[OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE]
[FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO]
"There hasn't been any signal since they went in. It's already way past the intended ten minutes," one of the hunters said.
At the same time, another shouted, "I tried to open the door, but it isn't even budging. Maybe we should contact the Association!"
Hearing all this, Joohee started panicking as they contacted the Association.
Jinwoo, please survive. Why didn't I go inside? What if they need a healer?
"I've already contacted the Association. They'll be here soon. We can only wait. The Association told us to stay outside, so let's leave the dungeon first."
Hearing this, everyone moved away from the gate, worried about the hunters stuck inside.
Joohee was practically trembling, moving reluctantly with the group while worrying about Jinwoo, who helped her stay out of the Double Dungeon.
Please be safe… I owe you a meal.
[INSIDE THE TEMPLE]
As soon as all eight hunters stepped onto the altar, bright orange flames started burning near the inner edges — exactly eight of them, matching the number of hunters. At the same time, thirty-six blue flames burned along the outer edges of the altar.
"If we just stay here and wait, won't the Association send someone to help us? The guys outside should've contacted them by now."
As they were talking—
CLANG!
A loud sound echoed as the large door swung wide open.
Seeing this, everyone wanted to leave, but no one wanted to be the first. What if the statues at the gate killed whoever moved first?
So they all looked at Jinwoo for guidance.
Before he could say anything—
Creak… Creak…
The statues standing at the periphery of the temple started moving forward toward the altar.
All the hunters' expressions turned ugly as panic spread.
"They're… they're coming closer!"
"Those d*mn things are moving on their own now!"
"Was Mister Song right? Were those rules only there to give us hope so the monsters could kill us at the last second?!"
"Everyone, calm down! Can't you see? The blue flames are going down — three have already gone out! We don't have time. The doors are open now. We can leave before the blue flames burn out. Leave one by one!"
The statues only move when they're in our blind spots. If we keep looking at them and wait for the blue flames to go down, everyone might survive the dungeon…
But that might affect my chances of getting the System.
So let's make them all leave and follow the original route.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed — but still, no one moved.
"Then what about the sacrifice part in the rules?"
"Who's to say the statue won't kill us if we leave the altar?"
As they started arguing again, one of the hunters suddenly shouted,
"F*ck it! Instead of waiting and dying here, I'd rather trust Mister Jinwoo and die holding onto hope!"
He ran toward the door with everything he had.
Surprisingly for everyone — and not surprisingly for Jinwoo — he successfully escaped.
That encouraged the others to run after him one by one.
As each person left, the orange flames started to go down, and the blue flames began depleting at a faster rate. The door also started closing little by little.
Now, only Hunter Kim, Hunter Song, and Jinwoo were left on the altar.
"So what's the catch?" Hunter Song asked, looking at Jinwoo.
Jinwoo replied, "One person will have to stay here so that everyone else can leave."
"And I know no one would be willing to be that sacrifice, so I made everyone leave first so we could talk. So… does either of you want to stay here and be the sacrifice?"
Please be like the original and say no… and leave.
Hearing this, Hunter Song and Hunter Kim's expressions changed.
"It's not like I don't want to be the sacrifice," Hunter Kim said, tears in his eyes. "But I have a family to take care of. I'm sorry… both of you."
He ran toward the door.
"So now it's just the two of us, Jinwoo," Hunter Song said, looking at him.
Jinwoo looked back at Song.
This will be the hardest part — convincing him to leave before the blue flames run out. The statues are getting closer bit by bit.
But how do I do that? My relationship with him is good. He's the master of the dojo where I trained in high school and met Cha Hae-In. He's kind of like a teacher to me. I know he won't leave easily.
As Jinwoo was thinking, Song spoke first.
"You can leave, Jinwoo. I'll stay here. I was the leader who brought everyone here, and I also taught you a few years back. You're smart and have a bright future ahead of you. Don't you have a little sister too? And how would I face Cha Hae-In if I let you die here?"
He gave a faint smile.
"So let this old man die here and go."
I knew this would be the problem. How do I even convince this old man? Jinwoo thought.
"Teacher… you taught me a lot. When I first started dungeon raids, you helped me. I trained under you for a few months in high school. But you also have a family and children. I don't want to face them after your death. I don't know what to do. I don't want to die… but I also don't want to kill you."
Jinwoo's expression was conflicted.
Alright… random bullsh*t, go. Just make this old man leave.
"Jinwoo, don't worry about this old man," Song said calmly. "I'll die sooner or later. You don't have to regret my death. Just live happily from now on and try to help my family if you can. I was always good with the sword — that's why I opened the dojo — but I awakened as a mage-type hunter. It was my biggest regret. I just wanted to share that with someone."
He looked at Jinwoo firmly.
"So please, just go. Don't make this harder."
Suddenly, Jinwoo lifted him up and threw him toward the door while he was off guard.
"Old man, I don't want to regret anything! Take care of Jinah if something happens to me. I'll do my best to survive!"
The Saitama workout really worked out… I just threw an old man 200 meters. I'd probably win an award if I did this back on my original Earth.
The door continued closing.
Hunter song's expression changed as he went toward the door but it closed before he could get inside "Jinwoo Jinwoo" he shouted but the door didn't budge
And Jinwoo stood alone on the altar.