Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Why Are You Acting Like That? -2
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"Finally, we're here."
I stood in front of the dungeon entrance.
A massive portal floated in the air.
Blue light rippled and swayed.
My first dungeon ever.
With my Awakener license in hand, I could now officially work as a hunter.
And every hunter had to enter dungeons.
To make money and get by.
"Master, are you nervous?"
Elly stood beside me.
Today, she wasn't wearing her maid outfit but the new clothes we'd bought.
Comfortable pants and a T-shirt.
Of course, not matching couple tees. We were saving those.
"A little."
"It's fine. I've got you."
Elly beamed at me.
Yeah.
What was there to fear with a Rank 7 dragon by my side?
Let's crush this together with Elly.
I drew in a deep breath.
"Where to?"
"Forest of Spiders."
"Spiders?"
"Yeah. They say it's the go-to spot for beginners."
I explained while checking the sign.
[Forest of Spiders - E-Rank Dungeon]
- Recommended party: 3~5 people
- Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆
"Perfect for newbies."
"Still, no dropping our guard."
I checked my bag.
A few recovery potions.
Emergency rations.
Basic gear.
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
Elly nodded.
"Then let's go."
We approached the portal.
The blue glow intensified the closer we got.
"Heading in."
"Yes!"
We stepped through the portal.
My vision blurred as my body floated weightlessly.
+++++
One hour later.
We emerged from the dungeon.
"Phew."
I let out a long sigh.
My bag was stuffed full of magic stones.
E-Rank stones, but dozens of them.
Easily worth a few hundred thousand won.
"Master, you okay?"
"Yeah. All good."
I glanced at Elly.
Not a speck of dust on her. Spotless.
Of course.
It hadn't even been a real fight.
Utterly overwhelming.
When the spiders swarmed us in droves.
My mind, working sharper than usual, issued perfect commands to Elly.
She executed them flawlessly, and we moved like a single unit.
But most crucially...
Grrrrr...
Elly mostly just let out low growls.
That alone froze the spiders solid.
The dragon's presence.
Rank 7 mana.
Way beyond what E-Rank dungeon monsters could handle.
And when Elly swung her hand once...
Bam—the spiders went flying in a bunch.
Just a casual hand swipe.
No real mana expended.
If she'd been alone, she would've wiped them out single-handedly.
It felt like she was holding back to help me sharpen my instincts.
"Am I even needed here?"
"I only exist because of you, Master."
"Really?"
"Yes. Without you, I'd just be rotting in some dusty corner."
"Thanks."
"Hehe."
We headed to the exchange office.
Time to cash in these stones.
"Total of 32 E-Rank stones. Six thousand won each... 192,000 won."
The clerk tapped at her calculator.
"Cash or transfer?"
"Transfer."
"Got it. Confirmed."
My phone buzzed with a notification.
[Deposit] 192,000 won
"..."
I stared at the screen for a good while.
Two hundred thousand won.
In less than an hour.
Without Elly, this would've been brutal.
She'd swept up most of them, letting me rack up this much.
Alone? I'd have made less than slinging snacks at a convenience store.
"Master, did we score big?"
Elly peered at me curiously.
"Yeah. Two hundred thousand won."
"Wow! That's a ton!"
She had no real clue about the value.
Just thrilled to see me happy.
"Are you rich now, Master?"
Her eyes sparkled.
Hunter standards? Peanuts.
E-Rank dungeon. Expected.
But to me? A fortune.
"Not rich."
"Oh."
"What should we spend it on?"
"Bills first, then..."
I started calculating.
Rent, utilities, groceries.
Still some left over.
"Elly."
"Yes?"
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Hmm... Chicken would be great."
"Chicken? Sounds good."
A smile tugged at my lips.
Ever since that first chicken feast, it had become her absolute favorite.
I could still picture her reaction when we got delivery that day.
She'd been bringing it up whenever she got the chance.
But today would be different.
Delivery last time—dine-in this time.
"Elly, let's eat at a chicken joint today."
"A chicken place?"
"Like that barbecue spot before. You know, restaurant-style."
Elly's eyes lit up.
"Yes! I wanna go!"
"Cool. It's a short walk from here—the one we hit before."
I took her hand.
"Let's head out."
"Yes!"
We strolled down the street.
Elly hummed a cheerful tune, bouncing with excitement.
"Master, what's a chicken place like?"
"Hmm, a spot where people sit down and chow on chicken?"
"Different from the meat place?"
"Kinda."
I explained to her.
"The barbecue joint's more meal-oriented, but chicken places feel like bars where folks knock back booze."
"Bars?"
"Yeah. None in your world?"
"The outside was falling apart—most shops like that shut down."
Right.
Anyway.
"People pair beer with chicken."
"Aha."
Elly pondered for a moment.
Then her face hardened with resolve.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"I won't drink outside."
"Why?"
"Just 'cause!"
Her cheeks flushed pink.
Looked like something jogged her memory.
Oh.
Come to think of it, last time we drank at home...
Elly got tipsy and unleashed some weird aegyo.
'Master~ I love you~'
'Elly, easy now.'
'I wanna marry you, Master~'
'Just sleep it off.'
She buried her face and spilled every embarrassing thought.
Next morning, when I asked if she remembered...
'I do...'
She yanked the blanket over her head and wouldn't come out.
Practically cracked me up.
"It's fine. You don't have to."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I won't either."
"Thank you, Master!"
Elly grinned wide.
Though her ears stayed red.
"Then let's hurry!"
"Alright."
We made our way to the chicken place.
Elly hummed away.
But every so often, she'd glance my way—probably flashing back—then slap a hand over her face.
Cute.
I chuckled to myself.
About ten minutes later.
The chicken joint came into view.
[Crispy Chicken]
"Here we are."
"Wow!"
We exchanged greetings with the staff and headed inside.
Elly glanced around everywhere.
People digging into chicken, others sipping beers.
"Master. Everyone looks so happy."
"They do."
We took our seats and I handed her the menu.
Not much point in agonizing over choices.
Always half-and-half.
Her top pick.
"One half-and-half, fries, and a Coke."
"Got it. Have some stick candy while you wait."
The server set down the candy sticks and left.
"Snack. Give it a try."
Elly popped one in her mouth.
Crunch.
"Tasty!"
"Right?"
I munched one too and eyed the TV on the wall.
Baseball game was on.
[Eagles VS Giants]
"Master, what's that?"
"Baseball."
"Baseball?"
"Yeah. A sport from this world."
Elly watched the screen, mesmerized.
The batter swung.
Crack!
The ball soared.
"Ooh..."
She seemed hooked.
Good. Might as well pick up some Earth hobbies while she's here.
As I poured the Coke, something caught my eye.
A white-haired woman in a baseball cap, waving a light stick.
Drop-dead gorgeous.
Her hair gleamed like fresh snow, blue eyes sharp enough to pierce souls.
She's stunning.
The camera zoomed in on her.
She was cheering wildly from the stands.
"Blow it away!"
She yelled, shaking her light stick.
Super into it.
I watched, impressed.
That's when it hit.
"Huh?"
Elly nearly fumbled her candy.
"What?"
"M-Master!"
She pointed at the TV.
"T-That lady..."
"Huh? Her? Why?"
"That's the Ice Queen who fought alongside you from that world!"
"What?"
I looked back at the screen.
White-haired woman.
Ice Queen?
"Yes! No doubt. Your comrade, the Queen of Eternal Frost, Lady Prostia!"
"..."
I stared at the woman again.
A queen?
Her?
This lady in the baseball cap, waving a light stick and hollering?
"A baby T-Rex fresh from the egg throws better than you, you hack!!"
...For real?