Call of Abyss

Chapter 7

Six black high-speed boats cut through the rough waves, approaching the island where the sounds of gunfire and exploding grenades echoed without pause.

Five of the six high-speed boats carried five or six armed soldiers each, while the remaining boat carried five people dressed in civilian clothing.

"It has already begun. If I had realized it a little earlier, we could have saved more people with the Ghost Guard...."

"Don't blame yourself too much, Seoyeon.

Because of you, we're at least able to hurry to the island now."

As Seoyeon gazed at the island with sorrowful eyes, Sergeant Shin, standing beside her, offered words of comfort.

Sungmin watched the two, feeling pleased yet also experiencing a sting in his heart.

A year ago, to Mina, he would have been someone as reliable and trustworthy as Sergeant Shin.

When Sungmin regained his senses long after Shin-young Girls' High School had burned down, he saw the full extent of the tragedy through the TV news and cried for a long time.

Finally, he took out the letter Mina had given him and read it.

The letter contained the fresh and innocent confession typical of a teenage girl, but more than that, it was filled with Mina's deep trust in him and her strong desire to rely on him.

He should not have ignored it.

He should not have dismissed it.

He should have read the letter earlier and approached Mina to be her unwavering support.

If he had done so, his heart wouldn't be filled with so much regret now.

"Most of the island's residents must be dead."

"There is a Marines unit stationed on the island.

If they are fighting to protect the residents, they might be able to hold out until we arrive."

A black-suited elderly man sitting at the very back of the high-speed boat sighed as he spoke, prompting Sergeant Shin, sitting next to Sungmin, to turn and respond.

"The Marines? Against the monsters from the Abyss, they are no different from ordinary civilians.

The only ones who can fight the Abyssal monsters are those of us who have battled them for a long time."

The old man stroked the silver bow standing beside him with his wrinkled hand as he spoke.

"Grandfather, I can finally avenge Father.

The past five years of hard training have finally paid off."

Hearing the words of the boy sitting next to him, who looked about middle school age, the old man smiled.

"Juho, don't get too excited. Stay calm. Never let your guard down.

Abyssal monsters are truly powerful.

Even your father, the strongest in our history of Abyss Hunters, did not fall without reason.

Lowering your guard before those monsters is the same as inviting death."

"Yes, I will remember that, Grandfather."

The boy named Juho gripped his silver bow, which resembled his grandfather's, tightly in his hands as he spoke.

To Juho, the day his father died five years ago was still as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

That day, he had been training with his grandfather and father deep in the mountains, where heavy snow was falling.

Suddenly, a bizarre-looking person with tentacles attached to their chin appeared and attacked his father, piercing his chest in an instant.

His grandfather fought a grueling battle and managed to defeat the monstrous person, but it was already too late to save his father, who died in Juho's arms in a horrific state.

From that day on, Juho no longer had a personal life.

Day and night, he learned from his grandfather how to hunt Abyssal monsters, training relentlessly to become a skilled Abyss Hunter.

"We've arrived. Everyone, disembark from the high-speed boats and form up!"

As all six high-speed boats reached the shore, a man who appeared to be an officer shouted to the soldiers.

The soldiers aboard the boats disembarked in unison and began forming ranks on the beach.

Sergeant Shin, Seoyeon, Sungmin, Juho, and Juho's grandfather followed suit, stepping onto the beach while watching the soldiers disembark.

"Captain Kang Junsu, I believe it would be best to head to the Marines unit and join forces with them first."

"Yes, Sergeant Shin. I think so too.

If you know the way, please lead us."

"Understood. Follow me this way."

At Captain Kang's request, Sergeant Shin took the lead and began walking.

His prior research into the location of the Marines unit, intending to join forces with them from the start, proved useful.

"Sergeant Shin, wait a moment. There's a battle happening nearby."

Seoyeon, following behind Sergeant Shin, suddenly stopped and spoke.

Just then, the sharp crack of gunfire tore through the air.

"The gunfire came from over there. Let's go check it out."

Captain Kang spoke to Sergeant Shin while pointing toward a village with several houses clustered together.

Nodding in agreement, Sergeant Shin quickened his pace toward the village, and the Ghost Guard members followed closely behind.

As they neared the village, the gunfire grew louder.

"Captain Kang, a truck is approaching from that direction."

Sergeant Shin, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned to Captain Kang and shouted urgently.

"Juho, they're coming. Get ready."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Baeksan, don't tell me those things are coming this way too?"

"It looks like they're following the truck."

Juho's grandfather responded to Sergeant Shin while raising his silver bow and nocking an arrow.

"Seoyeon, move to the side with Dr. Park and provide support from there.

Captain Kang, we should prepare for battle."

"Understood, Sergeant Shin. We'll do that.

Ghost Guard, prepare for battle!"

"Prepare for battle!"

Following Sergeant Shin's request, Captain Kang issued orders to the Ghost Guard members, who shouldered their rifles and focused on the front.

The distant Dodge Truck grew larger, and the monsters chasing closely behind it became visible.

"Those aren't the Abyssal monsters I know.

How should I put it? They feel artificially modified and even stronger."

"Father... what on earth have you done...?"

At Baeksan's words, Seoyeon murmured in a trembling voice.

"Open fire on the monsters!"

At Captain Kang's booming command, the Ghost Guard members began firing in unison.

The three monsters chasing the truck were hit by concentrated gunfire and could no longer pursue it, coming to a halt.

While the monsters hesitated, the Dodge Truck reached Captain Kang's group.

"Please save us! Most of the Marines are dead!"

Three Marines disembarked from the Dodge Truck and addressed Captain Kang and Sergeant Shin.

The sight of the Dodge Truck up close was truly horrific.

The bumper and hood were deeply dented, blood was splattered all over the vehicle, and all the windows were shattered.

"Victory! I am Corporal Lee Jae-won, the driver of this Dodge Truck. These two are Private Shin Hyun-jun and Private Song Tae-oh.

There were officers and senior soldiers in our group, but they all died fighting those monsters."

"I am Captain Kang Junsu, the leader of this unit.

Move to the rear of the unit and get into battle formation.

The monsters are still alive, so we can't avoid combat.

I know you've been through a lot, but if you want to survive, stay alert and fight."

"Yes, sir!"

Corporal Lee Jae-won, Private Shin Hyun-jun, and Private Song Tae-oh retrieved their rifles and moved to the rear of the unit as per Captain Kang's orders.

"The monsters are approaching slowly. It's our turn now.

Juho, there are three monsters. Shoot an arrow at the one on the far left.

I'll take care of the ones in the center and on the right."

"Understood, Grandfather."

Juho immediately pulled back his bowstring and released a silver arrow.

His arrow pierced the leftmost monster's arm, which instantly burst into flames with a loud pop.

Right after, Baeksan's two arrows struck the other two monsters in the torso, setting them ablaze with consecutive pops.

"Oh! It's effective!"

"The silver arrows should have significantly weakened their regeneration.

Now, they won't be able to heal from gunfire as easily, so let's finish them off quickly."

"Understood, Baeksan. Thank you. Everyone, open fire!"

Captain Kang thanked Baeksan and issued another firing order to the Ghost Guard members.

As the Ghost Guard members resumed firing, the monsters, unlike before, began collapsing instantly, unable to resist.

"Seoyeon, now!"

"Yes, Sergeant Shin. Dance of the Ethereal Blades!"

According to what Sungmin had heard from Sergeant Shin, Seoyeon actually didn't need to chant such phrases to use her abilities.

The reason she uttered them like incantations was purely a reflection of her fondness for online games.

Though the names of her incantations were somewhat embarrassing, their effectiveness was undeniable.

The bodies of the fallen monsters levitated into the air and were shredded apart at terrifying speed.

While Sungmin was once again in awe of Seoyeon's incredible ability, he also felt a chill run down his spine.

"Captain, since we've encountered the Marines, let's ask them to guide us to their base."

"Yes, let's do that. Marines, step forward."

At Sergeant Shin's request, Captain Kang nodded and called out to the Marines.

"We are aware of the emergency situation on this island.

We came here to support the Marines defending the island, so please guide us to your base."

"Understood. We had lost most of our accompanying squad and were on our way back to the base.

A few of you can ride with us in the truck."

Private First Class Lee Jae-won finished speaking and climbed back into the driver's seat of the Dodge Truck.

"Sergeant Shin, please board the truck with your group and move with us.

We will scout the surroundings and walk to the base."

"Then you'll need a guide, so I'll stay behind.

The civilians will take the Marine truck and go ahead first."

"Understood. Thank you."

Before joining Captain Kang's unit, Sergeant Shin turned to look at Baeksan and Sungmin.

"Baeksan, Sungmin, get in the truck.

Head to the base first and wait for us—we'll follow shortly."

"Alright. Juho, let's get in the truck."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Baeksan gestured to Juho as he moved toward the truck with Sungmin and Seoyeon.

Juho slung his silver bow over his shoulder again and followed Baeksan.

Just then, a silver flash streaked through the air and pierced Juho's neck in an instant.

A crimson stream spurted from Juho's neck, and he collapsed to the ground without a sound.

"Juho!"

Baeksan screamed frantically as he rushed to Juho and cradled him in his arms.

A familiar silver arrow was lodged in Juho's neck.

"Juho, Juho, stay with me, please...."

"A silver arrow? Where did it come from?"

"Over there! A helicopter is approaching."

In response to Sungmin's question, Seoyeon pointed to a section of the sky.

A small black dot was growing larger as it approached their group.

Soon, the black dot took the shape of a helicopter, and as it neared, the sound of its rotor blades became increasingly loud.

"Father... you've grown younger again.

Just how much blood have you consumed?"

As the helicopter drew close enough for them to distinguish the faces of those inside, Seoyeon shouted toward a young man smiling at them from within.

Surprisingly, Seoyeon's voice carried over the noise of the helicopter's rotor blades, echoing even louder in the air.

"My daughter, Katerina.

Stop wandering and come home.

Let's change the world together.

Isn't that what you wanted?"

The young man's voice echoed through the air just as loudly as Seoyeon's.

Sungmin thought to himself that this was likely one of their abilities.

"My name is Lee Seoyeon.

Father, how do you plan to change the world by killing so many people?"

"The current world is so rotten that it cannot be changed without great sacrifice.

Katerina, if you return to me and help, fewer people may have to die."

"Let me make this clear.

I despise your methods."

"Then there's nothing more to say.

We'll just have to change the world slowly, through blood and suffering...."

Giovanni, the cult leader, smirked bitterly and gestured to a soldier standing beside him.

At Giovanni's signal, the soldier aimed a machine gun at Sungmin's group.

"Take cover!"

The moment Captain Kang shouted, the machine gun roared to life, and horrific screams erupted all around.

"Fire at the helicopter!"

Sergeant Shin, who had taken cover behind a roadside tree, shouted to the Ghost Guard soldiers.

"Sergeant, we can't!

The helicopter is surrounded by a barrier—our bullets can't reach it."

A soldier firing at the helicopter beside Sergeant Shin turned to report.

"Sergeant Shin, I'll put up a barrier for us as well."

"Alright, Seoyeon. Do it quickly."

As Seoyeon swung her hand toward the sky, a shimmering golden barrier enveloped Captain Kang's unit and Sungmin's group.

"It's done. This should block the bullets for a while."

Seoyeon confirmed that the barrier had fully covered them and spoke to Sergeant Shin.

The hail of bullets from the helicopter's machine gun was now stopped by Seoyeon's golden barrier, preventing them from reaching Sungmin's group.

"As expected of my daughter.

But since you, like me, draw power from the great being that dreams in the abyss, you won't be able to block this man's arrows."

Giovanni raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

At that moment, a figure draped in a black cloak and wearing a plague doctor mask with a beak emerged from behind Giovanni.

In his hand was a silver bow and silver arrows, similar to those possessed by Baeksan and Juho.

"Blaze, kill the Ghost Guard insects first."

At Giovanni's command, the masked man called Blaze swiftly released silver arrows at the Ghost Guard members who had yet to take cover.

"Captain Kang!"

Sergeant Shin shouted as Captain Kang was struck in the chest by one of Blaze's silver arrows and collapsed.

But before Sergeant Shin could even process the shock, more silver arrows rained down, cutting down the Ghost Guard soldiers one by one.

"Now I finally understand who that man is.

Seoyeon, I know this is difficult, but please maintain the barrier a little longer.

I will take care of him."

Baeksan spoke to Seoyeon, who was sheltering behind the Dodge Truck, then gently placed Juho's body on the ground and gripped his silver bow once more.

Seoyeon caught a glimpse of Baeksan's reddened eyes.

She had already figured out the identity of Blaze—the one firing silver arrows beside her father, Giovanni.

Her father had forcibly resurrected the dead to use them as his servants.

Seoyeon couldn't even begin to fathom the depth of Baeksan's emotions at that moment.

"Rest in peace now."

Baeksan muttered sorrowfully as he fired a silver arrow at Blaze.

The silver arrow shot from Baeksan's bowstring and sped toward Blaze.

However, before it could reach him, the arrow was caught midair by someone's hand.

It was Giovanni.

"This little game should end here.

Katerina! If you truly want to see how this ends, come to the Marine base."

As Giovanni finished speaking, the helicopter began to move away from Sungmin's group.

"What do we do now?"

Sungmin asked in a trembling voice as he looked at the road littered with the bodies of the Ghost Guard soldiers.

Sergeant Shin and the surviving Ghost Guard members were sobbing as they moved the bodies of their fallen comrades to the roadside.

"I'm going to the Marine base.

No matter what my father is planning there, I will stop him."

"I will go to the Marine base with you, Seoyeon.

There's something I must finish with my own hands."

"Understood.

If that is everyone's decision, I will follow as well."

Hearing Seoyeon and Baeksan's responses, Sungmin steadied his heart, which had been shaken by fear and sorrow.

In the end, someone had to stop Giovanni to prevent further tragedy.

And at this moment, the only ones capable of stopping Giovanni were the Ghost Guard members and Sungmin's group.

The sun was setting beyond the distant horizon, dyeing the sea a deep crimson.

Before they knew it, the time for sunset had arrived.

The upcoming battle might take place in the pitch-black night.

However, for both the Ghost Guard members and Sungmin's group, there was no choice but to press forward.

For the fallen islanders, Marines, and Ghost Guard members, they had to keep fighting.

Clenching his fists tightly, Sungmin made a firm resolve in his heart to protect at least one more person in the coming battle.