24-Hour Friendly Market, Specializing in Dimensional Items - Chapter 207

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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 207

Episode 207. A Well-Set Flag (3)

If you asked what kind of relationship Manti and I have, it would be about ‘just a cat I know.’

Since I haven’t been allowed to pet his belly, it’s a bit much to call us close friends, but since I can scratch his back, it’s also ambiguous to say we’re awkward with each other.

But if you asked what meaning Manti holds for me, I couldn’t immediately draw the line and say he means nothing.

For that, my first meeting with Manti was too intense.

Living a rock-bottom life with nothing to look forward to in my tedious existence, already miserable from getting caught up in a Gate, when suddenly a kind cat popped out from between the grass and guided me to the Gate exit.

If I hadn’t given Manti that feather, I probably wouldn’t have been able to awaken my title.

And I wouldn’t have met people like Alessandro or Kang Yeon-hee, nor would I have had the chance to speak confidently in front of our country’s renowned Hunters.

Manti was the one who helped me awaken.

Whether it was my title or my faith in people.

‘And he’s warm.’

Of course, I don’t mean it’s meaningful just because cats have high body temperature.

I’m certain that comforting a person with just the cozy warmth of burrowing into their embrace is something only Manti could do.

A grateful being who quietly let me hold him when I was pathetically shaken while thinking about Brother.

‘He must have been annoyed.’

Since he put up with me rudely burying my nose in his back and sniffing around.

Well, that’s about all that happened between Manti and me.

It’s not like there are any great episodes worth bragging about.

But for me alone, it’s a heavy memory.

Such memories remain for a long time and become the strength that supports me.

So, to express my feelings honestly.

‘Not Manti.’

He can’t die.

I gently stroked the soft head of Manti, who was lying relaxed on my lap.

Even though I don’t contact Manti daily or meet him often, I absolutely couldn’t tolerate Manti dying.

Even if he threatened me to hand over catnip, I would gladly comply with the threat.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, then opened them.

Another worry had been added to my already complicated mind, but this worry was a problem I had to think about first, even if I set aside everything else.

‘Isn’t there something I can do?’

I’m someone who’s had my share of experience in Babel too.

There must be an answer somewhere. I started frantically searching through my mind.

A way to go to another dimension?

There’s no such thing.

Or maybe the scenario currently progressing in Manti’s dimension…

No, if that doesn’t work, is there a way to at least get into the Tower of Babel in Manti’s dimension?

[⁕ You cannot directly intervene in other dimensions :)]

“I know!”

I frowned and shouted angrily.

Only our Sam-i would deliver such a pretty confirmation kill with harsh words.

Though it was the answer I expected, I couldn’t help feeling deflated when it was actually confirmed.

Well, the Dimensional Door skill was said to only allow access to ‘Babel Towers in the same dimension.’

The one who responded to my irritation was Manti, who had been quietly caught up in his emotions.

Perhaps displeased at having his final farewell interrupted, Manti looked up at me and meowed softly.

“Meow.”

-Why are you suddenly raising your voice, my friend.

I felt rather embarrassed by Manti’s dignified speech, which didn’t lose its composure even in this situation.

I gently stroked Manti’s back again and muttered.

“Sorry, I was just wondering if there really isn’t any way.”

I’m supposedly a Creator and a merchant, but is there really nothing I can do with my abilities?

Manti shook his head lightly.

-My friend, where there are meetings, there are also partings. That is the natural order, so do not be sad. The brief moments I spent with you were truly precious joy to me. I simply wanted to convey this grateful heart.

The small, slow meowing that echoed was calm.

Manti was already preparing for death.

Accepting the reality that nothing could be done, he had simply resolved himself with a heavy heart to head toward hell, from which no one returns.

But the heartbeat under his soft fur was irregular.

Even speaking so calmly and pretending to be fine, there would be no being that could accept a foreseen death.

This would be especially true for Manti, who lived in a dimension where they diligently climbed the Tower.

This is all because of that stupid Creator and director who irresponsibly jumped into the dimensional rift…

‘…Dimensional rift.’

I blinked my eyes wide once.

Even if I can’t do anything with my abilities, I can do something with the information I’ve discovered!

It’s something I can’t forget, so why was I forgetting about it!

“Broker!”

I shouted as if screaming and jumped up.

“Myaaak!”

Manti, who had fallen off when I stood up, yowled fiercely.

I didn’t care and quickly scooped up Manti around his waist.

“Myaak-!”

-This is extremely rude behavior. Your insolence seems to have crossed the line.

Though it was an indignant yowl as if he was angry, I opened my inventory while tucking Manti under my armpit.

What I need right now is time!

What will help with that is the Emerald Skywalk’s performance!

I can’t carry Alessandro, but I can certainly carry this small cat!

Manti, suddenly tucked under someone’s armpit, struggled desperately to escape from my embrace.

Even while flailing his whole body, not extending his claws while struggling was very Manti-like, I suppose.

People passing by shot suspicious glances at me with contempt, as if I were a cat abuser.

I shamelessly ignored those looks, got on the Emerald Skywalk, sat Manti in front, started it up, and shouted loudly.

“There’s a way!”

“Meow-! Ah…?”

-Are you mocking me right now…! Wait, what did you just say?

Manti, who had somehow settled into the small part of the saddle, looked up at me.

His posture with front paws neatly together seemed oddly like he was interrogating me.

Moreover, his vertically elongated pupils seemed to be reproaching me as if asking what I was talking about.

I could feel gentle resentment, as if the timing wasn’t good for such a malicious prank.

Instead of sitting face to face and explaining gently, I started racing the Emerald Skywalk.

As the startled Manti extended his claws and clung tightly to my body, I shouted in a somewhat hopeful voice.

“I’m not joking. It’s not the time for jokes either. Really, there’s a way.”

His blue eyes swayed lightly from side to side.

“Meow…?”

-Do you know the weight of your words? The insight that no one else has reached, the hope that has already faded… you are forcibly placing it in my hands.

Manti’s suspicion made sense too.

But in a desperate situation right before dimensional destruction, there’s no other way besides this.

-If it is truly possible, I express my deep gratitude.

I felt the warmth of the cozy fish cake bundle burrowing into my embrace again and picked up more speed.

The distance that took forever when walking showed the river fairly quickly when riding the Emerald Skywalk.

If the Broker could possibly pull someone out of the dimensional rift.

‘Manti’s dimension could be safe too.’

The reason I’m moving so enthusiastically right now seems to be because I want to somehow fill my empty heart in a situation where I can’t immediately get Brother back.

Since Manti’s dimension is something I can help with somehow.

Of course… there’s one river we need to cross.

“But, Manti.”

I wasn’t talking about this river.

I stepped onto the bridge crossing the river and carefully opened my mouth.

“Could you, by any chance, give up someone you love or… a title?”

Manti, who heard my question, lifted her face from my chest and looked up at me.

I glanced down briefly, then fixed my gaze forward again.

I had said there was a way, but I didn’t think Manti would like it.

* * *

I wonder if Alessandro waited with this same feeling.

I sat on the Emerald Skywalk and stared endlessly at the three silver bells.

It didn’t seem like it would end quickly, but I had to wait longer than expected.

There were many things to worry about, from concern for Manti who had gone inside to the unpleasant surrounding scenery.

“…When is she coming out.”

I grumbled while kicking a stone rolling on the ground.

Unlike the other side lined with stalls, this place didn’t seem to have very good security.

Unmanaged roads and old buildings, and suspicious beings covered from head to toe passing by.

Even the windows of the buildings right next to the business establishment were all covered with black cloth.

‘Is this really a shopping district?’

Anyway, the 75th Floor is a ‘market’, and the place Manti entered is strictly speaking a business establishment for trading, so the surrounding area is likely to be shops too.

Maybe it’s not a market for buying and selling goods, but shops that only deal with things requiring secret back-alley transactions.

Of course, I don’t want to check.

I had no intention of voluntarily entering a place with such a suspicious appearance that I wouldn’t want to go in.

That was the moment.

Ding-

I quickly raised my head at the sound of the three silver bells ringing in sequence like a chorus.

Manti was walking out gracefully with light steps.

“Manti!”

I hurriedly ran over and crouched down.

Reading expressions on a cat’s face is difficult, but surely there would be a sign in Manti’s eyes….

‘There isn’t.’

I gave up on pointless speculation and carefully asked.

“How did it go?”

Manti looked up at me quietly and twitched her nose.

It was already known that Brokers propose things that are hard to handle as the price for transactions.

To Alessandro, memories of someone he loved; to me, a title.

There was no telling what they demanded from Manti, who had to bring both the Creator and Performer.

Maybe they demanded something too big, causing Manti to give up on the deal and come out in despair.

I gently scratched Manti’s nape with an anxious heart.

I wondered if I had raised her hopes by saying there was a way, only to disappoint her again.

I’m not usually such a considerate person, but somehow I felt nervous.

Manti, who had quietly closed her eyes at my touch, meowed softly.

-I decided to proceed with the deal.

“Really?!”

I brightened up and picked up Manti.

Unlike before, Manti settled into my arms without resistance and purred.

I had worried that Manti might despair over unbearable deal conditions, but this was truly fortunate.

-The Author agreed to send the two lost heroes back to my homeland. Isn’t that truly fortunate?

I nodded and met the blue eyes looking up at me.

“…Hm?”

But Manti’s eyes, which said it was fortunate, somehow looked a little complicated.

Just as I was about to ask if it really went well, Manti meowed as if taking the initiative.

-Thank you for opening another door for me, who came to say farewell.

…Or not?

Reading Manti’s emotions wasn’t that easy, so I couldn’t be certain.

Manti quickly erased the subtle emotion she had shown and buried her face in my arms.

I didn’t solve it directly, I only told Manti the method, but anyway, I prevented the destruction of one dimension.

This means I don’t have to experience the situation of Manti appearing before me as a Performer.

With that thought, I selflessly and gently stroked Manti’s back.

“…Meow.”

-Really.

A very short word without flowery language.

I casually dismissed this window, but I was able to find out what Manti had given up not long after.

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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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