The Isolated Island (23)
According to the children’s explanation, there were certain days when the air itself seemed to change.
“The adults don’t notice!”
“How could they not?”
“Yeah, even I can tell. The smell changes all of a sudden—and weird sounds too!”
The more they talked, the clearer things became.
“Can you tell when it changes?”
“Um… when the older kids go out and come back…”
They thought for a moment, counting on their fingers.
“About four or five times?”
That was a surprisingly specific number. We exchanged glances.
Maybe because they were born and raised here—they can sense things like that.
It wasn’t confirmed yet, but it was worth checking.
When I nodded, Min Hajun lifted little Seoa from his lap and handed her to I-yul before heading outside, likely to confirm the timing.
If what the children felt was indeed connected to when the exit opened, then we’d just stumbled upon a crucial clue in the most unexpected way.
I patted Sua’s head as her bright eyes looked up at me.
“I told you not to do that!”
“Ow, ow! That hurts!”
Unlike my side of the room—peaceful and warm—I-yul was being punished for tugging on Seoa’s cheeks.
I shook my head quietly as I watched.
In the end, the children’s “cycle” turned out to be roughly three to four days.
They measured time based on three meals per day, since there was no sunrise or sunset here.
By that count, we had been in this place for about two days—meaning the exit might open within a day or two.
Sooner than we’d expected.
“I already told everyone to have their things packed.”
“Good work.”
If it really opened tomorrow, we didn’t have much time left. Fortunately, everyone had moved quickly.
And the kids went home too.
Their parents, who came running the moment they heard, had carried off the protesting Sua and Seoa under each arm.
They had been so terrified to find out their children were here that we had ended up comforting them, telling them we were fine and even had fun.
Our reputation here had clearly become something larger than life.
Like heroes appearing out of nowhere.
Not that I could blame them.
“Then I’ll go tomorrow to check things out early.”
“I’m counting on you.”
We couldn’t move everyone without confirmation. I-yul, being the most mobile among us, volunteered to scout first.
After rechecking my weapons and combat gear, I sat on the bed. There wasn’t much time left to rest.
“You should get some sleep too, Hajun.”
We had to conserve both stamina and mana for what lay ahead.
But once I lay down, the very advice I’d just given him seemed pointless—I couldn’t sleep at all.
Guess I’m nervous after all.
That had never happened when I worked alone.
I tried to empty my mind of all thoughts.
I didn’t know how much time had passed when I heard soft movements—light footsteps, a quiet door closing.
He must be heading out to scout.
It had been a while since I-yul left.
There was no point staying in bed when sleep wouldn’t come. Maybe I could help the others pack instead.
“You’re awake?”
Min Hajun’s voice came from across the room.
I thought he’d been asleep, but apparently he’d been up all along too. His tone held no drowsiness at all.
“You didn’t sleep?”
“No. Couldn’t.”
He sat up on the edge of his bed.
“I want everyone to get out without injuries. But it’s hard to stay optimistic.”
No matter how strong we were, he was right to worry. The more gates you went through, the more you learned how rarely things went according to plan.
“Still, we know the route and we’ve got a plan.”
We had spent all of yesterday refining it. Unforeseen things could happen, but if we were careful, we’d be fine.
“So… can I ask you for one thing?”
“What is it?”
“Whatever happens, I want you to put your safety first.”
“….”
It wasn’t what I expected—to prioritize my safety?
“I mean, don’t throw yourself into danger for someone else again like you did last time.”
“But if I hadn’t, Suhyeok would have—”
“I know. That was the right call then. But this time, please let me handle it. Trust me.”
His gaze was steady and serious.
But…
My body moves on instinct.
It wasn’t something I could promise.
“I’ll try my best.”
He seemed satisfied with that vague answer. The faint upward curve of his lips looked like relief.
“That’s enough. Just thinking twice before acting is all I ask.”
Did I really look that reckless?
I thought I’d handled things within reason.
Once he finished speaking, Hajun stood and began fastening his protective gear again.
I followed suit, getting ready to move out. I didn’t have much to pack, but sitting still made me uneasy.
“Are you all right?”
I caught someone who nearly stumbled ahead of me. The unfamiliar terrain and heavy loads made it hard for everyone.
And with monsters around, they must be even more on edge.
We’d already had to take down several on the way—no casualties, thankfully, but the fear of sudden attacks never fully went away.
As soon as I-yul came rushing back like the wind with his report—
“There’s sunlight.”
—everyone’s hearts leapt with joy.
Not knowing when the exit might close again, we left immediately. It was a bit hasty, but people followed bravely despite the exhaustion.
Now, the destination was right ahead.
“We’re almost there, right?”
“Yeah, it should be just up ahead.”
Before I even finished speaking, the front of the line halted—a signal. A faint breeze brushed past my hair.
I nodded to Hajun and moved forward together.
I-yul was waiting at the very front.
“We’ll go check inside. If anything happens, call out.”
“You should worry about yourself. And don’t pick fights.”
He and Hajun were to clear the inside while I protected the others outside.
Since I-yul had already scouted the area, there probably weren’t any immediate threats.
Still, the real challenge would be inside. They couldn’t use large-scale attacks for fear of damaging the structure—and there would be monsters to deal with.
“Hajun, if he starts something, tell me.”
“Haha, sure. You’re reliable.”
He smiled, but it was clear Hajun wasn’t thrilled to be paired with I-yul either.
“You think I’m some brawler?”
“You are.”
Always picking fights, yet pretending not to.
“Both of you, be careful. You know what I mean—control yourselves.”
Neither of them looked at each other. Only Hajun responded.
“You too, Yuha.”
Then they both disappeared inside.
I-yul might not act cooperative, but he wasn’t stupid. It would be fine.
Stay alert.
That was the real concern now.
I turned to look at the people gathered behind me. Most of the younger, more able-bodied ones were at the front, gripping their makeshift weapons tightly—bone and fang spears, clubs fashioned from monster remains. Crude but deadly enough.
Hopefully, we won’t need to use them.
Still, without mana or skills, ordinary people stood little chance against monsters. Their weapons were mostly for protection—to buy time.
The weight of knowing I was the only real defense here pressed down on me.
From the distance came faint sounds of fighting—probably Hajun and I-yul inside.
If it gets louder, more will come.
Once the monsters realized their nest was being invaded, they’d swarm us.
That was why we had to move fast.
But as always, worries tend to come true.
Creak—
A chilling sound reached my ears.
Ahead, a familiar monster crawled into view, twisting its head back and forth as it approached.
Thankfully—or not—it seemed to be alone, perhaps unaware of us yet.
But then—
Thud.
Something heavy dropped behind me. Someone must’ve dropped their pack.
The monster’s head snapped toward the sound.
A heartbeat of silence.
Then the rows of jagged teeth flashed.
“Damn it!”
Clang!
In the blink of an eye, the monster charged.
I drew my dagger and met it head-on—the clash of fangs and steel ringing through the air.
