Chapter 4 :

Episode 1 : An Abnormal Situation (4)

I managed to block one arrow but it wouldn't be long until the next rain of arrows comes again. 

"Cross the bridge!" I quickly informed HwanGi.

"It's risky.." 

"Do we have a choice?"

"..." 

He must think this is suicidal because he wasn't responding to me. 

"Trust me. I have a hunch that the bridge won't break if we're the only two crossing on it." I spoke as if to reduce his distrust in me.

He took some time before replying to me. "..Fine." 

———

Since I didn't move much, my stamina recovered about 20. So I got off HwanGi's back when we got close to the bridge. 

"We must walk. If we run, the bridge will have a higher chance of collapsing." I said.

He looked at me and so did I. Now that I have a better look of him. How should I describe it? Every parts of him was handsome..

"Let's go." He spoke before shifting his gaze to the bridge.

I nodded. 

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We began walking on the bridge cautiously. When we were halfway across it, we heard a wolf's howl behind us and turned our heads simultaneously. 

Somehow, three wolves arrived here very quickly. If they chase us now, the bridge definitely won't support the weight. And we'll fall into the river.

We both glanced at each other without saying a word then sprinted to the other side of the bridge. And as expected, the wolves chased after us.

The bridge was breaking bit by bit as we ran. HwanGi was almost at the end with only a few steps to go while I still had a lot more, since my agility wasn't level 2 like his.

The ropes which supported the bridge, torn apart and the wooden planks fell one by one. Fortunately, HwanGi leapt the moment it broke and landed on the other end. 

He looked back and reached out his hand to me. "Hurry! JoonChul-ssi!"

I jumped the moment he said that and extended my hand to his. Sadly, I missed it by an inch and fell into the river. 

My body got swept through the river stream. Even though I attempted to swim, I was knocked out cold by the wolves falling on top of me. 

———

⟨"Listen here, JoonChul. Never give up whenever you come across something too difficult."

"Why would I give up? Mother?" I tilted my head with a puzzled expression while pausing the game I was playing.

"Life is full of surprises. It doesn't mean they are good surprises. You might end up with a game over." She patted my head softly.

"Game over? I can start over if I needed to."

"Sometime you can't restart. Son." 

"Mother, I don't understand what you mean.."

"Ah.. You'll understand it when you're old enough."⟩

I woke up from my dream while coughing out water. How long was I unconscious? After I scanned my surroundings, a message popped up.

[You have failed Stage #2.] 

[You have entered a hidden Stage!]

[Stage #2's Failure has been cancelled upon entering a hidden Stage.]

‘I didn't die...’ I sighed in relief then stood up.

[Hidden Stage : Dungeon Survival.]

+

Stage Information: This dungeon which was never discovered by anyone for decades, is filled with monsters and great items.

Stage Task: Survive until the Time Limit ends.

Time Limit: 14 Days.

Reward: 5000 coins, ???

Failure: Death.

+

I survived once because of mere luck. So I must not waste this chance. Although this stage seemed too hard, I won't give up.

I pulled out the arrow that was still stuck in my left hand. ‘This might be my weapon for now..’

I slowly but surely moved deeper into the dungeon. Afterwards, I found torches on the dungeon's walls. I took one of them and continued walking.

———

How long did time pass? As I was walking, I noticed a cage with a skeleton trapped inside. Did someone die here?

I examined the skeleton from afar. He must be an archer since he had a quiver full of arrows attached to his back as well as a bow too. 

I felt somewhat ominous and slowly approached the cage. Was it my imagination that I saw the skeleton's hand moved? If it wasn't, then..

I swiftly opened the cage door and slammed the skeleton's skull to the ground. The skull reacted to it then its mandible started to moving crazily, including its arms and legs.

As I anticipated, it was an undead. After I put down my torch, I grasped the skeleton's femurs and used it to smash the other bones to bits. 

After awhile, I sat down while panting. 

[You leveled up!]