Lookism: What Am I Even Doing?

Chapter 116

(Doc's POV)

What is it with this world and making people want to play God?

For the past three or so generations, people have risen from the depths of Korea alone, all of them desperate for the golden throne. And it's not like there's anything special about this place. Seoul is a city just like the tens of thousands of cities around the world.

If this place was free from the influence of its creator or fate, then would it be led so astray. There would still be its corrupt politicians, gangs, petty crimes but never on this scale. Here everything was made to be so tightly intertwined so the story could keep moving forward. Because without movement there's no entertainment.

The same way we would grow bored of a train ride if all we say were the same trees stretch on for miles. No mountains, no clearings, no lakes or rivers, not even the occasional animal to cut through the repetitive illusion.

I took a long drag from my cigarette. The smoke rose from my lips only to be washed away by the gentle breeze from the wind.

It's stupid how powerful people will never be able to sate their hunger. More strength, more money, more influence. More, more, more. Our world was the same too, wasn't it? So who knows, maybe without the influence of this storyline Seoul would've ended up in the same tragedy? That's why they're called tragedies in the first place. Their sad fates that can't be escaped.

A soft hint of floral hit my nostrils and I immediately turned around. It took me off guard to smell something so normal in a place like this. Usually all there is sweat, blood, must, smoke, beer...those lingering scents left by men. Cherry wasn't a fan of strong smells either, smelling faintly of whatever soap she washed in.

"Sir, would you mind if I kept you company?"

Seo-ah appeared from the warehouse. The door slowly closed behind her. Despite yesterday's events she seems to be in a good mood.

"As long as you don't mind the smoke."

The woman shook her head then took the spot next to me. We stood there in silence. Neither of us wanted to speak and she didn't want to be alone. She was probably processing everything that happened last night. She's probably paranoid with the thought of that bastard finding us or even worse, her daughter.

There's no need to be worried. As soon as Cherry woke up, she went back to work. Ignoring the doctor's suggestions of letting herself rest. She'd taken a heavy beating in the fight with Chin-hae. I don't know how bad it was but it was bad enough she didn't want to show me the report.

Right now she's probably checking up on the two other kids. Jake Kim's lackey called us last night saying Ila had been shot. When we arrived he was the one we found half dead. Ila had gotten away but we managed to find her unconscious in some run down inn.

"It's been a while since I've been able to do this."

"...it's peaceful isn't it?"

She nodded then smiled, "The sun feels nice."

It's hard to imagine us standing here together. Reminds me of the old days when the Bird Garden was still young. Back when we were barely adjusting to our duties. Seo-ah would spend countless nights crying in her room and unable to keep anything down. She was afraid of a lot of things back then. Of losing her daughter and losing herself.

Like the rest of us she lost pieces of herself trying to survive in that hell hole. She lost her compassion, her smile, her will to live. Just the way Haruki lost his backbone and Richard lost his voice. You'd be surprised how those two were at the beginning.