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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Jjescus ]
[Proofreader - Demon God ]
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Chapter 92
After a brief pause, Hong Kyungjun spoke again.
“…When you say ‘quite a long time,’ how long exactly…?”
Seeing him hesitating was rare, indicating that even someone as straightforward as Lee Jaehun was a bit of an unfamiliar subject for Hong Kyungjun.
‘But still… he couldn’t have been completely unprepared for this.’
Lee Jaehun tilted his head slightly, considering.
Given the nuances and abilities Lee Jaehun had displayed, Hong Kyungjun, being smart, couldn’t have been unaware of this background. Despite that, his reaction suggested he found ‘Lee Jaehun’s’ past rather poignant.
While pondering how to answer Hong Kyungjun’s question, Lee Jaehun finally responded with a hint of uncertainty.
“…I don’t remember very well.”
“…….”
“But it’s probably been over 10 years…?”
Yes, at least a decade.
The detailed background was still undecided, but for his life to make sense, the time ‘Lee Jaehun’ had been consumed by the otherworld had to be quite lengthy. After all, spending just a year or two wouldn’t be enough to create such a capable yet disturbed individual.
“What do you mean by ‘probably’?”
“I really don’t remember. I never kept count. Did you keep track of the exact number of days since you arrived in this world, Detective?”
“…….”
“I was the same way.”
And now, to lighten the mood a bit.
“Even after leaving this world… I didn’t want to know exactly how much time had passed.”
“…You can leave? From here?”
Hong Kyungjun’s question widened the eyes of everyone else present.
‘They’re probably so overwhelmed they didn’t even consider escape.’
When despair is intense, hope becomes too painful to even look at.
With monsters everywhere and their sanity eroding under the otherworld’s sky, it was natural they couldn’t even imagine the possibility of escape. Given how fragile the people in this world were, such an understanding was acceptable.
Lee Jaehun nodded roughly.
“It’s possible, if you’re lucky and capable.”
“Luck… and capability?”
“There are monsters that, when killed, allow you to return to reality. There’s no specific type or location, so you need luck to find one. And since those monsters are generally very strong, you also need capability.”
“Ah…”
The exclamation came from someone other than Detective Hong Kyungjun. It was a mixture of relief from learning something new and despair at the realization of the daunting task ahead. As Lee Jaehun said, they needed both luck and skill.
Unlike the others, Hong Kyungjun had regained his composure by now.
“…So, Lee Jaehun-ssi, have you killed such monsters? How many?”
He was confirming whether Lee Jaehun possessed such ‘capability’ and indirectly asking how many times he had visited the underworld.
After sweeping his hand over his mouth, Lee Jaehun answered.
“I’ve killed them twice. I don’t know about the rest.”
“…You don’t know?”
“If you sacrifice one person to kill it, the rest can survive and leave. Survivors far from me, whom I didn’t know about, must have killed them.”
“How many times in total?”
“…Three or four times, maybe?”
“I see.”
Hong Kyungjun continued.
“So, Lee Jaehun-ssi, you’ve visited this world at least five times.”
Upon hearing this, Lee Jaehun sensed the room growing quiet again.
He avoids looking at Intern Noh Yeonseok out of sheer annoyance, but he couldn’t avoid the others sitting almost directly across from him. They seemed to finally feel some sympathy or pity for him.
‘…I might have exaggerated a bit, but it adds up.’
Lee Jaehun had an unusually precise understanding of how to escape the otherworld. He could provide such objective information because he had read about this world in a novel. It was almost impossible to gain such clear knowledge from just a visit or two.
In truth, from a ‘survivor’s’ perspective, it’s challenging to grasp the bigger picture when you’re struggling to survive. Who cares about the origins or rules of this world when you’re about to die? And since the issue wasn’t about survival skills but about ‘escaping’, it would take at least five visits to be this confident.
Lee Jaehun inwardly sighed.
‘Well, this route isn’t bad….’
It was disappointing that his plan to instill wariness with an entrance like something out of a horror movie had failed. He had hoped to maintain a certain distance with this approach, but nothing seemed to go his way.
Unaware of Lee Jaehun’s nonchalant thoughts, Hong Kyungjun remained serious.
“As you said, luck and ability wouldn’t have favored you every time, so you probably didn’t get out in just a day or two.”
“Exactly.”
“When did you first start coming to this world…?”
Despite his composed demeanor, it was clear he had many questions.
“Isn’t it over once you get out? Why did you come back? Are there rules? Why, why….”
“…….”
“…I’m sorry.”
He seemed to realize he had gotten carried away.
‘Well, he’s probably not in a normal state either.’
Even someone like Lee Jaehun, who had seen all sorts of things, ended up in this state. No matter how tough Detective Hong Kyungjun was, he couldn’t be entirely sane. He tried to keep it together for the people he led, but inside, he was likely very stressed.
‘Still, he’s holding up better than in the original story.’
Lee Jaehun shrugged lightly.
“As I mentioned earlier, there’s a lot I don’t know. I don’t even know why I was dragged back here.”
“…That makes sense.”
“But if there’s something I can tell you….”
He continued in a calm tone.
“Elementary school?”
“…Pardon?”
“You asked when I first came here.”
“Are you saying it was during elementary school?”
“I don’t remember well, but I think that’s when I first arrived.”
There was a reason he mentioned elementary school, beyond just explaining the ‘at least five times’ he had visited.
He thought to himself.
‘That should cover any unexpected events that might happen in the future.’
In other words, it was about the potential problems that might arise.
The otherworld had many different events, and during those, details about Lee Jaehun’s childhood could be exposed. Considering he was already seen as a lunatic compared to others his age, he needed to create a plausible backstory that he had been visiting the underworld since he was very young.
Whether this ‘childhood’ was from his current life or a past life was still uncertain….
‘It’s better to set it up this way.’
Anyway, in the narrative of Lee Jaehun, no one could truly know his ‘real past.’
‘Assuming all my peers who were also swallowed by the otherworld are dead, and considering the future survivor who’s Ha Sungyoon’s friend… I can just say I wasn’t around when they were.’
It wasn’t entirely baseless nonsense.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Jjescus ]
[Proofreader - Demon God ]
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The otherworld devours a new person every year, and it even swallows back those who manage to escape, though the time until they are re-consumed is random. Even a veteran like Lee Jaehun doesn't stay in the otherworld permanently.
‘Originally, the reason for getting devoured two or three times is because the chances of getting eaten again increase if you’ve been there even once.’
In reality, the otherworld doesn't consciously re-consume people. Most survivors of the otherworld are mentally disturbed, and the otherworld has a knack for sucking in such individuals. If someone who has visited the otherworld remains mentally healthy and sane, they might never get swallowed again.
‘Of course, if even one member of a unit treated as a single entity gets dragged in... they'll all get devoured together.’
Moreover, the survivor suspected to be Ha Sungyoon's friend was a rookie who had only visited the otherworld once. Even if Lee Jaehun was a fellow survivor, there was no reason he would necessarily have encountered them, given the rookie had been swallowed for just about 2 to 3 years. This was why he could brazenly rewrite his past with such confidence.
And then, intern Noh Yeonseok broke down.
"......? What?"
"? What is it?"
"No? No, did you just say elementary...?"
"What on earth."
"Seriously, Director, are you hearing yourself?"
He nearly shouted in low anger.
"...What the hell...! Why didn't you tell us this...? No, no, more importantly, elementary school? Elementary? From ages 8 to 13? Really?!"
"No, well. Maybe in the upper grades..."
"Upper grades or not, up to 13 years old! At least 4th grade! 11 years old! Just a year older than 10! When I was that age, I was stuffing myself with ice cream and getting sick!"
"...No..."
"No wonder you seemed to know things so weirdly well. Even by the lake! But elementary school? Isn't that too much? How can you say that so casually, why!"
The young chick startled and spoke, making Lee Jaehun flinch as he thought for a moment the fluffy yellow creature was having a fit. So, what exactly do you want to say, you brat?
Then he suddenly realized.
‘...Wait a minute, is this punk speaking informally to me?’
Lee Jaehun's brow furrowed instinctively, but it seemed the chick didn't notice.
For the first time in his life, he was acting out with an unprecedented amount of energy. If only he handled his work with that much vigor, I wouldn't have scolded him so much.
"Director, seriously, why didn't you tell us something like that...!"
"...Who would benefit from me saying that...?"
"Not everything has to benefit someone for it to be said, please! This is why people debate whether you're human or not! You might think you're normal, but that's not normal! You need therapy!"
"Yeonseok, that's a bit harsh, don't you think?"
"...No, I didn't mean to curse or anything."
As he snapped his mouth shut, Lee Jaehun found it amusing and burst into a hollow laugh. Just grow up, get out of here, and see what happens. I'll squeeze you until you can't cry anymore.
Choi Jungman, who had been quietly observing Lee Jaehun, gently interjected.
"...So, is it true? That you’ve been here since elementary school?"
"...? Why would I lie about that?"
Of course, there was a reason, though they didn't know it.
But from their perspective, there was no reason for him to lie.
What could Lee Jaehun gain from fabricating his history here? Unlike in the real world, staying longer in the otherworld didn't earn you a higher pension.
And seeing Lee Jaehun's nonchalant face made Kim Kijeong's expression twist.
"...Have you ever received any counseling...?"
"...Why would I need counseling?"
"Not formal therapy, but something like psychological treatment..."
"Treatment?"
"..."
Why is this conversation heading in this direction?
'Was it supposed to go this way?'
As the conductor, who usually said whatever he wanted, closed his mouth, the university student sitting cross-legged next to him cheerfully raised his hand and spoke up.
“If it's that bad, you must have had trouble with daily life. Have you ever thought about getting counseling for your mental health?”
“Are you insulting me right now? Should I take that as an insult?”
“...No? It wasn’t an insult, I was being sincere.”
“Huh.”
What an earnest fool.
Recalling the impression he had when he first read about this university student in a novel, Lee Jaehun touched his lips as he took in the reactions of those around him, labeling him as a madman. Honestly, it was even more uncomfortable because he actually was mentally disturbed.
After a moment of contemplation, Lee Jaehun spoke up slightly.
“…It didn’t affect my daily life.”
“Just because it didn't cause problems doesn’t mean there aren’t any. Even if it looks fine on the surface, there could be issues with your common sense, nightmares, or hallucinations….”
“You should really shut up now.”
Choi Jungman, with a sour expression, clamped Vivian’s mouth shut, but the bitter look on Lee Jaehun’s face didn't disappear after hearing enough. No matter how crazy he was, being called a madman to his face was a different issue.
Seeing Lee Jaehun like that, Detective Hong Kyungjun, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.
“As someone in this profession, it's awkward for me to say this... but are you sure there weren't any issues?”
“Huh.”
“I’m not trying to label you as crazy or insult you. I’m not trying to profile you as a suspect either.”
Yeah, right.
‘You can't help but be suspicious, damn it.’
Well, Detective Hong did have a criminal radar. He must have felt uneasy about Lee Jaehun multiple times, so it was natural for him to be instinctively suspicious.
Of course, that was partly what he was aiming for….
“…It’s fine. At least in reality, I’ve never committed a crime.”
He felt a bit of unfounded loneliness.
It's not like he’d actually done anything crazy. He just mentioned visiting here when he was young.
Suddenly, he thought,
‘Will I be able to adapt properly once I get out of here?’
The otherworld had some similarities to his previous life. That's why Lee Jaehun could reveal his peculiarities so openly, but when he finally escapes here, he wondered what would happen. He worried whether he could live with a soft mindset like these people.
Of course, it was a useless delusion for now.
“If I’ve offended you, I apologize, but it wasn’t my intention to interrogate you.”
“…It’s a relief if it wasn’t.”
In any case, right now, Lee Jaehun was a valuable presence here.
“Is there anything else you want to ask?”
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Jjescus ]
[Proofreader - Demon God ]
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