[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola":3,"chapter-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-55":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I’m Quitting Everything and Selling Cola",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},223481,492,"Chapter 55","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-55",55,"\u003Cp>Chapter 55. Partner (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he could have been prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he could have known the future through a novel or game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanbin was thrown into another world without any warning on his way to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His landing spot was hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, it was the 8th floor of the Spirit Demon Realm, but calling it hell wouldn't be much of an exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giant tree forests so tall you couldn't see the top even if you craned your neck until it hurt. Dreamlike natural scenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waterfalls flowing upward, luminous mushrooms as large as human torsos, a colorful sea of clouds flowing along the mountain ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the sacred, hungry monsters roaming within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back, it was remarkable that an ordinary modern-day office worker survived three months in there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eating moss, quenching his thirst at springs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every night whispering through clenched teeth,'why the fuck is this happening to me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before being crunched up by monsters, or if not that, dying from either malnutrition or a nervous breakdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonne fungus visus est. Immo, parvulus stat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An angel, no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He met the legendary witch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She later explained that the first thing she said was'I thought it was a mushroom, but it's a little child.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said she had been gathering ingredients to make mushroom stew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Come with me for now, little one.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled Hanbin out of the hellish 8th floor of the Spirit Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She provided him a place to sleep, gave him meals, and taught him the language of this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanbin wasn't completely rotten by nature and was fairly diligent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tactfully did chores like cleaning and housework.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He borrowed the kitchen to cook, and Isolde ate the food Hanbin made with great satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that earned him points?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I don't know how it is on Earth, but here you need to have strength.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You seem to have aptitude, why don't you try holding a sword?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Your circuits aren't suitable for alchemy. But having knowledge won't hurt.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isolde personally taught Hanbin until his talent as a Knight blossomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hanbin showed interest, she also taught him the basics of alchemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she had said, Hanbin's circuits at the time had a structure unsuited for alchemy, so despite having an excellent teacher, he didn't achieve notable results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back, those were carefree days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire routine consisted of attending lessons, training, eating together, and sleeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peaceful, or perhaps leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the perspective of a modern person who could lie in bed watching turtle mating shorts, the days were boring enough to make him yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he had no major complaints.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spirit Demon Realm where her cabin was located was truly a beautiful place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Safety issues weren't a problem as long as Isolde was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Picking up a book from the library and turning pages on a sun-drenched terrace even made him feel like he was at a fine resort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But above all, the reason this time was precious was because the time spent with her was enjoyable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You want to do what again? Do we really have to do something......'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What's wrong with it? It's fun.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hanbin is bothersome.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'You enjoy it once we actually do it though.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On days when warm spring breezes blew, they'd go fishing in the pond, dragging along Isolde who'd slept in late with disheveled hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying sprawled on the grass, looking up at the midsummer night sky, learning the constellations of this other world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvesting autumn's ripe red apples to make a year's worth of apple jam like kimchi-making.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On days when heavy snow piled gently on the windowsills, they'd curl up in a blanket before the fireplace, feeling each other's breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living together and watching her, Isolde wasn't the angel-like person of first impressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he knew her, the more he couldn't figure out what she was thinking or what kind of mindset she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eccentric, sometimes impossible to read, at times frighteningly cold...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Master, do you know what day it is today?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'May 15th.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'That's right. In my hometown, they call it Teacher's Day. Here's a gift.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Put it in that drawer. I'll check it later.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'......'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanbin liked that Isolde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was different from others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was someone with somehow deficient sensibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a precious connection to Hanbin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Hanbin.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Yes.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The necklace gift. Thank you so much.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could also feel that Isolde regarded Hanbin very specially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so time flowed endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parting came suddenly one day without any warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Something came up. We can't live together anymore.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'May I ask why?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I somehow thought you'd answer that way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Pack your things. I've prepared a bag.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isolde saw Hanbin off sitting at her desk as usual, without turning around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Take care. My little one.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He met her again years after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was when Hanbin, having left the Secret Burial Unit, participated in the Great Subjugation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isolde, who had suddenly appeared, proposed participating in this Red Moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he missed his old comrades, 'Jurgen' had tasks to solve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the proposal was rejected, Isolde readily backed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she was truly convinced by this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the proposal was just a pretext and she actually just wanted to meet Hanbin after a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or whether there was some other reason he couldn't guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanbin leaned back against the sofa, feeling a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below his puffy eyelids, memories of the past flowed back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'm okay.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Instead......'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Even if everyone forgets me. You remember me, Captain.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vic, who had pleaded with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why are you angry?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Everything was for Hanbin.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This way I can protect you.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isolde, who had muttered while clutching at her collar like a child being scolded, before Hanbin who had raged like fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought the memories had faded with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought even the fragments of emotion would have dulled at the edges by now, yet they rang so vividly in his ears and pierced his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanbin ultimately couldn't forgive Isolde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn't hate her forever either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he postponed it indefinitely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the knots of connection are so complex that even when put away, they appear before your eyes again someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as before, tangled tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Clunk\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The document case opened slightly and a few tentacles crawled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hanbin][Sad?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the gap, gentle eyes looked up at Hanbin as if peeking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several tentacles stroked the back of his hand as if comforting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It's okay][Vic][Happy]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt no temperature from the tentacles. Yet they were warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After stroking the back of his hand for a while, Vic, seeing Jurgen's lips soften, wrote as if it'd been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Vic][Comfort][Praise]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Candy]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wiggled its curled tentacle tip as if demanding tribute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the comical sight, Jurgen finally laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many do you want to eat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[100!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here, here you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[!!!!!!!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vic's tentacles danced gleefully at the generous candy donation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope returned to The Richfield Hotel after her squabble with Jurgen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But being upset didn't mean she'd thrown aside her work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope had decided to participate in the subjugation during this Red Moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Moon was both an event involving some danger and an opportunity to achieve merit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Penelope, the co-representative of Y&P, earned achievements, Y&P would benefit directly or indirectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the subjugation forces would be deployed throughout the Labyrinth Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opportunities to build notable achievements among them were limited, and such positions naturally attracted fierce competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She needed to secure a good position first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And fortunately, five of the Six Heroes were staying at this hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sword Saint Kaylus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast Empress Ravina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Witch Isolde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Star Saint Stella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron Mountain Brok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroes of the Great Subjugation who wielded great influence not only in personal martial prowess but in various fields and regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the hotel owner, Penelope had opportunities to build connections under the guise of coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd try talking first, and if that didn't work, she was even considering solicitation with bribes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might seem a bit underhanded, but she had to use whatever she could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, facing such an important moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What filled Penelope's head were deflating memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The argument with Jurgen this morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haah......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking back, it was the first time they'd raised their voices and fought since becoming business partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, rather than fighting, Penelope had unilaterally thrown a sudden tantrum and left......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as a driver gets flustered when a car suddenly accelerates on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope too was flustered by this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, let's examine the line that triggered all this discord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Miss Serena is also a partner, isn't she?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's true that Serena is also a partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Jurgen doesn't necessarily have to share all his secrets with Penelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's really no reason to throw a fit over that part, if she thinks about it calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she clearly remembers feeling impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you ask 'impatient about what?', the answer becomes vague again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an irrational emotion in many ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My head hurts......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope leaned forward onto the table like a stretching cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, it was the first fight since they became business partners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, whatever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, Jurgen was wrong first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Partner' isn't a word that should be thrown around so casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's not even coming to make up first. So very, very vexing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Penelope was grumbling with an indescribable displeasure she couldn't explain to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She heard the sound of the suite door opening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the exclusive Royal Suite that Penelope used instead of a home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if there were a guest, Manager Ritz or another employee would have contacted her by intercom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jurgen? Is that you? Or Serena?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkness stretching beyond the mood lighting felt suddenly thick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope reached for her Palette and grasped her alchemy catalyst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought it might be overkill, but she'd been on guard ever since being attacked by the Undertaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the suite door opened, to reach this study one would have to pass through the living room and one bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope held her breath and half-crawled to position herself with the wall as cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don't answer within three, I'll consider you an uninvited guest with ill intent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it definitely wasn't Jurgen or Serena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One, two......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kyaaaaaaah!!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right at that moment when Penelope was at peak tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone poked her shoulder from the side, making Penelope's heart nearly fall out in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without thinking, she fired a 'Heat Ray' loaded in her circuits toward that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuuuung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic that should have shot straight dissipated as if doused with cold water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic that had already completed loading was nullified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I startle you? Sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she was startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled because someone suddenly poked her shoulder from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled that magic could be blocked this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But most of all......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled that the person who pulled this prank-like-not-prank was the Witch of the Western Border, Isolde Blackwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter if she's one of the Six Heroes or the Witch of the Western Border, who visits someone like this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why poke the shoulder, why! I nearly had a heart attack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She almost said, but.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps thanks to her experience navigating the treacherous social circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello, Miss Blackwood, what brings you here? Was there something uncomfortable during your stay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Penelope's response was professionalism itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She responded with a calm that surprised even herself, wearing a businessperson's smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for good reason......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was among the VIPs staying at the hotel this time, one Penelope had been especially keeping an eye on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, wasn't she also an Alchemist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was personal respect, but people in the same field naturally have much to talk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been a person of interest to target when attempting to build connections with the Six Heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she'd come first, she had to make the most of this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can we talk for a bit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And don't call me Blackwood, call me Isolde. I don't like my surname.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Penelope went to get some cola.\u003C\u002Fp>",2034,"2026-05-29T14:34:06.509Z","2026-06-01T04:29:32.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","fa66326c2adb7b05cf73b0887557582c6f5cd633a491675fd9fa2fee0f9f54fa","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-56","i-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-chapter-54",146,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-m-quitting-everything-and-selling-cola-cover.jpg"]