The Third Summon and Heartfelt Gifts
I rested my hands on Gold Sun and Tteok Sun-i's heads, glaring silently at the system window.
Cooking Summon Lv. 3 (0.00%)
Cooking Summon has reached Level 3.
You can now summon a new Cooking Summon.
I read the final line over and over several times.
You can now summon a new Cooking Summon.
A new Cooking Summon? That would make this the third one, right?
Suddenly, Gapsu's words flashed through my mind.
"I'm worried that Lord Hura's third summon might be similar."
"What's wrong with the third summon?"
"The third summon is..."
Gapsu hesitated, as if he couldn't bring himself to say it, his mouth flapping silently before he clamped it shut.
"...Never mind. I'm afraid my words might jinx it. I'll hold my tongue."
"......?"
"In any case, it mustn't resemble that one."
"...."
"Absolutely, absolutely not."
Gapsu shook his head firmly, shuddering from head to toe as if the mere thought repulsed him.
...Looks like I need to be really careful choosing the third summon. I'll think about that later.
With my thoughts sorted, I closed the system window.
The scenery hidden behind it came into view. Far off stood Molrangkau.
She had helped load the wagons with the Cooking Summons earlier, but now she lingered alone by the wagon, staring blankly in my direction.
Her gaze flicked between the massive lollipops in the Cooking Summons' hands and me.
A great idea popped into my head, and I smirked.
Molrangkau. You've teased me plenty. Time for a little payback.
I beckoned her over with a flick of my fingers.
"Molrangkau. What're you doing over there?"
"...Huh? Oh, no, nothing?"
Molrangkau startled like someone caught dozing off.
"If you're done, come grab some water."
"Ah, sure..."
She approached cautiously and took the cup I offered. Her eyes remained glued to those giant lollipops.
"What? Thirsty or not?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
She gulped down the water, stealing glances at me with expectant eyes.
I can read you like a book, you know.
But I played dumb, feigning ignorance.
"Something on your mind?"
"...Nope."
"Then beat it."
"...."
Molrangkau stared longingly at the face-sized lollipops the others were devouring with relish, then finally asked,
"Candy. Got any for me?"
I answered flatly.
"Nope. No candy for you."
"Ah..."
Her bare white shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping to the ground.
Seeing her so deflated made me chuckle despite myself. Now she looked just like the usual tsundere Molrangkau.
"Hey, dummy. I said no candy, not no gift for you."
"...Huh?"
She looked up, eyes wide as saucers.
"You got something for me?"
I chuckled and pulled out the second item from Dapam.
"Here. Take it."
Her sullen expression vanished in an instant. She took the gift with sparkling eyes.
"What's... this?"
It was a small, squat box.
"Open it and see."
"Oh, right."
Molrangkau blinked vacantly a couple times before carefully opening the box.
"......!"
Her eyes went huge as she peered inside.
I watched her reaction with satisfaction.
"Ruby necklace. Reminded me of your eyes every time I saw it."
"Necklace."
Molrangkau murmured dazedly, staring at it. A silver chain with a ruby the size of an eyeball dangling from it. Even to my untrained eye, it looked sleek and beautiful.
I gave Dapam a thumbs-up from afar. Merchant's eye for quality, alright.
"...Ruby necklace."
She fiddled with it, murmuring blankly.
"Like it?"
"...."
She just stared at me intently.
...Is that a yes or a no?
"Your birthday's in July, right? Ruby's the birthstone for July—perfect match."
"...."
Still just staring.
...Does she hate it?
"Oh, wait—your hair, clothes, everything's so red. Bad color combo? I can swap it if you don't like it."
"N-no!"
As I reached to take it back, she snapped to and yanked the box to her chest. Then she gingerly took out the necklace and looped it around her neck.
"...How's it look?"
She glanced at me shyly.
"Does it suit me?"
Snow-white neck, ruby pendant—what else could I say? It was stunning. Like plum blossoms blooming in snow, Suljungmae. Even a gem noob like me thought, No wonder jewels cost a fortune.
But I'm not bold enough to spout poetry like that.
So I just smiled.
"Yeah, looks pretty."
Her face bloomed into a smile too.
"......!"
I was shocked. She could smile that brightly? Like a plum tree in full flower.
Snapping out of my daze, I called over Tteok Sun-i, who'd been watching.
"Tteok Sun-i."
"Yes?"
"Help her clasp it."
"Okay."
As Tteok Sun-i approached, Molrangkau shook her head.
She looked at me.
"You do it."
"...Me?"
"You."
Firm tone.
"...Fine."
I took the necklace and draped it around her neck. As I moved behind her, she gathered her red hair up with both hands.
While clasping it on her pale neck, a citrus scent tickled my nose.
"...Done."
She turned with a beaming smile.
"Thanks."
Suddenly itchy, I scratched my cheek.
"Hey, it's not that expensive. In a game, a necklace with no stats can't cost mu—"
I couldn't finish.
Because that citrus scent suddenly washed over me.
"......!"
I froze like a statue.
Molrangkau, who'd hugged me tight, released me. Seeing my frozen face, she grinned like a fox and bolted into the woods.
"Hahaha!"
I stared dumbly at her bunny-hopping into the forest.
Then muttered,
"...Come to think of it, she's back to banmal."
* * *
I bid Dapam farewell and returned to the Flame Palace.
Beda was still slurping ramen.
Jeil Hura, for once, was quietly boiling some.
"...Still eating?"
"Ah, Lord Hura. It's just that good."
Molrangkau headed underground to fetch Vesta, so I plopped down in an empty seat.
I handed Beda an envelope.
"Lord Beda, a gift."
He paused mid-slurp and looked at me.
"Pardon? A gift?"
"Nothing special. Just a thank-you. Take it easy."
Beda rustled open the envelope. Out came soft cloths, a whetstone, sword oil, etc.
"Oh, sword maintenance kit! Perfect timing—mine ran out."
"Glad to hear it."
"Thank you. I'll put it to good use."
"No biggie. Use it freely."
Moments later, Vesta emerged with Molrangkau.
"All prepared?"
"Yes."
I stood and replied.
Vesta glanced at Beda, then to me.
"Sorry, but outsiders can't come."
"Oh? But Lord Beda's not an outsider—he's a close comrade who saved my life."
"Rules are rules. Just you and Molrangkau."
"Ah..."
Beda smiled warmly.
"I'm fine. Go worry-free. I'll wait here."
"Then I'll leave Jeil Hura behind. Ask him for anything you crave—he'll handle most requests. Right?"
I glanced at Jeil Hura, who nodded obediently.
"Hm...?"
I tilted my head at his unusually meek demeanor.
What happened? Did Beda discipline him? Nah—neither of our personalities would make him this tame from a beating.
"Hmm..."
As I eyed him suspiciously, Vesta called,
"The road is long! What're you dawdling for?!"
"Coming!"
I bowed slightly to Beda.
"See you soon, Lord Beda. Village quests are popping—swing by if you're bored."
"Yes. Safe travels."
I patted Jeil Hura's shoulder.
"Play nice with Lord Beda."
"...Sure."
"?"
Something's off.
"Hey, what hap—"
"Hura! The road is long!"
"Right, coming!"
I glanced back at Jeil Hura a few times before heading to Vesta.
Gold Sun and Tteok Sun-i bowed politely to Beda and followed.
Vesta grumbled,
"Greetings taking all day?"
"It's not a big deal. Didn't take long."
"Hmph. Whatever."
She whipped around and strode north.
I hurried to her side.
"Lady Vesta."
"What."
"A gift."
She halted abruptly.
"...Pardon? A gift?"
"Yes. Cool sunglasses. Try 'em."
Vesta took them hesitantly and slipped them on.
She shyly brushed her hair behind her ear.
"W-what do you think?"
Tteok Sun-i, Gold Sun, and Molrangkau showered praise.
"So cool!"
"Totally sexy!"
"Suits you perfect, Lady Vesta."
"...."
Vesta removed them, eyes misty.
"Such a fine gift... it's been ages."
"Really? It's nothing much."
"That 'nothing much' means the world to me."
She gazed at the sunglasses in her hand.
"Hura... I've only raised the quest difficulty for you, given nothing good. Why gift me this?"
"What're you saying? You gave me the Phoenix Burner."
"That was promised anyway..."
She's got a cute side.
I chuckled and said to the mumbling, head-bowed Vesta,
"Why nitpick? I wanted to give it to you. Just wear it comfortably."
"...Thanks."
She donned the sunglasses and looked at me.
"Ptah was right. You really... take after Sulis."
"Do I?"
"You do."
She nodded a few times, then quickened her pace north, muttering softly.
"And... a total pro at this. You even copied that."
"Pardon? What?"
"Hurry up. My friend awaits."
"Ah, yes."
* * *
An hour out from the Flame Palace. We hadn't even reached the Ice Devil's Ice Wall yet.
The sun had set; it was cold enough for fur coats outside, but inside, warmth lingered.
My heart was still toasty.
"Heh heh heh..."
They loved such simple gifts. Makes me wanna give more.
Following Vesta, I thought of the other intended recipients.
Dahyun and Ichaera.
Tricky to deliver now. One's gone, the other's whereabouts unknown.
How to give them...
"...."
Oh, wait—they're both people I can meet outside.
Just hand it over next time.
...But should I give Ichaera one? She might overreact, read too much into it—kinda scary.
"Hm..."
Then give her something truly trivial. Like, "Picked it up on the way."
That should tone it down.
Hm... What for Dahyun, then?
Lost in thought, trekking the moonlit forest behind Vesta, a chime rang.
[Phone ringing]
Who could it be?
"Hello?"
-Customer-nim! Speak of the devil—even dogs come when called. Perfect timing.
It was Dahyun.