IBVFL 05

Chapter 05 

It had been two days since I moved into Proud.

By noon, the sun was shining brightly.

But I wasn’t in the best mood.

‘…Something’s off.’

No, really.

‘What’s wrong with me today?’

I dropped freshly baked bread. And I couldn’t even buy the orange juice Gilbert recommended.

Ugh, unbelievable.

‘This must be someone’s doing.’

I smacked my forehead. Thinking back, I’d been unusually unlucky all day.

“Ha, this is so annoying.”

As if being scammed wasn’t bad enough already. I might as well eat something good to make up for it.

‘Well, at least I’m starting to get used to things.’

I had managed to find a way to make money. Sure, it was in the underworld, but at least I wasn’t going to die a random death.

From now on, I’d just quietly make money and wait until I came of age.

‘Humans really do adapt to anything.’

Rather than moping around and worrying, it was better to quickly figure out how to survive.

“Ugh, alright.”

I stood up and walked over to the table. The food I’d bought earlier was sitting there.

Scanning the table, I picked up one of the potions.

‘I made quite a few.’

It was still rough around the edges, but I was satisfied. A huge improvement compared to my first attempt. After setting down the potion, I went back to unpacking my things.

But then—

“…Ah, right.”

I clicked my tongue as I pulled out a loaf of bread.

“I forgot to buy a knife.”

And not just that—no cutting board either.

Since I had no knife, I’d been eating soup and small bread rolls yesterday. Breakfast and lunch today had been quick meals outside.

“What a hassle.”

I scratched my head irritably. This is why living alone drains your wallet. As I habitually reached for a cup, disappointment hit again.

“Seriously? No water either?”

I’d forgotten everything, apparently.

I stared blankly at the food I’d bought. At least I’d remembered to buy something to drink instead of the orange juice I’d missed.

‘Is this real life?’

Classic K-style single-living disaster.

‘I should hire a maid someday.’

Of course, that would require money. But once I started selling potions, it wouldn’t be out of reach.

High-grade potions were said to be extremely rare. Sitting on a pile of money was only a matter of time.

Of course, before taking them to Gilbert, I’d need to test their effects first.

‘Ah, the sweet taste of capitalism.’

Grabbing a bottle of apple juice, I popped it open in one swift motion.

I gulped down the sweet drink and went to set the bottle down—

Clang!

“Mommy!”

My hand slipped, and I stumbled back as the bottle shattered into pieces.

“Ugh, that scared me.”

Good thing I’d already finished it—otherwise, it would’ve been a mess.

As I bent down to pick up the shards, the bread bag beside me fell to the floor.

“Oh, come on!”

Everything was falling today. Seriously.

I grabbed the bread bag with a huff and stood back up.

Then the floor—cracked.

“Why is this happening today?”

I let out a laugh that was more exasperated than amused.

Was today cursed or something?

‘This feels ominous.’

Tsk, tsk. I clicked my tongue and released my magic. A stream of pink light gathered the shards into a pile.

As I was cleaning up the glass—suddenly, I shuddered.

BOOM!

Thunder crashed outside.

Startled, I turned toward the window.

Whoooosh.

Heavy rain poured down. Staring blankly at the sudden storm, I tilted my head. It had been sunny just an hour ago…

This didn’t feel right.

‘I’ll just stay home today.’

After a moment of thought, I decided. Days like this were best spent indoors.

But an hour later—

I was pointing furiously out the window.

“Argh! Damn it! Damn you, Proud!”

Someone had collapsed outside!

They say unlucky people will break their nose even if they fall backward.

Maybe that’s why—

“Am I cursed this year?”

Two days ago, I bought the wrong house. And today…

“Cough! Ugh!”

I saved a dying man.

‘Figures. Only in Proud.’

Seriously. Amazing.

“What am I supposed to do with this…”

But now wasn’t the time to complain.

“Cough!”

With a wet, hacking sound, blood dripped from the man’s mouth. I winced, frowning deeply.

‘Good thing I can handle gore.’

Otherwise, I might’ve been the one foaming at the mouth first.

‘Calm down, Amelia.’

I couldn’t have a corpse in my house. I needed to save him first.

Damn it.

‘I didn’t buy any medicine.’

I hadn’t even bought water—of course I had no medicine. I rubbed my face.

‘I’m buying some first thing tomorrow.’

Emergency meds were a must for anyone living alone. Though, I hadn’t expected to need them like this.

“Ugh! Hhh—!”

“Jeez…”

I wiped the blood from the man’s mouth. His cheek was shockingly cold.

Then, a flash of inspiration struck me.

But…

‘…Can I really use it?’

I’d made potions before, but never used one myself. I couldn’t exactly hurt myself just to test it.

Still, depending on who made it, the potion’s healing range could differ. This was the perfect chance to find out how effective mine really was.

‘Come on, it can’t have side effects… right?’

After all, it was meant for healing.

Gilbert never mentioned any side effects when he explained potions to me.

Even if there were some, it had to be better than dying.

‘Saving him comes first.’

I quickly grabbed one of the potions I’d made over the past two days and uncorked it.

But right before pouring it down his throat, hesitation hit me.

‘…He won’t attack me, right? I mean, I’m saving him…’

I couldn’t be too optimistic—this was Proud, after all.

“Haa…”

Still, I couldn’t just throw him back outside.

‘Whatever happens, happens.’

I could defend myself if I had to.

And come on—how could I just ignore someone dying in front of me? I knew I’d regret it later if I did.

So I chose to save him. I walked to the sofa where the man lay, still in pain.

‘Please get better.’

Even for someone as bold as me, dealing with a corpse would be way too much.

“You can do this. You can do this.”

My hand trembled as I held the bottle.

A stream of blue liquid poured out, tracing a thin line into his mouth. It wasn’t much, but I shook the bottle to get every last drop.

After making sure he swallowed it all, I held my breath.

Tick, tock.

The only sound was the steady ticking of the clock.

Finally—

“Phew…”

The man’s ragged breathing began to calm.