Chapter 36 (1/2)
Yi Surl-Ah, Yi Sung-Jin, and Yun Seo-Rah.
The three of them were deeply engrossed in clearing missions lately. The deadline of the Neutral Zone closing down was fast approaching, that was why.
Since they needed 1000 Survival Points in order to enter the Paradise, it was not much of a stretch to say that the trio spent almost half of their day near the first floor noticeboard in order to acc.u.mulate the necessary amount.
Of course, Seol already told them that they shouldn't 'worry even if unable to ama.s.s 1000 points', but the three of them couldn't feel happy or content about their current circ.u.mstances.
It wasn't simply because they felt ashamed, though. As time pa.s.sed, they began to realise the lengths Seol went to support them from behind, and the amount required to do so.
The most obvious proof was with them equipped from head to toe with expensive gear. Even though not much time remained until the end of the deadline, only around 30% of the survivors managed to buy a full set of matching armours. Just from this fact alone, the three of them became acutely aware of their advantageous position compared to other people.
So, the issue was with them learning how to survive on their own, rather than their pride, instead. Seol had done so much for them already, so if they failed to even earn 1000 points on their own, then they definitely lacked qualifications to be treated as a 'survivor' in this place. At a bare minimum, they wanted to prove that they were eligible to enter the Paradise on their own strength.
'I did it!' (Yi Surl-Ah)
After successfully completing a 'Normal' difficulty mission by herself, Yi Surl-Ah rejoiced wholeheartedly in front of the noticeboard. In reality, her being able to clear such a mission alone wouldn't be seen as too big of an achievement at this point in time by other people.
However, considering how long ago it was when she started doing the missions, the rate of her growth was indeed explosive. On her first mission, she couldn't even pull back the strings of her bow properly out of sheer nervousness.
'Would he praise me?' (Yi Surl-Ah)
A smile bloomed on her face as she recalled the face of her orabeo-nim who constantly encouraged her to be more brave, a.s.suring her that she was capable of doing this, and always taking the time to teach her things step by step, even though he should be feeling frustrated by her by now.
'This is fun.' (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah began looking at the noticeboard with an innocent smile on her face.
Since much higher number of 'Normal' difficulty missions were made available initially compared to others, one could still find quite a few parchments left available on the board. Granted, there were only around six, seven attempts remaining per mission, but nevertheless, she planned to do them for a couple more times to work up some more courage and tackle 'Slightly Hard' missions later on.
'Let's go with this one.' (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah finally ended her happy dilemma and reached out to a mission parchment, only for….
”Oh, my, look who it is? Been a while, hasn't it?”
….Only for her hand to come to a stop when a voice suddenly called out to her. An unfamiliar Oriental woman was standing behind Yi Surl-Ah even before anyone noticed it, her eyes narrowed to a slit like a venomous snake.
”Who…. Ah.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah stuttered for a bit, before letting out a small exclamation. Although she failed to remember, she still thought that she recognised who this woman might be. Right at the end of the Tutorial, didn't she see this person on the rooftop?
”You're from…. the same Area as me, yes?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”I see. I remember who you are so well, though.”
”Really?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Yeah. Weren't you that kid who tried to show off and ended up as the first to get killed? Back in the a.s.sembly hall, I mean.”
The snide tone of the woman's voice made Yi Surl-Ah's expression to harden like a rock.
”You don't know who I am, right?”
”M, my memory isn't that good, you see.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Sure, that must be the case. Anyways. it's nice to make your acquaintance. Name's Oh Min-Young.”
”Y, yes. How do you do.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah's complexion was clouded as she politely greeted back. This woman, Oh Min-Young, was not even bothering to disguise her antagonistic att.i.tude present in her voice and in the way she glared at the girl.
”The deadline is fast approaching, so, have you earned enough points now?” (Oh Min-Young)
”No, not yet.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Really? You haven't even ama.s.sed 1000 points yet?” (Oh Min-Young)
”Yes….” (Yi Surl-Ah)
As a matter of fact, Yi Surl-Ah was panicking slightly after sensing the woman's intense malice towards her.
Oh Min-Young crossed her arms across her chest and swept her eyes over Yi Surl-Ah.
Perhaps to focus on mobility, Yi Surl-Ah's outer wear consisted of a jacket made out of flexible leather, while underneath that, one could spy a small chain mail-like armour reflecting the silvery light.
Her pants too looked like it was made out of high-quality leather; on her waist, a black belt with a Main-gauche attached loosely. And on her back, an impressive recurve bow and a quiver full of arrows….
Even at a conservative estimation, they must've totalled around 14,000 points. Oh Min-Young had tried to get some decent equipment for herself as well, so she immediately realised that, even if she sold everything she had on her, she still wouldn't be able to afford one defensive item on this girl's body.
”I guess things are working out for you nowadays.” (Oh Min-Young)
”You don't mind if I take a look, right?” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young took large strides and came closer, before reaching towards Yi Surl-Ah without permission. Taken by surprise, the latter tried to back away, but by then, her bow was already in the older female's hands.
”Uh, uh?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Wow. Yeah, I guess expensive things are the best, after all. How much was it?” (Oh Min-Young)
”I, I'm not sure? It can't be that much?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah barely managed to force out an answer.
”Is that so?” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young surveyed her surroundings for a bit, before a suspicious grin formed on her lips.
”In that case, how about giving me this bow?” (Oh Min-Young)
”…..Ah?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”You said it can't be that much, didn't you? Oh, no. I didn't mean it as for free. You gimme this, then I'll also help you out. Know what I mean?” (Oh Min-Young)
”N, no. I don't need it. Thank you.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Don't be like that. Didn't you say you need to gather Survival Points? If you join my team, I'm pretty sure you'll ama.s.s the amount really fast.” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young pointed behind her back with her thumb. There were three Western men sitting by one of the lounge tables, looking on with what could be best interpreted as 'interested' expressions. One of them even grinned slyly and waved his hand at Yi Surl-Ah.
The truth was, the ones who attacked Yun Seo-Rah was these three. Of course, Yi Surl-Ah didn't know this. However, she still sensed an unknown feeling of anxiety and wanted to leave as soon as possible.
”P, please, give it back.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
The restless Yi Surl-Ah reached out and grabbed her bow, trying to pull it back. Oh Min-Young strengthened her grip in response.
”What are you doing? Didn't I say I'll help you?” (Oh Min-Young)
”I don't need it. Please give it back.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Okay, fine! I'll - hey, I said, I'll give it back!?” (Oh Min-Young)
When Yi Surl-Ah yanked hard, Oh Min-Young nearly toppled over from the force. The latter woman couldn't hide her astonishment. She underestimated the younger girl's physical strength, and ended up losing the bow before she could do anything about it.
”You…..” (Oh Min-Young)
”I'll be leaving now. Take care.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Look at this cheeky little….? Thought Oh Min-Young, figurative flames erupting out from her eyes as she looked at Yi Surl-Ah's departing back. Undisguised jealousy burned vividly in her eyes.
”Hey, you. How much do you charge each time?” (Oh Min-Young)
Her loud shout forced Yi Surl-Ah's steps to come to an abrupt halt. She spun around so fast, her hair fluttered in the air. She began biting her lower lip.
”….What are you talking about?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”You know, just. Kinda curious.” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young mockingly smiled while speaking up.
”Someone like you, how much do you charge each time? 100 points? 200?” (Oh Min-Young)
”Wha, what did you say?!” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah couldn't help but suspect her own hearing just then.
”Just how many times did you do him, for that guy to buy you all these cool armours and stuff? Mm?” (Oh Min-Young)
At that undisguised attempt to ridicule her, Yi Surl-Ah's eyes widened in shock.
”My orabeo-nim isn't like that!” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Ohhh, sure thing. What a f*cking joke. You think I don't know that you live in the same place with him?” (Oh Min-Young)
”Why are you acting like this?” (Yi Surl-Ah)
Yi Surl-Ah's anger shot up and her voice became shrill. Tears pooled on the edges of her eyes, seemingly to reflect the unfairness of this treatment.
They didn't even know each other. Not only here in the Neutral Zone, but even back in the Tutorial, they didn't even share a single word until this moment. Naturally, Yi Surl-Ah couldn't understand why this woman was being so hostile to her.
”I told you, didn't I? I want to help you. What's the matter? You don't want my help?” (Oh Min-Young)
”I don't need your help!” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Will you look at this little girl? How dare you raise your voice at me?” (Oh Min-Young)
At Oh Min-Young's signal, the three men watching on from the lounge stood up. Sensing the mood had rapidly turned for the worse, Yi Surl-Ah began retreating step by step.
”This unni is going to teach you an easy way to earn points.” (Oh Min-Young)
”I, I don't need it.” (Yi Surl-Ah)
”Aren't you worried about making enough points in time? Don't worry. Those guys give out lots of them.” (Oh Min-Young)
Hearing Oh Min-Young's insidious words, Yi Surl-Ah's expression became even more unsightly.
'Why?' (Yi Surl-Ah)
She hadn't done anything to this woman, yet why….?
”There's no need for you to act all innocent and like, you know? It's too late for that.” (Oh Min-Young)
Yi Surl-Ah finally had enough of Oh Min-Young's venom and was about to make her escape from there. But, then….
”You know, maybe you should stop introducing yourself. Don't you agree?”
Suddenly, a man intruded in the middle of the two women. While Yi Surl-Ah got surprised by who it was, Oh Min-Young was frowning rather unhappily at this new development.
Because, he was the man who loved to wear a pair of sungla.s.ses indoors as well as to put on a green baseball cap backwards - Hyun Sahng-Min.
Oh Min-Young began gritting her teeth.
”You….”
”Kyah. I wondered what was up after hearing a dog barking out loudly over here. Who would've guessed that it really was an actual b*tch?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
”What did you just say?!” (Oh Min-Young)
”Ohh, my bad. My bad. You're still a human being, so comparing you to an animal is unfair.” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min raised his hands defensively and his expression showed he was genuinely sorry.
”So, if I remember correctly, your actual nickname was….” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
He then smoothly took his sungla.s.ses off.
”….Was 10 points, right?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Tremble.
Oh Min-Young's body trembled and she tried her very best to look composed.
”You should watch what you say, if you don't want to end up as a b.l.o.o.d.y mess.” (Oh Min-Young)
”Oh, is that right?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min sneaked a glance at the lounge and sn.i.g.g.e.red dismissively.
”If you're b*tching around here because of those three chumps…. How about you looking over this way?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Oh Min-Young's gaze followed his pointing chin, and she had to nervously swallow her saliva. Because, there was a group of four men glaring at her direction.
”You see, you ain't the only one with friends around here…. Oopsie, you aren't a friend to those three. Is it more like a pet dog?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
”Shut your mouth.” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young glared at Hyun Sahng-Min with murderous eyes.
”I don't want to see that disgusting face of yours, so get lost, you son of a b*tch.” (Oh Min-Young)
”But, I don't wanna. Besides, you're also a b*tch, aren't you?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
Hyun Sahng-Min cackled and dismissed her threats nonchalantly, before lightly tapping on the shoulder of Yi Surl-Ah.
”You are really, really envious of this girl, aren't you?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)
”….N, no. Not really.” (Oh Min-Young)
Oh Min-Young flinched, her eyes opening up wider in a somewhat strange manner.
”I'm not envious of her at all! Why should I be envious of a girl who sells her body for some measly points?” (Oh Min-Young)
Although she tried to look composed, her voice was clearly trembling. On the other hand, Hyun Sahng-Min was completely relaxed.
”I told you, stop introducing yourself. You know she hasn't done that and that's why you're being so b*tchy about it~~, no?” (Hyun Sahng-Min)