Chapter 265 Ill-fated Relationship (3)
As expected, Cheon-ma’s durability stat exceeded rank A. Unfortunately, her strength also surpassed rank SS. In other words, it was impossible to help her using Muscle Injection.
‘Just like Lavan, everyone has high strength…’
Yoon-seok smacked his lips, but it was natural. Even among the Graduates of the Earth, quite a few people had an S rank or higher in terms of Strength before they started. However, it was rather strange that Lavan and Cheon-ma had similar strengths.
“Khufufu. Anyway, didn’t I say that I don’t need anything in return?”
Yoon-seok flinched. Contrary to the words that it wasn’t necessary-
“Well, if you dare to give me anything, I have no choice but to accept it, though…”
Cheon-ma was looking at Yoon-seok with anticipation.
“…But why aren’t you saying anything?”
The situation here wasn’t good enough to say, ‘I can’t repay you because the conditions aren’t right.’
However, he didn’t prepare a Plan B. Driven to a dead end, Yoon-seok raised his concentration to the limit by maneuvering Yin and Yang.
“…”
Time passed slowly. He wished it would stop altogether.
‘Should I give her equipment or something like that as a gift?’
Not a bad start, but it was hard right now. A special ability was required to transfer the ownership rights of an item. Of course, he heard that crafted items were an exception, but… it would still take time to make.
‘Then, what about going on the expedition we promised last time?’
This was also dismissed. How could he say he would go with her in return? She might be offended.
“…”
Yoon-seok checked his options using Yin and Yang, but there wasn’t a single definitive answer. Soon, Cheon-ma’s forehead creased. She wasn’t angry, but she seemed to question why he was silent.
Yoon-seok felt his time was up. There could be no further delay in answering.
Drip.
When he thought of that, his gaze went down. As he saw earlier, she was running her fingertips over the white petals of the flowers.
‘By the way, you like flowers… huh?’
Light sifted through the cracks. Then, Yoon-seok quickly opened his subspace bag. He quickly found a bunch of flowers and took them out.
“H-here…”
Cheon-ma’s eyes widened, surprise and embarrassment flashing across her expression. Indeed, Yoon-seok didn’t expect it either. How could Cheon-ma?
Gulp.
Yoon-seok swallowed and gave the bouquet to Cheon-ma.
“I-it’s pretty.”
Fortunately, she seemed to like this gift very much.
* * *
No wire tied the stems or pretty paper-wrapped it. Hundreds of raw flowers were pressed together in a bouquet. On Earth, it might have seemed insincere, but Cheon-ma was of Moorim origin.
“Fufufu.”
A new smile bloomed on Cheon-ma’s lips as she cradled the bouquet in both hands.
“Treasures of silver and gold, treasures of the century, territories. I have received so many gifts in my life.”
Those would be tributes, not gifts.
“But this is the first time I have received flowers.”
Where in the world was the suicidal person who would give Cheon-ma, the sky of the Demon Sect, flowers? Oh, here is one.
“Thank you. I’m truly happy.”
Anyway, her thanks felt genuine. Yoon-seok breathed out a sigh of relief as Cheon-ma closed her eyes and put her nose to the petals to savor their scent. Fortunately, it seemed to have ended well, although he still didn’t understand why Cheon-ma liked something as simple as flowers.
“Something cute.”
Time passed by. Soon, Cheon-ma opened her eyes and looked at Yoon-seok. Not anything praiseworthy but something cute?
“If you didn’t use today as an excuse, when would you give these to me?”
“…?”
He couldn’t understand at all. When Yoon-seok tilted his head, the corners of Cheon-ma’s lips rose.
“There’s no way you would carry things like flowers in your bag, and didn’t you know that I like flowers?”
There seemed to be some misunderstanding. It was only today that he found out that she liked flowers, and the fact that the flowers were in the bag was completely coincidental. They weren’t just flowers, but they increased strength by one when consumed. After getting Neo-Humanity, he tried eating several things. These flowers he had found in St. Leon.
‘I feel like I’m deceiving her, but if I say anything, it will only make the atmosphere strange. I’ll just go back to pick up more flowers later.’
Yoon-seok just smiled awkwardly without correcting the misunderstanding.
“By the way, why did you ask about strength and durability earlier?”
Again, Yoon-seok didn’t answer. Cheon-ma smiled meaningfully.
“He’s shyer than he looks…”
Somehow, the misunderstanding grew even bigger. It ended well with no harm done, so there was no need to worry.
Wasn’t this a ‘win-win?’ Yeah, Yoon-seok was sure it was.
* * *
After that, the peaceful times continued. But nothing lasted forever. It was time to go back and begin their work.
“The penalty must be over. Do you want to go explore with me?”
Had they grown to know each other that well? Yoon-seok didn’t know, but Cheon-ma no longer gave excuses for picking tickets or for Yongyong being annoying to invite him.
“I have a lot of things to deal with, so I can’t go right now.”
“Then when?”
“…It’s hard to tell you the exact date.”
“Then I won’t be waiting for you.”
“Yes.”
Yoon-seok and Cheon-ma crossed the closet again and returned to the waiting room. And, unexpectedly, they found someone.
“Where the hell have you been!”
The neighbor who lived next door, the demon with a unique disposition called Apology Fetish. It was Sharon Aphlan.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
Sharon, lying on his sacred steel bed, stood up and glared at Yoon-seok. Yoon-seok’s gaze slides down her long legs.
‘She took it off, huh.’
She had taken off her shoes to show the warning the other day worked. Since he checked the most important part, it was time to ask why Sharon was here.
But there was someone who opened their mouth first.
“Hey, you. Who are you?”
Usually, it would be a common reaction to ask Yoon-seok first if he knew her instead of asking her directly, but Cheon-ma was different.
“H-hey you…?”
Sharon, who was about to lose her temper, shrank when she sensed Cheon-ma’s unusual force. The ranking was quickly organized.
“What is your name?”
“I’m Sharon Aphlan…”
“Why are you rolling around on a strict man’s bed?”‘
“I was bored… no, but what did I do wrong…?”
“Sword!”
Cheon-ma’s communication method didn’t allow useless talk. Perhaps Sharon thought she might be swept away by the mana of her magnificent force? Sharon’s hands, placed on her waist, were politely brought forward.
“I will give you one last chance to make an excuse.”
Cheon-ma gave her one chance, and Sharon desperately began to make excuses (?).
“I was going ask him to fix the wall, but it’s still the same…”
“Then what?”
“Since the duel is over, I thought he’d be in the waiting room, so I came to argue…”
“Then?”
“After waiting for a while, I fell asleep. I’m sorry.”
Sharon bowed. However, her cheeks were red, and her breathing was a bit rough…
‘…It’s not just about receiving an apology, but also when she apologizes?’
Yoon-seok didn’t know, and he didn’t want to know.
“Then just use the waiting room next door. You mean you have nothing to do with this guy?”
“Yes? Yes! W-what?”
“Hmm…”
Cheon-ma was lost in thought as she rubbed her chin. Then Sharon opened a potion bottle and drank it. Seeing that the color was blue, it was a magic potion. Rank A or higher at that.
‘Does she drink that instead of water?’
It was a waste of points, but there was nothing to say since it was her points. Besides, Rank A wasn’t a big amount for a duel ranker. However…
Gulp, gulp.
Sharon drank one more bottle, but she hadn’t grabbed a new potion. When mana was injected into the bottle, it was refilled.
Yoon-seok’s eyes lit up.
‘Is it like alchemy?’
There were quite a few skills related to alchemy in the Tower, but that wouldn’t be her main skill. Alchemy wasn’t enough to become a duel ranker…
“Huh?”
Yoon-seok was stunned as he examined the bottle.
*Fountain of Rising Moonlight (Rank A+) – When consumed, mana is restored by 25% for 5 minutes. 1-hour cooldown. No other potions can be used during cooldown.
It was so famous that even Yoon-seok knew of it. Unlike other potions, this rechargeable item was famous among challengers for its good cost-effectiveness. Missions, exploration, and adventure. Unlike duels, they used consumables frequently, reducing the burden on points.
‘It’s not just popular, and it’s almost a must-have item… it speeds up hunting speed.’
However, it was the first time Yoon-seok saw one. It was only natural, given most of the Challengers he saw were from duels.
‘Certainly, there are a lot of better options out there if you look at the effect rather than the charging option.’
Duels were usually concluded quickly. If you won only one fight, the ordeal ended with that. Therefore, potions were more for insurance than daily necessities for duel challengers, and no ranker would waste their points on this kind of potion.
Of course, it could be used as a type of medicine, but the efficiency wasn’t good.
‘Although it is rare for a person to drink a potion in the first place.’
“Human, why do you look like that…?”
Sharon paused and looked their way. Perhaps it was Cheon-ma’s influence or something different from usual? Yoon-seok felt that he still had a long way to go to understand other people. But before Yoon-seok could answer anything, Cheon-ma opened her mouth.
“There was nothing between you two… no, Koff! You just said that you came to argue, so I’ll let it slide this time.”
“T-thank you…?”
“Then go.”
“Ye-yes!”
As Cheon-ma waved her hands, Sharon disappeared through the wall like a scoundrel. Cheon-ma, waiting until she disappeared, looked at Yoon-seok and clicked her tongue.
“It seems that a man can’t be cautious enough…”
“Cautious…?”
“Isn’t that random thing coming in since there is a hole in the wall?”
If Sharon heard them, she would have been quite upset because Yoon-seok broke the wall.
“I will fix it…”
Yoon-seok promised to solve the wall repair problem as soon as possible. Cheon-ma was satisfied with this and returned to her waiting room.
“…”
Yoon-seok, left alone in the waiting room, approached the cracked wall. However, contrary to his promise with Cheon-ma, he quickly crossed the wall and headed to the room next door without making any repairs.
Fortunately, Sharon remained in that waiting room.
“Hu-human?!”
Sharon glared at him with a wary look.
“W-what are you d-doing here…?”
Yoon-seok staggered towards her.
“A-are you here for a repair issue?”
“I didn’t come because of that.”
“W-wait! You’re too close…”
There was one thing he wanted to ask since he saw the rechargeable potion fill itself up. Yoon-seok grabbed Sharon’s wrist to prevent her from running away, and he asked.
“Can you reset the cooldown of items?”
Was she embarrassed when he grabbed her wrist? This time, the answer came back at a higher pitch.
“A-a-about that?!”
“Passed.”
Without hearing anything further, Yoon-seok pressed his pocket watch in her hand.
“…Passed? What? I don’t understand anything. Hey, human…?”
Was this fate? The meeting between people was sudden, and it was unpredictable what they would bring.
Yoon-seok said with excitement.
“Please become my teammate.”
This could solve his problems.
Chapter 265 Ill-fated Relationship (3)
As expected, Cheon-ma’s durability stat exceeded rank A. Unfortunately, her strength also surpassed rank SS. In other words, it was impossible to help her using Muscle Injection.
‘Just like Lavan, everyone has high strength…’
Yoon-seok smacked his lips, but it was natural. Even among the Graduates of the Earth, quite a few people had an S rank or higher in terms of Strength before they started. However, it was rather strange that Lavan and Cheon-ma had similar strengths.
“Khufufu. Anyway, didn’t I say that I don’t need anything in return?”
Yoon-seok flinched. Contrary to the words that it wasn’t necessary-
“Well, if you dare to give me anything, I have no choice but to accept it, though…”
Cheon-ma was looking at Yoon-seok with anticipation.
“…But why aren’t you saying anything?”
The situation here wasn’t good enough to say, ‘I can’t repay you because the conditions aren’t right.’
However, he didn’t prepare a Plan B. Driven to a dead end, Yoon-seok raised his concentration to the limit by maneuvering Yin and Yang.
“…”
Time passed slowly. He wished it would stop altogether.
‘Should I give her equipment or something like that as a gift?’
Not a bad start, but it was hard right now. A special ability was required to transfer the ownership rights of an item. Of course, he heard that crafted items were an exception, but… it would still take time to make.
‘Then, what about going on the expedition we promised last time?’
This was also dismissed. How could he say he would go with her in return? She might be offended.
“…”
Yoon-seok checked his options using Yin and Yang, but there wasn’t a single definitive answer. Soon, Cheon-ma’s forehead creased. She wasn’t angry, but she seemed to question why he was silent.
Yoon-seok felt his time was up. There could be no further delay in answering.
Drip.
When he thought of that, his gaze went down. As he saw earlier, she was running her fingertips over the white petals of the flowers.
‘By the way, you like flowers… huh?’
Light sifted through the cracks. Then, Yoon-seok quickly opened his subspace bag. He quickly found a bunch of flowers and took them out.
“H-here…”
Cheon-ma’s eyes widened, surprise and embarrassment flashing across her expression. Indeed, Yoon-seok didn’t expect it either. How could Cheon-ma?
Gulp.
Yoon-seok swallowed and gave the bouquet to Cheon-ma.
“I-it’s pretty.”
Fortunately, she seemed to like this gift very much.
* * *
No wire tied the stems or pretty paper-wrapped it. Hundreds of raw flowers were pressed together in a bouquet. On Earth, it might have seemed insincere, but Cheon-ma was of Moorim origin.
“Fufufu.”
A new smile bloomed on Cheon-ma’s lips as she cradled the bouquet in both hands.
“Treasures of silver and gold, treasures of the century, territories. I have received so many gifts in my life.”
Those would be tributes, not gifts.
“But this is the first time I have received flowers.”
Where in the world was the suicidal person who would give Cheon-ma, the sky of the Demon Sect, flowers? Oh, here is one.
“Thank you. I’m truly happy.”
Anyway, her thanks felt genuine. Yoon-seok breathed out a sigh of relief as Cheon-ma closed her eyes and put her nose to the petals to savor their scent. Fortunately, it seemed to have ended well, although he still didn’t understand why Cheon-ma liked something as simple as flowers.
“Something cute.”
Time passed by. Soon, Cheon-ma opened her eyes and looked at Yoon-seok. Not anything praiseworthy but something cute?
“If you didn’t use today as an excuse, when would you give these to me?”
“…?”
He couldn’t understand at all. When Yoon-seok tilted his head, the corners of Cheon-ma’s lips rose.
“There’s no way you would carry things like flowers in your bag, and didn’t you know that I like flowers?”
There seemed to be some misunderstanding. It was only today that he found out that she liked flowers, and the fact that the flowers were in the bag was completely coincidental. They weren’t just flowers, but they increased strength by one when consumed. After getting Neo-Humanity, he tried eating several things. These flowers he had found in St. Leon.
‘I feel like I’m deceiving her, but if I say anything, it will only make the atmosphere strange. I’ll just go back to pick up more flowers later.’
Yoon-seok just smiled awkwardly without correcting the misunderstanding.
“By the way, why did you ask about strength and durability earlier?”
Again, Yoon-seok didn’t answer. Cheon-ma smiled meaningfully.
“He’s shyer than he looks…”
Somehow, the misunderstanding grew even bigger. It ended well with no harm done, so there was no need to worry.
Wasn’t this a ‘win-win?’ Yeah, Yoon-seok was sure it was.
* * *
After that, the peaceful times continued. But nothing lasted forever. It was time to go back and begin their work.
“The penalty must be over. Do you want to go explore with me?”
Had they grown to know each other that well? Yoon-seok didn’t know, but Cheon-ma no longer gave excuses for picking tickets or for Yongyong being annoying to invite him.
“I have a lot of things to deal with, so I can’t go right now.”
“Then when?”
“…It’s hard to tell you the exact date.”
“Then I won’t be waiting for you.”
“Yes.”
Yoon-seok and Cheon-ma crossed the closet again and returned to the waiting room. And, unexpectedly, they found someone.
“Where the hell have you been!”
The neighbor who lived next door, the demon with a unique disposition called Apology Fetish. It was Sharon Aphlan.
“Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
Sharon, lying on his sacred steel bed, stood up and glared at Yoon-seok. Yoon-seok’s gaze slides down her long legs.
‘She took it off, huh.’
She had taken off her shoes to show the warning the other day worked. Since he checked the most important part, it was time to ask why Sharon was here.
But there was someone who opened their mouth first.
“Hey, you. Who are you?”
Usually, it would be a common reaction to ask Yoon-seok first if he knew her instead of asking her directly, but Cheon-ma was different.
“H-hey you…?”
Sharon, who was about to lose her temper, shrank when she sensed Cheon-ma’s unusual force. The ranking was quickly organized.
“What is your name?”
“I’m Sharon Aphlan…”
“Why are you rolling around on a strict man’s bed?”‘
“I was bored… no, but what did I do wrong…?”
“Sword!”
Cheon-ma’s communication method didn’t allow useless talk. Perhaps Sharon thought she might be swept away by the mana of her magnificent force? Sharon’s hands, placed on her waist, were politely brought forward.
“I will give you one last chance to make an excuse.”
Cheon-ma gave her one chance, and Sharon desperately began to make excuses (?).
“I was going ask him to fix the wall, but it’s still the same…”
“Then what?”
“Since the duel is over, I thought he’d be in the waiting room, so I came to argue…”
“Then?”
“After waiting for a while, I fell asleep. I’m sorry.”
Sharon bowed. However, her cheeks were red, and her breathing was a bit rough…
‘…It’s not just about receiving an apology, but also when she apologizes?’
Yoon-seok didn’t know, and he didn’t want to know.
“Then just use the waiting room next door. You mean you have nothing to do with this guy?”
“Yes? Yes! W-what?”
“Hmm…”
Cheon-ma was lost in thought as she rubbed her chin. Then Sharon opened a potion bottle and drank it. Seeing that the color was blue, it was a magic potion. Rank A or higher at that.
‘Does she drink that instead of water?’
It was a waste of points, but there was nothing to say since it was her points. Besides, Rank A wasn’t a big amount for a duel ranker. However…
Gulp, gulp.
Sharon drank one more bottle, but she hadn’t grabbed a new potion. When mana was injected into the bottle, it was refilled.
Yoon-seok’s eyes lit up.
‘Is it like alchemy?’
There were quite a few skills related to alchemy in the Tower, but that wouldn’t be her main skill. Alchemy wasn’t enough to become a duel ranker…
“Huh?”
Yoon-seok was stunned as he examined the bottle.
*Fountain of Rising Moonlight (Rank A+) – When consumed, mana is restored by 25% for 5 minutes. 1-hour cooldown. No other potions can be used during cooldown.
It was so famous that even Yoon-seok knew of it. Unlike other potions, this rechargeable item was famous among challengers for its good cost-effectiveness. Missions, exploration, and adventure. Unlike duels, they used consumables frequently, reducing the burden on points.
‘It’s not just popular, and it’s almost a must-have item… it speeds up hunting speed.’
However, it was the first time Yoon-seok saw one. It was only natural, given most of the Challengers he saw were from duels.
‘Certainly, there are a lot of better options out there if you look at the effect rather than the charging option.’
Duels were usually concluded quickly. If you won only one fight, the ordeal ended with that. Therefore, potions were more for insurance than daily necessities for duel challengers, and no ranker would waste their points on this kind of potion.
Of course, it could be used as a type of medicine, but the efficiency wasn’t good.
‘Although it is rare for a person to drink a potion in the first place.’
“Human, why do you look like that…?”
Sharon paused and looked their way. Perhaps it was Cheon-ma’s influence or something different from usual? Yoon-seok felt that he still had a long way to go to understand other people. But before Yoon-seok could answer anything, Cheon-ma opened her mouth.
“There was nothing between you two… no, Koff! You just said that you came to argue, so I’ll let it slide this time.”
“T-thank you…?”
“Then go.”
“Ye-yes!”
As Cheon-ma waved her hands, Sharon disappeared through the wall like a scoundrel. Cheon-ma, waiting until she disappeared, looked at Yoon-seok and clicked her tongue.
“It seems that a man can’t be cautious enough…”
“Cautious…?”
“Isn’t that random thing coming in since there is a hole in the wall?”
If Sharon heard them, she would have been quite upset because Yoon-seok broke the wall.
“I will fix it…”
Yoon-seok promised to solve the wall repair problem as soon as possible. Cheon-ma was satisfied with this and returned to her waiting room.
“…”
Yoon-seok, left alone in the waiting room, approached the cracked wall. However, contrary to his promise with Cheon-ma, he quickly crossed the wall and headed to the room next door without making any repairs.
Fortunately, Sharon remained in that waiting room.
“Hu-human?!”
Sharon glared at him with a wary look.
“W-what are you d-doing here…?”
Yoon-seok staggered towards her.
“A-are you here for a repair issue?”
“I didn’t come because of that.”
“W-wait! You’re too close…”
There was one thing he wanted to ask since he saw the rechargeable potion fill itself up. Yoon-seok grabbed Sharon’s wrist to prevent her from running away, and he asked.
“Can you reset the cooldown of items?”
Was she embarrassed when he grabbed her wrist? This time, the answer came back at a higher pitch.
“A-a-about that?!”
“Passed.”
Without hearing anything further, Yoon-seok pressed his pocket watch in her hand.
“…Passed? What? I don’t understand anything. Hey, human…?”
Was this fate? The meeting between people was sudden, and it was unpredictable what they would bring.
Yoon-seok said with excitement.
“Please become my teammate.”
This could solve his problems.
