Chapter 55
It was the first time I'd seen that name in the elevator. 'Hyunhwa? Why is she reacting the same way as Cha Eun-joo?' I tilted my head. 'Is there really something to this doughy profile pic that I don't know about...?'
They say repeating coincidences point to inevitability. Looks like Cha Eun-joo insisted on this photo for a reason. I still had no idea why, though...
I'd unintentionally sparked a debate. Not like I'd meant to fan the flames. Still, maybe thanks to my chat easing the tension, they started pouring out their thoughts.
Suddenly, the arrows of questions turned toward me. 'Chicken or pizza...' Just imagining it made my stomach rumble. Salivating at the heavenly allure of those two divine foods, I typed whatever came to mind.
A purely desire-driven answer.
Park Jeong-hoon chimed in agreement. I could picture him from last time, smiling contentedly. 'I only said that because I want to eat it...' A weird feeling made me scratch my head. Our intentions seemed mismatched, but communication was happening somehow, so whatever.
Pick just one?!
"Hmm... that's too cruel..." I fiddled with my chin using my fingers. It was like choosing between milk chocolate and crunchy chocolate. My pondering hand drifted from chin to cheek. Pinching and stretching it, the taut skin snapped back into place.
'Huh? Wait, there's no need to choose at all.' Lightning struck my mind with a brilliant solution. I released my cheek and boldly typed the answer.
How could you pick just one of these delicious things? Come on, that doesn't make sense.
"Heh." I nodded smugly in satisfaction. Even I thought it was a perfect response.
No arguments allowed, they hammered back. Luckily, I don't gain weight. My body had stayed the same for centuries. Maybe because my physical age doesn't advance.
Watching their chats, I tilted my head.
'Hmm, if we're being precise, it's mostly thanks to me.' A swell of pride lifted my shoulders. I'd expected tension or wariness given my world boss infamy, but the guild leaders were accepting me better than I'd hoped. Lucky.
After chatting with the guild leaders in their talk room, I lay in bed preparing to sleep. Ever since resolving the China issue, I'd been running nonstop slaying domestic monsters—sleep was calling sweetly.
I tugged the cord on the softly glowing crimson stand lamp, and the room plunged into pitch blackness.
"Yaaawn... With the monsters all cleared, I can finally rest a bit."
As the nation stabilized, movement restrictions lifted. People were out and about more. Reconstruction was in full swing everywhere—clearing rubble, repaving cracked and crushed asphalt, inspecting ruined buildings. Citizens pitched in voluntarily, no orders needed.
"Not bad at all, after all that hard work..."
A sense of fulfillment washed over me. Over 80% of Seoul's monsters were my kills—no exaggeration. My puffed-up chest thumped proudly. I drifted off to sleep feeling good for once.
...Or tried to.
Viiiing! An electric drill boring into my ears.
Kagagagang! A saw blade shredding metal.
"......"
Blinking a few times from my prone position, I shook off the irritation and sat up.
"Ugh..." The blanket slid limply off my slumped shoulders.
Eterna Guild's expansion work was in full blast, stabbing my ears with noise. 'I really just want to sleep now...'
They couldn't halt reconstruction at night. The nation needed to reboot ASAP. Mana sped things up immensely compared to before, but weeks of this? My head already throbbed.
'If I can't stop it, find a workaround.' I extended my hand forward.
Mana Construct
A strange sensation rippled as faint energy spread from my palm. First time using this kind of magic. I'd dismissed it as useless since it couldn't even block enemy noises.
Soundproof Barrier Formed
A translucent membrane enveloped the room in a flash, then seeped into the walls and vanished. The racket cut off instantly.
"Perfect." I withdrew my hand contentedly. Who knew Pandela assassins' spells would prove so handy in daily life? Good thing I'd analyzed their incantation structures.
Now for that sweet sleep...!
Then a thought circled my mind. 'The guild members downstairs must have it worse than me.' Even on the top floor, it was this bad—lower levels were probably hell all night.
No hesitation. I rolled out of bed.
"Might as well do the others too while I'm at it."
Tired, sure, but guild members came first. They followed me, a world boss, in trust. I threw on a black hoodie from the market, stuffed my hands in the pockets, and headed for the elevator.
'Sleep when I get back.'
Ding— From the top floor apartment down to the bottom. Every time the elevator doors opened, I cast soundproof barriers on all the homes.
Whoosh.
"Good, next." I admired the fading translucent barrier and pocketed my hand. Over 40 floors, one by one—it took ages.
'Not used to this magic type.' Precision was key here, opposite my raw power style.
'I can manage it with trial and error, but still clumsy...' I eyed my hand and smacked my lips in regret. Slow setup, narrow range. If only I could blanket the whole building at once.
Passing the first-floor lobby, I stepped outside. Night sky thick with darkness. Other areas were dim from broken streetlights, but Eterna HQ glowed brightly, intact lamps shining like suns in the void.
'Round two?' I moved to the next building, repeating the floors.
"Hoo..." Shoulders aching after the last top floor. Fatigue piled too high. Heavy eyelids drooping. I knuckle-rapped my brow.
"Ugh..."
Back in the elevator loosening my shoulders on the way down, a voice echoed irritably from below.
"Damn it, which asshole's messing with the elevator?"
Oh right—all other elevators were under safety checks. Only one working per building.
Uh oh. This'll be awkward.
Ding— Doors opened on the first floor. Spotting me inside, the man's eyes narrowed to axes.
"Hey, kid. You messing with the floor buttons?"
His glare made me shrink into my hoodie involuntarily, like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Confirming it, his angry bellow grew louder.
"Everyone uses this elevator—don't play around! I waited 30 minutes! Others are all down for inspection—what kind of nuisance is this...!"
His rant trailed off softer. Soon, incredulity replaced fury in his voice.
"Sertina...?"
The man gawked wide-eyed. I yanked my hood down deep.
"......Sorry."