Chapter 44

Last time, I focused on building the lair, but this time, I was planning to focus on decorating it. Unlike last time, there was a need to get more decorations and furniture.

“The problem is, there’s no normal way to acquire decorations or furniture.”

Deciding that the only method not to inconvenience others would be picking up discarded furniture from the dump, Han Arin gave me some advice.

“Why don’t you try getting leftover furniture from the association instead of scavenging at the dump?”

I shook my head at her suggestion. Though they might seem similar—picking up trash versus receiving discarded items—I considered how much the association members had already done for me.

“Considering all the kindness the association folks have shown me…”

There was a high chance they’d give me furniture they didn’t even need to discard, which could end up causing more inconvenience than intended. Thus, I rejected the idea.

After observing my reaction, Han Arin snapped her fingers and suggested another plan.

“What about helping out the association people in exchange for unused furniture?”

“Help…?”

“Yeah. Maybe do some errands for them and then take the furniture.”

While pondering if running errands in exchange for furniture wasn’t excessive, an idea popped into my mind.

“Healing ability…!”

Hadn’t I heard that the ability to heal someone was quite rare? Could I offer healing services in return for furniture?

“Maybe this’ll work.”

Feeling like I might find some furniture I really liked, I happily wagged my tail and head side to side. Han Arin then hugged me like a plush doll and asked,

“How about it? Want to try?”

Nodding at her question, I explained my thoughts.

“Nyah! But I want to run errands too, and use my healing ability.”

“… Healing? Oh.”

After briefly pondering, Han Arin chuckled awkwardly and replied,

“About the healing ability… Let me check first and ask Hae-un, okay?”

Confused by her need to check, I blinked, prompting Han Arin to stroke my cheek while continuing.

“Hae-un thinks there are still many things you shouldn’t see yet…”

Repeatedly opening and closing her mouth as if unsure how to phrase it, she eventually stumbled over her words. However, I roughly understood what she meant.

“Since people who require healing usually have injuries…”

There’s a possibility of encountering disturbing sights. Considering Chae-a is with me, it would be better to avoid such scenes. Understanding this, I nodded.

“Nyah!”

Grateful for her consideration, I bowed deeply when suddenly another thought crossed my mind.

“Can my healing ability also alleviate stiffness, headaches, or fatigue?”

Not sure whether it would work or not, I decided testing it out would be best. If successful, solving these issues alone could provide significant help.

“If it doesn’t work, I can carry the flowers I’m growing around.”

Since flowers have regenerative effects, just being near me should be helpful enough. Determined to become a living totem (?), I shared this idea with Han Arin.

“That sounds good. How about trying it on me? My shoulders have been stiff lately.”

Excited to test my abilities right away, I nodded and attempted to activate my healing power. When it didn’t work properly after several tries, I resorted to massaging her shoulders instead.

“Mmm… It feels like it’s working.”

Han Arin grinned happily, clearly satisfied with the results.

“I’d rather buy you a furniture store than just furniture.”

“No, thank you.”

“Just kidding, kidding.”

Recalling how the elder dragons once offered to buy me a shop, she must’ve been mimicking them. Thinking she was mischievous, I tried my best to suppress pouting and acted mature, though inside I was still annoyed.

Next to me, Chae-a eyed my twitching tail and hesitated.

“Is Haeuni mad?”

Her worried expression indicated she was reading my mood. Surprised, I shook my head, prompting Chae-a to smile and relax before approaching me.

“It’s fine then!”

Indeed, extra caution is necessary around children. As an adult responsible for Chae-a, I resolved to be even more mindful of my actions, maintaining a composed expression until Han Arin, holding me, giggled and teased,

“Hae-un, your face is hilarious. What kind of expression are you making?”

“… Nyah?”

“Seriously, you’re adorable. Can I take one picture?”

Why is she reacting this way…?

Despite feeling wronged and almost pouting again, I endured, remembering my growth, and shook my head at Han Arin.

“No, thank you. Stop teasing!”

Using a shortened version of the combo I learned earlier, Han Arin looked genuinely shocked.

“Sorry… Sorry,” I quickly apologized, grabbing her hand.

Erasing her hurt expression swiftly, Han Arin struggled to suppress her laughter and continued teasing.

“Sister is so hurt she might cry. Hae-en, give me a kiss…”

“Stop joking around! That’s enough!”

Realizing further conversation was unnecessary, I grabbed Chae-a’s hand and headed back to my lair.

*

Ignoring Han Arin’s desperate calls, I turned on the broadcast. Partly for interior design advice and partly hoping someone among the viewers needed my help.

“And besides…”

I missed watching it recently, so I wanted to tune in. With a slightly nervous heart, I turned on the stream, and familiar faces immediately flooded the chat.

[SeorinSeorin – Hae-un and Chae-a look so cute even through the screen ㅠㅠ It’s so soothing.]

[GradStudentWanted – Slow down a bit.]

[LuckyGoral – Babies ㅎㅇㅎㅇ]

…

Why is Han Arin watching my stream from behind? Not knowing why, I figured it was personal preference and greeted everyone politely.

“Hello!”

Bowing slightly, nearby Chae-a giggled and followed suit. Patting her head approvingly, I explained why I started the stream.

“I opened this stream to help those needing interior design… Also, I wanted to see the viewers.”

Though I hesitated sharing my feelings at the end due to shyness, knowing honesty avoids misunderstandings, I expressed myself openly before moving on casually.

[LottoLotto – ㄱㅇㅇ ㄱㅇㅇ ㄱㅇㅇ ㄱㅇㅇ]

[SpicyChickenTasty – No way… Really, I’ll donate all the money I earned from yesterday’s dungeon. Seriously.]

[SpicyChickenTasty has sent a donation.]

[MoneyAndMystery has sent a donation.]

[MoneyAndMystery has sent a donation.]

[MoneyAndMystery has sent a donation.]

[MoneyAndMystery has sent a donation.]

[GradStudentWanted has sent a donation.]

The same messages repeatedly scrolled through the chat rapidly. Realizing something was wrong, I desperately pleaded for them to stop, but the viewers ignored me.

‘I’ll have to refund them later.’

If they refuse refunds, I vowed to either donate the money or use it to help others in similar situations. To calm the audience, I calmly shook my head and said,

“You shouldn’t do that…”

Saying “no” seemed to excite them further, filling the chat even faster. Feeling overwhelmed, I raised my tail for comfort and hid my face. Sensing my embarrassment, Chae-a stepped forward.

“I’ll show you a somersault! I’m good at it!”

Apparently trying to divert attention from my shyness, I appreciated her effort as she bent down to perform. However, at that moment,

Thud!

She banged her head directly into the phone and froze.

Seeing her squirrel pajamas trembling, it was clear she was startled. Trying to soothe her immediately, Chae-a began sniffling towards me.

“It hurts…”

Cupping her head with both hands, she whimpered softly, explaining,

“My head hurts so much… I started crying because of it… I wanted to hold back for Hae-en’s sake…”

Her lengthy explanation showed how painful it was. While patting her gently, I blew on her forehead to heal her.

“Waah… All gone!”

Apparently effective against pain as well, Chae-a smiled tearfully. Relieved, I watched her happily when Han Arin picked up the dropped phone and commented,

“Be careful, kids. Otherwise, you’ll end up bald like Spirit Master.”

At this remark, Chae-a froze, visibly shocked.

“?!”

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