Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Preparation
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Dang Ayoung, who had declared she would become my ideal type, truly seemed intent on keeping her word. That night, she simply lay down on the bed without trying anything.
"Rather than a short, rowdy girl who only thinks about herself, you prefer a kind and gentle woman, right?"
The added descriptor of "short" made it blatantly obvious who she was referring to, but I didn't comment on it.
"...Of course."
"Good. Let's just get a comfortable night's sleep tonight. We've got a long journey ahead starting tomorrow, so we can't afford to overdo it and cause any trouble."
After this exchange, Dang Ayoung ended up sharing the same bed and blanket with me, but she turned her back to me as if promising she wouldn't do a thing.
I was a bit suspicious since she'd pounced on me before even after saying she'd let me rest, but tonight she truly seemed committed—no glances or touches in my direction at all.
It was a change I couldn't have imagined just yesterday.
Even though it came with the condition of "only in truly unavoidable circumstances," she'd given her permission for me to see other women, so if my harem management ever got exposed, the constant anxiety that had been gnawing at me might finally ease up a bit.
Of course, I wasn't crazy enough to confess about the Sword Empress right away.
'She's perceptive; no way I'd tell her immediately...'
If I ever did reveal it, it'd have to be after a good amount of time had passed.
And even if I got incredibly lucky and somehow convinced Dang Ayoung, the Sword Empress would be the real problem.
How on earth was I supposed to persuade someone as rigid as her?
'Let's think this through step by step...'
The reduced risk from Dang Ayoung's side was encouraging enough on its own, so I decided to mull it over slowly.
Though when I considered why her change had happened, it wasn't something I could wholly celebrate.
At the very least, it was helpful to me right now.
Feeling guilty toward her but unable to say anything, I resolved inwardly with a mix of remorse and gratitude.
From now on, no matter what, I wouldn't cause any more trouble.
"Have a safe trip. Make sure to eat properly... get plenty of sleep... don't push your body too hard... and if you get sick, don't tough it out—go straight to a local physician for treatment."
"I got it already. Anyone would think you're my mom."
I was getting a send-off from Dang Ayoung at the front door, her concern so excessive it embarrassed even me.
There weren't other people around, but that didn't make it any less awkward.
"And if some stranger offers you candy and tells you to follow them, don't go—ask a nearby adult for help..."
"Do I look like a kid to you?!"
"Or if they offer you alcohol and say come along..."
"The offering isn't the issue!"
I finally escaped the front door only after enduring a lengthy barrage of worried nagging.
"Oh, and one more thing..."
"What now?"
-Jingle
"Here's some pocket money. Don't let that girl outshine you—buy whatever you want to eat or whatever catches your eye. If you need to stay somewhere overnight, pay extra for a separate room. I put plenty in there."
"I'm always grateful, Miss."
I immediately lowered my voice to a serious tone and extended both hands forward.
Amused by my sudden shift, Dang Ayoung chuckled and placed the money pouch on my palms.
Even my fingertips could feel its substantial weight.
"Let me say it again: I'm an amazing woman too, you know? I might not be the absolute best in the Central Plains, but good luck finding someone with this looks, this strength, and this wealth."
"Naturally. Who'd dare say you're lacking? If anyone does, introduce them to me later. I'll set them straight."
"Pfft... thanks for the sentiment, at least."
After bidding the lady farewell, I headed to the meeting spot with Ye Socheon.
"Have a safe trip~"
I waved back at Dang Ayoung, who stood at the door waving with a smile.
.
.
.
-Plop
'Ye Socheon hasn't arrived yet?'
I climbed onto the carriage she'd prepared, set down my luggage, and munched on the skewered meat I'd bought at the market on the way.
Though Dang Ayoung had prepared a lavish feast before I left, home cooking and street food were worlds apart.
My metabolism never let me gain weight no matter how much I ate, so calories weren't a big concern.
-Nom nom
'Back in the day, I figured I'd grow tall eventually...'
I stretched out my legs, hidden beneath the cloak, and gazed at them extended.
Even if I'd only eaten grass in the mountains, Master had fed me plenty of meat too. Where had all that nutrition gone? My body stayed scrawny, and I barely grew at all.
By the time I reached Zhihak, my growth had pretty much stalled completely. Comparing then to now, there wasn't much difference in appearance.
If I wandered around without this suspicious cloak, people might mistake me for a minor.
-Grumble grumble
'Seriously, how am I supposed to survive with a body like this?'
Taking advantage of the break, I started inwardly complaining to the heavens and earth again.
If they were going to reincarnate me, why not into something better? Overflowing talent, tall stature, handsome face—that kind of body. What was this kid-like frame supposed to be?
It wouldn't feel so unfair if my dantian had been damaged after possession, but getting dumped into a already broken one left me powerless.
'But not growing taller on top of that is just too much.'
Dantian wrecked so no martial arts, weak bones and muscles so even raw physical ability couldn't beat a woman's, no merits whatsoever in this strength-dominated world.
The god knew how this world worked, yet gave me this body—clearly harbored ill will toward me.
Without this cloak from the shop window, I'd have had to go around exposed like this, looking like easy prey and constantly picked on.
I might not have even dared to leave the mountains out of fear.
At least there were no pre-existing grudges from my past life, that was a small mercy.
'They've got some conscience. Giving me this weak body and piling on enemies too...'
If that were the case, I'd have unleashed a torrent of curses with every ounce of strength.
I appreciated escaping the slave horse life, but there had to be some basic decency.
Being milked dry as a slave until death versus flailing around in a body that could drop any moment wasn't much different.
Life on Earth had been a hundred times better.
'Sigh, whatever. No point getting nostalgic.'
Thinking back, those days holed up in the mountains with Master had been the best.
It had been insanely boring, but I'd never felt the hardship of survival. Now, I actually missed that boredom.
Too many things demanding my attention these days—my head felt ready to explode.
Dang Ayoung's worries had eased a tad, but until yesterday I'd been on pins and needles, paranoid about slipping up and getting caught by her or the Sword Empress.
Surviving one day with Dang Ayoung didn't mean it was over. I'd lie awake fretting that the Sword Empress might somehow hear about our relationship.
Harem management was a desperate choice for survival, but it sure wasn't human.
'Too late to quit now anyway.'
Even if I ditched everything and fled to the mountains, failing to stop the world's end would doom it all anyway.
"Ha..."
-Nom
I shoved the last of the skewer into my mouth, deciding to set aside the tangled thoughts and massage my aching head.
Come to think of it, I hadn't checked how much money was in the pouch Dang Ayoung gave me.
It had felt hefty, so I eagerly opened it with high hopes.
"Whoa."
Mostly convenient silver taels, but quite a few gold ones too.
Five of them, no less.
Way more than pocket money; even converting to shop points would net 5 points...
'Speaking of which, how much have I accumulated now?'
Last time buying the rosary had drained my points, but enough time had passed for some regeneration, so I opened the shop window.
Probably just a pitiful amount scraping by...
"...400 points?"
I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.
I hadn't recharged with money since emptying them out, and even if I had, it'd only be a few points—not a huge sum.
And not that much time had passed since then.
Normally, it'd cap at around 200 points.
But nearly double that...
'Did the Saintess do something?'
The Saintess I'd met recently flashed through my mind.
I jolted at the familiar voice suddenly emerging from the shop window.
A noble, holy, and beautifully resonant voice.
"...Saintess?"
The Saintess of this fantasy world.
She was the one originally meant to summon me.