Sister of the Ranking 1st (Completed Main Story) - Side Story 7

Since you might be subjected to illusions or mental attacks, don’t be too startled even if your surroundings suddenly change… I’ll handle it somehow, so don’t be too scared. Park Ha Young briefly imagined a future where her world was devoured by illusions and she never woke up again, then tightly shut her eyes.

Those who possessed the attribute of time over eons were naturally weak against mental attacks, but there was no alternative. If it meant protecting Cheon Shin Ah, what wouldn’t she do? Park Ha Young steeled her resolve, ready to unleash even her sealed power and memories to safeguard her.

Beside her, Cheon Shin Ah thought, Oh, illusions and mental realms? Sweet deal.

The two walked side by side, each lost in their own dreams. Rustle, rustle—the sound of grass underfoot felt oddly ticklish. An eerie whisper mingled into the unnaturally still forest.

Unable to endure the silence any longer, Cheon Shin Ah started chattering away. “This feels exactly like a game, right? You probably skipped the story, so you wouldn’t know—but the protagonist’s character goes on an adventure and saves the world…” Her prattle showed no signs of stopping.

Park Ha Young, who had already maxed out her level, saved the world, and lost all interest in games, merely replied with vague “Mm-hm, mm-hm” sounds.

They walked like this for quite a while. Eventually, their topics ran dry and drifted toward everyday matters. Just as they began discussing how freshmen ignored their studies and went crazy over dating, organizing group meetups, both suddenly sensed something odd.

Something was far too absent. By now, ghosts or monsters should have appeared to threaten them, yet the surroundings remained eerily silent.

“It’s so quiet…”

“Yeah.”

Cheon Shin Ah absentmindedly glanced at Park Ha Young. Park Ha Young, who had been biting her lip while listening to the talk about group dating, smiled and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Hmm… if monsters have thoughts, maybe they’re too scared to show up…” She couldn’t help but think that way given the circumstances.

But there was a bigger issue. Generally, clearing a Gate took over three days. Even in exceptional cases—when intel was known beforehand and preparations were complete, allowing for a swift boss takedown—it still ended quickly only as an exception. Right now, they’d been walking for hours with no information at all.

In other words, they might be stranded in this Gate for several days.

“…We’re doomed.”

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