Shopping Mayhem and the Purple Gate

"Hehehe... so soft and smells nice."

"So the salesgirl was like, 'Oh my, it suits you so well~ You have to try it on~' and that's how I bought it, right?"

"Y-yeah. She was a woman... ehehe... sh-she had a good eye. Not many people recognize this super-genius frail beauty, you know?"

"Ah. Jeon Eunbyeol?"

"Eh, ehh? S-sudden full name?"

"You hear 'pushover' a lot, don't you?"

"N-no way! A-are you slandering me? Slander, right? Yeah? C-can I kill you?"

"You won't get the recipe if you kill me."

"A-ah, that's... I-I was gonna leave it to you in my will-"

"-Yeah, I'd burn it all."

"Kii, kiiiiek! Ker-rup-grrrk!"

"You only listen when I talk sense."

‘……’

Seol Garam stared ahead with her eyes wide as saucers. She was certain. In all her years, she'd never met anyone this crazy... no, this weird.

"Hehehe, eheh, s-so... this is it? Skillra right away?"

"...How the hell did you even process that? Seol Garam, say hi. This crazy bitch... I mean, Jeon Eunbyeol."

"...W-weren't you about to say something rude just now?"

"Not at all~"

Seol Garam suddenly thought Choi Siwoo was impressive. She'd sensed he wasn't ordinary from their ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠first meeting, but he exceeded expectations.

Seol Garam had always considered herself not quite normal. Her empathy was subtly off, making conversations with others feel mismatched. She'd even seriously wondered, Is this a disorder? and borrowed the neighbor's Wi-Fi to search Knowledge-In.

But the woman in front of her took it to another level. She was so peculiar that Seol Garam couldn't help thinking, Did she escape from a mental hospital?

Meanwhile, Jeon Eunbyeol extended her hand toward Seol Garam.

"N-nice to meet you. Ehehe..."

"N-nice to meet you."

"Hehe, drop the formalities. Ah, but I'm a polite-speech character, so I won't. Th-this is my turn-on point, right?"

"Ah, y-yeah... uh-huh..."

They shook hands. It would've been fine if it ended there, but for some reason, Jeon Eunbyeol wouldn't let go of Seol Garam's hand for a long time. No... it might sound weird, but the movement of her hand felt lewd.

"Jeon... Eunbyeol...?"

"Hehehe, t-touching the top beauty... ehehe... s-so soft. Th-this is the feel of a young female?"

"!!!"

Seol Garam felt chills crawling up her arm. She yanked her hand away, and the other woman smacked her lips regretfully.

‘...D-dangerous person.’

In the end, Choi Siwoo sighed and intervened.

"Alright, enough. As you know, we're here to gear up for the dungeon tonight."

"G-gear, nice... Um, Seol Garam?"

"Yeah? Oh, no, yeah."

"Why gym clothes...? We'll change before entering, but... it doesn't suit you. And..."

Jeon Eunbyeol pointed at the small cloth pouch in Seol Garam's hand.

"Wh-what's that?"

"Ah... th-that's..."

Seol Garam fidgeted with her fingers. Embarrassment welled up in her chest, making her hesitate.

"...N-no other clothes but uniform... And this is nothing. Just daily essentials... since it'll be a few hours."

At her mumbling excuse, Jeon Eunbyeol's lips curled into a... pervert-like smile.

"...Ah, aha... so that's your character?"

"Huh?"

"N-not bad. Cool beauty mixed with hidden dere... you know your stuff."

"Uh... yeah?"

Seol Garam had no idea what she was talking about. Whatever, Jeon Eunbyeol giggled and spun around.

She pulled a shiny gold card from her pouch. With luxury brands and sunglasses... she looked like a nouveau riche who'd just struck it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rich.

"Uhihi... leave this place to me, Jeon Eunbyeol."

* * *

"Oh my~ Miss, this looks so pretty on you."

"R-really...?"

Seol Garam looked flustered at the female clerk's praise. A fluttering short dress paired with jeans that accentuated her legs. For someone who only wore uniforms or gym clothes, she couldn't tell if it was honest flattery or truth.

"Y-yeah, it looks... good. Right?"

"Eunbyeol's fine. Hehe... yeah, it suits you perfectly. H-honestly, the original's so cheat-level that even rags would look good."

"I-is that so..."

Seol Garam glanced at Choi Siwoo, who stood with his hands behind his back, looking bored and impatient, like when will this end?

Their eyes met. He flustered a bit, muttered "Mm..." and scratched his head.

"Well, it suits you. Looks pretty."

"...!"

Seol Garam unconsciously smiled. She secretly checked the price tag while vowing inside, away from the two.

And gasped.

‘...Gasp.’

Too... expensive. H-how much is this?

‘N-newspaper delivery... 490 issues?!’

She swallowed hard. She wasn't broke, of course. Choi Siwoo had given her a huge prepaid sum full of zeros.

But...

‘...Gotta send to parents...’

After hesitating, Seol Garam sighed inwardly. Sorry to the two who'd made time to help pick it out, but she had to refuse.

"Th-then I'll wear it out. No need to pay, right?"

"Yes, miss."

"Yeah... huh?"

Seol Garam panicked. She'd meant to change, but it was already done somehow.

"N-next corner, quick. Time's short..."

"B-but the payment..."

"Don't sweat the small stuff, Seol Garam. Oh, don't misunderstand. Not charity... I just wanted to dress you up... ehehe..."

"......"

Seol Garam hesitated. This made her feel like too much of a burden.

As she pondered, a thick hand rested on her head. The familiar calluses brought instant comfort with its warmth.

"Choi Siwoo...?"

"Just take it. You wouldn't know since it's your first time, but she's tense in her own way."

"...Tense?"

Choi Siwoo glanced at Jeon Eunbyeol walking ahead.

"That girl's got no friends. Even with me, it's business partner vibes... so she's embarrassed. Wants to get close to you but doesn't know how. Something like that."

"......"

"Sure, outwardly... hell, inwardly too... she's kinda crazy, honestly pretty nuts... but deep down, she's a good person."

Choi Siwoo smiled gently at Seol Garam.

"So take care of her in the dungeon."

"......Yeah."

* * *

30 minutes later, cosmetics store.

"Th-this... light tone... suits Seol Garam perfectly. Hehe."

"R-really?"

"Yes, hehe. S-sit still. I'll apply it. Uhihi, hehe... ch-cheek... so soft. Like a doll. Uhehehe-nak!"

"......"

50 minutes later, nail salon.

"Y-yeah, felt it when I touched... hands so delicate. N-nails pretty too... ehehehe... hehe... c-can I lick once?"

"...N-no. S-sorry."

"I-see. Too bad. Then toenails..."

"That's even more no!"

The shopping continued. Soon, the thick paper bags exceeded ten.

Choi Siwoo, silently carrying them, finally grumbled.

"How long are we playing tourist? If we miss entry today, it's on you."

"S-such... i-impatient male. Females need time and prep to beautify... fine. Th-then to there?"

"Yes, please let's go."

Seol Garam looked puzzled at their exchange.

"There...?"

"Remember what I said first? Here for gear. Got a skilled craftsman."

Moments later, the trio stopped at a rundown hardware store.

Seol Garam wondered. Really, this collapsing place has skills...?

Whatever, Choi Siwoo bellowed.

"Owner! You here?!"

After a minute, a rough-looking middle-aged man emerged. Short under 140cm, muscled body hinted at mixed beastkin blood.

"...Who're you?"

"Here for gear."

The owner eyed them, frowned, and waved dismissively.

"Don't sell murder tools to wet-behind-the-ears brats. Shop elsewhere."

Choi Siwoo pulled a bag from his pocket. Thud! On the table. The turning owner stopped.

"...What. Threatening me?"

"Nah."

He revealed a glistening liquor bottle.

"N-no way, that?"

"Valentine's Ice Strawberry Wine. Homemade premium. Any boozer knows it."

"...Gulp."

The owner stared hungrily.

"One sip... hand over a few warehouse items?"

"...Hmph. No haggle..."

"Of course. I'll add more. Just drink up and enjoy, sir."

"This kid knows his stuff!"

Soon after satisfying shopping, Choi Siwoo handed gear to the two.

"Garam, spear and greaves for you. Jeon, that alchemy kit you sang about. Solid condition, outperforms factory crap. But still C-grade max, so don't abuse."

Seol Garam flinched at his words. First time ever. Besides Dad, a man calling her by name.

‘Ugh... bu... waa...’

Her face flushed red. Her limited knowledge said only 'lovers' used names.

Steamy thoughts swirled, steam practically rising from her head.

"...Why the sudden face, Seol Garam?"

"...N-nothing... nothing."

"H-hey, why 'Jeon' for me...?"

"Jeon Eunbyeol's too long."

"C-call me Eunbyeol then!"

"...For real?"

"For real!"

Choi Siwoo grimaced like his guts twisted. Enraged at the dry-heaving attitude, Jeon Eunbyeol lunged with a shriek.

Thus, the two girls and one guy's date(?) quietly concluded.

* * *

"...Wow."

Seol Garam stared at the photo in her hand. It captured the dolled-up trio.

Awkward-faced Seol Garam with cat ears. Lecherous, drooling Jeon Eunbyeol with puppy ears. Lastly, Choi Siwoo with reluctant face and bunny ears.

Proof of friendship to anyone. Seol Garam's heart swelled.

‘Shouldn't feel this...’

She was hired help. Paid, so kill emotions, fight coldly rational.

But today... was too fun. First opposite-sex and same-sex friends.

An indescribable fluffy feeling lifted her to the clouds. No suppressing it.

So she decided to record it. For later viewing.

‘Post on Insta...’

Her barren network space finally had something to brag. Precious memories with friends.

To never forget, she uploaded the photo from her phone.

The two watched her quietly.

"She looks happy."

"Y-yeah."

"Thanks for playing along."

"N-no biggie. I offered... good girl, Garam is..."

"Anyway, entry time now... aren't we late?"

The darkening sky showed the moon. She'd thought hotel stay and go tomorrow.

"Hehe... y-you still don't get it, Choi. That I'm a super-genius frail beauty... th-thought you'd calculated this too?"

"Then...?"

"F-follow me."

Leading Jeon Eunbyeol stopped at a shop.

"...The first clothing store?"

"Uhihi. F-oreshadowing from the start."

Inside, Jeon Eunbyeol met eyes with the first clerk.

"D-departing. Open the door."

"Yes, miss."

The clerk snapped at the trio. Alien mana enveloped them, but no resistance.

A ripple, and they teleported elsewhere.

A purple-glowing circular structure ahead. Distinct shape: warp gate for sure.

"Space-type unique ability?"

Jeon Eunbyeol turned with 'uhihi'.

"M-my clan's underling. Clan-owned shop, naturally."

Seol Garam let out a small sigh.

"That's why no payment earlier..."

"Yes, hehe! Bonus, 'miss' not 'customer' was foreshadowing-"

"-Jeon? Not curious, let's go."

"Kie ki-rurup! Kirurup-eol! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Y-you'll be cursed someday!!"

* * *

5 minutes later. Armed trio nodded at each other.

Choi Siwoo led, hand on sword hilt at waist.

"Entering then."

"Yeah."

"Uhelhel... let's go."

Soon, light enveloped them, and they vanished completely.