It was at that moment.

Boom!

Kyaaah!

W-What! Whats going on!

Suddenly, as if an earthquake erupted, the ground started to rumble.

Everyone within the shop began to scream loudly, collapsing where they stood. I was also shocked and stood awkwardly; Seo Dawon dragged me to him as soon as I stumbled. Are you alright?

Y-yeah

However, the foreboding crashing sounds from afar did not stop.

In addition, the black smoke which had only been a thin tendril, became a thick stem in an instant. I now realized that the sky was turning black, as if ashes were floating into the air.

Something strange was happening.

I couldnt shake the thought that this strange phenomenon was another omen originating from the [Vengeful Ghost Memory]. Simultaneously, I thought we may be in danger soon. So, I turned back towards Seo Dawn and tried to shout at him, Seo Dawon, lets get out of here!

Swishhh

Crash!

Aaarghhh!

Kyaaaah!

Save me!

However, just before I could finish speaking, the building suffered a shocking impact. The lights in the store went out all at once; the ceiling began to crumble.

Some people in the store panicked and dove under tables, wrapping the backs of their heads and necks with their hands; others ran outside. Those who ran out reached the door at the same time and were stuck screaming and struggling against each other.

Instead of rushing to leave, I stood in place, observing the situation outside. It sounded like something plunged downwards at high speed earlier. I wanted to find out what that was.

Before long, the thick smoke cleared and the flames subsided; what I had been searching for appeared in that gap. After seeing what it was, my thoughts became even more complicated.

Making an unholy racket, a helicopter had embedded itself into the road. A military helicopter at that! Why would a combat helicopter fly into a civilian neighborhood and crash? Immediately, my question was solved through an announcement broadcasted over the loud siren sound.

An air raid alarmsomething that could usually only be heard at military exhibitionsresounded throughout the streets.

There was truly something weird happening. Although I was bewildered, I was able to maintain my calm since I knew nothing was real. The others in the store could not say the same.

D-did a war break out?

My phone isnt working either.

Is anyone able to connect to the internet?

Are we going to die like this? What if we die

Sehui-yah! Wake up!

Since unfortunately the lights had all blown out and the building was dark, everyone stewed in their rising tensions before, eventually, the people ran out of the shop without a clear plan. This meant that the large groups that congregated to eat ran out in divided groupings of twos and threes.

Seo Dawon didnt immediately follow the others; instead his gaze seemed to ask me what to do. I had no particular plan, so I met his gaze and nodded. Seo Dawon cautiously took the lead.

While walking out of the store, I could hear the people in front whispering. Are we at war with North Korea?

Are you insane? Honestly

Are we going to die?

As I half-listened to the chatter around me, I looked back often at the burning military helicopter and the blackening sky.

I was lost in thought, Ive never experienced something like this before. That is to saythis couldnt be something that Woo Ragi, had experienced either

After all, if a large catastrophe had happened like this in Korea, there would be no way I wouldnt have known about it. So, there was a high chance that our current situation was fabricated by Woo Ragi, the owner of this [Vengeful Ghost Memory], for my viewing pleasure.

If thats the case, what on earth is he trying to do?

However, I couldnt think about this for long. As if they had pre-planned a routine, the people walking in front had stopped simultaneously. I raised my head and looked ahead to check on what they saw.

Theres a soldier

A Soldier!

Its true.

Did war really break out?

There really was an army up ahead. At the end of the commercial district, soldiers manning tanks, military trucks, and riflemen were blocking the eight-lane road. I saw a barricade as well.

An immense amount of tension flowed between the members of the crowd. Especially since the group we faced were so numerous and were all armeda daunting sight.

Fortunately, the standoff was soon resolved. The soldier at the lead confirmed our identities through his telescope and gestured at us, as if motioning someone behind him to hurry to his side. Then, a soldier rushed to the front and handed the original soldier a megaphone.

[Citizens should move to the shelter.]

Upon closer inspection, there werent only soldiers but also other civilians like us. Originally, because of the tension, I couldnt see the long procession that followed them, but now it finally caught my eye. The relieved people with us hurried to run towards the soldiers; after freezing from confusion, I also ran with Seo Dawon to join the crowd.

Well proceed to the shelter. The soldier said.

Excuse me, what has happened?

We cant give you an answer just yet.

How should we find our families? I cant get into contact with them

No areas have reported any casualties yet. Most of the residents living nearby are likely to be in the sheltersplease first follow the guidelines. Someone had asked what the current situation was like, but the soldier refused to answer, still maintaining that rigid expression. I paid close attention to the answering soldierhis attitude wasnt indicative of someone who knew nothingIt was evident that he was hiding something.

Theres no casualties yet, but the army has already been mobilized?

Theres no way. The military would not drive tanks to residential areas unless in a war or war-like situation. Otherwise, ordinary happenings could be handled by the police or firefighters.

However, the soldier seemed to have no intention of telling us anything. As expected, he tightly shut his mouth; eventually, the people surrounding him gave up in unison.

Looking at the expressions in the crowd, though, I could see that the people werent fooled by the soldiers stern attitude. They were only reluctant to be punished for not following instructions and tried to suppress their rising anxiety.

Furthermore, when I compared Seo Dawon with the trembling, anxious people around him, something felt dissonant.

The migrating people were crying or looking at their cell phones while futilely attempting to call someone, but Seo Dawon didnt even attempt to ask about his family or contact anyone. I thought this sort of behavior suited him, but I also had my doubts, wondering if his actions were some kind of sign.

But, at that moment.

A strange noise suddenly rang out from back where we came.

[Gyaaaaah!]

Stomp stomp stomp stomp!

At first, I thought I heard the roar of a monster. However, that would be strange since [Dungeons] dont exist in this world.

However, as soon as we heard that roar, we heard several rounds of gunshots from what presumably were the military; after the gunfire, everything was silent for quite a while. Of course the citizens who had heard these gunshots began to become more and more anxious. .W-What was that just now? What was that noise?

[Kekkkk!]

Did you hear that?

Hnnnngh.

RunQuickly Run

A new roar echoed through the area.

The sound was much closer than the one before. A new round of gunfire was opened and the roaring soon vanished. However, whatever it was, it was headed towards usNo one voiced that thought out loud, but everyone knew.

Once again, a breathtaking tension dominated the whole area. Though the soldiers did not seem like they were rushing, they quickly prodded us to accelerate the procession. In that chaos, I slipped out of the crowd, avoiding the soldiers eyes.

I held onto Seo Dawons hands tightly, worried that he might block me; fortunately, though, he moved according to my lead after briefly glancing down at me. Pretending to hobble, I looked backwards.

TL: Back in form and TL-ing~

Mind is spinning while wondering whats going on~

Merry XMAS EVE <3