Chapter 29

Chapter 29

◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (29)

Normally, chicken stock is the most straightforward and suitable choice for making curry broth, and it suits KiJun's taste as well. However, having just arrived in Reta, chicken stock was out of the question. Thus, he had no choice but to use the wild boar he had just caught to make the broth. In Japan, there's something called Tonkotsu (pork bone) curry, so it might taste good.

The biggest issue wasn’t the broth ingredients but the lack of a pot to cook it in. And of course, it wasn't feasible to go looking for a town or city just to find a pot.

Pondering for a moment, KiJun decided to use a method he learned while extracting information from the fairy.

"I wish I had a pot."

He turned on his RetaPhone15 and clicked on the ‘Reta Points’ icon on the screen. This function synchronizes the user's information in real-time, displaying the points earned. It not only allows trading points with others but also calculates and pays taxes. It’s practically the core feature of the RetaPhone, giving access to the ‘Points Shop’ - a privilege exclusive to summoners.

"It’s good that I don’t have to find physical Points Shops in certain cities."

Lucy, uncertain whether to praise or grumble, commented as KiJun clicked on the Points Shop.

In the shop, RetaPhones from model 7 to 13 were on sale. Models below were discontinued, and models above were only available through custom orders. For reference, KiJun’s phone was a RetaPhone15.

"So, this really is an amazing thing."

The RetaPhone of the fairy he killed was also a pretty advanced model. It would make a fine gift for someone else, he thought, nodding his head. While browsing through various tabs, he found a pot (10RP). Aside from that, he also picked a frying pan (5RP), a multipurpose knife (4RP), a ladle (2RP), and cooking chopsticks (1RP), and then his eyes stopped at a pressure cooker (35RP).

A pressure cooker... in the tutorial phase, such an emblem of advanced human civilization was beyond his wildest dreams!

He gasped in awe.

"Relax, KiJun. You have plenty of points!" Lucy reminded.

His current points stood at 3,895, including the 2,895 points from killing the fairy and the 1,000 monthly dignity maintenance points as a representative of Earth's civilization.

After some internal debate, considering the usefulness of a pressure cooker in quickly extracting broth and making tastier curry, he decided to purchase it. The Points Shop, notably, did not sell any food or spices, except for rye bread (1RP) and water.

If he couldn’t find flour, he could grind the rye bread, but without butter, he couldn’t make a roux anyway. He sighed and completed his shopping.

But then, right after payment:

"Knock knock, need the world's fastest fairy delivery service? Did you shop at the Points Shop?"

"Ah."

Startled, KiJun blinked at the fairy that appeared out of thin air.

"It makes sense now, the minimum purchase amount was 100RP with a 10% surcharge."

That’s why he had to buy a tent (50RP) he hadn’t planned on...

He hadn't expected to encounter another fairy so soon after killing one and feeling disturbed.

The fairy seemed equally surprised to see him.

"Humans? They are stingy misers who wouldn’t dare use the Points Shop app."

"Just give me what I bought."

His momentary sentiment dissipated at the fairy's rude tone.

He took the items she brought and was about to send her back when she suddenly exclaimed.

"Are you the human that noona talked about? The one who cooks incredibly well?"

"Eh?"

"Right, you have a very strong spirit with you."

Could she be Tinkerbell’s acquaintance?

Surprised, KiJun widened his eyes, but the fairy hastily waved her hands.

"Don't worry. We NPCs never leak our guests' information to others. Even if we try to circumvent it and succeed, we'd be severely punished if caught."

"Huh."

"Are you laughing at me? Even as an NPC, I have pride, you know!"

"I just killed a fairy trying to scam people at the summoning site."

"...What?"

The fairy looked shocked at KiJun's words. When he showed her the reset RetaPhone12 and explained, her face turned red with anger.

"These damn scoundrels, tarnishing the already narrow standing of fairies!"

"Hey, calm down."

"I'm so sorry, sir. Truly, this is unacceptable in Reta! Weak races underestimating other weak races to commit such acts... Who on earth would..."

—Of course! We're always together, forever. Definitely...!

"Aaaaah!"

Just as Lucy was relishing her moment in the touching scene, a scream shattered the atmosphere.

It could be a trap, but KiJun sensed a strong quest vibe. It must be an NPC!

"Lucy!"

—Ah—Right! This way!

They quickly finished their pork belly and rushed off. KiJun equipped the shock absorber inside his standard summoner's clothing and didn’t forget to wield the King of the Well in one hand.

Soon, they discovered several flames, ghost-like manifestations of mana, attacking a boy.

"Where did these low-grade things come from!"

Lucy quickly extinguished the flames with her light beams. KiJun, having secured the boy and confirming his safety, surrounded himself with light on his shield.

"Is it a monster?"

—Just a ‘Ghost’ formed from mana flames. Sometimes they develop a weak consciousness over time... Maybe there’s a powerful entity with strong flame power in this forest.

"Ardens Forest... Ah."

Ardens, a Latin participle meaning burning, blazing, possessing the power to burn.

He had thought it was just a random name, but it turned out to be foreshadowing.

Amazed, KiJun turned to the boy, who was trembling in fear.

"What’s wrong, are you okay?"

"No, it’s not okay. I was supposed to be the offering this year. If you save me, the spirit will be angry..."

"Ah."

That pattern.

KiJun realized he was involved in the notorious high-difficulty quest—'Pacify the Rampaging Spirit'.

These quests typically followed a certain pattern, though finding rampaging spirits was difficult.

Soon, someone would find them checking on the offering's status.

A fight would break out between KiJun and them.

After a tough battle, they'd reluctantly hear out his side, often treating him as an unwelcome intruder.

Then, they'd receive a quest to either become the offering to pacify the spirit or to subdue it directly. NPCs, too tormented by spirits, might have gone crazy.

Next, the hero who accepted the quest would gather a party to raid the spirit, hoping for a positive outcome.

Or, realizing it's hopeless, they'd flee, only to return the next day to find the village reduced to ashes.

Realizing the dire consequences of hasty decisions, yet not learning their lesson, they'd scavenge the ruins, encounter the remaining spirit, and get burned to death—leading to a despairing outcome.

—What will you do, Contractor?

"Yikes! Are you a spirit...?!"

"Yes, we are."

KiJun’s response was neither hopeful nor despairing.

"Let's take this kid and lure the flame spirit while heading to the ruin."

He decided to kidnap the quest NPC.

* * *

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): How's Reta? Do you think you can adapt? It's different from the tutorial in every way. Even simple quests have dirty secrets.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Don’t let your guard down, promise me. I won’t forgive you if you fall for obvious traps after I’ve raised you well.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Why aren’t you reading my messages? Busy on the first day?]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): Oh, you should start looking for your second spirit soon. You’re not planning to stick with Lucy forever, are you? With your spirit power, you should be able to handle at least four, I think.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Waiting Room): But avoid rampaging spirits. None of them are normal.]

[Bice♥(Dimensional Rift): Ah, time to work. Remember what I said! Reply when you see this!]

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