Episode 2 - Apocalyptic World (4)

In a particularly short period of time, a large number of thoughts flowed through my mind simultaneously. Like a mighty stream that cannot be stopped, each thought appeared after another, making me unable to assimilate them all as I usually did. Meanwhile, I, or should I say my body, was dodging with surprising agility the incessant attacks of the giant monster present nearby, allowing me to make the most of the one minute I had left. This single minute that separated me from the forced deactivation of my skill, making me regain complete control over my body

It was then that I felt something deep inside me that I had never felt before. I felt like I was being split in two, like my own soul was being separated into two equal pieces of the same size. It was painful, extremely painful, and there was no doubt that I would have fallen to the ground writhing in pain by now if I had complete control of my body. However, to my great surprise, I had managed to contain it for a long time, as if I had been used to it for a long time now. At the same time that the pain started to subside, a powerful light illuminated the place and when it disappeared, I couldn't believe what my own eyes were seeing

In front of me, only a few meters away, a man was watching far ahead with his back to me and remaining silent. The sudden arrival of anyone should have made me happy, removing the slight fear in my soul, yet it only added doubt and fear. He was a slightly taller than average man, with a thin, rounded face and very pale skin. He had black hair, close to brown, fine and silky, long eyelashes and dark circles marked by a flagrant lack of sleep

[The exclusive skill, Avatar, is activated!]

The problem, the main reason for my concern, was that this person looked like me, was exactly like me. It was like looking in a mirror, every detail had been reproduced. In an instant, the exact copy of myself began to move and ran towards the spider without feeling any fear for its life

[Analysis complete. The exclusive Avatar skill allows the user to be able to shape clones of themselves and mold their appearance as they see fit. However, the clones must have one or more memories belonging to the original user of the skill. It is possible for the user to access the senses and control a clone remotely]

So all this had happened without my even knowing it, and I had endowed a clone of myself with one of my memories. I was so surprised that my mind was empty of all thoughts, and I began to run towards the giant arachnid in turn. The reason for this was simple to understand, my clone would get the spider's attention while I was running away. Anyway, I didn't have anything else in mind at the moment. I swallowed my own saliva, and ran faster than usual

As I had imagined earlier, my clone distracted the spider from me and with the help of my frantic running, it was now behind me. My legs ached, but I kept running without stopping, almost panting. I turned my head back to see if I was safe, and saw my own clone disintegrate as an ancient memory found its place. The spider let out a shrill, high-pitched scream as it slammed its large legs into the ground, angry at being so easily trapped, and began to move

Unfortunately for her, I had already reached the place I wanted to go, the nearest subway station. Once I was safe, I spent a few minutes catching my breath before looking around. Everything was lifeless, silent and without any survivors from the first scenario. I thought I would find the other survivors from the first scenario in the subway, mainly Lee Seolhwa, but no one. It was, however, the closest subway station to where we were. Had he decided by mutual agreement to go further than what was planned?

"You, there! Dressed like a bureaucrat!"

Taken aback, I turned around and found myself dazzled by a light, surely the flash of a phone. The person in front of me was unmistakably elderly, armed with a bloody iron pipe and a cell phone used as a lamp. While turning my head away from the light and half closing my eyes, I spoke, trying to be as friendly as possible

"I don't mean you any harm. I came here because the scenario calls for it, but there are no other people here besides the two of us"

He looked skeptical, searching my eyes for any trace of hostility, before he sighed and turned his back on me

"It's normal, we're all on the deepest floor of the station. We're not going to stay on this floor of the subway station with the stuff out there, that would be signing our death warrant"

"It's understandable"

He didn't say anything, remaining motionless, his breath hot, before slowly descending the stairs nearby. He had to kill someone to survive, surely he knew that some people were never the same after that. 

"Follow me, politician. I will take you to the others" 

"Choi Jakga"

"That's a funny name"

"I hear it often"

Surely judging by the few words I'd just spoken, the old man simply shrugged his shoulders and continued down the stairs, with me following close behind so as not to lose sight of him. As I descended the stairs, I pondered what was about to happen. I was about to meet other survivors, people who had made it through the first scenario. How should I react? Should I remain on the defensive or try to socialize with some of them?

The future was uncertain. What's more, I doubted that the dokkaebis would be able to stop with just this scenario, so it was important to make alliances and find trustworthy partners. Deep in thought, I hadn't even noticed that we'd already arrived. There were quite a few people around me, and some were even staring at me. It was peculiar, but I made light of it and kept moving. Then I suddenly heard a voice from behind me, and when I turned my head...

"It's really you! My God, it's really you!"

Before I could utter a single word, I saw several people start running in my direction. It was unexpected, and I didn't remember having any connection with anyone who might be here. One of them was a woman with white hair and red lips, and my mind instantly made the connection. These were the survivors of the subway train I was also on. They were Lee Seolhwa and Seon Chungho

"We didn't think we'd see you again, with all that happened back there"

"It's good to know we didn't abandon anyone to certain death..."

[The constellation 'Demon-like Judge of Fire" rejoices at this meeting]

[200 coins have been sponsored]

I just stood there, saying nothing. Surprisingly, they seemed happy to see me alive and in one piece. Leaving me behind must surely have affected both their spirits, perhaps even severely. I should have responded to this with a smile and said everything was fine, but I couldn't. Extreme fatigue had taken over my whole body and every muscle in an instant. I could feel my own mind wavering, my body losing its initial strength and my mind no longer working in its usual way. It really wasn't the time, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I took a step backwards, then another forward, and my body suddenly collapsed in place, like a house of cards losing a bottom card. The last things my eyes saw before they closed were worried looks and Lee Seolhwa's feet closing in on me.

[Information. The sudden and intense use of skills has consumed all the energy present in the body. The body now enters a state of rest to recover]

I was so sleepy...