The next day. Broad daylight with the sun high in the sky.
"…What is that?"
Ghost was the first to notice 'it'. It was hundreds of meters away, writhing in a half-destroyed four-story shopping mall.
It looked like shadows had gathered, a pitch-black stain that was squirming. It was large enough to completely cover an entire floor.
"Is it some kind of mutant?"
"All monsters are mutants. But they usually retain some form of the original creature…"
"A creature? That thing?"
Pavel and Layla exchanged lines from the game. Kim Ihyeon also watched it closely.
A familiar scene. The urgent background music played in his head.
'It's starting.'
The introduction of the 0-4 stage.
While previous battles were to test the professor's command skills, this one had a completely different purpose.
It's what's known as a buildup.
A single stepping stone leading to the boss stage. Here, the party recognizes the existence of an unidentified enemy.
'It's more intimidating in person.'
Shadowers.
Also known as 'Shadow Mobs,' they weren't enemies to be faced at this stage. If this were a game, their equipment, level, and agent lineup would be lacking.
'When they appear again, they'll be even tougher.'
Threatening normal attacks. Special attacks with insane power and range. On top of that, they have extremely high physical resistance.
'Still, they're just shadow mobs.'
With certain agents, they can be easily cleared. To experienced players, they are more like punching bags.
'That's not even the main body…'
Soon.
Dozens of large eyes appeared within the shadow occupying the building. Each eyeball moved in different directions as if they had their own will.
It was quite a grotesque sight.
'It's a good thing we're far away. Seeing it up close would have made me faint.'
He heard the sound of someone swallowing nervously behind him. Even to Layla's group, residents of Polaris, it must have been just as ominous.
"Let's change our route. I don't know what that is, but… it doesn't look like anything good will come from approaching it. It'll take a bit of a detour, is that okay?"
"…"
"Hyun? Are you listening?"
"Huh, me?"
The lines were exactly as he remembered, so he half-paid attention. Until yesterday, each word had struck him deeply, but now he was getting used to it.
This won't do. Stay focused.
"Do as you like. I have to follow you guys anyway if I want to go to that Selb, whatever it's called."
"…Selbro Logistics Lab. Are you really planning to join?"
"You've been nitpicking since yesterday."
Pavel, the mining slave. A character he felt indifferent about. He didn't have any personal affection for him, and his constant confrontational tone was starting to irritate him.
'Still, he's the most normal one.'
Layla and Ghost were just excessively good-natured. Even to himself, the vagrant 'Kim Ihyeon' seemed clumsy and suspicious.
"I'm not saying I'll definitely join. I just want to get a taste of what it's like."
"You'll surely like it."
He almost replied with "We'll see," but held back. Layla's bright smile made it difficult to respond harshly.
It felt like bullying a much younger child.
"Then let's head back the way we came."
They retraced their steps following Ghost's words.
But it wasn't going to go as planned. The stage had already begun when they spotted the shadow.
'Wasn't the setup that it senses stares?'
That wasn't the Shadower itself. It was a special ability pulled out with a spell. A sort of radar.
And all four of them had looked at the shadow simultaneously. At least one of the many eyes must have caught sight of Layla's group.
The information the shadow obtained would be relayed to the Shadower.
An alley with muddy water pooled on the ground. It hadn't been 30 minutes since they decided to take a detour.
"…Damn. We're surrounded."
Ghost was the first to notice again. His eyes moved busily behind his mask.
From the rooftop of a two-story villa, the balcony below, outside the alley, and even around the corner they had just passed, he sensed presences.
"Ash Wolves…?"
Mutant wolves with ashen fur and three eyes. Combatants were not just familiar with them; they were sick of them. They could identify them just by their scent.
There were six of them. Not particularly threatening. But there was something they couldn't ignore.
Every Ash Wolf's body was covered with black stains. Unusually large amounts of saliva dripped from their mouths.
'It starts now.'
Kim Ihyeon swallowed hard. He had already planned his 'strategy' last night. He had tested the conditions while using his skills.
Still, he couldn't help but be nervous. No matter how underestimated, the Shadower was a formidable force in the Polaris universe.
A mistake could mean death.
Not right now, though.
"…Get out of the alley. Ghost, Hyun. I'm counting on you."
The instruction came from behind. It was the professor, still carried on Pavel's back.
For a moment, Kim Ihyeon felt a peculiar emotion.
'A player is a player after all.'
It wasn't a grand command or anything. But it was surprising that someone who must be more confused than himself was giving orders.
"Got it."
Ghost seemed to have his own thoughts. His tone was excited. He exchanged a glance with Kim Ihyeon before starting to run.
Ssshh.
The [Infliction Spear] appeared in Kim Ihyeon's hand. He got into position to thrust the spear and crossed the alley.
Along the way, he was amazed.
'Did he turn on double speed? How is he so fast?'
The distance widened quickly. Ghost had already crossed more than half the alley and slashed two Ash Wolves in front of him. He cut off their heads in a single stroke.
His sprint didn't stop. He swung his arm, hidden by his sleeve, and threw a dagger that pierced another wolf leaping from a building.
Three down already. Half remained.
"Hyun!"
An Ash Wolf fell from the metal stairs. It landed in the gap between Kim Ihyeon and Ghost.
Smack!
The spear blade embedded itself in the blackened head. Kim Ihyeon flicked the spear shaft to shake it off.
As the spear pulled out, the Ash Wolf flew and hit the wall.
'This is so OP.'
The special ability of the [Infliction Spear] was an increase in regular attack damage. Simple yet effective.
'It feels like it boosts my strength.'
It was limited to 'when attacking,' with a cap of three uses, but… that was to be expected for a 1-star item.
Anyway.
Once he got used to handling the [Infliction Spear], it became easy to deal with the Ash Wolves. Even Kim Ihyeon, who was just a regular person until yesterday.
'Sorry for destroying you so often!'
Those who badmouthed it as [Infliction Junk Spear] were heretics. Those clueless people should be thrown into the Polaris world.
He decided. If he ever returned, he would fully refine it.
Thwack!
Kim Ihyeon swung the spear upwards in an arc. An Ash Wolf pouncing at him was struck and sent flying.
It might still be alive, but he didn't care.
'Layla will handle it.'
There were two Ash Wolves left in the alley, including the one he had just struck. A 4-star agent should be able to handle it while protecting the professor.
'How many left?'
There were ten enemies in the 0-4 stage. Four were yet to appear. Feeling the spear shaft in his hand, Kim Ihyeon exited the alley.
A main street littered with trash. Four Ash Wolves had already been slaughtered.
"There don't seem to be any enemies left."
Ghost lifted the bridge of his mask. He had been cursing just a moment ago. Now, he was back to his calm self.
Kim Ihyeon felt a sudden curiosity.
How the stage was cleared in the game was up to the player. So, the exact flow of the battle wasn't shown.
Some parts were described in detail, but at least in 0-4, it was vague.
If the developers hadn't skipped the battle. Would Ghost have acted like this in the official progression?
"Ghost. It's not that I have any complaints, but couldn't you have moved more safely? I thought you'd take out each one carefully."
"Was there a need to?"
Ghost looked around. After confirming their safety, he began to wipe his kukri. Just then, the remaining three emerged from the alley.
"Everyone did their part. This was mine. You're someone who can handle your share too."
"…Ah, right."
"The things you can handle will increase quickly. That's what I felt yesterday and today. When we safely return to the lab, there's much I want to teach you."
Indeed.
A person close to death always sets up flags.
'Well, he won't die, though.'
* * *
Night came as expected.
After clearing the 0-4 stage, no battles occurred. The wandering monsters also disappeared.
A tepid calmness. Layla's group felt more tense, like a calm before the storm, rather than relieved.
"What was that we saw during the day?"
Layla spoke, looking out the window. Pavel and Ghost both sighed almost simultaneously.
"I don't know. It felt ominous."
"The state of the Ash Wolves was strange too. They usually
act in groups, but ambushing us from the rooftops? That's not typical monster behavior."
"And they were covered in that black stuff. Given the timing of their appearance, it's likely related to 'that' thing on the shopping mall."
Layla nodded at Pavel's opinion. It was a conversation they had several times before nightfall.
"Were they being controlled… Should we see it that way?"
"It's not good to make conclusions. We should discuss this with the researchers once we return to the lab."
"It's a shame the professor is in that condition."
"Pavel."
"…Yeah."
Pavel backed down under Layla's stern gaze.
The professor wasn't present. He had fallen asleep as soon as they entered the building, so they laid him down in one of the rooms. He seemed exhausted from being carried around all day.
"Hyun, what do you think? You've been deep in thought for a while. Do you have any insights?"
Had his expression given him away?
It was likely. Imagining what would happen tomorrow was already making him sweat.
Kim Ihyeon shrugged and answered casually.
"Who knows. It might be someone's spell."
"What? That's nonsense."
A snorting sound. Naturally, it was Pavel.
"A spell of that scale, covering a building? That's unheard of. Even if it's possible, the spell would go berserk. How could anyone endure such power?"
"She asked. I answered. Why are you picking a fight?"
Sigh. Layla let out a deep breath.
"Pavel. Seriously, tone it down."
"…Fine. Sorry."
He scratched his head and fell silent. With his sharp eyes, Pavel looked like a thug when he frowned.
"I think… it's possible."
"That's not good news for us."
"Assuming the worst, it goes like this: Someone with a threatening spell controlled the Ash Wolves to attack us. The disappearance of other monsters is no coincidence."
A heavy silence fell. It was, literally, the worst-case scenario.
Ghost's skill was beyond words, and Kim Ihyeon was rapidly improving, but that was it. Pavel and Layla had to protect the professor.
So far, things had gone smoothly. But if the attacks intensified, someone might get hurt. Maybe even more than hurt.
As the atmosphere in the living room grew heavy.
"Oh, it's a bit awkward to say this in such a mood. Layla, what time is it?"
"It's 21:37. It's been a while since I adjusted it, so it might be off by a few minutes."
Layla checked her analog wristwatch. While she fiddled with the worn leather strap.
"Then I'll step out for a bit."
A calm, passing remark.
"Yes. Be careful… What?"
Layla's instinctive response was cut off. She looked at Kim Ihyeon as if he were crazy.
Had he listened to the conversation? They had just discussed how dangerous the situation was.
"What do you mean? Where are you going suddenly?"
Kim Ihyeon's answer was simple.
"A walk."
About 17 hours until the 0-5 stage begins.
It's time to prepare for the shadow mob.