Chapter 73
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 073
Chapter Title: Others' Hell Part 2 (2)
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A murderer who kills murderers.
The main villain, the house owner, began to make his presence known.
To the protagonist who had only just started rampaging, it was nothing short of a crisis.
Perhaps the protagonist would be mercilessly crushed by the skilled and brutal house owner.
Or maybe he'd be blackmailed by the traces of the murders he'd committed in Lucky House.
Unless one of their lives ended first.
Their clash was inevitable.
However.
The tension in their confrontation didn't last long.
Everything flipped with the arrival of one person.
'Geum Seong-je.'
Because he was alive.
That single fact sent everyone into a frenzy.
It sparked fresh shivers of excitement and anticipation. The tale of these three, locked in a deadly game of kill or be killed, had everyone hooked like mad.
Bobby Park and his friends were no different.
…In front of this insane plot twist.
How could you not smash next chapter?!
The entity that had kept them on edge throughout Part 1 now felt oddly welcome.
They were thrilled that Geum Seong-je was alive.
What role would Geum Seong-je play in Part 2?
Just a tool exploited by the house owner? An ally aiding someone else?
Or would he upend everything?
It was driving them crazy with curiosity…!
But.
Hold on.
Amid all the speculation and hype.
- Seong-je, you need to know this too.
Right after confirmation that Geum Seong-je was alive.
Something ominous started appearing before their hopeful, excited eyes.
It couldn't be helped. The twists prepared for Part 2 were far from over.
- The moment you first taste freedom after being released.
- When everything feels like your own world, the peak of bliss.
Along with the house owner's words, evoking the protagonist.
- But then someone plucks that fruit.
The house owner kept talking to Geum Seong-je.
- You have no idea how fresh it is.
- I just can't hold back from devouring it.
- Right?
The camera zoomed in long on Geum Seong-je's face, clear for all to see.
Yes. Geum Seong-je's eyes were definitely open.
Beep- Beep-
The connected machines signaled he was alive.
But his gaze was unfocused, as if he hadn't fully regained consciousness.
- Goodness.
Pfuhuhu. The house owner's laughter echoed.
- So pitiful.
Starting from that face, the creepy house owner's touch revealed everything about Geum Seong-je, screen by screen.
Geum Seong-je, shattered beyond repair.
- Broken to the point he can't even respond.
- What a mess.
Pulling back the blanket exposed his mangled body.
Bandaged crudely, blood still seeped from wounds everywhere.
His pallid fingertips were visible. His left leg was completely severed.
As if clinging to life by a thread.
Geum Seong-je just blankly blinked at the ceiling.
'…….'
Everyone froze at the sight of him.
His condition is this bad…?
It's a miracle he's even alive.
Whether spoiled on Geum Seong-je appearing in Part 2 or not, his state was shocking.
Mr. Geum mentioned filming for Part 2, but this corpse-like state…?
The more they'd hoped for Geum Seong-je's heroics, the greater the letdown.
He bled out so much at the end… Though it'd be weirder if he were fine.
Geum Seong-je's condition made sense.
Ban Gi-hyuk had genuinely tried to kill him from the start. Recovery wouldn't be easy.
Realistically, this was the outcome.
Still… to be stuck as the exploited pawn.
But disappointment was disappointment.
And to me, that Geum Seong-je looks like he's begging to be killed… Makes this even more horrifying.
Of course, it hammered home the thrill and terror of the house owner.
Proof the main villain earned his title.
Look at that eerie house owner.
- Hmm. Can't move again today, huh.
The house owner pulled a jackknife on Geum Seong-je, whose mind clearly seemed foggy to anyone watching.
Stab!
No response? Straight into one arm.
- Paralysis of all things.
- No expression makes it no fun.
He even shoved fingers in, slowly twisting the wound.
Gurgle, gurgle. Blood soaked the pristine blanket, but he didn't care.
- Truth is, I was looking forward to your despair most of all, Seong-je.
He waited for Geum Seong-je's reaction.
Everyone watching held their breath.
His eyes teetered on the edge of flickering.
N-No way.
Pfft… This won't wake him.
But as expected.
No matter the pain inflicted repeatedly, only blankness returned. Not even a whimper.
- Totally hopeless.
The house owner finally gave up.
- Handy like a doll, though.
Shrugging, he skillfully sutured his own handiwork.
Wrapped it in bandages, then turned and left the room.
Thud.
No twists. The door just closed.
Click, clack. He locked it with multiple deadbolts.
Solid enough to keep anyone out—or in.
As if declaring Geum Seong-je belonged solely to him.
The screen lingered on the firmly shut door.
That was Geum Seong-je's end…
Puhahat!
But the moment the house owner stepped away from the door.
Suddenly.
A faint laugh leaked from the room.
Quiet, but crystal clear to these viewers.
……?
……?!
Bobby Park and his friends could only exchange wide-eyed stares in silence.
Just a laugh.
Yet it sent chills racing across their skin.
What the…
When the camera returned to Geum Seong-je.
Everyone shuddered.
His body hadn't budged an inch from the bed.
That corpse-like face.
Those motionless lips.
…Insane?!
G-Geum Seong-je?!
Were flashing the smile they all knew.
Creak-
Vividly alive on that face.
Damn, scaring us like this is cheating!
But… this is so peak Geum Seong-je.
Yeah. That's why it's so damn addictive!
The bigger the disappointment from his vegetable-like state, the greater the rush now.
His mind-blowing twist had them chuckling in disbelief.
He wasn't paralyzed—he was playing possum on purpose!
Geum Seong-je bared bloodstained white teeth in a grin.
Everyone cheered for him.
As if to say that's how you toy with your foe—his specialty.
Geum Seong-je mocking the house owner.
Pure thrill for all.
But…
They couldn't forget what he was.
Geum Seong-je was Geum Seong-je.
…B-But.
Huh.
Pfft! Puahaha! The longer Geum Seong-je's stifled laughter dragged on.
The weirder Bobby Park and his friends felt.
Why's he just laughing… Chills again…
Facing pure evil on another level once more.
That malice choking even the viewers.
Before they knew it, they were rubbing their arms, faces stiff.
No matter how much they rooted for him, he was undeniably, horrifically evil.
Bobby Park and his friends kept bingeing chapters.
At this rate, we ain't going home…!
How can I sleep without seeing the end!
Still glued to the screen, unable to go home.
The relentless edge-of-your-seat thrills through Part 2 were impossible to tear away from.
The house owner circling protagonist Ban Gi-hyuk, slowly tightening the noose.
The house owner's "treatments" for Geum Seong-je, as if sensing something was off.
Even the fellow cops starting to search for "Choi Pil-seung," the police officer vanished by Geum Seong-je in Part 1.
Everything hurtling toward the finale.
Like a ticking time bomb ready to blow any second.
Just watching had sweat beading on their palms.
- …Geum Seong-je.
And when the protagonist finally uncovered all the house owner's secrets.
- Is alive?
They held their breath.
The house owner had taunted him with Geum Seong-je's photo.
Ban Gi-hyuk couldn't contain his rage.
- How dare you. How DARE you?!
- You saved him!
That first kill still vivid in Ban Gi-hyuk's mind.
The moment bones snapped and veins tore.
Ruined.
Shattered.
And now, the culprit behind it all was targeting him too.
Ban Gi-hyuk snapped.
In the suffocating tension, he accepted the house owner's invitation.
Final showdown imminent.
- Seong-je!
- It's today!
The house owner couldn't contain his glee before the hunt began.
- The day we catch your friend. Room 101!
He kept whispering in Geum Seong-je's ear.
- Exciting, right? For you too?
He craved Geum Seong-je's fear and despair.
- Your newbie friend's neck, barely learning to walk.
- Roll—
- I'll make sure you see it tumble.
Watching him crush all his plans, toy with precious Ban Gi-hyuk.
- Then I'll kill you. You, whom no one could kill, me!
He wanted rage.
- Perfect, right?!
However.
- …….
Geum Seong-je showed no reaction.
Feigning helplessness, deceiving the house owner.
Suppressing laughter inside, watching it all.
And only those outside the screen knew.
What Geum Seong-je was doing.
Not being swayed.
Preparing to strike.
Like a deep-sea grouper glowing temptingly, waiting for prey to approach.
Biding for the perfect moment.
Even a blatant smile from Geum Seong-je, unbeknownst to the house owner.
Bobby Park and friends shot to their feet.
[Proceed to next chapter?]
(Others' Hell Finale)
"W-Wait a sec."
Because the next chapter was the story's end.
"Already the finale?"
"No way? How long since we started Episode 1…?"
"Crazy? Nooo!"
They freaked out.
"I get it's finale timing, but…! Argh!"
"So bittersweet! I wanna see it but hate that it's ending!"
Of course, regrets were regrets.
"Guys, hang on a bit. Gotta hit the bathroom."
"What…? You mad?"
"Bathroom? Nah, just piss here!"
"?!"
"I'm dying of curiosity!"
They had no choice but to hit play fast.
Time to embrace this insane climax!
Meanwhile, as Bobby Park and friends queued the finale.
Shin Yi-han, who knew the ending full well.
Had flown back from the US and was heading to Winter Entertainment with manager Na Seon-yong.
Hearing CEO Choo Gyeo-ul was still in her office late, he figured he'd drop souvenirs and chat about the short film with Bobby Park.
Shin Yi-han headed straight to the CEO's office.
"CEO's still up…? No way."
They'd knocked before entering.
"Watching Others' Hell, right?"
Shin Yi-han nodded with a chuckle at Na Seon-yong's words.
Probably started while waiting for us.
Choo Gyeo-ul had a cute character blanket over her shoulders, glued to the monitor.
So absorbed she hadn't noticed them enter.
"Yeah."
Even sneaking right behind her with earbuds in, no reaction.
Shin Yi-han held back laughter, biding his moment.
Just as Choo Gyeo-ul moved her mouse for the finale.
"How is it? Fun?"
"……?!"
Shin Yi-han leaned down, meeting her eyes.
"Eek?!"
Choo Gyeo-ul let out a short scream.
The Geum Seong-je on screen grinning creepily with eager anticipation.
"Gasp!"
And the exact same face right in front of her!
"Shin Yi-han?!"
W-well, the smile was much brighter and warmer.
"Wh-when did you get here?!"
Choo Gyeo-ul bolted up.
"Not long ago."
Shin Yi-han burst out laughing, picking up the fallen blanket from the startled CEO.
About five minutes?
"……Haha. I invited you over and got nothing to say. 'Just one more scene' turned into this."
Ahem. Choo Gyeo-ul fanned her flushed face, making excuses.
You're monitoring for me? Great by me. Shin Yi-han laughed then cut to the chase.
"Oh, CEO. Here."
Souvenirs first.
"Nothing fancy, just a mug."
"Whoa. You were so busy, and you got this…!"
A mug from an airport gift shop nearby. Thanks to Na Seon-yong's rec, he'd grabbed something.
"CEO! Snacks too!"
Na Seon-yong unpacked heaps of airport snacks behind.
"And the contract!"
Might as well hand over the short film contract from his bag.
"……?"
That instant. Something unexpected popped up, question mark over Choo Gyeo-ul's head.
Uh…
So.
Yes?
"Suddenly?!"
"Things just kinda led to shooting a short film."
A horror short, to be precise.
Choo Gyeo-ul's jaw dropped at Shin Yi-han's explanation.
He'd brought work before, but Shin Yi-han being Shin Yi-han.
Not in Korea, but America? And he shot it…?
"H-how?!"
With Bobby Park, no less…?!
The more she heard, the harder to believe.
"Yeah. Super fun shoot, and the final product turned out great."
"We wrapped it nicely and agreed to send the completed version our way! As your manager, I handled the email cleanly, so no worries!"
Shin Yi-han and Na Seon-yong tag-teaming the explanation.
"Too smooth… I got nothing."
Choo Gyeo-ul could only marvel.
Including shock.
Even as someone who'd built multiple top stars… An actor fetching projects himself was new.
Even a short film—if Shin Yi-han deemed it worthy, it must be solid.
Quality was a given.
"W-well… I had news too, actually."
Choo Gyeo-ul scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Something to tell them when they arrived, but.
"Too predictable now, lost the will to share…"
After that bombshell, no surprise left.
"Aw, now I'm curious."
"Yeah! Spill, CEO!"
Despite their eager reactions, Choo Gyeo-ul spoke up.
"So, Newflix staff reached out directly earlier."
Considering actor Shin Yi-han was mid-flight, Jennifer Kim's thoughtful contact.
"Part 2's blowing up in the US…!"
From Jennifer Kim's view, unshareable good news.
"Now we can aim for US No. 1!"
Choo Gyeo-ul beamed.
With Shin Yi-han as near-lead, box office success was personal.
"Of course, when exactly depends on time."
Jackpot. Shin Yi-han grinned.
Huge news. Them saying "aim for it" meant near-certain.
"No way! US No. 1 means world No. 1!"
Manager Na Seon-yong beamed too.
"When?! Next week? My heart's pounding already!"
"Pfft, this week, says this CEO."
Choo Gyeo-ul smirked at Na Seon-yong's question.
Tough competition from top US dramas in 1-2 spots.
But felt possible within the week.
"Then me."
Shin Yi-han smiled.
"Today."
He'd checked online buzz nonstop from airport to Winter Enter.
"Honestly, Others' Hell."
Better than expected, massive reactions.
"Is straight fire."
Playfully, he figured this was fair game.
Choo Gyeo-ul and Na Seon-yong laughed, nodding at his casual guess.
"Whoa! That'd be amazing!"
"Ultra expressway to smash hit!"
The vibe was so fun, every word landed great.
Though inwardly…
'Even so, today is…'
'Way too fast…?'
They brushed it off.
Even from intuitive Shin Yi-han, too bold.
But apparently not.
Shortly after Shin Yi-han and Na Seon-yong left.
Firing up the PC for the finale, Choo Gyeo-ul.
'……?'
Another question mark in her head.
'Why is this.'
- Asia No. 1.
Non-English regions locked No. 1 as baseline.
'For real…'
In English-speaking US, the sole holdout from No. 1.
- No. 1.
It boldly claimed it.
Less than half a day post-release.
'Yi-han…'
Even said lightly.
'H-how'd he nail this too?!'
Unbelievable!
Choo Gyeo-ul vowed never to doubt Shin Yi-han—even inwardly.
No, straight-up faith from now on!
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