Chapter 6

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: Clam Star (3)

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A true man's trait: repay favors and grudges without mercy.

I could tolerate Mint Soboro Bread mocking my enhancement failure, but straight-up bragging about his +15 straight enhancements? Absolutely unforgivable.

So, as the Honorable Warden, I sentenced him to indefinite confinement in the Sky Arena and personally carried out the punishment. Now, logged out of the game, I was happily watching the fool squirm.

"...Heh."

Realizing I'd let out an involuntary chuckle, I jolted and scanned my surroundings. No passersby in sight. I patted my chest in relief.

Couldn't be helped. Truth be told, I'd been kicked out of my cozy home.

I'd originally planned to tease Mint a bit and let him out, but an unexpected disaster forced me to leave him there and flee outside in a panic.

'......'

For a moment, his antics had lifted my spirits, but recalling the state of my home filled me with suffocating disgust. I shook my head, trying to erase the memory.

'I hate it so much.'

A sudden assault by countless black shapes, without any warning whatsoever.

I'd always hated cockroaches, but facing them in this body triggered an indescribable terror. Grabbing only my wallet and phone, I bolted out in a frenzy.

No matter how manly mode I activated, some things were just impossible.

"Tesco's late......"

The moment I got outside, I signaled the exterminators right away, but wiping out the bugs would take a decent chunk of time.

That was why I was wandering the streets like a homeless pup.

Swipe.

Step, step, step.

Swipe.

Step, step, step.

Walk a bit, check surroundings. Walk a bit more, check again.

I'd bolted so fast I hadn't grabbed proper cover. A simple mask hiding my lower face wasn't enough to conceal my distinctive looks.

"......"

Am I too paranoid?

But being this cute and lovable, worrying about unnecessary attention felt natural, right?

Especially after blowing up on Clam lately. Someone recognizing me on the street wouldn't be weird.

And honestly, I wasn't ready for that kind of public attention yet.

[Look over there, that's her for real.]

[Rea...lly? She looks exactly like her.]

Right on cue with the whispers, I tensed, shoulders twitching, bracing for the inevitable visitors.

But.

Swipe.

'......?'

They just brushed past me, nothing more.

Realizing my huge mistake, my ears burned red. As I tried to slink away in embarrassment, the two women who'd been glancing over turned around and approached me again.

"Um, hi."

Of course.

Doubting my transcendent cuteness even for a second felt foolish now.

How could it be a mistake? I was this cute, lovable, adorable, eye-catching creature.

Trying to hide with just a mask was arrogant, maybe.

"Um, are you... on Clam by any chance?"

I nodded lightly, and she squealed with her friend, making a huge fuss.

Then, with a desperately earnest face, she made a request.

"Could we... maybe take a photo together? You're just so cute, I followed you right away! Of course, if not, no worries..."

A photo? Seemed a bit early to be selling my face offline, but whatever. Why not?

I was pretty far from home anyway, and my Korean identity was already public.

She'd spotted my cuteness with her keen eyes—didn't she deserve a little reward?

"...Want a pose too?"

"Ah, thank you...! Heart pose, please!"

We made a heart together, and the phone camera flashed.

As they checked the pic, her friend returned from somewhere with two cafe drinks and handed them over.

'Oh......'

Where'd she vanish to? Quick on the uptake, huh.

With such satisfying service, I felt inclined to bestow even more favors.

"Strawberry latte or black sugar bubble tea—which?"

"...Strawberry latte, then."

"Here you go!"

Felt like being pampered by capable retainers.

First time experiencing this, but not bad at all.

Slurp.

Seeing me happily sipping the strawberry latte, her friend—who'd been peeking—timidly made a request.

"Sorry, but... could I pet your hair, just once?"

"Hey, what are you saying! That's not even an autograph—super rude."

The photo girl scolded her, then anxiously apologized to me, worried I'd be offended.

I was gonna refuse at first, but then it hit me: wouldn't that be too unmanly?

It's not like it wears out. Just let her touch my hair, right?

"Go ahead."

"Eek! Thank you...! Just a little!"

"Sure."

Smooth.

Stroke.

Rustle.

She petted my hair like it was treasure, while her friend watched enviously.

Satisfied, the two left, and alone, I fidgeted, oddly empty without that touch.

'......'

Being praised as cute and petted... surprisingly felt great!

That fluffy, addictive pleasure from reading Clam praises.

I could kinda understand why girls dolled up and acted cutesy.

"No, no. That was just fan service."

Shaken by the weird feeling, I ducked into a shop and bought a proper hood to hide my face.

Wandering a while longer, I got a text from the Tesco guy: job done. Finally free from my little detour, I headed back to my beloved home.

I felt a twinge of guilt for unintentionally extending his punishment.

But seeing him slyly brag about his +15 weapon again? Couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Using Mint Sword God as leverage, I negotiated successfully. Pardoning his trapped character, I grinned, awaiting fulfillment of the promise.

Spreading my cuteness bit by bit like this, someday the whole channel will be filled with my devotees.

With a satisfied smile, I closed the Archive, placed cockroach spray ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠by my bed, and slipped under the fluffy blanket to prepare for sleep.

Praying with clasped hands that those pests were utterly exterminated and gone for good.