Chapter 15: The Dark Tunnels
With the group in agreement,Jeong Woo turned and began to lead the team down a narrow, winding path that zigzagged its way up the mountainside. Before approaching a hidden tunnel in the mountain that can lead them to their destination. The sun was setting now, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold, and the shadows grew long and dark around them.
As they walked, Cheol Su could feel the weight of Min Ho's gaze on him, as if his team leader was silently asking if he trusted their guide. Cheol Su met his gaze, his expression unreadable. The path became steeper and more treacherous, and the team found themselves scaling near-vertical cliffs, clinging to narrow ledges and grasping at tufts of grass to steady themselves. Jeong Woo moved with the sure-footedness of a mountain goat, barely glancing at the sheer drop beside him.
As the sun dipped behind the mountain, plunging them into darkness, the team switched on their flashlights, the beams of light illuminating the jagged rocks and steep cliffs.Cheol Su's heart was in his throat as he followed Jeong Woo, his feet slipping on the loose rocks and gravel. Beside him, he could hear Ji Won's ragged breathing, but she pressed on, her jaw set in a grim line.
Suddenly, Jeong Woo stopped, his eyes narrowed in the darkness. "Wait," he whispered, holding up a hand.
The team froze, listening intently for any sound of movement in the shadows.For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind whistling through the rocks and the harsh rasp of their own breathing. Then, Cheol Su heard it—the faint scuff of claws on stone, coming from somewhere ahead of them.
"What is that?" he whispered, his eyes searching the darkness.
Min Ho drew his sword, his grip tight on the hilt. "I think we're about to find out."With a roar, a massive, shadowy figure leaped out from behind a nearby boulder, its eyes glowing with a hellish red light. It was an Umbra Demon, larger than any they had seen before, its body covered in thick, sinewy muscles and razor-sharp claws.
"Run!" Jeong Woo cried, drawing his own sword and lunging at the creature.
The team scattered, Min Ho and Jeong Woo engaging the demon in combat while Ji Won and Cheol Su scrambled up the rock face, looking for a way to escape.The Umbra Demon lashed out with its massive claws, each swing bringing the team closer to death. Jeong Woo ducked and rolled, slashing at the creature's legs with his sword, while Min Ho leaped onto its back, his sword plunging into the demon's flesh.
But the creature barely registered their attacks, its attention focused on the two escaping Evolvers. With a powerful leap, it bounded after them, its claws raking at the rock face, sending shards of stone and dust raining down on the fleeing pair.
"Faster!" Min Ho shouted, his voice hoarse.Cheol Su and Ji Won scrambled up the rocks, their breath coming in ragged gasps as they pushed their bodies to the limit. The Umbra Demon was close behind them, its massive body shaking the rock face as it gave chase.
Cheol Su felt a searing pain in his leg as a claw caught his calf, drawing blood. Gritting his teeth, he pushed on, ignoring the pain and the fear that threatened to overwhelm him.
Ji Won glanced back, her eyes widening in terror as she saw the Umbra Demon closing in. "We're not going to make it!"Just as Cheol Su and Ji Won were about to reach a narrow passageway in the rocks, the ground beneath them shook with the impact of heavy footsteps. They turned to see a group of corrupted Evolvers, their bodies twisted and monstrous, blocking their path.
"Jeong Woo!" Ji Won cried out, her voice cracking with horror.
Jeong Woo stood at the front of the group, his expression cold and calculating. "You shouldn't have trusted me," he said, his sword raised and ready to strike. The corrupted Evolvers stepped forward, dressed in dark robes and monstrous looks,. Their magic, though dark and sinister, was the magic of necromancers and reapers, twisted by the demonic cult's corrupting influence.
"You betrayed us," Min Ho growled, his sword held in a defensive stance. "Why?"
Jeong Woo smirked, his eyes hard and unyielding. "Because I had to."Because," Jeong Woo continued, his voice laced with contempt, "the coven promised me power. Power beyond my wildest dreams. And in exchange, I would deliver them new Evolvers to corrupt."
He motioned to the corrupted Evolvers around him. "Do you think these are the only ones? No. The demonic cult's influence spreads far and wide, corrupting even the most noble of Evolvers. Soon, all of Korea will fall."
Min Ho's expression turned deadly. "Never."With a roar, Min Ho charged, his sword meeting Jeong Woo's in a clash of steel. The corrupted Evolvers moved in as well, their dark magic crackling in the air around them.
Meanwhile, Cheol Su and Ji Won were trapped, surrounded by the enemies and the Umbra Demon that continued to bear down on them. Cheol Su thought fast, realizing that if they wanted to survive, they needed to take a risk.
"Ji Won, get ready to jump!" he shouted, even as he pulled out the Python's Treasure, its light pulsing with power. "One!" Cheol Su shouted, activating the Python's Treasure with a flash of light. Jin won immediately activates a shimmering barrier formed around them, shielding them from the Umbra Demon's attacks.
"Now!" Cheol Su shouted, grabbing Ji Won's hand. Together, they leaped from the rock face, the barrier protecting them from the sharp rocks below. They landed in a pile of soft sand, but the corrupted Evolvers were already closing in. They look up only to see "The corrupted Evolvers froze in their tracks as Min Ho appeared at the mouth of the passageway, a wild grin on his face". In his hands was the nuclear magic bomb, its light crackling with dangerous energy.
"Run!" Min Ho shouted, as he hurled the explosive treasure into the cave, its massive bulk tumbling down the rock face.
Ji Won gasped, horror contorting her features. "Min Ho, no!"
But it was too late.
"We need to get the hell out of here," Cheol Su said, his eyes sweeping the area for an escape route.But with some Umbra Demon and some corrupted Evolvers still blocking their escape, Cheol Su and Ji Won had to act quickly.
"On my mark," Cheol Su said, his voice steady despite the danger. "Three... Two..."
As he counted down, Ji Won braced herself, focusing on the swirling magic of her Affinity Diamond and the strength of her will. With a thunderous boom, the treasure detonated, the tunnels exploding in a cloud of dust and debris. Cheol Su shielded his face, the concussive blast throwing him backward. When the Dustin cleared, the passageway was gone, and Min Ho was nowhere to be seen.
"Min Ho!" Ji Won screamed, tears streaming down her face as she lunged toward the smoking crater.
"Ji Won, stop!" Cheol Su called, pulling her back. "We need to go. Now."