episode_0039

Meonyangi froze in her characteristic provocative posture like a statue.

Her face turned red as she broke out in a cold sweat.

Despite the cries of “Deduct points! Deduct points!” on the screen, she couldn’t bring herself to follow along.

“Meonyang, come on. Hurry up. That’s the key to the test. You have to maintain it for 30 minutes.”

“I-I can’t… I can’t do it!”

“You can! You have to reach 3 stars!”

At my words, Meonyangi raised her arms in protest.

With her small frame, she began to twist her waist and wiggle.

“Meow, meow, meow!”

Although she looked like she was about to cry, surprisingly, her score was doing well. It was evidence that she had a talent suitable for physical activity.

“In fact, she did well in Goslra too.”

Honestly, it was quite satisfying.

The scene before me was the greatest reward of all.

“This is it.”

This is the essence of cuteness.

The dance was none other than the ‘Zero Two.’

Even though its popularity had waned, there was no dance that left a stronger impression.

It was the most popular mini-game dance among the map guides in Goslra.

“Se-Seriously… Do I… Do I really have to do this? My heart is pounding.”

“Well, you have to.”

“T-Then please, can you lower the camera in your hand?”

Meonyangi pleaded, looking at what was in my hand.

It might seem strange.

A camera in a secret place…?

“No problem.”

The camera in my hand was a special artifact that only captured designated individuals. It was an item that could be used with permission.

By the way, the one who lent it to me was the generous Hyecja.

In the first place, I learned the secret place from her with the premise of filming this.

“Sorry, Meonyang. We have to make a clear deal…”

“Meow!”

“It’s okay! You’re a cat person!”

“Meow! Being a cat person doesn’t mean I can dance well!”

With a proud smile, I thought once again.

The GM of Goslra is a son of a bitch.

That’s an unchanging fact.

But as the creators of the characters, they were sincere.

“…I admit it.”

In another sense, I felt relieved.

“Yuseha is a natural 5-star, so I’m really lucky.”

Well, of course.

To fill the black star, I have to do things like that too.

Just filling the black star can lead to the flowering of potential.

But damn it. Think about it.

A guy dancing the Zero Two?

“It’s fucking ridiculous.”

“Meonyang, 10 minutes left. Hang in there!”

“Meow!”

***

After a fierce battle (?) at the arcade.

We headed to a restaurant for dinner.

Map guides know what their characters like.

Due to her father’s influence, Meonyangi had quite an old-fashioned taste.

Typical men’s favorites.

Rice soup, pork cutlet, spicy stir-fried pork.

But there was a food that she loved even more.

Grilled intestines!

With its unique and appealing sizzle, the sound of it cooking filled the air.

“Me…ow…”

“Meonyang, you’re drooling.”

“…Meow…”

I cut the well-cooked meat with scissors and placed it on lettuce.

I made a hearty wrap with fresh garlic, dipping sauce, and seasoned greens, and fed it to her.

“Here, ahh~”

“Meow~”

The cat, savoring the taste in its mouth.

“…Mew~!”

Shivering with delight, it raised its tail high in the air, wearing a happy expression. Its eyes sparkled as if they were adorned with stars.

‘Thank you for the pork belly.’

Thanks to you, I get to see my favorite character’s happy smile more often.

Her favorite food was grilled pork belly.

‘…I’d love to have a bottle of soju, but.’

Since I have to go dancing again tonight, I decided to abstain from alcohol.

Anyway, I’ve almost finished it, so I should order that.

“Auntie~ Add fried rice here!”

* * *

And so, the days of repetitive daily life continued.

Waking up early in the morning to meet with the cat.

Rushing straight to the guild to reserve the top spot for the gate and entering the dungeon.

The dungeon was fixed at E-rank only.

Although D-rank was possible, there could be unexpected variables, so I chose an E-rank that could be easily cleared in 1-2 hours.

There are several reasons why I don’t aim for higher gates and adventures.

‘Me and the cat have recently experienced rapid growth.’

In terms of stats, we are clearly at the level of a D-rank hunter.

But that’s just the numbers shown in the status window.

In reality, we were still inexperienced.

Based on the Map Guide’s experience, forcing to increase stats in this state was not a good idea.

‘…If I continue like this, there will definitely be a stat imbalance.’

Stat imbalance was not a debuff of ‘Gosla,’ but a phenomenon where various coincidences were given to characters in their early pure state, inflating their specs.

It was a situation where beginners, who were most confused by the fact that their actual abilities were far beyond their physical abilities due to the vast magical power, did not fight properly or were scared.

Personally, I thought, ‘Why implement this…’ but looking back now, it was a good experience.

‘And stat imbalance is only limited to the early stages.’

After that, unless you become incredibly strong, your body and mind adapt to each other, so there was no need to make more effort.

“Sehaya. Come from the side!”

Just as the cat finished speaking.

A goblin rushed out from the bushes.

Swinging a rusty knife, but to me, who had already noticed, it was a meaningless action.

I put strength into my legs and dodged.

I grabbed the [Sword of Zara] with both hands and stabbed it into the goblin’s torso with a sincere posture.

“Kwak!”

The goblin collapsed, groaning.

And this is the second reason why I run in E-rank dungeons.

It’s [Swordsmanship] training.

My current fighting style starts and ends with [Ryucham].

[Ryucham] seems to be a skill that is engraved in my mind rather than my body.

It shows a high level of proficiency from the beginning, but it is not a characteristic of [Swordsmanship].

‘It looks awkward to me.’

The posture of the hand holding the hilt.

The direction of the sword that pierced in.

In many ways, it felt like a beginner’s move.

That’s why I needed to practice even more.

[Ryucham] is a skill that I will eventually discard.

It belongs to the ‘Skill Tree’ system, so it has the advantage of being able to attach runes, but by then, there will be no reason to be obsessed with the early restriction of [Cheondoilje].

[Your efforts to recognize your incompetence flow through the blade.]

[The sharpness of the sword is shed and begins to burn slowly.]

[The level of has increased by 1.]

[Strength has increased by 1 due to level increase.]

The fact that the level was only 1 and I started using the sword in earnest made it rise quickly.

Should I say that I feel a sense of accomplishment with each step forward?

Of course, the more I progressed, the more ambitious I became.

“…Ha, it would be nice to have some swordsmanship skills.”

Derived skill of [Swordsmanship] called [Sword Law].

In fact, it’s just a fancy name.

There are over hundreds of types just by looking at the categories.

“Maehwa Sword Law, Samjae Sword Law, Yusu Sword Law, Hwandocheon Sword Law, King Sword Law… and so on. It’s so diverse.”

Earlier, I unfolded a thrust against a goblin, referencing and imitating the ‘Western-style swordsmanship’ from XTube. Just in case something comes out.

“Keuk!”

It was a moment when I wanted to practice a bit more. Just then, another goblin rushed towards me.

“Let’s see, definitely, control your breathing, put strength in your waist, make your legs heavy. And then, swiftly extend your arms like shooting a bow…”

I project the image in my mind. I extend the posture that the woman in the video followed towards the goblin.

With a piercing sound, a flash-like thrust unfolds, piercing the goblin’s forehead.

[A manifestation of amazing talent.]

[A flash that surpasses expectations flows through your sword.]

[ level increases by 1.]

[Strength increases by 1 due to level increase.]

Once again, the message announcing a level increase. It was quite rewarding to level up with just one thrust.

Of course, that’s as far as it goes.

Despite my efforts all day, I couldn’t obtain [Sword Law].

* * *

Three hours later, after the hunt ended, the obvious destination was the underground arcade.

“Meow meow! Meow?!”

Okay, okay… It’s only been three days, but Meonyangi was progressing noticeably.

Now, her dance moves were quite charming, so even the hunters practicing nearby came to watch.

– Wow, I guess it’s because she’s a cat-person… Her movements are really light. I’m envious.

– That’s because her chest fat is too big. Anyway… she dances well. She should pass, right?

– Young people are really tough. When I move, all I hear is creaking… but she moves like a feather.

– Hey, hey, everyone quiet down.

Soon, the highlight everyone was waiting for unfolds.

It’s time for the 30-minute zero-to.

“…Meow…”

Meonyangi, shedding tears of embarrassment, starts dancing.

I captured every moment with the camera, listening to the cheers from the side.

Thinking that I should send this to Sister Hyuja as a gift again.

* * *

After the arcade, it was always late at night.

Normally, we would part ways here. But recently, they had added a new schedule.

Mahana’s backyard playground.

The two of them were moving around, sweating profusely, without any equipment, engaging in intense sports by grabbing each other’s waists or arms.

The essence of the exercise was grappling. More specifically, joint locks.

“Meow!”

Mahana rushes with both hands extended.

Taking a tackling position, but it was a fake.

She quickly cancels the position and seizes Yuseha’s back in a split second.

It was a wise judgment.

However, Yuseha, who already knew her intentions, bows her head to dodge the attack.

She grabs Mahana’s arm with one hand and lightly strikes down on her neck with the other.

“Meow!”

“Still inexperienced?”

“Meow… Ha, I surrender.”

As she quietly released her in defeat, a message rings out.

[Exceptional body skills are displayed through your physical body.]

[ level increases.]

[Endurance increases by 1 as a level reward.]

Oh, this is good news.

I was starting to think it was about time for it to increase.

“Meow. When did you learn such skills, anyway?”

Mahana asked, brushing off the dust on her body with a look of exhaustion.

Hmm…

What should I say?

“…I naturally learned it on the battlefield… saying that wouldn’t be appropriate, right?”

Can’t do that.

Just beat around the bush.

And it’s not technically wrong.

“My father taught me.”

“I see. Well, I also learned the basic shield technique from my father.”

Mahana nodded with a smile in response to Yuseha’s words.

Slowly raising his hand to pat his head.

Both of them, the fact that they could take this for granted showed how close they had become.

“You did well today too. You’re really amazing, aren’t you?”

“Hehe.”

As Mahana received the warm gesture, he thought to himself.

That he was happy.

And at the same time, he missed his father.

‘…Maybe that’s why I keep thinking of my father.’

Lately, he was starting to see his father’s image in Yuseha.

Although their appearance, physique, and way of speaking were completely different.

The warm gaze that looked at him was undoubtedly his father’s eyes.

That’s why he easily accepted the sudden suggestion to learn joint techniques.

‘He said it would be really helpful in the future…’

There must be a reason behind what he said.

Of course, it wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t difficult to learn.

It was just that, well… that kind of thing.

‘…It’s, it’s embarrassing.’

In the dead of night, adults groping each other’s bodies… that kind of act.

Well, this also shattered his fantasies by brutally grounding himself, but.

―Hey. Get up!

―Ugh…

His joint techniques were truly professional.

It felt like he had learned how to deal with people decisively.

He was quite merciless with his hands.

Anyway, on the first day, he couldn’t even touch him with a finger, which was quite a blow to Mahana’s pride.

The agile movements and high speed unique to the cat race.

And with his tank-like strong stamina, he couldn’t even use his close combat skills.

In the end, he came back the next day and desperately rushed at him, and for the first time, he could put him in a joint lock.

‘…It was released right away.’

And the words he said.

―As expected, Mewnya! You have talent!

‘……’

The words his father used to say to him all his life.

That one word warmed Mahana’s heart.

So even though he was tired, he stubbornly ran towards him.

Because he wanted to hear a warm compliment.

That’s why he started practicing every day at some point.

Meanwhile, Mahana, who was patting his head, raised his eyes at Yuseha’s words.

Was he too absorbed in it?

Looking up at the sky, the sun had disappeared and the moon had risen, creating a deep late night where the moon seemed to ask, ‘Aren’t you going to sleep?’

‘It’s midnight.’

I’ve been doing this for too long.

“Sorry, Mewnya. I was holding you up too late.”

“Mew… No, it’s okay.”

“Then let’s meet tomorrow morning. I’ll go now.”

“Wait, just a moment, Seha!”

Mahana hurriedly approached and held Yuseha’s hand.

Even though it was late at night, her subtly yellowish pupils were filled with a worried look.

“Where are you going? It’s too late.”

That’s true.

At this hour, not only the buses but also the subways would have stopped running.

‘…It’s too far to walk all the way home…’

So he casually suggested.

“Well, why don’t you just catch a nap at the PC room? Why?”

At his response, Mahana’s eyes shook as if his pupils were trembling.

“…What?”