Chapter 20. One-on-One (5)

Eun-Ho remembered a conversation he had with someone a while ago.

"Eun-Ho, why do you have so little stuff? Are you one of those, what do you call it, minimalists or something?"

It was not anything fancy like that, really. Eun-Ho just never bought much to begin with.

Switching jobs as often as most people, renewing leases, and constantly relocating made buying new things feel pointless. The thought of paying high rent just to store a bunch of useless junk was even worse.

Over time, Eun-Ho had trained himself to live with only the essentials and to buy only what he truly needed. Therefore, Eun-Ho never imagined buying moldy bread, let alone giving it as a gift.

This is my first time buying such random stuff.

Thanks to that, one of the biggest challenges—finding a way to communicate the trial’s rules and strategies to the others—had been solved.

[A gift has arrived from the subject Choi Jae-Hyuk!]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management is astonished—no one has ever used the gift system like this before.]

[An anonymous observer smirks, quietly taking credit.]

Though it had created some new problems, the mission came first for now.

"Checked," Eun-Ho said, lips curling upward with satisfaction.

The box and letter materialized before his eyes, slowly taking shape.

Pop!

As soon as he touched the sharp-edged envelope, it opened up like a sprouting seed, spreading its corners like arms.

- To: Lee Eun-Ho

- From: Choi Jae-Hyuk

- Message: Hyungnim, are you okay? I seriously thought I was going to die. Some weird monster dropped out of the sky, and no matter how many times I killed it—

The message trailed off like the title of an old, forgotten song. Eun-Ho doubted it was some dramatic pause for effect. More likely, there was a character limit on the message.

Good thing he had crammed as much information as possible into his reply. Otherwise, he’d have accidentally cut off something important.

I hope Ji-Eun got hers okay too,

Eun-Ho thought, with a mix of relief and worry stirring inside.

With that, Eun-Ho carefully opened the box Jae-Hyuk had sent.

Ssshk.

The box opened effortlessly, its surface smooth and cool like polished glass. Inside was spoiled milk.

Ugh...

Thick, curdled clumps of some mysterious white sludge sat inside—fermented and foul. God only knew how long it had been there.

[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation shakes his head, baffled by the food preferences of Sector 13.]

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management urges Eun-Ho to hurry up and drink it.]

"Store!"

Eun-Ho immediately shoved the item into his inventory. He didn’t even want to touch it.

Right when he was shaking his head, an announcement echoed through the space.

[The final trial will begin in ten seconds.]

This was the last chance, so Eun-Ho had to act fast. He had to complete the task quickly and save the child. Even though he couldn’t see them, he was certain both Ji-Eun and Jae-Hyuk had received his gift and were thinking the same thing.

[As a penalty for trial failure, the Greater Ghost has evolved into a Grand Ghost.]

Eun-Ho was also certain that everyone was probably panicking about the penalty.

Would a Grand Ghost be even bigger? Even the Greater Ghost from the second round was already larger than me.

[The final trial has begun.]

[Eliminate the Grand Ghost.]

After letting out a sigh, Eun-Ho bent his knees and lowered his center of gravity until he stood steady, right beneath the warping space above.

Swoosh—!

Suddenly, a black mist—somewhere between liquid and gas—filled the entire ceiling. Then, without a single sound, a massive blob dropped from above, expelled like a silent cough.

The Grand Ghost was coming straight for his head. Normally, he would have dodged without hesitation.

“Petrify! Summon!”

However, this time, he gripped his sword. The blade crackled with energy, reinforced by Petrification. Then, in one seamless motion, he raised it high overhead. One second, even a tenth of a second, could make all the difference.

I have to end this in a single strike.

Thunk! Crackle—! Crackle.

[The Electric Surge has been activated.]

[Electric Surge remaining: 4 uses.]

The sword plunged upward, piercing between the Grand Ghost’s legs as it fell.

“

Keeuugh!

”

With an ear-splitting shriek, the Grand Ghost thrashed in unbearable pain, loosening its grip on its massive iron club.

Its thick hide had served like armor, protecting its life thus far. However, the crackling tip of Eun-Ho’s blade lit up like lightning. He pushed deeper, driving the full length of the sword into the Grand Ghost’s core.

With a sickening squelch, the enormous body split open, writhing as it fell apart. Blood—dark red and steaming—gushed like a waterfall. However, there was no time to admire it.

[You have eliminated the Grand Ghost.]

[Car 18 has been cleared.]

[09:45]

Next up was Car 17. This time, he had to use his skill, Acceleration.

***

Eun-Ho alternated between the two, Petrify and Acceleration, carefully managing the cooldowns between each skill.

I’m faster than I was in the second round!

Without Acceleration, he would be too slow. Without Petrify, the electric sword wouldn’t work. Back in round two, he had wasted a lot of time just waiting for the cooldowns to pass.

"Summon the Azure Iron Sword!"

When Petrify was available, he summoned the Electrified Razor Beak Blade. When it wasn’t, he used the one he got from Lee Ye-Ji.

[An anonymous observer is pleased that subject Lee Eun-Ho has monopolized all the weapons.]

Grabbing that sword was a genius move.

Lee Ye-Ji’s sword had bought him precious time. Plus, by passing along the foul-mouthed guy’s advice to stay hidden outside the train, Eun-Ho had ensured no people were harmed.

When he finally defeated the Grand Ghost in Car 13—where Yoon Sol-Ah had been hiding—the clueless beast, unaware its end was near, dropped its massive club to the floor.

[A gift has arrived from the subject Kim Ji-Eun!]

[Would you like to check it?]

A reply came from Ji-Eun along with a pair of yellowed socks—or what used to be socks.

- To: Lee Eun-Ho

- From: Kim Ji-Eun

- Message: Cleared Cars 1 through 3. I’ll help up to Car 6 and go back. Stay safe!

Thank goodness she’s okay.

Relief washed over him. The Ghost was slow so she’d find a way to take it down. Ji-Eun had always been the second-best zombie slayer on their Task Force, right behind him. Plus, her instincts in combat were sharper than anyone expected.

[08:20]

Eun-Ho was ahead of schedule. Even after factoring in the time to return, he felt a bit relieved thinking that Ji-Eun could advance all the way to Car 6.

The thought brought him a rare sense of calm. Was this what it felt like to truly trust someone with his back? It was strange and oddly comforting.

At this pace, we’re gonna make it. We can do this.

As the rhythm of his movements smoothed out, a small flicker of confidence sparked inside him. That confidence lasted right up until he reached Car 11. Eun-Ho had not made it this far during the second loop.

The moment the door swung open, the stench of blood hit him like a wave. Then, the sight caught up with the smell. Chunks of flesh, splattered down the center of the corridor, streaked in deep red.

A uniform...

The barely intact, black uniform was all that remained to identify the body. It was that grumbling guy who’d been teamed up with the father and daughter from the previous trial. It seemed like he was crushed before he could even run, probably by a monster dropping from the ceiling.

Screech—!

“... Acceleration.” Forcing the words out of his dry mouth, Eun-Ho dealt with the charging Grand Ghost, then moved into Car 10.

Before he could even process what he had seen, there it was again: another dead body.

Eun-Ho remained silent. There was a pair of broken glasses in Car 10, and an ID badge half-submerged in a pool of blood in Car 9. The faces were too destroyed to recognize because they were flattened by a heavy club.

[The Crow from the Bureau of Management clicks their tongue at the pathetic weakness of some of the subjects.]

[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation retorts that this is an expected outcome.]

“Shut up.” A curse slipped from Eun-Ho’s lips before he even realized it.

The man crushed beneath the monster’s weight could’ve been any of them—could’ve been him. All that effort, everything these people had fought for to survive, was erased in an instant by this cold, merciless system.

High above it all, the spectators watched, laughing at the bloodshed like it was just another show.

[An anonymous observer warned that the last comment was dangerous.]

[The Prince from the Bureau of Investigation raged, saying he is an insolent subject.]

However, Eun-Ho did not care anymore. He wasn’t going to play along.

“Screw you.”

His feet hesitated. The horror of it all clung to him like static—but still, he opened the next door. He had to keep going in order to survive. Besides, he had to save whoever was left.

Eun-Ho sprinted toward the Grand Ghost without hesitation, sword raised high. The Grand Ghost opened its crooked, jagged mouth.

Seeing that, Eun-Ho slashed downward over and over again, carving through the thick flesh until the black and white bone was exposed beneath. He emptied his mind, letting instinct and muscle memory take over.

Car 7 finally came into view, which meant Car 6 was next.

Once I meet Ji-Eun, I’m heading back.

If Ji-Eun had made it this far from the front of the train, it meant that they had cleared every car. One more Grand Ghost to kill and he would be there.

Swoosh—!

Huh?

The Grand Ghost in Car 7 was already dead. The seats had been shattered with bloodied armrests. Besides, the creature’s legs had been severed, and its skull dented as if crushed by a blunt weapon.

This must be Jae-Hyuk!

He was the first person besides Eun-Ho to take down a Grand Ghost. It felt like stumbling upon another shipwreck survivor in the middle of an endless sea. He did not waste a second to throw open Car 6’s door and charged in.

Clang—!

A Grand Ghost’s iron club slammed against Jae-Hyuk’s armor with a harsh metallic ring. His sword laid on the ground several feet away from him.

“You have to survive, sir! You need to see your daughter again!”

“

Keugh!

I shouldn’t have dragged you into this place!”

Clang—! Clang! Clang!

Unarmed, Jae-Hyuk dodged blow after blow, using himself as a shield for the older man behind him. Eun-Ho watched with his heart pounding.

Back when they had fought zombies together, Jae-Hyuk had acted as Eun-Ho’s shield more than once. Now, standing firm against a Grand Ghost’s club with nothing but his own frame, he looked almost heroic.

“No, sir! Hyungnim told me to help others around us!”

“Wait, you mean... The one who saved us earlier?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

“You’re all truly amazing...”

The old man looked like he was about to cry. Eun-Ho decided to step in before the moment got even more dramatic. He leapt off the floor, plunging his sword deep into the Grand Ghost’s back.

Bzzzzt—!

[The Electric Surge has been activated.]

[You have used all the remaining charges of the Electric Surge.]

[You have eliminated the Grand Ghost.]

[Car 6 has been cleared.]

“H-Hyungnim!”

“Sir!”

The two looked at Eun-Ho as if he were a rope dropped from the heavens.

“Hyungniiiim!”

“Jae-Hyuk. Did you see Ji-Eun?” Eun-Ho asked.

“

Oh

, Noonim?” Jae-Hyuk blinked, then shook his head.

That was strange. Ji-Eun had said she would help up to Car 6 and then head back.

Did something happen?

“

Aaaaaah!

”

Just as a cold chill ran down his spine, a sharp scream rang out from beyond the glass doors.

***

When they threw open the door to Car 5, a horrifying scene met them. A Grand Ghost stood atop a crushed seat, holding a schoolgirl aloft by the nape of her neck.

“Oh my goodness! It’s got her!” the cleaning lady yelled in panic.

“S-stay calm! I’ll save you!” Ji-Eun tried to sound composed, but her panicked face betrayed her.

“P-please help me.”

It was Yoon Sol-Ah’s friend—the shorter one—pale and trembling, frozen in place as if even the smallest sound would set the creature off.

Plop.

One of the girl’s shoes fell, landing squarely on the Grand Ghost’s foot.

“Her shoe—”

“

Shh!

Quiet!”

“

Heeergh

.”

The creature let out a raspy wheeze, like air scraping through a crushed windpipe, and lowered its head. Everyone stood frozen, nerves stretched taut. One wrong move, and all hell would break loose.

“

Hic...

”

Tears streamed silently down the schoolgirl’s face.

“W-what do we do now?!”

“Ms. Song! Please, stay quiet!”

“

Heeergh

.”

The Grand Ghost stood less than three meters away. If Eun-Ho timed it just right, maybe he could use his Acceleration to snatch the girl.

“Acceleration!”

[The skill on cooldown. 43 seconds, 42 seconds, 41 seconds...]

Damn it!

“I’ll go!”

“No, Jae-Hyuk!” Eun-Ho held Jae-Hyuk back as he reached for his sword. “That longsword’s too risky! One wrong swing and you might cut the girl too!”

The Grand Ghost was clearly aware of that, using her like a human shield.

“Then what do we do, Hyungnim?!”

“Thirty-nine, thirty-eight, thirty-seven... I just need some time,” Eun-Ho replied.

He gripped his sword tighter, waiting for the cooldown.

Ji-Eun suddenly stepped forward, lips pressed into a tight, determined line. In her left hand was a feather-edged blade; in her right, a dagger gleamed under the dim light.

“Heads!”

Is she planning to throw it?! That’s too risky!

Eun-Ho thought.

“Ji-Eun! If you miss, she could die!” Eun-Ho shouted frantically, but the dagger was already in the air.

Swoosh—!

The blade flew straight and true, a streak of silver aiming straight for the Grand Ghost’s heart. The trajectory was perfect, like a javelin launched by a seasoned warrior.

However, the Grand Ghost moved. It grunted and adjusted its grip, raising the girl in front of its chest like a living shield.

“

Kyaaaah!

”

“Noooo!”

The girl screamed as the blade barreled toward her head and Ji-Eun’s voice cracked with panic.

This is bad.

Eun-Ho moved instinctively whether he had a skill ready or not. He lunged forward but the dagger flew just out of reach.

“

Kyaaaaah!

”

Thunk!

The dagger embedded itself squarely in the Grand Ghost’s forehead, all the way to the hilt.

“

Aaaah!

Help meeee! Wait,

huh?

”

Creak.

A thick stream of blood poured from the wound, running down the Grand Ghost’s face as the forehead cracked.

“Wait. Did you see that?”

“D-did that thing just curve?”

The dagger changed direction midair. Even though it’d long left Ji-Eun’s hand, somehow it curved just slightly enough to land exactly where it needed to.

“W-we’re alive?”

Thud!

The girl slipped from the Grand Ghost’s limp grip and collapsed to the floor, knees giving out in raw relief.

“What was that?”

Ji-Eun stood frozen, eyes wide as she glanced between the sobbing child and her own shaking hands.

Then, more to herself than anyone else, she quietly whispered two familiar words, “Skill data?”