episode_0024

It was an unbelievable scene.

Chaeseol’s body contorted wildly like a slime, and even her face began to change.

Soon, the face transformed into Luna’s identical appearance.

“Hmm, I look better in my original form!”

“…What exactly are you?”

“You’re going to die soon anyway, why bother asking, you fool!”

The guy extended his arm, aiming precisely for the vital point.

Seeing his arms elongate like a slime, it seemed his ability involved transforming his body at will.

In simple terms, they were individuals who could transform into desired forms and use their rubbery flexibility to outmaneuver opponents.

He was a liquid monster.

He aimed for the vital points that could kill with a mere touch.

Unlike me, he genuinely intended to kill the opponent.

If one were to allow an attack even once, what followed would be unimaginable.

“Heh, you dodge quite well. It’s fun to play around.”

First, the reason behind his actions was unclear.

If climbing the tower wasn’t the goal, was he planning on receiving a prophecy and then committing suicide?

However, there hadn’t been any actions significant enough to become a target.

Rather than harboring resentment, it seemed I had more to worry about.

Regardless, one thing was certain; there was no time to ponder now.

“I got you!!”

I almost fell prey to the arm flying from the opposite direction.

Barely evading his assault, I distanced myself again.

Upon closer inspection, he was undoubtedly an impeccable liquid monster.

Easily dodging the attacks thrown at him, he possessed a deceitful ability. Even if his body were pierced, it was futile.

Even in a desperate situation where nothing worked, my focus shifted elsewhere.

“Exactly, it’s natural to be anxious. How can I mimic your comrade!”

“…True, I’m curious. But you probably won’t tell me.”

“Don’t expect any special treatment!!”

Eventually, what he revealed was unbelievable and detestable.

Chaeseol and Luna lay unconscious inside his sticky liquid.

The two of them were bound within his abdomen.

“You… you bastard, what have you done?”

“It’s hard to believe, right? The fact that even Einstein here suffered because of me. Hehe.”

His pupils dilated in astonishment.

His eyes widened to gather more visual information.

Despite seeing it, the brain endlessly sought more information, as if unable to believe it.

But after repeated transmissions, the conclusion was reached – that might actually be real.

Soon, various changes occurred in his body.

His eyes widened further to aim accurately at the target.

Simultaneously, his heart rate increased, breathing intensified, and his mouth naturally opened wider.

His arms and legs assumed extreme positions, as if they could spring forth at any moment.

And a sensation akin to boiling blood surged through his body, despite the impossibility of actual blood flow.

Moreover, his mind, filled only with rage, ultimately pushed him into an excited mental state.

In short, fury surged within him.

“Now then…”

A part of the liquid monster vanished.

The distance covered to reach 10 meters was less than a second.

It was a speed beyond reaction.

Before he could react, no time was left for him to catch up.

In human terms, it meant that in a split second, holes appeared in his right arm and abdomen.

Yet, Yohanul did not lose his composure.

Instead, he was calmer than ever, sharper than ever.

This was a state of awakening where the acceptable mental limit was forcibly surpassed.

It was a moment when every sense in his body sharpened.

“Ugh…! This guy! Where did he…!”

Translated into his speed, it was merely one syllable.

While the opponent uttered just one syllable, the holes grew larger.

Unfortunately, the opponent relied on physical attacks, which were the opposite of his forte.

“Heh, quite agile but that’s all.”

The liquid monster’s body could be severed and torn apart without consequence.

Even the destroyed parts regenerate immediately, rendering all attacks useless.

In some cases, the opponent becomes invincible.

Yeo Han-ul’s anger had not subsided in the slightest, but he was gradually realizing that he was falling behind.

If he had evaporated the guy through electricity at a time like this.

If Cha Seol-a were here, it would have surely been a great help.

On the contrary, does this mean that without Cha Seol-a, he can’t even handle such a guy?

The anxiety creeping up from behind gradually stole the strength from his hands.

“It’s time to be devoured.”

Why does this guy have so many sharp teeth?

The situation was so dark that it seemed futile to try to avoid the approaching creature’s mouth.

At that moment when his exhausted body was forcing him to give up.

Once again, it seems someone has triggered the explosion robot.

Due to the sound that seemed closer because of the explosion nearby, he had no choice but to cover his ears.

“Argh…! Darn it.”

As he tightly covered his trembling ears with his hands, something astonishing happened.

The adult-sized liquid monster had shrunk to the size of a mere child.

His eyes widened as the appearance from a moment ago disappeared without a trace.

And as he removed his hand from his ear.

“Hehehe, you guys will soon end up like the one caught in that explosion over there.”

The guy from before reappears.

In that case, could it be….

“Now die!!”

After dodging the creature’s long attack, he distanced himself once again.

Now, everything hinges on this.

“I’ve always thought. No matter how much damage you’ve taken, you’re not the type to lie.”

“What nonsense are you suddenly talking about?”

“Artemia must have given a hint to use in this test, but even after careful consideration, I don’t know where to apply it.”

The hint Artemia gave was to pay attention to the sound.

However, the content of the test had nothing to do with the sound.

Although the explosion of the robot was tremendous, it probably wasn’t meant to alert them about such things.

It’s not the sound that needs caution in the test.

But rather the characteristics of the person to be cautious of in the test.

“Heh heh, is this the last supper? Seems like you’ve lost your mind.”

The blue fruit he habitually picked up because of Luna.

He took out two fruits from his pocket and ate them.

One characteristic of the blue fruit is that, along with the taste of paradise mentioned earlier, there exists a small seed.

According to my military experience, the size of that seed is very similar to an earplug worn for shooting practice.

Carefully, he inserted the seed into his ear.

If my hypothesis is correct.

“…Now I see.”

“What?”

“Let’s settle this, you liar.”

Wearing the seed instead of the earplug.

Its effect was outstanding.

Not only did it fit snugly and comfortably, but it also blocked 99% of external sounds.

As a result, even the creature’s ultrasonic waves sent through hearing were blocked.

Ultrasonic waves clearly induce hallucinations.

When the hallucination disappeared, there was nothing but a small humanoid less than a meter away.

In other words, the hint Artemia provided was an auditory hallucination. The true identity of ‘Leo.’

“How did you…!”

“In the first place, you were lying from the beginning to the end. Can you guarantee that your name is real? Besides, if that guy is a worthy opponent, then he must have excelled in the previous test.”

Actually, I half-jokingly called him Leo.

Anyway, since the outcome was good, I moved on.

Rather, for such a small and weak-looking guy to have passed the previous test in first place.

It wasn’t for nothing that I warned about hallucinations.

I myself almost lost my sanity for a moment.

“Since it’s visible, the purpose is obvious. He’s just putting on a show to get rid of anyone who might interfere.”

“This guy… But even if we know his identity, it won’t change anything!”

That was true.

Even if they found out his true identity, acting rashly would only result in both of them being eliminated.

Then I should find someone to fall with instead.

“What, what are you doing!”

“Your abilities are too exceptional. Just stay tied up here for a moment.”

Leo, without hallucinations, had a power that was beyond feeble.

Thinking back, most of the first test was tailored for someone like him.

If they had been assigned to the same team, the outcome would have been uncertain.

He promptly tied the guy tightly to a nearby tree.

“There’s a famous saying where I come from.”

“What, what is it?”

“One who thrives on hallucinations, perishes by hallucinations.”

“What nonsense is that…!!”

Gradually clearing the surrounding area of reeds, making it wide like an open field.

As the reeds disappeared, figures began to emerge little by little.

Other participants gathered, some still half out of their minds.

Not only did some see opponents they wanted to face among the dogs, but it seemed they could even see opponents they wanted to kill.

The figures running in, filled with intermittent rage, resembled a scene from a zombie blockbuster.

“Untie me!!! Untie this bastard!!! Let me go!!!”

“Farewell, kid.”

When he quickly left his spot,

After confirming the screams piercing through the greenery and the sound of the guy breaking through the seed, he could fully move.

However, not long after, as if something important had been forgotten, something crossed his mind.

“Oh, right. Choi Woo-kyung.”