Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Heat and Crisis
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Sweat was no longer just beading up—it was streaming down.
Sssss...
The shallow streams gathered at the soft curve's edge.
Plip.
They began to fall. Plip, plop, plip. The irregular drops surprisingly had a rhythmic feel.
Of course, I had no leisure to enjoy it.
“……It’s hot.”
The stifling heat choked my breath. Keeping my wits about me was an achievement in itself.
Especially here in this rooftop room. Heat waves shimmered from the ceiling, fully soaked in the blazing sun. Stepping on the rooftop’s green surface would surely scorch my feet to death.
“Ugh……”
I was sprawled face-down on the floor mat, bare skin against it, and barely managed to stretch out my hand.
Squeeze.
[Record-breaking heat wave expected to start for the next few days. Temperatures may exceed 37 degrees in the afternoon, so take precautions to avoid heat-related damage…]
It’s only early July, and 37 degrees? That’s insane. By August, it’ll probably top 40, right?
Of course, for modern people, heat isn’t a big deal. After all, we have the invention of that great genius.
Beep!
I pressed the power button on the white remote. The long unit opened its mouth.
It was the rooftop room’s standard-issue air conditioner. This ancient relic started blowing out musty air.
Whirrrrrr. The outdoor unit spun noisily.
Now the scorching rooftop room should start cooling down…
“………Ah.”
What the hell is this hot wind?!
Beep beep beep!
Dropping it to 18 degrees, switching to turbo fan speed—nothing changed.
If anything, the wind felt even stuffier and grimier.
It had been like this since last night. I’d tried emergency filter cleaning, but it was an incurable disease.
Looked it up, and it’s the refrigerant… I’ve already called for service. The technician should come by tomorrow, probably.
But how do I hold out until then?
Molrang!
Oblivious to my desperate struggle, Molrang was bouncing energetically on my back.
Molrang!
Look at it hopping around. Its mouth looked ready to split into a grin. You like it that much?
As expected of a pudding slime that survives 150 degrees. Around 40 must be perfect play weather for it.
Still, thanks to Molrang, things were somewhat bearable.
Molrang!
The surface of Molrang touching my bare skin was incredibly cool. Not quite an ice pack, but like mountain stream water.
If Molkang were here too, it might’ve been livable…
Ryuuu…
There was another heat-weak creature.
A black mass perched on Molkang. Dart’s belly rose and fell slowly.
Its fluffy fur was drenched in moisture. Panting sounds leaked from its extended tongue.
Yeah, you’ve gotta survive too….
Grumbling, I turned my head and met eyes with Mini sitting on the bed.
The only spot here that could take direct sunlight. And on a soft, fluffy blanket, no less.
…
Mini was snoozing contentedly there. Bathed in sun, its surface looked unnecessarily glossy.
“Ah.”
Damn it. I can’t take this anymore.
I immediately pulled out my smartphone and logged into the hunter community.
Zenith’s latest air conditioner is supposed to be famous, right? Made using materials from some Ice Stic monster or whatever.
[NewNeo System Air Conditioner (Studio Apt Model): 3,430,000 won]
“…Holy crap, expensive.”
A price too good for just a studio, but with my funds, I could afford it.
[Current Balance: 124,520,104 won]
Ever since starting sales of the new-model Molrangtori, I’d been earning over 30 million a week working just five days.
I hardly spent any anyway, so time to flex a little.
[Purchase completed.]
Paid in full, no hesitation. Well, debit card, so of course.
[Delivery started. Technician arrival estimated - within 2 hours.]
As expected of a big corp—even installation speed is top-tier.
“…Up we go.”
I hauled my limp body upright. Somehow dragged my feet to the bathroom.
“……”
Hair matted flat, cheeks flushed red. Eyes dull and lifeless.
This is getting serious.
No way I could greet someone looking like this.
Shhhh!
Turned on the water for a shower. A cold blast should cool me down a lot.
Shhhh!
“……Water’s hot too.”
**
Bang bang bang!
2 p.m. The sun blazed at its fiercest.
“Excuse me. Here for the air conditioner installation.”
Finally, the saving grace—the long-awaited oasis—arrived at my rooftop room.
Creak.
I flung open the front door.
I’d sweated a bit after washing up, but it was decent enough to receive a guest.
“Hello.”
The technician stepped alone into the rooftop room.
Huh? Where’d you sell the AC to come empty-handed?
Probably a colleague waiting downstairs. Makes sense—main unit and outdoor unit are heavy; tough for one person.
“First… let me check the size.”
The technician glanced at the ceiling, then reached for his vest.
His work vest had multiple pockets.
Ziiip!
He opened one and pulled something out.
A familiar squishy object.
…Why are you coming out of there?
A basic-model Molrangtori.
“Where…”
He shoved his arm deep inside the Molrangtori and pulled out a massive air conditioner.
Who’d have thought I’d meet a user right in front of me? My heart thumped pleasantly. My lips threatened to stretch to my ears.
“Wow… what’s that?”
Couldn’t hold back the glee, so I asked casually.
“Oh… it’s this new product someone made. Performance is amazing. Lets you carry even the heaviest stuff easily.”
“That’s… possible?”
“Exactly. Revolutionary. Revolutionary. Helps us earn our pay, too—we get entered in a raffle every sale. And…”
The technician boasted like he’d made it himself, all puffed up.
This is what a real, blood-and-flesh review looks like. Perfect.
“With this, the difference is huge. Buy one if you awaken later.”
“Will do.”
My mouth itched. Wanted to shout in his face that I made it.
But couldn’t—that stung.
The technician was from Zenith. Not as aggressive as the top five guilds, but Zenith had been steadily sending scout offers.
Say it here, and my identity would blow wide open.
“Anyway, let me check if installation’s possible.”
“Yes.”
I bit my lower lip to suppress the bursting laugh and feigned innocence.
**
“Whew… looks like it might be tough?”
“Yeeess…?”
Thunderbolt from a clear sky.
What the hell are you saying, technician?!
“Just in case, I’ll double-check and come back.”
The technician wiped beads of sweat from his brow repeatedly and left the rooftop room.
He returned 30 minutes later.
Whirrr!
Neck fan…? Anyway, back with a neck-hanging fan. He circled the rooftop room, then asked through the window.
“This building’s pretty old, huh?”
“Uh… probably over 20 years.”
Didn’t know exactly. But I’d lived here 15 years already.
Factoring in how rundown it was back then… probably over 30.
“Yeah, I don’t think this building can handle this AC. Wiring issues…”
He started on technical jargon, saw my face, and stopped. Scratching his head, he picked simpler words.
“You know the breaker box? Breaker?”
“I do.”
“Simply put, it’d trip. Electrical hazard, so installation’s not safe.”
“Ah……”
Rooftop life, the romance.
Gotta sacrifice conveniences for that cozy rooftop charm.
“Please tell my parents that. Or give me your number? I can explain for you…”
“No, it’s fine. But is there really no way to install?”
“One sec.”
The technician’s eyes, scanning around, fixed on something.
“Can’t use that spot?”
He pointed to the rooftop shed. All the monsters were hiding inside right now.
“If we run separate wiring from there…”
Before I could respond, he grabbed the shed door handle.
Turned it without hesitation.
Click.
“Huh? Locked.”
Of course—I’d locked it ahead. Worried the giant pudding slimes might thump around, but false alarm.
“Landlord uses it.”
“Ask them later, then.”
Installation impossible, verdict final. Why have an AC but can’t install…!
“Guess I’ll head out.”
The technician left with the AC.
Ding!
[Refund for your order completed.]
I stared silently at the notification on my phone screen.
……Neck already heating up. How to survive till tomorrow?
Creak!
With a sense of despair, I flung open the shed door.
“Guys, let’s head back in.”
The monsters huddled tight together.
Even just the two giant slimes filled the space. I’d been pondering ways to ramp up production…
‘Time to move?’
That’d solve heat and capacity issues.
Of course, still premature.
Business just stabilizing, and my current funds wouldn’t snag decent land.
Still, time to plan seriously. Long-term, at least three months out…
**
[Breaking news: Typhoon Maria No. 18 makes landfall on Jeju Island. Expect massive winds—citizens, prepare thoroughly…]
“…We’re screwed.”