episode_0048

“Phew… Phew… .”

I am running towards the marker marked on the map.

There is about 5 minutes to spare, but since the distance is quite long, you have to run without stopping.

I thought back to what Cheshire said.

– Go to the cabin hidden somewhere in this forest. Zeke would know what to do.

‘What on earth is in the cabin?’

I wondered if there were any weapons to use against the hunters, but unless they had anti-tank missiles, I don’t think they would win.

Actually, there is something to point out. If what I thought was correct, the hunter would be pinned down and unable to do anything.

‘It might not be very pleasant, though.’

You can’t be sure until you see it in person, so for now, I focused on my breathing and picked up the pace.

*

There are approximately 100m left to the hut.

I am running with all my might without a moment to catch my breath.

Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap-

A heavy metal sound coming from behind.

A hunter is chasing you.

‘It’s not even a fucking horror game.’

I’ve already given up the pace and everything, and even though I’m running aimlessly, I feel like I’m getting closer rather than the distance getting wider.

In reality, there are people who can run 100m in 9 seconds, so why am I so slow?

Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap- Clap-

The sound is closer than before. I couldn’t look back, so I was roughly guessing the distance by sound, and it seemed like they were right behind me.

I run with all my might, feeling a thrilling thrill and a pain that feels like my lungs are about to burst, but I can’t see my destination because of the overgrown trees.

‘Damn it, was 100 meters this far?’

Just when I thought I had reached my limit, I saw a cabin along with an empty lot.

however…

‘Fucking fence..!’

An iron fence higher than a person’s height surrounds the hut. There are thorns sticking out here and there, so if you hit it straight, you are guaranteed to be killed.

There is no time to leisurely dismantle the fence.

I quickly rolled my eyes and saw a gap at the bottom of the fence that could barely fit a person through.

Without hesitation, I leapt forward and passed through the gap, but the hunter stopped in his tracks.

“Heo Eok… Huh… Ugh, wow… ”

I was out of breath, nauseous, and really upset.

My breath calmed down and I tried to laugh at the hunter who couldn’t get over the fence, but the hunter was breaking the fence with his strength.

‘Oh shit, that bastard is a superhuman.’

I managed to escape into the hut while clenching my arms and legs, which had lost all strength.

The cabin was just plain, nothing special.

“Heo Eok… You damn bastard… Where are you… I hid it… .”

The sound of metal breaking rang out in real time. There isn’t much time. We have to search quickly.

‘Let’s think about it. If the device hidden in this cabin is what I think it is, it will need quite a bit of space. Because there doesn’t seem to be any space like that in this small cabin… There must be a basement.’

Basement doors are usually located behind bookshelves or under carpets.

First we removed the easy carpet, but there was no basement door.

Next, I tried to push the bookshelf full of books to the side, but it wouldn’t move.

“Oh fuck.”

I had no choice but to lighten the bookshelf by pulling out the books and throwing them roughly.

Kagang–!

At first glance, it sounded like a fence had been broken.

‘It’s breathtaking.’

He pulled down the light bookshelf, knocked it over, and fell into the stairs behind it.

‘As expected, my prediction was right. ‘You devil bastard.’

Looking at the device prepared in the basement, I was a little amazed.

A truly Cheshire-like, cruel device full of viciousness.

With this, even a weak country can kill a hunter.

Steel tip – Steel tip –

I heard the sound of a heavy piece of metal coming down the stairs.

“Welcome. Is this your first time in the basement?”

I greeted the hunter who came down to the basement.

Sreung–

As expected, the hunter draws his sword without any reaction.

I tapped the lever in front of me and pointed my finger at the device.

A huge iron ball connected by chains hangs in the air.

A simple device that causes an iron ball to fall when you pull the lever.

The hunter’s gaze naturally turned to the bottom of the iron ball and froze.

Even though he was wearing a helmet, I could tell he was very agitated.

“True… It’s not a pleasant situation. Right?”

I pulled the lever.

Churrruk-

As the fixed chain was released, the heavy iron ball began to fall downward.

The hunter roughly threw away the knife he was holding and quickly ran to grab the chain.

The falling iron ball stopped in the air and shook loudly.

Perhaps because of its considerable weight, the hunter’s arms trembled.

His hands are tied with chains,

Both legs were also tied up trying to hold on to the floor.

The hunter voluntarily chose to be incapacitated.

Because what was under the iron ball was more important than his life.

“Pull the lever again..!”

“You speak well. I should have told you sooner.”

He approached the hunter and took off his helmet.

Naturally, it was the face of a man I had never seen before.

“Hmm. As expected, they look alike.”

A face that looks very similar to a child restrained under a huge iron ball. No, I should say that that child resembles a hunter.

“Please… Please pull the lever..! The child… There is no crime..!”

His daughter, a girl who knows nothing and is innocent of any crime, and who resembles a hunter, is sleeping under the iron ball.

“That sounds like I am guilty.”

“Please, please, that child is my everything! Please, have mercy. Please..!”

“Mercy?”

Pick up the sword thrown away by the hunter.

“I tried to resolve it peacefully in my own way, but they refused. This is the best for me too.”

“Ah… no… Please, please, please! I don’t care if you kill me. Just save my daughter..!”

He approaches the hunter with a sword.

“If I pull the lever, you will kill me. Isn’t that right?”

Point the knife at the hunter’s neck.

“Now, wait! Not now! The iron ball, the iron ball falls! Please pull the lever!”

“Hmm… Don’t worry too much. I know this because I have died many times, and if I were to fall under that thing, I would die instantly and painlessly. You’re asleep there, right? It can be said to be humane in its own way.”

“Well, that’s what you mean..!”

puck-!

He struck down the sword he held with both hands with all his might.

However, perhaps due to lack of strength, only half of his neck was cut off.

“Keuuk… Ugh..!”

Even though the knife was stuck in his throat, he did not let go of his grip on the chain.

“Is this the power of my father? That’s amazing.”

“J… please… At least my daughter… .”

“Actually, I can’t release it even if I want to. I don’t have a key.”

It is impossible for me to unlock the tightly fixed restraint without a key.

The hunter’s face distorted.

Sadness, anger, pain, and regret.

It was a face filled with complex emotions.

“I wanted to at least send him to Dankal, but I am weak. Hueup… This is not missing.”

The blade was firmly embedded in the neck and could not be removed.

If you try hard, you may be able to get it off, but

‘There’s no need to do that.’

He takes out the sack hanging from the hunter’s waist.

In fact, if the only purpose was to take the flame bag, there was no need to kill it.

However, if left alive, there may be some variables that arise.

The purpose of this route is to see the event until the end.

So it is correct to exclude variables.

“Now my business is done. Take care of the rest.”

“Keuuk… ah… no… please… Save my daughter… . don’t go… please… .”

Ignoring the hunter’s desperately pleading voice, I went up the basement stairs.

Churrr..!

The sound of a chain being loosened.

The sound of heavy metal colliding.

Likewise, I ignored the sound and came out of the cabin.

‘It’s not pleasant either.’

My mouth feels stuffy.

But it’s okay.

‘It’s just a game anyway.’

Besides, this route is a route that will be abandoned anyway.

*

*

The way back to the crude dragon-shaped sculpture.

When I looked at the flame bag inside the bag, I saw that it was a complicated looking mechanical device.

Judging by the ejection port and the smell of oil, it appears to be a flamethrower.

‘Breath is shit.’

I thought it was some kind of special device, but it turned out to be a device that spewed fire.

If this is the case, I wonder if there is any need to get a flame bag.

‘Then again, you’re going to make a fuss about it not being possible because it’s not a dragon’s breath, right?’

The basic rule of this Wonderland will be to follow the contents of the ‘fairy tale’.

Therefore, if you go against the flow of the fairy tale, this Wonderland will be immediately invalidated and Veronica will die.

On the other hand, if you follow the flow of the fairy tale, Cheshire will have no choice but to tolerate whatever crazy things you do.

‘I’d rather like it.’

Cheshire likes the more I poke holes in the rules or use shortcuts.

Cheshire is a person who is rather disappointed if he follows the standard solution. She likes to poke holes in the rules, use shortcuts, and see unexpected actions.

That’s why, from the beginning, Cheshire sets up its game so that it has no choice but to use loopholes and shortcuts.

If things continue as they are now, everyone will die, which is part of the plan.

‘I’ll gradually think about how to mess with it, but first I’ll have to get those damn legendary things.’

Now that I think about it, what was the next content?

I didn’t really pay attention to the fairy tale, and after searching for it so much with the hunter, I forgot about it.

‘You’ll find out when you go. Cheshire explains everything anyway.’

It’s a good thing that Cheshire has a temperament to explain things.

*

*

“Kuhuhuh. I brought a flame bag~.”

“Open the door quickly.”

“Zeek also said, I’m really in a hurry.”

Cheshire began tinkering here and there to attach the flame bladder to the flimsy dragon sculpture.

“How was the cabin you prepared?”

“…It was shit. Just like what you made.”

“Kuhuhuh. Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment.”

“I took it as a compliment, so it doesn’t matter.”

I can’t speak.

“Ahh~. The tragic ending of a hunter who was unable to protect his daughter. It’s such a sad story. I thought Zeke could change that fate, but it seems it was impossible. Kuhuhu. How does it feel to break up a family?”

“Stop being a dick and open the door.”

“It looks like there is no room. This Wonderland must be very difficult~. That means I made it well.”

“Shut up, right?”

“ppu~. No one can stop Cheshire’s mouth.”

“Then I should shut up.”

The more I spoke, the more I was harmed, so I kept my mouth shut.

“Now~. Flame bag installation complete. Should I blow my breath now?”

Since I was still in a state of silence, I didn’t bother to respond.

I have no intention of doing so.

“Spit fire~!”

When Cheshire pulled the string with a lively voice, the dragon’s mouth opened and flames spewed out.

It was so powerful that I had to take a step back because I felt like my skin was burning just by standing next to it.

The breath, which had lasted for a while, stopped, and molten iron flowed from the door that had been covered in flames.

The tightly closed door slowly opened, revealing the armor and sword on display inside.

The subtle armor and sword are somewhat dull and dull for legendary equipment.

I thought Cheshire would prepare something a little more flashy.

“Kuhuhuh~. Now it’s time to start the second act.”

Cheshire handed me a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket.

“Directions?”

When I opened the paper, I saw that the map had been drawn appropriately.

“Are you telling me to go here?”

“Shh!”

Cheshire put his finger over my mouth, took a few steps back, and began talking in an exaggerated, theatrical tone.

“Keuhum! After defeating the dragon hunter and recovering the flame bag, the prince entered the dragon’s treasure trove. Now all that remains is to save the princess with the legendary armor and sword, but oh no. The evil witch placed a curse on the prince’s equipment~.”

‘Ha, fuck. Now I remember.’

The story behind a fairy tale I had forgotten came to mind.

“Because of the witch’s curse, the armor and sword became too heavy, and the prince went to see a pure white wizard to lift the curse.”

“But the pure white wizard was captured by the church due to the witch’s trick.”

“Kuhuhuh. that’s right. A foolish archbishop who was possessed by a witch! He accused the Pure White Wizard of heresy and imprisoned him. The prince decided to rescue the pure white wizard trapped in the cathedral in order to lift the curse on the equipment.”

Dirty cat bitch.

It’s so fucking annoying.

If I just give it away, what will happen?

“Can’t I just use this? Even if you’re cursed, the legendary armor and sword won’t change.”

“Kuhu~. That’s right. But you won’t be able to use it?”

“Let’s see.”

I grabbed the handle of the sword lying on the floor with both hands and tried to lift it, but it wouldn’t budge.

It looked quite heavy, but it seemed like I could at least lift it slightly.

“It’s impossible. Kuhuhu. Then I’ll be waiting for you at the cathedral. You have to come quickly~.”

Cheshire disappears with a wink and a hand kiss.

Anyway, I adjusted my posture and raised my sword.

“Huh..!”

When I lifted it with all my strength, it did move.

Very slightly. Just a little bit.

I almost broke my back just for that little bit, but I still gained something.

The worldview of this game is a fantasy where there are unknown powers such as supernatural powers or arcs, and monsters such as vampires exist.

Therefore, I had to find out if this sword was simply heavy, or if it was truly cursed and made it impossible to lift it.

This isn’t a curse or anything.

Because it moved at least a little.

It’s just so damn heavy.

And thanks to moving it even slightly, I was able to get a rough idea of how heavy this sword was.

‘I think this is possible.’

Little by little, the outlines of a big picture that would turn this wonderland upside down were being formed.

Having a sore back is a bonus.