"Damn it!!"
I happily opened my mouth as I watched Han Yeo-reum curse.
"Ah, this is definitely Zephyrum Village."
Han Yeo-reum obediently followed my words, standing quietly beside me with both hands raised.
Except for his mouth.
"Hurry up and let me go!"
"First, shut your mouth. Let's listen to the fairy's explanation."
"Ugh!!"
"..."
Min Ha-yeon, standing across from Han Yeo-reum, caught my eye.
She turned her head, trying to hold back her laughter.
I smiled awkwardly and looked straight ahead.
At that moment, a communication from Armonia came through.
[Suho, you have the authority to command. Why not try giving a stronger command instead of such a low-level one?]
'Ah, I was just curious if commands work here. I was planning to try it after hearing the fairy's explanation.'
Honestly, I had no particular reason for telling him to raise his hands. I just wanted to see if the commands worked here.
A command that doesn't endanger his life and isn't related to points...
I figured it wouldn't be too late to handle everything after hearing the fairy's explanation.
'Even if this bastard ends up killing himself, it's good to gather as much information as possible beforehand.'
[That's a wise judgment.]
The fairy, the only source of light in this dark village, looked over the three of us and began to speak.
"First of all, I sincerely... congratulate you on clearing the tutorial boss battle."
"..."
Even after receiving 10,000 points, it seems the sincerity didn't come through.
The fairy stiffened its expression and continued the explanation.
"This is the 'Waiting Village' where you will stay for the next four days."
"Waiting Village?"
"Yes! Here, you have access to top-tier accommodations, a shop where you can buy all the products available in Zephyrum Village, and your own exclusive field on the outskirts where you can hunt monsters."
Originally, Zephyrum Village was created for the tutorial process, so after seven days, you are forced to move to the upper or lower layers.
But if people who cleared the boss battle early left without fulfilling the remaining stay period, it would be unfair.
Especially since, unlike Zephyrum Village, from the first floor onward, the convenience and safety facilities are drastically reduced.
Clearing early and skipping the tutorial phase was seen as an unfair advantage, so this place was prepared.
There was also a matter of courtesy towards those who cleared...
I was puzzled.
"Wait? Why not? Can't you just send us back to Zephyrum Village?"
"No! For security reasons, we absolutely cannot send you back."
"Ah, I see..."
If survivors leaked information about the boss, it would be a problem, so it's not allowed.
Information about the boss is something you can't know unless you've regressed.
The fairy concluded the explanation.
"If you stay here for the remaining four days, on the last day, we will help you go to the upper or lower layer of your choice. If you need any tips, please call me~ Then!"
The fairy quickly finished the explanation and disappeared.
After watching the fairy disappear, I looked around.
Even though the glowing fairy was gone, the streetlights in the village were still lit, so I could see the surroundings at a glance.
There were about ten buildings, and in the center of the village stood the large building I had entered with the fairy, towering like a landmark.
And I guessed that was the accommodation.
Why?
Because it looked exactly like the Zephyrum Hotel.
"It's like a scaled-down version of Zephyrum Village."
"Phew... So we can just relax here for a while."
Min Ha-yeon sighed in relief, brushing her chest.
Unlike the life-and-death situation we were in earlier, this place was quiet and devoid of any signs of life.
Although it was much smaller than Zephyrum Village, with only three of us here, it didn't feel cramped at all.
"Let's go to the accommodation and sleep. It's already late."
"Hmm... Isn't it a waste to just sleep like this?"
"...?"
When I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Min Ha-yeon smiled awkwardly and said.
"I thought it would be nice to have a drink to celebrate..."
"Then let's find a place to stay first and then drink."
"Okay."
Min Ha-yeon shyly smiled and clung to my side.
And Han Yeo-reum, glaring at us with a devilish expression.
He was obediently following my command, standing with his hands raised.
I looked at him and said.
"Let's go~ slave."
"Ugh!! Ugh!!"
"Pfft..."
At my words, Han Yeo-reum's temples twitched like red veins, showing his anger, while Min Ha-yeon turned her head and laughed.
Watching Han Yeo-reum follow me with his hands raised, I asked Armonia.
'Armonia.'
[Yes.]
'Will the Sanctuary help that guy?'
[...The only way the Sanctuary can help is through Enel. Personally, I don't think there will be any further support.]
They've already used a massive amount of Enel for the regression blessing.
From Sanctuary's perspective, that alone is an overpowered ability, so they'd expect him to use it wisely.
[They sent Han Yeo-reum with the assurance that he could replenish Enel later. If he uses more, it might result in a loss.]
'Good...'
There's no guarantee that Armonia's thoughts are perfectly accurate.
They might help out of anger, regardless of the situation.
But I trusted Armonia's words, knowing their nature well.
I glanced at Han Yeo-reum, who was glaring at me with anger.
Among the guys I've met so far, he seems the most capable, but in the end, he's the most pathetic.
He's the perfect prey to satisfy my amusement.
I wanted to keep him sane throughout his climb in Yggdrasil.
[...Is it because of the regression?]
'No~'
I answered cheerfully.
'I want to instill in him the despair that no matter what he does, it's useless when he reaches the end.'
[....]
There are countless forms of despair.
The despair of being unable to see the future.
The despair of hitting a wall and falling.
And...
'If he sacrificed everything for his final wish, only to find that even that final wish wasn't his own.'
[...All the hope he's built up will turn into despair.]
'Yes, that's what I want to do to Han Yeo-reum. And I need to make him experience the first sacrifice soon.'
[Isn't Min Ha-yeon sharing a bed with you already enough?]
As Armonia said.
In Han Yeo-reum's mind, the image of me and Min Ha-yeon passionately making love like beasts must be swirling chaotically.
And that, for a lifetime.
But...
'Han Yeo-reum has no idea why that happened.'
Han Yeo-reum has no idea why Min Ha-yeon and I ended up like that.
He died before he could understand, and in the next cycle, he didn't know that Min Ha-yeon and I had memories.
And today was the day to create that reason.
'I think I have a request for Ha-yeon.'
[...?]
Me, Min Ha-yeon, and Han Yeo-reum with his hands raised entered the hotel.
As soon as we entered, the corridor was brightly lit.
Min Ha-yeon immediately headed to the unmanned reception desk.
After reading the instructions at the reception desk, she smiled brightly and spoke.
"Wow, accommodation here is free during our stay. They said we can check in automatically by entering any room we want."
"Completely unmanned."
Moreover, it seemed there were no villagers.
The entire village operated unmanned.
The items sold in the shops weren't free, but having free accommodation was a big enough perk.
"Ah! Let's check out the penthouse once!"
"Penthouse?"
This hotel has 50 floors.
Each floor has 15 rooms, and the first floor has a dining area.
And there's a penthouse at the top.
"Wow, there's even an elevator?"
"Ah, embarrassing."
"No... I've never been here before, so I didn't know."
Min Ha-yeon laughed playfully, and I awkwardly brushed it off.
And Han Yeo-reum's murderous gaze.
Standing humiliatingly with his hands raised, watching his girlfriend happily chatting with another man.
He must have never experienced anything like this in his life.
We arrived at the top and opened the door to enter.
"Wow..."
"Amazing..."
Not just me, but Min Ha-yeon also looked around with her mouth open.
Unlike a standard 20-pyeong room, this place looked to be over 200 pyeong (7100 sq ft).
I couldn't help but mutter as I looked around the penthouse.
"How much would this cost in points?"
"I heard it's 10,000 points per night."
"Pfft hahaha."
It was so ridiculous that I laughed.
Why does such a facility even exist?
Most summoners in Zephyrum Village would consider earning 2,000 points a day a lot, so they could never afford to stay here.
"They say people come here together with friends, pooling their points."
"Ah, I see!"
Well, there's no need for only one person to stay in a facility.
With this size, 6-7 people could pool their points and live comfortably.
Thinking about it, 10,000 points seemed cheap for such a facility.
Four bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom with a huge bathtub, and...
"Wow! There's even a pool?"
"Wow, you can see outside from here too..."
The pool, which could fit about four or five people, had glass walls, allowing you to enjoy the view while swimming.
All that for just 10,000 points!
And we got it for free...
While Min Ha-yeon and I were marvelling, Han Yeo-reum was also looking around in surprise.
Should I let him speak?
"How is it? Thanks to me, you get to stay in a place like this. Grateful?"
"Bullshit."
"..."
'This damn bastard?'
[From his reaction, it's clear that even without regression, he's the type who would never lower his pride.]
'You see it too, right? That's a relief.'
[...? What do you mean? Why is that a relief?]
Armonia asked in confusion, and I answered cheerfully.
'Only someone like that would struggle to climb the tower if his mind breaks.'
[....]
I don't want Han Yeo-reum to go insane and become a wreck halfway.
He needs to maintain his pride until the end so I can have more fun playing with him.
My goal is to tie Han Yeo-reum's wish to me.
To make him crave a wish that plunges him into despair.
To keep him in despair and then rebuild his pride.
And the first despair is undoubtedly...
I approached Min Ha-yeon.
Seeing me, Han Yeo-reum cursed.
"Damn it, if you get close to Ha-yeon one more time, I'll..."
"No more cursing."
"...What!"
"And keep using polite speech."
"Ugh!!"
Han Yeo-reum groaned, refusing to open his mouth.
Oh... So he'd rather not speak than use polite speech?
Han Yeo-reum strained his neck, trying to curse without using polite speech, but no words came out.
He just gritted his teeth and glared at me.
I whispered quietly into Han Yeo-reum's ear so Min Ha-yeon couldn't hear.
"And don't commit suicide."
"What... what are you..."
Han Yeo-reum seemed unable to understand my command.
'No matter what, I need to make sure he doesn't die during these four days here.'
I smiled bitterly at Han Yeo-reum, making sure Min Ha-yeon couldn't see, and approached her.
"Ha-yeon. By the way, you said you'd grant me one request, right?"
"Huh? Ah, right."
Min Ha-yeon smiled brightly at my words.
Seeing this, Han Yeo-reum shouted at Min Ha-yeon.
"Min Ha-yeon! What are you talking about? A request?"
"Sigh... It's just..."
As Min Ha-yeon was about to answer, I cut her off and answered instead.
"You've been acting so crazy that Ha-yeon said she'd grant me one request. Why?"
"Ugh!!!"
Han Yeo-reum gritted his teeth, seemingly wanting to curse, but only gurgling sounds came out.
Originally, Min Ha-yeon had asked me to decide on a request when I gave her the anti-magic potion.
But Min Ha-yeon sighed, looking at Han Yeo-reum, and went along with my words.
"Yeah, you've been so harsh that I felt really sorry, so I decided to grant you one request."
"Why would you!!! Just ignore it!!"
"Ah!! Seriously, shut up. Stop shouting."
Han Yeo-reum, unable to speak to me, instead vented his anger by shouting at Min Ha-yeon.
I looked at Han Yeo-reum and gave another command.
"Hey, stay quiet unless we talk to you while you're here."
"Ugh!!!"
No words came out, and all he could do was grind his teeth.
But that was enough to keep him quiet.
He wouldn't bill me for dental costs, would he?
I was willing to give him 100 points.
I approached Min Ha-yeon again and said.
"Can we talk privately for a moment?"
"Huh? Sure."
"Hey, you wait here by the door. Don't wander off somewhere weird."
"Ugh!!!"
Crack!
I heard the sound of teeth breaking, but I ignored it and entered the room alone with Min Ha-yeon.
The room was filled with a queen-sized bed and luxurious facilities.
Even just one room here was incomparably more luxurious than the hotel rooms.
Min Ha-yeon smiled brightly as she looked around the room.
"Wow... the facilities here are really nice."
"Yeah."
I answered, and shortly after, Min Ha-yeon finished looking around and approached me.
She seemed to be looking forward to something.
"What's the request?"
"Well..."
"...? Why? Is it hard to say?"
"...You said you don't like your boyfriend now, right?"
"Well, yeah."
Min Ha-yeon awkwardly answered, scratching her head.
I had already felt through several regressions how she felt about Han Yeo-reum.
Min Ha-yeon wanted to erase even the friendship with Han Yeo-reum, let alone any affection.
And along with that, the mark I left on her...
I made a request to her based on those two things.
"The request I have is..."
***
'This damn bastard!!!'
Han Yeo-reum stared at the door, cursing Seong Suho in his heart.
'You bastard! When I regress, I'll make sure to kill you. No! My final wish will be to turn you into a cripple and play with you for the rest of my life!!'
The despair of losing Min Ha-yeon and the humiliation of being defeated by a man who seemed far beneath him.
He had never experienced anything like this in his life.
Han Yeo-reum, who had always taken pleasure in stealing other men's girlfriends and humiliating them, now found himself in the same position as those pathetic men he used to mock.
'You bastard! I won't just kill you...'
As he filled his heart with hatred for Seong Suho, cursing him inwardly, he heard something.
-"No, don't do this!"
-"You said you'd grant my request. Let's do it once!"
"...What?"
Han Yeo-reum thought he must have misheard.
He focused on the voices coming from the other side of the door.
Seong Suho's excited voice came through.
-"Wow, archery goddess Min Ha-yeon! I never thought I'd get a chance to have you like this~"
***
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