Heroine Netori-Chapter 80: 18+

"Thank you, sir!"

"Keep up the good work."

I was lucky. Who would have thought they would start a discount event for stock clearance today! If I had come just a day earlier, I would have had to pay the full price, but my timing was perfect.

Two 6-pack bomb boxes, one frost bomb box, one flame bomb box, one flash bomb box—these are the items I splurged on today. I hadn't planned to buy so much, but the prices were irresistibly low, so I went for it. Maybe I’ll find a use for them if I just store them in my inventory.

Always carrying the latest smartphone, a green dagger acquired from the main quest, and a blindfold from the romantic fantasy world—adding these three existing items, I have a total of eight slots. I plan to keep one empty and one filled with a single bomb. That should be enough, right? Now I'm truly ready to return to the main quest.

However... Since I've acquired these new skills, I should test them out before diving back in. Instead of heading home, I went into the hunter’s training room next door.

-Ding-

"Welcome!"

[B-Rank Training Room]

I splurged on a B-rank training room. It was a bit expensive, but I saved money today so I could afford it. Logically and grade-wise, it would have been sensible to go to a C-rank room, but... it's about the skills! I felt like something beyond my expectations might happen.

-Creak-

As I entered, a training robot awaited me. It looked unimpressive but matched the standards of a B-rank hunter.

I didn’t choose a duel—I knew I would lose. Instead, I wanted to test the durability and defense of a B-rank hunter. Could my new skills penetrate it?

"Hoo..."

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, then recalled my training to circulate my energy along my meridians. As I did so, the energy began revitalizing my muscles throughout my body.

"Ooh..."

I felt the energy bubbling inside me. The more I circulated it, the more it grew. I concentrated this energy into my fist and thrust it towards the robot.

"Haap!"

-Kwaang!- -Creeeak...- -Ziiing... Ziiing...-

Even I could feel something tremendous burst through my fist.

The sound of the wind being split, and the robot, its form distorted, smashed against the wall, causing the entire training room to shake under the impact.

"Arrghhhh!"

Simultaneously, my arm exploded.

From my right shoulder to the tip of my fist, one arm was completely shredded. I felt every muscle tear as I rolled on the floor in agony.

"Heuk... Heuk..."

Without healing, the damage would have been crippling. The power of internal energy wasn't to be underestimated.

"This is why... Heuk... I was forcefully recalled... Shit..."

My body couldn't withstand the internal energy. Even though I was at a C-rank hunter's level, I couldn’t handle even a small amount of energy from the size of my fist.

"Haa... It seems I can use it, but I need to be prepared."

Still, if I could damage a B-rank robot so badly... Could this be considered a finishing move? Although it has side effects, it's not without remedy—an incredible wildcard.

"Ah! Wait a sec?!"

But... can I replenish my internal energy? If there’s no elixir, can I refill my energy? Stupid me! I should have checked that first...

Panicked, I sat cross-legged and tried to operate the Taegeuk Eumyang Divine Art as instructed by the elixir. It was uncertain whether it would work or not. I tried to calm my trembling heart and circulated my energy in a complete cycle.

"Sseup... Hoo..."

Thankfully, I could feel my energy slowly accumulating. Truly... meeting the elixir master was a tremendous fortune.

"Ha... I need to get stronger quickly. To repay him."

Upon returning home, I methodically checked everything from the start. I reorganized my inventory slots, purchased a pause-right, and checked my current stats and skill levels... Did I forget anything?

"Ha... That took a long time."

My vision went dark.

====

I had a terrible nightmare. I dreamt of losing someone I love, of them leaving, of being abandoned by them.

No matter how hard I tried to wake up, I found myself in another dream.

The nightmare seemed to test my love, separating me from that person, continuously casting me as the unfortunate heroine.

I was lonely, miserable, sad, and anxious. Even knowing it was «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» a dream, it felt like my heart had a hole in it. The more I longed for him, the further away he seemed.

Was it because I almost lost him today? The nightmare continued to torment me.

No... please don't... Brother, please... Don't drift away from me...

Though I pleaded with someone who couldn't hear, nothing changed.

Slowly... I sank into the abyss of despair...

"Sophia."

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Ah...! Did he hear my cry? He rescued me from despair.

"I love you..."

Ah...! Truly my love! His single phrase erased all my anxieties. The hellish nightmare faded away, and a heavenly warmth of happiness arrived.

"Brother...!"

When I opened my eyes, there he was, looking at me with eyes full of affection, just like he always does.

"I missed you..."

"Me too... I missed you too, brother!"

Did brother also have a nightmare? He kept saying he missed me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back just as tightly.

Being in brother's arms always reassures me... As he stroked my hair, I fell asleep again.

But this time... it wasn't scary. It felt like I could have a pleasant dream.

"Hehe... I love you, brother..."

I'm back... I've finally returned! After what felt like an eternity, I've returned to the main quest. No time had passed in the main quest world, and though only a few months had passed in reality, I had spent nearly five years in the romantic fantasy world. It truly felt like a long time since I've been back.

Ah... I really missed Sophia so much, it was tough! Even though I had a cute... well, a cute daughter named Cecilia and Wi Ji-hye, who is my ideal type, I never forgot about Sophia.

I had been holding back the urge to see her right away, but finally! I got to meet her.

But... It feels a bit wrong to wake up someone who is soundly sleeping, right?

Sophia is currently sleeping naked next to me. We had a lot of sex before I returned to reality. But to forcibly wake her up now and have sex again... even I think that's not right.

Instead, I reached out to enjoy Sophia's face for a bit longer and tidied her disheveled hair.

She really is beautiful. If Wi Ji-hye has a mature charm, Sophia has a fresh charm. Maybe like the beauty of a flower just beginning to bloom? I'm truly lucky to be loved by someone like her.

"Sophia, I love you..."

This time, I must make sure Sophia is happy. I won't let anything happen like that time with the goblin that made Sophia sad.

"Brother...!"

Ah, was my voice too loud? Sophia woke up and looked at me. Her eyes, deep as the ocean, still seemed unsettled as they swayed like waves.

"I missed you..."

How could I return so late to someone who cares for me this much? I couldn't help but say I missed her as I held her in my arms. A sweet scent came from Sophia nestled in my embrace.

"Me too... I missed you too, brother!"

Did she dream I was disappearing? Sophia clung to me, saying she missed me too. She was so adorable that I stroked her hair like I used to.

"Hehe... I love you, brother..."

Sophia murmured her love and fell back to sleep. She must have been very tired.

I continued to stroke Sophia's hair until she fell into a deep sleep, then I left a message, carefully got out of the bed to not wake her, and went downstairs.

I just got back, so I couldn't sleep. I was thinking of having a beer until morning.

-Click-

But as I locked the door and turned around, I saw a familiar face in the hallway.

"Brother... you're not sleeping?"

"What about you? You're not asleep either?"

That's good. I was thinking of taking you out if you were awake. With things as they are, forget the beer, let's go to the observatory.

You too, Siu, get ready.