Summer Beach
After confirming that Seoyeon noona had stepped out of the bathroom, I immediately turned on the shower and rinsed off.
Should we move in together?
Cohabiting had brought a ton of conveniences in all sorts of ways. One big perk was the apartment's far superior living environment compared to my cramped studio. Sure, you could keep a one-room tidy and comfortable with good management, but it still couldn't hold a candle to a proper apartment.
...Nah, living together is still...
Even if the odds of getting caught were practically zero, the woman in question was Yu Seoyeon. Show the slightest opening, and she'd pounce like a hawk. I shuddered at the memory of her old self.
"Phew."
Exhaling lightly, I finished my quick shower and headed out. When I stepped into the living room, there was Seoyeon noona, breakfast all laid out and waiting for me.
"Eat up already."
She said it with a touch of pride, and it was well-deserved—the spread was impressively lavish. Rolled omelet, seasoned veggie side dishes, and a pot of kimchi stew bubbling away. Surprisingly down-to-earth; I'd pegged her for strictly Western-style meals based on her looks alone.
She's more unpretentious than I thought.
Chuckling softly, I told her, "I'll grab some clothes," then ducked into the bedroom to get dressed. Back out, I picked up a spoon to dig into the meal she'd prepared.
"You heading out tomorrow?"
She asked out of the blue.
"To the beach?"
"Yeah. What do you think?"
Her follow-up had me nodding right away.
"If you're cool with it, noona, I'm all in. Tomorrow it is?"
"Yeah, since we're on the topic, let's go tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Like a day trip?"
"Nah, we've got a villa. We'll crash there overnight."
"A villa?"
The word slipped out with genuine surprise. But she brushed it off casually.
"It's not that big. Just a cozy little place."
"..."
That reminded me she was cousins with Lee Hyunju. And it hit me hard: Seoyeon noona was way richer than I'd imagined.
So why's she interning?
Some family rule, maybe? Dramas had stories like that—starting from the absolute bottom.
...Or maybe she ran away from home.
With that sky-high pride of hers, it wasn't impossible.
"So, how is it? Not tasty?"
Lost in thoughts about her, her sudden question snapped me back. She wanted my verdict on the food.
I scooped up some rolled omelet and took a bite.
"Oh..."
A gasp escaped me unbidden.
"Well?"
"Delicious."
No exaggeration—it was legit good. I'd noticed with the sandwich last time, but her cooking skills were top-notch. What couldn't Seoyeon noona do?
Well, one flaw came to mind.
Her personality.
If only she were a bit more docile, she'd be perfect. But then again, that edge might be what made her shine brighter. And honestly, her prickly side was how I'd scored the glory of being her first man.
"Good. Try this too—hurry up."
As she fed me bites here and there, I smiled faintly, enjoying the kimchi stew, veggies, and omelet in peaceful harmony until breakfast was done.
When we finished, I shoved the side dishes into the fridge and said, "I'll handle cleanup, noona. Go get ready for work."
"Okay, thanks."
She flashed dimples on both cheeks, then planted a quick peck on my cheek.
This ain't bad either.
Kisses were great, but this innocent skinship had its own fresh charm.
Feels like we're newlyweds.
Snickering to myself, I stowed the rest in the fridge and tackled the dishes. By then, she'd finished prepping and emerged in a crisp office look. She'd styled her hair with a straightener, making those already-flowy locks sway even more alluringly with their perfect waves.
"How do I look?"
"Beautiful."
She struck a pose for me, and I grinned wide in response. She burst into a bashful smile and melted straight into my arms.
"Kiss me."
I happily leaned down to oblige.
"...Mmm, ah... haah, ah."
A few presses of our lips left hers glossy and inviting. I figured some of her lipstick had transferred to mine.
Eh, it's not too bold a shade.
Chucking at the idle thought, I released her and grabbed my smartphone and wallet from the bedroom. Back out, she tugged my hand.
"Let's go."
"Sure."
We headed out, rode the apartment elevator to the basement garage, and slipped into the parked car.
"Subway station's fine?"
"Yeah, that'll do."
She nodded faintly and fired up the engine. Her car glided smoothly out of the lot, picking up speed onto the road. As always, Seoyeon noona's driving was pro-level. Born driver?
Gazing admiringly at her profile, we arrived at the station before I knew it; she pulled over to the curb.
"I'll pick you up for dinner."
"Got it."
Felt like another sleepover at her place tonight, but I didn't argue. No point inviting her carpet-bombing wrath.
We'd only been dating days, but I'd learned my boundaries.
"Kiss."
She leaned in demanding again. I chuckled softly and met her lips.
"...Mmm, ah."
Her soft lips clung sweetly to mine with a sugary moan, parting slowly as I pulled back. Not satisfied, she parted hers slightly to nip my lower lip.
"Cheat, and you're dead."
"I'm not that hotshot."
I laughed it off easily and stepped out. Door shut, the car idled a beat before rolling away. Once it vanished from sight, I strolled into the subway.
Let's see.
Parted from Seoyeon noona, I pulled out my phone and launched the Manager App.
Victory against KGC Hongsam Corporation! Acquired 50 experience points.
Settling experience points.
Please wait a moment.
Kim Minseo has acquired 780 experience points. (Cumulative experience: 1655)
Congratulations!
Daily check-in successful!
Reward: Free Equipment Synthesis (1 use) granted.
Claim Free Equipment Synthesis (1 use)?
[Yes / No]
"Equipment synthesis?"
Seemed like it let you mash up gear into something equivalent or better. I hit yes to claim it.
Congratulations.
Acquired item 'Free Equipment Synthesis (1 use)'!
Effect: Synthesizes two pieces of equipment into one of equal or higher grade.
"...As expected."
Spot on. Curious how it worked, I tapped to use it.
User's level is insufficient.
Raise your level to unlock the Synthesis Shop.
"Level restriction, huh."
I pondered. In any game, higher levels meant better stuff. The Manager App unlocked shops and features as you leveled. But it came at a cost: tribute.
The first line of tribute always checked your level, meaning higher levels demanded more tribute.
Obviously, higher level means higher tribute...
But blindly leveling without the power to back it up was stupid. Take yesterday's twin-headed ogre. If I couldn't handle it? Sure, abandon the quest and bail—but life doesn't always go your way.
First time with succubus Elena, one slip and I'd have been drained dry. Meeting white-haired mercenary leader Matilda without Goblin Summon? Nearly killed. Without the Ring of Protection against the twin-headed ogre? I'd be ogre chow by now.
I'll think on leveling more.
Shelving the free synthesis for now, I closed the app.
...Article on Minseo... here it is.
Searching "Kim Minseo" online brought up a flood of articles.
The Newly Emerged Volleyball Goddess Kim Minseo: "I Want to Win It All."
"Goal? I want to win."
Kim Minseo (27, 177cm), left-side player for the women's pro volleyball team Daehan Construction Hillstate, stepped in for injured players Seo Yu-in and Min Ju-hee against GS Caltex and delivered a stellar performance, leading straight to a contract with Daehan Construction. Bolstered by that deal, she filled their voids so seamlessly that the team notched three straight wins.
Having shown elite left-side attacker talent since Seoul Central Girls' High, Kim Minseo suffered a crushing pro debut loss that became trauma, nearly pushing her out entirely. But seven years later, she's risen above it, charging into a second golden era.
In yesterday's match against KGC Hongsam Corporation, she racked up 31 points (including 5 blocks, 69.23% attack success rate), steering a 3-0 victory and earning MVP for double the joy. "There was a moment I nearly quit, but looking back now, I'm so glad I didn't," she smiled. She added, "There's someone I'm truly grateful to. I want to repay them someday."
Fired up, the woman who wasted seven years now stands tall on the pro stage, hungry for the championship trophy with her team. More seasoned from the hardship, she's emerging as the next captain to lead them.
Ahead of the remaining games this season, coach Shin Hyung-seok declared Daehan Construction Hillstate will spark a new storm. "I want to win this season," Kim Minseo said firmly. "Everyone's giving it their all. No empty losses just because injured Seo Yu-in and Min Ju-hee are out."
Despite the double injury setback, bringing in Kim Minseo has them eyeing the title. Currently second in the league—their best ever. "I've waited every year," she revealed. "This time, I'll play on the court, not the bench."
With fighting spirit, she declared, "Current goal: first place. Then, the championship."
Whoa...
Scanning more articles on Minseo, it was all praise, calls to promote her to the first team ASAP. Image search? Flooded with her pics.
"She looks like a celeb."
Chuckling, I boarded the subway.
Gotta praise her.
She seemed to be waiting for it subtly. But not now—busy day ahead. Plus, snag the last Mana Stone Fragment via an Otherworld Quest when the chance arose.
...After beach with Seoyeon noona this weekend, 6 days left?