Chapter 4 : Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Since We’re Here, Let’s Go to the 10th Floor (1)

“It certainly seems that the imbalance in your body has worsened.”

“Can you tell just by taking a quick look?”

“I can tell. One gets injured often while training, and I used to treat myself each time.”

I learned a lot while talking with the guy for about 10 minutes.

I thought that I had done a really good job of adding the Sword Master setting. Because of that, there were not only strength but also many other additional benefits.

“You have overused your muscles.”

I followed him to the clearing to train. I thought we would be running, of course, but the guy scanned my body and let out a low sigh.

“For now, it would be better to focus on recovery rather than training. I will admit it. Yesterday’s training was too much for you to handle, my lord.”

“Thaaanks. I’m really, so very thankful.”

“You praise me too much.”

What a truly pure fellow. To take that as a compliment.

“When will the sword arrive?”

“It hasn't even been an hour since I ordered it.”

“Hmm, it seems to take a long time.”

“What are you talking about. Did you think it would just appear with a whoosh just by clicking?”

Player equipment could be purchased from the shopping mall run by the Player Association.

These were all rewards that players had obtained after clearing Avalon, or equipment they had used in the past.

In other words, it took about a day to be delivered, just like any other package.

“I understand. Then, please focus on recovery until tomorrow. I will teach you a few exercises that are good for recovery and will also keep your body from stiffening.”

Oh? Does that mean I can get a free pass on training today?!

……I was a fool for expecting that.

Even though he said that, the guy still found a way to make me move.

I thought there might be a special exercise method since he was a Sword Master, but it was not really like that. Chun-sik taught me stretches that relax the muscles or increase flexibility, which could be commonly found on X-tube.

‘Does this mean he’s a human just like me.’

I finished stretching with the guy. I think it took about an hour.

“Are you planning to go to Avalon today as well?”

He had good timing. I put down the water bottle I was drinking.

“Yeah. Yesterday I couldn't go past the 1st floor because I didn't have enough time, but today I’m going to try to go up as much as possible.”

“What is your maximum target floor?”

I had already decided in my mind to climb up to the 10th floor, but I pretended to be contemplating and dragged out my words.

“For now, you see……. uh……. about the 10th floor……?”

“The 10th floor. That seems sufficient. Variables may arise, but I will do my best.”

Except for when we were training, the guy was very obedient.

“Then, let’s go a little……. Ugh…….”

“Are you still not feeling well, my lord?”

“No. I think it’s working. I feel much better than before.”

VWOOM.

It was subtle, but I could also feel magic power circulating through my body along with my heartbeat.

‘It’s definitely different.’

After moving my body around here and there, I had no choice but to acknowledge his methods.

“The stretching method I taught you also helps in circulating the magic power within your body. Your recovery will probably be much faster.”

Chun-sik said nonchalantly.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.”

“If you want to climb to the 10th floor, you must go to Avalon right now.”

“We cleared the 1st floor so quickly yesterday, there’s no need to rush, is there?”

“It would not be strange for variables to occur at any time. It is better to move with some leeway.”

He had a point. I nodded my head and brought up the status window.

[Do you wish to move to Avalon?]

“I’m going now.”

“Yes, my lord. I am ready.”

At his words, I accepted the message.

Then my body glowed blue, and a moment later, I arrived at the Avalon lobby.

Perhaps because I came during the day, there were more players than yesterday and it was more crowded.

“It’s like a flea market.”

“It’s so chaotic.”

Chun-sik frowned with his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“You’re not going to draw it, are you? That would put me in a difficult position.”

“My lord. Am I crazy? I do not do things that would harm my lord.”

“What if the training is harmful?”

“As I said before, that is separate. Training is a must.”

“Yeah, what can I even say to that.”

When I squinted at him, Chun-sik just twitched his thick eyebrows.

“I am simply displeased with this situation. To be so boisterous in a situation where Avalon could go berserk at any moment. There are no proper masters here.”

The guy clicked his tongue as he said that.

“Berserk…….”

My voice trailed off without me realizing.

Avalon did not have a big impact on a daily basis, but when a berserk state occasionally occurred, it would spew out numerous monsters.

The Player Association also had a big headache because the berserk cycle was irregular, and the difficulty varied greatly with each berserk state.

‘Did they say they couldn’t find the cause of the berserk state.’

There should be a principle or reason, but it was still a mystery. All they could do was watch and respond when there were signs of a berserk state occurring.

“Tsk. My lord. Look over there. The people are…….”

Chun-sik, who was clicking his tongue once more, suddenly flinched.

Wondering what was wrong, I craned my neck and looked in the direction he was looking.

“What is it, Chun-sik?”

“My lord.”

Chun-sik pointed at something and asked.

“What is that?”

“That? It’s a chicken skewer.”

There was a reason I compared this place to a flea market. It was because it really was like a market. On top of that, not all players were focused on conquering the floors.

It was full of players selling all sorts of food or trying to quickly dispose of their own equipment.

What caught Chun-sik’s eye was a chicken skewer stall with a particularly long line.

“That person must be a player too, but they’re doing business all the way here.”

Perhaps they were selling food specifically because it was a place like this? After all, you would have more strength to fight if you ate something.

And it would be even better if that food was a chicken skewer that wafted such a delicious smell.

“They’re pretty smart.”

I left a short comment and turned my body.

“Let’s hurry up and go in…….”

I turned my body as I spoke, but Chun-sik was not next to me.

The guy was frozen like a stone in that spot, staring at the chicken skewer cart.

“……My lord.”

“…….”

What, what was wrong with this guy?

“The smell that stimulates the appetite is very nice.”

“Teriyaki sauce always smells like that.”

“Do they serve it on a wooden stick like that? It must be easy to eat.”

“That’s right.”

“In an emergency, that stick could also be used as a weapon.”

“……That’s right.”

Chun-sik’s gaze would not leave the chicken skewers.

“Should I buy you one? Want to try it?”

“Yes! No…….”

The guy, who had answered loudly, looked at me in surprise.

“Do you want to eat it or not?”

“It is said that delicious food is bad for the body. Eating such food will surely interfere with training…….”

“You’re being long-winded. So, are you eating it or not? I have money left over from shopping earlier, so I can buy you some.”

The guy silently glared at me. I crossed my arms and slowly began to count.

“5, 4, 3, 2…….”

“I-I will try it!! It might be harmful to you, my lord, so I will eat it first and then…….”

I had no intention of eating it, but he was volunteering to be a food taster himself. He must really want to eat it.

“Let’s go. Before the line gets any longer.”

“Yes, yessir!”

The guy followed closely behind me. I let out a chuckle without realizing it.

For some reason, it felt like I was taking a big child around. It was a different feeling from when we were talking about magic crystals or training.

After waiting in line for about 20 minutes, our turn came. I spoke to Chun-sik.

“How many do you want?”

“How many will you be having, my lord?”

“I’m not having any.”

“Wh-why not!?”

“I’m sick of chicken now.”

“But it looks so delicious?”

“I’ve eaten it a lot.”

It was goodbye to chicken for a while. I did not know how many chicken boxes were still in front of my house, yet to be taken out for recycling.

“By any chance……. how many can you buy me?”

I recalled the remaining balance in my bank account.

“Um, quite a lot?”

“Have you decided?”

The employee, who exuded a strong magic power, asked back with a bright expression. Chun-sik, who heard my words, approached the employee with a firm expression.

Between them was a glass case where the chicken skewers were stored, and Chun-sik pointed at the case with his finger.

“Give me all of them.”

“……All of them?”

“Are you really going to eat them all?”

The employee and I asked back at the same time, but Chun-sik just nodded his head with a firm expression.

“Yes. Give me all of them.”

“……Please charge me for everything.”

Should this place be considered a special area as well? Thanks to that, the chicken skewers at this shop were quite expensive. They were about ten thousand won each.

“The total will be 350,000 won.”

Thirty chicken skewers and various drinks came out to a whopping 350,000 won.

Still, it was good if my summon ate well. If I went this far, he would fight harder, right?

With such expectations, I willingly paid.

As I sat at the table, a tray piled high with chicken skewers like a mountain came out shortly after.

“Ooh……!!”

Chun-sik’s eyes lit up in admiration.

I had never seen this much of an emotional change in him before. He must really like it.

“My lord.”

In the meantime, Chun-sik did not forget who had bought them for him and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You have to work hard after eating, okay?”

“Of course. I will never forget my lord's consideration. Even if it means sacrificing my life, I will definitely protect you, my lord……”

“Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re trying to say. You’ll protect me with your life?”

“That is correct.”

“First, just eat with your life on the line. Don’t leave any. You’ll be in trouble if you leave any.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

I came to conquer a floor, but suddenly I was eating chicken skewers.

I stared at the guy with my arms crossed. He was so fascinated that he could not take his eyes off the pile of chicken skewers.

“That one is spicy, this one is teriyaki. That one is seasoned, and the white one has no sauce.”

I pointed at the chicken skewers with my chin and told him the flavors.

“If you were me, my lord, what would you eat first?”

“Hmm. I think I’d start with the one without sauce. If you’ve never had it before, you should try the basic flavor first.”

“As expected, you are wise. I will follow my lord's opinion.”

“……Huh? Hey, you only call me your lord at times like this, right? Now that I think about it, I don't think you called me your lord once when we were training earlier.”

“Mmph? Ish a mishunershtandin.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yash, ish ish.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeh.”

“Swallow and then speak.”

“…….”

GULP.

“You are correct. As expected of my lord. You read my intentions completely.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion like that. You can't hunt if you have indigestion, can you?”

“I understand.”

10 minutes later.

“A Sword Master must minimize the time spent on things other than training and combat. I did not want to waste my lord’s time, so I ate as quickly as possib……. HIC. ……le.”

“Was it good?”

“……I enjoyed the meal.”

There was a saying that money begets money.

I had invested 350,000 won in this guy. Therefore, he would have to provide a corresponding reward.

For example, a magic crystal. Or a magic crystal. Or maybe a magic crystal.

“Are you ready?”

“I am my lord's sword. Equipment does not need preparation. Please draw and use me whenever you need.”

……Th-that cunning mouth of his.

“We’re going from the 1st floor again today.”

SWOOSH.

The guy placed his hand on his sword.

“I will follow your command.”

Hey, can’t you at least wipe the sauce off your mouth before you speak? It really brings down the credibility.