Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: It's a Gift
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300 million.
The number stamped in my bank account had turned my daily life upside down.
It meant I no longer had to hover in front of the convenience store microwave meals, checking my balance.
I stared at the monitor screen and moved the mouse.
Stage 1-2, Misty Swamp.
'This stage is fixed four-man matching.'
Not a chaotic free-for-all like last time with thirty people mixed in.
In other words, perfect conditions to purely test party strength without worrying about backstabs.
'Not bad. Great chance to roll out my new toys.'
Especially that one.
Nom nom, smack smack.
The rhythmic smacking sounds from behind my back.
I spun the chair around, and there was a silver-haired elf in just a shirt, huddled in the corner of the bed.
She clutched snack sausages in both hands, cheeks bulging as she chewed away.
"Wh-what is it, Master...?"
She startled at my gaze and hid the sausage behind her back.
Did she have a tapeworm or something? Ever since yesterday, aside from sleeping, she'd been stuffing her mouth nonstop.
'Hope her stomach doesn't burst.'
At first, she'd even asked permission for a sip of water, but the moment I said, "Eat whatever you want. We'll throw out anything left anyway," she went full hamster mode.
Well, good appetite is fine. Skin and bones aren't appetizing.
Ding dong!
A cheerful bell rang from the front door.
"Eek!"
Yuriel flinched in terror and tried to crawl under the bed.
Instinctive fear of outsiders.
"You're overreacting."
I got up and opened the door.
"Delivery! Han Yujin, right?"
"Yes. That's me, but..."
"Normally I'd just leave it, but there's a lot, so I figured I'd check. If you're the recipient, I'll be off."
"Sure. Thanks for your trouble..."
My breath caught the moment I opened the door.
A tower of cardboard boxes stacked to the ceiling in the hallway.
The result of my dopamine-fueled shopping spree at dawn yesterday, all dumped at once.
"Hey, what are you doing? Come help move this."
I kicked a box into the room, and Yuriel timidly approached.
"Wh-what is all this...?"
"What else? Stuff for you and me to wear, eat, and enjoy from now on."
I slashed the tape with a cutter knife.
The packaging tore open, spilling contents everywhere.
Jerky, chocolate, canned goods—high-calorie emergency rations.
And...
Thud.
Fancy brand-logo shopping bags tumbled to the floor.
Lacy women's lingerie sets, casual dresses, and pricey men's activewear that looked comfy.
"Ah..."
Yuriel's eyes went wide.
For someone who'd only ever worn burlap sacks or chains, these department-store-scented new clothes must've been a shock.
"What are you waiting for? Try them on."
I tossed her a black off-shoulder knit and plaid skirt.
Yuriel clutched the clothes, standing dazed.
Her trembling fingers stroked the soft knit fabric like she couldn't believe it.
"Master...? Such fine clothes... for a slave like me...?"
"Quit yapping. I don't want to see that scrawny ass anymore, so strip and change."
"Y-yes! Right away!"
Shocked by the "scrawny ass" comment, she fumbled with her buttons, twisting to hide it.
"No underwear?"
"Huh? Wh-what do you mean...?"
"Put these on first, under everything. Cover up properly for once."
She busied herself changing into clothes she'd never seen before.
I crossed my arms and watched her fashion show closely.
After shampoo and body wash scrubbed off the grime, and with some nutrition kicking in, her true looks were emerging.
Silver hair cascaded over her shoulders.
Without the pointed ears and gaunt frame, she'd have casting lines forming like an idol.
Moments later.
"M-Master...?"
Yuriel stood before me, awkwardly twisting her body.
The black knit highlighting her slender shoulders made her pale skin glow, and her legs peeking from the short skirt were unrealistically smooth.
"D-does it look weird...? My legs are too exposed... If I seem indecent..."
"No."
I propped my chin, scanning her up and down.
"Not bad. Worth the money."
"Ah...!"
Her ear tips quivered at the single compliment.
"All this stuff here is yours too, so try the others."
"All... of it is mine?"
Yuriel's wide eyes welled up red.
She gingerly lifted the other clothes from the floor like treasures.
First gifts ever in her life or something.
Then she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror in the corner and...
"Hic...!"
Suddenly started sniffling.
"Why are you crying again."
"I never even dreamed... A wretch like me... new clothes for a slave... and so pretty and warm..."
She hugged her outfit and sank to the floor.
After a lifetime of abuse and exploitation, even this small thing moved her deeply.
"Master is... so merciful. Even if I gave my life, this grace... sob..."
And those teary eyes gazing up at me.
'Jeez. A few outfits and she's ready to sell her soul.'
I ripped open a jerky pack rolling on the floor and shoved it in her mouth.
"Stop crying. It's annoying."
"Mmph...! S-sorry...!"
"Eat it all and gain some weight. You'll snap if I poke you."
"Yes! Got it!"
Yuriel wiped her tears, jerky in mouth, and sorted the clothes with the happiest expression imaginable.
Her puffed cheeks actually looked decent.
Ding!
My smartphone on the desk buzzed.
Bee Quiet, the secure messenger's notification.
[Saw your post and contacting you. Is the Leader Card still for sale? Please name your price first.]
[Hello. About the card you're selling...]
Not just one.
Two or three more messages piled in.
"Ho ho."
My lips curled into a grin.
Started yesterday, now thirteen inquiries total.
"What, more came in? Hmm... Who should I sell to?"
I spun the phone gleefully, lost in pleasant dilemmas.
"Maybe gather them all and run an auction?"
What did I say?
Kim Sung-hyun, even without guys like you, there's a line of buyers.
At this rate, I might need a new PC and a bigger place soon.
[Data synchronization complete.]
[Entering Stage 1-2: 'Misty Swamp.']
Flash!
Sensory shift.
The fresh fabric softener scent tickling my nose and the warm floor vanished like a lie.
Instead, damp humidity, fishy stench, and bone-chilling cold enveloped me.
"......"
I opened my eyes to a gray fog-shrouded swamp.
My outfit had swapped back from comfy sweats to the cool leather of Specter Leather Armor.
Dagger at my waist, longsword on my back. And the new magic bag's weight.
"M-Master...?"
A trembling voice from beside me.
I turned to see a ragged slave in a filthy shirt and worn robe.
'Damn. All that money down the drain, back to square one. Well, she gained a bit of weight?'
Yuriel patted her body in confusion.
The momentary comfort had vanished like a dream, hitting her hard.
"Snap out of it. Time to work."
I opened the bag indifferently.
Dungeon or not, dragging her in rags wasn't my style.
I pulled out the spare old gear set and tossed it to her.
"Put it on."
"Th-thank you...!"
Yuriel looked relieved even at the shabby clothes.
Of course—her master caring for her was reward enough.
"Han Yujin?"
Someone emerged from the fog right on cue.
Lee Seo-ah.
She was worlds apart from the tutorial.
Sturdy lightweight metal armor covering her body, heavy shield in one hand, sharp longsword in the other.
Clear signs of desperate survival efforts.
But what caught my eye: three bags slung over her shoulder.
One hers, the others probably relics from the dead summons.
Noticing my gaze, Lee Seo-ah flinched.
Bad memories surfacing—she trembled faintly but bit her lip and shook her head.
Finally realized crying changes nothing?
'She's toughened up.'
I like it.
Hate weak crybabies; this passes.
And above all.
"Welcome, Seo-ah. Even better seeing you here."
I greeted her with my brightest smile.
300 million. The owner of that beauty in my account deserves this welcome.
"Ah..."
Lee Seo-ah visibly relaxed at the sight of me.
People never believe you're not a scammer.
"N-nice to see you. Is that person behind you the companion you mentioned last time...?"
As she approached happily.
Yuriel, fully geared, peeked from behind me.
"M-Master. All dressed."
"......!"
Lee Seo-ah's steps halted abruptly.
Her pupils shook like an earthquake.
Silver hair, pale skin, and crucially, long pointed ears unlike any human.
"A... other race...?"
Shing!
She reflexively drew her sword.
Eyes full of wariness and fear.
"Why... why is an other race next to you..."
"Oh, this one? Don't worry. She's my lackey."
She'd heard it drilled into her at The Shelter.
Other races are enemies. Run or kill on sight.
I get it.
Her reaction was perfectly normal.
"Y-yes...? Huh?"
"My spoils of war."
I casually patted Yuriel's head.
Yuriel accepted it familiarly, but shrank behind me from Lee Seo-ah's killing intent.
"Spoils...? What does that..."
"Big Brother!"
A clear voice rang from the opposite side.
Park Yumin.
'You too, squishy.'
At least in mage robes, she didn't look totally useless.
"Huh? You're that guy from before...?"
Park Yumin's eyes widened at Lee Seo-ah.
Lee Seo-ah stared blankly at her, sword still drawn.
"Park... Yumin? Why are you here..."
"I'm obviously in Big Brother's party! But how'd you join, sis?"
"I invited her."
I inserted myself between the confused duo.
"Big Brother invited you? Wow, sis, you're so lucky."
Park Yumin accepted it with her innocent smile.
Lee Seo-ah, however, was utter confusion.
Tutorial deadweight girl, and a dangerous other-race elf.
She couldn't accept this weird combo orbiting me.
"Alright, introductions later. Let's organize first."
I clapped to refocus them.
"Park Yumin here is the mage. Seo-ah, your gear screams tank."
I grabbed Yuriel's collar from behind me and yanked her forward.
"And this is Yuriel. My slave, and our party's ranged DPS."
"......Slave?"
Lee Seo-ah's jaw dropped.
Like she'd misheard.
"Slave? You mean... you're enslaving a person—no, an other race?"
"Why? Not allowed?"
I shot back shamelessly.
She was speechless at the audacity.
She wanted to argue ethics, but this was lawless Abyss.
'Don't like it? What're you gonna do?'
She stared at my face like 'This guy's too dangerous.'
"Seo-ah. Put the sword away?"
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
She gulped and sheathed it stealthily.
Aware of the party hierarchy now, no more backtalk.
"P-pleased to meet you...!"
Yuriel bowed meekly to everyone.
Park Yumin cheered, "Elf lady! Nice to meet you again!" while Lee Seo-ah nodded dazedly.
'Even I admit it's an odd lineup.'
Anyway, the four-man party [Rice-Eater Expedition Team] was complete.
"Alright, let's get to it..."
Oh right.
One thing before we start.
"...First things first."
I pulled out the pulsing red item [Karma Crystal] from the bag.
'Level-ups are nice, but I can't resist dopamine.'