Chapter 6
Living Alone, But Too Strong
A Heartfelt Reception
My sister was talking with someone.
“What’s your name?”
“Kim Jina. K-i-m, J-i-n-a.”
“Here you go.”
“Um… would it be okay to take a photo as well?”
“Of course.”
A short teenage girl. She received an autograph and took a photo together.
“I can’t believe I’m meeting Player Shin Sohyeon like this. I’m so glad I came to Ikeba today! Becoming a player is my dream!”
“Haha, really? Good luck with it!”
She was so excited it almost seemed over the top. But honestly, it looked quite nice. I couldn’t help but smile.
‘She’s a fan.’
Among players, she was in the top 5% tier of talent—B-rank, they called it. And she was actively promoted in various media like YouTube and TV as part of the ‘Deungjeonghoe’ guild. I’d heard sometimes people recognized my sister outside. Seeing it in person was fascinating.
As I stood there, watching, the girl continued, holding my sister’s hand tightly with a desperate expression, almost as if she might start crying:
“I hope the tower gets cleared someday… so we can live without worry. I want to help with that too.”
It seemed like she had her own story behind this wish. My sister grasped her hands, looked her in the eyes, and answered sincerely:
“Yes, I hope that happens too.”
“Thank you! I’ll always support you. Fighting!”
The girl nodded repeatedly and then disappeared in the opposite direction. My sister turned to me and asked:
“Have you paid?”
“Yeah. By the way, you’re pretty popular with people, huh?”
“Stop talking nonsense. Let’s eat.”
“Okay, I’ll treat.”
I smiled slightly, and my sister mirrored the expression.
‘…Clearing the tower, huh.’
It sounded like quite the grand cause. Minho walked along the street with a heavy step, the weight of the moment somehow pressing down.
In a narrow alley, in a room piled high with trash:
“Ugh!”
I threw a trash bag with force, brushing off my hands with a sigh.
‘It’s all over.’
For the past few days, I’d been struggling to assemble the furniture I bought from Ikeba. I gathered the trash from the process and was about to dispose of it. After walking to a nearby empty lot and glancing around, I said:
“Summon my apartment.”
[Summoning the Infinite Apartment!]
Woosh! A door appeared in midair, and I stepped inside. A bright, cheerful space unfolded.
“Ahh… it feels nice now that it’s decorated.”
Among the cute items my sister had bought, the pieces I purchased—some modern-century-style furniture I saw in The Bachelor’s Kingdom—added points that harmonized with the overall mood. The room had a warm atmosphere, a big improvement from a few days ago when it was completely empty.
“This is nice. This is a real apartment.”
I smiled with satisfaction. A brief daydream crossed my mind: inviting friends over, having a home party, sometimes lying on the beanbag, watching a movie with a beer… the romantic vision of living alone.
“Phew… let’s rest a bit.”
I plopped onto the beanbag in the corner and wiped sweat from my forehead.
“Ikeba is really good.”
It’s no wonder it’s known for that Scandinavian aesthetic. For the money spent, I was very satisfied. Sure, assembling the furniture was… well, extremely tiring.
“Ah, but it was fun in its own way.”
It reminded me of my days at the shelter, playing with donated Legos. The operation was a success. There was only one thing left:
“I hope Venti likes it.”
To climb the tower and improve this place, Venti’s approval was essential. And then, there was the final item I had prepared.
“Do I really have to do this?”
I put on a headband I had left on the floor and looked in the mirror. It had puppy ears—something suitable for an amusement park. Wearing it felt…
‘Ugh, this is gross.’
I looked awkward in the mirror. Why was it even here?
-
“Hey, you have to. Beastmen like copying you.”
-
“Huh?”
-
“There’s no beastman who hates ears like this.”
My sister had forced this into the shopping basket. Whether I’d wear it or not… I’d think a bit more.
Then, my phone in my pocket buzzed.
“Hello?”
<<Delivery here. I’ve arrived at the address… but no one’s here.>>
“Ah, yes. Please wait a moment.”
I hung up and got up.
‘That was fast.’
Creak! I opened the door and stepped outside, spotting the delivery person looking around the lot.
“This way, sir.”
“Huh?”
His eyes widened in surprise. I awkwardly smiled and said:
“I’m a player. It’s my ability…”
“Your… ears grow as an ability?”
“Ears?”
“Yes, those on your head.”
I touched them. Soft! The puppy ears headband was in my hand.
‘Damn…’
I’d shown something terrible to the delivery guy. I sighed:
“Ah, yes. Something like that. Thank you.”
I grabbed the bag and returned to the room.
‘…So embarrassing.’
I tossed the headband aside, tore open the bag, and set the food on a plate. The menu: medium-sized bossam (pork belly) and tray noodles. My sister had told me beastmen go crazy over meat, so that’s what I chose.
‘I wanted to cook it myself, but there’s no time now.’
I’d been busy decorating all this time anyway. And why tray noodles?
‘I wanted them myself.’
Plus, the beastman might like them too. I set everything while rationalizing in my head.
“This isn’t bad. It’s heartfelt.”
I plated the food in the pretty dishes from Ikeba and took some photos. Not that I’d upload them anywhere—just for the feeling. Before eating, it was a kind of sacred ritual for myself. Then I opened the status window:
[Invite Guest]
-
Guests currently able to invite: 1
-
Venti
‘Invite Venti.’
[Invitation sent to Venti.]
[Venti happily accepted!]
[Currently unable to arrive immediately due to personal reasons. Please wait…]
“Hmm… sending doesn’t mean they come immediately.”
Makes sense. The skill is called “Invite,” but guests aren’t obliged to come. Still, judging from the message, it seemed likely he’d arrive eventually, so I waited patiently.
“I’ll watch some YouTube.”
I leaned back on the beanbag and turned on YouTube again, channel: The Bachelor’s Kingdom.
<<Hello everyone! This is The Bachelor’s Kingdom. Today, we’ll tour a bachelor apartment in Sillim.>>
I watched the familiar video, a small smile forming on my face.
“Ugh…”
Perhaps from decorating, my eyes started to droop. Just as I was about to fall asleep…
[Guest has arrived near the apartment!]
Boom!
“He’s here!”
The door burst open, and a cheerful voice rang out.
“Huh?”
Startled, I jumped up. Turning toward the sound, I saw:
“Long time no see, Minho! Thanks for inviting me again!”
Venti waved with a sunflower-like smile. His missing front tooth and blood-stained armor were still visible.
‘What the…?’
My mouth dropped. My heart sank. But my priority:
‘Protect my furniture.’
I didn’t want blood on my hard-assembled Ikeba furniture.
“Hey, Venti.”
“Huh?”
“Why is there so much blood on you?”
He scratched his head and replied:
“Oh! Something happened in the world I was in! Hehe, don’t worry about it!”
“Wait a moment?”
I handed him some kitchen towels and guided him to the bathroom. Then…
“I’ll clean your armor and axe. Leave them inside. Change into these clothes and come out.”
“Is that okay?”
“No, it’s not okay for me. Please.”
“Got it! If Minho wants it, I’ll do it!”
I handed him the clothes I bought from Ikeba.
Soon…
“I’ve changed!”
Venti came out of the bathroom, wearing slightly oversized sky-blue pajamas. The fluffy material suited him well.
‘Like a little puppy.’
In a positive way. He rubbed his face against the clothes.
“Hehe, this feels nice, Minho.”
“Glad you like it. Let’s eat first.”
I led Venti to the table, reheated the bossam, and mixed the tray noodles. Handing him a fork:
“Here, eat. I prepared it because you’re coming.”
“Mmm…”
A faint expression appeared on his face. I tilted my head:
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing! I’ll eat well!”
He dug in, chewing and swallowing with relish.
“Mmm! The meat is tender! So soft!”
He smiled in satisfaction.
‘Good.’
Then he tried the kimchi.
“Ah! This is spicy! But delicious!”
Venti was making a ruckus, like a hamster stuffing its cheeks.
‘Cute.’
After a while:
“Phew… that was great.”
“All done.”
The plates were empty.
‘So full.’
I rubbed my belly and watched his expression. Then…
“Mmm. Hmm.”
He made a dissatisfied face.
“Venti, still hungry?”
“No… not really…”
Apparently, something still wasn’t satisfactory. The status window confirmed:
[Guest was less satisfied than the last visit.]
‘Less satisfied than last time?’
I didn’t understand. I’d decorated the apartment warmly, prepared the food carefully, yet… what was wrong? I couldn’t ask directly.
Then:
“Hey, Minho.”
“Huh?”
“Can I eat that food we had last time again?”
“The food from last time?”
“The red soup with curly stuff, and the black one with rice inside?”
“…Cup noodles and triangle kimbap?”
“Yeah! That’s it!”
‘…Really?’
“Wait a moment. I’ll get it quickly.”
“Okay!”
I ran outside. A short while later…
“Hahaha! Yes, this is it!”
Slurping down cup noodles and kimbap, Venti’s eyes sparkled with life.
‘…That was really it?’
After a while:
“Ahh, that was delicious! Thank you, Minho. Best meal in the universe!”
He patted his full stomach and gave a thumbs-up.
“Venti, can I ask something?”
“Sure!”
“What do you think of my room?”
“Room?”
He looked around.
“I decorated it a bit according to your taste.”
“Oh… I didn’t notice it changed!”
“So, your thoughts?”
“Don’t know! I don’t care about these things.”
Venti scratched his head and smiled.
‘Damn… of course.’
I suppressed the sting in my nose and asked:
“How was the bossam?”
“Good! But it’s a common flavor in my world. I liked the cup noodles and kimbap more! Oh, and the cola!”
“…I see. Haha.”
Ah, meat was common for him, so it wasn’t special. I hadn’t considered that.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Nothing. Let’s have dessert… I got ice cream.”
“Ice cream? What’s that?”
“It’s tasty, you’ll see.”
Soon…
“The ice cream tastes so gooood!”
Venti’s ecstatic scream echoed.
[Guest ‘Venti’ is ‘extremely’ satisfied with your heartfelt reception. You will receive a reward accordingly!]
A happy status window appeared.
