Over the Hill (2)
Over the Hill
Attack Power +3
Speed +5
Defense -3
"Advance."
"This title applies its stats even if not equipped."
The moment we arrived in Alben, a quest that looked suspicious at first glance cleared itself. The rewards were a fragment of unknown origin and a title of equally mysterious nature.
I read through the description on the title while summoning the Fragment Engraved with a Pattern into my hand.
A fan-shaped fragment materialized amid sparkling effects. At its center, glowing golden, was a pattern that resembled a flower.
Looks like I need two more to make a set.
"? What's that?"
"It's the Fragment Engraved with a Pattern 1. Got it for clearing a hidden quest after taking down the bandit boss."
"Oh? Hold on a sec..."
I watched Chaerin pull up the Rebion wiki and search for the fragment. Not long after,
"Found it."
"What does it say?"
"No one knows."
"?"
Wasn't she just looking at the wiki?
I shot Chaerin a look brimming with doubt.
"...No matter how you stare at me, that's just how it is. It's really written that way."
According to the Rebion wiki, it went like this:
This fragment, discovered by some hardcore user, still had no known use or purpose. Only one had been found so far—a '1'—leaving players to speculate wildly.
But that was weird.
"No one's found a 2?"
"Yeah. It's definitely tied to clearing some special event, but either there are extra conditions, or just crossing low-level zones normally doesn't trigger anything."
Sure enough, the quest earlier had that condition: "3 or fewer hits taken."
As various guesses swirled in my head, the carriage came to a stop before I knew it.
Now for Alben.
Heart pounding with excitement, I hopped off and headed toward the entrance.
The walls loomed so high I had to crane my neck back just to see the top. The statues guarding the gate exuded an overwhelming pressure up close that was on another level from afar.
Clutching my trembling chest at the majestic sight, I took one step forward—
"Our stream's still suspended, so we can't go in yet."
"...You can just turn it on, Chaerin."
One more step—
"If a suspended account shows up on stream, I get suspended too."
"...Chaerin."
"No."
Hing.
***
Parting ways with Chaerin for now, I logged out of Rebion.
"Yawn~!"
Stretching lazily, I checked the time—already 3 p.m. My perfectly timed hunger pangs announced lunchtime.
Before climbing into the capsule, I grabbed my phone from where I'd tossed it nearby and opened the delivery app.
Feeling pork stir-fry today.
After browsing local lunch spots, I found one called "Spicy Pork Stir-Fry." Decent price, solid rating. Tap to order.
ETA: 30 minutes. Plenty of time for some YouTube—
Unknown Number
My phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
My eyes locked on the sudden call screen for a moment.
Decline.
I hit the red button to end it.
I never pick up unknowns.
Unknown Number
No sooner had I hung up than it rang again. Same number. Decline.
Unknown Number
"..."
This persistent? Won't stop till I answer.
"...Hello?"
"Ah, hello!! Is this Christina Edelstein?!"
A man's booming voice stabbed through the phone into my ear.
Ow, my ears.
"...Yeah."
"Hello!! I'm Nagi-seong, head of the Awakener Rank Review Department at the Hunter Association!! Sorry to bother you, but do you have time right now!!"
Even holding the phone away from my ear, his voice was still loud. The urgency and anxiety dripping from it suggested something pressing.
"What's up?"
"It's about your rank re-evaluation!! Could you come to the Association now!?"
"...Can I eat first?"
"Yes!! Take your time!! Eat first!!"
Won't be able to eat in peace now.
I gave a vague reply, hung up, and tossed the phone on the bed.
Out of the capsule, heading to the bathroom.
Even if I live sloppily, I shower before going out.
Plenty of time before the pork arrives.
Stripping at the bathroom door and stepping onto the tiles.
Under the showerhead, I pull the lever up. Cool water cascades over me.
I savor the chill as it soaks my hair, face, chest, back—slowly, thoroughly.
My mind drifts to that beach I strolled last time. So refreshing.
Someday, I wanna walk a real one.
Squirting shampoo into my palm, I lather it up and wash my hair, rinsing under the stream.
Now for the body. Two pumps of body wash, foam it up, and scrub.
Shoulders first, then sweat-prone spots one by one, down to between my toes.
Every inch reached.
Shower on—rinsing away the suds.
"...Grown a bit."
I murmured, watching foam slide between my slightly fuller breasts.
Guess I've been eating and sleeping well lately.
Once all the foam was gone, I lowered the lever and shut off the water.
Drip, drip.
Water droplets from my hair tips pattered on the tiles, slowing from rapid to languid.
Grabbing the towel from the rack, I dried my ears first and stepped out.
Drying hair and body left the once-fluffy towel soaked.
Toss it where I stripped, then 10 minutes blow-drying my hair.
Ding-dong.
It's here.
A bit damp still, but whatever. Grab underwear from the bedroom closet, layer on a sweater and black pants.
Feeling a slight tightness, I cup my chest and gauge the size.
Yup. Definitely bigger.
Ding-dong.
Checking my outfit in the mirror, shoulders rolling, when the doorbell rang again.
Odd. I said leave it on the handle.
Head tilted in confusion, I approach the front door. Footsteps outside—someone's there.
Ding-dong.
Hand on the knob, about to turn—
"Oops."
Pulled the perception inhibitor from my subspace and pinned it to my chest.
This'll blur my features—no one'll recognize me as the swordswoman.
Now, turn the knob. The door creaks open.
A plastic bag peeked from the gap.
Fully open, leaning forward—
"Eung...!"
"?"
A tiny girl was on tiptoes, trembling, reaching for the doorbell.
"Eek...! Ah!"
Spotting me, she dropped to flat feet.
"Hello!"
Hands clasped at her navel, perfect 90-degree bow—the height of kid politeness. Couldn't help smiling.
"Hi."
"This! For you, sis, right?!"
"Hm?"
She thrust the plastic bag at me with both hands.
Pork stir-fry scent wafting out. Huh? Is she the delivery kid?
In 2062, even children do deliveries? Humanity's regressing, not progressing—
"It was hanging on our door by mistake!"
"Oh. Got it."
She beamed with innocent eyes. Good—world's still livable.
Taking the bag, about to say thanks—
Grrrrowl.
Her tummy clock rumbled boldly.
"...Wanna eat before you go?"
"Huh? No! I'm fine! I eat at home. And..."
"And?"
"Mom says don't follow strangers who offer food..."
"Pfft. Fair enough."
Such a kid-like answer—laughter bubbled out. Parents raised her right.
"Wait here a sec?"
"Huh?"
I headed to the kitchen without waiting.
Plastic container... got one.
Scoop some pork into it, snap the lid.
Back at the door, the kid was fidgeting anxiously.
Smiling, I meet her eyes. Black bob hair, cherry eyes. Tiny features dotted cutely—gonna break hearts someday.
But now, just an adorable, baby-cheeked child.
Looking up with hands clasped at her chest, I blurt—
"Ah."
Swallowed the "so cute" rising in my throat and handed her the container.
"Here, kiddo."
"I'm Mina! Not kiddo!"
"Pfft. Okay, Mina. Take it."
Her furrowed brows smoothed into confusion at the pork.
"This is..."
"Pork stir-fry. Eat it with rice at home."
"Uh..."
Mina fidgeted again, deep in thought.
"Mom said don't follow strangers offering food—not don't take it. So it's fine."
"...Really?"
She straightened up and bowed deeply.
"Thank you!"
"Sure."
I waved as she scampered off, then shut the door.
My pork was down a third, but no regrets.
Kids gotta eat to grow.
...Did Master do the same when she picked me up?
I first met my master on the streets.
In the city's slums, amid derelict buildings and tripping over homeless folks—a place no one dared enter.
I was barely surviving there under a tent.
Could work at a brothel for cash, but
Better to starve and die.
Some things are worth more than life. Clutching that scrap of honor, I collapsed one day.
"...You okay?"
A small voice, and water trickled into my mouth.
Water was precious in that city then—some mystery cut off supply citywide.
She said it was all she had. Later, I asked why save me.
"A child's hunger is precious."
Master murmured with sad eyes.
Maybe that's why—whenever a kid's hungry, I buy food without thinking.
Sometimes short on cash after, but never regretted it.
Because
'Thank you!'
That smile was priceless.
Feeling a mood boost, I popped a pork piece in my mouth—
Unknown Number
My tossed-aside phone rang again.
Oops.