Chapter 31 (1/2)

Yun Seo-Rah. Current age, 20 years old.

A still-young woman, who got invited to the Paradise after getting discovered by Sinyoung's famed scout. The so-called modern chic woman, as coined by one very dead Lee Hyung-Sik.

Along with another Invited, Kahng Seok, she was seen as the top prospect for the March 2017 recruitment period.

She always displayed the habit of ‘think first, act later' in everything she did; her thoughts or decision making were never swayed by emotions, and because of her personality, she held no interest towards other people's business.

Such characteristics meant she enjoyed a certain amount of advantage during the Tutorial, but once she lost her right arm, her situation drastically changed for the worse.

She was very much aware of her weakness in the context of the environments of the Neutral Zone, where cooperating with others was a must.

So, for one month straight, she focused solely on fixing her broken right arm. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to revise her strategy and focus on strengthening her fitness level instead after learning that her tally of SP, 317 points, wasn't even remotely enough to heal her wounds.

As an Invited, she already had acquired a fairly good understanding of what was going on in the Neutral Zone before coming here. That was why, before her Job awakened, she decided to focus on raising her physical stats. She knew that, as long as she could become a Sorcerer, or, even a Priest, then her problem would be solved.

Yun Seo-Rah did not let go of that sliver of hope, even when stuck in a hopeless situation. However, that got brutally cut off when her Job was set as a Warrior.

She left the Chamber of Awakening as if being chased away. And as expected, there was literally not a thing she could do in her current state.

She had spent every single SP she had by then. She even had to sell the bag she got as the starting bonus cheaply, too.

Even if she wanted to earn some points, no one wanted a Warrior with a crippled arm in their team.

Staying in a proper sleeping quarters became a luxury she could only dream of. She couldn't even afford to eat one meal a day, and her health continued to send out warning signals as a result. Starved of the necessary nutrients, her body got weaker and weaker with every pa.s.sing day.

And with her weakened body, she couldn't even attempt those Basic missions that did give out small amount of points as rewards.

Her determination ran out a long time by then, and even enduring through nothing but sheer malice also eventually reached its limit, too. If it weren't for the Yi siblings that came to see her every other day, Yun Seo-Rah would've died of starvation already.

However, she knew that the siblings were also struggling desperately as well. So, she could not depend on them forever.

Sensing Yun Seo-Rah's discomfort, Yi Surl-Ah made a cautious but considered suggestion.

She said, how about we speak to ‘orabeo-nim'? Since he's a honest and hard-working man, he'd not abandon us callously at all.

It'd be a lie if Yun Seo-Rah wasn't tempted by that suggestion. In the end, though, she shook her head and said no.

If he still owed her a favour or something, the story might have been different. Sure, he saved her life, but in return, she gave him the Revival potion. And their relations.h.i.+p came to an end there. At least, Yun Seo-Rah thought so that way.

She didn't mind if others called her out on her petty pride. Actually, she was too ashamed to go and speak to him by then.

Still, refusing to heed the suggestion of Yi Surl-Ah played heavily in Yun Seo-Rah's mind. And, not wanting to inconvenience the siblings any further, she discreetly changed her hiding place without telling them.

However, that night, Yun Seo-Rah ended up going through a terrifying and breathless ordeal.

She opened her eyes in the middle of the night to find three Western men. Two of them were restraining her arms, while the other one was sitting on top of her.

No matter where, it seemed that one would run into b*stards like Kahng Seok.

In the middle of her fiercely resisting them, the face belonging to the man on top of her came in closer to whisper.

”Hey, I heard that you're a cripple.”

”You wanna keep living like this? Don't you wanna go to the Paradise?”

”Just behave yourself. We will feed you well and find you a warm bed to sleep on, too.”

”Who knows? Maybe even a couple of points, too….”

The Survival Points.

The moment she heard those words, all strength automatically seeped out of her body. Naturally, her resistance weakened as well.

By the time she realised her mistake, she felt coldness touching her b.u.t.tocks. When she regained her bearings, she found her underwear pulled down to her ankles already.

And when that man took off his pants while a thick, lecherous smile formed on his face, Yun Seo-Rah shook like a smartphone vibrating to alert the owner of an incoming call.

She shook hard as if someone poured a bucket of freezing water on her head in the middle of a harsh winter.

Like words of a snake tickling her ears, the man told her to open her mouth.

An hideously ugly object neared her face, yet her lips remained shut. She thought that, the moment she yielded here, everything would really come to an end for her.

No, a simple ‘end' wouldn't be all. She feared falling even deeper into a bottomless abyss….

And so, she did not open her lips.

But, she did scream out with everything she had. She bit whatever she came in contact with and used her whole body to fight.

Her rewards were harsh swearings, along with fists and kicks. Even then, Yun Seo-Rah did not let up her crazed resistance.

Eventually, the men grew sick and tired, and abandoned her with a thick spit to her face.

She fixed her clothing and unsteadily made her way back to the fifth floor lounge. She then fell to the floor and got into a huddle.

A single drop of the warm, salty liquid she'd been holding back finally leaked out of her eye. The tears she'd been shedding inwardly began streaming out, and eventually, she burst out into uncontrollable sobs.

‘Better if I just died.' (Yun Seo-Rah)

She was scared of falling asleep again because of the incident, but forced her eyes shut regardless. She thought that if she died here, like this, then she might not have any regrets.

She didn't care what happened anymore.

And so, Yun Seo-Rah fell into a fitful slumber. But, then….

”….Miss Yun Seo-Rah?”

Just as she was about to pay the ferryman to cross the river Styx…

”Miss Yun Seo-Rah.”

….She took a look behind her.

And, she clearly saw him.

”Are you alright?”

She saw a certain young man offering his hand to her.

While Seol was nursing Yun Seo-Rah, Yi Surl-Ah and Yi Sung-Jin arrived at his quarters.

The siblings entered his room hesitantly, and couldn't close their mouths after taking in the grand sights of the luxurious furnis.h.i.+ng of the place that reminded one of a palace. They recovered quickly from the shock, though, after spotting Yun Seo-Rah whimpering on the bed, and approached her. Deep frowns were etched on their faces.

”She wasn't this bad two days ago….” (Yi Surl-Ah)

”Really?” (Seol)

”Yes. Why did she get so….?” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yi Surl-Ah looked anxious. Seol lightly held his chin, contemplating.

‘What could be her problem?' (Seol)

With just a glance, he could clearly tell that Yun Seo-Rah was very sick. Even though he brought her to his quarters, thick perspiration continued to form on her forehead, and her breathing became rougher and rougher.

He thought that the current situation was marginally better, compared to when she failed to respond to him gently shaking her around. However, since he lacked proper medical knowledge, he could only remain in the dark. He still recognised the fact that she needed help.

Seol told the siblings he'd be back soon and left his room. When facing a situation he didn't know how to solve, there was only one person he could rely on.

After hearing his explanation, Agnes quickly called for another maid to join them.

The person to answer the call was unexpectedly none other than Maria. The blonde maid walked up to them in swagger, and when Agnes introduced her Job to Seol, she c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, perhaps in disapproval of the revelation.

It turned out, Maria was a Level 4 Priest.

Not only that, she was a Priest specialising in healing who had walked a long road - from Lv.1 ”Priest”, Lv.2 ”Deacon”, Lv.3 ”Clergyman”, and to her current Lv.4 ”High Priest”.

Seol promptly returned to his quarters with the two maids in tow.

”This is… just so b.l.o.o.d.y fantastic.” (Maria)

After checking out Yun Seo-Rah's condition, Maria spat out a short a.s.sessment.

”It's that bad?” (Seol)

”Never mind her right arm, looks like she's been starving herself for the past month or so. On top of her body and nerves being weakened to this state, she even got beaten up pretty good as well, so yes. It's bad.” (Maria)

”She got beaten up?” (Seol)

”Yes. Seriously now…. Don't know who hit her, but that person sure did a f*cking wonderful number on her.” (Maria)

Maria leaked out a hollow chuckle. Hearing the real cause of Yun Seo-Rah's accelerated deterioration, Yi Surl-Ah covered her mouth in shock.

”You did the right thing by bringing her here, to your quarters. Without the effects of this room, she might have crossed the River of Lethe and would be tipping the winegla.s.s of Forgetfulness by now.” (Maria)

”How do we go about healing her….?” (Seol)

”If you want it, I can do it. But, strictly speaking, there's no need. If she spends next couple of days in this room while eating and resting well, she will recover fully.” (Maria)

”Does that mean her right arm will be healed, as well?” (Seol)

Maria suddenly went very quiet and gazed at Yun Seo-Rah. Agnes also studied Yun Seo-Rah's crippled right arm for a while before speaking up.

”Six stab wounds on the arm…. Caused by a short but sharp dagger, it seems. The a.s.sailant even twisted the blade around in two of the wounds, too.” (Agnes)

”How long has it been?” (Maria)

”Over two months. Will it be tough even with ‘Moderate' or ‘Ma.s.sive'?” (Agnes)

”Why ask something you know the answer to already? ‘Light' would have sufficed if the wound was treated right away, but…. But, it's too late now. You know that a wound gets progressively harder to heal the longer it is left untreated. If it's a ‘Colossal', it might be possible, but I'm not confident.” (Maria)

Agnes breathed out a soft sigh.

Meanwhile, Seol couldn't hide his astonishment at the two maids who were able to figure out what happened two months ago with just one look.

A certain sense of anxiety was blooming in the corner of his heart at the same time, as well.

He couldn't figure out the contents of the discussion since several words related to Maria's profession were thrown around, but he still understood that fixing the right arm would be very difficult.

Maria stood up straight and shook her head, before s.h.i.+fting her gaze over to Seol.

”This arm is as good as dead. It's past the simple ‘healing' spell, requiring something on the level of ‘Revival' at this point. So, instead of leaving it as is, I recommend amputation.” (Maria)

”….Excuse me?” (Seol)

”There's no helping it. Unless we were in the Paradise, you won't find a Priest better skilled than me within the Neutral Zone. However, even I find healing this arm difficult.” (Maria)

Seol was hoping, but just as expected, this injury couldn't be healed in the Neutral Zone. Maria didn't beat around the bush and conveyed the truth.

That wasn't the end of the bad news, though. There was still around a month left until the deadline, and Yun Seo-Rah's right arm could get even worse during this time.

”Is there… any other way?” (Seol)

Seol wasn't expecting to hear ‘impossible' as the prognosis, and he could only chew on his blameless lower lip in frustration.

It was then.

”There is one other way.” (Agnes)

A calm voice seemed to help him recover his senses. Agnes raised her body up from the bed, having concluded her examination of Yun Seo-Rah's arm.

”As Maria has implied, only a top ranker with a level higher than 5 can possibly heal this person's injury. However, out of the four Jobs, a Priest happens to be closest to the G.o.ds.” (Agnes)

”………..”

”I told you that you'll have to select a G.o.d to serve when your level rises to 5. Do you still remember?” (Agnes)

Seol nodded his head.

”The ‘Colossal' is a very powerful holy spell a Priest can learn after reaching level 5.” (Agnes)

”Didn't you say Miss Maria is level 4?” (Seol)

”Indeed, she wouldn't be able to use it under normal circ.u.mstances…. But there are exceptions.” (Agnes)

”Agnes? You should really shut the f*ck up now.” (Maria)

Maria began glaring at Agnes. However, the latter maid only spared a cursory glance as a reply, and her words did not stop.

”Between level 1 and level 4, a Priest will walk on a singular path without receiving the aid of other G.o.ds. The G.o.d in charge of the cla.s.s will bestow the t.i.tle of High Priest as the reward. When one becomes a High Priest, you're then given a special privilege.” (Agnes)

”A special privilege?” (Seol)

”Yes. And that is to hold the Ceremony. It's like begging the G.o.ds to allow one to use a high-level spell.” (Agnes)

Maria squeezed shut her eyes. Even the noise of teeth gnas.h.i.+ng could be heard. Seol thought that she just whispered several curse words, too.

He eventually opened his mouth while looking at her.

”….Excus…” (Seol)

”Argh, I don't wanna! h.e.l.l no! No freaking way!” (Maria)

”M, Miss Maria?” (Seol)

”I can't hear you~. Alalalala~~ Ebebebebeh….” (Maria)

Maria repeatedly covered up her ears and uncovered them with her hands.

”C, can't you help us? Please! I beg of you!” (Yi Surl-Ah)

Yi Surl-Ah couldn't just keep watching, so she begged, but….

”F*ck, you better shut that piehole of yours.” (Maria)

Maria spat out in anger and became supremely irritated, causing Yi Surl-Ah to jump up in shock and hurriedly seek refuge behind Seol's back. The maid's sudden burst of sweary anger unnerved the Yi girl and she was unable to close her slack jaw.

Seol signaled the tearful girl to be quiet, and then, began slowly approaching Maria. The maid's entire body began convulsing.

”Don't come here! Don't' come closer to me!! Don't you dare!!!” (Maria)

”Miss Maria, a word. Please.” (Seol)

”Argh, sh*t! Let go of me right now!” (Maria)

Since she showed signs of running away, Seol gently grasped her arms to stop her. Maria then threw her fists and resisted him. They landed on his chest, but seeing that they didn't hurt too much, he figured that she wasn't planning on hurting him.

”What will it take for you to help us?” (Seol)

”What the h.e.l.l? Are you deaf? If it was within my ability, I might help you if you paid me lots of SP, but I'm telling you, I can't do it!” (Maria)

”How about that Cere….” (Seol)

”F*ck the Ceremony. Don't even bring that up again! I'm being this civil only because that crafty Miss Fox invited you here. That's all! If you weren't, I'd have bashed in your skull by now.” (Maria)