The Kneading's Incredible Effects
The kneading's effects were incredible!
"What a shame..."
Kim Hyunah leaned deeply into the sofa, smacking her lips as she muttered to herself.
Her gaze was fixed on her phone screen. There, Baek Arang's name and phone number were prominently displayed.
"But I got the number, so... plenty of opportunities left."
A thick smile spread across Kim Hyunah's lips. In her mind, those perky white ears peeking out from under the half-tilted white chef's hat, and the soft, doughy cheeks she'd felt under her fingers, kept flickering into view. The regret of not getting to touch more lingered heavily, but she couldn't afford to get greedy and let the chance slip away. She could create opportunities anytime now. Just bide her time for the next one.
Kim Hyunah stood up and headed straight to the top floor, where the guild leader's office was.
Knock knock.
"Come in!"
A bold, refreshing voice pierced through the door. The guild leader was always so consistent.
As she opened the door and stepped in, the overwhelming presence behind the desk in the center of the massive office made her sigh involuntarily. The head of Baekya Guild and S-rank hunter, Cha Eunwol.
Her dazzling long silver hair cascaded down, and her shirt buttons looked ready to burst from the overwhelming volume of her chest.
"What's up with you, Hyunah? You already finished all the paperwork approvals earlier."
Cha Eunwol propped her chin on her hand and looked up at Hyunah. In that moment, a spark lit up in Cha Eunwol's red eyes.
"...Why's your face like that today? You look amazing. You always shuffle around like a zombie—what's this, all fresh and glowing? Got a boyfriend or something?"
"A boyfriend? Come on, don't joke."
Kim Hyunah snorted and carefully set down a container of bread on Cha Eunwol's desk.
"I found a treasure and came up to report it."
"Hmm... Treasure? Looks like just Morning Bread to me."
"It's not just any Morning Bread. This one's got a fatigue reduction effect. And it's already been verified."
"Oh... Is that so?"
Cha Eunwol's eyes narrowed at the report.
"This bread really has a fatigue reduction effect? And it's not even a potion?"
"Yes. No side effects either. It's a perfect upgrade over awakening agents."
"Who's the maker?"
"A hunter named Baek Arang."
At the name Baek Arang, Cha Eunwol tilted her head.
"Baek Arang? First time hearing it. A newly registered hunter?"
"Yes, records show she registered just recently. Try one first."
"Yeah... Tasting it is the quickest way."
Cha Eunwol opened the container with a face full of curiosity. The violent butter aroma hit her, and her lips parted involuntarily. She grabbed one piece and took a huge bite.
"Mmm... Mm!"
The moment she chewed, Cha Eunwol's eyes went wide. Without a word, she devoured it in seconds and burst into booming laughter.
"Hahahahahaha!"
The S-rank hunter's volume was ear-numbingly loud. Kim Hyunah grimaced and subtly covered her ears.
The laughter echoing through the guild leader's office gradually died down. Cha Eunwol rolled her shoulders, letting out exclamations of awe.
"Wow... This is the real deal! I can feel the fatigue melting away! It's like my blood's gone crystal clear."
"Told you."
"Hyunah! Poach her for our guild right now! Can we get an exclusive contract?"
Cha Eunwol's eyes gleamed with greed. With this, Tower climbs would be way easier.
Kim Hyunah smiled slyly at the sight and replied.
"Already locked in a 200-piece supply contract. I'll handle the dealings personally."
"Ooh... As expected of my Hyunah! Love how you handle things. Then maybe I should meet that lucky Baek Arang hunter too? We could grab a meal together."
Cha Eunwol jumped up excitedly, but Kim Hyunah's response was firm.
"No."
"Wha... Why!"
"Guild leader, you're too rowdy—you'll scare the hunter. She's very delicate and sensitive. I'll handle negotiations and management."
"What! Let me join in too, that's not fair."
Cha Eunwol pouted and grumbled, but Kim Hyunah was even firmer.
"I'll take care of it. Guild leader, just finish the paperwork."
That cute, lovable sight wasn't something she'd yield even to the guild leader. Plus, the guild leader had an unusual fondness for animals—if she saw Baek Arang's ears up close, she'd lose it for sure.
Kim Hyunah nailed it down firmly and left the guild leader's office. Her mind was filled with thoughts of how to lure Baek Arang in to finally touch those ears.
I flopped onto the bed the moment I got home.
"Ughhh... So tired..."
Hiding my ears and tail had burned through my stamina twice as fast. I whined about being tired, but my face was beaming with happiness.
I rolled around on the bed and opened my phone's banking app.
Balance: 1,100,000,000 KRW
The 100 million from yesterday, plus 1 billion from baking and selling 200 pieces today. Total: 1.1 billion.
Just staring at the screen made silly laughter bubble out from sheer happiness.
"Heehee... Hehehehe..."
My white tail, cramped in my pants, sprang free and wagged furiously through the air.
"1.1 billion! 1.1 billion! I really made it!"
Years of pouring my body into baking, and I couldn't even scrape together 100 million. Now, 200 Morning Breads netted me 1.1 billion.
This is life.
"First things first... Computer! Top-spec, dual monitors spread out wide... Hehe."
Just imagining it sent dopamine exploding through me.
Grrrrowl...!
After rolling around on the bed, frying my happiness circuits, my stomach finally protested.
Well, yeah—baked a ton of bread for the first time in ages, plus kneaded for Kim Hyunah. Of course I'm hungry.
"Food first. Got money to burn—gonna go all out with omakase!"
I fired up the delivery app for a freeloader's omakase. I loaded up a premium handmade burger set that I'd never even glance at normally. Extra patties, truffle fries upgrade, even a 10,000-won shake—packed to the brim.
My finger hovered over the pay button... then froze.
"Ah..."
Suddenly, yesterday's grievance in the fridge popped into my head. The 50,000-won chicken I'd ordered in excitement after getting 100 million. I'd torn into two drumsticks, my stomach maxed out, leaving the rest untouched.
I closed the app with a hollow gaze and shuffled to the fridge. The cold chicken box seemed to mock me.
"What's the point of 1.1 billion in the bank..."
I muttered dejectedly. Money overflowing or not, my gut was a pathetic two-drumstick limit.
Order an expensive burger set? I'd take a few bites and be stuffed, panting.
"Damn... I made money... Why can't I eat something tasty..."
But I couldn't waste the precious chicken either. Pouting sadly, I loaded the cold pieces onto an oven tray and cranked the dial to warm them up.
Maybe invite Kim Hyunah for burgers next time? She's my precious client—I could treat her to a meal...
Ding.
The oven beeped done. I pulled out the hot pieces, blew on them, and took a bite.
Crunch!
"Huh...? Tastes good?"
Warming it in the oven had crisped the batter back up, and the congealed juices turned juicy again. Even leftover from yesterday, the 50,000-won price tag made it insanely delicious.
I chomped away, cheeks bulging.
"Expensive stuff really is the best... Hehe, nom nom..."
The sadness vanished in an instant. I sucked the grease off my fingers and polished it off. And my meal ended at exactly three pieces.
Curse this stomach...
"Haa, so full I could die..."
Just one wing and two chunks of thigh, yet my throat felt packed with meat. Guess moving around today let me squeeze in one extra piece.
I patted my bloated belly and flopped backward. The remaining chicken went back to the fridge.
Stroking my belly, I grabbed my phone and opened the NerTube app. Skipping through algorithm-recommended videos, one caught my eye.
"Kneading, huh..."
Watching it reminded me of the skill window I'd checked in the bakery earlier.
I mentally called up my status window.
A cheerful mechanical beep sounded, and a blue holographic window popped up in front of me.
Still an annoying description no matter how many times I see it. What the heck did "even more things" mean? It already worked on people. Did that mean inanimate objects too?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I curled up. Like the kitten in the video, I balled my hands into paws and reached for the cheap, worn-out mattress I was lying on.
"Let's try..."
Active Skill: Kneading Lv. 2 activated.
Pat, squish.
My hands started alternately kneading the mattress cover.
"Oh... This feels weirdly good..."
Just pressing the mattress, yet a strange pleasure tingled up from my fingertips. Whenever the skill activated, my rationality seemed to fuzz out a bit.
Squish, squish. Knead knead.
I could feel the texture of the frayed cheap mattress subtly changing under my touch. Hooked, I lifted my hips and went at it seriously.
"Grr... Grr..."
A purring sound leaked from my mouth without me realizing. It felt so good.
After kneading away on the bed for a while, a brilliant light burst from my fingertips, and a new system window appeared in the air.
Flash!
Kneading skill succeeded.
Target 'Worn-Out Cheap Mattress' granted Kneading buff.
Cushioning increased by 200%. Fall into deep sleep the moment you lie down.
Duration: 24 hours
"Whoa..."
My eyes went wide.
Sorry for trash-talking you earlier, skill window... You're a god.
I immediately threw myself onto the bed. The miraculous sink-in softness, like being sucked into a cloud, had me purring nonstop.
Grr... Grr...
