Haah As soon as I hopelessly sighed, the mattress creakedWoo Ragi probably shifted.

And his voice, which I had heard from next to me, had begun to originate from above my head. He must has shifted to look at me. Whats with the sigh?

Im at a loss

You dont do anything, anyway.

.

Woo Ragi truly had a talent to shut others up by annoying them; however, he wasnt trying to scold me at that moment. He stared at me silently before saying, Even if your eyes were healthyyou still probably wouldnt have been very helpful?

It sounded like he was only stating the truth, so I couldnt even be angry anymore. Besides, I also got used to Woo Ragis speech patterns, so I knew this was simply a remark without any particular emotion behind it. When he wanted to be malicious, hed call me a homo.

So, I could answer without my ego rearing its head. Thats true, but Im seriously just luggage right now.

Its probably better for you to be blind.

What?

I feel like youd throw a fit if you saw this place.

Uneasy, I grabbed the pillow that I had buried my face into tightly. Ever since I felt the dust blowing around in the wind, I actually thought the rooms wouldnt appear normal, but Perhaps the surroundings are absolutely filthyor there might be bugs scurrying about.

I had no way of knowing because I was blind; even if I were to ask clarifying questions, no one would answer. A renewed uncomfortable feeling surged forth; I felt itchy all of a sudden

The pillow Im laying onis it super dirty? I asked.

Hmmm. If it were me, Id never let it touch my face?

Why didnt you say anythingHaah Whatever. I grumbled, placed the pillow back in its original spot, and laid down. The swordsman giggled in glee.

After a short silence, Woo Ragi said, You never know when our environment will change, so you might as well get some sleep.

He recommended that I recover my stamina; I closed my unseeing eyes, but sleep felt so far in this unfamiliar place.

I fixed my posture several times; each time, the mattress creaked. Though the swordsman didnt say anything, the vibe gradually became murkier and murkier. I breathed deeply and then muttered, I dont think Ill be able to fall asleep

You want me to hit you on the back of the head and knock you out?

.

Woo Ragi answered immediately as if he had prepared that response. I mouthed, fuck off, but I had no idea if the swordsman saw that or not. He didnt say anything, so I simply laid by his side, wide awake and sober.

An hour passed like that.

Bang

I could hear something echoing, as if something had slammed against a distant hallway. Before I could do anything, Woo Ragi quickly dragged me off the bed. [Unsheathe.]

His reaction rate was unprecedented; the speed at which he activated his skills was extraordinary as well. The relaxed mood he had while leisurely grumbling with me had disappeared in an instant. I had become tense through osmosis.

No way, did the monster downstairs climb up?

That was entirely too plausible, but I didnt bother to confirm the situation and ask. The swordsman had silenced his breathing, and he, someone who hated touching me, had pressed me against his chest, as if urging me to stay silent.

Rather than feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, anxiety began to dominate my emotions, filling the entire room. I kept an ear out as I clung to the swordsman, hoping Woo Ragi would say something.

[Haaaaaa. Arghhhhh. Hagghhhhh]

However, my sensitive ears didnt pick up the swordsmans voice and instead picked up a groan that travelled through the air close to our room. It sounded like a ghost in a graveyard was singing; as soon as I heard that, goosebumps raised all over my body.

Woo Ragi moved swiftly but cautiously as soon as he heard the noise. Without taking any extraneous movement, he had brought my body close to his and quietly exited the room. I sensed that he was moving quietly by hugging the wall.

Thats not broken Woo Ragi murmured.

I could feel him look down at me as he spoke. His center of gravity shifted forward, and he grabbed my hand subtly tighter.

I wanted him to continue speaking, but he remained silent and began to run somewhere. Then, after running for some time, he said something strange. Hey, you really cant see anything right?

Huh? Y-Yeah

It felt like he was double-checking my condition. I nodded absentmindedly and vaguely looked towards the direction of his voice. I wondered why he bothered asking me that question.

Then Woo Ragi said.

Hm?

From now on, no matter what you hear, stay still. Got it? Never open your mouth.

What? What will I hear?

It doesnt matter what noise youll hear. Just try not to listen to it if its not my voice.

A-Alright

Even though Woo Ragi knew I was incredibly curious, he didnt elaborate. It wasnt on purposeit felt like he was bewildered and had little idea how to craft a proper explanation.

However, this confusing silence didnt last long. The thumping sound that had been in the background was clearly closer. As soon as he heard that sound, Woo Ragi jumped up, dangled from somewhere, and clambered up. As soon as he regained foothold, he whispered, Im jumping down.

What? Arghh!

After giving me that meaningless advance notice, the swordsman dove down. The sensation of air brushing past my feet made me terribly stressedbeing blind made my discomfort worse. However, I had no time to complain.

As Woo Ragi fell, he activated one of his skills. [Curtain Call].

I could feel a chill on my back; the sound of something loudly crashing and crumbling echoed out.

At that moment, I heard that sound Woo Ragi had warned me about.

[Lee-kyung ah.]

I looked back reflexively. I was sure I heard Seo Dawons voice. Before I could open my mouth and say something, Woo Ragis hand covered my mouth. Dont respond! Are you an idiot? Seo Dawon isnt here.

Mmmph!

That kind of monster imitates others. If you answer, youre fucked. So, stay still.

It was hard to understand what was happening, but the swordsmans voice sounded exceptionally desperate.

I nodded slightly; the swordsman loosened his grip. However, from then on, the monsters voice, imitating Seo Dawon, became increasingly intelligible.

[Lee-kyung-ah, cant you see me?]

If I had been slightly doubtful before, the more it spoke the more its voice creepily resembled the Mages.

In addition, its voice grew louder and louder. I felt vaguely horrified at its increasingly accurate mimicry. That thing sounded like it was gradually adopting Seo Dawons shape.

Perhaps this mansion was a trap.

Woo Ragi muttered something that sapped my hope.

What does he mean by trap? Why now?

However, the swordsman did not seem discouraged; instead, he faced the unidentified voice head on. I could feel his summoned echo blades rushing past the back of my head. He spread his blades fully out, adopting an all-out attack stance.

I couldnt tell if he was making the deliberate decision to face the monster head-on or if this course of action was the inevitable second best option because we had no escape route. The depressing reality of this situation, though, was that Woo Ragi would be fighting with a fatal weaknesshe was still carrying me after all. He was probably unlikely to flee

W-What should I do, I asked, unable to bear the anxiety and suspense.

Just stick close to me. Woo Ragi spoke bluntly before brandishing his arms wildly. [Masquerade].

As soon as he invoked his skill, a great gale poured forth. I wondered if this was what it felt like to be at the center of a tornado; it took all my strength to barely cling onto his body.

However

[Gravity.]

I heard a subdued, soft voice; simultaneously, Woo Ragis knees instantly bent and bowed.

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TL: Ive already said this in the discord, but, FYI, I might slow down next week! I have died a little from my AC dying.