Chapter 33: The Shadow Over Namsan

“Hyungnim! What should I do next?”

“…Huh?”

Jaehyuk tossed his old shovel onto his shoulder and spoke.

He had long since flung off his T-shirt, rolling up his pant legs to reveal the muscles in his calves.

He looked just like a seasoned worker at a construction site.

‘Well, there’s really not much difference between here and a construction site.’

We dug a waterless ditch and piled up the excavated earth to build a rampart.

All of that in just an hour, with only a few strong men.

“You’re planning to do more here…?”

“I can still keep going!”

【‘Crow of the Administration Bureau’ nods in satisfaction, pleased with his hard-working subordinate.】

【‘Ferryman of the Administration Bureau’ admires ‘Lee Eunho’ for his foresight in unlocking the target’s ability.】

At this rate…

It seems an indefatigable worker—no, an industrial soldier—has been born.

“You called it… Hyper Regeneration, right?”

“Yes! I finally awakened my own ability!”

Jaehyuk beamed, proud.

‘It really is a great ability.’

Wounds heal in an instant.

And on top of that—

“Congratulations.”

“It’s all thanks to you, hyungnim! You told me to boost my recovery, after all!”

He even recovers his stamina.

He was already tough, but now he’s basically become a stamina monster.

After Jaehyuk’s hearty answer, the rest of the group showered him with congratulations.

“Congrats, Jaehyuk!”

“Thank you, noona!”

“Mister, congrats!”

Everyone but Sola, who stood off to the side with her arms crossed, looking a bit dissatisfied.

“…I could’ve just healed him myself…”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“…Nothing.”

Beyond Sola’s pouting lips, the hunting ground stretched out.

At its center, atop an empty wisteria tree with no one around, a small stone tumbled down.

Degururu-!

To a stranger, it might seem like a haunted scene, enough to make your skin crawl.

But at times like these—

“Looks like Yul is having fun playing with her dad.”

Just think of the little lady busily playing ‘hide and seek.’

“Yul’s ability is really amazing.”

As Ms. Ji-eun murmured, staring at the seemingly empty wisteria tree, I added,

“She’s the linchpin of this whole plan.”

“Eunho, it’s even more amazing that you came up with the plan.”

“Haha…”

There were a few rules to this project.

First:

Monsters appear regularly in the area shrouded in black mist—the ‘hunting ground,’ for convenience.

According to Ms. Ji-eun, who first observed it, a monster emerges roughly every ten minutes.

Second:

If a person enters the hunting ground, monsters are generated regardless of the timer.

And finally, third:

Even after a monster is slain, as long as a survivor remains, a new one appears.

So, if you add Yul’s ability to the mix—

‘We can make monsters appear, but not get attacked.’

So, to maximize hunting efficiency—

‘Just kill them the instant they spawn.’

Even if you slay a monster as soon as it appears, thanks to Yul, another will be generated.

“All done!”

“They’re the last ones.”

A fabricated hunting ground, filled with tree stumps instead of underbrush.

The clearing, thick with murky black smoke, bristled with hundreds, thousands of poison-tipped spearheads and hidden traps.

And, just in case, a moat and earthen rampart ringed the place, built with dirt and sweat.

With this—

‘Hunting ground: complete.’

The last man and woman, after planting the final spear, hurried out beyond the rampart, dodging the tightly-packed traps.

“Uh… what should we do now?”

“Should we try shooting a bow or something?”

The pair fidgeted with a battered old bow, probably bought from the shop and barely holding together.

Perhaps nervous about just standing around while everyone else watched, they hurried over to ask.

They glanced between me and the air, probably checking the map and the remaining time.

I’d like to give them something to do, but—

“There’s nothing more.”

“Huh? But…”

This is, after all, ‘automatic hunting.’

“Just watch over there.”

I shrugged and pointed at the hunting ground, and the pair quickly turned.

— KWAOOOOOH!

[Defeat the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

From within the black smoke, a monster slowly took shape.

At first as pale as a status window, then gradually gaining color and mass—the firebear.

And at the same time—

— THUD!

The moment it appeared, it stepped right onto a poisoned spearhead.

KWAOOOOOH!

It only howled then, swinging its forepaws and shaking its head like mad, but—

No matter how much it thrashed, it only drove more traps into its paws.

— THUD!

Here, the poison-tipped traps were so densely packed that even massive monsters couldn’t avoid them.

[You have defeated the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

[You gained 20 Welfare Points.]

‘Oh.’

Seems one of the five spears the firebear touched belonged to me.

The pair beside me also looked shocked, their eyes wide as they clapped in delight.

“20 points! It actually worked!”

“Wow, I can’t believe it!”

[Defeat the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

And as soon as the point-gain message ended, another one appeared—

— KWAOOOOH!

THUD! THUD-!

…And died just as instantly.

[Defeat the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

[You gained 33 Welfare Points.]

[Defeat the ‘Venomous Sky Leopard’!]

[You have defeated the ‘Venomous Sky Leopard’!]

[You gained 10 Welfare Points.]

[Defeat the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

[You have defeated the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

……

【Numerous observers marvel at the cleverness of ‘Lee Eunho’!】

“We did it! I filled my quota!”

“I just need 300 more points and I’m done!”

Just like the ceaseless messages, shouts of joy rang out everywhere.

It was hard to believe these people had been ready to cut each other’s throats just moments ago.

Anyway, I—

‘Two hundred points left.’

If I just gather 200 more, I can clock out in peace.

“Um… thank you! Honestly, I didn’t think it would actually work…”

“You saved our lives!”

Thank-yous rang out from all directions as I nodded absentmindedly and checked the map—

【An anonymous observer wishes for more of ‘Lee Eunho’s’ outrageous feats!】

【Sponsored 1,000 Welfare Points!】

‘A sponsorship?’

Anonymous observer, again.

Could it be the same observer who gifted ‘Electro-Oil’ during the Seoul Station mission?

“Thanks. That’s twice now you’ve given me gifts.”

【Anonymous observer laughs, saying it’s nothing.】

‘It’s you, all right.’

Then, the next question—

Just what are those beings beyond that gaze?

Are they even human, or, if not, why are they watching us?

Haa.

Maybe it was thinking about these unanswerable questions that made me furrow my brow.

[After deducting the manager’s fee, 500 points have been deposited.]

…Or maybe it was the ridiculous commission.

‘Fifty percent fees? That’s robbery, pure and simple.’

Anyway—

‘That makes 5,050 points.’

Once again, I’d filled my quota.

Others had worked themselves to the bone just to gather 5,000 points.

Even after spending 10,000 to upgrade the shop, I’d managed to gather another 5,000.

“Mister! You’ve filled it up, too, right?”

“Yeah, you guys finished?”

“We finished ages ago. Thanks to you.”

Leaving the confident Sola and Yeo Jin behind, I checked the map.

Among the fifty-plus circles on the map, anyone without 5,000 points…

[Defeat the ‘Ravenous Firebear’!]

None.

So now, time to… hmm?

‘That last broadcast sounded odd…’

I was about to brush it off as a mishearing, but—

[…Defeat…!]

“What was that?”

“The system’s acting weird.”

More and more people began to look around at each other with wide, alarmed eyes.

And then came a bizarre, unidentified noise.

BEEEEEEP—!

[Error detected!]

[Too many entities spawned in the area!]

BEEEEE—!

A hideous sound, like the worst feedback from a campaign truck’s speaker, blared out, making my ears ring.

Wobble!

My legs buckled under me.

“Just now, the ground…”

“It’s shaking!”

KUGUGUGUGUUNG!

Suddenly the ground, and everyone standing on it, shook like twigs in a storm.

“Arghhh!”

“Help me!”

A belated announcement followed.

[Brace for impact!]

The hunting ground was already in total chaos.

‘…Yul is in danger!’

“Yul! Release your skill!”

FLASH—!

A small silhouette, hand held tightly in mine.

The moment I saw the two figures coming down from the tree, I swung my sword.

— SWOOSH!

A gust of wind cut through, sending spearheads flying like autumn leaves.

「Uses left: 2/3」

“Hanul! Carry Yul on your back!”

“Yes!”

KUGUGUGUUNG!

In the middle of the hunting ground, now shrouded in black smoke, a giant hole yawned open.

A chill ran down my back.

Pushing myself to move faster, I cut away the obstacles in my path.

「Uses left: 1/3」

But the moment the path cleared, the black smoke at my feet thickened and turned viscous—

— SQUEEZE!

The ground clung to my soles like gum.

— SCHLUP!

With every step, my shoes nearly came off.

— SCHLURP! SCHLURP!

Soon, my feet began to sink as if into a shallow swamp.

Wobble!

Hanul, carrying Yul on her back, wobbled, having trouble keeping her balance.

“Eunho! This way!”

Off in the distance, Ji-eun waved frantically.

She seemed to be standing just fine.

‘Maybe I just need to get out of this “error” zone.’

If so—

“Ji-eun! Lift Hanul with your power!”

“Okay!”

After a short, firm reply, Ji-eun closed and opened her eyes.

A look of determination flashed in her gaze.

RUSTLE—

At the same time, Hanul and Yul floated up, leaves scattering all around.

Okay… that takes care of them.

‘This is my last shot.’

I gripped my sword with all my weight, strength, and will, and swung.

Like slicing through the air itself—

— SWOOSH!

The smoke—no, the swamp—parted and receded like an ebbing tide.

I barely managed to drive away the thick, oily black miasma and ran.

Then—

Prick!

My hair stood on end.

“H-Huh?!”

Slurp.

My body was dragged backwards.

As if gravity was pulling me from behind, not below.

“Mister!!”

“Hyungnim!!”

Sola and Jaehyuk lunged desperately, reaching out.

‘Too far!’

Just out of reach.

Meanwhile, the pull on the back of my head grew ever stronger.

It’s risky, but…

— THUD!

I jammed my sword deep into the viscous ground and vaulted upward.

TAH!

Like a pole vaulter.

And—

“Store!”

Right before I let go of the sword’s hilt, I shouted.

Clack—!

I grabbed Sola and Jaehyuk’s wrists in a flash.

“Mister! Pull!”

“Arrrgh!”

Thud!

Their momentum yanked me onto solid ground, and I finally collapsed, breathless, onto ordinary earth.

[To all survivors in ‘Yongsan District,’ please listen to this announcement.]

An announcement echoed.

[Your daily points will be collected shortly. Please prepare.]

[Time to clock out: 10 seconds, 9, 8… ]

“It’s already time…!”

“It’s finally over!”

For those who are ready, no time is sweeter than clocking out.

It was six o’clock.

[Participant ‘Lee Eunho.’ Submitting daily quota of 5,000 points.]

Clink—!

The cheerful sound of coins falling rang in my ears.

And—

[Project ‘Hunt.’ Terminated.]

[As project completion reward, you receive 3 mission points and 1,000 Welfare Points.]

[Please check your mission rewards!]

It was over.

After all the hardships, it felt too short and anticlimactic.

“That’s it?”

“We did it! We survived!!”

[The ‘Eyes’ are closing.]

The instant the end of shift arrived, the ‘Eyes’ snapped shut.

And amid the exclamations of relief, as the adrenaline drained from me and I sagged to the ground—

[Participant ‘Lee Eunho,’ you have an additional message.]

“…Huh?”

A message just for me appeared.

That is… it appeared, but—

[Actual survivor count is far higher than simulation expected.]

[Exclusive reward for ‘Contrarian’ trait is being issued.]

An exclusive reward for the Contrarian trait…?

[Resistance stat increased (+52)]

‘…?!’

Out of nowhere?

[Exclusive stat ‘Resistance’ has been created.]

[‘Resistance’ increases when you achieve results contrary to the system’s “Greater Good.” Points cannot be freely assigned to this stat.]

So—

I achieved results ‘contrary to the Greater Good’ in this project?

‘When?’

And what’s with 52? Why not a round number?

“Fifty-two…”

I frowned and muttered unconsciously, and Ji-eun smiled and spoke to me.

“Eunho, you really are quick with numbers.”

“Huh?”

“Weren’t you counting how many people were left?”

“How many… Ah!”

I snapped my head up and counted.

One, two, three…

‘Fifty-one, fifty-two, fifty-three!’

There were 53 survivors scattered around.

Minus myself, that’s 52.

Survived the project—or rather…

‘The number of people I saved.’

So, to sum up—

If the achievement contrary to the Greater Good is really the number I saved…

‘The system’s “Greater Good” must mean “culling.” Reducing the number of people.’

Good grief.

The moment I realized the true nature of the Contrarian trait and the Resistance stat, my mind went blank and I shook my head.

Then, I heard unfamiliar voices, murmuring.

[Excess entities spawned. Why?]

[Strange. Further report needed.]

[We’ll get in trouble. Assess first.]

‘Who are they?’

Unfamiliar tones. Peculiar speech.

Conversations that seemed directly linked to the earlier system ‘error.’

But the strangest thing—

“Phew, it’s finally over.”

“That’s really it for today, right? The system said clock out!”

Was how everyone else seemed completely unbothered, as if they couldn’t hear a thing.

“Ji-eun! Can you hear these voices right now?”

“Huh? What voices?”

Ji-eun tilted her head, blank-faced.

And then, after a moment—

Tap!

Footsteps approached—and who appeared but—

“…A kid?”

Kids around Yul’s age.

Two little boys, maybe five or six.

Identical faces. Bowl cuts. Neat white outfits.

‘Twins?’

“Huh? Kids?”

“You don’t see them?”

“Um… Yul’s over there with her dad, isn’t she? Eunho, is something wrong?”

Oh, there’s a problem.

A huge one.

— TAH!

The twins bounced on the spot—boing, boing, boing—then leaped up to the height of a two-story building.

As if they had jet boosters on their shoes.

So, this is…

“You mean you can’t see those kids flying?”

“Huh? Kids flying? What are you talking about…?”

“Jaehyuk, you too?”

“Yes, hyungnim. There’s nothing but clouds in the sky!”

So only I can see and hear them?

If that’s the case—

“Jaehyuk. Do I seem crazy to you?”

“Wh-what? Of course not!”

“Then… just follow me for a bit.”

Maybe it’s my Contrarian trait or some ability unique to me.

In other words—

[Excess entities spawned. Why?]

[Strange. Further report needed.]

[We’ll get in trouble. Assess first.]

Only I can find out.

Who they are, who their superior is, and what they’re reporting.

‘This is my chance.’

Those above know everything, but down here, we know nothing about this world.

So…

A chance to finally uncover the truth behind this damned restructuring!

“What?! Where are you going…?”

“Ji-eun, I’ll leave the others to you.”

“Huh? Okay!”

“Hyungnim! Hyungniiiiim!”