A delicate web of light, so fine that it was hard to notice unless one looked closely.
I have seen something like this before.
The monster that was about to attack As suddenly flinched.
"Rrrrrrā¦!"
It twisted its body and screamed, but the web of light only tightened around the monster, becoming more intricate.
Thud!
The giant fell to the ground.
The particles of light began to form a shape, and soon a person appeared in the air.
She had slightly long black hair, a tall figure wrapped in a coat, white cheeks, and black eyes that held a glimmer of light.
I called out her name with joy.
"ā¦Yuhyeon!"
Thud!
Ki Yuhyeon landed lightly on the ground, looked around, and asked.
"Whatā¦ is going on here?"
I want to know that tooā¦
Teleportation? Or summoning? I didnāt expect Ki Yuhyeon to suddenly appear, even though she said it was like a security bell.
Still, I was so grateful and relieved that I almost cried, thanks to her.
I explained that As and I had come to Yongsan Station and were attacked by monsters, and that we had suddenly been trapped in this space.
"Andā¦"
As remained calm. He looked like he was about to say something along the lines of "Itās just a matter of the body dying," but I couldnāt let him say that again. I spoke in a low voice.
"The monster is targeting As."
Ki Yuhyeonās expression turned serious in an instant.
"Ah, so thatās why something different from the past is happening."
She muttered, as if she had some idea.
"Leaving here and going to the evacuation zone doesnāt seem like a good idea."
I agreed. The people in the evacuation zone might be in danger, and conversely, As might be put in danger because of the people.
"Yes, thenā¦"
At that moment, the fallen monster let out a roar and got up.
It merged with a new monster that emerged from the ground, becoming even larger. Its limbs extended in bizarre directions, making it look grotesque. It tore through the web and, with surprising ferocity, tried to attack As again.
"ā¦I handled it poorly."
Ki Yuhyeon, who didnāt seem fazed at all, gestured toward the monster. The web of light tightened around the monster, almost cutting off its breath.
Then I noticed something.
A piece of cloth was wrapped around the monsterās body, barely visible due to the black slime.
A piece of cloth? No, itās a piece of clothing.
The monster was wearing a tattered, torn piece of clothing.
But that elaborate design, reminiscent of a peacock, seemed familiarā¦
Where have I seen such a distinctive piece of clothing?
I grabbed Ki Yuhyeonās hand in a hurry. I had noticed something inside the monsterās semi-transparent bodyāa figure that looked like a person, wrapped in slime.
Ki Yuhyeon, startled, stopped her skill. I managed to move my trembling lips.
"Yuhyeon, havenāt we seen thatā¦ beforeā¦?"
I remembered.
The hunter we met in the tutorial dungeon, Jihun.
He was definitely wearing that distinctive piece of clothing.
But that was a long time ago. Maybe I just saw it wrong. Thereās no way that monster could have swallowed a personā¦
Ding.
At that moment, a system window appeared before my eyes.
[Character information obtained.]
[Name: Kim Jihun (Hunter name: Jihun)
Rank: C
Class: Swordsman
Detailed information: (More)]
The system window, blinking before my eyes, pointed directly at the fallen monster. Upon closer inspection, the body, originally human, was entangled in black slime.
"This, this monsterā¦ ateā¦ no, merged with a person. How, how could this happenā¦"
Without answering, Ki Yuhyeon looked at the monster. Her silent gaze continued, as if she was using a skill to read the information. She then sighed softly, her calm expression unchanged.
"ā¦Ah."
That reaction alone was enough to tell me that she had seen the same thing I did.
A monster that swallows people and makes them part of its bodyāsomething I had never heard of.
Moreover, why is this monster trying to kill As, of all people?
And what about that black gate in the sky?
"Ughā¦"
My breathing quickened due to extreme tension. A hand grabbed my shoulder, gasping for breath. It was Ki Yuhyeon.
"Lee, calm down."
"How can I calm down nowā¦!"
"Look at me."
Thud, Ki Yuhyeon snapped her fingers to get my attention.
Particles of light in the air formed a rectangular space. This prison of light surrounded the monster and gradually shrank, eventually fitting snugly around its body.
The monster writhed, trying to escape from the prison of light, but the prison was solid.
"I understand the situation. I know what youāre worried about, Lee. But we donāt need to decide everything right now."
"ā¦"
"Iāve set up a simple barrier. The black monsters are searching for the boyās presence, but they wonāt be able to break through the barrier. The gate in the sky also needs time to fully open. So, for now, calm down."
Looking up at the sky, a system notification appeared. A countdown was visible.
[Gate of the Faceless ā”ā”ā”ā”ā”
Time remaining until full opening: 05:27:10]
Calm down. Sheās right.
Yes, no matter what the monster originally was, I canāt know or solve everything. Matters that require force are in the domain of stronger hunters.
So, letās focus on what we can do. What I can do.
The most important goal is to get As and me back safely.
There are many things I donāt understand about this situation, but more important than understanding is this goal.
Narrowing my focus, my mind finally calmed down.
With a clearer head, I could view the situation more objectively. Thanks to Ki Yuhyeon, we had avoided immediate danger. I could find a way out during this respite.
At that moment, a system window caught my eye. I selected [More] to check the details.
[Detailed information: Family relations - Mother, Sister (Kim Jina)]
What? The human merged with the monster is Jinaās brother?
I had heard from Jina that she had a troublesome hunter brother, but I didnāt expect it to be this hunter.
But why is the system showing me this information?
This question was answered when I saw the next notification.
[Warning!
Target: If the Cursed One dies, it may affect the progress of future quests.
Please exercise extreme caution.]
"ā¦!"
The notification felt like a clear warning. The cautionary message, almost like a threat, flashed in red.
Wait, this meansā¦
The human is still alive.
And the system wants this human to stay alive. Itās trying to appeal to my conscience and compassion by revealing the family relations.
'I get that, butā¦'
What do you want me to do?
As if in response to my question, another notification appeared.
[Warning!
The power of the Faceless ā”ā”ā”ā”ā” is active.
It will deactivate if the following conditions are met.
Do you want to check the related quest?
Yes / No]
Of course, I chose [Yes].
[Main Quest: Stop the Chaos!
This is serious.
The power of the Faceless ā”ā”ā”ā”ā” has been activated by the counterfeit 'Shining Trapezohedron'.
If this continues, the chaos spreading through the city cannot be stopped.
Prevent the gate from opening and save the city.
Reward: The gate will be destroyed, and the monsters in the city will disappear.