Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Cool Deal on the Bento Box
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Two days later, Wednesday.
After finishing afternoon classes, I was waiting for Amelia at a quiet cafe near the Academy—not The Archive—sipping a cup of coffee.
"...Is this the right choice? If it goes wrong, it'll be a real disaster."
After four long days of agonizing, I decided to hand the Infinite Bento Bag over to Amelia.
The reason was simple.
Holding onto it was useless anyway, and every time I saw it, I'd just burn inside thinking I'd drawn an A-rank piece of trash.
Of course, I had zero intention of giving it away as a pure gift with no strings attached.
Even if I couldn't get something of equal value, I needed to secure at least an item crucial for future story progression.
'It's perfect timing too.'
There's a solid hidden piece that's a huge help against demons if you snag it early on—like buying Empathic Constitution the moment you scrape together 1500 SP every time.
The problem was that Kang Hyun-sol, the guy I possessed into, had such low stats despite the constraints,
and his skills and traits were so mediocre that I couldn't go claim it...
Fortunately, an item perfect for reeling in Amelia—who has killer synergy with that dungeon—dropped at just the right moment.
"...The issue is I have no clue how Amelia will react after getting an item that maxes out her favorability..."
In a perfect world, I'd pull out the bento box, let her check it out, and say she'll get it if she helps me conquer the dungeon!
You know, lay it out as a straight trade, clear the dungeon cleanly, hand over the bag, and peace out.
That'd let me ditch a totally useless item, grab the hidden piece, and wrap it up in a happy ending, right? But I'm not sure it'll go that smoothly.
That damn Oath of Indulgence is lurking, drooling for an opening,
and it probably won't pass up a golden opportunity like this.
I only knew the item existed in the first place.
No player had ever actually given it to Amelia,
so figuring out her reaction was impossible.
"Haa..."
I rubbed my dry face and sorted my thoughts.
"Yeah, no choice anyway. With all these variables cropping up, there's no guarantee the main story's difficulty hasn't changed. And it's Amelia? She'll be fine."
Maxing favorability doesn't automatically mean you can bang the heroine.
It's just one condition—each heroine has wildly different requirements.
And Amelia's conquest difficulty is hellish, neck-and-neck with Wol Ha-yeon.
Even after grinding countless routes and meeting every condition, 'harvesting the fruit' is so tough the devs joked they didn't bother with official 19+ endings.
"...She'll be fine."
I picked up the coffee cup, then set it back down.
The rippling surface inside mirrored my anxious heart, pretending everything was okay on the outside.
But anxiety or not, I had no options.
I had to secure the hidden piece known as the Silent Skull Earrings, no matter what.
That alone would boost my survival odds as a mage by over 30%.
"Whew... I can do this."
I muttered it to myself and gently stroked the bento box on the table.
Inside, I'd stuffed it full of premium sushi sets just for today.
To demo the bento's power properly, I splurged hard, wallet be damned.
'A glutton like Amelia won't turn this down... especially her favorite sushi.'
The moment I muttered that to myself.
The bell above the cafe's automatic door tinkled softly.
Ding—!
"Hyun-sol-kun, did I keep you waiting?"
Amelia appeared, waving both hands cheerfully as she headed to my table.
"Oh! You even ordered my coffee. Hyun-sol-kun's got great taste!! No wonder you're so popular!"
"Don't call me -kun... Anyway, I wasn't waiting long—you're the one who called me out of the blue."
"Not at all~. I was just finishing prayers with the club members. Thanks for the coffee, though."
Amelia draped her uniform jacket over the chair back and sat, sipping her coffee.
"Mmm~ After all those weird Archive drinks, normal coffee hits different. Why do they even make that bizarre stuff?"
She wanted some small talk before diving in.
Plenty of time, so I could play along for a bit.
"Totally agree. I only go 'cause Sophia loves it... but honestly, it's just burning cash. Food's meh and kills your appetite."
"See? We totally click, Hyun-sol-kun! It's such a mystery why Sophia's obsessed with that place."
"Dunno. No idea why, but she's so into it I can't suggest anywhere else."
The Archive was canonically Sophia's favorite cafe.
No explanation why, but probably the vibe suits her tastes.
I chugged my coffee and cut to the chase.
"Reason I called you out like this: if you're free, wanna team up for a dungeon run this weekend?"
"...Whoa, kinda caught me off guard? Totally out of left field..."
Amelia's default smile twisted into an awkward eye-crinkling grin as she scratched her cheek.
"Even I know it's abrupt... but I really need you for that dungeon."
"Hmm... If it's a conquest, not an artificial dungeon, right?"
"Spot on. Real deal—undiscovered, unreported dungeon."
"Unreported, huh..."
I nudged the bento box beside me toward her as she hesitated more.
"First off, check the reward you'll get for secretly helping me clear it—no telling anyone. Guaranteed to blow your mind."
"Isn't this... just a bento box? My dorm's already piled high with 'em..."
Amelia, clueless it was a magic tool yet, fiddled with it a few times before eyeing me with fading interest.
At that, I flashed a salesman grin and launched into the pitch.
"This one's leagues beyond your bentos. Top-tier magic tool, A-rank certified?
Food only, but infinite storage inside—and keeps everything in perfect condition."
"...For real?"
Amelia's eyes sharpened.
Now's my shot.
Ride the wave and hook her.
"Dead serious—open it up. That 1-million-won omakase set from three days ago should be pristine inside."
"..."
Amelia cracked open the bento carefully and gawked at the contents.
She turned to me, voice shaky.
"Th-this... really preserved from three days ago? I'd buy it if you said an artisan whipped it up seconds ago. I... can't believe this."
"Give it a taste. You're pickier about food than anyone—you'll know right away."
"O-okay... just one then..."
Amelia plucked a glistening tuna belly nigiri from inside and popped it in cautiously.
She savored it slowly in her mouth.
Her face shifted from shock to pure awe.
"This... is legit. Texture, scent, even the aging—flawless. Feels fresh off the line."
"Told ya? Tempting offer, right?"
I crowed confidently.
"..."
Amelia propped her chin on her palm, staring at the bento for a long beat before muttering.
"This is research-worthy for the academy. Not preservation magic—practically time-stop, but food-exclusive....
How'd you even score something like this? Incredible."
"Source is secret, obviously? So, the deal: take this, join me for the dungeon run this weekend."
"Dungeon..."
Amelia's brow furrowed again.
No bubbly smile—just the serious saintess face.
"First, exact location?"
"Close—underground passage by the abandoned cathedral, short hop from here. Sealed zone 'cause of dungeon overload, but part recently unsealed. Third-years scouting soon, though..."
"So, now or never."
Amelia nodded slowly.
Interest and doubt flickered in her eyes.
She snagged another piece of sushi and asked gravely.
"...If you're bragging this hard, not super dangerous, right? Bet you need me for the undead."
"Nailed it. D-rank level, but swarming skeletons. That's why you—with you, they're bone meal in seconds."
"Hehe, nice flattery."
Amelia chuckled lightly, eyes still sharp.
"Deal. One condition, though."
"Shoot."
"If shit hits the fan inside, we bail on the run—no heroics."
"Obviously."
"And post-clear, you hand over the bento bag. I love it. Like, love at first sight."
"L-love? Chill—even if we wipe, it's yours. No worries."
'What’s with that stare...'
Her gaze on the bento screamed obsession.
Any brighter and holy lasers might shoot out.
"...Ahem, anyway—looking forward to it."
I stuck out my hand.
Amelia grabbed it with a grin.
Warm holy power bloomed from my fingertips, spreading through me.
"Sweet! Cathedral dungeon, weekend it is. Hyun-sol-kun!!"
"Gotcha... uh, mind letting go now?"
"..."
I tried pulling away, but she clamped down harder.
Sparkling eyes gazed up, begging for something.
I knew exactly what.
"You wanna use the bento... before the dungeon."
"......"
She just nodded.
'Kuh... too cute. Why's she gotta be this pretty... snap out of it.'
No. Can't fall for the honey trap.
This is business.
Hand it over pre-run, and she'll get spoiled.
So, shut it down firm, stash in inventory...
"Haa... fine, you win. But cook something tasty for Saturday."
"Yay!! Hyun-sol-kun's the best!! Weekend!!"
Ultimately crumbling to temptation, I dazedly watched Amelia bolt with the bento clutched tight.
"...Whatever, if you're happy, cool. Dodged any major drama too."