Chapter 287: Escaping Stamina Deficiency!
Chapter 287: Escaping Stamina Deficiency!
The ‘Tears of the Elf Queen’ was about the size of a normal marble. The ‘Elixir of Love and Respect’ was slightly larger, about the size of my fist. I put both in my mouth at once, and by opening wide, I managed to get them in without much trouble. The moment I began to gently roll my tongue, I felt the elixir pop.
Delicious.
At first, the popping left a slight tingling sensation, but soon a cool, refreshing taste filled my mouth. It stimulated my entire tongue so gently that I wanted to keep it in my mouth forever. But I couldn't, so once I felt it had melted enough, I swallowed it in one gulp. Then, with a sliver of hope, I waited for the messages to appear in the air.
『You have consumed the Tears of the Elf Queen. You have gained 2 Free Stat Points.』
『You have consumed the Elixir of Love and Respect. You have gained 10 Stamina-exclusive stat points. Magic Power stat points were not included as you have reached the limit.』
“Tch.”
Seeing the messages, I couldn't help but click my tongue. I had taken them together just in case, hoping to get the two exclusive Magic Power points, but as expected, nothing happened. I was still clicking my tongue in disappointment when a thought occurred to me, and I let out a short laugh.
I was getting greedy.
In the first playthrough, there were times I’d struggled desperately, unable to obtain even one item like this. Of course, I had invested a proportional amount of materials this time, but honestly, even ten points was a massive gain. Still, a User’s greed knows no bounds, and a bitter taste now spread through my mouth, which had felt so refreshed just moments ago. After smacking my lips once or twice to compose myself, I immediately opened my Player Status window.
[Strength 96(+2)] [Durability 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 72] [Magic Power 96] [Luck 90(+2)]
(Remaining stat points: 14 Free Stat Points and 10 Stamina-exclusive points, for a total of 24 points.)
A total of 24 points. Although 10 of them were restricted to Stamina, it was still a staggering amount, considering I needed to raise it anyway. I unconsciously raised my finger to increase my Stamina, then reflexively stopped.
I had definitely made up my mind to solve my Stamina problem. That hadn't changed. But what if another opportunity, which I thought might be the last, came again? If I didn't use all my remaining points and kept my stats in the 80s, couldn't I aim for another elixir boost?
No, but in my current condition… I won’t be able to hold out.
My sluggish stamina recovery. I was well aware of that, too. The aftereffects from the Magic City Magia expedition were still accumulated in my body. In other words, I had sustained internal injuries too severe for my 72 points in Stamina to handle. I couldn't be sure how long I would have to wait to return to normal, or if raising my Stamina to the 80s would even heal the injuries.
I’d agonized over it all night, but I couldn't come up with a clear answer. Tapping my index finger against the poor table, I let out a long sigh.
My chest felt incredibly tight, but I didn't want to impulsively raise my stats only to regret it later. After pondering for a while, I ended up closing the Player Status window. What I desperately needed right now was someone's advice. And if I were to find someone who knew more about Eternal Flame than I did, only one person came to mind.
Seraph.
Although I didn't like her, I had never once lost anything by listening to her, except for that one time at the very end of the first playthrough. As an angel tasked with being a User's helper, she always gave appropriate advice.
The darkness that had filled the room was now completely gone. Warm sunlight streamed through the window. It was about time for people to start waking up.
Deciding to at least go outside, I got up from my desk and pushed the door open. At that moment, the name of the elixir suddenly came to mind.
Come to think of it… what was the elixir’s name again?
*
As expected, the clan members who had woken up all gathered in the first-floor dining room. It made sense they’d be hungry, having run all over the Clan House last night before going to bed late. It seemed the diligent Ko Yeonju had bought groceries at dawn, as we were able to enjoy her cooking for the first time in a while.
“Hey, Lee Yoojung. Did you check out the bathroom?”
“Yeah. I went right after I woke up this morning. It’s different from the ones at the inn. Ehehe.”
“I just tapped a stone, and water came pouring out of a magic circle. It’s really on another level.”
“I want to try the public bathhouse later. I heard they have a sauna in addition to the baths.”
“Indeed. Our Mercenary Clan’s goddess, Hayeon-noona.”
“Hyun, I’ll scold you if you keep teasing me.”
As if it wasn't at all awkward to be sitting at just one table in this enormous dining room, the clan members were happily chatting away while devouring their food. Vivian and Shin Sangyong were nowhere to be seen. Apparently, making the elixir had drained them so much that they wouldn't wake up no matter how much they were shaken.
As I took a spoonful of the hearty meat stew, Ko Yeonju, who had been sneaking glances at me, spoke cautiously.
“Soohyun. Is the food to your liking?”
“Anything you make is always delicious, Yeonju.”
“Thank you. By the way, how did the elixir turn out yesterday?”
“It went reasonably well.”
As I nodded while chewing the stew, Ko Yeonju gently set down her fork. She turned her body halfway toward me and opened her mouth.
“Do you happen to have any plans this afternoon?”
“Yes. I plan on stopping by the temple. It’s a rather important matter… Why do you ask?”
“Ah~. It’s nothing much. It’s just, now that we have a Clan House, we need to get it in order, right? For example, hiring staff and such…”
“We can hire staff quickly enough. There are more than enough Residents. Other than that, for today, just look around and write down anything you think we need. You can submit it at the meeting tomorrow.”
“…Ah, okay.”
Her reply was a beat late. It was only for a fraction of a second, but her expression had stiffened slightly before she answered. I had spoken without much thought, and for a moment, I wondered if I’d misspoken and tried to recall my words. Just then, Kim Hanbyul, who was feeding the unicorn across from me, lifted her head slightly and looked at me.
“Um… Oppa. Are you going to the temple today?”
“Yeah.”
“I have to go to the temple today, too… I received a summons a while ago. I think I might be too late…”
“Really? Then we can go together. I’ll head over as soon as I’m done organizing the warehouse, so be ready.”
“Okay, Oppa.”
Kim Hanbyul nodded with a bright smile. She then started feeding the baby unicorn again, which was waiting with its mouth wide open. When she asked, “Is it good?” the little one beamed and cried, “Kkyu!”
I watched the scene quietly for a moment before turning back to my own food.
“Oppa, Oppa!”
Having chattered to her heart’s content, Lee Yoojung now interrupted my meal. As I put down the spoon I was about to lift, she clasped her hands together with a look of desperate longing.
“That thing~.”
“What thing?”
“That thing~~.”
Like a cat acting cute, Lee Yoojung kept pestering me, shaking my shoulder. Watching Ahn Hyun and Ahn Sol pretend to gag in unison, I paused to think. I soon realized what she wanted and shook my head firmly.
“No.”
“Aww~. Why~. Give it back already~. Huh? Huh?”
“I’ll give it back, but not yet. I’ll return it after the interview.”
“Huh? Interview? With me?”
“No, not you. Anyway, just wait a little longer.”
“Hmph. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but fine.”
Lee Yoojung tilted her head. As I thought about the Skurepf and the Headband of Purity I had to give her, a thought occurred to me, and I activated Third Eye. Come to think of it, Lee Yoojung was now a proper Rare Class User. It would be a lie to say I wasn't curious about how she had changed.
〈Player Status〉
1. Name: Lee Yoojung (Year 0 User)
2. Class: Dawn Gladiator (Rare, Dawn Gladiator, Runner)
3. Nation: Free Mercenary (Free)
4. Clan: Mercenary (Under performance evaluation.)
5. True Name · Nationality: Spiteful She-cat · Republic of Korea
6. Sex: Female (22)
7. Height · Weight: 166.3cm · 52.3kg
8. Alignment: Sharp · Aggressive
[Strength 67] [Durability 69] [Agility 78] [Stamina 65] [Magic Power 72] [Luck 53]
(Remaining stat points: 4)
〈Achievements (0)〉
〈Special Ability (1/1)〉
1. Blood-Soaked Heart (Rank: C Zero)
〈Latent Abilities (2/4)〉
1. Dual-Dagger Technique (Rank: C Plus)
2. Catfolk Martial Arts (Rank: E Zero)
3. -
4. -
Giving her the Rare Class was the right call.
Her growth was one thing, but what I liked most was the change in her Alignment. Before, she was on the verge of becoming a blood-crazed murderer, but this had brought her back. Well, it wasn't exactly back to her original state, but considering her personality, this was manageable enough.
After observing for a while, I dismissed the Player Status window and was finally able to eat. The food had cooled a bit, but her original skill was still there, and it tasted fine. During the meal, a thought struck me, and I glanced at Ko Yeonju, only to see her plate was almost empty.
“Yeonju. It seemed like you had more to say.”
“Ah. No, it’s nothing. I’m not quite sure about it myself yet. You said you’re holding a meeting tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll look into it a bit more and bring it up at the meeting tomorrow.”
“Hmm, alright.”
I replied calmly, listening to Ko Yeonju’s languid voice. Then, a faint sigh from an unknown source drifted through the air and into my ears.
*
Southern City Monica, Love House.
“I’m truly sorry, Ms. Hanna. I apologize on behalf of my clan members for their rudeness to you last time.”
Two women were on the first floor of the Love House. One was a woman with her hair neatly combed back, dressed in a tidy Magic User's Robe. The other was the madam of the Love House, Lim Hanna. The woman in the neat, gray robe was in the middle of bowing deeply to Lim Hanna.
Lim Hanna looked at her with a troubled expression and waved her hands.
“No, it’s alright. In fact, I’m the one who feels sorry for refusing so bluntly back then. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“Thank you for saying so. To be honest, things are a bit complicated for us as well. That girl, Yesul, likes Hyun-gyu, but Hyun-gyu is just so clueless…”
“Hoho. As a woman myself, I understand how she feels. I hope things work out for them soon.”
The woman finally raised her head. They looked at each other and let out beautiful laughs. But their laughter was hollow, devoid of any real emotion.
Sure enough, as if it was time to get to the point, the woman cleared her throat once or twice.
“Ah, and… Ms. Hanna. There’s one more thing I must apologize for.”
“…Yes.”
“It’s been finalized. As of today, the Love House will be converted into a regular pub.”
“Ah… I see.”
“Phew. I’m really sorry. I know how much he cherished you, Ms. Hanna. Thinking of that, we shouldn't be doing this, but our situation has become truly dire. We’re at a point where we have to squeeze out whatever we have left. It’s improper of me to bring this up while I’m here to apologize, but since I’m here anyway…”
When Lim Hanna agreed more easily than expected, the woman began to spew out a speech that was obviously well-rehearsed. Listening to her, Lim Hanna nodded faintly, but her face was etched with resignation.
The woman glanced at Lim Hanna’s face, then continued in a slightly lower voice.
“And you know, don’t you? The public perception of the Love House is terrible. And he passed away in that rescue team incident. We no longer have the means to maintain this place.”
“……”
“So, Ms. Hanna. Since it’s come to this, we can’t change it now. Have you considered joining our clan afterward? We won’t treat you poorly. And if you’re worried because of those two, you don’t have to be.”
“My head has been a mess lately. There’s the issue with the girls, too… I’m still thinking about what to do. I’ll consider your offer.”
“Please do. Ah, the Love House is scheduled for simple renovations in seven days. We’ll be in your care until then.”
Having said all she needed to, the woman bowed politely once more and turned away.
Lim Hanna could only watch in silence as the woman’s retreating figure and the clacking of her heels disappeared out the door.