Going on Vacation (2)
Shin-nim has no interest in humans as a species. She doesn't particularly like them, nor does she hate them. If I had to define it, it's something like benevolent indifference? But she shows a lot of interest in things humans make—entertainment, toys, that sort of stuff.
[GTY 6 when's it out?]
"That's been delayed for a while now, I think."
[When's SilkSong coming?]
"Dunno?"
[Kyaaaaang!]
Shin-nim consumes content at an insane pace. Not with magic or anything—just pure dedication. Excluding sleep and chat time, everything goes into entertainment, so of course. Her interests shift frequently, too.
[Wanna go on a cruise.]
"Hm... how much?"
[Like xxxx million won or so!]
"No way."
[Why not?!]
A luxury cruise was one of those fleeting obsessions. Thousands gone just to board, then tens of thousands more for every breath you take. Naturally, I shot it down. How's a salaryman supposed to afford that?
[Wanna go on a cruise!]
"No."
[Let's go play in the Pacific! Bermuda too!]
"I said no."
[Waaah!]
I figured Shin-nim would move on to something else soon. She usually did. But this time, it dragged on, and I had no choice but to nod.
"Fine. Then I'll go do some side work."
[What.]
A regular salaryman's pay couldn't cover it. But I'm no regular salaryman. I'm a Saga-rank ability user called a living weapon, a walking power plant. Block a few national disasters, and I'd rake in billions in rewards, easy.
[No side jobs. Ever.]
"Why not?"
[You'll attract girls. Stay home.]
"???"
For some reason, Shin-nim shot down my offer. And after that, no more cruise talk. Or so I thought...
"Never imagined I'd actually see this for real."
I stared at the cruise ticket in my hand. A luxury cruise ticket, and not just any—special class. I'd looked into it a few times thanks to her nagging, so I knew.
"What the heck is that lady thinking."
Honestly, it felt off. How'd she know what I checked out? And handing over something this pricey for free? Like taking a shady bribe.
[Hehe.]
"You like it?"
[Of course! That human's growing on me.]
"Ugh."
But what could I do? She liked it so much. I'd have refused if it was just me, but I decided to accept Yeon Un-il's bribe this once.
...Especially after my exploits at the Ma Tower. This was nothing.
'Maybe squeeze some cash from Ma Tower.'
Come to think of it, I had plenty of options without side gigs. The Shaman Association, Ma Tower—no-brainer. If they had any conscience, they'd pay at least my bounty. Minimum.
A week passed. The ticket had no expiration, but sadly, Shin-nim's patience wasn't infinite.
[Hubby. When's vacation?]
[Wanna ride the cruise so bad.]
[Departs next Monday. Returns in three weeks.]
"...."
With the ticket in hand, Shin-nim was pushing hard. If it was just her, I'd brush it off, but our other housemate was giving me the eyes too.
[Cruise... looks fun...]
"Even you, Go-seo?!"
[No... just saying...]
Go-seo had started talking at some point. She and Shin-nim clashed often, but they were teaming up this time. Three under one roof, two in agreement. Delay too long, and who knows what chaos. So I got serious about prepping the trip.
"How much vacation do I have left?"
"You've never taken any... about a month?"
I had plenty of leave. But as a company man, taking it in weeks drew side-eye. So I decided to clear work early.
"Can I knock out tasks ahead?"
"Huh? Of course."
Got the boss's okay. Then I put my Saga-rank powers to the most trivial use.
"...."
[Fighting! You got this!]
—Vroomvroomvroom!!
Eyes that needed no blinking, typing over 1,000 keystrokes a minute, stamina that never flagged. I dialed it back to human levels, but my work speed was still off the charts.
"I'll be off on vacation."
"Y-yeah, go ahead."
After grinding a solid week, I filed for three weeks off. Work done in advance, naturally.
"Let's pack. Anything you need?"
[Gaming console. Comics. Snacks.]
[Books... books... books...]
"Not that stuff, you weirdos."
The day before departure, we packed. The cruise provided most things, so not much for me. Shin-nim and Go-seo, though? Mountains.
"Whoa... what a sight."
[Subtle...]
[...]
Two trunks packed—not normal stuff. One crammed with entertainment gadgets, the other stacked with books. My gear? One bag.
"Let's head out."
[Sailing time!]
[Oh...]
Night passed, and on sailing day, we three headed to Busan where the ship waited. Usually you'd stay overnight, but...
"Wastes vacation time, right?"
[Real talk.]
Didn't wanna burn an extra day. Busan wasn't far anyway. I drove at a brisk pace, then midway Shin-nim got antsy and folded space. Incheon to Busan: 30 minutes flat.
"Do we really need the cruise? Can't we just swim the Pacific..."
[Shh. Ruins the vibe?]
Chatting idly, we boarded. Show ticket, ID check—done. Thought it'd be like family trips with lines, but surprisingly quick.
"Room's huge."
[Ooh!]
[Bookshelf too...]
Special class perks? Skipped lines, personal escort. Even got welcome drinks—tasty.
"Just chill like this?"
[Dunno?]
[I'll read...]
As we lounged, the horn blared and the ship set sail. Cleaving waves toward open sea, cityscape fading.
"Food's good too."
[Meh.]
[So-so...]
After a bit, breakfast arrived—staff served it tableside. Pricey, but worth it. Shin-nim and Go-seo don't eat normal food, but they used taste-sharing magic this time. They downplayed it, but seemed satisfied.
[What's next?]
[I'll read...]
"Confiscating books. Why come if you're just gonna read at home?"
[Hing.]
Post-breakfast, bored, we rolled around on the bed. Normals would tour the ship, but we're homebodies through and through.
"Let's go."
[Tour time!]
[Ugh...]
I hated wasting money, Shin-nim was pumped—different motives, same result. We dragged floppy Go-seo outside.
Once out... we wandered. Aimless laps, checking facilities, people-watching.
"Ravi de te rencontrer, mon ami. Un verre?" (Nice to meet you, friend. Drink?)
"Désolé, mais je vais passer." (Sorry, I'll pass.)
Cruise ship, so lots of foreigners. Outgoing types chatted me up; I politely declined. Wanted to ease in day one.
[Ooh. Cool cool.]
"Foreign languages? I do deep sea too, no biggie."
(Picked up languages accidentally. A few foreign dramas, and boom—memorized. Otherworldly brain, I guess.)
"Sea air hits different."
[Home of all life.]
[I hate it...]
[Quiet, weirdo.]
Lapped the ship, then deck chairs. Me in one, slab and book on the table. Casual chat—with soundproofing, of course. No psycho muttering.
"Aura feels familiar."
[Soothes body and soul.]
[Good reading spot...]
Mid-ocean vibe? Lungs felt clearer. Never noticed on land. Guess I need an island house later. Or deep sea—magic would make it easy.
"Hm?"
Relaxing, then—a weird voice whispered past my ear. Too far for details, but clearly...
"O God..."
Odd sound. Spread senses—no one there. Could chase, but...
[Worth it?]
[Ignore...]
"Yeah, figured."
No need to sweat it here. This was the sea. Come at me—if you're ready.