Chapter 404: Accumulated Karma
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 404: Accumulated Karma
As of right now, South Korea still has the death penalty.
However, since it’s never actually carried out, I understood it to be effectively the same as a life sentence.
But today, an execution was being held right here in my dormitory room.
“St-Stop! I said stop!”
Oh Yun-ji and Yoo Ah-rin were each pinning down one of my legs.
“Shut up! This heinous object that makes women cry must be erased from this world!”
“This is the moment Kim Woo-jin’s reason for existence is denied. I guess he’ll become something like Kim Yu-jeong now.”
What kind of crazy talk is that?
Does Kim Yu-jeong mean I’m turning into a girl?
“Don’t do it! Please! This is illegal!”
“Waaaaah! Woo-jin-ah!”
Seo Ye-rin, shouting with tears in her eyes, was currently pinned down on the bed. Senior Ju-hee had intercepted and subdued her when she tried to rush in to save me.
“Oh, nooo! If Woo-jin’s junk disappears, he’ll have nothing left but his face! What are we going to dooo?!”
“That hurts even more!”
Doesn’t that sound like everything else about me is bottom-tier?
“Um, excuse me. I found it.”
Choi Jin-ah entered the room. Following Oh Yun-ji’s orders to bring an execution tool, she had fetched something from outside.
“You wench, you actually brought a hammer!”
She had brought the actual hammer used by the facility manager!
“If you hit me with that, it’s not a joke! My balls are literally going to split into four!”
The two girls looking at me as I screamed also wore awkward expressions. It seemed they hadn't imagined Choi Jin-ah would actually bring a tool like that.
But then again, I wanted to ask them what exactly she was supposed to bring.
“Just let him go. I wasn't actually going to do anything anyway.”
Choi I-seo, fresh out of the shower, walked past while drying her hair with a towel.
Thanks to her, the two finally let go of my legs, and I narrowly escaped execution.
“Tch, that was getting fun.”
“It feels surprisingly good when Kim Woo-jin begs for mercy.”
“Oh, I felt that too. That’s why I used to pretend to be jealous on purpose when we were dating.”
Seeing Oh Yun-ji and Yoo Ah-rin start their own conversation, I slunk up from the floor.
Then, I approached Choi Jin-ah, who was still gripping the hammer with both hands, and asked, “Were you really going to strike me with this?”
“N-No. You just told me to bring an execution tool… so I thought a hammer would be appropriate.”
“Did you not have a single doubt while bringing it? That hitting someone with this wouldn't end as a simple prank?”
“…I was a bit too focused on the task of bringing it.”
“I really want to hit your head with a hammer.”
“Mr. Woo-jin?!”
“Forget it! Go give it back!”
“Yes, sir!”
Choi Jin-ah scurried out of the room.
She keeps saying she’s improved, but I honestly can’t tell what exactly has gotten better.
“Woo-jin-ah!”
That’s when Seo Ye-rin rushed over and threw herself into my arms. I thought that was it, but she immediately pressed her lips against mine and tangled her tongue with mine.
“Mmph?!”
I was startled, but I kissed her back for a moment. A few seconds later, she pulled away with a grin.
“Gotta collect my legal fees.”
“So you still get paid even if you lose the case?”
“Of course! I’m only charging the minimum for labor!”
That kiss was a bit too deep to be called the "minimum."
I glanced past Seo Ye-rin.
Choi I-seo was drying her hair with a blow dryer.
“Doesn’t it feel great when he’s walking on eggshells like that?”
“Right? It’s like he turns into a little forest animal.”
Oh Yun-ji and Yoo Ah-rin were bonding over the strangest things.
“Yawn.”
Senior Ju-hee, looking exhausted, was trying to fall asleep using my blanket and pillow.
“I-I gave it back.”
Finally, there was Choi Jin-ah, panting as she ran back inside, and Seo Ye-rin, who was still clinging to me and rubbing her face against my chest.
Because the dormitory was under-occupied, I had been using a double room all to myself, so it was spacious compared to other students. However…
‘It’s too cramped.’
With this many people gathered, it was so crowded it was hard to move.
Besides, isn't this a male dormitory?
I didn't think it was a good idea for so many girls to be here, regardless of the circumstances.
Thump, thump, thump!
“Woo-jin.”
A sudden knock.
“The Dorm Supervisor?!”
At the sound of the supervisor’s voice, everyone began to move in perfect, frantic unison.
“W-What do we do?”
“Hide! The b-bathroom!”
As they all scrambled into the bathroom, I stood before the door, trying to catch my breath and look natural.
“Phew.”
Creeeeak.
When I opened the door, the male Dorm Supervisor was standing there with his thick forearms crossed.
“Is something the matter?”
When I asked awkwardly, the supervisor sighed and glanced into the room.
“Woo-jin, you know our dormitory operates on a demerit point system, right?”
“Of course. I’m well aware.”
What was it again?
I think 20 demerit points resulted in immediate forced eviction.
“Do you know how many points you have right now?”
“Uh, three?”
“It’s nineteen.”
“…Really?”
My shoulders slumped involuntarily at the unbelievable score.
Wait, I racked up that many?
It felt absurd, but I figured if I actually looked into them one by one, I’d probably end up thinking I got off easy, so I let it slide.
“But I just received a report.”
“A report? About what?”
“A report that an outsider entered your room.”
“…….”
“Unauthorized outsiders? And you know it’s three demerit points if they’re of the opposite sex, right?”
“No, wait. There’s been a misunderstanding.”
I spoke up urgently, but the supervisor kept his arms crossed and his suspicious gaze fixed on me.
“Fine, then tell me.”
“Pardon?”
“Tell me what I’m misunderstanding. I just got a tip, you see. Someone said they saw a girl entering your room just now.”
Choi Jin-ah…
I heard a slight rattling sound from the bathroom.
It seemed someone was punishing Choi Jin-ah on my behalf.
“I asked what the misunderstanding was.”
“Well, you see…”
Even if I wanted to explain, I had nothing to say.
If he decided to step inside for an inspection and just checked the bathroom, it was game over.
Actually, it might be even worse than that.
‘How many people are in there right now?’
First there were three.
And then three more went in.
That meant there were a whopping six people in my room.
‘…I’m glad I haven't handed over the Bamboo Forest Manager position yet.’
This would definitely be posted on the Bamboo Forest as a legendary story, but at least I could block it.
Since I’m the youngest son of Uju Group, the rumors would probably be even more vicious.
Since the managers were involved too, I was just about to decide to ask Ah-rin and Senior Ju-hee to help me with some media control on the Bamboo Forest when—
“Woo-jin?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What is that?”
The supervisor pointed behind me with a look of distaste. His finger was aimed at my bed.
There was a thick, protruding lump under the covers. The way it curved was unmistakably the silhouette of a woman’s body.
“…….”
“…….”
Both the supervisor and I fell silent.
I didn't know which idiot it was, but I couldn't help but facepalm and let out a long sigh.
“Woo-jin.”
The supervisor looked at me, his low voice filled with a complex mix of emotions.
“Normally, unless someone is a real troublemaker, we don't actually go through with immediate eviction procedures.”
“…Yes.”
“Because we want to be considerate of the students. How hard would it be for students with no money to suddenly be kicked out onto the street?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
Just look at that lump move up and down as that girl breathes.
If she had at least held her breath, I could have tried to lie and say it was a life-sized doll or something.
“But Woo-jin. I’ve heard things about you.”
The supervisor spoke calmly, trying his best to make me understand.
The fact that he was over-explaining himself could be seen as him wanting me to accept the situation.
But I was already prepared; my mind was at peace, and all that was left was to accept it.
“I heard that you… are the kind of person who can live perfectly well without me worrying about your future.”
“Sir, you don't need to hesitate.”
“Woo-jin.”
“It’s fine. I’m ready. Just say it. I’ll accept it without a word of complaint.”
“Alright, then, Woo-jin…”
It was something I would have had to do after final exams anyway.
I was just doing it a bit early. I humbly accepted the fate that had come for me—.
“Please move out.”
I was kicked out of the dormitory.
* * *
The supervisor left, saying he’d give me time to pack my bags.
He even gave a polite nod to the person lying on the bed, telling her to make sure she left without getting caught.
I was grateful for his consideration in many ways, but…
Thud.
the moment the door closed, I immediately spun around and lunged at the bed.
“You brat! Who are you?!”
To be honest, I wasn't sure who it was. But right now, I just wanted to destroy whoever was under that blanket.
“Are we playing hide-and-seek like toddlers?! You think you won't get caught if you hide like that, huh?!”
I grabbed a pillow and started whaling on the lump until the culprit finally revealed herself.
A tuft of red hair poked out.
“W-Woo-jin! Wait! I’m sorry! Yoo Ah-rin pushed me when I was trying to get into the bathroom!”
Whack! Whack! Whack!
I don't know.
I just don't know anymore.
As I continued to beat her with the pillow, I heard the bathroom door open.
I whipped my head around to see Choi Jin-ah sobbing, her arms held by Senior Ju-hee and Yoo Ah-rin.
“I’m sooorryyyyy!”
With only one month left until my military enlistment.
I had lost my home.