Chapter 55

Chapter 55. Treatment

Coming out of the department store after finishing shopping, the sky had already darkened.

Streetlights turned on one by one on the street, and it was crowded with office workers getting off work and couples enjoying dates.

I looked at Cassia holding shopping bags full in both hands.

"Aren't you hungry? Shall we eat dinner before going in?"

At my question, Cassia nodded.

Her gaze was chasing the delicious smells filling the street.

"Let us do that. That food you mentioned last time... did you call it Chicken? I am curious about it."

We headed to a nearby franchise chicken restaurant.

We ordered the most basic half-and-half chicken and cola.

A moment later, the savory oil smell of freshly fried chicken filled the table.

Fried chicken wearing a crispy golden batter and glossy seasoned chicken.

Cassia held a fork and seemed to hesitate for a moment, then seeing me pick up a drumstick and tear into it, she carefully copied me.

*—Crunch.*

Along with a pleasant sound, her eyes widened.

"Oh...!"

Forgetting her dignity, she chewed diligently, getting sauce all around her mouth.

The meat, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, melted in her mouth.

The spicy and sweet seasoning taste seemed to be a fresh shock to her, who was used to the bland seasoning of the Empire.

"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"

At my question, Cassia deftly deboned it and gave a thumbs up.

"It is surprising. How can there be such flavor when it is merely chicken fried in oil. The skin is crispy and the inner flesh is full of juice."

She wiped the sauce around her mouth and grinned.

"But to be honest... it is not as good as that soup you boiled for me on the battlefield."

"No way. This is much more expensive and delicious."

"No. I cannot forget that warmth I ate at that time."

It was nice to hear even if it was empty words.

To hide my shyness, I poured cola into a cup.

Seeing bubbles rising *bloop-bloop* in the black liquid, Cassia narrowed her eyes.

"Is this... a black potion? The color is truly unique."

"Try drinking it. It'll wash down the greasiness right away."

She brought the cup to her mouth with suspicious eyes.

The moment she took a sip.

"Keugh?!"

She was startled and put down the cup.

At the stimulation of the carbonation popping in her mouth, she opened her eyes roundly and stuck out her tongue.

"How is it? It's called carbonation. It's refreshing, right?"

"Phew... Certainly. I feel like the greasy taste is being washed down. To think even the food in your world is this stimulating and fun."

She looked into the cup as if fascinated and sipped it.

Surprised at first, she soon seemed addicted to that tangy refreshing feeling.

The way back home after finishing the meal.

We slowly walked the street.

The night was deep, but the streets of Seoul were still bright as day.

Music flowed from the streets.

People were moving busily, but there was no desperation or fear on their faces like I saw in the Imperial citizens.

Someone was laughing while on a call, and someone was walking while chatting with a friend.

It was ordinary and peaceful everyday life.

Cassia stopped walking and quietly took in that scenery.

The city lights shimmered in her purple eyes.

"Si-woo."

"Yeah?"

"The world you live in... is truly a peaceful and good place to live."

She smiled softly looking at the people passing by.

"There is no threat from monsters, and I don't see anyone struggling with starvation. Everyone is living their respective lives. It is full of vitality."

In her voice, firm resolve was imbued along with deep envy.

"I too... want to make the Empire into a place like this. A country where children can play to their hearts' content and the people can smile without worrying about tomorrow."

She was one who was just about to ascend to the position of Emperor.

She was one bearing the heavy burden of having to rebuild the fallen Empire.

But her eyes alone were shining brighter than ever.

Standing side by side next to her, I said.

"You will be able to do it."

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course. Because the Cassia I saw is a stronger and warmer person than anyone else. If it's the Empire you rule, it will surely become a much cooler place than here."

At my cheering, Cassia turned her head and looked at me.

A bright smile spread across her lips.

"Thank you. Just as you said, I will definitely make it so."

Arriving home, I stood facing Cassia.

Now it was time to part.

Regret remained, but she had her place and I had mine.

I activated the skill.

Space shimmered, and a portal connecting to the Imperial Princess's office opened.

The familiar desk and piles of documents were seen.

Cassia looked at the portal, then turned her gaze to me.

"I really enjoyed today. The clothes, the food, and your world... everything was new and special."

"I enjoyed it too. Come over to play next time too. I'll buy you a lot more delicious things."

"Fufu... I will look forward to it. Be sure to invite me again next time."

She moved her steps as if regretful.

The fleeting moment she was about to step one foot into the portal, there was something I suddenly remembered.

The fact that I used up all the Orichalcum ore making the Rapier.

To make my equipment in the future, Orichalcum was essential.

"Ah! Cassia!"

At my call, she stopped.

"What is it?"

"If you happen to come next time, could you pack some Orichalcum for me? I used up everything I had making the Rapier."

I smiled awkwardly and asked for a favor.

Then Cassia opened her eyes wide, then soon burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha! Is it merely a favor of that level? Do not worry."

She puffed out her chest confidently.

"I will bring you everything mined from the mine. I do not feel wasteful giving that much to the benefactor of the Empire."

"Uh... No, I don't need that much...."

I just need an appropriate few lumps, but to say she'll give the entire volume of the mine.

The scale was too different.

I tried to stop her waving my hands, but she was already smiling brightly and waving her hand.

"Wait for me! Let us see each other again soon!"

With those words, her figure disappeared beyond the portal.

The shimmering space slowly closed, and silence visited my room again.

"......."

I blankly looked at the closed portal.

"Well... what's good is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠good."

There was no reason to refuse what's given.

Because the more Orichalcum there is, the better it will be.

I stretched feeling good.

I spent today really fruitfully.

Spending money and going on a date... no, showing her around.

"Next time she comes, should I make some snacks or something and give her?."

Her expression looking happy while eating chicken came to mind.

I lay on the bed and picked up my phone.

I entered 'trendy desserts these days' in the search bar.

Glamorous dessert photos filled the screen.

As my Dexterity went up, would my cooking skills have increased too?

Raising the corners of my mouth, I seriously began to read the recipes.

***

The next day, I received a call from Hong Chae-yeon and left the house.

The meeting place was her penthouse again this time.

Getting off the taxi and facing the intimidating building where you have to tilt your head all the way back to see the top, my mouth tasted bitter.

"Ha... How much would a house like this cost?"

From the exterior shining in gold to the marble laid in the lobby, the smell of money vibrated.

I was now a respectable wealthy person too, but the air here made me feel intimidated for some unknown reason.

It seems I still haven't shed the aura of a commoner.

I took the elevator and headed to the penthouse.

Pressing the doorbell, the door opened not long after.

"Are you here, Si-woo? Come in."

Hong Chae-yeon welcomed me smiling brightly.

But the moment I saw her face, I had to stop.

Unlike her smiling lips, dark black circles were deeply cast under her eyes, looking ready to drop to her chin.

Anyone could see it was the appearance of a person who stayed up all night for days.

"Did you... sleep at all? Why is your condition like that?"

At my question, she fiddled around her eyes as if awkward.

"Ah... Does it show? I tried to hide it with makeup."

"It's not at a level to be hidden. You're not sick anywhere, right?"

"I'm not sick, just a bit busy. I was poking around the whole world to find clues about the Ice Crystal Flower."

Although evident signs of fatigue were visible, her voice alone did not seem tired.

Since certain hope arose that she could cure herself and her younger sibling, it wasn't unreasonable that she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠moved until her body broke.

Because to her, the Ice Crystal Flower was essentially a lifeline.

"Still, take it easy. At this rate, you'll collapse first before finding the herb."

"Hehe... Thanks for worrying. But I feel the best. I feel like I can almost grasp it."

She took the lead, guiding me to the living room.

Looking at her back figure, I thought inwardly.

I told Cassia about the Ice Crystal Flower yesterday too.

If it's the vast territory of the Empire, couldn't she find clues that couldn't be found on Earth.

I had to earnestly pray that the flower was blooming somewhere in the Empire.

It was the fleeting moment I was about to step inside the house with such complicated thoughts.

*—Vwoom.*

Suddenly, the dantian area below my navel tickled.

It was the place where the Aura created after swallowing the Sun Stone settled.

What was a faint warmth at first instantly changed into hot heat, and began to fluctuate in my stomach.

"Ugh...!"

At the sudden reaction, I clutched my stomach and stopped.

It felt as if a starving beast was sitting inside my stomach clamoring for food.

Why is this acting like this?

Flustered, I raised my head.

And at that moment, a bizarre sight entered my eyes.

Hong Chae-yeon's body walking ahead.

To be exact, near her right arm and shoulder where the burn marks were, a haze of a bizarre color, neither red nor orange, was rising.

What is... that?

What was previously invisible seemed to be visible now that I opened Aura.

It looked like a curse left by her skill.

The problem was the reaction of the guy inside my stomach.

The Aura rotated like crazy and sent a signal.

That it wants that.

Like a predator anxious to swallow that ominous energy, it stimulated my entire body.

"Um, Chae-yeon."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

She turned around.

Sweating cold sweat, I approached her.

How should I explain this.

It's obvious I'll be treated as a pervert if I suddenly say I'm going to touch her body a bit.

But the thirst in my stomach was too severe to bear.

"Wait... Excuse me for a bit?"

"Huh? What... Eek?!"

Without even listening to her answer, I rolled up her sleeve.

Hideously coagulated burn marks were revealed over her white ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skin.

Above it, the orange haze I saw earlier was spewing out like miasma.

As if possessed, I brought my palm over it.

It was the moment my hand touched her scar.

"Ugh...!"

A faint moan burst from Hong Chae-yeon's mouth.

Her body trembled faintly.

It wasn't because the touch of an unfamiliar man reached her.

Starting from the place where my palm touched, it was because of the sensation of the fire energy embedded deep inside her body being forcibly torn away.

As if a vacuum cleaner was sucking in dust, the orange energy dwelling in her wound was fiercely sucked into my palm.

That energy rode up my arm, passed my heart, and headed straight for my dantian.

"It's h... hot, Si-woo...!"

She frowned her brow as if in pain, but I couldn't pull my hand away.

The fire energy that entered my body was definitely hot.

But compared to that terrible pain I felt when I swallowed the Sun Stone yesterday, this was at the level of cuteness.

Rather, the Aura inside me welcomed this heat and was ravenously swallowing it.

The golden Aura in my dantian wrapped around the orange fire energy and devoured it.

The more it ate, the more I felt the power inside me swelling.

At the same time, a change also occurred in Hong Chae-yeon's arm.

The scar that tormented her so terribly.

As that wicked ember, which wouldn't disappear no matter what medicine was used and would burn it again if regenerated, was sucked into my hand, the wound began to fade like a lie.

The wrinkled skin smoothed out, and the red energy drained away.

"Haa... Haa...."

I sucked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in without leaving even the last drop of fire energy.

The fully filled dantian vibrated pleasantly with satiety.

I slowly pulled my hand away.

Looking at her arm, the burn marks that had hideously settled there just a moment ago had disappeared without even a trace, and only pale new flesh like a newborn baby remained in that spot.

Hong Chae-yeon was blankly looking down at her own arm.

With trembling hands as if unable to believe it, she stroked her own skin.

It was smooth.

Neither pain nor heat was felt.

"How... is this...?"

She looked up at me with wet eyes.

I beamed and shrugged my shoulders.

At that time, a cheerful notification sound rang in my ears.

*—Ding!*