Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: [7] The Queen Falls for Baseball -1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I learned that my second companion was in Daejeon.
But I couldn't head there right away.
'No money.'
Transportation to Daejeon, lodging, food.
Running the numbers, what I had on hand wasn't enough. And this cash was meant for living expenses anyway.
So first, I'd save up.
About a week passed after I made that plan.
We dove into dungeons every day.
One E- or F-rank dungeon per day, steadily.
Just like always, Elisian made quick work of clearing them. My body was starting to regain its old prowess from back there too, so issuing commands to her felt much smoother now.
"Master, you did great today as well."
"Yeah. You too."
I sold the mana stones.
An average of 200,000 to 300,000 won a day.
In a week, it added up to over a million.
'Not bad.'
Considering Seoul's brutal cost of living, it wasn't lavish.
Plus, with other hunters needing their share, it seemed wise to hold back a bit.
If we gorged ourselves, it meant someone somewhere was going hungry.
Elisian was way out of league for those low-rank dungeons.
Still, it was plenty for a trip to Daejeon.
"Elisian."
"Yes, Master?"
"Let's go to Daejeon."
"Really?!"
Elisian's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah. Got the money now."
I pulled up train tickets on my phone.
"We can leave tomorrow morning."
"Wow! We're finally going to meet Lady Prostia!"
Elisian beamed with joy.
She looked just like someone off to reunite with a long-lost friend.
"Master, what should I pack?"
"Clothes and toiletries, I guess?"
"Got it!"
Elisian started packing with enthusiastic energy.
I booked the train tickets.
[Seoul → Daejeon]
[Departure: 08:30 / Arrival: 09:30]
[2 people / Round trip / 60,000 won]
'Need a place to stay too.'
A quick search turned up a decent motel near the baseball stadium.
50,000 won per person per night.
Booked it.
'Transport 60,000, lodging 50,000.'
Factoring in food and misc, it'd run about 200,000 won easy.
Still fine.
I had a million now.
"Master!"
"Hm? What's up?"
"Come to think of it, where do we put the luggage?"
Oh. Forgot about that.
No bags.
I had a small one for dungeon runs, but nothing for travel.
"Gotta buy some."
"Bags?"
"Yeah. Need 'em for the trip."
The suitcase from my old place? Sold it off ages ago.
Desperate times back then.
I checked the time.
7 PM.
"Perfect time to go now."
"Where to?"
"Da-itteo."
"Da-itteo?"
"Yeah. They sell bags there. And a ton of other stuff."
"Let's hurry, Master!"
Elisian jumped up, buzzing with excitement.
We headed to the nearby Da-itteo.
About a 10-minute walk.
A massive building came into view.
"It's huge, Master."
"Right? Popular spot."
"I can see why. Master, could you hold my hand so I don't get lost?"
"Sure."
"Thank you, Master."
We stepped inside.
Cool air whooshed from the automatic doors.
Elisian gazed around, eyes wide and sparkling.
"Master was right—it's an enormous store!"
"Bag section's on the second floor, I think?"
I checked the directory.
Travel goods were upstairs.
"Master. Can we look around the first floor first?"
"Bags later?"
"Please?"
Not a big ask.
Plenty of time anyway.
"Wow."
Elisian marveled.
The first floor was vast.
Fruit section, veggies, meat counter...
"I've never seen so much variety."
"It's a hypermarket."
"Amazing."
Elisian dashed to the fruit aisle.
"Master! Red apples! So apples really are supposed to be red."
"What about those?"
"They don't get much sun, so mostly yellow."
"Got it. Want one?"
"Yes! Master, look at this!"
Elisian bolted to the bananas, thrilled.
Big, thick, ripe yellow ones.
"Just like you, Master!"
"Hey!"
"Oh, wait—no? Yours might be bigger—"
"Stop, stop."
I felt eyes on us.
An auntie chuckled as she passed.
A young woman turned away.
The male clerk looked envious.
"Elisian."
"Yes?"
"Save comparisons like that for home."
"Why? It's true."
"It's not about true or not..."
I sighed.
My ears burned.
"Anyway. Bananas are just bananas."
"But."
"Just!"
I snatched the banana from her hand and put it back.
Elisian pouted.
"Master, your face is red."
"Quiet."
"Hehe."
I hurried to another aisle.
Her laughter trailed behind.
"Master! Wait up!"
Elisian caught up, still grinning.
"Be more careful next time. For real."
"Yes, got it."
But her face said zero remorse.
I shook my head and kept walking.
Elisian followed, humming cheerfully.
We were wandering the first floor like that.
Elisian suddenly stopped.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"Why's that stuff shoved in the corner like that?"
I looked where she pointed.
A dim shelf in the back.
"...!"
I grabbed her hand and yanked her away.
"Th-that's just... uh..."
"I'm curious."
"Don't be."
"Why? What's the big deal?"
Elisian tilted her head.
No clue how to explain.
"That's, um, condoms."
"Condoms?"
How do you tell innocent Elisian?
"What's that?"
"Well."
My face heated up.
"Kinda hard to explain."
"Why?"
"Adult stuff."
"I'm an adult."
"Not that kind."
She tilted further.
"Master, you're acting weird. Hiding something?"
"Not hiding... it's..."
"Then tell me!"
Her eyes sparkled.
Sigh escaped me.
"You don't need it."
"Oh."
"I'll tell you later. Later."
"When?"
"Later."
"Today?"
"No."
"Tomorrow?"
"No."
"I see."
Her cheeks puffed like a hamster's.
"Master has so many secrets."
"Not secrets."
"Fine then."
She spun and approached a nearby clerk auntie.
"Excuse me."
"Yes? How can I help?"
"That condom thing over there..."
"...!"
I rushed over.
"Elisian!"
"You said it's okay to ask people around if I don't know."
"No!"
Too late.
The auntie was already smiling.
"Oh~ condoms? Well, see..."
"Yes!"
"Couples use 'em. Especially at night."
"At night?"
"Yeah. With your loved one."
The auntie smiled meaningfully.
Elisian nodded, looking enlightened.
"Ah! I get it."
She turned to me.
"My boyfriend—er, Master—said I don't need those yet."
"What?"
I froze.
The auntie eyed us both with a sly grin.
"Oh~ is that so?"
"Yes. He said just now I don't need them."
Elisian said it so innocently.
The auntie's gaze pinned me.
She'd totally misunderstood.
"If you're not at that stage yet, no need. Hehe."
"Stage?"
The auntie grinned wider.
"Never mind. I'll get too nosy. Back to work."
My face burned.
"Elisian, let's go."
"But I have more questions."
"Let's go!"
"Ah, Master! What's wrong?"
"Hush!"
Laughter from behind.
"Young couples are sweet~ Makes me wanna drag my guy out after ages..."
Sorry, mister wherever you are.
Looks like overtime duty tonight.
"Sorry... sorry..."
Ears crimson, I dragged Elisian to the escalator.
She still looked confused.
"Master, why the rush?"
"Later."
"When?"
"I said later!"
This girl was killing me with embarrassment.
"Seeing you so flustered is refreshing, Master. Back there, you were always so cool."
Anyone would freak at this.
The retort died in my throat.
"I like being with you. My beloved Master."
Who could tame her?