Chapter 181

The sky is blue, the birds are singing, and the grass is growing.

I’m rambling on about useless stuff for no real reason. I just have nothing better to do.

I’m getting steady training from Rod, but it’s not every single day. I mean, he needs his personal time too.

So when I have a day like today, with time hanging awkwardly, I tend to just hole up in the dormitory doing nothing.

I can’t find anything to do outside, and besides, I could grab a meal inside. But today, I do need to go out.

‘The Usuk meat is all gone.’

All the Usuk meat that was piled up has been completely wiped out. It looks like a trip to the market is in order.

When I’m with friends, we usually grab a meal at the restaurant, but not on ordinary days.

It’d be a crime not to cook with my exquisite dexterity.

Plus, it’s tastier than most restaurant food, so cooking myself is definitely the way to go.

‘It’s gotta be meat, no question about it.’

I wrote down the necessary ingredients in my notebook. I have enough spices, but I’m out of the main ingredient.

I can just buy some meat at the butcher shop. Honestly, I never get tired of meat.

‘Today’s gotta be Samgyeopsal.’

Thanks to the advanced butchery industry in this world, the various cuts of meat are well classified.

Of course, there’s Samgyeopsal, and I even found cuts I hadn’t seen before. Although the names were different, making it a bit tricky to identify.

But after visiting the butcher shop frequently, the kind old guy there started explaining things to me.

I’ve become such a regular that he knows my face. Sometimes, he even gives me some extra service.

‘I just hope the oven works properly.’

As I headed out, I had a pang of regret. Ovens are installed in every dormitory.

But due to the still underdeveloped science, it’s hard to control the temperature.

Last time, I mismanaged the temperature and almost set the dormitory on fire.

Since that incident, I haven’t used the oven and just stick to conventional cooking. I’ve realized how ambiguous the scientific progress is.

‘I should finish my shopping and head to Jane’s.’

Or maybe I should eat the meat with Jane. She seems to be so engrossed in her research that she barely eats.

I’m curious just how far Jane’s inventions have progressed. With a hint of anticipation, I moved on.

Thanks to wandering around lately, the eyes on me were few and far between. It seems people are starting to adapt.

I didn’t really bother about the gazes. The most important thing was today’s lunch.

[Today is closed.]

“Ugh.”

But the butcher shop turned out to be closed. I was disheartened to see the sign hanging firmly at the entrance.

It’s usually open every single day, and now they’re closed? My craving for Samgyeopsal crumbled into dust.

It looks like I’ll just have to settle for a meal at the restaurant. Skipping a meal is absolutely not an option.

‘Not particularly drawn to anything, though.’

Unless there’s a place where you grill your own meat like a Korean restaurant, which there isn’t.

It seemed better to settle for a buffet. I turned away, disappointment in tow.

“Hey there!”

“?”

Just as I turned my back, a voice chimed in. It came not from in front of me, but below.

Looking down, I saw a little boy gazing up at me, curly-haired with bright, sparkling eyes.

He looked like a character straight out of a children’s cartoon I used to watch. Most people would call him a potato head.

“Did you come to buy meat, mister?”

“……?”

Mister? He’s calling me mister?

That title took me by surprise, and I blinked in disbelief. Did I grow a beard or something?

Just when I was unconsciously rubbing my chin, the boy glanced back and mirrored my astonishment.

“Ugh. It’s closed today. Dad wanted to eat meat.”

“……How old are you?”

“Me? I’m 5!”

Sending a 5-year-old on an errand? He looks bright-eyed, but he’s definitely not a child.

But this kid. His impression feels oddly familiar. Especially with that curly hair, he eerily reminds me of someone.

Just as I was keenly observing him, a familiar voice rang out in front of me.

“Dun! I told you not to go alone!”

A man presumed to be the boy’s father rushed over in a panic. It seems the kid came wandering off on his own.

As our eyes met, I was taken aback and widened my eyes slightly. The boy’s father had the same reaction.

“Uh? Sivar?”

“Instructor?”

It was Malboro. So that’s who he resembled!

Dun, the little boy, shared that same curly hair, making them both look almost identical. If Dun grows up, he’ll look just like Malboro.

Malboro was initially shocked to see me, but quickly grabbed Dun, who was trying to run away. And with a bright smile, he hoisted him up.

“Gotcha! Where did you think you were going?”

“Let me go! I want to run more!”

No matter how much Dun squirmed, he couldn’t wriggle out of Malboro’s sturdy arms.

By the way, it looks like Malboro has grown quite a bit too. He’s got that wide build like some actor.

“Your son?”

“Ah, yeah. That’s Dun, my son. A 5-year-old troublemaker. If I take my eyes off him for a second, he starts wandering around.”

“I’m bored. I don’t want to stay home.”

“And that’s why your mom has to suffer every day! Do you have any idea how shocked I was when I heard you went into the Forest?”

“I just wanted to catch some stag beetles!”

A father struggling and a carefree child. It’s a very typical father-son dynamic.

As I watched this scene, I felt a strange sensation. Meanwhile, Malboro stared at the closed butcher shop.

“Oh no. It’s closed today. Guess we’ll have to eat out then.”

“Wow! Eating out!”

“Hmm. Never mind. We’ll eat at home.”

“Ugh. No! I want to eat out! Eat out!”

Dun started clinging to Malboro, whining. Malboro just laughed it off.

It feels like just a bit of playful fun, but naive little Dun wouldn’t understand that. Such a heartwarming family relationship.

‘Later on, that relationship might…’

I shook my head quickly. There’s no need to dwell on that tragedy right now.

Nothing matters except the demon being the root of all evil. As long as I remember that clearly, such things shouldn’t happen.

“Alright, alright. So where do we eat?”

“Hmm… Can’t we have that uncle eat with us?”

“What?”

Suddenly, why am I being pulled into this? Just like Malboro, I was quite taken aback.

Forget being called “uncle,” I’ve just met him. I know kids can be fickle, but come on, I didn’t expect this.

Malboro looked at me with a puzzling expression, following Dun’s pointing finger.

“That uncle… uh, no, no. Why him?”

“He wants to play with us.”

“Hmm? Suddenly?”

“Yeah.”

What did I do to warrant an invitation to play? I blinked in surprise.

Malboro seemed just as surprised by this as he glanced at Dun and then back at me.

There aren’t any regulations in the Academy prohibiting a close personal friendship with instructors. There’s no similar law or anything.

After all, the instructors can’t afford to be politically free either, so it’s all just a tacit understanding. That’s why sometimes strange rumors float around.

But I’m fine. I’m just a nobody from the wilderness without any background or connections. So being friendly with instructors is no issue for me.

“Hmmm… I’m not sure if it’s okay.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t predict which one of you might cause trouble.”

Hey. Isn’t it a bit much to say I’m worse than a little kid?

The more concerning part is that Malboro was serious when he said that.

I felt a little unfair, but I couldn’t exactly counter it since I have my sins. I just have to take it in stride.

“Are you sure? If you say you can’t, then I can’t do anything about it.”

“I’m going to play! I will play with that uncle!”

“……Alright.”

It just so happens I was looking for something to do. Plus, I needed to satisfy the event related to Malboro’s son, which is Dun.

I could think of it as a measure to prevent future tragedies. This is a different level of tragedy than Grace, so I’m determined to stop it.

‘Was there an event where they go missing while having fun later on?’

I vaguely remember that happening. They would wander into the Chaos Forest on their own.

However, the Chaos Forest is currently off-limits, so that shouldn’t happen. But kids are typically forbidden from entering the forest anyway.

Dun would find a way in through some kind of loophole. I just need to quietly follow and ensure his safety.

“Thanks. I know you wouldn’t let Dun get into trouble, but… don’t cause any accidents, alright? And no weird games either.”

“Weird games?”

“Hmm… To put it metaphorically, like strapping yourself into a catapult and flying? Just don’t do anything like that.”

No matter what, I wouldn’t let a kid do things like that. What the heck do they think of me?

After that, I spent time dining with Malboro and his son. We opted for the buffet, considering the volume of food.

“Oh, right. Sivar, how have you been with Luna lately?”

“……Luna?”

“Yeah. There’s a strange rumor going around. They say Luna came out of your dorm after the new student’s banquet.”

“What’s the issue?”

I shot a look at Malboro, as if asking what’s so wrong about that. Malboro stared at me for a moment, then chuckled softly.

He gave me a pat on the back and spoke in a tone meant to reassure me.

“Well, it seems you haven’t realized it yet. Good for you.”

“……”

“According to the regulations, you’re supposed to receive a demerit, but… sometimes exceptions are made. I’ll look into who started the rumor.”

I didn’t catch what it was about, but I nodded in response. Honestly, it felt like I was just drumming my own drum in my own world.

I was kind of the eye of the storm. Despite the fuss, Luna and I are living our lives without a care, but it’s all about what’s happening outside.

Still, it’s likely I can’t fully disregard it. Considering that news reached the instructors, the students must have caught on too.

Moreover, there’s a high probability that others will have a stronger reaction than me. It might be calm now, but it should be quite the show once Grace returns.

‘Time to grab some popcorn.’

Right now, I’ll just have to enjoy some ribs. With my belly satisfied, I left with Malboro and Dun.

“Dun. You need to listen to your brother… uh…”

Malboro was about to emphasize to Dun but then hesitated with a concerned expression.

Surely, what impression do I give off that makes him doubt me even in these minor matters? It’s a little upsetting.

“Anyway, don’t cause trouble, and listen well. If anything happens, find that brother first. Got it?”

“Yeah!”

“Alright. Sivar, you can’t cause trouble either.”

“……”

I just nodded. Anyone passing by would think I was raising two kids.

Malboro stressed the point several more times as he left. He kept glancing back, looking worried.

Eventually, when Malboro completely disappeared from sight, Dun tugged at my pants and asked.

“Mister. What should we play?”

“……It’s brother.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m not mister. I’m brother.”

Though it’s a small detail, the title needs to change first. Dun tilted his head at my request and then nodded.

“Got it. Brother. What should we play?”

“Hmm…”

Good question. What would interest Dun? I racked my brain repeatedly, and a fun thought struck me.

Something any kid would love at any time. It’s not just a child’s favorite; it’s also a man’s dream.

“Wanna go see robots?”

“Robots?”

“Yeah. The iron dolls. They move. They can even fly in the sky!”

“Whoa! Let’s go see! I want to see!”

“Alright.”

I grabbed Dun’s hand and headed toward Jane’s workshop.

Little did I know at this point, Malboro’s worries were not unfounded.

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