The deeper they went into the forest, the quieter everything became.
No birds.
No insects.
Not even the sound of wind through the leaves.
It was as if the entire area had been abandoned by life itself.
Tru tightened her grip on the bow in her hand.
— …I don’t like this.
Ki, walking slightly behind her, forced a small laugh:
— You say that about every dangerous place.
— But yeah… this one feels worse.
The Worker Girl stayed close to Tru, almost clinging to her sleeve.
Even though she had grown stronger— fear still lingered deep inside her.
Ut 2 walked ahead of everyone.
Her steps were steady.
Her expression unreadable.
But her eyes— were colder than usual.
— We’re close.
She said quietly.
No one questioned it.
After all, she was the one who could “feel” Ut 7.
And if she said they were close— then they were.
…
A few minutes later— they saw it.
An abandoned house.
Standing alone in the middle of the forest.
It didn’t look big.
But something about it felt… wrong.
The walls were cracked.
The roof looked like it could collapse at any moment.
Broken windows stared at them like empty eyes.
And vines— thick, tangled vines— wrapped around the entire structure like chains.
Tru stopped walking.
— …This is it?
Ki looked around:
— There’s no other building nearby.
— So yeah… probably.
The Worker Girl lowered her voice:
— It feels… scary…
Ut 2 stepped forward without hesitation.
— Ut 7 is here.
Her tone was certain.
Not a guess.
Not a hope.
A fact.
Butterfly, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke:
— Then we move.
Simple.
Direct.
No hesitation.
That was her style.
…
They approached the house slowly.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Tru could feel it.
That strange pressure again.
Not as strong as yesterday— but still there.
Like something was watching them.
Waiting.
The front door stood right in front of them.
Still.
Too still.
Ut 2 reached out— but before she touched it—
Butterfly raised a hand.
— Wait.
Everyone stopped.
She stepped forward instead.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Then— she pushed the door lightly.
It didn’t move.
She pressed harder.
Still nothing.
— Locked.
Ki frowned:
— From the outside?
Butterfly shook her head.
— No.
She tapped the door with her fingers.
A dull sound echoed.
— From the inside.
Silence.
That one sentence— changed everything.
Tru slowly raised her bow.
— So… someone’s in there.
Ut 2’s expression darkened.
— Then we break it.
No one objected.
There was no time for hesitation.
No time for doubt.
If Ut 7 was inside— they had to move now.
Butterfly stepped back slightly.
— Do it.
Tru took a deep breath.
Then—
Ki moved first.
He stepped forward— and kicked the door with all his strength.
BOOM!!!
The wooden door exploded inward.
Fragments scattered across the floor.
Dust filled the air.
And just like that— they crossed the threshold.
…
The moment they stepped inside— the temperature dropped.
Tru felt it immediately.
— …Cold.
Ki rubbed his arms:
— Yeah… too cold.
The Worker Girl shivered.
Ut 2 didn’t react.
Her eyes scanned the interior.
The house was empty.
Completely empty.
No furniture.
No decorations.
Just dust— and silence.
Too much silence.
Tru whispered: This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
— Stay together.
They moved carefully.
Step by step.
The floor creaked under their weight.
Every sound echoed unnaturally loud.
Ki checked the left side.
— Nothing here.
Butterfly walked straight ahead.
Her hand rested on her katana.
Ready.
Always ready.
Ut 2 walked toward the center of the house.
Then— she stopped.
— …It’s here.
Tru turned:
— Where?
Ut 2 slowly looked down.
— Below.
Everyone froze.
Ki blinked:
— Below?
— You mean—
Before he could finish—
The Worker Girl suddenly spoke:
— Wait…
She crouched down.
Her small hand touched the floor.
Then she knocked lightly.
Tok.
Tok.
Tok.
Her eyes widened.
— …It’s hollow.
Butterfly immediately stepped forward.
She knelt beside her.
Knocked once.
Then twice.
Her expression changed.
— Hidden space.
Ki’s eyes lit up:
— A basement?!
Ut 2 didn’t wait.
— Open it.
Butterfly stood up.
Slowly— she drew her blade.
A faint purple glow surrounded the katana.
Tru instinctively stepped back.
Even after all this time— that energy still felt dangerous.
Butterfly raised her sword— and swung.
SLASH!!!
The floor split open instantly.
A deep crack spread across the surface.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The entire section collapsed.
— WATCH OUT!
Too late.
The ground disappeared beneath their feet.
They fell.
All of them.
Straight into darkness.
…
~End~