Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 261

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“I see.”
Gerth had accepted this fusion without reservation, having met me as a combined form of Evan Laef and Mitchell Neftis from our first encounter. Sera, too, showed no signs of rejection—merely relief that her questions had been answered, her expression brightening with satisfaction.
“You’ve always known far too much for someone raised entirely in House Neftis, and your ideas have been remarkably innovative. So there was a reason for that.”
“For what it’s worth, Mitchell Neftis also has experience surviving after being stranded on an Uninhabited Island. The survival knowledge and hardship stories—Mitchell carries those too.”
“That part is what truly surprises me.”
We were chatting comfortably in the living room of Kim Yeo-myung’s home when the sound of the entrance code being entered—beep, beep—announced his arrival. The man appeared carrying armfuls of beverages and snacks in both hands.
“Since you’ve come all this way, I thought you should try some foods you haven’t tasted before! I’ve brought all sorts of snacks and drinks!”
“Ohhh!”
“A snack party!”
“Evan had been singing about wanting to eat instant noodles. Is that a local food here?”
“Yes. I brought the instant version. I’ll boil some water right away.”
How long has it been since I’ve had instant noodles! I danced with delight, and Gerth, watching me with contentment, stepped forward saying he’d like to taste it too.
“I’ll make sure you experience the full flavor, Evan. When we return, I’ll cook noodles for you.”
“I love you so much, Gerth!”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I threw my arms around him. Exactly five seconds later, I released him—I couldn’t engage in such intimate behavior in someone else’s home.
“Just wait three minutes!”
“Three minutes? Just by pouring hot water?”
Gerth, the culinary master, widened his eyes and carefully held the cup noodles in both hands. Meanwhile, Sera linked arms with both Sunbirds and laughed heartily.
“They really are just like Sunbirds! I can’t tell the difference!”
“That one is an old fellow who’s been through everything, while I’m fresh and new, Sera Your Highness.”
“You’re the type who doesn’t need to put on airs, so your tongue runs quite free. I’m a mature man and you reek of inexperience—that would be more accurate.”
While the two Sunbirds engaged in their bird fight with sharp cries, Gerth, who had been counting the three minutes, asked me if it was time to open it, and I tore open a disposable wooden chopstick for him.
“Let Evan eat first. Wasn’t that what you wanted so badly?”
“No. I ate it so much back then that I’m tired of it. I don’t have great expectations like Gerth does. You must be curious, so go ahead.”
“Then I’ll eat first.”
Gerth grasped the noodles with elegant chopstick technique and drew them in silently. Truly, he is my husband. To eat noodles without making a sound—that was no ordinary feat.
“Mm!”
Having discovered something, Gerth drank the broth after finishing the noodles. The aroma of instant noodles is wonderful. I had memories of eating it daily as a child until I grew tired of it, so I didn’t seek it out often. But now that I could barely have it, I craved it so intensely. Whether it was forgetfulness, nostalgia, or mere whimsy, it was an enigmatic emotion somewhere in between.
“It’s stimulating! Yet deeply addictive, and in just three minutes, the broth has thoroughly permeated the noodles! Is this because the noodles were fried once? That creates microscopic pores allowing the broth to seep in perfectly. Ingenious. This alone qualifies as an exquisite dish. It captures both convenience and flavor simultaneously!”
I love that side of you too, Gerth—your food critic’s perspective.
Having analyzed both the flavors and the principles behind cup noodles, Gerth handed the remaining noodles to me and withdrew a handkerchief to wipe his mouth. A proud smile graced his lips.
“I understand how this food is made, Evan. When we return, I’ll make it for you in abundance.”
“Yay! How exciting!”
I cheered and devoured the noodles eagerly. After so long, they tasted wonderful. These deep-fried snacks were delicious too. Even the cheap chocolate confection tasted good.
“If half of Evan is from this place, then local food must suit your palate?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a shame. If we had more time, I’d love to try various traditional dishes.”
“We can’t stay. We need to leave before the military mobilizes.”
“Does this nation’s military pose a threat to us?”
“Not directly, but there are many powerless demi-humans and magical beasts in the Tower.”
“So you’re saying we can’t fight while protecting them.”
Missile strikes would be troublesome, and chemical or biological weapons would put us at risk too. The wisest course was to finish our business quickly and leave.
“We brought the Tower all this way. You know why we’re here, don’t you?”
“Ugh…”
Kim Yeo-myung, who had been playing some game choosing between Cute Oriole and Sexy Oriole, frowned at my words. Then he gripped Sera’s hand tightly. Was Sera planning to teleport away the moment she had his hand? But that wasn’t going to happen.
“You know the Serpent King’s Tower’s abilities. We just need to turn back time one more time.”
“Ugh!”
In truth, we didn’t have the battery left for another time jump. Kim Yeo-myung, unaware of our situation, curled up and covered his face.
“If I choose, I’ll disappear! Who would willingly want to die!”
“But you were the one who decided to save Sera no matter what.”
“I know! I know that better than anyone!”
Appealing to emotion, huh? Do something quick. I gave Cute Oriole a meaningful look, and the male nodded, reaching for Sera. But Sera slipped away nimbly, climbed onto the table piled with snacks, and shouted confidently with her arms crossed.
“I don’t fully understand, but is it certain that if the mature Oriole makes this choice, our empire’s people and those from other nations will survive?”
“Yes.”
“And the mature Oriole is hesitating because he’s scared of dying when he makes the choice!”
“Roughly, yes.”
After asking various questions, Sera nodded firmly. Having apparently reached all her conclusions internally, she laughed heartily at the mature Oriole and shouted.
“Oriole, if you’re scared, I’ll gladly die with you! If we die together, it won’t be scary!”
“…Pardon?”
Sera asked me to use ice magic to kill her painlessly. Cute Oriole and Sexy Oriole clung to Sera in exasperation.
“That—that’s ridiculous! Me! You’re saying you’ll die leaving only me behind?! Who do you think I suffered all this for!”
“He’s right. I’m afraid of the choice, yes, but I never wanted your death, Sera. In the first place, I came all this way to save you!”
“If Evan won’t do it, I’ll kill myself!”
“Aaaaah! Aaaaah!”
“Evan! Do something!”
At this rate, she’d snap a wooden stick and stab her own carotid artery. I quickly tore down the living room curtains and wrapped Sera up tightly. Gerth promptly produced a fresh handkerchief and gagged Sera with it. Sera Crowell thrashed on the floor like a freshly caught fish, making muffled sounds.
“So that’s Sera’s will. King of Ten Thousand Demons’ Oriole, look at me for a moment.”
Despite claiming to have experienced everything, his tear ducts were weaker than Cute Oriole’s. Then again, I’d heard that people cry more easily as they age.
“Evan, will you be alright alone?”
“Why would I lose to that guy?”
“I don’t doubt your strength. But Evan always loses in a battle of wits.”
Gerth has grown considerably. He’s learned to phrase my stupidity so gracefully.
I approached Gerth very quickly and struck his solar plexus with my fist. Gerth didn’t hastily guard, apparently expecting the blow.
“Cough.”
“If I’d hit you seriously, you’d have a hole through you, right?”
“I know. That’s Evan’s affection.”
Gerth laughed, saying our bond had grown even stronger now that affection came so naturally. I’m grateful he worried about me, even if it’s because I’m not smart. But I have something I need to discuss with the Oriole separately.
“Let’s go. I’ll leave the destination to you.”
I left Gerth, Sera, and Cute Oriole behind and took Kim Yeomyeong’s hand. The man, his face a mess of tears, activated teleportation.

My body felt weightless for a moment, then the surroundings shifted. The air grew stifling, as though there were no ventilation, and all I could see was cold metal.
“Where is this?”
“The Swiss Secret Vault.”
“How do you know about this place?”
“Half my fortune is stored here.”
He answered crisply enough, yet the man continued weeping. Had Sera’s declaration of death truly shaken him that deeply?
“I’m only now realizing how much I cared for that person.”
So that’s why he’d reversed time again after witnessing a thousand possibilities and used his skill once more. Brilliant mind, yet sometimes this fool acts like an idiot.
“Kim Yeomyeong is too long, so I’ll just call you that.”
“Isn’t that a female surname?”
“….”
How did he end up with a name like that again? There’s no Kim clan with that particular origin in Korea, right? I’d assumed he naturally took a Korean surname when he went into hiding in Korea. But Oyang? Don’t tell me it’s the character for crow combined with the character for good? Because Sera’s surname is Crowell? Is this bastard insane?
“You know. It’s easier to make a foreign passport and pass a naturalization exam than to forge Korean resident registration.”
“Thanks for the detailed explanation, you lunatic.”
In any case, now that we’ve reached the Swiss Secret Vault, at least Gerth won’t hear about this. After all, we’re currently in different countries.
“Kim Yeomyeong.”
“Yes…, it’s coming back to me. You were the one who heard my words as bird calls.”
“I’m not imitating Sera, but if you choose, my existence will disappear as well.”
“That’s not welcome at all.”

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