Episode 353
Woo Joo-young looked at Kim Ki-jeong, who was crying silently, as if he felt sorry for him.
‘Even if I really try not to sympathize…’
She was a person who kept the ‘line’ required in a relationship incredibly well. He was not overly immersed in other people’s positions, and as he was not a party to the situation, he did not give advice recklessly or show an overly friendly attitude unless necessary. In the underworld, he often showed a disheveled attitude, but that was unavoidable.
Anyway, as a person with a fairly contemplative outlook, Woo Joo-young knew that his sympathy could be quite rude to others. So even if I really felt sympathy, I didn’t show it.
“….”
“Mr. Kim Ki-jeong…?”
“….”
“Oh my, why are you crying so sadly?”
Woo Joo-young understood a hundred times how Han Do-yoon felt as he fidgeted and fidgeted next to Kim Ki-jeong.
‘No matter how you look at it, it’s a pitiful sight.’
The skinny, pale man was so scared that he was shaking his whole body and biting his lip so hard that it bled. Even taking that into account, it was really pitiful that she just shed tears as if she was broken, without making any sound or showing any movement. Just looking at the amount of tears coming out, it wouldn’t be strange at all to hear wailing or shaking.
Since she literally sheds ‘tears’ like that, I feel more sympathy for her. Even in the midst of being incredibly sad, I am obsessively caring about something.
“….”
“Why?”
“No, you’re handsome.”
“Thank you.”
Even in this situation, I just felt amazing that Yoon Garam was looking at Kim Ki-jeong with a clear gaze without the slightest sympathy. Yes, we also need someone who can calmly lead this ragtag bunch of people. I think that was the reason why Yoon Garam was included in this team.
‘…Actually, Yoon Ga-ram seems quite anxious to sympathize with others, so there’s no way she can afford it.’
Woo Woo-young sighed and looked away, but when the monster came into view, he closed his eyes.
“Are you dizzy?”
“That’s not true, it’s a precautionary measure.”
“I think it’s wise.”
“thank you.”
There was something about the monster in the other world that made me feel worse the more I looked at it, and even if that wasn’t the case, I didn’t necessarily want to see the monster that symbolized the unfortunate childhood of a man crying in sorrow nearby. Just because of that alone, I felt like a robber who had arbitrarily opened up someone else’s diary.
Woo Joo-young tried to ignore the frustrating and awkward feeling and leaned his back against the entrance wall.
‘…Does this world only prey on poor people? ‘My taste is really dirty.’
It hasn’t been that long since he joined this team, but Woo Joo-young knew that some of the kindergarteners, high school students, and adults who didn’t hide their circumstances had unfortunate pasts. When I remembered that the person who had endured in the secret world for the longest time was Lee Jae-heon, I had no choice but to reconsider his tastes in the secret world.
In order to survive in this perverted world,
you have to escape from here first…
“….”
“….”
Woo Woo-young, who saw Kim Ki-jeong crying for a while, closed his eyes again. I just hoped that I could get my emotions under control.
* * *
The reason Kim Ki-jeong did not completely hate his parents was because he understood their feelings.
‘Because I am the only option left to these people.’
Of course it’s bullshit.
As long as a person is alive, numerous opportunities are always given, and finding or seizing them depends on the person’s ability and sincerity. Even though Kim Ki-jeong’s parents had other options, they simply made the selfish and easy choice of squeezing out the weak Kim Ki-jeong.
However, at some point, Kim Ki-Jeong did not just sympathize with them, but began to understand their feelings, and this became an obstacle in Kim Ki-Jeong’s life. Even though I feel like a dog and going crazy, I have reached a pathetic point where I cannot completely let go of my parents.
Kim Ki-jeong felt resentful of himself like that.
‘Pathetic.’
That’s why I tried to be different from my parents.
Like many children who have lived oppressed, Kim Ki-jeong had a crushed part in some part of his life. He was very dissatisfied with everything and was sensitive and nervous. Nevertheless, the reason many people do not know Kim Ki-jeong’s true identity is because his self-management was excellent.
When he thought I might get more angry than I should, he held back for a moment. If I was in an overly good mood, I reduced my radius of action. When I get depressed, I listen to my favorite music and take a walk around the neighborhood. As Kim Ki-jeong was a stubborn child, he wanted to become the exact opposite of his parents, who were terrible, and he succeeded.
After experiencing a clean and correct sense of accomplishment, I did not want to go back to the past.
‘I’m doing well.’
‘You just have to do it like this.’
‘It can get better.’
Kim Ki-jeong knew that his parents were abnormal and that he still loved them but hated them at the same time. Kim Ki-jeong took pride in his own life because he knew that his parents had laid the foundation for that hatred. Because it wasn’t easy to grow this much properly.
So I thought I had overcome it.
“….”
“Mr. Kim Ki-jeong….”
No, I overcame it.
Wasn’t Kim Ki-jeong living his own life?
“…I was doing well.”
He was doing well enough.
“I was doing really well…”
“Oh, yes, that’s right. good job.”
“This fucking thing is real….”
Kim Ki-jeong’s voice, curled into a ball and cowering, was drowned in moisture.
“This is such a conscienceless thing to do.”
The wound has barely healed after a long time, but who wouldn’t get hurt if the raw flesh, with only a faint scar remaining, is cut open with a knife?
It was an unfair experience for Kim Ki-jeong, who had worked hard to overcome his past and live well.
‘Fucking Room 403.’
Why does Kim Ki-jeong still remember the password to the house he lived in when he was in elementary school? This means that the memories of living in this house were strong and there were many times when I was kicked out. Young Kim Ki-jeong, who was kicked out of the front door, was unable to enter the house even though he clearly knew the password. It couldn’t have been that miserable.
So let’s never live like those crazy people. That’s what I thought….
“….”
“….”
Kim Ki-jeong lifted his head from his knees and looked at the corner of the entrance.
“…eww.”
The eyeless monster that made us feel uncomfortable just looking at it was stuck in the corner of the entrance, observing us closely. It’s like, ‘Let’s see what these people do.’
“Upset.”
“Uh… um….”
“That’s not me.”
Kim Ki-jeong said firmly.
“I am all grown up.”
He wasn’t that pitch-black monster, he wasn’t a small, helpless child, and he wasn’t in a situation where he had to be played with a doll in a tailcoat. The reason Kim Ki-jeong is so shaken when he sees the monster is because of the tricks of the underworld, not because he considers himself the same as that monster.
Kim Ki-jeong was just shocked that he did the same thing as his parents out of greed.
“….”
Maybe there really is such a thing as genetics.
I never particularly thought of the blood inherited from my parents as repulsive. Even so, Kim Ki-jeong was too stubborn to hate himself just because it was pointless self-loathing. With a strong sense of self, he objectively acknowledged that he was bound to be influenced to some extent by his parents.
‘But looking at things like this, I might end up being the same as those guys…’
At that point, Kim Ki-jeong closed his eyes and thought.
‘…No, really. Are you saying we can’t do this? The fuck, this is all a trick from the underworld, and you’re going to get caught up in it? Do you want to do something more pathetic here…? ‘You fucking idiot.’
It’s already been four days since I’ve been trapped in damn room 403. It was no wonder that Kim Ki-jeong, who prided himself on being strong, felt shaken. However, that didn’t mean my pride wasn’t hurt for not being able to keep my cool and crying like a child. Nevertheless, the reason Kim Ki-jeong is struggling is because the world behind him is bad.
Han Do-yoon, who had been pacing around awkwardly as he watched Kim Ki-jeong engaging in a war of nerves while making eye contact with the monster hugging his knees in the same position as me, carefully stepped in between them.
“Come on, let’s sort out the situation.”
“….”
“If you stare at him, Doyoon gets scared.”
“Fuck.”
“Please don’t swear.”
“Crazy guy.”
From anyone’s perspective, it looked like he was trying his best to lighten the mood, so even Kim Ki-jung kept his mouth shut at that point. It was because he also knew that the situation had become sluggish because of me.
Han Do-yoon, who noticed Kim Ki-jeong’s thoughts, continued.
“So, if you take your friend out here…”
“The door will open.”
Kim Ki-jeong answered right away.
“You heard the door lock open.”
When I pressed the door lock button to drag the monster out, the door was clearly opened. Just because we didn’t open it by holding the handle, the lock that had been imprisoning us for so long was unlocked. Looking at it, it was clear that the monster that reflected Kim Ki-jeong’s childhood had to be dragged out.
“Just drag that away and it’s over. “We have to go out quickly. We have to go out and find Lee Jae-heon and Kim Yeon-woo…” “
I heard that our mission is not to find those two people, but to find information for them. “Mr. Kim Ki-jeong said that in front of the management office.”
“….”
As Kim Ki-jeong pursed his lips, Do-yoon Han spoke with his signature sly smile.
“It’s hard, right?”
“Shut up.”
“It’s okay, you can do that. “I was like that too.”
“Mr. Do-yoon Han….”
“But Mr. Ki-jeong Kim helped me.”
“…I didn’t do anything.”
“Kim Ki-jeong helped me even when I was trapped here on the 12th floor.”
Kim Ki-jeong avoided Han Do-yoon’s gaze at the firm voice. It was burdensome and frustrating.
“I’ll help you this time.”
“…no… no.”
Kim Ki-jeong swept his face with both hands.
“I can do it.”
“Aha, you don’t believe me?”
“You know that’s not what I’m saying.”
Kim Ki-jeong continued.
“How could I leave this to someone else?”
This was a forced sacrifice of ‘Kim Ki-jeong’ and it was a crazy thing that his parents did for free. I couldn’t entrust that bright and upright young man with something that could never be called humane. It’s the same as dragging an unsuspecting passerby into a family fight.
However, Do-yoon Han, who must have understood what Kim Ki-jeong said, raised his thumb and said.
“Are we strangers? Friendship that transcends age! Best friends!”
“Oh shit! “Shut up!”
“Doyun is going to cry!”
“Fuck off the Yongyongche!”
Kim Ki-jeong groaned at Do-yoon Han’s behavior, which clouded the atmosphere like a ghost whenever he got a little serious.
‘You idiot.’
I also felt this way when I saw Han Do-yoon, who was released after being imprisoned by some crazy guy, but he was truly an eloquent person that someone like Kim Ki-jeong could not handle. There is too much energy.
Kim Ki-jeong shouted as if he was thrilled.
“Do you really want to pull a prank like that in a situation like this?!”
“Why, our Kijeong likes it too!”
“what? Now What? Kijeongi?!”
“Don’t misunderstand, this little monster Ki-jeong is talking about…!”
“So Ki-jeong? “Did you just say you’re ready?!”
“Ah, anyway, it didn’t work out because I like it!!”
“Don’t give a damn, I guess that’s a reaction I like!”
Kim Ki-jeong pointed at the monster that had no eyes, nose, or mouth, but for some reason seemed to be looking up at Han Do-yoon with a sullen expression on his face. In the end, Kim Ki-jeong felt a warmth in the back of his neck when he realized that he was different from that pitch-black monster, but the same being.
“Fucking, really fucking….”
“Listen.”
Han Do-yoon did not miss the opportunity and intervened.
“I know that Kim Ki-jeong has overcome well on his own so far, but it is difficult right now. “Whether I was influenced by the other side of the world or I felt sad when I saw the monster, that’s true.”
Unlike just before, Kim Ki-jeong couldn’t say anything and pursed his lips as his voice and facial expression seemed normal.
“…So what should I do?”
When Kim Ki-jeong frowned and met his gaze, Do-yoon Han grinned.
“It’s nothing special.”
“what.”
“It’s not that strange to help kids.”
“….”
“It’s not a problem if I help Ki-jeong.”
Han Do-yoon asked, turning his head to meet the monster’s gaze.
“Don’t you want to go out?”
“….”
The mouthless monster did not respond, but wriggled the bandaged hand that replaced its head. The clean hands attached to the body looked as if they wanted to say something, as opposed to remaining still.
Do-yoon Han continued to talk to that monster.
“You don’t like it here, right? “I have to keep playing the piano, and the food doesn’t taste good….”
“….”
“But are you afraid that if you go out on your own, you won’t be able to come home again?”
“….”
“It’s okay. You can come back anytime.”
Han Do-yoon held out his hand.
“You know what the password is.”
“….”
“…You’re not being kicked out, you’re leaving because you want to.”
At those words, the monster grabbed Han Do-yoon’s hand.
“Hey~ As expected of you, Mr. Kim Ki-jeong.”
In response to the sly exclamation, Kim Ki-jeong asked in a dumbfounded voice.
“…yes? No, what are you doing now….”
“Look at how arrogant and harsh he is. When you say it is your will and not someone else’s will, only then do you hold my hand. Anyone can see that it’s Kim Ki-jeong?”
“This person from earlier is really…!”
“Doyun is crying.”
“Take action, you crazy bastard!”
Kim Ki-jeong, who had shouted in anger, shrugged his shoulders in surprise at his actions and carefully looked at the people’s notice.
“….”
Woo Joo-young, Yoon Garam, Han Do-yoon….
“…Ugh….”
Finally, the tailcoat monster.
“….”
“….”
“….”
“…How long do we have to wait?”
“Why are you punishing me with words like this?”
“Hmph.”
“I’m really trying to get hit.”
Kim Ki-jeong took a deep breath and looked at the monster holding Do-yoon Han’s hand.
“…i look forward to.”
As expected, Han Do-yoon scoffed.
“Good. Kijeong, let’s go!”
“You bastard!”
Kim Ki-jeong screamed at Han Do-yoon’s plan to use the younger monster as an excuse to make fun of the older man, but Woo Woo-young only smiled awkwardly, while Yoon Gar-ram didn’t move a muscle, and Han Do-yoon joined hands with the Shinnara monster and opened the door.
Han Do-yoon shouted.
“Good luck escaping!”
“How old are you…”
Kim Ki-jeong grumbled, but followed the group and left room 403 for the last time.
“….”
When I turned around, it was no longer room 403.
“…Uh….”
“Disappeared.”
The monster imitating Kim Ki-jeong has also disappeared.
Han Do-yoon looked at his empty hands with trembling eyes, then immediately raised his head and looked around. On the other side of the door they came out of, there was a sign with the number ‘1201’ written on it.
“Hey.”
Han Do-yoon scratched his chin and muttered.
“This is how it goes.”
They were already on the 12th floor.
It is an escape from the terrible pranks of the underworld.
* * *
Change the perspective.
Sinkhole Search Team.
“…I think it’s cute when I look at it….”
“Stop talking nonsense and run, sister. “It looks like we’re all behind.”
“Everyone, don’t lose your strength with meaningless words!”
One by one, Kwon Yeon-hee, Vivian, Kang Min-a….
They were currently running away from human-sized cotton dolls.
“What happens if you get caught?”
In response to Vivian’s question, Pompitz, who was running in front, said, ‘King!’ It barked loudly. It was a monster Pompitz, an abandoned dog that didn’t bark much, but for some reason, Vivian felt like it was being mistreated by saying, ‘You don’t have to eat poop or soybean paste.’
“hmm.”
Actually, it was a meaningless worry.
He ran hard so as not to become a dumber person than a stray dog monster.
(Continued in the next part)
