Chapter 82 (1/2)

Because Seol Ji-Hu was so hard pressed for time, he almost missed it. It was already dimly lit in this place, and because of his darker skin, the man up there was hard to see.

But, once up close, it was much clearer to see. A man with his lowered head was hanging in the middle of the air. And it seemed that the mutated Orc was in the middle of reaching up to grab the man before its action was halted.

”Hugo!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu cried out loudly and even without realising it, ended up touching Hugo's foot.

”Ku-ahh….” (Hugo)

The moment his body rocked slightly, Hugo threw his head back and cried out. No, his hoa.r.s.e voice sounded much closer to a pained groan than an actual scream.

Only then did Seol Ji-Hu realise that Hugo was suspended in air with a hook piercing through his back.

”W-what the h.e.l.l?! What's going on??” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

Ya.s.ser Rahdi also discovered Hugo up there. He was hung up too high and they couldn't carelessly touch him. Seol Ji-Hu chewed on his lower lip before glancing at the rudium, still emitting that black smoke. Its size had been reduced noticeably, but… if it was only for a little while, it should be fine.

‘Lower Hugo as safely as possible.' (Seol Ji-Hu)

When he issued that order, four mutated Orcs began moving at once. One of them disappeared into the darkness and not too long afterwards, the creaky sounds of a turning pulley echoed in the chamber. The hook was slowly lowered. Two of them grabbed Hugo from both sides, and the last one cautiously extracted the hook from the human's back.

”Keuh….” (Hugo)

”Hugo!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Once his restriction was undone, Hugo toppled over, and Seol Ji-Hu quickly caught him. The big man must've regained his consciousness somehow because he struggled through pain and forced his eyes to open up. His blurry eyes had a faint glow, a hint of life in them.

”Euh, uh…. Euh uh….” (Hugo)

His mouth opened as if he wanted to say something, but only flute-like reedy sounds came out. Just one glance was enough to tell that he was completely enervated. Seol Ji-Hu hugged his head and whispered softly.

”It'll be alright. We came to rescue you. It's going to be alright.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Hugo must have heard those words because, even though he looked dazed and unfocused, the corners of his lips arched up. He closed his eyes again and sagged powerlessly in Seol Ji-Hu's arms.

”H-Hugo?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Look, man.” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

Ya.s.ser Rahdi quickly spoke up.

”Five minutes might be up already. I understand how you feel, but we gotta go, now. We can only heal him after meeting up with everyone else.” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

”Ah, right. Okay.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Although his words were logical in nature, his voice sounded thick with restlessness. Of course, he wasn't wrong, so Seol Ji-Hu hurriedly lifted Hugo up.

Before they returned the way they came from, though, he stopped briefly to take a look behind.

‘Why is Hugo the only one here?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

His head might be filled with questions, but he didn't stop moving forward. The important thing was, Hugo had been found and he was still breathing somehow. It was unknown whether his st.u.r.dy const.i.tution was to thank for this feat, but he was definitely alive. That alone was enough for them to thank their lucky stars.

The two men carried Hugo to the intersection. However, the team that went to the left corridor hadn't returned yet. They waited for almost a full minute, but there was no sign of even a single shadow. The longer the time went, the more agitated Ya.s.ser Rahdi became.

”D*mn it! Why aren't they here already?” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

”Could something bad have happened to them?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”O-oii. Can't you be more positive in the way you think?! You've been saying all these negative things, man.” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

”Mm….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu cautiously put Hugo down.

”I'll go.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”What was that??” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

”We can't wait here forever. I'll go and take a look.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Ya.s.ser Rahdi didn't look convinced at all. He was feeling quite nervous right now. In movies depicting similar situations, one of the two would get killed for sure. Didn't someone say this was a ‘death flag' or some such? But then again, even he knew being still and not doing anything was a bad move to make.

”D*mn it. Come back quickly, you hear me?” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

Seol Ji-Hu broke into a sprint right away. The left pa.s.sageway was the same as the right one, and prison cells lined up on both sides of the walls. He took several glances as he ran but as he thought, he couldn't see any captives inside.

Soon, though, he was able to spot three silhouettes in the distance. The closer he got to them, the colder the air became, and it p.r.i.c.ked his skin.

He wasn't sure what happened, but the atmosphere between the three of them was rather poor. Ayase Kazuki carried this pale and utterly sickened face, while Cho Hong looked to be in agony over something. Meanwhile, Mary Rhine was toppled on the floor to…

”Bleurgh-!!”

….To vomit her lungs out. She was even crying nonstop, too.

Perhaps Seol Ji-Hu's presence woke him up, Kazuki hurriedly opened his mouth.

”You… What are you doing here?” (Kazuki)

”You guys didn't show up even though we were waiting for you.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Kazuki gasped out, ”D*mn it” in exasperation. He quickly grabbed Mary Rhine's side and tried to pull her back up on her feet by force.

”What happened? What's going on?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”We stopped our search.” (Kazuki)

”You stopped? Why?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Now that Seol Ji-Hu looked beyond the trio, he could see a stone door of some kind. Whitish strands of cold air leaked out from the slightly-open gap. He finally understood why he was feeling cold like this - bitingly chilly air was permeating out from inside that open doorway.

”There's no point in searching beyond this area. Even if we find someone, there's no point.” (Kazuki)

He sounded unnaturally calm. This ominous feeling suddenly wormed its way into Seol Ji-Hu. Was it because of that cold air or the way the header said those words?

”What are you….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

….Even talking about? He was about to say those words and tried to open the stone door, but then….

Slam!

Cho Hong angrily shoved it close.

”Don't look inside.” (Cho Hong)

Her voice might have sounded a little emotional, but still, she was quite forceful when she stated her opinion. Seol Ji-Hu flinched a little. Cho Hong was glaring with eyes full of unexpected chilliness. No, when he took a closer look, she seemed to be scowling in order to hold back her tears.

”…Cho Hong?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You might end up with mental trauma. So, do not ever look beyond this door.” (Cho Hong)

Cho Hong even stood in front of the stone door to block it. Meanwhile, Kazuki asked a question.

”What happened on your end?” (Kazuki)

Seol Ji-Hu had been taken aback from that unexpected response but barely regained his wits to make his reply.

”We found one.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”You found someone?” (Kazuki)

”Yes, we found Hugo. He's still alive.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Cho Hong abruptly raised her head. And then, without another word, flew down the pa.s.sageway. Kazuki worriedly stared at her departing back, before looking at Mary Rhine.

”Have you calmed down yet? Can you move now?” (Kazuki)

”Y-yes. I'm sorry. I tried to hold back, but….” (Mary Rhine)

She managed to nod somehow.

”Okay, we should get going, too. Ah, as we make our way back, can you tell me what you saw? Did you see anyone else? What was the situation on that side look like?” (Kazuki)

Since Seol Ji-Hu himself was puzzled by several things, he decided to describe what he saw in detail and get some answers that way as they ran back the way they came from.

”It's the ‘infection'.” (Kazuki)

Kazuki nodded his head as if he thought of something. Seol Ji-Hu stared at him blankly, so the j.a.panese man explained himself.

”Have you heard before that ‘infection' also has a success rate?” (Kazuki)

He had never heard of this story before.

”You see, a Parasite in itself isn't much to write home about. It's like a larva and is pathetically weak. If the host is a corpse, then it'll 100% infect it without a problem, but if the host is still alive, the story changes drastically.” (Kazuki)

Kazuki carried on.

”The stronger the host's const.i.tution, the harder it is to infect that person. That's why the host gets hung up on the hooks. Just to sap out all of his stamina.” (Kazuki)

Seol Ji-Hu felt his heart tumble to the pit of his stomach. Only Hugo was found hanging on those hooks. Which meant that the others were….

”Hugo raised only his physical strength and endurance like a bona fide idiot. And that saved his life.” (Kazuki)

Kazuki spoke in a bitter tone of voice. Seol Ji-Hu cautiously asked him.

”Does that mean other people are….?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”….Who knows. At least, they aren't dead yet. For this plan of ma.s.s production to work, they need to infect living hosts, after all.” (Kazuki)

Mutated Orcs could also be manufactured from infected corpses, but the overall numbers would ultimately be limited. However, if the infected host didn't lose its reproductive capabilities, then the numbers could be produced indefinitely - that's what he meant. No matter how many times one thought about it, this whole thing still remained a disgusting plan through and through.

”Hugo got lucky on this one. If others have been infected already, then… Then, we can't do anything for them. It'll be better to kill them off, instead.” (Kazuki)

”Is it completely impossible to save an infected host?” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”It's not completely impossible, no. It depends on how advanced the infection is or which part of the body has been taken over, stuff like that. However, nine times out of ten, you can't save them. It's not for nothing that we have to incinerate any and all corpses, you know.” (Kazuki)

Even though he was still explaining things, Kazuki seemed to be trying to read the reaction off of his team member. Seol Ji-Hu felt deeply uncomfortable, but he did his best not to show it.

A short while later, the three of them arrived at the intersection. Mary Rhine immediately cast a healing divine spell the moment she saw Hugo.

”Cure Ma.s.sive Wounds.” (Mary Rhine)

Pure white light enveloped Hugo's body and his condition visibly improved before their eyes.

”Good. We managed to find one person.” (Kazuki)

Kazuki checked the rudium, now about one-fifth smaller than before, and s.h.i.+fted his gaze over to Cho Hong and her pale-blue face. He then looked at Seol Ji-Hu, who was comparatively in a calmer state, and opened his mouth.

”Chung Cho-Hong. You take Hugo back to the magic circle.” (Kazuki)

”What?!” (Cho Hong)

”What do you mean, what? Didn't we agree that every time we rescue someone, one person would take them back as long as the situation permitted it?” (Kazuki)

There were several reasons for this decision, but the most important one had to do with making sure that the rescued captives returned safely. No one knew what might happen during the mission, after all. Also, if the number of people the rudium needed to protect decreased, its consumption would also decrease slightly, too.

”I know that! But, why me?!” (Cho Hong)

”Because, you'll become a hindrance to the mission.” (Kazuki)

Kazuki's cold, collected voice cut her off.

”And also, he's your original team member. It's not like you know the remaining captives any better than other members in this team, too.” (Kazuki)

‘But, what about Dylan?' (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu tilted his head slightly before understanding this reasoning. After all, there were two members of Carpe Diem present here.

”I'm not telling you to go there and do nothing, either. You know how important the role performed by the first person to return is, don't you?” (Kazuki)

That made some sense. It was worrisome to leave Ian alone for too long, a communication line needed to be opened up, and in case of emergencies, traps had to be installed to ensure their safe retreat, too.

”This is an order from the header. Know that the longer you waste our time, the greater the trouble you are causing us.” (Kazuki)

Cho Hong couldn't stand around after hearing those words. She was seething in anger, but in the end, picked Hugo up and turned around to leave. Seol Ji-Hu spoke to her.

”Be careful.” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Cho Hong's expression was gloomy, dark - but she didn't say anything out of place.

”….You too. If you can help it, just come back, okay?” (Cho Hong)

With those parting words, she walked away with Hugo in tow. Kazuki quickly pointed to the front.

”We go ahead and continue with our search. If we don't find someone, then we go down to the second underground floor.” (Kazuki)

The pa.s.sageway in front was different from the other two and had no prison cells. Instead, the hazy, dim light was gradually getting clearer and brighter.

When the corridor finally came to an end, Kazuki pressed himself close to the wall.

”I don't sense anything moving, but…..?!” (Kazuki)

He suddenly stopped talking, then. Seol Ji-Hu was sticking very close to the Archer so he didn't miss the man's shoulders flinching just now.

In the next moment, he heard the sound of someone sucking in his breath, hard. He looked back, but Ya.s.ser Rahdi was already running forward at full tilt. Kazuki reached out to stop him, but could only bite his lower lip before entering the room beyond himself.

The s.p.a.ce they entered was a huge chamber reminiscent of a laboratory. Several wooden ‘tables' were laid out in a somewhat messy order, and what looked like equipment of some kind were placed in rows as well.

Seol Ji-Hu looked on at the mutated Orcs standing around frozen still in the middle of whatever they were doing before his attention was snapped away from the sound of a tearful wail. Ya.s.ser Rahdi was leaning against one of those tables as a flood of tears exploded from his eyes.

”Oh, brother! What is the meaning of this?? We worked our b.u.t.ts off together, and we were barely…! But this….!” (Ya.s.ser Rahdi)

Seol Ji-Hu scanned the table the crying man was leaning against before his jaw nearly hit the floor. There was a person lying on top of it.

….No, he wasn't sure if that ‘thing' could be cla.s.sified as a person anymore. The face, the torso, and down to his hips, they were all a human's features. However, none of his limbs - arms and legs - were visible, only to be replaced by a whole bunch of tentacles wiggling around in disgusting fas.h.i.+on, instead. It was as if something, or someone, had stuck a bunch of squid tentacles on a person's body.

‘What the f*ck is this….??' (Seol Ji-Hu)

It was right at that moment his eyes latched onto the spot where several mutated Orcs had gathered around. And beyond them, he saw another wooden table. He stumbled his way over there as if he was bewitched by something, and the first thing that greeted him was the acrid stink of blood.

His eyes trembled; his hands quivered uncontrollably. The emotion of disbelief spread all over his body in an instant.

”Dylan!!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu pushed past the unmoving mutated Orcs and rushed in. The closer he got, though, it became harder and harder to deny the reality. Just like the person before, there was Dylan, laid out on top of a table. With his limbs gone, too.

”Oh G.o.d, Dylan, Dylan….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

His quivering hands reached out and quite out of nowhere, he realised that the surface of the table was soaking wet. There was a p.r.i.c.kling sensation in his fingertips before they went numb altogether. He saw a bucket full of clear liquid substance located at the end of the table.

”It's a sedative. A really powerful one at that….” (Kazuki)

The voice was quiet, hushed. Kazuki had come in closer with a deep frown on his face.

”Dylan…. Dylan….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Dylan was simply staring at the ceiling, his eyes wide open. It was as if he was already dead.

Every thought in Seol Ji-Hu's head got tangled up into a mess in an instant. He couldn't think, and he didn't know what to do. Mary Rhine looked at him with some amount of pity, but when their eyes locked onto each other, he suddenly felt as if his mind had finally cleared up.

”A divine spell! Please, heal him…!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Kazuki was about to say something, but she pulled out her crucifix and came closer to stop him.

”Just in case.” (Mary Rhine)

”What do you mean?” (Kazuki)

”There are only two people here. And Dylan's state isn't as advanced as Ali's. He might know the whereabouts of the other three.” (Mary Rhine)

Kazuki didn't seem all that convinced but didn't try to stop her. He clicked his tongue in anger and walked over to the still-crying Ya.s.ser Rahdi.

”W-wait. I'll, I'll go and find the limbs first….” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu hurriedly looked around to find the missing limbs, but the Priest didn't wait for him and cast her spell.

”H-hold on, wait!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

The bright, white light enveloped Dylan's body. He shuddered a little, just then. His eyes, once dazed and distant, began blinking again. Seol Ji-Hu hurriedly ran over and blocked the view of the ceiling, prompting Dylan to open his lips.

”….Seol?” (Dylan)

”Dylan!!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

”Oh…. My gosh….” (Dylan)

Dylan let out a hollow chuckle and shook his head.

”Am I… still dreaming?” (Dylan)

”No, this isn't a dream. We came to rescue you. We are here to save you!” (Seol Ji-Hu)

Seol Ji-Hu grew tearful in an instant. To him, Dylan always looked confidence-inspiring and cool-headed. Always. Yet, seeing this heart-wrenching sight, tears wanted to erupt out of his eyes.