Chapter 63

〈Chapter 62〉 Section 3. It's Advice, Not Technology Theft! (2)

* * *

A goblin's transformation starts with releasing the mana inside the body.

In a nutshell, it's called 'rebirth.'

Breaking the 'cognitive dissonance barrier' that makes me appear like a non-ability user.

Instantly releasing the mana flowing through my body to scatter the surrounding vision.

The process of converting the mana flowing over my body into a goblin mask and clothes happens in less than 0.1 seconds.

While the word 'rebirth' itself implies a complete change in direction, it is an archaic term not commonly used, so I use the word 'transformation' for convenience.

The truth is, it's a re-conversion of mana.

It's just changing a suit into a tuxedo and a mask into a helmet.

For the sake of clarity:

If transformation means changing the form of mana,

Then rebirth means simultaneously releasing the mana inside the body and changing into a different form.

So, has there ever been a being that can create its costume out of mana?

Has anyone in this world ever undergone rebirth?

No.

There might be, but it has never been publicly revealed.

'A secret technique known only to a select few.'

Just as I have never been seen naked by others, and Yumir only becomes naked after transforming in front of me, it's a highly advanced technique unknown even on the dark web.

So when explaining to Baek Seul-hee how to create clothes based on the goblin's transformation principle, I intentionally omitted the intermediate step of 'explosively releasing mana.'

I suggested it casually, as if making clothes by piling up mana like building a snowman.

But Baek Seul-hee managed to do it.

It's like teaching someone to make fried chicken by saying, "Prepare a chicken, cut it into pieces, coat it in batter, and fry it," and they add steps like "add curry powder to the batter" or "fry it twice."

Of course, without telling them the oil temperature, the mixing ratio of the batter, or the brining of the chicken, a disaster might occur where the batter peels off, but even if the result was messy, the attempt was good.

"Ugh...."

After removing one gown, Baek Seul-hee gathered the icy aura spread throughout the room with a sad face.

Fortunately, the room returned to its original state, and I handed her another gown to put on.

"Are you okay, Seul-hee?"

"I'm fine. If I have to compensate for this, I'll do it."

"Don't worry. It doesn't seem like anything is damaged. And the good thing is...this happened in this room."

"Yes...."

Baek Seul-hee covered her face with both hands.

If such a disaster had happened in front of people?

She wouldn't be able to show her face in public for the rest of her life.

Especially if, while facing a powerful enemy as a hero, she 'exploded' in front of the entire nation and the world?

She might as well become a demon on the spot.

I'm a man, so I'm okay because I manage my body to some extent.

But if a woman I love were humiliated in front of the world and felt sad and angry, I might want to erase that incident from everyone's memory.

So the most important thing is to prevent such an incident from happening.

"How did this happen?"

"After making the clothes, I thought I could just make them directly on my body, so I tried to generate mana...."

"Like accidentally spilling all the water while trying to pour it slowly from a water bottle?"

"Yes!"

"Or like trying to slowly peel the plastic off a chicken drumstick, but using too much force and splashing the broth inside?"

"Exactly!"

Baek Seul-hee even clapped her hands in response to my words.

"Exactly that feeling!"

"Then the solution is simple. Try it without wearing clothes."

"....What?"

"More precisely, try covering only the exposed parts of your skin with mana. Like applying moisturizer to your body, how about trying to release mana...?"

I'm speaking as if I'm a non-ability user, trying to explain it in a roundabout way.

If she can understand it in her own way, Baek Seul-hee is indeed remarkable.

"Like this...?"

"Wait! I'll be outside. If your clothes tear again...."

"Ah, it's fine."

Baek Seul-hee extended her right hand.

A white glove appeared on her hand, smooth and shiny like latex.

"Would you like to touch it?"

"Will I get frostbite?"

"It's fine. It's just the temperature of touching ice."

"Then...."

I extended my fingers toward Baek Seul-hee's hand and lightly brushed her fingers with my hand.

"It really feels like ice."

"Yes. As long as no one touches it and it stays in contact with my skin, it will remain this way. Hmm...mana is consumed when making it, but not much after it's made? I feel better than yesterday."

She tilted her head, muttering to herself, but in fact, Baek Seul-hee has quickly replenished her mana by recovering at this hot spring.

"Maybe because I ate something good?~"

"Seul-hee."

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"Be careful where you say things like that, or you'll get into big trouble."

"I understand. Then I'll only say it in front of Ji-hwan."

"...If it helps you."

Since I've decided to help, I should do my best to assist Baek Seul-hee.

What? The goblin helping Ji-hwan...?

No! First, I need to hide!

Don't misunderstand. I didn't hide you; I brought you here out of curiosity.

Why did you help me? Did you approach me intentionally? What's your reason? Why are you being so nice to me...?

...Never show your face in front of me again. If we meet again, you'll be my enemy.

I need to create a sense of indebtedness in Baek Seul-hee.

"Anyway, try making clothes. I'll go to the convenience store to buy clothes for you."

"How far is the convenience store?"

"Probably 30 minutes by car, round trip."

"Rather than that, I think it's better to do it this way."

Baek Seul-hee stood up and spread her arms.

"......Freeze."

With a low voice, Baek Seul-hee began to release mana from her hands.

I was worried she might do another 'shell-breaking' instead of rebirth, but fortunately, it didn't seem like it would explode this time.

Sssss.

Baek Seul-hee controlled her mana so steadily that it was visibly calm, even to the naked eye.

And in a direction I hadn't even considered.

"Wow."

White smoke, like dry ice, began to seep out from her wrists and ankles, spreading over the gown she was wearing.

The white smoke, Baek Seul-hee's mana, slowly adhered to the gown, covering it.

Crack, crack.

Ice crystals began to form on the gown, and soon the flimsy gown became stiff.

"...Wow."

What can I say?

The hotel gown, due to its material, can be slightly altered to resemble a V-neck dress.

And since she covered it with ice made of mana, it looked like Snow White standing with her arms spread, wearing a white coat made of snowflakes.

"Amazing."

It's a genuine compliment.

And at the same time, it feels like my eyes are opening wide.

'I need to learn this.'

Whenever I transform, I always release mana from my body, but using this method, maybe I won't have to be naked...!

"Seul-hee, it's really amazing. You could walk around outside like this."

"Doesn't it feel a bit strange?"

"The clothes don't flutter and feel like an icy armor, but it's much better than just wearing a white gown."

"Is that so? Then at least it should be able to fool people's eyes."

Baek Seul-hee extended her hand to me.

"Thank you, Ji-hwan. Thanks to this, I won't get caught even if I sneak into Sejong Island."

"Please be careful when leaving Ulleung Island and entering the dormitory on Sejong Island."

"Yes. It's a shame. I rarely get to talk with you alone. ...Next time, let's meet in Ulleung Island?"

"We can talk anytime on Sejong Island, can't we?"

"But there are more prying eyes here."

"Didn't you say you'd take care of any scandals?"

"Hehe, it's still a bit awkward if a scandal breaks out."

Baek Seul-hee smiled and whispered softly.

"If a scandal breaks out, Ji-hwan won't be able to work in the library, and then you won't be able to read the books you want."

"...For now?"

"Then I should be as considerate as possible. To make sure Ji-hwan can read the books he wants in the library. I can't take away your daily life because of my situation."

Baek Seul-hee held my hand again.

"Please take care of me from now on, teacher?"

"Am I your teacher?"

"Yes. My psychological counselor. Specifically...."

Squish.

"I'll contact you whenever I need comfort. Maybe often."

* * *

After returning from Ulleung Island.

Baek Seul-hee, East Sea Patrol! Developing a New Costume!

Baek Seul-hee successfully returned to Sejong Island.

Fortunately, the excuse of going to feel the energy