Chapter 12 (1/2): Uninvited Guest (2)

01.

“Ah…?”

How long had it been since he last felt this kind of chill?

As the endlessly cold voice of the girl echoed in his ears, Woojin felt as though he had come face-to-face with the monster under his childhood bed— one he had only imagined before.

‘What the hell…?’

It was just a single small girl walking toward them. 

And yet, an indescribable fear coiled around his chest. His legs stiffened, and his body wouldn’t move properly.

‘She’s just a player, so why…?’

Woojin had experienced countless PVP matches before, but never once had he felt this kind of unexplainable hesitation and dread. 

Not even when he’d been unlucky enough to be matched against the world’s number one ranked male player in the arena had he felt this kind of tremble.

From the girl walking toward them, an aura emanated— something far beyond that of a mere player.

 Woojin’s expression twisted as his heart pounded violently in defiance of his will.

“Ugh…”

“…”

He turned his head and saw that his comrade, the rogue Kim Jinho, wasn’t faring any better. With each step the girl took forward, Jinho took one step back.

“Damn it…”

Scowling at the filthy, inexplicable fear rattling through him, Woojin hurriedly checked the information hovering above the girl’s head. 

He thought that if he could at least confirm her level, the trembling might ease up a bit.

[???]

Level: ???

Class: ???

‘Huh…?’

Unlike the holy knight from earlier, none of her information was visible above her head.

‘Hidden profile…?’

Was she using an identity-concealing item like the “Crown of Shyness”? 

Complete data masking like this was rare, and it only added to Woojin’s confusion.

‘Why would she hide her info?’

Identity concealing items were expensive. 

And since only things like level and, optionally, name and guild were normally visible, most players didn’t bother hiding their data— unless they were assassins or hardcore role-players.

So why was this unknown girl hiding her information?

 Judging by the mask covering her face, was she some extreme role-playing type? 

Maybe a “dark hero in the chaos of the world” kind of persona?

…But it didn’t matter. 

If she were a high-level player, there’s no way she’d hide her info. 

It was human nature to brag when you were ahead of the pack.

Clearly, she was too embarrassed to reveal her level because it was low.

 That’s probably why she used the identity-hiding item. 

Yeah, there was no need to be afraid.

The aura and charisma radiating from her were probably just the effects of some items too. 

Beneath the flashy exterior, she was probably no different from that holy knight he had just disarmed.

“Hey, kid. You’d better stop right there.”

With that thought, Woojin summoned his courage and pointed his twin swords at the girl. 

Though cold sweat still clung to his forehead, thinking she was lower-leveled than him made the fear subside somewhat.

“Just show up out of nowhere and act all arrogant? ‘Prepared to die?’ What kind of brat talks like that? Where’d you sell your manners, huh?”

“……”

“I’m already in a pretty bad mood, so unless you wanna die, turn around and get lost while I’m still being nice.”

Woojin bared his teeth and growled at the girl. 

It was meant to be a threat, laced with killing intent— but the girl didn’t stop.

Only a single sentence came from her lips.

“…Try and kill me, if you can.”

Her voice, cold as ever, once again echoed through the dark alleyway.

A red gleam flared from behind the mask that covered her face, scattering like wild sparks. 

And slowly, the massive sword floating beside her began to point its tip toward Woojin.

The cold and chill emanating from her had grown even stronger, now sharp enough to feel like it was cutting into his flesh.

“Ha, fuck, seriously… this is pissing me off…”

He had thought that a bit of intimidation would be enough to make the girl back off in fear. 

But instead, she stood her ground even more confidently, prompting Woojin to curse aloud. 

He wanted to avoid combat if possible— something about this cold, this unease gnawing at him made him hesitate. 

But with her acting like this, it seemed he had no other choice.

“…Fine, I’ll kill you just like you want. You rude little bitch.”

Trying to act calm and unbothered, Woojin curled his lips into a mocking smirk and began preparing for combat. 

As he assumed his stance, he quickly started analyzing the girl.

‘A swordsman…?’

First, he tried to deduce her class. 

In ‘Season Off Fantasy’, the only melee DPS class that used a greatsword was the “Swordsman.” 

Just judging from her weapon, that seemed like the most likely option… but—

‘…No, that sword’s a fake. She’s probably an Ice Mage.’

The cold and chill radiating from the girl, and the frost that formed everywhere she passed— based on that, her true class was likely “Ice Mage,” a second-tier job from the mage tree.

Considering how ‘Season Off Fantasy’ only displayed basic info like level, it wasn’t unusual for players to hide or disguise their class. 

Woojin’s deduction made perfect sense.

‘Approach from the rear and finish it in a single blow.’

Giving a mage distance was suicidal for an assassin like him. 

Woojin planned to quickly close the gap, disarm her in one strike, and prevent her from casting any spells by taking out her hands.

“Jinho.”

“Y-Yeah, hyung…?”

“Didn’t you say you’re into slender girls?”

“W-Well, yeah…”

“…Then today, I’ll grant your wish.”

He added a short jab through his exchange with Jinho. 

Woojin often used trash talk to rile up his opponents before a fight— it was part of his usual psychological warfare. 

Even though her face was hidden behind a mask, he was sure she must be furious now.

“…Acceleration.”

Then Woojin activated his skill— Acceleration— which boosted his speed. 

Like a cheetah sprinting across the African plains, he dashed straight toward the girl.

‘Good…’

As expected of an assassin, who rivaled spearmen and rogues in agility, his starting burst was so fast that it stirred the air around him.

‘Perfect…!’

Impressed even by his own blinding speed— so fast that most players wouldn’t even be able to perceive it—Woojin smiled. His optimism began to flare up inside.

He would close the distance before the girl even noticed, sever her hands so she couldn’t cast spells, and completely disarm her.

After that, he would make her pay for the crime of daring to treat them like toys…

‘…This is the best.’

Wearing a wicked grin twisted by vile thoughts, Woojin pushed off the ground to pick up even more speed.

“Ugh…?!”

But the moment he planted his foot on the asphalt road—

A sudden, sharp sting brushed past both his legs. 

He brushed it off, thinking it was probably just a pebble that slipped into his clothes, and kept his eyes locked on the girl as he moved forward.

“…Huh?”

Strangely, his field of vision started to lower. 

His eyes, which had previously been level with the girl’s masked face, were now lowering— down past her torso, until he was seeing her worn-out shoes straight on.

The leg he had extended forward wouldn’t move. 

In fact, he felt no strength in it at all.

It didn’t take long for Woojin to realize that he had, shamefully, collapsed from his legs giving out.

“I fell…?”

In all his years playing ‘Season Off Fantasy’, he had never once tripped. 

But now, on his first step, his legs had buckled?

Dumbfounded, he lowered his gaze to check on his legs.

“Sh-Shit, hyung…!”

The first voice he heard was Jinho’s, beyond panic— he sounded like his mind had broken. 

Then came Woojin’s own, hollow voice, dazed and disoriented.

“…Huh?”

He looked down to see his lower body— and saw nothing where his legs should’ve been.

“M-My legs…?”

Where his thick legs should’ve been, there was nothing. 

Only crimson, sticky blood gushing out like a fountain.

“Huh? Huh? Huh?”

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t feel anything below his knees. 

Realizing that something had gone terribly wrong, his pupils quivered, and panic began to set in.

…And then, a glowing red holographic screen appeared in his vision— the kind that only popped up when a player took critical damage.

**

[Warning! Critical Damage Detected!]

Critical injury has been detected on the body!

○ Damaged Area: Both legs amputated 

○ Status Effect: Bleeding (Grade 4) 

○ Movement Speed: -99% 

○ Attack Speed: -80%

※ Continued bleeding may cause additional effects such as blurred vision and mental confusion. 

※ Recommended recovery item: Regenerating Pine Needles 

※ Retreat immediately to a safe zone with the aid of allies.

**

“Uh…?”

Upon checking the hologram screen, Woojin realized that both of his legs had been severed. 

As soon as he fully grasped his condition, an overwhelming pain engulfed his entire body, rendering him completely unable to move.

…And then, a horrendous scream tore out of his mouth.

“G-g-gaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!”

Clutching his amputated stumps, Woojin rolled on the ground in agony. 

Through the tears streaming from his eyes, he caught sight of something— just inches from his face, a massive greatsword hovered in midair, dripping bright red blood.

…It was unmistakably the same crimson-bladed greatsword that had been floating beside the girl.

“Th-This is….”

Woojin froze. The blood dripping from the girl’s sword was clearly his— anyone could tell.

Which could only mean one thing: the person who had severed his legs was none other than that mysterious girl.

‘No way— that girl? With a greatsword? Wasn’t she a mage…?! She tracked my speed…?’

Woojin’s thoughts began racing.

How had she managed to cut something as fast as his legs with that huge sword? 

Mages were supposed to have the weakest physical capabilities out of all the classes!

…Could he have been mistaken all along? 

Was she never a mage to begin with? 

Was she actually a greatsword knight, just as he had originally suspected? 

But then what was that frost-like aura around her when she walked— if not magic, then what?!

“U-Ugh, uhuuk…”

Wracked with pain and confusion, Woojin spiraled into chaos. 

As he groaned helplessly, an ominous dark cloud began to gather above his head.

…And from within that black cloud, something began to fall. 

Not rain— but cold, white snowflakes.

“S-Snow…?”

Was he dreaming? 

Or had he simply lost too much blood and started hallucinating? 

In the middle of this early summer weather, it wasn’t rain— it was snow? 

Woojin couldn’t believe his own eyes.

And as he looked closer at the drifting flakes, he noticed they weren’t ordinary snow either. 

These were ashen-gray, with an eerie quality that couldn’t possibly exist in the real world.

“……”

One of the gray snowflakes gently drifted down and settled on the tip of Woojin’s nose.

The first thing he felt was the freezing chill— so cold it sank deep into his bones.

…And the second thing that followed was a shock so intense it rivaled the pain of his severed legs.

“Aaahhhhhhhhhhh!! Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!”

Starting from his face and spreading across his entire body, it was a torment like being electrocuted— his entire body seared with pain. 

Woojin’s screams ripped through the night sky, bursting from his throat despite his will.

And then, once again, a bright red hologram appeared before his eyes— an all-too-familiar screen he never wanted to see again.

**

[Warning! HP Threshold Reached!]

Your life force has entered the Red Zone!

 ○ Remaining HP: Less than 0.2%

 > Next hit (Bleed Damage): 100% chance of death

 ○ Status Effect: Frozen (new)

 ○ Movement Speed: -20%

 ○ Attack Speed: -20%

※ While the Frozen effect is active, certain body parts will be immobilized.

※ Use of recovery item ‘Ancient Warmth’ is highly recommended.

※ Use of revival item ‘Flower of Resurrection’ is highly recommended.

※ Urgent retreat to a safe zone under ally support is advised.

**

“Freeze, freezing…?!”

Suddenly, a new status ailment— freezing— had been added. 

Not only that, but movement speed and attack speed were each reduced by 20%.

Although his legs had been cut off, his HP gauge, which had been stable until now, had dropped to below 0.1%, to the point that one more hit of bleeding damage would kill him.

‘I’m going to die… from just one snowflake hitting me? Me… Lee Woojin…?’

It was still hard to accept that both his legs had been cut off by the mysterious girl’s greatsword, but to be on the verge of death from just one snowflake hitting his nose, and to be afflicted with freezing on top of that— Woojin’s mind simply couldn’t comprehend it.

‘Ashen eyes? What the hell is this? Damn it, what is it! What the hell is it…!!’

Tears of frustration streamed down Woojin’s face as a sudden old memory flickered through his mind.

A few years ago, Woojin had experienced something very similar to this.

‘…The End of the World.’

The December stage of the Season Off Fantasy— the land of freezing, “The End of the World.” 

And the Ace guild’s stage boss raid was held there.

Back then, Woojin had been struck by a downpour of ashen snowflakes, afflicted with freezing status, and his head had been shattered by chains swung faster than even he could move.

Just like now.

“Ah…”

The freezing effect was caused by the ashen snowflakes.

Weapons floating in the air swung so fast they were almost imperceptible to the eyes.

And only one being who could wield them freely.

“This can’t be…”

As the blurry image grew clearer, fear flooded Woojin’s gaze. 

He struggled to raise his head and looked up at the mysterious girl standing over him, staring down.

“This can’t, just can’t be…”

The freezing state inflicted by the “ashen snowflakes” was turning his entire body into ice, but Woojin didn’t close his eyes. 

No, he couldn’t.

“Why the hell is that damn woman here…?”

He just stared blankly, continuously gazing at the girl whose face he couldn’t quite make out.

“Why… why…”

According to his unclear memory, the stage boss who had killed him at The End of the World also had the appearance of a beautiful girl.

“Why the hell would a stage boss be in a place like this…?”

Right in front of him— just like this girl.

“D-damn it…”

In his fading consciousness, filled only with fear and terror, Woojin barely managed to squeeze out a voice toward the girl.

“Y- you’re not…”

His vision gradually darkened. 

His strength drained, and even the sharp pain that had hit his whole body began to fade. 

But Woojin stubbornly called out the name of the girl who had crushed him— a name that should not exist in Korea, in Seoul— the name of the god of destruction.

“Se-Selberion…”

“…”

But there was no answer.

Only eternal silence echoed in his ears.

…Woojin’s vision went completely black.