Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: [Reality] The World of Fashion is Too Difficult
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"......That's weird."
Sitting alone in an empty room, I stared intently at the system window floating in the air.
I didn't even have time to feel the emptiness after Erika left.
The numbers stamped right in front of my eyes were messing with my head.
Why did it start at 64?
That means it was already at 64 the moment I got summoned.
While I wasn't aware, in a place I wasn't at, the affection cap lifted and it went up.
'When the hell...?'
The moment I tilted my head in confusion, the rooftop conversation flashed through my mind.
[If that's what Lee Jun wants...... I'll do anything. You saved my life. And......]
[And?]
[Nng, it's nothing.]
That's right. Erika had started to say something back then but stopped.
Her face flushed as she swallowed her words.
It seemed like there was some definite trigger.
"Ah."
Suddenly, a forgotten memory resurfaced.
Back when I returned to reality for the second time from the Abyss Miner world.
I vaguely remembered some system message popping up then.
"I was too out of it at the time."
Just in case, I scrolled up the system log.
I kept scrolling through countless combat records and item acquisition logs, going way back until I finally found the record from that day.
The moment I returned to reality from Abyss Miner.
"So that's what it was."
My memory was correct.
In that split second as I crossed back to reality, her affection rose, and the cap lifted.
Everything flashed white during the teleport, and then I got bombarded with trait settlement messages upon returning, so I completely forgot about it.
What the hell happened?
I tried to recall the events back then.
Erika and I had gotten Hakunakirimaru from the sealed tunnel and taken down the yokai Hakuna.
I blocked the attacks for her, and she was moved.
Right after defeating Hakuna, affection hit 59.
Then we left the tunnel and parted ways in the village.
'After that, I went to the [Orc Belly] inn and had a meal.'
After eating, I returned to my room at the [Golden Pickaxe Inn] and headed back to reality.
That gap was about 1-2 hours?
Something happened to Erika in that short blank space.
What could have changed her heart so much that affection rose and the cap lifted?
'What could it be?'
Affection rising and cap lifting while I wasn't there.
Normally, wouldn't it require direct interaction?
Did she suddenly get emotional looking at the sword I gave her?
Or think of me while eating alone?
Or maybe...... some incident I don't know about?
That 'and' I asked about on the rooftop.
The words she held back might be related.
'I'm curious.'
I wanted to ask right away, but there's no way now.
Erika's gone back, and I'm in reality.
Next time I enter the Abyss Miner world, this is the first thing I'll check.
"Whew, let's put it off for now."
I shook my head to clear the random thoughts.
No point agonizing alone here.
First, handle the remaining daily quest.
Smartphone clock said 7:20 PM.
Dinnertime.
[3. Get new clothes that fit your body (0/1)]
Clearing this gets me 1 point and the daily quest reward random box.
Getting caught in that variant gate earlier happened because I went to collect money to do this.
In a way, after going around in circles, I'm back to the original goal.
'Originally, Unicorn Claw seemed the safest bet.'
For a fashion illiterate like me, Unicorn Claw is perfect—just grab whatever's on the mannequin or toss into a basket.
No need to chat with staff.
Prices are reasonable too.
Problem is, the Unicorn Claw in my neighborhood is inside a department store.
"Department store closing time...... 8 PM?"
Even rushing to the nearest one now, bus ride's at least 20 minutes from here.
Factoring in wait or walking time, no way I'll make it to buy clothes.
Department stores usually close at 8.
Can't do it tomorrow either.
Daily quests reset at midnight.
Need to buy today, from a store still open right now.
'Anywhere nearby?'
I opened the map app on my smartphone.
Filtered search, and one popped up in the bustling district.
[Zalari]
[Hours: Until 10:00 PM]
'Zalari? Is this place any good?'
Sounds like a store where you'll sprout up tall like Red Pong gymnastics.
Checked reviews—roadshop open late, designs target young crowd, not bad.
"Alright, this one."
Grabbed wallet and phone, headed out.
"......Wrong place."
Not lost.
Finding the store was easy.
The huge glass entrance was flashing brightly, and the sign was impossible to miss.
[Zalari]
But the moment I stepped in, my instincts screamed to back out.
And the thought in my head was...
'Is this really a place for me?'
The store was filled with sleek lighting and hip music, packed with people.
More people means better, right?
Problem: They're all so-called "in-crowd" types.
Tall model-like guys dressed sharp.
Girls posing and selfies in mirrors with friends, obvious date couples all polished up.
Everyone looks styled to the nines.
Not the grab-and-go basket vibe of Unicorn Claw.
'I'm the only one in training pants.'
And there I stand, blankly in the middle.
Like a level 1 noob dropped pantless into a high-level zone.
A true normie might handle this, but sadly, I'm no normie.
'What the hell kind of neighborhood clothing store has this vibe?'
I pictured a place with aunties or uncles.
Or a quiet mart clothing aisle where you just pick clothes.
This feels like a fashion show runway.
Even the staff look like models.
'Should I just bail?'
Serious dilemma.
But since I'm here, gotta buy something.
No other options.
Quest needs clearing.
As I force my foot forward...
"Welcome, sir."
A handsome male staffer, model-level, spotted me and approached from afar.
A bit shorter than me, but great proportions make him look taller.
Neat hair, perfectly fitted shirt and slacks.
"Looking for something specific?"
Polite smile, but I felt his eyes quickly scan me top to bottom.
Like appraising value.
"Uh, yeah. Kinda......"
My sharp senses as a hunter pick up that gaze no matter what.
People like him are worlds apart from me.
Even doing the same thing, their vibe is totally different.
They sparkle and shine.
Like people from another world?
No, fuck it.
Act confident, Lee Jun.
He's no hunter, so I'd win in a fight anyway.
Just smash him if needed?
Be confident.
"I've been...... working out lately, so my old clothes don't fit well. Something comfy but...... decent......"
Despite my thoughts, my voice shrank unwittingly.
Fuck...... cowering before a clothing store clerk.
"Ah, I see! Makes sense! You look different just standing there. Those shoulders and chest are insane. With your build, anything looks good. Overfit's trendy, but muscle fit would slay on you."
"Uh, thanks......"
"Any preferred style? Casual? Dandy? Or rugged?"
"Just...... something safe."
"Safe but with punch. One sec."
While I barely sputter responses, he unleashes a torrent of words.
"This way. I'll recommend a few."
Felt like a cow led to slaughter as I followed.
"First, basics—shirts. Your neck's thick, traps on point, so open-collar beats standard. This linen blend's breathable, charcoal's perfect. Your skin tone pops with darks."
"Uh, yeah...... I see."
"Pants...... thighs are beefy? Wow, real muscle. No skinnies. Tapered or wide slacks only. That's how the fit falls nice."
Skinny? Tapered? Wide slacks?
What the fuck, otaku.
Fashion terms rain down on my clueless ass, head spinning.
"Try these. Fitting room's over there."
He dumps clothes in my arms, shoves me to the fitting room.
I stumble in, draw the curtain, sweat pouring as I change.
'Does this fit?'
Brand clothes hug nicely—feels good.
Mirror me looks decent.
Shoulders broad, waist cinched, legs elongated over pants.
'Am I kinda cool?'
Clothes make the man, huh.
Confidence boosts a bit.
I step out, curtain open. Waiting staffer claps like a seal.
"Whoa! Epic! Insane!"
What is this in-crowd energy.
I'm dying of embarrassment, face burning, but he circles me, exclamations nonstop.
"Sir, this is fire. Best fit I've seen on the job. Insane. Must-buy. Wide slacks nail the leg line, proportions killer. Not buying's a crime."
"R-Really?"
"Totally! Model material. Add this jacket—season's new, seersucker, cool for summer......"
His spiel doesn't stop.
And the chaotic fashion show begins.
"Workwear vibe, cargo pants with pocket details for masculine edge."
"Uh, yeah...... I'll try......"
"Minimal look. Simple but premium fabric......"
"Yeah......"
"Street mood......"
"Street......"
His fashion terms? Zero clue. Workwear, minimal, street.
Just work clothes, clean fits, hip-hop pants?
Snap to, and I'm his dress-up doll.
Put on if told, off if told, try these shoes, that hat.
"Your warm tone takes ...... well. Sir?"
"Huh? Yeah, yeah."
"As I said, those thigh muscles......"
His slick talk and praise barrage muddle my brain.
Feels like I'm doing stuff, hearing explanations, but no idea what's happening.
"How's it? Like it?"
"Yeah, uh...... it's good."
"Great! All of these then?"
"All?"
Glanced at tags—total's hefty.
Can't say no after wasting his time.
Crucially, wanna escape ASAP.
"......All of it."
"Knew you had taste. This way!"
He grabs the clothes excitedly, leads.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Tags at counter.
Still chattering, then drops the price.
"725,000 won total."
"How much?"
"725,000 won, sir. Want anything else? Browse more? Got recommendations......"
"N-No, just this. Pay."
Hearing "recommend" triggered instant card shove.
Checkout done, shopping bags in both hands, exit.
Mind clears finally.
"Come again!"
Behind his hyped farewell,
I fled the Zalari store like escaping.