Chapter 62

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 62

Chapter Title: Become My Comrade

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"Become my comrade."

Right after my first kiss was stolen in an unexpected accident.

"Benefactor oppa. You have to forgive Lin because she's cute."

"Shut ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up, you brat."

Quuuueek—!!!

"It huuurts."

After pinching the cheek of Lin, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠who was making that obnoxious noise with a blank expression.

I sent her off to clean the house, and not long after.

Knock knock knock—!

"…What day is it today?"

Another unfamiliar knock echoed through.

This time, I trudged to the door, wondering who it was now, and irritably asked who was there.

From the other side.

"Uh… Isn't this Benefactor's place? That voice sounds way too menacing…?"

"It should be the right place…?"

A vaguely familiar voice came through, so.

I cautiously opened the front door.

"Ah, it is the right place! Long time no see, Benefactor!"

"It's been three days~ Benefactor~"

Soon, Heon-gyu hyung in his disheveled clothes and Ga-ram smiled and greeted me.

"Uh… What brings Heon-gyu hyung and Ga-ram here at this hour?"

"We said we'd bring the transformation gear once it was done, right? So we rushed over the second it was finished!"

"At this hour?"

"Ahaha… Sorry about that. We've been pulling all-nighters so much that we've lost all sense of time. We didn't even realize it was morning."

Ah, that explained why they looked a bit rumpled.

They must have come straight over in their work clothes the moment the gear was complete.

"Sorry~ Did we wake you up by any chance?"

"No, it's not that… Come on in for now."

It was a bit sudden, but.

Leaving these two good-intentioned folks standing at the door felt rude, so I let them inside.

Then, for the weary-looking pair, I decided to brew some special tea leaves to serve them.

"Tabula. Make some tea leaves to serve these two. Whatever's left, I'll give as a gift, so keep in mind Ga-ram's pregnant."

"They pulled all-nighters making gear for the kids, so don't skimp—use plenty. Oh, but don't go overboard? Moderation in all things."

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"?"

What the…? A tea leaf that's A+ rank? And so many effects?

"Tabula. Isn't this a bit much…?"

"Even so, it's too extravagant for a gift. People might suspect my job if they see it."

"…You can do that?"

"Hoo…"

SSS+ skills really are something else…?

Casually talking about fooling the system—nothing like other skills.

Anyway.

If it really could do that, it'd be useful in so many ways, so I gave permission to see just how much it could hide.

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"…?"

"No, whether it's good or not…"

…Is this the same tea leaf as before?

Isn't this less editing and more outright fraud?

This was straight-up auction house scam level, but.

Since it wasn't for anything bad, good was good.

I served them the tea and smoothly continued the conversation.

"Oh my~? This tea has such a nice aroma~!"

"Weird… After drinking it, my head feels clearer and my body feels refreshed."

"I'll pack some for you to take, then."

"These tea leaves? No need."

"Come on, you should take them. They're especially good for pregnant women like you, Ga-ram."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Take a look at this."

To slip them the tea leaves without drawing attention.

My plan to casually hand them over mid-conversation as no big deal was…

"B-Benefactor? Is this… an elixir by any chance…?"

"Huh? It's just tea leaves?"

"Um… Benefactor. Items that give permanent benefits when consumed are all classified as 'elixirs.' This is definitely one. And a rare, expensive kind that's hard to find."

"This?"

"Yes. No penalties at all. These are consumable even by normals, so they don't circulate much on the market."

"Because rich folks love them?"

"Exactly. So even with money, they're incredibly precious secret medicines."

"…I see."

…A massive failure.

I'd tried to pass it off naturally as nothing special.

But from their reactions, that was impossible.

Why?

"The tea we just drank is that precious elixir…? Spit it out! Spit it out, you idiot Lee Heon-gyu! We don't have enough to give to Ga-ram, and you ate it—!!!"

"Heon-gyu… My heart's pounding so fast, and my body's shaking… I-I can't believe I just gave our baby such a great elixir…"

Both were trembling all over, unable to stay still.

I'd thought it since last time, but this idiot couple turns into total fools the moment anything baby-related comes up.

Today's antics confirmed it.

"C-Calm down, Ga-ram! We're mom and dad now—we need to stay cool and analyze situations for the kid's sake!"

"R-Right…! I'm a mom to one child now! Hoo… I'm calming down. So? What now?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I'll kneel and beg Benefactor first, so drink the rest of my share in the meantime."

"Got it, Heon-gyu!"

From now on, when giving anything baby-related to this foolish couple, I'd have to be a bit forceful.

"Hey, idiot couple? That's enough. Heon-gyu hyung, if you kneel right now, I'll burn all these tea leaves?"

"N-No! I'm sorry! Please don't…!"

"And Ga-ram, I'll give you as much tea as you want, so don't sneak drinks. What kind of mom behavior is that?"

"Ugh… S-Sorry…"

"Haa… Go wash your faces with cold water in the bathroom and snap out of it."

""Yes…""

After the idiot couple returned from splashing cold water on their faces.

""We're truly sorry.""

They sincerely apologized for their earlier antics.

So I waved it off casually, told them to sit, and resumed the talk.

"It's fine. It's partly my fault too."

"How is it your fault?"

"I figured you'd just take it if I played dumb. I didn't expect such a big reaction… Yeah, my mistake."

"How could we just take it…"

"We haven't even repaid your previous favors…"

"Sigh…"

What frustrating people.

No matter how precious it was, to me it was no big deal—I wouldn't have minded if they'd snatched it.

Their eyes gleamed with greed, yet they stubbornly refused. It was irritating.

'Keeping my identity hidden is frustrating…'

Before, in situations like this, I'd blame my weak self and move on.

But lately, hanging only with people who know me.

This kind of thing was beyond frustrating—downright annoying.

And then.

A thought struck me.

'…Do I even need to hide it from these two?'

Truth be told, they were practically my people already.

Still, the reason I'd hidden it was their guild affiliations.

Back then, I lacked the capacity to look after them.

But now?

Not just Lulu and Arin, but Lavris for combat support, trusty alchemy AI Tabula.

Karin, set to be my sword; Rachel, who despite her loose screws would grant any request; and even the lame Jinjo & Lin.

Heck, just an hour ago, hadn't I gotten a 30-story building and 1% stake in Cheongsung Electronics in the distance?

'No need to hide anymore?'

Running the numbers in my head based on what I had now.

The result: I could fully take responsibility for my people…

…So I decided.

"Uh… Benefactor? Why are you staring without saying anything?"

"Maybe I drank too much tea…"

"It's okay, Ga-ram. I'll… I'll make it work somehow! Kneeling first…"

"Hold it."

""??"

"Both of you. Let's just sign a contract."

"Contract?"

I had the means to support them fully.

And I knew their weak spot.

It might be a bit sly, but.

Using that, I'd make them fully mine.

"Um… Benefactor. Didn't we sign one last time?"

"Yes. This one's different. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It's about the child you two haven't had yet."

""!!!"

"Somehow I ended up with a 30-story building, and thinking how to use it, it hit me. Got a house, got money. Time to build my own force… Ah! Why not start a guild?"

"So, take this elixir and join the guild?"

"No. I'll give that anyway. I made it as a gift for you two from the start."

"Huh? What do you…? Benefactor made these tea leaves…?"

"Hmm… Maybe showing beats explaining. Tabula."

"Make an elixir so their baby can be born healthy. No penalties, so skip amplification. Ah, no need to adjust this time."

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"If you contract with me and join the guild, I'll give you this elixir."

"Contract and… you give us this…?"

"Yes. Take time to think it o—"

"Benefactor! Contract now! No—hand it over right now—!!!"

"…Huh?"

"The contract! I'll sign! Or thumbprint if you want?!"

"You won't think more?"

"What reason to refuse a deal like this…! Sign, print, whatever—bring it now—!!!"

"Uh… Heon-gyu hyung?"

"Benefactor. Same as Ga-ram. Give me the contract. Two copies, mine too."

"Ah… Okay."

And so that day.

I gained capable comrades: a blacksmith and a magitech crafter…

'…But looking closely, these two aren't exactly normal either.

When the hell can I get some normal comrades?'

…I couldn't help thinking.