What the Hell is Carpe Diem Anyway?
"How does it feel to be the trendsetter in fashion?"
"...I'm so embarrassed I could die."
Hanbyeol teased me playfully as we watched people strutting down the street like bondage gear was just another accessory, and I did my best not to stare. This world really was insane. How on earth did tying yourself up become fashionable? Sure, you could call harnesses or chains on pants a style choice, but wrapping your whole body in ropes until you could barely move—or having your legs bound so tight you had to be carried by a slave with a straight face? I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
Those flaunting slaves had to be from the elite—people with power or money. Yet it seemed like a trend cutting across all social classes. Why the hell were they doing this?
"I just can't understand trends at all."
"What's wrong with it? It means you can walk around freely too, sis."
"I don't want to walk around tied up..."
"But you're enjoying it, aren't you?"
"Enjoying? No way!"
"Hmmm."
Hanbyeol gave me a sly, knowing look. Her piercing gaze pressed down on me with an inexplicable weight.
"Ugh... why are you staring like that?"
"Oh, nothing. Anyway, shall we go look at those clothes we couldn't get last time?"
"Sure, let's."
Grateful for the subject change, I latched onto it immediately. She wasn't like some rom-com heroine shoving outfits at me to torment me. Come to think of it, Hanbyeol could use some new clothes too. Maybe I'd buy her some this time. It wouldn't do for an adult like me to just keep mooching off her gifts.
I rolled my eyes to check my wallet discreetly, and my tail slipped into my bag, pulling it out to show me the contents without Hanbyeol noticing. The currency was the same as in the game: gold, silver, copper—the standard, no-fuss units. Some games renamed them for lore, but not this one. I wasn't the type to memorize every worldbuilding detail, so it just felt familiar, like game money.
The real issue was I had no sense of value. There were 300 gold in the wallet, but a single weapon could cost 10 million gold, or one gold might feed a peasant family for a month. No clue if this was a fortune or pocket change. I vaguely remembered dark alchemy exchanges back home—about 50 gold per 10,000 won—but rates probably didn't match here. Should've noted how much the chicken skewer cost to gauge things. That could've helped estimate clothing prices.
In the end, I'd have to swallow my pride and ask Hanbyeol.
"Hanbyeol, I'll buy your clothes."
"Really?"
"But I don't know prices here, so nothing too expensive..."
"Hehe, don't worry. We're rich."
"Oh, right—you're the one who gave me this wallet in the first place."
Thinking about it, she knew exactly how much I had. She wouldn't splurge beyond that.
"Technically, it's the raid and dungeon rewards Daesik oppa handed out for our work."
True enough. Earned fair and square, not dirty money. It suddenly hit me—maybe we could save up for a house. Even if we returned to reality someday, a place to stay in the meantime would be nice. The temple room was comfy, but crashing at someone else's place felt awkward. The constant foot traffic outside, not being able to come and go freely...
Of course, if we bought a house, I'd hole up in it as much as possible. Every minute out would feel like wasting rent money. Gotta get my money's worth by sticking to it like glue. Remote work days were the best...
"Welcome back! You're here again? We've got some perfect outfits for you two—women's priest robes and nun habits are flying off the shelves lately!"
Back at the clothing store from last time, the clerk greeted us warmly, clearly remembering us. I'd always thought I wasn't that antisocial or introverted, but her zero-personal-space vibe was overwhelming.
"Ehehe, you remember us?"
Hanbyeol, though, lapped up the attention with a grin.
"Of course! Pretty ladies like you are rare. We've got the latest bondage styles in stock, plus ropes and leather harnesses made from materials that won't snag your hair even when tied up!"
Why were sex shop staples here? I started edging backward, already homesick, but Hanbyeol dragged me inside, arm still linked with mine. Inevitably, I spotted an entire corner dedicated to bondage gear. Groups of girls browsed it curiously, and even couples were there—women eagerly suggesting pieces while their guys blushed in embarrassment.
Thankfully, we were here for clothes, not that. I averted my eyes and scanned for outfits suiting Hanbyeol. My fashion sense was lacking, so my tail helpfully dangled options for inspection.
"Hmm... they all look good on you. Want to try this one, Hanbyeol?"
I snapped her out of staring at the restraints and thrust a dress at her to keep her mind off them. Only then did she turn to actually look at clothes.
"If I try this, will you try that one, sis?"
"No, be reasonable..."
Knowing exactly what she'd been eyeing, I recoiled, and Hanbyeol pouted like I'd wounded her.
"Sis, you don't trust me at all? I've been busting my ass picking cute, low-exposure stuff so you wouldn't be embarrassed..."
"Ah, no... that's not..."
"This is what I meant for you to try."
She held up a nun habit from the rack. Hadn't she just been glued to the bondage section? Was I imagining things? True, she'd steered me toward less slutty outfits so far. If I'd picked, I'd have blundered into blatantly revealing ones—ass and cleavage on full display—and wandered around mortified.
Guilt over doubting her outweighed my excuses about it not matching my priest class. Refusing now would make me ungrateful trash. I nodded.
"Sorry, I thought you meant something else. I'll try it."
"Then let's change together."
"Huh...? Won't the fitting room be too cramped...?"
"Gotta untie your ropes anyway."
She had a point. But why the nagging suspicion? Not quite doubt—more like unease, like danger loomed. Still, why would Hanbyeol prank me? She'd placed infinite trust in me after I saved her multiple times.
So I nodded and followed her in. My worries were baseless; she stripped without hesitation and slipped into the fresh dress I'd handed her. Considering the cooling weather, she layered a coat on top, longer than the dress, falling below her knees. She spun in the tight space, checking herself in the mirror. I squished against the wall to give her room.
"You've got taste, sis. Doesn't it look good on me?"
"Yeah, it suits you. Cute."
"Hehe."
She glomped onto me for a tight hug. It hit me—such a clingy sweetheart could get in trouble latching onto the wrong guy. Time to play protective big sis.
"Hanbyeol, if you ever get a boyfriend, tell Daesik or me first."
"Not happening. I'm marrying you, sis."
"I'm serious. You're so affectionate, guys might misread it even platonically. Like, 'Does she like me?' Be careful."
"Pfft, no worries."
Still such a kid. They'd swear they'd marry Daddy forever, then hit puberty and rebel. I wasn't Dad, but we transmigrators should stick together. Adults guiding the young was just right.
"Okay, your turn to change, sis."
Her cheeks faintly flushed as she untied my ropes and lifted my skirt hem to help me out of the priest robes. I instinctively tugged it down, but my tail coiled around my hand and yanked it up. It always read my mind—yet did whatever it wanted.
The nun habit was plainer than priest robes. Seamlessly tailored, it hugged my curves without adornment, like "cloth without needle." Real-world versions would've been baggy and modest, but this fantasy take had side slits baring my thighs below the stockings. Whatever—at this point, it barely registered.
"It's kinda plain without accessories."
"Yeah? Should I add a wimple?"
"That's nun canon, sure. But..."
Her mischievous grin telegraphed her thoughts; I shook my head frantically.
"No way, absolutely not. Nothing worse than ropes."
"Who said that? I meant something else. Seen that movie with the nun blasting machine guns?"
"Think I saw clips online."
"How about that style?"
"Haha... let's settle your outfit first. I've got plenty of priest robes anyway."
"Anything you pick is perfect! How about casuals? Winter's coming—animal pajamas?"
"As if they..."
They did. After paying for our changes, Hanbyeol unearthed fluffy one-piece jammies. What was this store? But she was thrilled, so fine by me. The cat-eared hood was adorable, honestly.
"If I wear this, I'll have two tails."
"Twice the cuteness—perfect."
"Don't just watch—put one on too."
Teasing lightly, she obediently donned an alligator onesie, raising her arms and roaring "Raaawr!" It was pure adorbs; I burst out laughing.
Shopping had never been my stress-reliever. More like, stepping outside drained my HP steadily: debuff slashing max health on exit, DoT damage per breath outdoors, delay in returning triggering lost-HP burst damage. A true agoraphobe build.
Yet shopping with Hanbyeol was fun. Girl mode perk? Or just her? Either way, it soothed the masochistic payback urge after all our ordeals. Wallet lighter, but raids would refill it fast. Newbie raids now, but with more users and locals gearing up, endgame awaited.
Reality-return method still elusive, but it'd work out. Dungeons were busts, but whatever. Seize the day—don't borrow tomorrow's worries. Boss chewing me out tomorrow wouldn't ruin tonight's beer and chicken.