Atra knew the importance of cleanliness well while active on the frontlines.
Of course, even a superhuman body isn’t easily infected by minor illnesses in such environments, but declining morale and physical performance can still occur.
Moreover, if a monster with a unique ability to handle plagues or poisons crawled in from a filthy environment, it could result in total annihilation before even a fight began.
There were indeed cases of such occurrences.
The two-headed poison dragon, an Alpha-level monster that appeared in ancient China.
Its level was Alpha, 3rd tier.
It was a monstrous creature, indeed, but it managed to obliterate vast territories within the gigantic nation of China due to its qualities of pestilence and poison.
Also, the extreme filthiness of the surrounding area certainly helped it.
In any case, Atra was pretty particular about cleanliness because of that.
– Ugh…
After that day, he became even more meticulous about hygiene.
The enormous psychological shock hit Atra hard, and from then on, he couldn’t even touch a cigarette.
Before letting Lee Ha-yul into his lodgings, he ventilated the place multiple times and unleashed purification magic items just in case any odors lingered.
He paid special attention to washing his own body… particularly the chest area where Lee Ha-yul frequently touched.
– Drip
As he tapped the hologram, the stream of water pouring from the ceiling abruptly ceased.
Wiping off the moisture with a towel, Atra put on the indoor clothes he’d brought and exited the shower.
The humid, warm air, filled with white steam, spilled out, and the relatively cool outside air brushed against Atra’s skin.
He shook his head with the towel and headed toward the room.
– Tap tap tap tap.
“Huh?”
Atra’s steps halted as he heard a rhythmic tapping sound and something sizzling, along with the aroma of food wafting by.
He blinked for a moment, then turned back without even drying his hair.
He went down to the living room.
There, he saw Lee Ha-yul busily moving around in the kitchen.
“…?”
With one hand gripping a knife, Lee Ha-yul was chopping food on the cutting board.
Meanwhile, her other hand was guiding a flowing artifact known as ‘Tianyi,’ which floated or draped around her like a cloak…
It was manipulating the frying pan and wielding the spatula and kitchen tongs, preparing the food.
Additionally, he could see a fire spirit flickering around the frying pan, adjusting the heat.
“……”
What a uniquely spectacular sight. Atra recalled how chefs would perform similar feats at performance-type restaurants.
As Atra stood there, dazed, feeling Lee Ha-yul’s presence, she seemed to sense him and turned her head.
Wearing a pristine white apron, Lee Ha-yul opened her mouth, looking apologetic, with her eyes drooping.
[Did you finish washing up?]
[Sorry]
[Please wait a moment]
[It’s almost done]
“Uh, yeah.”
Unable to think of anything to say, Atra stuttered his response.
After a short while.
As Lee Ha-yul had said, the cooking wrapped up soon, and dishes were placed on the table.
[I made it simple]
Lee Ha-yul peered over as Atra sat down at the table, explaining.
Atra gazed at the table.
On the pristine white plate… steam wafting from the freshly prepared food was arranged.
Perfectly cooked, appetizing bacon and sausages.
Golden, shiny scrambled eggs and a small fried egg, hash browns.
On another plate, there were dressed salads, and bread reminiscent of sandwiches was resting on it.
“……”
As simple as it was claimed, it was indeed a breakfast that could be enjoyed lightly.
Atra, originating from the British region, had often eaten breakfasts like this during his childhood.
Back in his younger days.
Before even attending the academy… he used to have breakfasts like this with his family.
Staring blankly at the food, Atra turned his head to look at Lee Ha-yul.
Instead of sitting across from him, she was peeking around him with an expression filled with expectation and concern.
Understanding what that meant, Atra cautiously speared a sausage with his fork and took a bite.
He chewed for a moment. The sausage was tender, and its unique flavor spread in his mouth.
It was neither too greasy nor overcooked. Nor was it undercooked.
It was just right… seemingly tailored to Atra’s taste.
“It’s delicious…”
“……!”
It was tasty.
With that simple remark, Lee Ha-yul’s emotions, previously tinged with tension and anticipation, instantly turned to joy as she broke into a broad smile.
That smile looked as blissful as a sunflower in full bloom.
Atra could see that smile clearly.
The way this innocent child was so immensely happy over a mere fleeting compliment.
‘…sigh.’
He inadvertently sighed, only to be reminded of the events from the previous day, and he quickly swallowed it back.
Yet, he couldn’t suppress the sigh rising internally.
‘How am I supposed to teach that…’
Teaching how to fight was a very straightforward affair.
Atra felt that again…
*
The meeting place with Baek Ahrin was in front of the central fountain in the Commercial District.
As the name suggests, the Commercial District was bustling with various restaurants, entertainment facilities, and large shopping centers typically found in lively districts.
The appointment time was twelve o’clock.
I arrived at the fountain at 11:30 a.m., thirty minutes early.
After a brief look around, I plopped myself onto a bench near the fountain and surveyed my surroundings using my observation powers.
‘…Quite a lot of people, huh?’
I often felt this while attending Shio-ram, but there were fewer people than expected compared to the massive and splendid facilities.
This was also understandable since Shio-ram itself generally had very few people.
Faculty members and a handful of staff associated with the academic structure.
The only others were the students enrolled in Shio-ram.
The place was filled only with industry professionals who maintained the Commercial District and their families.
However, now, there were quite a few people around.
Not as densely packed as a bustling street market, but there was enough of a presence to feel that people were moving about.
It was the first weekend after the midterm evaluations ended.
Students had stormed into the Commercial District to relieve the academic stress they’d built up until now.
While most were in casual clothes instead of student uniforms, I recognized various classmates and upperclassmen in my line of sight.
Students weren’t the only thing pouring out.
Like the students immersed in their academic stress, many faculty members were pushed along by the planning and execution of the academic schedule including the midterm evaluations.
With their presence too, there was certainly enough of a crowd to feel lively.
‘Hmm…’
There were indeed quite a few people milling around.
As a result, numerous gazes and whispers fell upon me, but… I had gotten used to such attention now and hardly cared.
If it were the past, I would have fled back home instantly… I felt I had grown in a new way.
Sitting on the bench, I swung my legs while waiting for Baek Ahrin to arrive.
‘Sigh…’
Thinking about Baek Ahrin, I recalled the advice I had received from Hong Yeon-hwa and my mentor about this meeting.
The countless missed calls from Hong Yeon-hwa popped up in my mind.
I panicked at first but quickly texted her to let her know I was alright.
As soon as I sent the message, I received a reply quickly.
In her response, she mentioned she was worried since I hadn’t replied and asked if something happened.
Thus began our exchange.
I had been asleep. The phone was muted, so I hadn’t realized I received any messages. I’m sorry.
She had been worried. I was glad to hear nothing was wrong. Did I fall asleep in the dorm?
I fell asleep at my mentor’s place.
…Why were you there? Did something happen? And so on…
A conversation flowed for a while, ultimately leading to the topic regarding the promise I made with Baek Ahrin.
I also had various things to ask, so it was a welcome dialogue.
▶ Hong Yeon-hwa: If anyone touches you, don’t hesitate to punch them.
▶ Hong Yeon-hwa: There’s no need to show mercy, so don’t hesitate.
▶ Hong Yeon-hwa: Got it?
What I gained was minimal. Just the obvious, commonsense advice to reject anything inappropriate.
Hong Yeon-hwa seemed just as clueless as to why Baek Ahrin had made such a bet.
“—And remember that. Do you understand what I said?”
[If someone tries to touch my body, I’ll punch them…]
[Yes, mentor]
[I know this too…]
“…Is that so? But why don’t you stop me when I’m touching you?”
[Because it’s you, mentor]
[You’re fine, mentor]
“…Oh, I see.”
Even before leaving the dorm, I had received a similar lesson from my mentor.
Honestly, it was preposterous. Who wouldn’t know such things that she kept emphasizing?
But since it was Hong Yeon-hwa worried about me, and words from my mentor, I nodded appropriately.
With my legs swinging and playing with my magic book hologram, I hadn’t realized it had only been about ten minutes.
Suddenly, I spotted Baek Ahrin approaching from the edge of my observation range.
Amidst numerous presences, the sound of clicking heels echoed closer to the fountain.
For a moment, Baek Ahrin scanned her surroundings, her gaze landing on me.
With a smile, she walked over confidently.
“Oh dear. Even though I came out twenty minutes early, I’m still late.”
[It’s alright]
[I just arrived as well!]
I shook my head at Baek Ahrin, who looked apologetic while fixing her hair, and scrutinized her outfit.
As always, her neatly tied blue hair.
A plain, clean white t-shirt without any special decorations.
A blue jacket draped over her, alongside jeans that emphasized her long legs.
The clothes weren’t anything special, but they looked particularly nice because of how well she carried them off.
“Did you have lunch before coming?”
[Huh?]
[Didn’t we say we’d eat together?]
“Oh, you remembered well.”
Baek Ahrin smiled and suddenly reached her hand out to me.
“?”
I tilted my head for a moment, then understood what that gesture meant and felt a bit strange.
A snow-white palm.
A dangerous palm that could summon hundreds of ice spikes at a moment’s notice.
Of course, I didn’t think it would actually happen here.
It was inside Shio-ram after all. I didn’t feel particularly tense.
Cautiously reaching out my hand, Baek Ahrin grasped it tightly.
Her hand encased in black arm sleeves met my pale skin.
It was neither warm nor cold.
– Tap
As I felt a strange sensation from that, an alarm rang from Baek Ahrin’s smartwatch.
A timer appeared on the small hologram that flickered to life.
[23:59:57]
“Now, the 24-hour timer starts.”
[Huh?]
When I asked what that meant, Baek Ahrin replied nonchalantly.
“I told you, right? I’m borrowing a day of your life.”
“???”
As I struggled to ask what that meant again, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
A day.
The time it takes for the Earth to rotate once.
And, 24 hours.
My mouth fell open in shock.
‘No way.’
Is that what she meant by a day?
As if affirming my thoughts, Baek Ahrin merely waved our clasped hands.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
