Chapter 91: Tower Of Dreams (1) |
The Omakase restaurant from my past life was quite famous.
I tried to recognize it because this world had similarities to my past life.
Cellphones and franchise stores were among the things that bore quite a few similarities.
“It was a bit of a problem since the names were slightly different.”
Fortunately, the internet was good at finding similar things, so I managed to find it.
Seolhwa Ryeon and I moved, avoiding CCTV. The place was easy to reach, as the Electronic Witch had instructed us the most optimal path.
“It was good to cooperate.”
While moving, we took off our masks and went to a nearby restroom to change clothes.
Seolhwa Ryeon changed into a school uniform. I changed into a hoodie and jeans.
There was a reason she wore a school uniform. The Korea Hero School uniform was a kind of artifact.
It featured warming functions, cleanliness magic, and an automatic compensation feature when cloth was attached to the uniform.
That’s why Seo Ga-yeon also often wore a uniform, except when meeting me.
Kim Ara also mostly wore a uniform until the Overlord attacked the school. Otherwise, she wore cheap clothes.
Seeing that made me feel sorry for her.
She had no family to look after her, and her clan was destroyed. Her family raised her as the clan’s ultimate weapon, and after their destruction, they only passed down to her the burden of killing (業).
[Proficiency of “Deceptive Genius (B+)” has increased.]
[Proficiency of “Demonic Charisma (C+)” has increased.]
As soon as I stepped out onto the street, I felt the attention drawn to us. Eyes were fixated on us from everywhere.
“Is it because of the combination of talent and looks?”
I noticed more friendly glances from women than usual.
“Wow, did you see that guy? The girl is pretty too, but she seems a bit outclassed…”
“He’s really handsome. He dressed simply, but his face and proportions cover everything.”
I overheard the women whispering.
Seolhwa Ryeon asked me as she came over.
“So where are we going today?”
“There’s a nice meat restaurant nearby. I was thinking of going there.”
“Isn’t meat too expensive?”
Seolhwa Ryeon asked in surprise.
“It’s not that expensive. Compared to how much you’ve helped me.”
I praised Seolhwa Ryeon while maintaining my elder’s tone.
Honestly, even buying her beef seemed a bit of a bargain. It would still be cheap even if I rented out an entire restaurant and used up all its ingredients.
“Rather, it feels cheap. Seolhwa Ryeon, you did better than I expected.”
“Sir…”
Seolhwa Ryeon looked at me with a touched expression.
“So today, you can eat as much as you want.”
“…But isn’t this place too expensive?”
Seolhwa Ryeon’s eyes widened, looking left and right. An expensive-looking Korean restaurant. The cars parked nearby were all foreign brands.
Some of the people passing by were famous heroes or politicians seen on TV or in the news.
“Thi-this place looks really expensive.”
“It’s okay.”
I led Seolhwa Ryeon inside.
“Welcome. Are you the person who made the reservation?”
“Yes. It should be under Lee Seo-ha.”
I hadn’t actually made a reservation.
I just asked the Electronic Witch to make it look like there was a reservation for an empty seat.
“The reservation is confirmed. I will show you to your seat.”
Another employee in traditional Korean attire came and guided us to an inner room where we sat down.
“Ca-can I, here, at this place, is it okay for me to eat?”
Seolhwa Ryeon asked, trembling with what seemed like fear of the fancy restaurant.
I smiled reassuringly and pulled out the menu, making sure Seolhwa Ryeon couldn’t see it.
“Please bring two servings of this.”
“Yes, understood.”
After the employee left, I took a sip of tea.
“You seem very familiar with this place, sir.”
“Yes, I used to come here often in the past.”
I remembered my ex-girlfriend from my past life. She was pretty, with a nice personality, managed herself well, and earned a lot of money.
I smiled bitterly.
She was too good for me, yet I was obsessed with gaming and neglected her.
“Did we ever talk about marriage back then?”
At that time, my self-esteem was nonexistent. I lived off my girlfriend, spending the money she gave me.
This was a place she often brought me to.
“This is a place I used to come with an old lover.”
“Old lover, you mean…”
Seolhwa Ryeon began, then looked at me with trembling eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. She’s not around here anymore.”
“……”
She’s probably living well now, wherever she was.
As we talked about this, the employee returned. First, they served pumpkin porridge.
Then came beef tartare with pine nuts and pear.
Seolhwa Ryeon ate with an expression that conveyed that it was really delicious.
“Is it good?”
“Yes, maybe because I’m eating with you, sir, it tastes even better.”
Seolhwa Ryeon’s words made me smile bitterly again.
Unlike other heroines, she had always been lonely from the start. Finding common ground with her was not easy.
She carries the burden (業) of having to kill all Mines and villains, so she goes around killing them. She doesn’t have common hobbies like others.
Hong Yu-hwa secretly collected photos of her rival.
Kim Seo-hyun relieved stress by working out.
Kim Ara made and carried around dolls of her loved one.
Ershil irritated others with illusions.
Seo Ga-yeon stalked.
‘…though the last one is a bit dangerous.’
She didn’t really have hobbies.
“Would you like to receive sponsorship?”
“Sp-sponsorship?”
“Yes. Korea Hero School has a function where talented individuals can be sponsored by external or internal members.”
I casually mentioned this to Seolhwa Ryeon.
“I’ll become your guardian. Since your family is gone, you should find your own life, shouldn’t you?”
“Bu-but I…”
Seolhwa Ryeon trailed off, probably because she didn’t expect to live long.
It’s okay to be at odds with Mines and villains. Heroes, associations, and guilds would protect her.
But her position was somewhat ambiguous.
She was the sole survivor of an assassin family.
This family’s mission was to eliminate Mines, villains, and anyone who supported them. Given that heroes and association members could be implicated, Seolhwa Ryeon might find herself in danger rather than receiving assistance.
“It’s sad, but the living must go on.”
That’s my belief.
Carrying on the legacy of those who have passed might appear noble, but it’s also incredibly challenging and isolating.
Revenge could be satisfying.
However, revenge that sacrificed everything, including one’s future, felt hollow.
“You can repay me later. Hwaryeon, your abilities are exceptional.”
“…I’ll consider it.”
“Alright.”
Then, the employee arrived and began cooking the meat.
“Wow. Sir, this meat is exceptionally delicious!”
“Eat as much as you wish.”
Seolhwa Ryeon demonstrated a remarkable appetite, eating so voraciously that I even relinquished some of my portion to her.
She didn’t stop there; she also consumed two bowls each of Galbitang and Naengmyeon, though they were offered as individual dishes.
“…I think I overate. My apologies, sir.”
“No, watching you enjoy your meal was a pleasure.”
Seolhwa Ryeon then bowed in apology.
Upon seeing the bill, she nearly collapsed.
“Just… one meal costs… 700,000 won…?”
It appeared she had eaten enough for 4-5 people, not just one.
Nonetheless, seeing Seolhwa Ryeon content with her meal made me feel no regret.
“I’ll repay you next time.”
After ensuring Seolhwa Ryeon was well-fed, I sent her back to school.
Then, inserting Bluetooth earphones, I conversed with the Electronic Witch as though making a phone call.
“How are they holding up?”
“They won’t be making a move for a while. I’ve thrown a few curveballs their way.”
The Electronic Witch’s laughter echoed through the Bluetooth earphones.
“So, they’re okay for now. But the issue is this reprieve is only temporary. The more I intervene, the more persistent they become.”
“Is that so?”
It seems the incentive offered by the Seven Evils is quite alluring.
‘Or that individual proposed something that could bring him back to life.’
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a good sign. I needed to enhance my strength as soon as possible.
I walked slowly through the streets. The crowd thinned, and more wizards in robes appeared.
A guide in uniform approached me.
“Are you entering the Tower of Dreams? You need a ticket.”
“Here it is.”
I handed over the entrance ticket I had first gotten from Hong Yu-hwa. The association staff’s eyes widened.
“…You’re a distinguished guest. Please enter. If you need anything, we’ll get it for you.”
“I’m fine. I have most of what I need.”
It seemed like the Red Tower Master had said something. The staff’s reaction was different from my last visit.
I entered the tower.
[Entering the Tower of Dreams.]
[The Tower of Dreams' engraving is confirmed. The qualification of truth is confirmed.]
And then there was a flash of light.
Whoosh.
I felt a strange sensation of floating, and at the end of it, realized I had entered the tower.
All parts except the front were made of stone walls, a peculiar shape.
-It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.
“Indeed.”
When was the last time I was here? It was when I had just started learning martial arts.
I had barely learned Black Shadow Step and was figuring out how to use it.
‘So much has changed.’
My connections, strength, talent, and capabilities were incomparable.
I walked forward without hesitation.