Runaway

Runaway

 

Because there exists space expansion magic that can artificially expand space.

The association was much more spacious inside than it appeared from the outside.

To me, it seemed incredibly vast whether viewed from outside or inside, so I thought it was all the same.

According to Seo-rin, there’s at least a few times difference, as she continued to explain.

“That’s why no matter how many hunters come into the association, there’s always space to spare.”

“Wow…”

“Impressive, right?”

I nodded while looking around the association.

I fumbled to take out my phone from my pocket and whispered softly to the viewers.

“Now then, I’ll go find a place to build the lair.”

The association didn’t require solemnity.

But not wanting to disturb others by talking loudly, I whispered in a low voice.

‘ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ’ started to quickly rise in the chat window.

[Iwanttoregress2 – ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Could it be that you’re whispering only to us because you want to build the lair in a place others don’t know about?]

[Flyfarfaraway – Awwㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ What should we do with our Ha-eun ㅠㅠ. She’s really too cute. Ah ㅋㅋㅋ I want to tell her the truth.]

[Truby – Everyone shush! Please keep the secret as much as possible!]

I only spoke softly to avoid bothering others.

But it seems others interpreted this as me speaking quietly because I didn’t want the lair’s location to be discovered.

I shook my head quickly to deny it, feeling a bit wronged.

Everyone just sent ‘hahaha’ messages and didn’t believe me at all.

‘How sad.’

How did it come to this?

I was feeling dejected, thinking I had so little credibility.

Seo-rin points to the back of the stairs and says.

“How about over there? Not many people pass by, and there’s some soil too.”

It certainly looks good, just as Seo-rin said.

If you walk a little further, there’s a small park-like resting area, and being in a corner, not many people pass by.

Nodding that this place would be good for not causing trouble while being liked by ants and ladybugs, I showed the location to the viewers.

“How about here…?”

[Ha-eun is cute – I’m not sure, but show Ha-eun’s face please ㅠㅠ Ah so cute]

[Front roll side roll – Seems okay? Not many people pass by there, so you won’t be disturbed.]

[Recruiting graduate students – You like it there? Come to my office, sis. We have lots of snacks and toys here.]

Looking at the reactions, it seems everyone thinks it’s not bad.

So I decided to ask for permission from the person managing this place and set up the lair after getting approval from those around, while looking around.

‘But there’s not much here.’

Maybe because it’s in such a secluded spot, the surroundings are full of empty rooms.

I was about to tell Seo-rin that I’d ask for understanding from others when more people come, and that we should find the person managing this place.

[Recruiting graduate students – I already got permission from the association president to make that Ha-eun’s exclusive space. I think you can decorate it however you like, Ha-eun.]

It progressed much faster than I thought.

I bowed deeply to Han A-rin as a sincere gesture of gratitude, then carefully took out the crystal from my pocket.

‘Now I’ll place this in the center…’

After placing it… hmm, what should I do next?

I tilted my head and circled around the crystal on the floor.

After walking around for a few minutes, I still couldn’t figure out how to use it, so I glanced at the chat window and found a very helpful person leaving advice.

[RichAndSuspicious – Just put your hand on the crystal and say ‘activate’.]

Seeing it was a simpler method than expected, I bowed in thanks.

I quickly crouched down and shouted ‘activate’.

[Activating – 1 hour 59 minutes 59 seconds]

As I said that, a hologram-like display appeared above showing the remaining time in blue light.

Fascinated by this, I stared blankly.

The suspicious viewer sent another chat message.

[RichAndSuspicious – While it’s activating, you should create a rare. Shall I send the Spirit User Uncle?]

To that question, I shook my head quickly, showing off my arms toned from hard training, and said proudly.

“It’s okay! I can do it myself!”

[RichAndSuspicious – Is that so? Haha. If you find anything difficult while doing it, feel free to say so anytime. I’ll send people to help right away.]

Though it probably won’t happen, just in case, I nodded and shouted ‘Thank you!’

Then I looked around.

‘First, I should cover the surroundings.’

In fact, the easiest target was the blanket.

Having learned the lesson that blankets collapse too easily, I shook my head and excluded it from the options.

‘So I’d like to use solid materials if possible.’

I thought something like wood would be good.

I stared at the tree growing in the small rest area park and pondered for a moment.

But soon I shook my head and dismissed it from my mind.

‘The ones over there won’t do.’

There’s nothing as inconsiderate as messing with private property, so it seemed best to find materials that wouldn’t harm others if taken.

So I looked around for such things.

But no matter how much I looked, there was no suitable place to get wood.

‘What should I do? Should I use the blanket after all?’

While I was pondering in this difficult situation.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

‘The dump…!’

If I’m lucky, I might be able to pick up a discarded desk and make a lair.

With that thought in mind, I spoke to Seo-rin and Chae-a.

“I know a place we can go.”

Hearing my words, they both looked at me curiously.

*

When I led Chae-a and Seo-rin to the dump, their reactions were completely opposite.

Chae-a seemed very happy and bounced up and down.

Ha-eun was looking around nervously, showing signs of being very flustered.

“There’s a ton of treasure!”

If I leave her like this, she might bury herself in a pile of garbage.

While I’m trying to calm Chae-a down and looking around for anything useful,

Seo-rin, who was nearby, speaks to me with a flustered expression.

“Hey Ha-eun? If you need materials, I can buy them for you.”

At those words, I shook my head and chuckled, “Hmm.”

“It’s okay! There’s mana here too!”

“That’s… not what I mean. You’re being a bit strange, unnie.”

Seo-rin looks alternately at my phone screen and me, smiling awkwardly.

I blink, not quite understanding Seo-rin’s behavior.

Then, smiling brightly, I said to Seo-rin.

“If it’s because of the smell… there’s two over there! I’ll do it alone.”

“No, no, that’s not it! Ah, um… Okay, I’ll do it with you, unnie!”

Seo-rin comes to me as if giving up, and calmly ties her hair back.

I waved my hand to indicate that it was really okay,

But Seo-rin, seemingly not intending to listen to me at all, looked around and asked me.

“So what are you looking for?”

To that question, I raised my hand high and said.

“I want to build a wall, so I’m looking for wood!”

“Ah, a wall.”

Upon hearing those words, Seo-rin seemed to ponder for a moment before pointing to a nearby desk and saying,

“Would it be okay to take something like this?”

Since the desk was in very good condition, I was worried if it would be alright to take it.

However, after confirming that it had a garbage collection sticker on it, I could nod my head with ease.

‘That’s a relief.’

I was grinning, thinking we could build a wall even if it wasn’t perfect.

I looked at my phone somewhat proudly to show the viewers that we had found a good wall, but.

[PlumSparkling – Why are the kids rummaging through the trash? ㅠㅠㅠ They’re not doing it because they’re hungry, are they?]

[FanIsBest – ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Come on, they’re not stray cats, they wouldn’t be digging through trash because they’re hungry ㅋㅋㅋ]

[ZeroLover – I just joined, but why are they going through the trash? Did adults tell them to clean up or something?]

Contrary to my expectations, I see a chat filled with confusion.

Seeing such a chat, my tail that was wagging wildly suddenly droops dejectedly, and as I’m cringing,

Suddenly, one chat message pops up.

[RichAndSuspicious – Why are you suddenly picking up a desk?]

To that question, I honestly replied while fiddling with the desk.

“I want to use this to build a wall.”

[RichAndSuspicious – ??? When it’s activated, the wall will be built automatically, you know.]

“Huh?”

I feel my whole body squirming in confusion.

I blinked my eyes and brought my face close to the phone, meaning to ask for an explanation.

As about half of my favorite chats came up, the message from the suspicious viewer quickly rose to the top.

[Rich and Suspicious – If you blow mana into the crystal, you can create a wall of any size at any desired location. Um, I should have told you this earlier.]

“……”

I was so shocked that I was just blinking blankly.

From behind, Chae-a came running towards me with her arms full of plastic bottles, giggling as she spoke to me.

“There’s this much treasure here…?! Chae-a is happy…!”

The moment I heard those words, I realized that my coming here wasn’t in vain, and I was able to regain my resolve.

I quickly grabbed my swaying tail and giggled along with Chae-a.

Chae-a spoke to me with a triumphant look on her face.

“So Chae-a wants to live here!”

“Huh?”

“Chae-a likes it here!”

Oh no, that shouldn’t happen.

I shook my head quickly, feeling restless.

But Chae-a didn’t seem to understand what I meant and just danced happily with a big smile on her face.

As I watched Chae-a, I became very sad and wondered what to do.

Seo-rin, who was standing next to me, spoke to Chae-a in a calm voice.

“If you live here, you won’t be able to be with Ha-eun. Is that okay?”

At those words, Chae-a froze.

Her expression changed to one on the verge of crying, and she shouted ‘No!’ while strongly denying it.

Ha-eun clings to me and picks me up, then speaks to Seo-rin.

“No way…! I’m staying with Ha-eun…!”

Chae-a hugs me tightly as if she’s never going to let me go.

Because of that, I’m dangling from Chae-a’s arms.

Chae-a seems to think this won’t do, so she starts dragging me somewhere.

“Ch-Chae-a?”

Seo-rin shows her bewilderment at Chae-a’s not-quite-running-away behavior.