Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: That's a Bad Habit. Don't Scratch Too Much.
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"Can I stay over tonight?"
As soon as the words left my mouth, Ja-an and Han Ye-seo's gazes crossed over me.
Their heads turned almost simultaneously.
Han Ye-seo glanced at Ja-an for a moment, then stayed silent.
Ja-an quickly scanned Han Ye-seo's apartment.
"Doesn't look like there's only one bed?"
"It's a big bed."
I immediately countered Ja-an's words.
A large bed big enough for two to sleep comfortably— if we made some space somehow, three could manage.
I had zero intention of heading back to the dorm tonight, and the safest spot was right next to the protagonist.
I had no idea how long the principal would wait for me in my dorm, but it was probably best to get through tonight at least.
'Gonna have to ask Ja-an or Ye-seo to escort me back when I do.'
Inviting them over to my place would be the quickest way.
We went to your house yesterday, so let's hang at my dorm today—something like that to convince them.
The principal was crazy enough to slice a student's throat, but would he really camp out in my dorm for two whole days?
'That's why I'm dragging these two along, just in case.'
Hoo.
I took a deep breath.
"Think we could squeeze all three of us in there?"
I said, pointing at the bed.
Neither could hide their fluster.
I'd love it if they thought we were close enough to share a bed just four weeks into the semester...
'Yeah, not that easy.'
Ja-an casually raised his hand.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"Huh?"
"Can't share a bed with girls, right? And I can't be comfy while making you two sleep on the floor."
"...Yeah, fair."
"I've got a sleeping bag anyway."
Sleeping bag?
Where?
He pulled out part of a sleeping bag from his cloak to show me.
"...Dude, what all do you have stuffed in there, and how much?"
Han Ye-seo asked, sounding utterly incredulous.
Ja-an scratched his head and averted his eyes.
Even he thought it was a bit much.
A-grade relic.
Just like A-grade was the pinnacle for heroes, the same went for relics—A-grade was the highest tier.
Top-grade relics were precious in their very existence, but after negotiations among the ability users, ownership went to the discoverer or the one who took down the monster.
Meant Ja-an had contributed to subjugating a near-A-grade monster on the front lines in a support role.
'Obviously not solo, but probably the highest contributor?'
The current Ja-an was unfinished in every sense.
I'd seen what the fully trained protagonist could do alone by the endgame.
Anyway, back to the point... the value of a single A-grade relic was insane.
Ja-an walking around was like carrying a whole Seoul apartment on him.
'That's why Ye-seo's reacting like that.'
Han Ye-seo spoke up.
"Give me that sleeping bag, and you two can take the bed. That's fine, right?"
"...Huh? What're you talking about?"
"I invited you guys over! Can't just leave my guests on the floor. I've got some pride, you know."
"Sure, but..."
Ja-an glanced at me.
His eyes asking if I was okay sharing with him.
Honestly, I didn't care.
Past me would've jumped at the chance to bunk with a beauty, but now that my lower half's partner was gone, I was in perfect sage mode.
No sex drive left.
Even if some beauty sidled up next to me now, I felt like I'd stay totally chill...
The total loser who trembled every time a girl talked to him? Long gone.
Even if Dana spoke to me, I'd be calm... nah, no way.
She just looks too much like a delinquent, and she's the prime suspect.
'Prime? More like confirmed.'
A month of quiet daily life, and my brain's gotten rusty.
No drive to actively use regression, nothing desperate about it.
Still wanted to get back to my original world, but not enough to kill others for it.
Stuck in the same spot, ultimately.
[ 2 / 400 ]
I needed eight more deaths, but I didn't want to kill anyone else, nor did I want to die myself.
Right back where I started.
"Ivy?"
Han Ye-seo's voice snapped me out of it.
Lately, I'd been spacing out.
Like walking through a dream, maybe.
"What's up all of a sudden? You zoned out."
"Just... tired."
"Yeah, it's getting late anyway."
Ja-an jumped into the conversation.
"So, what's the plan? I'm good either way."
"What were you guys even talking about...?"
"The bed. Deciding who's up top."
He looked at me with eyes full of worry.
Intensely burdensome gaze.
"Couldn't sleep last night."
"Yeah?"
"Laid in bed, couldn't drift off, so I chugged an energy drink. Lasted till 3 a.m...."
"Coffee at dinner, and more caffeine?"
"Tastes good."
They seemed to buy my excuse.
I sneaked a peek at Han Ye-seo.
She really seemed to be hoping I'd bunk with Ja-an.
Like she'd set the table, all I had to do was eat?
'...Pass.'
Sex drive or not, bunking with a guy just felt off.
Might as well share with a beauty over that. Right?
"I'll bunk with Ye-seo."
"Got it."
Ja-an didn't complain at all, pulling out his sleeping bag and laying it under the bed.
Han Ye-seo puffed out her cheeks.
Looked pretty pissed.
'Sorry, but I'll set my own table... not that I planned on one anyway.'
I headed for the bed.
Or tried to.
Han Ye-seo blocked my path.
"You! Planning to climb in with your outside clothes on?!"
"...Ah, sorry."
To Koreans, beds were sacred ground.
Even if ability users dropped from the sky, raised in Korea made them Korean enough.
Clear mistake on my part.
"Can't even do seasoned eggplant right, and now this? You sure you're not from out of town?"
"What's wrong with eggplant? Wait, out of town?"
"Your name's all foreign! Only chuuni middle schoolers name themselves in English! Me and Ja-an have proper Korean names."
Couldn't argue.
Not enough info to guess who Ivy Lane was before, but naming her regression skill Memento Mori in Latin? Not normal.
Middle schoolers think Latin sounds cool.
Get it, sort of.
I awkwardly scratched near my neck with a finger and replied.
"Just made it up on the spot..."
"Hmmm... really? Then why'd you explain the meaning last time?"
"Said it was about surviving tenaciously?"
"Yeah!"
"Liked ivy. Tenacious, green."
Her gaze shifted to my hand.
My wrist froze.
She grabbed it.
"Why?"
"Bad habit. Don't scratch so much."
"Ah, yeah..."
A little scab under my nail.
No wound on my neck now, so probably from scratching my wrist yesterday.
Slid my hand into my sleeve before she saw.
Han Ye-seo said,
"Anyway, I've got spare pajamas. Change into those."
"Got it... but will the size fit?"
"Chests are similar, hips too. Should be fine."
"I'm a bit bigger than you..."
"Hey!"
She yelled and huffed.
Hit her reverse scale.
Kinda cute.
She was about 10cm shorter than me, even fuming like that.
Like looking at a cousin sis.
"Sorry."
"I'll remember this grudge forever!"
"...I'll invite you to my dorm tomorrow. Call it even?"
"Mm, okay!"
"Wait, you accepted way too fast."
She grinned mischievously.
Ah, played.
"Pretended to be a little mad, and you invite me over right away. So predictable!"
"...Ugh."
"How's my acting?"
"Leading lady material."
Ja-an watched our banter and gave an awkward smile.
He was already tucked into his sleeping bag.
Han Ye-seo walked over to the bag, bent down, and zipped it fully over his face.
Only his voice came from the black bag.
Looked like a body bag.
"This is... kinda stuffy."
"Just stay like that while we change!"
"Ah, got it."
Then Han Ye-seo started stripping off her top.
I immediately covered my eyes with my remaining hand.
"...What're you doing?"
"First time seeing someone else's body."
"Embarrassed? We're both girls."
"Yeah."
"Pfft... cute! And you're taller than me!"
"Why bring up height now... still hung up on that?"
"Am not?"
Srrk.
The sound of fabric brushing skin.
...Kinda weird feeling.
A beauty undressing right in front of me, and zero arousal.
Nothing there to feel it.
I lowered my hand a bit.
"What? All calmed down already?"
"Wasn't excited to begin with..."
"Boring!"
Sigh...
I let out a big breath and started changing.
Han Ye-seo pulled something from the fridge.
A plastic bag with a few popcorn kernels.
"...What's that?"
"To watch you change."
"No, why do you even have popcorn at home."
"Brought leftovers from the theater."
Her mental health worried me more than mine. On drugs for real?
Well, I'm the druggie.
Ha.