Chapter 178 Devil’s Roulette [2]

Chapter 178 Devil’s Roulette [2]

Ryu Yeji had once led a quiet, ordinary life as a salaryman, until the day the Imminent Events arrived, marking the start of the Main Stories.

"Yeji-ssi, can you help me give this to the department head?"

"Ahh, yes."

"Is the project done?"

"Almost, sir. I'll finish it soon."

"Head management sent the new recruit list. Take it to HR."

"Understood."

That was Yeji's life — running errands, meeting deadlines, and being the lowest rung in the industrial company's hierarchy. He worked in the Research and Development (R&D) department, tasked with creating new products.

As a newcomer to the company, he often found himself running errands for his seniors, some of whom took advantage of his helpful nature.

His life and misfortunes were painfully mediocre to say the least.

He had failed his CSAT, ended up at a third-rate university, and narrowly avoided the front lines during his military service by drawing a lucky straw. However, he was stuck in a low-paying office job. Standing above average height, with a face that blended into the crowd, Yeji had once thought of himself as a decent-looking man. He had even tried to find a girlfriend — confessing his feelings three times — but was rejected each time. Eventually, his confidence was shattered.

So, he gave up on romance altogether, focusing solely on his job.

Who knows? I might even get a promotion for my hardwork. Ah, wouldn't that be nice? That was how he used to think. It was good to hold onto hope and optimism. Without it, he would have sunk even deeper into depression.

"Woojin-ssi?"

"Huh? Hoon-ssi?"

In the bustling subway, Ryu Yeji instinctively lifted his head. Standing before him was Oh Woojin, his coworker from the same department, with his ever-cheerful smile. Beside him stood a striking woman whose elegance was hard to miss.

The two seemed completely at ease, their hands intertwined in a way that left no room for doubt.

So, the rumors were true. He's really getting married, huh? He heard word around the office that Oh Woojin was getting married. But as it turns out, those rumours weren't completely baseless.

Yeji's gaze lingered for a moment longer. Oh Woojin, always optimistic and full of energy, had found someone. The thought stirred something in him — admiration, perhaps even envy. He couldn't help but reflect on his own solitary life.

"I didn't expect to run into you here," Yeji said, breaking the silence.

"Same here," Woojin replied with a grin. "Yeji-ssi, do you usually take the subway?"

"Sometimes. And you?"

"It's a long story," Woojin said, scratching the back of his head.

Yeji shifted his attention to the woman beside Woojin. "And who might this be?"

Woojin's expression softened as he turned toward her. "Ah, this is Han Yoon. She works as a receptionist at a well-known game company. Have you heard of Pixelon?"

"Pixelon?" Yeji repeated, raising a brow. "Of course. Who hasn't?"

"That's the one!" Woojin beamed. "Go on, introduce yourself."

"Oh, yes."

Han Yoon stepped forward slightly, offering a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you, Ryu Yeji-ssi. I've heard so much about you from Woojin-ssi." Her voice was gentle but tinged with nervousness. "I've been looking forward to meeting you. It's a little intimidating, though, meeting someone Woojin-ssi speaks so highly of."

She's heard things about me?

Ryu Yeji's gaze shifted to Oh Woojin, who met his eyes with an easy smile. What exactly did he say about me? Yeji wondered.

Curiosity flickered in his expression, but he kept his tone neutral. "Oh? You've been talking about me?"

Woojin chuckled lightly, scratching the back of his head. "Of course. You're my coworker, after all. It's only natural you'd come up in conversation."

Yeji raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to feel flattered or cautious. He glanced back at Han Yoon, who maintained her polite smile, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her eyes.

What exactly did he tell her? After a brief pause, Yeji chose his words carefully.

"I said we're searching the servant rooms next. Is your head up your ass or what? If you're going to space out, do it when you're outside. Got it?"

"... I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Seemingly satisfied, Soo Jinyoung walked out of the kitchen, leaving Ryu Yeji alone with his own thoughts. He did not follow her immediately.

His gaze was unfocused, with his mind drifting into the past, far removed from the present.

Oh Woojin, Han Yoon...

Once brilliant stars faded into the twilight. That was the cruel fate of those who had fallen. They were removed from the story, and become nothing more than a fleeting memory.

He rubbed his watery eyes, composed himself, and then followed Soo Jinyoung's rapidly retreating back.

They were currently on the first floor.

According to Kim Jakga's instructions, they had seperated into three groups to search different sections of the mansion. Kim Jakga's group would search the third floor, Moon Jiyeon's group would search the second, while he and Soo Jinyoung were assigned to the first floor.

The decision was made to ensure quicker progress.

It wasn't an illogical choice, certainly not. But Ryu Yeji couldn't shake off his discomfort with it.

I get where he's coming from, but do we really need to separate? Wouldn't it be easier if we stayed together? Isn't that the more reasonable approach in a situation like this? Just because it was a logical decision doesn't mean it was the best one at the moment.

Separating in a place filled with traps and hidden horrors didn't seem all that logical from an outside perspective. However, they hadn't encountered any problems with the investigation so far.

Perhaps that was the root of Ryu Yeji's unease. He could swear he heard voices that seemingly came from everywhere yet nowhere.

I occasionally hear, from somewhere, the laughter of a innocent girl. But there's nothing innocent about the laugher itself...

What was the best way to describe that voice?

Certainly, It was the sweet voice of a child, a girl, yet it made his skin crawl. More specifically, it was the feeling it left behind, like something cold brushing against his very soul.

He had already brought up the issue with Soo Jinyoung multiple times, but each time, she brushed it off without concern. Despite his insistence, she showed no signs of detecting anything unusual.

Soo Jinyoung didn't outright call him crazy, but the way she looked at him said enough.

To her, he was wasting time chasing shadows that didn't exist.

He was certain he wasn't crazy! His thoughts were clear, his reasoning sound, and he moved with a practiced grace that betrayed no hint of instability. Surely, that ruled out insanity.

Yet, the fact that Soo Jinyoung, who had the sharpest sensory skills in the group, hadn't picked up on anything unsettled Ryu Yeji more than he cared to admit.

Was it all in his head? Were the voices nothing more than figments of his overactive imagination, born from his own doubts and insecurities?

At this point, Ryu Yeji no longer knew the answer.

Time slowly ticked by.

The moment they finished searching the third room and came up empty, Ryu Yeji finally hit his breaking point. He stood still, exhaustion and frustration written all over his face.

The search had dragged on for hours, but they hadn't uncovered a single clue—not even the faintest trace that could lead them closer to the truth.

It was impossible not to feel defeated.

"This is going nowhere. We haven't been able to find anything relevant – clues or any tangible memories which will lead us to the truth."

Ryu Yeji muttered to himself bitterly.

His mind raced with the same bitter thought: How are we supposed to solve this mystery if there's nothing to work with? The questions gnawed at him, drowning out the last bits of resolve he had left.

He let out a breath, sweeping his gaze around the empty room.

Aren't we just wasting our time like this? The doubt crept in like an unwelcome shadow.

Should I use that skill? A moment's hesitation passed. The odds were slim, but there was a chance—no matter how small—that the skill might reveal something.

The very skill that had been with him since the beginning of the Stories.

Before doubt could anchor him further, Ryu Yeji made his decision and activated his skill with a thought.

[The skill « I Want To Be Lucky Just This Once » has activated.]