The chamber fell silent, Kim's words slicing through the still air and reverberating off the cold stone walls like the toll of a death knell. A suffocating tension descended, thick and unrelenting, as flickering torchlight painted long, sinister shadows across the faces of the survivors. The scent of damp stone and old blood lingered, a grim reminder of the trials they had endured.
"There were 17 of us," Kim began his voice a low, menacing growl that carried the weight of their shared suffering. "Now we're down to six." His sharp, unforgiving gaze swept over the group, each survivor shrinking under the intensity of his scrutiny, before locking onto Song. "I'm sorry about your arm, Song. But an apology won't pay for the lives this dungeon has claimed. Park, split in two, deserved more than this."
Kim paused, his right hand suddenly igniting in a swirl of flames that twisted and danced like living entities. The fire coalesced into a vortex, from which he drew forth a gleaming sword. Its blade shimmered ominously in the dim light, the edge razor-sharp and menacing, reflecting the flicker of the torches like a harbinger of doom.
In one swift motion, Kim leveled the sword at Song's throat, the tip mere inches from his skin. "Midoriya said the third commandment demands a sacrifice," he snarled, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "So I say we sacrifice you... Song Chiyul. You led us here. For all your sins, you must pay with your life!"
Izuku and Joohee froze in horror, their faces pale and stricken as the weight of Kim's words sank in. The atmosphere grew heavier, suffused with despair and disbelief, as though the dungeon itself was feeding on their turmoil.
"Mr. Kim..." Izuku finally stammered, his voice trembling like a fragile thread about to snap. "It wasn't his f-"
"SHUT UP!" Kim roared, his eyes blazing with a volatile mix of fear and fury. The veins in his neck bulged, and his grip on the hilt tightened, the blade trembling with his rage. "He has to take responsibility, right... Song?!"
Song's expression remained composed, his solemn gaze meeting Kim's fiery eyes without flinching. The silence stretched, taut as a drawn bowstring, before Song finally spoke. His voice, calm and steady, broke through the oppressive tension. "He's right, kid," Song said softly, addressing Izuku. "There's no need to defend me." Turning back to Kim, he added, "Put your sword away. I'll go willingly."
Izuku's mind churned with anger and frustration, his thoughts a storm of indignation. "This isn't fair!" he thought furiously. "It's not Mr. Song's fault! We all voted to come here. Park and Kim were the first to say yes, but we all chose this path. How can Kim blame him alone?"
Gritting his teeth, Izuku tried to push himself upright, his battered body protesting every move. Pain flared in his side, and his vision blurred momentarily, but he refused to falter. His eyes remained fixed on Song, who had already begun walking toward the altar. Each step was deliberate, his demeanor resolute, as though he had already made peace with his fate.
"Izuku, your wounds-" Joohee's voice faltered as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her concern evident. Her fingers trembled slightly, betraying her fear, but her words couldn't hold him back.
Pain coursed through Izuku's body, his missing right leg a constant reminder of the horrors they'd endured. The phantom ache in his absent limb gnawed at him, but it was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, drawing blood. He couldn't sit idly by. He couldn't let Song bear the burden of a mistake they had all made together.
As Song approached the altar, the air grew heavier, charged with an unnatural energy that prickled at their skin like static before a storm. The ancient runes carved into the stone began to glow with an eerie, pulsating light, their rhythm like a heartbeat awakening from centuries of slumber. The altar itself seemed alive, humming with a malevolent force that resonated in their very bones.
The survivors watched in silence, their breaths shallow and uneven. The oppressive weight of the dungeon pressed down on them, a cruel reminder that it demanded payment in blood. Song paused, his shadow stretching long and distorted across the glowing altar. He cast one last glance back at the group, his eyes filled with a quiet resolve that spoke louder than words.
When Song stepped into the altar's perimeter, a sudden "FWOOSH!" echoed through the chamber. A vibrant red flame erupted at the edge of the ancient stone platform, its flickering light casting eerie, dancing shadows across the faces of the survivors. The group froze, their collective breath held as fear and anticipation gripped them.
"What is it? What's happening?!" Kim's voice cracked, his usual bravado replaced with alarm.
Song spun around, his face clouded with uncertainty. "Midoriya," he called his voice tight with tension. "You sure this is it?"
Izuku shook his head, his brow furrowed in thought. "No," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "One flame... What does it mean? Is it asking for something other than a sacrifice?" His mind raced, piecing together the cryptic puzzle. He had been confident that the third commandment, "Thou shall prove thy faith," would be fulfilled when someone stepped onto the altar as a sacrifice. Yet now, doubt crept in.
A flicker of hope ignited in Izuku's chest. "If it's not about a sacrifice," he mused silently, "Then maybe this isn't bad news. Maybe Song can still be saved." His expression brightened slightly, though the weight of their peril remained heavy. "But..." he trailed off.
Izuku glanced at Joohee, kneeling beside him, her hands glowing faintly as she poured healing energy into his battered body. Sweat dotted her pale face, her exhaustion and worry evident. Around him, the strain of their ordeal was etched into every face.
"Help me to the altar," Izuku croaked, his voice weak but resolute. Two companions rushed to his side, draping his arms over their shoulders to support him.
"Izuku, your injuries-" Joohee protested, her voice tinged with concern.
"I'll manage, Joohee," he reassured her, though the pain flashing across his face betrayed his words. Slowly, painstakingly, they moved toward the altar. Each step sent fresh waves of agony through Izuku's body, but he pressed on, teeth gritted.
As his feet touched the cold stone, three more flames ignited around the altar's edge. Izuku's eyes widened as a realization dawned. "The number of flames matches the people on the altar," he murmured. The flames pulsed in rhythm with his racing heart, their movement hypnotic yet purposeful.
Scanning the altar, Izuku took in the scene: himself, Song, and the two who had helped him. Four people, four flames. The circular pattern was unmistakable. "If I account for the gaps between the flames," Izuku thought, his analytical mind kicking into gear, "two more would complete the circle. It seems everyone must step onto the altar for this to progress."He turned to Song, his voice low and urgent. "If we wait here, do you think other Hunters will come to rescue us?"
Song shook his head grimly. "Today's the seventh day since the Gate appeared," he said, tension lacing his voice. "The creatures will act before help arrives. It's a D-rank Gate, so the Association hasn't prioritized it. That's how they operate."
Seven days. The deadline for containing a Gate. If they failed, the consequences would be catastrophic. Izuku's gaze shifted to the towering statue of the god, its arrogant expression seeming to mock their plight. The thought of such a being unleashed upon the world sent a shiver down his spine.
With renewed determination, Izuku called out, "Joohee, Kim, join us on the altar."
Joohee hesitated but stepped forward resolutely. Kim followed, his earlier bravado replaced by wary caution. As their feet touched the stone, two more flames flared to life, completing the circle of red fire.
The air thickened, charged with an oppressive, otherworldly energy that made the hairs on their necks stand on end. Then, without warning, a new phenomenon began. Blue flames materialized at the altar's outer edge, forming a larger circle beyond the red one. These azure fires flickered and danced, their ethereal light casting ghostly hues across the survivors' faces.
Izuku's mind raced as he counted. "Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six..." he muttered. Thirty-six blue flames, perfectly spaced. The numbers tugged at his thoughts, a puzzle just out of reach.
"The six red flames match the number of people," Izuku reasoned. "But what's the significance of thirty-six blue flames?"
Before he could delve further, a deafening "CLUNK!" echoed through the chamber. The massive double doors at the entrance swung open, startling the group.
"What's happening?!" Kim shouted, his voice edged with panic.
"The door's open!" Song exclaimed, but the relief in his tone evaporated almost instantly. An oppressive sense of dread descended over the group, heavy and suffocating. This couldn't be the end-something else was coming. It had to be.
As if answering their unspoken fears, one of the blue flames flickered and vanished. At the same moment, a deep, resonant thudding echoed through the dungeon-a rhythmic pounding of heavy stone footsteps, deliberate and unrelenting.
Song's eyes widened in sheer terror as the source of the noise came into view. "Oh, no... oh, crap!" he stammered, his voice cracking under the weight of his alarm.
"What now?!" Kim barked, spinning around to confront the looming threat.
Song's trembling hand shot out, pointing toward the entrance. His next words froze the group in place. "The statue knights... they're moving! They're coming for the altar!" he cried, his voice trembling as the once-lifeless guardians marched forward with menacing intent.
"What should we do?!" Someone exclaimed, their voice trembling with fear. "Why are they coming after us?!" Another cried out, panic evident in their tone.
Izuku's sharp eyes caught sight of Joohee, her hands covering her face in terror. He called out to her, his voice firm but reassuring, "Don't close your eyes, Joohee! Keep watching!" Turning to the others, he quickly explained, "This is like a deadly game of red light, green light. They'll move as soon as we break eye contact. Don't take your eyes off the statues, no matter what!"
As if to punctuate his words, another blue flame flickered and vanished. The woman who had been supporting Izuku began to hyperventilate, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at the approaching stone knights. Her breathing became more erratic, her body trembling violently. Suddenly, with a piercing scream, she bolted from the altar, unable to withstand the pressure any longer. As she fled, one of the red flames extinguished, leaving only a wisp of smoke in its wake.
"No!" Izuku cried out urgently, his hand reaching out futilely towards the fleeing woman.
To everyone's astonishment, the woman dashed through the open doorway without meeting a gruesome fate. The group watched in disbelief as she disappeared from view, her frantic footsteps echoing in the distance.
Kim's voice cut through the stunned silence, "What... what the hell?! Midoriya! What's going on? She made it out alive!" His eyes darted between Izuku and the doorway, confusion evident on his face.
Izuku, still supported by another man, couldn't see the doorway. His mind raced, piecing together the puzzle before them. "The blue flames are extinguishing as time passes," he muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But the red flames... they go out when someone leaves the altar, matching the number of people left."
His eyes widened as realization struck. "The first command was to worship. The second was to praise. The third... to prove our faith." He looked up at the others, his gaze intense. "This must be a trap. The open door is giving us false hope. They want us to prove our faith by resisting temptation and overcoming fear."
As if on cue, the man supporting Izuku began to tremble violently. Without warning, he let go, causing Izuku to collapse onto the hard stone of the altar. The man bolted towards the open doors, another red flame extinguishing as he crossed the threshold.
"... The hell?!" Kim exclaimed, his body tensing as if ready to follow.
"Nobody else move!" Izuku shouted, his voice strained as he pushed himself up, resting his back against the altar. "We can't have anyone else leave the altar!" His eyes scanned the approaching statues, calculating their next move. "We can't keep all of the statues in our sight. If we lose any more people, we're as good as dead!"
"What's going on, Midoriya? Give us something-an explanation, anything!" Song demanded, his voice taut with anxiety. His wide eyes flickered nervously between the advancing statues and Izuku, desperation etched deep into his face.
Izuku inhaled sharply, grimacing as a jolt of pain shot through his battered body. Despite his exhaustion, his voice was steady and clear. "We just need to keep our eyes on the statues and wait. The blue flames-they're like a countdown. Once they all go out, we should be able to escape this place alive."
Kim's brow furrowed, skepticism clouding his expression. "Midoriya... I want to believe you, but..." He hesitated, swallowing hard. "What if you're wrong? What if the door slams shut when the flames go out instead? How can you be so sure?"
Izuku's chest tightened. He wanted to offer reassurance, to prove he was right, but deep down, he knew he couldn't guarantee anything. The silence that followed felt suffocating, the weight of unspoken fears hanging heavy in the air. After a moment, Kim's tense features softened.
"Honestly," Kim began, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration, "I never thought the weakest member of the party would keep us alive this long." He let out a weak chuckle, shaking his head. "No offense, buddy, but I didn't think you'd contribute much at all."
Kim's gaze swept over the altar, lingering on the small group of survivors huddled together. His tone grew somber. "But after everything... after watching so many people get slaughtered here... the rest of us are still alive because of you. You cracked the riddle. You saved us. I owe you my life, and for that, I'm grateful."
"Mr. Kim..." Izuku whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. But before he could say anything more, Kim's shoulders slumped. His entire demeanor shifted, a deep sorrow overtaking him.
"But..." Kim's voice broke, his anguish spilling forth. The metallic clang of his sword hitting the stone floor echoed through the chamber. "I've got a family waiting for me out there," he choked out, tears streaming down his face. "I can't die here. I just can't."
Izuku's eyes widened in alarm as realization dawned. "Mr. Kim, no!" he cried, straining to push himself upright despite the pain wracking his body. "Don't-"
But Kim was already moving. He stepped toward the edge of the altar, his movements shaky but resolute. His voice was barely audible over the pounding of Izuku's heart. "I'm sorry, but... I'm done." His sobs wracked his body as he turned to face Izuku one last time. Regret and fear painted his features. "Sorry, buddy," he whispered, before bolting toward the open door.
"No! Mr. Kim!" Izuku's anguished scream reverberated through the chamber as another red flame extinguished in the brazier. He clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms as he fought back tears of despair.
The crushing weight of responsibility bore down on him, heavier than ever. He had to keep the others alive, had to guide them through this nightmare. But with each vanishing flame, hope slipped further and further from their grasp.
"'Grateful,' you say? Drop the damned theatrics! If you run now... just to save your own skin... you've doomed all of us to die." Izuku's thoughts raged like a storm, his frustration spilling over as tears streaked down his face. He clutched his head tightly with both hands, trying to steady his spiraling emotions. "Not yet. We have to survive this. Somehow, I always pull through. Every single time."
The stone statues surrounding them crept closer, their encirclement tightening like a noose. Song's sharp eyes scanned the dire situation before he turned to Izuku and Joohee, his face etched with grim determination. His voice, though calm, carried the weight of resignation. "Both of you, you should leave now," he said.
Izuku's gaze snapped to the older man, his heart sinking at the words. Song continued his tone steady yet tinged with guilt. "Just as Kim said, I was the one who dragged us all into this. If someone has to stay behind, it's only right that it's me."
"But still! You don't deserve this!" Izuku's voice cracked, his protest raw and desperate.
Song shook his head, a faint, bittersweet smile forming on his lips. "You two have a future ahead of you. You should be the ones to survive today." His words, though resolute, carried an undercurrent of sorrow, knowing the pain it would bring to the young hearts he sought to protect.
Izuku's shoulders slumped, his fists trembling at his sides. He felt helpless, trapped between the crushing weight of reality and the fleeting hope of survival. Reluctantly, he nodded, his throat tightening as the seconds ticked away. There was no time left for arguments, no time to debate who should stay and who should go.
Song turned to Joohee, his voice softening. "Joohee, can you help Midoriya here for a bit?"
"Y-yes," Joohee stammered, her voice shaky but resolute. She moved to prop Izuku up but faltered almost immediately. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor. Panic flickered in her eyes as she struggled to rise, only to find her body betraying her. Tears welled up, spilling over as she choked out, "My legs... I-I can't move my legs..."
Both Izuku and Song froze, their expressions hardening as they took in Joohee's dire condition. Her pale blue lips and trembling body painted a grim picture. The overuse of her magic energy had pushed her beyond her physical limits, leaving her utterly drained.
Izuku's voice broke through the heavy silence, firm despite the turmoil churning inside him. "You take Joohee and get out of this place."
Song hesitated, glancing between the two younger fighters. He saw the determination in Izuku's eyes, but the weight of the decision bore heavily on him. Joohee, however, shook her head weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "No... I can't leave you here..."
Izuku forced a strained smile, his attempt at lightheartedness barely masking the gravity of the situation. "Hey, take my Core... buy some dinner with it." His words hung in the air, a fleeting attempt to ease the tension as the reality of their predicament loomed ever closer.
"Don't worry. I'll come to find you if I get my chance to get out of here," Izuku said, his voice trembling under the weight of his emotions. His eyes lingered on Joohee as she clutched the essence stone he had handed her, her fingers trembling as though the object itself carried the burden of their despair. Her sobs grew louder, raw and unrestrained, her tears carving clean paths down her dirt-smeared cheeks.
"How can you joke around right n-" Joohee's voice faltered abruptly, her sentence cut off as a sharp, searing pain erupted at the back of her neck. Her knees buckled, and the world around her blurred into a haze. Struggling to form words, she managed to whisper his name, her voice barely audible. "I-Izuku..." Her eyes, wide with fear and sorrow, locked onto his one last time before her body gave in to unconsciousness.
Before she could collapse fully to the ground, Song moved with practiced precision, catching her limp form effortlessly. He hoisted her onto his shoulder, his movements deliberate but strained, as though the weight he carried extended far beyond her physical form. His face remained stoic, but a fleeting shadow of regret flickered in his dark eyes, betraying the turmoil beneath his calm exterior.
"I apologize, but we really don't have that much time left," Song said, his voice low, each word laced with urgency.
Izuku stared at them, his throat tightening as he forced down the swirling emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He nodded stiffly, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Just take care of her," he said, his words fragile yet resolute.
Without another word, Song turned and made his way toward the chamber's exit, Joohee's unconscious form swaying gently with each step. As they disappeared into the shadows, two more red flames hovering in the air extinguished, their light vanishing like the final breath of a dying fire. The chamber seemed to darken further, the oppressive atmosphere pressing down on Izuku like a suffocating weight.
He remained rooted in place, his heart a chaotic storm of anguish and determination. A part of him screamed to call them back, to not let himself be left alone in this crumbling nightmare. But he knew better. This was the only way. His gaze fell to the cold, gleaming blade of Kim's discarded sword lying on the stone floor. Its sharp edge reflected the dim, flickering light, a grim reminder of the battle ahead.
With a grunt of effort, Izuku bent down and wrapped his fingers around the hilt. The metal felt icy against his palm, sending a shiver up his arm. He tightened his grip, his knuckles whitening as he steadied himself. A bitter smile tugged at his lips, his thoughts dripping with irony. "I'm glad my death means they could live," he mused, his voice a silent echo in his mind. "Though, if I had one regret, it's that I couldn't snag a better life insurance package."
The sound of stone grinding against stone pulled him back to the moment. His eyes snapped to the advancing stone warriors, their featureless faces betraying no emotion, yet their unyielding march radiated lethal intent. The ground trembled slightly beneath their weight, each step reverberating like an ominous drumbeat.
Izuku raised the sword, its point aimed directly at the nearest warrior. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, his heart pounding like a war drum. "I'm taking one of you damn bastards down with me," he growled, his voice raw, his words crackling with defiance. His stance firmed, every muscle in his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. "So bring it on!"
As if answering his defiance, a stone lance hurtled toward him with deadly precision, its trajectory unerring. Izuku's instincts screamed at him, and with a desperate burst of speed fueled by sheer survival, he managed to redirect the weapon. The jagged tip screeched against the altar as it veered off course, sending a cascade of sparks into the air. But there was no time to dwell on his narrow escape. Momentum carried him forward, and with all his strength, he plunged his borrowed sword into the altar's left side, hoping to disrupt whatever dark force animated his enemies.
The momentary triumph was fleeting. Above him, a shadow darkened his vision-a massive stone sword descending with brutal intent. Izuku twisted his body just in time, the blade slicing so close that it ruffled his hair. The effort left him gasping for air, his chest heaving as a sharp metallic tang filled his mouth. A violent cough wracked his body, and crimson droplets splattered onto the cold, unforgiving stone beneath him.
"I've always been the weakest," his inner voice whispered bitterly, the weight of old memories pressing down on him. Images of sneers, jeers, and ridicule clawed at his mind. "Mocked, laughed at... but I never stopped. I always kept going."
A sharp whistle cut through his thoughts-a stone axe, its deadly arc promising an end. Izuku raised his sword to block, but his battered and bloodied body betrayed him. The axe cleaved into his arm with brutal force, and a searing pain erupted as blood sprayed across the altar. He screamed, a raw, guttural sound ripped from the deepest recesses of his soul.
"So this is it?!" he roared mentally, his voice breaking under the strain of fury and despair. "This is such... shit... shit. This is bullshit! BULLSHIT!"
A stone warrior seized him with inhuman strength, hurling him aside like a discarded toy. His body slammed into the unyielding altar, the impact robbing him of breath. He gasped, his lungs burning as despair coiled around his heart like a tightening serpent. "I've fought so hard... clawed my way here... and for what?" His thoughts spiraled downward, the weight of hopelessness crushing him.
Another lance struck, this time finding its mark with brutal precision. The jagged tip tore through his side, and he howled in agony, the sound echoing through the chamber. Blood bubbled at his lips as he spat out his words, each syllable dripping with venom. "You think you're justified? Using me, discarding me like trash? You're no better than the scum you claim to fight! I have a family too! I wanted to make it home alive, too!"
The stone warriors offered no response, no mercy. Another blow sent him sprawling, his body a canvas of blood and bruises. He screamed again as the lance sliced through his shoulder, the pain blinding and unbearable. "I'm glad my death means they could live. How could you think that?! You stupid hypocrite!" His voice cracked, a mix of rage and sorrow spilling from his trembling lips.
As he lay crumpled and bleeding on the cold stone floor, his vision blurred by tears and blood, Izuku saw the final blow coming. The stone knight loomed above him, its massive sword raised high, its edge gleaming with cruel finality. A chilling wave of realization washed over him. This was it. The end.
"No... I don't want to die," he thought, panic clawing at his chest. His mind scrambled for anything-any hope, any chance. "I just wish... I had another chan-"
The blade descended.
And then, darkness.
In the suffocating void, a glowing prompt appeared, its radiant light slicing through the black like a beacon of salvation.
(Notice)
[You have fulfilled all the requirements for completing the secret quest: "Courage of the Weak." You are eligible to become a player. Do you accept? You're running out of time. Should you choose to decline, your heart will stop beating in 0.02 seconds. Do you accept?]
Suspended between life and death, Izuku's lips twisted into a defiant smirk. His voice was barely a whisper, rasping through the agony. "Why not?" he said. "I accept."
(Notice)
[Congratulations! You are now a player!]
A blinding yellow light erupted, flooding the dungeon with an intensity that drove back the suffocating shadows. When Izuku's vision cleared, he saw the stone warriors frozen mid-attack, their monstrous forms now lifeless statues. The once oppressive chamber, filled with despair and death, now stood silent, bathed in the glow of his newfound resolve.
To be continued