“Why–why can’t I hit it…?”

Just a moment ago, I was able to perfectly hit any of my targets with my bow, yet, why can’t I hit even a single can right in front of me?

Confused by the situation and just staring at the collapsed tent, Sophia approached me while leaning on her staff.

“It seems your mana didn’t flow.”

“Mana? Why didn’t it flow all of a sudden?”

“It’s probably because you’re not as tense as when you’re hunting monsters.”

“Aha…”

Whether facing monsters or during moments of crisis, I had noticed my sight and hearing unusually sharpening.

Maybe my mana instinctively activated whenever I felt danger, and right now, with a safe target, my mana probably didn’t stir.

“Try shooting with the tension you feel when facing monsters.”

“Okay. But first, I should clean this up.”

“Mm… Yes, that would be best.”

I moved towards the scattered glass shards.

One piece at a time.

With my small hands, I diligently picked up the glass fragments.

The glass bottles, costing a hundred and twenty won each, now shattered.

All together, that was over five hundred won.

Tch.

My tail expressed my frustration, thumping the ground on its own.

It was then that someone called out my name from afar.

“Gyeoul! I sold the mana stones!”

“Yes.”

Turning my head, I saw Yeoreum waving at me from a distance, holding a bundle of bills.

The guild apparently bought mana stones, and it seemed to go quickly since a guild member, Yeoreum, handled it.

“Gyeoul—Huh? Why is the tent like this?”

“Well, I was practicing archery and accidentally broke it…”

“I see…”

Yeoreum scratched her cheek, then squatted near the glass shards.

Unfazed by the broken glass, she skillfully scooped up the pieces with both hands.

“I–I can do it—!”

I couldn’t let someone else clean up my mistake.

I hurriedly squatted in front of her, but she pushed me back, preventing me from getting closer.

“I’ll clean this up. Gyeoul, you still have a lot to do.”

“But, still…”

“It’s okay. I want to finish quickly so I can play with Gyeoul.”

I closed my mouth at Yeoreum’s kindness.

Whether teaching me how to hunt monsters in the dungeon or helping clean up the glass.

She seemed nothing but kind.

‘Is she really a good person?’

My doubts were frustratingly unresolved.

It would have been better if she had told me everything.

Though I felt a sense of loss, like Yeoreum said, I had too much to do.

I decided to finish my tasks first.

“Sophia, let’s go pick azaleas together.”

“Azaleas?”

“Yes. I saw a lot blooming over there.”

“Hmm…”

Blinking her eyes in thought, Sophia rose from her seat.

I was a bit happy, no, very happy, that I didn’t have to pick azaleas alone.

✧✧✧✧✧

Living a life of poverty taught me one thing.

There are often useful items discarded like trash.

I headed to the recycling bins in one corner of the park, looking for materials to repair the tent.

WI couldn’t find any tarps or covers, but I managed to collect a few empty bottles.

“This one has cigarette butts inside it…”

“Yes. If we clean it well, we can sell it.”

“Oho…”

Thump Thump

When I tapped the neck of the bottle on the ground, the cigarette butts fell out from inside.

It was dirty work, but I picked them up and threw them in the trash, keeping only the empty bottles.

“Just wash these a few times with water, and they’ll be fine.”

“You’re very frugal.”

Sophia held the empty bottles I handed her.

I led her to a nearby bush, thinking to myself.

Today, I should also take care of the tent.

‘With enough money, I can even buy waterproof tape, right?’

Never thought the day would come when I could fix the holes in my tent.

Feeling a thrill in my heart, I stood under a tree blooming with azaleas.

“Let’s pick lots of azaleas.”

I demonstrated to Sophia how to pick azalea petals without tearing them.

There was a trick to plucking them in one go.

“You’re quite skillful with your hands.”

“Yes. Sophia…”

Sophia, join in too.

Just as I was about to say that, I heard multiple footsteps from nearby.

Tap Tap

About five young men and women made up the approaching group.

‘Not adventurers… are they here just to enjoy the park?’

Did they come here to see the azaleas?