Level Up (4)
Level Up (4)
Discord with companions or approaches from strangers couldn't change our daily lives. We went down to the Dungeon as usual and hunted Monsters.
We hunted Orcs, picked up Magic Stones. That daily routine flowed like water. Before we knew it, enough time had passed to save up for buying a mansion.
"Dojin-nim."
"What is it?"
"The amount you mentioned has all been collected...... Shall we proceed with the mansion purchase?"
At Pion's words, I suddenly realized how much time had passed. Already a month had flown by. That meant we'd been in this world for over 100 days now.
'Feels short.......'
A day for a primary laborer feels slower than anyone else's in the world, but their month flies by faster than anyone else's.
Hunting Monsters and picking up Magic Stones, we were no different from miners digging ore.
"Can we go in today?"
"Yes. I'll prepare it for you."
"Then... I'll be at the Inn. Come find me there once the purchase is done."
"Understood."
She was competent. To the point where I felt lucky to have made her our dedicated guild employee. Thanks to her, I could leave the Adventurer Guild without a worry in the world and head straight to the Inn.
"Took longer than usual today."
"We've saved up all the money."
"......Really?"
"Yeah. We're finally getting our own place."
"The mansion with a bathroom, right."
"You bet."
Seoyun seemed genuinely thrilled at the thought of escaping the cramped wooden tub baths, smiling more openly than usual as she walked.
Once we arrived at the Inn, we immediately gathered the others. We couldn't round up everyone since some kids were out wandering, but...
The Class President, Deokgu, and Ga-hee were there. The other two didn't really matter if they were around or not.
"What's this about?"
As soon as we called them together, Deokgu—who'd been prepping to start a newspaper in the room—cut straight to the chase like he was busy. I informed them that we'd bought a mansion.
"We got a house. A big mansion with over eleven rooms."
"......You bought a mansion?"
"Yeah."
"No way, how already...? Houses here aren't cheap as shit... especially not a big one with over ten rooms."
"Well......."
"Wait!"
Ga-hee, who'd paused at my words, yelled and glared at me. I tilted my head and asked if she had something to say.
"Buying a mansion, why'd you guys decide that on your own?"
"What do you mean 'on your own'? Having a house is good, isn't it?"
"No, we agreed I'd handle the group's finances. Buying a mansion can't be cheap...... Shouldn't you have told me?"
"Oh, right?"
I looked into Ga-hee's eyes. Since I hadn't touched her vagina, I couldn't read her thoughts, but I knew why she was saying that.
'Trying to seize control? Doesn't want to let go of the authority she already grabbed.......'
But that promise was from back when our daily earnings weren't that great. Now, we made in one day what used to take half a month.
So there was no need to listen to her now. Especially since they themselves were blowing more cash every day than the wasteful spending she'd complained about back then...
"Then you can stay here."
"......What?"
"Keep selling your songs here like old times and scrape by. What right do you have to complain when you haven't earned a single coin yourself?"
"You, you......."
"Perfect timing. You were an idol trainee, right? They say you have to put out for sponsors to make it in that world, so you could......."
"Dojin."
Seoyun's voice made me pause. The moment our eyes met, I realized what I'd just said.
Looks like stress had been building up. Well, dealing with kids who don't earn a dime but have endless complaints would stress anyone out.
"Sorry. I misspoke."
I immediately admitted my mistake and apologized to Ga-hee. But she just nodded with teary eyes, not saying much else.
She must've realized from my aggressive attitude that she wasn't the top dog or even the underdog—she was more like a pawn.
No way she could rebel here and declare she'd leave us. Her extravagance had grown day by day; lately, she couldn't afford it without actually selling her body.
"So, are you guys coming?"
"Of course we're going, are you nuts?"
Deokgu decided on the move without hesitation. Makes sense—using his ability to handle info would be way better in a private mansion than an Inn where anyone could snoop anytime.
The Class President nodded quietly next. Ga-hee too. The two not here wouldn't be dumb enough to refuse, and even if they did, majority rules. Their move was set.
"Then let's wait a bit. They said someone from the guild would come......."
"Dojin-nim! Is Dojin-nim here!?"
Speak of the tiger and it appears—Dojin grinned at the messenger calling his name.
"Wow...... This is our mansion?"
"We didn't rent it—we bought it?"
"Yeah."
A short while later, the kids arrived at the mansion and gawked with mouths agape. It was exactly like those medieval European noble mansions you'd see online.
"Dojin-nim, taxes and residency transfer are all handled. If any issues come up, please visit the guild."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Pion said that, bowed, and vanished from the mansion. The girls stared blankly at her before coming over to ask me.
"Who's that?"
"Your girlfriend?"
"Guild staff."
"Cool...... Career woman? That's the vibe."
"Think we could become like that?"
"What's stopping us? Just do it!"
I left the two chattering excitedly and headed inside. The excessively high ceiling and chandelier hanging above welcomed us.
It was a sight that might touch someone, but as the owner, I felt nothing special.
'Gonna be a pain to clean.'
Not that I planned to clean it myself, but it was still ridiculously huge. I wondered how many people it'd take to clean and maintain a place this size.
'Would be nice to have one or two live-in staff...... Someone who can cook well.'
I called Deokgu over right away. He entered the mansion and, unlike the others' awe, worried about the practical issues ahead.
"This...... How do we clean it?"
"We hire people."
"......Maids?"
"Maids, slaves, whatever."
"Why tell me......."
"You're into side chicks too, right, Deokgu? ......Pick a slave or maid you like."
I shoved a money pouch at him as I said it. Way more than needed just for hiring; no way it'd fall short.
As I handed over the money, I made one request.
"But bring back at least one good cook. You don't wanna eat shitty food either, right?"
"Got it. Leave it to me."
Deokgu pocketed the cash confidently and headed into the city. After entrusting him with hiring, I went out to Eunha, who was standing around blankly.
"Where's Seoyun?"
"......Went to bathe."
"Already? It's not even bedtime... Whatever. Eunha. Let's go."
"Where to?"
"The training hall."
"...Okay."
Eunha followed me lightly. Even knowing it was for training, her steps were feather-light.
But when I headed not to our usual training spot but somewhere else, her head started swiveling around.
"Dojin......? Where we going?"
"Training hall."
"But this isn't the way."
"What, you think I'm gonna eat you? Don't worry."
"Okay......."
I walked the back alleys with a slightly anxious Eunha. We arrived soon enough. The place I'd brought her to was the dojo Pion recommended.
'It's evening, but whatever...... They train at night too.'
Sure enough, the dojo door was open even this late. As we entered, a Beastkin in training garb inside sniffed the air and looked our way.
"What brings you?"
"......We came on recommendation—is this not the dojo?"
"Ah, prospective students. Come in."
A woman with cat-like ears on her head said that, and Eunha and I slowly stepped inside.
Inside, tons of people were grinding through bone-crushing training.
"Any training experience?"
"None."
"Total beginners? Then the beginner course......."
"No, the conqueror course, please."
"Adventurers? Hmm, you don't look the part."
She started eyeing me and Eunha alternately. She glanced past me quick, but lingered on Eunha.
Fair enough—Eunha looked like a frail little girl on the surface. To save time, I explained.
"No worries. We're both Level-up Adventurers."
"Hoo, that's different. Mind a test?"
"Of course."
"Then come at me."
"......Not me."
I gave Eunha a nudge in the back, pushing her forward.
"Just this one."
Both Eunha and her looked at me in confusion.
"Why aren't you attacking?"
"I'm learning the sword."
"Hmm, got it. Get up."
The dojo master, Hoyeon, helped Eunha to her feet. Even that motion was clumsy. Proof she couldn't fully control her own strength.
'Leveled up with a body like this?'
Hard to believe. But fists don't lie, so we'd see soon enough.
Hoyeon raised her fists into stance. Like a tiger pouncing, building up momentum.
Seeing it, Eunha took her own stance too. Thrusting out her fist awkwardly—worse than nothing.
Just from the stance, Hoyeon predicted her win. Naturally. As a Level-up Beastkin from a battle lineage, the physical gap from leveling up was negligible.
If anything, as a Beastkin, she had the clear edge.
'They came to learn martial arts, so can't just overpower with brute force.'
Hoyeon beckoned her forward. Eunha bowed her head and leaned in.
What happened next blew past her expectations.
The little girl's body wobbled. Hoyeon figured she couldn't even control her own weight.
Wrong. Thanks to Level-up, Eunha's muscle power was ridiculously strong compared to her body weight. Enough to launch into the air kicking off the ground.
So she deliberately threw off her balance to shoot forward. The moment Eunha kicked off, she rocketed toward Hoyeon like a missile.
Hoyeon blinked in surprise, staring down the incoming Eunha. She'd heard about the Level-up, but even accounting for that, the speed was insane.
She pivoted sideways to dodge. A hair's breadth escape, paper-thin.
The instant she thought she'd dodged, a kick followed. Small, but packed with force you couldn't ignore.
Kkiiik—pushed back, Hoyeon let out an impressed noise, praising her strength.
"Strong one, aren't you? Got some innate blessing?"
Eunha didn't answer. Just swung her fist. Powerful but straightforward. Hoyeon smiled and deflected it.
Wild haymakers like that would never grasp jujutsu principles—Eunha slammed into the floor.
Hoyeon thought that was it. No breakfall, hitting like that? She'd be gasping for air.
But.
"Cough!"
Sudden pain halted her breath. Like getting smashed in the back. As Hoyeon froze for a split second, Eunha's short legs wrapped her neck.
A ghostly triangle choke locked in. No escape. Finally, Hoyeon exhaled sharply and bulked her muscles.
Fur sprouted all over, eyes turning feral. Beastkin form. She pried off the grip with raw power and looked down at Eunha in amazement.
'Tempting little thing.......'