Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Absolutely Not
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Weekend morning.
Michael had been truly out of sight since then, as if he was really on vacation. I'd only bumped into him a few times on the street.
I had no idea what he even came here for.
Anyway, that was that. Right now, I was sitting in a chair, legs crossed, staring down at the three in front of me.
A cat was perched on my lap, and I was in the middle of petting it.
"Hurry it up. I gotta head out soon."
"Seong-hoon, Lily messed up, but it's unfair to make me do this too."
Raphael pouted and whined, but it wasn't working.
She had a concept of currency but no common sense at all. What maid in the world blows through money like that? Is our house loaded? We're working-class folks. Working-class.
"Huh? No way. For real?!"
I couldn't help but sigh at Raphael getting called out even by a kid. She glanced at Lily next to her, startled, and hurriedly corrected her own work.
What are you guys even doing?
"You should be thanking me big time."
If it weren't for me, you'd be starving somewhere. You couldn't thank me enough even if you bowed 108 times.
"She's right. If it weren't for you, Seong-hoon, I'd be doing just fine."
What? So I'm the root of all evil here? It's all my fault? I haven't done anything wrong.
I decided to ignore their habitual blame-shifting.
Whether they were top demons who thought they were hot stuff or the highest-ranking angels no one could reach.
I didn't care about any of that. I just wished the elementary schoolers in front of me would hurry up and solve these simple problems.
They were getting help from Levatein, but it looked like it would take a while, so I just opened [Menu].
Figured I'd kill some time. I opened [Skills] with that in mind, but I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Ten, hundred, thousand... million... hundred million..."
I didn't answer. The points window in front of me was that shocking. No way. How did it stack up this much? I checked the history.
This was it. No doubt about it. Those shadows that vanished just from a poke gave this many points?
I rubbed my eyes over and over in disbelief, but the window didn't change.
"With these points..."
I could rank up 「Scythe Mastery」 and still have plenty left. Just to be sure, I hit rank up.
"Oh yeah."
It was real. Real points. I even suspected it was one of God's pranks, but no—it went through.
I held back the tears welling up and hit the Y button.
—Why is that human acting like that... No, why is he doing that?
—He's always like that. Periodic fits, but the cycle's gotten shorter lately.
I ignored the voices. A glowing blue window welcomed me.
What was this? This blue window had something that made my heart race. Definitely. My chest was pounding right now.
Is something amazing coming up?
As if mocking my thoughts, another blue window popped up. I swear I heard a pfft sound from somewhere.
Must've been my imagination.
"Throwing Acrobatics, Reaper's Frenzy. What kind of names are these? Hold on, isn't that a lot of zeros? Wait—"
Insane. Way too expensive. One technique cost half of what the rank up did. Why so pricey?
As if answering my question, a blue window appeared.
No. Even so, it's still too expen—
While scrolling down, I spotted one. Among the many techniques.
This one was 500P too. Same as the 「Heaven's Blessing(EX)」 I got right when I arrived here.
An irresistible temptation. So cheap. The name alone sounds promising.
If I don't buy this...
"I'd be an idiot, right?"
Harsh. Ignoring the cat's jab, I bought [Dimensional Refraction]. With some points left over, I expanded the 「Rune Magic」 mindmap. And right then—
The moment I hit Y, Levatein came running over with three sheets of paper.
I reflexively lifted Levatein and checked the papers.
"Hmm... Levatein."
The results on the paper were shockingly bad. Was this really from beings who'd lived hundreds, thousands of years?
"Until I get back, make sure those two don't slack off. Not even a little."
Unlike Levatein's cheerful reply, a voice of despair came from behind.
—Seong-hoon, let's go eat something tasty again!! No!! Take me with you!! You can't go!!
—You're not even giving me money this time? This is tyranny!! I'm suing to the Human Rights Commission!!
—Lily!! Stop her!! Levatein!! Don't just laugh—stop her! Hey? Why are you only stopping me?! This is weird!!
—Lee Seong-hoon, don't go!!!!! If you're going, take me too!!!
I finally pried the blonde off my pant leg after she threw a tantrum and clung on. Because of that, I was 30 minutes late for our appointment and had to run.
The weather was getting hotter, so I really didn't want to run. Thanks to our damn blonde, I ended up doing intense exercise in the hottest part of the day.
"Won't some white-hair hunter grab her?"
That'd be a dream come true. Seriously. Hoping that Gabriel or whatever shows up as a military cop next time, I quickened my pace.
I spotted her in the distance.
Her outfit screamed effort—nicely dressed. A crisp white blouse paired with a brown skirt. A bright red flower-shaped hair clip in her hair.
A black choker stood out against the white blouse.
And yet, this beauty was pouting and kicking a nearby rock.
"She looks pissed."
I'd be pissed too. 30 minutes late, and I'd just go home. Feeling so sorry, I crept up as quietly as possible.
Why creep if I'm sorry? To scare her a bit. Maybe that'll cool her off some. Or so I thought, but Sophia's instincts were scary sharp.
The moment I got close, Sophia turned this way.
Our eyes met. The second her blood-red eyes locked on mine, I gave an awkward smile and wave.
"Haha... hey?"
For a split second, I saw it.
Irritation, disappointment, hurt. Negative emotions mixed on her face, then it changed in an instant. Her pout vanished, her furrowed brow relaxed. Her arched eyebrows settled back, and her narrowed eyes widened like saucers.
And her lips? They were stretching into a grin. She smiled brightly like a kid, waving back. As if 30 minutes late was nothing.
"That's what makes me feel even worse."
Quiet. Ignoring the cat, I approached, and Sophia scanned the surroundings. Curious, I called out, but she didn't respond—just kept looking around, even checking under the bench, before sighing in relief.
What the heck?
"Ah."
Finally noticing me, Sophia beamed.
"I was just making sure it was really just the two of us."
What? Just us or three? I didn't bring Raphael because she'd be a hassle.
I knew she'd whine all day if she came, so I left her out on purpose. Raphael or no, it shouldn't matter, right?
Did she really have to look that hard? Does she not get along with Raphael either?
"Don't hate the blonde too much. She's an idiot and a moron, but she doesn't mean it."
Probably. I think? Maybe?
"...I know."
But why act like that? Staring in disbelief, Sophia puffed her cheeks and came closer.
"You're late, and you're taking Raphael's side? What gives."
"I didn't wanna be late. There's a deep story here."
"Because of Raphael?"
She hit the nail on the head, so I shut up. Now her lips were sticking out with her puffed cheeks.
"Knew it."
"..."
Sophia leaned in, so I averted my gaze. For some reason, admitting it felt wrong, so I invoked my right to remain silent.
Can I get a lawyer? The only ones who'd show would be the blonde or Isia anyway.
Fine. Silence it is.
"Whatever. She didn't follow, so it's fine. Anyway, where we going? Department store? Oh, right, it's closed. Nearby shops then? Know any good ones?"
She stepped back, finger to her lips, talking with a happy smile. Made me feel a bit guilty.
We were going to get a magic tool in the first place—why would we hit those places?
"Huh? Why the face? Not that? Th-then street stalls? Does Justitia even have stalls?"
Stalls sound plausible. But no, Justitia doesn't have any.
"Uh... wanna grab food first...?"
Too excited—hard to say.
—I got no money.
—Aw, sorry. Wasn't planning to mooch. No choice! Thanks!!
—Now that I think about it, you're my maid. Not that grateful. Next time, buy your own.
Hearing that on the way into the restaurant was fine. It was classic me, so no hard feelings, and eating out together felt like a date, which was nice.
The problem happened inside.
—We have a couple's event going on. Are you two a couple? There's a special couple's menu.
—Huh? This is way cheaper. Look at this. Almost half price. Yes. We're a couple. Total couple. Super couple.
Saying stuff like that, she ordered the couple's menu. Sophia couldn't even look at my face the whole time in the restaurant.
The part-timer serving the food with that so cute~ look still embarrassed me.
Now that we were out, she was a bit better, following while looking at me.
But something felt off.
Buildings were thinning out. Justitia was closed, so we couldn't leave, but I figured nearby shops—not department stores. Yet Seong-hoon was heading to a deserted area.
What could it be? Tilting my head, I followed, and we arrived at—
"No way."
Seong-hoon glanced at me guiltily.
"S-sorry. Should've told you to wear comfy clothes."
"...For real? There's a ring here?"
"...Yeah."
It was the path to the sewers. One no normal person would take.
Wide, dark, filthy, stinking. Full of muck—worst for Sophia in white.
"S-sorry. Next time? It's really perfect for you. Found it as an artifact recently—"
Still, Sophia moved. Faster than the hesitant Seong-hoon.
Absolutely not because of 'perfect for you.'
Absolutely.
'Yeah. Absolutely.'
Absolutely not.