Chapter 26: Chapter 26

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 26: Sacrifice (1)

[Subject: Lee Eunho. Return complete.]

[You have acquired an Admission Ticket. Check your inventory!]

Phew.

A sigh of relief escaped me as I felt the relief of escaping unscathed.

Who would have thought the swarm of bees would chase me all the way from the cave to the lecture room?

‘I wonder if that guy's okay.’

It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried about him, left alone in the dark.

‘He’ll be fine, surely.’

He created the "door" himself, so he should be able to close it too.

...Although it might give him a bit of trouble.

For now, I figured I should focus on handling my own situation and spoke out loud.

"Summon."

▣ ‘Basic Swordsmanship’ Training Voucher

- Activating this summons a "door" leading to the Basic Swordsmanship lecture room.

Only the holder of the ticket can use it.

- Usage limit: None

A small green card appeared in the palm of my hand.

A special ticket that lets me move whenever I want.

Even at a glance, it was clear how useful it could be.

‘What time is it now...’

I glanced at the time displayed in the semi-transparent system window.

PM 08:55.

Only about ten minutes had passed since I’d opened the door and entered the academy.

‘Time barely moves here.’

Just as I suspected.

The slow-moving clock and the lack of hunger, even after a long while, had made it obvious.

I didn’t know the exact ratio, but...

‘About one minute for every hour, I’d guess.’

Only around ten minutes had passed outside after spending over ten hours in there.

Details would have to wait for a proper test when I had time to spare.

For now, I had other priorities.

— Tap, tap!

“Jieun!”

“!!”

Thank goodness.

I managed to call out just as a familiar figure was about to round the corner.

“Eunho!”

Jieun turned around at my call, her short, bobbed hair swaying on her shoulders.

Her face lit up with surprise, joy, and relief, her lips breaking into a wide smile.

“I came back quickly, right?”

At my question, she cheerfully responded,

“Yes!”

She seemed so delighted, even though it must’ve felt like only ten minutes had passed since we parted.

She’d always been someone who genuinely enjoyed connecting with people.

“But, Eunho… what happened to you?!”

“To me?”

“Yes, you look like someone who’s been buried underground for days.”

Jieun pointed to my tattered clothes, her eyes wide with concern.

Not knowing how to explain, I gave a sheepish laugh.

— Pop!

Right then, a gift box appeared before Jieun, topped with a familiar envelope like a hat.

“Wha-!”

Jieun gasped, one hand covering her mouth while the other tapped the envelope.

Her expression was one of awe, like a girl receiving a long-awaited reply to a fan letter.

Then, slowly...

Slide!

The envelope unfolded.

“They’re alive…”

Tears welled up in Jieun’s tightly closed eyes.

I hesitated mid-step as I approached, unsure whether to leave her alone.

But then, she wiped her tears and raised her head.

“Thanks to you, Eunho… I got word.”

If it was news that made Jieun this overjoyed, there could only be one person.

“So your brother’s okay?”

She nodded.

With a look of overwhelming gratitude, Jieun stepped closer to me.

“He’s in Noryangjin. Seems like he’s with some friends.”

“That’s such a relief.”

“Staying alive… was worth it. All thanks to you, Eunho.”

Her sparkling eyes made it seem like I’d personally saved her brother’s life.

I shook my head.

PM 9:00.

As I glanced at the clock pointing precisely to nine, I casually spoke.

“There’s no need to thank me for—”

[Synchronization rate has slightly increased.]

[Your exclusive "Eye" has been unlocked.]

At the sound of a system notification audible only to me, the air above my head blurred.

Ssssssss!

The transparent air began to gather like droplets of water, forming a mass.

It grew larger, then smaller, stretched out, sharpened, and finally shaped into a smooth sphere.

— Ding!

【New observers have connected.】

A familiar “Eye” activated.

【The Raven of the Administration Bureau awkwardly clears their throat, insisting they’re not curious about this at all.】

【Prince of the Investigation Bureau crosses their arms, saying they'll keep an eye on the insolent subject to see how long they survive.】

A chat dripping with obvious tension.

They must be really angry.

Was it because of the curse I spat out in frustration?

"Fuck you."

Whatever the reason, the biggest issue is...

‘Why is this happening now?’

The mission wasn't supposed to start for a while.

Could it be...?

A dreadful sense of foreboding runs down my spine.

[We are providing an urgent announcement to survivors in the 'Yongsan-gu' area.]

Unexpectedly, a broadcast begins to play.

"What is this?"

"They said the mission would start tomorrow morning...!"

[The number of survivors in the designated area has exceeded the limit.]

[To ensure smooth mission progress, an emergency population reduction will be implemented.]

"Emergency population reduction?!"

"!!"

[There are currently 1,070 survivors in the 'Yongsan-gu' area.]

[The limit for the next mission is 500 people.]

"Five hundred out of a thousand?!"

Exactly half.

It means one out of every two must die.

Grinding my teeth unconsciously, I turn to Jieun, whose startled eyes meet mine.

[The 'Arena' will be opened in advance under the administrator's authority.]

[The 'Arena' will remain open until the population in the area reaches the appropriate number.]

[If the excess population is not reduced before the next mission begins, random individuals will be 'eliminated.' Please take note.]

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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"The Arena...?"

"It opened during the 'Blade Beak' mission!"

The memory of tilting ground and rising flames remained vivid.

For a moment, I felt as if the stable air around me was suffused with a sweltering heat.

[Brace for impact!]

— BOOOOM!

A heavy tremor from deep below shook the ground violently, making it feel like it was swaying beneath our feet.

"!!"

"It's an earthquake! Be careful!"

The magnitude was on a completely different level from any earthquake I've experienced before.

The ground felt less like solid earth and more like a rolling wave.

CRASH! BOOM! KABOOM!

Buildings, utility poles, and various structures collapsed one after another...

['Yongsan-gu' area survivors: 1,033.]

[1,019.]

[1,007.]

……

The number of survivors is rapidly decreasing.

"We need to get out of here!"

This is bad.

Jieun and I are in the middle of a dense urban area filled with office buildings.

If even one building collapses, it will turn into a chaotic disaster.

Like a domino effect.

Although, truthfully, where in Seoul wouldn't be the same...?

"Jieun! To the main road!"

Tap-tap-tap!

Just as I tried to leave the narrow alley, thinking it’s too dangerous—

"Eunho! Up ahead!"

A four-story commercial building collapsed.

Right in the path between Jieun and me, with only an abandoned car standing in the way.

"Accelerate!"

"Caaaaaarefulllll...!"

A shard of glass stopped just above my head.

"Damn. That was close..."

I could’ve ended up like a pincushion.

Carefully, I use my stone-strengthened right arm to brush away the glass pieces, then escape from beneath a building leaning like the Tower of Pisa.

Tick-tock.

"...Are you okayyyyyy!"

I try to wave reassuringly at the frantic Jieun—

BOOOOOM!

A terrifying roar deafened me.

"!!"

The ground shook so violently that I can barely keep my balance.

"Accelerate!!"

A gaping black hole begins to open...

[Cooldown in progress. 38 seconds, 37 seconds, 36 seconds...]

The ground beneath me collapsed.

So conveniently, almost maliciously.

Swallowing an entire building, the car, and me.

"No!!"

Jieun’s scream fades into the distance.

Up above.

* * *

"Secretary Kim! Are you coming to the third round? I've got a great spot in mind."

"Wh-what? Oh, um..."

It was probably on the first company dinner.

First job, first step into society, first company dinner.

Perhaps it was the alcohol coursing through her system after downing glass after glass.

Jieun felt uneasy about the thick hand of her team leader resting on her shoulder amidst the chaos of relocating to another spot.

"I'll treat you to some expensive liquor. You probably never had it while in school, right?"

The team leader's suggestion was uncomfortable but hard to refuse.

That's when she first met him.

Lee Eunho, the contract worker from the neighboring team she had only heard about.

"Team Leader! The senior executive is asking for a designated driver. What should we do?"

"Hmm? Shouldn't there be a corporate-designated driver?"

"He can't find the number. He seems too drunk..."

"Tsk, I'll go check."

She had heard a few whispers about him being too harsh, likely due to his physical condition.

But for someone supposedly harsh...

"You're Kim, the secretary, right? Quickly, slip inside."

"Sorry? But earlier, the team leader said..."

"It's fine. If he asks later, just say you don't remember how you got in because he was too drunk."

Maybe it started from then.

That inexplicable curiosity, the way her attention was drawn to him.

Canceling plans just to join him when he seemed to be eating alone.

And then, as the world fell apart, leaning on him like a lifelong comrade who had her back.

Which is why...

"Kyaaaaaah!"

As Eunho disappeared below the collapsing ground, as if he were sinking,

"No!!"

Jieun's tenuously held composure snapped.

And then.

[Data collection for skill activation is complete.]

Please! Please, let it be something—anything...!

[Congratulations!]

[Through extraordinary mental resilience, intense empathy for a cherished individual, and exceptional compassion engraved throughout your life, a unique skill has been created!]

[Telekinesis (Lv. 1) skill unlocked.]

"Telekinesis!"

The words burst out of her mouth without passing through her brain.

Wham—!

At the same time, all her energy surged to her eyes, lips, and fingertips.

It felt like all the blood in her body was rushing to its extremities.

And as she concentrated with every last bit of her being, to the point where her face flushed crimson,

Crack-crackle—!

First, small fragments.

Then, shards of broken asphalt began to rise into the air.

"Please!"

And a moment later—

"Wh-what?!"

The familiar face of Eunho surfaced, rising against the pull of gravity from the abyss below.

"Jieun! Did you... do some... thing...?!"

He seemed to be saying something, but she had no capacity to process his words.

She was pouring every ounce of her being into supporting Eunho.

"Get... up... there!"

Her eyes and ears were shut to the world.

Though her eyes were open, she saw nothing but Eunho hovering precariously above the massive crater.

Though her ears were open, no sound reached her.

Thus—

'Just a little more...!'

She failed to notice.

The very moment she managed to haul Eunho to solid ground and felt herself let go of the tension,

"Jieun!! Get out of there!!"

Eunho’s desperate screams pierced through the air as he floated, suspended.

"Please..."

She hadn’t realized the building that should have stood still was collapsing above her head.

"Uh, Eunho...?"

Thud—!

The connection with Eunho broke just as she turned her gaze upward.

As soon as she hit the ground, Eunho scrambled, rolled, and ran towards her.

"Accelerate! Accelerate! Accelerate!!"

Desperate, life-or-death sprinting.

But—

"Fuck!!"

"Swearing... doesn't suit... you..."

—Boom!

The race, doomed from the start, fell short.

[Number of survivors in 'Yongsan District': 1,000.]

—RUMBLE...!!

The massive concrete wall of the building came crashing down onto Jieun.

[999.]

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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