R1 Chapter 16

Chapter 16

 

It was delicious.

For Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan, that simple fact alone was enough to keep them from putting their spoons down.

The stronger they had grown, the more their senses had dulled. It was likely the same for other rankers.

No matter what they saw, they became indifferent. No matter what they ate, they could no longer taste as they used to.

Apart from the bitter potions, nothing had any flavor at all.

In exchange for power, they had been stripped of their ordinary lives.

But the omelet rice they ate in this strange space was different.

It was delicious. Truly delicious.

For the first time since awakening, they properly experienced sensation again.

Without realizing it, tears kept streaming down their faces.

…It tasted like a long-forgotten flavor from their childhood.

The taste they thought they would never experience again.

Memories of a time when they had no worries, of those carefree days filled with laughter and tears, flashed through their minds.

It was a memory from before the dungeons appeared.

The two swallowed the omelet rice, tears mixing with each bite.

It all happened in an instant. Before they knew it, their plates were completely clean.

This was the power of the cooking skill. The effect of ‘Tastes Like Mother’s Cooking!’

Like hot water pouring over solid ice, their hearts melted in an instant.

Seojin, a fledgling hunter closer to being an ordinary person, felt an inexplicable sense of awe.

“W-when did it all disappear?”

Baek Hwan was flustered.

By the time he came to his senses, the enormous serving of omelet rice had vanished as though it had been a dream.

“Um… would you like more?”

Though the situation was absurd, Seojin had anticipated this and had already prepared extra omelet rice while the two were focused on eating.

Nod nod. The two, sitting cramped at a table much smaller than themselves, nodded eagerly.

Their enthusiasm was palpable.

Clink. In no time, a fresh serving of omelet rice was placed on the table. Thinking they were eating too quickly, Seojin also handed them water.

 

[You have been appointed as Guests!]

 

It was after they devoured yet another plate of omelet rice.

As Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan finished their satisfying meal, a system window popped up before them.

Guests?

 

[Subspace Maladaptation (Debuff) has been removed!

: Congratulations. Please enjoy the full benefits of the subspace!]

 

The moment they read the message, Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan felt a weight lift off their shoulders.

Breathing became easier.

At last, the heavy air of the space that had been weighing them down was gone. Their minds cleared.

“Huk. It worked.”

At the same time, a system window appeared before Seojin.

 

[Quest Complete!

▸ You have served delicious food!

Reward: Intruders have been granted the status of “Guests.”]

 

Relieved to have successfully completed the quest, Seojin placed a hand over her chest, finally feeling a sense of ease.

 

[Additional Reward: ‘Guest Invitation’ skill has been activated!

*Guests will not receive debuffs when entering the subspace!]

 

Oh. A new skill was unlocked.

With “Invite Guest,” Seojin no longer had to worry about being mistaken for an enemy because of the space’s debuff.

So does that mean the debuffs on the two are now completely gone too?

Turning off the message, Seojin looked at Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan. She wondered if they would start clamoring to leave now.

But instead of the joy she expected from having their debuffs lifted, the two of them sat there with blank, dazed expressions.

They remained seated, staring quietly into space.

 

[All debuffs have been lif… lif… lift…]

 

Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan were caught off guard by what appeared to be a system error they had never seen before.

Was the system even capable of something like this?

Baek Hwan raised one eyebrow, leaning closer to the message in disbelief.

The system window froze as if it had suddenly encountered buffering issues.

Though their subspace maladaptation debuff had been lifted, their stats, skills, and inventories remained locked.

It was maddeningly frustrating.

 

[Please wait a moment! Rebooting the system!]

 

And then, shortly after….

The system rebooted.

 

[Estimated reboot time: 60 minutes.]

 

…In 60 minutes.

“….”

✦✦✦

Although the two seemed somewhat unenthusiastic, Seojin was still excited about completing the quest and assumed the debuff had been resolved.

Come on, why are your expressions like that? You should be happy! Should we head out now? Let’s leave immediately!

But instead of cheers, the response she got was lukewarm, coupled with the system’s sudden reboot.

 

[Estimated reboot time: 59 minutes.]

 

“A-an hour….?”

Reboot?

Suddenly, she got a headache. Is this a joke?

What system acts like a computer?! And she couldn’t even just unplug it.

“We’ll have to wait.”

Shin Yeoul said resignedly.

Seojin rubbed her forehead. She had thought they would part ways soon…!

An hour. What an awkward amount of time.

Spending an hour in this bizarre mix of company? It felt like being stuck with two uncomfortable bosses.

Tears almost welled up at the thought.

The only silver lining was that the two rankers had stuffed themselves with omelet rice and were now in a docile state.

“Um… would you like to rest for a bit?”

With an awkward gesture, I pointed toward the living room in the back.

For now, I planned to have them sit on the sofa.

“Go sit down, and I’ll bring you some snacks.”

In my inventory, I had dried purple fruit seeds and some tea leaves I found in the front yard. They were full from the meal, but these would be perfect for a little refreshment.

At my suggestion, Shin Yeoul and Baek Hwan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Judging by the fact they didn’t complain, it seemed their trust in me had increased a bit.

Then, just as Shin Yeoul was about to stand up, following Baek Hwan—

Thud-thud. A pile of dirt fell from Shin Yeoul’s already scruffy clothes.

He froze, staring at the dirt scattered on the chair.

“…..”

“…..”

A brief silence followed.

“Of course! If you’d like, you can take a shower too!”

Pretending not to notice the mess around him, I naturally pointed toward the bathroom.

I couldn’t exactly scold him for dirtying the house, especially since I was the one who had put him in that state… If anything, I was the one who had no right to complain.

Haha. I could only manage an awkward smile.

“I’ll get you towels and clothes!”

I gently pushed Shin Yeoul toward the bathroom. Fortunately, he didn’t resist and matched my steps obediently.

Once I had fully ushered him inside the bathroom, I opened my inventory and pulled out a “Clean Fluffy Towel (A)” and a “Stretchy Fit Pajamas (B)” that adjusted to the wearer’s size.

Shin Yeoul instinctively grabbed the items I handed him.

“That…”

Just as I was about to close the door, Shin Yeoul spoke up.

“Yes? Do you need anything else?”

What’s wrong? Ah, right.

“Oh, is it okay that there’s no body wash? I only have shampoo and soap for now.”

“That’s not it.”

Huh? If not that…

“Don’t tell me…”

“Yes?”

“Pan… I mean, sorry, there’s nothing to wear underneath.”

You’ll have to wash and wear what you have. The hair dryer is inside. I whispered softly.

It couldn’t be helped. It was the inevitable fate of those trapped in the subspace.

“Ah, no. That’s not it either.”

Shin Yeoul, his ear tips turning red, waved his hand slightly.

Then after a moment’s hesitation.

“I was going to say thank you…”

He covered his mouth with one hand shyly as he expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you.”

Click. The bathroom door closed.

…That was unexpected.

To think I’d hear words of thanks from a ranker I thought was just scary.

Despite his sharp appearance, Shin Yeoul had a gentle side. I couldn’t help but smile softly.

Shhhaa— Soon the shower sound could be heard.

Shaking off my thoughts, I stepped away from the door.

And as soon as I turned around—

“Ah, geez!”

Baek Hwan was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, glaring at me.

“You devil.”

What now, Mr. Angel?

At Baek Hwan’s sudden words, I gave him a blank stare. I was getting used to being called a devil by now.

Baek Hwan raised one eyebrow as if displeased with my reaction.

His look said, ‘Can you still make that face after seeing this?’

“If you want to explain, go ahead. I’m listening.”

Baek Hwan said, holding something out in front of me.

And as he expected, I couldn’t help but flinch in surprise.

Crazy, crazy? How did he find that?!

“Or should I consider this premeditated crime at this point?”

In Baek Hwan’s slightly raised hand was…

 

[<Item> A Body Pillow You’ll Want to Fall Asleep With!

*Has the face of the #1 hunter (winking) printed on it.]

 

A body pillow with Shin Yeoul’s winking face was in his hand.

I couldn’t help but smack my own forehead.

🌱

Thank you for reading! ♡