Chapter 17

I sniffled and pleaded for mercy, but with Peter Pan’s teeth missing, his words were all slurred. After stealing a glance at him, I hesitated briefly before cautiously opening my mouth.

“Peter Pan definitely deserves to die right here. Not only did he forcibly separate countless children from their parents, but he also committed murder. He’s crossed the line of what it means to be human. He’s become a monster devoid of any guilt.”

“Yeah, that guy is a terrible monster!”

“Trash, he should suffer for the rest of his life!”

The children, excited by my statement, hurled insults at Peter Pan. Watching them, I continued.

“To say I understand the pain you’ve endured because of Peter Pan would be a lie. It’s unimaginable suffering for me. You must wish for Peter Pan to shed tears of blood and suffer endlessly, and I think that’s justified. As an outsider, I don’t feel qualified to judge. But if there’s one thing I hope from you as Peter Pan’s story comes to an end…it’s this…”

I looked everyone straight in the eye.

“Don’t become monsters like Peter Pan.”

My words were met with silence. The children frowned, clearly confused.

“What do you mean by ‘monsters’? Us?”

“We’re not like Peter Pan.”

“Yeah! We’re just seeking revenge!”

It was the reaction I expected. This is why I didn’t want to say anything in the first place. Still, since I’ve started, I might as well explain properly.

Unlike the children, Captain Hook and Cassandra were gazing steadily into my eyes, silently urging me to continue.

“I’m not saying your revenge is wrong. Peter Pan certainly needs to pay for his crimes. But do you really need to soil your hands in the process? Let me ask you something: have any of you intentionally maimed or crippled someone?”

The children shook their heads.

“No way, who would do such a thing?”

“That’s right. Besides, we were captured by Peter Pan and only did what we were told.”

“Exactly. We’ve never done anything like that.”

I was relieved no one had actually done such a thing. Sighing inwardly, I spoke again.

“So, who will carry out these horrifying plans to cripple Peter Pan?”

The children’s eyes widened in shock. Captain Hook stroked his beard calmly while Cassandra pursed her lips.

“T-That…”

“Uh, I-I can’t do it…”

“I can.”

To my surprise, Captain Hook answered. He declared he could dirty his own hands without hesitation. Peter Pan squirmed even more upon hearing this.

Hook locked eyes with me and said,

“I can do it, Siyoo. To avenge Wendy, I could personally dismember that guy.”

Ugh, that wasn’t what I meant. As I pondered how to respond, Hook gave a gentle smile.

“But you’re implying I don’t need to get my hands dirty directly, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Because even though it’s not murder, carrying out such extreme punishment would mean losing our humanity like Peter Pan did, crossing a line that we, as humans, shouldn’t. Am I understanding correctly?”

“Y-Yes.”

Captain Hook somehow summarized my thoughts perfectly. Entranced, I simply nodded along.

“Alright, understood. What do you all think about our dark reaper’s suggestion? If our methods involve losing our humanity, how else should Peter Pan be punished? Isn’t it true that currently, we have no other choice but to punish him ourselves?”

Cassandra raised a sharp point, looking at me rather than Hook. This was my cue to answer. Peter Pan seemed slightly more relaxed, perhaps thinking his punishment might be lessened.

“There are ways that don’t require us getting our hands dirty. I read something online once—applying sweet honey or fruit juice into open wounds attracts swarms of bugs that eat away at the flesh. Over time, Peter Pan would slowly become bug food until death. If we tie him deep in the forest, the bugs would take care of punishing him.”

[Shock! Horror! Bugs?! Who could’ve thought of such a method?!]

Ariel gasped dramatically, stunned by my suggestion. Others reacted similarly. Peter Pan trembled, seemingly on the verge of wetting himself again. Hmm, why are they reacting like this?

“Hahahaha! That’s quite creative! So, if this works, we won’t have to dirty our hands. Any other ideas?”

Captain Hook’s eyes gleamed with the excitement of a child asking for a bedtime story.

“Alternatively, if there are slave traders in this world, selling him might work too. For instance, to a wealthy pervert obsessed with young boys. His life would be a living hell.”

[Perverted Lust! Shock! Slave! Sex Slave!!]

“Hahahaha! Good! What do you all think? These options seem decent.”

Cassandra chuckled softly.

“Indeed, it’s a good plan.”

“Agreed, sounds fine.”

“Eww, the idea of being a sex slave is terrifying.”

“The bug torture is creepy too.”

The children agreed, prompting Captain Hook to nod.

“Alright, unless anyone has another suggestion, we’ll decide by vote which punishment to carry out.”

The voting went smoother than expected. Since the bug torture would kill Peter Pan, the option of selling him to a pedophilic rich man with a taste for young boys was chosen so he could endure a lifetime of hell.

Apparently, according to Hook, he knows such a man, though he doesn’t know why. A bald, pot-bellied figure with a robust presence, he looks like a kind bear at first glance but harbors sinister hobbies in private.

Hook personally explained to Peter Pan what punishment awaited him. The perverted rich man would have top-notch medical professionals surgically remove Peter Pan’s prized jewels and sever the tendons in his legs to prevent escape. Further details followed, but I couldn’t recount them—they were too grotesque.

Listening made my skin crawl. Apparently, the man indulges in extreme sadistic behavior daily, making the world seem chillingly ominous.

A horrifying path awaits Peter Pan—a complete physical and mental breakdown into pure torment.

Upon hearing this, Peter Pan screamed, begging for an alternative punishment. Finally uttering the word “sorry,” he promised to repent and learn responsibility, pleading for leniency despite being a mere child.

But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Hook whispered something into Peter Pan’s ear, causing him to convulse wildly, crying uncontrollably while begging for forgiveness.

What exactly Hook said, I didn’t dare to inquire.

After deciding Peter Pan’s fate, the children worried about finding their homes and whether their parents still lived where they remembered. Hook kindly offered to help locate their parents and stay with them until then, showing unexpected maturity.

Some kidnapped children had already lost their parents, but Hook decided to welcome them and give them a fresh start.

Now, only my agreement with Hook remained. First, he fulfilled his promise to bring me to the continent where the black rabbit disappeared.

As the ship sliced through calm waters, we soon arrived at the coast. Saying our final goodbyes aboard the Wendy, we embraced one last time.

“Thank you so much. Because of you, Wendy can rest peacefully in heaven.”

A slight tremor was audible in Hook’s voice. Smiling gently, I replied,

“It was nothing.”

Next came the children’s gratitude.

“Thank you, Black Reaper!”

“I’ll never forget this kindness!”

“If I ever have kids, I’ll name one Siyoo!”

“Haha, no need to go that far.”

Cassandra held my hand and smiled bittersweetly.

“Thanks, Siyoo. I’ll remember your words and keep moving forward for my brother. I hope you return safely to your original world.”

“Thank you.”

Saying goodbye felt somewhat bittersweet. After exchanging farewells, I prepared to disembark.

“Alright, see you all later.”

[Right. Take care. Don’t let Hook cry when you’re gone.]

“Huh? Wha?”

I suddenly noticed Ariel was still by my side.

“Hey, Ariel. Are you coming with me?”

[Of course! My place is by the prince!]

“No, I need to find the black rabbit and return home. I can’t come with you.”

[Never! The prince is mine! I’ll never leave! I’ll stick with you forever!]

Ariel clung to my arm tightly.

“Hahahaha! No one can stop Ariel when she sets her mind. Just take her along, Siyoo.”

“Huh? But…”

“In your future journey, having a companion will be helpful. Once marked as a prince, separation is impossible unless you prefer men. Hahahaha!!”

“Eh?!”

Before I knew it, I stood on the new continent with Ariel in tow.

[Great! Joy! Finally, my love shall bloom!]

What was happening? My head throbbed as I spotted something that chilled me to the bone, making my heart sink.

Frozen in place, I watched as Elise stood there shyly holding her staff.

“I’ve waited so long for you, darling. And look, you’ve even made a new friend?”