Chapter 4: Master of the sewer

Chapter 4: Master of the sewer

*Thump, thump.*

Walking along the flowing water, I take the time to check my body as I walk.

I couldn’t figure out why my appearance was the way it was, but I felt like I needed to understand this slime-like body well in order to safely navigate through here.

It didn’t seem like a wrong thought.

If I had reacted to the wild dog’s attack a little more human-like earlier, I might have ended up scattered on the ground or bubbling inside the dog’s stomach by now.

As I thoroughly examined my body...

I realized that I could choose not to digest things if I didn’t want to.

Wow, this can be really useful, right?

For example, it means I can store my friends inside me.

...Even though there’s no avoiding the digestion, it means we don’t have to part ways immediately.

Of course, it looks a bit... off.

Looking at the friends floating inside me makes me want to get rid of them quickly.

So, I got rid of them.

And... that’s about it for now.

Surprisingly, that was it.

Oh, there’s one more thing.

I could become squishy.

I can’t help it if you ask what nonsense it is. I mean, if I become squishy, I become squishy.

Becoming squishy could disrupt my form. But since that didn’t seem very pleasant, I wasn’t really up for it.

If I make my body solid to clump together, it will resemble the silhouette of the girl I saw earlier.

It’s unclear whether it’s like a transformation tree in a game that hasn’t opened yet, or if I lack nourishment, or if the form is simply fixed.

I couldn’t figure it out.

Today, I learned why protagonists in novels shout out status windows when they encounter such situations.

I didn’t want to know, but the situation was like that.

I wanted to shout, too, but all I could hear was the unpleasant sound of jelly being squished.

At this rate, will I be able to go outside and live there?

Still clueless about finding a way out of this damp place, I was indulging in vain musings.

The only hope supporting me was the thought that there might be things I could do outside.

Thinking of things I could do outside, I trudged along the damp passage.

Honestly, I wonder how many days I’ve spent here.

Even if I try to be conservative, probably the entirety of my precious weekend already passed.

...I must have received a ton of work emails.

Not all the thoughts about the outside were positive.

Realistic worries about card bills and such were naturally occupying my mind.

But even those troubles felt precious in a way.

Is it only after losing something that people realize its value?

To learn that lesson by losing my body...

Isn’t the cost too high?

As my mood dimmed, my body started to feel sticky.

I thought I could calmly handle the emotions like when the wild dog attacked, but apparently, that wasn’t the case.

As I proceeded, leaving behind a sticky trail...

A peculiar sound caught my attention.

It sounded somewhat similar to when the wild dogs were approaching, yet distinctly more organized.

Like the sound I heard during the third week of boot camp...

Feeling a strange unease, I immediately submerged myself underwater.

The rhythmic sound stimulates a vague PTSD.

I’m no expert, but it felt like a military squad was nearby.

But why am I hiding?

If I weren’t in this body, I might have anxiously awaited their arrival with tears in my eyes.

But something was making me uneasy.

Amongst the internet rumors, urban legends, and myths, there are tales of places that deal with entities like me.

Honestly, I found it intriguing to read about, but I didn’t take it too seriously.

However, now that my body has changed like this, confidently asserting that such things don’t exist felt ludicrous.

If those organizations really exist and they’ve come here...

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“Once we investigate past that point, today’s search will be over, so endure a little more.”

“Yes.”

The comforting words were sweeter than a sweet rest.

The man thought he’d quickly finish the search, return home to bathe, and perhaps enjoy a cold beer from the fridge. The thought brought a contented smile to his face.

Could it have been that someone was able to read his thoughts?

Encouraging the man, another muttered under his breath.

“I didn’t mean for you to relax just yet. This is the riskiest part of today’s search, so don’t let your guard down.”

“I understand.”

Acknowledging the potential danger himself, the man shook his head, dispelling the warmth of the scene.

Even if it was a place with a low-risk level, an anomaly was still an anomaly.

After taking sufficient rest, they continued their journey, meticulously checking for the ‘liquid monster.’

They were scanning thoroughly with the meager light of flickering light bulbs, making it no easy task.

*Thump, thump.*

As they proceeded...

The man at the forefront raised his fist.

Following him, the others all stopped in unison, aiming their barrels upward.

The man who stopped the group saw a huge space.

A space where the common murky water gathers.

A space where passages like rat holes gather.

And...

It is a sub-anomaly of the anomaly commonly called the sewer and can be said to be the master of the sewer.

Codename 0015-KR-B.

It was also a place where a huge crocodile was sleeping.

Indeed, following the man’s gaze revealed the nonsensically colossal sleeping crocodile.

It was the size of a house.

It’s a statement that truly fits its massive body.

Their heavy firearms seemed minuscule in comparison.

It was not advisable to approach, but they couldn’t resist orders to confirm this centerpiece and the end of the giant anomaly.

Just investigating to see if there’s something here.

They hadn’t planned to confront the giant crocodile either.

To eliminate it would only have it reappear somewhere else, and wrestling against it would prove disadvantageous.

Moreover...

*Plop.*

The man scrutinizing the massive crocodile suddenly turned to the unexpected sound of water.

Discovering an intruder, the giant crocodile began to move slowly.

As the leader faced the source of the unexpected sound, those looking at the man collectively lowered their heads.

Seeing the man turn around again...

A golden jewel caught his eye.

No, it wasn’t a golden jewel.

It was the eye of the large crocodile.

‘This darn it...’

Upon detecting the intruder, the huge crocodile started to nudge and fidget.

His massive body began to shift in motion.

The man signaled for everyone to slowly retreat.

If they didn’t provoke further, there might still be a chance to leave quietly.

However...

*Plop.*

Another noise cut through the air.

The crocodile’s gaze fixed towards the man’s position in the passageway.

Upon pinpointing the sound’s origin this time, the man turned towards it.

There, something bright blue was seen quickly diving.

‘...It seems inevitable.’

Taking a deep breath, the man sent a signal in response.

Avoiding a collision seemed increasingly unlikely.