Chapter 680 – Room 301, The Cursed Room – ‘Origin of the Species’ (24)
—
– Lee Eunsol
Early in the morning, just like always, I finished washing up and getting ready for work.
As I was about to leave for the Daeyang Group, someone suddenly grabbed my arm.
“Mom?”
“Why not take a break from work today and go on a date with me?”
Sure, I was feeling a little miffed after my brother had a go at me and Dad had his talk yesterday…
But was that enough reason to suddenly take a vacation?
“I’m fine. I just—”
“I’ve already told your dad.”
“What?”
“I told him you’re on leave today.”
I was briefly taken aback, then realized the situation was already set in motion.
“Dad didn’t say anything?”
“He just went along with it.”
Thinking back, that’s exactly how our family operates.
In the eyes of the world, when people think of the Daeyang Group, they picture my father’s strong leadership and charisma.
You’d assume our home would be filled with his patriarchal vibe…
But in reality, it’s quite different.
Mom rarely chimed in on things, but every time she did, even Dad didn’t dare utter a word.
As soon as she spoke, it became law.
With that thought in mind, I felt like I should at least listen to my mother.
Plan B was to act not as a hotel participant but as the “Senior Executive Lee Eunsol” of the Daeyang Group, who is also Mom’s daughter.
“Alright.”
—
Around lunchtime, I finally rented a VVIP room at a five-star hotel.
It’s not usual to make a same-day booking at such a place, but there are always exceptions in the world.
The Daeyang Group family is naturally among those exceptions.
Sitting on a plush sofa, two models dispatched from HT Department Store soon entered to start a fashion show for me and Mom.
“Ma’am! Long time no see!”
“Indeed.”
“Oh my, oh my! Your tone is so stiff~!”
You’d think she was ready to say ‘Eunsol unnie!’ right away.
This model felt like someone I used to be quite friendly with.
Hey, my friend! Sorry, but I don’t even remember your name now!
I could only imagine the shock that would cause.
“Ahem…! It’s a bit warm in here.”
“Would you like me to lower the air conditioning temperature?”
So soon with the ‘sister’ vibes?
I genuinely don’t know who this girl is.
“It’s fine. But could you step back just a bit?”
“Yes! Oh, by the way, how do you like this coat? It’s a new release from xx Galleria—”
“…”
I didn’t realize before, but now that I’ve been in the hotel, I’ve started to feel ordinary human emotions just a tiny bit.
The models from the department store haven’t mentioned a price at all.
1,000,000 won? 3,000,000 won? Please tell me it’s not over 100 million!
Selling stuff without mentioning the price is making me giggle uncontrollably.
In truth, though, I shouldn’t be surprised.
The past me would’ve bought things just because I liked them.
— Bang!
At that moment, the clothes and simple snacks on the table wobbled.
“Huh?”
“What’s that?”
I thought it was another poltergeist incident, but since it ended in just 1 or 2 seconds, it didn’t seem like one.
Couldn’t be Kain messing with me again; that would just be confusing!
“Oh my, I’m so sorry! They said there’s a problem with the air conditioning unit outside.”
“Oh, really?”
Suddenly, I was curious about how Mom was doing and glanced over.
She was staring at the ceiling.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m just so happy.”
“Really?”
“Eunsol, even if tough times come, stay strong.”
“Mom, you keep saying it’s not a big deal!”
“Just remember there’s always someone cheering for you. It’s quite amusing to see.”
“That’s quite embarrassing…”
It’s not even like I’m in middle school, but hearing my mom say she’s always cheering for me feels a bit cringe.
—
‘This situation feels like…’
‘Like what?’
‘Like a prisoner awakening the desires of the lady.’
‘…’
‘What should I do to make Eunsol realize this?’
‘Seems difficult.’
‘Why is that?’
‘Just look at the situation; she’s out shopping with her mother and only buying clothes for herself, doesn’t that feel awkward?’
‘Now that you mention it, it does seem off.’
‘And it doesn’t end there. Eating together but only ordering food for her, having drinks only for her on the table…’
‘…’
‘But she still doesn’t seem to notice anything.’
‘Maybe she’d realize something once the flute comes into play?’
‘If she wakes up, it might actually be more dangerous.’
—
During lunch, the topic of how I’d fought with my brother came up naturally.
“Seriously! Isn’t it ridiculous? Instead of comforting me when things weren’t going well, he just laughed at my misfortune!”
“Should I give him a talking to?”
“Pfft! For what? Jinwook isn’t twenty anymore…”
“Depends; I can’t really tell the difference whether he’s twenty or forty.”
Parents sure see their kids as eternally immature, and it seems my mom thinks the same goes for us.
While enjoying the family gossip along with some corporate talk, the topic eventually shifted.
“Anyway, it seems the eldest brother will inherit the group, right?”
“Is that what you think? Why?”
“Isn’t it basic that the firstborn inherits? It’s a way to keep the family from squabbling.”
“Really?”
“I’ve heard that all the executives are leaning towards giving things to the eldest brother.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle internally.
In the past, I cared so much about who would inherit the Daeyang Group.
I’m actually talking about this in front of my mom…
But right now, I don’t care at all.
Honestly, I couldn’t care less who runs some subcontracting company under the Administration Bureau.
“Well, I don’t think skills will be a problem.”
At least in this area, I can confidently say that hasn’t changed.
“Of course not. What about my Shanghai project tanking? Ha! If you combine all the failed businesses from the eldest brother—”
“Yeah, I think the same way.”
“At the very least, he tanked at least 200 billion won—wait, what?”
“I actually think you’re the best among my children.”
I was stunned for a moment.
It felt like this compliment was more than just a mere flattery.
It’s not unusual.
My mother has definitely favored me in front of my siblings and even Dad.
Of course, I’ve felt it often, and sometimes it was a bit overwhelming.
“… Ahem. Mom, thanks, but isn’t that a bit too much favoritism?”
Keeping my smile, Mom responded with unmatched seriousness.
“It’s not favoritism. I’ve given equal love to all my children.”
“Huh?”
“It’s just that you’ve become the vessel.”
This conversation felt a little burdensome since it might upset my brother or sister.
Even if I think about how I’m a hotel participant now, being the ‘most successful child’ doesn’t feel wrong!
At that moment, Mom brought up something religious.
“You know, in Buddhism, it’s said that a person’s fate is tied to the cycle of reincarnation.”
“Yeah, that’s what they say.”
In a Christian household, it’s natural for conversations to flow smoothly into biblical discussions.
A Buddhist household isn’t much different; instead of biblical verses, they simply refer to Buddhist teachings.
“An ordinary life can never escape the cycle of suffering. You, your siblings, and even your father… none are exceptions.”
“True.”
“Rest is momentary, but suffering lasts long. Happiness is merely a contrast to emphasize the pain of hell.”
In the past, I would’ve merely joined my palms and recited whatever Buddhist wisdom I sort of half-remembered.
But it felt off this time around.
Thanks to my experiences in the hotel, the concept of ‘Buddha’ felt starkly different from before.
Then, my mother smiled and asked,
“How can we break the endless cycle of suffering?”
“Uh, well, you’re supposed to achieve enlightenment, right?”
Achieving enlightenment means being permanently freed from both bodily suffering and mental anguish.
That’s not far from being the ultimate goal in Buddhism.
“Then which realm offers the easiest path to enlightenment within the cycle of reincarnation?”
The cycle of reincarnation.
A boundless cycle that those who haven’t achieved enlightenment suffer through for eternity.
Heavens, Humans, Demigods, Animals, Hungry Ghosts, and Hell.
“Humans, I guess.”
“Why is that?”
“Because those who are overly happy don’t think about their troubles, making it hard to achieve enlightenment. Thus, humans, who balance pain and happiness, provide the best environment for achieving enlightenment. At least, that’s what I remember learning.”
“Do you believe that?”
“Well, to be honest, isn’t that just what those who wrote the teachings said because they were human?”
Am I not just saying something random at this point?
The idea that because humans wrote the teachings, it must be favorable to them.
“Oh.”
Then it hit me; my words might sound offensive to religious people right now.
Since my belief in Buddhism had faded while going through the hotel, perhaps I unintentionally spoke in a skeptical tone.
“Oh, please just take that as a joke. I didn’t—”
“It’s not entirely wrong.”
“Huh?”
“It could really be a thing to live a life easier or harder for achieving enlightenment.”
“Is that so?”
“Have you never thought about this?”
That next topic was something I had never considered once in my life.
“Isn’t there someone born to easily walk the path of enlightenment?”
“That’s a pretty unique thought. Just what kind of person is that?”
Mom smiled brightly and took my hand.
“Someone born from very meticulous craftsmanship, perhaps.”
“Huh?”
“Created through extreme effort and precise processes.”
It genuinely felt like we were having quite the peculiar conversation.
On the surface, it seemed like we were just sharing the mundane stress from work along with some religious banter…
But somehow, it felt like we were touching on an entirely different level.
Maybe that’s why?
The last words she spoke felt extremely strange.
“I love all of you. Even the greed and envy deep within your heart….”
In that instant, an incomprehensible vision flickered by.
A memory I had long forgotten.
There was a moment when I desperately wished for something to the heavens.
Greed, envy, and a yearning for wealth.
—
‘This scenario is just like…’
‘Like what?’
‘It feels as if a prisoner is trying to awaken the lady’s wishes.’
‘…’
‘Do you think it’s necessary for the progression? Though, we don’t know if the prisoner’s desired progress aligns with what we want… oh?’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘No, suddenly what is this!’
—
– Yu Songee
Late at night.
After wandering around the city with Ahri until late, I finally returned home.
Considering I wasn’t in touch until this hour, I really had no excuse if my parents got mad.
So, were my plans to just accept their scolding, then?
What else can I do? Get chewed out!
When Mom starts yelling, I’ll just keep my head down and take it!
That was the plan until I actually saw my parents.
“Songyi, you’re late tonight?”
“…”
“Coming back at 10:40 without any notice is too much! Next time, at least give us a call. Got it?”
“…”
“Yoo Songee! Aren’t you going to respond?”
“… I’m sorry.”
Feeling the chilly night air coming in through the open front door, I realized one thing.
In this house, there was only one real ‘human’.
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