A Scandalous Job Offer
html, body { margin:0; padding:0; } Actor: Derek Walker 12
The streets of Kegen were bustling with noise. Dressed like commoners, Lady Isabel Benellia and Luna—also changed into simple clothes—walked side by side through the crowds. Both wore brown hoods pulled low over their heads to hide their striking beauty.
"There are so many carriages."
Wagons loaded with goods rumbled down the roads. Kegen's trading post was famous for its massive scale, and Isabel had heard plenty about it.
"It's a developed city. Must be plenty of jobs," Luna added. Isabel gave a wry smile in response.
"But I doubt there are many that pay well."
No job that paid 5 gold in a week came to mind, no matter how hard she thought. She vaguely recalled that even the head butler back at the Benellia estate made only 5 gold a year.
If only I'd grabbed some jewels or a ring when I fled the mansion...
How could she have foreseen things turning out like this? The measly 6 gold she had managed to scrape together was from selling family heirlooms that her loyal coachman had hastily gathered.
As they entered a busy commercial district lined with shops, restaurants and grocery stores sprang into view. Some looked short-staffed and hectic, but she was certain that working at a place like that wouldn't even net her 5 silver, let alone 5 gold.
No way around it. Dead end.
With no special skills to her name, making that kind of money in such a short time was impossible. Count Kengor surely knew that when he set those terms.
"Well, well. A fine pearl rolling right into my path. Wrapped in a shell, but you can't fool these eyes of mine."
A greasy voice drifted from up ahead. Isabel tensed, snapping her head up warily. A middle-aged man in a fine suit blocked their way, grinning sleazily.
Luna, who had been walking abreast, stepped forward and snapped at him in a sharp tone.
"Who are you?"
"Whoa, whoa. I'm no villain. That's quite the guarded tone you've got there."
"I asked who you are."
"This is me."
The man handed over a small wooden plaque. Luna took the rough-hewn thing without relaxing her vigilant expression. Engraved on it were the words:
Isabel craned her neck to read it as well. It seemed he was the proprietor of a shop called Fairy Country.
Fairy Country? Some kind of inn?
Isabel tilted her head in confusion. The man flashed a oily smile and extended his hand to Luna.
"If you've had a good look, mind giving it back? I don't have many."
Luna handed the plaque back without hesitation. He tucked it into his suit's inner pocket and continued in that same slimy drawl.
"As you can see, I run a place called Fairy Country. We're launching a groundbreaking new venture, and I'm scouting for the perfect talent. Finding gems like you in a street like this? Tough stuff. But looks like I've struck gold!"
Isabel felt her wariness spike as the man clapped dramatically. He seemed like someone to steer clear of. She grabbed Luna's skirt and ducked behind her.
"Speak plainly. What do you want?"
Luna's sharp voice made the middle-aged man flinch back a step, though his smile didn't fade.
"Not one for small talk, eh? We might get along. Fine, straight to the point: how about working with me?"
"No."
Luna's flat refusal prompted him to raise a finger.
"Not even after hearing the details? You're a bit hasty. At least hear me out?"
"Any scheme from a shady guy like you has scam written all over it. We're busy, so don't get in our way."
"It's big money. Fast."
At the words "big money," Isabel perked up from behind Luna. Right now, she needed cash more than anyone.
"Um... maybe we could at least hear the explanation?"
Isabel murmured softly. Colin Pushy lit up at her words, his mouth running a mile a minute.
"See? The young lady gets it. Why not listen? You can turn it down after."
Luna shot Colin a cold glare, then nodded reluctantly.
"We're just listening."
"Of course. Take your time to decide. Oh, but let's move somewhere quieter first. That restaurant over there—my treat."
*-*-*
The three settled into a corner booth at a small eatery. Luna's eyes brimmed with suspicion, while Isabel's held more curiosity than caution.
"Order whatever you like."
"I'm fine. Just get to the point."
Under Luna's curt tone, Pushy broke into a sweat and ordered three servings of roasted pork leg. Once the food was in, he pulled a small crystal orb from his pocket.
"Ah, an image storage crystal."
Isabel recognized it immediately with her sharp eyes. Image storage crystals were familiar to her from the Benellia household—a common magic item there. She'd used them often for educational videos.
"Oh ho. Not something your average commoner would know. You've got good eyes."
At Pushy's remark, Isabel averted her gaze slightly.
"Y-yeah, I saw one at the market once by chance."
"I see. Anyway, as the young lady said, this is an image storage crystal. Average market price from the mage towers is around 5 silver, depending on the quality."
5 silver
A trivial sum for nobles, but a heavy burden for commoners.
Ten copper could buy a hearty, greasy meal. 5 silver was 500 copper—a fortune for folks just scraping by.
"Our business buys these crystals in bulk and sells them for double—10 silver or more."
"...Can we leave now?"
Luna dismissed it outright. Pushy waved his hands frantically.
"Hear me out! It's not a scam. We're adding value with these crystals. Small scale for now, but it's growing steadily."
"How do you sell a 5-silver magic item for double?"
Unlike Luna, Isabel showed interest. Grinning slyly at her question, Pushy replied.
"Heh heh. The answer's right here. Watch."
He gently tapped the top of the crystal. Light leaked out, projecting onto the restaurant wall. A video stored within began to play.
"I'll lower the volume a bit."
Pushy adjusted it as he spoke.
-Nngh...! Feels so gooood~!
-Heh heh. Gonna make you all nice and wet!
The moment the video started, Isabel flushed crimson and whipped her head away. It was straight-up pornography—a man and woman entangled in explicit sex.
"You trying to pick a fight?"
Luna's voice was icy.
"No, no. This is our business item."
"Porn is your product?"
"Don't underestimate it. Young lady, know what sells the most in books?"
"No idea."
"Porn literature. The Eclipse Church's scriptures top single titles, but by genre? Porn reigns supreme. It's a culture enjoyed across all classes."
Pushy's words stirred an embarrassing childhood memory for Isabel. Browsing the family library as usual, she'd stumbled on The Slave Knight's Final 7 Days, tucked in the farthest corner. A shockingly erotic tale. Rattled, she'd told her mother, earning her father a thorough scolding.
"Rich nobles, poor commoners, even slaves—it's universal. Tossing illustrated smut to pacify slaves? Happens all the time."
"So you're peddling this filth at insane markups?"
"Not insane. Early days, but the buzz is real. People assume nobles don't indulge in this stuff. Big mistake. Porn sells fantasy. No matter how rich you are, everyone craves escape."
While Luna scowled, Isabel listened intently.
"Plus, we're working to cut crystal costs. Secured major funding recently—aiming to drop the price within a year."
"Drop the price?"
Pushy beamed at Isabel's question.
"Yes. Expand to commoners too. If we hit 1 silver per crystal, it'll fly off shelves. Even named it—AV."
"AV? What's that mean?"
"Er, well... Investor picked it. Anyway..."
Pushy expounded at length on his plans.
"High-res versions for nobles to justify premiums. Build the network right, and it's a golden goose. Brothels have existed throughout human history—never vanished, never failed."
Luna cut in coldly toward the gleaming-eyed Pushy.
"So what you want from us... is this?"
"Exactly! I want to cast you as an AV actress!"