Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn
Chapter 38: Penance (1)

He already told them before, he couldn't care less about the truth. Even now, he only revealed the truth, since Yeji wanted to cling to Hoon so desperately. Other than that, he had no intention of getting involved with any of them ever again.

While Yeji was remorseful, the reaction of those around him was different. They didn't apologize, but they were terrified. None of them dared to speak because YuWon's attention was the last thing they wanted.

"You didn't do it alone, did you?" YuWon kicked Hoon, and he continued talking.

Hoon hesitantly nodded and told everyone about how Suhyun and Jaehwan were his accomplices. Only for someone to inform them that Suhyun died during the fight.

YuWon clicked his tongue. He was intending to kill her either way. So there was no point in wondering about it. At least he still had Hoon as his slave to torment.

"Come on, let's go," YuWon mumbled, looking at Gina. But before he could take a step, Yeji fell to her knees right in front of him.

"YuWon… please… forgive me," she begged, tears covering her entire face. "I was wrong. I didn't know… I didn't know the truth…"

YuWon, however, didn't care about her or her tears. His gaze remained as cold as ice. All the while, Yeji kept crying and apologizing. But watching her grovel snapped something in his mind.

Without a word, he raised his hand and slapped her across the face. Everyone around was stunned as Yeji fell to the ground, clutching her cheek.

YuWon had never raised his hand to her before. He had always cared for her, always tried to protect her. But now that was all gone, replaced with cold indifference.

Thinking that was enough to convey his feelings, YuWon turned to leave, but once again, Yeji grabbed onto his leg.

"Please, brother, hit me, punish me, do whatever you want!" she yelled, hitting herself with her other hand. "But please, forgive me! I was wrong. But I didn't mean to hurt you!"

YuWon took a deep breath before kicking her away.

"Brother? What brother?" he yelled back. "I wasn't your brother all this time and now suddenly you changed your mind? You disgust me!"

"But... what about our parents—"

"Your parents are your concern," YuWon cut her off. "I have no family!"

Yeji collapsed to the ground. She had never felt so small, so powerless, and she only had herself to blame. All those years she had ignored his suffering, and now, when she realized her mistake, it was too late to go back to how things were. But there was something she could do.

"Take me as your slave then," Yeji said, quickly wiping away her tears. "I'll do anything you want. Work me to the bone if you have to, but I will atone for my mistakes!"

YuWon wanted Yeji to be miserable, and he had accomplished that. There wasn't any need to physically punish her. Besides, she had healed him twice, and even though it meant nothing, he didn't want to kill her.

But her offer is enticing. Besides, I have a plan.

YuWon looked at the angel and asked, "Is it possible?"

"It is," the angel nodded. "As long as she wills it. It will happen, but you can only have one slave."

Even though she didn't tell YuWon about it, his sponsor was half a pantheon and they were quite interested in his antics. They had given the angel complete rein to do whatever, so YuWon's request was nothing more than a minor inconvenience for her.

YuWon scratched his chin, thinking about it. Hoon had already served his purpose, but YuWon still wanted the bastard to suffer. Suddenly, an evil smirk appeared on his face and he nodded.

"Do it," he said. "I'll take her as the slave instead."

"As you wish," the angel sighed. "But don't expect me to help you again. There's a limit to how much I can favor you without looking bad."

With a snap of her fingers, the collar on Hoon's neck disappeared and appeared on Yeji's. However, instead of worrying about Yeji, Hoon immediately got up and was about to run when YuWon grabbed and slammed his head on the ground.

"Where do you think you're going?" he snarled.

"W-What do you mean?" Hoon screamed. "I'm free now—"

"Are you?" YuWon said, turning towards Yeji. "You said you'll do anything, right?"

Yeji's gaze shifted between YuWon and Hoon. But she nodded. As much as she liked Hoon, he had caused her nothing but misery. As such, she couldn't care less about him... or at least she thought she didn't.

"Take this then," YuWon handed her the monarch's sword. "Sever his leg."

Yeji stared at him in disbelief. He wanted her to do something so heinous... how could he? But then she remembered everything she and Hoon had put him through and realized it was his way of punishing them both.

Yeji's eyes moved from YuWon to Hoon, whom YuWon had trapped on the ground with his foot. While YuWon's eyes were calm, Hoon was practically screaming in terror.

"Please, Yeji, don't!" Hoon screamed. "Don't do it!"

Hoon's words froze her. Her head felt like it was about to burst open as her hands shook. But YuWon's gaze remained fixed on her. Since she now had the collar, she had to obey his command or she would get electrocuted.

"Do it," YuWon ordered her.

Yeji's head spun, and she felt the ground beneath was slipping away. She couldn't move. She couldn't think. But then, something inside her shifted. She wanted YuWon's forgiveness. She needed it.

She craved it.

She raised her head, and YuWon noticed the empty look in her eyes as she smiled like a crazy person.

"If I do it… YuWon will forgive me," she mumbled to herself, repeating the words like a mantra. "He'll forgive me…"

"Yeji! Stop! Please!"

Upon noticing her expression, Hoon's pleas got louder, more desperate. But it was too late. Yeji wasn't listening anymore as she raised the sword over her head.

She stared at Hoon's leg and kept mumbling, "YuWon will forgive me… YuWon will forgive me…"