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“Actually…I am a member of the Supernatural Disaster Management Bureau.”
He wasn’t.
But the moment he said that, the gazes of the people around him intensified to the point of discomfort. It was a hopeful gaze that one directed at salvation in the midst of a disaster. Kim Soleum raised his hand to the [Silver Heart Badge] that he’d hurriedly pinned to his chest, hiding his nervousness so as to not ruin this precious moment.
He looked towards the two new victims that just entered. They were also focused on him, their expressions deep in thought. Perhaps it was because they had only entered for a short period of time, and hadn’t encountered any strange happenings or monsters, they seemed very calm. But there were some here who’d already been trapped in this place for a week, and Kim Soleum, who came here before the two of them, had also been stuck here for nearly two days. The snacks and drinks they’d scavenged from the various classrooms had long been depleted, and the threat of death looming over their heads was affecting everyone’s mental state.
That was why, upon seeing the impeccably dressed newcomers “rashly” suggesting escape, the fear that had already reached a peak swiftly boiled over, and the long-term victims who were on the verge of collapse broke out in a fierce confrontation with them.
“......Like people specialised to respond in these types of situations. Something similar to firefighters…Look, here’s the badge to prove my identity.”
This was also a lie. Although the distribution was now heavily restricted and only limited to bureau agents, the [Silver Heart Badge] had once been sparsely given out to a few citizens who performed huge meritorious deeds.
“Please believe me, I’m quite experienced in this.”
—This was true.
“......So, for the time being, everyone should try to stay calm, I’ll bring you all out of here.”
Kim Soleum shrunk his shoulders and slightly lowered his head. He fixed everyone with a reassuring yet determined gaze. His firm voice as he delivered the flimsy promise sounded calm and sure. That, along with the effects of the silver heart, was unexpectedly effective in halting the conflict among the survivors and putting a stop to further breakdowns.
As for those that muttered out curses in dissatisfaction, he was grateful enough that it was only at this level.
Kim Soleum navigated past the survivors that adequately understood the situation they were in, and stood in front of the two that had no idea what was going on here. He maintained a polite demeanor that even he found a bit ridiculous, “Hello.”
“......”
Fortunately, the other person willingly extended their hand amidst the awkwardness, smiling at Kim Soleum, “Hello–”
“Please listen to me calmly,” Kim Soleum quickly interrupted. He observed the two newcomers with unusual demeanors, and made a motion to adjust his glasses, before realising there was nothing resting on his nose and letting his hand fall back. “This school building is like a famed escape room, it’s impossible to escape from the windows or the roof. Even if the nailed down boards are pried apart, there will only be rock hard stone beneath it. Simply put, it can be concluded that this building, along with us, is buried under the earth. Below…the lower floors are currently inaccessible, and there are many monsters roaming the corridors. This is the type of place we’ve found ourselves in.”
No, his vision was a hundred percent healthy.
Only by considering many different aspects and choosing the best attitude as befitting the situation, can one have the highest chance of obtaining cooperation. This was the painstaking experience he’d attained after many years of struggling under the cruel thumb of fate.
As expected, the man who’d been stuck in a confrontation earlier, a man with an intimidating appearance and a gruesome scar on his neck, was now choosing to cooperate with him. “True, I do seem to faintly hear strange sounds that resemble a beast’s, that what you mean?”
“Yes. Something resembling terrifying water monsters. Fortunately, they don’t enter the classrooms.”
“That’s pretty tough.”
The other party tilted their head with a thoughtful expression. An expression didn’t seem to be afraid, but also not like an expression of disbelief (“Anyways, we’ve already ended up in such a strange place, no?” He suddenly looked at Kim Soleum and grinned as he spoke.), his gutsiness truly made one envious.
They were quick to understand the situation. These two had strong adaptability. Kim Soleum’s heart involuntarily began to race, his insides surging with gratitude.
“But there is a way to deal with them. Although they move very fast, as long as you keep your eyes on them and ensure your mind is empty of thoughts, you’ll be able to stop them from moving. That is why, as long as three individuals face back-to-back, it will be safe to move. And then there’s—this.”
Kim Soleum showed them the key in his hands.
The two lowered their heads, carefully scrutinising the unassuming object rusted over and covered in gunk.
“The monster will completely turn to stone once you insert the key into the keyhole located on their abdomen. And we can only leave from the very bottom once we've turned them all to stone.” Kim Soleum tightly gripped the key, forcing down his nausea, “......I will complete this step.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But as you can see—”
Kim Soleum turned to look behind. Everyone who met his gaze all looked away with either guilt or fear. He bitterly lowered his gaze, turning back to face the two with watery doe eyes. Nervously, he ventured, “I need the help of partners willing to walk in front of the monsters with me?”
The tall guy with black hair made to say something, and was stopped by his companion. He had a mystified expression as he shut his mouth.
“So when we came in just now, that commotion was actually you trying to encourage the rest to go say hi to the monsters with you?” That person crossed his arms and looked at Kim Soleum, whose head was sinking lower and lower, tapping his finger, “It's extremely hard to have zero thoughts in your head, especially in front of a scary monster that could kill you at any moment, you—Ack!”
The tall man withdrew his fist, unable to look on any further. “We’ll help you.”
He glared at the other person imposingly, but his gaze gentled as it moved over to the Silver Heart Badge pinned on Kim Soleum’s chest. In a friendly tone, he remarked, “That's a very pretty badge.”
“Yes.” Kim Soleum raised his head in confusion at the topic change, and subconsciously rubbed the badge. His face flickered with barely discernible pride and accomplishment.
Perhaps this person understood the conditions for receiving the Silver Heart.
“How should we address you?”
“......‘Grapes’, is fine.” The underlying meaning was to prioritise safety. It was unwise to provide their real name in this sort of place.
“Understood, then please call me ‘Bronze’.” Bronze nodded his head in approval. Considering his attitude, perhaps it was his way of showing goodwill.
The man with a scar retracted his grimace, and adopted a deliberately thoughtful look while staring at Kim Soleum. “My name huh……Grapes can call me ‘Sunbae’ then.”
Wow, these kinds of people also exist.
But, in the interest of not arguing over unimportant matters in this situation, Kim Soleum tentatively agreed.
Bronze seemed to have a headache, as he shot his partner a warning glance. The latter returned his look with a carefree grin.
*
At last, the three of them approached the door to the classroom. They formed a circle with their backs facing each other, slowly inching along the corridor.
“You don't seem to be wearing a governmental uniform?”
“This place rejects the entry of those who are obviously associated with the government.” Kim Soleum explained.
Among the victims that were trapped, there was a woman that had been with her husband who was wearing a police officer uniform. However, she was the only one that appeared in the ghost story in the end.
Kim Soleum grasped the cold, damp object in his pocket. That woman had sacrificed herself to obtain it.
But she will never be able to see her husband again.
“But just now in the classroom you……?”
“Ah, there's no problem if you've already entered.”
“So that’s how it is.” Kim Soleum could feel Bronze nodding his head from where he was sticking closely to his back. “You seem to be very familiar with this place.”
Because my ‘interest’ isn’t just in the broader sense of the word. Kim Soleum thought in a depressing yet joking manner. He didn’t say it out loud.
This was a ghost story that couldn't be resolved alone. He wished to obtain their trust and support as much as possible, and so he voluntarily gave out more information. “This key, it was actually retrieved from the 2nd floor stairwell on the west side.”
“That pond full of raised hands?”
“You know…? Mm, that’s right.”
They were currently on the 4th floor. The lowest floor they could reach was the 2nd floor. This was due to the ominous, murky black water submerging the rest of the stairs leading below. And on the stairs to the west, corpse-like, grayish-white arms that stretched vertically out of the water covered the entire surface.
Kim Soleum’s entire body stiffened, before he slowly loosened up, trying to forcibly banish the image from his mind. “You’ll be able to exchange for a key if you shake hands with one of those arms and tell it a school-related ghost story while facing the water.”
He paused for a moment, skipping over the gory, bloodsoaked details of what happened after they retrieved the key, and continued, “Once we use the key to turn all the monsters into stone statues, the water will recede, and we’ll be able to leave from the first floor. Please do not worry, I’ve experienced managing to safely leave when I entered the last time.”
“......Last time?”
“Yes.”
“Wow~ How reliable, as expected of government professionals, it really causes one to admire you.” As if finally realising Kim Soleum’s value, the bastard that wanted others to address him as Sunbae started complimenting him. “Just like those fabled national heroes, right, agent?”
Kim Soleum didn’t answer. His entire being was rooted to the ground, staring fixatedly at the monster crouched in the corner, its back to him, gnawing on the corpse of a human. His two companions also slowed to a stop.
“......Can’t see the hole in its abdomen huh.”
“Mm, we need to find a way to get it to turn around."
“Let’s use its trait of attacking people to get it to face us.”
Voices of the two discussing things drifted towards him. How they were able to discuss as if nothing is happening…Don’t think, it’s better to just skip over this monster first and find a monster at a better angle, don’t think, the key doesn’t specify fixed holes, so they could first pick another, don’t think don’t think don’tthinkdon’tthin-
“Seems like I'll have to…”
No way.
“I." Kim Soleum willed himself to speak up and cut them off, his right hand taking out the key. “I’ll get it to turn around.”
Silence. ‘Sunbae’ and Bronze exchanged a loaded gaze, coming to an agreement. “......Then we’ll have to count on you.”
“Hoobae, close your eyes and think of something simple, like what you ate for breakfast last Friday.”
No Sunbae I didn’t eat breakfast last Friday! Kim Soleum clenched his eyes shut before opening them. A bloody, gaping maw reeking of decay was inches away from him, the inside of its mouth circled with countless sharp teeth used to tear its prey apart. Saliva dripped out, mixed with its victim’s blood and other fleshy residues. It was ubiquitously expressing an intense desire to consume.
His heart sank with a ‘thud’. In between gaps of bloody teeth, he could clearly see slender fingers resting on them—fingernails painted in red polish, and adorned with a simple yet stylish ring, it must’ve belonged to a gentle yet brave woman, one who, upon facing imminent danger, pushed away the guy who made a stupid mistake… [1]
The initially still monster started to shift.
Crap!
The unsightly claws that were akin to blades went slashing towards his neck. Kim Soleum hurried to dodge, but someone else was faster. They grabbed the back of Kim Soleum’s collar and hauled him behind them, and a deafening ‘clang’ rang out in the air. The fallen Kim Soleum was caught by another large figure and steadied.
Something held the claws drenched in blood at bay.
It was a jakdu.
Kim Soleum stood there, speechless. Where did that blade come from? No, that's not right, this type of stature…it totally did not belong to your average citizen!
Surprise bubbled up, quickly followed by guilt and embarrassment. His face flushed and paled in equal measures, the words ‘Disaster Management Bureau Agents’ flashing through his mind in red blaring lights, like a warning.
While he was in a daze, the monster before him had already lost both its arms to the jakdu’s quick strikes. The agent sent it sprawling to the floor with a single kick. The monster writhed and squirmed on the ground as it tried to get up. Gross looking flesh emerged from the cut, the flesh and blood wriggling and stretching to regenerate new arms.
Agent Sunbae let out a ‘Ha’, his gaze raking the monster that just regenerated its arms from top to bottom. “Is it due to it being weak? That's why it prevented officers from entering, and specially targeted ordinary civilians……”
The agent holding a jakdu adjusted the collar of his regular day clothes. He turned around and swapped out the key on Kim Soleum’s hand with some random items, all while nattering, “Grapes-ah, you’re always so forgetful, not remembering to retrieve your mission supplies is a no no.”
‘But I don’t have anything to retrieve’ or ‘Sunbae don’t you know I’m a fake agent’ were words that absolutely couldn’t be said out loud at this present moment, so Kim Soleum could only clutch onto the items and nod, “......Yes.”
Behind him, Agent Bronze let out a drawn-out sigh filled with emotion. He steadied Kim Soleum, who was in his arms, and quickly instructed him on the usage of these items. Kim Soleum absorbed the information with bated breath, all the while paying attention to what was going on ahead. He realised that the monster that had risen up got instantly turned to stone, then smashed to bits and pieces with a few swings of the blade. The stone statue was clearly supposed to be impossible to destroy by any means…
“We've succeeded. All thanks to Grapes, aigoo, what a talented junior." Agent Sunbae waved his jakdu around in a relaxed manner as he responded, patting Kim Soleum’s shoulder in an intimate manner.
“Let’s go deal with the rest of those bastards wandering around.”
The two government agents were looking at him with warm eyes, their gazes akin to that of an encouraging elder looking at a complete novice.
It was a gaze that made one unable to refuse.
“Ye-yes…”
Kim Soleum decided to never pretend to be a Bureau Agent again in the future.
END