Episode 38: Escape (Contains Bloodshed and Self-Harm Descriptions)

 

“…..This can’t be, how could I possibly do such things……..”

My head spun as if struck by a hammer multiple times.

“No, that must be your true nature. Throughout three lifetimes, you were nothing but an obstacle to me and Jian.”

-Clank!

Before I knew it, Yu Eun-ha held ominous iron chains in her hands.

“Just in case you try cutting the ropes with a wood splinter…better secure you properly.”

“Wait, what do you mean by regression? Why are you tying me with chains…ugh?!”

As if annoyed by my questions, Eun-ha began covering my mouth with duct tape again.

-Rip!

“Mmmph…!!!!!”

“Too noisy. Good thing I taped your mouth.”

When I saw her hammering giant iron nails through my thighs and arms to immobilize me completely to the chair…her expression could only be described as utterly insane.

The fact she even wore gloves and a hat to avoid leaving evidence showed her determination.

“You were born with the seed of evil – nothing but worthless trash that brings no good to this world.”

“Mmph! Mmmph?!”

“Do you know the most painful way for a human to die?”

-Splash!!!

Before I realized, I was completely immobilized on the chair as water began cascading violently from above.

“They call it boiling agony. My unnie from the third life said watching someone scream while their flesh burns is quite satisfying.”

“Mmph, mmph!!!!”

Strange crosses began piercing my forearms.

“This poison instantly kills large monsters…you’ve already developed resistance? How much Yuseong Group potion did you consume? Resistance shouldn’t develop this fast…Ah, so unnie was behind father’s ‘falling accident’ too.”

“After burning Jian alive…I thought I barely escaped thanks to eldest unnie sacrificing herself to stop you. But you used a long-range cursed artifact to make me slowly wither, then appeared right before my death to impale me on rocks before throwing me into the sea.”

‘That heart-gripping pain I felt then…so that’s what it was.’

The water had already risen to chest level.

“…I wish you’d die like me too. Though you haven’t committed any crimes yet…you’re just a psychopathic killer hiding behind the Student Council President mask.”

Eun-ha turned to leave through the door.

“Goodbye. I won’t miss you.”

“Mmmph!! Mmmph…!!!”

“Even if you escape…there’s no way out. Just die here.”

-Boom!

The heavy iron door slammed shut, leaving me in silence.

‘……Why?’

This single question repeated endlessly in my mind.

…

…

…

The water reached my chin.

Blood flowed out exponentially faster with the water, bringing auditory hallucinations and hypothermia.

I abandoned hope of survival, overwhelmed by the terror of impending death.

They say there are six stages of accepting death.

1st Stage: Denial

‘No, why should I die here? I still have so much to do back home…!’

2nd Stage: Anger

‘Why are you judging me based on your fucking regression bullshit…!!’

3rd Stage: Bargaining

‘No, if you come back now, I’ll forgive you. Then I’ll use this as leverage to make you my pawn against Mephisto…’

4th Stage: Depression

‘Why me? What did I do wrong? I just wanted to go home………’

5th Stage: Panic

‘IwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohomeIwanttogohome’

6th Stage: Acceptance…but clearly, acceptance was the wrong term.

Madness fit better than acceptance.

‘WhyshouldIdieherewhycan’tdieyetwhywhywhywhywhysomeonepleasesavemewhywhywhypleasesavemewhywhywhywhywhyI’llcurseyouYuEunhawhywhywhywhyI’lltearyouapartathousandtimeswhywhyIwanttogohomewhywhy’

Water rose past my nose to my eyes, making breathing impossible.

“…………!!”

The Magic Suppression Handcuffs blocked my abilities completely, forcing me to let water flood through my nose and mouth…

My consciousness began fading.

Ah, the water’s rushing in.

Everything turns hazy.

What happens if I close my eyes now?

I wanted to tell my parents I’m home…say “I’m back” to everyone…

Wait, what did I even have?

Who…was I? Nothing remained in my mind.

Only the reflection in water droplets showed a beautiful woman with purple hair…me…about to drown.

Bullshit. I refuse to die like this.

Who dares take my life this way?

I’ll destroy everything that stands in my way.

 

 

 

I’ll burn away all that’s wrong.

‘I’ll kill them all.’

In my fading vision, I saw a woman smirking cruelly at me – undoubtedly my tormentor.

That moment.

My vision darkened as omnipotent power surged through me.

In this endless torment, a black hand reached out promising relief…

Taking it felt effortless.

“………..”

When I opened my eyes again…

“Yun Se-ah, you fucking bitch…!!”

“P-please…spare me…I was wrong…just spare my life…”

“Sh-she said that orphan girl handled it perfectly…Kyaaaaak!!”

My maternal relatives screamed with limbs severed beyond recognition.

…

…

…

The stench of blood filled the air.

Their limbs were pulverized like cube steak, the mansion looking as if tank shells had ravaged it.

“……Wh-why?”

What just happened?

‘I definitely grabbed that black hand…and then…’

“Ugh…!”

I collapsed, waterlogged clothes hindering movement, worsening my foul mood.

‘Where…am I?!’

Struggling, I quickly scanned my surroundings.

Fragments of pretentious decorations and piles of minced flesh.

Seeing my maternal family dead without chance for potion revival…

“Did I…do all this?”

Finally, I saw my reflection in a shattered mirror.

My formerly deep purple hair – about the shade of my necktie – had lightened to lavender, drenched in crimson blood.

“……No. Even at my worst, I wouldn’t kill innocent…”

Or would I? Though Yun Seong-ho was evil…he hadn’t committed crimes yet.

He conducted human experiments – a grave crime – but prison would’ve sufficed. Yet I killed him.

‘……How am I different from the psychopath Eun-ha described?’

Under the guise of eliminating future villains, I’d become exactly that.

Using “improving the original story” as justification, thinking “that’s that, this is this.”

“…………Ah.”

Why did I suffer for this world?

If only I hadn’t downloaded that bugged file, hadn’t started Asoma…

“……Heh. Maybe I grew too complacent in peace. Forgot my original purpose.”

Right. I’d been deluded.

Before being kidnapped, I’d softened dreaming of happy school days with Kang A-yul and Lee Seo-yun.

“………Who cares about these fucking data fragments?”

This world is just a game.

I’m an outsider – I just need to go home. How could I forget something so simple?

Now, nothing else matters.

Like Eun-ha said, I’ll wear the “kind Yun Se-ah” mask. Use everything available to ruthlessly pursue my goal. Like a “game”.

Then, go home. Who cares what happens to this world after I’m gone?

“Lucky timing – a Gate Break happening right above us.”

Looking through the collapsed ceiling, I saw a massive Gate opening.

“My earring…gone.”

No wonder my left ear felt light.

‘Meaning…no regeneration limit?’

The chains connecting my handcuffs were long broken – mere bracelets now. I knew exactly how to remove them.

-Crunch…! Snap…!

“Ha…good. Finally feel mana circulating.”

After cutting off the handcuffed wrists with a nearby saw, I observed my perfectly regenerated arms. In the distance, I spotted Eun-ha being pummeled by a high-level monster.

Turning, I saw heroes frantically flying toward us…and Chairman Eve Maitner approaching from the academy’s direction.

‘Your turn hasn’t come yet.’

If I left now, Eun-ha would be arrested for attempted murder of the Student Council President. Attacking Yuseong Group’s core would bring severe punishment.

‘Eun-ha absolutely can’t be removed here.’

“……….Domain Expansion.”

A black barrier spread from me.

-Kwaaaang, KWAAAAANG!!!

“Come to think of it, without the earring…I could’ve blocked Eun-ha’s attacks better.”

Eve’s lightning and heroes’ furious assaults hammered my barrier…but it was reinforced by Mephisto’s Remnant at full power.

It would take at least 40 minutes to break.

Plenty of time to finish everything…maybe enjoy some sniping.

Reaching for my pocket to retrieve my staff…it wasn’t there.

“Ah, that fucking bitch.”

Where the hell is my staff?