Stage One, Round One
Yumin had been listless all day. He still hadn't shaken off the shock from yesterday. Even after gathering with the group once the central square opened, he said nothing, just listened silently. Yumin wasn't the type to smoothly chat up the women or keep conversations flowing, but the people here—his acquaintances—were different. They had all gathered around him, so whether he realized it or not, Yumin had been leading the mood. With him sitting there stone-faced and silent, it was only natural that everyone worried. Suji, in particular, felt guilty, wondering if it was because of her. It was understandable—she'd had sex with him, and suddenly from last night until now, he'd lost all his energy.
"Was it... maybe because you didn't like doing it with me?"
"No, absolutely not. It was good... really good. It's not because of you, Suji noona. I just had a bit of stomach trouble, so I couldn't eat properly."
Saying that the sex with her yesterday had been good—in front of so many acquaintances, especially the women—was mortifying and awkward as hell. But to reassure a worried Suji, he had no choice.
"I see. Still, stomach trouble worries me."
"I'm all better now. It's fine."
Yumin forced a bright smile. In truth, he couldn't stop fixating on Baek Seongyeop and Im Jiyun, sitting side by side in the corner. What emotions would people feel upon learning the identity of their parents' killer, something they'd never known? Would they be glad to uncover the truth? Happy to have a chance at revenge? Or would they lament that ignorance had been bliss? Yumin's heart was a tangled mess.
He was grateful to Paradise for unearthing what even the police hadn't—a case buried despite their efforts. It must have taken massive manpower, time, and money. For the first time, Yumin felt thankful toward this place. But Paradise wasn't heaven; despite the name, it was a prison with no freedom of movement or contact with the outside. Learning his parents' killer here changed nothing—he couldn't act on it. He couldn't hand over the hit-and-run evidence to the police for reinvestigation or punch the smirking Baek Seongyeop in the face. Confronting him would be pointless. And then what? If the guy admitted it and repented, could Yumin just forgive him and pretend it never happened? If he played dumb, would Yumin have to yell? If Baek pushed back hard, would they fight? It was all meaningless. A few words couldn't grant forgiveness, nor should they.
As the documents stated, Baek Seongyeop had known about the accident that day and fled the scene quickly. No matter how he sugarcoated it now, he was a murderer by hit-and-run, Yumin's parents' killer. For a fleeting moment, Yumin thought it might have been better not to know. But he quickly shook it off. Even if he couldn't act now, escaping Paradise would open possibilities. One more reason to get out had been added.
As the square gathering ended, Yumin returned to his private room. Sitting blankly on the bed, Angel's voice suddenly rang out.
Hello, participant Lee Yumin.
"Huh? What's this?"
This isn't a group announcement. It's an individual notice just for participant Lee Yumin.
What...? Why?
Because I have something to tell you privately.
Yumin thought this might be a golden opportunity. A chance to ask about the things he'd been agonizing over alone. He couldn't exactly discuss them with his acquaintances.
"Um, could I ask a few questions?"
What kind? My three sizes?
"No... something else."
Go ahead.
"Is this Paradise centered around me or something?"
Oh my. Didn't peg you for a prince syndrome case.
"No!!... I mean, look at the participants—most of them are connected to me somehow. How could I not suspect?"
I see.
"...So is it?"
I said you could ask questions, not that I'd answer.
"...Huh?"
Hehe...
If she were in front of him, Yumin would've flicked her forehead hard. She was so damn annoying. But arguing pointlessly here gained nothing. He cut to the chase.
"So why the individual announcement for me?"
First, look straight ahead.
Mission Privileges (Awarded in order to the highest participation rate per round)
1. Free Participation – Choose to participate in your own mission or not
2. Preview – Preview mission content
3. Mission Protection – Completely safe from missions (select 1 person, changeable)
4. Participant Change – If you skip your mission, randomly replace 1 participant
5. Diet Improvement – Upgrade to premium meals for all three daily meals
6. Partner Change – If participating in your mission, randomly change 1 partner
See that? These are privileges given to the participant with the highest mission participation rate each round. No choosing—you get them in sequence.
Stage 1 consists of 6 rounds, each with 5 missions.
The top participant per round gets one privilege in order.
However, keep this privilege info secret from others if possible. It's better for you.
As the top performer in the tutorial, participant Lee Yumin receives 1. Free Participation.
Free Participation lets you choose to join or skip the next mission.
Tell me your choice by calling me in your private room the day before the mission.
"Wait, how do I call you, Angel?"
Just call out to the ceiling.
"Wait, so you're monitoring me?"
Of course. I watch you masturbate every time.
"What?"
Ah! Don't stop just because I said that. I masturbate to your sessions, so you absolutely can't quit. Got it?
"..."
Gonna do it now?
"No!! Never."
Tch... Anyway, don't ever stop. I'll impose harsh penalties if you do. My sole discretion...
Have a good night. Tell me your participation choice before the mission in 6 days. I'm off now...
Yumin was dazed by Angel's absurd words but managed to pull himself together. He sank into quiet thought. This was crucial information. Truth be told, his top tutorial participation hadn't been by choice or pure skill. But he'd gotten the privilege anyway. He recalled the list on the wall: Free Participation, Preview, Mission Protection, Diet Improvement, Participant Change, Partner Change. The most appealing was Mission Protection. Securing that would guarantee his sister Gayeong's safety. The others would help protect him and his acquaintances too. But to get them, he'd need the highest participation rate—meaning at least 3-4 out of 5 missions per round. That ramped up the risks. Still, Yumin decided to participate. Beyond privileges, he couldn't bear handing his women over to other men. Especially Gayeong—his little sister. Even he'd feel awkward partnering with her. But full privileges would eliminate such worries.
Anyway, Angel's sudden intrusion had eased his pent-up frustration a bit. Then a thought struck: Couldn't he use these privileges for revenge too? The next evening, Yumin called Angel and declared his participation for Stage 1, Round 1, first mission.
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Yumin glanced around at the others seated at the table. Everyone's faces looked brighter than when they'd first arrived at Paradise—unimaginably so. It wasn't just expressions; their stiff hair had softened, dry skin moistened. Thanks to the tutorial rewards: shampoo, conditioner, lotion. Yumin and Jeongho looked sharper too, freshly shaved. The women's armpits—out of sight now—were probably smooth as well. And the six mission-free days helped. Missions every three days sounded manageable, but anxiety started the day before, so a full week's break was huge. For the women, the real fear might not be the missions themselves, but entrusting their bodies to unknown men.
Yumin had slept with every woman at this table except his sister Lee Gayeong and Shin Minseo. If missions paired them only with him—or Seohyeon with Jeongho—they might not dread it. Some might even welcome it. The grooming products and rest had mended their frayed bodies and minds. But that ended today—the last day of respite. Missions resumed tomorrow.
"A new stage starts tomorrow. Wonder what it'll be like?" Seohyeon ventured cautiously.
Her husband Jeongho, right beside her, replied immediately. "Leveling up probably means it'll get harder, not easier."
Everyone likely thought the same. No game got simpler post-tutorial. Paradise would follow suit.
Suji voiced a hope. "As long as we can pair with who we want..."
"Right? That'd be ideal."
Yumin was bemused watching Minseo nod along with Suji. You've never even done a mission. And 'who we want'? Who'd you have in mind?
"Who knows? It might get way easier. 'First step's half the battle,' right? We've cleared the tutorial— one step closer to escaping Paradise."
"Yeah, Yumin's right. Worrying here won't make it easier or harder—just wastes energy. Think positive."
"Yes, honey."
The group forced some cheer until the square closed, then dispersed to private rooms. Yumin returned to his, sat on the bed. Too early for sleep. Nothing to do in this barren place, but lying down felt wrong. Others fretted over tomorrow's mission, wondering if they'd be picked. Yumin's spot was locked in. Worry wouldn't solve it.
He pulled down his pants, gripped his flaccid cock, and began kneading. Slowly hardening, he stroked up and down. His daily sex training. He'd skipped a few days knowing Angel watched, but couldn't slack forever. With 3-4 participations per round ahead, square extensions had already cut training time. Final checks done, he lay down as lights out hit.
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All Paradise participants gathered in the square after Angel's announcement to tackle the new stage's missions.
Now announcing Stage 1, Round 1, Mission 1.
Participants: Lee Yumin, Seo Soyoung.
Participants, enter the Mission Room.
Yumin had known, but Soyoung's name drew a sad expression. No refusing. They entered the Mission Room. Something felt off. In the tutorial, Angel announced participants, content, time limit, and penalties at once. Here, despite entry, only participants were named—no details.
Soon the central floor opened, rising a familiar bed from tutorial days. Once fixed, Angel continued.
Mission: Facial ejaculation 1 time and creampie 1 time on participants Lee Yumin and Seo Soyoung.
Time limit: 1 hour.
Missions doubled. Longer time was a relief, but difficulty had risen. The real shock came next.
Penalty for failure: "Death" for both mission participants.