The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Chapter 126 . Seol Jihu (3)

Silence filled the air . The spectators watched on with varied expressions – Seol Jihu’s comrades with stiff faces, the 32 minority members with nervousness, and the 78 majority members with curiosity .

The majority’s silence could be seen as a tacit agreement of Audrey Basler’s words . Although they weren’t agreeing with her openly, what she said must have caught their interest .

That was simply how the human psyche worked . The moment they were directly involved in a problem, the fairness of the situation no longer mattered . Only gains and losses were important .

“Don’t think too badly of me . ”

Audrey Basler knew this too well .

“Ask them if you want… . Ah! Of course, they might feel disgusted since they have to give up their rewards, but deep inside, I’m sure they’re happy to have a chance of survival . ”

She said whatever she wanted… .

“Anyways, talk among yourselves and come to a decision . ”

And came up with the terms of agreement herself .

Seol Jihu stared at her intently . Snake Eyes smiled ferociously, and asked, “What’s up with those eyes?”

“… . ”

“Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“…The 78 people from the majority side and the 32 people from the minority side need a symbiotic relationship . ” Seol Jihu finally opened his mouth . “With one side missing, the other side cannot conquer the Stage . ”

“Mm~”

Basler dragged out the end of her sentence and smiled with her eyes . An ominous feeling welled up inside Seol Jihu, and his mood quickly sunk . He wasn’t sure if Basler was doing this on purpose or if this was just her personality . Regardless, she really seemed to be a borne provocateur .

“Really?”

Seol Jihu was about to ask, ‘What do you mean?’ However, his complexion quickly stiffened . He realized the cause of his previous ominous feeling .

What came next wasn’t something that should be said in this place . However, Audrey Basler’s mouth didn’t stop .

“You might find out… tomorrow morning . ”

…In the end, she said it . Cackling to herself, while staring at the 32 minorities .

“… . ”

She shouldn’t have said that .

If she knew how the 32 people, the victims of the previous incident included, felt; if she knew why this conference was called for, she shouldn’t have said that even as a joke .

After all, that was equivalent to kicking away the chance they barely managed to clutch on to .

Seol Jihu slowly tilted his head up and stared at the sky .

“Kekekeke! Huh? You’re mad?”

Did she really think that? Or was she doing this on ‘purpose’, fully knowing the consequences behind her words?

[Where’s all the killing and backstabbing and, you know, the fun stuff? It’s gotta be more hardcore than this!]

Perhaps, it was both . Considering the Status Window he saw in Stage 1, she was more than capable of doing so .

[I can guarantee you one thing . ]

Suddenly… .

[Even if you don’t do anything, there will be people who curse you . The more famous you get, the more hate you will receive . Some people will even resent you . That’s not the end of it . There will be a ton of people who are going to try to use you . ]

Words he had heard in the past brushed past his head .

[Because you’re trying to jump ahead . ]

Despite how horrible she was, Seol Jihu still thought it was worth it to try and lead her .

Although he failed magnificently the first time, he tried to learn from it and searched for a way to improve . However it was the same in Stage 2 .

“Hey~ Are you mad~?”

In truth, he knew the reason . Just like Kim Hannah said, the world wasn’t so simple and clear . And he thoroughly realized this through the Banquet .

“Aigo, what are we gonna do~? Our Prince is really angry~”

Giving one did not guarantee receiving one . Stealing two did not require giving two either .

“Okay, I was too harsh . Stop being so angry . Here! Let’s shake hands and makeup . ”

It was the same with human relationships . There were those who expressed gratitude for a show of goodwill, but there were also those who considered it a right . There were people like Oh Rahee, who were quick to understand, and people like Audrey Basler, who ignored everything .

“Prince~?”

Thus, the world wasn’t a Golden Rule . If the world operated under the law of equivalent exchange, then it would be dyed golden .

“Are you ignoring me?”

So what should he do? If words didn’t do any good, what method should he use?

“What are you so worried about?”

The answer was simple . After all, he was looking at it every single day .

“It’s easy . Just come to a decision by tomorrow morning, and we can do things your way . ”

He shouldn’t be waiting or searching for the Golden Rule… .

“You understand me, right?”

He had to become the Golden Rule .

“Did you get that?”

He had no intention of playing the role of an ‘ally of justice’ . He wasn’t trying to become someone who was strong against the strong, and weak against the weak .

“Ah, this fucker is ignoring me like some mutt on the streets . ”

It was just that… if the world was like this… if this was the world he lived in… .

“How boring . ”

Although he might be late, he would have to adapt to it properly .

“No emotions~ No fun~ I’m out . ”

Before he noticed, the sky of the vast field was shining in a golden light .

‘The Golden Commandment . ’

…Right . Everything according to the Golden Commandment .

[Your ‘Chaotic’ level of cognition… . ]

And thus… .

[…changes to ‘Golden Rule’ . ]

[Moderate (Actions and thoughts are sensible; hard-working) / Awakening / Golden Rule (To treat others as they have treated you)]

The moment his standard was set… .

“Sit . ”

Seol Jihu threw off his mask .

“…Hm?”

Audrey Basler’s steps halted .

“I’m not done talking . ”

She turned back . A look of ecstasy spread on her face, almost as if she was thinking, ‘He’s finally reacting’ .

Without a doubt, she was enjoying the situation . Fine . Then he had to enjoy it as well .

“Oooh~ Getting feisty, eh?”

“I said, sit . ”

When Seol Jihu walked forward, Audrey Basler’s head slowly tilted up . The youth stopped right in front of her . When he glared down, Audrey Basler’s serpentine eyes curled like crescent moons .

“Scary, scary . You gonna hit me?”

“I won’t say it a third time,” Seol Jihu said in a low voice .

“Kik!” Blink, blink . Basler closed and opened her eyes twice before snorting, “I don’t want to!”

As if she found the youth to be laughably funny, her face distorted venomously . She yacked, “I was going to let it slide, but you must really be out of your mind . ”

It was then…

“Who the hell are you to tell me what to—!”

Thwack! Basler suddenly plunked down as her eyes widened . Unable to withstand the instantaneous shock, she fell on her butt and pressed her temples at the pain flooding in .

Looking up with a scowl, she saw the youth’s fist . Only then did she realize what happened .

She was flustered only for a moment .

“Hey!”

“That bastard…!”

A few of her comrades tried to step forward but stopped when Basler signaled them with her hand .

“Wow… . ” With her butt still touching the ground, she slowly opened her mouth, “Confident, eh, Prince? It must be nice to have so many friends!”

The smirk never left her face . “You finally showed your true colors… . Fine, I’ll bark like you want me to do . I don’t see why not . ”

“… . ”

“What? You want me to wag my tail too? Like this?” She got on her hands and knees and began to shake her butt .

“The one in the minority like the poor old me have to do this to survive… . ” She sneered while emphasizing the word ‘minority’ .

“This isn’t enough? You’re not satisfied? You really want me to bark?” She then opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, pretending to bark .

Knowing why she was doing this, Seol Jihu replied with a calm smile, “Sounds good . Do it . ”

“Huh?”

“Bark . ”

Audrey Basler’s eyes widened .

“Since we’re doing this, let’s do it right . Ah, how about you pee as well? With one leg up, of course . ”

“…What?”

For every problem, there was a bottom line that could not be crossed . Audrey Basler’s mischievous face contorted indescribably .

“Ha!” She paused completely . She then dropped her head and slowly got up . “Hiyaa… . You have quite the taste!”

“You wanted to act like a dog, didn’t you? I’m just giving good suggestions . ”

“You must really think you’re something special because I keep calling you Prince… . Oi . ” Playfulness disappeared from her expression . One of her eyebrows perked up . “You sure you can handle it?”

“?”

“Looks like you’re greatly mistaken here . We’re not staying still because we’re afraid of you . We’re afraid of them – the Triads, Umi Tsubame, and Carpe Diem . Got it?”

Seol Jihu smirked .

“Huh? You think it’s funny? Sure, go ahead, laugh all you want . But things will be different once we go back to Paradise . ”

“Really?” Seol Jihu crossed his arms leisurely . “If it’s just you, I think I alone am more than enough . ”

“Oh?” Basler rejoiced as if she had been waiting for these words . “Is that your pride as a man? Looks like you have balls . Then you wanna fight? Without anyone interfering from our teams, of course . ”

She stealthily distanced herself and raised her guard up like a boxer . Seeing this with a vacant look, Seol Jihu threw away his Ice Spear and lightly dusted his hands .

“Ha . ”

Audrey Basler chuckled .

“You must have seen a lot of mo-” She quickly lowered her upper body and finished, “-vies!”

Then, she abruptly bolted to the side before charging forward in an ambush .

She shot forward like a ray of light, but in the next moment, her proud face became blank . Along with the sound of the air bursting, the youth, who had been standing in a defenseless state, instantly rushed in .

‘When…!?’

Thwack! With a clear striking sound, Basler’s head forcefully turned . Her body also tilted and she spun in the air . But before she could mutter out a single cry, her left eye turned hot .

“Keuk!”

As expected of a high-level Archer, she didn’t fall . However, she had already lost her balance .

“Wai—”

Next, another dull blow struck her head . A short cry rang out . In the end, she stumbled down once again .

She quickly lost her composure . With her head drooped low, she fell into despair . She couldn’t believe what was happening . She knew the youth was strong, but how could an Archer lose out in speed to a Warrior of the same level?

That was simply impossible .

“You…!”

As if she couldn’t accept the result, she tumbled up and brought one hand to her thigh .

Pang! The sound of the air bursting rang out again . Seol Jihu shot forward twice as fast as before and kicked her hand, which was pulling out a dagger .

The kicked hand flailed in the air, and she could see Seol Jihu with his right hand pulled back .

“Kyaaak!”

When his punch landed, Basler covered her eyes as if her vision had been muddied .

Regardless… .

“If, like you say, we sacrifice… . ”

Seol Jihu spoke calmly and didn’t stop punching .

“The 32 people… . ”

Her nose was smashed in, causing blood to spurt out .

“Only 30 out of the 78 people can leave . ”

Her cheekbones sunk in… .

“And the remaining 48 will have to fight again… . And what?”

And fresh blood flowed out from her burst lips .

“I’ll find out in the morning?”

A straight filled with rage shot out . It smashed her mouth, and three or four teeth trickled down .

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Seeing her lowered head, Seol Jihu struck her head . Basler once again fell to the ground .

It seemed she hadn’t lost her consciousness as she staggered up . However, she tripped over her own feet and fell on her butt once again .

“Auu… auuuu… . ”

Basler’s comrades, who thought she was simply playing around, realized the gravity of the situation . They exchanged quick glances with each other .

“Oi! That’s enou—”

“Mhm, that’s enough out of you too . ”

Hearing an interfering voice from a close distance, the man who was taking out his weapon froze . He could feel someone wrapping their arm around his neck .

When he creaked his head back, he saw a neatly dressed man biting down on a cigarette .

“Don’t think you interfering in a one on one fight is cheating?”

Before he noticed, the members of the Triads had all gathered behind him .

“Don’t you agree, friend?”

Hao Win winked at the man he had his arm around and puffed out a smoke . The man furrowed his brows .

“But he’s going too f—”

“Hah?”

At that moment, something black tore through the white smoke and stopped right in front of his face .

“What was that?”

Hugo had shoved his face with his hand over his ear . Crack . When he heard the man grit his teeth, he nodded his head and exclaimed .

“Aha! You want to get beaten up?”

Hic! The man hiccuped . Hugo and the Triads were both famous for their cruelty .

“Ka, Kazuki!”

He called Ayase Kazuki, who usually held a moderate position .

“Hm?”

But when he saw Kazuki loading his crossbow with bolts, he couldn’t help but close his mouth shut .

As a result, Seol Jihu was able to do what had to be done without any interference .

“Get up . ”

“Huaaa… . ”

An airy sound came out . Because Seol Jihu had repeatedly struck her face, her hair was disheveled and her face was plastered with blood .

“Get up . I don’t want to hear you making excuses later, like you tripped or something . ”

“Keu… Keuhuhu… . ”

“Not getting up?”

Seol Jihu stomped forward and snatched her ponytail up .

“Auuuu!”

After forcefully picking her up by her hair, he lightly pushed her body . Snake Eyes bobbed back and forth before she took a few steps back .

This time, it wasn’t to distance herself for battle . It was out of complete fear .

Thwack!

“Kuk—”

When he struck the back of her neck, a breath-severing sound came out . Basler no longer remembered how many times she had fallen .

“Get up . ”

Her knocked down body twitched . When the youth’s footsteps got close, her arms and legs flailed in desperation .

Basler swam through the grass field before barely managing to flip herself over and hugging Seol Jihu’s ankle .

“Sph… spware me… . ”

Because of her broken teeth, the sound of a flute rang out with her words .

“I’m sowwy… . I’m sowwy… spware me… . ”

With her eyes dyed from bluish-red bruises, she begged for her life while reeking of blood .

Seol Jihu spoke calmly, “Get up . ”

Hearing his cold voice, Basler grimaced . Tears of blood continued to fall from her eyes .

“I’ww… I’ww do ash you shay… sho… pweash… . ”

“… . ”

“Barw! I’ww barw! Wan! Wan, wan! Wan, wan, wan!”

She even barked for real .

Seol Jihu was about to pick her up by her collar when a conspicuous light caught his attention .

‘Her color…!’

When he checked her color in Stage 1, she had been yellow – Attention Required . It remained the same until now when it suddenly began to change .

From yellow to colorless .

This wasn’t the first time someone’s color changed . He had seen Teresa’s color change from colorless to gold .

However, this was the first time he was seeing a color of danger change .

Looking down with a fixed gaze, Seol Jihu squatted down . He raised her chin with his index finger until they met eyes .

Seeing the eyes completely succumbed to fear, he could guess why the color changed .

“Was this really necessary to get you to understand?”

“… . ”

“Why couldn’t you have just listened when I spoke nicely?”

“… . ”

“It’s not like I told you to go die alone . ”

“… . ”

“It was so that everyone could live . ”

Basler was trembling intensely and barely managing to look at him in the eye . But when she heard the calmness in his voice, goosebumps suddenly shot up on her body . She couldn’t believe she was looking at the same youth she saw in Stage 1 .

“Let’s be honest . You knew it too . ”

He most certainly wasn’t speaking to just Audrey Basler . Seeing Snake Eyes nodding her head crazily, Seol Jihu stood up .

“Let me add one more condition . ”

He looked back at the majority faction and wiped the sweat on his forehead . Because of the blood and flesh covering his hand, a line of blood was drawn across his forehead .

“Audrey Basler and her five teammates . We will consider them as part of the minority faction when we’re forming the teams . ”

He was basically saying he would split up Snake Eyes and her team so they wouldn’t have any other intentions .

“Also… . ” Seol Jihu continued, “If anyone has a better idea, I’m open to discussion . ”

He was telling them to speak out now if they had any problems .

Suddenly, a muffled cackle rang out . Oh Rahee had her head dropped with her hand over her mouth . Her shoulders shook for a while before she finally got up . She walked toward the youth with light steps before scrutinizing him from top to bottom .

When she kept staring at him, Seol Jihu opened his mouth first .

“Is there a problem?”

“No, no, it’s not about that . ”

Hnnng . With a long hum, Oh Rahee shrugged .

“I want to be in the first team that enters the Plaza of the Dissonant Wish . Is that okay?”

Looking at Audrey Basler, who was shaking like a bug, she burst into laughter .

“I’m sure you’ve heard of the saying that the first button has to be fastened right . In exchange for going in first, I’ll make sure to bring them all out . ”

Seol Jihuh took a deep breath . With her statement, the conference had come to a decision . With Oh Rahee, one of the strongest members of the majority faction agreeing, the scale had been tipped in his favor .

“We can decide during the team conference . ”

She seemed to completely agree with all his conditions . And as long as she didn’t violate any rule, Seol Jihu had no qualms with letting her go first .

“Should I take her?” Oh Rahee asked as she glanced at Snake Eyes . She seemed to be saying she would keep an eye on her . Surely, it was a sign of goodwill .

“No . ”

However, Seol Jihu shook his head . Trusting Basler just because her color changed was a foolish thing to do .

“We will take Audrey Basler . ”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course . Chohong!”

Chohong raised her hand as if she had been waiting for this moment . She quickly approached them while dragging her intimidating Thorn of Steel on the grass field .

“Please . ”

“Yeah, yeah . I just gotta take care of her until the end of the Banquet, right?”

As Seol Jihu had already asked for help, she agreed right away . She picked up her mace and rested it on her shoulder before glaring at Basler who was still on the ground .

“The fuck are you glaring at me for? Drop your eyes . ”

Seeing Snake Eyes bite her lips, Chohong let out a chuckle before suddenly turning serious .

“Oi . ”

“… . ”

“Drop your eyes, fucking bitch . You want me to blow your head off?”

The crazies often recognized each other . Feeling Chohong’s chilling, madness-drenched aura, Basler gulped hard .

Soon, she lowered her gaze along with her head .

Chohong grinned .

“Look forward to it . I’ll personally take care of you until the Banquet ends . ”

Chohong dragged Audrey Basler’s sagging body away . Having watched the scene play from beginning to end with keen interest, Oh Rahee asked with a meaningful smile .

“What’s your last name?”

“…Didn’t I tell you?”

“You only told me your given name . So? Kim Seol? Yi Seol?”

Seol Jihu’s eyes spun at the abrupt question . He then let out a long sigh before opening his mouth .

“No . ”

“?”

“Seol is my last name . ”

“My name is… . ”

After picking up the Ice Spear, Seol Jihu took a look around his surroundings . Most people had not gotten up from their seats .

Another thing that changed was the atmosphere .

Kazuki with a calm face, the 32 minority members with flustered expressions as if they didn’t think Seol Jihu would go this far, and the 78 majority with tired looks .

“My name is…”

Facing the numerous gazes that were all pointing towards him… .

“Jihu . ”

The youth smiled lightheartedly .

“I’m Seol Jihu . ”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc . . ), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible .

Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters .