Chapter 93

<Episode 94> IF Side Story: The Day Yu-jin Lost (Part 1)

Condition: Yu-jin didn’t train his strength stats and lost to Chul-soo in their first duel.

Perspective: Right after the conclusion of蜷hua.

– Warning: This episode may be fatal to some readers.

– This story contains 19+ content and NTR elements.

– Readers who are uncomfortable with such themes are advised to proceed with caution.

Yu-jin opened his eyes on a hospital bed.

“Ugh!”

Every part of his body hurt.

His arms, legs, head, waist—nothing was left unscathed.

As he slowly checked his body, memories of what happened earlier came flooding back.

“Oh right. I got hit.”

It seems Chul-soo’s attack wasn’t just ‘playtime.’

Otherwise, there’d be no reason for someone to get beaten up like this.

Honestly, he felt a little wronged.

What had he done to deserve getting beaten up like this?

“…Was Kim Yu-jin bullied in his past life?”

Even as an otaku in his previous life, he’d never been bullied.

And now, on the very first day of school, he got beaten up.

All his hopes and expectations for this world shattered instantly.

He started feeling a little desperate about how the rest of his school life would turn out.

“Excuse me…”

At that moment, Biseo Park entered the room.

His eyes seemed colder than usual.

Even though he always had an intimidating look, this was different.

It was as if he didn’t even see Yu-jin as a fellow human being.

“…You’ve suffered a crushing defeat.”

Biseo Park started saying strange things.

I just started school today.

Not only that, but I was beaten up one-sidedly.

Defeat? That word doesn’t seem to fit me at all.

To be honest, I’d rather hear some words of encouragement.

“The chairman has sent a message.”

While speaking, Park took out a black scroll.

What’s with this old-school item?

Now that I think about it, the organization I belong to is called ‘Hwagcheon,’ right?

Judging by its name, it seems to value tradition.

“The unworthy successor who disgraced himself will no longer be needed by Hwagcheon. Remove Kim Yu-jin from the position of successor and reclaim all privileges.”

I couldn’t fully understand what he meant.

But the ominous tone and choice of words were clear enough.

Revoke? Reclaim?

What exactly are they taking away from me?

It didn’t take long to realize.

…

Apparently, my life in this world depends on being part of Hwagcheon.

Much like a powerless child relying on their parents for everything.

Though, they did show a little mercy.

They paid for my academy dormitory fees and provided a small allowance.

But it didn’t mean much.

Yu-jin still hadn’t adapted to this world.

Just attending school wouldn’t solve all his problems.

In fact, the school itself was the biggest issue.

-Kick, you loser! Got kicked out of Hwagcheon, huh?

-Talking big until you got owned by Chul-soo. Turns out you’re just weak, huh?

-Hey, shut up!

-Go ahead, listen. They kicked you out of your home too, right? What’s there to hide?

-True, without Hwagcheon, you’re just a nobody.

The ripple effects of Chul-soo’s violence grew larger than expected.

Everyone now knew how weak he was.

On the first day, he heard insults behind his back.

By the second day, graffiti appeared on his desk.

On the third day, someone hit him on the back of the head and ran away.

By the fourth day, he was brutally beaten.

And so, days turned into weeks, weeks into months.

-Pfft!

With that sound, Yu-jin’s body flew after being kicked.

Coughing violently, Yu-jin rolled on the ground.

Surrounding him were five guys.

They circled him threateningly, making sure he couldn’t escape.

Not just them.

Six students stood nearby laughing.

Ten more watched from afar like it was a circus act.

Several others observed through the windows.

In an instant, Yu-jin became both a punching bag and entertainment.

There was no sympathy or anger in their gazes.

They simply enjoyed the spectacle.

“Hey kid, why aren’t you getting up? Damn, you’re not even good as a punching bag.”

“I have a test next, want to try out some magic spells on you?”

Yu-jin trembled while lying on the ground.

Sure, his body hurt, but fear overwhelmed him.

Pure malice and hatred without any reason.

Just facing it made him feel suffocated.

“Hey, look! He has a wallet. So he carries money now?”

At those words, Yu-jin struggled to get up.

All his money was in that wallet.

If he lost it, his current life would be ruined.

“That… can’t happen.”

“Hey bastard! Why won’t you stay still?”

“Please… Without that money, I won’t eat for a week. You can beat me if you want…”

“Hah, what a loser! Who even cares about some weakling from Hwagcheon?”

-Pfft!

Someone slammed into the back of Yu-jin’s head.

His vision blurred instantly.

Losing strength, Yu-jin collapsed.

Before he could get up, another kick landed.

Yu-jin curled up instinctively, trying to protect himself.

‘Why…’

Looking at the sneering faces around him, Yu-jin couldn’t understand the situation.

Normally, this should cause discomfort, right?

Even if they don’t plan to report it, seeing this scene should make people feel uneasy.

Isn’t it normal to feel angry at least a little?

Then why are they laughing?

Why does everyone enjoy watching someone get bullied?

‘Ah… Is this normal in this world?’

Is that why everyone’s bullying me?

Because I’m weak, because hitting me has no consequences.

Perhaps in this world, hurting the weak isn’t considered a problem.

Ah, now I understand.

Guess there’s nothing I can do then.

Since I’m the weakest here.

This is normal in this world.

So it’s not my fault.

This world has always been like this.

“Haha…”

“Hey, this guy’s laughing.”

“Wow, is he enjoying getting hit? That’s really annoying.”

Months passed with continued bullying.

Both Yu-jin’s body and mind were in shambles.

He didn’t know why things turned out this way.

“Hey Kim Yu-jin! Didn’t I tell you to run over here in ten seconds?”

“Pl-please stop…”

“You won’t stop? Ugh, looking at this coward makes me sick. Without his background, he’s nothing.”

Laughing got him beaten.

Resisting got him beaten.

Staying silent got him beaten.

Yet no one helped him.

As if it was completely normal.

Worse, they watched his suffering with enjoyment.

‘What did I do wrong…’

He couldn’t make a single friend despite dreaming of having one.

Days filled with beatings and insults.

School became a living hell, but he had nowhere else to go.

His heart shattered piece by piece.

One day, while enduring daily beatings, Yu-jin spotted Chul-soo from afar.

“Hey, seriously? Of course it’s Chul-soo.”

…

“Yeah, soon he might even become the representative.”

From afar, Chul-soo was smiling brightly.

The girl with black hair standing next to him was probably his girlfriend.

They looked like a perfect scene from a youthful manga.

They seemed truly happy together.

The happiness in school life that Yu-jin had always wanted was right there.

‘It’s unfair.’

Everything that happened to him was Chul-soo’s fault.

Though technically, all Chul-soo did was beat him up on the first day.

That incident led to him getting kicked out of home and becoming a target for bullying.

Even naive Yu-jin realized it was all because of Chul-soo.

Isn’t it too cruel?

The delinquent could casually beat up weaker people,

while enjoying a wonderful youth with his beautiful girlfriend.

Rumors say he might even become the academy representative.

Completely different worlds.

Chul-soo lived a perfect high school life,

while Yu-jin remained an outcast.

‘Why… only me…’

Yu-jin lowered his head deeply.

A dark shadow began creeping within his heart.

…

“Falling?”

Turning his head, he saw a slime.

He wasn’t particularly surprised.

He lacked the mental energy to care anymore.

Yu-jin’s face was covered in bruises,

with various large and small wounds all over.

His clothes were torn apart in multiple places.

In this state, he gave a crooked smile.

“Wow, talking slime.”

“First time seeing one?”

“Most people would say yes, right?”

The slime slowly crawled over and jumped onto the railing.

It sat next to Yu-jin.

“You’re about to die, right?”

“Yeah.”

“So, are you willing to give me your body-”

“Do whatever you want.”

The slime’s sentence was cut off by Yu-jin’s immediate reply.

As if the question wasn’t worth listening to.

The slime slightly raised its eyebrows, somewhat surprised.

“Hmm, not a bad body. Don’t you need it?”

“I don’t want to live anymore.”

Smiling happily as if giving up on everything.

Yet tears streamed down his eyes.

Yu-jin spoke.

“…”

The slime smiled upon seeing this.

His eyes were dead.

Yet they glowed with malevolence.

Hatred strong enough to kill someone.

Deep within, a desire for revenge lurked.

Eyes exactly like mine.

‘This one’ could be useful.

“You’re interesting.”

“…Soon to die. Please don’t hit me.”

“Do you want to join me?”

“…Join?”

For the first time, Yu-jin showed interest at the slime’s words.

Is it offering to be friends now?

Friend.

Something he had always longed for.

Never imagined it could happen at this moment.

Even if it’s a mysterious monster, he didn’t care.

Is this creature really offering friendship?

“Really?”

“Yeah. I like you. If you’re okay with it, would you join me?”

“…Are you really going to be friends with me?”

“Hmm, friends? Sure, why not. It’s my first time too, but I can definitely do it.”

Yu-jin laughed.

Maybe the first genuine laugh since coming to this world.

“I’m Yu-jin. What’s your name?”

“No particular name.”

“Okay? Can I call you ‘Rime’?”

The slime paused briefly.

Clearly surprised that someone gave it a name.

“Hmm… Did you name me?”

“If you don’t like it, I can’t do anything about it.”

Yu-jin缩ed back like a frightened child.

The slime grinned and replied.

“No, I like it. Since you gave me something, I should return the favor.”

Then it spoke directly into Kim Yu-jin’s soul.

“Hey, want revenge on the person who did this to you?”

---