Figuring Out the Activation Conditions
I'm good!
Skills: Phasing(A), Special Meal(SS), Good Job Today(S)
Yeah, that's my current status window, embarrassing as it is. Sure, it's better than right after I awakened—but without the Snail Husband-exclusive status window activated, the skills look flashy, but the raw stats are weaker than an E-Rank hunter.
From now on, I'm going to figure out how to activate that proper status window instead.
'First off, during quests.'
It activates then. Makes sense, since the quests are basically the Snail Bride stuff I know from the folktale.
'And my hypothesis...'
Before, I used the Special Meal skill even when I wasn't on a quest. It was with Han Choyeun. Back then, it was just active, so I casually planned to use it for every meal without thinking—but there must be conditions.
One of them is definite.
'During sex.'
It was active every time I had sex with Han Choyeun or Yoo Raen. But that alone doesn't explain when I've used Special Meal.
...So, broadening it a bit.
When I'm in physical contact with the quest target.
"That explains it."
Until now, Han Choyeun was always practically glued to me, and I wasn't paying attention, so I didn't notice exactly when the status window deactivates.
From here on, I'll have to test it directly.
I leaned back against the bed and picked up my phone.
I wasn't expecting an immediate reply. She's research staff, but still busy in the guild.
Ding!
"...What?"
But against expectations, a reply came right away.
"...?"
My eyebrow twitched up.
"...What's going on."
After a moment's thought, I got up from my spot.
"I can just go ask."
A short while later.
I stood in front of the familiar front door and pressed the bell.
Ding-dong—
Click.
The door opened, and light green hair filled my view.
"You're here?"
"...Yeah."
Her usual disheveled but alluring look greeted me.
"...No work today?"
At my question, Han Choyeun shrugged lightly.
"I quit the guild."
"...What? Suddenly?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah."
She said it so casually it threw me off even more.
"Why...?"
"Hmm..."
She pondered briefly, then continued nonchalantly.
"No real attachment, and with my current abilities, no reason to stay."
"..."
"Research roles still mean dealing with guild politics if you're affiliated. Too annoying."
"...Ah."
That made sense. Han Choyeun was now S-Rank, and after tons of sex with me, her stats had skyrocketed—excluding combat experience, she could rival most S-Rank hunters. No need to be tied to a mid-tier guild.
"...I see. Good for you."
With the situation clear, I got to the point.
"Remember what I mentioned before?"
"Huh?"
"About the two status windows."
"...Oh."
Han Choyeun paused as if recalling, then nodded. She looked at me intently.
"I want to check when it activates."
"...Check?"
"Yeah. Seems like there are conditions."
"...Hmm."
Han Choyeun tilted her head slightly.
"How?"
I chose my words carefully, then said shortly,
"Simple for starters."
"...?"
"Contact first."
I reached out toward her arm at her waist.
Tap.
Our hands touched.
"...!"
Her shoulder twitched ever so slightly.
"...Contact?"
"Yeah."
"...Uh, uhh..."
She trailed off, averting her gaze. I spotted the tips of her ears turning pink.
"...We've done everything already, but you're embarrassed about this?"
"...That's...!"
I couldn't resist poking at her cute reaction, but Han Choyeun glared indignantly.
"...That's different from this?!"
"...What's different."
"...It's different, so it's different!"
Her face flushed even more. I swallowed a chuckle and just watched her—
"...Shut up."
She grumbled softly but didn't pull away. If anything—
She gripped a little tighter.
"..."
I fiddled with her soft hand and glanced down.
Our touching hands.
And—
the status window.
"Hmm..."
No change.
...Not enough like this?
I glanced at Han Choyeun again.
"..."
Her face slightly red, eyes averted. Already done everything, yet shy here.
"...It's new."
"...What is."
"Nothing. Anyway..."
I stopped, then hugged the gaze-averting her.
"...Eek."
"......"
Startled by the sudden move, a squeak escaped her, but she didn't resist—instead clinging closer.
That was when.
"...Oh."
Skills: Phasing(A), Special Meal(SS), Good Job Today(S)
[Quest]
A surge of vitality flowed through my body naturally, confirming the status window had activated.
"Hnnng... haa..."
"Oh, it worked!"
"Suhp... uh, yeah?!"
...Han Choyeun, face red for some reason, looked up at me.
"Guess it needs more contact area."
"...Hnn... I, I like it..."
I ignored her nuzzling into my scent as best I could and pondered.
For surprise combats that could come anytime, should I train with these boosted stats?
Testing conditions while carrying around a dazed Han Choyeun, it seemed a tight arm-link was the threshold—but could I fight like this?
Wait for combat-related quest rewards?
...Or just.
Clear the quests that kill me if ignored anyway, wrap my people in S-Rank power.
Even I thought it was a shitty mindset, but the system forces me too, so I have excuses.
...Not that I hate it, so not many complaints.
Anyway.
My body's spec is enough to block ambushes, but buffing those around me is easier...
'But as a man, how can I just hide behind.'
I don't know how many, but no plans to shove women forward and cower.
Can't focus on one, but I love Han Choyeun and Yoo Raen at least.
With that in mind, I proposed to Han Choyeun.
"Noona. Any training facilities nearby? Quiet ones."
"Hnn...? Yeah, there are. But why?"
"...To protect you, gotta practice, right?"
...Ah, fuck. Regretted the cringe after saying it.
"...Heh, hehe. Wh-who's protecting who?"
"No..."
"Hee hee hehe..."
Grinning uncontrollably, teasing me eagerly. I barely continued.
"...With this state, honestly can't fight."
I said flatly.
"Stats spike great, but if the body can't keep up, pointless."
"Heh... Gonna protect me... pfft..."
"......"
"...Okay, got it. Wanna go now?"
This time, no Special Meal, just a simple bite before heading out.
...Wanted to see base state without buffs.
Definitely not sulking that she didn't make it.
A short while later, at the training facility.
Daytime, so even unpopular spots had quite a crowd.
People swinging weapons, testing skills, parties syncing moves.
"...More people than expected."
"Yeah. But this is fine! Totally empty ones are only at dawn or outskirts."
Han Choyeun shrugged.
"Deeper in, isolated rooms. Pay a bit, yours alone."
"...Nice. Better that way."
No need to draw eyes.
Sticking out now could cause headaches.
"This way."
Han Choyeun led confidently.
Quick payment at desk, guided inside.
...Gotta find ways to earn cash fast too.
Clunk.
Door shut, outside noise dropped sharply.
Spacious room. Floor shock-absorbent, one wall basic gear.
Center: empty space.
"...Oh."
Way more legit than expected.
"Mana reactions absorbed, safe for most skills. Kinda crappy quality, so not crowded."
"...Perfect."
I walked in slowly.
And.
Swoosh.
Pulled Han Choyeun's arm close again.
"...Huh?"
"Gotta maintain status."
"...Ah, a-ah... yeah..."
Naturally linked arms.
The condition I'd confirmed.
This closeness keeps the status window up.
Skills: Phasing(A), Special Meal(SS), Good Job Today(S)
[Quest]
"So we gotta stay like this the whole time?"
"For now, yeah."
"Hnnng..."
Han Choyeun let out a meaningful hum, pressing even closer. Then she led me to the control panel near the entrance and fiddled with the screen.
Whirr—
The floor vibrated faintly, and a pillar rose in the center.
A humanoid shape formed atop it.
A dummy, faint mana flowing over its surface.
"Scarecrow. Mana-treated, doesn't break easy, reforms quick if it does."
"Whew..."
First time since awakening, time to test real power properly.