Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Request (3)
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After arriving at the shopping district, I summoned my main Valkyries, excluding Lije, including Lussera and Jaira.
I called out Holla and Garujan, who weren't registered to the mansion, and of course, Elastra, today's MVP.
As I moved with an escort of six Valkyries, we naturally drew the eyes of everyone around us.
It was all part of the plan.
I figured if I was going to attract attention anyway, it might as well be this blatant.
Parading around with two rare SR-grade Valkyries seemed to have everyone's gaze locked on us.
To feed my hungry Valkyries after all that intense hunting, I headed to a restaurant first.
I asked them what they wanted to eat and picked a place based on their votes.
Most wanted a family restaurant, and luckily, there was a flashy, spacious one right there.
"Welcome. How many in your party?"
"Seven."
"Ah... Are the Valkyries dining with you too?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No, of course not. Just note that it's one menu item per person. Is that okay?"
The staff was explaining upfront because some people bring Valkyries to hog multi-person tables but only order for themselves.
"Yes, that's fine."
"Thank you. Right this way."
The staff guided us with a warm smile.
We settled into a cozy private room and ordered freely.
Steaks, pasta, risotto, and for Sua, I specially added a Hawaiian pizza.
Ordering enough for seven to eat heartily cost a whopping 400,000 gold, but ever since becoming a Pilot, my sense of money had shifted—it didn't feel like a huge sum anymore.
Earning ten million gold a day made a 400,000-gold meal seem like pocket change.
After a delicious meal that left us all satisfied, we dove into serious shopping.
I even bought clothes for Heiji and Lije, who weren't summoned here.
Casual wear, outfits for going out, pajamas, underwear, shoes, hats, gloves—you name it, we got accessories too. Before I knew it, I'd blown through today's ten million gold earnings and still needed more.
Today was all about standing out, so as much as it stung, I was prepared to spend when needed.
As I emerged from the last store after our shopping spree, three women approached me.
"Hi. You're Kai, right? I'm a fan. Could you give me an autograph?"
The three women, clearly recognizing me, came over holding paper and pens.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Celly."
A woman with soft green hair, big eyes, and a cute face spoke up.
With no autographs under my belt yet, I just scribbled my name and the date.
"I'm Lily."
She had platinum blonde hair and a cool, aloof vibe.
"I'm Aili."
The blue-haired one with an impressive figure got her autograph too. Then Celly asked in a subtle tone,
"Um... There's one more person who'd love an autograph. Could you do it?"
"Huh? Where?"
"Over there. Could you come with us for a sec?"
Celly pointed to what looked like a luxurious mansion. It stood out, clashing with the southern shopping district.
All three women were stunning beauties. My real-world self probably wouldn't have followed.
YouTube videos always had comments warning about kidnappings or worse. But instinctively, I pegged them as Black Wolf Clan members.
That's when another group showed up and approached us.
"This breaks merchant etiquette, doesn't it? Don't you know we had dibs?"
Brawny guys appeared from one side.
"You can't just ignore us."
Slim, agile-looking men joined, surrounding me.
"Kai's free to shop here, but you shouldn't mess with that."
In my mind, one side was Black Hand folks, the other Blood Shadow.
"Our master wants to talk. Come with us—we'll treat you right."
The Black Hand guy asked firmly but slyly.
The Blood Shadow one just stared silently.
It sent chills down my spine.
"Hey? Think Black Wolf's a pushover? Coming into our turf to stir trouble?"
Celly, who'd seemed all cute until now, snapped a bit angrily, shifting the mood.
Her tone made the tension spike instantly.
"Whoa, whoa... We didn't come to fight."
The Black Hand guy backed off at Celly's reaction. Blood Shadow didn't seem eager to move either.
"Let's ask Kai. Who to follow. I'm Edward from Black Hand Clan. You grew up in the alleys, so you get it—no one's bigger than us here."
Edward eyed Celly and Blood Shadow while speaking, basically saying they were top dog.
"You should come with us."
The Blood Shadow guy just dropped that one line.
It felt even more intimidating. Like refusing meant trouble.
Celly stepped forward then, lightening the air.
"Let me reintroduce. I'm Celly, action captain of Black Wolf Clan. These are Lily and Aili. People call us 'The Three' because of the matching endings. Our master wants to chat. That's all from me. Choose freely who to go with."
I nearly burst out laughing at "The Three," but held it in. I wasn't that oblivious.
"Why seek me out? Do I have to go with someone?"
Celly replied,
"No, you don't have to go with anyone. Someone like you would catch Hainel Kingdom's eye—we couldn't touch you. Not even those Blood Shadow posers over there."
She glanced at the glaring Blood Shadows.
"But chances to build ties with one of us don't come often. Hear them out and refuse if you want. Your call, of course."
Celly made a logical pitch. She looked the cutest and most naive of The Three, but there was a reason she led.
I pretended to mull it over, but my mind was made up.
I'd come here for this. No interest in Black Hand or Blood Shadow.
Blood Shadow especially gave off creepy vibes—like talks could turn deadly.
After faking some thought, I told Celly,
"I'll go with Black Wolf Clan then."
"Ha... You're making a mistake. Don't think Black Wolf's soft just 'cause of them."
"If you thought that, why bring women? If a guy and gal both invite you, who're you picking?"
Edward looked dumbfounded at my retort, then laughed heartily.
"Puhaha! Fair point. Our bad. No hard feelings—next time we cross paths, let's act like we know each other?"
Edward offered a friendly handshake with a good-natured grin.
No need to snub a guy acting decent, so I shook.
Blood Shadows had vanished. Sneaky bastards. I needed to grow fast to avoid their type.
I was still too weak to protect myself.
"All settled then? Follow us."
"Sure. Lead on."
Celly and crew guided me to that mansion from earlier.
But wasn't this front-street level? The blatant luxury puzzled me.
"Wondering how a back-alley clan master lives so openly in a place like this?"
Celly read my face and hit the nail on the head.
"Yeah, curious."
We chatted as we walked to the mansion.
"Lady Juyeon may rule the underworld, but she represents all merchants. She's between light and dark. Most of what we do is legit anyway."
"Got it. Looking forward to meeting her."
"You'll like her, I'm sure."
Celly seemed oblivious to her master's rep with outsiders.
From Jenellu and Edward, she sounded like a back-alley shark—fierce, tenacious, never lets go.
Pretty face was the main draw for picking Black Wolf, no huge expectations.
As Celly approached, the mansion door swung open smoothly.
We passed the entrance, climbed to the second floor.
The interior screamed opulence. Claiming the shopping district paid off—they had cash to burn.
Valkyries stationed inside were all A-rank or higher.
High levels too.
I had top potential, but currently, I was nobody here.
Ten years behind the curve—makes sense.
As I eyed the mansion's Valkyries, thinking how far I had to go, we reached the parlor.
"Lady Juyeon? I brought Kai."
"Show him in."
A clear voice came from inside. Not the raspy mob-boss type I'd imagined.
Opening the door, Juyeon's image was the total opposite of my expectations.
Her long black hair contrasted starkly with porcelain skin. Deep, intense eyes with alluring red irises gave her a resolute air.
A broad forehead and slightly upturned lips hinted at confidence. Her explosive figure in that poised stance left me speechless for a moment.
The confidence surge from my first time with Isteir evaporated the instant I saw another beauty.
'Ah... I was a total noob not long ago...'
Guess my DNA's aversion to women hadn't vanished.