Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: [Reality] It's Like a Survival Instinct
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"So this is... your place, Lee Jun."
Erika looked around the room with wide-eyed wonder.
My studio apartment, the moment you step through the front door.
True to form for a single guy's one-room setup, it's utterly bare.
Take off your shoes at the entrance, and you're right into the kitchen-slash-living room-slash-bedroom, with one window facing the outside.
Plus a bathroom-toilet combo—your standard one-room layout.
The only furnishings are a mini fridge and washer as add-ons, a computer desk I bought myself, and a bed. That's it.
A few scattered clothes on the floor and half-empty water bottles rolling around—peak bachelor pad.
If I had to point out one quirky thing, it's the bathtub crammed into the tiny bathroom for some inexplicable reason.
No clue what the builders were thinking squeezing it in there...
Couldn't tell you why, but there it is.
For the record, I've never used it once.
Last thing I need is dropping a hairdryer in that tight space and electrocuting myself.
And who knows what else could happen after that. Scares me just thinking about it.
'Gotta move to a better place first thing once I start making real money.'
Anyway, the shoebox size makes it feel even more pathetic.
Coming back from the luxurious tiled roofs of Yakseon Hall and the palace splendor in Mythic Fiction, it hits harder.
Hell, it even looks smaller than the fancy inn rooms I stayed in during Abyss Miner.
Those at least had spacious bathrooms.
"It's kinda small, huh?"
"No, it's not! It's cozy and... intimate in a nice way."
"Make yourself at home. Nothing worth stealing here anyway."
"Okay..."
Having a girl in my room for the first time—anyone besides my little sister A-rin—feels downright weird.
"Uh... um..."
Where do I even tell her to sit?
Only one chair, feels awkward giving it up, and telling her to plop on the bed mattress? Nah.
Kinda embarrassing, honestly.
"Just sit anywhere on the floor."
Erika stepped carefully, then knelt gracefully in the middle of the room.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the sights of my bachelor pad.
'Should've grabbed a cushion or something.'
No guests ever come by, so why would I have one?
Making her sit on the bare floor tugs at my conscience a bit.
"Want something to drink first? You must be thirsty."
"Oh, yes. Thank you."
Fridge check: slim pickings.
A lonely can of cola shoved in the corner and a half-eaten bag of chips?
Spicy-sweet snacks with a chipmunk mascot I always swear I'll finish.
'No plates, no cups.'
Feels kinda shabby, but isn't this every guy's solo life?
Too lazy for dishes, so straight from the bottle or can.
Depends on the dude, but that's me.
Thud.
I unfolded the small TV tray, plunked the cola can and ripped-open chip bag right on it.
Popped the cola tab for her and set it down—my version of hospitality.
She's probably never opened one before, so considerate host mode.
Welch's might explode if unopened, but cola should be safe.
"Here, drink this. And these are snacks."
"Th-thank you. This is... black water?"
"It's cola. Give it a try."
She eyed it warily, took a cautious sip, and...
"Kyaa!"
The carbonation stung her throat, and she yanked her mouth away in surprise.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
"M-my tongue's burning! Something's popping in my mouth?!"
Adorable.
Watching her react to every little thing almost makes me grin like a dad.
"It's carbonated. Might shock you at first, but you'll get hooked."
"It's so weird... my tongue's tingling."
Still, she didn't hate it—sipped away happily.
Tried a chip, blinked in delight, then munched like a squirrel with acorns.
'Anyway.'
Time to explain things properly.
Feels awkward opening my mouth, though.
Reason's obvious.
That guy who asserted his presence the whole way here, poking at her back relentlessly.
The sensation of my dick jabbing her back on its own.
She said she was fine midway, so she walked the rest, calming things down...
Thinking back now, it's stirring again.
Not like some perv—barely piggybacked her, and it pops up? Come on.
'Honestly, makes sense.'
Her body was insanely soft.
Tiny palm texture, delicate shoulders... that fresh citrus scent drilling into my nose. All too stimulating...
No, fuck, stop thinking.
"Hoo..."
Trying not to get hard again, I took deep breaths to relax.
Couldn't figure out what to say, eyes darting, when Erika spoke first.
"Um... Lee Jun."
"Huh? Y-yeah?"
"About earlier... don't worry about it."
"Earlier what?"
"That... thing against my back."
"...Ahem."
Tried playing dumb, but straight ball incoming.
Face heats up for no reason.
"I-I don't think it's weird! I've... heard about it before."
"Heard about it?"
"Yeah. Friends in the village said... when guys feel life-threatening danger or get badly hurt, some breeding instinct makes... it... get big..."
Erika whispered, cheeks flushing to her ears as she relived it.
"So... you weren't thinking anything weird... your body was just in too much pain. Survival instinct, right?"
That urban legend.
Dunno if there's real medical basis.
Seen it floating around online forums as bro lore.
Hangings cause erections, or survival mode in extreme situations.
Guess it exists in her world too.
Makes sense—every guy's jerked off to random boners and slapped on explanations.
"Y-yeah! Exactly. Lost too much blood earlier... body panicked. Couldn't control it. Swear I wasn't thinking dirty."
"Knew it... otherwise, it would've happened the first time we met too."
Referring to when she first clung to me.
Nodded furiously to reassure her.
"Yeah, yeah. You remember. Must've been super tense earlier. Sorry if it creeped you out."
"Of course... you're my lifesaver, Lee Jun... such an honorable man. You wouldn't have... indecent thoughts."
But why...
Her expression looked kinda sad as she said it.
Why?
Tilted my head, our eyes met, and she smiled softly.
That smile melted the awkward air instantly.
Atmosphere softened, tension gone.
Now we could talk for real.
She's gotta have questions.
Time for the big explanation.
"Erika. You were pretty shocked earlier, right? Suddenly dragged somewhere weird, monster in your face, me yelling for help."
"Yeah, a little. The scenery changed so fast... thought it was a dream."
"Lemme explain. Truth is, this is... my hometown."
"Your hometown?"
"Yeah. I'm like a dimension-hopping traveler. Your world? Just one of the many I visit."
Skipped saying her world was a manga.
Finding out her reality was someone else's fiction? Too much shock.
Better to vague it as dimensions or otherworlds.
"Dimension traveler... wow, you're incredible, Lee Jun! Makes sense now!"
"Eh, not that big a deal. Summoning you was one of my abilities. In crises, I can pull connected people to my side temporarily."
"Summoning... like magic?"
"Kinda. But limited. Can't use often, can't keep 'em long. You'll... head back to your world soon, this timeline-wise."
Temporary summon: 3 hours.
Phone said 5:30 now.
Summoned around 4:12, so about 1 hour 40 left?
Close enough.
Regret flickered on Erika's face.
"I see... gotta go back soon."
"Sorry. Dragged you into danger without asking, now sending you right back."
"No! Don't apologize. I'm happy I could help you, Lee Jun."
"Thanks. In that moment, only you came to mind. No one else."
"Only... me...?"
No idea why, but she fidgeted shyly.
"Yeah."
And then.
"Ehehe."
She giggled.
So I chuckled too.
"Still, thanks to the summon, I get to see where you live. It's amazing."
"Not much to see in this dump."
"Nuh-uh, it's great. And it's your place."
Erika smiled, scanning the room again.
Why's this girl so damn pure?
Her innocent goodwill and admiration tickled my chest.
'Still stupid pretty on second look.'
Different charm from sultry beauties like Min Jo-hee or Consort Mi-ryeong in Mythic Fiction.
Clear, pure, innocent—makes you wanna protect her.
Honestly, more like pounce.
Kiss those soft lips silly right now.
Whisper sweet nothings while ravaging that pale skin...
'Gotta hold back.'
Pinched my thigh hard.
Erika ain't like those Mythic Fiction girls I railed freely—R18 origins.
Shonen heroine vibes.
Her chastity views gotta be stricter.
Affection's decent, but...
Lunge now? Slap and ghosted.
Plus, she's future bus driver and main DPS.
Treat her precious—gotta adventure together long-term.
Progress slow and steady.
Grrrowl.
Cute stomach rumble.
Erika clutched her belly in panic, apologizing.
"Ahh... sorry."
"Nah, you're starving, makes sense."
For her, we just got Hakuna Kirimaru, exited the mine, split up.
Unlike me, who scarfed orc belly skin right after— she might not have eaten.
"Let's eat."
"You gonna cook?"
"Nah, this world has delivery—greatest culture ever."
Held up my smartphone, spotted a notification.
Oh.
Convenience store boss's payment.
Bigger than expected?
Unpaid wages pre-quit, holiday pay, recalced minimum wage—should be around 2.2 mil, but 300k extra.
What's with the stingy Kim suddenly?
Checked messages: unread one.
[Bastard: Hey Lee Jun. Sent your pay.]
[Bastard: Tossed in minimum wage, holiday pay, overtime—generously.]
[Bastard: You know I always treated you like family? Don't misunderstand. Forget the store, rest up, stay well.]
[Bastard: (smiley emoji)]
'Funny guy.'
Probably rushed it after the chaos post-wage demand.
He eyed me skeptically when I said I was Lee Jun.
Whether real me or hunter buddy I could call in—scared him.
Variant gate settlement takes time; I was broke till then.
Now cashflow—thanks either way.
Financial healing melts grudges like snow.
Best part: wider menu options.
Was gonna cheap out on jjajangmyeon earlier.
"Erika. Anything you wanna eat? Meat? Noodles?"
"Hmm... not sure. Pick something tasty for me, Lee Jun."