Episode 106. Weekend (5)

“Pork belly is 2,200 won per 100g, and pork neck is 2,100 won… Pork neck is a little cheaper. I want to eat pork belly, though… Hmm.”

After meeting my younger sister yesterday and spending money on transportation, the money left in Nam Daeun’s hands was only 3,000 won.

Although the Academy runs a student cafeteria for free, the student cafeteria only operates on weekdays.

On weekends, I have to use the dormitory cafeteria, which the dormitory runs separately, and the dormitory cafeteria was paid.

Nam Daeun usually saved a little food from the student cafeteria, put it in her water bottle, and stored it in the freezer to get by with meals, but sometimes there were days she wanted to splurge like this.

“What should I do… If I eat this, I’ll really have no money next month.”

The money I have to repay to Lee Hoyeon is about 10,000 won.

The allowance Nam Daeun receives is around 50,000 won per month.

The ‘living expenses’ were taken away, claiming they were for her sister’s hospital bills. Since the Academy provides meals and saying ‘What do you need money for?’, Nam Daeun gave up arguing.

Anyway, even if I argue, they won’t give me more money.

“Hmph… Fine. Today, let’s eat rice mixed with water.”

There was a water dispenser in the dormitory hallway, so mixing the leftover frozen rice with water would make it somewhat edible.

Plus, if I sprinkle some salt sneakily taken from the cafeteria, it’s a delicacy.

Sip.

Nam Daeun put down the meat and turned around.

“Hi?”

And behind her, Lee Hoyeon was standing there.

*

“Hi?”

“…Gasp!”

Nam Daeun seemed surprised, her eyes widening and her mouth shut.

“Uh… sorry. I was just trying to greet you.”

“…It’s okay.”

Nam Daeun placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

‘This one too has become quite expressive.’

‘To others, she’s similarly cold, but in front of me, she seems to let her guard down a little.’

★ Heroine Status Window

[Nam Daeun]

• [ Affection : 48 ]

• [ Lust : 15 ]

• [ Appetite : 85 ]

• [ Fatigue : 33 ]

Current Status: You startled me… Why did you suddenly appear?

Fortunately, since I let her take first place, her affection increased significantly.

This much is a gain.

After the survival exam ends and the festival begins, grades will be announced, will her affection increase further then?

For now, maintaining a casual friendship with Nam Daeun is enough. Anyway, time is needed for the conquest.

“Did you come to buy meat?”

“Just, I was just looking.”

“Aha. I see.”

Leaving Nam Daeun standing there, I went to look at the meat.

After all, it’s not a good environment to cook… so I chose smoked meat or instant food.

If stored in the subspace, even if not perfectly, the storage period increases.

‘For a week… Should I buy about 20kg?’

It’s not like I’m eating it all alone, so buying a bit more should be fine.

I put most of the ready-to-eat meat products in the cart.

Since there was a lot of smoked duck or smoked pork belly, I grabbed whatever was available.

“Huh…?”

Nam Daeun’s surprised voice was heard from behind.

Yeah, if you put this much in, she’d be surprised.

I can’t tell her in advance that there’s the survival exam starting tomorrow, so I decided to just act confidently.

“My appetite is quite large.”

Now that I’ve bought it, the amount is a bit much, but it’s better to have too much than not enough.

From the next aisle, I also grabbed some instant rice.

“Koreans run on rice power.”

“…I see.”

Is she believing that excuse even after seeing the camping gear? Or perhaps she’s just letting it slide because I said so.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Nam Daeun]

• [ Affection : 48 ]

• [ Lust : 15 ]

• [ Appetite : 85 ]

• [ Fatigue : 33 ]

Current Status: She must have her reasons too.

She’s just letting it slide. Thanks.

Now that I see it, Nam Daeun’s appetite is 85. Thinking about when the heroines’ Lust is 85, I can’t even imagine how hungry 85 is.

“Has she been starving all day?”

“Did you have lunch? Want to grab a bite together at the food court? I’ll pay.”

Thinking about her hesitating at the butcher shop with 2,000 won worth of meat, I feel soft-hearted.

Eating together won’t necessarily bring me closer to conquest, but I can at least buy her a meal.

“I’m okay.”

“Between friends, we can eat together, right?”

“…Is that so?”

Since she seemed burdened, by calling us friends, I eased her burden a bit.

Embarrassment can’t overcome hunger.

“Yeah. I actually have something I wanted to ask.”

Even after the 1v1 duel finals ended, I kept thinking about a question I had.

Nam Daeun followed behind me with a puzzled expression.

The camping gear and food came out to over 1 million won.

Tents are this expensive? Is it because it’s a one-touch automatic tent?

I bought a lot of useless stuff like gas masks, so there were many unexpected expenses, but this amount is not a significant burden.

Nam Daeun watched my checkout silently from behind.

*

“I told you I’m fine….”

“It’s because I’m hungry. Let’s eat a lot.”

Pizza and chicken, and bakes with meat inside the bread – I ordered them all, a variety.

Nam Daeun says she’s fine, but the appetite on the status window doesn’t lie.

I just ordered a huge amount.

“Thank you….”

The food came out right away, and we sat down and started eating.

Originally, I planned to talk while eating, but Nam Daeun was eating so enthusiastically I couldn’t bring myself to start a conversation.

Nom. Nom. Nom. Nom.

When did she say she was okay earlier? Now that the food is here, her hands aren’t stopping.

‘Let’s just talk after we finish eating.’

I couldn’t let her win, so I took a slice of pizza.

*

“That was delicious.”

“No, no. It was nothing.”

In the end, the two of us cleanly finished two pizzas and two bakes.

The pizzas were damn big, so after eating them, it was hard to move, but Nam Daeun seemed unfazed.

“Speaking of which, did you see your younger sister okay?”

I think you said you were going to see your younger sister. She must have been fine, right? I hope nothing happened.

“I saw her yesterday. Speaking of which, didn’t you say you had something to talk about?”

Since I bought her a meal, she became much more compliant.

Still, talking about her younger sister seems to make her a bit hesitant.

As expected, I should take her to that Korean restaurant I went to with Moon Surin last time. It seems like it would be effective.

“I do have something to talk about.”

I thought about it quite a bit.

Nam Daeun hiding her power is one thing, but already learning skills she can use in a year doesn’t make sense.

If Nam Daeun had been hiding that much power in the original work, she wouldn’t have lost to the protagonist.

Because I am already as strong as the original protagonist.

Yet, a Nam Daeun who grew for another year losing is nonsensical.

But in reality, Nam Daeun was hiding her power.

If so, there’s only one conclusion.

From the start, Nam Daeun in the 2nd year of the original work and the current Nam Daeun’s level are the same.

“You aren’t training, are you?”

This is the conclusion I reached.

Due to being born with absurd talent, she reached a high level at a young age, but realized that becoming stronger was pointless.

Anyway, she is destined to be a tool for the guild, so she thought there was no need to become stronger.

That’s why she completely stopped training.

That’s why she lost to the protagonist in her 2nd year.

“…What are you talking about?”

Nam Daeun seemed flustered by my sudden words.

“I don’t know your circumstances, but train hard. I will become stronger for the next exam, and I won’t hold back next time.”

Nam Daeun stopped training after losing to the protagonist, until she was completely saved.

Even so, if a Nam Daeun who is already incredibly strong gets stronger from now on, I can’t even imagine what the outcome will be.

That’s why this one year at this point is crucial.

“…Okay. Then I’ll definitely fight fair and win.”

“And I’ll definitely repay you for what happened last time.”

Fortunately, Nam Daeun responded positively to my words.

I was worried she might shout ‘What do you know about me?’ and run out of the room, but buying her a meal seems to have had a significant effect.

Instead of her usual blank expression, she had a faint smile.

“It’s okay. We’re friends. I should get going soon. See you next time.”

“Goodbye.”

We cleaned up the table and left.

Nam Daeun’s departing figure looked a little more energetic compared to before.

*

Returning to the dormitory, I organized my purchases once again.

“Why did you buy so much? Are you going to eat all this yourself?”

“If there’s any left, I’ll share some.”

Liliana was surprised by the meat I bought and approached me.

“The pork belly looks delicious, can I have a little?”

“…Sure. Let’s put it in the fridge then.”

If Liliana wants to eat it, I should take one out.

We usually solved our meals with delivery food, so there was almost nothing to eat in the fridge.

Wait a second, now that I think about it, I won’t be in the dorm for a week, so if deliveries come to my dorm, it’ll be suspicious.

The entire first-year dorms will be empty, so if orders only come to my room, it’s bound to raise suspicion.

“Liliana. You look at this and place an order in advance.”

“…? What is this?”

“It’s instant food, if you order now, it’ll arrive by tomorrow morning. Since I won’t be here, you can’t order delivery food here. For the week, just use this.”

“…… Hmph. Take me with you!”

Liliana’s expression stiffened for a moment, then she yelled, “Hmph!”

“I told you no.”

“What have you done for our family! You bastard!”

“What are you talking about family for! I told you not to use the word ‘family’ in the first place!”

Hearing things like that makes me feel like a truly incompetent man, which is unpleasant.

“Anyway, after I get back, I’ll play with you every day. Wait for me.”

“Really? Then I want to go out and play.”

“…Okay.”

“Yay! I’m so happy!”

Seeing Liliana cheering with joy, I feel like I need to find a place outside soon.

Fortunately, during the festival season, it should be fine to move around outside. There will be too many people.

If I just wear a mask on my face, people won’t recognize me. Or I can wear sunglasses.

With a rune barrier protecting Liliana well, there’s no need to worry about the Underworld’s unique, strange magic being detected.

“Stay safe at home. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I patted Liliana’s head.

“But…”

“Huh?”

“Tonight… for a whole week…”

Liliana, her face flushed red, clung to me.

“…”

I checked my watch.

Until my appointment with Surin noona, there were about three hours left.

“Liliana. First, let’s settle up for two days.”

“Huh? Ughh…“

I’ll have to finish the evening appointment as quickly as possible.

*

“I’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”

“Yes… Master…”

Leaving Liliana, who was panting, on the bed, I headed to the meeting place with Moon Surin.

Since I’d been here once before, I wasn’t flustered this time.

“It’s Moon Surin’s party.”

“Ah, Lee Hoyeon-nim. Please come this way.”

As I entered the room, Moon Surin was sitting there and welcomed me.

“Hello. Surin noona.”

Thanks to the memory of eating deliciously last time, I happily took my seat.

“Welcome. I watched the 1v1 duel well. It was a shame.”

Moon Surin also smiled and welcomed me.

“Hey. Second place is pretty good, right?”

“Hehe. That’s true. The food will be out soon. Before we eat, first, I’ll show you the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.”

Moon Surin placed the box next to her on the table.

“Open it.”

With a pounding heart, I opened the box.

“Wow….”

Inside the box was the Snow Ginseng, emitting a blue mana.

“Thank you. Surin noona. I’ll really put it to good use.”

“No, no. Thanks to you, my work too has become much easier.”

“I’ll definitely repay this debt.”

“…?”

“What did I even do?”