Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: [Reality] It's So Cold
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Anything.
They say it's the world's toughest order, but there's a slight difference here.
Erika isn't from this world to begin with, so it's not like she's just vaguely saying she wants something specific.
She's genuinely clueless.
Whatever I bring her will feel like exotic food from another dimension.
Everything will seem novel and special to her.
"Alright then... I'll show you a set of Korea's soul foods."
"Korea?"
"Oh, that's the name of my country."
First, load up on chicken.
Chicken has universal appeal—no one's gonna hate it.
That's an eternal truth.
And girls love tteokbokki, right?
Rose ma huo guo chicken feet spicy leaf tteok tang hulu or whatever—I've never tried those, so I'm not jumping into that.
Men who eat that stuff? Probably just the gay ones.
Girls like spicy stuff, so red tteokbokki should do the trick.
Pasta? Pasta sounds good too.
They say you gotta get that on dates with your girlfriend.
She's not my girlfriend yet, but who knows, she might become one.
Half seasoned, half fried—one whole chicken.
For sides, spicy-sweet tteokbokki broth and cheese oven spaghetti.
Cola: 1.5L.
I thought about zero sugar since there's a girl here, but Erika and I both work out a lot, so calories shouldn't be a big deal.
Order placed. Checked the estimated delivery time.
"Just wait a bit. It'll be here in about 20 minutes."
"You press on that little board a few times, and food comes?"
To Erika, touching my smartphone screen a few times and having food arrive must look magical.
Makes sense—smacking a palm-sized glass slab, and hot food flies right to your door.
From a fantasy world's perspective, it might be more wondrous than teleportation magic.
"Yeah. You look at the pictures, pick what you want, and tap."
"Wow... Is that magic? Or magitech?"
"Kinda like that. Magic machines. It sends messages to faraway people, calls food like this, and holds all the world's knowledge inside."
"All the world's knowledge...? Like a Tablet of Knowledge?"
[Tablet of Knowledge] is some item from the Abyss Miner world.
Explaining it now would take too long.
Just think of it as a legendary item containing all this world's info.
"Eh, something more everyday than that."
"Amazing. Your world is so convenient, Lee Jun. Food appears just by wiggling your fingers from your seat."
Erika's eyes sparkled.
Makes sense—coming from monster-infested underground mines or harsh fantasy settings, modern life would blow her mind.
Maybe buy her a smartphone later if I get the chance.
Latest flagship model's pricey, but once I make it as a hunter, it'll be pocket change.
Oh, wait—she couldn't charge it anyway.
Even if I preload apps for no-internet use, battery dies and it's done.
Of course, no clue if she can take stuff back when summoned.
Like my inventory—can she carry things too?
Maybe have her grab something before she goes next time.
We chatted idly while I showed her videos on the computer.
She didn't freak out at people trapped in boxes.
Seemed to get it like magic crystal balls.
Time passed like that until a motorcycle roared outside, followed by the doorbell.
Ding-dong!
Delivery complete notification with the bell.
"It's here."
Grabbed the food from the door.
Savory oil and spicy-sweet sauce scents leaked from the heavy plastic bags.
That smell hits, and your mouth waters—Pavlov's dog reaction every Korean gets.
Not calling Koreans dogs, obviously.
Set the table and unpacked.
Golden crispy fried chicken and glossy red sauced chicken.
Tteok and fish cakes swimming in red broth, topped with snow-like mozzarella.
And sizzling cheese oven spaghetti in foil containers.
Visually assaultive.
"Wow..."
Erika let out a gasp.
Abyss Miner has cuisine, sure.
But compared to modern cooking and tech? No contest.
Erika's no rich girl either.
Food this stimulating and flashy? First time for her.
Come to think of it, real-world food's been ages for me too.
Ate Korean-ish stuff in Myeong's Bluff, but that was Joseon era vibes.
Bland flavors emphasizing natural tastes—still kinda lacking.
They call it natural, but it can't match MSG-boosted umami.
"Dig in. These are chopsticks—know how to use 'em?"
"Ah, yes! We carve wooden sticks back home and use 'em the same way."
Good—no chopstick lessons needed.
Split wooden ones and handed her a pair; grabbed mine.
"Start with this."
Picked a tender piece for her makeshift plate—torn-off paper cup top from the delivery.
Boneless, obviously.
Any guy skipping boneless chicken these days? Nah.
"This is... chicken?"
"Yep. Deep-fried chicken. Hot, so careful."
Erika picked it up, took a small bite.
"...!"
Eyes went wide.
"How's it?"
"Wh-what is this? Skin's super crunchy, but hot juices burst inside! And this nutty savoriness... oh my god."
"Tasty?"
"Yes! So good! Nothing like the chicken I know!"
Erika dove in.
Couldn't let her out-eat me.
Chicken after so long.
Crunch.
Oily richness and salty seasoned meat filled my mouth.
This is it.
Fuck, this is sex.
Having had sex now, I get it—chicken's exactly like that.
So good it's bringing tears.
Kept an eye on Erika mid-bite.
"Eat up. Try the sauced one too."
"Wow! Spicy and sweet! Sticky but not gross—keeps pulling you back."
"This red stuff's tteokbokki. Might be spicy—wanna try?"
"Spicy? Hmm, challenge accepted."
Erika popped a tteok in.
Chewing the chewy rice cake unleashed spicy-sweet sauce; her brow furrowed then relaxed.
"Hoo, hoo. Spicy... but chewy and delicious. Addictive."
"Right? That's tteokbokki charm."
"Haa... but pretty spicy."
"Drink cola then."
"Ahh, haa. Yes."
Fanning her mouth from spice but chopsticks never stopped.
Tteokbokki was the right call.
"Now this..."
Next, cheesy spaghetti with a happy smile.
"Ooh... Tomato flavor! This white stuff cheese? So nutty."
"Yep. Cheese oven spaghetti."
"Do you eat stuff this tasty every day, Lee Jun?"
"Not every day. Sometimes? Lately more often."
"So jealous."
"Next chance, I'll get better stuff. Pizza, burgers."
"Really? Can't wait!"
Erika's eyes sparkled at unknowns.
We focused on eating, words minimal.
Erika started prim, but soon sauce smeared her lips as she devoured.
Red sauce on her mouth as she chewed.
Impulse to thumb it off, but held back.
That's for near-lovers.
Already awkward from the piggyback earlier.
No need to stir trouble.
One chicken, tteokbokki, spaghetti—gone in a flash.
Stuffed, poured leftover cola, patted bellies, lounged.
"Phew, full."
"Me too. Thanks for the feast, Lee Jun."
Erika leaned against the wall, drowsy and content.
Full belly, comfy back.
Pretty girl next to me—still just friends, but.
This is paradise. Everyday bliss ain't bad.
Cleared trash.
Sat side-by-side, sipped cola, chatted softly.
"That monster... Minotaur, right? Terrifying."
"Yeah. I was scared too."
"No way—you looked fearless. Fought bravely."
"Fight or die, y'know? Couldn't do it again."
"Still amazing. I'd freeze or flee. And... thanks for trusting me."
"Couldn't have without you."
"Hehe, credit the sword. And you gave it to me. Your strength ultimately."
Erika leaned shyly on my arm.
Mood ripening, something more incoming.
Time up already?
Why do good times fly?
Sat up.
My face hardened; Erika sensed it, expression darkening.
"Time to... go?"
"Yeah. 5 minutes left."
"Ah..."
Erika sighed wistfully.
"Already..."
Downturned face.
Makes sense—not many friends, wants more time with me.
Same here.
Wanna hang longer.
1,000 points earned—more temp summons possible, but cooldown unknown, points to save.
Bigger issue: Is this Erika the real deal...?
Or a copy for summoning?
If copy, resummoning pointless.
Need to chat with her in Abyss Miner later.
"Don't be too sad. I'll go back."
"Really? When?"
"Soon. Finish our talk, check your sword skills."
"Yes! I'll wait. You must come."
Erika stood, approached.
"Lee Jun... before I go..."
"Hm? What?"
Hesitated at my question.
Whoosh.
Hugged me tight.
"...!"
Sudden embrace froze me.
Toasty.
Soft.
Her warm body melted into my chest.
Gasped in surprise; her scent invaded, shooting straight to my brain.
We'd piggybacked home earlier...
Should be body-contact immune by now.
Yet...
Her initiative? Devastating.
Lower half stiffened, nearly poking her belly.
Crisis—body reacted impossibly fast, hips jerked back reflexively.
Throat locked in shock.
While I floundered speechless.
"Thanks, Lee Jun. Please... stay safe."
Her farewell voice faded.
Flash!
Light burst; warm embrace vanished.
Empty room felt cold.
Summer, same old studio— no chill possible, yet...
Seemed a cold draft blew through.
Her spot felt hollow.
"She's gone."
Short meet, long aftertaste.
Alone again... but different solitude gnawing as I pondered.
Favorability window popped up.
"Oh, it went up."
That final gesture? +4 points.
68 now.
Pretty high.
Dating territory? Maybe more?
People I've met with scores like that all banged, but hard to gauge exactly.
Then, something odd hit me.
'Hold on.'
Checked the message again.
[Current favorability: 68]
[Previous favorability: 64]
Previous was 64?
I remember leaving Abyss Miner, Erika's was 59.
After getting Hakuna Kirimaru together, hit the end of [Trustworthy Person].
Locked by cap, no more gains.
So why start at 64?