Week 2 (1)
Week 2 (1)
"Here's the settlement payment. It was a pittance, as usual."
"Thanks, but spare me the snide remarks."
A joyless exchange passed between them.
The butler tucked the pouch offered by the Branch Manager into her bosom.
For someone who'd just called it a 'pittance,' it was actually a pretty hefty sum.
It was just far short of what she usually brought back.
Today was one of the rare days in a month when she wasn't even a little drunk.
Yet despite that, with a mental state more wrecked than ever, the butler tried to leave without a second thought.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry? It's been a while—why not chat a bit? Hell, we could even have a drink."
"I'll pass on the booze; it never sits right with me in Ark City. You got something to say?"
As she awkwardly tried to stand and then leaned back comfortably, the Branch Manager spoke up.
"I know you hate beating around the bush, so I'll get straight to it. Has a new Lord shown up?"
With that question, the butler shot her a sharp glare.
But her impassive demeanor didn't change.
Instead, to the Branch Manager gently urging an answer with her eyes, the butler sighed and nodded.
"That's a relief—for me, it's a misfortune too."
"Sorry you feel that way. Was that what you were fishing for?"
"Well, hearing an apology from that damned mouth of yours is pretty entertaining, but not quite."
Even with the butler's provocative attitude, the Branch Manager continued unfazed.
"You can't think a sweet deal for your side will last forever. You know that, right? We can't keep shoving people into that cursed territory indefinitely."
"I remember that being a settled matter already. That's what the contract was."
"You've got some nerve. Calling it a 'contract' when I've been doing you all these one-sided favors—thick-skinned as they come. You're the only one I know like that."
"Thanks. So, what's your point?"
To the butler firing back just as shamelessly, the Branch Manager calmly parted her lips.
"This is the last time."
The butler's brow furrowed.
Ignoring it, the Branch Manager pressed on with a stubborn tone.
"Dispatching people to that territory? Only as long as the Lord you're serving now is still breathing."
All expression drained from the butler's face.
Savoring her icy expression leisurely, the Branch Manager stood first.
"Sorry, but we can't keep sending people indefinitely with no end in sight. If you don't get results this time, we're pulling out. This is advice from an old friend before a Guild member."
"Thanks a ton. Just keep sending them without a hitch every week. That's the contract, after all."
"Ungrateful to the end. Get out."
Waving her off in exasperation, the Branch Manager turned away.
The butler rose too, heading in the opposite direction.
That day's sun sat plump in the middle of the sky, and their conversation ended there.
Just that and nothing more.
*
I'd half-forgotten she was somewhere in the manor, but the butler had returned from outside the territory.
And the moment she got back to the office, she handed over the money pouch without a word—for a brief moment, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she looked like someone else entirely.
Uncharacteristically sober-looking, no booze stench, a blonde ice queen? This ain't my butler.
But I hope she stays like this from now on.
When I asked where the money came from, she explained it was the payout from the Magic Stones acquired on the last expedition.
Huh... even if it looks a bit creepy, a Magic Stone smaller than my fist is worth this much?
Of course, to my game brain, it wasn't a huge amount, but facing real currency gave it a whole different weight.
In a way, this was our first earnings, so it had some meaning.
Alright, I gotta deliver Valerie and Ray's shares personally.
With that resolve, as I geared up to head to the mercenaries' barracks, the butler smirked and flopped back onto the sofa.
Like she couldn't care less.
Her actions were the same as always, but the vibe felt a bit off somehow.
Of course, she soon cracked open a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet and started chugging straight from it, so before she got wasted and came at me again, I hurriedly threw on my overcoat to make my escape.
—And shortly after, I arrived at the mercenaries' barracks.
The moonlight was unusually bright tonight, illuminating the world so well that even without embers, my steps didn't waver.
What a poetic night.
On Earth, even I'd be tempted to lay out a mat, crack open some chicken and beer.
Of course, as someone whose 'friends are online friends only,' it's just a fantasy for me.
Shaking off the random thoughts, I cautiously pushed open the barracks entrance.
I planned to hand over their payments to Ray and Valerie, and discuss the next expedition now that Kali was joining.
Figured I should make some noise, so I cleared my throat and called their names as I took a few steps forward.
"Ray-ssi, Valerie-ssi— Ah?"
"Ah."
An encounter way earlier than expected.
Ray was outside.
Never mind why she was out at this hour—I was about to greet her naturally but froze on the spot.
At the end of the cigarette in her mouth, an ember glowed red like her eyes, and I realized unexpectedly that she was a smoker.
But before I could start a convo about that, there was a far more pressing issue to address first.
That 'pressing issue' was the fact that Ray was smoking buck naked, without a stitch on—and instead of pointing it out, I whipped my head away.
Thank God I didn't instinctively gawk.
Even the brief glimpse I'd caught had burned that feminine curve into my brain—intimate enough that the owner herself would definitely want it hidden.
Her slightly damp hair clung to her pale skin like a wet crow, and her ruby-like red eyes trembled unmistakably in panic.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Since I'd fully turned away, I couldn't see what was happening, but I figured she'd dash back inside and throw on some clothes.
But for whatever reason, Ray spoke up in a trembling voice that sounded forced.
"M-Master. What brings you here?"
"S-Sorry! I didn't know you were... resting."
I'd thrown in a hint to go inside and get dressed, but whether she thought leaving me standing like this was rude or what, there was no sign of her moving.
"This is, uh, nothing else... just a habit, y'know? I always smoke one right after a shower before getting dressed... for real."
"Ah, yeah. The breeze feels refreshing, huh? And, y'know, the moon's so bright..."
I felt pathetic bringing up the weather in this situation, but Ray went "Mm," trailing off before clamming up.
A suffocating silence— I could even hear the raw sounds of her skin brushing as she desperately tried to cover herself behind me.
In that standoff, my patience hit zero first, and I carefully broached the purpose of my visit, hoping my voice wouldn't crack.
"Uh, nothing else, but the butler settled the earnings, so I came to split them up and plan the next expedition a bit..."
"Mmm, got it. For that kinda thing, better to do it tomorrow morning. Valerie's out cold right now."
Timing was off all around, it seemed.
I'd come all excited, but rationally, yeah, morning would be more practical.
I kept my head turned away from her as much as possible and said,
"Then, guess we'll talk tomorrow. Sorry for disturbing your rest. I'll head back now."
"Ah, no. If anyone's sorry, it's me—for making you uncomfortable."
It was less calm and more like she was trying to sound that way, but anyway, that's what Ray said.
"No, I showed up out of the blue. Uh, it's getting chilly now, so head in and rest."
Only after saying it did I remember Ray was a Superhuman.
Shit, spoke too much like a modern guy again—but Ray responded with a subtle "Mm," like she didn't have time to care.
Sticking around longer would just be cruel to her, so I quickly slipped away from the barracks.
So my outing ended with nothing gained but the mega-disaster of catching Ray naked.
Huh, thinking about it that way, it kinda feels like a decent trade.
Putting the nonsense aside, I quietly headed back to the manor.