After taking a short break, we left the temporary base and resumed out search for monsters.
[Hunt down monsters and collect 50 Cores.]
It was a mission that sounded very simple enough. But as we went down the road, the difficulty of the mission slowly increased to a whole new level.
Not only were the monsters stronger now and more difficult to hunt, it also became difficult to find monsters.
Even after we searched the entire area for 30 minutes, we didn't catch the sight of any monsters.
Ruined buildings, abandoned shopping malls, shops, restaurants. We searched everywhere but couldn't find anything.
"Huh? Where are the monsters? Did we kill all of them?"
"No, that's not right. Maybe they just left."
"Something's not right. Why would the monsters suddenly leave?"
Everyone was suspicious. The very thought that we killed all the monsters never crossed my mind.
Reason? It was simply foolish.
Even though we manage to hunt down some measly bottom feeders, it was impossible to clear the entire monster population in this area.
Something big was at work here. I could only think of three possible reasons why this place was empty.
One, the monsters entered another territory to look for prey. Not only humans but even monsters struggle to survive. Two, the monsters simply moved on a whim. And then lastly...
'A great predator is lingering around.'
A monster on top the food chain is devouring all the bottom feeders. It was a very unpleasant thought. However, we could only advance from here onwards.
The group continued moving while searching for any sign of monsters. We turned and entered a side street. Now the distance from here to that 'place' was only 100 metres. I could see the Exit 9 sign in the distance.
"We're here."
Everyone stopped at the entrance of the subway station. The flashlights we carried illuminated the way, but their beams couldn't penetrate the thick veil of darkness inside. It wasn't natural—this darkness seemed alive, as if it had its own will.
A strange vibe was present in the atmosphere. It was a foreboding that something dangerous was lingering within the darkness of the subway station.
An unpleasant, eerie feeling really.
I pulled out my smartphone, appearing to jot down notes. Before the nightmares, I had been a writer, and the habit of documenting everything remained ingrained in me. However, my true intention wasn't writing; it was activating a skill under the guise of note-taking.
[A few constellations are wondering what you are doing.]
The system message popped up. It was a reminder that I was never alone.
The constellations, powerful entities from beyond this world, were watching my every move. Appearing distracted or lost in thought for too long would raise suspicion, so I had to appear natural, even when drawing their attention.
My goal was simple: evoke curiosity. The more they watched, the more power I could draw from their interest.
As I typed, fragments of memory surfaced.
The subway station had been featured in the story I remembered, but which chapter? Was it 27? 31? 33?
Even though I had already read the story, it was still difficult to remember everything. Ah, if only I still had the novel file, my current life would have been 100X more easier. But I guess I'm a bitch infront of the Goddess of Misfortune.
I let out a heavy sigh.
Shaking my head, I focused on trying to remember the exact details using my mental power.
Slowly, the details crystallized.
「 Many changes occured in the world when the First Fable arrived. One of them was the Hongik Station. The Station has become the lair of the creatures that dwell within.
The creatures inside were attracted to light and would attack anything intruding on their territory. However, they were weak to fire and explosives. They obeyed a 'Mother' entity, and killing her would destroy the rest.」
"Jakga-ssi?"
Lee Jongho's voice brought me back to reality. He looked at me nervously, gripping his flashlight. I nodded, signaling him to stay calm.
"We will head inside."
* * *
We stepped into the subway station, one by one, the darkness swallowing us whole. At the same time, system messages from «Link» flooded my vision.
[You have discovered a hidden dungeon.]
[500 coins will be given as compensation.]
[A new sub story has arrived!]
+
[Hidden Narrative ### – Dungeon Subjugation]
✧ Type: Hidden
✧ Difficulty: D+
✧ Clear Conditions: Hunt down all the monsters in the Dungeon.
✧ Time Limit: —
✧ Rewards: 500 coins
✧ Penalty: ???
+
Subjugation. It was a narrative focused on hunting and clearing out monsters. The appearance of this scenario only confirmed my initial suspicion: we weren't alone down here.
"Is this really a subway station?"
"Why is it so dark? Shouldn't there be emergency lights?"
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
The station was silent, oppressively so. Even the echoes of our footsteps felt muted. The darkness pressed in on us, making the beams of our flashlights seem fragile and insufficient.
Angelica leaned in close, her whisper brushing against my ear.
"Do you think there are monsters in here too?"
"Shhh! Be quiet."
I gestured sharply for the blonde to stay silent. In a place like this, even the smallest noise could be our undoing.
Leaning closer, I answered her question in a low voice, barely audible.
"It's not that there aren't monsters here. They just haven't shown themselves yet."
Angelica trembled nervously after hearing hearing those ominous words.
"...!"
"...!"
Apparently, my voice had carried farther than I intended. The rest of the group stiffened, and their faces reflected a dawning realization.
"If this subway station is now a dungeon…"
"Wouldn't that mean it's crawling with monsters?"
Their fearful expressions screamed these unspoken thoughts.
Thud! Thud!
A rhythmic sound echoed faintly from deep within the station. My brows furrowed.
Those bastards are fast.
"Everyone, turn off your flashlights," I ordered.
"What? Are you insane?"
"How are we supposed to see without light?"
Their protests erupted immediately, panicked and confused. To them, the flashlights were their lifeline, but to me, they were a beacon inviting disaster.
I didn't have time to explain.
Rumble! Rumble!
The noise grew louder, heavy and relentless, filling the air with dread. The others fell silent, finally hearing it. Their faces turned ashen.
Those guys were already here..
"Everyone, get into positions right now!"
From the far end of the passageway, a dark mass surged forward, accompanied by a sound that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
"Wait, I read something online once about bugs living in the darkness. Could those things be..."
"Yunhee, please refrain from saying anything that could jinx us!"
Of all monster types, insect-like creatures were the worst. Individually weak, their strength lay in numbers. They overwhelmed, swarmed, and consumed. In countless stories, walkers had fallen to sheer waves of them.
Rumble! Rumble!!
The noise reached a deafening crescendo. The ground seemed to vibrate with the movement of countless legs skittering closer.
Weapons were raised, trembling hands gripping tightly as the group prepared for what was coming. The tension was at its peak and breaths were held as everyone awaited the enemy.
The noise grew louder, closer—until it stopped.
The group tilted their heads, confusion replacing fear.
"Huh? What's going on?"
"Where did they go? Haven't they gotten closer?"
"Lee Jongho-ssi, do you see anything in the front?"
They flashed their torches along the railway tracks and tunnel road where the sound was coming from. But nothing was there. The group exchanged puzzled glances, and unease began to creep in.
Where did they go?
A terrible sensation spread across my skin and I slowly raised my head.
"That's strange. I was sure something was coming this way."
"Maybe they went away?"
"I don't get it. Why would they just leave?"
No, they didn't turn back. In fact, the enemy was already here, silently looking down at us and waiting for their moment to strike.
Thud—
"Aaaaagh!"
The scream ripped through the silence. It was Kang Manshik.
Crunch! Munch!
Something large had dropped down on him, its mandibles greedily tearing into his skull like a piece of fruit. It was a massive spider.
In mere seconds, Manshik's head was gone, devoured, and a vile mix of blood and acidic liquid splattered on the ground. His lifeless, headless body crumpled to the floor as Lee Gyeong shrieked in horror.
The attack had been so swift that no one had time to react.
Thud!
In a delayed response, Yunhee and Jongho swung their weapons in unison.
Slash! Slam-!!
The spider let out a shrill, piercing cry before collapsing to the ground.
Chweeeek! Chak—!"
The subway station's oppressive silence was shattered by a chorus of monstrous growls.
Everyone's heads instinctively snapped upward, and what they saw froze them in place.
Eyes. Dozens of gleaming, unblinking eyes began opening one by one in the darkness above.
"They were above all this time!"
"Why does it have to be spiders?"
There were multiple spiders positioned on the ceiling. One, two... There were at least twenty of them.
If they were discovered late even for a single second, they would have suffered the same fate as Kang Manshik.
Such a terrifying thought indeed.
"Everyone, get down!" I yelled, charging my magic gun with power.
I aimed at the ceiling and pulled the trigger.
BOOM!
Kiiieeehhk!! Kiieehh!!
The explosion lit up the darkness, tearing through the spiders clinging to the ceiling. Several were incinerated instantly, while others fell to the ground, their charred bodies twitching.
"This is where brute force comes in," I muttered.
"I understand!"
Lee Jongho infused his body with the power of a giant, his muscles bulging with energy. With a massive swing, he swept through a cluster of spiders, sending their broken bodies flying.
Yunhee and Angelica didn't hesitate. They darted into the fray, and pierced through the heads of the spiders one by one with deadly efficiency.
Kiiieehhhk…
Kiieehhkk!!
The shrieks of the dying monsters echoed through the subway station, creating a cacophony of chaos.
Standing at the back, I focused on picking off the spiders from a distance with the Silver Demon. At the same time, I kept a close eye on the battlefield, coordinating the team's movements.
"Jongho-ssi! From your left!" I barked, spotting a spider lunging toward him.
"Angelica! Fall back and rest for a few minutes!"
"Yunhee! Take Angelica's position!"
"Got it!" Yunhee responded without hesitation.
"Gyeong, cover the rear. I'll assist you!"
"Angelica! Time's up! Get back in position!"
It continued on like this for a long time. The sheer number of spiders was far greater than I had anticipated, turning the fight into an all-out war between man and monster.
Yunhee moved with the speed of an assassin, darting through the chaos and striking down spiders with lethal efficiency. Jongho, who was wielding the strength of a giant, tore through their ranks, scattering bodies like leaves in a storm. Angelica and Gyeong fought fiercely as well, holding their ground and dispatching the monstrous spiders.
The team's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Was it their natural synergy, or was it my leadership that made the difference?
The answer didn't matter.
What mattered was that the tide was finally turning. The relentless waves of spiders were thinning as their shrill cries grew weaker as the group steadily pushed forward.
Victory was within reach.