Hell Frog (2)
Things had gotten messy right from the start. As he cautiously slipped out of the alley, screams from other people echoed through the air.
“Aaaagh!”
“Help!”
He hurried out onto the main road and witnessed the Hell Frog attacking people.
“What the…!”
The Hell Frog was impaling people with its tongue, dragging them in, then just spitting them back out. It wasn’t even eating them—just mindless slaughter.
“What a fucking piece of shit.”
He wanted to take it down right then, but there were way too many people milling around. The frog’s attention was split, making it hard to lure away.
“Yeah, fuck. Of course it wouldn’t go according to plan.”
While others were getting sacrificed, he scanned for a path to the bridge. But if the Hell Frog wiped out everyone here while he circled around, he’d be screwed. There was nothing worse than stumbling into enemies in a half-assed situation.
“Yaaaah!”
So he yelled. Sticking just his head out from the alley entrance.
“Over hereee!”
It wasn’t about helping anyone. He just couldn’t afford to waste time stuck in limbo.
Kirrruk?
Luckily, he’d grabbed the Hell Frog’s attention. The real challenge started now.
“Hoo.”
Taking short, controlled breaths, he watched the Hell Frog shift its steps.
“Hold it together, hold.”
Go Cheon-su muttered it like a mantra. The tongue reached 10 meters. He’d visually gauged the distance from watching it kill others. He needed to lure it in close, then bolt like before.
It was scary, sure, but dying stupidly was worse. Go Cheon-su knew how to weigh priorities and grit his teeth.
“Now!”
His fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white—he’d endured until he couldn’t anymore—then he sprinted like hell.
A chill grazed his nape as the tongue whipped past.
“Gaaah!”
Finally letting out a scream, he raced down the same path as before. Left here, right there. Tension muddled his head a bit, but no major issues.
All that remained was trusting his own boldness one more time.
Thud!
Turning the corner, he finally leaped. Clearing the trash pile he’d used as a blind spot earlier.
He kept running, lit the Molotov cocktail on the ground.
“Here goes.”
Hearing the distant roar closing in, he hurled it high.
Timing was everything. One slip, and he wouldn’t see the result he wanted.
Crash!
The bottle hit the pavement a tad early.
“Shit.”
Just as he thought he’d blown it, the Hell Frog charged into the trash heap.
Whoosh!
Of course it got engulfed in the rising oil flames.
Kirreeeek!
The Hell Frog thrashed in agony, but it wasn’t over yet.
“That bulk won’t go down so easy…!”
Go Cheon-su lit the rest of the Molotovs. All that was left was throwing them.
Crash! Crash!
Several more smashed straight into the Hell Frog’s body.
Kirreruk!
It staggered forward a few steps, tongue lashing at Go Cheon-su.
“Hup!”
He yanked his gut back just in time—barely. Any fatter, and it would’ve pierced him.
“You bastard…!”
He grabbed another and chucked it.
Crash!
Kirreeeek!
Blanketed in trash and flames, the Hell Frog shuddered in pain. It shot its tongue a few more times, but missed him by a hair.
“Hah… hah…”
He couldn’t back off far for accuracy’s sake. It was a gamble, but he’d nailed it by a fingernail’s width.
Kieek….
The Hell Frog rolled its eyes back and slowly dropped to its knees.
“This… is the power of environmental pollution.”
Choked by toxic smoke billowing with the flames, it finally flopped lifeless to the ground.
He wasn’t sure if it was recognition, but it didn’t feel bad. With multiple viewers now, it added some variety he hadn’t felt with just one.
But what’s ‘My Exit’?
The answer came without asking.
Game. That word rang clear for Go Cheon-su too.
A game, huh.
Sudden monsters, transformed surroundings and people. Whether it was overlaid on the real world or a simulated reality, everything defied imagination.
They’re playing a game with people’s lives?
A hollow laugh escaped him, but there was nothing else to do about the absurdity. He couldn’t control the chat—they did their own thing. But it had value.
I’m not dying like an idiot.
He wasn’t brainless just because he was a jobless streamer from the gutters. Even his one viewer had called him “it.” Until he figured out what he’d gain from surviving, he’d cling on through sheer spite.
Grab.
He picked up the last Molotov and headed toward the fallen Hell Frog.
“You’re fucking disgusting…”
The stench from its burning body was unreal. The flames were too fierce, so he shoved over a nearby metal trash can—on wheels—to push them back bit by bit.
“Hoo.”
With that, Go Cheon-su casually walked past the Hell Frog—then froze.
“Huh?”
Another Hell Frog. The one he’d clearly just killed.
“Fuck?!”
It was off to the side, not head-on, so the tongue didn’t pierce him immediately. But it was only a matter of time.
Before it could turn, he lit the Molotov in his hand.
Kiruk?
As it opened its mouth, he lobbed it right in.
Kaboom!
The bottle exploded inside first, so it couldn’t even tongue him—roaring instead.
Kirrerereg!
Go Cheon-su quickly unbuckled his belt, gripped it, and climbed onto the Hell Frog’s back.
“Goddamn itttt!”
Standing in front was suicide—you never knew when the tongue would skewer you. The back was slippery, but his belt was a thick woven one with great grip.
“Grraaah!”
Clinging with both hands, he looked like pure rodeo.
Kirreeeek!
He held on and held. But eventually, he got bucked off.
“Guh?!”
Dangerous. The Hell Frog spun, locking eyes with him.
“Ah.”
Whoosh.
The tongue shot out.
Kiruk.
But it just flopped beside Go Cheon-su. The Hell Frog shuddered and collapsed.
Exhausted, Go Cheon-su slumped to the ground. 10 minutes or not, luck played a part. A beast that size dying like that? The flames must’ve scorched deep into its throat.
“Thought I was done for…”
He caught his breath and stood. Checking around, this was a different Hell Frog from the first.
“Multiple ones are a pain.”
With all the chaos, more could show up, so he moved on.
Results of repeated taunts! Acquired skill Aggro and Record Accumulation!
“What’s this.”
Something popped up—a notification he’d gained something.
“Pro…?”
A sore spot for an unemployed guy.
“Jeez.”
Whatever—the “skill” part bugged him. If this stuff existed, it screamed game.
Confusing, but he kept walking. Whatever it was, gaining it was good. The road ahead waited.
“Skill window.”
Couldn’t ignore it. Saying it summoned a square panel listing the new skill.
“Well, damn.”
He touched it, scrolling down.
Aggro (10 min): The more monsters targeting you, the stronger you get. +10% physical stats per monster (based on your base self). Count accumulates from activation to end.
Record Accumulation: 10% of your peak Aggro boost becomes permanent base stat gain. Updates with new records.
“What, you kidding…?”
Telling him to jump into the tiger’s den. Perfect for an attention-whore streamer, but it’d make anyone sweat.
“Hmm.”
Nothing to say yet. Lost in thought, he closed the skill window with another call and headed for the bridge.
No need to overthink utility now—head already hurt enough.
Up close, the scene was grim.
“Everyone… dead.”
No survivors from the group he’d seen. It hit home hard.
Doesn’t matter what world this is.
The real issue was how real it felt. To check on his parents, Go Cheon-su crossed the bridge. No new monsters en route—lucky.
“Damn.”
Fatigue crashed in. Needed rest. Crossing, he checked the map.
A police station caught his eye.
“There.”
If authorities were active, it’d have evidence. Might as well scrounge traces while resting—good for survival.
“…Kinda creepy, huh?”
The station didn’t look inviting.
“No patrol cars either.”
Made sense if they’d all mobilized. Go Cheon-su approached the door cautiously. Lights on, but no signs of life.
Cracking it open, he peeked. Empty, as expected. But like city hall, stuff might be left.
Rifling desks, he heard movement.
“Hm?”
Stepping carefully, the noise grew.
Worried, but too much to grab—weapons locker included. Couldn’t bail yet.
“What.”
What he found was totally unexpected.
“A person?”
A man spotted him.
“Oh!”
The guy stood, yelling.
“P-person!”
Same reaction. Grabbing the bars, his face lit up.
“I’m saved! Saved!”
“Shut up!”
Go Cheon-su rushed to the cell, lowering his voice to a growl.
“You don’t even know what’s out there—don’t scream your ass off. Wanna die?”
“Die? Shit, I almost did.”
The man sighed.
“Locked me up just for touching their wallets.”
“You deserved it.”
Go Cheon-su scowled.
“Listen. Don’t wanna drag in something nasty and die? Stay quiet, got it?”
“What’s going on out there anyway?”
The guy looked clueless. Go Cheon-su ignored him, rummaging desk drawers by the cell.
“Hey, while you’re at it, find the key too. Disaster or whatever, we help each other, right?”
Thought it was a solid pitch, apparently. Go Cheon-su snorted, extending his hand.
“ID first.”