Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: How to Steal the Protagonist's Woman
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"What the fuck!!"
I watched Han Yeo-reum spit out curses and cheerfully opened my mouth.
"Ah, this is Zephyrium Village, alright."
Han Yeoreum was faithfully following my orders, standing quietly next to me with both hands raised high.
Everything except his mouth.
"Hurry up and let me go!"
"Shut your mouth first. Let me hear what the fairy has to say."
"Mmph!!"
"…."
Min Ha-yeon came into view across from Han Yeo-reum.
She had her head turned, holding back laughter.
I gave an awkward smile and looked straight ahead.
At that moment, a transmission came in from Armonia.
[Su-ho-nim, you have the command authority. Why not try issuing a stronger order instead of something so basic?]
'Ah, I was just testing if commands work here. I planned to do it after hearing everything from the fairy.'
In truth, telling him to raise his hands had been a spur-of-the-moment test to see if orders worked in this place.
A command that wouldn't threaten his life or cost points….
I figured it wouldn't hurt to hear the fairy's explanation first before diving into everything.
‘Even if this bastard kills himself, it’d be best to squeeze out every bit of info we can beforehand.’
[A wise judgment.]
The fairy, the only bright light in this dark village, scanned the three of us and began her explanation.
"First off, heartfelt congratulations on clearing the tutorial boss battle."
"…."
Even getting ten thousand points doesn't make the sincerity appear, it seems.
The fairy stiffened her expression as much as possible and continued the explanation.
"This is the 'Waiting Village' where you'll stay for the next four days."
"Waiting Village?"
"Yes! It has top-class lodging facilities, a shop where you can buy all the goods from Zephyrium Village, and on the outskirts, your own dedicated hunting fields for monster slaying."
Originally, Zephyrium Village was made for the tutorial process, so after seven days, you're forcibly sent to the upper or lower levels.
But if early clearers leave without filling their remaining stay, it goes against fairness.
Especially unlike Zephyrium Village, from Floor 1 onward, convenience and safety facilities are drastically reduced, she informed us.
Rushing through the tutorial early could be seen as unfair treatment, so they prepared this place.
And it's also a way to honor those who cleared it….
I had questions.
"Hold on? Why go to the trouble? Can't you just send us back to Zephyrium Village?"
"No! Absolutely not, for security reasons."
"Aha…."
She said survivors spilling boss info would cause problems.
Boss information is something you can't know without regression.
The fairy wrapped up her talk.
"Stay here for the remaining four days, and on the last day, we'll help you go to the upper or lower floor of your choice. If you need any tips, just call! Alright then!"
The fairy quickly finished and vanished.
After the fairy disappeared, I looked around.
Even without the shining fairy, the streetlights in the village emitted light, letting us see the surroundings clearly.
There were about ten buildings, and in the center stood the large building I'd entered with the fairy, towering like a landmark.
And by feel of it, I judged that was the lodging.
Why?
It looked exactly like the Zephyrium Hotel.
"It's like they shrunk Zephyrium Village down."
"Phew… So we can just relax here for a while."
Min Ha-yeon sighed in relief, patting her chest.
Unlike the life-or-death tension from before, this place felt peaceful, without even a hint of human presence.
Scale-wise, it was much smaller than Zephyrium Village, but with just three of us, it didn't feel cramped at all.
"Let's head to the lodging and crash. It's late."
"Hmm… Doesn't it feel like a waste to just sleep like this?"
"…?"
As I gave her a puzzled look, Min Ha-yeon smiled awkwardly and spoke.
"How about a drink to celebrate…."
"Then let's secure the lodging first and drink."
"Sure."
Min Ha-yeon shyly stuck to my side with a smile.
And Han Yeo-reum glaring at us with a demonic expression.
Faithfully obeying my words, hands raised in penalty stance.
I looked at him and said,
"Alright, let's go~ slave."
"Mmph!! Mmmpgh!!!"
"Pfft…."
At my words, Han Yeo-reum's temple bulged with a vein like a red earthworm, showing his rage, while Min Ha-yeon turned her head to laugh.
As Han Yeo-reum followed me with hands raised, diligently standing penalty, I asked Armonia.
'Armonia.'
[Yes.]
'Will the Holy Order help that guy?'
[…The Holy Order's only way to help is Enel. In my personal opinion, there won't be any more support.]
They'd already used massive Enel on the regression blessing.
From the Holy Order's perspective, that's cheat-level already, so they'd expect him to make do.
[They sent Han Yeo-reum with the guarantee of resupplying Enel later. Using more would actually risk losses.]
'Got it….'
Armonia's thinking made perfect sense, but there's 'no guarantees.
They might help out of spite, regardless of public or private matters.
But I trusted Armonia's read on their nature.
I sneakily glanced at Han Yeo-reum, who stared at me with furious eyes.
Among everyone I’d met so far, he seemed the most capable, yet ended up the most pathetic.
The perfect prey to satisfy my fun.
I wanted him to stay sane all the way up Yggdrasil.
[…Because of the regression?]
'Nah~'
I answered refreshingly.
'When he reaches the end, I want to plant the despair that no matter what he does, it's futile.'
[….]
There are countless forms of despair.
Despair from not seeing a future.
Despair from crashing into a wall.
And….
'If he sacrificed everything for his final wish, only for that final wish not to even be his.'
[…All the hope he's built so far will turn to despair.]
'Yeah, that's what I want for Han Yeo-reum. And it's about time for his first sacrifice.'
[Isn't Min Ha-yeon sleeping with you already enough?]
Armonia was right.
In Han Yeo-reum's head, images of me and Min Ha-yeon rutting like beasts, begging for affection before his regression, must be swirling chaotically.
For the rest of his life..
But….
'He has no idea why that happened.'
Han Yeo-reum didn't know the process of why Min Ha-yeon and I ended up fucking.
He died with his neck snapped before finding out, and in the next loop, he didn't know we retained memories.
And today was the day to create that reason.
'Looks like I need to ask Ha-yeon for a favor.'
[…?]
Me, Min Ha-yeon, and Han Yeo-reum with arms raised entered the hotel.
As soon as we entered, brilliant lights illuminated the hallway.
Min Ha-yeon headed straight to the empty reception desk.
She read the notice there and opened her mouth with a bright smile.
"Wow, lodging is free during your stay. It auto-checks you in when you enter your chosen room."
"Totally unmanned."
There didn't seem to be any villagers either.
The whole village ran on unmanned systems.
Shops probably weren't free, but free lodging was merit enough.
"Ah! Let's check out the penthouse!"
"Penthouse?"
This hotel had 50 floors.
15 rooms per floor, restaurant on the first.
And a penthouse at the top.
"Ooh, elevator too?"
"Ah, embarrassing."
"No… I've never been here before."
Min Ha-yeon laughed playfully, and I awkwardly brushed it off.
And Han Yeo-reum's murderous glare.
Standing in humiliating penalty, watching his girlfriend goof around with another man while staying quiet.
Something he'd never experienced in his life.
We reached the top and opened the door.
"Whoa…."
"Insane…."
Not just me, Min Ha-yeon also gawked around with her mouth open.
Unlike the standard 20-pyeong rooms, this looked over 200 pyeong easily.
I muttered while looking around the penthouse.
"How many points does this place cost…?"
"I heard it's ten thousand points per night."
"Puhahaha."
It was so ridiculous I burst out laughing.
Why did they even have this?
Most Zephyrium summoners earned 2k points a day at best—could never afford it.
"They say you pool points with close friends and come together."
"Aha!"
Well, there's no need for only one person to stay in a facility of this size.
This size could comfortably house 6-7 if they scraped together points.
Thinking about it, ten thousand didn't seem bad for facilities like this.
Four bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom with huge tub, and….
"Ooh! Pool too?"
"Wow, you can see everything outside from here…."
The pool, large enough for four or five people, had walls made entirely of glass, allowing one to enjoy the view of the outside while swimming.
All that for a mere ten thousand points!
And we got it free….
As Min Ha-yeon and I marveled, Han Yeo-reum beside us looked around in shock too.
Should I let him speak?
"So? Thanks to me, you're staying in a place like this. Grateful?"
"Bullshit."
"…."
'This motherfucker?'
[Looking at the current reaction, it is clear that even without the regression, he is not the type of person to ever bend his pride.]
'You see it too? Good thing.'
[…? What do you mean? Why is that good?]
As Armonia questioned, I answered heartily.
'He needs that level to struggle to the top while his mentality crumbles.'
[….]
I didn't want Han Yeo-reum turning into a vegetable mid-climb from mental breakdown.
He needed pride that wouldn't shatter completely till the end—for my greater enjoyment playing with him.
My goal was tying Han Yeo-reum's wish to me.
Making him crave a wish to plunge me into despair.
Keep driving him into despair, then rebuilding his pride.
And the first despair was undoubtedly….
I approached Min Ha-yeon.
At my movement, Han Yeo-reum spat curses.
"Fuck, if you go near Ha-yeon one more time, you're…."
"No more cursing."
"…What!"
"And speak politely from now on."
"…Urghghgh!!"
Han Yeo-reum groaned but kept his mouth shut.
Ooh… Better not speak than use polite speech?
He strained his neck veins trying to curse without politeness, but no words came.
Just grinding teeth, glaring at me.
I whispered quietly in Han Yeo-reum's ear, out of Min Ha-yeon's hearing.
"And don't kill yourself."
"Wha… What…."
Han Yeo-reum seemed not to grasp the command.
'No matter what, I need to ensure he can't die during these four days here.'
Out of Min Ha-yeon's sight, I flashed Han Yeo-reum a sinister smile and approached Min Ha-yeon.
"Ha-yeon. Didn't you say you'd grant me a favor?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Min Ha-yeon beamed at my words.
Seeing that, Han Yeo-reum yelled at Min Ha-yeon.
"Min Ha-yeon! What are you saying? A favor?!"
"Sigh… Well…."
As Min Ha-yeon started to reply, I cut in and answered for her.
"You acted like such an asshole, so Ha-yeon offered to grant me one favor. Why?"
"Urghghghgh!!!"
Han Yeo-reum ground his teeth, desperate to curse, but only throat gurgles came—no words.
Originally, Min Ha-yeon offering a favor stemmed from words during the anti-magic potion exchange.
But Min Ha-yeon sighed at Han Yeo-reum and backed my story.
"Yeah, you were so harsh, I felt so sorry I agreed to one favor."
"Why would you!!! Ignore something like that!!"
"Ah!! Really noisy… Stop yelling."
Unable to speak to me, Han Yeo-reum vented by yelling at Min Ha-yeon instead.
I watched and issued another command.
"Hey, while you're here, stay quiet unless we talk to you."
"Urghghghghgh!!!"
No words, only teeth grinding as his only outlet.
That level wasn't too noisy, just right.
No way he’d bill me for dental, right?
I'd pay 100 points if needed.
I went back to Min Ha-yeon and said,
"Can we talk privately for a sec?"
"Hm? Sure."
"You, wait by the door. Don't wander off weird places."
"Urghgh!!!"
Crack!
Teeth cracking sounded, but I ignored it and entered the room alone with Min Ha-yeon.
The room was filled with a queen bed and ultra-luxury fittings.
Even one room here outshone any hotel standard.
Min Ha-yeon grinned, looking around.
"Wow… Facilities here are insane."
"Yeah."
After I replied, Min Ha-yeon finished glancing around and approached me.
She seemed inwardly expectant.
"What favor?"
"Well…."
"…? Why? Hard to say?"
"…You said you hate your boyfriend now, right?"
"Well, yeah."
Min Ha-yeon scratched her head awkwardly at my words.
I had already felt how she thought of Han Yeo-reum through several regressions.
Min Ha-yeon wanted no affection or even acquaintance with Han Yeo-reum.
And along with that, the Yin Mark I'd imprinted on her….
I used those two to make my request.
"My favor is…."
'This fucking bastard!!!'
Han Yeo-reum glared holes through the door, inwardly cursing Seong Su-ho.
'You fucker! When I regress, I'll crush you somehow. No! With my final wish, I'll turn you into a retard and toy with you forever!!'
Despair of losing Min Ha-yeon, humiliation from a far inferior man.
He had never experienced this in his life.
Han Yeo-reum had always stolen others' girlfriends, inflicted humiliation on men, and thrilled at their misery.
Women eagerly ditched their loved ones to fawn over him; the robbed men had wept tears of blood while begging their women to come back.
And now, his situation mirrored those pathetic men he'd mocked.
'You fucker! I won't end it with just killing you….'
As he filled with hatred for Seong Su-ho, cursing inwardly,
(N-No, don't!)
(You said you'd grant my favor. Just once!)
"…What?"
Han Yeo-reum thought he'd misheard.
He strained his ears, focusing on sounds from the other side.
Seong Su-ho's triumphant voice echoed through the door.
(Wow, archery goddess Min Ha-yeon! Who'd have thought I'd get to fuck you like this~)