Chapter 87: Gate (2)

No need to fuss over a sleeping spot.

There was nothing around.

Even a wasteland should have grass or cacti, but this was a different world entirely.

This gate didn’t seem fond of plants.

Every spot was the same.

I found a relatively flat patch and sat.

Touching the ground, I felt faint warmth rising since the aurora vanished.

“No need for a campfire.”

No firewood, so that was a worry, but the warm ground meant no freezing overnight.

Beside me, So-hee collapsed, twisting and groaning like she was dying.

“Ughhh…”

Carried for hours, she wasn’t exactly comfy.

I’d moved at max speed she could cling to—car-like velocity.

Even with my firm grip on her legs, she had to hold on tight with her upper body.

One slip would’ve been catastrophic, so she couldn’t relax for a second.

Swaying back, forth, up, down—like a rodeo.

Her legs’ burden shifted to her arms.

Plus, she didn’t realize the gate’s environment drained her stamina just by existing.

Pounding her back like an old lady, she groaned.

I said shortly.

“Sleep.”

“Gotta.”

Adjusting her position, she glanced at me, puzzled.

Arms crossed, I stood instead of lying down.

“What’s up? Sleep.”

“Both sleep in a gate, we’re done for.”

“Huh?”

I scanned the area.

No monsters yet, but that didn’t mean none existed.

If the aurora was this gate’s sun, nocturnal beasts were possible.

“Someone’s gotta keep watch.”

She slowly stood.

“Then I’ll watch too. You need some rest to ease the strain, right?”

I scoffed, amused.

Her heart was in the right place, but it was laughable.

She looked ready to pass out.

“Who’s talking about strain? Sleep.”

But she shook her head, resolute.

Being carried was one thing, but she couldn’t shamelessly sleep now.

She shot up.

“Don’t care. We both stayed up then. I’m not slept for two hours.”

Arms crossed, she turned away with a huff.

I gave a hollow laugh, stunned.

Usually, I was the stubborn one, and she gave in.

Today, it was reversed.

A few more words, but she wouldn’t budge.

Didn’t expect her to be this bullheaded.

“Fine.”

Muttering, I closed my eyes, focusing.

No immediate danger nearby.

She wouldn’t get eaten without reacting.

Sighing, I sat.

“You win. We switched in two hours. If anything feels off, wake me—gut feeling’s enough.”

“Okay! Ugh…”

Satisfied, she plopped down.

The simple move made her body creak—crack.

“Told you to sleep.”

Grumbling, I lay down, closing my eyes and falling asleep instantly.

* * *

Beside Ho-cheol, So-hee sat cross-legged, gripping her ankles.

Her hands were sweaty.

She’d talked big, but alone, awake, she was terrified.

The gate, just dim before, felt like a horror game scene.

Anything could leap out, and she was utterly helpless.

Glancing at Ho-cheol, she thought, If something happens, I’ll wake him. It’ll be fine.

The fear eased.

Soon, she turned fully toward him.

She scanned the surroundings, then, when scared, looked at him.

Silly to others, but effective for her.

How long has it been?

Staring at sleeping Ho-cheol, she whispered.

“Sleeping?”

No response.

Really asleep?

She leaned forward like a bobblehead, whispering near his ear.

“Really sleeping?”

Still nothing.

He was out.

Holding her breath, she stared at his face.

She’d seen him sleep before, but never this close, a hand’s breadth away.

Sighing softly, she sat up.

Checking for dangers, she raised a hand, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket.

Rolling the edge, she wiped sweat from his forehead and cheeks.

Smiling at his cleaner face, she kept watch.

Time passed—without a watch, maybe two hours?

Time to switch, but she didn’t wake him.

She never planned to.

Three hours, six, didn’t matter.

She’d let him sleep until he woke naturally, even if the day changed.

Useless as she felt, this was her help.

Staring at his face made time fly.

But—

Flash—

Ho-cheol’s eyes opened.

“Eek!”

Just two hands apart, So-hee yelped, falling back.

Though her heart stopped!

“Why’re you awake?”

“It felt like two hours.”

“Some internal clock…”

Still lying down, he asked?

“What’re you doing?”

“N-Nothing. Still wondering if you’re real or a mirage, checking.”

Spouting nonsense, she lay down, turning away to avoid his gaze.

“Switch time, so I’m sleeping! Wake me in two hours!”

Despite planning to stay up all night, she passed out in under a minute, snoring softly, unlike usual.

Ho-cheol glanced at her, standing slowly.

He walked far off.

“This should do.”

Crouching, he pressed his palm to the ground.

Something stirred below, faint, barely moving.

Alive?

Just the gate’s quirks?

When in doubt, find out.

No room for variables now.

Standing, he tapped the ground with his toe.

Thump—thump—thump—

Not hard, but the vibrations sank deep without losing strength.

After dozens of taps, a response came.

Rumble—

The ground shook faintly, then stronger, the source nearing.

I stepped back two paces.

The ground where I’d stood erupted.

Crunch!—

A centipede.

Massive.

Its long antennae thrashed, seeking the vibration’s cause.

Glossy black exoskeleton gleamed ominously in the dark.

I grimaced.

“Ugh, gross. Of course.”

I’d seen it all, but a centipede twice human size was viscerally repulsive.

Above ground, it was three meters; including the buried part, maybe five.

Its body slithered, rippling like waves.

Dozens of legs skittered, scraping eerily.

It sensed me, whipping its head.

Its maw opened, revealing layered, saw-like teeth.

Roaring, it charged.

Raaar—thud!—

Before it reached me, I grabbed its maw.

My hand crushed its head.

“Quiet.”

Crack—

Its tough shell, stronger than steel, split under my grip—too weak to resist.

“Yelling at night? Where’s your manners?”

Funny, me talking manners.

I’d woken the native creatures sleeping underground.

The centipede was just protesting noise.

Staring at its presumed eyes, I asked?

“No venom, right?”

First goal: confirm the underground presence.

Second: food.

If edible, I’d take it.

I’d gone a day without eating, but couldn’t last long like that.

Venom?

Cooking would handle it.

Raising my fist, I said.

“Sorry. Gotta eat to live.”

Empty apology.

I smashed its head.

Crunch!—

One hit, and it went limp.

Tossing the corpse aside, I stared down.

The impact stirred more presences.

I scratched my cheek, troubled.

“Didn’t want to kill too much.”

An invasive species was disrupting the ecosystem.

* * *

Next morning, the aurora reignited.

I woke So-hee.

Rubbing her messy hair, she asked?

“…How long was I out?”

“Not long. A bit over two hours.”

She activated her Trait.

Rainbow rings shimmered around her eyes.

She asked again

“Really just two hours?”

“Yup.”

Black ink spread across my chest, like a lie detector.

She frowned.

“Liar.”

“Three-ish?”

“Still lying!”

“Five, give or take.”

After prodding, I fessed up.

The ink vanished.

“Argh! I said switch every two hours!”

“Forgot. Stop yelling, eat.”

“Eat?”

Her eyes widened, forgetting her anger.

Food here?

I pointed.

A black bowl held chunks of meat.

“…Where’d that come from?”

“Hunted last night. Local monster meat.”

Her face crumpled, losing composure.

“Ugh.”

She had normal human tastes.

Monster meat was repulsive to most.

Some men ate it for “vitality” or “hair growth,” but not her.

Hesitating, she stammered.

“Uh… I’m not hungry. Can I skip for now?”

“I know. Not hungry, not thirsty, no urges?”

Her eyes widened.

“…Yeah, now that you mention it?”

She rubbed her stomach.

“Not hungry?”

At first, it was an excuse to avoid eating, but she realized she wasn’t hungry.

No food or water for a day, yet no craving.

I pointed at her stomach.

“Gate’s time distortion. Vital organs adapted, but digestion’s still on outside time.”

Over ten hours here, but her body felt three or four.

Her brain thought so, but reality disagreed.

Slacking here meant—

“Starving without feeling it. Eat.”

Too sad to die unaware.

Her face paled.

She’d been glad to skip bathroom trips, but this was bad.

In extreme situations, she wasn’t picky.

“Guess I gotta.”

She reached for the meat, then paused, looking at me.

“Just me?”

“Someone’s gotta test for parasites or venom.”

I’d already eaten. She grabbed the suspicious meat.

“Never thought I’d eat monster meat.”

Grimacing, she bit down, chewing slowly.

Crunch—

She gagged.

The outside seemed normal, but the texture was jelly-like.

The more she chewed, the more fishy juice filled her mouth.

Tears welled up.

“Ugh… urk.”

Eyes shut, she swallowed.

Half meat, half juice.

Wiping her mouth, she summed it up.

“Gamey, clay-like, sticky going down.”

“Horrible.”

“Agreed.”

I nodded, having tasted it first.

My stamina could handle days without food, but only for normal activity.

After fighting and moving intensely, nutrition was non-negotiable.

“Phew.”

She sighed.

“Never want that again.”

“You’ll eat it four more times.”

I tapped the meat tied to my waist—four days’ worth.

Her face fell.

“Ugh. Better than starving. What monster?”

I paused, then twisted my answer.

“Underground thing.”

“…First time eating mole. Like this, though.”

She’d thought “underground” meant mole.

Good she didn’t know. If she knew the bowl was the centipede’s shell, how’d she react?

“Think positive. Survival shows have people eating raw bugs. At least it’s not that.”

I froze.

Changing the subject, I said.

“Done eating? Let’s move.”

“It’s so fishy. Gonna puke.”

“Not on my back.”

Better keep it secret until we escape.

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