IQBSA 10

Chapter 10

The hot sunlight poured down onto my face.

‘Usually, when I feel this way, it means I’ve overslept.’

The fact that my surroundings were too quiet and cozy felt ominous, so I shot up in bed, only to realize a moment later.

“Ah, right… I’m unemployed now.”

What should I do about this office worker instinct that’s been deeply etched into my very being?

Feeling a sense of self-loathing, I was about to lie back down when I suddenly turned my head. Sunlight was streaming in through the empty window.

‘Was it a dream?’

I couldn’t quite believe that Roachin had been sitting there just last night. But I couldn’t dismiss it as a mere dream either; I remembered every single conversation we’d had vividly.

“Alright. I’ll stop here for today.”

Did that mean he was coming back?

If Roachin Arjen kept coming and going from my house, it would defeat the purpose of me hiding, which would be problematic.

Whether judged by his tall, striking appearance or his presence as the Magic Tower Master, he attracted far too much attention wherever he went.

‘He seemed serious when he left, so at least he’ll stay quiet for a while.’

As I was mulling over this headache-inducing thought, all drowsiness evaporated. I threw off the covers and went downstairs.

Dragging my fluffy indoor slippers, I shuffled out to the terrace and yawned, then paused to check the flowerpots, startled.

“…It already has leaves?”

I knew Crown Trees grew fast, but I hadn’t expected it to be this quick.

I had planted seeds in two pots, watered one, and sprayed my potion on the other. That way, I could compare the results.

While the watered pot only had a sprout, the potion-sprayed pot already had small leaves sprouting next to the shoot.

“So it does have an effect, huh?”

Seeing signs of success, I excitedly fetched the remaining growth potion and poured it once more over the pot that had already sprouted leaves.

“Ah! I spilled some…!”

But it seemed my enthusiasm had gotten the better of me. The potion had splashed onto my clothes.

‘I thought this outfit was lasting longer than usual.’

When making potions, there were countless ways clothes could get ruined—splashes, burns from fire, and so on. My clothes never stayed in good condition for long.

You could say it was the occupational hazard of a potion maker.

I rushed to the kitchen and tried to scrub the stain with water, but it showed no sign of coming out.

I decided to throw away the clothes I was wearing and opened the wardrobe to get a change of clothes.

“Hmm…”

The wardrobe, filled with drab gray and black clothes, exuded a dreary atmosphere like a sky covered with storm clouds.

‘…Is this really the best I can do?’

Serpine had always bought dark-colored clothes since she used her everyday wear as work clothes.

She had her reasons, but even so, this was excessive.

At this fresh, blossoming age, wasn’t I living too shabbily without a single decent outfit?

When I was busy escaping the Magic Tower, I hadn’t had time to worry about clothes, but now that I had some breathing room, I saw things differently.

“Well, I’m not one to talk.”

Staring at the gloomy wardrobe, memories of my past life involuntarily surfaced. The days when I’d shiver in the cold because I begrudged buying a new coat from the department store.

Back then, I wasn’t well off financially. I saved money by suppressing all my desires—what I wanted to wear, eat, and do.

But what was the result of all that saving and enduring? I died from overwork before I could properly enjoy a single thing.

I’d learned a harsh lesson in my previous life, and I didn’t want to repeat the same mistake.

‘I can’t be the only one wearing such dull clothes in this vibrant spring.’

And at that moment, I remembered the dress shop I’d passed on my way back from the plant store yesterday.

“Lulu.”

I took out the brightest dress I had—a pale beige one-piece—put it on, and covered my face with a wide-brimmed hat before heading out.

The dress shop was packed with women looking to get new clothes ahead of the Founding Festival.

“…Should I come back another time?”

For a moment, I debated just turning around and going home. But the crowds would likely be the same until the festival ended anyway.

Having come this far, I decided to buy some clothes and stepped inside.

Groups of girls around my age were chatting and shopping together, and I felt a bit awkward being the only customer alone.

‘Why don’t I have a single friend…?’

Seriously. Even after being possessed, why did I have to end up in a body like this?

Besides the people in the Magic Tower, Serpine had absolutely no social connections.

In the world of mages, where worth was measured by magical power, Serpine wasn’t particularly appealing.

‘It wasn’t just that she wasn’t appealing—she was avoided.’

There was no way Serpine, a perpetual outcast, would have any friends.

Since I was naturally introverted, I didn’t find it especially uncomfortable, but today, for some reason, I felt a pang of bitterness.

I averted my gaze from the groups of girls and started seriously browsing for clothes.

The problem was that Serpine had absolutely no interest in dressing up, so her knowledge of dresses was practically nonexistent.

As I awkwardly wandered around, not knowing what to do, a sales clerk approached me like a savior.

“Customer, do you have a particular style in mind?”

She had curly auburn hair and rosy cheeks dotted with freckles. She looked like a little mountain village doll.

‘…So cute!’

I suppressed the urge to pinch her cheeks and put on a calm voice.

“No, I’m just browsing. I don’t really know much about dresses…”

“Oh! I see. In that case, may I recommend a few for you?”

The clerk smiled brightly and began guiding me.

“I think a dress like this sophisticated style would also suit you well. What do you think?”

She pointed to a purple dress displayed on a mannequin.

‘Oh, pretty!’

The color was exactly my favorite shade of violet.

The design was clean, and the modestly layered lace made it suitable for everyday wear.

“I love it. Could I try it on?”

“Really? Of course, you can!”

Just as the clerk was about to take the dress off the mannequin—

“Hazel!”

Someone from the counter called her name in an angry voice.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, customer. It seems the owner is calling me, so I need to go. Please wait just a moment…”

So the cute clerk’s name was Hazel.

Looking flustered, Hazel apologized and hurriedly ran toward the voice that had called her.

“Tsk tsk, what kind of trouble did she cause this time?”

Another clerk, who had been organizing the display racks, clicked her tongue and approached me.

“Customer, you were looking to try on this dress, right? If you don’t mind, I can assist you.”

“Yes, please.”

I followed the employee into the fitting room.

“I’ll just take your hat for a moment…”

When the employee tried to remove my hat, I quickly stopped her and exclaimed.

“Huh? No, not the hat!”

“Oh my, I apologize! I’ll be more careful.”

I briefly regretted being overly sensitive, since it was just the two of us in the room anyway.

But fortunately, the clerk seemed to have decided I was just a difficult customer and skillfully helped me put on the dress without touching my hat.

After putting on the dress, I looked in the mirror.

“Hmm.”

It might sound vain, but honestly… it was pretty!

Serpine looked plain because she dressed simply, but her underlying features were actually quite good.

Her silver hair and generally cool aura surprisingly complemented the violet dress amazingly well.

Whatever trouble Hazel had caused, she certainly had excellent taste.

I twirled around once in place and called out to the clerk.

“I’ll wear this out.”

I blurted it out decisively, feeling good.

‘Buying clothes without looking at the price tag!’

This was one of my lifelong dreams.

“Certainly, ma’am.”

The clerk beamed and led me to the counter.

“How many times do I have to tell you that the sleeves shouldn’t be finished like that!”

‘…She’s still getting scolded.’

As I waited to pay, I saw Hazel in the corner behind the counter, her head hung low.

“But I did exactly as you taught me…”

“Child, when did I ever teach you that?! Do you know who the customer was that almost bought this shoddy dress? She’s Lady Rud, a regular at our shop! It’s a good thing I spotted it just before the sale…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Hazel’s already red cheeks were now flushed to the point of bursting.

“And do you know how much this dress costs? Since you’ve made it unsellable, how do you plan to compensate for that loss? Even if you gave up six months’ salary, it wouldn’t be enough!”

“Owner, I’ll make it up somehow by working extra hard. Please, just don’t touch my salary.”

Hazel clasped her hands together and begged.

Even in a world inside a book, it seemed people’s struggles were all the same.

Watching the scene unfold, I was reminded of a time when I worked part-time at a cafe and spilled coffee on a customer’s clothes. I was so upset back then.

I’d lost a whole month’s pay to cover the damages, and I remember feeling so miserable…

At the time, I desperately wished someone would help me. Of course, no one did.

I glanced at the dress the woman presumed to be the shop owner was holding.

It was a pretty, frilly forsythia-colored dress that would suit spring well. I loved the color, but the design was a bit too flashy—more suited for a palace party.

‘…Where would I even wear that?’

But my damn meddlesome nature kicked in, and after a moment of conflict, I spoke up.

“Madam, could I possibly buy that dress?”

“…Pardon?”

The owner, who had been scolding Hazel, asked, looking flustered.

“I’ll buy that yellow frilly dress.”

“Customer, I’m sorry, but… this is a defective item. I can’t sell it.”

“I overheard a bit—something about the finishing being slightly off. But I love the color so much that I’m willing to overlook that much.”

The owner seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking.

“I can redo the flawed part for you, but… it won’t be completely invisible.”

“That’s fine.”

The dress shop owner, as if reluctantly, brought the dress over and placed it on the counter.

“I’ll only charge you half price. That’ll be 200 gold in total.”

‘…What? 200 gold?’

Even at half price, one dress was 200 gold. I was floored by the exorbitant price.

Doing the math in my head, 200 gold was enough to buy a whopping 2000 Crown Tree seeds!

‘No. I decided not to be like this.’

Compared to my usual spending habits, it was definitely an overspend, but it wasn’t a sum that would significantly impact my current finances. I closed my eyes tight and paid.

They said the yellow dress would be sent to my home along with the clothes I was wearing once the alterations were done, so after a moment’s thought, I left a pseudonym and my home address before leaving.

But I hadn’t even taken a few steps when someone ran up and grabbed me.

“Excuse me, wait a moment!”