Chapter 881

EP.881 [Light Novel Side Story] Creation of the Death Dinass 1st Volume 028

The heated debate ended without any results.

Just like newlyweds arguing over a baby name, the three female members each had differing opinions on the guild name, and no consensus was reached.

“Then let’s do this.”

Xian, who was on the first floor, decided to mediate when it became clear there would be no conclusion by closing time.

“We’ll ask for collective intelligence help.”

Xian immediately posted a thread in the community forum.

[We’ll combine the first three comments into a guild name.]

Despite the somewhat rude post, comments started rolling in.

First comment, read by Yuinah.

“Deathly…aura…felt…therefore ‘Death.'”

Second comment, read by Park Ra-on.

“D. As in D of Death. Haha…sorry!”

Third comment, read by Kim Nori.

“Nice! Hahaha!”

Xian combined the three comments in a daze.

“Death D Nice?”

What is this ridiculous name? Xian never imagined the strongest guild name known worldwide would end up like this. Even something normal like <Hero Squad> or <Heroes Temple>, or <Hunter Killer> would have been better.

“…Sigh.”

“I’m exhausted. Used too much brainpower.”

“You’re serious? You’re actually going with this name?”

Xian violently shook her head. No matter how she rearranged “Nice Death D,” “Death Nice D,” “Nice D Death,” nothing sounded appropriate. While racking her brains over this, Yuna yawned with half-closed eyes and said,

“It’s tiring, so just make it quick…”

“Yes.”

Following the guild master’s order, Xian covered the sleeping trio with clothes and blankets, then somehow combined the three letters into a somewhat presentable name.

“Death Dinass.”

If anyone asked about the origin of the guild name, she’d simply reply,

“There’s no particular meaning.”

She couldn’t possibly admit it was created from combining random internet comments. Deleting the thread she posted, Xian covered the sleeping women with office blankets prepared for such occasions.

* * *

“So, Sister Ra-on will stay with me, and Uncle will return to #301 as usual.”

At Nuri’s ultimatum, Ra-on and Xian gratefully bowed their heads. It was awkward to leave an empty room unused until the couple regained consciousness, and it was problematic for Ra-on to continue living off Yuna’s hospitality.

“I’ll guard Miss Nuri from the side.”

Ra-on pulled up her shirt slightly to reveal her waist. She decided to always wear a tight-fitting bodysuit that could quickly respond to any danger.

Nuri compared her own body to Ra-on’s clearly defined waistline and felt a pang of envy.

“You’ll sleep on the floor.”

“Did I do something wrong…?”

“Just kidding. I was just teasing.”

“Really? It sounded serious.”

While Ra-on hesitated, noticing Xian’s gaze lingering on her waist, she quickly pulled down her shirt. Xian cleared her throat and looked away.

“You pervert.”

“No, I was just impressed you bought such a good one.”

Xian gestured toward Nuri with her chin. Nuri curled up, pulling her hoodie lower to cover her exposed midriff.

“I’ll report you to the police.”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“What exactly is a misunderstanding?”

Yuna poked her head out from the kitchen. There were traces of kimchi juice dripping from the knife she had just used to slice kimchi.

“Oh, never mind.”

“Got it? Just a bit more frying and everything will be ready.”

Yuna hummed a tune as she returned to cooking.

The group, who had fallen asleep in the office, headed to Nuri’s place first due to hunger. Yuna suggested they eat at home instead of going out, which Nuri readily agreed to.

“Sister Ra-on, I bet ten thousand won that Yuna can’t cook.”

“I’ll take the bet that she can.”

“What? Cook well too? Impossible. She’s a cheat character.”

“She’s already broken through all seven attributes to level 99. Does adding cooking skills really change anything?”

Ra-on had already accepted Yuna’s capabilities, while Nuri developed a competitive spirit to see how far Yuna’s talents extended.

“The gods must’ve made a mistake somewhere. They probably accidentally released a test product meant to experiment with human talent limits into the real world.”

“As bad as that sounds, treating people like products…”

“You call her a goddess but what’s the difference?”

“Why are you dragging me into this when I’m not even involved?”

As Xian scribbled with a pen on the table, she rebutted Nuri, who pointed toward the kitchen with her thumb.

“Beautiful face, great figure, angelic personality. Smart enough to only miss one question on the college entrance exam? Second-highest scorer in the New Seoul University Magical Engineering Department. And her supposed weakness, growth cap? Whoa, total of 701? This is-”

“Nuri?”

Startled by the gentle voice behind her, Nuri turned around. Through the glass door, Yuna stood smiling with a pot in hand.

“Don’t know where the utensils are, can you help?”

“Eh, uh, yes!”

Nuri rushed into the kitchen. Ra-on sighed at Nuri’s behavior before meeting Xian’s eyes.

“Jealousy isn’t good.”

“Nuri’s fine. Probably.”

Xian stopped writing in her notebook, seemingly concluding something. When Ra-on approached to inquire,

“Can I look?”

“Yeah, it’s our plan.”

“Plan?”

Nuri glanced at the notebook while putting down the cutlery in the kitchen. It contained the magical power stats of the three and possible growth strategies based on their special abilities.

“I’ve been thinking about how to best develop you guys.”

Xian explained as Nuri placed the notebook on the table.

“Sister Ra-on, you can now accumulate mana in your dantian, but your maximum output is weak. We’ll compensate with equipment.”

“With core weapons or body suits?”

Ra-on unnecessarily unbuttoned her top to show her collarbone, confirming the safety of her bodysuit that protected even her neck. Satisfied, Xian nodded.

“Yeah. After dungeon runs or monster hunts, we’ll process the materials into something like this.”

Xian pointed to her coat. Realizing what she meant, Ra-on marveled. Nuri sat next to Xian after placing a dish on the table.

“What about me?”

“You need to awaken to dark element first. Ideally, upon awakening, your mana would activate fully up to your growth cap-”

Xian glanced toward the kitchen. Yuna carefully placed a steaming hot pan on the table.

“It’s hot.”

The smell of stir-fried kimchi and ham teased the nose. A fried egg rested atop the mountainous fried rice. The opposite side featured garnished with powdered seaweed, making mouths water.

“Since it’s morning, I kept it simple. Everyone didn’t eat properly yesterday, right?”

“Thank you, I’ll eat well.”

After Yuna made another trip to the kitchen, breakfast began for the four. Xian mechanically devoured the kimchi fried rice, Ra-on exclaimed in amazement with every bite, and Nuri nibbled absentmindedly, chewing slowly.

“This is cheating.”

“Don’t talk with food in your mouth.”

“How does she manage to be good at everything?!”

“…She’s just good at good things. Such basic home-cooking.”

Yuna casually added while serving herself rice, glancing at Xian.

“I lived alone near the academy last year. My contract ended when I came home for vacation.”

“The academy in Daejeon? Don’t they have dormitories?”

“…My growth cap was low, so I fell behind halfway through. I lived alone for about half a year.”

“…And picked up cooking as a hobby during that time?”

“I watched some U-tube videos and tried a few easy recipes.”

Nuri still ate sparingly. Noticing Nuri’s chopstick movements, Xian found something amusing but kept quiet for Nuri’s dignity.

‘She hasn’t used chopsticks once.’

Everyone likely noticed the same thing unconsciously. Nuri never used chopsticks from the start, and the others, including Xian, tried using them a couple of times before abandoning the effort.

“By the way, where’s your sister?”

Xian asked Nuri about Gaon’s whereabouts. Nuri stirred her rice with her spoon before answering.

“Sister doesn’t live here.”

“Huh?”

“Sister lives separately. She got her own place because she didn’t want to share a room with me.”

“Ah…”

Xian sighed at Gaon’s wise decision.

“Maybe it’s not because she doesn’t want to fight with you but to avoid causing trouble?”

“…Probably. She was part of the Round Table Esquire Guild after all.”

“Still, wouldn’t it be better if the landlord moved in? We’re family now.”

“No rooms. Sister Ra-on shares with me, and using my parents’ room feels weird. It’s too cramped for three people.”

The landlord’s polite refusal left Ra-on disheartened.

“A rare opportunity to discuss mana theory with an A-rank ability user…”

“There’ll be plenty more chances, right?”

Xian swallowed a mouthful of rice.

“We’ll go to dungeons a few times without Nuri.”

“Whyyyyyyyyy!!!!”

Nuri screamed loudly. Xian winced, pinching her nose and covering her ears in irritation.

“You don’t have to shout, we can hear you fine.”

“Why are you taking sister and leaving me out?! Are you excluding me now?!”

“You need to work.”

Xian mimed drinking from a cup.

“Didn’t you see Sister Gaon working full-time yesterday? Your contract period isn’t over yet. Until the end of February, you should act normally. So…”

Xian subtly checked her watch. It was already 9:20.

“Go to work first. We’ll think things through meanwhile.”

“I don’t want to work! Waaaaaaaah!”

“Nuri.”

“…Alright.”

Shoulders slumped, Nuri carried her empty plate to the kitchen.

“Because of this, you shouldn’t do unnecessary things… Hmm?”

Xian casually checked Yuna’s bowl, noting that while she and Ra-on had finished eating, Yuna had barely eaten half. Recognizing the same observation, Xian and Ra-on exchanged uneasy glances.

‘Should we just get up?’

‘She’ll feel hurt if we leave her alone!’

“Hmm?”

Noticing the two staring at her, Yuna looked up.

“Ah, are you still hungry? Should I make more?”

“…It’s fine.”

“I’m thirsty. Let me grab something.”

Until Yuna finished eating, Xian and Ra-on sipped water or nibbled on side dishes, trying to stay seated.

“That was delicious. Shall I clean up and tidy the house?”

After finishing the dishes, Yuna suggested cleaning, prompting Xian and Ra-on, who had been sitting uncomfortably, to quickly stand up and start moving.

* * *

“We should buy clothes for Sister Ra-on.”

After tidying up the house, Yuna suggested to Xian that they purchase clothing for Ra-on, which Xian agreed would be necessary to cover Ra-on’s bodysuit.

“Sorry, but all the hoodies Nuri gave me turned into crop tops…”

“That’s Nuri’s fault, not yours.”

Xian chuckled, recalling the height difference between Nuri and Ra-on. Hoodies loose on Nuri revealed Ra-on’s abdomen, and Ra-on lacked proper attire.

“Here, take this.”

Xian casually tossed a wad of cash. Surprised by the sudden appearance of money in her account, Yuna questioned its source. Xian strongly emphasized it was investment funds received from Oracle.

“Perhaps Nuri’s suspicion might be correct…”

Recalling Ra-on’s meaningful glance earlier, Xian shivered, feeling a major misunderstanding had occurred. Trying to follow up, she turned back when Ra-on mentioned needing underwear as well.

‘This is why staying in someone else’s house feels awkward.’

Though entering #301 again, most of Xian’s life happened in the office. With new equipment received from Oracle, she planned to reorganize her ammunition.

‘Maybe I should buy some drinks.’

Humming cheerfully, Xian headed toward the café but stopped mid-step. Through the window, she saw Nuri forcing smiles while attending to a large group of association personnel inside.

‘If I walk in now, chaos will ensue.’

Unwilling to cause trouble, Xian scanned her surroundings and entered the nearby convenience store to find refreshments.

‘I might as well grab lunch too.’

Reaching for the last strawberry-flavored sandwich and milk, coincidentally both containing strawberries.

“Ah.”

A girl standing nearby let out a disappointed sound. Her face partially hidden by a snapback cap and mask, her eyes clearly fixated on the strawberry items Xian held. Xian offered them with a slight gesture.

“Would you like these?”

With a nod, the girl eagerly accepted the offerings like treasures. Xian smiled warmly, finding her reaction adorable like a child receiving a gift.

The girl hurried to the checkout counter, leaving Xian pondering before grabbing a canned coffee and instant noodles. The young cashier in a Yu-sung convenience store uniform scanned the items lazily.

“Three thousand two hundred won.”

“Uh…”

The girl fumbled in her pocket, producing two crumpled two-dollar bills rarely seen in circulation. Realizing the issue, Xian noted the girl wasn’t wearing any magical gear.

“Excuse me, did you not exchange currency… Oh, maybe she doesn’t understand?”

Scratching the back of her neck, Xian handed her items and magical gear to the cashier.

“Please check out together.”

“Seven thousand won.”

Was it because she was foreign? The cashier’s brusque tone made Xian feel slightly embarrassed but maintained composure while handing over the strawberry goods.

“Please take it. I’ll pay for you.”

“Thank you…”

Upon exchanging the items, their fingers briefly touched, startling the girl who hastily left. Watching her blue hair strands slip from beneath the cap, Xian clicked her tongue.

“I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

Was it déjà vu? Shivering slightly, Xian dashed down the sidewalk.

‘I need to decide the dungeon to tackle soon.’

Once everyone’s preparations were complete, they would head to the dungeon. Entering the office to search for an appropriate dungeon, Xian noticed something odd.

“Why isn’t it cold in here?”

Thinking she might have forgotten to turn off the heater, she was surprised to find it off. Yet, the office air felt unnaturally warm, like a pleasant spring day.

“What’s going on?”

Confused, Xian hung her coat on the rack.

It felt like being haunted by a ghost.