NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54: Shim Hyung Taek (1)
Two weeks had passed since Ma Kyung-rok’s party, and Ryu Min had been cooped up at home all that time. He didn’t have anywhere to go or any friends to meet. Feeling too lazy to go out, he satisfied his hunger with delivered food. His younger brother was in a similar situation, so they both became reclusive. Even when they occasionally had to dispose of garbage or do recycling, Ryu Min depended on his brother to handle it, not wanting to leave the house.
“Am I just an aimless bum…?”
Ryu Min let out a self-deprecating chuckle, but he knew he needed this kind of break when he thought about the future.
“Well, this respite will probably end today.”
Ryu Min opened his phone’s calendar and saw that it was Sunday, April 17th. It was a day he had marked just in case he forgot.
“Now it’s time to take action.”
One of the five runes that could be obtained in the real world was the [Rune of Doppelganger]. Ryu Min was determined to acquire it today, as it was on his list of essential runes to obtain.
“Today is the day they regularly engage in activities.”
Ryu Min checked the time with a meaningful smile on his face. It was still early, only 9 o’clock in the morning.
“If I want to get everything done today, I should submit my application early.”
Ryu Min’s fingers moved swiftly as he held his phone.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door, and Ryu Won entered.
“Hey, what are you up to?”
“Using the internet. Why do you need something?”
“I was thinking we could go out for lunch today. I’m getting tired of always eating delivery food…”
“I don’t think that’ll work. I might have a lunch appointment planned for today.”
“You might have an appointment? So, do you have one or not?”
Ryu Min let out a playful laugh.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
* * *
[1.8 billion people pulled into this otherworld. Reduced to 90 million in just three months…]
[Celebrities, soldiers, police officers, people from all walks of life dragged into the otherworld, meeting a sudden demise.]
[The death of the young generation led to an economic crisis. Temporary shutdown of schools nationwide.]
[Parents and siblings worldwide engulfed in ceaseless sorrow.]
Merely skimming through the headlines of the article, a somber atmosphere enveloped the scene.
However, Shim Hyeong-taek found amusement in it all.
After all, it was someone else’s problem.
He, on the other hand, was a survivor, a player who had managed to stay alive.
“1.8 billion reduced to 90 million? They died so miserably, and it was only the fourth round. Pathetic losers. Hahaha.”
Laughter echoed in the tranquil classroom, the laughter of an undefeated champion.
Deep down, he was aware of his own arrogance, but he let it slide.
Why shouldn’t he? He had achieved an impressive rank, securing the 3rd place in his district.
A cynical smirk formed on Shim Hyeong-taek’s face as he perused the article.
“Well, isn’t this amusing? They would’ve spewed the same nonsense even if they became players.”
His laughter faded, replaced by a disgruntled expression.
“What’s the use of having things you want to do before you die? Those self-righteous fools. If only they hadn’t suppressed everyone all the time. Don’t do this, don’t do that—inevitably, the pent-up frustration would explode. Tsk!”
He irritably thumped the axe onto the floor.
Thud!
Startled, the three students glanced at him, their faces filled with anxiety.
They were fellow classmates whom Shim Hyeong-taek had kidnapped.
“What are you looking at? You little bastards.”
“…”
“Why? Surprised that I’m swearing when I used to be so well-behaved? Did you think I was some spineless fool who couldn’t utter a curse?”
“…”
The students remained silent, not because they had nothing to say, but because their hands, feet, and even mouths were tightly sealed with duct tape.
“Mmmph.”
“Why? Do you want me to take it off?”
“Mmmph.”
“Mmmph!”
“What’s that you’re saying? You little shit.”
As the three of them chimed in unison, Shim Hyeong-taek approached them with an exasperated expression.
Snip-snip-snip!
He tore off the tape from their mouths.
“What’s the matter? Do you have something to say to me?”
“P-Please, we’re sorry, Hyeong-seob.”
“Yeah, w-we’re sorry.”
“Please, spare us this once.”
“Is that so?”
Shim Hyeong-taek swiftly raised his axe.
Swish!
Like splitting a watermelon, he brought down the axe on one of their heads, and fragments of brain matter scattered.
“Ah, aaah!”
“Ugh, ugh…!”
Shim Hyeong-taek, having dispatched one person in an instant, spoke with an edgy tone.
“You little bastards, acting all high and mighty when you don’t even know my name.”
Shim Hyeong-taek chuckled as he looked down at the two trembling students.
“Why are you shaking like that? Feeling cold?”
“…”
“Do you even know who I am?”
“Y-Yes, we do. It’s Shim Hyeong-taek.”
“And what about you? Weren’t you clueless about it?”
“T-That’s not true! I obviously knew your name!”
“Then do you have any idea why you’re being held captive?”
The two students nodded slowly, their expressions filled with guilt.
“We’re s-sorry, Hyeong-taek…”
“We deeply apologize for causing you trouble…”
“Now, tell me exactly how you’ve been bullying me.”
“W-Well, that…”
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