We had chosen an E-Class Labyrinth, one filled with Red-Skinns and lower Beasts like Three-Eyed Hogs and such. The Labyrinth was seventy three kilometers away from the Hunter Association building, so instead of taking a taxi or even a bus like a normal person, we walked. Though luckily due to the Gi we all posses minus Seong-Jin, the journey was made a lot easier and faster, getting there in two and a half hours.
Once we arrive at the site, I see what Labyrinths are like from the outside. The Entrance was like a gate straight from fourteenth century continental Europe. Big wooden-beam doors with thick stone block outline. Black Iron handles the size of my skull was on the front. It stood five meters in height and three in width.
After gazing at the door for a few minutes, I look around for my squaddies. Seok was talking with the Police that was surrounding the gate, getting a gist of when it appeared, how long ago that was, and when it would likely break. Seong-Jin was studying the door like I was, but far more in depth, taking out tools from a bag I'm just now realizing exists.
Seung and Iseul were speaking with the civilians, trying to calm them down or brighten their spirits, either or. From the smiles on the men's, women's, and children's faces, I'd say they were doing alright. One of the kids even gave Iseul a hug, quite cute actually.
So the one who wasn't doing anything was me. I try not to feel out of place as they get everything situated. After ten minutes, everyone groups up again. Seok sets us into position, the front being me and Seung, middle being Iseul and Seok himself, and at the rear is Seong-Jin, the Mage.
Once we're all in formation, he tells us, "Open the doors, we're going in."
I open the left while Seung open the right. Once done, I see an entirely separate world, one of caverns and caves. Inside, I look up and see bleak darkness instead of the sealing. I look left and right, seeing how wide this area was. At least fifteen, maybe even twenty men could all stand shoulder to shoulder and still move fluidly.
Seung then comments on my wonder, "I remember my first time in these. Had the same reaction. The wonder starts to leave once you realize everything tries to kill you in here."
She too then looks up, "Should be careful of enemies from the top."
Seok agrees from the back, "Keep a sharp eye everyone, don't want an ambush."
With everything said, we went and ventured into the Labyrinth. The darkness of the cavern is near overbearing, only countered by the Holy Light spell Iseul keeps going.
After walking for, maybe ten minutes, we see the first of Beasts. Four Red-Skinns surrounding a corpse, blood pooled around their feet only ten meters away. They don't look up at the light, seemingly ignoring it.
Seok whispers his commands, "Seung, Choehabu, advance five meters while maintaining you fighting stance. Iseul, prepare Divine Armaments. Seong-Jin, Fireball."
We all follow his commands, with Seung and I advancing, weapons drawn. Once we're within five meters of them, the Beasts stand up. The closest two Red-Skinns turn around and get into a kneeling position. The two other Reds, upon seeing the comrades kneel, follow suit.
The kneeling was a mix of a predator about to pounce and of a knight bowing to his liege. It caused the hairs on the back of my neck to straighten, a mixed feeling of Dread and Mania starts to fill my stomach.
I then ask the three people behind me, "Is there anything above or of similar quality around us?"
After a few moments Seok responds, "There's nothing in front, above, or behind us."
I nod my head and get into position, legs shoulder width apart, right foot a step behind, sword almost resting on the right shoulder. We stay like this, unmoving until I say, "Hey, Red-Skinns, stand up."
Upon hearing my command, the Red-Skinns stand up. My breathing starts to turn shaky, were they following my commands? I look left to Seung and then behind to everyone else. They too, were confused and in Seok's case, a little frightened.
I look forward again and give another command, "Tell me what you're eating."
The Red-Skinns look at each other before they start talking a language I can't understand. After a minute of talking, one of them steps forward and says something I understand, "We eat human, *&^()*"
His entire sentence caused me disgust, but whatever title he tried to call me nearly made me threw up. I then ask my squaddies with a shaky voice, "Did any of you understand that!?"
They all respond, "No."
My eyes go wide. Was I the only one who could communicate with them? I then ask a question I will forever regret, "Why are you following my commands?"
The kneeling Red-Skinn responds with head bowed, "Because, you Crimson's Soul-Brothe."
Those words cause a Red-Hot Iron like feeling to pierce my heart. I crumble to the ground in pain. Iseul moves up to try and help but it won't. My pain was far deeper than any Cleric could hope to heal.
A connection is being formed in my very soul, a connection to something that I Hate, and that Hates me. Once the pathway is formed, I hear a voice that isn't my own. A dark voice invades my mind with a single thought, [Hello, Choehabu.]
I quietly ask, "Wh, who are you?"
Mock sympathy fills my thoughts, [Oh, you don't remember? What if, I were to tell you about the Arena? Where I gave you that fun little scar.]
With, ITs words I remember. The first thing I killed, the thing that gave me this Gi, the thing that Hates me. The Red-Skinn who I nearly traded lives with.
"What, what do you want with me?"
I can practically feel its rancid smile, [What I want? I want, to kill you, and not just you, but your friends too. We haven't completed our trade, so it's only fair.]
"I won't let you. I'll kill you again!"
[Sshhh, don't want your comrades to know you're insane. Just keep heading in, we'll meet, and meet, and meet. We're going to have fun, Choehabu.]
I whisper my last question, "What's your name?"
I can now see his face, his smile, in my mind. A terrible grin that befits the Devil himself, [I've never thought of one. But, I'll go with, Crimson.]