Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Leaving the Fish to the Cat
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Early summer sea. Scorching sun even though it was just early summer. But the crashing waves and that distinctive salty smell.
A spot where the hot sand felt good. I'd laid out a sunbed there and was lounging on it. Next to me was another sunbed, occupied by that damn blonde.
Of course, a parasol was planted between the beds, so the sunlight wasn't too harsh. No thanks to getting sunburned.
On the table under the parasol were all sorts of drinks and snacks, plus a black cat.
The cat yawned lazily, and I found myself yawning too without realizing it.
And on my stomach. A little blonde lounging with some weird sunglasses on.
Hmm. To sum it up in one word.
"Vacation."
"Vacation, huh."
[Vacay?]
"Means we're here to play."
Levatein tilted her head like she didn't get it, but I just patted her and let it slide.
"Best to do nothing on the first day."
"Why?"
"How do you not know? It's basic."
"If you go all out from day one, you win on day one. Then head home. If only I had wings—"
"Yeah, yeah~"
I cut off Raphael's words and took a swig of cola from the table. Tingly and good.
Gathering points on the first day is suicide. For someone like me with no strength to defend them, chilling out is the way to go.
Tomorrow onward, safely rack up points and aim for a decent rank.
There's plenty of game nearby and food sources, so no one's coming to the beach. Am I a genius?
"Won't they come fishing?"
"They'd fish in the river. River water's drinkable, and fish come there too. Can't drink seawater."
"Ocean fish are tastier though..."
Sure they are. I clicked my tongue, and Levatein turned to look at me. Her sunglasses had slipped down, half revealing her eyes.
They sparkled like she wanted to ask something.
[Daddy!!]
"What."
[Can't drink seawater?!]
"Yeah. Too salty."
[Salty?!]
I stuck out my tongue and made a salty gesture. Levatein freaked out and fell backward in shock. I caught her so she wouldn't tumble off.
[Wanna taste!!]
With that, Levatein hopped off the sunbed. Then she toddled off toward the sea with a do-do-do sound.
"Levatein!! You'll trip~"
[I'll be careful~]
She looked happy, so that was fine. I got up and followed her. I knew she'd call me to play anyway if I stayed lying down.
Parenting instincts are scary.
"Raphael. You coming?"
"In a bit. After I finish this."
Suit yourself. I strolled over slowly.
[Eek!! Salty!!]
Up close, Levatein was scrunching her face after tasting the seawater. More salty than expected, probably.
Then we picked shells together, I explained what they were, and played by writing in the sand before waves erased it.
Raphael joined later, holding Levatein's hand and walking on the waves.
You might wonder if this is okay, but it was.
I'd set up runes around us. Security runes that alert me via shadows if anyone approaches.
I'd also sent out a few crows. If someone comes, Levatein can just turn into a shell or something.
"Sea good."
"Thinking of escaping to the beach during summer break."
"Really? For real? Not lying?"
"Why would I lie?"
Raphael, holding Levatein's hand, bounced excitedly. Levatein grinned and bounced too, loving it.
Is the beach that great?
I thought about it. Meeting Silvia or that woman dispatched from the church versus playing at the beach.
No contest.
"Beach is the best."
"The best!!"
[The best!!]
We jumped in sync with the splashing waves.
People naturally get hungry after a good romp. Makes sense—you burn energy.
In that vein, the item Raphael insisted on bringing was shining.
A barbecue grill~
"Ta-da~"
"What're you doing?"
"Didn't need some BGM just now?"
Hmm. Yeah, it did. I didn't mimic it back, knowing she'd tease me for sucking. Raphael, cradling the sleepy, nodding-off Levatein, beamed.
"Good call suggesting this, right? You're secretly thrilled too, Seong-hoon?!"
"It's great. Levatein can light the fire, feels just like a real trip."
"See? My taste is impeccable!!"
Normally I'd deny it, but today it was spot on, so no comeback. I nodded vaguely at Raphael's smugness and fanned the flames.
Need the fire stronger to grill meat, but asking Levatein again might char it, so fanning it up manually.
[Nya. Why won't this catch, nya.]
Beside me, the cat had shifted to human form and was fanning too. How hungry was she?
Makes sense with the meat I brought. Top-shelf stuff I got from Isia.
Infused with dragon mana from the [Inventory], it's leagues beyond normal meat.
I pulled an icebox from the [Inventory]. Packed with pork cuts, drinks, and watermelon for dessert.
Then the table out, and prepped the spread on it.
Veggies, sides. Sauces and rice to go with the meat. Everything but the kitchen sink.
Chairs too—started with four, but Levatein sits on me or Raphael anyway, so three.
"Ooh!!!"
Raphael plopped excitedly into a chair. Patted Levatein's back and chattered at me.
I replied vaguely, set water boiling for ramen, and started grilling.
Sizzle—!!!
The world's best sound as the meat cooked. The cat-eared girl drooling beside me watched as it browned perfectly.
Dumped ramen into the boiling water, plated the cooked meat.
[Mmm...]
"Sm, smells so good...!!"
[Nya, nya...!!]
I woke Levatein. As the gluttons Raphael and Lachesis hesitated to dig in, with all the food in the center—
Caw—!!!!
A crow flew in. Not just one—the runes I'd scattered returned as shadows.
"What?! No way? Not what I'm thinking, right?!"
I bolted into action amid Raphael's panic.
Not toward the intruder, though. I frantically started wrapping ssam.
"What're you doing?!"
[Intruder, nya?]
"Dunno!! Eat first, deal later!!"
I shoved a wrap in my mouth. Pure bliss exploding with flavor, but no time to savor.
Checked the crow's feed.
"Hmm. Raphael."
"Mmf... ma-hi-ha... huff... huff?"
Swallow first. I eyed the two gluttons and Levatein, already chowing down.
Looks delicious.
"I'm heading out. Save some."
[Daddy no eat?]
"Back soon."
Slipping on the [Reaper's Robe], I thought.
Isn't this just leaving fish with the cat?
The weight of family... heavy...!
Leon Grace walked silently toward the sea.
Behind him trailed over ten people, all bought with his family's name.
One reason.
To crush Lee Seong-hoon's arrogance in this exam.
Might seem excessive for rank 700-something, but no. He broke Leon's magic.
Cautious was natural.
Despite scouring the forest with these numbers, no sign of Lee Seong-hoon. So only beaches left—en route.
"Beach though? Wide open, easy to ambush, no fresh water? Bad spot."
"Only place left."
Leon said it, but couldn't be sure. Maybe already eliminated? Empty chase then.
Still, Leon had to. A mage getting his spell thrown back? He'd do anything.
He had to smash Lee Seong-hoon's nose flat.
"Double the promised pay if you take down Lee Seong-hoon. Stay sharp."
His words lit up the group. Some burned with zeal.
As the group hit the forest-sea boundary.
Something approached. Far off, unclear, but Leon knew.
"Lee Seong-hoon."
Black hair, black robe. Crude scythe in one hand, walking over.
Leon wanted to order attack now, but something off.
Too far for face. Summer heat haze maybe.
Or inner fear hallucination. But he saw it. Something rippling over Lee Seong-hoon.
Like mana flare on an enraged person—
Thought cut there.
Face visible. Definitely Lee Seong-hoon. Leon ordered attack without hesitation.
And was certain.
'He's angry.'
Why? Shouldn't he be the pissed one? Couldn't even cast thanks to that?
Swordsmen charged at Leon's command. Mages chanted. Overkill for one, but no stop.
"You guys."
He muttered. Voice clear despite distance.
"Know how it feels to only get one plate of pork belly after leaving it?"
What? Pork where—
Couldn't finish thinking. Lee Seong-hoon swept his robe aside, eyes misty.
Flapping robe, darkness birthed something.
Something? No. Too many. Can't count with hands.
Impossible to tally at a glance—
"Crows?!"
The crow swarm engulfed Leon.
"Wh-what do we do?!"
[I, I dunno nya.]
[Yummy!!]
"It was yummy!!"
Of course. Supreme taste. Beyond words delicious.
However.
"What now."
Nothing left. Too good, hands kept going till plates empty.
Seong-hoon said save some before leaving...!!
"B-but ramen broth's left, maybe he'll forgive?"
[Ramen broth's a lot left nya.]
"Right?!"
Raphael and Lachesis fretted, oblivious Levatein just grinned brightly.
Run for it?
A shadow fell over Raphael as she thought that.
"Raphael...?"
"Huh? No, that's—"
Raphael waved it off, but some truths don't change with denial.