Chapter 393: Heaven and Hell
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 393: Heaven and Hell
A day passed. It wasn't a long time. After finishing my business, I had returned to Ha Yuri’s house and caught a few hours of sleep. That was all. It was still early morning when I opened my eyes and walked out into the living room to find Lee Wanyong looking at me. He spoke immediately, even though I hadn't said a word.
“Are you leaving right away?”
“Yes.”
“Did you get what you wanted?”
“Not all of it.”
I had gathered a decent amount of emotions for Customization. I felt that if I stayed here just a little longer, I could definitely evolve, but I had no desire to linger in Ha Yuri’s house just to gather emotions. It felt like I’d finally shaken off something that had been weighing me down, and I knew it was time to leave. I could probably gather the rest quickly once I was back at the temple.
“You seem troubled.”
“Not anymore.”
Lee Wanyong’s lips curled into a slight smile. I didn’t like that he’d seen through me, but the man was so perceptive that he had likely already figured out what I was thinking.
“Stop talking nonsense and pack your things.”
“Hehe. I’ve said too much. My apologies.”
His expression held a strange certainty—the certainty that his choice had not been wrong. Seeing him look like that was reassuring in its own way; it meant that, at the very least, I hadn't made a disadvantageous move. When a man who was a master at picking the winning side gave you a look of trust, you knew things hadn't gone wrong.
At my command, Choi Seulgi and Lee Wanyong slowly began to pack. Naturally, Ha Yuri’s house grew quite noisy. The interesting thing was that the rustling sounds weren't just coming from our room, but from Ha Yuri’s as well. I couldn't tell if she was planning to see us off, but I could feel a single doll emerging from her room.
It was undoubtedly Ha Yuri.
“Looks like she’s awake. Think she’s going to see us off?”
“I was going to wake her anyway. If she gets up on her own, all the better for us.”
“That bitch is ridiculously sharp, too.”
“Puhahahahahahat.”
After packing, we stepped outside to find Ha Yuri waiting for us by the door. Contrary to her expression that seemed to support my decision, Choi Seulgi looked quite displeased. Lee Wanyong stood cautiously behind Choi Seulgi, watching Ha Yuri. In truth, Ha Yuri was in no state to deal with Lee Wanyong, but perhaps because of his many past sins, he was subtly watching her every move.
Ha Yuri looked at me and muttered.
“You’re leaving?”
“Of course.”
“That’s a bit of a relief.”
“Looks like you were worried I’d try to harm you.”
“If I wasn’t worried, I’d be a crazy bitch. After what happened, how could I possibly be at ease? I’m half-worried heretical inquisitors will storm my house after you leave. Though from the atmosphere, it doesn't seem like that's the case.”
“I keep my word. Besides, there’s nothing to be gained by tormenting you now. Didn’t I tell you yesterday? You’re no longer my concern.”
“That’s a little disappointing.”
“Is Jeong Ji-young in his room?”
“He’s dead to the world. He looked a bit troubled, though. Did you say something to him while I was gone, or while I was sleeping?”
I hadn’t contacted Jeong Ji-young. I glanced at Choi Seulgi, who turned her head away, feigning ignorance. It seemed she’d had a conversation with him while I was out.
“I suppose so. It was probably nothing important, so you don’t need to worry about it. More importantly, thank you for seeing us off. Have you grown fond of me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I was anxious… and your expression looked complicated, so I just thought you might have something to say. That’s all.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Of course. It’s written all over your face. How could I not know? You look just like I did when I first came down here. A look of regret? Maybe not… that might not be all of it, but there was definitely something bothering you. I may have been a bitch, but that doesn't mean you weren't a bastard. You had your own justifications… So, what about you? Do you have regrets?”
I grinned, baring my fangs.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Maybe that’s why I lost to you.”
“That doesn’t sound much like a compliment.”
“It is. At least, in this world…”
I started walking slowly. Choi Seulgi and Lee Wanyong were still following me, and Ha Yuri was too, tapping the ground with the cheap steel sword. I glanced at her and muttered.
“Why are you following me?”
“Our paths just happen to be the same.”
“................................”
“Huuu…”
There was no way she was following me just because our paths were the same. The way she kept glancing at me and sighing, as if trying to find the right moment, made it obvious she wanted something. I raised the corner of my mouth and spoke.
“You can be honest.”
At my words, she let out another sigh before speaking slowly.
“My husband. I was hoping you could help him a little… Think of it as payment for the room…”
“Puhahahahahahahat.”
I let out a small laugh, but Ha Yuri’s expression was dead serious. She was an incredibly proud woman. Compared to when she had screamed at me to just kill her, the look on her face now was utterly alien.
She was biting her lip, unable to keep still. In a way, she was bowing her head to the very person who had completely ruined her life. Her self-esteem must have hit rock bottom.
Humiliation was written all over her face. Yet, with that contorted expression, she was shamelessly begging me. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it was strange. It was oddly satisfying, but I felt no pity. When I didn't respond, she spoke again.
“H-He’s been in a lot of pain lately. So much that he can’t move… I… I know I have no shame, but…”
As she spoke again, Choi Seulgi muttered.
“She really is shameless.”
“................”
Ha Yuri’s face twisted once more, but she kept her head bowed low. I looked at her and murmured.
“The gold coin I gave you, do you still have it?”
I glanced over and saw Ha Yuri nod. She pulled the coin from her clothes; it seemed she’d been carrying it with her. I didn't know why, but it must have held some meaning for her.
‘Let’s not forget.’ Or ‘Let’s remember.’
Something like that, but I didn't sense any thirst for revenge. I gave Lee Wanyong a slight look, and he handed over a potion from his pouch. With a trembling hand, Ha Yuri slowly passed the gold coin to Lee Wanyong. I didn't know what she was thinking, but tears kept falling from her distorted face.
“Hic… ugh… th-thank you.”
“.........”
“Th-thank you.”
I could tell whether she was sincere or not. She kept wiping away the streaming tears with both hands, and the way she bowed her head so deeply seemed to express genuine gratitude. It was as if she truly hadn't expected us to grant her request, which only made her more emotional. Seeing this, even Choi Seulgi gave a slight nod.
“It will remove the side effects from his body. It will restore his energy, of course, and he won’t be lying around the house like a cripple anymore. He’ll be able to go hunting and protect himself.”
“I never thought I’d say this to you, but… thank you, really.”
“You bought this potion for a fair price. There’s no need to be so grateful. It’s not like I’ve come to pity or understand you. It’s just…”
“Just…?”
“A whim. Consider yourself lucky. And…”
“.............”
“It wouldn’t be so bad to see you up there, if you can make it. Though it might take a while.”
As I muttered this, Ha Yuri’s expression twisted slightly. Of course, I wasn't saying I would help her escape. I had just told her to her face to break through 150 floors, so it was no wonder she looked like that.
No, more than that, her thoughts must have become even more complicated. She had once told me she was happier here. But it wasn't necessarily safer than living above. Her husband would slowly recover his strength, and they might live a stable life here.
But the events of yesterday would surely remain in her memory.
She had almost lost everything she had. It might even remain as trauma. As I watched her in silence, Ha Yuri slowly opened her mouth.
“He won’t be able to climb. If I say I’ll go up… will you let him out too?”
“Of course.”
“Can you promise you’ll leave us alone?”
“I can’t promise that. But you might be able to feed your husband better than before. What I’m offering you now is a simple whim. By the time you make it to the top, I might want to kill you. It’s all your choice. You once said you were happy with your life here, so I have no intention of criticizing you if you choose to settle.”
“You have a twisted sense of humor.”
I nodded. She was right. It was a twisted sense of humor. Forcing a choice on people who were content with their lives, handing them an option that might be dangerous, wasn't exactly a kind act. Especially when the path was one of visible suffering. If I were in Ha Yuri’s situation, I wouldn't be eager to take on the challenge either. 150 floors was no joke; it wasn't a place an ordinary human could endure. Just looking at Ha Yuri’s expression, I could tell how dumbfounded she was.
She must have a lot on her mind.
But contrary to her, I wasn't feeling bad at all.
“The time to think…”
“You don’t need that. You do it when you want to. Think of it as atoning to those you’ve tormented and quietly enjoy what I’ve created for you.”
“Atonement?”
“Yes, atonement.”
“If I’m atoning through you… then who will you atone to?”
“That’s something only losers have to do.”
I took a step forward. I gestured to Ha Yuri, as if to say she didn't need to follow anymore, and the sound of her footsteps ceased. Instead, I heard her voice. It didn't sound like she was shouting at us, but rather muttering to herself.
“Why… did you two hate me so much? And… why now…”
I kept my mouth shut for a moment. There were many reasons, but there was no need to tell her. Choi Seulgi nudged my side with her elbow, so I muttered a rough reply and started walking again.
“I just didn’t like you.”
As Ha Yuri gradually disappeared from view, Choi Seulgi spoke to me.
“What a fucking touching couple. Don’t you think?”
“Did you go see Jeong Ji-young yesterday?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Just because. I went to tell him about the offer you just made to Ha Yuri.”
“What’d he say?”
“He asked if you’d let Ha Yuri come up too if he cleared all 150 floors.”
“Puhahahat. A touching couple indeed… So?”
“I told him it was the other way around.”
“That must have broken his heart…”
“Right?”
Just as Ha Yuri said, Choi Seulgi and I have a pretty twisted sense of humor.
“Anyway, you don’t look too upset.”
“Honestly, I’m pissed… but I guess this isn’t so bad. Now that I think about it, killing them would have left a bad taste in my mouth.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
“..........”
“What if those bastards regress like we did? So this is the best way.”
I laughed at Choi Seulgi’s words. She couldn't be serious. She was probably joking. Lee Wanyong, watching us, also began to smile, but he immediately shut his mouth when his eyes met mine.
“Let’s go.”
Choi Seulgi nodded, and we began our ascent. We started to climb slowly, toward the place those in the underground called heaven.