I'm Completely Fucked
It was the conclusion Dang So-il reached after careful consideration. I'm fucked. I'm completely fucked.
Things had been fine up until they raided the castle where Hwaryeong had been staying. He had cheered at the chance to finally land a blow on the person who had worked him to the bone. Yet once the rush of hormones from revenge subsided and his mind cleared, different thoughts began to creep in. He had grown afraid of the consequences of his actions.
Hwaryeong was not the type to laugh off a threat aimed at her. She was not narrow-minded, but neither was she merciful. She was the kind of person who would rather cut off the arm that had swung a weapon at her than forgive, ensuring the offender would never dare attack again.
And at this very moment, Hwaryeong was coming to where he was, seeking revenge.
"What the hell is that person even doing?!"
"Taming a field boss to track us is one thing, but smashing the underground tunnels? What is this?"
"As expected of Lady Hwaryeong."
"Is this the time for that?! You absolute idiot, Byeol-ttuk?!"
With every section of tunnel destroyed, the place where they were hiding continued to shake violently. In the midst of it all, the reactions of Dang So-il's team split into two clear camps. One group marveled at the sheer peculiarity of facing the monster called Hwaryeong in person. The other was horrified that the target of that monster's vengeful spirit was none other than themselves.
Which group was larger? The latter, obviously. How could anyone stay calm knowing a cheat character who could shatter mountains with her bare hands, delete a giant's head, split the sky, and drop dragons from the heavens was coming for revenge?
Dang So-il, who understood better than anyone just how terrifying Hwaryeong truly was, felt the greatest shock of all.
Byeol-ttuk looked around at the room full of people who had no idea what to do, then clapped his hands loudly to draw everyone's attention.
"Everyone, calm down. It's just a game, remember?"
"Just a game?!"
Dang So-il's nervous outburst, born from imagining the fate that awaited him, made the others in the room burst into laughter one by one.
"Even if we leave Mr. Dang So-il out, the rest of you should be fine, right?"
"Why leave me out?! I'm on the same team!"
"We can hear the ghost's voice, but let's ignore that for now. The stealth magic is still active, isn't it? Even if she makes it this far, there's no guarantee Lady Hwaryeong will actually find us."
Their remaining hope had not completely vanished. When Byeol-ttuk reminded them of that fact, the murmuring among the team members died down somewhat. Dang So-il continued to grumble under his breath, but no one paid him any attention. They simply prayed for his soul in silence.
If anyone visited Hwaryeong's stream later, they would surely see Dang So-il being worked harder than ever before.
"Even if Lady Hwaryeong does find us, we'll still win as long as she doesn't take all our goods, right? Honestly, if we can just swallow the gold coins, there's no problem at all."
As Byeol-ttuk spoke, he reviewed the plan once more.
As I smashed through the floor without thinking and kept descending, I soon arrived near a place where I could sense living presences. According to my Qi Sense, there should have been a dwelling in this empty space, yet for some reason my eyes could not perceive it.
"They've used some kind of trick."
Old memories surfaced. Back when I was playing that wretched game of tag with the Hyeolgyoju, I had encountered this sort of thing countless times. Knowing he could not defeat me in direct combat, he had devised a plan to exhaust me until I gave up. He would constantly relocate his base to flee from me, set up traps and pranks to inflict mental torment, and occasionally dangle false hope.
Even now, remembering it fills me with irritation. In the end I did succeed in smashing that arrogant face, but the process had not been pleasant in the slightest.
If I ever return to the world of Hwaryong Muin, perhaps I should go around destroying the Blood Sect while I'm at it. I could train my Dosul at the same time.
"No need. They're right ahead."
Even though I had spoken the truth, watching them treat me like a madwoman made a hollow laugh slip out. Were these bastards truly saying such things because they did not believe me? Or were they simply throwing out whatever nonsense they could to get under my skin?
"Haah. I shall provide proof, then."
If there was anything in this world I did not understand, it had to be magic. In that case, erasing the magic from this world would naturally solve everything. Fortunately, I possessed a means to erase magic, so I would demonstrate it.
As I drew a form in the air with my bet, the world was dyed pure white before being refilled with its original colors. In that process, everything that had composed the magic was severed and lost its trace.
What had been hidden by some unknown means just moments ago was now revealed before my eyes—a door leading into a room.
Watching the same person who had called me demented quickly flip his attitude and scold someone else made me lose all desire to comment. Fine. No matter what, I simply needed to accomplish my original goal.
As I thought this and reached for the door, I heard frantic clattering from inside followed by the sound of presences rapidly moving away.
They were thoroughly prepared. It seemed they had not attacked me thoughtlessly after all. Catching and killing them immediately would be no difficult task if I wished. It was obvious who would be faster between them, running recklessly without regard for logic, and myself.
However, I did not pursue them. I had intended to, but as I sensed their fleeing presences, an interesting idea occurred to me.
"Hey kids. Doesn't this current situation feel exactly like a scene from a horror game?"
After playing horror games with Enri in the past, I had watched quite a few horror game streams. That was how I came to understand why people enjoyed watching others scream. In the process, I naturally noticed common elements in many horror game stories. Strangely enough, they rarely left the protagonist with companions. Perhaps because fear lessens when allies are present. They preferred scattering the group from the beginning.
And right now, those people were in the middle of scattering throughout this dark maze. The reason was obvious. In a situation where it was impossible for everyone to survive, they were trying to leave at least a few survivors. Staying behind to resist me would only result in being destroyed, so they had abandoned direct confrontation. Instead, they had divided the goods stolen from my base into their individual bags and were fleeing with them. If even a few survived, they would not lose everything.
"How about it?"
If I took on the role of the horror game boss in this situation, wouldn't it become a proper little game? Ah, of course there was one difference from ordinary horror games. Normal horror games usually left a path for the player to escape at the end, but this game would offer no such mercy.
"Doesn't it seem fun?"
The reactions from the broadcast viewers were mostly positive. Since they enjoyed watching people scream and suffer—whether it was me or anyone else—I had expected them to like it. I knew because I was the same kind of person. Indeed.
I smashed down the door that refused to open and entered the room, then leisurely searched the interior. They had not fled very far yet; if I began chasing immediately I would catch them right away. I ought to give them time to run. Only then would there be any fun in playing with them.
Let's see. The only things left were trivial ingredients that could be gathered anywhere. They had taken all the valuables and gold coins with them.
Hmm? Is this a cigarette? It is not my preferred choice since I cannot enjoy it at leisure for long, but without a pipe it is not bad. Ignoring the viewers calling me a chain-smoker or whatever, I placed it between my lips, created a flame on my fingertip, and lit the end.
"What would be good for some proper horror-game entertainment?"
It is not that I do not know methods to frighten people, but most of them are far too direct. I could make them crawl across the floor in terror the moment they saw me, but that would hold no value as a horror game, would it?
When I said as much, the viewers began offering advice one after another. Gathering their suggestions, the general idea seemed to be this: after an unknown, subtle fear transformed into direct terror, when they gained the faint hope that they had barely escaped, then take their heads.
Hmm. That sounds fun. Extremely fun.
"Very well. Then shall we place a bet? How many of those fugitives will manage to survive?"
For reference, the number I recommend is zero.