Episode 5 – Plague Spider (1)

After taking a short break, we left the temporary base and resumed out search for monsters.

[Hunt down monsters and collect 50 Cores.]

It was a mission that sounded very simple enough. But as we went down the road, the difficulty of the mission slowly increased to a whole new level.

Not only were the monsters stronger now and more difficult to hunt, it also became difficult to find monsters.

Even after we searched the entire area for 30 minutes, we didn't catch the sight of any monsters.

Ruined buildings, abandoned shopping malls, shops, restaurants. We searched everywhere but couldn't find anything.

"Huh? Where are the monsters? Did we kill all of them?"

"No, that's not right. Maybe they just left."

"Something's not right. Why would the monsters suddenly leave?"

Everyone was suspicious. The very thought that we killed all the monsters never crossed my mind. Why? It was simply foolish.

Even though we manage to hunt down some measly packs of bottom feeders, it was impossible to clear the entire monster population in this area.

Something huge was at work here. I could only think of three possible reasons why this place was empty.

One, the monsters entered another territory to look for prey. Not only humans but even monsters struggle to survive. Two, the monsters simply moved on a whim. And then finally...

'A great predator is lingering around.'

A monster on top the food chain is devouring all the bottom feeders. It was very unpleasant. However, we could only advance from here on.

The group continued moving while searching for any sign of monsters. We turned and entered a side street. Now the distance from here to that 'place' was only 100 metres. I could see the Exit 9 sign in the distance.

"We're here."

Everyone stopped at the entrance of the subway station one by one. In the subway station, there was a deep darkness that couldn't be pierced by the flashlights.

Almost as if the place was blocked by a curtain. No, there was definitely a curtain blocking the entrance.

A strange vibe was present in the atmosphere. It was a foreboding that something dangerous was lingering within. An unpleasant feeling, really.

I pulled out my smartphone and started typing something. Honestly, the smartphone was not in use. I was just using it as a disguise to activate a skill.

[A few constellations are wondering what you are doing.]

A screen message. It was a reminder I wasn't alone. Entities outside this world were watching my every move.

It will be weird if they saw me staring into the empty space for a long time. Although a few constellations enjoy watching walkers that are insane, I have no intentions of becoming a monkey.

Anyways.... Let's see.

[Exclusive skill 'Book of Mysteries' has activated.]

[The chapters are being opened.]

The pages of the novel started flipping in my mind.

Which chapter was it again? Chapter 27, 31 or 33. The exact chapter was hard to remember but it should be around that range.

I opened the pages one after the other until I reached the desired chapter. Ah! I found it. Shortly afterwards, information smoothly flowed into my mind.

「 Many changes occured in the world when the First Nightmare arrived. One of them was the Hongik Station. The Station has become the lair of the creatures that dwell within.

They are attracted to light and will attack anything that enters their dwelling. However, they are very weak to fire and explosives. They receive orders from the Mother and will scatter upon her death 」

It was something I already knew but it will not hurt to review. I have I put my smartphone inside my pocket.

"Jakga-ssi?"

Lee Jongho looked at me with a nervous expression. I nodded.

"Yes, we will head inside."

* * *

We entered the subway station and at the same time, multiple messages appeared.

[You have discovered a dungeon.]

[500 coins will be given as compensation.]

[A new sub scenario has arrived!]

+

[Sub Scenario – Subjugation]

Difficulty: D+

Clear Conditions: Hunt down all the monsters in the Dungeon.

Time Limit: None

Compensation: 500 coins

Failure: ???

+

Subjugation. A scenario theme that centres around hunting monsters. The fact that such a scenario appeared must means there was monsters down here.

"Is this really the subway station?"

"Why is it so dark? Where are the lights?"

"I have a bad feeling about this."

The subway station was eerie quiet. Not only that, it was completely dark too. Even with the flashlights, it was difficult to see.

Angelica whispered into my ear by the side.

"Hey, do you think there are monsters in here as well?"

"Shhh! Be quiet."

I gestured for the blond girl to keep quiet. Because, if we were too loud, those things will arrive.

I opened my mouth.

"It's not that there aren't any, they haven't arrived yet."

Angelica trembled nervously after hearing hearing those ominous words.

"...!"

"...!"

Maybe it was because my words were louder than I thought or because this was so quiet, everyone heard my words and stopped moving.

Soom, they realised something.

'If the subway station is now a dungeon...'

'Wouldn't that mean the place will be filled with monsters?'

That's what their expressions seem to say.

The footsteps in the distance and narrowed my eyes. Those guys sure move fast.

"Everyone, turn off your flashlights."

"Huh? What are you saying? Are you crazy?"

"How are we going to see if we don't have light?"

Multiple question-like gazes landed on me. These guys did not understand. The flashlights were the very reason why we are going to get attacked.

But how exactly was I going to explain that to these people without being questioned?

Rumble! Rumble!

Soon, everyone heard what I just heard and their expressions turned pale.

I clicked my tongue once. It was too late. Those guys were already here.

"Everyone, get into positions right now!"

From the other side of this lone passage, several 'somethings' were madly rushing towards us in large groups.

"Wait, I read something online once about bugs living in the darkness. Could those things be..."

"Yunhee, please retain from saying anything that could jinx us right now."

Out of all the monster types in Nightmare, insects were the most troublesome to deal with. Although they were not hard to kill, the problem was that they always move in large groups.

There were multiple cases throughout the story where countless walkers got overwhelmed by the large numbers of the enemy.

Rumble! Rumble!!

The sound of multiple legs rustling on the ground noisily reverberated throughout the subway station. They have gotten close now.

Everyone raised their weapons and nervously waited for the monsters. They watched and watched until the group titled their heads in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Where did they go? Haven't they gotten closer?"

"Lee Jongho, do you see anything in the front?"

They flashed their torches along the railway tracks and tunnel road where the sound was coming from. But there was nothing there. The group became even more confused.

"That's strange. I'm very sure something was coming this way."

"Maybe they went away."

"I don't get it. Why did they just leave?"

No, they didn't turn back. In fact, the enemy was already here, silently looking down at us and waiting for their moment to strike.

Thud—

"Aaaaagh!"

Suddenly, someone among the group spat a scream. It was Kang Manshik.

Crunch! Munch!

Something jumped down on him and munched on the top of his head as if it was a chicken roll. It was a large spider.

His head was quickly devoured then a mixture of blood and an acid-like liquid scattered on the floor. His headless body dropped powerlessly on the ground and Lee Gyeong screamed.

Thud!

In response to the gruesome sight, Yunhee and Jongho swung their weapons at the same time.

Slash! Slam-!!

The spider let a painful cry before dropping dead.

Chweeeek! Chak—!"

The interior of the subway station that has been silent until now was filled with the growls of monsters.

Everyone reflexively raised their heads up towards the source of the sound. Eyes began being opened one by one.

"They were above all this time!"

"Why does it have to be spiders?"

There were multiple spiders positioned on the ceiling. One, two... There were at least twenty of them.

If they were discovered late even for a single second, they would have suffered the same fate as Kang Manshik.

Such a terrifying thought indeed.

I charged the magic gun with magic power and shouted.

"Everyone, get down."

Then I aimed the magic gun towards the ceiling and pulled the trigger.

BOOM!

Kiiieeehhk!! Kiieehh!!

The spiders were swept away by an explosion. Some persistent ones that didn't die in that explosion, landed on the floor before getting back up. In the next moment, they began rushing towards us.

From here onwards, the power of a giant would be needed. Lee Jong-ho infused his body with a giant and swept the spiders away with a powerful swing.

Soon, Yunhee and Angelica leaped into action and pierced the head of the spiders one by one.

Kiiieehhhk…

Kiieehhkk!!

The pained screams of the monsters echoed loud in the subway station. From the intensity of the battle, it didn't look like it would be ending any time soon.

Standing at the back, I continuously used the magic gun to shoot down the monsters from afar. Not only that, I also observed the situation and gave orders to the team.

Basically, I was being the team leader and long-ranger at the same time.

"Jongho! From your left!"

"Angelica! Retreat back and rest for a few minutes!"

"Yunhee! Take Angelica's position!"

"Okay!"

"Gyeong, cover the rear. I will assist you."

"Angelica! Time's up! Go back into position!"

It continued on like this for a long time. The numbers of the spiders were higher than I thought so it was an all-out battle between humans and spiders.

Yunhee was moving quickly like an assassin, Jongho wielded the power of a giant and effortlessly killed the spiders. Angelica and Gyeong didn't fall behind as well.

The performance of everyone was outstanding to say the least. Was it because their teamwork was great or was it because of my leadership skills?

The answer was unclear. Either way, the battle was slowly reaching its conclusion.