Chapter 14

“Where the heck is this?”

“That’s right!”

I quickly rummaged through my uniform pocket.

Something alive(?) in the pocket latched onto my finger and got dragged out.

It was, of course, Shin Jae-heon.

“You haven’t grown back yet?”

Growing during training would have been a problem in its own way, but maybe this eternal miniature state wasn’t so bad.

Shin Jae-heon, clinging to my index finger like a pillar, poked his head out of the pocket and twitched his eyebrows.

“The description said it lasts 24 hours after drinking. Can’t exactly pop out mid-training either.”

“W-Well… yeah.”

I’d been too rushed earlier. With an apologetic look, I placed him on the table.

He smoothed his hair, then crossed his arms—truly palm-sized.

“Whoa, a miniature Shin Jae-heon.”

I poked his cheek with my index finger. He furrowed his brow but didn’t budge under normal human strength.

As expected, even miniaturized, an S-rank was S-rank.

“So, what did you feed me?”

Shin Jae-heon asked.

“Oh.”

I should buy one more while I’m at it. It’s free anyway.

I bought another mini potion from God’s Shop and placed it in front of Shin Jae-heon.

“I didn’t know this would be so useful.”

The mini potion was a bit larger than the miniaturized Shin Jae-heon.

“First time seeing this potion.”

Shin Jae-heon tapped the potion bottle as tall as himself.

—Crack!

The potion bottle, unable to withstand S-rank strength, met its end.

I cleared it away, bought another, and handed it over.

“It’s called mini potion. Makes you tiny, as the name says. But is this really chocolate-flavored?”

I asked, recalling the description. Shin Jae-heon finally nodded with an “aha.”

“Ah, this is from God’s Shop? It did taste like chocolate…”

His words trailed off. Even tiny, I could see his eyes narrow.

“…So you gave me an untested potion earlier?”

“Well,”

Sorry, Shin Jae-heon!

“No time to test it! Sorry!”

Or would you rather have a formal meeting with the knights right then?

At my shameless excuse, Shin Jae-heon gaped in disbelief.

“But think about it. That was the only way out of there.”

“Fine, whatever…”

Shin Jae-heon laughed incredulously.

“So, is there an antidote for this?”

I checked God’s Shop again, but nothing to reverse the mini potion appeared.

“…No.”

Of course, the system said it’d wear off in 24 hours, so no need for a permanent miniature version.

The problem was right now.

“Can’t go back to the palace like this. Am I on vacation?”

Shin Jae-heon spread his hands.

Good point? I glanced out the window. It was already evening.

“Not vacation… The emperor’s missing for the day?”

Shin Jae-heon nodded lightly.

Then he looked around the table, dragged over a memo pen, and perched on it.

Crossing his legs leisurely, he said,

“Probably.”

“And if you go to the palace like that, it’ll be chaos?”

“Probably.”

Shin Jae-heon replied curtly again.

True, at that size, he might get stepped on by knights… No, too tough an S-rank for that?

“Gotta watch out for knight feet in the palace.”

I muttered softly, and Shin Jae-heon raised an eyebrow.

Then he shot back,

“What about me?”

“You?”

I did feel bad about the untested potion.

But RP dungeon items hadn’t been poison in the 10-year gate history, and above all, the target was Shin Jae-heon.

“No way the Shin Jae-heon who went from C to S can’t handle being tiny.”

This wasn’t empty words—it was real faith. I poked his cheek.

“If you don’t grow back, I’ll flip God’s Shop upside down to fix you.”

This was sincere too.

S-rank or not, tiny like this, he needed protecting.

Like once before.

Like 10 years ago.

Shin Jae-heon raised an eyebrow at my words. Looking ready to snap, he turned away.

“It’ll wear off by tomorrow anyway.”

“Yeah, it will.”

Why worry needlessly?

In our hunter team, Shin Jae-heon and I competed for most laid-back.

Joo Yian and So Yeri handled the worrying. Sorry.

But most dealer awakeners were like this.

Straight-shooters who hated overthinking unless it was dire.

“You’re seriously cute now.”

I pressed down on his head—coverable by two fingers—then clapped.

Might as well make it comfy since he’s tiny for the day.

Shin Yuri Hotel welcomes you for the night.

“Sit tight a sec.”

I eyed him on the cold table, then turned.

“?”

I laid a handkerchief in front of him first. The wrinkle-free fabric looked like a pristine white carpet.

Who knew my Korea miniature play skills would shine here.

Soon, I made him a tiny paper pillow, blanket, and bear doll.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Shin Jae-heon asked, accepting the pillow dutifully. I didn’t deny it.

“Gotta enjoy the chance.”

“I’m not here to be your toy.”

How’d I end up like this…? Grumbling, he still sprawled starfish on my handkerchief.

“Fine, play with me as you like.”

Yeah, that’s Shin Jae-heon. Always indulging my antics.

Giggling, I poked his tummy with my fingertip.

“Hold on.”

I made him a few more tiny toys.

Even soul-possessed in an RP dungeon, my crafting skills remained.

Dozens of minutes later, Shin Jae-heon swung the paper sword I’d made, then stood it by the handkerchief bear.

“Oh,”

Then he remembered something and reached into his dungeon inventory.

“One more thing I meant to give you.”

“Huh?”

What he pulled out was a sword several times his size.

“Where’d you get this?”

I teamed with Shin Jae-heon, so I’d know his inventory.

This wasn’t something he had before.

Guess he picked it up here?

“Just found it rolling around the palace. Stats similar to the necklace, should be useful.”

He pushed the massive sword (to him) toward me.

To me, it was one-hand wieldable.

“Ooh.”

Perfect, needed the endurance boost.

“Thanks.”

Habitually, I offered a high-five. Then remembered his size.

—Tap.

But high-fives still worked.

His tiny palm touched my palm’s center and pulled away.

Ugh, cuteness bad for the heart…

That was when.

“Miss, dinner time!”

The high-energy maid’s voice came from outside.

“W-Wait a sec, excuse me!”

I quickly stuffed Shin Jae-heon, handkerchief and all, into my pocket.

And yelled back,

“Can you bring it to my room? Something simple.”

“Knew you’d say that—got it ready!”

Of all times!

As I clutched my head, the high-energy maid burst in.

I’d just managed to stash the sword in my dungeon inventory before she entered.

“Heard you trained hard today, so steak!”

The maid chirped happily.

Meat is always right! But not this hyper maid right now!

I thought of crumpled Shin Jae-heon in my pocket and gestured.

“Looks good. You can go rest.”

“Yep!”

—Click.

The maid tilted her head at the handkerchief bear on the table, then laid out the food and dashed out.

“Phew.”

I double-checked she was gone, then reached into my pocket.

“Rough handling, Shin Yuri.”

The S-rank unscratched by my manhandling emerged.

Placed by the steak, his tininess stood out.

“Can’t risk dungeon penalties.”

That’s why I wrapped you nicely. Sorry. I stroked his tiny head.

“Eat separately?”

Shin Jae-heon glanced at me, eyeing the spread.

“Can’t keep eating what that tall guy’s giving.”

Still, need to check for poison.

“I stashed some silverware somewhere.”

As I turned to the drawer, Shin Jae-heon grabbed me.

“Silver doesn’t catch everything.”

True, but revealing we detected their poison wasn’t an option now. This was best.

Better than nothing. That moment—

Shin Jae-heon darted between the dishes.

Then hoisted the still-massive knife with both arms and sliced the meat neatly.

S-rank strength feared nothing.

“Slicing for me?”

Even normals can cut steak.

Even so, I was a bit touched—

When he flicked a tiny slice into his mouth.

“Hey.”

As I narrowed my eyes—

“…!”

A crack formed on Shin Jae-heon’s smooth brow.

His gaze shifted forward—system window up.

“No way,”

Before I finished, he spread his hand to me.

Blood stained the white shirt hem as he wiped his mouth.

“…Don’t eat this.”

Poison reacting even to S-rank? My eyes widened.

“Shin Jae-heon?”

I instinctively cupped his body with both hands.

“You okay? Call Joo Yian?”

“No.”

Shin Jae-heon waved off my jostling.

Whoops. I let go in surprise; he shook his head again.

“Just took some damage.”

Damage piercing S-rank? Must be potent poison.

And only one who’d poison it.

“Told them separate meal. Guess Kikal figured it out.”

I’d specifically told the hyper maid to prep alone, but poison slipped in somehow.

“Or that maid’s with Kikal too?”

No one trustworthy in this dump.

I checked Shin Jae-heon over and sighed.

No color change— just minor damage, as he said.

S-ranks had strong poison resistance anyway.

“Really okay?”

But miniaturized, reactions might differ. Dosages vary by body size.

What if that bit was too much for his tiny frame?

Sensing my worry, he nodded slightly. Casual as ever.

“Told you, I’m fine. But…”

Maybe because he was doll-sized, his sudden icy expression felt surreal.

“Playing interesting games.”

His cold gaze turned to the door. I felt something familiar there.

Something never aimed at our hunter team or humans. But always in gates.

His killing intent.