Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: One Glass for Reflecting Myriad Stars, Another for...
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One glass for Reflecting Myriad Stars, another glass for...
How many people in the world have set up a private retreat on the summit of their own little mountain?
Even among those drowning in money, probably no one but Yoo Euisul would build such an inefficient setup.
Where does the water come from?
How do they generate electricity?
Who's doing the maintenance?
How do they handle the trash?
Water tanks, generators, sewage treatment, and so on.
Even a rough estimate shows it's a headache of problems, but Yoo Euisul somehow pulled it off and created this rest spot on the mountaintop.
Truly befitting someone who hates people.
In a place like this, she'd never have to worry about running into anyone else.
Well, she did say I'm the first person she's ever invited here.
I feel honored, in my own way.
Though just thinking about the construction process makes my head spin.
I think I get why Yoo Euisul chose a mountaintop for this spot.
Lounging on the sofa, I shared my honest impression with her.
"It's nice."
"I went to all that trouble to build this place, and that's all you have to say?"
"No, I was just summarizing my feelings as best I could. I figured you wouldn't like long-winded talk. If I went all out, I could praise it for over an hour. Want me to?"
"No."
See? She hates long talks.
Efficiency aside.
This retreat was fantastic, no two ways about it.
No matter how small the mountain, a mountain is a mountain.
With the rest spot right at the summit, the stunning Seoul skyline unfolded before my eyes.
It was twilight, the sun dipping low in the sky.
As I mentioned, it was an absolutely perfect day.
I found myself gaping, drinking in the picturesque view of Seoul like it was a masterpiece painting.
A cool breeze blew, enough to feel a slight chill.
But this retreat was fully equipped with heating—the central fireplace warmed me right up.
Watching me sink into the sofa, Yoo Euisul wore a satisfied smile.
I'd probably puff up with pride too if I showed a guest a place like this.
A quick glance.
I suddenly looked over at Yoo Euisul.
Surprising.
I'd pegged her as a hardcore pragmatist.
But this—this place.
It's the ultimate in sentimental extravagance, practicality be damned.
People really shouldn't be judged by appearances.
So, shall we have a drink?
Even I, who doesn't love booze, would welcome some here.
"But I'm not a big fan of soju."
"I don't stock that stuff either. Got beer and whiskey. What'll it be?"
I once saw a post: 'People without friends hate soju but love whiskey or beer.'
Fits her to a T.
Yoo Euisul likes whiskey and beer too.
Yeah, chugging soju alone feels kinda pathetic.
Sipping whiskey solo? Classy.
Especially for someone as loaded as Yoo Euisul—whiskey over soju makes sense.
Beer or whiskey?
Decision's obvious.
"The expensive whiskey, right?"
"It's not cheap."
"Then we have to go for the good stuff."
I doubt I'll ever buy expensive whiskey on my own dime, so might as well savor it now.
Yoo Euisul said she'd prep some whiskey-friendly snacks and started cooking out of nowhere.
My stomach was rumbling anyway, so I'm all for it, but I didn't expect a full meal too.
Damn, Yoo Euisul's got that womanly charm.
Rich, beautiful, and a great cook.
Fix that personality, and she'd be married in a flash.
...Not gonna happen, though?
She hates people from the get-go, so personality overhaul is pointless.
Whatever. She treats me great, so it's not my place to meddle.
Soon, Yoo Euisul started bringing out finished dishes to the table.
Grilled beef, spicy shrimp, even a salad.
Drooling, I grabbed a fork right away.
"I'll dig in—"
"Don't eat yet. I haven't poured the drinks."
Oh right, the booze.
Stopping me, Yoo Euisul pointed to her display case and told me to pick whatever caught my eye.
"I don't know which one's expensive."
"Don't be a snob obsessing over price tags. Just grab something."
"That one then. Black label, 18 years. Yamazaki? Whatever, the one with Japanese writing."
"Good eye. Of all things, you pick that."
"Why? Over 500,000 won?"
"Nothing here is under 500,000 won."
"Whaaat?"
"Price aside, the one you picked is rare as hell. Nice choice anyway."
First thought after hearing the price?
'Should've just said beer.'
Now I feel awkward about it.
Yoo Euisul popped the cork without a second thought, dropped big ice cubes into two glasses, poured, and handed one to me.
Sniff sniff.
As expected from pricey stuff—the aroma was heavenly.
Strong alcohol bite, but not harsh like soju; a subtle oak scent that lingered impressively.
Clink.
We toasted, and I tossed the whiskey back.
And then.
"Gweh-e-e-e-ehk..."
"What the hell now?"
"It burns my throat!"
"Chug whiskey like that, and yeah, it'll burn. So, not good?"
"No, it's freaking delicious."
I like whiskey.
Maybe because it's expensive, or maybe the Seoul view alone is the perfect chaser.
Burns going down, but it goes smooth.
Yoo Euisul's snacks exceeded expectations too.
Two chunks of beef, two shrimp.
Screw manners—I inhaled them.
Good call ditching the stream to come here.
Refreshing outside like this every now and then ain't bad.
Watching me devour whiskey and snacks,
suddenly,
Yoo Euisul got serious and asked,
"Hey."
Nom nom.
"Yeah?"
"What's your dream?"
Chomp, munch munch.
"Dream? Out of nowhere?"
"...Finish chewing first."
Chomp.
Nom nom.
Gulp.
Her sudden question gave me pause.
My dream?
Hmm.
Well.
"Don't have one. Never really thought about it."
"Then what's your goal right now?"
"No real goals... If I had to pick, make the streams blow up, handle Anomalous Phenomena solidly, and win more favor from Reflecting Myriad Stars. Something like that."
"That's not a goal. That's just pledging to keep following your god's forced duties."
"Kinda... But it's not wrong, right? If I slack on duties, I get scrapped."
"You don't feel wronged by that?"
"Hell yeah, I do."
Think about it.
Quietly watching Ayase's stream in my room.
Then forced gender and race swap, free will stripped away.
Who wouldn't feel screwed?
To Yoo Euisul, whose personality demands doing whatever she wants, my passive following of Reflecting Myriad Stars must look frustrating as hell.
So what?
What can I do?
I tossed back more whiskey and continued.
"That's why they say giving up is easier. I decided to devote myself to Reflecting Myriad Stars for life—stress-free. Not bad at all. Yeah, actually pretty good."
Not empty words—dead serious.
Free will got taken when I became a Fervent Devotee.
But I've gained plenty too.
Chatted with Ayase.
Made bank.
Got a place.
A reliable... friend? Sorta.
Compared to pre-Devotee life, only free will's gone—everything else got way better.
And that too,
"must be Reflecting Myriad Stars's grace. No joke, for real."
"..."
From info I've gathered on items and Anomalous Phenomena,
the so-called 'Great Beings' aren't exactly friendly to mortals.
Others are obvious, but even Reflecting Myriad Stars seems merciless to non-humans.
During that last Anomalous Phenomenon,
she mercilessly smote the Distorted Constellation's Fervent Devotee, 'Anum - Jihad'.
That massive eye exploded right in front of me—brutal payback for blasphemy.
Probably killed Anum - Jihad's true body too.
Meanwhile,
look at what Reflecting Myriad Stars demands of me.
One Anomalous Phenomenon and item wiki per month.
Stream hard.
That's it.
Blaspheme the god? A few headbutts to the ground, and punishment's over.
If that's not grace, what is?
So, bottom line.
"I like Reflecting Myriad Stars. No real complaints."
"...I see."
"Yeah. More drinks?"
I downed the rest of my whiskey.
Damn.
Already gone.
500,000 won vanished in 30 minutes.
More whiskey would be too greedy.
"Beer now. Beer."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'm drunk.
"I'm not drunk yet... hic."
No, anyone could see I was smashed.
Being a Fervent Devotee doesn't make my liver invincible, apparently.
Still, not passing out yet proved Lee Jia could hold her liquor pretty well.
Lee Jia pounded drinks like there was no tomorrow, and Yoo Euisul didn't stop her overindulgence.
Simple reason.
She wanted to get Lee Jia blackout drunk and draw out her true feelings.
Nothing beats booze for uncovering the heart.
Even if Lee Jia was a non-human Fervent Devotee.
With alcohol's power, even a Devotee would spill the truth.
Yoo Euisul figured Lee Jia was forcing herself to act fine, cheerful, happy.
Reasonable suspicion.
Bearing those heavy duties while staying sane was miraculous.
Yoo Euisul agreed the duties from Reflecting Myriad Stars weren't that tough.
But difficulty wasn't the point—free will was.
Offer a slave freedom instead of brain-melting torment—who'd refuse?
Freedom is humanity's most primal desire.
No freedom, no happiness.
So if Lee Jia truly wanted freedom, Yoo Euisul was willing to help however.
That's why she got her drunk to probe her heart.
Unfortunately,
Lee Jia was a Fervent Devotee, not human.
"Kuh-h-h... Beer tastes like shit, total shit! This must be Reflecting Myriad Stars's grace too..."
Even stripped of freedom, she seemed genuinely content.
Pure madness.
The picture of a fanatic.
What could anyone do?
No will to resist from her—no point pushing from outside.
Yoo Euisul just hoped
this god called Reflecting Myriad Stars
wasn't as bad as Lee Jia claimed.
...Anyway, this girl's
hitting her limit.
Alcohol-fueled, Lee Jia's posture crumbled.
For the first time in her life, Yoo Euisul faced the crisis of caring for a properly wasted dog.