By Zephyria “I haven’t eaten squid in ages. Don’t you have any spicy dipping sauce, spicy dipping sauce?”
Seo Yakrin licked her lips, gazing at the squid Yoon Seung-ryong was slicing with a seok-seok* sound. The elastic flesh bounced with each cut of the knife. Even Yohan, who had recoiled from the horrific appearance of a monster earlier, swallowed hard at the sight of the appetizing boiled squid.
A spicy and sweet sauce, made instead of vinegar, was served alongside. The squid, having undergone Yohan’s purification, had thick, chewy flesh that was quite satisfying to chew. In addition to that, the nameless fish and shellfish that Seo Yakrin had insisted on retrieving from the lake with her psychokinesis were also prepared for sashimi, grilling, and spicy stew.
After a seafood feast like that, Yoon Seung-ryong handed the remaining ingredients to Joo Ho-young and said seriously,
“Ho-young, please take good care of these.”
“Leave it to me!”
Joo Ho-young, feeling good from eating fresh seafood, rapidly froze the fresh ingredients as Yoon Seung-ryong requested. Yoon Seung-ryong packed the frozen seafood away with a pleased expression. While everyone else was resting, Lee Hyun-muk spoke.
“We’ve confirmed Chan-ha’s abilities sufficiently, so we can proceed with the strategy again.” Let’s rest for about three days and then head for the strategy.The strategy in three days! Yohan’s stomach tightened with anticipation and tension. The group rested deeply, receiving Yohan’s purification, and discussed their plans intermittently. Watching them strategize about formation placement and attack methods, Yohan’s heart pounded for a different reason this time.
‘Amazing….’
The documentary scene of the Sunrise Team he had watched before suddenly came back to him. He had thought the way they discussed and planned before tackling a Rift was truly magnificent, and he couldn’t believe he was now with such people. Suddenly, Yohan had a hopeful thought.
‘If I get out of here, can I become part of the Sunrise Team too?Just thinking about it made him so happy that he was concentrating with sparkling eyes when Seo Yakrin, who was beside him, gently stroked his hair and said, “For this strategy, I’d prefer to receive purification last.” The more I’m out of my mind, the higher my firepower gets. So, I want to fight while maintaining a certain level of madness. Is that possible? What do you think, Team leader? Do you think it’s possible?”
“If things go wrong, it could lead to team killing.”
“That’s right.”
Team killing. The word alone was terrifying to imagine. But surprisingly, Lee Hyun-muk readily agreed.
“I’ll make sure there’s no team killing, so just do your best.”
Yohan thought it was incredible that he readily allowed Seo Yakrin, who he knew could go wild when insane, to do so.
As he watched them discuss, Yohan’s chest gradually stirred. Hope that they could somehow succeed began to well up. His heart pounded at the thought of escaping this dark, foul-smelling Abyss and returning to Earth.
On the last night of their three-day rest, having consumed all the fresh seafood, Yohan approached Lee Hyun-muk. This was one of the advantages after confessing their relationship to everyone. The ability to talk intimately in a low voice without hesitation.
‘They seem pretty reserved for a couple, though.’
That was unavoidable, honestly. Among the Awakened, who were so sensitive they could hear a pin drop, Yohan would have a hard time showing his face if they had engaged in any serious physical intimacy. So, he couldn’t do more than kiss. He simply lay down beside Lee Hyun-muk and asked,
“Can we get out of here?”
He tried to ask as calmly as possible, but the question was involuntarily filled with a desperate wish. Lee Hyun-muk pulled Yohan into his embrace.
“I’d like to tell you we can get out of here. But I don’t see even a high chance of success for tomorrow’s strategy, Yohan.”
“Really? I see….”
Not even a high chance of success tomorrow, Yohan’s voice drooped. Still, he was grateful for the honesty. Lee Hyun-muk comforted Yohan in an endearingly gentle tone that almost brought tears to his eyes.
“But I’ll do my best.”
“I will too.”
Yohan said with an effort to sound cheerful. Then he turned and hugged Lee Hyun-muk tightly. Sharing each other’s warm body, he received comfort and courage. He drifted off to sleep, listening to the crackling fire and the murmurs of his teammates.
He woke up feeling incredibly refreshed, as if he had slept so deeply that he didn’t need to be woken. His purification power was also at its peak, occasionally leaking a faint radiance from the top of his head. While preparing meals and getting ready for battle, everyone subtly took some Light Particles, but he didn’t notice at all.
This morning’s meal was simple. Following the advice that it would be better to fill their stomachs just enough to stave off hunger rather than completely, Yohan also finished his light meal. Standing before the cave, gripping his only equipment, his spear, his heart felt like it would leap out of his chest.
“It would be nice if we could make armor or something from Eternal Stones.”
Seo Yakrin said regretfully. However, there was a reason why they couldn’t utilize the vast piles of Eternal Stones in the Abyss. If more than one Eternal Stone was in contact with the body, it became a hindrance. Control became extremely difficult.
For example, if you needed to attack a monster charging from the right, but your power was discharged to the left, or if you needed to support someone else but your energy dissipated into thin air, what would happen? If you were unlucky, you could die on the spot. For Dealers, the power could even backfire, harming themselves. So, everyone relied on their own regenerative abilities and charged in bare-handed.
“Don’t worry, Yohan-ssi. I’ll do my best to protect you.”
“Please take care of me, Chan-ha Hyung.”
As Yohan took a deep breath and prepared himself, Lee Hyun-muk finally gave the order to advance. Following his command, they descended along the long, dark downward path and once again reached the entrance to the horrific chasm. The center of the Abyss was just ahead. The air was already heavy with a malicious and eerie aura. Yohan’s heart pounded.
“We’ll activate buffs and enter in three seconds.”
Making eye contact with Lee Hyun-muk, Yohan nodded. Joo Ho-young then cast the buffs. Lee Hyun-muk raised his hand and counted down.
“…Enter!”
Led by Lee Hyun-muk, they each jumped into the dark void in turn. They then landed without difficulty on a slope several meters below the entrance. The problem started now.
It was so dark that the light emanating from the small sphere of light Yohan created to protect his teammates from Corruption illuminated the surroundings brightly. More importantly, unlike last time, the core was not exposed and was covered in swarming monsters. No, it was in a shape resembling disgusting candle wax made from melted life forms. Suppressing a wave of nausea, Yohan took a deep breath.
As soon as they entered the center, the monsters reacted violently and swarmed them, just like last time. Sweat soaked the palms gripping his spear. Following the plan they had set, Lee Hyun-muk attacked first.
The shadow cast beneath his feet flickered. Something darker, deeper, and more abyssal than the darkness itself stretched out long and fast in an instant. All the monsters engulfed by the shadow disappeared, creating a path in no time. It was an indescribable attack, always bizarre and terrifying to behold. But now was not the time to be merely afraid and hesitant.
“Haha, ha!”
The degree of Corruption intensifies when using new abilities acquired in the Abyss. Lee Hyun-muk was no exception, bursting into laughter in a calm voice. A smile appeared on his face, which had turned into that of a Madman. Red glints appeared between his falling white hair.
“Singing Nightingale, Uninvited Guest, Pouring Goat, Dancing Echo, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…. Chorus, another chorus! Dissonance, perfect! Applause on the Slope!”
Lee Hyun-muk’s Madman state, muttering incomprehensible nonsense, was as expected. Despite their fear, the team members moved steadily according to the plan. Yoon Seung-ryong acted next. When he opened his ‘pocket,’ a large amount of saltwater collected from the salt lake poured out, forming a wave.
As the monsters cried out and were pushed back by the wave, Joo Ho-young unleashed his ability. Where he quickly passed, solid ice walls like stone were erected, solidifying the path Lee Hyun-muk had cleared. Next, Yohan ran forward and grabbed his hand, and Lee Hyun-muk called out in a sweet voice as he followed willingly.
“My Yangyang.”
“Yes! Let’s run with Yangyang! Quickly!”