London (2): The Bottomless Pit Express
Nothing happened from landing at Incheon Airport until we boarded the plane and arrived back in London. By then, I'd regained some control over time. After all the chaos, I'd made up my mind—no more screwing around. I gave the kids a stern warning not to act out without permission. In the end, they promised not to move unless their lives were truly on the line, and even then, only on my orders. They'd go in order of seniority, starting from the bottom. The ones I'd picked up here were barely safe. If the ones from my previous world started popping out too, it'd be a total disaster. Just acknowledging their existence could cause massive problems. Even if they were wearing disguises, dealing with beings seen as gods or those who'd challenged gods required caution upon caution.
Always keep that in mind. They're not following orders—they're just granting favors.
『Kyuu....』
The taxi carrying our group left Heathrow Airport and headed into central London. It drove past rows of old houses along the road before pulling up. We got out in front of a weathered building labeled Wimbledon. With its wide entrance bustling with people, an escalator leading underground, and a gate in front, it looked like a subway station.
"Plane, taxi, and now subway? Just sitting and moving around is exhausting."
"Haha—hang in there a bit longer. We're almost there for real now. By the way, Seojun, are you interested in ghost stories?"
"Ghost stories out of nowhere?"
"Yeah, not the traditional demons, evil spirits, or old legends with fairies. I'm talking modern horror tales set in contemporary times."
"Not really? I just know a few famous ones."
My life itself was a shock-and-horror ghost story. No need to seek out others—daily dramas weren't my thing.
"Most ghost stories revolve around everyday life. Alleyways, hospitals, schools, broadcasts, and public transport that people use all the time. Among subways, buses, taxis, and trains, subway stories are especially common. Every country has at least one."
Standing in front of a subway station, and suddenly he's talking subway ghost stories? No need to think—the reason was obvious.
"This place must be tied to a ghost story. So, what's that got to do with us?"
"Ghost stories usually share one thing in common. You die if you do this, you survive if you do that. They have rules and taboos—break them, and you're dead. That's the standard pattern. And rules imply agreements between parties. If a ghost story has rules, it means there's a promise embedded in it."
Nil led us through the gate. Instead of the crowded escalator, he took us to an elevator in the corner.
"We call the promises that confirm each other's identities codes. The place we're heading to is protected by powerful barriers. In the old days, you needed a token or had to force your way through. Nowadays, we mostly use ghost stories."
The elevator doors opened, and Nil stepped in, stopping in front of the floor buttons.
"You know the elevator ghost story, right? Press G three times, B2 three times, then G seven times."
I pressed the buttons as Nil instructed. Up three times, down three times, then up seven more. The doors closed, and the elevator slowly descended. No obvious changes, but each floor shift brought a subtle sense of dissonance brushing over my body. The feeling of crossing into a separate space detached from reality.
Ding—
We arrived at B2, the doors opened, and we stepped onto an empty platform. It was underground, yet a faint mist hung in the air, blurring our vision slightly.
"Previous train at 4:15, next at 4:46. It's 4:25 now, so it'll be here soon. The one not on the schedule."
A classic ghost story. A train to the afterlife, hell, or some unknown place. Board the wrong one, and you never come back.
"Wait a bit back from the edge. Unlike in Korea, no screen doors here—dangerous if something pushes you from behind."
About five minutes later, a red train pulled into the platform.
Announcement: The incoming train is bound for the Bottomless Pit. Please stand back from the platform edge.
The train was fairly full of passengers.
"Oh, perfect—two empty seats right there."
The two of them sat down naturally in the vacant spots.
"Lots of people. Definitely different vibe from Korea."
I'd noticed it since landing at the airport, but London being a global city meant real diversity. Even in Europe, it felt like more than half weren't white.
"Hmm, don't stare too long."
"Ah, sorry, that was rude. Guess I'm not sensitive enough to discrimination issues."
"Not that. The folks on this train aren't ordinary humans. Best not draw attention."
True enough? No threatening vibes, but local's advice—he knows best. I kept my eyes down and shut up.
This station is Walksauce, Walksauce Station. Mind the gap between the train and platform. Please exit carefully. This is the Bottomless Pit Line on the Happiness Route.
"When do we get off?"
"Who knows—next stop, or maybe the end of the line. The order changes every time. We're getting off at Silent Port."
Nil eyed me closely as he spoke.
"You feeling sleepy?"
"Tired, yeah, but I slept the whole flight, so I'm good."
"Impressive. Most people nod off soon after boarding. Miss your stop, pass the terminus—happens all the time. Novice wizards stay on high alert to avoid dozing off."
Nil chuckled, adding that even past the end, it didn't mean instant death for wizards.
"With me here, sleep if you're tired. Falling asleep on this train means deep, refreshing rest. Even a quick nap sitting up—you'll wake up fully recovered."
"Nah, I'm fine."
Not that tired, and from what he said, it sounded like the perfect setup for a backstab. Not suspecting Nil, but no need to go full vulnerable around near-strangers.
"Gotta do this every time? Sounds annoying."
"Only the first time. You're unregistered. Once qualified, more options open up. No point knowing now."
Thud, boom! Boom!
Right then, the car door opened with noisy footsteps. New passengers: over three meters tall, body swollen with muscle. Starkly different from the others.
"Roiders. Monsters born from humanity's muscle obsession. Highly aggressive, violent—always causing incidents when they show up. Not that strong, but frequency's rising. Normal society finds them a real nuisance."
Thud! Thud!
"Heading this way?"
"No worries. Perception blockers in the train suppress aggression. To grotesques, we're just objects."
Sure enough, the Roider ignored us completely, lumbering toward the next car.
"Gruk?"
As it passed us naturally and reached for the next door—its head twitched. Something off. Its gaze swung toward us. No—locked eyes with me.
"GRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!!!!"
The massive body lunged in an instant.
"What the—!!"
A huge fist flew straight at my face. Vision filled with knuckles. Startled, Nil threw up a barrier—a glowing blue shield snapped between us, halting the fist inches from my nose.
Sudden ambush. Even with the grotesque pulsing veins crawling up its fingers visible up close, no real reaction from me.
Splat—!
Blocked and straining, the monster's head flew off cleanly under Nil's spell.
"Sheesh, said it'd be fine, and this happens right away. Makes me look bad."
Nil glanced behind me at the translucent something overlapping my form.
"You wouldn't have gotten hurt anyway, but sorry for startling you."
I shrugged at his apology.
"Eh, I'm fine. That's what matters."
Not Nil's fault some rage-blind muscle freak lost it. If anything, without me, it probably would've passed by as he said.
"Still weird, though. Didn't break any taboos, and it attacks inside the train? Never happened before."
"Dunno. Maybe jealous of my looks? Guys obsessed with muscles always trash hot guys on sight—narrow-minded like that."
"Haha, yeah, with a face like yours, it's no joke—could make a crowd cry."
Not entirely kidding, but Nil laughed like it was a great line. His serious expression softened; he stroked his bushy beard.
"Bit of a hassle now. Disturbances on the train are prohibited. We're victims, but they might not buy it. Probably getting an earful from the conductor."
No sooner said—a dark figure in a conductor's cap pushed through the car door.
"Here, take this—money from your parents, exchanged for magical society currency. If we reach Silent Fork before I get back, get off first. Exit 4, then head to the Drunken White-Bearded Whale pub. Ask for Ricas. Mention my name, explain the situation—he'll help. You can handle that alone, right?"
"You sure it's okay if I go without you?"
"I handled the fight directly, so no issue. He's capricious, though—might take time. Better split up."
Sounded like this conductor was no one to ignore. What a pain. I nodded reluctantly, and Nil followed the dark figure out.