“Gasp! Haa…!”
An armed man emerged from the passage connected to the Singularity, breathing heavily. Following him, others dressed similarly appeared one after another.
Unable to withstand the momentum, someone stumbled and fell while rushing out. A few of those stationed near the entrance quickly and efficiently moved to clear the way.
After catching their breath, the ones gasping outside joined the group.
The equipment held by the crowd aimed at the entrance was… remarkably varied.
Though their uniforms and gear were perfectly uniform, the weapons in their hands were as diverse as if they were from a flea market.
Some wielded menacing firearms, while others carried what appeared to be butchering knives, seemingly crafted with great effort in a forge.
Some held long staffs, as if prepared to subdue a large beast, while others stood crouched, muscular figures reminiscent of mythological heroes.
They awaited the emergence of the massive cow-monster.
Could this really be of any use?
Despite the lingering doubt in their minds, since the last transmission showed the monster had discarded its weapon, it seemed somewhat feasible.
While it was impossible to fully comprehend the nature of Singularities, their weaknesses—surprisingly ridiculous ones—were not entirely out of the question.
Didn’t something as trivial as a can opener or an ordinary axe serve as a weakness in some cases?
“Swallow.”
But there was no escaping the tension.
If they couldn’t subdue it, the preparation to collapse this entire space had already been completed. While they could claim to have done all they could, the question remained—if everyone would survive?
To that, there seemed to be no one who could answer “yes.”
“Hmph…”
Han Seori, standing slightly apart and observing them, suppressed a sigh.
“The situation escalated more than I anticipated.”
Initially, Han Seori merely intended to map the labyrinth below to understand its nature. She had hoped, albeit mildly, to find a clue to seal it, but she hadn’t expected events to flow this way, leaving her slightly disoriented.
There had been no apparent gain, no immediate method to seal it, and thus it was only being managed—until now. The anomaly in Creta’s Labyrinth, 7496 – KR, had unexpectedly manifested.
…Would someone create a new myth, or would the figure within crumble like the powerless humans in ancient tales?
The result would reveal itself momentarily.
Recalling the Jelly Girl, whose actions led to this situation (though Han Seori admitted partial culpability), an uneasy realization struck her. The Jelly Girl seemed more competent, if that was the right word, than expected.
Considering the emergence of these irregularities, she suspected someone—or something—must have tampered with the core of the Singularity.
Moreover, why a cow-monster?
The nickname ‘Creta’s Labyrinth’ had inadvertently proven to be oddly fitting, leaving Han Seori with an unsettling sensation.
In front of them, those anxiously awaiting the Jelly Girl and the cow-monster wielded weapons that seemed somewhat… anachronistic. Without time to verify their efficiency, they had to resort to immediate action. Though it felt somewhat unreasonable, there was nothing to be done.
Should this truly be myth-inspired, it might even prove effective.
Of course, in the myth, Ariadne merely helped Theseus find his way out of the maze. Ultimately, it was Theseus’s physical prowess that subdued the minotaur.
Could that be replicated by modern humans, or even by someone who fit the mythological standard?
It wasn’t feasible to hastily recruit a UFC Champion, leaving them to rely on the operatives before them.
With no time to prepare otherwise, they could only hope not to resort to their final contingency.
Finally…
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A colossal sound resonated from within the Singularity. Even Han Seori and those anticipating the monster felt a chill down their spines.
Just holding their ground without fleeing was, arguably, a commendable feat.
Soon after, an enormous cloud of dust erupted, signaling the creature’s proximity.
Bang!
“Mooorrrr!”
With a thunderous roar, someone emerged from the dust, carrying the Jelly Girl in his arms. The figure burst out, clutching 7496 – KR’s Jelly Girl, who in turn held her twin globules of mucus.
Behind them, escaping an explosion, emerged the outline of an unexpectedly massive creature.
Its bulging arms looked capable of reducing a person to a puddle of blood.
It was doubtful anyone would dare approach it with butchering knives, let alone bare hands.
Still, no one could blame them for their hesitation; there were no heroes present.
But humans could still struggle in their defense.
“Fire at it!”
At the mysterious entity that emerged from the Singularity, humanity unleashed one of its most fearsome creations.
The deafening explosion of gunpowder and the whizz of projectiles filled the air. A colossal cloud of dust dwarfed the one brought by the Jelly Girl and her companion, yet the humans, pale-faced, showed no signs of stopping their assault.
Their desperate barrage grew stronger, their expressions hardened with unwavering determination. Should anyone ask, “Did we defeat it?” they’d likely silence them promptly.
“Urrrrggghh! Roar!”
Their relentless attack seemed to wound the cow-monster, its cries of anguish echoing through the air.
Encouraged by small signs of hope, the humans continued their barrage.
How long had this been going on?
Just as someone began pondering if this “thing” was even defeatable, the humans had to stop. They’d exhausted all their prepared munitions, and the deafening cries of the monster had finally ceased.
Given prior incidents where magical chants had rendered someone inhuman, no one dared to speak prematurely.
“Gulp.”
A sound of someone swallowing their saliva echoed.
As the dust began to settle with a gentle breeze, silence prevailed.
When the dust finally cleared…
“…”
“Huh.”
“…This is…”
Voices filled with a mix of relief and disappointment emerged. The hulking figure that had seemed invincible moments ago lay defeated.
Most celebrated the creature’s demise, yet some gazed at it with a trace of bitterness.
“…So humanity alone can’t handle these threats after all?”
The creature’s lower body was gone, seemingly swallowed by what was initially the entrance to ‘Creta’s Labyrinth’.
The sudden disappearance of the entrance and the monster’s lower half were likely linked.
Perhaps humanity’s struggle had only served to delay its inevitable demise.
A bitter taste lingered in their mouths.
…At least they could take solace in the fact that even this monstrous creation had its biological limits.
Amidst this peculiar atmosphere, the immediate threat seemed to have passed.
Desperately running, I suddenly recalled my indifference to the demise of someone who tried to help me moments ago.
…While the situation was sudden, it was almost expected to recall the dead in moments where death loomed.
Yet, I was strangely apathetic toward that nameless person.
Was it because there was no time to reflect during the abrupt events?
Or was my weary mind blocking distressing thoughts?
…Or maybe, unconsciously, I just didn’t care about someone I didn’t know.
Startled by this unexpected disconnection, the man walking with me clicked his tongue and lifted me into his arms.
“Hmph… You must be exhausted.”
No, I wasn’t really, but I was undoubtedly confused.
Had I lost my ability to empathize by becoming jelly?
…I don’t know; it wasn’t as though I couldn’t feel emotions, which made it all even more perplexing.
Anyway…
As my thoughts lingered, a whiff of fresh air drifted in.
But it was short-lived.
Someone’s cry was followed by an even louder roar and explosion than before.
“Gasp… Haa…”
The man holding me, possibly relieved, collapsed to the ground without bothering to rise.
Still, he seemed to be breathing, so I slipped out of his arms and stood up.
Suddenly, Han Seori appeared from somewhere and picked me up.
“…”
“You’re safe.”
She murmured, then retreated slightly while holding me, gazing at the swirling dust.
Even as I watched it with her, an unsettling feeling washed over me.
…Would this end it?
It seemed fine earlier.
Yet, as if my doubts acted as a death curse, the creature appeared to have split in half… and was dead.
Not killed by guns and bombs, but apparently due to the disappearance of the space I had escaped from.
Han Seori let out a slightly bitter sigh of relief.
“…”
“Since it’s dead, let’s consider it resolved.”
With that, she gently placed me on the ground and signaled someone.
“Bring the containment box.”
While others were clearing the remains of the cow-monster,
Han Seori, crouching and meeting my eyes, asked,
“Would it be alright if I take what’s inside you?”
…Hmm?
Confused by her words, I noticed a bead floating inside me.
…I had completely forgotten about it amid the chaos.
Considering handing over the bead through spitting it out, I quickly abandoned the idea. That just seemed… inappropriate. I’m not a cat spitting out hairballs.
Silently (which I couldn’t do anyway), I gave a slight nod.
Smiling as if expecting this, Han Seori then reached into me.
“Squelch!”
Her slender, pale fingers plunged into the jelly.
…Ah, wai… hold on, that’s kinda… awkward.
Her fingers smelled faintly of potato snacks I occasionally indulged in.
Too… much.
