The place was quiet.
Everyone looked at Soo Jinyoung as if she was a ghost. Wasn't that the look people would give when they met their idol? Or was it the face someone would make when they meet an overwhelming presence?
In any case, that was the face the survivors was meeting. Soo Jinyoung. I must say, she really has great timing.
[The time limit has run out.]
[Your overall stats has returned to normal.]
My body became weaker and my temporarily strength was leaving. What convenient timing.
"Soo Jinyoung, what are you doing here? I thought you were making preparations."
"I was just passing by until I was attracted by the commotion."
I see. So I made a bigger scene than I thought.
"What are you doing?"
As expected of the reincarnator, she did not look happy. I opened my mouth and answered.
"He attacked me first so I beat him up."
"I see. But isn't that person you're holding already unconscious?"
"Eh? What?"
I looked at Donghyun and opened my eyes wide. Indeed, he was unconsious. Both of his cheeks had swollen up along with right eye. It seems I did a good job beating him up, didn't I?
Soo Jinyoung looked at me with a displeased expression.
[Exclusive Skill 'Reading' is activated.]
「 Tck... Why is he doing something unnecessary 」
「 Now things has become more bothersome 」
「 I have to waste medical supplies for treating his injuries 」
「 How bothersome 」
I opened my mouth and asked what was on my mind.
"Soo Jinyoung, did you know about the situation here?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then why didn't you kill Jung Donghyun?"
"Don't you already know? You said you were a Saint."
"Just because I'm a Saint, doesn't mean I would know everything."
What I said was the truth. Just because I read the novel, doesn't mean I was Omniscient.
Soo Jinyoung thought for a moment before slowly opening her mouth.
"I see. Is it because your Foresight level is low?"
"Something like that."
That was the conclusion she reached. In any case, I didn't attempt to clear the misunderstanding.
"I need him because of his Berserker skill. It will be very useful."
"That may be true. But what about the other survivors? Are you trying to say they are not useful?"
「······」
"Just because they don't have any special skill, doesn't mean they are worthless. You won't be able to pass the scenarios if you continue like this. Don't you already know?"
「 He's becoming annoying 」
What?
"I'm busy. I don't have time for unnecessary things."
Soo Jinyoung turned her head as if she was not interested. Now she was looking at the people behind me.
"Are those your companions? Where did you find them?"
"I was lucky."
Her right eye began to glow golden. Damn, she was really thorough.
[The character 'Soo Jinyoung' has used Demon Dragon Eyes Lv. 3!]
「 Interesting. He found someone that can use gigantification and his sponsor is the King of Giants. Lucky bastard 」
I was filled with a strange feeling. It was rare for Soo Jinyoung to compliment someone even if it was in her mind. I was happy. My hard work was getting recognised.
Of course, my joy was short-lived.
「 However, it's disappointing he was only able to raise him to this level 」
It was a heavy blow because it was true. If Lee Jongho had moved with Soo Jinyoung instead of me, he would certainly be at a higher level than his current state.
「 I thought he would be better than this 」
Damn, this reincarnator... I really tried my best, you know. I was just a normal person before this.
「Then for those other two... 」
She turned her head and looked at Angelica and Jung Yunhee. Then her eyes suddenly stopped and a different expression formed on her face.
「 W-What?! 」
It was confusion. Her eyes were opened very wide as if she did not believe what she was seeing.
「 How is it possible?! This doesn't make any sense! 」
Who was she looking at? Was it Angelica or was it Jung Yunhee? Did she see something I did not know? And she was not specific with her thoughts either.
But I guessed she saw the information of Jung Yunhee because the girl noticed her intense gaze and opened her mouth.
"Hey, what are you looking at?"
「······」
She did a good job. Of course, that was not enough. She had to open her mouth and say something rude.
"Don't stare at people like that. What are you? Some kind of pervert."
「 This little brat 」
A vein popped on Soo Jinyoung's forehead. That was not a bad sign. If she became angry, someone might get slashed.
"Soo Jinyoung." I opened my mouth quickly. "What is your plan for the next nightmare?"
Soo Jinyoung turned her head and looked at me before sighing. It seems I managed to calm down the reincarnator on time.
Instead of answering me, she opened her mouth and spoke out with a loud voice.
"Everyone, listen here! I will make an important announcement."
Her voice gathered the attention of the survivors and they looked this way. I already knew what she was going to say.
"Everyone will be splitting into groups."
* * *
After Soo Jinyoung made the announcement, she went somewhere and asked Ryu Eun to take Donghyun to the medicial yard.
Although he was beaten badly, there was no fatal injuries. So he would be able to recover quickly and act when the time comes.
[There are 1 hour and 15 minutes before the third Nightmare arrives.]
Roughly one hour left. There was not alot of time remaining. Soo Jinyoung had gone to her destinated position and was making preparations during this time.
I needed to make preparations as well but there was a problem.
"Soo Jinyoung, that Jerk."
[The constellation 'Architect of Destruction' smiles at your monologue.]
[100 coins has been sponsored.]
Soo Jinyoung's announcement was as follows: The survivors were to form groups so a total of four divisions were formed.
The East Division, the West Division, the South Division and lastly, the North Division. Each group were instructed to take a different position outside the warehouse. The warehouse was big so we had to divide the survivors into four teams.
We were currently positioned at the southern area of the warehouse but there was nothing here except ruined cars and other junk that can't be used. Basically, this place was a junkyard.
Did Soo Jinyoung know about this? I see. So the reincarnator was testing me, huh. She was a really great person.
Jung Yunhee looked around and frowned as if finding it unpleasant.
"That woman, did she do this on purpose?"
"It seems so. In any case, let's make preparations quickly." I answered with a shrug.
"Preparations?"
"Don't tell me you weren't listening?"
"I thought it was bothersome."
Jung Yunhee spoke nonchalantly and I sighed. She was really helpless.
I gathered everyone and began to explain the situation. It was a long story but I summarized everything in a simple manner.
Lee Jongho nodded his head in understanding.
"I see. The theme of the 3rd Trial is defence."
"Yes. Basically, we are defending a territory from a horde of monsters. The territory in question is the warehouse. Do you all understand?"
"It sounds easy enough."
"It's not actually. Do you remember the last time we encountered a horde of monsters?"
"We have gotten stronger since that time so it will be fine."
Jung Yunhee sounded confident.
It was natural. Everyone in this group has gotten considerably stronger since that time including Jung Yunhee. She has good sense and her adaptability rivaled that of Nam Jinhyuk so she would've already figured out her attribute and skills.
However,
"The situation is different from last time. This trial is one where if one groups falls, then the entire survivors might be in danger. Do you understand what that means?"
"That..."
Jung Yunhee's expression stiffened. She must have realised what I was trying to say.
There were 4 groups in total. If one of them fails to defend their position, everyone will fall and get consumed by the 3rd Nightmare. The scenario was set at an insane difficulty.
"Wait! Does that mean..." Angelica asked.
"That's right. There is a possibility we might fail the scenario even if we perform properly. Do you guys understand?"
"!"
Everybody's expressions darkened considerably and became pale.
This sense of despair, I could understand. The Gwanakgu group were not the true enemy, the true enemy was the cooperation of the survivors.
Now it was time for a new ray of hope to appear.
I laughed, "Hey, don't make that face yet. The situation is not completely hopeless."
"Huh?"
"It might be difficult but there is a way for all of us to survive."
The party members simultaneously looked at me and Lee Jongho asked.
"Is there really a way?"
"Of course. You guys might not know this but Soo Jinyoung is a very careful person. She won't let a simple mistake cause her downfall."
"It seems like you know her. Have you guys met before?"
What an interesting question.
As the reader of the Song of Nightmares, I knew everything about Soo Jinyoung from her thought pattern, her past and her future. If I were to narrate everything, it would take a while before I finished. But I don't want to bore the readers with such an information dump.
I came up with a satisfying response and replied with a faint smile.
"I know her quite a bit."
"In any case, what are we going to do about this place? There's barely anything to use to make a barricade." Angelica looked worried.
"Oh, that? I already have a solution."
"Really? What is it?"
"There's someone who can build a barricade out of these useless junk and even employ a way to attack as well."
I turned my head towards a certain direction and everyone opened their eyes wide.
"That boy..."
"Yes. That boy is someone that can help us."
There was a boy sitting alone at the corner. His hair was disheveled and his body was covered in bruises. It was the boy that suffered from the abuse of the Gwanakgu group, Kim Hyunwoo.
Finally, the question I was waiting for arrived.
"Jakga-ssi, how did you know he will be useful?"
It was Lee Jongho. I knew he would ask this. After all, my movement would have been suspicious to a normal person.
"Somehow, I knew."
"Is it because of your attribute? Jakga-ssi did mention something about being a priest. Is that true?"
"Yes, I guess you say that's the reason."
"Can Jakga-ssi really see the future?"
"It's something similar. I only have a faint idea of the future."
There will be times in the future I would have to do something unreasonable or something that did not make sense at all. In order to gain the trust of my companions, I needed to say the truth. Or something that can qualify as the truth in their eyes.
"...Is that so?"
Lee Jongho smiled and made an innocent expression.
I saw the transparent oyster floating around in the air. It was reading the thoughts of the characters like a pervert.
[The character 'Lee Jongho' trusts you.]
['Lee Jongho' loyalty towards you has increased.]
In any case, it seems my words was enough to raise his trust.
Meanwhile, Jung Yunhee was looking at with a strange expression.
"When you say you can only see it faintly, what did you mean by that?"
"I don't know how to say it. I can see some things and I cannot. It's rather complicated."
"Are you trying to say you can't see the future completely and can only make some things? Like a fortune teller."
"Yes, that's about right."
Jung Yunhee's eyes narrowed. It was a very weak explanation with no substance but it was enough.
[The character 'Jung Yunhee' feels unsure but has decided to follow you.]
This was enough.
"It's okay, I won't ask anymore."
"Thank you."
"But what are we going to do about him?
Jung Yunhee looked at Kim Hyunwoo and narrowed her eyes. I wonder what she was planning but I don't think it's anything good.
"Should I go and talk to him?"
"Don't." I responded immediately. "We're trying to get him on our side, not to chase him away."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Jung Yunhee spoke with an innocent expression as if she didn't liked killing. Or was it the other personality. In any case—
"I don't think Jung Yunhee should approach."
"Me too."
"W-What... You guys too!"
Angelica and Lee Jongho agreed with my point of view. Jung Yunhee became embarrassed and flared her arms around.
I ignored everything she was saying and approached Kim Hyunwoo. When I entered a comfortable distance, I finally opened my mouth.
"Hey, are you alright?"
The boy looked at me for a moment before his eyes widened.
"You're that kind uncle that helped me earlier."
"Yeah. It's great that you recognised me but I'm not an uncle."
"Ah, sorry. T-Thank you. No one has been able to stand up to the gwanak group."
Kim Hyunwoo awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"No worries. You won't have to worry about them for a while."
"Um, is there something you need?"
I smiled faintly. I was waiting for this question.
"Yes, there's something I need. But I'm afraid you're the only one that can help me."