CRACK! CRACKLE!
The ones who had been frozen stiff came to their senses at the chilling sounds coming from beyond the door. The terrible sounds of bones breaking and flesh being crushed.
There was no need to check to know what had happened to the one who was dragged beyond the door.
They had been on edge, knowing that something like this could happen to them someday. After all, they dealt with things that were neither human nor beast, and they had been trained with countless examples.
But witnessing someone being devoured right in front of them by something—something unspecified—was enough to paralyze their bodies with fear.
Just like how patrols meant to prepare for war become slack and complacent after a few uneventful days.
CRACKLE!
“J, just follow the procedure! F, fast!”
The minds of those who heard the sound of a living human being turned into a chunk of meat were in chaos, but their training kicked in, and they began to move frantically.
And that was the start.
The one who shouted to follow the procedure became the next chunk of meat. Beyond the door, something black stretched out, wrapping around a man who let out a shriek. It was as if black hands were overlapping, and no matter how he fired his weapon, the dark creature managed to drag him beyond the door.
CRACK!
With the same dreadful sound as before, the man was turned into a chunk of meat without even uttering a final scream. Yet, his sacrifice wasn’t in vain, as a loud alarm began to sound while his body twisted, and the heavily locked door slammed shut. Soon after, locks rose from all sides, securing the door tightly.
As walls began to descend around the corridors, those in the front were trapped inside the partition. Knowing this was going to happen, they cursed silently within themselves.
“Nothing happened yesterday, so why now?”
“Is the person.. d, dead? So, does this mean it’s my turn next?”
“But it’s so strong…”
“I haven’t even touched it yet!”
“Mom!”
Those watching the closed doors held back these fearful thoughts, fearing that uttering them might make them a reality.
Do words not sow seeds? And what if, perhaps, this too was the doing of the singularity?
BOOM!
Perhaps it was already too late—the mere fact it had been considered couldn’t be undone.
BOOM!
Each loud sound made the thick locks securing the door shudder. Though they hadn’t broken yet, the uncertain dread of when they would was enough to cause panic.
BOOM! BANG!
With each reverberation, the light faded from the eyes of those watching.
“Why do we have to stay here?”
“Why can’t we evacuate as well?”
BOOM! BANG!
Their unease was echoed by the continuous knocking from beyond the door, a sound that instilled more dread with every repetition. It was unnervingly ominous, almost like a human scream.
___
Terrifying thoughts arise in my mind.
What if the thing inside the room was the one knocking?
What if it waited for someone to come in and then naturally swapped places?
This would mean that whatever roamed this ruined world had taken my place and gone outside.
It was still only an assumption, yet I couldn’t find anything wrong with it.
And…
Thinking about this, it made sense that the door wouldn’t open.
Maybe it can’t open because there’s nothing passing through from the other side.
Or is there another reason?
Perhaps, it’ll just burst out if I open it.
Though I don’t understand everything yet, one thing seems clear: something was indeed knocking on the door. I know this because the sound I made when I knocked on it was similar.
Did it really leave?
At this crucial moment, Little was hanging limply, as if it suffered from erectile dysfunction, which was completely unhelpful.
“Jeez, so useless.”
With these muttered insults towards Little, I sat in deep thought, holding Jelly in my hand.
What changed after I entered here?
It’s not like going to the bathroom should be so different…
That’s it!
Even though it was a bit messy, I quickly realized what had changed between when I entered and when I left. Recognizing this, I felt a pang of fear, as if Jelly herself had turned pale.
My face may have already been pale, but this was how I felt inside.
Nevertheless, having understood this mistake, I, who’ve grown together with Jelly, quickly corrected it in my mind.
“Hey, get back to me quickly!”
It hit me.
Something I had momentarily forgotten.
When I first opened the door, Jelly was bubbly inside me. However, now, she’s spread out everywhere.
It seems as though without Jelly inside, I’m being treated differently.
I’m not exactly sure what the criteria are, but it seems best to gather Jelly quickly. I probably should’ve noticed when the previously screaming entity suddenly fell silent.
What if the thing inside really went out?
Is this my fault for opening the door?
I was told the stairs would continue, but there was no mention of a door.
Why didn’t anyone stop me? Shouldn’t they have blocked me from entering?
Responding to my emotions, Jelly ripples restlessly. Feeling this, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
It’s absurd, but thinking about blaming others reassured me that I’m still human.
Yeah… That’s why I’m here.
If not, by now I’d probably be hiding somewhere, fully capable of survival, like the sewers where I first woke up.
With this, I realize I’m still confused about my identity. Ignoring it might explain my usual state.
Just as my mind became slightly clearer, I saw Jelly far in the distance, hopping excitedly as they bounded toward me.
When I told them to spread out, they sluggishly crawled away. But when I called them back quickly, they came running fast.
Do both humans and Jelly need prodding to work hard?
Anyway.
Seeing them approach reassured me. As Jelly neared, I immediately absorbed them into my body.
I feel it getting heavier bit by bit.
From this, it’s clear that the me who opened the door and the me now are different.
And this is not merely an increase in weight.
Since I heard their ‘appetite’ when I was larger, it seems that I’m deliberately ignoring it now.
Whatever.
That doesn’t matter.
What’s important now is calling my Jelly back quickly.
I actively approached the approaching Jelly and swiftly absorbed them into me. Though I wasn’t sure if it would speed things up, I was compelled to do something. I had a premonition that whatever escaped through the door might cause trouble.
When my body felt sufficiently weighted down, akin to when I first entered,
I tried the doorknob again, click, click.
The handle moved slightly before stopping at a subtle position.
My guess was right.
Putting Jelly back inside was the key, but it still felt insufficient.
A subtle difference.
A minor difference that, with a real door, might allow forcing it open.
Why aren’t they all here yet?
By now, it should probably mean all the Jelly scattered everywhere have returned.
Is it still not enough?
In frustration, I turned the knob randomly and knocked heavily on the door. It shook as if it would open but didn’t.
Meanwhile…
When the door slightly opened, Stupid Hair stood up straight and fell limp again when the door closed.
Seeing this, I now understood.
Something had escaped through that door instead of me.
My frustration slowly turned to anger.
Just come back already, for real.
As the bubbling Jelly seemed restless, and I felt it wouldn’t work, I decided I should personally find any remaining Jelly.
Chasing Jelly in all directions wasn’t efficient, but if only one was left, this might be faster.
Given how late they’re coming… something might have happened.
Wait.
If Jelly had an accident and died… could that mean I’d never return?
Oh Jelly, please stay alive…
The only comforting thought is that since I want to find Jelly, I sense where she roughly is.
Running quickly, “Chomp chomp,” I arrived near where Jelly should be.
I saw a blue lump stuck in a drain-like opening.
Seeing it still wriggle, it seemed to be alive.
Though dying wouldn’t help in this situation, I grew cautious.
If Jelly really dies, I won’t be able to leave here.
Carefully approaching, I gently pulled Jelly out of the drain.
With a pop sound, Jelly emerged and squirmed awkwardly.
Oh, thank goodness Jelly is alive.
Now, die.
I immediately absorbed Jelly into my body and ran toward the door, desperately hoping I wasn’t too late.
