We stood facing each other for what felt like an eternity.
"You- You're the kidnapper!" She shouted, loud enough for everyone in the fast-food restaurant to hear.
Just as I was about to open my mouth, the most annoying sound rang in my ear.
[Ding! The OPPAI believes that "the Host" that was in the hardware store was not the Host but a Demon Worshipper. If the Host acknowledges that he, himself, had been in the hardware store, he will be restrained and questioned.]
That sounds like trouble, but I'm bad at lying.
"Uh- who are you?" It's not a complete lie: I don't know her at all.
She had a flustered look after realizing everyone had their attention on us. "But- I swear I met you last night-"
"Ha Hyo! What are you doing to our customers?" A man who wore a cap with a "ж" symbol on the top of his head yelled at my accuser. He seemed to be her boss.
"I- I apologize, manager!" She quickly bowed toward the man.
"You apologized to the wrong person, young lady!" He lectured her with a majestic voice.
Thank you, Sir Stranger, but your effort was too little too late, and the rumors are already spreading. Well, it's not like I'm going to live for long anyway, so I guess it's alright.
"Sorry, young man." The man apologized in her stead, "She's too tired today. Can you pardon her mistake?" He bowed his head as he glanced at my twist.
Why are they always looking at my hand? There's nothing on there.
[Ding! The silver bracelet on the Host's right wrist reveals that the Host is one of the Skilled.]
One of the Skilled? I thought Leaf was only available to the students! And there are people without Skills?
[Ding! Similar to the 2% of the magic beasts that can't use mana, 62% of the human society doesn't have Skills. However, human beings and their social behavior secured many safe havens for the Un-Skilled. Leaf was created in the research department of TREE ten years ago. Hu Jung-Lee decided to spread Leaf to all the Skilled in order to retrieve corpses and to prevent Skilled from committing crimes.]
Another form of discrimination: the people with Skills are stepping on the ones without Skills- it makes me remember kindergarteners in my old neighborhood showing off their toys.
"Then can I get a 10% discount?" I should take advantage of this situation. E/N: MC is a b*tch
The man lifted his head, revealing a face of shock. "C-Can you say that again?" He looked like he couldn't believe his ears.
"Can I get a discount?" I asked again, then mumbled softly, "Is 10% too much?" I didn't understand how much a thousand won is back on Earth. E/N: 1000 won is 0.75 USD
The man's face brightens, "Of course! We'll give you this meal for free!" Free! They didn't have to go that far…
Before I could refuse, the man pushed me into a chair and swiftly served me. He tried to give me more food, but I stopped him before the restaurant went bankrupt. It's not like I can finish everything anyways.
The same man buzzed around me and kept asking me if there was anything else I wanted. I had to shoo him away just to enjoy my meal in peace. After he reluctantly went into the back kitchen, I set my eyes on what was in front of me: two burgers, two boxes of fries, a box of fried foreign meat, and an unknown beverage.
I could use Appraisal. I don't know what any of these things are.
[Appraisal: Burgers. Fries. Fried meat. Drink]
I forgot Appraisal is useless right now. I wonder when Appraisal will level up-
[Ding! The Host has reached the requirement to level up the Skill "Appraisal!"]
Now? Really? What are the details for the Skill now?
Appraisal II (D-rank Skill) - The second lowest level of appraisal, the Host can receive a small amount of information. [This Skill can grow]
There's barely any change.
Logically, Appraisal should tell me a bit more information now.
[Appraisal: The Azure Buffalo burger was made twenty minutes ago. The Mountain Rooster cheeseburger was made 15 minutes ago. Golden potato slices were fried ten minutes ago. Breaded Mountain Rooster meat was fried 14 minutes ago. A bottle of carbonated liquid was served one minute ago.]
A more significant improvement than I expected: Appraisal also gave me the time they made the food. What if I use Appraisal on a person?
[Appraisal: Ha Hyo, 19 years old human.]
19 years old. Ha Hyo was working part-time in the hardware store, so she probably has multiple part-time jobs. It reminds me of when I was her age.
[Ding! The Host is currently 16 years old physically. In this world, you were never her age.]
No side comments!
[Ding! From now on, the System will react only when the Host is in life-threatening danger and inquiring about information.]
Finally! Peace and silence!
° ° ° ° °
That was me five minutes ago. As of now, I've arrived at the bus stop. Something is still slightly bothering me…
[Ding! Currently, no one is tailing the Host, and the temporary Leaf on the Host's wrist will not reveal the Host's location to TREE.]
The weight on my chest lifted. My escape plan from the OPPAI agent was a success.
As expected of the System, there was no problem going out of the bathroom window. However, I doubt it would be that easy to escape forever. Won't TREE be able to track me anyways?
[Ding! Considering the Host is in the middle of human civilization, TREE will always be able to find the Host.]
Nice, I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.
The sound of a bus arriving pushed my worries away. The door opened, but right before I could go in, the familiar "ding" sound rang in my ears.
[Ding! A Demon Worshipper is 4.4 meters away from the Host. If the Host acts unnatural, he will be in life-threatening danger.]
I was surprised by the imminent danger and realized that I don't even have a will to leave behind.
"Hey! Why are you stopping in the middle of the line? Get on the bus!" The man behind me yelled impatiently, making a whacking motion with his cane.
Unable to leave the line without looking extremely suspicious, I hurriedly got on the bus and took the first seat, right next to a friendly-looking man with a pair of glasses. The smell of rotten eggs drifted from him, giving me a headache.
[Ding! A "Woke" is 12.2 centimeters away from the Host.]
Shoot! I took the wrong seat!
"Good afternoon!" The young man smiled, or who I thought was young.
[Appraisal: Park Hyun, 64 years old hu₥₳₦?]
There's a question mark: he barely counts as a human, and he's 64? Isn't that the age when you have grandkids?
"Hello?" He asked with a concerned tone as I snapped back to reality.
Alright, Alex. Don't mess this up, or you'll die a painful death!
"Hi!" Good start Alex, now say something nice! "You look young for your age!"
I screwed up! How can you screw up this badly?
[Ding! The Woke suspected the Host knew their identity.]
If you didn't alert me that there's a Demon Worshipper in the first place, I wouldn't be panicking! Now I'm gonna be dying a horrible death!
[Ding! From now on, the System will react only when the Host inquires about information.]
The "young" man smiled again, but this time was sinister instead of friendly. "Do you know how old I am?" He whispered.
"Haha! I don't," I laughed nervously, "I thought you look like you're 64 years ol-" Park Hyun's stare was enough to burn a hole through my head.
Damn it, Alex! You messed it up again!
Hey, System. What's the chance of him stabbing me to death?
[Ding! The chance of the Host dying to a Woke is 100%.]
Why is he acting like he was humiliated?
[Ding! The Woke suspected the Host was mocking them.]
"64? Did you say I'm younger than I looked-"
I couldn't take the nauseous smell any longer and pitched my nose out of a sense of self-preservation.
The look on Park Hyun's face looked as ominous as the starless night sky, but before he could say (or do) anything, the bus stopped.
"It seems like this is my stop. See you around, Mr. Park." I skedaddled off the bus.