Chapter 16 (2/2)
She took a quick glance at Seol a couple of times, but her feet never stopped moving. Before long, she crossed the barrier. A strange smile formed on Kahng Seok's face.
”Oh? So you really came, eh?” (Kahng Seok)
”What do you mean….?” (s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah)
”No, no. You did well. Take this before my arm falls off, will you?” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok raised a small fuss while waving the cardigan around. s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah glanced at Seol one more time, before reaching out. Just as her hand touched the offered clothing, though - Kahng Seok suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her in close.
”Mommy?!” (s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah)
Like someone falling face first, she fell forward and ended up in the still-seated Kahng Seok's embrace.
”You like looking for your mom a lot, don't you?” (Kahng Seok)
”W, what are you doing?!” (s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah)
”Stay still, will you? You came here knowing this would happen already.” (Kahng Seok)
”I, I….!”
Thud, thud…
The low vibration from the floors below continued to get closer. s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah's stiff body flinched ever so slightly. Kahng Seok's hand, lightly patting her back, slowly crept lower, past her slender waistline and eventually, arrived at her pet.i.te, round rump.
”Or…. You'd rather go back outside?” (Kahng Seok)
She began trembling even more when Kahng Seok whispered in her ear. Gradually, all strength seemed to seep out from her. Even when he began roughly kneading her b*tt like rice dough, s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah didn't mount any form of resistance.
”Now, do you feel like listening to what I'm saying?” (Kahng Seok)
”You don't want to answer?” (Kahng Seok)
”….Y, yes…”
When s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah replied with honorifics, Kahng Seok's complexion brightened to reflect his happiness.
”Uh-whew. My little b*tch, look how soft and fluffy your a*s is.” (Kahng Seok)
Slap, slap.
Kahng Seok lightly slapped her rear, causing s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah to squeeze her eyes shut. Quite surprisingly, though - she then carefully wrapped her arms around Kahng Seok's back, and dug deeper into his embrace. Seeing this, Lee Hyung-Sik and Jeong Min-Woo wolf whistled quite loudly. Kahng Seok burst out in a boisterous laughter when she began gently rubbing her cheek to his.
”Very good. See? If you behaved this way from the beginning, everything would've been simpler. If you start making me feel happier by showing some aegyo and stuff from now on, I'm gonna treat you right, you know?” (Kahng Seok)
While constantly enjoying the riches of s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah's body, Kahng Seok then pointed his chin outside the barrier.
There were only two people remaining there - Seol and the currently-unconscious Yun Seo-Rah.
”So, how does it feel to be betrayed? Why don't you enlighten us, Mister Gold Mark?” (Kahng Seok)
[Kahng Seok's Status Window] [1. General Information]
Summoned date: March 16th, 2017
Mark grade: Silver
s.e.x/Age: Male/29
Height/Weight: 178.8 cm/ 72.6 kg
Current condition: Good
Job: LV. 0 (Invited)
Nationality: Republic of Korea (Area 1)
Affiliation: N/A
Alias: N/A
[2. Personality] Temperament:
- Maverick (Tries to do things the way he likes, regardless of others.)
- Self-centered (Vigorously pursues his own personal gains only.)
Apt.i.tude:
- A gift of gab (Possesses great talent at talking and making speeches.)
- Sadism (Feels s.e.xual gratification only after inflicting physical or psychological pain to another person.) (TL: Really? How is that ”Apt.i.tude”?)
[3. Physical Level]
Strength: Low - Medium
Endurance: Medium - Low
Agility: Low - High
Stamina: Low - High
Magic: Low - High
Luck: Medium - Low
Remaining ability points: 0
Seol was busy looking at Kahng Seok's Status. He felt like he could understand just a little where it all went south for this idiot. Besides that 'gift of gab', he seemed to be suffering from a few noticeably negative traits.
”Hey, friend.” (Kahng Seok)
Seol's brows furrowed slightly at that. A friend, huh.
”I feel really sorry for you.” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok seemed to be genuinely sorry for Seol, judging from his facial expression.
”Why do you insist on living like that? Mm?” (Kahng Seok)
He lightly tapped on s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah's head and continued on.
”You don't seem to have any morals.” (Seol)
”Morals?” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok began chortling as if he had heard something funny.
”Aigoo~, my friend…. Ah, I get it, I get it. Really. There is a reason to be mindful when we're on Earth. There's laws and stuff - and if I don't follow them, I will end up behind bars. However….” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok pointed at the ground below.
”However, this isn't Earth. Meaning, there's no reason for me to stay the same here. You are an Invited too, so you should know this by now, no? We're going to a brand new world? My a*s. In the end, this is all just a f*cking game, man. A game. And you're supposed to enjoy playing games.” (Kahng Seok)
”A game, huh.” (Seol)
”Yup. So, what's the point of keeping up with your morals here? Like, what's the f*cking point of being the best, kindest, and the most fair in this place? There is no one here who gives a sh*t about those things. Only 'me' counts. I'm telling you, n.o.body cares.” (Kahng Seok)
”Ahh, aheuck!” (s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah)
Kahng Seok suddenly grabbed s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah's hair and yanked, causing her to gasp out in pain.
”Look at her. She's your proof. She only latched onto you for a bit so that she can leech off of you. I mean, you saw it with your own two eyes, right? How did she react when the situation changed just now?” (Kahng Seok)
s.h.i.+n Sahng-Ah slowly averted her gaze.
”So, the point here is that, don't suffer losses. You have that much talent, and I can tell you got a quick brain in that head of yours too, so why couldn't you just close your eyes and commit to the program?” (Kahng Seok)
Seol continued to listen while standing there, his arms across his chest.
”You want to look after these weaklings? What a load of f*cking bull. You think all those with power are evil, and weaklings are all pure, nice folks? You still think these losers are nice?” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok pa.s.sionately spat out his words.
”I can see that you've received some mental damage just now. But, you know what, don't be too discouraged, man. That's how~ the world operates. You're supposed to exceed the 'haves', and step on the 'have-nots' - that's the only way you can survive. You stay mindful of this guy and that girl, then sooner or later, you'll be bitten by all sorts of stray mutts. Only you'd end up dead.” (Kahng Seok)
Seol slowly closed his eyes. The words coming out of Kahng Seok was something he too was thinking about recently.
”You still don't get it? What happened to Yi Surl-Ah earlier? And what's happening to you now?” (Kahng Seok)
”You see, it's not that the 'one who's supposed to make it' are making it, but those who are willing to make it, are making it. Also, it's not that those supposed to fail are failing, it's just that they are destined to never make it. Simple.” (TL: Man, this line was a real ch.o.r.e to TL. I'm not going to tinker with it anymore than I already have, so this is what you'll get.)
”…Those who are destined to make it….” (Seol)
”That's right!” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok shouted out of the blue and extended his hand.
”Now that I've talked this much, I'm sure you get it now. So.” (Kahng Seok)
”Like true men, why don't we let bygones be bygones. As a symbol of starting over…. Ahh.” (Kahng Seok)
As if he remembered something, Kahng Seok withdrew his hand.
”I still should make you apologise, though.” (Kahng Seok)
Seol's eyes narrowed.
”An apology, huh.” (Seol)
”That's right, an apology. The spot you sucker punched me still hurts, you know?” (Kahng Seok)
Whew - Kahng Seok spat out a sigh and loosened his shoulders.
”If you've really changed the way you think, I'm sure it's not that difficult for you to do something as small as making an apology, right?” (Kahng Seok)
Seol quietly stared at Kahng Seok.
”Well, it's a simple matter, anyway. All you have to say is one word - sorry. Then, we can become true friends afterwards.” (Kahng Seok)
Seol took a glance at Yun Seo-Rah.
”Not her. You gotta leave her there.” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok must've noticed Seol's gaze, because he spoke in no uncertain terms.
”I'll have to refuse your apology if it comes from a minds.p.a.ce where you're thinking that you can't help it if it means saving Yun Seo-Rah. You see, I really hate hypocrites.” (Kahng Seok)
Seol s.h.i.+fted his gaze away and then, placed his left hand on the invisible barrier.
”…Mi…” (Seol)
Kahng Seok smirked; his mouth opened up progressively wider in a smile as if his long-held wish was finally being granted.
”…Mi…” (Seol)
Seol sounded as if he was desperately squeezing out his voice 'unwillingly'. Like a kid opening up his birthday present, the colours of Kahng Seok's expression brightened even more.
Seol held his breath, then clenched his fist.
”….Michinnom.” (TL note at the end)
”I was lyin…. Huh?!” (Kahng Seok)
Just as Kahng Seok forgot what he was going to say and sat there stupefied, the safe area behind him became quite noisy.
”What the h.e.l.l?” (Jeong Min-Woo)
Jeong Min-Woo turned around to find out why it became so noisy over there.
And, just as Seol was about to produce a spell ball from his pocket…
< 16.=”” a=”” dangerous=”” treasure=”” hunt=”” (4)=””> Fin.
(TL: The Korean word ”michinnom” literally means ”crazy b*stard.” This is a wordplay of sorts, because in Korean, ”sorry” is ”mi-han-hah-dah”. Hence, Seol said ”mi” a couple of times, leading Kahng Seok on to think that he was going to apologise, when he was actually going to call him a crazy buffoon.)