<Episode 10>
When I opened my eyes, I was back in my familiar home.
Did I… return? Just like that?
“…I even brought the clothes back.”
This was a combat suit… I should’ve returned it.
I opened the system window again, but since the material collection was complete, entry to the gate itself was now blocked.
“What the heck! I didn’t even get to say goodbye!”
“As long as the objective is completed, that’s all that matters, nya.”
I wondered how bewildered Hunter Lee Hyunwoo must’ve been. I disappeared the moment I picked the herb.
And on top of that, I even took the clothes he lent me…
But there was nothing I could do. I didn’t even have his contact information.
‘I should go find him later.’
I hung the combat suit neatly on a hanger. I didn’t dare wash it in case I damaged it.
“Alright, shall we try synthesizing the special effect now?”
I sat on the bed and opened the status window.
—
Store Name: Haneul’s Shop
⇒ Menu List
- Red Bean Bungeoppang
- Custard Cream Bungeoppang (NEW)
- Locked
.
.
—
When I clicked the blinking “NEW” custard cream bungeoppang, a message appeared saying special effect synthesis was available.
Required material: 20 Solsol Grass. And I had them all.
“Alright. Synthesize!”
The moment I pressed it, a cute bling sound played, and a loading message appeared.
Not long after, fireworks burst across my vision, signaling completion.
I immediately checked the item description.
—
Custard Cream Bungeoppang
: A fish-shaped pastry filled with soft custard cream
Special Effect: Drowsy Sleep (Fatigue -50%)
—
Fatigue reduced by 50%? Not just making you sleepy?
I grinned.
“A new effect like this? I have to test it.”
After all, I was exhausted from my first gate trip.
“Oil in~ batter in~ custard on top~”
Humming to myself, I started baking.
Custard was runnier than red bean paste, so it required precise temperature control, but that wasn’t a problem.
I was already a pro who had made over 500 bungeoppangs.
‘Perfect as always!’
Golden-brown and crispy.
After cooling it slightly, I took a bite.
Sweet, soft custard spread in my mouth.
“Mmm–! This is so good!”
Fireworks exploded in my mind.
“Me too! I want some too, nya!”
“You want some too, Hanyang?”
I fed her a piece.
Her pupils instantly dilated.
“It’s the taste of heaven, nya!!!”
I scratched her chin as she purred happily.
After eating a few…
“Yaaawn… I’m getting sleepy. Is this a sugar crash?”
“No way. That’s the special effect, nya.”
It was only 8 PM.
Too early to sleep.
But my eyelids felt heavy.
“Guess I’m tired from the gate. I’ll sleep early…”
I crawled into bed.
‘Wait, wasn’t fatigue supposed to decrease… why am I–’
Before finishing the thought, I fell into a deep sleep instantly.
***
The next morning…
“I don’t hurt! Not at all!”
I twisted my neck. No cracking.
Rolled my shoulders. Light!
All the muscle pain from baking… gone.
Completely gone.
“It feels like a freshly reborn body, nya.”
Hanyang stretched in satisfaction.
“…This will definitely sell.”
I grinned.
Now all that was left was giving it to Hunter Ria.
***
“Hunter Ria! You’re finally here!”
“Ah… yes… You seem very excited to see me.”
She looked flustered.
But I had only one priority.
‘Give her the custard bungeoppang!’
“I told you before, right? I prepared something special.”
“Ah… the one that helps you sleep?”
“Tada! Custard bungeoppang that makes you sleepy!”
She looked doubtful.
Of course… visually, it was just normal bungeoppang.
“…It looks ordinary.”
“I used very special ingredients. Please try it!”
“…I don’t know if it’ll work.”
She sighed lightly and took a bite.
Yellow custard filling showed inside.
“It tastes good, but I don’t feel any special eff–”
Her body slowly tilted.
“…Huh?”
“Hunter Ria!?”
Hunters rushed over.
“W-what? That wasn’t supposed to happen!”
I panicked and ran over.
“Hunter! Are you okay!?”
“…Wait.”
Someone checked her condition and said:
“I think she’s just sleeping.”
“…What?”
“Sleeping. Like, deep sleep.”
She looked completely peaceful.
Breathing steady. Expression relaxed.
Clearly asleep.
“…Just from one bite?”
Not even a whole piece… just one bite.
Soon, medical staff arrived and confirmed it.
She was simply asleep.
They prepared to move her to the ward.
The hunters exchanged looks.
“The Ria Hunter… fell asleep from bungeoppang?”
“This effect is insane…”
Then chaos erupted.
“Boss! One custard bungeoppang!”
“I was first!!”
“Me too!”
I rushed back to the stall.
“Please line up!! One at a time!!”
Orders flooded in nonstop.
‘Without my stamina skill, I’d be dead.’
Then suddenly…
Silence.
“…Hunter Lee Hyunwoo?”
There he was.
Standing in front of the stall.
The same appearance as in the gate.
“Hunter! Perfect timing, I made a new bungeoppang–”
“How can you disappear without a word?”
“…Huh?”
Wait.
Was he… still in the gate this whole time?
Only now did I realize.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it either…”
It really was sudden.
“I tried to contact you, but I didn’t have your number… I’m sorry.”
“…Haah, forget it.”
He sighed.
Seems he came to check if I was safe.
I felt even more guilty.
He turned to leave.
“Ah! I’ll return your clothes next time!”
“Keep them.”
“…But they look expensive–”
He left without answering.
Then I noticed the strange looks from customers.
“Were you two together over the weekend?”
“Returning clothes… what happened…?”
“Wait! That’s not what you think!”
I waved frantically.
But I couldn’t explain about the gate.
And so…
The misunderstanding only grew worse.
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