Chapter 51
Chapter 51
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Anomaly
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I stared down the docile-looking pink slime, beginning a staring contest.
What was this slime's body made of?
Of course, it couldn't be a real monster. No interface appeared.
The only weapon I was given to subdue this mysterious slime was a single spoon.
*Tap.* I lifted the spoon and gently poked the slime's body.
It smoothly twisted its body, avoiding the sharp edge of my spoon.
More resilient than I thought.
I gripped the spoon a little tighter and, channeling the very essence of swordsmanship, stabbed down as if to slice the slime in two.
*Plunge!*
"Oh."
It sank in with surprising ease. The creature's body quivered as if letting out a death cry. Like a predator sinking its teeth into the torso of its prey, I ravaged the slime's body with my spoon.
A piece of the slime's pink flesh rested on my spoon. I gulped and popped the morsel into my mouth.
"Woah...!"
I let out a gasp, my mouth still open.
The first taste was soft and creamy. The sweet scent of fruit exploded in my mouth like fireworks.
The slime slowly melted on my tongue, spreading the flavor of strawberries. It was as crisp and fresh as biting into a perfectly ripe strawberry.
*Nom, nom, nom.*
I worked my spoon relentlessly, scooping up the flesh of the miserably disfigured slime.
Chris watched me battle the slime with a smile.
"You really look like a kid trying pudding for the first time."
Chris's beaming gaze and Beimerung's subtly wavering one were fixed on me.
But I was too busy consuming the slime's flesh. My mind was entirely focused on savoring the sweetness that rushed to my head.
Sweet desserts, refreshing drinks. It was a pleasure I was experiencing for the first time in my life.
So food can make a person this happy.
I should eat sweet things once in a while.
Beimerung, who had been watching me with a slightly concerned look, spoke to Chris.
"Chris, if you feel full in virtual reality, are there cases where people skip actual meals?"
"Hmm, depending on the synchronization rate, it's not impossible. It's actually been a hot topic in some high-sync lifestyle VR metaverses. But your real body sends signals when it's low on energy if you don't eat, so people don't starve to death because of it. The capsules also have safety features that forcibly disconnect you based on your vitals."
Chris took a sip of her lemonade and continued.
"Even back in the PC gaming era before capsules, there were people who died after gaming for days and nights without sleep, right? But that didn't stop PCs and games from being sold because they were 'dangerous.' In the end, it's a human problem, not an issue with advancing technology."
"Hm."
Beimerung nodded at Chris's words.
Still, something seemed to be bothering her. She turned to me, still locked in my struggle with the pudding, and asked.
"Rain, are you eating well in the real world?"
She was having a nice conversation with Chris, so what was her intention in suddenly aiming her question at me?
With my mouth full of pudding, I stared blankly at Beimerung. Meeting my gaze, she suddenly giggled.
Why is she laughing? I just looked at her.
I swallowed the pudding in my mouth and spoke.
"I'm eating well."
"What do you usually eat?"
"Um, lately I've been eating a lot of pizza and chicken."
Beimerung's expression softened with relief.
Actually, I preferred pizza over chicken these days.
When chicken gets old, the meat becomes dry and hard, but if you microwave pizza just right, it tastes almost like it was just delivered. This meant it was good for eating over several days.
It was also cost-effective. One or two slices were enough to fill me up. A regular-sized pizza could last me three to four days.
*Gulp.* The last of the pudding vanished into my mouth, and Chris, who had just been watching me, smiled brightly.
"Rain, did you enjoy it?"
*Nod, nod.*
Today's cafe trip was very satisfying. I nodded and expressed my contentment with a small smile.
"Do we still have time? There's another place I want to go today."
"Yes."
I had decided to go along with whatever Chris wanted today.
The cafe was nice, so I was looking forward to the next place.
"Gasp...."
I broke out in a cold sweat as I looked around the shop.
There were flowing one-piece dresses, gothic lolita-style outfits, glamorous gowns, and even clothes that were little more than a few scraps of fabric, almost like underwear.
"Lots of pretty clothes, right? Your big sister Beimerung here thought of you the moment she saw this place, Rain!"
"This is another user-run cosmetic workshop. The prices are a bit high, but you can try on clothes designed by other players."
I took a small step back, shaking my head.
Of course, I liked collecting cosmetic items in games, but I had never worn such frilly clothes.
I preferred cool outfits befitting a swordsman.
Like the stylish Desert Admiral uniform, or the Orc Warrior outfit with a cape.
But everything sold here was for women.
Chris must have read the horror on my face, because she gave me a slightly worried look.
"Why? You don't like the clothes here?"
"N-No! They're great!"
I forced myself to deny it.
Chris had brought me here thinking of my love for cosmetics, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
I squinted, scanning the various outfits. Most of them were frilly skirts, but I did spot a few things I could wear without too much resistance.
"Right? Right? They're nice, huh? Rain, try this on first! Kyaa...! You'll look just like a doll!"
"Gasp...."
Before I could even pick an outfit, Chris pulled out a white one-piece dress and started holding it up to my body.
A 'Try On' button and an interface popped up in front of me. It seemed to be a system that let you try on clothes before buying them.
"Come on, come on, Rain! Try it on! *Huu, huu!* Is there a fitting room or something? Rain, want me to help you put it on?"
Chris was practically snorting as she looked around. Beimerung, watching her with a look of disgust, chided her.
"Chris... it's a game. You just press the button and it changes automatically. What exactly are you expecting?"
"Ah, r-right."
Chris licked her lips. I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed the 'Try On' button.
*Shwing.*
A frilly white one-piece dress appeared on my body. I could see Chris's and Beimerung's pupils dilate.
"Hah... Hah...!"
"Oh, my, my, my."
They suddenly covered their mouths and made strange noises.
"D-Does it look weird?"
*Shake, shake.* They both shook their heads at the same time.
Chris quickly came to my side, lowered her head to look me straight in the eye, her own eyes sparkling.
"Rain, why on earth do you only wear boyish clothes? I'll buy you everything here! You can just wear them in front of me, let's rotate through them every day!"
"Eek."
She'll buy all of this? And make me wear it?
I backed away from Chris a little, shaking my head.
"O-O-One is fine."
I frantically looked at the clothes around me. Spotting a decent-looking outfit, I pointed at it in a hurry.
"P-Please buy me that one! That one's okay!"
My finger was pointing at a white, hooded one-piece outfit.
In a shop full of frills, it seemed like the only thing I could possibly wear.
I scurried over and pressed the 'Try On' button, and the outfit instantly appeared on my body.
"Ah... Aah!"
"Keuk!"
It was just a one-piece outfit that looked like pajamas, so why did their reactions seem even more intense?
Chris approached me with a breathless expression and carefully reached out her hand.
She was touching something attached to the hood of the outfit I was wearing.
"C-Cat pajamas! It has ears, ears, ears!"
"Kyaa...! There's a tail too, Chris!"
Beimerung, who had come up behind me, was fiddling with the tail on the back of the outfit with an ecstatic look on her face.
"Gasp...."
I didn't know it had things like this attached!
"Ah, today was so much fun!"
"Playing in the city once in a while seems nice."
In the end, I had no choice but to accept the one-piece dress, the gothic lolita dress, and the cat pajamas that Chris bought for me.
She shoved the clothes into my inventory, with the condition that I wear them when I hung out with her.
"You said you were grateful to me, right? This is my request for today. You'll grant it, won't you?"
"Y-Yes."
Chris smiled brightly. Her smile made me feel better too.
If I could repay my debt to her like this, it wasn't a bad deal.
"We're going to start running the Aspero Fortress bus tomorrow. Are you free, Rain?"
*Nod, nod.*
This was the biggest reason I needed to maintain my relationship with Chris. I couldn't run the bus alone, so I had to borrow her strength.
We parted ways at the fountain in the square where we first met, promising to see each other tomorrow.
I waved until they were out of sight.
*
*Drip.*
As I sat up in the capsule, I quickly covered my nose to stop a sudden nosebleed.
My condition wasn't great to begin with, so I had planned to rest after meeting Chris, but my body immediately sent a warning signal.
I didn't even push myself today, so why is this happening? I feel like my body's been recovering slowly lately.
"Should I go to the hospital?"
I muttered quietly to myself.
The hospital.
I had spent a long time there when I first returned to the modern world. But after being discharged, I hadn't been anywhere near a hospital.
Just a few months ago, I didn't care what happened to my body, but lately, I've started to find joy in life.
In any case, 'Rain' on the Astria Continent can only exist if 'Iseulbi' in the real world is alive, so it wouldn't be good if this useless body of mine completely broke down.
But right now, when the bus fees are high, making money is the priority.
If the hospital requires tests and such, it would take up a lot of time. To make matters worse, if I had to be admitted, I wouldn't be able to earn any money at all.
I let out a light sigh.
"Haaah."
I'll run the bus for now, and visit the hospital when things are less busy.