20XX Love Chapter 11.1 - 11. OBSIDIAN HOLE

Thump……

Rumble…… Thump……

Thump!

Seo Jungin, who had briefly fallen asleep, jolted awake at the heart-stopping vibration. Simultaneously, as he lifted his head from the warm thigh he’d been using as a pillow, he felt a gentle hand on his lower back.

He turned his face to see Hwang Woohyun, whose thigh he’d been resting on, looking down at him while softly stroking his back as if to tell him not to be startled. Woohyun then gently placed his index finger to his lips. Sitting up and checking his watch, Jungin realized he had been asleep for a little over an hour.

Looking around, he saw Nam Taeyong leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, watching the area outside the barrier. Jo Heechan seemed to have just woken up, having been sleeping with his head on Taeyong’s leg. Choi Suhyuk and Kim Yikyung were peering beyond the barrier, their expressions taut with tension.

At that moment, a terrible shriek, like the dying breath of a beast, echoed from the distance. It was a primal, terrifying sound. Seo Jungin, every hair on his body standing on end, strained his ears to listen.

A Carillion? Seo Jungin pictured the crimson monster, its veins and tendons grotesquely bulging along the surface of its excessively swollen muscles. Ferocious, savage, and full of rage, if it spots a human, it immediately slams them to the ground with its massive hands and feet, relentlessly beating and crushing them until they become a flattened pulp. Until they look like a crimson battle standard pressed onto the floor with a printing press. The moment you recognize its Hyung type [Form], you cannot help the rising nausea. Seo Jungin shuddered, recalling the horrific scene littered with crushed corpses.

Once again, the mournful cry resonated eerily. Tension caused his heart to race.

What is it? A decaying Decayer, its skin rotting and melting, emitting a putrid stench? That rotten monster with sunken eyeballs teeming with insects, causing everything it touches to decay?

Or a Drencher, gurgling and vomiting water, drowning anyone within its reach?

Crash!

Everyone flinched, their shoulders twitching in surprise. The enormous sound, emanating from somewhere close by on the lower floor, perhaps the hallway, had startled them amidst their already heightened tension.

“Fuck, that scared me.”

Nam Taeyong muttered a curse under his breath in annoyance.

Where did that sound come from? It seems like the floor directly below us? Are they trying to come in through the emergency exit? Are they trying to open the door using the emergency exit stairs?

But at that moment, a familiar sound that made everyone’s hearts sink began to echo in the quiet treatment room.

Whir…

The elevator on the first floor had started moving. Kim Yikyung quickly looked around at the members and signaled with his hands.

‘Form ranks and load weapons.’

Nam Taeyong immediately lifted his hips, sat with his knees bent, and gripped his weapon. Jo Heechan quickly rubbed his face with his hands and then handed his positron gun to Taeyong. While everyone was supposed to be armed, Taeyong couldn’t attack from a distance, so they usually gave him dual pistols.

Choi Suhyuk glanced back, meeting Seo Jungin’s gaze. Seeing his tense face, Suhyuk offered a reassuring smile.

As Hwang Woohyun squeezed Seo Jungin’s hand and shifted his gaze to the elevator outside the barrier…

Ding.

With a cheerful chime, the elevator arrived on the 5th floor.

In the suffocating silence, the guide voice announced the floor as the elevator doors opened. A towering Creepion, nearly two meters tall, stepped out, its slow footsteps—thud… thud…—echoing as it walked towards the glass doors. Inside the barrier, the K814 team held their breath, their eyes and attention fixated on the unidentified monstrous creature.

“Groan… huh… ugh…”

With pained gasps, as if suppressing agony, an X-Creepion emerged into the dim light. Its head was completely exposed, as if all its hair had been burned away. Its entire body was grotesquely covered with something that seemed to have been partially burned or melted. Its skin, as if someone had peeled it back, was either a vivid, glistening red or charred black and brittle. In places where it was severely damaged, bones were exposed, or tendons and muscle layers were visible.

Its face, oozing black blood and glistening pus, slowly scanned the glass doors. Even from a distance, its bright blue eyes were distinct. Its lips seemed to have melted away, revealing its clenched white teeth, and its eyelids were burned off, exposing the movement of its round eyeballs, creating a grotesque and horrifying sight.

The elevator doors slid shut and remained still. Vibrations and shrieks continued intermittently from the lower floors.

While everyone stared at the X-Creepion’s chilling blue eyes, Kim Yikyung’s mind raced.

What should we do? Should we quickly eliminate it while it’s alone? Judging by its charred skin, it’s likely a fire type. It’ll have inherent resistance to similar abilities, meaning Choi Suhyuk’s fire ability and Hwang Woohyun’s lightning ability will face basic defenses, making it difficult to kill it instantly, even with two S-rank espers.

If Jo Heechan attacks with his freezing ability, will it retaliate with fire? Even if it does, water is the most effective counter to fire, and Heechan’s ice could protect the espers from the Creepion’s fire attacks.

The most effective strategy seems to be for Jo Heechan to launch a freezing attack, followed by a surprise toxic attack from Nam Taeyong.

If they make any noise, the Creepions on the lower floors will swarm, so they need to kill it as quietly and quickly as possible. If he replicates Taeyong’s toxic ability, they can quickly overwhelm it with a combined poison attack.

Kim Yikyung signaled to the members and then sent a tactical message to their watches.

「Fire-type X-Creepion. Standby until target enters. Attack immediately if entrance is breached or target enters. Jo Heechan initiates freezing attack, followed by Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong’s toxic ability attack.」

After everyone confirmed the message with a nod, Kim Yikyung extended his hand to Nam Taeyong to replicate his ability. Nam Taeyong, his face creased with worry, grasped the outstretched hand, and the ability mass flowed into their clasped hands.

As Hwang Woohyun and Jo Heechan reinforced the ability barriers around the members, the X-Creepion across the glass doors seemed to sense something and fixed them with its blue gaze. The monstrous creature didn’t smash the glass or roar. Instead, it slowly walked to the wall beside the doors and reached out.

Kim Yikyung’s eyes widened in surprise.

Crackle. Sizzle.

The glass door control box mounted on the wall erupted in a small explosion and was engulfed in flames. Then, the X-Creepion simply slid its hands through the gap in the glass doors and effortlessly opened them outwards.

“Ha…”

This X-Creepion possessed a high level of intelligence, capable of taking the elevator, destroying the glass door control box, and manually opening the doors.

As the blue eyes turned towards the barrier concealing the K814 team, Kim Yikyung signaled the attack to Nam Taeyong and Jo Heechan without further delay.

The three of them rushed out almost simultaneously. Jo Heechan dashed to the left of the barrier, followed closely by Kim Yikyung, while Nam Taeyong ran to the right. Jo Heechan extended both arms towards the X-Creepion.

“…!”

Unthinkingly, he was about to shout the skill name, “Frost Nova!”, but just in time, he remembered they had to remain silent. Swallowing the words, Heechan focused his ability on his fingertips. From his outstretched palms, frost erupted, and an icy vortex shot outwards.

The freezing attack, drawing in all the surrounding moisture particles, momentarily dried the air, creating a visible trajectory of the swirling vortex. It was a formidable attack, as if Heechan had put all his strength into finishing it in one blow.

However, the Creepion, with an impassive expression, simply thrust its right arm towards the fierce icy torrent hurtling towards it. A ripple of energy emanated from the Creepion’s hand, spreading and undulating through the space. The moment the raging icy vortex collided with the ripple, it shattered as if each ice particle was being pulverized, instantly transforming into water and splashing onto the floor.

“That’s…!”

Hwang Woohyun, watching from behind the barrier, gasped and jumped to his feet. Choi Suhyuk, also sensing something amiss, widened his eyes.

“What is it, Woohyun?”

Seo Jungin looked up at Woohyun anxiously. Woohyun’s eyes were flickering with confusion.

“It’s not fire-type.”

The wave was disrupting the solidification frequency of the ice molecules. The ice, its molecules bound together by hydrogen bonds, vibrated violently from the wave emitted by the X-Creepion. The wave had caused the ice to liquefy. It hadn’t melted from heat, but resonated with the wave.

“That Creepion… It’s a lightning wave type…!”

Hwang Woohyun’s confused mind went blank.

Splash. Splat.

Seeing all the icy streams from his hands turn into water, Jo Heechan, thinking he was being countered by a fire attack, unleashed an even more powerful stream of icy energy from both hands.

As originally planned, Heechan stopped advancing, standing his ground and unleashing a torrent of icy energy while Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung sprinted through the now waterlogged floor towards the X-Creepion.

“No, no, Nam Taeyong! Yikyung Hyung!”

Hwang Woohyun’s desperate cry reached their ears, but they were already too close to turn back.

Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung, summoning the seething toxic energy at their fingertips, lunged forward to grab the Creepion with its gleaming blue eyes.

They noticed the Creepion’s hands pointing towards the floor only after the blinding lightning ability had already surged from the monster’s hands towards the water below.

Crackle!

An unimaginable surge of high-voltage electricity coursed through the waterlogged area.

“Aaargh! Ugh…”

Jo Heechan was thrown backwards, rolling several times on the floor.

In the blinding light that made it impossible to open their eyes, Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung stood frozen in the center of the hall, being mercilessly electrocuted. The brutal lightning energy surged relentlessly through them, from their heads to their torsos and internal organs, scorching their bodies inside and out.

“No… No!”

“Taeyong! Yikyung Hyung!”

Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun immediately burst out from behind the barrier. Suhyuk extended both arms towards the X-Creepion and unleashed his fire ability. In an instant, his eyes blazed crimson, and an invisible, superheated energy attack began to incinerate their target.

Although the Creepion, resistant to fire and lightning, withstood even Suhyuk’s terrifying fire attack, the overwhelming force seemed to have an impact, causing the lightning attack to cease abruptly.

With a thud, Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung collapsed to the floor. Choi Suhyuk grabbed Taeyong and dragged him back, while Jo Heechan quickly rushed forward, grabbed Kim Yikyung, and pulled him away.

Meanwhile, a bolt of lightning shot out from Hwang Woohyun’s hand towards the X-Creepion. The Creepion retaliated, extending both its hands and unleashing a blinding lightning ability of its own.

Crackle!

The two lightning bolts collided mid-air with a deafening roar, grinding against each other fiercely.

Seo Jungin trembled behind the barrier, watching Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung. Smoke was billowing from their bodies.

They’re not… They’re not dead, are they?

They’re alive. They have to be alive.

I want to go out there and hug them. I want to hug Taeyong and Yikyung Hyung.

I want to see if they’re okay, if they’re in pain. I want to take care of them, comfort them, and tell them it’s alright.

I want to hold them both in my arms, kiss them, hear their voices.

Don’t worry. It’s okay. They’ll be okay.

Choi Suhyuk placed his ear against Nam Taeyong’s mouth, then immediately sprang up and charged towards the Creepion, unleashing another wave of his ability. Jo Heechan touched Kim Yikyung’s charred neck, his face contorting in anguish. He fidgeted for a moment, then snatched Kim Yikyung’s positron gun from its holster and started firing wildly at the Creepion as he ran towards it.

Why are they acting like that? Why do they have those expressions? I want to go out there. I want to see for myself.

But Seo Jungin couldn’t leave the safe zone. He had to remain inside and wait to provide guiding, as instructed. If he went outside and died, the K814 team, having lost all their guides, would be annihilated. They had already lost Han Seungmin because he disobeyed the instructions and left the safe zone. Seo Jungin trembled and gasped.

It was because I disobeyed the instructions. Because I disobeyed them… That’s why Seungmin died back then. I can’t disobey the instructions. I can’t leave the safe zone.

But… But Taeyong and Yikyung Hyung are dying right in front of me. They’re dying.

Smoke was rising from Nam Taeyong’s slightly parted lips. Kim Yikyung’s face was charred beyond recognition, his melted eyelids crushed.

No way… No way…

‘Are they already dead?!’

Unable to bear it any longer, Seo Jungin rushed out from behind the barrier, heedless of the instructions. He had to see for himself if Nam Taeyong and Kim Yikyung were alive.

He thought he heard crying from somewhere, but he didn’t have time to figure out who it was. He thought he heard desperate cries of protest, but he couldn’t spare a moment to look back.

He had to tell Kim Yikyung. That he… that he liked him too.

He had to hear Nam Taeyong’s gasping breaths. Hear him cursing under his breath.

Intense heat radiated from the center of the hall. Blinded by the flashing lightning and overwhelmed by the heat, he managed to reach the two fallen figures only after shielding his eyes with his hands.

They have to be quiet. Who is crying and screaming like that? They’ll attract all the Creepions from the lower floors. Please be quiet. Shut up. Stop crying.

“No, no, don’t die. No! Uhuhuh, absolutely not. You can’t die!”

Seo Jungin sobbed uncontrollably, shaking his head as he stumbled and embraced Kim Yikyung’s body. The smell of burnt flesh was overpowering, and he couldn’t tell if Yikyung was breathing. He pressed his ear against Yikyung’s mouth, but he couldn’t hear any breath sounds. The charred Kim Yikyung was completely motionless.

I wish he would open his eyes and look at me. I wish he would make a bunch of Kim Yikyung clones and say all kinds of dirty things to me. It’s okay if we do it together, all three of us, all four of us. It’s okay if I’m surrounded by Kim Yikyungs, all of them fucking me at the same time in every hole. I want them to touch me, pinch me, kiss me, bite me, and whisper that they love me.

So…

“Kim Yikyung! Kim Yikyuung! Please wake up, wake up, please!”

Seo Jungin pounded on Kim Yikyung’s chest, screaming.

“Cough, hack… huh… huh…”

At that moment, a breath miraculously escaped Kim Yikyung’s lips.

“Gasp, huh, gasp.”

“Hyung, Hyuuung…”

Seo Jungin, his face streaked with tears, watched as Kim Yikyung gasped for air.

He’s alive. He’s alive. It’s okay as long as he’s alive. Taeyong will heal him.

Seo Jungin crawled over to Nam Taeyong, who was lying beside Yikyung. He pressed his ear against Taeyong’s mouth, but again, he couldn’t tell if he was breathing. He pressed his ear against Taeyong’s chest.

Ah… Aaah…

His heart was beating. Nam Taeyong’s heart was beating strongly.

Taeyong… Taeyong can heal himself. Taeyong will be alright soon.

Sure enough, as he sat up and looked down, Nam Taeyong’s skin was returning to its normal color, though his clothes were still charred black. A small moan escaped Taeyong’s lips, and then his eyes snapped open.

“Ha, haa, fuck, I thought I was going to die.”

“Uh… Uhuhuh, uhuhuh.”

Seo Jungin sobbed with relief, then, overcome with a mixture of resentment and affection, he punched Nam Taeyong in the chest several times.

“Ow, ow, Seo Jungin, why are you hitting me? Ow, owww.”

“Ugh, uhuhuh, Nam Taeyong, uhuhuh, Taeyong…”

“Why? Did you think I was dead?”

“Ugh, huh, yeah. Uh-huh.”

“Oh man, me too. Fuck, I really thought I was dying.”

Nam Taeyong sat up abruptly and stared wide-eyed at Kim Yikyung, who was still charred black and gasping weakly.

“Ha, Kim Yikyung.”

Nam Taeyong immediately reached into Kim Yikyung’s burnt uniform and placed his hand on his skin. Kim Yikyung groaned, his burnt face contorted in a grimace that was impossible to decipher.

“Ugh, huh… ugh…”

“There… There. Does it hurt? Just bear with it a little longer. I’ll make it better soon.”

Nam Taeyong, unusually gentle, soothed Kim Yikyung’s pained groans as he activated his healing ability. A faint light emanated from where Taeyong’s hand touched, and Kim Yikyung’s skin began to heal. The charred areas returned to their normal color, the melted skin reattached, and his grotesque body and face gradually resumed their original appearance.

“Ha, haa, haa.”

After catching his breath for a moment, Kim Yikyung opened his eyes. He met Nam Taeyong’s gaze and stared at him for a long moment. Nam Taeyong smiled and spoke first.

“You should say thank you.”

“Ah. Right. Thank you, Taeyong.”

“Yeah. Honestly, I was debating whether to heal you or eat you. You smelled delicious.”

Kim Yikyung stared at Nam Taeyong in disbelief, then burst out laughing.

“It has been a while since we had grilled meat.”

Crackle. Boom!

This wasn’t the time for silly jokes. A massive explosion erupted behind them. The X-Creepion, having withstood the attacks of both Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun, had retaliated by vaporizing the water on the floor and triggering a chemical explosion.

Boom! Kaboom! Bang!

The water, decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, absorbed the lightning ability and triggered a chain reaction of explosions. Jo Heechan, who had been firing his positron gun, was caught in the blast and sent sprawling. Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun were nowhere to be seen.

Kim Yikyung grabbed Nam Taeyong’s wrist, quickly replicating his healing ability, and then sprang up, running towards the smoke-filled hall. Nam Taeyong followed without hesitation, plunging into the heart of the battle.

Seo Jungin, barely able to breathe, watched them before quickly retreating behind the barrier. He felt a mixture of relief, thrill, and anxiety, seeing them alive and fighting again.

“Cough, cough, haa, haa,”

Groping through the smoke, Kim Yikyung located Jo Heechan by his coughing. As he knelt and pulled Heechan into his arms, a startled face turned to look back at him.

“Wh, who…?”

“Heechan. Are you hurt?”

“Huh, Yikyung Hyung?”

Kim Yikyung immediately slipped his hand inside Heechan’s clothes and channeled his healing ability directly onto his skin. Heechan’s various injuries and wounds began to close.

Jo Heechan looked up at Kim Yikyung with an incredulous expression, examining him closely.

“You were dead earlier? You definitely weren’t breathing earlier?”

“That’s right. Are you disappointed I didn’t die?”

“Ha… Don’t pretend to be dead again. It was fucking sad, dammit.”

Jo Heechan swore, his voice slightly choked with emotion. Kim Yikyung chuckled.

“But what is that? It wasn’t a Flaminger [fire-type X-Creepion], it was a Bolt Striker [lightning-type X-Creepion]?”

“That’s right. You almost died because Hyung made the wrong plan, you should have looked more carefully.”

Heechan was referring to how he had followed orders and launched a preemptive freezing attack, thinking it was a fire-type, which led to him being hit by the electrical attack. Kim Yikyung responded sheepishly.

“I thought it was a Flaminger because of the burn marks.”

“But the lightning-type also has a really strong resistance to similar abilities, so Suhyuk Hyung and Woohyun Hyung’s attacks aren’t working.”

As the smoke from the explosion gradually cleared, the Bolt Striker, still locked in a power struggle with Hwang Woohyun’s lightning ability, came into view. Nam Taeyong was already close behind Woohyun, his hand inserted into the small of his back, channeling his healing ability.

Meanwhile, Choi Suhyuk was unleashing a barrage of fire attacks, but the damage wasn’t critical due to the similar elemental nature of the attacks. Even if X-Creepions have stronger ability defenses than ordinary Creepions, this Bolt Striker was on a different level from any they had encountered before. It was unbelievable that it could withstand the full-powered attacks of two S-rank espers receiving Seo Jungin’s guiding.

In any case, since countering with a corresponding elemental attack was the most effective strategy, they needed to launch a toxic attack as Kim Yikyung had initially planned.

“We don’t have any non-conductive or metal-type espers, so it’s hard to take it down without a toxic attack.”

“Exactly. I thought we were all going to die when you and Taeyong Hyung collapsed!”

Kim Yikyung chuckled again at Jo Heechan’s resentful complaint.

“Alright, alright. Just trust us now.”

“Be careful. And don’t die again.”

There was no time for sentimentality or relief. As soon as he felt his strength return, Jo Heechan jumped up, aimed his positron gun at the Bolt Striker, and fired relentlessly.

“Nam Taeyong!”

Kim Yikyung called out to Taeyong, exchanging glances. He drew a dagger from his holster band and brandished it, and Taeyong, understanding immediately, drew his own dagger.

Hwang Woohyun, realizing that Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong were waiting for the right moment to launch their toxic attack, exchanged glances with Choi Suhyuk.

Because the Creepion was a lightning-wave type, it had a strong resistance to heat and electricity, so the stronger the attacks it received, the more intense its resistance heat would become. When the monster’s resistance heat rebounded from Suhyuk’s fire ability attacks, if he imbued it with his own wave ability, he could buy Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong time to attack. Even if the monster faltered for a moment, even the slightest opening would be enough to stab it with their blades and inject their poison.

Choi Suhyuk, seeing the look in Woohyun’s eyes, understood his plan and nodded. A deep furrow appeared between Suhyuk’s thick eyebrows as he unleashed his most powerful ability yet towards the target.

As the Bolt Striker’s resistance intensified reflexively, Hwang Woohyun seized the opportunity and channeled his wave ability into Suhyuk’s fire attack.

“Now! Kim Yikyung! Nam Taeyong!”

As the resistance heat radiating from the Bolt Striker was amplified by Choi Suhyuk’s fire ability and reflected back, the monster convulsed violently and crashed to the floor. As the target was engulfed in fierce flames, Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong pounced, their daggers poised.

As a veil of icy energy from Jo Heechan enveloped Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong, forming a protective barrier, their blades plunged deep into the monster’s chest and side. Deadly toxic energy began to surge into the monster’s body through the metal blades.

“Ugh! Gah! Kueek!”

The Bolt Striker thrashed in the inferno, forcing Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong to release their daggers and stumble back.

The monster, writhing on the floor, began to bleed profusely from its nose, mouth, and ears, poisoned by the toxins. Its bright blue eyes darted between Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong.

Watching the monster’s weakened struggles, the two men lunged again, driving their blades deeper and injecting another dose of poison.

The Bolt Striker rolled its eyes, its body convulsing, then raised its charred black hand. The hand seemed to reach for Nam Taeyong’s face. Taeyong recoiled in disgust, driving his dagger even deeper, injecting more potent toxins. Black blood gushed from the monster’s mouth.

“Die. Fuck. Die, you motherfucker.”

“Ugh… ugh… uhh…”

The Bolt Striker, its body charred and burnt, groaned in agony, coughing up black blood. With its face and neck streaked with black blood, a gruesome sight, the monster finally exhaled its last breath and succumbed to death.

“Huh, ha, ha.”

“Gasp, gasp, huh.”

Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong gasped for breath, withdrawing their daggers from the monster’s body. Black blood oozed from the wounds. The Bolt Striker lay in a pool of its own black blood, still sizzling in the residual flames.

Hwang Woohyun stared down at the monster’s corpse with a strange expression. He silently watched the bright blue eyes, identical to his own, melt and sink into their sockets, blackened by the flames.

When lightning ability espers awaken, their hair turns blonde, and their eyes become blue. The Bolt Strikers all had blue eyes.

Were X-Creepions truly transformed bodies of espers from another dimension?

Transformed espers bled red blood, but these creatures bled black. Research and dissections had also shown that their genetic information differed from humans.

But then why…? The grotesquely melted and charred skin. The copious amounts of black blood. Why?

Hwang Woohyun, looking down at the monster, similar in height, with the same eye color, wielding the same lightning ability, felt a chilling sense of déjà vu.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

“Hwang Woohyun.”

Hwang Woohyun, his breathing ragged, flinched in surprise as he felt a hand on his arm and turned around.

“Check your toxicity levels.”

Kim Yikyung instructed, his eyes shadowed.

“Toxicity…?”

Kim Yikyung’s instruction was simply to redirect Hwang Woohyun’s attention, which was drifting into a mild panic.

“Ah, yes.”

Hwang Woohyun, understanding Kim Yikyung’s intent, nevertheless raised his wrist and checked his watch. He thought, as expected of the team leader.

Meanwhile, Kim Yikyung continued, looking around at the team members.

“They’ll definitely hear the noise and come swarming from the lower floors. We made more of a racket than expected.”

Because each X-Creepion possessed superior attack capabilities, they needed to minimize their toxicity levels and maintain peak condition before every battle.

“We need to receive guiding and heal our injuries quickly. Let’s go to Jungin.”

At Kim Yikyung’s instruction, everyone immediately turned and ran towards the safe zone behind the barrier, near the emergency ladder. Where Seo Jungin was waiting. They ran to Seo Jungin, to embrace him, touch him, kiss him, and cleanse their bodies, tainted by toxicity.

As soon as they stepped behind the barrier, Seo Jungin, as if waiting for them, threw his arms around Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun. The two men, without hesitation, stroked the back of Jungin’s head and caressed his lower back. As Jungin pulled Kim Yikyung closer, kisses rained down on the crown of his brown hair.

“Hyung, hug me too.”

As Jo Heechan approached with open arms, Seo Jungin released the three men and embraced both Heechan and Nam Taeyong, who was standing next to him.

“What’s with your face? You’re always crying.”

Jo Heechan wiped Seo Jungin’s tear-stained cheeks with his hand.

“Jungin thought I was dying, that’s why he was crying.”

Nam Taeyong, still embraced, boasted with a smirk. Seo Jungin nodded, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Yes. I really thought you were dying. Both of you, Taeyong and Yikyung Hyung.”

Seo Jungin’s voice was choked with a sob as he looked at Nam Taeyong’s charred, crumbling clothes.

“Sob, don’t die. Never. Sob, none of you can die.”

Choi Suhyuk’s expression turned somber. He stepped closer, bent down, met Jungin’s eyes, and whispered in a gentle, low voice.

“Jungin. Don’t cry. That won’t happen. We won’t die.”

“Sob, no one can die. Ugh, and no one can get hurt.”

At Seo Jungin’s heartfelt plea, Nam Taeyong, still embraced, rolled his eyes and replied.

“I can’t guarantee that. We might not die, but we might come close.”

“Sob.”

As tears streamed down Seo Jungin’s face, Nam Taeyong’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

“Ah, this is driving me crazy. Why is your crying face so cute?”

Without warning, Nam Taeyong’s lips covered Seo Jungin’s, softly grinding against them.

“Mmm…”

“Ugh.”

Nam Taeyong groaned softly at the familiar, exhilarating sensation that coursed through him the moment their lips met. He pulled away from the embrace and cupped Seo Jungin’s face in his hands. He pushed him backwards, and Seo Jungin, releasing Jo Heechan, stumbled back, gripping Nam Taeyong’s forearms until he bumped against the wall.

“Hngh, mmm…”

“Ch- haa, chuu.”

As Nam Taeyong rubbed their lips together heatedly and tilted his head, Seo Jungin’s lips parted naturally. Nam Taeyong’s tongue slipped inside.

“Hmmng…!”

Seo Jungin felt a jolt in his groin, his knees buckling. He clung to Nam Taeyong’s forearms, barely managing to stay upright. His mind went hazy, consumed by a wave of pleasure. He wanted nothing but Nam Taeyong’s lips.

Sensing Jungin’s arousal through the tingling sensation, the corners of Nam Taeyong’s lips curled upwards. He narrowed his eyes and whispered, their lips still pressed together.

“You’re tingling so much. Are you already that turned on?”

“Ha, aaah, ah.”

“What else should I do for you?”

“What… else.”

“Should I make you feel as good as last time? Guide you all at once?”

“All at once…?”

Seo Jungin responded dreamily, then suddenly realized what Nam Taeyong meant. He was talking about the time they had sex behind everyone’s backs when the Bloodhole opened. Seo Jungin’s face flushed as he pulled away.

“That time was an emergency, so it couldn’t be helped…!”

“That time was a Red Alarm, and now it’s a Black Siren. Now seems more like an emergency.”

Seo Jungin was speechless, staring up at Nam Taeyong’s sly expression.

‘That’s true, but that’s not the point.’

Nam Taeyong grinned, his dimples deepening, and leaned in again. He was going to kiss him again. Seo Jungin frowned, pulling his face back, back, until he couldn’t retreat any further. Then, he suddenly pushed his lips hard against Nam Taeyong’s.

“Mmm?!”

As Nam Taeyong’s lips parted in surprise, Seo Jungin darted his tongue inside and began channeling his guiding energy.

“Mmm! Mmmph, huh!”

Nam Taeyong squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed the hot mass flooding his throat, moaning helplessly. The relentless surge of hot, potent guiding energy made it difficult to breathe.

After gulping down the blazing guiding energy, a burning sensation exploded through his body, making his legs go weak.

“Ungh!”

Overwhelmed by the intense pleasure and the feeling of being filled to the brim, Nam Taeyong would have collapsed if he hadn’t been clinging to Seo Jungin’s arms. Driven by a desperate need to avoid such a humiliating display, he braced himself against the wall with both hands, continuing to swallow the hot mass being forced down his throat.

“Ugh! Huh! Ungh! Hngh!”

The guiding energy, invading his throat without consent, rough and relentless, was so intoxicating that he felt like he was losing his mind. It was as if his throat was being forcibly violated by the hot guiding energy.

‘Fuck, Seo Jungin, is he doing this on purpose…!’

Nam Taeyong’s mind went blank. He felt like he was going to pass out. He was going to cum and collapse.

Just before that mortifying scenario could unfold…

“Hyung. Your toxicity is zero. Get lost. Next.”

Jo Heechan, after checking the watch on Nam Taeyong’s wrist, pulled him away dispassionately. Nam Taeyong’s legs truly had given way, and he stumbled back, leaning on Heechan for support. A few seconds later, realizing his state, Nam Taeyong gritted his teeth in humiliation.

How dare he do this to me. Seo Jungin, I’m going to fuck him senseless. I’m going to pound him so hard he can’t walk straight. I’m going to make him cum so much he can’t even think.

I’ll keep fucking him until he begs me to stop, until he swears he’ll never do it again, and then I’ll fill him up until he bursts.

“I’ll make him crawl on his knees.”

“Sure, whatever. Next esper.”

While Jo Heechan dismissed Nam Taeyong’s unspoken threats, Seo Jungin was already pulling Kim Yikyung closer by the hand.

“Hyung… I’ll give you guiding.”

The moment Seo Jungin’s hand touched him, Kim Yikyung’s carefully composed expression softened into a gentle smile.

“Be gentle, Jungin.”

The smell of burnt fabric emanated from Kim Yikyung as he stood before Seo Jungin. His uniform was completely charred and tattered, practically useless. Seeing the pained expression on Seo Jungin’s face as he looked at his clothes, Kim Yikyung’s heart ached.

“Don’t worry about the clothes. Just give it to me quickly. The guiding.”

Kim Yikyung tilted his head slightly, making it easier to kiss him. Seo Jungin smiled faintly and gently pressed their lips together. As soon as the soft, warm lips touched him, Kim Yikyung felt a thrilling sensation, like an electric current, coursing through his body. A moan escaped his throat as Seo Jungin moved his lips, deepening the kiss.

“Hmm… mm.”

Seo Jungin, his face flushed, closed his eyes gently and rubbed his lips against Kim Yikyung’s. Each time their moist lips touched and parted, a wet sound that stirred his desire echoed softly. With each kiss, the heat between them intensified, sending tingling sensations through their bodies. Their breaths quickened.

“Haa, ch- chuu.”

“Ha, aaah, ch- haa.”

Kim Yikyung, aroused, pressed his thigh between Seo Jungin’s legs. The contact against Jungin’s sensitive area made his head fall back.

“Ha, aaah… Hyung.”

“Jungin.”

Kim Yikyung’s eyes darkened with desire. He pressed their bodies together, grinding against each other, and pulled Jungin closer. Jungin flinched and clung to him, licking his lips with his small tongue.

“Hngh…!”

Lick, lick.

Nam Taeyong glared disapprovingly as Seo Jungin not only accepted Kim Yikyung’s blatant advances but responded by licking his lips even more suggestively.

“Seo Jungin. Why are you acting so coy with Kim Yikyung?”

“Just be quiet, Hyung.”

Jo Heechan, annoyed by Nam Taeyong’s complaining, patted his charred chest. Sitting next to Taeyong near the barrier, Heechan was completely absorbed in watching the kiss unfold. Just as Kim Yikyung’s hand reached out to tug at Seo Jungin’s shirt, the toxicity indicator on his watch flashed blue.

“Done! Kim Yikyung. Detoxification complete. Get away from him.”

Nam Taeyong jumped up and pulled Kim Yikyung away, but Yikyung, now aroused, was reluctant to let go of Seo Jungin.

“Hey. Get a grip. You’re the fucking team leader.”

As soon as Kim Yikyung was pulled away by Nam Taeyong, Jo Heechan quickly moved in on Seo Jungin.

“My turn now, Jungin Hyung.”

Without a word, Seo Jungin cupped Jo Heechan’s face in his hands and pressed their lips together.

“Wait, wait. Gently. Be gentle, okay?”

Jo Heechan managed to avert the kiss just in time, speaking quickly. Seo Jungin frowned and tightened his grip on Heechan’s face.

“Mmm!”

Jo Heechan’s eyes widened as his head was pulled forward, but contrary to his worries, Seo Jungin didn’t force his guiding on him.

“Mmm…”

“Mmm, ch- chuu.”

The gentle pressure of their lips was intoxicatingly sweet. The tingling sensation, like a mild electric shock, was still there. Jo Heechan closed his eyes dreamily, rubbing his lips against Seo Jungin’s. The soft flesh where their lips met felt like it would melt away.

Jo Heechan clasped Seo Jungin’s hands, which were cupping his face, and lost himself in the kiss, intoxicated by the tingling guiding energy. He opened his half-lidded eyes and whispered, their lips still moving against each other.

“Tongue… chuu, put your tongue in my mouth too…”

“…”

“Put your tongue in… and lick my lips. Okay?”

He heard Nam Taeyong mutter, “Here he goes again,” but Jo Heechan ignored him. He wrapped his arms around Seo Jungin’s slender waist, pressing his already hardening groin against him, and continued to coax him.

“Hyung, you’re so pretty. Your tongue is so small and pretty too. Put it in my mouth. Put it in and lick me. Okay?”

As Jo Heechan nuzzled against him, Seo Jungin’s heart melted.

“Come on, Hyung. Hmm? Hmm?”

Seo Jungin’s lips parted hesitantly, and his small, pink tongue darted out, licking Jo Heechan’s full lips.

“Ah…”

Jo Heechan shuddered at the tingling sensation and closed his eyes, waiting for more. Seo Jungin’s tongue licked across his lips, then sucked on his lower lip, making Heechan’s head spin. Finally, as the thin tongue, like a puppy’s, slipped into his mouth, Jo Heechan eagerly pressed his lips against Seo Jungin’s, sucking on his tongue and engulfing it with his own.

“Mmmng…!”

A wave of tingling guiding energy surged through him, accompanied by Seo Jungin’s sweet moan. Zing. The pleasure shot through his head, making his vision blur. As he felt Seo Jungin’s knees buckle, Jo Heechan tightened his arms around his waist, pulling him closer.

“Hmm, ch- chup, chuuup.”

“Mmm, mmng, mm!”

Every time Jo Heechan sucked and played with the tongue in his mouth, a wave of tingling guiding energy washed over him, making Seo Jungin’s legs tremble. Jo Heechan’s breathing grew ragged. He kissed and sucked at Seo Jungin’s cheeks, jaw, and neck, leaving marks with his teeth. Seo Jungin’s arms wrapped around his neck.

“Hngh, uh, Heechan, Heechan, haah.”

“Chup, ch- ch- mm, haa, haa, Hyung.”

Jo Heechan’s penis, stowed away on the right side of his pants, was so hard it strained against the fabric, its outline clearly visible, almost mistakable for a gun in his pocket. As Heechan ground his hips against him, Seo Jungin moaned at the hard pressure against him.

“Ah, aah, hngh, no, no.”

Though he hadn’t shown it outwardly, Seo Jungin’s body had grown languid from exchanging kisses with three espers.

“Haa, Hyung, I want to… I want to put it inside.”

“No, no, Heechan.”

Jo Heechan tilted his head and nibbled on Seo Jungin’s earlobe, whispering urgently.

“I want to put it inside you, Hyung. You like it when I push deep inside you and thrust. You like it when I scrape against you every time I pull out.”

“Ah, haa, Heechan, no, mmmph!”

Jo Heechan covered Seo Jungin’s lips with his own, pushing his tongue inside. He thrust deep, as if penetrating him, swirling his tongue around and then hardening it to rub against the roof of Seo Jungin’s mouth. As if to remind him of how his own upward-curving penis would stretch and scrape against his inner walls.

KABOOM!

A tremendous roar echoed through the hall. Instinctively, Jo Heechan pulled Seo Jungin close, shielding his head with his arms. The espers, who had been sitting and standing around Seo Jungin, quickly formed ranks as they had been trained, and looked towards the area outside the barrier.

The metal emergency exit door lay crumpled on the floor, ripped from its hinges. The deafening roar had been the sound of the door being torn away. Frost covered the metal. As they realized this, a chilling wave of cold swept through the area behind the barrier.

All of K814 team knew instinctively. The Freezer, a freezing-attack type X-Creepion, had entered.

While everyone, tense and with weapons loaded, cautiously surveyed the outside, the Creepion lumbered through the doorway of the emergency exit, its door now missing. The Creepion’s skin was a grotesque mix of bluish-purple and black, its flesh necrotic and oozing pus where it had been frozen, shattered, and then thawed.

The Freezer, its appearance horrifying, exhaled frosty breath as it slowly surveyed its surroundings. Its eyes, glimpsed in the dim light of the emergency exit, were so pale and cloudy that it was questionable whether it could even see. With each step, it groaned and whimpered, likely because its internal fluids had frozen and expanded, rupturing its blood vessels and damaging its organs.

Because of these whimpers, it was often underestimated, unlike other Creepions. However, it could turn ferocious in an instant, unleashing freezing attacks filled with icy energy. In moments of crisis, its movements became astonishingly swift, making it a tricky opponent.

Kim Yikyung frowned as he observed the Freezer intently. Something glimmered in the Creepion’s ear, triggering a chilling sense of déjà vu. Moreover, all the X-Creepions they had encountered so far had been naked monsters, but this one had something resembling clothing clinging to its body. Of course, the clothing was unrecognizable, nothing more than the remnants of something repeatedly burned and melted, but it was different from the other X-Creepions. The Bolt Striker they had just defeated was the same. It had been covered in something that looked like burnt, melted, or brittle fabric.

He had a bad feeling. Something was off about Obsidian Hall. Thinking about the Separator’s Archetype that had launched the mental attack, his premonition worsened.

Ominous and unsettling.

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Kim Yikyung turned around. Choi Suhyuk released his grip and pointed to his watch, quickly typing a message.

「It’s an ice-type Creepion, so Woohyun and I will handle it with elemental attacks.」

Since ice-type was weak against fire and lightning, Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun’s abilities should be able to subdue it without difficulty. Kim Yikyung immediately typed a tactical message.

「Ice-type X-Creepion target. Choi Suhyuk, Hwang Woohyun initial attack. If unsuccessful, Kim Yikyung, Nam Taeyong secondary attack. Jo Heechan remains in the safe zone and protects the guide.」

The espers nodded and exchanged glances. Unless the Creepion noticed the safe zone, as had happened before, their usual combat strategy was to maintain maximum distance from the barrier, initiating with ranged attacks before engaging in close combat. As the Freezer lumbered across the central hall, heading away from the barrier, Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun exchanged signals to commence their attack.

Just as the two men were about to rush out from behind the barrier, their wrists were suddenly grabbed. Seo Jungin pulled the two startled men back and wrapped his arms around each of their waists, one at a time. He intended to guide the two who hadn’t yet received guiding through a kiss.

Choi Suhyuk’s expression softened immediately. Standing on his tiptoes, he lowered his face to Seo Jungin’s tilted head and kissed him.

Knowing they were short on time, Seo Jungin quickly channeled his hot guiding energy.

“…!”

Choi Suhyuk barely suppressed a moan as the hot energy surged down his throat, squeezing his eyes shut. Unable to withstand the overwhelming sensation, he grimaced and wrapped his hand around the back of Seo Jungin’s neck. As his rough palm moved up to the back of Jungin’s head, tilting it further back, Seo Jungin shuddered, feeling both the thrill of giving and receiving the guiding energy.

Even in that brief moment, the tingling sensation flowed into Hwang Woohyun, igniting a burning heat within him. He caressed Seo Jungin’s lower back with his large hand and then gently nuzzled his lips against the exposed white skin of his neck.

“Mmm…!”

A soft moan escaped Seo Jungin’s lips. Kim Yikyung tensed, glancing outside the barrier, worried that the Freezer might have heard the sound, but thankfully, it didn’t seem to have noticed.

As Hwang Woohyun’s lips continued to caress his neck, Seo Jungin pulled away from Choi Suhyuk’s lips, as if awakening from a dream, and turned to Hwang Woohyun. As if they had prearranged it, their heads met. A deep kiss followed, Hwang Woohyun’s high nose bridge pressing against Seo Jungin’s cheek. Choi Suhyuk naturally buried his face in the nape of Seo Jungin’s neck.

What once seemed inappropriate in such situations was now a necessary act for survival. Moreover, once Seo Jungin began guiding, the espers became completely captivated, unable to think of anything else.

It was, as always, the team leader who interrupted them. Kim Yikyung grabbed Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun’s wrists and held their watches in front of their faces. Finally regaining their senses, the three separated.

Choi Suhyuk licked his lips, savoring the lingering sweetness. Hwang Woohyun placed a light kiss on Seo Jungin’s forehead. The team members watched with a mixture of worry and anxiety as the two men exchanged a look and then ran out from behind the barrier.

The Freezer, lumbering across the central hall, turned at the approaching footsteps, only to be engulfed in a sudden surge of intense heat and electrical energy. It shrieked horribly.

“Kyaaaak! Kraaaak!”

The Freezer wrapped its arms around its shoulders, swirling icy energy to form a powerful protective barrier.

“Ha, unbelievable.”

Kim Yikyung muttered in disbelief from behind the barrier.

It was definitely strange. Both the Bolt Striker earlier and now the Freezer. How could they withstand the full-powered attacks of two S-rank espers?

Of course, just as there were ranks among espers, there would naturally be differences in the special abilities of X-Creepions, but the attack power of Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun, amplified by guiding, was beyond imagination. It was incomprehensible that the Creepions could withstand it.

It’s definitely strange. Something’s wrong with this Obsidian Hall.

Hwang Woohyun continued his ability attack while closing the distance to the Freezer. He intended to attack its vital points with his dagger while it was distracted.

X-Creepions, while highly resistant to ability attacks, were vulnerable to primitive physical attacks like knives. Their susceptibility to toxic attacks stemmed from the same reason they were, after all, organic beings.

Hwang Woohyun, drawing his dagger from his holster band, moved closer and closer to the Freezer. He reached the point where the clash of fire and ice created a blinding swirl of light and was about to plunge his dagger into the top of the Freezer’s head when…

“Heeiiiik!”

The Freezer shrieked strangely and rolled to the side, causing the dagger to slice through the air. Hwang Woohyun swung his dagger again, but the Freezer quickly dodged by dropping to the floor and then sprang up, scurrying away down the hallway.

“Suhyuk!”

At Hwang Woohyun’s call, the two men disappeared down the hallway, chasing after the Freezer. At that moment, the stationary elevator began to move with a whirring sound.

“Huh, Yikyung Hyung! The elevator!”

Jo Heechan, watching from behind the barrier, gasped and looked at Kim Yikyung in alarm.

“Ha…”

Kim Yikyung sighed heavily as the numbers on the elevator display rapidly decreased, reaching 1.

“Taeyong.”

At Kim Yikyung’s call, Nam Taeyong stood up, seemingly prepared. He stretched his neck from side to side, about to step out from behind the barrier, when he found himself looking at Seo Jungin.

Seo Jungin, his red eyes filled with anxiety, stared at Nam Taeyong and softly parted his lips.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“Can’t promise you that.”

“Don’t die.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Having said that, Nam Taeyong felt strangely uneasy.

It felt like… a death flag. Saying those lines means you die.

No, wait, Seo Jungin, your “Don’t die” is what sets up the flag.

“Heechan, you know you can’t leave the guide alone during a Black Siren, right?”

Kim Yikyung was giving Jo Heechan firm instructions.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Don’t leave the safe zone under any circumstances. Watch over Jungin carefully.”

“Got it. You guys be careful too, Hyungs.”

The elevator began to ascend with a whirring sound.

“Let’s go, Taeyong.”

Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong rushed out from behind the barrier. Quickly reaching the central hall, the two men hid behind the reception desk located on one side. As if to confirm their bad premonitions, the numbers on the elevator display continued to change until it reached 5, and then a cheerful chime rang out.

Ding.

As the elevator doors slid open, accompanied by the announcement voice, and an X-Creepion emerged, its footsteps echoing—thud… thud…—Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong couldn’t believe their eyes.

What is this? Is time rewinding or something?

The figure that emerged from the elevator was all too familiar. Its head was completely exposed, its hair burned away. Its entire body was covered with grotesquely clinging skin, charred black and melted. Its skin was either glistening red or charred black and brittle, with bones and tendons protruding here and there.

It was the Bolt Striker, with its distinct bright blue eyes.

Its round, lidless eyes slowly scanned the central hall. Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong were momentarily stunned.

We already defeated it. We definitely killed it. It’s already hard enough being in this time-distorted space, what the hell is going on?

The Bolt Striker’s corpse was still lying on the floor, yet another one, identical in height and appearance, had just emerged from the elevator. It was understandable that they were confused.

But they didn’t have time to be confused. If it was the Bolt Striker, it might actually be advantageous. They had experience fighting it. And they had the perfect combination for a toxic attack: Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong. If they ambushed it while its back was turned and injected their toxic abilities through skin contact, they might be able to defeat it relatively easily.

Kim Yikyung sent a bone-conduction message to his watch.

「Bolt Striker in the central hall. Elimination in progress.」

Just in case Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun returned to the central hall after defeating the Freezer and were caught off guard by the Bolt Striker. After sending the emergency message, Kim Yikyung gestured for Nam Taeyong to approach and sent him a separate message.

「I’ll ambush it first with a toxic attack. If I fail, you attack immediately.」

Since Choi Suhyuk and Hwang Woohyun were currently engaged in eliminating the Freezer, if both he and Nam Taeyong attacked simultaneously and failed, the safe zone, already short on espers, would be at risk. He would attack first, and even if he failed, while the Bolt Striker’s attention was diverted, Nam Taeyong could attack from behind.

Having formulated their plan, Kim Yikyung and Nam Taeyong crept along opposite sides of the reception desk, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

A short while later, the Bolt Striker, reacting to the Freezer’s pained cries echoing from down the hallway, began walking slowly in that direction.

Just as the monster passed the reception desk and entered the narrower hallway, Kim Yikyung signaled to Nam Taeyong and then lunged at the Bolt Striker’s back. He grabbed the monster’s broad shoulders firmly with both hands. Just as he was about to inject his toxic ability…

Instead of toxic energy flowing from his hands, Kim Yikyung felt a dizzying sensation, as if his entire being was being sucked away.

A feeling of being drained. His head spun, and his whole body felt like it was being taken over.

He knew this ability better than anyone, having used it and toyed with it himself. Having absorbed it from countless Creepions and espers.

The ability of the monster that was currently draining him was undoubtedly replication!

Before his eyes, the Bolt Striker’s charred black head was instantly covered with thick, bronze-brown hair. Its tall, muscular frame transformed into a slender, lithe body, now clad in a shirt.

The X-Creepion turned to look at Kim Yikyung, who was stumbling back in shock.

It was Kim Yikyung. An exact replica of Kim Yikyung.

“Gasp…!”

It wasn’t the Bolt Striker. It wasn’t a Bolt Striker (lightning-type) but a Replicator (replication-type).

This Replicator had appeared on the 5th floor disguised as the Bolt Striker.

Momentarily stunned, Kim Yikyung couldn’t bring himself to attack, gasping for breath as he stumbled backwards.

The Replicator then spread its palms outwards as if brushing something away. Instantly, more Kim Yikyungs appeared beside the Replicator in Kim Yikyung’s form, surrounding the real Kim Yikyung.

“Gasp, gasp, gasp, ungh! Ugh…”

At a glance, there seemed to be at least ten, no, twenty of them?

Kim Yikyung began to wonder if this was reality or a nightmare.

‘It’s my feelings.’

Kim Yikyung began to doubt whether he was the real Kim Yikyung or a replica.

‘Hello, Seo Jungin.’

Images flooded his mind: the mangled corpse of Kim Yikyung, countless replica Kim Yikyungs scattering, and all sorts of Kim Yikyungs embracing and rolling around with Seo Jungin.

‘It’s okay. They’re just replicas.’

Everywhere he looked, he saw copies of himself. To his right, to his left, all around him, there were only Kim Yikyungs.

“Gasp, gasp, huh, ungh! Ugh…”

Kim Yikyung groaned as he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, as if his internal organs were being squeezed.

“Ugh, hack, cough, cough.”

He coughed up blood. One of the fake Kim Yikyungs had launched a toxic attack.

Since he had replicated Nam Taeyong’s toxic and healing abilities, the fake Kim Yikyungs who had copied him would possess the same abilities.

If it had been Nam Taeyong, the original owner of the abilities, he would have had a stronger resistance to the toxic attack, but since Kim Yikyung was using replicated abilities, the attack had a greater impact. Fortunately, due to the healing ability, detoxification began immediately.

“Kraaa!”

A scream echoed from behind him. He turned to see Nam Taeyong plunging his dagger into the abdomen of a fake Kim Yikyung. As one collapsed, he immediately grabbed another fake Kim Yikyung by the shoulder and stabbed him repeatedly in the stomach.

Seeing the grim determination in Nam Taeyong’s face as he stabbed with his dagger, the real Kim Yikyung felt strangely annoyed.

Even if they are fakes, they still have my face, and he’s just stabbing them so casually. That bastard.

“Ugh, guh…”

“Cough!”

“Agh!”

Black blood spurted from the fake Kim Yikyungs as Nam Taeyong stabbed them, but as they died, their bodies and even the bloodstains dissipated into thin air.

He couldn’t just stand and watch. As the one with the replication ability, he knew better than anyone that each replica possessed the same abilities as the original. He couldn’t afford to be idle with twenty of them to deal with.

The real Kim Yikyung shoved off the fake clinging to his shoulder and drew his own dagger from his holster band. Immediately, all the surrounding fake Kim Yikyungs drew their daggers. The sound of multiple blades being drawn echoed through the hall.

The truly chilling sight sent shivers down the real Kim Yikyung’s spine. He looked around. The fake Kim Yikyungs stared back, their daggers raised.

“You…!”

As the real Kim Yikyung raised his dagger and lunged at the nearest fake, the surrounding replicas attacked simultaneously, their daggers flashing.

Nam Taeyong, having just stabbed and disintegrated another fake Kim Yikyung, looked around to locate the real one, but he was surrounded by so many Kim Yikyungs that he couldn’t distinguish between the real and the fakes.

“Fuck, Kim Yikyung. Kim Yikyung?”

Just then, seeing a Kim Yikyung lying on the floor, Nam Taeyong rushed over and rolled him over. He heard Kim Yikyung shout from behind him.

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

Reacting instinctively to the shout, Nam Taeyong plunged his dagger into the figure’s abdomen. Black blood gushed out as the fake Kim Yikyung convulsed and then dissipated. But then the real problem began. All the surrounding fake Kim Yikyungs started shouting, “Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

Nam Taeyong, confused, frantically looked around. He was surrounded by Kim Yikyungs, all shouting the same thing.

“Wait! Be careful!”

At Kim Yikyung’s shout, Nam Taeyong narrowly avoided a dagger that sliced past his face. He viciously stabbed the fake Kim Yikyung who had attacked him, and now a new phrase was added to the chorus.

“Wait! Be careful!”

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Wait! Stab him!”

“Taeyong! Be careful!”

“Stab him! Stab him!”

Nam Taeyong was completely overwhelmed by chaos and panic. He couldn’t tell which one was the real Kim Yikyung. If a blade grazed his cheek, he grabbed that Kim Yikyung and stabbed him. If he felt a sharp pain in his arm, he grabbed that Kim Yikyung and stabbed him. If his shoulder was grabbed and he felt toxic energy being injected, he immediately turned and stabbed that Kim Yikyung.

But there were still too many Kim Yikyungs. They were everywhere.

“Fuck, why are there so many Kim Yikyungs?!”

If he stabbed the wrong one, if he stabbed the real Kim Yikyung…

If he grabbed someone thinking it was Kim Yikyung, but it was a fake…

“Gasp, gasp, huh, gasp,”

Nam Taeyong’s breathing grew ragged. This was like a nightmare he had once had. Surrounded by the chorus of Kim Yikyungs, he was trapped in a true nightmare.

“Gasp, gasp, gasp,”

“Taeyong!”

Hearing the voice close by, Nam Taeyong grabbed the nearest Kim Yikyung, tackled him to the ground, pinned him down by the throat, and raised his dagger.

“Gah…!”

His hand trembled as he held the dagger aloft.

“Gasp, gasp, gasp, gasp,”

Nam Taeyong stared down at the Kim Yikyung pinned beneath him, breathing heavily. The Kim Yikyung, gripping Nam Taeyong’s wrist with both hands, looked exactly like all the other Kim Yikyungs scattered around. There was no difference.

Suddenly, shouts erupted from all directions.

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Taeyong! Stab him!”

“Stab him! Stab him! Stab him!”

Nam Taeyong tightened his grip on the Kim Yikyung’s throat, raising his dagger higher. The eyes of the Kim Yikyung beneath him darted frantically.

“Gah, ugh.”

“Uh… uh…”

Nam Taeyong, his eyes blazing, gritted his teeth and asked the Kim Yikyung pinned beneath him,

“What do I call you…?”

“Ugh…”

“What do I usually call you?!”

The Kim Yikyung on the floor threw off Nam Taeyong’s hand and yelled,

“You don’t call me Hyung, you fucker!”

At those words, Nam Taeyong immediately drew his positron gun from its holster and began firing at the fake Kim Yikyungs surrounding them. Kim Yikyung also drew his positron gun and unleashed a barrage of particle beams at the Kim Yikyungs surrounding them.