Dreams of Dusk [ORV X OC]

Chapter 5: Unlucky... As always

I started walked right, towards the nearest station. I expected the other to follow me but..

I glanced behind me to see Seung and the other girls (minus Jilyeok and Byeol) walking in the opposite direction.

"Seung! Where are you going?"

Seung turned around slightly and cast a disapproving glance my way.

"What? You didn't expect me to continue following a bunch of freaks like you, did you?"

"But-"

"I'm not going to stick around with a bunch of murderers! Girls, come on. We're leaving!"

I extended my hand as if to grab her and stop her from leaving, but then I stopped myself. Why did I even care about them? They were mean to me in the past and probably wouldn't be of much use to me now.

I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see who it was. I expected to see Chin-Mae, being the kind and empathetic person he is, but I was surprised to see the tall figure of Kyran.

"Don't worry about them. They're just a bunch of stuck-up pricks who can't see when someone is trying to help them."

That's bold coming from you, Kyran... But his words did give me a little consolation, so I was thankful for that.

Those remaining then began to follow me and we all made our way to the station.

We stuck to the shadows, trying to avoid any confrontation with monsters. We had to get underground before the second main scenario started. We had done well so far, however our luck could only take us so far.

A familiar, silver-furred creature appeared in the air.

[Hah... So this is where the rest of you have disappeared off to.. You all... You're quite ambitious students, aren't you? Aren't you scared of the outside world? Why'd all have to go out before the next scenario was ready?]

Naengdam seemed quite angry if the malevolent gleam in his eyes was anything to go by. Judging by his words, he had probably already found the girls.

[Well.. I suppose it can't be helped. Good luck, my little incarnations!]

Then, the second scenario started.

+

[Second Scenario - Escape]

Category: Sub

Difficulty: E

Clear Conditions: Make it to Bomun station.

Time limit: 20 minutes

Compensation: 200 coins

Failure Penalty: ???

+

I quickly read the scenario, and the people around me did the same.

"This doesn't seem too bad.."

Chin-Mae spoke up in a hesitant voice. Of course, at first glance, the scenario didn't seem too bad. But nothing in TWSA was ever that simple..

Tremors passed through the ground as it began to shake beneath us.

"What the-"

"Is there an earthquake?!"

We quickly learned that it was in fact NOT an earthquake, but a large creature.

A large, draconic beast, that was a big as a house and had rocks on its shoulders and back, turned the corner of the street. It was mainly one long, serpentine body with two legs sprouting out from underneath. Every step it took made the ground shake, and crackes were formed wherever it stepped.

It was a grade 6 mountain lindwurm. One that could definitely tear each and every one of us apart quite easily.

My eyes widened in shock as I stared up at the monster before us. What... What was a grade 6 creature doing here this early on?!

[The constellation 'Two-faced Overthinker' is amused by the turn of events.]

I could work out that this was most likely the work of Naengdam, but a grade 6 creature was too much. At the strength we were at this moment, we'd even struggle against a grade 9 monster, so there's no way we could fight against this lindwurm.

[The constellation 'Visage of the Moon' is concerned for you.]

Unfortunately for us, the lindwurm was blocking the road to Bomun station. I bit my lip in frustration and grabbed Chin-Mae's arm. I then began to run with him, calling out to the rest.

"RUN!"

[2,400 coins have been invested into stamina.]

[Stamina lvl. 2 → Stamina lvl. 10]

[Your stamina level has increased dramatically!]

[The durability of your body has greatly increased!]

[1,500 have been invested into agility.]

[Agility lvl. 5 → Agility lvl. 10]

We all then scattered like flies, taking different routes while still trying to reach Bomun station. Chin-Mae and I were lucky enough to not be followed by the lindwurm.

.. Or so we thought. We ran with all our might, wanting to reach Bomun as soon as possible. When the station came into view, relief washed over me. I could see that the others had already reached the station too, and were waiting at the entrance for Chin-Mae and I.

However, just as we thought we'd make it, the mountain lindwurm emerged from a road on the side. It lifted its tail up as if it was going to attack. Without thinking, I pushed Chin-Mae forward and away from the attack. Because of this one action, he managed to make it to the station. I, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky.

Cracks began to spread across the ground as the lindwurm's tail came crashing down. The ground broke from underneath me, and my body suddenly felt weightless as I began to fall.

The last thing I heard was the sound of Chin-Mae's voice before I blacked out.

"Jiseong!-"

[You have failed to clear the scenario.]







Words: 849