Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Sad Premonitions Never Miss
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Morning.
I sat blankly in this still unfamiliarly quiet room. I'd just woken up and was spacing out.
Judging by the silence, that damn blond duo was still asleep, and there was no way Lachesis had woken up after I'd tormented her until dawn.
My anger hadn't fully subsided, so I shot Lachesis a glare. I didn't wake her. After tormenting her that much yesterday, she'd probably reflected on it.
I sprawled across the bed, savoring the rare quiet as I opened [Skills].
Well, it was the usual screen I always saw. I indifferently skipped through all the new windows popping up. No point reading them anyway—they'd just say something like [A mind map you can stamp is available.] So I ignored them.
Finally, I found the [Search] window. I was planning to pick my third skill now. I'd meant to save the points a bit longer, but since we were heading to the treasure vault today...
「Hyper Senses (A+)」
(500,000P)
"Hmm."
I could more than afford it. Hell, I'd have points left over. Taming a demon and taking down an ancestor? Plus deploying a temporary lair—my points had piled up nicely.
"Hyper Senses, huh."
Not a bad suggestion. I'd originally been thinking of grabbing something like Accuracy (B) or Sure Hit (EX) for when I might need a gun or bow.
"Hm."
I tapped the text lightly. Another blue window popped up.
The description was vague. Would I regret buying this? The precognition part I didn't need—Lachesis had that covered.
Senses activated to the extreme, huh. Hard to say. How useful would it really be?
I stared at the blue window, pondering for a long time. Should I buy something else? I couldn't afford EX or S-rank, but anything A+ or below was within reach.
"Hmmmmmm."
I propped my chin on my hand and groaned. Then I felt something tugging at my pants from below.
Glancing down without changing my thoughtful pose, I saw the little blond rubbing her sleepy eyes and looking up at me.
She clutched a pillow in one hand. She'd dragged it over—probably need to fluff it later.
Spotting me looking, she grinned happily. Then she raised her arms toward me. I'd seen it enough times to know: she wanted to be picked up.
"No."
Too bad—I'd told her last time was the last. I'm a man who keeps his promises.
Shocked by my words, Levatein let out a thud!!-like grunt and clambered onto the bed.
I ignored her and kept looking at [Skills], but she marched right up and plopped down between my legs.
Wondering what she was up to, I looked down. She gazed up at me triumphantly, like she'd won. No idea whose daughter she was, but she was taking after me.
Good sign. Life's better lived my way—no losses. She'd be a sword-slinger, though.
I'm not heartless, so I didn't push her off. I let her play as she pleased.
"Getting ready."
Instead of answering, I patted her head. She giggled happily. It was a trick I'd picked up living with Levatein—deflect with affection.
After playing a bit, she settled down contentedly, so I focused back on the blue window. To buy or not?
I tapped 「Hyper Senses (A+)」 again. Second click brought up the purchase confirmation instead of the description.
I went to hit No, but Levatein lifted her head. Then she stared into space.
No, not space. A bad feeling hit me instantly. Her gaze was fixed straight on one spot.
As if she could see the blue window only I could—
Why do sad premonitions never miss? Before I could say a word, Levatein's hand moved.
Reaching for the floating blue window. And where her hand touched? Shockingly, the Y button.
"For real."
Life really is unfair. I couldn't even get mad at Levatein smiling up at me.
I hurried out so I wouldn't be late for our appointment.
Isia offering to buy me a meal for once? Only a fool would turn that down. She'd said she'd treat me herself, so she was probably taking me somewhere nice like a fancy restaurant.
With those expectations, I headed out. Raphael had whined something like "Let's go eat somethin' delicious without her!!" but I couldn't take her along, so I left her behind.
A bit worrisome, though. She wasn't the type to behave on her own.
"No way."
I'd told her a million times: going into that guy's stomach. Leaving Levatein behind would be suicide.
Of course, Levatein had priors, so I'd shoved her into my inventory. Promised to grant her a wish later—barely got her in.
Should've stuffed her in before she woke. Easier that way.
"I left her money, so she'll order something."
She'll manage. Shoving aside needless worries about the blond pest, I walked on. Soon, the meeting spot fountain came into view.
A person stood before the fountain. A woman with water cascading behind her. Her black hair whipped in the wind, and she brushed it aside as it covered her eyes.
She always wore her neat uniform, but today's casual clothes—a black outfit—suited her hair perfectly.
I wasn't big on fashion, but it was pretty nice. A fresh change.
I approached the one waving when she spotted me.
And stared intently. Feeling my gaze, she shyly covered herself with her arms but I didn't stop.
"Hmmmm."
"Wh-what?! Right away?!"
"Hmmmmmm."
Why was this happening—?!
I pulled back from her teary-eyed face. Conclusion reached.
"Isia."
"Wh-what?"
"Guess the saying 'clothes make the woman' isn't wrong."
"What does tha—"
Isia tilted her head at my words, then her face turned beet red. Took her a sec to get it.
She nodded furiously, face flaming, then turned and started walking ahead.
"I-I dress pretty well!"
She was trying to act composed, but her steps were unsteady. Zigzagging along, muttering stuff like "Haha~ So... hot~"
"She's great in every way, but weak to compliments."
What the hell. Ignoring Lachesis's incomprehensible jab, I followed the wobbling Isia.
After a short walk, her steps steadied, her color returned, and she walked beside me. She kept clasping her hands behind her back and sneaking glances at me—which was annoying—but free meal, so I endured.
We walked quite a ways to a warp gate.
She was treating me to food in Seoul for convenience. Fair enough—better than Hero Academy restaurants.
Wonder what fancy place? Brimming with anticipation, I stepped onto the warp gate.
And true to my hopes, our destination was dazzling.
How dazzling? So much that...
"Whoaaaaaaa."
"..."
"Whoaaaaaaaahhh."
My exclamations wouldn't stop. Insanely so. A small fry like me could die and resurrect and never set foot here.
Chandeliers? Wasn't this Seoul? Red carpet floor?
Even the chairs were plush. Wooden, but plush!
"Whoaaaaaaa."
The waiter's steps were precise. Even setting down water was elegant.
This noble society? Couldn't shut my mouth even watching the waiter.
Makes sense why Isia said it then?
"Please. Close your mouth."
"Whoaaaaaaaahhh."
"Close. Your. Mouth."
Got it.
The food was delicious. Melted in your mouth like butter. Never been to a place like this worldwide—new experience.
"Wish Raphael could've come."
"..."
What? Why the glare? I couldn't figure out Isia narrowing her eyes at me. I'd just thought it was so good, it'd be nice to share free food—what's the issue?
Hearing Lachesis's tongue-click, I followed Isia.
Her behavior had been odd from earlier.
Hiding behind the menu when the waiter asked "Shall I move you to a couple's table?"
Spitting out her water when I joked, after devouring the tasty food, "Marry rich and eat like this every day? New goal: marry rich!!"
Offering me her share when I ate too fast.
"Hm. Weird."
Unable to grasp her motives, I tilted my head. Isia turned back, hands behind her.
"My house?"
"Huh? No. Huh? Already here?"
Looking around, no buildings anywhere. None. That's when it hit me.
We'd entered Isia's family estate. Her home was carved out by the Magic Association Chairman buying up huge swaths of Seoul land.
Insane flex of money and power, but only possible for the Chairman. And the moment I realized that—
Fwosh—!!
My vision flickered. Dizzy, I shook it off. What I saw: a luxurious room. A study evoking medieval nobility.
And in the central sofa, a middle-aged man watching me.
Chin propped, displeased expression.
"Father!!"
Isia rushed over; his face softened instantly, patting her head. That pissed me off.
No clue why, but it did.
"Not just anyone enters my treasure vault."
"But."
So? I can. Siwoo cleared his throat, annoyed at my interruption, then spoke again.
"Still no manners, I see. You can take two treasures. Touch more, and annihilation magic auto-triggers. Careful."
Face screaming he didn't want to tell me. If this was his reaction to a guy his daughter knew, sending her off would be a sight.
Siwoo snapped his fingers. With the sound, the bookshelf groaned and shifted.
Stairs appeared in its place.
"Go. Down is the vault. Door's unlocked—pick two and come out."
He sipped his black tea, signaling no chit-chat. Nothing to ask anyway, so I headed for the stairs.
Didn't take long to reach a massive door. Guy had real talent.
I strained to open it. Why are big doors always such a pain?!
—Isia.
—Yes?
—Don't go.
A distant voice. Isia, following me, got stopped.
No one would miss what that meant. Even a kid passing by would know.
"Ah. Should I head back?"
But my body was already inside the vault.
Creeeeaaaak—
The massive door groaned shut. All I could do was stare.
Why do sad premonitions never miss?
Tears trickled down.