Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Cigarette (3)
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While chatting with Kim Seon-ah like that, Ha Yoon spotted Shin So-hyeon entering the dormitory.
Their eyes met for a moment, but she whipped her head away and walked right past Ha Yoon.
Was she still hung up on what happened in the showers earlier?
Not that it was any of Ha Yoon's business. As she was thinking that, Jin Si-won, who had been trailing behind Shin So-hyeon, glanced around cautiously before approaching and whispering quietly.
"Make some time for me later."
"Why should I... Mmph."
"Got it. Important talk, right?"
"Yeah, thanks."
With that, she darted off as if she'd never even spoken.
Ha Yoon peeled the hand off her mouth and grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Why'd you cover my mouth?"
"Because I knew for sure you'd turn Si-won down."
"Obviously. What's in it for me to help that girl out?"
Of course, she wasn't wrong. Whether Jin Si-won was in a bind or not had nothing to do with Ha Yoon. And they weren't close like she was with Kim Seon-ah, so there was no reason to grant her any favors.
Kim Seon-ah, who could read Ha Yoon's thoughts like an open book, stroked her head and said,
"That might be true for you, Ha Yoon... but I made a promise with Si-won."
"A promise? What kind?"
"It involves you too. She promised to help out if Hong Ryeon's bullying got too bad."
Now that Kim Seon-ah held the leash, Hong Ryeon couldn't bully her anymore, but this was a promise from back when it had been going on nonstop.
Ha Yoon squinted and muttered at that.
"She was gonna help? That bitch too..."
Then she remembered how Jin Si-won had stepped in when Hong Ryeon's crew had her pinned down, and clammed up.
Kim Seon-ah smiled faintly at Ha Yoon's tightly pressed lips.
"Looks like she did help after all."
"If you can even call that helping."
Ha Yoon grumbled, recalling how she'd been helplessly toyed with despite not getting hurt.
"Anyway, since I asked Si-won to help you out, I have a reason to help her too. And so do you, Ha Yoon."
"Fine, fine. I'll help. Happy now?"
"Thank you, Ha Yoon."
Ha Yoon clicked her tongue inwardly at Kim Seon-ah's delighted smile.
Wish I hadn't accepted her help back then.
Of course, if she could go back, she'd probably be begging for it all over again.
Painful memories always faded quickly with time, after all.
"Ha Yoon, wake up."
"Nngh..."
Ha Yoon squirmed at the whisper in her ear from Kim Seon-ah.
Forcing her heavy eyelids open revealed the pitch-black dormitory. The scenery outside the window was still dark too, so it had to be the middle of the night.
Rubbing her eyes as she sat up, she heard Kim Seon-ah, already awake, apologize.
"Sorry. I didn't want to wake you right now, but..."
"Don't worry about it. No other time to do this."
"Yawn... damn bitch..."
Ha Yoon let out a yawn laced with curses at Jin Si-won's voice next.
She'd said "later," not the crack of freaking dawn.
"Let's go outside first. Someone might wake up if we talk here."
The two nodded and followed after Jin Si-won.
They left the dorm and ended up behind the same building where Ha Yoon had caught Jin Si-won and Shin So-hyeon sneaking around before.
"So, what's this important talk?"
Ha Yoon, now fully awake from the walk, planted her legs wide and crossed her arms. It looked pretty delinquent-like, but to the other two, she just seemed like she was throwing a sleepy tantrum.
"Really sorry for dragging you out in the dead of night. But I had no choice. Can't meet you two alone when So-hyeon's awake..."
"That's on you to figure out. Just say you're hitting the bathroom or something."
"I always go to the bathroom with So-hyeon."
Why the hell would anyone go to the bathroom together? Ha Yoon stared at her in confusion, and Jin Si-won shrugged.
"You'll get it eventually. Anyway, that's not the point. This is bad. Really bad."
"Bad how? How bad could it be?"
"So-hyeon says she's escaping this place tomorrow."
"Wow, that's rough."
Ha Yoon muttered like she was genuinely shocked. After all those threats in the showers, she still planned to bolt? Brave or just stupid, Ha Yoon wasn't sure.
As she thought that, Kim Seon-ah piped up curiously.
"But why the sudden resolve? Wasn't it just planning before?"
"She... says she found a way to get out without getting caught."
"Hmph."
Ha Yoon snorted, wondering if her threats had backfired. Jin Si-won kept going.
"She wants me to come with. I said okay for now, but honestly? I don't really wanna leave."
"What? I thought you were all in on helping Shin So-hyeon escape."
"I do wanna help, but this is too rash. Just up and escaping with nothing? Odds of failure are way higher than success."
"More importantly, why's she in such a hurry all of a sudden?"
"Probably... from that community service yesterday."
Jin Si-won sighed at Kim Seon-ah's words.
"Community service... You mean that guy who claimed to be from a human rights group?"
"Yeah. He's the one who got So-hyeon all fired up about activism. Guess she's feeling super betrayed now. She's been grinding her teeth all day. It's so out of character, I couldn't even talk her down."
"So what's the point? You want me to stop her from going?"
Jin Si-won nodded at Ha Yoon's question.
"Yeah. Got any good ideas?"
"Got a surefire one."
"Really? What's that?"
"Tell the Trainers. Say Shin So-hyeon's planning to escape."
"...What?"
"Ha Yoon, hold on."
Jin Si-won looked stunned as she repeated it, and Kim Seon-ah tried to intervene, but Ha Yoon brushed off her hand.
"If you really wanna stop her, that's the only way. Or convince her yourself."
"No way. She's not listening to me at all right now. Even whispering sweet nothings gets nothing..."
"Don't wanna know that much."
Ha Yoon snapped back and pressed on.
"Listen up. Getting caught before you run versus after? Worlds apart in punishment. The first, you might stay a Trainee. The second? The moment you're caught, you're not even human anymore."
"Not human? What does that mean?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. You'll be treated like an object."
Your limbs get chopped off, processed a bit, and turned into a living sex toy. No more moving on your own. Jin Si-won's face paled as she muttered,
"No way..."
"What about getting caught before she runs?"
"Eh, probably a few months of community service."
Unlike yesterday's VIP version, it'd be straight to regular citizens. Or maybe the army or prison.
"Definitely... milder than the other one."
"Milder than the other, sure, but the first one's still brutal. The second's just a few people, but the first? Dozens, hundreds a day, conservatively."
"D-Dozens?"
Kim Seon-ah cried out in horror. Even handling one Trainer was tough now—dozens? Even the toughest transformed body would die from exhaustion after months of that.
"So, what's it gonna be?"
"...Honestly, neither appeals."
"Figured."
Either way, Jin Si-won wouldn't see Shin So-hyeon for a long time. Even the milder option could drag on till discharge if it got bad, so she couldn't choose lightly.
As Jin Si-won agonized, Ha Yoon tossed out casually,
"Or there's another way."
"Another way...?"
"Break her legs."
"Wh-What?"
"Just breaking them won't cut it, though. Transformed bodies heal fast. So chop 'em clean off..."
"W-Wait. What the hell are you saying?"
Ha Yoon chuckled at Jin Si-won's outburst.
"Wasn't this what you wanted? To stop Shin So-hyeon from escaping?"
"I do wanna stop her, but...!"
"You said she won't listen anyway? Make it so she physically can't walk. No escape, no penalty. Problem is, you."
"Me? Why me?"
"Trainee-on-Trainee fights mean punishment no matter the damage if caught. And wrecking a leg that bad? Can't hide it—you're getting punished for sure..."
Let me think. Ha Yoon rummaged through her memories and muttered,
"Guy who cut off another Trainee's finger got sent to death row prison till the day before discharge. One leg? No clue."
"That still means no So-hyeon...!"
"But she won't get punished. You'd be taking it."
Ha Yoon grinned.
"You love Shin So-hyeon, right? Can't sacrifice that much?"
"But..."
Conflict clouded Jin Si-won's face.
It wouldn't be an easy choice right now anyway. Betray the one you love for less pain, or take the pain yourself. Neither was simple.
She won't pick either in the end.
If she'd already decided, she'd have chosen immediately. But Jin Si-won kept agonizing long after Ha Yoon laid out the options.
Ha Yoon snickered and grabbed Kim Seon-ah's hand.
"Hey, wait, Ha Yoon...?"
"Talk's over. We're going back to bed. You come when you're ready."
Without waiting for a reply, she walked off.
Glancing back, Jin Si-won was still deep in thought.
In the end, self-preservation always won. They could whisper sweet nothings about love here, but when push came to shove, it was all about saving their own skin—no sacrifices.
Jin Si-won, which'll you pick?
Ha Yoon hoped the day after tomorrow would hurry up and come.