Chapter 334
Chapter 334
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 334. Frontal Assault
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Hearing Jang Chaeyeon's voice, I look at the mannequin in front of me as well.
...
"Why isn't that thing moving?"
Yoo Daon approaches us, her face full of caution.
"Yeah, no idea."
I had no clue either.
Why isn't it moving?
From what I saw, it was already moving.
I look up at its head again.
[Name: Masterpiece]
[Age: Created a few months ago]
[Talent: Art]
[Specialty: -]
[Background: In the end, this became a magnificent work.]
[Weakness: -]
No changes.
Let me think.
What can I do?
...
Should I use Critical?
Might as well try.
[Critical: 1 -> 0]
The world turns black and white for a moment, and no red light is visible.
...
Nothing.
Does that mean I should seal Critical?
But the info is too sparse.
...Tch.
"What's up?"
"Finisher won't work?"
...Hmm. Eyo.
Song Arin rests her chin on her hand, lost in thought, while Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon lower their gazes to the floor, eyes closed as if pondering something.
But no one seems to have found a brilliant solution, as nobody speaks up.
...
If we stay like this, it won't work.
Guess I just have to hit it.
After a brief moment of anxious tongue-clicking, Jang Chaeyeon taps my shoulder and whispers.
"What if we try this, if you've got something in mind?"
"Huh?"
"Remember? When we went to the factory."
...Ah.
That's when Jang Chaeyeon and I got the combined skill.
Observation.
The ability to reveal the unseen.
...
Yeah. That might do it.
...But using that means I lose my big hitter. You okay with that?
...Hmm...
Jang Chaeyeon ponders my words, then Yoo Daon raises her hand confidently.
"It's fine! I've got your back!"
"You, Daon?"
"Not me taking it down! I'll buy time however I can, and someone figures out the method, right?"
Classic Yoo Daon answer.
The problem is, that's the only idea anyone has.
...
"It's okay."
As I keep agonizing, Ailin places a hand on my shoulder.
"Like she said, we'll handle it somehow."
"Yeah. You always try to hog the finisher."
"Yep."
Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon look at me and nod, and in the end, I'm outnumbered and nod along.
"Got it. Let's do it."
"Yep."
Jang Chaeyeon nods.
I look up at the mannequin before me.
At the same time, a translucent window appears.
[Using Observation.]
Soon, the markings that weren't visible on the translucent window begin to melt away.
[Name: Masterpiece]
[Age: Created a few months ago]
[Talent: Art]
[Specialty: Art]
[Background: In the end, this became a magnificent work.]
[Weakness: The only way to destroy this work is with pure strength. Fight and shatter it with force.]
...
Fight it head-on?
I read it again just in case, but unfortunately, the text stays there, defying my hopes.
"What does it say?"
Jang Chaeyeon tilts her head at me, and I end up relaying the message to the others.
...Just fight it?
...With that thing...
...
Naturally, the reactions aren't great.
But the HR team's strength is grasping the situation quickly and accepting it.
We huddle together, racking our brains for a plan.
"Why isn't it moving?"
"Maybe it's in hibernation or something?"
"Hibernation possible?"
"That's what I mean, it could be."
Ailin scratches her cheek in response to my glance.
"Not a bad theory."
Song Arin nods, chin still on her hand.
"Looking at it now, the mental flow feels like it's asleep."
"How long you gonna keep that 'eyo' thing up?"
"You're the one who asked for help, so I'm holding back on purpose. Wanna test dying together for once?"
Song Arin glares at me, and I shrug and drop the teasing.
"Anyway, does that mean now's the time to smash it?"
Yoo Daon raises her awl.
...
Not wrong, honestly.
"Risky, though..."
"Given what it said, we got no choice."
Song Arin sighs.
"If we're smashing it, it's a risk we have to shoulder eventually."
...
She's right too.
Answer's out, time to act.
I turn to Jang Chaeyeon.
What matters isn't my opinion—it's hers.
What does she think?
...
Our eyes meet, and Jang Chaeyeon nods slightly.
"I'm fine with it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. ...Miracles don't happen often in this world."
...Got it.
Not wrong.
"Everyone, get ready like I say."
Then, fully prepped for maximum safety, we smash that thing and head to kill the aesthete.
Long road ahead.
*
...Heave...!
Grunting, I set down the statue and survey the scene.
Countless statues line up, with Yoo Daon standing in front.
"Daon, you sure you're okay with this?"
"Of course!"
Yoo Daon grins and nods.
...
The original plan was for all of us to hide behind statues, using them to block any awakening attack.
"But then no one's watching the situation?"
Yoo Daon's point won out, so everyone but her hid behind the statues.
"Everyone else ready?"
"Yep."
Jang Chaeyeon nods and raises her hand,
"Hoo, ready."
Song Arin closes her eyes, clenches then unclenches her fist.
...
Ailin silently draws her gun.
"Chaeyeon."
"Yep."
Jang Chaeyeon takes a deep breath, extends both hands forward, and swings them like clapping.
-Kwang!
At the same time, a shattering sound and massive vibration shake the room.
"Urk...!"
Gripping the statue to steady on the shaking floor, Yoo Daon's voice comes from beyond.
"It only broke a little! Whoa-!"
Then, with a "pyung!" sound, her words cut off as blood sprays into the air.
No time to check her status.
-Kwang!
The statue before us shatters, something lunging forward, but Song Arin mutters urgently and claps, making it vanish midair.
...What'd you do?
"If you got time to ask, think fast!"
Song Arin clicks her tongue, closes her eyes again, and Ailin and I draw our guns and fire.
-Tang! Tang! Tang!
Gunshots ring out, and from the shattering statue's dust, something bursts forth with a "pop!"
Spotting the running silhouette, I scan for Yoo Daon with another glance.
Fortunately, she's fine.
Even with her head severed, holding it in both hands.
She soon reattaches her head, waves, and calls us.
"It swung super fast!"
"Got it! Daon, over here!"
Calling Yoo Daon our way, I shift gaze to Jang Chaeyeon's sister.
Now I see.
The wooden mannequin, eyes wide open, staring at us.
Jang Chaeyeon's sister, eyes wide, staring.
And what it just swung...
"Nails."
"At least it's within sanity."
Ailin quips at my mutter, then fires again.
-Tang! Tang!
Gunshots echo, and it dodges bullets, sprinting along the floor again.
"Fast!"
Ailin mutters, swapping magazines, as the mannequin charges us once more.
-Paat!
It kicks off, leaping sky-high,
"Hup!"
Jang Chaeyeon clenches her fist, pinning it midair.
"Nice, Chaeyeon!"
...Hup!
Hearing my cheer, Jang Chaeyeon slams her hand down hard; with a crunching floor, it smashes into the ground.
"Got it?"
"Nope. No solid hit."
Ailin coolly counters Song Arin's words.
-Wooduk!
It rises from the broken floor, dusts itself off, and glares at us.
...If it's a human head, shouldn't the durability match?
"Yeah. If it were me, that height and force would've buried my head into my shoulders."
Ignoring Song Arin and Yoo Daon's chatter, I watch it.
...
...
Jang Chaeyeon stands before us, arms spread to block it,
...Chaeyeon.
It speaks.
A benevolent voice.
One that could befriend anyone after a few words, winning everyone's favor.
...Sis.
Jang Chaeyeon stares back tensely, voice hard.
"Time's flown. You're all grown up already."
...
At her words, Jang Chaeyeon just clenches her fists silently.
"Oh my. Arin's here too."
...
Song Arin winces at the voice, plugging her ears.
"Snap out of it Song Arin, snap out of it..."
She mutters rapidly to herself.
It smiles at Song Arin, then turns back to Jang Chaeyeon.
"Chaeyeon. Come here? Sis'll take good care of you."
...Sis.
Jang Chaeyeon steps forward.
-Step.
"Yeah. Chaeyeon."
...
-Step.
"Jaeheon."
Yoo Daon grabs my sleeve, Ailin aims her gun.
"Yep, that's it."
It smiles, Jang Chaeyeon takes another step.
"You crazy bitch! Snap out of it!"
Song Arin, silent till now, glares wide-eyed.
"Jaeheon!"
Yoo Daon tugs harder.
"It's fine."
"Huh?"
-Wooduk.
A grotesque sound from Jang Chaeyeon's neck.
"We've come too far for family bonds."
She replies sadly in a calm, mature voice, extending her hand.
-Whiiing!
It flies back, slamming into the wall, and Jang Chaeyeon turns to me.
"Jaeheon."
...
No, the Observer looks at me.
"Listen well. I'll explain from now on."
She murmurs calmly, gazing ahead.
...
The mannequin steps from the wall, and the Observer speaks again.
"You can do it. If it's you."