The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 120

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 120. The Results of Stage 1 (3)

“What are they doing? They’re climbing the stairs?”
Snake Eyes’s voice rose. But even staring in the same direction, the Warrior and the Priestess saw nothing but distant light—impossible to discern details like an Archer would.
“Four of them… wait? They’re fighting a monster?”
Fresh information kept arriving. How was this possible? Was this Stage 2?
As Seol Jihoo entertained various hypotheses, Expressionless stepped into his line of sight, her gaze fixed downward.
“If there are stairs, there should be more below here too.”
Just as she said, a narrow staircase could be seen snaking up the mountainside beneath the platform where their seven figures stood.
‘Long.’
The steps stretched from the Mountain Foot to the peak in an unbroken ribbon, and the sight made his jaw fall open.
‘Pillars?’
One thing caught his eye: pillars. At regular intervals along the stairs, flat landing spots appeared, and at each one stood an enormous pillar, jutting straight up into the air.
“You.”
Expressionless turned to Snake Eyes.
“You said four of them are climbing the stairs?”
“Yeah.”
“Where are they? Tell me by mountain position.”
“Midway up?”
“Do you see anyone else?”
“Hold on.”
Snake Eyes turned his head this way and that. Then he stared hard in the direction Lala was looking, his brow furrowing.
“…Did you see it?”
“Yes, yes I did.”
“They appeared suddenly, right?”
“Yes, yes.”
Lala nodded frantically.
“They appeared suddenly?”
When Expressionless asked, Snake Eyes gritted his teeth.
“There are two of them over there… Ah, damn it. What the hell is going on?”
“Just tell me what you see.”
Snake Eyes gnashed his teeth, clearly confused.
“So there are two of them. Position looks like the Mountain Foot. They’re climbing the stairs the same way, and then suddenly a monster appeared. Damn, it wasn’t a lie—came out like smoke.”
“How are those two reacting?”
“They’re fighting.”
At Lala’s breathless answer, Expressionless lowered her head. Seol Jihoo sank into thought as well.
Whether four or two, it was safe to assume they were Earthians participating in the Banquet.
“…Maybe.”
Expressionless opened her mouth.
“This mountain might actually be Stage 1.”
“What are you talking about? Stage 1 is over.”
“The interior of the Building was just a preview. This could be the real stage.”
“Wait, wait a second.”
Snake Eyes pressed his forehead, as if it were throbbing.
“I can’t follow any of this.”
“You can’t understand even after seeing it firsthand?”
“Shut up. So basically… those bastards exited the Building before us, and they’re still progressing through Stage 1?”
“Exactly. Looks like they’re climbing all the way to the peak at the top of the stairs, defeating monsters that spawn automatically at intervals.”
At Expressionless’s analysis, Snake Eyes’s face darkened.
“Fine. Say you’re right. Why are we riding this thing?”
Snake Eyes had a point—the people visible below were locked in fierce combat, struggling to ascend the stairs, yet their own group rose smoothly on an ascending platform like an elevator.
Expressionless bared her teeth in a thin smile.
“I don’t know. But if my guess is right, we won’t make it to the peak either.”
“Why not?”
“We’re passing the sixth pillar now. I’d wager we stop at the seventh.”
Expressionless surveyed the group with a leisurely gaze, then flicked her index finger downward.
Seol Jihoo’s thoughts coalesced as he watched their platform clear the pillar. With her prediction, he finally grasped how the Golden Law was operating.
‘This isn’t special treatment.’
Anyone who reached the Central Room would’ve been pushed out by the rising floor. That was the whole point—the way to escape the building.
But where you descended wasn’t uniform. The fewer people who escaped with you, the closer to the Mountain Foot you’d land; the more people, the higher up toward the Mountain Summit.
The pillars marked those zones.
If I’d only brought Maria and the two of us had slipped out alone, what would’ve happened?
‘Probably would’ve descended near the second pillar….’
Then I’d have had to climb those endless Stairs, fighting every step of the way.
Seol Jihoo glanced sideways at the White Headband Girl. She wore a knowing smile.
Before long, the seventh pillar drew near.
“It’s a bit of a shame, but… if we’re at the seventh pillar, the Summit can’t be far.”
Expressionless cracked her neck left and right, preparing to descend.
But her prediction was completely wrong. Despite their wariness, the floor carrying seven people sailed straight past the seventh pillar and kept rising. When Seol Jihoo stared openly, Expressionless snapped at him: “What? What are you looking at?”
“That person’s death wasn’t our responsibility.”
A hollow voice rang out. The girl, who had sat in quiet silence until then, opened her mouth, and naturally all eyes turned toward her.
“They were already in a Near-Death State when they entered. Revival would’ve been impossible anyway… so it seems they weren’t counted among us.”
At the girl’s words, Lala’s eyes flashed with disbelief.
“That doesn’t make sense. You’re saying they know our situation completely?”
The girl gave a slight shrug as if to say she had no further comment, and Snake Eyes muttered under his breath.
“Thought she was mute, but she talks?”
“My apologies.”
“Veeeery sociiial.”
Snake Eyes twisted his mouth mockingly as he mimicked her words with exaggerated condescension, then—
“Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”
—flopped back down carelessly.
But he had to sit up again almost immediately, since the Summit was approaching fast.
As expected, the eighth pillar stood at the point where the Stairs ended—the Summit itself. Soon the floor carrying the seven of them stopped dead at the pillar, then slowly descended until it touched solid ground.
“No way we’re first?”
Snake Eyes beamed with delight as his feet touched the earth. They’d nearly ended up having to climb from the Mountain Foot if something had gone wrong, but getting a free pass straight to the Summit—how could he not be thrilled?
Yet even jade has its flaws. A team had already arrived at the Summit.
That group numbered eight in total, and all of them appeared to have survived the climb.
“Damn. Second place.”
Snake Eyes grumbled as though deflated, though truthfully the ranking hardly mattered. The important thing was that they’d arrived.
The team that had arrived first seemed to notice the newcomers and slowly closed the distance between them. Seol Jihoo, watching carefully to see if he recognized anyone, suddenly spotted a figure step forward from the opposing group.
“Wait—isn’t that person…?”
Maria noticed too and nodded in recognition. It was the high-ranking Priestess whom Kazuki had invited.
“What? A Dark Cult member?”
At Snake Eyes’ mutter, Seol Jihoo couldn’t help a bitter smile. The hood pulled low, the robe concealing everything—she stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Wow, I have to say I’m envious of your team. One man and six women. That must’ve been wonderful for you?”
The man at the front of the other group spoke up with easy charm.
‘This guy’s got some nerve.’
Seol Jihoo cursed inwardly. Wonderful? More like I felt my strength draining away the whole time.
“I have to say, it’s strange though. Seven people and you come straight to the Summit like that….”
“Oh, well, about that—”
While the man and Lala exchanged information, Seol Jihoo made a point of greeting the Priestess politely.
“Hello.”
…….
“When did you arrive?”
…….
No matter what he said, the Priestess didn’t respond with a single word.
‘She’s not ignoring me, exactly.’
The way her eyes kept darting around made him wonder if she was hurt somewhere; she seemed to be examining him carefully.
Pat, pat.
She even deftly straightened the rumpled folds of his robes.
“I’m fine, though….”
Her manner—the way she fussed over him like a mother bird reunited with a lost chick—made Seol Jihoo feel oddly unsettled.
‘This isn’t the time for this.’
Reaching the Summit wasn’t the end. Cho Hong and Hugo might be locked in a desperate struggle even now, and he couldn’t afford to rest easy. If only he knew which direction they’d be coming from….
“You can’t help them?”
Just then, Lala’s cry caught Seol Jihoo’s ear as he was about to move.
“No. Once you reach the Summit, there’s no interference with the Stairs permitted whatsoever.”
The man explained slowly.
“We’ve tried every method we can think of. But going back down doesn’t work. Ranged support doesn’t work. We can’t even establish communications. According to her, it seems the world between the Mountain Summit and the Stairs has been severed.”
The man spoke while watching the Priestess circle around Seol Jihoo.
‘She spoke?’
When Seol Jihoo looked up, the Priestess stopped walking and suddenly gazed toward the distant mountains.
“So… we’re trapped, then.”
“That’s about the size of it. For now, all we can do is wait.”
Seol Jihoo shot the Priestess a skeptical look, and she turned her head, nodding slowly.
In the end, there was nothing for it but to lower the barrier and settle in.

Stage 1 was over. The seven of them naturally scattered in different directions. Seol Jihoo understood there was no reason to keep cooperating, but a bitter taste lingered in his mouth.
Lala and Sophie expressed their thanks. Snake Eyes said he’d scout the area and left without hesitation, and White Headband Girl vanished without a sound. Maria sat under the shade of a tree, saying she wanted to rest, and Expressionless….
“What’s your name?”
She suddenly spoke before leaving.
“Seol.”
“Seol… Seol?”
Expressionless murmured the name, her eyebrows lifting slightly.
“Haramag?”
“Yes? Yes.”
It might have been a mistake, but it seemed like the first time he’d seen her express surprise.
“Ah… so you’re the one….”
She nodded a couple of times, then smiled and stuck a cigarette in her mouth.
“How’s the old man doing?”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind, never mind. In any case, it wasn’t bad.”
“?”
“I mean, bringing along these dumb bitches wasn’t to my taste, but the view from up above? Pretty satisfying, actually.”
At the sight of her chuckling, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. This woman might just be a sadist by nature. Give her a leather jacket and a whip, and she’d fit the part perfectly.
‘Still, her skill is undeniable.’
The Blade Step he couldn’t even see is still vivid in his memory. She’s definitely got the capability of someone in the upper ranks. More than anything, she’s from the same Area, and unlike Snake Eyes, she comes across as neutral enough that getting to know her wouldn’t be a bad thing.
“What’s your name?”
“Hmm. Isn’t it improper to ask a lady her name so casually?”
Expressionless showed her characteristic insufferable expression. When Seol Jihoo’s face fell, she waved her hand, saying it was just a joke.
“Rahee.”
“That’s a pretty name. Rahee, huh.”
He didn’t bother saying what he was thinking—that it didn’t match her behavior at all.
Expressionless shook her head.
“No. Ra, and Hee. Two syllables.”
“…What about your surname?”
“You didn’t give yours either, did you?”
Seol Jihoo laughed dryly.
“You’re oddly calculating about certain things.”
“My, my. Complaining already?”
The woman flicked ash from her cigarette, brushed back her bangs, and spat elegantly.
“Getting a phone number would be even harder.”
She turned and walked away, calling back, “Figure it out yourself,” over her shoulder.
‘Already know it.’
Seol Jihoo watched O Rahee’s retreating figure grow distant, sticking his tongue out slightly.

There was nothing at the Mountain Summit.
He paced endlessly, praying that all his teammates would arrive safely before Stage 1 ended, and new teams began arriving one by one.
Observing carefully, he’d never seen all eight members make it up—except for the first team. He’d only seen seven make it up once, and most teams arrived with between three and five members.
Fortunately, Cho Hong and Hugo answered his prayers.
Cho Hong arrived first, and she’d climbed up with three others, making four total.
Originally six had left the Building, but two had died while climbing the Stairs, she said.
“Are you all right?”
Seol Jihoo asked with concern, watching Cho Hong looking utterly exhausted.
“I thought I was going to die. Seriously.”
Cho Hong collapsed in a heap, breathing heavily. While she didn’t seem to have any major injuries, her Mace was stained with blood, and notably, her hair had turned silver.
She must have had to resort to the Godly Form for things to have gone so badly.
“But you look fine? Why are you so full of energy?”
“…got a good team.”
Seol Jihoo was lying.
“Damn. I’m jealous. Anyway, I ended up with a bunch of useless bastards, and…”
As Cho Hong glared with a sneer, the people who’d climbed up with her flinched.
“Pathetic idiots. No real skill but their mouths won’t shut up… I lost count of how many times I held back from killing them halfway through.”
Listening to her speak in that harsh tone, he could sense just how much stress Cho Hong had endured, while at the same time realizing that the situation must have been similar across the board.
Because even though one person was being crushed by the pressure and couldn’t even squeak, someone else was shooting Cho Hong a look filled with resentment.
Hugo’s situation was even worse. He’d only come up with two people, but four had started together and two of them died while climbing the Stairs, he said.
As Seol Jihoo listened to Cho Hong and Hugo’s accounts, it felt like he was hearing a story from an entirely different world. Only now did he truly grasp how valuable passing the Stairs was as a reward.
He wanted to hear more details, but since Hugo bore significant wounds, he had to hurry and find Maria. Fortunately, he spotted a Priestess among those just arriving who was treating the injured, and he was able to leave Hugo in her care.
With that, Carpe Diem had all safely passed through.
But not all their allies had made it up.
Watching people climb the Stairs at irregular intervals, Seol Jihoo finally planted himself on the ground.

Several hours had passed since their arrival, yet Stage 1 showed no signs of ending. Just when he thought it was done, two or three people would steadily appear.
The one change was that no team with more than four members came up anymore.
Since he couldn’t wait for allies indefinitely, Seol Jihoo sank into thought while sitting.
‘Fifty points.’
A score he’d given himself for passing Stage 1. No matter how generous he tried to be, he couldn’t give it anything higher.
The result alone looked good. But the process deserves a zero. The seven of us never cooperated even once.
He could argue that taking turns opening the doors was more efficient, but it just happened that way. The fractured relationships were merely patched over—they were never truly healed.
To be honest.
Even Seol Jihoo himself thought he was a mediator rather than a leader.
He maintained the team through words, through coaxing and cajoling, but strictly speaking, could it really be called ‘leading’?
“Here you are.”
While chain-smoking out of frustration, a familiar voice came and a shadow fell over him.
“Kazuki?”
“Yeah.”
“When did you arrive?”
“An hour ago. Can I have one?”
Kazuki sat down beside him. Seol Jihoo was surprised that Kazuki had already made it and readily handed over his pack of cigarettes.
“I didn’t know.”
“Had some things to look into.”
Kazuki held the cigarette in his mouth and gestured with his hand. The moment Seol Jihoo lit it for him, he drew deeply and exhaled a long breath.
“So you do smoke.”
“Only when things get like hell.”
This was the first time he’d heard Kazuki speak so roughly. Looking closer, fatigue was written all over his face.
“Looks like you had it rough.”
“Felt like my patience was being tested to its limits.”
With that, Kazuki fell silent and only burned through his cigarette. For some reason he seemed to be suppressing anger, so Seol Jihoo tactfully didn’t ask more.
“Seol.”
Kazuki spoke again around the time the cigarette had burned down to the filter.
“I have something to say.”
His voice carried a certain gravity.

(To be continued in the next episode)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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