TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 61
I had a dream.
-Hey, I heard you messed up the blind date again.
-I didn’t mess up, I got rejected.
-Bull, a guy who could cross the Pacific with his face?
-If that were possible, would I be here like this?
An Ordinary Neighborhood Bar.
My Past Self, drinking with Orphanage Alumni, appeared faintly in the dream, with fish cake soup as a side dish for the alcohol.
The same face and tall height as now.
But unlike the current red hair, my Past Self had long jet-black Hair, drinking at the bar with Orphanage Alumni.
‘That guy, it’s been a while. The bastard who ran off with my money, Lee Xwoo.’
I thought I’d be glad to see him after so long, but instead of being happy, I wanted to punch him.
‘Son of a B*.’
In the dream, I tilted my Liquor Glass and spoke to my Friend. With a Joke and a Small Smile, women at the next Table admired me and stole glances.
My Friend nudged my shoulder and spoke.
-See? Idiot.
-Bull.
In my Previous Life, I didn’t have a girlfriend.
Was it because my taste was peculiar?
Was it because my standards were high?
I wasn’t sure if it was that or my personality, but by the age of 23, I was living the life of a lifelong single.
Reading novels was my only hobby, and even I thought I was a boring guy.
My Friend whispered to me in a Small Voice so the women at the next Table wouldn’t hear.
-That’s why I’m telling you, stop reading those weird novels and go get a girl. Who on earth says their dream is a harem on a blind date?
-I didn’t say it like that. She asked me first what I’d do if everyone here liked me. I joked that I’d take them all.
-That’s the same thing, idiot. At times like that, you should pick the one you like the most and say so.
-The Man needs to have a big heart.
-Bull.
I laughed softly, brushing off my Friend’s remark lightly.
My Past Self liked novels.
Because I liked watching guys like me, who grew up in tough family environments, succeed in Another World.
Living a life crushed by work, seeing Protagonists living glamorously in brilliant worlds was a long-standing hobby.
Being loved by beautiful Heroines.
And even loved by Elves, I admired those Protagonists.
Harem.
It’s a ridiculous story, but can’t a man dream like that at least once? Daydreaming is free.
Bull…
I lightly tapped my Friend’s head and said.
“Still, it’s a Man’s Dream.”
“Idiot.”
Looking at my Past Self, I murmured softly.
‘Even one person is overwhelming.’
So much.
*
A loud noise rang out.
“Heeek… Air Raid Alarm…!!!”
From the morning, the loud sound echoed through the Estate.
The Young Lady’s energetic Shout of Spirit reverberated loudly from the second floor, welcoming a refreshing morning.
To the resounding Voice of the Young Lady, I rubbed my eyes and greeted the lively morning.
“Yawn… Huh…?”
As I stretched and got up from my spot, dizziness whirled, making me stagger.
-Beep─────
‘Damn…’
[1% of Vitality was consumed as a cost for using Rehabilitation’s Touch on a target contaminated by Dark Magic.]
Along with the ringing in my ears, a splitting headache struck, and I collapsed face-down on the Bed.
Last night. It was the aftermath of overexerting my power.
The pain in my head gradually spread to my chest.
A pain as if my heart would burst.
“Haa…. Haa…”
It became hard to breathe.
It felt like my Entire Body was being pricked by needles.
The terrifying pain, as if my heart would burst, enveloped my body.
Grasping my chest that felt like it would explode, I exhaled deeply.
“Haaah… Haaah…”
Because it was an ability that consumed health, I expected Side Effects, but the unexpectedly severe pain left me speechless.
Clenching my teeth, I held on, making sure no sound escaped.
‘Get a grip.’
Compared to the pain of my hand rotting from Dark Magic, this was nothing.
Taking shallow breaths, I lay face-down on the Bed, waiting for the pain to subside.
After about ten minutes, the chilling pain gradually lessened.
Taking a deep breath, I moved my body to test.
I rotated my shoulders.
Emitting Aura to check for any abnormalities in my body, I confirmed that, fortunately, there seemed to be no direct impact.
I wasn’t sure if it was because I used such a small amount, just 1%, but it didn’t seem to affect my strength.
Only one thing felt off.
“Ahchoo…!”
It felt like my health had slightly deteriorated. As I rubbed my scratchy throat, I thought to myself.
“Sniff…”
I think I caught a Cold.
The aspect of Vitality seemed to impact me internally rather than externally.
Looking in the Mirror, I smiled at my handsome face today as well.
“Alright.”
With determination, I walked silently toward the Young Lady’s Room, where her Voice was ringing loudly.
“I’m coming!”
*
“Ugh… Ricardo. The Sun is too dazzling.”
Once again, the Young Lady was waging a battle of life and death with the Sun, wrapped tightly in her Blanket.
Although she had woken up, her regret at not conquering Dreamland had her fiercely dueling the sunlight streaming through the Window, peeking out from her Blanket to look at me.
Pointing at the fluttering curtains, the Young Lady said.
“Deal with the Evil Sunlight.”
Not a chance.
Gripping the edge of her Blanket, I gave it a strong shake.
The tightly wrapped Blanket unraveled, making the Young Lady spin around. Furrowing her brows, she exclaimed, “Ugh! Die… perish!” like a vampire defeated by sunlight.
Her performance was heartfelt.
Though the Young Lady usually had no Talent for acting, when paired with sleep, she became an award-winning actress.
Rubbing her eyes, the Young Lady looked at me.
She seemed resentful of me for breaking her peaceful slumber.
“Ricardo destroyed the Chocolate Kingdom.”
“What is the Chocolate Kingdom?”
“The dream I had today.”
With a Pleasant Smile, the Young Lady began to tell me about her dream from today.
The Young Lady proudly boasted that there was an enormous Chocolate Palace, and she ate it all with her hands wide open.
Seeing the Young Lady’s Smile, I posed a Small Question.
“Wasn’t the Chocolate Kingdom destroyed by you, Young Lady?”
“No, Ricardo destroyed it. I was planning to eat it bit by bit.”
If the citizens of the Chocolate Kingdom had heard, they would have grabbed the back of their necks and collapsed.
After finishing her story about the dream, the Young Lady flopped onto the Bed. Like a potted plant wilting without water, the Young Lady seemed feeble.
It appeared that the hangover from yesterday’s excessive drinking hadn’t subsided.
With trembling hands, the Young Lady asked for Honey Water, and I kindly handed her a warm cup of it.
The Young Lady gave me a thumbs-up.
“As expected, Ricardo. You’re well-prepared.”
“Of course. The most handsome and perfect Butler in the world.”
“…You added a lot to that.”
“Just drink the Honey Water.”
I silenced the Young Lady’s realistic Whiny Complaints with the Honey Water.
“Hoo… Hoo…”
Holding the Honey Water tightly, the Young Lady blew on it diligently to cool it down for her Survival.
She seemed to have underestimated the hangover and got burned badly by it.
Though the Young Lady clung to the Honey Water like it was the water of life, her shoulders flinched at the arrival of an Unwelcome Guest.
-Gooooom…!
The Young Lady glared sharply at Gomtangi, whose Bright, Shining Eyes were wide open.
Gomtangi wagged her tail wildly, drawn by the sweet scent of the Honey Water.
She was a strange one who preferred honey over meat.
Wagging her tiny tail, Gomtangi revealed her delight to her Master.
-Goooom.
‘You lowly Master, give me some too.’ Gomtangi, a lowly pet, dared to covet her Master’s Honey Water.
Ignoring Gomtangi lightly, the Young Lady focused on her Honey Water, but Gomtangi’s massive movements made the Young Lady feel a Threat to Life and shout.
“Get lost!”
-Gooooom!
“I said get lost! It’s mine!”
-Gooooooom!
“Eeeek! I feel like I’ll die if I don’t drink this… Ugh…”
“Please don’t vomit here.”
“Ugh… I feel sick.”
The Young Lady was suffering from a hangover.
With Gomtangi’s massive movements continuing, the Bed began to shake slightly. The Bed swayed, and the Young Lady’s Teacup started to ripple like waves.
Thud. A strong impact hit the Bed.
“Ah, hot!”
The Young Lady spilled Honey Water on her Legs.
I quickly rushed toward the Young Lady’s Legs where the Honey Water had spilled. Although it wasn’t hot enough to cause burns, I wondered if the Young Lady’s delicate Legs could endure.
I swiftly pulled away the Blanket covering the Young Lady’s Legs.
The Young Lady stared blankly at her Legs.
“Huh?”
Looking at the motionless Young Lady, I shouted.
“Why are you just sitting there?! Quickly…”
Our awkward gazes met.
The Young Lady, staring at her Legs with blank eyes, and I, having pulled away the Blanket, froze as her bare Legs were exposed.
I blushed.
The Young Lady blushed for a different reason.
I muttered under my breath.
“Bear-Patterned Underwear?”
“Eeeek…! No, it’s not!”
The Young Lady wore plain underwear.
***
After the commotion settled.
The Young Lady pointed at her Legs and said.
“It was hot.”
Seeing the flustered Young Lady’s dark expression, I clenched my Fist and spoke.
“It was hot?”
“Yes.”
The Young Lady nodded vigorously, unable to take her eyes off her thin Legs.
I asked the Young Lady again.
“Really…? It wasn’t because it spilled on your hands?”
Though I tried to hide my excitement, I couldn’t suppress the trembling in my voice, driven by the faint Hope.
The Young Lady had no sensation in her Legs. Due to severed nerves, she had lost feeling in her lower body and couldn’t sense heat or pain.
At the Young Lady’s excited eyes, I dropped the Wet Towel I was holding.
“Is it true?”
“Yes… I felt a sudden heat.”
The Young Lady pinched her Legs to show me, wincing and letting out an exaggerated “Ouch” while her Bright, Shining Eyes sparkled.
For two years, she hadn’t felt anything.
Still somewhat awkward, the Young Lady continued to pinch her Legs, marveling at the pain.
Anxiously, I couldn’t stop myself from asking the Young Lady another question, driven by the Hope that her Legs might move.
“Moving… Can you move them?”
The Young Lady’s expression grew tense as she furrowed her brows in concentration.
“Hold on, let me try.”
Focused, the Young Lady.
“Eeeek!!!”
With a loud Shout of Spirit, the Young Lady strained herself, and I couldn’t help but clench my Fist in encouragement.
“…Ricardo.”
With a dejected expression, the Young Lady looked at me and said.
“I need to go to the bathroom.”
It seemed moving was still impossible.
“Is it… a big one?”
“It’s rude to ask a Lady such a thing.”
“…A Lady wearing Bear-Patterned Underwear.”
The Young Lady shouted at Gomtangi.
“Bite him!”
-Gooooom!
“Ack! Not me! Bite him!”
Gomtangi was truly obedient to her Master’s words.
Watching this, I clenched my Fist tightly.
‘Thank goodness.’
I felt like I could finally solve the unanswered question.