Chapter 498. How to Open a Suitcase (3) |
But the atmosphere changed instantly with the next voice that crackled out of the radio.
Ccchiiit.Ah, damn it. Come to think of it, for humans to dream at all, they'd have to enter REM sleep first. I had thought the cycle had come far too quickly for mammals.
Urgent message to the S-rank Hunters' tent! Has anyone among you experienced a severe [Nightmare]?It seemed the monsters we encountered had at least one more hidden weapon up their sleeves besides their rank. Those monsters weren't just dripping fluids over their skin for no reason. In fact, all of it was a nightmare-inducing substance that was dangerous upon contact with the skin.
***
"What exactly did you dream about?"
***
“What exactly did you dream about?”
“A dream where the world ends....”
“The scale is large.”
A few minutes later. Inside the temporary shelter set up by the Hunter Association. I learned a few facts while looking after the awakened Jeong Ha-seong.
‘As expected, this archmage’s senses were accurate.’
First, those monsters that looked like animal carcasses made anyone who touched their bodies fall into a [Nightmare] without exception. However, this wasn’t an effect caused by a magical technique. Surprisingly, it was the result of a biological toxin.
‘I don’t know the exact mechanism, but in any case, the viscous liquid it secreted... was a substance that extremely stimulated a creature’s anxiety?’
That’s why I had urgently procured [Antidote Potions] instead of [Holy Water]. Just how toxic was the fluid produced
'I don't know the exact mechanism, but in any case, the viscous liquid it secreted... was a substance that extremely stimulated a creature's anxiety?'
That's why I had urgently procured [Antidote Potions] instead of [Holy Water]. Just how toxic was the fluid produced by those creatures? Even after using an antidote worth 100 million won, the Hunters showed no signs of a full recovery.
"After taking the medicine, the psychological damage is definitely gone."
"Hmm."
"But the content of the dream still lingers unpleasantly."
In the hunting industry, which had begun working through the night, reports like this were bursting out like a flood. Still, it would probably be better for their stamina to catch some sleep little by little even if they had to endure the nightmares, rather than not sleeping at all.
'If Jeong Haseong were Alphauri, I would've drained all the blood from his body and "laundered" it clean to treat him directly. What a pity.'
I observed the staggering Rank 1 Hunter. By the way. To be perfectly honest, now was not the time to be worrying about others.
'Well, since it's not a poison that's life-threatening, there's no need to force an Alphauri style treatment right now.'
It was great that I found the unexpected answer in an antidote. But seeing the accounts coming from all directions saying the nightmares themselves simply wouldn't go away...
'So then, what should I do now?'
The phenomenon of the Red Gate's monster waves has not ended yet. Therefore, I have to fall asleep at least once during the night like a normal human, but looking at the situation, it seems I'll now have to resort to method acting—pretending to suffer from nightmares in front of the natives. This is because I've already touched the monster corpses for analysis purposes.
'Damn it.'
Is everyone crazy? I fell into thought for a few seconds. And based on the series of thoughts I just started, I eventually asserted:
"I'll just stay awake."
If I don't want to do something in front of the natives, I can just refuse. Honestly, there were often cases where I lost consciousness for short periods, such as fainting from overusing mana. So, showing myself sleeping isn't a huge conc
I'll just stay awake.
If I don't want to do something in front of the natives, I can just refuse. Honestly, there were often cases where I lost consciousness for short periods, such as fainting from overusing mana. So, showing myself sleeping isn't a huge concern. The problem was that specific neurological interference called [Nightmare].
'Of course, I know what fear is. I understand the concept of terror like anyone else...'
Even so, I didn't have the confidence to act surprised in a mammalian way like Jeong Haseong just did. But it was awkward to abruptly reveal the nature of a soul that is nearly immune to status ailments. And it would be bothersome to look strange to the natives.
So I asserted again:
"I actually sleep less than others, so there's no need for me to sleep in advance at a time like this."
However, this was a somewhat expected reaction. Upon hearing my words that I didn't want to sleep, the surrounding Hunters suddenly opened their eyes wide like goblins.
"That won't do!"
"Hmm."
“Hmm.”
“In fact, at a time like this, you must take care of your health even more. Hunter Kim Giryeo.”
Fellow hunters from the same industry directly refuted my opinion.
“There’s a limit to forcing oneself awake with stamina recovery potions. So, it’s best to push back the help of medicine as much as possible, and for now, how about trying to sleep even if you have to force it...?”
For reference, this was the very rank one who had once worked forty hours straight before being forced into a recovery period. Even such a workaholic clinging to my pant leg to stop me lent weight to the argument.
“Honestly, Our Giryeo-ssi, what will you do if you collapse again because you’re overexerting yourself trying to be considerate?”
“I wasn’t trying to be considerate.”
Furthermore, after a few seconds, even Esther stepped forward and poured out negative reactions. She had even put 119 on standby in a threatening tone.
“Please don’t call an ambulance.”
After gently restraining the curse mage in a perfunctory tone, I continued.
“You all are seriously misunderstanding something right now, but I’m truly not physically weak anymore.”
“Says the one who coughed up blood?”
“To be honest, it's embarrassing for me to say this too, but that incident happened simply because this body... couldn't even handle its own talent.”
Still, they were individuals I'd formed a certain attachment to. So I decided to restrain outright lies as much as possible.
“It's no different from someone who never exercises suddenly running a thousand meters and straining their muscles. But conversely, that means as long as I'm just breathing and living normally, there's no way I'll be injured.”
I delivered sentences meant to show I was fine. Jeong Haseong, hearing this, moved his gaze restlessly as if he wanted to keep pointing something out, but the other side was quickly convinced.
“Alright.”
Being the owner of a sense as keen as the tip of a needle, Esther somewhat realized where the mana's favoritism was heading. Esther alone easily accepted my claim that I was not only healthy but, if anything, in an excessively strong state.
“Reducing your sleep must be a proposal born of confidence in your ability to regulate your own condition.”
“Yes.”
“In fact, both Jeong Haseong-ssi and I trust your abilities thoroughly just the same. So honestly, it’s hard to object.”
“Yes.”
“You’re a perfectionist when it comes to hunting. You always finish cleanly. So on-site, we’ll try to accept your judgment whenever possible.”
“I’m relieved you understand.”
But it’s a bit troublesome if the conversation flows this way. The S-rank Hunter in front of me soon showed a dark expression.
“Because you’re so capable, people keep relying on you more and more. Personally, that’s something I’ve started worrying about lately…….”
First of all, I had no intention of crushing their confidence. However, since magic is a field where the difference in talent is visible in real-time, much like athletics, it seemed that Jeong Haseong and Esther had many thoughts regarding the reputation of this body that had surged up so rapidly.
‘They must have worked hard in their own way.’
So, in order to calm their anxieties, I said this.
“The phenomenon of society placing excessive burdens on high-rank awakeners.”
Swoosh.
As the characteristic sound of my vocal cords rang out, the S-rank Hunters listened intently to my story.
“I’ll try to do my part to reduce it as much as possible. Ideally, someday even S-rank hunters should be able to freely choose their own professions.”
A goal I revealed quite seriously. However, it seemed it didn’t feel sincere because it sounded so far-fetched. Esther and Jeong Haseong regarded this as a half-joke and laughed heartily, thanking me for easing the tension.
‘So staying awake has been quietly approved?’
Well, since the main problem was solved anyway. I subtly avoided the sleeping process. During the remaining time, I moved away from the group and investigated the incident site.
‘Something like lines made of mana are... protruding around the Red Gate.’
But it hadn’t even been a few minutes since I stepped out onto the street before another concern arose.
‘Hm?’
Flash.
'Hm?'
Flash.
I felt Kang Changho's magic move. Furthermore, to say in advance, the phenomenon the Archmage perceived through his senses was absolutely not something that could be smoothly brushed off as a mere feeling.
'That b*stard stepped out of his house.'
The situation was truly changing.
'And he's coming this way.'
Look at that. At a time when the citizens of the capital are trying to flee to the furthest regions possible, he's speeding alone the opposite way down the empty roads. Since a new S-rank Hunter was coming, I stopped all suspicious activities. And once the individual named Kang Changho arrived at the scene, I asked him a question immediately.
“Why didn't you answer my call earlier today?”
The answer I received was something else.
“I was asleep.”
Of course.
Of course......
Even the answer he spat out was not a lie, according to my magical investigation. I automatically opened my eyes hollowly. But wait, there’s more. This Awakened who appeared late spat out an additional, unexpected remark a few seconds later.
“By the way, if the site is like this, wasn’t my falling into a nap a sort of blessing in disguise?”
To be precise, the Earthling with bluish-purple hair was looking for trouble. Since the Red Gate that spewed out the monster waves was still standing there, wouldn’t it be better if at least one person covered the night shift to deal with any remaining anomalies...?
Up to here, that was fine. At least I could understand the mammal’s logic.
“Ah, actually, we were just discussing night watch duties—”
Up to here, that was fine. At least I could understand the mammal's logic.
"Ah, actually, we were just discussing night watch duties—"
"But Hunter Kim Giryeo, exactly when do you plan on sleeping? I heard you've been dealing with the Red Gate continuously since the afternoon."
Once the mammal voiced that, there were no options left.
"..."
"..."
Silence.
Exchanged glances.
Awkwardness.
In the atmosphere where the above flowed, the [Dragon's Eye] was discovered staring intently this way. Actually, this kind of pressure isn't something I haven't experienced a time or two on Earth. But this time was uniquely flustering. Kang Chang-ho was a person who was relatively convinced of the fact that aliens exist in this world. So how was I supposed to say I don't need sleep in front of such a native?
'Damn.'
If I cast a mental-type spell on Kang Changho, I could avoid the short-term crisis. However, looking at the personality the man has shown so far, he was someone more than capable of immediately moving the media and the like using the fact that a spell was cast on his body as a signal. In other words, he could create any amount of other damage. Since he's a person with plenty of money and time, the calculation that immediately came to mind was that there was no way he didn't have a third lackey helping him.
Thud. Thud.
I made the sound of my dress shoes almost as soon as the opponent finished speaking. And approaching the group of S-ranks who were still awake, I said calmly:
“Everyone, I’m suddenly feeling sleepy, so I’ll cancel what I said earlier and go to sleep.”
“Huh?”
“O-oh. Yes! Please do!”
It’s unpleasant, but I couldn’t stubbornly persist in not sleeping in this situation. At the very least, I absolutely couldn’t. Therefore, since I had to pretend to be human even by force in the current situation.
“Give me an antidote potion too. Not the highest grade—just something moderate.”
For now, I hurriedly decided to fall into a deep sleep as the next step.
Author's Thoughts: Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)