S Chapter 30

‘There’s a lot to be sorry for. So much that I don’t even know where to begin.’

First, he decided to apologize for everything. Shin Jukyeong swallowed once and began. Immersing himself in the role, he was a sinner before the magistrate.

“Ahem, I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I also thought it was right to live according to my father’s wishes. It’s an excuse, but I was so focused on moving forward that I had no room to breathe.”

“Suddenly? What are you starting on your own?”

“Then (after dying and repenting) I realized… Following those wishes only led to a terrible future (where I was brutally killed).”

“……”

“I don’t want to regret it. So, from now on, I’ll try to do better.”

“Hey, you…”

“U-dam. I know you don’t like me doing this. But I’ll try.”

“No–”

“I’ll express everything I couldn’t before.”

“……”

“I love you. I mean it.”

“Ha…”

“You’re more precious than my own life.”

“……!”

As he spoke, the tip of his nose tingled. Ah, this was truly deep brotherly affection. I love you, my little brother! Shin Jukyeong nodded, patting U-dam’s arm.

Huh? Why hadn’t the timer changed?

[07:43]

The walls weren’t stopping their advance either. Why? Ah, U-dam hadn’t done it yet.

[05:11]

No time. Shin Jukyeong glanced at the timer and spoke to U-dam. It was his turn now.

“Confess to me.”

Was that madness or boldness? To brazenly demand a confession, knowing full well he was hated. Well, yes, he had to confess to get out, but…

‘That bastard is serious, isn’t he?’

U-dam faltered. His stomach churned. The shrinking room, the noisy ticking timer, and Shin Jukyeong’s distinct scent up close. Everything, absolutely everything, was unbearably irritating. He just wanted to escape.

‘Damn it, why do I have to go through this?’

He had only intended to acquire a detection-related Innate Ability to find his parents. What a harsh world. It was hard for a filial child to survive. They say that historically, those with short lives were all good people. Indeed, being too kind causes trouble.

“Haa…”

Still, he had to survive.

“Fin–”

He resolved himself.

“Oh… k.”

Only Shin Jukyeong had resolved himself. A mistake. Shin Jukyeong’s eyes shrunk to the size of beans. Hmm. He didn’t particularly feel sorry. What could he do if the words he was about to say just wouldn’t come out? Seeing that expectant face, he simply couldn’t open his lips.

‘Confess? Me, confess to Shin Jukyeong?’

There was no punishment like this punishment. Confessing to a guy who rejected his kiss, coldly saying it was artificial respiration or whatever? Ah, of course, he had done that half as a joke, half because he didn’t want to clean up a corpse. Still, it added to the charge of malice.

‘Why should I say such words just to please him?’

He could feel his resentment coiling up inside him.

‘What if Shin Jukyeong actually misunderstands? I absolutely don’t want that. What if he thinks I feel the same way after confessing and clings to me? Only I would be harmed.’

“Good…”

He swallowed dryly.

U-dam, muttering and looking at him docilely, made him want to provoke him for no reason. Before he could grasp that feeling, various images of Shin Jukyeong flashed chaotically through his mind.

‘It’s certain. It’s love.’

‘…precious.’

‘I’m always thinking of you.’

‘I’ll try, until things get better.’

That crazy bastard. His heart was pounding like crazy. This was clearly the pumping of anger. Wow, ah! He was going to lose his mind!

[01:33]

Do you like me that much?

[01:28]

I completely hate you, though?

[01:14]

“Ugh, U-dam!”

Before they knew it, their bodies were so close that there was no gap between them. But the walls didn’t stop, continuously narrowing the distance. In a little while longer, they might end up like squashed frogs. Or their hearts would be crushed and burst.

‘You’re more precious than my own life.’

“…You, damn it!”

Thump! U-dam slammed his hands on the wall on either side of Shin Jukyeong’s face. His hands were trembling uncontrollably.

Don’t misunderstand, Shin Jukyeong.

[00:10]

This is.

[00:09]

Just words I’m spitting out because I don’t want to die a dog’s death like this; there’s absolutely no other meaning.

[00:08]

It’s absolutely not sincere. Got it? You piece of toxic waste.

[00:07]

When I get out, I’m going to find that bastard from earlier and kill him.

[00:06]

Definitely.

[00:05]

“…it!”

“Gasp.”

“I like you, you bastard! I like you, Shin Jukyeong!”

[00:03]

[00:02]

…Beep! Thud! The wall stopped.

“I… I survived.”

Shin Jukyeong mumbled. But there was a problem. Despite fulfilling the condition, this damned room, which could now be called a box, wasn’t disappearing. The two were still trapped, pressed tightly against each other. …Wasn’t this a complete violation of human rights?

“Turn around.”

“…Uh, okay.”

Their breaths touching must have been unpleasant. Shin Jukyeong awkwardly moved to avoid annoying his brother, barely managing to change his posture. Then, a long silence. Indeed, chattering cheerfully in such a position would be bizarre. Shin Jukyeong, with his cheek and upper body pressed against the wall, let out a strained sound. U-dam was pressed tightly behind him.

“……”

“……”

“Hey, your butt, that–”

“Shut up, Hyung.”

A lighthearted, yet cold voice was heard.

“Yeah. I was going to…”

A snake in beautiful skin. Well, well, this wasn’t an overstatement. My little brother. The talk about him being Guinness-record-sized was not for nothing. Well done.

‘He really is just like me.’

That’s right. Shin Jukyeong was unexpectedly shameless.

“Jukyeong, this will disappear soon.”

Eve appeared, breaking his train of thought.

‘That’s good news to hear.’

“It’ll take one-three minutes.”

‘You’re not saying 13 minutes, are you?’

“Why do you keep asking the same question? One-three minutes. Don’t you know Jukyeong time? Sigh.”

‘…Oh. Right. My bad.’

He had to stay like this for 13 minutes? Hmm, his legs were starting to get numb. The moment Shin Jukyeong flinched and slightly twisted his body, a deep voice came from behind him.

“Don’t move.”

“Sorry. My legs hurt… Ugh, are you okay? It must be tight–”

“Don’t.”

U-dam cut him off.

“Huh?”

“Don’t talk, don’t move, don’t even breathe.”

‘…?’

Isn’t that just telling him to die? He was flustered by the sudden suggestion to become a corpse. At least let him breathe. He wanted to argue, but decided to keep his mouth shut given the atmosphere. The perceptiveness he had cultivated for social survival finally shone.

It was at that moment. Crack! Snap! Fine cracks seemed to appear in the wall, and the space that had imprisoned them began to crumble. And whoosh – it disappeared in a few seconds.

“Oh… ack!”

Shin Jukyeong fell backward. He had lost his balance because he was leaning his upper body against the wall. U-dam also tripped and fell on top of Shin Jukyeong. It was a sudden human-burger game.

“……Ugh.”

The heavy weight involuntarily made him gasp. His internal organs felt like they were about to burst. He looked thin, but it seemed he was eating well. That was a relief. His positive thought process (limited to his brother) quickly whirred.

‘Anyway, let’s get him out of here quickly.’

If they got caught, there was no way out. The promised time had long passed. They were definitely looking for them. Shin Jukyeong quickly made his decision and briskly got up, trying to drag his brother out.

At that moment, a scream was heard from a distance.

“Uuugh! Uuuuugh!”

“……Hmm?”

He turned his head to see what it was, and saw the man who had been screaming earlier.

“……!”

He was being dragged away, his limbs restrained, in a horrific state. It was not something a person should do to another person. Shin Jukyeong swallowed, looking at the terrible sight.

‘…They’re insane. Did I take this too lightly?’

He had expected it to be a dark underbelly, but he hadn’t imagined it would be this extreme. At most, he’d thought it would be ‘rated 19+’ – meaning he hadn’t expected it to be ‘broadcast forbidden’ level.

‘It stinks of corruption…’

He had a bad feeling that if he didn’t leave quickly, he would get entangled in something troublesome.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

Moreover, wasting any more time would only be to his disadvantage. He had to pretend not to notice and leave this place. It was just as he made that decision.

“You’re here.”

…Damn it, he was a step too late. A guard found them and looked down at Shin Jukyeong and U-dam. His gaze was unusual.

‘You bastard, why are you looking at me like that?’

“I gave you 10 minutes, but you didn’t come, so I came looking for you.”

His more insolent attitude than before clearly indicated suspicion. The situation was taking a turn for the worse. Requesting a cancellation now wouldn’t be kindly accepted. Too much information had already been leaked.

‘Damn it. First, I have to dispel their suspicion.’

If he was dragged away like this, it was over. From the way they were acting, most of them seemed to be in the category of disqualified humans; if he wasn’t a customer, he didn’t know what they would do to him. Therefore, he had to keep appearing as a customer until he could get his brother out.

“……Ha.”

Shin Jukyeong lowered his head. Blue veins bulged on the back of his hand, which was gripping his waist area. He muttered inwardly.

I am angry right now.

I am extremely agitated.

I am a terribly rude person.

I have terrible manners!

Over-immersion signal on.