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Meanwhile, those who went up felt no great sense of abnormality.

Like the warriors who had descended below, they were ascending the stairs while utilizing footwork and suppressing their body’s presence, but unlike the warriors below, the stairs did not extend straight, nor did they radiate such a gloomy atmosphere that it would induce a sense of incongruity.

Rather, the further they climbed, the clearer their sense of reality became.

It was as if they were slowly escaping a nightmare from which they would never awaken, returning to reality.

However, paradoxically, that very clarity made the warriors feel a sense of incongruity.

[ Isn’t it strange? ]

One of the warriors frowned and spoke to another warrior.

But no sound escaped his lips, and instead, his mouth merely moved as if speaking.

This was a technique called “Transmission into Secrecy,” known briefly as “Transmission.” It was a technique that transmitted sound through Qi, requiring direct contact with the Qi used as the medium for the sound to be audible, making it a traditional means of secure communication among warriors.

It fell under the classification of sound techniques and was favored by warriors for communication in situations where sound could not be made. It was not only energy-consuming but also became exponentially inefficient over distance, and due to the limitations, it was primarily used for covert operations such as stealth or assassination.

[ Yes. It is indeed strange… ]

Exactly. It should have been used in a situation like this, a secret infiltration operation.

That was fundamental, a common sense.

In operations, one ought not to create a ruckus, emit any presence, and should enter and exit like a ghost, leaving no traces behind. If that were not feasible, then one had to seize the target swiftly and escape.

So why was that?

Why, on the first floor, had they forgotten about such things?

Despite the apparent lack of military discipline, thinking back now, it seemed utterly bizarre.

Was the transmission ineffective and energy-consuming?

Then at the very least, they should have utilized communication devices. They should have spoken while wearing soundproof masks securely fastened to their faces to prevent sound from escaping.

No, even if they compromised on not wearing a soundproof mask tightly, they should have at least suppressed their voices.

So why had they been so loud?

As if they had been drinking, as if they had returned to their hometown after a long time, why had they been so talkative?

Considering the clarity of reality returning now, it was a truly strange affair.

Unless they were forcefully intoxicated with drugs, how could that even make sense?

[ Wait a second. ]

In the mind of the one warrior continuing to harbor suspicions, something flitted across.

[ Drugs…? ]

Drugs. Substances.

[ What the hell. ]

The scenes that had felt incongruous rushed through the warrior’s mind in an instant.

The surroundings of the building that were eerily empty of people.

Chains entwined for reasons unknown.

The overly flimsy security measures.

The unsettling landscape that, despite its shadowy character, felt oddly comforting.

The warrior raised his Qi, contemplating the worst-case scenario.

He dropped his stealth technique and revealed his presence, violently channeling Qi through his body while stopping midway up the stairs. He spun his Qi quickly, circulating the Yang energy throughout his entire body. He infused his vital organs with Qi to activate them while envisioning a passageway through which to expel toxins.

After a few repetitions, a warm sensation was felt in his left index finger.

Upon feeling the warmth in his finger, he frowned deeply.

The hot energy indicated that the poison had moved to that spot.

In other words, he had been poisoned without realizing it.

With a swift motion, he pulled out a needle from his pocket and jabbed it into his fingertip.

Blood spurted forth like a fountain, and the tainted blood mixed with poison dripped onto the floor.

[ It’s poison. ]

He communicated to his comrades through transmission.

[ We were poisoned. ]

The other warriors’ faces turned pale as they realized the situation.

That warrior too began to circulate his internal energy to counter the poison, concentrating toxins at the tip of his finger before expelling them. He then dampened a small machine tucked away in his pocket with blood.

With a bit of blood, the machine would analyze the bodily condition scientifically.

『 Physical condition check result 』

『 Blood levels of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) are low. 』

『 Blood amino acid levels are elevated. 』

『 Overall vitamin deficiency, with excessive accumulation of fatigue substances. 』

『 No toxic substances detected. 』

『 Excessive fatigue has accumulated, necessitating sufficient rest and nutrient intake for resolution. 』

The machine stated the warrior’s bodily condition matter-of-factly.

There was excessive fatigue accumulated, and immediate rest was necessary.

It wasn’t unusual to be in a state where one could collapse at any moment.

But isn’t that strange?

Having crossed over to Korea, without fatigue, enjoying food and resting thoroughly…

Why then did such results appear?

They hadn’t overly trained, nor had they exhausted their bodies.

They had eaten a variety of delicious meals, fully replenishing their nutrients.

Sleep?

Not having insomnia, they had slept very well.

Such results should not be possible.

[ This is unnatural. ]

[ Yes. It can only be the result of poison. ]

Thus, the conclusion could only point to one outcome: they had been poisoned.

[ The toxic substances can’t be discerned; the fact that only health status is reported indicates… it’s likely not a lethal toxin or traditional poison. ]

[ I didn’t expect any better. The modern machines can’t accurately capture the essence of poisons. Checking the current physical state manually would be faster than depending on such machines. ]

[ …My body feels lighter, and my mind has cleared. ]

[ It’s certain that it’s poison. ]

They continued to converse through transmission.

[ A poison that exacerbates fatigue… ]

[ The realm of poisons is vast. Moreover, with the advancement of science, poisons have evolved too. A poison that increases fatigue and lethargy wouldn’t be unusual. ]

Their expressions gradually became grim.

[ It must have been laid at the entrance and first floor, right? ]

[ Yes. I think the flimsy security was a bait. ]

[ The chains, perhaps? ]

[ Yes. There were toxic substances within the chains, which likely released into the air upon being cut, thereby poisoning us. ]

As the conclusion of having been poisoned took hold, tension enveloped their bodies.

The insecure security mechanisms practically invited them to break in, and the moment they did, the toxic substances would scatter as a trap. Moreover, the entire first floor, into which they had entered unawares, would have similarly been laced with poison.

A poison that heightens fatigue.

A substance that diminishes cognitive abilities and induces lethargy.

What kind of poison it was remains unclear.

Biological, mineral, or synthetic toxins?

Its identity was unknown.

In the first place, they couldn’t even figure it out.

They hadn’t prepared for poisons at all, assuming this mission to be trivial.

The machine they had just used could only gauge health, failing to detect anything other than very lethal poisons.

They had no gas masks, no air purification devices, no toxic substance detection tools.

The only thing left was to rely on expelling the poison with internal energy.

[ This is the worst. ]

To face someone who cleverly utilized such subtle poison, they’d simply burn through their energy to expel the toxins?

Fighting without being able to properly utilize their martial arts, while wasting their energy in a pointless struggle against poison?

It was madness.

[ Our judgment was incorrect. That damned shaman is skilled in the use of poisons. ]

[ A poison master, perhaps? ]

[ Probably. The trap was so insidious and stealthy that it brought to mind those who have mastered poisons. That a shaman would use such method? There’s a high likelihood they’re a poison master. ]

[ Damn it. Why is a shaman, usually seen in tropical regions, here in Joseon? ]

Things were not looking good.

[ We need to retreat. We must return to our lodging and fetch the air purification artifact and gas masks. ]

When poison is most terrifying, it’s when there’s no countermeasure available.

When there’s no way to obstruct or detoxify, the poison approaches like the grim reaper, tightening its grip.

Thus, thinking rationally, they should have retreated immediately.

Re-treat, regroup, and without any carelessness, they must face Park Jinseong to the best of their abilities.

Yes.

That was the correct judgment.

Yet, it was already too late.

They had ascended too far to execute the right decision.

Clop-clop.

Clop-clop.

The sound was heard.

The sound of high heels striking the stone steps resounded sharply.

[ …What the hell. ]

The noise echoing from below where they had passed.

Someone was coming up.

Clop-clop.

Clop-clop.

The rhythmic sound of high heels rang out.

The distinctly resonating sound of the heels was gradually drawing nearer to them.

It was an unnervingly clear sound of high heels, almost as if it were telling them.

Hurry, come up.

Quickly, go up to avoid me.

 

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