How Much Is This Worth? (3)

Valhalla, for all its sprawl, truly occupied a massive plot ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of land.

That vast expanse housed a staggering array of facilities, many tailored for the convenience of students and instructors alike.

And among those conveniences, naturally, were restaurants beyond the standard student and staff cafeterias.

"……Is there a place like this?"

"You seriously didn't know?"

As Kim Joo-hyuk muttered around a mouthful of pasta, Lilya tilted her head, her white bob swaying to the side.

"Never really cared."

If he'd had nothing better to do, he might've paid attention to spots like this.

But right now, Kim Joo-hyuk wasn't insanely busy, though he did have plenty on his plate.

'Still, the food's damn good.'

With that thought, Kim Joo-hyuk shoveled more pasta into his mouth and spoke up.

"So, what's this 'great perk' for becoming your assistant?"

The reason he'd followed Lilya to the southern plot, crammed with convenience facilities, was to hear her pitch.

'……Though lunch was due, so we grabbed a bite too.'

Plus, with Lilya clinging to him relentlessly—whether he was training or not—pestering him nonstop, he'd tagged along just to pretend he was listening.

Food was food, and hearing her out wasn't a huge ask.

"First off, tons of benefits!"

"Like what?"

"Scholarship money! A shitload of it!"

"Next?"

"Second, that once-a-month outing? You get two or more a week! I'd pull strings, but easy peasy for me!"

"Next?"

"Th……third?"

"Yeah, anything else?"

"Oh, yeah, there is……! You could write papers, earn prestige! With your knowledge, slapping your name on the World Monster Research Association's list is child's play. Plus massive prize money……!"

"Got it. So next?"

"N-next……?"

At Kim Joo-hyuk's words, Lilya rolled her eyes, pondering, then lit up like a bulb.

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"You get to work with me?"

She jabbed a thumb at herself, but Kim Joo-hyuk replied with a blank stare.

"Your ego's out of control."

Lilya bristled instantly.

"Why not! I'm a catch!"

"Sure, you're fine."

"Then you'll be my assistant?"

"Nope."

"Whyyyyy~?"

She latched onto his arm, whining like a kid.

Her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tiny hands tugged his sleeve up and down, but Kim Joo-hyuk had zero interest in the gig.

'I figured if there was something halfway decent, maybe.'

Unfortunately, nothing in her pitch tempted him.

Money?

His market-exclusive account was already flush, and selling just a relic or two could fund a lavish life.

Outings?

If he planned frequent auctions or sales, it might intrigue him—but nah.

'If I do it, I'll bulk this body first so it doesn't suck.'

Besides, a 1-night, 2-day monthly pass covered his plans fine. No need for more.

That left prestige.

'Don't need that either.'

Back then, fame came with clawing for survival—nice bonus, but ultimately meh.

In short, her offers were useless to him.

'If she could get me into the Great Forest Eye, maybe.'

But that maze was locked to first-year evaluations only. Even an instructor like Lilya couldn't swing it.

'Tch. Back in the day, I could've snuck in and out, no one the wiser.'

He missed his 300-year-old body with a smack of his lips, then shook it off.

New life, new flesh. Pining wouldn't bring the old one back.

"Anyway, I've got zero interest in writing monster papers as your assistant."

"C'mon, just once!"

"No."

At his firm refusal, Lilya let out a tiny hing, shrinking back, but rallied.

"How about a deal then!"

"……A deal?"

"Yeah! I got some juicy info!"

"On what?"

"That Choi Ah-rin kid who hangs with you!"

Kim Joo-hyuk snorted and shook his head.

He didn't care about her backstory.

But Lilya machine-gunned on.

"Word is, she'll flunk the upcoming Choi clan selection test and get booted!"

"Uh-huh."

"Hey! Why're you getting up?!"

Lilya yelped as he stood.

"Never said I wanted to hear it."

"You did though!"

"I overheard."

"You still heard it!!"

"……Are you actually in kindergarten?"

She froze, then spoke cautiously.

"……If I was in kindergarten, would you?"

"……Why act all prickly with other students but go nuts around me?"

Lilya beamed, matter-of-fact.

"Duh, to boost survival rates! Monsters? Know 'em inside out, live longer. Kids slack, so I drill it in!"

"So it's just your shtick?"

"Not shtick—teacher duty."

Her proud how's that, impressive, right? face showed real conviction. Kim Joo-hyuk nodded unconsciously and rose.

"Good luck then."

"Wait! Why up again!?"

"We're done."

"Pay the info toll at least!"

"Nah~"

In a shop run by Morris in Market District 3, he'd been in high spirits moments ago.

A mystery buyer yesterday had netted him a killing.

'Snagged a Destruction relic that cheap.'

The price he'd paid was eye-watering to outsiders, but the relic's value dwarfed it.

Stolen or not? Not his problem.

This place dealt in gray goods. As long as he didn't scam, the Market shielded merchants.

But that mood shattered with one visitor.

"……."

Morris sweated, facing a rare VIP.

"……What brings you here?"

"Aw, we that awkward?"

A sly chuckle, but Morris couldn't see the face—hidden by an inky cat mask blocking all light.

Below: black leather coat, punk gear fitting the Market, androgynous build.

He knew her well.

"……Even old acquaintances can't jabber lightly at the Market's owner."

Indeed.

She was the Market's proprietor, "Black Cat" to the staff.

Thud.

She plopped onto a stool by the display.

"I do like that about you, Morris."

"……So, to what do I owe?"

"Straight to business? Fine, let's."

She continued.

"Nothing big. Saw an anonymous auction—Destruction-era relic."

"……Anonymity's a joke here."

"The real owner? My constellation. She gets what she wants."

Black Cat grinned.

"……You want the relic?"

"Of course not. Would the Market boss snatch like a thug? Just browsing."

"Browsing a relic……?"

Morris frowned, puzzled.

Destruction relics were rare, sure.

But Black Cat wouldn't visit for curiosity alone.

'Something's up.'

Instinct screamed it, but he held his tongue.

Defy the boss? Suicide for a mere merchant.

So he fetched it without fuss.

"Here."

"Ooh."

He unlocked the drawer, set out yesterday's ring. Black Cat snatched it, eyes gleaming—

Then froze.

"……All checked?"

Morris, staring blankly, watched her silently set it down. Baffled, he spoke.

"That'll fetch a fortune."

"……Why say that?"

Black Cat paused.

"Well……"

"Looks like my constellation wants this ring bad."

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She said it casually, sweating at the spam of alerts.