Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: You're the Protagonist Today
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"So, when should I call you over?"
"The estimated arrival time has too much variance, so I can't give you a firm answer yet. I'll have to contact you separately."
"Heeeng, got it."
Ophelia said she'd stay home all morning waiting for the ordered furniture to arrive. But since we didn't know exactly when it'd show up, the plan was for Han Do-hee, Kim Chae-ah unnie, and me to head to Busan first, then summon Ophelia later with the Summon skill.
Mecha-Doggo and Suri would come with me, while Minium might need to help with heavy lifting, so she'd stay home with Ophelia. Plus, this trip involved an overnight stay.
Driving from Seoul to Busan for a day trip? Not really feasible. It takes about five hours just to get there. Today was December 23rd, so we'd be spending Christmas Eve (not me) in Busan.
—Ding-dong
"Oh."
Around 11 a.m., Han Do-hee and Chae-ah unnie arrived. They were the honored first ones to know my home address.
—Click
"Do-hee unnie! Chae-ah unnie!"
"Whoa, Eve. You moved to a really nice place."
"Wow, great house."
"Mmhmm, right?"
"Ophelia, long time no see! You look way better in a nice house like this!"
"Nice to see you."
"Ah, Ophelia. Here, a housewarming gift."
"Thank you."
Han Do-hee brought a fancy paper bag with three aromatherapy candles that looked promising. I'd mentioned not sleeping well last night, so she picked ones that help you sleep better.
"Unnie's gift is for Eve!"
"Hoeeek."
Chae-ah unnie hauled in a massive brown teddy bear plush. I'm not some kid who loves stuff like that.
"Hehe... It's cute."
"Right?! I thought you'd like it, so I got it!"
"Th-thank you..."
I didn't really like it, but I pretended to. You have to in front of the giver. But it was kinda cute. Soft and huge—almost as big as me.
"Anyway, it looks way better seeing you here. The place is still pretty empty, huh? Should I gift you some furniture?"
"Some stuff arrived yesterday. Today and tomorrow, a ton more is coming."
"How's your room, Eve? You said you got a bed?"
"I have the bed! Wanna see?"
I took Han Do-hee and Chae-ah unnie to my room and showed them. The vanity had post-shower skincare stuff and random bits, plus the computer desk and bed. That's it.
But honestly, this setup was plenty for living. Felt like a full setup to me.
"Eve, you must be serious about skincare? You use all this?"
"I'm clueless... Ophelia handles it all for me... Hehe."
"The other rooms are for the golems?"
"Ah, umm... Ophelia uses one..."
There were two more rooms: Ophelia took one, and the last one's my photo studio. Not sure exactly how it'll be used yet.
"Hmm, I see? You've gone full influencer now."
"Let's take pics together!"
"Ehehe..."
"Chae-ah's been thrilled about her followers going up thanks to you."
"Chae-ah unnie's?"
"Hit around 50k now, I think."
"Heuk."
"Right! Wanna see? They shot up outta nowhere."
She'd been at about 25k before, so doubling was huge. I had way more now, so it was a win for Chae-ah unnie.
"Anyway, think you've seen enough of the house. What now? Head out?"
"Yeah, let's... Ophelia, is it okay if I go now?"
"Yes, I'll help you change."
"Sure. Unnies, just wait a sec."
"Okay, take your time."
"Then, Princess, please stay safe."
"Got it. Ophelia, text me when all the furniture arrives today!"
"Understood."
"Ophelia! I'll take good care of Eve."
"I leave her in your hands."
I'm not a baby or anything. I can handle myself. Anyway, Suri and Mecha-Doggo were coming with me. I was a little anxious... but I'd slept too much during a nap yesterday, so I couldn't sleep well last night.
Ophelia and I had practiced something intense.
"So, Mecha-Doggo can fight now?"
"Suri too... kinda like that."
Ophelia had splurged on ultra-compact compressed artificial magic stones, shaped into bracelets. With Issue Command skill at A+ rank, we could temporarily super-boost golems using magic stones.
Of course, it used the stones' mana and some of mine, so not unlimited. With my current bracelets, about four one-hour bursts.
And since I used mana too, needed cooldowns and rest.
—Beep!!
"Yeah, got it. If we need to fight later, we'll do it. Not sure if it'll come up this time."
Mecha-Doggo was wagging her tail like crazy at the news she could get super strong. We'd just tested the feel—no full run yet.
Then we headed to the underground parking, hopped into Han Do-hee's Maxcruz (fully loaded, she babies it), and peeled out. Ophelia said she'd bought a Rolls-Royce Cullinan with my car budget, but warned me not to drive it around Busan.
"Driving in Busan is tough. Chae-rin unnie's there now too—someone from Nova's Busan branch is driving her instead."
"Same roads, but that different...? Isn't it all just roads...?"
Anyway, we left the apartment complex in Do-hee's car. Backseat: me and Mecha-Doggo. Next to me: Suri. Chae-ah unnie up front.
"Do-hee unnie doesn't do gates anymore?"
"Me? I grinded hard back in the day. Now? Nah, taking it easy. Got money."
"Hee, cool."
Makes sense—a B-rank fighter earns double a big corp salaryman. Heard she and Chae-ah unnie awakened around high school, so that's how they bonded.
Chae-ah unnie seemed to gate a lot, but nope—she hangs at entrances, heals injured folks for cash.
That's the healer life. No med license needed. Just awaken healing.
"Taking the Gyeongbu Expressway. Need a bathroom?"
"Nah, good. Did it at home."
"Pfft... Oh, you did~? 'Did it'?"
"...Whatever."
Grabbed snacks and drinks at a convenience store, then hit the road. Weekday 11 a.m., not peak traffic, and Do-hee drives fast—quicker than expected.
"Eve, sleepy? Nap if you want."
"Nah, still good."
"Okay? Play hard in Busan, so sleep if you're tired. Got it?"
"Yessir."
Even with late night, I slept well enough.
—Rooom...
Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gumi. On the Gyeongbu Expressway from Seoul to Busan—arrived around 1:40 p.m.
"Whoa, Gumi's changed a lot."
"Everyone bailed. Dead town."
"Uuuh... Busan yet...?"
"Ah, awake? Not Busan. Past the midpoint."
"Ugh."
I woke up from a nap during a quick stop after a long drive. Turns out, this was where Do-hee unnie and Chae-ah unnie grew up. Lived here till adulthood, awakened in high school, made bank, moved to Seoul.
Do-hee unnie had been driving about three hours, so break time—and hometown vibes.
"Eve, wanna see unnies' old high school?"
"High school? Sure, sounds fun!"
Neither aced studies—vocational high. Weekday, not dismissal time yet. Kids on the field.
"Oof, trash school. Still kicking."
"Total trash!"
"Whoa."
I didn't study much either—no big high school memories. Had friends, but post-grad and army, contacts faded. All gone now—no strong recollections.
"By the way, unnies, how old?"
"Huh, didn't tell you?"
"Nope."
"How old do I look?"
"Hmm..."
Honestly, Chae-ah unnie seemed more mature than Do-hee. Do-hee had that landmine vibe, dressed young; Chae-ah adult-style, tall.
"Twenty-five?"
"Nope, twenty-seven."
"Hoeeek."
Same school classmates, so same age. If I hadn't regressed to 10, I'd be 27 too—we'd be peers.
Suddenly felt weird... They were my age.
"Shocked I'm older than you thought?"
"N-no... Just..."
"Seen enough. Back to the car?"
"Yeah."
Leaving the nameless neighborhood, passing a busier area—both lost in memories, scanning around—when the car ahead slammed brakes. Do-hee's Maxcruz screeched to a halt.
"Argh, these idiots drive like crap!"
Furious Do-hee rolled down the window, about to yell—
—Beep-beep... beep-beep...
—Tu tu tu tu
"Huh? Damn. Gate popped."
"Open-type Gate?"
"Yeah, looks like."
"Heuk...! Hear that, Mecha-Doggo? Suri? Open-type Gate!"
—Beep!
—Kee-it...
Mecha-Doggo itching for a fight, Suri meh.
"What do we do? Fight?"
"Hmm... Not many hunters here. We're going in, but you can sit if it's a hassle, Eve."
"No way! I'm in! Mecha-Doggo, Suri! Let's go!"
Doors clicked open. Parked the car, hit the sidewalk. People fleeing afar, few Awakened holding the road.
"Hoo... Stay calm. We've practiced tons...!"
I recited my Ophelia drills in my head, nodded at Mecha-Doggo.
"Respond to the summon!" "Royal Guard Hound. Fenrir—!"
⟨ Summon ⟩