The trembling fool—no, the knowledge pouch.
At first, I thought it was simply moving in accordance with my movements.
To test this, I slowly moved Jelly or moved him in a direction different from the one in which the knowledge pouch was trembling.
However, the knowledge pouch, as if it had no regard for the law of action and reaction, pointed in the same direction, as though trying to guide me somewhere.
Not even a compass could be this steadfast.
On reflection, the movements of the knowledge pouch were sometimes rather strange.
It would tremble just before I was about to be captured, and it also trembled excessively when passing that grotesque statue.
Sometimes it would tremble as I walked down the hallway, but it never spoke to me, so I couldn’t figure out exactly why it was trembling.
Hrm.
I tried to recall the events that occurred whenever the knowledge pouch trembled.
First, I was abducted, and next, I ended up in front of a statue that seemed to eat people.
…Isn’t this weird?
Every time it trembled, something unfortunate happened.
Even when walking down the hallway, though I didn’t know why, I distinctly remembered significant incidents where it acted the same way.
I began to wonder if I should pull out this trembling knowledge pouch.
Then, as I was pondering this while watching Jelly bubble, I made a decision and moved Jelly.
First, I went ahead, picking up Sosik, who jumped out of the ground pierced by a spike.
…The knowledge pouch is certainly mysterious, but this one is also problematic.
Is he trying to become Jelly instead of Sosik?
Tch.
While inwardly scoffing at Jelly, I picked up Daesik, who was wriggling obediently beneath me, together with Sosik.
With two viscous beings in my chest, I felt slightly strange.
Shaking off that feeling quickly, I followed the guidance of the knowledge pouch through a maze-like space.
And lo and behold.
Surprisingly, nothing happened.
Even though I was careful, recalling how Sosik had been impaled earlier, it felt as if my cautious actions were being mocked.
Feeling this, the tensed Jelly relaxed, and confidence began to creep into my steps.
Apparently enjoying the peaceful stroll, neither Daesik nor Sosik stirred.
Then something caught my eye.
Objects that were slightly out of place in this area.
But they were familiar to me.
Like guns.
Or, things like that.
Looking at the scenery that indirectly told the story of whatever happened here, Jelly froze again.
Meanwhile,
– Uuuuuh!
A strange sound coming from the direction the knowledge pouch was pointing at.
It was uncertain whether it was an animal’s howl or something else, a rather eerie noise.
Though walls here can trick the senses, the fact that this sound was coming from the direction the knowledge pouch was pointing to was somewhat significant.
Can I really trust this?
…Han Seori said she would return when the time comes, didn’t she?
When will that be?
Could it be now?
Now?!
Why can’t it be now?
Unbeknownst to my inner cries, there was no response around me.
Only Daesik and Sosik wriggled in my arms.
Even so, the knowledge pouch continued to lead me forward.
It’s incredibly frustrating not to be able to sigh.
Or should I be happy? They say sighing brings bad luck, so not being able to sigh might be a good thing?
While mulling over such foolish thoughts, I took the unavoidable steps forward.
– Uuuuuuh!
The sound was getting closer.
How long had I been moving through this monotonous but tense labyrinth?
Trembling, trembling.
The one above my head that had been trembling finally led me to where it wanted me to go.
Honestly speaking, it’s hard to gauge how long I had been walking.
My legs weren’t sore, nor did my feet feel numb. Normally, my legs signaled me after walking for a while, but now, without such signals, it was frustratingly comfortable.
Anyway.
With a peculiar feeling, I approached what the knowledge pouch was pointing at.
Whirr, whirr, whirr.
I saw a glowing orb floating like a superconductor above something resembling an altar. The knowledge pouch clearly indicated this.
It was a mysterious sight.
Looking at this scene, reminiscent of a treasure at the heart of the labyrinth, excitement surged.
Standing there blankly, I slowly approached it, feeling like a treasure hunter.
Would the person who pulled the sword from the ice have felt like this?
…No, if this is treasure, I shouldn’t get too close.
Then, is it like the ring…?
…Forget all that.
Whatever I imagine, it’s hardly pleasant. I don’t know why I keep thinking these thoughts.
At that moment, standing in front of the glowing orb,
Click, click.
A strange sound began emanating from my throat.
Surely, it’s not like a bomb collar that would dispose of me now that I’m no longer needed, right? Logically, that was unlikely.
…I guess being alone in that white room has stoked my imagination.
If Daesik or Sosik could speak, it might have been slightly better.
In the meantime, the strange mechanical sounds from the necklace emitted a laser, and an arrow appeared on the ground.
It showed the path I had just walked.
Ah.
This must be a sign to go back.
How did they figure out I found something? Could they have been watching the whole time?
…Please, let that not be true.
Anyway, the timing was impeccable, so I didn’t put much thought into grabbing the orb.
It seemed to be urging me to take it quickly.
Now that I think about it, a floating orb isn’t really surprising, considering the ‘common sense’ I had to kill to get here.
After momentarily placing Sosik down, I picked up the rather heavy orb and turned around, pondering where to put it.
Rip!
At that instant, another slicing sound rang out, and a massive silhouette appeared.
Thud!
I felt lighter as the contents of the bag I had on my back spilled out.
Soon after, a shadow fell on me, and a monstrous figure appeared in my vision.
It was very large and held an enormous axe, which apparently cut through my back bag.
This ferocious monster, appearing suddenly, was unlike others that melted away.
Without much time to think about where to place the orb, I quickly stowed it within me and grabbed Sosik.
And ran.
Bang!
Simultaneously with my movement, his enormous axe split the ground, shards flying everywhere, showing the sheer force with which it was swung.
As stones bounced off me, I kept running wildly, following the arrows that appeared on the ground.
The knowledge pouch, now seemingly finished with its duty, swayed as I moved, leaving only these arrows for guidance.
…There’s no way I memorized the entire labyrinth, surely.
I was briefly sorry for doubting it as a bomb collar.
Anyway.
I ran with Daesik, Sosik, and Jelly all bouncing around.
My extended vision clearly showed the creature chasing me, ferocious and terrifying, which was an advantage but…
Continuously witnessing it meant…
…I wanted to turn away from this sight, but I couldn’t.
A monstrous two-legged snail swinging a huge axe.
It truly looked like a creature from mythology.
What did I do to make it chase me like this with murderous intent?
Whoosh!
A massive axe blade whistles above my head.
Pfft!
The knowledge pouch was scattered across the floor in that instant. Soon another newly grown knowledge pouch appeared.
After losing a part of itself, I think I understand why it is following me.
…It’s likely because of the orb shaking violently within my body.
But.
It’s too late now to go back and replace it. Unless I had never taken it in the first place.
Honestly, getting past that axe and that muscular snail and returning it seems impossible.
I’ll be lucky to not end up as squished Jelly.
Crunch! Thud!
The poor knowledge pouch keeps getting severed.
With each piece being cut off, it feels like a part of me is slowly being devoured, and the premonition isn’t good.
The only advantage is that I can see the arrows on the ground and the axe-wielding berserk snail chasing me at the same time.
I dodged another swinging axe, but again the knowledge pouch got severed.
…This foreboding feeling is growing.
I still have a long way to go to escape.
If the knowledge pouch keeps getting cut, it doesn’t feel like it will end well.
Based on my previous experience of losing body parts, if too much gets cut off, my body will shrink.
…A smaller body might fit into a rat hole, but…
Rip!
Avoiding the creature chasing me will become very difficult.
This contest will now be between whether the rabid snail eats me entirely first, or I succeed in escaping.
I briefly considered charging at it like I did with the Jangseung before,
But it’s a completely different situation.
It was immovable and lacked limbs, but now,
…If I cling to this thing…
Won’t I get Jelly-torn apart?
Jelly will definitely get torn apart.
Even without the axe, getting shredded by its robust musculature is a certainty.
Sniff!
The knowledge pouch inevitably drops to the floor with another dull thud.
…What should I do?
Upon hearing the angered roar of “Muoo!!!” from the beast, I realized how urgently I needed a plan.
…Before I get caught and shredded.
