The Second Coming of Gluttony - Chapter 20

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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 20. Divine Retribution (3)

The blonde maid who had guided Area 1 came into view. But not her alone. Nine maids in identical uniforms stood lined horizontally across the stage, their hands folded neatly at their waists.
And in the center, sitting alone, was a single figure. She wore no corset like the others, which drew the audience’s gaze naturally toward her. Whether from the play of light, or because her head was slightly bowed, the hair that fell past her armrests gleamed a deep, blood-red.
A woman with a thick coat draped across her shoulders, arms folded, sat with her eyes closed—as though savoring her own thoughts.
After a moment, all nine maids began to clap in unison.
– Congratulations~ and celebrations~.
– When I tell everyone that you’re in love with me~.
And they sang as they did.
“What on earth are they doing?”
Someone asked, bewildered. The reactions around her were much the same—just stunned confusion at the unexpected serenade.
When the song ended, the eyes of the central figure opened halfway. She tilted her chin slightly and swept her gaze across the audience with deliberate slowness, as though appraising merchandise.
The hall fell silent as a tomb. Wherever her eyes fell, the effect was the same: people tensed, lowered their heads, or averted their gaze.
Swallowing sounds echoed here and there. There was something feral in her gaze—like a predator scouting prey before the hunt—and people instinctively feared it.
Her crossed leg uncrossed. As the woman rose from her seat and walked forward at a leisurely pace, Seol could not suppress her amazement. The woman’s height matched that of an ordinary man.
The woman stopped mid-stride and looked toward where Seol sat—or more precisely, toward where Area 2’s guide had been placed. The girl who had exchanged a silent greeting with Seol raised her hand.
“Are you also a tutorial guide?”
Seol marveled at the girl’s audacity even in this atmosphere, though she felt uneasy. Something about this woman radiated an indefinable sense of danger—like a predator.
The woman did not speak. Instead, she simply stared in silence for a long moment, then without breaking her gaze, she drew a single cigarette from the inner pocket of her coat and placed it between her lips. Click—the lighter sparked, and the scar that ran from her eye to her cheek became starkly visible in the flame.
A girl with any sense would have lowered her hand. But this one was either bold or reckless. She asked again.
“Or… what should I call you? Who are you?”
The woman’s head tilted slightly to the side. A maid stepped forward—the second from the left, standing beside the blonde maid.
“Area 2, Odelette Delphine.”
Then the woman’s eyes widened fully as she turned her gaze back to the girl. Her red lips parted slightly, and a thin wisp of smoke curled out.
“…Just call me Cinzia.”
Only then did the girl lower her hand.
“What’s all this about?”
“I think the woman’s name is Cinzia. And the one who just asked the question seems to be someone called Odelette Delphine from Area 2.”
As Shin Sang-ah muttered quietly, Yi Seol-ah leaned in and whispered.
“Cinzia? Odelette Delphine? What kind of names are those?”
“Cinzia is probably an Italian name. And it’s Odelette, not—”
Yi Seol-ah was offering this clarification with an awkward smile when—

[Synchronization commencing.]

Zing—a sudden splitting pain erupted through her skull. Seol, who had been concentrating on Yi Seol-ah’s explanation, furrowed her brow sharply. Anguished moans burst forth from various quarters as people clutched their heads.
The pain did not last long.

[Synchronization complete.]

The moment the notification chimed, the agony vanished as though it had never been. Freed from the sudden torment, people looked at one another in confusion.
“The synchronization was a bit late. Well, at least now we’ll be able to understand each other.”
The woman who had identified herself as Cinzia watched with an amused expression. Her speech was natural enough to pass as a native speaker—or at least, so it seemed to Seol’s ear as Korean.
She seemed pleased by the silence. The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“Having filtered through it once, the clarity certainly improves. When people chatter like parrots, it’s exhausting even for the listener, you understand.”
Click-click. Footsteps echoed.
“In deference to your not questioning the phenomenon of synchronization, I’ll explain beforehand. I don’t know how to mince words. I assume you all understand where this is. So I’ll proceed straight to the matter at hand.”
Cinzia walked a few steps further and continued in a low but commanding voice.
“This place is a sacred ground created by the power of seven gods, and it bears the name Neutral Ground.”
Now that she mentioned it, Han had said something similar. That one should pray for good fortune in the Neutral Ground.
“And you must prove to yourselves here that you are capable of activity in Paradise. You all received Survival Points, I trust?”
Seol’s Survival Points totaled 21,500—a score Han had vouched for as the highest on record.
“In short, increase your individual Survival Points to 1,000. That is the only way to leave this Neutral Ground. I’ve prepared the means, of course, but you’re free to use any other method. However, you have one month.”
A murmur rippled through the hall.
No small commotion arose. They had been told that passing the Tutorial would grant them entry to Paradise, but this didn’t match that story.
Some displayed composure. Those who had listened carefully to the briefing already grasped the bare outline of the situation.
“If we can’t gather enough within that time….”
“What do you mean by that?”
The voice came from Area 4. A large man with a thick beard stood from his seat. Cinzia glanced sideways at him.
“Hmm… unless you want to vomit up the Burrito you ate before coming here, you’d do well to keep quiet? I really hate being interrupted while I’m talking.”
The man’s expression, which had been blinking rapidly, darkened considerably.
“Damn it, watch your mouth. You pasta-loving bitch.”
Cinzia burst into raucous laughter.
“Quite the rough Mexican. Are you from Sinaloa?”
“How did you…?”
“Obvious. There’s nowhere else you can use a Bronze Mark under Proselytization Authority.”
She stopped laughing abruptly and flicked her index finger. The maid standing fourth from the left handed her a sheet of paper.
“Let me see—your score is as curious to me as your crude mouth.”
A smirk played across Cinzia’s lips as she looked at the paper.
“Zero points? Is this for real?”
The maid nodded obediently.
“Not even a Silver Mark, and you got a Bronze Mark just to score zero….”
She threw the paper aside, her eyes glinting with cold menace.
“I don’t see any point in continuing this. Sit down. Burrito.”
“I—!”
“Sit. Before I find whoever invited you and wipe them out too.”
Her voice had shifted, so icy it sent chills down the spine of everyone listening. The man flinched and shambled back into his seat.
“…It seems some of you have gotten some very wrong ideas.”
Cinzia, who had been smoking silently for a moment, surveyed the audience with those predatory eyes of hers.
“The official name of this land is The Lost Eden.”
She emphasized that last phrase especially.
“Did you think Eden meant some amusement park where you ride attractions and squeal with joy? Wake up. If you compare this place to Earth, gunfire rings out every day and artillery shells rain down. This is a war zone where you must kill your enemies to survive.”
She flicked away her cigarette butt and crossed her arms again.
“And yet you strut around bragging that you survived against some pathetic excuse for a monster? Do you not understand what the Tutorial means? Don’t get cocky. Surely you’re not delusional enough to think that place and this paradise are in the same league?”
Only now, seeing the reality before them, did the lingering commotion fade away entirely.
“That’s right. If you understand, then shut your mouths. You stupid woodpecker bastards.”
That very moment, Seol-ah burst into laughter. She had been listening quite seriously until the phrase “stupid woodpecker bastards” suddenly made her crack. She clapped her hand over her mouth, but all eyes had already turned toward her.
“You….”
Something flickered in Cinzia’s gaze.
“I see. To you, it must be funny.”
“?”
“Understand—even when I filter them, some manage to slip through the sieve every time.”
Seol-ah had braced herself to be scolded, but instead found herself confused by the tone of understanding.
“Well, that ends here anyway.”
Cinzia chuckled, glancing toward Area 4.
“You’re going to have a rough time ahead. Accumulating 1,000 points from zero is no easy task.”
A few people shifted uncomfortably.
“Reap what you sow. Who asked you to freeload through the Tutorial?”
Yi Seol-ah’s expression was also one of concern. Her score was only 46 points.
“Since we’re on the subject, I suppose I should hand out rewards too. If there are those who deserve punishment, there must be those who merit praise….”
She exhaled a long breath, then reached into her pocket.
“From now on, those I name will stand. Area 5, Thongchai?”
A lean man in a white turban rose.
“You’ve already qualified. If you wish, I can send you straight to Paradise right now.”
“I’ll stay.”
“Take this.”
Cinzia flicked something across the room. Thongchai caught it in mid-air and asked with obvious curiosity.
“What is it?”
“My, does the Assassination Guild ask about information?”
Thongchai smiled faintly and sat back down.
“If you’re really curious, ask the maid in the back later. Area 2, Salvatore Liordan.”
It was a man with ash-grey short hair.
Cinzia said nothing and tossed again; the young man bowed politely and returned to his seat.
“Area 7, Hao Win.”
One of the men in black suits—a healthy-looking man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties.
“From the look of things, I can guess where you’re headed. Will you stay?”
“That’s a stupid question. Of course I’m staying.”
Hao Win flashed a slight grin.
“And… Area 2, Odelette Delphine.”
“I’ll take it.”
The girl responded at once, catching what fell in a long arc before raising her hand sharply.
“Wait a moment!”
“Hmm?”
“I think there’s been a mistake. The number on my Name Plate is 2.”
“I know. You’ve got over 7,500 points.”
Gasps erupted from all corners. Most turned to stare at the white-haired girl with expressions of disbelief.
“Excluding the 1,000 bonus points, that’s 6,500. With the Silver Mark’s Mark of Survival multiplied by five, the original score would be roughly 1,300 points. Correct?”
“Y-yes, that’s right, but…”
“A pity. You would’ve been first place with plenty to spare, but this time you’re second.”
The girl’s mouth fell open. She’d never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams, that anyone could have scored higher than her.
‘Wait. Didn’t I receive Survival Points as a bonus too?’
Now that she thought about it, the Survival Points she’d received in the hall amounted to 5,000. It seemed the bonus points didn’t have the Mark of Survival applied. In any case, this meant Seol’s actual Survival Points weren’t 21,500—they were 26,500.
“Area 1.”
“I’ll take it.”
Seol rose from her seat at once. The back of her head tingled.
“How many points does she have?”
“You can ask her yourself. Just counting the original score, it’s 2,150 points. That’s 850 more than you.”
“Wow, w-woooow…”
‘Does she have no sense of embarrassment whatsoever?’
Seol caught what flew toward her with a grumble. It was a Key, its Name Plate engraved with the numeral “1” in gold.
“Quite remarkable, really.”
Cinzia remarked with rare admiration.
“Not only has that small nation been granted independent Proselytization Authority, but now an Irregular has appeared as well…”
As a result, all eyes that had been fixed on the girl were now turning toward her. She wanted no part of this unwanted attention.
Presently, Cinzia gave a signal, and the maids poured downward, spreading left and right.
“What are you all doing? Aren’t you getting up?”
Seol, who’d been about to sit down, found herself remaining on her feet instead.
“The countdown’s already started… Do I have to spoon-feed you every detail before you’ll move?”
Seol hurriedly shouldered her bag.
The blonde maid was waiting at a different entrance than the one through which they’d entered.
Beckoning them out this way.

Those who emerged through the new exit all wore expressions of startled wonder at the interior landscape now revealed.
The Neutral Ground boasted a magnificent spectacle reminiscent of a vast department store. The first floor alone formed the shape of a wide, flat circle, with lounges and shops visible in every direction as far as the eye could see. The floors stacked above, connected by stairs, rose so dizzily high that one couldn’t count them all.
They still couldn’t go outside, but from without, it would have looked like a circular tower. Like the legendary Tower of Babel itself.
Seol seated herself at a table in a lounge and surveyed the first floor. The most striking feature of the lobby was an enormous bulletin board standing beside the central fountain. The board was plastered densely with papers that looked like requisition forms, and a crowd of people swarmed around it.
Seol decided to organize her thoughts for now, planning to approach once the crowd thinned out a bit.
Originally, she’d meant to leave right away. She’d figured there was no need to waste time, having already qualified.
But the other four who’d gathered 1,000 points or more—everyone except Seol—had all said they were staying. Not a hint of hesitation showed in any of them.
Hadn’t Hao Win done the same? He’d called it a foolish question.
‘The dream’s contents…’
She couldn’t remember. There must be some reason they’d said to stay. At times like these, she found herself resenting Kim Han-na.
What to do? As Seol was wiping her face dry, she lifted her head at the sound of cautious footsteps approaching.
“Good afternoon.”
As their eyes met, the woman greeted her respectfully, dressed in a familiar uniform. With her hair neatly pinned up and glasses on, Seol recognized her as the maid who’d been standing second from the left.
‘Area 2… was it?’
“Yes. What can I help you with?”
“I’m Agnes. If I may be so bold, I’d be honored if you’d allow me to show you around this place.”
It was welcome news to hear, though a question did arise in her mind.
“Isn’t information supposed to be discovered on your own?”
“That’s true enough, but we’re also responsible for providing basic information. And if I myself wish to do so, offering personal guidance violates no rules whatsoever.”
It was likely connected to the Gold Mark, Seol intuited. Nodding, she decided that being guided would consume far less time than figuring things out herself.
“I’m grateful. Please, if you would.”
“Ah, then…?”
Her face brightened for a moment before she turned awkwardly to look behind her. Standing at her back was the blonde maid Seol had seen in the Tutorial. With that same vacant smile. Agnes made an effort to smile back.
“Maria? Of course Area 1 isn’t my jurisdiction, but the Tutorial’s over now, isn’t it? You wouldn’t mind stepping aside?”
The blonde maid, Maria, giggled brightly and held up her middle finger. Agnes’s expression hardened with menace.
“What’s the meaning of this?”
“Excuse me.”
“?”
“Don’t mess with me.”
“…Your vulgarity is as tiresome as ever.”
Agnes flicked her skirt and offered Seol-ah a polite bow before leaving.
“Still got that habit of running their mouths. Sicilian bitches.”
Seol-ah’s ears nearly failed her. She’d already confirmed the child could speak, but such sweet, innocent features paired with language that coarse seemed fundamentally at odds.
“Then I’ll show you around.”
“…You speak remarkably well.”
“Ah, that’s because I’m practicing Silent Practice.”
“Silent Practice?”
“Yes. I tend to say things without thinking them through first, so I’m trying to fix that.”
Speaking without engaging the mind—it was a strangely fitting way to describe it.
“Well… I’d appreciate that.”
As Seol-ah rose from her seat, Maria tugged insistently at her collar and pointed to an area within the lounge. It resembled a café.
“Before you show me around, could you buy me something to drink?”
Seol-ah moved to call Agnes, but the girl bounced up first.
“Fine, fine! What’s the big deal about buying me something!”
“But why should I—”
“You’re cheap. And you’ve got plenty of Survival Points!”
Seol-ah blinked. The girl asked for a drink, then mentioned Survival Points in the same breath?
“Are you saying Survival Points are used for accessing the facilities here?”
“Yes. In the Neutral Ground, Survival Points are currency. Food, lodging, clothing—everything requires them.”
Seol-ah’s brow furrowed. If points had to be spent as well as earned, the difficulty curve spiked considerably.
“How do you earn Survival Points?”
Rather than answer, Maria pointed to the plaza bulletin board. It was still crowded with people.
“Completing the tasks posted on that board over there gives you Survival Points as a reward. That’s the legitimate way to get them.”
“Legitimate being the operative word.”
“Survival Points can be loaned or transferred.”
Seol-ah laughed bitterly. Linking it to Cinzia’s message—’there are sanctioned ways to earn them, but I won’t question your other methods’—the picture became clear. Loan sharking or outright theft, in other words.
“Now that I’ve told you, you’ll buy me something, right?”
“I decline.”
“Aw, why not?”
“I’ll be frugal. These points aren’t something I earned cheaply, after all.”
“That doesn’t matter. You can still use the sleeping quarters and dining areas free of charge.”
What did that mean? Maria glanced around before leaning close and whispering.
“Discrimination exists here too. Contractors must pay full price for everything without exception, but invitees don’t. Bronze Marks get 10% off, Silver Marks get 20%.”
“Then—”
“Gold Marks get 30% off everything. And since you came in as the top candidate, you’ve got a private suite. Plus, on dining and certain shops, you can stack another 70% discount.”
When Seol-ah looked at her skeptically, Maria nodded frantically.
Upon verification, it was true.
The cheapest drink on the menu cost 1 Survival Point. Maria had chosen a beverage worth 10, but the moment she showed her Gold Mark and Name Plate, the cost vanished entirely.
“You really made the right choice by staying.”
As they made their way to the private suite on the upper floors, Maria suddenly spoke up. She was grinning happily as she sipped her drink through a straw.
“Once you leave the Neutral Ground, it’s nearly impossible to get back in. Since your passage is all but guaranteed anyway, you should milk this place for everything it’s worth.”
“Is there anything I can actually gain here?”
“The VIP Shop.”
Maria answered immediately and pulled a pamphlet from her bag.
“It’s a list of what you can buy at the VIP Shop.”
Wonder flickered across Seol-ah’s eyes as she scanned the inventory.

(Continued in the next part)

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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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