Episode 405
[The rules of ‘Escape’ are easier than ‘Ice Tag’. When a contestant leaves a certain space, they win… In this case, it would be the punishment building. Of course, the ‘Escape’ I knew took place in a much narrower space, so the penalty for ‘Sullae’ was more severe.]
“How bad was it?”
[Usually ‘Sool-lae’ covered his eyes.]
“I think that’s too much of a restriction.”
[I told you. It was much narrower… … . It was a narrower device than a single room, so it was a level of difficulty that could be caught if you just listened carefully. Anyway, this is my opinion. If the Demon King really intends to follow the rules of the game, there must be an exit-.]
“for a moment.”
I cut off Seren’s words and then hit the back of Beric’s head as he was running around blushing.
“Hey! Why are you hitting me?”
“I just hit it once. Did you get hurt?”
Beric muttered, his eyes widening.
“… It’s not like I’m particularly bothered by it.”
“Are the guards finished with their treatment?”
“I told you, it’s not like it’s a cure or anything. Vampires don’t have that kind of power. All they can do is manipulate blood flow… … . Maybe if you become one of my subordinates, you’ll understand. But then you’ll have to become a corpse once.”
“That’s why I told you to just stop the bleeding.”
“Yes. The bleeding has stopped.”
I nodded to Beric’s words, then spoke to Seren again.
“Excuse me.”
[… How is the situation inside?]
“It’s not good.”
[is it.]
A sigh was heard beyond the crystal, and then a voice continued.
[I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can help you. Something important has come up.]
“much?”
[It’s hard to say in detail. You know, there’s something in there-.]
Seren, who was about to say something, closed her mouth, but for some reason, I could guess what this guy was going to say.
“Is anyone looking for it?”
[That’s true, but I’m not the type of person to brag about it freely.]
“Are you talking about Luan?”
[… … .]
Seren remained silent though.
The embarrassment was evident in his breathing.
He seemed to be struggling with how to respond, so I said something to ease his worries.
“I know him personally.”
I didn’t necessarily say badnikker or gold fairy.
The name Luan isn’t that rare, so it probably won’t be that memorable if you remove the Badniker label.
It could also be because this is a relatively remote southern region… Even now, no one was particularly paying attention to our conversation.
“If you have anything to say to him, just tell me. I’ll pass it on to you.”
[…hmm.]
I expected that Seren would be able to guess that ‘Luzard’s’ true identity was ‘Luan’ just from this hint… … .
Unfortunately, this guy’s thinking didn’t go that far.
If you think about it carefully, it’s an area you can reach, so why is it so?
Maybe it’s because this guy’s mind is somewhere else right now.
So, like the ‘important thing’ I just mentioned.
[… I will wait at the Pantheon. I would appreciate it if you could tell me.]
“… … ?”
It was the first time I had heard of that place name, but I guess that was because I am not a person who knows geography well.
However, I decided to keep the word Pantheon in my head.
[Well then, I wish you good luck… … .]
Seren’s voice suddenly cut off with a squeak.
The guard standing next to him muttered.
“Ah… I think it’s broken.”
“… … .”
To be honest, it was painful to see Seren leave because each and every one of our members was a pity… … .
I can’t help it, he said he has other important things to do.
As expected, I thought that Seren’s business was also related to the church or the Demon King.
Just as I have work to do in the punishment cell, doesn’t that guy have work to do outside?
“What, what should we do now… … ?”
The guard who was just looking through the corrections looked at me and asked.
Now he treats me like a superior.
He was the guy who fixed the communication error earlier, but for some reason, his sloppy attitude kept catching my eye.
Looking closely, it was a child who didn’t look even twenty years old. Isn’t that what I should be saying?
anyway.
“What is your name?”
“It’s Lark.”
“Lark. Aren’t you a warden?”
“Yes, yes. I was a communications officer and mechanic for the Punishment Unit… … .”
no wonder.
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There was a reason why it looked so awkward.
“Here, tell me how to operate it. I need to relay the situation inside the tower once more using the communication fix here.”
“Yes? What about us?”
Lark rolled his eyes, perhaps anxious about being separated from me.
I pointed to Beric.
“I’ll be okay, as long as that little rat is here.”
“It’s not a rat. At least say it’s a bat.”
“Whether it’s a bat or a fly, they’re sensitive to sounds and have good night vision, so they won’t have to wander around in the dark.”
The moment we spoke, the lights flickered and the tower came back on.
I blinked briefly to let my eyes adjust to the light.
“This?”
“Ah… … It looks like the backup function has been activated. I don’t know if the security function of the detention cell has been restored, but it seems like the lighting function has been restored.”
“How long do you think this light will last?”
“Well… … . According to the manual, it would take about six hours… … ?”
Six hours. About half a day.
It seems like a tight time to escape while avoiding the Tangtata, and it also seems like something might happen precariously.
“… Anyway, don’t worry about Beric.”
“Even if you say that, isn’t that person a prisoner… … .”
“I am a prisoner too.”
“You’re different. Mr. Luzard is a model prisoner, and he’s already saved us, and most of all-”
“I warn you. Such prejudice is of no help in survival.”
I interrupted Lark and continued.
“The Demon King’s realm is usually called hell. In that sense, the Punishment Hall is already a place that can be called hell. It’s even closed… … . In order to survive in hell, you’ll have to use everything you can.”
I added, looking at Beric.
“Even if it’s a vampire who has killed dozens of people.”
“… … .”
“Of course I understand that you don’t trust him, but don’t worry.”
“Why?”
“Berrick is a criminal, but he’s not a psychopath. He’s not stupid. I don’t think he’ll be able to get out of here without my help.”
“Yes. Even the Demon King has been summoned, so what can a mere vampire like me do?”
Ironically, it was the cult that discriminated against foreign races more than the empire. Even demons were no exception to this habit.
“You also know how foolish it is to kill a human being in such a situation.”
“… … .”
Beric’s eyes narrowed.
He looks suspicious, wondering if I am guessing all his inner thoughts… … .
In this situation, it’s obvious what that guy is going to do.
Beric cannot kill the guard.
It’s not that this guy is actually good-natured, or that he’s come to his senses, or that he’s afraid of my revenge…
To prepare for one situation in a million.
When he unfortunately encounters the Demon King, Beric needs a human to increase his chances of survival even a little.
It doesn’t mean a shield.
As the number of survivors inside the tower decreases, the probability of becoming the Demon King’s target increases.
Because in order to live a little longer, saving as many people as possible will ultimately be beneficial to you.
“If we use the communication room, the Demon King who left can return. In any case, my voice will echo throughout the tower… … If I were alone, I could somehow escape, but if you guys are here, we’ll be in the same situation as before. And there’s no guarantee that someone like Beric will return.”
“… … .”
Lark, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded.
“Oh, I understand.”
“The transmission will be made in 10 minutes, so for now, go to the guards’ lounge on the third floor. If nothing comes up, I’ll be there within 30 minutes.”
The guard and Beric nodded firmly and left… … .
In the communications room where I was left alone, I picked up Myungryong-ah again.
‘Vulcan. Are you okay?’
[Of course! But, it’s hard to accept the current situation! How could such a terrible being appear in this southern part of the country… …!]
‘It’s not a complete descent yet.’
[That may be true, but it would still be an unmanageable disaster for most mortals. Do you have a plan?]
‘Since the way we’re dealing with him now is in the form of play, there’s a way out.’
[… … ?]
I asked Vulcan, who was puzzled.
‘Do you think it would be too much trouble to break down this wall?’
[It will be difficult for you in your current form! It would be different if you were to swing Myungryong-ah in your original form!]
‘hmm…….’
[Anyway, it seems like there’s nothing I can do to help! Ah… … ! If only the god of war had been here at that time… … .]
“… … .”
Vulcan’s voice gradually grew fainter.
Is it because it has become the Demon King’s territory?
Somehow, the presence of this incarnate dragon seemed to be gradually weakening.
I thought about the Seven Deadly Sins Sword for a moment.
Now I know that the god of war, Mushin, has a special meaning to the devil… especially to Angshin.
Because the existence of the gods was the only restraining force that could suppress the gods.
It’s a shame.
If I had shared the current situation with Musin, he might have told me a good idea… … .
I waited a moment, licking my lips, and then opened my mouth while standing in front of the crystal after the guards had completely disappeared.
[… broadcasting from the communications room.]
My voice echoed throughout the punishment cell.
* * *
Now that our objective has been achieved, we must leave the communications room as soon as possible.
Of course, Tangtata’s movements were loud and he didn’t seem to have any intention of hiding himself, so there was no chance of being suddenly attacked.
Anyway, the location of the communications room is really weird.
I immediately left the communications room and instead of heading to the break room on the third floor, I stopped by the surveillance room for a moment.
Because I thought that if the standby function had returned, the function of the surveillance room might have been revived as well.
“hmm…….”
When I saw it in person, only about half of the functions were recovered.
I still couldn’t see the screen, but I could hear the sound.
I have tried all the communication mods that I know of that work.
[… Hey, I said that’s my food… … !]
[… Shut up. In this situation, where is yours and where is mine… … .]
[… Prisoner over there! Stop moving! And go back into the observation room… … !]
[I couldn’t hear the guards.
[… But is there really no place to go… … .]
Dozens of voices were simultaneously thrust into my ears.
I was a little dizzy, but I didn’t have the time to wiretap each area individually, so this was the right method.
For a while I was buried in dozens of sounds… … .
I finally found the sound I was looking for.
[What are you? You look strange. How on earth do you walk with that body type?]
[Ho, hoho, hohoho… … !]
Where are you?
As I turned on the light in my eyes, I soon realized that the place where the voice was heard was the 6th floor.
Immediately, all sounds except those on that floor were turned off.
[Even the sound of your laughter is disgusting. Hey. You look like a prisoner from the way you look. Stop hanging around and get out. Is this guy in a good mood right now?]
Didn’t that idiot hear my broadcast?
That could be possible, if not all communication functions were restored.
Anyway, soon there was a sloshing sound, followed by screaming, howling, and the sound of something chewing.
[Ugh… … .]
The sound faded away with a disgusting thud.
And I turned on the nearby crystal again to guess the path of the Tang Tata.
‘Are you going upstairs?’
It’s fortunate that it’s not the lower floor, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a very good development.
What if he gets to the top floor and just sits there?
The only exit will be blocked by a tangta-ta, so the difficulty of ‘escape’ will increase several times.
It might be better to just run to the top floor right now.
The moment I looked back after making my decision… … .
“… … !”
My heart almost dropped.
Because without a sound, someone was standing there.
I, who had been blankly staring, opened my mouth belatedly.
“Verita. What are you doing here?”
“Of course I was looking for you, brother.”
Verita replied in a nonchalant voice. She was certainly holding a vicious blunt weapon in her hand.
“There’s blood on it.”
“Ah… On my way here, I brought some lambs to God.”
“… … .”
It means that people who don’t even know the topic are getting on the express train to hell after picking a fight.
Anyway, I let out a sigh of relief.
Because I’ve joined forces with the only reliable force in this hell.
“Did you hear my broadcast?”
“That’s right.”
“Then I guess you understand the general rules. I just figured out Tangtata’s course, and it’s currently heading to the top floor. It’s not going very fast, so if we hurry, I think we’ll get there first.”
“No, brother. That won’t work.”
Verita disagreed with my opinion in a rare, firm tone.
I couldn’t help but look at him with a slightly puzzled look.
Has this guy ever directly opposed me?
“The reason is?”
“First of all, if Tangtata is advancing slowly, there must be a reason for it. For example, they have already built a defense to block the only exit through which they can escape.”
“… … .”
Verita’s words made my head feel slightly dizzy.
Because it was such a reasonable guess.
Tangtata looks stupid, but he is not stupid.
Although he often appears innocent, he is not without a cunning side.
Why didn’t I think of that?
‘Is your head getting too hot?’
I admitted that I was impatient.
Also, I thought that maybe Tangtata’s greatest weapon was its stupid-looking appearance.
Because in a battlefield where life and death are at stake, there is no better strategy than making your opponent let their guard down.
“That’s a sharp point. So is there another way?”
“Of course. The game will end once ‘Sulrae’ disappears.”
That’s true, though.
I thought for a moment and then asked again.
“… You don’t mean to say that you’re going to fight Tangtata?”
“Why not?”
“No, that’s impossible.”
I will understand when I see you in person.
Even in his current state, the Demon King was still the Demon King.
I became convinced that even if I gave it my all in the form of Luan, I would not be able to kill Tangtata.
What if Delak, who is outside, joins?
In fact, even now, I have this delusion that that gentleman will break down the wall and come and save me.
‘Then I will sing a song to the whole world saying that my dad is the best.’
Of course, in this situation, it is right to put aside optimistic observations as much as possible.
“I have a way.”
“method?”
“Yes. I have the means to bind the Demon King’s movements.”
“say it.”
“First, I will fight Tangtata first. At this time, you can hide and wait for an opportunity, and immediately after I am eaten, you can defeat Tangtata.”
“… … .”
For a moment, I almost sold my ear hole.
What did I just hear?
“…what?”
“Ah. I guess my explanation was insufficient. Since I have a special constitution, the Demon King’s condition will worsen simply by swallowing me. There is a possibility that he will go berserk, but it is certain that his fighting power will decrease drastically.”
“Hey. Wait a minute. That means-.”
“yes.”
Verita said with a smile.
“This plan presupposes my death.”
