Leveling Up and Skill Reinforcement
“How was it?”
At Eunha’s question, Seoyeon shook her head.
“No. And the build was wrong too… That pervert wasn’t that big.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
With that answer, Seoyeon led Eunha to someone else’s house. But every time, we came up empty. Not that I could blame them—the culprit was right here, so no one else could be him.
If only they’d give up now.
But contrary to my hopes, Seoyeon showed no sign of disappointment. If anything, the more houses she checked, the sharper her suspicious glances at me became.
…Don’t people usually get tired out?
Once today’s search wrapped up, I’d need to come up with another plan.
“Let’s grab dinner first.”
Around 8 p.m., Eunha whined, clutching her stomach. She must’ve been starving. The others nodded too, their own hunger kicking in.
“Sure.”
With that, we headed to a nearby egg rice joint. Everything was a cheap 3,500 won, and it was set up so even first-timers could dig in easily.
“I’ll have mild.”
Eunha, who’d been here with me a few times, ordered naturally.
“Mild for me too.”
Ye-eun had apparently eaten here before as well, ordering without glancing at the menu.
“……”
But Seoyeon seemed new to the place, staring seriously at the menu with a troubled look. Eunha scooted right up beside her, helpfully explaining the spice levels. After listening, Seoyeon nodded a few times.
“Mild for me too.”
Orders settled, I called the server over: three milds and one regular.
Then we turned to each other.
“You coming tomorrow?”
Eunha spoke first. Fair enough—that was the big question right now. We couldn’t roam the streets every evening hunting the perp.
I didn’t mind, but Eunha had private tutoring gigs that made it tough.
“Why? Got a problem?”
“I’ve got tutoring tomorrow.”
“Hmm…”
Seoyeon crossed her arms, frowning thoughtfully. Losing Eunha would make the search harder. On the flip side, it’d direct her gaze straight at me. She was still suspicious, even if she was playing it cool.
“Let’s take tomorrow off and meet the day after.”
“Oh, I can’t the day after.”
Ye-eun raised her hand.
Looks like the group’s falling apart.
I listened quietly, smirking inwardly. But then Seoyeon turned to me.
“You?”
“Me? Uh… I’m free.”
Caught off guard, I blurted it out. Seoyeon grinned wickedly.
“Perfect. Tomorrow, the three of us without Eunha. Day after, three without Ye-eun.”
My vision went dark for a second, but I stayed calm.
“Without Eunha, we won’t know which house is the perp’s.”
“Nah, tomorrow we’ll check the spot where Ye-eun met that pervert in the mask.”
She locked in tomorrow’s plan just like that.
No escape. Should’ve lied about having plans tomorrow…
Regret flooded me, but it was too late. I sighed inwardly, nodded, and said okay.
As we chatted, the egg rice arrived. We scarfed it down and stood to leave.
“How’re we paying?”
At the counter, Eunha asked. Seoyeon pulled out her card.
“I got it.”
“But—”
“You’re college kids. I’m buying, so zip it.”
She paid up, glanced at me and Ye-eun, said “See you tomorrow,” and strode off without a backward glance, just like last night.
Ye-eun watched Yu Seoyeon’s retreating figure.
“She’s a weird one.”
Eunha nodded.
“Kinda weird sis, yeah.”
After trading a few words about Yu Seoyeon, they turned to me, expressions asking what now.
I shrugged.
“Let’s head home. Ye-eun, where’s your place? Want a ride?”
“No thanks.”
She politely declined, then looked up at me steadily.
“…And drop the formal talk. Different majors or not, I’m your junior.”
I chuckled softly.
“Got it. Casual from now on.”
“Yeah.”
Her face softened.
Such a sweet junior…
So why was she hanging with those types? Not that they were pure evil—I didn’t know much about them. Still, kids chugging booze on campus in broad daylight? Their character probably wasn’t great. If they had any sense, they’d drink off-campus.
Not like just messing around on the lawn.
I gave a wry smile, sent Ye-eun off first, then walked home to the villa with Eunha. I escorted her to the third floor, then headed down to my studio.
“Haa.”
I flopped onto the bed with a heavy exhale, pondering Yu Seoyeon.
This is getting dangerous.
A bad feeling said she’d catch on sooner or later—and it wouldn’t end well. Worst case, she might stab me. Unlikely for her, but…
…Actually, pretty plausible.
She’d charged in demanding I open the door. Slim chance, maybe 1%, but no room for complacency.
“Strike first.”
I sat up and pulled out my smartphone.
Options: items, skills, level up?
Items and skills were random. Levels were surefire, though no guarantee they’d fix this.
200 Vital Energy: ten item boxes, four skill draws, at least one level.
After mulling, I chose to level up. Plus, I was curious about Otherworld Quests.
Women status view range increased from 20m to 40m.
Can now train women up to three ranks higher than user.
Skill enhancement unlocked!
“Skill enhancement?”
I tapped the notification right away.
Enhance skills using required Vital Energy.
Back to user info, I checked High-Speed Movement.
Enhance skill ‘High-Speed Movement’?
(Consumes 50 Vital Energy)
[Yes / No]
“Ah, got it.”
Like when I duped Goblin Summon before. Difference: direct enhancement, no redraw needed.
But it guzzles Vital Energy.
Higher tiers would cost even more, no doubt.
“Anyway, let’s level more.”
I hit No and leveled up again.
Women status view range increased from 40m to 100m.
Random Equipment Boxes now available in Shop!
Otherworld Quests unlocked!
Random Equipment Box rewarded.
Claim Random Equipment Box?
[Yes / No]
“Equipment too?”
I tilted my head at the new alert, then hit No and checked the Shop.
“Pricey…”
Twice the skill box cost—my jaw dropped.
What’s inside to justify that?
I went back and claimed the box.
◈ Use Dark Arrow (once per minute).
◈ Summon Skeleton (max 3; requires corpse).
◈ Boosts attack, defense, HP of all summons within 100m radius: Details
“…No way.”
I couldn’t help but gasp at the description.
*Wrapping up Seoyeon first, then onto Minseo.