Chapter 67: ■■■■ Skill Book

“Then how about coming to my place to wash up and get something to eat?”

“……..!”

“I also have some things I’d like to discuss regarding immigration, and I need to express my gratitude for helping Rohan.”

Rohan intervened in the conversation, attempting to convey Clara’s true intentions to Joo-yeon on her behalf and whisk her away.

He thought that, given the girl’s timid nature, she would never accept such an offer.

“Th-Thank you! Then… excuse me…”

But what was this all about?

Before Rohan could even move, Clara bowed her head deeply in affirmation.

“….Clara?”

Who knows what state of mind led her to accept Joo-yeon’s invitation.

Rohan was so surprised by that answer that his heart did a somersault and his throat felt as if it had closed up.

Honestly, rather than being impressive, it was simply bewildering.

He was rendered speechless in this utterly incomprehensible situation.

The girl shifted her lowered gaze and met Rohan’s eyes.

Although she did say that she would go, Clara’s condition didn’t look very good.

Her hands trembled with nervousness, and her face appeared pale.

It seemed that accepting the invitation had overwhelmed her mentally.

But then, why?

Why did she accept Joo-yeon’s proposal.

Rohan racked his brain, wondering if he had overlooked something in her behavior, and even considered asking her now to stop it, but…

The resolve in Clara’s eyes appeared unwavering.

“Rohan, why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Joo-yeon’s voice brought Rohan back to his senses.

Joo-yeon who was laughing as if it were trivial brushed aside her red bangs and continued on.

“You mentioned that you couldn’t even eat properly while you were in that place. It might be late for dinner, but how about you join us as well, Rohan?”

“Would it be alright if I join too?”

“It seems Clara is more comfortable with you around, Rohan. I’d also like to hear more of your story in detail.”

“…….!”

That was Joo-yeon’s sharp inference and judgment.

Clara blushed shyly, but her face seemed to have relaxed somewhat.

“Rohan, I’ll have someone take you from the safety office to the dormitory entrance. Go wash up thoroughly, and come back when you’re ready.”

At those words, Rohan lowered his gaze to examine his own attire.

I’m just a rag.

His student uniform was torn like a rag and smeared with blood.

It was an outfit that would undoubtedly draw attention if he stepped out onto the street right now.

“Don’t try to move about on your own. If you wander around like that, someone might report you and you’ll end up being taken back to the police station.”

“…….”

At Joo-yeon’s words, Rohan got into the safety officer’s car without a word.

While on the move, he didn’t forget to exchange messages with Clara.

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I wanted to go to oppa’s house…

Clara who was watching Rohan depart in the car thought that she had changed so much recently.

While many of those changes were for the better, there were also moments when she exhibited an utterly shameless audacity, just as she did now.

Before she could even think rationally, her mouth had already spoken, leaving her in a rather awkward situation when she finally came to her senses.

What sort of feelings had prompted her to accept the invitation.

Even Clara herself couldn’t quite figure it out; being alone with Joo-yeon was utterly bewildering.

Clara who had come to her senses and was experiencing overload, and Joo-yeon who was reminiscing about Rohan’s safe return.

Their conversation was entirely one-sided.

“Then, shall we get moving as well?”

“Y-Yes….”

After Rohan left, Clara shrank rapidly like a flower that had lost its sunlight.

Her timidity which had been off the charts until now was clear to see. When Joo-yeon asked, she broke into a thin sweat, barely managing to squeeze out an answer in a timid tone.

Nonetheless, Joo-yeon remained unfazed.

After all, wasn’t she the Orion Academy instructor in charge of students of an age similar to Clara’s?

On the way home, as they proceeded, it seemed that the girl’s willingness to speak had opened up just a bit.

Bzzzzzt!

Joo-yeon opened the door and motioned for Clara to come inside.

“Consider this your home and make yourself at home.”

“I-I’m sorry, excuse me…!”

Clara took off her jet-black boots and set them aside in the shoe cabinet.

She lifted her bowed head and looked ahead. Then she was utterly struck with awe.

Wow…

Joo-yeon’s residence in the Academy City. Whether it should be called a house or a palace was hard to say.

Anyway, this was a fortune that far exceeded Clara’s expectations, causing her shoulders to involuntarily hunch.

The girl followed Joo-yeon down a long, spacious corridor that was even larger than her own room.

And then she came upon a living room that resembled a sports field.

Joo-yeon who was leading the hesitant Clara opened a shelf and began taking out toiletries.

At the same time, she spoke in a soft, gentle tone.

“Take out any weapons you have and set them aside in a safe place. I won’t touch them. If you wash them as is, either the washing machine or the weapons will end up getting damaged.”

“…….”

Even without her saying it, she already understood.

Clara began to take out her weapons without resistance. She knew how insignificant and unimpressive her blades looked in front of Joo-yeon.

Except for the weapon hidden in her boots, the girl began laying out her weapons on the table.

Two classic fixed knives, one karambit, two folding butterfly knives, and one pistol with a silencer.

Even an empty magazine she used in the dungeon.

After neatly arranging these items, Clara only took with her the most important weapon: the Arachne.

“That door leads to the bathroom. Leave your clothes outside the door, and I’ll have them washed, so don’t worry and take your time. I’ll also set out some spare clothes for you.”

“Ah… Th-Thank… youuu…”

Clara took the items from Joo-yeon and scurried off toward the bathroom.

The bathroom is bigger than my room…?

She found herself marveling at it every time she passed through a door in this place.

Silently, Clara closed the door behind her and began undressing, piece by piece.

Finally, she removed her underwear as well.

Cracking the door open just enough to slip her hand through, she placed her laundry outside.

Just before heading toward the shower which looked like it might run out of hot water at any moment—

The girl paused to examine her naked reflection in the mirror.

She shifted her body this way and that, checking from different angles.

Is… is it too small…?

When she cupped them in her hands, they felt soft and supple, but they didn’t quite fill her grip.

She had never paid it much attention before, but lately, it was starting to bother her.

Noah unnie, and Sion unnie too… They were both big… And then there’s her…

Every woman around Rohan seemed to possess an almost unfairly curvaceous figure.

Except for her.

Being around such overwhelming physiques only made her own body feel more lacking.

“……”

Would things have turned out differently if she had eaten better during her growth period?

Clara could only look at the meager curves reflected in the mirror with a sense of sadness.

Meanwhile, outside the bathroom—

“Hmm?”

Joo-yeon who was gathering up Clara’s discarded clothes for washing suddenly froze in place.

Her lips, which had been closed, parted unconsciously.

Where in the world did she even get this kind of underwear…?

Joo-yeon had always thought Clara’s fashion sense was bold and flashy, but what lay beneath was even more so.

In her hands was an unbelievably risque sheer lingerie set. It was little more than a few scraps of fabric barely covering the essentials.

It was so skimpy that her backside would be completely exposed when worn, and the material was thin enough that she could see her own fingers through it.

A-Are all girls wearing this kind of thing these days…?

Joo-yeon was utterly flustered.

For someone who only sought out simple, comfortable fabrics, underwear like this felt like something out of a fantasy.

As the washing machine whirred, she wondered if it would really be okay to let Clara wear her own plain clothes.

She was starting to seriously debate it.

***

“Phew!”

Rohan finally arrived at his dormitory room, giving him a moment to relax and properly assess his rewards.

There had been some commotion here and there, but in the end, everything had been resolved more smoothly than expected.

He groaned and peeled off his student uniform which was stiff with dried blood and clung to his skin.

Then, rummaging through his jacket, he checked the reward Sion had given him.

Clara had already consumed hers on the spot, but Rohan had held onto his. Things like this required time to focus after consumption.

This one’s a big deal.

Rolling around in his palm were two small, fingernail-sized fruits.

The moment he left the dungeon, knowledge about the item had surfaced in his mind. He had already been somewhat familiar with it.

[ Ivy Rosellia’s Fruit ]

◇ The fruit left behind by the devouring blossom, Ivy Rosellia.

◇ Consuming it slightly enhances physical abilities and magical power.

◇ The more it is consumed, the weaker its effects become.

In Abyss City, this was something that could be regularly obtained by continuously clearing dungeons, but he had no idea how things would work in reality.

Regardless, he needed power. Urgently. So there was no reason to refuse this offering.

Without hesitation, Rohan swallowed both fruits Sion had given him.

“Mmm.”

A sweet taste filled his mouth, but it was quickly followed by a lingering bitterness on his tongue.

Now he understood why Clara had scrunched up her face when she ate it.

How much time had passed since he swallowed it like that?

Rohan focused his mind on the changes he felt.

Oh! Is this my magical power?

Even though it was a low-grade elixir, was that why? The magical power within his body fizzed and popped like chewing popping candy.

The sensation quickly subsided, but contrary to its description as “slight”; Rohan felt a satisfying level of improvement.

Good. Now, onto the next.

It was time to check the real reward.

When he first heard the name “Seneca’s Luck”, he had no idea what it was.

Even after receiving it, he still couldn’t grasp its nature.

It wasn’t until he opened the shop that he found his answer.

<Shop ─ Lv.2>

◇ ■■■■ Skill Book – 5,000P (One-time purchase – Seneca’s Luck applied)

◇ Lowest-grade Health/Mana Potion – 100P

◇ Restaurant Reservation Ticket – 50P

◇ Concentration-Enhancing Incense – 50P

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◇ Three Nations Wagashi Set – 10P

◇ Rainbow Macaron Set – 8P

◇ Chicken/Pizza – 8P

◇ Large Battle Rations – 5P

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[Remaining Points – 8,772P]

Even after spending points on food and potions, the thrill of having such an abundant reserve was second to none.

But the text on the random skill book was broken. That had to be because of Seneca’s Luck or whatever it was.

His curiosity burned stronger than ever.

There was no point in overthinking it; no answer would come that way.

Without hesitation, Rohan moved his hand.

[You have bought the ■■■■ Skill Book.]