Chapter 4
The swordsman Lee Min-ho stared at the girl as if entranced by some spell.
"Uh..."
Her exotic, mysterious beauty made it feel like time itself had frozen for a moment. Petite frame, delicate features peeking from beneath the hood. A few strands of silvery-white hair slipping out like threads. Pale skin, tiny palms. The hood shrouded most of her face, but it was the kind of allure that would make anyone stop and gawk. An intangible aura radiated from her serene poise—one no mere hoodie could conceal.
Yet that first impression faded in an instant as Lee Min-ho began to tremble.
What the...?
She was just an unfamiliar girl with a small build. And yet, an overwhelming energy churned within her like dark waves crashing in the abyss—an endless depth staring back at him.
Lee Min-ho bit down on his quivering lip, wedging his tongue between chattering teeth. He couldn't explain it. An inexplicable pressure bore down from all sides, like dozens of hands creeping in to grasp him, sending chills racing down his spine.
"Gulp."
He straightened up instinctively, swallowing hard.
Right then—a massive paw with claws extended reared up behind the girl.
Shrieeek—
"Watch out!"
Lee Min-ho shouted. But as if mocking his cry, the girl didn't even turn around. Like she was daring it to strike. Her calm, composed expression carried the quiet confidence of someone who knew everything.
Was it mere bravado, or true mettle? The answer came soon enough.
The instant those razor claws aimed for her crown—
Bam!
A burst of energy erupted, and the girl vanished. All that remained was a tiny fist buried in the Red Horn Bear's gut.
"Gaaargh!"
The beast spewed saliva and blood from its maw as it flipped backward.
Lee Min-ho doubted his own eyes.
No way—she dodged sideways in that split second and countered with a punch!?
No mere physical prowess could pull that off. It demanded honed senses refined through endless training.
As her hood flapped from the sudden motion, the girl pinned it down with her other hand. Then, with a subtle shift of her gaze, she eyed the remaining Red Horn Bears behind her—like appraising how many stragglers needed cleaning up.
A sharp, chilling sword aura spread around her.
What followed was a one-sided execution.
Bam! Crunch! Squish!
Her fists whipped out at invisible speeds. Lightning-quick afterimages tore through the pack, popping the Red Horn Bears like balloons pricked by needles. Flesh and fluids sprayed everywhere.
Two seconds. That's all it took to turn the seventeen beasts occupying the entire street into red chunks of gore.
With a flick of her arm, she shook the blood from her hand cleanly. Pulled her hood back down. Turned her gaze this way.
"Gulp."
Lee Min-ho swallowed. The thunderous aura she'd exuded during battle was dissipating like mist, but the shockwaves lingered, etched deep in his mind, sending shivers through him.
"......"
The girl cast a red gaze from beneath her hood. She said nothing. Just watched them silently.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A problem cropped up.
Back in Pandela, it was no big deal—I never gave it a thought. But now that I was back on Earth, it tripped me up out of nowhere, turning into a real headache.
The truth was... I had no idea how to talk to people.
In Pandela, most communication happened through this little fist and sword of mine. Actual words? Almost never needed.
"......"
"......"
So here we were, just exchanging stares. The silence dragged on uncomfortably.
A full minute of standoff. The swordsman guy hadn't said a word the whole time. Was he mute? He'd screamed fine earlier.
In the end, I made the first move. Let out a small sigh and pointed my index finger at the wreckage of the store.
"Food."
"......Pardon?"
Like a student caught daydreaming in class, the swordsman jolted and met my eyes. Finally snapping back to reality. Had he zoned out?
I opened my mouth again. Or tried to.
Grrroooowl—
"......"
My stomach roared even louder than before. My starving body screaming for mercy.
"Uh......"
Dawning realization flickered in the swordsman's eyes. He glanced at his comrades, hesitating like he was pondering what to say, then looked back at me. A fleeting pity in his gaze didn't sit well.
"......We'll grab some."
I brushed past him and stepped into the store. Picked up a fallen basket and started stuffing it with food. Stuff that'd last as long as possible.
Along the way, I spotted the last triangle kimbap—the devilish temptation—and plopped onto the display rack to devour it first.
"H-Here, let us help."
Without being asked, the swordsman and his crew fetched more supplies. Watching the basket pile up, I approved. Diligent bunch.
They seem local. Might as well build some rapport. Can't hurt.
My identity might come out eventually. I couldn't hide forever. Better to have allies now, right?
Especially when the whole world's against me...
Keeping my face hidden, I shot a glance upward.
"Names?"
"I'm Lee Min-ho! Thank you for saving us!"
He bowed at a perfect right angle.
His comrades edged closer warily, like skittish fish.
I flicked my eyes their way.
"And you?"
"Y-Yunsia! Um... thanks anyway!"
The brown ponytail archer with an ivory-boned recurve bow slung over her shoulder—Yunsia.
"Ahem, Kim Min-seok here. Man, we owe you big time for pulling us through."
The mage with the blue-gem staff, scratching his head with a cheeky grin—Kim Min-seok.
"Tier! Oh, my real name's Lee Sol-ah..."
The green-haired priest clutching her stone staff timidly—Lee Sol-ah.
I nodded once and finished off the half-eaten kimbap.
The four of them now stood primly before me, hands clasped politely.
......You're making it awkward to eat, guys.
As the kimbap dwindled to nothing, I stood, brushing aside the lingering emptiness. Tossed the wrapper aside, and the statue-still Lee Min-ho piped up politely.
"Is this enough food, miss?"
"Probably?"
No clue when the supply issue would resolve, but this ought to last a month easy.
I grabbed the brimming baskets and headed out—
"W-Wait!"
A childish voice halted me. The green-haired priest, Tier. She clapped her hands over her mouth, startled by her own outburst.
"What?"
I asked flatly, hood low, body half-turned—ignoring the intimidation factor.
She swallowed, voice trembling.
"A-Aren't you taking this?"
Her finger pointed to the sprawled Black Horn Bear corpse.
Oh, right—monster byproducts sold for cash? High demand among crafters, apparently.
"......No need."
"Ah......"
I turned away. For some reason, I had plenty of money. I could guess why. Back in Pandela, my collector's itch had me hoarding anything shiny: royal gold treasures, jeweled accessories, tyrant's crowns, deep-sea relics, demon heirlooms, even the legendary holy sword once wielded by a hero.
Must've converted to cash upon returning to Earth. Now all in Astralia Online's currency: gold.
"Hm?"
Tier fidgeted. I added,
"Want it? Take it."
Their eyes bulged like chestnuts. Jaws dropped as they eyed each other.
......That big a deal?
I tilted my head at the frozen shock.
Yunsia stepped forward.
"For real?! Black Horn Bear horns go for insane prices on the market!"
Market. Where players traded materials and gear for gold. With unified currency worldwide, the global economy revolved around it—even for civilians.
"......Too much hassle. Don't need it."
That was all I could say. Grinding monster parts wouldn't dent my wealth anyway. Better they go to someone useful than rot.
Their faces lit up. Bows and thanks rained down.
"A Black Horn Bear! Hell yeah, we're set now!"
"We'll repay this favor someday!"
I watched them scamper off excitedly.
Better strangers don't get it than potential future allies.
But how do you butcher it? Skin with a knife?
Curious, I paused to watch. They approached the corpse, tapped it, and fiddled with thin air. Soon, the horn and claws dissolved into glowing motes and vanished.
Like that, huh.
Inventory, probably.
Easier than I thought.
Next time, if I've got spare time, I'll collect some byproducts.
As I turned homeward, I felt Lee Min-ho's odd gaze.
"What? Something to say?"
I asked sidelong, glaring lightly.
He worked his lips, then shook his head.
"No. Thanks again for today."
"Yeah. I'm off."
Food secured. Time to fill this growling gut. One kimbap wouldn't cut it.
Watching Sertina's retreating figure, Lee Min-ho brooded. He rubbed his chin with his thumb, eyes uneasy on her fading form.
Familiar. I've seen her somewhere. Not someone I know... but who?