Reunion & Return
The game had begun. Ga-in Lee was on the offensive, while Hyun-woo Jung awaited salvation. On the other side, Ah-young Shin was also on the attack, with Hae-in Lee hoping for rescue. And there was Seo-yeon Baek, forced to watch it all unfold.
If Ga-in won, Hyun-woo would live. If Ah-young triumphed, Hae-in would survive. I watched the two with interest, then glanced at Seo-yeon. Her mouth was tightly shut, yet she screamed as if her throat would burst, her eyes bloodshot and fierce.
This wasn’t a random pairing. There was a method to this madness.
Seo-yeon Baek was a peculiar kind of drifter. While most drifters tended to stick together, forming bonds that were more about survival than affection, she was different. Ruthless to her enemies, she fiercely protected those who followed her. In a way, she reminded me of myself.
I pondered quietly. Seo-yeon was a tough one. Attempts to seduce or torture her into submission had failed. Her mental fortitude was unexpectedly strong, leaving only one option: to break her spirit while preventing her from taking her own life.
Fortunately, she was just as I remembered. Her relentless pursuit, even after our successful city raid, painted a clear picture.
How to break her spirit? The key lay with the drifters around her. By twisting her relationships with them, I could find a way in.
Capturing Seo-yeon was an unexpected boon. Whether I used this advantage wisely or squandered it was up to me. There was no rush. As Go Yeon-joo advised, I planned to take my time.
I turned my attention back to the two still staring blankly at each other.
Player Status
[Strength 16(-22)] [Endurance 8(-18)] [Agility 10(-14)] [Vitality 14(-32)] [Magic 30(-64)] [Luck 80]
(0 ability points remaining. The user’s magic circuits are nearly 70% damaged. Recent physical deterioration has led to a drop in all stats except luck. Permanent loss is possible without an elixir or at least six months of rest.)
Through the Eyes of Temptation, I learned that Ga-in and Hae-in were Seo-yeon’s trusted aides. Ga-in was personally recruited by her, and Hae-in had been with her since their initiation. That’s why I separated them.
No matter who won or lost, the outcome would be the same.
“Three minutes have passed. Remember, there’s no draw. If those two die, so do you.”
I spoke with a relaxed tone, resting my chin on my hand. The drifters were already pushed to their limits, both physically and mentally. My words seemed to act as a catalyst, prompting one of them to finally move.
Ah-young Shin was the first to act. With her legs bound by shadows, she began crawling forward with her arms. Ga-in, meanwhile, remained unresponsive, as if in a daze.
Ah-young stopped right in front of Ga-in, her eyes filled with a torrent of negative emotions. She hesitated for a moment, then swung her hand fiercely.
Slap!
The sound was sharp, and Ga-in’s head snapped to the side. Ah-young’s hand trembled, while Ga-in’s head remained turned, as if frozen. As Ga-in’s eyes widened and her mouth began to open, another dull thud echoed.
Thud! Thud!
The first strike is always the hardest, but it gets easier after that. Ah-young, despite her weakened state, began to strike relentlessly. Her combat experience shone through as she targeted Ga-in’s face, who could only hang her head in response.
“Mmph! Mmmph! Mmmmmmph!”
One hit, one takes it. It was hardly a fight, yet the intensity grew.
Ga-in’s cheeks swelled, a thin line of blood trickling from her mouth. Seo-yeon’s cries were almost deafening, but I paid them no mind, turning instead to Go Yeon-joo.
“Yeon-joo, release her.”
“Huh? Release Seo-yeon?”
“Yes. Keep her legs bound, but release the rest.”
“You’re something else, Su-hyun. Alright~.”
Go Yeon-joo chuckled, waving her hand lightly. The shadows binding Seo-yeon partially dissipated, and her body jerked in response.
Realizing her restraints were loosened, Seo-yeon began crawling toward the center.
“What are you doing, you idiot!”
No matter how much Seo-yeon shouted, Ah-young’s hands didn’t stop. It wasn’t until Seo-yeon reached the center and shoved Ah-young aside that the game paused.
“Ah-young! Are you crazy? Can’t you see you’re playing into his hands?”
Seo-yeon glared, and Ah-young lowered her head slightly, her hair falling over her face.
“Get a grip! You….”
Just as Seo-yeon was about to speak again, a low voice emerged from beneath Ah-young’s hair.
“Move.”
“What?”
“Move, you bitch!”
“What did you just say…?”
“It’s all your fault! If you hadn’t insisted on chasing them…! Why am I in this mess? It’s all because of you, you bitch!”
Ah-young’s voice cracked as she screamed, shoving Seo-yeon aside and lunging at Ga-in again. Seo-yeon, momentarily stunned, reached out reflexively.
As Ah-young’s hand reached Ga-in, Seo-yeon grabbed her hair, pulling her head back. And so began the brawl.
“Let go! Let go, damn it!”
“You… stop it! Get a grip, you crazy bitch!”
“Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.”
Ah-young thrashed, then flipped over, lunging at Seo-yeon. Despite her efforts to subdue her, they ended up grabbing each other’s hair, rolling, punching, and scratching. Ga-in, looking helpless, tried to intervene, but it was futile. A mud-slinging brawl, nothing more, nothing less.
“Heh.”
A faint laugh echoed. I turned to see the female priest I’d captured earlier. She seemed amused, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook.
“Enjoying the show?”
I asked calmly, and the priest stopped laughing, lowering her hand to meet my gaze with a bold look.
“Yes. It’s hilarious. Not just that, it’s satisfying, refreshing, and cathartic. To the point of madness.”
“I see. But it’s a problem. It’s hard to declare a winner like this.”
“Can’t you just let them all die?”
“That’s not an option. I promised to spare the winner.”
“Such a shame…. Oh?”
The priest’s voice rose in surprise, and I turned back to the center to witness an unexpected sight.
“Stop!”
Seo-yeon and Ah-young were a sight to behold. Their hair was a mess, noses bleeding, lips split and bloody.
And between them, somehow, Ga-in had forced her way to the center. As they both panted heavily, I slowly rose to my feet. It was then.
“Ugh… ugh….”
Ga-in’s voice was a mix of sobs and gasps as she slowly lifted her head to meet my gaze.
Her face, usually vacant, now held a different expression. Her eyes, once dull, now burned with determination.
As we locked eyes, I took a step toward the center.
Ga-in glanced at Hae-in, lying on the ground, then back at me. Her eyes flashed, and her body tensed. Before I could register the change, her mouth opened, and a thick liquid poured out.
“Ga-in?”
“Ah….”
“Ga-in! Ga-in!”
‘No way….’
Just in case, I had a priest on standby. The unexpected turn of events caught me off guard, but I quickly composed myself and hurried downstairs to check on Ga-in Lee.
Forcing her trembling mouth open, I felt inside and discovered her tongue, half-severed, amidst the warm blood. She must have bitten it in a moment of despair. Clicking my tongue in disapproval, I straightened up.
“She bit her tongue.”
“Ga-in? Ga-in! Ga-in!”
“Hey, keep it down.”
Thud!
“Agh!”
Annoyed by Baek Seo-yeon’s shouting, I kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her rolling on the floor with a scream. I sighed deeply and looked at Ga-in Lee. Her body was still twitching, a sign she was alive.
Biting off one’s tongue can lead to death from shock, excessive bleeding, or suffocation. She wouldn’t die immediately, but without intervention, it was inevitable.
The room was silent, save for the sound of several people breathing. I scratched my head, glancing between Baek Seo-yeon and Shin Ah-young. Seo-yeon was clutching her abdomen in pain, while Ah-young stared at me blankly.
As I pondered what to do, a sudden thought flashed through my mind.
‘Maybe this isn’t so bad after all.’
Having swiftly organized my thoughts, I looked down at Shin Ah-young and spoke quietly.
“We have no choice. The game ends here. The result is void due to Baek Seo-yeon’s interference.”
“Then…?”
“They die.”
Despair washed over Shin Ah-young’s face. I turned leisurely towards Go Yeon-ju and spoke.
“The fun’s over. Go Yeon-ju, I’m heading back to the camp. Take care of the remaining four and clean up here…”
As I turned to leave, just as expected, someone grabbed my ankle.
It was Baek Seo-yeon, who had crawled over, still clutching her stomach. I shook my foot lightly.
“Who told you to interfere?”
”…”
Seo-yeon said nothing. I used my foot to force her head to one side. Lee Hae-in was already collapsed, nearing her limit. Her eyes, barely able to lift her head, were filled with fear of death.
“She’s dying because of you. Or maybe one of them could have survived. If you hadn’t broken the rules, at least two might have lived. Don’t you think?”
”…Please, save me.”
Finally, words escaped Baek Seo-yeon’s trembling lips. Her voice, once rough, was now subdued.
A strange sense of déjà vu hit me. The scene reminded me of a memory from the first round. Someone else’s image overlapped with Seo-yeon’s as she lay prostrate. Slowly, I placed my foot on her head, just as she had done.
‘For someone begging for their life, you’re awfully arrogant.’
“You’re awfully arrogant for someone begging for their life.”
‘I’ll give you a chance. Oh my, say it again. Tell me~. Tell me~. Hahaha!’
“Say it again.”
“Please… save me…”
I chuckled and turned away. After a few steps, I heard a thud as her head hit the floor, followed by a quivering voice.
“I deeply apologize for interrupting the game… Please, show mercy… and treat my comrades…”
”…”
“Please… I beg you. If you help just this once…”
Her voice, now filled with desperation, made me pause. Turning back, I saw Baek Seo-yeon kneeling, her head bowed. This was what I had been waiting for.
“Hmm… Well, you did break the rules, but you put up a good fight.”
”…”
“Alright. The priest here also found your interference amusing, so I’ll be generous. Who should I save?”
“W-what…?”
Seo-yeon stammered. I closed the distance between us without another word, pulled out a pre-prepared healing potion, and handed it to her, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.
“It’s just one bottle, but it’s high quality. Use it on one person, and they’ll fully recover from today’s injuries.”
”…”
“You could split it between two, but the effect will be lessened. Three is out of the question.”
“Th-that…”
“Anyway, you decide who to save.”
I tapped Seo-yeon’s head lightly and stood up. Without a backward glance, I walked away.
As I walked, I briefly locked eyes with Go Yeon-ju. She had been quietly observing, and now she smiled at me.
“Thank you. It was quite a show.”
“I’m glad I met your expectations. Anyway, I’ll head back to camp with the priest. Please take care of things here.”
“To think the infamous Baek Seo-yeon would end up like this… Yes, I understand. Don’t worry. I just need to handle two, right?”
“Yes. Once Baek Seo-yeon makes her choice, you can proceed. Please bear with it for today. Priest, shall we?”
With Go Yeon-ju’s ability to control shadows, she could easily keep an eye on the vagrants alone. To leave no room for doubt, I deliberately took the priest’s arm and led him away.
The priest glanced at the vagrants, then followed me with a cheerful smile.
“Come to think of it, that woman is quite pitiful.”
“Sorry?”
On our way back to camp, the priest, walking with a spring in his step, spoke in a clear voice.
“The vagrant we fought first. She fought the hardest, but now she’s at the mercy of a decision.”
“Ah.”
“You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
I didn’t respond to the priest’s question. Indeed, I had told Go Yeon-ju to handle two. Shin Ah-young wasn’t fatally injured, but if she wasn’t chosen, she’d die.
In a way, it was like choosing one to die and another to live. Objectively, it was the height of unfairness, but I felt nothing. They were vagrants, after all.
“Oh, how pitiful. I wonder how anxious she must be right now? Haha.”
‘Pitiful, indeed.’
I smiled inwardly at the priest’s words. Perhaps dying here, before reaching the city, was a kinder fate. Certainly, it was. Though I said I’d spare them, I had no intention of doing so.
We chatted idly as we returned to camp, finishing our watch without incident until the shift change.
The next morning, as expected, the number of vagrants had decreased from nine to seven. After confirming the pale faces of Ga-in Lee and Hae-in Lee, I announced our departure for Eden.
The city was now within reach.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Baek Seo-yeon is characterized by her strong mental fortitude. She’s not easily broken by physical or sexual torture. However, like everyone, she has her weaknesses, which are hinted at in her personality. Despite being captured, she won’t willingly divulge information just because her weaknesses are exploited. Her mental state will be gradually shaken, and this process will continue and expand once they return to the city.
I’ve included a brief flashback today. The content is simple. Recently, there have been comments about frequent shifts in perspective affecting immersion, so I’ve inserted only a part of it. I’ll add more when the opportunity arises.
With the new semester approaching, I find myself feeling rushed. I’ve registered for 23 credits this time. Though there’s still some of that urgency, I want to avoid writing in a hurry. I’ll strive to regain my previous calm mindset. Thank you for your continued support. :)
『 Reader Comments (Episode 315) 』
Ramude: Congratulations on being first! Haha. Enjoy this episode~.
Kingsley: Thank you for the feedback. I’ve been contemplating this lately. To bring the story to a close, I feel the need to speed up while maintaining my style. It’s hard to change overnight when I’m used to writing slowly. I’m seeking advice from other authors and studying condensation and compression. (Not because I’m rushed, but because I see the need. Haha.)
Service: Use them as much as possible, extract what you need, and then dispose of them. That’s fitting for the protagonist’s character.
NinthSky: Hmm. That’s an interesting thought. I imagined it too—living peacefully, then suddenly someone appears and says, “Die, you enemy.” Hmm. Haha. It’s a bit much.
Avid Reader C: I’ve come to terms with it. Haha. Whether it’s Royumi, Royuna, or Royura, it’s all good.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 316) 』
Orderju: Oh, congratulations on being first. I thought I’d see familiar names, but I was surprised. :D
Sobie: I think it’s an area where I need to work harder. It would be ideal if you don’t find it boring and don’t feel that future events are abrupt. It’s challenging, though. Haha.
NaturalNatural: I think I lacked in depicting the vagrants’ brutality. I’ll work harder. (__) Ah. Look forward to the information that will come from Baek Seo-yeon’s mouth in the future! :)
Lati Doll: Let me give you a little hint. Haha. Oh, how should I put this? It’s quite a big hint, actually. I’ll be making an appearance in the upcoming war segment.
Ellen: Thank you. Personally, I want to maintain my unique style while accommodating the readers’ preferences as much as possible. Haha.
Thank you all for reading. Your recommendations and comments are incredibly encouraging.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Feel free to leave favorites, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions anytime. They’re always welcome.