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Translator: uly
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Deal
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After the world fell apart, daytime under the sun became a dangerous time.
The violence that people had wrapped up in laws and morals now bared its true nature freely without those restraints. That savagery couldn't even be hidden by the midday sun.
If anything, it had become a catalyst that fueled the violence even more.
To people, other people were nothing more than coin wallets.
No different from monsters in a game.
Just monsters that dropped money when you killed them.
Neighbors you'd held grudges against were long dead, and strangers with no prior connection made perfect prey.
Even close friends could be done away with after one solid blow.
Family? If they were the cherished kind, you'd probably band together and scrape by somehow.
Family bonds were stronger than you'd think.
But there were even more people who saw the world's end as a fresh start.
A lot of people had died. And they'd killed a lot of people too.
In that ruined world, daytime was an inconvenient time to move around.
It was deeply unsettling to think someone might be out there targeting you.
Korea might lack guns, but skills were plentiful.
There were tons of skills that could kill from a distance in an instant.
I'd seen dozens, hundreds of them myself.
That's why I stuck to quiet alleys with little foot traffic, moving stealthily.
My encounter with Yeon-ju had filled me with so much.
The woman who made a pathetic coward like me feel almost human again.
Her, a whore? No way. To me, she was nobler and more lovable than anyone.
Would I see her again? God, I hoped so.
I wanted to see her smile again, sleep with her again.
If I turned back now, I could probably slide right back in... No, could I? Would she even still be there?
I had no idea.
She was younger than me but smarter, wiser, more mature.
I really hoped I'd see her again.
Please, in this fucked-up world, let her survive unscathed so we could meet once more.
Lost in those thoughts as I walked, I spotted the officetel.
Kim Ye-ji. The woman who could pass for a celebrity.
There was something I needed to check with her.
I'd made it to the officetel without running into anyone, and as I quietly climbed the stairs, all sorts of thoughts flooded my mind.
What had happened to her? Was she still holed up inside? Or had she gone out?
My head was a mess with random worries, but my feet kept steadily heading to Ye-ji's room.
Finally on her floor, I approached her door slowly and quietly.
I walked down the hall silently to check the duct tape piece I'd left behind.
It was there. Still stuck.
Unbelievable. This woman had actually listened to me and stayed inside for the past week.
I reached for the doorbell but hesitated.
Wait... She doesn't even know who I am. Ringing it won't tell her I'm the same guy from before.
Idiot. How did I not think of that?
I stood there agonizing in front of the door for a while before finally pressing it. Fuck it, whatever happens.
Yeon-ju the whore had taught me a lot.
The most important? Confidence. That's the best lesson she gave me.
A scaredy-cat loser like me had always been overly cautious to avoid any slip-ups, chasing pointless perfection.
But now I realized there was no need for that, so I'd dial back the cowardice too.
No response after ringing made me anxious, but then I remembered I'd told her to stay quiet.
No reaction was normal... So how do I get her to open up?
Thud thud.
"Kim Ye-ji. It's 'us'."
Would that bring her out? Would she know it was me?
Click clack.
The sound of locks turning made my heart race.
Who knew such a stupid line would work? What a relief.
Creeeak.
The door didn't open fully—just a hand's width thanks to the chain lock.
She looked a bit gaunt. An anxious expression on Ye-ji's face peered out.
"You kept your promise, so I came to give you your reward."
The door shut, and the chain rattled off.
It opened again, and Ye-ji walked inside, turning to face me.
Her eyes shook with unease as she finally got a good look at me.
Maybe she pictured a gang of guys in black suits swarming in?
Or felt disappointed seeing a man in a plain tee, jeans, with a small backpack and machete?
I stepped inside, closed and locked the door.
Ye-ji, in a white T-shirt and track pants, watched my every move with fear—and a hint of confusion.
As I entered, she perched on the edge of her bed, then glanced at me upon realizing where she sat.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything."
She seemed to relax a bit at my words, but the anxiety lingered.
Still, her reactions felt much softer than before.
I walked to the center of the room and sat down, getting straight to it.
"First off, sorry. For acting however I wanted."
Ye-ji looked baffled at my sudden change in tone.
"I killed the four guys who came looking for you, raped you, lied to you, and made you do weird shit for a week."
My unexpected confession left her even more puzzled.
"I'm not saying this to beg forgiveness. Just venting to feel better myself. Forget all the nonsense I spouted. Live however you want. But since you kept the promise, I'll reward you."
With that, I opened the shop and tapped whatever food caught my eye.
Rice, canned goods, ramen, snacks... This insane shop had every damn edible thing, so I bought a ton.
A mountain of food piled up in front of me.
After saying my piece and stacking the food, I stood to leave.
"Wait."
Ye-ji called as I headed for the door.
"Not enough?"
She looked me straight in the eye.
"What lie did you tell?"
Her voice was surprisingly clear and bright—most of the fear gone.
"The 'us' part. There's no 'us'. It's just me."
"Anything else?"
"The killing part? Honestly, I never really wanted to kill you."
After hearing me out, Ye-ji hesitated before speaking again.
"That thing... Can we keep doing it?"
"What?"
"If I don't go out, you give me food."
"Huh?"
I couldn't wrap my head around this woman. What the hell was she saying?
"I don't know what you think, but I like it."
"Giving you food if you stay inside?"
"Yes."
"You know why I said that?"
"To have sex with me, right?"
Ha. I couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the absurdity.
Yeah. In this mad world, only mad people survive.
Kim Ye-ji had made it this far, so she couldn't be normal. She wasn't.
The world was crazier than I thought, and the survivors were the crazy ones.
"No need to go outside, no meeting others, just periodic food drops, and sex is fine too?"
"Yes."
Damn idiot Sung-cheol. Why'd you try breaking that bitch Min-ji when a girl like this exists?
I was dumbfounded, words failing me, but I couldn't just shut up, so I asked Ye-ji.
"How could that be good?"
"Sex won't kill me. No pregnancy risk. Guys with STDs are dead or cured with potions. But going out for food? That could get me killed. And you don't seem like you want to kill me."
Her words made sense. I pondered it.
Especially for someone like Ye-ji with a useless skill—stepping outside must be pure stress and terror.
She probably picked Can Beer Creation thinking it'd trade for food, but trading means meeting people and risking death every time.
If a guy like me delivered food regularly, that might actually seem better.
"So, keep going?"
"As long as you don't eat it all."
"You trust me?"
"No. This is a deal."
"A deal? Trust is everything in deals."
"It's a direct trade, isn't it? You gonna scam me right in front of my eyes?"
I couldn't easily grasp her mindset.
Smart? Or dumb?
Should've known when she picked a skill like Can Beer Creation.
She's either insane or has a screw loose.
"This is nuts. You really think that's good?"
"If there were more of you, no way. But you're alone. You were honest. And... you're hotter than I expected. You a good guy or something?"
"Good guys rape? You know what I did to you?"
"I know. You came inside and left. How could I not?"
"And I'm a good guy?"
"Didn't you know? In this world, not killing you makes you a good guy."
Her words left me speechless.
End times for real. I thought I'd gone wild since the world went to shit... Guess I'm behind the trends in this mad world.
"Ha. I just don't get it."
"So, no deal?"
With that, Ye-ji slipped off her track pants.
Then slowly peeled off her T-shirt.
Her D-cup breasts hugged by a bra, slim waist, alluring hips, and smooth legs tempted me.
"You sane?"
"What's it matter?"
"Ha. World's insane— what's sanity worth?"
I wanted to rush over, suck and grope those huge tits.
Pound her and hear her moans.
But not now. She was hot, sure, but I wasn't in the mood.
Thanks to drilling Yeon-ju all night.
Ye-ji... If she stuck to the deal, she'd be there anytime to eat.
No need to rush.
"Call me an idiot who can't eat a free meal. Not today. Wasn't planning sex. But I accept your deal. One week. I'll come back in a week. Stay inside till then, and the deal holds."
Ye-ji crossed her legs, eyeing me.
Damn, every time, she's stunning.
Sex with her whenever? What a treat.
"Got it."
"Knock five times in a week. You'll know it's me."
"Okay."
I left her there, legs crossed, fear gone.
Still didn't make sense, but she wasn't normal either.
I carefully reattached the duct tape by the hinges and headed home.