does soup taste so delicious?
The crisp texture of those green onions—or are they chives? Whatever they're called—is so refreshing.
Is refreshing even the right word? Maybe invigorating? Either way, the deep, salty warmth filling my stomach is indescribable.
"Uh… Isn’t it too hot?"
"It’s warm."
The sturdy earthenware bowl is perfect too.
It makes controlling my strength easier, and the temperature stays just right, letting me endlessly sip the broth.
Today’s meal: ten bowls. I held back a little, but after transforming earlier, I was still starving.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Who the hell drinks soup like it’s makgeolli…?"
I wanted to eat more, but I was out of money.
After paying, I headed back to the meeting spot.
Riding the truck, loading monster carcasses, propping up collapsed buildings—today’s work was done.
Since it was a high-rise building, Lee Han-young had to dive deep underground.
"Whew… No more survivors… Sorry for making the drill useless."
"Nah, thanks to Bongbap, we didn’t need it anyway."
"I’m the one who should be thanking him. Made my job easy."
"We did extra work today, so pay us extra."
Today, we finished everything in one location.
High-rises have their pros and cons.
No need to waste time moving between sites, but fewer monster carcasses to collect.
"Timing’s awkward today. Too late to head to another site, too early to call it a day."
"Well, it’s fine. Let’s just wrap up early and rest."
Even though work ended early, everyone seemed oddly exhausted.
And I—while suppressing my presence—could feel the source of their fatigue radiating through my body.
Ultra-low frequencies. The kind that paralyzes humans.
Something was hunting from a distance, undetectable by human equipment.
"Hah…"
A sigh escaped me, the sensation like being submerged in murky water—stifling and unpleasant.
The monster’s strength wasn’t clearly perceptible through the vibrations.
Meaning, the source was at least my equal—or stronger.
A true Despair-class monster had come to W-City.
I wasn’t too worried.
The heroes who had chased me before were on high alert for Despair-class threats. They’d mobilize quickly.
And there were heroes capable of dealing fatal blows to monsters like me.
It was just… Stifling.
I didn’t want to fight unnecessarily, so suppressing my presence was tiring.
Like trying to split a single strand of hair lengthwise—maintaining perfect control without letting anything leak out…
"Bongbap?"
"Hm?"
Lee Han-young’s voice snapped my focus.
A momentary slip, like a hair breaking, before I regained control. But a tiny gap had opened.
And with it, the oppressive dampness I’d felt vanished.
Huh? Did it leave?
"Uh… Bongbap?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you… Free later? After we drop off the waste disposal team, we’re done for the day…"
"Hm."
What’s this about?
I looked down at her, puzzled.
She blinked rapidly before pulling something from her pocket and holding it out.
"Do you… Like alcohol? This is a coupon for free dumplings! Want to grab some later? You like ramen, right? They say the beer here’s great too!"
An invitation to eat together? I always welcomed food recommendations.
But… Alcohol? I wasn’t keen.
Plus, I already had a place in mind today.
"I don’t like alcohol."
"Oh…"
"I’ve already decided what to eat."
The words ‘all-you-can-eat’ were beautiful.
I had to try that place.
Unlimited—was it really unlimited? Could I fill my stomach cheaply?
Lost in anticipation, I turned her down—but added,
"I like dumplings. Next time."
"Huh? N-next time?"
"You asked to eat together, right?"
"Ah! Yes! Next time! Uh… Weekend? You don’t have a phone, right?"
"Ask the boss. I’m at the truck pickup spot every day."
"Okay! Here’s the coupon! You’ll really come?!"
"Hm."
Tucking the coupon into my pocket, I waved and climbed into the truck.
The monster disposal truck always left from the same place.
Just unload the carcasses, and the day would be over—or so I thought.
"...Hm."
Sitting on a bag of monster remains in the cramped truck, I frowned at a strange sensation.
Killing intent—no, a presence surging forth.
A Despair-class monster.
Its target? The place I’d just been.
Had it started hunting? No alert yet.
A flicker of unease.
The ruins where the monster was headed—there were no humans there.
Why would a monster hunting for prey go there?
The answer was simple.
A monster’s prey isn’t just humans but also weaker monsters too.
Like the faint presence I’d accidentally leaked.
Its target wasn’t humans.
It was me.
That Despair-class monster must’ve sensed the inconsistency—just like I had.
Another Despair-class, or something slightly weaker… Hiding meant injury.
Had it come to W-City because of my presence?
To a fellow Despair-class, humans were nothing compared to the ultimate prey—another monster, the essence of evolution.
"See you on the weekend!"
I immediately placed a hand on the truck’s edge.
"...I’m getting off."
"What?"
"Handle the unloading… No, keep today’s pay too. If I don’t come back, just use it."
"Wait, what are you… Bongbap?!"
I leapt from the truck, launching myself high into the air.
Landing atop a building, I glanced down to see the two workers staring up in shock.
No time.
The Despair-class monster was in front of Lee Han-young.
I kicked off between buildings, transforming midair.
Sirens wailed between the skyscrapers.
Two blaring sounds—growing closer.
***
"Two Despair-class monsters! At the same time! They’re getting closer!"
Yoo Anna gritted her teeth.
This was the worst-case scenario.
Code 0 had been biding its time—meaning it was stronger, waiting for Code α’s weakness.
Now, W-City would become a battlefield for two Despair-class monsters.
The erasure of civilization was about to begin.
"Send requests for backup to neighboring cities! Evacuate all civilians! Contain the destruction to one zone!"
"What’s the plan?"
"It’ll take time for heroes to cross cities! Abandon the zone—form a containment ring!"
All of W-City’s heroes would encircle the area, limiting the monsters’ rampage.
Against a single Despair-class, a hero could win easily. But against two? Even the slightest interference could turn the tide.
Sacrificing part of the city to save the rest—this was the best humans could do.
But reality was worse.
"Wait—two more! Two Disaster-class monsters near the Despair-class ones!"
"What?! Minions?!"
Two more Disaster-class meant subordinate monsters.
The battle’s scale would expand, making containment impossible.
If one Despair-class was overwhelmed, the heroes would have to face a fresh one head-on.
No matter what they chose, casualties would skyrocket.
Except for one option.
Yoo Anna, who’d been listening with closed eyes, stood abruptly.
"We handle the two Disaster-class."
"What?! Are you insane? That’ll—"
"Drag out the Despair-class fight. But this is our chance."
Two Despair-class working together would be harder to control than them fighting each other.
Heroes had to minimize damage—unlike monsters, who only sought to devour.
"Like the Despair-class, the Disaster-class will hesitate to approach the ring if they have equals to fight."
So let the Despair-class monsters battle each other.
Yoo Anna and the others would handle the Disaster-class.
The only way to minimize losses.
The other heroes exchanged glances before nodding.
"Hurry. We’re out of time."
***
A wolf, leaping as if tearing through moonlight.
Perched atop the ruins, it raised its head, sniffing for prey.
Below, two smaller wolves played with their catch.
"Huff… Hah… Ghh…"
Tearing off legs, gnawing at knees—eating the lower body bit by bit.
Like savoring candy, they filled their bellies and quenched their thirst.
The ground where the prey had tried to escape was gouged—as if bitten away in one chunk.
I approached slowly.
"Grrrr…"
"Grrrrrr…"
The wolves paused, blood dripping from their maws as they eyed me warily.
I looked past them—at Lee Han-young beneath their paws.
Too late.
She was already on the verge of death.
As I stepped closer, the wolves backed away, keeping their distance.
Above, the largest wolf watched me with interest before scanning the surroundings.
I could feel it too—the heroes forming their rings.
The wolf seemed almost pleased, radiating bloodlust—as if declaring it would devour me here.
"Black… Cat…"
In my panther form, I stared down at Lee Han-young—her body nearly halved.
I could smell it—fear, terror, the trembling of a human overwhelmed by monsters.
Hesitating briefly, I shifted back to human form—hoping to let her close her eyes in peace.
"Grrr?!"
"Grrrrrr?!"
The wolf monsters recoiled, unnerved by the inexplicable transformation.
Good. They didn’t attack immediately.
Lee Han-young, despite having no blood left, trembled as she reached for me.
"Ah…"
"You’re… Going to die."
I gently took her hand, delivering the cold words.
Her eyes flickered—as if hoping I’d say she’d live.
But sometimes, hope is the cruelest thing.
This was the only kindness I could offer.
"I… Know…"