7. Arcana Online

7. Arcana Online7. Arcana Online

I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm.

Checking the time, it was 8 AM.

Because I didn't go out yesterday due to laziness, I really have to go out today.

If I don't pay the utility bills at the bank, my electricity and water will be cut off.

While I'm at it, I should set up automatic payments.

Getting up from bed and going into the hallway, I saw the family photo hanging there.

Looking at the family photo, I became curious about something.

In this parallel world, my family members' faces are the same.

But why am I the only one who's different...?

No matter how much I think about it, I don't understand.

Entering the changing room, I undressed and went to the bathroom to wash. My reflection in the mirror looked awkward.

A small height of about 130cm, including tiptoes, and a skinny body.

There were even self-harm scars on my wrists.

Because of this, I have to wear long sleeves even in summer.

After washing, it takes a while to dry my hair.

I considered cutting it, but I'm scared to go to the hair salon.

Due to this body's memories, I've even developed social anxiety.

Sighing, I packed my bankbook and bills in my bag and went outside. The midsummer heat immediately made it hard to breathe.

Because of my appearance, I'm wearing a hat and a hoodie even in midsummer, and it feels like I'm going to die.

But if I don't cover up like this, troublesome things happen.

The distance to the bank is a whole 30 minutes.

I wanted to take a taxi, but none would stop for a 5-minute car ride.

After suffering for 30 minutes, I finally arrived at the bank.

Standing blankly in the cool air conditioning for a while, I felt people staring at me.

The people in the bank were looking at me as if I was suspicious, what's going on?

Ah, it's because of my outfit.

At that moment, a man in a suit approached me.

"What brings you here today?"

"I came to set up automatic payments for utility bills."

Hearing my words, he drew a number ticket and handed it to me.

With an alarm sound, my number appeared on the screen, and I walked to the counter and sat down.

I said I came to sign up for internet banking and set up automatic payments for utility bills, handing over my bills and bankbook. When they checked my bankbook, they looked at me with surprised eyes.

"I'm sorry, but could I see your ID?"

"Here you go."

As I handed over my ID, they looked at me with disbelieving eyes, and I couldn't believe it either.

If I told them I was 21 years old with my appearance, they'd think I was crazy.

But the ID is real.

Just as they were about to return my bankbook after finishing the internet banking and utility bill automatic payment setup, they spoke to me.

"Customer, we have a good product, would you be interested?"

They said it would be a waste to leave such a large amount in just a bankbook and that they had a good product, but I wasn't interested in such things.

Besides, the bankbook already contains enough money to live comfortably for a lifetime without working.

It's the life insurance money from my family, though.

I told them it was fine, packed my bankbook, and left the bank. The sweltering heat made me want to get home as quickly as possible.

Finding a path about 5 minutes faster, I entered an alley and bumped into someone coming out.

"Kyaa!"

I fell backwards, landing on my bottom, and my hat flew off.

"S-sorry! Are you okay!?"

"I'm fine."

My bottom hurt, but a bigger problem had occurred.

The fact that I had screamed "Kyaa!"

The older sister who was helping me up, shocked by my mental state, looked at me with an apologetic expression, but something felt off.

She stared at my face for a long time, what's going on?

Moreover, my sleeve had rolled up slightly, and she might have seen my wrist because her expression was strange.

"Ahem."

At the sound of my fake cough, she finally came to her senses and brought me my hat that had flown off.

"Maybe you should go to the hospital? You might have hurt your tailbone when you fell."

"I'm fine! Have a nice day!"

"W-wait a moment!?"

I heard her calling after me, but I ran at full speed.

After passing through the alley, I ran for about a minute.

I feel like I'm going to die.

Breathing heavily, I walked with difficulty and saw my house in the distance.

A two-story detached house with a red roof.

It's the house we moved to with my parents when I was in middle school.

We sold our previous house when it became expensive due to redevelopment news and bought this one.

It was so nice back then.

I opened the front door, went inside, sat on the living room sofa, and exhaled roughly.

After resting a bit, I took out my bankbook and phone from my bag and opened the refrigerator door, but it was empty.

I should have bought something to eat at the convenience store on the way, but I forgot.

My plans got messed up because I bumped into that pretty older sister on the street.

'She was really pretty.'

Is she mixed-race? Her blonde hair didn't look dyed.

Lost in thought, I opened the kitchen cabinet and took out a packet of ramen.

I cooked the ramen, finished my meal, and headed to my room.

Today is the day my long-awaited summon hatches.

I don't know how long I've been waiting for this day.

I put on the gear and pressed the start button, and my vision changed.

I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was lying on the inn bed. I stretched and got up.

And when I took out the incubator from my inventory, there were only a few hours left.

Should I have a meal and then kill time at the library?

When I went down to the first floor, it was bustling with people.

Bell unni, who spotted me, waved her hand.

"Did you sleep well? Want breakfast?"

"Yes! But Bell unni, I have a question."

"What is it?"

I hesitated a bit and carefully opened my mouth.

"Why do you speak to me so formally?"

"Ah, this is actually a secret."

Bell unni gestured for me to come closer.

As I approached, she whispered softly in my ear.

"I have a habit. I speak formally to people who know my true identity."

She went into the kitchen, saying she'd prepare a meal if I waited a bit at the table.

I sat in an empty seat and passed the time eavesdropping on other people's conversations.

"Hey, did you hear about that? Monsters attacked the neighboring village..."

"Is that true? This is bad. Shouldn't our village prepare too?"

"Nah, surely nothing will happen here?"

While I was focused on the quite interesting conversation, food was served on the table.

"Thank you for the meal!"

"If you want more after eating, just tell me."

"It's okay."

It's already a full table, there's no way I could eat more.

After finishing the meal, I went outside and headed to the library.

What kind of book should I read today?

"Little miss!"

At that moment, a voice called out to me from somewhere.

Looking in the direction of the voice, it was Uncle Charles.

"Uncle Charles!"

"Where is our little miss going?"

"I'm going to the library to read books!"

"Ho ho, books are good, but strength is important for a traveler. Shall I help you a bit?"

At that moment, a message popped up.

[A quest has arrived.]

Train with Guard Captain Charles.

Reward: Small amount of experience.

"I'll do it!"

"A traveler must be quick to decide. I like that! Let's go!"

I should have run away at this point.

I didn't know he'd make me swing a sword 100 times.

I told him I was a summoner, but it didn't help at all.

Only after I finished swinging 100 times was I finally released.

Moreover, every time my form was wrong, he didn't count it, so I feel like I swung it 300 times.

"Good job! I'll help you again tomorrow!"

[Quest Success!]

Reward will be given.

Checking my experience, it had increased by about 30%.

I finally found it.

A way to gain experience without killing monsters.

I said goodbye to Uncle Charles and headed to the inn.

With trembling hands, I opened the inn door and entered, and Bell unni looked at me.

When she asked what happened, I explained what happened today, and she left with a bright smile saying she'd be back soon.

And not long after, I heard the sound of an explosion.

I know nothing about it.

More importantly, it's time now.

I went up to my room, locked the door, and took out the incubator from my inventory. Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I thought it was finally hatching, but a notification window popped up.

[■■■ intervenes.]

[Due to the effect of the unique characteristic: Protective Instinct (保護本能), ■■■'s intervention is blocked.]

[■■■ intervenes.]

[Due to the effect of the unique characteristic: Protective Instinct (保護本能), ■■■'s intervention is blocked.]

[■■■'s existence becomes faint.]

[Due to the effect of the unique characteristic: Protective Instinct (保護本能), ■■■'s malice disappears.]

[The ??? egg hatches with the power of ■■■.]

Numerous notification windows appeared and disappeared repeatedly, and then the egg slowly cracked.

What came out of the egg was a very tiny snake...?

The snake was looking at me.

"Hello?"

"......"

At that moment, a new notification window popped up.

[Congratulations! You have successfully obtained your first summon! A reward will be sent to your inventory.]

[Tutorial: First Steps of a Summoner.]

Give your summon a cute name!

A name...

"Since it's a snake, how about Ssam-ssam?"

At that moment, I could tell even though it didn't speak.

It was cursing me with its eyes.

[You have 2 chances left.]

"There are chances too!?"

Flustered, I racked my brain as much as I could, but no names came to mind.

At that moment, a thought flashed by.

"How about Yong-yong, meaning 'become a dragon'?"

"......"