I Couldn’t Afford to Buy Mana, so I Started Streaming

Hoo. Hoo.

I gripped the neckline of my T-shirt with my left hand and blew on my seaweed soup as I ate.

Hmm! It’s delicious.

Just the right temperature, just the right seasoning.

Rice, seaweed soup, and Vienna sausages are the perfect meal to digest for breakfast.

Na-me, are you feeling unwell? Why are you pulling at your clothes like that?

Professor Cheon stopped using his chopsticks and asked.

I quickly lowered my left hand under the dining table.

Ah, it’s nothing. I’m just worried the soup will spill on my clothes.

If you’re feeling sick, just let me know. We need to stop by the hospital.

Don’t worry! I feel fine. I think I won’t need a mana potion today.

Good, you slept well. You should always sleep that much.

Thank you for the meal! I’ll just quickly use Dreaming Mode before I go out.

I placed my bowl in the sink and dashed off to my room.

Thud—

Hah… uncomfortable. Is it better now?

I poked at my chest through my thin clothes.

It’s flat.

This occasional tingling sensation when the fabric brushed against my skin.

Based on my past life experiences, it was a clear sign my chest was growing.

But so far, there hasn’t been anything resembling a lump.

If it doesn’t grow, that’s a relief, but if that’s the case, it shouldn’t hurt either.

I can’t help but feel extremely sensitive all the time.

For now, I needed to get ready to go out quickly.

I quickly lay in the capsule and activated Dreaming Mode.

[Dreaming Mode 1.4.6. – Alchemist’s Mirror]

Hmm?

Today, something different came up compared to my usual dreams.

The background seems oddly familiar…

The mirror gradually came into focus.

Pfff! Hahaha!

I couldn’t hold back my laughter and giggled like a child.

Right, that did happen.

Bboom—!

[Kyaaa!]

[Run away!]

[Malik, help me!]

Stained glass shattered due to the shock wave.

Students asking classmates for help.

Boom—!

[Aaaah, it’s collapsing!]

[My leg is bent. I—I’m not dead, am I?]

[You go stop her!]

[No way! You go, Prince!]

The ceiling was collapsing.

The auditorium turned into chaos.

Amidst the raging flames, there was a girl dragging her classmates, who were foaming at the mouth, forward.

Sadly, that was where my Dreaming Mode ended.

Hehe, that’s right, dropping out and quitting was the best feeling, wasn’t it.

Back when I was 14 years old.

I received a ridiculous six-year suspension from Kaizen Academy.

It’s still laughable when I think about it. Even Jean Valjean had only five years at first.

To be precise, it was when I said that Algol in the Perseus constellation is a variable star, and then I was dragged off for blasphemy.

Why? I don’t know. In medieval feudalism, it’s something you don’t question but accept.

So, I smashed everything in sight without thinking—be it people or buildings.

I made the mistake of entering the Magic Tower to earn a compensation of 6666 gold (about 5.83 billion won), but…

Either way, I can’t deny that at that time I felt extremely relieved and happy.

I finished Dreaming Mode with a smile and got out of the capsule.

Ah!

Another tingling sensation.

Unable to resist, I picked up the gift from Saetbyeol that I had tossed aside earlier.

As I fiddled with it using my fingers, the texture felt quite nice.

It’s too precious… I’d rather just wear a tank top. Well, wearing two layers in summer is a bit much.

It wasn’t some weird character design but a plain, single-colored junior bra.

Was it not just a joke but something she genuinely wanted me to wear?

If that was the case, Saetbyeol might feel hurt.

I brainwashed myself.

This is a chest brigandine, a brigandine… Yeah, knights going to war wear similar things, what’s the big deal.

Compared to researching a magic circle to secure my chest during combat, this was truly nothing.

I hurriedly changed clothes and came out to the living room.

The family gathered in front of the entrance door, wearing sunglasses and straw hats.

Na-me, where’s Jim?

Are you all ready to go out?

Why are you lagging?

Sister, the bag is right here.

Just a moment. I’m brushing my teeth…

Haha, take your time. Na-me won’t run away in my absence.

Whoa!

To celebrate my birthday, we decided to go camping for one night and two days with my family.

Brush, brush—

If I had informed my past self about this fact, I would probably have fainted from shock.

After being on the run, how hungry must I have been to go camping now?

Yeah, I was hungry.

Strangely, neither my dad nor I had ever been camping just for leisure.

If I can’t forget the bad memories, I want to cover them with good ones.

Bubbling—

Phew! We’re ready! You can press the elevator now!

Whoopee!

At 8 AM, we all set off to the camping site in Pyeongchang.

*

Huff, huff, huff, huff, huff.

Nureongi stuck its head out the window and savored the warm summer breeze.

What’s going on! Ba bam bam bam ba ba ba bam!

Cheon Saetbyeol headbanged as if her soul had left her body.

Nureongi, look over here. You need to look this way!

Click, click, click, click—

Recently addicted to selfie-enhancing apps, Cheon Luri was snapping pictures too.

The road to the camping site was truly hectic.

Ugh.

Are you carsick?

Yes, a little. Phew…

I turned off the hologram projector.

Before truly enjoying camping, I was planning the training schedule for Alain Beiga, a participant from Luxembourg.

I stretched the seatbelt long and lay on Professor Cheon’s knee, but…

Na-me, sit up properly. We’re on the road.

Okay…

I was pushed off dismissively.

Sister, do you want me to massage your shoulders?

No, thanks.

Come on! I’m offering a nice massage!

I don’t need it. Hmph?

Hmm? Hehe, what’s this, sister? I get it now!

Saetbyeol patted the bulging part on her shoulder.

I wanted to remain undetected for as long as possible, but…

She started massaging again and continued the conversation.

Is it comfortable?

Yeah.

That’s good! See, I told you I would be needed!

What, what are you talking about…?

I’m talking about the shoulder massage!

Creek—

Professor Cheon parked the car in front of a convenience store in the rural village.

Kids, let’s stop by the convenience store first and buy what we need.

Uwaaaah! I’m so tired I’m about to die.

Quiet and get out quickly.

For 1 hour and 40 minutes, all we did was listen to music.

In the middle of a rough street, there was a lonely convenience store.

But there were about two other groups of tourists besides us.

Each pick your favorite cup noodles, snacks, drinks, and uh… Dad, did we pack all disposable items?

Let’s just grab some wet wipes and mosquito repellent. If anyone wants some dinner items, choose!

Got it. Saetbyeol!

Yeah?

Here’s a gift!

What is it?

I handed the lead rope for Nureongi to Saetbyeol.

Hey!

Hmph.

And I entered the convenience store linked arms with Luri.

Ding—

Hello, NoName… Oh, I momentarily mistook this for a broadcast.

I’m in awe. I want to become a professional streamer overflowing with dedication like you someday!

Hmm, I’d feel sad if Luri became a streamer. Shouldn’t this cute face just belong to me?

Uh… If you really think that way…

Welcome. Ahhh…!

The convenience store was huge.

You could call it a small mart, really.

Luri, tell me what you want. Your sister will buy you anything.

Sparkle—

I pulled out my black card.

Last time I swiped at a convenience store, I received a call saying I might have been robbed, so I gave a heads up today.

Then I’ll go with this one.

A dragon lid? Ooo, nice choice!

Hehe, let me think for a moment.

Luri seemed excited too, puffing her cheeks.

During that time, I picked out some snacks for Nureongi.

After checking out Luri’s towering pile of items, I swapped places with Saetbyeol, who was slowly roasting under the blazing sun.

It’s so hot… Air conditioning…

How can you be sweating after being in there for such a short time? Let me wipe it off.

Do you have a handkerchief?

No, I just have a hand.

I wiped the beads of sweat forming on Saetbyeol’s forehead with my hand.

It’s not dirty since we’re family. Don’t worry.

I wiped my hands on my pants.

Then what about your armpits?

Just do the first verse, okay?

While walking Nureongi in the empty lot in front of the convenience store, we casually chatted with other campers.

Is today your birthday, Na-me?

Yes, that’s right!

We just heard about it on the radio! Happy birthday!

Thank you! Have a great camping trip!

Na-me, it looks like we’ve bought almost everything! Shall we head to camping now?

As the sun climbed high in the sky, the temperature shot up.

“Ueerrgh.”

Together, Saetbyeol, Luri, and I all stood in front of the car’s air conditioning, cooling off in the same posture and voice.

At last, we arrived at the camping site!

Can we just park anywhere?

Yeah, I think it’s first come, first served.

To the very top! To the very top!

But that’s too far from the swimming pool. Let’s find a nice shady spot.

Behind that dragon-shaped rock…

Oh dear, Dad will decide that himself.

We found a suitable site, unpacked everything from the trunk.

Meanwhile, Professor Cheon insisted on pitching the tent by himself.

The wind, which had never blown until now, suddenly picked up, and after a struggle, he failed.

Since we’re helping, the wind seems to stop like a lie.

If only the wind wasn’t blowing!

That day, it felt like everyone returned to their childlike spirits.

Huh?

I checked the luggage again and paused.

There’s no alcohol.

What did you say, Na-me?

Oh, nothing. I’m not saying I’d drink, but Dad’s alcohol…!

Dad has to drive tomorrow. Who’s going to drive among us?

Oh, I see. Why did I think we needed alcohol? Oh, shrimp chips sound delicious. Want me to open one for you, Dad?

Before the atmosphere turned awkward, I shifted the topic.

Professor Cheon looked at me with a dubious expression.

Saetbyeol, Luri, can you come here for a moment?

Why are you calling them?

It’s nothing. Just a quick question.

So what do you want to ask?

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

Did they notice?

So, when are we having lunch?

We have arrived.

I’ve never seen Na-me drink alcohol, not even once.

Whoosh—

The fresh scent of grass swayed past us in the gentle breeze.

…

…

Silence fell among the girls.

Well, of course.

I cracked a victorious smile.

But then.

Let me ask again. I have never seen Na-me drink alcohol, not even once.

…

…

The girls grew sheepish all of a sudden.

Hand?

…

…

Na-me?

Why is no one answering?

I’m sorry, sister. I’m terrible at lying.

[Is hot wine alcohol? I’m confused…]

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