Travel Preparations
"Nng!"
"Like it? You little shit?"
She definitely traveled everywhere with me across worlds, but in the fantasy realm especially, Nangkangi never hid her true form, strutting around bold as brass. The power of the statue I'd left her in the real world must be fading by now. The moment I returned to this fantasy world to convince my cuties, she popped up on my head and started yanking my hair every which way. It looked like Undine's influence was amplifying her identity as a spirit.
Is it because she's in the broad category of spirits, using me as a marker to zip in and out like that...?
I wanted her to love every world equally, since I'd be taking my cuties everywhere from now on—as my pet and daughter figure.
"No, wait. Does she just like it here because Undine's around?"
"Nng!"
"Yeah, yeah. Your shit's the thickest."
The second I mentioned Undine, Nangkangi nng-ed in agreement, hammering my scalp with her little legs like she'd confirmed my hunch. I felt it every time, but this brat was insufferably cheeky. Still, for a dragon to pierce through and let me sense her without magic took specs most couldn't dream of—and she did it effortlessly. I hadn't even watered her much, yet she grew like a cactus on her own. My lips curved into a fond smile.
"Heh. I get you're excited to see Mommy, but crash for now. It's dark out, and everyone's asleep."
I pointed at the window with a smirk, telling the hair-tugging Nangkangi to settle down. Only then did she freeze, realizing what time it was compared to our last world-hop.
We'd told everyone about heading to the empire with that Gonji-am guy... right after Gonji-am and I hit it off and planned the trip.
The cuties had gotten all hyped, whispering about girls' time away, leaving me to spend another lonely night. I couldn't hack that, so I'd dipped to another world. In this realm, that was recent. Maybe because this was my house, my turf, but spreading my senses instantly to check on Tier, Plang, and Daphne revealed life forces wriggling on the massive bed in the orgy room I'd prepped for the mansion's residents. I chuckled.
This world's folks must see the empire like a school trip—huddled together, buzzing too much to sleep.
"Fuck... how the hell do I even break this...?"
Cute or not, I'd come here to tell Tier's party the truth: ditch this barbaric fantasy shit for the superior real world. Plus, drop the bomb on Tier—who firmly believed she was the main wife—that she was basically just Daphne's equal as a concubine...
Laid out like that, it'd be a clusterfuck in a normal world. But in this patriarchal dump? Maybe it'd fly. My head tilted at the scummy thought.
"Plang and Daphne won't care much... just gotta baby Tier extra, yeah?"
Empire trip, soothe Tier, and check on Pinky slaving over hair growth serum for the increasingly balding principal. Every time I came here, shit just piled up—no time to clear the backlog.
"Boss! Letter for ya!"
"Huh? Letter? Don't think anyone's sending me... anyway, thanks."
"Yup!"
I'd risen early, killing time in the living room with tea Daphne brought. Then Tier bounded in like a newspaper-fetching dog, tail swishing, clutching mail from the mansion's box. She handed it over, then prowled around like she needed more to do. Every glance reminded me of the tragic reveal ahead—my legs twitched.
F-First, knock out what I came for, then spill. No need to harsh their vibe now.
Truth was, I was stalling like a deadbeat, figuring future-me would handle it. But anyone in my shoes would do the same—this limbo was pure bullshit. No point souring puppy mood first thing, so excuses flooded my brain. I nodded, ripping open the envelope.
Nothing beat new work to drown dilemmas.
The antique envelope—first I'd seen here—revealed paper ornate enough to rival cultural artifacts, scripted in elegant strokes.
"Griham? Oh, Gonji-am's the sender, got it."
Count's son lived up to the title—his cultured vibes from the status gap made my tongue hang out. Those flowing ink strokes? Felt like I was getting royally fucked somehow.
Barbaric medieval fuck...
Lips pursed in pathetic self-pity amid my clusterfuck life, I read on.
"What does it say?"
Daphne eyed me curiously, assuming it tied to the empire trip I'd mentioned with Griham—her eyes sparkled. Tier perked her ears, padding circles, feigning nonchalance. Plang—dragon-born sleepyhead—was still out, but her shit-tier talent meant no need to loop her in. Double-checking for surprises, I spoke slowly.
To the esteemed Berg,
I had hoped to accompany you to the Empire, but upon reporting our prior meeting, Father the Count has ordered my immediate return.
Your journey proceeds unchanged—likely without me. It has been scant time since we met; he knows not your disposition and fears missteps during your visit. Preparations for your arrival must precede, so I remain here in advance.
I have entrusted funds for travel expenses with Guild Master Haron—claim them as needed.
— Griham, son of Count Reinhardt
"Nothing big. Wanted to tag along to the empire, but after reporting our meet-up, the count yanked him back?"
"Eh? So... no empire trip?"
"Nah, we're still going—just us. Makes sense; we just met, he doesn't know my vibe, could fuck up at court... gotta prep the welcome anyway. Probably that."
Daphne's ears and Tier's tail perked cutely—I chuckled.
"Says grab cash from the guild master for expenses...? Hmm... gate fees?"
Head tilted, dredging fuzzy original game lore, Daphne shook her head gently.
"No. Adventurer cities lack transit gates originally. Griham must mean carriage costs. Recall your first arrival here?"
"Oh... right."
Daphne's eyes softened nostalgically, piecing it together. Tier, who'd escaped the village with her, chimed in, chattering excitedly.
Fuck, I woke up in the guild lobby... what memories?
90% NTR drive on Jeong Jae-kyung meant I'd skimmed plot, skipping side areas beyond this city. Plus, tower-climber mobile game—no main-zone exits planned. Head scratched awkwardly.
Didn't know? Opportunity's here, time too—experience it now.
Besides intro'ing Tier's party to Park Jisu, real issue was reality crumbling via Erosion or whatever. Nothing I could do now, and world-hopping nullified time limits. I shrugged leisurely.
"Mm... got tons of food, but solo trip means buying a carriage... shit adds up."
"Carriage!"
No gates, so cross-referencing the letter's vague count location with world map? Carriage near-mandatory. At "buy a carriage"—this era's car—their eyes lit up, swiveling to me. I snorted, standing.
"Wake Plang too. Time for some long-overdue shopping."