Sinyoung was quiet after Valhalla left.

The executive members had returned to the building and the majority didnt have very pleasant expressions.

The woman at the reception sensed something was off and did not lift her head until all the executive members had gone upstairs.

Not a single person dared to carelessly open their mouth.

The always bustling lobby ceased its activities and became deserted.

The dead silence that flowed within the building made it look like a department store right before its closing hour.

There was only a single person smiling in that sullen atmosphere.

Here. Please get this done within this week.

Tak, tak.

Yun Seohui handed over a pile of documents that she tidied up by tapping their edges twice against the table.

They were the contracts that Valhalla had presented in return for keeping Sinyoung alive.

Executive Jang, please take responsibility to receive the signatures of all Sinyoung employees. It will take approximately six days from Scheherazade to Eva, so itll be best to complete it by then. Well then be able to send a notice that we have fulfilled our promise the very day that Valhalla arrives in Eva.

She shook the papers in her hand, signaling him to quickly take it, but the man didnt respond. The middle-aged man called Executive Jang looked at her with a sad look.

We need to issue an order for all branch offices in other cities to retreat

Yun Seohui shrugged before placing the contracts back down and continued.

Also, we need to look for my successor. Well call an assembly next week to decideno, to convey the news.

By a successor, you mean

Executive Jang, who had been silently listening, spoke up with difficulty.

Youre not asking because you dont know, right?

Yun Seohui smirked.

Is there anyone else but her? Its a family company after all.

Executive Jang hung his head after hearing her speak nonchalantly.

Director

Yes?

I feel like

We survived.

Yun Seohui calmly spoke.

It would have been another story if we had any other options. But what we had to choose from was only between life and death. Shouldnt we choose to live no matter the cost?

She was right.

Valhalla had stormed in, bringing all of its members with the intent to wage war.

Blood would have flowed if they had been the tiniest step out of line.

Their opponent had the power and justification to turn such a hypothetical situation into reality.

Its all good since we survived. Weve even managed to maintain our position as the representative organization.

.

Its better to go all the way if were going to bend over anyways. As far as our waists will allow.

Sorrow deepened on Executive Jangs face as Yun Seohui continued her words.

As someone who had watched over her since childhood, he knew better than anyone else how hard Yun Seohui had worked to reach the pinnacle of Sinyoung.

Her efforts were enough to make Yun Seojin, a man who didnt even trust his relatives, retire without worry after leaving Sinyoung in her hands.

It was finally time for her to shine, but

The results she had achieved after toiling and struggling for over 20 years were swept clean after a single mistake.

She didnt let it show on her face, but he couldnt even fathom what she must be feeling at that moment.

It wont be bad going under Manager Yun. Rather, itll be for the best. Valhallas representative will shower her with lots of care.

Yun Seohui smiled before getting up from her seat.

She picked up her ivory suit jacket and wore it.

Then Ill leave it to you. Ill be going home early today.

She slung her black handbag over her shoulder before nimbly walking out of her office with steps as light as feathers.

Executive Jang gripped the stack of contracts in both his hands before slowly bowing.

*

The place Yun Seohui headed towards after coming out of the Sinyoung building was the warp gate within the temple.

She had returned to Earth via the portal. The return coordinates were set for the company.

She saw the familiar scenery of her company after coming out of the presidents office.

When she stopped in place to emptily stare about her, her gaze met the eyes of several people.

H-Hello

An employee panicked and lowered his head. Then Yun Seohuis eyes which had dimmed for a second suddenly livened up before she flashed a bright smile.

Yes, hello to you too!

What brings you here Director Ah, Manager is away at the moment

No. Im not here to see Manager Seo. Im just on my way home.

Ah.

Mister Kim Sungsoo, was it? Arent you getting off work?

Ah, no. I still have to receive feedback for something

Looks like our Manager Seo made another excuse to slack off again outside.

Yun Seohui grinned after raising her left arm to check her watch.

Hell call around 7:05 p.m. after exiting the sauna and say that his meeting with the customer lasted too long so that hell go home instead.

The employee, Kim Sungsoo, gave an awkward smile when Yun Seohui knowingly predicted what was to come.

You only have to wait 42 minutes and 17 seconds more, then. Good luck.

After winking at him, Yun Seohui resumed her steps.

Everyone she met as she walked down the hall greeted her, and Yun Seohui returned their greetings with a smile.

Because she stopped to chat with half of those individuals, she took 20 minutes to arrive at the lobby.

After finally leaving through the front door, Yun Seohui walked down the street at sunset to arrive at a towering officetel.[1]

Aigoo, its been a long time since youve last come.

Even the guard at the entrance amicably greeted her as soon as he saw Yun Seohui.

Its been awhile Ahjussi~ How have you been lately?

Nothing much. Every day is the same.

Fufu, Ill be coming more often from now on. I bet you wont be so bored if you see my face every day.

After lightly joking with him, Yun Seohui waved her hand as she got on the elevator.

Her face remained smiling until she got off at the top floor and stood in front of the door to her room.

She tapped the password on her door lock before opening the door.

The large room that was over 330 square meters big was very dark inside.

Because there were blackout curtains everywhere, not a single ray of light could be seen in the room.

And when she switched on the lights, a shockingly empty house was revealed.

The commonplace decorations were nowhere to be seen and only the bare minimum furniture needed for a living was visible.

It was absolutely bare.

Just like Yun Seohuis face that had suddenly changed as soon as she entered through the door.

Her face only had two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and other essential features but was void of any expression. It was the extreme of nothingness.

With an almost aloof face, Yun Seohui was about to hang her handbag on the hanger out of habit before pausing.

Frowning, she let the bag in her hands drop to the floor.

She carelessly took off her jacket and tossed it on the ground as well. She unbuttoned a few buttons of her shirt before flopping down on the rocking chair near the window.

With practiced motions, she placed a cigarette in her mouth before lighting it.

Im so bored

Smoke spilled out of her red lips as she sighed.

How much time had passed?

As the street dyed in sunset hues darkened and the night deepened, the number of cigarette butts in the ashtray on top of the table increased one by one.

Yun Seohui showed no movement until then.

There was too much going on in her mind thoughts about the meeting, or more specifically, of Seol Jihu.

Strictly speaking, the results werent bad.

Negotiations only worked if both parties were equal or if the weaker side had something the stronger side wanted. It didnt apply to situations like today where the two parties were on the opposite ends of the stick.

Not to mention that Kim Hannah was at Valhalla.

Since she was grinding her teeth at the mention of Sinyoung, she must have been thoroughly prepared to take the utmost advantage of their superior position.

Kim Hannah, who was skilled at scamming people in deals, would have been persistent in winning over two provisions if they gave up on one.

Thus, immediately accepting the initial conditions offered was, in anyones eyes, the best possible move she could have made, and in reality, she obtained the best results.

Yes. Yun Seohui had taken responsibility and done an excellent job.

But even so, why was she feeling so vain despite all this?

Was it because she had to lower her head in humiliation?

No, she had experienced countless similar situations in the past and was confident that she could endure more.

Was it because Sinyoungs influence had diminished?

She had been prepared for that.

Was it because she was forced out of the position that she had sacrificed her childhood, her teens, and twenties for, which were the prime years of her life?

This might be a part of the reason.

Yun Seohui pondered for a while before being able to find a clue in a memory that suddenly flashed in her mind.

A few years ago.

Yun Seohui found a delicious-looking company in the same pharmaceutical field and had forcibly tried to push for the acquisition and merger of the company without their consent.

However, the opposing company didnt bat an eye and returned a terrible counterattack, and as a result, Sinyoung was at risk of losing control of its own company.

In retrospect, there had been no way out, just like this incident.

When Yun Seohui visited the opposing company, the young female CEO of Haesol Research Institute looked at her, begging for forgiveness before saying this.

[Youre quite an interesting person, arent you? Im not being sarcastic. Really. I feel like youre similar to me.]

[You probably feel everything will go your way, that you can grasp everything in your hands if you put your mind to it, and now living itself is boring. Am I correct?]

[Im like that, too. Rather, I was like that. Before I met a certain person, that is. Our meeting seems like fate, so should I give you a piece of advice?]

[The world doesnt revolve around you. The world decides its own center, not you. Itll be good for you to realize this fast. Youre going to die if you keep living like that.]

[Me? I quickly stuck myself to that center as soon as I realized this. I didnt want to die.]

Right.

Everything was because of Seol Jihu.

[If you cant forcibly snatch it, you can make it come to you instead.]

[The cause and effects of every major action are surprisingly clear. And since the cause and effect is clear, retribution is even more so. Unless your brain is wired with the principle of causality]

Thinking back about how ridiculous her first thoughts of Seol Jihu were when she first noticed him

She only realized it after 3 years had gone by.

Actually, she had felt it earlier, but it was already too late by then.

She still didnt think her thoughts were wrong.

Only, her opponent completely exceeded her expectations, making her thoughts seem laughable.

Seol Jihu had flown past her with frightening speed, just as she was about to grab the ends of his clothes.

He was so fast that she couldnt run after him, even if she tried.

I think I understand that Unnis feelings now

After talking to herself for a short moment, Yun Seohui buried herself in the chair and stretched her neck back.

She listlessly looked up at the ceiling with lonely eyes.

[Im still grateful for that day. Really.]

Only that much

[If possible, I would like to cherish the gratitude I felt towards Sinyoung back then.]

She had sincerely helped him in Paradise and on Earth, but that was the extent of his gratitude.

Stillwasnt it too harsh to tell me to step down?

Yun Seohui simpered and murmured to herself.

Do you know how hard I worked to get here, and now you want me to leave everything behind and scram? Do you want me to die?

She talked as if Seol Jihu was right there in front of her.

You dont know anything.

These were words she couldnt say during the meeting.

Yun Seohui stared at the ceiling with a vicious glint in her eyes.

Then suddenly, a sneer escaped her mouth. She had thought of Seol Jihus expression when she had signed the contract without any hesitation.

The reason she accepted everything without a word?

Was it for Sinyoung? Since she could end everything if she sacrificed herself?

No, that wasnt it. That was what people wildly guessed, but Yun Seohuis true intentions were completely different.

It was because she wanted to see.

I bet youll be shocked if I do this.

She had acted on a spontaneous fit of anger.

Hah!

She suddenly burst into laughter.

Ahahahaha!

She couldnt understand why she was laughing either.

Then she suddenly stopped.

Whats the reason?

She glared at the ceiling and angrily spat with a scary face.

Why is our Valhallas representative so hell-bent on pushing me down?

Words similar to that time

How can you do this to me?

Once she started talking, words spilled out like a dam breaking loose.

It wasnt me. I wasnt the one who tried to kill you.

I didnt know. I really didnt know anything. Its not like I know everything. What was I supposed to do if I didnt know?

Once she started, words poured out of her like water gushing out of a broken dam.

I get it that youre angry. But do you know how hard I tried?

Do you know how many times I protected you and your family back on Earth? You could have given me a chance based on what Ive done for you so far, couldnt you?

If youre acting based on causality, then you cant do this to me.

Then why are you suddenly being like this? Why me? Huh?

Her voice rang out in the empty silence.

Before she knew it, Yun Seohui was crying with tears in her eyes.

Then she suddenly snickered and broke into laughter.

Inside the empty officetel, the sounds of crying and laughing alternated.

Huu Huuuuu.

Barely managing to stop, Yun Seohui quickly took deep breaths and wiped her tears.

Anyways, so this is how youre going to come out, huh?

She suddenly took out a phone from her pocket and repeatedly turned it on and off.

Ill live if I side with him and die if I dont, huh

She muttered to herself before the end of her lips curled up.

Fine, then kill me.

Her fingers that had busily moved stopped.

The phones screen was lit.

Rather than living long and thinscrew it all. Its better to die.

Short and thick, white cigarette smoke spilled out of her mouth.

I did nothing wrong.

Yun Seohui hummed while she tapped on her phone.

Everything is your fault.

Turururu.

The call went through but the person didnt immediately pick up.

Once, twice On the third ring, the sound of the call getting answered was heard.

Its me. Director Jung Minjong.

You must have heard the results of the meeting by now, right?

The person didnt reply.

Yun Seohui continued talking in a cheerful voice.

Im sorry for you. But I want you to know that I did my best since Ive also decided to take off my uniform with you.

Yun Seohui tilted her head.

She stuck her phone between her shoulder and her cheek while taking out a new cigarette.

Anyways, Id like you to take responsibility along with me since things turned out this way.

Responsibility?

The person finally spoke.

Yun Seohui smiled and flicked on the lighter.

Yes. Please be sure you take responsibility for this incident.

After emphasizing it again, Yun Seohui realized something and slowly corrected herself.

Im telling you because you might misunderstand, but Im not telling you to touch Seol Jihu, okay?

Yes.

A heavy voice rang out after a long silence.

I get exactly what you mean.

And for the first time, Yun Seohuis face blossomed into a smile.

She liked the people that she worked with for a long time. They understood what she meant, no matter how vaguely she explained it.

Yun Seohui ended the call.

She rolled her eyes a full circle before tapping a new number.

No.

But after two rings, she suddenly ended the call.

I feel indignant enough handing over everything like this, so you should do this yourself, shouldnt you, Seora?

Grinning like a naughty child, she got up from her seat.

She drew the curtains back and pressed her face against the window.

I want to see.

The window fogged up before quickly clearing up again.

Your face being distorted while youre on your knees in regret. I re~ally want to see it.

If I cant have it

Then trying to destroy doesnt seem too

Quietly whispering to herself, Yun Seohui giggled.

Then she slowly raised her eyes.

The quiet streets were illuminated under faint light. And the cold Sinyoung building was swallowed in the darkness that towered above and stared down at her.

1. Officetel is a multi-purpose building with both residential and commercial units unique to Korea. Google it for more information, if interested.