Corn flour and cleaned pond smelt[1], horned rabbit weed, and dog’s tail grass, among others.

She wondered what kind of dish could be made with these ingredients, but it seemed they were just all thrown together to make porridge.

For Yeoreum, who enjoyed cooking, it was utterly unacceptable.

‘This is definitely not cooking.’

She couldn’t even imagine what it would taste like.

She wasn’t sure, but she was certain it wouldn’t taste good.

“Gyeoul, if we’re going to eat, we might as well eat something delicious.”

“Delicious?”

“Yeah. Wouldn’t the taste be strange if we mixed everything into porridge?”

“Yes. That’s true, but at least it fills the stomach.”

“Well, that is true…”

Regardless of taste, filling up the stomach comes first.

For Gyeoul, who was used to starving, it was a natural thing.

Yeoreum knew this and just felt sorry for Gyeoul.

“Gyeoul, hasn’t the situation gotten better these days? Is it still hard to buy something to eat?”

“It’s gotten better than before, but it’s not good to spend money recklessly.”

“Uh, yeah…”

A child, at an age where it wouldn’t be strange to be stubborn about what they want, talks about saving money.

Though it was a mature attitude, it wasn’t easy on the heart.

‘Adventurers don’t get a food allowance.’

Those working in the guild received a ‘salary’ and had their lunch expenses covered.

Korean restaurants, Western restaurants, Japanese restaurants, etc.

Food expenses that could be used at the restaurants located on the first floor of the guild.

But those classified as ‘adventurers’ were not included.

Since the way for adventurers to earn money was by hunting monsters and selling by-products.

Naturally, food expenses were covered by hunting monsters.

It might seem discriminatory, but no adventurer complained.

Adventurers of the Yeomyeong Guild earned billions annually, so no one felt burdened by food expenses.

Initially, guild-affiliated adventurers rarely bought meals from the guild.

Their main tasks took place outside anyway.

‘It’s the same for Gyeoul.’

As Gyeoul often went to hunting grounds, she frequently managed lunch alone outside.

Yeoreum was wondering what she had been eating lately, but she still eats stuff like this.

Her heart ached with pity.

‘What should I do.’

Our Gyeoul is a special case, maybe I could give her a meal ticket?

But would Gyeoul, who hates freebies and special treatment, accept it?

Yeoreum sighed deeply.

Gyeoul fidgeted with her fingers and gauged Yeoreum’s reaction.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry…”

“What, what for?”

Why is she suddenly apologizing?

Yeoreum’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I didn’t realize you would hate it this much…”

“Oh…?”

Yeoreum froze in her seat.

Did she show that she disliked it?

She might have made such a face.

A face that should never be made in front of Gyeoul.

Being displeased with tasteless food was like denying the child’s entire life.

“I don’t hate delicious food either, but filling the stomach is the priority…”

“No, no! That’s not it at all!”

Her voice rose in urgency.

The sudden loud voice made the ears of three children perk up.

“Is that not it?”

“Yes. I just hoped that Gyeoul could eat something delicious.”

“Oh…”

It was just concern then.

Gyeoul’s tail wagged weakly.

“Gyeoul.”

“Yes?”

“Should I buy you something tasty?”

“No, no.”

As expected, she refused.

Knowing why Gyeoul refused help, Yeoreum didn’t even feel frustrated.

‘It was a doomed world.’

In a doomed world, people had to be as cautious of other humans as they were of monsters.

One had to be suspicious of human kindness, and transactions had to be fair to avoid repercussions.

It had become her own survival rule.

‘She doesn’t remember, but her mindset is still from the times of destruction.’

It must mean she had experienced something so horrific that it was engraved on her soul.

Yeoreum casually placed her hand over Gyeoul’s head.

“Gyeoul, how about we do this?”

“How?”

“We’ll mix half of your ingredients and half of mine to cook.”

“Half and half… Should we?”

“Yeah.”

I guess a trade is okay.

The influence of the destroyed world was significant.

Yeoreum could only hope that Gyeoul would adapt to ‘peace.’

—

—

After eating the food prepared by Yeoreum, I went to the park with the children.

The kids played something similar to playing house, and I sat alone on a bench, lost in thought.

“Hmmm…”

I crossed my arms and pondered seriously.

About my qualities as an adventurer.

I was so deep in thought that I failed to notice someone approaching next to me.

“What are you doing, Gyeoul?”

“Huh?”

When I turned to the side, Jung Yu-na and the Master were there.

My tail wagged slightly with joy.

“Just pondering.”

“Pondering? Is it something you can talk about?”

“Yes. It’s not a serious concern.”

“Really?”

What are you worried about?

Jung Yu-na asked with her eyes.

“I can now easily clear a level one dungeon, you know?”

“Yes, because Gyeoul is strong.”

“Yeah. Maybe I could try aiming for a higher-level dungeon?”

“Hmm…”

Jung Yu-na fell into thought, just like I had been earlier.

I decided not to interrupt and waited for her to speak again.

It was quite a while before she spoke.

“…Actually, with your current abilities, Gyeoul, you could probably clear up to a level three dungeon alone.”

“Really?”

Am I that strong?

With surprise and joy, I clasped my hands together as if in prayer.

Jung Yu-na shook her head, curtailing my rising expectations.

“But it’s still too early for you, Gyeoul.”

“Why, why?”

“Statistically, someone with your skills has about a one percent chance of dying.”

“One percent?”

Is she worried about the probability of me dying?

I appreciated the concern, but it didn’t matter to me.

“It’s okay. I’m quite lucky when it comes to my life.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ve had many close calls with death, but I’m still alive.”

“Uh…”

Jung Yu-na made a sound.

Not knowing why she reacted that way, my tail curled into a question mark.

Then the Master spoke up.

“Have you had any close calls recently?”

“No, not recently. The guild has been a big help. Thank you very much.”

I bowed deeply to Jung Yu-na and the Master.

My gratitude seemed to please them, as the Master let out a chuckle.

“Then maybe later we can go to a higher-level dungeon together?”

“Together?”

“Yes. We have to do adventurer training anyway. Let’s go together then.”

What an opportunity.

Training with the Master.

Such chances were rare.

“I really want to go together.”

“Alright, let’s go together.”

The Master looked back at Jung Yu-na.

Is that okay?

He seemed to ask, and Jung Yu-na nodded.

“Well, if you’re with the Master, it’ll be safe. But you have to stick close to me, Gyeoul, okay? You can’t be more than a meter away, got it?”

“…”

“You worry too much.”

“Even too much isn’t enough.”

“I get it, okay.”

The Master waved his hand dismissively at Jung Yu-na.

I was just grateful that Jung Yu-na was worrying about me.

‘Next level dungeon…!’

If I move up in dungeon levels, I could make more money, right?

All the money I make is intended to pay off debts.

At this rate, I might be able to pay off my debts soon.

My tail wagged excitedly at the thought.

—

—

That evening.

The children went out to play, leaving Yeoreum alone in the empty container house.

The absence of the children made it feel empty.

Yeoreum, feeling an inexplicable loneliness, looked down at her smartphone.

Perhaps she should check how people reacted to the photos of Gyeoul she posted last time.

Just as Yeoreum opened her SNS, someone knocked on the container door.

“Sister, are you there?”

Thump, thump, thump!

The knocking was urgent and loud.

Yeoreum called out to the person knocking on the door.

“Is that you, Arin?”

“Yes. Can I come in?”

“Yes, come in.”

Creak—

The rusted door of the container opened, revealing an angry Kwon Arin.

Why was she so angry?

Yeoreum, puzzled, assessed Kwon Arin’s condition.

“Sister, did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

Kwon Arin’s face turned fierce.

It seemed she was furious about something, as menacing mana surged around her.

‘Has Arin grown?’

She’s almost at Gyeoul’s level now, isn’t she?

How did she grow so much?

Yeoreum’s eyes widened as she scrutinized Kwon Arin from head to toe.

“Some insane people have been harassing Gyeoul.”

“Who, who did?”

There were crazy people harassing Gyeoul?

Yeoreum’s brows furrowed deeply.

“They’re completely nuts. How could they do that to a child?”

“What did they do?”

Even if slightly twisted, Kwon Arin was fundamentally a good kid.

That Kwon Arin was so angry surprised Yeoreum, and she involuntarily tensed up.

“Gyeoul is only eight years old now.”

“Yes.”

“People gave up on her a few years ago when she was almost six because she was slow to learn. They just left her to fend for herself.”

“What…?”

Could it be?

Yeoreum froze in place.

“Is that something a human does? How can there be such trash in the world? Even I wouldn’t mess with kids like that.”

“Um, Arin…”

“If they were in front of me right now, I’d beat the hell out of them.”

“Arin, Arin…”

It was us.

The hard-to-admit words forced Yeoreum to tightly shut her eyes.

She couldn’t be angry with Kwon Arin for cursing them.

It was entirely their fault, after all.

“I’m sorry. I got a bit carried away.”

“……”

“Sister?”

Kwon Arin waved her hand in front of Yeoreum’s eyes.

Did I say something too harsh?

That’s what Kwon Arin thought.

‘Haah…’

Yeoreum clenched her hands tightly.

She knew she shouldn’t make the foolish mistake of hiding their mistake.

She knew that revealing the truth was the way to become a better person.

—

[1. raei: pond smelt is a fish… I had no idea what the heck this was so in case anyone is like me!]

5/5 Enjoy the chappy!

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