Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Reaching the Summit
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I've felt it every time during our preliminary surveys, but this damn incline really drives you insane.
It's the kind of distance you'd stroll across without a care on flat ground, but crank up the slope, and even this short stretch leaves you gasping for air, sweat beading down your back.
'Yeah... all just excuses. Excuses.'
Before starting the quest, I'd put in so much effort to prevent any surprises or failures. Complaining now was nothing but excuses. I knew that, but I couldn't help it. If I didn't rattle off some excuses in my head, I'd collapse right then and there.
"Hoo...!"
Every sweat gland on my body must've been wide open. The ion drink I'd chugged earlier was long gone, flushed out completely.
「Rattle!」
In the midst of all this, the custom-made cart I'd shelled out good money for was unfazed. The creaking came from my own body.
It felt half-broken, merged into one with the cart. My hand and the handle were one, my legs synced with the wheels. I'd gotten the knack of it somewhat, but I didn't have the stamina left to use it.
It was like squeezing every last drop of regenerating stamina for all it was worth.
"Oh dear..."
"What the hell are they doing? That's dangerous."
"Oh my! Did they really haul that all the way up here? Oh my, oh my..."
At the base of the mountain, the stares had been mere curiosity. Now, as we pushed higher, they shifted to pity and shock.
Just because we'd come this far? Nah. My condition must've looked that bad.
The cart was rattling like crazy, but the path was fine. So where was the problem? My arms and legs, obviously.
"Oppa, you okay? Want to switch? Or take a quick break?"
"I'm good. Let's keep going. The stairs are just ahead. Once we're up those, we're at the summit."
Truth be told, I wasn't okay.
My face probably didn't look okay at all. Like a demon straight out of hell, dead set on dragging you down. That's why Oh Hana sounded so worried.
But like I said earlier.
If I didn't lie—even to fool my own brain—I'd topple over right now.
"Ugh!"
「Thud, bump!」
A shriek escaped, and my heart plummeted hardest yet. My right knee hit the dirt, left hand grinding into the ground.
Speak of the devil—I really ate it.
I scrambled up and turned. Yoon Sua stared back, eyes wide in shock.
"Sua, you startled?"
"I'm... fine."
"Oppa! You gotta ask me too. My heart just ran away and came back. This won't do. Switch with me. We came along for this exact reason. Why play the cool guy and do it all solo?"
Honestly, I wanted to nod along. But life doesn't always go as planned. I'd assumed the worst for a 100% success rate, yet reality was harsher.
The summit was close, so the incline steepened even more. No matter how fit Oh Hana and Han Aebom were, pulling this cart from here was impossible.
Part of me thought to let Yoon Sua walk on her own power, but no.
I felt responsible as the one pulling. Faking it with ridiculous acting skills, but Yoon Sua was struggling stamina-wise too.
"Why's that lady still riding? She was on it the whole way up."
"Poor oppa. Like a horse. Neigh."
To clueless kids, sure. Yoon Sua the ultimate villainess, me her exploited slave.
'They wouldn't get it...!'
I gritted my teeth and slowly resumed pulling.
"I'm fine. Let's go. It's really just a little further."
Instead of Oh Hana, who bit her lip, Han Aebom spoke up.
"...Hyunwoo, you sure you're okay? Last chance. If you say yes here, even if your arms and legs snap, I won't help."
My face must've looked rough. Han Aebom going that far.
Ironically, her sharp words helped. My sinking mind snapped alert, like a jolt from hell's mire.
"Yes! I'm good!"
Kids eyed me weirdly. Adults too, silently.
Even I, pulling the cart, doubted anyone could 100% understand and defend Yoon Sua.
That's human nature. Unless it's your burden, no amount of talk or shared experience lets you truly get it.
"Huff, Sua. Almost there."
"Yeah..."
"Can't wait to get up and eat that kimbap you made. Man, kimbap at the summit. Your kimbap, no less. Bet it'd be so good we'd devour it all and not notice if one of us dropped dead."
"Yesss...!"
My back was soaked—not just sweat. Felt like more.
'No matter how hard I try, unless I'm her, I can't fully understand.'
So, at least make her happy. Better than clumsy comfort—create something special to make her smile.
[Yoon Sua's Joy 2 / Climb to the summit of Cheon Young Mountain with her and enjoy the view.]
📍 Progress: [0/1]
🎁 Reward: 200,000 won, Stamina +2, Elixir (Replica)
The quest straight-up mentioned "joy." So Yoon Sua would be happy—guaranteed.
And the elixir? Replica sucked, but it'd improve her condition. Expand her world a bit.
Plus, my personal hunch.
'This effort isn't just for her.'
Not sure. We'd find out once we all hit the summit.
「Rattle!」
So exhausted, hallucinations kicking in? Cartoon opening from my childhood echoed in my ears.
"...Crazy bitch."
Not a hallucination. Oh Hana belted out the cringiest, most childish anime OP lyrics without shame.
Damn, she's... speechless. Truly legendary.
But her madness reignited my dying embers. Suddenly got why they teach marching songs in the army.
'Surpass your limits!'
Classic anime line flashed, and power surged back into my dying limbs.
"Urraaaah!"
Swimmers and runners squeezing every ounce in the final stretch—last spurt. Now I get where that power comes from.
[Please climb carefully.]
[Steep incline. Stairs are heavily worn.]
[Maintenance scheduled: September 31, 2025 ~ December 31, 2025]
Hallelujah! Fuck yeah!
Seeing that cursed sign felt like an angel's rescue from heaven. I parked the cart on the rare flat spot before the stairs.
Quickly hid my left hand and offered Yoon Sua my right. Delayed ache and wetness hit—must've hurt it grabbing the ground.
"Sua, can you get down?"
"Of course! I can walk from here."
She hopped off confidently, but...
"Eut!"
The second her feet touched, she buckled. I caught her with both arms.
"Heh, no toughing it out. Hop on my back. Stairs are short. Just a bit more."
"Ha... Yeah! Thanks, Hyunwoo!"
Yoon Sua was strong and kind. She knew consideration better than most, and accepted it too. Lingering here wasted time and tired everyone.
She knew my effort to get here, so she smiled and nodded. Her steady thoughtfulness helped us housemates immensely. In this world, she taught what happiness is.
Time to give back.
"Kwaaang! Oppa, I'll push your butt from behind!"
"No. More dangerous. Go ahead and lay out the mat."
"Mhm! Roger!"
Han Aebom nodded agreement and dashed up the stairs with Oh Hana. I followed, Yoon Sua on my back.
This like training with weighted ankle and wrist bands? After dragging the cart all day, carrying her felt easy. Her soft chest against my back even restored stamina. Was this the saintess-exclusive Absolute Healing?
"Hyunwoo."
"Yeah."
Healing via saintess chest, then her breath tickled my neck.
Hmm! Up close, three faces? Nah, face and chest textures totally different... deep realization.
Yoon Sua spoke.
"Among the passersby, there were cute kids, stylish grannies and grandpas."
"Yeah."
Worried about my dumb mutter earlier?
If so, I'd march down and flick those cocky brats' heads... then their parents grab me?
Silly thoughts, then after a pause, Yoon Sua said,
"Even little kids climb casually. And this sounds awful, but grannies and grandpas powering up too."
"......"
"I just rode in your cart. Watching them, I felt so wronged and sad."
No illusion.
My back was wet—not just sweat.
"Why... why was I born like this? I know it's bad thinking. In a world full of people living freely, why punish only me so harshly? Did I commit some huge sin in a past life?"
Hard to comfort. What to say?
Maybe.
...you psycho.
"Probably."
"..."
"Probably. My take. Only you could endure something this tough."
This was sincere.
Born barely able to walk without gasping, facing death anytime—who else but Yoon Sua?
And. Ahem, clearing throat.
"...Or maybe. Y'know. To meet me?"
Shame surged; I coughed nonstop, speeding up. Through dense trees ahead, cool air and light filtered. Summit was right there.
"Maybe. And, Hyunwoo."
"Yeah?"
"I whined a ton."
She pecked my cheek.
"But reaching the summit like this? I'm so happy. Heart might stop for real."
That joke from her was creepy.
"Glad to hear."
One thing sure: her smile atop the summit erased all my toil and fatigue.
What? Early-onset dementia?