episode_0340

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

Click, clack, crack.

The insects’ concert reaches its finale. The commotion within the [Goryongsan Rift Zone] also nears its end.

“Sa-rang hated bugs. Good thing we sent her east.”

Click, clack. Click, clack.

The western outer wall. Guild Leader Kim Ha-yang of the [Changcheon Sword Clan]. She instinctively drew her sword at the sound of countless creatures stirring beneath the earth.

Click, clack. Click, clack. Click, clack, crack.

Swarms—crushing, crawling, skittering!

The footsteps of insects. A wave of grasshoppers’ chirping. They surge forth in a synchronized harmony.

CRACK!

The noise from all directions is enough to make one’s eyes snap wide open. A cold shiver runs down Kim Ha-yang’s neck as she frowns and turns her head.

Around her lay the corpses of monsters piled high, drawn to the collapsed outer wall. Bodies split clean in half with a single slash. Puddles of blood that, if left undisturbed, would become nourishment for the earth.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

But moments after the woman who introduced herself as the “Friend of the Galaxy” began playing her flute— A rustling noise started rising from within the corpses.

Click, clack, crack!

Tiny bugs.

From the earth, from the carcasses of monsters. Gnawing, chewing, crawling out through the gaps of flesh. Soon, their numbers swell in an instant, staining Goryongsan black. The monsters fleeing toward them now screech in terror, fleeing eastward.

“… …”

The world drowns in black in a single moment. Monsters scrambling away, shrieks of those caught and devoured alive. Even in this place where spring’s warmth arrived after winter’s chill, it felt as though a dark night sky had descended.

If the world were ending, would it sound like this?

Closing her eyes tight, Kim Ha-yang grips her sword hilt until her knuckles whiten.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

The flute’s melody.

Likely, that flute is an [Artifact] that summons the “Black Calamity.” And the woman playing it. Was it she who called them forth?

At the [Cheolwon Rift Zone], where the insects first emerged. At a secluded mountain villa. Here at the [Goryongsan Rift Zone]. And now today—their fourth appearance.

If they are truly summoned beings under the control of an [Artifact], then their elusive nature until now makes sense. It’s just that… she never imagined a “calamity” capable of reducing an entire [Rift Zone] to ruin could be unleashed by a single artifact’s power.

‘This is giving me a headache. I’ll stop thinking.’

Whether she likes it or not, keeping the existence of that [Artifact] a secret seems necessary. Kim Ha-yang now understands why Ban Ha-rin begged the Hunters to stop them.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

The performance continues. As always.

‘…Never heard this rhythm before.’

Kim Ha-yang, who lost her sight before her daughter was born, listens closely to the dissonant noise. A sorrowful melody… Yet the insects’ footsteps are brimming with vigor. Almost as if the bugs themselves are comforting their “conductor.”

Her senses sharpened, Kim Ha-yang catches the “performer’s” figure through the mana brushing against her skin.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

A figure weaving mournful notes.

The “woman” sits on a slab of fallen concrete from the outer wall, playing her flute. Click, clack.

She holds the flute with both hands. A lace parasol in one. The other hand waves through the air like a conductor’s. Dressed in a gown that cascades to the ground.

A woman who resembles a bug.

Click, claaaaack—

The bugs gather around her. Countless tiny insects swarm to form the hem of her dress, the ruffles of her parasol— even her very eyes.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

A woman who resembles a bug.

She is no longer the woman who spoke with Kim Ha-yang mere moments ago. Realizing its presence, Kim Ha-yang instinctively swallows dryly.

Disquieting.

An aberration in the shape of a woman.

‘Hm… No time for this. I was asked to stop Hunters from breaching the outer wall.’

SNAP!

She isn’t sure exactly what that is—but it’s dangerous. Best to finish her task and withdraw quickly.

Kim Ha-yang pulls a banner from the folds of her pristine white uniform and tosses it lightly toward the collapsed outer wall.

A banner bearing the emblem of the [Changcheon Sword Clan]. It flies beyond the dense fog, past the edges of the [Rift Zone]… all the way to the ruined entrance before embedding itself into the ground.

“This is a Hunter’s marker. It means no entry until the advance team returns. You won’t need to worry about Hunters pushing in here.”

『What a shame.』

Click, claaaaack—

That thing playing the flute replies. The same voice as the woman from before… But the tone is different.

Split personality? Ever since the woman began playing, something changed.

“… …” 『…….』

Not a merging—but an overwriting.

A cold wind whistles past, grazing her earlobe. Danger.

Kim Ha-yang crouches slightly, adjusting her grip on her sword with sweat-slicked hands.

Click, claaaaack—

As Kim Ha-yang takes her stance, Ban Ha-rin observes her with a bewitching smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. The lady in the black dress has arrived.

– A lady who loves pranks and praise. – Even trivial things will do. Praise our mischievous lady. – Praise will be repaid with praise; other things with other things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click, claaaaack—

Kim Ha-yang focuses on every skittering step of the insects around her.

A Galaxy’s Friend who commands bugs with an unidentified [Artifact]… No, is it even human? She can no longer even be sure what that truly is.

“…Hm.”

A moment’s hesitation. Kim Ha-yang relaxes her stance and exhales. Well, it is the Friend of the Galaxy. Probably not a bad person.

An extension of her blind faith in the Galaxy.

“Phew… My apologies. Nerves got the better of me. You play well—is it a specialty?”

『An obligation. You wield your sword skillfully—a hobby?』

“A profession.”

They exchange compliments. Better late than never.

Click, claaaaack—

Then, bugs that had crept beneath Kim Ha-yang’s skin slip out silently and fall to the ground.

“…Who are you?”

『We are this nation’s Royal Consort.』

Ban Ha-rin—or rather, that thing wearing her face—curls her lips into a roguish, teasing smirk.

All the while, the ‘bugs’ continue burrowing out from the monsters’ corpses, feasting without pause. Slowly, larger bugs begin to emerge as well.

Click, clack. Click, clack.

Deafening noise.

Kim Ha-yang resists the urge to cover her ears. The unsettling gaze of that thing—its neck bent at an unnatural angle—leaves no room to focus on anything else.

Click, claaaaack—

Blind as she is, If the presence before her feels even larger, more grotesque than it seems—

Is it just her imagination?

Click, claaaaack—

Then, that thing stops playing and speaks.

『Twice now, the silver trumpet has sounded in this place—so the people shall gather and form a nation.』

“…?”

『Merely an observation. This world appears to have something similar.』

Today is October 1st. At the [Goryongsan Rift Zone], the second performance.

Somewhere, they called it the Feast of Trumpets. Or perhaps ten days afterward?

Pointless musings. Hardly relevant anyway.

Kim Ha-yang shakes her head as if clearing clutter from her mind. Even if explained, she wouldn’t understand—no need to remember.

CRASSSHHH!

A train-sized millipede bursts from the earth, barreling northward.

A creature named ‘Gress.’

It gleefully slams into monsters, herding them eastward.

Click, clack.

Her ears ache from the noise. Kim Ha-yang winces, rubbing them irritably.

“…Mind explaining in simpler terms? My mind isn’t the sharpest.”

『Our partner has acted out of character, stirring up quite the mess. Rectifying it presents difficulties, so We intend to claim this place as Our “territory.”』

Click, claaaaack—

By now, that thing has set down the flute, watching Kim Ha-yang.

…….

The North Star, such a sweetheart—yet loses her mind whenever Hunters are involved. Even if this ends peacefully, who will dispose of the monsters hung from trees? It’ll be a mess.

If other Hunters find their corpses and awaken, ordinary accidents will follow. And if those awakened Hunters escape the [Rift Zone] alive? That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Just how many will die? How deeply will the Galaxy grieve?

『Thus, We shall make this Our “territory.” None who awaken here shall leave alive.』

“…I see.”

『Understood?』

“No.”

Tap-tap-tap.

The sensation of countless unseen eyes judging her. Though she cannot see, she imagines an exasperated expression.

『Tch, you rock-brained human.』

“Heard that one before. My apologies.”

BOOM! THUD!

Then, a spider the size of a building clambers over the ridge, heading south.

A creature named ‘Harper.’

It terrifies monsters with monstrous legs, forcing them eastward.

Click, clack. Click, clack.

Her ears hurt. The noise, perhaps? Kim Ha-yang keeps rubbing them.

Drip. Drip.

Bloodied bugs crawl out from her ears.

『…….』

Time passes unmeasured.

The [Bug Princess], wearing a mischievous smirk, rises from her seat. Having herded most monsters eastward and restored some order—

It’s time to reunite with the Galaxy.

Click, claaaaack—

The finale.

The [Bug Princess] tucks her flute away and raises her ever-present black parasol. Still clad in Ban Ha-rin’s form, she arches her lips seductively. Noticing the ‘cross-shaped hairpin’ flipped upside down—different from usual—she prepares to depart.

『Henceforth, We shall seal all exits. Even Our partner will rest easy knowing this.』

“… …”

『Should any trespass upon Our “territory,” they shall perish—do as you will thereafter.』

Uncharacteristically polite yet eerily indifferent. Save for minimal consideration for the Galaxy, the fate of others seems irrelevant.

Having delivered her unsympathetic decree, the [Bug Princess] grins and waves.

“… …”

And Kim Ha-yang—

Her face blank with incomprehension—silently presses a hand to her forehead.

Should’ve brought Jung So-ra’s scouter after all.

Click, clack.

Her ears hurt. Kim Ha-yang rubs them again.

“Hm… Understood. I’ll propose permanently sealing the [Goryongsan Rift Zone]. Will that suffice?”

『　　　 　　.』

For some reason,

That thing wearing Ban Ha-rin’s form doesn’t respond. It merely puckers its lips—

And flashes a playful, foxlike grin.

‘Lipreading… What? “Next time, don’t interrupt during a performance”?’

Silence envelopes the world. Even the bugs’ footsteps vanish.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

0. Please listen to our song.

– A fleeting chance—to hear the most exquisite, delectable music in the world. – Please, grant us the honor of performing your score.

4. Sleeping soundly—that’s more like it!

– We despise noise! – Kindly enjoy the princess’ and our concert in silence! – Who am I?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

『　　　. 　　.』

Ban Ha-rin waves, murmuring something. Perhaps signaling the end of business.

Kim Ha-yang waves back before turning to leave the [Rift Zone] through the collapsed wall’s gap.

She isn’t sure.

She barely understood anything just now. But she survived an encounter with that thing—good enough.

In the end, sealing the entire [Rift Zone] should settle it. Since the ‘Black Bugs’ appeared, Hunters have avoided the area anyway. Once news spreads of them nesting inside, they’ll shut it down for safety’s sake.

(『Should any trespass upon Our “territory,” they shall perish—do as you will thereafter.』)

That thing was not human.

Had she acted on her unease and drawn her blade—she might not have left alive.

That intuition lingers.

‘The Galaxy has some peculiar friends. Wonder how Sa-rang’s doing.’

Thinking of her only daughter, Kim Ha-yang exits the [Rift Zone].

…….

“　　! 　　.” “　　　!!”

Emerging from the gap in the wall,

Hunters—whose voices make no sound, their lips only moving— rush over and begin pouring potions into Kim Ha-yang’s ears.

What’s this?

It’s… cool.

…….

“This is insane… Run!”

“Didn’t they say those damn bugs were gone from Goryongsan?! Why are they back?!”

“Wasn’t the barrier collapse their doing too?! If those things get out, the country’s finished!!”

A small commotion follows.

The concrete barrier shattered by bombings. Behind Guild Leader Kim Ha-yang—her hearing restored—the ‘pitch-black bugs’ crawl out of the [Rift Zone].

Click, clack.

Hunters scream as they flee the swarms. A few use Skills—boulders and flames hurled at the gap—

BOOM! CRASH!

But the ‘Black Bugs’ ignore them. Like joyful children on an outing, they skitter about—

Click, claaaaack—

Then, as if solely focused on their task, they begin repairing the collapsed wall without sparing the humans a glance.

Click, clack. Click, clack.

If one were to name the creatures most adept at home repairs in this world? Beetles. Ants. Centipedes. Spiders. And others labeled ‘bugs.’

A black tide surges forth, sealing the breaches. They gnaw on concrete debris, molding it like soft clay to patch the walls.

“What the… Why would monsters…?”

“…Retreat.”

“Guild Leader Kim Ha-yang…! Are you alright?”

“My ears feel better.”

Monsters repairing the barrier?

Stunned spectators watch the unexplained reconstruction.

Click, clack.

Footsteps brimming with the joy of an outing.

Walls rise. A fortress surrounding their newly claimed kingdom—letting none enter.

Click, clack.

The western wall, the eastern wall. Even the checkpoint gates—

Every entrance is sealed.

Click, clack.

In moments, countless insects plug every gap, erecting an impregnable ‘fortress’ of their own.

…….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

…….

Strangled by love.

One day, may these feelings reach you.

ㅡㅡㅡ♪ ㅡㅡㅡ♬ ㅡㅡㅡ♩ ㅡ♪

Yet sadly, lacking the courage to voice them, I can only reach you through this clumsy performance.

G-grk… Grk…

The sensation of choking.

I saw you in pain. As though someone gripped your throat, leaving you breathless. Ggrk…

Surely, it’s because I—this human called ‘me’—live with love wrapped around my neck. Thus, I suffocate.

Thud!

Amid a forest where monster corpses hang like fruit from trees, Ban Ha-rin swings her sickle with an icy expression.

The rope tethering the Galaxy’s body snaps effortlessly.

Plunk—

Ban Ha-rin catches her like a falling fruit, cradling her close.

Another swing of the sickle.

This time—not to wound, but to save.

“…Cough…!”

“You’ve suffered, Lady Galaxy.”

The ‘inverted cross’ hairpin.

Ban Ha-rin tosses the sickle aside and removes her eyepatch. Gazing down at the Galaxy, she murmurs—

“Haah… Promotion exams are such a hassle.”

“…Now that I’ve plucked Lady Galaxy from the tree, all that’s left is to eat.”

“Comparing people to fruit now… You’re supposed to wash them first.”

At the Galaxy’s usual languid smile, Ban Ha-rin exhales her held breath and smirks.

“… …”

No words are spoken.

Love has left her breathless.

Simply stroking the rope marks on the Galaxy’s neck, she holds her close in this forest where countless monsters met their end.

She breathes.

A simple thing.

“…It’s over now, right?”

“Yes. You must be exhausted, so let’s head back—”

“Only to get kidnapped again the moment we leave.”

“Won’t you protest?”

“Unfair. I’m the only one who suffered. I need payback.”

Click, claaaaack—

A ruined kingdom reborn.

The tale of ‘pitch-black bugs’ nesting anew within Goryongsan.