EP.3: Now I'm the One in Charge
The sound of waves spread across the quiet night sky, a beautiful melody provided by nature. I gazed at the starry sea, using a small bonfire as a light source. It was hard to believe that this place was part of the app's world. The beautiful galaxy before me was all virtual, yet it felt unreal even as I stood there.
I sipped sweet cocoa to shake off my dull thoughts. In the distance, a small light flickered at the end of the beach. Han-yeoul was using a flashlight as a beacon, probably because she was afraid of the dark.
"What a sight. If the battery runs out, it'll be a mess."
I wondered what she was thinking. Was she reflecting on her arrogant attitude or grinding her teeth in frustration? Honestly, it didn't seem like she was reflecting. Given her usual personality, she'd probably blame me instead.
Of course, it wouldn't change anything. No matter how much she blamed me, reality wouldn't change. Time would pass, and she'd only become more desperate.
I chuckled at the thought. I wondered what expression she'd have tomorrow. Just thinking about it made my heart race.
I smiled to myself and went to bed, tossing and turning with excitement.
The next morning, I woke up to the refreshing sea breeze. I stretched and used a firesteel to revive the bonfire.
—Chick! Whoosh!
I decided to have a hearty breakfast with bacon and corn soup. I waved palm fronds vigorously to spread the aroma further.
—Whoosh! Whoosh!
Humans tend to weaken mentally after just a day without food. Especially someone like Han-yeoul, who's never experienced hunger, wouldn't know the pain of starvation. She was probably struggling with her empty stomach.
I didn't feel like going to see her, so I let her be. The longing should be on her side.
"Wow, this is surprisingly good!"
The food disappeared quickly. Although it was canned, the seasoning made it a decent meal substitute.
"Ah, it feels like I'm camping!"
I hummed a tune, enjoying the freedom. After breakfast, I strolled along the beach, collecting useful items. Various debris had washed up overnight, including a travel bag.
"Hey, there's a suitcase!"
I found a suitcase floating in the distance and quickly retrieved it. Inside were clothes and daily necessities. As I rummaged through it, I heard a notification sound.
[Congratulations!]
['Skin: Pink Dolphin Pants' has been unlocked.]
[Congratulations!]
['Adult Massage Oil' has been unlocked.]
I wondered what had been unlocked. Maybe I found a hidden item? Indeed, there were pink dolphin pants and massage oil in the bag. It seemed that such items could also unlock features.
"Wow, what great luck!"
I gathered the loot and returned to my tent, keeping an eye on Han-yeoul from afar. She was also collecting resources along the beach, but her expression was gloomy.
Of course, it wouldn't yield much food. At best, she'd find some snacks, which wouldn't satisfy her hunger.
As I watched her with a mixture of pity and disdain, she suddenly noticed my gaze and turned towards me. I was startled but didn't look away. We exchanged glances from a distance.
I sensed anger, resentment, shame, and hostility in her eyes. Her gaze had become sharper and more venomous overnight.
She seemed displeased that I looked so well, biting her lip. Previously, I would have been intimidated by her ferocity, but now it just seemed cute, like a sulky teenager.
"Hmm, the feisty one. Maybe I should just strip her and devour her."
A strong urge arose, but I shook my head. The best dishes are those savored later. I planned to let her ripen like a fine wine before enjoying her.
I smiled faintly and walked away. It had only been a day.
"Ah, this is quite fulfilling!"
In the afternoon, I expanded my tent using the available materials. I cut wood and covered it with large palm fronds to create a roof. On the floor, I laid dry grass and clothes to prevent dampness.
I never thought I'd be so good at surviving in the wild. I made a cozy shelter using trash. It was perfect for staying a few days.
"Why not make some furniture too?"
To shock Han-yeoul, I needed to make it even more luxurious. I gathered wood and made a long bench. Next to it, I built a small table using stones and soil. On top, I placed coconut shell cups.
I lay on the bench, shirtless, wearing sunglasses I found on the beach. I turned on a cheap audio player, and the soothing ukulele melody harmonized with the sound of the waves.
"Ah, this is it. This is the atmosphere I'm talking about."
As I relaxed, I felt drowsy and decided to take a nap. Time was plentiful, so it didn't matter.
I fell into a deep sleep.
"Teacher Kang...!"
A sharp cry woke me up. Someone was tapping my shoulder. I wiped the drool from my mouth and woke up to see a familiar woman standing there.
Han-yeoul stood with her arms crossed, looking down at me with her usual pride and haughtiness still intact.
"Ha! You're having a good time, aren't you? You're sleeping?"
She scolded me, but beneath her words, I sensed a hint of anxiety. Her eyes darted around, unlike her usual calm demeanor. This made me smile.
I leaned back on the bench, shirtless, revealing my muscles. She glanced at my body for a moment, but I wasn't weak, thanks to my regular workouts in Canada.
"... First, take care of that shirt. I have something to say."
She frowned, turning her head away, allowing me to admire her profile.
"Ah, that bust..."
Her curves were visible under her sleeveless top, and her waist was so slender it could be used as a handle.
I swallowed my saliva, controlling my desire. Since she came to me, it seemed like she was starting to take an interest.
"Ha ha. It's hot, so the clothes are uncomfortable. Let's talk comfortably. There's no one around anyway."
I teased her with a sly tone, which made a thick vein appear on her forehead. She was used to me being submissive, so my newfound confidence annoyed her.
But hunger can calm even anger. She had been starving all day, trying to suppress her emotions.
"Okay. Whether you're shirtless or not, that's up to you. But, Teacher Kang, do you have any food left? You seemed to have eaten something this morning."
Her eyes scanned the inside of my tent. I pretended to think for a moment before nodding.
Her expression lit up with a glimmer of hope.
"Okay, sell me that food. I'll pay a high price."
She showed me a luxury pouch containing several million-won checks.
"How much do you want for it? If it's not enough, I can give you more when we return to Korea. Name your price."
Her voice was urgent, reflecting her hunger.
I looked at the checks for a moment before chuckling.
"When we don't even know when we'll be rescued, you want me to sell food for those checks? Would you do that if you were in my shoes? This isn't a joke."
Her hand trembled as I rejected her offer, but she didn't withdraw it. She needed food desperately.
She tried to negotiate, quickly regaining her composure like a seasoned businesswoman.
"So, what do you want? Should I offer you a principal's position or something?"
"No, that means nothing. Is there something more interesting? Something that catches my eye?"
As I spoke, I gazed at her sleek figure. She quickly covered her chest and thighs, realizing my intentions.
"What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
She glared at me fiercely, but such resistance only excited me more.
I gazed at her a few more times before looking away. I didn't want to provoke her too much.
"Okay, let's play a game instead. If you win, I'll give you a can of food. How about it?"
When I showed her the canned food, her pupils dilated. Her eyes, slightly dazed, followed the can as she nodded.
"... What if I lose?"
"There's nothing to it. Just take a slap on the buttocks with this whip. Don't worry, I won't hit you hard."
"... Whip?"
She frowned at my suggestion, but her throat betrayed her with a swallowing sound.
After hesitating, she finally agreed, her fists trembling. She had no other choice.
"Really... just the whip? Don't say anything else later."
"Ah, if I had bad intentions, I would have used force already. And honestly... you're not that important. You're too self-conscious."
My words made her face flush with anger. It was probably the first time she'd been attacked like that. She was always in a position to judge others.
Han-yeoul gritted her teeth, her expression more venomous than usual.
"Shut up... let's start the game."
The moment the prey fell into the trap.