Episode 399
Hong Gyeong-jun, who survived until the end and became the last survivor.
“Was it like this?”
He was dumbfounded.
“They said another me would come out and explain….”
“….”
“It looks like it’s not all like that.”
I sighed as I looked at Hong Gyeong-jun with his ugly face.
“…You don’t have to make a face that looks like you’re going to kill someone.”
Although he said this, ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ did not commit murder for the purpose of returning or venting his anger. However, it hardened to the point where it was unsightly and gave off a strange feeling of discomfort.
The ‘hardness’ referred to here was not simply a matter of facial expression.
“I think I know a little bit why Mr. Jeong In-ho disliked me.”
“…don’t call me that name.”
“why. Because that person killed Jaeheon Lee? “Is that why you look like that now?”
Hong Gyeong-jun muttered like a lament.
“I didn’t know I had this kind of temperament.”
Hong Gyeong-jun, whose mental strength had reached the lowest point to the point where he thought it was too late to realize it, became a dictator. This could be said to be the case with ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’, who began to fall apart after Lee Jae-heon’s death.
Jeong In-ho and a few other survivors who came up from the third floor went through a hard time and rescued Lee Jae-heon from the art teacher’s clutches, but that was all. Lee Jae-heon, who was taken away by the art teacher, was unable to be revived.
… This was the memory that ‘Hong Kyung-jun’ conveyed in an intangible space where I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or not.
“I am by no means advocating murder, but aren’t there morals here but no laws? “In a world where even murder is difficult to establish, I don’t think the act of alleviating the pain of someone whose death has been confirmed is a crime worth getting angry about.”
‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ with a ferocious face refuted those words.
“Wherever there are people, there are morals and laws. In the end, it was the people who felt the need to create the law. The crime of murder in the underworld was not difficult to establish, it was just difficult to define, and it was unclear whether it was an act committed through mutual agreement. Even if Jaeheon Lee had decided to die, he had a survival kit. I was able to save it. “I could have saved him.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
Hong Gyeong-jun sighed again.
“This is why my relationship with Jung In-ho gets worse every time…” Even
though the ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ in front of him was clearly aware of the existence of regression, he was at this point. Even though it had been quite a long time since Lee Jae-heon died, enough to leave and return to school once, I didn’t like the sight of another version of myself so broken that there was no one to support me.
“I knew I had some controlling tendencies, but I never thought it would be to this extent. I lost my composure and this is how I change. “There is no tyrant with whom I cannot communicate.”
‘Hong Gyeong-jun’, who left the school after the death of Lee Jae-heon and great confusion, immediately re-entered Eonhak High School after a brief period of reorganization. Jeong In-ho also survived and accompanied him, but in this case, it seemed that Jeong In-ho’s survival was poisoned. ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’, who struggled to maintain his composure at first, eventually revealed his hard side as all his mental strength was eroded.
When all survivors are not under his control, he growls, becomes displeased, and sometimes becomes angry. However, the sight of such control being enforced even on young kindergarten students was disgusting. It literally felt like I ate about 10 sweet potatoes without a sip of water.
“…I can roughly understand what the situation was and what emotions he was feeling that led to such a change.”
“I just did my best.”
“You must have been scared.”
Hong Gyeong-jun accepted it obediently.
“Me too.”
“It’s not that I was scared, it was for the best.”
‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ gritted his teeth and answered, but he didn’t really have any confidence. Hong Gyeong-jun continued speaking calmly.
“I’ve always heard stories of regression and other things, but I’ve never actually experienced it… If I had the next chance, the pain and screams of the survivors, including me, would be vivid, and we’d all have to die anyway. The fear of having to survive until the end and ultimately die in order to see the reality of regression must have been quite strong. “I don’t know if that’s true, but I think it’s probably true.”
“I am…!”
Before ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ could yell, Hong Gyeong-jun interrupted.
“No, no… It would be difficult to endure Lee Jae-heon’s death, let alone my own death.”
He felt a sense of security from Jaeheon Lee. It was like going around searching with an old gunner who is no longer there.
If you keep it next to you, it’s a headache, but on the one hand, it’s fun, and on the other hand, it gives you a sense of security that ‘that person will do something.’ He had a sense of security that was like insurance for a turbulent life.
It was a feeling I had felt for the first time in a very long time.
“…but you’re lucky, right?”
Hong Gyeong-jun asked, adjusting his glasses.
“In the end, we confirmed that Jaeheon Lee will not die.”
“….”
“Hey. Please, let’s admit what we must admit without blushing at each other. “It’s surprising that someone who doesn’t look that different from me can be so unpleasant.”
Hong Gyeong-jun’s tone became increasingly frivolous.
“Shall I be honest? “I’m ashamed that I’m the exact same person as you, you stupid bastard.”
He also knew how to swear.
Suddenly, I remembered that sometimes, when I heard him swear, the gunner would widen his snake-like eyes and laugh. He was a person I was grateful to who always stayed by my side, but even thinking about it now, he was a truly obnoxious and unlucky person.
“…Ha….”
Hong Gyeong-jun tried hard to erase his thoughts.
“Thanks to you, I also had a good time. There really is such a thing as regression. It’s amazing. Thanks to the fact that there were many other witnesses besides In-ho Jeong, I was easily convinced, but apart from that, I was anxious. There are always exceptions to everything, and there is no guarantee that I will not be an exception. “It was childish, but also scary.”
“….”
“Since the memories were safely delivered, Lee Jae-heon will not die. Even if I fail, the next Hong Kyung-jun and the next Hong Kyung-jun will succeed. Even if it’s not me, there are many talented people who can analyze failure factors through regression and lead the plan to success. Mr. Jeong In-ho will also put in a lot of effort to save Mr. Lee Jae-heon, and there are many others… right?”
“….”
“…It’s disgusting to set the mood with a face like mine, so please stop.”
At those words, Hong Gyeong-jun’s face contorted as if he was about to cry.
“…I was scared.”
“…It’s gross and uncomfortable. “I thought I was past the age of being foolish, but was I mistaken?”
“It’s my fault. Even though I knew, I couldn’t reflect on it. I was scared and angry and wanted to see some outcome. I was dying to see the results, but people weren’t moving in the direction I wanted. There was no respect for their free will and personhood. “I am no different from a criminal.”
“Oh please.”
Hong Gyeong-jun nervously shook his head.
“I really want to get out of this place. Are you okay?”
“If you want.”
“The last thing I want to say is.”
“….”
‘Hong Gyeong-jun’, who had already become tearful, answered after a while.
“…You are the same.”
“…It looks like you’ve put a curse on me, but I don’t want to take your foolish actions anymore.”
“I know you’re a bastard just like me. “I know very well.”
“So, stop now….”
“So, do me a favor.”
“Very arbitrary.”
“If Lee Jae-heon dies…”
he muttered as if he were prophesying, and his smile was distorted by tears.
“You die too.”
“….”
“That way… you can avoid committing sins.”
Hong Gyeong-jun, who was looking like he had been hit on the head, slowly opened his mouth.
“…I think I understand this one very well.”
Once again, Hong Gyeong-jun was dumbfounded.
“There is a long way to go.”
“Haha….”
“Don’t laugh, I’m serious.”
I was so shocked that I had my mouth wide open.
Anyway, that was also Hong Kyung-jun. As he said, as the situation worsens and his mental power declines, Hong Gyeong-jun will become closer to ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’. Even though the circumstances were different, the essence was the same, so it was natural.
“But…”
But there was a crucial difference between the two.
“I am confident.”
“…Lee Jae-heon will survive?”
“Rather, I am confident that all survivors will survive and return to reality.”
“….”
“Unlike you.”
Although it bloomed from death, the failure of this return would always bring opportunity. It is true that he has done many stupid things so far, but Hong Gyeong-jun was not so incompetent that he missed every opportunity he had in the future. Hong Gyeong-jun tapped his forearm with his finger, anticipating what would happen in the future.
He soon stopped his fingers and smiled an unusually mischievous smile.
“Is that so?”
It felt pretty good.
* * *
Jeong In-ho had a talent for cursing with his eyes.
“….”
“The gaze stings.”
“…Hahaha….”
Jeong In-ho, who was smiling empty-handedly at Hong Kyung-jun’s proud face, asked with a straight face.
“Do you want to fight with me?”
“Oh my god, that can’t be possible.”
“I really hate to see you talking nonsense with that expressionless face.”
“You’re angry.”
“Looking at it, the person who returned this time was Detective Hong Gyeong-jun. So, wouldn’t that give you an idea of why I’m reacting like this? “Are you really that clueless?”
“Rather than that, it’s closer to pretending not to know.”
“Do you really want to fight?”
“Oh, that can’t be right.”
Jeong In-ho wanted to touch Hong Gyeong-jun’s cheek.
“…Haha….”
He tried to laugh again.
The point of return is the same as before, right after entering Unhak High School. This time, the returnees include Hong Gyeong-jun, Jeong In-ho, and Lee Jae-heon. Even Park Da-hoon and Park Da-young. Everyone who knew about the regression gathered in the bathroom.
As always, the other survivors were puzzled, but let them go without asking any questions. Because problems have always been solved this way.
For Jung In-ho, regression was something he was quite familiar with, but this time he was a bit troubled.
“It makes me feel sick to my stomach to see you so fine even though you have all your memories.”
Hong Gyeong-jun in the previous episode was truly a maverick. The form of Hong Gyeong-jun that Jung In-ho hates the most and is not very pleasant for other people to see. As time passed, I lost my composure and became a crazy bastard. Even thinking about it now, I was so frustrated that I felt like my stomach was going to explode.
Even though he had all the memories of that time, Hong Gyeong-jun had a very confident face. A vein appeared on Jeong In-ho’s forehead at the sight, which at first glance seemed shameless.
“Do you have anything to say to me, Detective?”
“Ah…”
“‘Ah’? “Is that the reaction you’re going to see now…?”
Hong Gyeong-jun answered as he gritted his teeth while smiling.
“sorry.”
“….”
“I should have apologized first, but I guess I lost my sense of reality, so I just froze. “I apologize for the rude behavior I showed in the last episode.”
“…Ah….”
Jeong In-ho covered his face with both hands.
“Really…”
Of course, it wasn’t because he was sad, but because he couldn’t control his anger, so he was irritated.
If he was going to act shamelessly, he would be rude, but if he apologized openly like this, it became difficult for even Jeong In-ho to be angry.
In the previous episode, ‘Hong Gyeong-jun’ made Jeong In-ho, who killed Lee Jae-heon to make him comfortable, the target of his resentment. Looking at it now, it seems like he hated Jeong In-ho that much just to vent his anger, even though he rationally knew that it was the right choice under the circumstances.
“….”
“Can I apologize further?”
Unlucky bastard.
“Do not.”
“All right.”
“But if you shut up right away, it’s just annoying.”
“I hope you make your position clear.”
“Are you saying we want to fight again?”
“That can’t be right.”
“You’re annoying.”
And through all of this, In-ho Jeong felt a strange sense of stability.
“Damn it.”
It was a sense of security that Detective Hong Gyeong-jun had truly become my ally.
“…Were you worried that I would still be hostile towards Jeong In-ho even after I returned?”
“It’s annoying, so please shut up, detective.”
“sorry.”
“I’m really annoyed that you don’t seem sorry at all. “I’m annoyed.”
Personally, Hong Gyeong-jun is the type of person that I really don’t like, and he seems to have some sense or not, which makes me even more angry, but still. Since he was the ‘policeman’ that In-ho Jeong admired, there was deep anticipation and intimacy with him. Moreover, Hong Kyung-jun has been really helpful to Jeong In-ho recently.
He gradually became wary and hostile towards Jeong In-ho because he killed Lee Jae-heon. It was definitely stressful to be looked at like that by someone with whom I had an unpleasant affection. It was even more stressful because the fact that the person who killed Lee Jae-heon was Jung In-ho himself was already stressful.
“Ha…”
Nevertheless, looking at Hong Gyeong-jun’s shameless face, I completely believed in ‘return’.
I feel relieved.
It was really painful.
“…Let’s do it right this time, please.”
“If you trust me one more time, I will repay you with results.”
“I hope so.”
The Park siblings, who were on either side of Lee Jae-heon and quietly watching their conversation, asked.
“mister.”
“Please speak.”
“As you get older…”
“You become more childish. It may be hard to believe when you are young, but that is the law of nature.”
“I see.”
The Park siblings maturely understood the laws of nature.
(Continued in the next part)
