"Hah... hah... Kōya-kun, you’re an awakened. Why aren’t you carrying any of it?" Nami gasped out, her voice trembling as she staggered slightly under the weight of the baskets.
Each hand held one, and each basket was stuffed full... folded wire loops, rope, metal stakes, bait containers, gloves, a rubble-breaker, and even a cheap sword he insisted on buying.
She wasn’t sure how it had happened, or at what point in their shopping spree she had allowed it, but somehow, she was the one lugging everything he purchased.
Somewhere along the way... probably right after that scammer ran past them screaming, he had simply... shoved the baskets into her arms without a word. And now here she was, twenty thousand crowns lighter, two arms heavier, and one headache richer.
"Well you’re my helper. Isn’t this your job?" Kōya asked casually, completely unbothered, as they approached the final stall on the upper floor.
Unlike Nami, he looked fresh and relaxed with not even a bead of sweat on him.
’This kid... he really doesn’t know shame...’ she thought as she puffed her cheeks.
But she followed anyway.
The last stall was, unfortunately, that stall... the one she always dreaded passing by. The woman operating it glanced up from her seat and immediately licked her lips.
Her long blue hair fell past her shoulders and she leaned forward on her elbows in a way that pushed her cleavage together so aggressively it should’ve been illegal in a workplace.
"Heyyy... bikei-kun," she purred, her fingers sliding up her own arm. "Wanna buy something?"
Nami rolled her eyes so hard she felt her soul detach from her body.
The woman was infamous... not in rumors, but in documented HR complaints. She was what Nami internally termed: the Hardcore Whore.
If a newbie had a handsome face and at least one functioning limb, the woman would pounce.
’Kōya-kun won’t fall for such bullshit... right?’
She truly hoped the boy wasn’t that stupid. One night with this woman and he’d need a full detox, antibiotics, and maybe an exorcism.
"Yes, I need a beginner storage ring," he said immediately.
...Seriously?
But then he produced his ID and held it forward, not even glancing at the woman’s chest.
The seductress blinked.
’Ah, he’s the prime age,’ she thought, her eyes lighting up mischievously as she examined the card.
He was Eighteen... Freshly awakened... Probably dumb... Possibly a virgin which meant he was perfect prey.
She returned the ID while leaning down to rummage through her drawer... purposely lowering herself so the entire top of her cleavage was visible.
She even angled her eyes upward to see if he was staring.
He wasn’t.
Not even a millimeter.
’Ah... a hard nut to crack. I like these types too.’
Two small boxes were placed on the table. She opened the first.
"This one is the Beginner Storage Ring," she said in a honeyed voice, holding up the black band. "One room’s worth of internal space. Good for beginners... but hardly enough if you plan to hunt larger prey."
She pushed the second box forward and dramatically flipped it open, revealing a sleek white ring that glowed a bit.
"This one is the Vermilion Storage Ring. Created by Professor Vermilion of Keropolis... ten rooms of space, and a far better item than the basic. Worth three hundred thousand crowns, but for a handsome new Awakened..." she leaned forward, her voice dripping. "...if you satisfy me on be—"
But Kōya wasn’t listening.
He had already taken the beginner ring and slid it onto his finger.
Immediately, a sensation pulsed through him... like mana linking to the artifact, syncing with its inner space. He lifted his hand slightly and murmured,
"Store."
A light shimmer rippled in the air and both baskets Nami had been holding vanished instantly into the ring.
Her arms dropped, weightless at last.
He gave the seductress a polite nod. "Thank you for the ring."
Then he walked away.
The woman stared at him, her smile frozen mid-seduction.
’...Huh?’
Nami smirked, stuck out her tongue at the seductress for good measure, then hurried after him.
They descended the stairs together.
"Can I still convince you otherwise...?" Nami asked tensely.
Based on the items he purchased, she could already guess his plan: trap, bait, immobilize... a classic Outer Zone method.
But he was one-line black and barely awakened too. ’This kid is going to get himself eaten...’
"No, you can’t," he replied with a lazy yawn. "I’m dead-set on doing this."
"Fine," she muttered, almost sulking. "But if you die... I’ll be cashing in on your Awakened insurance. Since you’re at a one-line black crest, it’s thirty thousand royals. I’ll just buy lunch."
Kōya snorted and looked back at her. "Sure... sure..."
They reached the base of the stairs, where she stopped and released a slow breath.
"I’ll pick you up early... at six."
She lifted her eyes to meet his. "I have your address now, so I’ll escort you right to the barrier. Please don’t die."
He offered a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you."
And with that, he left the KCAC branch.
Nami watched him disappear through the sliding doors and felt a sinking weight in her chest.
’Why do the cute ones always choose death...?’
...
HONK HONK!
Kōya groaned loudly as he rolled on his bed, tangled up in his blanket like a trapped caterpillar.
His eyes squeezed shut.
"Who the fuck is honking this early morning...?"
His phone vibrated aggressively against the mattress. Without opening his eyes, he fumbled for it, finally grabbing it and lifting it to his ear.
He didn’t even check the caller ID.
"What...?"
"It’s 6:30 AM. Why aren’t you up?" Nami’s voice shot through the line with the precision of a sniper.
Kōya blinked once.
Twice.
Then groaned.
"Why the hell would you call someone at 6:30 and honk right outside their house? Do you have no shame?"
"You’re the one who wants to go beyond the barrier even though I told you not to," she scolded. "There’s going to be a lot of traffic in Awakened there, so it’s better to be in front."
Kōya dragged a hand over his face.
’Ugh... she’s way too energetic this early...’
Nami sighed through the phone.
"Now get ready!"