Chapter 4
1.
There is only one way for the shelter owner to go outside.
That is, when a world arrives where shelters are no longer needed.
“…What is this? Sounds like some game-clearing condition.”
No matter how many times I mulled over the cryptic sentence, I couldn’t find an answer, and a deep sigh escaped me.
I could no longer rationalize this place as heaven. It was far too vivid to dismiss as a dream.
“I don’t know… Let’s just accept reality as it is.”
Alright. I’m the shelter owner, and my studio apartment is the shelter.
But wait—doesn’t that make it way too small? This tiny five-pyeong studio is supposed to function as a shelter?
Even for a novel or a game, this setting feels off.
Struggling to accept this unbelievable reality, I turned the page.
Updating…
“…Are you kidding me?”
A string of irritated curses slipped from my lips.
Clinging to a thread of hope, I flipped through the remaining pages—but aside from the first page and the “Updating” message, everything else was blank.
I snapped the guidebook shut and tossed it into the corner of the bed.
“Updating,” huh… so it’ll be completed someday, I guess.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
“Should I file a complaint about this too?”
As if answering my muttering, the system window displayed a message:
[The guide for shelter owners will update when you receive visitors.]
So I need visitors to get information?
This really feels like I’ve entered a game.
Fine. If it helps me understand the situation, I’ll meet one.
“Alright. I’ll receive a visitor.”
[Shelter ‘Studio Apartment’ is now open. A visitor is arriving.]
“…What? Already? When are they getting here?”
[10]
“Ten minutes?”
[9]
“…Don’t tell me that’s seconds?”
[8]
“…Damn it. It is.”
I stared at the countdown in disbelief and shouted,
“Wait! I’m in my pajamas! What if it’s a guy?!”
At least let me put on a bra, you stupid system!
With three seconds left, the countdown suddenly stopped—as if responding to my desperate protest.
I hurriedly threw on some underwear and changed clothes.
Anything was better than a stretched-out T-shirt splattered with ramen broth.
“Phew… thank goodness. Wait… what am I even wearing?”
The outfit felt unfamiliar. I checked myself in the mirror attached to the closet—
…and froze.
“A bunny pajama…?”
Oh right. I did own this.
Damn it. I bought it for fan service—to wear on the way to music shows for attention.
I turned slowly in front of the mirror.
Long bunny ears dangled down from the hood to my waist.
At least my pale skin and youthful face made it somewhat bearable—
No. Who am I kidding? It looked ridiculous.
“Ha…”
I’m definitely not wearing the hood.
What am I even doing at twenty-five…
Should I change again?
Just as I opened the closet—
[1]
The system window appeared.
I sighed and quietly closed the closet.
Click.
[A visitor has entered. Synchronizing language.]
[Common language in shelter: Korean.]
The front door—no matter how hard I tried before—now opened smoothly.
A pair of dirt-covered black shoes stepped through the gap.
I swallowed hard and slowly raised my gaze.
The man wore a sturdy robe and had an enormous build.
Judging by his outfit, this definitely wasn’t Korea.
He was at least 190 cm tall, not fat but broad-framed. My tiny room felt even smaller with him inside.
I instinctively stepped back, like a rabbit facing a predator.
Not intentionally—just instinct.
“Is this the shelter? May I come in, NPC Dorothy (Living Alone)?”
He spoke first.
His voice was unexpectedly gentle and polite.
I nodded slowly, eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
…He knows I’m an NPC?
Does he see the system too?
Curious, I took a couple of steps forward.
He watched me carefully and stepped in—still wearing his dirty shoes.
Just as his foot was about to touch the floor—
“Take off your shoes!!”
I shouted.
He froze, then stepped back without dirtying the floor.
We both looked startled—him included. Despite his size, he seemed quite considerate.
After shouting, I grew timid again, unsure what to say.
My mind went blank.
What am I even supposed to do with visitors?
In the awkward silence, his muttering reached my ears:
“…Strange. I thought this world didn’t have a culture of taking off shoes indoors.”
…This world?
Does that mean he’s not from here either?
Before my confusion could spiral—
{Hidden Mission Complete!}
-
Receive your first visitor (1/1)
-
Reward: Check your unique NPC skill!
“Yes. I’ll check it.”
I answered loudly without thinking.
[Unique Skills of NPC ‘Dorothy (Living Alone)’]
<Take off your shoes before getting on the bed>
-
Cleans and dries the visitor’s clothes and shoes.
-
Put all laundry into the washing machine.
-
Completed in 3 hours.
<Since there’s no mom, I’ll take care of you>
-
Heals and restores tired or injured visitors.
-
Lay them on the bed and pat them gently.
-
Recovery completes after sleep.
“…What are these names?”
I let out a dry laugh.
They were useful—but ridiculously trivial.
Just then—
{Mission! Welcome your first visitor}
-
Bath (0/1)
-
Meal (0/1)
★ Reward: 100,000 ~ 1,000,000 points based on satisfaction
“…Jackpot.”
Points?!
At least 100,000 points—that’s enough for rice, kimchi, and seaweed!
A business smile naturally spread across my face.
“Sir, would you like to bathe first? Or eat?”
Please choose quickly and give me points.
The man blinked at my sudden change, then answered calmly:
“I’ll bathe first. Should I leave my shoes here?”
“Of course, wherever you’re comfortable.”
He removed his shoes and stepped inside.
I guided him straight to the bathroom.
It was absurdly small—barely enough space for one person.
“…It’s a bit cramped, right?”
“It’s fine.”
“This is shampoo, this is body wash. Turn this for hot water.”
I paused, staring at the warm water.
I should take a shower too… after he leaves.
Come to think of it, he didn’t seem surprised by any of this.
“May I start washing?”
“Of course. Leave your clothes and shoes outside—I’ll clean them.”
“…Then what should I wear afterward?”
“…Ah.”
It takes three hours to wash them…
What should he wear until then?
My clothes wouldn’t fit him…
Then—
That thing came to mind.
“…Inventory.”
Thank goodness I still had 10,000 points.
I quickly bought an item.
A set of clothes appeared in my hands.
Clay Sauna Uniform (Men’s), XXL.
“Please wear this for now. Towels are in the cabinet.”
“…I see.”
He hesitated, then accepted it.
Soon, the bathroom door closed, and his clothes piled outside.
I gathered them and shoved everything into the washing machine.
They were unbelievably heavy—and smelled terrible.
“…System window, how do I use the skill?”
