It's a Trap

Sijun focused his mind and activated his Investigation skill. He scanned the hut, searching for any hidden clues or secrets.

As he scanned, his guide system flashed a new message.

"Detection: hidden compartment detected in the hut's wall."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What could be hidden in the compartment?

He turned to Joon Woo and whispered, "I think I found something. Follow me."

Joon Woo nodded, his expression serious. Together, they walked towards the hut, ready to investigate further.

As they entered the hut, Sijun's guide system flashed another message.

"Detection: Marcus is hiding something. Recommend caution."

Sijun's eyes met Joon Woo's, and they exchanged a silent understanding.

They would have to be careful, but they were determined to uncover the truth.

Marcus, the settlement's leader, looked up at them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"Can I help you?" Marcus asked, his voice neutral.

Sijun smiled, his eyes locked onto Marcus's.

"We're just here to ask a few questions," Sijun said, his voice friendly.

Marcus's expression didn't change, but Sijun's guide system detected a slight increase in his heart rate.

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What was Marcus hiding?

Status Window:

Joon Woo (Regressor, 87th Cycle)

Level: 87

HP: 1000/1000

MP: 500/500

Skills: Regression, Swordsmanship, Hand-to-Hand Combat

Regression Ability: Stable (thanks to Sijun's guidance)

Sijun (Transmigrated Reader)

Level: 1

HP: 100/100

MP: 50/50

Skills: Guide System, Status Window, Information Gathering, Perception, Investigation

New Skill: Deception Detection (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for detecting deception)

Sijun focused his mind and activated his Deception Detection skill. He listened carefully to Marcus's words, scanning for any signs of deception.

Marcus smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "We're just a simple settlement, trying to survive in a harsh world."

Sijun's guide system flashed a new message.

"Deception detected: Marcus is hiding something, but it's not clear what."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What was Marcus hiding?

He turned to Joon Woo and whispered, "I think Marcus is lying. But I'm not sure what he's hiding."

Joon Woo's expression turned serious. "Let's keep pushing him," he whispered back. "See if we can get him to crack."

Sijun nodded, his eyes locked onto Marcus's. "So, Marcus," he said. "Can you tell us more about the settlement's history? How did you all end up here?"

Marcus's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "Ah, yes," he said. "Well, we've been here for... um... about five years now, I think."

Sijun's guide system flashed another message.

"Deception detected: Marcus is lying about the settlement's history."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What was Marcus hiding?

Status Window:

New Skill: Interrogation (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for successfully interrogating NPCs)

Sijun leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Marcus's. "So, Marcus," he said. "Can you tell us more about the settlement's history? What happened before you all arrived here?"

Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting back and forth between Sijun and Joon Woo.

"I... uh... I don't know what you're talking about," Marcus stammered.

Sijun's guide system flashed another message.

"Deception detected: Marcus is hiding something big."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What was Marcus hiding?

Joon Woo leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Marcus's. "Listen, Marcus," he said. "We know you're hiding something. It's better if you just tell us the truth."

Marcus's face paled, and he looked like he was about to collapse.

"I... I didn't mean to," Marcus stammered. "It just happened. And then... and then it was too late."

Sijun's eyes widened, his mind racing. What had Marcus done?

Status Window

New Skill: Persuasion (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for successfully persuading NPCs)

Sijun decided to use his Persuasion skill to try and get Marcus to tell the truth. He leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Marcus's.

"Marcus, we're not here to hurt you," Sijun said, his voice calm and soothing. "We just want to know the truth. What happened before you all arrived here?"

Marcus looked up at Sijun, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and desperation.

"I... I don't know if I should tell you," Marcus stammered.

Sijun's Persuasion skill kicked in, and he could sense Marcus's resolve weakening.

"Marcus, we're here to help," Sijun said, his voice gentle but firm. "We won't judge you. Just tell us the truth."

Marcus took a deep breath, and then began to speak.

"It was... it was an experiment," Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. "A scientist came to our town, promising us a better life. But it was all a lie. He was using us as test subjects for some kind of serum."

Sijun's eyes widened, his mind racing. What kind of serum?

Joon Woo's expression turned grim. "What happened to the scientist?" he asked.

Marcus's eyes dropped, and he looked away.

"He... he's still here," Marcus said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's been hiding in the settlement, controlling everything from the shadows."

Sijun's guide system flashed a new message.

"Warning: high-level threat detected. Recommend caution.

New Skill: Threat Detection (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for detecting high-level threat)

Sijun and Joon Woo decided to gather more information about the scientist and his serum. They spent the rest of the day talking to the settlers, gathering clues and piecing together the truth.

As the sun began to set, Sijun and Joon Woo found themselves alone in a small room, pouring over the information they had gathered.

Sijun looked up at Joon Woo, his eyes locking onto Joon Woo's. "We make a good team," Sijun said, his voice low and husky.

Joon Woo's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "We do," he said, his voice equally low.

Sijun's heart skipped a beat as Joon Woo's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. He felt a flutter in his chest, and before he knew it, Joon Woo was leaning in, his lips brushing against Sijun's.

Sijun's eyes closed, and he let out a soft sigh as Joon Woo's lips moved against his. It was a gentle, exploratory kiss, but it sent shivers down Sijun's spine.

As they pulled back, Sijun's eyes met Joon Woo's, and he saw the same spark of attraction reflected back at him.

"I've wanted to do that for a while now," Joon Woo said, his voice low and husky.

Sijun's face flushed, but he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "I've wanted you to," he said, his voice equally low.

Joon Woo's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and then he leaned in again, his lips brushing against Sijun's in a deeper, more passionate kiss.

This time, Sijun felt his heart racing, his pulse pounding in his ears. He wrapped his arms around Joon Woo, deepening the kiss as they stood there, lost in the moment.

Status Window

New Skill: Intimacy (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for intimate interactions with Joon Woo)

As they pulled back from their kiss, Sijun's face was flushed, and his heart was still racing. Joon Woo's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair out of Sijun's face.

"I'm glad we finally did that," Joon Woo said, his voice low and husky.

Sijun's face grew even hotter, but he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. "Me too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Sijun's guide system flashed a new message.

"Recommendation: prioritize your relationship with Joon Woo. A strong bond between you will increase your chances of success in the future."

Sijun's eyes met Joon Woo's, and he saw the same spark of attraction reflected back at him. He knew that their relationship was still in its early stages, but he was excited to see where it would go.

As they stood there, lost in each other's eyes, Sijun's guide system flashed another message.

"Warning: the scientist's control over the settlement is growing stronger. You must act soon to stop him."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. They couldn't let the scientist's control over the settlement continue to grow. They had to act, and fast.

"Joon Woo, we need to talk," Sijun said, his voice serious.

Joon Woo's expression turned serious, and he nodded. "What is it?"

Sijun took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto Joon Woo's. "We need to stop the scientist. His control over the settlement is growing stronger, and we can't let that happen."

Joon Woo's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "I'm with you," he said. "Let's do it."

New Skill: Strategic Thinking (passive skill that provides bonus experience points for developing effective strategies)

Sijun and Joon Woo decided to develop a strategy to stop the scientist. They spent hours gathering information, analyzing the scientist's plans, and brainstorming ways to counter them.

As they worked, Sijun's guide system flashed a new message.

"Recommendation: use your Intimacy skill to strengthen your bond with Joon Woo. A strong bond will increase your chances of success in the future."

Sijun's eyes met Joon Woo's, and he saw the same spark of attraction reflected back at him. He knew that their relationship was still in its early stages, but he was excited to see where it would go.

As they took a break to rest and recharge, Sijun leaned in and kissed Joon Woo softly on the lips.

"I'm glad we're in this together," Sijun said, his voice low and husky.

Joon Woo's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Me too," he said, his voice equally low.

Just as they were about to kiss again, Sijun's guide system flashed a warning.

"Warning: the scientist has discovered your plan. He is preparing to launch a counterattack."

Sijun's eyes widened, his heart racing. They had to act fast, or risk being caught off guard.

"Joon Woo, we have to go," Sijun said, his voice urgent.

Joon Woo's expression turned serious, and he nodded. "Let's do it."

As they rushed out of the room, Sijun's guide system flashed another message.

"Warning: the scientist has set a trap for you. Be careful, or risk falling into his trap."

Sijun's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. What kind of trap had the scientist set for them?

And then, just as they were about to exit the settlement, Sijun heard a voice behind him.

"Welcome, Sijun," the voice said. "I've been waiting for you."

Sijun turned to see the scientist standing behind him, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"No," Sijun whispered, his heart sinking. "It's a trap."

And with that, everything went black.

To be continued...