episode_0006

“….”

“….”

The second day in this world.

Due to the events of the previous day, I picked up the bedsheet scattered on the floor.

It was a scene that indicated how much of a mess it had been.

Then, I roughly tidied my disheveled hair and started putting on the discarded outerwear.

Neither of us spoke. More accurately, we avoided eye contact as if we couldn’t bear to meet each other’s gaze.

Gradually, the sigh in my heart drifted back to the events of yesterday.

…

To be honest, the bond with Yi Seol wasn’t always deep.

Regardless of whose fault it was, it always left behind shallow traces.

As if it were a predetermined fate.

Of course, it was sad.

There are memories of sadness, longing, and painful moments.

However, in front of the drug called time, those emotions became increasingly dull, forming a barrier that blocked any connection.

“…Cold.”

But Chaeseol was different.

Simply put, she was someone who had been crossing over that huge barrier like it was her own doorstep from the very beginning until this moment.

I didn’t like that.

The suffocating obsession, love tinged with madness.

The possessiveness that choked me, these were not things I desired.

Yet, whenever I came to my senses, the person beside me remained the same.

“Whimper… Whimper…”

Her hands exploring every corner of my body took my finger joints and brought them to her lips.

Her mouth, which used to only speak of love, now tenderly began to lick my fingertips.

The sound of our lips lightly touching tickled my ears.

Her single-minded focus on me, getting intoxicated by the sweetness like eating candy, gradually made her face blush.

Starting from the fingers, moving to the wrists, collarbones, and even the nape of the neck.

Her fragrant breath and eager lips tantalized every part of my body endlessly.

In the end, there was no hesitation in the sweet breath that met mine.

No, there was never any hesitation to begin with.

“Join…”

Softly, her eyes closed.

I should resist.

I should despise this person to death.

It’s too far gone to admit to having feelings for her.

A better emotion than usual arose.

Delusion. This is clearly a delusion.

…It must be a delusion.

The vivid memory of soft pudding and sticky yet sweet syrup.

The disheveled bedsheets lay around us unnoticed.

“…Uh, ha, Hanyul…”

Breathing became rough, consciousness faded.

I pulled Chaeseol back and laid her on the bed.

Her black hair, contrasting with the white bed, even in its tangled state, was dazzling.

Her naturally blushing face, imbued with moonlight like a girl in love, radiated vitality.

Unconsciously, my outstretched right hand rested on her thigh along her waist.

The soft yet firm flesh triggered impulses hidden in the corners.

…However.

Was she always this beautiful?

…

Surprisingly, both of us fainted at this exact moment.

The cause was the eccentric magic of the white-haired mischief-maker.

Time passed until morning in that state, and upon waking up, we discovered a note in the pocket with the following contents:

Forgot to mention verbally, so leaving it in writing.

The magical power you’ve absorbed is a special force that’s hard to control, so be careful.

Also, when first receiving it, you might experience temporary confusion and fainting a few hours later.

Lastly, if bored, feel free to drop by, ending with a heart symbol.

“…Yeonhanyul.”

At that moment, I was startled by the sudden call of my name.

Turning my head, I saw Chaeseol, her mouth tightly shut as if she had something to say.

“Yesterday doesn’t count.”

“Huh?”

“You’re too reckless, annoying, and frustrating.”

She looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment.

“How dare you… steal my first kiss… and almost make a fool of me by mixing in jokes?”

To put it plainly, stealing the first kiss by matching lips recklessly and being led to move as if by some unseen force.

These two things tainted Chaeseol’s ‘love.’

“I was going to wait until you loved me on your own, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“What…”

“Ye Han-wool, I will personally bring you down one day.”

I knew he was audacious, but I didn’t expect him to be this straightforward.

Rather than speaking in the tone of ‘Someday I will surpass you,’ as seen in typical boy growth novels, it’s better not to say such things.

Although I felt like I had already spent a day due to the previous day’s commotion, it was only now that the next day truly began.

The deep contemplation of how to proceed from here in this place.

The goal here is not settlement but return.

Not knowing what power Mary gave me, and with an absolute lack of information about this world.

At times like this, there is only one thing to hope for.

“Other wanderers?”

“Yes.”

It was a concern from the start.

In this world, there exist others known as wanderers like us.

When grouped into the same category, they are likely similar in appearance or some other aspect.

In the former case, undoubtedly cases like ours who have landed here by chance.

Most likely starting from scratch, they would lack quality information.

But even a blank sheet can be much better. Useless content to one person could be invaluable to another depending on who receives it.

Therefore, the first step was to find those who have landed here and seek their cooperation.

“There must be more than just us. Their numbers may exceed expectations. We should approach them and gather all the information they know.”

“But what if we find others who are uncooperative?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Apologies to our comrades, but our starting line is different.

Of course, if we hadn’t fallen into this forest, we would have been struggling for survival with nothing but our bare hands.

But don’t blame fate. Luck is never just a coincidence.

The method devised to lure them in was to use Ovem leaves to trade for funds and entice them with the proceeds.

It might end at buying information with money, but with luck, they could become reliable allies in overcoming future challenges.

“They are surely struggling financially. If we use the money that Rune guy gave us yesterday, we’ll easily win them over.”

Ugh. It’s so heavy; my arm will get sore if I keep holding it.

That guy, despite his appearance, communicates well and is more significant than I thought.

Come to think of it, I wonder what the currency looks like in this place.

I won’t have to worry about working for at least a year…

“….”

“…Han-wool? What’s wrong?”

Rustle rustle-

This, this can’t be right.

Why is this all there is?

Inside the large bundle were black gravel and a few coins that seemed to be the currency of this place.

I couldn’t believe it. No, I couldn’t accept it, so I emptied it out mercilessly until the rustling sound disappeared.

“You…!!”

Caught off guard.

I should have checked right there yesterday. I was too careless.

I couldn’t have imagined that people playing with their lives over a meal would pull such a stunt.

At that moment, something fluttered to the ground at the very bottom of the bundle.

“…A note. Did that guy write this?”

-To the wanderer who visited Behimos:

We commend the feats you have achieved.

Though we are different in appearance and status,

we must maintain the courtesy of expressing gratitude to our benefactors.

Thanks to this, we have been able to overcome great difficulties.

Once again, we express our heartfelt gratitude.

Additionally, we have left the money you desired.

I, Rune, have pledged a true reward without a single error

in the name and honor of Larun. Please appreciate this.

For your information, I have always refused money in favor of honor.

The gravel is complimentary.

“Argh!!”

As if punching his face, he crumpled the note and threw it against the wall.

Good grief.

Did I think the backbone leading the knights in this world worked for passion pay?

This idiot refused more money from the country?

“Darn it… This will barely cover a few meals.”

“If you continue like this, you won’t be able to entice others.”

“My clothes are too different from the attire here; I’ll have to buy new ones.”

How long has it been since I let my guard down for this kind of problem to erupt overnight?

The most fundamental and crucial thing disappears at once, imposing restrictions on everything.

Taking the first step in this world, unable to even eat or rest properly—it’s a rough start.

“…No, that can’t happen. Until I return, I’ll live without envy.”

“How will you manage?”

A final measure left behind in case such unfortunate events occur.

Money tends to dwindle as you spend it.

No matter how much you use it, instead of disappearing, it grows steadily—the foundation, skills.

Here, power is synonymous with skill, the last means to extend one’s lifeline.

“Yesterday, I heard from the Union Chief that there are no restrictions based on race or status when receiving requests.”

Honestly, upon coming to this world, I expected battles to unfold like daily meals.

However, I am not someone who enjoys fighting, nor am I a martial artist who revels in exercise or combat.

Jumping into the battlefield just for money isn’t exactly glamorous.

If that guy didn’t incorporate tricks into his “cheat-level” ability…

If it truly is a cheat-level ability, life might be more comfortable than expected.

“Let’s go. To stop the monster.”

Since things have turned out this way, let’s become wealthy.