The moment they heard that voice, everyone in the cave fell silent.
And simultaneously, they looked at one another.
A deeply unsettling sensation, as if every hair on their bodies was standing on end.
“……”
“……”
That voice was undoubtedly Lee Eunha’s.
And yet… it wasn’t.
They were more certain than ever before.
That was not the voice of a human.
[Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything? Why aren’t you saying anything?]
The echoing, repetitive voice filled their ears, threatening to drive them insane.
They had barely escaped the swarming yokai and caught their breath, only to be met with this eerie voice from within the cave.
‘And for fuck’s sake, it’s using my voice.’
The one most disturbed by this was, of course, Lee Eunha.
Some unknown entity was mimicking her voice perfectly—how could she possibly stay calm?
[Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right? Is this not right?]
This time, the voice was male.
By now, most of them had realized what was happening.
The voices “it” was using belonged to the managers who had arrived here before Lee Eunha’s group.
‘A yokai that mimics human voices…’
One specific creature came to mind.
‘Jangsanbeom.’
At the same time, information from the Jangsanbeom containment report surfaced in her memory—her exceptional recall proving invaluable in this moment.
【G-Rank Entity Containment Report】
No. 1230
Entity Name: Jangsanbeom
Rank: Gamma (G)
Threat Level: 4
Information:
A mysterious entity that takes the form of a tiger. Its entire body is covered in fine, silk-like white fur. Due to the properties of this fur—or perhaps due to the entity’s innate ability—most individuals who first encounter it see it as human.
Its cries are particularly unique, capable of perfectly imitating natural sounds such as rain, wind, and thunder.
More disturbingly, it can flawlessly mimic the voices of humans it has devoured.
It is believed to use this ability to lure or deceive humans, suggesting a high level of intelligence.
※ Precautions:
- Personnel assigned to this entity are advised to wear earplugs during operations. Do not be swayed by familiar voices, and maintain composure at all times.
- Under no circumstances should anyone approach it. While it is restrained, this does not guarantee safety.
- The entity’s physical strength is immense, capable of crushing the reinforced walls of its containment chamber as if they were tofu.
[Observation Log #124]
Does it have the ability to read memories? At first, it undoubtedly appeared in the form of a tiger. But as I continued speaking with it… I saw my deceased mother.
“Mom?”
No.
That’s not my mother.
She passed away ten years ago. Then why…?
[Observation Log #224]
Even though I know it’s an entity, I still hear my dead senior’s voice coming from its mouth.
“Senior…? Is that really you…?”
As we continue talking, I become convinced—this isn’t just an entity.
This is my senior. There’s no doubt. He didn’t die.
He was falsely labeled as an entity and locked away in containment.
I have to help him.
“Wait for me, senior. I’ll get you out.”
[Observation Log #225]
A few days ago, the junior manager assigned to Jangsanbeom was killed.
He was a Delta-rank.
Even now, the creature speaks to me in his voice.
“……”
It doesn’t just mimic voices.
It seems to emit a specific frequency that stimulates the human brain.
Additionally, this entity doesn’t just imitate the voices of those it has consumed—it appears to retain their memories as well.
Hallucinations. Visions. Auditory delusions.
This thing is dangerous.
.
.
.
Lee Eunha’s face grew increasingly pale.
The characteristics described in the entity containment report matched too well.
If that thing truly was a Jangsanbeom, then its estimated rank was Gamma.
‘Can we subdue it with just the people here?’
She calmly assessed their current fighting strength.
Aside from Oh Haeyoung, everyone here was Delta-ranked.
To make matters worse, they were all physically and mentally exhausted from the continuous battles over the past few days.
And to top it off, the outside was crawling with yokai.
Going out now would be nothing short of suicide.
The only reason they had managed to hold out this long was thanks to Go Yeonghui joining them and the recent power-ups of Yu Gi-jun and Oh Haeyoung.
Thanks to Xiao Yun’s acupuncture, the two had become significantly stronger.
‘There was only ever one option from the start.’
Eunha took out a pea from her pouch and popped it into her mouth before distributing the rest to her comrades.
Entity Name: Jack’s Pea
Rank: Delta
A consumable entity extracted from Jack’s Beanstalk, which was hidden somewhere in Tree’s Korean branch.
At first, its effects were unknown, and it was nearly discarded.
However, after extensive testing by Tree’s researchers, it was discovered that it significantly aided recovery, making it a valuable resource for administrators.
Of course, as a consumable entity, its supply was limited.
‘It’s a good thing I borrowed some tool-type entities. If we didn’t have these, we’d all be dead already.’
Although Eunha was only a Delta-rank herself, she at least held the authority of a temporary team leader.
Anticipating potential emergencies, she had used her authority to request the transport of tool-type entities from headquarters.
Fortunately, she had been able to receive them while they were staying at the inn.
“……”
“……”
The group, having eaten the peas, exchanged glances.
They remained silent, still uncertain about how to respond to the situation.
Regardless, Eunha was the leader here.
Everyone was waiting for her decision.
Though her combat abilities might be lacking compared to the others, her judgment as a commander had proven reliable enough to trust.
‘I wish Taeseong was here… But there’s no point thinking about that now. I can’t rely on him forever.’
‘If only the captain were here…’
‘I need to get stronger. If I had been as strong as Taeseong from the beginning, none of this would have happened.’
‘I’m scared. I’m terrified. How are the others not afraid? What is that voice? It’s horrifying.’
Everyone, except for Go Yeonghui, felt the weight of Taeseong’s absence.
To them, he wasn’t just another Delta-ranked administrator.
If he were here, there would be no need for hesitation.
He wouldn’t waste time debating—he would already be moving forward.
[Are you the administrators sent from the Korean branch? I’m Mikami, an administrator from Tree’s Japan branch. I was injured during an operation and had to take shelter in this cave. I can’t move right now—could you please come and help me? I swear I won’t forget this debt. Please, I’m begging you.]
A desperate voice rang out.
It didn’t just mimic the voice—it was as if it had studied acting.
Even without seeing a face, the image of a wounded administrator naturally formed in their minds.
“……”
Oh Haeyoung, looking unsettled, glanced at Eunha.
Her expression clearly asked: What if it really is an injured administrator asking for help?
Eunha shook her head and mouthed her response without sound.
Don’t do anything. That’s an order.
What could they do?
It was unfortunate, but she had her own problems to deal with.
As temporary team leader, her only goal was to ensure that all the Korean administrators returned home alive.
[Ah, f***. That’s not working either? Why are these bastards so damn sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp? Sharp?]
Step. Step.
Footsteps grew closer.
The group swallowed nervously, exchanging glances.
Eunha quickly scribbled on her sketchbook and held it up for everyone to see.
Unidentified entity inside the cave is suspected to be Jangsanbeom.
A Gamma-ranked entity capable of inducing hallucinations, visual illusions, and auditory distortions at will.
Additionally, its physical abilities are considerable. Keep your distance as much as possible during combat.
Oh Haeyoung, if you have no choice but to engage in close combat, focus on defense rather than offense.
Everyone nodded.
They tightened their grips on their weapons, bracing for the impending battle.
‘Haeyoung can’t hold the front line alone… Damn it. There’s no point saving my strength if we all end up dead.’
Having made up her mind, Eunha tore two sheets from the back of her sketchbook.
In an instant, two knights clad in steel armor materialized before them.
Their full plate armor, covering even their faces, made them resemble towering statues.
Instead of swords, they each wielded massive shields.
“Khak!”
Eunha suddenly coughed up dark red blood.
The summoning had drained two months’ worth of her lifespan, causing severe strain on her body.
But she didn’t stop.
She kept drawing.
‘It won’t be as powerful as the original, but it’s better than nothing!’
Imitation.
The object she was recreating was a Gamma-ranked tool-type entity: Red Hood.
A cloak steeped in legend, said to belong to a girl who lost her family to wild beasts and became a vengeful hunter, slaying ten thousand creatures in her pursuit of revenge.
The blood of the beasts she hunted had seeped into the cloak, granting it immense power when facing beast-type entities.
Of course, since it was only a replica created through Eunha’s ability, it wouldn’t be as effective as the original.
But it was still better than nothing.
‘It’ll probably last about twenty minutes at most.’
With her pale face, Eunha draped the cloak over Oh Haeyoung’s shoulders.
Once the summoned knights disappeared, She would have to withstand Jangsanbeom’s attacks alone—this was at least a minimal safeguard.
[So, you’re those so-called Tree administrators too? Since when did there start being so many of you? All I wanted was to sleep in peace, but you pests keep bothering me.]
The voice, steadily approaching, was now right in front of them.
A beast with gleaming white fur emerged from the darkness.
A tiger.
With a human face.
Drooling as it stared at them, it let out a chilling laugh.
[Kikiki. Not human, but close enough.]
Malicious energy surged as it lunged forward.
