Chapter 14
I was now climbing a sloped path on the outskirts of Mid-Isle Island.
If it had been my previous life, just walking up a hill like this would have left me breathless, but my current body was extremely healthy, so I wasn’t out of breath at all.
However, aside from my body not being tired, my mind was gradually wearing down. My soul, conditioned by buses, subways, and taxis, was violently craving transportation.
“I wish I could at least ride a bicycle…”
There were rental electric bikes scattered along the roadside. The thrill of accelerating with just one pedal push was incredible.
Of course, there were mounts in this world too. Among the pets purchasable at the cash shop with Rainbow Stones, some were large enough for a human to ride. Horses, camels, or even brooms with magical autopilot functions.
I still didn’t understand why a broom counted as a “pet,” but in a fantasy world, anything goes.
But setting aside whether I could get one here—
I didn’t have any Rainbow Stones, so I couldn’t buy one.
They were ridiculously expensive. In the middle of this rush, needing Rainbow Stones for the name change fee, a mount was an extravagant luxury I couldn’t afford.
“And there’s another problem.”
My in-game character, “Elaine the Ultimate Shooter,” had an adorable mount—a large dog with wings.
It was big enough for my character to ride comfortably, but its appearance was the irresistibly cute form of a Pomeranian, with fluffy golden fur. That was a gift from Sohyun.
In the game, it was just a matter of riding the cute dog. I didn’t need to feed it, bathe it, or clean up after it. Its fluffy fur didn’t stick to me either.
But here… everything would become a reality. I knew how much work raising a dog was. I’d experienced it firsthand while helping Sohyun take care of her grandmother’s dog since elementary school.
Even if it were a horse or another animal, it would be the same. At least a dog is easier; I didn’t even know how to care for a horse. My only memory of them was as a kid shouting, “Wow, Mom! Look, a horse!” during a trip to Jeju Island.
So, riding pets were out of the question. I was slightly tempted by a broom with autopilot, but that one was a mythic-grade, extremely rare pet—not even Sohyun had it, and she was a veteran.
So walking was inevitable.
“Phew… maybe I should take a short break.”
My body wasn’t tired, but my mind felt dry from the long trek, so I needed a moment to catch my breath. Of course, taking a break didn’t mean doing nothing—I didn’t have the time.
I pulled a fishing rod from my inventory and attached bait to the hook. My hands were slightly unskilled but not completely inexperienced.
“…Thanks to Dad’s hobby, I guess.”
Although my parents were busy working, my father occasionally took my brother and me fishing on holidays. Back then, both my brother and I would have rather stayed home and played games, but half reluctantly, half willingly, we followed him.
There was always extra allowance when we went along. Dad was skilled not just at freshwater or sea fishing but also at “fishing for kids”—his choice of bait was excellent.
I didn’t know if modern fishing rods and those in this world were the same, but using the skills my dad taught me, I planned to quickly raise my fishing proficiency to 5.
My previous life’s experience helped: my current fishing proficiency showed as 3 in the status window. Other gathering or crafting skills were at 1 since I hadn’t experienced them before, but at least I had some base in fishing.
Honestly, I was grateful for even 3… after growing older, I hadn’t gone fishing due to exams, job prep, and other excuses. A pang of loneliness hit me thinking of my parents.
“Well, let’s just fish.”
I cast the hook energetically toward the sea from the rocky shore. Soon, the float wiggled.
“Oh, a bite so fast?”
It must be the effect of this [Sturdy High-Quality Workwear for Gatherers]. Maybe that’s why I had rushed back to change into it after picking up my lunch at the dorm.
I started reeling in the line as my father had taught me. Not too hastily, focusing on the sensation in my fingertips, enjoying the tug-of-war with the fish…
Moments later, a small fish leaped from the water with a splash.
“Wow! Success!”
The thrill of the first catch was exhilarating. No wonder Dad went fishing every weekend. I had caught fish before, but never without him guiding the rod. The feeling was strange.
I didn’t know enough to identify it immediately, but the status window gave me the info. It was a horse mackerel, normally growing up to 40 cm, but this one was only palm-sized—a juvenile.
Dad had taught me that returning juveniles to the sea was the honorable thing to do. I released the fish back into the water. I wasn’t fishing to eat; I just needed the experience points to raise my proficiency.
After repeating this a few more times, my level quickly rose to 4, and eventually 5.
“Phew, finally achieved an accomplishment!”
I gazed at the achievement window before me with admiration. The words “Claim Reward” shone brilliantly.
With trembling hands, I pressed the button, and a pretty, rainbow-colored gem dropped from the air.
“…!”
I felt my body tremble with excitement. Now 19 more to go. Once I collected 19 more of these cute stones, I could escape this dreadful name. Fearing I might lose it, I quickly stashed the Rainbow Stone in my inventory.
I took out the lunch I had packed. It was almost time to eat. I’d eaten three slices of toast for breakfast, yet I was hungry again—amazing.
Lunch was a salad with plenty of duck meat and bread. Though not Korean food, it was delicious, a creation of Beth. The popping corn added texture, and the bread was freshly baked, warm and soft. Thanks to inventory effects, it tasted like it had just come out of the kitchen.
Time to return to grinding Rainbow Stones. I tidied up and hurried on my way.
“Time is passing faster than I thought.”
Seeing the sun hanging in the western sky, I grew anxious. In the game, I could ignore day and night, but this body needed sleep when the time came. Darkness would also reduce visibility.
Even if the terrain was familiar from the game, reality was different—one wrong step and I could get hurt. My safety came first. After dying once, I had become even more cautious.
If I couldn’t finish my objectives before dark, I would have to return to the village.
“Anyway, I should at least finish this quest before heading back.”
I scanned the forest edge where the logging area and mines seemed to be.
“Come on, slime. Come here.”
Making a tsk tsk tsk sound, like calling a neighborhood stray cat, I felt a brief wave of self-doubt. But I had to defeat the slime and collect its mana stone to reach level 5.
I drew my gun from the holster and spun it around. The feel in my hand was nothing like the training gun I’d used briefly.
“Oh, indeed, a unique-grade weapon.”
Then, the squelching sound came from the forest edge. Finally, the slime had arrived.
I turned my head toward the sound and froze.
In games, slimes were the first low-level monsters beginners fought, usually transparent jelly forms with cute eyes and mouths depending on the graphics.
But this green creature, slithering with a sticky sound along the ground, was… not cute at all. It was grotesque, almost terrifying. Too realistic—the goo alone… The grass it touched melted with a sizzle.
If I were that grass, I’d be digested and become part of the slime.
“Aaah, don’t come near! You monster!”
I screamed and opened fire, the bullets hitting the slime’s gooey body.
The problem came next. Magical bullets pierced the slime and left holes, but the gaps filled immediately.
What the…? In the game, a few hits would deplete a slime’s HP, and it would squeal and die.
Even though this weapon was weaker than the level-60, mythic weapon I used then, it was still strong enough for a low-level monster. But this slime didn’t seem affected at all.
“Excuse me, goddess! This isn’t right! Why isn’t it dying?!”
I called out to the goddess Hagiotia in frustration, but nothing changed.
