How the Regressed Munchkin Chews Up the Tower - H.R.M.C.U.T Chapter 29 (Part 2):

Ishia was speechless.

Not because she agreed with Yujin, but because she was shocked.

To think so many people had fallen into despair…

“And it’s a waste of effort. Even if you don’t coddle them, they’ll eventually pull themselves together.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

Ishia frowned at Yujin, who shrugged and gestured around—at the innkeeper, the waitstaff, and the NPCs wandering the streets.

“Why do you think they’re here?”

The reason was simple.

To get players back to normal as quickly as possible, even by a second.

If food was needed, they provided it. If mental care was required, they handled it.

That’s what this city was for, and that’s what these NPCs were for.

“So stop meddling.”

At Yujin’s words, Ishia clicked her tongue.

Now that she thought about it, maybe she didn’t need to step in.

But even if the same situation came up again, Ishia would probably do the same thing.

Even if she was called a sucker.

Even if she was scolded for doing something pointless.

She still believed it was the right thing to do.

“Fine, I get it, so stop nagging.”

“Nagging?”

Yujin’s face twisted instantly.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t have bothered explaining.

He’d have just sighed, “Ugh, idiot,” and moved on.

But because it was the Sword Empress, he’d gone out of his way to explain, and now she called it *nagging*?

“Feeling real comfortable after yesterday, huh? To let a word like that slip out.”

Ishia flinched at Yujin’s gritted teeth.

‘Oh no!’

The lunatic was on the verge of a meltdown.

She’d gotten a bit cheeky because he didn’t seem in great shape, but at this rate, it was only a matter of time before she was thrown into a pack of Red Goblins.

“W-wait, hold on!”

Ishia frantically racked her brain to change the topic.

But nothing came to mind.

With so little in common between them, what could she possibly talk about?

Just then, Park Jihoo, sitting beside her, came to the rescue.

“Hyung-nim, what happened yesterday? I heard you passed out?”

‘Nice!’

It was the perfect question.

Something she’d been curious about, too.

Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner?

“Ugh.”

Yujin’s twisted expression shifted to one of discomfort.

Clearly, he had no intention of sharing the details.

“There was a reason for it, so don’t worry about it.”

That was all Yujin could say.

“Then can we go hunting today?”

Even to Ishia, Yujin didn’t look in good shape.

Dark circles stretched down to his cheekbones, and his posture was slouched, like someone who’d overworked their muscles.

“Not today. Rest until tomorrow.”

Yujin spat the words out, clearly displeased.

Ishia did an internal victory dance.

No hellish experience until tomorrow!

Could there be better news?

And her earlier slip of the tongue had been glossed over, so her mood couldn’t be better.

“So what should we do today?”

Ishia asked this time.

If Yujin allowed it, she planned to go out and take a look around.

She wanted to see with her own eyes if there really were as many broken players as he claimed.

But Yujin had no intention of letting them rest easy.

Can’t hunt? Fine, then do something else.

How dare they try to laze around?

Yujin extended his hand toward Ishia, who was still shaking her internal groove.

“Huh?”

On his palm lay two small stones.

“Rune fragments. Activate them, and you’ll gain Traits.”

“T-Traits?”

She’d heard about them from Didaskalia.

What Traits were, what effects they had.

She’d gotten Skills and Items, but hadn’t even seen a Trait yet, so she was curious.

‘Those are rune fragments that grant Traits?’

Why was he offering something so valuable?

Ishia looked at Yujin with a “No way?” expression.

And her hunch was right.

“This one’s yours, and this one’s yours.”

Yujin handed one to Ishia and one to Park Jihoo.

“They suit you, so absorb them right away.”

“Whoa-.”

Ishia took the Rune Fragment, her face dazed.

Most players didn’t even have a single Skill, let alone a Trait.

Yet Yujin was handing over these precious items like they were candies picked up at a diner’s checkout.

“Is it really okay to take these?”

“If you don’t want it, fine. I’ll give it to that idiot over there.”

Yujin flicked his finger toward the man still eating nearby.

“No! That’s not what I meant!”

Buying someone a meal was one thing, but giving away a Trait was on a whole different level.

Even the Sword Empress wasn’t generous enough to go that far.

“Then did you get so worn out yesterday trying to get these?”

Park Jihoo, holding his Rune Fragment, asked with a touched expression.

“Nah, not at all. Why would I end up like that over something like this?”

The touched expression vanished instantly.

‘Of course.’

The warm feelings that had started to rise cooled off at Yujin’s words.

He’d clearly helped them, so why didn’t it feel like something to be grateful for?

‘That’s a skill in itself.’

A completely useless skill for living in the world, but a skill nonetheless.

“Learn them now. Don’t lose them by messing around.”

Yujin spoke casually, but 『Sword Heart [D]』 and 『Fighting Spirit [D]』 were among the top-tier Traits available on the 1st Floor.

They were valuable enough to make both players and NPCs covet them.

So, it was best to absorb them the moment they were acquired.

“Th-thank you.”

“Thank you.”

The two bowed to Yujin and activated their Rune Fragments.

*Hwaaaaaak-!*

A small burst of light radiated, gently illuminating the interior of [Starlight Wayfarer].

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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