Gacha Luck and Eunha's Night
"Gacha?"
I was a little startled by the completely unexpected notification. I hadn't even imagined that this game would have a gacha system.
"...Hmm, should I give it a try?"
I'd been planning to check out the shop anyway, and now I had a free gacha ticket to boot. I immediately hit yes and entered the shop.
"So pulling ten at once gives one free, huh."
It was a standard sales tactic, but not a bad deal for the buyer.
'I wonder if the free ticket works on anything?'
After a moment's thought, I chose the Random Skill Box Gacha. Since it was a one-time free pull, better to go for the one that normally costs more Vital Energy.
◈ Summons 1 goblin.
◈ If forcibly unsummoned, can be resummoned after 1 hour.
"......"
I was utterly speechless at the totally unforeseen skill.
"Does this actually summon something for real?"
Curiosity bubbled up for a moment, but I quickly shelved it. What if the goblin I summoned attacked me? I didn't have the confidence to handle that. Worst case, it might even kill me.
'Probably not, but... still, nah.'
A skill that boosted my abilities like High-Speed Movement would be one thing, but summoning a goblin felt dubious. Especially since this was some mysterious game.
"Figures, with my luck."
Clicking my tongue, I confirmed it and checked the rest of the shop. No other special features—just the gacha, it seemed.
'Of course there wouldn't be a delete function.'
Scratching the back of my head, I stood up.
"First things first, let's go see Eunha."
With that decided, I closed the Manager App and got out of my seat. I grabbed two beer cans from the fridge and headed upstairs to where Lee Eunha lived, acting as casual as ever.
Ding-dong.
"Who is it?"
Thankfully she was home; her voice came from inside.
"It's me, Yuhyun."
"Oh, oppa?"
With a click, the door opened, and Eunha bounced out in a tank top.
"Wanna grab a beer?"
I showed her the cans I'd brought from my fridge.
She grinned cheerfully, just like always.
"Can we order chicken too?"
"Order away."
Agreement reached, she flung the door wide and welcomed me in. I breathed a silent sigh of relief at her attitude.
'She's acting normal.'
I'd worried she might be down, but she seemed totally fine, like nothing happened.
'...Maybe the first one was a tutorial with a virtual character?'
It made sense on second thought. The Eunha in the Training Room had been so different from the usual one. Plus, she wasn't the type to scream or blush at seeing me naked.
"Two Pride chickens!"
"No, one!"
Her unladylike bellow made me chuckle wryly as I shoved the beers into her fridge.
'Worried for nothing.'
Relieved, I kicked aside the scattered clothes on the floor and sat down.
"Ahh! Don't sit on my panties!"
"Clean up after yourself!"
As she yelled at me, I flung the panties from under my butt aside. She just giggled innocently and said, "Then you clean 'em, oppa."
'...Totally worried for nothing!'
I felt oddly shortchanged. I'd spent all day wracked with guilt over her, and here she was, perfectly fine!
What an unfair world. People start losing the moment they worry about others.
"Oppa, you already ate?"
"Yeah."
"Already?"
"Already what...?"
Checking my smartphone, it was only 6 PM.
'Oh right, time doesn't pass in the Training Room.'
Realizing its utility again, I whistled.
'...Maybe use it during exams?'
I'd need a training target, but luckily I had a perfect one.
Chucking to myself, I pocketed my phone.
"Why? It's not even 6 yet!"
"Yeah, you're living the dream!"
I shouted back at her bellow, and she burst into laughter—puhahat!—cackling away.
Watching her, I really felt like I'd wasted the whole day worrying.
She was fine—why fret over her? Yeah, that woman today had to be a Manager App illusion. Tutorial first, real deal later.
It soothed my mind. Sure, it might be my own wishful thinking, but seeing her so nonchalant? What else could it be?
She was way too composed. Just as I'd first suspected, that wasn't the real Eunha.
"See ya."
"Come back safe."
Eunha saw Kim Yuhyun off and closed the door. Turning around, she spotted the two beer cans and chicken box on the floor.
"Sniff..."
Tears pricked at her eyes. She'd been having such a good time chatting and eating chicken with him, but now that he was gone, a wave of sorrow crashed over her.
"...What the hell was that?"
She wanted to scream it out loud, but held back in case he heard.
'Was it really a dream?'
Too vivid for a dream—that man's touch had felt so real. And she'd enjoyed it...
It was mortifying, humiliating; she wanted to die right there.
"If I'd known, I'd have asked oppa to stay over."
She said it, but she lacked the courage. How could she boldly invite him to sleep over at her place? She'd played tough and "just like a bro" all this time, but her feelings had only grown stronger.
'Am I really an idiot?'
It had been the perfect chance.
Pouting as she squatted, she stuck out her lip.
'...No, oppa's the idiot! How do you just drop by a girl's place, eat chicken and beer, then leave? You gotta sneak in a hug, a kiss, some dirty jokes! That's how it's done!'
Resentment welled up, matched by deepening gloom.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
Inside, she yelled, 'Oppa Yuhyun's an idiot, I'm an idiot, we're all idiots!'
Grumbling to herself, she glanced around the room.
'What now?'
She'd sent him off, but now alone, fear crept in. Rolling her eyes around, she finally messaged her friend.
She checked the time in a hurry. Sure enough, it was past 11.
They'd talked so animatedly with Yuhyun that time had flown.
"Yes!"
With Shin Ye-eun's okay, Eunha pumped her fist in victory. Giggling, she jumped up and rushed to get ready to head out.
Just crashing at a friend's—no need for much. She threw on some clothes, hurried down the stairs, and headed to Ye-eun's place.
It sounded far, but it was really only about 10 minutes away.
"Hm?"
On the way, a flyer caught her eye—something she'd normally ignore.
Wanted: Sexual Harasser
Yu Seoyeon: I'm Yu Seoyeon! I won't give up!