Chapter 45: Shadows Over the Island

Where can you find a house that opens onto the sea? A home with a coconut palm right beside it, a clear spring bubbling behind, and the sweet morning chorus of birds—something money cannot buy.

‘…What do you mean?’

‘Don’t say something so ominous!’

God’s words rang true. The once cheerful chirping of birds was now replaced by the grim cawing of crows echoing around the island. Lara glanced up at the sky.

The sun was already sinking in a reddish glow. If they entered the forest and the light completely failed, it would be a perfect recipe for disaster.

“If we rashly rush into the forest and encounter the real monster…”

“Changing clothes shouldn’t be that risky, right?”

“That kind of careless thinking is the birth of horror! Lady Elina I, please, listen to me!”

Yet, Lady Elina I remained stubborn—as if intent on following every cliché. Lara pounded her chest in exasperation.

“It’ll only take a moment to change—nothing enough for a monster to strike. So, Elina and I will go change in the forest. Raan, please wait here.”

“T-then I want to come too!”

Lara shouted, trailing closely behind the others. Despite her fear of the dark, eerie forest, she preferred sticking together.

Every crunch of leaves set Lara’s heart racing. Normally unfazed by trees, she now found herself watching every branch and shadow.

While her heart pounded like tiny grains, the protagonists pressed on boldly. When the path branched, Lady Elina I and Diches stopped and exchanged glances—their cabins obviously on opposite ends.

“Let’s change separately and regroup here,” one of them suggested.

“Yes. And if someone doesn’t show up, we’ll assume something’s wrong and go search for them.”

Lady Elina I’s blunt plan prompted Lara to edge closer to Diches.

“Lara…? Are you going to follow Diches while he changes?”

“Hehe… even if it’s awkward, I have to keep the boss safe.”

“Why don’t you come with me then?”

“No, I’ll pass.”

Lara politely declined, giving a look that clearly said, ‘Do you really want to get us all killed by following him?’

“If Raan Kyung agrees, then we’ll split up. Lady Elina I, is that acceptable?”

“As long as Diches is okay, I’m fine with it.”

Lady Elina I’s faint smile betrayed her fear—surely the monster would head her way soon. After all, as the protagonist she’d somehow survive.

As Lady Elina I set off down the left path, her figure gradually diminishing, Lara and Diches began their own hurried march.

“When the sun sets, it gets dangerous. Tonight we camp on the beach, and at dawn we’ll search for that abandoned ship.”

‘Do abandoned ships even exist on a deserted island?’

Lara wasn’t about to start chopping down trees to build a raft. Did they even have the will to escape? Thankfully, the cabin was close, and they reached it quickly. While Diches changed out of his surf suit inside, Lara waited by the door.

“Have you changed?”

“……”

“Boss? You’re in there, right?”

Five long minutes passed with no sound from within, sending shivers down Lara’s spine. Was there a monster inside? She hesitated, torn between fleeing or quietly opening the door to check.

Unable to ignore her conscience, Lara finally opened the door. In the pitch-black cabin, without a single light, lay a man with dark green hair, collapsed on the floor.

“Boss! What on earth happened here…?”

“Ugh… Raan Kyung?”

At that moment, Diches slowly opened his eyes as if coming to his senses.

“I was trying to get out of my surf suit and ended up dozing off.”

“You need to show some urgency!”

“They say the more you rush, the further you go wrong.”

“Shut it. Wait… while we were all this busy, what happened to Lady Elina I…?”

Just then, as Lara peered out the door, a bloodcurdling scream from a woman shattered the silence of the dark forest. Lara quickly hid behind Diches.

“Something’s happened to Lady Elina I! You stay here.”

‘Haven’t you seen horror films? If we scatter, we’re as good as dead!’

Lara silently cursed. Regardless, Diches bolted from the cabin without a second thought—so fast that she couldn’t catch him.

“Ah, I’m coming too! I’m coming, for sure!”

Lara sprinted after Diches, but soon lost sight of him deep within the forest. Amid dead trees with exposed roots, muddy puddles, and eerie winds whispering from nowhere, a paralyzing dread took over.

Then, footsteps behind her made Lara tremble. The rustling of leaves sounded so terrifying, as if a huge creature was following her.

“Oh, what now… I can’t even turn my head—it’s all stiff… Hohoho.”

Lara kept her eyes forward and quickened her pace. Using the Lady’s Teleportation Technique, she moved at 2.5 times her normal speed. At the same time, odd, staccato footsteps echoed from behind.

Her heart chilled to the bone, yet Lara whistled casually as she ran.

“Whirii—whiririri.”

“Ah, Mama!”

Lara ran, feeling the relentless pursuit of something behind her yet too terrified to look back.

After dashing past towering trees, she spotted a beach dotted with scattered rocks. Clambering over them, Lara caught sight of an abandoned ship anchored on the island—a ship larger than she’d imagined.

‘What, there really is an abandoned ship…?’

Before she could fully process her astonishment, a firm grip on her shoulder sent a jolt of terror through her, making her jump in fright.