Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Hayang Loves Chocolate!
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One guestbook entry left by some kind person.
Thanks to that, I mustered even more strength and kept updating the strategy guide alongside Han Yuseol.
In truth, even calling it an update had its limits.
For starters, we couldn't enter Collapse Gates or higher.
Even Han Yuseol would have to risk her life soloing those.
With her protecting me while fighting alone, the risk was just too high.
According to her, they were barely manageable as solos even before.
She said my buffs and orders made clears plenty feasible.
But she didn't want to take unnecessary risks, so we had no choice but to give up on them.
Still, the gates below that level were more than enough for the two of us.
Before we knew it, we were diving into producing Volume 2 of the strategy guide.
Thanks to you, I hard-carried an Erosion Gate today ㅠㅠ May good fortune come your way!
"Heh heh, another comment."
And from that day on, the gradually shifting reactions from people made me even prouder.
Bad comments in the replies had all but vanished.
Most were now just reviews, like how they'd read my strategy guide and come back safely.
"Master, about dinner... Ah, you're reading the comments, I see."
"Heh, yep. Look at this, Yuseol. Good comments outnumber the bad now! Seems like everyone's using it well."
I showed her the recent comments like they were medals of honor.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"It's the result of Master's hard work."
"No way, you worked just as hard, Yuseol."
"True enough. Then let's call it the fruit of our shared efforts."
"Ung hihit."
Right, right.
Our shared achievement.
That's the super important point!
Underline it big time!
"Then, since you've worked so hard lately, how about a little outing?"
"An outing?"
"Yes. I found a spot with chocolate lattes you love. More precisely, hot chocolate."
"Gasp, a hot chocolate hotspot...!"
She found an amazing place like that?!
Yuseol always thinks of me first!
Just hearing about it has my feet itching to run.
"Slurp...! L-Let's go! I'll wash up quick and be right out!"
"Very well. But you must brush your teeth first."
"I-I'm not a kid. I know that much!"
How'd she know?
I was gonna skip it since we're just having chocolate lattes anyway.
But hey, we're going out.
Bad breath would be rude to others.
Gotta brush properly.
"So fun, so fun. Chocolate latte fun~!"
A little hum slipped out as I sat in the passenger seat, swinging my legs excitedly.
"Hee hee, you seem thrilled."
"Of course! It's a chocolate latte spot you recommended, Yuseol. But how'd you find it?"
"A quick internet search turned it up. Since you love chocolate lattes so much, I wanted to treat you like a reward."
"Aha."
Even stuff like that shows up on searches.
I mostly watch Mityube or anime instead of searching.
And even then, it's just cat videos of them rolling around.
"Speaking of, Master, you've been watching a lot of cat videos lately... Want to get one?"
"Huh? Uh, how'd you know?"
"Hard not to notice when you gaze at them so fondly every day."
"Uwuu..."
Did I watch that much?
Felt like just a casual amount.
Even today, only about ten.
"Not sure. I do want one, but Grandma said life's not something to raise lightly."
"What a wonderful grandma. Wise words."
"Right? So I'm torn. Wonder if I could even take good care of one..."
I even watched prep videos out of curiosity.
But the more I saw, the harder it looked.
Litter training, all the supplies needed.
Vaccinations, best food choices.
Worried if I could handle it all.
"No pressure, but if that's your concern, leave it to me."
"Huh? To you, Yuseol?"
"Yes. Back in middle school, I raised a cat. It crossed the rainbow bridge early, but I handled all the training."
"Wow, impressive. But your parents didn't?"
Don't adults usually do that?
I tilted my head, and Han Yuseol's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Embarrassing, but I threw such a tantrum they relented. Condition was I handle all the cat duties."
"Hee hee, strict parents."
"Yes. Though Dad ended up loving it once we got the cat—fed it treats and meals."
"Saw that in videos! Like, 'Dads' reactions before and after getting a cat.'"
Griping about why get one before.
Then playing with it the most after.
Tons of those videos.
I don't have a dad or cat, so I didn't know.
But it's real!
We chattered on about cats for ages.
Then the car slowed, pulling into a parking lot.
"We're here, Master. Hop out."
"Yesss."
Hop—
I opened the door.
And jumped onto the low block right in front.
Yass, nailed it.
Feels so good when you land it.
No one's scoring it or anything.
Still, that landing was super clean.
So I struck a cool pose, arms straight up.
"My, that's cool."
"Eek?!"
A lady passing the lot clapped for me.
Uuu, embarrassing.
But ignoring would be rude.
I bowed my head in thanks.
Squeeze—
"...Master? What's up?"
"Uwuu, nothing."
Then Han Yuseol came around the car.
I toddled over, hid behind her, grabbed her sleeve.
She looked down, puzzled.
I played... what was it?
Mukbak? Rock-paper-scissors?
Whatever, I did it.
Ah, talking mukbak makes me crave it.
Grandma sometimes got acorn jelly from neighbors.
Made killer mukbak bowls.
"Yuseol, mukbak for dinner tonight?"
"Sure, sounds good, but... mukbak out of nowhere?"
Yuseol's on board.
Sweet! Dinner's mukbak tonight!
With dinner settled early.
We headed into the building next to the lot.
The shop wasn't huge.
Way smaller than that cafe with Jeong Yujin before.
But plenty of customers inside.
"Wow, popular spot."
"Heard weekends have real waits."
"What's a wait?"
"Simply put, lines mean it's that popular."
Whoa, really?
Not even a restaurant, just a cafe.
Her words pumped me up more.
"Welcome. Need help ordering?"
"Yes. One doppio and one hot chocolate, please."
"Doppio and hot chocolate. Yes, 30,000 won. Any desserts or extras?"
At the question, Han Yuseol eyed me.
My gaze had already locked on the showcase by the counter.
Hmm, what to pick.
All look delish. Tough choice.
"Any recommendations?"
She asked for me, and the staff kindly pointed to the chocolate cake upfront.
"Ah, our chocolate cake sells best. We drizzle extra rich chocolate on top."
"Gasp! Ch-Chocolate... on top?!"
Chocolate cake with more chocolate?
Obvious homerun!
Who dreamed up that genius idea?
Award them now! Chocolate Nobel!
"Then chocolate cake too..."
"Yes, with that, 20,000 won total. Hot chocolate's ready next door—wait a sec?"
We moved aside per her guide.
There was a big cutting board thing.
Piles of huge chocolate bars beside it.
They put whole bars in hot chocolate?
Nah, too big for cups.
Curious, another staffer approached.
Our eyes met; she smiled warmly.
Slice—slice—
Plopped a big bar on the board.
Started chopping with a chef's knife.
"Eek?!"
While I gawked.
She brought the hot chocolate cup.
Dumped in a handful of those fresh slices.
Gasp.
Raw chocolate on hot chocolate.
Is this heaven?
Are they angels?
Chocolate angels maybe?
"Cake coming right up."
"Yesss."
Didn't stop there.
Plated a slice pretty.
Grabbed a ladle, dipped in melted chocolate.
Splish—splish—
Drizzled it wildly over the cake.
Raw on drink wasn't enough.
Melted on cake too.
Pure sugary paradise.
Bliss just watching.
"Here's your drinks and cake. Enjoy."
"Waa...! Thank you."
Bowed to take the tray.
Something slipped between me and staff.
"Hayang, let unnie hold it."
"Eh? Oh, uh, sure."
Her gentle voice left me dazed a sec.
Oh right.
We're outside now.
Her sudden name-drop caught me off guard.
Toddled to an empty table first.
She followed, set the tray down.
Sweet scent wafted over.
"Hee hee, looks yummy..."
Wait, thanks first.
To Han Yuseol for this heaven trip.
"Yuseol, thanks. I'll eat well."
"Yuseol?"
"Eh?"
Uh oh?
Calling her Yuseol outside?
Corner spot anyway, no one hears.
"It's fine. Quiet corner..."
"Fine?"
"Y-Yuseol, eat up."
"Yuseol? Eat up?"
"...Let's eat quick, unnie."
"Yeah, Hayang. Dig in."
...Whatever.
Just go with it.
She wouldn't mean harm.
Nyam.
Eating delicious chocolate cake temporarily reduces cognitive ability.
My brain's mush.
"Unnie, cake's super yummy! Try some. Ahh~!"
"Sh-Should I? Since Hayang's feeding me."
Heh heh.