Chapter 60: It seems like something is going on #2
“Uh, get down!”
Kuwaaaang!
Tae-hyuk leaned down reflexively at the explosion. The bomb had already exploded. After a few seconds, the aftermath of the explosion would hit. Fortunately, Tae-hyuk's stats were reinforced by the Violence skill, making it possible to move beyond humanly possible speeds.
Tae-hyuk bit his lip. Moonlight Flower was one step ahead of Tae-hyuk and was hiding her body in a safe place.
However, the problem was the guide. She thought that there was some accident, and was standing still like a broken mannequin. Therefore, she would get caught in the explosion and receive a big injury.
A person who received a great shock would be frozen in place. If they were able to cope with the situation then they could live. But if they were in a blank state and couldn't do anything, leading to their deaths. She was in such a state.
Tae-hyuk reflexively kicked her leg.
"Kyak!"
She screamed as her body curved like a bow. Tae-hyuk grabbed the falling guide and rolled down the stairs in a hugging position. They rolled a few metres in an instant.
Kukukukung!
A little later, the shock wave hit the surprised people. Fortunately, he had fallen down considerably and could avoid any direct hits. Flames appeared just above his head. The surviving people started to scream.
It looked like Hell had arrived on Earth. Tae-hyuk had seen a similar situation before. It was just a few days ago, when he had participated in a death game where dozens of people could die.
However, that was an area where human nature caused the deaths. What was happening here was far beyond that. If he didn't know anything then he would've lost his life.
Tae-hyuk bit his lip as he rolled across the ground. The good news was that he was somehow spared. It was a result of the warning from the Demon Revealing Mirror.
'A hidden ability of the Spying skill…'
It consumed a staggering 20 affinity points in order to warn of a crisis. There were still many things about the crime skill that he didn't know yet. The problem was that it wouldn't be mentioned unless the conditions were met.
'Perhaps there are conditions like collecting more than 20 affinity points.'
His affinity points had disappeared in an instant, but he didn't feel regret since it had saved his life.
'…Well. In fact, it is a waste. Damn!'
Tae-hyuk moaned with a pained expression.
Anyway, he once again realized how valuable affinity points were. This wasn't a game, but was like having an extra life in reality. If he could afford it then he would have to stockpile over 20 points.
"……"
Tae-hyuk let go of the unconscious guide and stood up. Yoo Ha-yang, who was hiding behind a protruding structure, came out from hiding. She was looking around with eyes that were as wide as a meerkat. She smiled brightly as soon as she found Tae-hyuk.
"Wah, you're alive!"
Tae-hyuk shrugged and said with a strict, but sincere expression.
“You are also alive. Did you hide alone in a safe place?"
"Hehehe…"
Tae-hyuk sighed.
He couldn't hate a woman like that.
“Let's get out of here. Soon the water tanks will collapse and the water will pour out.”
“Hup!”
Yoo Ha-yang closed her mouth and nodded. Tae-hyuk inwardly exclaimed.
Moonlight Flower – Yoo Ha-yang. She showed more speed than him, despite Tae-hyuk being enhanced by the Violence skill. Maybe she could have survived even without his warning. She had a foolishly pure personality, but he had confidence in her physical abilities.
Tae-hyuk said quietly.
“We will go down first."
“Do you know a safe place to go?"
"Yes. For now."
Kukukung!
Tae-hyuk confirmed the status of the huge tanks. There was a lot of cracking as if the water would pour out in that moment.
There was a room down there. It couldn't completely stop the water but it was better than outside. Tae-hyuk closed his eyes for a moment before running towards the door while carrying the guide.
[Agility has increased due to your rapid actions beyond your limits.]
Stamina (59), Intelligence (47), Agility (29), Dexterity (39)
The message from the Demon Revealing Mirror flashed in front of Tae-hyuk's eyes. He had definitely exceeded his limits. If he hesitated for even a moment, then he would've been caught by the water pouring down from the tanks.
“W-What the hell is going on?"
Yoo Ha-yang asked with a serious expression.
"It's what it sounds like. A bomb."
"Ah… I always thought that such things were on the news. But I still managed to live. Ahaha… What a disaster movie."
Ha-yang was laughing in these circumstances. Tae-hyuk was shocked and he was starting to doubt her mental state.
The guide was still unconscious.
Tae-hyuk examined the area that they were currently in. It was a passage with dim lighting, a place that led from the 4B floor of Atlantis to the amenities. If he kept moving along the passageway, then he would find places such as restaurants and arcades.
Outside of the door was water, and this place also wouldn't last long. He didn't have to worry about breathing due to the ventilation system, but he couldn't wait forever.
"Let's go inside. This place won't hold out for long."
Tae-hyuk tapped the firmly closed door with his finger.
Ha-yang nodded.
Water was already seeping through the cracks. They had to move to a deeper place to avoid the water coming in here. The passage, which led to the theater and various facilities, was as complicated as a maze.
Tae-hyuk sighed. The outward passage was already blocked by water. They were like trapped rats.
Ha-yang started to search the passage with a serious expression. Then she said,
“I think there is only one way to get out of here."
“Is it the ventilation ducts?"
"Eh? How did you know?"
Ha-yang gazed at Tae-hyuk with wide eyes. In fact, Tae-hyuk knew what was happening now.
The Atlantis sinking incident. It was a famous disaster that was the prelude to the appearance of the bomber, Kim Tae-sung. The bomb that detonated and caused dozens of casualties was just the beginning.
The more vicious thing was that he installed it in the place with huge water tanks, containing thousands of tons of water. They were made of special material that didn't break even when shot. However, they were unable to withstand the high temperatures of the explosion and shattered. In the end, the enormous amount of water hit the survivors.
The original architecture had a place built underground to escape from a situation just like this. But for some reason, it was missing. After the accident occurred and hundreds of people died, people started calling for punishment. In the end, the culprit was a senior official who received hundreds of millions in bribes from large corporations. The bereaved families even held a hunger strike. However, it ended without any proper punishment.
‘The conclusion was that hundreds of people died due to two criminals.'
He lost his appetite.
Tae-hyuk sighed as he confirmed the message in front of him. He was able to gain one affinity point for saving the guide. Many people died in this incident, but that didn't mean that there were no survivors. Tae-hyuk knew how they survived. They escaped through the vents.
Then he replied to Ha-yang.
“In movies like this, the people would escape through the vents."
“That’s right! Most underground facilities are linked to the outside. In the end, we need to find the way there…"
Ha-yang was a thief so she was familiar with the layout of buildings. She paused briefly with a troubled expression.
"…The problem is that this is an unnecessarily complex structure. If I had enough time then I would be able to find a way out, but… Well, I think I am lacking time."
“That certainly is true. The time limit should be around 30 minutes."
Ha-yang nodded at Tae-hyuk's words.
“I don't know the structure…"
Tae-hyuk's eyes flashed at those words.
"Noona. If you know the structure of the place, will you be able to get out?"
"O-Of course! I am a thief as well."
Tae-hyuk knew a way to understand the structure of this place. It was to use a crime skill.
'I can analyze this place using the Spying skill. Then create a map using the Forgery skill…'
Tae-hyuk manipulated the Demon Revealing Mirror to examine the details of the Spying skill. He could reinforce the skill by investing affinity points. There was something that would be useful right now.
'Extend Spying range…!'
It was necessary for Spying to be used on the whole building. But he didn't have enough points for that. Tae-hyuk currently only had one affinity point. He needed 10 points. In order to get it…
Tae-hyuk looked at Ha-yang. He said with a serious expression.
“The details are hard to explain but there is a way to get an overview of this place. But in order to do that, you need to save others. I need Noona's strength."
He couldn't talk about the crime skills. But Yoo Ha-yang knew that Tae-hyuk had some special abilities. He might be her only hope of getting out of here.
"Ahaha. Staying calm even in this situation… In fact, despite my words… I'm really scared right now… This is the first time. I joked around but there really was a bomb… Furthermore, I don't know when the water will come in here. Then the vents will be dangerous. I didn't even think about what to do until just before. But do you really have a way to get out of this place?"
Ha-yang was smiling brightly. But her eyes were shaking.
Tae-hyuk didn't miss this. He nodded without saying anything.
“If so, I will help you. Like you saved countless people from the Death Circus, can you save me?"
“It is over when I get my date home."
The tension disappeared from Yoo Ha-yang's face.
"Ahaha. Even in a situation like this… At any rate, I'll do it. Give me instructions."
Tae-hyuk laughed. Of course he meant his words.
Besides, it didn't end when he escaped from here. The bomber Kim Tae-sung had appeared three months early. In order to fight him, Yoo Ha-yang's help was needed. He couldn't let her die in a place like this.
Tae-hyuk quickly and accurately issued instructions.
“Cell phone?”
"Yes. However, the radio waves don't work."
"That is enough. As long as you can check the time. There are certainly a few survivors in this space. Find as many as possible and direct to the…"
Tae-hyuk recalled as much of the structure of this place as possible. He remembered the place that the water didn't reach until the last moment. He told Ha-yang that place.
"I understand. Then I'll be there in exactly 600 seconds."
"Yes. At least three people… No, I would like four or more if possible."
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
Ha-yang disappeared into the darkness. Her animal senses would surely save a lot of people.
He gazed at the affinity points showing on the Demon Revealing Mirror.
Tae-hyuk sighed and looked at the guide. He needed to deal with her then look for other survivors.
“Have you recovered?"
Tae-hyuk asked after slapping the guide on the cheek.
"Uh, yes… A-Am I alive?"
The guide tearfully said. She had been in shock and lost her mind for a moment.
"But if you don't get out of here in a hurry then it will probably be flooded."
"Ah…"
The guide looked around. They were in a deeper place, not outside.
“Then I am going to find other survivors. Go to the underground game centre and wait there."
The guide's face instantly paled. It looked as though she thought that Tae-hyuk was abandoning her.
"N-No! Are you trying to run away alone? I-I'm going to follow you!"
"In such a state?"
The guide's feet were shaking. It seemed like she wouldn't be able to walk properly without receiving any support.
"I-I will still follow. P-Please…"
“I'm not really throwing you away. Please just wait. I will come to pick you up soon."
He didn't have time to keep talking like this. Tae-hyuk turned around to look for other survivors.
Deopsseok!
The guide threw her body and grabbed Tae-hyuk. She clung desperately to his body. It was like she would die right away if she let go.
"Ugh… Really frustrating."
“I-I am Oh Soo-ah. P-Please take me along. I'll do whatever you want."
“I mean, just wait a minute!"
“Then you will go away!"
There was no end to this. Tae-hyuk eventually decided on something. He pulled Soo-ah up from where she was holding on to his right leg.
Then he said with a smile.
“Soo-ah noona. Do you want to see a magic trick?"
"Huh? A-All of a sudden?"
Tae-hyuk clapped and raised his palms in front of his body. Then he shouted.
“This is the only magic that I know!"
Tae-hyuk pulled apart his hands and revealed the underwear she was wearing. Soo-ah's face turned red at the familiar piece.
"Kyaaack!"
Tae-hyuk gave a rotten smile while holding the black lace underwear.
“I wanted to end it with only one thing but you tied up my arms and legs…"
He absolutely didn't steal this. It was made from magic!
Tae-hyuk removed Soo-ah's arms and moved to find another survivor.
“Fortunately, there were no witnesses. Ohuhu… It was completely a crime!"
Soo-ah was left being with a red face. However, the lace underwear wasn't enough to break her.