Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Weekend (5)
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"Pork belly's 2,200 won per 100g, pork neck's 2,100... Neck's a bit cheaper. But I wanna eat belly... Hmm."
After meeting her little sister yesterday and spending on transport, all Nam Da-eun had left was a measly 3,000 won.
The academy ran a free student cafeteria, but only on weekdays.
On weekends, she had to use the dorm cafeteria, which charged money.
Nam Da-eun usually saved scraps from the student cafeteria, stashing them in her water bottle to freeze and ration out her meals. But every now and then, she craved a little indulgence.
"What do I do... If I buy this, I'll really be broke next month."
She owed Lee Ho-yeon about 10,000 won.
Her monthly allowance hovered around 50,000 won.
Her "living expenses" all went to her sister's hospital bills. When she argued that the academy provided food anyway, so why did she need money, they shut her down.
Arguing wouldn't get her any extra anyway.
"Ugh... Fine. Today, I'll just mix rice with water."
There was a water purifier in the dorm hallway, so soaking her frozen rice in water would make it somewhat edible.
Sprinkle in some salt swiped from the cafeteria, and it'd be a delicacy.
"Sigh."
Nam Da-eun set the meat down and turned around.
"Hey."
And there stood Lee Ho-yeon.
*
"Hey."
"...Eek!"
Nam Da-eun's eyes went wide in surprise, her mouth snapping shut.
"Ah... Sorry. Was just saying hi."
"...It's fine."
Nam Da-eun pressed a hand to her chest and took a deep breath.
'She's gotten so much more expressive lately.'
She was usually just as cool with everyone else, but she seemed to let her guard down around me a bit.
★ Heroine Status ★ [Nam Da-eun] ❤️ Favor: 48 💋 Lust: 15 🍽️ Appetite: 85 😴 Fatigue: 33 Current Status: She's startled... Why'd you pop up out of nowhere? Good thing I'd let her take first place—her favor shot up nicely.
This was a solid gain.
After the survival exam ended and festival results dropped, her favor might climb even more.
For now, keeping things at a casual friend level with Nam Da-eun was fine. Conquering would take time anyway.
"Here for meat?"
"Nah, just browsing."
"Ah, got it."
I left her standing there and checked out the meat.
Not the best setup for cooking, so I went for smoked meats and instant foods.
Storing in my subspace extended shelf life, even if not perfectly.
'A week's worth... maybe 20kg?'
Not just for me, so stocking up was fine.
I loaded the cart with most of the ready-to-eat meats.
Lots of smoked duck and pork belly, so I grabbed everything in sight.
"Huh...?"
Nam Da-eun's surprised voice came from behind.
Yeah, this much would shock anyone.
Couldn't warn her about the survival exam starting tomorrow, so I owned it.
"I eat a lot."
It looked like a ton once loaded, but better too much than too little.
Grabbed some instant rice from the next aisle too.
Koreans run on rice power, after all.
"...I see."
She bought the camping gear excuse? Or just rolling with it since I said so.
★ Heroine Status ★ [Nam Da-eun] ❤️ Favor: 48 💋 Lust: 15 🍽️ Appetite: 85 😴 Fatigue: 33 Current Status: She must have her reasons too. She's just letting it slide. Thanks.
Her appetite was at 85 now. Heroines hitting 85 lust was one thing, but 85 hunger? Unimaginable.
Had she fasted all day?
"Eaten lunch? Wanna grab food court grub? My treat."
Seeing her agonize over 2,000-won meat softened me up.
Wouldn't advance conquer much, but I could spot her a meal.
"I'm good."
"Friends can eat together, right?"
"...Yeah?"
She looked burdened, so "friends" eased it a bit.
Hunger beats shame every time.
"Yeah. Plus, got something to ask."
That nagging question since the 1v1 finals.
Nam Da-eun followed with a puzzled look.
Camping gear and food tallied over a million won.
Tents were pricey. One-touch auto-setup, maybe.
Grabbed useless stuff like gas masks too—unexpected spend, but no biggie.
Nam Da-eun watched my checkout silently from behind.
*
"I'm fine, really..."
"I'm hungry. Let's pig out."
Ordered pizza, chicken, meat-stuffed bakes—everything.
She said she was fine, but her status didn't lie. So I went huge.
"Thanks..."
Food came quick; we sat and dug in.
Meant to chat over eats, but she inhaled too fast.
Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.
No more "I'm fine"—hands wouldn't stop.
'Talk after she finishes, then.'
Couldn't lose; grabbed a pizza slice.
*
"That hit the spot."
"Nah, it was nothing."
We polished off two pizzas and two bakes, clean plates.
Pizzas were massive—barely movable now, but she looked fine.
"How's your sister? Saw her yesterday, right?"
She'd mentioned visiting.
Hoped it went well—no issues.
"Yeah, yesterday. Oh, you said you had something to talk about?"
Meal mellowed her out. But sister talk? Still touchy. Showing that call last time was just a whim?
Maybe take her to that Korean spot with Moon Soo-rin next time. Could work.
"Yeah, I do."
I'd mulled it over. Hiding strength? Fine. But mastering year-ahead skills? Impossible.
If she'd hidden that much, original protag wouldn't have beaten her.
I was already protag-level strong. A year-more-grown Nam Da-eun losing? Nah.
But she had hidden it.
Conclusion: Original 2nd-year Nam Da-eun wasn't current her level.
"You haven't been training, have you?"
My verdict.
Freak talent got her high young, but she realized growth was pointless.
Doomed as guild tool anyway. No need to get stronger.
Quit training cold. Lost to protag in 2nd year.
"...What?"
She looked flustered at my sudden words.
"Dunno your deal, but train hard. I'll be stronger next exam—no holding back."
She stops training till protag saves her post-loss.
Even then, super-strong her powering up now? Unpredictable.
This year's crucial.
"...Got it. Next time, I'll win fair and square. And I'll repay last time."
Whew, she took it well.
Worried she'd yell "What do you know?!" and bolt. Meal helped big-time.
Faint smile replaced her blank face.
"No biggie. Friends, right? Heading out. See ya."
"Bye."
We cleared the table and parted.
Her retreating figure looked a tad more resolute.
*
Back at the dorm, sorted gear again.
"Bought so much? Eating it all solo?"
"Share leftovers if any."
Lilia approached, eyeing the meats in awe.
"Pork belly looks tasty. Can I snag some?"
"...Sure. Fridge it then."
If Lilia wanted, one piece out.
We usually did delivery, so fridge was empty-ish.
Wait—me gone a week, deliveries to my room? Sketchy.
Dorm emptying for 1st-years; orders just to mine? Suspicious.
"Lilia, order this ahead when you see it."
"...? What's this?"
"Instant foods. Order now, arrives by morning. Can't have you ordering delivery here while I'm gone. Survive on these a week."
"......Take me with you!"
Her face stiffened, then she wailed.
"No."
"What're you to my family! You jerk!"
"Family? I said don't use that word!"
Hearing that made me feel like a deadbeat dad.
"Anyway, back daily to play. Wait up."
"Really? Then I wanna go out too."
"...Fine."
"Yay!"
Her cheering made finding an outside place urgent.
Festival season: crowds everywhere, easy to blend.
Mask or shades, unrecognizable.
Rune barrier hides her hellish mana fine.
"Guard the place good. Got it?"
"Got it."
I patted her head.
"But..."
"Yeah?"
"Tonight... a week's worth..."
Lilia clung, face flushed.
"..."
Checked watch.
Three hours till Moon Soo-rin meetup.
"Lilia, let's settle two days first."
"Mmph? Mmmph..."
Wrap evening quick.
*
"Back soon. Wait."
"Yesss... Master..."
Tucked panting Lilia in bed, headed to Moon Soo-rin spot.
Second time—no nerves.
"Moon Soo-rin party."
"Ah, Mr. Lee Ho-yeon. This way."
Into the room; Moon Soo-rin greeted me smiling.
"Hey, Soo-rin sis."
Good memories from last tasty meal; sat comfy.
"Welcome. Watched the 1v1s. Too bad."
She grinned back.
"Pfft, 2nd's solid."
"Heh, true. Food soon. First, the millennium snow ginseng."
Moon Soo-rin slid a box onto the table.
"Open it."
Heart pounding, I did.
"Whoa..."
Inside: snow ginseng glowing blue mana.
"Thanks, Soo-rin sis. I'll put it to good use."
"Nah. You made my life easier. Gotta repay this debt."
"...?"
What'd I even do?