Chapter 106. Weekend (5)
"Samgyeopsal is 2,200 won per 100g, and pork shoulder is 2,100 won… Pork shoulder is a bit cheaper. I want samgyeopsal though… Hmm."
After meeting her little sister yesterday and spending on transportation, Nam Daeun only had 3,000 won left.
The academy did operate a free student cafeteria, but only on weekdays.
On weekends, students had to use the dorm cafeteria, which charged money.
Nam Daeun usually saved leftovers from the cafeteria in a bottle and kept them in the freezer to get by, but sometimes, she wanted to indulge a little.
"What do I do… If I eat this, I'll have no money next month."
She owed Lee Hoyeon around 10,000 won.
Nam Daeun's monthly allowance was around 50,000 won.
Her dignity funds were taken away under the excuse of her sister's hospital bills. When told, "The academy gives you meals, what do you need money for?" she gave up arguing.
Arguing never got her any extra money anyway.
"Ugh… Fine. I'll just mix some rice with water today."
There was a water dispenser in the dorm hallway, so mixing frozen rice with water made a decent enough meal.
Add some salt swiped from the cafeteria, and it's a delicacy.
"Sigh."
Nam Daeun put the meat back and turned around.
"Hey."
And standing there was Lee Hoyeon.
*
"Hey."
"…Uh!"
Nam Daeun's eyes widened in surprise, and she clammed up.
"Uh… sorry. I just wanted to say hi."
"…It's fine."
Nam Daeun placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath.
'She's gotten more expressive, huh.'
She still acted cold to others, but it seemed like she let her guard down around me.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 48 ]
- [ Lust: 15 ]
- [ Appetite: 85 ]
- [ Fatigue: 33 ]
Current Status: That scared me… Why'd you suddenly show up?
Thankfully, giving up first place raised her affection quite a bit.
This much is a win.
After the survival test ends, there'll be a festival and grades will be released—maybe her affection will go up then?
For now, it's enough to stay on friendly terms with Nam Daeun. It'll take time to fully conquer her anyway.
"You here to buy meat?"
"Just looking."
"Ah, I see."
I left Nam Daeun standing and went to check out the meat.
Since it wasn't a good environment for cooking… I chose smoked meat and ready-to-eat items.
If stored in the subspace bag, the shelf life gets extended even if not perfect.
'For a week… Should I buy like 20kg?'
I wasn't eating alone, so better to have extra.
I loaded the cart with nearly all the ready-to-eat meat I could find.
There was a lot of smoked duck and smoked samgyeopsal, so I just grabbed whatever I saw.
"Huh…?"
I heard Nam Daeun's surprised voice behind me.
Yeah, I guess it would be surprising to see someone buy this much.
I couldn't explain about the survival test starting tomorrow, so I just played it cool.
"I've got a pretty big appetite."
It did seem like a lot once I bought it, but better too much than not enough.
I grabbed some instant rice from the next aisle too.
Rice power is essential for Koreans.
"…I see."
She really believed that excuse just from seeing the camping gear? Or maybe she just decided to let it slide.
★ Heroine Status Window
[Nam Daeun]
- [ Affection: 48 ]
- [ Lust: 15 ]
- [ Appetite: 85 ]
- [ Fatigue: 33 ]
Current Status: I'm sure he has his reasons.
So she's letting it go. That's nice of her.
Come to think of it, Nam Daeun's appetite is 85. If it's anything like Lust, that must mean she's really hungry.
Has she not eaten all day?
"Did you have lunch? Wanna grab something at the food court together? My treat."
Thinking of her holding that 2,000 won pack of meat made me soft.
Having a meal together might not get me closer to conquering her, but I could at least treat her.
"It's fine."
"We're friends. Friends can eat together, right?"
"…I guess?"
She seemed a bit hesitant, so I used the word "friend" to ease the pressure.
Hunger beats pride, after all.
"Yeah. There's something I wanted to ask too."
There was a question that's been bugging me since the 1v1 duel finals.
Nam Daeun followed me with a curious expression.
The camping gear and food ended up costing over a million won.
Didn't expect the tent to be that expensive. Maybe it's because it's a one-touch auto tent.
I also bought pointless stuff like gas masks, so I went over budget, but it wasn't a big deal.
Nam Daeun silently watched me pay from behind.
*
"It's really fine…"
"I'm hungry, so let's eat a lot."
We ordered everything—pizza, chicken, even baked goods stuffed with meat.
Nam Daeun said she was fine, but her status window's appetite didn't lie. I went all out.
"Thanks…"
The food came out quickly, and we sat down and started eating.
I was going to ask her something while we ate, but Nam Daeun was so into her food I couldn't interrupt.
Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.
Just a while ago she was saying she was fine, but now she couldn't stop eating.
'I'll just wait until she's done.'
I picked up a slice of pizza myself. Can't lose.
*
"That was good."
"It's nothing. Don't mention it."
In the end, the two of us finished off two pizzas and two baked goods cleanly.
The pizzas were so damn big that it was hard to move after finishing them, but Nam Daeun looked completely fine.
"By the way, did you get to see your little sister?"
I remembered her saying she was going to visit her sister.
She probably did, right? I hope nothing bad happened.
"I saw her yesterday. Come to think of it, didn't you say you had something to talk about?"
Buying her a meal made her a lot more agreeable. Still, she seemed a bit reluctant to talk about her sister. I guess showing me that call with her sister was just a rare moment.
Maybe I should take her to the Korean restaurant I went to with Moon Surin next time. That seemed to work well.
"Yeah, I do have something to talk about."
I'd been thinking about it. I could accept that she was hiding her power, but already knowing skills she shouldn't be able to use for another year? That didn't make sense.
If Nam Daeun had been hiding that much power, there's no way she would've lost to the original protagonist.
Because I'm already as strong as the original protagonist. So for a stronger, second-year version of Nam Daeun to lose? Impossible.
But in reality, Nam Daeun was hiding her strength.
So that leaves only one conclusion.
The second-year Nam Daeun in the original story and the current Nam Daeun are the same level.
"You haven't been training, have you?"
That's the conclusion I came to.
She probably rose to a high level at a young age because of insane talent, but realized there was no point in getting stronger.
After all, she was fated to become a tool of the guild. She probably figured there was no need to get stronger.
So she stopped training altogether. That's why she lost to the protagonist in her second year.
"…What are you talking about?"
Nam Daeun looked flustered at my sudden words.
"I don't know what's going on, but train hard. I'm going to be even stronger by the next test. I won't go easy on you next time."
Nam Daeun stops training after losing to the protagonist, until she's completely saved.
And even then, she's incredibly strong. If she starts getting stronger now, who knows what kind of result it'll bring?
That's how important this one year is.
"…Yeah. Next time, I'll fight fair and win. And I'll definitely repay you for what you did before."
Thankfully, Nam Daeun took my words positively.
I was worried she'd yell, "What do you know about me!" and storm off, but the meal must've made a big difference.
Instead of her usual blank look, she had a faint smile.
"It's fine. We're friends. I should get going. See you next time."
"Take care."
We cleaned up our table and left.
As she walked away, Nam Daeun looked a bit more energetic than before.
*
Back at the dorm, I started organizing the stuff I bought.
"Why'd you buy so much? Are you really going to eat all this alone?"
"If I can't finish it, I'll share."
Liliana came over, surprised by all the meat I bought.
"That samgyeopsal looks tasty. Can I have some?"
"…Sure. Let's put it in the fridge."
If Liliana wants some, I can spare one pack.
Since we usually ate delivery food, the fridge was practically empty.
Wait a sec—I'm going to be gone for a week. If food keeps getting delivered to my dorm while I'm away, it'll look suspicious.
The entire first-year dorm will be empty, so deliveries to just my room would definitely raise eyebrows.
"Liliana. Look at this and order it ahead of time."
"…? What is it?"
"Instant food. If you order now, it'll arrive by tomorrow morning. Since I won't be here, you can't order delivery to this dorm. Use this to get through the week."
"... Then take me with you too!"
Liliana's expression stiffened for a moment, then she shouted loudly.
"I said no."
"What are we, then! You bastard!"
"Why are you bringing up 'what we are'! I told you not to use that word!"
Hearing that makes me feel like some pathetic loser. It pisses me off.
"Anyway, when I get back, I'll hang out with you every day. Just wait for me."
"Really? Then I wanna go out when you're back."
"…Alright."
"Yay! Awesome!"
Seeing Liliana throwing her hands up in joy made me realize—I need to find us a place outside fast.
Luckily, once the festival starts, going out won't be a problem. There'll be too many people around.
A mask on her face should be enough to keep people from recognizing her. Or sunglasses.
If I protect her with the rune barrier, we won't have to worry about her unique hell magic being noticed.
"Take good care of the house, alright?"
"Got it."
I patted Liliana's head.
"But…"
"Hm?"
"Tonight… a week's worth…"
Blushing, Liliana clung to me.
"…."
I checked the time.
I had about three hours before my meeting with Surin Noona.
"Liliana. Let's settle two days' worth first."
"Huh? Mmph…"
Guess I'll have to wrap up dinner plans quickly tonight.
*
"I'll be back soon. Wait for me."
"Yesss… Master…"
Leaving Liliana panting on the bed, I headed to the meeting spot with Moon Surin.
Since I'd been here once, I wasn't flustered anymore.
"I'm with Moon Surin's party."
"Ah, Mr. Lee Hoyeon. Right this way."
When I entered the private room, Moon Surin greeted me.
"Hello, Surin Noona."
Thanks to the good memory of the delicious food last time, I sat down in a good mood.
"Welcome. I watched the 1v1 duel. You were so close."
Moon Surin smiled as she welcomed me.
"Eh, second place isn't bad."
"Hehe. True. The food will be out soon. But before we eat, let me show you the Millennial Ginseng."
Moon Surin placed a box from her side onto the table.
"Open it."
With a pounding heart, I opened the box.
"Whoa…"
Inside was a ginseng radiating a bluish mana glow.
"Thank you, Surin Noona. I'll put this to great use."
"No, it's thanks to you that my work got a lot easier. I'll definitely repay this debt."
"…?"
What did I even do?