7 Chapter 6 (1/2)
One of the casualties included Mr . Park, Mr . Kim's friend .
Of course, the party had voted on the issue before entering the Double Dungeon, with a stipulation that no one would argue the result .But to Mr . Kim, who had lost all reason, it was but a faded memory in the back of his mind .
”I'll go of my own will, so could you put away the sword?”
Mr . Song asked Mr . Kim .
”How could I trust you after all this? Stop talking and walk . ”
Sighing, Mr . Song walked to the altar, followed by Mr . Kim and his sword pointed at his back .
As he watched, Jinwoo bit his lips .
'It's not Mr . Song's fault…'
After all, they all had voted and agreed on the result .To Jinwoo, after everything they went through, putting all the blame on Mr . Song was the height of cowardice .
'But…'
Jinwoo simply did not have the power to stop Mr . Kim .A D-ranker who stood at the height of his rank, and an E-ranker who groveled at the lowest of his .The difference in power was too much . On top of that, he was missing one of his legs . If he tried something now, not only him, but Juhee, who was healing him, could become the target of Mr . Kim's anger .
”Shit . ”
Jinwoo closed his eyes .Out of all the days, he cursed his powerlessness the most in this moment .
In the meantime, Mr . Song had gotten on top of the altar .
woosh~!
In response, a red flame appeared at the edges of the middle area where the altar was .All those gathered gulped as they cautiously prepared for what would happen next .
But nothing happened .
Except for the appearance of the flame .
” . . . ?”
As no new development occurred after some time, Mr . Kim and the others started feeling anxious .
”Hey, Mr . Sung, wasn't this it?”
Mr . Kim asked Jinwoo .
”I'm not sure…”
Jinwoo had expected the Third Commandment to be fulfilled when a person went on top of the altar .
'Was it not asking for a sacrifice?'
Well, it was not a bad news to Jinwoo .If his theory of sacrifice was wrong, then there was a chance to save Mr . Song .Jinwoo's face brightened . As he struggled to get up, Jinwoo asked the two Hunters standing nearby for help .
”Could you help me get to the altar?”
”Jinwoo, your injury…”
Juhee also stood up with Jinwoo .Having spent most of her mana, her appearance was pale and weak .Thanks to her help, Jinwoo was at least able to overcome the sense of pain from his injuries .
'I have to hurry . '
Juhee's condition .Mr . Kim's anger . The other Hunters' terror .
He was running out of time .
With the other two Hunters' assistance, Jinwoo arrived at the altar .
”Let's go up on the altar . ”
His two helpers were taken back for a moment, but placed their faith in Jinwoo and got on top of the altar .
In response, three more flames arose from the edge of the middle area .
woosh~!
woosh~!
woosh~!
Jinwoo's eyes widened .
'Same as the number of people on top . '
Mr . Song, his two helpers and himself .The four flames flickered around the middle area, outlining a circle .
'Looking at their placement, we just need 2 more to complete the circle . '
And so, it appeared that the remaining people would have to come on top of the altar .
”Do you think someone will come to rescue us if we wait?”
Jinwoo asked Mr . Song .
Mr . Song shook his head .
”Today marks the 7th day since this Gate opened .Before reinforcements arrive, those things will probably move first . ”
”For a D-rank Gate, they sure left it alone for too long . ”
”Well, it's the Association, after all…”
A Gate will undergo a full opening after 7 days .It was the job of the Hunter to prevent that from happening .To close the Gate by slaying the boss in the Dungeon, that was the real objective of a Raid .Should they fail to do so in time, all the magic beasts within the Dungeon obtained the freedom to exit the Gate .A Dungeon Break .
Jinwoo looked around him .The Statue of God remained in its seat, looking down upon their party from distance .
'If that thing is allowed to leave here…'
He could not imagine the destruction that would follow .Of course, their party would be the first to be massacred, if the statues in the room gained the freedom to move about .So Jinwoo realized they could not just hold out for help .
Jinwoo called out to Juhee and Mr . Kim .
”Can you two also come up here?”
Juhee followed his instructions .Even the hesitating Mr . Kim quickly followed suit .
Two more flames appeared, completing the circle .
woosh~
The Hunters gasped .
”Huh?””What's happening?”
As Jinwoo expected, something was happening .
'It's coming . '
From the outermost circle of the middle area, small blue flames started appearing .One by one, they flared into existence and formed a circle around the middle area .
'34… 35… 36…'
Jinwoo counted 36 blue flames .
'The red flames that matched the number of people .The blue flames that number 36 . Is there a meaning to their number?'
In that moment,
creak~
The door blocking their exit opened without a warning .The Hunters flinched in reaction .
”Argh…!”
Every single one of them wanted to run towards the exit, but the memory of the final moments of the singing Hunter remained fresh in their minds, and no one made any movements .They did not know what fate would await the first person to leave the altar . As if waiting for an answer, all their gazes fell upon Jinwoo, who closed his mouth in silence .
” . . . ”
It was too early to make a conclusion .Whether or not the opening of the door was a trap, or if it was the Dungeon's way of letting them know that they had fulfilled the Final Commandment, he did not know .