After making plans with Dang Gyu-young and Jegal So-so, I spent the rest of my time at the training center as usual.
By continuing my training through the weekend, I managed to get two skills on track.
[The rank of ‘Sylphid’ has increased. (D+ → C+)]
[The rank of ‘Blink’ has increased. (E → C)]
▷Cooldown time: 4 minutes → 2 minutes
Sylphid’s growth was relatively fast, but Blink’s progress was downright terrifying.
The amount of time I invested wasn’t even a third of what other skills required, yet it shot up to C rank in no time.
Well, the proficiency was overwhelming from the start.
For others, proficiency is something they struggle to acquire after learning a skill.
But for me, it was maxed out the moment I learned it.
Blink is heavily affected by this in particular, so if I keep using it, reaching A rank will be quick.
“……”
Meanwhile, Seo Ye-in stood across from me, staring with a slightly disgruntled expression.
Half the reason was probably because she kept getting hit by Blink recently, and the other half was likely due to fatigue from ongoing training.
Still, she’d get some chance to refresh tomorrow.
“We’re going to the downtown area as promised tomorrow.”
“Good.”
“Just checking, but has your luck come back?”
“…Don’t know.”
“Set a trap.”
“Okay.”
Nodding, Seo Ye-in set up one of her whimsical traps.
When I stepped on it—
Pop!
There was a small popping sound from the ceiling of the training room, and colorful confetti scattered down.
We busily brushed the stuff off our heads and shoulders.
“Still not back, huh? I’m starting to get worried.”
“It’s almost there.”
“Yeah? How do you know?”
“…Just a feeling?”
It must be pure intuition.
Lately, even that’s been off, so its credibility was low, but I kept asking anyway in hope.
“Guess tomorrow’s still too soon?”
“…Maybe?”
Seo Ye-in averted her gaze slightly.
She could sense it, but she wasn’t confident yet.
Doesn’t seem like the penalty will be over in just one night.
As planned, we’d probably have to go in with a semi-escort approach.
To give the noonas a heads-up, I sent them a message.
[Kim Ho: She says it hasn’t come back yet]
[Kim Ho: We’ll proceed under the conditions I mentioned]
[Dang Gyu-young: ok]
[Dang Gyu-young: (circle fox emoji)]
[Jegal So-so: (circle raccoon emoji)]
[Kim Ho: I’ll be counting on you both]
[Dang Gyu-young: no worries]
[Jegal So-so: We’ll handle everything]
[Dang Gyu-young: (reliable fox emoji)]
[Jegal So-so: (reliable raccoon emoji)]
At times like this, those two were perfectly in sync.
The next day.
We headed to the downtown area in the late morning.
As soon as we got off the shuttle bus, a dense crowd blocked our way.
It was probably because this was the last day of maintenance week. Everyone wanted to enjoy themselves as much as possible before it ended.
Technically, we were no different.
With that thought, I reached my hand out to the side.
“Hand.”
Seo Ye-in immediately took it.
In a crowd like this, even someone completely fine could easily get lost….no need to mention someone with reverse luck.
So I figured we’d just hold hands the whole time.
Meanwhile, my other hand remained empty.
Dang Gyu-young and Jegal So-so’s eyes both flicked toward it, and after exchanging a brief glance—
Without anyone moving first, they both reached out at the same time.
“Rock!”
“Scissors!”
By a razor-thin margin, Dang Gyu-young won.
Satisfied, she clasped my hand and interlaced her fingers with mine.
Then, she offered her other hand.
“Good match.”
“Likewise.”
Jegal So-so coolly took it without hesitation.
Even when they competed, they had the kind of mindset that gracefully accepted the outcome.
I gave a nod.
“Alright then. Shall we get going?”
“Where do you want to start?”
“I’d feel better if we got the book first before we start having fun.”
There was still a slight chance someone might claim the prize before us.
Since the others seemed to agree as well, we decided the arcade would be our first stop.
Hand in hand, we began to walk in a line.
“……”
Seo Ye-in looked around with wonder in her eyes.
It must feel new every time she comes here.
Well, it’s not like she visits often and the student performances and booths always change, too.
It was understandable, but I still needed to keep her from getting distracted.
For example, the Alchemy Club was once again holding a potion tasting event, and when Seo Ye-in seemed drawn toward it, I grabbed her hand.
“Young miss, you shouldn’t go.”
“I mustn’t?”
“Not today.”
Because the Reverse Luck Radar was probably active right now.
There was a high chance something weird had made its way into those potions.
Or they might just be insanely spicy.
To avoid the unfortunate outcome of drinking something like that, it was best not to go near it at all.
I gently reasoned with her.
“Even if you’re curious, try to hold back. It’s better than getting sent home, right?”
“Mhmm…”
“That’s a surprise. You’re not being stubborn.”
“Careful, careful.”
Seems like she too is aware of the dangers of the Reverse Luck Radar.
Even after that, Seo Ye-in showed interest in various performances and booths, but held back with visible reluctance, keeping her distance.
But sometimes, misfortune comes even to those who do nothing at all.
While we were walking, Mak Dae-wong suddenly popped out from the crowd.
A few second-years who seemed to be part of the Black Blade Faction stood beside him.
“……”
As soon as he saw me, he stopped in his tracks and his face hardened as he opened his mouth to speak.
But at that moment, Jegal So-so smoothly stepped in with a natural gesture.
“Is something the matter?”
Dang Gyu-young also crossed her arms and shot him a cool glance.
As if to say, “What do you think you’re doing bothering us?”
Sensing that it wasn’t the best time to start trouble, Mak Dae-wong seemed to reconsider.
After all, they were facing a third-year club president and vice club president and plenty of eyes were watching.
Maintaining a blank expression, he mumbled:
“I merely stopped by to say hello, having spotted the two seniors. I hope you enjoy your time.”
“Thanks.”
When Jegal So-so responded with a gentle smile, Mak Dae-wong led his group away, disappearing into the crowd.
Watching him leave, the two turned their heads toward me at the same time.
By then, Sho-Qyu already had a playful smile tugging at her lips.
“How’s the bodyguard performance?”
“Aren’t you glad you brought us?”
True enough. If it hadn’t been for these two, there’s no way we could’ve driven off second-years with just a few words.
I nodded readily.
“You were amazing, noonas.”
“Bodyguards strong.”
Even Seo Ye-in, unusually, chimed in with a sparkle in her eyes.
With the mood now more cheerful and relaxed, we started walking again.
Every now and then, I had to stop Seo Ye-in from getting sidetracked by her curiosity.
Then, a familiar figure came into view a short distance away.
A gentleman in a suit, wearing a mask.
An event boss. He often challenges people he likes to mini-games like card games.
He usually just drops by for a week or two before moving on.
But whether it was because he liked Dungeon Island or because he liked Seo Ye-in he had completely settled down here.
Now that I think about it, the clown isn’t around today.
The two of them used to compete for Seo Ye-in’s attention, acting overly friendly.
Maybe today he’s working a different zone or just taking a break.
“!!”
The masked man immediately sensed Seo Ye-in’s presence and whipped his head around toward us.
He wrapped up the magic performance he’d been doing and began striding toward us briskly.
Dang Gyu-young raised her guard and asked,
“…He’s coming our way, right?”
“Technically, toward her.”
“This luck thing again?”
“That’s what I thought, but maybe not.”
If Seo Ye-in’s magnetism for event bosses was solely linked to her luck stat, then the masked man should have ignored or avoided us.
But his behavior didn’t seem any different from before.
He approached cheerfully, waving his hand, and motioned for us to follow him somewhere.
After a moment of thought, I spoke.
“Let’s go. I don’t think he means any harm and we’ve got the noonas with us, anyway.”
“Mhmm mhmm, just leave it to us.”
We followed the masked gentleman.
Crossing through the crowd a few times, weaving through the busy streets—
We eventually arrived at a familiar place.
A small shabby tent with a sign that read: Fortune Teller.
It had been set up by another event boss. We’d had our fortunes told here before.
It was actually pretty accurate.
But today, there was an extra sign attached.
Reading it out loud, I turned to the masked gentleman and asked,
“It says ‘Closed for the day’.”
“……”
But as if to say his job ended here, he gave a graceful bow and walked off on his own.
As we watched him disappear into the distance, we simultaneously turned to look at the fortune teller’s tent.
Frowning, Dang Gyu-young said,
“Should we go in?”
“We should at least check.”
He wouldn’t have brought us here for no reason.
As if it had been listening in on our conversation, a hand suddenly popped out from inside.
It pointed at Seo Ye-in and gestured for her to come closer.
“……?”
Seo Ye-in tilted her head in confusion.
I gave her a small nod to say it was okay, and she slowly walked toward the tent.
Once she got close enough, the outstretched hand suddenly straightened up, like it was saying “Stop!”
I exchanged a few words with Dang Gyu-young.
“Seems like they don’t want anyone else coming in.”
“Maybe because it’s closed?”
The fortune teller raised an index finger, as if telling us to wait a moment, then disappeared back into the tent.
About ten seconds later, they returned and held something out.
It was so pitch black that I thought it was a lump of charcoal at first but judging by the size and shape, it was clearly a card.
“……?”
When Seo Ye-in took it, a faint golden glow shimmered at the edge for a moment before fading away.
Jegal So-so asked with curious eyes,
“Can I take a quick look?”
“Sure.”
She took the charcoal-like card and examined it from every angle, but didn’t seem to find anything unusual.
We figured it might be a kind of exclusive item. Something that only reacts to Seo Ye-in.
The fortune teller waved their hand in a shooing motion “hoy~ hoy~” and we took it as a sign that we should leave, so we turned around.
Dang Gyu-young, apparently just as curious, kept sneaking glances at the black card.
“I’ve never heard of them giving something like that out. Do you know what it is?”
“I don’t either. But there must be a reason they gave it to her.”
“Well, I did hear they’re pretty accurate.”
“You’ve had your fortune told too, noona?”
“Mhmm, once before.”
At that, Jegal So-so raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“Qyu, why didn’t you tell me?”
“It was just for fun. No point going around telling everyone about it.”
“What was your fortune?”
Dang Gyu-young hesitated for a moment, then turned her head away.
“…You don’t need to know.”
“That’s so suspicious! Tell me!”
“No!”
“Just a little!”
“I said no!”
Jegal So-so kept pestering her, but Dang Gyu-young stood her ground, firm as ever.
Then I casually chimed in.
“Not even going to tell me?”
“You’re curious?”
“I am.”
“Then come here for a second.”
“Qyu! What about me?”
“Not you.”
Dang Gyu-young brushed off Jegal So-so’s protests and leaned in toward me.
Just in case, she even put up a soundproof barrier with shadow magic.
Then she whispered in my ear.
“After we graduate… we’re still together.”
“That fortune teller really is something.”
“Right?”
Dang Gyu-young gave a shy smile.
Leave a Reply to Junior Cancel reply