Paralyzed by fear, Min Joon's comrades exchanged panicked glances as the grotesque statue crushed another hunter under its foot. Chi-Yul, the team leader, barked a desperate order, "Don't move!"
Confusion rippled through the group. One hunter, driven by desperation, lunged towards the only exit. A red beam shot from the statue's eyes, engulfing the fleeing figure in flames. A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the cavern as the unfortunate hunter became a charred reminder of their precarious situation.
Min Joon and Chi-Yul, adrenaline coursing through their veins, analyzed the scene with a desperate calmness.
Min Joon, noticing Chi-Yul's missing arm, rushed to his side. "I think I know why it attacked," he shouted over the screams.
All eyes turned towards him, a flicker of hope sparking in their terrified gazes."Look at the statue when I stand up,"
Min Joon instructed. Chi-Yul, despite his fear, pleaded, "Don't risk your life, Hunter Sung!"Ignoring the protest, Min Joon crouched low. As he lifted his head, the statue's eyes glowed red, forcing him back down.
"Those who stand above a certain height are targeted," he explained his voice a beacon of hope in the chaos.
"The command says 'worship the God.' The biggest statue is the God, and to worship, we need to kneel."
Taking a deep breath, Min Joon knelt before the statue. One by one, the desperate hunters followed suit, a wave of relief washing over them as the statues remained motionless. Relief turned to cautious optimism as they slowly stood, their eyes glued to the imposing figures.
Just as hope flickered, the largest statue's expression contorted into a sinister grin. A collective gasp escaped their throats. It lumbered towards them, shattering their fragile hope. Panic ensued.
A young hunter, driven by a desperate hope, started chanting a prayer. The statue stopped in front of him, only to mercilessly crush him beneath its massive foot.
"Run!" Chi-Yul roared, his voice a desperate command. Chaos erupted as hunters scattered, their initial fear replaced by a primal urge for survival.
Min Joon, remembering the statues with instruments at their feet, shouted, "Go near the statues with instruments!"
A frantic scramble ensued as they scurried to find refuge. Three hunters remained, desperately searching for a haven.
Min Joon, fueled by a newfound determination, raced towards the last statue with an instrument, but the hunter who had mocked his sister stood in his way. With a cold fury, Min Joon focused his energy, throwing the sword towards the hunter. The hunter cried out in pain, clutching his wounded leg, as the statue stomped down, ending his cruel laughter.
Reaching the statue, Min Joon gasped in exhaustion as the remaining statues began a haunting song. Responding to the melody, the largest statue returned to its throne. Relief flooded Lee Joohee's tear-filled eyes as she reunited with Min Joon.
The remaining hunters regrouped, however, the mood was far from celebratory. Sangshik accused Chi-Yul of being responsible for their comrades' deaths.
Min Joon, remembering the vote, challenged Sangshik's claim. "We all voted to explore. We all share the responsibility."
The tension escalated as another hunter pointed at Min Joon. "You killed our comrade! How dare you act so high and mighty?
"Min Joon met their accusing stares head-on. "Are you alive or not?" he challenged.
A stunned silence descended upon them. "Because of me," he continued."Since you followed my instructions and are still alive, be grateful," he declared, his voice cutting through the oppressive silence.
"Enough talk. Let's focus on survival."His gaze settled on the altar bathed in blue flames. Curiosity piqued, and he stepped onto it.
Gasps erupted as the flames shifted, forming a circle around him. One by one, the survivors followed suit, the blue flame count mirroring their number. The statues, sensing their defiance, began to stir."Look at the statues!" Min Joon urged, his voice ringing with authority.
The hunters did as instructed, and to their amazement, the statues halted mid-movement. A flicker of hope rekindled in their eyes."Now is the finale," Min Joon thought, a steely resolve hardening his gaze. "Whether I die or become something more…"Seeing the blue flames dwindling, Chi-Yul approached Min Joon.
"What should we do, Mr. Sung?
"The flames correspond to us," Min Joon explained, pointing to the altar.
"The blue flames are probably a timer. We need to stay here until..."
Two hunters, unable to bear the tension any longer, bolted past the open doorway.
"No!" screamed Chi-Yul. But they were already gone. The guards by the door didn't even react, further adding to the confusion.
"What now?" Sangshik asked, his voice trembling. A new urgency filled the air.
"We stay," Min Joon said, his voice firm. "If anyone leaves the circle, it might be seen as a threat."
Sangshik's face crumpled. "What if the door closes? What if we can't get out?" He began to sob, his fear contagious. Mr. Song, his usually stoic face etched with worry, looked towards the door.
"Sangshik…"Before he could finish, Sangshik sprinted away, disappearing through the narrowing gap. Disappointment and anger warred within Min Joon, but there was no time to dwell on it.
"Mr. Song, Lee Joohee can't move," Min Joon said urgently. "One of us has to stay."Mr. Song understood the implication.
"No, you…"
"There's no time to argue," Min Joon interrupted, placing Lee Joohee's hand in Mr. Song's.
"Take care of her."Mr. Song hesitated, then took Lee Joohee's hand, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
"You be careful, Mr. Sung."
"I will," Min Joon said, his voice filled with a quiet determination. I believe in myself, Mr. Song. I will come back alive."
Lee Joohee reached out, tears welling in her eyes. "Jin Woo, please…"
Min Joon squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Trust me," he whispered, his gaze locked on hers. He couldn't promise her safety, but he could promise to fight for his survival. With a final glance at Lee Joohee and Mr. Song, who disappeared into the narrow space between the doors, Min Joon turned his attention back to the altar.
The blue flames were dwindling rapidly, their faint glow casting an eerie light on the cavern. The statues, though temporarily stalled, remained menacingly watchful.The silence was broken by the creaking groan of stone.
The statues started walking towards him to kill him. Min Joon felt a wave of despair wash over him. He had barely survived, how could he possibly hope to defeat such a monstrous entity? But then, a feeling of defiance surged within him.
He wouldn't go down without a fight. He wouldn't let his newfound power go to waste.He tried to calm himself and stop his anxiety.
He tried to find any weapon but was left with his fists," It's do or die."
He tried to block the sword advancing toward him but resistance was futile. The swords cut his hand like butter and impale him to the altar. Blood seeps through his body like a pool. Organs were destroyed beyond repair.All he could see was darkness in his vision.
With great difficulty, he tried to raise his hand only to realize he couldn't feel it. "Haah!, I can't even show my middle fingers to this fuckers."
The statues looked at the human lying beneath them and could not comprehend the situation. The human had a boner while dying.
Ding!
A blue screen materialized in front of Min Joon.
[You have completed the quest]
"Courage of the Weak"
[Do you wish to be a player]
Yes / No
Min Joon thought in his mind," Yes."
.....