The Room You Can't Leave Unless You Do It #3

Active explorer Jeon Somi did not like the way things were unfolding one bit. That detestable Ha Namjin had somehow seized the team leader spot. So getting slapped in the face doesn't matter at all now?

As she advanced in single file across the precarious single-log bridge over the cliff, Jeon Somi suddenly found herself hating her high school classmate Jang Hyunah. She wanted to shove her right off the edge and watch her plummet into the abyss below.

What the hell is a "vacation date" supposed to be?

Earlier, the male student had asked Jang Hyunah about her vacation date with Wang Ja-hyun from the previous week. The problem was that Jang Hyunah had filed for leave last week, claiming she needed to visit her family home in her hometown. And wasn't Jang Hyunah the very person who had always cheered on Jeon Somi's romance with lines like, "Somi, you and Ja-hyun really suit each other. I hope it works out for you"?

She's telling me she's rooting for me while secretly chasing after my Ja-hyun behind my back?

Was that even possible? Since high school, Jang Hyunah had always declared, "I'm not interested in dating or anything like that." In fact, throughout all three years of high school, she had behaved as if boys didn't exist to her. If that same Jang Hyunah had actually been meeting Wang Ja-hyun in secret the entire time? If every word of support she'd given Jeon Somi until now had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been nothing but deception and fake kindness?

They say the quiet cat climbs the stove first. Jang Hyunah, you wicked little bitch! If it's true you went on a date with Ja-hyun behind my back, I won't let it slide!

Three years of friendship could shatter easily when a man they both loved was on the line. Still, Jeon Somi left herself a sliver of hope. There was always the chance that the male student Ha Namjin had simply told a random lie. So she spat out a few biting words laced with resentment toward Ha Namjin and a subtle probe aimed at Jang Hyunah.

"Ha Namjin, if you fail to find any Bogu while you're team leader this afternoon, how about uploading an apology video with a star filter? It'd blow up as a popular post in seconds."

It was a rare chance for revenge. Yet her eyes weren't on Ha Namjin—they were locked on Jang Hyunah.

"And apologize for that nonsense about my friend Hyunah dating Ja-hyun. Our Hyunah hates meeting men. Right, Hyunah? You always said you disliked men because of your cheating father."

Jeon Somi didn't miss a single twitch of Jang Hyunah's facial muscles. Jang Hyunah's lips moved as if she had a mountain of things she wanted to say. Her brow furrowed; mentioning "dad" had clearly struck a nerve.

"Somi, why are you bringing up my dad here?"

"Why? It's not some big secret. Everyone who matters already knows."

Watching Jang Hyunah flare up, Jeon Somi felt a quiet rush of satisfaction. At that moment, Baek Yeoul burst out.

"...Don't you know the saying that a kind word coming back pays off a thousand-gold debt? If we get results, you two apologize to us! For stealing my lunchbox and insulting me! All of it!"

Baek Yeoul carried a chest full of grudges. She desperately wanted an apology for all the harassment she'd suffered during the labyrinth exploration. But getting it wouldn't be easy.

I don't know what schemes these weasel and otter bitches are cooking up.

Baek Yeoul resolved to watch the seniors like a hawk in case they tried anything dirty. If she successfully helped Ha Namjin produce results, her own name would rise in fame as well.

If I become famous, it'll promote Mom and Dad's company, Baekdang, even more! Then our family's finances will improve again! And also….

Baek Yeoul sneaked a glance at the male student Ha Namjin's back. During the worst days when the seniors had been bullying her relentlessly, Ha Namjin had appeared like the prince on a white horse from fairy tales. He didn't actually have a white horse—or even a single luxury item—but to Baek Yeoul he seemed far more impressive than any of the young masters like Wang Ja-hyun or Jeong Uiseon she'd met in her life.

Could this guy actually be the prince who came to save my life?

Even though their first meeting had ended with her getting kicked in the rear—the absolute worst experience—Baek Yeoul's generous heart could overlook it.

But why does he have to like that Seo Gaeul of all people? She's a wicked bitch. Honestly, she's a far worse vixen than any of these weasel-like seniors here! Truly evil!

Baek Yeoul knew over a hundred awful things about Seo Gaeul. They'd been friends since elementary school, after all. Like how the girl would spew curses the moment you tickled her. Lost in those thoughts, they reached a dead end.

"Hmph." Jang Hyunah snorted. "All that big talk and we hit a wall anyway? I knew it. I've been this way several times, and it's always been empty like this. Looks like getting any results this afternoon was never going to happen."

The moment Jang Hyunah's expression—previously tense as she bit her lip—brightened slightly. She looked genuinely relieved.

But the male student Ha Namjin brushed off her sarcasm and slowly extended his hand toward the dead-end wall. A deep rumble shook the entire Great Labyrinth. The wall rose toward the ceiling, revealing an entirely new space.

Everyone lost their words for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a moment at the incredible sight. Even Jeon Somi and Jang Hyunah gasped in awe at what lay before them.

"Flowers?"

"There's grass!"

It was a room overflowing with blooming flowers and lush grass. Beautiful ores clung to the ceiling, radiating every color of the rainbow like sunlight. It looked exactly like the kind of place the princess from her childhood dreams would live.

As that thought crossed her mind, the male student's sharp gaze fixed on a particular spot.

When he reached out with the hand wearing the ring, the door opened with a heavy groan. It was a room filled with colorful, blooming flowers. So this was what a fairy princess's room looked like.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠women who had been growling like wild beasts moments earlier now stood with their mouths hanging open, too busy exclaiming in wonder to notice anything else. Meanwhile, my hand went straight for the golden birdcage sitting on the desk.

It was a cage holding a single rainbow-colored feather. A note had been placed inside as well.

Curious, I slipped my hand into the cage. What happened next was astonishing—my hand shrank to roughly one-tenth its normal size. When I pulled it back out, it returned to normal.

"Whoa?"

I tried sticking my arm, shoulder, and then my whole body inside. My entire frame shrank down until I fit neatly into the cage. From Baek Yeoul's perspective, my body must have looked insanely tiny. Her eyes were enormous, like something out of Attack on Titan.

"Ha-Nam-jjin! What are you doing in there!"

I leaped out of the cage. In an instant my body expanded back to normal size. Whatever it was, this item was seriously fun.

"It's a B-Bogu! We found a Bogu! Ha-Nam-jjin! Wow! It's a cage! When I put my hand inside it shrank! Look at my hand! It's a total miniature!"

Baek Yeoul hugged the cage to her chest, beaming with joy. In contrast, dark dismay settled over Jeon Somi and Jang Hyunah's faces. The two seniors exchanged glances. Having been friends for years, they seemed to understand each other without words.

Not only were they going to pretend our agreement never happened—they were planning to steal the credit too?

Jang Hyunah spoke up. "Hey, Baek Yeoul. Hand that over. We'll carry it."

"What?"

Baek Yeoul looked visibly flustered. She glanced around, then hugged the cage even tighter.

"N-no! You've been making me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠carry all the luggage this whole time, so why suddenly now? I'm carrying this until we get out! Because Nam-jjin found it!"

"Hey! When a senior tells you to hand it over, you hand it over! What's with all the backtalk!"

Swish.

"Ow!"

Jeon Somi's hand shot out viciously and grabbed a fistful of Baek Yeoul's hair. Baek Yeoul screamed but refused to let go of the cage, thrashing wildly.

"Aaaah! I-I won't give it! This belongs to us!"

Baek Yeoul and Jeon Somi began to wrestle. Watching them, Jang Hyunah clenched her fist tightly. The vibrating fist looked dangerously unstable. A vibration punch. Getting hit by that would hurt like hell.

But Ppang-daeng refused to back down.

"I won't give it! Ha-Nam-jjin found this! I won't give iiiit!"

"Aaaah! Hey! Jang Hyunah! This crazy bitch bit me! Baek Yeoul, you lunatic!"

The situation was on the verge of exploding. Jang Hyunah spoke coldly.

"It'd be wise to just obey us quietly. No matter how loud you scream in here, no one will come. Do you know how many Awakeners go missing in the labyrinth every year?"

It was a threat. If you don't want to disappear here, do as we say. Her determination looked rock-solid, so I told Ppang-daeng,

"Ppang-daeng, just give it to them. Then come over here."

"B-but you found it!"

"Just hand it over for now."

Baek Yeoul looked utterly wronged, but she eventually held the cage out to Jeon Somi. Jeon Somi snatched it with a triumphant snort.

"Should've done that from the start. Since it's a rare item, we'll probably get at least a tenth if we auction it, right? Or we could just submit it to the school treasury and take the bonus!"

"We got lucky."

While model-like Jeon Somi and vibration-girl Jang Hyunah celebrated, I led the crying, tearful Ppang-daeng out of the room.

"Ppang-daeng, do you know what happens when you lock women who hate each other in one room for a long time? It's impossible to explain with words."

Boom!

I reached out, and the door slammed shut instantly. Soon, very faint voices could be heard from beyond the cold stone.

Baek Yeoul, startled by the sudden imprisonment, asked,

"You're just going to leave them locked up like this?"

"They threatened to make us go missing. We need to keep them in there a few days so they can come to their senses. This is a dead end—no one comes here, so they can't do anything."

Smartwatches didn't work inside the Great Labyrinth. It was essentially another dimension. Exploration teams often stayed inside for days at a time, so no one would find it strange if Jeon Somi and Jang Hyunah disappeared for a few days. And even if someone did come here, they wouldn't be able to open the door without this ring. It was a perfect prison.

Soon the trembling Ppang-daeng shouted as if she'd had a revelation.

"...It's the Gu Poison!"

"The what now?"

"Mom told me! The Gu Poison comes from an old tradition where they lock a bunch of fierce women in one room until only one survives! The one who survives becomes a Poison Human!"

What kind of tradition was that? And what would you even use a Poison Human for? While I was wondering, Ppang-daeng giggled.

"When we come back in a few days, they'll be begging on their knees for forgiveness, right? Serves them right!"

It wouldn't even take a few days. My guess was that things would be decided by tonight. I knew better than anyone what happened when you locked women who hated each other in one room. They'd do anything. They'd beg me to let them out, saying they'd do whatever I wanted.

And my prediction was exactly right.