Chapter 71

Chapter 71

With the water rising dangerously high, walking became exhausting and breathing difficult. Kim Ga-young, the shortest among us, clenched her mouth shut and lifted her chin as high as possible. It seemed she was using the strategy to prevent water from entering her nose.

I walked watching their dark silhouettes floating in front while keeping my neck above water. About halfway, the black object I assumed was Jihyun suddenly disappeared with a shriek and flash of light.

Jihyun-ssi!

I saw the flashlight light rippling underwater where she had fallen. Then within seconds, Kim Ga-young, who had been 60 cm ahead, also noiselessly sank into the water. What the! Why did they both vanish underwater!

Frightened, I instinctively pushed off the wall with all my strength. Something slammed forcefully into my calf. I saw stars from the pain. As I opened my mouth, a mouthful of water gushed in, which I involuntarily swallowed before standing up. At least there will be bruises or gashes on my calf. At worst, fractures.

The pain was excruciating but I managed to stand by clawing at the wall with my fingers. And despite risking death, I had to know what it was. Feeling around underwater it was a bed.

This is crazy. Almost all the furniture in the underwater base is fixed in place. With all the open dorm room doors and floating objects, why would a non-fixed personal bed be rolling around knocking into peoples calves? Jihyuns face surfaced from the water. The wavering beam of light illuminated my face.

What about eonni !

Shes underwater!

Hearing that, Jihyun immediately submerged without hesitation. The flashlight also went underwater. Using my hands and feet, I walked forward like a goalkeeper, flailing my limbs. Plastic items, books, chairs, wigs (frightening), clothes, etc, brushed against me. As Jihyuns and my lights converged, something touched my arm. My hairs stood on end, not just on my back but my nape too. Grabbing it and pulling up the figure, the body drooped limply. It was ghost-like but I hurriedly hoisted the arm over my shoulder. When Jihyun re-emerged, I loudly exclaimed,

I got her!

Lets go!

This was the second time carrying someone underwater. Or third if counting my dream. She wasnt heavy, just difficult. My legs hurt so much. And with Jihyun ahead without anyone to see my face, I wept uncontrollably in the darkness. Crying made it even harder to see ahead. Dammit. Crying now could lead to dehydration or shock. My rationality judged my physical state dispassionately from a third persons view yet stupidly, my tears kept streaming down relentlessly. VịSit no(v)3lb/!n(.)com for new novels

The water was now up to my neck. Regaining her senses on my back, Kim Ga-young loudly coughed before weakly saying, Leave me. Go alone. Ill be okay.

Hearing that made me cry harder. Waaahhh! Why did we come here! Did I come to leave alone! Waaaaahhhhh! All sorts of objects floated past, occasionally slapping my weeping face.

Clenching her fist tightly, she answered while grimacing. Her shivering fist made me flinch, worried she might direct it my way.

Can you stand up?

I dont know.

Try once. Ill support you, to check if you can stand or not.

While Yoo Geum-yi struggled with Ga-youngs drenched jeans nearby, I propped up Jihyun and helped her stand on both feet. The moment she stood upright, she spewed a slew of religious profanities. Foul curses erupted targeting the floating dorm beds that must be sizzling in hellfire along with those involved in the underwater base construction deserving to roast together. She also named foreign engineers while condemning demons who launched missiles at the fourth underwater base. Finally, she cursed those who bought chairs and beds with private funds without even bothering to bolt them to the floor, swearing they would burn in hellfire above 180 degrees Celsius for over 30 minutes.

Though startled by her sudden outburst, I ignored it and swiftly inspected her calf. Dammit. Whats needed is an experienced orthopedic surgeon, not a dentist.

What f*cking lunatic did not secure the f*cking chairs to the floor! I hope 8 huge bolts hammer through that f*ckers skull! See how he likes flying around with unsecured seats!

Barely standing, Jihyun vented the pain in her calves and shoulders through curses. Choking back water, Ga-young gave a thumbs up to Jihyuns swearing.

This scene is rare in a dental clinic. Its difficult to cuss with your mouth wide open. And we call the dental drill a handpiece who would dare spew profanity at the dentist wielding a whirring handpiece? More patients redirect their curses at the front desk.

Can you walk if the bone is fractured? You can walk. By enduring the surging pain and weeping internally, you can walk. Immobility would tremendously restrict our movements. And when will we find splints here?

If I could have my way, I would immediately send them both to get x-rays at a hospital. Her legs were swollen but with both legs swollen, I couldnt discern if one was normal. After seating Jihyun back down, I approached to inspect her shoulder when she spoke.

I think my shoulder popped out.

It visibly looks that way. Despite torn skin oozing blood and forming dark bruises, feeling it revealed no abnormal protrusions or bone fragments.

Theres an amateur method I can try popping your shoulder back in place but I dont really recommend it. The second option is to immobilize your arm and shoulder with clothes or fabric without reducing it first until we can get to a hospital.

Do you think we can reach a hospital within 2 hours given our current situation and the revelation Moohyun- ssi received in his dream?

I looked around us before shaking my head.

No.