102. STAGE TWO. Round Five.
Yumin could roughly guess what Soyeong wanted to say from her brief words. Her thanks were obviously for helping her succeed in this dangerous mission, and her apology was for past events.
"Yeah…."
But Yumin's response felt a bit lacking compared to Soyeong's earnestness. The ill feelings he'd harbored toward her when they parted ways back then had faded a lot by now, but they hadn't completely vanished. With Junyoung gone, resolving things with Soyeong might be a lingering homework assignment for Yumin moving forward.
Yumin shifted his gaze from Soyeong, who was looking up at him with sparkling eyes, to Junyoung, collapsed lifelessly on the floor. Yumin didn't hold any good feelings toward Junyoung either, but it was different from what he felt for Soyeong. The biggest emotion Yumin harbored toward Junyoung was betrayal.
For Yumin, who valued trust above all in human relationships, betrayal was the worst act a person could commit. Sure, in social or business life, political differences or personal gains might force unavoidable betrayals of partners or colleagues. But betraying relationships built purely on trust and faith—like friends, mentors, lovers—that was the ultimate display of inhumanity.
Yumin had truly seen Junyoung as a reliable senior, a close brother figure. Suji was the woman he trusted and relied on most, but Junyoung had been on a similar level. To grasp how Yumin felt when betrayed by Junyoung, just imagine swapping Suji into Junyoung's place.
Yet Yumin couldn't help pitying Junyoung, who had died so absurdly. There wasn't a speck of the confident college student he'd once been. Yumin decided to shake off the pain and resentment he'd felt from the betrayal. It might be meaningless now that Junyoung was dead, but Yumin chose to forgive him one last time.
With the mission time now over, here's the official announcement. Mission participant Lee Yumin and mission participant Seo Soyeong each receive 10 points as a mission success reward.
Paradise participants, please return to your individual cells.
Angel seemed a bit sloppy today. Or had she never been the sharp type anyway? In any case, as Angel announced the mission success, Yumin started picking up and putting on his clothes.
Soyeong, who should have been sprawled on the bed in a post-orgasmic haze at this point, had snapped fully back to reality thanks to Junyoung's sudden intrusion. She stuck close to Yumin's side, stealing glances at him as she hurriedly dressed.
Normally, Yumin would have ignored Soyeong lounging on the bed and headed straight to the square, but he couldn't completely ignore her now with those wide, alert eyes staring at him.
"Well… shall we go?"
That was the only thing Yumin said to her before turning and heading to the square. It was the maximum consideration he could muster for her right now.
"Yes, Yumin oppa."
Soyeong had no complaints. She wasn't harboring any vain hopes of sudden forgiveness from him. She was just grateful he'd spoken to her at all. She followed him to the square.
Yumin's group, waiting in the square, quickly dispersed under Jeongho and Suji's lead. Even without them, no one wanted to linger with a death from this mission. It was a relief for Yumin, whose heart was in turmoil, and for Soyeong, hovering awkwardly at a distance.
But one person wouldn't leave Yumin alone. The moment he returned to his cell, Angel appeared.
Participant Lee Yumin. Congratulations on the mission success and on achieving the most participations in Round 5 missions.
"Yeah… uh… thanks…."
Couldn't you give me a moment to compose myself before popping up? Yumin inwardly cursed Angel for appearing without even a second to gather his emotions.
As a reward for the most Round 5 mission participations, you receive one privilege: Bonus Mission.
"Bonus Mission?"
From Yumin's experience, bonuses were usually good. Whether points or opportunities, free was always better. As the head of his household who'd even taken on housewife duties, Yumin was sensitive to bonuses. His favorite deals were always buy-one-get-one-free.
Yes, Bonus Mission is a privilege allowing an additional mission outside the ongoing main missions.
The bonus mission occurs the day after the main mission, at the same time: 3 p.m.
However, no privileges currently held by participant Lee Yumin can be used in missions from this Bonus Mission privilege.
"Wait, then… isn't that a penalty, not a privilege?"
Yumin immediately objected. He was right. Participating in a mission without any privileges was far too risky. What merits came from an extra mission? More chances for fun sex with his group, extra points? But the demerits outweighed them. He couldn't trade life for pleasure and points.
No, participant Lee Yumin. Hear me out first. Tch.
"Yes… sorry…."
Yumin apologized to Angel, who seemed miffed at being interrupted. Her explanation continued.
However, bonus missions added via the Bonus Mission privilege differ from main missions in several ways.
First, there's no penalty you're most worried about.
Success grants points; failure just means no points—no other penalties.
Second, the male participant is fixed as the Bonus Mission privilege user, participant Lee Yumin.
The female participant is randomly selected and individually notified. She's asked if she'll participate. If she refuses, no bonus mission occurs.
As a true bonus, there's zero compulsion.
Finally, no Special Missions trigger. All else matches main missions.
Now do you get it, participant Lee Yumin? Why Bonus Mission is a privilege? No need to grumble like that.
"Sorry…."
Angel held grudges. Yumin apologized again. Anyway, per her explanation, Bonus Mission was exactly the kind of bonus Yumin loved. If it seemed risky or tough, just skip it. Actually, excluding Special Missions, most missions weren't inherently dangerous or hard—the real risks came from failure penalties. No penalties meant drastically lower difficulty. Worst case, ignore the goals and leisurely enjoy the time with the female participant. No woman left in Paradise would refuse sex with Yumin, so the chance of cancellation was near zero.
Now mission-savvy, Yumin could genuinely enjoy most missions regardless of penalties. But ignoring penalties as a participant versus no penalties at all were worlds apart. A virgin until Paradise, Yumin had only experienced mission sex—no slow, immersive lovemaking or relaxed intimacy like normal couples.
He was already excited for the Bonus Mission, imagining fully focused, no-distractions sex. But oblivious Angel ruined his fantasies—as usual. Or was her timing too sharp?
Participant Lee Yumin.
Whose personal info among Paradise participants would you like?
Oh, right—that too. Remaining participants were just his sister Gayoung and Minseo. Soyeong was left, but Yumin planned to move past the old her. Their relationship needed rebuilding from now.
"Minseo."
No real choice. He knew everything about Gayoung from living together since childhood—no need to check. Minseo seemed bubbly but hard to read; this was a good chance to learn more about her sly side.
Yes, participant Shin Minseo. You'll receive it after square opening time.
"Thanks, Angel."
Okay, then I'll be going….
With Angel gone, Yumin finally had alone time. He'd planned to sort complex thoughts about Junyoung and Soyeong, calm his turmoil. But Angel's whirlwind had cleared his cluttered mind and heart. A wry smile formed. Should he thank her for this?
Square opening time came, and Yumin headed there. His group gathered too. At a four-person table next to their eight-person one sat Soyeong and Mikyung. Thinking about it, Paradise, once bustling, now felt empty. Yumin's seven plus Soyeong and Mikyung barely hit ten. Normally, thinning crowds brought loneliness, but the departed weren't ordinary. Scanning the square, Yumin felt relief and refreshment, not negativity.
"Um… Yumin oppa…."
Soyeong, usually with Junyoung from afar or just watching Yumin's group, approached cautiously.
"…Yeah?"
Yumin's reply was a bit delayed, surprised. He knew his feelings toward her had shifted post-mission, but not this quickly.
"Sorry, but… could we talk for a moment?"
Soyeong clasped her hands politely, head bowed, peeking up at him. She looked like a guilty student before a scary teacher—Yumin couldn't easily refuse.
"Yumin, how about hearing her out?"
As Yumin hesitated, Suji, watching them alternate, stepped in to suggest.