Chapter 45 : Adventure Level 30 (7)

“Aren’t you tired?”
I asked Do Yugeon, who had been constantly exercising in one spot in the living room since I arrived at his house.
“The problem isn’t being tired—it’s not being tired enough.”
“Why?”
“Maybe because of my level, I don’t feel strained, so the exercise has no effect.”
“I don’t really feel much effect, but it seems noticeable for you.”

My stamina feels about the same even when I level up.
Or maybe not? Come to think of it, I have been feeling suddenly tired and wanting to go home less often lately when I’m out playing.
Speaking of which, coming over to Do Yugeon’s house often these days also feels like I’ve become more active.
Maybe I need to reduce my activities for a while and stay home for stress management.
Stress tends to build up regardless of one’s will, and sometimes you don’t even realize it’s accumulating.
I don’t want to suddenly burn out.

“To feel the effects, you actually have to be active. You just stay home.”
“I was just worrying about being too active lately, so what am I supposed to say to that?”
“Something like, ‘I guess I was thinking wrongly.’”
“Whatever.”
The guy got up and stretched.
“This isn’t working. I need to increase the intensity somehow. This feels more like a waste of time than exercise.”
“Don’t you have any exercise equipment at home?”
“I looked around, but there wasn’t anything suitable. Most things probably wouldn’t have much effect anyway.”
Is that so? Then should I get him a gift? He might not like it, so I don’t really feel like it.

Do Yugeon got into a push-up position.
“Get on my back.”
“It’ll add weight, but won’t that just increase the risk of injury?”
“It won’t be that bad.”
“How can you be so sure when you’re not even an expert?”
Although I said that, it wasn’t particularly dangerous, so I gently sat on his back.
“Oh…”
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
The guy did one push-up like that and came back up.
It’s hard to keep my balance. Just sitting here is work.
“How is it? Manageable?”
“It has no effect.”

I got up.
It’s amazing that this feels light to him.
“Then give up and live like me.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“A life without exercise?”
“Nice suggestion.”
“You don’t know how comfortable this is. Anyway, how was your recent cram school exam?”
Due to the Free Learning Year system, there were no school exams this year, but it seemed the cram school had tests.
Do Yugeon sighed and sat down on the sofa.
“Totally bombed it.”
“You had it coming.”

He lamented that he argued with his parents about going out frequently after they talked about his test scores.
I see.
Well, Do Yugeon’s parents might not know he’s doing weird things like conquering Rifts, but they would know he’s going out often.
He really didn’t study much. It would be funny if he got good grades.
“I guess I have to study.”
“Good thinking.”
I praised him, but his expression wasn’t great.
It would be easier if he just made it a habit and studied consistently, but he’s making things hard for himself.

Do Yugeon’s phone rang.
“It’s the Ahjussi.”
“Who’s that?”
“Nam Taehwan Ahjussi.”
“Again, who is that?”
“The Flame Mage Ahjussi.”
Ah, him? Come to think of it, the name was in my memory. I just wasn’t interested, so my thoughts didn’t go there.
I had asked the Security Team Leader to issue a warning regarding hiring a minor.
The timing feels bad.
Do Yugeon answered the phone with a bright expression, unaware of the backstory.
He seemed to be thinking about conquering the next Rift.
Ah, I feel unnecessarily sorry.

“Yes.”
I couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation.
I was curious, but also relieved.
Even though I was the one who did it, seeing it happen right in front of me makes me feel bad.
He gave a few short answers, and his face gradually hardened.
It was painful to watch, so I quietly got up and went into the bathroom.
I sent a text to the Security Team Leader, who was probably waiting nearby.
–How did you handle the Flame Mage matter?
–We issued a warning as you instructed.
A predictable answer came back.
Of course, since I told them to warn him, they warned him.
I put the phone in my pocket.
I don’t know why I even texted.

I quickly washed my face and came out of the bathroom. Do Yugeon had finished the call and was staring blankly at the wall.
I sat down next to him on the sofa.
“The Ahjussi told me not to come starting next time.”
I didn’t ask.
Why are you telling me?
“Something about it being troublesome once the business gets serious.”
“…I see.”
Time passed quietly.
I should console him, but as the one who caused this, my conscience makes me hesitant. Yet, not doing anything makes me feel sorry too, but forcing comfort feels wrong… it’s kind of twisted.
What bad luck for the call to come at this exact timing.

[Open Beta service is starting. We hope for your active participation.]
[Levels and proficiency of Closed Beta participants will be maintained.]
[Levels will be updated based on EXP history.]
[Level 25 > 29]
The system, as always, displayed a window out of the blue.
Perfect timing.
“Wow. An update. I’m curious.”
“Yeah.”
“Should we log in? I don’t know if the same command works.”
“More importantly, what’s the point of raising levels now?”
“Huh?”
“Maybe I should just focus on studying.”

I was shocked by his uncharacteristic remark.
Hey, why are you being like this?
“…Aren’t you going?”
“I have to go. But I’ll go next time. If you’re curious, log in first.”
“No. No need to do it right now. When is next time?”
“I guess it’s right to study first, then do it when I feel like it…”
No, really, why are you like this?
[Try shouting Login! A new world unfolds.]
Don’t pop up so tactlessly.
Thoughtless system.

Time passed without conversation.
Hesitant to speak first, I passed the time thinking about various things.
Perhaps feeling hungry, the guy suddenly suggested we eat.
“Yeah, okay. That’s it.”
“What, were you hungry? You should have said so.”
“No way. Am I the type not to speak up if I’m hungry? I said it because it seemed like a good idea.”
“I see. We don’t have lunchboxes today, right? What should we order for dinner?”
“I’ll cook for you today. I suddenly feel like cooking.”
I got up and went to the kitchen.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like cooking, but it seemed better than just sitting there.
And while I couldn’t offer comfort with words, I had the decency to console him with food.

I opened the rice cooker—there was enough rice for two.
Cooking is bothersome, so maybe we should just grill some meat?
I think I just said I’d cook, but life doesn’t always go according to plan.
Honestly, just grilling and eating meat is tastier than most elaborate dishes.
If I’m going to console him, I should focus on giving him tasty food, not necessarily putting in effort just to make myself feel better.
You have to see the essence. Yes, that’s right.
However, when I opened the fridge, there was no meat.
Not only was there no meat, but there were also no ingredients suitable as a main dish.
I opened the freezer.
No pre-cut ingredients or frozen food either.
Seriously, even for a dual-income household, the state of this fridge is bad.
What is Do Yugeon supposed to eat?

Hmm. I need to teach Do Yugeon how to grocery shop and cook later.
I should have done that earlier instead of bringing lunchboxes.
As the saying goes, teaching someone to fish is better than giving them a fish.
Instead of letting him rely on delivery food.
Still, I have to cook right now.
I scanned the fridge carefully.
Tuna and tofu caught my eye.
Of course, there was kimchi.
Just in case, I crossed the living room to the veranda, and there were onions.
What can I make with this? Uh… My knowledge is limited, so only tuna kimchi fried rice and tuna kimchi stew come to mind.
Stew lasts longer, so you can eat it for dinner tomorrow too. Tuna kimchi stew it is.

First, I peeled and roughly chopped the onion. That’s done.
I took out the kimchi and stir-fried it.
When it seemed adequately fried, I added the onions and fried some more.
Sniffing it, the oily smell was good as always, but something was missing.
Maybe because it wasn’t aged kimchi, it didn’t seem that delicious.
Can’t be helped.
I added water, minced garlic, tuna, and then the tofu.
Done. Kimchi jjigae really is easy, convenient, and good.
I let it simmer for a bit, then tasted it.
Hmm. Ah. Red pepper powder.
I found the red pepper powder, added it, and tasted again.
Hmm. Where’s the flavor enhancer?
I generously added MSG.

Since there’s no meat and it’s not aged kimchi, it lacks flavor. I tasted it. Is it lacking salt? Still not enough. Then add some sugar too. Ah, this isn’t the right taste either.
Feeling the need for emergency measures, I put down the bowl and looked around.
A packet of ramen soup powder in the corner caught my eye.
I glanced toward the living room—Do Yugeon was staring blankly at the wall.
I tapped the ramen soup powder into the stew. Tuk tuk.
I took a bite with anticipation.
Ah. The taste is sort of there, but… it’s fishy.
To be honest, I’ve never eaten tuna kimchi jjigae in this life.
I made it a few times in my past life, but I didn’t realize it wouldn’t suit my palate like this now.
This is all because there’s no meat. Come to think of it, there are no green onions either.
How can they have nothing?

I stared at the boiling stew for a moment, then took out my phone.
–Get me kimchi jjigae within 20 minutes.
This is no different than ordering delivery food.
Hmph hmph.
I really didn’t know our tastes would be this different.
I turned off the heat and went back to the living room.
“Is it done?”
“No. We’re missing ingredients, so once the ingredient delivery arrives, I’ll add it and boil it more.”
“We really don’t have anything to eat. Whenever I look for something to cook, there’s nothing suitable.”

As we were chatting, the intercom rang.
“That must be it.”
I went to the kitchen, picked up the pot of kimchi jjigae, hid it, passed through the living room, and went to the front door.
I opened the door, and the Security Team Leader handed me packaged kimchi jjigae.
“What you requested.”
“Yes. Thank you. Dispose of this and bring back only the pot secretly, without Do Yugeon noticing.”
I handed him my kimchi jjigae, and the Security Team Leader looked flustered.
“This, you mean?”
“Are you going to eat it then? Do as you please if you want to.”

Hiding what I received, I passed through the living room and entered the kitchen.
I poured the kimchi jjigae into a spare pot and turned on the heat.
The kimchi jjigae started boiling.
Kimchi jjigae complete.
Phew…
That was difficult.