“Southern King, can I know what the bet between you and Northern King is?” I turned my gaze back to Southern King.
“It’s not really a bet, just a riddle left for us by the Grim Reaper.”
“What riddle?”
Southern King paused and looked directly into my eyes, his gaze profound.
I felt a bit nervous looking at him. What riddle? Does it have anything to do with me? I really don’t want to get involved in any trouble again…
“You—” I had just uttered one word when Southern King stopped.
What about me?!
“Your eyes are beautiful.” He smiled lightly, leaving those words behind as he continued on.
I was speechless. Since I already knew that there was a bet between them, why hide anything from me?
I touched my eyes. Beautiful? These lazy eyes like a cat's.
…
“Die, die, die!” A man missing his right arm but still quite robust caught my attention.
“What is he doing?!” I exclaimed as I saw him repeatedly stomping on a frail woman.
“Stop.” Northern King pulled me back as I rushed forward.
"Didn't you see what he was doing?!" I tried to shake off his hand, but I didn't have the strength.
"So what if I did?" He spoke with an air of indifference.
"This is your territory, aren't you going to do something about it?!"
"Let's go." He said this while pulling me along.
It was hard for me to stay calm; why wouldn't he help that woman?
"Put away your compassion. This is hell, and everything that happens here has its reasons."
"Are you saying that woman deserves to be humiliated like that?!"
Northern King frowned at me for a moment, then let go of my hand and continued on his way.
"He’s not wrong," Southern King spoke up.
"You agree with what he did?"
"Yes, if it were my territory, I would make the same choice."
"Why? Isn't that woman a victim? Shouldn't we help her?"
"I need to emphasize again that this is hell, a place where all beings face their punishments. The debts she owes must be repaid here."
"What debts? I don't understand!"
"Hey, have you ever done anything wrong?"
"Yes, of course."
"So you will come here in the future and will also be punished."
I was taken aback. Live here? I looked around; it seemed too painful...
"Haha, I'm just joking. Are you scared?" Southern King laughed.
"What?! You're joking!" I said angrily.
"No, I was just teasing you. You won't come here to be punished, such a kind girl." Southern King patted my head.
I pushed his hand away, feeling a bit embarrassed. Am I really kind? The changes I've gone through have been so great that sometimes I wonder if I'm no longer the person I used to be...
"Only people like them would come here." Was he referring to those we encountered on the road earlier?
"Then what about you and Northern King? Aren't you both here?"
"Sigh, we are the most miserable ones; we are worse off than them." Southern King's tone sounded somewhat joking, but it felt different.
"Is it painful?" I asked.
Southern King froze for a moment, then took my hand and placed it on his chest, saying, "Inside here, it hurts every day. I don't know how to describe it to you, but it really hurts."
"Is it an injury?"
Southern King shook his head and said, "This is the price of becoming a king."
I didn't ask further. I didn't understand; if it hurt so much, why continue? Is there no way to escape?
"Ha ha, you're still a little girl."
"It's okay, if you can't bear to watch, just close your eyes. I'll lead you."
"But sooner or later, you have to face it, right?" Southern King said with a smile.
I looked at him in confusion.
"In the future, you'll bring more people here..." he said, reaching out to touch my left eye.
I was instantly shocked. How did he know—Hell's Eye?
"Is this the reason you are looking for me?" My voice trembled.
"Don't be afraid; you might be overthinking it, little girl."
"Then how do you know?"
"Go meet the Grim Reaper. Once you find him, you'll know everything you want to know," Southern King whispered in my ear.
It felt like I was being tempted—go meet the Grim Reaper...
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