24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 106

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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24-Hour Friendly Market Specializing in Dimensional Items Episode 106

Episode 106. Adding Insult to Injury (1)

[■ Babel System : ‘Guild Alliance’ has cleared Floor 53.]

[■ Babel System : Floor 53 is now open.]

I waved away the window that appeared before my eyes and let out a long yawn.

The warm sunlight filtering through the green foliage was making my entire body drowsy and relaxed.

The sound of birds chirping overhead, the rustling of grass, and the perfectly cast shade.

It was an incredibly peaceful scene.

I hugged the small tombstone beside me tightly and closed my eyes.

The tombstone had been warmed by the sunlight and held a gentle warmth.

[Remy, resting here]

Right after the Floor 53 scenario ended, I immediately fled to Floor 51.

Logically, I knew I needed to have a proper conversation with Kim Seol.

‘But I was just too tired.’

Even Park Ji-woon, seeing my expression, couldn’t bring himself to stop me and gestured for me to go ahead.

He only asked me to visit the Management Bureau once.

It’s common knowledge among hunters that getting personally involved in solving scenarios leads to exhaustion.

‘But I wasn’t even a scenario participant, so why am I this tired?’

I know the answer, but it’s still frustrating.

No, rather than frustration, it’s more like an effort to somehow calm the complex and turbulent feelings rising within me.

I was frustrated that a scenario I thought would be easily resolved ended up finishing that way at the last moment.

I buried my face against the tombstone and mumbled.

“What exactly is Babel trying to do, Remy?”

Since the scenario didn’t mention words like subjugation or elimination, I thought no one would die.

‘I was thinking too simply.’

The process of an entire dimension collapsing could never be a light story to begin with.

But when I think about whether I should approach things more seriously than now, that’s not really a suitable solution for me either.

I’m surprisingly the type who pretends not to care while getting emotionally invested in various ways.

That’s probably why I got exhausted even though I wasn’t a scenario participant.

Guk Min-seong’s concerns turned out to be spot on.

I’ll still need to do reconnaissance since I promised Park Ji-woon, but for now it seemed better to remain as an observer.

‘Honestly, asking me to enter the scenario was a breach of contract.’

I should get something more to make it worth my while.

As I was pondering what to ask for, a thought struck me like lightning and my eyes snapped open.

“Ah, damn!”

Well, it’s not like I’m swearing in front of a kid.

The belated realization made my head spin.

‘I completely forgot about finding the Tower of Babel.’

To think I went in so confidently only to completely forget the most important thing…

This was my mistake.

If I had just remembered it when I was fighting with Kim Seol, I could have somehow checked for it!

The Tower of Babel even has a proper name, so I could have easily found it using the discoverer’s eye.

‘Well, it’s too late now.’

What’s the point of regret?

I let out a deep sigh and hugged the tombstone even tighter.

There are still many floors I can check, so at least for today, I want to stop thinking about scenarios and towers.

Let me at least apologize for swearing in front of young ears.

“You’ll end up swearing too when you grow up anyway.”

…Is that too harsh to say to a kid who can’t grow up anymore?

I closed my eyes and quietly savored the warmth of the tombstone.

“Lee Hae, what are you talking about?”

I had said something that others would scold me for being immature, and someone who overheard it muttered in an amused voice.

I quietly opened my eyes while still hugging the tombstone.

Anton with a picnic basket and mat.

And my prison mate Clara walking over with a bundle of white wildflowers and a bundle in her arms.

Her bright expression, so different from when Agemor was causing trouble, was almost unfamiliar.

‘Well, I suppose that’s natural?’

The loving couple living in a successfully cleared scenario smiled with faces full of joy.

“Perfect timing, we were wondering when you’d visit again.”

“Other humans come and go a lot. What brings you here, Lee Hae?”

I am their benefactor, but they’re welcoming me more warmly than I expected.

After seeing only painful things, being welcomed so warmly feels like receiving healing.

“I came by because I wanted to rest a bit.”

I answered slowly, covering my softening expression.

Anton, who was spreading out a mat nearby, asked with a puzzled look.

“What’s wrong? You look particularly tired.”

“I just had a lot of work.”

“Oh my, what kind of work?”

I was momentarily speechless at Clara’s surprised face as she covered her mouth and asked back.

Well, it was a scenario where both the kraken and mermaids could have been saved and resolved peacefully, but both species went extinct…

Summarizing it in one sentence made it seem even more tragic, so I couldn’t say anything and just moved my lips.

‘They look happy, so there’s no need to whine for sympathy.’

If you divide sadness in two, you just get two sad people.

“I just thought everything would work out well… but the world seems quite complicated.”

“You must have had some really difficult times. When that happens, you need to eat well and rest properly, Lee Hae.”

You sound like a Korean, this person.

At that moment, a beautifully wrapped sandwich piece suddenly appeared before my eyes.

“Our baby made it. We packed plenty, so please have some too, Lee Hae.”

“…Clara made this?”

Anton didn’t answer and just smiled bashfully.

Clara also blushed, her feathers turning red.

…Seeing a blush appear on feathers is still amazing no matter how many times I see it.

“Baby, I’ll watch Kkong-i. You eat comfortably too, baby.”

Geez, even though I know perfectly well that her pet name is ‘baby,’ hearing it still gives me goosebumps.

Then something wriggled in Clara’s arms.

“Oh, could it be…?”

“Ah, would you like to hold him?”

Clara readily offered the bundle she was holding while suppressing a smile.

I awkwardly took the bundle that smelled of that distinctive sweet baby scent.

‘I’ve never held a baby before…!’

What was wrapped in the soft bundle was none other than ‘Kkong-i.’

I had no idea what form he would be born in, but he had a human appearance with only wings and small claws.

He seemed to have inherited Clara’s blood strongly, with snow-white hair and eyelashes.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the squirming mouth and slightly red cheeks, staring for a long while.

When I gently touched the tiny wriggling fingers, the baby reflexively grasped my finger tightly.

The sensation of the small hand gripping with strength seemed to instantly brighten my weary heart, making me feel as if my depleted energy was being replenished.

What was I to deserve this.

I was being comforted by this tiny grasp for the guilt I felt about the lives I couldn’t save.

As I was lost in thought watching the baby, Clara asked with a smile.

“We’ve been waiting for you to come.”

“Why?”

Anton and Clara smiled shyly and gently patted each other’s hands.

“We were hoping Lee Hae would give our little one a name.”

“And we’d like you to become the baby’s godmother.”

“A name… godmother… me?”

Wait, isn’t that something that only appears in fantasy stories?

‘Oh right, this is a fantasy world.’

Looking at me with expectant eyes wasn’t a human but a swan with glossy, shining feathers – I couldn’t mistake it even if I tried.

Anton’s gaze was just as intense.

It seemed the two had already decided early on to ask me and had been waiting.

I avoided their burdensome gazes and muttered with a smiling face.

“How could I possibly give the name?”

I’m not a fortune teller, and I’m a complete stranger – would it really be okay for me to give a name?

What if I give a name that doesn’t match the child’s destiny and only causes suffering?

“What’s the big deal? What grand thing is needed for naming? You just need a heart that wishes for the child’s happiness.”

A heart that wishes for happiness.

Perhaps what makes things most difficult for me is that I wish for all the performers I encounter to be happy.

Besides, isn’t it natural to wish for such a small, adorable life to be happy?

And seeing how it knows to grip my finger tightly, it’s obvious this will be a smart child.

I quietly opened my mouth.

Hoping for a life that would be white and warm, one that enriches the heart.

“Baekseolgi…”

“…Isn’t there another name? Not that it’s strange, but it seems difficult to pronounce. Yes, yes.”

“No, I misspoke.”

“Oh, right?”

Really now, it just popped out because it suddenly came to mind, but they’re making me embarrassed with their obvious relief.

I lifted and lowered the finger the baby was gripping tightly, playing gently.

If I were to give a name to this child who is like an unfading sprout…

“Raut.”

I whispered softly and lifted my head.

I didn’t really attach deep meaning to it, but I hope they live like a budding sprout.

Clara and Anton smiled brightly and lightly bumped shoulders with each other.

“Our little one has a name now. Raut.”

“Thank you.”

They seemed to like the name, as both had eyes full of gratitude and joy.

“Godmother.”

For the record, I never actually agreed to become a godmother.

* * *

“Babies really are a cure-all.”

Could my steps become this light just from holding one briefly?

The baby’s warm body temperature and sweet scent still seemed to linger around my neck.

I entered Babel Square with an ironic feeling.

I had gone to Remy’s grave wanting to rest alone without meeting anyone, but ended up meeting someone and being comforted.

Honestly, right after the 53rd floor scenario ended, I was unusually caught up in melancholy.

Too many lives had died because I unnecessarily interfered.

Laoco’s final moments that I witnessed were far too depressing.

But the life I saved by unnecessarily interfering asked me to name their baby.

They even asked me to become a godmother.

I pulled up the corners of my mouth and stepped forward energetically.

Right, I’m not someone who crumbles this easily.

Most importantly, if I’m moping around here looking half-dead, I won’t have any godmother dignity!

“Let me see how many days have passed.”

With a light heart, I checked the calendar hanging on the front of Babel Square.

It’s natural for hunters going back and forth to the Tower to lose track of dates, so it was hung there as a consideration.

Though I never expected I’d be the one checking it.

But then.

“…”

[20XX. 12. XX]

The time was strange.

I definitely entered in mid-November, so why is it mid-December?

Even though time inside and outside the Tower of Babel differs, I only stayed in the Tower of Babel for about two days.

‘But a whole month passed in the meantime?’

At that moment, a chilling premonition flashed through my mind.

“…Aegis.”

I had been absent from my part-time job for a month without saying anything.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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