BOPE 11

BOPE

Posted by zoe.zoe, Released on August 1, 2026

Chapter 11 …

The score was still dauntingly low, but compared to the beginning, it had gone up by nearly 20,000 points.

“This might actually work.”

—Congratulations! You’ve successfully raised your favorability by over 10,000 points within 24 hours. You’ve been awarded 1,000 hidden points. Would you like to open the Hidden Shop?

“Yes. Open it.”

The unexpected bonus made Donghui’s heart pound with excitement.

She had gotten gloves that made her punches stronger for just 60 points—what could she get with 1,000? Just imagining it made the corners of her lips curl upward.

—Here are the items and ability upgrades available for purchase with your remaining points. Would you like to check them now?

Donghui quickly nodded.

—These are the products available for 1,000 points. Please choose a sorting method:
▶ Sort by lowest price
▶ Sort by highest price
▶ Sort by newest arrivals
▶ Sort by bestsellers

“What the heck? Why does this feel like online shopping?”

Though baffled, Donghui instinctively selected “Sort by lowest price.”

She’d never clicked categories like “bestsellers” or “new arrivals,” so there was no need to think twice. Habits are scary that way.

Attention Whistle / Can draw the attention of at least 200 people simultaneously. (-60p)
Power-Up Gloves / Boosts user’s strength by 10 times. (Based on user’s normal strength) (-60p) Sold Out
Warming Cloak / Keeps body temperature stable in extreme cold. (Full effect for 1 person. Halved effect if used by 2) (-60p)
…
Inventory Expansion Pack / Level 3 Storage. Base capacity (0/200) (-200p)
Inventory Expansion Pack / Level 4 Storage. Base capacity (0/400) (-400p)
Inventory Expansion Pack / Level 7 Storage. Base capacity (0/800) (-800p)
…
Terrain Info / Level 1: Terrain features of Grace Territory (-300p)
Resource Info / Level 1: Underground resources of Grace Territory (-400p)
Weather Info / Level 1: 24-hour forecast for Grace Territory and surroundings (-1000p)

Items already purchased were grayed out and marked as sold.

“Whoa!”

Compared to the gloves that strengthened her punches, these items were on a whole new level.

There were 30 total items available for 1,000 points, but what caught Donghui’s attention the most were the inventory expansion packs and the information items.

“Okay, let’s see. First, I’ll upgrade the inventory to Level 4, and with the remaining points… Terrain info? Resource info? Which should I get?”

After some contemplation, Donghui decided to buy the Level 1 Terrain Info.

She didn’t want to waste points on resource info only to find out the Grace Territory had no resources.

[Status Window]
-User Name: Chloe Grace
-Job: Part-timer / Lord of Grace Territory
-Ability: 0.5 / Power-Up Punch (when wearing gloves), Grace Terrain Info Level 1 acquired
-Inventory Level 4 / Storage Base Capacity (0/400)
-Activity Range: 2 / Basement room, convenience store
-Traits: 0.01 / Dirt-poor territory ★Slightly obsessed with chocolate rolls
-Resident Favorability: -171,010
-mp: 70 / 86,400

The inventory level had been upgraded to 4, and a new ability item had appeared. The favorability score had risen significantly, and even her Trait had slightly increased from 0 to 0.01.

She didn’t know what 0.01 meant, but what mattered was—it went up.

“But what the heck is mp?”

As soon as she asked, the blue status window flickered slightly, but lost in thought, Donghui didn’t notice.

That unfamiliar stat, mp, had increased by 10 since last time.

She scanned the window again, but no additional details appeared.

As Donghui stared at the status window with a serious look, all the text on the blue screen suddenly glitched and disappeared. In its place, bold letters flashed:

—Revive the Poor Territory! Special Quest!
Make Morta Village a place worth living in.

“Doesn’t seem like something I can do.”

Donghui frowned as she pictured the desolate state of the village.

—No worries! If you change things one step at a time, you can definitely revive the village.
We believe in you, Lord Chloe Grace! Fufu~

From that day on, Donghui didn’t miss a single day.

She carried bread from the convenience store and food made in the castle to Morta Village every day.

The villagers began eagerly awaiting the carriage from Grace Castle, and as they regained vitality, they started fixing up the village themselves.

Then, on the morning of the seventh day—

—The current favorability of Morta Village residents is 2.
Since you’ve successfully completed the special quest, you may now activate one location of your choice.

Finally, she could designate the jewelry shop as an active area.

“Is there a jeweler in Grace?”

On the way back to the territory, Donghui shook Delma awake and asked.

“Are you buying jewelry?”

Delma’s voice turned sharp with shock. Her tone made it sound like Donghui deserved a smack for still not getting it.

The tearful Delma from a week ago was nowhere to be found.

“No. I’m selling.”

“Those three necklaces?”

Delma’s face softened again with pity.

She assumed Donghui was now so devoted to the poor residents that she was willing to sell her few pieces of jewelry. Her nose stung with emotion.

Donghui chuckled at Delma’s ever-shifting reactions.

“I have more to sell. Call someone who can buy in bulk.”

“Do you have some hidden jewelry stash?”

Now Delma looked suspicious. Her squinting eyes were as sharp as a detective’s.

“I’ll explain later. If you contact someone now, how soon could they get to Grace Castle?”

Knowing transportation wasn’t convenient in this world, she assumed it wouldn’t be right away.

Sensing urgency in Donghui’s voice, Delma dropped the curiosity and responded seriously.

“Hmm… I think Steward Scrooge would know better.”

“Scrooge? That stingy old man?”

Donghui’s voice sharpened at the name—another familiar one like Patrasche.

She’d never named anyone Scrooge before. Her eyes narrowed in thought.

Delma had gotten a reward after naming someone. But this guy already had a name.

‘Why?’

She stared closely at Delma, wondering if there was a hidden reason.

Suddenly, Delma squeezed her eyes shut and whispered urgently.

“Even if you dislike me, calling someone stingy right to their face is a bit much.”

The butler, who had been dozing beside Delma, sighed deeply and spoke.

Donghui quickly did the math.

Now that she thought about it, she’d never asked the butler’s name.

‘So he is Scrooge.’

A small frame, strict-looking eyes, a bald crown with thick facial hair, a slightly crooked nose, and eternally displeased lips—

After hearing the name, his face looked eerily similar to the stingy old man from her childhood fairy tales.

As Donghui marveled at how well the name fit, Scrooge sighed deeply in resignation.

“Sorry. Can you contact a jeweler for me?”

She felt a bit guilty for insulting him without realizing he was right there.

Donghui awkwardly smiled as she carefully asked.

Scrooge frowned but reluctantly nodded.

“You’re not planning to sell the Madam’s keepsakes, are you?”

Scrooge’s comment shocked Delma so much she covered her mouth.

The two stared at Donghui with disbelief and alarm. She sighed and replied,

“No.”

She didn’t even know where the keepsakes were to begin with.

Not that she’d say that out loud.

“Are you sure?”

“If you’re selling the Madam’s keepsakes, we’ll stop you at all costs.”

“Absolutely. We’ll do it together.”

“Yes. I’m sure the Madam would understand.”

Even after Donghui’s firm reply, Delma and Scrooge didn’t seem fully convinced. They continued whispering and side-eyeing her suspiciously.

“I can hear everything.”

Why were they whispering as if they were being sneaky when their voices were so loud?

Donghui smiled faintly, looking at the two of them with growing affection.

‘Don’t get attached. They’re not even real people.’

Still, separate from her resolve, Donghui couldn’t wait to get back to the castle and check out the newly activated jewelry shop. Her excitement made her fidget.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Donghui bolted toward her room.

Clutching her long dress in both hands, Chloe bounded up the stairs.

Seeing her sprint like the world was ending, Delma shouted after her in panic.

“Looooord!”

Ignoring Delma’s trailing cries, Donghui reached her room, locked the door, and shouted,

“I’m going to sleep! No one come in!”

Even just that little run had left her breathless.

Donghui sat on the bed, panting heavily, then slowly took a deep breath and called out seriously—

“Status window.”

Ding!

As soon as the words left her mouth, the blue window floated up like it had been waiting.

Even the alert sound felt extra luxurious today—like it had been gold-plated.