18 Diary 18: First Nightmare

Min Soo walks exhaustedly from the starting point, he's quite surprised to see that David is still able to walk miles. Then again, the man is an experienced explorer; he was called an S-ranked explorer for this reason.

However, it's strange to see the man works for two institutions since Min Soo thought that he shouldn't be able to work for two places simultaneously.

Keeping his mind locked under the cover, Min Soo walks forward steadily as his jelly legs start to waver under the pressure and the heating sun. Sweats engulf the young explorer's body, he's not used to long-distance traveling by feet.

Considering that he's used to having someone standby to drive him everywhere, this world surely gives Min Soo a new experience.

As the two move forward in a rhythm, the areas are getting more ominous as they walk a while. The monsters are getting more active and the skies are darker despite the time showing noon. It's still noon, and yet time never seems to move. The grasses and greenery lost their beauty, only to be replaced with dry grey colors.

The vibrant colors are no longer to be seen, the aggressive monsters are roaming in the wilderness as the two try to fend themselves off from the wild. It was as if David already anticipated this outcome, the man is ready to protect Min Soo from danger whenever Min Soo not looking at his surrounding.

This must be what David meant that he doesn't like the idea of the quest. Especially the low wages doesn't worth for the difficulty. David states his complaints while they're walking, Min Soo just silently listens to how David is puzzled by Min Soo's will to help the boy despite the low wages.

Now that he mentions it, Min Soo has always been keeping the cool and imagery of his fans intact, not letting them know his true self. Sometimes he wonders whether what he did was right, he was never been given free will. As a public figure, he doesn't know the concept of freedom.

His puzzled minds seem to be visible, David immediately asks the puzzled mage an intriguing question. Perhaps, the blonde-haired man is curious about what the Idol thinks.

"Do you regret accepting the quest?" David asks.

Min Soo thought about it for a while, but a hint of regret doesn't cross his mind at all. His mind traveled back to the time where he sobs and enveloped himself in David's hug. It is one of the times he's glad that David is there, he didn't ask any questions and hugs him. Strangely enough, Min Soo enjoys the hug he's given.

It was as if he's entranced by his gestures and his mystery, David has always been a mysterious man. Ever since Min Soo 'saved' David from his predicament, he never shares any information about himself except for the Nightsbane Union he owned. He doesn't talk much as well, a charming man but silence is his friend.

Min Soo who is still befuddled with his thought receives a sudden pat on his head. Min Soo turns around only to see David who pouts at him, due to Min Soo neglecting his questions.

"Min Soo, I'm asking whether-".

"No" Min Soo answer short. "I have my reason".

It was a short answer, but David didn't seem to push the inquiries anymore further. It looks like David is the type of person who doesn't want to intrude on someone's issues. David accepts the answer as it is, without asking any more questions. Either that, or he just doesn't care enough to even ask more.

Before Min Soo could walk forward, David suddenly stops on his tracks; causing the Idol behind him also stops as well.

"What's wrong?" Min Soo asks.

David doesn't speak a word as he draws his sword, preparing his fighting stance. Min Soo peeks from behind. The pink-haired young man immediately regrets what he's seen, his mouth gapes open, and his eyes wide open. It appears to be some sort of dark creature, a terrifying one that is.

The creature possessed a pair of devilish crimson eyes, a somewhat thin stature fellow to the point his backbone jutted out from its skin. Min Soo summons his book, from his backpack; he has mastered the art of summoning the book automatically without carrying the book.

He kept his grimoire safe on his backpack, carrying it all the time can be quite tiring. The creature's fearsome long claws dig in a corpse of a dead chicken, tearing each of its organs as the black creature swallows its innards.

"What is that bald thing?" Min Soo thought to himself as his legs shivered under the pressure of a new creature.

It doesn't seem to be a monster, rather the look portrays a demonic vibe. The creature's long skinny legs remind Min Soo of a monstrous being he saw when he's in Seoul. A monster or a ghost called 'Slender-man'. Its looks are similar to Slenderman, except for the pair of red eyes and shark teeth plastered on the pale-skinned oval face.

"Min Soo, get back! This is a demon I told you about" David clicks his tongue. "I advise you to stay hidden and cover yourself with a barrier spell".

"What!? Let me-".

"DO AS I SAY!" David hollers angrily at Min Soo as he charges ahead with his fiery sword to fight the demon who seems to enjoy its feast.

The demon doesn't seem to notice David's presence until he hollers, the fiery sword almost slashes his body to two. However, the sword still slices the demon's hand; rendering his right hand useless.

"David!".

"DON'T GET CLOSER!" David growls at Min Soo who is still petrified behind him. "I DON'T WANT HIM TO SUMMON THE OTHERS-".

After David spoke that word, the demon opens its mouth, emitting a strange shrieking voice. It sounds like the cries of help.

"Dammit!" David slices the demon's head, but the blonde-haired man still sounds dissatisfied regardless. The pro explorer immediately grabs Min Soo's hand, dragging him away from the scene of butchery.

The previous demon is already down, but danger persists. The child-sized demon that devours the chicken was dead, its head rolled on the ground.

The gaped mouth indicates that the younglings don't expect its death to come swiftly.

"Wait, why are we running!?" Min Soo who is still confused lets the blonde-haired man drags him away; albeit a bit exhausted from the running.

"They're going to come" David added.

"Who?".

"The demons" David replies in a sense of urgency as they run as fast as they can.