Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Barbarian Warrior's Volunteer Work (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘Since when has that bastard been working as a bathhouse scrubber?’
Even though Yuseong had a weird way of phrasing things like "to each his own," everyone instantly knew what Valian was doing.
A sesinsa (bathhouse scrubber), simply put, was someone who scrubbed backs in a bathhouse. It was grueling physical labor, but also mentally taxing work dealing with people.
However, Sylvia and Mirni, who had no clue about the job, freaked out and jumped to some bizarre misunderstanding.
"G-Good heavens...! What kind of indecent thing is that?!"
"V-Valian has finally lost it! H-How could he do something like that with another man...?"
"Hmm..."
"Not really in the mood to get involved."
"Now you get it. But how'd you even snap these pics?"
"......From where I'm standing, you should be the one getting busted."
"......"
Yuseong seriously contemplated whether it was finally time to scrap this cheeky AI.
Even after the misunderstanding cleared up, the women cleared their throats repeatedly, faces still flushed.
Someone might think Midgard had works or culture depicting homosexuality like in Greek myths, but it was surprisingly conservative. They had zero tolerance for that sort of thing.
Though using magic or divine power to switch genders for love? That was apparently fine...
‘Their culture's weird too...’
They say you shouldn't badmouth other cultures, but seeing them accept gender swaps as "love" wasn't building any immunity.
Anyway, once the minor commotion died down, the video continued, showing Valian steadily doing manual labor.
After scrubber, he was a masseur, then the toughest gigs on construction sites. From demolishing buildings to jobs that would leave an ordinary person bedridden for a week or even break bones—he sought them all out.
Yet Valian grinned like it was refreshing, working the iron even harder.
"That bastard's gotta be pulling in over a hundred mil..."
"Th-that much?"
"Then how much has that barbarian raked in total?"
It had been nearly two months since Yuseong granted him free leave.
Assuming he'd kept up that intensity...
"Is that bastard saving up to go independent too?"
"More surprising than that... Who knew Valian could work so diligently?"
"Honestly thought he only had two career paths."
"What?"
"Fighter or merc."
"......"
Sylvia couldn't even argue.
It fit him like a glove.
If Valian went into fighting, he'd be UFC champ in two years. As a merc, he'd be a legendary warrior ending wars and civil strife alike.
Not prediction—this was fact.
The guy had that kind of power.
But seeing him toil away so earnestly felt off, like ill-fitting clothes.
"Why on earth is Valian doing jobs like that?"
"You looking down on manual labor?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant!!"
"Look at you, reeking of elitism. Typical..."
"...I-I didn't mean it like that. It just doesn't suit Valian at all... B-Believe me, Luke."
Yuseong ignored the broken saintess and watched the video to the end.
The barbarian, who'd worked all day, left the bathhouse refreshed, chugged a banana milk with his now-clean face, and stepped out.
Time to head home? But...
"Huh?"
"...Where's that?"
He veered into an unfamiliar alley, stopping at a rundown little kindergarten? Wait, no...
"...House of Angels?"
"What's that?"
"...Luke?"
"......"
Yuseong just stared holes through the screen, ignoring the others.
"That bastard..."
Did he have some terminal illness?
"No need. I get it."
It was an orphanage.
A nun who seemed to be the orphanage director bowed gratefully to Valian.
"Thank you as always, brother."
"No need. How are the kids growing?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
"Good. That's all that matters. I'll be off."
"W-Wait, don't go yet. At least stay for a meal. We only ever receive from you..."
"I'm fine. Goodbye."
"B-Brother!"
With that, Valian donated every penny he'd earned that day and left.
About 1.2 million Midgard won.
At least a million a month for the past two. Nearly six mil total so far.
An amount even a wealthy investor might hesitate over, but Valian showed no regret.
Just donated calmly and walked away. No expectations of reward or fame.
Is that what a true altruist looked like?
He then ran home.
Horse-like speed, monkey-like agility—covering 10km in one breath without a drop of sweat.
Furnace-like stamina.
"Aram? Always so diligent."
"Enviable."
People called him tireless, but Valian was human too.
Without sleep, food, and rest, even he'd wear out.
Machines just needed charging—no fatigue. How enviable.
"Watched Terminator. Wanna be a robot like that."
"Hm? What?"
"...?"
Valian tilted his head, wondering why Aram was apologizing, but the moment he entered the living room, he understood.
"You... your taste in women got a bit old-school, huh?"
"Age gap's no issue. I'll respect it."
"Valian..."
"V-Valian... I-Is it true? You're really dating a grandma?"
"...Congrats."
"......"
His comrades had always been odd, but today they seemed even crazier, Valian thought.
"I see. So that gaze I felt all afternoon was you, Aram."
"...You sensed that? Don't lie!"
"Lie? Why would I lie about this?"
"......"
Even Mirni, who'd brought it up, went quiet.
Anyone else, maybe—but Valian the barbarian was always upfront, never lied.
He'd even openly admitted to sleeping with some marquess's wife back in the day...
‘The truth hitting harder than any lie...’
Mirni felt more dumbfounded than defeated watching Valian pull off what even she couldn't.
Sensing a camera with just his senses?
That wasn't instinct anymore—it was some next-level perception.
Regardless of their thoughts, Valian continued matter-of-factly.
"No idea what you're imagining, but I deny it. Total misunderstanding."
"Then why donate every coin you earned that day?"
"Just did."
"......"
"Donating's weird? I thought it deserved praise."
"W-Well, yeah, but..."
"Don't get your intent instead."
"......"
Valian was right—donating wasn't bad.
Deserved praise, even. No need for an interrogation.
But Valian doing it? It...
‘Doesn't fit.’
He wasn't selfless, but not one to volunteer for free either.
Cold calculator in the party, weighing pros and cons better than anyone.
Yet here he was, donating his full day's sweat-earned cash.
To strangers at an orphanage, no less?
"Our suspicion makes sense, right?"
"...Fair enough. Convinced."
"......"
They'd stalked him, grilled him with suspicions—and he nodded like it was reasonable.
‘Makes us feel like the scum...’
"Not 'feel'—you are scum."
"......"
"Interrogating a guy fresh from donating? Have you lost your minds? You'd deserve getting curb-stomped."
"...Harsh."
"Harsh my ass! Ever donated a single coin?"
"Luke too, then—"
"Aram."
"......"
"So? What now?"
"Nothing... forget it..."
Scum had nothing to say.
"I get the suspicion... As for why—nothing to hide, so I'll tell you."
Valian showed his magnanimous side, dispelling the trash(?) party's doubts, and pulled something from his pocket.
Photos.
"Who's this?"
"New friends."
"Friends?"
"Yeah. Met by chance."
"Heh... cute."
An unbalanced shot: tiny kids around elementary age with a hulking bronze-skinned giant.
A genuine smile tugged at Valian's lips as he called the little ones "friends."
"Orphanage kids."
"Heh..."
"About the age of my own children."
"I see. Your children... Huh?"
"Yeah?"
"What?"
......Hallucination?
"What's with you all?"
"No... thought I heard you say you have kids..."
"Must be my ears."
"Hah! Valian! Don't even joke like that. My heart can't take it."
They brushed it off as a joke, but Valian just tilted his head.
"...What nonsense? I don't recall saying anything false. You all heard right."
"......"
"I do have kids. About fifty. Each with different mothers, though..."
"......"
"Miss 'em..."
"......"
"Hm? Why the stares?"
"......You asking 'cause you don't know?"
"???"
Staring in disbelief at this natural trash coming-out, you idiot...!
Yuseong smacked the back of his head good and hard.