What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 285

#285

The Great Escape (2)

-Whoosh!

-Swish…!

The wind died down, and the pure white light gradually faded.

‘Hahahahaha…!’ Hanan Lumayan’s voice echoed in the tomb.

It was a laugh that conveyed the happiness of someone who had tasted freedom, even though true liberation had not yet come.

It felt like my heart was opening up just listening to it.

Whoosh! Her final touch ruffled our hair as she passed.

I opened my eyes while still hugging Demi. The surroundings were quiet, as if a lie.

It was the deepest part of the Chaum Ruins, where gold and jewels glittered and a high ceiling overwhelmed intruders.

The king was gone.

“Ah…”

Before we could check on Isabel’s condition, another spectacle began to unfold before our eyes.

The blood-red spirits were rising one by one beyond the ceiling.

Knights and musicians, pages and porters. Artisans, scribes, astronomers…

All were people who had followed Hanan.

They were the king’s friends who had protected her here for a thousand years.

-Swoosh…

Marian reached out. Then, a little ghost greeted the girl and flew up with its guardian.

‘Hehehe.’ Everyone had a smile on their face.

I had the illusion that light was returning to their empty eyes.

The higher they went, the whiter the souls became.

Those who had lost countless languages, memories, and even loved ones spoke to us.

-We trust you. We will return when the prophecy is fulfilled.

-On that day, we will go to the bosom of the Lord!

-Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye…

-Please take care of us!

Some came before us and bowed, while others swam around the room several times before leaving.

Woo-oong, whee! Long tails of light beautifully adorned the surroundings like comets.

Even though it was inside a tomb, it felt like looking at the distant night sky. Demi stretched out her front paws and kneaded.

The corners of my mouth turned up involuntarily, and my heart was filled with a warm sensation.

Even the usually stoic Sir Johan seemed thoughtful.

-Aaaah…

-I won’t forget!

-Thank you, thank you, thank you…!

“You’re welcome.”

I answered quietly. The spirits, no, the souls, laughed brightly and soared into the sky.

‘Wow, we’re free!’ Someone shouted.

A boisterous cheer stirred the surroundings for a moment, then faded away like morning mist.

That was the end.

-Whooooosh…

“……”

Only a few lingering breezes remained where the souls of a thousand years had departed.

We stared blankly at the empty space for a while—

“Ah.”

“Isabel!”

We were startled and rushed towards the staggering figure across from us.

Christelle caught Isabel in her arms. I immediately deployed a healing circle.

Fortunately, her condition was not bad.

She was conscious, her body temperature wasn’t fluctuating, and her skin wasn’t pale.

She just seemed a little shocked. I quickly released the aether through the ‘Calm’ circle.

The Crown Prince said in a low voice.

“That was reckless.”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

Isabel smiled faintly and caressed Christelle’s cheek.

The protagonist buried her face in her palm, her expression filled with worry and resentment.

“You could have consulted with me, with us. How could you make such a sudden decision on your own!”

“You wouldn’t have let me, would you?”

The woman whispered. That was true. Christelle’s watery eyes trembled.

“I heard who this person is, what kind of person she is. Her voice echoed all the way down here.”

“……”

‘Your mother wanted to protect our daughter too,’ Isabel said, smiling at everyone.

I understood her feelings and had nothing to say.

Christelle was Isabel’s only daughter, who had been bedridden and unable to wake up for years.

Even though they weren’t related by blood, she was the person she loved more than anyone else in the world.

Even if she suddenly became stronger and no longer in pain, it was natural for her as a mother to worry.

Moreover, Christelle had recently lost her ‘biological father.’ She must have wanted to be by her side no matter what.

“I can hear him speaking here.”

Isabel pointed to her heart.

‘Can you feel the aether in this body? He just said that,’ She awkwardly imitated the king’s *mal-tu* [manner of speaking].

Sir Johan smiled and replied.

“Indeed, a very powerful force.”

It was then.

-Kugugugu…!

“Ugh!”

‘Squeak!’ Joan staggered and hugged Perry tightly. The ground was shaking violently.

It wasn’t a temporary phenomenon. We held the children and looked at each other.

Even the faces of our friends right in front of us were blurring up and down, which felt ominous.

Could it be what I’m thinking?

-Kugugung…!

“I-Is it collapsing?”

Sant muttered ominously. Marian looked tearful.

Damn it! Of course. The ending of most tomb exploration movies was collapse!

“India! What about India?”

“Don’t worry. Your aunt will take you to where your sister is.”

Christelle said, soothing the girl.

Then, she shone her big eyes at us.

“I’m quite good at escape rooms.”

“Christelle?”

“I’ve got all the clues and routes, so just trust me.”

She helped her mother up and asked if she could walk.

Isabel replied that she could even run. Christelle immediately pointed to the altar.

“Then let’s all run there together!”

“Yes!”

“Uwaaa!”

-Kugukawang…! Kwagwagwa!

We raced madly down the hill of gold coins.

It was slippery and easy to fall because of the many hidden treasures, but Sir Johan helped everyone.

The wind pushed our backs and helped us stand, making our movements incredibly fast.

Gravel and dust were already falling from the ceiling.

‘Kwararara!’ We could hear the terrifying sound of rocks breaking in the distance.

I felt goosebumps all the way to my capillaries. If we weren’t careful, we’d all be buried alive here!

-Kugugugu!

“Teacher!”

Christelle urgently called out to her teacher. We were already near the four angel statues.

As Sir Johan walked forward, she immediately pointed to the ceiling.

“Do you see that transparent jewel like a diamond up there? It’s small, but it’s a real decoration, not a painting.”

“Yes, I see it.”

“Please turn it like a doorknob! I don’t know which direction, and it’s old, so you might have to use some force. If that doesn’t work, press it down like you’re handling a magic tool. Absolutely do not break it.”

‘Flash!’ White hair and gusts of wind swirled together towards the high place.

Although there was no further explanation, Sir Johan didn’t ask any more questions.

While the Cardinal carried out his disciple’s request, Christelle looked back at the group.

Perhaps because we all had such blank expressions, she shrugged and smiled.

“You see that angel statue on the right side of the altar? The man holding the greatsword. If you look closely, he’s the biggest of the four.”

“Yes.”

“But if you just say ‘I see’ there, you won’t be able to get out. You have to use your head in these rooms. Let’s look again. He’s the biggest, and the next biggest is the angel opposite him. He’s wearing a sapphire necklace. The size difference is noticeable, right?”

“Ah, it is.”

I replied blankly. On the other hand, Christelle was firing off words like a machine gun.

It was amazing how she could talk without biting her tongue once.

Krrr! The earthquake continued without ceasing.

“The third largest is the angel standing over there! He’s looking down at a pile of gold. Finally, the smallest angel is this one buried in gold coins. He’s aiming an emerald arrow at the sky.”

Our mouths slowly opened (except for Crown Prince Cedric).

She smiled and nodded.

“Yes, you’re starting to get it, right? The order of size is the clue. It’s very kind. Even the angels’ gazes and the direction the jewels are placed are included in the clue. The largest angel has a ruby embedded in his greatsword, which is facing the sapphire angel opposite him. But that angel is standing with his body turned. So, instead of facing forward, he’s looking at the purple quartz angel in the corner over there. And the quartz angel? He’s looking at the ground, that is, the emerald angel buried and lying here. So, what is the last angel pointing at with his arrow? That diamond on the ceiling. It’s placed to be confusing with the mural, so you won’t see it unless you know to look for it. That’s how we escape from here.”

“Good heavens!”

“Wow…”

“Oh my god.”

Admiration came out involuntarily. Marian looked up at Christelle with admiration.

Joan and Sant were clapping their hands as if possessed.

The situation was so tense that I could break out in a sweat, but all I could think was, ‘This is crazy.’

How many escape room cafes have you been to?

-Krrr!

“There’s also a kind answer key! Here, the monkey gold statue is in the front, as if introducing the angels, right? If you look closely, its eyes are diamonds. It’s telling you to find the same button from the beginning.”

“No way…”

-Kwaaaang!

‘Heeok!’, ‘Waaah!’ Sant and Joan were horrified.

At the same time, one side of the ceiling burst open, and a pile of black dirt poured down like a waterfall.

Isabel calmly soothed the two, but it was a situation that was hard to calm down.

Crazy, that’s not dirt, it’s snakes. They’re wagging their tails and coming this way!

-Hiss, hiss, hiss!

-Sssrrr…!

“Were you still hungry after eating so much?”

The Crown Prince muttered quietly and stood at the front. Sreung! The black sword cried.

Red fire blazed on the edge of the Hyegeom. Wait, ‘After eating so much?’

“Are those the poisonous snakes from the trap we opened earlier?”

I asked in a whisper. He nodded.

“Yes. I smell blood.”

“Was there already food there?”

“Uninvited guests who came before us.”

-Snap!

He took off his gloves in an instant and snapped his fingers.

Whirr! As flames ignited at the man’s fingertips, the snakes opened their jaws wide and ‘Haa’ed.

They were scared and couldn’t come any closer, but that was only a temporary measure. The other side of the gold hill was dyed black with swarms of snakes.

If there were that many, they wouldn’t just end with threats.

The triangular heads and dark bodies like fallen leaves seemed to be protesting, ‘I have venom.’

How can there be a path from the underground to the ceiling! No, that’s not the important thing.

If the grave robbers disguised as archaeologists all died in the snake room, then what about India—

-Kigigigik…

-Kugugugu!

At that moment, something heavy moved from behind. We turned our heads in surprise.

A very mysterious scene was unfolding before our eyes. Christelle became even more elated.

“The altar…”

It wasn’t that the top of the altar was opening, or that the decorations were turning.

The altar itself was moving in a circle like a clock hand.

It was clear to anyone that it was a secret door to exit the tomb!

Sir Johan, who had already finished his task, landed lightly beside me.

He looked like he had used less effort than breaking a toothpick.

-Kwararareung…

“Thank you. Let’s go, Marian!”

Christelle shouted, pushing the child’s back. The girl ran towards the altar as if flying.

We also rushed without delay. Sir Johan guarded the rear.

At that moment, a small head popped out from the space below the altar!

“Huh? Sister!”

“India!”

Marian called out her sister’s name like a scream. The ten-year-old’s eyes widened.

The child didn’t seem to have a single scratch on her. In the midst of the confusion, a bright smile appeared.

It was a miracle.

“Sister! You came really fast!”

“You idiot! Why did you follow strangers! You’re such a dummy!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know they were scammers!”

“No! It’s those people’s fault! But you’re still a dummy!”

Marian hugged her sister and cried.

India, who had a buzz cut and looked like a twin to her sister, just giggled.

I wanted to let the children enjoy their reunion, but unfortunately, there was no time.

Oops! I quickly apologized and picked up India. The Crown Prince took Marian.

Looking back, Sir Johan was cutting off the snakes’ heads with a translucent sword.

Sak! Sasak! Ugh.

“Hello! I’m the aunt who knocked on the lid outside earlier. Is there a way out there?”

When Christelle asked, India pointed down vigorously.

Joan put the excited divine beasts down below and pushed Sant’s back.

I was watching Sir Johan’s performance (honestly, I only watched for about 4 seconds), but then I was grabbed by the Crown Prince and dragged away.

I can’t breathe!

“Wait a minute!”

But Isabel suddenly ran towards the gold hill.

We were horrified and looked back at her.

It was the opposite direction from the altar, the ceiling was collapsing, and there were snakes everywhere, so it was too dangerous!

-Jjeojeojeok…!

“Isabel!”

“He told me to take this!”

She said, hurriedly picking up an object from the treasure pile.

It was the pure white whip that Hanan had been sleeping with. It certainly seemed like we shouldn’t leave that behind.

If it was a weapon of that Cardinal, it would have the power of a relic by now—

-Kwaaaang!

“Uwaaak!”

There was a sound of thunder from the ceiling.

Sant was about to faint, and the incident happened in the blink of an eye.

I was shocked by the sight I didn’t want to believe.

I realized for the first time in my life that when a person is too surprised, their legs freeze and they can’t move.

A huge piece of mural was falling on Isabel’s head.

“Mother!”

Christelle shouted at the top of her lungs.

She was holding Tete and had already gone halfway down under the altar.

Sir Johan was dealing with the oncoming poisonous snakes and couldn’t react as quickly as usual.

The Crown Prince, who was holding Marian, was also a moment too late. A terrible chill ran down my spine.

No, no, no…!

-Kwajijijik!

“……”

“Heok, eugh…”

A terrible noise pierced my eardrums. India in my arms gently shook my shoulder.

I slowly opened my tightly closed eyes. And I was horrified in another sense.

-Kwajijik, thud!

“Oh my…”

The thick, dark vines that had bloomed from Isabel’s hand were standing tall and holding the stone wall.

Only flimsy debris was falling above her head.

It was a lightning-fast reaction.

Isabel herself was very surprised, looking down at her heart once and then looking up at the boulder repeatedly.

The wonder didn’t stop there. As she lightly moved her arm,

-Wheeik!

-Kwaaaang!

A two-span-thick stone slab fell on the swarm of snakes!

-Hisshisshiss! Hisshiss…!

-Sareureureu!

A small number of poisonous snakes that had managed not to be crushed began to run wildly into the corner of the tomb, drawing curves.

Isabel looked embarrassed, saying, ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you.’

We watched her with rough thoughts and uneasy eyes.

The lesser pandas stuck out their small tongues and ‘Squeaked….’

For a moment, I couldn’t remember what we were doing.

-Kureureung!

It felt like I could hear Hanan’s laughter again from somewhere.

A earth-attribute Cardinal is amazing…