Not All Tasteless Food is Healthy
Even if something tastes bad, that doesn't mean it's healthy food—but for a city of its stature, the main streets were teeming with people. It wasn't as densely packed as a modern city, so it didn't feel chaotic, but seeing this many folks out and about on an ordinary evening, with no special occasion in sight, made me think it must be a populous place after all.
This was the fantasy world I had to get used to now. Among the crowd, those gawking around in wonder—were they users here on a sightseeing trip from another world, or just country bumpkins fresh off the farm? It was impossible to tell from appearances alone.
Come to think of it, they said there'd be a festival here. Religious groups hosting events anywhere usually meant fun and games, food stalls galore—not some ancient occult blood sacrifice. That held true across worlds, I figured. At least, in our world, the FSM was portrayed as a hands-off god who wouldn't intervene unless we got really out of line. As long as we offered some token worship, a festival just for kicks probably wouldn't draw divine ire. It just felt that way.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what a human festival is like."
Laila seemed genuinely excited about it too.
"That's surprising. I figured you'd have tons of experience."
"Hehe, even Eve is making naughty jokes so naturally now. It makes me proud."
"That's not what I meant..."
No matter what I said, Laila twisted it that way. I was used to it by now, but in a crowded place like this, my face still burned hot.
"Now that unnie mentions it, yeah. How old are you anyway?"
"Hehe, isn't it an unwritten rule not to ask a lady's age or weight?"
"You've gotta be over a hundred."
"No, I'm not!"
Laila reacted pretty strongly to the guess hitting close to home, and Hanbyeol pounced on it, teasing relentlessly.
"You said you were a high-ranking succubus, so you've got the years to match. Should I start treating you like an elder? Want me to buy you a cane, Succubus Granny?"
"I'm not! Ugh, seriously! How do I prove I'm young? My boobs aren't small enough or what?"
"Better than huge and dumb-looking. Unnie's size is perfect—moderation in all things, right?"
Watching them bicker and poke fun at each other, I felt like things between them were solid enough not to worry about anymore. Hanbyeol could be pretty rough, but if Laila couldn't take it or got fed up, she'd fight back. And Hanbyeol didn't even know Laila was the main culprit behind the Pope's orders to break me, so Laila was putting up with it out of guilt. Or maybe because she hadn't fully regained her power yet... Either way, aside from that first day when I sincerely slapped her, Hanbyeol seemed to pull her punches—no wounds or bruises on Laila despite her revealing nun outfit. Maybe Hanbyeol was going easy on her.
Anyway, the conversation had veered from tomorrow's festival, but a sobering thought hit me. Realistically speaking...
"About the festival... Don't those usually take time to prepare? Even a one-day event means a week of setup. Right, Laila?"
"Yeah, usually. I thought maybe they'd prepped something, but if not..."
"This world's got magic, so maybe it's possible?"
Hanbyeol clung to a sliver of hope. Sorry, but I had to voice what she probably already suspected.
"You're the only mage in the guild right now. Everyone else from the Magic Tower is slaving away on research like grad students."
"Or maybe some kit or artifact..."
"Not that I know of. What a shame. I was hoping for something fun... Probably just food and booze, and they'll call it a festival. Maybe pound some rice cakes after."
Hanbyeol pouted at Laila's sharp jab. Secretly, though, I was relieved. If it was more like a casual guild dinner than a grand affair, I could just show my face and dip. Better a simple meal with friends than getting hammered with awkward folks over fancy spreads. And I still couldn't forgive myself for the guildmates who'd died due to my bad calls.
Let everyone rest today; tomorrow, once they'd shaken off the shock, I'd check in one by one.
"I thought we could do lots of stuff together, unnie..."
"That bummed?"
"Of course."
I envied how Hanbyeol ignored the stares. Sure, she was young and immature, but pushing aside what you can't handle and enjoying the rest? That was healthy.
"It's not a one-time thing. Cities do festivals for holidays and anniversaries, right? And we can always have our own cozy fun."
Personally, I hated rubbing elbows with strangers in a rowdy crowd. I got why people loved festivals, but at my age, I had zero urge to join in. I'd tag along for close ones to make memories, but fun took energy... Holidays were for holing up at home. Games were a hobby you could enjoy that way too.
Hanbyeol, still a student without that jaded edge, looked genuinely disappointed. Burnt-out adults might find festivals stale, but telling kids that would be rude. I had no right to rob others of the experience just because it wasn't my thing.
"We'll enjoy tomorrow whatever it is, and scout a real festival next time. Today, I'll do whatever you want."
"Really?"
Her disappointed face lit up, and though it eased my mind, a twinge of unease made me show a weak smile.
"Within my wallet's limits, of course..."
"It's fine. You're really coming to festivals with me from now on, right?"
She looped her arm around my waist, hugging close, looking up with her slightly shorter height. It was so cute I couldn't help laughing.
"Yeah, I will."
Wandering around sounded tiring, but whatever. Future me would handle spoiling her. With that settled, Hanbyeol dragged us into a fancy restaurant, dead set on it.
I worried if my wallet in her inventory could handle it, but kept a calm face and followed.
30 gold was like 60 chicken skewers in won—who knew the exchange—but it didn't look like noble or hotel pricing, so probably not insane. Still, the menu prices screamed over budget.
Hanbyeol insisted on course A since we'd come this far; Laila got B. Together, 26 gold already. It'd been ages since money pinched, and my heart sank.
Prayer sessions would refill it, but it dredged up memories of scraping by after a new girlfriend bled my wallet dry on dates. Still, better than then.
Scanning for cheap options, I spotted vegetable soup with bread for 3 gold. Total: 29. Doable.
"I'll have this."
"Huh? Come on, unnie, order something. It's good here."
"My stomach's off. This'll be enough."
Not a lie. The prices churned it, and soup plus bread would fill me. Homemade, it'd cost under 1 gold. Restaurants charged premiums for "better taste," like places slicing a tomato for 30,000 won.
"You'll be hungry later on just that..."
Laila's sly tone screamed sex joke, but I played dumb with a smile.
"I'm good."
"Worried about money? If it's short, I'll cover. Eat what you want, unnie."
Kids' eyes sometimes cut deeper than adults'. Hanbyeol was grown enough for insight, smart to boot, with that unjaded honesty. It stabbed right in the heart.
Any lingering course envy vanished, but as my eyes flicked back to the menu, I steeled myself.
"My stomach really hurts... Led the group, meetings all day..."
Sacrificing taste for pride. Took a sec to excuse it, but Hanbyeol bought it.
"Still? Aw..."
She looked pitying; even Laila seemed rarely apologetic. She was the culprit, after all. They'd assume stage fright. Only Laila and I knew it was arousal.
"I'll get used to it. It's fine. Ready to order."
Two courses and soup. The waiter tilted his head.
"A course, B course, and vegetable soup with bread?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
Hanbyeol bit her lip, eyeing me worriedly the whole time. I forced cheer.
"More importantly, where'd you go while I was at the meeting?"
"Magic Tower called. About the dungeon last time—they wanted a report."
"Ah. Finished it?"
"After dinner."
No need to sour the fancy meal vibe, so I dropped it. They smoothly followed my lead, chatting lightly as dishes arrived.
Appetizers to mains paraded out; mine was just soft-looking bread and soup. Self-suggestion from saying no appetite? It tasted bland, doughy. Bread was soft but flavorless. Wellness joint maybe—healthy to a fault, pricey too.
Slowly eating the filler bread and soup, Hanbyeol scooped food onto my empty plate.
"Unnie, this is easy to digest."
"Nah, you eat. I'm fine."
"If you don't, I won't either."
"Fine, okay."
She offered a bowl of tender meat and veggies in mild sauce. My tail snatched it from spoon and bread, setting it before me. Her stubborn look softened only after I ate.
Was I really tired with no appetite? No real taste—just melt-in-mouth texture and warm temp.
Couldn't be rude after her gesture, so I adulted up, unlike before.
"Tasty. Now I get why you picked here."
"Right?"
"Yep. Little mage has refined tastes. Any guy feeding her better make bank or cook well."
"I'll feed unnie, so no worries."
Her "I'll marry Mom" vibe made Laila and me grin alike.
"So cute."
Laila ate with relish—must be my taste buds then. Tail-fed bites confirmed: texture only, no flavor.
Made sense. After smell, touch and taste fatigued fast. Like clothes going numb after hours. Reverse cause, but maybe fatigue dulled it. Faint salt, sauce, aroma lingered.
Shouldn't have guildmastered this body. Mind coped fine, but body bore the strain. No raid rest, straight to meetings and fancy dinner—body protesting strike-style.
I chuckled at the fairy-tale whimsy. Iris might like it—body with separate mind-persona deep inside, still sleeping. If she woke, I'd yield it back. Return to reality?
My nonexistent appetite suddenly soured bitter.