Chapter 8
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 8: The Magic Tower's Guardian Stone Statue, Pandora
It was the voices of the malevolent thoughts that always tormented her.
The voices pointed out her failures and criticized her incompetence.
The voices that had slowly gnawed away at her mental strength ever since the curse of malevolent thoughts was placed on her uniform.
But now they weren't heard.
It wasn't just because of the pink pajamas she wore.
These pajamas provided her with a deep sleep, but they didn't eliminate the voices that tormented her right until before she slept.
They merely provided a refuge where she could avoid the voices.
She thought their screams would torment her ears again once she smoothly fell asleep and woke up. However.
'I can't hear them.'
Lee Chaerim looked at the quiet laundry where not a single scream of malevolent thoughts was heard.
The curse of malevolent thoughts residing in the uniform had completely disappeared.
"How did you do it?"
Looking at the uniform, she asked Kim Jinsoo.
It was definitely him who had done it. She believed he would do it. If it was Kim Jinsoo, thinking of the numerous miracles he had shown so far, she thought he would naturally do it.
However. She never imagined he would do it in just one day, no, in the half-day she slept and woke up.
"I told you earlier, didn't I. That it would be sufficient as long as there were materials. I obtained good materials, so it was finished earlier than I thought. Originally, it was a task that would take about three days, but it finished a little faster." "Ahh."
Lee Chaerim quietly lifted the uniform.
Now, even though she lifted the uniform, the noise of malevolent thoughts was not heard.
But what surprised her more than anything was.
"This... Not only did the curse disappear, but it seems an additional effect was attached?" "You saw right away."
As soon as she picked up the uniform, a new system window was seen.
[White Magnolia Uniform] Rank: S-Rank (Purification Complete) Category: Armor / Uniform Durability: 2,000 / 2,000 Main Fabric: Refreshing Spring Maiden's Hair / Spirit's Energy Blend 75% Subsidiary Materials: Reactive Mithril Thread 20% Lining: Yeti Leather 5%
[Possessed Curses and Status Effects] [Authority: Absolute Silence] The outcry of the masses was put to sleep through the Cleaner's perfect laundry using the Solvent of Silence. The uniform, possessing the power to put outcries to sleep, bestows a new authority upon the wearer. You can use an area-of-effect silence towards enemies. You can cancel the magic an enemy is casting.
[Blessing: Unleaving Spring] The warmth of spring softens the surrounding air. The rigidity caused by tension disappears, and simple curses can be resolved with a random probability.
[Option: Warm Defense] The Spring Maiden's warmth reduces physical-type attacks by 50%. Reduces mental-type attacks by 30%.
[Additional Option: The Weight of the One Who Bears It] When equipped, Charisma increases by 1 Rank. When 'Unleaving Spring' triggers, the Agility of surrounding party members increases by 1 Rank.
[The contamination has been completely purified.] [You will no longer be cursed.]
It became an S-Rank equipment with the curse completely resolved. It evolved into the ultimate equipment capable of not only granting special effects to the wearer themselves but also all party members just by equipping it, but also using a silence magic that can block the enemy's casting.
The enhancement effect she originally had due to the curse risk changed to a permanent effect, and even an additional buff was created. Truly overwhelming performance.
Lee Chaerim looked at Kim Jinsoo.
"Were such things originally possible?"
She clearly remembered that he didn't possess this level of ability when they went to dungeons together. But Kim Jinsoo's ability right now was truly overwhelming.
It was so excellent that she felt the urge to put him back in her party right away.
If she had known this level of strong purification was possible, she would have stopped him unconditionally when he said he was leaving.
"I trained while setting up the laundry." "I see."
Of course, Lee Chaerim knew he wasn't a man who would be held back just because of that.
When he said he was quitting, Lee Chaerim clearly remembered Kim Jinsoo's expression.
It was the look of a man who would absolutely not back down.
That look in his eyes she really liked. The very look that made her think she had to recruit this man in the first place.
"It's a shame. If you had awakened a little earlier, I would have stopped you with the resolve to die."
It was a statement revealing her regret, but neither Lee Chaerim nor Kim Jinsoo thought she would have sincerely stopped him.
It was merely a statement to soothe the regret.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, I can use it with peace of mind."
Lee Chaerim, having checked the uniform for the last time, smiled and examined the uniform.
If it hadn't been for Kim Jinsoo, she probably would have still been suffering from that noise.
'I am always receiving help.'
When going to dungeons, she always received help like this too.
Kim Jinsoo treated himself like baggage, saying he had no combat power, but Lee Chaerim knew. That the reason their party was able to clear dungeons faster than anyone else was thanks to Kim Jinsoo, who did equipment mending and contaminant laundry right on the spot.
The humility he showed always caught Lee Chaerim's eye.
To think he's retiring while having such outstanding skills.
It was a shame. To the point where she wanted to be a little more stubborn towards him.
It was then.
"By the way, are you going to keep wearing those clothes?" "What do you mean?" "The pajamas. The animal pajamas."
At Kim Jinsoo's words, Lee Chaerim looked at her attire.
The pink bear pajamas she wore before going to sleep earlier.
She belatedly realized that she had been admiring the uniform while wearing the large, baggy bear pajamas.
Because the hood of the pajamas had fallen back as she woke up, she hadn't even realized she was wearing these clothes.
Lee Chaerim cleared her throat pointlessly out of embarrassment.
"Ahem, I-I'll take them off right away. I showed a shameful appearance."
Lee Chaerim hurriedly headed to the fitting room.
As she took off the pajamas, the touch of the microfiber cloth that softly hugged her body disappeared. As the familiar and cozy touch disappeared, Lee Chaerim felt somewhat empty.
It was a little disappointing. Because these pajamas, although a little embarrassing when worn, were softer than any clothes she had ever worn.
'Should I ask for one?'
She suddenly felt regret while taking off the pajamas. If she wore it alone at home, she wouldn't have to worry about others seeing, and if so, she could fall asleep with peace of mind like this.
Swallowing her regret, Lee Chaerim, who had taken off the pajamas, grabbed the pink animal pajamas with her warmth still remaining and came outside.
"I used it well. Thanks to you, I was able to sleep well." "That's a relief."
Seeing Kim Jinsoo taking the pajamas whose warmth had not yet faded, Lee Chaerim curled her lips, feeling embarrassed for no reason.
"Hey, you know."
Looking at the clothes passed over to Kim Jinsoo's hand, Lee Chaerim asked with a cautious voice.
"Those pajamas... Can I take them?" "You mean the pajamas?" "Yeah, it's really been a long time since I fell asleep this comfortably."
This was the first time Lee Chaerim had coveted an item like this. She was so greedy that she could say she had never coveted a single piece of equipment to this extent.
Lee Chaerim was someone who didn't assert priority even when items dropped in dungeons. Because her philosophy was that it was right for it to go to the person who needed it most.
However, these pajamas in front of her eyes right now were too covetable. To the point where she wanted to have them right away.
"That won't work, though." "Is that so, it'll be difficult, as expected, right?"
At Kim Jinsoo's refusal, Lee Chaerim couldn't help but let out a low sigh.
"It's an item that's tricky to manage. They are pajamas that must be washed within the time limit every time after use. Because they are pajamas that become junk if that period is passed."
Kim Jinsoo calmly continued his words.
"I think it would be better if you just visited periodically instead." "You're telling me to visit periodically?" "Yes, if you need a deep sleep, come anytime. I will wash the pajamas well and prepare them so they can always be used." "..."
At Kim Jinsoo's words, Lee Chaerim looked at him.
At his words spoken with a bright smile.
'Does this perhaps mean he wants to keep seeing me?'
Lee Chaerim, who purposely made mischievous jokes to him. However, she was a maiden purer than anyone. To the point where she was practically naive when it came to male-female relationships.
If it were normal, she would have added one more word here.
Are you that eager to see me? To think you'd have a woman sleep in your room, you have ulterior motives.
She would have made a joke like that.
Somehow, those words didn't come out right now.
Because the moment she faced Kim Jinsoo's smile, her thoughts stopped for a moment.
Lee Chaerim nodded, blushing as if she had become a pubescent girl.
"Y-yeah. Understood."
Promising to come again soon.
"But I haven't paid the price."
Lee Chaerim, who received the uniform, said.
"The amount is written here."
I held out the price list I had shown Carmilla as well.
"3,000,000 won, you say?" "Because the Solvent of Silence was added to the High-tier Spirit's Blessing, material costs will be added, but the service fee is 3,000,000 won." "Wait a minute, Kim Jinsoo."
She looked at me with a face that didn't understand.
"This skill is merely 3,000,000 won? A laundry skill that not only dispels the curse residing in an S-Rank equipment but also adds additional functions is 3,000,000 won. Isn't this too cheap? Outstanding skills must receive a price fitting for them."
Lee Chaerim began to spout impassioned speech.
It's not wrong. But it's half right and half wrong.
"The additional blessings being granted was purely good luck."
There are a total of 2 special effects given when doing laundry with the Premium Course.
(Special Effect) Curse: Outcry of the Masses -> Evolves into Authority: Absolute Silence. (0.79%) (Special Effect) Status Effect: Chilling Resentment -> Mutates into Blessing: Unleaving Spring. (18.2%)
0.79% and 18.2%.
It was truly an atrocious probability. The probability of both of these succeeding was lower than pulling an SSR in a single gacha pull. Lee Chaerim's uniform was just lucky.
I couldn't sell a skill where stats are additionally swayed by luck for too much money.
If Elena had been there.
She would have said that, right?
It's not necessarily wrong, but. I didn't want to receive money for additional effects obtained through luck.
It might be different if it was someone else. But because it's Lee Chaerim.
Because this laundry exists thanks to her.
I don't forget the grace I've received.
But that didn't mean I intended to do it for a bargain price either. I should receive what I should receive.
"Because it's a premium course, the material costs are quite expensive. I didn't mention the material costs earlier, but if you add the material costs..."
I tapped on a calculator and handed it to Lee Chaerim.
"Mm..."
Looking at the total price, she closed her mouth.
"You're receiving enough." "Because the 3,000,000 won only calculates the pure service fee." "Even if it was lucky, I can't just receive this kind of item and let it slide. And..."
She paid the amount I handed over on the spot. The amount paid immediately via Hunter Pay.
Ding-dong.
The deposit notification sound was cheerful. The amount had ten million won more added to it than expected.
"Wow..." "Because I'll be borrowing those pajamas periodically moving forward. I included the payment for that as well and put in a generous amount." "Didn't you give too much? With this much, I could buy a new S-Rank equipment secondhand." "You broke the S-Rank curse and evolved it into a new equipment. This much is a trifling amount."
Lee Chaerim smiled brightly.
Draping the coat that had turned pure white over herself, she smelled the fragrance of the collar as if satisfied. A subtle spring flower scent emanated from her body.
"The scent is nice. I think it's even better because it's a scent I'm smelling for the first time in a while."
Lee Chaerim hummed.
"I'll come once a week from now on. I'll bring additional laundry with me then." "You're welcome anytime."
Lee Chaerim stared at me fixedly, then smiled brightly and left the store.
Ding-a-ling-.
Late evening.
I gripped the pink bear pajamas she had taken off and left.
Lee Chaerim's warmth still remained.
It felt as if a completely different fragrance from usual was emanating from it.
How should I say it. Like a soft floral scent subtly blooming?
'Let's wash it quickly. Because it becomes junk if time passes.'
I took out the Cloud-Touch Softener and bleach dedicated to the Hibernation Pajamas and headed to the laundry room.
I have to hand-wash it.
The Spirit of Spring, whose presence hadn't been felt until now wherever it was, cried low and fluttered its wings.
After safely wrapping up the eventful first day of opening. Since then, there weren't many special guests.
Mostly.
"Please do some equipment mending." "Would it be possible to wash equipment stained with slime too?" "Because I was in a dungeon for a long time, the smell permeated, so I'm trying to leave it for laundry."
Ordinary customers like this.
Ordinary hunters between C-Rank and F-Rank.
While dealing with ordinary customers, or spending boring time without customers.
I also didn't forget to commune with the pink Spirit of Spring fluttering and flying around the laundry.
The guy, who I thought would leave quickly after I washed its body cleanly, entrusted its body to our laundry for a longer time than expected.
'Is it okay to just stay like that?'
If it's a Spirit of Spring, it would be better to return to the forest.
It's not my place to care. It's not like I can force it to leave.
I'm not an elementalist, so I couldn't even communicate with the guy.
"It's a fascinating child. When did it settle down?"
Elena also showed interest in the guy.
She had clocked out early, and suddenly a pet appeared, so it was a natural reaction.
"It's a relief, though. Because a few big shots came visiting, the store's livelihood got much better."
A smile hung on the lips of Elena tapping the calculator for settlement.
"With this much, you can easily pay a few months' salary." "Ah, about that."
I'm sorry because it feels like I'm raining on your parade.
"I spent almost all of it buying materials." "..."
The pupils of Elena listening to my words were dead.
"Boss, no, you bastard will fall to hell. To not know the preciousness of money!"
You're glaring at me as if looking at an enemy.
"...I left the money to pay your salary." "As expected of the Boss! You had foresight?" "...Lunch today is triangle kimbap." "Ugh! N-no! God said that sufficient meals and healthy lifestyle habits are important..."
A few peaceful days passed like that.
The Magic Tower's Guardian Stone Statue went missing? What kind of thing is that.
"Boss, if you do not provide me with a sufficient meal, I too might disappear like Pandora..." "Where could you go if you left here." "..."
It was then.
Sssss.
The wind coming in through the door crack scattered my hair.
A wind strong enough to shake the glass door blew.
"Huh?"
What is it? Is a typhoon blowing suddenly? There was no such mention in the weather forecast.
Damn Meteorological Administration, did you get it wrong again?
Then the door opened.
A woman with a beautiful appearance emitting a blue eye light. Her blue hair was glossy, and her skin sparkled whitely as if combed.
She was a woman with immense beauty. A woman possessing an appearance that seemed likely to draw people's attention just by looking. However, a strange sense of incongruity was felt from her.
She looked like a person, but the unique softness that a person possesses couldn't be felt at all.
As if. It felt like she was made artificially.
On top of that, her skin was strangely greasy, as if smeared with oil. Grime marks and oil stains. Her appearance was definitely beautiful, but her state was incredibly dingy.
It was a feeling similar to when I first saw Elena.
I've seen her somewhere a lot. She looks familiar.
"Huh? Boss, isn't that woman the Pandora they said disappeared?"
At Elena's words, I looked at the TV. A video showing the missing Magic Tower's Guardian Stone Statue, Pandora, was playing.
They look exactly the same. This woman who came visiting our store and her.
It was from Pandora, the Golem who is the guardian of the Magic Tower.
No, Mr. Golem, what brings you to a laundry?