The Unforgiven (2)

“What are you talking about?!”

Han Gyeong-ah practically jumped. That was how ridiculous the claim sounded.
He’d fallen for her…?
That man?
Complete nonsense.
‘Unni loves teasing people. She’s just messing with me again.’
That was what Han thought. But Joo Bada looked more serious than anyone.

“Oh my, you still haven’t noticed? You should know better than anyone.”
“That doesn’t make any sense!”
“Think about how Yohan has acted. Compare him now to when you first met.”

Kim Yohan had made a terrible impression from the moment everyone introduced themselves and first met.
Han hadn’t shown it openly, but she’d disliked him. Now, however, something about him felt different.
His manner of speaking was the same, but his attitude had become friendly. It had been that way since the day after he was imprisoned underground.
And then there was what happened in the early hours… a secret between the two of them that she was too embarrassed to tell anyone else.
When she’d seen him again then, he’d been kind and gentle. Almost like a completely different person from the man she’d first met.

“Even his eyes are different. At first he always looked like this, all glaring and scowling! But now he’s much softer.”

Joo Bada scrunched up the corners of her eyes and made an exaggerated scowl.

“He definitely changed, but your theory came out of nowhere! You’re jumping to conclusions…!”
“Love always comes out of nowhere. Didn’t you see how nervous he was earlier? I never dreamed that boy would actually apologize.”

He had gone to Floor 3 alone without consulting anyone.
Han Gyeong-ah was a little angry that he’d broken his promise to her, but she was far more disappointed in herself.

“He went to Floor 3 because nobody believed him.”
“Do you really think that’s why?”
“What?”
“Seriously… Gyeong-ah, you’ve never dated anyone before, have you? Be honest. You can’t fool your unni.”

Under Joo’s sharp interrogation, Han pressed her lips together. In truth, she had never dated anyone.
During school, she’d practically lived in the library and devoted herself entirely to studying. After becoming an adult, she’d spent every day busy with police work.
Joo Bada poked Han’s cheek disapprovingly.

“Good grief. How would someone like you understand how a man thinks? Men will do all kinds of stupid things to impress the girl they like.”

Han Gyeong-ah suddenly remembered when she’d gone underground to keep watch over him.
It had only been a day, yet he’d greeted her with an almost tender affection.
There had been an earnest longing in his eyes. At the time, she’d wondered why he was acting like that, but if she considered Joo’s theory…

‘Because he missed me?’

The moment that thought occurred to her, her mind stopped working. Even thinking it herself made her cringe with embarrassment.
Her face turned red as an apple.
Unable to bear the embarrassment, she shook her head violently.

“No matter what you say… it’s nothing but an empty theory with barely any evidence! Why would that man even like me…?!”
“How should I know? Maybe the police officer who came to see him when everyone else had abandoned him stirred his heart?”
“N-No way!!”
“Okay, okay. Why are you getting so worked up~?”

Joo Bada smiled mischievously.

“I’m just throwing the idea out there. You never know, so just keep it in mind. What’s the harm?”
“I’m going to pretend I never heard any of this… This conversation never happened…!”
“Hehe. Look at you getting embarrassed.”

The two continued bickering for quite some time.
Their conversation only ended shortly before designated sleeping hours.
Only Kim Yohan knew the true reason for his change, but beneath the surface, a terrible misunderstanding had begun to take root.

**

**

After yesterday’s commotion, my standing had improved.
I’d gone from universally despised garbage to being recognized as an actual human being.
After a great deal of effort, the negative number known as Kim Yohan had finally climbed back to zero.
Risking myself on Floor 3 had meant something. But it wasn’t all good news. I’d badly disappointed someone.

“Gyeong-ah, are you still mad?”

When morning came, I woke up and found myself facing Han Gyeong-ah.
Being as diligent as ever, she’d already gotten herself ready for the day.
Without even looking at me, she unlocked my handcuffs.

“…We’re meeting early in the Dining Room, so get ready.”

That was all she said. Gyeong-ah and I were apparently in the middle of a cold war.
She was still upset…
Her attitude had turned chilly, as though she couldn’t forgive me that easily. Pushing her now would only make things worse.
I had no choice but to wait until she cooled down.
Had she somehow gotten even scarier overnight…?

Probably my imagination.
I washed up and straightened my clothes. I’d proven that I’d changed, but the surveillance remained.

The reason was that I might do something reckless again like yesterday. It was my own fault, so I couldn’t exactly complain.

It looked like things would stay this way for a while. Han and I stepped out into the hallway together.
There was also some unfinished business from yesterday. The reward I’d obtained for clearing Floor 3.

[The One-and-Only Busybody]

It was a book with a bizarre title.
When I’d first checked it, it had been nothing but a blank notebook.
But after returning to Floor 1, strange text had appeared inside.

[The One-and-Only Busybody]
【Our trusty friend!
If something is troubling you, tell this friend all about it!
It will give you helpful advice!

How to Use: 1. Place your hand on the cover and ask a question! 2. Open to any page! 3. You’re welcome!

*Caution: This book only functions in a Safe Zone. It may exercise its right to remain silent in response to overly sensitive questions.】

What an adorable little instruction manual.
The actual contents were even better.

-Consider it positively.

-Not recommended.

-Be grateful.

-Do not act rashly.

The book had plenty of pages, but each contained no more than a line or two.
It was such a waste of paper that I almost felt sorry for the trees. Basically, it looked like one of those novelty books you read for fun.
But it was a reward from the Tower.
Given where it had come from, there was no way it was ordinary. We’d tested it several times yesterday, and it really did give appropriate advice.

How do we get out of here?

-Head upward.

Is a rescue team actually coming?

-Waiting is futile.

Even more surprisingly, whenever we asked the same question, the same answer appeared no matter which page we opened.
More than twenty times.

There was no way it was coincidence. Everyone came to believe in the book’s ability.
It was a guidebook. Naturally, that narrowed our objective down to one thing.

What should we do next?

-Floor 4.

We would probably be going to Floor 4 today. That was why everyone was gathering so early.
Just then, we ran into Kang Se-rim coming out of her Private Room.

“Unni!”
“Se-rim, good morning!”

The two greeted each other warmly.
…Completely excluding me.

Things were awkward enough already, so I couldn’t exactly jump into their conversation. I kept my distance.
Kang Se-rim noticed the atmosphere and smirked.

“Serves you right.”
“…What?”

Apparently she was delighted that my relationship with Gyeong-ah had cooled. In high spirits, she clung to Han like glue.

“Unni, let’s go together!”

Anyway, when we arrived at the Dining Room, Shin Nam-jae and Joo Bada were already there.
There was also someone unexpected.
Lee Sa-hyuk looked exhausted and annoyed despite it being morning.

He actually came.
He’d probably been dragged here against his will. Joo Bada must have had something to do with it.

“You’re here! Come on, sit down!”

We took our seats under her enthusiastic welcome. But the way Joo Bada looked at me seemed strangely meaningful.

“Gyeong-ah, did you think about what I told you yesterday? The decision is yours~”

And of course she said it in a suggestive tone.
Yesterday?
I’d fallen asleep early because I was exhausted. Had something happened while I was out?

“What happened yesterday?”
“N-None of your business!!”

Han Gyeong-ah flushed and snapped at me. Her sudden outburst made me flinch. Apparently her anger hadn’t cooled even after a night.
She must have been seriously mad at me. I backed down immediately, feeling like I was sitting on a bed of nails.

Ignoring Kang Se-rim, who was snickering with delight, I noticed the empty seats.

Two people still hadn’t arrived.
They were the two people I’d still never properly met.

“All right, everyone! Looks like we’re all here.”
“What? Two people still aren’t here…”
“Ha… about that.”

Joo Bada gave an awkward laugh.

“Neither of them is coming. One is still asleep… and the other went to Floor 3.”

What remarkable reasons.
Apparently one was sleeping so deeply that repeatedly ringing the doorbell hadn’t gotten a response.
The one who went to Floor 3 had apparently left after giving only a one-sided notice.

“Without discussing it with anyone?”
“Well, they said someone needed to investigate Floor 3 anyway… and that they weren’t going to Floor 4.”
“That’s ridiculous… I’ll go bring them back right now!”

Shin Nam-jae shot to his feet.

“It’s fine, Nam-jae. No need. We’ve got a new face now.”

At Joo Bada’s words, everyone’s gaze turned toward me. Feeling awkwardly pressured, I looked down.

“Yohan even brought back something interesting from Floor 3.”

Joo Bada pulled out a book and placed it on the table.

[The One-and-Only Busybody]

“It’s a strange book…”

Han Gyeong-ah nodded.

“As we confirmed yesterday, this book’s ability is real. Want to test it one more time?”

Joo Bada placed a hand on the cover.

“Book, book, what should we do today?”

Her voice was sweet and theatrical, like a queen asking a mirror who was the fairest. She opened to a random page, and the book answered.

-Floor 4.

It matched yesterday’s answer.
I had no idea how it worked, but it was fascinating every time.

“See? Anyone else want to try?”
“Give it here.”

Kang Se-rim took the book and reluctantly placed her hand on the cover.

“Hey. What should I do today?”

This time, a different message appeared.

-Speak more kindly.

“This bastard…”
“S-Se-rim, calm down!”

She looked ready to tear the book apart, and Gyeong-ah barely managed to stop her. Either way, its ability clearly worked.

“All right, cuties, pay attention!”

Joo Bada tapped the Busybody with one finger.

“Like it or not, we have to go to Floor 4. Any objections?”

No one raised a hand. Aside from Shin Nam-jae’s obvious hesitation, everyone seemed to agree.
We were going to Floor 4.
With that settled, another question arose.

“So the question is who goes… Anyone volunteering?”

Again, no one raised a hand. Floor 4 was an unknown place where death might be waiting.
Volunteering to go there required serious nerve. Just then, Han Gyeong-ah raised her hand.

“…I’ll go.”
“Gyeong-ah, are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ve already made up my mind.”

Her eyes were resolute. She had clearly steeled herself. I’d expected that from Gyeong-ah.
I raised my hand next.

“I’ll go too.”
“W-Why are you going?”

Han Gyeong-ah flinched.

“Why? Am I not allowed?”
“That’s not what I mean…”

She hesitated and avoided answering. Joo Bada immediately shot her a meaningful glance.

I had no idea what was going on between those two, but my reason for going to Floor 4 was obvious.
Regression.

Even if I failed, I could start over. As long as I had that, I wouldn’t go down easily.
And I wasn’t comfortable sending Gyeong-ah to Floor 4 alone either.

“I’m going too!”

Then even Kang Se-rim raised her hand.

“Se-rim, you too…?! It’s too dangerous…!”
“It’s fine, unni. I’ll be more useful than that guy.”

Three of us had volunteered before we knew it.
Looking slightly surprised, Joo Bada turned to Lee Sa-hyuk.

“What about you, Doctor?”
“…”

Lee Sa-hyuk indifferently placed a hand on the book’s cover.

“Are there cigarettes on Floor 4?”

-Yes.

“I’m going. Let’s leave now.”

What a lunatic.
The last one left was Shin Nam-jae. Just from his expression, it was obvious he didn’t want to go.

“I-I…”
“You’re coming too, right, Nam-jae?”
“Y-Yes…! O-Of course…!”

This guy was simple too.
Once everyone had answered, Joo Bada nodded.

“Good. I’m glad everyone’s coming. The book said the same thing.”

Then she asked the Busybody,

How many people should go to Floor 4?

-Six.

There were exactly six people in the Dining Room. Coincidentally, that matched the recommended number perfectly.

“Once everyone’s ready, let’s head out.”

A serious mood settled over the room. The silence carried fear, determination, and resolve.

I steeled myself as well. Whatever awaited us on Floor 4, I would make sure we came back alive.

We finished breakfast in the Dining Room and checked our preparations.
Once everything was ready, we headed resolutely for Floor 4.

**

[Arrived at Floor 4 - School.]

**

**

When I came to on Floor 4, the first thing I saw was,

“This is…”

‘A school?’

The inside of a classroom.