This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 625

What was Yoonseo feeling when she asked her sister for help this one time?

Watching Bora, who was completely oblivious and humming a happy tune, made my lips stick together as if they were refusing to part.

“Hey? Aren’t you drinking?”

“Um, ah, I guess I should.”

I sucked hard on the Mango Smoothie I was holding, making sure it made a sound as I did so.

A cold rush hit my mouth, the artificial mango flavor filling it to the brim, but oddly enough, I couldn’t taste anything at all.

Under normal circumstances, the sweetness would have invaded my taste buds, making my cheeks quiver reflexively…

It felt like I was drinking plain water.

That’s how little I was feeling.

This was probably because my mind was focused elsewhere…

I needed to say something, anything, instead of just slurping this useless beverage…

How should I even start talking?

If I were to say something, how should I begin?

These kinds of worries drifted around in my head like empty smoke in the early dawn.

Surely, before arriving here, especially before the chance encounter with Bora at the café, I had thought that I’d find a way to deal with it once I got here…

Is that why people say you can only understand others after facing them?

It was almost as if someone secretly glued my lips shut; I just couldn’t bring myself to speak.

Seeing Bora, who was fixated on me with a bright smile, oblivious to everyone else’s gaze, only solidified this state.

I was acutely aware that time was of the essence, yet I couldn’t bring myself to act.

So there I was, diligently downing the tasteless Mango Smoothie.

As I inhaled deeply, the crushed ice poured into my mouth, reminding me of grains of sand when I suddenly heard Bora’s voice from across the table.

“So?”

Her question, which seemed rather out of place, caught me off guard the moment she said it.

Thanks to that, I erupted into an ugly cough and, after managing to get it under control, I finally answered her question.

“Um, uh…?”

To be precise, my response was closer to a mere ‘reaction’ than an actual answer.

“Weren’t you supposed to come to ask me for a favor?”

“Um, well…”

Actually, that was correct. I did come here for that favor.

But I couldn’t nod my head in agreement as I envisioned Bora’s face light up with joy like she had the world just by my visit.

How could I tell her that I was actually here to take advantage of her?

Even someone lacking empathy wouldn’t be able to say that!

Thus, I was stuck, unable to move in any direction…

“Dogun.”

A calm, soothing voice flowed into my ear.

It was just after I had been gripping the cup full of ice when I felt a touch, slightly cold, gently holding my hand.

“If you want to ask me for something, you can feel free to do so.”

“…”

“Don’t you have something you want to ask me?”

Her sweet voice echoed in my ears.

I bit my lip and slowly nodded.

I had no choice.

I instinctively understood at that moment, as I listened to Bora’s comforting voice, that denying it would be futile.

Just looking at her expression as she stared at me was enough to know.

So, instead of shaking my head to deny it, I chose to confirm it.

Maybe she was waiting for that kind of response to flow from me.

Bora’s grip on my hand tightened just enough to be firm, yet not painful.

Not daring to meet her gaze directly, I instinctively lifted my head, only to find myself captured by Bora’s intense gaze.

Her hair, bleached repeatedly, was a bright yellow reminiscent of summer sunshine, and her similarly colored eyes glowed fiercely.

It felt exactly like looking at the sun.

The difference, though, was that while a glance at the sun would have you looking away in discomfort, with Bora’s eyes, once you looked there, you found it hard to pull away.

Bora, fixing my gaze in place, leaned in closer with her gentle voice.

“Can you tell me what it is?”

Feeling as if I was under a spell by her whispering voice, I simply nodded in response.

【Yoonseo’s Perspective】

Why do the Anothers consume humans?

It’s been quite a long time since that topic held sway over academic circles, especially during the early stages of the Another invasion.

Back in the day, when research on Anothers was flourishing.

Since the existence of Anothers had just begun to reveal itself, fields like Another Ecology had yet to sprout, yet ironically, it was a time when numerous scholars poured efforts into research related to Anothers, regardless of academic boundaries, resulting in a plethora of hypotheses proposed during that period.

However… none of the ideas put forth gained acceptance as a valid theory.

As a result, the reason behind why Anothers chose humans as their prey remains unanswered.

If we were to pinpoint any strong hypotheses, one might suggest that after preying on humans, they convert that consumption into energy somehow within their bodies…

Yet, even this theory could easily be refuted.

There were so many logical gaps in the idea, but it still tended to receive the favored treatment simply because there were no other means to explain why Anothers behave that way.

What do we know fundamentally about living organisms?

They need energy to function.

And to produce that energy, digestive systems are necessary.

But for some reason, these Anothers seemed to possess something resembling a digestive system that didn’t function properly.

At one point, the hypothesis suggesting that Anothers might be a type of plant dominated academia for these reasons.

Honestly, from an objective standpoint, humans are not considered good prey.

Yet, for some reason, they specifically targeted humans.

Even with livestock like cows, pigs, and chickens nearby.

Of course, this wasn’t always the case.

Not long after Anothers first emerged in history, there were several news reports about livestock being extensively harmed by Anothers appearing near farms.

Yet, at some point, those kinds of news reports vanished completely, and now, it was only humans who faced the threat to their survival from Anothers.

Hence, a few scholars argued that the purpose of Anothers consuming humans might lie elsewhere, rather than simply energy consumption.

But since such voices were few, over time, it became just another buried hypothesis…until it seemed to be forever buried.

Yet, decades later, that very hypothesis was proving itself before everyone’s eyes.

Right before the eyes of the Expedition Team that had entered Heogye with the mission of completely eradicating the Anothers.

“What the hell… what is that…”

A wave of shock surged among the people.