The Situation Inside the Abyss (2)

"What, you all havin' some kinda dream? The outside world's probably already done for."

As Lee Ju-hyeok approached the slumped man, Ho-ya grabbed him.

"Kiddo. What good's talkin' like that gonna do ya?"

"You'd best shut your mouth, Seong Dong-hun."

"……."

Seong Dong-hun ground his teeth before springing to his feet.

"Th-that's just how it is! It's Code Black! Thinkin' straight, the defensive line wouldn't last thirty minutes! Seoul's gotta be wiped out by now, and Gyeonggi-do's probably a total mess too! Just like the Black Night!"

Everyone fell silent at his words, but only the Dragon King fidgeted anxiously with his hands.

"It's fine. Unlike back then, we've got a preservation mage."

"You think one retired 7th-level mage can hold it? And that lady's been out for over twenty years!"

"Yoo Yeon, Park Choa, and Tae-hyun are there too."

Seong Dong-hun raked back his hair at Lee Ju-hyeok's words.

"Don't you people think? Those folks left 'cause of Spectrum! They wouldn't respond right away!"

Seong Dong-hun continued in a trembling voice.

"Back durin' the Black Night, even with ten 7th-level mages, the damage was that bad…."

"But…."

"In one hour, Abyssal entities will spread across the whole country—one hour…."

Alexandre glanced at Ho-ya with anxious eyes.

"D-do you think everyone's really dead?"

"We don't know nothin' yet."

Ho-ya fixed Alexandre with her red eyes.

"So hurry up and connect that comms device, yeah?"

Alexandre nodded hastily and planted the communicator into the ground.

Whoosh— The folded dish unfolded, and the ether within shot off into the distant sky.

The device lit up red but stayed silent for a while.

"This thing even workin'?"

"……."

"Even if it does, it's pointless…. Everything's ruined."

Ho-ya's patience was wearing thin as she glared at Seong Dong-hun.

"Anyone got a gag? Gotta stitch that trap shut."

As Ho-ya stood, Seong Dong-hun flinched and clamped his mouth shut.

All the while, Alexandre stared anxiously at the communicator.

They'd tested it multiple times inside the Abyss, so it should connect—but if there was no one to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠answer, that was another story.

'Please, let everything be okay.'

As Alexandre clenched her fists waiting for the link, a clear ding— rang out, and green light flared.

"Mayor! Mayor!"

"It connected!"

"For real?"

"S-someone's alive."

The 1st Army mages crowded around, even Seong Dong-hun peeking over.

As Alexandre waited for a response, static crackled through—like the connection had linked.

"Got it! Mayor! This is the safe zone on floor 36! Situation's total worst-case! It's freezing! Shoulda worn my long padding!"

The Dragon King shoved Alexandre's head aside from the device and left a curt message.

"Two serious injuries, five survivors. Currently delayed by curses and traps. What's your status?"

After the Dragon King's words, a brief silence fell.

Those few seconds felt like dozens of minutes as everyone waited desperately.

Lee Ju-hyeok especially gnashed his teeth, his usual composure gone, staring at the comms.

The Dragon King hurriedly cut in as he listened.

"All confirmed. However, rescue op needs reconsideration."

Ho-ya chuckled at Lee Ha-ryeong's urgent voice.

"What~? Kid thinks she can rescue us? Hilarious."

The mood lightened amid the banter, and Alexandre let out a relieved sigh.

They'd confirmed the mayor's survival, and the comms relay mission was done.

Only one thing left.

"Mayor! Summon me there!"

The four 7th-level mages all turned to Alexandre at her words.

"Whoa, hold up, our junior."

Ho-ya grinned and grabbed Alexandre's head.

"Kiddo, stick around a bit longer?"

"Me? Why?"

"Eh, suddenly feelin' a bit peckish."

"Well, thanks to you we got comms secured, so that's a win."

Even as the Dragon King spoke, Ho-ya hugged Alexandre tight.

Brown hair brushed past, and buried in Ho-ya's ample chest, Alexandre's mind went blank for a moment.

"Ah. Staying might not be so bad."

"Mayor…. But honestly…. More people here would be good…."

"Aww~ Callin' ya Shasha? Name's as cute as ya look."

"Uh…."

Alexandre snapped out of it after a moment's thought.

"But if the mayor calls, I gotta go."

But she was too late.

Alexandre hurriedly made excuses at Yoo Eunha's words.

"No! Not like that! I zoned out! It's too cold here! Mayor! Mayoooor!"

"No, pass basic info quick first."

"Better safe than sorry, senior."

"Here, at least 7th-grade named monsters, mixed with Spectrum tuners."

"Relay to the rescue team."

The Dragon King passed the info and stood.

"So this kiddo stays with us? Don't go or I'll eat ya up~?"

As Ho-ya winked, brilliant light flared from beneath Alexandre.

"Yay!"

"Aigoo, too soon."

In that instant, Ho-ya silently slipped a small paper into Alexandre's hand.

"?"

"See ya~?"

A gust of wind blew through the spot where Alexandre vanished.

"Now we've confirmed that pair's alive too."

"Yeah…."

"Magic's no good if ya mess with it. Real stickler for manners, huh?"

As Ho-ya stepped to the comms, the Dragon King quietly dropped his cast protective barrier.

The moment it fell, thick, murderous ether enveloped the 1st Army.

Ho-ya glared out from the safe zone into the fierce blizzard.

"How long ya gonna hide? We comin' to ya first?"

"Good thing my juniors are alive—such a relief."

I shoved off the ecstatic Lee Ha-ryeong clinging to me, staff in hand.

"Stop sticking! Your makeup scent keeps poking my nose, you know!"

"Hey! You're a girl too—get used to makeup smell!"

"……!"

Kang Seo-hee stifled a laugh at Lee Ha-ryeong's words.

"…You fresh-faced junior? Think your senior's like this is funny?"

Kang Seo-hee snapped to attention, tense—her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tentacles rigid.

"No, ma'am. Sorry."

"Sorry don't end a mage's career?"

As Kang Seo-hee looked woebegone, Shasha dropped from the air.

Thud—

"Ow!"

Shasha hit the marble butt-first, tears welling as she clutched it.

"Gotta summon from this height?"

"Better than legs clipping the floor."

Shasha nodded at my words.

"True, but."

Standing, she showed the note in her hand.

"Ugh, right before summon, Ho-ya? That lady slipped me this."

Lee Ha-ryeong snatched and unfolded it.

Her eyes shook violently as she read.

"……."

"Huh."

I checked the note and frowned.

"Shasha. This really from an ally there?"

"Huh? Yeah. Big-chest…. No, brown-haired Ho-ya gave it secretly at the end?"

"……."

Lee Ha-ryeong deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping onto the sofa and cradling her forehead heavily.

"What the hell…."