From afar, yet another building was collapsing.
The buildings that came into contact with the Steel Tower’s pulsation crumbled like sugarcane and scattered like sand.
The territory of the Steel Tower, which expanded and contracted like a heartbeat, was something I had never seen before.
Since the first time I opened my eyes to an Object in Seoul Forest, I could consider myself somewhat of a Steel Tower expert, but this was still unfamiliar.
It seemed as if the output capable of uprooting civilization had increased.
Whereas before it felt like grinding civilization in a mortar, now it felt like blending it away.
What in the world is happening to the Steel Tower?
I place my hand near my chest and feel the heat.
A steady warmth rising beneath soft skin.
The frogs turned out weaker than expected, so the supply of firewood was still sufficient.
With this amount of firewood, wandering around Seoul Forest for a few days should be fine.
Since the Steel Tower is in Pyongyang, we need to hurry.
After all, the sooner we finish, the sooner we can rest.
With every step, the surroundings would swirl and change.
As if using teleportation.
In the Ghosting state, it feels like physical laws loosen slightly.
Each step feels like ten steps.
At first, controlling Ghosting was difficult, so there were times I crawled on all fours while Ghosting.
Now, it feels like riding a super high-speed moving walkway, gliding smoothly.
When a lush forest appeared, I ended the Ghosting state and placed my feet firmly on the ground.
This forest always gives me the creeps no matter how many times I come here.
When I first fell into Seoul Forest, I disliked it for no reason, but lately, I think I understand why.
The lack of people around makes me uncomfortable.
It’s better when there are people nearby and some attention.
Seoul Forest, one of the most dangerous areas on Earth, might be overrated because it destroys civilization.
Deep within Seoul Forest, there aren’t many Objects actively trying to kill humans.
After all, creatures that desperately want to kill humans wouldn’t stay in a place where they rarely see people.
Of course, not wanting to kill doesn’t mean they’re harmless.
And it’s not like there are no killing monsters either.
While thinking about this, a strange roar echoed through Seoul Forest.
A massive blob of flesh roared in frustration, smashing trees as it ran.
Its heavy footsteps violently shook the ground, scattering white flesh chunks everywhere.
Within those chunks wriggled small worm-like parasites.
It was the “Ghost-Catcher,” often seen near the Steel Tower.
Of course, I named it “Ghost-Catcher” myself.
There were no stories about such white fleshy monsters from my human days.
Though the Ghost-Catchers look like horrifying killers, they probably aren’t.
That’s because they only see ghosts.
One reason I cancel Ghosting upon entering Seoul Forest is because of these guys.
Not because they’re strong or hard to kill like Hungry Ghosts, but because they’re disgusting.
Their appearance is bad for mental health, so I try to avoid looking at them.
These Ghost-Catchers feed on spectral Objects by throwing pieces of their own flesh.
Absolutely, absolutely do not get hit by that sticky, worm-filled flesh.
Beyond the forest filled with white blob monsters lay a vast open lot.
Right at its center stood the target I sought.
The first Object to survive a nuclear strike, the hard counter to human civilization.
The Steel Tower.
In the downtown area of Jungnang-gu, despite being evening, the streets were eerily empty.
The large glass windows of an electronics store on the main road were shattered by the strong winds.
Among the chaotic mess of scattered display items, the TVs remained powered on.
They broadcasted breaking news about the ongoing situation in Seoul Forest.
The content could be summarized simply:
The Steel Tower’s pulse cycle and the estimated range of the next pulse were announced, urging evacuation in affected areas.
The Steel Tower’s influence had already breached Seoul’s boundaries, with predictions it would soon affect Jungnang-gu, Dobong-gu, and Nowon-gu.
The electronics store located in Jungnang-gu was already under emergency evacuation orders.
In a city full of concrete structures, getting caught in the Steel Tower’s pulse meant certain death, so most people had evacuated.
Amidst the bleak news of unstoppable expansion and indefinite evacuations, there was a sudden piece of good news.
Stories of hidden heroes.
A team trained rigorously for 10 years with one specific goal.
Stories of those who silently worked to reclaim Dobong-gu.
Stories of warriors who brought complete silence to the Ice Soldiers.
The temperature in Dobong-gu was dramatically rising, and the partially destroyed Ice Throne was confirmed to be melting away.
Unfortunately, the return of the special mission team sent to destroy the Ice Throne was unconfirmed.
If not for the Steel Tower’s pulses, drones would have been deployed for search operations, but now any number of drones would be reduced to dust in a single pulse, leaving searches stalled.
Sending a human search party was also risky due to the numerous dangerous Objects still present in Dobong-gu.
The announcer smiled and said:
<We hope our heroes return safely.>
That hopeful message was drowned out by the sound of ground tremors.
Thump.
Like a heartbeat, the rumbling swallowed the streets, buildings, electronics store, and TVs, ending the broadcast.
Crunch crunch.
The sound of chewing flesh echoed.
Despite retreating as quickly as possible, we were ultimately discovered by an Object.
Yetis.
An Object easily dealt with if personal firearms were available.
But the basic equipment carried by agents had long since turned to powder.
All that remained as a weapon was a multi-purpose knife.
Against a pack of Yetis, a single knife wasn’t enough, so the only option was to run.
The last remaining subordinate was just eaten by the Yetis.
I had become the team leader who lost all his teammates.
And eventually, I’ll be devoured by the Yetis too.
Out of breath from running too hard, and Yetis were far more agile and faster.
Crash.
Exhausted from running too long, I slipped and fell on the slippery snowfield.
Almost no strength left to get up and run again.
Is this the end?
Gasping for air, I looked up at the sky.
Cloud Fish swam across the darkening sky in clusters.
A peaceful-looking sky.
“? “
The once noisy surroundings grew eerily silent.
Something felt off.
Regaining my breath and sitting up, the Yetis chasing me had vanished without a trace.
“Did I survive?”
Shakily, I stood back up.
I needed to head toward the rendezvous point.
If the Steel Tower’s unusual activity was observed, there was a chance the standby team waiting at the rendezvous point might come to meet us.
There was still hope.
“No…”
But that hope disappeared instantly.
Breathless, I stopped walking and looked up at the sky again.
“Aaaaaaaaaah!”
Frustrated, I screamed.
Why did it come to this?
I thought the mission had a high chance of success…
The clouds disappeared, replaced by ominous purple light.
The Moon rose over the snowfield.
Survival probability approached zero percent.
I’m exhausted.
Can’t endure anymore.
I threw myself into the shadows in despair.
Inside the shadows, I found myself standing in an inexplicable plain.
A field reeking strongly of oil.
The smell made me dizzy.
Enough to distort my vision occasionally.
The plain was covered in thick, sticky black mud, with mysterious black grass sparsely growing from the ground.
Six moons floated in the sky.
Rainbow-colored moons, except the Purple Moon was missing.
A starless, pitch-black sky.
Dizzy from the pungent oil smell.
Or maybe even without the smell, I’d still feel dizzy?
Black mud clumps moved around like living organisms on the plain.
They seemed to be searching for something, or perhaps moving aimlessly.
One premonition struck me.
Ah… Is this my end?
Holding a sense of resignation, I looked at my hands.
There was something resembling oozing mud.
Gradually, I grew dizzier.
I don’t know what this world is.
Even if I tried to figure it out, I doubt I have the time left.
It seems I’ve crossed the point of no return.
I thought I’d be buried in Korean soil when I died…
Ah, I’m dizzy. So dizzy.
My god, this shit is terrifying.