Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Tteokbokki
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“Ughhh...”
A pathetic groan leaked out from my lips.
“My back...”
As I barely managed to prop myself up, every muscle and joint in my body creaked and popped like they were going on strike.
The aftereffects of mana depletion and physical exhaustion were finally hitting me all at once.
I rolled my stiff neck and glanced to the side.
“Kuuu...”
“Snooore...”
Curled up beside the bed were two familiar lumps tangled together.
Tikhe lay sprawled out like a starfish, dead to the world, while Kitty clung flat to her stomach, breathing softly in and out.
We must have really pushed ourselves yesterday.
“Wh-what... time is it?”
I rubbed my crusty eyes and looked toward the window.
Red light was seeping through the gap in the curtains.
Morning?
No, that didn't feel right. It was sunset.
I fumbled for my phone on the nightstand.
[7:02 PM]
“...Wow.”
I let out a dry chuckle.
“Slept for twelve hours straight.”
No wonder I was starving.
Even after being out cold for half a day, my body still throbbed like I'd been beaten to a pulp.
I flopped back onto the bed with a deep sigh.
“First things first... gotta order some food.”
With practiced fingers, I opened the delivery app and ordered tteokbokki.
The second I hit pay, I instinctively pulled up the Tower Gallery.
...Things must be blowing up by now.
“Yup.”
I'd expected it, but the heat was beyond imagination. The front page was plastered with posts about me.
[Breaking) 10th Floor #1 Ranking: 330k Points LMAOOOO]
Yo, #2's score isn't even in the same digit count. Bug or what?
Blancism) Blanc is a god. Proof attached.
Dawn Guild Master got fed up watching the entrance and pulled out lololol
Trying to guess Blanc's identity rn.
Poll) Blanc vs Vance
[Info) Association and guilds teaming up to expand surveillance all the way to local dungeon entrances]
The gallery was in full festival mode.
Reactions ranged from shock at the overwhelming 330k score, suspicions of hacks or bugs, to worship from the 'Blancism' cultists...
I snickered, scrolling through with satisfaction. But my finger froze mid-scroll.
The content was straightforward.
To track down Blanc, they were expanding the surveillance net from the capital region to dungeon entrances in major provincial cities.
“Hmm...”
My brows furrowed.
This place won't be safe much longer.
With the capital watch failing, they were widening the net entirely.
As I glared at my phone screen with a serious look...
“Fwoo—”
A hot, sticky puff of breath suddenly blew into my ear.
“Eek?!”
I flinched and whipped my head around.
Tikhe had woken up at some point and was resting her chin on her hand, staring at me.
“Wh-what the heck? You scared me!”
“When did you wake up, honey? You could've nudged me awake while I was sleeping.”
Tikhe pouted. I chuckled and shot back.
“I just got up too. Hungry?”
“Totally.”
“You said you wanted tteokbokki last time. Ordered some—should be here soon.”
“Really? Hehe, thanks, honey. You actually remembered.”
Tikhe leaned deeper into my shoulder, pleased. Soft warmth and a faint scent wafted over, but I kept my eyes glued to my phone.
“What're you looking at, anyway?”
“Oh, just that they're expanding surveillance to the provinces too. Guess nowhere's safe anymore...”
I was reading an article about the three major guild masters personally overseeing the watch.
The screen showed photos of the three guild masters lined up, each radiating intimidation.
Tikhe peered closely and snorted.
“Hmph...”
I was scanning the faces myself when...
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Our questions burst out in unison. Our eyes met.
“You first.”
“Why you?”
A beat of silence. Tikhe grinned mischievously.
“You go first, honey. I asked first.”
“Tch.”
I chuckled dryly and tapped the face of Park Si-hoo on the screen.
“Remember that gear I sold from the 5th floor?”
“Yeah, the greatsword or whatever.”
“This guy bought it.”
I pointed to the sharp-featured man in the photo.
“You said it was some big shot, but... Shadow Guild Master? No way.”
He hadn't hidden his identity or lowballed the price, but realizing post-sale that he was a heavyweight left me feeling oddly shortchanged.
“But how do you know him?”
Tikhe blinked in disbelief at my question.
“We saw him while escaping yesterday.”
“...Saw him?”
I had to double-take. Things had been too chaotic to notice faces.
“Distance was a bit far, so maybe you missed him.”
Tikhe shrugged nonchalantly, driving the point home.
“That was him, eyes blazing at the entrance yesterday.”
“...What?”
My jaw dropped.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang at the perfect comedic timing.
My stomach rumbled in response.
Grrrowl.
“Alright, let's talk over food.”
Unpacking released a spicy-sweet aroma that filled the room.
Bright red sauce, crispy fritters.
“Ooh... look at that color.”
Tikhe swallowed hard.
“Here, say ahh.”
“Ahhhm!”
Tikhe chewed the tteok, then her eyes went wide.
“So good! It's spicy but keeps pulling you back in!”
True— no girl hates tteokbokki.
Watching her stuff her cheeks made me grin.
Kitty popped out from under the table, drawn by the smell.
It dove nose-first into the plate, licking up sauce without a care for the heat.
I popped a piece into my mouth too.
!!!
My brows shot up.
...What? Why's it this good?
Back when I was a guy, it was just food if it was there, skipped if not.
Been a while? No, the umami exploding on my tongue was insane.
Was it always this delicious?
Long time no eat? Or... did my tastes change with my body?
Whatever the reason, I couldn't stop shoveling it in.
We demolished the tteokbokki and fritters in silence for a while.
“Slurp— haa—! Spicy! But I can't stop!”
Tikhe and Kitty stuck out their tongues, chugging milk but never dropping their chopsticks.
As the battle wound down, Tikhe wiped sauce from her mouth and asked.
“...So, honey. What now?”
“Hm?”
“Surveillance is ramping up. Can't keep sneaking around like stray cats forever.”
She nailed it.
I chewed a leftover fritter.
“Mm...”
Chewing another fritter, I racked my brain.
“For now... mix it up with Stealth, and if that fails... uh...”
No sharp ideas.
Then Tikhe set down her chopsticks, face turning serious.
“How about reaching out to this guy?”
She jabbed her chopsticks at Park Si-hoo on the screen.
“Huh?”
I paused mid-bite, blinking blankly.
“Reach out?”
“Exactly. Get his cooperation.”
I shook my head dubiously.
“Eh... dunno. I just wanna live quietly...”
“That's why I'm saying—a top-three guild master might actually make things easier for you.”
Tikhe waved her chopsticks frustratedly.
Her mouth was smeared with red sauce like a badge of honor.
Discussing politics and deals with such a straight face, but looking like a messy kid—it was hilarious.
“You're worried about staying unregistered, free, and anonymous, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“Negotiate with that as leverage. They're the ones desperate for you. Given the buzz, they'd probably agree.”
Tikhe had a point—convincing, even.
“Association's too bureaucratic, small guilds lack pull to cover you. He's just right.”
An S-rank guild master could handle identity laundering or anonymity no sweat.
Tikhe turned confidently.
“Right, Kitty?”
She poked its side for agreement, but Kitty ignored her.
Crunch.
It was laser-focused on gnawing a fritter bigger than its face, gripping it with both paws like a beast.
Tikhe smacked her lips awkwardly.
“...Anyway, that's my take.”
I propped my chin, silent.
Take the risk under a 'super client' umbrella, per Tikhe? Or stay a lone wild wolf, tired as it was.
“You make a good case, but...”
Still uneasy.
“Lemme think a bit more. Too scary to decide right now.”
“Fair enough.”
Tikhe shrugged, no pressure.
“Tell me whenever. Your call.”
She coolly dunked a fritter in the leftover sauce and ate.
Post-tteokbokki, the three of us lay sprawled on the living room floor like corpses.
“Ah... gotta clean up...”
Fifth time saying it.
Carbs on a weary body felt like multiplied gravity.
Didn't wanna move a finger.
“So...”
Tikhe drawled lazily, melted into the floor like cheese.
“What's next? Hit the 11th floor?”
“Ah... gotta eventually...”
My voice trailed gooily. Food coma waves eroded my brain.
“Eh... take a break? We've been grinding hard.”
“Yeah... whatever you want, honey...”
Tikhe mumbled, eyes drifting shut.
Kitty was already off to dreamland beside us, steady breaths like a lullaby.
I eased my eyelids down. Tension melted away.
“Yeah... lay off the Tower for a bit...”
Good eats, deep rest, recharge.
Right as I fully relaxed...
Zing.
A chill raced up my spine, hair standing on end.
Instinctual dread.
“...!”
I snapped my eyes open and bolted upright.
“Hm? What's wrong, honey...”
Tikhe barely lifted an eyelid at my jerk.
I stared into space wordlessly; she struggled up and scooted closer.
“Why the sudden pallor...”
Her gaze followed mine.
Her eyes widened.
[99:59:50]
[99:59:49]
There it was.
In the corner of my vision, blood-red text burned clear.
Seconds ticked down relentlessly.
“That... the timer?”
Tikhe asked stiffly. I nodded blankly.
“Ha...”
Unbelievable.
The moment I decided to rest? Timing too perfect.
Wait...
Goosebumps. What if...
It appears when I try to stop climbing?
The system wouldn't even let me rest.