Gluttonys trial book 7 o.., p.54
Gluttony's Trial: Book 7 of The Second Coming of Gluttony, page 54
Turning to face Teresa Hussey, Prihi Hussey paused in the middle of his sentence. His daughter was already dressed in her armor and even carrying a bag on her back. She seemed ready to depart at any moment. “…When?”
“Uhuhuhu.” Teresa Hussey twisted and turned her body coyly. “I packed early in the morning. I told you I couldn’t sleep. Also, I wanted to see him badly…”
Prihi Hussey shook his head. “…I’ll get ready right away.”
Seol Jihu kept true to his words. Though he may be a kind leader to those inside his fence, he showed no sympathy to those who crossed the line. As a result, Yukino Kishi and the other captives had to run all day while tied to the carriages. The one or two people who tripped and fell were forcefully dragged along the ground until the carriages stopped.
The saving grace was that the ground was soft from the rain that had fallen this past couple of days, but that didn’t mean there was no force of friction or terrain features like the rocks and tree trunks. This naturally meant that the collapsed captives had to suffer through a burning pain while being dragged along the ground, screaming every time their skin scraped and tore.
However, they became quiet once six or so days went by. The carriages came to a stop once the sun set on the seventh day. After eating dinner, the members of Valhalla discussed how to divide the stolen equipment under Seol Jihu’s permission before falling asleep.
Seol Jihu also crawled into his sleeping bag but woke up after feeling someone shake his body. Eun Yuri was turning her body left and right while yawning widely. It was time to change the night watch.
Seol Jihu checked on the captives as soon as he started his shift. Two of them were smeared in blood from head to toe. Seol Jihu wasn’t sure whether they had collapsed or died. The other three captives, who were covered in dust, looked fine in comparison, but they were still sprawled on the ground like dead frogs.
While it seemed like he had nothing to worry about, Seol Jihu still checked their status windows with the ‘Nine Eyes’. Only after confirming that their ‘current condition’ was ‘heavily injured’ or ‘critically injured’ did he turn away.
Hmm? Seol Jihu stopped before he could even walk a few steps. A night watch usually had two people standing watch. The woman keeping watch with him was sitting next to the campfire. Noona?
It was Seo Yuhui. Curled up with her arms around her knees and her half-buried face staring dazedly at the campfire, she looked a bit pitiful.
What had been worrying Seol Jihu the most during this return trip back weren’t the captives or the future events, but Seo Yuhui. Though she tried hard to mask it, after finding out about Seo Yuhui’s circumstances, Seol Jihu started to notice Seo Yuhui repressing herself or being tired. Her chronic illness had reignited from the recent event, and it seemed she was still in shock from the whole thing.
It looks like being an apostle isn’t so easy… To be blunt, gluttony would only make one eat more. Sloth, avarice, and others didn’t prevent one from living a normal life either. However, lust was different. It heightened one’s sexual drive, and the body would perceive intense gazes from one’s surroundings as pleasure.
I… I didn’t think it would be this bad either… What Seo Yuhui said a week ago still lingered on his mind. She wasn’t normally like this, so Seol Jihu couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable she must have felt to suddenly change after becoming an Executor.
At the same time, he developed a newfound admiration for her. It was said that the desires of the Seven Sins would grow stronger as they built up without being relieved. He could tell just how powerful Seo Yuhui’s willpower must have been to have held out without expressing the desire.
Seol Jihu sighed. He didn’t feel good whenever he saw Seo Yuhui being in a daze. He wanted her to regain her smile. But words that were not followed by action were often meaningless. And so, he took out a pot and began to boil water. He cooked ramen with more care and attention than usual.
Seo Yuhui, who was absorbed in thought, came to her senses when a tray was placed in front of her. A bowl of ramen, steaming deliciously and topped with a soft-boiled egg, a plate of well-aged kimchi, and a bowl of cold rice—namely, Seol Jihu’s Special Ramen Set—was ready.
Seo Yuhui’s eyes widened. When she looked back in shock, Seol Jihu smiled softly and gestured at the tray. “You surprised me…” Seo Yuhui seemed to be at a loss for what to do, looking a bit worried. “Jeez, I’m going to get fat if I eat this late…”
“Eii, you can afford to gain some weight, Noona.”
“No, it’s not that… Whenever I eat, the fat all goes here…” Seo Yuhui mumbled while propping up her breasts slightly.
I don’t mind. Seol Jihu swallowed these words before uttering them. After finding out about her secret, he was more careful with his words. It wasn’t as if he didn’t understand her concern. He could think of more than a few reasons on how having big breasts would be uncomfortable.
Not only would they make one’s shoulders stiff, but Seol Jihu had also seen Yoo Seonhwa wanting to take a break after walking for a few hours from neck and back pain. And during that time of the month, they would grow bigger and demand a separate set of underwear, and tight clothes like button-ups would be too stifling to wear.
Additionally, one would have to be mindful when they went down a staircase or eat something that could drip, sweat would pool under or between the breasts during summer, and one might wake up in the middle of the night from the pressure.
As Seol Jihu once lived together with Yoo Seonhwa, he knew the pains of someone with big breasts.
Seol Jihu shrugged. “If you’re that worried, I’ll just eat it.”
“No, I didn’t mean I won’t eat. God, please forgive me for giving in to temptation.” Seo Yuhui quickly picked up the chopsticks. Slurp. A satisfied smile bloomed on her face as the noodles went into her mouth. “Mmn! It’s too good.”
Seo Yuhui was absorbed in eating for a while before feeling an odd gaze. Glancing up, she saw Seol Jihu staring at her with worry and concern. She could easily guess why he prepared this ramen for her.
“Sorry.” When their eyes met, Seol Jihu spoke calmly, “I didn’t think… they would go that far.” He was talking about how the giant tore up Seo Yuhui’s clothes at Yukino Kishi’s command.
It was an unexpected situation for sure. The entire situation was being broadcasted to every city in Paradise, so it would be surprising if she was not shocked. Though he had no way of knowing for sure, given her personality, she must have felt greatly ashamed.
“Mm. Are you worried about me?” Seo Yuhui made an odd expression. “What should I do? Thousands of people must have seen me… What if I can’t get married?”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Are you saying that because it’s not your problem? Or are you going to take responsibility for this noona?” Realizing that Seol Jihu was worried about her, Seo Yuhui spoke jokingly.
“Yes, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Hnng, are you sure you’re not just saying that? Who knows if you’ll ignore me in the future?”
“In the first place, I don’t think a little skin being exposed is going to make you stay single forever. If anything, you’ll have a lot more suitors.” As Seol Jihu replied in a joking manner as well, Seo Yuhui pouted slightly.
Seol Jihu chuckled before clearing his throat. “Noona, there’s something I want to know.” This was a good opportunity. Seo Yuhui seemed to be in a better mood. It was finally time to ask what he had been wondering for a few days.
Once Seo Yuhui tilted her head slightly and nodded, Seol Jihu carefully brought up the topic he had been meaning to for days. “To be honest… I didn’t think you’d be hiding such a secret. But after thinking about it for a bit, I noticed something strange. You are the apostle of lust. I should have considered it at least once given my knowledge of Executors, so why didn’t I notice?”
Seol Jihu continued, “It was probably because I didn’t feel anything of the sort from how you treat me. From the moment we met until now.”
Indeed. Ever since Seo Yuhui became an apostle, she had been extremely careful to the point of avoiding contact with others.
With just one exception. For this person, she went as far as to move her place of residence to get closer, and she hugged him whenever she had the chance. Even when Seol Jihu snuck into her bed and buried himself in her chest, she would embrace him back and pat him rather than looking uncomfortable. Unless Seo Yuhui was faking it the whole time, he was clearly receiving special treatment.
Feeling that Seo Yuhui must know what he was asking about, Seol Jihu patiently waited for her response.
“Mmm…” Seo Yuhui put down the bowl of ramen and lowered her head. She looked to be deep in thought. Then, she exhaled lightly and looked straight at Seol Jihu. “You see, Jihu, I am curious about something too. Can I ask just one thing?”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
“What’s the reason Luxuria-nim cherishes you so much?”
Seol Jihu furrowed his brows. He didn’t expect her to suddenly bring up Luxuria’s name.
“Of course, the Seven Gods can favor a particular Earthling. But they are generally not interested in Earthlings that serve another god because, in a way, that would be encroaching on another god’s territory.” Seo Yuhui spoke softly, “But Luxuria-nim… is very, very interested in you. Almost to the point of being excessive. She mentions you a lot when she talks to me too.”
“Luxuria-nim talks about me?”
“Yep. But what’s even more surprising is that Gula-nim doesn’t say anything. Though I can’t be sure, it’s like she understands why and glosses over it, even though it would make sense for her to be displeased.”
While Seol Jihu remained silent, Seo Yuhui asked again, “So anyway, do you have any idea why Luxuria-nim adores you this much?”
Seol Jihu was blinking in confusion for a while now. He looked completely lost. It was true that Luxuria doted on him, but as far as he was aware, she was like that to all Earthlings. Wasn’t that the reason Luxuria was so popular among Earthlings, even being known as the kindest god?
For a moment, an awkward silence filled the air. Seeing Seol Jihu’s clueless face, Seo Yuhui smiled. “In case you’re wondering, I’m not saying that the answer to your question is because of Luxuria-nim. Of course, as her apostle, I can’t deny her influence, but I know my feelings better than anyone else.”
Seo Yuhui placed her hand on her chest. “It doesn’t matter how people in Paradise see and think of me. But what matters is that I’m ultimately in the same position as they are. I’m someone from Earth who entered Paradise.”
“Right.”
“Exactly. So I’m not a saintess or an apostle. I’m just Seo Yuhui, a normal girl.” With that, Seo Yuhui cleared her throat. “I don’t think lust is a bad thing. If I felt an aversion toward sexual desire, I wouldn’t have accepted the position of an apostle in the first place.”
Seol Jihu nodded and listened silently.
“Of course, it’s hard and painful when my body reacts to people I don’t like, especially people I despise and am disgusted by. But…” Seo Yuhui trailed off as if she remembered someone. Then, she continued in a bright voice, “If I feel this way from a man I love, and if he and I can make love together, I think I couldn’t be happier.”
Seo Yuhui put her hands together and spoke calmly, “If it isn’t from an artificial emotion that comes from me being an apostle… if it’s something that my heart genuinely wants… then just holding hands would make me happy.”
She then looked at Seol Jihu and smiled sweetly. “No, it’s made me happy. Really.” Her manner of speech changed from a hypothetical to an actual situation. Meaning, she had already experienced it.
Seol Jihu dazedly stared at Seo Yuhui before he noticed. What she said was simple. If it was someone she hated, she didn’t want to even look at them. But if it was someone she loved, even holding hands with him would make her heart flutter. That must mean one thing.
“You’re not going to say you don’t get it even after I said all this, right?” Seo Yuhui looked away and giggled.
Seol Jihu’s face turned red. “Uh… There’s something I’ve been thinking about doing after going back to Eva.” After a brief silence, he spoke with a dry cough. “It’s recruiting.”
“Recruiting?”
“Yes. There’s someone who helped wholeheartedly so that everything would go smoothly.”
“…I see.” Seo Yuhui’s eyes widened at Seol Jihu’s unexpected words. However, she smiled at the next moment. He had changed the subject naturally, but she had somewhat expected this to happen. Perhaps she should give him points for not being oblivious and pretending not to have heard.
“Yes. Without this person’s help, none of this would have been possible. We might have suffered a huge loss too,” Seol Jihu said.
“I see.”
“The problem is that she made this happen by putting herself in danger. She even risked her life.”
“…Hm?”
However, Seo Yuhui soon realized that she was mistaken. Seol Jihu had not changed the subject or avoided giving an answer. He continued, “So I decided to recruit her once and for all. I’m going to place her into Valhalla’s main team and have her stay by my side.”
“W-What… What for?” Seo Yuhui was leaning forward unknowingly.
Seol Jihu said firmly, “To make sure she never does anything like that again.”
“That’s it?”
“No. A lot of people are aiming for her… so I need to protect her… and also…”
“Also?”
“Uh…” Seol Jihu smacked his lips at Seo Yuhui’s incessant questioning. He then spoke calmly, “If she wants…”
“Yes?”
“I can stay by her side forever and make her ramen whenever she wants….”
Seo Yuhui’s mouth slowly widened. She was clearly taken aback. Bewitching face, glamorous figure… With her otherworldly appearance, Seo Yuhui had received countless confessions over her lifetime. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she received hundreds. But to say, I will keep you by my side and make ramen for you whenever you want…
She had not heard such a clumsy, uncool confession since the time her university junior had said, “Noona, do you want to come to my place and eat ramen?” When she heard these words for the first time, she ceased all contact with the junior completely. But for some reason…
So, so powerful! Even though what Seol Jihu said was no different from what that junior had said, the feeling Seo Yuhui got from his words was far too different. Looking at the bowl of ramen she pushed off to the side, the corner of her mouth curled up continuously.
In the end, Seo Yuhui couldn’t hold her laughter back and covered her mouth. Of course, she couldn’t do anything about the laughter leaking out.
Seol Jihu stared at Seo Yuhui as she giggled crazily. He had mustered up his courage to say what he just did. Not knowing what was so funny, he waited for her answer nervously.
“…Yeah.” Soon, Seo Yuhui stopped giggling and spoke with a beaming smile, “I think that’s a good idea too. If she’s as amazing as you say, then you need to hold onto her for sure.” As she emphasized the words ‘for sure’, her face flushed red like the setting sun being reflected on a river.
“You think so?”
“Un… And my guess is that she won’t say no.” Seo Yuhui smiled gently while twisting her body.
Seol Jihu smiled brightly. “I’m relieved to hear you say that. I’ll let Miss Baek Haeju know as soon as I get back.”
Seo Yuhui looked like she’d taken a blow. She glared at Seol Jihu, something she only did once in a blue moon. Looking at her, Seol Jihu chuckled. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. You were laughing so much that I wanted to get back at you a bit, haha.”
“Hmph. Meanie. What’s wrong with laughing from joy? You almost made me sad.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Ehew. You miser. Come here.” Seo Yuhui tapped her thighs.
Seol Jihu dragged his butt over and gently placed his head down. Though he was relieved to see her stroking his hair with her usual gentle expression, he still asked just in case. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Even if I do this?” Seol Jihu dug his face deeper between her thighs and rubbed it in a slightly risque place.
Seo Yuhui’s eyes narrowed. “It’s fine… but are you fine with it? Can you handle it? You’ll take responsibility for this noona, right?” Saying so, Seo Yuhui stuck out her tongue and licked her upper lip.
Seol Jihu winced. The pure saintess who served a god suddenly seemed like an enchantress whose peerless beauty was enough to cause the downfall of a country.
“Fufu, if you keep joking around, don’t blame me for devouring you.” Seo Yuhui giggled.
Seol Jihu thought for a moment before nodding. “Mn, being devoured by you doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
“Oh, is that what you’re into?”
“I don’t have a preference. What about you?” Seol Jihu revealed, before asking.
“Hmm, if I had to say, I guess I’m more into being devoured? You’ll be surprised if you see my alias, traits, and level of cognition.”
“Can you show them to me?”
“No. It’s too embarrassing. I’m going to die of shame if I show them to you.” Seo Yuhui winked while smiling like a seductress.
Seol Jihu immediately made a vow to pass Gula’s trial as soon as possible. Though his ‘Nine Eyes’ couldn’t see through Seo Yuhui’s Status Window, there was a chance it might be able to once he became an Executor. After all, they would both be apostles then.
“The moon is really pretty tonight, isn’t it?” Seo Yuhui regained her smile and looked up at the night sky with the dreamy eyes of a young maiden in love. Then, hearing the words, ‘You’re prettier, Noona…’, she lowered her head.
“Oh, really?”
Seol Jihu smiled bashfully. Seo Yuhui smiled beamingly as well. People often said that couples in their honeymoon period could spend all day just staring at each other. And exchanging silent looks was enough to make smiles bloom on their faces.
