52 – Surviving at the U.C Convenience Store (4)

“I’m not warning you about just that. Trying to steal our U.C Convenience Store employees as you please can be seen as hostile intent towards us, can’t it?”

“Come on, there’s no way. I just confessed my feelings to someone I personally find interesting. Is U.C Convenience Store really going to interfere with the personal love lives of its employees?”

Ceretini responded with a faint smile, unperturbed even by the manager’s clear warning.

Even the distorted and glitching surroundings seemed insignificant to her.

“It doesn’t matter if you have feelings for him or not. However… Let me make one thing clear.”

But the words that followed could not be ignored.

Unlike before, where Ceretini didn’t even bat an eye, she now widened her eyes and showed a surprised reaction upon hearing the manager’s words.

“Even if you were to have him, your dream is an impossible dream. Just like a bird born in a cage dreaming of freedom, it will only be a mere illusion.”

“How can you say that-“

Although she didn’t directly reveal it, she had already picked up on what Ceretini wanted and what she was thinking.

Even transcendent beings like herself had not been able to discern it at all.

I can’t believe someone (censored) saw through that…

Thanks to that, my fingers twitched for a moment. But upon further thought, it didn’t really matter if she knew or not.

“…This is surprising. I don’t know how he knows my thoughts, but I guess if he’s qualified enough to be chosen as the administrator of Cosmos-1, he must have the discernment.”

After all, dreams are called dreams because they can be dreamt freely.

I was curious about how he figured out my dream, but I could find out gradually through investigation.

Rather than that, I couldn’t help but laugh at the fact that I was caught off guard, and, unconsciously, I started playing tricks myself.

“But why do I treat him like that even though I know? It’s like I’ve already given up on everything.”

“…”

The manager didn’t respond at all.

He sealed his lips as if there was no point in answering.

“Whatever, I don’t care how I treat my employees. I just don’t want them to run away and meet a tragic death, like that immature employee back then.”

As Seretini [설마 눈앞의 (검열됨)], turned her head over and started to turn around to return to the store as if her business was finished.

“And-“

Of course, she hadn’t finished all her business yet.

Just like the girl in front of her succumbed to her provocation, Seretini herself ended up being concerned about something insignificant and used a pretentious tone that she wouldn’t normally use.

“That disgusting face, if you’re going to hide it, hide it properly. Even I feel repulsed just by looking at it. If he accidentally sees your face, do you think he can keep his sanity?”

The feeling of disgust that couldn’t be hidden anymore.

It was a sincere comment left by Seretini, who genuinely worried about Hyeonwoo outside and the person in front of her.

“…Understood. Let’s accept that inquiry.”

As if understanding the manager’s words, he increased the noise on his face with a bitter expression.

Although it was a trace made by the accident that he didn’t want himself, in the end, he couldn’t refute the fact that the accident happened because of him.

If he could undo the mistake of that day, he would sacrifice everything to do so.

†††

-Manager-nim-

[How long are you going to sleep? Wake up.]

“Gasp…!”

I suddenly opened my eyes at the unexpected message.

With the command to wake up, the song that I always heard in the break room in the morning came to mind.

When I regained my senses, I realized that a sleep mask was covering my face, and Diana was still leaning on me and drooling in her sleep.

As a result, my arms were damp and sticky.

Just a moment, is this really a serum?

“… Did I fall asleep?”

After wearing the blindfold that Seretini put on Diana, I remember counting to two with my mouth.

1… 2… And then consciousness faded.

Afterwards, it feels like I fell asleep without moving at all.

“Are you awake?”

And Seretini, who was sitting by the window and looking at the sky, turned his head when he saw that I had woken up.

“How long did I sleep?”

“Not long, maybe just about 10 minutes.”

“But I feel surprisingly refreshed.”

I got up and stretched lightly.

After Diana put two chairs together and made me lie down, she wiped off the drool on my arm and continued the conversation.

“So, you disappeared suddenly because of the boss…?”

“Yeah, he told me to take the package that arrived in my name.”

Now that I think about it, I’ve purchased a grenade through Rocket Bang before.

Although it’s a box containing a grenade that explodes when thrown, it’s smaller than usual, and it’s safely packaged with air ca

“I’m originally quite remarkable.”

By the way, this is really remarkable.

Wearing the blindfold feels like being under anesthesia, but even so, I endured it for a whole 5 minutes without falling asleep.

Honestly, even though I just woke up, I feel like I could fall into a deep sleep if I wear this blindfold and lie down on the bed.

Even though I only slept for 10 minutes, my body feels more refreshed than I expected.

I only slept for about 10 minutes, but it feels like I casually closed my eyes for a whole hour.

Isn’t this blindfold such an amazing item?

“It’s made for the sorcerers who suffer from sleep disorders, as indicated. The existing ones are ordinary blindfolds, but this one is a prototype with a built-in heat function. So, how do you feel after using it?”

“Do you like it? It’s a great product that can improve the quality of life for working professionals who come home exhausted and fall into a deep sleep.”

Even though I only slept for 10 minutes, it means that it increases the efficiency of sleep by at least 6 times.

Moreover, considering that I was sitting in a chair, if I were lying on the bed, I could ensure an even more comfortable sleep.

“The reviews are good, I’m pleased. Here you go, you can have it. Just let me know if you have any discomfort or suggestions for improvement when I come next time.”

“Really? Thank you. I was actually worried because I have to work 24/7 soon.”

Not many customers come in the early morning.

So, if I use this during the quiet hours and take a short nap, even though I have to work here for 24 hours, I think I can withstand it without collapsing.

Rather than collapsing from lack of sleep, I should worry about suddenly being attacked by a villain and getting hit on the head with a Pepsi.

“By the way, what do you think of the offer I made earlier?”

“Uh… about that-“

Honestly, I forgot most of it.

But one thing I clearly remember is that it could free me and keep an eye on me, allowing me to continue staying at this U.C. Convenience Store.

Although it does seem like a contract with favorable conditions that would be stupid not to accept…

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I find it difficult to decide right away. There are a lot of things I need to find out about this U.C. Convenience Store.”

I apologize to Seretini, but if I want to be free, I want to go back to the universe where I originally lived, not just the U.C. Convenience Store.

To do that, I need to search for as much information as possible on Tree Wiki and Rocket Pang through the system of this U.C. Convenience Store.

Of course, I haven’t had any income so far, and I haven’t had the chance to look into it because my priority has been survival, but all these functions, like Tree Wiki and Rocket Pang, are available to me through the system of the U.C. Convenience Store.

If I leave the U.C. Convenience Store, I won’t be able to use those functions anymore, that’s for sure.

“That’s a shame. I thought I presented a pretty radical offer… Does it not matter? Just take your time to think and let me know whenever you come to a decision, as I mentioned before. I’m personally quite interested in you.”

Seretini’s eyes widened slightly, as if surprised, and then she answered with a smile, closing her eyes.

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“I just hope you give me an answer as soon as possible. You also know from your own experience that fate seems to want to take away your life instead of preserving it. I hope you stay alive until you make a wise decision.”

She stood up and slightly bowed her back, bringing her eyes level with mine.

“I wish I could have felt the same. Dying isn’t exactly a pleasant experience, so I don’t particularly fancy trying it.”

Originally, she had a similar build to Diana’s, but as I sat in the chair, our lines of sight matched like this.

Honestly, I’m quite grateful to Seretini.

Honestly, is there anywhere one doesn’t force a contract by threatening to aim a gun at you like when they first met?

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say you wished the bracelet wouldn’t get swallowed by the dice?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“In that case…”

Seretini took the bracelet-holding hand.

Eventually, she gently lowered her head and lightly pressed her pink lips against the cool bracelet in her right hand.

Simultaneously, a warm breath and a soft touch were felt.

I quietly swallowed.

“…It’s done now. Since I’ve bestowed the angel’s protection on this bracelet, it won’t be swallowed the same way. Of course, you’ll still have to be cautious not to let others see the dice directly.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I can close the lid on it, so if it’s not needed, I can keep it closed.”

I replied as quickly as possible thereafter, trying to regain my composure.

In that moment, I seemed to have unknowingly sold my soul.

“But wasn’t this supposed to be done as part of the contract? I haven’t done anything yet…”

However, this is something Seretini said she would do when I made the contract.

But she did it without me making the contract, which was both surprising and a little worrisome.

“It’s a special service just for you. If this helps you survive at this U.C. convenience store, then it’s only fair to provide it. I like sincere and honest people.”

“Oh, well, thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like I can breathe a little easier.”

Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any coercion or such.

For a moment, I was worried, but hearing it was a service eased my mind a bit.

“Anyway, since the business is done, I’ll take my leave. But before I go, let me give you one piece of advice…”

Seretini, about to leave the convenience store, turned back and said, “Seize the opportunity when it’s given. If you miss the chance, all that’s left is regret.”

It sounded like a personal experience or perhaps an insight into someone missing a one-time opportunity.

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