Chapter 283
Chapter 283
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 283. Fast Forward and Rewind
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Riverside.
Honestly, a riverside is just a riverside. What else could there be?
When I was young, I sometimes went with friends, or with family for outings, and even in college, I'd spread out a mat and drink.
It's the same now.
I walk through the bustling crowd.
The good news is, at least I avoided wearing a suit.
But that didn't mean we could escape people's stares.
...
...
...
...
What a bizarre group.
Three women and one man is odd enough, but each of them exudes a strange aura.
It was probably because the suits would have made us stand out even more.
"Somehow, it feels like everyone's staring at us, doesn't it?"
The three of them respond differently to my mutter.
"Really? I don't know... Feels the same as usual."
"Yeah. They're just looking at us like they look at anyone else."
Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon, who don't notice anything.
And then.
"Of course they are. It's because I'm pretty. People are valued by their looks, after all."
Song Arin, lifting her chin confidently.
"You're so obnoxious."
"Hey, admit what you gotta admit. I'm not the kind of face that gets overshadowed anywhere."
That's not wrong.
I nod at Song Arin's words, and she stares at me intently.
"What're you nodding for?"
"...Should I say you're ugly, then?"
"No, not that..."
What am I supposed to do?
Meanwhile, Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon look at Song Arin like she's some weirdo.
"She actually thinks she's pretty."
"Amazing..."
"You two, I can hear you, so shut up."
Song Arin mutters, covering her face with one hand.
An ordinary riverside.
At least on the surface.
"Where do we go from here?"
"The riverside entrance is that way."
Jang Chaeyeon points toward the bridge.
The bridge leading to the small island park that glows rainbow colors at night.
She's pointing at that bridge.
"There?"
I've been there once or twice.
Jang Chaeyeon nods, then takes a deep breath.
"Hoo. Let's go."
...
What could possibly be so tense about this?
I recall what Ailin said as I watch Jang Chaeyeon, unable to shake her tension.
'The riverside?'
'Yeah.'
Ailin had nodded at my question.
'Who?'
'Not who. All the teams that are actually doing any heavy lifting right now have been dispatched to the riverside area.'
'Wait, then why call us?'
'You asking 'cause you don't know?'
'?'
'Anyway, I opposed it, but this is the headquarters chief's call. No one can go against it.'
Headquarters chief.
Why would that enigmatic old man, who always seems lost in inscrutable thoughts, summon every team?
I organize my thoughts and look at Jang Chaeyeon and Song Arin.
"Have you two been to the riverside before?"
"Once."
"Me too, with her."
They give short answers and shut their mouths.
Their faces say they don't even want to think about it.
"What kind of place is it?"
...
...
Unlike them, they keep their mouths shut.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up bad memories."
My fault.
I bow my head slightly, and they glance around before starting toward the bridge first.
"...I'll tell you how to get in."
Song Arin clears her throat awkwardly and continues.
"Cross the bridge. But keep your hand on the right-hand railing the whole time."
"That do it?"
"Of course not. Keep walking, and dizziness will set in. Close your eyes then. Don't open them no matter how much worse it gets, even if you feel like you're gonna puke."
"And then?"
"...You'll arrive."
Song Arin answers flatly, then turns to look at the three of us.
"I'll show you."
She places her hand on the right railing and starts walking.
Her steps gradually falter.
Eventually, she's practically clinging to the railing when she staggers once,
...
And vanishes like smoke.
"That's how you enter."
Jang Chaeyeon mutters in a flat voice, then looks at me and Yoo Daon.
"I'll bring up the rear, so you two go first."
"Got it. Then..."
"I'll go first."
Yoo Daon raises her hand and strides forward.
Just like Song Arin, she places her hand on the right railing, closes her eyes, and hums a tune as she walks.
Without a single stumble, Yoo Daon walks and then vanishes the same way.
"Then I'll go."
"Yeah. Be careful."
Jang Chaeyeon waves, then places her hand on the right railing.
A chill sensation accompanies her slow steps.
How far did she walk?
Dizziness starts to creep in.
Like someone shaking my head.
My brow furrows instinctively, and the vertigo intensifies.
How did Yoo Daon endure this and walk straight?
As my respect for Yoo Daon swells, the dizziness becomes unbearable.
At the same time, I open my eyes.
...
"You're here."
"Welcome!"
Song Arin and Yoo Daon's voices ring in my ears, but I have no mind to respond.
"...What is this?"
I gaze at the scene before me.
The world is upside down.
On the floor—or ceiling?—countless people laugh, talk, and play.
But looking up—or down?—
...
Sparse dry trees dot the landscape, but the ground pulses.
I look down at the floor.
A soft sensation, pink flesh.
Like the inside of some...
"...Stomach?"
"Looks like it. Some creature's stomach?"
Yoo Daon nods at my mutter, while Song Arin frowns unpleasantly.
Then Jang Chaeyeon appears before us.
"...Feels gross."
She surveys the scene and furrows her brow.
"Where are we?"
...
Jang Chaeyeon pauses at my question before slowly continuing.
"This is the 'riverside.'"
"...This?"
Such a bizarre place?
"What about the others?"
"We'll find them now."
Song Arin mutters and starts walking.
...
...
...
...
"Something bouncy underfoot. Neat."
Excluding Yoo Daon, who bounces on the floor, the three of us walk quietly.
"But Jaeheon."
"Yes."
"Doesn't this feel familiar somehow?"
"...Familiar?"
I look at her at Yoo Daon's question, and she nods.
"Like I've experienced it somewhere before..."
"...I don't really get it."
"Really? Hmm..."
We watch Yoo Daon mutter while hopping alone,
-Whoom...!
We all freeze as the ground suddenly heaves.
"Almost there."
Song Arin mutters and takes the lead,
-Whoosh!
The scenery before us shifts abruptly.
The floor stays the same, but walls and a ceiling form, all made of writhing pink flesh.
And about a dozen people stare at us.
"...What? Newbies?"
"Which team?"
"Never seen 'em. Lost civilians?"
"How would civilians get here?"
They mutter with wide eyes.
Every one has wounds or vicious expressions—not ordinary folk.
As I step forward to speak, someone calls my name.
"Kim Jaeheon!"
A familiar voice.
"An Sanghyeon?"
An Sanghyeon grins and waves at me.
"So the branch chief called you! I've been waiting for HR to show up!"
"HR?"
"HR Team?"
"Are they insane?"
The crowd buzzes.
Looks like our team's rumors haven't spread to other branches yet.
"...Everyone here?"
A man's voice cuts through the murmurs.
Everyone falls silent as he steps forward.
He's wearing a hat.
His face is shadowed by the brim.
"You all had a tough trip."
He looks us over and speaks slowly.
I check above his head.
[Name: Oh Jemin]
[Age: 52]
[Talent: X]
[Specialty: Steadfast Resolve]
[Background: He navigated this ordeal with nothing but courage.]
[Weakness: Such strong courage borders on recklessness. It will claim his life.]
"I'm Oh Jemin, from the Gangnam Branch Containment Team detachment. Headquarters chief sent me to brief you on the situation."
He talks like some old battalion commander.
"We've detected anomalies on the riverside side."
...
Song Arin beside me tenses up.
"That's why we called your branch. Something like the Myeongil Apartments incident could happen again."
He turns, surveying the surroundings.
The pink flesh still throbs.
"So, our job is to locate the anomaly site, immediately retreat, and evacuate the surround, si, si, si, si."
What the hell?
Everyone stares at him,
As he starts twisting unnaturally.
"Si, si-si-si-si."
His joints contort grotesquely, repeating the syllable.
I hurriedly draw my gun, and Yoo Daon steps in front.
"Si-si-si-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki."
His body bends every which way, and at the same time, people move.
"Contamination!"
"Get away!"
Contamination? Get away?
Before I can think, I'm yanked back, white hair fluttering.
"Chaeyeon! Throw me!"
"Got it."
Jang Chaeyeon swings her arm amid Yoo Daon's cheerful voice,
And black hair flies through the air.
"Tatata-ta-tak!"
The man's body twists beyond human, and someone charges with an awl.
It was Yoo Daon.
"Screeech!"
The awl pierces its neck, black liquid spraying.
"No!"
Someone shouts.
"If you're hit by contamination, you're dead too!"
At the same time,
-Crunch-crack!
Yoo Daon, drenched in black liquid, starts twisting the same way.
-Crack, crunch...!
Her body twists repeatedly.
Twisting and untwisting over and over.
Like fast-forward and rewind buttons pressed endlessly.
And soon after.
"...Phew!"
Yoo Daon, black liquid smeared on her face, looks at us.
"Good thing I went!"
She smiles brightly.