Imaginary Realm (4)
The back door of the shrine was locked with a padlock. We slipped out through it and immediately began scouting around the shrine. As the only guy among the three—and the one with a monster's body—I took the lead, with Yu-hwa right behind me and Gung-gi bringing up the rear.
"See anything?"
"Nada."
Yu-hwa shone her flashlight around, but we didn't bump into anything. The fog was just too thick; we couldn't see far ahead. And this fog? It sure as hell wasn't normal.
It's suppressing our senses, huh.
My senses are sharper than a regular person's, thanks to the abilities Shin-nim implanted in me. Normal fog wouldn't stand a chance. But even I couldn't pick up anything around us. That meant this fog was designed to dull the senses.
"This place gives me the creeps."
"Wouldn't be surprised if something jumped out right now."
Yu-hwa and Gung-gi's voices drifted from behind. The village was deserted, no sign of monsters, but I had a strong gut feeling something was lurking.
"Where to now?"
"Hmm..."
How long had we been walking? We reached the village center—the spot where I'd first woken up. Time to pick our next search spot. The three of us stood in front of a village map, pondering our options.
"Let's hit the village hall first."
"Why there?"
Yu-hwa pointed at the village hall on the map. There were shops and factories too—why the hall? I wondered if it tied into some sealed memory, but she just winked and said,
"Just a hunch!"
"..."
...Well, fair enough. Instinct's a valid reason sometimes.
"Might as well check it out."
"Sweet! Let's go!"
Nothing else jumped out, so we headed for the village hall. The fog blocked long sightlines, but Yu-hwa knew the way, so we groped forward bit by bit.
And Gung-gi? "Isn't this way?"
"That's the well."
"Then that way?"
"That's back toward the shrine..."
Turned out she had a terrible sense of direction. Figures—useless as expected from a weirdo.
"Something moved over there."
"For real? Where?"
As we chatted our way toward the hall, Gung-gi suddenly halted us. Yu-hwa whipped her flashlight over, but nothing. Just a rat, spooked by the light and bolting.
"Yuri~ Did a little mouse scare you~?"
"...Shut it."
Yu-hwa teased Gung-gi, who gritted her teeth, pride wounded. As the tension eased—
I stopped them both. "Hold up, everyone."
"What, something there?"
I pointed toward where the rat had fled. A faint noise came from that direction.
"Shine the light there."
"Got it."
Yu-hwa aimed her flashlight, revealing a burst-open rat... and anomalies creeping toward us stealthily.
[....]
"..."
They looked like naked Slender Men: fog-white skin, unnaturally long limbs. No eyes, but ears—probably navigating by sound.
...We'd been yapping too carelessly, huh?
[Grrr...]
"Uh, what?"
Yu-hwa scanned around in panic, but it was too late. The anomalies had us surrounded thick. Crawling on the ground, clinging to walls, peering from rooftops—growling low, ready to pounce.
"We're screwed?"
"Screwed."
Gung-gi asked; I nodded. We'd planned to scout quietly, picking them off one by one. But our noise had drawn the whole pack.
Only option now: break the encirclement and escape.
"No choice."
I readied my spear, loosening up. The anomalies closed in slowly.
Mana eyes... no dice.
Hoped for intel, but they were blank. No identity, status, mana—nothing.
"..."
Weakened body, no magic, senses dulled to human level. No Shin-nim. Worst spot I'd been in yet.
But I didn't care.
"Come at me."
[Kieeeek!!!!]
Key thing: one. I'd beat these bastards and get Yu-hwa out.
***
I'd only fought up close once before. Otherwise, it was always ranged magic. Dodging? Decent. But no martial arts training—melee was my weak point.
"Whatever."
[Ki-ek?]
Raw power made up for skill. Shin-nim's gift of a body. I used it like a beast, no thought—just attack.
"Die."
[Kiiik...!]
Snatched the first charger mid-air, snapped its neck. Speared the next's gut. Two in my hands—hurled at the oncoming horde.
"Gift for ya!"
[Kek?!]
Corpses flew fast. One hit sent an anomaly tumbling; followers tripped. Momentum broken—but attacks came from everywhere.
[Kireeek!]
Wall-clinger leaped at me. Quick, but I reacted—slammed it down.
"Hup!"
Stamped its chest: crunch, black blood. Kicked the corpse into the front-runners, toppling more.
"Damn...!"
[Kieeeek!]
Then a rear ambush. Full senses? I'd have sensed it. Regrettable.
"You little—?"
[Kikikik!]
It clung tight, bear-hugging. These things coordinated.
Stalling till backup? Fine.
"Hold on tight."
[Ki-ek?]
I charged the wall. Bam! It crumbled; the thing slipped off.
This way?
Beyond the rubble: a side alley. Roof anomalies, but better odds than front-back pinch.
"Over here, everyone!"
"Got it!"
"Hieeek!"
Skewered rooftop jumpers, called the fighters behind. Yu-hwa, watching, caught up fast. Gung-gi lagged but overtook, fleeing.
[[[Kieeeek!!!]]]
"How many are coming?!"
They pursued relentlessly. Fight noise doubled their numbers. Good timing on the exit—or we'd be dead.
"Which way?!"
"This way!"
I didn't know paths or shelters. Glanced at Yu-hwa—she bolted one way, gesturing to follow. Chased her; village hall loomed.
"It's locked?"
"Ugh...!"
We sprinted up—door shut. Yu-hwa had no key.
"Smash it!"
"Right!"
No biggie. Wooden door? Easy. She busted it; we piled in.
"We're in—what now?"
"No idea?"
"Wasn't asking you."
Inside felt no safer. Door smashed, horde closing. Unlike shrine, these could enter.
"Basement."
"Basement? Here?"
As I mulled barricading like Jangpanpa gear, Yu-hwa mentioned basement. Village halls have those?
No visible stairs.
"Storage room."
"Okay."
Gung-gi saying it? Trap. Yu-hwa? Trusted. Followed.
"This one's dead—bitten alive~!"
"Shut up."
"Yes, sir."
Gung-gi skeptical, but whatever. I was spooked too—roars surrounding us. One slip, death certain.
"Yuri, help!"
"...It actually exists."
Basement real. Warehouse: dusty carpet aside, steel hatch. Yu-hwa and Gung-gi pried—creak, open.
"In now?"
"Yeah! Hurry!"
[[Kirurek kirureurek!]]
They descended first. I braced door with back, blocking intruders—then followed.
Crack! Door splintered as I vanished; horde poured in.
"Close it fast!"
"Trying...!"
Hanging from ladder, yanked hatch. Rusty, stuck.
[Kikekekek!]
"What."
Hand through gap: pale, clawed. Horror movie trope—killer's hand jamming door.
"No you don't. [Kki, kkieeeek!!!]
But reality differed. Slammed full force—hand crushed. Locked it tight. Safe.
"Thought we were goners."
"Ughhh..."
Yu-hwa sighed relief; Gung-gi groaned on floor. As we caught breath,
I scanned basement.
"A bunker?"
Not small—big capacity. Why a bunker in village hall? Guess we'd find out now.