Is this square really a safe zone?
Surprisingly, it truly was a safe zone.
I didn't feel any threats while staying here.
Beyond the grasslands, there are countless goblins, but for some reason, they never entered this square.
The air is warm, and there's no chilling rain.
I was on edge thinking something might happen, but when nothing did, I quickly relaxed.
That's when the real healing began.
It's been 5 days since I decided to do nothing.
I guess it's been 6 days since I returned.
Why the sudden time skip?
Well, there's not much to say.
Life's like that.
Those who passionately live on the front lines of life, burning themselves out, have stories to share every day.
"Today someone did this," "I heard this today," "You know the person I mentioned earlier? There's a rumor about them," and so on.
But those who spend their days at home, idly playing on their computers, usually have nothing to share when they meet friends.
Yesterday, I was on the computer all day. Today, too. And I plan to be on it all day tomorrow.
The only change is the menu of the food I eat daily. And sometimes even that doesn't change. Such a monotonous routine is far from an interesting story.
What I've done in the past 5 days? Nothing.
I just lay down, eat when Jiwon brings food, sleep when I'm bored, and occasionally pray for the souls when I hear screams.
It was so peaceful that I couldn't believe this was the tower.
If this story were a web novel, the title might be "I'm Healing Alone in the Tower Tutorial" or "I Regress at the Slightest Touch, So I Want to Live Quietly."
Isn't it boring?
Of course, it is. But being bored is better than being stressed.
Besides, it wasn't entirely boring.
I had someone to talk to.
"Isn't it ridiculous? He said he'd protect me if I followed him, but he had such a creepy smile!"
"Oh, the guy with glasses and a bowl cut? I think I've seen him."
"Yes, that's him! I was so scared... but when Jiwon glared at him, he just left."
"Haha, Jiwon is intimidating."
"Hehe, isn't Jiwon so cool? She's my role model."
Who am I talking to? That short-haired girl.
Remember? The one who asked for food at night.
Her name is Baek Dahye.
She was a college student before being summoned to the tower.
She's a bit timid, but genuinely kind-hearted. And cute.
She could've led a popular life if not for the tower... It's quite unfortunate.
"Ah, this is my friend! Say hi!"
"Were you friends before? You seem very close."
"No, we became friends after coming to the tower!"
"… Is this what being popular is like?"
I also got introduced to another girl always sitting beside Dahye.
Her name... Kim Sein, I believe? I haven't gotten close to her yet. She's usually quiet, so we haven't talked much.
"... Do you have something to say?"
"No, I guess not..."
Kim Sein occasionally glances at me with a probing look, which gives me chills... To be honest, it's hard to get close to her.
Yet, there's something unique about Kim Sein: her blonde hair.
One of her parents is a foreigner, she said. Remembering her as the mixed-race beauty with blonde hair will be helpful.
Speaking of others, the man digging the ground disappeared yesterday.
The hole he dug and his shovel are still there, but he's gone.
Did he find the legendary item? Or did he discover a secret dungeon and is challenging it?
I decided to check it out if I get a chance. I can always ambush him if needed.
The man who was digging through the weapons pile gave up and left the square a while ago. He probably couldn't find the legendary weapon. It was truly regrettable. If that man had found the legendary weapon, I could've grabbed it right after regressing.
Although I don't know the names of the others in the square, we recognize each other's faces and get along.
Occasional nods when our eyes meet? Like awkward neighbors in a small community within the square.
Any discomforts living in the square?
Well... the most uncomfortable part is dealing with natural bodily functions.
One of the men I don't know wrestled with the grass for a while and set up a makeshift toilet.
You dig a hole with a shovel, do your business, then cover it up...
The problem is everyone can hear you. The women were dying of embarrassment. Even if covered with dirt, there's no avoiding the smell.
Still, after that old man left, using the pit as a restroom became more tolerable.
Thanks, old man.
If he's challenging the dungeon... I'm sorry. When he returns, there will be an overwhelming stench from the pit.
Another inconvenience... the messages the tower occasionally throws at you.
[Remaining Gold Beads 27/50]
"Ah, come on."
A message blocking my relaxed view.
The tower always teased me like this.
Hey, while others are collecting gold beads, what are you doing? Don't you want to escape the tower? It felt like nagging.
Ah! I'll do it my way!
"Junho! Jiwon's here!"
Baek Dahye cheerfully called out to me. Turning my head, I saw Jiwon standing with her hands full of provisions.
"Ah, Jiwon! Stay right there! Let me help you!"
From a receiving end, I ought to help. It's awkward just lying around.
I received the water bundle from Jiwon and began distributing the water.
Regardless of circumstances... it's enjoyable.
The next day.
It was an ordinary day.
I chatted with people while lying around.
Jiwon practiced her swordsmanship, and when she felt it was time, she briefly left the square to gather food.
Everyone in the square knew that if we waited for about an hour, she would return with food and water.
It felt like baby birds waiting for the mother bird to bring food...
But who cares? Both the mother and baby birds are content.
"What's for dinner today? I'm already hungry."
Baek Dahye playfully rubbed her stomach. I realized I was getting hungry too.
"The chocolate bar was good last time. It was filling."
"Yeah, I want another chocolate bar. Jiwon should be back soon. I'm excited."
Baek Dahye tapped the ground rhythmically, humming a tune.
"Hey, don't tap the ground. It's making the floor vibrate."
Dirt flew up, and the ground seemed to shake slightly. Maybe because it's soft earth, even Baek Dahye's tapping caused a vibration.
"Hey, stop tappi... huh?"
The expression on Baek Dahye's face was frozen in fear.
She had stopped tapping, but the vibrations continued.
Thud, thud, thud.
Is Jiwon causing some trouble again? Or is it the firefighter Cho Cheolsoon, who left with a huge axe, chopping some wood?
Thud, thud, thud.
No. When I touched the ground, the vibration seemed to be flowing through it.
It felt like a massive creature was moving...
"Run! It's coming from that way!"
BOOM!
A massive explosion. I thought I heard Jiwon's voice, but the sound of the explosion drowned it out.
Everyone in the square was frozen in shock. Only Kim Sein, the blonde-haired girl, had jumped to her feet.
What's happening? Are monsters fighting? But would it cause such a loud noise?
Why did the vibration stop?
"Kim Junho!"
Kim Sein, with her blonde hair, called out to me urgently.
It's the first time I've heard her say my name.
"Look! Look up!!!"
She screamed, pointing upwards.
And then I noticed, my surroundings were unusually dark.
As if overshadowed.
My instincts, honed from multiple regressions, were screaming warnings at me.
I'm in deep trouble. I slowly lifted my head.
"Whoa-ah-ah-ah!"
"... Damn it."
The last thing I saw was a massive bull-headed monster falling from the sky, screaming.
BOOM!
"No!!! Ah..."
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the moment you first entered the 0th floor.]