This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 383

Due to the overall chaos, I temporarily forgot about Yoonseo, Chae-rim, and even myself.

The reason being was Bora, who had left the house early in the morning, saying she was going to the studio.

If we think about it, it’s the same for the Senior; shouldn’t I also be thinking about her?

Of course, I did think about the Senior.

I did think about her, but… it wasn’t the same kind of worrying as it was with Bora.

After all, no matter what happened, I thought the Senior wouldn’t be in trouble.

Given her previous main contributions had nearly all been about subduing or capturing villains, she ended up with a somewhat unsatisfactory image of being just an “average combat tool.”

That said, leaving everything else aside, if we’re talking about destructive power?

With the overwhelming image of destruction lightning embodied and her astonishing performances, the only one who could even compare to Chae-rim, known as the strongest, was the Senior.

‘Normally, when she’s active, she probably controls her strength out of caution…’

But what if she faced an opponent who didn’t need to control their strength, or if the situation didn’t call for moderation at all?

The moment the Senior unleashes her talent, the surroundings would literally be obliterated.

‘Perhaps…’

I can only assume it would look like a bomb had gone off.

Unlike the Senior, who could easily wipe everything out if things went south, I honestly had my doubts about whether Bora could even protect herself.

At least, that’s how I felt.

‘Of course…’

Although I’m quite confident I’ve studied a good amount about talents, I still can’t fully grasp Bora’s talent, so depending on how she utilizes it, she could show something incredible…

Still, I can’t shake off the unease.

Therefore, since we’re in this situation, it seemed best to visit Bora’s studio nearby in case she might be hiding there.

“Where is Bora’s studio again?”

Chae-rim, seemingly pondering my question for a moment, then hastily said, “I know.”

So instead of heading directly to the Association, we decided to stop by Bora’s studio.

“But… do you think she’s still there?”

As we started moving toward her studio, Yoonseo chimed in.

“It seems like a lot of chaos has been going on for quite a while… wouldn’t she have evacuated to a nearby shelter by now?”

“Ah, um…”

“Shouldn’t we at least contact her just in case?”

That was a reasonable suggestion, so I paused and took out my mobile phone.

I was about to call Bora…

“Wait a moment.”

Chae-rim, who stood a bit ahead and was on guard, stopped me.

“Just in case, let’s text her instead.”

It would be fortunate if Bora was hiding in a relatively safe place, but if it wasn’t the case, we had to consider that possibility too.

As Chae-rim suggested, if it were really a dangerous situation, my call could actually be more of a hindrance than a help, so I quickly switched to drafting a text for Bora.

While I was at it, I also wrote a message for the Senior as well.

After sending a message asking about the current situation to Bora’s number stored in my phone, I wonder how long it took.

While anxiously waiting for a reply, thinking about the possibility of a real dangerous situation…

The mobile phone that I had clenched in my hand vibrated briefly.

I checked it immediately and found a message from Bora saying she couldn’t dare leave the studio due to the sudden chaos outside.

The concerning part was something she added at the end of the message.

“What’s going on? Is it a really dangerous situation?”

“No, not really…”

That wasn’t the case.

According to Bora’s message, while there were occasional sounds of explosions and screams coming from outside, it was relatively quiet inside the building where she was hiding.

Yet, the reason my expression hardened was simple.

“What do you mean?”

“Uh… there’s something strange outside the building…”

What she meant was a creature that had the body of a human but sported a black, armored shell like that of an another.

That was the strange entity Bora was referring to.

And the moment I read Bora’s description, a specific image popped into my head: the one that had made my left arm like this, distinct from the generally known Another ones.

If such a creature really existed beyond the one I had fought before…

And if the monsters she mentioned were a combination of humans and Anothers, forming as a result of their power?

Things could take a turn for the worse.

There was no other option, since if those creatures crossed over to our side… their ultimate target was honestly pretty clear.

‘Another transformation of the Heroes…’

Honestly, I still didn’t truly believe such a thing could happen.

I wasn’t sure, but… one thing was for certain.

The original target of the needle that had pierced my left hand was none other than Chae-rim.

It was the same then, so it was entirely possible that those creatures would aim at that again.

And if that really was their target?

The “strange thing” mentioned in Bora’s text was likely a lure to draw in the heroes, as well as a means to distract them.

Just as I reached that conclusion, Chae-rim seemed to have come to a similar one.

“…Wait a moment.”

With that, Chae-rim paused for a moment and began typing on her phone, wearing a serious expression.

Her fingers moved quickly without a break, as if she were checking whether there were sightings of Anothers resembling the one we had seen before, which looked like that wasp creature.

“I’m sorry for making you wait. Let’s move again.”

It seemed she didn’t find any lead handy, so after holding her phone briefly, Chae-rim turned back and started walking ahead again.

How long had we been walking toward the building where Bora was hiding?

“Wall!”

Just as the thought crossed my mind that we would soon arrive, Chae-rim suddenly shouted like that.

A wall of water surged from the air, enveloping us just moments after her exclamation.

And at that moment, before the surroundings were completely wrapped in a blue wall of water—

“Ugh…?!”

Something crimson flew from somewhere and hit the wall.

Sssssssssss—that sound of boiling water quickly engulfed our surroundings.

With the steam rising, the scenery turned hazy all around us.

Perhaps due to the thick fog that enveloped everything, it felt like we were suddenly thrown into a mist.

And as the fog cleared, what appeared before us was…

—Kirikk? Kirirruk?

A creature that had a human body but the heads of Anothers, just as Bora described.

Looking at the fiery orbs igniting above the creature’s head, I thought—maybe… we might already be too late.