Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Part 2 Episode 19: Mana Control Practice
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Weekends were the days to log into Ninapinta and meet up with Dun.
Her heart fluttered just a little, like back when Yi Sawoek had secretly called her aside to teach her assassination techniques.
She bolted awake in the morning, brushed her teeth with a refreshing mood, and neatly parted her hair down the center of her forehead.
Drrrring... Drrrring...
Moon Serim was sprawled out on the bare floor, letting out an ambiguous noise somewhere between snoring and breathing.
Having kicked off her blanket with her feet, she was now shivering, curling up her large frame.
Byun Woojin roughly scooped up some clothes with her foot and tossed them over Moon Serim before slipping out of the room as silently as any assassination hunter.
She entered the hunter capsule room without turning on the lights and logged in from the one in the farthest corner.
A login notification popped up, and her vision flashed white.
Most hunters' login rates to Ninapinta dropped after succeeding in their second awakening.
Any logins after that were purely for entertainment.
In Byun Woojin's case, it was to meet up with an NPC she'd grown close to.
She was picky about forming bonds with people, so she didn't have many close NPC friends, but once she did bond with one, she got really attached.
Among them, the closest to Byun Woojin was Dun.
That famous 'Dun'.
The mysterious NPC who showed up in random YouXube or TwXtch clips but vanished whenever you tried to track her down.
She seemed like a clever commoner kid at first, but she had more backstory than most NPCs.
For starters, she had monster taming abilities, was friends with the princess, helped with the rebellion to rack up merits, and even owned a duke's estate as a reward.
On top of that, she had an unrevealed continent called Daboseok.
Maybe because her cheat-like settings were over the top and needed some nerfing, she came with a frail constitution concept.
She'd get winded and start wheezing after just a short walk.
Honestly, Byun Woojin often wondered if she was some hidden self-insert by the game devs, but the more she talked to Dun, the more she reminded her of Yi Sawoek instead of a dev.
She even looked a bit similar. The difference was that Dun had a more languid, relaxed vibe.
Byun Woojin headed to the meeting spot with Dun.
A little-known hill near Ratus Village (next to Genesis).
It got good sunlight and wasn't crowded, so Dun often napped there. It was also where Byun Woojin had first met her.
She'd been wandering around looking for a scenic, quiet spot when she stumbled upon Dun, who looked like a wild ginseng root. That fleeting encounter had lasted all this time.
"......"
When she arrived, she could see the nameplate 'NPC Dun' from afar.
Dun was dozing against a tree.
She looked so peaceful that Byun Woojin's own heart calmed.
Byun Woojin carefully sat down in front of her.
No matter how many times she saw her, it was fascinating. She really felt like an old friend she'd known forever.
"......Long time no see."
Byun Woojin mustered her courage and strung together some sparse words.
Dun was asleep, so there was no reply.
Waking her forcibly would make her mad, just like Yi Sawoek, so Byun Woojin sat quietly, gazing at her.
Another quirky thing about Dun.
Talking was awkward both in and out of the game, but for some reason, words came easily to her, just like with Yi Sawoek.
They shared that in common too. There was something enjoyable about just quietly watching either Yi Sawoek or Dun.
Byun Woojin rested her chin on her hand and stared.
She'd even brought photos to brag about her limited-edition legendary Dun merch collection, but she wouldn't wake up.
After a while, a leaf fell from the tree and landed on Dun's nose bridge.
Byun Woojin leaned forward to brush it off, reaching out her hand. Right at that moment, Dun stirred from sleep and cracked her eyes open.
Their gazes met.
"......"
"......"
Dun stared piercingly at her for a moment, blinked a few times, then rubbed her dry face.
"Ah, you scared me... I thought I was still dreaming."
"......Long time no see."
At the greeting, Dun smiled and opened her mouth.
"That thing with your friend you mentioned last time—did it work out okay?"
"Yeah. It wrapped up... decently, I guess."
Byun Woojin's expression darkened abruptly. Was 'wrapped up okay' even the right way to put it?
Yi Sawoek had sacrificed herself so thoroughly—it felt off to call it a clean ending.
Still, after Seol Doyun got involved, things Yi Sawoek had willed into motion seemed to be sorting themselves out.
"But why the hell do you look like you stepped in shit?"
Dun raised an eyebrow as she asked.
"......Ah. Yeah. Just remembered some crap she pulled again."
At that, Dun stroked her chin and gave an awkward half-smile.
Byun Woojin often dropped by the game to chat with her, and the topics were almost always about Yi Sawoek.
Last time, she'd even vented angrily about her past recklessness—completely unlike her usual mild-mannered self.
Meeting Abyss folks here made her realize they all cared more about their past selves than she'd thought.
Even Seol Doyun, who seemed the least likely.
But since Dun already knew how the story ended, spilling the truth now would just complicate things painfully.
She wished they'd all just forget and live their lives well. Please.
'It's fine. After I die, things might turn out surprisingly okay.'
She'd been at the bottom of the pecking order as an unawakened until the very end, so her presence had probably been more liability than asset to them.
They were subtly good at cost-benefit calculations, so once grown up, they likely wouldn't miss her absence much.
They might shed a few tears out of nostalgia for their shared time, but since her being gone wouldn't threaten their survival, they'd shake it off quick.
......That was what she'd thought until pretty recently, but seeing Byun Woojin and the others light up whenever Yi Sawoek came up made her a bit uneasy.
'If I die, maybe ask Seol Doyun to play that Kkwansakboydan song at my funeral.'
Figured it'd cheer him up and help him get over the sadness fast.
Lost in random thoughts, she noticed Byun Woojin suddenly pull out a photo orb from her inventory.
Inside were tons of 2D chibi-fied versions of herself and collectibles.
"......Check this out."
"Merch?"
She knew about it since a cut of NPC merch sales went back to the character.
"Yeah. Yours was especially hard to get."
"R-Really?"
"......This one's from Moon Serim's collection, this one Yeo Woohee was gonna toss but I snagged it. These are from Lee Kyungseop and Woo Jiyoon..."
She'd collected quite the haul.
"Why'd you gather so much of me?"
"......'Cause you remind me of my friend. Makes me attached."
Yi Sawoek always scowled and badmouthed Dun whenever she came up, but Dun was pretty popular in Abyss circles.
Red eyes like game-Yi Sawoek, similar little habits, loved collecting plants and animals. Sometimes her playstyle or how she sought out fun screamed Yi Sawoek.
Especially flip-card games. They'd huddled up as kids folding scrap paper to play all the time.
"It hurts seeing my friend fail to awaken, but watching you—with all your talents, looking just like her—it's bittersweet but nice."
"Yeah?"
"......Yeah. So all my friends around here like you too."
Except Yeo Woohee.
Yeo Woohee found Dun annoying.
Said she was like Yi Sawoek but lived too leisurely.
She called Dun fans overimmersed otakus, but she was the one dumping the most emotion into the game.
"......"
Dun's face darkened noticeably when Byun Woojin glanced over. That's when Byun Woojin realized her mistake.
Saying she liked her because she resembled a friend? It sounded like she was just a stand-in.
Ninapinta NPCs were coded to have opinions and feelings, after all.
"......Sorry for comparing. I like you for you too."
"Huh?"
Dun tilted her head, puzzled by the sudden apology.
Ah, right. She doesn't see herself as that person. Totally reasonable to assume it'd upset her.
"It's fine, doesn't matter. Your stories about her are fun anyway."
But Dun's expression stayed clouded for a while.
* * *
After wrapping up the day casually, Dun hopped on a magic circle for a quick trip to the Sabak territory.
She'd earned a duke's domain, but Dun was still a sub-duke for now.
They held off giving her full duke status until adulthood since she was young and had to learn etiquette, estate management, and more.
The Licht Empire's nobility system had rapidly lost its weight ever since Prim started handing out titles to folks with big rebellion merits or commoners who'd lost families.
With nobles popping up without lands and title-trading becoming a thing for cash, the perks of nobility boiled down to just honor.
High nobles were now seen as honorable landowners.
Thanks to that, the old high nobles backing Bachinum were dragging their feet on Dun's impending duke ascension.
They figured a commoner kid becoming duke would tank their already slipping image straight to rock bottom—even if she picked her nose in public.
Someone suggested handing the title to Rihaowel instead, but he'd thrown a fit and refused, so it fell through.
"Sub-Duke Sabak! The etiquette tutor from the Rousel Count family left a letter!"
The moment she arrived at the grand mansion and opened the door, the butler dropped to one knee, bowed his head, and handed over a letter.
『Lord Sabak.... Please, just attend the etiquette lessons....』
Other nobles kept pushing tutors on her to cling to their scraps of honor.
"What should I reply?"
"Send back double the money they sent and tell them to quit bugging me."
"Understood!!"
As Dun entered the mansion hall after sending off the butler, the servants came out to greet her, bowing at ninety degrees.
"Good day, milady!"
"Welcome back!!"
"......"
Dun passed by the kitchen.
"Welcome home, Sub-Duke!!"
"Hope you had a good trip!!!"
"Lord Rihaowel says he's set dinner on the table—come down whenever you're free!!!"
More ninety-degree bows from the kitchen staff.
"......"
Dun nodded back slightly as she passed.
Ever since Collin visited Daboseok for some investigation not long ago, he'd retrained the mansion staff like this.
Seemed inspired by the attitudes of the tamed monsters there. Assuming it was her taste.
But if she said otherwise, Collin would fidget and dig tunnels, so she let it slide.
Lately they'd even greeted her with 'boss' heads bowed, so she'd reset the titles.
Collin occasionally reminded her of her past self, so she cut him a tiny bit of slack.
Dun changed into a thin, floaty gown and headed to the large private bath.
"Poopy, come out."
She called the water-attribute poop slime playing in the giant tub.
Making kissy noises and beckoning with her finger, Poopy shot over from afar like it spotted kongjaban beans, splashing wildly.
Flowers swayed every time it swam.
[Denimya.... Missed you....]
Poopy shrank to climb onto her head but settled on her hand instead.
Still in her gown, Dun slipped into the massive tub.
She whistled sharply, and the rainbow poops peeked out from a small door in the floor.
Spotting her, they rolled out sparkling bath bombs.
Plop, plop.
The little rainbow slimes dropped bath bombs near the dragon-mouth waterfall.
The special multicolored bath bombs from Daboseok dyed the water beautifully.
Dun stretched her arms out and leaned back comfortably.
"Ah.... So annoying......"
The earlier talk about the past kept swirling in her head.
She didn't want to think about it.
[What's wrong.... Denim what's up....]
Dun peeled the worried Poopy off her head and set it aside, then reclined on the water cushion.
"No big deal."
[Tell me tho.... Poopy's.... mouth.... lock....]
Dun stifled a smile, covering her mouth.
"Annoying. But cute."
She planted a few kisses on Poopy, who flushed bright pink.
But despite the color change, it looked confused.
[Annoying...? Poopy's.... cute...?]
"Yeah."
[Eung.... Eung....]
"Got it, got it. I'll be cutely non-annoying."
Dun fiddled with Poopy's flower as she continued.
She'd planned to only meddle in the past up to Kim Woosung's death, but now she kept wanting to poke more.
She'd thought she'd diligently erased those painful memories from her brain.
But seeing familiar faces and chatting stirred up the affection she'd buried.
{Primavera: Sabak, you rolling around in the mansion?}
Right on cue, a message from Prim.
She loved the name Dun had given her so much that she called her Sabak now instead.
Damn show-off.
{Dun: Yup. Splashing around.}
{Primavera: I see. Sabak, can you join me for a dungeon expedition tomorrow?}
{Dun: Dungeon expedition out of nowhere?}
{Primavera: Dungeon numbers spiked lately, so we're going to scout and check some things.}
Yeah, dungeons had definitely surged recently.
'That rotten bastard's doing?'
She recalled how the monster boss from the last rebellion had opened gates.
She'd suspected dungeons and gates were linked, and it seemed the same entity was behind both.
'Around now, weren't gates spiking in number too?'
She was sinking into thought when a welcome distraction appeared. No real reason to say no anyway.
{Dun: Got it, I'll go}
Dun replied while petting Poopy's head.