Chapter 90
Chapter 90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Angels of District 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Haaah...”
I stretched lazily with a big yawn, letting my eyes flutter open before sitting up to shake off the sleep and loosen my body with a good stretch.
'Wonder what today's daily quest is.'
The date had rolled over, so the daily quests should've updated by now.
Sure, every little bit adds up to make a mountain, but a measly 1P per day from the daily quests felt seriously stingy.
Erika's permanent summon needed 38,000P, which would take about 35 years if I only relied on dailies.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Daily quests have been updated.]
⚙ DAILY QUEST LIST ⚙
[1. Mine 10 pieces of ore (0/10)]
- Reward: Trait Points 1P [2. Hunt 5 monsters (0/5)]
- Reward: Trait Points 1P [3. Train with the Heavy Iron Demon Slayer (0/1) - Check details] - Reward: Trait Points 10P
“Huh?”
I was casually scrolling through the daily quest list—tailored now to the [Abyssal Miner] world—when the third one caught my eye and made me do a double-take.
“10 points as a reward?”
The stingy system that usually coughed up 1P a day was suddenly being generous. With the others at 1P each, that meant 12P total today—four times the usual 3P.
It didn't seem like a huge jump at first glance, but...
'It's not just about the points.'
The real kicker was that this opened the door to bigger rewards depending on the quest content.
And the 'check details' bit suggested it wasn't some half-assed training session.
I hit the details button.
⚙ QUEST DETAILS ⚙
[3. Train with the Heavy Iron Demon Slayer] [Details: Train using the Heavy Iron Demon Slayer in the open field outside the village entrance. (After 5 PM)] [Note: No mana usage allowed] [Reward: Trait Points 10P]
Pretty specific instructions—time, location, even restrictions.
But...
“The conditions are brutal, though?”
No mana allowed for training?
That sounded rough.
The Heavy Iron Demon Slayer was the massive greatsword I'd bought—er, still renting—from Marie sis. It'd been sitting in my inventory unused so far.
A monstrous thing over 200kg, it was a beast even with two hands if I wasn't enhancing my body.
And no specifics on reps, duration, or technique—just 'train.' Totally vague on how much.
'Something's up.'
Fishy. Was there a hidden agenda, or just a tutorial to get used to the new weapon?
Still, 10 points was 10 points—no reason to pass.
'5 PM... Plenty of time.'
For now, table it. Time to meet Erika as planned.
I washed up, changed, and headed down to the inn's first floor.
“Oh, Lee Jun? Up early today?”
The bald innkeeper looked up from his ledger at the counter.
“Yeah, got stuff to do. Breakfast's good, thanks.”
“Busy, eh? Young folks got it good.”
I waved off the innkeeper's farewell and stepped outside.
'Today, I'll head over first.'
Erika always came to the inn, but today I'd go to her boarding house.
Can't have my girlfriend fetching me every time—looks bad. That's why I got up extra early.
Oh, and today was volunteer day.
We'd agreed on it last night before parting.
Erika's place was on the village outskirts, in a quiet residential area.
A cute house with a red roof, flower beds in the yard, a modest garden visible over the low wall, and smoke curling from the chimney—peaceful vibe.
'This is it.'
I straightened my clothes at the door and went to knock.
Creeeak.
Perfect timing—the door swung open, and out came Erika, hands full with a large basket.
“Huh? Lee Jun?”
“Morning, Erika. Sleep well?”
“Y-Yes! But... why are you here? I was heading to the inn.”
“Can't make you come get me every time. Today, I'm picking you up. Here, let me take that.”
“No need! It's not heavy!”
“Hand it over. Boyfriend's gotta carry at least this much.”
I snatched the basket anyway, and fresh-baked bread scent wafted out.
“Hehe... Thanks.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
District 5 shanties.
Still dingy and reeking as ever, but the vibe felt different today.
Kids swarmed out from the alleys the moment we entered.
“Erika sis!”
“Sis is here!”
Dirty-faced urchins beamed at Erika, who knelt down with a smile.
“Hey, kids. Been good?”
“Yeah! But you're late today, sis.”
“Thought we'd starve!”
“Sis, that bread last time was yummy! Got more?”
The kids chattered away.
“Sorry, sorry. But I brought lots of tasty bread today.”
Erika started handing out bread from the basket I'd carried.
The kids cheered and scarfed it down. Watching felt... oddly heartwarming.
'An angel. Total angel.'
Erika was a straight-up angel. Black-haired beauty sharing bread with kids under the sun—like a saint straight out of a painting.
In the original story, she'd debuted as prickly. What the hell happened to turn this sweet girl so cold?
Her backstory never came up in canon.
Made me curious. In this altered timeline thanks to me, I'd probably never find out anyway. Just idle curiosity.
Whatever. Her smiling now was way better.
“Lee Jun, what're you doing? Come on over.”
“Right.”
As I approached, the kids' eyes turned to me—pausing mid-chew to size me up.
Some snot-nosed toddlers, some with sharp glares.
“Sis, who's the old guy?”
“Old guy? Call him bro.”
“Pfft, he looks totally like an uncle.”
“Yeah, total uncle vibes.”
Even the girl next to them chimed in.
Hah, these little punks... Tempted to flick their foreheads.
But what good's fighting kids? I'm the adult here; gotta hold it together.
They learned manners slum-style—no helping it.
“Kids, that's not nice. He's...”
Erika smiled awkwardly, scolding them softly before grabbing my arm tight.
“My boyfriend.”
She linked arms, then blushed, like she'd surprised herself with the boldness.
'Oh man, nice.'
Wait, did I just sound like an uncle there?
“No way!”
“For real?”
“Erika sis?”
“Sis, seriously? With this old guy?”
“Yep, for real. Isn't he cool?”
“...Where?”
The kids huddled, whispering in disbelief.
“Bet she got blackmailed.”
“Maybe threatened. Or magic.”
“Magic? Like hypnosis or brainwashing!?”
“Or he's super rich?”
“Bought sis with money? Gross!”
Imagination running wild. Not just innocent anymore—they were downright corrupted.
The hypnosis/brainwashing line came from a girl, her eyes glassy, cheeks flushed.
She looked way too into it. Dangerous tastes blooming early.
'Girl who likes hypnosis and brainwashing. Note to self.'
One kid's face soured the most—the one who'd asked about the 'old guy' first.
Maybe twelve or so, staring between Erika and me like he'd lost his country.
'Aha.'
Guy had a crush on Erika.
Pretty, kind volunteer sis? Prime first-love material.
I remembered crushing on student teachers or neighborhood hotties back in school.
Get over it, kid. World's harsh, just like it was to me.
I draped an arm around Erika's shoulders and grinned at him.
“Yup, Erika's boyfriend. Got a problem, squirts?”
“Tch! Whatever! I'm out, sis!”
He spun and bolted, something sparkling behind him as he ran.
Lifelong lesson no parents could teach.
“Hey? Tommy! No bread?”
Erika called, but he didn't look back.
“What's his deal? Not hungry?”
“Puberty, probably. Let him go, Erika. He'll come crawling back if he's hungry.”
“Puberty? Yeah, about that age. Alright, everyone—eat up!”
Erika's volunteering went beyond bread.
She visited the sick with medicine, fetched water for elderly who couldn't move.
Total dedication.
I helped with heavy lifting, grabbed stuff from high shelves.
Before long, bread and meds were gone.
“Phew, that's today's list done.”
“Good work. You okay?”
“Yeah! With your help, it finished way faster than usual.”
“Glad I could pitch in.”
All in all, a fun day.
Volunteering alone wouldn't cut it, but with Erika, it felt like a date.
“Alright, time for my errands.”
“Errands?”
“Yeah. While I'm here, wanna check on old man Hans and Lisa.”
“Oh right! Grandpa Hans! Mind if I tag along?”
“Nah. You rest—you earned it today. Got some personal stuff too. Catch you later.”
“Okay. See you, Lee Jun.”
After parting with Erika, I headed to the real destination: Hans's place.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Strolling District 5 alleys.
In hand: cream pasta takeout from [Cat by the Hearth], plus meat-veg porridge from last night.
Pulled fresh from inventory to stay hot. Funny thing—inventory counts one per type, but mixed dishes like this count as one, even packed with stuff.
Wind Yang Dan had all sorts of ingredients too, and it counted as one.
'So finished products count as singles... Better smelt ore into ingots before storing? Carry more that way.'
Not silver/gold bars exactly—just lump 'em together, melt and separate later?
Didn't know metalworking. Ask at the smithy later.
Lost in thought, I arrived at Hans's shack.
Knock knock.
“Anyone home? Delivery!”
Frantic footsteps inside, then the door flew open—Lisa burst out.
“Oppa!”
Felt like ages, but time flows different.
Let's see: Gave purification grass, next day handed Erika Hakuna Kirimaru, confessed to that night.
Yesterday, mined with Erika.
Three days?
Too soon for 'long time no see.'
“You good?”
“Yeah, thanks to you! Missed you tons!”
She glomped my waist tight.
This girl really likes me way too much.