“Hmm….”
With Han Seori’s sniff, the thin, long snack that was in her mouth crumbled and entered her mouth.
She chewed the snack absent-mindedly while gazing at the monitor.
Her eyes, fixed on the monitor, were filled with interest.
“Ho….”
Fussling.
Han Seori rummaged through the remaining snack as she checked the trajectory of the Jelly Girl passing through the KR – 7496 realm.
At a glance, it seemed like the Jelly Girl was going around in circles, but looking at it as a whole…
The Jelly Girl was heading toward the center, not of the Singularity, but the ‘Labyrinth.’
‘If we summarize her movements so far…’
Is she slowly about to reach what we assume to be the center?
Han Seori felt excitement, but on the other hand, a shiver ran down her spine.
‘…There’s a space this big underground?’
It seemed to be about the size of the North Korean tunnels that were once rumored in urban legends and ghost stories.
…Perhaps this Singularity was the root of the strange rumors her grandfather used to shout. Han Seori chuckled to herself while crunching on the snack.
‘Probably not.’
But it was absurd all the same.
Judging by the fact that it was not properly observable from the outside, it was highly likely that the labyrinth itself was a Singularity.
Which meant there might be something that created the labyrinth at the center the Jelly Girl was heading toward.
As this possibility occurred to Han Seori, her concern for the Jelly Girl began to grow rapidly.
In an ordinary labyrinth, there was a good chance of finding an exit and treasure at the center and end.
But the place the Jelly Girl entered was clearly a Singularity.
There was also a possibility, albeit not one that could be dismissed, that a monster unlike any other, like an antlion, waited at the center.
Perhaps… If this Singularity was intertwined with myth as its nickname “Creta’s Labyrinth” suggested…
There was a higher likelihood that what awaited at the center would be a new trial rather than treasure…
As she entertained all sorts of thoughts, Han Seori turned her eyes to the small red dot indicating the Jelly Girl’s location.
It seemed like it was about to reach what was assumed to be the center.
Eventually, in Han Seori’s mind, a winged version of herself and another wearing a white gown began to argue.
The winged Han Seori said,
“Isn’t this the reason we attached the device around KR – 7496’s neck and sent her in? KR – 7496 is smart and has a good survival instinct, so she’ll be fine.”
The gown-clad Han Seori replied,
“Besides, even if something happens, wouldn’t it be fine since it’s the same Singularity? No one will die.”
…Eh? Are they arguing?
Han Seori blinked, feeling bemused.
Meanwhile, the actively blinking red signal stopped at the place assumed to be the center.
Looking at the red dot that stopped exactly at the center, Han Seori sighed as she operated the device while picturing the Jelly Girl’s cute figure in her mind.
Given that the Jelly Girl made her way straight there without encountering any traps, it seemed like this was a situation that called for human intervention.
Han Seori, who was waiting for the Jelly Girl to return,
…narrowed her eyes at the sight of the red dot moving madly fast.
‘Why is she suddenly doing that?’
Despite the device being activated, the Jelly Girl, who had been hesitating near the center, began to move at high speed as if a monster had suddenly appeared.
Fortunately, it seemed she was following the path well and heading toward the exit.
However,
It looked like it would take some time to come out.
If she really was being chased in that situation…
“Haa…”
Han Seori pressed her temples as if she had a headache because the story was taking an undesirable turn.
But what could she do?
It seemed that this happened in the moment she hesitated.
Han Seori, brushing off her seat, stood up and left the room.
“Ugh.”
The blinding sunlight stung her eyes.
It felt like the sun was scolding her, so she mumbled while twisting her lips, and headed toward the man managing Creta’s Labyrinth in KR – 922.
Even so, losing a friendly Singularity would be painful, wouldn’t it?
She must prepare for the worst.
*
The arrow turned.
As I immediately changed direction and rounded the corner, a giant axe swung above my head.
But this time, my knowledge pouch wasn’t slashed with a ‘pfft’ sound.
Futilely, the walls of the maze crumbled, spewing forth their debris.
Too slow.
Whoosh!
As I dodged the swinging axe again, the muscular brute following me roared in apparent frustration.
Looking at him, I had the leisure—thanks to Sosik—to think he seemed rather dumb.
He must’ve pity on my knowledge pouch getting sliced, for he stretched out a tentacle and caught it, preventing it from being slashed and reducing as I moved swiftly.
Thanks to him, my knowledge pouch avoided dangling and getting cut off even with fast movements.
Since there was no clear way to communicate in such an urgent situation, it was pleasant that Sosik took the initiative.
You really can do it when you try, huh?
Not to mention, thinking it was a real crisis, Sosik grabbed a random rock from the ground with his tentacle and…
Whoosh!
“GRRRRAAAH!”
…threw it at the monstrous beast, starting to obstruct its approach.
This seemed to have incited Daesik, who began spurting mucus all over the ground. Though the slimy discharge wasn’t sticky enough to hold the monster down, it was sufficient to delay him momentarily, making our escape a bit smoother.
…Of course.
Crush!
Smoothing doesn’t mean it’s safe.
The brute, unsatisfied with just swinging, now began throwing his axe around.
To avoid the axe that seemed to fill the corridor entirely, I had no choice but to slow down, so we weren’t making much distance from him despite how much I should’ve.
With no way to know how far I’d come, I had no clue how much further the exit was, leaving me in confusion.
At this rate, I might accidentally slip and get flattened by this axe, ending up as a pancake-shaped jelly instantly.
Thud!
“MUUUUUGH!!!”
Meanwhile, Sosik threw a brick that struck the brute on its head. If he were human, that should’ve knocked him down… but he’s so tenacious.
Given how tenacious he was, his taste must surely be awful.
It probably tastes like chewing a rubber band.
Not that I’d ever eat it anyway.
…However,
Sosik’s attack somehow seemed to only fuel the brute’s anger…
Is it just my feeling?
Sosik, seemingly unaware, continuously threw stones while fidgeting with the jelly, looking like he’s relieving some stress.
…What could he possibly be so upset about under normal circumstances?
It’s impossible to know.
How long had we been running like this?
Though my indestructible body felt fine, this intense situation of being chased started to tire my spirit.
As if my focus is slipping…
Like playing a game all night while sitting in a chair, which might ease, but with time your concentration fades and you end up nodding off, ultimately causing your character to die.
…Though helped by the two viscous companions, I feel like I’m walking a tightrope.
Thud!
While jumping over an axe that hit the ground,
Suddenly, I sensed a movement from the direction the arrow was pointing.
We hadn’t encountered such things on the way here, so it was confusing.
However,
Upon closer inspection, it was the people from outside.
What!
They’ve come to help!
I trusted they would!
As I approached them wobbling with my jelly movements, they urgently gestured toward me.
Probably… they’re signaling for me to lie down.
Are they serious?
With that insane muscular beast chasing from behind?
…They can’t possibly not see it, right?
I don’t know.
With my mind slightly tired, I just wanted the situation to end quickly, so I quickly lay down on the ground with the two viscous substances beside me.
In a moment,
Whoosh!
Tatatata!
Boom!
A sound like a giant straw blowing wind was heard, followed by gunshots.
Finally, the loud sound of something like a bomb exploding resounded.
The maze quickly filled with thick black smoke, and figuring they’d finished their preparations, I hurriedly rose and approached them.
“Huff… This should’ve done it, right?”
As I stepped closer, an extremely ominous voice reached my ears.
…Did someone just cast a resurrection spell?
Grind, whoosh!
An axe, emerging from the dark cloud, stole away the life of whoever cast the resurrection spell.
“Keep covering us while we retreat!”
In the baffling situation where no one was moving, someone presumed to be the leader shouted loudly.
That’s when everyone regained their senses and moved in unison. The person who shouted turned to me and said,
“…I don’t know if you understand, but you should follow… Hmm?”
Of course, I was already quickly heading along the arrow, making it an empty call.
Seeing me already fleeing, the voice’s owner hurried after me with surprise.
“To already be running away… You’re a Singularity with less honor than I thought.”
What’s this about honor?
Since you told me to run, that’s what I’m doing…
It would’ve been nice if you had complimented me for listening so well.
While running like this for a while, a mad beast leaped out from within the dense smoke.
The creature, which survived that tremendous explosion, chased after us like a roach that even an insecticide can’t kill.
Guns fired at it and bombs flew.
The bricks must’ve hurt more, as the beast stumbled.
But still stumbling forward… it sent shivers down my jelly.
After running and running while looking at it,
I saw the stairs I’d initially descended.
I rushed up them.
…Of course, the mad beast was with me as well.
Fortunately, it appeared that the beast could no longer use its axe, either because it had abandoned it in the confined space or couldn’t use it.
But,
The beast’s bulging eyes began frothing at the mouth, and it
Got even faster.
Like a boss monster making its final desperate attempt.
The creature’s strong, muscular hand grazed my jelly.
I increased my speed in response to the sudden threat, yet I couldn’t move too fast on the steps.
The running man beside me seemed quite panicked and let out a heavy breath.
Seeing this man run without looking back filled me with envy.
Because continuously looking at that ferocious sight felt like my mental stamina was being chipped away.
By the way,
Would it be fine to bring this guy who doesn’t die from bullets or explosions outside?
…I guess they have everything figured out?
I don’t know.
Shouldn’t I survive first?
Anyhow,
The exit was now right in front of me.
