I had been staying at the hotel for a couple of days now, thanks to the Baekwha Guild.
They insisted on covering everything, but I refused. They had already given me a card loaded with an absurd amount of money, so how could I keep accepting their generosity? That would be too shameless.
...Although, I had to admit, living like this was nice.
What was that saying again?
A blessing in disguise.
I let out a small, humorless laugh.
Right. A blessing.
But was this really one?
I lost my café to a monster that came out of nowhere. Seriously, where did that monster even come from?
Thinking about it again only made my chest feel heavier.
I looked out the window, taking in the city sprawled beneath me.
...Wow.
The view was insane. No wonder people paid ridiculous amounts to live in high-end apartments. This kind of scenery wasn't something you could just brush off.
For a moment, I just stood there, quietly taking it in.
Then reality crept back in.
Since I didn't exactly have a home anymore... maybe it was time to find one.
Should I get an apartment too?
Somewhere high up, with a view like this...
...Yeah.
That didn't sound bad at all.
And this time, I should definitely keep my house and café separate. Just in case something like that ever happened again.
Besides, it wasn't like I was short on money now.
I should probably do something about that black card.
"...Or," I muttered, "maybe I should just go on a vacation first?"
Honestly, that didn't sound like a bad idea.
But where?
I thought about it, but I wasn't particularly well informed geographically. Should I ask?
I grabbed my phone and opened the group chat Jiyeon, Chiyeon, and Hyein had added me to a few days ago.
Me: I'm thinking of going on a vacation. Any recommendations?
Hyein: JEJU ISLAND!!!
That was fast.
Me: Jeju Island? What's there?
Jiyeon: She's been wanting to go for a while, but we've all been busy.
Chiyeon: It's also relatively safe compared to other regions. There have been fewer dungeon incidents lately.
Jiyeon: Should we go? I could use a break before the auction next month.
I blinked at the screen.
Me: ...We?
Hyein: Okay!!! I'll buy the tickets!!!
Chiyeon: Hyein-ah, I'll handle it. I don't trust you with flights.
Hyein: What?! Chiyeon-noona, I'm not that unreliable T_T
"..."
I sigh and put my phone away.
I hadn't intended to invite them, but now that it's come to this, I guess I might as well enjoy it.
·•—–٠✤٠—–•·
Four days later, I found myself standing in front of a private plane.
Jiyeon's private plane.
I stared at it for a long moment before finally finding the energy to speak. "...How much was this?"
"Mm?" Jiyeon glanced at me, casually adjusting her sunglasses. "That piece of metal? A few hundred million won, maybe. I don't really remember."
A few hundred million.
Chiyeon walked up beside me, dragging her suitcase with an airplane pillow already wrapped around her neck, looking more excited than anyone else. "Seven hundred million, actually."
...Right.
I decided not to think about it anymore.
I boarded the plane with the girls, still slightly dazed. Honestly, it was worth the price. There was a bar, a bedroom, even a shower.
Though... who actually showers on a plane?
Apparently, that wasn't even the impressive part.
According to Chiyeon, who seemed unusually proud of it, the plane had been embedded with special magic stones they had personally harvested from a dungeon. They acted as a protective barrier, strong enough to withstand several attacks from mid-rank flying monsters.
...So this thing could basically survive getting attacked midair.
What.
I sank deeper into my seat.
Right. Of course it could.
We ended up turning on the TV and watching a movie, and before I knew it, we were already descending.
I glanced out the window and froze.
Endless blue stretched across the horizon. The ocean reflected the sunlight so brightly it almost hurt to look at.
"...It's pretty," I murmured.
For some reason, a quiet warmth spread through my chest as I watched the sunlight dance over the water.
I felt light.
Free, like I could just drift anywhere.
...Then again, maybe that wasn't so strange.
I was on vacation, after all.
『 Under The Oak Tree 』
I'm glad you're happy.
I chuckled lightly.
『 The Shiniest Gem 』
My child, enjoy your time. Do not think of anything else.
I nodded and turned my attention back to the others.
A car was already waiting for us. After about ten minutes on the road, we arrived in front of what looked less like a vacation home and more like a full-blown mansion.
I stepped out slowly, staring.
The place was enormous. Sunlight reflected off its polished exterior, making it almost sparkle. And when we walked inside, I caught my reflection beneath my feet—
Glass floors?
"Don't worry, Elena," Jiyeon said casually. "The villa's just for us. The staff only come by when we're out, so make yourself at home."
...This was her villa?
First a private plane, then this, and now servants?
I couldn't even begin to imagine how much money she had.
Then again... they handed me a card with a billion in it like it was just spare change.
So maybe this was normal for them.
...No. No, it definitely wasn't.
I was so busy trying to process everything that I didn't even realize I'd already been assigned a room.
By the time I snapped out of it, I was standing inside.
It had a balcony overlooking the island, the view stretching out endlessly. From up here, I could see almost everything.
I stepped closer and smiled faintly, resting my hands against the railing.
For a moment, I just stood there, quietly taking it all in.
『 The Shiniest Gem 』
Wow, how lucky. I wish I could hang out with you.~
『 Above The Broken World 』
You should relax and enjoy your time.
The constellations kept chattering in the back of my mind as I unpacked my things.
After that, time passed in a blur.
We explored the island, hiked up Seongsan Ilchulbong, and took what felt like hundreds of pictures. By the third day, we found ourselves wandering through a local market.
"Should I bring something back...?" I muttered to myself.
...No.
Why would I come all the way to Jeju just to buy things I could easily get back home? Besides, I didn't even have a home to return to yet.
Right. Maybe not the best thought to have on vacation.
I was still mulling it over when someone suddenly slammed into me.
I staggered back, blinking in surprise.
The man in front of me looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days. His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes bloodshot.
He reminded me of Mr. Kim.
Overworked. Irritated. On the verge of snapping.
Feeling a bit guilty, I bowed my head slightly. "I'm sorry, sir—"
"Damn women," he snapped.
I froze.
"Just because you're a little pretty, you think you can do whatever you want?"
The sharp sting of alcohol hit me as he leaned closer. His finger jabbed toward me as he kept going, repeating the same insults like a broken machine.
"...Excuse me, but—"
"Shut up!" he barked. "I've had enough. My life's already gone to hell because those damn cultists suddenly disappeared, and now I have to deal with you too?"
I flinched.
Cultists?
It couldn't be... the same ones who kidnapped me before, right?
I quickly glanced around.
No Jiyeon. No Chiyeon. No Hyein.
We had split up to shop.
Great.
If I got involved any further, this could turn into something worse. And if he really had anything to do with a cult...
I didn't want to find out.
Without another word, I stepped back and slipped into the crowd.
Thankfully, he didn't follow.
He just spat on the ground and continued cursing as he walked off.
"...Phew."
That could've gone badly.
Just the thought of being kidnapped again sent a chill down my spine.
It wasn't the worst experience, all things considered...
...but I definitely didn't want my mana drained again.