March 22, 2022
On the way back to South Korea, Ji-Kai took the chance to relax a little — after having spent a hefty sum on first-class seats.
After a flight that lasted about fifteen and a half hours, Ji-Kai and Camistra arrived in Korea, landing at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea.
Camistra exited with striking elegance and drew a lot of attention, though she seemed largely indifferent to it.
Ji-Kai wore decent clothes too — not outrageously expensive, because to him money was as precious as time.
« Ahh, my homeland, » Ji-Kai stretched out at the airport entrance, then glanced at Camistra, who looked around in visible astonishment.
« Welcome to my homeland — South Korea. We're in Incheon. Since I live in Seoul, we'll need to take the train; it'll be faster than a bus, » he said, eyeing Camistra's luggage, which towered over his own.
« Or maybe we should take the bus — what do you think? » he changed his mind immediately after realizing how much they were carrying.
« I don't know anything about your transport system, so you choose whatever's appropriate. Cost doesn't matter, » she replied, arranging her long hair without looking at him.
Of course cost doesn't matter to you — I'm the one paying, not you!
This arrogant queen! If you weren't beautiful and useful, I'd have annulled the contract and sent you back where you came from!
In the end, Ji-Kai gave in, and they boarded a bus from Incheon to Seoul — naturally he splurged on the premium seats, at Camistra's insistence.
After about an hour's drive, they arrived in Seoul.
« Oh — this is what they call Seoul? It's nicer than I expected, » Camistra said as she stepped down and stretched her graceful body.
Damn... damn...
My money... my money...
« So where exactly is your home? Do we need another vehicle to reach it? » Camistra asked, clearly enjoying human transportation.
« No, we can walk — it's in Jae— » he stopped abruptly, remembering how small his apartment was and that it couldn't fit two people comfortably, especially not someone like Camistra.
I need to move. Living cramped with this proud woman will drive me insane!
« Since you're with me, my old place won't be enough. I'll make a quick call, » Ji-Kai said, taking out his phone to make an arrangement.
Soon after, they took a taxi, piling Camistra's belongings in until the car looked absurd. They arrived at a modern, sizable house — not the most expensive, but beautiful.
« Whistle~ … not bad, » Camistra said with her arms folded over her chest, admitting to herself that the place was lovely.
They entered the new home. Inside, it had a distinct, modern design: a great living room, a stunning kitchen, flawlessly designed bedrooms, a second-floor pool, and a charming garden filled with refreshing greenery and flowers.
When the inquiry about the demon that appeared in the Gwangju dungeon earlier concluded — and my testimony matched Kim Nina's — the vice president of the guild, Hwang Su-Ja, decided to grant me one favor in recognition of discovering a new enemy type and for returning Kim Nina alive, as well as for dealing with the criminals Seong Baccio and Hyung Bin-Hwan.
I saved that favor for when I truly needed it. And now… I need it badly.
« The house is, at the very least, wonderful. What do you think? » Ji-Kai asked, awed enough to forget himself as he turned the question to Camistra, who in turn looked surprised.
« Ah, well. I must say you chose a good place. I have no objection to living here, » she replied — oddly phrased, as if something deeper hid behind the words.
This place is better than I expected... it's... refreshing.
Camistra wandered the house with uncharacteristic ease, which made Ji-Kai uneasy for a moment — he had never seen that side of her; he almost suspected she might be feverish.
Night fell. Ji-Kai sat in the living room, inspecting the System interface and the dagger he'd received from Anubis, while Camistra slept in her room with a plush bear she'd bought earlier.
« I didn't expect any of this… it's frustrating, » Ji-Kai murmured, feeling the dagger's edge.
[ Variable acquired ]
[ The Dagger of Anubis is exceedingly powerful, but your current level does not allow you to wield it at full strength. Its power will scale to match your current level. ]
[ Its strength will increase as your power grows. ]
« The dagger grows stronger as I grow stronger — I never expected that, » Ji-Kai sighed, leaning back on the comfortable couch facing the large TV.
In the books he'd read about Anubis, the god was not known primarily for combat, yet he possessed a formidable dagger, prepared for anything.
That dagger can directly seize souls, intensifying the suffering of corrupted or evil spirits.
In my case, I might benefit more from its durability than its soul-harvesting traits — which is good — but losing some of its special functions is frustrating.
If I reach high levels of power and magical capability, Anubis's dagger in my hand would be a true threat to the demons themselves, as they are corrupted souls.
He stared at the ceiling for a while, recalling his conversation with Anubis earlier, and then remembered he still didn't have an inventory slot — making item management difficult.
« System, aren't there any training quests or anything similar? Tasks for progression, » Ji-Kai asked, leaning forward toward the system screen.
[ Searching... ]
Come on... come on...
I need to level up fast. I don't know what I'll face next.
[ Search complete ]
[ No quests available at this time ]
[ Mission's list ]
[ Special Mission — Cure Park Yoon-Suk ]
[ Click the mission to view details ]
« Damn rotten luck. I wanted something to level up with, » Ji-Kai muttered, laying back on the couch again.
« What about relationships? How is my relationship with Camistra? » Ji-Kai asked the System out loud.
[ Relationship Window ]
[Registered Individuals: ... ]
[ Park Yoon-Suk ]
[ Kim Nina ]
[ Seobin Woo ]
[ Kim Ha-ya ]
[ Camistra Orlandria ]
« Yes, that's it. Show me relationship info — choose Camistra Orlandria, » he selected and waited.
His hand had brushed the TV remote, which turned on a news channel — and the broadcast content pulled Ji-Kai's focus away from the system interface.
« This person… » Ji-Kai whispered, his eyes widening.
{ Today we have an interview with the rising star of the Korean Adventurers' Guild, Mr. Jayun Jo — twenty years old, who surprised everyone by clearing a B-rank dungeon alone while being only C-rank, according to his companions. Mr. Jayun Jo, would you share your thoughts after succeeding in such a mission? }
{ Certainly, miss. Thank you for coming; your effort is appreciated — fatigue could harm your beauty, as you know. }
{ Oh~ you're smooth with words hehe }
{ Well, regarding the mission, I did my best to get us through that difficult dungeon. We were a team with a B-rank adventurer who, unfortunately, lost his life during the raid, so I took the lead and we survived. My companions also contributed in meaningful ways — I'm proud of them and hope they receive what's due— }
« GRAAAAAAAH!!! » Ji-Kai screamed, lunging forward to smash the TV with his fist.
« What's going on?! Are we under attack? » Camistra startled, ready for combat, but found Ji-Kai panting in front of the broken television.
« Hey! Why did you break it?! Are you insane? » Camistra snapped, approaching him angrily.
« You scared me, you damn— huh? » She drew close enough to see his furious expression — he was livid, like a predator about to pounce on anything nearby.
Jayun Jo...
Jayun Jo...
JAYUN JO, YOU SON OF A BITCH!
[ Important Notification: New mission ]
My busyness let this important thing slip my mind...
[ New Main mission ]
[ Mission 5: Surpass Your Foe ]
[ Details: Jayun Jo is the person who betrayed you in your previous life before you were reincarnated. You hold deep resentment toward him, but you cannot act recklessly because he is beloved publicly; any reckless move could damage your reputation. ]
[ Objective: Outdo Jayun Jo and make him feel humiliated ]
[ Time Limit: None ]
[ Reward: 25 Development Points applicable to any stat ]
THAT'S IT ?!— no, killing him straight away would be wasteful.
You say "objective"? oh System…
At this moment… your requests and orders —
With eyes burning and teeth clenched, Ji-Kai accepted Quest Five as something that must be done.