Swordmaster of the Fallen World

Chapter 10. Shadow Worm, Chara-Tebil (2)

07:55 a.m.

About a dozen Nightmare Hunters were scattered across the grass on both sides of Independence Park.

Most of them looked bizarre and scruffy.

They wore modern outdoor jackets or windbreakers layered with vest-style light armor, gripping melee or ranged weapons suited to their preferences.

The [Clothing Store] sold modern outfits, but for Nightmare Hunters, who valued survival above all, fashion was irrelevant.

I sat down in an inconspicuous corner. I didn’t want anyone to recognize me as the lead hunter—it’d just be awkward.

“Hmm, hmm.”

8:00 a.m.

A young boy climbed onto the stage in Independence Park.

Before hearing his voice, I had thought he was a girl.

No wonder—it was because of his excessively androgynous beauty.

He had delicate features.

Golden hair tied back neatly.

“It is an absolute honor for such distinguished individuals to grace this humble gathering.”

I was speechless.

Shouldn’t it normally be the other way around?

Still, maybe because he looked cute, it didn’t feel insulting—it was more like a playful child’s mischief.

“Kyaa! Smelling like this foul sweat, you can’t deny being shabby, can you, big brothers?”

The crowd.

We, the so-called ‘big brothers,’ sat with grim faces, but one by one, we broke into smiles at that final jest.

“You brat! Have you even served in the army?”

“I really wanted to, but, oh no! The world ended before I could go.”

Laughter burst out again.

“Of course. If you’d been in the army, you wouldn’t be calling this shabby.”

“That’s right. This is nothing. Back in my day, even during a downpour, we had to march because of the battalion commander’s BS, and the smell back then was…”

“Wow, so that happened to you too? Those bastard officers, their nonsense is the same everywhere…”

Laughter and military pride rippled through the crowd.

People began chatting and sharing old stories, men and women alike.

In this era where both genders served in the military, it was one of the few universally relatable topics.

I felt a lump in my throat.

Listening to such trivial chatter, it almost felt like I had returned to the world before the apocalypse.

Wait. Was that the plan all along?

Did this kid create this atmosphere on purpose?

If so, that’s impressive.

The grim tension dissolved in an instant.

“Let’s officially get started.”

The boy, who had been attentively listening to the veterans’ stories, suddenly put on a serious expression.

The gathering immediately quieted down.

“My name is Shin Taeup. Level 16. I specialize in flame-based abilities bestowed by the Holy Spirit. I’m the leader of the raid team.”

…Ah.

So, this is the famous Shin Taeup.

No wonder he’s well-known.

Level 16 and flame-based abilities.

Even among Nightmare Hunters, who leveled up faster than ordinary hunters, his level was exceptional.

On top of that, flame was one of the most powerful attributes against aberrations, alongside light.

“I sent out a message beforehand, but let me repeat it here. Our raid team has identified the location of the First Familiar.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Not just the point of emergence, but the location.

It meant they had discovered the ‘boss room’ of a mid-level boss.

“The creature is called the ‘Shadow Worm, Chara-Tebil.’ It was hiding in Muak-dong, right next to Jongno-gu’s Shelter City near Independence Gate. I’ll share the information with you.”

When Shin Taeup manipulated the system interface, a [Info Window] appeared before us.

=====

[Overview]
– Shadow Worm, Chara-Tebil
– Level: ???
– Attribute: Abyss

[Hunting Method]
– No updated data available.

[Location]
– S-038

The shadow… from the darkness of madness and chaos… beckons to you… Be cautious of the flickering shadows in that darkness…

=====

Abyss attribute.

This wasn’t going to be easy.

The group of hunters fell into a tense silence.

Though they had been searching for boss monsters, now that they had found one, fear seemed to paralyze them.

“The unlisted level is unsettling, isn’t it?”

It was a young hunter who voiced everyone’s fears.

“With just three or four regular mobs grouped together, we’re already knocking on heaven’s door. Shouldn’t we level up more before going after it?”

“No.”

Shin Taeup shook his head.

“The Star Messenger said that boss monsters and other creatures scale their difficulty relatively.”

“Is that why it’s marked as ????”

“Yes. The stronger we become, the stronger they grow.”

“Goddamn… this power balance is like some sadistic masterpiece of a game.”

“There is one silver lining to this game-like system. If we take down a Familiar, the area it occupied transforms into a Paradise Zone.”

“Huh?”

Murmurs broke out across the gathering.

They seemed confused by what he meant.

Shin Taeup continued speaking.

“Simply put, it’s like territory capture. If we defeat the boss in Muak-dong, Muak-dong becomes part of humanity’s territory.”

No way. So that’s how it worked?

Finally, I understood why the Paradise Zones were adjacent to Nightmare Zones.

Hope.

For the first time in a long while, hope began pounding in my chest.

What would expanding a Paradise Zone mean?

It would mean increased capacity for survivors.

Even in this hollow paradise, there were countless people wandering outside, unable to enter.

“By securing Muak-dong, we’ll establish a forward base in the Nightmare Zone.”

I decided to chime in slightly, sharing my experience.

“I’ve been down to the underground several times. It’s already a living hell. Wouldn’t it be better to deal with this before it worsens?”

The hunters looked contemplative.

For a moment, they seemed swayed, but eventually, they shook their heads and sighed.

“Still… it feels too soon.”

“Brothers! It’s been a whole week since the world ended.”

Shin Taeup started speaking again, this time in a pleading tone.

“What expressions have people been wearing? Why aren’t other hunters venturing into the Nightmare Zones?”

“…?”

“Because they’re scared? No. It’s because they see no hope. They don’t believe anything will change, no matter what they do.”

We were captivated by his words.

He was probably just a high schooler, yet he spoke with remarkable maturity.

“The true goal of this operation is to give people hope—hope that we can overcome this insane disaster. Hope for everyone.”

Silence followed.

Shin Taeup bowed deeply toward us.

“Let’s fight together. Let’s win. Let’s show them that humanity will triumph someday… I’m begging you.”

A brief stillness settled over the gathering.

At that moment, I clapped.

I was genuinely moved.

In this ruined world, this boy still possessed such warm humanity.

It made me happy, and I found it endearing.

“Alright! Let’s give it a shot.”

Someone next to me shouted.

Cheers and applause quickly spread around the park.

“Damn it. If the difficulty scales with our level, it doesn’t matter whether we fight now or later. Let’s go.”

“…Yeah. It’d be embarrassing to chicken out after the kid said all that.”

Shin Taeup’s speech wasn’t perfect, but its sincerity struck a chord.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

The strategy meeting gained momentum.

Under Shin Taeup’s leadership, the hunters’ opinions were incorporated, leading to team formations and the allocation of attack zones.

“Our raid team will take the lead, but before forming teams, let’s categorize roles systematically.”

Unique Skills.

The transcendent powers bestowed by the Holy Spirits.

Most had just one Unique Skill, though some received two depending on the Holy Spirit’s rank.

“As you know, Unique Skills are like ultimate abilities. Since they have limited ‘uses,’ they can’t be used recklessly. Everyone has chosen combat roles suited to their Unique Skills, right?”

Shin Taeup’s classification that followed was remarkably clear.

Melee combat types are classified as .

Ranged combat types are further divided into two categories.

Those who indirectly use Unique Skills by imbuing them into equipment are .

Those who use them directly, like magic, are .

I suppose I’d fall into the Warrior-type category.

“Wow, when you put it like that, it’s so simple.”

“And easy to call, too.”

People murmured in admiration.

It seemed they began to feel some respect.

From this point, hunters gradually started calling Shin Taeup their captain.

Once classifications were done, the meeting proceeded smoothly until the final stages.

“Wait a minute. Are you saying you’ll face the boss directly?”

The one who raised an objection at the end was, surprisingly, a familiar woman.

Lieutenant Jung Hayoung of the Army.

She was dressed in an army jacket layered with light armor, her decadent beauty unchanged.

“Yes, technically, as a striker.”

“That’s nonsense. You’re supposed to command the raid. It’s not just about defeating the boss; you’ve got to deal with the escort mobs, too.”

It was a valid point.

If there was a flaw in Shin Taeup’s raid plan, this was it.

“Don’t you know how crucial a commander is in a chaotic battle?”

“But… it’s the Abyss attribute. Unless it’s a Light or Flame attribute, we can’t deal effective damage. And…”

Shin Taeup turned his head with an uncertain expression.

“Who would want to fight the boss? It’s the riskiest role with the highest chance of death. If I suggest going but stay in the back, it would be irresponsible.”

“In that case, I’ll take on the striker role.”

I was the one who spoke up.

For a moment, the park fell silent, and all eyes focused on me.

“Huh?”

Shin Taeup blinked in surprise, his face showing confusion, and he tried to dissuade me with a trembling voice.

“It’s too dangerous. I only encountered it briefly, but I could immediately tell how dangerous it was.”

“I know.”

“Let me explain again. The striker’s job is to end the boss.”

I silently pointed above my head.

Game-style floating text displayed [Lv: 19], [Lead Hunter].

Thanks to the peculiar traits of 《Sacred Fire Succession》, I had an unusually high level compared to other Nightmare Hunters.

“I’m not bragging, but I have a higher level than you, captain, and I have more experience in the underground. This sword also has the Light attribute, so I can cut through Abyss attribute enemies.”

Shin Taeup’s gaze trembled with anguish as he looked at me.

That gaze seemed to ask, Are you serious? Are you really volunteering for the most dangerous role—to face the boss directly?

“…Are you really willing to do this?”

It didn’t matter at all.

That kind of condition could go to hell.

The answer to that question had been decided since the day this damned game started.

“Of course. I’ll take it down.”

And so, the raid meeting concluded.

The raid team, with a total of 21 members, was divided into seven detachments.

Three teams would enter the boss room.

Assault Team A Squad, Command Team B Squad, and Reserve Team C Squad.

The remaining four squads would secure the rear and provide flanking support.

“We’ll depart in two hours, at precisely 11 a.m.”

The meeting point was Independence Gate.

The first movement goal was Independence Gate Station.

As I reviewed the raid strategy in my mind, I fiddled with the Dawnblade. My hand trembled slightly.

The broken greatsword, Dawnblade.

Its weapon grade was [???], with a blade length of 70 cm and a blade width of 8 cm. Attribute: [Light].

Its unique performance was almost absurdly overpowered.

It inflicted additional damage to all aberrations, with enhanced extra damage against Abyss attribute enemies.

Today, I had to cut down the most dangerous and important enemy with this blade.

“Mister, are you crazy?”

Suddenly, someone plopped down beside me.

It was Jung Hayoung.

Like other hunters, she reeked of blood from head to toe.

“Doesn’t that mean you’re crazy too, Jung Hayoung?”

“Me? Why?”

Jung Hayoung was in the same A Squad as me.

Shin Taeup was in B Squad, which consisted of raid members, while A Squad was made up of the top volunteers.

“I’m the support, and you’re the striker. Seriously, why are all these raid position names so ridiculously edgy? What’s with your obsession with edgy names?”

…That’s too harsh.

It’s not like I came up with these job titles myself.

“Do you even understand the burden you’ve taken on?”

“I know I have to protect you in the boss room.”

Jung Hayoung stared at me blankly, then burst into laughter, looking incredulous.

“Are you hitting on me? Is this some suspension bridge effect tactic? Did you leave your girlfriend behind on purpose?”

“Are you talking about Jiyeon? …We’re not like that.”

Hmm… Jung Hayoung smiled knowingly, as if she’d figured something out.

It was unsettling.

After our initial encounter, which had been tense and cold, her sudden shift in behavior felt too familiar.

I instinctively stepped back.

“I didn’t expect you to become a Nightmare Hunter, Jung Hayoung.”

“This field has the most normal people.”

“There are outstanding individuals among the rear hunters as well.”

Rear hunters.

We called hunters who operated in relatively safe zones—like Mapo-gu or Eunpyeong-gu—rear hunters.

“What nonsense. The rear is full of useless idiots, so I ran away. Damn it, I volunteered for A Squad for the same reason.”

“The same reason?”

Jung Hayoung nudged my side with her elbow.

“Because you and the kid captain are here.”

“…?”

“In simple terms, normal people! You two are trustworthy. You’re good people. I can’t trust the others yet.”

“Then why join the raid meeting, soaked in distrust…”

“Because I can’t let those other bastards surpass me in level. And I’m not about to miss out on potential rewards in the boss room either.”

Jung Hayoung dusted off her pants and stood up.

“I’m not stupid. Hope? Dreams? Screw all that. I just want to survive in this world. You know what’s most important for that? Never becoming weaker than other ‘humans.’”

Her tone was flat, as if she were reading from a book.

What had she gone through to be so consumed by distrust?

I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to find out.

Maybe I was afraid of knowing.

Afraid to glimpse another facet of this shattered world.