SALT 10

Chapter: 10

 Lord of the Stars (2)

On a morning where lukewarm spring rain was steadily darkening the asphalt.

A massive larva was moving south from the Jamsil Station intersection, crossing through the smaller larvae.

Are we going in the right direction?

Judging by the panda statue at Seoul World, this should be south.

Inside the “bug mask” that Minjun and Sohee were wearing, the damp spring rain seeped in, making it unbearably hot and humid, and the narrow openings they could see through only worsened the sense of suffocation.

Walking 3km carrying this… I feel like I’m going to die.

It’s still better than being chased by those bugs.

Even though the internal organs of the larva had been removed, the weight of its hard exoskeleton alone was considerable.

Even after killing larvae and increasing their strength levels, it was still heavy, so as Sohee said, carrying this would definitely take at least twice as long as walking normally.

While groaning and struggling to carry the mask forward, she spoke to ease her burden at least a little.

It feels a bit sudden, but what exactly is that “star”?

She was referring to the black stone they had seen at the intersection before departure.

Calling that grotesque object a “star” sounds contradictory.

Well, since that black stone is a meteor that fell from the sky, it is technically a “star.” Anyway, what do you think, Minjun?

Hmm… From the moment situations beyond common sense started happening, I figured things like that didn’t really matter, so I’m not sure.

While answering Sohee’s question, I continued scanning the surroundings diligently.

The current situation was more important than answering her question.

Tch. How boring. Here’s what I think. That star is a kind of “incubation site” that produces larvae. That’s why if we destroy the stone, the bugs disappear.

That was something Minjun had also been suspicious of.

However, if events unfolded according to that assumption, they would face a far more serious situation, so he had deliberately avoided believing it.

Let’s say, as you said, destroying the “star” makes the bugs disappear. Then where do we get survival time from? In that case, what happens if we destroy that stone?

That’s…

There’s no answer, is there? So, what we need to focus on right now is “how we can safely reach Garak Market.” Let’s think about that first.

…Alright, got it.

Sohee, now quite dejected by Minjun’s reply, focused on matching her steps with his as he walked ahead.

Gradually moving forward like that, when the “bug mask” passed Jamsil Station intersection and reached Seokchon Lake—

Dudududu.

Sohee, hold on… Did you just hear that?

Hear what?

Didn’t the ground just vibrate…?

Dudududududu—

They faced a wave of larvae surging toward them, accompanied by a sound that shook the earth.

Why had they only noticed now? Perhaps because of their limited field of vision, they hadn’t been able to properly observe their surroundings. Seeing the larvae suddenly emerge as if rising from the ground, Minjun shouted to Sohee.

Damn it. Turn the mask in the opposite direction!

Huh? We came all this way with so much effort, why?!

I’ll explain later, just hurry!

Sohee, who was at the tail end of the bug mask and couldn’t see ahead, had doubts—but at Minjun’s urgent voice, she quickly turned the mask back the way they had come.

Then something began pushing against their backs.

Ah… ahh!!

Hold onto the mask tightly and go with the flow! If we fall here, it’s 100% death!

At Minjun’s shout, the two clenched their teeth and grabbed the bug mask tightly.

Then, without even moving their feet, they began to be pushed northward like a surfboard riding a wave.

Damn it! We finally got down here, and now we’re going back?!

We have to survive first to go anywhere again! Stop complaining and hold on tight!

In that way, the distance they had painstakingly covered over 20 minutes was traversed in just 3 minutes as they were swept back to Jamsil Station intersection.

Barely coming to a stop, the two could not hide their bewilderment.

What the hell is going on?!

I don’t know! Suddenly a swarm of larvae rushed in!

Minjun peered outside through a narrow gap to grasp the situation.

But all he could see was the intersection completely filled with larvae.

Let me take a look too.

It’s too narrow for two!

Ignoring Minjun’s complaint, Sohee squeezed her way up to the head of the mask, and the two shared the small field of vision while cramped together.

Why are there so many bugs… huh? There! That white mass. Isn’t that a cocoon?

A cocoon?

Though not easily noticeable due to the massive “star,” right beside it stood a 4-meter white cocoon.

And the countless larvae packed tightly without even space to step were all looking toward that cocoon.

A cocoon is an “egg” that protects larvae or pupae.

The size of that egg meant the size of the creature inside it, and whatever would emerge from there might not just be a larva—but a more evolved being.

No matter the scenario, it was bad news for both of them.

Damn… this doesn’t feel good.

Was it because of Minjun’s murmur?

With a cracking sound, fine lines began forming across the cocoon.

…Is it too late to run?

Seeing this, both of them swallowed hard.

At Sohee’s words, Minjun looked around. Hundreds of mutant larvae, unaffected by the rain, stood motionless, watching the metamorphosis of the cocoon.

I doubt they’ll tolerate any individual trying to run off on their own.

Even as they spoke, the cracks spread further, enveloping the entire cocoon.

Finally, the lid opened, and something began to emerge.

Holy…

…

Soon… as its true form gradually revealed itself from the cocoon, Minjun and Sohee’s faces turned pale.

What emerged fully from the cocoon was a giant gray moth with feather-like antennae.

The only difference from a typical moth was four tentacles extending from its tail. Otherwise, it had the conventional appearance of a moth.

It wriggled its fur-covered tentacles and climbed onto the 4-story “star,” while the surrounding larvae lowered their bodies in unison.

Noticing this, Minjun immediately pulled Sohee down as he sat.

The bug mask also lowered its body, mimicking the others as if in reverence.

He crouched and whispered to Sohee.

Doesn’t this feel like some kind of ritual?

A ritual?

More like an inauguration ceremony. Otherwise, this situation doesn’t make sense.

While they spoke, various sounds could be heard around them, but since the mask’s lowered position made their view face the ground, all they could do was continue talking.

Then… that moth is the king of the larvae?

Probably. Haa… this definitely raises the survival difficulty. Now that a leader has appeared among those who were acting randomly.

As Minjun finished speaking, a new message appeared before them.

[“Actine” has become the Lord of the Star.]

[All life forms in Songpa District 2 must properly pay homage to her.]

[Lord of the Star]

Songpa District 1: Vacant
Songpa District 2: Actine
Songpa District 3: Atnak
Songpa District 4: Hornet
Songpa District 5: Vacant

The two exchanged glances after reading the message.

That’s a message full of information.

Indeed. So that means five stars have fallen in Songpa District alone, and there are two more monster moth-like beings besides that one.

Setting that aside, how do we get out of here?

For now, we wait for the ri—

Piiiiiiii—!!

At that moment, an ultrasonic wave cut off Minjun’s words, resonating through the air, and in response, the sea of larvae began to ripple.

Ah… they’re moving!

At Sohee’s words, Minjun looked outside and replied.

Damn it. They’re moving east.

Huh? That’s the wrong direction!

So hurry up and use your strength!

Minjun, your strength level is higher! You do it!

I’m already using all my strength!

The two struggled to push against the wave, but it was not easy for individuals to resist a disaster-like phenomenon.

Thus, the “bug mask” was gradually swept east along with the tide of larvae.

Haa… I think this is over.

We’ve got no choice but to go with the flow for now.

After continuing to struggle, they eventually loosened their strength, realizing it was inevitable.

Letting go, they were carried along the massive current toward the direction of Bangi-dong Food Alley.

Bangi-dong Food Alaley

Donggil and Woojin were running through an alley filled with collapsed buildings where no trace of the past remained, gasping for breath.

Signs of bars and karaoke rooms flashed past their vision and disappeared behind them.

“Huff… huff…”

A swarm of larvae was tightly pursuing them from behind.

If not for a reconnaissance unit with high agility levels, they would have been caught long ago.

“Team leader! What do we do now?!”

“What do you mean what do we do! Just run!”

“We can’t keep running forever!”

“Then stop talking and move your legs! Elite my foot—you just think and talk!”

Though Donggil said that, his mind was equally tangled.

Even when spying from afar, that “Actine” had directly locked eyes with him through binoculars.

‘Crazy…’

Even now, recalling that moment made his knees weak.

Ding!

Even in such urgency, a message appeared—but upon a quick glance, it was a quest instructing them to escape from the larvae and survive.

Donggil dismissed the annoying message and kept running.

‘Who are they kidding. Even without a quest, we have to survive and escape.’

“Chick! You brought the .38?!”

“Why?! Bullets won’t work on those things!”

Even if they were being chased, a bit of gunfire wouldn’t stop the pursuit.

“Still, it’ll buy us time! Just shoot while running!”

Bang!

As soon as he finished speaking, Donggil’s revolver fired.

The smell of gunpowder mixed with the scent of rain tickled their noses.

Bang! Bang!

Some larvae hit by the bullets flinched briefly—but only for a moment.

‘Damn it… I should’ve left when the chief told us to…’

A few days ago, when the incident occurred, the station chief had given everyone a choice.

“Those who want to leave for their families or personal safety, leave. Those who stay, stand with me and help maintain security in Songpa District.”

At the time, the chief’s words were enough to persuade a man whose family was far away to stay behind… but now, facing a life-threatening situation, Donggil couldn’t help but resent his own past bravado.

‘Haa… no. Get it together, Donggil. I’ve worked for the people for 20 years. I can’t let a single moment of judgment ruin all that effort.’

Steeling his resolve, Donggil continued running while thinking.

To survive, he had to find a way to shake off those things.