Chapter 111

Finally, the school trip was over.

The school checked if all the individuals who were supposed to return home had properly arrived before immediately sending them back.

Upon arriving home, I buried my face in the soft blanket on my bed. The cushioned sensation was excellent—among the few improvements over where I originally lived, the bed was definitely one of them.

It was several times softer than the bed I used to have. Whether it was due to this world’s supernatural abilities or whether my elder sister in this body earned enough money to afford such luxury, I didn’t know, but one thing was certain—its quality was impressive.

As much as I wanted to stay lying in bed, I reluctantly turned my head and looked at the coat in my hand. The coat handed over by the leader of the terrorist organization.

[???’s Black Coat: Reduces incoming powers of supernaturally-based abilities by 10%.]

Though a 10% reduction may seem small at first glance, with no restriction on the type of supernatural ability, this meant it effectively mitigated any form of power, making it truly an exceptional and advantageous item.

This coat must surely be the same kind of object as the sky ship they mentioned.

Comparing this world’s technology to the one I came from, it didn’t seem as though it had advanced that much, but it seemed evident that the sky ship—and by extension, other high-level items like the coat I had—were created using supernatural abilities.

Even if this level of technology isn’t widespread throughout the streets, I’m bound to encounter others who possess items of similar caliber as I continue progressing through the main storyline.

Thinking about facing them with my current capabilities leaves me feeling utterly overwhelmed.

The leader of the terrorists I thought was my enemy, yet they seem to harbor goodwill toward me to the point of giving me something like this. Maybe it was because they had many items like it to spare.

“Alright, I’ve wanted to ask you this ever since the train station—why are you walking around with that coat? Is there some guy I don’t know about? If so, who is he?”

“What? When did you come in?”

She slipped in without making a sound, startling me. I’m used to unexpected things happening when Kang Yu-ri is around, but this time she didn’t even knock.

Although I don’t actually mind her entering without knocking—I wouldn’t chase her out just for that—it’s still hard not to be surprised every time she does something so sudden.

“Next time, at the very least, knock before you enter.”

“Knock, knock, knock. Better? So tell me, who gave you that coat? It doesn’t suit you at all. Feels like it was given by someone with terrible taste.”

She knocked on the already closed door, then sat beside where I was lying after finishing her mock knocking. Clearly curious about the coat, she’d probably come here just for that.

As tired as I was, I didn’t feel like sending her away—at least not immediately—and decided to give her a quick explanation.

“Some random person. But this coat is highly functional. It’s less about style and more about the performance.”

“Hah. Since when did anyone know if this coat is good or bad? It’s clearly imbued with supernatural powers. It just looks completely out of place on you. Anyway, who could this mysterious person be, giving away such a fine coat?”

“Technically, it’s someone who knows me, even though I don’t know them. So, in some sense, you could call it a gift from an acquaintance—just one I don’t remember.”

“How does that even work if the person giving the gift doesn’t even recognize you?”

They called out my name, so I assume they know me, though their face must have changed significantly since I didn’t recognize them.

Honestly, I have no idea how they recognized me either.

Perhaps their system works differently than mine, giving them more information. Or maybe my habits are distinct enough that they could identify me easily.

I’ll have to discuss that with them the next time we meet—if they let me have a full conversation, that is, instead of just talking briefly and leaving.

“Ah, that makes sense. You know that person who never shows any interest in others? That’s why they didn’t even remember someone who used to know them and then gave them this coat.”

“I show interest in others.”

Recently, I’ve been diligently listening to people’s stories to understand the main storyline of this world, and I’ve been investigating everyone carefully to figure out who the true heroine is.

If someone like me is labeled as uninterested in others, I can only imagine how the term would apply to those who truly couldn’t care less.

Though I wanted to refute her accusations strongly, I held back because I knew it would just give her more ammunition to tease me.

“Alright then. So what did they say when we met last night?”

“That’s right. They correctly predicted the Busan Girl’s breakout.”

How could I forget that? Instead of informing the Association, she inexplicably came to tell me about it.

Though I thought I had handled her sudden use of formal speech decently, all it did was make her sound a bell indicating I must’ve missed something.

“Looks like you really don’t care about others, yet you criticize me.”

“… Did we talk about anything else?”

I couldn’t recall anything else. Was she just making this up to bother me?

As I began to turn towards the door to confirm her expression, ready to stand up, her hand gripped my waist tightly, thwarting my attempt.

“Of course we talked about something else. Would you really think I would call you out just for that?”

Trying to jog my memory, I racked my brain for any conversation from last night, but all I got was an error message.

This body, as much as I appreciate its strengths, doesn’t hold a candle to the mental efficiency of the one I was used to…

If we really did have a conversation, was it possible she mistakenly assumed it happened?

While I was lost in thought, a strange feeling began to emanate from my back. It was caused by her fingers lightly grazing my waist—a rather uncomfortable sensation.

“Uh…”

I couldn’t even tell if the sound that escaped my lips was a groan or a question. Regardless, I was now aware that this position was not a good one to be in while facing Kang Yu-ri.

Attempting to use the power of protection (Goho) to escape this awkward position, it failed no matter how bad I imagined it to be.

Were there specific conditions to use that skill? Now more curious than ever, thanks to “Erica” not explaining it to me, but I didn’t have time to indulge in further thoughts about my host body.

“Since you don’t remember last night’s event, you’ll have to receive a penalty. Don’t worry. Considering how much I care about you for letting me stay, it won’t be anything unpleasant.”

“Wait, there’s no need for a penalty. Stop it—this is s*xual harassment!”

There’s a limit to everything—even late at night, there are boundaries to consider.

As I moved quickly to counter her actions—bl**d Erosion didn’t work, and neither did the Revolutionary skills I’d recently obtained. I wanted to use the “stop” command, borrowed from school violence dramas, but her fingers continued their leisurely strokes across my waist.

[TIP: Physical affection tends to attract emotional connection. You might even accidentally raise someone’s favorability.]

I quickly dismissed the unwanted tip that popped up.

Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps.

As I was uncertain whether to yield to the feeling or resist and risk a bad ending, a knock at the door broke the tension before it escalated further. Someone entered without waiting for my response.

My emotions were split—half annoyed by the intrusion, half relieved that someone might end this situation.

“Since there’s a penalty to be had, I’ll take it on your behalf. In return, can you tell me what the two of you were doing? I’m quite curious.”

The people who could barge into my house unannounced without issue were already well-known. The woman who takes care of my evening as she does her own.

Upon seeing my position and Kang Yu-ri’s wandering hand, she approached us, and gently removed the latter’s fingers from my waist.

“Could you perhaps also massage me? My body has been very stiff lately.”

Though seemingly polite, her request seemed to carry an unspoken warning—an indication not to get the wrong idea.

Despite her obvious intent to meddle with our situation, she appeared to be her usual calm self with a gentle smile. However, her sharp glare was unmistakably aimed at Kang Yu-ri for teasing me.

“Well, this is quite the special treatment.”

Honestly, I didn’t wish to be given special treatment in this kind of situation.

It seemed Inna didn’t have high expectations for Yu-ri’s response as she gently lifted me, pulling me away from her grasp.

“Want to grab a bite downstairs? I brought some bread. Try a piece while I talk with her.”

“Aren’t we done with our conversation already?”

“I thought so too, but apparently, we’re not. Don’t let it get cold; come downstairs and eat.”

Did they talk about anything specific during their time in Haewun-dong?

I wanted to stay to catch some of their conversation but knew they wouldn’t talk if I remained.

“Alright.”

After heading out, I pressed my ear against the door, confident in my flawless performance of leaving.

“Still here? If you’re not coming down soon, I’ll just do what I stopped earlier.”

Hearing this, I rushed back down the stairs.

Though missing out on the conversation was disappointing, I was incredibly tired and primarily desired to eat and rest.

Even with the revelation that there was a supernatural element to her cooking that might influence my sense of taste, the food itself, as always, was impeccable.