Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Farewell to the Neighborhood
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안녕
-Clunk!
"Ughhh..."
-Crash!
"Ugh... so noisy..."
-Whirrrrr...
"C-cold..."
What in the world was going on? Unlike the usual peaceful mornings, this one was full of clattering and banging everywhere. Where was Ophelia, who always gently pressed my cheeks or sat quietly beside me, waking me with her calm voice?
-Rustle...
"Huh...?"
"Princess, are you awake?"
"Ophelia...? What's all this...?"
Ophelia was somewhere folding my few clothes from the dresser into a large assembled box, while Suri sat on the windowsill with the window open, flapping her wings to air out the room.
Mecha-Doggo was scampering around the floor with a mini broom attached to her butt, banging into things here and there, and Minium was effortlessly lifting furniture to dust every corner.
"Wh-what...?"
One thought flashed through my mind.
"Ophelia... do you not need me anymore...?"
"What do you mean?"
My eyes were bleary, so I hadn't noticed at first, but there was some kind of mosquito net draped around where I'd been sleeping. Several pieces of furniture were already gone, leaving the space around me empty, like waking up in grandma's house after staying over for Chuseok.
Of course, I had no family to visit for Chuseok, so I'd never actually had that experience...
"Are you leaving me behind now...?"
"No, Princess. We're preparing for the move. We tried to let you sleep fully so you wouldn't inhale dust when you woke, but it seems the noise woke you a bit early."
"Move...? Moving?!"
Now that I thought about it, yeah. Ophelia had said our place was too cramped and we needed to move, and to cut back on spending a little. But then she went on a spree buying clothes for me and expensive rare metals and magic stones, so I'd completely forgotten.
"Where are we moving to...?"
"To the H-City Apartments in Songpa-gu. We've signed a two-year short-term lease, so we're moving today."
"Wh-whoa..."
I didn't really catch all that—just Songpa-gu. But I got the vibe. You know those fancy apartments with upscale names? The kind that scream upper class, where outsiders probably can't even breathe near them.
"Did you call a moving company...?"
"No. There aren't many pieces of furniture worth transporting here to the new place, and most are worn out or better replaced with new ones. We're planning to dispose of them as waste."
"Gasp!"
Sure, bringing our old furniture to a fancy apartment might look a bit silly. But... it felt kinda off.
"You're throwing out that dresser too?"
"Yes, that's the plan. We're preparing to take the desktop from Nova."
Suddenly, I was wide awake. Looking around, most of the scattered furniture was already gone. The mosquito net was to keep dust off me.
-Rustle...
Next to me was the computer with all cords unplugged and neatly organized, and my phone, which had dropped to 98% after the power strip octopus was yanked out.
"Shall I prepare the bathroom?"
"Do I not need to wash up today?"
"I planned to draw you a bath after we arrive at the new place."
"Aha..."
A gust from Suri's wingbeats brought in outside air, making me shiver, and Ophelia handed me some clothes.
"Princess, it's chilly with the ventilation going. Please change into these for now."
"Oh, sure."
-Rumble...
The porter truck leisurely climbed the steep hill. All we were moving was the computer, the new clothes, and the groceries from the mini fridge.
"That's such light luggage."
"Yes. Once we settle in the new place, we'll buy furniture to match."
"Mm."
The old furniture was stacked neatly with large waste stickers. The house was practically empty now—only the optional fridge, AC, and gas stove remained.
"I can still go inside the house, right?"
"Yes."
"Be right back."
With everything cleared out, it felt so spacious. When I first moved in, it seemed big, but over time it grew cramped. Now, with furniture gone again, it felt wide open. Or maybe I'd shrunk.
I stood in the center where the mattress had been and looked around the empty interior. Had it been about five years since I moved here? I'd been so thrilled it was my first place of my own. Back then, I swore I'd make money quick and move after the two-year lease.
The walls without furniture showed mold spots, and traces of my life lingered everywhere. The sentimental yellow linoleum floor and ivory wallpaper—I wasn't sure if that was original or aged.
The kitchen that looked well-used even though I rarely cooked. The windows and sills, now spotless after dusting off accumulated grime.
The strangely gritty bathroom floor texture, crookedly tiled walls from shoddy installation. The tiny ventilation window.
The particularly grubby sink basin below, the fluffy sky-blue waterproof toilet seat cover that was here when I moved in. The corner of the bathroom mirror where I'd stuck a Pikachu sticker that fell off from humidity, leaving sticky residue.
The suction marks on the toothbrush holder meant for three, but always just one.
"The tub..."
Walking through what used to be my home in outside shoes felt weird. Standing at the sink, it was like Ophelia was timing me for three minutes outside.
She always insisted on exactly three minutes of brushing.
"This bathroom door handle is super stiff."
The indoor temp had dropped to 14 degrees from outside air seeping in.
"Cold."
Was this place always this chilly?
"O-Ophelia...?"
"Princess, please get in."
Ophelia had brought a car. A ridiculously expensive one. And she was driving it herself.
"It's a new personal vehicle I purchased. The best SUV available on the market."
"Wh-whoa..."
Ophelia opened the driver's door and guided me to the rear diagonal seat. It was that famous Rolls-Royce. I'd never had money for a car, so no interest, didn't even know the name. And I didn't have a license anyway.
"Ophelia, you have a driver's license?"
"Yes, I do."
Was that what her outings for driving practice were? Come to think of it, she could probably pass the test without practice. Written exam? Easy with internet access in her head. Practical? Shouldn't be hard.
"Wow, so plush. And warm."
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah! But how much was it?"
"Around 900 million won."
"Guh..."
Basically the price of the apartment rolling down the road. Were cars always that pricey...?
"Ah, you guys were already in here?"
-Beep!
All the golems were inside. So I was the last one.
"When did we get so rich...?"
"The loot from the Desert Mausoleum first mission is still selling through auctions. It's basically your achievement, Princess."
"R-really...?"
I'd only thought of it as clearing a dungeon—hadn't considered the profits at all. It was already underway.
"Heading to the new place?"
"Yes."
"Hehehe."
I felt like one of those people you only see online—heart pounding. The old house held memories and a bit of regret, but honestly, it wasn't a great neighborhood to live in.
Maybe because the morning was so abrupt, leaning back on the plush seat made me drowsy. Plus, the car was toasty.
"Our neighborhood..."
Gazing at the scenery, familiar sights passed by one by one. Paths I walked often, paths occasionally, places I'd rarely visited, spots I always just glanced at the signs for.
"Convenience store."
"Do you need something?"
"N-no... nothing."
The place close to home where I'd worked part-time.
"Hold on, Ophelia. Can we make a detour to a place I mention?"
"Yes, understood."
I pulled out my phone, searched for convenience stores, found the one I'd worked at, and showed Ophelia.
"Here. I wanna stop by once."
"Understood."
I felt like if I left now without stopping, I'd never come back to this store. Ophelia smoothly navigated to the address on my screen.
"We've arrived. If you need anything, I can buy it."
"No, it's not that... I just missed it. I'll be right back."
"I'll accompany you."
"It's fine! Stay in the car, Ophelia!"
I unbuckled, flung open the door, and hurried into the nearby convenience store. Small, in a corner spot, but the only one around, so always busy.
White tiled floor with occasional cracks, counter desk that looked like it could still flip up any second.
"Welcome... Huh?"
"Hello."
The female clerk greeted indifferently before glancing up—someone I didn't recognize, unfortunately.
I grabbed two 2-for-1 drinks from the shelf, set them on the counter, and asked.
"How's the owner doing?"
"Owner...? I just started recently... haha."
"I see. Does he still scold you for eating discards?"
"Huh...? Discards...?"
The clerk tilted her head, rang up the drinks, and swiped my card.
"Did the afternoon shift change?"
"Uh... not that I know of..."
"Must be Ji-hoo then."
"Y-yeah, Ji-hoo... but why?"
"Give this one to him."
Bena Mango Tang Water—the tastiest drink in our store. Ji-hoo, my former full-timer coworker, loved it. Me too.
"Bye-bye."
"B-bye..."
-Ding!
The door chime felt so familiar.
"Princess, there you are. You moved so suddenly, I was startled."
"Ophelia, try this. It's super tasty."
"...I'll gratefully accept."
"Ah, lemme have a sip too. Thirsty from running."
"Yes."
Farewell, our neighborhood.