Priceless Fairy Gifts

Inside the box sat a single memo that looked like someone had ripped apart a sketchbook and scribbled on it with crayons.

The doodles flanking the text looked like something a kindergartener had scrawled, but amusingly enough, that was Peak's personal mark of authenticity.

"Oh, a free Midsommar voucher. You've got yourself something valuable there."

"Yeah, they really delivered on the payback."

At first glance, it was just a one-time-use coupon to hire a mercenary group, but the key was that group being Midsommar. The combat power of those fairies, who had stormed through hundreds or thousands of battlefields, was on a level that defied measurement.

Pretty sure some guy once used one of these to half-destroy a city back in the day.

In fact, after that incident, the community had dubbed Midsommar vouchers the "strategic fairy weapon, Buster Call."

"You'll definitely find a use for it eventually, so I'd keep it safe."

Obviously. Following Parnello's advice, I quietly tucked the nuclear-missile-button-looking scrap of doodle into my cube.

Whew, I felt stuffed without even eating anything.

"What's the other one?"

Starting off strong like this made me even more excited for the next.

I opened the second box right away, revealing a golden brooch shaped like a butterfly.

This was another item I recognized.

It was the pass to the "Fairy Forest," called a "secret realm" in the game. A place said to overflow with rare elixirs, treasures, and monsters—a real-life utopia rivaling Atlantis.

"A golden brooch? Never seen anything like it."

Even Parnello tilted his head, puzzled. It was that rare.

"Says it's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a Fairy Forest pass."

A smile crept onto my face at the sight of such an exotic item. I explained the details to him, and his eyes widened further.

"The Fairy Forest? Heh heh. Peak must truly feel sorry toward you, young master. To invite a human directly into their territory."

Oh? His reaction seemed more informed this time. Maybe?

"Have you been to the Fairy Forest, Parnello?"

"Me? No. Even within the Calione family, you could count on one hand those who've gone. The only one I know of is... Antonio Bivalt."

Ah, so he hadn't after all. Fairies were like that anyw—wait.

"Huh?"

What did he just say? Bivalt? Antonio Bivalt?

"He went to the Fairy Forest?"

"Yes. I only heard it vaguely, but he mentioned it himself once. Apparently, the Bivalt family's bloodline ability was honed there."

That explained his insane power. Fairies were masters of elemental magic and forces.

"So, from Peak, we've got the Midsommar voucher and the Fairy Forest pass."

"Yes. You have no idea how nervous I was. Fairies each treasure different things, and I've heard some even gift ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠candy as payment for requests."

Making someone go through hell and then handing over candy...? If I were the client, I wouldn't let that fairy off easy.

Just then, the sound of slicing wind came from overhead.

"Ahahaha! Everyone! The closing ceremony starts soon!"

"Honored guests, as much as we'd love to chat, please return to your tables~!!"

Witches zipped around the venue, broadcasting the announcement. Glancing at the forest's edge confirmed dawn was approaching.

"...Time flies."

"Means a lot happened. Ah, and here's the Don."

Sure enough, my father approached from afar. His slightly relaxed brow suggested he'd wrapped up his talks successfully.

"Welcome, Father."

"Welcome, Don."

We stood and bowed. He waved it off and took his seat.

"So, how's your body holding up now?"

Checking on me first thing. Classic Dad.

"Yes. No pain or soreness."

Not with Faust himself patching me up—one of the world's top doctors.

Dad nodded and spread a paper on the table, continuing.

"This is Faust's compensation proposal for us."

"...This is?"

A slave contract?

It was an employment contract for Faust as our family physician for me and Jiyoon—rushing to us anytime, anywhere, for five years. No pay, just coverage for travel, transport, and medical supplies.

"Seems he took an interest in how you and Lady Rodmang held off those guys. They're big names globally."

One from an old Triad pillar, the other rising in recent conflict zones.

Sure, we'd barely scraped by on matchups and stalling, but that alone was impressive.

"So Lady Rodmang—Yuri-sunbae—gets Faust as her physician too?"

"Yeah, same deal with her side."

The doc rumored to revive anyone—even undead—as long as there's a breath. Who'd turn that down? Probably the best terms Dad could get.

"Oh, and we got a hefty compensation payout too. I'll wire your share to your account."

Even squeezing cash out of them? And my cut? Dad's the best!!

I barely suppressed a grin, imagining the incoming funds.

Ting—!

A clear chime like struck glass echoed through the forest, drawing all eyes. On stage, Faust addressed the crowd.

"Dawn is near. Though a regrettable incident occurred today, two brave youths swiftly resolved it. Allow me to express our thanks once more."

Opening the closing ceremony with gratitude toward me and Yuri.

"We dwell not in the light. Precisely—we grow stronger in the shadows. The world yearns for light, believing it alone protects them."

But they forget.

The mood sank instantly. With a breath, he murmured low.

"That in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠end, they rest beneath the darkness. We are the cradle forged of shadow. A sanctuary for the lambs to repose. Return to your places and continue serving the world. With that, Walpurgis Night concludes. Thank you all."

And so, my first Walpurgis Night ended.

"I'm beat."

Maybe from back-to-back events and work. My stamina, once fine through all-nighters, was waning lately. The dark circles in the mirror proved it.

I was covering them with the skill 【Clown Makeup】 for now, but they were getting worse—time for a break?

"Can't complain or call a strike, though. Sigh, Uncle Parker's 'with great power comes great responsibility' rings true."

Shirk duty and just take the power? I'd be no better than the body's original owner. Couldn't slack.

Tonics weren't hitting as hard lately too. Tolerance?

"...Guess that means."

Time for something pricey. My cube held double-digit elixirs, some top-tier in the world.

One shone raw but better cooked.

The golden tangerine I'd secretly swiped from Jeju.

"Time to drop by the Recipe Development Club."

Need to nourish up. They brought snacks often lately, and I owed them favors. Commissioning them with pay should thrill them.

After splashing cold water on my face in the bathroom, I returned to the noisy class.

"How do you not pop a heal there?!"

"You psycho, it's cool-down! How?!"

"Jinwoo, quit yapping and DPS!"

Famiglia members huddled at my desk, glued to a mobile game.

Did they know how hard I worked?

"Boss, join us? Max four-man party—if you hop in, we're gold..."

"No time for games. Not interested."

Mobile games would bore me to death.

"Jinwoo."

"Huh?"

"Nothing today, right?"

His fingers froze mid-tap.

"Uh, y-yeah?"

"Thought so."

"No! Tons to do! At home!"

This punk—pupils shaking, still lying?

"Why the freakout?"

"'Cause every time you ask like that, it's brutal work!"

...Fair.

But not this time.

"Too bad. Was gonna hit Recipe Development Club—would've been nice with you."

"Why didn't ya say! I'm free. Super free!"

"...Didn't you have tons at home?"

"Psh. Cleaning and new games can wait."

That was his "busy" plan?

Fist clenched, but I held back and eyed the others.

"Why not me?! I want their food too!"

Sea-a, our top consumer of their grub, pouted.

"Plenty in the club room anyway."

"True, but... fresh-off-the-pan is basic taste logic!"

"...It's business today—no eating time. Next time together."

"Oh. Pass then."

Her instant no floored me. Geez, all gluttons...

"Wanna help, but mentoring today. Next time."

Young-je, still tapping away.

Victory chime from phones; they leaned back.

"Whew... win. Admit my carry?"

"Nah, gramps~ Mine obvs. Healer top DPS? Real?"

"Good job all. First period soon—prep."

Personalities shone in post-game banter. Such simple kids.

Well, that's a plus... I guess?

Classes flew by. Practical, theory, then club time.

I skipped lunch with Jinwoo—just in case—and headed to the Recipe Development Club room as usual.

"What the hell?"

"Ooh, Familia prez and Jinwoo! Welcome to our 'NEW! Recipe Development Club'!"

Uh... way different? In a weird way.