- Ranking, guild chases prohibited. Flame wars in dungeons only.
[Chit-chat] Is it raining today???? (8)
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Writer: Double Bianco
(Picture)
Why is the sky like this -_- The weather forecast said it would be clear today, but it's so dark.
I was planning to go to the dungeon today, but I guess I'll just play Hunter Channel.
WeakChin: ??? Didn't you never plan to go in the first place?
ㅁㅁ: Can't go to the dungeon because of the rain, anyway can't go hahaha
RaimLove: At this point, you're not a professional hunter but a pro Hunter Channel player, aren't you? hahaha
└Double Bianco: I log in less than you, so shut up.
gotohell: But what's that black thing in the picture? Clean your window.
ㅇㅇ: Holy crap, there's something stuck in the corner.
└Double Bianco: There's nothing there, what are you talking about? Don't scare me, it's scary.
Jeju Guild 1 Boss: Everyone, check your disaster alerts, something big happened.
* * *
The Supreme One muttered to himself gloomily.
I can't do it. I definitely can't do it.
I am, after all, an ordinary person who can't do anything grand. I've been hanging on to something that doesn't suit me for too long.
That was the conclusion the Supreme One had come to.
A few nights ago, at the scene where the Long-Tailed Phoenix disappeared, Choi Cedric simply let the Supreme One go.
He must have thought I wasn't a threat.
"Today, I won't report that you were here. Don't get involved in dirty business and live a normal life."
The way Choi Cedric turned and left after saying that... was honestly cool.
I probably won't be able to be like that unless I'm reborn.
'I should turn myself in.'
Even if I get lucky and the attempted murder charge is dropped, the Supreme One has already been involved in the SinCrown Party's illegal dealings. I won't be able to avoid a prison sentence. It will be difficult to prove the <C&L Corporation>’s complicity.
'As for that secretary...'
He probably didn't leave any evidence.
After deciding to turn himself in, the Supreme One felt a sense of relief. After serving my time, I'll live a normal life.
I have no face to show my mother and younger brother, but... I need to contact them.
About 30 minutes before heading to the Asga Shopping Mall with Lee.
The Supreme One walked down an alley to go home and tidy up his affairs.
Then, from the opposite direction, there was a quiet rustle. Someone's footsteps were closely following from behind.
"Are you Mr. Kim Ji-hoon?"
"......"
The man in front pulled out an ID from his pocket. The large <Dungeon Management Agency> logo caught his eye.
"I'd like to have a word with you. Let's go to the main office together."
The person behind him placed a hand on his shoulder.
"W-What's going on?"
"You know. You were at the Cheonggyecheon arson scene, right? There's a witness who saw Mr. Kim Ji-hoon."
"......!"
The Supreme One soon gave up on resisting.
I knew this moment would come. A capture ending, isn't that just right for someone like me, a leftover? The Supreme One raised his hands to show he wasn't resisting and nodded slightly.
And then, a foul smell came from the wind blowing from somewhere.
"Ah, it's hot!"
Suddenly feeling a burning sensation inside his body, the Supreme One frantically searched his pockets. It felt like he was being branded with a hot iron.
Just as the hunters surrounding the Supreme One were about to subdue him, a star-shaped ornament came out of his inner pocket.
What's this? Did I buy this?
His thoughts didn't last long.
"Be careful!"
"Ugh, what the hell is that?"
The sky turned black. A strong, foul-smelling wind enveloped his body.
Crack.
A giant, amorphous mass of slime appeared from the sky, opened its mouth wide, and swallowed the Supreme One whole.
The slime, which had already swallowed several people, had become a massive blob.
"Grrr..."
A sinister growl was heard.
With agility that didn't match its size, the massive blob monster pushed the surrounding hunters and ran away.
"He's escaped!"
"Request backup from the main office!"
"...Monster alert! Currently tracking. We need support from all guilds!"
* * *
"AAAAH! Run!"
"Ugh, the emergency exit is already blocked! Go the other way!"
"I'm lowering the disaster shutters and setting up a barrier. Come inside!"
The sudden appearance of the monster caused chaos in the shopping mall.
I'm not sure if it's even right to call it a monster.
The black, sticky mass had no fixed shape. It flowed and then stood upright on two legs, running towards us.
The monster control shutters were immediately lowered, and the safety management hunters helped evacuate the shoppers, but the situation didn't calm down.
The monster freely changed its shape to invade. When the hunters attacked, it didn't take any damage.
And a giant hole appeared in the sky, continuously spewing out black masses.
I was about to grab As's hand and head to the evacuation area.
"...As! Be careful!"
A monster broke through the barricade and targeted As. I instinctively pushed As to avoid the attack, but in the process, I was pushed out of the disaster shutter.
"...Ugh!"
The space changed.
The black mass liquefied and enveloped everything, and all forms began to collapse. Pillars, railings, and the floor melted and lost their color, turning into a single opaque membrane.
Darkness surrounded us, and there was no visible exit.
Only a giant hole in the sky flickered above.
'As, come here.'
'...'
I met As's eyes and held my breath. The monster's footsteps echoed from somewhere in the dark space. If we made even the slightest sound, the monster would tear us apart.
I tightly held As's hand to keep my nerves in check. The warmth of As's small, soft hand helped calm my trembling.
Strange. Why did this happen?
I don't know everything that happened in the future before the regression, but I remember the major events clearly.
No monster had ever appeared in Yongsan. Even when a rift opened in the neighboring area, Yongsan remained intact, leading to the meme "Yongsan Barrier."
I chose Yongsan to buy As's clothes because I subconsciously thought it was safe.
Why did something different happen from before the regression?
Because the future changed?
But that's strange. If I'm the only one with memories from before the regression, the changes I've caused are minimal.
Saving James and the early opening of the rift at Lee Chorok's farm had clear causes.
But no matter how I traced my actions, I didn't do anything that would cause a monster to appear in Yongsan.
Is it the butterfly effect?
But how could operating a cafe in front of a dungeon gate be connected to a monster appearing in Yongsan?
At around 5 PM today, an interdimensional gate and unidentified monsters appeared in the Seoul city sky.
We are currently investigating the cause and responding. Please be cautious.]
Even the weak vibration alerted the monster in the space. A black giant suddenly rose from the floor.
"As, dodge!"
Even though I was closer, the monster's fist aimed precisely at As. It seemed to be drawn to As.
I understood clearly. This monster is trying to kill As.
'...The floor is sparkling!'
The monster, hit by a skill, lost its balance and rolled to the side.
"Grab it!"
Taking the opportunity, I stood up and grabbed As's hand. We ran blindly, crossing the destroyed space to find an exit. I was startled.
"......!"
Ah, there's one more thing. A future I changed.
As, lying in front of the store.
It's a stretch, but just a stretch...
Before the regression, my store was an empty ruin. If As, who received no help, died there on that day before the regression...
This time, As is alive. Could this black monster have appeared to kill the surviving As?
I silently looked at As.
Despite the urgent situation, As had a somewhat indifferent, cynical expression but was holding my hand tightly. Warmth, tension, and trembling were transmitted through the hand.
I can think about it later. Right now, I need to...
"Alright."
As let go of my hand.
"Shh, As, we need to get out of here and go to the evacuation zone. It will be safe there."
"I'm just an incomplete summoning, created with insufficient mana."
A foreboding feeling washed over me. It wasn't the usual talk about settings; As was about to say something absurd.
"As... what are you saying?"
"It's just this body dying. Don't be so surprised, human."
The black giant was already close. Instead of running, As turned to face the monster. I couldn't reach As's outstretched hand.
No, I have to save him.
"......!"
In a last-ditch effort, I used the item in my hand.
It was the anti-theft bell I received from Gi Yu-hyun. In that split second, I could only barely hold onto the item.
The moment I pressed the button that didn't make a sound.