"Hmmm…" I narrowed my eyes.
'Kay. So basically, both Park and Ren were dumbasses. How did they not fail all of their classes???
I rubbed my temples.
"...Do you have any information that's more helpful than there are different types of monsters and don't try to provoke or fight them, you'll probably die? Actually, about that last bit—please don't tell me you learned that from first-hand experience."
Ren and park looked down in their laps sheepishly. Hiyomi snorted while Yun looked to the side, embarrassed.
My eye twitched. "...No way."
My gaze snapped to Yun. "You too??? Jesus Christ, how did any of you get into uni in the first place???"
"H-Hey, practical knowledge and studying are two different things," Yun protested.
"Well, no shit, but who would try to fight one of those things?"
To be fair, I sent one to sleep earlier, but that doesn't count.
"I thought it could've been a bear scenario…"
It was Park that spoke.
I swear to god my bones creaked in that animated way as I turned to face him. "...In what world would you run straight at a bear, provoke it, and try to beat it???"
Ren spoke up. "Hey, I didn't. That was all Park. Plus, aren't you supposed to fight them? Like, get their attention and whatever?"
I facepalmed. "No. You're not."
God, these two guys were going to give me brain damage. I took a deep breath. "Is there anything else?"
This time, it was Hiyomi who spoke up. "Yes, actually. I know some things about two specific monsters."
I tilted my head.
Hiyomi continued. "First of all, there are the, uh… flying ones? Honestly, I don't know what to call them. Either way, I'm not sure if you've seen them yet, but they have manta-ray like wings and squid mouths. They're not that interested in us; however, if you keep an eye out for them in the sky, you can predict where larger monsters are moving."
"Predict…?"
"Yeah. They follow large monsters around like teachers' pets."
I nodded. I hadn't seen them much, but hey, I'd been inside, weaving in and out of buildings for most of the time. It would be good to know.
"What about the second monster?"
"There are these six-legged things. I-I don't even know. I've seen them up at the main campus. They kinda look like spiders but their anatomy is all messed up."
"I've seen them," I nodded. "Is that all you've seen so far?"
"Yes…"
I took a deep breath.
Okay. Still just information that I've mostly known, but… it's good to know.
I stood, my sheath dragging along the floor as I rose. I stretched, walking over to the door. I put my hands on my hips.
"Alright. We'll head out now. Everyone ready?"
- - -
Soon, we were hiding amongst the debris, slinking from building to building. Ren and Park, the two dumbasses, were surprisingly good at following instructions. Honestly I didn't expect much, but… is it weird to be grateful? Sorry, Ren.
According to Ren, he 'just couldn't take teachers yapping, but otherwise was a good listener'. So basically, he's allergic to school. Or has a selective attention span. Or both.
Sigh… Whatever works, I guess.
I'd been most worried about Yun, she kept up, honestly probably doing better than me.
We hadn't had any unfortunate run-ins.
Yet.
Slowly, slowly…
There weren't any monsters. For now. Far off, the red skyline rippled around a black spire that twisted up like it was clawing at the sky. Yeah, that's new. That's fun. Totally normal. Like normal even exists anymore.
Flocks of dark shapes circled it—birds, maybe, or… no. Let's just *not* think about it… I hugged my arms around myself.
The sun—or whatever remained of it—was still a black orb, pulsing like an unblinking eye. I swallowed. My throat felt tight. Breathe, Hiyomi. Breathe. You're fine. You're fine…
Eventually we stopped in front of a massive building that was… surprisingly in good shape.
"The mall…?" Yun asked.
I blinked at the sign. "…Yeah, the campus mall…"I paused. "We should check it out."
Hiyomi nodded in rare agreement. It was still a weekday, so with any luck there'd be other people, and if there wasn't… Well, it'd be a good place to stay and gather before going off to Bulgeun-haneul.
"Wait! It could be dangerous—" Park started.
"No shit," Hiyomi cut in. "But unless you've got a five-star apocalypse bunker stashed somewhere, this is our best bet."
She said exactly what I was going to say. The glass doors opened easily. Inside, everything smelled stale, and the fluorescent lights flickered like they were apologizing. The place stretched up three stories, balconies stacked like ribs. My fingers twined together until they ached.
Is it okay to like this quiet? No. Is it okay to be terrified? Also yes. Sorry. (Not sorry~)
…Is this breaking and entering? They wouldn't care, right? Since… you know. If no one's here—
Ah, stop it. Stop thinking like that. I slapped my cheek lightly with my free hand. "Bad M…"
I glanced around.
There… wasn't anyone? That I could see, at least. The entrance opened up into the mall's three stories, the halls of the building now silent.
It was so quiet that I could hear my own footsteps echo, along with the group's. Pad, pad, pad…
The whole mall was still lit, three floors high, the escalators frozen mid-cycle. Some storefronts were open, others sealed shut with their security grates down.
We didn't see a single trace of people left behind. Not in the clothing shops, not in the snacks or ice cream shops…
Honestly, I didn't know what I prefered; this where I couldn't see anything, or dead bodies strewn across the floor.
No. I shouldn't think like that. Dead bodies meant dead people, which meant…
My brain offered the horrible options and I slapped my cheek to shut them down. Bad thoughts, bad M. You can't—I huffed a laugh that came out thin and embarrassed. Stop it. Stop thinking like that. We have to be useful. We have to be careful. Protect the others. Please let me protect them.
Park's gaze kept skittering to me, which made me bite the inside of my cheek. He gives me the creeps, but I can't show that. Not now. I need to smile and be brave and not make anyone worry because everyone's counting on each other, right?
Right?
We reached the escalators. My hands were sweaty and my heart felt like a trapped bird. Ren nearly gave me a heart attack when he spoke again. "We should go up. The security office is on the second floor. Maybe someone's still there."
I mean… It was a good idea. If there was security, then we'd be safe—safer—for some time.
"Let's go, then—"
I was suddenly cut off as I heard a chitter. We all froze, listening for the sound.
*Chitter-squeak-caw, caw, caw… chitter, chitter.*
Ren's lips moved. "What is that?"
Through the flickering light ahead, I caught a glimpse of something moving between the railings above. Thin. Crooked. Wrong. Crawling along the wall like a spider that forgot how gravity works. Or, you know, turned it off.
I barely bit back a scream, clamping my hand over my mouth. Oh, sure. Of course. Another monster. Isn't that cool and fun?
Hyeeeeeeek… Sorrysorrysorrysorry, I didn't mean to make a fuss—
My other hand raced to draw my longsword before my brain realized. I trembled so much that I thought I'd drop it—oh my god this thing is so much bigger than Mr. Killer Salamander eeepppppppp—-
My stomach turned to ice. I could barely make out its shadow as it stopped and jerked toward us. The lights sputtered and died. Darkness swallowed the mall.
I wanted to cry out and hug someone and apologize for being so scared all at once, but all I could do was listen to my own pulse and try to be brave for the others.
*Screeeeech—chitter chitter*
Please don't— please—